News
Recruiters risk closer scrutiny of ‘phoenix’ deals
What is it about the recruitment sector that allows a business to fail and return in a new guise over and over again? The latest to hit the headlines has effectively emerged from insolvency for the third time in four years, leaving millions of pounds in unpaid...
Letter from London: An imminent economic reckoning that requires fresh thinking
The single most alarming indication of the complacency that afflicts the Westminster village is the frequent claim (usually made when a hapless government Minister is defending further public expenditure on some profligate welfare scheme or other) that, ‘The UK is...
MFS collapse spooks specialist property lending
The sudden collapse in recent days of London-based specialist property lender Market Financial Solutions Ltd (MFS) has stunned the UK property and credit markets, prompting fresh scrutiny of underwriting standards in private credit and bridging finance. MFS, a...
Tried and Tested: Recipes you’ll love – Orange & Olive Oil Cake (Portokalopita): A Taste of Spring
As we edge (hopefully!) towards spring here in London, I find myself craving something lighter, brighter — something that carries the warmth of sunshine even on a grey afternoon. Over the past few months, I’ve noticed Orange & Olive Oil Cake appearing more and...
SMEs sleepwalk into working capital crisis
Headline insolvency figures might suggest otherwise, but beneath the surface many UK SMEs are facing intensifying liquidity pressure. According to the latest annual figures there were 23,938 registered company insolvencies in England and Wales during 2025 — broadly in...
Buchler Phillips Hospitality Index – UK hospitality collapses remain high after 3,353 hit wall in 2025
The number of hospitality businesses entering insolvency eased very slightly in 2025, yet remained historically high, reflecting challenging trading conditions for the industry. Some 3,353 accommodation and food service companies, including hotels, restaurants and...
SEND time bomb ticks louder for councils
Council tax payers usually breathe easier in February and March, before the customary ten direct debit payments recommence in April. This year brings yet another big rise - by no means the last - as councils remain perilously close to financial collapse, with the...
David, Lord Triesman RIP
Doing what is right, rather than what is easy, is critical to making a lasting impact in the world of turnaround and restructuring. It had also become something of a mantra for our friend David Triesman, whom we have sadly lost in recent days. Lord Triesman wasn’t a...
Barometer spots heavy weather – and ways out
If you’ve ever felt that running a Small or Medium Enterprise (SME) is like pushing water uphill, especially in the current business climate, a major new report on risk might just confirm that view — and give you a fresh lens for spotting where trouble often starts....
Tried and Tested: Recipes You’ll Love – Toby’s Focaccia
There’s something quietly wonderful about discovering a hidden talent in the office. The kind that doesn’t announce itself in meetings or spreadsheets, but reveals itself through flour-covered hands, olive oil, and a tray of bread slowly rising in the oven. This...
‘Crypto Act’ sets pace for digital asset recovery
While many still regard cryptocurrencies as ‘the emperor’s new clothes’, new legislation for England, Wales and Northern Ireland says that digital assets such as Bitcoin and other tradeable, non-fungible tokens can now be recognised as personal property. We’re among...
January 2026 Newsletter: Builders behind as the year begins
UK construction output ended the year with its 12th month of shrinking in December, marking the longest negative run since the global financial crisis. It’s hard to see if 2026 will bring any growth for the sector. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 40.1...
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