Peter Nevitt, managing director of renowned caravan manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the caravan industry.
Mr Nevitt, who started his career at Teesside Caravans in 1975, was presented with a 40 year long service award by the National Caravan Council earlier this month.
He received the award from footballing legend and fellow North East native, Kevin Keegan OBE, at the NCC’s annual dinner at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
The footballing star’s presence made the night extra special, said Mr Nevitt, as he has been a lifelong supporter of Newcastle United.
He said:
I was sat in the audience and the host of the evening started reading out various aspects of the recipient’s career and I thought, wait a minute, that sounds like me.
Then he mentioned that the person started work at Teesside Caravans and that’s when I clicked. It was a huge surprised, I had no idea I was going to be presented with an award, let alone such an auspicious one. I was really chuffed to receive it and even more so to meet Kevin Keegan, who is one of my heroes. That really made my night.
During the ceremony, Victory Leisure Homes’ customer Sandy Taylor, of Carr Royd Parks Ltd in Lancashire, praised Peter’s achievements.
Mrs Taylor and her late husband Michael have known Peter for 35 out of the 40 years he has been in the caravan industry, stretching back to when he worked at the now defunct Cosalt Holiday Homes.
She said:
Peter joined Michael on the promotion committee for holiday caravans, working to get manufacturers to join together to promote and uplift the image of holiday caravans. I can honestly say that while I respect many people within the industry, I cannot think of anyone who lives and breathes the business more than Peter.
What is a nice side of knowing Peter for so long is that I am privileged to say he has been a good friend to Michael and me. May he have many more years contribution to the continual promotion of quality caravan holiday homes for his company and the industry. He is truly an ambassador for us all.
