Barton Marine's company secretary Pat Carter is stepping down from full-time employment, after 47 years. Our longest-serving team member, Pat joined the company in 1966 and worked for founder and original owner, Ron Barton before working with David Coleman, owner since 1986.

We hosted a presentation party last week and were delighted to welcome 90 guests, including former and current work colleagues, family members and friends from the marine industry to honour Pat. MD David Coleman presented Pat with a beautiful watch to mark her years with the company and Director Paul Botterill presented her with a painting of the local town of Whitstable on behalf of her work colleagues.

David Coleman thanked Pat for her unswerving loyalty and dedication to her role and for her modest professionalism and charm, which was backed up by the many well wishes, cards and presents sent by industry colleagues and customers from around the globe.

Pat Carter said: "Barton has made a lot of advancement of materials and technology over the years and raised its profile beyond my imagination. I am proud to have worked for a local independent company and been very fortunate to have worked with such fantastic people. It is a small industry and we are like one big family!"

Whilst Pat is stepping down from full-time employment, we are delighted that we will not have to say our fond farewells to her just yet as she has agreed to continue to work with us one day a week for the foreseeable future.