ASCERTRA UK LTD

🌳Matureactive

SC102804 · ltd · incorporated 1987-01-19

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

67/100

Strong

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What this business does

Primary activity: Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Sector: Professional, scientific & technical

ALSO REGISTERED FOR

96090Other service activities n.e.c.

Investor take

Pass (distressed without resilience)

Distressed active trading company — structural issues outweigh the discount.

Opportunity 67/100 (strong), bankability 57/100. Asset purchase likely safer than share purchase given structural signals. Biggest value-creation lever: File overdue accounts. Clears statutory overdue flag — immediate bankability uplift for refinance conversations. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (45/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

6 live charges · 3 lenders · oldest 36.7y

35/100

too messy

Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.

· Oldest live charge is 36.7 years old — likely at or near maturity.
· 3 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
· Legal-friction score 25/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.

Data confidence

Overall: high (81/100)

Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.

Company profile

address, 2 SIC codes, incorporation date

100

Financials

2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed

Lenders & charges

6 charges (5/6 with lender, 6/6 with type)

Directors & officers

9 officers (4 active, 9 linked, 6 with DOB)

Ownership & PSC

1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared

Director network

9 connected companies via shared directors

Filing history

166 filings on record

Gazette notices

No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)

Opportunity Score

67/100Strong

PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional

Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.

Business quality

Adequate — check latest filings for context.

Acquirability

Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.

Risk profile

Some moderate concerns — review flags.

Signal strength

100

Good data coverage for analysis.

Key financials

2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accounts

Cash

—

Net Worth

—

Current Assets

—

Current Liabilities

—

Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series

Financials

Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102

Metric	2023-12-31	2022-12-31
Average employees	1400	1600

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

🔒Filing-note intelligence

2 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

filings

Last 90 days

filings

• 2 gazette

Last 180 days

filings

• 2 gazette

Counts from Companies House filing history.

Corporate timeline (44 events)Click to expand

2026-03-11
📄
gazette-filings-brought-up-to-date
gazette · DISS40
2026-03-10
📄
gazette-notice-compulsory
gazette · GAZ1
2024-11-12
📄
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2023-12-22
📄
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2023-11-03
📄
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-10-20
➕
SIMONS, Keith appointed
director
2022-10-31
📄
memorandum-articles
incorporation · MA
2022-10-31
📄
resolution
resolution · RESOLUTIONS
2022-10-26
📄
capital-name-of-class-of-shares
capital · SH08
2022-10-26
✏️
certificate-change-of-name-company
change-of-name · CERTNM
2022-09-28
📄
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2022-07-25
📄
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC02
2022-07-22
📄
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2022-07-22
📄
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2022-07-22
📄
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2022-07-22
📄
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2022-07-22
📄
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2022-07-22
📄
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2022-07-21
➕
MCKAY, Damian Kevin appointed
director
2022-07-21
➕
MCKINLEY, Matthew appointed
director
2022-07-21
➖
DAVIDSON, Michael James resigned
director
2022-07-21
➖
MCKENZIE, Ian resigned
director
2022-07-20
📄
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2022-07-20
🔓
Charge satisfied #6
2021-09-27
📄
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2020-12-16
📄
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2017-10-24
➕
DENTONS SECRETARIES LIMITED appointed
corporate-secretary
2017-10-24
➖
MACLAY MURRAY & SPENS LLP resigned
corporate-secretary
2012-06-13
🔓
Charge satisfied #4
2012-05-19
🔓
Charge satisfied #5
2011-10-13
🔒
Charge registered #6
Lender: Clydesdale Bank PLC
2007-12-10
➖
IAIN SMITH & COMPANY resigned
corporate-nominee-secretary
2007-12-10
➕
MACLAY MURRAY & SPENS LLP appointed
corporate-secretary
2002-09-25
🔓
Charge satisfied #2
2002-08-30
🔓
Charge satisfied #3
2002-07-03
🔒
Charge registered #5
Lender: The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland
2001-11-29
🔒
Charge registered #4
Lender: The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland
1998-01-30
➖
MARKS, Antony resigned
director
1995-04-10
➕
MARKS, Antony appointed
director
1993-02-01
🔒
Charge registered #3
Lender: Clydesdale Bank Public Limited Company
1992-02-12
🔓
Charge satisfied #1
1991-02-15
🔒
Charge registered #2
Lender: Clydesdale Bank Public Limited Company
1989-08-25
🔒
Charge registered #1
Debenture floating charge
1987-01-19
🏢
Company incorporated
As ASCERTRA UK LTD

Owner dependency

58/100

Moderate — manageable with handover

Some founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.

FACTORS

+Senior director age: Director aged approximately 63 — approaching natural succession window.

Succession & seller-readiness

50/100

Moderate signal

Some succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.

SIGNALS

primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 63. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.

Red flags

1 high · 1 med ·

Accounts overdue

high

Statutory accounts have not been filed by their due date. Can indicate admin breakdown, cash preservation, or deliberate delay.

Evidence: Next due: 2025-12-31

Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern

medium

Multiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.

