Lucas Ross - Business Rescue, Recovery & Insolvency

04/09/2026

The latest figures from the Insolvency Service for July 2026 have been posted, providing a vital health check for the UK business community.

While absolute business closures remain high, the data shows a wider trend that is slowly finding its balance. Monthly averages for 2026 are sitting 6% lower than the previous three-year average, pointing to a market where the most intense wave of distress is levelling out.

To help directors, lenders, and professionals make sense of the shifting economic landscape, we’ve broken down the key metrics, procedural shifts, and sector risks in our latest report.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 2026 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚:
𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬: 1,931 registered in England and Wales (up 5% from June, but down 5% compared to July 2025).
𝐓𝐡𝐞 12-𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞: Slipped slightly to 50.3 per 10,000 active companies (~1 in 199 firms), largely reflecting a growing business register.
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: Construction continues to drive the highest volume (17% of cases), genuinely punching above its weight relative to its share of the active register.
𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: With director duties shifting from shareholders to creditors under distress, recognising early warning signs remains critical.

Read our complete breakdown and strategic takeaways for company directors on our website:

As we review the data for July 2026, the latest figures from the Insolvency Service provide a vital insight to the Corporate Insolvency Trends. While the

03/08/2026

2,000+ jobs saved.

The news about Turtle Bay proposing a CVA is an obvious reminder that insolvency doesn’t always mean closure.

A Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) is fundamentally a rescue mechanism. Turtle Bay is using it to restructure legacy leases, close just 3 underperforming sites, and protect the vast majority of its 2,000+ jobs so the core brand can thrive.

Yet, CVAs are incredibly rare these days. Latest stats show they make up just over 1% of UK insolvencies (only 25 out of 1,868 cases in May). Most struggling directors wait too long and end up defaulting straight to liquidation.

A CVA can keep the doors open and the lights on, but it requires a viable underlying business and, crucially, time. Early engagement with a licensed Insolvency Practitioner is what keeps rescue options open and available.
Do you think we'll see a wave of other hospitality brands following Turtle Bay's lead with a CVA this year?

29/07/2026

𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Blindly trading through financial distress is a fast track to personal liability.
When your company approaches insolvency, your legal duty flips from serving shareholders to protecting creditors.

Swipe through to discover the top 4 key responsibilities every director must uphold during financial distress to stay on the right side of the law.

Discover how to navigate insolvency safely. Read 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 on our website today.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

29/05/2026

Did you know that consulting an Insolvency Practitioner doesn't mean your business is doomed to close? In fact, it's often the exact opposite.

At Lucas Ross, a large part of our work is Business Rescue. Our goal is to step in, relieve the immediate pressure from creditors, and create a sustainable path forward.

Through tools like Time to Pay Arrangements with HMRC, Moratoriums, and Accelerated Sales, we act as a shield to give you the breathing space you need to turn things around.

If cashflow is tight, don't wait for a crisis. Let's look at your Business Health Check today.

15/05/2026

Navigating insolvency is one of the most challenging experiences a business owner can face. While technical expertise is a given, we believe that human connection is what truly makes the difference.

We are incredibly grateful for this feedback given towards the team. At Lucas Ross, we pride ourselves on being approachable, clear and human.

06/05/2026

For a director of an insolvent company, the difference between a controlled closure and a forced one isn't just administrative, it’s the difference between protecting your reputation and facing intense legal scrutiny.

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐂𝐕𝐋): A CVL allows you to take the lead before a creditor (like HMRC) forces your hand.
• 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: You appoint a licensed Insolvency Practitioner of your choice to manage the process.
• 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 & 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭: A CVL can often be started in as little as 1-2 weeks, avoiding the mounting legal fees and court delays associated with forced petitions.
• 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: By acting voluntarily, you demonstrate that you are fulfilling your legal duties to creditors, significantly reducing the risk of "wrongful trading" allegations.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲/𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Waiting for a winding-up petition often leads to a loss of control:
• 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬: Bank accounts are typically frozen as soon as a petition is advertised, making further trading impossible.
• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫: A government-appointed officer takes control, and the investigation into your conduct is often more adversarial.

