James takes up post as head of recovery specialists

Jan 23 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A NORTH insolvency expert has been appointed as regional head of the trade association for business recovery and turnaround specialists.

Jim James, partner and head of the Insolvency and Corporate Recovery Unit at Newcastle law firm Ward Hadaway, has taken up the North-East chairmanship of R3, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals.

R3 promotes best practice for professionals working with financially troubled individuals and businesses, and provides a forum for debate on key issues facing the profession.

Representatives of most of the North-East’s leading accountants, law firms and insolvency practices are members.

Jim James has extensive experience in advising lenders, companies, directors, individuals and creditors on the options available when a business is in crisis or has failed. He has advised banks, insolvency practitioners, directors, and creditors on issues as diverse as receiverships of quoted companies, voluntary arrangements for “former” multi-millionaires and negotiations with banks when businesses are in financial difficulty.

As well as being R3’s North-East chairman, Jim also sits on its national General Technical Committee, which reviews and advises on proposed legislation affecting the insolvency sector, and is currently the only solicitor to sit on its Small Practices Group committee, which deals with issues of importance to Insolvency Practices with up to five partners.

Mr James said: “Issues around debt and insolvency, whether relating to companies, partnerships or individuals, can become very complex, and we are very fortunate to have such a strong representation of individual practitioners and firms working within the field.

“My aim is to use my regional chairmanship of R3 to raise the profile of the work our members do in helping individuals and companies resolve debt and insolvency issues, and to ensure all members of the North-East business community are fully aware of the range of regional expertise that might, one day, be able to help resolve a difficult financial situation.”