Staff who have worked at a Derby law firm for more than an incredible 200 years between them have been praised for their loyalty after they were given long-service awards.
Ten employees at Smith Partnership, who have notched up a combined 235 years in total, were recognised at a special ceremony which was held at the firm’s headquarters in Friar Gate, Derby, last month.
The staff all work across the company’s various offices, in Derby, Leicester, Burton, Swadlincote office and Stoke, and have each worked for either 20 years, 25 years or 30 years.
(From left), Kevin McGrath, managing partner of Smith Partnership, legal secretary Paula Ward, criminal clerk James Lamming, High Court advocate Vaz Vaitha, legal clerk Andrew Hambleton, legal secretary Sheema Gohil, HR manager Christine Watkins and legal secretary Jo Banfield.
Among them were two employees with 30 years’ service, legal secretary Paula Ward and Andrew Hambleton, who joined the company not long after it formed in 1991 and works in its debt recovery department.
Andrew was due to receive his 30-year award last year, but the ceremony was postponed due to COVID.
Also receiving awards were Adele Mosley, Jo Plant and Lorraine Horton, who have completed 25 years service, and legal secretary Sheema Gohil, Sanjeev Siniara, Jo Banfield, criminal clerk James Lamming and High Court advocate Vaz Vaitha, who have all reached their 20 year anniversary.
Andrew said: “It was a very pleasant feeling to have been recognised for long service and for showing such a commitment to the firm, but I do really enjoy the work I do, not least because it’s always very busy.”
The awards were presented by Kevin McGrath, managing partner of Smith Partnership, who said: “Staff are at the very heart of any successful company and these long service awards are testament to the commitment and loyalty that our employees show us. We’re very grateful to them all.
“In particular, to have reached 30 years, as Andrew and Paula have, is an incredible achievement. Both will have seen a huge amount of changes in both the company and the way we do business and it’s remarkable to think that they have both been with Smith Partnership since almost the very beginning.”
This press release was issued by Penguin PR and for more information contact Simon Burch on 07735 397888 or by email at simon@penguinpr.co.uk
