Dozens sacked by Scots tech firm weeks before Christmas as bosses head to Spain

SIXTY workers were axed over WhatsApp without pay – before the bosses allegedly jetted off to Spain, it’s claimed.

Marketing group 4iCG Ltd – who operate under the brands Pursuit Marketing and Your Shortlist – told workers their employment was terminated on Wednesday, December 11, over the messaging app.

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And it is claimed devastated staff were told they would not receive any pay before Christmas.

Yesterday it was confirmed the company had gone into liquidation the day before the bombshell announcement.

A source told the Scottish Sun: “My relative worked for Pursuit Marketing and they told all their staff that they were laid off.

“That’s over 60 members of staff. And they also said that they won’t be getting paid before Christmas.

“And the owners are supposed to have left for Spain right after sacking everyone”.

The Glasgow-based parent company also has a base in Torremolinos in Malaga.

Absolute scumbags Pursuit Marketing. Leaving people with no pay or wages in December. How can you look at yourselves in the mirror!

Messages from affected staff

Messages from affected staff, seen by the Scottish Sun, said: “Looks like my employers have liquidated and are now in Spain.

“Absolute scumbags Pursuit Marketing. Leaving people with no pay or wages in December.

“How can you look at yourselves in the mirror! Absolutely no accountability whatsoever.

“Do not trust any of these absolute charlatans in any future business incarnation”.

Another message read: “I have 60-odd friends who have families who will not get their December salary this Christmas. Or any financial support.

“I’m standing up for what is right… This behaviour has to be called out. Currently all of this was done via a WhatsApp Group. These people have no voice”.

The firm, which has offices in the Finneston area of the city, is a marketing consulting company that specialises in “demand generation, telemarketing, digital marketing and creative design”.

Pursuit Marketing is one of two brands that operate under The 4ICG Group, which described itself as being “the driving force behind the most talked-about B2B marketing brands” in over 32 countries.

I have 60-odd friends who have families who will not get their December salary this Christmas… This behaviour has to be called out

Messages from affected staff

The other brand that is part of the group is called YourShortlist and it is said to offer “non-chargeable, expert, technology-buying advice.”

Furious workers claim co-founder and director Robert Copeland and chief operating officer Lorraine Gray went to Spain after delivering the news.

Workers have been trying to get in touch with HR since bosses delivered the news.

Pursuit Marketing has since removed its Facebook page.

Their website has also been wiped and the phone lines rang out before eventually going to voicemail with an automated message saying “all agents are busy”.

ALL EXPENSES PAID TRIP

THE mass layoffs come six years after bosses at Pursuit Marketing treated over 40 members of staff to an all-expenses paid luxury sunshine break to thank them for their hard work.

Back in February 2018, the firm flew out their entire staff to Tenerife to celebrate for a long weekend as part of the company’s seventh-anniversary celebrations.

The team spent four days at the holiday resort as a reward for smashing sales targets the year before.

At the time, COO Lorraine Gray said: “They are an outstanding team, and we wanted to say a very big ‘thank you’ for all their hard work.

“Taking them away from winter conditions for a break in the sun seemed like the best way to let them know how much we appreciate their efforts.”

The agency, which was created in 2011, has also previously picked up gongs including SME Employer of the Year and Glasgow’s Best Workplace.

Connected brand YourShortlist, which has its offices in the same building as Pursuit Marketing, has also had its website taken down.

It was unreachable over the phone with an automated message saying “Number not assigned, goodbye” when tried by the Scottish Sun.

Alistair McAlinden, managing director at Interpath and joint provisional liquidator, added: “We understand news of the Companies’ closure will be distressing to their dedicated employees.

“Our priority will be to support all those impacted by redundancy, including supporting them with applications to the Redundancy Payments Service.”

Geoff Jacobs, managing director at Interpath and joint provisional liquidator, said: “The Companies have an extensive database utilised by providers and buyers of IT solutions as an online marketplace, as well as white labels marketing campaigns for large global customers.

“Parties interested in acquiring the business should contact us at the earliest opportunity.”

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