Courts / Kerry / Report
O'Leary says he was "taken aback" by senior exec's decision to join rival
Summary
In a High Court hearing, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary told the judge that he was surprised when COO Peter Bellew announced his resignation in July 2019 and subsequent move to Easyjet. O'Leary explained that Bellew had cited lack of sleep and stress as reasons for leaving, and that he had been offered a three‑month notice period to allow a transition after Ryanair's summer schedules. Bellew declined the offer, claiming the 12‑month non‑compete clause did not apply because he was not joining a low‑fare carrier or a European airline. O'Leary disputed this, noting the clause was standard for senior managers and that Bellew had been paid a €1.1 million share‑option bonus in June 2019. Bellew denied breaching the contract, arguing the clause was void as he was excluded from the share‑option scheme. The case continues before Mr Justice Senan Allen.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: O'Leary says he was "taken aback" by senior exec's decision to join rival. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- September 2020 Other
- March 2019 Other
- March 2018 Other
- November 2018 Other
- June 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2006 and 2015 Other
- 2019-12-04 Publication
Why: " He accepted that he had stopped Mr Bellew from dealing directly with unions following a meeting with a German union because he had "basically given them everything that they wanted". CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
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