Music executive Andy Inglis posted an ad for a new assistant but said only women under 30 would be considered.
Inglis, who runs 5000 Management which represents fledgling music stars, said he would only employ a younger woman to work with him so he could tackle discrimination.
He invited complainers to report him under the Equality Act – but said he’d just employ a woman anyway.
“Sorry to any men who want to apply, but I’m tired of looking around and seeing people who look like me (middle-aged white men) running the industry. I won’t help to perpetuate institutionalised sexism.
“You can probably report me under the Equality Act 2010, but I’ll just remove mention of hiring a woman in the post, pretend I’m abiding with the terms of the Act, then go ahead and hire a woman anyway.”
Inglis, 43, admitted in the ad the age restriction wasn’t absolute and those over 30 could convince him to give them the job.
His advert split opinion on Twitter and Facebook with many praising his stance. Others complained the job advert was sexist and ageist though.
“If this pompous old white hipster bro actually wants to help the music industry, he should remove himself from it,” said one user called @shoobzdarg.
Inglis later tweeted: “Now I’ll just spend my day arguing with people on the internet about my wanting to hire a young person.”
A few hours after the ad was posted Inglis apologised but left the advert on his site. But not long after that he issued an unreserved apology.
“I’ve deleted the job description and have closed this application for the foreseeable future, without appointing anyone,” he said.
“I have angered a great many people. I am sorry for this and I unreservedly apologise. I was attempting to positively discriminate in an industry which continues to treat women – of all ages – badly.
“I hoped what I wrote would stimulate conversation and debate. It did that. However, I alienated many women over 30 who already find it hard enough to find work in the music industry.”
In his ad, Inglis also said he’d refuse to employ smokers, Conservative voters, those who mentioned their cats, and fans of jazz-funk.
Speaking to The Sunday Post, Andy said: “The ad ignited passionate conversations and debate around the issues, and we need to keep having these conversations to become better, more understanding people.
“I just greatly regret I’ve angered so many women in the process.”
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