1948 GROUP LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
03713113 · ltd · incorporated 1999-02-12
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
—
year to Dec 2023
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
76/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Other business support service activities n.e.c.
Sector: Administrative & support services
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 78-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 76/100 (strong), bankability 57/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 78). 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
14 live charges · 6 lenders · oldest 27.0y
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 27.0 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 6 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 50/100 (high).
Data confidence
Overall: medium (76/100)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
1 year of iXBRL accounts extracted (no YoY comparison) + narrative notes parsed
50
Lenders & charges
14 charges (14/14 with lender, 14/14 with type)
90
Directors & officers
7 officers (5 active, 7 linked, 5 with DOB)
84
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
28 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
116 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
🔒Estimated company valuation
Sector-multiple EBITDA, turnover, and NAV-proxy valuation range with confidence tier — derived from extracted iXBRL financials.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →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.
Key financials
1 year extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102| Metric | 2023-12-31 |
|---|---|
| Average employees | 500 |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
5 signals 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
9
filings
- • 3 persons-with-significant-control
- • 2 resolution
- • 2 capital
Last 180 days
10
filings
- • 3 persons-with-significant-control
- • 2 resolution
- • 2 capital
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (49 events)Click to expand
- 2026-03-18📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2026-03-18📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2026-03-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2026-03-18📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2026-03-14📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2026-03-14📄capital-name-of-class-of-sharescapital · SH08
- 2026-02-28📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2026-02-28📄capital-name-of-class-of-sharescapital · SH08
- 2025-12-19📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2025-12-19🔒Charge registered #14Lender: Handelsbanken PLC
- 2025-10-10📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2025-02-21📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2025-02-21📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2024-09-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2023-09-28📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2023-06-30📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2023-06-30🔒Charge registered #13Lender: Handelsbanken PLC
- 2022-09-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2021-11-17📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2021-10-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2021-02-05📄accounts-with-accounts-type-groupaccounts · AA
- 2019-12-12🔒Charge registered #12Lender: Handelsbanken PLC
- 2018-10-03🔒Charge registered #11Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
- 2013-08-19🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
- 2008-08-08🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ)
- 2006-08-15🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2006-08-15🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2006-08-15🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2006-07-27🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Svenska Handelsbanklen Ab (Publ)
- 2006-07-27🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Svenska Handelsbanklen Ab (Publ)
- 2006-05-01➕RAY, Spencer Henry appointeddirector
- 2006-05-01➕RAY, Wesley appointeddirector
- 2006-01-31🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2006-01-31🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2006-01-31🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2005-09-26🔒Charge registered #6Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2005-09-26🔒Charge registered #5Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2005-09-26🔒Charge registered #4Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2003-04-15🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Hsbc Bank PLC
- 1999-05-04🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Midland Bank PLC
- 1999-04-19🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Midland Bank PLC
- 1999-02-12🏢Company incorporatedAs 1948 GROUP LIMITED
- 1999-02-12➕RAY, Leslie John appointedsecretary
- 1999-02-12➕RAY, Leslie John appointeddirector
- 1999-02-12➕RAY, Lorraine Winifred appointeddirector
- 1999-02-12➕GRAEME, Dorothy May appointednominee-secretary
- 1999-02-12➖GRAEME, Dorothy May resignednominee-secretary
- 1999-02-12➕GRAEME, Lesley Joyce appointednominee-director
- 1999-02-12➖GRAEME, Lesley Joyce resignednominee-director
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 27 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 78 — succession pressure is live.
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 78 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 27 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 27 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.
8 live charges
lowHeavily leveraged with multiple live security positions — understand the capital structure before proceeding.
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Leslie John Ray Individual · British · DOB 06/1948 · age 78 | 25–50% | 25–50% | board control25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control · trust interest | 02/02/2026 |
2 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Mr Leslie John Rayceased 02/02/2026· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting
- Mrs Lorraine Winifred Rayceased 02/02/2026· 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 · Trade services · TN postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1066 FIRE & SECURITY LIMITED→ 05324178 · est 2005 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 21y | — | — |
| 1066 POOLS LIMITED→ 06729564 · est 2008 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 17y | — | — |
| 11 CALVERLEY PARK GARDENS (MANAGEMENT) LIMITED→ 05182919 · est 2004 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 21y | — | — |
| 11 MILWARD ROAD FREEHOLDERS LIMITED→ 10845608 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| 13 MONTACUTE ROAD MANAGEMENT LIMITED→ 04609414 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| 14 CAMBRIDGE GARDENS MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED→ 04196997 · est 2001 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 25y | — | — |
| 144 MINNIS ROAD BIRCHINGTON (MANAGEMENT) LIMITED→ 02970962 · est 1994 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 31y | — | — |
| 14SWORDS LTD→ 16291784 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| 18 HOURS LIMITED→ 08070182 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| 1983 SOUTH EAST LTD→ 15868439 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| 1ST 4 REPAIRS LTD→ 05476131 · est 2005 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 20y | — | — |
| 1ST CALL CLEANING SERVICES LIMITED→ 16962396 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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
Incorporated1999-02-12
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC82990 — Other business support service activities n.e.c.
Registered office
Henwood House
Henwood
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8DH
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-02-26
Last: 2026-02-12
Officers (5 active · 2 resigned)
Active
RAY, Leslie John→
Activedirector · ~78y · appointed 1999-02-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
RAY, Lorraine Winifred→
Activedirector · ~75y · appointed 1999-02-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
RAY, Spencer Henry→
Activedirector · ~52y · appointed 2006-05-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
GRAEME, Dorothy May→
Resignednominee-secretary · appointed 1999-02-12 · resigned 1999-02-12
GRAEME, Lesley Joyce→
Resignednominee-director · ~73y · appointed 1999-02-12 · resigned 1999-02-12
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
14
Total charges
8
Outstanding
3
Active lenders
Status:Lender:14 of 14 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Handelsbanken Handelsbanken PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 19/12/2025 | — | |
| outstanding | Handelsbanken Handelsbanken PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 30/06/2023 | — | |
| outstanding | Handelsbanken Handelsbanken PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 12/12/2019 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ) | A registered charge | 1 property | 03/10/2018 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ) | A registered charge | 2 properties | 19/08/2013 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanken Ab (Publ) | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 08/08/2008 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanklen Ab (Publ) | Legal mortgage | 3 properties | 27/07/2006 | — | |
| outstanding | Svenska Handelsbanklen Ab (Publ) | Debenture | 3 properties | 27/07/2006 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 26/09/2005 | 15/08/2006 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 26/09/2005 | 15/08/2006 | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | Legal charge | 1 property | 26/09/2005 | 15/08/2006 | |
| satisfied | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 15/04/2003 | 31/01/2006 | |
| satisfied | Midland Bank Midland Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 04/05/1999 | 31/01/2006 | |
| satisfied | Midland Bank Midland Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 19/04/1999 | 31/01/2006 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (116 total)
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-03-19
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC01
2026-03-18
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2026-03-18
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2026-03-18
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2026-03-18
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2026-03-14
capital-name-of-class-of-shares
capital · SH08
2026-03-14
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2026-02-28
capital-name-of-class-of-shares
capital · SH08
2026-02-28
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2025-12-19
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2025-10-10
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-02-21
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2025-02-21
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC04
2025-02-21
accounts-with-accounts-type-group
accounts · AA
2024-09-30