Andrew Pilley

Pilley was born in Blackpool in 1970, and began his career in the mid-90's in the energy sector working for Enron.

Pilley then worked as a Post Office clerk, where he became involved in a theft conspiracy. The conspiracy involved stealing cheques posted in the mail, otherwise intended for the disabled or elderly to assist with their living. The conspiracy led him to a 4-month prison sentence in Kirkham Prison for conspiracy to steal,{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/here-is-what-the-judge-had-to-say-to-andy-pilley-and-his-co-accused-4207556|title=Here is what the judge had to say to Andy Pilley and his co-accused}} with him being released in April 1998.

Pilley worked at a Manchester utility company that was affected by the Enron scandal, which resulted in Pilley losing his job. He then founded his own utilities brokerage business, BES Utilities.{{cite web| title=Ten years after Enron|url=http://realbusiness.co.uk/article/8236-ten-years-after-enron-how-i-built-my-own-40m-firm| publisher=Real Business| date=2 November 2011| accessdate=8 December 2014}} He was later joined by his sister, Michelle Davidson. In February 2005, a gas supply licence was approved for the company. After receiving a licence from Ofgem, BES Utilities became a licensed gas shipper in March 2008.{{Cite web|date=5 March 2008|title=Business Energy Solutions Limited - Notice of grant of a gas shipper licence|url=https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/business-energy-solutions-limited-notice-grant-gas-shipper-licence|access-date=3 September 2020|website=Ofgem|language=en-gb}}

Pilley acquired an electricity supply licence for BES Commercial Electricity Ltd in 2009, and both companies now form the BES Utilities group. The companies saw significant growth, and in 2009 were one of the largest employers on the Fylde coast, with over 200 staff based at their Head Office.{{Cite web|date=6 July 2009|title=BES Commercial Electricity Limited - Notice of grant of electricity supply licence|url=https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/bes-commercial-electricity-limited-notice-grant-electricity-supply-licence|access-date=3 September 2020|website=Ofgem|language=en-gb}}

Pilley became chairman of Fleetwood Town Football Club in 2003.{{cite news | newspaper=The Independent | date=11 April 2012 | page=57 | last=Herbert | first=Ian | title=Fleeetwood matched by Speight and Wrexham | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-pilley-fleetwood-chairma/125092684/}} After he was convicted of fraud in May 2023 Pilley resigned as chairman and announced that the club was for sale.{{cite news |title=Andy Pilley: Fleetwood Town chairman resigns after conviction |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65723365 |access-date=24 June 2023 |publisher=BBC}}

Between 2014 and 2015 BES Utilities was investigated by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), which found that BES failed to explain customer contracts in sufficient detail and wrongly blocked 108 customers from switching suppliers. The Ofgem investigation resulted in a fine of £2.00, with an agreed redress package of £980,000. Of the £980,000, £311,000 was paid to consumers affected by the breaches, and the remaining £669,000 was paid to a debt advice charity{{cite web |title=Ofgem investigation in 2015 |url=https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/investigation-bes-and-its-compliance-its-obligations-under-standard-licence-conditions-7a-7b-7-14-and-21b-and-chsr-2008 |website=Ofgem|date=18 December 2015 }}

In July 2017, BES Utilities commenced legal action against Trading Standards' prosecuting authority Cheshire West and Cheshire Council. The matter went to trial in November 2021, and in August 2022 all claims were dismissed.{{Cite web|url=https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/qb/2022/2162|title=Bes Commercial Electricity Limited & Ors. v Cheshire West and Chester Council - Find case law|website=caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}

In January 2018, BES Utilities settled a High Court case against two men, in which the company had alleged that they had made false claims about the company for three years. Following Pilley's convictions for fraud, the claim was abandoned altogether.

In September 2021, after a 5-year fraud investigation, Pilley was charged with multiple counts of fraud concerning his running of BES Utilities. Fraud charges included two counts of running a business to defraud creditors or others by allowing the fraudulent mis-selling of energy supply contracts, allowing fraudulent mis-selling by sales representatives, and being concerned with retaining criminal property.{{Cite web|last=Whitear|first=Sam|date=20 September 2021|title=Fleetwood Town boss Andy Pilley denies charges of fraud at Preston Crown Court|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/crime/fleetwood-town-boss-andy-pilley-denies-charges-of-fraud-at-preston-crown-court-3426023|access-date=28 August 2020|website=Business Lancashire|language=en-GB}}

Pilley pled not guilty to all charges and a criminal trial started at Preston Crown Court in October 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/fraud-trial-of-fleetwood-town-owner-andy-pilley-set-to-start-in-preston-3868967|title=Fraud trial of Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley set to start in Preston}}

On 19 May 2023, after a protracted and frequently interrupted fraud trial at Preston Crown Court lasting 9 months, Pilley was unanimously convicted on all counts relating to mis-selling energy supplies and immediately remanded into custody, with the judge commenting that he should expect a significant custodial sentence. He was convicted of running a business to defraud creditors, one count of false representation and one count of being concerned with retaining criminal property.{{cite web |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/people/andy-pilley-sentencing-date-set-for-fleetwood-town-fc-chairman-guilty-of-fraud-4154472 |title=Andy Pilley: sentencing date set for Fleetwood Town FC chairman guilty of fraud|date= 23 May 2023 |access-date= 23 May 2023}}

On 4 July 2023 he was sentenced to a 13-year jail sentence.{{cite web | title=Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley jailed for fraud | website=BBC News | date=4 July 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-66099646 | access-date=4 July 2023}} In the course of sentencing Pilley, the presiding judge admonished Pilley as being "highly litigious", a "hypocrite", and for demanding special treatment during the criminal trial.

