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Preston surveyor is retiring aged 87

Posted on - 3rd February, 2018 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Business, People, Preston News, Redevelopment
Frank started his career aged 17 and worked his way up to form his own firm
Frank started his career aged 17 and worked his way up to form his own firm

A veteran surveyor who built one of Preston’s largest architecture firms is hanging up his scale rule after 70 years.

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Frank Whittle, who founded the Frnk Whittle Partnership, is bowing out aged 87.

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Starting out in 1947 he was an office boy in Appley Bridge, near Wigan, fetching lunchtime pies and cleaning the office.

Following this he joined Bolton Corporation and started his RICS studies at Bolton Technical College.

He moved to Manchester City Council architects’ office and then moved to the same department in Lancashire County Council.

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Mr Whittle left the county council in 1973 having finished heading up research and development for new building structures.

He set up a firm called Vandome Jones and Partners before it was eventually renamed as the Frank Whittle Partnership in 1986 to reflect the start of a new era.

The firm expanded with the addition of David Robinson and Martin Whittle in 1991.

David Robinson and Martin Whittle with Frank - and his celebratory cake
David Robinson and Martin Whittle with Frank – and his celebratory cake

At a retirement celebration in the Guild Lounge at Preston North End then Frank paid tribute to colleagues he had worked with during his working life.

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He said: “It has been a long journey starting from my home in Bolton when in 1947 at the age of 16 my mother made me leave the sixth form at Canon Slade School in Bolton and my father got me a job at Applev Bridge near Wigan.

“My mother wished me to have wages to support her house-keeping, but I had a long term vision to work for myself one day and last October I had worked for 70 years, the past few decades at FWP.

“In between organising dances at Bolton Technical College, I found time to begin my RICS studies whilst also working at Bolton Corporation.

“In 1957 I came to work in the architects department at County Hall and so began a long and fulfilling career in Preston.

“It was when David Robinson and Martin Whittle joined me as partners in the firm in the early 1990s that we really began to progress gaining a reputation far beyond the borders of Lancashire.

“It’s been thanks to all the staff at FWP fulfilling my expectations that I’ve been able to stay on so long and enjoy the ride.”

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Frank paid tribute to former colleagues Maurice Vandome, Sid Senior, Alan Jones, Bob King, Roger White and Beryl Brown who worked with him for 40 years.

“I officially stood down as a partner when I was 70, but it’s only now I am finally going – mainly due to the cost of insuring me!

“I feel very proud and happy with the firm and the progress it has made. We are well known not only in the North West but throughout the UK and I wish all my friends and colleagues continued success and progress.”

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FWP continues to be run by joint managing partners David Robinson and Martin Whittle from offices in Preston, Manchester and London.

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