Necker Celebrates Staff For Long Service

Brian Andrews started to work at Necker Island 34 years ago as a stone mason. He was one of the first set of employees at the private island, owned by the BVI's most famous resident and billionaire, Sir Richard Branson.

Yesterday, Thursday, May 25, Necker and Moskito Islands hosted an appreciation ceremony for employees like Andrews, for their length of service with the company. The event was hosted at the Moskito Beach House on Virgin Gorda (VG).

At the ceremony, 45 employees were honoured for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years and 30 years of service.

"The first time I got to Necker Island, it was lovely. Those days it was the first house we were building. I was a stone guy and from the stone area, I transferred into the grounds," Andrews, who is now the Head Groundsman, told BVI Platinum News.

He is among four employees working at the establishment for over 30 years.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines native said that Sir Richard, his family and management are good people.

"I cannot complain; nice place to work, that is why I am here for 34 years. I could go anywhere in my life, but I chose to stay at Necker; it's the place to be--lots of work and fun...The ceremony is very great and also the owner (Sir Richard), his family, his children, they are very, very good people," said Andrews.

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Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
From left: Mr Kenton Jones, General Manager, Mr Brian Andrews, Head Groundsman, Jennet James, Housekeeper and Trevor Jordan, Stone Mason.

(PLTM) - Another notable employee is Jennet James, who has been a housekeeper for 32 years and travels from Tortola to Necker Island on a daily basis.

"I have grown with it (Necker); it's good…I like Necker Island and I appreciate who put this on today. I appreciate it so much."

She recalled what it was like when she started 32 years ago.

"It was hard work because while the men were working, we had to be cleaning and going back in the same room cleaning, after they do the construction work...But we used to do it together and we enjoyed it," the Vincentian expressed to BVI Platinum News.

The other two employees who have worked for over 30 years are Errol Arthurson, staff bus driver (33 years) and Trevor Jordan, stone mason (34 years).

We Can't Succeed Without You

Mr. Kenton Jones, General Manager, during his remarks, said that the ceremony was held as an opportunity for them to say thank you to everyone for their outstanding commitment over the many years.

He said Sir Richard holds the strong view that the only way a company can be successful is if its employees are successful.

"And that is what Necker is about…These achievements don’t come about with one individual going at them, they come about as a team and every single team member that makes it possible."

He said, "Thank you to everyone here and for being part of an extraordinary business that has achieved extraordinary things over the past 34 years."

Jones stated that they produce a product which is a world leading one, and have done that consistently for 20 years. To this end, he mentioned that they have been graced with guests such as the late Princess Diana and recently, former United States President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

"And that is an amazing achievement, and that takes dedication and hard work of everybody in this room." The General Manager mentioned several of the other inspiring events hosted at Necker, including the Caribbean Summit held two years ago, where Caribbean leaders committed to protect the oceans.

He also spoke to an event held to raise money to help families in Africa.

Further, Necker is working assiduously on a renewable energy project which will see Virgin Gorda benefiting.

Master of ceremonies was Saaniya Dione, Director of People and Welfare, and Suzette Farrington, People and Welfare Junior Administrator also gave brief remarks.

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