Man jailed for 12 months after setting up company under new identity whilst disqualified

A man has been sentenced for acting as a company director whilst disqualified, following an investigation by the City of London Police.

Christian Beauchamp (formerly known as Clint Canning), 43, of Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6, was sentenced to 12 months for contravening a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday 19 May 2021.

Beauchamp under his former name had been disqualified from acting as a company director for a period of nine years starting on 12 April 2017. It was established that despite this disqualification, Canning, on 6 June 2019, formed a new company Alpha Nova Capital Ltd, using the new name of Christian Beauchamp to cover up his identity. 

The company described itself as a Global Macro Investment fund on its LinkedIn page, with offices in London, New York and Dublin. Beauchamp, on an associated LinkedIn page, described himself as both the Principal Manager and a Portfolio Manager for the company. On the Companies House register he was shown as the sole director and shareholder.

Officers from the City of London Police executed a search warrant on 11 February 2021 at Beauchamp’s home address and also attended his business premises at St Mary Axe. He was arrested on the same day and subsequently charged.