JEMMA CHARLTON

Listening before anything else

“For me, the most important part of working with someone who is facing financial difficulties is listening. When a director first gets in touch, they can be extremely worried and may feel like there is no way forward. Taking the time to understand their situation and explain the options available can make a real difference.

I support directors by talking through their financial position and helping them understand the best course of action for their business. If liquidation is the right option, having a clear plan and knowing what happens next can help alleviate some of the stress they are experiencing. I also think it’s important to be approachable and available to answer questions. Financial distress can be difficult enough without feeling like you can’t ask for help or don’t understand what is happening.”

Turning challenges into outcomes

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve worked on was a court-appointed liquidation involving a large, well-known hotel in the centre of Edinburgh. The hotel was profitable and had bookings for rooms, the restaurant and spa, so the decision was made to keep it trading while the business was marketed for sale. This involved a huge amount of day-to-day coordination. I was responsible for ingathering funds from bookings, deposits and purchases, carrying out daily cashiering and making sure funds were allocated correctly. Purchase orders for food and stock also had to be processed and paid on the same day.”

I had to liaise closely with the hotel staff every day to keep the business operating and make sure providers were paid. It was a challenging case, but I learned a huge amount about the hotel industry and the importance of understanding how funds need to be managed in a live trading environment. The hotel was successfully sold and continues to trade today. Seeing an outcome like that is incredibly rewarding.”

People at the heart of insolvency

“One of the most rewarding parts of my role is being able to help people and put their minds at ease. Insolvency can affect far more than a company’s finances. Directors can be under significant pressure, while creditors and employees may be worried about money they are owed.

Dealing with creditors and employees who are due money can be particularly difficult, especially when there are limited or no funds available and people may not recover what they are owed. I always try to approach these situations with understanding and empathy, while giving people the clearest and most helpful advice I can. I don’t think of insolvency as simply being about closing down businesses. Often, we are there because a creditor has taken action or because a director has recognised that they need help. The earlier someone seeks advice, the more options they may have.”

It’s always a team effort

“One of the things I value most about being part of the Restructuring & Recovery team is how well we work together. An interlocutor can land at any moment, and suddenly it’s all hands on deck to deal with everything promptly. I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and being part of a team where everyone pulls together to get the job done. There is always something happening, and I like the fact that every case brings something different.”

I’m always keen to understand more about my role and make sure I’m following the correct processes. Once I understand how something works, I can carry it out efficiently while maintaining a strong eye for detail. After more than 15 years in Restructuring & Recovery, I still enjoy the variety of the work. Every case is different, and every situation brings an opportunity to learn something new, solve a problem and ultimately help people through what can be a very difficult time.”

More than just liquidation

“I think there is a misconception that insolvency professionals are the people going after companies and putting them into liquidation. That isn’t how it works in many cases. A creditor may have presented a petition, or a director may have come to us directly because they recognise that their business is in financial difficulty. Our role is to understand the circumstances, explain the options and help establish the best way forward.

For me, the most satisfying part is seeing the difference that clarity can make. Someone can come to us feeling overwhelmed and unable to see a way out. After talking through the situation and putting a clear plan in place, their outlook can change significantly.”