Ball faces criminal probe for breaching ban
TERENCE Ball, the son of the well-known Lancashire shoe retailer Tommy Ball, is to face a criminal investigation for breaching a nine-year director disqualification.
The breach came to light after the Company Investigations branch of the Insolvency Service petitioned to wind up two Ball family businesses in the public interest, Baer Ltd and Hyper Investments.
It alleged the family, of Ribchester, near Preston, and Clitheroe, planned to use the companies as part of a “rolling phoenix” – when assets are passed from one company to another in a bid to shake off creditors. It also claimed that Mr Ball was involved in Baer in breach of the disqualification he received in 2006.
At Manchester’s Civil Justice Centre Judge Pelling agreed Baer should be wound up and said Mr Ball was in breach of his disqualification undertakings. But he rejected the claim that Hyper Investments was involved in the phoenix.
The family own a number of other companies and continue to sell footwear under the Shoe Sale brand and bathroom equipment from Bathroom Traders shops.
During a five-day trial Michael Green, acting for the Insolvency Service, accused Terence Ball, his wife Judith and daughter Katherine of transferring assets from Ball Shoes, to Rebell Holdings, to Baer Ltd. He claimed Baer’s assets were set to be acquired by Hyper Investments.
The family’s barrister, Olivier Kalfon, argued there was nothing improper about the way they transferred assets between various companies.
In a statement the Company Investigations branch said: “In successfully petitioning the court to wind up Baer Ltd in the public interest the service has demonstrated its willingness to bring its statutory powers to bear in order to promote fair competition and a level playing field for business as well as transparency of business ownership so that creditors and customers can make informed decisions.”
Tommy Ball became well-known in Blackburn in the 1970s and ’80s for building up a significant footwear business from scratch. He sold up and retired to the Isle of Man in 1986 and died in 2008.