Group structure

Vela Uk Holdco Ltd is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.

🏛️

Vela Uk Holdco Ltd

Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control

ultimate parent

⬇

ASCERTRA UK LTD

This company · SC102804

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
Vela Uk Holdco Ltd Corporate entity	75–100%	75–100%	board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control	21/07/2022

2 historic (ceased) PSCs

Michael James Davidsonceased 21/07/2022· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting
Ian Mckenzieceased 21/07/2022· 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 · Professional services · G postcode area

Company	Est. value	Turnover	Net worth	Staff	Age	Opp	Director
A BULLOCH & COMPANY LIMITED→ SC532263 · est 2016 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	10y	—	—
A&B VISA CONSULTANTS LTD→ SC777264 · est 2023 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	2y	—	—
A1 PROPERTY LAW LTD→ SC802890 · est 2024 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	2y	—	—
A2B ACCESS AND INSPECTION LTD→ SC597070 · est 2018 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	7y	—	—
AALEX LAW LIMITED→ SC454514 · est 2013 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	12y	—	—
AB ENGINEERING SUPPORT LTD→ SC668272 · est 2020 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	5y	—	—
ABA SERVICES (ACCURATE BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS)→ SC538253 · est 2016 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	9y	—	—
ABACUS ENGINEERING (COOGRA) LIMITED→ SC571156 · est 2017 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	8y	—	—
ABACUS GLASGOW LIMITED→ SC430391 · est 2012 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	13y	—	—
ABB ALBA & CO LIMITED→ SC823152 · est 2024 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	1y	—	—
ABC CONSTRUCTION (SCOTLAND) LTD.→ SC636016 · est 2019 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	6y	—	—
ABERCORN SINCLAIR LTD→ SC620633 · est 2019 · no financials extracted	—	—	—	—	7y	—	—

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

Incorporated1987-01-19

Jurisdictionscotland

Primary SIC70229 — Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Registered office

1 George Square

Glasgow

G2 1AL

United Kingdom

Filing status

Accounts

Next due: 2025-12-31OVERDUE

Last made up to: 2023-12-31

Confirmation statement

Next due: 2026-08-28

Last: 2025-08-14

Officers (4 active · 5 resigned)

DENTONS SECRETARIES LIMITED→

corporate-secretary · appointed 2017-10-24

View their other companies + combined net worth →

Active

MCKAY, Damian Kevin→

director · ~54y · appointed 2022-07-21

View their other companies + combined net worth →

Active

MCKINLEY, Matthew→

director · ~56y · appointed 2022-07-21

View their other companies + combined net worth →

Active

SIMONS, Keith→

director · ~63y · appointed 2023-10-20

View their other companies + combined net worth →

Active

IAIN SMITH & COMPANY→

corporate-nominee-secretary · resigned 2007-12-10

Resigned

MACLAY MURRAY & SPENS LLP→

corporate-secretary · appointed 2007-12-10 · resigned 2017-10-24

Resigned

DAVIDSON, Michael James→

director · ~67y · resigned 2022-07-21

Resigned

MARKS, Antony→

director · ~62y · appointed 1995-04-10 · resigned 1998-01-30

Resigned

MCKENZIE, Ian→

director · ~72y · resigned 2022-07-21

Resigned

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

Mortgages & charges

Total charges

Outstanding

Active lenders

Status:Lender:6 of 6 shown

		Type	Properties
satisfied	Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC	Floating charge	1 property	13/10/2011	20/07/2022
satisfied	Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland	Standard security	1 property	03/07/2002	19/05/2012
satisfied	Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland	Bond & floating charge	1 property	29/11/2001	13/06/2012
satisfied	Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank Public Limited Company	Standard security	1 property	01/02/1993	30/08/2002
satisfied	Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank Public Limited Company	Floating charge	1 property	15/02/1991	25/09/2002
satisfied	Unknown	Debenture floating charge	1 property	25/08/1989	12/02/1992

Recent filings (166 total)

gazette-filings-brought-up-to-date

gazette · DISS40

2026-03-11

gazette-notice-compulsory

gazette · GAZ1

2026-03-10

confirmation-statement-with-no-updates

confirmation-statement · CS01

2025-08-20

accounts-with-accounts-type-small

accounts · AA

2024-11-12

confirmation-statement-with-no-updates

confirmation-statement · CS01

2024-08-16

accounts-with-accounts-type-small

accounts · AA

2023-12-22

appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date

officers · AP01

2023-11-03

confirmation-statement-with-updates

confirmation-statement · CS01

2023-08-24

memorandum-articles

incorporation · MA

2022-10-31

resolution

resolution · RESOLUTIONS

2022-10-31

capital-name-of-class-of-shares

capital · SH08

2022-10-26

certificate-change-of-name-company

change-of-name · CERTNM

2022-10-26

accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full

accounts · AA

2022-09-28

confirmation-statement-with-updates

confirmation-statement · CS01

2022-09-27

notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control

persons-with-significant-control · PSC02

2022-07-25