A football betting firm boss and former Sky Sports presenter has been banned as a director for more than a decade after his company went into administration owing more than £10 million to its investors.
Alan Bentley allowed his company Bentley Global (UK) Limited to take more than £1.5m from investors in a period between late 2019 and early 2020, promising returns of up to 20 per cent. The funds were said to be used to place bets on matches using an AI algorithm called Algol88, but there was no evidence the company was betting on football in that period.
The company previously suffered losses of more than £4m in August 2018 and more than £5m a year later with no recorded turnover, but continued to take money from investors. When Bentley Global (UK) Ltd went into administration in May 2022, it owed just over £10m to investors.
Kevin Read, the Insolvency Service’s chief investigator, said: “Bentley knew the company had made huge losses and was unable to pay its debts. His company had no reasonable prospect of being able to repay the investments and interest payments under the bond scheme because of its dire financial position.
“Directors have a responsibility to be honest and transparent with investors, especially when handling their money. This case sends a clear message that those who abuse their position and mislead investors will not be able to continue to act as company directors.”
Bentley, 63, has been banned as a company director for 11 years. It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company without permission of the court.
His brother, Brian, has been banned as a director for six years. The 62-year-old was also disqualified as a company director in 2024 for misconduct while he was at Bentley Global (UK) Ltd.
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