UK: Key Shareholders step up campaign to oust Tidjane Thiam

This man is under serious pressure (see link).

For those of you not familiar with the goings-on of the UK business scene. Tidjane Thiam is the CEO of Prudential, one of the top 100 listed UK businesses. And also, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. He made an audacious attempt to buy the asian unit of AIG for $35billion. The deal fell through, as they could not renegotiate the price. As a result, the company incurred a fee of $500million - made up of advisory and deal-breaking fees. $500million is a pretty hefty sum, and some shareholders want Mr Thiam's head.

However, other's feel it's a bit harsh due to the following
- Mr Thiam has only been CEO for a few months
- the deal to buy AIG's asian unit was on the table when he joined and he was looking to finish the last CEO's work
- although the deal was audacious, it would have given Prudential a massive income stream and increased presence in the asian market
- the deal would have made Prudential the biggest insurer in the world
- Chairman of Prudential, Harvey McGrath, did not do enough to make Mr Thiam aware of the pitfuls of doing the deal at the price of $35billion

If you've been keeping up with the story I'd like to know what you think.

Mr Thiam is a remarkable indivdual. The first Black CEO of a FTSE 100 company, graduated top of his class at an elite French University. He has risen through the corporate ranks of top european insurance companies, and was headhunted to his current role. However, if you follow his story, there is the impression that some were waiting for this fall from grace. Is the scrutiny on him too much? Can you compare this to another situtation?
I'm interested to hear what people think.

QB