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‘Apprentice’ Dezrez sales chief takes company to industrial tribunal

Following a reserved judgement Kristina Grimes has won two of her claims against company, but Dezrez has won counterclaims for expenses, money owed and car damage.

Nigel Lewis

kristina grimes dezrez

Leading property software firm Dezrez has parted company with its celebrity sales director, The Negotiator can reveal, following a stand-off that ended up at an Employment Tribunal.

Kristina Grimes joined the tech platform in 2015. She appeared in the 2007 series of the hit BBC series The Apprentice as its runner-up.

After the TV show Grimes joined Isle of Man-based property company Dandara and later founded The KGJC Partnership with former Apprentice contestant Jenny Celerier.

She then joined Dezrez, saying at the time that she was “fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on top quality service”.

But by 2018 the relationship between Grimes and Dezrez had deteriorated after the company moved her management responsibilities to a colleague following internal discussions about performance, the tribunal heard.

She subsequently went on statutory sick pay in March of that year after which the firm put her through a disciplinary process over alleged misuse of a company credit card, disputed mileage expenses and telephone bills and damage to her company car.

Dismissal

In April she resigned, claiming a “breach of trust and confidence between employer and employee so you have given me no option but to resign I feel due to constructive dismissal”.

The claims and counter-claims from both sides were then heard at a tribunal hearing in Leeds, which centred largely on how her role had been altered and how this and her sick leave was managed by the company.

Following detailed evidence given by both sides, the tribunal has issued a reserved judgement. This says that Grimes was constructively dismissed and agreed that the firm had breached her contract. Other claims were dismissed. The court agreed with Dezrez on the points relating to expenses, money owed the damage to the car. A final judgement including costs and any award is due once legal proceedings have concluded.

The Negotiator contacted Dezrez, but a spokesperson said they could not comment at the moment.

Read more about Dezrez.

March 1, 2021

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