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The UK government has released its insolvency statistics for May 2025. A total of 2,238 companies entered insolvency in England and Wales - up 8% from April and 15% higher than May last year. Monthly insolvency figures for the first five months of 2025 remain slightly above 2024 levels and close to the 30-year peak seen in 2023. Businesses continue to face challenging conditions, with more than 2,000 companies in May alone taking steps to restructure or wind down. CVLs remain the dominant procedure - rising above both April levels and the 2024 monthly average. Administrations also increased month-on-month, while compulsory liquidations dipped slightly from April’s 10-year high. CVAs were down, and no receiverships were recorded. Despite the pressures, the 12-month rolling insolvency rate has edged down to 53.0 per 10,000 companies - below the 55.6 seen a year earlier and still a far cry from the 2008-09 recessionary peak. #Insolvency #Restructuring

Poundland has been sold for just £1, marking a major shift for the struggling discount retailer. Its new owner, Gordon Brothers, is set to restructure the business, risking the closure of up to 100 stores across the UK. The UK retail landscape has changed, and Poundland has struggled to compete as supermarkets and online giants like Temu and Shein offer low prices with greater convenience. Its attempt to expand into clothing didn’t help, and many shoppers have simply gone elsewhere. Despite its challenges, Poundland still serves millions of customers. Can it reinvent itself under new ownership, or is this another sign that Highstreet shopping is a thing of the past? #Insolvency #Restructuring #BusinessRecovery

River Island is facing financial difficulties and is reportedly considering a Restructuring Plan. The high street retailer, which operates 230 stores and employs 5,500 people, suffered a £33.2 million pre-tax loss in 2023 after a 20% drop in turnover, with rising costs in 2024 adding further pressure. The family behind the brand has brought in PwC to develop a rescue strategy. If River Island moves ahead, it could signal a shift toward faster, more accessible restructuring in the retail sector. #insolvency #restructuring

The UK government has just released its insolvency figures for April 2025. A total of 2,053 companies entered insolvency - up 3% from March, though 5% lower than April last year. While numbers have eased slightly since the record highs of 2023, they’re still worryingly high by historical standards. More than 2,000 companies in April alone faced the tough decision to restructure or wind down, and expert guidance is critical to ensuring that happens in a responsible and fair way. One of the most striking trends last month was the surge in compulsory liquidations, reaching their highest level since 2014. Meanwhile, creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs) held steady, and administrations dipped compared to both March 2025 and April 2024. While insolvency rates are still far below their peak during the 2008-09 recession, the pressure on businesses isn’t going anywhere. Uncertainty remains a constant challenge for businesses, and demand for experienced insolvency professionals remains steady. From administrators to managers, opportunities across the insolvency industry are on the rise. If you’re considering a career in insolvency or exploring new professional paths, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out and let’s talk about your next steps. #Insolvency #Restructuring #April2025InsolvencyStatistics

Newcastle’s Northern Alchemy brewery has entered voluntary insolvency after 11 years, highlighting the growing financial pressures businesses face today. Despite adapting, expanding, and even collaborating with other breweries to navigate the pandemic, they ultimately couldn’t withstand rising costs. Connect Insolvency Limited, based in Westerhope, has been appointed as the liquidator, handling the closure process. Cases like this reinforce the critical role of turnaround specialists in helping businesses manage financial distress before it’s too late. Cash flow challenges, volatile pricing, and contract complexities are common obstacles across industries. The right restructuring talent can be the difference between survival and closure. This case serves as a reminder that proactive financial planning, skilled professionals, and strategic restructuring are vital in today’s uncertain economy. How do you see the landscape evolving for businesses at risk? #restructuring #insolvency #gambitsearch

Over the last few weeks, we've seen a considerable uptick in requests from our clients for Assistant Manager and Manager level talent in London. Many firms are actively seeking professionals with strong case management and people management skills along with a comprehensive understanding of corporate insolvency. If you’re considering the next step in your career and are open to exploring new opportunities, I’d love to connect and have a confidential discussion about what might be the right fit for you. Feel free to reach out – always happy to chat. #Insolvency #Restructuring #Recruitment  

Specialist business advisory firm FRP has announced the acquisition of One Advisory Group. This move marks FRP’s 14th acquisition since March 2020, reflecting its ambitious growth strategy, that’s focused on increasing market share, broadening its service offerings to clients, and expanding its geographical reach. This is an exciting step in the firm’s journey toward providing even more value to its clients. Growth creates opportunity and this acquisition is a clear sign of forward momentum in the industry. #Insolvency #Restructuring #FinancialServices

The construction industry is under serious pressure right now. In just the first four months of 2025, 840 construction firms have gone into liquidation or administration — nearly double what we saw before the pandemic. Between rising costs, a shortage of skilled workers, and increasingly cautious lenders, the sector is being stretched to breaking point. Insolvency and restructuring professionals are playing a critical role right now — helping companies through complex financial challenges, guiding directors through tough calls, and finding solutions where others see dead ends. If you’re looking for a career with real-world impact — and long-term demand — now is a great time to explore opportunities in insolvency. It’s one of the few fields where you can grow professionally and make a difference in difficult times.

An overview of the current hiring trends in the UK corporate finance industry. Curtis Bennett leads on senior M&A and TS hiring and is the best person to speak with should you be considering expansion through lateral hiring or via a team bolt on.

Our snapshots on the current hiring trends taking place across the UK insolvency profession right now.