Lord Rami Ranger and his company Sun Mark Ltd has won a 6-year legal battle after the president of the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Dame Jennifer Eady, dismissed a case brought against him by a former employee, Ramandeep Kaur.
Kaur had claimed £673,000 from Sun Mark Ltd and Sea, Air and Land Forwarding Ltd and took her case to the country’s most senior employment judge.
After a hearing this month, Justice Eady ruled in favour of the two companies and its founder, Lord Ranger and chief executive Harmeet Singh Ahuja, upholding a previous ruling that Kaur’s conduct was “scandalous, unreasonable and vexatious”.
Justice Eady upheld a 2023 ruling by Judge Hyams that Kaur had deliberately frustrated the course of justice by destroying critical evidence to the case, including a phone used to record a conversation covertly with Lord Ranger in October 2018 after provoking him and a notebook in which she alleged to have kept details of some of the incidents.
Sun Mark commented that the credibility of the claimant was in doubt from the outset after the judge concluded in his findings of the liability hearing in 2020 that Kaur had a tendency to exaggerate matters and put a far more sinister interpretation on what happened.
Kaur repeatedly refused to allow the phone and notebook to be examined by Sun Mark’s legal representatives to establish that she provoked Lord Ranger to say what he said before finally admitting in October 2022 that she had destroyed the evidence on which aspects of the case hinged.
In her judgment, delivered on March 21, 2024, Justice Eady said Judge Hyams had established that Kaur had been dishonest in her conduct, lying about the evidence that had been destroyed and when it had been destroyed. He had rightly concluded that she had deliberately ensured the evidence could no longer be examined to avoid the credibility of her case being tested further.
On that basis, she concluded it was right to strike out the case. She agreed that a fair trial was impossible because Kaur destroyed the evidence, which meant the relevant evidence could not be investigated.
“Her actions (whether in destroying evidence or in lying about having done so) meant that relevant evidence could no longer be investigated, either to test whether it did support her case or to examine it to see whether it might weaken that case. The decision reached reflected the permissible findings of fact made and an entirely proper assessment as to whether there could still be a fair determination of the remaining aspects of the claim,” the judgment stated.
Commenting, Lord Ranger, chairman of Sun Mark Ltd, said: “We are delighted that the most senior employment tribunal judge in the land has ruled in our favour and that Ms Kaur’s appeal against the strike out of her case has been dismissed. We have always argued that the employment tribunal system should deter anyone who believes they can abuse our legal system by behaving dishonestly or bringing false claims.”
Lord Ranger said the six-year legal battle has considerably affected his health, reputation, and Sun Mark’s businesses.
“Still, we were determined to fight it because we could not let our good name be tarnished unfairly, and our reputation undermined through duplicity and malice. We are very proud of how we run our businesses and take our responsibilities as employers very seriously,” he added.
A vast majority of consumers still feel cash is their most widely used payment method while most consumers carry cash in case of an emergency, shows a recent survey.
According to "Why Won’t Cash Just Die?!!", a new research report from PayComplete, surveying 5,000 consumers from the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, 89 per cent of consumers surveyed consider the ability to pay in cash as important for their customer satisfaction. 90 per cent of consumers surveyed said that cash is their most widely used payment method
One of the strongest drivers for cash use is its close association with the community, from protecting favourite shops to education and social inclusivity, states the survey report. Cash continues to be a beacon of reliability in difficult situations with over two-thirds (69 per cent) of consumers surveyed carrying cash in case of an emergency.
More than three-quarters of consumers (81 per cent) say that they use cash to minimise data sharing while over a third (34 per cent) of those surveyed prefer using cash to manage their spending.
The report warns that organisations that tell customers that they can’t pay with cash are igniting negative emotions. These feelings range from disappointment (31 per cent) to frustration (21 per cent), and even anger (17 per cent).
One in three (33 per cent) cash users fall within the 25-44 age range, and nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) belong to the mid-range income brackets, earning between £19,000 and £63,999.
“All the noise around the death of cash is just that. While digital and electronic payment providers have been quick to kill and downplay the importance of cash in consumers’ lives, our research shows it continues to hold a significant place in the payment ecosystem, customer satisfaction, and in maintaining and strengthening communities,” said Simon James, CEO of PayComplete.
“Over half (59%) of cash users believe that the ability to pay with physical money supports the inclusivity of all members of the community. While a similar number (52%) agree that cash will continue to have a prominent place in society for the foreseeable future. Businesses that turn their back on cash risk being seen as undermining local communities.
“Saving businesses from card processing fees is not the only reason people stick with cash in the community. Our research shows that education and social inclusion are equally strong motivators. In fact, nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of consumers believe using physical cash helps children develop financial management skills and track their spending.
