by CM reporter

24th September 1976, Page 101

24th September 1976

Page 101

Page 101, 24th September 1976 — by CM reporter

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AN OFFICIAL announcement is expected soon that National Bus Company chairman Freddie Wood has accepted an offer from the Minister of Transport to continue as NBC chairman for a further fiveyear term.

It had been expected that 1977 would see a new face at the top of the NBC, especially n view of changes at the top of :he other nationalised ndustries, but now CM unIerstands that Mr Wood is to tay.

British Rail's Richard Marsh tad decided not to accept a urther term as chairman )efore his time was up. And Iritish Steel's chairman, Sir rIonty Finnistor. was not iffered another term. In view if these precedents and also iccasional hints from Freddie Vood, it had been widely ssumed that he too would not e continuing.

.unning

Other changes will stem .om the imminent appointlent of a new NBC chief Kecutive. Jim Skyrme, the resent holder, is due to retire May '77, but has been widely unoured to be considering an illy retirement — perhaps Lis November, If Mr Wood )es indeed stay on as prected then it may well be that r Skyrme will depart at an titer date.

Senior NBC staff in the .nning for the chief execuae's post are headed by vourites Robert Brook, NBC ?.stern region director, and Newberry, who is in arge of operational devement.

Further down the NBC hier:-...hy Ron. Whitehouse, NBC's blic relations chief, is leav; at the end of this year to vote himself full-time to his all farm. He is to be replaced Brian Cooper, at present uthern press officer for the IC companies.