By continuing to use this website, you consent to columbia universitys usage of cookies and similar technologies, in accordance with the columbia university website cookie notice. Jul 04, 20 michael woodford grew up in liverpool and joined olympus as a medical equipment salesman, rising through the ranks to run its uk, mea and european businesses. Michael woodford could have spent years turning a blind eye to the shady dealings of corporate executives at olympus. How i went from ceo to whistleblower ebook written by michael woodford.
In an interview with amateur photographer magazine, woodford describes the strain on his personal life, and the process of writing a book about the experience with lawyers poring over every. Woodford learned about a series of bizarre mergers and acquisitions deals. Former olympus ceo, michael woodford, speaks on experience. Nov 01, 2012 michael woodford s inside story on his whistleblowing antics at olympus is a sensational read. Former olympus ceo, michael woodford, speaks on experience at. Michael woodford, the liverpoolborn president and ceo of japanese optical and camera company olympus, worked his way up the company ladder over the course of 30 years before he became the first gaijin foreigner to hold the companys top position in japan.
Months after becoming olympus s first nonjapanese president and then ceo in 2011, british executive michael woodford called for an investigation into allegations that the tech company had covered. At times i forgot this was one mans account of actual events, the story flows like a fictional thriller. Former olympus chief executive tells of risks he ran in exposing fraud scandal at the digital camera company. For choosing truth over self in exposing the olympus accounting scandal, michael woodford has been selected to receive the association of certified fraud examiners acfe cliff robertson sentinel award for 2012. Michael woodford olympus whistleblower united kingdom.
The main problem of this book was that it should not include mr. Time, in naming him a 2011 person who mattered michael woodford is a man who did not stand by and do nothing. Exolympus boss michael woodford wins pension lawsuit. Olympus corporate executives were hiding huge investment losses through complex takeover deals and secret offbalancesheet. A brilliantly gripping book with a great hero at its heart. Woodford, a 30year veteran of olympus corporation, was the first westerner to be named ceo of the japanbased maker of cameras and medical equipment. Written by michael woodford the book describes what he did to reveal the accounting scandal as head of olympus. When michael woodford was made president and ceo of olympus, he became the first westerner ever to climb the ranks of one of japans corporate icons. Exposure by michael woodford penguin books australia. The olympus scandal refers to a long period of accounting fraud directed by olympus executives and exposed by its brief ceo michael woodford in fall 2011. Edwards deming was a distinguished speaker at fuqua. Hed risen through the ranks of giant japanese firm olympus to become ceo.
Michael woodford had been fighting a legal case brought by keymed, a uk subsidiary of olympus, after the company alleged that mr woodford and an. This website uses cookies as well as similar tools and technologies to understand visitors experiences. Students packed into geneen auditorium to see the tall and frail 90yearold man, who was credited for engineering the japanese economic miracle with his theories on. Time, in naming him a 2011 person who mattered michael woodford is. Michael woodford, the liverpoolborn president and ceo of japanese optical and camera company olympus, worked his way up the company ladder over the course of 30 years before he became the first gaijin foreigner to hold the companys top position in japan within weeks of assuming the job, woodford learned through a report in the japanese. Michael woodford grew up in liverpool and joined olympus as a medical equipment salesman, rising through the ranks to run its uk, mea and european businesses. Business as usual, but not for olympus whistleblower. Michael woodfords book about the olympus scandal what began with a vague email resulted in woodford uncovering a scandal involving top executives of. The whistleblower in this case was recently appointed chief executive officer ceo michael woodford. Dec 02, 2012 the 2011 financial scandal at the olympus corporation, the big japanese maker of optical equipment, was a headshaking spectacle. The first western salaryman to become the leader of a.
If youre looking for something to read on holiday this summer, its now available in paperback. The author pulls no punches regarding the doubts he went through in terms of the effects on his family and on the tens of thousands of ordinary employees of the company. Book or request details on business risk speaker michael to address your conference from the promotivate speakers agency. Nov 23, 2012 michael woodford got wind of the allegations of fraud worth over. He rose swiftly through the ranks to head the firms uk and european operations before being appointed president and chief operating officer in april 2011. Its also about the resistance of all his board colleagues and the japanese institutional investors. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Michael woodfords inside story on his whistleblowing antics at olympus is a sensational read. It nearly killed me exolympus ceo woodford looks back. To book michael woodford mbe please contact your jla agent. As european director in 2008, woodford had noticed the strange goingson at the company such as the gyrus acquisition, which should have been within his scope but was instead handled from tokyo. It nearly killed me exolympus ceo woodford looks back on. Michael woodford grew up in liverpool and joined olympus in 1981 as a medical equipment salesman. In april 2011 he was appointed president and coo of the olympus corporationthe first western salaryman to rise through the ranks to the top of a japanese giant.
