639 replies to this topic

[hedgerley]

This doesn't look good -

http://www.eveningne...ended_1_1389607

But then again, innocent until proven guilty.

[alan]

Thats a bit of a shock if true. Anyone have any more news?

[andydclements]

If there's any concern they (the owners) have no real alternative but to remove a person from a situation where, if guilty any evidence could be removed or altered, or if innocent of any wrongdoing the person has an"cloud" over them and so would have to continue with a role while at the same time be concerned about the investigation. That is an impossible situation for anybody to be in and be effective in their role.

On that basis, it's not even innocent until proven guilty it's enquiries ongoing.

[hedgerley]

The worry is is the complaint is from the parent holding company following the operational review. Whilst it is normal practice to suspend a senior executive pending the investigation, it doesn't look good.

The official statement does however stress BAU, which is some consolation.

[alan]

Apparently the Finance Director resigned earlier this week for "personal reasons" but is now back at work.

[Bibs]

I wonder if house renovations are the cause of the problem?

EDP page is gone now...

[hedgerley]

EDP page is gone now...

Well that's interesting, but too late. Autoexpress has already picked it up and its now in the Norwich Evening News -

http://www.eveningne...ended_1_1389662

[Exploded]

Sniff Petrol has a message from Dany Bahaha

[NedaSay]

I've rarely heard of a CEO being 'reinstated' after being suspended. So does that mean that the fat lady is singing for Bahar?

[Petrol feet driven]

Or Lotus?

[TBD]

I wonder if house renovations are the cause of the problem?

EDP page is gone now...

a Hoax?

[Exploded]

a Hoax?

No it is still there, have look

Group Lotus boss Dany Bahar was suspended from his post today while an
investigation is carried out into a complaint about his conduct.

A statement from Lotus’ Malaysian parent company DRB Hicom said the move
against the Lotus boss was taken following an operational review.

Staff at Hethel were also told about the development today, but the
company gave no further details surrounding the complaint.

Today’s statement said: “As a result of a number of media inquiries,
Group Lotus plc (“Lotus”) can today confirm that, following an
operational review, chief executive Dany Bahar has been temporarily
suspended from his role to facilitate an investigation into a complaint
about his conduct made by Lotus’ penultimate parent company, DRB-HICOM
Berhad.”

A spokesman for DRB-HICOM Berhad, which bought Lotus’ parent company
Proton in January, said: “The penultimate holding company would like to
stress it is business as usual at Lotus. We fully support the company
and will continue to support Lotus in its business endeavours and
development.”

In Mr Bahar’s absence, representatives of Lotus’ parent companies Dato’
Lukman Ibrahim, Mr Mohd Khalid Yusof and Mr Aslam Farikullah have been
authorised by Group Lotus’ board to handle and conduct the day to day
management and affairs of the Lotus Group. The statement added: “They
will be assisted by Mr Rusman Zaihan. They have been authorised to take
up these duties during the suspension period.”

Lotus’ future has been up in the air following the sale of Proton, amid
rumours that the company could be sold to the Chinese sparking a
campaign locally to keep the company in Norfolk.

[yeller77]

Removal for "misconduct" may be a more economical plan of action for DRB-Hicom than granting him his bonus(s) if Lotus is sold, a potential contract clause that has been alluded to in the past...

[Buddsy]

I think Bibs meant the page about his house! Could be about that, be and easy way to remove someone with no severance package early if there was any truth in using company money for his personal home. What ever its all about I just don't see him coming back. Which I actually think would be a shame.

Buddsy

[Buddsy]

Could it be the registering a company thing? Lotus China what ever it was? Getting ready to sell the company and lining his pockets?

Buddsy

[Exploded]

Probably we will never know what the real reason is for the suspension. But suspending him for some houses, that seems a bit ridiculous isn't it?
I think it will be something much more significant.

[TBD]

Definitively not good news at this time. Hopefully Lotus will issue a press release shortly.

[Mark B]

I recon he's being given the boot.

[Bibs]

He allegedly spent the best part of half a million doing up a rental, that's fairly significant in my opinion!

[Buddsy]

He allegedly spent the best part of half a million doing up a rental, that's fairly significant in my opinion!

That could be seen as an analogy to express his style of running Lotus.

Buddsy