Churchill...

[Kitiara]

Well, we've been bought... :-\


I promised I would let you know any news as soon as possible. I now have some.

In the last few hours, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) reached agreement with Credit Suisse Group (CS) to acquire Churchill Group.

Our success has made us very attractive to potential purchasers and, over the years, many companies have wanted to buy us. Finally, RBS, CS and ourselves think this is the right deal for everybody.

A deal of this magnitude has to be approved by all sorts of regulatory authorities (for example the Office of Fair Trading and the Financial Services Authority) which could take some time.

The Churchill Group is a fantastic company. We are successful, profitable, award-winning and one of the best companies to work for in the UK. RBS Group are a very strong, ambitious shareholder able to support our continued success and fund further growth. You will, today, receive a leaflet giving you some details about the RBS Group.

You will undoubtedly have some concerns and questions to ask. Anything that is on your mind, please ask us. Email your questions to GB-CH QUESTIONS and we will respond, as usual, quickly and honestly.

While we are working through the next steps, for all of us who work for Churchill Group, and everyone else connected with us, it’s “business as usual”. I rely on you to do what you have always done; delight our customers and work well together.

I’ll keep you informed.

Martin Long

[Soul]

:(

Will you still have your job?

- Soul :s:

[Kitiara]

As far as I can tell. It's absolute bloody choas here at the moment.

I <i>think</i> that we're staying exactly the same, just owned by Royal Bank instead of Credit Suisse.

[andr.in]

things change...

[Kitiara]

I think the CEO gets about 75 million out of this.

We get denials then this. :angry:

Still, we'd already guessed it was on the cards, so we're not really surprised. :sure:

[Soul]

Hows the dog? Mah-honey? :(

- Soul :s:

[Kitiara]

The dog is rolling in the stuff... :sure:

[Cello]

Hi Kit

The company I work for was bought recently by Rolls-Royce, so I had to smile at your 'absolute bloody chaos' comment - I've been there!

From this (and others) experience design is an area that will change - but probably only at a pedantic level. Publishing rules, for example. Years ago I developed a website for Royal Bank Insurance Service and I got a rule book nearly two inches thick which covered such gems as where the logo can be placed on a page, and how much clear space was to be available around it measured in mms on diagonal, horizontal and vertical planes.

Essentially, Churchill has a strong brand in the UK and the RBS won't want to dilute that, so I think the worst thing you'll have to fear is having to put designs through an extra layer of approval - that and the two-inch rule book!

So get Churchill's redesign out there before they get a chance to get involved - your design will be much better than they can do.

How is the redesign going? You said that we'd get a sneak preview - go on girl, give us the URL!!

Cello

[Kitiara]

Yeah - look at www.directline.com. :P

Sneak preview will follow shortly. :)

[asphaltcowboy]

Generic Churchill Employee #44: "oi! churchill! could yaou save me .. job.. plz" :)

(they all have Yorkshire accents y'see :))

[Cello]

Look forward to that Kit :)

Additional info here on purchase: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2980434.stm

:thumb:

Cello

[Kitiara]

Cool... Well, not cool, as it's mentioning job cuts, but we saw that coming too.

I guess we'll just have to see what happens...

[chris9902]

Hey Kit, I am just curious.... Are Churchill now dead, the name and all?

How will this affect me car insurance? Does it change?

[asphaltcowboy]

Originally posted by Kitiara
I <i>think</i> that we're staying exactly the same, just owned by Royal Bank instead of Credit Suisse. :P

[Cello]

You'll be fine Kit - you're too good to lose; and remember your value to the group.

You are the one that is familiar with the image and brand of Churchill and the one that knows how to represent its values to Churchill's target market.

The designers/compilers at RBS aren't and don't.

Everyone is sad to hear of any job losses, but thankfully I believe you will not be directly affected.

Cello

[chris9902]

Originally posted by Kitiara
I <i>think</i>

[asphaltcowboy]

which would suggest that she doesnt know? ;)
and hence renders the question 'silly' :P :beam:

[Kitiara]

They're definitely keeping the Churchill brand, and keeping it separate from the Direct Line brand. So you won't lose the dog. :)

As far as we can work out, it is basically business as usual at least for the time being...

