Woodford in legal bid over Olympus job
THE BRITISH former chief executive of Olympus is due to open employment tribunal proceedings against the Japanese technology firm today.
Michael Woodford, who said he was sacked after blowing the whistle on an accounting scandal, is due to appear for a preliminary hearing at East London Tribunal Service in Stratford.
Woodford was based in Japan when he lost his job but has gone to a tribunal in London because he worked in Britain for much of his 30-year career at Olympus.
He dropped his attempt to win back his old job in January.
His public campaign against Olympus’ directors has won him a series of accolades, however, including being named “business person of the year” by three national newspapers in 2011.
The Liverpool-raised businessman is now planning to publish a book on his time at Olympus.
The technology firm, which makes cameras and medical equipment, is in the throes of a boardroom reshuffle and is believed to be considering a capital raising.
Nobody from Olympus’ operation in Britain could be contacted last night.