Simon Morris (businessman)

Career

Simon Morris began in business selling leather coats after he had dropped out one year into a law degree at Lancaster University. After buying and refurbishing a flat he formed Morris Properties, specialising in residential property for students and young professionals. Its foundations are in Leeds, but the company is also involved in developments across Yorkshire as well as in Nottingham, Derby and Cardiff. Morris Properties (UK) is totally owned by its founder and made a £15.4 million profit in 2005–06, while First City Rentals, in which Morris has a 65% stake, made a £2.3 million profit.

In 2008 the company went into administration with debts of £50 million, owed mostly to Irish banks who called on their loans after the Morris crash and as a result of the Bank of Ireland calling on a £2.4 million personal guarantee. This was primarily due to negative publicity from a BBC panorama documentary, which later turned out to be without foundation and after extensive investigation no charges where ever bought.

Two weeks following the collapse of his businesses, Morris was detained in connection to an investigation into money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud. These allegations emerged from the administrations of the implicated companies.

In 2007 Morris, a former director of Leeds United, tabled a bid to buy the football club. That bid failed as Ken Bates retained control of club after winning 75.2% of the votes from creditors.

Simon Morris has now started to operate an Investment Business blog in London - Simon Morris Business & Investments - and offers guides and advice on various investment options in London. In August 2014, Simon Morris has released a guide to property investment funds.