Celebrating Gill’s Retirement
After 20 years with the company, the time has come for us to say a fond farewell to Gill as she begins a well-earned retirement. Gill joined Antac Support Services in July 2006 as an Administrator. Back then, the company looked very different. We were providing national window cleaning services, operating from offices in High Wycombe, Leeds and Rochester, with a team of around 50 employees. It was very much a case of “all hands-on deck”, if something needed doing, you simply got on with it.
In those early days, Gill was responsible for booking in all of our window cleaning work, helping with scheduling, and making sure our health and safety information, including Risk Assessments and Method Statements, was submitted our customers, in those days, no two days were ever the same!
As the business grew, so did Gill’s role. She moved into Purchase Ledger while also supporting our new Building Services division. When Commercial Cleaning started in the Thames Valley, Gill even helped out in the evening, joining Louise Watts on new contract mobilisation. By all accounts, it was a real eye-opener and certainly created a few memories along the way!
Over the years, Gill has become the person everyone turns to when they need to know how something works, why we do it that way, or where to find that elusive piece of information. She has been a fountain of knowledge on company procedures, policies and processes, providing invaluable support during countless contract mobilisations and helping colleagues navigate the many changes the business has experienced.
Gill has also witnessed, and embraced, the company’s transformation. From introducing our PULSE management system and implementing new Purchase Ledger processes and purchase order systems, she has played an important part in embedding new ways of working across the business. Through every system change, and the challenges that go with it, Gill has remained calm, dependable and ready to help.
Reliability has always been one of Gill’s greatest strengths. Whether supporting the finance team, helping colleagues, liaising with clients or providing support for our Managing Director, Stephen Burton, Gill has always been someone the business could rely on. Her commitment, attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile have made her an invaluable member of the team.
And then there were the ISO audits! Gill knew how important it was to have all the ducks lined up first time round, ensuring everything was organised, compliant and ready for inspection. Thankfully, her meticulous approach meant there was rarely anything left to chance, and has been preparing the team for future audits.
Outside of her day-to-day role, Gill has also been a supporter of our local community, championing charities including Wycombe Women’s Aid, Wycombe Homeless Shelter and Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio. Her kindness and willingness to help others have always reflected the values she has brought to work every day.
Today, our Purchase Ledger department has grown into a team of four, a far cry from the early days when Gill was helping manage everything from systems and compliance to whatever else needed doing! Looking back over the last two decades, it’s remarkable to see just how much the business has changed, and Gill has been there through every step of the journey.
Gill, thank you for your loyalty, your hard work, your knowledge, your patience and, above all, your friendship over the past 20 years. You have played a huge part in the company’s story, and your contribution will be remembered long after you’ve logged off for the last time.
We all wish you a long, happy and healthy retirement. May it be filled with family, friends, plenty of time for the things you enjoy, and absolutely no purchase orders!
Congratulations, Gill, and thank you for everything.
Stephen Burton, Louise Watts, Shezan Vayani & Anthony Hutchins