Graham Harmes

I first joined the company back in 1984 to assist in the payroll department of Technic Services, one of our Recruitment Companies.

My initial stay was only meant to be short term, as I was returning to teaching (my profession) in the near future. Yet, I really began to enjoy myself, especially as my role was constantly expanding and my involvement within the company increased.

After gaining experience at a firm of Chartered Accountants I returned to the company in 1988 with the formation of Simon Holdings, the parent company of the Group. My part within that ‘project’ was to centralise and consolidate the administration and accounts throughout all the companies. This was the first move in bringing the companies much closer together.

Actually, it’s only when I think back that I realise how far we’ve come to reach our current home in the Clock Tower. There is no way I will ever forget our first office – a hut at Fairoaks, a small independent airfield near Woking. We had to call the Air Traffic Control Tower if we wanted the heating changed and there wasn’t even a loo. There’s nothing like the good old days!