Word: dowson
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...details like the design of an invitation card to a company party, and became known as "the executioner" for his summary firings of scores of lesser executives. The latest and most notable casualty occurred in September, when Sir John got rid of another much harried heavyweight: 236-lb. Graham Dowson, 52, who had held the title of chief executive. Dowson had incurred Davis' wrath by rejecting the woman that Sir John had promoted as Dowson's fourth wife...
Last week, however, there were clear signs that in sounding the Rank gong for Dowson, Davis may have written the last chapter of his own imperial reign. Long-timid Rank directors approved what was termed Dowson's "resignation." But, troubled by sagging profits, they issued a statement saying they were considering proposals "for broad corporate reorganization." Among the expected reforms: delegation by Davis of real authority to division managers; nomination of a director who would live in the U.S. and maintain close liaison with the American investors who own 45% of Rank's shares...
...Enter Dowson, a onetime R. A.F. pilot, Tupelo, Miss, disk jockey and Davis protege, whom Sir John last October promoted from deputy chief to chief executive. Dowson rapidly concluded he would never have real authority as long as Sir John was around. Finding himself unable to challenge Davis in a boardroom battle, he apparently decided to opt for a lucrative early retirement by taking on Sir John in a bedroom farce...
...Dowson for twelve years had been living with his secretary, Pamela Awbery, 43. In July he took out a license to marry her in September-but now Dowson ungallantly insists that "Sir John talked me into it. He said I had to do it for the company image." Davis had another interest: Awbery is a close friend of his own mistress, Felicity Rutland, a 37-year-old who was Britain's debutante of the year in 1956. A mere two weeks before he was supposed to marry Awbery, Dowson stole away to marry instead a mysterious 26-year...
...Dowson got out with over $300,000 in severance pay and one further worry: Pamela Awbery asserts she wants some of it. Says Dowson, rather waspishly, "It is a pity that the issue of wives and mistresses ever came into it because Sir John's record with women is appalling. As far as I know none of his ex-wives or girl friends have many kind things to say about him. If all my previous wives were around, I am sure they would still be rooting forme...