Former England and Liverpool football star, John Barnes, has been banned from being a company director for three-and-a-half years after his company, John Barnes Media Limited, failed to pay almost £200,000 in tax.
According to the Insolvency Service, Barnes signed a disqualification undertaking, which prohibits him from serving as a company director, following an investigation that was launched in September 2023. The investigation revealed that Barnes’ company, based in West Byfleet, Surrey, offered media representation services and had a turnover of £441,798 from November 2018 to October 2020. However, during this time, the company failed to pay any corporation tax or VAT, despite filing returns that showed the amount owed.
Specifically, the investigation found that John Barnes Media Limited failed to pay £78,839 in corporation tax from August 2018 to January 2020, when the company ceased trading. Additionally, the company also failed to pay £115,272 in VAT from February 2019 to 2020.
Barnes, who earned 79 caps for England during his playing career, formed John Barnes Media Limited in September 2012. Mike Smith, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, stated, “Individuals and businesses not paying the tax they should deprives the government of the funding it needs to provide vital public services and investment in areas such as schools, hospitals, and roads.” He further added, “John Barnes had a legal duty to ensure his company paid the correct amount of corporation tax and VAT. Instead, it paid no tax whatsoever between November 2018 and October 2020, despite receiving earnings of well over £400,000.”
The disqualification undertaking accepted by the secretary of state for business and trade came into effect on April 24, 2024, barring Barnes from being involved in the promotion, formation, or management of a company without the court’s permission. This ban serves as a deterrent to other directors, reminding them that failure to pay taxes while directing funds elsewhere can result in a disqualification.
It is crucial for individuals and businesses to meet their tax obligations as it contributes to the government’s ability to provide essential services and investments for the public. The Insolvency Service will continue to take action against those who fail to fulfill their legal duty in this regard.
