Failed director ran
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ed forwarder COMMENT
OWN GOAL
CM SPECIAL INVESTIGATION by Miles Brignall • Alloa-based Canning Logistics, the failed freight forwarding firm, was being run by a man who had already presided over the failure of another forwarding company and was banned from being a director.
Tom McInnes, the man officially described by one of the joint liquidators of Canning, Ernst & Young as a "consultant", ran the company with the help of his girlfriend Lorraine Young who was a listed director.
The company went into liquidation in June owing creditors, including a number of hauliers, more than Elm (CM11-17 July).
Although not registered as a director, McInnes ran Canning Logistics, and is heavily involved in its sister firm and neighbour, Ecosse European Shipping.
In June 1994 McInnes was banned from being a company director for two years after a report was filed to the Disqualification Unit in Edinburgh over his conduct as a director of Fife Forwarding Company. It went into receivership in 1988 owing creditors in excess of £500,000, according to a report published by receivers Arthur Andersen filed with Companies House. Just £11,000 was paid to preferential creditors.
Kidsons Impey,the joint liquidator of Canning Logistics, says McInnes role is being investigated. It confirms that McInnes was a signatory to the firm's main bank account along with Young. All cheques written by her had to be countersigned by McInnes.
If it can be proven that McInnes was a shadow director he can be held personally responsible for Canning's debts, says Kidsons Impey.
Creditors confirm McInnes' role. Steve Bright of leasing firm SSB Contracts says that McInnes leased vehicles on Canning's behalf.
Hauliers including Cheltenham-based Ralph Davies, which worked for Canning, believe that customers were invoiced by its sister company and neighbour, Ecosse European Shipping.
When CM phoned another sister firm of Ecosse, Cannock-based Trafficmart, we were told that McInnes was at Ecosse's headquarters in Alloa. Ecosse continues to trade despite having a recent provisional liquidation order lodged against it by Keighley-based Joda Freight for the recovery of £5,400 in unpaid bills.
Ecosse used its own 0licence to operate vehicles leased to Canning. These vehicles were sent abroad, despite instructions from leasing firm SSB that its vehicles were not to leave the UK.
Several firms that McInnes has been involved in, either as a director or in an unofficial capacity, are owned by Isle of Manbased Pennywell. They include Canning, Ecosse, Maingulf and Trafficmart. The man listed as Pennywell's assistant company secretary is DP Craine, who also runs a firm of accountants in Douglas, Isle of Man; Brown Craine & Co.
Canning, Ecosse, Maingulf and Trafficmart all list their auditors as a company in Bootle, Merseyside which is also called Browne Craine & Co. Craine says the Isle of Man and Merseyside companies are no longer linked.
Canning and Maingulf both list their registered addresses as that of the Merseyside Browne Craine & Co.
McInnes's 1994 ban on being a director did not include the company Maingulf. Although dor mant for several years, this company re-activated its account with ferry company Stena on the Monday after Canning Logistics went into liquidation. Stena was left owed £9,047 by Canning Logistics and has confirmed that it has since closed Maingulf's account.
Ecosse European Shipping says this week that McInnes is on a threeweek holiday.