Louise Retires

Posted on Apr 08, 2023

At the end of March we said goodbye to longtime employee, Louise Ingleby who retired after 23 years loyal service with Penny Post.

Louise joined the credit union on the 1st May, 2000 and was officially the first employee! At the time her husband, Stephen, worked in the Royal Mail HR office, and ‘volunteered’ Louise for some ad hoc filing. Roy Cole, General Manager at the time, remembers “I had only recently been given full time release from HR. I knew I was in need of a part time assistant, and Louise seemed the ideal organising type (as she has proved to be), so I approached her with an offer!”

Initially Louise worked 15 hours a week, working around looking after her young daughters. At the time, the credit union had around 1000 members, and served Royal Mail employees in the WV, WS, ST, DY & B postcodes. With Louise’s help, the credit union grew quickly, and when Tracey Moore joined in October 2000 to cover Fridays, there were around 1400 members. It continued to grow steadily over the following years, increased its common bond, and by 2015, Penny Post had around 9000 members and 9 staff.

“As I said when we celebrated Louise’s 20th Anniversary, Penny Post is where it is because obviously a lot of people have put a lot of hard work in, and I put Louise right at the top of that list. We wish you a long and happy retirement and thank you, Louise, for everything you’ve done for Penny Post over the years” said Penny Post President, Dave Jones.

“Louise was Penny Post’s first employee and no one has contributed more to the success of the business over the years. Louise is fabulous to work with, always very committed, helpful and positive” said Penny Post Group CEO, Matt Goulding. “When I joined Penny Post in 2018, it was Louise who went out of her way to ease me into the role, for which I was very appreciative. I wish her all the best for her retirement, and we will all miss her very much.”

Eileen Fox joined the Penny Post Team in 2008 and has fond memories of working with Louise over the years. “Louise has always been a very calm hand on the tiller to guide us through the various finance systems and changes in the different processes. She soothed out many a sticky situation when temperatures were rising!” remembers Eileen. “I do remember one occasion, although I don’t remember why, but the Ingleby tortoise came to the office. We knew it wasn’t the friendliest creature… and it lived up to its reputation by headbutting everything that crossed its path. It soon got put back in its box and it never visited Penny Post again!”

Penny Post Pioneer and now Learning & Development Officer, Helen Nuttall, remembers “in the past Louise has been referred to as a ‘surrogate mother’ to the Penny Post team, supporting directors and 2 CEOs through major change to get us to where we are now.”

“I remember Roy and Louise interviewing me” said Penny Post COO, Jas Kaur. “Louise is such an inspiring woman! She has such a calming presence and has taught me so much over the years.”

Outside of work, Louise has a passion for ballroom dancing, and is involved with a cat rescue charity, where she ‘fosters’ cats who are waiting for their ‘forever homes’.

On behalf of all our members, the Board, and all the team, thank you Louise for everything you’ve done for Penny Post over the years. We all wish you a long and happy retirement. You deserve it!