People
Dan Ormerod, Leonard Curtis Director – I try to put myself in a company director's shoes
The best part of my job is the combination of working with a brilliant team and the variety the role offers. We have a great team, who are all committed to delivering the best service to our stakeholders, and our office environment makes each working day a positive one.
No two cases are ever the same, and my day-to-day work can include anything from initial meetings with a director, attending site visits, and engaging with stakeholders, to supporting the team, ensuring they’re happy in their roles, and managing our caseloads effectively.
The opportunity for the business in the year ahead comes from our recent announcement that Leonard Curtis has sold a majority stake to London-based private equity firm, Pollen Street Capital. This investment will drive accelerated growth across the business, through product expansion, technology, and M&A.
Leonard Curtis has grown rapidly, since I joined the firm, in 2012 now operating in 30 offices, with over 340 employees. This growth enables us to offer our clients a wider range of services while maintaining the high standards we uphold.
The year ahead is going to be a great for Leonard Curtis as we look to continue to grow our position in the market. In doing this, we will continue to operate by the fundamental principles of having the confidence to deliver the right support and advice, the commitment to deliver this service and consistency to our approach.
The biggest issue affecting the restructuring and insolvency sector at the moment is cost increases as a whole. The increase in minimum wage and national insurance contributions is hitting a lot of businesses hard. The hospitality industry still appears to be suffering from raising alcohol duty, business rates and the ongoing cost of living challenges.
When offering advice, I try to put myself in the shoes of company directors to understand the pressures they face. This helps ensure I am able to explain their options in a way that allows them to fully grasp potential outcomes, before deciding on their preferred course of action.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the sector the most over recent years, and cause a change to the way initial investigations are conducted - we are still seeing its effects today. When conducting initial meetings with a client, it is crucial that we forthcoming with all the relevant information, to ensure they understand the implications, if their company has applied for a Bounce Back Loan, for example. Over the past five years, we have seen a wide variety of Bounce Back Loan misuse, which then needs to be dealt with correctly. Bounce Back Loans which have been taken personally by a company director will then likely turn onto a Director’s Loan Account, to which a Liquidator is under a duty to pursue. Ensuring transparent dialogue with the client from the outset is key
Our company motto, “Forward with Purpose,” perfectly reflects what we strive to achieve at Leonard Curtis. On a personal level, I always look to deliver the utmost service to everyone I work with. This ensures that clients fully understand the end purpose of any option available to them.
I have learned many a lesson throughout my career and I am still learning and developing today. One lesson that sticks with me is that it is important to be open and honest with whoever you are dealing with. If you cannot manage someone’s expectations, it’s okay to say no.
People will appreciate it more if you are straightforward with them from the outset. Over promising and overcommitting can lead to unnecessary issues, which can not only impact yourself, but your team too.
I have been influenced by many people during my career, both inside and outside of my career. I am a huge sports fan and enjoy watching a variety of documentaries in this area. Professionally, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of great Insolvency Practitioners who, alongside the LC senior management team, have given me their time and support to develop the knowledge base I have today. I could name names, but we would be here a while!
Ensuring you listen and take note of how people conduct themselves day-to-day and by taking different elements of how others interact has helped me develop hugely and reach the position I now have at Leonard Curtis.
In terms of relaxing away from work, as I mentioned, I am a massive sports fan (to my wife’s despair) and enjoy watching cricket, golf and football. My local football team is Bury and I try to get down there when I can.
I have a five-year-old daughter, Isla, who keeps me busy, and I am currently trying to teach her ride her bike (if you can call that a form of relaxation).
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Leonard Curtis is a trading style of Reach Commercial Finance Limited, registered at Riverside House, Irwell Street, Manchester, M3 5EN. Company Register number is 09056450. Reach Commercial Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN: 753686. Reach Commercial Finance Limited is an authorised credit broker and not a lender. We work with a an unrestricted number of lenders to find a potentially suitable arrangement for your consideration. ICO registration ZA069234 and you can check via www.ico.org.uk. We will receive commission from lenders. Different lenders pay different amounts depending on different commission models. For transparency we work with the following commission models: fixed fee, fixed rate of commission, percentage of the amount you borrow and rate for risk (this is based on the risk profile of the business). Further details of the commission model, calculation and amount will be disclosed to you throughout your customer journey. Privacy notice.
Leonard Curtis Legal Limited is a limited company, registered in England and Wales with registered number 09820186. Registered office: Riverside House, Irwell Street, Manchester M3 5EN. Leonard Curtis Legal Limited is registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority with number 626004.