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Alliance Trust’s eleventh-hour ceasefire

Poisoned chalice

Katherine Garret-Cox admired the gold champagne bottle she had just received, etched with the words ‘Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award’. As CEO of Alliance Trust, the sixth-largest public company in Scotland, Garrett-Cox had had a torrid few months. But the worst now seemed to be over and her recognition as British businesswoman of the year for 2015 seemed a fitting reward for her efforts.

The award, however, carried some baggage. It was seen by some as less a golden magnum and more a poisoned chalice due to the fact that several former winners had subsequently suffered misfortune. The previous holder, Harriett Green, was ousted as CEO of travel operator Thomas Cook just six months ...

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