Gavin Woodhouse and associates

The Serious Fraud Office is investigating suspected fraud and money laundering in relation to the conduct of business by Gavin Woodhouse and individuals and companies associated with him.

The conduct currently under investigation by the SFO relates to investments offered in care homes and hotels between 2013 and 2019.

The SFO has asked UK-based investors into the suspected fraudulent schemes to complete a questionnaire. The information provided will help us to establish the circumstances of the investments offered, to identify and pursue new information, and to progress the investigation as quickly as possible.

Investors update – 21 March 2023

Further interviews of persons associated with our investigation continue, along with other lines of enquiry. Updates will be provided when appropriate. As this is a live investigation, the SFO can provide no further comment at this time.

Investors update – 13 October 2022

Investor interviews have finished. Further interviews of persons associated with our investigation will commence during the last quarter of 2022.

Other lines of enquiry continue to be pursued and updates will be provided when appropriate. As this is a live investigation, the SFO can provide no further comment at this time.

Investors update – 5 May 2022

The questionnaire is now closed and the results have been collated. This has enabled us to conduct and schedule a number of interviews to help us with our enquiries.

Other lines of enquiry continue to be pursued and updates will be provided when appropriate. As this is a live investigation, the SFO can provide no further comment at this time. 

Investors update – 3 December 2021

We have received a number of replies to the questionnaire and are currently collating the results.

The questionnaire will remain open for any new registrations until 20 December.

We will be contacting a number of investors to obtain further information to help assist us with our ongoing investigation.

If any UK based investor has not yet filled in a questionnaire and wishes to do so please contact us at FLT01.Investors@sfo.gov.uk. This email should contain your name, address and contact number.

The SFO is committed to supporting victims and invites those who believe they have been a victim in connection with this investigation to check this page for updates and information on support services.

As this is a live investigation, the SFO can provide no further comment at this time.

Investor Frequently Asked Questions

What stage has the investigation reached?

In August 2021, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) asked investors based in the UK to complete a questionnaire by 30 September 2021. Once those questionnaires have been received, they will be reviewed. We will then contact those investors from whom further information is needed.  The questionnaire is an important document which will enable us to understand the circumstances of the investments, and early provision of this information will assist us in progressing the investigation as quickly as possible.

What do I do if I am a UK based investor but have not been invited to complete a questionnaire?

If you believe you have invested in a scheme which is part of our investigation and have not been invited to fill out a questionnaire, please email us at FLT01.Investors@sfo.gov.uk. This email should contain your name, address and contact number.

What information is being sought by the questionnaire?

The questionnaire asks for information about the investor/s, and the details of their investment. There are some detailed questions about the investment so it would be helpful to have any documents relating to the investments to hand. There are also some questions about the investors’ personal circumstances. This is so we can assess if investors need any additional support from us. These questions are entirely voluntary. If investors who have been invited to complete the questionnaire are unable to, or would prefer not to complete the questionnaire in one attempt, it can be saved and returned to later.

How will the SFO use this information?

We will use the information investors provide to help progress the investigation. It will also help us to identify any investors from whom we may wish to obtain further information. Investor’s responses will be treated in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018.

Why are you only asking UK based investors to complete the questionnaire?

The SFO is not at this stage actively inviting investors based outside of the UK to complete the questionnaire or seeking to obtain evidence from them. Whilst this may be frustrating and may appear unsatisfactory to investors based overseas, it will enable the SFO to progress the investigation more quickly by focusing on investors based within the UK. Should it become necessary to obtain evidence from investors based outside of the UK, contact will be made at the appropriate time via the appropriate channels.

How long will this investigation take?

The SFO only takes on the most complex cases which can take a number of years to investigate. This investigation will involve reviewing a large volume of material and possibly working across different jurisdictions, and is expected to take some time. We endeavour to progress the investigation as expeditiously as possible and ask you to please be patient while we do so.

How will investors be updated?

A. We will endeavour to put regular updates on the case page of our website. For legal reasons, and to ensure the integrity of the investigation, we may be unable to provide investors with all the information they might want..

Should investors contact us?

Other than completing the questionnaire or informing us of a change of contact details, we ask that investors do not contact us at this stage. We will contact investors should we need to do so after we have reviewed the questionnaires.

What should investors do with documents and correspondence relating to their investment?

Investors should retain and keep safe ALL documents, including hard copy documents and electronic correspondence, such as emails, they have in relation to their investment(s). Should we require any of this material we will contact investors and arrange with them the best and most secure way of getting it to us. Please do not send us anything at this time.

Should investors be sharing information with other investors?

We understand that there is a support network between fellow investors in this case, but please consider the possible dangers of sharing personal information and experience on public access online platforms. Sharing personal details could present opportunities for fraudsters and put investors at risk. For more information go to Get Safe Online.

How does the fact that many of the companies have entered into administration or liquidation impact the SFO investigation?

The administrators/liquidators will assess the assets of the companies and take appropriate recovery actions as detailed within their reports to creditors. The administrators/liquidators also have a duty to report their findings to the Department for Business.  The SFO will work closely with the administrators/liquidators – obtaining information and material from them as appropriate.

Will I get my investment back?

The administrators/liquidators will assess the company’s assets, undertake all appropriate recovery actions and distribute any monies to creditors in accordance with their statutory duties, as regards the respective administrations/liquidations.

One of the SFO’s strategic objectives is to deliver justice for victims and recover the proceeds of financial crime. If we obtain convictions and compensation is appropriate and possible, we will seek to return monies to victims.

What support services are available?

If you believe you have been a victim in connection with this investigation and need support for the impact it has had on you and your family, please click here for information on support services. If you would like the SFO to make a referral to your local Police and Crime Commissioner funded victim support service, please contact our Witness Care Team by emailing them at witness.care@sfo.gov.uk and they will arrange that on your behalf.

How we can help you

We will endeavour to put regular updates on the case page of our website to let you know how this matter is progressing.

In the meantime, please:

• See our website for support information for victim support services and organisations that can provide financial advice.
• Keep safe any relevant material concerning your investment, as this may be required by us at a later stage.

Be aware that personal data you provide to the SFO in connection with this case will be handled in line with the General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018, and may be shared between investigating agencies for law enforcement purposes.