“Teaching the next generation about money is critically important. Yet, research from the Money and Pensions Service has found that less than half of children aged 7-17 in the UK have received a meaningful financial education. Using cash as a tool to help educate children can help offset this trend.”
There exists a huge gap between public's intention and actions when it comes to health and wellness with cost being a major deciding factor, shows a recent report, also highlighting a shift in how people structure their meals and attitudes towards global mental and physical health.
Kantar's Who Cares Who Does: Decoding Wellness further adds thatwhile 62 per cent see processed food as harmful, only 37 per cent actively avoid it. It’s a similar pattern for sugary drinks: 73 per cent see them as harmful, but fewer than half (48 per cent) are cutting back on products high in sugar.
Savoury snacks and carbonated soft drinks have the highest product penetration of the FMCG product categories at 90 per cent and 77 per cent respectively.
Cost holds a strong influence over people’s ability to choose healthy products. More than half of people (52 per cent) cite the high cost of healthier options as the main barrier to buying them. Meanwhile, a lack of trust and confusion about what constitutes truly healthy packaged foods also prevents consumers from being able to make healthy choices.
It was seen earlier in Kantar Worldpanel’s Demand Moments that howsnacking has become a full-blown behaviour in the UK, Germany and other markets. In the UK, snacks now make up 28 per cent of eating occasions, surpassing breakfast at 27 per cent, showing a shift in how people structure their meals.
Natalie Babbage, Global Solutions Director, at Kantar Worldpanel at Kantar, said, “People want to do better but are caught in cycles of stress, unhealthy eating habits, and barriers to effective weight management, which are often exacerbated by high costs.
"Brands have a critical opportunity to make a difference. By tackling affordability, convenience, transparency, and emotional needs, they can bridge the gap between how people want to live and their reality, helping improve health outcomes for people around the world.”
The report also shows that while78 per cent of people believe they are responsible for their health, less than half proactively engage with their physical health, and even fewer invest effort into their mental wellbeing.
Diageo Great Britain has on Tuesday launched the Diageo Luxury Company, a new division dedicated to transforming Diageo’s performance in the luxury beverage sector in its home market.
The division unites existing colleagues in marketing, sales, and commercial teams under a new unified strategy and leadership team, with the launch intending to boost Diageo’s presence in the super-premium and premium segments.
The Diageo Luxury Company (DLC) will focus on bold and locally relevant innovations and brand building, as well as exciting consumer experiences across both the on and off-trades, as well as digital channels.
The DLC will have a clear portfolio focus, activating five luxury spirit brands across GB: Don Julio, Casamigos, Johnnie Walker, The Singleton, and Ciroc. Accelerating the role that these brands play in culture will be an integral part of the DLC’s growth ambition, building on recent successes such as last summer’s Casamigos’ three-floor ‘Casa House’ at All Points East Festival in London, and last month’s Johnnie Walker Blue Label ‘Ice Chalet’ experience at Selfridges, London.
The announcement comes as Diageo PLC has launched The Diageo Luxury Group, a newly created global division for Diageo’s most valuable and exceptional assets. While the DLC will work with The Diageo Luxury Group, it will operate under the Diageo GB business alongside the market’s other core spirits and beer brands.
Hinesh Shah
The new division will be led by Hinesh Shah who will serve as general manager of the DLC. Shah has been at Diageo for almost 14 years, spending most of his career in North America working in roles across finance, sales, strategy and working with the largest customers and distributors in the world. His most recent tole was Vice President – Commercial transformation in North America.
With a deep connection to Diageo’s luxury portfolio, Shah picks Johnnie Walker as the brand he is most excited to work with, a brand he says takes him back to special celebratory moments, including his graduation and anniversaries.
“We have built a strong foundation in the luxury beverage space, driving the likes of Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, and Casamigos to the heart of the luxury conversation. But it’s time to take it to the next level, utilising our incredible trade partnerships and marketing expertise to grow our luxury brands like never before,” Shah commented.
“I’m incredibly proud to lead what will become a high-performing team, united under one bold vision - to become the premier luxury drinks company in GB.”
Nuno Teles, managing director at Diageo GB, added: “Through innovation, investing in diverse talent, and a commitment to excellence in execution, the DLC promises to shape the future of luxury beverages. Our GB business has a proud history of developing authentically crafted brands, and I’m confident that Hinesh and his team will engrain these brands, and the tequila and scotch categories, into the future of luxury celebrations.”
France's wine output is expected to fall by nearly a quarter this year after adverse weather hurt vineyards throughout the cycle with the Champagne region most hit, the French farm ministry said on Friday.
In a monthly report, the ministry projected wine output this year at 36.9 million hectolitres, down from 37.5 million forecast last month and now 23 per cent below last year's small vintage when there had been major disparities between regions.
