Peter Parker (British businessman)

[1][2] In 1943 he joined the Intelligence Corps of the British Army, serving first in India and Burma, and later in the United States and Japan, eventually reaching the rank of major.

At Oxford he joined the Dramatic Society, where he was widely regarded as the best undergraduate actor of his day alongside contemporaries Kenneth Tynan, John Schlesinger and Lindsay Anderson.

He organised a study conference on human problems in industry at the invitation of the Duke of Edinburgh, for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 1957.

[4] Succeeding Sir Richard Marsh, Parker was appointed Chairman of British Rail in 1976 by the Labour Government and continued to serve during the Premiership of Margaret Thatcher.

He also campaigned vigorously against the anti-rail lobby, most notably in successfully resisting the effects of the Serpell Report into railway finances in 1982, which made no recommendations but had set out several options for a future network, some of which would have involved mass closures.

On one occasion, Parker had to catch a train from Crewe to Carlisle, but arrived late and accidentally boarded a non-stopping service heading for London Euston.

[6] His other appointments included the chairmanship of the Rockware Group (1971–76, and 1983–92); Bookers Engineering and Industrial Holdings (1966–70); Associated British Maltsters (1971–73); Curtis Brown (1971–76); Dawnay Day (1971–76); Mitsubishi Electric UK (1984–96); and Whitehead Mann (1984–2000).