EAST Lancashire's 'first woman of business' Mavis Gradwell has announced she will be stepping down as managing director of corporate clothing specialist Simon Jersey in May.

Mavis, a former finalist in the Veuve Cliquot Businesswoman of the Year Awards, joined the company as a part-time secretary in 1974.

Her rise through the ranks to the MD's job coincided with Simon Jersey becoming one of the world's leading designers and suppliers of corporate workwear.

Today, the Altham-based company has an annual turnover of £300million and sells clothing in more than 120 countries to clients which include American Airlines, Hertz, Securicor and British Gas.

Announcing her retirement, Mavis, who lives in Colne, said she had throroughly enjoyed every minute of her 28 years with the firm.

"Obviously, after such a long connection with the company, it will seem strange at first not to be at the helm," she said. "However, I want to be able to do all those things that I have never had the time to do.

"I love travel and am taking up golf which, judging by the way I am progressing, will take the rest of my lifetime to master."

Mavis, however, will not be cutting all ties with the business. After her retirement on May 24, she will continue in a non-executive role, working a few days a month.

Taking over as Simon Jersey managing director will be Tony Hillyer, who has been an executive director of companies such as Bass, Golden Wonder, Littlewoods and Betterwear.

When Sabden-born Mavis first joined Simon Jersey, she had no thoughts of starting a career. As a mother-of-two, she needed the money and the part-time secretarial job was ideal. After leaving St Hilda's Girls' School in Burnley, her first job was in the wages department at Lucas. Marriage and children kept her at home until 1974 when she saw the job advertised.

At that time, Simon Jersey concentrated on ladies' fashions. Her then boss Simon Moyle, who is now the president, decided to branch out into corporate clothing, initially supplying uniforms to the catering and leisure industries.

Mavis was first appointed a director in 1986 and after a spell as joint managing director with Simon Moyle, she took over sole responsibility in 1996.