The revised forecast, based on the latest harvest results, was 17 per cent below the five-year average of 44.2 million hectolitres.
A hectolitre is the equivalent of 100 litres, or 133 standard wine bottles.
"This year was characterised by unfavorable weather, with precipitation from flowering to harvest in most wine-growing areas and health problems that reduced volumes," the ministry said in a monthly report.
"In many vineyards, flowering took place in cool and damp conditions, leading to "coulure" (dropping of flowers and young grapes) and "millerandage" (formation of small grapes). Added to this were losses due to frost in the spring, mildew and hail in the summer," the ministry said.
All types of wine were affected, as well as those intended for the distilled spirit eau-de-vie which benefited from an exceptional harvest in 2023, it said.
Champagne recorded the sharpest fall in output among large wine-producing regions this year with a fall 46 per cent from a good 2023 and 31 per cent below the five-year average.
"In addition to the lack of sunshine which disrupted the development of the grapes, there were spring frosts, mildew, hail, scalding and excessive rainfall," the ministry said, referring to the Champagne region.
Champagne producers in July had called for a cut in the number of grapes harvested this year after sales of the wine fell more than 15 per cent in the first half of the year as customers tightened their belts due to an uncertain economy.
(Reuters)
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A view of palm oil plantation on November 13, 2016 in Trumon subdistrict, South Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia
Nestle, P&G investigate palm oil sourcing after green group's deforestation report
Consumer brands including Nestle and Procter & Gamble said they conducted investigations after an environmental group said palm oil sourced from an illegally cleared wildlife reserve in Indonesia may have found its way into their supply chains.
Rainforests within the legally protected wildlife reserve had been cleared to make way for palm oil plantations during the last eight years, the US-based Rainforest Action Network (RAN) said, citing satellite images that it says reveal deforestation in the area.
The group shared images which it said showed stretches of cleared brown land cut into the lush green expanse of Indonesia's Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve, with rows of young palm trees now planted along its borders.
Some images, which RAN said were taken during a field investigation in February 2024, showed that oil palm seedlings were planted on burnt ground surrounded by fallen trees inside the reserve, according to the report published on Monday.
The wildlife reserve, located in Aceh province in the northwest of Indonesia's Sumatra island, has lost 2,609 hectares (6,447 acres) of forest since 2016, with palm trees now growing on 645 hectares of the cleared area, RAN said.
Indonesia's forestry ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
RAN said its investigation, conducted in September and October, had found fresh fruit bunches from the illegal plantations were sold to mills PT Global Sawit Semesta (GSS) and PT Aceh Trumon Anugerah Kita (ATAK), both of which supplied major brands including Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Mondelez and PepsiCo, according to the RAN report.
GSS and ATAK, which are located in remote areas, could not be reached by Reuters for comment.
Companies typically source palm oil from Indonesian mills through intermediaries.
A Nestle spokesperson said it promptly engaged with its direct supplier regarding GSS to investigate RAN's findings, adding that, by the end of 2023, 96 per cent of its palm oil supply was "deforestation-free".
"Should there be a need to find remedies, we will take necessary action," the spokesperson said.
Procter & Gamble told Reuters that it had conducted an investigation following RAN's findings and immediately suspended sourcing from both GSS and ATAK.
Singapore-based Royal Golden Eagle Group (RGE), Musim Mas and Indonesian firm Permata Hijau also sourced palm oil from GSS, RAN said.
Apical, an RGE unit, said the firm has engaged with GSS to look into a supplier who allegedly sourced illegal fresh fruit bunches from the reserve. GSS has suspended the said supplier since late October until investigations are concluded, Apical said.
Musim Mas said they were investigating RAN's findings. Permata Hijau, Mondelez and Pepsi did not respond to multiple emailed requests for comment.
'Orangutan Capital'
Indonesia, home to the world's third largest tropical rainforest, says it reduced its deforestation rate to under 140,000 hectares annually between 2020 and 2023, down from more than 400,000 hectares in 2016-2020.
However, RAN said its investigation showed that deforestation within the wildlife reserve — the country's only forest where endangered orangutans, tigers, elephants and rhinos coexist — surged fourfold in 2021-2023 compared with the previous period, despite laws banning deforestation.
"The high-resolution imagery and analysis definitively show that the palm oil mills, traders, and global brands sourcing from this area have failed to end deforestation for palm oil in the 'Orangutan Capital of the World'," RAN said in its report.
Green groups have frequently accused palm oil producers of illegally clearing rainforests, including protected areas and wildlife reserves, to expand their plantations.
Global palm oil production has expanded over the past decade, accounting for 60 per cent of world vegetable oil exports. Mainly produced in Indonesia and Malaysia, palm oil is used as a cooking oil and in products including biofuels, chocolates and cosmetics.