Former Wales rugby international Leigh Davies has taken legal action against a prominent water supply company, Hydro Industries, led by ex-Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering. Davies alleges that the company deceived him and deprived him of more than £125,000, as per court documents reviewed by Wales Online. The 48-year-old, who earned 21 caps and played for Scarlets and Ospreys, claims that he no longer trusts Pickering and other directors of Hydro.
Hydro Industries, based in Carmarthenshire, is a multimillion-pound firm that supplies drinking water globally and had over £10.5 million in net assets last year. Davies’ court claim, scheduled for trial at Cardiff county court soon, accuses Hydro of dishonesty regarding business dealings in the Middle East. The company, which received significant UK Government funding in 2021, including £71,000 donated to the Conservative party, has refrained from commenting on the allegations made by Davies.
The dispute arose from Davies’ introduction of potential business contacts to Hydro through his connections in the UAE and Gulf states. He claims to have facilitated lucrative contracts for the company and had a commission agreement in place, guaranteeing him a percentage on deals he facilitated. However, Davies asserts that Hydro attempted to renegotiate the contract, reducing his commission from 5% to 1%, which he reluctantly agreed to after reassurances from Hydro’s CEO.
The crux of Davies’ claim lies in a specific contract with a UAE waste management company called Bee’ah, where he believes he was purposely excluded from rightful commission payments. Despite signing the revised agreement in goodwill, Davies alleges that Hydro withheld crucial information regarding the Bee’ah contract, leading to his loss of over £125,000 in potential earnings. He asserts that the company’s actions were deceptive and aimed at sidelining him from receiving due compensation.
The legal battle intensifies as Davies demands full disclosure of Hydro’s contracts in the Gulf states since 2013 and transparency on all parties involved in these deals. The rift between Davies and Hydro’s leadership deepens, painting a contentious picture of business relationships turned sour. With Hydro’s expanding operations globally, including projects in Ecuador, Bangladesh, and Egypt, the outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for both parties involved.
As the court proceedings loom, the spotlight is on the alleged misconduct within Hydro Industries, a company at the intersection of business and sports, helmed by figures from the Welsh rugby community. The outcome of Davies’ legal challenge against the water supply giant led by a former Welsh rugby captain raises questions about integrity, trust, and accountability in corporate partnerships. The trial’s verdict will undoubtedly reverberate within the realms of sports and business, shaping perceptions and practices in the competitive world of commercial enterprises.