Shares were suspended from trading last Thursday after court approval of his scheme to privatise the $250 million company.

It has been a long time coming.

It started with the pre-Christmas plan in 2014 to effectively buy out all other investors.

The previous bid failed to make it on to the racing track after the corporate pup took issue with a few details – like the lack of an independent expert's report for non-associated investors. And the minor issue that Brian Boyd planned to vote on the proposal to deliver complete control to Brian Boyd.

He launched a scaled back version before Easter last year.

Imagine the distraction it has caused for Boyd who has ensured Payce has been a major sponsor of petrol heads like Dick Johnson's V8 supercar team.

His high-octane sponsorships currently include teams like Gary Rogers Motorsport V8 Supercars team, as well as the more sedate Historic Touring Cars Association's Group N championship.

"It's an opportunity for the older generation to re-live some great memories and for the younger generation to appreciate the spectacle of touring cars that closely resemble what was available at the time off the showroom floor," said Boyd in a press release in April this year announcing Payce's sponsorship of the vintage racers.

Just think how much Boyd will be able to enjoy his vintage touring car races now without the hassle of the back seat drivers he was forced to contend with as the head of a publicly listed company.

Slated 

You can't blame Slater and Gordon shareholders for being in the mood to vote against Christmas at Friday's AGM.

Approving bonuses for anyone related to the company was going to be a stretch.

So was the idea of approving an incentive package for the man responsible for the acquisition of UK business, Quindell, which almost led to the law firm's collapse, Andrew Grech.

All in all, it was a pretty stressful day at the office for Grech.

It is a good thing his firm is sensitive to this sort of thing – promoting National Stress Awareness Day at its troubled UK operation just days before the AGM. 

And what is the UK business doing to make amends?

Anyone travelling the Tube in London, as your columnist was last month, can't help but notice advertising for a certain law firm chasing broken marriages instead of ambulances.

"Call us before your ex does,"  says the Slater and Gordon ad. 

Struck down

AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick is not the only financial industry guru who has been laid low by ungrateful investors.

Templeton Global Growth Fund chairman Tony Killen almost faced the embarrassment of a board spill after investors only barely voted against removing all the directors after a second consecutive strike against the listed investment vehicle's remuneration report.

It appears that investors have been losing patience after a decade of underperformance. 

Royal women 

The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation will be hosting one hell of a knees-up for its 150th anniversary this week with a Gala Dinner at Sydney's Westin on Thursday.

Annabel Crabb and Kathy Lette will be entertaining an audience that includes Westpac CEO Brian Hartzer as well as his underling at RAMS Home Loans, Ainslie van Onselen.

Blackmore's boss Christine Holgate will obviously restrain herself from spruiking the company's baby formula, while Qantas marketing supremo Olivia Wirth might possibly have hubby Paul Howes in tow. Not that it matters if he is a no-show. KPMG will still be represented via partner Ian Jedlin.

Former ABC chairman Donald McDonald will also be enjoying the champers along with high-profile lawyer – and board member of AFL team GWS Giants – Rebekah Giles.

She was born at the "Royal" and will act as the ambassador for its forthcoming Fertility and Research Centre.

Got a tip? ckruger@fairfaxmedia.com.au