Peter Toulmin celebrates 40 years working at M&S

Peter Toulmin and wife Barbara Toulmin celebrated 40 years of long service at M&S with an exclusive champagne reception in London

Rochdale-based Marks & Spencer (M&S) employee, Peter Toulmin, has celebrated 40 years of long service at an exclusive champagne reception in London, as a thank you from the retailer for four decades of dedicated and enthusiastic customer service.

Peter started working at M&S in 1975 as a driver. During this time he met his wife, Barbara, who was working at M&S Rochdale, and in 2000 Peter decided to join her at the store where he took up a role in Operations, managing maintenance and the daily running of the store.

Peter said: “I always wanted to work at M&S because of its reputation as one of the country’s top retailers. From day one I settled in and I’ve always felt really happy here. I’ve been able to move into other roles and develop skills in the areas that I have been interested in, carrying out a diverse career path that has kept things fresh and exciting. M&S has changed my life and has supported me though all of its different stages.

“I have so many fond memories at the store, including meeting my wife 37 years ago. I first met Barbara at the Food counter where she worked and we got chatting. It wasn’t long afterwards that I plucked up the courage to ask her out for a drink and things went from there. A lot has changed since my early days at the company – particularly our technology! It’s been a very positive change, which has made time-consuming processes like stock taking much easier.

“We’re a really friendly team here in Rochdale and it’s been such a pleasure to work with so many wonderful people over the years – I couldn’t wish to work with a nicer bunch!”

As part of the celebrations, Peter joined 60 other long-serving colleagues from across the UK, who have collectively accrued over 2,100 years of experience with the company. Long service has been celebrated in M&S since 1918, when an employee was awarded a gold watch for 25 years loyal service to the company. Since then awards have become an established Marks & Spencer tradition.