Staff Profile: Neil Mitchell

Meet Neil, our experienced insolvency specialist who brings real-world business experience to help struggling business owners navigate financial challenges.

 I was driven by a desire to help people who are struggling financially, particularly business owners. My dad had his own businesses that, for the most part, struggled and eventually failed. That experience really stayed with me. I wanted to find a way to support others going through similar challenges. Ideally, to help turn things around before it’s too late or, if not, to help them get through the process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

I came to accounting quite late. I didn’t start university until I was 27 and didn’t get my first accounting job until I was 32. Before that, I worked in factory jobs and construction and later moved into hospitality, doing everything from washing dishes to managing restaurants and bars. That hands-on, frontline experience gave me a solid understanding of how businesses operate and how financial stress affects real people.

Eventually, I moved into business advisory and found my feet in insolvency. It felt like a natural progression, combining practical experience with a genuine desire to help. That real-world perspective has really stood me in good stead.

Passing my Registered Liquidator exams. I’m now on track to become a liquidator and just need to submit my application.

Once you discovered insolvency, was becoming a liquidator always the goal?

Yes. Once I understood what the work involved and how it operated, it really clicked for me.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

People are usually stressed, emotional, and overwhelmed when they come in. Some don’t fully understand the severity of their situation, and others know exactly how bad it is, which makes them even more anxious. The most rewarding part is helping them find a path forward. Often, there’s a moment of relief when they realise things aren’t as hopeless as they feared. Or even if it is bad, they have options. That shift, where you can see the relief wash over their face, is incredibly satisfying. And many of them say it out loud too. That means a lot.

What’s something you’ve learned from a colleague that’s made you better at your job?

Listening more than you talk. That’s number one. And really paying attention not just to what people say, but also to what they don’t say. You can learn a lot about their situation or their business by picking up on the gaps. Then you gently ask the right questions to get to the heart of it.

Sometimes, people just need to vent before they’re ready to deal with the real issues. Letting them speak, giving them that space, is important. I’ve learned how to do that better over time.

How have you developed that skill of knowing when to listen and when to speak?

It’s definitely been a process. A lot of it comes from experience. As I mentioned earlier, I worked in hospitality for years, everything from back-of-house to managing front-of-house. That taught me a lot about reading people, staying calm, and not taking things personally. You learn to listen without reacting, to stay focused, to be empathetic, but still get your point across. It’s a skill; like any skill, it improves with practice.

Has anything recently influenced your approach to work or life, such as a book, podcast, or something else?

Yes, a book called Unf#ck Your Brain* by Faith G Harper. I read it last year and found it really useful. It offered great advice on how to deal with other people, manage yourself, and navigate personal relationships. The insights really stuck with me and I’ve definitely been applying them in work and personal life.