Bullying alleged at Science City York

8:44am Friday 18th July 2008

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ALLEGATIONS of bullying, invasion of privacy and discrimination at Science City York are being investigated.

The inquiry stems from allegations made by two female employees against Andy Gurnell, delivery services manager, for bullying, harassment and invasion of privacy.

One of the complainants is said also to have separately alleged “discrimination” by Science City York’s temporary executive chairman Richard Gregory, the chairman of Yorkshire Bank.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that an internal investigation is currently ongoing. No further information is available at this stage.”

Also staying tight-lipped is Imogen Foster, communications manager for Science City York. She said: “We cannot comment. It is a City of York Council matter.” But she did indicate that neither of two men against whom allegations were being made wanted to comment.

Dr Chris Henshall, pro vice-chancellor for external communications at the university, agreed that because the staff at Science City York were still employed by the city council, it was for the council to comment.

But he said that he knew that Mr Richard, who in 2004 was awarded an OBE for services to Yorkshire, as well as being chairman of Yorkshire Science, the region’s science council, would be taking the allegations very seriously.

“He is someone with an exemplary business record and a very high reputation for managing businesses in a positive way.”

Science City York is a partnership between the city council and the University of York to encourage science and technology based ventures to set up businesses.

The investigation is yet another difficulty encountered as Science City York finds new direction as a joint venture company between the council and the university.

Plans came to a full stop when its chief executive Dr Richard Hutchings suddenly quit his job after only five weeks. He was replaced by Mr Gregory on an annual salary of £52,000.

Mr Gregory has overseen a board of directors, plus a team of ten people and is also co-ordinating the efforts of a newly-formed advisory board of experts.

Science City York will celebrate ten years of making science, technology and innovation a pillar of economic growth in the region, helping to create 87 new technology businesses and almost 3,000 jobs.

Dr Henshall said: “It is a time of rapid change and that often does produce tension and it is important that these are worked through in the proper way.”