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Lindsay Simpson
• Lindsay Simpson, until 1971 chairman arid managing director of William Hudson Ltd, who has recently become chairman of Hilton Transport Services Ltd, has an interest in a merchant bank as chairman of P. J. Kennett and Co, a newly launched banking organization.
His own description of himself is somewhat less dignified, however, for he evidently takes pride in being a member of the Court of the Waterman's Company and he will tell you that he is just "a blinking bargee".
This does him less than justice for, after 26 years with William Hudson at various levels, he is no stranger to the transport scene in its different modes as well as in its associated activities such as warehousing, storage and wharfage, shipping and engineering. He is well acquainted with troubled waters, too, for during the war he was a pilot with RAF Coastal Command.
Brought into Hiltons on the recommendation of the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation, he is in the process of absorbing himself in the company's affairs which he says that he has yet hardly had time to do. This is important, for he believes that a total understanding of these affairs and a close working relationship with the chief executive and the other board members is essential to the company management.
Fte values highly the preservation of a personal integrity and holds no other directorships because he feels that it would be difficult to render to a multiplicity of interests the loyalty which he feels should be devoted to each.
He is also very much aware of the importance of good industrial relations as a critical factor in company management and cites as an example the conditions which prevailed at William Hudsons which, when he left after its takeover by Adepton, was a leader in this field at the docks.
Mr Simpson, 58 years of age, is married with two sons. He is likely to be well advised against personal financial and legal misfortune because one of his sons is a chartered accountant and the other a lawyer. He is, himself, a chartered engineer and a member of the Institute of Fuel and the Coal Industry Society.
A countryman at heart, he lives in a converted millhouse in East Anglia from where he is able to indulge in country pursuits and take more than a passing interest in sailing. J.J.