CANAN LTD.

💤Zombieactive
SC216826 · ltd · incorporated 2001-03-14
Investment thesis
Zombie company — trading but stalled; unlikely mover.
Why interesting: Quiet, steady; could be a succession or carve-out candidate with the right conversation.
Why risky: No growth signal; thin margin for error on price.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Jul 2023
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
🔔
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What this business does
Primary activity: Specialised design activities
Sector: Professional, scientific & technical
ALSO REGISTERED FOR
  • 74300Translation and interpretation activities
  • 82301Activities of exhibition and fair organisers
Investor take
Pursue
Active trading company with a 60-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.

Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 85/100. Strong seller-intent signal (65/100, director aged 60). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Broaden director team. Sole director creates succession risk and reduces buyer comfort. Appoint a second director or strong #2. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).

🏦

Refinance opportunity

2 live charges · 2 lenders · oldest 24.4y

30/100
under pressure

Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.

  • · Oldest live charge is 24.4 years old — likely at or near maturity.
  • · Two lenders — manageable, but coordination required.
  • · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.

Data confidence

Overall: medium (74/100)

Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.

Company profile
address, 3 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
1 year of iXBRL accounts extracted (no YoY comparison) + narrative notes parsed
50
Lenders & charges
2 charges (2/2 with lender, 2/2 with type)
90
Directors & officers
18 officers (1 active, 18 linked, 14 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
7 connected companies via shared directors
66
Filing history
103 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.

Key financials

1 year extracted from filed iXBRL accounts
Cash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—

Financials

Extracted from Companies House accounts · FRS 102
Metric2023-07-31
Average employees200

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

🔒Filing-note intelligence

3 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
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 90 days
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
1
filing
  • • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (57 events)Click to expand
  1. 2025-06-16
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  2. 2024-06-05
    📄
    gazette-filings-brought-up-to-date
    gazette · DISS40
  3. 2024-06-04
    📄
    gazette-notice-compulsory
    gazette · GAZ1
  4. 2024-03-20
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  5. 2023-04-27
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  6. 2023-03-31
    ➖
    CAMPBELL, Murdo resigned
    director
  7. 2023-03-01
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  8. 2022-12-12
    ➖
    MORRISON, John resigned
    director
  9. 2022-12-12
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  10. 2021-12-21
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  11. 2021-05-20
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  12. 2020-04-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
    accounts · AA
  13. 2019-01-07
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-unaudited-abridged
    accounts · AA
  14. 2018-08-22
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  15. 2018-08-22
    📄
    appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
    officers · AP01
  16. 2018-08-22
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  17. 2018-06-20
    ➕
    MACINNES, Angus Donald John Macquien appointed
    director
  18. 2018-06-20
    ➕
    MORRISON, John appointed
    director
  19. 2018-06-20
    ➖
    ROBERTSON, Alasdair Gilleasbuig Boyd, Professor resigned
    director
  20. 2018-06-18
    📄
    termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM01
  21. 2018-06-18
    📄
    termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-date
    officers · TM02
  22. 2018-05-03
    ➖
    GORDON, Iain Andrew resigned
    secretary
  23. 2018-05-03
    ➖
    GORDON, Iain Andrew resigned
    director
  24. 2018-04-30
    📄
    accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
    accounts · AA
  25. 2014-03-07
    ➕
    CAMPBELL, Murdo appointed
    director
  26. 2012-06-27
    ➖
    BEATON, Donella resigned
    director
  27. 2012-06-12
    ➖
    HUNT, Ian Spinks resigned
    director
  28. 2011-03-31
    ➖
    MACLEOD, Lorne Buchanan resigned
    director
  29. 2010-02-23
    ➕
    GORDON, Iain Andrew appointed
    secretary
  30. 2010-02-23
    ➖
    DICK, Lachlan Finlay resigned
    director
  31. 2010-02-23
    ➕
    GORDON, Iain Andrew appointed
    director
  32. 2010-02-23
    ➖
    MACGREGOR, Donald Budge resigned
    director
  33. 2009-06-03
    ➕
    ROBERTSON, Alasdair Gilleasbuig Boyd, Professor appointed
    director
  34. 2009-03-06
    ➖
    ROBERTSON, Calum resigned
    secretary
  35. 2008-12-17
    ➖
    GILLIES, Norman Neil Nicolson, Professor resigned
    director
  36. 2007-09-04
    ➖
    MACINTOSH, Farquhar, Dr resigned
    director
  37. 2007-01-23
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #2
  38. 2006-11-11
    🔓
    Charge satisfied #1
  39. 2006-04-01
    ➕
    MACLEOD, Lorne Buchanan appointed
    director
  40. 2006-03-17
    ➖
    CAMERON, Margaret resigned
    director
  41. 2006-03-17
    ➖
    MACRAE, Karen Isobel resigned
    director
  42. 2005-11-11
    ➕
    BEATON, Donella appointed
    director
  43. 2005-11-11
    ➕
    HUNT, Ian Spinks appointed
    director
  44. 2004-11-12
    ➕
    MACGREGOR, Donald Budge appointed
    director
  45. 2004-06-11
    ➕
    MACRAE, Karen Isobel appointed
    director
  46. 2002-06-07
    ➕
    CAMERON, Margaret appointed
    director
  47. 2002-06-07
    ➕
    MACINTOSH, Farquhar, Dr appointed
    director
  48. 2002-01-15
    🔒
    Charge registered #2
    Lender: The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland
  49. 2001-12-12
    🔒
    Charge registered #1
    Lender: Skye & Lochalsh Local Enterprise Company Limited
  50. 2001-03-14
    🏢
    Company incorporated
    As CANAN LTD.
Showing most recent 50 of 57 events

