HIGHLAND FUELS LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
SC032343 · ltd · incorporated 1957-06-03
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.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Dec 2024
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 46719
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and acceptable with review structure.
Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. 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 (45/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
10 live charges · 5 lenders · oldest 52.5y
25/100
too messy
Structure is too messy for a clean refinance right now — clean up first or expect bespoke terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 52.5 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 5 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 63/100 (high).
Data confidence
Overall: high (82/100)Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.
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
29 officers (7 active, 29 linked, 23 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
11 connected companies via shared directors
78
Filing history
210 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
🔒Estimated company valuation
Sector-multiple EBITDA, turnover, and NAV-proxy valuation range with confidence tier — derived from extracted iXBRL financials.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →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 accountsCash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102| Metric | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Average employees | 25400 | 24900 |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
2 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
0
filings
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (81 events)Click to expand
- 2025-08-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2024-10-16📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-07-03📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2024-06-14📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-06-14📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-06-14📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-06-05➕HUTCHESON, Christopher James appointeddirector
- 2024-06-05➕MURDOCH, Allan appointeddirector
- 2024-05-31➖MCINTOSH, Alistair Burnett resigneddirector
- 2024-04-22📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-03-31➖GOLD, Cameron resigneddirector
- 2023-08-24📄second-filing-of-director-appointment-with-nameofficers · RP04AP01
- 2023-08-22➖MEARNS, Peter resigneddirector
- 2023-08-22📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-07-13📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2023-07-10📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC05
- 2023-07-10📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2022-10-11📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2022-08-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2022-06-13📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2022-06-09📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-06-06➕CLINTON, Nicholas Francis Apps appointeddirector
- 2022-06-06➖MCKENZIE, Keith resigneddirector
- 2021-10-05📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2021-05-25📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-05-25📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-05-25📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-05-24➕RHODES, Stephen Grant appointeddirector
- 2021-05-24➕GOLD, Cameron appointeddirector
- 2021-05-24➕MCKENZIE, Keith appointeddirector
- 2020-03-13➖MACLEOD, Donald resigneddirector
- 2019-03-28➖CRUDEN, Isobel Macgregor resigneddirector
- 2017-07-17➕MACLEOD, Donald appointeddirector
- 2017-07-01➕MEARNS, Peter appointeddirector
- 2016-03-16🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2016-03-16🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2014-12-22➕BURNESS PAULL LLP appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2014-12-22➖LEDINGHAM CHALMERS LLP resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2013-04-17🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2012-09-19🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Phillips 66 Limited
- 2012-02-15🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2011-05-01➕MACLEAN, Pamela Margaret appointeddirector
- 2011-05-01➕MCINTOSH, Alistair Burnett appointeddirector
- 2009-02-04🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Esso Petroleum Company Limited
- 2006-05-30🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2006-04-01➕LEDINGHAM CHALMERS LLP appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2006-04-01➖LEDINGHAM CHALMERS LLP resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2005-07-05➖CRUDEN, Isobel Macgregor resignedsecretary
- 2005-07-05➕LEDINGHAM CHALMERS LLP appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2004-05-31➖LAWRIE, Keith Douglas resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 81 events
Owner dependency
58/100
Moderate — manageable with handoverSome founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.
FACTORS
- -6 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 29 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 62 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
60/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 62. Early succession window.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 29 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
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.
