In the long, hot summer of 1976, 17-year-old Mike Parker started work at WCF. Half a century later Mike is still there – and is thought to be the longest-serving employee ever at the 115-year-old Cumbrian company.
To mark the occasion, WCF held an event at its Brampton HQ, with nearly 80 staff from across the UK celebrating his achievement.
Mike was presented with a letter of thanks and invited to choose a gift in recognition of his contribution to the company.
He said: “It doesn’t feel like 50 years. I’m still enjoying my working life. I’m very happy with the way my career has progressed and the opportunities I’ve had over the past five decades.”
Mike started as an admin assistant in the accounts office at Carlisle, progressing to payroll and pensions manager. He then became HR manager and since 2013 has held his current role of group health and safety manager.
Mike is now based at Brampton and travels much of the UK as WCF’s businesses spans retail, logistics and leisure, with over 370 employees at more than 25 locations.
Its operations range from national mail order shopping brands, camping and glamping sites, oil distribution, pet and equestrian retail stores, and e-commerce businesses offering garden and landscaping products.
Mike said: “The company has always been good at giving you the opportunity to progress, with a different job and a different skill requirement.
“In some ways it’s like moving to another company because there is so much diversity within the business. WCF has evolved over the years, which means there’s always a new challenge or opportunity.”
As a partly employee-owned company, WCF gives its team the chance to share in the company’s success. Mike added: “It’s not only a positive from a financial perspective, but it also gives you the sense that it’s your own company. You want to do the best for it.”
In the 2026 Great Place to Work UK list, WCF was named in the top 100 Best Workplaces for large businesses.
Mike added: “WCF has a tradition of long-serving employees, which is a testament to how the firm invests in its people and the future of the business.
“It’s a great place to work. There’s always somebody to talk to if you need to speak about something.”
Mike has two daughters and lives in Brampton with his partner, Deb. At 67 he still works full-time and has no plans to slow down.
He said: “Work has always been very important to me. I haven’t really got my head around retirement.”
Karen Kelso, head of people strategy and organisational development, said: “Mike embodies WCF. He’s always looking for ways to support colleagues and brings a calm, measured and level-headed approach.
“As a business, we are constantly evolving – it’s how we’ve remained relevant for so many years. WCF has been around for 115 years, and Mike has been part of the journey for 50 of them. That’s remarkable.”