Michael woodfords showdown in exposure business insider. When michael woodford was made president of olympus, he became the first. Feb 03, 2014 michael woodford grew up in liverpool and joined olympus corporation as a medical equipment salesman. In april 2011 he was appointed president and coo of the olympus corporation the first western salaryman to rise through the ranks to the top of a japanese giant. From president to whistleblower at olympus by michael woodford isbn. Unfortunately, soon after, his dream job turned into a nightmare. It was rare enough that a tokyobased company had elevated michael. Exposure by michael woodford overdrive rakuten overdrive. Drawn from his experience of the olympus scandal and over 30 years of running companies, michael is an accomplished and captivating speaker for keynote, motivational, and afterdinner events.
Whistleblower michael woodford settles with olympus. It nearly killed me says olympus ceoturnedwhistleblower michael woodford of writing about his dramatic exit from the japanese company following his 2011 exposure of massive corporate mismanagement. Michael woodford grew up in liverpool and joined olympus corporation as a medical equipment salesman. Michael woodford mbe add to favourites former global ceo, olympus. Michael woodford president and chief executive officer the board of directors met last friday, 30 september to appoint michael woodford to serve as chief executive officer of olympus corporation, in addition to his existing responsibilities as president and chief operating officer, with effect from 1 october 2011. Book speaker michael woodford ex olympus ceo and high profile corporate whistleblower. How i went from ceo to whistleblower reprint by woodford, michael isbn. Britishborn michael woodford was an olympus veteran of 30 years, and previously executive managing director of olympus medical systems europa. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read exposure. Joining olympus in 1981 and rising to manage its european operations. Dec 21, 2012 michael woodford, english born, started as a salesman at the iconic japanese optical equipment maker olympus, and worked his way up the company ranks through perseverance and good business to last.
Michael woodford microsite celebrity speakers michael. The 2011 financial scandal at the olympus corporation, the big japanese maker of optical equipment, was a headshaking spectacle. Acfe honors michael woodford for exposing olympus accounting. Exposure, the story of a british whistleblower in japan. Months after becoming olympuss first nonjapanese president and then ceo in 2011, british executive michael woodford called for an investigation into allegations that the tech company had covered. Yet his every attempt at investigation was blocked.
Olympus corporate executives were hiding huge investment losses through complex takeover deals and secret offbalancesheet vehicles. Hed risen through the ranks of giant japanese firm olympus. But just weeks into the job in tokyo he came across allegations of enormous fraud. Michael woodford, a 30 year veteran of olympus, found himself in the middle of treachery and intrigue shortly after being appointed president in april 2011. Michael woodford, the former olympus president turned whistleblower, has attacked the decision of the competition commission not to seek automatic rotation of. Mar 11, 2019 michael woodford had been fighting a legal case brought by keymed, a uk subsidiary of olympus, after the company alleged that mr woodford and an excolleague paul hillman had breached their duties. The olympus scandal was precipitated on 14 october 2011 when britishborn michael woodford was suddenly ousted as chief executive of international optical equipment manufacturer olympus corporation. Professionalismmichael woodford and olympus wikibooks.
The bestselling business book of 2012, now in paperback. In an interview with amateur photographer magazine, woodford describes the strain on his personal life, and the process of writing a book about the experience with lawyers poring over every word. Michael woodford has 58 books on goodreads with 2606 ratings. From president to whistleblower at olympus amazon uk. Michael woodfords inside story on his whistleblowing antics at olympus is a. The announcement that woodford would become the next president of olympus was headline news. Auditors must rotate, urges olympus whistleblower michael. Book speaker michael woodford exolympus ceo and high profile corporate whistleblower. In november 2012 woodford published a book about the olympus scandal, and a film was also underway.
Book michael woodford olympus ceo whistleblower by promotivate. Ive just finished michael woodfords book about the olympus scandal. When michael woodford was made president of olympus the company to which he had dedicated thirty years of his career he became the first westerner ever to climb the ranks of one of japans corporate giants. Michael woodford grew up in liverpool and joined olympus as a salesman, rising through the ranks to run its uk, european and global operations. Michael woodford, english born, started as a salesman at the iconic japanese optical equipment maker olympus, and worked his way up the company ranks through perseverance and good business to last. Nov 28, 2012 it nearly killed me says olympus ceoturnedwhistleblower michael woodford of writing about his dramatic exit from the japanese company following his 2011 exposure of massive corporate mismanagement. Gain an insight from those who have heard michael speak. For other people named michael woodford, see michael woodford disambiguation. From president to whistleblower at olympus paperback.
Book michael woodford olympus ceo whistleblower by. He had been company president for six months, and two weeks prior had been promoted to chief executive officer, when he exposed one of the biggest and longestrunning losshiding. Michael woodford is british and lives also during times being ceo of olympus on the weekends with his family in london. When michael woodford was made president of olympus, he became the first westerner ever to climb to the top of one of japans corporate.