In 2012, Pilley and fellow trustees founded the Fleetwood Town Community Trust, which provides social programs within the community.{{cite web| title=FTFC Community Trust|url=http://www.fleetwoodtownfcct.com/about-us/| publisher=Fleetwood Town Community Trust|year=2014| accessdate=8 December 2014}} In February 2019, Pilley and FTFC pledged £10,000 to help prevent bullying in schools by supporting a training programme.{{Cite web|title=Andy Pilley pledges £10,000 to help tackle bullying in schools|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2019/february/andy-pilley-pledges-10000-to-help-tackle-bullying-in-schools/|access-date=4 September 2020|website=www.fleetwoodtownfc.com|language=en-gb}} Pilley, along with BES Utilities and Card Saver, also pledged £20,000 to the MADD About Bullying programme.{{Cite web|date=5 July 2019|title=BES Utilities and Card Saver pledge £20,000 to help tackle bullying in schools|url=https://www.besutilities.co.uk/bes-utilities-and-card-saver-pledge-20000-to-help-tackle-bullying-in-schools/|access-date=4 September 2020|website=BES Utilities|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=5 July 2019|title=BES Utilities and Card Saver pledge £20,000 to help tackle bullying in schools|url=https://www.card-saver.co.uk/bes-utilities-and-card-saver-pledge-20000-to-help-tackle-bullying-in-schools/|access-date=4 September 2020|website=Card Saver Ltd|language=en-GB}}

Fleetwood Town FC, BES Utilities, and Card Saver sponsor local professional boxer Brian 'The Lion' Rose.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/boxing/blackpool-boxer-brian-rose-ready-to-write-thrilling-last-chapter-in-long-awaited-comeback-1-9378995|title=Blackpool boxer Brian Rose ready to write thrilling last chapter in long-awaited comeback|website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk|access-date=8 April 2019}} Pilley also gave Rose full use of facilities at Poolfoot Farm, along with access to coaches and physios.

In 2018, Pilley and Fleetwood Town FC partnered with East Pines Park and offered to maintain their football pitches. Following improvement work and maintenance, the pitch now hosts a variety of community football sessions.{{Cite web|title=Football club chairman pitches in to help young footballers at a Blackpool park|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/football-club-chairman-pitches-help-young-footballers-blackpool-park-225012|access-date=11 September 2020|website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}

In 2020, Pilley provided financial support for the England Amputee FA's under-23 squad to attend the German training camp and gave the group free use of the Cod Army’s Poolfoot Farm training base.{{Cite web|title=Fleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley helps amputee footballer Jamie Oakey to fulfil his England dream|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-chairman-andy-pilley-helps-amputee-footballer-jamie-oakey-fulfil-his-england-dream-99574|access-date=11 September 2020|website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}

Pilley's other philanthropy activities include:

• Sponsor of Thornton Christmas Lights{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/fleetwood-town-chairman-gives-1-000-for-1-000-lights-to-light-up-thornton-1-9471693|title=Fleetwood Town chairman gives £1,000 for 1,000 lights to light up Thornton|website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk|access-date=8 April 2019}}
• Creation of the BES Fund to support businesses with energy or other debts{{Cite web|url=https://besutilities.co.uk/bes-managing-director-andy-pilley-to-attend-downing-street-reception/|title=BES' Managing Director, Andy Pilley, to attend Downing Street reception|date=12 January 2015|website=BES Utilities|language=en-GB|access-date=8 April 2019}}
• Funder of national charity, Business Debtline{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/fylde-coast-firm-launches-fund-to-ease-businesses-debt-1-7451423|title=Fylde coast firm launches fund to ease businesses' debt|website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk|access-date=8 April 2019}}

Pilley endorsed the Conservative Party in the 2019 United Kingdom general election.{{cite news |title=Cod Army Chairman backs Conservative campaign |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2019/november/cod-army-chairman-backs-conservative-campaign/ |access-date=14 July 2022 |work=Fleetwood Town FC |date=14 November 2019}}

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Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:English businesspeople

Category:Fleetwood Town F.C.

Category:People from Blackpool

Category:English football chairmen and investors

Category:Conservative Party (UK) people

Category:English fraudsters

Category:Prisoners and detainees of England and Wales