Morrisons founder hijacks board meeting to declare company strategy 'a load of bull'

Sir Ken Morrison and members of his family attempted to humiliate chief executive Dalton Philips and hinted that he wanted the entire board to resign.

17:18 06 June 2014

Sir Ken Morrison and members of his family have hijacked a company shareholder meeting which had an agenda to discuss the dwindling finances of the supermarket they once controlled.  

 

After he attempted to humiliate chief executive Dalton Philips in his “harshest” feedback so far, he also gave a hint that the wanted the entire board to resign. 

 

Yorkshireman Sir Ken said: "When I left work and started working as a hobby, I chose to raise cattle. I have something like 1,000 bullocks and, having listened to your presentation, Dalton, you've got a lot more bulls**t than me.

 

"The results were described by the chairman and chief executive as 'disappointing'. I personally thought they were disastrous. I warned in 2009 and 2012 that changes being implemented by directors would seriously damage the business and I'm extremely sorry to admit that my comments, whilst unwelcome, were absolutely right and today we have seen the consequences."

 

After the meeting, he said that the company must go “back to basics.” 

 

His nephew, Chris Blundell, joined in the attack saying: "I think we're in a rescue situation here and it needs urgent action. Things need to be done very quickly. We are losing our reputation. A reputation is everything in business and I think you've lost that to a great extent."