During the 1970s, Bland ran the construction and engineering firm Beyer Peacock and printers Sir Joseph Causton & Sons. On 29 June 1972, it was announced that he was to become Deputy Chairman of the Independent Television Authority (later the Independent Broadcasting Authority) for a term from 1 July 1972 to 31 July 1976. Shortly afterwards he moved from Booz Allen Hamilton to First National Finance Corporation (1973–74). Bland retained his involvement in politics and was critical of changes made by Margaret Thatcher to Conservative Central Office staff shortly after her election as Leader in 1975. In 1976, he put his name to a supporting statement issued by the National Campaign for Electoral Reform. He was given a second four-year term at the IBA from 1976 to 1980.