LUBBORN CHEESE LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
01396553 · ltd · incorporated 1978-10-27
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
80/100
Exceptional
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 10511
Sector: Manufacturing
ALSO REGISTERED FOR
- 10512SIC 10512
- 10519SIC 10519
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 64-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 80/100 (exceptional), bankability 77/100. Strong seller-intent signal (80/100, director aged 64). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 12 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
19 live charges · 12 lenders · oldest 43.9y
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 43.9 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 12 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 45/100 (high).
Data confidence
Overall: medium (60/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 3 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
19 charges (19/19 with lender, 19/19 with type)
90
Directors & officers
22 officers (3 active, 22 linked, 16 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
13 connected companies via shared directors
84
Filing history
225 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
80/100Exceptional
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Strong composite across quality, acquirability, and risk. High-priority target — progress to serious diligence.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
85
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
0
filings
Last 180 days
0
filings
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (93 events)Click to expand
- 2025-09-15📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-02📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-01-10📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-01-10📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-01-08📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2023-08-22📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-09-16📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2021-09-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2021-06-22📍change-sail-address-company-with-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD02
- 2021-05-28📄change-corporate-secretary-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH04
- 2020-11-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-06-01➕CHATTERS, Michael David John appointeddirector
- 2020-06-01➖MEAUDRE, Hugues Bernard resigneddirector
- 2020-06-01📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2020-06-01📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2020-06-01📍change-sail-address-company-with-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD02
- 2019-09-09📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2018-10-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2018-08-20➕PRISM COSEC LIMITED appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2018-08-20➖DAVID VENUS & COMPANY LLP resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2018-08-20📄appoint-corporate-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP04
- 2018-08-20📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2018-07-31➕MEAUDRE, Hugues Bernard appointeddirector
- 2018-07-31➖TAYLOR, Mark Garfield resigneddirector
- 2014-07-14➖SMITH, Andrew James resigneddirector
- 2014-07-14➕TAYLOR, Mark Garfield appointeddirector
- 2012-05-17🔓Charge satisfied #19
- 2010-01-04➖SMITH, Andrew James resignedsecretary
- 2010-01-04➕DAVID VENUS & COMPANY LLP appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2009-10-06🔒Charge registered #19Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2009-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #18
- 2009-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #17
- 2009-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #16
- 2009-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #15
- 2009-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #14
- 2009-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #13
- 2009-06-06➕GOPAL, Naigee appointeddirector
- 2009-06-06➕SMITH, Andrew James appointedsecretary
- 2009-06-06➖BSDR CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2009-06-06➖GRANTCHESTER, Christopher John, Lord resigneddirector
- 2009-06-06➕SMITH, Andrew James appointeddirector
- 2009-06-06➖STRICKLAND, Mark William resigneddirector
- 2009-03-31➖COOKSEY, Andrew Thomas resigneddirector
- 2008-07-30🔓Charge satisfied #11
- 2008-07-25🔒Charge registered #18Lender: Hsbc Invoice Finace (UK) Limited
- 2008-07-15🔒Charge registered #17Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC as Security Trustee for the Finance Parties
- 2007-08-22🔒Charge registered #16Lender: Hsbc Invoice Finance (UK) LTD (the Security Holder)
- 2007-08-22🔒Charge registered #15Lender: Hsbc Invoice Finance (UK) LTD (the Security Holder)
- 2007-08-20🔒Charge registered #14Lender: Hsbc Asset Finance (UK) Limited & Hsbc Equipment Finance (UK) Limited
- 2007-08-20🔒Charge registered #13Lender: Hsbc Asset Finance (UK) Limited & Hsbc Equipment Finance (UK) Limited
Showing most recent 50 of 93 events
Owner dependency
76/100
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.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 17 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 64 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
79/100
Likely off-market candidateStrong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 64. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 17 years.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 48 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
Lactalis Mclelland Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Lactalis Mclelland Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
LUBBORN CHEESE LIMITED
This company · 01396553
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lactalis Mclelland Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | — | 75-100% shares | 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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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
