The boss of low-cost retailer Primark has resigned with immediate effect following a complaint made by a woman about his behaviour towards her in a social setting.
Paul Marchant’s departure follows an investigation into the allegation, according to a statement released on Monday by Primark’s parent company Associated British Foods.
“Marchant cooperated with the investigation, acknowledged his error of judgement and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected by ABF,” the statement said.
“He has made an apology to the individual concerned, the ABF Board and also to his Primark colleagues and others connected to the business,” it added.
ABF stressed that it seeks to provide a respectful workplace for all employees, and CEO George Weston noted that he was “immensely disappointed”.
“Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual," Weston said.
Eoin Tonge, currently the finance director of ABF, will replace Marchant on a temporary basis.
Before joining Primark as COO in 2009 and advancing to the role of CEO later that year, Marchant previously worked for brands including Topman, Debenhams, River Island, and New Look.
Primark rapidly expanded under Marchant, more than doubling its store count during his time as CEO.
ABF, which also owns smaller, non-clothing brands including Ovaltine, Ryvita and Twinings, brought in a revenue of £20.1 billion (€24.0bn) last year, compared to the prior year’s £19.8bn (€23.7bn).
Primark accounted for around half of that total.
