Welcome to the DebtWizard Forum, from Mike Thomas.
As head and founder of debtwizard.com, the consumer debt-help website, I have always championed the right of the consumer to receive the right advice about their debt problems, whether a fee is being charged or not.
However, in over 15 years of helping thousands of consumers to resolve their debt issues I have encountered so many cases where they had received bad advice from debt advice firms, which then had serious adverse affects on their livelihoods, relationships and health.
It is evident that many debt advice firms prey on the desperate and vulnerable, resulting in thousands of consumers being put into Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) or debt management plans when there are far more viable options open to them.
To help address this problem, as part of the development of debtwizard.com, I have decided to launch a free debt help forum in which individuals can raise issues troubling them and receive good, professional advice, appropriate to their circumstances.
To ensure this forum becomes a leading voice in consumer debt help I have hand picked a panel of experts to represent DebtWizard, whom I regard as the best in the fields of insolvency, debt management and general debt advice to deal with your problems.
If you have a debt issue then we can help you; if you post something we can’t deal with we will find someone that can.
We only launched on the 10th March 2010 but we will build into a force to be reckoned with and over the coming months the forum will grow in membership and in categories of advice.
So if you need pointing in the right direction, are not sure if an IVA, bankruptcy or debt management plan is right for you, then all you have to do is post your question, fears, concerns and we will do our very best to help you. If you have had an experience which you feel may help others on this forum, for example you have entered into an IVA or gone bankrupt or even proposed a debt management plan and you wish to share this, then post it and let us all know about it!
Mike Thomas, aka DebtWizard,
Here to help, not to judge.
No advertisers, no sponsors and no hidden agenda.
Fee-free Debt Management Plans/IVAs and free debt advice
DebtWizard Forum Panel Members
Andrew Graveson (DebtWizard Panel Member)
Andrew Graveson is the managing director of a company providing debt advisory and debt management services throughout the UK and has previously held a number of directorships in insolvency, debt advisory and mortgage broking businesses.
Andrew prioritises his time each week to personally deal with both new and existing clients so that he can best understand how to assist them.
Andrew is a graduate of the London School of Economics, a Director of national trade-body “The Debt Resolution Forum”, and holds the CeMAP qualification for provision of mortgage advice.
www.brightoak.co.uk
Phil (DebtWizard Support Team)
Phil is a graduate of Cardiff University (Business Management) and has held senior positions in a number of industries.
He now actively manages a significant portfolio of debt management plans on behalf of our clients and has done much to assist us in developing our processes, enabling us to continue to meet our service commitment.
Phil says he is often shocked by the sales-orientated practices and the lack of knowledge that exists in certain debt advice companies. These he sees as steering consumers towards solutions that seem to suit the adviser more than the client and he is immensely proud to be a part of the DebtWizard support team and forum panel in tackling this issue.
"I have a very real and personal commitment to helping people resolve their debt issues. My commitment is to do all that I can to enable continued progress and development for all who consider coming to us".
Kelly (DebtWizard Support Team)
Kelly has worked in the insolvency industry dealing with both personal and corporate debt issues and holds a Bachelor of Law degree and the postgraduate legal LPC qualification.
Kelly is primarily responsible for ensuring that we provide the highest quality of initial advice to enquirers either directly through the debtwizard.com website or via the forum.
A major part of her role is keeping abreast of technical developments in debt solution availability and ensuring colleagues are kept up to date with the latest legislation. Kelly personally handles a significant number of new enquiries and provides advice on the full range of potential solutions.
"Debt advice can touch people at a difficult or vulnerable time in their lives. I’m proud to work within a company that prioritises the interests of the client rather than selling to maximise profits. I have been given the autonomy to work with colleagues to prioritise technical knowledge and best advice".
"By actively managing debt management plans for many clients I am in touch with the connection between advising people towards a particular decision and then making it work. The right advice is worthless without proper delivery".
Mark (DebtWizard Support Team)
Mark is a Director of a firm of Insolvency Practitioners handling Trust Deeds in Scotland. During his 22 years working in Scottish insolvency he has developed valuable knowledge and experience of helping those unfortunate enough to have financial problems.
His insolvency career began after responding to an ad in the local paper to become an Insolvency Administrator and he has benefited from great training at every stage since.
Mark takes immense satisfaction and professional pride from helping those individuals that find themselves in financially difficulty.
He has a hands-on approach to every case and where geographically possible he will try to take initial meetings personally. Mark says “I am always just a phone call away if anyone needs advice.
Mark is married, has a 16 year old daughter and resides in Glasgow. He is currently learning to speak Bulgarian and enjoys playing five a side and a spot of running.
Sue (DebtWizard Support Team)
Sue is a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner with over 24 years experience working throughout the UK on Personal and Corporate insolvency.
Sue manages an extensive portfolio of Trust Deeds and Sequestrations (Scotland), Individual Voluntary Arrangements (England & Wales) and Corporate insolvencies nationwide.
Sue is supported in her role by very experienced teams both sides of the border who share her own caring and practical approach to clients and their problems; individuals who are employed or self employed, Company Directors with personal debt problems, Directors/Shareholders facing Corporate failure and Stakeholders concerned about a customer’s insolvency.
