My Brilliant Career

Synopsis

Series in which former executives and senior managers reflect on their fall from positions of power.
Part 6 is not available.
1: In 1993 Gerald Ratner made a joke about the quality of the jewellery his company sold. Within months he had resigned. He talks about his career at the head of the Ratner’s empire.
2: Brent Walker was one of the world’s largest leisure conglomerates. In 1991, just weeks after the purchase of bookmakers William Hill, George Walker was removed from his position, and later charged with theft and false accounting. He was acquitted in 1994. He talks about his years with Brent Walker and the fight to clear his name.
3: John Spiers was the chair of the Brighton Health Trust and wished to instigate reform and improve patients’ rights. But his methods met resistance from staff and doctors. Undercover investigations, bitter arguments and press warfare followed. He talks about his struggle and final undoing.
4: The story of Lord Spens’ alleged involvement in the Guinness affair. He was charged with conspiracy and false accounting but was acquitted. He talks about his career and the fight to clear his name.
5: Terry Maher bought Dillons bookshops in 1977 and embarked upon a massive redevolpment programme, but the recession undermined him.
6: Derek Hatton, former deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, recalls his expulsion from the Labour Parety, how he made powerful enemies on both sides of the political fence, and his relief at being acquitted on fraud charges. (THIS PART IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE.)

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 5 x 30 min. (BBC Videos) Videocassette. VHS. col. 90, 60 min. (BBC for Business)

Year of production

1996

Availability

Sale; 1999 sale: £65.00 (+VAT +p&p) each 1999 sale: £180.00 (+VAT +p&p) series of 5 parts

Notes

Broadcast on BBC2 from 4/1/96.

Subjects

Business studies

Keywords

business firms

Credits

Producer

Nick Mirsky

Sections

Title

Ratner: Lord of the Rings

Synopsis

Part 6 is not available.

Title

Walker: a corporate mugging

Synopsis

1: In 1993 Gerald Ratner made a joke about the quality of the jewellery his company sold. Within months he had resigned. He talks about his career at the head of the Ratner's empire.

Title

John Spiers: the patients’ champion

Synopsis

2: Brent Walker was one of the world's largest leisure conglomerates. In 1991, just weeks after the purchase of bookmakers William Hill, George Walker was removed from his position, and later charged with theft and false accounting. He was acquitted in 19

Title

Lord Spens: the trial of the banker

Synopsis

3: John Spiers was the chair of the Brighton Health Trust and wished to instigate reform and improve patients' rights. But his methods met resistance from staff and doctors. Undercover investigations, bitter arguments and press warfare followed. He talks

Title

Terry Maher: a tale of the unexpected

Synopsis

4: The story of Lord Spens' alleged involvement in the Guinness affair. He was charged with conspiracy and false accounting but was acquitted. He talks about his career and the fight to clear his name.

Title

Derek Hatton: a very different man

Synopsis

5: Terry Maher bought Dillons bookshops in 1977 and embarked upon a massive redevolpment programme, but the recession undermined him.

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Active Video for Learning - now BBC Learning

Contact

Carolina Fernandez Jeremy Wilcox (CF - for educational enquiries JW - channel sales manager)

Email

BBCStudiosLearning@bbc.com

Web

https://www.bbcstudioslearning.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 20 8433 1009

Address

BBC Studios Limited
Television Centre
101 Wood Lane
London
W12 7FA
UK

Notes

The BBC Active company has now been absorbed within BBC Learning, a division of BBC Studios. It was originally a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Pearson Education. Formerly known as ‘BBC Worldwide Learning Studies’ and before that as ‘Videos for Education & Training’