From dry cleaning and operations to Managing Director, Steve’s career has grown alongside Jacksons since he joined the company in 1989. His route to Jacksons began while working for Sketchleys, a national dry-cleaning business with around 500 shops. Already managing a shop, he saw a Jacksons Dry Cleaners job advertised and decided to apply. He then interviewed and was offered the role. Sketchleys persuaded him to stay, but about six months later he decided it was time for a change. A visit to the job centre led him to a marketing assistant role at Jacksons Dry Cleaners and, as Steve puts it, it felt meant to be.
Steve pictured alongside colleagues outside one of the Jacksons Dry Cleaners Shops
He joined Jacksons in 1989, and Sketchleys gave Steve one lasting connection: he met his wife there that year. At Jacksons, he started as a marketing assistant before moving into dry-cleaning management, overseeing seven shops. His career then took him through General Manager of Jacksons Workwear and Operations Director to Managing Director.
Steve pictured alongside colleagues with a Jacksons Workwear van
Of all his roles, Steve remembers his time as Dry Cleaning Manager especially fondly. The small team suited him, and the role fitted well with family life as his children were growing up. Jacksons felt like a genuinely supportive company. One memory that stands out is the help he received in 1993, when his growing family meant they swapped his 2-seater Fiesta van for a company car and that made a real difference.
Steve pictured behind the counter at Jacksons Dry Cleaners
Reaching the position of Managing Director is the achievement he is most proud of, and he is quick to share the credit with the colleagues who helped make it possible. That emphasis on people runs through everything Steve has done at Jacksons: the friendships are what he has valued most, and the people are what he will miss most. Steve also highlighted the importance of kindness in management and of recognising the lasting impact of how you make people feel. This approach has earned him the well-deserved respect and trust of colleagues throughout his time as Managing Director at Jacksons.
Steve pictured with Jacksons ’21 club’ in 2026, celebrating Jacksons employees with over 21 years of service
Retirement will bring a change of pace and freedom from day-to-day work responsibilities. Steve is looking forward to spending more time with his family, embracing grandparenting duties, playing guitar, going to gigs, golfing, taking art lessons, and having more time to pursue his interests. Although we will miss no longer seeing him cycle into work each morning, we hope he will still pop by occasionally while out walking his dogs!
For Steve, 1989 marked the beginning of the life he came to know, with work and family growing together over the decades. As he retires, we would like to say a huge thank you for all his hard work and celebrate his amazing career at Jacksons.
