BNP PARIBAS PERSONAL FINANCE UK CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH COLLEAGUES FROM ACROSS THE DECADES
2023-07-18 16:14:35.0
Colleagues from across its 50-year history were welcomed back to BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK Solihull offices on Saturday 24th June to honour the significant milestone.
Over 80 current and former employees from across the UK, who worked for the company pre-2000, united at its headquarters to not only share their memories of the past, but also be thanked for their dedication to the business, their part in its success, and a celebration of the future.
Guests were treated to a flick through the history books as the business shared highlights from across its 50-year past, showcasing how the attendees had made BNP Paribas Personal Finance the successful business it is today.
In addition, there was a special anniversary cake and a giant memory board for colleagues to write down their highlights of working for the company.
Commenting on the occasion, BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK’s long-standing CEO, Stephen Hunt, shared: “We couldn’t imagine a more fitting way to celebrate our 50th year than welcoming back colleagues to say thank you for what they’ve done for us, recognise some of the early pioneers who laid the foundations for our success and hear their fond memories of life at the company, especially from when we started as a store card business.
“Lots of people hadn’t seen each other for years but, within minutes, it was like everyone still worked together. Today, we’re a leader in retail finance and have expanded into motor finance and home improvement by delivering responsible solutions. This success is all thanks to our brilliant colleagues. Here’s to the next 50 years!”
Debbie Allmey, who became Managing Director of the business in 1994 when it was known as SearsCard, was delighted to catch up with former colleagues and reminisce about the brilliant times shared over the past 50 years.
Guests also heard from Benoit Cavelier, CEO of the company between 1999-2003, via a personal video message from Paris.
The alumni event was one initiative as part of its annual celebration calendar, with more to come over the next six months including a surprise event being planned for the 700 current colleagues.
Among the guests were a mother, Gill Scranage, and her two daughters, Corinne Price and Lisa Scranage. As Corinne’s son is also currently completing a university placement year in IT, that is three generations of the same family employed by the company at different time periods from 1983 to date.
To add to the celebrations, Jon Collins who used to work for the company’s IT department, surprised his mother Kathy Collins, who worked in the customer service team, by flying in from Australia just days before so they could both join the event.
BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK started out in 1973 as Selfridges Finance Limited and has become a well-known market-leading provider of consumer finance solutions, through its consumer brand Creation.
Since its inception, BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK has created over 6,000 jobs across a variety of departments from Marketing to IT, Risk to Customer Services.
The business currently employs 700 people and has been recognised as a Top Employer UK by the Top Employers Institute for three years running.