Not a man to be easily swayed, and even thought sometimes to
be a little bloody-minded, Geoffrey was nevertheless affable,
widely liked and admired. He won the respect of both his peers
and employees. He ruled with charm and cared deeply about his
workforce.
Whenever he visited a depot, invariably dressed in sports
jacket, checked shirt and Wrangler cords, he would make a
point of communicating with on-site staff first. Stepping out of
his Rolls Royce, with his trademark pipe between his teeth, he
would chat to everyone from the fitters and foremen to the
admin and hire staff prior to heading for the manager’s office.
He had regard for them all, but expected in return each to give
the same 100% commitment to their job as he gave to his.
An anecdote giving an insight into Geoffrey’s character was
the occasion when he observed, while visiting the new Milton
Keynes depot, a fitter half-heartedly sweeping the floor.
Leading by example rather than remonstrating with the
individual, Geoffrey grasped the brush and did the job himself
while simultaneously conducting his meeting with the manager.
Everyone had confidence in Geoffrey’s leadership. He was
held in esteem by a loyal workforce, who knew they were part
of a company going places.
A CIVIL ENGINEER BY TRAINING, IN HIS
ROLE AS MANAGING DIRECTOR GEOFFREY
REVEALED HE WAS BOTH A NATURAL
LEADER AND GIFTED BUSINESSMAN. HE
WAS NOT KEEN ON THE SLICK CITY LOOK,
INDEED HATED DONNING A SUIT, BUT
ACCEPTED IT WAS HORSES FOR COURSES
AND LOOKED THE PART WHEN HE HAD TO.
A PROFILE OF
GEOFFREY PILKINGTON
21
CHAPTER TWO
