CHARACTER FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
💤Zombieactive
02316414 · ltd · incorporated 1988-11-11
Investment thesis
Zombie company — trading but stalled; unlikely mover.
Why interesting: Quiet, steady; could be a succession or carve-out candidate with the right conversation.
Why risky: No growth signal; thin margin for error on price.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
67/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Activities of insurance agents and brokers
Sector: Financial & insurance
Investor take
Pass (distressed without resilience)Distressed active trading company — structural issues outweigh the discount.
Opportunity 67/100 (strong), bankability 77/100. High owner-dependency — earn-out structure likely required for clean transition. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 4 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (58/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
7 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 27.6y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 27.6 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (57/100)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
20 officers (1 active, 20 linked, 16 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
1 connected companies via shared directors
48
Filing history
190 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
67/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
55
Some acquirability indicators.
Risk profile
59
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
2
filings
- • 2 capital
Last 90 days
3
filings
- • 2 capital
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
10
filings
- • 4 capital
- • 2 resolution
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (66 events)Click to expand
- 2026-07-07📄capital-cancellation-sharescapital · SH06
- 2026-07-03📄capital-return-purchase-own-sharescapital · SH03
- 2026-04-11📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2026-03-02📄legacycapital · SH20
- 2026-03-02⚠️legacyinsolvency · CAP-SS
- 2026-03-02📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2026-03-02📄capital-cancellation-sharescapital · SH06
- 2026-02-23📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2026-02-23📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC05
- 2026-01-05📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-05-16📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-03-31➖WALLIS, Lee Grant resigneddirector
- 2025-02-14📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-02-14📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-02-01➖BURROWS, Stephen Mark resigneddirector
- 2025-02-01➖STANLEY, David George Edward resigneddirector
- 2024-08-02📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-08-01➕BLAKENEY, Paul appointeddirector
- 2024-07-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-08-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-01-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2021-12-16📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2021-10-29➖MALYON, Alan David resigneddirector
- 2021-10-29📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2019-11-20➕MALYON, Alan David appointeddirector
- 2019-11-20🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2015-10-30➖FAIRCHILD, Warren Robert resigneddirector
- 2015-08-31➖BAKER, David Frank resigneddirector
- 2015-04-13🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2015-03-20🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Clydesdale Bank PLC
- 2014-05-23➕BAKER, David Frank appointeddirector
- 2013-03-20➖SLC REGISTRARS LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2012-09-22🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2012-09-18🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Macquarie Bank Limited
- 2009-09-23➖POULTON, Hannah resigneddirector
- 2009-09-23➕STANLEY, David George Edward appointeddirector
- 2009-02-14🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2007-08-06➕SLC REGISTRARS LIMITED appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2007-08-06➖WILLOW TAXATION & SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2007-07-24🔒Charge registered #5Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2006-10-26🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2006-06-23🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2006-06-23🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2006-06-21🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 2006-03-14➖BOWLER, Michael resignedsecretary
- 2006-03-14➕WILLOW TAXATION & SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2006-02-03➖BOWLER, Michael resigneddirector
- 2006-02-03➖BRIGHT, Peter John resigneddirector
- 2006-02-03➕POULTON, Hannah appointeddirector
- 2005-12-31➖MANKELOW, John Stanley resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 66 events
Owner dependency
75/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
Succession & seller-readiness
45/100
Moderate signalSome succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.
SIGNALS
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
Red flags
1 high · 1 med ·1 insolvency-related filing on record
highFilings relating to insolvency, liquidation, or administration exist in the company's history. Review before proceeding.
