Stuart Frith appointed as president of R3

His year-long appointment begins today, Friday, April 20, 2018.

Frith is a partner at law firm Stephenson Harwood, where he has worked since 2009, covering both corporate and personal insolvency.

He sits on R3’s council and, over the last year, served as R3’s vice-president, having also acted as chair of the personal insolvency committee.

Frith said: “As a solicitor, one of my priorities will be to shine a spotlight on the important relationship between the judicial system and the insolvency and restructuring framework.

“The success of the UK’s insolvency and restructuring framework is closely tied to the efficiency and effectiveness of the UK’s court system. This extends from access to justice issues for creditors and debtors alike, to the courts’ ability to process cases effectively and efficiently for all its users.

“With increasing demands to the system in recent years, it is essential that R3 works closely with the courts to address any unexpected member concerns, and to offer our recommendations on how things might be improved, where necessary.”

Frith added one of his priorities during his tenure would be to promote diversity in the profession, something which will form part of a strategic review R3 is undertaking.

He takes over as president from Adrian Hyde, a partner at CVR Global. Duncan Swift, a partner at Moore Stephens, is R3’s new vice-president and will become president in April 2019.

In other changes at R3, Emma Lovell has been confirmed as the organisation’s new chief executive. She has been at R3 in various roles since 2010 and replaces Graham Rumney, who retired as chief executive in March 2017. Lovell had been interim chief operating officer since Rumney’s retirement.