HEAD OF ACCOUNTS RETIRES AFTER 33 YEARS

It really is ‘new year new you’ for our South East accountant as he prepares to put up his feet for good this week.

Chris Payne, Head of Accounts in our Maidstone office, retires on Friday after a 33-year career with the company.

Accounts assistants Jo Burton and Marriane Seaward say he has been a ‘brilliant manager’ and will be hard act to follow.

Chris, 62, joined the business as a Financial Accountant in June 1988 when it was Hillreed Homes Ltd. Following the takeover by Persimmon, he was promoted to Head of Accounts.

Jo said: “Marriane and I both worked with Chris at Hillreed, and he really will be a hard act to follow.

“He’s been a brilliant manager, very fair with all of the staff, and has always acted in a professional manner. An all-round good guy, with a good sense of humour, he’s going to be greatly missed.”

Chris, who lives near Maidstone, is Kentish born and bred.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time with Persimmon and I can’t believe how quickly the years have flown by.

“I’ve worked with some great people in this business and would like to thank each and every one of them for their support. I won’t miss the work and the deadlines but I will miss the people, especially my finance team.”

Married to Susanne with three daughters and three grandchildren, he’s a Tottenham Hotspur fan, used to play cricket but now enjoys watching it, and hopes to take up golf in his retirement. He’s looking forward to travelling more and spending quality time with his family.