Announcing the take-over plans to key Comart Group executives and introducing them to Kode whilst their mood changes and they realise that I am really going as 20,000 miners march through Mansfield
On time to the office for a start to a very significant day. Early nervousness from John Lamb and Derek Weatherby and I bide my time as June Hamilton briefs the entire Comart Computers Management Team on Disciplinary Procedures. After to decide with John and Derek on the purchase of Grove House, and my offer of £225K to Turret is accepted by David Barford and we have surveyors and legal counsel to brief. For me, the rest of the working day preparing information for the forthcoming examinations and conducting the latest edit of the business plans to incorporate Xitan as well. Then to start my meeting with Geoff Lynch and Peter King joining Derek and John. I announce the buying out of UEH from The Byte Shop Group, John Lamb’s promotion to Comart Managing Director, the purchase of Grove House and then finally my retirement from the business and the succession to Peter Smith and Kode International PLC. Geoff takes it well at first sight, Peter is more concerned but soon Peter Smith and Stephen Day join the meeting, are introduced, and all manner of questions and issues are discussed. The overall reactions are good with acceptance initially of the synergy with Kode, the advantages of association, and realisation that Peter Smith has a great deal to offer in experience and skills which I have yet to learn. Nevertheless initial shock and surprise from my executives is replaced by sadness as they understand that my departure plans are for real. After dinner, late back to the Buckden Lion Hotel, to complete arrangements for tomorrow’s arrival of Peat Marwick Mitchell with Derek. They all meet at 8.30am tomorrow at The Rocket and will then start the auditor. To bed at 1.30am and to rest for my next ordeal tomorrow – the BMMG AGM where I stand down as Chairman. Today 20,000 miners marched through Mansfield to demonstrate against the non-striking miners in Nottingham who are holding back the success of the strike.