Mads Faurholt-Jorgensen
Mads
I have been mulling for a few days about your email concerning the TV ad asking who ducked up.
Mads, sending out emails like this is bullying behaviour, it's not the way to act as leader in this business. Amusingly, what dawned on me only yesterday was that it was almost certainly you that initiated the $million challenge. So, to answer your question . . . it was you that ducked up! If you were a true leader you would put your hand up and acknowledge "my bad". Instead you go looking for scapegoats. Whilst the performance of the ad is disappointing I for one remain confident it was the right thing to do. I also want to point out that the execution of the ad was excellent - brilliant job David (something you should have publicly stated Mads). It is one of the few (only?) examples of excellent execution in my time in CompareGlobal. The email was also misplaced because it targeted Alister - who is light years ahead of anyone-else in this business - in understanding how it operates and what we need to do to succeed. Let me record now my absolute thanks and high regard for Alister - this business would have collapsed months ago but for you! You have been a true money hero for us. It's a big shame our leader hasn't properly acknowledged this.
Mads, you need to understand that price comparison is not an intellectual exercise. It is about execution and being streetwise. Everyone is running around like busy fools with most of our efforts being completely wasted. Whose fault is this? Well I and the rest of the SMT have to shoulder part of the blame but primarily it is due to your poor leadership.
Mads you have many strengths - in some ways you are brilliant - but you need telling that your man management is poor and that you will never be a leader. I am more convinced than ever that CompareAsia and CompareEurope will fail whilst you remain CEO.
Sadly there is no-one in the SMT who can lead us (maybe Stefan, maybe Antonio) but at present it looks like I have wasted 18 months of my life.
Once again I have complained to Raphael about you acting like a di@@head.
Mads, I know this is brutal, but the business has no future with you leading us.
You can sack me, tuck this under the carpet and just say Stuart was an idiot but that is no solution. You need to put your anger to one side and calmly reflect on this opportunity. I genuinely feel I am doing you and my colleagues a favour. Focus on what you are good at but reflect on this - you will never, ever, be a leader that inspires. We have loads of great people in this business - for them - reflect on this message. Incidentally it's pointless you phoning around and asking your colleagues if they agree - you intimidate people so you won't know if the answer is genuine. Maybe this is something Raphael or Stefan can do.
Once again I don't know if I am sacked (Stefan pl let me once once you've had time to reflect).
Mads, this is a tricky issue for your colleagues within Nova - I hope they can embrace your undoubted skills and that all of you can grow Nova to be a massive success.
Genuinely I like you and have utmost respect - I know all on this email have tremendous respect - but CompareGlobal is going nowhere and the more we fail the worse you will lead. I am happy to discuss this message face to face - I hope we can do this - I hope we can remain friends (really).
To my colleagues that may accuse me of treachery - I didn't join this company to build a business worth a hundred million - and anyhow my duty is to act in the shareholders best interests . . . and this is what I am doing.
Regards