ADDISON Lee founder John Griffin has hit out at the new owners of the minicab company – while his son, the current CEO, has defended the business.
The 72-year-old entrepreneur expressed his displeasure at the Carlyle Group’s level of respect for staff; but his son Liam Griffin has said that little has changed since the takeover in 2013.
John Griffin, whose family hails from Kerry, was speaking at an event organised by the British Irish Trading Alliance (BITA) in London, where he was quizzed by former London correspondent for RTÉ, Brian O’Connell.
Speaking about his own experiences in the world of business, John Griffin was asked about the Carlyle Group, who bought the private cab firm in 2013 for an estimated £300m.
The business tycoon, never one to shy away from controversy, did not mince his words when speaking about the new owners of the firm .
Mr O’Connell asked him what makes a successful company and he tackled the new owners in his response.
“I had something to offer and they didn’t listen,” said John Griffin, who stayed on as chairman of the firm until May last year. “Respect for staff is key and Carlyle are awful, if you dropped dead, they’d step over you.”
When contacted for a response, the Carlyle Group put The Irish Post in touch with Mr Griffin’s son Liam Griffin, the current CEO of Addison Lee.
Liam Griffin said that his father’s policy of keeping the driver at the “centre of the business” was still firmly in place.
“Well he [John Griffin] is not involved in the day-to-day running of the business – nor are Carlyle,” Liam Griffin told The Irish Post. “The day-to-day activities are carried out by the same management.”
Carlyle’s role is as an asset management firm – with few staff changes taking place at Addison Lee during the handover.
Liam Griffin also commended the improvements in how the company is currently run.
“The philosophy of the company has not changed – we prioritise the driver,” he said. “In fact, last year we spent more money on the Christmas party and the bonuses.”
John Griffin founded Addison Lee in 1975, when he began with just one car in Battersea.
With self-proclaimed hard work and the motivation to help his family, the company grew into what eventually became a £300m sale.
Even with a comfortable bank balance, Mr Griffin maintained he was motivated by the company and not the money.
“Money wasn’t a big deal, it was for my family,” he said. “Work is a means to an end, not the end itself. The end is family, friends and quality of life.”
