FCA Bans Beauforce Executive Howard Duckett for Lack of Honesty and Integrity

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has permanently banned Howard Roland Duckett from any regulated financial services activity in the United Kingdom. Duckett, a senior manager at Beauforce Corporation Limited, was found to have acted dishonestly and failed to inform the regulator of a 10-year directorship disqualification imposed by the High Court. The ban follows a series of integrity and conduct breaches, including attempts to fabricate evidence and mislead authorities regarding his management role at an unrelated company.

FCA's Permanent Ban on Howard Duckett

The FCA determined that Howard Roland Duckett demonstrated a fundamental lack of honesty and integrity required for any individual holding a senior management function. According to the regulator, Duckett failed to disclose to the FCA his disqualification as a director by the High Court and subsequently attempted to misrepresent his involvement in the relevant company. The decision to ban him is final and prohibits Duckett from performing any function in UK regulated financial services.

'Mr Ducket constructed an elaborate fiction in his attempt to avoid disqualification and did not disclose his disqualification to the FCA. He deserves to be banned from the industry.' — Therese Chambers, FCA Joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight

High Court Judgment and Disqualification Timeline

The High Court disqualified Duckett on 13 November 2020 from acting as a company director for ten years, with the order taking effect from 4 December 2020. The court found that as director of an unrelated company, Duckett had failed to maintain adequate business records. More seriously, it was established that he repeatedly lied and fabricated evidence, including inventing a fictitious individual purported to manage the company, in order to avoid personal responsibility. The disqualification is a matter of public record and directly triggered subsequent regulatory actions by the FCA.

Duckett's disqualification was not reported to the FCA, violating regulatory expectations for transparency and fitness for duty among senior managers. The FCA's actions followed the Upper Tribunal's decision to strike out Duckett's referral of the Decision Notice, leaving the ban in place without further appeal.

Impact on Beauforce Corporation Limited and Consumer Guidance

In November 2025, the FCA restricted Beauforce Corporation Limited from carrying out regulated activities, expressly barring the firm from providing regulated debt advice or debt management services to consumers. The FCA also ordered the firm to cease accepting consumer payments and to return any customer funds held in its bank accounts.

Consumers currently holding debt management plans with Beauforce Corporation Limited are instructed to stop payments immediately and seek alternative assistance. Free advice is available via MoneyHelper, and those who have made payments to Beauforce since 20 November 2025, or have related concerns, are encouraged to contact the FCA.

FCA Approval Functions and Regulatory Oversight

During his tenure, Duckett received FCA approval for both the SMF3 (Executive Director) and SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) Senior Management Functions at Beauforce Corporation Limited. This context highlights the FCA's expectations for transparency and candour from approved persons, particularly when material changes or disciplinary actions arise elsewhere. The FCA's decision to ban Duckett follows industry practice and aligns with its statutory objective to uphold integrity standards sector-wide.

For readers tracking regulatory action and professional standards in the UK financial and related regulated sectors, this case further underscores the FCA's zero-tolerance approach when dishonesty is uncovered at the senior management level.

Key Dates and Next Steps for Stakeholders

• 13 November 2020: High Court formally disqualifies Duckett as a company director for 10 years, effective 4 December 2020.
• 20 November 2025: FCA enforcement action restricting Beauforce Corporation Limited from any regulated debt advice or management, alongside obligations to refund consumer payments.
• Consumers with Beauforce arrangements since this date should immediately discontinue payments and do not risk regulatory penalty for non-payment under FCA guidance.

Contact with the FCA regarding these matters strengthens ongoing supervision but will not result in direct complaint remediation for individuals.

Wider Regulatory Context

This enforcement action against Duckett and Beauforce Corporation Limited is indicative of the FCA's ongoing work to maintain transparent, honest, and fair conduct in UK financial markets. The measures, while targeted, serve as a warning for senior managers in regulated organisations and highlight the requirements for full disclosure and accurate record-keeping. The FCA continues to provide support guidance for affected consumers and expects regulated firms to meet their obligations without exception.