John Dunsmore has been chief executive of Scottish & Newcastle since November 1. Soon after his appointment was announced, the group received an unsolicited bid approach from Heineken and Carlsberg.

In his first presentation since assuming the role, the former analyst offered an impassioned yet calculated and at times humorous case for the defence. Here are some of his thoughts.

On the length of his tenure: "I'm reaching maturity in my role as CEO after 20 days."

On Carlsberg's attempt to secure control of BBH by bidding for S&N: "Rather than coming through the front door, they're coming through the toilet window."

On the way S&N was run under his predecessor, Tony Froggatt: "There was a lack of clarity."

On S&N's UK market share: "We are in the process of establishing clear blue water between us and the competition."

On dire trading in France: "We haven't done as well as we should and can do better."

On how S&N will use its international scale to make more money out of national markets: "More integration but less centralisation."

On reducing costs: "You can't cost-cut your way to success in developed markets. You have to build value."

On S&N's brewery strategy: "Manufacturing per se is not a USP."

On the future of S&N's Baltic Beverages Holding (BBH) joint venture with Carlsberg: "We cannot and will not return to the previous status quo."

On the possibility of working with rival brewers to see off the bidders: "My enemy's enemy is my friend — there are lots of people out there who don't like Carlsberg and Heineken."

On suggestions that he will use all means to see off a bid: "Independence is not a sacred cow. This is not a job protection process."

On the future shape of S&N: "We can't be where we are today in a couple of years' time."

On the likelihood of his beating Brian Clough's short tenure as manager of Leeds United: "He lasted 42 days. I will celebrate when I get to 43 days."

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