Tributes are being paid to Matt Dunham, one of the North West’s leading insolvency and restructuring practitioners, who passed away suddenly aged 55.
Matt had over 30 years’ experience in the industry during which time he advised on many high-profile cases including the charity Kids Company and was administrator of Bury and Barnsley Football Clubs. A former North West Chair of the insolvency and restructuring trade body R3, he was also a frequent commentator in the media on insolvency issues.
Matt began his career with the big four firm EY, also worked at RSM Robson Rhodes, BDO, Grant Thornton and Smith & Williamson before setting up Liverpool-based Dunham Dean Advisory with former EY colleague John Dean in 2017.
An expert on football finance, he advised more than 30 football league and non-league clubs on solvency issues. He was a respected expert witness and more recently was advising the Forever Bury group on its campaign to save the club. Last year he gave evidence to the Parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as part of its investigation into football club administrations. Matt was also retained by the English Football League (EFL) to advise on sporting sanctions.
He also advised owner-managed and family businesses and many not-for-profit organisations on restructuring and helped to save the national adoption charity, the British Association for Adoptions and Fostering.
Matt leaves a wife, Sue, and two children. He was a keen cyclist and a season ticket holder at Wigan Athletic. Since 2018 he had also been a Trustee of the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatre Trust, which includes the Everyman Theatre.
John Dean, partner at Dunham Dean, said: “Our thoughts are with Matt’s wife, children, family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
“Matt was widely-respected for his pragmatic approach and had an ability to guide clients through complex issues in a clear and concise way. I know that he will be greatly missed by so many people both personally and professionally.”
Allan Cadman, current Chair of R3 North West regional committee, said: “Matt was a dedicated champion of our profession which he served with distinction both at a regional and national level. He commanded huge respect for his expertise and professionalism and had the ability to communicate with people at all levels. Above all he was a true gentleman. He will be sadly missed.”
