Family Questions Vodafone Franchisee's Tragic Death Amid High Court Claim
Adrian Howe, a long-serving Vodafone employee, was found drowned in a lake at Gleniffer Braes Country Park in August 2018, just days before he was set to open two Vodafone franchise stores in Irvine and Kilmarnock. The 58-year-old father-of-five, who had worked for the telecoms firm for over two decades, initially had his death attributed to an underlying heart condition and drowning. However, his family now believes it was suicide, raising serious questions about his interactions with Vodafone and the pressures of franchising.
Concerns Over Franchise Agreements and Mental Health
Adrian's family claims he expressed worries about taking on a second store in Kilmarnock, where he had previously been a store manager. They allege he felt pressured by Vodafone, with a note found in his home reading, '1st September, nice to have death,' which they interpret as a reference to the store openings scheduled for the next day. Vodafone has denied forcing him to take on a poorly performing store, stating it was his choice to become a franchise partner or remain an employee.
This case emerges as 62 former franchisees launch a high court claim against Vodafone, accusing the £18 billion company of failing to act in good faith regarding commission payments and unjustly enriching itself at their expense. The claim has been likened to the Horizon IT scandal by MPs, highlighting systemic issues within the franchising model.
Personal Guarantees and Financial Strain
Adrian confided in family members about a personal guarantee agreement with Vodafone, which he feared could lead to losing his family home if the stores failed. His sister, Gillian Daley, recalled him saying, 'If it goes t**s up, I am going to lose everything,' including the house shared with his wife Tracey and son Nathan. Vodafone asserts that such agreements are standard practice, requiring proof of funds and legal advice, but Adrian's family feels the financial burden was overwhelming.
Emails revealed Adrian had saved £48,000 to fund the stores, but this fell short of the operational costs needed. His daughter, Kirsty-Anne Howe, explained it was insufficient for even one-third of the expenses, exacerbating his stress. In the weeks before his death, Adrian exhibited unusual behavior, such as cycling without a helmet and veering into oncoming traffic, which his family found out of character for the safety-conscious father.
Aftermath and Calls for Legal Reform
Following Adrian's death, Vodafone paid his widow, Tracey Howe, an augmented payment equivalent to a death-in-service payout, though he would not have been entitled to it as he had left the company to become a franchisee. The family views this gesture with suspicion, but Vodafone insists it was made in good faith. A post-mortem report cited his heart disease, history of anxiety and depression, and business-related stress as potential factors in his death.
Adrian's family is now advocating for changes in the law to better protect franchisees and is supporting the high court claim against Vodafone. Tracey Howe expressed, 'The laws just need to be changed so this never happens again... We want them to be sorry for what they have done to us as a family.' They hope to prevent similar tragedies and hold Vodafone accountable for its actions.
Vodafone's Response and Ongoing Dispute
A spokesperson for Vodafone UK reiterated their sadness over Adrian's death, describing him as a respected employee and denying any wrongdoing. They stated that the high court claim is a commercial dispute and have offered a significant payment to resolve it, though it was rejected by the claimants' lawyers. The firm maintains that franchise agreements are designed to ensure partners have sufficient cashflow and are not compelled to proceed.
As the legal battle continues, Adrian's family seeks closure and justice, emphasizing the emotional toll of his loss. For confidential support, individuals can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
