Harrods Managing Director Michael Ward ‘Not Aware of Abuse’ Under Mohamed Al Fayed’s Ownership
LONDON — Michael Ward, Harrods’ managing director, has apologized following allegations of rape and sexual abuse by the store’s former owner Mohamed Al Fayed, and said he will step back from his charity trustee positions while an independent review takes place.
Ward, who worked for Al Fayed from 2006 until 2010, said Thursday he was horrified by the revelations in the BBC documentary “Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods,” in which 25 women allege they were attacked or raped by the Egyptian businessman, who was long suspected of criminal behavior during his long stint as owner.
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“We have all seen the survivors bravely speak about the terrible abuse they suffered at the hands of Harrods former owner Mohamed Fayed. As we have already stated, we failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry,” Ward said in a written letter, adding that he was not aware of Al Fayed’s criminality and abuse.
“While it is true that rumors of his behavior circulated in the public domain, no charges or allegations were ever put to me by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, internal channels or others. Had they been, I would — of course — have acted immediately,” Ward said.
Ward’s letter comes as news outlets across the U.K. have been naming and posting images of past and present members of Harrods’ retail, communications and human resources staff who worked under Al Fayed, alleging that many of them were protecting “The Chairman,” as Al Fayed was known.
Ward said Al Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985 until 2010, “operated this business as his own personal fiefdom. It is now clear that he presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct. The picture that is now emerging suggests that he did this wherever he operated.”
He described Al Fayed’s ownership as a “shameful period” in the business’ history, and argued that Harrods is now a completely different store under its current owners, Qatar Investment Authority, which purchased the Knightsbridge retailer for 1.5 billion pounds in 2010.
Al Fayed left the store that year, and died in August 2023.
Ward said that as detailed new information has come to light over the past 18 months, Harrods has also established “a settlement process, designed in consultation with independent external experts in personal injury litigation. We encourage former colleagues to contact us using this process so that we can provide the support and recourse they need.”
In addition to the settlement process, he said there is an independent review being led by a nonexecutive committee of the board “to further consider the issues arising from the allegations.”
Ward said he’s not part of the committee conducting this review, “and will in no way influence its operation or recommendations. However, I have provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues.”
Ward said he has stepped back from his various charity trustee positions while the review is taking place. Ward is currently a trustee of the Royal Ballet and Opera, and sits on the finance and commercial committee. He is also chairman of Walpole, the association of British luxury brands.
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