The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), one of Scotland's longest-established occupational health research bodies, has been acquired out of administration by private equity firm Rcapital Partners in a pre-pack deal completed on 22 July 2026. The transaction has preserved around 90 roles and allows the Edinburgh-based organisation to continue delivering specialist consulting services in occupational and environmental health.
90
Jobs preserved by the acquisition
Pre-pack administrations are arrangements where a sale of a business is agreed before an administrator is formally appointed, allowing the transfer to happen quickly and with minimal disruption to operations. In this case, the structure appears to have achieved its primary goal: keeping the workforce intact and maintaining service continuity for the IOM's clients across research, consulting and testing disciplines.
Rcapital Partners is a UK-based private equity firm that specialises in acquiring and stabilising businesses in financial difficulty. Its involvement signals that the IOM's underlying commercial model was considered viable, even if the organisation had reached a point where it could no longer sustain itself under its previous structure.
The IOM has a history stretching back decades and has built a strong reputation in fields including dust and particle exposure research, asbestos-related health studies and workplace health policy. Its rescue will be welcomed by staff, clients and the wider occupational health sector, though employees will now face a period of adjustment as new ownership establishes its priorities.
Why this matters if you're facing redundancy
If you work at the IOM or were caught up in this administration, it matters that your job appears to have transferred to the new owner rather than been made redundant. Under a pre-pack administration, employees typically transfer with their roles under TUPE regulations, which means your continuity of employment, contractual terms and accrued rights should be protected. However, this is not guaranteed in every pre-pack scenario, so it is worth asking your new employer directly to confirm that your TUPE transfer has taken place and that your terms remain unchanged.
Even where jobs are saved, a change of ownership following administration can bring restructuring further down the line. It is sensible to ask whether there are any planned changes to your role, location or terms in the coming months, and to find out who your new line management structure reports to. Keep copies of any written communications you receive from either the administrator or the new employer, as these could be important if any dispute arises later. Citizens Advice, Acas or an employment solicitor can help you understand your position if anything feels unclear.
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