You could be right and this might result from the actions of a...

You could be right and this might result from the actions of a "shadow director" lurking in the background.

As defined by ASIC:
Shadow directors

Under some circumstances, even if you are not formally appointed as a director, you may still be subject to the same duties and liabilities as a director.
For example, if you act as a director or give instructions to the appointed directors on how they should act, you may be considered a ‘shadow director’.
Shadow directors can still be liable for breaches of the laws relating to directors’ duties, even though they were never formally appointed as a director of the company.