PLC Debt
Professional Legal Collections recover money across the UK and internationally. We take the pain and hassle away from you and act as an extension of your business function. Since 2014, we have dealt with 7,500 cases and collected over £3 million of debt. Our success rate is high and 75% of debts we are instructed on have been recovered in full.
You are in safe hands.
Our widely experienced team will provide you with an honest evaluation of your case that confirms whether legal recovery is the right option for you. We also provide you with a detailed cost break down so you can make an informed decision.
This honest approach sets us apart and is the reason our clients keep coming back to us.
About Us
PLC Debt was established in 2014 by Martin Kingman. Martin has vast experience of both insolvency and debt recovery. He has worked in the legal civil litigation/dispute resolution field for 20 years, specialising in UK and worldwide debt recovery and insolvency. Money owed has been collected for clients from all over the world, including Australia, South America, Russia, Singapore and the US.
Martin Kingman – Chief Executive Officer
Martin started his legal career as a paralegal in the commercial litigation/dispute resolution team of a large regional law firm in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. In 2006, while working there, he qualified as a Legal Executive. Later that year he moved to head up a small debt recovery and insolvency team at another large regional firm in Canterbury and Chatham. He built and developed the team and then moved on in 2011 to work in-house at a large construction company, helping them to restructure the business.
Since 2013, Martin has been self-employed as a business management consultant, specialising in managing change and system development. But the lure of debt collection proved too much and in June 2014, following demand from many ex-clients, Martin established Professional Legal Collections Ltd, now PLC Debt.
Martin has been able to combine his management skills and debt recovery expertise in PLC Debt. His technological and systems competency, legal skills and knowledge as well as business and management consultancy experience allow PLC Debt to offer a unique blend of practical, commercial and legally astute advice. This in demand from a wide range of clients. It’s not just about chasing up unpaid debts. Many clients find that the insolvency expertise is essential in evaluating business plans and ensuring that all decisions are considered from angles not within mainstream thinking.
Martin and his former debt recovery team was recognised in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners Guide to the legal profession. He regularly writes articles and presents seminars on debt recovery, credit control and insolvency.
When he’s not managing the chasing down of debts or consulting on businesses, Martin is a volunteer and trustee of Kent Search and Rescue. He operates as a Search Manager with overall responsibility for any operational deployment of up to 100 members in conjunction with Kent Police.
Martin is a Fellow of CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives), whose members are independently regulated by CILEx Regulation. He is also a Fellow of CICM (the Chartered Institute of Credit Management). He also is an associate member of both IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment) and IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), and an affiliate member of CQI (Chartered Quality Institute).
He holds additional qualifications for health & safety, enviromental and quality including 9001, and 27001 lead auditor. He is also a FREC 3 medic and mental health first-aider.
Emma Lee – Chief Operations Officer
Emma is a vastly experienced civil and commercial litigation solicitor with a strong interest in employment and debt recovery.
Emma’s background gives her a broad and varied experience and moulding her “can do” attitude to any problem presented.
Prior to joining PLC in August 2021 Emma has spent 14 years specialising in commercial and civil litigation and employment law. The last 3 of these was as a head of a litigation department of a local solicitors.
Her experience and background gives Emma the ability to adapt to difficult situations and empathise with clients. She remains very client focussed which leads to many repeat business clients and referrals from former clients and associates. She was previously recognised individually by Legal 500 in Debt Recovery.
Clients describe Emma as a straight talking litigator with a commercial approach. She has been described by Judges as offering “refreshingly proportionate costs” and that her strategy in a particularly difficult and emotional case was a “master stroke”.
Jane Barlow – Administrative Assistant
Jane has vast experience of accounting, credit control, debt chasing and administration. She joined the team in 2017 and has enjoyed recovering money for clients ever since. In her spare time, Jane likes travelling, eating out, shopping and spending time with her family.
Peter Philpott – Compliance Manager
Peter joined Professional Legal Collections in June 2021. He is our compliance systems guru – having previously worked in management in the hospitality sector, including managing a £2m turnover restaurant in Canary Wharf. He has qualifications in internal quality assurance and health and safety. With a strong background in customer service which he combines his IT skills to ensure your compliance is in safe hands.
In 2022 Peter was promoted to Compliance Manager.
Outside of work he is married to Rosy and they adore Seth their dog, he volunteers with Kent Search and Rescue and loves all things outdoors.
Monika Totman – Debt Recovery Assistant
Monika joined the Professional Legal Collections team in October 2021 after finishing her LPC degree. She previously completed a masters degree in law and a history undergraduate degree. Her litigation module on the LPC made her interested in debt recovery and she has fitted well into the team.
Outside of work Monika enjoys watching sport, shopping and spending time with her friends and family.
Madeline White – Debt Recovery Assistant
Madeline joined Professional Legal Collections in November 2021. She is due to go to university in Autumn 2022, where she will be studying law. The practical experience of working in a contentious legal environment has given her a taste of what is to come in her career.
Outside of work Madeline enjoys going to the cinema, spending time with her family and friends, travelling and exploring new places.
Coreen Ashmore – Debt Recovery Assistant
Coreen joined Professional Legal Collections in March 2022. After studying law at the University of Kent, Coreen went on to become a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and has since specialised in advising those who are elderly and vulnerable. Following her return to work from maternity leave and having previously been exposed to contentious litigation Coreen was keen to pursue a career in litigation and debt recovery.
Outside of work Coreen enjoys spending time with her husband and children, running and long dog walks.
Vanessa Kingman – Debt Recovery and Accounts Assistant
Vanessa joined Professional Legal Collections in December 2018. She has previously worked in accounting and credit control roles for the past 20 years, prior to this she ran her own successful business.
