People Like Us (1999)

S1E1 The Managing Director

Roy Mallard heads to Nottingham for an insightful day with Peter Wilson, the Managing Director of Zenotech, a firm struggling to thrive in the competitive arena of Surface Mount Technology, specializing in Thick Film Hybrids for the tech industry. Zenotech exemplifies the high-tech boom that has transformed Nottingham over the past three decades. During his visit, Roy witnesses Peter’s poor leadership firsthand when he awkwardly has to terminate delivery driver Dean Trussler as part of a drastic new strategy to eliminate the transport system entirely. Roy notes, "Being harsh under the guise of kindness is never straightforward, and since Peter isn’t even pretending to be kind, it makes the situation all the more difficult." However, things spiral out of control, and Roy realizes he is less an observer and more entangled in the disarray, as the rest of the team reveals their own shortcomings, including the sales director with an oil rig background.