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Shadbolt leavers more than happy

So, it's finally come to this. Dick Shadbolt appears to have been made to walk the plank (or did he turn his back on what he saw as a potentially mutinous crew? - there was never much explanation at the time), and now the Good Ship Shadbolt has been aimlessly drifting around for the last couple of years. Those 'in charge' have tried a few things to get back on course - re-branding, big offices in London, massive investment in PFI, ditching Reigate (it became the Gatwick office overnight - it was still in Reigate!) etc, etc. Rather unsurprisingly, none of those ridiculous schemes seem to have worked. Finally, HMS Projects & Mighty Ambition (as it was re-named) has been 'safely' steered onto the rocks, where it has foundered. A number of those 'clever' partners (one or two of whom appear to have been holding or squabling over the wheel of HMS Projects) have made it to shore unscathed. You can imagine the cries of "Abandon Ship - Woman and projects children first!", as the once proud ship broke up on rocks of selfish ambition. Of course, I say 'safely to shore unscathed', - what I mean is 'over a barrel and soon to be experiencing some of that EC3 'love''. They'll enjoy that! 'What of the remainder of the crew?', I hear you ask. Well, it appears that most have had to fend for themselves. One or two (rather sensibly, as it turned out) wanted nothing to do with the rocks and jumped ship. They'll be fine, for the most part. The ones you really have to feel sorry for are the poor souls who have been made redundant through no fault of their own. One wonders whether their fate will weigh heavily on the minds of those that took charge of the once proud ship that Dick built. Given the recent quotes about how "happy" everyone is supposed to be about it all, I have my doubts. It is a very sad day, in my view - there is very little to be happy or pleased about. One also has to wonder what Shadbolts' clients are going to make of all this. It doesn't seem to have been handled very well at all. As for Dick, he will no doubt have mixed emotions. Immense sadness on the one hand, I'm sure. On the other, the satisfaction of knowing that he warned them this would happen. After all, history will record that he started a truly remarkable construction firm; one which prospered whilst he was in charge. History will also record how quickly things went wrong without him. For my part, all that I can say is that it was a pleasure to sail with him. Shadbolt & Co (RIP)

1-Feb-2010

8:35 am