Mark Gaffney was investigated by the Insolvency Service after leaving a string of debts following the liquidation of his firms.

Bedford County Court heard that Gaffney failed to keep proper records and was unable to explain to the Official Receiver how the companies between them disposed of £1.4m between 2004 and 2008.

Gaffney, 38, of Beeston, Beds was banned from the world of business for his involvement in the failure of three Sandy Bedfordshire-based companies -First Active Maintenance Ltd, Redstar Maintenance Heating Ltd and Arena Maintenance Ltd.

Gaffney also failed to deal with the companies’ tax and VAT affairs during the same period, leading to debts owed to HM Revenue & Excise in excess of £1m.

Malcolm Dunn, Official Receiver for Northampton said: “The length of Mr Gaffney’s disqualification sends a clear message to other company directors who fail to perform their statutory duties, which include the keeping of proper financial records.

“The Insolvency Service can and will investigate company directors activities, and where appropriate take action to remove them from the business environment when we find evidence of trading to the determent of their customers”.