The Team Principal

Two

January 2020

It's a week since the New Year had started and mum had asked everyone to come to the factory for a team meeting, which was very rare, unless it was really important, which is my suspicion is that this meeting must be super important if everyone needs to be there. 

Walking into the factory, I quickly went to my office, put my back down and hang my coat up on the stand that is the corner of my office. On the way out of my office, I bump into George. "Frankie do you know what this meeting is about?" George said. "Not got a clue, Georgie, mum wouldn't tell me anything when I asked her this morning" was my reply to my best friend.

We both made our way to the auditorium and took our seats at the front for some odd reason, I don't even know why. Once everyone was there, my mum came on the stage, holding a microphone, getting ready to start the meeting. 

"Good Morning everyone, I'm sure you are wanting to know why I have called this meeting this morning. The reason for this meeting is that I have had to make a very important decision, which has taken a lot of time to think about and it is probably going to come as a shock to you all and that is, that I've decided to step down as deputy team principal and family representative of Williams Racing". There was a fair few gasps, that spread around the auditorium and I gripped George's hand and he could see the colour in my face drain, so he handed me my water bottle and I took a few sips, as I'm digesting the news. Then mum continued to speak. "The other news is that our current team principal has decided to resign unexpectedly. So, as I was making my decision to step down and after the news of the current team principal leaving the team, I have already decided who gets the job as team principal and as family representative and it's my daughter Francesca Williams. So, Frankie, sweetheart can you come here and introduce youself" mum said as she finished making her speech.

I slowly let go of Georges hand and slowly got up out of my seat and made my way towards the steps that lead up onto the stage. Mum passes me a microphone and I turn to face the team. Before I start speaking, I take a deep breath then I start. 

"For those who don't know me, My name is Francesca Williams but you can call me Frankie. I'm the daughter of Claire Williams and the Granddaughter of the founder of Williams racing Sir Frank Williams. Like my mum, Claire has said I'm the new team principal and family representative of the team and I can't wait to work with you all. My previous role within the team was head of media and it has been since I was 17 years old. I'm pleased to be handing this role to my right-hand media man James because he deserves this role so much and he is going make a great head of media, as I know he can handle the pressure. Now as team principal, I am going to make sure that everyone's voice is heard within the team and I'm going to try and get this team back on top again. So, thank you for your time this morning and enjoy the rest of the day". I said, ending the meeting and everyone left the auditorium and headed back to their respected departments. 

James, George and mum waited for me at the exit of the auditorium and we all headed to my office, to move all my stuff over to Mum's old office, which is my new office. I put all my books, notepads, folders in several large bags and we all carried them to my new officer. After taking everything up, including my computer, we headed back to my old, which now belonged to James. Mum and George left the office and it was just me and James.

"So James, welcome to your new office. I'm am so pleased you are the new head of media because you are smart and you have so many bright ideas, that are going to help the team. Also, you are such a supportive person, who I know is going to help the drivers if they struggle with their media duties, they are going to be in the best hands possible and I will always be here to support you" I said to the new head of media. "Thank you for everything Frankie, you have been the best mentor ever and I've learnt so much from you over the past 2 years since I've been at the team and I want to wish you luck as the new team principal" James responded. "You are more than welcome, now I've got to go, I've got a meeting with our drivers and I will see you later" I replied with James nodding in response. I left my old office and head upstairs to my new one.