The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has ceased criminal proceedings against a former director of a social enterprise company accused of pension fraud following his death.

Nicholas Marks, 57, of Heath Road, Beaconsfield, ran a social enterprise company which employed blind and disabled people.

He denied allegations that he had defrauded his workers’ pensions.

Mr Marks had been due to stand trial in May 2026 at Southwark Crown Court. His cause of death has not been disclosed and the TPR said only that he had died recently.

TPR said it recognised the impact on the victims affected by the case following confirmation that the defendant had recently passed away.

Mr Marks first appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last April charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position in relation to employees of Clarity Products Ltd, and a further count in respect of employees of Lunar Automotive Ltd.

Clarity Products was a soap and toiletries manufacturer and social enterprise. It sold products under the Soap Co and Beco brands. It is believed that Clarity, which went into liquidation, employed about 80 workers.

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The charges against Mr Marks were brought under Section 4 of the Fraud Act 2006, in a prosecution instigated by TPR.

Under Section 4 of the Fraud Act 2006, a person is in breach of this section if they occupy a position in which they are expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of another person, dishonestly abuse that position. They must also intend, by means of the abuse of that position, to make a gain for themselves or another, or to cause loss to another or to expose another to a risk of loss

A person may be regarded as having abused their position even though their conduct consisted of an omission rather than an act.