"She called me a liar and accused me of using her/ the company as a leg up and that this had been my intention all along" bloody hell! Even if you had that's a totally normal thing to do in a career! They don't own you!
Disclaimer - not an employment expert.
Ah small company then. It actually sounds like they're desperate, not running the business well, struggling to attract decent employees because they don't understand recruitment or retention (or the industry?) properly and are now panicking because actually for them you ARE a good employee with good skills. No wonder you want out!
For an MD to behave like that is outrageous!
Sounds like they're over-reaching on what they think the company is capable of and also don't have the capital to properly invest in new areas.
They sound incompetent!
Honestly it's an employers market for most at the moment, I wish there were a way companies could be rated as employers, publicly! There's far too many absolute horrors out there!
Well done for the foresight in creating a paper trail for the resignation. Sounds like you'll need it!
Op did nothing wrong in waiting until she had new contract before quitting this job. Until that point new job isn't guaranteed and op has bills to pay same as everyone else. If new job had for whatever reason fallen through she'd have continued working for this company. She can't make them understand something they're completely unwilling to hear. They could have taken her concerns on board and extended her probation period they chose not to. That's their look out not op's problem.
They recognise op's skill set and experience - yet refuse to acknowledge this means she also knows how this fits - or doesn't - in their business model and their ambitions for the company. They can't have it all ways!
Yes op - print out the email trail of your raising the issues etc in case they're daft enough (wouldn't put it past them) to delete them.
"Although it's a new area for them, they will have conducted research/feasibility studies before deciding to pursue it." Not necessarily - I've worked for small companies and seen them set up new depts and new branches on a whim! Given the evidence of their incompetence so far it wouldn't surprise me if little planning or forethought was involved.
"MD was forced to apologise to me for her behaviour yesterday" good!
Up until the 🤔 face about responsibility to clients I was supportive. You DO have a responsibility within the agreed notice period that nothing you do or don't do disrupts the service to clients.
MD sounds fucking paranoid as you're not moving to a direct competitor and it doesn't sound like they have reason to be concerned. But then I think actually maybe they're just embarrassed (as they should be) at the way they behaved and can't bear to be daily reminded for several months! Which is actually quite pathetic!
Get more info before you agree to anything.
Acas or lawyer - can they insist you work only from home?
Is that truly possible within the role? From your update at 1525 I would say it sounds as though it isn't.
Personally I think MD needs to grow the fuck up and get over their embarrassment/paranoia, you work 3 months in office but if possible in a private room, 3 months gardening leave unless they can't find a replacement within 3 months.
DEFINITELY get it all in writing.
And yes £35k sounds woefully low pay for the role described! No wonder they're having trouble attracting suitable applicants!
Post at 1553 sounds promising, perhaps an HR experienced person in similar industry may be able to help you come up with a plan to deal with all this.