Engaged Business Turnaround

17/04/2025

This week Wednesday 2 April 2025 saw the final approval and adoption of the Business Rescue Plan for SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA — the culmination of an 18-month process which has resulted in the sale of the complete business as a going concern into a safe set of hands, preserving every job within the company.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for their resilience, commitment, and collaboration throughout this process.

While key steps like regulatory approval are still ahead, this marks a pivotal moment—one worth celebrating.

Let’s talk: www.Engagedbt.co.za

17/04/2025

Big News for Engaged Business Turnaround and Business Rescue in SA!

We’re proud to share that Warren Castle and Enke’ De Roos have been appointed to the TMA-SA Board of Directors for the 2025–2026 term!

This is not only a huge honour but a major step forward for the business rescue profession in South Africa. Their appointment brings industry insight, ethical leadership, and a strong voice for positive change in the turnaround and restructuring space.
For Engaged Business Turnaround, this means even closer involvement in shaping national standards, mentoring future BRPs, and ensuring we remain at the forefront of impactful business recovery.

Read more about what this means for the industry and our team in the full article here: https://engagedbt.co.za/engaged-bts-warren-castle-and-enke-de-roos-appointed-to-the-tma-sa-board-a-win-for-business-rescue-in-south-africa/

17/04/2025

Missed the Webinar? Catch Up Now | Navigating the South African Business Rescue Landscape: Key Insights from Our Recent Webinar

Ian Fleming, our CEO, took part as one of the panellists in a powerful conversation on the current state—and future—of business rescue in South Africa.

As economic challenges continue to mount, the need for early intervention, professional collaboration, and regulatory engagement is more urgent than ever. This webinar unpacked the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders within the business rescue ecosystem.

Whether you’re a practitioner, financier, advisor, or business owner—this webinar offers practical takeaways and strategic perspective.

Read the article or watch the full webinar here: https://engagedbt.co.za/navigating-the-south-african-business-rescue-landscape-key-insights-from-our-recent-webinar/

Engaged BT is an active contributor to the national conversation on business recovery and resilience.

Let’s keep the conversation going!

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15/04/2025

TMA-SA Board Voting Reminder

We’re proud to share that two of our very own from Engaged Business Turnaround have been nominated to serve on the TMA-SA Board of Directors for the 2025–2026 term:
Warren Castle
Enke De Roos

Their dedication, expertise, and passion for turnaround and restructuring make them both exceptional candidates, and we believe they’ll make a powerful impact on the future of the industry.

If you’re a TMA-SA member and haven’t yet cast your vote, please take a moment to do so before the deadline:

Wednesday, 16 April 2025 at 16h00
Submit your ballot to [email protected]

Let’s shape the future of the turnaround profession together.

10/04/2025

“Business Rescue: It's about engineering survival, not failure.

In a recent CNBC Africa feature, our collaborative partner firm Adamantem — represented by Siviwe Dongwana — shared some valuable insights into South Africa’s business rescue landscape. It’s a piece that cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what real, effective rescue should look like.
“Business rescue isn’t about avoiding failure,” says Siviwe in the interview.
“It’s about engineering survival — and it works when done early and transparently.”

At Engaged Business Turnaround, we work closely with Adamantem because we share this philosophy.
Business rescue is most successful when businesses don’t wait for the walls to collapse before seeking help. It's about taking proactive steps, building trust with creditors and stakeholders, and managing the process with strategic intent — not panic.
Our staged IBR and rescue framework is designed around this same thinking: early diagnosis, clear timelines, and fit-for-purpose intervention.

If you're wondering whether business rescue really works — watch the full discussion for more insights on CNBC Africa – https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/business-rescue-success-or-failure/

19/03/2025

Budget 2025 – How an Independent Business Review (IBR) can HELP your business adapt.

The 2025 Budget introduces new economic policies, tax changes, and spending allocations that will affect businesses across all sectors.
With GDP growth expected at only 1.9% in 2025 and significant government spending adjustments, businesses must act now to evaluate risks and realign their strategies.

Key budget changes affecting businesses:
Increased VAT & stagnant tax brackets – Higher costs for businesses and consumers.
Government spending shifts – R1 trillion allocated for infrastructure, impacting key industries.
Debt stabilisation & fiscal tightening – Credit access may become more constrained.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) reforms – New opportunities for businesses in key sectors.

How an IBR can help your business:
Evaluate financial risks & cash flow constraints in response to tax and policy changes.
Identify restructuring opportunities to enhance efficiency and profitability.
Prepare for investment or funding needs by providing a clear financial picture.
Ensure compliance & risk mitigation in a shifting regulatory environment.

At Engaged Business Turnaround, we offer expert IBR services to help businesses stay financially stable and future-ready.

Get ahead of the economic changes—let’s assess your business today.

Contact us: www.engagedbt.co.za

12/03/2025

2025 Budget Speech: What it means for the South African economy & how Engaged Business Turnaround can help.

The 2025 Budget Speech, delivered by Minister Enoch Godongwana, sets out key fiscal policies, economic reforms, and tax adjustments that will significantly impact South African businesses and the broader economy. With GDP growth projected at 1.8% over the medium term and major spending allocated to infrastructure, tax adjustments, and debt stabilisation, businesses must be prepared to adapt.

Key budget highlights affecting businesses & the economy:
VAT Increase: The VAT rate will rise to 16% by 2026/27, increasing business costs and affecting consumer spending.

