Long-standing pillar in Wolverhampton’s business community, Graham Evans has retired from the Mander Centre after almost three decades.

The 61-year-old grandfather-of-two from Kingswood first set foot to work at the centre as a property manager in 1982 and retired yesterday.

His move to the Mander Paint and Ink Ltd at the time was a great change in direction for the Bilston-born man who was originally an architect. But he progressed to become a property director in 1992 and in 1994 took up his current role as centre manager.

The father-of-one said: “I was sold with the centre to Prudential in 1994 as a manager.” Among his successes are overseeing two major refurbishments in 1987 and in 2004.

As well as taking a few holidays, he plans to stay busy in his retirement pledging to continue to support Promise Dreams charity. He will also continue as a board director for the Wolverhampton City Company and chairman of the Wolverhampton Partners in Progress.