Karen’s added retirement to her plans

Retired Deputy Payroll Manager Karen Durkin at retirement party.

Retiree and TV show contestant Karen Durkin has balanced the books for one last time, following 45 years’ service at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

Upon spotting a job advert in the local paper, the then 20-year-old successfully interviewed for a position in RWT’s Payroll Department.

Starting out as a junior Payroll Clerk in 1980, she advanced to more senior roles including Higher Payroll Officer and her current position as the Deputy Payroll Manager.

She said: “I’m proud of how I’ve come through the ranks, and I’m proud of the incredible team who work behind the scenes to ensure our hard-working healthcare staff get paid correctly, and on time.”

Overseeing a team of 34 people, Karen has been responsible for ensuring the correct information is sent to the bank on time each week/month, while providing managerial support to help colleagues in their professional development.

With her career spanning almost five decades, she recalls how it’s changed over time.

“Our systems were all paper based back in the day,” she explained, “which took far longer to process than it does now.

“When I first started, we only looked after RWT staff, but this has expanded across the Black Country, including Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust.”

Moving around the city, Karen and colleagues have based themselves in offices on Lever Street, Temple Street, in West Park Hospital and the New Cross Hospital site, where the team resides.

Working in the NHS has been a Durkin-family affair, as husband Glynn, also retired, worked as a Clinical Support Worker in the Emergency Department for 20 years, and daughter Olivia works as a Midwife at a Birmingham hospital.

Karen’s mum also played a part, having worked in the Catering Team for more than 20 years at the former Royal Hospital.

“When I reflect on my career, I can say I’ve truly loved it,” she said.

“I’ve worked with lovely people over the years, and would like to thank my colleagues for their care and support.”

In the same week as her retirement party, Karen took to TV screens alongside Olivia in an episode of BBC’s Bargain Hunt.

Filmed in August 2025 at an antiques fair in Stafford, it was, as Karen describes, a “great laugh and something fun to do together as mother and daughter.”

While the pair may not have secured the infamous Golden Gavel, they came away having made special memories.

Now officially retired, Karen is looking forward spending time at home with family and going on holiday.