Thanks for the support my friends. :)

[chris9902]

Originally posted by asphaltcowboy
which would suggest that she doesnt know? ;)
and hence renders the question 'silly' :P :beam:

thank you Kit

see asphaltcowboy:trout:

[asphaltcowboy]

lol! that's exactly what she said before! you m0ng :P ;)

[chris9902]

ok ok... i finished reading the first posts

and yes i am a ****.

i have a very short attention span so i don't normally finish thin...... look a dog

http://www.churchill.com/img/hm_dog.gif

......things

[Kitiara]

Argh! That dog is forced into my email sig - burn it!

[asphaltcowboy]

awwww... he's so cute...

"OI! Churchill! Could yaou save me mah-hunny...[gunshot sound comes from kit's general direction]

;)

[chris9902]

awwww... you love the dog really http://www.churchill.com/img/dog.gif

uhh... mah-hunny..... no it's money:thumb:

[Kitiara]

Oi Churchill! Are you going to make us all redundant? :sure:

[asphaltcowboy]

Originally posted by Kitiara
Oi Churchill! Are you going to make us all redundant? :sure: "oooooh no no no no no no no"

;)

[chris9902]

Very cleverhttp://smilies.networkessence.net/s/contrib/blackeye/hihi.gif.... But because you just shot him (according to asphaltcowboy) would you be surprised

[asphaltcowboy]

I was actually getting at Kit shooting me... but.. you're right... she'd never do anything that terrible, would you dear? ;)

[Kitiara]

Considering the mood I'm in now? :P

[asphaltcowboy]

er! I rescued you from a potentially deadly situation! well... kinda ;)

[chris9902]

can we not file some sort of Restraining order

*and someone get the dog some body armour*

[fester8542]

Its all good kit. Perhaps they will offer you some of those nice coprorate benefits.

401Ks (or Euro equivalent) stocks...

it could be a really good thing.

[Kitiara]

Well, we've just had a briefing from one of the Directors, and things are looking alright for the time being. :)

There's talk of losing the Development House over in India and merging some of the IT support areas, but it seems as if eCommerce is safe. :)

I guess we'll just have to see what happens over the next few months really.

[Jubba]

Originally posted by Kitiara
The dog is rolling in the stuff... :sure:

I say we cook it.

[asphaltcowboy]

I thought you only eat babies ;)

[TheOrangeOne]

heh heh :beam: . Instead of saving you pounds, cooking him would help you put a few on! ;)

[asphaltcowboy]

Originally posted by Kitiara
Well, we've just had a briefing from one of the Directors, and things are looking alright for the time being. :)

There's talk of losing the Development House over in India and merging some of the IT support areas, but it seems as if eCommerce is safe. :)

I guess we'll just have to see what happens over the next few months really. they could hardly get rid of the eCommerce section.. aren't you the only one there/qualified? ;)

[Jubba]

I don't only eat babies... they just supliment my diet with extra protein and juicy-meaty-flavor. :P

[asphaltcowboy]

well, you know what they: well balanced diet, well balanced.... um.. something :)

[Jubba]

i think its mind, but I'm sure that it doesn't apply in this case. :crazy:

[Kitiara]

You guys are scaring me. :)

And asphalt - basically yes. :P I'm the only one that knows where the 'on' button is on my PC... :)

[asphaltcowboy]

hehehe, isn't it always the way? ;)
have you had 'words' with your boss btw?


mmmmm... babies.... :P

[TheOrangeOne]

hey! just cos shes a good looking female, that doesn't mean she has to shag her way to the top. She can get their through her skills!


(so anyway, have you had 'words' Kit?)

[fester8542]

Originally posted by Kitiara
You guys are scaring me. :)

And asphalt - basically yes. :P I'm the only one that knows where the 'on' button is on my PC... :)

Ha ha!

Too funny Kit.

Thats the main reason why I am the only one left in my department. We used to have six.

[asphaltcowboy]

Originally posted by TheOrangeOne
hey! just cos shes a good looking female, that doesn't mean she has to shag her way to the top. She can get their through her skills!


