A Family-Founded Insolvency Practice Helping UK Company Directors Since 2007

Company Debt was founded by Mike Smith as a family business in 2007, with a clear purpose: to give company directors straightforward, experienced advice when their businesses are facing serious financial pressure.

Since then, we have helped thousands of directors understand their options, deal with creditors and make difficult decisions about the future of their companies.

Today, Company Debt remains built around the same principles: personal service, honest advice and direct access to experienced insolvency professionals. Our team includes several licensed insolvency practitioners, supported by specialists with decades of experience in business rescue, company insolvency and creditor negotiations.

We understand that financial distress is rarely just a business problem. It can affect livelihoods, families, employees and professional reputations. Our role is to explain the position clearly, identify the practical options available and help directors take the next step without judgement or unnecessary pressure.

Advice for Company Directors, Not Just Companies

The directors who contact us are often dealing with more than unpaid bills.

They may be worried about personal guarantees, HMRC action, employee wages, creditor calls or whether they could become personally liable for company debts. Some are trying to save a viable business. Others need to close a company properly while protecting employees, creditors and their own position as far as possible.

We take the time to understand what has happened before recommending any course of action.

Our first responsibility is not to sell a particular insolvency procedure. It is to help the director understand:

  • The company’s current financial and legal position
  • Whether the business can realistically be rescued
  • The risks of continuing to trade
  • The formal and informal options available
  • The likely costs and consequences of each option
  • What the director should do next

Sometimes a formal insolvency process is necessary. In other cases, creditor negotiations, improved cash-flow management or an HMRC Time to Pay arrangement may provide a better route.

Licensed and Regulated Insolvency Professionals

Company Debt has several licensed insolvency practitioners within its team.

Licensed insolvency practitioners must meet strict professional standards and are authorised and regulated by recognised professional bodies. They are qualified to act as office-holders in formal procedures such as liquidation, administration and Company Voluntary Arrangements.

Our wider team also includes experienced insolvency and business rescue specialists who understand the practical pressures faced by directors.

This combination of technical expertise and commercial experience allows us to provide advice that is legally informed, commercially realistic and explained in plain English.

The Sectors We Help

A Confidential and Non-Judgemental Approach

Directors often delay asking for advice because they are embarrassed, overwhelmed or worried that speaking to an insolvency practitioner will automatically lead to liquidation.

It does not.

An initial conversation is an opportunity to establish the facts and understand the options. It does not commit the director to any particular course of action.

Our consultations are confidential and conducted without judgement. Meetings can take place by telephone, video call or, where appropriate, face to face.

We aim to provide:

  • Clear answers rather than technical jargon
  • Honest advice rather than false reassurance
  • Practical options rather than unnecessary pressure
  • Direct access to experienced professionals
  • Transparent information about likely costs
  • Support throughout the process, not just at the beginning

The earlier a director seeks advice, the more options may remain available.

We commit to providing the most appropriate and cost-effective solution for the specific circumstances, and requirements, for the businesses we help. See our case studies hub for examples of insolvency cases we have advised on.