Flint Bishop LLP specialises in bulk commercial debt recovery solutions, offering complete end-to-end collections solutions and single solution recovery options for large firms. The department has an enviable track record in the B2B utility industry where it acts for some of the largest energy suppliers in the UK providing both live and ceased debt recovery. Recently, the firm has developed a new scorecarding system which highlights areas within a debt portfolio which require more resources in order to maximise recoveries – one of many technological offerings which clients find ‘extremely useful’. Qamer Ghafoor is both the firm’s CEO as well as the head of the debt recovery department and continues to act for some of the firm’s largest clients. Debt recovery managers Catherine Marksman and Natalie Lloyd-Nash are also noted.
Debt recovery in East Midlands
Flint Bishop LLP
Practice head(s):
Qamer Ghafoor; Catherine Marksman; Natalie Lloyd-Nash
Testimonials
‘The team are very passionate about their role, there system allows us to keep in touch in real time which is extremely useful to us. This year they have just launched a new data team which provides detailed performance on our recoveries.’
‘Natalie Lloyd-Nash breeds positivity and this has filtered down to her team.’
Key clients
LexisNexis
UK Mail
Royal Mail
Food Standards Agency
Costcutter
Belron UK Ltd T/A Autoglass
Haven Insurance
Sixt Rent a Car Ltd
Contract Natural Gas (CNG)
Work highlights
- Managed the recovery of Royal Mail Limited’s commercial collections and salary overpayments. Managed the referral of circa £8.7 million in commercial debts.
- For Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Limited, managed to achieve a realisation rate of 71% since commencing work with the client in early 2020 when considering monies recovered and agreed payment plans.
Wilkin Chapman LLP
A particular area of expertise of Wilkin Chapman LLP is legal debt recovery in the public sector. The practitioners assist local authorities across the UK in relation to recoveries concerning, among others, council tax and business rates, sundry debts as well as property related debts. Due to the extensive experience with local authorities, the team does ‘not only know the policies and procedures for local authorities’ but is also able to provide answers to ‘queries about more unusual court processes’. Further focus areas of the firm are utility debt recovery, credit union debt recovery, bankruptcy and winding up petitioning as well as order for sale applications. Chris Grocock heads the team. Paul Bowden is a further key practitioner.
Practice head(s):
Chris Grocock
Other key lawyers:
Paul Bowden
Testimonials
‘Excellent customer service focus.’
‘Experienced in managing utility portfolios. Desire to learn the nuances of the utility sector. Willing to operate collaboratively with the client to protect brand and reputational risk. Cost conscious.’
‘The team are friendly, approachable and professional. Chris Grocock is easy to work with and doesn’t overcomplicate things unnecessarily.’
Key clients
Western Union Retail Services GB Limited
Canal & River Trust
Transave UK Credit Union Limited
Commsave Credit Union Limited
University of East London
Gladstone Brookes Limited
Octopus Energy UK Limited
Debt Collection Services UK Limited
Barnsley Council
London Borough of Bexley
London Borough of Newham
London Borough of Haringey
University College of Football Business
Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Azzurro Associates Limited
Work highlights
- Appointed sole provider through a procurement process, as part of our panel appointment to London University Purchasing Consortia (LUPC) Framework agreement.
- Provided a pre-legal and legal debt recovery service to Azzurro in relation to various debt portfolios purchased by the company.
- Following an initial feasibility study, 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
Nelsons Solicitors Limited’s ‘brilliant’ debt recovery team comprises debt collectors, credit controllers as well as legal practitioners who assist clients in all debt recovery matters, predominantly in the B2B space and with particular strengths in the consumer debt market. The legal services range from the pre-action collection process to the pursuing of court proceedings, the securing of judgments for clients as well as the enforcement of judgments. Clients hail from across the UK and cover various sectors, such as healthcare, financial services and engineering. The practice is headed by Simon Key with Kelly Bevan heading the day-to-day practice.
Practice head(s):
Simon Key; Kelly Bevan
Testimonials
‘We use their debt collection department for debts we struggle to collect. Their system on how to report the debt is very quick and easy. They keep you informed with all correspondence to the debtor. The debt collection department is very knowledgeable on how to pursue the debt. Their billing is very straight forward where they deduct any costs from the money collected which saves you sending payment.’
‘Very prepared and client oriented team. Great communication amongst them, to make sure in case the assigned solicitor has to escalate the matter or is absent for any reasons.’
‘My assigned paralegal has the best one I have ever worked with. He replies promptly and keeps me constantly updated with all the cases he is working on. He managed to contact former clients that were impossible to contact. the communications with him are always friendly but professional and he is always very clear and transparent about the different options. he has my full trust.’
