Trusted by Lenders, Banks & Insolvency Practitioners

Expert Asset Recovery & Insolvency Advisory

Strategize. Organise. Secure.

SARNI delivers a private, bespoke business advisory service designed to meet the nuanced needs of today's dynamic enterprises. Our team brings substantial, real-world experience and deep industry knowledge — enabling us to navigate even the most complex challenges with clarity, precision, and confidence.

Confidential & Impartial
Regulated Advisory Standards
Senior-Led Assignments
Complex Situations Welcome
Facing an urgent or time-critical situation? Our senior advisors are available for same-day confidential consultation. Do not delay — early action preserves options.
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Professional Memberships & Standards
R3 — Association of Business Recovery Professionals
ICAEW Member Firm
RICS Regulated Valuations
ICM — Institute of Credit Management

Est. Asset Specialists

Who We Are

Securing Value in the Most Complex Situations

SARNI delivers a private, bespoke business advisory service designed to meet the nuanced needs of today's dynamic enterprises — from asset-based lenders and banks to insolvency practitioners, private equity firms and corporate bodies.

Our team brings substantial, real-world business experience, underpinned by deep industry knowledge and practical insight. This combination enables us to navigate even the most complex and obscure challenges with clarity, precision, and confidence.

Our valuation and advisory services span all asset types — receivables, inventory, machinery & equipment, intangibles and property — across a broad spectrum of industries. We offer a range of sales methods to maximise realisation, and our clients are assured of professional, unbiased advice at all times.

Our Vision: Protecting What Matters — Strategy. Security.

25+
Years Combined Experience
100%
Independent & Impartial
All
Asset Classes Covered
UK
Wide Coverage

Our People

Senior-Led. Experienced. Independent.

Every engagement at SARNI is led by a senior advisor with deep, hands-on expertise. We do not pass work to juniors — you deal with the person who knows the answer.

Senior Partner
Insolvency & Restructuring

Over 25 years of insolvency and asset recovery experience, having worked across formal appointments, asset-based lending mandates and complex multi-party restructurings for major UK banks and financial institutions.

Administration Liquidation CVA LPA Receivership
Director — Asset Advisory
Valuation & Disposal

Specialist in the valuation and disposal of commercial assets across manufacturing, retail and hospitality sectors. Experienced in machinery & equipment, inventory and property — including distressed and time-critical realisations.

M&E Valuation Stock Disposal Property Auction
Associate Director
HMRC & Tax Advisory

Extensive background in HMRC dispute resolution and regulatory investigations, including Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF) and Code of Practice 9 (COP9) cases. Former HMRC inspector background with deep knowledge of compliance and enforcement.

CDF / COP9 Tax Investigations AML Compliance
Senior Advisor
Corporate Strategy & Turnaround

Specialises in business strategy, organisational restructuring and turnaround management. Extensive experience advising owner-managed businesses and PE-backed groups through periods of financial stress, governance challenges and strategic repositioning.

Turnaround Governance ESG Strategic Planning

What We Do

Comprehensive Advisory & Asset Services

We offer a full range of services for lenders, practitioners and businesses navigating financial complexity — from early advisory through to asset realisation.

Pre-Insolvency Advice

Proactive guidance to safeguard stakeholders and explore all viable options before insolvency becomes unavoidable — helping directors act early and decisively.

Debt & Restructuring

Strategic debt management, refinancing options, and restructuring plans that preserve value — tailored for lenders, creditors and businesses under financial pressure.

Valuation Services

Independent, meticulous assessments of all asset types — receivables, inventory, machinery, intangibles and property — to inform decision-making and stakeholder communications.

Sale of Assets

Valuation, positioning, and execution of asset sales to maximise value — with a range of sales methods tailored to the circumstances, whether time-critical or not.

HMRC Issues — CDF & COP9

Expert assistance with tax compliance, investigations, disputes and remediation strategies — including HMRC's Contractual Disclosure Facility and Code of Practice 9.

Creditor & Lender Negotiations

Skilled negotiation to protect value, secure favourable terms and preserve business continuity — representing lenders, creditors and businesses in complex financial discussions.

Personal Guarantee Issues

Counsel on personal guarantees — risk assessment, protective measures, and negotiation strategies for principals and directors facing calls on their guarantees.

Dispute Resolution

Practical pathways to resolve conflicts efficiently, mitigate risk and minimise disruption — providing independent, expert perspective in commercial and insolvency disputes.

Strategy & Organisation

Aligning vision, structure, and governance to drive sustainable performance — trusted advisory partners providing objective perspective, pragmatic guidance and hands-on support.

Strategic Planning

Comprehensive planning to set clear objectives, allocate resources and track progress — helping organisations navigate complexity and build towards a sustainable future.

Lease Negotiation

Negotiating favourable terms, renewals, and exit strategies to optimise occupancy costs — managing lease obligations through restructuring, insolvency and business change.

