Barrie Drewitt-Barlow

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow (born 15 October 1968)[1][2] is an English businessman, owner of The Swan pub in Braintree, Essex, and widely reported (erroneously)[3] as owner of Isthmian League football club Maldon & Tiptree. He is one of the first gay men in the United Kingdom to father twins born through surrogacy, and has also appeared in reality TV series. Drewitt-Barlow and his husband Scott were arrested in May 2026 on suspicion of multiple sexual offences.[4][5]

Biography

Business

Drewitt-Barlow grew up in a Longsight, Manchester council estate[6] then moved to Essex and made a fortune in property.[7]

Barrie Drewitt met his partner Tony Barlow (from Wythenshawe in Manchester)[6] in 1988; Barrie had unknowingly fathered a son, Colin, and Tony was then about to get married.[8] The couple founded a dermatological testing business which they sold in 1998 for £4m. They subsequently developed another Essex-based business, EuroDERM Research; Drewitt-Barlow was managing director.[9] In 2006, EuroDERM Research planned cosmetic and medical research centres in Manchester and Edinburgh.[9] The pair later mismanaged a company wind-up, were investigated for fraud,[10] and accepted an eight-year ban on holding any directorships.[8][11] By 2022, the couple had started another business, Princeton Consumer Research,[12] with Barrie Drewitt-Barlow as technical director - a company investigated by Australian regulators for potentially providing unreliable tests of sunscreen products.[13][14][15]

Surrogacy

In December 1999, Drewitt and Barlow became the first gay men in the United Kingdom to father twins – Aspen and Saffron – born through surrogacy.[16][17] The twins were born in a California hospital, with Drewitt and Barlow set to be registered as parents on the children's birth certificates following a US Supreme Court ruling in October 1999.[16] The children were initially denied entry to the UK.[18] The couple subsequently had three further children – Orlando and twins Jasper and Dallas – all conceived in the US with donor eggs and surrogate mothers.[8] The family featured in a Channel 4 Cutting Edge documentary My Weird & Wonderful Family shown in July 2010.[8] In 2011, the couple announced plans to open a centre to help other same-sex couples become parents, with a UK office in Maldon, Essex and a branch in San Francisco.[19]

Drewitt and Barlow entered a civil partnership in 2006, and in 2013 contested a Church of England ban on same-sex marriage in church,[20] getting married on the day same-sex marriage became legal in 2014.[21] Tony Drewitt-Barlow was later diagnosed with throat cancer.[22]

In 2019, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow announced he was divorcing Tony after forming a relationship with his personal assistant Scott Hutchinson (also the ex-boyfriend of his daughter Saffron). Barrie said he planned to have further children with Scott, choosing daughters through IVF,[23] and in September 2020 announced the birth of Valentina Drewitt-Barlow.[21] In August 2022, the couple had their second child together, Romeo Drewitt-Barlow.[24]

Media

Drewitt-Barlow has appeared on television series including series 2 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht[25][26] in 2021, and Rich House, Poor House in 2023.[27]

Pub

In 2024, Drewitt-Barlow began a multi-million-pound refurbishment of the historic Swan pub in Braintree, Essex.[28][29]

Football

In December 2024, Drewitt-Barlow entered discussions to become the new owner of Maldon & Tiptree F.C.,[30][31] proposing to rebuild the stadium and its clubhouse and create a "decent football team" that could progress up the football pyramid.[32] The "multi-million pound" takeover was reported on 5 February 2025[33] with former Ipswich Town player Kevin Horlock appointed as the club's new manager the following day.[34] In April 2025, the club (in partnership with the Drewitt-Barlow Organisation and Maldon District Council) announced proposed changes to the stadium including a new stand, new terrace, hospitality, education centre, fitness and recovery centre, and swimming pool.[35]

On 1 February 2026, Drewitt-Barlow was interviewed about his 2025 purchase of Maldon & Tiptree. Described as the club's chief executive, the BBC reported his views about his sexuality: "There's still a massive stigma about being gay in football".[7] Drewitt-Barlow also talked about the club's renovations, describing the club's facilities as "semi-derelict" when he arrived. Husband Scott and son Aspen were also involved, and, under their stewardship, he claimed Maldon & Tiptree had increased average gates from 70 to 800.[7]

