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Sales administrator Mark Jardine interviews Neill & Brown’s CEO, Peter Brown, and finds out about ‘straight line mowing therapy’…..
As Neill & Brown celebrates 100 years in business, the third generation Brown and CEO, Peter Brown, marks 52 years with the family firm. During that time he has worked his way from being the office boy, on to customs clerk, before becoming the MD and then CEO.
I caught up with Peter to chat about what he gets up to when he is not working to prepare Neill & Brown for the next 100 years.
It’s understandable that as a ‘man at the top’, Peter likes to relax whenever time will allow. As well as being a keen gardener, he is also known for spending time in the kitchen making pickles and preserves made from his produce. In contrast to the more creative side of gardening, he’s also a stickler for detail. He tells me, “I find mowing the lawn very therapeutic. It is very satisfying to see straight lines in the grass!”
Peter is very keen on the arts and was the first person to pledge money, through Neill & Brown, to the help the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2017. It has certainly been an exciting year so far, and Peter says, “I am pleased to see how UK City of Culture 2017 has benefited our city throughout the year and how this will leave a legacy for years to come.
“It’s incredible to see the impact that this year has had on Hull’s profile, with our city getting worldwide recognition.”
As the head of a global logistics organisation, who also has an office based in Hong Kong, Peter tells me that he has been very fortunate to have seen a lot of the world, “I love the Far East for its food and people, but recently I visited one of our sons who is currently living in Australia and I’d like to spend some more time exploring there.
“But as long as I am with my best friend – my wife Moira – it doesn’t matter where I am. Wherever we are we always have a laugh and an occasional glass of wine!”
It’s no surprise then that when I asked Peter to describe his perfect weekend, he said: “I would spend the day gardening on a Saturday, followed by a meal out with friends in the evening. Sunday morning I would have a round of golf before cooking Sunday dinner and having all the kids at home around the dinner table … perfect!”
Star Likes:
Music: I like lots of different types of music from Tamla Motown to Brass bands and El Divo.
Food: There is very little I will not eat or try, although on business trips to China I have been offered some very unusual food, but do prefer fish.
Show: I have seen The Phantom of the Opera a few times over the years and always enjoy it.
TV: I enjoy watching ‘Heartbeat’ on the TV as it reminds me of that era. It was a great time in my life – everything was so different then. Without any responsibilities, life was more carefree, but we all have to grow up.
Books: I only really read on holidays but I prefer WW2 fiction and mysteries
Sport: Playing golf and walking
Hobby: Gardening, cooking and golf. Not many people know that I used to be a train spotter! (They do now!)
To finish, tell us about anyone you would like to meet, past or present.
I’ve met Lord Digby Jones. I bought and read his book ‘Fixing Britain’; it’s a shame our politicians have not taken more notice of what he said.
And I would like to have met Margret Thatcher as she seemed like one hell of a woman. This obviously will not popular with everyone, but I think she did a fantastic job for the country at the time.
