UK administrations update: January 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.

Versarien Plc - January 13
Versarien Plc, a Gloucestershire-based engineering company focused on the manufacture and application of advanced materials, fell into administration earlier this month, with Andrew Knowles and Andrew Poxon of Leonard Curtis appointed as joint administrators.

The collapse of the company followed months of uncertainty in which expressions of interest in acquiring the business as a going concern were received but not deemed acceptable by the board. Administrators have added they remain in negotiations with several parties seeking to acquire the business and its assets out of administration.

In accounts for the year to September 30 2024, the group reported revenues of £2.4 million, down from £3 million a year earlier, while cutting its pre-tax losses from £14.1 million to £4.3 million.

At the time, its non-current assets were valued at approximately £4.3 million and current assets at £2.3 million with total equity amounting to around £6.6 million.

Great Clothes Limited - January 13
Great Clothes Limited, a Leeds-based men’s plus size clothing retailer trading as Big Boys, fell into administration last week, with Christopher Brooksbank of CB Business Recovery appointed as administrator.

In accounts for the year to February 28 2025, the company’s fixed assets were valued at around £40,000 and current assets at £1.4 million, with net assets amounting to slightly over £849,000.

Planova Leeds Limited - January 13
Planova Leeds Limited, a retail display manufacturer based in Leeds trading as Bartuf, fell into administration last week, with Gordon Thomson and Gareth Harris of RSM appointed as joint administrators.

According to RSM, the administration followed a period of trading losses and was ultimately triggered by creditor action. The majority of the firm’s staff have been made redundant, with some retained to assist in the administration process.

In accounts for the year to December 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at close to £90,000 and current assets at around £1.9 million, with total equity standing at slightly over £193,000.

Simplicity Limited - January 14
Simplicity Limited, a Stockport-based household goods wholesaler, fell into administration last week, with Natasha Harbinson and William Wright of Interpath appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2024, the company reported turnover of £3.8 million, down from around £4.3 million a year earlier, but saw its operating profits improve from around £290,000 to approximately £382,000.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £66,000 and current assets at £5.5 million, with total equity amounting to £1.9 million.

Consumer Energy Solutions Limited - January 15
Consumer Energy Solutions Limited, a South Wales-based energy company, fell into administration earlier this month, with James Saunders and Michael Lennon of KR8 Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to January 31 2024, the company reported turnover of close to £81.1 million, up from £24.8 million a year earlier, while operating profits soared from £2.6 million to £35.2 million.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at slightly more than £370,000 and current assets at £36.4 million, while net assets totalled £25.7 million.

Mec - Serv Limited - January 15
Mec - Serv Limited, a Bristol-based underfloor heating, screeding and acoustic solutions specialist, fell into administration earlier this month, with Andrew Rosler of Ideal Corporate Solutions appointed as administrator.

In accounts for the year to June 30 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at approximately £67,000 and current assets at around £2.8 million, with net assets amounting to roughly £500,000.

C.W. Sellors (Gold and Silversmiths) Limited - January 15
C.W. Sellors (Gold and Silversmiths) Limited, a Derbyshire-based watch and jewellery company, fell into administration earlier this month, with Lee Causer and Benjamin Peterson of BDO appointed as joint administrators.

The administration occurred amid challenging trading conditions and following a turbulent few years for the firm, which included the death of founder Christopher Sellers and the sale of its newly-built headquarters.

Administrators are now seeking a sale of the business. 36 of the firm’s 86 staff have been made redundant, while its four Whitby locations have closed and are set to be combined into a single store. Its remaining locations will remain open.

In accounts for the year to April 30 2024, the company reported turnover of £28.5 million, down from around £30.5 million a year earlier, while falling from an operating profit of more than £950,000 to a loss of approximately £1.5 million.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £12.7 million and current assets at £10.8 million, while net assets amounted to around £4.5 million.

Find out more about the collapse of C.W. Sellors

Corrotherm International Limited - January 16
Corrotherm International Limited, a Middlesex-based steel supplier, fell into administration last week, with Simon Lowes and Julie Palmer of Begbies Traynor appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to April 30 2024, the company reported fixed assets of around £51,000 and current assets at £7.2 million, with net assets standing at £1.1 million.

G.Network Communications Limited - January 16
G.Network Communications Limited, an internet service provider based in London, fell into administration last week, with Richard Beard and Robert Croxen of Alvarez & Marsal appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year ending March 31 2024, the company reported revenue of £10.1 million, up from £6.4 million, while operating losses fell from £67.1 million to £52.8 million. At the time, its non-current assets were valued at £389 million and current assets at £63.5 million, with total equity totalling approximately £45.2 million.

C.F. Booth Limited - January 16
C.F. Booth Limited, a metal recycling company based in Rotherham, fell into administration last week, with James Lumb and Howard Smith of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2024, the company reported turnover of £113.6 million, down from £135.6 million a year earlier, while falling from an operating profit of £929,000 to a loss of close to £4.7 million.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £12.5 million and current assets at approximately £35.6 million, with net assets amounting to £9 million.

Zenith People Limited - January 19
Zenith People Limited, a recruitment company based in Hebburn, fell into administration earlier this month, appointing Iain Nairn and Sean Williams of Leonard Curtis as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to December 31 2023, the company’s total assets were valued at around £2.4 million, with total equity of approximately £301,000.

Logic Investments Limited - January 19
Logic Investments Limited, an investment management firm based in Essex, fell into administration last week, with Alexander Watkins and Edward Boyle of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2025, the company reported turnover of around £782,000, down from approximately £839,000 the previous year, while operating losses widened from £311,548 to slightly over £458,000.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at around £778,000 and current assets at approximately £692,000, with net assets amounting to £1.2 million.

Gunning Transmission & Distribution Services Limited - January 19
Gunning Transmission & Distribution Services Limited, a high voltage transmission and distribution specialist based in Exeter, fell into administration last week, with Gareth Slater and Joshua Dwyer of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to August 31 2024, the company reported turnover of around £96.5 million, up from £44 million a year earlier, but saw operating profits fall from £816,000 to around £461,000.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at around £74,000 and current assets at £29.6 million, with net assets totalling approximately £2.5 million.

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