AST MARINE SCIENCES LTD
💤Zombieactive
06499368 · ltd · incorporated 2008-02-11
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
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Satellite telecommunications activities
Sector: Information & communication
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 73-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 80/100. Strong seller-intent signal (83/100, director aged 73). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Discharge stale live charges. 3 live charge(s) created 15+ years ago — likely paid but undischarged. Clean register. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
3 live charges · oldest 16.1y
45/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 16.1 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Single lender — cleanest path to refinance.
- · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.
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
3 charges (3/3 with lender, 3/3 with type)
90
Directors & officers
16 officers (2 active, 16 linked, 7 with DOB)
79
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 2 total, 2 with control declared
90
Director network
10 connected companies via shared directors
75
Filing history
77 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.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
5
filings
- • 3 persons-with-significant-control
- • 2 officers
Last 180 days
6
filings
- • 3 persons-with-significant-control
- • 2 officers
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (55 events)Click to expand
- 2026-06-19📄appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP03
- 2026-06-19📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2026-06-09➕UPPAL, Aliena appointedsecretary
- 2026-06-09➖HOUSEGO-WATTS, Daniel James Lewis resignedsecretary
- 2026-06-09📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC05
- 2026-06-09📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2026-06-09📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2026-01-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2025-10-24📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-10-23➖WOODCOCK, Samuel resigneddirector
- 2025-06-24📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2025-06-24📄appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP03
- 2025-06-23➕HOUSEGO-WATTS, Daniel James Lewis appointedsecretary
- 2025-06-20➖GILLIATT, Richard Temple resignedsecretary
- 2025-02-04📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-04-30📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-04-16➖WHITE, Gary Charles resigneddirector
- 2024-01-26📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2023-10-06📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-09-23➕WHITE, Gary Charles appointeddirector
- 2023-09-21📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-09-10➖PETERS, Andrew Robert resigneddirector
- 2023-07-11📄gazette-filings-brought-up-to-dategazette · DISS40
- 2023-07-10📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2023-07-04📄gazette-notice-compulsorygazette · GAZ1
- 2022-10-12📄appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP03
- 2022-10-01➕GILLIATT, Richard Temple appointedsecretary
- 2022-09-30📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2022-09-29➖VERHULST, Danny Camiel resignedsecretary
- 2022-02-08📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-02-01➕PETERS, Andrew Robert appointeddirector
- 2022-02-01📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2021-12-31➖DAVIES, David Charles resigneddirector
- 2021-02-01➖BINNIE, Christopher John resignedsecretary
- 2021-02-01➕VERHULST, Danny Camiel appointedsecretary
- 2018-08-01➕BINNIE, Christopher John appointedsecretary
- 2018-08-01➖VERHULST, Danny Camiel Paula resignedsecretary
- 2016-12-30➖ABBOTT, Jason resigneddirector
- 2016-08-01➖MASON BILLIG, Kay Frances resignedsecretary
- 2016-08-01➕VERHULST, Danny Camiel Paula appointedsecretary
- 2016-05-01➕WOODCOCK, Samuel appointeddirector
- 2014-11-30➕MASON BILLIG, Kay Frances appointedsecretary
- 2014-11-30➖TURNER, Jennifer Hazel resignedsecretary
- 2013-08-12➖TURNER, Jennifer Hazel resigneddirector
- 2011-03-02🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2011-01-11➖HEYWOOD, Stephen Dene resignedsecretary
- 2011-01-11➕TURNER, Jennifer Hazel appointedsecretary
- 2010-06-28🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2010-06-28🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 2008-02-11🏢Company incorporatedAs AST MARINE SCIENCES LTD
Showing most recent 50 of 55 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 18 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 73 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
88/100
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 73 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 18 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
1 med ·2 director resignations in last 12 months
mediumMultiple recent departures can indicate governance disagreement, succession event, or preparation for sale/stress.
Evidence: HOUSEGO-WATTS, Daniel James Lewis resigned 2026-06-09; WOODCOCK, Samuel resigned 2025-10-23
Group structure
Applied Satellite Technology Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Applied Satellite Technology Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
AST MARINE SCIENCES LTD
This company · 06499368
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applied Satellite Technology Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 06/04/2016 |
1 historic (ceased) PSC
- Mr Gregory Stuart Darlingceased 09/06/2026· significant influence · firm interest
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.
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| ASSURITY LTD→ 12771654 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| ASSURKA LIMITED→ 13711037 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| ATKINSON SMITH DIGITAL LTD→ 16186493 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AUTOPAGE LIMITED→ 01864911 · est 1984 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 41y | — | — |
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| AYLSHAM ANALYTICS LIMITED→ 13241322 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AZIMUTH AI LTD→ 16994500 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| B & B TELECOMMUNICATIONS LTD→ 11749664 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| B A THOMPSON LTD→ 09468823 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
9 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
Incorporated2008-02-11
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC61300 — Satellite telecommunications activities
Registered office
Satellite House, Bessemer Way
Harfrey's Industrial Estate
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR31 0LX
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-01-31
Last made up to: 2025-04-30
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-02-14
Last: 2026-01-31
Officers (2 active · 14 resigned)
Active
DARLING, Gregory Stuart→
Activedirector · ~73y · appointed 2008-02-11
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BINNIE, Christopher John→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2018-08-01 · resigned 2021-02-01
GILLIATT, Richard Temple→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2022-10-01 · resigned 2025-06-20
HEYWOOD, Stephen Dene→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2008-02-11 · resigned 2011-01-11
HOUSEGO-WATTS, Daniel James Lewis→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2025-06-23 · resigned 2026-06-09
MASON BILLIG, Kay Frances→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2014-11-30 · resigned 2016-08-01
TURNER, Jennifer Hazel→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2011-01-11 · resigned 2014-11-30
VERHULST, Danny Camiel→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2021-02-01 · resigned 2022-09-29
VERHULST, Danny Camiel Paula→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2016-08-01 · resigned 2018-08-01
ABBOTT, Jason→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 2008-02-11 · resigned 2016-12-30
DAVIES, David Charles→
Resigneddirector · ~63y · appointed 2008-02-11 · resigned 2021-12-31
PETERS, Andrew Robert→
Resigneddirector · ~65y · appointed 2022-02-01 · resigned 2023-09-10
TURNER, Jennifer Hazel→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 2008-02-11 · resigned 2013-08-12
WHITE, Gary Charles→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2023-09-23 · resigned 2024-04-16
WOODCOCK, Samuel→
Resigneddirector · ~49y · appointed 2016-05-01 · resigned 2025-10-23
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
3
Total charges
3
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:3 of 3 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 02/03/2011 | — | |
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Floating charge | 1 property | 28/06/2010 | — | |
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Fixed charge over all book and other debts | 1 property | 28/06/2010 | — |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (77 total)
appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-date
officers · AP03
2026-06-19
termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM02
2026-06-19
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC05
2026-06-09
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2026-06-09
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC02
2026-06-09
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-02-06
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2026-01-30
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-10-24
termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM02
2025-06-24
appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-date
officers · AP03
2025-06-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-02-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-02-04
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-04-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-02-13
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-01-26