For a few years at the beginning of the 1990s, I worked part time for the Department of Trade & Industry in their regional office in Birmingham. I was appointed Enterprise Adviser with the Civil Service rank of Assistant Secretary. My ask was to lead a team of Enterprise Counsellors – all former senior businessmen – who provided business advice to small and medium sized businesses, signposting them to sources of government help.
This poem was written for a celebration to mark the end of the DTI programme.
It is hard to believe we have been at it so long.
Seven years ago persuaded by Peter*
to give our services for what is verily a song.
(This rhyme isn’t as easy as following the metre!)
Yes, it was Peter who re-taught us to write reports
and to refer ever readily to our Signposting Guide;
it was Peter who warned of our clients, all sorts
with funny figures in the books and hidden agendas on the side.
Was it – I wonder – from a sense of despair
that they gave the job of Enterprise Adviser
to one of us? Or was it, to be fair,
that in practice they were none the wiser
about how to organise this charismatic army,
as motley a crew as one could find,
with a sense of public duty that would drive a cynic barmy
and a cocktail of expertise of a special kind.
I can truthfully say that I have liked it a lot;
I have come to admire the work of my team.
I have occupied with pride my privileged spot
situated as it is about mid-way between
bureaucracy on the one hand and business on the other.
Staff and Counsellors alike have eased my task.
Observing procedures and reading reports has been no bother.
If they want me again they have only to ask.
So Goodbye client, farewell scheme contractor,
Cheerio chaps, it’s time to fold our tents.
Bow once more to the DTI, our mutual benefactor,
and once again return to our private bents.
Peter Griffiths Enterprise Adviser 1988-1999