MANAGING director David Scott bowed out after 39 years at engineering  company TH White with two parties.

Mr Scott, who celebrated his 65th birthday on Monday, held a reception at the company's Nursteed Road head office, where staff presented him with a hand-bound book and brother Charles giving a speech about his achievements

A second reception then was held on Tuesday at the Corn Exchange for several hundred customers and suppliers, including representatives from New Holland, DeLaval and Fiat.

Mr Scott said: “The thing that has given me most pleasure over the years has been watching people develop their careers within the company.

“A successful business relies on the efforts and hard work of every person in it and the credit for what has been achieved rests with all of you.”

T H White, which was founded in 1832 as an agricultural ironmonger in Sidmouth Street, employs more than 550 people and was voted Wiltshire Business of the Year in 2013.

Mr Scott joined the family-run business on his 26th birthday in 1976.

After spending eight years gaining experience by working in all areas of the business he was appointed managing director in 1984 and then CEO in 1989.

Mr Scott has said he is looking forward to enjoying his retirement by spending more time with his wife of 41 years Tishi and his four children and four grandchildren.

Mr Scott’s son Alexander will be taking over as managing director.