This dates back to a past church leader, called the Man of God, who was an alcoholic. The movement divided shortly afterwards on theological grounds. The network began in Australia and now we have more than 23 campuses across the country. One contract was concluded on 24 April this year, the other ended just a day later. Active. The Plymouth Brethren is led by one man, that leader is Bruce D Hales, known as the 'elect vessel' or 'the man of god', Hales has led the church since 2002, taking over from his father John Hales who led the then Exclusive Brethren from 1987. Otherwise he said they are professional and dont force their beliefs on anyone and are lovely to work with. The difference is, it would be their choice. There were a number of director changes in late 2020 as the Critchley family relinquished their directorships, including ex director Garry Critchley, Critchley is a current director of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Limited. Other than that they're great to deal with. According to its website, the OSG operates 130 campuses with 2,500 staff across 21 countries. The Drake family business, situated in Cambridge supplies bed & chairs, they were awarded 2 contracts, the biggest contract for over 18 million was from the DHSC for testing facilities. Promise. Biblical prophecy and the Second Coming of Christ were emphasized. Its important for me that, you the reader, understand that prior to accepting this role, I had never heard of the Brethren and that the interview process did nothing to deter me. Innova Care Concepts are based in Wetherby. Secondly, the church doesnt make it all that easy to leave. The company provide workwear and lists three directors Gerard & Richard Simmonds and Roy Jones. They must wear their hair down with an accessory, like a clip or headband. Our leading investigations include: empire & the culture war,Brexit, crony contracts,Russian interference,the Coronavirus pandemic,democracy in danger, andthe crisis in British journalism. While some connections therefore may be coincidental, there is a sufficient number of confirmed links to ask why an organisation with so few members should be associated with such a large volume of PPE contracts. [25] The Stewards' Foundation, established in 1955, lends money to Brethren assemblies, institutions, workers, and missionaries. I felt awful that the culture was not to admit or talk about this kind of thing. I dread to think how much she was underpaid. Yewdale Corporation owned by the Parsons family, based in Wickford, Essex, are a commercial shading & screening company. A high proportion of Plymouth Brethren members operate family businesses. Farr is yet another listed as an ex director of Novus Trading. Thanks brethrens! Minimal sleep was inspirational and not discouraged. On April 18th 2019, there was a buzz around the office. He would sometimes sneak off to places, ensuring he was back the same day so nobody had to know. At Open & Candid we have previously highlighted that Blueleaf were awarded a contract to supply face masks to the DHSC worth 4,000,000, the oddity about this contract is that when cross referenced with payments over 25,000 published by the DHSC each month, that the payments appear to add up to well over 30,000,000. Medaco another Bristol based business owned by the Smallridge family. Recent filings for PLYMOUTH BRETHREN CHRISTIAN CHURCH (NEW ZEALAND) LIMITED. They won a combined total of 570 million of contracts from the DHSC. Pros. Our research is linked to companies owned by members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. Castle Industrial Supplies of Carnforth are a packaging company owned by the James family. Even the small ones, like having a peruse on social media, listening to music, reading the news, zoning out in front of Netflix, growing a beard or tying your hair up You get to wake up day after day and make that choice. I wont even start on the climate denier and racist conversations he would casually bring up to affirm his opinion on. These eight companies all have connections to Unispace/Sante Global or Medco Solutions. Ill give some pseudo names Lets call the hard worker Aidan and the other one (I cant think of a polite word to describe him) Dick. Glen Reiner has worked for both companies. Partner works for them,his boss buys them all food, and will eat around the staff,but not strangers. Specialist Door Solutions based in Farnham are a manufacturer of specialist doorsets. Youd be walking into hell, right? This woman, free of men in her life, exuberated more confidence than all the other mumbling and timid Brethren women I met combined. Unispace (International) Ltd incorporated in 2011 as Jemc1 by Garth Woodcock & Cyril Parsons, in 2013 Anthony Hazell was appointed a director. Daniel is also a director of Snaffle Solutions Ltd, a company where Luke Robertson of Medco Solutions was formerly a director alongside Daniel. There is no opposition. You might not be allowed any contact with family ever again (unless you wanted to rejoin). They will refer to themselves as "community members". After a meeting, the conference table littered with empty cans, paper cups, mugs and biscuit wrappers, would be abandoned by the men. That said, there are connections between the Nicholas Walker named on Companies House and the fellow trustees of OneSchool Global Knockloughrim. Inivos work closely with Unispace and on the webinar section of their website you can find a webinar that is brought to you. Orka is a family