CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
05189256 · private-limited-guarant-nsc · incorporated 2004-07-26
Investment thesis
Well-run mature business — low negotiation leverage; premium likely.
Why interesting: Textbook target; clean filings, stable trading.
Why risky: No pressure on seller; any deal likely at full price.
Opportunity decay
hardening · 12-months
Already tight — no obvious softening catalysts on the horizon.
- · Thesis: well-run, low negotiation leverage
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
78/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities
Sector: Arts, entertainment & recreation
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and bankable structure.
Opportunity 78/100 (strong), bankability 75/100. Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
Data confidence
Overall: medium (58/100)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
27 officers (4 active, 27 linked, 21 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
6 connected companies via shared directors
63
Filing history
109 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
78/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
85
Few red flags.
Signal strength
90
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
0
filings
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (71 events)Click to expand
- 2025-10-16📄change-account-reference-date-company-current-extendedaccounts · AA01
- 2025-09-22📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-10-10📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-10📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-08-22➖BOSWELL, Susan Nicola resigneddirector
- 2024-06-20📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-03-30📄accounts-amended-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AAMD
- 2024-02-12📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-02-05➖IMPEY, Andrew James, Dr resigneddirector
- 2023-09-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-02-22📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-02-02➖DAVIDSON, Andrew James resigneddirector
- 2022-12-05📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-08-03📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-07-21📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-07-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-07-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-07-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-07-18📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-07-12➕DAGLEY, Jeremy Robin appointeddirector
- 2022-07-12➕QUILL, Samantha Christine appointeddirector
- 2022-07-12➕YATES, Richard Michael appointeddirector
- 2022-07-12➕BOSWELL, Susan Nicola appointeddirector
- 2022-07-12➕DAVIDSON, Andrew James appointeddirector
- 2022-07-12➕IMPEY, Andrew James, Dr appointeddirector
- 2022-03-30➖HEARN, Fiona Judith resignedsecretary
- 2022-03-30📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2021-09-27📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-09-27📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-09-01➖LYNE, Eliot resigneddirector
- 2021-09-01➖SMART, Lisa Kathryn resigneddirector
- 2021-07-28📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2020-10-01➖DUFFIELD, Geoffrey Mark resigneddirector
- 2020-09-01➕HEARN, Fiona Judith appointedsecretary
- 2020-08-31➖MALTHOUSE, Rebecca Anne resignedsecretary
- 2019-11-12➕DUFFIELD, Geoffrey Mark appointeddirector
- 2019-09-10➖HAZELHURST, Keeley Ann resigneddirector
- 2019-09-10➖IMPEY, Andrew James, Dr resigneddirector
- 2019-09-10➕LYNE, Eliot appointeddirector
- 2019-03-14➖EVANS, Gordon William resigneddirector
- 2016-11-17➖TAHIR, Jonathan resigneddirector
- 2016-06-07➕HAZELHURST, Keeley Ann appointeddirector
- 2016-03-09➖HALL, John Morley resigneddirector
- 2015-11-11➕IMPEY, Andrew James, Dr appointeddirector
- 2015-04-28➕CUNNINGHAM, Philip John appointeddirector
- 2015-04-28➖HILLS, Robert John resigneddirector
- 2014-11-13➖WYBROW, Roger resigneddirector
- 2014-04-17➖BOOT, Frederick William resigneddirector
- 2012-09-26➕MALTHOUSE, Rebecca Anne appointedsecretary
- 2012-09-26➖TODD, Debbie resignedsecretary
Showing most recent 50 of 71 events
Owner dependency
48/100
Moderate — manageable with handoverSome founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.
FACTORS
- -4 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 64 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
65/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 64. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 22 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
cleanNo red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)
Group structure
Essex Wildlife Trust Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Essex Wildlife Trust Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
This company · 05189256
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Essex Wildlife Trust Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board controlsig. influence75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control · significant influence | 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
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEWIGGED LTD→ 12565236 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| BKD PERFORMERS LTD→ 10657727 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| BLUEBOYS COACHING LIMITED→ 09187999 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
| BLUECAKES PRODUCTIONS LIMITED→ 06045776 · est 2007 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 19y | — | — |
| CAPTAIN FANTASTIC EAST ANGLIA LTD→ 13968657 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| CEH LEISURE LIMITED→ 14275365 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| CENTURION COMMUNITY CRICKET LTD→ 14623155 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE FOOTBALL LTD→ 16211734 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| CHANDOS MUSIC LIMITED→ 00860192 · est 1965 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 60y | — | — |
| CHANDOS RECORDS LIMITED→ 01424451 · est 1979 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 46y | — | — |
| CHAPPEL MILLENNIUM GREEN LIMITED→ 07796767 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 14y | — | — |
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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
Typeprivate-limited-guarant-nsc
Incorporated2004-07-26
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC91040 — Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities
Registered office
Abbotts Hall Farm
Great Wigborough
Colchester
Essex
CO5 7RZ
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-12-31
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-02-23
Last: 2026-02-09
Officers (4 active · 23 resigned)
CUNNINGHAM, Philip John→
Activedirector · ~53y · appointed 2015-04-28
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DAGLEY, Jeremy Robin→
Activedirector · ~64y · appointed 2022-07-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
QUILL, Samantha Christine→
Activedirector · ~57y · appointed 2022-07-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
YATES, Richard Michael→
Activedirector · ~47y · appointed 2022-07-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HEARN, Fiona Judith→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2020-09-01 · resigned 2022-03-30
MALTHOUSE, Rebecca Anne→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2012-09-26 · resigned 2020-08-31
MEACOCK, Lynne Julia→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2004-07-27 · resigned 2011-02-21
MELLOR, Phil→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2011-02-21 · resigned 2011-06-20
TODD, Debbie→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2011-11-04 · resigned 2012-09-26
FOREMOST FORMATIONS COMPANY SERVICES LTD→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2004-07-26 · resigned 2004-07-27
BLACK, David→
Resignednominee-director · ~69y · appointed 2004-07-26 · resigned 2004-07-27
BOOT, Frederick William→
Resigneddirector · ~92y · appointed 2005-01-18 · resigned 2014-04-17
BOSWELL, Susan Nicola→
Resigneddirector · ~58y · appointed 2022-07-12 · resigned 2024-08-22
DAVIDSON, Andrew James→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2022-07-12 · resigned 2023-02-02
DUFFIELD, Geoffrey Mark→
Resigneddirector · ~68y · appointed 2019-11-12 · resigned 2020-10-01
EVANS, Gordon William→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 2011-04-08 · resigned 2019-03-14
HALL, John Morley→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 2004-07-27 · resigned 2016-03-09
HAZELHURST, Keeley Ann→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 2016-06-07 · resigned 2019-09-10
HILLS, Robert John→
Resigneddirector · ~86y · appointed 2004-07-27 · resigned 2015-04-28
IMPEY, Andrew James, Dr→
Resigneddirector · ~55y · appointed 2022-07-12 · resigned 2024-02-05
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Recent filings (109 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-02-16
change-account-reference-date-company-current-extended
accounts · AA01
2025-10-16
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-09-22
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-03-10
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-10-10
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-09-10
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2024-06-20
accounts-amended-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AAMD
2024-03-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-02-12
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-02-12
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-09-25
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-02-22
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-02-10
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2022-12-05
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2022-08-03