Resignation at Harmony stuns rebels

SIR STANLEY Grinstead has resigned as chairman at Harmony Leisure, to the dismay of dissenting shareholders trying to oust most of the board of the loss-making pubs and hotels group.

Andrew Martyr, a leading rebel, said: 'It is a real shock. I couldn't have imagined anybody who the shareholders would have liked better to remain.'

A spokesman for Harmony said Sir Stanley, better known for his former leading role at Grand Metropolitan, had resigned to pursue personal commitments. Robert Dawson, a non-executive, has been appointed acting chairman.

The dissidents, concerned about four years of losses, have requisitioned the company to call an extraordinary meeting. They will attempt to oust Stanley Lever, managing director, Pamela Lever, projects director, and John Lever, hotels director.