Restructuring Plans

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Restructuring plans are an increasingly popular tool that offer companies and creditors a formal arrangement to push forward through financial difficulty – but with some key advantages.

A restructuring plan is a modified scheme of arrangement whose value is filtering down from large, international companies to the mid-market. Benefits include:

a cross-class cram down – that can compromise certain creditors if they don’t approve the plan
directors can retain control of the company
it can make a company a more viable proposition to attract new funding from investors.

Our experienced advisers can support you every step of the way to deliver the best solution for your company.

Market-leading experience

Providing restructuring, insolvency, valuation and financial modelling expertise, as well as experience of giving evidence in court.

Demonstrable track record

Highly experienced in advising directors, shareholders, lenders and other intermediaries about restructuring plans.

International strength

We have restructuring and insolvency experts in over 135 countries, with fast access to local expertise when you need it.

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Kevin Coates

Partner, Head of Restructuring and Debt Advisory

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Grant Thornton – 2024 leaders in Restructuring Plan advisory

Grant Thornton is extremely proud to have been instructed on 5 out of the 9 Restructuring Plans to have been sanctioned in the UK in 2024, building on our credentials as leading advisors in RPs.

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Why Grant Thornton?

Our people are there to support you every step of the way, bringing extensive technical expertise in formal restructuring and insolvency situations, as well as experience in your sector or jurisdiction.

We work collaboratively and pragmatically to access all the necessary information, experience and potential reactions of various stakeholders.

With the potential for creditors to challenge restructuring plans, we can also submit witness statements and be subject to cross-examination in court.

Advising Smile Telecoms through a restructuring plan...

The challenge

A disparate group of senior lenders were struggling to agree the terms on which fresh capital could be injected when Smile Telecoms found itself in financial difficulty.

The solution

We advised on a restructuring plan that was the first to ‘cram out’ dissenting creditors – who were not able to vote as they were deemed to have no genuine economic interest.

The results

The majority shareholder was able to provide new money and gained 100% equity control. Valuation evidence was key and showed what is possible with restructuring plans.

Helping Virgin Active overcome its restructuring challenges

The challenge

Pandemic-hit gym operator Virgin Active had senior debt of around £200 million, various lease obligations and a restructuring plan under challenge from a group of landlords.

The solution

We successfully advised on a restructuring plan that included a cross-class cram-down to bind dissenting creditors to the new arrangements, allowing the gym chain to move forward.

The results

The company was able to amend senior debt facility terms, exit or amend lease agreement terms and let shareholders insert new money on a pari-passu basis with existing senior debt.

Quick guide to Part 26A Restructuring Plan:

01 What is it?

The restructuring plan, introduced in June 2020 under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006, is for companies encountering or likely to encounter financial difficulties.

02 How can it be used?

It can be used to compromise the rights of secured creditors, unsecured creditors and shareholders provided changes are deemed fair (note: can amend even if in the money, if you have 75% vote in favour).

03 What is its scope?

It can be used across classes of creditors and members, as well as within classes (as with a scheme of arrangement).

Voting within classes: 75% by value; no numerosity requirement.

Voting by classes: only one class needs to approve the plan (approving class must have a genuine economic interest in the company).

Classes excluded from voting: every class affected by the plan has to participate unless that class has no genuine economic interest.

Within class cram-down: yes.

Cross-class cram-down: yes, if:

classes who vote against the plan and are to be crammed down are no worse off than in the ‘relevant alternative’ (most likely to occur if the plan is not sanctioned)
the plan is agreed by a class who would receive a payment, or would have a genuine economic interest in the company, in the event of the relevant alternative

Non-financial creditors: can be considered a class and part of the plan; no numerosity requirement.