Seven West Media board clears CEO Tim Worner of misconduct following probe
Embattled Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner has been cleared of allegations of misconduct following an independent inquiry into allegations of drug use and affairs with stars following revelations that he had an affair with a colleague.
Tim Worner: cleared of allegations of misconduct
An inquiry was ordered by the SWM board at the end of last year after it was revealed it had held four emergency meetings in the space of three days to discuss the sex scandal involving Worner.
The scandal came to light after a former executive assistant in the media company’s magazine division went public on her 18-month-relationship with the married executive. In an explosive email, Amber Harrison made a number of claims about Worner’s conduct during and after their relationship.
According to a statement published to the ASX this morning, the review was conducted by Richard Harris, a litigation and investigations partner at Allens Linklaters and included interviews with current and former executives and employees relevant to the allegations including Harrison.
The review looked into each of the key allegations of misconduct including:
- The payment of a bonus to Harrison
- The circumstance of the investigation into her corporate credit card expenses
- The corporate credit card expenses of Worner
- Other allegations of drug use
- Their personal yet inappropriate relationship which concluded in 2014
- Allegations of other inappropriate staff relationships by Worner
According to the statement published to the ASX: “The board has now received and reviewed Mr Harris’ report and considered all relevant circumstances. The board has concluded that the allegations of misconduct by Mr Worner have not been substantiated as the board is satisfied that:
- the company’s identification of significant credit card misuse by Ms Harrison was not instigated by, or on behalf of, Mr Worner or his office and they had no involvement in the investigation.
- Mr Worner did not influence, nor play any role, in the awarding of the bonus to Ms Harrison other than signing the letters which informed her, and other Executive Assistants, of their bonus.
- company funds were not deployed in furthering the relationship by Mr Worner or with his approval. There were no irregularities in Mr Worner’s corporate credit card use.
- the strong and vehement denials by the four employees falsely accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Mr Worner are accepted without reservation and cast doubt on the veracity of other accusations.
- the allegations of illicit drug use by Mr Worner could not be substantiated.
- Mr Worner did not have any involvement in the way the company dealt with Ms Harrison after the relationship between them became known by the company.
The statement continued: “This has been a tumultuous time for the entire company and with the receipt of the independent review this matter can now be brought to a conclusion.”
According to the statement, Worner has been “disciplined by the Chairman [Kerry Stokes] and the Board and provided an undertaking this behaviour will not be repeated, as well as an apology”.
Worner has been disciplined by Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes
It was the board’s conclusion following the report “there are no grounds to take any further disciplinary action against Mr Worner beyond the action which was taken in 2014 when the Company became aware of the inappropriate relationship”.
The board said it is “confident that Mr Worner will continue to run the company in the interest of all shareholders”.
The independent report results follow on the heels of the resignation of Seven West Media non-executive director Sheila McGregor.
McGregor was one of two women on the board of 10, leaving non-exectuive director Michelle Deaker as the solo woman representative on the Seven West Media board.
A statement issued to the ASX yesterday afternoon said: “The company thanks Ms McGregor for her service to the Board and wishes her well for the future.”
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
Linkedin
cleared of misconduct? ummmmm….
User ID not verified.
The banner ad at top says “7 dominates all day” – assume it’s not referring to Tim Worner is it?
User ID not verified.
Quelle Supris!! Did anyone really expect any other outcome?
User ID not verified.
Wait, didn’t he admit to a whole load of stuff and say himself that it was inappropriate?
User ID not verified.
If he was cleared of misconduct how come he was disciplined by Stokes????
User ID not verified.
yes of course he is cleared.. meanwhile the woman involved is out of a job and maligned..
takes two to tango
User ID not verified.
Just. Yuck.
User ID not verified.
“The woman involved” (Amber Harrison) has only got herself to blame. She made a bad choice. She said it was about sex and power. Yes, sex for him, power for her. She wanted more and wasn’t going to get it. Cue media scandal and pain for a wife and kids. He deserved the pain, they did not. I hope Amber Harrison remains unemployed for a long time, and doesn’t get a good night’s sleep for years.
User ID not verified.
So she put all that stuff on her credit card out of the goodness of her heart?
User ID not verified.
Strahan. And what do you hope happens to Tim Worner? Just curious considering you want to swing ur moral compass around!
User ID not verified.
In the context of he said, she said, the presumption of innocence is a critical factor.
User ID not verified.
Misogyny lives
User ID not verified.
Your email newsletter is headed “Seven releases report”. I believe that is not the case. They’ve made a statement about the report. Quite a different thing, no?
User ID not verified.
Amber was not forced into any situation. She made a concentual decision to be in a relationship with the CEO and when things didn’t turn out how she wanted she squeals to the media. Take some personal responsibility for your poor choices girl.
User ID not verified.
Where’s the report? They won’t release the report. It’s just a statement to the Stock Exchange to keep the ship steady. It would be interesting to know why one of the two women on the board quit at the same time as the damage control statement went out to the ASX.
User ID not verified.
As if anyone in the public believe the outcome of their internal investigation. Absolutely shameful outcome.
Imagine having someone of his nature lead an organisation – he will now have absolutely no credibility with his staff – can you imagine an apology email sent round to staff re his perverse conduct & then try & rally his troops to get ready for 2017 – what a joke.
At least one of the directors had priciples & a touch of class by resigning in light of this decision on this investigation.
User ID not verified.
Kudos to Sheila McGregor for voting with her feet.
The CEO will have lost serious credibility with his team, if not with the Board – no company wants this kind of publicity – especially when ‘traditional’ media is under such pressure and he’s running around like a ‘Carry On’ Film. He’s already got this reputation within the industry – now the whole marketplace knows…I would give him a year – then he’ll be replaced quietly.
User ID not verified.