Sustainability & ESG

Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into resilient business models — building sustainable practices that support long-term value and stakeholder confidence.

Insurance Investigations & Handling

Thorough review and management of insurance claims, coverage gaps, and recovery strategies — ensuring policyholders and practitioners maximise legitimate recoveries.

Our Capability

Deep Expertise Across All Asset Types

We provide valuation and advisory services across a comprehensive range of asset classes and corporate situations.

Trade Receivables & Book Debts
Inventory & Stock Valuation
Machinery & Equipment
Commercial Property
Intangible Assets & IP
Lease Negotiation & Exit
Corporate & Business Sales
Asset-Based Lending Support
Administration & Liquidation
CVA & Restructuring Plans
HMRC Compliance & Tax Issues
Sustainability & ESG Advisory
Insurance Claims & Investigations
Strategy & Governance

Case Studies

Situations We Have Navigated

All case studies are anonymised. They illustrate the complexity of situations we handle and the outcomes we achieve for our clients.

Manufacturing

£4.2m Multi-Site Manufacturing Group — Pre-Pack Administration

Situation A UK manufacturing group with three sites and 140 employees became insolvent following the loss of a major contract. The ABL lender held charges over all assets including specialist machinery, stock and debtors.
Our Role Rapid valuation of all fixed assets and stock across three sites; advisory to the IP on realisation strategy; negotiation with prospective purchasers to achieve a pre-pack sale of the business and assets.
Outcome Business and assets sold as a going concern within 14 days, preserving 98 jobs. Asset realisations exceeded the ABL lender's exposure by 12%.
HMRC / Tax

COP9 Investigation — Director of a £6m Turnover Business

Situation A director of a successful SME received a COP9 notice from HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service. HMRC alleged deliberate tax loss over a six-year period, with an initial assessment in excess of £1.8m.
Our Role Engaged at the outset to manage the Contractual Disclosure Facility process; prepared a detailed disclosure; coordinated with specialist tax counsel; negotiated directly with HMRC investigators.
Outcome Agreed settlement of £340,000 — significantly below the initial HMRC assessment — with no criminal referral. Director retained control of the business.
Retail

Distressed Retail Chain — Creditor Negotiations & CVA

Situation A 22-store retail chain with £8m of unsecured debt approached us as it faced winding-up petitions from three major suppliers. The business was viable but over-rented and over-leveraged.
Our Role Conducted lease-by-lease analysis and negotiations with landlords; coordinated creditor negotiations to stay petitions; worked with an IP to structure a CVA acceptable to creditors representing 78% of the debt book.
Outcome CVA approved, winding-up petitions withdrawn, nine non-performing stores exited. Business returned to profitability within 18 months.
Personal / Guarantee

Personal Guarantee — Director Facing £1.1m Call

Situation Following the liquidation of a construction business, a director received formal demand under a personal guarantee for £1.1m from the company's principal lender. The director owned a family home with equity of approximately £380,000.
Our Role Reviewed the guarantee documentation for enforceability; assessed the lender's realised security position; conducted detailed negotiations with the lender's recoveries team.
Outcome Negotiated full and final settlement of £210,000, preserving the family home. Saving of over £890,000 against the original demand.

How We Work

Our Approach

A structured, discreet and professional process from first contact through to resolution.

01

Initial Consultation

A confidential, no-obligation discussion to understand your situation and objectives.

02

Assessment & Strategy

We assess the assets, liabilities and options available, developing a tailored strategy.

03

Valuation & Advisory

Independent professional valuations and expert guidance on the best course of action.

04

Execution & Recovery

Managed disposal, negotiation and recovery — maximising value at every stage.

Who We Serve

Sectors & Clients

Our clients range from major financial institutions to owner-managed businesses — we tailor our approach to every mandate.

Asset-Based Lenders Clearing Banks Challenger Banks Insolvency Practitioners Private Equity Corporate Bodies Public Sector Manufacturing Retail & Distribution Construction & Property Professional Services Technology & Media Hospitality & Leisure Healthcare Transport & Logistics Agriculture & Food

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often — covering insolvency options, personal liability, HMRC issues, and what to expect when working with SARNI.