A controlled CVL reduces stress, protects stakeholders, and may even allow eligible directors to claim statutory redundancy pay.

22/04/2026

When HMRC arrears begin to mount, the pressure on a director can feel overwhelming. However, the worst thing you can do is wait for the Final Notice. Identifying your pressure points early gives you the broadest range of options.

A 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐲 arrangement is an informal agreement allowing you to pay your tax liabilities over a set period (usually up to 12 months). It is an excellent tool for viable businesses facing a temporary cashflow dip.

However, if the debt is too large or the business model is fundamentally struggling, a 𝐓𝐓𝐏 may only be a temporary cover. In these cases, formal rescue options, such as a 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐕𝐀) or 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, may be more appropriate to protect the company while it restructures.

If you are stuck between "rescue" and "closure," a confidential review can provide the clarity you need to move forward.

𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

15/04/2026

Understanding the line between ‘difficult trading’ and ‘wrongful trading’ is one of the most critical responsibilities for any UK company director.

Wrongful trading occurs when a director continues to trade the business when they knew (or ought to have concluded) that there was no reasonable prospect of avoiding insolvency.

The moment insolvency becomes inevitable, your primary legal duty shifts: you are no longer acting primarily for your shareholders, but for your creditors.

The "wait and see” approach is often the most dangerous strategy. By identifying pressure points early, you move from a position of reacting to a crisis to one of managing a solution.

Acting early allows for a wider range of recovery options, such as a 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐕𝐀) or a structured restructuring, rather than being forced into a terminal liquidation.

Trading whilst insolvent is not unlawful but during that period some of the decisions made can make that trading wrongful. It’s important that directors demonstrate that their decisions were reasonable and justifiable.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
• Identify pressure points early: Regularly review cash flow forecasts and creditor ageing reports.
• Document decisions: Keep detailed board minutes explaining why you believe the company can avoid liquidation and what steps you are taking to minimise losses to creditors.
• Communicate proactively: Maintain open dialogue with stakeholders, including HMRC, lenders, and key suppliers.

It’s important to note that 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 and 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 are different. 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 is a criminal offence and therefore much more serious. Directors that take part in𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 have an intent to deceive and defraud their creditors and customers.

If you are unsure which route is right for your business, whether it is a rescue plan or a managed closure. A confidential review can provide the clarity you need to move forward safely.

Unsure about your responsibilities or the current standing of your business? Message us for a confidential chat to explore your options.

https://www.lucasross.co.uk

08/04/2026

February 2026 has officially broken records. According to the latest insolvency statistics, the number of people seeking Debt Relief Orders (DROs) has hit an all-time historic high, surpassing even the peaks of 2025. The individual insolvencies consisted of 768 bankruptcies, 4,210 debt relief orders (DROs) and 6,631 individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs).

A Debt Relief Order can be a vital path to financial recovery, for those who meet the criteria. A DRO is a recognised legal framework designed specifically for managing certain qualifying debts. It’s tailored for individuals with low income, minimal surplus funds and few assets. It creates a freeze on creditor contact and all associated legal action for a set period which is typically 12 months. You must keep your financial status up to date, but provided conditions are met throughout the period, debts included in the order may be legally discharged at the end.

The barriers to getting a DRO have been lowered as of 2024 and the amount of people turning to DROs has been steadily increasing.

𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐬: The previous £90 fee has been scrapped.
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬: The limit has been raised from £30,000 to £50,000, making this life-changing solution available to a much wider demographic.

Navigating insolvency can feel overwhelming, even when the fees are removed. Our team provides the clarity you need to understand if a DRO, IVA, or another solution is the right path for your specific circumstances.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: https://www.lucasross.co.uk/