World-renowned expert and top Oswestry businessman dies aged 88
One of Shropshire’s top businessmen and a former government adviser who became a world-renowned academic, has died.
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Dr Peter Starbuck, who lived in Oswestry with his wife Heather, was 88 and had leukaemia.
An entrepreneur and management consultant, he was an acknowledged world expert on Peter F Drucker (1909-2005), the Austrian-born ‘father of modern management’.
Dr Starbuck wrote six books and more than 90 academic papers on Drucker, and was Honorary Member of the Drucker Society Europe.
Its president Richard Straub suggested to those researching Drucker: “If in doubt, ask Peter Starbuck.”
Indeed, Peter wrote Drucker’s obituary for The Guardian newspaper in 2005.
Professor Philip Kotler, the American author widely-regarded as the ‘father of modern marketing’ described Dr Starbuck’s work as monumental and said his research was appreciated around the world.
Dr Starbuck penned three other non-fiction works, including a book on business in collaboration with close friend, the late television entertainer Jeremy Beadle.
Born in Birmingham in February 1936, Peter grew up in Wolverhampton and trained as a quantity surveyor with local builder Sir Alfred McAlpine.
After National Service in the Royal Engineers in West Germany, he joined Oswestry builders Walter Watkin & Co Ltd as General Manager.
He fell in love with Shropshire and would stay for the rest of his life.
He successfully reorganised the company before it was sold.
In January 1966 – aged 29 – he launched the company that made his name. WSJ (Watkin, Starbuck and Jones) had Peter as CEO in partnership with Walter and his son-in-law Brian Rhodes-Jones.
WSJ undertook a wide range of construction projects, including schools, hospitals and 5,000 homes, for which it received national awards.
It was one of the biggest building firms in the Midlands when sold in 1987.
His success in the construction industry led to Peter being appointed as an adviser to 10 Downing Street on affordable housing.
The second phase of his life was already taking shape as he had discovered the works of Drucker in 1974 and tried to apply his doctrine of ethical management to the running of his own company.
He accumulated a comprehensive understanding of Drucker’s ideas and was eventually invited by The Open University to undertake a PhD. on the subject.
Peter was awarded his Doctorate – at the age of 71 – and subsequently his thesis was deposited with the British Library, to date the only one on record on this subject from within the British Isles. His expertise saw him build an impressive network of contacts worldwide.
Peter was a contributor to several charities and schools in Africa and the Middle East as well as the UK and wider Europe.
In April 2022, aged 86, he received an Honorary Degree from the University of Chester, putting him in distinguished company.
Other recipients include His Majesty the King when Prince of Wales, Baroness Joan Bakewell DBE and former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion.
Peter and Heather shared a love of adventurous international travel, visiting 180 different countries and territories, mainly to explore the natural world.
When Peter was 85, they embarked on an African safari that saw them out in the bush encountering some of the planet’s most exciting, dangerous and endangered wildlife.
Peter is survived by Heather, sons Robert and Matthew, step-daughters Dawn and Hayley, nine grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.
A private family cremation service will be followed at a later date by a public memorial service, details of which are yet to be announced.
