HAROLD CHARLES WILKS
F.C.A. M.I.PA. M.A.B.R.P. B.Sc.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Harold is a Chartered Accountant and licensed as an Insolvency Practitioner by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. He qualified in 1982 (after changing career from being a consultant in the textile industry) and passed the insolvency examinations in 1986.

He trained with Chartered Accountancy firms Touche Ross & Co. and Spicer & Pegler and was made a partner in the latter firm in 1988. He remained as a partner with that firm (which subsequently merged with Deloitte & Touche and is now known as Deloitte) until 1996 when he set up his own practice. He specialises in two main areas;

In recent years I have focused my efforts on assisting professionals who have found themselves in financial difficulty. Whilst I always endeavour to find a solution which does not involve formal insolvency proceedings, and I have had some successes in that regard, there are instances when an Individual Voluntary Arrangement is the best way forward. In such cases I have therefore taken the appointment as Supervisor. They include the following:

• Two partners in a firm of Chartered Accountants - under performing related business.
• A Solicitor - a sole practitioner with 'old' taxation liabilities.
• A Solicitor - formerly in a partnership which subsequently became insolvent.
• Two Chartered Accountants - one with problems arising from property related issues in a former partnership, the other due to a failed business venture.
• A Doctor (and his wife) - due to unsuccessful Court proceedings over a land dispute.

Included amongst the recent successful informal arrangements I have advised on are a senior member of the Judiciary, a Baron and a wide variety of sole traders.

I also have 20 years experience acting as a Trustee in Bankruptcy.

Corporate Insolvencies & Investigations

Most of my assignments have been of an advisory nature, although I do and have taken appointments as Liquidator / Administrator / Administrative Receiver of insolvent companies. The appointments often arise when assisting a client who is a creditor in another company's pending liquidation or, in solvent liquidations (Members Voluntary Liquidations where winding up is the preferred option.)

As an 'appointment taker' I have considerable experience and have been closely involved in Court proceedings arising from The Company Directors Disqualification Act ( "CDDA").
I have also advised Directors who are having CDDA proceedings brought against them. The work usually involves quantifying the losses suffered by the company, when they occurred and evaluating whether or not a "Carecraft Order" may be appropriate.

I have acted for various Claimants in respect of professional negligence cases against Accountants whose allegedly bad advice resulted in the failure of, or substantial losses suffered by, the business acquired.

Experience as an Expert Witness

I summarise below a selection of matters in which I have been involved in the past ten years.
I have been instructed by solicitors acting for Claimants and Defendants. Although the vast majority of cases have settled pre trial, I have given evidence in the High Court and the County Court on a number of occasions.

Personal Injury and Medical Negligence

I have been involved in numerous cases over the past ten years. I have, in broad terms, received an equal number of instructions from solicitors acting either for Claimants or for Defendants - usually insurers or Health Authorities. The assignments usually involve quantifying an individual's loss of earnings, be that from employment, self employment sole trader or in partnership - or as a Director of his / her own company.

Matrimonial

I have undertaken assignments which usually involved business asset or share valuations.
Business Interruption and Loss of Profits

Most claims have been as a consequence of fires, although it is surprising how often there are insolvency implications! I have acted for Claimants and Defendant insurers.

Fraud

I am a member of the Accountancy Panel established by the Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset Police Forces and have undertaken several cases in the past two years. Acting for the CPS, I prepared a report on the earnings of a well known professional goal keeper. The outcome was well publicised!

Business Valuations and Investigations

These have included engineering and printing companies, scrap metal dealers, hotels and nursing/care homes and involved either asset or share valuations.

Insolvency Cases

I have over 20 years experience as a licensed Insolvency Practitioner. I have appeared in Court in Company Director Disqualification proceedings, as a witness of fact for the DTI. I have also prepared reports as an expert on behalf of Directors. A separate summary of my expertise in this area is available.