Exertis UK went into administration on Friday, according to a note on its website.
The £1.4bn-revenue distributor in December announced plans to reduce headcount by over 90%, a month after it was bought by international private equity house AURELIUS.
It emerged from a 45-day consultation in late January, vowing to become a “specialist, independent distributor” focused on retail.
But less than two months later, Exertis UK kicked off a second staff consultation process with all remaining staff, we learned.
A note on its website reads:
Please note that Martin Armstrong and Andrew Bailey of Turpin Barker Armstrong, together with James Hopkirk of Kreston Reeves, were appointed as Joint Administrators of Exertis (UK) Ltd on 29 May 2026. The affairs, business and property of Exertis (UK) Ltd are being managed by the Joint Administrators, who act as agents of the Company and contract without personal liability.
The move comes after a last-gasp effort to sell Exertis UK’s 3PL business failed, one insider claimed.
IT Channel Oxygen understands that around 70 staff remain on the payroll.
According to its latest filed accounts, Exertis UK saw turnover fall 8% to £1.43bn in its year to 31 March 2025. Net losses widened to £47.9m. It ranked fourth in IT Channel Oxygen’s recent 50 Must-Know UK IT Distributors and Marketplaces.
Industry veteran Alex Tatham – who was formerly UK MD of Exertis rival Westcoast – was quick to express his sympathy for those involved.
“As is so often the case, there are so many losers in this story,” he said.
“I feel particularly sorry for the employees who worked hard to make Exertis a great place to work. However, a distributor has to make profit and generate cash. It’s surprising that it did not over a sustained period leading to this inevitable demise.”
AURELIUS declined to comment.
A spokesperson for Turpin Barker Armstrong told IT Channel Oxygen:
Martin Armstrong and Andrew Bailey of Turpin Barker Armstrong, together with James Hopkirk of Kreston Reeves, were appointed as Joint Administrators of Exertis (UK) Ltd on 29 May 2026. The Joint Administratorsare currently undertaking an assessment of the Company’s affairs and working with the remaining management team and employees to manage the Administration process.
Given the early stage of the Administration, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. Any material updates will be communicated to stakeholders through the appropriate channels.
Doug Woodburn is editor of IT Channel Oxygen
