BLACKROCK SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC
🌳Matureactive
SC006176 · plc · incorporated 1906-05-02
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.
Opportunity decay
approaching window · 12-months
Approaching a transaction window — refinance or sale event plausible in the next 12 months.
- · Oldest live charge 28.8y old — refinance window within 12 months
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Activities of investment trusts
Sector: Financial & insurance
Investor take
PursueStrong opportunity: active trading company with strong profile and bankable structure.
Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 80/100. Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Most likely exit: strategic trade sale (73/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
1 live charge · oldest 28.8y
85/100
ready
Refinance conversation should be productive — structure clean and timing right.
- · Oldest live charge is 28.8 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Single lender — cleanest path to refinance.
- · Legal-friction score 20/100 — clean.
Data confidence
Overall: low (51/100)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
1 charges (1/1 with lender, 1/1 with type)
90
Directors & officers
30 officers (8 active, 30 linked, 25 with DOB)
87
Ownership & PSC
No PSCs filed (unusual — worth investigating)
35
Director network
9 connected companies via shared directors
72
Filing history
509 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
79/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
85
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
2
filings
- • 2 officers
Last 90 days
3
filings
- • 2 officers
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
4
filings
- • 3 officers
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (73 events)Click to expand
- 2026-04-20📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-04-20📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-04-17➕LANE, Angela Claire appointeddirector
- 2026-04-17➕NASH, Louise Catherine appointeddirector
- 2025-11-18📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-sharescapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-sharescapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-06📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-08-06📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2025-06-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2025-06-19➖PLATTS-MARTIN, Susan resigneddirector
- 2024-01-01➕AFE, Dunke Ololade appointeddirector
- 2022-08-03🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2022-06-09➖BURTON, Caroline Mary resigneddirector
- 2022-03-01➕SINCLAIR, Helen Rachelle appointeddirector
- 2021-07-31➕BARNES, Timothy James Kentish appointeddirector
- 2021-06-11➖PEACOCK, Michael William resigneddirector
- 2020-11-05➖ROBERTSON, Robert Sinclair resigneddirector
- 2020-10-01➕LITTLE, Mark Jonathan appointeddirector
- 2019-06-04➖FRY, Nicholas Rodney Lowther resigneddirector
- 2019-04-01➕GOULD, Ronald Jay appointeddirector
- 2016-06-09➖NOTT, Gillian resigneddirector
- 2016-04-21➕PLATTS-MARTIN, Susan appointeddirector
- 2012-07-01➕PEACOCK, Michael William appointeddirector
- 2012-06-27➖BREWSTER, Richard David resigneddirector
- 2011-07-27➕BURTON, Caroline Mary appointeddirector
- 2011-07-27➖DAVIES, John resigneddirector
- 2008-04-23➕ROBERTSON, Robert Sinclair appointeddirector
- 2007-06-08➖FFOULKES-JONES, Robert Garson resigneddirector
- 2006-09-29➕BLACKROCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2006-09-29➖BLACKROCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2005-06-02➖GOVETT, William John Romaine resigneddirector
- 2005-01-25➕FRY, Nicholas Rodney Lowther appointeddirector
- 2005-01-25➕NOTT, Gillian appointeddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 73 events
Owner dependency
55/100
Moderate — manageable with handoverSome founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.
FACTORS
- -7 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 78 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
60/100
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.
Red flags
cleanNo red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)
🔒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 · Financial services · EH postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRAVO (DRINKS) LIMITED→ SC669698 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| BREICH BUILDING COMPANY LIMITED→ SC442841 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| BRIDGEPOINT EUROPE (SGP) LTD→ SC332267 · est 2007 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 18y | — | — |
| BRIDGEPOINT EUROPE IV FP (GP) LIMITED→ SC330160 · est 2007 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 18y | — | — |
| BRIDGEPOINT PRIVATE EQUITY (SPAIN) FP GP LIMITED→ SC867986 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BURNETT FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED→ SC392373 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 15y | — | — |
| BUSINESS ANGELS LTD→ SC781782 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| CANINVEST LIMITED→ SC694846 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| CASTLE OPERATIONS LTD→ SC381111 · est 2010 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 15y | — | — |
| CATALYST EPF (SCOTS) GP LIMITED→ SC343024 · est 2008 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 17y | — | — |
| CAVANAGH FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED→ SC096918 · est 1986 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 40y | — | — |
| CB ESCALA LTD→ SC427282 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
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
Typeplc
Incorporated1906-05-02
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC64301 — Activities of investment trusts
Registered office
Dundas House
20 Brandon Street
Edinburgh
EH3 5PP
Scotland
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-08-31
Last made up to: 2025-02-28
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-02-28
Last: 2026-02-14
Officers (8 active · 22 resigned)
BLACKROCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED→
Activecorporate-secretary · appointed 2006-09-29
View their other companies + combined net worth →
AFE, Dunke Ololade→
Activedirector · ~50y · appointed 2024-01-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BARNES, Timothy James Kentish→
Activedirector · ~65y · appointed 2021-07-31
View their other companies + combined net worth →
GOULD, Ronald Jay→
Activedirector · ~78y · appointed 2019-04-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
LANE, Angela Claire→
Activedirector · ~64y · appointed 2026-04-17
View their other companies + combined net worth →
LITTLE, Mark Jonathan→
Activedirector · ~63y · appointed 2020-10-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
NASH, Louise Catherine→
Activedirector · ~50y · appointed 2026-04-17
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SINCLAIR, Helen Rachelle→
Activedirector · ~60y · appointed 2022-03-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
3I PLC→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 1995-12-11 · resigned 2004-12-20
BLACKROCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2004-12-20 · resigned 2006-09-29
MARTIN CURRIE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · resigned 1995-12-11
BREWSTER, Richard David→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 1998-04-15 · resigned 2012-06-27
BURTON, Caroline Mary→
Resigneddirector · ~76y · appointed 2011-07-27 · resigned 2022-06-09
COATES, Kenneth Howard→
Resigneddirector · ~93y · appointed 1995-12-11 · resigned 1998-04-04
COLCHESTER, Nicholas Benedick Sparrowe→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 1995-12-11 · resigned 1996-09-25
DAVIES, John→
Resigneddirector · ~80y · appointed 1999-01-25 · resigned 2011-07-27
FALCONER, James Keith Ross→
Resigneddirector · ~71y · appointed 1992-04-01 · resigned 2003-06-05
FALCONER, James Alexander Reid→
Resigneddirector · resigned 1991-07-24
FFOULKES-JONES, Robert Garson→
Resigneddirector · ~84y · appointed 1998-04-15 · resigned 2007-06-08
FRY, Nicholas Rodney Lowther→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · appointed 2005-01-25 · resigned 2019-06-04
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
1
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:1 of 1 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| satisfied | The Law Debenture Trust Corporation P.L.C. | Floating charge | 1 property | 08/07/1997 | 03/08/2022 |
Recent filings (509 total)
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-04-20
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-04-20
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-02-18
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2025-11-18
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-10-06