Dorset Council Trading Standards has taken action against Samuel Conway, the former director of Nova Building and Developments Ltd, under part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002.
Trading Standards received numerous complaints regarding the trading activities of the company during 2022/2023, leaving several consumers with significant issues with their builds, unfinished work and, in some cases, facing substantial financial losses.
After a lengthy and complex investigation in partnership with other agencies, both Samuel Conway and Gemma Conway, the company’s directors, have been banned from being directors for nine and four years, respectively, following the company’s liquidation.
Although they can still start businesses as sole traders or in partnerships, Dorset Council is keen to ensure there is no repeat of the reported issues in the future should the pair decide to resume trading. Samuel Conway has agreed to follow strict rules in any future business activities to avoid further legal action.
Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Housing and Health, said:
“Our Trading Standards team will always review complaints about building work, especially if we think criminal offences might have been committed. While many complaints can be handled through civil courts, we will use all available methods to protect residents from bad trading practices.”
High level building fraud is an increasingly common issue reported to trading standards. Homeowners can find useful online guidance to help prepare and protect themselves before committing to an expensive building project.
Complaints about businesses should be reported in the first instance to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service who will provide first stage civil advice and will share intelligence with Trading Standards.
