Genwise Limited Faces Winding-Up Petition
A winding-up petition has been presented against Genwise Limited at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions under case number CR-2026-008477. The filing was recorded on 4 November 2026. Presentation of a petition represents the formal submission of an application to the court by a creditor; it is not a judicial determination of insolvency, nor does it guarantee that a winding-up order will be made.
For commercial counterparties, lenders, and education-sector suppliers, early notification of a registry filing provides essential visibility before public cause lists or statutory notices are printed.
Petition details
The public search records on CE-File confirm the following filing details:
- Case number: CR-2026-008477
- Case title: Genwise Limited
- Filing date: 04-11-2026
- Case type: Companies - Petition - Winding Up Petition
- Source: Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions (CE-File public search)
- Petitioning creditor: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Petitioner solicitor: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Debt amount: [Check the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Hearing details: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
Court cause lists for current hearings can be monitored via the daily winding-up petitions list.
Company snapshot
Companies House records indicate that Genwise Limited (company number 01837445) was incorporated on 1 August 1984 under the previous name Grantraven Limited.
- Registered office: Lime House, Dalston, Carlisle, England, CA5 7BX
- Company status: Voluntary arrangement
- SIC code: 85310 (General secondary education)
- Trading name: Lime House School
- Latest financial turnover: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Net assets: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
Directors and ownership
Public filings at Companies House disclose the following historic and current governance structure:
Current officers
- David Stanley Gates: Director, appointed 29 June 2026. Born June 1947. Nationality: British. Country of residence: United Kingdom.
Resigned officers
- Jacqueline Fisher: Director, appointed 1 December 1994, resigned 29 June 2026. Secretary, appointed 1 December 1998, resigned 29 June 2026. Born March 1961. Nationality: British.
- Nigel Rice: Director, appointed 13 July 1998, resigned 29 June 2026. Born May 1952. Nationality: British.
- Dale Brotherton: Director, appointed 1 December 1994, resigned 20 July 1998. Secretary, appointed 5 July 1993, resigned 1 December 1998. Born May 1970. Nationality: British.
- William Brotherton: Director, resigned 13 January 1998. Born January 1944. Nationality: British.
- William Bernard Mandale: Director, resigned 5 July 1993. Secretary, resigned 5 July 1993. Born July 1944. Nationality: British.
Persons with significant control (PSCs)
- Mr Nigel Rice: Ceased 26 June 2026. Ownership of shares (25% to 50%), voting rights (25% to 50%). Notified 6 April 2016.
- Mrs Jacqueline Fisher: Ceased 26 June 2026. Ownership of shares (25% to 50%). Notified 6 April 2016.
These details reflect factual entries on the public register. Under UK corporate law, insolvency proceedings attach solely to the corporate body, and register records do not imply wrongdoing or personal insolvency of any named individual.
Recent filings and Gazette activity
Prior to the presentation of this winding-up petition, notices were published in The Gazette on 12 October 2026:
- Notice of liquidation appointment: Published 12 October 2026 referencing Genwise Limited (trading as Lime House School), under Insolvency Act 1986 s.109.
- Nature of business: General secondary education.
This follows the statutory filing pattern often seen when corporate restructuring, voluntary arrangements, or prior voluntary liquidation procedures intersect with subsequent court actions.
What this means for suppliers, creditors and counterparties
The presentation of a winding-up petition triggers specific statutory risks under the Insolvency Act 1986. When a company is subject to a petition, commercial relationships face immediate legal considerations:
| Stakeholder | Key Risk | Immediate Operational Consideration |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Trade Suppliers | Section 127 void dispositions | Any payments received after the petition date risk clawback if a winding-up order is granted. |
| Existing Creditors | Distribution ranking | Creditors risk subordination to secured or preferential claimants if compulsory liquidation proceeds. |
| Lenders & Banks | Account freeze risk | Banks typically freeze accounts upon notification of petition advertisement in The Gazette. |
| Purchasers / Conveyancers | Disregarded property transfers | Property transactions completed without court validation orders under s.127 are void. |
Practical risk assessment framework
When a counterparty appears on the Central Registry, commercial teams typically apply this step-by-step review:
1. Verify security: Check if your exposure is backed by personal guarantees, fixed charges, or retention of title clauses.
2. Audit recent transactions: Review any remittances received from 4 November 2026 onwards to evaluate clawback risk.
3. Halt discretionary credit: Switch future deliveries or service arrangements to pro-forma or advance payment structures.
4. Monitor court listings: Track whether a validation order has been sought or if a hearing date is listed via the Companies Court.
Practical scenario: Section 127 clawback risk
Consider an educational resource supplier with £15,000 in overdue invoices against an independent school operator. If the operator makes an electronic payment of £15,000 to the supplier after a petition is presented on 4 November 2026, and a winding-up order is subsequently made, that payment constitutes a disposition of company property under section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
Unless the court grants a retrospective validation order, the official receiver or liquidator can demand repayment of the full £15,000 from the supplier into the liquidation estate. Professional credit managers review ongoing exposure immediately upon presentation rather than waiting for an order.
For credit teams and suppliers
Credit controllers and corporate finance teams must know the exact status of counterparties before releasing assets, signing long-term service agreements, or accepting delayed settlements. Missing a registry presentation can result in clawbacks on trade receipts or unrecoverable bad debts. Where proof of due diligence is required for compliance files, order documentation or credit committees, you can [Get a Winding Up Search Certificate →](#offers-certificate).
How to run a winding up petition search
To conduct a comprehensive check on any company trading in England and Wales, professionals use several statutory records:
1. Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions: Telephone searches or CE-File registry inspections reveal petitions presented before they appear in public notices.
2. The Gazette: Confirms statutory advertisements published under the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016.
3. Companies House: Verifies company status, registered office, accounts, and PSC filings.
Rather than navigating disparate court databases or phoning the registry directly, professionals can conduct a formal winding up search on any prospective business partner. For ongoing risk control, credit teams use free company monitoring to receive automatic updates whenever formal insolvency notices, registry filings, or director changes are lodged.
FAQ
What happens after a winding-up petition is presented?
After a petition is filed at the court, the petitioner must serve the document on the company's registered office. If the debt remains unpaid or undisputed, the petitioner advertises the petition in The Gazette no earlier than seven business days after service, and the court lists the case for a formal hearing.
Does presenting a petition mean the company is in liquidation?
No. Presentation is merely an application to the court by an alleged creditor. A company only enters compulsory liquidation if a judge grants a winding-up order at the formal hearing. The petition may be dismissed, withdrawn, or settled prior to that stage.
What is a Section 127 disposition?
Under section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986, any disposition of company property made after the presentation of a petition is void if a winding-up order is subsequently granted. This means payments made to suppliers or asset transfers can be recovered by a liquidator unless validated by a court order.
How can a counterparty check if a different company faces a petition?
Commercial counterparties can perform an independent winding up petition search or check the registry to confirm whether active legal proceedings have been initiated against another business.
Disclaimer
This report summarises a petition recorded at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions. Presentation of a petition is not a determination of insolvency; the outcome is a matter for the court. Companies believing they are named incorrectly should email contact@corp-intel.co.uk.