Big client airs ‘serious concern’ over Henry’s comments
The company whose chief executive called New Zealand chef and My Food Bag co-founder Nadia Lim a “bit of Eurasian fluff” is being pushed for answers by a seriously concerned major customer.
International water treatment and chemical distribution company Ixom said it was “communicating its serious concern” about the conduct of DGL Group chief executive Simon Henry to the DGL board.
It was aware of the comments made about Lim and shared the view of the DGL board that they were inappropriate, unacceptable and offensive, Ixom said in a statement in response to questions by the Herald.
“Ixom is communicating its serious concern about Mr Henry’s conduct to the DGL board and is seeking further information from the board about DGL and Mr Henry’s response.”
Meanwhile, the Australian PR company enlisted to speak on behalf of the NZX- and ASX-listed chemicals company board declined to answer more questions on Henry’s conduct.
“All I can say in response to your questions is that the board reiterates that Mr Henry’s comments about Nadia Lim were offensive and unacceptable,” Sefiani Communications director Nick Owens said.
“We note that Mr Henry has issued a written apology to Ms Lim (which has been sent to her by courier) and hopes to speak with her in person, at her convenience.”
Lim said yesterday she had yet to receive an apology — in any form.
The PR firm, which in response to Herald questions said it was working with the board, not Henry, said “Mr Henry called Ms Lim’s mobile several times earlier Friday afternoon to apologise in person. After he was unable to get through, he couriered a written apology to her.”
Henry has not responded to requests for comment.
DGL’s share price on the NZX was down 14.8 per cent or 57c at $3.28 yesterday evening.
The PR company did not respond to Herald questions about how the board reconciled Henry’s comments with DGL Group’s listing prospectus on its policies on diversity, code of conduct for directors and senior managers or shareholder communications.
Henry, who owns 57 per cent of DGL Group which listed last year, ignited a firestorm when comparing the success of My Food Bag and DGL’s listings last year in an interview with business publication NBR.
Concluding an “ugly board” had had a more successful result, he reportedly said: “I can tell you, and you can quote me, 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 photo of Lim, who co-founded My Food Bag but was not on its board at listing last year, showed no cleavage and her camisole top had no buttons in the photo at a barbecue representing her ambassador’s role.