Woodland departure spurs SHL reshuffle

The loss of its UK MD after a failed MBO has led Learning Technologies to rejig its training arm

SHL Systemhouse has restructured its training arm following the loss of UK MD Bob Woodland through an abortive management buyout last year.

Margaret McDonald, former director of SHL Learning Technology?s education, outsourcing and consultancy group, has replaced Woodland. Her previous responsibilities will be split between regional general managers Warren Cookson and Keith Dow.

The group has been reorganised from three regions to two, with one of the general managers, Grace Moyles, appointed national sales manager.

The changes coincide with a group focus on the ability to provide full solutions, reviving fears that LT could be folded into the products division.

A source close to Woodland said he had disagreed with the board in Canada over how to proceed with the training business. ?The board was keen to push training in with products and Woodland firmly believed it should be kept separate.

?The intensity of his opposition was such that the board felt he could not continue as he was not committed to the direction they wanted to take,? he said.

Sources close to SHL said Woodland had asked the board to consider an MBO. ?When it was refused, there was no way he could stay on,? said one. ?Jim Gilroy (senior VP of SHL?s training division) tried to lead an MBO in Canada at the same time and met with a similar fate.?

Richard Rosser, UK marketing manager for LT, refused to comment on Woodland?s departure and denied training was to be folded in with systems integration. ?There is a focus on the way divisions work together, but more in terms of advertising to the training customer that we also have integration and support skills and vice versa.

Woodland is believed to have bought an interest in Coventry-based training firm QED.