Ben Carson

Director - Sydney

Ben Carson is a Director in the Sydney Restructuring & Recovery division.

Ben Carson brings more than 20 years of restructuring and recovery experience, gained across Australia and the UK. Throughout his career, he has advised distressed businesses, secured creditors, directors, government regulators and stakeholders in a wide range of industries including construction, recycling, manufacturing, retail and business services. 

Ben is known for his ability to remain calm and focused in complex environments, helping clients preserve value and navigate uncertainty with confidence. Working with middle-market and regional SMEs is an area Ben particularly enjoys. He understands the commercial and personal pressures business owners face when performance declines or cash flow becomes strained. His goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for all parties, whether it is through a restructure, a trade-on strategy, or guiding stakeholders through a formal insolvency process.

Ben’s experience includes leading the liquidation of a national plumbing business holding major residential development contracts. A successful preference recovery action against the Australian Taxation Office and other creditors further strengthened the financial position of the administration and enabled benefits to flow back to priority claimants. The matter showcased Ben’s commercial approach and his ability to maximise recoveries even in adverse conditions.

He also played a key leadership role in the winding up of a national recycling company working closely with prominent supermarket chains. The closure of a recycling operation of this scale brought significant environmental risk as well as ongoing operational obligations. Ben worked collaboratively with Environmental Protection Authorities, ASIC, major commercial partners and other stakeholders to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure responsible management of the sites and assets. His involvement included dealing with issues stemming from director misconduct, demonstrating the importance of transparency, compliance and balanced communication throughout the process.

"I take pride in guiding businesses and stakeholders through challenging times with practical, collaborative solutions that deliver the best outcome for everyone."

A further highlight of Ben’s career includes his work with the Tony Ferguson Group of Companies, where he helped oversee the trade-on, restructure and ultimate sale of the well-known health and nutrition brand. By simplifying the group structure and implementing a pooled Deed of Company Arrangement, the business was successfully positioned for continuity and renewed growth. The result preserved brand value, safeguarded jobs and ensured a better financial outcome for creditors.

Ben takes pride in achieving outcomes that make a tangible difference. One example he reflects on is his authorship of a Solvency Report that supported successful unfair preference litigation. The recovery of funds meant employees received their entitlements, a result that reinforced why the work matters. For Ben, the human element of restructuring and insolvency is always front of mind. 

Collaboration motivates Ben every day. He enjoys working closely with stakeholders who have diverse interests and finding a pathway forward that respects those competing priorities. For him, success isn’t only measured in financial metrics, it’s also about clients who feel informed and supported, stakeholders who are satisfied with the outcome and colleagues who enjoy tackling complex matters together. 

Prior to joining RSM Australia, Ben was a partner in a boutique restructuring and insolvency firm in Sydney. That experience, paired with time spent in a large international advisory environment, has equipped him with the versatility to manage engagements of all sizes, from small family businesses to national corporate groups with multiple sites and stakeholders across the country.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys pursuing projects that offer a welcome contrast to the high-pressure situations he often manages professionally. He is also passionate about sport, especially cricket, golf, rugby union and rugby league. Whether watching or playing, sport provides him with community, healthy competition and a chance to unwind.

Solutions ben Carson provides

Ben provides expert knowledge in the following areas:

• Liquidation
• Receivership
• Voluntary Administration
• Corporate Insolvency
• Small business restructuring and turnaround

Associations

• Member, CPA Australia
• Member, Institute of Public Accountants
• Member, Turnaround Management Association Australia (TMA)

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Australian Catholic University