A quartet of senior figures left Connells Group on Friday afternoon with an announcement saying they had made a “significant contribution” to the firm.

A surprise statement issued after lunch on Friday announced the departure of Ian Fry, Giles Hart, Anthony Glasgow, and Stuart Dare “who have each made significant contributions to the company’s success, helping shape Connells Group into the UK’s leading estate agency and mortgage services provider.”

Fry joined Connells Group in 1996, served as Chief Executive of Estate Agency and was described in the statement as “fundamental in cementing Connells’ position as the UK’s leading estate agency, driving both stability and performance throughout his time with the Group.”

Hart, National Managing Director of Estate Agency, was called “a respected figure in the industry for over 25 years” with “vast knowledge and industry expertise … essential to Connells Group’s growth and development, and his leadership has had a profound impact on the business.”

Anthony Glasgow, Chief Operating Officer of Estate Agency, had been with Connells Group for over 36 years and before that, Royal Sun Alliance. “Anthony’s vision has played a critical role in the ongoing success of Connells Group, and his contributions will continue to benefit the business for years to come” says the statement. 

Stuart Dare, Managing Director of Mortgage Services, quits after 20 years during which his knowledge has “been a key ingredient to the success of this critical part of the business.”

The statement also announced that Chris Rosindale will step into the role of Chief Operating Officer of Estate Agency, while Marc Lightfoot will become the Group Mortgage Services Director, taking on leadership of the mortgage division, while Ian Culbert will continue to lead Connells Groups’ lettings business.