Filippo Dioguardi, 58, based in Glasgow has been disqualified as a director for nine years.

He was sole director of Camardo Coffee (Scotland) Ltd, which was incorporated in 2015 and was registered initially at an address in East Kilbride, before relocating to Glasgow around May 2018.

Dioguardi was appointed as a director in September 2019, becoming sole director two months later.

The business went into liquidation shortly afterwards, in August 2020, at which point the last filed accounts showed assets totalling over £800,000.

However, due to the lack of company records kept by Filippo Dioguardi, it was impossible for the liquidator or the Insolvency Service to establish the accuracy of these, or whether any assets were disposed of at fair value and to the benefit of the company or its creditors.

Instead, Dioguardi refused to co-operate with the Insolvency Service investigation, which also identified he had taken out a taxpayer-backed Bounce Back Loan of £50,000 on 27 May 2020, less than two months before liquidation.

The investigation also noted outgoings from the company account between April 2020 and August 2020 of nearly £150,000, including cash withdrawals of over £70,000. Whether these funds were used for legitimate business use or for repaying creditors could not be established.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted a disqualification undertaking from Filippo Dioguardi after he admitted failing to maintain or preserve, or provide, adequate accounting records. His ban runs from 25 March 2022 to 24 March 2031.

The disqualification undertaking prevents him from directly, or indirectly, becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

Rob Clarke, Chief Investigator at The Insolvency Service said:

Keeping proper records is a pivotal duty for directors and there is no place in the corporate arena for those who neglect their responsibilities in this area and thereby cover up the activities of the companies they manage.

The lack of records in this case made it impossible to determine whether there was other, more serious, misconduct involved and what became of £50,000 in Government backed funds which have not been accounted for. This is reflected in the lengthy period of disqualification.

Notes to editors

Filippo Dioguardi is an Italian national born March 1964 residing in Glasgow.

Camardo Coffee (Scotland) Ltd company number – SC500544

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

• act as a director of a company
• take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
• be a receiver of a company’s property

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings.

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of other restrictions.

Information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.

Contact Press Office

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:

Victims and communities are being urged to share their experiences as part of a major independent review into the impacts of extremism.

Dame Sara Khan, the government’s Independent Adviser for Social Cohesion and Resilience, today (7 April 2022) launched an 8 week call for evidence that will help examine the impact, harm, and response to extremism at a local level.

Dame Khan’s review – commissioned by No.10 – aims to understand the breadth and depth of the impact on individuals, communities and social cohesion.

She wants to hear directly from those who have been targeted by extremists to understand the impact on their lives and the support they received. As well as representatives from local councils and civil society, members of the public are being asked to explain what has gone well and what more could be done. These responses will help her understand the impact extremism is having at a local level and what could be improved to protect and build up social cohesion.

Responses will help develop Sara’s independent recommendations on how the government can better support and protect victims of extremism and those working to stamp it out, as well as communities that are affected.

Dame Sara Khan, Independent Adviser on Social Cohesion and Resilience, said:

As the former Counter-Extremism Commissioner I saw first-hand the impact of extremist and other divisive activity in our towns and cities. Too often, the response to those sowing hatred and division is slow and ineffective.

That is why I have been asked by the Prime Minister to examine what more is required to protect social cohesion and build resilience against extremism at a local level.

I will be seeking to hear from victims of extremism whose life-changing experiences are often unrecognised and from local authorities and communities who play an invaluable role. I will be taking an independent, impartial and evidence-based approach and I want to hear from all those who have experience of these issues. This public consultation will give everyone an opportunity to contribute.

Minister for Levelling Up Communities Kemi Badenoch said:

Our landmark Inclusive Britain strategy makes clear that we are a welcoming country whose strength lies within its communities. So, when people try to create divisions amongst us, we must be unwavering in our resolve to stay united.

By sharing your views, you will be helping ensure that our work to tackle extremism continues on the right track – so that risks in our communities are easily recognised and swiftly dealt with, and we can build resilience and promote social cohesion.

Our levelling up mission includes empowering communities – and this call to action is a great example of that ideal in action.

Brendan Cox, Co-Founder and Adviser, Together said:

I know first-hand the terrible impact extremism can have on individuals, families and our communities. This is a serious challenge for our society and it is vital we do more to respond to this threat. Sara’s review examining how extremism impacts individuals, local communities and social cohesion is important and I encourage everyone to take part so she can build your views into her recommendations to the government.

Jo Broadwood, CEO, Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network said:

Belong’s own research has shown that local areas that prioritised social cohesion prior to and during the pandemic maintained stronger social connections, trust, neighbourliness and more positive attitudes towards others during the crisis. As such, actively attending to and maintaining social cohesion is a vital part of building social capital and supports communities and places to be resilient to the forces of division and polarisation, including violent extremism.

It is vital that we understand cohesion in this broader sense. We therefore welcome this call for evidence and encourage all those with a concern for building a more cohesive, inclusive society to respond.