Page 29 - Stakis Consolidated Teaching Note

of contacts, all adding strength to the management
structure. Like Sir Reo he could be autocratic.

Q : Who is Andros Stakis/David Michels?

A : Andros Stakis the son of Sir Reo joined the

company in 1981, after two years in the leisure industry in
the United States and was appointed to the board as

Managing Director of the Property Division in 1982 . In

due course, although after some debate, he was

appointed Group Managing Director - this in March 1988.
However his age and limited experience led some

observers to suggest that he was ill-prepared for such

responsibility. Yet he was enthusiastic and ambitious and
did try to graft onto Stakis some of the business concepts

he had encountered in the United States.. His

entrepreneurial characteristics were not dissimilar to his

father’s.

A : David Michels was appointed as Chief Executive in

December 1991. He had worked in the Hotel/Leisure

industries, most recently in the Hilton Group. Most of his
previous experience had been in sales and marketing. He

was known as a forceful personality with a direct and

plain-speaking approach to business relationships. His
management style was a highly focused one and he was

expected to bring the company back to valuing and

applying basic business principles. He also relished the

challenge presented by Stakis