Simon Morris (businessman)

Simon Morris (born 1977) is a British business entrepreneur specialising in property. He is the owner/founder of Morris Properties (UK).

Career

Simon Morris began in business selling leather coats after he had dropped out one year into a law degree at Lancaster University. After buying and refurbishing a flat he formed Morris Properties, specialising in residential property for students and young professionals. Its foundations are in Leeds, but the company is also involved in developments across Yorkshire as well as in Nottingham, Derby and Cardiff. Morris Properties (UK) is totally owned by its founder and made a £15.4 million profit in 2005–06, while First City Rentals, in which Morris has a 65% stake, made a £2.3 million profit.

In 2008 the company went into administration with debts of £50 million, owed mostly to Irish banks who called on their loans after the Morris crash and as a result of the Bank of Ireland calling on a £2.4 million personal guarantee.[1] This was primarily due to negative publicity from a BBC panorama documentary, which later turned out to be without foundation and after extensive investigation no charges where ever bought.[2][3]

Two weeks after his businesses went bust, Morris was arrested as part of an investigation into money laundering and conspiracy to defraud based on allegations brought up by the administrations of the companies involved.[4]

In 2007 Morris, a former director of Leeds United, tabled a bid to buy the football club.[5][6] That bid failed as Ken Bates retained control of club after winning 75.2% of the votes from creditors.[7]

Simon Morris has now started to operate an Investment Business blog in London - Simon Morris Business & Investments - and offers guides and advice on various investment options in London.[8] In August 2014, Simon Morris has released a guide to property investment funds.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Simon Morris: Innocent - but cast out like a leper". Rahman Ravelli. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Transcript - Bursting the House Price Bubble". BBC Panorama.
  3. ↑ "Fraud probe dropped into ex-Leeds United director". The Jewish Chronicle.
  4. ↑ "Property tycoon". The BBC. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Morris bids to give Leeds 'great future'". Daily Mail. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
  6. ↑ "Morris makes late Leeds bid". Sky Sports. 10 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  7. ↑ "Bates regains control of Leeds United". The Times. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
  8. ↑ "Investing your pension into the property market". Express. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "Simon Morris: Investment in Property Funds – The Safe Approach". MarketWatch. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
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