TIME TO STEP UP EDDIE STOBART: A TRUCK FOR CONNOR SPARROWHAWK

Assuming that Eddie Stobart founder of the firm in the 1960s and now retired has mental capacity, has he been personally involved in the recent decision not to name a truck after Connor Sparrowhawk?

Of course, many of us familiar with Connor's story has campaigned and pleaded with the company to personalize one of its countless trucks following their own request via Twitter 'who would you name a truck after'.  Why Connor? Firstly to honour the teenager's memory, but also his legacy loving as he did the Eddie Stobart lorries and even collected memorabilia and secondly to raise awareness of his short life which ended as a direct result of a  Health Trust's breach of health and Safety laws when in its care. Twelve months ago Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust was fined £2m after admitting failing Connor. The death of both Connor and Teresa Colvin led to the discovery that " the trust only properly investigated 272 unexplained deaths of 722 in its care"

So what does it matter to the managers and directors of the Stobart parent company and William Stobart and/or Andrew Tinkler the best friend and former brother in law of William? Let me explain why I think it should.

It was reported in 2014 that Tinkler owns a private jet (probably but not certainly parked up at Southend airport), 45 thoroughbred horses and as CEO owns 9.45%  of the company. When the trucking company was sold Mr Tinkler said: " shareholders will get a good return" - hold that thought.

Well, I'm so pleased for the shareholders. Now is the turn of Connor and his family. Connor was not a shareholder as far as I know, but he loved the trucks and by association the Eddie Stobart brand, but he died the previous year shareholders drooled over their bank accounts as Connor drooled and drowned in a bath.

The tragic consequences of Connor's death, his worship of the branded trucks and the wish of his family to have a truck personalised in his name is a very small ask indeed. We are talking about one bloody truck out of probably over 2000 vehicles to be named after Connor. I am not aware of the health circumstances of Eddie Stobart the person, but if he is able to over-ride the decision made by the Stobart family will he do so?

In addition, Tesco is the biggest customer of Stobart's trucking arm. Where is its voice, its influence and I would add its compassion that honours a Headington teenager " who had a learning disability, epilepsy and autism and died on the 4th July 2013, after having an epileptic fit in a bath"?

The response of Eddie Stobart the company was to reject the personalizing with Connor's name and to issue a patronizing press release saying " It has been great to see and hear all the love and support shown to Connor " and here comes the offer " we would like to pay tribute to him in the next issue of our official members magazine, Spot on..." The spokesperson added " its not our policy to name the trucks after males".Really?

My last but one word must go to Connor's Mum Dr Sara Ryan in that her son was " an ideal exception to the rule, even though I think the rule is ridiculous." My last word: I ask Mr Eddie Stobart ( retired) if possible, and I'll only accept a lack of mental capacity, to speak out. I ask Tesco to use its influence and considerable power to speak out. Connor Sparrowhawk cant. Tinkler, when William Stobart was to take over the 'lorry empire said: " it gives William a chance to step up."

It is time to step up again, this time for Connor Sparrowhawk.


Mervyn Eastman

What Bothers Me Most....The unfolding of the Eddie Stobart Unfathomable Decision.

At the time of writing the Eddie Stobart/Connor Sparrowhawk blog a few days ago, I had believed  William Stobart and Andrew Tinker held executive roles or at least had some influence in the company. I am indebted to @KaraChrome for pointing out that " neither of the Stobarts, nor Tinkler, now has any influence in the firm". It is understood that they "stepped down in 2017 when it was floated publically. Alex Laffey is the current CEO." I really should have double checked my sources - a lesson learnt! Regardless however of their non-executive status, I would argue that nevertheless, William bares the Stobart name and Andrew Tinkler's life long association with the firm and family both do have a voice and hence influence should they choose to exercise it!

Connor's Mum, Dr Sara Ryan posted a Tweet today that an Eddie Stobart employee had written to The Times offering a solution. The Stobart truck fleet at SRDC has boys names and there are some units yet to be named. The Eddie Stobart company subsequently pointed out that the trucks are not theirs and do not carry the Stobart branding. The drivers however are all employed by Eddie Stobart.

What bothers me is that the Stobart family appear to remain silent. Tesco seems to be silent as do the Eddie Stobart shareholders. Why is this?  A question posed in the blog site mydaftlife (03.03.19) points out that "some tweets in support of naming a cab after Connor have referred to social justice and what a decision would signify for a totally marginalized group of people who are too often denied an opportunity to lead anything approaching a flourishing life" Professor Katherine Runswick Cole tweeted ( 05.03.19) that what bothered her most about Stobart's decision "is that it feeds into (her) worst fears about the lives of people living with learning disabilities being worth less.." The professor concluded with the hashtag You've Done it Before Why Not Now.

My message remains what it was in the previous blog: will somebody past or present that carry the Stobart name, or are shareholders, or have contracts with/by the company, or have executive function please STEP UP.

I can do no better than quote the author of mydaftlife:

It's within the gift of the Eddie Stobart Company to balance the justice scales a little bit and generate warmth, delight and priceless joy to have a 'Connor Sparrowhawk' cab beetling around the motorways of the UK and abroad....Connor never stopped reaching for stars....The idea of a lorry named after him is the stuff of dreams. It would further be a cracking reminder for health and social care staff (and others) of the importance, value and brilliance of people like Connor"

Stephen Unwin (@RoseUnwin) wrote " There's something about this whole episode which shows how the mainstream regards people with Learning Disabilities. Connor was buried with an @EddieStobartCom model truck, for God's sake.#Justice for LB"

The Eddie Stobart Company decision, as it stands is indeed unfathomable. It can be changed unless it is based on a policy which has come down from the mountain of corporate intransigence and greed. It is not about a name, it is not just about Connor, it is about the powerful symbolism of making dreams come true and that is the gift the Eddie Stobart company bestow.