Stanford Barclay Ltd – another company I won't touch with a barge pole

Stanford Barclay: home page 

The home page of Stanford Barclay is certainly upbeat: 

 

'Welcome to Stanford Barclay

Stamford Barclay are a company who have drawn together the expertise, experience and skillsof a number of specialists and consultants from across Europe.

We act as the broker arm* of our industry partners.

Our aim is to introduce potential investors and to provide both knowledge and information, showing exactly how and why right now is the optimum time to take a fresh look at a range of commodities.'

Sounds impressive! However, Stanford Barclay Ltd was only set up on 19th September 2013 and has one sole director 28-year-old Billy Stevens, although the share capital is claimed to be £1 million.

Stamford Barclay offers investments in gold and natural rubber. Looks as though they also offered investment opportunities in graphene but moved out once the FCA issued a warning about the dangers of investing in graphene at the end of December 2013. Instead Stanford Barclay Ltd is now pushing investments in gold and natural rubber.

From Terms & Conditions-graphene: Stanford Barclay Ltd

'Prices of graphene/graphite are indicative only and are based on current exchange rates. The value of the graphene/graphite may go down as well go up and you may not get back the original amount invested. All investments, including trading in graphen/graphite carry risk to varying degrees. However, you may also benefit from any possible upside to the investment. Any returns shown or suggested are a projection only and cannot be guaranteed. Stanford Barclay have diligently researched the graphene/graphite market to attempt to reduce risk.'

Curiously there is now no mention of graphene on the Stanford Barclay Ltd site – perhaps it disappeared after the FCA (Financial Services Authority) warned on 30th December 2013 of the dangers and disadvantages of 'investing' in graphene – this despite Stanford Barclay's 'diligent research'! Instead they are now punting gold and natural rubber plus a wine broking service. 

Warning by FCA about Brinkmann-May Ltd 

The sole director of Stanford Barclay Ltd is 28-year-old Billy Stevens. He has also been a director, since 24th October 2011, of Brinkmann-May Ltd. On 4th February 2013 the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) warned that 'We believe this firm has been providing financial services or products in the UK without our authorisation. Find out why to be especially wary of dealing with this unauthorised firm and how to protect yourself from scammers'. The other director of the company is Richard Peter Jobling.

Brinkmann-May Ltd punted investments in carbon credits. The company is now in the process of being closed down by Companies House for non-compliance as the latest accounts are overdue since 30.9.2012 and the annual return since 10.5.2013.

 Brinkmann-May Ltd details@Companies House  

  

As well as investments in gold and natural rubber, Stanford Barclay Ltd also  'offers free Cellar Valuations, a service which allows fine wine collectors to ascertain the true value of their cellars.'

  'For more information on selling your wine through Bordeaux Index, 
or for a free valuation, please email admin@stanfordbarclay.com'

Why a long established and reputable company like Bordeaux Index Ltd would want to be publicly associated ('as one of our industry partners'?) with Stanford Barclay Ltd, with its highly dubious pedigree is a considerable mystery. It is quite possible that Bordeaux Index Ltd is unaware of this claim on Stanford Barclay's website and also unaware for the warning issued by the FCA against the associated company – Brinkmann-May Ltd. (*18.4.2014 – see below.) 

I understand that Stanford Barclay Ltd may be having problems finding a bonded warehouse prepared to accept their custom. Billy Stevens was told by Private Reserves Ltd that they certainly didn't want their business. Stevens told Private Reserves that Octavian Vaults, with whom they have had an account, has now told them to take their business elsewhere.

This looks to be an encouraging sign that bonded warehouses are becoming much tougher and wary about accepting dubious wine investment companies. A tough stance by the warehouses would certainly be in their interest as these wine investment scams do nothing for the reputation of bonded warehouses as the fleeced punters often assume, entirely incorrectly, that the warehouses are part of the scam. Furthermore when the company disappears, goes bankrupt or is closed down then this involves the bonded warehouses in a lot of unpaid work trying to sort the mess. 

      

An offer I would happily refuse!    

  
I fear that Stanford Barclay Ltd seeks to persuade investors to sell their wine, which does have value albeit currently lower than it has been, in exchange for dubious or worthless investments in gold, natural rubber, graphene or whatever Billy Stevens decides is the investment of the moment to punt.  

18.4.2014: Twitter conversation: 'Arrangement' with Stanford Barclay Ltd news to Bordeaux Index:

Jim: 'Can I assume this is news to you, please?'

17.4.2014

Bordeaux Index: 'yes, Jim. We are looking into it. 

Thanks for bringing to our attention.' 

18.4.2014

***

Further utter rubbish from Billy Stevens's Stanford Barclay Ltd courtesy of Junior Broker:

Job opportunities@Stanford Barclay 

through Junior Broker 

The above ad includes the following ludicrous claims – time the FCA issued another warning over a Billy Stevens company:  
 

'FINANCE

We help investors with flexible payment terms to enable them to liquidate other assets and invest with us.

TRANSACT

We transact for our clients in all key financial markets, including equities, bonds, currencies and commodities, so that capital flows, jobs are created and economies can grow. Please note all monies are sent to and FCA escrow for client satisfaction.

SUPPORT

We help markets remain efficient and liquid, so investors and companies can meet their needs, whether to invest, raise money or manage risk.

MANAGE

We preserve and grow assets for institutions, including mutual funds, commercial funds and foundations, as well as individuals.'

•••

 

6th May 2014: As far as I can see all mention of wine has disappeared from Stanford Barclay's website.