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news
Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, on the Champs-Elysees (copyright Simon Wilkinson:SWpix.com)Sir Gary Verity steps down from Welcome to Yorkshire for health reasons after "errors of judgement" with his expenses
Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity has resigned from Welcome to Yorkshire on health grounds with immediate effect. The statement adds: “Although not directly linked to Sir Gary’s resignation, concerns have been raised in relation to his behaviour towards staff and his expenses.”
A spokesperson said: “Welcome to Yorkshire would like to place on record its thanks to Sir Gary for the commitment and energy he has demonstrated during his ten years at Welcome to Yorkshire.
“Sir Gary has led the transformation of Yorkshire’s profile, most notably through the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014 and the subsequent legacy of the Tour de Yorkshire, which have significantly boosted the county’s economy. We wish him well for the future.”
Verity’s resignation comes just five weeks before the highest-profile edition of the Tour de Yorkshire so far with four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome due to take part and with the launch of Team Ineos following the petrochemical firm’s takeover of Team Sky.
It also comes just a few months before Yorkshire hosts the road World Championships for the first time. The BBC reports that Verity had also been in talks with La Vuelta to bring the start of the Spanish Grand Tour to the region.
Welcome to Yorkshire do not go into details about Verity’s health problems, although he did undergo surgery following heart problems in 2013.
Regarding the concerns raised about his expenses and behaviour towards staff, the spokesperson said: “The Board has investigated these and concluded that Sir Gary made errors of judgement regarding his expenses at a very difficult time for him and his family. Sir Gary has agreed to voluntarily reimburse Welcome to Yorkshire for monies owed.”
Verity said: “Over the last ten and a half years I have always tried to set the highest standards of personal performance and leadership. Where this has been achieved, I am grateful and when, on occasions, I have fallen short, I apologise. My health is now my main priority. I ask for time and space to heal.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead such an inspirational organisation and work with such a creative and talented team.
“I know that Welcome to Yorkshire will continue to go from strength to strength and achieve many fantastic things over the coming years.”
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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11 comments
Well there's a shock!
Well there's a shock!
Well there's a shock!
On the web, people seem to pile in with absolute condemnation.
Maybe wait for the facts to emerge, then make a balanced judgment.
Where's the fun in that?
To paraphrase the Sun newspaper, 'Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story'
The problem with the web is that there is never any balance, by the time all the facts are known the goldfish have lost interest and moved on the to the next public crucifixion.
If he's done something wrong then let him be dealt with by the people with the responsibility and power.
For one, I'm pleased that Sir Gary Verity exists and grateful for the hard work he has done to bring cycling and the Tour to Yorkshire and Britain.
A person who never made a mistake never made anything.
So, somehow in your little world, the actions of someone who was given his honour by a previous administration, actions which are likely the cumulative result of his life experiences over the terms of multiple administrations, are the result of the current administration , when his actions and employment have no oversight by the central government?
What sort of toxic little mind do you have?
It's that puerile mindset that has led Britain to the farcical situation we find it in.
Toxic Theresa May's Britain in a fucking nutshell.
- "Sir" whoever, cheating on hs expenses? Ah - "errors of judgement"; "honest mistakes"; "health problems" ...
- Jesus fucking wept, he has "health problems"? What about the hundreds-of-thousands Toxic Tessy has consigned to her dustbin?
Same shit , different subject.
It's like when you're poor and have mental health problems you're mad. If you're rich, you're simply eccentric.
Oddly enough some bloke from my work has supposedly been removed for expenses problems. Because he was quite high up he was offered the chance to just leave with a good reference. If I'd been caught stealing a printer cartridge I'd probably get sacked and reported to the police.
Wouldn't be surprised if TDY start/finish towns have to 'influence' in some way.
I won't comment on the expenses and the behaviour to staff, because I don't know any of the details.
I will say that my heart sinks on hearing this news. I'm so looking forward to the World Champs in September, but I fear this will be the end of Welcome to Yorkshire bringing bike racing to the county.
A knight of the realm making "errors of judgement" when claiming expenses. So fraud then, and if a benifit claiment does it it's called "stealing". Paying it back seems like an admission of fault.
Welcome to the UK justice system.