The former boss of Connells Group has won an age discrimination claim against the estate agency giant’s owner Skipton Building Society.

David Livesey, 67, spent 16 years as Chief Executive of Connells Group and announced his retirement in 2023 at age 64.

But it was revealed in June that he was bringing a reported £7million claim against Connells and Skipton for unfair dismissal and age discrimination.

The Employment Tribunal heard that Skipton sent Livesey a cheque for just 46p for Connells shares that cost him £420,000. In contrast, former group chief executive David Plumtree, now 57, was given £1.6million for a smaller stake.

If concerned people don’t take a stand, good businesses are damaged.”

The tribunal said the “less favourable treatment” over the shares was not justified.

Judge R Wood upheld the claim for unfair dismissal and age discrimination but rejected a claim for bullying.

A hearing on redress is scheduled for October.

Landmark case

Livesey said of the ruling: “This is a landmark case which has exposed the Skipton board’s flawed decision making and its dismissive attitude towards many gifted and capable Connells staff.

“My case is about principle – if concerned people don’t take a stand, good businesses are damaged. I also feel I have a duty to ensure that when loyal and talented staff are mistreated by their employers and discriminated against, those responsible are held to account.

 “Skipton’s splashing out on TV advertising, with its slogan “founded on fairness”, is laughable.

“The tribunal’s finding of age discrimination against a 64-year-old will no doubt raise an eyebrow among Skipton’s 1.2 million savers of a similar average age.

 “I also believe that, for institutions like Skipton, these findings raise serious regulatory concerns about some of the most senior people at Skipton, which should be of significant interest to the Building Society’s regulators.”

Skipton response