He also worked as a nonexecutive director of Beijing Martin, a local dealer for Aston Martin, the Britain-based automobile company.

WSJ: U.K. Seeks Probe Into China Death

's deputy chief operating officer in 2005, remaining at the company only as a nonexecutive director and a voting stakeholder.

WSJ: Murdoch Son Denies Lobbying Australian Senator

But his 14.7% holding in the Queensland outfit, even if it provides a ready platform for his views on design and marketing as a nonexecutive director, has yet to give him a financial bounce.

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His swift exit, and the appointment of director Alberto Cribiore as interim nonexecutive chairman, is reminiscent of Philip Purcell's departure from Morgan Stanley two years ago.

FORBES: Magazine Article

His swift exit, and the appointment of director Alberto Cribiore as interim nonexecutive chairman, is reminiscent of Philip Purcell's departure from Morgan Stanley (nyse: MS - news - people ) two years ago.

FORBES: O'Neal Steps Aside At Merrill