DSL BUSINESS FINANCE LTD
🌳Matureactive
SC145739 · private-limited-guarant-nsc · incorporated 1993-08-03
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
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
70/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Other credit granting n.e.c.
Sector: Financial & insurance
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 68-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 70/100 (strong), bankability 57/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 68). Asset purchase likely safer than share purchase given structural signals. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 5 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: strategic trade sale (48/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
22 live charges · 5 lenders · oldest 29.4y
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 29.4 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 5 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 63/100 (high).
Data confidence
Overall: medium (60/100)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
22 charges (22/22 with lender, 22/22 with type)
90
Directors & officers
57 officers (5 active, 57 linked, 47 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
10 connected companies via shared directors
75
Filing history
233 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
70/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
60
Adequate — check latest filings for context.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
66
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
3
filings
- • 3 officers
Last 180 days
5
filings
- • 5 officers
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (171 events)Click to expand
- 2026-03-20📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-03-02📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2026-03-02📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2026-02-27➕SMITH, Simon appointeddirector
- 2026-02-27➖PARTRIDGE, Claire Louise resigneddirector
- 2026-02-27➖YOUNG, Elizabeth Louise resigneddirector
- 2026-01-12➖TENNANT, Lisa Karen resigneddirector
- 2026-01-12📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-11-13📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2025-09-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-12-11📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2024-11-28📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-11-28📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-11-27➖AVILA, Martin resigneddirector
- 2024-11-27➖WOOD, Lesley Marie resigneddirector
- 2024-08-09➖ANDREWS, Linda Margaret resigneddirector
- 2024-08-09📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-07-31📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-07-12➕PARTRIDGE, Claire Louise appointeddirector
- 2024-06-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-06-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-06-03📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-05-22➕BURNSIDE, Iain Alan appointeddirector
- 2024-05-22➕NICOLL, Jennifer appointeddirector
- 2024-05-22➕TENNANT, Lisa Karen appointeddirector
- 2023-12-15📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2023-11-22📄appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP03
- 2023-11-22📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2023-11-15➕SEAGRAVE, Joanne Elizabeth appointedsecretary
- 2023-11-15➖AVILA, Martin resignedsecretary
- 2023-11-07📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-08-23➕AVILA, Martin appointedsecretary
- 2023-08-23📄appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP03
- 2023-08-23📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2023-08-18➖MCCLUNE, Fiona Ann resignedsecretary
- 2023-08-18➕YOUNG, Elizabeth Louise appointeddirector
- 2023-07-03📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-06-30➖JAMIESON, Derek Keith resigneddirector
- 2023-01-09📄accounts-with-accounts-type-smallaccounts · AA
- 2022-12-20➖GIL, Oonagh Patricia resigneddirector
- 2022-09-06➖GARDINER, Marian resigneddirector
- 2022-08-08🔒Charge registered #22Lender: Unity Trust Bank PLC
- 2022-08-08🔒Charge registered #21Lender: Unity Trust Bank PLC
- 2021-12-13➕ANDREWS, Linda Margaret appointeddirector
- 2021-12-13➕GIL, Oonagh Patricia appointeddirector
- 2021-11-17➖CARMICHAEL, Iain James Keith resigneddirector
- 2021-08-20➕AVILA, Martin appointeddirector
- 2021-05-10➖MITCHELL, Ian resigneddirector
- 2021-03-22🔓Charge satisfied #16
- 2021-03-22🔓Charge satisfied #15
Showing most recent 50 of 171 events
Owner dependency
55/100
Moderate — manageable with handoverSome founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.
FACTORS
- -4 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 68 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
63/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 68. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 15 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
2 med · 1 low3 director resignations in last 12 months
mediumMultiple recent departures can indicate governance disagreement, succession event, or preparation for sale/stress.
Evidence: PARTRIDGE, Claire Louise resigned 2026-02-27; TENNANT, Lisa Karen resigned 2026-01-12; YOUNG, Elizabeth Louise resigned 2026-02-27
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
5 live charges
lowHeavily leveraged with multiple live security positions — understand the capital structure before proceeding.
