Stories from Peter Bloomfield

I first met Philip in 1968 when I was working for a Cheltenham ad agency tasked with creating and building a new corporate identity for Factoryguards Ltd. The first thing we did was have the name changed to Group 4 and create a logo whch lasted the best part of 30 years!

So these were early days and what fun they were. Others have spoken about Philip's extraordinary qualities, amazing energy, leadership, astute business and entrepreneurial skills and above all a unique understanding of people whatever their position in life. Whilst endorsing all these attributes I would like to refer to what I experienced of his more personal qualities over the 42 years I knew him.

For 24 of those years I advised him on a wide variety of public relations issues which gave me a unique insight as to what made him so special to work for. First he was a party man to beat all party men. A party at Winchcombe Abbey was memorable indeed, If it started sometime on Saturday it rarely finished until late on Sunday. Lunch or dinner or an evening at Annabel's in London with him were a great test of stamina and he truly earned the honour of being a legend in his own lunchtime.

Working hard and playing hard might seem to be somewhat outdated now but never with Philip. I believe the term could have been invented for him. One of the first issues I advised him on was his concern that the Broadway community did not understand or approve of "what was going on up the hill in Farncombe Housel". I suggested open days in the form of garden parties which seemed appropriate for the gentile Cotswold folk of the time. He readily agreed but said "I don't want tea and sandwiches. I want champagne". I don't know whether the good folk learned anything about Group 4 but they certainly left happy!

My second indelible memory of Philip was his compassion. When one of his guards was killed in a hold up his first thought was for the family not the effect on the company reputation. He immediately ordered that cash was taken to the family to ensure that at least one of their concerns was not being able to pay the bills.

Finally his need to always be a winner. Being a good loser was not for Philip. Two more anecdotes to illustrate this. On a visit to Winchcombe Abbey he proudly showed me his new golf clubs and other kit which must have cost a small fortune. On enquiring as to his sudden interest in golf he told me that Tony Jacklin had moved into a house close by and had offered to play golf with Philip. Sometime later I asked how is golf was progressing only to be told he had given it up. When I asked why he said because he couldn't beat Tony Jacklin!

I sold my consulting company in the late 80's and no longer worked for Group 4 but Philip would occasionally contact me when he felt I could offer some useful advice. Around that time I had a call to meet him with Charles Rice, his marketing manager, at the flat in Carlos Place. He told us he had been approached by someone called Chay Blyth to sponsor a yacht in a round the world race and that CB was due to arrive imminently.

We listened to a most impressive and persuasive presentation by the great sailing man and after he had gone we urged Philip to go for it, pointing out that it would identify Group 4 with a very good cause and raise the company profile in many of his international markets. We knew he was very tempted but he expressed one reservation. What if the Group 4 yacht doesn't win? 'We pointed out that taking part would be enough to achieve his corporate objectives but that was not good enough for Philip. "If I take part I am going to win" he said. The rest his history!

I kept in touch with Philip socially and saw him last at the 30th anniversary party of the Dormy House Hotel a couple of years ago, enjoying another party surrounded by his friends and family. Not much seemed to have changed over the last 42 years! .