Time to wave goodbye and send our best wishes.

Weir Insurance says goodbye to one of its most experienced employees this month as Dennis Hetherington sets off for retirement and a spot of fishing!

Dennis, 65, has been an Account Executive with Weir for the last ten years of his 42-year insurance career that he started at the tender age of 23, following seven years with the civil service after leaving school.

Dennis’s first job in the industry was with Prudential, and he then ran his own insurance business in Alnwick for 25 years.  He sold the company in 2013 to Swinton where he stayed for two years before and joining the team at Blyth-based Weir Insurance.

Dennis has seen it all in that time, and his knowledge of the industry is second to none.  He’s proud to say that many of his clients have stayed loyal to him throughout those 42 years, and he’s had the pleasure of seeing his client’s businesses passed to the next generation as they continue to thrive.

Dennis, a real people person, has always worked on the basis that he wouldn’t ask someone to do something he wouldn’t do himself, and he believes that all clients should be treated equally with the same level of service no matter their size.

One memorable night during his career, he got a call from a client to say their business, Alnwick fish and chip shop, was on fire.  He was there within minutes to offer support and reassurance, beating the fire brigade to the scene.  That got him a mention in the local paper and a client who was very grateful to have their insurance broker by their side in their hour of need.

He’ll certainly be a miss among those clients, although he leaves them in safe hands.

For his next chapter, Dennis plans to spend more time with his wife Lilian, a part-time accountant and his two grandchildren.  He also plans to fish as much as possible during the summer months and watch rugby union in the winter.

Dennis has played rugby since the age of 17, including six years in the Alnwick first team and being captain of the under 18’s.  In later life, Dennis went on to be the Chairman and then President of his much-loved rugby club.  These days, he’s happy to be on the side-lines as a loyal supporter and spectator.

As well as rugby, Dennis’s other passion is fishing, and he’s currently Chairman of the Alnwick Fishing Club and Secretary of the Northumberland Fishing Club. He’s also the former Chairman of the Alnwick Roundtable, Chairman of the Boulmer Lifeboat and Secretary of the Northumberland Wooden Spoon rugby community charity.

With such a busy life outside the office, it’s hard to know how Dennis found the time to work!

Dennis said: “I knew that the civil service wasn’t really for me, but Prudential gave me a great grounding into the insurance industry, and it quickly became clear that this would be my long-term career option.”

“There are many pros and cons of running your own business, but as Weir Insurance is also a family-run business and we shared similar values and philosophy on how to do business, it was an easy transition from my own business. It was a relief to return to being an employee, let someone else worry about running the company, and concentrate on what I love best: helping people protect what they have worked hard for.”

“It is going to be hard to say goodbye to my colleagues and clients, many of whom I have known for many decades, but the time has come, and I’m looking forward to having more time to spend on my hobbies and with my grandchildren.”

His first engagement post-retirement will be a trip to the House of Lords to meet the Princess Royal as part of an event for 40 guests to mark their charity work.

Dennis will celebrate retirement with his Weir Insurance colleagues in Alnwick at a paella and karaoke night.

Weir Insurance Managing Director Karen Weir, said: “This marks the end of a chapter, and Dennis’s retirement is well earned. He has worked really hard to make sure that all of his clients have a smooth handover to our fantastic team, who are already well known to many of them. We will miss you Dennis, but your clients are in safe hands!”

We wish you all the best for your retirement, Dennis!