Ray Griffiths was head of personnel at Barkers stationery firm and third-in-command after management tycoon DP and his number two. According to sales manager Derek Wilton, Ray as known around the office as "good old Ray". In 1989, Ray had a few run-ins with Derek over his persistent attempts to ingratiate himself with senior management; In March that year, after DP dropped out of a dinner party at The Kabin flat which had been arranged by Derek and Mavis for his benefit, Ray agreed to attend, along with his wife, but he cancelled almost immediately, claiming his wife had a prior engagement.