ARTHUR DAVID (FOOD WITH SERVICE) LIMITED
📉Decliningactive
02059424 · ltd · incorporated 1986-09-29
Investment thesis
Established operating company — standard diligence applies, no dominant angle.
Why interesting: Live, filing, normal profile.
Why risky: No standout signals in either direction.
Opportunity decay
drifting distress · 6-months
Drifting toward distress — expect more negotiability in 3–6 months, but also more friction.
- · Lifecycle stage drifting downward
- · Currently "declining"
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Jan 2025
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Wholesale of fruit and vegetables
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and acceptable with review structure.
Opportunity 79/100 (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. 7 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (77/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
16 live charges · 7 lenders · oldest 32.0y
35/100
too messy
Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 32.0 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 7 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 40/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: high (81/100)Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
16 charges (16/16 with lender, 16/16 with type)
90
Directors & officers
10 officers (3 active, 10 linked, 9 with DOB)
88
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 2 total, 2 with control declared
90
Director network
6 connected companies via shared directors
63
Filing history
172 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
🔒Estimated company valuation
Sector-multiple EBITDA, turnover, and NAV-proxy valuation range with confidence tier — derived from extracted iXBRL financials.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Opportunity Score
79/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
80
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 · FRS 102Profitable
Profit before tax £311,423
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102| Metric | 2025-01-31 | 2024-01-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit before tax | £311.4k | £1.21M |
| Average employees | 419 | 43800 |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
2 signals 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
0
filings
Last 90 days
0
filings
Last 180 days
2
filings
- • 2 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (67 events)Click to expand
- 2026-03-14📄replacement-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP01CS01
- 2025-09-26📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-09-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-09-12➖SKUSE, Jason Reggie resigneddirector
- 2025-02-14📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2025-01-28📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2025-01-28📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-01-28📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-12-27➖DAVID, Arthur Derrick resigneddirector
- 2024-10-15📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-09-05📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-04-21📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-04-18➖HILL, Daren resigneddirector
- 2023-02-07📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2023-02-07📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-11-28📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2022-11-28🔓Charge satisfied #11
- 2022-10-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-10-13📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-10-01➕RALL, Alexander appointeddirector
- 2022-08-31📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-08-16📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-08-11📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-08-11📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2022-07-01➕SKUSE, Jason Reggie appointeddirector
- 2022-06-16📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2022-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #10
- 2022-05-26📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2022-05-20🔒Charge registered #16Lender: Hsbc UK Bank PLC
- 2022-05-09🔒Charge registered #15Lender: Hsbc Invoice Finance (UK) LTD
- 2022-04-28🔓Charge satisfied #14
- 2022-04-28🔓Charge satisfied #13
- 2022-04-28🔓Charge satisfied #12
- 2021-01-31➖O'BRIEN, John Richard resigneddirector
- 2020-10-21🔒Charge registered #14Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2020-10-21🔒Charge registered #13Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2020-10-21🔒Charge registered #12Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2020-03-31➖COCKING, Simon Paul resigneddirector
- 2018-10-14➖DAVID, Diana June resignedsecretary
- 2017-06-21🔒Charge registered #11Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2017-03-22➕COCKING, Simon Paul appointeddirector
- 2016-07-15🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2016-07-06🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Rbs Invoice Finance Limited
- 2014-08-28🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2014-08-14🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2014-08-14🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2014-08-14🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2014-08-14🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2014-08-14🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2014-08-01➕HILL, Daren appointeddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 67 events
Owner dependency
83/100
Critical — business is the founderThe business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.
FACTORS
- +Founder name in company name: Company name contains director surname "DAVID" — strong identity link between founder and business.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 25 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 64 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
80/100
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.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 25 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 40 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.
