Former BHS owner Chappell facing prosecution over collapse of retailer

Dominic Chappell, the former BHS owner, is to be prosecuted by the Pensions Regulator for failing to provide information to an investigation into the sale of the collapsed retailer.

A former bankrupt, Mr Chappell headed up Retail Acquisitions, the company that acquired BHS for £1 from billionaire Sir Philip Green in 2015.

The TPR said it is prosecuting Mr Chappell for failing to comply with three notices issued under the Pensions Act 2004.

Mr Chappell has been summoned to appear at Brighton 0 Dominic Chappell is to be prosecuted by regulator Magistrates’ Court on 20 September to face three charges of neglecting or refusing to provide information and documents without a reasonable excuse.

The Pensions Regulator has pledged to flex its muscles recently, saying in July that it will “not hesitate” to prosecute companies or individuals if they refuse to hand over information.

BHS plunged into administration last year, impacting on 11,000 jobs and around 19,000 pension holders, and leaving a £571 million pension deficit.

Under Mr Chappell’s tenure as owner of BHS, £8.4m was taken out of the chain by Retail Acquisitions, with £6m still owed when it collapsed last year. The Serious Fraud Office and the Insolvency Service are carrying out their own investigations into the retailer’s demise.