Neil Smyth

Mills & Reeve

Insolvency and restructuring partner Neil Smyth joined Mills & Reeve in 2018 from Taylor Wessing to set up a mid-market, non-contentious restructuring practice. Since then, he has advised and helped save some of the biggest companies in the UK. Smyth was involved in the liquidation of Carillion, as well as Bolton Wanderers FC, Wigan Athletic FC and Toys R Us. He was also heavily involved in the deals relating to Thomas Cook, Mothercare and Bury FC.

But it was his work for Archant Media that really stands out. The publishing company runs regional and local newspapers, with more than 1,250 employees. The business was at risk of collapse due to its compromised pension scheme. Smyth worked with KPMG’s Birmingham office to clear the debt and sell it to R Capital, saving the 175-year-old company and thousands of jobs.

This year will continue to be uncertain for many companies and the eventual end of government support is likely to trigger a slew of potential insolvencies.