Peter Brown started his working life in a Hornsea amusement arcade before this father made him join Neill & Brown
The boss of a long established East Yorkshire haulage and logistics company has earned praise from various quarters as he chalks up 60 years in the family business. Peter Brown was a teenager when he was working at a Hornsea amusement arcade, and his father insisted he join Neill & Brown.
The firm was set up more than 100 years ago in Hull by Peter’s great uncle, and originally specialised in handling imported timber from Scandinavian before going on to support the war effort through the late 1930s and early 1940s. The firm went on to expand into carrying abnormal loads, chemicals and pallets and is now a £31m turnover group employing about 145 people, including 57 drivers.
Peter, who is now CEO of the business, started in its post room in 1965. He rose through the ranks to become managing director in 1977 and then CEO in 2013. Having worked seven-day weeks for many years, he is credited with having grown the company over half a century into the logistics services name it is now, with two Humber sites including its Hessle headquarters.
In a nod to his career beginnings, Peter’s diamond anniversary with the company was marked by an ice cream van pulling into the firm’s Livingstone Road premises. Staff were offered cones while reminiscing about their careers and relationships with their boss.
Alan Johnson, former MP for Hull West and Hessle, said: “One of the delights of being a local MP was discovering great businesses bringing jobs and prosperity to my constituents, and I soon realised that a top European logistics company was on my patch. Dealing with Peter established a relationship of respect and admiration that has transcended my time in politics.”
Meanwhile Neill & Brown employees, such has handyman Phil Hawes, were quick to praise Peter. Phil said: “I’m proud to say that I was Peter’s first HGV driver. He’s always been fair and calls a spade a spade. He’s a great boss and I wish good luck for the next 60 years!”
Logistics director Carl Andrew, who joined as a school leaver in 1990, said: “Over the years, Peter has been a huge mentor to me and others; always supportive when discussing plans and offering honest, valuable opinions. His eye for detail and immense knowledge has shaped this company and inspired every person who works here. These high standards flow down from the very top, and it’s a legacy we all benefit from.”
Colin Moody, who joined Neill & Brown in the early 1980s as an office junior before becoming managing director in 2013, said much of the company’s success was down to Peter’s leadership and his rewarding hard work. He said: “It took me time to gain his trust, but when I did, he proved to be incredibly loyal and supportive.”
Peter has played an active role in the Humber’s business community having founded the privately led World Trade Centre Hull & Humber in the 1990s and given support to Hull’s cultural ambitions through membership of Hull Business Angels.
Ian Middleton, owner of Crossroads Truck and Bus, which has supplied Neill & Brown with more than 150 Volvo trucks over 43 years, said: “The culture Peter has built amongst his employees is renowned within the industry. Negotiating on a deal is always a challenge as he always has his costings at his fingertips and is quick to firmly justify the figures.
“I have learnt over the years that the way to his heart is to take him for fish ‘n’ chips. He then lets me pay and negotiates a little more discount before we agree with a gentleman’s handshake!”
Further afield, Netherlands-based KDS logistics’ Karel van Suchtelen said: “We regard Peter as one of the best men in transport and logistics, and over 20 years we have learned a lot from him. We respect him not only as a businessman, but also a friend.”