A Bristol-based business turnaround expert at Evelyn Partners, the leading integrated wealth management and professional services group created from the merger of Tilney and Smith & Williamson, has been appointed to the board of an influential professional body.

Partner Claire Burden, who leads the firm’s national advisory consulting team in Bristol, has joined the board of the Institute for Turnaround (IFT), which is the UK’s leading membership organisation for turnaround specialists.

The IFT’s members and corporate partner organisations help underperforming businesses, and those at risk of failing, avoid unnecessary insolvencies. The organisation brings together independent professionals, bankers, investors and advisers to evolve the profession and respond to new challenges and trends.

Claire joins the IFT board at a challenging time for many businesses.

“The IFT is an institute for trusted, accredited and experienced professionals who have proven their ability to turn around businesses and save jobs,” said Claire, who has responsibility for Evelyn Partners’ restructuring and recovery team in Bristol.

“Its work supporting businesses to survive and avoid closing when they hit trouble is therefore crucial in the current climate. A combination of rising inflation, a weak pound, interest rate rises, supply chain issues and high energy costs are all contributing to business failure at the moment.

“So, I’m looking forward to helping the IFT get to the forefront of the conversation, increasing awareness in the market that turnaround professionals are here to help struggling businesses.

“I’m also keen to continue to improve the diversity of the institute and bring in lots of new members from different backgrounds. Turnaround work is empowering and rewarding so I would like to promote it more as an exciting career.”

Claire has many years of industry experience at board level, successfully working across sectors on troubleshooting, turnaround and transformation projects. She worked for a number of years in a Big Four restructuring team, advising lenders and corporates, and working on insolvencies.

Milly Camley, CEO at the Institute for Turnaround, added: “We are delighted that Claire has joined the IFT board. She brings an outstanding degree of turnaround know how, having held hands on leadership roles in a variety of businesses and as the partner of a leading advisory firm.

“A long standing IFT member, Claire has contributed to a range of events and regional activities, as well as being a founding member of Women in Turnaround, the IFT network for senior women in turnaround and restructuring.”