After over a century of service, four retire

FOUR employees with more than 100 years’ combined service have retired from the Vernon Building Society in Stockport.

CEO Mike Hanson has stepped down after 29 years at the Vernon, while Maggie Cottam, customer adviser at the Hazel Grove branch and Ross Stafford, the Buy to Let lending manager, have both left after 22 years each.

Marilyn Barlow has also left after 32 years in the finance department.

Steve Fletcher, chief executive of the Vernon, said: “The fact that colleagues remain so loyal to the Vernon highlights what a great place to work this is.

“We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice in Stockport, which enables us to attract top talent and as a result, consistently deliver outstanding products and customer service.”

Mike was presented with a specially commissioned painting by Stockport artist Lucy Burgess to mark his long service with the specialist mortgage lender.

Lucy said: “It’s always exciting to take on something new and this was a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting commission.

“I was given a few pointers for a Stockport scene with an assortment of our local landmarks, like the viaduct, the market and Edgeley Park.

“These include a few directly associated with the Vernon Building Society – the Poynton brass band and Vernon Bear for example – plus nods to the head office on St Petersgate’s previous life as a pub that housed travelling elephants.”