9 APR 2024 · What do a real estate agent, a restauranteur, a meat worker, a concreter, and an alleged mistress have in common? They were all supposedly in the Sydney office of the Goldsky Ponzi scheme, senior investment advisors. This episode of our mini-series continues on the Gold Sky Ponzi scheme, a fraud that involved a fake hedge fund and deceived investors in Australia and the US. Chris Baskerville explains how the mastermind of the scheme, Ken Grace, used a loophole in the Australian regulations to avoid getting an AFSL licence and claimed to have an SEC licence in the US. Brazenly, Grace copied content from other websites to create a false impression of legitimacy and credibility. Chris tells how he was eventually exposed by the SEC and ASIC. The podcast also explores the role of various people who were involved in the scheme as senior investment advisors despite having no relevant qualifications or experience. The podcast aims to expose the deception and manipulation behind the Gold Sky Ponzi scheme and to warn potential investors about the risks of such scams.

28 MAR 2024 · Welcome to the first episode of 2024, the start of our series on the Goldsky Ponzi Scheme, one of the more brazen frauds in Australian history. Many people say they are ‘experts’ on this case, but let’s get the story from the man who had to unpick it. In this mini-series, we will follow the trail of Kenneth Grace, the mastermind(?) behind Goldsky. Grace contrived to be named hedge fund manager of the year and swindled millions from unsuspecting investors. Chris Baskerville and his team were appointed to recover the money that they could and unravel the web of lies. Chris will share his insights and anecdotes on how he pursued Grace's falsehoods across the globe, from Singapore to the US, and exposed his deception. While a serious topic, we hope you will find this series entertaining and informative as we explore the anatomy of a Ponzi scheme and the lessons we can learn from it. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we will dive deeper into the details of Goldsky and its operations.

6 MAR 2024 · In this Prologue to The Sounds of the Baskerville Podcasts for 2024, James Flaherty, talks with two insolvency experts, Chris Baskerville and Bill Cotter, about the Small Business Restructuring (SBR) regime in Australia. SBR is a relatively new option for businesses with less than $1 million in debt to restructure their affairs and avoid liquidation, with the help of a Small Business Restructuring Practitioner (SBRP). Bill and Chris explain that the SBR process is fast, efficient and a bit more flexible than formal insolvency events. , SBR allows businesses to propose a plan to their creditors that can reduce their debt and improve their cash flow. The SBR process has a high success rate, with over 80% of the plans being accepted by creditors, often the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), which is typically the largest creditor. What works, what doesn't and why act now (we always say that, but why this time?)

8 DEC 2023 · A short podcast that mixes MC hammer, cliches and mixed metaphors (yes, we've probably done most of these before, but maybe not all in the one episode). Good things come to those who wait. And, increasingly, Director Penalty Notices those Directors who do not lodge r need with the ATO about tax Debts. Everyone knows (well, maybe not self-funded retirees) that the squeeze is on. Interest rates up, prices up, ents up, business activity OK,ish... The Taxman cometh. We know what the Directors owing tax need to do. We looked back at some numbers and looked at formal insolvencies by type and what they are.

20 NOV 2023 · As the boss of the business, the entrepreneur, the one who understands the risks, whose advice do you respect? We often talk about getting trusted advice from qualified people, but what about other business leaders? How can you engage with them and talk shop in more detail and still keep what needs to be secret under lock and key? In this week's episode, Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty are joined by Simone Dunlop to hear how her organisation helps business owners get useful business advice from peers and respected individuals. Simone, the CEO of My Business Team, shares insight into how her company provides business owners with a platform to connect, discuss, and address their business challenges successfully. As an entrepreneur, it is not always easy to find the advice you can easily accept or sometimes be able to pay for. However, with a peer perspective and building mutual respect, there are ways to get help with business challenges - or face issues you haven't wanted to deal with. And you can always get handy contacts! Tune in to this episode to learn more about the benefits of seeking peer advice, from the right peers!

