Seven linked companies shut down after Insolvency Service investigation

Seven seemingly unrelated companies have been shut down after Insolvency Service investigators and Companies House combined to unearth evidence of a connection between them.

The companies, three of which were based in London and the other four in Lancashire, Manchester and Reading, were said to be involved in various trades including the wholesale of fruits, vegetables, oil and gas and another involved in property.

Attic Asset Ltd, Kevin Steven Fryer Ltd, Quality Imports & Exports Limited, Nigel Jones & Paul Bowden Ltd, Farm Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Ltd, Wiseman Press Ltd and Christopher Sherwood Limited were linked by similar incorporation histories, company name changes and comparable business descriptions.

The investigation also found that accounts filed at Companies House appeared to contain false or misleading auditor information. Named audit firms denied carrying out audits for the companies. Several companies did not have a genuine presence at their registered office addresses. Investigators were unable to confirm legitimate trading activity or identify who was actually controlling some of the companies. It also found that the companies failed to co-operate with the investigation, preventing investigators from verifying their activities.

The companies were successfully wound up in the public interest at the High Court in Manchester on 22 September 2026.

David Usher, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said “These seven companies have been successfully shut down, and my thanks go to Companies House for their assistance in providing key evidence for these cases.

“This should send a clear message that companies cannot use false filings or misleading information to gain credibility and put other businesses at risk.”

Matt Pennell, Head of Intelligence at Companies House, said “The company register is a vital source of information, and those who use it must be able to trust the records it contains. False or misleading filings can undermine that trust and cause real harm.

“Working closely with the Insolvency Service, Companies House helped uncover links between these companies and support action to shut them down in the public interest, protecting the integrity of the register and those who rely on it.”