A much-loved member of the team at a Cumbrian financial management firm has been given a special send off as she bows out after working at the company for 32 years.
Gill Forrester has retired from Financial Management Bureau in Kendal.
Gill, who is 60 this year, first began working at FMB as a part-time typist but went on to become PA to founder Les Beavis and then director of HR and compliance for the last 16 years of her career.
Gill is from Appleby and originally worked at FMB’s office there before moving to the main premises near Kendal.
Her last day coincided with FMB’s annual conference, which was held at Skipton Castle. It uses the day as a chance to update employees on company news, as well as carry out a number of team building exercises.
Parts of the day were dedicated to Gill this year, including a video of well-wishing messages from former colleagues and naming the company’s annual staff awards the Fozzers, in honour of her nickname.
“The thing that has made FMB such a fantastic place to work over the years has been the people,” said Gill.
“That’s the most important thing in a company. If you have good people then you’re going to make the clients happy and the people who work there will be happy as well.
“You will always do a much better job when you’re actually enjoying coming to work and being with your colleagues. That’s why, as a company, we always make sure we spend time socialising with each other, as well as just working together; it really does make all the difference.”
A keen golfer, Gill plans to spend more time on the course in her retirement, as well as travelling with husband Andy. Australia and New Zealand are two of the first destinations on her list.
FMB managing director Liz Beavis said Gill had played an important role in steering the company alongside her and sister Ruth Power, who is director of business development.
Liz said: “Gill is a much-loved member of staff who has mentored and trained many young team members during her time at the company. She has become an expert in her field and is well respected in the financial services community.
“FMB is a family business and Gill has been an integral part of our FMB family. She has been with us through thick and thin and we can’t thank her enough for her loyalty and diligence. She will be sorely missed, but thanks to her hard work the company is in great shape so she can relax in her retirement.”
