College Council chair steps back after accusations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’

Tesco chair John Allan has stepped back from his role as Imperial College Council Chairman, after The Guardian reported that he was facing claims of ‘inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour’ from four women. None of the claims relate to his time at Imperial.

Allan strenuously denies three of the four allegations against him, but has accepted that in 2019, when he was serving as President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), he told a female employee that her dress “suited her figure”.

In an interview with The Times published this Thursday, Allan said he made the comment after seeing she was “looking a bit down in the mouth”, in an attempt to “cheer her up”.

A spokesperson for Allan said: “Mr Allan was mortified after making the comment in 2019 and he immediately apologised. The person concerned agreed the matter was closed and no further action was taken. Regarding the other claims, they are simply untrue.”

Allan announced his decision to step back at a meeting of College Council on Friday 12th May, following a discussion of the allegations against him. He will not take part in any Imperial activities until the situation is resolved. Deputy Chair John Cullen will step in as required in the meantime.

“John expressed that in the broader interests of the Imperial community, he has chosen to step back”, said Imperial College President, Hugh Brady, in an email to College leaders. “It was noted that none of these allegations relate to his role at Imperial, no complaints had been received by Imperial and that John vigorously denies the allegations.”

“Since these reports surfaced, I have had conversations with John, University Management Board, Heads of Departments and Council and feedback from the Imperial community was reflected in the discussion at Council”.

Over the past week, two of the companies Allan chaired have announced that he will stand down.

Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, and housebuilder Barratt Developments, both said they had not received any complaints against Allan during his time as chair.

However, both firms expressed concerns that the allegations against him risk becoming a distraction to their businesses. Allan has chaired Tesco since 2015 and Barratt Developments since 2014. He will step down from both companies next month.

College Council

Since 2020, Allan has served as chairman of College Council, the governing and executive body of Imperial.

College Council meets five times a year and is responsible for setting the College’s strategic direction, and overseeing its finance, property, investments and general business.

The Council Chair cannot be an employee, student or honorary status-holder at the College, and does not receive any payments for the role, other than reimbursements of expenses.

John Allan

John Allan graduated with a degree in mathematical sciences from the University of Edinburgh in 1970, and has held senior roles at Royal Mail, Deutsche Post, Dixons Carphone (now Currys plc), Samsonite, WorldPay, National Grid and toy retailer Hamleys.

In 2006, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), for services to freight transport, having served for 11 years as CEO of supply chain and logistics company, Exel. Until last week, Allan was chairman of the boards of Tesco and Barratt Developments.

From 2018 to 2020, Allan served as President of the CBI, a lobbying group which has represented some of Britain’s biggest companies.

The CBI is facing separate allegations of sexual misconduct, which have prompted an exodus of its members. The group is currently under investigation by the City of London Police.

This article was updated on 26/05/2023 to include comments made by Allan in an interview with The Times.