LONDON, May 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
*
Suzanne Harley-Davies has been disqualified as a company director for four years afterfailing to ensureher companiesoperatedfor legitimatecorporatepurposes
*
Harley-Davies was a director of two companies which supported the Atherton scheme,allowingbusiness owners to walk away from debts by selling their companies for £1 outside of formal insolvencyprocesses
*
The disqualification is the latest enforcement action against thoseinvolved in thescheme, following nine and seven-year bans for other key figures
Adirector of two companies which supported a scheme allowing business owners to keep their assets while dropping their debts has been disqualified.
Suzanne Harley-Daviesfailed to"exercise control of the affairs" ofNamareGRP Ltd and TPG GRP Limitedduring 2023 and 2024.
The 68-year-old alsofailed toensure that the companiesoperatedfor legitimate corporate purposes.
Harley-Davies, of Marton cum Grafton, North Yorkshire, has been disqualified as a company director for four years.
BothNamareGRP Ltd and TPG GRP Limited were wound-up in the public interest in 2024fortheir role insupporting the Atherton scheme.
Athertonwas advertised asacorporate rescue servicewheredirectors of distressed companies were encouraged to sell their businesses as an "alternative" to entering formal insolvency proceedingssuch as liquidation.
Under the scheme, directors paid fees of between £5,000 and £20,000 to Atherton to have their company sold for £1, with new owners and directors installed.
This allowed the original directors to walk away from their debts without entering formal insolvency,avoiding the scrutiny and legal obligations that process involves.
Dave Magrath,Director of Investigation and Enforcement Servicesat the Insolvency Service, said:
Improving director conduct is a key priority for the Insolvency Service and we are keen to help those who need support and want to do the right thing.However, therehave tobe consequences for those who deliberately neglect their duties to protect creditors and ensure a level playing field for businesses that follow the rules.
Suzanne Harley-Davies said that shehad no involvementin the creation,promotionor operation of the scheme,buther failure to exercise her duties as a company director nonetheless allowed it to continue.
This case sends a clear message to anyone who agrees to take on a directorship: you cannotturn a blind eye towhat your companiesaredoing. Accepting a role brings with it real responsibilities, and we will act where those responsibilities are ignored.
Harley-Davieswasadirector ofNamareGRP Ltd between July 2023 and July 2024.She was a director of TPG GRP Limited between September 2023and July 2024.
Both companies went into compulsory liquidation in August 2024 following Insolvency Service investigations.
NamareGRP Ltdbecame sole owner and person of significant controlof at least 171 separate companieswhile Harley-Davies was one of the directors.
While TPG GRP Limited took ownership ofnoadditionalcompanies while Harley-Davies wasat the helm, it already owned at least 58when she became director.
All ofthe companies owned byNamareGRP Ltd and TPG GRP Limitedhad beenpurchasedthrough the Atherton scheme.
Harley-Davieshad no involvementin the scheme itself but made "limited enquiries" into the actions ofNamareGRP Ltd and TPG GRP Limited.
She alsofailed totakesufficientsteps to ensure thetwo companieswere acting reasonably.
Harley-Davies' co-director atNamareGRP Ltd and TPG GRP Limited, Neville Taylor, was banned as a company director for nine years in January 2025.
Taylor was paid more than a quarter of a million pounds to become the sole director of 12 companies in financial distress during 2022 and 2023.
Insolvency Service investigations found that the 59-year-old made inadequate attempts tolocateassets of more than £8 million from 11 of the 12 companies before they entered liquidation.
SistersKaren Mortimer and Joanna Seawright wereeachbannedfor seven years inOctober 2025 afterputtingthe creditors of 138 companies at risk offinancial loss.
Mortimer and Seawright took control of thecompanieswhich were referred to them by Atherton Corporate UK (Ltd) and Atherton Corporate Rescue Limitedin 2023 and 2024.
Atherton Corporate UK (Ltd) and Atherton Corporate Rescue Limitedthemselveswere both shut down at the same time asNamareGRP Ltd and TPG GRP Limited.
Four other companies linked to the scheme -Atherton Corporate Partners LLP, Jones & Harlington Ltd, TYA GRP Ltd and TYA Two GRP Ltd -were shut down earlier this year.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade acceptedadisqualification undertaking fromHarley-Davies, andherbanstarted onWednesday 6 May.
Itpreventsherfrom being involved in the promotion,formationor management of a company, without the permission of the court.
Further information
*
Suzanne Harley-Davies is ofMarton cum Grafton, North Yorkshire. Her date of birth is15 February 1958
*
Namare GRP Ltd(company number14953589)
*
TPG GRP Limited(company number 14454195)
*
Individuals subject to a disqualification order or undertaking are bound by arange of restrictions
*
Directors can find information about their obligations and responsibilities at theInsolvency Service's Director Information Hub
*
Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.
About us
The Insolvency Service is a government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.
The Insolvency Service is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade.
Read more about what we do
Press Office
Journalists with enquiries can call the Insolvency Service Press Office on 0303 003 1743 or email press.office@insolvency.gov.uk (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Out of hours
For any out of hours media enquiries, please contact the Department for Business and Trade (DBT)newsdeskon 020 7215 2000.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
