HE’S seen Hampshire’s landscape and business change dramatically over four decades.

Land agent Chris Langford is celebrating 40 years working for Carter Jonas in Winchester.

Since joining in July 1973, he has seen plenty of changes across the city, including the Jewry Street business’s name, which started as Pink and Arnold and had several more before becoming Carter Jonas.

Mr Langford said: “Forty years ago one could take a week to reply to a letter without being tardy, now an email can need an immediate response, a telephone call would involve the receptionist making contact before ‘putting your through’

“However travel has not got faster - 40 years ago I could get from Winchester to the Isle of Wight quicker than I can now!”

His work includes acting for the Southwick Estate, the largest private estate in Hampshire, and the Tichborne Estate, home of the Alresford Show.

Mr Langford became the last remaining surveyor to work under all of the firm’s different names in 2011, when fellow partner Martin Lowry retired.

He celebrated the anniversary with a special dinner with Carter Jonas partners, staff and friends.

During his time the practice has expanded from rural land management to include residential and commercial property sales and lettings.

An expansion of the Jewry Street office is currently underway.