HOUSEBUILDER boss Wayne Gradwell is retiring after more than 35 years with the same company.

He began his career with Persimmon Homes – which is constructing the Occupation Lane scheme, in Keighley – as an assistant quantity surveyor.

Mr Gradwell worked his way up the technical department ladder to chief quantity surveyor.

In 1996, at the onset of the new West Yorkshire division, he accepted the role of technical manager for the business.

He made a further three career moves, serving as managing director for the past 17 years.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Persimmon,” said Mr Gradwell.

“I feel very fortunate to have been part of a firm that has grown from a fairly small housebuilder to one of the largest in the country and a FTSE 100 company.

“I’m most proud of the fact that I started with the West Yorkshire business from its beginning and consider that, along with the rest of my team, we have built a strong and profitable regional company.”