A home improvement company director has been banned from running businesses for four years after his firm made nearly one million nuisance calls to unsuspecting households. Callum Jones, the former director of Colourcoat Ltd, was disqualified following an investigation by the Insolvency Service, which uncovered that his company was behind 969,273 unsolicited marketing calls between 2019 and 2020.
The Sussex-based Colourcoat Ltd, specializing in roof cleaning, wall coating, and insulation services, repeatedly violated privacy regulations by making aggressive and unauthorized calls, with nearly half targeting people who had explicitly opted out via the Telephone Preference Service (TPS).
In 2021, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) fined Colourcoat £130,000 for these breaches, but the company entered liquidation in June 2023, leaving nearly £56,000 of the fine unpaid. Investigations revealed that Jones allowed his company to employ deceptive tactics, including using false business names such as “Homes Advice Bureau,” “EcoSolve UK,” and even “Citizens Advice” to mislead potential customers.
Widespread Consumer Complaints
Out of the 969,273 calls made, 452,811 targeted individuals registered with TPS, leading to dozens of complaints to regulatory authorities. Twenty-four complaints were filed with TPS and ten directly with the ICO, citing aggressive, repeated, and sometimes abusive calls.
Andy Curry, Director of Enforcement and Investigations at the ICO, condemned the company’s actions, saying, “Nobody should feel harassed just by answering the phone. Our investigation revealed a blatant disregard for the law and the privacy of individuals.”
He added that the ICO’s Financial Recovery Unit worked closely with the Insolvency Service to ensure directors like Callum Jones are held accountable and prevented from operating under new company names to continue harmful practices.
Director Disqualification and Industry Warnings
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Callum Jones, effective from February 3, 2025. The ban prohibits Jones from being involved in the formation, promotion, or management of any company without court permission for the next four years.
Victoria Edgar, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, emphasized the importance of enforcing regulations, stating, “Callum Jones allowed his company to plague households for months with intrusive cold calls. This disqualification sends a strong message to business owners that unlawful marketing tactics will not be tolerated.”
The ICO initially issued an enforcement notice against Colourcoat Ltd in June 2021 for breaching Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Despite the company paying around £74,000 towards the fine before its liquidation, the remaining balance remains unpaid.
Consumer Protection Efforts Strengthened
The case highlights ongoing efforts by regulatory bodies to clamp down on companies that engage in unlawful marketing practices. Both the ICO and the Insolvency Service continue to encourage consumers to report nuisance calls and to use call-blocking services where possible.
The Telephone Preference Service remains a vital tool for consumers wishing to opt out of unsolicited marketing calls, but incidents like this demonstrate that rogue companies still find ways to violate privacy laws.
What To Do If You Receive Nuisance Calls
- Register your number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to reduce unsolicited marketing calls.
- Report nuisance calls directly to the ICO or TPS.
- Consider using call-blocking technology or apps to filter unwanted calls.
- If you suspect fraud or aggressive marketing, contact Action Fraud for further assistance.
Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious calls to the appropriate authorities to help crack down on unscrupulous companies and protect their privacy.
