CRAWFORD SCIENTIFIC (UK) LTD
🌳Matureactive
SC146235 · ltd · incorporated 1993-09-02
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
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
77/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Wholesale of other machinery and equipment
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 78-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 77/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (73/100, director aged 78). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 11 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (45/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
16 live charges · 11 lenders · oldest 30.5y
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 30.5 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 11 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 53/100 (high).
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
16 charges (16/16 with lender, 16/16 with type)
90
Directors & officers
19 officers (4 active, 19 linked, 16 with DOB)
87
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 2 total, 2 with control declared
90
Director network
1 connected companies via shared directors
48
Filing history
183 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
77/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
85
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
66
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
8
filings
- • 4 officers
- • 2 mortgage
- • 1 change-of-name
Last 180 days
8
filings
- • 4 officers
- • 2 mortgage
- • 1 change-of-name
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (89 events)Click to expand
- 2026-03-09✏️certificate-change-of-name-companychange-of-name · CERTNM
- 2026-03-03📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2026-03-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-03-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-03-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-03-03📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2026-03-03📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2026-03-03🔓Charge satisfied #14
- 2026-03-02📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2026-02-27➕ELDER, Jason Alan appointeddirector
- 2026-02-27➕LUNSFORD, Joyce Lean appointeddirector
- 2026-02-27➕MOLTER, Gregory Alan appointeddirector
- 2026-02-27➖HUNTER, Gail Louise resigneddirector
- 2026-02-27🔒Charge registered #16Lender: Firmament Partners Sbic Iv, LP (As Security Trustee)
- 2025-09-29📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2025-09-29📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2025-09-29📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2025-09-29📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2025-03-27📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-03-26➖GRASWINCKEL, Michiel Coenraad resigneddirector
- 2025-03-17📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-03-17📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2025-03-14➖COLLINS, Claire Rose resigneddirector
- 2025-03-14➕HUNTER, Gail Louise appointeddirector
- 2024-12-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-10-01📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-09-13📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC05
- 2024-09-13📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2024-05-18📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2024-05-18🔓Charge satisfied #15
- 2024-04-12📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-04-12📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-04-04➕GRASWINCKEL, Michiel Coenraad appointeddirector
- 2024-04-04➖HOPKINSON, Matthew John resigneddirector
- 2024-03-16📄gazette-filings-brought-up-to-dategazette · DISS40
- 2023-02-23➖MACLENNAN, Neil Conway resignedsecretary
- 2022-11-18🔒Charge registered #15Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch as Second Lien Security Agent
- 2022-11-18🔒Charge registered #14Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch as Senior Security Agent
- 2022-10-20🔓Charge satisfied #13
- 2022-10-20🔓Charge satisfied #12
- 2022-10-20🔓Charge satisfied #11
- 2022-07-28➖PORTER, Alan Browning resigneddirector
- 2022-05-06🔒Charge registered #13Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch (As Security Agent)
- 2021-10-25🔒Charge registered #12Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch in Its Capacity as Security Agent.
- 2021-10-25🔒Charge registered #11Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch in Its Capacity as Security Agent.
- 2021-08-07🔓Charge satisfied #10
- 2021-08-07🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2021-08-07🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2021-08-07🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2021-08-07🔓Charge satisfied #6
Showing most recent 50 of 89 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
- -4 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 19 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 78 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
73/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 78 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 19 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
2 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.
Name changed recently
mediumName changes can be benign (rebrand) but can also precede distress, phoenix activity, or buyer concealment.
Evidence: 2026-03-09: certificate-change-of-name-company
Multiple registered office changes
lowMultiple address changes in a short period can indicate operational instability or admin disorder.
