News
£112m pension swindle
THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY has banned two Pembrokeshire businessmen from working in the financial industry after they orchestrated unsuitable self-invested personal pension (SIPP) switches to thousands of people in the county and beyond.
Andrew Rees and Timothy Hughes, who previously ran 1 Stop Financial Services in Haverfordwest pushed 2,000 clients into SIPPs which were not suitable for their needs.
The firm, has now ceased trading, but the pair have now opened a music shop on High Street called Musicians World in the same building where 1 StopFinancial took place.
The pair have been banned from performing any significant function in any regulated activity authorised by the FCA.
The FCA told the Herald that between October 2010 and November 2012, Rees and Hughes’ firm advised nearly 2,000 customers on switching their existing pensions (valued at in excess of £112m) into SIPPs. Their customers then used the SIPPs to invest in products such as diamonds and overseas property which were typically not permitted by the customers’ existing schemes.
The pair have been fined £490,100 but have instead agreed to pay that amount to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which is investigating redress claims by 1 Stop clients.
FCA director of enforcement and financial crime Tracey McDermott said: “By enabling customers to invest in unregulated and often high risk products without assessing suitability, these men exposed customers to the risk of losing their hard earned pension funds.
“This was then compounded by the partners’ failure to ensure that their customers fully understood these risks”.
Rees and Hughes failed to comply with the statement of principle for approved persons which states that a SIF must take reasonable steps to ensure that the business for which he is responsible in his accountable function complies with regulatory requirements, the regulator said.
The pair also failed to disclose a conflict of interest, as they were directors and shareholders of EGI, a firm that referred almost a quarter of 1 Stop’s SIPP customers during the relevant period.
EGI was paid a fee for referrals, meaning that Rees and Hughes were benefiting from both the fees paid by customers for the advice given by 1 Stop and also from the commission received by EGI.
Hughes also failed in his compliance duties.
Rees and Hughes, will be, according to the FCA, writing to all customers informing them of the situation.
Timothy Adrian Hughes spoke to the Herald by telephone yesterday. He said: “We are unable to comment on this matter as we are not legally permitted to do so. Any comments we make to the press need to be first cleared by the FCA in writing.”
Charity
Over 1,100 festive bathers enjoy Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim
A RECORD-BREAKING number of 1,150 festive bathers have had a splashing time in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim this morning.
The fancy dress theme of Superheroes – in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year – saw Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashing into the chilly water of Tenby’s North Beach.
RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.
The swim will be one to remember forever for one duo of dippers as they got engaged following a surprise proposal on the sand.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Philip Frith, 34, made one of his best-ever moves when he popped the question to his girlfriend, former professional dancer Victoria Tansey, 34, who is originally from Hakin.
Said swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall: “”Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.
The swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in its 52-year history, and this yeae’s event will see Tenby RNLI as the main beneficiary.
Town mayor Dai Morgan said: ”It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”
The mayor’s daughter, 18-year-old Erin Morgan, who is Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the swim.
Swim chairman Sam supervised 10-year-old Sam Fecci as he fired the swim’s starting pistol – a duty usually carried out by his dad, Stuart, who was not well enough to attend.
Festive tunes and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals and warm up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions.
‘Taking the plunge’ at a festive swim in Wales this morning meant more than just a dip in the sea for one happy couple.
As hundreds of Boxing Day bathers at the legendary event in Tenby dashed for the water, a magical moment was happening between Victoria Tansey and Philip Frith.
Philip, 34, went down on one knee on the sand and asked Victoria, 37, to marry him.
Fortunately, she said an ecstatic ‘yes’ to the carefully-planned proposal, which saw the couple’s special song Ocean Eyes y Billie Eilish sound out over the beach as the newly-engaged couple celebrated with a splash in the sea.
As a former Royal Marine Philip – who is now a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach – has faced some scary situations in his life but the Boxing Day proposal was up there with the most nail-biting.
“I’ve been so nervous/special moment.
Victoria, originally from Hakin, Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, worked as a professional dancer – appearing on the X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pineapple Dance Studio: Survival of the Fittest -and before setting up her own entertainment agency.
Although now living in Guildford with Philip, she has always loved returning to her Pembrokeshire roots
“When we first met, Victoria couldn’t wait to show me all around Pembrokeshire and we have made the trip as often as work would allow us, to visit her family, go beach hopping and take in the breathtaking scenery,” said Philip.
“I absolutely love sea swimming, I believe that it is so worthwhile for your body and mind, however Victoria has never been one to enjoy the cold!
“So, on our first Christmas together as a couple, Victoria surprised me by taking me to Tenby for the Boxing Day Swim – it’s honestly one of my most fond memories from the start of our relationship!
“I wanted to return her the favour of surprising her by proposing to her at this year’s swim.”
Victoria’s mum and her childhood best friend , Sean Griffiths – who she set up Milford Haven’s Unison Dance Group with in 2004 –were on the beach to watch the proposal, with Sean bringing along the engagement ring in his pocket to fellow swimmers crowded round to congratulate Victoria and Philip, and swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall laughed: “Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.
Charity
Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities
ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.
The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.
This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.
For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.
Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.
Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.
Charity
£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital
THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.
Their 37th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.
They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.
The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.
Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.
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Shawn
April 24, 2014 at 6:54 pm
“Hiding behind your keyboard” says Reginald Dwight
and “If you feel that strong about it, why post anonymous” says Anne Nominus!! Hillarious
So that’s it then, its Stupid and Crooks.
Ron Shirley
April 24, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Well, you cant cure stupid but you can train it.!
Reginald Dwight
April 24, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Speaking of rot, I think this whole thing is rotten and you lot are the types of people who would see a car wreck and stand there gawping and pointing.
Man up the lot of you!
Anne Nominus
April 24, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Shawn – I think we all see the irony about posting anonymously under an anonymous name!
Did you laugh when you worked that out? I bet you did! Your so clever you see!
Shawn
April 24, 2014 at 7:17 pm
I still can’t work out which one of the salesmen you are Reg, I’d say you’re the one selling banjos. I could be wrong.
Reginald Dwight
April 24, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Reply to Shawn.
I am neither now nor have I ever been employed by 1 stop or their new venture in any way shape or form.
I certainly don’t sell musical instruments either.
Neither am I family or friend and also I have never been a client of their former pensions company.
I am making an observation only and same as you, giving my tuppence.
I would be happy to talk to some more about it Shawn but in all honesty, I’m already bored with you and your comments and one thing I’ve learned in my many years on this planet it, don’t waste your time with people that bore you.
Good evening to you.
Shawn
April 24, 2014 at 7:40 pm
Good night banjo man, it’s been fun fishing.
sherry maile
April 26, 2014 at 4:56 pm
We were conned by these guys 6 years ago,but there was 3 of them then.I will be following this up…..
dave ferris
May 15, 2014 at 10:01 am
sherry do you know if there is a group that has been formed to possibly sue this company . i was cooned into putting my money into guardian . [ spanish property market]
mickeyd53
August 22, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Dave Ferris please feel free to contact me on [email protected] And yes they are still on the fiddle haha
Rab
October 18, 2016 at 2:02 pm
You all took pension loans you scumbags