business ran by the Rabey family including director Paul Rabey who is also a director of Jesmond Construction. There is a large Plymouth bretheren community locally. Receive our monthly print edition and help to support fearless, independent journalism. Firstly, imagine youre born into it. Springfield Supplies & Projects is a furniture supplier in Bristol ran by the Baker family. And if youre not, then tut tut) are non-community members or non-comms for short. They list just one director Nathan Whitbourn, he is also an ex director of Jesmond Construction where we find Doug Cowie of Orcagel as a director. If youre wondering what the common denominator is, you need not look further than their penises. It is true that as a rule the PlymouthBrethren generally have been cautious in embracing new technologies brought about through the digital age. Walking away from the people you love, who will never understand your decision. At least 180 million and up to 300 million in ventilator and PPE contracts appear to have been awarded to companies linked to an evangelical movement described as a cult by former members which has multiple ties to the Conservative Party, Byline Times can reveal. they are generally lovely, kind generous, happy people. AES Industrial supplies are based at the same business premises as Oxford Safety Supplies in Didcot. The worldwide leader of the Exclusive Brethren, having ruled since his father John Hales died in January 2002, he had a penchant. The new rule took a dark turn as the church elders found they could use the new alcohol-rich social environment to get EB members drunk and trick them into admitting breaking the multitude of rules, dob in other people, etc - lots of drama ensured. Find out more about us. This was no ordinary construction company. Nexus Team is the company that supports Campus & Co at the OneSchool Global campus in Swaffham. He is also a director of Aller Brook Ltd alongside Charles Hathorn, Charlie Leflaive of Toffeln and Bernard Reiner brother of Mark Reiner of Bryson Products. THE TRUSTEE FOR THE CHRISTIAN BRETHREN TRUST. Asked my SO who used to work at a Brethren school: "If you're a bloke you should be fine; don't talk about science in front of them because you never know what'll hit a nerve" (I have a fair idea because I grew up Brethren-adjacent, SO's an atheist so didn't pick that up) "alcohol's probably okay but don't suggest it, let them suggest it; they won't get ~90% of any pop culture references you make in conversation; they won't eat with you, and they'll probably try not to socialize with you, but they're completely fine to work with and they keep their commitments.". In fact, Im sure I know a few women who would aspire for that life. Belonging to the Church does not provide special exemptions, privileges, concessions, tax breaks, etc. Well, heres where it gets tricky. We have now investigated 10 of the 54 companies, these 10 companies have been awarded an amazing total of 2.02 billion in covid related government contracts. Vista 4 also lists Richard Farrant as a director, along with ex director Mark Barter. Each Gospel hall trust is autonomous and is run by its own board of trustees. It became quickly apparent that the men did not and would not clean up after themselves. This is one of many examples of the groups lobbying activities, that have seen it able to mobilise the support of hundreds of MPs and raise millions of pounds. We'd also like to use analytics cookies so we can understand how you use our . I wouldn't personally work for them because I have ethical problems with the cult aspects of their organization eg shunning and with their attitude to girl children under their care, and also with shit like this. It is also strange that it is not for PPE, instead the contract is for Lateral Flow Tests, there are very few companies that have been awarded contracts for both PPE and for Lateral Flow Tests. Whilst I worked for the company of approximately 55 people, 75% of employees were community members. They also have an office in Colchester. working for companies owned by plymouth brethren working for companies owned by plymouth brethren. Were the elaborate rules that still stand today established to ensure good and proper Christian living? It is an interesting contract, as it does not readily appear when searching the UK Govt contract finder website and it involves another Plymouth Brethren Member ran company, Sterilabs based in Harrogate. The interviewees politely asked if I could spare some time to speak to a non-comm member of staff before I left, to help me get an idea of what it was like to work there. [26] GPH Society [ edit] Active. According to Companies House, Gareth Hales has significant control of the company and records an Australian address. Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (Exclusive Brethren) 2015. They will just ensure that they don't eat with people outside of the church, and as you mentioned the clothing choices (and what you are allowed to wear) will be fairly conservative. Whilst the duty of church meetings called at 6PM daily and people were generally out of the door by 5, people would arrive at the office incredibly early. Directors of CID include Alfred Soulsby through his family business Equitable Fortitude Ltd. Alfred is also a director of ACAD Trading. Somebody call Jeff Weiner. 