ESSEX WATERWAYS LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
05545459 · ltd · incorporated 2005-08-24
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.
Opportunity decay
approaching window · 12-months
Approaching a transaction window — refinance or sale event plausible in the next 12 months.
- · Oldest live charge 14.5y old — refinance window within 12 months
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
83/100
Exceptional
What this business does
Primary activity: Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions
Sector: Arts, entertainment & recreation
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 81-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 83/100 (exceptional), bankability 85/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 81). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
1 live charge · oldest 14.5y
65/100
clean up first
Refinance viable after a tidy-up — address the highlighted items first.
- · Oldest live charge is 14.5 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Single lender — cleanest path to refinance.
- · Legal-friction score 28/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (57/100)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
1 charges (1/1 with lender, 1/1 with type)
90
Directors & officers
16 officers (7 active, 16 linked, 13 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 12 total, 12 with control declared
90
Director network
1 connected companies via shared directors
48
Filing history
106 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
83/100Exceptional
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
85
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
0
filings
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (51 events)Click to expand
- 2025-10-19📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-10-10➖CARRINGTON, David John resigneddirector
- 2025-08-19📄auditors-resignation-companyauditors · AUD
- 2025-07-08📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2025-06-09📄statement-of-companys-objectschange-of-constitution · CC04
- 2025-05-29📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2025-05-29📄memorandum-articlesincorporation · MA
- 2025-05-21📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2025-05-16➕SMART, David Terry appointeddirector
- 2025-05-05📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-05-05📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-05-02➖FULTON, Christopher Glen Leigh resigneddirector
- 2025-05-02➖POMFRET, John Richard resigneddirector
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-18📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2025-04-01📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-03-16📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2025-03-16🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2025-01-05📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-09-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-08-24📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2024-05-29➕FULTON, Christopher Glen Leigh appointeddirector
- 2023-01-27➖SMART, David Terry resigneddirector
- 2019-08-06➕SMART, David Terry appointeddirector
- 2017-04-03➖MARTIN, Peter James resigneddirector
- 2015-08-08➕HOLLIDAY, Craig Burns appointeddirector
- 2013-06-08➕CARRINGTON, David John appointeddirector
- 2013-06-08➕MARTIN, Peter James appointeddirector
- 2012-12-01➕EDMOND, Colin Mark Hunter appointeddirector
- 2011-12-03🔒Charge registered #1Lender: The Inland Waterways Association
- 2010-12-07➖DAVIS, Colin resigneddirector
- 2006-10-16➖BEARD, Douglas Albert resigneddirector
- 2006-01-07➕CHANDLER, Roy Edgar appointeddirector
- 2006-01-07➕JENKINS, James Eric, Dr appointeddirector
- 2006-01-07➕DAVIS, Colin appointeddirector
- 2006-01-07➕POMFRET, John Richard appointeddirector
- 2005-09-17➕EDWARDS, Neil Bruce appointedsecretary
- 2005-09-17➕EDWARDS, Neil Bruce appointeddirector
- 2005-09-17➕BEARD, Douglas Albert appointeddirector
- 2005-08-25➖FORM 10 SECRETARIES FD LTD resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary
- 2005-08-25➖FORM 10 DIRECTORS FD LTD resignedcorporate-nominee-director
- 2005-08-24🏢Company incorporatedAs ESSEX WATERWAYS LIMITED
- 2005-08-24➕FORM 10 SECRETARIES FD LTD appointedcorporate-nominee-secretary
Showing most recent 50 of 51 events
Owner dependency
65/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- -6 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 21 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 81 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
80/100
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 81 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- 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
cleanNo red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)
Group structure
Essex Waterways Navigation Trust is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Essex Waterways Navigation Trust
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
ESSEX WATERWAYS LIMITED
This company · 05545459
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 Waterways Navigation Trust Corporate entity | 75–100% | — | 75-100% shares | 31/03/2025 |
