North East motor dealership rewards long serving staff

North East motor dealership rewards long serving staff

2nd December 2015

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LOYAL staff with decades of service to a North East motor dealer have been recognised for their commitment.

Twenty-seven employees at Sherwoods Group, who have served for a minimum of 20 years each and many for much longer, were treated to a celebration dinner at Houndgate Townhouse hotel, in Darlington.

Among them were Steve Watkins, who joined the company 40 years ago, and twin brothers Peter Alan Tosh and Adrian Derek Tosh, who have 50 years' service between them.

David Saunders, who was the longest serving member of staff before he retired earlier this year with 49 years' service, was also invited to the dinner. 

Steve, 60, who got married, had three children and six grand-children during his time in the parts department and bodyshop at the Darlington dealership, said: "When I joined aged 20 I was hoping for a career and was happy to give long-term commitment. It was a family orientated company then and still is now.

"When I started in the parts department we had to write everything down in books - there were no computers - and the till was one of those wooden ones you had to polish."

Adrian added: "Time has just flown by. Before you know it you've done ten years, 20 and then 30."

Among the longest serving employees is managing director Alasdair MacConachie.

His son Simon, who is general manager of Sherwoods Vauxhall Darlington, said: "It's humbling for me to host a dinner for our long serving staff, many of whom have known me for more than half my life.

"Our industry is renowned for high staff turnover so we're very proud to have so many people in our team who have dedicated their careers to Sherwoods. It's testament to their loyalty and, I hope, also to the family atmosphere we've tried to create, which our customers also appreciate."    

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