Taking a back seat
With a track record of successful leadership, Swinton's front man has decided it is time to step down as CEO. However, as Martin Friel finds out, Patrick Smith still intends to do a bit of back-seat driving in his role as chairman
Patrick Smith is a man with many feathers in his cap. Ever heard of Norwich Union (NU) Direct? He started that. NU Healthcare? That was his as well. He was also chairman of Hill House Hammond before it became bogged down in the corporate quagmire at NU. But perhaps most of all, Mr Smith is known for the work he has done at Swinton. He completed an MMA-backed buyout of the ailing high-street firm in 2001 and since then has watched it grow year on year for the past eight years. The company has
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