4BR has been exclusively informed that the BBC1 ‘One Show’ is to broadcast a special feature with a very pertinent brass band link on Tuesday night (7.00pm).
Illegal
The programme reports on the disturbing ease by which disqualified directors can be involved in the setting up of brand new businesses by using other people to act as a front for their illegal activities.
The law does not allow for businesses to trade in this manner, although it is a practice that has been found to be occurring more frequently in the UK in recent years.
Fraud
The ‘One Show’ focuses its attention on Grahame Whitehead, the former Essex-based independent financial adviser (IFA), who was convicted of fraud in 2010 and ordered to repay £2.6 million from a reported £26 million investment scam he masterminded.
Whitehead was subsequently barred from being a company director until 2024.
Promotional events
However, it is alleged that Whitehead, who later became involved in Prestige Promotions (UK) Ltd, used it as a front for trading activities which saw him book bands such as Black Dyke, Grimethorpe, Brighouse & Rastrick, Cory and others for promotional events.
When the bands and individuals later tried to get paid money owed to them for their work, significant problems arose — leading to the eventual application for the company, run, according to records by Managing Director Christie Wilson, to be struck off in allegedly dubious circumstances — owing tens of thousands of pounds in the process.
The programme reports on the disturbing ease by which disqualified directors can be involved in the setting up of brand new businesses by using other people to act as a front for their illegal activities4BR
Tracked down
The ‘One Show’ has since tried to track Whitehead down to seek a full explanation, whilst the report, which uses footage from the recent British Open Championship at Symphony Hall, also features interviews with Mike Shenton and Nigel Dixon, the respective Band Managers of Black Dyke and Grimethorpe.
Tuesday evening
If you want to find out just what the ‘One Show’ uncovered then tune in on Tuesday evening, but if miss the programme it will be aired on the BBC iplayer for a week following broadcast.
4BR report:
The initial story was reported in depth on 4BR on 17th May 2014:
http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=18647#.VCmyJfldUg8
