Ted Baker Plc Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ray Kelvin has resigned from the U.K. apparel chain following misconduct allegations that he enforced a “hugging” culture at the company.
Kelvin, who founded the company in 1988, had taken a voluntary leave of absence from the CEO role in December as the board hired law firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP to investigate allegations that he gave workers unwanted hugs and asked female employees to sit on his knee. He has denied the accusations.
Ted Baker had announced an independent investigation into the matter in response to an online campaign claiming to represent over 200 employees asking to end “forced hugging” and “a culture that leaves harassment unchallenged.”
“In light of the allegations made against him, Ray has decided that it is in the best interests of the company for him to resign so that the business can move forward under new leadership.” – David Bernstein, Executive Chairman, Ted Baker
The British fashion retailer said the investigation would continue until the end of the first quarter or early in the second with the focus turning to Ted Baker’s policies, procedures and handling of complaints.
