A F NOBLE & SON (PENICUIK) LIMITED

🌳Matureactive
SC337051 · ltd · incorporated 2008-01-31
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
approaching window · 12-months
Approaching a transaction window — refinance or sale event plausible in the next 12 months.
  • · Oldest live charge 18.1y old — refinance window within 12 months
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Mar 2025
Net worth
£2.56M
book net assets
Opportunity
82/100
Exceptional
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What this business does
Primary activity: Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
Pursue
Active trading company. Family succession underway — not a classic acquisition target.

Opportunity 82/100 (exceptional), bankability 75/100. Same-surname younger director in place — likely family handover, not open to sale. Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

2 live charges · 2 lenders · oldest 18.1y

70/100
ready

Refinance conversation should be productive — structure clean and timing right.

  • · Oldest live charge is 18.1 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · Two lenders — manageable, but coordination required.
  • · Legal-friction score 23/100 — clean.

Data confidence

Overall: medium (79/100)

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
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
2 charges (2/2 with lender, 2/2 with type)
90
Directors & officers
8 officers (2 active, 8 linked, 4 with DOB)
80
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
2 connected companies via shared directors
51
Filing history
69 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
82/100Exceptional
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional 

Strong composite across quality, acquirability, and risk. High-priority target — progress to serious diligence.

Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
80
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
85
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.

Signals from accounts

Derived from iXBRL accounts · accounting standard not declared
Positive net assets
Net assets £2,560,353

Key financials

2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accounts
Cash
£1.2m
Net Worth
£2.6m
Current Assets
£3.7m
Current Liabilities
—
£0£749k£1.5m£2.2m£3.0m£3.7mMar 2024Mar 2025

Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series

Financials

Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown
Metric2025-03-312024-03-31
Total assets£2.65M—
Current assets£3.74M—
Cash£1.19M—
Debtors£594.1k—
Net assets£2.56M—
Average employees—3500

Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.

🔒Filing-note intelligence

1 signal 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
0
filings
Last 180 days
1
filing
  • • 1 accounts
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (39 events)Click to expand
  1. 2025-12-29
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  2. 2024-11-15
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  3. 2024-10-09
    📄
    termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM02
  4. 2024-09-30
    ➖
    NOBLE, Michael Gardiner resigned
    secretary
  5. 2023-09-21
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  6. 2023-08-01
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  7. 2023-08-01
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  8. 2023-08-01
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  9. 2023-08-01
    📄
    change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
  10. 2023-08-01
    📄
    cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
  11. 2023-08-01
    📄
    cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
    persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
  12. 2023-07-03
    ➕
    NOBLE, Colin James appointed
    director
  13. 2023-07-03
    ➖
    NOBLE, Michael Gardiner, Mrgardiner resigned
    director
  14. 2023-07-03
    ➖
    NOBLE, William David resigned
    director
  15. 2023-03-24
    📄
    annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholders
    annual-return · AR01
  16. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
    confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
  17. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-annual-return-with-made-up-date
    annual-return · RP04AR01
  18. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-annual-return-with-made-up-date
    annual-return · RP04AR01
  19. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-annual-return-with-made-up-date
    annual-return · RP04AR01
  20. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-annual-return-with-made-up-date
    annual-return · RP04AR01
  21. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-annual-return-with-made-up-date
    annual-return · RP04AR01
  22. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-annual-return-with-made-up-date
    annual-return · RP04AR01
  23. 2023-03-17
    📄
    second-filing-of-annual-return-with-made-up-date
    annual-return · RP04AR01
  24. 2022-08-17
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  25. 2022-01-05
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  26. 2020-03-12
    ➕
    NOBLE, Michael Gardiner appointed
    secretary
  27. 2020-03-12
    ➖
    RANKEN, Alastair George Mackay resigned
    secretary
  28. 2014-07-26
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #1
  29. 2013-09-17
    🔒
    Charge registered #2
    Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
  30. 2008-04-01
    🔒
    Charge registered #1
    Lender: Bank of Scotland PLC
  31. 2008-01-31
    🏢
    Company incorporated
    As A F NOBLE & SON (PENICUIK) LIMITED
  32. 2008-01-31
    ➕
    NOBLE, Colin Robert Foulis appointed
    director
  33. 2008-01-31
    ➕
    RANKEN, Alastair George Mackay appointed
    secretary
  34. 2008-01-31
    ➕
    BRIAN REID LTD. appointed
    corporate-secretary
  35. 2008-01-31
    ➖
    BRIAN REID LTD. resigned
    corporate-secretary
  36. 2008-01-31
    ➕
    NOBLE, Michael Gardiner, Mrgardiner appointed
    director
  37. 2008-01-31
    ➕
    NOBLE, William David appointed
    director
  38. 2008-01-31
    ➕
    STEPHEN MABBOTT LTD. appointed
    corporate-director
  39. 2008-01-31
    ➖
    STEPHEN MABBOTT LTD. resigned
    corporate-director

Owner dependency

99/100
Critical — business is the founder

The business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.

