Paul Atkinson - Restructuring Advisor
About Paul
Paul is our Crisis Management Advisor, specialising in insolvency (both personal and corporate), company restructuring and property receiver cases. He advises directors in corporate situations, providing crisis management advice where there is mounting creditor pressure, and discusses the options that are available in these situations. His previous cases have included an appointment as fixed charge receiver over a £9.5 million property, where he dealt with a problem tenant, lease complications and arranged urgent remedial works, before a successful sale.
"Aside from being at the very top of his professional game for as long as I can remember, Paul is someone who takes complete ownership for everything he does and is the epitome of reliability. Add to that, his ability to connect on a very human level and you're left with someone I literally have no hesitation in personally recommending."
- Lucas Vigilante, ActionCOACH Business Coach
An interview with Paul
Tell us a little bit about what you do, Paul.
I advise directors in corporate situations, providing them with crisis management advice where there is mounting creditor pressure, and discuss the options that are available in these distressing situations. My work involves face to face meetings, at no cost to prospective clients. During each meeting we sit and talk about their options, so they are better informed.
What’s the most common question clients ask you?
What would you do if you were in my position?
How did you get into this field of work?
Initially I started my career as an Accountant. As the years went by, the client facing nature of restructuring and advisory work really appealed to me and so I took a change of direction.
What’s excites you about your role?
Each assignment is different and always uniquely challenging. I love providing solutions that enable businesses and individuals to thrive.
What have your highlights been so far?
Recently I assisted a family-owned printing company to enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement that allowed the business to continue to trade with no jobs lost. I am extremely proud that we could save all those people’s jobs, because that’s what it comes down to in the end, advising and helping where we can.
What are the challenges currently facing your sector?
Most recent challenges are changes in legislation. More specifically the uncertainty surrounding the economy and the future of the country as a result of Britain’s exit from the European Union.What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Its nice to be important… but it’s more important to be nice!
How do you see your work changing over the next ten years?
In the short term, the government’s decision to bring back Crown Profit. I am concerned that this will affect the banks’ appetite to fund SMEs. There is also uncertainty in change of legislation and case law.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I spend time at the gym and local golf club. I also enjoy watching my football team at their home ground at the London Stadium. If the weather’s good I have been known to spend a day at my beach hut on the Essex coast.
What are the benefits of working in a collective way, like Runway Advisors?
It provides clients with access to a collaborative professional group of advisors.
What is your ideal client?
‘When businesses face challenges, we unravel the complexities, solve problems and aim to protect them. So an ideal client for me is a business owner or individual that has identified early on that there is a problem, as this provides the best opportunity to restructure the business. The ideal situation would be that they have reasonable assets and cash flow to continue the future of the company, providing they seek advice from a professional advisor.’