Manchester firm wound up after taking £123,052 from struggling businesses

The High Court in Manchester wound up Clark Sinclair Limited on Thursday 29 October 2026 after an investigation found it offered misleading services to directors of struggling businesses.

The Manchester-registered firm offered to find buyers for companies in debt, with shares sold for £1. It charged brokering fees of between £2,500 and £6,800 and told clients sales could be completed within days.

Investigators found £123,052 in customer payments across two company accounts. They identified 51 companies that appeared to have changed ownership after paying Clark Sinclair, the Insolvency Service said.

The firm’s promotional emails suggested directors could avoid damage to their reputations by selling before liquidation. It also incorrectly claimed insolvency practitioners sold company assets solely to cover their own fees. Clients were not warned that following Clark Sinclair’s advice could breach their duties as directors.

David Usher, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said that, if a company goes into liquidation after being sold, the conduct of its former directors can still be investigated.

Clark Sinclair’s registered sole director told investigators they had never heard of the firm, raising concerns that the appointment had been made without their knowledge or consent. Investigators could not identify who was behind it.

The company (number 15324100) was incorporated on 3 December 2023 and is registered at Initial Business Centre, Wilson Business Park, Manchester. The court wound it up in the public interest under section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Enquiries about Clark Sinclair can be sent to the Official Receiver of the Public Interest Unit at [email protected].