Group structure
Community Enterprise In Scotland is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️
Community Enterprise In Scotland
Corporate parent
⬇
DSL BUSINESS FINANCE LTD
This company · SC145739
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Community Enterprise In Scotland Corporate entity | — | 75–100% | 75-100% voting | 06/04/2016 |
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
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALL NAMES TAKEN LTD→ SC677738 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AMANA TRANSFER LTD→ SC869992 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AMI FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED→ SC533818 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| AML ASSOCIATES FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD.→ SC238338 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
| ANISON LTD→ SC327325 · est 2007 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 18y | — | — |
| ARC MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS LTD→ SC616999 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| ARGYLE FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED→ SC314410 · est 2007 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 19y | — | — |
| ARGYLE PRIVATE OFFICE LTD→ SC454493 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 12y | — | — |
| ARTHUR BEVERLY FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED→ SC342744 · est 2008 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 17y | — | — |
| ASHLEY BAXTER LIMITED→ SC528892 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| AT P.I SOLUTIONS LTD→ SC791877 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| BARNELLAN EQUITY ADVICE LTD.→ SC236353 · est 2002 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 23y | — | — |
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
Typeprivate-limited-guarant-nsc
Incorporated1993-08-03
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC64929 — Other credit granting n.e.c.
Registered office
5 Dava Street
Glasgow
G51 2JA
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-12-31
Last made up to: 2025-03-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-08-17
Last: 2025-08-03
Officers (5 active · 52 resigned)
SEAGRAVE, Joanne Elizabeth→
Activesecretary · appointed 2023-11-15
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BURNSIDE, Iain Alan→
Activedirector · ~67y · appointed 2024-05-22
View their other companies + combined net worth →
NICOLL, Jennifer→
Activedirector · ~62y · appointed 2024-05-22
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SMITH, Simon→
Activedirector · ~53y · appointed 2026-02-27
View their other companies + combined net worth →
YUILL, Stuart Mitchell→
Activedirector · ~68y · appointed 2011-05-06
View their other companies + combined net worth →
AVILA, Martin→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2023-08-23 · resigned 2023-11-15
CLOSE, Ailsa Elizabeth→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2003-09-01 · resigned 2004-11-26
EWING, Mark Espie→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1993-08-03 · resigned 2003-07-01
GRIMES, Alistair Bernard, Dr→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2005-05-26 · resigned 2005-05-26
LANCASTER, Eunice→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2004-11-26 · resigned 2013-03-20
MCCLUNE, Fiona Ann→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2015-12-18 · resigned 2023-08-18
NICOL, Deborah→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2013-03-20 · resigned 2015-12-18
RENNIE, Iain→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2005-05-26 · resigned 2005-05-26
SAEZ, Ronnie→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2005-05-26 · resigned 2005-07-31
ALEXANDER, Alan, Professor→
Resigneddirector · ~83y · appointed 1998-09-02 · resigned 2001-08-21
ANDREWS, Linda Margaret→
Resigneddirector · ~59y · appointed 2021-12-13 · resigned 2024-08-09
AVILA, Martin→
Resigneddirector · ~45y · appointed 2021-08-20 · resigned 2024-11-27
CARMICHAEL, Iain James Keith→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2009-05-28 · resigned 2021-11-17
COYNE, David→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2003-09-01 · resigned 2004-02-26
FINLAYSON, Robert→
Resigneddirector · ~84y · appointed 1995-11-22 · resigned 1997-03-03
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
22
Total charges
5
Outstanding
2
Active lenders
Status:Lender:22 of 22 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | — | 08/08/2022 | — | |
| outstanding | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | — | 08/08/2022 | — | |
| outstanding | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 27/02/2018 | — | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 22/11/2017 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Dsl Business Finance Dsl Business Finance LTD | A registered charge | 1 property | 03/08/2017 | 18/03/2021 | |
| outstanding | The Start-Up Loans Company | A registered charge | — | 16/03/2017 | — | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 07/12/2016 | 22/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 19/09/2016 | 22/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 19/05/2016 | 22/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 25/01/2016 | 22/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 07/12/2015 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Bank Unity Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 11/09/2015 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 21/05/2015 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 09/12/2014 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 28/08/2014 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 23/04/2014 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 24/02/2014 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 15/11/2013 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 29/08/2013 | 18/03/2021 | |
| satisfied | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 02/05/2013 | 18/03/2021 | |
| outstanding | Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank PLC | Floating charge | 1 property | 27/09/2001 | — | |
| satisfied | Glasgow City Council | Floating charge | 1 property | 25/11/1996 | 14/11/2000 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (233 total)
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-03-20
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-03-02
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-03-02
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-01-12
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2025-11-13
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2025-09-30
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-08-04
accounts-with-accounts-type-small
accounts · AA
2024-12-11
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-11-28
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-11-28
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-08-09
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-08-05
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-07-31
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-06-03
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-06-03