Claim apology made; claim none received
AUCKLAND: The chief executive who described celebrity chef Nadia Lim as ‘‘Eurasian fluff’’ has apologised, the company’s board says.
However, Ms Lim — the target of his vitriol — said he had not.
A statement from the DGL board released last night said: ‘‘Following disparaging remarks about a female entrepreneur and prominent New Zealand identity, Nadia Lim, by CEO Simon Henry reported in a New Zealand business publication this week, the board has conveyed its deep disappointment to Mr Henry.’’
Mr Henry’s comment this week criticised My Food Bag, which has underperformed since entering the market, for including a photo of Ms Lim in its prospectus, calling her ‘‘Eurasian fluff’’.
‘‘I can tell you, and you can quote me,’’ he said.
‘‘When you’ve got Nadia Lim, when you’ve got a little bit of Eurasian fluff in the middle of your prospectus with a blouse unbuttoned showing some cleavage, and that’s what it takes to sell your scrip, then you know you’re in trouble.’’
The board said his comments were ‘‘completely inappropriate, unacceptable and offensive’’.
‘‘Mr Henry agrees and has expressed genuine regret for his comments. He has apologised to Ms Lim. Understanding also that his comments are contrary to the culture of respect, diversity and inclusion encouraged and expected at DGL Group, Mr Henry has apologised to DGL’s board, staff and, by extension, to other stakeholders for any offence caused,’’ the statement said.
But a spokeswoman for Ms Lim said she had not received an apology of any kind.
The asked a DGL spokesman how Mr Henry had apologised and was told: ‘‘A written apology has been couriered to her and he’s going to email it to her and hopefully speak to her as well.
‘‘We had assumed it had been emailed to her; turns out it had been couriered to her.’’
The board had made it clear to Mr Henry the standards expected of him as chief executive and the comments he made had no place in DGL, or in the wider community, the statement said.
‘‘The board will be taking steps to ensure there is no repeat of this incident.’’ — The New Zea