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Welcome to the Executive Gaffe-room.

Here you can review some of the business world’s more awkward moments that resulted from being under the media spotlight. Mostly it is just ill-judged foot-in-mouth syndrome. Others are character traits it’s best not to display too publicly.

October 2003 - Speaking at the Treasury Select Committee of the House of Commons and broadcast live on television, Barclays Bank Chief Executive Matt Barrett candidly declared

“I do not borrow on credit cards. I have four young children. I give them advice not to pile up debts on their credit cards.”

He was being questioned about why interest charged on a Barclaycard has fallen by just 3.5% to 17.9% since 1992, despite UK interest rates falling by two thirds during the same period.

Gerald Ratner’s classic costly gaffe
1991 - Speaking to a conference of the Institute of Directors Retail Jewellery boss Gerald Ratner attempted a humorous approach to his speech.

“(Ratners)… sold a pair of earrings for under a pound, which is cheaper than a prawn sandwich from Marks and Spencers, but probably wouldn't last as long.”

The value of the businesses shares plummeted by £500m. He was forced to resign and his name was wiped from the company – since renamed Signet.

Top Man, top blunder
July 2001- Top Man’s Band Director David Shepherd gave an interview to trade magazine Menswear.

Journalist: “Can you clarify who your customers are?”

Shepherd: “Hooligans or whatever.”

He ploughed on with a fuller description: “Very few of our customers have to wear suits to work. They'll be for his first interview or first court case.”

Woolworths as quiet as a library?
March 2002 - Giving an assessment of the business after disappointing trading Gerald Corbett, Chief Executive of Woolworths announced:

A song for Europe?
March 2003 - EMI boss Alain Levy described in an interview how they had cut the number of Finnish artists on their label because there weren’t that many people in the country “who could sing”.

With a 20% market share in Finnish music sales, his comments were not well received.

Boden caught off guard
May 2003 – During an interview with the Guardian catalogue retail fashion businessman Johniie Boden made comments that appeared disconnected to the lives of his customers.

Guardian: He says he's just read an article in the Spectator saying teenage delinquency is caused by working mothers, a sentiment he agrees with heartily.

Boden: “I am anti-welfare state, anti-tax and how it's spent.”
“I gave £2m to the government last year and I look at the litter, vomit and dog shit on the streets of Hammersmith and see no benefits. I have to pay for private health care and education for my family.”

Green turns the air blue
March 2003 - Philip Green, owner of retail stores Arcadia and BHS was unhappy with a comment in the Guardian about his business. If it had slipped unnoticed past many readers, his reaction certainly did not.

"I've never read a bigger load of b****cks in my life."
"He [Paul Murphy, financial editor] can't read English. Mind you, he is a f***ing Irishman."

When Green sees Red
His ear-bashing above is only the latest in a series of outspoken comments from Philip Green. Here are some others:

“The fundamental difference between me and all those tossers running public companies is that I invest my own money. I stand or fall on my decisions”
After successfully taking over BHS, January 2002

“Milkmen have floats”
Answer to a question about any plans he may have to float BHS group, May 2002

“I don't go to restaurants every night of the week and I don't spend on social bullshit”
After allegations that his £5 million 50th birthday party was over-extravagant and tacky, March 2002

“At least Ronnie Corbett got paid for being a comedian”
Attempted humour at Woolworths chairman Gerald Corbett when merger talks failed

“I've got a big bat and I'm not afraid to use it”
The end of a verbal bashing of an analyst whom Green suspected of bad-mouthing him

“I just thought you should know I tore your fucking article out and put it under my cat's arse where it belong”'
Green to a journalist who wrote something he didn't like

“Fortunately I woke up from my slumber, and decided swapping good money for Woolworths' toilet paper wasn't a good idea”
Speaking to a journalist on the merits of bidding for Woolworths

“What do you take me for? Don't you think I know what's going on? Don't you think I know where you journalists get your stuff from? Tell that lanky streak of piss that if he spreads any more of this stuff around, I'll come round and see him”
Comments to a journalist about rival bidder for Safeway’s advisor.

“For fuck's sake. Jesus Christ. Robin Saunders and Chris Coles are on my board. Allan Leighton is my chairman. I've got a fucking audit committee that I am not on. And Ian Griffiths, some old **** from the Independent , knows more than all those people. Please. Go and write about someone else”
Talking to the Guardian, February 2003