A B LEWIS LIMITED

🌳Matureactive
05734540 · ltd · incorporated 2006-03-08
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
—
year to Mar 2025
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
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What this business does
Primary activity: Sawmilling and planing of wood
Sector: Manufacturing
Investor take
Pursue
Active trading company with a 60-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.

Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (60/100, director aged 60). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 4 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

6 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 19.5y

35/100
too messy

Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.

  • · Oldest live charge is 19.5 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
  • · Legal-friction score 25/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.

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
6 charges (6/6 with lender, 6/6 with type)
90
Directors & officers
11 officers (3 active, 11 linked, 7 with DOB)
83
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
2 connected companies via shared directors
51
Filing history
97 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.

Key financials

2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accounts
Cash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
£0£0£0£0£0£0Mar 2024Mar 2025

Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series

Financials

Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102
Metric2025-03-312024-03-31
Average employees121200

Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.

🔒Filing-note intelligence

1 signal 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
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
2
filings
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
  • • 1 accounts
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (48 events)Click to expand
  1. 2025-12-08
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  2. 2025-05-28
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  3. 2025-04-23
    ➖
    OSBORNE, Ralph Julian Richard resigned
    director
  4. 2024-12-09
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  5. 2023-12-18
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  6. 2022-11-22
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  7. 2022-11-04
    📍
    change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
    address · AD01
  8. 2022-07-26
    📄
    second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
    confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
  9. 2022-05-19
    📄
    mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
    mortgage · MR01
  10. 2022-05-19
    🔒
    Charge registered #6
    Lender: Santander UK PLC
  11. 2022-05-18
    📄
    mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
    mortgage · MR04
  12. 2022-05-18
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #5
  13. 2021-11-25
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  14. 2020-11-26
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  15. 2019-09-12
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  16. 2018-09-03
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-small
    accounts · AA
  17. 2018-06-27
    📄
    change-person-director-company-with-change-date
    officers · CH01
  18. 2018-04-23
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  19. 2018-04-23
    📄
    termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM02
  20. 2018-04-14
    📄
    change-person-director-company-with-change-date
    officers · CH01
  21. 2018-03-31
    ➖
    CARTWRIGHT, Barbara Vilma resigned
    secretary
  22. 2018-03-31
    ➖
    CARTWRIGHT, Barbara Vilma resigned
    director
  23. 2017-10-01
    ➕
    LEWIS, Claire-Louise appointed
    director
  24. 2017-10-01
    ➕
    WRIGHT, Callum Charles appointed
    director
  25. 2015-05-09
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #3
  26. 2015-02-26
    🔒
    Charge registered #5
    Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
  27. 2012-08-30
    ➖
    LEWIS, Anthony Lauder resigned
    director
  28. 2012-07-25
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #4
  29. 2012-07-13
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #2
  30. 2012-07-13
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #1
  31. 2011-09-02
    🔒
    Charge registered #4
    Lender: Clydesdale Bank PLC
  32. 2011-08-29
    ➖
    LEWIS, Brian Nicholas resigned
    director
  33. 2011-08-17
    🔒
    Charge registered #3
    Lender: Clydesdale Bank PLC
  34. 2010-02-24
    🔒
    Charge registered #2
    Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
  35. 2008-03-31
    ➕
    OSBORNE, Ralph Julian Richard appointed
    director
  36. 2007-03-31
    ➕
    CARTWRIGHT, Barbara Vilma appointed
    secretary
  37. 2007-03-31
    ➖
    LEWIS, James Edward resigned
    secretary
  38. 2007-03-31
    ➕
    CARTWRIGHT, Barbara Vilma appointed
    director
  39. 2007-03-31
    ➕
    LEWIS, Brian Nicholas appointed
    director
  40. 2006-10-10
    🔒
    Charge registered #1
    Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
  41. 2006-04-26
    ➕
    LEWIS, James Edward appointed
    director
  42. 2006-04-26
    ➕
    LEWIS, James Edward appointed
    secretary
  43. 2006-04-26
    ➖
    HALLIWELLS SECRETARIES LIMITED resigned
    corporate-nominee-secretary
  44. 2006-04-26
    ➕
    LEWIS, Anthony Lauder appointed
    director
  45. 2006-04-26
    ➖
    HALLIWELLS DIRECTORS LIMITED resigned
    corporate-nominee-director
  46. 2006-03-08
    🏢
    Company incorporated
    As A B LEWIS LIMITED
  47. 2006-03-08
    ➕
    HALLIWELLS SECRETARIES LIMITED appointed
    corporate-nominee-secretary
  48. 2006-03-08
    ➕
    HALLIWELLS DIRECTORS LIMITED appointed
    corporate-nominee-director

