Selfridges CEO denies knowledge of Fayed's alleged assaults

Andre Maeder, the former chief executive of Selfridges, has publicly denied any knowledge of the alleged sexual assaults and rapes committed by Mohamed Al Fayed during his tenure at Harrods from 1995 to 2002. In a recent statement, Maeder expressed his horror upon viewing a BBC documentary that detailed the allegations made by over 20 former female employees of Harrods. He emphasized that he never witnessed or heard anything that indicated such behavior was occurring during his time at the department store. The allegations against Al Fayed, who passed away in 2023, have prompted numerous women to come forward with their experiences since the documentary aired. Maeder's comments reflect a broader concern within the business community regarding the culture of silence that may have allowed such behavior to persist unnoticed. Selfridges, known for its flagship store on Oxford Street, is part of the Selfridges Group, which also operates stores in Manchester, Birmingham, the Netherlands, and Ireland. The group was acquired by the Central Group in 2021 for £4 billion, indicating a significant investment in the retail sector. Maeder, who previously led the German department store chain KaDeWe, now serves as president of the International Department Store Group (IDSG). His denial of knowledge regarding Al Fayed's alleged misconduct raises questions about accountability and the responsibilities of leadership in addressing workplace harassment.