‘They understand our products well and ensure they are familiar with our cases to get the best result for us. They are always well prepared for our meetings, with clear, detailed updates. They are always quick to give us updates on a case by case basis and provide excellent advice to move cases forward.’
‘The team are brilliant, their attention to detail is fantastic.’
Key clients
Hormann UK Limited
Nucleus Commercial Finance
Tokio Marine HCC International (group of companies)
Giant UK Ltd
Moorcroft Debt Recovery Ltd
Fayers Plumbing & Building Supplies Ltd
Freidman FM Limited
Love Brands Limited
Nottingham Industrial Cleaners Limited
Sustainable Drainage Systems Limited
Craftglaze Limited
Roythornes Solicitors
The client base of Roythornes Solicitors' debt recovery practice includes a variety of national and international businesses from various industries, such as IT, agriculture, manufacturing, food and beverage as well as healthcare. The team provides a ‘first class debt recovery service’ which includes a fixed cost recovery service option particularly aimed at small business owners. Victoria Stevenson is the lead partner of the debt recovery team and is supported in the day-to-day business by ‘extremely knowledgable’ Catherine Rickett. Clients praise the ‘high standard of service and advice’.
Practice head(s):
Victoria Stevenson; Catherine Rickett
Testimonials
‘Really reliable staff and communication is very good. Any questions or issue they address them straight away and all issue explained.’
‘Roythornes are a very professional firm who provide excellent customer service. They are always a pleasure to deal with, friendly, efficient and helpful. They have provided information and adapted it to suit our requirements and always deliver on time. The service provided is accurate, consistent and timely.’
‘The team is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and approachable especially if advice on a specific matter is sought. They always act with integrity, honesty and provide a high standard of service and advice. When we have instructed the team to act on our behalf, we have found that their work is thorough, accurate and professional.’
‘The team is very proactive, I have used the Roythornes for a number of years now without any complaints. Questions are answered quickly, confirmation of solicitor demand letters etc are received within good timescales.’
‘Each individual functions very well as part of the overall team.’
‘Responsive and quick at responding. Also passed across some complex cases and gained valuable advice on how to proceed.’
‘Good honest advice and prompt responses. Also helpful and knowledgeable.’
‘Catherine Rickett is excellent, keeping me up to date with progress of collecting debts, asking for information when required, and being helpful.’
Key clients
Grax
The Food Marketing Experts
Brown & Co
IS Sundries
Enterprise Loans
Wrights of Twycross
Approach Personnel
E4Law T/A Lextox
Mattioli Woods PLC
BWB Consulting
Masstock Arable (UK) Ltd T/A Agrii
Taurus Collections
Industrial Metal Services
Glenway Products Ltd
Elizabeth Michael Associates Limited
BAB Services
Radford Holdings Ltd
Trafalgar Scientific Ltd
Queensgate Centre Association
Business Loss Prevention
Work highlights
- Instructed to recover a debt in the sum of £3,830.39 for unpaid invoices.
- Instructed to recover a debt in the sum of £15,306 for unpaid invoices.
- Instructed to recover a debt in the sum of £5,275.60, for unpaid invoices.
Smith Partnership
The debt recovery team at the Smith Partnership gives ‘indispensable’ advice to clients across a multitude of debt sectors, including educational debts, consumer lending, bridging loan shortfalls and trade debt. ‘Conscientious’ and ‘creative’ Claire Twells heads the practice and is experienced in assisting public listed companies in relation to debt recovery concerning rental arrears for commercial property clients. Clients, who come from a variety of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, sport and hospitality, are impressed by the team’s ‘determination to succeed’.
Practice head(s):
Claire Twells
Testimonials
‘Very contactable and easy to work with and deliver the results asked for. Can’t fault them’
‘Claire Twells and her team also on hand to be contacted for updates on anything and also looking for and pursing all avenues possible to deliver the results.’
‘Very friendly. Professional. Always happy to help. Will bend over backwards to help and will always be fair on price.’
Key clients
Tidy Co Limited
Abbey Glass Limited
Busy Bees Nursery Limited
MEWA Textil Limited
Kiddie Winks Day Nursery
Derby County FC
Burton Albion FC
Evogo Limited
University of Leeds
Avanti Gas PLC
Work highlights
- Advised Evogo on all aspects of debtor ledger based on hire of vehicles by individuals and consumers.
- Recovering unpaid nursery fees for Busy Bees Nursery Limited.
- Advised the client, Stonegate Group PLC, on all aspects of debt recovery in respect of non licensed property, licensed property and free of tie property for arrears.