In our latest ‘Meet the expert’ feature, Simon Rowe, Chairman and Restructuring and Insolvency Partner, shares his experience since joining ML as a junior, the importance of finding the right advisor for you, and what he gets up to outside of work.

My experience at Milsted Langdon

I joined Milsted Langdon in 2002 as a junior in the Insolvency team. Insolvency (or as we are now known, Restructuring) presents one of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs I know. 

The challenge that comes from having to gain a detailed understanding of the fundamentals of a business in a very short space of time is something that I really relish, especially where that business actually makes something. 

As a glorified bean counter, I have a special respect for those that manufacture and produce the goods that we all rely on.

Having gained that understanding, putting that knowledge to the test in advising or running that business can be a hugely rewarding experience.

Even when we are in a situation where a business can’t be saved, making sure that is handled in the best way possible always gives me a lift.

My life at Milsted Langdon has been hugely varied and I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had to try different things during my time here.

I have set up our interventions team, harnessing that core understanding of business and applying it to tricky situations that aren’t purely financial has presented me with new challenges and insights.

I now spend a lot of time helping businesses thrive, again taking that knowledge gleaned over the last few decades to make businesses better.

Whether that is through general advisory work or my role as a Director of our outsourced finance team, DG Finco Ltd.

My biggest challenge is now applying that expertise in my role as Chair of the firm. 

There is no doubt that it is easier to advise on a business that is not your own but again the challenge is what gets me out of bed in morning!

What is one key piece of advice you would give to your clients?

Other than instruct Milsted Langdon? 

Probably to find an advisor that you gel with, whatever the advice you are seeking you want to find someone who you can talk openly to and have a genuine conversation with. 

If it is important enough to instruct a professional, then it is important enough to ensure that there is some sort of connection there. 

It will make the project – whatever that is – far easier to deal with.

Outside of work, what are your hobbies?

I have a young son and unsurprisingly that leaves me with little spare time for hobbies, but things I am encouraging him into are sailing and rock-climbing in the hope that I can do them with him, although probably I shall just put him off for life!