To tell a lie on my application?

[LittleWhiteLies]

I've been provisionally offered a job that I'm really pleased about!

They've asked for references and I've provided my two previous employers, no problems there.
The employer before them dismissed me for gross misconduct, I worked there for 7 years and left 5 years ago so I didn't think I would ever have to use them as a reference but my new employer wants a reference from them. On my application I didn't say that I was dismissed, I gave another reason for leaving so wasn't 100% truthful in my application.

The company has changed owners twice since I left.

Does anyone think I'll get caught out by this?

I hope not

Using fictitious name here. So you worked for the Smith Co in the Smith Bldg, the Smith Co went out of business and sold off their assets (but not the business itself) to the Brown Co which opened a new business in the still named Smith Bldg?

If that’s it, chances are that Brown Co will not have the former Smith Cos records. I’d probably call Brown Co and ask them if they have them. If they don’t simply tell your new employer that you are unable to get a reference because the records apparently no longer exist.

I would call first to see if the records exist. You can provide tax records /bank statements for the period to prove your employment with the company.

If you are found out later it is a simple reason to sack you. Gaps in your CV as an alternative arouse suspicions (were you in prison then, for example).

Changing owners does not mean records go. Where I worked in the 1990s the police approached us about someone thought to have worked for the company under previous ownership in the 1970s, and evidence could be found.

5 years is quite recent history though, I would definitely check that far back with a potential employee.

I'd suggest coming clean, but do it now. Nobody would expect you to advertise the circumstances of your dismissal during the application process, but to actively try to hide it is crossing a line IMO.

We offered a job to someone once who immediately informed us that her checks would reveal a police caution and explained why.
She was still employed.

As far as I knew, if a company no longer existed it was not expected to be able to obtain a reference from them? I think you'll be fine OP.

I think most people have understood what you've said Op, but not all. This isn't a matter of the company being taken over by new owners - Smith and Son continues to exist but no longer owned by Mr Smith, it's owned by Mrs Brown. In this case Smith and Son was wound up and a completely different company sits in the same premises.

So in those circumstances I think it's highly unlikely that the new company would even try to obtain a reference. I'm not sure if they'd even be legally entitled to access confidential records for people who were never employed by them.
So my previous advice stands and I wish you every luck. Happy Christmas!