 He was chairman of Austin & Pickersgill shipbuilders (based in Sunderland) from 1966 to 1972, and of A&P Appledore International Ltd from 1970 to 1979.He joined Seascope in 1970 and was chairman of several subsidiary companies.In the 1980s his business career diversified into financial services and was a Director of Henry Ansbacher & Co from 1982 to 1987.