Business interests of Wrekin boss
This is the complex business world of former Wrekin Construction chairman David Unwin.
Mr Unwin either set up or played a major part in all of the businesses listed on the following page.
He said he had "gambled all his business interests" into attempting to save the Wrekin Group from going into administration with the loss of more than 500 jobs earlier this year.
But today the Shropshire Star reveals Mr Unwin is still running a series of successful businesses, many set up in the wake of the Shifnal firm's collapse.
The Uttoxeter-based businessman is behind a series of companies set up over the last two decades, covering the length and breadth of the UK.
He has held or currently holds directorships of more than 20, many of which have been voluntarily liquidated or gone into administration as Wrekin administrators Ernst & Young chase millions owed to creditors.
Mr Unwin issued a statement to a BBC programme this week saying: "I have, by gambling all my business interests in making Wrekin a successful business, lost almost everything. If that makes me an unsuccessful businessman, then it depends on your attitude to risk. I have had spectacular successes and some fairly spectacular failures."
Mr Unwin's Tamar Group, parent company of Wrekin, went to the wall this summer. Another company Britannia Management Services went into liquidation with £7,315 in the bank but owing £118,177 to Wrekin as part of a total claim from creditors of £298,977. London and Middle Eastern Group went into liquidation with assets of about £71,500. It owes £306,500 to Tamar.
One company related to Wrekin, Equatrek (UK), had no assets when it went into liquidation in May, owing £520,697 to Wrekin and £352,247 to Tamar.
A new company Equatrek Group, registered at the same address, was set up in April listing David Unwin as its named director.
The ultimate parent company for many of Mr Unwin's businesses is the Kingstone Foundation, a trust based in the Channel Islands.
Hundreds of Wrekin workers are still waiting to discover whether there will be any money coming their way and more than 1,000 creditors are owed more than £40 million, which includes a £20 million claim from its pension scheme.
The Gem of Tanzania, dubbed the Wrekin ruby, goes to auction in December but is only expected to achieve a fraction of the £11 million it was valued at in Wrekin's accounts.
By Business Editor Amy Bould
Companies in which David Unwin currently holds or previously held a director's position
Name: Kingstone Group (Holdings) Ltd
Set up: 2008
Registered address: Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Active, but company is being proposed to be struck off the register at Companies House after failing to file any accounts. David Unwin ceased to be a director in July 2009.
***
Name: Wrekin Construction (Scotland) plc
Set up: 2008
Registered address: Lamledge Lane, Shifnal
Current status: Active, but has yet to file any accounts. David Unwin ceased to be a director in July 2009.
***
Name: Midland Land Improvements
Set up: 2000
Registered address: Woodhead Far, Northallerton, Darlington
Current status: Active, next accounts due October 31 2009.
***
Name: Tamar (Selby)
Set up: 2001
Registered address: Kellington, Goole, Yorkshire
Current status: Active, next accounts due October 31 2009. David Unwin resigned as a director on July 1 2009. Parent company listed as Gardrum Properties (Northern Ireland).
***
Name: Wrekin Group Plc
Set up: 1983
Registered address: Lamledge Lane, Shifnal,Shropshire
Current status: Went into administration on March 17 2009. David Unwin ceased to be a director in February 2009. Records show its immediate parent company is Tamar Group, ultimate parent company is Kingstone Group (Holdings) Ltd.
***
Name: DDG Properties
Set up: 1999
Registered address: Royal Crescent, Bath
Current status: Active, David Unwin listed as inactive director
***
Name: HCL Equipment
Set up: 2000
Registered address: Bradnor Business Park, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
Current status: Active, ultimate parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings), registered address changed from Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, in July 2009.
***
Name: HCL Equipment Contracts,
Set up: 2009
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Active, no parent company listed.
***
Name: Watson Dallas Window Solutions
Set up: 2005
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Went into administration in May, with its immediate and ultimate parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings). David Unwin resigned as a director on Febuary 1 2009. Previous registered offices include Lamledge Lane, Shifnal. Sold as a going concern to Watson Dallas Windows Ltd, with administrators told "David Unwin is expected to be involved in the management of the purchaser."
***
Name: Watson Dallas Windows Ltd
Set up: March 2009
Registered address: Cambuslang, Glasgow
Status: Active, Joseph Unwin appointed a director on October 13 2009.
***
Name: Stanton Recycled Aggregates
Set up: 2005
Registered address: Caverswall Park, Caverswall Lane, Stoke.
Current status: In liquidation, David Unwin listed as inactive director. Parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings), Previous registered address was Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
***
Name: Huntley Wood Leisure Ltd,
Set up: 2005
Registered address: Bradnor Business Park, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Active, David Unwin appointed a director in July 2009. Previous registered address was Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
***
Name: Britannia Plant Ltd
Set up: 2006
Registered address: Daneholes Roundabout, Grays, Essex
Current status: David Unwin ceased to be a director in October 2008. Parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings) with previous registered offices at Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
***
Name: Thamesway Properties
Set up: 1993
Registered address: Worfield Road, Bridgnorth
Current status: David Unwin listed as inactive director
***
Name: Britannia Land (Investments) Ltd
Set up: 2004
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston.
Current status: In administration, David Unwin ceased to be a director July 2009. Parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings) Ltd.
***
Name: Kingstone Homes Ltd,
Set up: 2004
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston
Current status: In administration from July 7 2009. David Unwin ceased to be a director from July 9. Parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings) Ltd with previous registered offices Lamledge Lane, Shifnal.
***
Name: London and Middle East Investments Ltd
Set up: 2004
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Went into liquidation in May 2009, Parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings) Ltd.
***
Name: Tamar Group
Set up: 1991
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Went into administration on July 7 2009. David Unwin ceased to be a director on July 9 2009. Parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings) Ltd.
***
Name: Enviropower Supplies
Set up: 2006
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Parent company listed as Kingstone Group (Holdings) Ltd.
***
Name: SG Mining Ltd
Set up: 2005
Registered address: Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow
Current status: Active, David Unwin listed as inactive director
***
Name: Equatrek (UK) Ltd
Set up: 2003
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Voluntarily liquidated in May 2009 by director David Unwin.
***
Name: Equarek Group Ltd
Set up: 2009
Registered address: Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Current status: Active, David Unwin is listed as a named director from April 2009
