The CEO of an energy company cutting hundreds of Scots jobs is facing demands to explain £40million of loans and cash transfers.
Stephen Fitzpatrick’s Ovo Energy was given £17million in furlough payments after taking over Perth-based SSE’s retail division in January 2020.
But the businessman – whose firm was criticised for suggesting people cuddle their cat and “do star jumps” to keep warm as bills soar – is now slashing 1700 jobs as part of a restructuring.
A headquarters in Perth employing 700 people is to be slashed along with bases in Edinburgh and Cumbernauld, where hundreds more work.
Accounts filed at Companies House show Ovo was billed £21million by parent company Imagination Industries Ltd – also controlled by Fitzpatrick – to cover “brand royalty fees”.
(Image: Perthshire Picture Agency (PPA))
Meanwhile, almost £20million was invested by Imagination Industries in other business ventures set up by the 44-year-old tycoon, including a flying taxi firm and a prosecco…
