Leader stepping back for the next generation

THE leader of one of the North East's oldest family food firms is stepping back to give the next generation their chance to shine.

- COREENA FORD

Michael Dickson, 74, has decided the time is now right to take a step back from the top job at Dicksons, having spent his entire career in the South Shields company, which has grown to be a household name thanks to its pies and famous saveloy dips.

Now in its 73rd year of trading, the first shop was opened by Mr Dickson’s parents, Michael Irwin and Helen Dickson, on Prince Edward Road in South Shields. Both he and his sister Christine found themselves in senior roles in the business very early on, after their father died in his 40s, when they were just teenagers.

Mr Dickson recalled his early years in the business and told how, while may no longer be serving up any more saveloy dip in one of the region’s 33 Dicksons stores or having daily input as a board member, he will still be on hand for advice.

He said: “I’m not completely vanishing, I'll still be there to offer up advice and suggestions when needed. I’m simply taking a step back from having daily input, this will give me more free time, but I will still chair quarterly board meetings and attend monthly management meetings.

“I think the time is right. We've a particularly strong senior team and always been blessed with great people throughout the business many of whom are long service as in many family companies.”