Former Notts County owner refused Gangmasters Licence

A former Notts County owner has been turned down for a gangmasters licence over concerns that he is a “serious defaulter”.

Ray Trew, who owned the Magpies from 2010 until 2017, when he sold it to Alan Hardy, is now managing director of recruitment firm Evro, based in Burton Waters near Lincoln.

He was considered to not be fit and proper following a review of his application by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) officers.

The organisation regulates individuals and businesses who provide labour to industries such as agriculture and horticulture.

The GLAA’s scheme is aimed at protecting the rights of workers in these sectors.

Trew was a director at Pinnacle Advantage , which went into liquidation in June 2016.

He was also a director at three companies which owed Pinnacle substantial debts, including Notts County, and appointed a designated member at another.

Pinnacle, in turn, owed significant amounts of money to HMRC in unpaid VAT.

The GLAA says Trew was given an opportunity to respond, advising him of concerns about his fitness and propriety.

However, the GLAA says it received no response, resulting in the authority refusing his application for a licence.

GLAA head of licensing Charlotte Woodliffe said: “We found Mr Trew’s previous conduct extremely concerning and not the behaviour we would expect from the managing director of a GLAA licence holder.

“As a result of this, we considered him to be unfit to hold a GLAA licence.”

Acting as an unlicensed gangmaster is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine.