‘Serious defaulter’ refused GLAA licence

A company director described as a “serious defaulter” has been refused a licence with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

Raymond Trew, managing director of Evro Ltd, based in Burton Waters near Lincoln, was considered to not be fit and proper following a review of his application by GLAA officers.

Mr Trew was a director at Pinnacle Advantage Ltd, which went into liquidation in June 2016.

He was also a director at three companies which owed Pinnacle substantial debts, including Notts County Football Club, and appointed a designated member at another.

Pinnacle, in turn, owed significant amounts of money to HMRC in unpaid VAT.

Mr Trew was given an opportunity to respond to the GLAA advising him of concerns about his fitness and propriety.

However, the GLAA received no response, resulting in the authority refusing his application for a licence.

GLAA Head of Licensing Charlotte Woodliffe said: “We found Mr Trew’s previous conduct extremely concerning and not the behaviour we would expect from the managing director of a GLAA licence holder.

“As a result of this, we considered him to be unfit to hold a GLAA licence.”

Acting as an unlicensed gangmaster is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine.