Director
Matt Sweeny
T:
03 8320 5630
M:
Melbourne
Matt is a results-driven restructuring specialist, guiding businesses through complex financial challenges to successful outcomes. He combines deep technical expertise in insolvency, corporate restructuring, and turnaround strategy with a strong commercial lens-helping clients navigate distress, unlock value, and regain control.
Matt has a proven track record managing formal insolvencies, restructures, and business wind-downs, often in high-pressure environments involving litigation, stakeholder negotiations, and union engagement. He is a trusted advisor to boards, lenders, and business owners alike, skilled in analysing financial data, identifying performance gaps, and executing strategies that improve cash flow, working capital, and long-term viability.
Recognised as a strategic change-agent, Matt also leads and develops high-performing teams, ensuring clients benefit from smart, efficient solutions grounded in strong governance and clear communication.
Matt is passionate about mental health and is a certified Mental Health First Aider.
The business, an Australian franchisee of a US & UK-based master franchisor, faced significant challenges with several underperforming stores and mounting debt under the Master Franchise Agreement, which strained cash flow and threatened its financial viability.
Matt conducted a comprehensive review of all 27 stores and identified 10 underperforming locations and negotiated revised agreements with key stakeholders including the:
Matt and his team formalised all negotiated terms under a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA), allowing the company to restructure operations and continue trading 17 profitable stores under sustainable, restructured agreements.
The business was involved in litigation with a City Council due to a default on a construction contract, impacting financial stability and stakeholder interests.
Matt engaged with solicitors to manage the legal proceedings effectively and assisted in negotiating a settlement which resulted in a favourable resolution for the secured creditor, securing both a cash contribution and the return of bank guarantee, preserving value for all parties involved.
The company's mortgage broker credit licence had been cancelled, and allegations of fund misappropriation arose. However, there were no books or records available to substantiate the claims.
Matt’s contribution includes the reconstruction of the company’s books and records, uncovering evidence of misappropriated funds over a three-year period, which benefited the director. The misappropriated funds were traced to identify potential equitable interest in property.
The matter was resolved through a creditor and court-approved settlement. Special care was taken to ensure the wording of the releases preserved the ability to pursue any potential claims under the professional indemnity insurance policy, preventing the settlement from being voided.
The business operated three aged care facilities (two high care, one low care), all facing serious care quality and safety breaches. Additionally, the director was found to have misappropriated funds.
Matt collaborated with the secured creditor, federal agencies, and staff to address and rectify the care quality and safety breaches and led a sale campaign that successfully resulted in the sale of the two high care facilities.
The low care facility could not be sold due to deficient accommodation bonds held by the company. As a result, coordinated an orderly relocation of residents, including clear communication with residents and relevant agencies.
Matt led the investigations that revealed significant funds had been misappropriated for the director’s benefit, leading to the initiation of Public Examinations funded by public resources.
