Former Harrods Executive Declines Fenwick CEO Role Amid Fayed Scandal

Nigel Blow, a former Harrods executive, has decided not to assume the role of chief executive at Fenwick department store chain. This decision comes in the wake of sexual abuse allegations against Mohamed Fayed, the former owner of Harrods.

Blow, who was employed at Harrods from 1992 to 2007, was expected to join Fenwick this month. However, on October 2, 2024, it was revealed that he would not be taking the position. The reasons for his withdrawal have not been disclosed.

Currently, Blow serves as the CEO of Morleys Department Stores Limited, a position he has held since 2019. Prior to this, he was the managing director of Turnbull and Asser, another company owned by the Fayed family.

The decision not to join Fenwick coincides with the recent turmoil surrounding Harrods. In September 2024, a BBC documentary aired, exposing allegations of predatory sexual abuse by Fayed during his ownership of Harrods from 1985 to 2010. Following the broadcast, more than 100 women have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct.

The documentary featured over 20 former female employees of the luxury store, who shared accounts of alleged assault and physical violence spanning a 25-year period. These claims include accusations of rape against multiple women who worked at the department store.

Harrods, founded in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, has a rich history and is known for its grandeur. The store occupies a 5-acre site in Knightsbridge, London, and boasts over 330 departments across seven floors. It was the first store in England to install an escalator in 1898 and has been at the forefront of retail innovation for decades.

The current management of Harrods has expressed their shock at the allegations. Michael Ward, who has been the managing director since 2005, stated that he was unaware of the alleged abuse during his tenure. In a written statement, Ward described the period under Fayed's ownership as "a shameful period in the business's history" and emphasized that the current Harrods is "unrecognisable" compared to its past.

In response to the allegations, Harrods has initiated an independent review and established a settlement process. The store has also announced that it will not enforce any non-disclosure agreements related to the alleged abuse by Fayed.

"This was a shameful period in the business's history, however, the Harrods of today is unrecognisable to Harrods under his ownership."

It's worth noting that Harrods has undergone significant changes since Fayed's ownership. The store was sold to Qatar Holdings in 2010 for £1.5 billion. Today, it employs over 5,000 staff from more than 50 countries and continues to be a symbol of luxury retail in London.

As the investigation unfolds, the impact on Harrods' reputation and the broader retail industry remains to be seen. The store, which once sold exotic animals and was the first in the UK to sell television sets, now faces the challenge of addressing its past while maintaining its status as a world-renowned luxury destination.