A FORMER Isle of Skye hotel boss has been banned from being a company director after failing to pay thousands in tax debt.
Campbell Dickinson was previously the director of Caledonian Skye Ltd, which operated as The Portree Hotel on Somerled Square, before it entered liquidation in June 2023 owing over £400,000 in VAT.
Prior to the firm collapsing, only £133,654 of the £574,238 owed in unpaid taxes had been repaid. Dickinson has now been disqualified as a company director for four years.
Neil North, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Campbell Dickson has been the director of consecutive companies with similar names that have failed, leaving hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax owed to HMRC each time.
“Directors have a firm duty to ensure they deal properly with tax matters and pay what is due. Taxation revenue provides for the benefit of all and cannot simply be ignored. The Insolvency Service is committed to working with our partners at HMRC to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour.”
Dickinson was previously director of two other companies which also entered liquidation with HMRC debts, Caledonian Skye Limited and Calcam Skye Ltd.
When Caledonian Skye went into administration in November 2019, it owed £364,779 in unpaid tax. Calcam Skye Ltd was closed in May 2022, owing £789,670 to the service.
Richard Hopwood, head of insolvency at HMRC, said: “We are determined to allow reputable businesses to thrive which is why it’s crucial we work closely with the Insolvency Service and other partners to take action against anyone that undermines the tax system.
“The majority pay the tax that is due, but we will pursue those who refuse to play by the rules.”
Dickinson’s ban came into force on Wednesday, September 24. It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company without permission from the court.
The Portree Hotel is now run by a different company, which Dickinson resigned as a director of in May 2023.
