we had seen, eventually reconvening to produce the article – the beginning of a lifelong friendship.” APSA was an important body in payroll’s history but sadly there was a schism as the decision was taken not to admit non-public sector members, a move with which Peter and I vehemently disagreed as, to us, payroll was payroll with common issues throughout the profession. Trevor Lakin was refused membership of APSA because he worked in the private sector. “I was disappointed,” he said, “and I contacted Peter for advice on setting up a private sector payroll body which he agreed to on the condition that Gordon Cresswell also became part of the team.” an innovative payroll professional who lightened our lives with humour and
professionals to attend the first meeting in Coventry in 1985, my hand shot up; and his belief and encouragement made me want to be a part of this exciting new venture. I am sure that the same was true for many others. Peter convinced us, through his talk, that there was nowhere else to be if you were serious about taking payroll forward.” Recalling the early days, Chris says “I was lucky to be deputy chair under Peter, following his lead and I became chair after him. I appreciate many of you will not have heard of Peter Blackhurst , as he was only active in the formative years, but trust me he played a key part. We remained friends and I will miss his bubbly attitude a huge amount.” Although Peter was a natural front man, only those of us close to him were aware of the agony he went through prior to a presentation. He suffered stage fright and normally we would arrange for his slot to be the last one before lunch so that he didn’t have a ruined lunch as well as a spoilt breakfast! His concerns were unfounded because as soon as he hit the lectern he went into a superb presentation mode. As the BPMA grew into the Institute Peter took a quieter role and concentrated on his real day job until he took early retirement. He loved his golf and became the seniors captain for his local club. Holidays and Peter just went together so whenever we all met up his conversation revolved around holidays with Krys, his children and his grandchildren. For me, the one word to summarise Peter is ‘upbeat’. He was always positive and the last time we spoke, just three weeks before his passing, he was still very upbeat although quite seriously ill. This is echoed by Bryan Monkman, “Peter was always upbeat, positive and funny, even whilst enduring his treatment for leukaemia.” So, it is with sadness that we pay this tribute to an innovative payroll professional who lightened our lives with humour and a charismatic presence, leaving a lasting legacy to the payroll profession. The funeral took place on 12 February, at Blacon crematorium. Bryan Monkman attended the funeral, representing the CIPP.
a charismatic presence, leaving a lasting legacy
With heavy hearts Peter and I decided to join Trevor and form the private sector body BPMA (British Payroll Manager’s Association), now CIPP. Again, Peter was inspirational in the formation of the syllabus for the BTEC Diploma in Administration although he left the production of material largely to others, notably his friend and colleague Lawrence Warrell. So it was at the second Peterborough Software sponsored National Payroll Conference that Peter launched the BPMA with his first major speech, receiving a standing ovation and an article in The Times, and we celebrated with now customary drinks. We three then worked hard arranging the first open meeting for all interested parties held in Coventry and fronted by Peter who was voted in as the first chairperson, a role he loved, so much so that he bought a personalised number plate with the letters BPMA. It was this first presentation that inspired Chris Williams to join the BPMA on day one. Chris says “As a member of the Private Sector Payroll Group (PSPG), and having failed to join APSA as I was a private sector employer, I felt strongly that there was a need for a national joint payroll body. “So, attending the second Peterborough Software Payroll Conference in Park Lane in 1984 I was excited to hear there was to be a session on exactly this. The speaker introducing the concept was Peter Blackhurst, who was the current secretary of APSA. As soon as he started to speak enthusiastically about the prospective new association, the hairs on the back of my neck started to tingle. Here was someone committed to forwarding the progression of payroll, someone who I knew from his enthusiasm could engage payroll professionals to join the cause.” Chris was not the only person to be so inspired and over one hundred payroll people turned up for the inaugural meeting. Chris continues, “Asking for like-minded
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 68 | March 2021
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