Incorporated1978-10-27
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC10511 — SIC 10511
Registered office
Grosvenor House
65-71 London Road
Redhill
Surrey
RH1 1LQ
United Kingdom
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-06-30
Last: 2025-06-16
Officers (3 active · 19 resigned)
PRISM COSEC LIMITED→
Activecorporate-secretary · appointed 2018-08-20
View their other companies + combined net worth →
CHATTERS, Michael David John→
Activedirector · ~63y · appointed 2020-06-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
GOPAL, Naigee→
Activedirector · ~64y · appointed 2009-06-06
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BALE, Debbora Ann→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1992-08-04 · resigned 2005-10-14
NORTHWOOD, Rosemary Helen→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1992-08-04
SMITH, Andrew James→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2009-06-06 · resigned 2010-01-04
BSDR CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2005-10-06 · resigned 2009-06-06
DAVID VENUS & COMPANY LLP→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2010-01-04 · resigned 2018-08-20
COOKSEY, Andrew Thomas→
Resigneddirector · ~63y · appointed 2005-08-04 · resigned 2009-03-31
FARNHAM, James Stuart→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 2001-08-22 · resigned 2003-08-31
FEILDEN, Michael Oswald→
Resigneddirector · ~102y · resigned 2000-12-22
FEILDEN, Piers William Trehearn→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · resigned 2002-12-31
GARVEY, Richard Anthony→
Resigneddirector · ~91y · appointed 2000-12-01 · resigned 2003-06-30
GRANTCHESTER, Christopher John, Lord→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 2003-07-31 · resigned 2009-06-06
MAXWELL-SCOTT, Ian→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · resigned 2000-12-01
MEAUDRE, Hugues Bernard→
Resigneddirector · ~59y · appointed 2018-07-31 · resigned 2020-06-01
MITCHELL, John Craig→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2002-11-01 · resigned 2004-03-26
SMITH, Andrew James→
Resigneddirector · ~71y · appointed 2009-06-06 · resigned 2014-07-14
SMITH, Malcolm→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 2003-07-31 · resigned 2005-05-31
STIRLING, Alfred Patrick→
Resigneddirector · ~90y · resigned 2000-12-01
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
19
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:19 of 19 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 06/10/2009 | 17/05/2012 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Invoice Finace (UK) Limited | Fixed charge on non-vesting debts and floating charge | 4 properties | 25/07/2008 | 16/06/2009 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC as Security Trustee for the Finance Parties | Debenture | 1 property | 15/07/2008 | 16/06/2009 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Invoice Finance (UK) LTD (the Security Holder) | Floating charge (all assets) | 1 property | 22/08/2007 | 16/06/2009 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Invoice Finance (UK) LTD (the Security Holder) | Fixed charge on purchased debts which fail to vest | 1 property | 22/08/2007 | 16/06/2009 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Asset Finance (UK) Limited & Hsbc Equipment Finance (UK) Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 20/08/2007 | 16/06/2009 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Asset Finance (UK) Limited & Hsbc Equipment Finance (UK) Limited | Chattels mortgage | 1 property | 20/08/2007 | 16/06/2009 | |
| satisfied | Co-Operative Group (Cws) Co-Operative Group (Cws) Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 10/08/2004 | 26/07/2007 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC ( as Security Trustee for the Beneficiaries) | Debenture | 1 property | 10/08/2004 | 30/07/2008 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC | Mortgage deed | 2 properties | 19/02/2001 | 28/07/2007 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC | Mortgage deed | 1 property | 19/02/2001 | 28/07/2007 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC | Debenture deed | 1 property | 19/02/2001 | 28/07/2007 | |
| satisfied | Security Charge Security Charge Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 06/06/1991 | 13/10/1994 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 14/06/1990 | 31/05/2001 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 28/03/1990 | 31/05/2001 | |
| satisfied | Eagle Star Insurance Company Eagle Star Insurance Company Limited | Mortgage | 1 property | 26/01/1990 | 31/05/2001 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Bank PLC | Mortgage | 1 property | 18/03/1988 | 22/06/1990 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Bank PLC | Mortgage | 1 property | 15/09/1987 | 22/06/1990 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Bank PLC | Single debenture | 1 property | 22/06/1982 | 22/06/1990 |
Recent filings (225 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2025-09-15
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-06-17
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2024-09-02
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-06-19
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2024-01-10
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2024-01-10
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2024-01-08
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2023-08-22
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-06-16
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2022-09-16
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-06-29
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2021-09-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2021-06-23
change-sail-address-company-with-old-address-new-address
address · AD02
2021-06-22
change-corporate-secretary-company-with-change-date
officers · CH04
2021-05-28