A second former Xero employee has come forward with allegations of inappropriate conduct against the company's former CEO and founder Sir Rod Drury, Stuff reports.
The claims follow similar allegations reported last week, raising serious questions about workplace culture at one of New Zealand's most prominent tech companies and whether success shields people from consequences.
Xero is New Zealand's big tech success story - a Wellington-founded accounting software company that grew into a global business worth billions. Drury built the company from scratch and was rewarded with a knighthood for services to business and technology. Now that knighthood looks increasingly problematic.
The allegations concern Drury's conduct during his time as CEO, when he would have been one of the most powerful figures in New Zealand's tech sector. Power dynamics in those situations are inherently problematic - when the CEO behaves inappropriately, who do you complain to?
Two allegations from different former employees suggest a pattern rather than an isolated incident. That's significant. One allegation can be disputed, denied, explained away. Two allegations from different people at different times is harder to dismiss as misunderstanding or coincidence.
Drury stepped down as Xero CEO in 2018 but remained closely involved with the company and New Zealand's tech sector. His knighthood came in 2022, well after he left the CEO role but also long after the alleged conduct.
The "Sir" in front of his name makes this story particularly pointed for New Zealand. The honours system is meant to recognise exceptional contribution, but it doesn't include a process for removing honours when someone's conduct comes into question. Maybe it should.
