Strategically addressing financial challenges
with tailored turnaround planning
To fortify your business is to secure, protect and prepare your internal structures for a fruitful future. As registered liquidators and trustees in bankruptcy, Fort Restructuring develops and actions pragmatic, long-term strategies that realise your business’ potential and accelerate the recovery journey from financial distress.
Together, we’ll energise the next incredible chapter of your commercial vision.
Take back control
of your business
Built on over three decades of advisory expertise, Fort Restructuring collaborates with financiers, directors and management teams facing financial distress to guide value-maximising realignments. By uplifting experience, best-in-class insights and strong industry connections, our team will pave the way forward with surety.
Maximise value through insolvency processes
This includes receivership, voluntary administration, liquidation and bankruptcy.
Gain thorough business performance and viability assessments
Independent assessments into business strength expose key causes of distress and critical operational opportunities.
Develop and implement business turnaround plans
With time-honoured guidance, identify and act upon the most viable recovery plans for your business, realising its true potential.
Connect with Safe Harbour advisory
Enduring director protection and company safeguarding underlines our commitment to the Safe Harbour scheme.
Strategise valuable restructuring plans
Find clarity with tailored advice and assistance surrounding business divestment and closure.
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Reconnect with confidence Direct your business visions with a robust future focus and a bespoke strategy in play. Or, bring things to a close with ongoing support. -
Find certainty Decades of industry experience allows us to authentically understand your circumstances and strategise in-line with your hopes, ideas and abilities.
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Engage our team of experts Fort Restructuring is ready to gauge the weight of your unique situation, taking the time to listen deeply before we act.
Personalised solutions in-line with company visions
Fort Restructuring’s bespoke approach and synergistic strategies are designed to deliver clarity, confidence and sure steps forward - now and for the future. Our focus on personalisation allows us to curate boutique solutions across all industry sectors.
Who we work with
Financiers
As both advisors and receivers, Fort works with financiers to mitigate business, financial and operational risk, maximise commercial opportunities and intervene during complex litigation.
Solicitors
Fort guides solicitors and their clients through intricate financial difficulties. We excel in business restructuring and closure with time-honoured expertise as liquidators for debtors in default.
Accountants
Fort works closely with accountants to turn financial hardships around and lead optimal outcomes. In both personal and business contexts, we are equipped to guide a holistic recovery, realignment and rebuild.
Creditors
Throughout the insolvency process, Fort acts on behalf of creditors to manage claims and protect business momentum. Expect thorough reporting on all possible recoveries and our experience as a trustee in bankruptcy and liquidators to challenge any in-court difficulties throughout the process.
Directors
Working alongside directors, Fort establishes informed turnaround plans away from financial distress, provides independent advisory in the face of contentious litigation and scrutiny and winds down unviable businesses in the most beneficial and tax-effective ways.
In business for your business
Fort Restructuring strives to secure the livelihoods of all stakeholders, businesses and visions. It’s why we emphasise a bespoke engagement, as no one-size-fits-all solution is applicable to situations so complex, critical and real.
Passion is innate to all successful businesses. Quickly realise our passion for yours.
Collaboration
An enduring solution is best worked towards together. Expect close engagement at all points of your recovery journey so we can not only adapt to change, but stir change.
Communication
With close collaboration comes open, transparent and genuine communication. Connect with a team as eager to listen as they are to understand and direct an inspiring transformation.
Due-diligence
Working alongside our trustworthy legal network, Fort Restructuring does all due-diligence to ensure every bespoke strategy is steadfast, viable and in-line with legislation.
Unwavering support built from experience
Fort Restructuring applies over three decades of industry expertise to every aspect of operations. It's how we’ve always remained on the front-foot, delivering bespoke and transformative solutions to businesses in all industries.
Ken Whittingham
Partner
Bio
Ken uplifts over four decades of experience in restructuring and turnaround advisory to provide proven and bespoke guidance at all points of the business realignment journey.
His portfolio has seen him offer his expertise to major banks such as the Lehman Brothers, financiers and large and medium size legal and accounting firms, alongside other property, manufacturing and hospitality assignments.
Corporate restructuring (informal turnaround, voluntary administration, receiverships and liquidations
Corporate structure simplification
Insolvency services
Informal advice to lenders, borrowers and their advisors.
Qualifications and memberships
Bachelor of Business (UTS)
Chartered accountant and registered liquidator
Member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA)
Turnaround Management Association
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
Mark Robinson
Partner
Bio
Before joining the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), leading operations at PPB Advisory and becoming President of numerous insolvency associations, Mark was a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy.
Now, Mark enjoys the challenge of tailoring and implementing future-focused solutions for businesses across the country. He attributes his success to his resilience, appreciation of collaboration and passion for working at the coalface.
