Gaming company directors face combined 29-year ban
THE directors of a gaming equipment business have been disqualified for between three and 11 years following the administration of the company.
Two directors, Alison Jayne Auckland of Ripon and Sarah Louise Sowray of Bedale, both North Yorkshire, were banned from managing or directing a company until November 2019.
Alexander Edwin Auckland of Harrogate and by Mark Kevin Sowray of Bedale have been disqualified from holding the directorship at a business until June 2027.
The two were appointed as directors of Melmerby-based AMG Leisure Ltd in March 2006, a company which distributed gaming equipment.
The company supplied gaming and gambling businesses with coin operated game equipment and children’s rides and was based at The Sidings in Melmerby.
AMG went into administration on 8 April 2014 with debts to creditors estimated at £1.19m.
The Insolvency Service’s Company Investigation Team in Manchester that investigated the company said that Mr Auckland and Mr Sowray caused AMG to breach the conditions of an invoice financing agreement to the detriment of the provider.
Mrs Auckland and Mrs Sowray did not dispute that they abrogated their duties as directors of AMG. The pair admitted that from 22 May 2013 until the date of administration on 8 April 2014, they took no part in the management of the company; allowing AMG to breach the conditions of the finance agreement.
Rob Clarke, head of Insolvent Investigations North, said: “In this case the directors arranged for creditors to pay £312,741 to the company rather than pay the factor who had advanced funds against the invoices causing losses to the factor.
“It is no defence to state that directors had no role in the company, those appointed are responsible regardless of their level of involvement.
“The protection afforded by limited liability is based on company directors meeting their duties and obligations and if they fail to do so, this protection will be withdrawn.”
