Main sponsor
Programme
14:00
Networking and cultural activities
Meet at Budapest Marriott for social networking activities. These are included in all delegate conference tickets but must be pre-booked. Delegates can chose from one of the below:
Taste Budapest – Enjoy a local wine tasting where they will taste four Hungarian wines and a mixed plate of Hungarian handmade products. Attendees will then visit to a traditional strudel house to see the traditional craft of making a strudel followed by a tasting. Sponsored by:
Scenic Budapest – Explore the famous blue Danube via 90 minute river cruise. Join us on a private boat for drinks whilst enjoying an open-air panorama of Budapest’s stunning scenery. Sponsored by:
Cultural Budapest – Experience a private tour of the Houses of Parliament building a beautiful example of Neo-Gothic architecture where will you see amongst other things the session room and Hungarian Holy Crown and Coronation Jewels. This tour will be followed by a trip to the Market Hall where attendees will have free time to explore the delights of the Hungarian market.
19:00
Informal welcome dinner
To ensure attendees get a chance to soak up the atmosphere of Budapest the Wednesday dinner is being held at a local restaurant. Attendees will feast on traditional Hungarian food and be able to network and catch up on the days networking activities.
08:00
Registration and networking
09:15
Welcome and opening remarks
The R3 President welcome attendees for an engaging full day programme, including extending our thanks to our main sponsor CAPA.
Speakers
Sonia Jordan
R3 President
Partner,
Knights
Tony Sweeney
Director,
CAPA
09:30
R3 Update
Hear an update from Caroline Sumner on the work R3 has been undertaking for members.
Speakers
Caroline Sumner
CEO,
R3
10:00
Class of 2026 – Part 1
This year’s ‘Class of’ sessions will see a range of speakers from across the last 40 years. Each session will see a pair of speakers reflect on key areas, challenges and opportunities.
Speakers
Colin Haig
Partner,
Azets
Richard Obank
Chair
Partner,
BCLP
Mae Strachan
Manager, Financial Restructuring,
EY-Parthenon
10:20
Harnessing AI in Insolvency: Practical Insights and Legal Implications
In this session we will hear a clear and practical overview of the AI technologies reshaping the profession. Delegates will explore how AI is already being deployed and hear real-life case studies demonstrating tangible time and cost savings, particularly when managing high-volume workflows.
The speakers will also examine the legal and ethical considerations that practitioners must navigate when adopting AI tools, alongside an update on emerging regulatory developments and future trends likely to influence professional practice. Designed to equip you with both practical knowledge and strategic foresight, this session supports knowledge sharing and promotes best practice across the profession.
Speaker
Charlotte Hill
Partner, Commercial Dispute Resolution,
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Russ D Parkin
Partner,
Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP
11:00
Litigation Caselaw Toolkit; useful cases for recoveries
This session will focus on case study examples where Manolete Plc have applied recent judgments to help improve recoveries for insolvent estates.
Speaker
Charlotte May
Regional Associate Director,
Manolete PLC
11:10
Refreshment break
11:40
Class of 2026 – Part 2
This year’s ‘Class of’ sessions will see a range of speakers from across the last 40 years. Each session will see a pair of speakers reflect on key areas, challenges and opportunities.
Speakers
Louise Durkan
Chair
Partner, Special Situations M&A,
Deloitte LLP,
R3 Council Member
David Hudson
Partner,
FRP Advisory
Camilla Mulholland
Manager,
S&W
12:00
Hear from our main sponsor CAPA
A holistic approach to stressed property situations can spark a turnaround before insolvency enters the frame — and sharpen readiness if it does. Our expert panel cuts straight to the actions that matter pre failure and breaks down the tools that become essential when insolvency is unavoidable.
Speaker
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12:20
Keynote session
Christine will examine the evolution of the workplace over the past two decades, exploring when and why people stopped connecting to each other at work, what impact that’s had on culture and productivity and how we change it. Her core question is how do we make the modern world of work actually work?
Sponsored by:
Speaker
13:10
Lunch
14:10
Is it negligent for an IP or turnaround adviser not to have explored taking out cyber cover ?
Under half of all UK businesses have this insurance in place. Of sole traders, only 13% have it, and small businesses 17%. And yet in the year to date there have been over 600,000 reported cyber attacks on businesses. Only a modest fraction get reported.
John Pennie, from our sponsor, Marsh will give us a quick outline of the perils that can befall a trading administration and how to limit them. Also, some tips on how and when to put cyber cover in place if you’re undertaking a business review.
Speaker
John Pennie
Senior Vice President,
Marsh
14:25
The view from the bench
In this session ICC Judge Burton will explore the judicial process over the last 40 years, what has driven the increase in demand for court time, what other challenges are the judges facing and how the court system is being innovative to meet the demands of the future. Interspersed with Catherine’s pearls of wisdom and experience this will be a fascinating session.
