ALBERT FARNELL LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
00391896 · ltd · incorporated 1944-12-15
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
77/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
Sector: Wholesale & retail
ALSO REGISTERED FOR
- 45200SIC 45200
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and acceptable with review structure.
Opportunity 77/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 7 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
14 live charges · 7 lenders · oldest 41.8y
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 41.8 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 7 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, 2 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
14 charges (14/14 with lender, 14/14 with type)
90
Directors & officers
32 officers (5 active, 32 linked, 24 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
23 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
259 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
77/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
2
filings
- • 1 confirmation-statement
- • 1 officers
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (104 events)Click to expand
- 2026-01-12📄replacement-filing-of-director-appointment-with-nameofficers · RP01AP01
- 2025-11-14📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2025-11-14📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2025-11-14📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2025-11-14📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2025-04-10📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-09-26📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-26📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2024-09-26📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2024-09-26📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2024-04-11📍change-sail-address-company-with-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD02
- 2024-04-10📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-04-10📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-04-10📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2023-11-27📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2023-11-27📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2023-11-27📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2023-11-27📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2022-12-21📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2022-12-21🔓Charge satisfied #13
- 2022-12-09📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2022-12-07🔒Charge registered #14Lender: Barclays Bank PLC as Security Agent
- 2022-11-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2021-08-11➕CARUSO, Leonardo appointeddirector
- 2021-07-31➖AUJLA, Jatinder Singh resigneddirector
- 2019-03-01➕LOOSE, Nicola Jane Carrington appointedsecretary
- 2019-03-01➖ANDERSON, Karen resignedsecretary
- 2019-03-01➖SHERWIN, Michael resigneddirector
- 2018-03-15➖FERRY, Steve resigneddirector
- 2017-03-16🔓Charge satisfied #12
- 2017-02-27🔒Charge registered #13Lender: Barclays Bank PLC as Security Agent
- 2014-11-20➕AUJLA, Jatinder Singh appointeddirector
- 2014-11-20➕FERRY, Steve appointeddirector
- 2013-06-12➕ANDERSON, Karen appointeddirector
- 2013-06-12➕CRANE, David Paul appointeddirector
- 2013-06-12➕FORRESTER, Robert Thomas appointeddirector
- 2013-06-12➕ANDERSON, Karen appointedsecretary
- 2013-06-12➖SELLERS, Caroline Jane resignedsecretary
- 2013-06-12➖AUSTIN, Michael resigneddirector
- 2013-06-12➖GUEST, Tony resigneddirector
- 2013-06-12➕SHERWIN, Michael appointeddirector
- 2013-06-12➖WARBURTON, Samantha Louise resigneddirector
- 2013-06-12🔒Charge registered #12Lender: Barclays Bank PLC as Trustee and Security Agent
- 2011-03-25➖PARRY, Stephen resignedsecretary
- 2010-07-31➕PARRY, Stephen appointedsecretary
- 2010-03-26➖ELDRIDGE, Katherine Elizabeth resignedsecretary
- 2010-03-26➕SELLERS, Caroline Jane appointedsecretary
- 2009-02-14🔓Charge satisfied #11
- 2009-02-14🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2008-01-31➕ELDRIDGE, Katherine Elizabeth appointedsecretary
Showing most recent 50 of 104 events
Owner dependency
48/100
Moderate — manageable with handoverSome founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.
FACTORS
- -4 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 59 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
63/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 59. Early succession window.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 13 years.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 82 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
- 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.
