At O’Brien Palmer, our strength is our people. Behind every insolvency appointment and every client meeting are dedicated professionals who not only bring technical expertise but also a deep sense of empathy and care. One of those people is Ibrahim (Ibby) Annous, Manager in our East Side team.
Ibby has been part of OBP for more than two years, working alongside Daniel Frisken and Ahmed Sowaid, leading a high-volume team of eight to nine staff. Together, they manage complex corporate insolvency matters, restructures, liquidations, and administrations – often under tight timeframes.
But for Ibby, insolvency is about much more than numbers.
“It may seem like a simple job that we do on these liquidations, but sometimes it’s about going that extra mile. For one Arabic-speaking restaurant owner, it meant being able to explain the process in his own language, easing his fears, and helping him move forward. That’s what makes this job rewarding.”
Multicultural Care and Clear Communication
As a fluent Arabic speaker, Ibby plays a vital role in supporting OBP’s multicultural client base. For many directors and families whose first language isn’t English, navigating financial distress can be overwhelming. Ibby bridges that gap, ensuring they are understood, and just as importantly, that they feel heard.
One standout case for Ibby was a small hairdressing business under restructuring. Despite poor tax compliance and ATO scrutiny, Ibby’s team successfully negotiated with creditors and the ATO to accept a fair restructuring plan. The result: the business survived, debts were managed, and the director got a genuine second chance.
A People-First Approach
Ibby’s own story is one of resilience and purpose. From self-confessed class clown to now a highly valued insolvency professional, he discovered during his university studies that insolvency combined his two passions: business done right and helping people.
As a husband, father, and family man, Ibby relates to the everyday pressures his clients face. He understands that behind every struggling company is a family depending on its survival. That empathy drives the advice he gives and the way he supports clients through some of their hardest moments.
The OBP Culture
Ibby also credits OBP’s culture as a key to his success.
“We deal with stressful situations every day, so it’s important that our environment is relaxed, supportive, and collaborative. The team I’m part of is the best I’ve had in almost a decade in insolvency – we genuinely work together to get the best outcomes.”
👉 If you’d like to learn more about how OBP can help your business or your clients, contact either Ibby, Liam or any of our team for a confidential discussion:
📞 Call: (61) 2 9232 3322
📧 Email: obp1@obp.com.au
🌐 Visit: https://obp.com.au