Woodford to ask for $60m as Olympus tribunal set to begin
FORMER Olympus boss Michael Woodford will demand up to $60m (£38.2m) from the disgraced Japanese technology company today when he begins his claim for unfair dismissal.
Woodford is expected to sue for up to 10 years’ lost salary unless a settlement is agreed.
He was sacked in October last year after questioning a string of obscure payments, which led to the exposure of a £1bn accounting fraud. He is pursing the firm on the basis he was a whistleblower and suffered discrimination.
Olympus said Woodford was axed after 30 years at the firm because he failed to understand its management style and culture.
The Briton – who has homes in London and in Southend, near the firm’s British headquarters – will have to prove, however, that his case can be heard in the UK.
The hearing is also likely to consider whether Woodford could ever find another position as a global chief executive.
If his claim is successful then any payout is likely to be below $60m, however, depending on his ability to generate alternative income.