Eskom Debt Relief Adjustments: The government will reduce the final phase of Eskom’s debt relief package, saving R20 billion, which may influence energy pricing and stability.

Infrastructure Investment: Over R1 trillion has been allocated to transport, logistics, energy, and water projects for the next three years, which are vital for business growth and economic development.

Corporate & Personal Taxation: No inflationary adjustments to tax brackets, meaning businesses and individuals will bear a higher tax burden.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): New regulations, coming into effect in June 2025, will facilitate greater private sector involvement in infrastructure projects.

How Engaged BT can support businesses through these changes:
With tax increases, economic pressures, and restructuring initiatives, businesses must take a proactive approach to remain resilient.

Full Budget Speech here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7305569528434823168

At Engaged Business Turnaround, we offer:
Independent Business Review (IBR) – Assess how the budget changes impact your business’s financial health and long-term sustainability.

Informal Restructuring – Navigate tax increases, renegotiate debt, and improve operational efficiency.

Informal Turnaround – Strengthen your business against economic uncertainty with hands-on strategic interventions.

Business Rescue – If financial distress is imminent, our expert team ensures a structured, legal, and strategic approach to business recovery.

Need expert guidance on how the budget will impact your business? Let’s talk.

Contact us at: [email protected]

South Africa’s High Court launches a dedicated insolvency court – A huge win for business rescue! The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng division, Johannesburg, has announced a Pilot dedicated insolvency court to streamline business rescue, liquidation, and insolvency proceedings. This is a lan...

12/03/2025

South Africa’s High Court launches a dedicated insolvency court – A huge win for business rescue!

The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng division, Johannesburg, has announced a Pilot dedicated insolvency court to streamline business rescue, liquidation, and insolvency proceedings. This is a landmark reform for companies facing financial distress!

At Engaged Business Turnaround, we welcome this development, as it will:
✔️ Speed up business rescue applications
✔️ Reduce legal bottlenecks and delays
✔️ Ensure specialist judges handle insolvency cases
✔️ Support fairer and more effective creditor negotiations

This is a game-changer for business turnaround and restructuring strategies. With faster legal resolutions, companies in distress can act swiftly to stabilise and recover.

If your business is facing challenges, now is the time to act. Let’s navigate business rescue together!
Read more about this here: https://engagedbt.co.za/a-landmark-development-how-the-dedicated-insolvency-court-will-enhance-business-rescue-in-south-africa-2/

11/03/2025

Time for a Paradigm Shift in Commercial Banking – Mark Townsend CAIB (SA), Executive Management

In South Africa, commercial banks have traditionally focused on debt recovery and balance sheet restructuring when businesses face financial distress. However, a purely financial approach often fails to address the root operational challenges that lead to business failure.

What if banks played a more active role in operational restructuring?
In the UK, banks have adopted a proactive, hands-on approach, engaging regularly with struggling businesses to reshape operations, improve efficiency, and drive long-term sustainability. Rather than just managing exposure, they work alongside businesses to implement meaningful changes that ensure recovery—not just short-term survival.

✅ Should South African banks rethink their approach?
✅ How can deeper engagement improve long-term credit risk and business viability?
✅ What role should banks play beyond financing?
It's time for a collaborative and proactive restructuring strategy—one that protects bank exposure while ensuring businesses thrive in the long run.

Read more on how commercial banks can embrace operational restructuring as a critical part of turnaround strategy in our latest blog: https://engagedbt.co.za/rethinking-commercial-banking-restructuring-a-proactive-approach-to-operational-turnaround-mark-townsend-executive-management/

26/02/2025

Understanding the Role of a Company Director

Being a director is more than just a title—it comes with important legal responsibilities and fiduciary duties. Directors must act in good faith, make informed decisions, and always prioritise the company's best interests.

✅ What are the key responsibilities of a director?
✅ How can directors protect themselves from liability?
✅ What does the law say about fiduciary duties?

Whether you're an experienced director or stepping into the role for the first time, understanding these duties is crucial for effective corporate governance.

Read more in our latest blog: https://engagedbt.co.za/fiduciary-duties-of-directors/

20/02/2025

Why Operational Turnaround is the Key to Sustainable Business Recovery
Many restructuring processes, like Chapter 11 in the U.S., focus primarily on balance sheet restructuring rather than comprehensive operational turnaround. The result? Companies often find themselves in a cycle of repeat filings—what some refer to as Chapter 11, then Chapter 22, and eventually Chapter 33.

The real solution lies in a structured operational turnaround.

🔹 Why Operational Turnaround Matters
Financial restructuring alone doesn’t fix core business issues. A sustainable recovery requires hands-on operational improvements, process optimization, and strategic repositioning.
🔹 The Right Approach
✔️ Multi-Disciplinary Expertise – Leadership, finance, operations, sales, HR, and legal specialists working together.
✔️ Hands-On Ex*****on – Actively engaging with employees and restructuring inefficiencies.
✔️ Sustainable Change – A 12-18 month transformation, ensuring long-term profitability before balance sheet restructuring.

Engaged Business Turnaround believes in fixing businesses the right way—creating lasting success rather than temporary relief.
For businesses facing distress, the right turnaround approach makes all the difference.

🔗 Learn more: https://engagedbt.co.za/its-not-fixed-unless-its-operationally-restructured/