The boss of an industrial and domestic groundworks company has been banned from running businesses after failing to submit taxes and keep adequate accounting records.
George Fry, 36, from Glasgow, was the sole director and shareholder of Connect Pavers.
In October 2017, just two years after being incorporated, Connect Pavers entered into liquidation following a petition at Glasgow Sheriff Court by the tax authorities for an unpaid bill of more than £140,000.
Insolvency practitioners were tasked with winding-up Connect Pavers but George Fry failed to ensure the company maintained adequate accounting records and as a result, the company could not deliver any records to the liquidator. The Insolvency Service also found that the company paid no taxes throughout the two years the company was in operation.
Further investigations discovered that between 18 May 2016 and 3 November 2016 George Fry withdrew £101,100 from the company’s account but because he failed to maintain adequate accounting records, he could not adequately explain whether these transactions were legitimate or not.
On 19 December 2018, at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Anwar granted a disqualification order for a period of seven years.
Robert Clarke, chief investigator for the Insolvency Service, said: “From day one, George Fry had a responsibility to ensure the company maintained proper accounting records and pay the correct levels of taxes. But he failed on both accounts, amounting to a dereliction of duty.
“Seven years is a substantial ban, severely restricting George Fry’s activities, and we hope others take heed that we can stop people from running companies if they do not take their directorship duties seriously.”
