Sir Gary Verity, Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive knighted in 2015 for organising the Tour de France’s trip to Yorkshire in 2014, has resigned with immediate effect.
The agency had investigated concerns over his expenses claims and his behaviour towards staff members.
In a statement on Friday, Welcome To Yorkshire said Verity had agreed to “voluntarily reimburse Welcome To Yorkshire for monies owed” following the investigation.
The Sunday Times newspaper had claimed Verity had submitted expense claims relating to the funeral of his sister, who died in January.
Verity, who has led the tourism agency since 2008, said in a statement: “Over the last 10 and a half years I have always tried to set the highest standards of personal performance and leadership. Where this has been achieved, I am grateful and when, on occasions, I have fallen short, I apologise. My health is now my main priority. I ask for time and space to heal.”
The most recent published accounts, for the 2018 financial year, showed Verity earned a £243,000 salary.
