Corporate and Crisis Management Case Studies
Proven interventions where discretion was as vital as the result.
In complex and sensitive environments, Themis Brooks acts as the steady hand for organisations under pressure. We specialise in resolving the challenges that threaten business continuity - from systems breaches to financial restructuring. We don’t just advise; we take decisive action to stabilise operations and protect what our clients have spent years building.
I Business Recovery: Restoring Stability in a Professional Services Firm
When a professional services practice faced a sudden, significant downturn in revenue, the primary threat was not just the financial strain - it was the risk of losing the firm’s most valuable asset: its people.
The directors approached us to find a way to ‘buy time’ to rebuild their pipeline without collapsing under the weight of immediate liabilities.
Our Approach: We moved quickly to stop the bleed and create the necessary breathing room. Our strategy focused on:
Prioritising the Foundation: We categorised every liability by its criticality to the firm’s survival, ensuring the most vital obligations were protected first.
Active Negotiation: We negotiated time-to-pay arrangements and settlement agreements, moving creditors from a position of pressure to one of cooperation.
Debt Recovery: We took a firm stance on outstanding aged debt, initiating legal proceedings where necessary to recover the capital the firm was owed.
The Result: By imposing order on the financial chaos, we ensured the practice continued trading throughout the crisis. Most importantly, we preserved the entire workforce - protecting the firm’s long-term capability and allowing them the space to rebuild with their reputation and team intact.
II Safeguarding the License to Operate: A Case Study in Crisis Response
When an organisation discovered that its Home Office Visa Allocation account had been compromised by unauthorised third parties, the threat was immediate: the potential loss of its Tier 2 Sponsor status and the total disruption of its international workforce.
We were engaged to lead the response, acting as the primary shield between the organisation and the regulator while conducting a forensic internal review.
Our Approach: We took immediate command of the situation to ensure that transparency and security were restored:
Strategic Liaison: We proactively notified the Home Office, establishing a channel of "radical transparency" to preserve the organisation’s reputation for integrity.
Forensic Coordination: We directed an internal investigation and engaged specialist IT forensics to pinpoint the origin of the breach. Our oversight ensured a rigorous audit trail that proved the organisation’s own systems remained secure.
Regulatory Resolution: We maintained continuous, high-level communication with UKVI, ensuring every technical detail was accounted for and the compromised account was cleared and secured.
The Result: The organisation successfully retained its status as a Tier 2 visa sponsor, avoiding what could have been a catastrophic operational halt. By leading a swift and transparent response, we not only restored the integrity of their systems but reaffirmed the regulator’s confidence in the company’s internal controls.
III Restoring Financial Integrity: Resolving Internal Malpractice and Fraud
When an organisation identified inconsistencies within its accounting records, the resulting uncertainty threatened more than just the balance sheet - it undermined the board’s confidence in their internal controls. We were engaged to conduct a forensic investigation, provide clarity, and lead the firm toward a formal resolution.
Our Approach: We conducted a rigorous, multi-layered investigation to isolate the source of the irregularities:
Forensic Reconciliation: We liaised with external auditors to identify the specific points where in-house accounts diverged from reality.
External Verification: To ensure an undeniable audit trail, we bypassed internal documentation - engaging directly with banking institutions and key suppliers to confirm the extent of the discrepancies.
Evidential Reporting: Our investigation revealed a systematic misappropriation of funds and falsified documentation by a former employee. We meticulously compiled the evidence and transitioned the matter to the Metropolitan Police.
The Result: The evidence we provided led to a successful prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service. Beyond the legal outcome, the company recovered a portion of the misappropriated funds and, more importantly, regained total clarity over its financial position. We provided the objective closure required for the leadership to move forward with reinforced controls.
Due to the sensitive nature of our work, these case studies are anonymised.
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