New CEO goes boating

THE new Canal & River Trust Chief Executive, Richard Parry, takes Gemma Joy into a Staffs & Worcs Canal lock.

Richard Parry readily accepted a boater's offer to accompany him on a cruise on his narrowboat Gemma Joy, and though it could not obviously be as first intended up the Wolverhampton 21, they cruised the Staffs & Worcs Canal from Compton to Swindon via Bratch, with the boater John Sloan writing:

More customer focused

Richard Parry seems a real nice guy and I think it will be a far different management style more customer focused (for customer read boater). He made a point of not telling people who he was so that he could speak to other boaters in a relaxed manner at locks etc. (we did 14 locks). In the photograph taken at Bratch, from the left Laurence Rakic, volunteer; Mark Creton, Lock keeper and Richard Parry with the windlass.

As luck would have it I spotted John Jackson as we passed his Coal Yard so stopped and he chatted with John for about 20 minutes (John did know who Richard was). I know he took in most of what John said as we did discuss some of the issues raised.

Looking for himself

I certainly got the impression that he plans to spend time on the system looking for himself. He does live close to Birmingham so has plenty of choices. After the first lock I handed the boat over to him so it was no pleasure trip and he worked all the locks.  He has the makings of a decent boater.

[First impressions of the Chief Executive 'in waiting' appear positive, and perhaps we can once again see the waterways put first, and the silly money wasting schemes a thing of the past—Editor.]