Page 111 - Stakis Consolidated Teaching Note
P. 111
Succession planning
Right from the birth of Stakis, Reo was in total control and
that is the way he liked it. This however gave him a
problem when he came to an age, when he had to let go
and pass on the leadership. In 1986 he announced that
Professor Roland Smith would become chairman within a
couple of months. This never happened, Smith was given
a consultancy role, as Reo struggled to pass on the
leadership. There were a couple of others that were
rumoured to be in the frame, but again nothing was
finalised. Could this be that no professional could work
under the gazing eye and potential interference of Reo.
Therefore, step forward Andros, with little experience or
preparation.
One of the main problems was that Andros had modelled
himself on his father and therefore would not be able to
offer a different point of view or implement any changes
to his father’s strategies. Weakness.
Robertson and Michels
When Robertson became chairman he needed a chief
executive, but he did not look within Stakis. Robertson
knew Stakis needed change and that would only come
from someone out with the organisation like Michels. In
late 1992 Richard Cole-Hamilton joined the board and it
was already suggested that he was being groomed as the
new chairman. Strength.
