Close of business for ‘Mr Oldham’

FAREWELL . . . Steve Lowe and his wife Kath

A BANKER known to many as “Mr Oldham” retires from his job at National Westminster bank this month after 47 years.

Steve Lowe - relationship director for the bank’s commercial team - is also well known for a wide range of voluntary work.

The 63 year old is chairman of governors at Oldham Sixth Form College and director at Groundwork, as well as being heavily involved with St Herbert’s RC Primary in Chadderton and the new Mahdlo youth centre.

The grandfather of five successfully launched The One Oldham Business Awards and has been on the steering committee for the last four years.

Mr Lowe had planned to retire at 60, but was persuaded to stay for three more years to help guide local businesses through the recession.

He said: “It’s hard to know how I’m going to feel when I actually leave because I have been doing it for so long. But I think the time is right for me to go. I will miss my customers and colleagues as I have built up relationships and friendships with them over the years.”

Mr Lowe, who now lives in Royton but was born in Chadderton and educated at Cardinal Langley School in Middleton, joined the banking world at 16. He worked at branches in Hollinwood, Middleton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.

In the early 1980s he was sent to work at a large branch in Scotland and this was the start of a career that took him to Glasgow, Oxfordshire and New York. He returned to Oldham in 1990 — turning down moves to London and the Isle of Wight to do so.

He officially retires on June 30.



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