CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY LIMITED(THE)
🌳Matureactive
00006005 · ltd · incorporated 1872-01-31
Investment thesis
Well-run mature business — low negotiation leverage; premium likely.
Why interesting: Textbook target; clean filings, stable trading.
Why risky: No pressure on seller; any deal likely at full price.
Opportunity decay
hardening · 12-months
Already tight — no obvious softening catalysts on the horizon.
- · Thesis: well-run, low negotiation leverage
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
75/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.
Sector: Financial & insurance
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: asset-holding vehicle with strong profile and acceptable with review structure.
Opportunity 75/100 (strong), bankability 72/100. High owner-dependency — earn-out structure likely required for clean transition. Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 5 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
15 live charges · 5 lenders · oldest 36.1y
25/100
too messy
Structure is too messy for a clean refinance right now — clean up first or expect bespoke terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 36.1 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 5 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 45/100 (high).
Data confidence
Overall: medium (61/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
15 charges (15/15 with lender, 15/15 with type)
90
Directors & officers
46 officers (3 active, 46 linked, 40 with DOB)
87
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
15 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
276 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
75/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
75
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
69
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
0
filings
Last 180 days
3
filings
- • 3 officers
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (126 events)Click to expand
- 2026-03-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-03-18📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2026-03-18📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2026-03-17➕PELLING, Sean Colin appointeddirector
- 2026-03-17➖SUTTON, Jeremy David Churchill resigneddirector
- 2026-03-17➖SWIRE, Samuel Compton resigneddirector
- 2025-10-16📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2025-10-16📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2025-10-16📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2025-10-16📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2025-03-25📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2024-11-11📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2024-11-11📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2024-11-11📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2024-11-11📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2023-10-27📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2023-10-27📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2023-10-27📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2023-10-27📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2022-10-06📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-08-31📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2022-08-31📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-08-08➕SUTTON, Jeremy David Churchill appointeddirector
- 2022-08-08➖WOODROW, James Hugh resigneddirector
- 2022-07-22📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2018-10-03➕MORRIS, David Charles appointedsecretary
- 2018-07-13➖DIBBEN, Ann Marie resignedsecretary
- 2018-06-29➖SWIRE, Merlin Bingham resigneddirector
- 2018-06-29➕SWIRE, Samuel Compton appointeddirector
- 2016-09-19➖RAE-SMITH, John Bruce resigneddirector
- 2016-08-23➕DIBBEN, Ann Marie appointedsecretary
- 2016-08-23➖MORRIS, David Charles resignedsecretary
- 2015-10-01➖FARMERY, Joanna Louise resignedsecretary
- 2015-10-01➕MORRIS, David Charles appointedsecretary
- 2015-09-01➖BLACKBURN, Timothy Joseph resigneddirector
- 2015-09-01➕SWIRE, Merlin Bingham appointeddirector
- 2015-09-01➖SWIRE, Merlin Bingham resigneddirector
- 2015-09-01➕WOODROW, James Hugh appointeddirector
- 2012-10-23➖HUGHES-HALLETT, James Edward resigneddirector
- 2012-09-06🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2012-05-14➕HUGHES-HALLETT, James Edward appointeddirector
- 2011-12-31➖SWIRE, Rhoderick Martin resigneddirector
- 2011-11-30🔓Charge satisfied #14
- 2011-11-30🔓Charge satisfied #15
- 2011-11-30🔓Charge satisfied #11
- 2011-11-30🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2011-11-30🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2011-11-30🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2011-08-29➕BLACKBURN, Timothy Joseph appointeddirector
- 2011-08-29➖KENDALL, Charles Richard resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 126 events
Owner dependency
66/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Two-director setup: Only two active directors — typical of owner-managed SMEs but limits succession.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 62 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
46/100
Moderate signalSome succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 62. Early succession window.
- secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
Red flags
2 med ·2 director resignations in last 12 months
mediumMultiple recent departures can indicate governance disagreement, succession event, or preparation for sale/stress.
Evidence: SUTTON, Jeremy David Churchill resigned 2026-03-17; SWIRE, Samuel Compton resigned 2026-03-17
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Group structure
John Swire & Sons Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
John Swire & Sons Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY LIMITED(THE)
This company · 00006005
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
John Swire & Sons Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | 75-100% shares · 75-100% voting | 06/04/2016 |
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
🔒Co-director network graph
Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Similar companies
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-6 DORSET MANSIONS RTM COMPANY LIMITED→ 15754065 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
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| 16 & 16A DUNTSHILL ROAD LIMITED→ 13636851 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
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| 16 ARMADALE ROAD LIMITED→ 07105363 · est 2009 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 16y | — | — |
| 16 BARKSTON GARDENS LIMITED→ 01978190 · est 1986 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 40y | — | — |
| 16 BELLEVUE ROAD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LIMITED→ 02025333 · est 1986 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 39y | — | — |
| 16 CADOGAN GARDENS MANAGEMENT LIMITED→ 04972236 · est 2003 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 22y | — | — |
| 16 DISRAELI ROAD MANAGEMENT LIMITED→ 02900892 · est 1994 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 32y | — | — |
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Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
6 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →🔒Advanced scoring suite
Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Company details
Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated1872-01-31
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC64209 — Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.
