Two charged after collapse of funeral firm Safe Hands

Two people have been charged following the collapse of a pre-paid funeral firm that left tens of thousands of people out of pocket.

About 46,000 customers lost thousands of pounds when Safe Hands Plans Ltd collapsed in 2022 and fell into administration.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has charged two men – Richard Wells and Neil Debenham – with conspiracy to defraud. It said Wells is the former director of SHP Capital Holdings Ltd – the parent company of Safe Hands – with Debenham described as a “fellow senior executive”.

Wells and Debenham are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 February.

The SFO said the charges of Wells, 39, residing in Spain, and Debenham, 43, of Norwich, were a “critical step” in its investigation.

Emma Luxton, director of operations, added planholders were left “exposed, out of pocket and uncertain about their funeral arrangements”.

Since July 2022, pre-paid funeral providers have required approval to operate from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Safe Hands was one of dozens of companies operating in the previously unregulated sector, and collapsed four months before the measures came in.