A DEDICATED employee has left a popular Stroud business after four decades. 

F.Hinds employee Belinda McCarthy celebrated her retirement from the family run jewellers after 43 years of service. 

Her career started in 1980 in F.Hinds Gloucester as a Saturday worker, and throughout her time at the company she has seen a huge change in processes and procedures thanks to the introduction of new machinery and the internet.

With it came various opportunities for learning new skills and facing new challenges, which she took in her stride. 

Belinda was celebrated in-store with a gift of a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and was asked to reflect on her time spent at F.Hinds.

She said: “My favourite thing is that we are a family company that I feel very much a part of.

"After working in Gloucester for 10 years I transferred to Stroud in 1990 and had the opportunity to become manager in 1998.

"I’ve chosen to work for this company for so long because, in fact, I think the job chose me.

"It’s diverse, challenging, but overall extremely rewarding.

“I very much enjoyed training new staff and managers.

"Also I do feel proud to have played a major part in the company’s success!”

Paul Hinds, managing director at F. Hinds, said: “We are sad to say goodbye to a long serving member of the F.Hinds team.

"Belinda has been a true credit to what we stand for here at F.Hinds, and her dedication to ensure top quality customer experience has shone through throughout her 43 years spent with us.

"We wish Belinda all the best for her retirement, she will be missed!”