Small Business Insolvency - What's happening in the real world

Join this session led by guest speaker Justin Howlett from SMB Advisory.

Justin has in excess of 28 years’ experience in all facets of Distressed Business Advisory.

His empathetic approach, together with a passion for ensuring clients understand all solutions and strategies available (both informal and formal), leads to him being a proven provider of positive outcomes.

​Having grown up across regional Victoria, and still residing in Ballarat, Justin has developed a niche in assisting all manner of regional business advisors and their clients with any distressed business situations and/or personal solvency concerns and has an acute awareness of the specific issues regional appointments involve.

​Justin’s regional ties across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and NSW continuously see him “on the road” as he is all too aware of the apprehensions for regional business owners and farmers alike and the anxiety often attached to seeking expert advice in times of need.

Justin believes that a calm approach, spending the time necessary to assist clients understand their position and the many options often available is most likely to lead to positive outcomes.  By putting clients at ease around their kitchen table, business premises or their advisor’s office – Justin is a big believer that breaking down the “fear factor” and “stigma” of seeking specialist Insolvency advice is a major part of his role.

​As a Registered Liquidator, Justin has extensive experience managing companies in Voluntary Administration, Receivership and Liquidation, adopting a “hands on” role to ensure the most beneficial outcome for all stakeholders is achieved. However, there are also countless businesses still in operation today as a result of Justin and the SMB Advisory team assisting clients to navigate their way out of financial difficulties via “informal” means, therefore avoiding the need for formal appointments.

​Justin is also experienced in all forms of personal insolvency, where he focuses on guiding individuals through their current personal financial position and the many options which may be available to them, thereby exploring every possible opportunity to “make them better off.”

Justin is a strong advocate of early intervention and raising awareness of all options available to individuals and businesses in financial distress – which in turn increase the chances of a successful outcome.

Seen as a safe set of hands in times of need, many of Justin’s Accounting, Banking, Legal and Financial Counsellor clients simply appreciate the opportunity to pick up the phone and troubleshoot an issue or clarify any immediate actions required.