Board-Level Investigation for a Professional Services Firm
A privately owned professional services consultancy with 25 employees.
The Challenge
The client approached Rinew Legal to investigate serious allegations concerning a statutory director who was also a shareholder and employee. These allegations raised concerns about the accuracy of information presented to the board, potential breaches of fiduciary duties, and whether trust and confidence at board level had broken down.
With a three-person board, the remaining directors were also key witnesses, meaning the firm had no way to run the process internally without a clear conflict of interest. This situation created a high level of uncertainty and risk for the client.
The leadership team needed a fair, thorough, and defensible process; one that would manage the personal, cultural, and commercial impact while preserving confidence in the board.
Our Role
We took full ownership of the process from the outset, guiding the client through a complex and sensitive situation.
This included:
- Advising on and implementing the suspension
- Designing and conducting the independent investigation
- Managing the disciplinary process through to conclusion
At every stage, we approached the matter on the assumption it could lead to litigation, ensuring the process was robust and defensible. This allowed the directors to focus on running the business while we handled the process, providing clarity, structure, and confidence.
The leadership team relied on us to explain what could and could not be done, bring calm to a highly emotional situation, and keep the matter controlled and structured.
The Outcome
The process concluded with a mutually agreed resolution that worked for all parties.
For the business, this achieved:
- A fair and defensible outcome
- Stabilisation of the board and restored confidence in leadership decision-making
- Protection against future challenge
What had started as a confusing and conflicting situation became a controlled, commercially sound resolution.
“Rinew Legal handled a very sensitive situation for our board with professionalism and clarity. Having an independent expert lead the process gave us confidence that the investigation was fair, thorough and properly managed.”
Director, Professional Services Consultancy
Ongoing Relationship
Following the investigation, the client became a continuing partner. We now provide ongoing support that includes annual leadership and management training, a full suite of contracts and policies, and trusted HR and legal guidance as the business continues to grow.
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