Chris Celebrates 40 Years with Brewers!

Margate branch manager, Chris Anderson, has worked for Brewers ever since he left school and has been with us ever since! We asked him about his time at Brewers and his plans for the future…

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Congratulations, Chris! How does it feel to have reached such a big milestone?

Amazing and the time seems to have passed quite quickly so it doesn’t feel like 40 years!

So, how did you get started and become the branch manager at Margate?

Well in October 1982, I did my schoolwork experience at Brewers in Canterbury for a two-week period. I really enjoyed it, so I asked to be considered for a job when I left school. Three days after I finished school, I joined! I worked in the stores to start with and then started working on the counter dealing with customers. I became sales office supervisor in May 1989 and held that role until April 1994 when I became the new manager of our Folkestone branch. I stayed at Folkestone until April 1997 when I left to take on the role as Margate branch manager.

And the rest as they say…is history! What made you stay?

I think the main thing that kept me at Brewers is that it is a family company with family values. It has been fair to me over the years and given me opportunities to progress. Over my 40 years, I have worked with some great people, some of which are sadly no longer with us. The knowledge and help that was given to me from these people was truly amazing and for that I am so grateful!

We do certainly have an incredible bunch of people who work for Brewers! What do you feel most proud of in your career? 

I think one of my best achievements was my time at Folkestone branch. At the end of my second year there, Mr Chris (Chris Brewer, MBE) called me to congratulate us on our success! Some achievements may mean so much to the individual, but others may say “Well that’s your job.” For me, retaining customers and forming relationships with them is something that is very important. I still have contact with some of the customers that I got to know working in the Canterbury and Folkestone branches.

What are the most significant changes you have seen over the years?

The main changes I have seen over the years are the expansion of the company in terms of its number of trading outlets and the introduction of computers. When I joined the company, everything was handwritten in terms of order tracking etc so the computer system – albeit basic – was a godsend.

What would we do without computers now! Do you have any plans for the future?

I still have a passion for what I do and enjoy doing it to the best of my ability. To help customers achieve what they want to do and forging friendships along the way makes me smile. I don’t really think about retirement yet as I consider myself too young! On the day of my anniversary, I will be sunning myself in Rhodes but I will raise a glass and say cheers. Here’s to many more years of success for Brewers!

We want to send Chris a huge congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to all the incredible work he has carried out and we hope he enjoys his well-earned holiday!