A partial screenshot of Sue's goodbye Zoom

Saying goodbye to Sue

“Heads of Department come and go and academics come and go, but it’s people like you who help make the Department a great place to work,” said James Keeler at Sue Begg’s Zoom good-bye on Friday the 26th of March, as he thanked her for all the work she’s done for the Department.

Sue arrived here in 2000 as Bobby Glen’s second recruit to the planned Unilever building after Jonathan Goodman. “One of them turned out to be okay anyway,” quipped James, much to Jonathan’s amusement, who joined in the Zoom along with now-retired Peter Murray-Rust, who worked with Sue for 20 years in what became the Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics, now known simply as the Centre for Molecular Informatics.

Bobby said: “Susan has been the backbone of the Unilever for the last 20 years – she has always been there to keep things going, and the 20 years have gone by so fast. The best decision I ever made was when ‘Sue hired me,’” he joked. He said that whenever he sees people who have worked in the Centre, they always ask how Sue is. “That’s who they remember – postdocs and students, they’re always asking about her.”

Because Sue transferred to the Department from the Wellcome Trust/CRC Institute, she has actually been employed by the University continuously since 1994. In 2014 Sue was promoted to Principal Secretary, in which role she managed all of the Department’s secretaries, many of whom joined the Zoom to thank Sue and to say goodbye.

Nicola Duncan said: “Thank you for being such an approachable and kind line manager,” roundly supported by Lisa Masters, Echo Wu Williamson and Jacqui Worster, who all thanked Sue for her support over the years. Recent recruit Sam Douglas, who works as  Reception Manager and Deputy Custodian, said: “Thank you for all your help and for making me feel so welcome.” Sam will be managing the Mifare card system, previously handled by Sue.

The secretaries also had particularly fond memories of Sue’s delicious banana bread and other baked goodies that she shared during coffee time in the Cybercafé (remember coffee time?). We will all hold Sue to her promise to bring some in when she visits.

A lot of comments were made about Sue’s propensity for leaving notes and keeping things tidy.  Emma Graham thanked Sue for ‘taking me under your wing’ as an Admin Assistant, recalling: “Sue was very good at leaving notes – I remember her notes on the fridge, she was very clear about what had to be done!”

The 'heeland coo'

In fact, Sue said she was spending her last day in the office sorting out paperwork and shredding papers. Nick Bampos said: “My advice is shred, shred, shred. No one will know it’s missing – not even Bobby.”  Sue said: “My biggest regret is that I haven’t been able to really tidy up the offices, but somebody else can take over that one.” Jonathan Goodman replied drolly: “The fact that we can find the desks is thanks to you,” adding “It’s been an amazing 20 years. I will come and read my instructions and I will do as I am told (as I sometimes do).”
 
As the morning went on, it became clear that Sue has supported many different areas of the Department. For example, NMR Technician Andrew Mason thanked Sue for her assistance with NMR access, saying, “You’ve dealt with it very thoroughly, professionally and efficiently.” Librarians Clair Castle and Mike Todd-Jones also thanked Sue, and Computer Officer Catherine Pitt said: “I just want to thank you so much for everything. You’ve been a rock, you really have. You’re always the person who knows what’s going on and where everything is.”  In true character, Sue replied: “I’m not sure if you can find everything now, but I’ve left little notes everywhere!”

Graduate Student Advisor Rachel MacDonald also noted that Sue was a great support to many of the postgraduate students who made their way through the CMI, saying: “When I think of all the hand-holding you’ve done over the years, I know lots of students wouldn’t have made it through without you.” This was backed up by postgrad Andrew Boardman, who said: “Thanks for being really nice and making us feel welcome in the group.” Sue replied: It’s been my pleasure and I’ve tidied up your desk, so it will be tidy when you come back!”

During her time in the CMI, Sue said she hosted heads of huge companies and large gatherings for many people, but the highlight was hosting the Duke of Edinburgh when he officially opened the Unilever Centre. “He was charming, he really was,” she said.

Sue and her husband Tam, who has also worked in the Department, do not have any particular plans at the moment, although they are hoping to get up to Edinburgh at some point, where Tam’s family live. “After all the years of working here, I’ll have to remember not to get up in the morning and just drive in,” she laughed.  

James pointed out that Sue was welcome to come back and visit the Department any time, especially for our long-delayed Christmas party. “Oh, you’re going to regret that,” laughed Sue, adding with sweet sadness: “We’ll get together somehow, somewhere.”

A heartfelt thankyou from Sue...

I wanted to thank you for all  for your extremely kind words and generous Retirement gifts.

In addition to the wondrous gifts, shown in the pictures, I received Scotsdales and John Lewis vouchers, as well as the particular favourite of my husband, a meal at Midsummer House!  He will get a meal he did not have to cook himself!  Honestly, I can cook but for some reason he prefers HIS cooking!  Seriously, we both enjoy fine wine and good food so this will be a lovely treat!

If there was a chart for the best place to work in the University, Chemistry would have to come top. I cannot believe that more than twenty - one years have passed and I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people.

With every good wish to everyone and I hope that there will come a time when we can meet up and celebrate with a HUG or two!

Every good wish to everyone,

Sue

Socially distanced gift giving in the Cybercafé