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Philip Arthur David Individual · British · DOB 09/1962 · age 64 | 50–75% | — | 50-75% shares | 27/12/2024 |
1 historic (ceased) PSC
- Mr Arthur Derrick Davidceased 27/12/2024· 50-75% shares · 50-75% voting
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 · Wholesale & distribution · BS postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK SUPPLIERS LTD→ 15304203 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ALU-PASSIVE LIMITED→ 10956139 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| AMICA ACCESSORIES LIMITED→ 08241188 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| AMP IMPORTS LIMITED→ 11815530 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| ANZ AGRI CROP SCIENCES LIMITED→ 14181042 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ARDOR (UK) LTD→ 05651095 · est 2005 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 20y | — | — |
| ARESWATERS LTD→ 12712268 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| ARP-CO. LIMITED→ 01491886 · est 1980 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 45y | — | — |
| ASCENT INDUSTRIES LTD→ 07731403 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 14y | — | — |
| ASCLEPIUS & PANACEA CONSULTANCY LIMITED→ 14452853 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ASHINGTON CEREMONIAL GOWNS (INTERNATIONAL) LTD→ 09683301 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| ASHINGTON CIRCLE LTD→ 08344924 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
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
Incorporated1986-09-29
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC46310 — Wholesale of fruit and vegetables
Registered office
Hillside Farm Sutton Wick
Bishop Sutton
Bristol
BS39 5XR
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-10-31
Last made up to: 2025-01-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-02-04
Last: 2026-01-21
Officers (3 active · 7 resigned)
DAVID, Philip Arthur→
Activedirector · ~64y · appointed 2001-11-29
View their other companies + combined net worth →
EVANS, Jonathan David→
Activedirector · ~59y · appointed 2006-04-11
View their other companies + combined net worth →
RALL, Alexander→
Activedirector · ~58y · appointed 2022-10-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DAVID, Diana June→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 2018-10-14
COCKING, Simon Paul→
Resigneddirector · ~53y · appointed 2017-03-22 · resigned 2020-03-31
DAVID, Arthur Derrick→
Resigneddirector · ~88y · resigned 2024-12-27
HILL, Daren→
Resigneddirector · ~57y · appointed 2014-08-01 · resigned 2023-04-18
HOOPER, Nigel Dillon→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2006-04-11 · resigned 2007-01-12
O'BRIEN, John Richard→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2014-08-01 · resigned 2021-01-31
SKUSE, Jason Reggie→
Resigneddirector · ~50y · appointed 2022-07-01 · resigned 2025-09-12
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
16
Total charges
2
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:16 of 16 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc UK Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 20/05/2022 | — | |
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc Invoice Finance (UK) LTD | A registered charge | — | 09/05/2022 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | A registered charge | 2 properties | 21/10/2020 | 28/04/2022 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 21/10/2020 | 28/04/2022 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 21/10/2020 | 28/04/2022 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | A registered charge | — | 21/06/2017 | 28/11/2022 | |
| satisfied | NatWest Group Rbs Invoice Finance Limited | A registered charge | — | 06/07/2016 | 16/06/2022 | |
| satisfied | Five Arrows Commercial Finance Five Arrows Commercial Finance Limited | All assets debenture (including qualifying floating charge) | 1 property | 22/10/2007 | 15/07/2016 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 2 properties | 20/07/2005 | 14/08/2014 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | All assets debenture | 1 property | 22/07/2003 | 14/08/2014 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 14/07/2003 | 14/08/2014 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 26/01/2001 | 14/08/2014 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Legal charge | 2 properties | 16/12/1998 | 14/08/2014 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 09/11/1998 | 28/08/2014 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 2 properties | 25/09/1995 | 28/05/1999 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Mortgage debenture | 1 property | 12/07/1994 | 28/05/1999 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (172 total)
replacement-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP01CS01
2026-03-14
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-02-04
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-09-26
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2025-09-24
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2025-02-14
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC01
2025-01-28
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-01-28
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-01-28
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-01-28
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2024-10-15
confirmation-statement
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-02-01
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2023-09-05
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-04-21
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-02-07
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2023-02-07