Lawrence Kenwright, founder of Liverpool-based Signature Group, which operates a portfolio of hotels and hospitality businesses, has been disqualified from acting as a company director for five years after investors lost more than £4.8m through a connected company.

Kenwright, who has been a director of almost 100 companies, including more than 60 under the Signature brand, was the sole registered director of Signature Works Gold Limited. The company sold desk space to investors in three Liverpool city centre properties, including the Arthouse Hotel on Seel Street, alongside the Bling Bling Building on Hanover Street and 60 Old Hall Street.

The Insolvency Service found that Kenwright allowed Signature Works Gold to distribute promotional material containing false and misleading information about the investments. The material stated or implied that investors would acquire a legal interest, registered at the Land Registry, in the properties where they purchased desk space. However, investigators found that Signature Works Gold did not own any registered freehold or leasehold interest in the three properties.

Instead, the buildings were owned by separate companies, including Signature Hanover Street Limited, Signature Living Arthouse Square Ltd and Signature Living Residential Ltd, of which Kenwright was the sole shareholder.

Signature Works Gold was presented in its marketing material as being part of the wider Signature group. However, the Insolvency Service found that it was not part of the legal group structure, with Kenwright providing the connection between the companies through common ownership.

The company, incorporated in January 2017, rented the working spaces to members of the public, with rental income intended to fund returns to investors. However, investor returns stopped being paid after September 2019.

When Signature Works Gold was wound up in the public interest in December 2022, it had assets of less than £100,000 against liabilities of £4.85m. The Insolvency Service said Kenwright had failed to ensure adequate stewardship and corporate governance of the company he directed.

Kenwright signed a disqualification undertaking shortly before he was due to appear for trial following the Insolvency Service’s investigation. The legally binding undertaking means he does not dispute the matters of unfitness alleged by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

His five-year disqualification came into effect on 18 August 2026. It prevents him from acting as a company director or becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company without court permission.

Kenwright’s wider Signature business has been behind a number of hospitality developments in Liverpool, including the Shankly Hotel and the Dixie Dean Hotel, alongside other hotel and hospitality properties.

The disqualification follows the collapse of Signature Works Gold and the wider financial difficulties surrounding parts of the Signature business, with the latest action highlighting the responsibilities of directors when marketing investment opportunities and managing companies.

Kevin Read, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Lawrence Kenwright’s failures as a company director had serious consequences for investors, who suffered losses of more than £4.8m as a result of false and misleading marketing material.

“While Kenwright is not accused of direct fraud, his conduct nevertheless falls well below the standards we expect of company directors. Directors have a responsibility to ensure investment information issued in their company’s name is accurate and can be relied upon. The Insolvency Service will continue to take action against directors who fail in those responsibilities, helping to maintain confidence in the UK’s business environment.”