A Night to Remember!
80 Years of Keeping Industry Running
On Saturday 4th July, Fletcher Moorland proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone, marking 80 years of engineering excellence with a Gala Dinner at the iconic BET365 Stadium.
The evening brought together colleagues, customers, suppliers, friends and family to celebrate not only the history of our business, but the people whose dedication, expertise and values have shaped Fletcher Moorland since 1946.
Best Foot Forward to start the evening..
Hosted by television presenter Jonty Sargeant, the celebrations began in memorable fashion as our Managing Director, Matt Fletcher, took to the stage alongside his World Champion dance partner Anastasiia.
Together they reprised the Viennese Waltz they first performed during last year's Strictly Knot Dancing charity competition, specially adapted for the gala stage. Dancing to the timeless classic Delilah by Tom Jones, the performance quickly had the entire room singing along, creating a fantastic atmosphere from the very beginning.
Throughout the evening, guests heard from two inspirational speakers. Tom Bouchier, Vice President of FANUC Europe, shared his thoughts and hosted the chat show with our guests of honour. Later in the evening Dave Webster, CEO of Dougie Mac, spoke passionately about the incredible impact the hospice has across our community and the importance of supporting its work.
One of the most memorable parts of the evening was the chat show-style panel discussion. Hosted by Tom Bouchier, whose quick wit and playful humour kept both the audience and guests entertained throughout, the panel featured Malcolm Fletcher, Jean Fletcher, Matt Fletcher, Di Bouchier and long-serving Fletcher Moorland engineer Ron Snape.
Together they reflected on eight decades of Fletcher Moorland, sharing personal memories, stories of how the business has evolved over the years, and their hopes for the generations still to come. It was a powerful reminder that whilst engineering has always been at the heart of Fletcher Moorland, it has always been people who have driven its success.
The evening also provided an opportunity to recognise the individuals whose dedication has helped shape the company into what it is today.
REcognition of Lives Dedicated to industry..
Many were surprised to learn that Malcolm Fletcher famously missed England's historic 1966 World Cup Final victory because, as a champion of engineering, he was working. To mark both that story and his lifetime of dedication to the business, he was presented with a signed photograph of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team. The celebrations didn't stop there, as a lone piper entered the room to perform his favourite piece, Flower of Scotland—a truly moving surprise organised by the Fletcher Moorland team.
Jean Fletcher was also recognised for her extraordinary contribution to the company, both within the business and through the countless unseen roles she has played behind the scenes over the decades. She was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a heartfelt thank you for everything she has done for Fletcher Moorland and everyone connected with it.
Reflecting on their journey together also reminded everyone of one remarkable fact: had Malcolm and Jean never gone on a blind date all those years ago, Fletcher Moorland may never have become the company it is today.
The celebrations continued as Matt Fletcher, the third generation of the Fletcher family to lead the business as Managing Director, was presented with a special award in recognition of his leadership, innovation and vision in driving Fletcher Moorland forward. Building upon the foundations laid by previous generations, Matt has continued to invest in people, technology and engineering excellence, ensuring the business continues to evolve whilst remaining true to the family values on which it was built.
The recognitions didn't end there. Operations Director, Di Bouchier, was surprised by the Senior Leadership Team with a well-deserved spa break, acknowledging her unwavering commitment to creating and nurturing the people-focused culture that sits at the very heart of Fletcher Moorland.
Long-serving engineer Ron Snape also received heartfelt recognition for an incredible 54 years of loyal service. Having dedicated his entire working life to Fletcher Moorland, Ron was presented with a Long Service Award and a token of appreciation, recognising the invaluable contribution he has made to the business over more than five decades.
Before the evening moved on, special thanks were given to those who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise such a memorable event. Maddie Topping and Andrew Spencer received a well-earned round of applause from the audience. In true Fletcher Moorland fashion, Spence's recognition also came with a rather unexpected gift, a giant cuddly fish, which raised plenty of laughter around the room.
Guests were then treated to an exceptional three-course meal, expertly prepared and served by the events team at the BET365 Stadium. The quality of both the food and service reflected the professionalism that made the evening run seamlessly from start to finish.
Supporting our Charity Partner..
Whilst the Gala Dinner was a celebration of Fletcher Moorland's 80-year journey, it was equally important to remember the evening's charitable purpose.
As proud partners of Dougie Mac, the event also served as a major fundraising opportunity in support of the hospice's incredible work. A silent auction ran throughout the evening, featuring an impressive range of prizes, from an elegant Duchess China tea set to a signed Diego Maradona football shirt, alongside many other generously donated items.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone in attendance, the silent auction raised more than £5,000 on the night. This took Fletcher Moorland's fundraising total to an incredible £69,000, moving ever closer to the company's ambitious £80,000 target in support of Dougie Mac. It was a magnificent achievement and a testament to the generosity of our customers, suppliers, employees and friends who continue to support this wonderful cause.
As the formalities came to an end, the celebrations continued long into the evening. Glasses were raised, the music turned up and the dance floor quickly filled as colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends celebrated together. It was a fitting end to an unforgettable evening and a wonderful way to honour the people and relationships that have defined Fletcher Moorland for the past eight decades.
The Gala Dinner perfectly captured everything that Fletcher Moorland stands for: family, innovation, engineering excellence, community and, above all else, people.
Photos from the evening:
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