The Behrens Group announced Wednesday it has taken ownership of The Hybrid Games, two weeks after Walker James Limited, the company that operated the events throughout 2025, filed a notice of intention to enter administration.
The announcement, posted to The Hybrid Games UK Instagram account, describes the transition as “a new era under new ownership” and states that “new leadership aims to redefine competitive fitness with scalable, high-quality events designed for participants of all levels.”
The announcement comes as vendors claim more than £54,000 in unpaid invoices from 2025 events, with at least three vendors pursuing legal action or debt recovery.
Lender Position and Control
Public filings show that Sir Jacob Behrens & Sons Limited, a 192-year-old family-owned textile and leisure industry supplier, held debentures over both Walker James Limited and The Hybrid Games Events Limited as of November 18, 2025.
A debenture is a form of secured lending that gives the lender priority claims over company assets if debts cannot be repaid. In an insolvency scenario, secured creditors are paid before unsecured creditors such as vendors.
Walker James Limited filed a notice of intention to enter administration on March 4, 2026, stating it was “unable to pay its liabilities as and when they fall due.” Zane Collins of Rushtons Insolvency Limited was appointed as administrator.
The Hybrid Games Events Limited, incorporated in July 2025 with Dale Walker and Hannah Elizabeth George as directors, remains active and also held a debenture with Behrens.
It is not yet clear whether Behrens’ stated ownership has been formalized through a share acquisition, restructuring, or enforcement of secured lending rights. However, the structure places the lender in a position of significant control over company assets and operations.
£54,000 in Vendor Claims
Multiple vendors have come forward claiming non-payment for services provided at The Hybrid Games events in 2025.
Roy Bird of Event Flooring Solutions stated his company is owed £25,000 for flooring supplied to events at Olympia London in November, Glasgow in September, and Newcastle in August. Bird stated the custom-cut flooring has not been returned and his company has hired a debt recovery firm to pursue payment.
An audio/visual production company reported being owed more than £13,000 for services provided at the Newcastle event in August. The vendor stated that after Walker James Limited filed for insolvency, “we won’t be able to retrieve anything owed.”
Allen Transport obtained a County Court Judgement against Walker James Limited in December 2025 for £15,674 in unpaid haulage services related to the Glasgow event in September. An additional County Court Judgement for £912 from another creditor was filed in January 2026.
All vendors confirmed their invoices were issued to Walker James Limited, the company now in administration. Under UK insolvency law, unsecured creditors typically recover only a fraction of what they are owed, if anything, after secured creditors and administrative costs are paid.
Three Companies in Fifteen Months
The Hybrid Games has operated through three separate legal entities since its launch in January 2025.
The Hybrid Games Limited was incorporated on January 13, 2025, with Dale Walker and Kieran Higgins as directors. Higgins resigned on July 1, 2025, and the company was dissolved on November 18, 2025.
Walker James Limited, a pre-existing company also directed by Dale Walker, operated all Hybrid Games events throughout 2025, including Liverpool in June, Newcastle in August, Glasgow in September, and London Olympia in November. This is the company that accumulated the vendor debts and filed for insolvency.
The Hybrid Games Events Limited was incorporated on July 31, 2025, while Walker James Limited was still operating events. This appears to be the entity now associated with the Behrens Group following its ownership announcement.
On November 18, 2025, both Walker James Limited and The Hybrid Games Events Limited granted debentures to Sir Jacob Behrens & Sons Limited on the same day The Hybrid Games Limited was dissolved.
Questions About Future Operations
The Behrens Group announcement states it will operate The Hybrid Games “supported by its investment arm, Journey by Behrens,” but provides no details about operational leadership, financial structure, or how outstanding vendor debts will be addressed.
It remains unclear what role, if any, Dale Walker will play in future operations under Behrens ownership.
The Hybrid Games has events scheduled for Northern Ireland on March 21–22, 2026, and Farnborough on April 11–12, 2026.
Comments on the Instagram announcement reflected skepticism from both vendors and participants. One commenter wrote: “Basically ran up loads of debt, didn’t pay anyone, folded the company and now trading under a new name. Disgraceful.” Another stated: “I imagine it will be the same liar running the show, just with someone else’s money.”
Hybrid Fitness Media has made attempts to contact Sir Jacob Behrens & Sons Limited, including directors George Hughes and Henry Hughes, as well as representatives of Journey by Behrens, but has not received a response as of publication.
Additional Context
Behrens Group Director, George Hughes describes how the firm partners with companies, providing capital and operational support.
As of press time, Dale Walker and Hybrid Games UK have not responded to requests for comment.
Related Articles
March 12, 2026 – New Vendor Claims $25,000 Unpaid Invoice
March 5, 2026 – Hybrid Games Operating Company Files Notice of Insolvency
February 19, 2026 – Another Vendor Takes Legal Action Against Hybrid Games
January 28, 2026 – Hybrid Games Faces Allegation Over Unpaid £15,674 Transport Invoice
July 11, 2025 – Jessica Brady Claims Against Hybrid Games
July 8, 2025 – Hybrid Games: Questions of Trust and Transparency