Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Chief Executive of British Telecommunications plc, known for tackling complex managerial problems with loyalty and determination.
On the island
Eight records
Andante for Flute and Orchestra in C major, K. 315
Jean-Pierre Rampal with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta
Basically I chose this one because I used to play the flute a long time ago in the school orchestra, and I was not very good at it, but I liked the instrument and to hear it played by a master such as this I think is just fascinating.
Great record. Of course when I was growing up this was the early days of rock and roll and I always liked Buddy Holly. And then as part of my career I was actually based in Lubbock, Texas which was the birthplace of Buddy Holly.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Donald Johanos
This is Aaron Copeland, who's obviously an American composer. Played by the Dallas Symphony, I moved to Dallas early on in my life and met two players in the Dallas Symphony, so I remember this one particularly.
He's my idol not necessarily for his singing actually for his guitar playing actually yeah Eric Clapton I started to listen to Eric Captain when I was at university as I suppose as a lot of people the thing about Clapton I really like is that through all of the ups and downs of his life and he's had a very interesting life I think he's still a fantastic guitar player and he's so varied
American PieFavourite
This again comes back to say my American roots, but it's got a great line in it to take my Chevy to the levee and the levee was dry. And years ago I used to drink with my friends in the electronics business in the levee in Dallas, so I know all about this.
Stacey Kent is a new singer from my point of view. I think she's a very, very talented singer. So on my desert island I would always like to think of the new up-and-comers and I hope that she makes a big impact on the world.
Water Music Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349: II. Alla Hornpipe
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner
I think I'm my Handel to me is great. I think he's one of my favourite composers. And of course I'm a water person. So the combination of one of my best composers with my best hobby is great.
Choir of the Vienna Hofburgkapella
You'd have to have some spiritual backup, you'd have to have something that you could do yourself. And as I can't sing, I can certainly learn to chant.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:31It is, of the three jobs you've held in your working life, Peter, the most exposed, isn't it? Do you relish that or do you resent it?
Well it's it's certainly the most exposed and obviously the the largest. I think when I took on the the position somebody said it's like managing in a goldfish bowl. And I think that is true. But I think you just have to get on with it.
Presenter asks
6:00How did the nuns [in the convent] shape your character?
They were very dedicated people themselves, very personalized. … But they were pretty tough, so discipline was absolute. And even now I've got a phobia of being a couple of minutes late, because if you were late on parade with the nuns, they certainly whacked you for it.
Presenter asks
10:30Why did America appeal to you so much?
I just like the freedom of it, particularly in the southwest, the great outdoors. I'm a great outdoor person. You can do anything in the US. You know, people challenge you, why can't you do it? It's a great can-do attitude, and it pervades into a lot of my character now.
The keepsakes
The book
A book on celestial navigation
When I was in Texas, it's true that the stars at night are big and bright. And there's a lot of them. And I'd like to lie on my beach and look up and try and decide how the sailors of old and navigators of old actually ever did navigate. And of course, that might be useful down the road.
The luxury
I say I just love all water sports since the time my father built us a little eleven plus dinghy when I was a a child. So I'd have to do that and it would probably keep me sane, keep me fit, and it'd be good in the sunshine.
Presenter asks
12:46How are your professional attitudes different from someone brought up in Marks & Spencer or Unilever here?
Well, I think that that at that stage there was a lot of new management practices being introduced into the United States, you know, flat management structures, a huge amount of delegated authority, letting people have long leashes to get on and do things. It was sort of the culture, I suppose, at that stage. And that has certainly stayed with me for all my career.
Presenter asks
19:35Is the restructuring that you've announced an admission that, in fact, BT has been moving too slowly?
Well, no, I think it's part of an ongoing process that I've been working with my management team on now for some years to keep the change going. BT has changed enormously. Since privatisation in 1984, we've cut the workforce by half. 130,000 people left the company. It's grown like topsy. It's now international.
“I think when I took on the the position somebody said it's like managing in a goldfish bowl. And I think that is true. But I think you just have to get on with it.”
“I take personal risks, I guess, more than most other people. I take risks with younger people myself. Now I encourage everybody that I meet to move and operate internationally to see if they can learn more, take a few personal risks from that point of view.”
“I prefer a blend. I think that what I've tried to get out of this is I regard myself as an international manager, so I've got a bit from obviously the United Kingdom, a lot from the US and a lot from Japan.”