The Forward Thinking conference
The conference, organised by the Insolvency Service, provides a link between academia, the insolvency sector and policymakers with a platform for insolvency research and technical discussion.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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The UK is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading insolvency legislative frameworks and with expert professionals that are well regulated and a world class judiciary.
The Insolvency Service launched the Forward Thinking conference to help maintain the UK as a centre of excellence for insolvency and to connect with key stakeholders.
Working alongside partners from the public, private and academic sectors, the Forward Thinking conference showcases academic papers on insolvency policy and legal matters and technical issues relating to operational insolvency experience.
Forward Thinking 2026
Since its launch in 2021, the Forward Thinking conference has been hosted by Aston University, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Liverpool, and University College London. 2025 saw the greatest number of attendees to date, with 120 in person delegates and over 500 watching the livestream.
This year, Forward Thinking will return on Friday 20 November 2026 in partnership with University of Leeds hosting from Cloth Hall Court.
We are now launching a call for prospective academic and technical papers to be featured at the conference.
We welcome scholars, researchers, postgraduate students, insolvency practitioners, the legal profession and anyone else with an interest in insolvency law and related technical matters to submit their abstracts for a paper to be presented at the conference.
Whilst papers on all insolvency related matters will be accepted, we are taking this opportunity to provide information on those subject matters where papers will be particularly welcomed:
- Employee Rights in Insolvency: It was three decades ago when employee rights in insolvency were substantially shaped, yet insolvency practice and procedure have evolved considerably since then. We welcome papers examining the adequacy of contemporary protections for employees when employers enter rescue or terminal insolvency processes, and considering whether the current legal and institutional framework remains fit for purpose in light of these developments.
- Public Interest in Insolvency: A small number of insolvency cases can give rise to matters of significant public interest, including for example far-reaching social, economic, environmental, or security concerns. Papers exploring the interaction between insolvency law and these matters of significant public interest are welcomed.
- AI in Insolvency: The use of Artificial Intelligence has rapidly changed the ways of working, being viewed as both beneficial and a disruptor to the sector. AI is constantly evolving, becoming more embedded in working practices, increasing access to information and creating new challenges to overcome. We welcome papers that explore the legal impact of AI use. Examination of the intersection between AI and insolvency, particularly its alignment with the insolvency rules, and how the sector has responded to this.
- Deregulation and Modernisation of the Insolvency Framework: It has been 40 years since the introduction of the Insolvency Act 1986. The Insolvency Service has shared our upcoming program of policy projects. Now we are ready to ask, “what’s next?” We are looking for papers exploring opportunities to embrace innovative working practices, how we could further reduce administrative and regulatory burdens whist retaining necessary protections, and the changes needed to successfully embrace the realities of what a world leading Insolvency framework looks like in 2030 and beyond.
- SMEs and Insolvency: Does the insolvency framework do enough to encourage company rescue, rather than business rescue? To what extent does company size play a part in the options available to rescue a company? Does this matter?
- Destigmatising corporate restructuring and insolvency: In a vibrant and dynamic economy, the insolvency framework is a key tool to encouraging the responsible risk taking necessary to generate growth. However, all too often the word “insolvency” becomes synonymous with financial bad faith, wrongdoing, and leads to stigma and fear for directors. What does “good” look like in corporate insolvency, and does fear of failure get in the way of successful rescue? Or are there other factors that contribute to directors not seeking help? How could the framework better support business to “fail well”, maximising stakeholder outcomes with early intervention and expanding market share for viable entities.
We expect the conference to feature 8 to 10 papers, each lasting approximately 10 to 20 minutes with additional time for questions from both in-person and online delegates.
The papers will be presented in person at the conference venue and broadcast simultaneously via the internet. Please note that the Insolvency Service is unable to cover the cost of travel or accommodation for presenters and delegates.
By submitting an abstract you agree, that if your papers is selected, to attend the conference in person and for your presentation to be published online, hosted by the Insolvency Service.
The deadline for submissions is the close of business on Monday, 7 September 2026. Please send your abstract to conference@insolvency.gov.uk. Your covering email should include:
- whether you are submitting a research paper or a technical issue
- your name
- firm/affiliation/role (where applicable)
- telephone number
For more details, please contact conference@insolvency.gov.uk.
Forward Thinking 2025
The conference co-hosted by UCL Laws was the most popular to date, with both in-person and online audiences sold out.
The agenda featured:
- Leveraging Behavioural Economics to Optimize Personal Insolvency Policies by Dr Neeti Shikha, University of the West of England, Bristol
- The development of Special Administration Regimes in the UK by Robert Spence & Mike Pink, Interpath
- A Critical Review of Special Administrations by Professor Rebecca Parry, Nottingham Trent University
- Enlightening the Creditor Duty by Dr Philip Gavin, Technological University Dublin
- Environmental Activism by Parent Companies: Legal Incentives and Economic Realities by Professor Irit Mevorach, University of Warwick
- The Cramdown: A Conceptual Framework by Dr Riz Mokal, South Square, and Professor Stephan Madaus, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
- Lay of the Landlord Classes: Trends from Part 26A Restructuring Plans by Philip Hertz, Katelyn Ewart & Alice Odolant, Clifford Chance
- Landlords and Part 26A Restructuring Plans by Professor Sarah Paterson, LSE
- Cryptoassets in Insolvencies: Selected Difficulties and Necessary Guidelines by Professor Rebecca Parry & Professor Paula Moffatt, Nottingham Trent University
Click here for videos of the talks and their accompanying papers.
