UK administrations update: August 13 - 19

Since our last update, the following businesses have been confirmed as having fallen into administration. All dates indicate when the administration was announced and not necessarily the dates on which administrators were appointed.

ANTS Group Limited - August 13
ANTS Group Limited, a specialist contractor based in Bedfordshire, fell into administration last week, with David Kemp and Richard Hunt of Exigen Group appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the period from October 1 2022 to March 31 2024, the company reported turnover of £19.4 million, compared to £12.1 million in the year to September 30 2022, but fell from a post-tax profit of around £540,000 to a loss of over £96,000.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £3.7 million and current assets at £5.3 million, with net assets amounting to around £246,000.

Fortitudo Limited - August 13
Fortitudo Limited, a residential property developer based in Dorset, fell into administration earlier this month, with Nick Myers and Alex Cadwallader of Leonard Curtis appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to November 30 2023, the company’s fixed assets were valued at around £62,000 and current assets at close to £7.1 million, with net assets amounting to approximately £1.7 million.

Versarien Graphene Limited - August 13
Versarien Graphene Limited, a subsidiary of troubled advanced engineering materials company Versarien plc, was placed into administration last week, with Andrew Knowles and Andrew Poxon of Leonard Curtis appointed as joint administrators.

Last week, it was announced that Versarien had engaged Leonard Curtis to undertake an accelerated sale process for its remaining assets.

In accounts for the year to September 30 2023, Versarien Graphene Limited reported revenue of slightly over £92,000, up from around £70,000 a year earlier, but post-tax losses increased from approximately £749,000 to over £1.7 million.

At the time, the firm’s assets were valued at around £1.5 million and current assets at close to £388,000, with total equity coming to just under £1.9 million.

Mitchells Holding Limited - August 13
Mitchells Holding Limited, a provider of residential care and supported living services, fell into administration last week, with Brian Baker, Ian Robert and Simon Bonney of Moore Kingston Smith appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2023, the company reported turnover of £8.4 million, up from £6.4 million a year earlier, while increasing its post-tax profit from £1.2 million to £1.5 million.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £8 million and current assets at £2.8 million, with net assets amounting to around £5.1 million.

Sphere Bio Limited - August 14
Sphere Bio Limited, a Cambridge life sciences company formerly trading as Sphere Fluidics, fell into administration earlier this month, with Guy Hollander and Adam Harris of Forvis Mazars appointed as joint administrators.

The company, which rebranded this year as part of its transition from a microfluidics firm to an integrated life sciences services provider, was said to have fallen into administration after failing to secure new funding.

In accounts for the year to December 31 2023, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £3.3 million and current assets at £12.3 million, with net assets standing at £10.6 million.

W. Harrison & Sons (Carriers) Limited - August 14
W. Harrison & Sons (Carriers) Limited, a Middleton-based parcel delivery company trading as Express Parcel Services, fell into administration last week, with Julie Palmer and Andrew Hook of Begbies Traynor appointed as joint administrators.

The company’s collapse comes after a failed attempt to find a buyer, which resulted in it ceasing trading after more than 50 years. The joint administrators will now seek to realise the company’s assets, including - but not limited to - its vehicle fleet and leasehold property.

In accounts for the year to May 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at slightly over £1.1 million and current assets at approximately £710,000, with net assets amounting to slightly under £850,000.

Find out more about Express Parcel Services’ collapse

Claire’s Accessories UK Limited - August 15
Claire’s Accessories UK Limited, the UK and Ireland business of fashion accessories and jewellery giant Claire’s, fell into administration last week, with Will Wright and Chris Pole of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

The company’s collapse comes after US parent company Claire’s Holdings LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month. Will Wright and Chris Pole were also appointed as joint administrators of Claire's European Services Limited and Claire's European Distribution Limited.

Claire’s Birmingham-headquartered UK operation comprises 306 stores and employs more than 2,150 people. The joint administrators will continue to trade the companies in administration while options, including a sale as a going concern, are assessed.

Find out more about Claire’s administration here

Pan Marketing Limited - August 19
Pan Marketing Limited, a marketing firm based in Sidcup, fell into administration last week, with Martin Armstrong and Andrew Bailey of Turpin Baker Armstrong appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to July 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at around £334,000 and current assets at close to £4.8 million, with total equity of approximately £1.6 million.

Leedale Limited - August 19
Leedale Limited, a construction support services provider, fell into administration last week, with Craig Povey and Gareth Prince of Begbies Traynor appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to October 31 2022, the company’s fixed assets were valued at around £7 million and current assets at approximately £3 million, with net assets standing at slightly under £940,000.


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