"I have been extraordinarily fortunate and lucky in my career" says Connells Group Chairman Stephen Shipperley.

One of estate agency’s most influential figures has announced his plan to retire at the end of 2022, after celebrating his 45th anniversary with the business earlier this month.

Stephen started his career in 1977 as an 18 year old Trainee Negotiator at the Connells Aylesbury branch on leaving Aylesbury Grammar School.

READ MORE: Historic Lane End Conference Centre in High Wycombe goes up for sale

During his years at the Aylesbury office, it was the most successful branch in Connells and at the forefront of many innovations deemed commonplace in the industry across the UK today, including opening seven days a week and piloting the introduction of mortgage services.

He said: “The business has trained and developed me, given me opportunities and challenges, and enabled me to work with a wonderful team of talented and driven people who have made the business what it is today.

ALSO READ: High Wycombe MONOPOLY board released TODAY

“The business has been able to achieve the great things that it has because of the experience and strength in depth of the management within the business, and I am immensely proud to have been a part of that management team." 

Stephen became the Branch Manager at Connells High Wycombe aged 21, which would become the most profitable branch in Connells for much of the 1980s, and rose through the ranks becoming a Director in 1988 and Chief Executive in 1990, and Connells Group Chairman in 2008.

Born and brought up in Brill, Stephen has lived locally all of his life.

A keen sportsman, he has played football and cricket against most of the clubs and villages throughout Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

His vast experience, passion for developing people and appetite to expand horizons have helped to make Connells Group the industry force it is today, cementing its position as the largest and most successful estate agency company in the property industry.

Connells Group CEO, David Livesey added: “After such a long and successful career with us, Stephen will leave a lasting impact on the business.

"His appetite for innovation and hunger for success have shaped who we are today and we thank him for his years of service to Connells Group.”