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Why Doesn't Britain Have a Huauei of its own?

Peter Brooks
This was the headline in the Guardian Opinion section for May 8 th 2019 written by Aditya Chakrabortty.


To answer this question he examines the history of GEC after Arnold Weinstock left in 1996  and <quote> "all hell broke loose" with the appointment of George Simpson (an accountant), and John Mayo (from the Merchant Banking world).


Even companies outside of Britain (examples RCA and Westinghouse)  have been afflicted by the same upper management failures.


What does Britain have to do to create a business climate that will allow world class companies to thrive?


Peter Brooks MIET

Palm Bay Florida USA
  • 0
    Sometimes one has to look to the arts (such as the PSB song) to see the root causes of the current situation, but that doesn't supply the answers of what Britain has to do to resolve it them.


    Obviously government has to be involved in providing direction and "seed" funding, but unbiased countrywide public pressure/education must come first. 


    For me one of the best British assets has always been the Political Cartoons -- I am showing my age, but the role played by "Punch" can not be denied.


    Currently one of the best cartoons concerning the "city" banking system is In the Telegraph business section called "Alex"- it reflects the tensions within the banking community in its attempts to circumvent curbs on previous excesses.


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA
  • 0
    This reminds me of albums I must dig out again. I guess even the Pet Shop Boys are now golden oldies?
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    with the lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn2NQrdhlhI
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Excellent reminder


    "I heard it in the House of Commons, everything is for sale"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMRCuB0Ykc8
  • 0
    Correction"


    PET SHOP BOYS -on the record "Actually".


    Peter Brooks
  • 0
    Hello Maurice:


    I think you are 100 % correct.


    From my perspective, I believe my favorite UK musical group " Peter Shop Boys " nailed it is 1987 with their song "Shopping". If you haven't ever listened to it or don't remember it, try youtube.com.


    It is due to Politics (Parliament)  and money (The City banking system).


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Perhaps because UK hasn't had and still doesn't have real industrial strategies. Also, too many decades, as a dogma and mantra of 'market forces must dominate policy',  successive UK government have allowed all its best IT companies to be bought by foreigners that then get saddled with buyers financial problems, profits exported, UK tax payments reduced through accountancy manipulations, pensions raided or poorly funded, etc - a loss, loss scenario for UK plc and national industrial capability?


    Dialog bought by American Apple - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/apple-buys-dialog-600-million-deal-uk-chipmaker-a8578731.html 


    Imagination bought by Chinese company Canyon Bridge - https://www.bbc.com/news/business-41369376 


    ARM bought by Japanese Softbank  https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-5492145/Chip-maker-giant-ARM-set-saddled-3-6bn-debt.html 


    For decades UK governments have cut industrial costs at home (with subsequent loss of jobs, taxes, indigenous capability) by exporting manufacturing capability, jobs and IPR, then bought it back (further sending uk money abroad) and becoming vulnerable to the whims and technology exploitation of foreign companies and governments.


    Perhaps certain critical capabilities, technologies and companies need to be declared critical national infrastructure and saved from being raided, bought out and diminished by foreign companies and governments, and a 'develop and buy UK' attitude taken as part of UK government sustainable procurement?

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