Owner dependency

91/100
Critical — business is the founder

The business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.

FACTORS
  • +Founder name in company name: Company name contains director surname "LEWIS" — strong identity link between founder and business.
  • +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 20 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
  • +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 60 — approaching natural succession window.
  • +Family involvement: Multiple officers share a surname — likely family business, which concentrates governance.

Succession & seller-readiness

63/100
Strong succession signal

Multiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.

SIGNALS
  • secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 60. Early succession window.
  • secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 20 years.
  • secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 20 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
medium

Multiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.

Shareholders & ownership

1 active beneficial owner
NameSharesVoting rightsNature of controlNotified
Mr James Edward Lewis
Individual · British · DOB 04/1966 · age 60
50–75%
—50-75% shares08/03/2017

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 →

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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
Typeltd
Incorporated2006-03-08
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC16100 — Sawmilling and planing of wood

Registered office

509 - 510 Cotton Exchange Old Hall Street
Liverpool
L3 9LQ
England

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2026-12-31
Last made up to: 2025-03-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-03-22
Last: 2026-03-08

Officers (3 active · 8 resigned)

LEWIS, Claire-Louise→
director · ~59y · appointed 2017-10-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
LEWIS, James Edward→
director · ~60y · appointed 2006-04-26
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
WRIGHT, Callum Charles→
director · ~37y · appointed 2017-10-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
CARTWRIGHT, Barbara Vilma→
secretary · appointed 2007-03-31 · resigned 2018-03-31
Resigned
LEWIS, James Edward→
secretary · appointed 2006-04-26 · resigned 2007-03-31
Resigned
HALLIWELLS SECRETARIES LIMITED→
corporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2006-03-08 · resigned 2006-04-26
Resigned
CARTWRIGHT, Barbara Vilma→
director · ~70y · appointed 2007-03-31 · resigned 2018-03-31
Resigned
LEWIS, Anthony Lauder→
director · ~89y · appointed 2006-04-26 · resigned 2012-08-30
Resigned
LEWIS, Brian Nicholas→
director · ~82y · appointed 2007-03-31 · resigned 2011-08-29
Resigned
OSBORNE, Ralph Julian Richard→
director · ~58y · appointed 2008-03-31 · resigned 2025-04-23
Resigned
HALLIWELLS DIRECTORS LIMITED→
corporate-nominee-director · appointed 2006-03-08 · resigned 2006-04-26
Resigned

Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.

Mortgages & charges

6
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:6 of 6 shown
TypeProperties
outstanding
Santander
Santander UK PLC
A registered charge1 property19/05/2022—
satisfied
Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
A registered charge—26/02/201518/05/2022
satisfied
Virgin Money
Clydesdale Bank PLC
Legal mortgage1 property02/09/201125/07/2012
satisfied
Virgin Money
Clydesdale Bank PLC
Debenture1 property17/08/201109/05/2015
satisfied
Barclays
Barclays Bank PLC
Legal charge1 property24/02/201013/07/2012
satisfied
Barclays
Barclays Bank PLC
Guarantee & debenture1 property10/10/200613/07/2012
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.

Recent filings (97 total)

confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-03-20
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-12-08
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-05-28
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-03-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-12-09
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-03-21
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2023-12-18
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-03-27
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2022-11-22
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2022-11-04
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2022-07-26
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2022-05-19
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2022-05-18
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-03-22
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2021-11-25