One of Australia’s most prominent faces has been caught up in a million-dollar stoush with a UK business associate.
The battle, which has plenty of trash talk between the two men at its heart, is about to stoke up as UK lawyers prepare to serve papers this week.
The protagonists are Melbourne-based Jim Penman – the man (and face) behind the multinational Jim’s Group franchise which spans 28 different businesses and about 2700 franchisees in Australia – and his UK-based former master franchisee Paul Carr.
Mr Carr claims Mr Penman, his deputy Phil Maunder and Australian-born UK business partner Richard Harrison orchestrated his removal from the business recently, and is seeking about $1 million – plus damages – from Mr Penman.
“The damages, based on lost projected profits, will be substantial (and) the publicity will be very damaging to both himself and to the future growth of Jim’s in both the UK and his new market the USA,” Mr Carr told WAtoday.com.au.