Former Scangroup CEO Bharat Thakrar has filed a lawsuit against the company's parent company, WPP Plc, its subsidiary WPP Scangroup, and all its directors. Thakrar alleges that he suffered significant financial, reputational, emotional, and mental damage as a result of his suspension from the company he founded.
Thakrar claims that WPP interfered with a potential business opportunity with Airtel Africa, resulting in lost revenue. He also accuses WPP of making defamatory statements that damaged his reputation. Thakrar is seeking over half a billion shillings in compensation, as well as damages for lost earnings and reputational harm.
Thakrar alleges that WPP and its Kenyan subsidiary conspired to harm his reputation and status as a founder shareholder, director, and CEO of WPP Scangroup. He claims that his suspension was based on an unlawful investigation and that WPP manipulated the board to violate Capital Markets Authority guidelines.
Thakrar argues that WPP and WPP Scangroup breached their duty of care to him by causing him financial loss, reputational damage, and invasion of privacy. He also accuses the directors of failing to fulfill their fiduciary duties and allowing WPP to interfere in the company's internal affairs.
Thakrar further alleges that the investigation and his subsequent ouster were orchestrated by Andrea Harris, Group Chief Counsel of WPP Plc, despite the board's appointment of a committee to manage the process. He claims that WPP protected Jon Eggar, the former CFO, despite his alleged involvement in the investigation. Thakrar contends that these actions were motivated by racial bias and neo-colonialist practices, violating Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.