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liAlA 44 iW('J II

11th March 2010, Page 11
11th March 2010
Page 11
Page 11, 11th March 2010 — liAlA 44 iW('J II
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Dawson

TruckNet UK's Rikki Chequer has been followinc the forums posts about a failed training company.

The collapse of I rainer Autosearch (Essex) he left many would-be drivers, who had booked with its Sterling and Oualitas subsidiaries, with difficulties in getting their money back.

Some are not disappointed to see it go, and there have been numerous discussions about the approach these companies took to marketing and advertising over the years.

Certainly on the forums there have been regular complaints made about some of the claims Sterling and Qualitas made on website; and in ads. The basis of the complaints revolvi around the amount of jobs available for drivers as well as the potential earnings of an HGV driver... Some people came to the forum saying they felt that high-pressure sales tactics had been employed.

Shortly before Autosearch was liquidated, a member joined the forum saying he was the owner of a new training firm set up in Essex.

This member was revealed as John Dawson. the previous owner of Qualitas and an employe of Autosearch, shortly after the announcement that Sterling and Qualitas had closed.

Dawson put up a spirited defence of his nev company — and of his involvement with Sterlin and Qualitas. He made the point that he had sold Qualitas to Sterling and became the person in charge of IT at the company. As sup he had no influence over sales or marketing.

A number of forum users had difficulty with this and questioned the depth of his involvement in the businesses.

Then came a revelation via the Daily Mirror that Dawson had been involved in another high-profile collapse: namely IT company Amr Training, which ceased trading in 2001.

It was revealed that hundreds of students ended up losing the fees they had paid. It wiaE a collapse that led to questions being asked in the House of Commons at the time.

Under strong questioning on the forums, Dawson attempted to defend his position, but following the Daily Mirror story, his claims starte to fail on increasingly deaf ears. Dawson now says he will not be discussing this any further. I certainly was riveting reading for forum users.

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Organisations: House of Commons

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