“ When I was first introduced to Ed Wood, I was wondering how best to deal with my failing business that I felt burdened with the responsibilities of. Having finally come to the realisation that my company was trading in an insolvent manner, I felt embarrassed and alone with the situation. 

In all honesty, I did not know where to turn to, or what to do, and having had an initial conversation with an insolvency specialist, things looked dire, and like I might lose everything I had worked very hard to achieve.

The situation had become far more stressful than I had at the time appreciated, and in truth my home life was suffering from it on a daily basis.  I was unaware at the time, but in hindsight, I was distracted constantly by the growing financial worries at work and what that would mean at home.  I was irritable and unpleasant to be around, and worse, I was unable to pay proper and due attention to my wonderful children and partner.  In short, I was embarrassed to admit this and the situation, to the people that matter most to me.  Then I spoke to Ed.

After a brief introductory phone call with Ed, we arranged to speak again within the next 24 hours once he had had the time to digest my situation and consider whether he could be of assistance to me.  Within the first 5 minutes of our first Zoom meeting, Ed questioned whether I felt the issues we were facing were due to cash flow issues, or whether the business itself was flawed in its conception and operations. This, it turned out, was a great question to ask, and was not something that I had really addressed myself, as I wallowed in anguish.  This was, to me, the indicator that this man might be able to not only help with the current situation, but also to create a better one.

Over the course of the next hour, Ed and I discussed many aspects of the existing business - client base through to operations - and we came to the conclusion that the under pricing of our products and services was the main issue, this attractive more unprofitable work, and that fundamentally our production facilities were indeed very good snd not at fault.  This discussed, it was determined that we were therefore suffering from severe cash flow issues since we had been surviving on deposits alone. This was a conclusion that our then accountants had never discussed or even suggested, and this further buoyed my confidence in the man I was speaking to.

Having determined this situation with Ed, we then discussed the overall financial situation of the company - debtors, creditors, assets, liabilities and staffing - which led to Ed's suggestion of voluntary insolvency, mean's to repurchasing production assets whilst effecting a TUPE handover for the staff to a new company,

This all seemed unbelievable to me at this moment.  Here was someone suggesting to me, contrary to the previous counsel, that instead of simply throwing everything tot he wolves, that all might not - for my employees, for my family, and for me,  There was, right in front of me, for the first time, in forever, hope.

So enthused, though not necessarily entirely sure of success, I engaged with Ed & Runway Advisors, and watched with amazement as he set about putting in place the appropriate parties to deal with the liquidation of one company, and the reforming of another, in an efficient, and entirely legal manner, whilst also introducing us to a wonderful accountants, and a knowledgable, capable HR team.

Since going through this restructuring process with Ed, we have now taken the necessary steps to move away from unprofitable clients, maintaining our staff structure and production assets, and to engage with he type of clients we had hoped to find.  We now also have a proper financial management information on which to base sensible decisions going forward.

From a personal point of view, I am no longer the distract, frustrated and quite frankly unpleasant individual that I was at home, and I have once again become the loving, caring and attentive father that my children and partner deserve.

I have just contemplated the difference in my home life whilst writing this, and how I feel as a person, and I am staggered at how much happier and more content I find myself in life.  And for this, I wholeheartedly, thank you, Ed.

So, I would "in a heartbeat!" recommend Ed Wood and Runway Advisors to others in a similar situation, or indeed to others looking to improve their business in a multitude of ways.

Anyone looking to better understand their business successes or short fillings would do well to discuss them with Ed.  He has a keen head for business set upon strong shoulders, an excellent bedside manner, a good sense of humour, and is a true gentleman in his demeanour.

I thank you sincerely, Ed."

Mark Shaw – MD, Muntjac Furniture Ltd