Tesco chair accused of inappropriate behaviour by four women
One of the UK’s most prominent business leaders, the Tesco chair John Allan, faces claims of inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour from four women, the Guardian can reveal.
Allan allegedly touched the bottom of a senior member of Tesco staff in June 2022, at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM). It is also claimed that he touched the bottom of a member of staff at business lobbying group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), at its annual dinner in May 2019, when he was the organisation’s president.
Sources allege that Allan, 74, made inappropriate remarks on those occasions as well as separate, similar comments to two other female members of CBI staff in November 2019 and in 2021 respectively. Some of the women said they were offended by the alleged actions and considered his behaviour to be sexual harassment.
Allan has denied all but one of the allegations – making a comment about a CBI staffer’s appearance that she found to be offensive in 2019. A spokesperson for Allan said the other claims are “simply untrue”.
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “John Allan’s conduct has never been the subject of a complaint during his tenure as chair of Tesco.” The company urged anyone with concerns or information to contact a confidential phone line.
The allegations about Allan emerged during the Guardian’s investigation into the CBI – the UK’s foremost business lobbying group. Allan was president of the organisation between 2018 and 2020 and then vice-president until October 2021. He has been chair of the UK’s biggest supermarket since 2015.
The CBI has promised to conduct a “root-and-branch” review of its culture. It has not offered a specific response on allegations related to Allan.
The claims raise questions over
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