Six-year ban for couple after spending £2.4m before liquidation

Six-year ban for couple after spending £2.4m before liquidation

The directors of an East Kilbride double glazing firm have been disqualified after failing to keep records to explain where £2.4 million of the company bank accounts was spent.

Hagit Fieldman, 54, and Gary Fieldman, 58, both of whom now live in Israel, were directors of First For Windows Ltd. The company traded as Dalmatian Windows and provided the manufacture and installation of double glazing, doors and conservatories.

The company was incorporated in 2005, with its main trading address in East Kilbride, and traded without issue for a number of years.

In 2017, however, the directors were unable to meet their tax obligations and a petition to wind up the company was presented by the tax authorities in June 2019.

Following an Insolvency Service investigation, it was found that £2.4 million had been spent from the company bank accounts.

The liquidator, however, was not able to verify any of the payments or estimates because both directors had failed to preserve or deliver up adequate accounting records.

Further enquiries uncovered that the Fieldmans had failed to file accounts for First For Windows Ltd since after 2017 and the lack of records meant that the trading of the company and various payments could not be determined.

In previous accounts, all that was recorded was that stock had been valued at £32,000 and the company was said to have fixed assets of £15,000.

On 28 April 2021, the Secretary of State accepted disqualification undertakings from them.

Both bans were effective from 19 May 2021 and last for six years meaning they cannot, directly or indirectly, become involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

Rob Clarke, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Hagit Fieldman and Gary Fieldman traded this company successfully for a number of years and so should have known what was expected of them as directors. £2.4 million is not an insignificant amount and their decision not to keep company records means these funds cannot be accurately traced.

“Directors must meet their obligations, including keeping accounting records throughout the life of their companies, and we will take action against those who do not do so.”

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