ANIMAL LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
02138381 · ltd · incorporated 1987-06-08
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
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 99999
Sector: Extraterritorial bodies
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 75-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (83/100, director aged 75). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 5 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
7 live charges · 5 lenders · oldest 34.1y
35/100
too messy
Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 34.1 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 5 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 35/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
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, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
7 charges (7/7 with lender, 7/7 with type)
90
Directors & officers
13 officers (3 active, 13 linked, 10 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
16 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
139 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
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.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
0
filings
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 accounts
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (48 events)Click to expand
- 2026-02-26📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2025-04-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2024-02-27📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2023-06-12📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2022-02-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2021-04-09📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2020-04-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2019-06-05📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2018-04-26📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2017-05-03📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2016-07-06📄annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholdersannual-return · AR01
- 2016-03-10📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2015-07-10📄annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholdersannual-return · AR01
- 2015-03-13📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2014-06-26📄annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholdersannual-return · AR01
- 2014-05-14➖LALONE, Jody Ruth Ann resigneddirector
- 2014-05-14📄termination-director-company-with-nameofficers · TM01
- 2006-11-30➕MCIVOR, Alan James appointedsecretary
- 2006-11-30➕MCIVOR, Alan James appointeddirector
- 2006-11-30➖REDFERN, Thomas Stathis resignedsecretary
- 2006-11-30➖REDFERN, Thomas Stathis resigneddirector
- 2003-07-22➕SAMANN, Ronald, Dr appointeddirector
- 2003-07-22➖TAYLOR, Ian Charles Boucher resigneddirector
- 2003-03-01➕TAYLOR, Ian Charles Boucher appointeddirector
- 2001-09-30➖JOHNSTON, Edwina Jane resigneddirector
- 2001-09-30➕LALONE, Jody Ruth Ann appointeddirector
- 2001-06-14➖MCGRATH, Rory Hugh resigneddirector
- 1999-02-27🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 1999-01-29➖BROUGHTON, Nigel Robert Melson resignedsecretary
- 1999-01-29➕REDFERN, Thomas Stathis appointedsecretary
- 1999-01-29➖BROUGHTON, Nigel Robert Melson resigneddirector
- 1999-01-29➖ELLIOT, Ian Richard resigneddirector
- 1999-01-29➕JOHNSTON, Edwina Jane appointeddirector
- 1999-01-29➕MCGRATH, Rory Hugh appointeddirector
- 1999-01-29➕REDFERN, Thomas Stathis appointeddirector
- 1999-01-22🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 1999-01-22🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 1999-01-22🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 1998-07-10➖PALMER, Andrew resigneddirector
- 1998-04-14🔒Charge registered #5Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 1998-04-08🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Capital Bank Põc
- 1998-04-08🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Capital Bank PLC
- 1998-01-21🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1997-12-05🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1996-02-27🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Alex Lawrie Receivables Financing Limited
- 1994-04-01➕PALMER, Andrew appointeddirector
- 1992-05-12🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 1987-06-08🏢Company incorporatedAs ANIMAL LIMITED
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
- +Two-director setup: Only two active directors — typical of owner-managed SMEs but limits succession.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 23 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 75 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
96/100
Likely off-market candidateStrong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 75 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 23 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr Ronald Sämann Individual · Canadian · DOB 06/1951 · age 75 | — | — | sig. influencesignificant influence | 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.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGILE ELITE LTD→ 13849789 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| AK COACHING & DEVELOPMENT LTD→ 14568798 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| AND BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED→ 03213300 · est 1996 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 29y | — | — |
| ANIMALSPORTS LIMITED→ 02925314 · est 1994 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 31y | — | — |
| AOXNA LIMITED→ 14706796 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| APC DIASPORA WOMEN'S CONGRESS LTD→ 16504101 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| APMPUK LTD→ 11800662 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| APPLE PRINT AND CREATIVE LIMITED→ 08397105 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| ARAB HORSE SOCIETY(THE)→ 00932347 · est 1968 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 57y | — | — |
| ARCHER KANE LLP→ OC447765 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ARGENT BY-PRODUCTS GROUP LIMITED→ 00266901 · est 1932 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 93y | — | — |
| ARGENT EUROPE LIMITED→ 03270572 · est 1996 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 29y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
8 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
Incorporated1987-06-08
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC99999 — SIC 99999
Registered office
Buckingham House, West Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 1BD
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-06-30
Last made up to: 2025-09-30
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-06-28
Last: 2025-06-14
Officers (3 active · 10 resigned)
MCIVOR, Alan James→
Activesecretary · appointed 2006-11-30
View their other companies + combined net worth →
MCIVOR, Alan James→
Activedirector · ~63y · appointed 2006-11-30
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SAMANN, Ronald, Dr→
Activedirector · ~75y · appointed 2003-07-22
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BROUGHTON, Nigel Robert Melson→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1999-01-29
REDFERN, Thomas Stathis→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1999-01-29 · resigned 2006-11-30
BROUGHTON, Nigel Robert Melson→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · resigned 1999-01-29
ELLIOT, Ian Richard→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · resigned 1999-01-29
JOHNSTON, Edwina Jane→
Resigneddirector · ~65y · appointed 1999-01-29 · resigned 2001-09-30
LALONE, Jody Ruth Ann→
Resigneddirector · ~61y · appointed 2001-09-30 · resigned 2014-05-14
MCGRATH, Rory Hugh→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 1999-01-29 · resigned 2001-06-14
PALMER, Andrew→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 1994-04-01 · resigned 1998-07-10
REDFERN, Thomas Stathis→
Resigneddirector · ~71y · appointed 1999-01-29 · resigned 2006-11-30
TAYLOR, Ian Charles Boucher→
Resigneddirector · ~72y · appointed 2003-03-01 · resigned 2003-07-22
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
7
Total charges
3
Outstanding
3
Active lenders
Status:Lender:7 of 7 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Mortgage debenture | 1 property | 14/04/1998 | — | |
| outstanding | Capital Bank Põc | Deed of mortgage | 1 property | 08/04/1998 | — | |
| outstanding | Capital Bank Capital Bank PLC | Deed of mortgage | 1 property | 08/04/1998 | — | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Fixed charge supplemental to debenture dated 5TH december 1997 | 1 property | 21/01/1998 | 22/01/1999 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 05/12/1997 | 22/01/1999 | |
| satisfied | Alex Lawrie Receivables Financing Alex Lawrie Receivables Financing Limited | Charge | 1 property | 27/02/1996 | 27/02/1999 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 12/05/1992 | 22/01/1999 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (139 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2026-02-26
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-06-17
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2025-04-23
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-06-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2024-02-27
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-06-15
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2023-06-12
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-06-15
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2022-02-23
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2021-06-24
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2021-04-09
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2020-06-15
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2020-04-06
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2019-06-25
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2019-06-05