Loyal B&Q employee Gary Pickavance is celebrating 30 years’ service with the DIY giant after beginning his career at the age of 16.
The 46-year-old from Liverpool, who manages the retailer’s Ellesmere Port branch, began working for the company in 1984 when he took a Saturday job at the Aintree store whilst studying for his A-levels at Alsop High School.
Bosses were so impressed with Gary’s natural flair for retail that they swiftly encouraged him to apply for their graduate scheme.
After passing the assessment with flying colours, Gary’s career was under way.
His work with B&Q has taken him all over Europe: from Torquay, where he had his first assistant management role in 1987, to London, Southampton, Wales, Cornwall, Manchester, Cardiff and even Russia where he spent four years in Moscow, St Petersburg and Siberia, setting up stores under B&Q’s Castorama brand.
Lifelong Liverpool FC fan Gary is married to Michaela and has two daughters, Jennifer and Emma.
He said highlights of his time with the retailer, include meeting the future King.
He said: “I was privileged to meet HRH Prince Charles when B&Q was working in collaboration with the Princes Trust on a pilot scheme called Project Start.
“It was a real honour for the team and I to be working alongside such a fantastic charity and he was clearly very passionate about empowering vulnerable young people.”
As for any retirement pans, Gary is happy to look ahead to the next 30 years of employment.
He said: “B&Q scrapped its retirement age many years ago, so I’m happy to keep working as long as I’m able!
“B&Q has been a huge part of my life – it’s enabled me to work all over the world and to meet some incredible people.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunities it has given me and am proud to say that I’ve never worked for any other company.”