Forward Thinking 2023
Co-hosted by University of Liverpool, the 2023 conference has no over-riding theme. Instead, papers were invited on 10 suggested subject matters of particular interest. The response resulted in a great variety in the agenda:
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Corporate Insolvency Regimes Through The Years: Have We Got It Right With The Regimes We Have? by Professor Andrew Keay, University of Leeds and Professor Peter Walton, University of Wolverhampton
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Diversifying Rescue: Corporate Rescue And The Models Of Receivership by Dr Bolanle Adebola, University of Reading
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The “New” Connected Persons Administration Regulations, 2 Years On: An Evaluators Perspective by Stuart Hopewell FCICM, Pre Pack Pool Ltd
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The FCA’s Consumer Duty And Its Potential Implications For The Insolvency Sector by Katie Hudson, FCA
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Insolvencies Of Gas And Electricity Suppliers, Meghan Bryson & Ian Gill, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
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UK Law Governed Contracts And Their Modification In Foreign Insolvency Proceedings by Professor Gerard McCormack, University of Leeds
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X Marks The Cross-Border Restructuring Spot? The Gibbs Past And The Model Laws Future by Professor Irit Mevorach, University of Warwick and Dr Riz Mokal, South Square Chambers
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In Defence Of The Rule In Gibbs by Professor Sarah Paterson, London School of Economics and Political Science
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Disqualification Of Directors And Education Requirements Dr Neeti Shikha, University of Bradford and Professor Rebecca Parry, Nottingham Trent University
Click here for videos of the talks and their accompanying papers.
Forward Thinking 2022: Insolvency response in uncertain times
In 2022, the theme was ‘Insolvency response in uncertain times’. It was held at Nottingham Trent University on 18 November 2022. The agenda featured:
- The dynamics of the cost-of-living crisis: Desperation borrowing, the economic problem of the debt overhang and the changing role of personal insolvency by Dr Katharina Möser, University of Birmingham
- The effects of insolvency practitioner firms’ and secured financial creditors’ market share and their prior relationship on direct insolvency costs by Professor Yvonne Joyce and Dr Betty Wu, University of Glasgow
- Enabling greater use of section 216 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (‘IA86’), ‘Restriction on re-use of company names’ by Ben Luxford of R3 and Stewart Perry from Fieldfisher LLP
- A multi-case study database of reporting matters in insolvency practitioner reports to creditors by Professor Yvonne Joyce, University of Glasgow and Eileen Maclean, Insolvency Support Services
- In the matter of Baglan Operations Limited [2022] EWHC 647 (Ch): the future of trading liquidations? by Philip Hertz, Melissa Coakley, Giles Allison and Robert Davey of Clifford Chance
- Communitarianism and the public interest in large corporate insolvencies: Future directions for value and potential in commonweal undertakings by Dr John Tribe, University of Liverpool
- Dealing with large insolvent companies where the public interest intrudes: Some forward thinking by Professor Andrew Keay, University of Leeds and Professor Peter Walton, University of Wolverhampton
- “A thing that has no value does not exist” by Dr Stephen Baister, Manolete Partners
Click here for videos of the talks and their accompanying papers.
Forward Thinking 2021: Insolvency strategies for a post pandemic economy
The theme of the inaugural conference was ‘Insolvency strategies for a post pandemic economy’, and it was held at Aston University, Birmingham on 19 November 2021. The agenda consisted of:
- Should we rescue in Insolvency? by Dr Kayode Akintola, Dr Sofia Ellina and Professor David Milman
- Rescuing Companies or their Creditors: The role of the Company Voluntary Arrangement as a rescue procedure in the UK by Dr Sue Morgan of Enigma Resource Group
- Individual insolvency - The case for a single gateway by Professor Peter Walton
- Should administration or compulsory liquidation be the process of choice for large strategic insolvencies? by Inga West
- Rehabilitating the Prepack: A framework for fine tuning the new regulations by Dr Alfonso Nocilla and Dr Riz Mokal
- Transforming Perceptions: The Development of Pre-pack Regulations in England & Wales by Dr Bolanle Adebola
- A Matter of Forms. The use of applications and claim forms in insolvency proceedings: the case for reform by Dr Stephen Baister
- An insolvency regime to support the digital economy by Professor Rebecca Parry
- A panel of academics, technical experts and policy professionals reflect on the conference proceedings
Click here for videos of the talks and their accompanying papers.
Contact
Please come back for more news in future and follow @insolvencygovuk on Twitter for updates.
For further information, please contact conference@insolvency.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
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Forward thinking 2026 info updated
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Forward thinking 2026 tender for venue
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Updated conference 2025 information
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Amendment to 2025 agenda and booking information updated.
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2025 conference details updated
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Updated submission date.
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Conference 2025 update
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Details for 2025 event added
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2023 conference information updated.
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Updated information for 2023 event
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Updated to include information on the Forward Thinking 2023 conference call for papers.
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Disqualification Regime added to subject matter for 2023 event. Invitation to Tender for host locations.
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Information relating to the 2023 event have been added
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Link to registration for 2022 conference now added.
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First published.