Haas F1 Team title sponsor Rich Energy has changed its name to Lightning Volt following the UK Companies House disclosure amid troubled times.
The energy drinks company, which is the title sponsor of Haas F1 Team, was officially registered as ‘Rich Energy Limited’ on September 23, 2015 when the company started its work in the United Kingdom. But it has been renamed as per July 16, 2019 order.
The UK Companies House which keeps all the data regarding any changes within a company registered under UK laws, has revealed details of the change of name from Rich Energy Limited to Lightning Volt Limited along with changes in ownership.
One of the key changes is the removal of William John Storey from his director post and cessation of Storey from a person having significant control in the company. In addition, Zoran Terzic has also been terminated from the director post.
Matthew Bruce Kell has been appointed as the new director, with the office address changed from The Bdg Group, 3rd Floor Newcombe House Notting Hill Gate London W11 3LQ England to 3rd Floor Newcombe House Notting Hill Gate London W11 3LQ.
The news comes amid furor over the F1 British GP weekend when Storey in anger terminated the contract with Haas, which wasn’t the case to be as the company’s other shareholders reiterated its commitment made to the American team.
The released a statement where they wished to remove the rogue personnel i.e Storey, who continued to spread news on Twitter, which he has access to. He continued to tweet until Tuesday morning, which the company’s other shareholder said that he would.
It remains to be seen how they take forward the Haas partnership – especially with the name change – along with its other deals related to motorsport and also importantly, how they settle off the court case with Whyte Bikes for the logo infringement.
Storey, meanwhile, tweeted: “William Storey founder of Rich Energy has sold his majority stake in the legal entity of Rich Energy Ltd to a third party. This was in disgust at conduct of duplicitous minority stakeholders. In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, he’ll be back.”
While Storey is out of the equation – it seems like – from Rich Energy/Lightning Volt, he is still the CEO and Director of another company with a similar name, Rich Energy Racing Ltd. It is not clear at this juncture if it is of anything big.
#F1 It's OFFICIAL. No more @rich_energy as William Storey has sold his majority stake. Namechange already happening. Lightning Volt Limited. #MsportXtra pic.twitter.com/RJZv3TJa1H
— #MsportXtra (@MsportXtra) July 16, 2019
Here’s the link to Storey’s removal as director and his cessation.
UPDATE: Following all the news regarding Rich Energy renaming itself as Lightning Volt, there is another twist in the saga with a new company named ‘Rich Energy Limited’ being registered in the UK Companies House on July 19.
The company’s secretary and director is Steven Weston with the registered office at 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ. Meanwhile, the company on July 18 altered its logo as can be seen on their Twitter handle.
Just when you thought it couldn't get more complicated…….. there is a new @rich_energy limited. Established today with Steven Weston as director. https://t.co/AJd0iiJVKd There is also still a @rich_energy Racing Limited with William Storey as CEO. https://t.co/0gayFd4ivo
— #MsportXtra (@MsportXtra) July 19, 2019
More to come
Steiner doesn’t hold back after Grosjean/Magnussen British GP collision
Rich Energy to stay in F1 with Haas, takes legal route on ‘rogue’ action