A leading Edinburgh-based cybersecurity company, Adarma, has collapsed into administration, resulting in the immediate redundancy of 173 staff members. The closure marks the end of one of the UK’s largest independent cybersecurity operations, which counted prestigious clients in banking and luxury goods among its roster.
Adarma’s workforce, spread across headquarters in Edinburgh and an office in London, was informed of the company’s imminent shutdown during a tense call with management, followed by redundancy notifications and revoked access to company systems.
Administrators Will Wright and Alistair McAlinden of Interpath Advisory have now been formally appointed and confirmed the extent of the losses:
“Adarma had built a strong reputation in the cyber security sector, but sustained margin and cashflow pressures ultimately proved insurmountable. Like many in the industry, the business faced intense competition, rising operational costs, and a continual need for investment. Given Adarma’s financial position, we’ve made the difficult decision to cease trading. Our team is working closely with affected employees to support them through the redundancy process, including assistance with applications to the Redundancy Payments Office.”
Immediate Impact for Employees
Most affected staff were told on Monday that, if they had not received contrary notice, their positions were terminated with immediate effect. Former client director Ross Lockerbie-Tyrrell reflected on the event and the company’s legacy:
“I genuinely loved this business – the work, the value we add, and most of all, the people. I’m so proud of what we achieved together, and so grateful for the trust of our customers and the friendships I’ve built along the way.”
For many, the shock was compounded by the news that any outstanding wages and overtime owed for July will have to be pursued through the government’s Redundancy Payments Office, with little hope of prompt recompense.
As news of the collapse spread, the cybersecurity community responded with solidarity. Kevin Robertson, Co-founder and CTO of Glasgow-based Acumen Cyber, wrote:
“Regardless of competitive tendencies in our industry, this represents a significant net loss to the entire cyber security community. A wealth of innovation, experience, and passion stands to be lost in one fell swoop.”
Peers and rival firms have also expressed readiness to help displaced workers find new roles, emphasising the strong reputation and talent pool fostered by Adarma over the years.
