Bosses who put on a brave face: Martin Wheatley grimaces through FCA annual meeting

“The AGM is my favourite time of year” – said no one ever, least of all outgoing Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief Martin Wheatley yesterday, who had to sit through the FCA’s annual meeting with a face like a smacked bottom. 

 

Wheatley, who has been booted out of the job by George Osborne, now joins the ranks of other top dogs who have had to front up during difficult times. Sports Direct founder and overlord Mike Ashley ran into trouble with the press at last September’s AGM. 

 

 

The meeting was strictly for shareholders only, so the Mirror’s Simon Bird decided to overcome this obstacle by getting a shareholder’s card himself. Needless to say, Ashley didn’t have fun that morning.

 

 

In 2010, British Airways boss Willie Walsh also flew into a spot of turbulence when the business’ AGM unfortunately fell in the middle of strike action. Walsh was heckled by cabin crews when he pleaded that he was at war, not with staff, but with unions. Darn.