Wrightbus administrators are suing an evangelical church founded by ex-owner Jeff Wright
Green Pastures, an evangelical church in Ballymena, Co Antrim founded by former Wrightbus majority shareholder Jeff Wright, is facing legal action from administrators of the bus company in the latest twist on the maker of London’s ‘Boris buses’.
Two separate lawsuits brought by Deloitte against “Green Pastures, the People’s Church” are listed on the Belfast High Court’s King’s Bench dealing list for 16 December.
The Wrights Group and four Wrightbus companies went bankrupt in 2019 with debts totaling £60m (€70m).
In the six years prior to his tenure, Wrightbus parent company Cornerstone Group had donated £15million to Green Pastures to “fund the group’s involvement in Christian, evangelical and other charitable activities”.
The donation process was legal.
Green Pastures was founded in 2007 by Jeff Wright, son of William Wright, who has grown the company into one of the leading manufacturers in the North. Pastor Jeff, as he is widely known in the area, stepped down as senior pastor earlier this year, but Facebook posts on the Green Pastures page show he remains associated with the church, with a post in October referring to ” some powerful messages from Pastor Jeff” last Sunday.
The King’s Bench, where the cases are heard, deals with claims for damages, commercial claims, contractual matters, judicial reviews and injunctions, among other things.
An accountant with knowledge of corporate bankruptcies said the case of Wrights Group Ltd (in administration) v Green Pastures, the popular church, was unusual.
It is exceptional and unusual for a church to be associated with a corporation
“It is extraordinary and unusual for a church to be associated with a corporation. You just don’t associate churches with business.
“A manager’s job is to collect as much as possible for creditors, so he will take whatever action he deems necessary to achieve full value for creditors.”
Green Pastures’ attorneys, King and Gowdy, responded to a request for comment on the court case and suggested that inquiries be directed to Wright Group administrators.
No one from Deloitte was available to comment on the court case.
While the company has been acquired and is thriving under new ownership, the management process, carried out by Deloitte, is ongoing.
In a report on administration in 2019, they said the company’s losses were “primarily due to a contraction in the UK bus market and the group was unable to replace essentials [buses for London] Contract concluded in 2018”.
Green Pastures is also the subject of a separate investigation by the Northern Ireland Charities Regulator after it became aware of “some internal governance issues”.
Close
The late William Wright founded Wrightbus
A spokesman for the Charity Commission said there was no connection between the court case against the church and its own investigation.
“Any decision by the Wrightbus administrators to take the Green Pastures church to court would be an independent decision by the administrators and as such would not be connected to the ongoing investigation by the Commission.
“Our investigation is separate from any independent investigation that the administrators may be conducting, and as such we cannot comment on potential overlaps.”
Last month, the Belfast Telegraph revealed that the Bankruptcy Service, which is part of the Department of Commerce, is starting a director’s removal process against 14 people associated with Wrightbus.
These are Amanda Knowles (67) and Lorraine Rock (64), both sisters of Jeff Wright; Steven Francey (54); John Mark Nodder (66); Mark Johnston (63); Brian Maybin (57); Robert Barr (64); Robert Douglas (68); Sam McLaren (68); John Damian McGarry (55); Kirsty McBride (37); John McLeister; Lauren Christie (37) and Jeff Wright (59).
The department confirmed it is the largest number of ex-bosses it has ever prosecuted in a director disqualification lawsuit.
I am disappointed that the Ministry has decided to start this procedure
Commenting on the action earlier this month, Mr Wright said: “I am disappointed that the Department has decided to start this process.
“I’ve worked with the administrators and department in the administration of the Wrights group of companies. I hope to have an opportunity to tell my side of the story, but given the process, I am unable to comment further at this time.”
This case will be brought before the Bankruptcy Court of the Royal Courts of Justice for administrative review on December 8th. The 14 people could be prevented from becoming a director of a company or being involved in starting or running a company for anywhere from two to 15 years. The burden of proof for proving the inappropriate behavior lies with the department.
The director will have an opportunity to explain his actions to the court.
https://www.independent.ie/business/administrators-of-wrightbus-to-sue-evangelical-church-founded-by-ex-owner-jeff-wright-42192162.html Wrightbus administrators are suing an evangelical church founded by ex-owner Jeff Wright
