Mike Shearwood heads for High Court clash with Clarks

Shearwood alleges breach of contract by Clarks. He has lodged his claim – which is separate from an employment tribunal case last week – against the footwear giant at the High Court.

At the employment hearing, Shearwood lost his case against Clarks.

He had argued that he had been ousted from the retailer because of whistleblowing. However, Clarks said he was guilty of inappropriate behaviour and that was why he lost his job in June 2018 when he was forced to resign.

Shearwood said he was “obviously disappointed that the tribunal verdict for whistleblowing went against me”.

However, he maintained: “I remain convinced that I was dismissed because I blew the whistle about the way the board was misleading the family shareholders… I know I did the right thing in the best interests of the shareholders. I seem to have paid a significant price for doing so.”

He told Retail Week: “I will continue to pursue a claim for breach of contract through the high court with vigour.”

A Clarks spokesman said: “We can confirm that Clarks is currently engaged in a High Court action involving former CEO Mike Shearwood. This is an action additional to Mr Shearwood’s action in the employment tribunal that was widely reported last week and rejected by the tribunal.

“The High Court action is a breach of contract action, which again will look at the circumstances of Mr Shearwood’s departure and whether Clarks was entitled to act as it did.

“As with the tribunal action, Clarks remains of the view its actions were both warranted and lawful and is defending the action on that basis. In this respect, it stands by the comments issued last week in respect of the tribunal claim.”