A member of staff at the leading UK builders' merchant has celebrated a major milestone after passing 50 years with the business.

Mick Ballard started his career with Travis & Arnold in 1975 before the business merged with Sandell Perkins in 1988 to become Travis Perkins.

The 77-year-old works in the Leicester Central branch on Ravensbridge Drive as a Yard Customer Assistant but has held a variety of different positions throughout his time with the business.

To mark his achievement the team held a gathering at the branch with Ballard receiving a bottle of champagne and some vouchers to spend.

“I was so pleased when I made it to 45 years,” Ballard said. “A couple of colleagues had said the challenge was to make it to 50 years, so I am thrilled to have achieved that landmark.

“We had a bit of a gathering with cake and some light bites to celebrate as everyone in the branch made a deal out of it - I am so grateful for that.”

During his time with the company, Ballard has always worked at the same branch which has gone through two relocations. He started on Sanvey Gate. The branch later moved to Swan Street and then to its current location on Ravensbridge Drive.

“The business has changed so much over my time here,” Ballard continued. “But I still really enjoy coming into work and chatting to customers and colleagues.

“The job has given me something to focus on over the last couple of years, and I work in the yard helping customers and dealing with products.”

As part of the celebrations for Ballard’s landmark achievement several of his former colleagues and his Regional Director recognised the accomplishment.  

Pete Cox, the Branch Manager at Leicester Central who has worked with Ballard for the last six years, said: “He is a great guy. He has all the values that Travis Perkins is famous for and he has a great work ethic.

“He is always friendly and he wants to help. To have worked for the business for 50 years is an incredible achievement.

“The industry can be challenging at times, but Mick embodies all that is right with it. He is a great colleague.

“The fact that one of his former bosses came back to celebrate with him, as well as our regional director, shows how popular he is.”