Ex-Highways England Director Banned for 11 Years Over Covid Loan Abuse

A former senior executive at Highways England has been disqualified from serving as a company director after misusing government-backed Covid support loans.

Anna Daroy, who previously held roles including Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Highways England (2015–2017) and Director General of the Institute of Directors, secured two maximum-value Bounce Back Loans for her consultancy, Globepoint Associates Ltd, in May 2020.

The 61-year-old, from Abbots Morton in Worcestershire, obtained £50,000 each from two different banks within just five days, despite the scheme allowing only a single loan per business. Globepoint Associates went into liquidation in March 2023, with both loans still outstanding.

Earlier this month, Daroy accepted an 11-year director disqualification undertaking from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The ban prohibits her from forming, managing, or promoting a company without court approval.

Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, criticised her conduct:“Anna Daroy abused the Bounce Back Loan Scheme by obtaining two loans when businesses were entitled to just one. Once she realised her company had received double the permitted amount, she should have repaid one. These loans were created to help struggling businesses survive the pandemic, not to be misused. Given her extensive background in senior business leadership, she should have known better.”