CaRT sells Drifters shareholding

FOLLOWING a long campaign by narrowboatworld, Canal & River Trust (CaRT) is selling its shareholding in Drifters Leisure, the hire boat booking company, writes Allan Richards.

The sale follows a decision not to appoint a new Head of Boating or nominate a new Drifters director following the retirement of Sally Ash.

Perks

It was three years ago that narrowboatworld revealed that CaRT was facing a possible contempt of court action by the Information Commissioner because its predecessor, British Waterways had failed to disclose that its Head of Boating, Sally Ash, was a director of Drifters Leisure, a company that sells boating holidays on behalf of some of the leading 'names' in the inland waterways industry, such as ABC Leisure Group Ltd (better known to boaters as Alvechurch) and Shire Cruisers.

British Waterways also failed to disclose if Ms. Ash paid for a holiday on a narrowboat travelling from Anderton to Worcester (both ABC Leisure hire bases) although it must have known about this as she blogged her journey on British Waterways' Waterscape website.

Two holidays

In responding to the Commisioners decision notice, CaRT's marketing director, Simon Salem confirmed that Sally Ash had received perks in the form of two boat holidays. He stated that Sally Ash's line manager was informed of the free trips and suggested that they were justified because such trips offer 'valuable boating experience to employees'.

However, what the marketing director failed to say was that he was her line manager!

He also failed to point out that his direct report, Sally Ash, hardly needed 'valuable boating experience' as she has been boating since her teenage years stating 'I came to the job with a love of the canals inspired by my Dad who organised magical boating holidays for the family and friends in my teenage years'.

What was not said in CaRT's response was that Sally Ash was not the only person to benefit from her directorship with Drifters in terms of boat trips and holidays. It is now known that between 100 and 200 staff benefitted including Head of Enforcement Denise Yelland.

No explanation

BW/CaRT has never provided a coherent explanation as to why it owned shares in Drifters Leisure and why it felt that it needed to appoint its Head of Boating as a director of that company.

CaRT has never provided a reason for not replacing her as a director of Drifters and for selling its shareholding.

BW never provided an explanation as to why she was not sacked years ago when one of her direct reports stole £70,000.

CaRT never provided an explanation as to why she suddenly retired a year ago following the Roving Mooring débâcle.

... and nobody can provide an explanation as to why she deserves an MBE for services to Inland Waterways.