Daniel reaches out to highlight the need for an explanation about why this situation should raise eyebrows. The main concern here is that it’s quite unusual for a Central Bank to hand over ownership of a $2 billion sovereign bond to a newly established limited company with only £2,000 in share capital, especially when it’s managed by Tony Caplin, who appears to be inactive in the Financial Services Authority register.
[Read UPDATE] Here’s some background info on key players to aid further investigations in the relevant jurisdictions.
Banco Central de Venezuela (BCV): The Central Bank of Venezuela.
Nelson Merentes: President of BCV.
Eudomar Tovar: First Vice President of BCV.
Kellmar Limited: A limited company registered in the Isle of Man with a share capital of £2,000.
James Ellwood: Director of Kellmar Ltd and a board member of Momentum Pensions Ltd.
Anthony Lindsay Caplin: Also known as Tony Caplin. He’s the former Chief Operating Officer of the Conservative Party and previously associated with Panmure Gordon. He has served as a director of Kellmar Ltd since March 29, 2011, and is the current Chairman of North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, a member of the Medical Research Council, and a Commissioner of the Public Works Loan Board. He is currently inactive as individual AXC01538 according to the Financial Services Authority register.
Ramon Carpio Carvajal: Vice President of International Operations at BCV.
Ira D. Pruitt Jr: Legal counsel for Kellmar Ltd and Tony Caplin.
Rosallyn Hazelle: Ambassador and Permanent Secretary of Industry, Commerce, and Consumer Affairs of St. Kitts & Nevis.
Credit Suisse.
Sovereign Bond: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 9.250, 07/05/28, ISIN USP17625AB33, common code 036133678.
