COLE'S PUDDINGS LTD.
🌳Matureactive
02207321 · ltd · incorporated 1987-12-22
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
approaching window · 12-months
Approaching a transaction window — refinance or sale event plausible in the next 12 months.
- · Oldest live charge 35.8y old — refinance window within 12 months
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Manufacture of bread; manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakes
Sector: Manufacturing
ALSO REGISTERED FOR
- 10720SIC 10720
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 76-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 75/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 76). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Discharge stale live charges. 2 live charge(s) created 15+ years ago — likely paid but undischarged. Clean register. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
6 live charges · 2 lenders · oldest 35.8y
50/100
clean up first
Refinance viable after a tidy-up — address the highlighted items first.
- · Oldest live charge is 35.8 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Two lenders — manageable, but coordination required.
- · Legal-friction score 38/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (58/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 2 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
19 officers (5 active, 19 linked, 12 with DOB)
83
Ownership & PSC
2 active PSC(s) of 15 total, 15 with control declared
90
Director network
6 connected companies via shared directors
63
Filing history
210 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
85
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
74
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
4
filings
- • 2 accounts
- • 2 other
Last 90 days
4
filings
- • 2 accounts
- • 2 other
Last 180 days
4
filings
- • 2 accounts
- • 2 other
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (64 events)Click to expand
- 2026-06-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2026-06-23📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2026-06-23📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2026-06-23📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-10📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-10📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-09-16📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2025-08-26📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2025-08-26📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-08-26📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-08-22➖GOODFELLOW, Scott Prain resigneddirector
- 2025-07-17📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2025-07-17📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2025-07-10📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2025-07-10📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2025-07-07📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2024-08-07📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-08-05➕LEPPARD, Suzanne Louise appointeddirector
- 2024-06-07➖OFFORD, Roseanne Georgina resigneddirector
- 2024-05-22➕LEPPARD, Suzanne Louise appointedsecretary
- 2024-05-22➖DOLLIMORE, Thomas resignedsecretary
- 2022-12-31➖JAMES, Stuart Allan resigneddirector
- 2021-10-01➕JACKSON, Mark Antony appointeddirector
- 2021-03-16➕NEWENHAM, Christopher Worth appointeddirector
- 2021-03-16➕DOLLIMORE, Thomas appointedsecretary
- 2021-03-16➖OFFORD, Roseanne Georgina resignedsecretary
- 2021-03-16➕OFFORD, Roseanne Georgina appointeddirector
- 2021-03-08🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 2021-02-26➖HATCHER, Simon resigneddirector
- 2016-04-30➖THURGOOD, Ian Kenneth resigneddirector
- 2013-02-01➖JAMES, Stuart Allan resignedsecretary
- 2013-02-01➕OFFORD, Roseanne Georgina appointedsecretary
- 2011-11-01➕HATCHER, Simon appointeddirector
- 2011-09-01➕GOODFELLOW, Scott Prain appointeddirector
- 2011-08-31➖COLE, Christopher John resigneddirector
- 2010-08-17➕SCOTT, Walter William appointeddirector
- 2010-08-17➖COLE, Christopher John resignedsecretary
- 2010-08-17➕JAMES, Stuart Allan appointedsecretary
- 2010-08-17➖COLE, Margaret resigneddirector
- 2010-08-17➖HINGSTON, Christopher John resigneddirector
- 2010-08-17➕JAMES, Stuart Allan appointeddirector
- 2010-08-17➕THURGOOD, Ian Kenneth appointeddirector
- 2003-04-25🔓Charge satisfied #3
Showing most recent 50 of 64 events
Owner dependency
65/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- -4 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 16 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 76 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
73/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 76 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 16 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
1 med · 1 lowCharge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Multiple registered office changes
lowMultiple address changes in a short period can indicate operational instability or admin disorder.
Group structure
2 corporate shareholders identified. Group structure is distributed.
🏛️significant stake
Wilkin & Sons Ltd Employee Benefit Trust
Corporate parent · holds 25-50% shares
🏛️ultimate parent
Wilkin & Sons Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
COLE'S PUDDINGS LTD.