Corporate restructuring and insolvency
Personal insolvency
Business advisory and turnaround
Specialist industry experience in professional services, real estate and construction, education, maritime, retail and IT
Qualifications and memberships
Master of Management Economics – major Project Management (UNSW)
Bachelor of Commerce with Merit – Accounting, Finance and Systems (UNSW)
Registered Trustee in Bankruptcy
Registered Liquidator
Past-President, Life Member and Fellow of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA)
Past-President of INSOL International, the international association of national insolvency associations (INSOL)
Fellow of CAANZ
Brett Schofield
Director
Bio
During 40+ years in real estate, Brett has accumulated a wide range of experience in the development and funds management sectors, working for private interests and institutions. This has provided an insight into the requirements for successful customer and investor management through joint venture and managed investment platforms.
Brett provides advisory, capital transaction and restructuring services for various mortgagees and hedge funds holding distressed real estate assets.
Areas of expertise:
Equity raising
Due diligence
investment/development evaluation
Board and investor presentations
Funds establishment
Finance origination
Capital transactions
Development management
Qualifications, Education and Memberships
Diploma of Business (Valuation), Real Estate Valuation - Hawkesbury Agricultural College
Associate Diploma in Farm Management, Agriculture, General - Orange Agricultural College
Licenced Real Estate Agent - Class 1
Registered Valuer
Tony Hui
Director
Bio
Tony commenced his career in insolvency in 2013. To date, Tony has successfully restructured a number of businesses and has experience across a variety of sectors including fintech, education, hospitality, manufacturing, and property development.
Tony is highly analytical. As an effective communicator he has been able to manage complex appointments and navigate through conflicting interests in fluid situations.
Tony has been able to consistently deliver value to stakeholders. He is methodical in his planning and execution. Tony is dependable especially in high pressure environments.
Qualifications and memberships
UNSW – Bachelor of Commerce (with distinction) – Major in Accounting,
Finance
UNSW – Master of Financial Analysis
ARITA – Professional Member
CPA Australia – Certified Practising Accountant
Maureen Lowanda
Analyst
Bio
Maureen is an experienced professional with 3 and half years of dedicated work in the insolvency industry. Maureen is experienced in handling complex insolvency cases and providing strategic solutions to clients.Maureen is skilled in analysing financial statements, conducting investigations, and managing creditor relationships. Maureen works effectively under pressure and meeting strict deadlines. Maureen is committed to delivering high-quality results and contributing to the success of insolvency projects.
Qualifications and memberships
Master of Professional Accounting (Extension), University of Technology Sydney
Bachelor of Commerce, Finance and Marketing – University of Western Australia
Diploma of Commerce, Taylors College Pathway to UWA
Kelvin Ng
Senior Analyst
Bio
Kelvin is a chartered accountant with over eight years of experience in providing advisory and turnaround services to various stakeholders..
Corporate restructuring
Personal insolvency
Qualifications and memberships
Bachelor of Commerce (Hons)
Member of CAANZ
Nicholas Martin
Senior Consultant
Bio
Nicholas has more than 20 years’ experience in business transformation and advisory services.
He is retained by directors, executive management teams and their advisers as a project leader to develop strategic and practical ways to improve business performance – identifying and leveraging the critical instruments of the business, improving accountability, enhancing stakeholder relationships, strengthening financial performance and ultimately delivering great enterprise value.
Services
Enterprise enhancement
Performance improvement
Strategic reviews
Workouts/company restructuring
Sectors
Enterprise enhancement
Performance improvement
Strategic reviews
Workouts/company restructuring
Qualifications and Memberships
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Member CPA Australia
Member, CAANZ
VIC Agents Representative
Member, ARITA
Community Service
Trustee of a not-for-profit foundation
Chairman of fundraising committee of a not-for-profit, rebuilding its operating facility
Gina Smith
Office Manager
Bio
Gina has worked in the restructuring industry for over 20 years as an executive assistant to partners, office administrator and administrator of the restructuring practice management system.
Qualifications and Education
Advanced Secretarial - Meadowbank Technical College
Financial Services III
Adria Zhang
Graduate
Bio
Adria is a recent graduate with a Master’s degree and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from the University of New South Wales. Adria has previous work experiences within the foreign exchange, marketing and retail industries. Adria is an enthusiastic and dedicated individual with strong communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Qualifications, Education and Memberships
Master of Commerce in Finance – University of New South Wales
Bachelor of Commerce in Finance – University of New South Wales
Steve Lonie
Director
Bio
Steve has over 20 years’ experience in Senior Finance Roles across the Financial and Professional Services Industries.
Steve has significant experience in
Finance Transformations including improved Reporting, Teams, Systems and Business Engagement
CFO Support to businesses
Significant Transaction experience including Business Sales, Acquisitions and Preparation for ASX Listings
Business Integrations
Ken Whittingham
Partner
Mark Robinson
Partner
Brett Schofield
Director
Steve Lonie
Director
Tony Hui
Director
Kelvin Ng
Senior Analyst
Nicholas Martin
Senior Consultant
Maureen Lowanda
Analyst
Adria Zhang
Graduate
Gina Smith
Office Manager