A Life in Electronics PR

We were saddened to hear that Peter Bush, a well-known figure in the electronics media and PR industry and founder of Peter Bush Communications, passed away peacefully at the age of 85.

Peter’s career in the electronics industry began in publishing. In the early 1970s, he was Managing Editor of a group of journals published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers, before making the move into public relations.

He joined a fledgling Saffron Walden advertising agency run by Evan Steadman, where he established and led its technical PR division, Bush Steadman. Within just three years, the business had grown to become one of the leading specialist agencies serving the electronics industry, working with major multinational companies including Gould, RCA and Tektronix, as well as emerging technology businesses from the rapidly growing Cambridge high-tech community.

Following Robert Maxwell’s acquisition of the business in 1989 and the subsequent collapse of the Maxwell empire, Peter acquired the PR and marketing operation in 1992 and established Peter Bush Communications.

For more than two decades, Peter Bush Communications continued to build its reputation within the electronics industry, until Peter sold the agency to Napier in 2015. But retirement didn’t mean stepping away completely. Peter continued to write press releases and technical articles for several years and would occasionally join client meetings – particularly, as those who knew him will remember, when there was the prospect of a long lunch.

Away from the world of electronics and PR, Peter had a lifelong love of cricket, which began during his school days at Worksop College. He was also a keen model railway enthusiast, jazz fan and talented guitarist and singer. A member of his local church choir, he performed in several skiffle and rock and roll bands and was particularly known for his renditions of Johnny B. Goode, American Pie and Hoochie Coochie Man.

Peter lived with his family in Wendens Ambo for 30 years before moving permanently to the Isle of Wight with his wife Linda in 2006, an island with which the family had maintained a close connection since Peter and Linda met there in the 1960s.

Peter leaves behind Linda, his sons Ben and Toby, and five grandchildren.

Peter made a lasting contribution to the electronics PR industry and played an important part in Napier’s own story. He will be fondly remembered by everyone at Napier who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.

Our thoughts are with Linda, Ben, Toby and the rest of Peter’s family.