Collections & Risk in the Current Economy

Corran Barnes

C&C Insurance Brokers Ltd, Insurance Broker

An experienced insurance broker specialising in risk management and practical, real-world coverage strategies. With a background that spans both insurance underwriting, advisory and credit management.  Corran brings a commercially grounded perspective to conversations around risk, financial resilience, and client decision-making.  Also known for cutting through industry noise, focussing on what actually matters, identifying gaps, challenging assumptions, and, helping individuals and businesses make informed with cost-effective choices.  His insights are shaped by hands-on experience working directly with clients, not just theory.    He currently leads the team at C&C insurance brokers, an independent specialist broker that works for the client not the insurer.

Brendan Clarkson

Partner, Opus Business Advisory Group

Brendan Clarkson leads the National Client Services team within the Opus Business Advisory’s Restructuring and Insolvency practice, bringing over 30 years of specialist experience. He advises clients across both corporate and personal insolvency, supporting them before, during, and after formal appointments, with a strong focus on helping creditors maximise outcomes and make informed decisions.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management, Brendan is an active member of the Turnaround Management Association UK. He has also been recognised in Credit Strategy’s TRI 300 and the Credit Connect Industry Leaders List for his impact in the Credit, Restructuring and Insolvency sector.

Jim Furey

Sales Director for the North West & Midlands, Skipton Business Finance

Jim has been involved in in the Invoice Finance / ABL industry for almost 30 years serving 13 years operations and 17 years in sales. He is currently the Sales Director for the North West & Midlands at Skipton Business Finance, a subsidiary of Skipton Building Society, heading up a team of 5.

Emma Reilly FCICM

CEO, Top Service

Emma is coming up to 26 years in the credit management industry and is the current CEO at Top Service Ltd. Specialising in delivering customer-focused credit solutions tailored specifically for the UK construction sector. Committed to raising standards in credit management, Emma actively contributes as a member of the CICM Advisory Council and serves as a CICM Membership Assessor. Her leadership and dedication were recognised when she was honoured as Credit Professional of the Year in February 2025.

Elizabeth Wood

Legal Director, Hill Dickinson

Lizzy Wood is a Legal Director in the Restructuring Practice at Hill Dickinson.  She advises on non-contentious and contentious aspects of restructuring and corporate insolvency and acts for Corporates, Private Equity Investors, Lenders and Office Holders on a range of matters with a particular expertise in directors’ duties/ stakeholder management and distressed M&A.  She is an accredited member of The Institute for Turnaround and is Chair of the North East Committee.