黑洞社区

John Gibson, the former chairman of failed contractor Verry Construction, has surfaced as a consultant for Oxford-based contractor Leadbitter.

黑洞社区 understands Gibson is advising the 拢318m-turnover firm on a bid to take on one of Verry鈥檚 contracts. A source familiar with the situation said: 鈥淛ohn is working as a consultant to Leadbitter, but it could become a more permanent position in the future.鈥�

It is understood that Leadbitter is hoping to take over the 拢80m Oaklands College in St Albans.

Leadbitter chief executive Bob Rendell denied suggestions Gibson would become a board member.

He said: 鈥淛ohn is currently acting as a consultant to Leadbitter on the Oaklands project and other opportunities previously being pursued by William Verry.鈥�

I鈥檓 extremely disappointed about things, but I just want to get on with my life

John Gibson, Verry Holdings

Gibson said: 鈥淚鈥檓 not ready to talk about anything at the moment.鈥� He has not made any public comment since Verry went into administration last month, despite questions over the levels of intra-group debt in his William Verry Holdings empire, which includes St Albans City FC.

When Verry Construction went under it was owed 拢2.6m by four firms in the group, including more than 拢500,000 by the football club. It is understood that the debt led to a row and the exile of Craig Jones, the firm鈥檚 chief executive, who was unhappy that the contractor was lending so much to other firms.

When asked about the demise of Verry, Gibson said: 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely disappointed about things, but I just want to get on with my life at the moment. What happened has happened and I鈥檓 not in the habit of mud-slinging.鈥�

There was uncertainty this week over whether the Oaklands project would go ahead because it relies on funding from the stalled Learning and Skills Council programme. One source close to project said 60% of the funding had been lined up, but another said: 鈥淵es, the college has its own funds, but it will need funding from the LSC to proceed in its current form.鈥