AMBROSE LIGHTON,LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
00204860 · ltd · incorporated 1925-03-28
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
—
year to Dec 2025
Net worth
£1.48M
book net assets
Opportunity
78/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Growing of cereals (except rice), leguminous crops and oil seeds
Sector: Agriculture, forestry & fishing
ALSO REGISTERED FOR
- 01130SIC 01130
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 81-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 78/100 (strong), bankability 62/100. Strong seller-intent signal (65/100, director aged 81). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 3 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (45/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
12 live charges · 3 lenders · oldest 40.7y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 40.7 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 3 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Cashflow trend is negative — lender view likely cautious.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (78/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 2 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
12 charges (12/12 with lender, 12/12 with type)
90
Directors & officers
7 officers (4 active, 7 linked, 6 with DOB)
87
Ownership & PSC
2 active PSC(s) of 7 total, 7 with control declared
90
Director network
Network not yet resolved
30
Filing history
142 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
78/100Strong
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
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Signals from accounts
Derived from iXBRL accounts · accounting standard not declaredPositive net assets
Net assets £1,476,191
Cash draining
Cash down 48% YoY
Cash YoY
-48%
Year on year
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
£14k
↓ 48% YoY
Net Worth
£1.5m
↑ 1.9% YoY
Current Assets
£21k
↓ 41% YoY
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown| Metric | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | £1.48M | £1.45M |
| Current assets | £21.0k | £35.6k |
| Cash | £13.8k | £26.6k |
| Debtors | £659 | £2.4k |
| Net assets | £1.48M | £1.45M |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
1 signal detected in this company's narrative notes — going-concern language, audit opinion, contingent liabilities, related-party transactions.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Recent activity
Last 30 days
1
filing
- • 1 accounts
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 accounts
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 accounts
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (51 events)Click to expand
- 2026-06-19📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-07-02📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-06-19📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2025-06-19📄memorandum-articlesincorporation · MA
- 2024-12-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-12-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-12-01➕MARTIN, Nicole Olivia appointeddirector
- 2024-12-01➕SUNDERLAND, Natasha Ann appointeddirector
- 2024-07-08📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-06-19📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-09-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-09-02📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2022-09-01📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2022-08-31📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-08-31📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2021-09-20📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2021-03-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2021-03-10📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2021-03-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2021-03-10📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-03-10📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2021-03-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2020-12-31➖WOODWARD, Christopher John resignedsecretary
- 2020-12-31➖WOODWARD, Christopher John resigneddirector
- 2020-12-31➖WOODWARD, Stephanie Gaye Lucinda resigneddirector
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #11
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #10
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2020-11-11🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2013-09-10➕WOODWARD, Susan Angela appointeddirector
- 2013-09-10➕WOODWARD, Stephanie Gaye Lucinda appointeddirector
- 2010-06-04🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 1998-08-03🔒Charge registered #12Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1997-09-08🔒Charge registered #11Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1995-06-30🔒Charge registered #10Lender: George William Chambers
- 1993-09-27🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1993-09-27🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1993-09-27🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1990-10-25🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1990-10-25🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1990-10-25🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1990-03-28🔒Charge registered #3Lender: The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation PLC
- 1986-02-07🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1985-10-21🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
Showing most recent 50 of 51 events
Owner dependency
63/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- -4 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 81 — succession pressure is live.
- +Family involvement: Multiple officers share a surname — likely family business, which concentrates governance.
Succession & seller-readiness
73/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 81 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 13 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
1 med ·Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Shareholders & ownership
2 active beneficial owners| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Geoffrey Sedgley Woodward Individual · British · DOB 03/1945 · age 81 | 25–50% | 25–50% | 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting | 31/12/2020 |
Mrs Susan Angela Woodward Individual · British · DOB 07/1946 · age 80 | 25–50% | 25–50% | 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting | 31/12/2020 |
5 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Lighton Farming Ltdceased 31/12/2020· 75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control
- Mrs Susan Angela Woodwardceased 31/12/2020· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control
- Mr Geoffrey Sedgley Woodwardceased 31/12/2020· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control
- Mr Christopher John Woodwardceased 31/12/2020· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control
- Mrs Stephanie Gaye Woodwardceased 31/12/2020· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
Similar companies
Active · Agriculture · PE postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.R. CRAVEN FARMS LIMITED→ 03115021 · est 1995 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 30y | — | — |
| ALPHA PLANTS LTD→ 13099554 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| ANGLIA GROWERS LIMITED→ 10451540 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| ANGLIA SALADS LIMITED→ 04333110 · est 2001 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 24y | — | — |
| AQUADAL LTD→ 16553921 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ARB-CORE TREE CARE LIMITED→ 05852432 · est 2006 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 19y | — | — |
| ARMSTRONG & SON AGRI AND STRAW MANAGEMENT LIMITED→ 14781745 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ARMSTRONG AGRICULTURE LIMITED→ 04651016 · est 2003 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| ARTHUR MARKILLIE LIMITED→ 00602011 · est 1958 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 68y | — | — |
| ATD AGRICULTURAL LTD→ 14767800 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ATKIN & FARROW LIMITED→ 00600264 · est 1958 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 68y | — | — |
| ATKINSONS FARMS LIMITED→ 00559111 · est 1955 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 70y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
7 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
Incorporated1925-03-28
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC01110 — Growing of cereals (except rice), leguminous crops and oil seeds
Registered office
The Old Vicarage
Church Close
Boston
Lincolnshire
PE21 6NA
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-09-30
Last made up to: 2025-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-09-05
Last: 2025-08-22
Officers (4 active · 3 resigned)
MARTIN, Nicole Olivia→
Activedirector · ~54y · appointed 2024-12-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SUNDERLAND, Natasha Ann→
Activedirector · ~56y · appointed 2024-12-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
WOODWARD, Susan Angela→
Activedirector · ~80y · appointed 2013-09-10
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WOODWARD, Christopher John→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 2020-12-31
WOODWARD, Christopher John→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · resigned 2020-12-31
WOODWARD, Stephanie Gaye Lucinda→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 2013-09-10 · resigned 2020-12-31
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
12
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:12 of 12 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 03/08/1998 | — | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 08/09/1997 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | George William Chambers | Legal charge | 3 properties | 30/06/1995 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 27/09/1993 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 27/09/1993 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 27/09/1993 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 25/10/1990 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 25/10/1990 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 25/10/1990 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 28/03/1990 | 04/06/2010 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 07/02/1986 | 11/11/2020 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 21/10/1985 | 11/11/2020 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (142 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2026-06-19
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-08-22
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-07-02
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2025-06-19
memorandum-articles
incorporation · MA
2025-06-19
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-12-03
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-12-03
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-09-11
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-07-08
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-08-24
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-06-19
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2022-09-07
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2022-09-02
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2022-09-01
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-08-31