SYNOPTICS LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
01874861 · ltd · incorporated 1984-12-31
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
80/100
Exceptional
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 27900
Sector: Manufacturing
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with exceptional profile and acceptable with review structure.
Opportunity 80/100 (exceptional), bankability 57/100. 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. 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
21 live charges · 7 lenders · oldest 39.8y
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 39.8 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 7 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 45/100 (high).
Data confidence
Overall: medium (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
21 charges (14/21 with lender, 21/21 with type)
84
Directors & officers
28 officers (4 active, 28 linked, 20 with DOB)
84
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
11 connected companies via shared directors
78
Filing history
266 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
1
filing
- • 1 officers
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 officers
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (104 events)Click to expand
- 2026-04-27➖GEORGE, Katy resigneddirector
- 2026-04-27📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-12-01📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2025-11-27🔒Charge registered #21Lender: Hsbc UK Bank PLC
- 2025-10-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2025-10-24📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2025-10-24📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2025-10-24📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2024-11-11📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2024-11-11📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2024-11-11📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2024-11-11📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2024-01-29📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-01-19➖CREEDON, Michael John resigneddirector
- 2023-12-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2023-12-06📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2023-12-06📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2023-12-06📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2023-10-04📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-09-29➕BROWN, Stephen Mark appointeddirector
- 2022-11-21📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-09-25📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2022-09-21➖ABELL, Jonathan Paul resigneddirector
- 2022-09-06➕SHARMA, Amitabh appointeddirector
- 2022-09-06📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-12-20📄memorandum-articlesincorporation · MA
- 2021-11-15📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2021-11-01🔒Charge registered #20Lender: Hsbc UK Bank PLC
- 2021-10-15🔓Charge satisfied #17
- 2019-11-29🔒Charge registered #19Lender: Hsbc UK Bank PLC
- 2018-09-28➕ABELL, Jonathan Paul appointeddirector
- 2018-04-04🔓Charge satisfied #16
- 2018-04-04🔓Charge satisfied #15
- 2018-04-03🔒Charge registered #18Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2018-03-23🔒Charge registered #17Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2018-01-15➕CREEDON, Michael John appointeddirector
- 2017-05-17➕GEORGE, Katy appointeddirector
- 2017-05-17➖STAMMERS, Brian Michael, Dr resigneddirector
- 2016-09-28➕SMITH, Nicola appointedsecretary
- 2016-09-28➖HOUGH, Clare resignedsecretary
- 2016-09-19➕STAMMERS, Brian Michael, Dr appointeddirector
- 2016-04-30➖BIGGS, Martin Phillip, Doctor resigneddirector
- 2015-08-11➕HOUGH, Clare appointedsecretary
- 2015-08-10➖BROWN, Charlotte resignedsecretary
- 2015-07-01➕BIGGS, Martin Phillip, Doctor appointeddirector
- 2015-05-25➖ELLWOOD, Paul Cyril resigneddirector
- 2015-01-09➕BROWN, Charlotte appointedsecretary
- 2015-01-09➖HOUGH, Clare resignedsecretary
- 2014-07-31➖MASKELL, Richard resigneddirector
- 2011-08-31➖ATKIN, Philip resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 104 events
Owner dependency
68/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 18 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 59 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
53/100
Moderate signalSome succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 59. Early succession window.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 18 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.
