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Page 76
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Frank B. Ford
• The new group chairman of Duple Motor Bodies Ltd, Frank B. Ford, is essentially a retiring person. Not for him the hot pursuit of personal publicity and the image building; those are things he is ready to leave to others while he goes ahead making things really happen. Doubtless some people will have believed that Frank Ford had been just waiting around for an opportunity to make a Duple takeover bid but on the contrary the whole process was extremely quick.
In his early days he seemed destined for the legal profession and he obtained some invaluable background before life in a solicitor's office in Stockport palled, causing him to seek a more adventurous profession. Long before the events of the immedate past he had made his mark, especially on the passenger and commercial sides of the business, and a couple of round-the-world tours have enabled him to make a critical assessment of international progress.
Today his various business interests include a finance house and, outside transport, one of his more spectacular deals was the acquisition of the plant hire and metal reclamation business of Barrmil Ltd which later was sold to the BET Group for half-a-million pounds. Organizations that have passed through his hands include Altringcham Coachways Ltd and Triumph Coaches on the passenger side, John Ancliff Tankers and Wharf Transport of 5tockport on the goods side, and Houldsworth Motors, a sales and service business.
Ten years ago there appeared to be signs of a change of outlook for in April 1960 Frank Ford became sales director of Plaxtons (Scarborough) Ltd, a private limited company which later went public. His appointment did not mean that he sat in an office at company headquarters. Far from it, for when he was not out and about he could be found in his den at his home in Cheshire where he continued to maintain his non-conflicting business activities. A couple of years ago Mr Ford resigned from the Plaxton board and turned to his other concerns. Strength was lent to the bid for Duple when it was learned that he was one of the backers. He told me they have a strong order book and he regards the business as sound in bath products and personnel.
After living in Woodford, for 22 years, where he can look out towards the hills over 127 acres of his own land, he has no intention of moving from this pleasant spot—good news to his many transport friends who have enjoyed a game of golf on his short course! Currently Mr and Mrs. Ford are having a modern single-storey residence built for themselves on part of their estate. A.T.