Speakers
Rachel Sleeman
Barrister,
Five Paper
15:00
From past progress to future potential: The role of EDI in our profession’s next chapter
This session will reflect on four decades of progress in EDI across the restructuring and insolvency profession, celebrating the achievements and progress to date. It will consider themes and insights arising from the results of the recent R3/Insolvency Service Steering Group’s EDI survey to help us understand where we are on the journey, the areas to focus on next, and where we can draw on our experiences so far to continue driving forwards, ensuring we understand how EDI will help future proof the profession and the vital role we all play.
Speaker
Holly Holgate
Restructuring Advisory Partner,
FRP Advisory
Francesca Tackie
Licenced Insolvency Practitioner & Managing Director,
Mercury Corporate Recovery Solutions
15:30
Refreshment break
16:00
Class of 2026 – Part 3
Lever v Phillips KC [2026]: It’s a case of the Common Law.
This year’s ‘Class of’ sessions will see a range of speakers from across the last 40 years. Each session will see a pair of speakers reflect on key areas, challenges and opportunities.
Speakers
Louise Durkan
Chair
Partner, Special Situations M&A,
Deloitte LLP,
R3 Council Member
Carl Lever
Director,
BTG
Mark Phillips KC
South Square
16:15
Eastern European insolvency and restructuring
Hear from experts on the differences of working in Eastern Europe and things that need to be considered in cross border cases.
16:35
Closing remarks
R3’s President offers reflections and closing remarks after a full day of content and networking.
Speaker
Sonia Jordan
R3 President
Partner,
Knights
19:00
Drinks reception and gala dinner
R3 will welcome all attendees to join us at the drinks reception and gala dinner. Attendees will be able to take in the view of the blue Danube whilst catching up with colleagues on the day’s sessions and relax over a lovely dinner.
08:30
Registration
08:45
Welcome back
Sonia Jordan, R3 President, welcomes all attendees back for the final day of the conference.
Speaker
Sonia Jordan
R3 President
Partner,
Knights
08:50
Hear from The Insolvency Service
Hear from the new Chief Executive Officer of The Insolvency Service Duncan Beach on his plans and priorities as well as the strategy for the Insolvency Service for the next few years.
Speaker
Duncan Beach
Chief Executive Officer,
The Insolvency Service
09:20
Class of 2026 – Part 4
The New Insolvency Playbook: More Complex, More Human, More Tech.
This year’s ‘Class of’ sessions will see a range of speakers from across the last 40 years. Each session will see a pair of speakers reflect on key areas, challenges and opportunities.
Speakers
Megan Campbell
Senior Manager,
FRP Advisory
Richard Obank
Chair
Partner,
BCLP
Tom Russell
Director,
James Cowper Kreston
09:40
Complex Contentious Insolvency
Back to the Future or everything changes and nothing changes
Fraud is arguably the fastest growing economy. Hear about experiences that are as valid today as they ever were, the key elements of all successful complex contentious insolvency cases, the skills required and the impact both internally and externally. Get valuable insight into:
• The distinction between ordinary insolvency litigation, and complex cases involving sophisticated criminals.
• The changing landscape of criminal enterprises and adaptations in response.
• “The Action Gap” and liaison with Government agencies.
• Commitment to the cause.
Speakers
10:10
Refreshment break
10:30
Positively engaging with the political machine
What does it take to get the restructuring, turnaround and insolvency profession on the political radar? In this candid fireside chat, the Rt Hon Mark Field a former MP with experience in the profession reflects on how legislation is shaped, why relationships matter more than headlines, and where insolvency fits in the wider growth agenda. Expect insider insight, real‑world experience and a thought‑provoking look at how the profession can better engage with Westminster — and why it matters now more than ever.
Speakers
Sonia Jordan
Partner,
Knights
11:00
International Restructuring
This session will focus on international restructuring cases and the things you need to consider when working these complex cases.
Speakers
Louise Durkan
Partner, Special Situations M&A,
Deloitte LLP,
R3 Council Member
Douglas Hawthorn
Partner,
Osborne Clarke LLP
11:30
Legal debate
Hear from different practitioners as they put forward their arguments as to why their case will have the most impact on the future of the profession. Attendees will vote on what they think to decide the winner.
Speakers
Hannah Dersiley
Associate Solicitor,
Ellisons Legal LLP
Alex Fox
Partner,
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Neena Jakhu
Director,
Howes Percival LLP
Stephen Rome
Partner, Commercial Dispute Resolution,
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Ali Tabari
Barrister and Mediator,
St Philips Chambers
12:00
R3 President’s final remarks
R3 President Sonia Jordan will close the R3 Annual Conference 2026 by summarising the key take aways from the conference.
Speaker
Sonia Jordan
R3 President
Partner,
Knights