Thames Valley: James Cowper strengthens insolvency and business restructuring team

Accountants and business advisers James Cowper has strengthened its insolvency and business restructuring team with the appointment of new partner Julia Branson.

Branson joins the firm this month having for the past two years run her own consultancy business, Branson Restructuring, working with SME businesses experiencing financial and operational difficulties.  She had previously led the restructuring and insolvency teams of PwC and then Deloitte in the Thames Valley.

A licensed insolvency practitioner, Branson brings to the firm considerable experience and expertise in advising small and mid-market companies and their advisers at the first signs of distress, thereby maximising the prospects of saving the business and jobs.  She has worked extensively in the retail, real estate, hotels and leisure, agribusiness and the care home sectors.

Commenting on her appointment Branson said: “James Cowper has a very strong reputation in the Thames Valley and on the south coast for its insolvency and restructuring work.  I am delighted to be part of the firm and look forward to working alongside the team and developing it further, while continuing to run Branson Restructuring.”

Peter Whalley, partner and head of business restructuring and insolvency, said: “We have known Julia for some time and she is enormously experienced having helped many businesses across the region.  She will be a tremendous asset to the firm.”

Branson sits on the Southern Region Council of R3, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals, and has been closely involved in the development of a sub-group for members of R3 in the Thames Valley.