UNITED BAKERIES (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

💤Zombieactive
SC286680 · ltd · incorporated 2005-06-27
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.
Why now
Window steady · high confidence
Thesis has shifted recently — watch for confirmation.
  • · Lifecycle stage: mature → zombie
  • · Investment thesis: well_run_hard_buy → zombie_hold
  • · Deal-killer verdict: clean → workable
  • · Hygiene score: 90 → 85
Opportunity decay
drifting distress · 6-months
Drifting toward distress — expect more negotiability in 3–6 months, but also more friction.
  • · Lifecycle stage drifting downward
  • · Currently "zombie"
What changed my view
Last 30 days

Picture worsened over the last 30 days — 3 negative signals vs 1 positive.

  • ↓Lifecycle stage: mature → zombie
  • ·Investment thesis: well_run_hard_buy → zombie_hold
  • ↑Deal-killer verdict: clean → workable
  • ↓Hygiene score: 90 → 85
  • ↓Refinance opportunity: too_messy → under_pressure
Last 90 days

No snapshot from 90 days ago — start tracking from today.

Last 180 days

No snapshot from 180 days ago — start tracking from today.

🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
73/100
Strong
🔔
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What this business does
Primary activity: Activities of head offices
Sector: Professional, scientific & technical
Investor take
Pursue
Strong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and bankable structure.

Opportunity 73/100 (strong), bankability 77/100. High owner-dependency — earn-out structure likely required for clean transition. Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 4 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (58/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

5 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 20.7y

15/100
under pressure

Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.

  • · Oldest live charge is 20.7 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
  • · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.

Data confidence

Overall: medium (58/100)

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
5 charges (5/5 with lender, 5/5 with type)
90
Directors & officers
22 officers (2 active, 22 linked, 17 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
6 connected companies via shared directors
63
Filing history
124 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
73/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional 

Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.

Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
55
Some acquirability indicators.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.

Recent activity

Last 30 days
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 90 days
3
filings
  • • 2 officers
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
3
filings
  • • 2 officers
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (72 events)Click to expand
  1. 2026-06-18
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  2. 2026-06-02
    ➖
    WRENCH, Simon Edward resigned
    director
  3. 2026-05-18
    📄
    change-corporate-secretary-company-with-change-date
    officers · CH04
  4. 2025-09-05
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
    accounts · AA
  5. 2025-07-03
    📄
    change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC05
  6. 2025-01-08
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  7. 2025-01-01
    ➕
    HANN, Stephen Paul Charles appointed
    director
  8. 2024-10-07
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  9. 2024-10-01
    ➖
    SMART, Adam David resigned
    director
  10. 2024-09-19
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
    accounts · AA
  11. 2024-06-27
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  12. 2024-03-14
    ➕
    WRENCH, Simon Edward appointed
    director
  13. 2024-02-08
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  14. 2024-01-31
    ➖
    SHIELS, Gary resigned
    director
  15. 2023-10-16
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
    accounts · AA
  16. 2023-04-14
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  17. 2023-04-13
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  18. 2023-04-11
    ➕
    SMART, Adam David appointed
    director
  19. 2023-04-06
    ➖
    QUINN, Peter resigned
    director
  20. 2022-12-14
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  21. 2022-12-14
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  22. 2022-12-05
    ➕
    SHIELS, Gary appointed
    director
  23. 2022-12-05
    ➖
    STEEL, Irene Agnes resigned
    director
  24. 2022-10-31
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
    accounts · AA
  25. 2021-10-01
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
    accounts · AA
  26. 2021-09-10
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  27. 2021-09-10
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  28. 2021-08-31
    ➖
    BRUCE-GARDYNE, Lucinda Emma Kate resigned
    director
  29. 2021-08-31
    ➕
    STEEL, Irene Agnes appointed
    director
  30. 2020-12-31
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
    accounts · AA
  31. 2020-01-01
    ➖
    BRADLEY, Jeremy Peter resigned
    director
  32. 2020-01-01
    ➕
    QUINN, Peter appointed
    director
  33. 2019-03-20
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #4
  34. 2019-03-20
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #3
  35. 2019-03-20
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #2
  36. 2019-03-20
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #1
  37. 2017-02-23
    ➕
    BRUCE-GARDYNE, Lucinda Emma Kate appointed
    director
  38. 2017-02-23
    ➖
    CUSCHIERI, Roz resigned
    director
  39. 2016-10-01
    ➕
    BRADLEY, Jeremy Peter appointed
    director
  40. 2016-07-27
    ➖
    MORSE, Stella Helen resigned
    director
  41. 2016-04-18
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #5
  42. 2013-02-27
    ➕
    ADDLESHAW GODDARD (SCOTLAND) SECRETARIAL LIMITED appointed
    corporate-secretary
  43. 2013-02-27
    ➖
    CITY GROUP PLC resigned
    corporate-secretary
  44. 2013-02-27
    ➖
    BOYD, Stephen Alexander resigned
    director
  45. 2013-02-27
    ➕
    CUSCHIERI, Roz appointed
    director
  46. 2013-02-27
    ➖
    DUFFY, John Gerald resigned
    director
  47. 2013-02-27
    ➕
    MORSE, Stella Helen appointed
    director
  48. 2013-02-27
    🔒
    Charge registered #5
    Lender: Finsbury Food Group PLC
  49. 2013-02-27
    🔒
    Charge registered #4
    Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
  50. 2010-04-01
    ➖
    MORGAN, Lisa Margaret Wendy resigned
    director
Showing most recent 50 of 72 events

Owner dependency

75/100
High — earn-out structure required

Material founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.

