RMJM bosses in war of words

A war of words has broken out at architect RMJM after an email leaked to the press showed the group’s chief executive criticising the firm’s European boss.

The email, seen by Building’s sister title BD, also revealed RMJM is to merge it’s Middle Eastern and European businesses into a single business called RMJM international.

In the email discussing who would head-up the newly merged business, group chief executive Peter Morrisson said Jonathan French, RMJM’s chief executive of Europe, “doesn’t know the difference between cash and revenue”.

French only joined RMJM in February from rival architect David Chipperfield.

Morrison’s email to commercial director Declan Thompson, discussed who would head-up the merged arm of the firm, to be called RMJM International.

It said: “There is no way that we can give a big job to a guy that doesn’t know the difference between cash and revenue. That’s before we talk about his refusal to travel economy. Also the fact that he is paying himself before others in Europe is bound to get out which will be a disaster in Europe. Consider that alone alongside the sacrifices that you, me/Nick [Haston] etc have taken re salary. Give some thought to how we position him and lets [sic] talk.”

But French told BD the leaked email was “an attempt to discredit” him both “externally and internally”.

He added: “Those who know me understand my motivations. I joined RMJM for laudable reasons, to help return this great brand to where I believed it deserved to be, back to being a respected architectural practice.

“Unfortunately having only recently started the journey to recovery it appears that a new direction is being sought and I appear no longer have a role in RMJM’s future.’’

French said he was “surprised” to learn about the impending merger from the press.

He defended his record saying he had tried to fix the payment of salaries and other benefits at the firm, which have had a history of delays. He added that he had conducted himself in an “honest and open way”.

He said: “I believe that we have made some progress in re-building the trust between the staff and leadership of the business which had been severely fractured over the past few years. I am concerned that this restructure and the way it has been communicated will once again break the trust between staff and management and unsettle the European business at a critical moment in the re-building process.’’

In response to a request for comment from Building, French said: ”I am deeply saddened to find myself at the centre of this bizarre situation.

“At the same time I am extremely encouraged by the many calls and e-mails of support that I have been receiving over the last 24 hours both publicly and in private from colleagues within RMJM and from other members of the architectural profession and the wider construction industry.

“If this ”leak” was an attempt to undermine my credibility and position within RMJM and the architectural profession, it would seem that those responsible have seriously underestimated the intelligence of people within the construction Industry.”

RMJM have been contacted for comment.