UK's Most Hated Boss Who Sacked 800 Staff at P&O Ferries to Resign

The chief executive, described as "Britain's most hated boss" after sacking almost 800 workers at P&O Ferries, is to leave the company.

- Simon Goodley

Peter Hebblethwaite sparked outrage in 2022 after P&O Ferries dismissed 786 staff and replaced them with low-paid agency workers, who received considerably less than the UK minimum wage.

At the time, the cross-Channel ferry company was accused of operating like "pirates of the high sea" and during questioning at a parliamentary hearing Darren Jones, then chair of the business committee, asked: "Are you in this mess because you don't know what you're doing, or are you just a shameless criminal?" Hebblethwaite always insisted that his actions were the only way of saving the ferry group from going bust.

No criminal charges were brought after the sackings.

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries, a subsidiary of the Dubai-based ports operator DP World, said: "Peter Hebblethwaite has communicated his intention to resign from his position as chief executive officer to dedicate more time to family matters.

P&O Ferries extends its gratitude to Peter Hebblethwaite for his contributions as CEO over the past four years.