In December 2025, Drewitt-Barlow announced the imminent release of the first episode of a behind-the-scenes documentary about the club,[36] though this was later delayed,[37] eventually set to air on ITV in May 2026.[38][39] However, broadcast of the documentary was cancelled on 6 May 2026[40] after Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow were arrested and charged with multiple offences including rape, sexual assault, and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.[4][5]

On 13 May 2026, Maldon & Tiptree asked for "unacceptable behaviour" towards the club to stop immediately. Players and fans had been subjected to verbal and online abuse following the arrests of the Drewitt-Barlows. A club statement expressed sympathy towards all victims of sexual offences, adding that Aspen Drewitt-Barlow was the "sole shareholder and controlling owner" of the club.[3]

Police investigation

Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow, both from Danbury, Essex, appeared at Chelmsford magistrates' court on 8 May 2026. The alleged offences took place in Essex and Manchester between April 2013 and January 2026. Both "strenuously denied" the charges and were remanded into custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June,[4][41] later adjourned to 22 June 2026.[42] Two other men from Danbury were arrested on 21 May 2026,[43][44] and later also charged with multiple offences including rape and sexual assault.[45][46]

Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow were banned by the Football Association from running a club while police investigations continued.[47] A bail application from Scott Drewitt-Barlow was refused on 5 June 2026, when the Crown Prosecution Service said additional charges would be authorised soon for multiple sexual offences involving a number of additional complaints.[47] On 22 June 2026, the couple appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow had been charged with 15 additional offences including two counts of sexual activity with a child, two offences of paying for sexual services of a child, five counts of rape, and four counts of sexual assault. Scott Drewitt-Barlow was additionally charged with causing or inciting sexual activity and two counts of rape. Both were remanded in custody; a plea hearing will be held on 7 September 2026, and a provisional start date for an 8-10 week trial was fixed for 18 January 2027.[48][49]

