Former Wentworth boss sues for £750,000 for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination after daughter of golf course’s billionaire Chinese owner gets his job
- Wentworth was purchased for £130m in 2014 by Dr Chanchai Ruayrungruang
- Stephen Gibson was removed from his post as chief executive earlier this year
- He was replaced by Ruayrungruang’s daughter Woraphanit Ruayrungruang, 29
The former boss of one of England’s most famous golf courses is suing the new owner of the club for £750,000, as he claims he was dismissed unfairly.
Stephen Gibson was removed from his post as chief executive at Wentworth earlier this year by Chinese owner Dr Chanchai Ruayrungruang and is now bringing legal action against the tycoon, accusing him of racial discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Chinese group Reignwood, of which Dr Ruayrungruang is the chairman, purchased the Surrey course for £130million in 2014 from nightclub and restaurant owner Richard Caring.
Mr Gibson, 49, was removed from his post and replaced by Dr Ruayrungruang’s 29-year-old daughter Woraphanit Ruayrungruang.
Stephen Gibson (pictured above) is suing the new owner of Wentworth for £750,000
Mr Gibson, 49, was removed from his post and replaced by Dr Ruayrungruang’s 29-year-old daughter Woraphanit Ruayrungruang (left). Dr Ruayrungruang is pictured right
According to The Telegraph, Mr Gibson’s legal bill is being covered by a wealthy Wentworth resident, who doesn’t agree with the way the club is now being run.
Earlier this year members of the club complained that a makeover of the exclusive hangout left it looking like a Premier Inn, rather than a premium golf club.
This is while in the summer the club forked out £13 million for a refurbishment, which saw it strip out its honours boards.
Mr Gibson had worked at Wentworth since 2007 and had worked under Reignwood, which is owned by Dr Ruayrungruang.
Speaking to The Telegraph Mr Gibson said: ‘I confirm that I have initiated legal proceedings against Reignwood. While proceedings are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment any further.’
In a memo sent to members in the spring, Ms Ruayrungruang informed members that Mr Gibson had left the club, and praised him for playing an integral part of the club.
Reignwood: The Chinese company behind the changes at Wentworth
Reignwood is the group which currently owns Surrey-based members only club Wentworth, after it purchased it for £130 million in 2014.
The chairman of the Thai-Chinese group, which was founded 1984, is Chanchai Ruayrungrua.
One of its main businesses is the distribution of Red Bull in China, but it has had several failed projects including the Wonderland Amusement Park.
In 2018 Reignwood faced a legal assault on its empire after its former head of international operations, Ni Songhua claimed Mr Ruayrungrua offered him a series of promises for buying the group’s overseas assets – which never came to fruition.
Over the last decade it is believed that Reignwood has spent over £1 billion. This went towards a £300 million development in the City of London, a chateau in Bordeux and a golf course in Hawaii.
Wentworth is also believed to be heavily leveraged and has assets of £146 million of debt from Siam Commercial Bank.
She added that she would be taking up the position of interim CEO, while the club went through the process of appointing a new one.
In a statement, the club said: ‘We do not wish to comment on an ongoing legal proceeding.’
Dr Ruayrungruang made his fortune selling energy drink Red Bull in China and has previously infuriated members of the club after announcing plans to cut the number of members from 4,000 to 800.
At the time he asked those who remained for a payment of £100,000 to secure a debenture membership. The move caused uproar, with members such as Sir Michael Parkinson accusing the owners of turning the club into one with its only purpose being to serve the ‘super rich’.
In order for members to access the debenture membership they must pay an extra £65,000.
Members were offered the new membership at a discounted rate of £85,000 and those who leave will forfeit a £20,000 deposit.
Those looking to join the club today would have to pay £150,000, with annual fees of around £10,000.
The club is believed to have lost £16 million in 2018.
Famous members of the club have included cricketer Kevin Pietersen and Sir Bruce Forsyth.
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