{"id":56964,"date":"2026-03-24T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T09:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jacothenorth.net\/blog\/?p=56964"},"modified":"2026-04-02T20:34:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:34:56","slug":"caveat-emptor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacothenorth.net\/blog\/caveat-emptor\/","title":{"rendered":"Caveat Emptor!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Over the past year I’ve written a few times about companies in Wales profiting from the UK government’s ECO4 scheme, through cavity wall insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, etc<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Most recently, I’ve had to write about one of these companies going belly-up leaving dissatisfied customers; either suffering from poor workmanship that needed remedial work, or else jobs left unfinished.<\/p>\n

\u25ca<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A BIT OF BACKGROUND, AND THE FIRST UPDATE<\/p>\n

The first piece I put out was Saving The Planet – The Globalist Way!<\/a> in July last year. This was followed by ‘Corruption Bay’ Living Up To Its Name?<\/a> in December. Then, following the collapse of Consumer Energy Solutions<\/a>, the next piece, in early January, was Grab The Money And Run!<\/a>. Finally, towards the end of January, it was Cairngorm Capital – The Kiss Of Death<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Consumer Energy Solutions was part of a group of Welsh companies ultimately owned by Cairngorm Capital<\/a> of Edinburgh through Dragon 2023 Topco Ltd<\/a>. (Or, more likely, someone else owned them but operated through<\/em> Cairngorm.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

But now there’s a new kid on the block in the form of New Dragon Holdco Ltd<\/a>. The three directors of this new company, formed January 22, can be seen below. They all work for Oaktree Capital Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I used to see photos like those hanging up in cinema foyers when I was a kid, there from the days of silent movies. Where’s Rudolph Valentino?<\/p>\n

Oaktree’s based in Luxembourg for its European operations, but can be ultimately traced to an address in Los Angeles. Though registered in the state of Delaware, which serves as a kind of internal tax haven in the USA. But it’s not straightforward, as the group accounts filed with Companies House for Oaktree Capital UK Ltd make clear.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Oaktree is another of those companies that makes nothing, grows nothing, and performs no service for the benefit of mankind. Just another gang of sharp-suited spivs shuffling around other people’s money to make themselves rich.<\/p>\n

The parasite capitalism that bedevils and seeks to control the modern world.<\/p>\n

\u25ca<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

FURTHER UPDATE<\/p>\n

In those earlier posts, another company that came into the frame was Quidos<\/a>. Or rather, a number of companies<\/a> operating under that name. Quidos seemed to provide training and accreditation for the ECO4 ‘retrofit’ companies listed in the panel above.<\/p>\n

Originally based in Bath the Quidos companies trace back to the group through the involvement of Nick Pritchard of Bangor. Here’s a list of Pritchard’s many companies<\/a>. Though now it needs updating, because a new name has appeared on the Companies House register as a minority controlling interest in Quidos Pure Ltd<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That name is Philip John Stanley. So what can I tell you about Mr Stanley? Let’s start with his Linkedin page<\/a>. (Not sure about that waistcoat.)<\/p>\n

To begin with, and to judge by the addresses of his previous companies, he lives in Liverpool. In fact, I compiled a list of companies with which he’s been involved. Here it is in pdf format<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The companies he’s formed since 2013 have a number of things in common. Most noticeably, that none of them ever turns a profit. They either fold without filing accounts or they return losses. How does the poor man survive?<\/p>\n

And then there’s the strange matter of two companies with the same name, Love to Feel. Now I’m fairly sure that’s not allowed by Companies House. But Stanley got around it by naming one Love to Feel Ltd<\/em><\/a> and the other Love to Feel Limited<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

But why would anyone do that? It’s guaranteed to cause confusion.<\/p>\n

The ‘Ltd’ company is based in Liverpool, and files as dormant. The ‘Limited’ company – Dissolved in May 2024 – gave its address as Bryn Derwen, Parc Menai, Bangor.<\/p>\n

But the reason Philip John Stanley is appearing here is because of what seems to be a real departure for him, both in the line of business, and in locations.<\/p>\n

\u25ca<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CONSUMER RIGHTS<\/p>\n

If you go to the table I linked to above, you’ll see two Community Interest Companies (CIC). Now a CIC is not supposed to make a profit and, as the name suggests, it should serve the public interest.<\/p>\n

One advantage of a CIC is that it’s easier to set one up with Companies House than it is to register a charity with the Charity Commission. Fewer questions are asked.<\/p>\n

