Primark boss Paul Marchant resigns with immediate effect over 'inappropriate behaviour'

The boss of has resigned "with immediate effect' over allegations of "inappropriate behaviour towards a woman." Primark’s parent firm, Associated British Foods (ABF), said Paul Marchant has stepped down as chief executive of the high street fashion brand with immediate effect following an investigation.

“He has made an apology to the individual concerned, the ABF board and also to his Primark colleagues and others connected to the business,” the firm added. ABF stressed that it will continue to offer support to the individual who brought the incident to its attention. Mr Marchant had led the fast fashion chain, which runs more than 450 shops, since 2009, when he took over as chief executive from founder Arthur Ryan.

He was previously chief operating officer at rival New Look and had held roles at Debenhams, Topman and River Island.
George Weston, chief executive of ABF, said: “I am immensely disappointed. At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential.

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“Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long-term. Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity. Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual.”

The group's statement added it "seeks to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment where all employees and third parties are treated with dignity and respect". "Primark is committed to doing business the right way at all levels of the company," it said. Primark, which makes up almost half of ABF’s sales, brought in more than £9.4 billion in revenues in the 2024 financial year. Shares in ABF, which also owns grocery brands including Ryvita and Twinings, fell by 4% in early trading on Monday as a result.

ABF’s finance director Eoin Tonge will now act as interim boss of Primark, working with the brand’s senior executives and strategic advisory board, ABF said, and his role will be taken up by Joana Edwards, the group's current financial controller.

According to Mr Marchant's profile on Primark's corporate website he joined in 2009 and previously worked for a number of high-profile fashion giants, it states: "Paul joined Primark as COO in 2009 and within the same year became CEO, taking over the reins from Primark founder, Mr Arthur Ryan. With a career long background in fashion retail, he has previously worked for Debenhams, Topman, River Island and was COO at New Look before joining Primark. Under Paul’s leadership, Primark has become a truly international business. He has spearheaded our European and US expansion, more than doubling our store footprint since joining."