Group structure
Highland Fuels Holdings Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Highland Fuels Holdings Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
HIGHLAND FUELS LIMITED
This company · SC032343
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Highland Fuels Holdings Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 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
Active · Wholesale & distribution · AB postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIDELIS SCOTLAND LIMITED→ SC375372 · est 2010 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 16y | — | — |
| FIFTEEN93 LIMITED→ SC778197 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| FORKS CORKS LTD→ SC864660 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| GAULD'S FRUIT & VEG LTD.→ SC236213 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| GEORGE DONALD (WAREHOUSEMAN) LIMITED→ SC031200 · est 1955 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 70y | — | — |
| GRANITE CITY WHISKEYS LTD→ SC661099 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| GROSVENOR(GB) LTD→ SC522441 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| HAWK ENVIRO LIMITED→ SC242438 · est 2003 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| HIGHLAND WHISKY AUCTIONS LIMITED→ SC696994 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| HIGHLANDS PHARMA LTD→ SC862927 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| HILL OF BANCHORY ESCO LIMITED→ SC336394 · est 2008 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 18y | — | — |
| HOLMSANDMORESBY LIMITED→ SC812572 · est 2024 · 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
Incorporated1957-06-03
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC46719 — SIC 46719
Registered office
2 Marischal Square
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1DQ
Scotland
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-03-16
Last: 2026-03-02
Officers (7 active · 22 resigned)
BURNESS PAULL LLP→
Activecorporate-secretary · appointed 2014-12-22
View their other companies + combined net worth →
CLINTON, Nicholas Francis Apps→
Activedirector · ~50y · appointed 2022-06-06
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HUTCHESON, Christopher James→
Activedirector · ~42y · appointed 2024-06-05
View their other companies + combined net worth →
MACLEAN, Pamela Margaret→
Activedirector · ~58y · appointed 2011-05-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
MURDOCH, Allan→
Activedirector · ~45y · appointed 2024-06-05
View their other companies + combined net worth →
RHODES, Stephen Grant→
Activedirector · ~53y · appointed 2021-05-24
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SHAND, George Graeme Mcintosh→
Activedirector · ~62y · appointed 1997-03-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BRODIE, Alfred→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1994-07-31
BROWN, George Stuart Grindley→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1994-07-31 · resigned 2001-05-17
CRUDEN, Isobel Macgregor→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2001-05-17 · resigned 2005-07-05
LEDINGHAM CHALMERS LLP→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2006-04-01 · resigned 2014-12-22
LEDINGHAM CHALMERS LLP→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2005-07-05 · resigned 2006-04-01
BOWLEY, Denis→
Resigneddirector · ~82y · appointed 1991-07-01 · resigned 2001-05-17
BRODIE, Alfred→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · resigned 1999-01-29
BROWN, James Hamilton→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · resigned 1995-12-22
CRUDEN, Isobel Macgregor→
Resigneddirector · ~71y · appointed 2004-04-08 · resigned 2019-03-28
GOLD, Cameron→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2021-05-24 · resigned 2024-03-31
LAWRIE, Keith Douglas→
Resigneddirector · ~53y · appointed 2001-11-21 · resigned 2004-05-31
LETTEN, William Frank Somerville→
Resigneddirector · ~97y · resigned 1991-07-01
LUCAS, Joseph Roger John→
Resigneddirector · ~95y · resigned 1994-07-31
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
10
Total charges
3
Outstanding
2
Active lenders
Status:Lender:10 of 10 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Phillips 66 Phillips 66 Limited | Floating charge | 1 property | 19/09/2012 | — | |
| satisfied | Esso Petroleum Company Esso Petroleum Company Limited | Floating charge | 1 property | 04/02/2009 | 15/02/2012 | |
| satisfied | Associated Fisheries Associated Fisheries Limited | Standard security | 1 property | 04/06/2001 | 30/05/2006 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 30/05/2001 | 16/03/2016 | |
| satisfied | Esso Petroleum Company Esso Petroleum Company Limited | Floating charge | 1 property | 17/05/2001 | 17/04/2013 | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland Commercial Services Limited | Floating charge | 1 property | 17/05/2001 | — | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 16/06/1995 | 16/03/2016 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 13/12/1984 | 24/05/2001 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 31/10/1984 | 24/05/2001 | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Bond & floating charge | 1 property | 09/11/1973 | — |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (210 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-03-06
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2025-08-06
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-03-12
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2024-10-16
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2024-07-03
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-06-14
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-06-14
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-06-14
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-04-22
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-03-05
second-filing-of-director-appointment-with-name
officers · RP04AP01
2023-08-24
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-08-22
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2023-07-13
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC05
2023-07-10
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2023-07-10