Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property Industry Eye. Read the original article for full details.

Skipton Denies Wrongdoing in £7m Bullying Claim by Ex-Connells CEO

Skipton Building Society, owner of Connells Group, has denied any wrongdoing after former Connells chief executive David Livesey launched a £7 million legal claim against the company. Livesey alleges he was forced out of Connells following a campaign of bullying by senior management.

Livesey, who stepped down in 2023 after more than 35 years with Connells, claims in court filings that his position was systematically undermined after Stuart Haire became chief executive of Skipton Building Society. According to the filings, Livesey alleges that Haire sought to diminish his authority and influence within Connells to force his resignation and make way for new leadership.

The legal action includes claims of unfair dismissal and discrimination. These allegations contrast with public statements made at the time of Livesey’s departure, when Connells announced his retirement and thanked him for his contribution to building one of the UK’s largest estate agency businesses, with more than 1,200 branches and 14,000 staff.

A spokesperson for Skipton told Property Industry Eye that the company is defending the claim and is limited in what it can say while the matter is before the Employment Tribunal. The spokesperson stated that Skipton is disappointed the matter has reached this stage but firmly denies the allegations raised in the claim.

The tribunal is continuing to hear evidence in the case.