BMMG meeting and then Comart press conference at The Tower Hotel and then on a Thames barge for drinks and a buffet lunch as the terms for the Jaguar privatisation are announced
A rather hectic day. Up on time, breakfast and off in my Jaguar to Owles Hall for the BMMG meeting. I arrived early at 9.30 as arranged with Nigel Smith, but nobody else there and I chat with Helen Gibbons for a while. She owns this beautiful old building and its lovely grounds but the fabric’s state of repair is deteriorating and her income is not up to the running costs. The amount earned since the death of her husband by providing administration for Trade Associations does not cover her expenses. However, having resisted all this, Nigel Smith arrives and we spend time before 10.00am reviewing the outstanding action items. Then to the meeting and, with hardly anyone there, it is agreed that I be appointed to serve as Director General on a part time basis.
Off quickly at 10.40 and a difficult drive down to the city and The Tower Hotel for a Press Conference arriving ten minutes late at 12.00pm. The event well run by John Lamb with David Fear and Ian Nickson making supporting speeches and Peter Smith and myself in the background to answer questions. The presentation on the new Comart 2000 made in a function room, then off to a Thames Barge in the dock for drinks and a buffet lunch. Some 16 journalists, all of which were duly impressed.
Then to the National Electronics centre to have a full demonstration of the STC Executel telephone terminal which I promptly order for nearly £2000 including VAT. Then a panic as I could not find my briefcase in the hotel but John Lamb had taken it back to the barge. Back to the office via Little End Road and there to collect the Financial Times and a message from the GEC Computers and UK ITO Chairman who I phone and arrange to see tomorrow morning. Home to dinner in the oven and, tired, to bed.
News today of Neil Kinnock’s meeting for Labour Party Candidate Selection in the NEC and of the release of terms in the Jaguar Privatisation. My cold has turned into a cough and sore throat with my tonsils quite painful. I hope I can survive the next two days.