Float plan: SpectrumX boss Damien Hancox
An entrepreneur who was once declared bankrupt and implicated in an alleged fraud has been handed a lucrative NHS contract.
Damien Hancox, who runs UK biotech and healthcare group SpectrumX, earlier this month revealed it will become a licensed NHS supplier in a ‘pivotal step’ that ‘is a key part of our growth strategy’.
Hancox was declared bankrupt in 2007 after a run-in with renowned property developers the Candy Brothers. Two years earlier in 2005, it emerged in a High Court judgment there were ‘solid grounds for believing’ that Hancox was ‘implicated’ in a VAT fraud scandal.
Hancox hit the headlines in 2018 over a £20million divorce from his model wife, Marilyn Levesque. They split after five months of marriage. His current girlfriend is believed to be Instagram influencer Susy Castro, who is employed as a communications executive at SpectrumX.
On Friday, a former adviser, the Earl of Shrewsbury, was told he faces a nine-month suspension from the House of Lords for breaching lobbying rules while working with SpectrumX, which paid him £57,000 over a 19- month period between 2020 and 2022.
Documents seen by The Mail on Sunday show the Earl was made aware of the fraud allegations against Hancox contained within the 2005 court papers, but declined to step back from his role. According to his register of interests, the peer has not advised the firm since January.
An NHS Supply Chain spokesman said: ‘The procurement process is still ongoing and checks on all suppliers are continuing. This supplier will not be able to trade with the NHS until all checks have been completed.’
SpectrumX is reportedly eyeing a float on the London Stock Exchange. It also sold products through Matt Moulding’s listed retailer THG.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Hancox, who was contacted for comment.
