Fake business rates reduction firm boss is banned

The boss of a company which ran a face business rates reduction service has been disqualified from acting as a director for 10 years.

The company run by Sarah Elizabeth White, also known as Sarah Regan, 32, promised owners of small businesses it could reduce their business rates for a fee of £3,000.

She has been banned following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.

White was the director of Manchester-based Harrison Black Associates which, together with the London branch Hayden Moss Associates, made promises they could not fulfil.

Business owners were led to believe they were guaranteed a reduction in their rates or they would received a full refund.

Following various complaints, the Insolvency Service opened an investigation into the company under powers set out within the Companies Act 1985.

Both companies were then wound up at Manchester District registry last year. A number of small business owners were left out of pocket by more than £34,000.

Commenting on the disqualification, Cheryl Lambert, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Sarah White was purporting to offer a service she knew the company could not, and did not, provide. She took no steps to ensure that Harrison Black did what customers had paid for and what had been promised within a contract.

“Taking action against her should serve as a warning to all directors that if they are abusing their position we will remove them from the marketplace.”

The disqualification is from 2 October 2017.