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Sir Robert Atkinson obituary Sir Robert Atkinson obituary
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Robert Atkinson, who has died aged 98, spent his 20s defending allied ships against U-boats in the Atlantic during the second world war and went on to become an outspoken champion during the Falklands war of British Shipbuilders, the corporation that managed the UK shipbuilding industry.Robert Atkinson, who has died aged 98, spent his 20s defending allied ships against U-boats in the Atlantic during the second world war and went on to become an outspoken champion during the Falklands war of British Shipbuilders, the corporation that managed the UK shipbuilding industry.
When he was appointed chairman of British Shipbuilders by Norman Tebbit as minister for trade in 1980, he faced a daunting task. Nationalised in 1977, with a history of poor management and demarcation-conscious unions, it had rationalised too slowly in the face of a shipping recession and lacked financial disciplines. Atkinson installed some of the necessary disciplines, channelled money into computerisation, and with a wave of new orders, initially cut the losses; they were halved in 1980-81 and again in 1981-82.When he was appointed chairman of British Shipbuilders by Norman Tebbit as minister for trade in 1980, he faced a daunting task. Nationalised in 1977, with a history of poor management and demarcation-conscious unions, it had rationalised too slowly in the face of a shipping recession and lacked financial disciplines. Atkinson installed some of the necessary disciplines, channelled money into computerisation, and with a wave of new orders, initially cut the losses; they were halved in 1980-81 and again in 1981-82.
But with far east yards tendering at less than the price BS paid for steel, things went wrong. Losses soared. Formation of an offshore division for oilfield work came too late and was wrecked by disastrous performance. When John Parker departed for Harland and Wolff, the corporation lost a key salesman.But with far east yards tendering at less than the price BS paid for steel, things went wrong. Losses soared. Formation of an offshore division for oilfield work came too late and was wrecked by disastrous performance. When John Parker departed for Harland and Wolff, the corporation lost a key salesman.
Tebbit, returning to the Department for Trade and Industry in 1983 as secretary of state, described Atkinson as a disappointment. For his part, Atkinson, increasingly public on the need for a UK-based industry, underestimated government determination to run down BS. He opposed privatisation of the warship yards, which he wanted to subsidise merchant shipbuilding. So there was no second term in 1984 and he left early, handing over to Graham Day, who carried out major surgery.Tebbit, returning to the Department for Trade and Industry in 1983 as secretary of state, described Atkinson as a disappointment. For his part, Atkinson, increasingly public on the need for a UK-based industry, underestimated government determination to run down BS. He opposed privatisation of the warship yards, which he wanted to subsidise merchant shipbuilding. So there was no second term in 1984 and he left early, handing over to Graham Day, who carried out major surgery.
Born in Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, he was one of six children of Nicholas and Margaret Atkinson. His mother came from a ship-owning family, and for Robert, going to sea as a merchant navy officer followed naturally. In 1937 he joined the Royal Naval Reserve, undergoing intensive training. He had a tough war, spending most of it on corvettes – small, slow, pitching craft, turned out quickly and cheaply to provide desperately needed convoy protection, little bigger than the U-boats they hunted.Born in Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, he was one of six children of Nicholas and Margaret Atkinson. His mother came from a ship-owning family, and for Robert, going to sea as a merchant navy officer followed naturally. In 1937 he joined the Royal Naval Reserve, undergoing intensive training. He had a tough war, spending most of it on corvettes – small, slow, pitching craft, turned out quickly and cheaply to provide desperately needed convoy protection, little bigger than the U-boats they hunted.
His first command was HMS Lorna, a steam yacht commandeered from the chairman of the Midland Bank, in which he patrolled the strait of Gibraltar. Then he took part in 104 Atlantic convoys. In HMS Rhododendron, he won a DSC in 1941 for a successful attack on U-104 in a gale, but the ship was disabled by a mine on returning to harbour. A frozen Arctic patrol on HMS Azalea, watching for the Bismarck, was followed by command of HMS Snowdrop, HMS Anemone and then HMS Pink in 1942. It was the turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic with U-boat strength at its peak.His first command was HMS Lorna, a steam yacht commandeered from the chairman of the Midland Bank, in which he patrolled the strait of Gibraltar. Then he took part in 104 Atlantic convoys. In HMS Rhododendron, he won a DSC in 1941 for a successful attack on U-104 in a gale, but the ship was disabled by a mine on returning to harbour. A frozen Arctic patrol on HMS Azalea, watching for the Bismarck, was followed by command of HMS Snowdrop, HMS Anemone and then HMS Pink in 1942. It was the turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic with U-boat strength at its peak.
Three convoys that Atkinson escorted in spring 1943 were crucial; the passage of one, ONS 5, was described by the official naval historian as “quite as decisive” as Nelson’s victory at the Nile. It was a slow westbound convoy of 43 ships. On 28 April, it was warned of waiting lines of U-boats which numbered more than 40. Atkinson mustered his crew: “There’s going to be a hell of a battle tonight. I am not sure how many of us will see daylight. I intend to try.” In the event, aggressive defence left two U-boats badly damaged for the loss of one merchant ship.Three convoys that Atkinson escorted in spring 1943 were crucial; the passage of one, ONS 5, was described by the official naval historian as “quite as decisive” as Nelson’s victory at the Nile. It was a slow westbound convoy of 43 ships. On 28 April, it was warned of waiting lines of U-boats which numbered more than 40. Atkinson mustered his crew: “There’s going to be a hell of a battle tonight. I am not sure how many of us will see daylight. I intend to try.” In the event, aggressive defence left two U-boats badly damaged for the loss of one merchant ship.
Six days later, in heavy gales, Atkinson was detached to round up stragglers. Detecting a submerged U-boat, he pressed home his attack but left his five merchant ships unprotected. The result was one U-boat apparently sunk but one merchantman torpedoed. It brought a second DSC, in 1943. A third followed in 1944 for sinking U878 in HMS Tintagel Castle. Atkinson survived, but three of his brothers in the navy did not; two died at sea and a third soon after. The experience marked him for life. Six days later, in heavy gales, Atkinson was detached to round up stragglers. Detecting a submerged U-boat, he pressed home his attack but left his five merchant ships unprotected. The result was one U-boat apparently sunk but one merchantman torpedoed. It brought a second DSC, in 1943. A third followed in 1945 for sinking U878 in HMS Tintagel Castle. Atkinson survived, but three of his brothers in the navy did not; two died at sea and a third soon after. The experience marked him for life.
Demobbed, he studied engineering at London University before crossing the Atlantic again to Canada to McGill University, Montreal, and a job building ships. By 1957, back in north-east England, he was managing director of the marine engine manufacturers William Doxford. In 1961 he moved to Tube Investments and in 1967 to Unicorn Industries. As chairman of Aurora Steel from 1972 to 1984, he played a major role in reshaping the part of the special steels industry still in private hands.Demobbed, he studied engineering at London University before crossing the Atlantic again to Canada to McGill University, Montreal, and a job building ships. By 1957, back in north-east England, he was managing director of the marine engine manufacturers William Doxford. In 1961 he moved to Tube Investments and in 1967 to Unicorn Industries. As chairman of Aurora Steel from 1972 to 1984, he played a major role in reshaping the part of the special steels industry still in private hands.
Aurora was a jumble of 35 subsidiaries. By 1980, rationalisation and strict financial discipline had helped sales to increase from £8m to more than £150m and acquisitions were taking it into the international league. Emboldened, with state-owned British Steel floundering after the steel strike and seeking a new chairman, Atkinson put his name forward. Interviewed by Sir Peter Carey, permanent secretary at the DTI, he was told the job had gone (to Ian MacGregor), but discussed what else he might do; that afternoon Tebbit offered him the chair of British Shipbuilders.Aurora was a jumble of 35 subsidiaries. By 1980, rationalisation and strict financial discipline had helped sales to increase from £8m to more than £150m and acquisitions were taking it into the international league. Emboldened, with state-owned British Steel floundering after the steel strike and seeking a new chairman, Atkinson put his name forward. Interviewed by Sir Peter Carey, permanent secretary at the DTI, he was told the job had gone (to Ian MacGregor), but discussed what else he might do; that afternoon Tebbit offered him the chair of British Shipbuilders.
For all his organisational strengths Atkinson lacked the touch to handle Whitehall and politicians. He gave British Shipbuilders a financial rigour that it had badly lacked. But he was a mercurial and sometimes merciless manager. A choleric temper unsettled senior colleagues, one even nicknaming him Captain Queeg after the commander in the Caine Mutiny. Yards hid choice artworks in case they were appropriated by “the chairman’s office”.For all his organisational strengths Atkinson lacked the touch to handle Whitehall and politicians. He gave British Shipbuilders a financial rigour that it had badly lacked. But he was a mercurial and sometimes merciless manager. A choleric temper unsettled senior colleagues, one even nicknaming him Captain Queeg after the commander in the Caine Mutiny. Yards hid choice artworks in case they were appropriated by “the chairman’s office”.
His finest hour came over the Falklands. Warships were fitted out at record speed, and afterwards he became an eloquent figurehead for the campaign to secure the replacement of the sunken SS Atlantic Conveyor for a British yard. It culminated in a face-to-face meeting with Margaret Thatcher. She expressed support but insisted on more savings. Resultant arm-twisting brought concessions on the price of steel and subsidy from the navy. The ship was built on the Tyne.His finest hour came over the Falklands. Warships were fitted out at record speed, and afterwards he became an eloquent figurehead for the campaign to secure the replacement of the sunken SS Atlantic Conveyor for a British yard. It culminated in a face-to-face meeting with Margaret Thatcher. She expressed support but insisted on more savings. Resultant arm-twisting brought concessions on the price of steel and subsidy from the navy. The ship was built on the Tyne.
Atkinson was knighted in 1983 and left British Shipbuilders the following year. He retired to Hampshire to an immaculate garden and trout fishing, critical to the end of what he saw as the unnecessary decline of British shipbuilding.Atkinson was knighted in 1983 and left British Shipbuilders the following year. He retired to Hampshire to an immaculate garden and trout fishing, critical to the end of what he saw as the unnecessary decline of British shipbuilding.
Atkinson’s first wife, Joyce (nee Forster), whom he married in 1941, died in 1973. Their son Robert also predeceased him. He is survived by his second wife, Hazel (nee Walker), whom he married in 1977; by the daughter, Gillian, of his first marriage; and by two grandchildren.Atkinson’s first wife, Joyce (nee Forster), whom he married in 1941, died in 1973. Their son Robert also predeceased him. He is survived by his second wife, Hazel (nee Walker), whom he married in 1977; by the daughter, Gillian, of his first marriage; and by two grandchildren.
• Robert Atkinson, businessman, born 7 March 1916; died 25 January 2015 • Robert Atkinson, businessman, born 7 March 1916; died 25 January 2015.
• This article was amended on 31 March 2015. The U-boat U878 was sunk in 1945 rather than 1944.