Consumer Rights Ltd was launched in November 2021, in Liverpool. It converted to a CIC January 12 2023, and the following day moved to Bryn Derwen, Parc Menai, Bangor.<\/p>\n

Though Bryn Derwen appears to be holiday accommodation<\/a>. Consumer Rights CIC seems to bounce between this address and the Business Centre, Llys y Bont<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is a Consumer Rights website<\/a>. (Here in pdf format<\/a>.) At first sight I though it was an official government site. It has that ‘look’ to it, even similar colours to the Ofgem website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Might this confuse people, like the two Love to Feel companies?<\/p>\n

Less than a week after Consumer Rights CIC moved to Bangor Stanley launched Consumer Rights (Scotland) CIC<\/a>. Giving an address in Leith, Edinburgh.<\/p>\n

Does it link with Consumer Energy Solutions and the other companies in the group being – for public consumption – owned by Cairngorm Capital of Edinburgh?<\/p>\n

A director in both Consumer Rights companies was James Joseph Rimmer. Here’s his Linkedin page<\/a>. He spent over 17 years with Experian<\/a>, one of the ‘big three’ credit bureaux. Major stakeholders in Experian are BlackRock and Vanguard.<\/p>\n

Clearly, Rimmer would know how to use databases.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And Quidos Pure moved its address last month from Bath to Bodlondeb, Conwy, the old council offices now leased by Pritchard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u25ca<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

REMEMBER NEV?<\/p>\n

Another name we encountered in the table of Stanley companies I linked to, was Neville Wilshire. Which may sound familiar; if so, it’s because he was the star of the television series The Call Centre<\/em>. He died in December 2021<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Which might answer the question: What’s the relationship between Consumer Rights CIC and the companies shown in the panel at the top? Including Consumer Energy Solutions, with its dissatisfied customers and unpaid former employees?<\/p>\n

There clearly is a connection, for Stanley is a person with significant control of Quidos Pure Ltd. Majority control of Quidos Pure rests with Quidos Holdings Ltd, controlled by Pritchard. And Pritchard links with the other companies.<\/p>\n

Also worth remembering that CES was based in Swansea. Like Nev’s call centre.<\/p>\n

The company that links Neville Wilshire with Philip John Stanley is EAGA Card Ltd<\/a>. It was originally based at these salubrious offices in downtown Chepstow, with accountants Macario Lewin. Which also has a presence in Swansea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After moving its address to Llanelli EAGA Card Ltd was Dissolved in December 2022, after Neville Wilshire’s death. So I got to wondering about the EAGA or Eaga name.<\/p>\n

There was a company of that name in Newcastle “supplying energy efficiency products<\/em>“, bought up in 2011 by Carillion, and the name then disappeared, according to Wikipedia<\/a>. There was also an EAGA Charitable Trust<\/a>, which ceased in 2020\/21.<\/p>\n

But it seems the name was revived by someone in the same line of business as the Geordie original. And by January 2021 people were being cold called.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

That may have been Neville Wilshire’s company. Or perhaps it was Philip John Stanley. For by then Stanley could have learnt how to use databases from Rimmer, and call centre know-how from Wilshire.<\/p>\n

\u25ca<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

THOUGHTS<\/p>\n

Consumer Energy Solutions Ltd (CES) has departed this mortal coil, and last month the Administrator issued a Statement of Affairs<\/a>. Assets available for “preferential creditors<\/em>” amounted to \u00a3307,915. Yet the claims from employees alone amounted to \u00a3586,185.<\/p>\n

Certainly, there are some creditors that’ll hardly notice the loss, such as American Express, owed \u00a3689,536. Or HMRC, owed \u00a31,188,925. But many creditors are small local suppliers.<\/p>\n

The total deficit was \u00a3112,671,723. With almost all that owed to ‘Alter Domus Trustees (UK) Ltd (Oak Tree)’. Presumably referring to Oaktree Capital Management, mentioned above.<\/p>\n

This, I believe, is a debt spread across the group. Where the picture is no rosier. For all the shares in CES are held by Diversity Network Holdings Ltd<\/a>, of Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen, where a Receiver was appointed February 11.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As you can see, the trading name appears to be Heatforce, or Heatforce (Wales) Ltd<\/a>, which is still in business. Certainly, that’s how it appears. But the most recent accounts, up to year ending January 31, 2025 (showing a loss), acknowledged “difficulties<\/em>“, restructuring, and the involvement of Oaktree.<\/p>\n

