Jane Howarth: Director of $1.4m indebted company reveals new move

The director behind a Tasmanian company which collapsed late last year owing $1.4m has revealed her next move, linking up with an ex-employee at two of her previous operations.

Jane Howarth, director of Partners in Professional Outsourcing Pty Ltd and former co-owner of Pedro's Takeaway Ulverstone. Picture: Facebook

The director of a Tasmanian labour hire company that collapsed in December owing about $1.4m, including more than $1m in unpaid tax, has revealed her next move in the industry.

Penguin woman Jane Howarth wound up her West Ulverstone-based company Partners in Professional Outsourcing Pty Ltd (PIPO) on December 21 after it incurred significant debts.

PIPO, a labour hire company, owes a total of $1,399,611.52, Ms Howarth estimated in her report on company activities and property, filed with corporate regulator ASIC.

A total of $1,049,496 is owed to the ATO, consisting of $31,134 in unpaid employee benefits – which may include her own – and $1,018,362 in unpaid tax.

Major creditors include Launceston insurance broker Intas Insurance, owed $309,690; Launceston accountants Reed Walker, owed $3,245; Bunnings Group, owed $2,044.68; the Tasmanian Commissioner of State Revenue, owed $1,438.55; and Riverside training organisation Learning Partners, owed $2,246.

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Balanced against that debt is $75,700.38 owed to PIPO for a variety of services rendered.

Liquidator Michael Slaven, of Canberra firm Slaven Torline, continues to investigate the company’s affairs in advance of the release of his statutory report to creditors.

Now, it can be revealed that Ms Howarth has linked up with a former employee of hers, Acton’s Joseph John Draper, to launch a new business, NW Bookkeeping and Business Solutions.

Joseph Draper, PIPO's former operations manager who has now founded a new company with Jane Howarth, NW Bookkeeping and Business Solutions. Picture: LinkedIn

Tagging Ms Howarth in a social media post announcing the new business, Mr Draper said that 2023 was “bringing exciting things for us”.

According to ASIC documents, the new company is fully owned by Mr Draper, who is also the company director and secretary. It was registered on December 21.

When previously contacted by the Mercury, Ms Howarth made reference to the sale of her PIPO business assets.

“We were able to secure great transfer [sic], ensuring continuity for those involved,” she said.

Ms Howarth, who was also formerly a co-owner of Pedro’s Takeaway Ulverstone, did not respond to a request for additional comment on Tuesday.

According to his LinkedIn, Mr Draper was formerly engaged as PIPO’s operations officer, from June 2020.

He also previously worked with Ms Howarth at a previous bookkeeping business of hers, MESBooks, from 2016–18, his profile stated.