After some comments that appeared on the blog earlier today, making insinuations of malpractice at Anglian in the period before its sale to Go-Ahead and personal remarks dorected at Andrew Pursey I feel it is important to clarify a few facts so individuals can decide if it's really worth carrying on this vendetta, which could lead to some potentially damaging legal situations if not stopped.
When Anglian was sold to Go-Ahead, after the compulsory due diligence procedures had been satisfactorily completed, the company was not owned by Andrew Pursey but his parents. They had built the company up over many years and had reached the time to retire, indeed Mr Pursey Snr was in ill health and sadly did not live long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labours. Andrew Pursey stayed on as operations manager but did not enjoy working for a big company and decided to leave, forming Borderbus from scratch in the time to come.
Andrew's parents sold Anglian to give their family financial security for generations to come - and I defy anyone to say they wouldn't do the same given the opportunity.
So I would advise those people making false accusations and insinuations against Andrew Pursey and his family to think very carefully before carrying on with it. Andrew Pursey has never owned Anglian Buses. I would also add that I have not written this on the request of Andrew Pursey, indeed I have not been in touch with him since the comments were posted.
Andrew Pursey is not only a good manager but a great man, he showed a great amount of patience over my bus driver training with Anglian bus and was always friendly and helpful. Andrew is 100% a fantastic guy.
ReplyDelete100% agree Andrew is an excellent guy and his parents were fantastic people as well .put the ratio of people leaving under genuine Anglian mantle to go ahead operation and let someone argue with that
ReplyDeleteI just want to make clear that I certainly intended no criticism of Anglian's former management. My dealings with them (as a passenger) in the early 00s were always exemplary. If there are recent woes, then in my view the main "fault" if it is, lies with the state of the market. For whatever reason, and it is usually many, Anglian may not have adapted as well as they might, and that can be changed. The big boys, as First discovered, have much more to deal with. That isn't a criticism. But complexity always brings its own problems. They can be sorted. All the big groups, and many smaller ones too, have been through the learning process. Most make it. A few do not. It's the same for the rest of us, too!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen we criticise the industry, it's because we care about it. I hope it can be taken in the spirit in which it is given. With all the problems, they all do a darned good job. I just wish they got more support from the public. Sadly there is a tendency of some public opinion to decry business (as indeed, success). It's stupid and ignorant. And most people recognise it for what it is. Without business, none of us would have what we have. So let's celebrate the industry and, hopefully, try to give it a bright future. It deserves it. And if it hasn't, then we will know who to blame. No-one but ourselves.
Smurf that post was not aimed at you in the slightest mate.
DeleteThomas Browne) My grandfather use to work for Anglian coaches in the 80's when they just had a few coaches and were based in loddon. And how it has grown is outstanding. I would not criticise P.pursey or Andrew pursey in anyway shape or form. At the end of the day if you want to sell up or HAVE to sell up (for example former Norfolk green director) than that's how it is. Like I said I just feel sorry for the REAL Anglian bus which it was formerly and the pursey's themselves. Andrew Pursey wanted to start his own business like his father (RIP) and I admire him for it.
ReplyDeleteDavid Pursey would never have sold if known how they have messed company up .He wouldbe devastated god bless him
ReplyDeleteThomas Browne) I Totally agree with you he would be devastated. Glad you got his name right I thought I had his name wrong that just sums up my memory.
DeleteGo Ahead is making a mess of the whole Anglian/Konect set up. It is making things difficult for those who relied on the 7/61. Now it is going to withdraw the 72 which did not have enough trips to make it useful.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Pursey must view with disgust and frustration the destruction of the business his parents built up. Andrew, I would remind people was responsible for the excellent clarity of the timetables on bus stops in Norfolk, such as in this village. I hope Andrew builds up Borderbus with the same entrepeneurial flair that created Anglian Brian M.
With respect, while any entrpreneur who sells up may view what happens with their business subsequently either positively or negatively, it has been their choice to sell up and (hopefully) pocket a goodly chunk of money. 'Devastated' is a bit rich....you takes the money and makes your choice!!
ReplyDeletei think devastated is the right word - because the man cared. I agree that had he known the utter dogs dinner Go-Ahead were going to make of the company he put so much time and effort into he wouldn't have touched them with a barge pole. It must be soul destroying for those who were with Anglian from the beginning, In fact I know it is because I have talked to them. Sometimes money isn't everything.
DeleteSuch a shame as Andrew seems to care and provides a good service . The other two players have high fares and only seem to make an effort were it can course trouble to another operator .
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the eternal problem with bureaucracy? The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Or rather it needs a decent brain, which seems to be often lacking in the big companies. The small locals don't have this problem. The boss can keep an eye on everything.
ReplyDeleteSame has happened in Essex. First have decided to go after everything, and made a right sows ear of it all. Yes, they've got teams for this n'that coming out of their ears. None of whom talk to each other. The passengers are equally confused, and by and large just want their old routes and operators back. There's a reason the DTp used to use the slogan Think! and the Scout motto is Be Prepared; but more than a few managements haven't cottoned on what it is. Go-Ahead (like First before them) embarked on a spending spree without a clear reason why; or rather they had one but it had nothing to do with it. As the old saying goes you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink; or you can have every assurance in the book but it ain't worth the paper it's written on. Company Directors have fiduciary duties in law. They can't just do-as-they-please. The accountants and lawyers will tell them what they have to do, and if they don't listen, the Judges are there to make sure of it.
You would have thought, after the right dog's dinner they made with Go West Midlands (losing themselves vast sums of money in the precess) that Go Ahead would steer clear of trying to take over successful small companies and then convert them into big companies. It simply doesn't work. They lost shed loads in Dorset with Damory when they won the countywide school bus tender, and I suspect Thames Travel and Carousel will never set the world on fire. Similarly, they run some of the worst performing Train Operating Companies in the country. The founders of Go Ahead, Martin Ballinger and Chris Moyes, would never have let this state of affairs where Go Ahead has such a poor public image occur.
ReplyDeleteArriva are going the same way as First.I spoke to one of their ex managers.They have made a mess of the Shires and Essex area.The business has been broken up between Midlands and Southern Counties.Luton decisions are now made in Leicester.There is no link whatsoever between Milton Keynes and Leicester.As said above local managers can make decisions straight away not someone hundred of miles away.
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