Sensyne Health has settled an employment tribunal claim with its former CFO.
Lorimer Headley left the listed HealthTech on March 2nd 2020 and subsequently brought a claim of unfair dismissal against the firm.
He alleged that his contract was terminated after whistleblowing against CEO Lord Drayson for lying amid an alleged ‘culture of fear’ reported in the press.
The company’s board has decided, “to avoid further legal costs and distraction for the business and in recognition of Mr Headley’s contribution to Sensyne Health”, to pay Headley £150,000 as compensation for loss of office as well as a contribution of £200,000 towards his legal fees.
It has also agreed to “provide outplacement assistance up to a value of £30,000” alongside payments for a notice period and untaken holiday.
A Watford Employment Tribunal heard that Lord Drayson had blamed the earlier resignation of CTO Steven Hamblin on “issues with finance”.
A representative of Headley claimed that the real reason for Hamblin’s exit was the reported ‘culture of fear’, with allegations of bullying against former government minister Drayson.
Headley verbally accused Drayson of being in “the territory of lies” then later sent a second written whistleblowing claim alleging that Drayson’s comments to the board were misleading and in breach of his legal obligations.
Oxford-based Sensyne Health commissioned an independent law firm to investigate the claims against Drayson. Despite the settlement, it stated today: “They found that the allegations were not supported by the evidence.”
Shareholders in Sensyne, which employs around 100 people, include three NHS foundation trusts.