INTERVIEW E


ducated at royal Belfast academical Institution (Inst) in Belfast, Peter Surgenor


graduated from the University of Ulster with a degree in accountancy in 1979 and commenced employment with deloitte haskins and Sells.


after completing his three years’ articles, he joined Sangers in 1982 as an accountant and was subsequently appointed financial controller in 1986, finance director in 1993 and finally Managing director in 2004. having enjoyed over 35 years at Sangers - years that include the acquisition of United drug Sangers by celesio in 2016 and managing the Sangers and aah business - Peter now feels the time is right to call time on his career.


Jason Andrews (JA): Peter, you have decided to retire. Has it been an easy or difficult decision?


Peter Surgenor (PS): My intention all along had been to retire as close to 60 as possible. With the business being sold to aah, I extended this by a further twelve months. So, yes, it was an easy decision.


JA: Looking back to the day you joined the firm, did you ever think that you would spend so many years with the company?


PS: Prior to joining Sangers I had been working in the channel Islands for a number of different clients. the opportunity to focus longer term on one business was more appealing. Sangers has been through many changes and has provided many new challenges over the past 35 years.


While I can honestly say that at no time did I lose interest in the business, I had no intention of staying so long when I started all those years ago.


I’m glad that I did stay as I’ve had a very wide range of business experience through the company and have met and worked with many great people.


JA:What will you miss the most about the business?


PS: that’s an easy one: the people I have worked with and met over the years. I have made many friends through the business and have worked closely with the team in Sangers. I’m sure I will find the first couple of months difficult as I am used to seeing and working with my colleagues every day.


JA: I’m sure there are lots of individuals who have helped you along the way and been a pillar of support during your career?


Uca voices its appreciation to Peter


Peter Surgenor has been the face of Sangers in northern Ireland for many years and a steady hand on the tiller. the Ulster chemists’ association would like to thank Peter for his continuing commitment to pharmacy in northern Ireland and for the support he gave to the work of this oganisation over many years. We wish Peter well and hope he enjoys a long and fulfilling retirement!


Executive Committee - Ulster Chemists’ Association


JA:What do you feel was your biggest achievement during a long successful career in the company?


PS: I would have to say that my biggest achievement was guiding Sangers through the difficult years when pharmaceutical companies introduced their dtP and rWa models to the market. aligning ourselves with alliance Boots meant


I would have to say that my


biggest achievement was guiding Sangers through the difficult years when pharmaceutical


companies introduced their DTP and RWA models to the market


PS: at different stages of my career, different individuals have been important - none more so than my Personal assistant during the last thirteen years, alison, who has kept me right on many occasions. however, all through my career, my wife Michèle has provided me with constant support, advice and encouragement.


Pharmacy colleague pays tribute


Peter has been an enduring constant in the pharmacy scene for as long as I have and that’s saying something! his quiet and assuring support for my business and the businesses of others, as well as for the profession in general, will always be appreciated. Sangers nI was a natural home for Peter’s style of friendly, hands-on, personal, discreet service. these were the values Peter made into the culture of that organisation. I’m sorry, and a touch envious, to see him go (he’s much too young), but things change. the world is different now and, with Peter’s departure, we are perhaps seeing the end of an era: the era of the locally-focused wholesaler. Wishing him much happiness in the future and a long and healthy retirement. I’m sure our respective wives will ensure we don’t become strangers!


Dr Terry Maguire


that Sangers was able to continue as an independent company and able to deliver consistent growth in both profits and market share. Profits grew by more than 50 per cent over this period and market share peaked at 72 per cent. other wholesalers either disappeared, or had to reinvent themselves, while Sangers grew from strength to strength.


JA: Pharmacy is a good industry, and working with a top wholesale company has provided opportunities to build relationships with lots of great people, I’m sure!


PS: I have enjoyed my time working with the Uk wholesalers through the hda and have made many contacts there. I have always been a great believer in building personal relationships in business and I would like to think that is what I have done with pharmacy in northern Ireland.


this is highlighted by the fact that pharmacy customers have felt able to pick up the phone and contact me at any time.


JA: How will you replace the daily routine of working full time with a new lifestyle choice?


PS: I am looking forward to the change in pace. I plan to travel more and read all those books that I haven’t had time for previously. I also have plenty of other plans lined up and I believe Michèle has a list of tasks for me to do!


JA: Lots of people have dreams to retire to warmer climates. Have you any such plans? Or are you very much settled in Belfast?


PS: I will continue to be based in Belfast, but will travel as much as possible over the next few years. Phillip, my eldest son, has just moved to start a new life with his wife in chicago, so we will be visiting them on a regular basis. James, my other son, is currently based in Sheffield and we’ll have more time to visit him as well. Whilst I love travelling the world, my heart definitely remains in Belfast and I always enjoy coming back home.


JA: How would you like to be remembered by colleagues, customers and suppliers within community pharmacy?


PS: that is a difficult question, but, as long as I am remembered at all, that should be sufficient! I would like to think that I would be viewed as a friend and supporter of pharmacy and someone who was fair, honest, honourable and approachable.


JA: Thanks for the interview Peter and many thanks for the generous support you have given to Pharmacy in Focus and community pharmacy. We wish you a long and healthy retirement and please send us postcards from every holiday destination!


PharMacY In focUS - 7


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