The R3 Podcast

Private credit has transformed the lending landscape—but is it the next financial risk?

In this episode of the R3 Podcast, Alex speaks with Rory Dillon, Founder and Managing Director of Fletcher Bond, about the explosive growth of private credit, the risks behind the headlines, and what restructuring professionals need to know. From governance failures and fraud to AI, data centres, and the future of lending, Rory shares practical insights on why strong due diligence and sound credit judgement matter more than ever.

When a business runs into financial trouble, what are directors legally required to do—and what happens if they get it wrong?

In this episode of the R3 Podcast, Frances Coulson unpacks the legal duties of company directors when a business is facing financial distress.

Frances explains directors' responsibilities under the Companies Act, how those duties evolve as insolvency becomes a real possibility, and why the focus shifts towards protecting creditors' interests. She also explores the key claims that can arise during an insolvency, including wrongful trading, preferences, transactions at undervalue, and breaches of directors' duties.

Whether you're a director, insolvency professional, adviser, or simply interested in corporate governance, this episode provides practical insights into one of the most important legal areas businesses can face.

In this episode, we explore the high-stakes world of hotel administration with guest Peter Hales, Managing Director of M&T Hotel Management. When a hotel enters administration, the clock starts ticking—guests must still be served, staff need clarity, and the business must keep running while financial decisions unfold behind the scenes. Peter explains how specialist management teams step in to stabilise operations, work with insolvency practitioners, and quickly address priorities such as staffing, guest experience, supply chains, and cash flow. Through real-world examples, we discuss the tough decisions, hidden challenges, and strategic levers that can help turn a struggling hotel around—or at least keep it operating through the storm. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when a hotel hits financial trouble, this episode offers a rare insider’s view. Hosted by Alex Carver, R3's Senior Training Coordinator. 

Discount code: PODCAST

This episode explores the rise of deepfake evidence and its implications for insolvency practitioners, highlighting real-life cases and courtroom experiences. Charlotte Hill and Dr Tristan Jenkinson discuss the types of deepfake evidence encountered, including audio, video, and document forgeries, and explain key concepts such as fabrication and manipulation. Get the practical advice and red flags for identifying falsified evidence, stressing the growing challenges posed by AI-driven fraud. 

Originally presented at R3's SPG Forum 2025. 

In this episode, R3 member Grace Whatman (Senior Vice President, AlixPartners), shares her firsthand experience of supporting companies and individuals through unprecedented uncertainty. With R3’s statement to the COVID Inquiry now public, we discuss how these lived experiences align with the key themes in the evidence — and what the profession hopes will come from the Inquiry’s work.

This episode gives a brief overview of R3's proposal to amend the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 concerning CVL Liquidator fees. Join R3 GTC members Michelle Butler and Stephen Hill, to explore how widespread creditor apathy forces Insolvency Practitioners into costly court applications to obtain fee approval. The solution? A Statutory Fee for CVL Liquidators to streamline the process, reduce administrative burden, and ensure IPs get paid efficiently.

In this episode of the R3 Podcast, guest host Ceara Roopchand is joined by special guests Felix Connolly (BTG Advisory), Louise Durkan (Deloitte), and Ben Hughes (FRP Advisory) to dive into the world of special situations and M&A. Together, they explore the current mood of the market, the evolving role of private equity and how sector dynamics are shifting in today’s landscape. 

This episode is a live recording of an interview between R3 President Tom Russell and Angela Crossley - Director, Strategy, Policy and Analysis at the Insolvency Service from this year’s R3 Annual Conference.

The interview covers how the Insolvency Service are evolving and changing to meet the different roles it now plays and how these impact on the profession.

In a guest episode of the R3 Podcast recorded for Pride month, Francesca Tackie, a founding member of the R3-Insolvency Service Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, and Managing Director of Mercury Corporate Recovery Solutions, discusses LGBTQIA+ inclusion, with Rachel Reese and Emma Cusdin from Global Butterflies.

Tune in as Mark Buckley from Companies House breaks down the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. He'll cover crucial updates on identity verification and Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), explaining why these changes are vital for insolvency practitioners.