Staff Profile: Timothy Pope

Timothy Pope, Senior Manager at our Brisbane office shares how he got started in insolvency, what drives him, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Like many of my colleagues, I didn’t set out to work in insolvency; I fell into it. During my tertiary studies, it wasn’t something I had considered or even knew much about.
I’d attended a lecture or two on the Corporations Act and read the occasional article in the paper, but it wasn’t on my radar as a career path.
The opportunity came up at a national firm in Brisbane while I was still completing my degree, and I seized it with both hands. I thought, “That sounds interesting, I’d like to learn more.”
I quickly found the work both rewarding and challenging, and I’ve never looked back. Eight and a half years later, I must be doing something right!

The achievements I’m most proud of are the successful restructuring turnarounds.

While some businesses inevitably close, the most rewarding outcomes are those where we manage to save them.

When we can help a business continue trading, implement a deed of company arrangement, and preserve jobs, customer relationships, and a tax-paying entity, it’s incredibly satisfying. The alternative, of course, is a full-scale shutdown.

There’s often a misconception, fuelled by the media, that insolvency practitioners are only there to shut down businesses, fire staff, and strip companies bare. What many people don’t see is the work that goes into turning a business around.

That’s where I believe my most significant professional impact lies and where I find the most meaning in my work.

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

A piece of advice from a former mentor has stayed with me: “Stay firm on the facts, but go easy on the people.”
Insolvency work often means dealing with highly emotional situations, some of the most stressful moments in people’s lives. No one starts a business intending to fail. Most people I’ve worked with have experienced something going wrong, such as overextending themselves or being blindsided by events like COVID-19.

Earlier in my career, I focused too much on the technical side, on what people had done wrong. But I’ve learned to consider the human side as well.

Watching how my mentor navigated tough conversations with directors, staff, and even spouses who sometimes called in, taught me a great deal. It’s something I try to carry forward in my conversations with business stakeholders today.

What is a book or podcast that’s influenced you most recently?

I’m not really a book or podcast person.

For me, film and television are more of an escape than a source of inspiration. Lately, we’ve been watching Department Q, which is fantastic. One Day was also great. There was also an Australian crime series on Netflix called Survivors, a great way to decompress after a long day.

I also try to watch as much AFL as I possibly can. And, though it’s a little embarrassing, my guilty pleasure is the reality TV show Below Deck. It’s entirely over the top, but it’s perfect for switching off… lol.