In addition to the new ban, the director has also been criminally convicted and given a suspended prison sentence
A director who continued managing a noodle bar franchise company while subject to a seven-year director disqualification has been disqualified for a further 10 years and handed a suspended prison sentence, as reported by the Insolvency Service. He was also convicted of using a false employment document in civil court proceedings. His wife was convicted for aiding and abetting him, and criminal law confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are ongoing.
This case shows the consequences a director faces for breaching a director disqualification, here by being involved in the management of a business.
What the Insolvency Service found – the original disqualification
In July 2019, the director accepted a seven-year disqualification following the liquidation of T.P.F Limited, a food company he directed. He had failed to ensure the company maintained adequate accounting records, or alternatively had failed to preserve and deliver them up. Without the records, it was not possible to account for more than £200,000 in current assets shown in the company’s accounts, or to properly account for almost £800,000 of expenditure.
The ban prevented him from acting as a director, or taking part in the promotion, formation or management (our emphasis added) of a company, without the permission from the court.
The Director Disqualification breach
Despite the ban, he continued to act in the management of another food company, Wok & Go Franchise UK Limited, which sold franchises for the Wok & Go noodle takeaway chain. He pleaded guilty in August 2025 to acting in the management of the company in breach of his ban.
In court, he claimed he had stepped back into the company to protect it during Covid. However, an analysis of the company’s bank accounts found that more than £170,000 was transferred to his personal accounts during 2020.
The false employment document
A franchisee brought a claim for damages against the company. One of the issues in dispute was the director’s role within the company. During those civil court proceedings, a false employment document was provided that presented him as a £12-an-hour “Franchise Relationship Manager”. In August 2026, a jury at Chester Crown Court unanimously convicted him of using a false instrument with intent that it be accepted as genuine.
His wife’s role
His wife admitted aiding and abetting him to act in breach of his director disqualification. She entered her plea on the basis that she did not actively aid or abet him until 1 August 2020. In an interview under caution, she told investigators that in August 2020 she had discovered she was registered as a director of around 18 companies, when she had believed she was a director of only one. She said her husband had told her he had “no choice” but to make her a director to keep the businesses running.
The outcome of this Director Disqualification case
Both were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday 5 October 2026.
- The director received 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified as a director for a further 10 years, until 2036.
- His wife was given a 12-month community order, ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and disqualified as a director for five years.
Confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are ongoing.
David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
The director… “knew he was banned from running companies but continued managing his business regardless.
His original ban followed serious failures over company accounting records, but rather than learn from that, he ignored the restrictions placed on him.
He then used a false employment document in civil court proceedings where his role in the company was one of the issues in dispute.
Director disqualifications protect the public and the business community…”
Neil Davies* comments
Neil Davies, solicitor and director at NDP said:
“This case shows that breaking a ‘DD’ order has consequences that have teeth – here being suspended imprisonment, a criminal record and financial confiscation action. In addition, dragging the spouse into matters is not a great look, but perhaps inevitable.
All of this could have been avoided by an application for Permission to Act as a Director whilst disqualified. Take a look at this article which details how we achieved this for a director who was serving an 11 year ban.”
(*Neil is a member of the Advisory Board to the leading text on Director Disqualification law and practice, ‘Mithani on Directors’ Disqualification’, the leading publication on Director Disqualification Law and Practice)
How our Director Disqualification solicitors can help
If you are a director facing an Insolvency Service investigation or the risk of director disqualification, early advice is essential.
Our team acts for directors nationwide. Take a look at some of our testimonials.
Contact us for confidential, expert advice. The initial discussion is free and without commitment.
Director Disqualification FAQs
What does a director disqualification prevent?
According to the Insolvency Service, a disqualification prevents a person from acting as a director, or taking part in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without permission from the court.
What happened to this director for breaching his disqualification?
He received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid work and a further 10-year director disqualification. Confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are ongoing. He was separately convicted of using a false employment document.
Can someone who helps a disqualified director be prosecuted?
In this case, yes. The director’s wife admitted aiding and abetting him to act in breach of his disqualification. She received a 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work and a five-year director disqualification.
