Having 5 registered businesses?

[Autumnflakes]

Somebody I know has five limited businesses. He claims to be an award-winning consultant, local business winner but also a too gooder.

Having a look at the filling history it doesn’t look like any are turning a huge amount (one dissolved, three dormant and one turning over £30,000 last year). Looks like a couple have never turned a penny. They’re all under 10 years old.

All the company names are all very similar, some the have the same directors, some just this one person, they all have this one person in common.

Whilst looking on Companies House I’ve also noticed that the five businesses are split over two registered accounts(?) Aka two businesses in Adam Joe Brown’s name, another three in Adam J Brown’s name.

One of these businesses Adam* claims is his non profit, but he has share holders. It’s always been dormant, but he’s still trying to promote his services as a non profit. Why would he not register as a charity/just volunteer his services instead of registering it as a limited company?

Is he just rubbish at business? Tax avoidance? Has ideas for business but doesn’t follow through? A lier? Lost his log in details for one of his accounts and started another?

Or is he just a bit dodgy?

The only reason I ask as he seems to be barging into our community group wanting to ‘help’ via his nonprofit. He is upselling that he’s an award winning consultant and his generosity is endless….

Others think he’s amazing but I think he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing…

Looks dodgy to me!
We knew someone who'd start companies and dissolve them before the return was due. No tax paid.
I really wish companies house would crack down on these guys. You should see the process if you want to report them, it's not easy!

He sounds dodgy, and your group needs to be careful that he doesn't make it look like you endorse him. You probably need a disclaimer message to say that, and warning people to check the credentials of anyone offering to help.

On my limited knowledge/a bit of googling I’ve done it’s generally thought of if these dodgy tax evaders spent half the time working on their business/paying tax than finding loop holes they’d probably still take home more money and have half the stress.