Clark and CU hit by legal threat

Mac specialist distributor Principal is waving its legal fist at former commercial director Alan Clarke, as well as Computers Unlimited (CU), after alleging that he has breached his director's duties in terms of confidential information.

Clarke left Principal on 8 May because of personal reasons. According to Walker Morris, Principal legal advisor, Clarke signed an agreement with the distributor terminating his appointment.

He agreed 'not to use for your own benefit of any other person, firm or corporation or divulge or disclose any confidential information relating to Principal'.

In addition, Clarke undertook: 'For a period of 12 months after the termination of your employment, not to endeavour to solicit or entice away from the company, solicit business from or deal with, in competition with the company, any person, firm or company who or which in the proceeding 12 months shall have been a supplier of or in the habit of dealing with the company.'

James Sanson, CU MD, insisted he was unaware of any action that meant Clarke or CU had breached the director's duties. 'I can understand if we were to ask the guy to ring up everyone on Principal's payroll or suppliers and get them to come over but we are not. I am surprised by Principal's reaction.'

He pointed out that Clarke would join CU on 8 June as new business development as the distributor found it had not been focusing on new products or vendors for the past six months.

Rod McMillan, chairman at Principal, said the distributor was waiting for a response from its letter to Clarke and CU but warned: 'It is likely we will continue our legal action whether together or singularly. It is in their hands.'