THORNSETT SOUTH LONDON LIMITED
💤Zombieactive
02578729 · ltd · incorporated 1991-01-31
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
73/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Development of building projects
Sector: Construction
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 67-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 73/100 (strong), bankability 57/100. Strong seller-intent signal (68/100, director aged 67). 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 (73/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
10 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 35.2y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 35.2 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (59/100)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
10 charges (10/10 with lender, 10/10 with type)
90
Directors & officers
8 officers (2 active, 8 linked, 4 with DOB)
80
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
10 connected companies via shared directors
75
Filing history
118 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
73/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
60
Adequate — check latest filings for context.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
74
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
3
filings
- • 1 confirmation-statement
- • 1 accounts
- • 1 officers
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (45 events)Click to expand
- 2026-01-04📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2025-12-08➖CUNNINGHAM, Sinead Louise resigneddirector
- 2025-12-08📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-01-31📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2025-01-24📄change-account-reference-date-company-previous-extendedaccounts · AA01
- 2024-08-21📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2023-12-21📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2023-12-20🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Close Brothers Limited
- 2023-02-15📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2023-02-15📄change-person-secretary-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH03
- 2023-02-02📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-05-10📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-01-12📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-01-11📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-12-31➖CUNNINGHAM, Bernadette Marie resigneddirector
- 2021-12-31➕CUNNINGHAM, Sinead Louise appointeddirector
- 2021-06-25📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2021-06-23🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Close Brothers Limited
- 2021-02-15📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2020-02-04📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2019-02-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2018-02-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2014-03-28🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Close Brothers Limited
- 2014-03-28🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Close Brothers Limited
- 2014-03-28🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Close Brothers Limited
- 2014-03-28🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Close Brothers Limited
- 2014-03-19🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2014-03-19🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2013-05-07➕CUNNINGHAM, Bernadette Marie appointeddirector
- 2013-05-07➖CUNNINGHAM, Denis resigneddirector
- 2013-03-05🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2009-07-03🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Dunbar Bank PLC
- 2009-07-03🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Dunbar Bank PLC
- 1998-01-30🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Hillgrove Developments Limited
- 1992-07-10🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 1991-03-28🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Singer & Friedlander Limited
- 1991-03-08➕CUNNINGHAM, Gerard, Mr. appointedsecretary
- 1991-03-08➖COMBINED SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 1991-03-08➕CUNNINGHAM, Denis appointeddirector
- 1991-03-08➖COMBINED NOMINEES LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-director
- 1991-03-08➖COMBINED SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-director
- 1991-01-31🏢Company incorporatedAs THORNSETT SOUTH LONDON LIMITED
- 1991-01-31➕COMBINED SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 1991-01-31➕COMBINED NOMINEES LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-director
- 1991-01-31➕COMBINED SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-director
Owner dependency
90/100
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
- +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 67 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
75/100
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 67. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 35 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.
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.
6 live charges
lowHeavily leveraged with multiple live security positions — understand the capital structure before proceeding.
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Gerard Cunningham Individual · Irish · DOB 01/1959 · age 67 | 75–100% | 75–100% | board controlsig. influence75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control · significant influence · firm interest | 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.
See pricing →Similar companies
Active · Construction · E postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225 CITY ROAD LIMITED→ 12490280 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
| 24/7 MAINTENANCE LONDON LTD→ 13537623 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| 268-272 HIGH ROAD LTD→ 15284929 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| 2E CONSTRUCTION LTD→ 11049468 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| 2MAC LIMITED→ 11498897 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| 2N3 DESIGN LTD→ 11620286 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| 3 BUILD CONSTRUCTION LTD→ 13413272 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| 33 CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LTD→ 12690019 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| 360 ENGINEERS LTD→ 16472215 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 365 ENGINEERS LTD→ 12786738 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| 373 CALEDONIAN LIMITED→ 08547608 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
| 3D BUILDING SURVEY LTD→ 11646749 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
9 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
Incorporated1991-01-31
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC41100 — Development of building projects
Registered office
305 Cambridge Heath Road
London
E2 9LH
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-02-05
Last: 2026-01-22
Officers (2 active · 6 resigned)
CUNNINGHAM, Gerard, Mr.→
Activesecretary · appointed 1991-03-08
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
COMBINED SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 1991-01-31 · resigned 1991-03-08
CUNNINGHAM, Bernadette Marie→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 2013-05-07 · resigned 2021-12-31
CUNNINGHAM, Denis→
Resigneddirector · ~76y · appointed 1991-03-08 · resigned 2013-05-07
CUNNINGHAM, Sinead Louise→
Resigneddirector · ~47y · appointed 2021-12-31 · resigned 2025-12-08
COMBINED NOMINEES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-director · appointed 1991-01-31 · resigned 1991-03-08
COMBINED SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-director · appointed 1991-01-31 · resigned 1991-03-08
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
10
Total charges
6
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:10 of 10 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 20/12/2023 | — | |
| outstanding | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 23/06/2021 | — | |
| outstanding | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited | A registered charge | — | 28/03/2014 | — | |
| outstanding | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited | A registered charge | — | 28/03/2014 | — | |
| outstanding | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 28/03/2014 | — | |
| outstanding | Close Brothers Close Brothers Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 28/03/2014 | — | |
| satisfied | Dunbar Bank Dunbar Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 03/07/2009 | 19/03/2014 | |
| satisfied | Dunbar Bank Dunbar Bank PLC | Floating charge | 1 property | 03/07/2009 | 19/03/2014 | |
| satisfied | Hillgrove Developments Hillgrove Developments Limited | Legal charge | 1 property | 30/01/1998 | 05/03/2013 | |
| satisfied | Singer & Friedlander Singer & Friedlander Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 28/03/1991 | 10/07/1992 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (118 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-02-02
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2026-01-04
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-12-08
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-01-31
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2025-01-31
change-account-reference-date-company-previous-extended
accounts · AA01
2025-01-24
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-08-21
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-01-22
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2023-12-21
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2023-02-15
change-person-secretary-company-with-change-date
officers · CH03
2023-02-15
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2023-02-02
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-01-24
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2022-05-10
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-02-02