Azets boosts restructuring and insolvency services with senior appointments

Azets, a top ten UK accounting, tax and business advisory firm and the largest regional professional services firm for SMEs in the UK, has today announced the appointment of Simon Monks and Martin Woodhall. Simon joins as a director and Martin as a senior manager in the restructuring and insolvency team in the North West, based in Manchester. 

Simon is a qualified insolvency practitioner and has spent over 17 years assisting businesses from multinational companies to SMEs. He is a restructuring and insolvency specialist, advising corporates, lenders and other stakeholders across a variety of sectors that are impacted by financial stress or distress. He has worked in both ‘big four’ and boutique firms and started his career at CLB Coopers, a predecessor firm of Azets. Simon brings extensive experience with a track-record of success in numerous high profile insolvency cases. 

Martin is also a qualified insolvency practitioner and has over 17 years’ experience in restructuring and insolvency. He joins from a  boutique firm in the North-West having spent the prior 15 years at a large mid-tier firm. He has worked on a wide range of projects particularly for SMEs, including accelerated mergers and acquisitions and corporate insolvencies. 

These appointments will enhance Azets’ restructuring and insolvency capabilities in the North West. The team specialises in helping companies experiencing financial distress or facing closure with restructuring and rescue options. It offers specialist advisory services to assist organisations in making better long term and effective, strategic business decisions. 

Nicola Clark, head of restructuring and insolvency at Azets in the North West said: “We are thrilled to welcome Simon and Martin to Azets. Their experience combined with Azets’ local and international presence demonstrates the firm’s continued investment in key talent in the region and commitment to growing our restructuring and insolvency practice in the North West as we look to build on a strong 2021.”

“Their expertise will support our clients over the challenging months ahead as they recover from the pandemic. Many distressed businesses have managed to keep afloat by making use of the high level of government support available. However, as businesses have now started to repay BBLS and CBILS loans as well as deferred HMRC liabilities, pressure on cash is growing. It’s critical businesses act early and seek advice if they are struggling now, or think cash flow may be squeezed in coming months. The earlier they act, the more options they’ll have to continue trading and recover.”

Simon Monks commented: “I’m delighted to join the Azets team at a time when the business is undergoing a rapid expansion. My reputation is built on the integrity of the relationships I build with clients and I’m looking forward to the next step in my career helping companies in the region build resilience into their business for the post-Covid economy.”