Guy Francis Hemphill (DOB: 22.3.1966) and Nicholas Martin Stein (DOB: 24.2.1956) banned from being company directors due to Land Heritage (UK) Ltd a failed land banking scheme. Ban runs from 12th May 2010 to 11th May 2017.
Despite being banned directors they have set up Hillgate Associates LLP (incorporated 5th May 2015), which has two branches – Ebury Wealth and wine-traders.
Ebury Wealth:
Ebury Wealth – business and personal financial solutions
'Additionally, Ebury is able to offer financial solutions for personal
financial planning. This could range from Tax Planning to starting a
SIPP. Where appropriate this draws on Ebury’s connectivity to the Wealth
Management and IFA community, working with IFA’s regularly featuring in
the New Model Advisor Top 100. Our financial advisors are selected not
only on their investment expertise but also based on approach and
attitude, to ensure that we can provide a perfect fit for our clients.
Whether
you are looking to generate and sustain wealth creation in your
business or to consolidate personally with financial or investment
advice, Ebury Wealth offers a holistic personalised approach across a
full range of financial service goals.'
Important disclaimers on Ebury Wealth site:
'Ebury Wealth accepts no responsibility or liability for loss which may
arise from accessing or relying on information or ideas contained within
this site or provided by a third party as a result of an introduction
from Ebury Wealth. Ebury Wealth is not authorised by the FCA and does
not offer investment advice.'
'Eburywelath.com (sic) is an independent marketing website which only acts as
an introducer to companies who offer Financial Advice. Companies on our
network are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Eburywealth.com are not authorised to give any advice and we are not
liable for any financial advice provided by, or obtained through a third
party.'
'personal financial solutions' – 'not authorised by the FCA and does
not offer investment advice'
I'm a little confused here. Ebury Wealth LLP claims to offer personal financial solutions but is not authorised or regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and doesn't give any financial advice. If it really doesn't give financial advice how then can it offer 'personal financial solutions'?
'Wine Traders was formed by a
small team with both financial qualifications from the Chartered
Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and wine qualifications
from Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Our vision is to enable
investors who have an interest in laying down fine wine to do so with
greater transparency and better prices.'
Curiously no mention that the two officers – Guy Hemphill and Nick Stein – were directors of collapsed UK Heritage (UK) Ltd and are currently banned from being directors from 12th May 2010 to 11th May 2017.
NB: Wine Traders has no connection with Winetraders (UK) Ltd established in 1998.
NB: Wine Traders has no connection with Winetraders (UK) Ltd established in 1998.
It is extraordinary that two banned directors – Guy Hemphill and Nick Stein – can set up an LLP offering wine investments and 'personal financial solutions'!
I'll certainly steer well clear of Hillgate Associates LLP, Ebury Wealth and Wine Traders.
21st July 2016 – Update
Nicholas Stein resigned as an LLP Designated Member on 1st July 2016. Guy Hemphill and Stein have applied to have the Hillgate Associates LLP struck off from Companies House Register.
11th February 2019 – update
Hillgate Associates LLP was dissolved on 20.10.2016 – voluntary strike-off.
Guy Hemphill has written a detailed account of the events surrounding Land Heritage Ltd – its founding, philosophy, liquidation, settlement with law firm on advice given following action taken by the liquidator:
See note on CreditMan:
'The company has been in liquidation since December 2006 after the FSA intervened to stop the company trading as it was operating an unauthorised collective investment scheme by offering plots of land to the public under a land banking scheme. Since then the liquidators have successfully won damages from its former advisors which have enabled them to look to make a payment to the unsecured creditors, including plot holders who agree to return the plots of land to the company.'
Nicholas Stein resigned as an LLP Designated Member on 1st July 2016. Guy Hemphill and Stein have applied to have the Hillgate Associates LLP struck off from Companies House Register.
11th February 2019 – update
Hillgate Associates LLP was dissolved on 20.10.2016 – voluntary strike-off.
Guy Hemphill has written a detailed account of the events surrounding Land Heritage Ltd – its founding, philosophy, liquidation, settlement with law firm on advice given following action taken by the liquidator:
See note on CreditMan:
'The company has been in liquidation since December 2006 after the FSA intervened to stop the company trading as it was operating an unauthorised collective investment scheme by offering plots of land to the public under a land banking scheme. Since then the liquidators have successfully won damages from its former advisors which have enabled them to look to make a payment to the unsecured creditors, including plot holders who agree to return the plots of land to the company.'
Guy Hemphill has always been a shark! I bought some wine through Vin-X and went in to meet the team. I must say they were a nice bunch of people, but Guy Hemphill gave me the shivers back then!
ReplyDeleteHe also asked me if i want to invest in any other opportunities!?, by the looks of things i have had a lucky escape not investing!
Guy Hemphill was my wine advisor for my first ever investment. Im guessing this is were the problems started! I was cold called by a junior or employee of his asking if i would be interested in wine investment. Looking back this seems silly now that i even entertained the call, but i was persuaded to invest in some wine. Mr Hemphill explained to me, this is one of the bigs ones, a solid wine, these only rise in value, 12.7% a year. WELL, no it did not!! Now i am down 39% to date!! Left feeling very stupid.
ReplyDeleteGuy Hemphill used to work for steve cleeve at European land sales along with David Jackson before he set up actionjack with neelam selling plots of land but jackson does now wear a bow tie so i suppose all is forgotten
ReplyDeleteEdited comment from anion: I worked with guy when he ran the land company, Nick was his little sidekick! Always showing off flashy suits and shouting at people to sell. I think he though he was a Wolf of Wall Street kind of character! What amazes me is that banned directors are not normally aloud an LLP! Hows he managed this!!
ReplyDelete