INSOLVENCY SERVICE
News Release (Ins/Coms/62) issued by The Government News Network on
21 February 2008
Six construction
companies have been wound up in the High Court following an
investigation by Companies Investigation Branch (CIB) of the
Insolvency Service.
The companies were found to be inter-related and the
investigation also revealed serious concerns that three of the
companies were controlled by Mr Mark Edward Dixon, an undischarged
bankrupt (see note 7 below). All were found to have inadequate
accounting records and a complete lack of commercial probity.
Residential building work was obtained by advertising on the
internet and approaching potential customers who had applied to
local authorities for planning permission. A building contract
price would be agreed, and a sizable deposit taken. Work would
then be started but then deliberately abandoned.
In ordering the companies into liquidation Mr Registrar Simmonds
stated that: "the evidence in these cases and the matters
complained of show a strong prima facie case to wind up the
companies in the public interest, notably the cold calling and
direct approach of people who had applied for planning permission.
Deposits would be taken, a minimal amount of work done and they
would then disappear. The interaction of the companies is designed
for the benefit of the directors, Mr Dixon in particular, without
any regard for commercial probity".
Notes to Editors:
1. Crestmere Construction Limited was incorporated on 22 August
2005. The registered office of the company is at 130 Aztec, Aztec
West, Bristol, Avon, BS32 4UP. The sole recorded director of the
company is Mr Kevin Comiskey. The secretary is HCS Secretarial Limited.
2. Dovestone Construction Limited was incorporated on 1 September
2006. The registered office of the company is at 9 Great Meadow
Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 8EG. The sole recorded director
of the company is Ms Laura Milburn. The secretary is HCS
Secretarial Limited.
3. Construction Management Development Limited was incorporated
on 21 April 2005. The registered office of the company is at Suite
F, City Business Centre, Llanthony Road, Gloucestershire, GL2 5JH.
The sole recorded director of the company is Mr Matthew Lee
Higgins. The secretary is HCS Secretarial Limited.
4. CMD Construction Services Limited was incorporated on 15
November 2006. The registered office of the company is at Suite F,
City Business centre, Llanthony Road, Gloucester, GL2 5JH. The
sole recorded director of the company is Mr Matthew Lee Higgins.
No secretary is shown.
5. Protectioncoat Developments Limited was incorporated on 15
November 2006. The registered office of the company is at 5
Campbell Court, Kingsweston Lane, Bristol, BS11 OLF. The sole
recorded director of the company is Mr Alan Holiday. The secretary
is HCS Secretarial Limited.
6. Crestmere Developments Limited was incorporated on 27 April
2006. The registered office of the company is at The Quadrant,
Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4AG. There are no current
recorded officers of the company.
7. Mr Dixon was made bankrupt on 8 January 2004, previously
having been made bankrupt on 8 March 1995. By virtue of his
bankruptcy he is presently precluded from being concerned directly
or indirectly in the management of a company without leave of the
court until 1 April 2009.
8. In November 2006 Mr Dixon was sentenced to 9 months
imprisonment in proceedings brought by Gloucestershire County
Council to prevent him from continuing to contravene the Supply of
Goods and Services Act 1982 and Misrepresentation Act 1967. For
more information see: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-in/glos/newsitem.cgi?file=prss0361.txt
9. The petitions to wind up the six companies in the public
interest were presented on 25 October 2007 under the provisions of
section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986 following confidential
enquiries carried out by Companies Investigation Branch (CIB)
under the provisions of section 447 of the Companies Act 1985, as amended.
10. All six companies were put into provisional liquidation on 1
November 2007 to protect the assets and financial records of the
companies pending determination of the petitions. The companies
were then ordered into liquidation on 20 February 2008.
11. Companies Investigation Branch, part of the Insolvency
Service, carries out confidential enquiries on behalf of the
Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform (BERR).
12. The Insolvency Service administers the insolvency regime
investigating all compulsory liquidations and individual
insolvencies (bankruptcies) through the Official Receiver to
establish why they became insolvent. The Service also authorises
and regulates the insolvency profession; deals with
disqualification of directors in corporate failures; assesses and
pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer
cannot or will not pay employees; provides banking and investment
services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds; and advises
ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.
13. All public enquiries concerning the affairs of the companies
should be made to: The Official Receiver, Public Interest Unit
North, PO Box 326, Boulton House, 17-21 Chorlton Street,
Manchester, M60 3ZZ, Tel No: 0161 934 4182. Email: piu.north@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk
14. Further information about the work of The Insolvency Service
is available from http://www.insolvency.gov.uk