The Bedford home of Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore, has been removed from the market after failing to attract a buyer for ten months. The seven-bedroom property, located in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, was initially listed in April 2024 for £2.25 million. Despite leveraging Captain Tom’s name in the property’s marketing materials, the Ingram-Moores were unable to secure a sale. Originally listed with Fine and Country, the property was removed from major real estate portals like Zoopla and Rightmove in October 2023, transitioning to a “private discreet listing.” Now, the listing has been entirely withdrawn, with Fine and Country confirming they are no longer acting as the selling agents. This unsuccessful sale attempt follows a series of controversies surrounding the Ingram-Moore family.
The property itself is an 18th-century Grade II-listed home, situated on 3.5 acres and featuring a separate coach house with a gym and office, as well as four bathrooms. It’s located within a conservation area. Photographic evidence taken from the now removed listings depicted marketing attempts that seemingly relied heavily on Captain Tom’s image, including a prominent bust of him in the hallway and textual references to his fundraising walks in the garden during the COVID-19 pandemic. This tactic, while intended to attract buyers, instead drew criticism, considered by many to be exploiting the veteran’s memory for personal gain.
The failed sale follows a controversy surrounding an unauthorized spa complex built in the property’s garden. Initially presented as being partly for the benefit of the Captain Tom Foundation, the structure was later ordered to be demolished by the local council after it was revealed to deviate significantly from approved plans. The Ingram-Moores unsuccessfully appealed this decision, eventually beginning demolition work in January 2024. This incident further fueled public disapproval of the family’s actions.
The Ingram-Moores have faced escalating scrutiny regarding their financial dealings connected to Captain Tom’s fundraising efforts. A Charity Commission report released in November 2023 highlighted “repeated instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement” within the Captain Tom Foundation. The report detailed a “pattern of behaviour” indicating personal gain by the couple. Among the revealed financial irregularities was Hannah Ingram-Moore’s admission to retaining £800,000 from her father’s book proceeds, a sum she claimed he wished for the family to keep. Further scrutiny revealed the family’s consultancy firm, Maytrix Group, claiming substantial furlough money and COVID loans despite registering notable profits during the pandemic. The firm also charged significant expenses to the foundation, raising further questions about their financial conduct.
Adding to the controversy are reports of Hannah Ingram-Moore receiving an £18,000 payment to attend the Captain Tom awards, of which only £2,000 was donated back to the charity. This revelation, along with news of the family’s consultancy firm taking public funds while simultaneously profiting during the pandemic, further eroded public trust. These ongoing financial controversies added fuel to the negative public sentiment towards the family. This context likely influenced public perception of their efforts to sell the family home, contributing to the unsuccessful listing.
The timeline of events surrounding Captain Tom and his family is a stark narrative arc, moving from national celebration to mounting controversy. From Captain Tom’s inspiring fundraising walks in his garden during the initial COVID-19 lockdown, which garnered millions for the NHS and earned him a knighthood, the story shifts to the establishment of the Captain Tom Foundation by his daughter. However, what followed was a series of investigations and revelations regarding financial irregularities, ultimately leading to the foundation ceasing to accept donations and the Ingram-Moores being barred from acting as trustees. The controversies, coupled with the unsuccessful attempt to sell the family home, paint a picture of a legacy tarnished by financial mismanagement and accusations of exploiting Captain Tom’s image for personal gain.
