News

Looking for comment on the credit crunch?

Insolvency trade body R3 has appointed Turquoise PR to raise its profile in the North West.

Pauline Rawsterne will be working with R3’s North West regional chair Matt Dunham and council member David Gray to promote the work of the insolvency profession in helping both businesses and individuals facing financial difficulties.

With 97 per cent of all insolvency practitioners as members, R3 is the voice of the insolvency industry. It promotes best practice for professionals and provides a forum for debate on key issues facing the profession.

R3 is able to comment on both personal and corporate insolvency issues including:

• the effects of the global credit crunch on North West businesses
• advice for small businesses on how to survive in the current climate
• a clear explanation of administration, liquidation and other corporate insolvency procedures
• IVAs and bankruptcy – options for individuals with debt problems
• the rise in personal bankruptcies and comment on insolvency statistics.

Pauline Rawsterne said: “With the current difficult economic conditions, the work of insolvency professionals will be increasingly important in saving North West businesses, safeguarding jobs whenever possible and helping individuals with debt problems. R3 can contribute to the current debate on personal and corporate debt and aims to generate a better understanding of insolvency procedures and the options available to those with debt problems. It aims to be the first port of call for comment on insolvency issues.”

Journalists looking for comment should contact Pauline Rawsterne on 0161 860 6063 or for further information see www.r3.org.uk.

Turquoise helps launch new equity release software

Turquoise PR has been appointed to help launch a new software product aimed at the equity release market.

FreeBen enables equity release advisors to give clients over 60 up-to-date information on their eligibility for benefits and how this would be affected by releasing equity in their homes. The Financial Services Authority requires these factors to be taken into account when selling equity release products.

Maxine Harrison, who is behind FreeBen, has a strong track record in business and finance. A former corporate recovery specialist, her most recent role was as operations director at Lichfield-based Centrepoint Insurance Services. During the eight years she spent with the company she helped to achieve a seven-fold increase in turnover through the introduction of e-commerce systems, improved efficiency and customer service.

She has now joined forces with her brother Kevin Wilkinson, a former IT specialist with telecoms operator Cable & Wireless, to set up Harwil Associates which aims to provide products and outsourced solutions for the financial services sector. FreeBen is its first product.

Pauline Rawsterne of Turquoise PR has been handling media relations for the launch and also advising on other aspects of marketing including direct mail, e-shots, copywriting and web analytics.

Maxine says: “FreeBen is designed specifically for equity release and will be the most cost-effective of its type currently available, providing advisors with greater choice, convenience and peace of mind. We were keen to get the benefits across to our audience and ensure best value for our marketing budget. Having worked with Turquoise PR before during my time at Centrepoint Insurance, I know how effective public relations can be in raising awareness of your products before potential customers.”

For further information see http://www.freeben.co.uk