(above)
Jeremy Pilkington
in 1979
(left)
Aluminium hydraulic
verti-shores
It was, it seemed, down to destiny that Jeremy should join the family
business. His elder brother, Michael, had worked for the company but
decided his interests lay elsewhere.
Speaking candidly about how things worked out, Jeremy said
taking over the business was not a challenge he relished but more a
duty and responsibility that had to be taken on.
“For me there was no option of not joining the company if
Michael did not want to come in. It was an obligation I had to take on
board and do the best I could in that role. I did not have any
reforming zeal; it was about maintaining some sort of continuity and
safeguarding the family’s investment and the business.”
Emulating his father’s style, which was very hands-on and
people-orientated, was not something Jeremy consciously tried to do.
“Given that I had no business experience elsewhere when I
joined, and had no formal training at that time, I very much learned
on the job and by the seat of my pants,” recalled Jeremy. His mother
Margaret’s presence on the Board was, he added, a support for him in
a visible and practical way that was very positive.
It was a few years later, with mistakes along the way, before Jeremy
felt he had gained enough confidence to decide new initiatives and
business ideas were needed. In that respect at least, he was indeed
emulating Geoffrey.
39
CHAPTER FOUR
A PROFILE OF JEREMY PILKINGTON
JEREMY WAS COMPLETING AN MSC AND ENROLLING
IN AN MBA PROGRAMME IN CALIFORNIA AT THE
TIME OF GEOFFREY’S FATAL HEART ATTACK. IT WAS
A TWO-YEAR DEGREE COURSE AT UC BERKELEY. WHEN
HE BEGAN IT, THE YOUNG FRESHMAN FELT HE HAD
THE LUXURY OF TIME ON HIS SIDE. SADLY, THAT WAS
NOT TO BE THE CASE.
