End of an era as Persimmon stalwarts retire after nearly 60 years of service

Alison Paton and Craig Watson step down after helping build one of Scotland’s leading homebuilders.

Two of Persimmon Homes West Scotland’s most respected employees are retiring after a combined 59 years of service to the business.

Alison Paton and Craig Watson are stepping down after careers that have spanned almost six decades and helped shape the company’s growth across Scotland.

Alison joined Persimmon in 1987 as one of the company’s first employees in Scotland, working as receptionist and Personal Assistant to the Managing Director. Over the next 39 years, she saw the business grow from three small developments into three regional businesses covering most of the country.

The longest-serving employee at Persimmon Homes in Scotland, Alison also became well known within the company for organising charity balls and fundraising events over more than three decades. With retirement now beckoning, she is looking forward to spending more time on the golf course.

Craig joined Persimmon in 2003 as an Architectural Assistant and worked his way through the ranks to become Operations Director. In that role, he led the company’s architectural and engineering teams and played a key part in delivering thousands of new homes across the West of Scotland.

One of his proudest achievements was helping the business deliver more than 860 homes in a single year, a record-breaking milestone for the region. Craig is also preparing for a special family moment, with his retirement coming just two weeks before the arrival of a new grandchild.

Chris Logan, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes West Scotland, said:
“Alison and Craig have each made an outstanding contribution to Persimmon and to the many colleagues they have worked alongside over the years.

“Alison has been part of the business almost from the beginning in Scotland and has seen it grow into one of the country’s leading homebuilders. Craig has played a major role in delivering developments across the West of Scotland and has helped drive the business forward.

“On behalf of everyone at Persimmon, I would like to thank them both for their dedication and wish Alison many enjoyable rounds of golf and Craig every happiness as he begins an exciting new chapter as a grandfather.”

Persimmon Homes West Scotland is a five-star housebuilder, as rated by the Home Builders Federation, and delivers high-quality, energy-efficient homes across the region for first-time buyers, families and downsizers.