NEWS & INSIGHTS
SMART DEBATE
Find all the major developments along with expert analysis on KR8 Debate, the thought leadership platform built to explore, challenge and elevate ideas that matter.
-
Business Advisory -
Capital Advisory -
Performance Improvement -
Restructuring -
Real Estate -
Personal Insolvency -
Government Services
Debate
July 23, 2026
Collateral Warranties: What’s the point, and why are funders skipping them?
There’s a pattern worth calling out: on smaller transactions, banks and funders increasingly treat collateral warranties as optional. They are often viewed as documents that can be waived, deprioritised, or quietly dropped to keep legal costs and timescales down. The assumption seems to be that a smaller deal carries smaller risk. It doesn’t. Smaller schemes … Continued
Debate
April 8, 2026
Reframing Insolvency: From Failure to Turnaround
A powerful mechanism for business turnaround and value creation An insolvency process is often viewed through a lens of failure – a last resort signalling the end of a company’s viability. However, when approached strategically and managed carefully, insolvency processes can serve a very different purpose: as a powerful mechanism for business turnaround and value … Continued
Debate
March 26, 2026
Assessing the short-term impact of the Middle East conflict on UK...
Analysing the economic implications of the Middle East conflict The unfolding conflict in the Middle East is creating an increasingly unpredictable economic landscape, and its short-term implications for UK businesses will depend heavily on both the duration of the crisis and the extent to which energy markets remain disrupted. In particular, any sustained rise in … Continued
Debate
March 24, 2026
Ageing PE investments and the use of continuation funds
The Private Equity cycle is being stretched with longer holding periods In the UK, holding periods for Private Equity firms have been near their 10-year high, with median ageing of Portfolio Companies that exited in 2024 at 5.3 years, up from 4.1 years in 2020. This is part of a wider global trend that sees … Continued
Debate
March 9, 2026
More global shocks + ongoing business demands = time to start...
Today the Office for National Statistics published their latest business insights. In February 2026 companies reported that 55% of businesses expect staffing costs to increase over the next three months. Meanwhile, the papers and your favourite news site’s app is reminding us of the unfolding implications of stress in Middle East, so what does this … Continued
Debate
March 2, 2026
Our Sector Outlook – Hospitality and Leisure
While the UK hospitality and leisure sector has moved beyond post-pandemic recovery, rising employment costs, margin compression and elevated insolvencies are reshaping the landscape. Hospitality businesses now face an estimated £3.4bn in additional annual costs, driven by higher wages, National Insurance contributions, business rates and insurance premiums, according to UKHospitality. At the same time, total … Continued
Debate
January 8, 2026
Business rates, licensing reform and pubs: is there finally something to...
With another Government U-turn potentially on the cards in respect of business rates, alongside possible changes to the licensing system, pubs may finally be raising a glass or two. The Government’s efforts to address perceived “unfairness” in business rates as part of the November 2025 Budget fell flat for many businesses. While reductions in multipliers … Continued
Debate
November 7, 2025
Personal Insolvency reform – Maintaining fairness in a shifting landscape
Having participated in one of last year’s workshops on the reform of personal insolvency legislation, I read with interest the Insolvency Service’s recently published initial evaluation and conclusions. For those interested, a link to the full report is provided at the end of this summary. With over 25 years of specialisation in personal insolvency, I … Continued
Debate
October 23, 2025
The Art of Forecasting: Building Confidence Through Better Models
“A forecast is just that — a forecast. Put your crystal ball away; no one can see the future.” The value of forecasting is a recurring debate. For advocates, it’s a crucial business tool; for detractors, it’s time better spent tackling real-world problems — less navel-gazing, more action. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, … Continued
Debate
October 15, 2025
Cyber Attack at JLR: The Ripple Effect — and How Stakeholders...
The recent cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has sent shockwaves through the automotive sector, exposing just how vulnerable even the most established manufacturers are to digital disruption. As systems become more integrated, so too does exposure to risk. While the immediate impact was operational, the wider financial and supply chain consequences are still … Continued
Debate
October 7, 2025
Is the age of HMRC forbearance finally over?
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic (September 2020), HMRC’s overdue debt surged to over £70bn, a level raised by the Coronavirus VAT Deferment Scheme and other forbearance measures. Overdue debt reduced to £44bn by December 2024, which prime facie represented a substantial reduction of £26bn. However, this apparent progress masks a number of factors … Continued
Debate
September 19, 2025
Risk Mitigation Strategies for Lenders in Commercial Real Estate
The commercial real estate (CRE) sector is undergoing significant transformation. From fluctuating property valuations to evolving tenant demands, lenders face a complex landscape. However, by implementing robust risk mitigation strategies, lenders can navigate these challenges effectively. We have outlined six basic recommendations in order to minimise risk: 1. Diversify Loan Portfolios Concentration in a single … Continued