Rapid Response
Counting the Cost trailer transcript
During a business TV news programme interview:
INTERVIEWER: …whether you could shed any more light on the surprise announcements that Merriston’s Chief Financial Officer, David Silvers, was leaving the company immediately for health reasons?
ALEC [Chairman, Merriston]: We are confident that we’ve found a very able replacement in Andrew Sargent.
Private conversation, during an office drinks party, on an outdoor balcony between Brian Anderson [CEO, Merriston] and Andrew Sargent [CFO, Merriston]:
BRIAN: That's why I fought so hard for you to get this job, the big new salary and the chance to make a name for yourself.
Andrew talking during a meeting and looking uncomfortable:
ANDREW: And then I got that phone call from Brian and I was surprised, of course, even though he’d been very loyal to me at Bowerfield.
Audit Committee meeting at Merriston:
SARAH [Audit Committee member]: Armies of independent consultants had been drafted in to help find a solution?
Derek Williams [Audit Committee Chair] in a meeting with Debra Stevens [General Counsel, Merriston]. Andrew looks worried:
DEREK: Expected losses on this project were always going to be significantly more than the 7.5 million provision. That’s all it says? Nothing more?
Looking shocked:
ALEC: We couldn’t have known this.
During an Audit Committee meeting at Merriston:
DEBRA: The agents engaged by our local management has been questioned on whether bribes were made to government officials.
On the phone to Debra Stevens and Derek Williams:
ALEC: I’ll have to have a word with Brian. He might see the sudden arrival of external investigators as a sign he's lost the support of the board.
Andrew and Brian, later on during their private discussion on the balcony:
ANDREW: I don’t think I can go along with this Brian
During an Audit Committee meeting at Merriston, Derek concludes:
DEREK: Well I think we should get the auditors in now.