Quickfire: as he takes the helm of Sanctuary Group, Frank Presland talks about the challenges ahead.(Forum)

Congratulations on the new position. This is clearly an exciting role to be taking on, but a

challenging one too. I am excited by the challenge of the job. I want to do the best I can for the business and for the investors and employees.

Of course, it has been a very difficult time for the company, I know that it has been very trying, very painful for a lot of people, who have lost their jobs and so on. But the position is that we have raised more than 100m [pounds sterling], reduced the debt considerably and created a financial framework which is very viable. I have been asked if we are in danger, and it is not true--the company is not in danger.

Of course, you are good friends of Andy Taylor.

I feel for the people within Sanctuary, and I also feel for Andy and his family. He has been so closely identified as the father of the business, without failing to recognise Rod Smallwood's part in it as well. But Rod wasn't in the office every day and bear-hugging them and looking after them all. He is a figure of considerable reassurance and it had been his company. I haven't had a chance to speak to him yet, but I will be doing so. There is no problem between me and Andy.

Now you are in the job, what are your first targets?

My first aim and target is to make myself known to the people who work in the Sanctuary business, to hear what their concerns are. I know the outlines of the company and am getting up to speed with it all very quickly. It is a quite sensibly run company and I am aware that there are lots of good creative people in the company.