Long service Highland women agree: 'This is not just a career... this is an M&S career'
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Two women have worked together so long at the local M&S store that they consider each other "family".
The friends and colleagues have now also been together celebrating a major milestone with the store - each clocking up 40 years service.
Lorraine Mackenzie and Sharon King, both sales advisors at Marks & Spencer, travelled to London to join colleagues from across the country, all were celebrating milestone anniversaries ranging from 25 to 50 years.
Over 200 colleagues attended the event and were congratulated by M&S CEO, Stuart Machin and thanked for their dedication and service.
M&S has been part of many special memories for both Lorraine and Sharon with them now considering each other as family.
Lorraine has been at M&S Inverness since the first day they threw open their doors to local customers.
She started in the summer of 1980 as part of the original team and has since enjoyed positions in food, personnel and is currently a sales advisor of Menswear.
M&S has also been responsible for some very important personal milestones for Lorraine. It was at a wedding of two M&S colleagues that she met her husband, Stuart, who she has been married to for 30 years and has two daughters with.
Lorraine was able to take time off from her career to raise her children – she was away from M&S for three years as she focused on her family.
Now she takes advantage of their flexible working opportunities to get the balance of working while also spending more time with her family and two dogs. She credited M&S’ flexible working opportunities as one of the reasons she has remained with the company for so many years.
Sharon started her career with M&S through a Youth Training Scheme and quickly became a permanent member of the team. Over her 40-year career, she has predominately worked in womenswear where she is now a sales advisor.
Sharon is known for being a hardworking, kind member of the team while also often injecting fun into activities.
When the Inverness team won the company’s Per Una competition – which meant an amazing trip to Italy – Sharon turned up at the airport with a bag of ‘See You Jimmy’ hats for everyone to ensure the Scottish contingent was easily identifiable.
She credits the lovely team, great benefits and range of career opportunities as the main reasons for her staying with the company for 40 years.
Lorraine said: “The trip to London was absolutely fantastic and I’m so thankful I got to share it with my husband Stuart and close friend Sharon.
"I can’t believe it’s been more than 40 years since I began working for M&S. It has been the best job and I’m so lucky to have had all of the wonderful experiences I have with this company.
"I would really like to thank all of the management team – new and old – for the support and encouragement they have given me. They have always been willing to adapt my hours when necessary to allow me time with my family while I also developed my career. The team here is truly lovely and I am so lucky to call many of them friends.”
Sharon said: “I have had the best time working here at M&S – I really can’t believe it’s been 40 years! It really has been a great company to work for and has given me many opportunities over the years to develop my skills.
"In particular, I’d like to thank Sandra Turner and Donald MacInnes for encouraging me in the early days to attend training courses and always supporting my development. I am so lucky to have worked with such wonderful people and it is fantastic to still see younger people coming through our doors and working their way through the ranks of M&S. I’m so glad I got to share this experience with my husband, Jason, and good friend Lorraine.”
Owen McMannus, manager at M&S Inverness, commented: “Congratulations to both Lorraine and Sharon on this fantastic achievement. Both ladies are very well loved and respected members of our team and we would be lost without them. They’ve not only formed a bond with each other and colleagues, it’s clear to see that many customers also regard them as friends. We are so grateful to still have them here at M&S Inverness and here’s to the next 40 years!”
