Blankstone Sington Limited (BSL)
Blankstone Sington Limited (FRN 143694) was a Liverpool-based wealth management and stockbroking firm with a history stretching back to 1976. At its height, the firm managed investment portfolios worth more than £470 million on behalf of its clients, and it was well known in the city, in part for its dealings in Everton Football Club shares.
The firm’s difficulties began in 2020, when it reported a pre-tax loss, a growing pension deficit and increasing customer withdrawals. Senior management, including the CEO, resigned during this period, and concerns mounted about whether suitable replacements could be found to keep the business running. In November 2021, the FCA took temporary action to prevent BSL from disposing of its own assets, accepting new client money, or opening new client accounts without written FCA consent.
The firm entered special administration in October 2023, following a court application by the FCA. Andrew Poxon, Alex Cadwallader and Hilary Pascoe of Leonard Curtis were appointed joint special administrators. The FSCS declared Blankstone Sington in default on 17 May 2024, having concluded that the firm cannot meet valid claims made against it by its customers.
Issues / Why You May Have a Claim
Clients who entrusted Blankstone Sington with their investment portfolios or retirement savings over many years had a reasonable expectation that their money was being managed carefully and in their best interests. Where portfolio decisions were unsuitable, or where the firm’s declining financial position resulted in harm to clients, compensation claims may be available through the FSCS.
Company background (public record)
The company was incorporated at Companies House on 2 May 1989 under company number 02378144. Its status at Companies House is recorded as administration.
Registered office: Riverside House, Irwell Street, Manchester, M3 5EN.
Nature of business (SIC): 66120.
Company timeline (public record)
Key dated events for this firm, drawn from public records. Each entry shows its source.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 02 May 1989 | Company incorporated | Companies House |
| 31 May 1991 | Geoffrey Baillie Fielding resigned as director | Companies House |
| 16 May 1994 | David Anthony Nicholls appointed director | Companies House |
| 01 Jan 1998 | Peter John Ellwood appointed director | Companies House |
| 01 Jan 1998 | Simon Sibthorp appointed director | Companies House |
| 01 Jun 1999 | Neil Simon Blankstone appointed director | Companies House |
| 10 Oct 2001 | Kenneth John Conolly resigned as secretary | Companies House |
| 10 Oct 2001 | Christopher Anthony D'souza appointed secretary | Companies House |
| 01 Dec 2001 | FCA status recorded as: Authorised | FCA Register |
| 01 Dec 2001 | Benjamin Max Taxman approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 01 Dec 2001 | Peter John Ellwood approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 05 Jul 2021 | Peter John Ellwood resigned as director | Companies House |
| 15 Sep 2021 | Neil Patrick Turner resigned as director | Companies House |
| 09 Dec 2021 | Christopher Anthony D'souza resigned as secretary | Companies House |
| 09 Dec 2021 | William James Palmer appointed secretary | Companies House |
| 09 Dec 2021 | Christopher Anthony D'souza resigned as director | Companies House |
| 07 Jun 2022 | Paul Raymond Williams appointed secretary | Companies House |
| 07 Jun 2022 | William James Palmer resigned as secretary | Companies House |
| 10 Nov 2022 | Roger Frederick Peill approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 13 Oct 2023 | Company entered administration (in administration) | Companies House |
| 13 Oct 2023 | Declared in default by the FSCS | FSCS |
| 21 Dec 2023 | FSCS update: We’ve been working closely with the Joint Special Administrators (JSAs) to see if there are any claims eligible for FSCS… | FSCS |
| 05 Feb 2024 | Neil Simon Blankstone resigned as director | Companies House |
| 06 Feb 2024 | FSCS update: On 21 December 2023 we explained that we expect to be able to pay compensation to eligible customers of Blankstone Singt… | FSCS |
| 17 May 2024 | FSCS update: The High Court has now approved the Distribution Plan for Blankstone Sington Ltd | FSCS |
| 26 Jun 2024 | FSCS update: FSCS understands that the Sale and Purchase Agreement between the Joint Special Administrators (JSAs) and Redmayne Bentl… | FSCS |
| 15 Jul 2024 | FSCS update: Transfer of assets From 1 July 2024, former clients of Blankstone Sington were able to access their money and assets via… | FSCS |
| 09 Sep 2024 | Paul Raymond Williams resigned as director | Companies House |
Focused on the firm’s early history and the events leading up to and following its failure. 26 routine entries from its active years are omitted.
Who was involved?
The following individuals are listed on public records in connection with the firm. These are matters of public record only and their inclusion does not imply any wrongdoing by any named person.
- Benjamin Max Taxman. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF3 Executive Director (from 09/12/2019), CF30 Customer (01/11/2007 to 08/12/2019), CF1 Director (10/08/2015 to 08/12/2019), [FCA CF] Functions requiring qualifications (26/03/2021 to 17/06/2024) at the firm.
- Roger Frederick Peill. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF17 Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (10/11/2022 to 31/01/2025), SMF16 Compliance Oversight (10/11/2022 to 31/01/2025) at the firm.
- Peter John Ellwood. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF3 Executive Director (09/12/2019 to 05/07/2021), CF1 Director (01/12/2001 to 08/12/2019), CF27 Investment Management (01/12/2001 to 31/10/2007), CF21 Investment Adviser (01/12/2001 to 31/10/2007) at the firm.
- Christopher Anthony D'Souza. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF10 Compliance Oversight (25/10/2004 to 01/06/2017), CF28 Systems and controls (14/07/2017 to 08/12/2019), CF10a CASS Oversight function (01/12/2016 to 08/12/2019), CF1 Director (10/08/2015 to 08/12/2019) at the firm.
- William James Palmer. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF17 Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (09/12/2019 to 04/01/2022), SMF16 Compliance Oversight (09/12/2019 to 04/01/2022), CF11 Money Laundering Reporting (08/09/2016 to 08/12/2019), CF10 Compliance Oversight (01/06/2017 to 08/12/2019) at the firm.
- Benjamin Max Taxman. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF3 Executive Director (from 09/12/2019), CF30 Customer (01/11/2007 to 08/12/2019), CF1 Director (10/08/2015 to 08/12/2019), [FCA CF] Functions requiring qualifications (26/03/2021 to 17/06/2024) at the firm.
- Sarah Jane Eden-Heyes. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (01/11/2007 to 08/12/2019), [FCA CF] Functions requiring qualifications (26/03/2021 to 17/06/2024), CF21 Investment Adviser (13/07/2007 to 31/10/2007) at the firm.
- Peter Kelly. Listed on the FCA Register as having held [FCA CF] Client dealing (26/03/2021 to 01/02/2024), CF30 Customer (01/11/2007 to 08/12/2019), CF21 Investment Adviser (01/12/2001 to 31/10/2007) at the firm.
- Shaun Haygarth. Listed on the FCA Register as having held [FCA CF] Client dealing (30/03/2021 to 17/06/2024) at the firm.
- Lorraine Antypova. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (03/04/2018 to 11/03/2019) at the firm.
Review page sources: FCA Register (FRN 143694) · Companies House (02378144) · FSCS. Public records, provided for transparency.
