Production director of the pharmacy manufacturing unit, Stephen Langford, has retired this week after a "tremendous" 40 years working for the NHS.

Stephen, who lives in Stoke with wife Eileen, began his career as a pre-registration pharmacist in Suffolk after graduating in 1975. 

In 1994, he went on to complete his PhD at De Montford University, after being promoted to staff pharmacist, principal pharmacist and then finally joining CHFT in 2009. 

Interestingly, Stephen has also spent time as a lecturer at The Univeristy of Huddersfield, alongside spending a year as chairman of the NHS Pharmaceutical Production Committee.

Our production director told us: "I've had a really fantastic team here. It's been tremendous. I couldn't have asked for better facilities and all my expectations have been met with what we have succeeded here."

During his retirement, Stephen told us he and Eileen have plans to spend time travelling, with visiting the RIver Nile and the Northern Lights at the top of the list.