Michael Lord-Castle

Michael asked that I write something for his website, it’s a pleasure to do so especially as I will get a pint for it!

When I first met with the ias team I was sceptical, I had already met with others offering a service which appeared to be the same but for less cash outlay. I went with ias because they did not need money up front, they quoted a fixed fee and agreed part of it could be paid over 12-months. I thought well they better be good otherwise they wont see their fees. Perhaps I did not listen, perhaps I did not understand or perhaps I had just lost faith in people. I failed to see just how open they were and how they backed up every statement they made. It was only after working with them for a week that I contacted one of their clients for a reference, I know it was perhaps a bit late but it’s never too late. This conversation was an eye opener in fact at first I did not believe that it was a client. We agreed to meet, I insisted I met at their factory; this would eliminate any doubt that I had. The meeting went well, I came back - met with Michael and his PA Kathy and Jon, the first thing I did was apologise and the second thing was put everything that Michaels team needed at their disposal.

Fortunately we did not need to liquidate. As ias has been around for so long it has great respect from many creditors because it does not go out there to screw them, just educate them as Michael would and did so often say. The creditors needed to know just how bad it was and needed to hear it from a third party not from me.

Michael put a restructuring plan into effect and during a 3-month period was able to turn the company around. Every time we were threatened with a court action ias would turn around and say we can do far worse to you if the company were to shut down. I can now say that we have cleared all the old debt. We still have some debt but it’s manageable.

If you are thinking of using ias here are a few tips why you should and what you should do:

• List all your questions, otherwise you will forget on the day
• Working for and protecting you and your families is their duty
• Secrecy - they are exponents at the art
• Long established
• Formidable team of accountants, lawyers, surveyors
• Straight-talking, no bull - whether you like it or not
• Provide good, fast, detailed, understandable solutions
• No hidden fees
• Confidentiality
• Fees can be spread over time - ias don’t ask, as many do for
• Cash up front
• Speed - decide fast, they need time on their side to help you
• Speak to some of their old clients
• They will attempt to save everything you have worked for
• They have got balls and will take on the largest of organisations to protect you

Come and see me, see the changes they made and see why they are now not just my consultants but trusted friends to me and my family.