Darts star Rob Cross receives five year ban as director over £450k unpaid taxes
Rob Cross has been handed a five-year disqualification from serving as a director, after his company, Rob Cross Darts Limited, failed to settle a £450,000 tax debt. The firm owed a hefty sum to HMRC alongside other creditors when it was wound up.
The former world darts champion is now banned from becoming a director until June 2030. His company was created eight years ago to receive his earnings and prize money.
Cross, 34, withdrew more than £300,000 from the company between March 2020 and November 2023, money that should have been paid to HMRC and other creditors.
Last year, in an attempt to settle some of the arrears, Cross entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), with repayments set to fluctuate based on his future darts winnings.
As November 2023 rolled around and liquidation hit, the accounts revealed an outstanding £403,896 corporation tax bill, £49,071 VAT, and £12,436 owing for PAYE and National Insurance contributions. Just £41,936 had found its way to HMRC in the period from March 2020 until the time of liquidation.
Cross has admitted that withdrawing £306,403 from the business was "to the risk and ultimate detriment of HMRC", reports the Express.
Insolvency Service Chief Investigator, Kevin Read, said: "When directors fail to pay the correct amount of tax, it directly impacts the government's ability to fund vital public services such as the NHS, schools, transport infrastructure and our national defence.
"Rob Cross's firm was in the red for over £400,000 in corporation tax alone when it went bust. For more than three years, he siphoned off funds from the company that were due to HMRC and other creditors.
"This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds. The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities.
"Enforcing these rules consistently is crucial in maintaining a level playing field and preventing companies from gaining an unfair competitive advantage over compliant businesses that properly fulfil their tax obligations."
Rob Cross Darts Limited came into being in May 2017, with Cross taking up the director's mantle on the very day it was established.
Insolvency Service probes revealed that the company raked in just over £1 million from Cross's earnings from early March 2020 until its collapse in November 2023. Sponsorships brought in £169,500, while £261,901 flowed in from his management company.
Besides the £306,403 Cross withdrew, another £665,419 found its way into the personal account of someone linked to him. It remains unclear if this was Cross himself.
His disqualification bars him from engaging in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without court approval.
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