Vicinity boss Grant Kelley fast-tracked exit amid inappropriate conduct claims

Shopping centre boss, and Adelaide 36ers owner, Grant Kelley has denied allegations of sexual harassment, which fast-tracked his departure from Vicinity.

Grant Kelley departed Vicinity on Wednesday. Picture: David Geraghty

Adelaide 36ers owner and prominent South Australian business leader Grant Kelley has denied allegations of inappropriate conduct, which shopping centre giant Vicinity Centres says fast-tracked his departure from the company.

Mr Kelley stepped down from the top job after the company’s annual general meeting last Wednesday, amid claims of inappropriate conduct from a senior member of Vicinity’s management team.

Mr Kelley denied the allegations, which were first reported in the Australian Financial Review.

His departure came months earlier than expected.

Vicinity first announced in October that Mr Kelley would depart the retail property group, but at the time suggested he would retire by June 30 next year in order “to facilitate a smooth and co-ordinated transition”.

In a statement on Tuesday, a Vicinity spokeswoman said the company had sanctioned Mr Kelley for several cases of misconduct in the workplace, and as a result of an internal investigation, had come to a mutual agreement with Mr Kelley to bring his retirement forward.

“Vicinity prides itself of being a safe and inclusive place of work for all its team members,” she said.

“We take allegations of misconduct very seriously and follow a strict protocol to address concerns as and when they are raised.

“In this instance, an independent external investigation was conducted which found four allegations to be proven and Vicinity took advice on the appropriate sanctions against Mr Kelley.

“In addition, both the proven allegations, together with the subsequent findings of an internal 360-degree review, prompted Vicinity’s board and Mr Kelley to agree that Mr Kelley’s retirement be brought forward.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Kelley said he had co-operated fully with Vicinity’s investigation, but denied the allegations made against him.

“I can confirm that I was the subject of allegations by a former employee arising from things I was alleged to have said to others,” he said.

“I co-operated fully in that investigation. I denied the allegations and maintain that denial.

“My decision to leave my role at Vicinity has nothing to do with those allegations or the investigation.”

Mr Kelley’s spokesman provided additional comments, saying: “The impression that Grant’s retirement from Vicinity has been accelerated by or is in some way attributable to the recent investigation, the purported adverse findings and the warning, is wrong.

“Grant decided to retire and executed a confidential retirement deed and his intended retirement was announced before the investigation was concluded and the timing of his departure has nothing to do with the findings or the warning.”

Mr Kelley, a veteran of the property industry, was chief executive at Vicinity since 2018, and guided the company through the worst of Covid.

The Adelaide businessman is highly regarded in his home city, where his business and sporting interests include ownership of the Adelaide 36ers basketball team.

Mr Kelley’s family investment group Holdfast Assets has owned properties across South Australia, including a bluegum plantation on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

He became chief executive of Vicinity in January 2018 after a long career in corporate real estate that included executive roles in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore.

In a statement, an Adelaide 36ers spokesman said the club was aware of the allegations made against its chairman and owner.

“Mr Kelley and his family continue to provide a positive influence and unwavering support to the Adelaide 36ers.”

Vicinity chief operating officer Peter Huddle has been appointed as acting chief executive as the company undertakes a search for a full-time replacement for Mr Kelley.