Former Robert Walters employee in sexism case leaves new firm

Adam left the recruitment firm Adam Hartwell Buck, which he set up with two colleagues, about 10 days ago. Mike Hartwell, one of the co-founders, said his departure was by mutual consent and was not connected with the tribunal hearing, which began on Tuesday.

The case in London has been brought by Louisa McCarty, a former senior consultant who says she was unfairly selected for redundancy by Robert Walters last year after becoming pregnant.

She has told the tribunal that Adam, who had earlier been her boss at Robert Walters, appeared to be prejudiced against pregnant staff. Robert Walters denies she was unfairly dismissed.

The firm is a leading international recruitment company dealing mainly with middle-ranking and junior staff in operations and other roles.

Adam left Robert Walters two years ago and became managing director of the recruitment firm Imprint, before helping to set up Adam Hartwell Buck.

He said he had left Adam Hartwell Buck on amicable terms and might return later to a role in the recruitment industry. He declined to comment on the tribunal hearing, which is due to end on Friday.

Hartwell said he had known nothing about the case until reading of it in a newspaper after the hearing started.

The firm is being renamed Hartwell Buck.