Group structure
Crawford Scientific Holdings Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Crawford Scientific Holdings Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
CRAWFORD SCIENTIFIC (UK) LTD
This company · SC146235
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Crawford Scientific Holdings Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 06/04/2016 |
1 historic (ceased) PSC
- Ing Bank N.V., London Branchceased 06/07/2022· 75-100% shares
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 · ML postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMZCONRSELL LIMITED→ SC866666 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BABES HORSES LTD→ SC555051 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| BRUIST TRADING LTD→ SC585489 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| BUSINESS TRENDZ PVT LTD→ SC777737 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| CARRON BUILDING SUPPLIES LIMITED→ SC124097 · est 1990 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 36y | — | — |
| CHAPELHALL INDUSTRIAL BEARINGS LIMITED→ SC116385 · est 1989 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 37y | — | — |
| COMFYME LTD→ SC743345 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| DARNGAVEL MINING CO LTD→ SC606023 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| DELUXE D'OR LIMITED→ SC837094 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| DEMMA GROUP LTD→ SC836123 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| DEROSA LTD→ SC837730 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| DEVINE QUALITY FOODS LIMITED→ SC226184 · est 2001 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 24y | — | — |
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
Incorporated1993-09-02
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC46690 — Wholesale of other machinery and equipment
Registered office
Holm Street
Strathaven
Lanarkshire
ML10 6NB
Scotland
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-09-29
Last: 2025-09-15
Officers (4 active · 15 resigned)
ELDER, Jason Alan→
Activedirector · ~58y · appointed 2026-02-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
LUNSFORD, Joyce Lean→
Activedirector · ~78y · appointed 2026-02-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
MOLTER, Gregory Alan→
Activedirector · ~58y · appointed 2026-02-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
TAYLOR, Tony→
Activedirector · ~59y · appointed 2007-04-05
View their other companies + combined net worth →
LENNOX, Kaydean→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1993-09-02 · resigned 2010-11-15
MACLENNAN, Neil Conway→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2021-07-19 · resigned 2023-02-23
REID, Brian→
Resignednominee-secretary · appointed 1993-09-02 · resigned 1993-09-02
COLLINS, Claire Rose→
Resigneddirector · ~52y · appointed 2021-07-19 · resigned 2025-03-14
CRAWFORD, Samuel→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 1993-09-02 · resigned 2021-07-19
GRASWINCKEL, Michiel Coenraad→
Resigneddirector · ~54y · appointed 2024-04-04 · resigned 2025-03-26
HAIG, Keith James→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 2014-09-02 · resigned 2017-10-18
HOPKINSON, Matthew John→
Resigneddirector · ~46y · appointed 2021-07-19 · resigned 2024-04-04
HUNTER, Gail Louise→
Resigneddirector · ~55y · appointed 2025-03-14 · resigned 2026-02-27
KERR, Sean Alexander→
Resigneddirector · ~61y · appointed 2014-09-02 · resigned 2015-11-23
LENNOX, Kaydean→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 2006-06-01 · resigned 2010-10-31
MABBOTT, Stephen→
Resignednominee-director · ~76y · appointed 1993-09-02 · resigned 1993-09-02
MILROY, David Alan, Dr→
Resigneddirector · ~54y · appointed 2014-08-20 · resigned 2017-10-18
PORTER, Alan Browning→
Resigneddirector · ~50y · appointed 2019-11-12 · resigned 2022-07-28
THOMAS, Darren, Dr→
Resigneddirector · ~58y · appointed 2019-11-12 · resigned 2021-07-19
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
16
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:16 of 16 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Firmament Partners Sbic Iv, LP (As Security Trustee) | A registered charge | — | 27/02/2026 | — | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch as Second Lien Security Agent | A registered charge | — | 18/11/2022 | 18/05/2024 | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch as Senior Security Agent | A registered charge | — | 18/11/2022 | 03/03/2026 | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch (As Security Agent) | A registered charge | — | 06/05/2022 | 20/10/2022 | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch in Its Capacity as Security Agent. | A registered charge | — | 25/10/2021 | 20/10/2022 | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch in Its Capacity as Security Agent. | A registered charge | — | 25/10/2021 | 20/10/2022 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC (Trading as Both Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank) (Company Number SC001111) | A registered charge | — | 29/09/2020 | 07/08/2021 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC (Trading as Both Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank) (Company Number SC001111) | A registered charge | — | 29/09/2020 | 07/08/2021 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC (Trading as Both Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank) | A registered charge | 1 property | 08/01/2018 | 07/08/2021 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC (Trading as Both Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank) | A registered charge | 1 property | 08/01/2018 | 07/08/2021 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC (Trading as Both Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank) | A registered charge | 1 property | 08/01/2018 | 07/08/2021 | |
| satisfied | Maven Capital Partners UK Maven Capital Partners UK LLP | A registered charge | — | 18/12/2014 | 10/10/2017 | |
| satisfied | Maven Capital Partners UK as Security Trustee Maven Capital Partners UK LLP as Security Trustee | A registered charge | — | 20/08/2014 | 19/10/2017 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 21/12/2007 | 10/12/2014 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Bond & floating charge | 1 property | 23/11/2007 | 19/08/2014 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Bond & floating charge | 1 property | 09/10/1995 | 26/03/2008 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (183 total)
certificate-change-of-name-company
change-of-name · CERTNM
2026-03-09
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-03-03
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-03-03
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-03-03
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-03-03
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2026-03-03
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2026-03-03
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2026-03-02
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2025-09-29
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2025-09-29
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2025-09-29
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2025-09-29
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-09-15
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-03-27
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-03-17