The Wessex Group recently held a gala celebration to mark the company's 50th anniversary in style.

It was decided to mark the half-century in a number of ways through the year, and throwing a party was for the group to say ‘thank you’ to the staff.

Hundreds of staff, former employees and their partners attended the dinner at the Bournemouth International Centre. Retired founder Tony Morgan, who set up Wessex Electricals in 1963, was there with his two sons Simon and Alistair, who are now the group’s joint managing directors.

Before the dinner, Simon Morgan welcomed the staff and their guests and invited his father to say a few words. Tony Morgan thanked them for their loyalty and hard work and said he hoped the group would be there in another 50 years.

Gordon Green, who was one of Tony’s first employees as an apprentice electrician, and is now managing director of Wessex Electricals, also spoke. He said: “Tony’s loyalty to the staff he has employed has been exceptional, with so many of us staying for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years.

“Tony has been like a father figure to many of us and has supported us at work and in our private lives, which has been appreciated by us all. The group is now headed by his sons Ali and Simon, and they have the skills and loyalty that they’ve inherited from their father.

“The Wessex Group is a multi-company, multi-discipline group that continues to grow, and we have another batch of apprentices starting soon.”

The managing directors of all six companies in the group were present, as were representatives of electrical contractors Wiltshire and Willey, who were celebrating their 30th anniversary and are also members of the Wessex Group.

Simon Morgan said: “It is a real achievement to have been around for 50 years and to have grown so much since 1963. We are lucky to have great staff across the group and the future certainly looks bright.”

Pictured: Guest of honour Tony Morgan, founder of the Wessex Group, pays tribute to the loyal staff.