It has been an interesting week for NESN it would appear culminating yesterday in the suspension of the managing director (Jonathan Trubshaw) “pending a full investigation into some possible misconduct”. Which to some will come as no surprise.
In an email sent out by NESN’s new CEO, Carole Madden, on Monday it was stressed that the meeting scheduled by David Ince (Director of NESN) was actually in breach of NESN’s constitution and was being billed as an “informal” meeting of members. It appears that Ms Madden has taken exception to this (quite rightly IMO) and advised that members forego attending this meeting scheduled to take place in Walshall today.
Reading between the lines it would appear that there is some form of internal power struggle going on within the boardroom of NESN for control and this is having the effect of unsettling the network and, it appears, the board itself to some degree.
It would also appear that many things have gone on that should not have happened that are now only coming to light to some board members who had, it appears, been kept in the dark on certain issues. Outlined in the remark, “I understand NESN has previously held “informal” network member meetings that have proved to be both disruptive and divisive, not to mention expensive.” One would have to assume from that that there has been a history of meetings and/or other events held at member’s expense without proper authority to do so.
Ms Madden was appointed on 9th June 2004 at the behest of the NESN board and it would appear that she is keen to wipe the slate clean for NESN after what appears to have been an abysmal year or so for them in whitegoods repairs. I hope that she will endeavour to restore the faith that many members once had in NESN and correct many of the failings carried out under the previous regime as well as recompense some that have lost out financially. In particular I refer to the clear breaches of contract by NESN and some very unpopular legal shenanigans that I have not yet made public knowledge.
As for the suspension of the MD, I can’t say I’m surprised given his behaviour over the past year and what appeared to be, utter contempt, for the network and clients. It almost appeared as if NESN was only a vehicle to fuel the personal agendas of a select few within NESN and not to benefit the members in the slightest, in fact many of them have suffered under what I would consider to be gross misconduct and utterly immoral treatment that some members have received recently.
So, from here on in I hope it goes well for NESN and they can pick up the pieces, but that will involve rebuilding a trust with its network and mending some burnt bridges as best they can. But just maybe this is the start of a more positive future direction.
Kenneth Watt
This article is personal comment and opinion only by Kenneth Watt and not indicative of any other person or organisation’s views