Bent finance boss nicked £500k and destroyed business run by Colin Firth’s ex

An employee of Colin Firth’s ex-wife’s fashion business stole £500,000 from the firm and forced it to shut down.

Stavros Pavlou, 64, funnelled the money out of Eco-Age Limited, a sustainability business, from June 2022 to April 2024 when he was head of finance.

The business was owned by Livia Firth, 56, who was married to The King’s Speech actor Colin Firth for 22 years.

Pavlou was arrested in May 2024, and admitted the fraud in a police interview, Highbury Corner magistrates court heard.

Prosecutor Edward Aydin said: ‘Whilst working as head of finance, he stole around £500,000 from his employer. The fraud involved large amounts of documents and files.’

Wearing a grey suit, Pavlou appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court today (fri) and admitted one count of fraud by abuse of position.

Paul Oliver, defending, said: ‘This is clearly a matter which needs to be sent to the Crown Court for sentence.

‘He was released under investigation in 2024, and I ask to grant him bail.

‘There have been no attempts by him to contact the employer. He is a man of previous good character.’

Magistrate Rod Barr told Pavlou: ‘You have pleaded guilty to this charge, but this matter is too serious to be sentenced in the magistrates’ court. We are sending your case to the crown court where you will be sentenced.

‘You are free to leave the court today, but you must go to Wood Green Crown Court on the date you are told to.

‘If you don’t come back to court at the time, you will be committing a separate offence, and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Pavlou, of Barnet, north London, was granted unconditional bail, and will next appear at Wood Green Crown Court at a date to be fixed for sentencing.

Livia Giuggioli Firth is an Italian activist, who advocates for sustainability in the fashion industry.

She took to Instagram last year and explained that her business was ‘targeted by criminals,’ forcing it to close.

She said: ‘We began 17 years ago with a family shop in West London selling the latest in eco lifestyle products. Nobody would have predicted our trajectory.

‘We are incredibly grateful to those who supported us from the beginning and proud of the work that took us to become a globally recognised consultancy and communication agency and for the role we played to change the landscape of sustainability globally.’

Ms Firth created the Green Carpet Fashion Award, and produced the documentary film In Prison My Whole Life, which starred Snoop Dogg.

In 1997, she married actor Colin Firth, and they have two sons. They separated in 2019.