Group structure
Scientific Digital Imaging Plc is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Scientific Digital Imaging Plc
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
SYNOPTICS LIMITED
This company · 01874861
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientific Digital Imaging Plc 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
Active · Manufacturing · CB postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.S.A.F LTD→ 13247799 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| A.J. DEW LTD→ 16106229 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AEROSMW777 LTD→ 15494945 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| AF PIPES LTD→ 13182648 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AG COMPOSITES LTD→ 14250120 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| AG INSPECTIONS LTD→ 16765937 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AGA COMPOSITES LTD→ 14707511 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| AGD CARPENTRY LTD→ 16338903 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AGFA IJC LIMITED→ 09927043 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| AGGREGATE PROCESSING AND RECYCLING LIMITED→ 03160337 · est 1996 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 30y | — | — |
| AGR INSPECTIONS LTD→ 16823569 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AGROCANTURK TARIM KIMYA DIS TICARET LTD→ 17001671 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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
Incorporated1984-12-31
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC27900 — SIC 27900
Registered office
Beacon House
Nuffield Road
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB4 1TF
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-01-31
Last made up to: 2025-04-30
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-08-23
Last: 2025-08-09
Officers (4 active · 24 resigned)
Active
BROWN, Stephen Mark→
Activedirector · ~53y · appointed 2023-09-29
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HOUGH, Clare→
Activedirector · ~54y · appointed 2008-02-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SHARMA, Amitabh→
Activedirector · ~59y · appointed 2022-09-06
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BROWN, Charlotte→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2015-01-09 · resigned 2015-08-10
DELAHUNTY, Martin Glenn→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1997-02-27
EDWARDS, Mark Harvey→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1997-02-27 · resigned 1999-11-29
FARNHAM, Avril→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1999-11-29 · resigned 2001-10-24
HOUGH, Clare→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2015-08-11 · resigned 2016-09-28
HOUGH, Clare→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2001-10-24 · resigned 2015-01-09
ABELL, Jonathan Paul→
Resigneddirector · ~65y · appointed 2018-09-28 · resigned 2022-09-21
ATKIN, Philip→
Resigneddirector · ~67y · resigned 2011-08-31
BIGGS, Martin Phillip, Doctor→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 2015-07-01 · resigned 2016-04-30
BRADNAM, Stephen Edwin→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2002-03-13 · resigned 2011-08-31
CREEDON, Michael John→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2018-01-15 · resigned 2024-01-19
DUNCAN, Alan George→
Resigneddirector · ~78y · appointed 1993-02-22 · resigned 1999-07-23
DUNCAN, Alan George→
Resigneddirector · ~78y · resigned 1993-02-22
ELLWOOD, Paul Cyril→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2002-03-13 · resigned 2015-05-25
GEORGE, Katy→
Resigneddirector · ~49y · appointed 2017-05-17 · resigned 2026-04-27
GIBBS, Jeremy Stephen→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 2001-10-24 · resigned 2008-10-18
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
21
Total charges
4
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:21 of 21 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc UK Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 27/11/2025 | — | |
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc UK Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 01/11/2021 | — | |
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc UK Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 29/11/2019 | — | |
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | A registered charge | — | 03/04/2018 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | A registered charge | — | 23/03/2018 | 15/10/2021 | |
| satisfied | NatWest Group Rbs Invoice Finance Limited | Fixed and floating charge | 1 property | 16/05/2006 | 04/04/2018 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Mortgage debenture | 1 property | 16/03/1998 | 04/04/2018 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Guarantee and debenture | 1 property | 19/04/1996 | 08/04/1998 | |
| satisfied | None | Series of debentures | — | 10/03/1992 | 02/04/1992 | |
| satisfied | None | Series of debentures | — | 10/03/1992 | 02/04/1992 | |
| satisfied | None | Series of debentures | — | 10/03/1992 | 02/04/1992 | |
| satisfied | None | Series of debentures | — | 10/03/1992 | 02/04/1992 | |
| satisfied | The Stockholders | Instrument | — | 10/03/1992 | 02/04/1992 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | A registered charge | — | 24/12/1987 | 25/04/1996 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | A registered charge | — | 24/12/1987 | 25/04/1996 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | Series of debentures | 1 property | 25/11/1987 | 25/04/1996 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | Instrument | 1 property | 05/08/1987 | 25/04/1996 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 15/12/1986 | 02/07/1996 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | Series of debentures | — | 14/11/1986 | 25/04/1996 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | Series of debentures | — | 26/08/1986 | 25/04/1996 | |
| satisfied | Unknown | Series of debentures | — | 30/07/1986 | 25/04/1996 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (266 total)
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-04-27
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2025-12-01
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2025-10-24
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2025-10-24
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2025-10-24
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2025-10-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-09-15
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2024-11-11
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2024-11-11
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2024-11-11
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2024-11-11
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-09-16
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-01-29
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2023-12-06
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2023-12-06