Guidance.
Clarity.
Confidence.

Calm, objective and confidential support for directors during times of financial difficulty

Insolvency is not the only answer

It may not even be the right one.

Strictly Confidential
Independent
No Obligation

The moment a business starts struggling, a whole industry mobilises around it — insolvency practitioners, turnaround firms, lenders — each with their own preferred solution. That solution may or may not be what's best for you and your business. But by the time those conversations happen, you're already in someone else's process.

Our role is to step in before any of that. To sit alongside you — a director, not a practice — and talk through what's actually happening, what's genuinely available, and what the consequences of each path look like. Practically. Honestly. Without an agenda.

We're not insolvency advisors. We're not here to prescribe a route. We're here to make sure that whatever you decide, you've made that decision with clear eyes.

What this is – and what it isn't

What we are

  • A confidential first conversation - before you commit to anything
  • An independent voice with no interest in any particular outcome
  • Practical guidance on the real landscape of options available to you
  • A calm, experienced perspective when everything feels urgent
  • A trusted introduction to the right professional - when you're ready
  • Ongoing support as you navigate next steps, if needed

What we are not

  • Insolvency practitioners
  • Turnaround consultants with a process to run
  • Lenders, brokers, or anyone earning on a transaction
  • A firm that benefits from recommending any specific route
  • Accountants or solicitors providing regulated advice
  • Part of the problem you're already trying to navigate

The 90-Minute Call — A Structured Conversation, Not a Sales Pitch

Phone Call
Video Call
Director on a focused phone call

Understanding Where You Actually Are

We start by listening. Creditor pressure, cash position, HMRC exposure, what's been tried, what's been said, and — critically — how much time you realistically have. A proper conversation, informed by the details you've shared with us in advance. We close by agreeing clear next steps tailored to your situation.

Yes, we charge for our time. What we give you is clarity, not a direction.

We're not going to pretend we work for free. What we will tell you is that the most expensive decision a director can make is the wrong one — usually because nobody laid out all the options clearly before they committed to a path.

Our job is to make sure that doesn't happen to you. We'll walk through what's genuinely available, what each route means in practice, and what the right questions are before you speak to anyone else. What you do with that is entirely your call — including doing nothing further. That's a valid outcome too.

You may have seen insolvency practitioners offer a free initial consultation. That conversation has value — but it is worth understanding that insolvency is the only service they can charge for. The advice you receive will naturally reflect that. We have no such constraint. Our only interest is in making sure you've seen the full picture before anyone starts a process.

We'd rather you made the right decision slowly than the wrong one quickly.

Two professionals in a quiet, focused meeting

Know Your Options

What's available — in plain English

Every business in financial difficulty has more options than it realises. Understanding what each one means — before anyone starts a process — is the most important step you can take.

Time to Pay Arrangement

An agreement with HMRC to pay overdue tax in instalments over an agreed period. Available for VAT, PAYE, and Corporation Tax. Approached correctly and early, HMRC will often engage — but timing matters.

Informal Creditor Arrangement

A private agreement with your creditors to pause or restructure payments — without going to court. No formal process, no public record. Works best when creditors believe they'll recover more this way than through formal action.

Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)

A legally binding agreement to repay a proportion of your debts over time while the business continues to trade. Requires creditor approval but keeps the company alive and the director in control.

Administration

Placing the company under court protection while a turnaround or sale is explored. Creditor action is paused immediately. Buys time — but requires an insolvency practitioner to act as administrator.

Pre-Pack Administration

The business — its name, customers, and contracts — is sold to a new company before the old one enters administration. Debts stay behind. Often the same directors continue. Controversial but legally established.

Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation (CVL)

A director-led decision to wind the company up in an orderly way. Preferable — legally and reputationally — to being forced into compulsory liquidation by a creditor. Demonstrates you acted responsibly.

