Should RMJM give Fred a job?

The news that architect RMJM’s decision to hire Sir Fred Goodwin, the disgraced former RBS chief executive, has split opnion this week, with MPs and RBS shareholders expressing their anger while some business commentators have suggested it could be a shrewd move.

The story broke in the Times on Saturday that Goodwin, once dubbed “the world’s worst banker”, would be employed by RMJM for an undisclosed sum to advise on international expansion plans.

By yesterday MPs were calling on public sector clients to boycott the Scottish architecture practice in protest at the appointment.

As reported in the Edinburgh Evening News, Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, said: "I would have thought the last person the public sector would want to do business with is Fred Goodwin.

People in the public sector should think long and hard before awarding further contracts to this company

Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk

"People in the public sector should think long and hard before awarding further contracts to this company if its judgement is so bad that it is taking on one of the most despised people in the country."

And in the Scotsman Sandra White, the nationalist MSP for Glasgow, was quoted saying: "People should think twice and look to their consciences before awarding public contracts to companies that don't appear to look to theirs when employing people who don't appear to have certain ethics."

In Scotland on Sunday, Roger Lawson of the RBS Shareholder Action Group questioned Peter Morrison's, chief executive of RMJM Europe, judgement in hiring Goodwin.

Lawson said: "It's ironic that he's managed to get a job when others are being let go - and in a recession which banks are responsible for. One must question whether the folks who are hiring him are prudent - given that his reputation will precede him everywhere he goes."

One must question whether the folks who are hiring him are prudent

Roger Lawson, RBS shareholder action group

The comments sent in to Building’s website from its readers range from “a public relations own goal” and “not a good publicity stunt for his new employer” to “I think it's a very smart move hiring him, this class of company would never have gotten someone like him otherwise.”

Commentators in the nationals have come to the defense RMJM and Goodwin. In particular Heather McGregor in the Observer pointed out Goodwin’s plus points, saying: “Objectively, I would say that for him it is a bit of a coup to have someone with Fred's experience in his toolkit.

"Fred has probably accumulated more air miles than almost any other businessman of his age. He has an "Alpha grasp" of finance and a keen eye for detail.”