Even Keel Solutions Limited

Director disputes can paralyse businesses and lead to devastating consequences if not addressed promptly. When directors fall out, the business can often become a casualty. Decision-making stalls, staff lose confidence, and customers sense the tension. Financial performance typically suffers as attention shifts from running the company to internal politics. Without resolution, these situations frequently escalate: 🤬 One director may attempt to exclude others from management 🥶 Company bank accounts might be frozen if signing authorities are disputed 🙄 Critical business decisions remain unmade, creating operational paralysis 😫 Crucial suppliers and customers might be caught in the crossfire ☹️ Staff loyalty divides, further damaging the business The longer disputes continue, the greater the risk of insolvency. Cash flow problems emerge as businesses drift without clear direction, ultimately threatening the company's survival. If you're experiencing director disputes, consider these steps: ☑️ Review your shareholders' agreement for dispute resolution procedures ☑️ Seek independent mediation before positions become entrenched ☑️ Consult with insolvency professionals about restructuring options ☑️ Consider a managed exit for one party if reconciliation proves impossible Sometimes directors fail to recognise how quickly these situations can deteriorate. What begins as a disagreement over strategy can rapidly evolve into a full-blown crisis that threatens everything you've built. Acting early is essential. It is possible for businesses to recover completely when directors address their differences professionally, but it’s also possible for the rapid collapse of otherwise viable companies when disputes are allowed to fester. Remember that there's always a solution—whether it's reconciliation, a structured exit, or company reorganisation. The key is addressing the issue before it threatens your business's survival.

Andrew singing on Saturday at Maria Tidy’s and Plants and Minds event. It was very busy and hopefully lots of funds were raised. And a new rose for me 😁 #singing #plantsandminds #EvenKeel

Many business owners continue to feel the pressure of challenging economic conditions. Our recent blog examines the continuing levels of insolvencies and offers practical guidance for those experiencing financial strain. What's particularly concerning is how creditors, including HMRC, are showing less patience with informal arrangements. Waiting until the last minute is now a significantly riskier approach. The good news? Businesses that take early action typically find more options available. From our experience working with companies across various sectors: Those who monitor cash flow closely can spot issues before they become critical Recognising early warning signs provides crucial time to implement preventative measures. Professional guidance often reveals more choices than you might realise exist If your business is facing financial challenges, remember you're not alone – and the earlier you seek help, the more paths forward become available. We've included the link to our full analysis on understanding and mitigating insolvency risks on our website. And if you'd like a confidential discussion about your situation, our team at Even Keel Solutions Limited is here to help.  https://lnkd.in/eC2Wj2Vg

Personal guarantees are often overlooked until it's too late. These legal promises put personal assets at risk when a business fails to meet its obligations—regardless of limited company status. Many directors don't realise these guarantees persist even after company insolvency. For those with clients facing financial pressure, early action is crucial. Professional advice can open several pathways, from negotiating with creditors to formal arrangements like IVAs. At Even Keel Solutions Limited, we've helped directors manage personal guarantee liabilities through both formal processes and creative informal agreements. If you work in professional services and have clients showing signs of financial distress—particularly those who've signed personal guarantees—please consider referring them for a confidential discussion. Early intervention often means more options and better outcomes. What financial warning signs are you seeing in your clients' businesses right now? We wrote a blog about Personal Guarantees, if you want to learn more click here: https://lnkd.in/euxBk_kC

Happy International Women’s day from the team at Even Keel HQ. Today the Even Keel Solutions team sponsored and attended an #internationalwomensday lunch hosted by Dorset Chamber at the wonderful Marsham Court Hotel Bournemouth. We heard from four inspiring women who are making strides towards achieving equity and giving women the confidence and opportunity to really make their way in a too-often male dominated society. “Empowered women empower the world.” #iwd #equity #inclusivity Jessica Oliver Dorothy Brown Samantha Stanfield Nikki Lawrance Louise Lewis Andrew Rumsey

Our Even Keel Solutions Limited team member Nikki Lawrance has successfully passed her Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency (CPI) exam! We’ve celebrated her achievement with the team and she has posted about it herself on LinkedIn, but we wanted to take a moment to recognise what this means for the wider business. The CPI examination is a test of competence in insolvency and is widely recognised as an established mark of achievement. This qualification demonstrates Nikki's technical expertise and commitment to excellence in the field of insolvency. Her achievement demonstrates Nikki’s commitment to her professional development; impressive as she balanced intensive study with her job and family commitments. Her expanded knowledge undoubtedly strengthens our ability to deliver excellent service to our clients. Nikki has genuine enthusiasm for understanding the broader context of insolvency practice. She's already putting her expertise to work, supporting IPs Dorothy Brown, Andrew Rumsey, and other team members. Despite the challenges of managing study time and even cutting short a family holiday for her first exam attempt, she persevered. She showed resilience and determination, exemplifying our values here at Even Keel Solutions. She aims to deepen her practical experience and develop management skills, with potential plans to pursue JIEB qualifications in the future. Go Nikki!!! 🚀 ⭐️ Congratulations Nikki ⭐️- your hard work and dedication make our team stronger - we’re so proud of you! 👏

Most companies are born out of an idea, a concept, or a new product. Limited companies are started with those elements in mind. It’s doubtful anyone starts a limited company because they’re interested in filing accounts and company tax returns! There is a wealth of information available to people who want to start businesses and a wealth of organisations that are there to help educate you, guide and mentor you. In this article, we aim to help you to get your ‘ducks in a row’, highlight the key responsibilities through asking some common questions, and signpost you to some organisations that can provide support if you’re unsure where to start.

When a company goes into liquidation, employees are typically made redundant immediately. They become preferential creditors for certain claims, which means they have priority over some other creditors in receiving payments from the company's assets. Employees are entitled to claim: ➡️ Unpaid wages (up to £800) ➡️ Accrued holiday pay ➡️ Unpaid pension contributions If there are insufficient funds from the company's assets to cover these claims, employees can turn to the government's Redundancy Payments Service (RPS). The RPS, which is funded by the National Insurance Fund, can provide payments for: ➡️ Redundancy pay ➡️ Unpaid wages (up to 8 weeks) ➡️ Statutory notice pay ➡️ Holiday pay (up to 6 weeks) ➡️ Unpaid pension contributions To claim these payments, employees typically need to fill out a form (RP1) provided by the insolvency practitioner. It's important to note that employees must have worked for the company for at least two years to be eligible for redundancy pay. While this situation is undoubtedly distressing for both business owners and employees, the preferential creditor status and the existence of the RPS help ensure that employees receive at least some of their entitlements, even when the company itself cannot pay. If you are facing financial difficulty in your business, please get in touch with us Even Keel Solutions Limited, the earlier you take advice and action the more that can be done.

Our latest Insolvency Insights report examines why certain sectors continue to face significant pressures despite improving economic indicators. Based on the Insolvency Service's statistics for December 2024, construction remains the most affected sector at 17% of all cases, while the rising trend in compulsory liquidations signals increased creditor action. Read our Even Keel Solutions Limited February 2025 Insolvency Insights report for an analysis of: ⦁ Current market trends ⦁ Sector-specific challenges ⦁ Local business sentiment ⦁ Impact of upcoming NI contribution changes And...bringing the statistics into a local context, Andrew Rumsey shares his on-the-ground perspective...

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. However, there is a legal mechanism that can provide a lifeline and help steer the business back on course: administration. In this blog post, we'll look into the administration process, exploring how it works, its benefits, and who qualifies. We'll also highlight how this administration can turn around viable companies and save jobs. https://lnkd.in/eNFRbGaC