Touching tributes have been paid to long-standing estate agency franchisee Camran Ishaq, who has passed away at the age of 41.

Ishaq had run the Dewsbury branch of Whitegates since 2018 and has been described as one of the brand’s most popular figures.

Born in Dewsbury, he went on to become a business and finance graduate; his first steps on the property industry ladder came at the age of just 16 and his passion for property and the West Yorkshire town was unrivalled.

In 2019, he completed the acquisition of Wilman & Son, growing his business by 30%.

The chief executive of The Property Franchise Group, Gareth Samples, says: “Camran was a huge presence in the Whitegates network and was very, very involved in the local community in Dewsbury.

“He was an exemplary franchise owner over many, many years and grew and developed his business with a genuine love and passion for property, for Dewsbury and for his team.

“That team, including Camran’s fellow director Sultan Khan, brother Imran and lifelong friend Bee Azam, will now be key figures in taking the Dewsbury business forward with our support

“His impact on the local community ran far deeper than his reputation for excellence in estate agency, though, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.”

Fellow Whitegates franchisee Chan Khangura, who owns the Huddersfield office, adds: “Put simply, Camran was the ‘King’ of Dewsbury in the eyes of everyone who knew him.

“He was one of our closest friends and a regular visitor to the Huddersfield office – a true gentleman in every way, shape and form.

“As well as being a brilliant estate agent, most importantly he was a loyal and humble man, with a wicked sense of humour. We will miss him tremendously.”

Away from property and estate agency, Ishaq was a long-standing supporter of many local causes, including the 2020 Foundation in Dewsbury.

He leaves behind his wife and three children.