Newlook in Monmouth has been disqualified for 12 years for targeting vulnerable customers using coercive and misleading selling practices.
The disqualification follows collaboration between the agency, Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs and the Health and Safety Executive.
Phillip Christopher Twose (62), sole director of Newlook Roof Coatings Limited was banned from managing or controlling a company without leave of the court for 12 years from 22 April 2015, following the Insolvency Service’s investigation.
The investigation found that Newlook cold called predominantly elderly and vulnerable people and coerced them into signing agreements for completely unnecessary work that involved applying roof coatings.
Newlook would claim that moss found on roofs caused damage for which an entire new roof would be required; in addition the prices charged for the works were considerably over-inflated.
The company was investigated by Trading Standards in December 2011, after a number of complaints from customers, and Mr Twose was sent to prison.
HM Revenue and Customs and the Health and Safety Executive also opened further investigations and the company was found to have submitted inaccurate VAT returns and to be non-compliant with Health and Safety requirements.
Sue MacLeod, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Many of the people targeted were vulnerable and the tactics used by the sales representatives exploited this to achieve sales. I would urge anyone contacted in similar circumstances to exercise caution in allowing sales representatives into your home.
“The Insolvency Service treats this kind of misconduct extremely seriously and will not hesitate to take action against directors who fail to adhere to the standards required of them. This is reflected in the period of disqualification.”
