Insolvency Insider Blog

Joint Liability Notices: why HMRC’s intentions should be on every director's radar now

In November 2025, the government announced a joint strategy involving HMRC, the Insolvency Service, and Companies House to crack down on what it has termed "contrived insolvencies."

Understanding the Risks of Trading Under a Franchise Agreement

Franchise agreements are a common route into business ownership in the UK, but the financial and legal risks attached to them are frequently underestimated.

Cash flow in a choppy market:The questions you should be asking every month

The latest insolvency figures are not the kind of headlines that make for cheerful reading, but they do tell us something important about where UK businesses are right now..

What happens in the first meeting with an Insolvency Practitioner, and what information should I bring?

Picking up the phone or walking into a first meeting with an Insolvency Practitioner can feel daunting. There is often worry about being judged, fear of the unknown, and concern about what this conversation might mean for the future of a business.

Insolvency Practitioners Face New Sanctions Reporting Rules

From 14th May 2025, significant changes to UK sanctions regulations will affect how insolvency practitioners operate, with new reporting obligations that could impact businesses entering formal insolvency procedures.

Managing International Insolvency Cases

When overseas individuals or businesses have outstanding UK debts, the path to resolution brings unique challenges.

Managing Financial Distress: A Practical Guide for Business Owners in 2025

2024 saw a slight easing in the difficult business landscape we’ve been experiencing, with insolvency numbers dropping 5% from 2023's 30-year high, however, we still witnessed the second-highest annual total since 1993.

Why boards should consider restructuring as a strategic tool

The UK business landscape is experiencing fundamental shifts that require boards to think differently about corporate restructuring and insolvency.

When Christmas feels far from festive: Managing financial pressures with care

The twinkling lights and festive music filling our high streets can feel particularly painful when you're facing financial difficulties.

Understanding and Mitigating the Rise in Insolvencies

The business landscape in 2024 is marked by a concerning trend: a significant surge in insolvencies across various sectors.

Green Recovery: Sustainable Practices for Businesses Bouncing Back from Financial Difficulties

While sustainability might seem like a luxury when you're facing financial pressures, it can actually be a helpful driver of recovery.

What business owners needs to know about personal guarantees

As a business owner, you've likely encountered the term "personal guarantee" when seeking financing or entering into certain contracts.

At the Helm: How insolvency practitioners guide companies through administration

When small businesses face financial distress, it can feel like being caught in a storm with the walls closing in and the ship of the company foundering.

Balancing your business finances: Mastering VAT and Corporation Tax budgeting

Maintaining a healthy financial balance is essential for the success and growth of any business.

The Liquidation Process: What company directors need to know

Entering liquidation can feel daunting, but having a roadmap of what to expect can make the process less stressful. Here is an overview.

Running a limited company; What are a director’s responsibilities?

Most companies are born out of an idea, a concept, or a new product.  Limited companies are started with those elements in mind.

Planning for the Future: Key Considerations for Sole Directors

As the sole director of a UK limited business, it’s critical to make plans for when you want to step back from its active management.

Helping Businesses in Financial Distress: The Role of Administration

For companies facing financial hardship, administration provides a formal legal process to rehabilitate and work towards restoring solvency.

Worrying financial data from the retail sector

As the ‘cut back economy’ continues, there is worrying evidence from the retail sector that indicates there is more trouble to come.

Embracing VUCA: Steering your business towards a resilient future

In today's ever-changing and unpredictable business landscape, the concept of VUCA has become more relevant than ever before.

Navigating the Stormy Seas of Bankruptcy

‘Bankruptcy is one way for individuals to deal with debts they cannot pay. It does not apply to companies or partnerships,’ says HMRC.

What is an Insolvency Practitioner?

An Insolvency Practitioner (IP) is a licensed professional who offers insolvency services to businesses and individuals who are in financial distress.

The Perils of Overdrawn Directors Loan Accounts

Corporate insolvencies have unfortunately been on the increase in recent months with national statistics showing they’re up by 18% in Q1 2023 versus Q1 2022.

Helping yourself in a cost-of-living crisis

The increase in the cost-of-living is still hitting headlines. Inflation has eased ever so slightly but it is still eye wateringly high (above 10% at the time of writing) and impacting on all of our daily lives.

Insolvency: Planning for success and for failure

I read an article recently from a larger insolvency practitioner firm, they had handled the closure of Debenhams and had since conducted a survey or 250 mid-sized to large retail businesses. The findings were startling.

Insolvency: Myth busting for directors

There are several myths surrounding insolvency in business, which often lead to confusion and poorly planned actions. Even Keel Solutions have compiled this list of the most common myths within the industry.

What is overtrading and are you guilty of it?

A Director starts a business, usually because of enjoying a trade, service or having a passion in some sphere that they wish to share with others. They build the business and hopefully will grow exponentially.

Changing tack: why it’s vital to review your business financials

Reviewing your business finances regularly is fundamental to its success. You might find it surprising that Even Keel Solutions as an Insolvency Practitioner give this advice freely.

Act now, before it’s too late – 6 signs of a business in distress

If you’re leading a business and you’re finding it tough going, planting your head firmly in the sand is not a workable strategy. You may feel alone. But you’re really not.

Insolvency: What can be done when distress becomes crisis

It is possible to work through a crisis towards recovery. The key being to act early, when the first signs of distress are noticed.