Owner dependency

83/100
Critical — business is the founder

The business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.

FACTORS
  • +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
  • +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 60 — approaching natural succession window.

Succession & seller-readiness

65/100
Strong succession signal

Multiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.

SIGNALS
  • secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 60. Early succession window.
  • primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
  • secondaryStable-but-static management: Company is 25 years old and no new directors in the last 3 years — succession not yet being planned internally.

Red flags

clean
No red flags detected from available public data. (This is not a clean bill of health — detailed accounts review still recommended.)

Group structure

Canan Alba Ltd is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.

🏛️
Canan Alba Ltd
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
ultimate parent
⬇
CANAN LTD.
This company · SC216826

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%
NameSharesVoting rightsNature of controlNotified
Canan Alba Ltd
Corporate entity
75–100%
75–100%board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control06/04/2016

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 →

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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
Typeltd
Incorporated2001-03-14
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC74100 — Specialised design activities

Registered office

Sabhal Mor Ostaig
Sleat
Isle Of Skye
IV44 8RQ

Filing status

Accounts
Next due: 2026-04-30
Last made up to: 2024-07-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-03-28
Last: 2026-03-14

Officers (1 active · 17 resigned)

MACINNES, Angus Donald John Macquien→
director · ~60y · appointed 2018-06-20
View their other companies + combined net worth →
Active
GORDON, Iain Andrew→
secretary · appointed 2010-02-23 · resigned 2018-05-03
Resigned
ROBERTSON, Calum→
secretary · appointed 2001-03-14 · resigned 2009-03-06
Resigned
BRIAN REID LTD.→
corporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2001-03-14 · resigned 2001-03-14
Resigned
BEATON, Donella→
director · ~63y · appointed 2005-11-11 · resigned 2012-06-27
Resigned
CAMERON, Margaret→
director · ~64y · appointed 2002-06-07 · resigned 2006-03-17
Resigned
CAMPBELL, Murdo→
director · ~74y · appointed 2014-03-07 · resigned 2023-03-31
Resigned
DICK, Lachlan Finlay→
director · ~91y · appointed 2001-03-14 · resigned 2010-02-23
Resigned
GILLIES, Norman Neil Nicolson, Professor→
director · ~79y · appointed 2001-03-14 · resigned 2008-12-17
Resigned
GORDON, Iain Andrew→
director · ~77y · appointed 2010-02-23 · resigned 2018-05-03
Resigned
HUNT, Ian Spinks→
director · ~72y · appointed 2005-11-11 · resigned 2012-06-12
Resigned
MACGREGOR, Donald Budge→
director · ~82y · appointed 2004-11-12 · resigned 2010-02-23
Resigned
MACINTOSH, Farquhar, Dr→
director · ~103y · appointed 2002-06-07 · resigned 2007-09-04
Resigned
MACLEOD, Lorne Buchanan→
director · ~63y · appointed 2006-04-01 · resigned 2011-03-31
Resigned
MACRAE, Karen Isobel→
director · ~70y · appointed 2004-06-11 · resigned 2006-03-17
Resigned
MORRISON, John→
director · ~65y · appointed 2018-06-20 · resigned 2022-12-12
Resigned
ROBERTSON, Alasdair Gilleasbuig Boyd, Professor→
director · ~77y · appointed 2009-06-03 · resigned 2018-06-20
Resigned
STEPHEN MABBOTT LTD.→
corporate-nominee-director · appointed 2001-03-14 · resigned 2001-03-14
Resigned

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

Mortgages & charges

2
Total charges
0
Outstanding
0
Active lenders
Status:Lender:2 of 2 shown
TypeProperties
satisfied
Lloyds Banking Group
The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland
Floating charge1 property15/01/200223/01/2007
satisfied
Skye & Lochalsh Local Enterprise Company
Skye & Lochalsh Local Enterprise Company Limited
Floating charge1 property12/12/200111/11/2006

Recent filings (103 total)

confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-03-26
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-06-16
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-04-22
gazette-filings-brought-up-to-date
gazette · DISS40
2024-06-05
gazette-notice-compulsory
gazette · GAZ1
2024-06-04
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-05-30
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-03-20
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-04-27
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-04-27
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-03-01
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2022-12-12
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-04-26
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2021-12-21
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2021-05-20
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2021-04-30