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Ian Benjamin

Ian Benjamin

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Stephenson Harwood

Stephenson Harwood

England - London • Finance

1

Corporate restructuring & insolvency

Drawing upon a cohesive offering across restructuring, litigation and fraud, Stephenson Harwood is well-positioned to advise stakeholders on all issues arising in connection with financial distress, restructuring, and insolvency. ‘Very proactive’ team head Julian Cahn is key to the firm’s success on contentious insolvency matters and regularly picks up high-profile work for administrators and trustees in bankruptcy in often very complex cases involving, inter alia, allegations of fraud and dissipation of assets. The ’practical and pragmatic’ Tal Goldsmith is also highly skilled at advising on contentious matters and is particularly noted for her expertise at recovering assets for clients on large-scale cross-border mandates. For non-contentious work, the ‘fast thinking’ Ian Benjamin has a good standing among a myriad stakeholders, including creditors and investors, while the arrival of Daniel Andrews from Triton Partners in September 2024 strengthens the team’s special situations prowess among private capital providers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
+44 20 7809 2286
Email
[email protected]
Profile
stephensonharwood.com
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Profile

Work Department
Commercial Litigation
Position

Ian Benjamin specialises in advising a diverse range of clients, including lenders, distressed investment funds, and insolvency practitioners, across multiple sectors such as aviation, real estate, retail, hospitality, healthcare and financial services. His extensive experience in business turnarounds and both creditor and debtor-led restructurings makes him a sought-after advisor for stakeholders navigating financial distress.

Ian provides comprehensive support on restructuring and insolvency matters, from managing acquisitions out of and disposals in administration to advising stakeholders on Part 26A restructuring plans. His work with high-profile clients like Investec, Teneo, Wells Fargo and FTI Consulting showcases his ability to handle intricate financial situations with precision and clarity.

Clients value Ian's ability to deliver practical solutions and his calm, commercial approach to problem-solving. His involvement in significant cases, such as the Harland & Wolff restructuring, advising its secured creditor Riverstone Credit throughout, highlights his capability to protect and enhance client interests in challenging environments.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is a highly experienced and knowledgeable team. Great resources and very user-friendly, responsive and easy to work with.’

  • 'Stephenson Harwood are a top mid-market firm which focuses on client service and delivering the best possible result for their clients. They are flexible on fee structures and willing to take a risk alongside us and work on a contingent basis, so are motivated to get the best possible result.'

  • ‘Ian Benjamin. Smart, quick on the uptake, fast thinking, and lovely to deal with. My favourite lawyer in the City.’

  • 'Julian Cahn is very proactive, and he is excellent at anticipating (and avoiding) potential pitfalls in a case.'

  • ‘Tal Goldsmith and Paul Hollands - practical and pragmatic. Extensive knowledge and experience at handling cross-border insolvency matters.’

Key clients

  • BDO LLP
  • Blandford Capital LLP
  • Begbies Traynor
  • Teneo Financial Advisory
  • FRP Advisory Trading
  • Investec Bank
  • Riverstone Credit Management
  • Wells Fargo Bank
  • Equitix Proton Cancer Care
  • Evelyn Partners
  • Interpath Ltd
  • KPMG LLP

Work highlights

Advised the Receivers of Sebastian Holdings Inc, which was the personal investment vehicle of the Norwegian billionaire Alexander Vik.
Advised Riverstone Credit Management LLC in respect of (i) the appointment of administrators by Harland & Wolff Group Holdings Plc;  (ii) the subsequent insolvency processes for the non-operational subsidiaries of Plc; and (iii) the pre-packaged administration sale of the business and certain assets of the operational subsidiaries of Plc to the Spanish state-owned contractor, Navantia.
Advising Teneo Financial Advisory in relation to the administration of a UK company whose principal activity was the provision of outsize aircraft cargo charters, which became subject to asset freezing measures and needed to enter an insolvency process.