We’re pleased to welcome Chris Bergin to Cathro & Partners. Joining the team in February 2025, Chris brings with him 18 years of experience across a broad spectrum of corporate and personal insolvency matters. His background includes work in voluntary administration, receiverships, liquidations, safe harbour advisory, and complex restructuring assignments.
Chris became a Registered Liquidator in 2020 and is now looking to broaden his formal appointment capabilities by seeking registration as a Bankruptcy Trustee.
Reflecting on his career, Chris shares:
“I’ve always found the insolvency industry to be incredibly collaborative. It’s rewarding to be in a profession that allows me to alleviate client stress and offer them clarity during difficult times. The question I often get is ‘How can you do this type of work?’ — but the reality is, I genuinely enjoy what I do. Helping clients navigate their options and seeing positive outcomes is what keeps me motivated.”
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Chris has been involved in a wide range of high-impact matters. Some notable examples include:
- Manufacturing Trade-On in Rural Victoria
As a graduate, Chris spent six months on-site working on the trade-on of a 300+ employee manufacturing business. The team completed a successful sale that preserved the majority of jobs. It was an early but defining moment in Chris’s career that instilled a deep respect for the human impact of insolvency.
- Receivership during the GFC
During the global financial crisis, Chris worked on a large margin lending receivership, managing distressed portfolios. The experience sharpened his understanding of stakeholder expectations across businesses of all sizes.
- Community Services Organisation Turnaround
Chris led the voluntary administration of a not-for-profit community service provider in serious financial difficulty. He worked closely with Federal and State Government bodies, creditors, board members, and members to stabilise operations, overhaul governance, and implement a sustainable operating model. The successful restructure ensured the organisation could continue supporting the community well into the future — a deeply fulfilling outcome.
Looking Ahead
Chris is a firm believer in the value of innovation and legislative reform in the insolvency space. He welcomes the introduction of options like the Small Business Restructuring regime and is optimistic about the industry’s continued evolution to better support businesses.
“Every engagement is an opportunity to make a real difference — whether it’s saving jobs, resolving stakeholder concerns, or helping business owners understand their options.”
Areas of Focus
Chris and the Cathro & Partners team support clients across a variety of services, including:
- Safe Harbour Advisory
- Turnaround and Strategic Restructuring
- Small Business Restructuring (SBR)
- Corporate and Personal Insolvency
- Receiverships
- Expert Witness & Investigative Reporting
