Like father, like son: M&S Ballymena celebrates father-son duo this Father’s Day

Ballymena father and son duo, John and Matthew Donnelly

In a touching tribute to family ties and workplace camaraderie, Marks & Spencer (M&S) Ballymena is celebrating Father’s Day this year by shining a spotlight on a remarkable father-son team working together in the store – John and Matthew Donnelly.

John Donnelly has been a pillar of the M&S Ballymena team for nearly 35 years. Starting his journey in 1990, John worked his way through a variety of roles including team and store management across Northern Ireland.

Now, in a new chapter of his career, John has stepped into a Customer Assistant role, allowing him more balance while remaining in the environment he loves.

Sharing the shop floor with John is his 19-year-old son Matthew, who joined the Ballymena store team three years ago.

Currently a Customer Assistant, Matthew was inspired by his father’s long-standing commitment to M&S and has embraced the opportunity to work alongside him – continuing a family tradition that began long before he donned the M&S uniform himself.

Reflecting on their shared experience, John said:

“I love working with Matthew, even if he thinks I’m still in manager mode! I’ve spent my whole career with M&S, and now seeing my son wearing the same uniform, in the same store, is really special.

“It’s safe to say M&S is really part of the family. When Matthew’s home from university, we get to share more shifts – and I really enjoy those mornings when we walk to work together and catch up before the day begins.”

The duo’s daily routine often includes early morning shifts, arriving at the store together and catching up before the rush begins. For John, it’s a chance to bond with his son in a familiar setting. For Matthew, it’s not just a job, but an opportunity to learn the ropes from someone he knows and trusts.

Matthew added with a laugh:

“One thing about working with my dad – you’ll never be late! He’s always up at the crack of dawn making sure I’m on time. Growing up, all I knew was M&S – from what we ate to where we shopped. So, joining the team just felt right. It’s great to share this experience with my dad, even if he does act like the store manager sometimes!”

Their story encapsulates the unique bond between generations and the sense of community that M&S fosters within its workforce. Though their roles may differ and family dynamics occasionally play out on the shop floor, the Donnellys have struck a balance between work and family life, forging stronger ties in the process.

Ryan Lemon, Regional Manager for M&S in Northern Ireland, praised their contribution:

“At M&S, we’re proud to see families grow with us. John and Matthew’s story is a wonderful example of how a career at M&S can span generations, create lifelong memories, and even inspire the next chapter. We’re thrilled to celebrate them this Father’s Day.”

As M&S marks Father’s Day 2025, the story of John and Matthew Donnelly offers a heartfelt reminder of the power of shared experiences, family traditions, and finding joy in everyday moments – even on the early shift.