There is a lot of BS being spouted here!
No matter who this chap is or how good he is. He should still have gone through a formal process.
His sidekick came in exactly the same way!
Every other new joiner goes through the selection process why not the GF cronys?
HR push out all this psychobabble but turns a blind eye whilst this crap goes on
It very wrong but will be sorted when a new broom comes in!