Evidence: 2026-03-02: legacy
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
Character Investments Ltd is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Character Investments Ltd
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
CHARACTER FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
This company · 02316414
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Character Investments Ltd Corporate entity | 75–100% | — | 75-100% shares | 02/09/2016 |
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 · Financial services · TN postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXE ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD→ 13947001 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| BRINDLEY RISK CONSULTANCY LIMITED→ 07888597 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 14y | — | — |
| CAPITAL CONNECTION LIMITED→ 04094829 · est 2000 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 25y | — | — |
| CAPON CAPITAL LIMITED→ 13535466 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| CARLETON-LIGHTFOOT SERVICES LIMITED→ 02625309 · est 1991 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 34y | — | — |
| CHARACTER IB LTD→ 10951489 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| CHARIOT SCHEMES LIMITED→ 08167208 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| CHARLTON-MATTHEWS TRADING LTD→ 13141218 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| CHARMING ANARCHIST LIMITED→ 13444753 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| CHASE FINANCE LIMITED→ 16499354 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CHIPLY FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED→ 17080119 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CHIRONCAP LIMITED→ 13483505 · 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
Incorporated1988-11-11
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC66220 — Activities of insurance agents and brokers
Registered office
Winterton House
High Street
Westerham
Kent
TN16 1AT
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-12-31
Last made up to: 2025-03-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-05-29
Last: 2026-05-15
Officers (1 active · 19 resigned)
BLAKENEY, Paul→
Activedirector · ~44y · appointed 2024-08-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BOWLER, Michael→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1995-03-24 · resigned 2006-03-14
CHEVERTON, Peter James→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1995-03-24
SLC REGISTRARS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2007-08-06 · resigned 2013-03-20
WILLOW TAXATION & SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2006-03-14 · resigned 2007-08-06
ARMSTRONG, Jeffrey Mark Alan→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · resigned 1993-03-22
BAKER, David Frank→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2014-05-23 · resigned 2015-08-31
BOWLER, Michael→
Resigneddirector · ~65y · resigned 2006-02-03
BRIGHT, Peter John→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 2000-07-01 · resigned 2006-02-03
BURROWS, Stephen Mark→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · resigned 2025-02-01
FAIRCHILD, Warren Robert→
Resigneddirector · ~59y · appointed 2000-07-01 · resigned 2015-10-30
HEWETT, David Christopher→
Resigneddirector · ~78y · resigned 1995-03-06
KEITH, Colin Reginald→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · resigned 1998-03-02
KENNEDY, Martin James→
Resigneddirector · ~82y · resigned 1995-03-06
MALYON, Alan David→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2019-11-20 · resigned 2021-10-29
MANKELOW, John Stanley→
Resigneddirector · ~77y · appointed 2001-11-20 · resigned 2005-12-31
PEASEY, Mark→
Resigneddirector · ~63y · appointed 2000-07-01 · resigned 2001-12-31
POULTON, Hannah→
Resigneddirector · ~51y · appointed 2006-02-03 · resigned 2009-09-23
STANLEY, David George Edward→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 2009-09-23 · resigned 2025-02-01
WALLIS, Lee Grant→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 1992-04-29 · resigned 2025-03-31
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
7
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:7 of 7 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC | A registered charge | — | 20/03/2015 | 20/11/2019 | |
| satisfied | Macquarie Bank Macquarie Bank Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 18/09/2012 | 13/04/2015 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 24/07/2007 | 22/09/2012 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Guarantee & debenture | 1 property | 21/06/2006 | 14/02/2009 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 10/01/2002 | 26/10/2006 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 2 properties | 31/12/1998 | 23/06/2006 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 2 properties | 31/12/1998 | 23/06/2006 |
Recent filings (190 total)
capital-cancellation-shares
capital · SH06
2026-07-07
capital-return-purchase-own-shares
capital · SH03
2026-07-03
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-05-26
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2026-04-11
legacy
capital · SH20
2026-03-02
legacy
insolvency · CAP-SS
2026-03-02
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2026-03-02
capital-cancellation-shares
capital · SH06
2026-03-02
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2026-02-23
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC05
2026-02-23
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2026-01-05
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-07-07
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-05-16
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-02-14
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-02-14