Celebrating our returning retiree

19 December 2021

A finance officer returned to work just months after retiring to answer the Council’s Covid emergency call.

David Seal hung up his calculator in the summer of 2019 after decades in local government, but was back at his desk in April 2020 as the pandemic took hold.

Due to the current situation, like many other Council services, the Non-Domestic Rates department was faced with unprecedented challenges.

Since returning to the role, David’s experience and knowledge has proved invaluable, helping to reduce grant processing and clear backlogs of work caused by the pandemic.

Prior to retiring, David had worked in the department since 2002 after moving from Bridgend County Borough Council.

We caught up with Lauren Collins, who works closely with David and said:

“After David’s retirement, customers repeatedly asked to speak to him and were always disappointed to find out he had retired!

“Since his return I have received so many emails from customers complimenting David I’ve lost count.

“David is very much a people person, for colleagues and customers, nothing is ever too much trouble for him.”

David’s contribution, alongside other dedicated offices, has resulted in the NDR department processing 6,736 grants at a total value of over £42M.

As well as being held in high regard for his work, David is also known for his sense of humour and for boosting morale amongst his team. 

“David is known to occasionally wind-up colleagues to make the office a lot more interesting, he always has witty comebacks and makes everyone laugh.

“He just brightens people’s day. Aside from providing his extensive expertise since returning, having him back during the pandemic (when a lot of people struggled home working) has definitely improved the team morale as he just has that effect.

“David is more than just a great colleague to work with, he is an incredible teacher and trainer. Before his retirement, he would always make himself available for a lunch-time session to help prepare anyone for internal jobs interviews.

“David is one of the most knowledgeable, approachable and friendly people I have ever had the pleasure to work with and although the pandemic caused so many negatives, I am thankful it gave me this opportunity to learn from and work alongside him.”

David is expected to re-retire in 2022 so that he can return to his hobbies of playing bowls, listening to Pop Master and visiting Cornwall in his campervan with his wife and two dogs.