The Cut

What does it actually take to build a professional services firm — and sustain its growth over time? In this episode of  The Cut ,  Andrew Blundell  speaks with  Danny Chiha  about the realities of building and scaling a firm from the ground up. From early beginnings working from a dining table to leading a 70-person team, Danny shares a practical perspective on growth — including the challenges o...

Most SME owners don't struggle due to a lack of knowledge — they struggle because they're too busy operating the business to step back and fix what actually drives performance. In this episode of  The Cut , Simon Cathro speaks with  Mark Calleja , author of  The Seven Figure Plateau , about the patterns that keep business owners stuck — and what it takes to move beyond them. Drawing on practical e...

John Melluish, CEO of ARITA, joins The Cut to unpack the current state of Australia's insolvency landscape. From his early experience during the insolvency cycles of the 1980s to now leading the industry's peak body, John shares perspectives on how the profession has evolved — and where it is heading. The discussion explores the post-COVID rebound in insolvency activity, the increasing role of the...

Construction insolvencies now represent one of the largest shares of corporate failures in Australia. While the triggers vary, the underlying pattern is often remarkably consistent: tight margins, poorly defined scope, delayed payments, disputed variations and contractors effectively funding projects from their own balance sheets. In this episode of The Cut, Simon Cathro speaks with Paul Rojas, fo...

In this episode of The Cut, Simon Cathro sits down with Mitch Taylor, founder of ClaimCloud, to explore a concept still unfamiliar to many Australian creditors: selling creditor claims for immediate liquidity. With over 25 years in credit markets, including time on Wall Street during the GFC, Mitch shares why time is often the most overlooked cost in insolvency. Together, Simon and Mitch unpack ho...

In this episode of The Cut, the conversation dives deep into the hidden complexities of insolvency law and what every director, administrator, and shareholder needs to understand before making their next big decision. From a chickpea trading company that triggered a pivotal case to the misunderstood power of subordinated creditors, this episode dissects real-world examples that show how "reasonabl...

In this episode of "The Cut", the conversation dives into how AI is being used inside law firms, what it's getting wrong, and the new rules emerging around its use in legal proceedings. Featuring "Jarrod Munro", Partner at "Cornwalls Lawyers", this discussion unpacks real examples—from court restrictions to hallucinated legal cases—to reveal the promise and peril of AI in professional industries....

Australia's property market is full of contradictions—capital is abundant, demand is surging, yet developments are stalling. In this episode of The Cut, listeners get an unfiltered look at what's really holding the sector back, from a mid-market feasibility crisis to the construction insolvency wave that's shaken the industry. Learn how regulatory changes, labor shortages, and private credit expan...

In this episode of  The Cut , hosted by  Simon Cathro , we dive into how payroll compliance has shifted from being just a back-office function to a critical boardroom responsibility. Our guest,  Marcus Zeltzer , co-founder of  Yellow Canary , explains how technology is transforming payroll compliance—from reactive clean-up to proactive clarity. Even Australia's largest employers are struggling wit...

Litigation finance is reshaping how high-stakes disputes are fought—and who wins. In this episode, Matt Lee from Lindsay Francis Mengen, a specialist in arbitration and former head of Australia's largest litigation funding operation, shares how litigation funders assess cases, manage risks, and decide whether a claim is worth backing. For anyone working in insolvency, restructuring, or high-value...

Building a successful practice demands more than technical skill—it calls for relentless commitment, strategic mindset shifts, and the courage to delegate. In this episode of  The Cut , host  Andrew Blundell  sits down with  Nick Hitchens , founder of Hitch Advisory, to trace his rise from managing distressed pub sales to advising on high-stakes M&A deals. What You'll Learn: Why the First Five Yea...

When a business faces insolvency, one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects is ensuring that administrators and receivers are legally and correctly appointed. In this episode of The Cut, expert insolvency lawyer Nick Christiansen from Sparke Helmore joins the conversation with host Simon Cathro, to break down valid vs. invalid appointments, the risks insolvency practitioners face, and what b...

