BRAND (MOTOR) ENGINEERS LIMITED
💤Zombieactive
00459244 · ltd · incorporated 1948-09-28
Investment thesis
Zombie company — trading but stalled; unlikely mover.
Why interesting: Quiet, steady; could be a succession or carve-out candidate with the right conversation.
Why risky: No growth signal; thin margin for error on price.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
73/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and acceptable with review structure.
Opportunity 73/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. 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. 4 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (38/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
6 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 33.0y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 33.0 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (59/100)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
6 charges (6/6 with lender, 6/6 with type)
90
Directors & officers
17 officers (1 active, 17 linked, 11 with DOB)
83
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
10 connected companies via shared directors
75
Filing history
149 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
73/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
55
Some acquirability indicators.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
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 (59 events)Click to expand
- 2026-07-09📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2025-06-17📄memorandum-articlesincorporation · MA
- 2025-06-17📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2025-05-19📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-05-17➖SMITH, Kathleen Fiona resigneddirector
- 2025-03-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2025-03-19➖BECKETT, Simon William resigneddirector
- 2025-03-19➕SMITH, Kathleen Fiona appointeddirector
- 2025-03-19📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-03-19📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2025-03-19📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-08-14➖COLBY, Emma Jane resignedsecretary
- 2024-08-14📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2024-04-02📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-01-19📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-01-14➖COLBY, Peter George resigneddirector
- 2023-12-18➕COLBY, Emma Jane appointeddirector
- 2023-12-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-03-03📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-07-30📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-06-30📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-03-01📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-01-10📄change-person-secretary-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH03
- 2022-01-07📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2022-01-05➖SUTTON, Michael John resignedsecretary
- 2021-03-11📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2013-05-31🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2013-01-28➕BECKETT, Simon William appointeddirector
- 2010-06-07➖DAY, Anthony Roy resigneddirector
- 2006-05-01➕SUTTON, Michael John appointedsecretary
- 2003-11-01➕DAY, Anthony Roy appointeddirector
- 2003-10-17➖MONEY, George Ernest resigneddirector
- 2003-06-19🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2003-02-18🔒Charge registered #6Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2002-06-13➕COLBY, Emma Jane appointedsecretary
- 2002-06-13➖SHAW, Ian David resignedsecretary
- 2002-01-07➖HANSON, Alan John resignedsecretary
- 2002-01-07➕SHAW, Ian David appointedsecretary
- 1998-05-08🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Iveco Ford Truck Limited
- 1997-09-22➕HANSON, Alan John appointedsecretary
- 1997-09-09➖DAY, Anthony Roy resignedsecretary
- 1996-07-12🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 1996-07-12🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 1996-07-12🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 1995-12-15🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1995-11-08➖BARTHOLOMEW, Stephen Robert resignedsecretary
- 1995-11-08➕DAY, Anthony Roy appointedsecretary
- 1995-11-08➖BAILLIE, Robert Chase resigneddirector
- 1995-11-08➖BARTHOLOMEW, Stephen Robert resigneddirector
- 1995-11-08➕COLBY, Peter George appointeddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 59 events
Owner dependency
75/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
Succession & seller-readiness
45/100
Moderate signalSome succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.
SIGNALS
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
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
Saint Vincent Holdings Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Saint Vincent Holdings Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
BRAND (MOTOR) ENGINEERS LIMITED
This company · 00459244
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint Vincent Holdings Limited 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 · NR postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUTO OPULENCE LIMITED→ 16316558 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AUTO'S STAR LTD→ 11150739 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| BEN KEMP LIMITED→ 05109661 · est 2004 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 21y | — | — |
| BER STREET USED CARS LIMITED→ 10165058 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| BEST CARWASH NORFOLK LIMITED→ 16596675 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BLUE LIGHT REPAIRS LTD→ 15732714 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| BONES GARAGE LIMITED→ 10474177 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| BOYERS BODY CENTRE LTD→ 08137368 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| BP MOTORS LTD→ 17103636 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BRADWELL CAR REPAIRS LIMITED→ 11712440 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BRAGG OF BRISTON LIMITED→ 04487436 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| BRECKLAND AUTO SERVICES LIMITED→ 10058418 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
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
Incorporated1948-09-28
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC45111 — Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
Registered office
School Lane
Sprowston
Norwich
Norfolk
NR7 8TL
United Kingdom
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-06-30
Last made up to: 2025-09-30
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-08-29
Last: 2025-08-15
Officers (1 active · 16 resigned)
COLBY, Emma Jane→
Activedirector · ~52y · appointed 2023-12-18
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BARTHOLOMEW, Stephen Robert→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1995-11-08
COLBY, Emma Jane→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2002-06-13 · resigned 2024-08-14
DAY, Anthony Roy→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1995-11-08 · resigned 1997-09-09
HANSON, Alan John→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1997-09-22 · resigned 2002-01-07
SHAW, Ian David→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2002-01-07 · resigned 2002-06-13
SUTTON, Michael John→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2006-05-01 · resigned 2022-01-05
BAILLIE, Robert Chase→
Resigneddirector · ~114y · resigned 1995-11-08
BARTHOLOMEW, Stephen Robert→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 1993-11-11 · resigned 1995-11-08
BECKETT, Simon William→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2013-01-28 · resigned 2025-03-19
CLARKE, Frank Stephen→
Resigneddirector · ~113y · resigned 1993-08-26
COLBY, Peter George→
Resigneddirector · ~84y · appointed 1995-11-08 · resigned 2024-01-14
DAY, Anthony Roy→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 2003-11-01 · resigned 2010-06-07
MONEY, George Ernest→
Resigneddirector · ~82y · appointed 1995-11-08 · resigned 2003-10-17
SMITH, Kathleen Fiona→
Resigneddirector · ~51y · appointed 2025-03-19 · resigned 2025-05-17
SPURDENS, Ivan Charles→
Resigneddirector · ~100y · resigned 1995-11-08
WESTWOOD, Kathleen Mary→
Resigneddirector · ~115y · resigned 1995-11-08
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
6
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:6 of 6 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 18/02/2003 | — | |
| satisfied | Iveco Ford Truck Iveco Ford Truck Limited | Floating charge | 1 property | 08/05/1998 | 31/05/2013 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 15/12/1995 | 19/06/2003 | |
| satisfied | Ford Credit Europe Ford Credit Europe PLC | Bulk deposit mortgage | 1 property | 21/07/1993 | 12/07/1996 | |
| satisfied | Ford Credit Europe Ford Credit Europe PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 21/07/1993 | 12/07/1996 | |
| satisfied | Ford Credit Europe Ford Credit Europe PLC | Charge on vehicle stocks | 1 property | 21/07/1993 | 12/07/1996 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (149 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2026-07-09
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-08-15
memorandum-articles
incorporation · MA
2025-06-17
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2025-06-17
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-05-19
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-03-24
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-03-19
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2025-03-19
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2025-03-19
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-08-15
termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM02
2024-08-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-04-02
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-01-19
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-12-18
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-08-16