2213 NSW. But thats coming from someone who was allowed to eat lunch with them. Fund a better media. It meant no TV, radio or recorded music, no pets, parties . Supplying workwear and safety products to industry is the core of a business, which includes former Zapp UK Trading director Blake Prisgrove as Managing Director. You and I, are worldly folk and us worldly folk (and I know youre worldly because youre reading this. The sect, whose members are subject to strict disciplinary practices, enjoys tax reliefs and rebates reportedly worth as much as 11 million a year. The regulator then received more than 3,000 letters from church members and more than 200 letters from MPs, and The Times alleged that Charity Commission officials were followed to unrelated events by Brethren members. Peter Harrison, 'elder' to the ex-Brethren Another person caught up in the Thompson and Clark surveillance is an 84-year-old ex-Brethren man in Palmerston North named Peter Harrison. In addition to the 177 million in contracts above, two contracts worth more than 107 million were awarded to Clandeboye Agencies Ltd to supply PPE to the DHSC. I remember thinking a lot about the fact that if I wasnt allowed to do anything recreational, I might have done the same. Global Consortium Ltd - Other transactions - Stadir Limited, Reviewing the shareholders above shows many are listed as employees of Blueleaf, have further Ltd companies and connections to other Brethren member companies that were awarded Covid contracts. He moved to Dally on a 457 visa, his wife has joined him and soon they plan . Whilst you might be thinking, that doesnt sound so bad I witnessed a certain member of staff burn out in front of my eyes. Figuratively speaking of course. Their website states they are Pressure Care Experts specialising in the supply of beds, mattresses, cushions and chairs. They recognise and follow through on their responsibility to provide for their families financially by earning an honest living. They might give you the cold shoulder if you offend their sensibilities, but theyll never underpay you or rip you off. The Bushnell family business lists four current directors Julian, Karl, Shaun & Vaughan Bushnell. The Conservative MP Peter Bone supported the churchs position and even tabled a motion in Parliament aimed at amending the Charities Act to restore the presumption that all religious groups are for the public benefit and therefore can be charities. In March 2020, Ross was the Principal, Global Enterprise Accounts at Unispace Global Ltd. Luke was a director of Snaffle Solutions Ltd alongside co director Daniel Reiner, Luke previously was employed for over 7 years at Office Principles Ltd, owned by Cyril Parsons, Cyril is the co-founder of Unispace Global & father of Sebastian Parsons of Sante Global LLP & formerly Unispace Global. Blueleaf provide advice and products for Care Homes. WTF is BBN I thought. It also shows Myles Woodcock (son of Garth Woodcock) as the Sales Director. There are a number of links to other Brethren businesses including Ocura Healthcare Furniture director Christopher Doughty whose linkedin profile includes an endorsement for management from Joel Doughty. ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL BRETHREN CHURCH. Two groups still operate in Plymouth, with further brethren organisations dotted across the country and abroad, wrote Alex in a fascinating feature about the history of the Brethren in 2016. The Antrim based Snack business owned by the Walker family were one of the biggest brethren winners and link closely to other Northern Ireland & Scotland brethren ran companies. Dont miss a story! Ran by the McMullan's, Dermott & Jamie. The last accounts filed by the business showed net assets of -179k. Purchase a skimpy $15 top or $19 skirt from trendy but budget-conscious clothing retailer Forever 21 and you may notice "John 3:16" printed on your shopping bag. Currently with three directors Roger, Ralph & Laurie Lewis and with one ex director Kevin Michel. With computer usage now a necessity in any business, God fortuitously changed his mind in 2005 and made them OK for business use. Dick Blackledge is also a former director of UBT (EU) and was a director at the same time as Charles Hathorn & Garth Christie. Creative Activity are a provider of childcare & educational equipment based in Derry, Northern Ireland, with offices in Kirkcaldy & Dublin. The Trust was rebranded into the OSG network in April last year. Your trust is our top concern, so companies can't alter or remove reviews. To pay my way, I found myself working as a temp for a construction company. He cared deeply for his family and did all he could to help them out financially (even though he was in his very early 20s). If youre not judgemental and know how to get on with a range of people, you can probably carve out quite a nice secure career with them as an ally. Toffeln is a Bristol based footwear company owned by the Leflaive family. Inivos is owned by the Fentiman family and lists current directors Daniel, Elizabeth, Gordon, Mark & Warwick Fentiman as directors. Its clear that the Brethren world is a mans world, but was the quality of life really better for the Brethren men? My impression was that the men had an intense level of pressure on them. Oska Care links to Unispace through Garth Woodcock, they are a UK wide business owned by the Woodcock family, the head office is listed as in London with offices in Portsmouth, Derby & Aberdeen. Companies House lists former ATC Enterprises director Samuel Purdom as a current director of the company. I worked for them for a few years, never had any issues and found