HCR’s Restructuring and Insolvency Conference highlights key sector trends and insights

On 15 October 2025, HCR Law welcomed over 200 delegates to Willis Towers Watson (WTW) – the home of our new London office – for our annual Restructuring and Insolvency Conference.

The event brought together lenders, investors, turnaround specialists and insolvency professionals to explore sector trends, economic forecasts and the evolving role of restructuring.

We welcomed speakers from HSBC, Henderson & Jones, Delphi Care Solutions and our Restructuring and Insolvency team to help delegates navigate rising sector pressures and seize new opportunities.

Economic outlook: cautious optimism amid cost pressures

Chris Hare, Senior Economist at HSBC, opened the conference with an insightful analysis of the UK economy.

Despite geopolitical uncertainty and inflationary pressures, the UK economy grew 0.9% in the first half of the year – making it the fastest-growing in the G7. This was partly driven by frontloaded activity ahead of US tariffs and stamp duty changes.

Key takeaways:

· Inflation remains sticky at 3.8%, the highest in the G7, but is forecast to fall below 3% in April 2026

• Wage growth has supported household income, though spending remains cautious
• Interest rate cuts are expected to resume from April 2026
• The Autumn Budget may introduce tax rises, with long-term fiscal reform on the horizon.

Restructuring with purpose

Rowena Clark and Stuart Taylor reframed restructuring as a tool for transformation, not termination.

Despite over 298,000 UK business closures in 2024, HCR Law’s Restructuring and Insolvency team has preserved more than 2,200 jobs and safeguarded £25.6m in value in recent cases across sectors.

In today’s complex landscape of crypto disruption, cyber threats and advanced scams, restructuring offers a pathway to reinvention. Its impact goes beyond legal advice, supporting trade continuity, protecting local economies and rebuilding public trust.

When done well, businesses become more agile and better equipped for future challenges.

Sector focus: real estate disputes

In the first of our sector focused sessions, Andrew Walker and Kate Hallifax explored how property disputes intersect with restructuring.

Real estate is often the most valuable asset in insolvency. Securing possession or terminating leases requires careful navigation of statutory grounds and tenancy protections.

The evolving Renters’ Rights Bill adds complexity to residential property matters, abolishing no-fault evictions, restricting rent increases and introducing stricter landlord obligations, all of which may impact asset value and recovery strategies.

For restructuring professionals, understanding the legal landscape is essential to maximising value and managing risk. The new legislation increases tenant protections and imposes financial penalties for non-compliance, making evidence and timing key in possession proceedings.

Market volatility presents challenges and opportunities

With liquidity remaining available but uneven across sectors, a panel chaired by Alan Meiklejohn with Clare Day, Haydon Simmonds and Richard Wilkey reviewed current market trends:

• Private equity appetite remains strong in healthcare, tech and professional services
• Real estate private equity is shifting toward long-term holds
• Banks and lenders favour predictability, with student accommodation, hotels and data infrastructure seen as safer bets
• Development finance continues to struggle due to planning delays, inflation and skills shortages – making investment lending more attractive than speculative builds.

Down valuations and cautious lending have stalled deals but legislative changes like the Renters’ Rights Bill may improve asset standards and lender confidence.

Despite speed bumps, there is cautious optimism around liquidity – especially where transactions are driven by regulatory change or time-sensitive incentives.

Sector focus: healthcare regulatory

After a coffee break, Laura Shelton was joined by Iqbal Topia from Delphi Care Solutions for a session on healthcare turnaround and regulatory pressures.

Healthcare providers are facing mounting financial and regulatory pressures, with staffing costs rising by 10-12% and a £1.6bn funding gap in England compounding the strain. Early warning signs of distress – such as overdraft reliance, delayed debt collection and incomplete care package funding – require swift, strategic intervention.

Private equity appetite in the sector remains strong but compliance failures like a drop in CQC ratings can have significant financial consequences.

Legal teams play a vital role in turnaround efforts, supporting rating recovery, enforcement challenges and crisis management.

Restructuring in healthcare is not just about financial recovery; it’s an opportunity to improve standards of care and quality of life. With the right expertise, distressed providers can stabilise operations, restore compliance and emerge stronger.

More highlights from the day

• Paul Grundy and Deanne Hamilton were joined by Philip Henderson from Henderson & Jones for an in-depth look at the preservation of causes of action in an insolvency context
• Emma Potter and Layla Taylor reviewed the top cases shaping the restructuring landscape in 2025
• Alun Tribe, CEO of IMIG, joined Daniel De Saulles for a deep dive into automotive trends – with China reshaping the global market and UK supply chains under pressure
• Christopher Mackie presented a career in focus, reflecting on change in restructuring and insolvency
• Performance coach and psychologist Jamil Qureshi closed the day with a special talk.

From sector-specific challenges to strategic restructuring and turnaround insights, this year’s conference highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation and legal expertise in driving outcomes in restructuring and insolvency.

As professionals continue to navigate a rapidly evolving economic and regulatory landscape, HCR Law remains committed to supporting clients through complexity – preserving value, protecting livelihoods and unlocking new opportunities for growth.