Rob Cairns

Rob Cairns (on the left above with President Keith) was clear in his own mind about retirement.

Probably best known for his role as chief executive of the Furness Building Society, he told members of Barrow Rotary Club that he wanted to retire at 60 because he had been led to believe by a futurologist that 80 per cent of people who retired at 60 lived to 80 while only 20 per cent reached 80 if they worked after 60.

But he admitted that he was “just a boy who can’t say No”.

His working life was “6.45am, when there was access to the FBS premises, to 7.45pm and then taking work home as well as working weekends.”

And he had other roles in addition to the one with the building society, including chairman of the Barrow Community Trust; chairman of More Music which brought music to the community; on the committee of the Cumberland County Cricket Club as well as supporting the Lancashire and England teams; a keen supporter of Barrow AFC where he was involved with their community work; a season ticket holder at Everton FC; on the committee of Cumbria Community Foundation; and enjoying fine dining when he could find time.

It is little wonder his retirement ambition was “to be a beach bum for six months of the year.”

He didn’t quite manage retirement at 60 and worked a little longer. And shedding his other jobs was not so easy either.

From being committee member of the county cricket club, he became secretary; his pal Phil Collier asked him to be commercial director of Turnstone HR; he was appointed chairman of the Penrith Building Society; chairman of Barrow Credit Union “which is doing a great job”; a director of Corrie and Co estate agents “and you can’t get much lower than that” said Rob.

He proudly announced that he now had “only eight duties” and had even given up his Everton season ticket.

But a new role he was proud of was being a member of Biggar Village’s Biggar Brewing Co-operative which was already selling their Vanguard bitter and they had a pale ale on the way which looks like being called Oriana.