Business & Technology
InDebted appoints Rob Young as UK Managing Director
InDebted has appointed Rob Young as managing director for the UK, putting a long-standing board member in charge of one of the debt recovery company’s key markets.
Young takes over with a mandate to expand the business in Britain as lenders look for alternatives to legacy collections systems. He will lead UK operations, work with existing clients and support new customer acquisition in a market where collections firms handle more than £60 billion in consumer debt and generate more than £2 billion in annual revenue.
His appointment follows more than five years as non-executive chairman of InDebted UK, where he oversaw the company’s platform, client relationships and strategy. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Wonga and OnDeck, working on international expansion across the UK, Canada and Australia.
Most recently, Young was chief operating officer at Bedford Consulting, leading the consultancy’s operations.
Market focus
The appointment signals a stronger push in a large, heavily regulated UK market, as lenders face pressure to modernise debt recovery processes while more borrowing moves online. InDebted is positioning itself around digital consumer engagement in an industry where many workflows still rely on manual processes.
The company operates in seven countries and focuses on consumer debt recovery for financial services groups and other organisations. Its UK business forms part of a broader international strategy to win a larger share of collections work from regulated lenders.
Josh Foreman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of InDebted, linked the appointment to that wider plan.
“The UK is a critical market for InDebted, both in its own right and as part of our broader global strategy,” said Josh Foreman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of InDebted. “Rob’s experience building and scaling regulated fintech businesses, combined with his long-standing involvement with InDebted, makes him exceptionally well placed to lead our next phase of growth in the region. He understands the market, the regulatory landscape, and the opportunity to do things better for both clients and consumers,” added Foreman.
Sector shift
Britain’s credit market has faced sustained investment and regulatory scrutiny in recent years, particularly around consumer treatment and collections practices. That has created opportunities for specialist firms that argue digital tools can provide lenders with more consistent and traceable ways to manage overdue accounts.
Young said the timing reflected a shift in the market.
“The UK is a large, sophisticated market that is increasingly open to new approaches, particularly where technology can deliver better outcomes for customers,” said Young. “InDebted is operating in a part of the credit lifecycle that has historically seen very little innovation, and that is what initially attracted me to the business. My focus will be on building a strong UK operation, deepening relationships with clients, and establishing InDebted as a trusted, long-term partner in the market,” said Young.
His background in fintech and credit includes work at businesses that expanded across multiple regulated markets, experience likely to be relevant as UK lenders balance efficiency, consumer expectations and compliance demands. InDebted said that a mix of sector expertise and familiarity with the company made Young a natural choice for the role.
Industry role
The appointment also underlines how debt recovery has become a more visible part of the fintech market. As digital lenders, card providers and other credit businesses scale, the systems used to manage missed payments are drawing greater attention from executives and regulators alike.
For InDebted, the challenge in the UK will be to turn that demand into client growth in a market where incumbent collections models remain entrenched. Young now leads that effort after more than five years on the company’s UK board.
Business & Technology
UK travel company enters liquidation – all holidays cancelled
Ski Yodl Ltd, founded in March 2018, offered ski holiday packages to destinations including the French Alps.
The company’s LinkedIn profile described it as “a collective of ski industry professionals driven to create a customer-centric booking experience with skiing at its core”.
All holiday packages cancelled as Ski Yodl enters liquidation
After eight years, Ski Yodl, based in Norwich, is now set to close, having voluntarily entered liquidation.
A voluntary winding-up order was agreed on July 22, according to The Gazette, with Richard Cacho from RCM Advisory Limited appointed liquidator.
As a result, all package holidays booked through Ski Yodl have been cancelled.
ABTA, one of the UK’s largest travel trade associations, said: “We do not believe that there were any current customer bookings for package holidays at the time of liquidation.
“However, any customers who believe they may be affected should contact ABTA by emailing claimsrequest@abta.co.uk with details of their booking.”
The company also arranged accommodation-only bookings, which were not covered by ABTA protection.
ABTA advised: “Customers that paid by credit or debit card and had accommodation-only bookings will need to contact their card issuer for assistance with obtaining a refund.
“Any customers that paid by other means such as bank transfer will need to register their claim with the liquidator, RCM Advisory Limited, on 01603 331960 or info@rcmadvisory.co.uk.”
Other UK travel companies that have closed in 2026
Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:
Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation this year:
- Ascend Airways (liquidation)
- EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
- Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
- European Cargo (administration)
Have you booked a holiday with Ski Yodl? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
Business & Technology
March is busiest month for UK startup address sign-ups
SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO
News Editor
Hoxton Mix has published an analysis of more than 29,000 virtual office and registered address sign-ups, showing that UK industries tend to establish new business presences at different times of year. The data identifies March as the busiest month overall.
The London-based provider examined 29,070 subscriptions recorded between 2017 and May 2026 and grouped businesses across 21 industry sectors by their primary UK Standard Industrial Classification code. The figures suggest there is no single national startup season, with sector patterns differing sharply across the economy.
March produced 2,951 sign-ups and was the peak month for six sectors: Information & Communication, with 892 sign-ups; Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities, with 833; Wholesale & Retail Trade, with 719; Real Estate, with 275; Healthcare, with 125; and Finance, with 107.
That concentration suggests the spring surge was driven mainly by service-led and knowledge-focused parts of the economy. Those sectors account for more than half of the startup activity covered in the analysis.
