Page 28 - Stakis Consolidated Teaching Note

1 : THE KEY PLAYERS

Q : Who is Sir Reo Stakis/Sir Lewis Robertson?

A : Sir Reo is a self made man, entrepreneurial by

nature. He built up his empire firstly by identifying market

opportunities in the restaurant trade and later by
diversifying into hotels, casinos, public houses, clubs,

discos and, eventually financial management and property

development. By 1986 he had expanded Stakis to the

point where it was valued at £266 million. However, it has
been said that his diversification programme was achieved

more by accident than by design. Most of his strategic

decisions were opportunistic and involved moving into
areas which were new to him. At the age of 74 he

announced his decision to retire but remained as

Chairman until Sir Lewis Robertson took over that post on

1st March 1991.

A : Sir Lewis Robertson had an outstanding reputation

as a company rescuer. He had played a major role in a

wide range of organisations and in so doing had
demonstrated considerable expertise in business finance.

On news of his appointment as Chairman of Stakis the

share price rose by 3p to 39p. Evidently the stock market
expected his decisiveness and clear thinking, so evident in

his handling of Triplex, Lloyd, Borthwicks and Lilley, to

have a positive influence on the situation. He also brought

with him his reputation, spheres of influence and networks