Managing Comart Group
Managing Comart Group

Day interviewing and managing executives as I keep the takeover pot boiling and write to NEDO about industry affairs before the Comart board reports arrive and I spend a relaxing evening with my ducks an a tired family

A fair lay in after a cooler night, breakfast of cereal, toast and fruit juice and then on time to Grove House to prepare for the visit of Jacques Samuels. He arrives at 9.00am and I brief him fully for an hour on our requirements for a Group Personnel Manager. Afterwards to speak to Peter Smith and Stephen Day of Kode who are not now coming up to see Peter King or getting a copy of the revised agreement into his hands for the weekend. It seems again that they are ordering priorities elsewhere and also content to slow down the resolution of these matters with the great dangers that such a course involves.

I today spoke to Richard James who continues to exchange letters with Townsends and emphasised the importance to me of the 28th June and also of completion in full by the 31st July 1984; the alternative being a renegotiation on the price of the shares which I own.

At lunchtime I take several of the Grove House people down to the White Horse to intermingle with the Comart staff and a very successful move it is too with much information exchanged. This afternoon, to compile a letter to the Chairman of the Electronics EDC of NEDO on European Industry affairs and also to assist Jill Abbot cope on a busy day whilst Leslie is on holiday. Approaching 5.00pm, John Lamb comes over with the Comart Board reports and to discuss marketing personnel. It seems Deana is considering another job and that our French applicant has written us off as being too small which is a misconception that we intend to be cleared up. A little late updating Peter King on our intentions of briefing staff on the takeover and also on the timing of the deal which is quicker than Kode is leading him to believe.

A relaxing evening, getting the ducks in between showers. Today has been most windy but generally fine. The family is tired but well.