In this episode of The Cut, Simon Cathro speaks with Hannah Griffiths from Pinsent Masons. Their discussion provides valuable insights into the complexities of insolvency proceedings, the various types of claims available to liquidators, and the importance of thorough investigations in pursuing these claims. Hannah Griffiths is the head of restructuring and insolvency at Pinsent Masons. She has ov...

In this episode of The Cut, Simon Cathro speaks with Keiran Breckenridge and Jonathon Turner from Lander & Rogers about secured creditors and receiverships, a topic not covered in previous episodes⁠ Jonathan Turner is a partner at Landers and Rogers, specialising in corporate restructuring, insolvency, and finance. He joined the firm about 15 months ago, moving from NRF⁠. Jonathan's expertise and...

In this episode of The Cut Andrew Blundell speaks with Courtney Macdade and Rebecca Dalais from the the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations FEG Recovery Program's Recovery Funding team. Courtney Macdade is the Acting Principal Government Lawyer in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations FEG Recovery Program's Recovery Funding team. She is based in Brisbane with over 8 yea...

In this episode of The Cut, host Andrew Blundell, Principal at Cathro & Partners, is joined by Anna Taylor, Principal at Results Legal, to discuss various aspects of insolvency, debt recovery, and trade credit. Key Takeaways: Understanding Director Obligations:  Anna emphasizes the need for directors to be more aware of their obligations and liabilities, suggesting the need for mandatory education...

In this episode of The Cut, host Henry Kazar, principal of Cathro & Partners in Canberra, dives deep into the topic of freezing orders with guest Graeme Blank, a seasoned barrister from Blackburn Chambers. Together, they explore the nuances and implications of freezing orders within the realm of insolvency. Henry and Graeme discuss the critical role of undertaking as to damages in the general free...

In the latest episode of The Cut, Simon Cathro plunges into the intricate world of insolvency law, discussing its multifaceted challenges and opportunities. With us on this episode is Emily Barrett, a partner in the restructuring and insolvency team at Johnson Winter Slattery. Emily's deep understanding of the industry and her clear articulation of its complexities are sure to enlighten both legal...

In the latest episode of The Cut, Simon Cathro delves into the intricacies of Deeds of Company Arrangement (DOCA) with guest Sam Dundas, a partner at King & Wood Mallesons. Together, they discuss the complexities of insolvency law, with a particular focus on DOCAs. Sam shares insights from his extensive experience, recounting his career journey and his initial interest in this dynamic field due to...

In this episode of The Cut, host Simon Cathro, Managing Principal of Cathro & Partners, welcomes listeners to season 3.  This season the team will delve into the legal industry with a focus on insolvency, restructuring, and related legal matters. Simon and his guest, Tom Gardner, a restructuring lawyer from Gilbert & Tobin, discuss the complexities of insolvency law, sharing insights from their ex...

In finale episode of The Cut's 2023 season, host Simon welcomes two guests, Luke Whiffen from Hilton Bradley Lawyers and Terry Watson from Watson Trade Credit. They discuss trade credit insurance and the winding up process for companies. Luke provides insights into taking legal action against companies that owe money, while Terry shares his experience in the trade credit insurance industry.  Tune...

In episode nine of season two of "The Cut", Managing Principal, Simon Cathro, is joined by Joel Hanrahan from EverEdge Global. Together, they explore the world of intangible assets, better known as intellectual property. They discuss how building a narrative around your competitive advantage is crucial for justifying higher valuations and attracting investments.  Joel shares his background in grow...

In episode eight of season two of "The Cut", Managing Principal, Simon Cathro, sits down with Angela Barkhouse - Managing Director, Head of Caribbean of Quantuma. In a wide-ranging discussion, Angela gives her insights on financial investigations and asset recovery, insolvency's investigative use, techniques for examining financial misconduct, BVI entities, fraud within economic cycles, forensic i...

In episode seven of season two of "The Cut", Principal, Andrew Blundell, sits down with Patrick Coghlan, the CEO of CreditorWatch. They delve into the evolving credit landscape, their industry experiences and the paths that brought them to their present roles. What you'll learn about: Starting CreditorWatch from scratch. [00:01:38] Invoicing challenges and old school methods. [00:05:41] Luck and S...