ARMY BENEVOLENT FUND
Company number 07974609 · Monitor this company
This analysis was written by an AI from the company's public filings. It may contain errors or omissions and is not financial or professional advice.
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Risk Rating: LOW Justification: The company exhibits strong structural and regulatory stability. As a prominent national military charity limited by guarantee, it operates with a highly structured governance board and demonstrates full compliance with statutory filing requirements. While quantitative financial assessment is restricted by the absence of financial figures in the provided data, the qualitative indicators—specifically its active status, lack of liquidation markers, and institutional backing—point to low operational and solvency risk.
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Key Concerns: * Lack of Financial Visibility: The provided data lacks financial metrics (current assets, liabilities, net assets), making it impossible to quantitatively assess solvency, liquidity, or working capital health. Any investment or funding decision requires a review of the full financial statements. * Governance and Board Size: The board comprises 20 directors. While typical for large institutional charities requiring broad stakeholder representation, a board of this size can occasionally lead to slower decision-making or operational inefficiencies if not managed through a strong executive committee. * Administrative Data Anomalies: There is a duplicate entry for director Caitlin Murea HAYDEN, listed once with British nationality and once with American nationality. While likely a minor administrative error at Companies House, it suggests a need for basic housekeeping in statutory records.
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Positive Indicators: * Regulatory Compliance: The company is fully up to date with its statutory obligations. Accounts and confirmation statements are filed and not overdue, indicating disciplined administrative oversight. * Institutional Governance: The board features high-ranking military personnel (Brigadier, Major General, Warrant Officer Class 1, Army Sergeant Major), demonstrating deep alignment with the organization's charitable mission and providing robust institutional oversight. * Structural Stability: The entity is registered as "PRI/LBG/NSC" (Private, Limited by guarantee, no share capital). This structure is standard for UK charities and precludes equity distribution, ensuring all funds are reinvested into the charitable purpose. The company is active and not in liquidation or administration.
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Due Diligence Notes: * Charity Commission Review: As this entity functions as a charity (SIC 88990), the primary source for financial and operational due diligence should be the Charity Commission register, rather than relying solely on Companies House. The annual report and accounts filed with the Commission will provide detailed insights into reserves, liquidity, and grant-making sustainability. * Name Change Context: The company changed its name from "ABF THE SOLDIERS' CHARITY" to "ARMY BENEVOLENT FUND" in November 2023. It is advisable to clarify whether this represents a strategic rebranding, a structural reorganization, or a reversion to a former identity, and to assess any associated reputational or operational impacts. * Data Cleansing: The duplicate record for director Caitlin Murea HAYDEN should be clarified and rectified with Companies House to ensure the PSC register and directorship records are legally accurate. * Future Accounting Periods: The accounts information notes a "last made up" date of March 31, 2026. This appears to be a future date relative to typical current filings. Verify the accounting reference dates and ensure there are no discrepancies in the filing timeline.