Insolvency Service (National): Court action taken to shut down three companies involved in the sale of shares and bonds to the public

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills has presented petitions in the High Court to wind up in the public interest Viking Mining Resources Limited, Viking Gold Limited and VGRM Limited.

The petitions to wind up the companies were presented following confidential enquiries carried out by Company Investigations, part of the Insolvency Service, under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985, as amended.

On the application of the Secretary of State the Official Receiver has been appointed by the Court as provisional liquidator of the companies. The role of the Official Receiver is to protect the assets and financial records of the companies pending determination of the petitions. The provisional liquidator also has the power to investigate the affairs of the companies insofar as it is necessary to protect the assets including any third party or trust monies or assets in the possession of or under the control of the companies.

As the matter is before the Court no further information will be made available until the petitions are determined. The petitions are listed for hearing on 20 July 2011

Notes to editors

1. Viking Mining Resources Limited was incorporated as a private company on 11 June 2010. The registered office of the company is at Lakeside House, 1 Furzeground Way, Stockley Park, Heathrow, UB11 1BD. The sole recorded director of the company is Mr Chris Sharma. The company has no secretary.

2. Viking Gold Limited was incorporated as a private company on 11 June 2010. The registered office of the company is at Fountain Court, 2 Victoria Square, St Albans, AL1 3TF. The sole recorded director of the company is Ms Melanie Strauss. The company has no secretary.

3. VGRM Limited was incorporated as a private company on 11 June 2010. The registered office of the company is at 54 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1DU. The sole recorded director of the company is Mr Terry Laxman. The company has no secretary.

4. The petitions to wind up the companies were presented on 20 December 2010 under the provisions of section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986.

5. The Official Receiver was appointed as provisional liquidator of the companies on 21 December 2010.

6. Company Investigations, part of the Insolvency Service, carries out confidential enquiries on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills (“BIS”).

7. The Insolvency Service administers the insolvency regime investigating all compulsory liquidations and individual insolvencies (bankruptcies) through the Official Receiver to establish why they became insolvent. The Service also authorises and regulates the insolvency profession; deals with disqualification of directors in corporate failures; assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees; provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds; and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.

8. All public enquiries concerning the affairs of the company should be made to: The Official Receiver, Public Interest Unit , Tel No: 020 7637 1110 Email: piu.or@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk

9. Further information about the work of The Insolvency Service is available fromhttp://www.insolvency.gov.uk

10. Media Enquiries should be directed to:

Denise Rawls, Press Office Manager, Telephone 020 7674 6910 or

Ade Daramy, Press Officer on 020 7596 6187

Ins/Coms/148

Contacts

NDS Enquiries 
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept 
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk