Noodle Bar Director Receives Further 10-Year Ban After Continuing to Run Business
A businessman who continued managing a noodle bar franchise despite being disqualified as a company director has received a suspended prison sentence and a further 10-year ban.
Desmond Pheby, 57, remained involved in running Wok & Go Franchise UK Limited, despite an existing seven-year disqualification following accounting failures at a previous company.
The case also involved a false employment document used during civil court proceedings and resulted in penalties for both Pheby and his wife.
Previous Company Collapse Led to Director Ban
Pheby’s original disqualification followed the liquidation of T.P.F Limited, a food business which entered liquidation in September 2017.
An Insolvency Service investigation uncovered significant gaps in the company’s accounting records, leaving more than £200,000 in current assets and almost £800,000 of expenditure inadequately accounted for.
The missing records also prevented investigators from establishing why the company’s financial position had deteriorated from net liabilities of £13,084 to a deficiency of £164,956 at liquidation.
Pheby accepted a seven-year director disqualification in July 2019, preventing him from participating in company management without court permission.
False Employment Document Used During Court Proceedings
Despite the ban, Pheby continued managing Wok & Go Franchise UK Limited.
His involvement became an issue during civil proceedings brought by a franchisee over contractual disputes. An employment document presented to the court described him as a Franchise Relationship Manager earning £12 per hour.
The document was found to be false, and in August 2026, a jury convicted Pheby of using a false instrument with the intention that it would be accepted as genuine.
He had previously pleaded guilty in August 2025 to managing a company while disqualified.
During proceedings, Pheby claimed he had returned to the business to protect it during the Covid pandemic. However, investigators identified transfers of more than £170,000 from company bank accounts into his personal accounts during 2020.
Further Disqualifications and Sentences
At Chester Crown Court on 5 October 2026, Pheby received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified as a director for another 10 years, extending his ban until 2036.
His wife, Sharon Pheby, 51, admitted aiding and abetting the breach of his disqualification.
She told investigators that she had discovered she was registered as a director of approximately 18 companies, despite believing she held only one directorship.
Sharon Pheby received a 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work and a five-year director disqualification.
Confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 remain ongoing.
What Does This Mean for Company Directors?
Director disqualification prevents individuals from participating in the management, formation or promotion of companies without the necessary court permission.
These restrictions extend beyond holding the formal title of director. Continuing to manage a business under another job title can still constitute a breach.
The case also reinforces the importance of maintaining accurate company records, particularly where a business enters insolvency and its financial affairs become subject to investigation.
Directors who breach disqualification restrictions risk criminal prosecution and further sanctions. Seeking professional advice and understanding the responsibilities associated with company management can help avoid serious consequences.