Paul Marchant steps down as chief executive of Primark following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, with the company pledging support for the individual involved.
Paul Marchant, the chief executive of Primark, has resigned “with immediate effect” in light of allegations related to “inappropriate behaviour towards a woman”. The news emerged from Primark’s parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF), which announced that an investigation prompted the swift departure.
ABF stated that Mr Marchant has since apologised to the individual involved, the ABF board, as well as to his colleagues at Primark and others affiliated with the company. The statement underlined that he co-operated fully with the investigation and acknowledged his “error of judgment”, conceding that his actions did not meet the standards expected by ABF.
The company also assured commitment to supporting the individual who raised the allegations. Paul Marchant had been at the helm of Primark since 2009, succeeding the chain’s founder, Arthur Ryan. He previously held significant positions in several retail firms, including serving as chief operating officer at New Look and working at notable brands such as Debenhams, Topman, and River Island.
George Weston, the chief executive of ABF, expressed his disappointment regarding the incident, stating, “At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential.” He emphasised that responsible action is crucial for the long-term management and operation of any business, reinforcing the need for respect and dignity within the workplace. “Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual,” he remarked.
Following Mr Marchant’s departure, ABF announced that finance director Eoin Tonge will take on the role of interim chief executive of Primark while working alongside the brand’s senior executives and strategic advisory board.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.standard.co.uk/business/primark-paul-marchant-resigns-behaviour-abf-b1219743.html – This article confirms Paul Marchant’s resignation from Primark due to allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a colleague in a social setting, following an investigation by Associated British Foods (ABF). It highlights Marchant’s cooperation with the investigation and his acknowledgment of his error in judgment.
- https://news.sky.com/story/primark-boss-paul-marchant-resigns-and-admits-error-of-judgement-after-allegation-over-his-behaviour-towards-woman-13339092 – This article supports the details about Paul Marchant’s immediate resignation as CEO of Primark after admitting an error of judgment in his behavior towards a woman in a social environment. It mentions that Marchant apologized to the individual involved and others affected.
- https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/03/primark-boss-exits/ – This article reports on Paul Marchant’s resignation from Primark, emphasizing the role of an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior towards women. It mentions Eoin Tonge taking over as interim CEO and highlights ABF’s commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity.
- https://www.standard.co.uk/business/primark-paul-marchant-resigns-behaviour-abf-b1219743.html – The article also details ABF’s response, including George Weston’s statement on the importance of integrity and respect in the workplace. It notes that the company acknowledges the allegations and supports the individual who came forward.
- https://news.sky.com/story/primark-boss-paul-marchant-resigns-and-admits-error-of-judgement-after-allegation-over-his-behaviour-towards-woman-13339092 – Additionally, the article mentions Paul Marchant’s career background, highlighting his time at Primark since 2009 and previous roles in other retail companies.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The information appears to be recent and refers to ongoing developments, indicating that it is not recycled news. Primark’s latest leadership change is timely and relevant.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
While specific quotes from George Weston are provided, verification of their original source or date could not be confirmed during this check. However, they seem consistent with his role as ABF’s CEO.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable source, the Mirror, which is known for delivering timely news on UK affairs.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made about Paul Marchant’s resignation and the reasons behind it are plausible, given the context of an internal investigation and corporate governance standards.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The information provided seems accurate and recent, with a credible source backing the narrative. Quotes appear genuine but could benefit from further verification. The unfolding events described align well with corporate practices when addressing misconduct allegations.
