Insolvency partner Adrian Slater joined Nelsons' Nottingham office in 2024. He shares a glimpse behind the scenes of his professional life with The Brief.

I joined Nelsons' Nottingham office as a partner in May 2024, relocating from Knights with my colleagues Hayley Brown and Abbie Fotheringham. My career has also included roles at Eking Manning, Geldards, and Fraser Brown, consistently focusing on insolvency, and all within the East Midlands legal sector.

I have more than 25 years’ experience in contentious insolvency and commercial debt collection, specialising in investigating company failures, pursuing creditor claims and handling trust and property issues in bankruptcy.

Morning: rhythm and routine

My working week at Nelsons is a comfortable blend of office and home working. However, we have a small, close-knit team here, so I really like us to be in the office together when we can.

That’s how we bounce ideas off each other and share knowledge on our cases effectively. My core team consists of Hayley Brown, Abbie Fotheringham, Charlotte Pepperday, and me.

My mornings often begin with a strategic dash. I like to leave home early to beat the traffic and the commute offers a moment of personal routine: I listen to Chris Evans on Virgin Radio – I've grown up with him!

I thrive on multitasking, often juggling multiple matters simultaneously and fluidly transitioning between them. 

He talks a lot about mindfulness and well-being, plus I enjoy the music. Other days, I might opt for a slightly later start and work from home for part of the morning.

Once I'm at my desk, unless an early meeting is scheduled I dive straight into emails and make a mental note of how the day might look. I touch base with the team first thing to see where we can work together if necessary.

I thrive on multitasking, often juggling multiple matters simultaneously and fluidly transitioning between them. My Outlook list, categorised by active matters and dates, ensures I’m always prepared for upcoming deadlines.

The insolvency market: a mixed bag

Recent months have presented a diverse caseload for our team, encompassing both corporate and personal insolvency. I'm seeing a noticeable uptick in receivership work, where lenders are seeking to enforce their security due to borrowers' failure to repay. I currently have three such cases on the go, with more in the pipeline, which really highlights the immediate and pressing nature of this work.

Historically, summers have been quieter for insolvency, but last year proved an exception. We were busy with numerous new instructions on a variety of matters. Joining Nelsons a few months before likely added to this, as the firm’s robust network and client base have certainly maintained a steady flow of work.

Notwithstanding the renewed momentum, people can be reluctant to take our advice, despite their prospects usually being much better if they do so.

The latter part of 2024 saw a brief lull, as many insolvency practitioners focused on owner-managed businesses looking to divest before the Budget announcements. It transpired that it wasn’t as bad after the Budget, but it just pushed the issues down the road to the spring statement, with the new tax year announcements. However, since Easter I’ve felt a distinct pick-up in activity.

Notwithstanding the renewed momentum, people can be reluctant to take our advice, despite their prospects usually being much better if they do so. If you leave it until the last minute, you often run out of options.

My journey into insolvency

My insolvency law career wasn't a predetermined one - I went to university not really knowing what I wanted to do. A residential in London, including a visit to Freshfields' offices, prompted by my school's careers department, proved pivotal. I was genuinely impressed seeing the law in practice including the courts and barristers.

After completing my law degree and Legal Practice Course (LPC), I secured a training contract at Eking Manning, a small firm that, remarkably for the East Midlands at the time, had two partners specialising in insolvency.

In addition to the domestic work, one of them helped develop a network of European lawyers while the other was involved with the American Bankruptcy Institute, leading to a multitude of cross-border assignments. The firm really punched above its weight in terms of complexity and value.

This exposure as a newly qualified solicitor was thrilling. Even though I am now much more locally focused, it was that excitement that initially drew me in.

Afternoon: a breath of fresh air

My approach to the workday is anything but rigid. I don’t like a regimented day of work and routine breaks.

I prefer to crack on with what I need to do – meetings, calls, etc. – and take a break when I feel like it. Fresh air is good whatever time of day, so I try to fit a stroll in if I can.

A culture of collaboration

The nature of insolvency work often dictates a demanding pace. Work can be incredibly urgent; a company needing to go into administration means you drop everything to get it done.

While such intense periods aren't an everyday occurrence – thankfully, because it can be difficult to sustain – they are a definitive part of the job. Court work, with its inherent deadlines, also adds to the pressure-cooker environment.

To manage these demands, my team employs a tight diary system, ensuring at least one other person has all the crucial dates in case something urgent arises.

Work can be incredibly urgent; a company needing to go into administration means you drop everything to get it done.

The collaborative environment at Nelsons is also a significant asset. The insolvency team works very closely with other departments, such as corporate, property, and employment. A recent client administration involved seamless collaboration across multiple teams, which was very effective.

When it comes to my proudest achievements, my focus shifts from individual cases to the strength of the team. It’s not necessarily about a specific piece of work, but rather the success of moving here and bringing Hayley and Abbie alongside.

We’ve all settled in so well, and this first year has really flown by. We’re in a great position to move forward, and there’s a real sense of pride about that – I’m looking forward to what the future holds.

Evening: Winding down

As the workday draws to a close, my priority is ensuring all tasks are complete. There's no school bell for me; if I’m done, I’ll leave, but if not, I’ll stay until it’s finished, or I can address things at home later.

Most days, I aim to finish by 6pm, unless an urgent matter demands my extended attention. The commute home serves as a gentle transition from the demands of the day.

After work, I love heading out with my Sproodle if the weather is nice. There are lots of great walks near us.

It’s a simple pleasure, but it’s a crucial reminder that even in the high-stakes world of insolvency, finding moments of balance and enjoyment is key to a sustained and fulfilling career.

Visit

Nelsons’ insolvency department

Connect with Adrian Slater via LinkedIn