The Solid Energy case: we have much to learn

The case of state-owned enterprise Solid Energy, the CEO of whom was a doyen of the business community, raises some interesting questions, as practitioners and researchers search for reasons for the "perfect storm" and the recent fall from grace:

• What sequence of events and circumstances led to Solid Energy arriving in its current predicament?
• Why did Solid Energy pursue such an aggressive diversification plan, and risk the viability of its core business in so doing?
  
• Who approved the diversification plan, and what milestones and monitoring regime was put in place to ensure goals were being met?
• Why did the Board not respond more quickly or more decisively in the face of a rapidly changing external factor (slump in coal prices)?

Hopefully, answers to at least some of these questions will become apparent in the coming weeks, as the investigations proceed. We have much to learn from this case—both in terms of what happened, and in terms of how governance, decision-making and management could (should?) be conducted differently in the future.

In the meantime, one thing that has been puzzling me has been the response of the Board. Why did Don Elder, the former CEO, have to endure considerable criticism from the media, the public, former employees and the government (the shareholder and regulator) in recent days? Why was attention not focussed on the Board, and why did they not come forward? Surely the Board, as the shareholder's representative, holds the ultimate accountability to ensure the satisfactory and sustainable performance of the business?

The attendance of John Palmer, former Chair, alongside Don Elder at the Select Committee meeting yesterday provided some comfort. Helpfully, apologies were provided to affected parties amongst the conciliatory and defensive responses. However, many questions over the financial management of the company, and of how strategic decisions were made, remain. Hopefully, the various authorities and interested stakeholders will put their reputations, egos and agendas aside in order to conduct a proper investigation and learn from the findings. Here's hoping.