University Of Brighton

Reviews

• ProfitNet in South Africa is fraudulent

  I represent the members of ProfitNet in South Africa. ProfitNet is a programme based at the University of Brighton and it was introduced into South Africa in 2007, with funding from the British Council. It's UK directors are Shaun Gannon and George Tsekouras of CENTRIM, UoB, and Robert Taylor of the Leadership Centre, UKZN, SA. We were promised all sorts of everything in 2009. Gannon and Teskouras attended one of our meetings in 2008 and promised us linkages with businesses in the UK, Profitnet Plus, Profitnet Trade, continued funding - lies, lies and more lies. They got 15 000 pounds from the British Council for our group in 2009. That money was supposed to be used to pay the project manager and facilitators, to cover the costs of really good speakers, materials, operating costs etc. NOT ONE PENNY of that money was spent on our groups. We never saw either Gannon or Tsekouras after August 2008 and have had no communication from them at all since then. We know that Gannon was in South Africa at least twice, using British Council money, but he came nowhere near us. The South African director, Robert Taylor, visited us once, at the beginning of 2009. He promised a venue to meet in, top class speakers, equipment....We never saw them and we never saw him again either. We want to know where the money went. Why were the staff not paid? Where are the invoices and receipts that were sent to Taylor to be refunded but which have not been? Why have we had nothing but lies and deceit from the directors all along? We had an email from a vice chancellor of Brighton University, Mr. Colin Monk, who basically brushed off our grievances and concerns saying that the directors claim they are waiting for "better" information. That's a lie. They have all the information they need. We think it is shameful that Brighton University is covering up the unprofessional, unethical and possibly illegal activities of Gannon and Tsekouras - its employees and representatives - and trying to protect them. We were told that a "high level investigation" would be conducted into our grievances, and we have much documentary evidence to support these. Mr. Monk made no effort to contact me or any of the members in his "investigation" and it seems that it is more convenient for him to believe the lies of his staff. His email to us was pompous and dismissive and we believe his attitude is contemptible. The University of Brighton is acting as shamefully as it's Profitnet employees. Please see our website www.profitnetsa.co.za for more details on this matter.

  10

  Sue L.
  Review Date: 14/04/2010 Report review