“I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar”

28th May 2025 | Karen Dobson | International, Corporate Recovery, Insolvency

Karen Dobson Represents Sherrards at the R3 2025 Annual Conference in Malta

Karen Dobson, Partner in Dispute Resolution and Corporate Recovery & Insolvency at Sherrards, recently attended the highly anticipated R3 2025 Annual Conference, held this May in Malta.

This year’s conference centred on the theme “Embracing Change: Shaping the Profession to be Fit for the Future”, highlighting the evolving landscape of the insolvency profession.

The event explored key issues such as attracting and nurturing the next generation of professionals, leveraging emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—and responding to shifting workplace expectations across generational divides.

Karen described the conference as “truly excellent,” praising not only the quality of the venue, speakers, and delegates, but also the opportunity to engage in valuable networking in a stunning setting with great weather.

It was lovely to hear presentations by younger professionals in the industry, who spoke extremely well and many of whom shared inspiring personal stories of their unconventional routes into the industry one of whom  starting off working as a waitress in a cocktail bar where she met a customer who influenced her into becoming a lawyer.

The keynote speaker, Dr Paul Redmond, a renowned expert on generational trends in the workplace, delivered a standout session that combined humour and insight. His talk struck a particular chord with attendees, including Karen, who found herself playfully teased by colleagues for her ‘baby boomer’ credentials—culminating in a light-hearted photo of her in the stocks, ostensibly for one-finger texting!

Throughout the conference, Karen strengthened her close ties with her long-time industry peers as well as reconnecting with familiar faces and she relished the opportunity to network with many key figures across the profession.

Karen’s participation in the R3 Annual Conference exemplifies Sherrards’ ongoing commitment to industry engagement, future-facing dialogue, and client-focused development in the ever-evolving insolvency landscape.

For more information about Sherrards’ insolvency offering, speak to Karen Dobson on +44 (0) 1727 832 830 or kd@sherrards.com.