Rod Drury, the founder of ASX-listed accounting software firm Xero, has handed back the New Zealander of the Year prize he won just weeks ago following allegations of sexual misconduct involving former employees.
Processing Content
Drury denies the allegations made by three women and reported by local news website Stuff.
“While I completely reject the recent allegations about me, I do not want the current situation to undermine the integrity of the awards or place further pressure on a great organization before the relevant investigations and proper processes have been completed,” Drury said in a statement issued Friday evening in Wellington. “The Awards Office should not be put in the position of having to deal with matters that do not involve them while those processes are underway.”
Award organizers said, in a statement, that the award exists to celebrate those contributions that strengthen New Zealand and reflect the values of leadership, service, integrity and respect for others.
“Any matter that undermines or calls into question those values is not consistent with the standards and expectations we hold for the Awards program,” the organizers said, adding that the award would not be re-awarded.
The businessman, who was awarded a knighthood at the end of last year that allows him to use the title “Sir,” stepped down as a director of Xero in 2023. He still owns about a 2% stake in the company, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.`
Credit: Source link