Administration is a rescue procedure — an insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company with the aim of rescuing it as a going concern, achieving a better result for creditors than immediate liquidation, or realising assets for secured creditors. Liquidation (whether voluntary or compulsory) brings the company to an end: assets are sold, proceeds distributed to creditors in order of priority, and the company is dissolved. Administration is generally preferable where the business has value as a going concern. We can advise on which route is appropriate for your specific situation.
There are several routes available depending on the nature and severity of the financial difficulty: informal creditor negotiations and payment arrangements; Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) — a binding agreement with creditors to repay debts over time; debt refinancing or restructuring; business sale (either as a whole or in part); and operational restructuring such as lease exits or cost reduction. Seeking advice early dramatically increases the options available. We provide confidential pre-insolvency advice to directors and businesses at the earliest stages of financial difficulty.
In general, company debts are the company's liability — not the director's. However, personal liability can arise in several circumstances: if you have signed a personal guarantee for a loan or lease; if you have traded wrongfully (continued trading when you knew or ought to have known there was no reasonable prospect of avoiding insolvency); or if you have engaged in fraudulent trading. Directors can also face disqualification proceedings in certain circumstances. We advise directors on their duties and exposure, and represent them in negotiations where personal guarantees have been called.
A personal guarantee is a legal commitment by an individual (usually a director or shareholder) to repay a company's debt if the company fails to do so. Once called, lenders have the right to pursue your personal assets — including property. However, guarantees can often be negotiated. The lender's recovered position from company assets, the enforceability of the guarantee documentation, and your personal financial circumstances all affect the negotiated outcome. We have a strong track record of achieving settlements significantly below the face value of guarantee demands.
COP9 is HMRC's most serious civil investigation procedure, used where HMRC suspects deliberate tax fraud. It is conducted by HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service. You will be invited to enter the Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF) — where you make a full disclosure of all deliberate behaviour in exchange for HMRC agreeing not to pursue a criminal investigation. The process is complex and the stakes are high. Professional representation from the outset is essential. Our team has specific experience in CDF/COP9 cases and will manage the process on your behalf.
We understand that insolvency and financial distress situations are often time-critical. We can typically arrange a senior-level confidential consultation within 24 hours of initial contact, and in urgent cases — such as an imminent winding-up petition, a creditor threat, or an HMRC notice — we can respond same-day. Use the contact form to describe your situation and mark it as urgent, or call us directly for an immediate conversation.
Our fees depend on the nature and complexity of the engagement. For advisory and negotiation work, we typically charge on a time-cost basis with agreed budgets. For asset valuation and disposal mandates, we may charge a fixed fee, a percentage of realisations, or a combination of both. We always agree our fee structure with clients at the outset and provide clear, transparent engagement letters. Initial consultations are held on a confidential, no-obligation basis — contact us to discuss your situation.

Insights & Commentary

Latest from SARNI

Expert commentary on insolvency, HMRC matters, and the real value of specialist advisory.

Insolvency Statistics

NI Business Insolvencies Fall 28% in June 2026

July 2026  ·  3 min read

June 2026 recorded 18 company insolvencies in Northern Ireland — 28% lower than the same month last year — made up of compulsory liquidations, CVLs and one CVA.

Read Article →
Personal Insolvency

Personal Insolvencies Rise 13% Across Northern Ireland

July 2026  ·  3 min read

While business insolvencies have eased, personal insolvencies in NI jumped 13% year-on-year in June 2026 — a trend driven by rising living costs and persistent mortgage pressures.

Read Article →
Property & Real Estate

NI Commercial Property: Cautious Start to 2026 as Investment Hits £71m

May 2026  ·  4 min read

Q1 2026 saw nearly £71m of commercial property investment in Northern Ireland — almost double Q1 2025 — headlined by the £26m Amazon warehouse deal in Titanic Quarter.

Read Article →
Property & Real Estate

Belfast City Region Unveils £5 Billion Development Pipeline

June 2026  ·  4 min read

The Belfast City Region has gone to market with a £5bn pipeline of housing, regeneration and mixed-use opportunities — signalling a major shift from planning to delivery.

Read Article →
Economic Analysis

NI Economy Grows 0.7% in Q1 2026, Outpacing UK

July 2026  ·  3 min read

Official data shows Northern Ireland's economy grew 0.7% in the first quarter of 2026 — ahead of the UK's 0.6% — with annual output up 3.6% versus just 1.1% nationally.

Read Article →
Insolvency Statistics

Retail Records Highest NI Insolvencies in Q1 2026

April 2026  ·  3 min read

Retail accounted for nearly a quarter of all NI insolvencies in Q1 2026 — 50 cases, almost 50% up on the previous quarter — as consumer spending remained under sustained pressure.

Read Article →
Sector Spotlight

NI Hospitality Faces Critical Reckoning as Rates Relief Ends

March 2026  ·  4 min read

REVAL 2026 results have left NI's hotel sector facing an average 63% rates increase — and with pandemic-era rates relief ending in April, operators are warning of widespread closures.

Read Article →
Sector Spotlight

NI Construction Poised for Recovery After Challenging 2025

February 2026  ·  3 min read

After a year of sharp declines in construction starts, the sector is cautiously optimistic for 2026 — with 73% of NI firms reporting positive sentiment, the highest of any UK region.

