Brit-Speak: Vernon Dursley is a /Director/.

[davewitley]

PGR wrote:

>  I imagined Vernon to be 
> the founder (or early partner of founder) of a small – medium firm.

I doubt the sole founder, as that would presumably be Mr (or just 
possibly Ms) Grunning.

> It is also possible that the title could be a high or middle 
ranking 
> manager (directing as defined in a dictionary – to manage or 
> control) as opposed to a company officer with legal duties 
(director 
> defined in company law)

I have occasionally come across this use of 'Director'.  I don't, 
however, recall Dursley ever being referred to as *a* director; I 
think it's usually just 'director', without any article.

 but this would be (to my experience) an 
> unusual title in the business world but I have seen it used in the 
> public sector.  For example in the Office for National Statistics 
> there are (was?) divisional directors. 

The use of the title 'Director' is indeed common in the civil 
service, though the grade varies with department.  For those of you 
interested in the minutiae (and come on, admit it, which of you 
isn't?) Director is a Grade 5 (equivalent 1* or Brigadeer) in the 
Ministry of Defence and a Grade 3 (more senior) in the Home Office.  
I don't think this usage is relevant to Vernon Dursley's title.

David