Joe Edwards leaving British Leyland

THE GUARDIAN
By Michael Blanden

Mr Joe Edwards' period as consultant to the board of British Leyland Motor Corporation has proved short-lived. Yesterday he announced that he is resigning from this position 'in order to take up other industrial interests.'

Mr Edwards gave up his directorships of the British Leyland Group—which included British Motor Holdings, BMC, and Pressed Steel Fisher besides the parent board - in April less than two years after he became managing director of the old BMC group at the age of 57.

The change reflected the first major move towards establishing a new chain of management at British Leyland after the merger, and left Sir Donald Stokes virtually in sole command as chief executive of the combined group. Mr Edwards was to stay on as consultant, advising Sir Donald on various aspects of the new organisation. He seems to have found this job less than fully satisfying. But if he felt left out of things at British Leyland, he was encouraged by the response from other directions.

He said yesterday: 'In the short time since I gave up my directorships in the British Leyland Group, I have been overwhelmed with offers and suggestions. Even if I had wanted to remain inactive, outside my consultancy relationship with British Leyland, it seems that my friends in industry would not have let me!'

At the same time, came the first announcement of a new appointment for Mr Edwards. He Is to join the board of Associated Engineering as a non-executive director. AE, which is headed by Mr H. R. Moore, is itself closely associated with the motor Industry as a components supplier. Further announcements of his appointments are expected to come in the fairly near future.