UK administrations update: July 29 - August 5

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.

Cenergist Limited - July 29
Cenergist Limited, a Newcastle-upon-Tyne-based energy efficiency services firm, fell into administration in late July, with Howard Smith and James Lumb of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

The collapse of the company, which had operations in Washington, Leeds, London, Cardiff, Spain, India and the Netherlands, was attributed to a contractual dispute which ultimately cost it £1.2 million, as well as stalled projects and delayed payments.

Following their appointment, the joint administrators secured a pre-pack sale of the company’s £4.5m-revenue water division to a group of its managers, saving 84 jobs. However, 100 jobs have been lost elsewhere at the business after attempts to secure a solvent sale proved unsuccessful.

In accounts for the year to January 31 2024, the group reported revenue of £50.5 million, down from £52.5 million a year earlier, and fell from a pre-tax profit of nearly £10 million to a loss of £5.3 million. At the time, the company’s total equity amounted to £47.7 million.

Maldon Metals Limited - July 30
Maldon Metals Limited, an Essex-based metal recycling company, fell into administration last week, with Alan Clark and Jenny Poleykett of Carter Clark appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at around £452,000 and current assets at close to £1.1 million, with net assets slightly exceeding £590,000.

Uggbugg Fashion Limited - July 31
Uggbugg Fashion Limited, a Manchester-based fast fashion womenswear retailer trading as Missy Empire, fell into administration last week, with James Saunders and Mark Blackman of KR8 Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In the 15 months to April 30 2023, the company reported turnover of £12.5 million, up from approximately £8 million in its previous accounts, but saw post-tax losses widen from £320,000 to £338,000.

Founded in 2015, the company saw rapid growth, being acquired by JD Sports in 2021. In 2022, however, it was part of a deal that saw Frasers Group acquire JD Sports’ interest in a number of brands. In 2024, it was hit by high-profile allegations of a toxic working culture from former employees.

Following their appointment, the joint administrators have begun the process of seeking a buyer for the brand and assets, with operations suspended pending a sale.

In its most recent accounts, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £447,000 and current assets at £2.7 million, with total equity standing at just under £2 million.

Find out more about the demise of Missy Empire

Prime Energy Markets Limited - August 1
Prime Energy Markets Limited, an Edinburgh-based oil derivatives trading company, fell into administration last month, with Andrew Andronikou, Michael Kiely and Ian Wright of Quantuma appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to December 31 2023, the company reported revenue of £16.6 million, up from £13.6 million a year earlier, while post-tax profits fell from £3.9 million to around £3.3 million. Its assets at the time were valued at around £18.7 million, with total equity of £7.5 million.

Off the Fence Productions Limited - August 1
Off the Fence Productions Limited, an independent producer and distributor of non-fiction film and television, fell into administration last week, with Simon Haskew and Paul Wood of Begbies Traynor appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to December 30 2023, the company’s fixed assets were valued at slightly over £620,000 and current assets at around £926,000. However, debts of close to £3.7 million meant that the company’s total liabilities amounted to £2.1 million.

Zevhub Limited - August 4
Zevhub Limited, an electric vehicle (EV) charging point provider, fell into administration last week, with Trevor Binyon and Colin Wilson of Opus Restructuring appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to February 29 2024, the company’s assets were valued at slightly over £900,000. However, its debts meant that net liabilities totalled close to £280,000.

Slim at Home Limited - August 4
Slim at Home Limited, trading as The Slimming Clinic, a Christchurch-based provider of online weight loss clinics and programmes, fell into administration last week, with Michael Kiely and Andrew Andronikou of Quantuma appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to December 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £332,655 and current assets at £1.1 million, with net assets amounting to slightly over £370,000.

Optimal Compliance Services (London) LLP - August 5
Optimal Compliance Services (London) LLP, a compliance services consultancy, fell into administration last week, with Nicholas Simmonds and Chris Newell of Quantuma Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the 10 months to March 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £172,232 and current assets at £1.7 million, with net assets amounting to around £903,000.


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