MONTANARO EUROPEAN SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC
🌳Matureactive
SC074677 · plc · incorporated 1981-05-05
Investment thesis
Looks cheap but ownership + security both unclear — probable value trap.
Why interesting: Headline metrics may be attractive.
Why risky: No PSC visibility combined with multiple live charges; transacting likely slow and expensive.
Opportunity decay
approaching window · 12-months
Approaching a transaction window — refinance or sale event plausible in the next 12 months.
- · Oldest live charge 12.6y old — refinance window within 12 months
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
78/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Financial intermediation not elsewhere classified
Sector: Financial & insurance
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 67-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 78/100 (strong), bankability 75/100. Strong seller-intent signal (73/100, director aged 67). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Most likely exit: strategic trade sale (73/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
4 live charges · 2 lenders · oldest 12.6y
70/100
ready
Refinance conversation should be productive — structure clean and timing right.
- · Oldest live charge is 12.6 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Two lenders — manageable, but coordination required.
- · Legal-friction score 20/100 — clean.
Data confidence
Overall: low (49/100)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
4 charges (4/4 with lender, 4/4 with type)
90
Directors & officers
26 officers (4 active, 26 linked, 19 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
No PSCs filed (unusual — worth investigating)
35
Director network
2 connected companies via shared directors
51
Filing history
316 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
78/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
75
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
4
filings
- • 3 capital
- • 1 resolution
Last 90 days
10
filings
- • 9 capital
- • 1 resolution
Last 180 days
23
filings
- • 20 capital
- • 2 resolution
- • 1 officers
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (75 events)Click to expand
- 2026-04-09📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2026-04-09📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-04-01📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-03-26📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-03-05📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-03-02📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-02-25📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-02-18📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-02-02📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-01-23📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-01-14📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-01-09📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-01-07📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2026-01-02📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-12-31➖CURLING, Richard Michael resigneddirector
- 2025-12-05📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-12-05📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-12-01📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-11-25📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2025-11-20📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-11-20📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-11-12📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-11-10📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-28📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-10-21📄capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-datecapital · SH03
- 2025-09-17📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-06➕WILLIAMS, Hillary Clare appointeddirector
- 2023-07-01➕JUNIPER PARTNERS LTD appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2023-06-30➖LINK COMPANY MATTERS LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2020-12-31➖SOMERSET WEBB, Merryn Rosemary resigneddirector
- 2020-09-21➕NEILLY, Gordon Joseph appointeddirector
- 2019-04-01➕LINK COMPANY MATTERS LIMITED appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2019-03-31➖BMO INVESTMENT BUSINESS LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2018-09-25🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2018-09-25🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2018-09-25🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2018-09-10🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch
- 2018-08-29➖GRAHAM, Robert Bruce Mclaren resigneddirector
- 2018-08-29➖HAMMOND CHAMBERS, Robert Alexander resigneddirector
- 2018-08-29➖IRVINE, Andrew Robertson resigneddirector
- 2017-11-08➕ROXBURGH, Caroline Anne appointeddirector
- 2016-02-23🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch
- 2015-11-12➖MARTIN, Richard Macintyre resigneddirector
- 2015-11-02➕CURLING, Richard Michael appointeddirector
- 2014-12-12🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Ing Bank N.V., London Branch
- 2013-09-11🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Ing Bank N.V.
