Rising Stars

Debt recovery in East Midlands

Flint Bishop LLP

Flint Bishop LLP‘s debt recovery team focuses on managing volume business-to-business (B2B) recoveries for a wide range of national brands, and is well-placed to advise on end-to-end collections. The firm is especially strong in the B2B utility industry. Since assuming the role of chief executive, Qamer Ghafoor has continued to oversee the debt recovery team, acting as lead partner for some of the firm’s largest clients. Niall Gilhooley, who joined the team as head of debt services in July 2022, is particularly noted for his experience of working with regulatory bodies. Catherine Marksman and Natalie Lloyd-Nash are further key members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Niall Gilhooley; Catherine Marksman; Natalie Lloyd-Nash; Qamer Ghafoor


Testimonials

‘Catherine Marksman is an excellent point of contact. My team at any level are happy and confident to enter dialogue with her to discuss customers or raise any problems they have.’

‘The team are fantastic and always available to offer their full support. If there are any minor issues they will resolve immediately and provide detailed feedback.’

‘Flint Bishop staff go above and beyond. They provide an exceptional service.’

Key clients

LexisNexis


UK Mail


Royal Mail


Food Standards Agency


Costcutter


Belron UK Ltd T/A Autoglass


Haven Insurance


Sixt Plc


Wilkin Chapman LLP

The recoveries department at Wilkin Chapman LLP offers a comprehensive debt recovery and insolvency service, handling the full range of matters in the sector. PPI recoveries is a particular area of expertise for the practice, which is also well versed in local authority, credit union, commercial and utilities sector work. Practice head Chris Grocock has over 30 years of experience in debt recovery and insolvency work in the commercial, financial and public sectors, while Elizabeth Gilliatt handles contentious debt recovery matters for both claimants and defendants. Other names to note include Mark Taylor, an ‘incredible asset’ who handles credit management for public and private sector clients.

Practice head(s):

Chris Grocock


Other key lawyers:

Elizabeth Gilliatt; Mark Taylor; Gary Taylor; Paul Bowden


Testimonials

‘The team has an incredible grasp of the water market despite it being a new and emerging industry and are always showing a keen interest in learning and moving with developments in the industry as they come about.’

‘The debt recovery team is very engaged and keen to deliver a good job. They listen to feedback and take appropriate actions. They have knowledge and experience of utility debt recovery.’

‘Their staff are approachable and knowledgeable and have assisted us beyond the normal scope of debt collection on multiple occasions. Where regulatory or legal changes have been implemented, they have kept us informed and notified us of the effect this will have on us and how they can help us with any changes.’

Key clients

Azzurro Associates Limited


Commsave Credit Union Limited


Canal & River Trust


Gladstone Brookes Limited


University of East London


Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)


University College of Football Business


Thorne Credit Union Limited t/a GMB Credit Union


Leicester Council


London Borough of Bexley


London Borough of Enfield


London Borough of Haringey


Affinity Water Limited


South Staffordshire Water PLC


Anglian Water Business (National) Limited


Work highlights


  • Providing a pre-legal and legal debt recovery service to Azzurro Associates in relation to a range of debt portfolio’s purchased by the company. During last 12 months we have received in excess of 6,000 instructions relating to both consumer and commercial customers.
  • Providing a pre-legal and legal debt recovery service to the client in respect of unpaid PPI invoices, recovering in excess of £1m over last 12 months on behalf of the client.
  • Developed a “3-way” collaborative process with Barnsley Council to handle all “returned” unpaid Council Tax cases from their external Enforcement Agent(s).

Nelsons Solicitors Limited

With a strong emphasis on the pre-action collection process, Nelsons Solicitors Limited focuses on debt recovery matters concerning UK commercial debts. Additionally, the team is experienced in court proceedings and enforcement of judgments. The practice is headed up by Kelly Bevan and Simon Key, the latter of whom also acts as a member of the firm’s wider dispute resolution department. All named lawyers are based in Nottingham.

Practice head(s):

Simon Key; Kelly Bevan


Work highlights


Roythornes Solicitors

Roythornes Solicitors supports a range of local, national and international businesses on the gamut of debt recovery issues. The team is active across a number of sectors, with a particular emphasis on property, construction and food. The team is headed up by Victoria Stevenson, noted for her strong track record in dispute resolution. Catherine Rickett focuses on the recovery of unpaid debts and the enforcement of judgments.

Practice head(s):

Victoria Stevenson; Catherine Rickett


Testimonials

‘The tiered offering provided by Roythornes allows for a staged approach to debt pursuit, letting us best protect creditor interests and manage the financial risk of the collections.’

‘Excellent customer service with a real desire to understand our needs as a client and to deliver a good value service which achieves the stated goal.’

‘A very professional firm who provide excellent customer service and advice. The debt recovery team is always a pleasure to deal with; friendly, efficient and helpful. Over the years we have been provided with accurate, consistent and timely help and advice.’

‘Such a friendly and helpful team. I have dealt with numerous employees at Roythornes, and they couldn’t be more efficient.’

‘Catherine Rickett has always been there – since day one – to ensure the smooth contract management and liaison with myself.’

Key clients

Grax


Distinct Recruitment


Brown & Co


IS Sundries


Approach Personnel


Games Workshop


Trafalgar Scientific


E4Law T/A Lextox


Hyperama


Mattioli Woods PLC


Ainscough Crane Hire


Kings Bros


Channel Communications


Industrial Metal Services


Rawheat


Silk Letting Limited


BWB Consulting


Masstock Arable (UK) Ltd T/A Agrii


Taurus Collections


Business Recovery and Insolvency


Business Loss Prevention


Work highlights


  • Advising a client on the removal of a charging order from their property in the sum of £28,304.71.
  • Advising the client on an insolvency matter and representing in relation to multiple cases in the past year, in the total sum of over £800,000.
  • Assisting a housing association client with the recovery of unpaid rent and damage to property where the debtors are vulnerable.

Smith Partnership

Supported by the firm’s dedicated litigation team, Smith Partnership‘s Derby-based debt recovery team supports clients across the UK on pre-action matters and court proceedings. The team also handles insolvency matters and work involving overseas debts. Practice head Claire Twells is an experienced courtroom lawyer with particular expertise in educational debt recovery.

Practice head(s):

Claire Twells


Testimonials

‘An attitude that shows they truly care, and they also have the skills to get results.’

‘Claire Twells is amazing at what she does; very accessible and results follow.’

‘The team are all very helpful, quick to respond and assist with any query we may have. There is always cover if the primary contact is away, so we are always kept in the loop.’

Key clients

Tidy Co Limited


Abbey Glass Limited


Busy Bees Nursery Limited


MEWA Textil Limited


Kiddie Winks Day Nursery


Scott Parnell Limited


ERF Electrical Limited


Evogo Limited


University of Leeds


Avanti Gas PLC


Work highlights


  • Acts for Busy Bees Nursery on all of the debt recovery matters nationwide.
  • Acting for a financial adviser in respect of a claim for over £1 million for payment to a director.
  • Acting for a local marketing business in respect of outstanding invoices for a variety of professional invoices.