11 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Mr Christopher Glen Leigh Fultonceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- Mr David Terry Smartceased 27/01/2023· significant influence
- Mr Neil Bruce Edwardsceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- Mr David John Carringtonceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- Mr Colin Mark Hunter Edmondceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- Mr Roy Edgar Chandlerceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- Mr James Eric Jenkinsceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- Mr John Richard Pomfretceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- Mr Craig Burns Hollidayceased 31/03/2025· significant influence
- The Inland Waterways Associationceased 31/03/2025· 75-100% shares · board control
- Mr Peter James Martinceased 03/04/2017· significant influence
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 · Leisure & entertainment · CM postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAB HOLIDAYS LIMITED→ 13173009 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AERO TRAVEL GROUPS LIMITED→ 12151309 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
| AFFINITY MARTIAL ARTS LTD→ 17111565 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AFRIK FEST EVENTS LTD→ 16724715 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AIR SPORTS NETWORK LTD→ 08407308 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| AIRPITCH INTERNATIONAL LTD→ 14906469 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| AKASHA WELLNESS LIMITED→ 08872013 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
| ALH FITNESS LTD→ 15120352 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ALL THINGS ALPACA LTD→ 13377908 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| ALL THINGS MALDIVES LTD→ 14595281 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ALML TRAVELS AND TOURS LIMITED→ 14641803 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| ALO LOCO LTD→ 16373811 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
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
Incorporated2005-08-24
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC91030 — Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions
Registered office
The Navigation Office, Paper Mill Lock North Hill
Little Baddow
Chelmsford
CM3 4BS
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-06-23
Last: 2025-06-09
Officers (7 active · 9 resigned)
EDWARDS, Neil Bruce→
Activesecretary · appointed 2005-09-17
View their other companies + combined net worth →
CHANDLER, Roy Edgar→
Activedirector · ~81y · appointed 2006-01-07
View their other companies + combined net worth →
EDMOND, Colin Mark Hunter→
Activedirector · ~76y · appointed 2012-12-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
EDWARDS, Neil Bruce→
Activedirector · ~67y · appointed 2005-09-17
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HOLLIDAY, Craig Burns→
Activedirector · ~46y · appointed 2015-08-08
View their other companies + combined net worth →
JENKINS, James Eric, Dr→
Activedirector · ~76y · appointed 2006-01-07
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SMART, David Terry→
Activedirector · ~58y · appointed 2025-05-16
View their other companies + combined net worth →
FORM 10 SECRETARIES FD LTD→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2005-08-24 · resigned 2005-08-25
BEARD, Douglas Albert→
Resigneddirector · ~82y · appointed 2005-09-17 · resigned 2006-10-16
CARRINGTON, David John→
Resigneddirector · ~82y · appointed 2013-06-08 · resigned 2025-10-10
DAVIS, Colin→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · appointed 2006-01-07 · resigned 2010-12-07
FULTON, Christopher Glen Leigh→
Resigneddirector · ~42y · appointed 2024-05-29 · resigned 2025-05-02
MARTIN, Peter James→
Resigneddirector · ~82y · appointed 2013-06-08 · resigned 2017-04-03
POMFRET, John Richard→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 2006-01-07 · resigned 2025-05-02
SMART, David Terry→
Resigneddirector · ~58y · appointed 2019-08-06 · resigned 2023-01-27
FORM 10 DIRECTORS FD LTD→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-director · appointed 2005-08-24 · resigned 2005-08-25
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 | The Inland Waterways Association | Fixed & floating charge | 1 property | 03/12/2011 | 16/03/2025 |
Recent filings (106 total)
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-10-19
auditors-resignation-company
auditors · AUD
2025-08-19
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-07-08
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-06-09
statement-of-companys-objects
change-of-constitution · CC04
2025-06-09
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2025-05-29
memorandum-articles
incorporation · MA
2025-05-29
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2025-05-21
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-05-05
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-05-05
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-04-18
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-04-18
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-04-18
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-04-18
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-04-18