ACORN TRAINING CONSULTANTS LIMITED
💤Zombieactive
03182459 · ltd · incorporated 1996-04-03
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
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
74/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Other education n.e.c.
Sector: Education
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and bankable structure.
Opportunity 74/100 (strong), bankability 75/100. High owner-dependency — earn-out structure likely required for clean transition. Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Broaden director team. Sole director creates succession risk and reduces buyer comfort. Appoint a second director or strong #2. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (58/100).
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
Confirmed no charges registered
85
Directors & officers
33 officers (1 active, 33 linked, 23 with DOB)
84
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
10 connected companies via shared directors
75
Filing history
150 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
74/100Strong
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
85
Few red flags.
Signal strength
90
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
2
filings
- • 1 confirmation-statement
- • 1 officers
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (85 events)Click to expand
- 2026-01-13📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-12-18➖MCLEISH, Brenda Sophie resigneddirector
- 2025-11-03📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-11-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-03-20📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-03-20📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-03-18➕WEIR, Geoffrey Philip appointeddirector
- 2024-03-18➖HIGGINS, Gavin Stewart resigneddirector
- 2024-02-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2023-03-07➖KNOW, Matthew James resignedsecretary
- 2023-03-07📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2022-09-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-02-01📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2021-10-26📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2021-06-30📄change-account-reference-date-company-previous-shortenedaccounts · AA01
- 2021-04-22📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2020-11-12📄second-filing-withdrawal-of-a-person-with-significant-control-statementpersons-with-significant-control · RP04PSC09
- 2020-11-12📄second-filing-notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · RP04PSC02
- 2020-11-05📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC05
- 2020-10-30📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2020-10-30📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC05
- 2020-10-30📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2020-10-30📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2020-09-18➕KNOW, Matthew James appointedsecretary
- 2020-09-18➖FANTHAM, Adrian Russell resigneddirector
- 2020-09-18➕HIGGINS, Gavin Stewart appointeddirector
- 2020-09-18➖MARSH, David resigneddirector
- 2020-09-18➕MCLEISH, Brenda Sophie appointeddirector
- 2018-11-28➖CARSON, Carole resigneddirector
- 2018-11-14➕MARSH, David appointeddirector
- 2017-02-01➖DEEGAN, Cliona, Ms. resignedsecretary
- 2017-02-01➕CARSON, Carole appointeddirector
- 2017-02-01➕FANTHAM, Adrian Russell appointeddirector
- 2017-02-01➖FLYNN, Mary resigneddirector
- 2017-02-01➖SALMON, Patrick, Mr. resigneddirector
- 2017-02-01➖SMITH, John Frederick resigneddirector
- 2016-05-31➖POOLE, Keith resigneddirector
- 2016-05-09➖WRIGLEY-HOWE, Steven resigneddirector
- 2016-02-02➕FLYNN, Mary appointeddirector
- 2015-11-07➖EGAN, Sean resigneddirector
- 2015-07-16➕EGAN, Sean appointeddirector
- 2015-07-16➖FANTHAM, Adrian Russell resigneddirector
- 2015-07-16➕SALMON, Patrick, Mr. appointeddirector
- 2015-07-16➕SMITH, John Frederick appointeddirector
- 2015-07-16➕WRIGLEY-HOWE, Steven appointeddirector
- 2015-06-30➕DEEGAN, Cliona, Ms. appointedsecretary
- 2015-06-30➖FANTHAM, Adrian Russell resignedsecretary
- 2015-05-01➖BIRD, Lucianne resigneddirector
- 2015-05-01➕POOLE, Keith appointeddirector
- 2014-11-28➕FANTHAM, Adrian Russell appointedsecretary
Showing most recent 50 of 85 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
cleanNo red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)
Group structure
Learning Curve (Ne) Group Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Learning Curve (Ne) Group Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
ACORN TRAINING CONSULTANTS LIMITED
This company · 03182459
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Learning Curve (Ne) Group Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 18/09/2020 |
2 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Babington Business College Limitedceased 21/10/2020· 75-100% shares
- Rehab Group Services Limitedceased 11/02/2017· 75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control
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 · Education & training · DL postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A LITTLE LESS COFFEE LIMITED→ 16119115 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| A&C MOTORCYCLE TRAINING LTD→ 13534812 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| ACTIVE FUTURE SUNDERLAND CIC→ 15727869 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AIM HIGH ATTENDANCE SOLUTIONS LIMITED→ 14249149 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ALIGN EDUCATION LIMITED→ 09022131 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
| ALWAYS SMILING WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY→ 11635880 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| ANDY PAISLEY GOLF LTD→ 15578642 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ANNMARIE KIRK TUTORING LTD→ 16117931 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| APPLIED INCLUSIVE EDUCATION SYSTEMS LTD→ 16563906 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ATLEY AVIATION LTD→ 15826044 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AUTON ACADEMY LIMITED→ 12887063 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AUTOPAINT TRAINING CENTRE LTD→ 14741573 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
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
Incorporated1996-04-03
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC85590 — Other education n.e.c.
Registered office
1 Dunelm Rise
Durhamgate
Spennymoor
DL16 6FS
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-10-31
Last made up to: 2025-01-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-04-10
Last: 2026-03-27
Officers (1 active · 32 resigned)
WEIR, Geoffrey Philip→
Activedirector · ~56y · appointed 2024-03-18
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DEEGAN, Cliona, Ms.→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2015-06-30 · resigned 2017-02-01
FANTHAM, Adrian Russell→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2014-11-28 · resigned 2015-06-30
FLAHERTY, Mary→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2014-04-24 · resigned 2014-11-28
KNOW, Matthew James→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2020-09-18 · resigned 2023-03-07
O'GRADY, Vicky→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2012-05-25 · resigned 2014-03-27
PALFREYMAN, Lesley Vivienne Joy→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1996-04-26 · resigned 2012-05-25
POOLE, Keith→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2014-03-27 · resigned 2014-04-24
COMBINED SECRETARIAL SERVICES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 1996-04-03 · resigned 1996-04-26
BIRD, Lucianne→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2013-11-28 · resigned 2015-05-01
CARSON, Carole→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2017-02-01 · resigned 2018-11-28
CONLAN-TRANT, Andrew→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2012-05-25 · resigned 2013-10-07
EGAN, Sean→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 2015-07-16 · resigned 2015-11-07
ELLSEY, James David→
Resigneddirector · ~85y · appointed 1996-04-26 · resigned 2012-05-25
FANTHAM, Adrian Russell→
Resigneddirector · ~54y · appointed 2017-02-01 · resigned 2020-09-18
FANTHAM, Adrian Russell→
Resigneddirector · ~54y · appointed 2012-05-25 · resigned 2015-07-16
FLYNN, Mary→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2016-02-02 · resigned 2017-02-01
HIGGINS, Gavin Stewart→
Resigneddirector · ~49y · appointed 2020-09-18 · resigned 2024-03-18
KAYES, David Mark→
Resigneddirector · ~51y · appointed 2003-04-06 · resigned 2012-05-25
KELLY, Marie→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2013-11-28 · resigned 2014-11-28
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Recent filings (150 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-03-31
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-01-13
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-11-03
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-03-27
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-11-07
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-03-27
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-03-20
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-03-20
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-02-06
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-03-31
termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM02
2023-03-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2022-09-06
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-03-28
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2022-02-01
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2021-10-26