Simpsons Malt, the Berwick-based fifth-generation maltster, and its agricultural trading arm McCreath, Simpsons and Prentice (MSP) have recognised the contributions of two of its longest serving employees who are retiring after 80 years’ combined service.
Operations manager Ivan Goodwin joined Simpsons Malt as a labourer shortly before his 18th birthday in 1975, whilst compliance manager Kathleen Park has been with the organisation for 35 years, having joined MSP as an administrative assistant in 1983.
A member of the Simpsons Malt operations board, Ivan was responsible for overseeing malt production at the company’s Berwickshire plant prior to his retirement. More than six million tonnes of malt have been produced at the maltings since Ivan first joined 43 years ago.
Speaking of his retirement, Ivan said: “Simpsons Malt has been a fantastic company to work for. Not once in my 43 years, eight months and 29 days did I ever consider leaving. When you look around this company, the amount of people who have been here for 30 years or more is extraordinary – that’s testament to how well the company treats its employees.
“It’s been fantastic to see Simpsons’ continued development and investment over the years – when I started out, we were only producing 40,000 tonnes per year. Now, it’s closer to 250,000 tonnes.”
Kathleen sat on the MSP board as company secretary and was its first female member. As compliance manager, Kathleen’s role was to ensure policy, planning and standards were applied across her departments. Prior to the Simpsons Malt and MSP offices merging in the mid-2000s, she was personal assistant to David McCreath OBE, later taking up a position at the company’s Grain Department.
Kathleen added: “I’m going to miss working at MSP and, latterly, Simpsons Malt as it has been such a big part of my life over the past 35 years. I’ll miss the people, a lot of whom I have become close with and got to know as friends over the years rather than just work colleagues.”
Speaking of the retirements, Simpsons Malt managing director Tim McCreath added: “Ivan and Kathleen have been an integral part of the Simpsons Malt and MSP family over the past 40-plus years – a time in which our companies have enjoyed substantial growth.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank both Ivan and Kathleen for their 43 and 35 years of service respectively. All of the staff here at Simpsons Malt and MSP wish them a very happy retirement.”
Photo caption:
(L-R) Kathleen Park and Ivan Goodwin who are retiring from MSP and Simpsons Malt after 35 and 43 years of service respectively.
