THE Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards, organised by Creative Oceanic, have recently come under scrutiny following a series of event cancellations, date changes, and refund complications. The awards, meant to celebrate the thriving hair and beauty industry in Wales, have instead sparked widespread frustration and dissatisfaction among participants and attendees.
Originally scheduled to take place on 1st September at the Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff, the event was unexpectedly postponed to 8th December. This marks the third time the event has been rescheduled, leaving businesses and customers in a state of uncertainty. The lack of clear communication from the organisers has compounded the issue, particularly after Creative Oceanic merged two separate chapters into one event without prior notice, complicating the refund process further.
Participants have expressed considerable frustration regarding the refund policy. Despite Creative Oceanic’s stated policy that refunds should be processed within 90 days, many individuals and businesses are still awaiting their money. This has raised concerns about the event’s legitimacy and the organisers’ handling of the situation. Some participants feel misled and disappointed, leading to questions about Creative Oceanic’s credibility.
Reflecting these concerns, Creative Oceanic has a low rating of 2.1 stars on Glassdoor, with reviewers criticising the company for issues such as “unlawful pay deductions” and “no holiday pay.” One reviewer claimed that the company refuses to respond to attempts to recover owed money, further tarnishing its reputation.
In response to the controversy, the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards released a statement on Facebook explaining the postponement: “The event, initially scheduled for 1st of September, will now take place on 8th December. We are deeply disappointed to make this change, as we were looking forward to celebrating the incredible talent and achievements within our industry. However, this decision was made with careful consideration, ensuring we can provide the best possible experience for all our attendees.” Despite this explanation, many participants feel the sudden change was inadequately handled, with Creative Oceanic’s decision to disable comments on their Facebook page only adding to the discontent.
A group of frustrated participants has since formed a Facebook support group, voicing their opinions and describing the situation as an “apparent scam.” Many have reported that despite multiple attempts to contact the organisers for refunds, they have received no response, apart from receiving an automated email. This has led to increasing suspicion about the awards’ true intentions.
One new business that participated in the awards last year expressed disappointment, despite the considerable effort they put into the nomination process. This year, they reached the finals again but noted that the nomination and voting process was not made public until after they were informed, leading them to suspect that businesses were being randomly selected to boost ticket sales rather than being genuinely nominated. They spent nearly £900 on ten early-bird tickets, only to question whether the event was genuinely about celebrating success or simply a strategy to profit from hopeful businesses.
With prepaid expenses for transport and other costs, these businesses have been left in a challenging situation, especially as they have not received a booking confirmation or cancellation policy until specifically requesting it. The organisers’ lack of responsiveness and continued marketing emails advertising the event have further aggravated participants. They have also decided to shut down comments on their Facebook page, further fuelling anger.
Efforts to contact the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards for comment have been unsuccessful, with the organisers not responding to requests for an official statement.
The Complex Web of Companies Behind Creative Oceanic
The controversy surrounding the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards has brought increased scrutiny to the man behind the event, Irfan Younis. His business activities span a web of companies, many of which have been dissolved, raising questions about their legitimacy and the stability of his ventures. According to Companies House records, Younis has been linked to over a dozen dissolved entities, all associated with the “Oceanic” name, suggesting a pattern of short-lived companies.
Several of these dissolved companies include:
- Creative Oceanic Scotland Limited
- Oceanic Property Care Limited
- Oceanic Properties Investment Limited
- Oceanic Recruitment Limited
- Oceanic Consulting Manchester Limited
- Creative Oceanic Ltd
- Ethnic Events Limited
These companies were dissolved between 2012 and 2015, a relatively short timeframe, which has sparked concerns about the continuity and transparency of Younis’s business operations. The frequent name changes and company dissolutions have raised suspicion, leading some to believe that these companies were set up to avoid scrutiny or potentially to elude accountability.
Despite these dissolved entities, Younis continues to be active in the business world. As of January 2024, he remains a director of several active companies, including:
- MJU (PR Consultants) Limited
- National Advertising Limited
- National Campaigns International Limited
- General Advertising SY Limited
These current ventures suggest Younis’s ongoing involvement in the marketing and events industry. However, the pattern of his past business activities has led to questions about the motives and legitimacy behind his events. National Campaigns Limited and Ethnic Advertising Limited, both owned mostly by Samia Younis, who is reported to be Younis’s wife, have been central to Creative Oceanic’s operations. On 8th February 2024, applications were filed to have both companies removed from the official register, further complicating the web of business dealings.
Controversial Business Practices and Allegations
Creative Oceanic’s current troubles are not isolated. In August 2023, the Northern Ireland Hospitality Awards, also organised by Creative Oceanic, faced backlash when several non-trading businesses were listed as finalists, despite some having been closed for years. The local hospitality industry criticised the lack of transparency in the nomination and judging processes, calling into question the credibility of the awards.
Adding to the controversy, a whistleblower posted on Facebook, alleging that Younis determines award winners based on how many tickets their supporters purchase rather than on merit. This practice, if true, would indicate a longstanding pattern of deception. The post also claimed that Younis has been linked to multiple dissolved businesses and has repeatedly sold tickets for events that were either cancelled last minute or postponed without refunds.
Younis has also been connected to dissolved entities such as:
- Creative Oceanic Ltd
- Oceanic Group Ltd
- Oceanic Media Consulting Ltd
Despite multiple legal challenges, including cases brought against him by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), it is claimed that Younis has ignored these proceedings. Companies House records show that Younis has been associated with over 20 dissolved companies, often featuring the “Oceanic” name. This, along with a high employee turnover and reports of staff being required to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, has cast a shadow over the transparency and ethical practices of his business operations.
As the rescheduled date for the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards approaches, there is a growing call for transparency and accountability from Creative Oceanic and Irfan Younis. The continued dissatisfaction and evidence of questionable practices have left many questioning the integrity of these events and the future of the company. Whether these issues will be addressed in a manner that satisfies the affected parties remains to be seen.
