The sudden collapse of a well-regarded Welsh energy consultancy has caught the industry off guard. Amber, a Cardiff-founded energy consultancy set up by Nick Proctor, ceased trading on Friday with approximately 170 staff now out of work. On paper, the business appeared healthy, with audited accounts showing turnover of about £11m and no obvious red flags.
The firm had built a respected reputation over the years. Amber specialised in data platforms, analytics and digital transformation, working with government departments, local authorities and regulated infrastructure bodies, often positioning itself at the heart of net zero delivery and public service reform. It was also a certified B Corp and frequently highlighted its ethical and social impact credentials.
The collapse raises hard questions about the resilience of mid-sized consultancies. Amber’s downfall underlines the pressure facing firms operating in government and energy markets, where procurement cycles are long, margins are tight, and cashflow can turn quickly if projects slip or pipeline assumptions fail to land.
Clients and partners have been left scrambling, with no formal public statement yet explaining the failure.
