CHRIS GILMOUR: Ailing Ascendis has work cut out to restore confidence
When I wrote about consumer health and care group Ascendis several months ago, there was a little bit of drama surrounding the article. First, CEO Karsten Wellner called me up to challenge my comments. I had noted that the return on equity was low for a supposedly fast-growing company. I also believed that acquisitions were overpriced, and he assured me that Ascendis was not in fact paying too much for its foreign targets. And second, I berated the Business Day subeditors for a headline about the group "bleeding", when indeed the results were then looking okay. Fast forward to the next reporting period, and with the publication of Ascendis Health interim results to December 2017, the drama continues. First, Wellner is no longer the CEO, vacating this position almost instantly, being replaced by London-based Thomas Thomsen, who previously ran the European businesses of Ascendis. And second, huge apologies to the subs. They seemed to know what was ahead as Ascendis is now indeed a bit...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.