Two employees at Longcliffe Quarries Ltd in Derbyshire are celebrating a combined 82 years of service. Development director Ian McDonald has reached a 47-year milestone, while engineering and continuous improvement manager Mark Whittaker has completed 35 years. The company, which is heading for its centenary in 2027, employs over 190 people, with around 90 per cent of its workforce living within a 20-mile radius of its sites near Matlock.
Ian McDonald's career journey
Ian began as an electrical apprentice in July 1979. After finishing his apprenticeship through Chesterfield College of Technology, he became the site electrician and started mentoring new apprentices. In 1991, he passed a professional exam through the Institute of Quarrying, then moved through roles including shot firing, quarry supervisory, and explosives supervisor. In 1996, he became quarry manager for both Brassington Moor and Ryder Point Quarries, and in 2021 he took on his current role as development director.
Reflecting on his start, Ian said: “I became aware of Longcliffe through helping out at my father’s car body spray shop where he used to paint the company’s small vehicle fleet. I was a young lad who did not have a vision for the future, but my father rang Longcliffe to see if they had any jobs and, as I lived only five miles away, it was an easy decision to take the apprenticeship here. I haven’t looked back!”
Outside work, Ian has been active with hobbies including motorbikes, fishing, playing and coaching football, family and walking. He also served as chairman of Matlock Juniors Football Club. Ian credits diversity and the people as the best things about his job, adding: “Look after your people and they will look after you.”
Mark Whittaker's path from apprentice to manager
Mark joined Longcliffe straight from GCSEs at age 16 in 1991 as an electrical apprentice. His career progressed through roles including electrician, workshop supervisor, and works engineer. In his current role, he manages engineering functions with a focus on continuous improvement. A current highlight is overseeing the construction of a multi-million-pound granulated lime plant.
Mark said the best things about his job are: “Seeing the changes that have happened over the years; it’s only when you sit back and reflect that you remember all of them. Also, the people - I’ve made many friends whilst working here; and I have also been involved in the development of all engineering apprentices over the last 35 years - and some are now in senior positions.”
When not at work, Mark is passionate about cars. He was the world champion model car racer three times and now enjoys collecting and driving classic cars.
Company pride in long-serving staff
Longcliffe’s Group managing director Paul Boustead said: “At the heart of our business is our people. We directly employ over 190 people, some of whom have parents, grandparents and great grandparents who also worked for the company. We are proud of the fact that many of our team have celebrated many years with us, and we congratulate Ian and Mark on their long service and the significant contribution they continue to make to our business.”
The company prides itself on being an important local employer, with Ian living in Darley Dale and Mark in Wirksworth. As Longcliffe approaches its centenary in 2027, the long service of Ian and Mark highlights the company’s commitment to retaining experienced staff and fostering careers from apprenticeship level upwards.
