A RETIRING heating company manager who has dedicated more than four decades to his firm has received warm words from his colleagues.

Derek Rowe joined Southampton-based electrical heating manufacturer Dimplex in 1972 as an assembler and operator while he mused his next career move.

But the former weavers' assistant soon relished the role and eventually pledged his life to the company in a career spanning more than 40 years.

Derek, 65, has undertaken a number of roles at the firm, which is part of the GDC Group, and he was instrumental in relocating one of its operations from Southampton Docks to the Millbrook Trading Estate in the 1990s.

He has served as a manager for more than 15 years and has become a key player in Dimplex's customer and technical services team.

He will spend his retirement travelling and spending time with his wife Jan and other family and friends.

Director Paul Harder hailed him as "exemplary" and said: "In all his time with the company, he has been determined and persistent when presented with any task or objective, and nothing phased him or was too much trouble. He should be extremely proud of the contribution he has made and his incredible length of service. He will be greatly missed and I would like to wish him and Jan a very happy and long retirement.”

Derek is beginning his retirement with a week-long holiday in the Cotswolds.

He said: "I have incredibly mixed emotions about leaving a company that has been such a big part of my life for over 40 years. Dimplex has been a fantastic business to work for and I have been given many wonderful opportunities. But the real reason I have stayed so long is down to the many great people I have enjoyed working with over the years – not just in Southampton, but all over the world. Many have become real friends, not just colleagues, and I will miss everyone terribly.

“However, if I don’t go now, I never will! And there are many things I still want to do for myself."