Luc has over 20 years of experience as a financial journalist in Asia covering fixed income, credit derivatives and distressed debt markets. He joined Debtwire in 2006 as Managing Editor for the Asia-Pacific region and now is responsible for a team of 14 journalists and five analysts that cover primarily the stressed/distressed debt, high yield and primary debt markets. Luc first started covering distressed debt markets in 1989 as a reporter for IFR in Japan. In 1998 he initiated and developed coverage of the Asian distressed debt markets for IFR Asia.

John Nestel is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal in Sydney, and serves as the firm’s Head of Corporate Finance and Debt Restructuring practice in Southeast Asia and Australia. He brings more than 25 years of merger and acquisition, complex financing and restructuring experience.

Mr. Nestel has worked extensively for all the major banks and financial institutions, as well as private equity, including in carve-outs of financial services platforms and sale and purchase of credit books. 

Additionally, Mr. Nestel specialises in complex cross-border financing and has worked on major corporate restructures across the APAC region, the U.S. and Europe. He worked on the financing of the Takata (airbag manufacturing) entities to emerge from Chapter 15 bankruptcy (the international version of Chapter 11). Mr. Nestel has also been involved in most of the significant administrations and turnaround or restructuring transactions in Australia, including for private equity and special situation funds during the global financial crisis, and in developing innovative uses of securitisations to fund acquisition of NPL loan portfolios and credit books. 

Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Nestel co-founded a boutique investment bank, specialising in restructuring, complex M&A and capital raising, and served as Global Head of Finance for Herbert Smith Freehills. As President of the Turnaround Management Association, Mr. Nestel championed the secondary debt trading market in Australia, including NPL portfolios and the entry of credit and special situation funds.

Mr. Nestel led the restructure of Virgin Australia for the ~$2 billion bondholders; the debt for control acquisition of Camp Australia; the carve-out and financing of Westpac’s $12 billion auto finance platform; and the take private of Slater & Gordon.

Mr. Nestel earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and a bachelor’s degree in law (first class honours) from Macquarie University. He has been the International Vice-President for TMA Global; the President and Chairman of the Turnaround Management Association of Australia; on the board of AsiaPac Loan Market Association for 20 years; and published in leading journals.

Mr Wong is an Executive Director in Argyle Street Management Limited. Mr Wong is specialize in distress and private credit investment in Asia. He previously worked at KPMG and FTI Consulting in Hong Kong. Mr Wong is a Fellow member of the HKICPA. He holds a Bachelor of Business from the Queensland University of Technology, a Juris Doctor from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a Master course in Financial Engineering from Stanford University.

Rod brings with him an impressive tenure of over 37 years in the field of financial advisory. His extensive and varied experience encompasses numerous pivotal roles including CEO, member of the Executive Committees, Advisor, Director, and Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO).

Throughout his career, Rod has advised companies, boards, creditors, and stakeholders across the Asia Pacific region on complex financial and operational challenges. His judgement, practical approach, and focus on consensual outcomes have made him a highly sought-after advisor for situations requiring decisive leadership, stakeholder alignment, and value preservation.

Prior to assuming his current position, Rod was one of Asia’s most respected insolvency practitioners, with a track record of delivering returns to creditors on average of 60 cents to the dollar on his assignments. In response to strong market demand for his services, Rod now focuses on earlier-stage, company-side mandates, including board roles, Chief Restructuring Officer appointments, and special advisory roles, where he can help companies stabilise, restructure and reposition for success. His approach is centred on achieving greater returns than a formal appointment would typically deliver, while supporting the business in preserving value and pursuing a sustainable path forward.

Rod’s career is marked by strategic vision, commercial judgement, and an ability to navigate complex financial landscapes. He is recognised for helping companies and stakeholders reach practical, value-enhancing outcomes, with a consistent focus on maximising recoveries, preserving enterprise value, and positioning businesses for long-term success.

Tim is the Head of Special Credit Unit, Greater China, with responsibility for the work out and restructuring (incl. debt sales) of stressed, distressed and defaulted exposures held by HSBC as principal.  Coverage includes Global & Commercial Banking, Wealth & Private Banking and Markets, and includes management of borrowers outside this region given HSBC Hong Kong’s role as an offshore loan booking center.

Tim has worked in Finance for over 25 years and with HSBC since 2014.  Prior to HSBC, Tim worked in special situations space on both sellside and buyside.

Tim is an Economics graduate from the University of Cambridge and has an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.