In the United States, according to July 2026 reports, Drewitt-Barlow was being sued for $25m by a man who alleged he was sex trafficked when he was 16 years old.[50]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Barrie DREWITT-BARLOW personal appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "A very Happy Birthday to Barrie Drewitt-Barlow!". Maldon & Tiptree FC (@MaldonTiptreeFC) on X (formerly Twitter). 15 October 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 Adams, Lewis (13 May 2026). "Rival fans abuse football club after owners arrested". BBC News. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Devlin, Laura; Adams, Lewis (8 May 2026). "Football club owners charged with human trafficking". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Two Maldon & Tiptree FC co-owners charged with human trafficking and rape". The Guardian. 8 May 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  6. 1 2 Holt, James (24 December 2022). "'I grew up on a council estate in Longsight... this Christmas I'm spending MILLIONS on my kids'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Adams, Lewis (1 February 2026). "'I was a poster boy for gay surrogacy, now I own a football club'". BBC News. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Moorhead, Joanna (17 July 2010). "'I'm Dad, he's Daddy'". Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  9. 1 2 Walters, Sarah (26 January 2006). "Gay dads open a £4m clinic". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Gay millionaire couple who created IVF family face fraud quiz over firm". Standard. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  11. ↑ Forsyth, Jamie (20 July 2010). "Danbury gay dads barred from running firms". Maldon and Burnham Standard. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Callow, Fiona (7 October 2022). "Meet the reality star businessmen behind the research company offering up to £1,500 to try out cosmetic products". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  13. ↑ Hui, Echo; Kopel, Ninah; Carbonell, Rachel (3 July 2025). "Eight sunscreens that failed their SPF claims tested by same overseas lab". ABC News. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  14. ↑ Hui, Echo; Kopel, Ninah; Carbonell, Rachel (4 July 2025). "Princeton Consumer Research lab tested all eight sunscreens that failed SPF claims". RNZ. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  15. ↑ Mandell, Janna; Montemayor, Christina (3 October 2025). "The Real Sunscreen Scandal Isn't in Australia. It's in the Lab". Beauty Matter. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  16. 1 2 "BBC News | UK | Gay couple become fathers". news.bbc.co.uk. 12 December 1999. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  17. ↑ Woodward W (13 December 1999). "Gay couple celebrate birth of twins Aspen and Saffron". The Guardian.
  18. ↑ Carter, Helen (3 January 2000). "Gay couple's twins denied entry to UK". Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  19. ↑ Forsyth, Jamie (4 January 2011). "Gay dads to open a UK surrogacy centre". Echo. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  20. ↑ Platt, Gareth (3 August 2013). "Britain's First Gay Dads to Fight Church Same-Sex Marriage Ban in Court". International Business Times. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  21. 1 2 Singh, Rajdeep (30 September 2020). "One of Britain's first gay dads welcomes 'beautiful baby girl' with his eldest daughter's ex-boyfriend". Pink News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  22. ↑ Meyler, Piers (17 February 2018). "Trailblazing gay Chelmsford dad Tony Drewitt-Barlow may have 18 months to live". Essex Live. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  23. ↑ Smith, Reiss (25 November 2019). "'Britain's first gay dad' is planning to have twins with daughter's ex-boyfriend". Pink News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  24. ↑ McAuley, Paul (19 August 2022). "Britain's first gay dad welcomes new son with £10,000 worth of baby clothes and £3,700 Versace stroller". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  25. ↑ O'Brien, Jennifer (27 March 2022). "Below Deck Sailing Yacht: The Worst Charter Guests So Far". ScreenRant. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  26. ↑ Hawks, Asa (11 May 2026). "BELOW DECK Charter guests Scott & Barrie Drewitt-Barlow arrested for rape & human trafficking". Starcasm. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  27. ↑ Moffat, Macaully (30 May 2023). "Essex mum appears on Channel 5 Rich House, Poor House". Saffron Walden Reporter. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  28. ↑ Poole, Cameron (28 June 2024). "Barrie Drewitt-Barlow on Ocean's Braintree project". Braintree and Witham Times. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  29. ↑ Poole, Cameron (3 February 2025). "Investor behind multi-million Braintree pub revamp may 'walk away' from project". Braintree and Witham Times. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  30. ↑ "Maldon & Tiptree set for 'multi-million pound' takeover". BBC Sport. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  31. ↑ Penny, Brandon (13 December 2024). "Barrie Drewitt-Barlow aims to be Maldon and Tiptree FC owner". Braintree and Witham Times. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  32. ↑ Adams, Lewis; Patient, James (18 December 2024). "Prospective owners 'plan to rebuild club's ground'". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  33. ↑ Adams, Lewis (5 February 2025). "Britain's first gay dad buys Maldon & Tiptree FC". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  34. ↑ Halls, Ross (6 February 2025). "Ipswich Town: Kevin Horlock becomes manager of Maldon & Tiptree". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  35. ↑ Townsend, Ian (16 April 2025). "Jammers announce plans for multi-million pound investment". Isthmian Football League. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  36. ↑ Penny, Brandon (11 December 2025). "Jammers documentary lifting lid on Essex football club". Maldon Standard. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  37. ↑ Penny, Brandon (19 December 2025). "Maldon and Tiptree FC behind the scenes docuseries delayed". Braintree and Witham Times. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  38. ↑ Mullen, Genevieve (5 April 2026). "Nothing to hide in new football series, says owner". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  39. ↑ Penny, Brandon (5 May 2026). "ITV to air show four-part show about Essex football club". Chelmsford Weekly News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  40. ↑ Benton-Smith, Matthew (7 May 2026). "ITV pull documentary as Barrie Drewitt-Barlow's home raided". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  41. ↑ Cable, Harrison (8 May 2026). "Britain's first gay surrogate parent has "strenuously denied" grooming young men for sexual exploitation, a court heard". Greatest Hits Radio (Essex). Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  42. ↑ Rees, Daniel (8 June 2026). "Barrie Drewitt-Barlow plea hearing delayed by two weeks". Maldon Standard. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  43. ↑ Adams, Lewis (21 May 2026). "Two more men arrested in sex offences inquiry". BBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Two more men arrested for sexual offences as part of Drewitt-Barlow human trafficking investigation". ITVX. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  45. ↑ "Two further men charged in ongoing sexual offences investigation". Essex Police. 23 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  46. ↑ "Two more men charged for sexual offences as part of Drewitt-Barlow human trafficking investigation". ITVX. 23 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  47. 1 2 Adams, Lewis (10 June 2026). "Men banned from running football club by the FA". BBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  48. ↑ Adams, Lewis (22 June 2026). "Football club buyers charged with 18 more offences". BBC News. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  49. ↑ "Owners of non-league football club face further human trafficking charges". ITVX. 22 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  50. ↑ "Former 'Below Deck' guest Barrie Drewitt-Barlow sued for child sex trafficking". TMZ. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
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