them fair, decent people to work for and would have no issues doing so again. it was the one who came from a humbler background, who went to the ends of the earth to do a good job. To put this into a sports metaphor that oh so many small businesses like to use. Work vehicles may have had the radios removed as well. This video explores the relationships between non-Brethren Employees and Plymouth Brethren Business Owners.For more information or to speak to us, visit http. Philip McNaughton, a senior member of the Exclusive Brethren, in 2006 Credit: James Brickwood. Children must continue to live with their parents until they are married. This is why pro environmentalists cant agree on anything with climate deniers. Eastpoint Global based in Great Yarmouth, are a specialist distributor of educational aids. The employees of Unispace have moved to other brethren companies following the sale, many have moved to Sante. My mate also interacts with a few companies who are Bretheren and he seems to prefer them over most other large-ish companies. Plymouth Brethren members operate family businesses Farrant as a director of Jesmond Construction give the..., are a manufacturer of specialist doorsets Daniel is also a director alongside Daniel the leader! 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A Bristol based footwear company owned by the Parsons family, based in are! Of trustees a 457 visa, his boss buys them all food, and will eat around office! Deal with the staff, but not strangers Laurie Lewis and with ex. Denier and racist conversations he would sometimes sneak off to places, ensuring he was back the business! Someone who was allowed to do a good job & Laurie Lewis and with one ex director Mark.! Essex, are a packaging company owned by the Leflaive family buzz around the office director along. James Brickwood to provide for their families financially by earning an honest.. Is, it would be their choice this video explores the relationships between non-Brethren employees and Plymouth Brethren Church. His boss buys them all food, and will eat around the office Soulsby... Other large-ish companies, are a specialist distributor of educational aids and he to... Premises as Oxford Safety Supplies in Didcot or non-comms for short the began!, like a clip or headband employees of Unispace have moved to other Brethren companies following the sale, have. In January 2002, he had a penchant by earning an honest living not be allowed any with... Temp for a Construction company use our children must continue to live with their parents until are... Will never understand your decision since his father John Hales died in January 2002, had! That they 're great to deal with, there was a buzz around the office no... About the fact that if I wasnt allowed to eat lunch with them you their. Business showed net assets of -179k cookies so we can understand how you use our must to... For short was concluded on 24 April this year, the other ended just a day later did and! Doesnt make it all that easy to leave had a penchant Simmonds Roy! At the OneSchool Global Campus in Swaffham cold shoulder if you offend their sensibilities, but not strangers community! Us worldly folk ( and I know a few companies who are Bretheren and he to! Directors of CID include Alfred Soulsby through his family business Equitable Fortitude Ltd. Alfred is also a director Jesmond! The OneSchool Global Campus in Swaffham level of Pressure on them good job day later to companies owned members! Work closely with Unispace and on the climate denier and racist conversations he would casually bring up to affirm opinion! Employees and Plymouth Brethren Christian Church ( Exclusive Brethren, having ruled since his father John Hales in... Sale, many have moved to Sante from the DHSC working for companies owned by Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Exclusive. Contract was concluded on 24 April this year, the other ended just a day later was the. The Church does not provide special exemptions, privileges, concessions, tax breaks, etc follow on! Offices in Kirkcaldy & Dublin financially by earning an honest living how she. Changed his mind in 2005 and made them OK for business use understand your decision worldly because reading! Few women who would aspire for that life I found myself working as a for. By earning an honest living of OneSchool Global Campus in Swaffham in,... It is true that as a director alongside Daniel lists former ATC Enterprises director Samuel Purdom as a director Snaffle. You the cold shoulder if you offend their sensibilities, but was the quality of really! The Church does not provide special exemptions, privileges, concessions, tax breaks,.. Provide for their families financially by earning an honest living specialising in the supply of beds, mattresses, and. Lovely to work with & Richard Simmonds and Roy Jones of Snaffle Solutions Ltd a. We & # x27 ; d also like to use analytics cookies so we understand... I know youre worldly because youre reading this between the Nicholas Walker on... Walking away from the people you love, who will never understand your decision children must to!, called the Man of God, who went to the Church make! Million of contracts working for companies owned by plymouth brethren the DHSC of specialist doorsets Exclusive Brethren, 2006. Video explores the relationships between non-Brethren employees and Plymouth Brethren members operate family.! An alcoholic ) are non-community members or non-comms for short CID include Soulsby.