Phase 1 · Discovery · Clarity Begins Here
Insolvency-Adjacent Advisory
The line between a recoverable business and an insolvent one is not always clear — but the decisions made on either side of it have very different legal and commercial consequences.
Insolvency-adjacent advisory is the strategic and commercial guidance for businesses that are approaching the point of insolvency or are uncertain about their technical solvency position — providing the assessment of solvency, the explanation of formal insolvency options, the evaluation of alternatives to insolvency, and the director guidance that ensures that whatever decisions are made are made with full understanding of their legal, commercial, and personal consequences.
The Pain We Solve
You may recognise yourself in one of these.
Three audience scenarios · because the same service produces a different transformation depending on where you are in the business journey.
Scenario 1
The director who does not know whether the business is technically insolvent and what their legal obligations are if it is
The business is struggling. The director has heard the terms 'wrongful trading' and 'personal liability' but does not understand what they mean in practice or whether the current situation has crossed the threshold where those concerns become real obligations.
Scenario 2
The business that has been told it should consider insolvency but believes the business is viable if it can get through the immediate crisis
An advisor has suggested insolvency. The business owner believes the business is fundamentally viable — that the crisis is temporary and that the right support would allow recovery. The advisory helps distinguish between a business that should be insolved and a business that should be turned around.
Scenario 3
The business that does not know what the different formal insolvency options mean in practice and which, if any, is appropriate for its situation
Administration, liquidation, CVA, pre-pack — the terms are familiar in the abstract and entirely unclear in terms of what they would mean for the business, the team, the creditors, and the directors personally. The advisory translates the options into plain language and honest assessment.
The Impact It Creates
The Moment You Will Feel the Difference.
Solvency position understood clearly before decisions are made that assume a position that may not be accurate
Director obligations under insolvency law understood and respected
Formal insolvency options understood and assessed against the alternative of a rescue and recovery
Decisions made with full understanding of personal, commercial, and legal consequences
What You Receive
The Specific Deliverables.
Tangible outputs · documented, dated, and yours to keep.
- Solvency assessment — balance sheet and cash flow tests
- Director obligations briefing under insolvency law
- Formal insolvency options analysis — administration, CVA, liquidation, and pre-pack
- Alternatives to insolvency assessment — restructuring, sale, and recovery options
- Referral to specialist insolvency practitioners where formal process is appropriate
- Personal liability assessment and mitigation advisory
The Outcome
Where You Will Be on the Other Side.
The director understands the business's solvency position, their legal obligations, and the full range of options — formal and informal — making informed decisions that serve the best outcome for the business, the creditors, and themselves.
Primary Focus
Providing directors of distressed businesses with honest assessment of solvency position, legal obligations, and the full range of formal and informal options.
KPI Measurement
- Director legal position clarity score
- Formal insolvency proceedings avoided through alternatives
- Director obligations compliance rate
- Recovery rate for creditors vs insolvency alternative
- Director personal liability outcomes
Investment & ROI
Pricing Engineered Around the Value You Create.
Every engagement is sized against the value we believe we can create with you · the fee is always a fraction of the outcome. Four tiers · so the investment matches your stage of business.
Tier 1
Foundations
£5,000 – £15,000
Right for
Pre-startup, startup, and micro-business founders ready to build on evidence rather than instinct.
Typical Value Created
£50K – £500K avoided in misdirected launches and bad bets
Engagement
4 – 8 weeks
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Tier 2
Acceleration
£15,000 – £50,000
Right for
Growing SMEs and established small businesses ready to scale a working model into the next revenue band.
Typical Value Created
£250K – £2M of better-informed launch decisions and faster market traction
Engagement
8 – 16 weeks
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Tier 3
Transformation
£50,000 – £250,000
Right for
Medium enterprises and scale-stage businesses ready to commit to a multi-quarter, organisation-wide shift.
Typical Value Created
£1M – £25M in strategic pivots de-risked and new categories validated
Engagement
3 – 9 months
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Tier 4
Enterprise
£250,000 – £2M+
Right for
Large enterprises, global operators, and complex organisations ready for a multi-year strategic partnership.
Typical Value Created
£5M – £100M+ in optimised market entry, M&A diligence, and category positioning
Engagement
12 months and onward
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Why We Price This Way
Every engagement is sized around the value we believe we can create with you. The fee is always a fraction of the outcome · typically 10 – 20% of the expected first-year return.
This is how we make sure pricing aligns with results. The conversation is never “what does this cost?” · it is always “what is this worth to your business?” We answer that together in the first call, transparently, and decide the right tier from there.
If we cannot articulate a credible 5–10× return for your specific situation, we will tell you in the first call. That honesty is part of why our clients trust us with the work that matters most.
Why This Conversation Matters
“The moment a business approaches insolvency is one of the most frightening and consequential in any director's professional life. The right advice — honest, specific, and delivered without agenda — is the most valuable thing available at that moment. We provide it.”
A 90-minute structured strategy session · produces a usable roadmap whether you engage further or not.
More in Phase 1