The board of Stobart Group has hired a barrister, Alice Mayhew, to investigate recent allegations of bullying.

The bullying allegations have emerged from the dispute between disenchanted Stobart Group founder Andrew Tinkler and soon to retire chairman Iain Ferguson.

In a statement on 28th June, former director William Stobart highlighted the issue saying: “To me the worst thing about this whole affair is the bullying and intimidation of employees by the Board in an attempt to win this battle.  Senior directors have been off work with stress because of the demands being made by the Chairman and CEO.  Staff are being asked to go through e-mails and breach company protocols.  Whilst all this is going on the most important part of the business – the customers, are asking what the hell is going on?”

Mayhew, a senior employment barrister at Devereux Chambers, has been asked to carry out an independent investigation into the concerns raised in recent weeks by certain employees regarding alleged bullying and whistleblowing.  A statement from the board said: “Ms Mayhew will be seeking to interview all members of the Executive Leadership Team, among others, as part of her investigation.”

After a heated shareholders AGM, Ferguson announced plans to step down. Russell Reynolds Associates have been appointed to seek a suitable replacement as non-executive Chairman.