An engineer who worked his up from an untrained teenage apprentice to the boss of a major company is now hanging up his boots after 44 years.

Nigel Johnson, from Malmesbury, first applied for a job at the sheet metalwork manufacturer Sheetnam and Bradley in 1980 when he was just 16 years old.

The now 60-year-old still remembers nervously coming in for an interview as a teen in 1980, where he was offered a job as the company’s first mechanical apprentice.

“I sort of just took it from there really,” he told the Gazette and Herald.

“At that age, you just want a job and to earn a living, you don’t normally think too far ahead into the future.

“So I did my apprenticeship as a sheet metal worker and in those days there were no automated machines so it was very hands-on, all you had was a calculator and a bit of paper.

“Now these machines fly through sheets of material in minutes."

Swindon Advertiser: Nigel Johnson was just 16 when joined the company as Sweetnam & Bradley's first-ever mechanical apprentice.Nigel Johnson was just 16 when joined the company as Sweetnam & Bradley's first-ever mechanical apprentice. (Image: Sweetnam & Bradley)

28 years later, Nigel proved that hiring him was the right choice when he became joint-owner of the company alongside Christian Olejnik in 2008.

The pair managed to double the size of Sweetnam & Bradley before selling it to larger company Megasteel Limited in 2019.

Having just celebrated his 60th birthday, Nigel has now been credited as the heart and soul of one of Wiltshire's biggest sheet metal work companies and retired on Wednesday, March 24, after 44 years at Sweetnam & Bradley.

Swindon Advertiser: 38 years after joining as an apprentice, Nigel (right) became joint owner of one of the biggest local manufacturing companies.38 years after joining as an apprentice, Nigel (right) became joint owner of one of the biggest local manufacturing companies. (Image: Sweetnam & Bradley)

“I think the reason I stayed so long is because I was always given opportunities. I never needed to go elsewhere because I had everything I needed right here," he told the Gazette.

“It hasn’t half changed in my lifetime mind you. I remember when they brought in the first punching machine in 1985 we all said ‘what would you want one of them for?’

"Now I've just turned 60 and I've said to people it’s time. After owning the company and now helping out, you see all the changes and I can see that it's time for other people to take it further."

In his retirement, Nigel hopes to find other projects and jobs to work on, stating he "couldn't just sit and do nothing."

“It’s such a brilliant story to have worked his way up to being the boss and making it such a success,” said Christian Olejnik.

“He’s a hugely well-regarded and skilled engineer.

"UK Manufacturing is once again coming to the forefront and it wouldn’t be possible without the likes of Nigel.”