By Carole Dennett
The man overseeing the potential acquisition of Red Funnel has failed to respond to any of the Island’s senior elected representatives – MPs, Richard Quigley and Joe Robertson, and IW Council leader, Cllr Phil Jordan – after each offered to discuss the future of the ferry company, should it be purchased by Northleaf Capital Partners (NCP). Roderick Gadsby also ignored an approach from Sir Paul Kenny, who has been tasked by the MPs to work with them on ferry-related issues.
Mr Gadsby, who leads Northleaf’s infrastructure investment activities across the UK and Europe, was contacted individually by all four men, each offering to engage constructively on plans for Red Funnel, as the troubled company provides essential lifeline transport for Islanders. None received a reply.
IW Observer Editor, Carole Dennett, wrote directly to Mr Gadsby last week, expressing surprise at his lack of response and inviting him to comment. “It seems extraordinarily ill-judged — to say nothing of bad manners — when you are considering buying a lifeline service that so many Islanders rely on,” she wrote. Mr Gadsby failed to reply by the time we went to press last night (Thursday).
The MPs and council leader are now escalating the matter to the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, pointing out Mr Gadsby’s refusal to engage with them and the urgent need for transparency over Red Funnel’s future.
Concerns had already been raised with Mr Gadsby about Northleaf’s published investment strategy, which prioritises “discounted acquisitions and risk-adjusted returns” – with no reference to community impact or responsibilities.
The MPs and council leader had also asked Mr Gadsby to confirm that, should Northleaf acquire Red Funnel, it would abide by the Islanders’ Charter – a cross-party commitment to protect lifeline services.
“Mr Gadsby’s failure to respond at all says more about Northleaf’s intentions than anything he could have said,” Mr Quigley added.