Why I’m Writing This Series
This summer marks a personal milestone: 1 July 2025 will be 40 years to the day since I began working full-time in insolvency. That’s four decades spent sitting across the table from company directors in difficulty, unravelling businesses, supporting creditors, navigating regulation, and – most importantly – trying to do the right thing in the hardest of circumstances.
It’s been a privilege. But it’s also been, at times, deeply frustrating.
Because the truth is this: while insolvency as a system performs an essential function, the insolvency profession has serious blind spots. We are not always as transparent, fair, or constructive as we think we are. And unless we start owning up to these shortcomings, we risk losing the trust of the very people we’re here to support.
That’s why I’ve decided to use this anniversary as a moment to pause and speak plainly. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be publishing a series of blogs under the title:
“Paul Brindley: 40 Years in Insolvency – Now Let’s Talk Honestly”
Each post will tackle a different issue where I believe the profession has underperformed – or is at risk of doing so. Some will be operational (like high fees or poor communication). Others will be cultural (like how we train our staff, or treat directors). Some will be controversial.
I’ll also be honest about my own journey. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve worked in environments that got it wrong. I’ve tried to learn. And in recent years, through Midlands Business Recovery, and the tools we’ve developed at VAi Solutions, I’ve been more committed than ever to challenging how insolvency is delivered.
This series isn’t about finger-pointing. It’s about raising standards.
It’s for:
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Directors, who want to understand the system better
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Accountants, who’ve been let down by poor insolvency support
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Fellow IPs, who know we could do more and better, if we were brave enough
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Regulators and policymakers, who need to hear from the front line
I won’t pretend to have all the answers. But after 40 years, I think I’ve earned the right to ask some uncomfortable questions.
Thanks for reading – and if you disagree with anything I write, I welcome the debate. Insolvency needs it.