UK
Ireland
Restructuring services
Business leaders navigating complexities need clear, practical solutions that deliver results. With the right support, it's possible to align stakeholders – advisers, lenders, trustees, creditors and shareholders – around a common strategy.
Effective project management and deep restructuring expertise can help identify critical junctures, anticipate issues early and navigate the business through with confidence. What matters most is advice that’s tailored to the situation, concise and actionable – alongside an experienced partner to help implement it every step of the way.
If your business is facing financial difficulty, looking to transform or achieve corporate simplification, then the sooner you act, the more options you’ll have. Receiving the right specialist advice early on can greatly increase your chances of success – creating opportunities, enhancing value or regaining control to avoid failure.
Our specialist team of accountants, business restructuring specialists and insolvency practitioners is here to help you. Our goal is to maximise the possibility of your business continuing to operate, in part or as a whole, or, where that’s not an option, to achieve the best result possible given the circumstances.
As company performance declines, we can help:
Stress phase: In the early stages of decline, we can help with various turnaround and special situations interventions to get a business back on track. At this point, there are usually many options available.
Distress phase: If a company continues to decline, it is likely now in distress. We can help assess options to address liquidity pressures and identify the best route to save the business. At this point, available options are declining along with cash runway.
Insolvency phase: If a company and its stakeholders cannot agree on a consensual restructuring plan and there are no prospects of a recovery, a company is placed in formal insolvency. At this point, options are very limited, but it may still be possible to rescue certain elements, such as the business or assets.
Our team provides:
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Business turnaround and special situations support
We work with you to review and analyse the issues affecting your business, before producing a solutions-focused options report, or independent business review, designed for turnaround and performance improvement. We’ll identify ways to transform your business, for example, through working capital improvements, engaging with creditors, debt restructuring and resolving business-critical issues. We will then support you in implementing your chosen options.
In certain special situations, working closely with our transactions team, we can conduct a rapid review of your options and offer support with raising capital, refinancing or conducting an accelerated M&A process to ensure your business is stabilised and positioned for growth.
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Support for businesses that are running out of cash or facing other financial difficulties
Businesses that are facing critical financial challenges need urgent support to review the circumstances and understand the available options, as well as practical advice on what to do next.
Business rescue is always our aim, so we will encourage management to take early action when needed. We can also work closely with your stakeholders to keep everyone on the same page, progress common sense decisions and avoid unnecessary business failures.
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Support with reorganising or winding up a solvent company
Through solvent restructuring, we help corporate groups to maintain operational efficiency and financial stability by optimising or simplifying corporate structures, which can also enhance the value of the business.
If you have a solvent company that has reached the end of its useful life, our team can guide you through a members’ voluntary liquidation (MVL). We’ll work with you to legally wind up your company in the most tax-efficient way. We can either work with your incumbent tax advisers or our specialist in-house tax team.
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Specialist insolvency advice for businesses and stakeholders
When insolvency in unavoidable, we provide specialist insolvency advice and support through the most difficult times.
Our experts can help you through a formal corporate insolvency process, ranging from rescue procedures, such as company voluntary arrangements, moratoriums and administration business sales, through to voluntary liquidations.
We also provide specialist personal insolvency, contentious insolvency and dedicated creditor services to help safeguard your interests if you have a customer in, or threatened with, insolvency proceedings.
Why choose S&W?
- You’ll benefit from the specialist knowledge of our team of experts, qualified accountants and insolvency practitioners vastly experienced in advising organisations across a range of industries and in difficult situations
- We’ll work closely with you to understand your circumstances and point of view, help to shoulder the burden of difficult decisions, deal with creditors on your behalf and make sure you understand all your options. We can also help pull together all the relevant information quickly to help you to make informed and timely decisions on critical issues
- You’ll have direct access to senior advisers with specialist expertise in your industry. We’ve developed a series of high-quality solutions tailored to different sectors. You can benefit from our trusted relationships with key industry contacts and funders where necessary
- Our team has been involved in several high-profile restructuring and formal insolvency projects in the UK, both as a representative of the company or its owners, and on behalf of significant creditors, including banks and contracting partners. Our clients include company boards, owners and shareholders, lenders, borrowers, suppliers, customers, employees and other stakeholders
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How we can help
We can provide advice and assistance to all types of businesses and organisations encountering financial difficulties, whether mild or acute, acting as a bridge between key stakeholders to enable viable and practical solutions. Get in touch today.
Frequently asked questions about business restructuring and recovery
What is an insolvency practitioner?
An insolvency practitioner is a qualified, experienced person who is licenced and authorised to act on behalf of an individual or company that is insolvent or facing financial difficulties. Companies approach insolvency practitioners for help and, as well as taking responsibility for liquidating a company or putting it into administration, insolvency practitioners can help rescue companies and set them on the path to recovery. The earlier you seek advice from an insolvency practitioner, the more options you have.
Can I save my business through restructuring?
Restructuring is often an excellent way to save a business. By making changes to how the business operates or its financial or legal structures, it is possible to achieve significant efficiencies and increase profits. Unfortunately, company directors often leave it too late, so if your company is facing financial difficulty, do seek professional advice on restructuring as early as possible.
Are insolvency practitioners regulated?
Yes, insolvency practitioners are regulated. They need an insolvency licence issued annually by a regulator (known as a Recognised Professional Body) to operate. The regulator monitors the work of insolvency practitioners, making sure they are working in a professional manner and complying with statutory duties. Insolvency in the UK is governed by the Insolvency Act 1986.
Our appointments
Reyker Securities Plc (in Special Administration)
Mark Ford, Adam Stephens and Henry Shinners were appointed Joint Special Administrators (“the JSAs”) of Reyker Securities Plc (in Special Administration) (“Reyker”) on 8 October 2019.
Guinness Mahon Trust Corporation Limited (in administration)
Adam Stephens and Nick Myers were appointed Joint Administrators of Guinness Mahon Trust Corporation Limited (“GMTC” or the “Company”) on 17 February 2020.
