Simon Dunkley Retires

After more than three decades of dedication and leadership, Simon Dunkley is putting down his pencil and stepping into retirement. Having joined JT Thorpes & Sons in 1991, Simon has been a cornerstone of the business for 34 years, helping to guide it through incredible transformation and growth.

Simon’s Story

Simon’s journey with Thorpes began in 1991, when he joined as Trade Services Manager at the Great Glen site. Before this, he started as an apprentice engineer's Pattern Maker, spending three years honing his skills before moving on to Sharps Bedrooms. There, he grew from bench joiner to Surveyor and then Customer Service Manager, developing a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of customer needs.

Simon fondly remembers his early days at JT Thorpes & Sons, working closely with John Thorpe Senior, someone he describes as both a mentor and someone he admires greatly. Together, they delivered veneering services and manufactured worktops for the healthcare and education sectors.

‘We even travelled across Europe to buy and select veneer. It was an incredible experience, one I’ll always be grateful for.’

A New Beginning: Thorpes of Great Glen

When JT Thorpes & Sons transitioned to Thorpes of Great Glen, Simon, together with John Thorpe, Shes, and John Thorpe Snr, helped establish what is now known as Thorpes of Great Glen. Simon started as General Manager and Director, overseeing the production side while John focused on growing the company’s presence in the market.

As the business expanded, Simon shifted his focus to the contracts side, eventually becoming Contracts Director, overseeing draughtsmen, contract support, and contract managers.

Reflecting on the biggest changes over the years, Simon doesn’t hesitate:

‘Computerisation. To think that everything we did was drawn and written by hand. No computers, no CAD, no emails, and no Teams - Just a phone, fax machine, and a drawing pad that three of us had to share! When technology moved on, we had to self-teach ourselves computer skills and CAD drawing.’

What Will He Miss? ‘Hopefully nothing!’ Simon jokes.
‘It’s time to move on. The friendships I’ve made at Thorpes will, I hope, continue into the next chapter of my life. Now, it’s time for family, friends, and having time on my side.’

As Simon steps into retirement, we say goodbye not just to a colleague, but to a true leader and part of the Thorpes foundation. His commitment, passion, and integrity have left a lasting impact.

On behalf of Thorpes, we’d like to thank Simon for all of his hard work and dedication during his long service and wish him all the best for the future.