Ballmann takes reins as regional chair of R3

GATELEY partner William Ballmann has been appointed as regional chair of insolvency trade body R3.

Based in Leeds, the business restructuring and insolvency lawyer has 30 years’ experience of business restructurings, re-financings, rescues and turnaround. He specialises in advising the management of public and private companies where there is some form of financial or organisational underperformance or difficulty. He regularly advises banks, asset-based and other lenders at a senior level.

As well as being a member of R3 for over 20 years, Ballmann has served on the Yorkshire Region committee for the last five years and, unusually, he also holds a national position as a council member of R3. 

He has taken over as regional chair from business recovery and turnaround specialist Robert Adamson, northern restructuring partner for Mazars. 

In his new role, Ballmann will be responsible for raising the profile of the work of R3 and its 300 members in the region. Bringing together qualified, regulated members to help businesses and individuals facing financial distress, the organisation promotes best practice for the insolvency profession as well as increasing public understanding of personal and corporate insolvency issues.

Ballmann said: “Insolvency practitioners are continuing to play a vital part in preserving the value of businesses and saving jobs in the region. This is something which can get overlooked.

“R3 has proved very effective at conveying this message and my aim as chair is to build on these solid foundations and further improve understanding of the positive role our members play, so ensuring that Yorkshire businesses are aware of all the options open to them should they hit financial difficulties. 

“With a range of insolvency tools at their disposal, IPs and restructuring professionals can work with directors and may be able to find a way forward for the business if they are consulted at an early stage.”

Ballmann will be assisted by Chris Wood, partner at Clough Corporate Solutions in Cleckheaton, who will continue to serve as vice chair.