Don Manifold is the Joint Managing Director of Equity & Advisory. He specializes in commercial advice on valuations, mergers and acquisitions, and divestments.

However, before joining Equity & Advisory, Don was the Managing Partner of EY in South Australia and the Northern Territory. He left the company after an investigation found that he breached some aspects of the firm’s code of conduct.

Furthermore, Don Manifold had received allegations of sexual harassment. However, they were not substantiated in the investigation.

Initially, The Australian Financial Review had revealed that the firm had suspended Don Manifold and a female staff member over sexual harassment and other allegations. Then, news broke out that Adrian Lazilli of KPMG left the firm when the claims of sexual harassment were made.

Adrian didn’t wait for the investigation to complete.

Later, the Chief Executives of both companies came out and reminded their partners and staff to behave appropriately at work.

Then, EY chief Tony Johnson sent an email to staff sharing the investigation’s findings. Although the investigation didn’t substantiate the sexual harassment allegations made against Don Manifold, it found several breaches of the firm’s code of conduct.

Tony had requested that people who had been witnesses or victims of bullying or harassment come forward. The firm hasn’t yet resolved the status of the junior female staffer.

The Results of the Investigation against Don Manifold:

The investigation lasted for six weeks. Tony Johnson said that the allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, and victimization against Don Manifold were not substantiated.

However, they found multiple breaches of the firm’s code of conduct and internal policies. Johnson said the firm takes these breaches seriously.

He noted that Don Manifold cooperated with the investigation, accepted the findings, and resolved the matter quickly as it impacted his family. Then, he offered his resignation from the partnership the firm had accepted.

Tony Johnson highlighted that the investigation findings related to the staff member will stay confidential.

Conclusion:

Our sympathy is with the female junior staff member. Also, it’s worth noting that Don Manifold was quite a prominent person at the firm. The company wouldn’t want to expose his shady activities because it would make the entire upper management look bad.

There’s something fishy, and E&Y didn’t reveal everything. Don Manifold faced negligible consequences for his terrible actions, as he has now become Joint Managing Director of Equity & Advisory.

What are your thoughts on Don Manifold and his actions?

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