Experienced insolvency practitioner joins our restructuring team

We’ve strengthened our award-winning business restructuring team with the appointment of experienced licensed insolvency practitioner Sam Hawkins.

Chartered accountant Sam joins PKF Francis Clark as an associate director, having specialised in business recovery and insolvency since 2011.

PKF Francis Clark’s licensed insolvency practitioners (from left): Mark Roach, Nick Harris, Sam Hawkins, Lucinda Coleman, Stephen Hobson and Charles Bell (Photo: Gareth Williams)

“What I most enjoy is using commercial acumen and experience to tackle a challenging situation and achieve the best possible outcome,” said Sam. “It can feel like solving a complex puzzle.

“The most rewarding cases are those where we can help a business survive in a new form and preserve jobs. Sometimes early conversations and advice can avoid a formal insolvency process, which is always my preferred outcome where possible.”

Sam’s arrival brings the number of licensed insolvency practitioners at PKF Francis Clark to six, the most in the firm’s history. He joins Lucinda Coleman, Nick Harris, Stephen Hobson, Mark Roach and Charles Bell.

It comes after we won the Special Situations M&A Deal of the Year award at the 2026 R3 Awards, presented by R3, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals. Our restructuring team is also shortlisted in seven categories of the upcoming Turnaround, Restructuring and Insolvency Awards.

Explaining what attracted him to PKF Francis Clark, Sam added: “I have known the team for a long time and worked closely with Lucinda, Nick and Stephen. As I learned more about the firm’s B Corp certification and what this means, its wider commitment to making a positive impact also resonated with me.”

Sam Hawkins, left, and Charles Bell (Photo: Gareth Williams)

Lucinda Coleman, partner and head of restructuring, said: “Sam brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of giving clear, practical advice to businesses and their stakeholders. He shares our focus on exploring every opportunity to rescue viable businesses and preserve jobs where possible.

“We know Sam well and are delighted to welcome him to the team. His appointment further strengthens our ability to support business owners across the South West and beyond through challenging and often unfamiliar situations.”

Outside work, Sam is East Devon District Council’s cabinet member for finance and a Cranbrook town councillor. He says that, while balancing these responsibilities with a young family can be challenging, he finds it rewarding giving his time and energy to the local community.

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