Marjorie Nalutaaya Deborah Griffith, also known as Nalutaaya Marjorie Griffith, set up Swanky Portraits Limited in 2016.

The firm traded directly from its website and also via online marketplace Not on the High Street, where it traded as Swanky Giftbook from 2021.

Griffith created personalised illustrations and stories that were turned into books.

Under the taxpayer-backed Bounce Back Loan (BBL) scheme brought in to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, firms could apply for a loan of between £2,000 and £50,000 and subject to a maximum of up to 25% of the company’s turnover.

The turnover figure was self-certified by the applicant.

The Insolvency Service report into Griffith’s conduct stated that on 22 May 2020, she applied for a BBL of £50,000 on behalf of Swanky Portraits, declaring that its turnover for the calendar year was £200,000.

Swanky Portraits received the BBL funds of £50,000 on 2 June 2020.

However, bank statements showed receipts of £5,803.25 in the 2019 calendar year and of that amount, £4,890.25 was presumed to be trade income.

Swanky Portraits' accounts for the periods ending 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2020, showed turnover of £5,272 and £3,954 respectively.

“Adding these two turnover figures together, Swanky Portraits Limited would have been entitled to apply for a maximum BBL of £2,306.50,” the Insolvency Service said.

“Therefore, Swanky Portraits Limited has received BBL funds of £47,693.50 to which it was not entitled.”

Swanky Portraits entered Creditor’s Voluntary Liquidation on 30 March 2023, with total liabilities of £52,803.34, of which £51,301.34 was owed in respect of the BBL through HSBC. 

Griffith has been disqualified from acting as a director for ten years.

The banning order is effective from last Monday (3 March).

Her month of birth is August 1983, and last known address is in Chafford Hundred, Thurrock.

She set up a separate company, Swanky Giftbook Ltd, in March 2022 but that company was dissolved via voluntary strike-off in July 2023.

Swanky Portraits Limited is not connected to Swanky Pet Portraits.