By Andrew Young-
Uber has hired a headhunter to fill a new position of UK chairman, whilst it battles for its survival in London.
The ride-hailing app said the search began weeks before the shock decision by Transport for London (TfL) last week to deny Uber a new licence to operate in the capital, on the grounds that it was “not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence”. This suggests the company had known for a while that its leadership was weak and faulty.
The new chairman will be key in Uber’s fight to renew its license and rectify its damaged reputation.
The new non-executive chairman is likely to play a crucial role as Uber fights to renew its London licence and repair its reputation.
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Uber’s existing licence expires on 30 September, but the company will be able to operate in the capital as long as the appeal process lasts, which could be up to a year. Uber had failed to meet the required standards in a number of areas, including its approach to reporting serious criminal offences and how medical certificates were obtained.
On Monday, Uber’s chief executive apologised for its mistakes in London and promised to change.
Dara Khosrowshahi, who succeeded the Uber founder, Travis Kalanick, as CEO a month ago, wrote in an open letter: “While Uber has revolutionised the way people move in cities around the world, it’s equally true that we’ve got things wrong along the way. On behalf of everyone at Uber globally, I apologise for the mistakes we’ve made.
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“We will appeal [against] the decision on behalf of millions of Londoners, but we do so with the knowledge that we must also change.”
SELF EMPLOYED
The company is scheduled to appear at a UK employment appeal tribunal on Wednesday to argue that its workers are self-employed, and not entitled to a range of worker benefits.
It is also seeking to overturn a landmark ruling last year that found that its UK drivers should be treated as employed workers with rights to the minimum wage and sick pay.
An Uber spokesman said before the hearing: “Almost all taxi and private-hire drivers have been self-employed for decades before our app existed.
“Uber drivers have more control and are totally free to choose if, when and where they drive, with no shifts or minimum hours.”
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