Group structure
Vertu Motors Plc is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Vertu Motors Plc
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
ALBERT FARNELL LIMITED
This company · 00391896
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vertu Motors Plc Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 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
Active · Automotive · NE postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABRA MOT CENTRE LIMITED→ 05800471 · est 2006 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 19y | — | — |
| ALFATECH N.E. LTD→ 14867556 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ALYN BREWIS LIMITED→ 14690140 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| AMBLE AUTOPOINT LTD→ 16420468 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AMO AUTOS LTD→ 15732023 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AMS VEHICLE SERVICES LTD→ 14755366 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ANDREW DOYLE BUSINESS LIMITED→ 16963625 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ANTHONY'S AUTOS LTD→ 15684835 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| APEXX MOTORS LTD→ 16365184 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| APEXX STYLING LTD→ 16479106 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| APG MOBILE MECHANIC LTD→ 16338776 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| APS DETAILING LTD→ 14532055 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
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
Incorporated1944-12-15
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC45111 — Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
Registered office
Vertu House Fifth Avenue Business Park
Team Valley
Gateshead
Tyne & Wear
NE11 0XA
United Kingdom
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-11-30
Last made up to: 2025-02-28
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-04-16
Last: 2026-04-02
Officers (5 active · 27 resigned)
LOOSE, Nicola Jane Carrington→
Activesecretary · appointed 2019-03-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
ANDERSON, Karen→
Activedirector · ~55y · appointed 2013-06-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
CARUSO, Leonardo→
Activedirector · ~49y · appointed 2021-08-11
View their other companies + combined net worth →
CRANE, David Paul→
Activedirector · ~59y · appointed 2013-06-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
FORRESTER, Robert Thomas→
Activedirector · ~57y · appointed 2013-06-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
ANDERSON, Karen→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2013-06-12 · resigned 2019-03-01
ELDRIDGE, Katherine Elizabeth→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2008-01-31 · resigned 2010-03-26
JONES, Philip Robert→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2003-02-07 · resigned 2008-01-31
MARKS, Peter Vincent→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2000-01-31 · resigned 2003-02-07
NUNNS, Roger→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 2000-01-31
PARRY, Stephen→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2010-07-31 · resigned 2011-03-25
SELLERS, Caroline Jane→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2010-03-26 · resigned 2013-06-12
AUJLA, Jatinder Singh→
Resigneddirector · ~53y · appointed 2014-11-20 · resigned 2021-07-31
AUSTIN, Michael→
Resigneddirector · ~65y · appointed 2007-12-12 · resigned 2013-06-12
DRAKE, Albert Edward→
Resigneddirector · ~100y · appointed 2000-01-31 · resigned 2003-02-07
FARNELL, Albert David→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · resigned 2000-01-31
FARNELL, Ian Jeffrey→
Resigneddirector · ~72y · resigned 2000-01-31
FARNELL, Pamela Anne→
Resigneddirector · ~97y · resigned 2000-01-31
FERRY, Steve→
Resigneddirector · ~67y · appointed 2014-11-20 · resigned 2018-03-15
GUEST, Tony→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 2007-12-12 · resigned 2013-06-12
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
14
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:14 of 14 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC as Security Agent | A registered charge | — | 07/12/2022 | — | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC as Security Agent | A registered charge | 1 property | 27/02/2017 | 21/12/2022 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC as Trustee and Security Agent | A registered charge | 1 property | 12/06/2013 | 16/03/2017 | |
| satisfied | Fce Bank Fce Bank PLC | Charge on vehicle stocks | 1 property | 09/04/2002 | 14/02/2009 | |
| satisfied | Rover Financial Servives (GB) Rover Financial Servives (GB) Limited | Floating charge | 1 property | 26/05/1998 | 11/09/2003 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 24/11/1997 | 14/02/2009 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 01/10/1997 | 11/09/2003 | |
| satisfied | Lombard North Central Lombard North Central PLC | Floating charge over stock | 1 property | 01/08/1997 | 03/02/2000 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 28/02/1997 | 11/09/2003 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 28/02/1997 | 11/09/2003 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Mortgage debenture | 1 property | 28/02/1997 | 11/09/2003 | |
| satisfied | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited | Credit agreement | 1 property | 07/11/1991 | 03/02/2000 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 07/12/1990 | 11/09/2003 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Charge supplemental to a mortgage debenture dated 31/7/53 | 1 property | 22/08/1984 | 11/09/2003 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (259 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-04-02
replacement-filing-of-director-appointment-with-name
officers · RP01AP01
2026-01-12
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2025-11-14
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2025-11-14
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2025-11-14
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2025-11-14
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-04-10
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2025-04-10
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2024-09-26
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2024-09-26
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2024-09-26
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2024-09-26
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-04-23
change-sail-address-company-with-old-address-new-address
address · AD02
2024-04-11
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2024-04-10