This week, Forbes bids farewell to one of its most cherished assets, Meera Gajjar, Financial Controller and assistant to the directors, who is retiring today. Meera's journey with Forbes is a testament to dedication, growth, and the invaluable contributions she has made over the years.
Meera's professional odyssey commenced in 1982 when she earned her stripes as a Chartered Secretary in Bristol. Her early years saw her honing her skills in esteemed accountancy firms in London, where she cultivated her skills and acumen, laying the groundwork for her career.
In 1996, Meera's path intersected with Forbes, initially joining us part time as a Purchase Ledger Assistant at our Purley offices. Juggling work with nurturing her young family, Meera’s dedication and work ethic were immediately apparent as traits that would define her tenure with Forbes.
As Forbes flourished, so did Meera's role within our organisation, with her commitment and proficiency propelling her to the position of full time Financial Controller. Meera has worked alongside all of the directors, in particular Stuart Forbes and Malcolm Forbes and Stephen Edwards, and her journey has mirrored Forbes' growth; a symbiotic relationship built on mutual trust and shared ambition.
Meera's impact has transcended her role and she has become an integral thread in the fabric of Forbes' culture. Her warmth, professionalism, sense of humour and unwavering support has always endeared her to colleagues within the Company. We are extremely proud of low staff turnover at Forbes and in her 28 years with the company Meera has formed great friendships with her colleagues.
As Meera bids farewell to Forbes, she leaves behind a legacy etched in excellence and camaraderie. Her departure marks the end of an era, but we are excited for her plans of travel and spending time with her family; including her young grandchildren.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Meera for her years of service, wishing her a retirement filled with joy, fulfilment, and well-deserved relaxation. We thoroughly enjoyed your celebratory lunch today and greatly look forward to you popping in to see us and joining us on the dance floor at our company parties!
Meera says,
‘I would like to thank Stuart and Malcolm for putting on my celebratory leaving lunch and Geraldine and the Accounts team for organising it -I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I would love to continue to be included in any organised festivities from time to time.
I have truly enjoyed my work at Forbes and implementing new financial systems over the years. In recent years, it has been particularly exciting to be involved in the rapid expansion of the commercial part of the business.
I have made some great friends and will miss everyone that I have worked with, especially the Accounts team that have always been such fun to work directly alongside.’