Tribute from Peter Green

Peter Green - Retired Ex Head of Human Resources, Group 4 Securitas (International)

Like thousands of others, we heard with shock and great sadness of Philip's death. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Ingrid, Susse, the children and grandchildren and close family friends.

Early in the history of Group 4 in the UK, Philip taught me the full importance in our business of the guard, their families and their supervisors, their need for support and their need for training. How can you expect a quality job to be done by someone who has not been properly trained?

This philosophy was the basis for the great expansion which was to follow and he continued to show this regard for the troups on the ground by the early introduction of a most generous pension scheme for guards, staff and management alike. His work rate was legendary.

Nothing delighted him more than a new marketing opportunity. The opening up of Eastern Europe allowed him to formulate many joint ventures, giving many of us new challenges, excitement and great job satisfaction. It gave a new meaning to the expression, "multi-national". Thereafter, the Group's development continued in the Americas, Asia and the Middle East, until few places remained where he was not represented.

As a leader he preferred making allowances, if this were possible, rather than judging and condemning. Perhaps this is why so many people were prepared to work so hard for him; perhaps also because he convinced people at all levels that what they were doing was worthwhile.

As a boss he was tough and demanding and life was never dull but he never asked you to do anything which he had not done himself or was not prepared to do.

As a friend he was generous and supportive and always there.

We shall miss him.