AUTOMATIC CHOICE LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
02774757 · ltd · incorporated 1992-12-18
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.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Dec 2025
Net worth
£1.64M
book net assets
Opportunity
80/100
Exceptional
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 45310
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueAsset-holding vehicle with a 60-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 80/100 (exceptional), bankability 85/100. Strong seller-intent signal (70/100, director aged 60). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
1 live charge · oldest 33.3y
45/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 33.3 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Single lender — cleanest path to refinance.
- · Cashflow trend is negative — lender view likely cautious.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (79/100)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
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 (3 active, 13 linked, 9 with DOB)
84
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
1 connected companies via shared directors
48
Filing history
138 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
80/100Exceptional
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
85
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Signals from accounts
Derived from iXBRL accounts · FRS 102Positive net assets
Net assets £1,638,470
Net assets shrinking
Down £201,935 YoY
Cash YoY
-19%
Year on year
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
£799k
↓ 19% YoY
Net Worth
£1.6m
↓ 11% YoY
Current Assets
£2.0m
↓ 11% YoY
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102| Metric | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | £1.65M | £1.86M |
| Current assets | £1.95M | £2.20M |
| Cash | £799.2k | £983.3k |
| Debtors | £383.7k | £467.2k |
| Net assets | £1.64M | £1.84M |
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
2
filings
- • 1 accounts
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
2
filings
- • 1 accounts
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (45 events)Click to expand
- 2026-05-20📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-12-02📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-02📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-12-02📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC03
- 2025-12-02📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-12-02📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-12-02📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-12-02📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2025-12-02📄appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP03
- 2025-12-02📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2025-11-25➕VAN ESSEN, Pieter Henrik appointedsecretary
- 2025-11-25➕VAN ESSEN, Pieter Henrik appointeddirector
- 2025-11-25➖WITHEY, Robert John resignedsecretary
- 2025-11-25➖HANCORN, Joanne Mary resigneddirector
- 2025-11-25➖WITHEY, Julie Dawn resigneddirector
- 2025-11-25➖WITHEY, Robert John resigneddirector
- 2025-04-09📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-03-11📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2025-03-11📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2025-03-11📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-04-02📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-04-04📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-06-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2021-05-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-12-02📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2015-06-16🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2013-04-06➕HANCORN, Joanne Mary appointeddirector
- 2013-04-06➕WITHEY, Julie Dawn appointeddirector
- 2006-10-31➖PRICE, Peter Frank resigneddirector
- 2005-05-01➕HANCORN, Warren appointeddirector
- 2002-01-30➖GLOVER, Robin Clifford resignedsecretary
- 2002-01-30➕WITHEY, Robert John appointedsecretary
- 2002-01-30➖GLOVER, Robin Clifford resigneddirector
- 2002-01-30➖MACKIE, John W H resigneddirector
- 1998-10-16➕WITHEY, Robert John appointeddirector
- 1998-03-01➕MACKIE, John W H appointeddirector
- 1997-06-14➖CLOTHIER, Michael Anthony resigneddirector
- 1993-03-19🔒Charge registered #1Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 1992-12-18🏢Company incorporatedAs AUTOMATIC CHOICE LIMITED
- 1992-12-18➕GLOVER, Robin Clifford appointedsecretary
- 1992-12-18➕SWIFT INCORPORATIONS LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 1992-12-18➖SWIFT INCORPORATIONS LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 1992-12-18➕CLOTHIER, Michael Anthony appointeddirector
- 1992-12-18➕GLOVER, Robin Clifford appointeddirector
- 1992-12-18➕PRICE, Peter Frank appointeddirector
Owner dependency
76/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
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 21 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 60 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
66/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 60. Early succession window.
- secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 21 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
1 med ·4 director resignations in last 12 months
mediumMultiple recent departures can indicate governance disagreement, succession event, or preparation for sale/stress.
Evidence: WITHEY, Robert John resigned 2025-11-25; HANCORN, Joanne Mary resigned 2025-11-25; WITHEY, Julie Dawn resigned 2025-11-25
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Automatic Choice Group Bv Individual | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 25/11/2025 |
2 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Mr Robert John Witheyceased 25/11/2025· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control
- Mr Warren Hancornceased 25/11/2025· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting
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 · Automotive · BH postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKD AUTOSERVICES LIMITED→ 06200386 · est 2007 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 19y | — | — |
| APEX SERVICE CENTRE LTD→ 16253272 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| APM MOTORS LTD→ 14657415 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ASME SALES LIMITED→ 12999095 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| ATI (AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORT INTELLIGENCE) LTD→ 15450648 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| AUTO REPAIR SHOP LTD→ 11950057 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| AUTO SANCTUARY LTD→ 16032326 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AUTODENTS LIMITED→ 04499738 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| AUTOMECHS GARAGE (ENFIELD) LIMITED→ 01079342 · est 1972 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 53y | — | — |
| AUTOMOTIVE BODY REPAIRS LTD→ 13183888 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AUTOSPOTUK LTD→ 11383220 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| AUTOSTEPS LTD→ 12004180 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
6 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
Incorporated1992-12-18
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC45310 — SIC 45310
Registered office
Herston Cross House
230 High Street
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2PQ
United Kingdom
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-09-30
Last made up to: 2025-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-04-26
Last: 2026-04-12
Officers (3 active · 10 resigned)
VAN ESSEN, Pieter Henrik→
Activesecretary · appointed 2025-11-25
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HANCORN, Warren→
Activedirector · ~60y · appointed 2005-05-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
VAN ESSEN, Pieter Henrik→
Activedirector · ~47y · appointed 2025-11-25
View their other companies + combined net worth →
GLOVER, Robin Clifford→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1992-12-18 · resigned 2002-01-30
WITHEY, Robert John→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2002-01-30 · resigned 2025-11-25
SWIFT INCORPORATIONS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 1992-12-18 · resigned 1992-12-18
CLOTHIER, Michael Anthony→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 1992-12-18 · resigned 1997-06-14
GLOVER, Robin Clifford→
Resigneddirector · ~78y · appointed 1992-12-18 · resigned 2002-01-30
HANCORN, Joanne Mary→
Resigneddirector · ~49y · appointed 2013-04-06 · resigned 2025-11-25
MACKIE, John W H→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 1998-03-01 · resigned 2002-01-30
PRICE, Peter Frank→
Resigneddirector · ~71y · appointed 1992-12-18 · resigned 2006-10-31
WITHEY, Julie Dawn→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2013-04-06 · resigned 2025-11-25
WITHEY, Robert John→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 1998-10-16 · resigned 2025-11-25
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
1
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:1 of 1 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Mortgage debenture | 1 property | 19/03/1993 | 16/06/2015 |
Recent filings (138 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2026-05-20
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-04-20
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-02
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-12-02
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC03
2025-12-02
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-12-02
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-12-02
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-12-02
termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM02
2025-12-02
appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-date
officers · AP03
2025-12-02
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2025-12-02
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-04-15
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-04-09
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2025-03-11
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2025-03-11