Read Article →
Property & Real Estate

Loftlines: Inside Belfast's £150m Housing Scheme Nearing Completion

April 2026  ·  3 min read

Legal & General's £150m Loftlines scheme at Belfast's Titanic Quarter is nearing completion — delivering 778 homes across social, affordable and private rental tenures.

Read Article →
Economic Analysis

Bank of America to Create 1,000 Jobs at New Belfast Hub

March 2026  ·  2 min read

Bank of America is recruiting 1,000 people for its new hub at City Quays 3, underlining Belfast's growing status as a destination for major international financial services operations.

Read Article →
Economic Analysis

NI Digital Economy Draws Growing Tech Entrepreneur Interest

July 2026  ·  3 min read

Belfast and the wider NI region are increasingly attractive to technology entrepreneurs — with cost advantages, regulatory positioning and maturing digital infrastructure driving fresh inward investment.

Read Article →
Property & Real Estate

Amazon Warehouse Deal Headlines NI Commercial Investment

April 2026  ·  3 min read

European property group Lysara acquired an Amazon-leased warehouse in Belfast's Titanic Quarter for £26m in Q1 2026 — the standout deal in a quarter that saw investment nearly double year-on-year.

Read Article →
Advisory Insight

What is Administrative Receivership and When Does It Apply?

May 2026  ·  5 min read

Administrative receivership is one of the most misunderstood insolvency tools. We explain what it means, when it can be used, and how it differs from administration and pre-pack.

Read Article →
Advisory Insight

Understanding Pre-Pack Administration in Northern Ireland

March 2026  ·  5 min read

A pre-pack administration can save jobs and preserve value — but it requires careful handling to satisfy lenders, creditors and regulatory requirements. Here's what NI directors need to know.

Read Article →
HMRC & Compliance

HMRC Compliance Checks: What NI Businesses Need to Know in 2026

February 2026  ·  4 min read

HMRC's compliance activity continues to increase. We set out what triggers a check, what rights businesses have, and how to protect your position from the moment you receive a letter.

Read Article →
Economic Analysis

NI Labour Market: Wages Rise 4.9% as Payroll Hits Record 820,800

July 2026  ·  3 min read

June 2026 labour market data shows NI payroll employment at a record 820,800 — up 1.4% year-on-year — with median monthly pay at £2,480, rising 4.9% over the year.

Read Article →
Advisory Insight

Director Duties in Financial Distress: What You Must Do

June 2026  ·  5 min read

When a company faces insolvency, directors' legal duties shift — and failure to act correctly can result in personal liability. We explain your obligations at each stage of financial difficulty.

Read Article →
Business Recovery

Rising Costs Put NI Businesses Under Sustained Pressure

May 2026  ·  4 min read

Energy costs, wage inflation, supply chain disruption and high interest rates are squeezing NI businesses from all sides. Early advice can make the difference between recovery and insolvency.

Read Article →
Sector Spotlight

REVAL 2026: What the New Rates Mean for NI Property Owners

January 2026  ·  4 min read

REVAL 2026 has delivered major increases across NI's commercial property landscape — with warehouses, offices and hotels facing some of the steepest adjustments in decades.

Read Article →
Personal Insolvency

Mortgage Arrears: New Rules Give Borrowers Greater Protection

March 2026  ·  3 min read

Under rules in force since March 2026, lenders must wait at least 8 months from the start of arrears before taking legal action — giving homeowners more time to find a solution.

Read Article →

Free Resources

Downloadable Guides

Practical guides written by our advisors — covering the options available to directors, businesses and individuals facing financial difficulty.

Director's Guide to Insolvency Options

A plain-English overview of all formal and informal insolvency options — administration, CVA, liquidation, pre-pack — with guidance on director duties and timing.

Understanding Personal Guarantees

What personal guarantees mean in practice, how lenders enforce them, and the options available when a guarantee has been called — including negotiation strategies.

HMRC Investigations: A Practical Guide

What to do if you receive an HMRC enquiry, compliance check or COP9 notice — covering your rights, the disclosure process, and how to protect your position.

Asset Valuation: What Lenders Need to Know

An overview of valuation methodologies — FLAV, OMV, FMV — and how independent asset valuations protect lenders, IPs and corporate bodies throughout the recovery process.

Download Your Free Guide

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Client Feedback

Trusted by Professionals

What our clients say about working with SARNI.

★★★★★
"SARNI provided an exceptional level of independent advisory during one of the most challenging insolvency appointments we have managed. Their asset knowledge is second to none."
Senior Partner
National Insolvency Practice
★★★★★
"The team at SARNI dealt with an extremely complex situation involving multiple asset classes across different jurisdictions. Their approach was professional, discreet and delivered real value."
Head of Special Assets
UK Commercial Bank
★★★★★
"Outstanding pre-insolvency advisory that helped us restructure our business and avoid formal proceedings altogether. Clear, honest, and commercially astute throughout."
Managing Director
Manufacturing Group

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