Wilfred Banks Duncan Brown, Baron of Machrihanish
Encyclopedia
Wilfred Banks Duncan Brown, Baron Brown MBE
(29 November 1908 – 7 March 1985) was Chairman and Managing Director of Glacier Metal Company (1939–1965), author of several books and articles on management and labour issues, university administrator, and United Kingdom
's Minister of State at the Board of Trade (1965–1970).
Brown is perhaps best known for his collaboration with the organizational theorist Elliott Jaques
on the Glacier Project, which Peter Drucker
called "the most extensive study of actual worker behavior in large-scale industry". Sponsored by Glacier Metal Company and its Works Council during Brown's leadership, the project ran from 1948 to 1965, resulting in the development or discovery of felt-fair pay, stratified systems theory, timespan of discretion, levels of work, product pricing analysis and career progression trajectories. These ideas were described in the various books and articles written by Brown and Dr. Jaques. (See Bibliography.) Brown later attempted to use these processes in governmental affairs as a member of the House of Lords.
An advocate of practical learning for managers, Brown created the Glacier Institute of Management. He served as the first Chairman of Acton Technical College's Governing Body, Chairman of Brunel University
from 1949 to 1965, and Pro-Chancellor of Brunel from 1965 to 1980. Although he never attended university, Brown received honorary degrees from Brunel University
(DTech, 1966), Southern Illinois University
(Doctor of Laws, 1967) and Cranfield University
(DSc, 1972).
He was awarded the MBE
in 1944 and made a life peer
as Baron Brown, of Machrihanish, in the County of Argyllshire in 1964.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(29 November 1908 – 7 March 1985) was Chairman and Managing Director of Glacier Metal Company (1939–1965), author of several books and articles on management and labour issues, university administrator, and United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's Minister of State at the Board of Trade (1965–1970).
Brown is perhaps best known for his collaboration with the organizational theorist Elliott Jaques
Elliott Jaques
Elliott Jaques was a Canadian psychoanalyst and organizational psychologist. He developed the notion of requisite organization from his 'stratified systems theory', running counter to many others in the field of organizational development...
on the Glacier Project, which Peter Drucker
Peter Drucker
Peter Ferdinand Drucker was an influential writer, management consultant, and self-described “social ecologist.”-Introduction:...
called "the most extensive study of actual worker behavior in large-scale industry". Sponsored by Glacier Metal Company and its Works Council during Brown's leadership, the project ran from 1948 to 1965, resulting in the development or discovery of felt-fair pay, stratified systems theory, timespan of discretion, levels of work, product pricing analysis and career progression trajectories. These ideas were described in the various books and articles written by Brown and Dr. Jaques. (See Bibliography.) Brown later attempted to use these processes in governmental affairs as a member of the House of Lords.
An advocate of practical learning for managers, Brown created the Glacier Institute of Management. He served as the first Chairman of Acton Technical College's Governing Body, Chairman of Brunel University
Brunel University
Brunel University is a public research university located in Uxbridge, London, United Kingdom. The university is named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel....
from 1949 to 1965, and Pro-Chancellor of Brunel from 1965 to 1980. Although he never attended university, Brown received honorary degrees from Brunel University
Brunel University
Brunel University is a public research university located in Uxbridge, London, United Kingdom. The university is named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel....
(DTech, 1966), Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
(Doctor of Laws, 1967) and Cranfield University
Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a British postgraduate university based on two campuses, with a research-oriented focus. The main campus is at Cranfield, Bedfordshire and the second is the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom based at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. The main campus is unique in the United...
(DSc, 1972).
He was awarded the MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
in 1944 and made a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron Brown, of Machrihanish, in the County of Argyllshire in 1964.
External links
- The Global Organization Design Society has digitized several of Wilfred Brown's books, available on the GO Society digital books page.
- The Papers of Lord Brown
- Photo of Wilfred Brown Building, Brunel University
- Discussion of Wilfred Brown's legacy and further reading
- Transcript of Episode Two: Keep Talking from the BBC Radio 4 series, Here Comes the Boss!. Entire episode about Wilfred Brown and Glacier Metal Company. Via Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Accessed 2008-06-16.
