A gang of 3 Directors, acting in bad faith, cost the CO-OP Jersey £3.5 million.
18/12/2025
It has been reported that former CEO Colin Macleod, who led the Channel Islands Co-operative Society for around 10 years before his dismissal in 2020, successfully sued his former employer in the Royal Court of Jersey. [thetimesjersey.com], [guernseypress.com]
The Royal Court has ordered The Co-op to pay Mr Macleod compensation in excess of £3.5 million after it found some directors had “acted in bad faith” and caused him psychological injury.
You can read the full judgment here:
Key Legal Findings
- Directors acted in bad faith:
- The court determined that three non-executive directors abused their authority.
- JENNIFER CARNEGIE,
- CAROL CHAMPION, AND
- PAULA WILLIAMS
- As part of the Remuneration Committee (RemCo), they
- Unlawfully orchestrated a campaign to remove Mr Macleod, breaching their fiduciary duties and acting “improperly, commercially unacceptable, unconscionable…and
- Therefore, amounts to bad faith.” [guernseypress.com], [channel103.com]
- Employer’s failure of duty:
- The Co‑op was found to have neglected its responsibility to protect Macleod’s well-being, involving sustained bullying and a smear campaign. [thetimesjersey.com], [channel103.com]
Damages Awarded
- Psychological injury:
- £40,000 in general damages—including £10,000 for “loss of congeniality of employment.” [thetimesjersey.com], [channel103.com]
- Lost earnings:
- Past earnings: initially £1,478,031 up to 2024, extended to cover up to end-2025.
- Future earnings: compensation awarded through to January 2030 (when he turns 60) based on the same calculation.
- Total compensation: An award exceeding £3.5 million in damages and lost earnings. [thetimesjersey.com], [guernseypress.com], [channel103.com]
Co‑op’s Response
- The Co‑op has acknowledged the Royal Court’s ruling but stated its disagreement and announced it will appeal, citing “substantial grounds” after consultation with insurers and legal advisors. [thetimesjersey.com], [channel103.com]
Source
The Team
Meet the team of industry experts behind Comsure
Find out moreLatest News
Keep up to date with the very latest news from Comsure
Find out moreGallery
View our latest imagery from our news and work
Find out moreContact
Think we can help you and your business? Chat to us today
Get In TouchNews Disclaimer
As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.
As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.