The former owner of an events and alternative gifts company who fled Dubai after leaving huge debts has told Arabian Business he is still committed to paying back customers.
Simon Ford, the owner of Blue Banana.com, left the UAE in June 2009 after the firm’s debt got out of control.
He said at the time that he was not running away from the debt and blamed the lack of bankruptcy laws in the UAE for his decision to flee.
He has now registered new businesses in the UK and is “pursuing ways to generate a living”.
“I have been staying in touch with people in Dubai and am still committed to repaying when I can,” he told Arabian Business via email.
On his LinkedIn account, Ford lists himself as an entrepreneur consultant for BSEEN (Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network) which aims to offer graduates and students support in setting up businesses.
He is also listed as a director of Salon Supply Shop Ltd, a collaboration project for E Supply Shops Ltd, of which he is founder and CEO.
The company has partnered with a hair and beauty supply firm to supply hair and beauty salons products and accessories across the UK.
In his email, Ford added: “I have yet to start trading officially but hope to be soon.”
Back in June, Ford left behind many customers who had bought gifts from the company but had not received them. He also left a letter to all customers apologising for leaving.
In the letter, he said: “Tragically, the debt of the business reached a level on Thursday June 18 that personal threats were being made against me and my family, which left me no choice but to leave four years of passion behind and take my family out of the country.”
Through its website, Blue Banana sold alternative gifts such as skydiving and jet fighter flights.
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