30.10.2006

Malcolm Bowers to start again

Late last week we had a number of calls asking if we knew that Malcolm Bowers, the well known UK access rental entrepreneur, was planning to start a new rental or sales business with his son Ben.

Both Bowers currently work within the Lavendon group, Ben with Nationwide Access and Malcolm with the newly acquired regional rental companies, Panther, Kestrel and AMP.

As is usual when we hear such things, we contacted Bowers to ask if there was anything to the ‘rumour and speculation’

He has made the following statement which he says we can publish unedited. We there fore publish his response verbatim with no changes or edits.

“I make the following statement which is absolutely true”.

"Ben and I are still working with Lavendon and Panther. We have made it clear that it is our intention to return to running a business within the industry.

We thought that the honourable thing to do was make this honest declaration. We have an open, trusting relationship with the people at Lavendon and Panther and understand that they could well have plans for Ben so openness was appropriate.

Immediately following AFI's paranoid actions in ousting Ben, Lavendon was quick to offer him a safety net and this gesture will not be forgotten. We both owe a lot to the 'Boys in Blue,' along with the Panther management and would not want to abuse their good faith.

In whatever guise, we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Lavendon group. As it happens Ben's diary is still full of sales appointments for Nationwide and I still have an ongoing part-time involvement with Panther. If and when things change then we'll let it be known."


Related stories:

Bowers leaves AFI
Lavendon appoints Bowers