NOT many people can say they’ve been at a company long enough to see it change name seven times, but after 50 years with the same Rugby firm Frank Brown can.
When the 66-year-old started as a bright-eyed 16-year-old apprentice with AEI in 1965, later known as GEC, Alstom and most recently Quartzelec, the prime minister was Harold Wilson and The Beatles and The Rolling Stones topped the charts.
Fast forward 50 years and Frank is still going strong, now working as the electrical engineering firm’s facilities maintenance manager.
His tenure, which significantly trumps the current national average for UK workers of four and a half years with the same employer, was marked with a special ceremony with his wife Linda, daughters Sharon and Suzanna and fellow staff at the company’s Central Park offices.
Frank said: “It’s been a great career and I’m one of the ones they never let get away.
“I’m very proud of the part I played in the planning and construction of the new building and the huge investment the company has made in the facilities and to the local community.”
Frank was promoted to his first supervisory position back in 1974, becoming a workshop foreman. Subsequent supervisory and management positions have included working in machining workshops and electrical maintenance.
Quartzelec general manager, Stephen Densley, said: “Frank is a well-respected, ever-professional and extremely likable person.
“He is also known for putting tireless hours into projects that continue to improve the facilities and equipment in use here at our Rugby workshop and corporate HQ.
“Thankfully Frank is still not yet ready for retirement, but has decided to reduce his working hours from April. He will continue in his role in support of the still growing team at Rugby and will pass on his knowledge and experience to our current intake of 16 apprentices, just embarking on their careers with us.”
In 1965:
– The 70mph limit was first introduced to UK roads
– Natural gas was discovered in the North Sea
– Stanley Matthews played his final season as a professional footballer
– The Beatles launched four albums including Help!
A photo of 16-year-old Frank when he joined the company straight from school in 1965 (s).
