{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/government/news/manchester-company-which-took-advantage-of-struggling-businesses-shut-down","content_id":"3a516309-5bc5-4af0-bcff-eda3d1c5bde1","description":"Clark Sinclair Limited took more than £123,000 from businesses with debts by claiming they could provide alternatives to formal insolvency.","details":{"attachments":[],"body":"<div class=\"govspeak\"><ul>\n  <li>\n    <p>Clark Sinclair Limited offered to arrange sales of financially distressed businesses for £1 and charged a fee. </p>\n  </li>\n  <li>\n    <p>They misleadingly suggested directors could avoid scrutiny by selling their companies before liquidation. </p>\n  </li>\n  <li>\n    <p>The company was wound up by the High Court in Manchester on 29 October 2026.</p>\n  </li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>A Manchester-registered company has been shut down following an Insolvency Service investigation which found they were providing misleading services to directors of companies in financial difficulty. </p>\n\n<p>Clark Sinclair Limited’s promotional emails suggested directors could avoid reputational damage by selling their companies before liquidation.  </p>\n\n<p>The company offered to find buyers for companies with debts, telling clients that sales could be completed within days.  </p>\n\n<p>The shares would be sold for £1, while Clark Sinclair charged brokering fees of between £2,500 and £6,800. </p>\n\n<p>Investigators identified £123,052 in customer payments, across two company accounts, and identified 51 companies which appeared to have changed ownership following payments to Clark Sinclair. </p>\n\n<p>The company also misrepresented the role of insolvency practitioners, incorrectly suggesting they sold company assets solely to pay their own fees. </p>\n\n<p>Clients were not warned that the various actions Clark Sinclair advised them to take could breach their duties as directors.  </p>\n\n<p>Clark Sinclair’s registered sole director told investigators that they had never heard of the company, raising concerns that they were appointed without their knowledge or consent. </p>\n\n<p>Investigators were unable to identify who was behind the company.</p>\n\n<p>Insolvency Service Chief Investigator, David Usher, said:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n  <p>Clark Sinclair Limited took advantage of struggling businesses by offering directors a misleading route out of their company’s debts, charging thousands of pounds for the service. </p>\n\n  <p>Selling a company does not prevent its former directors’ conduct from being investigated if it later enters liquidation.  </p>\n\n  <p class=\"last-child\">Clark Sinclair Limited not only deceived their customers but undermined the insolvency sector.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>All enquiries concerning the affairs of this company should be made to the Official Receiver of the Public interest unit. Email <a href=\"mailto:PIU.OR@insolvency.gov.uk\">PIU.OR@insolvency.gov.uk</a></p>\n\n<h2 id=\"further-information\">Further information</h2>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>\n    <p>Clark Sinclair Limited (company number 15324100) was incorporated on 3 December 2023. </p>\n  </li>\n  <li>\n    <p>The company is registered at Initial Business Centre, Wilson Business Park, Manchester. </p>\n  </li>\n  <li>\n    <p>The company was wound up the public interest under section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986.</p>\n  </li>\n</ul>\n</div>","change_history":[{"note":"First 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