Man Construction Services Faces Winding-Up Petition
A winding-up petition has been presented against Reading-based contractor Man Construction Services Limited. The filing was logged at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions on 22 October 2026 under case number CR-2026-008236. The presentation of a petition is an initial procedural step under the Insolvency Act 1986 and is not a judicial determination of insolvency.
Commercial counterparties tracking high-risk entries on the today's winding-up petitions list will note that a petition represents the earliest formal court signal of an unresolved debt dispute before any hearing takes place.
Petition details
- Company name: MAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED
- Court reference: CR-2026-008236
- Filing date: 22 October 2026
- Case type: Companies - Petition - Winding Up Petition
- Court: Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions (CE-File public search)
- Petition debt: [Check the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Petitioner identity: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
Company snapshot
Public filings at Companies House record that MAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED was incorporated on 5 October 2016. Its registered office is at 39 Haywood Way, Reading, United Kingdom, RG30 4QP.
The company operates under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 43999, designated for "Other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified".
As of October 2026, the company's registration status is recorded as "active - proposal to strike off". The most recent financial accounts filed for the period ended 31 October 2023 reflect:
- Net assets: £75,358
- Average employee count: 2
- Turnover: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Auditor opinion: Not stated in the published source
Directors and ownership
The public register records one active director and one registered Person with Significant Control (PSC):
- Mr Martin Naish: Director, appointed on 5 October 2016. British nationality, country of residence United Kingdom, born September 1967. Occupation is not stated in the published source.
- Mr Martin Naish (PSC): Notified on 5 October 2016. Holds 75% to 100% of the company's shares and voting rights, with the right to appoint and remove directors.
Public register facts are stated as filed. Register entries do not imply any personal liability or wrongdoing regarding court actions against the corporate entity.
Recent filings and Gazette activity
Statutory notices published in The Gazette indicate ongoing administrative actions over recent years. Filings referencing the company appeared on 18 July 2023, 31 October 2023, 27 February 2024, 22 October 2024, and 30 September 2025.
These notices correspond to registrar-led strike-off procedures. Under standard Companies House practice, when an active winding-up petition or court action is notified to the Registrar, compulsory strike-off action is typically suspended to allow the court process to take precedence.
Case assessment summary
| Indicator | Public record status | Commercial consideration |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Court status | Petition presented (22 Oct 2026) | Bank accounts subject to freeze upon bank notification |
| Companies House status | Active - proposal to strike off | Strike-off usually paused pending petition hearing |
| Balance sheet (FY23) | Net assets of £75,358 | Historic micro-entity figures, FY24 accounts overdue |
| Sector exposure | Specialised construction (SIC 43999) | High exposure to sub-contractor liens and supply delays |
What this means for suppliers, creditors and counterparties
Once a petition is presented at court, section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 becomes relevant. Any disposition of company property made after the date of presentation is void if a winding-up order is subsequently made, unless validated by the court.
For commercial partners, this carries concrete implications:
1. Banking operations: Major UK clearing banks review court cause lists daily. Upon discovering an active petition, banks commonly freeze company accounts to avoid section 127 liability.
2. Supplier payments: Payments received from the company between 22 October 2026 and the final hearing risk clawback by an Official Receiver or liquidator unless covered by a validation order.
3. Sub-contractor deliveries: Ongoing credit facilities should be reviewed immediately. Delivery of materials on unsecured terms creates severe bad-debt exposure.
Step-by-step creditor response protocol
- Step 1: Quantify gross exposure. Audit all open invoices, work-in-progress, unbilled retentions, and pending orders.
- Step 2: Cease unsecured credit. Require payment in advance or immediate cleared funds for any critical ongoing works.
- Step 3: Secure retention of title. Identify whether delivered equipment or construction materials on site remain under an enforceable retention of title (RoT) clause.
- Step 4: Conduct formal verification. Conduct a formal winding up search before entering into any settlement or novation agreement.
Scenario: Unsecured sub-contractor exposure
Consider a specialist trade sub-contractor with £18,000 in outstanding invoices against a specialist construction firm facing a newly filed petition. If the sub-contractor continues working on credit, any further billings rank as ordinary unsecured debt in a compulsory liquidation. Conversely, if the debtor offers an immediate lump-sum payment from its corporate account without court validation, that payment could be reclaimed under section 127 if a winding-up order follows. Credit managers in this scenario routinely halt supply until formal proof of dispute resolution or validation is provided.
For credit teams and suppliers
Credit controllers and quantity surveyors managing construction subcontracts must maintain clear visibility over court filings. Catching a petition at the presentation stage gives teams a critical advantage before the petition is advertised in The Gazette. A timely winding up petition search confirms court case numbers and filing status, preventing unrecoverable supplier credit extensions.
When managing ongoing business partnerships across multiple entities, credit managers should implement free company monitoring to receive immediate automated notifications when court proceedings, Gazette notices, or status changes arise.
How to investigate further
To review the full position of Man Construction Services Limited:
- Check the updated register profile at Companies House.
- Verify statutory notice publications directly via The Gazette.
- Access the comprehensive company intelligence report [to see petitioning details](#offers-creditor).
- For formal legal due diligence, [Get a Winding Up Search Certificate →](#offers-certificate).
FAQ
What does the presentation of a petition mean?
It means a creditor has formally lodged a petition at court alleging an unpaid undisputed debt. It marks the commencement of court proceedings but does not mean a winding-up order has been granted.
Can a company trade after a petition is presented?
A company may legally trade, but section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 makes any asset disposals void if an order is later made. As a result, banks frequently freeze accounts once notified.
When is a petition advertised in The Gazette?
Under the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, a petition cannot be advertised until at least seven business days after service on the company. Advertisement usually takes place prior to the substantive court hearing.
What happens if the debt is paid?
If the petition debt is settled or disputed on substantial grounds, the petitioner and respondent can apply to dismiss or withdraw the petition before or at the court hearing.
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.