ACTIVE ARK LIMITED
💤Zombieactive
04136124 · ltd · incorporated 2001-01-05
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 Mar 2025
Net worth
£2.19M
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Other education n.e.c.
Sector: Education
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 70-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (93/100, director aged 70). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 5 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (53/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
10 live charges · 3 lenders · oldest 24.1y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 24.1 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 3 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · 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, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
10 charges (10/10 with lender, 10/10 with type)
90
Directors & officers
6 officers (2 active, 6 linked, 2 with DOB)
77
Ownership & PSC
2 active PSC(s) of 2 total, 2 with control declared
90
Director network
2 connected companies via shared directors
51
Filing history
107 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
79/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
80
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 · accounting standard not declaredPositive net assets
Net assets £2,192,612
Cash YoY
+42%
Year on year
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
£1.0m
↑ 42% YoY
Net Worth
£2.2m
↑ 21% YoY
Current Assets
£1.6m
↑ 30% YoY
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown| Metric | 2025-03-31 | 2024-03-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | £2.23M | £1.84M |
| Current assets | £1.58M | £1.22M |
| Cash | £1.00M | £706.8k |
| Debtors | £574.2k | £510.2k |
| Net assets | £2.19M | £1.81M |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
3 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
2
filings
- • 1 persons-with-significant-control
- • 1 officers
Last 90 days
2
filings
- • 1 persons-with-significant-control
- • 1 officers
Last 180 days
3
filings
- • 1 persons-with-significant-control
- • 1 officers
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (52 events)Click to expand
- 2026-05-22📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2026-05-22📄change-person-secretary-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH03
- 2025-07-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-05-27📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2025-05-27📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2025-05-27🔓Charge satisfied #10
- 2025-05-27🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2024-09-17📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-05-15📄capital-alter-shares-subdivisioncapital · SH02
- 2024-05-15📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2024-05-15📄memorandum-articlesincorporation · MA
- 2024-05-15📄capital-name-of-class-of-sharescapital · SH08
- 2024-05-15📄capital-name-of-class-of-sharescapital · SH08
- 2024-04-16📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2023-12-21📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2023-12-18📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-11-01📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2023-10-31📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2023-03-03📄memorandum-articlesincorporation · MA
- 2023-03-03📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2023-03-03📄capital-variation-of-rights-attached-to-sharescapital · SH10
- 2023-03-03📄capital-name-of-class-of-sharescapital · SH08
- 2023-03-02📄statement-of-companys-objectschange-of-constitution · CC04
- 2023-01-24📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2023-01-24🔒Charge registered #10Lender: M W Trustees Limited
- 2021-10-27🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2021-10-27🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2021-10-27🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2021-10-27🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2021-10-27🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2021-08-26🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2021-08-26🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2021-07-26🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Mw Trustees Limited Derek Blyth and Susan Caroline Blyth
- 2016-10-10🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2014-03-28🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2012-07-20🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2011-12-02🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2006-06-12🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2006-02-28🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2005-12-31➖PYMM, Stephen resigneddirector
- 2005-12-01➕BLYTH, Derek appointeddirector
- 2004-10-21🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2002-09-01➕BLYTH, Susan Caroline appointedsecretary
- 2002-05-24🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2002-05-15➖DIXON, Sophie Claire Amy resignedsecretary
- 2001-01-05🏢Company incorporatedAs ACTIVE ARK LIMITED
- 2001-01-05➕DIXON, Sophie Claire Amy appointedsecretary
- 2001-01-05➕BRITANNIA COMPANY FORMATIONS LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 2001-01-05➖BRITANNIA COMPANY FORMATIONS LIMITED resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 2001-01-05➕PYMM, Stephen appointeddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 52 events
Owner dependency
100/100
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.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 21 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 70 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
100/100
Likely off-market candidateStrong acquirability signals converging. Worth approaching directly — this is how off-market deals start.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 70 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 21 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 25 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
1 med ·Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Shareholders & ownership
2 active beneficial owners| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Susan Caroline Blyth Individual · British · DOB 02/1959 · age 67 | 25–50% | 25–50% | 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting | 27/01/2017 |
Mr Derek Blyth Individual · British · DOB 11/1956 · age 70 | 25–50% | 25–50% | board control25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control | 27/01/2017 |
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 · CA postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUMBRIA CLINICAL TRAINING LIMITED→ 16600963 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CUMBRIA CREDITS→ 04409637 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 24y | — | — |
| CUMBRIA DRIVING ACADEMY LTD→ 14393234 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| CUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCE→ 03819033 · est 1999 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 26y | — | — |
| DANDELION COACHING COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY→ 13781359 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| DBFY EDUCATION LTD→ 14417363 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| DENS, DAISIES & DISCOVERIES CIC→ 16102669 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| DISTRICT TUITION LIMITED→ 13826820 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| EAGLESFIELD PADDLE CE PRIMARY ACADEMY→ 07635527 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 14y | — | — |
| EDEN EDUCATION LTD→ 11336197 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| EDUCLA LTD→ 09872112 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| EMBER AI LTD→ 17079811 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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
Incorporated2001-01-05
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC85590 — Other education n.e.c.
Registered office
Unit E Baron Way
Kingmoor Business Park
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA6 4SJ
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-12-31
Last made up to: 2025-03-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-01-16
Last: 2026-01-02
Officers (2 active · 4 resigned)
BLYTH, Susan Caroline→
Activesecretary · appointed 2002-09-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BLYTH, Derek→
Activedirector · ~70y · appointed 2005-12-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DIXON, Sophie Claire Amy→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2001-01-05 · resigned 2002-05-15
BRITANNIA COMPANY FORMATIONS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2001-01-05 · resigned 2001-01-05
PYMM, Stephen→
Resigneddirector · ~77y · appointed 2001-01-05 · resigned 2005-12-31
DEANSGATE COMPANY FORMATIONS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-director · appointed 2001-01-05 · resigned 2001-01-05
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
10
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:10 of 10 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| satisfied | M W Trustees / Derek Blyth / Susan Caroline Blyth M W Trustees Limited / Derek Blyth / Susan Caroline Blyth | A registered charge | 1 property | 24/01/2023 | 27/05/2025 | |
| satisfied | Mw Trustees Derek Blyth and Susan Caroline Blyth Mw Trustees Limited Derek Blyth and Susan Caroline Blyth | A registered charge | 1 property | 26/07/2021 | 27/05/2025 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 10/10/2016 | 27/10/2021 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 28/03/2014 | 26/08/2021 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 20/07/2012 | 27/10/2021 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 02/12/2011 | 26/08/2021 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | A standard security which was presented for registration in scotland on 13 july 2006 and | 1 property | 12/06/2006 | 27/10/2021 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 28/02/2006 | 27/10/2021 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Standard security which was presented for registration in scotland on 1ST november 2004 and | 1 property | 21/10/2004 | 27/10/2021 | |
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 24/05/2002 | — |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (107 total)
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2026-05-22
change-person-secretary-company-with-change-date
officers · CH03
2026-05-22
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-01-12
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-07-24
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2025-05-27
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2025-05-27
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-01-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-09-17
capital-alter-shares-subdivision
capital · SH02
2024-05-15
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2024-05-15
memorandum-articles
incorporation · MA
2024-05-15
capital-name-of-class-of-shares
capital · SH08
2024-05-15
capital-name-of-class-of-shares
capital · SH08
2024-05-15
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2024-04-16
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-01-17