12 OCT 2023 · A topic we often come back to! How come there are so many scams? How do people get trapped? And how do the crooks still get away with it? Chris Baskerville, The Ponzi King (as in the man to get who'll go after the money and the bad guys) shares the 'watch-outs. Yes, we've covered a bit of this ground before, but what does Chris see now? After some big wins in court, anything to add to the watchlist? Sure, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But the smart trickster can disguise a scam. And sometimes, the bad scheme doesn't start out that way, or the promoter loses sight of who they are supposedly investing for. Whatever the story, hear the master storyteller himself, Chris Baskerville, fills us in.

28 AUG 2023 · In this episode of The Sounds of The Baskerville, we talk about managing business cash flow from week to week. How often do small business owners rely on inconsistent income to cover their expenses?! Be it seasonal fluctuations, delayed payments, or unexpected expenses – business can be a rollercoaster ride of cash flow. How many days do things seem to be like you are 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' or 'living from payment to payment.' While these strategies may provide temporary relief, they can have negative long-term outcomes. Constantly playing catch-up and prioritizing immediate needs over long-term stability can hinder growth and lead to financial instability. To highlight the most extreme example of mismanaging cash flow, we also contrast these strategies with the extreme - Ponzi scheme. They are not the same, Chris Baskerville explains the difference! Understanding the dangers of relying on inconsistent cash flow and unsustainable practices is crucial for small businesses. You know it - but listen in!

14 AUG 2023 · In the latest episode of "The Sounds of the Baskerville," join Chris Baskerville as he uncovers the challenges faced in business when landlords and tenants during a crisis. In this case, usually lessors and lessees! Chris is joined by special guest Brenden McGrath, Special Counsel with extensive expertise in property issues. Get ready for an insightful conversation as Chris and Brenden explore the myriad problems that both landlords and tenants can encounter when navigating through tough times. But it's not all about the problems – Chris and Brenden also offer practical solutions and valuable insights to try to protect business owners and their personal assets. Tune in now to gain invaluable insights from Chris Baskerville and Brenden McGrath on "The Sounds of the Baskerville"Tennant vs Landlord"

2 AUG 2023 · In this episode, Chris Baskerville and James Flaherty sit down with special counsel Brendan McGrath to discuss real estate issues in business interest rate squeeze. Specifically, what is he seeing about property law, insolvency, and the potential warning signs for landlords and renters alike? To property law, insolvency and small business restructuring? What is Brendan seeing out there? This week, the trio discusses the possible advantages and disadvantages of various rental arrangements, the role of small business restructuring in protecting landlord and tenant interests, and what tenants need to consider when negotiating a lease. Brendan explains how lawyers can help create agreements that are better suited for each side's needs and issues to consider in handling potential disputes. The conversation also touches upon the importance of financial literacy, preparation for potential unexpected costs, and understanding personal guarantees on business leases. They talk about common pitfalls that people may encounter when dealing with property-related matters, such as not understanding certain aspects of the law or what they will be paying. Another timely instalment!

12 JUL 2023 · We’re continuing our series on personal insolvency, and this week he's discussing what to do when you haven’t thought about the best structure for your business .... yet. Insolvency advice can mean many things – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=bankruptcy&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7084779422997753856, https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=debt&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7084779422997753856 relief negotiations, Part IX, administration, and more. Whatever you’re dealing with, the best advice is to seek out professional help from a qualified insolvency practitioner. Chris shares his insights from probably 2000 or more case studies on what to do and what not to do! This week, Chris and https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAACrIB0BJ9Vh1k_46wkOggNGy-D5zYXkGBE are at the https://www.linkedin.com/company/aiip2018/ conference in Canberra – so we might just be lucky enough to get some extra podcast recordings with industry experts! Stay tuned. https://lnkd.in/gCjju748 or Spotify and iTunes.