News

More than a century has passed since the UK was known as ‘the workshop of the world’. Manufacturing’s share of the economy is at best 10% today, half of what it was in 1990, as the nation relies on strength in services. Yet pockets of resilience remain among...

While conflict in the Middle East continues to rage, every day that passes increases the chances of a full-blown global recession. Once again, the threat lies in severely disrupted global energy markets. UK businesses have already begun quietly preparing contingency...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...