Welcome to Yorkshire’s former staff break silence over ‘mental torture’ after Sir Gary Verity’s resignation

Sir Gary Verity resigned on health grounds from his job as Welcome to Yorkshire's chief executive in the wake of concerns over his expenses claims and behaviour towards staff.

FORMER STAFF have spoken of the “mental torture” they suffered from Welcome to Yorkshire’s ex-chief executive Sir Gary Verity as the extent of the bullying culture he was responsible for at the tourism agency emerged.

Sir Gary resigned on health grounds from the organisation he oversaw for more than a decade in the wake of allegations over his behaviour towards employees as well as mounting concerns over his expenses claims.

Former members of staff have now come forward to give their accounts of what they describe as a “culture of bullying” which they endured during Sir Gary’s tenure.

The Yorkshire Post understands that Sir Gary had as many as 20 personal assistants during his 10-and-a-half year career at the Leeds-based company.

Helen Long, a former PA of Sir Gary Verity at Welcome to Yorkshire, pictured at home near Halifax. Picture Tony Johnson.

Among them was Helen Long, who worked alongside Sir Gary for five months in 2017 before her contract was terminated just before her six-month probation period came to an end.

She revealed that she had to seek specialist help after her time at Welcome to Yorkshire, and was prescribed anti-depressants.

Before being employed at Welcome to Yorkshire, she had a 17-year career in the movie industry in Hollywood working alongside her ex-husband, who was a key grip on films including Legends of the Fall and Braveheart.

Mrs Long, who now lives with her husband, Robert, in Halifax, said: “It was five months of my life that I will never be able to forget, as I was berated by Sir Gary throughout the time I was there.

“I have worked in high-profile roles before, and I always pride myself on the fact that I have been able to get along with people.

“While I attempted to stand up to Sir Gary and questioned what he was doing, his behaviour just got worse.

“It was mental torture.

“When I left, I questioned whether it was my fault. I felt so demoralised, and it took me a while to regain my confidence.

“One of the worst things was I knew someone else was going to come in and have to deal with what I had been experiencing.

“I am older and more experienced and knew that I can do a job well, but for someone who is younger, this could well live with them for the rest of their careers.”

Mrs Long told The Yorkshire Post that her role as Sir Gary’s personal assistant would extend outside of office hours, as she would receive telephone calls from him often over the weekend and late at night.

The 52-year-old, who is now employed as a head of administration in the West Yorkshire offices of the global firm, Solenis, said: “On one occasion I was called just before midnight on a Sunday evening when he was in Paris waiting for a train and he was demanding to know which platform it was due to leave from.