Our story starts on 22 May 1978 when Mike Blackwell started working at Cunard Line. Mike has dedicated his career to the Company, and has seen, supported and driven a lot of change.

He’s now hanging up his hat to sail off into the sunset and relax into retirement. Before he goes though, we’re celebrating his achievements and looking back at his incredibly impressive CV!

Let’s start with some stats from Mike’s 42 year career:

• Worked with 39 vessels, including three container ships owned by Cunard
• Visited six shipyards in Canada, France, Germany, Italy (two), and Scotland
• Worked with four hotels previously owned by the Company including The Ritz in London, Cunard International Hotel, and two other hotels for Cunard in St Lucia and Barbados.
• Worked in 11 offices, six while working for Cunard, (South Western House, Mountbatten House, Berkeley Street London, Mitcham House, 5th Avenue New York and Cunard Miami), and a further five while working for Carnival UK; Dukes Keep, Richmond House, Wessex House, Town Quay and Carnival House.

Always passionate about technology, Mike has worked in many roles over his time at Carnival UK, including Computer Programmer, Senior Computer Programmer, Software Engineer, Project Leader, System Consultant, PC Project Manager, Fleet & Office Systems Manager, PC Systems Manager, Software Consultant, Business Analyst and Senior Business Analyst.

An office romance…

While working at Cunard Line, Mike met his wife Glynis. They both worked in IT; Mike was a programmer and Glynis was Personal Assistant to the IT Director. Glynis laughed as she recalled how she didn’t like Mike at first. “He used to come into my office and steal my stationery – so if I saw him coming I’d shut my office door!” 

A few years of persistence paid off for Mike though as the pair met up outside of work and married within a year in 1987. As Cunard Line colleagues they enjoyed their honeymoon aboard QE2, but have switched brands in recent years with Aurora becoming their firm favourite (sorry Simon!)

Glynis said: “Mike is very kind,; he’ll do anything for me, looks after me so well. He’s funny, he’s tolerant, very placid, never raises his voice and I couldn’t ask for a better husband.”

Celebrating outstanding achievements

Mike is much-loved by his colleagues so to bid him a fond farewell, the Technology department held a ‘This is Your Life’ team huddle to remember Mike’s career highlights, alongside a few personal ones – if you know Mike you know his air-guitar! Colleagues celebrated his particularly popular performances to Silver Machine by Hawkwind; Mike’s signature song! 

Looking back at memorable moments, colleague and friend Mike Winterbottom, Portfolio Director, recalled “whilst we were working at Wessex House, Mike tried to get a car park space outside the office, rather than at the Docks, claiming he had a bad back and couldn’t walk the distance… unfortunately that backfired when the IT Director caught Mike on the dance floor strutting his stuff like John Travolta at the Christmas Party! Needless to say, Mike didn’t get his spot…”

On Mike’s retirement, Simon Palethorpe, Carnival UK President, said “42 years is truly amazing, thank you for all of that service. I hope it’s been a great career. Reading through your experiences with the organisation and the fabulous montage of photos from your colleagues, it looks like its been one heck of a career. I hope that what retirement brings for you is fabulous, fun and as rewarding as your time with us has ever been. Congratulations and thank you very much indeed.”

Time to sit back and relax

Matt Scott, Senior Business & Process Analysis Manager, led the organisation of a garden bench gift from the Technology team and Mike’s colleagues from across the business. Delivered to Mike at home, with a socially distanced drop off of course, Mike will need to build it himself, but hey – it can be his first retirement project! 

Mike also received an E-card from his friends and colleagues, a retirement cake, and £800 of John Lewis Vouchers from Carnival UK.

Happy retirement Mike!

“Mike, from all of your friends and colleagues in Technology and throughout the business, we wish you a very happy retirement – we miss you already!” 

Andrew Wyres – CIO