Different rhythms
Outside March, the pattern becomes more fragmented. May was the annual peak for six further sectors, including Manufacturing, with 127 sign-ups; Transport & Storage, with 101; Agriculture, with 13; Mining & Quarrying, with six; Household Activities, with 24; and Other Service Activities, with 176.
Several industries peaked at other points in the year. Administrative & Support Services reached its highest level in January with 429 sign-ups, while Accommodation & Food Services also peaked that month with 107.
Education and Arts & Recreation followed a different timetable, with both reaching their high point in April. The figures showed 130 sign-ups for Education and 144 for Arts & Recreation in that month.
Construction stood apart from the wider trend, reaching its annual high in August with 228 sign-ups. It was one of the few major sectors not to peak during spring.
Sector timing
The findings point to different operating cycles across industries rather than a single moment when founders are most likely to set up. Businesses tied to project pipelines, seasonal demand or professional services appear to choose different points in the calendar when arranging a registered or virtual office address.
The data is based on subscriptions for virtual offices and registered addresses rather than total UK company incorporations, so it reflects behaviour among firms choosing that type of business presence. Even so, the scale of the dataset offers a view of how timing differs between sectors.
The records span nearly a decade, covering subscription activity from 2017 onwards. Using SIC classifications, Hoxton Mix mapped sign-up volumes against each month of the year to identify recurring peaks.
For information and communication businesses, the numbers suggest spring remains the strongest period for setting up an address presence. Professional services and retail businesses showed a similar pattern, reinforcing March as the busiest point of the year for a large share of service-based activity.
By contrast, January appears to hold more appeal for some operational and customer-facing sectors. Administrative and support services, along with hospitality-related businesses, recorded their highest sign-up levels at the start of the calendar year.
Construction’s August peak marks one of the clearest breaks from that pattern. The timing may reflect the sector’s own commercial cycle, which differs from office-based and consumer-facing businesses.
A brief explanation accompanied the release of the figures.
“New founders often ask when the best time is to start a business, but our data suggests that’s the wrong question. The real question is: when is the best time to start your type of business? Technology founders appear to launch in spring, construction businesses build momentum later in the year and hospitality businesses often favour January. These aren’t random patterns – they reflect the different commercial cycles, customer demand and opportunities within each industry. It’s a reminder that successful founders aren’t simply following the calendar. They’re timing their launch to give themselves the strongest possible start,” said Chris Sees, Chief Executive Officer, Hoxton Mix.
Business & Technology
Muscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
Muscle Food has offered customers “quality” meat, high-protein meals, supplements, and more for 13 years (founded in 2013).
The brand has built its reputation on offering “macro-friendly” meal options, calorie-controlled bundles, and nutritional transparency, aiming to support customers’ health and fitness goals.
Its website explains: “Muscle Food brings together high-protein meats, curated hampers, supplements, snacks and functional drinks to support every goal.
“From lean, macro-friendly cuts to calorie-packed bulking options, our range is built to fuel performance, recovery and everyday healthy living.
“We focus on quality, clear nutrition and products that help you stay consistent, and we are always expanding to support your journey!
“Every order is carefully packed for freshness and delivered straight to you, making it easy to stay stocked with the food that powers your progress.
“With dependable delivery and consistent quality, MuscleFood fits seamlessly into your routine so you can focus on your goals.”
Muscle Food falls into administration
After 13 years, Muscle Food has now confirmed it has fallen into administration.
Stuart Kelly and Claire Harsley from Mackay Goodwin Limited were appointed joint administrators on July 21, according to The Gazette.
Despite its financial trouble, the company’s website remains online, along with a notice stating the joint administrators are now managing the business and its assets.
Muscle Food said: “The affairs, business and property are managed by the Joint Administrators, who act as agents of Muscle Foods Limited (In Administration) and without personal liability.”
Customers “very distressed” as Muscle Food at risk of closing
Muscle Food has built up a loyal customer base over the past 13 years, maintaining a 3.7-star rating on Trustpilot.
One long-time customer said: “Brilliant service, from delivery to the quality of the meats bought. My family and I have been using Muscle Food since their start-up.
“I first started buying for my family, and now my daughters have grown and have children of their own and now use Muscle Food too.
“I was VERY distressed to hear that they had gone into administration.
“Keep going Guys. There are thousands of us who appreciate you.”
Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026
It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several other retailers entering administration or liquidation and others announcing widespread store closures.
Major high street brands LK Bennett, Claire’s, and Quiz have been forced to close all their remaining stores after falling into administration.
UK fashion retailer Leading Labels is also set to close its remaining 15 stores after falling into liquidation.
Whitbread recently confirmed it will be closing all its UK restaurants in September:
- Brewers Fayre (89 locations) – September 7
- Beefeater (106) – September 10
- Bar + Block – September 3
- Table Table – September 3
- Cookhouse + Pub – September 3
TG Jones and the British Heart Foundation will also both be closing around 150 stores across the UK.
Other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including:
Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:
Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:
UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out after being acquired by InPost.
It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.
It hasn’t all been bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.
Plus-size clothing brand Evans also returned to the UK high street recently after closing all its stores and concessions in December 2020.
Bodycare has also returned to the UK high street in 2026 after closing all its stores last year, having fallen into administration.
Do you use Muscle Food? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
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