Helen Fitzpatrick, winner of the inaugural Scottish PA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, recently celebrated her 38th work anniversary at a lunch with colleagues. Charles Skene made a speech in which he extolled the qualities that made them such a formidable team and what qualities made Helen such a valued member of his team. Charles said: ‘I would like to thank Helen for her commitment and loyalty over the 38 years she’s worked with me. I like to think that she’s stayed so long because I am such an easy person to work for. In truth it’s because when Helen starts something she never gives up until it’s completed.’
Helen, in her reply, shared the secret of her long service when she revealed her T-shirt which communicates her work motto: “I’m not arguing, I’m just explaining why I am right”.
Helen has worked for the Skene Group as executive PA for almost four decades during which she has seen many changes. Currently, the Skene Group encompasses Skene House Apartments, which offer extended stay serviced apartments and flats and shops for rent, Skene Business Centres, which offers serviced offices and therapy rooms, and Inchmarlo Retirement Village, which operates Inchmarlo Care Home and, currently, 189 independent, retirement homes on a 100 acres estate.
Also in attendance was Brian Reid who prior to his retirement celebrated four decades with the company as a plumber.
Currently, Charles and Helen have no plans to retire.