Griffiths said the pair had been working flat out for seven years and Robinson felt she wanted a change and wanted to take some time out.

"We put every hour of every day into turning Ancasta around, " he told BB , "and as the business is now doing very well so she felt she wanted new challenges."

Griffiths says Robinson is doing some consultancy work for Ancasta and will then be taking a 6-month sabbatical.

"She'll be going skiing, sorting her house out and taking some time."

Robinson was a 50% shareholder in Ancasta. "Her shares have been bought by the existing management, " said Griffiths.