ALBEN LIMITED

💤Zombieactive
02411065 · ltd · incorporated 1989-08-03
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
—
year to Aug 2025
Net worth
£329.1k
book net assets
Opportunity
82/100
Exceptional
🔔
Follow this company (free)
Email alerts on filings, charges, director changes, gazette notices. No account needed.

Unsubscribe any time from any email. GDPR-respectful.

🔒Generate AI memo →🔒Outreach pack →🔒Corporate story →📑 Reports →Sign in to watch
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 25990
Sector: Manufacturing
ALSO REGISTERED FOR
  • 46900Non-specialised wholesale trade
Investor take
Pursue
Active trading company with a 60-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.

Opportunity 82/100 (exceptional), bankability 80/100. Strong seller-intent signal (70/100, director aged 60). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Discharge stale live charges. 1 live charge(s) created 15+ years ago — likely paid but undischarged. Clean register. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

1 live charge · oldest 28.8y

45/100
under pressure

Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.

  • · Oldest live charge is 28.8 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · Single lender — cleanest path to refinance.
  • · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.

Data confidence

Overall: medium (78/100)

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
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
1 charges (1/1 with lender, 1/1 with type)
90
Directors & officers
13 officers (1 active, 13 linked, 10 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
Network not yet resolved
30
Filing history
110 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
82/100Exceptional
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
80
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
85
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.

Signals from accounts

Derived from iXBRL accounts · FRS 102
Positive net assets
Net assets £329,051
Net assets shrinking
Down £39,354 YoY

Key financials

2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accounts
Cash
£25k
Net Worth
£329k
↓ 11% YoY
Current Assets
£392k
↓ 9.3% YoY
Current Liabilities
—
£0£86k£173k£259k£346k£432kAug 2024Aug 2025

Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series

Financials

Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102
Metric2025-08-312024-08-31
Total assets£348.9k£376.1k
Current assets£392.2k£432.4k
Cash£24.7k—
Debtors£118.1k—
Net assets£329.1k£368.4k

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
1
filing
  • • 1 accounts
Last 180 days
1
filing
  • • 1 accounts
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (39 events)Click to expand
  1. 2026-05-26
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  2. 2025-05-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  3. 2024-05-31
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  4. 2023-01-26
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  5. 2022-05-26
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  6. 2021-01-12
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  7. 2020-06-18
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  8. 2019-04-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  9. 2018-05-29
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  10. 2017-04-05
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-small
    accounts · AA
  11. 2016-05-26
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-small
    accounts · AA
  12. 2015-10-23
    📄
    annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholders
    annual-return · AR01
  13. 2015-06-02
    📄
    change-person-director-company-with-change-date
    officers · CH01
  14. 2015-05-19
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-small
    accounts · AA
  15. 2014-11-14
    📄
    termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM02
  16. 2014-11-04
    ➖
    PARSONS, Pauline resigned
    secretary
  17. 2014-11-04
    ➖
    PARSONS, Pauline resigned
    director
  18. 2011-02-11
    ➕
    PARSONS, Ian David appointed
    director
  19. 2011-02-11
    ➖
    DURNALL, Janet Julia resigned
    secretary
  20. 2011-02-11
    ➕
    PARSONS, Pauline appointed
    secretary
  21. 2011-02-11
    ➖
    DURNALL, Janet Julia resigned
    director
  22. 2011-02-11
    ➖
    DURNALL, Raymond John resigned
    director
  23. 2011-02-11
    ➕
    PARSONS, Pauline appointed
    director
  24. 1997-09-02
    🔒
    Charge registered #1
    Lender: Lloyds Bank PLC
  25. 1997-09-01
    ➖
    BELL, Michael Lorne resigned
    secretary
  26. 1997-09-01
    ➕
    DURNALL, Janet Julia appointed
    secretary
  27. 1997-09-01
    ➖
    BELL, Michael Lorne resigned
    director
  28. 1996-05-28
    ➖
    ANGUS, John Forest resigned
    director
  29. 1996-05-28
    ➖
    MAIR, William resigned
    director
  30. 1996-05-01
    ➕
    DURNALL, Janet Julia appointed
    director
  31. 1996-05-01
    ➕
    DURNALL, Raymond John appointed
    director
  32. 1996-05-01
    ➖
    TILLEY, Alan John resigned
    director
  33. 1996-05-01
    ➖
    TILLEY, Benita resigned
    director
  34. 1994-07-01
    ➕
    TILLEY, Alan John appointed
    director
  35. 1994-07-01
    ➕
    TILLEY, Benita appointed
    director
  36. 1993-10-18
    ➕
    ANGUS, John Forest appointed
    director
  37. 1993-08-11
    ➖
    BELL, Nora Therese resigned
    director
  38. 1993-08-11
    ➕
    MAIR, William appointed
    director
  39. 1989-08-03
    🏢
    Company incorporated
    As ALBEN LIMITED

Owner dependency

93/100
Critical — business is the founder

The business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.

