Two charged in collapsed funeral firm investigation

Two people have been charged following the collapse of a pre-paid funeral firm which affected 46,000 people.

Safe Hands Plans Ltd collapsed in 2022 and went into administration.

The Serious Fraud Office has charged two men in its investigation into suspected fraud at the firm and parent company SHP Capital Holdings Ltd.

Richard Wells, 39, residing in Spain and Neil Debenham, 43, from Norwich, have each been charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Emma Luxton, Director of Operations at the Serious Fraud Office, said: 

"This scheme marketed peace of mind to tens of thousands of people, many of them vulnerable, – that promise dissolved when it collapsed, leaving plan holders exposed, out of pocket and uncertain about their funeral arrangements.

"Today’s charges mark a critical step in our investigation."

The SFO announced its investigation in October 2023.

Wells and Debenham are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 February 2026.

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