Axed boss accused of sexual misconduct

THE sacked boss of gold miner Endeavour has been accused of sexual misconduct by former employees.

Sebastien de Montessus, ousted last month over an irregular £4.6m payment, was also hit with harassment claims.

City law firm Linklaters was hired to investigate allegations about the French businessman’s personal conduct with colleagues.

A whistleblower made claims – details have not been disclosed – in October. The accusations were not upheld but other sexual misconduct claims emerged, according to the Financial Times.

Yesterday, de Montessus, 49, said: ‘Linklaters carried out an independent investigation. The details of its report are confidential, but I addressed all specific allegations at the time and I will not engage in a trial by media.’

De Montessus, who was the highest-paid FTSE 100 boss in 2021, was stripped of more than £23m in salary and bonuses when he was fired in January.

He was sacked over the irregular payment, which was discovered during an internal review of acquisitions and sales of parts of the business.

Endeavour, the largest gold producer in West Africa, said it was unclear where the payment was directed and a review to uncover the details is ongoing. The board said last week that this will be completed ‘as quickly as possible’.

De Montessus said he made the payment for security equipment for employees in a conflict zone in 2021. He said he did not inform the board of the transaction due to a ‘lapse in judgment’.

‘The decision has no additional cost to the company and did not benefit me personally in any way,’ he said. Endeavour appointed Ian Cockerill, deputy chairman of the board, as chief executive to replace de Montessus.