This company · 02207321
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
2 active beneficial owners · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilkin & Sons Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | sig. influence75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · significant influence | 06/04/2016 |
Wilkin & Sons Ltd Employee Benefit Trust Corporate entity | 25–50% | 50–75% | 50-75% shares · 50-75% voting | 18/11/2025 |
13 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Mrs Nichola Johan Goldsackceased 18/11/2025· 50-75% voting · trust interest
- Mr Stuart Allan Jamesceased 18/11/2025· 50-75% voting · trust interest
- Mr Frankie Glen Nealceased 18/11/2025· 50-75% voting · trust interest
- Mrs Suzanne Louise Leppardceased 18/11/2025· 50-75% voting · trust interest
- Mr Peter David Powellceased 18/10/2025· 50-75% voting · trust interest
- Mr Peter John Wilkinceased 04/07/2025· significant influence
- Mr Thomas Dollimoreceased 18/11/2025· 50-75% voting · trust interest
- Mr Christopher Worth Newenhamceased 18/11/2025· significant influence
- Mr Walter William Scottceased 18/11/2025· significant influence
- Mr Scott Prain Goodfellowceased 22/08/2025· significant influence
- Mrs Roseanne Georgina Offordceased 07/06/2024· significant influence
- Mr Stuart Allan Jamesceased 31/12/2022· significant influence
- Mr Simon Hatcherceased 26/02/2021· significant influence
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 · Food & drink · CO postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 BALL CAF LTD→ 14638226 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| CLARKE'S BAKERY LTD→ 14576971 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| COCOA BLISS DESSERTS LTD→ 15453354 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| COCOA CANOPY LIMITED→ 07191065 · est 2010 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 16y | — | — |
| COLCHESTER BREWERY LTD→ 07735436 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 14y | — | — |
| COLCHESTER COFFEE COLLECTIVE LIMITED→ 16826312 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| COOKIES ENTERPRISES LTD→ 16593716 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CRAFTY RIVER BREWING LTD→ 12385514 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
| DAMBAAR LTD→ 16862479 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DATUM ATTITUDE BREWING CO LIMITED→ 12794841 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| DEDHAM VALE VINEYARD LIMITED→ 16756603 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| DEUS EX NATURA LTD→ 13456121 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
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
Incorporated1987-12-22
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC10710 — Manufacture of bread; manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakes
Registered office
Trewlands Farm
Factory Hill
Tiptree
Essex
CO5 0RF
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-09-30
Last made up to: 2025-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-07-14
Last: 2025-06-30
Officers (5 active · 14 resigned)
LEPPARD, Suzanne Louise→
Activesecretary · appointed 2024-05-22
View their other companies + combined net worth →
JACKSON, Mark Antony→
Activedirector · ~59y · appointed 2021-10-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
LEPPARD, Suzanne Louise→
Activedirector · ~44y · appointed 2024-08-05
View their other companies + combined net worth →
NEWENHAM, Christopher Worth→
Activedirector · ~56y · appointed 2021-03-16
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SCOTT, Walter William→
Activedirector · ~76y · appointed 2010-08-17
View their other companies + combined net worth →
COLE, Christopher John→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1997-03-11 · resigned 2010-08-17
DOLLIMORE, Thomas→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2021-03-16 · resigned 2024-05-22
JAMES, Stuart Allan→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2010-08-17 · resigned 2013-02-01
KENNY, Christine Susan→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1995-11-30
OFFORD, Roseanne Georgina→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2013-02-01 · resigned 2021-03-16
WINDER, Anne Marie→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1996-03-27 · resigned 1997-02-05
COLE, Christopher John→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · resigned 2011-08-31
COLE, Margaret→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · appointed 1993-03-26 · resigned 2010-08-17
GOODFELLOW, Scott Prain→
Resigneddirector · ~58y · appointed 2011-09-01 · resigned 2025-08-22
HATCHER, Simon→
Resigneddirector · ~61y · appointed 2011-11-01 · resigned 2021-02-26
HINGSTON, Christopher John→
Resigneddirector · ~89y · appointed 1993-04-05 · resigned 2010-08-17
JAMES, Stuart Allan→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 2010-08-17 · resigned 2022-12-31
OFFORD, Roseanne Georgina→
Resigneddirector · ~48y · appointed 2021-03-16 · resigned 2024-06-07
THURGOOD, Ian Kenneth→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 2010-08-17 · resigned 2016-04-30
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
6
Total charges
3
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:6 of 6 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | A registered charge | — | 08/03/2021 | — | |
| outstanding | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 28/03/2003 | — | |
| outstanding | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 28/03/2003 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 12/03/2001 | 25/04/2003 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 31/08/1990 | 25/04/2003 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Mortgage debenture | 1 property | 31/08/1990 | 25/04/2003 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (210 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2026-06-23
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2026-06-23
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2026-06-23
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2026-06-23
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC02
2025-12-10
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-10
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2025-09-16
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2025-08-26