GLAA revokes licence with immediate effect

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has immediately revoked a company’s licence after investigations revealed that it was being managed by three people considered to be not fit and proper by the agency.

An inspection of Sunrise East Ltd by GLAA officers in May 2019 found that principal authority Tracey Doughty had no control over the company or any idea how it was run.

Further investigations led the GLAA to conclude that the company was controlled by Gavin Overton, Ricky Gutteson and Ian Tebbs. All three were involved with Boston based Go Solutions Ltd, a recruitment agency which had its GLAA licence revoked in December 2017 after inspectors discovered a multitude of failings.

Indeed, Sunrise East Ltd’s office in Boston is the same address Go Solutions Ltd operated from.

HMRC also confirmed to the GLAA that the business owed substantial Crown debt.

Sunrise East Ltd, of West End, Swaton, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, chose not to appeal the decision.

GLAA Head of Licensing Charlotte Woodliffe said: “The GLAA takes its commitment to protect vulnerable and exploited workers extremely seriously.

“We simply cannot allow a situation where those considered not fit and proper and who have had their licence revoked use another licensed business to circumvent the oversight of the GLAA to continue to exploit workers and evade tax.”

Acting as an unlicensed gangmaster is a criminal offence which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine.