Wendy Addison on bringing down Leisurenet, two-faced Richard Branson, life after whistleblowing

It's just over two decades since accountant Wendy Addison tipped off SA's Exchange Control authorities that something smelly was happening at Leisurenet, owner of 87 gyms and a darling of the JSE. As a result of her whistleblowing, Addison, a CA (SA), was forced to flee to the UK, accompanied by hard evidence of the massive fraud. But her dream job with high-profile entrepreneur Richard Branson ended when the Virgin chief opted to do a deal with the fraudsters and marched his recently appointed group treasurer out of the building - and literally into the begging lane. SA's first high-profile commercial whistleblower reflects on life-changing years when her testimony and subsequent pressure eventually put the company's joint MDs Rod Mitchell and Peter Gardiner behind bars, explaining how she applied those experiences to shape a different life. She spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices