O'Brien Palmer
O'Brien Palmer is an Australian insolvency and business advisory firm serving distressed businesses, directors, creditors, and professional referrers with corporate insolvency, personal insolvency, court appointments, restructuring, and Small Business Restructuring services across New South Wales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What O'Brien Palmer does
O'Brien Palmer, trading as OBP and legally OBP Australia Pty Ltd, is an Australian insolvency and business advisory firm founded in 1996 by Christopher Palmer and John O'Brien and now led by Managing Partner Liam Bailey, alongside partners Daniel Frisken and Ahmed Sowaid. The firm operates from a Sydney headquarters at Level 9, 66 Clarence Street and a regional office in Bathurst, NSW, and has been active for 30 years across corporate insolvency, personal insolvency, court appointments, business advisory, and small business restructuring.
Its core offerings are professional service engagements rather than technology products. The corporate insolvency line covers Voluntary Administrations, Deeds of Company Arrangement, Liquidations, and Receiverships; personal insolvency covers Bankruptcy and Part X Personal Insolvency Agreements; court appointments include s66G Statutory Trusteeships and Expert Reports; and business advisory extends to Business Recovery, Deceased Estate Administration, Forensics, and the Small Business Restructuring (SBR) process introduced in 2021. Supporting educational products — downloadable tech guides, Director Penalty Notices guidance, a mental health and wellbeing resource, and creditor information services — function as funnel and reputation assets rather than revenue-generating platforms.
The firm earns fees through professional-services engagements on a quote-based, undisclosed pricing model, with free initial consultations. Its go-to-market is sales-led and referral-driven, with demand originating from banks, financiers, legal firms, and accounting firms, supplemented by content marketing, social media, industry association presentations (e.g., Master Builders Association), and direct contact via phone, email, and in-person consultations. Primary customer segments are distressed company directors, creditors, small businesses eligible for SBR, and professional referrers. The firm is independently owned with no disclosed parent, no subsidiaries, no funding rounds, and no publicly disclosed revenue.
O'Brien Palmer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- O'Brien Palmer
- Legal name
- OBP Australia Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://obp.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- O'Brien Palmer is an Australian insolvency and business advisory firm serving distressed businesses, directors, creditors, and professional referrers with corporate insolvency, personal insolvency, court appointments, restructuring, and Small Business Restructuring services across New South Wales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
O'Brien Palmer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Insolvency Services
- NAICS
- Legal Services (5411), Finance and Insurance (52)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Insolvency, Restructuring & Bankruptcy Administration (BPAHABAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Insolvency Law (BPAHAAAH)
Keywords
Where O'Brien Palmer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
O'Brien Palmer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Insolvency Administration Services: Fees generated from corporate insolvency appointments including Voluntary Administrations, Deeds of Company Arrangement, Liquidations, and Receiverships. Also includes personal insolvency services (Bankruptcy and Part X Personal Insolvency Agreements), court-appointed trusteeships, and forensic/expert report services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
O'Brien Palmer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
O'Brien Palmer is an Australian insolvency and business advisory firm established in 1996 that provides corporate insolvency administration including Voluntary Administrations, Deeds of Company Arrangement, Liquidations, and Receiverships. The firm also delivers personal insolvency services such as Bankruptcy and Part X Personal Insolvency Agreements, court appointments under section 66G of the Bankruptcy Act, expert witness reports, business recovery, deceased estate administration, forensic services, and small business restructuring under Australian insolvency law.
Product overview
O'Brien Palmer is a professional insolvency and business advisory firm offering a comprehensive suite of services for businesses and individuals facing financial distress. The core portfolio comprises Corporate Insolvency Services (Voluntary Administrations, Deeds of Company Arrangement, Liquidations, and Receiverships), Personal Insolvency Services (Bankruptcy and Part X Personal Insolvency Agreements), Court Appointments (s66G Statutory Trusteeships and Expert Reports), and Business Advisory Services (including Business Recovery and Deceased Estate Administration). The firm also provides specialized guidance on Small Business Restructuring, Director Penalty Notices, and mental health resources for those affected by financial difficulty. These services are complemented by educational publications and fact sheets that help clients and the broader business community understand insolvency processes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Corporate Insolvency Services Administration of corporate insolvency appointments including Voluntary Administrations, Deeds of Company Arrangement, Liquidations, and Receiverships for companies in financial distress, performed by registered liquidators under the Corporations Act 2001.
- Personal Insolvency Services Administration of personal insolvency matters including Bankruptcy appointments and Part X Personal Insolvency Agreements for individuals unable to pay their debts, performed under the Bankruptcy Act 1966.
- Court Appointments Acceptance of statutory trusteeships under section 66G of the Bankruptcy Act and preparation of expert witness reports for court matters in insolvency-related litigation.
- Business Advisory Services Advisory services for businesses and stakeholders covering business recovery, deceased estate administration, and forensic investigations.
- Small Business Restructuring Restructuring services for small businesses provided under Australian small business insolvency reform frameworks, supporting turnaround and formal restructuring processes.
Quantifiable outcome
- In one case, a builder owed $600,000 (80%+ to ATO) successfully restructured, returning $120,000 to creditors with remaining debt relieved, employees retained, licenses unaffected
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use O'Brien Palmer
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
O'Brien Palmer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
O'Brien Palmer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ARITA (Australian Restructuring, Insolvency and Turnaround Association)coreO'Brien Palmer has adopted the Code of Professional Practice for Insolvency Practitioners issued by ARITA. ARITA is committed to the promotion and maintenance of the highest standards of professional competence and conduct of its members. The firm maintains an uncompromising attitude to independence and other ethical standards.
- ASIC (Australian Securities & Investments Commission)coreASIC has issued Insolvency Information Sheets for directors, employees, creditors and shareholders of companies under insolvency administration. O'Brien Palmer references these information sheets on their creditor information page, covering Voluntary Administration, Liquidation, and Receivership procedures.
- AFSA (Australian Financial Security Authority)coreAFSA has numerous publications and documents concerning personal insolvency and the operation of the Bankruptcy Act, including pamphlets, fact sheets, and commonly used forms. O'Brien Palmer directs clients to AFSA resources for personal insolvency information.
- Department of Employment (Australian Government)coreThe Department of Employment administers the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG), a payment scheme to assist employees who have lost their employment due to liquidation or bankruptcy and are owed certain employee entitlements. O'Brien Palmer assists clients in understanding FEG coverage.
- Master Builders Association (MBA)minorThe Master Builders Association invited O'Brien Palmer to present to their members on understanding insolvency risks and preparing for challenges. This represents an educational partnership to help builders understand DPNs, SBR options, and personal asset protection in the high-risk building and construction sector.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
O'Brien Palmer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SV Partners: SV Partners is an Australian specialist insolvency, restructuring, and turnaround firm. Comparable as a mid-sized direct peer offering similar insolvency appointment services, personal insolvency, and small business restructuring across multiple states.
- Ferrier Hodgson: Ferrier Hodgson is an established Australian insolvency and restructuring firm with deep experience in voluntary administrations, receiverships, and liquidations. Directly comparable as a specialized insolvency practice serving similar corporate and creditor clients.
- Cor Cordis: Cor Cordis is an Australian insolvency and restructuring firm providing corporate and personal insolvency services. Directly comparable as a mid-sized specialist firm offering similar appointment types and small business restructuring support.
- Hall Chadwick: Hall Chadwick is an Australian accounting and advisory firm with a dedicated insolvency and restructuring division. Comparable as a peer offering corporate insolvency, receiverships, business advisory, and creditor reporting services.
- PPB Advisory: PPB Advisory is an Australian insolvency, restructuring, and forensic accounting firm. Directly comparable as a peer offering voluntary administrations, deeds of company arrangement, liquidations, and creditor advisory services.
Broad incumbents
- McGrathNicol: McGrathNicol is a major Australian insolvency, restructuring, and advisory firm with offices nationwide. Directly comparable as a peer offering corporate insolvency, personal insolvency, forensic, and advisory services to distressed businesses and stakeholders.
- KordaMentha: KordaMentha is one of Australia's largest independent restructuring and insolvency advisory firms with national coverage. Directly comparable as a competitor in corporate insolvency, voluntary administrations, liquidations, and business advisory across Australia.
- FTI Consulting (Australia): FTI Consulting's Australian restructuring practice serves large distressed mandates, court appointments, and expert reports. Comparable as an incumbent restructuring and forensic advisory firm competing on complex insolvency work.
- KPMG Australia (Restructuring): KPMG's restructuring services cover formal insolvency appointments, turnaround advisory, and creditor advisory in Australia. Comparable as a broad incumbent competitor with national coverage and significantly larger bench strength.
- Deloitte Australia (Restructuring): Deloitte's restructuring practice handles large-scale insolvency and turnaround mandates across Australia. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering insolvency appointments and advisory services, though typically on larger and more complex matters than O'Brien Palmer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
O'Brien Palmer social profiles
Digital presenceO'Brien Palmer compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
O'Brien Palmer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
O'Brien Palmer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
O'Brien Palmer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
O'Brien Palmer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about O'Brien Palmer
What does O'Brien Palmer do?
O'Brien Palmer is an Australian insolvency and business advisory firm established in 1996 that provides corporate insolvency administration including Voluntary Administrations, Deeds of Company Arrangement, Liquidations, and Receiverships. The firm also delivers personal insolvency services such as Bankruptcy and Part X Personal Insolvency Agreements, court appointments under section 66G of the Bankruptcy Act, expert witness reports, business recovery, deceased estate administration, forensic services, and small business restructuring under Australian insolvency law.
Is O'Brien Palmer a public or private company?
O'Brien Palmer is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was O'Brien Palmer founded?
O'Brien Palmer was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is O'Brien Palmer based?
O'Brien Palmer is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does O'Brien Palmer make money?
One revenue line is on record: insolvency Administration Services.
Who are O'Brien Palmer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SV Partners, Ferrier Hodgson, Cor Cordis, Hall Chadwick and PPB Advisory. Broad incumbents are McGrathNicol, KordaMentha, FTI Consulting (Australia), KPMG Australia (Restructuring) and Deloitte Australia (Restructuring).
Does O'Brien Palmer have an API?
No public API is recorded for O'Brien Palmer.
What industry is O'Brien Palmer in?
O'Brien Palmer's product category is Insolvency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHABAL, Insolvency, Restructuring & Bankruptcy Administration, with a secondary code of BPAHAAAH, Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Insolvency Law. Its NAICS code is 5411 and its SIC code is 8111.