One of London's best known agents goes in Countrywide...

Peter Young, managing director of John D Wood and one of the capital’s and the country’s best known estate agents, is retiring in the latest Countrywide reshuffle.

Full details of the latest round of Countrywide changes will be available on Estate Agent Today from midnight. But EAT has discovered that Young is leaving after 38 years with the firm.

A statement from Countrywide to Estate Agent Today reads:

After 38 years with the company, including the last 16 as Managing Director, Peter Young is to retire at the end of the year. Peter will remain involved with the company in a non-executive capacity as a Consultant.

Peter Young comments: “Established over 140 years ago, John D Wood & Co. is woven in to the very fabric of the property market as a trusted advisor. We can truly claim to be an ‘agent for life’ as so many of our clients, and their children, return to us when they have a property related requirement.

"As custodian of the company for the last 16 years I have worked to maintain our family orientated ethos allied to the highest of professional standards.

“Property is, in reality, a people business and I would like to thank my colleagues for being the very best of people I could have hoped to work with. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and the many challenges faced by ups and downs of the market.

“By continuing as a Consultant I remain close to the company and look forward to contributing to the future success of the business.”

Peter will hand over the operational reins to Nicholas Taylor, Sales Director, who has been with John D Wood & Co. for 16 years.

Graham Bell, Managing Director of Countrywide’s London business unit, commented:

“Peter is one of the most successful estate agents in London and one of the property market’s great characters. We will miss him but I am delighted he will remain involved as a Consultant and that his encyclopaedic knowledge, particularly of Kensington & Chelsea, will remain an asset available to our clients.”