Neptune Orient Lines' new president and CEO, Dr Thomas Held, is seemingly starting to leave his mark on the company. Since the beginning of the week, NOL sold stakes worth S$30 mln in two companies. According to an NOL spokesman they did contribute positively to EBIT but the amount was small: only less than 1% of group profits. Companies trying to make a turn around or consolidate focus more on the core areas of their business. That is, do what they do and do best. They often sell off units to "regroup". It seems that, initially, Held is going by the book.

Held was appointed last November at the local container shipping and supply chain company, which has gone through many ups and downs over the past seven years. Held was brought in to turn the company around. He was CEO of German logistics firm Schenker, which has a big office near the Singapore Expo. He worked his way up from Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer. He was involved in the company's finance and accounting, risk management and information technology.

He started his career at Robert Bosch GmbH in Germany in 1986, doing a trainee program and assignments in logistics, planning and controlling finance. He worked his way up to become the Head of Commercial Coordination for its communications technology unit.

His practical experience, and his PhD qualifications in Businesses Studies at the University of Bonn seemingly give Held the necessary experience. He seems eminently qualified.

When NOL reports FY2006 earnings on February 22 we'll want to know about what motivates the man. How much of his decisions rest on business theory learnt at university, and how much on his practical experience? It would also be interesting to find out the subject of his dissertation in his university studies.

Nurwidya Abdul, Curtis Bergh & Mark Laudi