P&O chief who prompted outrage by sacking nearly 800 staff is to quit

Peter Hebblethwaite was accused of operating like ‘pirates of the high sea’ over the sacking of 786 workers in 2022. Photograph: Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images

The chief executive described as “Britain’s most hated boss” after sacking almost 800 workers at P&O Ferries is to leave the company.

Peter Hebblethwaite prompted outrage in 2022 after P&O Ferries dismissed 786 staff and replaced them with low-paid agency workers, who received considerably less than the UK minimum wage.