COPE LTD.
🌳Matureactive
SC186555 · private-limited-guarant-nsc · incorporated 1998-06-08
Investment thesis
Looks cheap but ownership + security both unclear — probable value trap.
Why interesting: Headline metrics may be attractive.
Why risky: No PSC visibility combined with multiple live charges; transacting likely slow and expensive.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
76/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Post-secondary non-tertiary education
Sector: Education
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 88-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 76/100 (strong), bankability 57/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 88). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. 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 (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
7 live charges · 5 lenders · oldest 24.6y
35/100
too messy
Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 24.6 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 5 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 40/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: low (50/100)Sparse data coverage. Treat AI-generated outputs as preliminary. Manual diligence essential.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
7 charges (7/7 with lender, 7/7 with type)
90
Directors & officers
32 officers (6 active, 32 linked, 28 with DOB)
88
Ownership & PSC
No PSCs filed (unusual — worth investigating)
35
Director network
4 connected companies via shared directors
57
Filing history
131 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
0
filings
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (87 events)Click to expand
- 2025-10-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-10-04📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-10-02➖BIRNIE, Jaqueline resigneddirector
- 2024-09-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2023-11-07📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-11-02➕NICOLSON, Thomas James appointeddirector
- 2023-09-13📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2023-03-06📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-02-20➖SIMPSON, Thomas Michael resigneddirector
- 2022-10-04📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-06-14📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-06-01➕BARCLAY, Mandy Jane appointeddirector
- 2022-04-12📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2022-03-31➖SIM, Marlene Mona resigneddirector
- 2021-12-09📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-11-18➕NICOLSON, Martha appointeddirector
- 2021-09-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2021-06-24📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-06-24📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-03-16➕GAIR, Amy Jane appointeddirector
- 2021-02-21➕BIRNIE, Jaqueline appointeddirector
- 2020-10-05📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2020-07-08📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2020-07-08📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2020-07-08📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2020-07-02➖COUTTS, Rosalyn Kim resigneddirector
- 2020-07-02➖SIMPSON, Margaret Rose resigneddirector
- 2020-07-01➖JOHNSON, Isabel Ann resigneddirector
- 2020-06-29📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2020-06-25➖JOHNSON, Gordon resigneddirector
- 2019-09-04📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2017-11-01➕JOHNSON, Gordon appointeddirector
- 2017-05-31🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2016-11-05➖GEAR, John William resigneddirector
- 2014-11-11➕SIMPSON, Margaret Rose appointeddirector
- 2013-11-04➕JOHNSON, Isabel Ann appointeddirector
- 2013-11-04➖SMITH, James Laurence Barclay resigneddirector
- 2012-11-15➕COUTTS, Rosalyn Kim appointeddirector
- 2012-11-15➕SIM, Marlene Mona appointeddirector
- 2012-09-10➖HUGHSON, Robina Harrison resigneddirector
- 2012-06-11🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2012-02-16➖HUNTER, John Nicolson resigneddirector
- 2011-01-11➕TAIT, John appointeddirector
- 2011-01-11➕HUNTER, John Nicolson appointeddirector
- 2010-06-29➕GEAR, John William appointeddirector
- 2010-03-27➖MCGHEE, George Chalmers resigneddirector
- 2010-02-20➖WEBSTER, George Hogg resigneddirector
- 2009-06-25➖JAMIESON, Neil Martin resignedsecretary
- 2008-12-17➖O'NEILL, Martin resigneddirector
- 2008-07-01➖JOHNSON, Ann resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 87 events
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
- -6 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 18 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 88 — succession pressure is live.
- +Family involvement: Multiple officers share a surname — likely family business, which concentrates governance.
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 88 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- 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 · 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.
5 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 · Education & training · ZE postcode area + nearby areas| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11PLUS LTD→ 07280322 · est 2010 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 15y | — | — |
| 11PLUSGRAMMAR LTD→ 11284730 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| 121ISLAMONLINE LTD→ 13309941 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| 1520 MANCHESTER CIC→ 17100256 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1541 LIMITED→ 09917491 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| 1ST 11 LTD→ 08222977 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| 1ST CLASS CODERS LTD→ 11802726 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| 1ST EMERGENCY RESPONSE LTD→ 08421490 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| 1ST WITH EDUCATION LIMITED→ 13940733 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| 2 LITTLE BIRDS DTR LIMITED→ 11739257 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| 20 LAB LIMITED→ 14833930 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| 20 TO 10 LIFE COACHING LTD→ 15195456 · est 2023 · 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
Typeprivate-limited-guarant-nsc
Incorporated1998-06-08
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC85410 — Post-secondary non-tertiary education
Registered office
Cope Ltd Port Business Park
Gremista
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0TW
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-06-28
Last: 2025-06-14
Officers (6 active · 26 resigned)
BARCLAY, Mandy Jane→
Activedirector · ~38y · appointed 2022-06-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
GAIR, Amy Jane→
Activedirector · ~35y · appointed 2021-03-16
View their other companies + combined net worth →
JAMIESON, Neil Martin→
Activedirector · ~57y · appointed 2008-02-28
View their other companies + combined net worth →
NICOLSON, Martha→
Activedirector · ~66y · appointed 2021-11-18
View their other companies + combined net worth →
NICOLSON, Thomas James→
Activedirector · ~62y · appointed 2023-11-02
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
JAMIESON, Neil Martin→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2008-02-28 · resigned 2009-06-25
MILLSOPP, Penelope Jane→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1998-06-08 · resigned 2001-01-26
ONEILL, Martin Patrick Mary→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2001-01-26 · resigned 2004-05-31
WILLIAMSON, John Gordon→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2004-06-01 · resigned 2007-12-12
ABERNETHY, James John Thomas→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 1998-06-08 · resigned 2003-10-31
BIRNIE, Jaqueline→
Resigneddirector · ~49y · appointed 2021-02-21 · resigned 2024-10-02
COUTTS, Rosalyn Kim→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 2012-11-15 · resigned 2020-07-02
GEAR, John William→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 2010-06-29 · resigned 2016-11-05
HUGHSON, Robina Harrison→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 2006-03-27 · resigned 2012-09-10
HUNTER, John Nicolson→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 2011-01-11 · resigned 2012-02-16
JAMIESON, Susan→
Resigneddirector · ~56y · appointed 1998-06-08 · resigned 1998-10-01
JOHNSON, Ann→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2003-05-09 · resigned 2008-07-01
JOHNSON, Gordon→
Resigneddirector · ~70y · appointed 2017-11-01 · resigned 2020-06-25
JOHNSON, Isabel Ann→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2013-11-04 · resigned 2020-07-01
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
7
Total charges
5
Outstanding
3
Active lenders
Status:Lender:7 of 7 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 30/04/2008 | — | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group Bank of Scotland PLC | Bond & floating charge | 1 property | 20/02/2008 | — | |
| satisfied | The Trustees of the Shetland Development Trust / The Trustees of the Shetland Development Trust | Standard security | 1 property | 17/10/2006 | 11/06/2012 | |
| outstanding | Highlands and Islands Enterprise | Standard security | 1 property | 10/05/2006 | — | |
| outstanding | New Opportunities Fund(Operating as the Big Lottery Fund) | Standard security | 1 property | 10/05/2006 | — | |
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Standard security | 1 property | 10/05/2006 | — | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Standard security | 1 property | 07/11/2001 | 31/05/2017 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (131 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-10-06
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-06-16
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-10-04
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-09-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-06-14
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-11-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2023-09-13
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-06-14
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-03-06
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2022-10-04
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-06-14
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2022-06-14
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2022-04-12
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2021-12-09
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2021-09-24