A half century in the travel and events business is the astonishing record of 65-year-old Gerry York of FMI Group. He was treated to his own 'This is your Life' show by colleagues and friends at the St. Ermin's Hotel (15 March).

York joined the industry with LEP Travel in 1962 when he was an apprentice professional footballer with Leyton Orient and was told to get a job in the afternoons "as something to fall back on". It turned out to be good advice! He went on to become wedded to the business when he married the daughter of his DMC in France.

The spoof 'This is Your Life' focused on some hilarious anecdotes including an episode when he was told too curtly by a Pan Am Airways employee to put on a tie when he turned up for a fam trip but refused. And promptly went home. (York remained in the business long after the demise of Pan Am!)

He said at the event: “I’ve had a brilliant time and would do it all again”. When asked how much longer he would continue, he replied: “Another 10 years!”


Pictured: Gerry York (centre) with fellow FMI Group directors and shareholders, Tony Moy (left) and John Fisher