Nine months ago, Manchester-based investment group Tristone put out a slick video to brag about its 'year of growth', delivering what it described as 'outstanding services' to society, while seeing revenues rise by something close to a remarkable 50 per cent.

The artfully shot film had a warm, human touch. It showed a young girl silhouetted against a sunset by the sea, sitting on an adult's shoulders, and explained how the company cared for as many as 247 young people and 111 adults.