In memoriam: James Martin

12 August 2025

We are saddened to report the passing of James Martin, an enthusiastic and highly regarded member of the insolvency profession, who passed away on 13 July 2025 following a short battle with cancer. 

An R3 Fellow member, who was engaged with the R3 Midlands Regional committee for many years, James took on the role of Midlands Council member between 2012 and 2022. In this time, he also chaired the R3 Regional Communications committee, bringing together Council members and chairs of R3 regions across the UK to share experiences, insights and promote the value of regional membership.

Having grown up in Birmingham and qualifying as a chartered accountant, James spent 19 years with PwC in the Midlands, obtaining his licence as an appointment taking insolvency practitioner. He was head-hunted by Begbies Traynor in 2002 to set up their Corporate Recovery, Corporate Finance and Forensic Accounting team before moving to Moore Stephens and Crowe. James relinquished his Insolvency Licence in 2018 to concentrate on turnaround and non-exec roles, setting himself up as a consultant in his own firm, JM Advisory. He also acted as a consultant for Manolete and in 2021 took up a role with Azets.

Those who knew James will know he was a keen golfer, setting up an annual R3 golf event at the Edgbaston Golf Club which was well supported and enjoyed by those who took part. To honour James’s contribution to R3, this annual event will hereafter be hosted in James’ memory. 

Stephen Rome, current R3 Midlands Council member said:

"James was a longstanding supporter of R3 in the Midlands and worked tirelessly for its members. He was a bastion of integrity,  deeply embedded in the insolvency community and always willing to share his time and experience with others. I will miss his kind and amiable personality alongside his enthusiasm for getting the new professional members involved in our profession."

The condolences of the entire R3 team go out to James’ family who suffered the loss of Sarah Clarke, James’ daughter and someone who was also heavily involved in the profession, earlier this year. 

Both will be greatly missed.