John Bradshaw

John Bradshaw is a Partner and Solicitor specialising in insolvency and business recovery.  John’s leads the Insolvency and Business Recovery Team and his work includes the provision of advice to, amongst others, insolvency practitioners, creditors and debtors, directors and stakeholders on a broad range of issues.  John joined the firm in Spring 2013 and was promoted to Partner in 2014.

As an acknowledged expert in his field, John has over 24 years’ experience in advising insolvency practitioners, businesses, directors, stakeholders, individuals and a major governmental client on a wide range of corporate and personal insolvency-related issues.

John‘s background spans both non-contentious and contentious insolvency matters and his experience includes:

• providing advice on a wide range of technical insolvency issues faced by insolvency practitioners in the course of their day to day work;
• advising in relation to the sale and purchase of the business and assets of insolvent entities;
• instigating and defending insolvency proceedings and making applications within existing insolvency proceedings on behalf of both insolvency practitioners, creditors and debtors relating to all aspects of administrations, liquidations, company voluntary arrangements, bankruptcies and individual voluntary arrangements;
• advising directors and stakeholders of businesses in financial difficulties in relation to their rights and obligations;
• advising creditors in relation to the practical steps available to them when they are faced with debtors in financial difficulties;
• advising creditors in relation to directors disqualification proceedings brought by the Secretary of State.

John is a Member of R3 – The Association of Business Recovery Professionals (M.A.B.R.P.). He is an R3 Council Member serving on R3’s National Council and an R3 Committee Member serving on the Eastern Region Committee.

John says:

‘I am always willing to have an initial chat about a potential situation.  In reality, the ability to offer the widest range of options to assist both businesses and individuals in financial difficulties or creditors faced with potential losses arising from such difficulties is directly related to the stage at which professional advice is sought.  In short, the earlier that advice is sought the greater the range of available options is likely to be and the more positive the potential outcome.’

Insolvency Practitioner Client says:

‘For the last 4 years I have used the services of the Insolvency & Business Recovery team at Barker Gotelee Solicitors and the assistance received has always been relevant, useful and easy to understand and I would not hesitate in recommending them.’

Legal 500 2024 – Leading Individual

‘John Bradshaw and Sarah Mower always go the extra mile for their clients.’

‘The team are extremely knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of clients. They provide sensible and relevant advice.’

Chambers UK 2024 – Band 1 Lawyer

“John Bradshaw goes above and beyond to provide the required advice when it is needed. He is one of the most approachable insolvency lawyers I have met.”

“He is a highly dependable and commercially aware expert in his field.”

Legal 500 2023 – Leading Individual

‘The assistance provided is helpful, straightforward, and easy to understand.’

Chambers UK 2023 – Band  1 Lawyer

“He provides practical advice on a timescale we can work with. His advice is always commercial.”

“John is very personable, business-minded and practical. He has a strong grasp of insolvency law.”

Legal 500 2022 – Leading Individual

‘Practice head John Bradshaw has more than 20 years’ experience and is among the most respected practitioners in the region.’

Chambers UK 2022 – Band 1 Lawyer

‘His pragmatism is incredible. He gets the job done.’

Legal 500 2021 – Leading Individual

‘I am an Insolvency Practitioner who often works closely with John Bradshaw who specialises in insolvency and business recovery and his commitment to clients and their needs is paramount. He is very approachable and explains his advice in everyday English that you can understand. I never hesitate to pick up the telephone to him to talk through an issue arising on a case.‘

‘The team at Barker Gotelee goes above and beyond to help their clients and provide the correct advice. They are always friendly and nothing seems like too much trouble.’

‘It has good insolvency and recovery expertise for a regional player. They go that bit extra to get the job done.’

Chambers UK 2021 – Band 1 Lawyer

Clients highlight John Bradshaw a ‘good operator’ who has a ‘commercial approach on cases’. “He has a track record of advising corporates and individuals on both contentious and non-contentious insolvency matters.”

Legal 500 2020 – Leading Individual

‘The firm has good in-depth knowledge of insolvency. John Bradshaw knows his stuff. He is commercial and practical, which is half the battle.’

Chambers UK 2020 – Band 1 Lawyer

‘A real specialist in his area,’ John Bradshaw is regarded by sources as ‘a very impressive solicitor who is very down to earth,’ and ‘very good with clients’.

Legal 500 2018/19 – Leading Individual

Leading light and insolvency specialist John Bradshaw is ‘very personable and good to bounce off potential cases‘. Bradshaw and legal executive Sarah Mower provide a ‘continuous high standard of service; they have bags of technical ability and tactical nous, and they are superb with clients.’

Chambers UK 2018/2019 – Band 1 Lawyer

Sources describe John Bradshaw of Barker Gotelee as ‘very hands-on, knowledgeable and practical.’ He receives recognition for being ‘well engaged in insolvency work’ and for his skill in contentious matters.

Legal 500 2017 – Leading Individual

The team is led by ‘first-class insolvency lawyer’ John Bradshaw, who is ‘not only technically brilliant and on top of the details of legislation, but also commercially sensible and practical’.

Chambers UK 2017 – Band 1 Lawyer

Band 1 lawyer John Bradshaw is featured for his ‘many years of experience specialising in insolvency law’. A source is quoted as saying: ” He knows his stuff, he reacts quickly and he understands the needs of insolvency practitioners.”

Legal 500 2016 – Leading Individual

Barker Gotelee’s ‘knowledgeable, efficient and user-friendly’ practice includes John Bradshaw and chartered legal executive Sarah Mower, who are ‘extremely friendly and have a good understanding of insolvency law’. They advised a liquidator on a retention of title claim by an overseas supplier.

Chambers UK 2016 – Band 1 Lawyer

‘Sources say that John Bradshaw of Barker Gotelee has a “fantastic knowledge of insolvency and clear understanding of issues and how to progress them.” He is also praised for his “very good communication skills.”‘

Legal 500 2015 – Leading Individual

The Legal 500 2015 has named John as a leading individual within the insolvency and corporate recovery sector, saying ”The efficient and cost-effective’ John Bradshaw provides ‘first class service with a commercial approach.’ He advised liquidators on the distribution of £600,000 in assets. ‘Despite its small size, it more than matches up to larger players,’ say clients of Barker Gotelee.

Chambers 2015 – Band 1 Lawyer

‘John Bradshaw of Barker Gotelee is identified by market sources as an efficient and knowledgeable practitioner, as well as an “extremely personable and approachable” adviser. He is highly experienced in handling corporate and personal insolvency issues.’

Legal 500 2014

‘John Bradshaw at Barker Gotelee is ‘an exceptional insolvency and restructuring lawyer, providing first class advice’.’

Chambers UK 2014

‘John Bradshaw is a director at Barker Gotelee and enjoys a strong reputation as “very technical and very knowledgeable” in insolvency and business recovery.’

Legal 500 2013

“…John Bradshaw, who has ‘huge technical knowledge…’

Chambers UK 2013

‘John Bradshaw “gives very quick, concise answers” and “knows his stuff.”  Previous cases include advising Larking Gowen on the liquidation of Hallmark (Suffolk) Limited.’

Chambers UK 2012

‘Sources say John Bradshaw is “commercial and streetwise with a practical eye for solutions.” He has extensive experience of acting in advisory and contentious matters for HMRC.’

Chambers UK 2011

‘John Bradshaw is “very approachable and a very nice guy; he gives good solid advice, and always makes himself available,” observers note. He advised HMRC on its application to place Southend United Football Club into Administration.’  [This resulted in the full recovery of a substantial six figure sum].

Call me
01473 617310