FACTORS
  • +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.

Succession & seller-readiness

45/100
Moderate signal

Some succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.

SIGNALS
  • primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.

Red flags

1 med ·
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
medium

Multiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.

Group structure

Genius Foods Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.

🏛️
Genius Foods Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
ultimate parent
⬇
UNITED BAKERIES (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
This company · SC286680

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%
NameSharesVoting rightsNature of controlNotified
Genius Foods Limited
Corporate entity
75–100%
75–100%75-100% shares · 75-100% voting30/06/2016

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 →

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ROBERTSON EDUCATION (ABERDEENSHIRE) HOLDINGS LIMITED→
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——026y8560y
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——37320y8861y
BLYTH & BLYTH CONSULTING ENGINEERS LIMITED→
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3 ED HOLDINGS 2 LIMITED→
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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
Incorporated2005-06-27
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC70100 — Activities of head offices

Registered office

43 Inchmuir Road
Whitehill Industrial Estate
Bathgate
EH48 2EP
Scotland

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-07-10
Last: 2026-06-26

Officers (2 active · 20 resigned)

ADDLESHAW GODDARD (SCOTLAND) SECRETARIAL LIMITED→
corporate-secretary · appointed 2013-02-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
HANN, Stephen Paul Charles→
director · ~45y · appointed 2025-01-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
KELLY, John→
secretary · appointed 2005-10-12 · resigned 2005-11-18
Resigned
CITY GROUP PLC→
corporate-secretary · appointed 2005-11-20 · resigned 2013-02-27
Resigned
D.W. COMPANY SERVICES LIMITED→
corporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2005-06-27 · resigned 2005-10-12
Resigned
BOYD, Stephen Alexander→
director · ~64y · appointed 2010-01-20 · resigned 2013-02-27
Resigned
BRADLEY, Jeremy Peter→
director · ~65y · appointed 2016-10-01 · resigned 2020-01-01
Resigned
BROOKS, David Gary→
director · ~59y · appointed 2005-11-18 · resigned 2008-09-29
Resigned
BRUCE-GARDYNE, Lucinda Emma Kate→
director · ~55y · appointed 2017-02-23 · resigned 2021-08-31
Resigned
CUNNINGHAM, Archibald Macdonald→
director · ~73y · appointed 2005-10-05 · resigned 2005-11-18
Resigned
CUSCHIERI, Roz→
director · ~59y · appointed 2013-02-27 · resigned 2017-02-23
Resigned
DUFFY, John Gerald→
director · ~61y · appointed 2009-10-19 · resigned 2013-02-27
Resigned
LOMER, John Antony→
director · ~68y · appointed 2005-11-18 · resigned 2006-09-30
Resigned
MORGAN, Lisa Margaret Wendy→
director · ~55y · appointed 2006-10-01 · resigned 2010-04-01
Resigned
MORSE, Stella Helen→
director · ~59y · appointed 2013-02-27 · resigned 2016-07-27
Resigned
ORR, David Slater→
director · ~75y · appointed 2005-10-05 · resigned 2005-11-18
Resigned
QUINN, Peter→
director · ~61y · appointed 2020-01-01 · resigned 2023-04-06
Resigned
SHIELS, Gary→
director · ~58y · appointed 2022-12-05 · resigned 2024-01-31
Resigned
SMART, Adam David→
director · ~51y · appointed 2023-04-11 · resigned 2024-10-01
Resigned
STEEL, Irene Agnes→
director · ~55y · appointed 2021-08-31 · resigned 2022-12-05
Resigned

Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.

Mortgages & charges

5
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:5 of 5 shown
TypeProperties
satisfied
Finsbury Food Group
Finsbury Food Group PLC
Floating charge1 property27/02/201318/04/2016
satisfied
HSBC
Hsbc Bank PLC
Floating charge1 property27/02/201320/03/2019
satisfied
HSBC
Hsbc Bank PLC
Floating charge1 property18/11/200520/03/2019
satisfied
HSBC
Hsbc Equipment Finance (UK) Limited
Floating charge1 property18/11/200520/03/2019
satisfied
HSBC
Hsbc Asset Finance (UK) Limited
Floating charge1 property18/11/200520/03/2019

Recent filings (124 total)

confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-07-07
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-06-18
change-corporate-secretary-company-with-change-date
officers · CH04
2026-05-18
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2025-09-05
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC05
2025-07-03
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-07-03
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2025-01-08
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-10-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2024-09-19
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-06-27
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-06-27
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-02-08
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2023-10-16
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-06-26
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-04-14