Kimbers
04-02-2009, 08:26 AM
Lotus boss to hand over running of firm
MD Mike Kimberley
01 April 2009 15:21
The veteran boss of Group Lotus is to hand over the running of the car-maker to an executive committee for a month while he recovers from back surgery.
Mike Kimberley - who returned for a second stint as Lotus chief executive in 2005 - issued a statement to staff revealing that doctors had ordered him to take four weeks off to recuperate.
Mr Kimberley, 70, underwent surgery for a prolapsed disc in his back in October, but is now suffering “an increasing level of pain and lack of mobility”.
He plans to resume the reins at Lotus on May 1 to lead the firm “through the extremely challenging period in the forthcoming year”.
According to his statement to staff: “Regretfully the operation has not proved to be successful, as I ignored the consultant's instructions and instead of taking six weeks leave, I only managed three days before resuming my working schedule of 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the current extremely difficult economic climate.
“Most frustratingly, however, due to an increasing level of pain and lack of mobility I am now forced to take four weeks' recuperation leave from the business as instructed by my doctors. I will therefore be absent from the company from 1st April to 1st May 2009. This will allow me to return in full health to lead us through the extremely challenging period in the forthcoming year.”
MD Mike Kimberley
01 April 2009 15:21
The veteran boss of Group Lotus is to hand over the running of the car-maker to an executive committee for a month while he recovers from back surgery.
Mike Kimberley - who returned for a second stint as Lotus chief executive in 2005 - issued a statement to staff revealing that doctors had ordered him to take four weeks off to recuperate.
Mr Kimberley, 70, underwent surgery for a prolapsed disc in his back in October, but is now suffering “an increasing level of pain and lack of mobility”.
He plans to resume the reins at Lotus on May 1 to lead the firm “through the extremely challenging period in the forthcoming year”.
According to his statement to staff: “Regretfully the operation has not proved to be successful, as I ignored the consultant's instructions and instead of taking six weeks leave, I only managed three days before resuming my working schedule of 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the current extremely difficult economic climate.
“Most frustratingly, however, due to an increasing level of pain and lack of mobility I am now forced to take four weeks' recuperation leave from the business as instructed by my doctors. I will therefore be absent from the company from 1st April to 1st May 2009. This will allow me to return in full health to lead us through the extremely challenging period in the forthcoming year.”