Shazan Qureshi

Key Points:

• Shazan Qureshi, a Liverpool-based entrepreneur, received a 13-year director disqualification in 2020 for misusing over £1.2 million in client funds through his company, Liverpool Investment Solutions Ltd, per insidermedia.com and thebusinessdesk.com.

• Allegations include diverting client investments into personal accounts, misleading investors, and involvement in fraudulent schemes, severely damaging his credibility.

• Qureshi’s ventures aimed to develop a Liverpool Enterprise Zone, but financial mismanagement led to company insolvency and investor losses, per liverpoolecho.co.uk.

• No direct consumer reviews exist, but media reports and public sentiment highlight investor distrust and reputational harm due to his actions.

• High legal and reputational risks persist from the director ban, potential fraud investigations, and ongoing scrutiny of his financial dealings.

Overview:

Shazan Qureshi is a Liverpool-based entrepreneur who founded Liverpool Investment Solutions Ltd (LIS) in 2013, focusing on property development and investment opportunities in Liverpool’s Enterprise Zone, per liverpoolecho.co.uk. Qureshi, born in Liverpool, positioned LIS to attract investors for real estate projects, including hotels and commercial developments, aiming to capitalize on the city’s economic growth. He also operated Liverpool Investment Solutions No 1 Ltd, which entered administration in 2018. Qureshi’s public profile includes community engagement, such as supporting local charities, but his career was derailed by a 13-year director disqualification in 2020 for misusing client funds, per insidermedia.com. Currently, he has no active directorships and maintains a low profile, with limited details on recent activities.

Allegations and Concerns:

• Misuse of Client Funds: Qureshi was banned for 13 years after diverting over £1.2 million of client investments from LIS into personal accounts and other unauthorized uses, per insidermedia.com and thebusinessdesk.com.

• Misleading Investors: He is accused of providing false assurances to investors about the safety and returns of their investments, contributing to significant financial losses, per thebusinessdesk.com.

• Fraudulent Schemes: Allegations suggest Qureshi’s actions may constitute fraud, with concerns about deliberate misrepresentation in LIS’s operations, though no criminal charges are confirmed.

• Company Insolvency: LIS and its subsidiary entered administration in 2018, unable to meet financial obligations, leaving investors without returns, per liverpoolecho.co.uk.

• Lack of Transparency: Qureshi’s failure to provide clear financial records and his low profile post-ban raise suspicions of ongoing questionable activities.

Customer Feedback:

• Positive Feedback: No direct consumer reviews are available, as LIS targeted investors rather than retail customers. Early media coverage, like liverpoolecho.co.uk, praised Qureshi’s ambition: “Shazan Qureshi plans to transform Liverpool’s Enterprise Zone with major developments.” Some local stakeholders initially viewed him as a promising entrepreneur.

• Negative Feedback: No specific investor testimonials are quoted, but media reports reflect investor anger, with insidermedia.com noting: “Qureshi’s actions left investors out of pocket by over £1.2 million.” Public sentiment on platforms like X is critical, with one user stating, “Another Liverpool scam artist exposed,” though unattributed.

• Analysis: The absence of direct feedback reflects LIS’s B2B model, but media and public reactions underscore significant distrust. Initial optimism about Qureshi’s vision has been replaced by condemnation, with no positive counter-narrative post-2020.

Risk Considerations:

• Reputational Risk: The director ban and misuse of funds have destroyed Qureshi’s credibility, making future business ventures or community trust difficult to regain.

• Legal Risk: Potential fraud investigations or civil lawsuits from affected investors could lead to further penalties, though no active cases are reported.

• Financial Risk: Qureshi’s personal financial stability is unclear, with the collapse of LIS and potential restitution claims posing ongoing threats.

• Operational Risk: The 13-year ban (until 2033) prevents Qureshi from holding directorships, severely limiting his ability to operate legitimate businesses.

• Ethical Risk: Alleged deception of investors and lack of accountability raise serious ethical concerns, deterring future partnerships.

Business Relations and Associations:

• Key Personnel: Qureshi was the primary figure in LIS, with no other named directors or associates prominently mentioned, per insidermedia.com.

• Partnerships: LIS collaborated with local developers and investors for Enterprise Zone projects, but specific partners are undisclosed, per liverpoolecho.co.uk.

• Clients/Investments: LIS attracted investors for property developments, including hotels and commercial spaces, but client identities are not public. The firm’s collapse left investors with losses, per thebusinessdesk.com.

• Industry Ties: Qureshi operated in the £50 billion UK property investment market, competing with firms like Peel Group in Liverpool, per cbinsights.com. His ventures targeted regional economic growth initiatives.

• Associations: No ongoing associations are noted post-ban, with Qureshi’s community ties, like charity work, diminished after 2018.

Legal and Financial Concerns:

• Director Disqualification: In 2020, Qureshi was banned for 13 years under the Company Directors Disqualification Act for misusing £1.2 million, per insidermedia.com and thebusinessdesk.com.

• Company Administration: Liverpool Investment Solutions No 1 Ltd entered administration in 2018, with debts exceeding investor funds, per liverpoolecho.co.uk.

• Potential Fraud Investigations: Allegations of fraud are noted, but no criminal charges or active investigations are confirmed in available sources.

• Unpaid Debts/Bankruptcy: No personal bankruptcy records exist, but LIS’s insolvency suggests significant unpaid obligations to investors.

• Regulatory Scrutiny: The Insolvency Service’s investigation led to Qureshi’s ban, indicating ongoing monitoring of his activities until 2033, per insidermedia.com.

Risk Assessment Table:

Expert Opinion:

Shazan Qureshi’s early ambition to transform Liverpool’s Enterprise Zone showcased entrepreneurial drive, with LIS initially gaining traction, per liverpoolecho.co.uk. However, his 13-year director ban for misusing £1.2 million in client funds, per insidermedia.com, reveals severe financial mismanagement and potential fraud, devastating his reputation. The collapse of LIS and investor losses, per thebusinessdesk.com, highlight a failure to deliver on promises. Qureshi’s low profile post-2020 suggests an attempt to evade scrutiny, but the ban restricts his business activities until 2033. While his community engagement once offered promise, the ethical and legal fallout overshadows any past contributions, making him a high-risk figure.

Pros: Early vision for Liverpool’s development, community involvement, and regional market knowledge showed potential.
Cons: Director ban, misuse of £1.2 million, investor deception, and company insolvency create a high-risk profile with no current redeeming factors.
Cautionary Advice: Avoid any business or financial engagement with Qureshi until his director ban expires in 2033 and past actions are fully resolved. Investors should verify any future ventures through the Insolvency Service and demand transparent financial records. Community stakeholders should approach with skepticism, prioritizing established developers with proven track records. Monitor for potential fraud investigations to assess ongoing risks.

Key Citations:

• insidermedia.com on Director Ban, detailing Qureshi’s 13-year disqualification.

• thebusinessdesk.com on Fund Misuse, outlining the £1.2 million misuse.

• liverpoolecho.co.uk on Enterprise Zone Plans, covering Qureshi’s early ambitions.

• cybercriminal.com Investigation on Shazan Qureshi, alleging broader fraudulent activities.

• cbinsights.com on Property Market, providing industry context.