NewsRegular readers of the trade press will frequently see articles and news stories about contracts and projects in which we have been involved, items about our new product developments or other newsworthy events. Occasionally there are reports on genuine emergencies where our installations have played a vital and effective role in assisting people to vacate a property while at the same time providing a safe means of entry for the emergency teams.DIRECTOR ORDERED TO PAY AFTER RESIGNING AND TAKING £500,000 WORTH OF PROJECTSManchester-based Fire Engineering Associates and Interactive companies have been awarded a £260,000 out-of-court settlement against a former director who resigned and moved projects worth more than £500,000 to his new business interests, Dynamic Smoke Control and Interglaze Limited.The High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, at Manchester has ordered that Ian Andrew Moore – of The Old Hall, Laycock, West Yorkshire – had to pay the sum, which includes assessed profit and legal costs, by 4.00 pm on the 1st May 2008 It’s the end of a three and a half year dispute for Fire Engineering Associates and the Interactive Ventilation companies who design, manufacture and install sophisticated smoke control and ventilation systems for retail, commercial and leisure properties. Legal action was brought jointly by Fire Engineering Associates, Interactive Ventilation and Interactive Special Projects against Ian Moore, Dynamic Modelling Limited (trading as Dynamic Smoke Control) and Interglaze Limited. | Ian Moore was Marketing Director of FEA and the IV companies in Trafford Park Manchester, from 1997 following a four year business association with his fellow directors. But after he resigned in November 2004 it was discovered that secret talks had been conducted through the year, with FEA’s clients, enabling Moore to leave with more than £500,000 worth of future contracts for underground car park ventilation systems. Within weeks the companies had begun legal action. After a series of case conferences and mediation Moore admitted liability in June 2006 and forensic accountant Daniel Djanogly, of Kingston Smith in London, was appointed to determine the actual loss of profit – which was assessed at £197,000. The final settlement is, says David Fenlon: “a result that has vindicated our position and from which we have emerged stronger and wiser. We can now focus our resources more constructively on recruiting for the next level of expansion’’. “The exceptional amount of time spent on legal and accountancy issues has had a big impact on the company and me personally, because we had been friends as well as business partners. “But the breach of trust and depth of deception, during a calculated, orchestrated plan to divert business away from FEA, took no account of that friendship, the threat to the future of the companies or the livelihoods of everyone who works here.” FEA Chairman Eric Miller continued ‘‘we had no doubt regarding the strength of our case and the result vindicates the action taken, I believe the breach of Moores fiduciary duties and responsibility as a director was plain to see, he has received his just deserts’’ |
Interactive Special Projects Ltd, Unit 10, The Schoolhouse, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1DZ
T. +44 (0)161 873 8482 / F. +44 (0)161 873 8483 / E. general@interactivespecialprojects.co.uk
T. +44 (0)161 873 8482 / F. +44 (0)161 873 8483 / E. general@interactivespecialprojects.co.uk