- 2012-07-19➖LUMSDEN, John resigneddirector
- 2011-03-28➕SOMERSET WEBB, Merryn Rosemary appointeddirector
- 2007-02-02➖HAY SMITH, Gordon Robert resignedsecretary
- 2007-02-02➕BMO INVESTMENT BUSINESS LIMITED appointedcorporate-secretary
Showing most recent 50 of 75 events
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
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 67 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
50/100
Moderate signalSome succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 67. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
Red flags
1 med ·Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
🔒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
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACKROCK DIVERSIFIED PRIVATE DEBT FUND GP LIMITED→ SC680149 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| BLACKROCK SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC→ SC006176 · est 1906 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 119y | — | — |
| BLANK CANVAS MORTGAGES LIMITED→ SC835108 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| BLUESKY INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGERS LTD→ SC535531 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| BORDER TO COAST BEDFORDSHIRE GP LIMITED→ SC626605 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BORDER TO COAST CUMBRIA GP LIMITED→ SC626604 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BORDER TO COAST DURHAM GP LIMITED→ SC626601 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BORDER TO COAST SURREY GP LIMITED→ SC626608 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BORDER TO COAST TYNE & WEAR GP LIMITED→ SC626610 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BORDER TO COAST WARWICKSHIRE GP LIMITED→ SC626609 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| BRABEUM INVESTMENTS LIMITED→ SC689999 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| BRAVO (DRINKS) LIMITED→ SC669698 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
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
Incorporated1981-05-05
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC64999 — Financial intermediation not elsewhere classified
Registered office
28 Walker Street
Edinburgh
EH3 7HR
Scotland
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2025-03-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-07-24
Last: 2025-07-10
Officers (4 active · 22 resigned)
JUNIPER PARTNERS LTD→
Activecorporate-secretary · appointed 2023-07-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
NEILLY, Gordon Joseph→
Activedirector · ~66y · appointed 2020-09-21
View their other companies + combined net worth →
ROXBURGH, Caroline Anne→
Activedirector · ~67y · appointed 2017-11-08
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WILLIAMS, Hillary Clare→
Activedirector · ~60y · appointed 2024-09-06
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HANNAY, Keith Patrick→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1998-10-28 · resigned 2001-09-06
HAY SMITH, Gordon Robert→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2001-09-06 · resigned 2007-02-02
HUMPHRIES, Gordon John→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1993-05-12 · resigned 1998-10-28
PATERSON-BROWN, Ian John→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1993-05-12
BMO INVESTMENT BUSINESS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2007-02-02 · resigned 2019-03-31
LINK COMPANY MATTERS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2019-04-01 · resigned 2023-06-30
BALFOUR, Peter Edward Gerald→
Resigneddirector · ~105y · resigned 1992-01-10
BERESFORD, Wilfred John→
Resigneddirector · ~87y · appointed 1992-01-10 · resigned 1994-06-22
CURLING, Richard Michael→
Resigneddirector · ~68y · appointed 2015-11-02 · resigned 2025-12-31
FAULCONER HEATHCOAT GRANT, Ian→
Resigneddirector · ~87y · resigned 1989-09-19
GRAHAM, Robert Bruce Mclaren→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · appointed 2003-06-24 · resigned 2018-08-29
HAMMOND CHAMBERS, Robert Alexander→
Resigneddirector · ~84y · appointed 2004-06-22 · resigned 2018-08-29
HOOD, Neil, Professor→
Resigneddirector · ~83y · appointed 1990-12-13 · resigned 1998-06-24
INGLIS, Ian Brownlie→
Resigneddirector · ~85y · appointed 1992-01-10 · resigned 2003-06-24
IRVINE, Andrew Robertson→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 1992-01-10 · resigned 2018-08-29
JOHNSTON, Thomas Lothian, Dr→
Resigneddirector · ~99y · resigned 1992-01-10
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
4
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:4 of 4 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch | A registered charge | 1 property | 10/09/2018 | — | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch | A registered charge | — | 23/02/2016 | 25/09/2018 | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V., London Branch | A registered charge | — | 12/12/2014 | 25/09/2018 | |
| satisfied | Ing Bank N.V. | A registered charge | 1 property | 11/09/2013 | 25/09/2018 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (316 total)
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2026-04-09
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-09
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-04-01
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-03-26
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-03-05
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-03-02
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-02-25
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-02-18
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-02-02
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-01-23
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-01-14
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-01-09
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2026-01-07
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-01-02
capital-return-purchase-own-shares-treasury-capital-date
capital · SH03
2025-12-05