KENNETH FORBES (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
SC082870 · ltd · incorporated 1983-04-27
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
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
76/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Activities of head offices
Sector: Professional, scientific & technical
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 84-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 76/100 (strong), bankability 57/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 84). Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 6 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 · 6 lenders · oldest 42.5y
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 42.5 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 6 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 50/100 (high).
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
10 charges (10/10 with lender, 10/10 with type)
90
Directors & officers
12 officers (6 active, 12 linked, 9 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
0 active PSC(s) of 5 total, 5 with control declared
90
Director network
9 connected companies via shared directors
72
Filing history
138 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
76/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
60
Adequate — check latest filings for context.
Acquirability
85
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
74
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
1
filing
- • 1 accounts
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (43 events)Click to expand
- 2025-12-11📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2024-11-14📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2024-11-12📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2024-11-12📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2024-11-12📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2024-11-12📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2024-09-17📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2024-09-13📄second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-dateconfirmation-statement · RP04CS01
- 2024-09-13📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2023-12-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2023-01-16📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2022-01-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2021-08-03📄change-account-reference-date-company-previous-shortenedaccounts · AA01
- 2021-02-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2020-09-16📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2020-09-16📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2020-08-01➕ANTHONY, James Lee appointeddirector
- 2020-08-01➕BOTTING, Alison Clare appointeddirector
- 2020-07-31📄change-account-reference-date-company-previous-extendedaccounts · AA01
- 2018-11-27➕ABBOTT, Stephanie Jayne appointedsecretary
- 2018-11-27➖URQUHART, Jean Evelyn Louise resignedsecretary
- 2018-04-30➖FORBES, Lee resigneddirector
- 2013-05-14🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
- 2013-05-07🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
- 2012-08-31🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Scottish Borders Council
- 2012-01-17➕RAMASSO, Roberto Paolo appointeddirector
- 2008-03-17🔒Charge registered #7Lender: The Scottish Borders Council
- 2007-04-06🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2007-04-06🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2007-04-04🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab
- 2007-03-13🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2006-06-02🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
- 2003-01-23➖FORBES, Clare Lee resignedsecretary
- 2003-01-23➕URQUHART, Jean Evelyn Louise appointedsecretary
- 2003-01-23➖FORBES, Clare Lee resigneddirector
- 2002-04-16🔒Charge registered #4Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2000-10-08➕JUPP, Melvyn Andrew appointeddirector
- 2000-04-20🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Scottish Borders Enterprise Limited
- 1997-06-24➖HUMPHREYS, James resigneddirector
- 1990-12-26➖FORBES, Kenneth resigneddirector
- 1984-11-12🔒Charge registered #2Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 1983-11-03🔒Charge registered #1Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 1983-04-27🏢Company incorporatedAs KENNETH FORBES (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
Owner dependency
73/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- -5 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 26 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 84 — succession pressure is live.
- +Family involvement: Multiple officers share a surname — likely family business, which concentrates governance.
Succession & seller-readiness
90/100
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 84 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 26 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 43 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 · 1 lowCharge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
7 live charges
lowHeavily leveraged with multiple live security positions — understand the capital structure before proceeding.
🔒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 · Professional services · TD postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HENDERSON KILDAVAIG BORDERS LTD→ 12885760 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| HIGHVELD CONSULTING LTD→ 15925982 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| HMB CONSULTING LIMITED→ 11461769 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| HODGSON + WHITE LTD→ 10942120 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| IAN O'ROURKE & CO LTD→ 08948889 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
| J N THOMPSON LTD→ 10594291 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| JCOULSONCHEF LTD→ 16775459 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| KEMPHILL CONSULTING LTD→ 12224300 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
| KENNY HALL & SON LIMITED→ SC795671 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| KENTSTONE ENGINEERING SERVICES LIMITED→ 11938366 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| KIDAR LTD→ SC590624 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| KIERAN BULLEN LIMITED→ 15635327 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
8 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
Incorporated1983-04-27
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC70100 — Activities of head offices
Registered office
Pinnaclehill Estate
Kelso
Roxburghshire
TD5 8DW
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-01-31
Last made up to: 2025-04-30
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-11-26
Last: 2025-11-12
Officers (6 active · 6 resigned)
ABBOTT, Stephanie Jayne→
Activesecretary · appointed 2018-11-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
ANTHONY, James Lee→
Activedirector · ~56y · appointed 2020-08-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
BOTTING, Alison Clare→
Activedirector · ~52y · appointed 2020-08-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
JUPP, Melvyn Andrew→
Activedirector · ~66y · appointed 2000-10-08
View their other companies + combined net worth →
RAMASSO, Roberto Paolo→
Activedirector · ~55y · appointed 2012-01-17
View their other companies + combined net worth →
FORBES, Clare Lee→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 2003-01-23
URQUHART, Jean Evelyn Louise→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2003-01-23 · resigned 2018-11-27
FORBES, Clare Lee→
Resigneddirector · ~109y · resigned 2003-01-23
FORBES, Kenneth→
Resigneddirector · ~114y · resigned 1990-12-26
FORBES, Lee→
Resigneddirector · ~86y · resigned 2018-04-30
HUMPHREYS, James→
Resigneddirector · ~92y · resigned 1997-06-24
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
10
Total charges
7
Outstanding
5
Active lenders
Status:Lender:10 of 10 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ) | A registered charge | 1 property | 14/05/2013 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ) | A registered charge | 1 property | 07/05/2013 | — | |
| outstanding | Scottish Borders Council | Standard security | 1 property | 31/08/2012 | — | |
| outstanding | The Scottish Borders Council | Standard security | 1 property | 17/03/2008 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanken Ab | Standard security | 1 property | 04/04/2007 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ) | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 02/06/2006 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Standard security | 2 properties | 16/04/2002 | 06/04/2007 | |
| outstanding | Scottish Borders Enterprise Scottish Borders Enterprise Limited | Standard security | 1 property | 20/04/2000 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 12/11/1984 | 06/04/2007 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Debenture floating charge | 1 property | 03/11/1983 | 13/03/2007 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (138 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2025-12-11
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-11-12
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2024-11-14
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-11-13
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2024-11-12
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2024-11-12
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2024-11-12
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2024-11-12
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2024-09-17
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2024-09-13
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-09-13
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2024-09-13
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2023-12-07
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-08-31
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2023-01-16