10. Administrators called in
What was left of the UK’s fourth-largest IT distributor went into administration on Friday.
Although widely anticipated, the news was still a troubling confirmation of the demise of a distribution giant that employed around 1,200 staff.
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 around 70 staff remain on the payroll.
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.”