But of course, these accounts were filed with Companies House before<\/em> Consumer Energy Solutions went bust.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You’ll notice other companies mentioned in the restructuring. City Energy Network Ltd<\/a> is still with us, as is City Energy Facilities Management Ltd<\/a>, and so is Laver Group Ltd<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of the other companies in the group panel at the top, accounts are now overdue with Companies House for those that haven’t officially gone into liquidation or receivership.<\/p>\n

UPDATE 25.03.2026:<\/strong><\/span><\/span> First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off has been issued against City Training Group Ltd<\/a>, Simply Electric Metering Ltd<\/a>, and Advance Energy Services Ltd<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u25ca<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CAIRNGORM CAPITAL, A PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION<\/p>\n

As you’ve read, Cairngorm Capital of Edinburgh is central to the collapse of CES and other companies in the group.<\/p>\n

I earlier made a reference to “parasite capitalism<\/em>” to describe Cairngorm, but maybe a better description would be ‘slash and burn’.<\/p>\n

We invest in profitable companies that have the potential for transformative growth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That’s Cairngorm’s business model; and yes, bankruptcy is certainly “transformative<\/em>“.<\/p>\n

In January I put out, ‘Cairngorm Capital – The Kiss of Death<\/a>‘. In that piece I looked at other companies, outside of Wales, that got involved with Cairngorm. And found a very similar story with them.<\/p>\n

One was Sentry Doors<\/a>, near Doncaster. And I recently received a message from a former Sentry Doors employee. You can read it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That is a very unhappy ex-worker.<\/p>\n

And yet it gives a personal insight into the Cairngorm business model we’ve seen in Wales – take over, put in (or buy) accomplices, treat the workers (and customers) like shit, run the company into the ground, grab what you can, do a runner.<\/p>\n

The reference made to ‘ESW Knowles’ is to a linked company in Birmingham, that last June changed its name to Sentry Fire Safety Group Birmingham Ltd<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The directors there work for Cairngorm, and this company is covered by the same charge with Oaktree Bank PLC as covers Sentry Doors.<\/p>\n

\u25ca<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/p>\n

A big part of the problem is that when governments have shovel-loads of cash to throw away on schemes like ECO4<\/a>, with poor regulation and oversight (if any at all), then such schemes will draw people who, to put it kindly, will be less than honest.<\/p>\n

And this will involve both local companies and foreign investors. With the former being used by the latter to grab the loot.<\/p>\n

Here’s perhaps a personal example of what I’m talking about. Just last week the leaflet below came through my letter-box.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I phoned the number given, on Sunday, and again yesterday. Both times I got an American voice telling me the number was disconnected. What’s the point of distributing a leaflet with a non-working number?<\/p>\n

The QR code links to the website<\/a>. Which suggests a company called ‘FTCH Wales’. Using the same, unobtainable phone number. The Companies House registration<\/a> gives the address of a Colwyn Bay solicitor.<\/p>\n

(As for the ‘accreditations’ on the bottom – ignore them. Yer pays yer money and yer gets yer little badge, no questions asked. Or you just copy and paste.)<\/p>\n

Googling the phone number brought up a link to FTCH Group, in Liverpool<\/a>, possibly above an Italian eatery. (FTCH stands for First Time Central Heating.) The website provides the following message:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Yeah, I know the feeling.<\/p>\n

In view of what happened to Consumer Energy Solutions (Reminder<\/a>), and given the web of linked companies, some collapsed, the shady foreign investors, the missing money, the cold calling, there should be an official investigation.<\/p>\n

But there won’t be.<\/p>\n

Because the ‘Welsh Government’ is utterly useless. When it comes to money, business, or running an economy, those virtue-signalling clowns in Corruption Bay have been out of their depth since devolution started on May 6 1999.<\/p>\n

They were always easy prey for sharks and shysters. But let’s look ahead.<\/p>\n

After the Senedd elections on May 7 Labour will be out of power. Plaid Cymru looks likely to emerge with most seats, but not enough for a majority, so that’ll mean a coalition or some kind of agreement.<\/p>\n

Things can only get worse.<\/p>\n

A hell of a lot worse.<\/p>\n

\u2666 end \u2666<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a9 Royston Jones 2026<\/p>\n

\"Buy<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over the past year I’ve written a few times about companies in Wales profiting from the UK government’s ECO4 scheme, through cavity wall insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, etc. Most recently, I’ve had to write about one of these companies going belly-up leaving dissatisfied customers; either suffering from poor workmanship that needed remedial work, or … <\/p>\n

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