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Peter Land
• Peter A. Land, managing director of British Express Carriers Ltd., is one of the most interesting men in transport. BEC—a subholding group of the National Freight Corporation—governs the activities of 10 parcels and smalls carriers. National Carriers Ltd. and BRS Parcels Ltd.—both operating national collection and delivery services—need no introduction. Mr. Land was m.d. of NCL and gave shape, purpose and vitality to the previously moribund, rail smalls services. Now his dynamism impinges also on the managements of BRS Parcels subsidiaries and five Tayforth companies.
A chartered accountant with British Celanese and BTR Industries before joining British Railways as chief accountant of Western Region in 1963, Peter Land won his transport spurs under Sir (then Mr.) Stanley Raymond. If any "steel" was needed to bolster Peter's personality —which I doubt— character would have supplied it. Mr. Land hates to be known as a "railwayman"; I would say he is a professional general manager with a tycoon's commercial acumen and a flair for team picking and motivation.
At Argosy House, the NEC HQ, Mr. Land stresses his role-change to governing as opposed to direct management. The separate companies are masters in their own house but capital and revenue budgets—and targets —are set and monitored by BEC. Currently, a streamlined management control system is being introduced. Tariff harmonization—as suggested by the Freight Integration Council —has largely been accomplished. Mr. Land serves on a working party of the FIC which is examining all parcels and smalls rates and services.
BEC is determined to ensure that daughter companies win a fair share of the market. A series of major marketing surveys has been commissioned to provide strategic guidelines. In marketing, and other sectors..fundamental questions are being posed which may compel revolutionary changes.
Too young to have a really exciting war, Peter Land (Captain, Sherwood Foresters) made the most of army sport. He is, in his own words, "a physical violence man" glorying in active sport for its own sake. He played with Notts Forest (goalkeeper) during the war and later captained Derbyshire at hockey (40 caps). He enjoys golf, badminton and cricket —playing now in village cricket as a 'keeper. His three children, I gather, stretch him at tennis. Much will be heard of this many-sided man in the Seventies, I predict. J. D.