A major football club’s charity arm has launched an internal review of its “prevailing culture” amid claims from former members of staff that it is a “toxic” environment.
Three former employees of the Leeds United Foundation, speaking to the BBC, described instances of bullying, with one ex-staffer claiming he feared the culture would “lead to good employees and future candidates leaving”.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the foundation said it “treats any grievance from a current or former employee with the utmost seriousness”.
They said it had commissioned a review by an independent employment barrister, to be completed by the end of June.
The spokesperson added that the foundation had “fully and properly investigated” a grievance from an employee in March 2023 and two complaints – from a former employee and a former contractor – in September 2021.
They said the March grievance was partially upheld by an independent trustee and a “remedial plan was agreed with the manager concerned that we believe was proportionate to the grievance”.
The BBC report claimed that an investigation in March upheld two complaints made by one member of staff, who had worked at the foundation for a number of years.
The corporation reported that the complaints included some about the foundation’s chief executive John Mallalieu, who has been in post since October 2020.
They centred on the nature of some comments made by Mallalieu, who is understood to earn £120,000-£130,000 a year.
According to the foundation’s website, its mission is to “use the power of football to enhance the lives of people across our region through opportunities in sport, education, and healthier lifestyles”.
Its total income from donations and charitable activities was more than £1.9m for the financial year ending June 2022, with a surplus of £434,948 – up from a revenue of £1.3m and £277,406 surplus the year before.
The charity has about 80 employees and nine trustees, alongside volunteers.
Third Sector has contacted Mallalieu for comment.