IPSWICH Building Society chief Paul Winter has celebrated a landmark anniversary after completing 30 years’ service.

Mr Winter joined the society as assistant general manager in 1982, at a time when it had just two branches in addition to its head office and employed 58 staff.

He was appointed chief executive in April 2007, shortly before the start of the credit crunch, since when he has guided the society through a period of growth despite the global financial crisis, with the society’s assets having grown by 30%.

The society now operates nine branches and seven agencies across Suffolk and Norfolk, and has 100 staff.

Earlier this year, Mr Winter was named Business Person of the Year at the EADT’s Anglian Business Awards and he has also been appointed by HRH The Prince of Wales as the Prince’s Ambassador for Responsible Business in the East of England.

To mark his anniversary, Mr Winter was presented with a pair of new golf clubs.

He said: “The financial services industry has changed immeasurably since I joined the society, and although so much has changed during my time here, the values and aspirations which I found when I joined the society in 1982 are unchanged.

“I’m very proud to have seen the society grow throughout my time here and to work with such fantastic people.”