I've never been one to keep stum if I could see a way to promote change without inciting greater problems, but this was very difficult politically. I was on loan though a complicated cross-contracting arrangement.

I had sufficient good standing with the client for them to request me, and enough with my employers for them to send me, on the basis of previous successful firefighting, but none whatsoever with the people I was working with. I was with them, the household name, at the customers site on the second day of my secondment to them.

So, a long standing good relationship between my employer and the client, and a budding new collaboration between the household name and my employer. So, who do you turn to?

As I said, cirumstances changed and I was never required to make the decision. I think I know what I would have done, but I am glad that I didn't have to do it.