Bristol-based Charles Bell becomes our newest licenced insolvency practitioner

Our restructuring team has been strengthened by Charles Bell’s qualification as a licenced insolvency practitioner.

Bristol-based Charles becomes the fifth insolvency practitioner at PKF Francis Clark, having passed both the corporate and personal Joint Insolvency Examination Board exams.

Charles, who joined PKF Francis Clark more than three years ago, was recently promoted to associate director.

He said: “The growth of our restructuring team in recent years has provided fantastic opportunities for me to develop my career, which is one of the key reasons I joined the firm.

“Seven years ago, I chose to specialise in insolvency because no two days are the same. The work is challenging, but most importantly it offers the opportunity to help businesses navigate difficult situations, preserve jobs where possible and achieve the best outcomes for creditors in the circumstances.

“I’m delighted to achieve this qualification after many months of balancing work and study commitments. I look forward to continuing to support business owners through what are often unfamiliar and emotionally challenging circumstances, providing clear advice and practical solutions when they need them most.”

Charles specialises in corporate advisory and insolvency work. He has worked across a diverse range of sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, retail, construction, manufacturing, haulage and transport, pharmaceuticals and care homes.

Charles Bell, centre, with PKF Francis Clark’s head of restructuring, Lucinda Coleman, and restructuring partner Nick Harris (Photos: Dave Pratt)

Highlights include the administration of the Ridgespear Group, in which dozens of jobs were saved by the pre-pack sale of the underfloor heating manufacturer.

More recently, he has worked on the liquidation of Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, the liquidation of Troax Lee Manufacturing Limited, near Dudley, and the administration of Cambridgeshire-based horticultural business Rokewood Limited.

Lucinda Coleman, partner and head of restructuring at PKF Francis Clark, said: “This is another key milestone in the development of our team, which has more than doubled in size in recent years.

“The Joint Insolvency Examination Board exams are extremely rigorous and Charles becoming our newest licensed insolvency practitioner increases our capacity to handle complex cases. Since joining us, Charles has been a great asset to the firm and a role model of our empathetic and pragmatic approach to restructuring and insolvency.”

At the 2025 Turnaround, Restructuring and Insolvency Awards, PKF Francis Clark won the Company Award for Inclusive and Sustainable Practice, while Lucinda Coleman was named both Advocate and Woman of the Year.

Find out more about our award-winning business recovery and restructuring team.