(so anyway, have you had 'words' Kit?) eh? when did I say that?! ooooh. no I mean actual words! :)

[TheOrangeOne]

oops, my mistake. of course you mant actual words ;)

[Kitiara]

For once there was no innuendo in the phrase "having words with my boss". :) He does actually mean 'have you spoken to him'. :)

I haven't managed to pin him down much today what with one thing and another. :sure: He's spent most of the day at some briefing with a guy from RBS, then nipped off to an office in London.

Soon as I can get his attention for 5 minutes I will have words. :)

[asphaltcowboy]

cheers m'dears :)

'haven't managed to pin him down much today' - does it ever end? ;) :sigh:

[Kitiara]

For crying out loud... It's just a phrase! :P

I can't win here, whatever I say it's going to sound twisted, isn't it? :sure:

[asphaltcowboy]

yep! I apologise, really I do :angelic face:

[Jubba]

yup

[Kitiara]

<b>*Sigh*</b> Ah well...

I've just checked my diary and it appears that eCommerce and Marketing have a team building day tomorrow afternoon. Heh, bet that's going to be a laugh a minute. :)

[asphaltcowboy]

building day? are we talking lego.. or full-scale builder's bums? ;) ;)

[Jubba]

naked twister?

I think that would build one hell of a team...

[Kitiara]

I'm not even going to dignify that with a response, Jubba. :)

Although from the looks of it, asphalt wasn't too far off with the Lego comment - one of the dozy birds here has just come back from town carrying a load of Lego boxes "for tomorrow". :stunned:

Is it just me, or do the words "team building exercises" conjure up a deep feeling of dread?

[asphaltcowboy]

lol! omg, I 0wn ;)

maybe they'll get you to make life-size lego models of the Churchill dog?
and we still get the builder's bums right? ;)

[Kitiara]

Put that thought far, far from your mind.

I really don't want to think what the Lego is for. Something unbearably cheesy no doubt.

I'm tempted to throw some at the Director while he's giving his presentation. Just for comedy value.

Although it probably wouldn't do my request for a pay rise much good. :sure:

[Jubba]

just bring a Twister box and a big bowl of Jello. I guaruntee you're VP in 3 months or less... :P

[asphaltcowboy]

haha 'How to Succeed in Business'™ by Jubba on sale now! :)

[Jubba]

yeah its only 3 pages long.

and two of them have pictures of me!

[asphaltcowboy]

lool! this is gonna sell like hot cakes! I want shares! :thumb:

[Kitiara]

You remember how I mentioned a while back that you two were scaring me...? :P

[Jubba]

you're just jealous. You want to be in the book? you can demonstrate the naked twister. I'll give you page 4. Send me some pictures and we'll make this happen!! :p

[asphaltcowboy]

that was almost cunning Jubba.. nice try ;)

[Kitiara]

<b>*Grabs gun from Lost.*

*Shoots self*</b>

[asphaltcowboy]

true true.. this isnt doing anything for your rep, eh kit? ;)
PMs from dusk til dawn.. and they all say the same thing :)

[Jubba]

lol

[chris9902]

were did this tread go...... :smirk:

it was about a insurance compnay now it's naked twister with Kit:crazy:

[TheOrangeOne]

well, i dont see anyone complaining :)

[Kitiara]

Except me. :bad:

[TheOrangeOne]

you dont count ;)

[Kitiara]

Bah.

[chris9902]

Originally posted by TheOrangeOne
you dont count ;)


ohhhh... get back in the knife draw

[asphaltcowboy]

resistance is futile kit I'm afraid... doesnt look like you'll ever escape :(

[fester8542]

this got dirty!

:bandit:

Poor kit....

[Kitiara]

<b>*Mutters*</b> No-one ever listens to me...

[TheOrangeOne]

Originally posted by Kitiara
<b>*Mutters*</b> No-one ever listens to me...
soory? what was that? i wasn't listning.......

[Jubba]

she started it... :P

[chris9902]

Originally posted by Kitiara
<b>*Mutters*</b> No-one ever listens to me...


what?..... who said that;)