FACTORS
  • +Two-director setup: Only two active directors — typical of owner-managed SMEs but limits succession.
  • +Founder name in company name: Company name contains director surname "NOBLE" — strong identity link between founder and business.
  • +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 18 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
  • +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 64 — approaching natural succession window.
  • +Family involvement: Multiple officers share a surname — likely family business, which concentrates governance.

Succession & seller-readiness

29/100
Weak signal

Limited succession signal. Not a near-term off-market candidate.

SIGNALS
  • primaryFamily succession underway: Not a takeover target — NOBLE, Colin James (same surname) appointed 2023-07-03. Pattern consistent with intra-family handover.
  • primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 64. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
  • secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
  • 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

clean
No red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)

Shareholders & ownership

1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%
NameSharesVoting rightsNature of controlNotified
Mr Colin Robert Foulis Noble
Individual · British · DOB 07/1962 · age 64
75–100%
75–100%board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control06/04/2016
2 historic (ceased) PSCs
  • Mr William David Nobleceased 03/07/2023· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting
  • Mrgardiner Michael Gardiner Nobleceased 03/07/2023· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting

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 · Automotive · EH postcode area
CompanyEst. valueTurnoverNet worthStaffAgeOppDirector
FARMER AUTOCARE LIMITED→
SC246050 · est 2003
£9.60M
£7.68M–£11.52M
——18223y8258y
ALLARDYCE & GOLDIE ENTERPRISES LIMITED→
SC076646 · est 1981
£65.3k
£52.3k–£78.4k
£453.9k—50044y8462y
AJM SPRAYING SERVICES LTD→
SC249637 · est 2003
——£623.2k—22y8364y
BRAIDWOOD MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED→
SC235866 · est 2002
——£599.8k—23y8364y
DALKEITH RETAIL CENTRE LIMITED→
SC324402 · est 2007
——£7.49M—18y8383y
GOGETA LIMITED→
SC292487 · est 2005 · no financials extracted
————20y8369y
KAIM PARK GARAGE LTD.→
SC262902 · est 2004
——£2.66M—22y8362y
LOTHIAN BRAKEWAYS LIMITED→
SC147590 · est 1993
———70032y8383y
PENTLAND COMPONENT PARTS LIMITED→
SC082096 · est 1983 · no financials extracted
————43y8386y
PERTH HONDA LIMITED→
SC366689 · est 2009 · no financials extracted
————16y8369y
BALERNO GARAGE LIMITED→
SC106176 · est 1987
——£76.3k—38y8277y
BRADBURY MOTORS LIMITED→
SC045969 · est 1968
———90057y8264y
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions

6 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
Incorporated2008-01-31
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC45111 — Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles

Registered office

2a Eastfield Farm Road
Penicuik
Midlothian
EH26 8EZ

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2026-12-31
Last made up to: 2025-03-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-08-16
Last: 2025-08-02

Officers (2 active · 6 resigned)

NOBLE, Colin James→
director · ~30y · appointed 2023-07-03
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
NOBLE, Colin Robert Foulis→
director · ~64y · appointed 2008-01-31
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
NOBLE, Michael Gardiner→
secretary · appointed 2020-03-12 · resigned 2024-09-30
Resigned
RANKEN, Alastair George Mackay→
secretary · appointed 2008-01-31 · resigned 2020-03-12
Resigned
BRIAN REID LTD.→
corporate-secretary · appointed 2008-01-31 · resigned 2008-01-31
Resigned
NOBLE, Michael Gardiner, Mrgardiner→
director · ~63y · appointed 2008-01-31 · resigned 2023-07-03
Resigned
NOBLE, William David→
director · ~65y · appointed 2008-01-31 · resigned 2023-07-03
Resigned
STEPHEN MABBOTT LTD.→
corporate-director · appointed 2008-01-31 · resigned 2008-01-31
Resigned

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

Mortgages & charges

2
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:2 of 2 shown
TypeProperties
outstanding
Barclays
Barclays Bank PLC
A registered charge1 property17/09/2013—
satisfied
Lloyds Banking Group
Bank of Scotland PLC
Floating charge1 property01/04/200826/07/2014
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.

Recent filings (69 total)

accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-12-29
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-08-12
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-11-15
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-10-10
termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM02
2024-10-09
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-09-21
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-08-02
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-08-01
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-08-01
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-08-01
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2023-08-01
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2023-08-01
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2023-08-01
annual-return-company-with-made-up-date-full-list-shareholders
annual-return · AR01
2023-03-24
second-filing-of-confirmation-statement-with-made-up-date
confirmation-statement · RP04CS01
2023-03-17