A New Zealand businessman is in hot water after calling Nadia Lim "Eurasian fluff" and making comments about her cleavage.
Founder and CEO of specialty chemicals company DGL, Simon Henry, made the comments during a rich list interview with NBR last month.
During the interview, Henry hit out at the My Food Bag co-founder and celebrity chef, suggesting her looks were to blame for the company's disappointing entry into the public market.
"I can tell you, and you can quote me,” he said. "When you’ve got Nadia Lim, when you’ve got a little bit of Eurasian fluff in the middle of your prospectus with a blouse unbuttoned showing some cleavage, and that's what it takes to sell your scrip, then you know you’re in trouble."
He went on to suggest Lim, a well-respected businesswoman and entrepreneur, was using her "sensuality" to sell the meal delivery service.
"Go back to that prospectus and find that photo. You know you're in trouble. I mean, you know, when you got a TV celebrity showing off her sensuality to hock scrip, then you know you’re in trouble," he told NBR.
"The uglier the board, the more successful the share," he continued. "So, I sort of don't get it; you come to market telling everyone it’s a great company. And, by the way, we’re selling it and running. I don’t get it. I mean, I’m a simple man. I don’t get it. If it’s so good, why are you selling it?"
The photo in question shows Lim cooking a chicken on a barbeque. Lim is wearing jeans, a white blouse (with no buttons) and a patterned shawl.
Both Lim and Henry's companies were listed on the NZX and ASX in March 2021. However, while Henry's company saw huge profit, My Food Bag had a more disappointing initial result.
When asked for comment by NBR, Lim said: "Your email did make me think that you should do an NBR article on the 'Top five most chauvinistic people in NZ business'."
Henry's remarks have drawn ire on Twitter, with one user exclaiming "Jesus wept".
"What the actual f#ck!" another said. "I am seriously over men behaving in this way and thinking it's okay."
Newshub and AM have asked Henry for comment but are yet to hear back.
