Eight employees of Sutton and East Surrey Water (SESW) have been honoured for their outstanding combined total of 245 years of loyal service.
The long-term commitment and career skills of the eight have helped ensure the consistent supply of high quality tap water to Surrey families and businesses.
The long-term commitment and career skills of the eight have helped ensure the consistent supply of high quality tap water to Surrey families and businesses.
Three of the Sutton and East Surrey Water employees – Steve Ellis, David Laird and Alan Ward – have worked for the company for 35 years, whilst Section Manager Richard King has been there for 40 years. The other four – Ian Vidler, Sean Walker, Kevin Robbins and Jason McKenna have completed 25 years.
The company held a special lunch, attended by Sutton and East Surrey Water’s Chairman Jeremy Pelczer, at the RAC Club in Epsom to mark the men’s long and loyal careers – each an important individual contribution to the provision of a 24/7 water supply for more than 685,000 people in the company’s supply area.
Steve Ellis began his life at Sutton and East Surrey Water in 1980 as a plant operator at the company’s Cheam and Woodmansterne Water Treatment Works. He remains in this role today and helps makes sure the treatment works operate smoothly and that all the water meets the high water quality standards. His friends and colleagues describe him as real family man, as well as an avid Manchester United supporter.
Also a plant operator (and steam train enthusiast) David Laird, from Tonbridge, joined SESW in 1980 after previously working for Thames Water. He started his career at the company as an electrical technician at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works and in 2001 became a plant operator at the same site.
Alan Ward, from Copthorne, started his career at the company in 1980 as an assistant storekeeper. He is described by the company as a specialist in his field, dealing with complex equipment and ordering chemicals for the water treatment works.
Outside work he loves to fish and enjoys spending time his wife Sue, their two children and his granddaughter.
Crawley resident Richard King marked his fortieth year of service at the lunch, after joining SESW back in 1975. His role is that of section manager in charge of all the company’s network inspectors, and he has the huge responsibility of making sure that the massive network of water supply pipes continue to operate smoothly and efficiently.
When he’s not working Richard spends his time doing DIY on his motorbike and enjoys holidays with his wife Christine.
Before he joined the company in 1990 Ian Vidler, also from Crawley, worked as a gravedigger for Tandridge District Council. His role is that of contracts fitter and he spends his days working out on the roads, repairing and replacing the company’s many water mains.
He is a big supporter of Crystal Palace FC and loves spending time with his two teenage daughters.
Sean Walker, from East Grinstead, started his career at SESW in 1990 as a networks inspector after attending East Surrey College to achieve his advanced Plumbing City and Guilds certificate. He now works as a section manager and helps oversee the company’s water mains replacement programme.
Sean is a keen cyclist outside of work and is kept busy by his one year old son Alexander and wife Carole.
Uckfield resident Kevin Robbins also joined the company in 1990 as a networks inspector, moving to the role of control room operative in 2000. When he’s not at work, providing excellent customer service and water supply advice, he spends his time in France where he’s been renovating a property for the last four years ready for retirement with partner Lesley.
SESW Network Inspector, Jason Mckenna uses his hardworking and enthusiastic attitude in his customer focused role. He joined the company in 1990 as a water mains layer and jointer, and in 2005 became a network inspector for the Sutton area.
Jason lives in Sutton with his wife Teresa and their four children and is a keen rugby man, both as a player and a supporter.
The company held a special lunch, attended by Sutton and East Surrey Water’s Chairman Jeremy Pelczer, at the RAC Club in Epsom to mark the men’s long and loyal careers – each an important individual contribution to the provision of a 24/7 water supply for more than 685,000 people in the company’s supply area.
Steve Ellis began his life at Sutton and East Surrey Water in 1980 as a plant operator at the company’s Cheam and Woodmansterne Water Treatment Works. He remains in this role today and helps makes sure the treatment works operate smoothly and that all the water meets the high water quality standards. His friends and colleagues describe him as real family man, as well as an avid Manchester United supporter.
Also a plant operator (and steam train enthusiast) David Laird, from Tonbridge, joined SESW in 1980 after previously working for Thames Water. He started his career at the company as an electrical technician at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works and in 2001 became a plant operator at the same site.
Alan Ward, from Copthorne, started his career at the company in 1980 as an assistant storekeeper. He is described by the company as a specialist in his field, dealing with complex equipment and ordering chemicals for the water treatment works.
Outside work he loves to fish and enjoys spending time his wife Sue, their two children and his granddaughter.
Crawley resident Richard King marked his fortieth year of service at the lunch, after joining SESW back in 1975. His role is that of section manager in charge of all the company’s network inspectors, and he has the huge responsibility of making sure that the massive network of water supply pipes continue to operate smoothly and efficiently.
When he’s not working Richard spends his time doing DIY on his motorbike and enjoys holidays with his wife Christine.
Before he joined the company in 1990 Ian Vidler, also from Crawley, worked as a gravedigger for Tandridge District Council. His role is that of contracts fitter and he spends his days working out on the roads, repairing and replacing the company’s many water mains.
He is a big supporter of Crystal Palace FC and loves spending time with his two teenage daughters.
Sean Walker, from East Grinstead, started his career at SESW in 1990 as a networks inspector after attending East Surrey College to achieve his advanced Plumbing City and Guilds certificate. He now works as a section manager and helps oversee the company’s water mains replacement programme.
Sean is a keen cyclist outside of work and is kept busy by his one year old son Alexander and wife Carole.
Uckfield resident Kevin Robbins also joined the company in 1990 as a networks inspector, moving to the role of control room operative in 2000. When he’s not at work, providing excellent customer service and water supply advice, he spends his time in France where he’s been renovating a property for the last four years ready for retirement with partner Lesley.
SESW Network Inspector, Jason Mckenna uses his hardworking and enthusiastic attitude in his customer focused role. He joined the company in 1990 as a water mains layer and jointer, and in 2005 became a network inspector for the Sutton area.
Jason lives in Sutton with his wife Teresa and their four children and is a keen rugby man, both as a player and a supporter.