Registered office
Swire House
59 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6AJ
United Kingdom
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-10-15
Last: 2025-10-01
Officers (3 active · 43 resigned)
MORRIS, David Charles→
Activesecretary · appointed 2018-10-03
View their other companies + combined net worth →
PELLING, Sean Colin→
Activedirector · ~52y · appointed 2026-03-17
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
ADAMS, James Robert→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2004-05-01 · resigned 2008-12-31
DIBBEN, Ann Marie→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2016-08-23 · resigned 2018-07-13
FARMERY, Joanna Louise→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2009-01-01 · resigned 2015-10-01
MORRIS, David Charles→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2015-10-01 · resigned 2016-08-23
POPE, Geoffrey Christopher→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 2004-04-30
BELL, Michael John→
Resigneddirector · ~78y · resigned 1997-09-29
BLACKBURN, Timothy Joseph→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 2011-08-29 · resigned 2015-09-01
BOWLES, Marven Anthony→
Resigneddirector · ~76y · appointed 1997-09-29 · resigned 2000-10-01
BRIDGMAN, Timothy Clive→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · resigned 1992-12-09
CHAFFEY, Robert Amyon John Templeman→
Resigneddirector · ~51y · appointed 2009-08-01 · resigned 2010-01-31
CRAIG-BENNETT, Andrew Basil→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · resigned 1995-08-18
CRESSWELL, Martin Andrew→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 2002-08-01 · resigned 2010-01-31
CUNDLE, Geoffrey Leslie→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 2000-09-04 · resigned 2010-01-11
FERGUSON, Michael Stuart→
Resigneddirector · ~86y · resigned 2000-10-01
HARVEY, Gary→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 1995-12-01 · resigned 2007-12-31
HEXT, Richard Maurice→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · resigned 2000-09-09
HO, Davy→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · appointed 1995-12-01 · resigned 2006-11-30
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
15
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:15 of 15 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| satisfied | The China Navigation Company Pte, The China Navigation Company Pte, LTD | Mortgage | 1 property | 19/11/2010 | 30/11/2011 | |
| satisfied | The China Navigation Company Pte, The China Navigation Company Pte, LTD | Deed of covenant | 1 property | 11/11/2010 | 30/11/2011 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | Mortgage | 1 property | 03/04/2000 | 24/11/2010 | |
| satisfied | Jonh Swire & Sons Jonh Swire & Sons Limited | Deed of covenant | 1 property | 03/04/2000 | 24/11/2010 | |
| satisfied | John Swine & Sons John Swine & Sons Limited | A deed of covenant executed outside the united kingdom and comprising property situated outside the united kingdom | 1 property | 01/07/1996 | 30/11/2011 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | A deed of covenant executed outside the united kingdom and comprising property situated outside the united kingdom | 1 property | 01/07/1996 | 05/03/1999 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | A deed of covenant executed outside the united kingdom and comprising property situated outside the united kingdom | 1 property | 01/07/1996 | 05/03/1999 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | A ships mortgage executed outside the united kingdom and comprising property situated outside the united kingdom | 1 property | 01/07/1996 | 30/11/2011 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | A ships mortgage executed outside the united kingdom and comprising property situated outside the united kingdom | 1 property | 01/07/1996 | 05/03/1999 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | A ships mortgage executed outside the united kingdom and comprising property situated outside the united kingdom | 1 property | 01/07/1996 | 05/03/1999 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | Deed of covenant | 1 property | 10/02/1992 | 30/11/2011 | |
| satisfied | John Swire and Sons John Swire and Sons Limited | Ship mortgage | 1 property | 10/02/1992 | 30/11/2011 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | Deed of covenant | 1 property | 10/02/1992 | 06/09/2012 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | Deed of covenant | 1 property | 01/05/1990 | 13/11/2003 | |
| satisfied | John Swire & Sons John Swire & Sons Limited | Mortgage | 1 property | 01/05/1990 | 13/11/2003 |
Recent filings (276 total)
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-03-18
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-03-18
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-03-18
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-10-21
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2025-10-16
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2025-10-16
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2025-10-16
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2025-10-16
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2025-03-25
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2024-11-11
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2024-11-11
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2024-11-11
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2024-11-11
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-10-04
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2023-10-27