About Robert Astley-Jordan

Robert is the immediate past president of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and chairman of Jordan’s a residential letting and property management company in the North West.

Growing up

Robert was born in Wilmslow in Cheshire in December 1943. He was involved in many aspects of his school life becoming head boy of his school Harden House, in Alderley Edge before he left. The school is now incorporated into the Ryleys School. He has lived in or around the Wilmslow area all his life.

Leaving school

After leaving school Robert , did a variety of jobs. Firstly working in an engineering works and being involved with all aspects of engineering as a fitters apprentice. After leaving this company he became a salesman for Bedford Trucks and was sent by his then employers on a training scheme to Luton for an intensive training session. This involved the technicalities of truck design all the way through to public speaking.

Property career

Robert began his property career in the 1960s when he was assistant to the senior partner in the firm Samuel Rains and Son – now Reeds Rains. He qualified there as a chartered surveyor. In 1968, he joined Dean Smith Developments as head of development later becoming its managing director with developments all over the UK.

Surveying

Robert then left to form his own surveyors practice in 1974. The business expanded to 21 offices in the North West trading as Jordans and providing full estate agency services. The business was acquired by Halifax in 1986. Robert then started another company of surveyors specialising in commercial property, town planning and building surveyors, Robert Jordan & Partners based in Macclesfield. This was acquired by Hambro Countrywide in 1988.

Residential letting

In 1990 he left Hambro and purchased the Residential letting Business in the North West. This company was renamed Robert Jordan and Associates with offices in Wilmslow, Altrincham and Warrington.

Jordan's

In 2002, the company was renamed Jordan’s. In 2004, the company was bought by Erinaceous Group PLC who expanded the business by franchising. By the end of 2007, 22 offices were operating throughout the UK. The Erinaceous Group went into administration and Robert bought the business back in January 2008.

All aboard!

Throughout his life Robert has had an enduring love of the sea. He has sailed yachts of all different kinds from small dinghies to off shore racing boats. In 1982 he was elect to be commodore of Pwllheli Sailing Club in North Wales. Now a most popular sailing venue. Robert continues his love of the sea and boats having a boat in the Mediterranean, where he hopes to spend many a long day in the summer planning for his next novel.

Why Robert Astley-Jordan

Robert is best known by the name of Robert Jordan, but in view of the fact there is another famous author by that name, Robert has decided to use his middle name as well to avoid confusion. Hence the name of the author is Robert Astley-Jordan.