Emergency Refinancing

Asset-backed lending, invoice discounting, or bridging finance to inject immediate liquidity. Works when the underlying business is sound but cashflow has become temporarily critical. Speed is often the deciding factor.

Managed Closure & Restart

If the business in its current form is no longer viable, closing it properly — and where appropriate, restarting through a new structure — can protect you, your employees, and your reputation. Done correctly, it is not the end.

Coming Soon

Additional option content will be provided shortly. This card will be updated with the final copy once confirmed by the client.

Further Services

Continued support, if you need it.

For directors who require more than an initial session, we offer two further services — each scoped to your specific circumstances. Fees are available on request.

Ongoing Support

Monthly Advisory Retainer

Regular, structured advisory access for directors navigating a prolonged period of financial difficulty or restructuring. A consistent, independent voice throughout — helping you stay clear-headed as circumstances evolve.

Fees on Request

Structured Guidance

Options Mapping Process

A more detailed, document-led process for directors who need a structured written assessment of their position and the routes available to them. Includes a formal Options Roadmap and plain-English review of any professional proposals received.

Fees on Request

Facing financial difficulty?
Contact us before taking any further action.

The decisions made in the first days of a financial crisis are often the most consequential. Acting before the situation forces your hand keeps more options open — and keeps you in control.

Book a Confidential Call

Before you speak to anyone else

  • Do not invest further personal money into the business
  • Do not take on additional credit or new borrowings
  • Do not make redundancies without taking proper advice first
  • Do not make unusual payments to connected parties
  • Do not ignore correspondence from HMRC or creditors

If this is the end of the road for your business in its current form — it doesn't have to be the end of the road for you.

Sometimes the right outcome is a structured, dignified closure rather than a prolonged struggle. Whether that means closing the company properly through a Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation, or restarting through a pre-pack arrangement, there is a right way to do it — and understanding what that looks like before you commit to anything is exactly what we are here for. We'll help you think it through, ask the right questions, and connect you with the right people to make it happen.

Client Feedback

What directors say about the experience.

  • Blackbridge helped me slow things down and properly understand the position before I made any decisions. That clarity was invaluable.

    James Business Owner — Recruitment & Staffing
  • I spoke to insolvency firms before Blackbridge and immediately felt pushed towards a process. This was completely different — calm, objective and genuinely helpful.

    Sarah Director — Payroll
  • The conversation gave me a much clearer understanding of my options and the risks attached to each one. It helped me regain control of the situation.

    Michael Founder & Director — Consulting
  • At a very stressful time, having an independent sounding board made a huge difference. The report afterwards was professional, balanced and easy to understand.

    David Director — Media
  • Blackbridge helped us understand that insolvency was not the only possible route. We appreciated the honest and measured approach.

    Emma Director — Retail
  • The introductions were handled professionally and saved us from starting the process blindly. It felt like someone was finally on our side of the table.

    Richard Director — Construction
  • The call was structured, commercial and practical. No scare tactics. No pressure. Just a very honest discussion about the realities of the situation.

    Claire Director — Hospitality

Get in Touch

Start the conversation.

Complete the form below and we'll be in touch to arrange your Clarity Call. All enquiries are handled in strict confidence.

Step 01

Tell us about your situation

Complete the short form below so we can understand your circumstances before we speak. Everything shared is treated in strict confidence.

Step 02

Choose your date & time

Once we've reviewed your enquiry we'll be in touch to arrange a time. Early morning and evening slots are available on request.

Step 03

Your Clarity Call

A focused 90-minute conversation — by phone or video — to walk through your situation clearly and without agenda.

Enquiry Form

Director's Clarity Call

Please complete the details below. All information is treated in strict confidence and used solely to prepare for your session. Nothing is shared with any third party without your express consent.

Confidentiality: Everything you share is strictly confidential. We will not contact your creditors, your accountant, or any third party without your explicit instruction. This information is used solely to prepare for your session.

After submitting, we will review your enquiry and be in touch within one business day to arrange a suitable time for your call.