Group human resources director Frank Douglas will be forced to leave his new job at drinks business Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) just months after being appointed – if the planned takeover bid is successful.
Douglas joined the international brewer in September 2007, to take charge of all aspects of HR with seven direct reports. But just two months after arriving, the organisation received an unexpected takeover bid from Carlsberg and Heineken, which will push Douglas and three other senior leaders out of their jobs, if it goes ahead.
Douglas was appointed to help the company progress global markets in Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, and planned to develop relevant talent, leadership and policies to help S&N grow.
But the planned takeover – unwelcomed at present by the company’s chief executive John Dunsmore – will de-centralise core office functions in Edinburgh, if it occurs, causing Douglas to leave in March 2008.
So far the takeover bid has been rejected by S&N at 750p per share, an already improved offer from the original 720p per share.
If Carlsberg and Heineken are successful in buying S&N, they will split the company up. Heineken would take control of S&N’s main business in the UK, while Carlsberg would take over the operations in France and Greece.
Other senior leaders likely to be made redundant as a result of the proposed takeover include the sales, marketing and IT directors.
Douglas has held several senior HR positions including for the international arm of communications business Cable & Wireless, and petroleum company Royal Dutch Shell.
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