Forgotten Guarantee – £570,000 Saved for Former Director

This client contacted Bell & Company after receiving a £680,000 demand linked to a personal guarantee she had signed years earlier—something she had entirely forgotten.

She had briefly been a director of a company, later stepping away due to internal disagreements. The business continued to operate, and our client had moved on, retraining in a new field and starting fresh. But years later, the company entered liquidation, and the guarantee she once signed came back with full force.

The Challenge

Despite having no further involvement with the company, our client was now being held personally liable for its debt. The size of the demand—and its sudden appearance—left her shocked and anxious.

A detailed financial review revealed that her buy-to-let property was at risk, and if immediate action wasn’t taken, bankruptcy was a very real possibility.

Our Approach

At Bell & Company, we know that personal guarantees don’t disappear when a director walks away. We acted quickly, tailoring a bespoke strategy and opening direct negotiations with the creditor.

Our team:

• Reviewed our clients financial position in full
• Engaged the creditor without delay
• Demonstrated the limited yield they would likely recover through enforcement or bankruptcy
• Built and presented a fully substantiated offer grounded in our client’s real-world circumstances

The Outcome

We successfully negotiated a settlement of £110,000—a reduction of £570,000 from the original debt. This agreement:

• Brought closure to a stressful situation she never expected to face again

• Avoided bankruptcy

• Protected our clients personal assets

Key Takeaways

✅ Understand what you’re signing – Personal guarantees carry long-lasting implications
✅ Know they can be enforced years after a company ceases trading or a director resigns
✅ Get help early – A proactive, strategic approach can protect your future

How Bell & Company Can Help

At Bell & Company, we do more than just settle debts, we are experienced in:

• Director support during liquidation
• Pre- and post-liquidation advisory
• Negotiating personal guarantee liabilities
• Asset protection strategies
• Bespoke debt solutions to avoid bankruptcy

Speak to Us Today

If you’re a director dealing with personal guarantees—or facing the liquidation of a business—we can help. Our team offers free initial case reviews and clear, strategic advice to protect your future.