THE HARPER MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
⚰️Wound downdissolved
SC010490 · ltd · incorporated 1919-06-27
Investment thesis
Company dissolved — not a live target.
Why interesting: Historical record only; useful for precedent research.
Why risky: Not transactable.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
58/100
Worth a look
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 99999
Sector: Extraterritorial bodies
Investor take
Pass (distressed without resilience)Distressed unclear — structural issues outweigh the discount.
Opportunity 58/100 (worth a look), bankability 67/100. High owner-dependency — earn-out structure likely required for clean transition. 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 (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
11 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 61.7y
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 61.7 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 45/100 (high).
Data confidence
Overall: medium (61/100)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
11 charges (11/11 with lender, 11/11 with type)
90
Directors & officers
21 officers (4 active, 21 linked, 16 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
20 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
156 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
58/100Worth a look
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Mixed signal. Worth opening the full target workup before deciding to pursue.
Business quality
30
Concerning — overdue filings or status flags present.
Acquirability
85
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
41
Multiple red flags — proceed with caution.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 gazette
Last 180 days
7
filings
- • 2 gazette
- • 2 capital
- • 1 dissolution
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (74 events)Click to expand
- 2026-02-24📄gazette-dissolved-voluntarygazette · GAZ2(A)
- 2026-02-24🏁Company dissolved
- 2025-12-09📄gazette-notice-voluntarygazette · GAZ1(A)
- 2025-11-27📄dissolution-application-strike-off-companydissolution · DS01
- 2025-11-05📄legacycapital · SH20
- 2025-11-05📄capital-statement-capital-company-with-date-currency-figurecapital · SH19
- 2025-11-05⚠️legacyinsolvency · CAP-SS
- 2025-11-05📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2025-10-16➖CLARK, Philomena Butler, Lady resigneddirector
- 2025-10-16📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-07-01📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-12📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2024-02-28➖GALL, Walter Glen Paterson resigneddirector
- 2024-02-28📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-09-12📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2022-09-27📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2021-12-06📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2021-12-06📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-12-06📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-12-06📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-12-06📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2021-12-01➕CLARK, John Arnold appointeddirector
- 2021-12-01➕GRAHAM, James Turner appointeddirector
- 2021-12-01➖MCLEAN, Kenneth John resigneddirector
- 2021-09-16📄accounts-with-accounts-type-dormantaccounts · AA
- 2021-06-10📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2021-06-07➖HARVEY, Mark William Harold resigneddirector
- 2020-08-24➕HARVEY, Mark William Harold appointeddirector
- 2017-04-10➖CLARK, John Arnold resigneddirector
- 2013-11-19➕THORPE, Stuart Kenneth appointedsecretary
- 2013-11-19➖MCLEAN, Kenneth John resignedsecretary
- 2011-05-27➖KERR, Dugald Ferguson resignedsecretary
- 2011-05-27➕MCLEAN, Kenneth John appointedsecretary
- 2011-05-27➖KERR, Dugald Ferguson resigneddirector
- 2006-02-27➕HAWTHORNE, Edward appointeddirector
- 2006-02-27➕KERR, Dugald Ferguson appointeddirector
- 2006-02-27➕MCLEAN, Kenneth John appointeddirector
- 1999-03-22➕KERR, Dugald Ferguson appointedsecretary
- 1999-03-22➖MILNE, Gordon Robertson resignedsecretary
- 1998-08-14🔓Charge satisfied #13
- 1998-07-13🔓Charge satisfied #14
- 1998-07-13🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 1998-07-02🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 1998-06-30🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 1998-06-30🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 1998-06-30🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 1998-05-01➕CLARK, John Arnold appointeddirector
- 1998-05-01➕CLARK, Philomena Butler, Lady appointeddirector
- 1998-05-01➕GALL, Walter Glen Paterson appointeddirector
- 1998-05-01➖LEASK, William Dughall resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 74 events
Owner dependency
68/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 20 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 60 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
70/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 60. Early succession window.
- primary20+ year tenure: Director in role 20 years. Very long tenure is a classic succession signal.
- secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 107 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
2 high · 1 med ·Company dissolved
highCompany has been dissolved — it no longer legally exists. Any diligence here is historical only.
Evidence: Dissolved on 2026-02-24
1 insolvency-related filing on record
highFilings relating to insolvency, liquidation, or administration exist in the company's history. Review before proceeding.
