Leading accountancy firm Horwath Clark Whitehill LLP has chosen Kent as the launch pad for its new insolvency service HCW Recovery Solutions LLP.

Launched this month from Horwath Clark Whitehill’s offices in Kent, HCW Recovery Solutions LLP will initially cover Kent, Sussex and Surrey before being rolled out nationally. The range of services includes advice on administrations, company voluntary arrangements, liquidation, bankruptcy, and individual voluntary arrangements.

The start-up team is being led by two partners, Mark Newman and Vince Green, who are well known figures in the Kent business community with more than 50 years practice between them. They will be assisted by a further three professional staff with extensive experience in the sector.

Mark Newman, formerly of Vantis, said: “It is great to be joining an award winning firm known for its quality of service. There is a real opportunity in the market as the UK economy climbs out of recession for our style of personal service.”

HCW Recovery Solutions LLP will offer advice to all trading entities from limited companies and partnerships through to sole traders, with a view to helping companies restructure and continue trading.

Mr Newman explained: “Recovery is absolutely integral to what we do and without question the most satisfying aspect of our work is keeping people in jobs that would otherwise be lost.

“There’s a widespread perception that insolvency is a last desperate resort but I would always urge people to seek advice at an early stage as pre-emptive action can ensure the business continues.

“Burying your head in the sand about your business can be as damaging as it can with your health. It is far better to undergo some minor surgery in order to make a recovery than to let things drift and discover the prognosis is terminal.”

Horwath Clark Whitehill recognised the need for an insolvency practice to compliment its current client services, especially as the demand for such services is predicted to increase over the coming years.

Andrew Pianca, Chief Executive of Horwath Clark Whitehill, said: “We have been one of the largest firms not providing insolvency services and feel that it makes sense to address that and offer our clients a full service offering.

“In the past we have been approached by many practices asking to join Horwath Clark Whitehill, however we have chosen to find the right individuals and build our service offering around them, ensuring the high technical standards consistent with the firm overall.”