The chief executive of a luxury estate agency has been accused of sexual harassment by female employees at the firm.
Staff at UK Sotheby’s International Realty, run by George Azar, a Dubai-based entrepreneur, have raised concerns about workplace culture and management conduct at the business, Bloomberg reported.
The allegations relate to a series of incidents involving senior figures within the business, including Mr Azar.
One female employee described an evening attended by UK staff members at a Mayfair private members’ club in early 2025, organised to mark the company’s success in London’s luxury property sector.
She told Bloomberg that Mr Azar, who was about 20 years older than her, made repeated personal and sexually charged remarks about female employees throughout the evening, while other senior male colleagues laughed along.
These reportedly included comments about her body and questions about how much sex she was having, as well as descriptions of wanting to perform sexual acts with another female colleague who was not present.
She said the comments became increasingly inappropriate as the night progressed, leaving her feeling uncomfortable.
Days later, when she sought to speak to a manager, purportedly one of her colleagues who had laughed along, she was allegedly told there was no local HR function in the UK through which she could raise a complaint.
She was reportedly told that she would not remain anonymous if she filed a formal complaint with HR staff based at Sotheby’s Dubai franchise, causing her to decide against it as she feared losing her job.
Lawyers acting for Mr Azar and Sotheby’s International Realty told Bloomberg that the chief executive did not recall making the alleged remarks and said no formal complaints had been lodged concerning his conduct.
They told the news outlet that the estate agency has policies designed to prevent harassment and inappropriate workplace behaviour.
Three former employees recalled previous remarks by Mr Azar suggesting that “if anyone needs to speak with HR, they should jump off the rooftop”, during a team meeting in 2023.
A year later, he reportedly told hundreds of employees that “we have no HR”, while on stage at a company event in Dubai.
The claims emerge at a pivotal moment for the business, which has brokered several high-profile deals in recent times and established itself among London’s property elite.
These include the sale of Nick Candy’s home for more than £270m, believed to be the biggest home sale recorded.
Sotheby’s International Realty was spun off from the auction house in 1976 and operates on a franchise model.
Mr Azar, a former banker of Jefferies Financial Group who is based in Dubai, bought the UK franchise in 2023, having previously acquired the UAE business in 2013 and Saudi franchise in 2015.
Since his UK purchase, the business has expanded aggressively, advising on more than £1.6bn sales last year. Under Mr Azar, the business donated £100,000 to Reform UK in August last year, public records show.
Bloomberg reported allegations by several former staff members that inappropriate sexual and other offensive comments, excessive drinking at corporate events and intimidating management practices were recurring incidents.
While UK businesses are not legally required to maintain local HR departments, employers are mandated to protect staff safety and welfare and from discrimination and harassment.
A spokesman for Sotheby’s International Realty, the US arm of the franchise, said: “We are aware of the allegations reported regarding UK Sotheby’s International Realty, which is independently owned and operated under a franchise agreement.
“We do not tolerate harassment or misconduct of any kind. We take these reports seriously and are looking into the matter with the franchisee.”