Evidence: 2025-11-05: legacy
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Group structure
Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
THE HARPER MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
This company · SC010490
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%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | — | 75-100% shares | 01/12/2021 |
2 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Lady Philomena Butler Clarkceased 01/12/2021· significant influence
- Sir John Arnold Clarkceased 10/04/2017· significant influence
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 · Other · G postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.L.G.P. CENTURY LP→ SL031008 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| AGE CONCERN EASTWOOD→ SC189499 · est 1998 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 27y | — | — |
| AGES LIMITED→ SC357300 · est 2009 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 17y | — | — |
| AGF DAVIES LIMITED→ SC747437 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| AGRICO TRADING LP→ SL022912 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| AGROMAX SALES L.P.→ SL010955 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| ALARO BUSINESS LP→ SL015052 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
| ALBION CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP→ SL015205 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
| ALCHEMIST COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP→ SL007093 · est 2009 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 17y | — | — |
| ALEXANDER STEPHEN ENGINEERING LIMITED→ SC033493 · est 1900 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 126y | — | — |
| ALITER CAPITAL CARRY LP→ SL028962 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| ALITER CAPITAL CO-INVEST II EXPRESS LP→ SL036068 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
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
Statusdissolved
Typeltd
Incorporated1919-06-27
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC99999 — SIC 99999
Registered office
454 Hillington Road
Glasgow
G52 4FH
Scotland
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: —
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: —
Last: 2025-08-13
Officers (0 active · 17 resigned)
THORPE, Stuart Kenneth→
Activesecretary · appointed 2013-11-19
View their other companies + combined net worth →
CLARK, John Arnold→
Activedirector · ~53y · appointed 2021-12-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
GRAHAM, James Turner→
Activedirector · ~44y · appointed 2021-12-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HAWTHORNE, Edward→
Activedirector · ~60y · appointed 2006-02-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
KERR, Dugald Ferguson→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1999-03-22 · resigned 2011-05-27
MCLEAN, Kenneth John→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2011-05-27 · resigned 2013-11-19
MILNE, Gordon Robertson→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1999-03-22
CLARK, John Arnold→
Resigneddirector · ~99y · appointed 1998-05-01 · resigned 2017-04-10
CLARK, Philomena Butler, Lady→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · appointed 1998-05-01 · resigned 2025-10-16
GALL, Walter Glen Paterson→
Resigneddirector · ~92y · appointed 1998-05-01 · resigned 2024-02-28
HARVEY, Mark William Harold→
Resigneddirector · ~53y · appointed 2020-08-24 · resigned 2021-06-07
KERR, Dugald Ferguson→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 2006-02-27 · resigned 2011-05-27
LEASK, William Dughall→
Resigneddirector · ~84y · appointed 1990-08-09 · resigned 1998-05-01
MCDONALD, James→
Resigneddirector · ~92y · resigned 1998-04-30
MCHARDY, John Alexander Grant→
Resigneddirector · resigned 1990-08-23
MCLEAN, Kenneth John→
Resigneddirector · ~60y · appointed 2006-02-27 · resigned 2021-12-01
MILNE, Gordon Robertson→
Resigneddirector · ~86y · resigned 1998-05-01
NICHOL, Catherine Chayda→
Resigneddirector · ~117y · resigned 1994-02-20
ROBERTSON, William Watson→
Resigneddirector · ~106y · resigned 1992-06-30
ROSS, John Barnetson→
Resigneddirector · ~100y · resigned 1998-04-30
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
11
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:11 of 11 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| satisfied | Ford Credit Europe Ford Credit Europe PLC | Charge over bulk deposit and other receivables by way of equitable assignment | 1 property | 21/07/1994 | 13/07/1998 | |
| satisfied | Ford Credit Europe Ford Credit Europe PLC | Bond & floating charge | 1 property | 15/07/1994 | 03/12/1997 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Letter of offset | 1 property | 21/12/1987 | 14/08/1998 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Standard security | 1 property | 19/11/1987 | 02/12/1997 | |
| satisfied | Ford Motor Credit Co. Ford Motor Credit Co. LTD | Assignation of security | 1 property | 28/07/1987 | 03/12/1997 | |
| satisfied | Ford Motor Credit Co. Ford Motor Credit Co. LTD | Assignation in security | 1 property | 27/07/1987 | 03/12/1997 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Standard security | 1 property | 02/10/1984 | 30/06/1998 | |
| satisfied | Ford Motor Credit Company Ford Motor Credit Company LTD | Assignation in security | 1 property | 05/06/1978 | 13/07/1998 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Standard security | 1 property | 29/12/1976 | 30/06/1998 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Standard security | 1 property | 15/11/1976 | 30/06/1998 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Bond & floating charge | 1 property | 28/07/1964 | 02/07/1998 |
Recent filings (156 total)
gazette-dissolved-voluntary
gazette · GAZ2(A)
2026-02-24
gazette-notice-voluntary
gazette · GAZ1(A)
2025-12-09
dissolution-application-strike-off-company
dissolution · DS01
2025-11-27
legacy
capital · SH20
2025-11-05
capital-statement-capital-company-with-date-currency-figure
capital · SH19
2025-11-05
legacy
insolvency · CAP-SS
2025-11-05
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2025-11-05
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-10-16
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-08-14
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2025-07-01
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2024-09-12
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-08-15
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-02-28
accounts-with-accounts-type-dormant
accounts · AA
2023-09-12
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-08-22