Ben Szutor,the forrmer CEO of Edinburgh-based Skylark Lasers, has lost a legal batlte after an employment tribunal dismissed his claims of discrimination. The dispute arose when Szutor allegedly upgraded himself to first-class on international trips, citing a fear of flying that required more space.

The £5,800 friction point in a loss-making firm

The unauthorized upgrades to business and first class for trips to Japan and China cost the company approximately £5,800, according to the report . This expenditure occurred while Skylark Lasers was reportedly operating at a loss and struggling to meet revenue targets, creating a significant rift between the executive and the board.

This conflict mirrors a recurring tension in the high-growth startup sector, where the line between necessary executive perks and the misuse of investor capital often becomes blurred... As companies face tightening markets, the scrutiny on how leadership spends "burn rate" cash has intensified, making even small discrepancies a potential catalyst for board-level revolt.

A rapid rise from Heriot-Watt to the Forbes 30 Under 30

Ben Szutor’s career at Skylark Lasers moved with remarkable speed, beginning as a laser engineer in February 2020 after graduating from Heriot-Watt University. He was promoted to Chief Technical Officer in early 2023 and eventually ascended to the role of CEO by June of that year.. Despite his recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his work in photonics, the tribunal heard that Szutor had no prior experience as a chief executive and was provided training by the company to manage his new responsibilities.

Par Equity’s refusal to fund luxury travel

Investors at Par Equity, including partner Paul Atkinson and board chair Ewan McLellan, raised significant alarms regarding the CEO's travel habits in 2024. As the tribunal heard, McLellan emphasized that company policy mandates economy class travel, especially while the firm relies on investor funding to support the business. This tension highlights the fundamental struggle between an executive's personal requirements and the fiduciary duty to preserve dwindling capital.

The validity of the "rubber-stamped" medical claims

The legitimacy of the medical documentation Szutor provided to justify his upgrades remains a central unanswered question.. While Szutor claimed his fear of flying caused migraines and panic attacks, the triunal heard that he obtained a doctor's note to "rubber-stamp" the expenditure. it remains unclear whether the medical necessity was a genuine disability or a convenient workaround for a preference for more legroom, and the source does not clarify if the board's refusal was based on a lack of medical evidence or a strict adherence to the economy-class policy.