FACTORS
  • +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
  • +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 15 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
  • +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 60 — approaching natural succession window.

Succession & seller-readiness

78/100
Likely off-market candidate

Strong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.

SIGNALS
  • secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 60. Early succession window.
  • primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
  • secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 15 years.
  • secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 37 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

clean
No red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)

Shareholders & ownership

1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%
NameSharesVoting rightsNature of controlNotified
Mr Ian David Parsons
Individual · British · DOB 04/1966 · age 60
75–100%
—75-100% shares06/04/2016

From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.

Similar companies

Active · Manufacturing · B postcode area
CompanyEst. valueTurnoverNet worthStaffAgeOppDirector
ALLFORMS OF PRINT (UK) LIMITED→
05529917 · est 2005 · no financials extracted
————20y——
ALLIANCE BRUSHES LIMITED→
02835046 · est 1993 · no financials extracted
————32y——
ALLIANCE PALLETS GROUP LIMITED→
16895277 · est 2025 · no financials extracted
———————
ALLIANCE SALES LIMITED→
04790440 · est 2003 · no financials extracted
————22y——
ALLIED OFFICES DIRECT LIMITED→
06120120 · est 2007 · no financials extracted
————19y——
ALLIED SIGNS LIMITED→
00430570 · est 1947 · no financials extracted
————79y——
ALLKRAFT-BUILD LTD→
15878646 · est 2024 · no financials extracted
————1y——
ALLOYGATOR LIMITED→
06226009 · est 2007 · no financials extracted
————18y——
ALLSECURED GARAGE & INDUSTRIAL DOORS LIMITED→
06693221 · est 2008 · no financials extracted
————17y——
ALLUVIANA LIMITED→
16719422 · est 2025 · no financials extracted
———————
ALLVENT LIMITED→
01824140 · est 1984 · no financials extracted
————41y——
ALLYSON THOMAS LIMITED→
10732253 · est 2017 · no financials extracted
————8y——
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
Incorporated1989-08-03
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC25990 — SIC 25990

Registered office

37 Kelvin Way Trading Estate
Kelvin Way
West Bromwich
West Midlands
B70 7TP

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2027-05-31
Last made up to: 2025-08-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-11-01
Last: 2025-10-18

Officers (1 active · 12 resigned)

PARSONS, Ian David→
director · ~60y · appointed 2011-02-11
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
BELL, Michael Lorne→
secretary · resigned 1997-09-01
Resigned
DURNALL, Janet Julia→
secretary · appointed 1997-09-01 · resigned 2011-02-11
Resigned
PARSONS, Pauline→
secretary · appointed 2011-02-11 · resigned 2014-11-04
Resigned
ANGUS, John Forest→
director · ~79y · appointed 1993-10-18 · resigned 1996-05-28
Resigned
BELL, Michael Lorne→
director · ~98y · resigned 1997-09-01
Resigned
BELL, Nora Therese→
director · ~95y · resigned 1993-08-11
Resigned
DURNALL, Janet Julia→
director · ~75y · appointed 1996-05-01 · resigned 2011-02-11
Resigned
DURNALL, Raymond John→
director · ~77y · appointed 1996-05-01 · resigned 2011-02-11
Resigned
MAIR, William→
director · ~92y · appointed 1993-08-11 · resigned 1996-05-28
Resigned
PARSONS, Pauline→
director · ~61y · appointed 2011-02-11 · resigned 2014-11-04
Resigned
TILLEY, Alan John→
director · ~82y · appointed 1994-07-01 · resigned 1996-05-01
Resigned
TILLEY, Benita→
director · ~80y · appointed 1994-07-01 · resigned 1996-05-01
Resigned

Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.

Mortgages & charges

1
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:1 of 1 shown
TypeProperties
outstanding
Lloyds Banking Group
Lloyds Bank PLC
Debenture deed1 property02/09/1997—
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.

Recent filings (110 total)

accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2026-05-26
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-11-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2025-05-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-11-01
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2024-05-31
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-10-27
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2023-01-26
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-11-28
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2022-05-26
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2021-11-30
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2021-01-12
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2020-10-20
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2020-06-18
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2019-11-01
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2019-04-30