The directors present the Group Strategic Report for Eurocom Investments Limited and its subsidiary company for the year ended 31 October 2023.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the Group is the trading of iron and steel products globally.
Business review and principal risks and uncertainties
We are satisfied with the performance of the Group for the year ending October 2023, although the period has not been without its challenges. In February 2022, the company decided to discontinue buying steel from Russia because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which was well in advance of imposition of formal sanction by the UK government. Furthermore, the Indian government imposed an export tax in May 2022 which was not reversed until November 2022 which effected both turnover and profit especially as India became the company’s major sourcing country after ceasing trade with Russia.
Undoubtedly, the company flexible and adaptive steel trading strategy has been instrumental in navigating an extremely difficult period in steel trading.
Turnover has decreased from $370m in 2022 to $52m in 2023 with gross profit decreasing from $6m in 2022 to $1m in 2023. There is a profit for the year of $1.2m compared to a profit of $3.2m in 2022. At the year end, the Group had a net current asset position of $29.7m (2022 - $28.5m).
Future developments
The Group will continue to operate in its existing markets, working to develop trade with new and existing partners. It will also continue to explore new opportunities to further strengthen the core business.
There has been a fall in steel prices world-wide due to the twin threats of inflation and a curtailment of demand precipitated by inflation tackling interest rates hikes. The company was largely unaffected by this as the reversal was not unanticipated, although the company’s risk averse strategy means we have been far more selective in the trades we undertake even at the expense of temporarily reducing our volumes.
The Group recognises that inflation is on the rise which may result in an increase in interest rates and consequently the banking costs of international trade squeezing already tight profit margins.
The Group also acknowledges the possible impact on steel prices due to liquidity problems within the Chinese property sector which comprises 40% of Chinese steel requirement. Since China represents 55% of world steel demand this situation needs to be closely monitored.
Financial risk management
The Group takes a very cautious approach to risk with open stock positions closely monitored. Sales are largely based on letter of credit or on open terms basis with credit insurance cover where such cover is readily available.
There has been a fall in steel prices world-wide due to the twin threats of inflation and a curtailment of demand precipitated by inflation tackling interest rates hikes. The company was largely unaffected by this as the reversal was not unanticipated, although the company’s risk averse strategy means we have been far more selective in the trades we undertake even at the expense of temporarily reducing our volumes.
When dealing with a new company or supplier, the Group makes independent enquiries regarding the reputation of the counter party both in their ability to perform and to conduct themselves ethically and fairly in business dealings.
Finally, we continually review our risk management criteria to take into account new industry specific information, external shocks and general macro-economic indicators.
Details of the Group's financial instruments and its policies with regards to financial risk management are given in Note 16 to the financial statements.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2023.
The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to $1,172,728 (2022 - $3,240,132).
The directors paid a final dividend of $Nil (2022 - $15,854).
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
Matters covered in the Strategic Report
Where necessary, disclosures relating to future developments have been made in the Strategic Report and have not been repeated here in accordance with section 414C of the Companies Act 2006.
Disclosure of information to auditor
Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditor is unaware, and
the director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditor is aware of that information.
This information is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.
There have been no significant events affecting the Company since the year end.
As the group has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, it qualifies as a low energy user under these regulations and is not required to report on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.
We have audited the financial statements of Eurocom Investments Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 October 2023 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to industry sector regulations and unethical and prohibited business practices, and we considered the extent to which noncompliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and UK Tax Legislation. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls). Appropriate audit procedures in response to these risks were carried out. These procedures included:
Discussions with management, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;
Reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
Obtaining and reading correspondence from legal and regulatory bodies including HMRC;
Identifying and testing journal entries;
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members; and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentation, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was $897,649 (2022 - $442,557 profit).
Eurocom Investments Limited (“the company”) is a private company, limited by shares, domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales (registered number: 06579082). The address of the registered office is Flat 41, 3-8 Porchester Gate, Bayswater Road, London, W2 3HP.
The company’s financial statements are prepared for the year ended 31 October 2023.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in USD, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest $.
In preparing the separate financial statements of the Parent Company, advantage has been taken of the following disclosure exemptions available in FRS 102:
Only one reconciliation of the number of shares outstanding at the beginning and end of the year has been presented as the reconciliation for the Group and the Parent Company would be identical;
No Statement of Cash Flows has been presented for the Parent Company; and
No disclosures have been given for the aggregate remuneration of the key management personnel of the Parent Company as their remuneration is included in the totals for the Group as a whole.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Eurocom Investments Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 31 October 2023. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
Entities in which the group holds an interest and which are jointly controlled by the group and one or more other venturers under a contractual arrangement are treated as joint ventures. Entities other than subsidiary undertakings or joint ventures, in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates.
Investments in joint ventures and associates are carried in the group balance sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the group’s share of the net assets of the entity, less any impairment in value. The carrying values of investments in joint ventures and associates include acquired goodwill.
If the group’s share of losses in a joint venture or associate equals or exceeds its investment in the joint venture or associate, the group does not recognise further losses unless it has incurred obligations to do so or has made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate.
Unrealised gains arising from transactions with joint ventures and associates are eliminated to the extent of the group’s interest in the entity.
The directors have carefully reviewed the future prospects of the Company and its future cash flows, including an assessment of the countries and markets in which the Company is active. Having assessed this, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future being at least the next 12 months from signing of these financial statements. This is based on their assessment of current trading, the structure of any deals undertaken, strong cash reserves and a sensitivity analysis conducted on costs to the business. In addition the directors continue to monitor their exposure to inventory risk to ensure they are not subjected to any going concern threats.
Foreign currency translation
Functional and presentation currency
The Group's functional and presentational currency is USD.
Transactions and balances
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into dollars at the average rate ruling in the month of the transaction according to HMRC guidance. The directors have considered this against using the spot exchange rates at the date of transactions noting an immaterial difference.
At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at the period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss.
Foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in profit or loss within administrative expenses.
The average sterling exchange rate for the year used by the Group was $1.2367 = £1 (2022 - $1.3167). The sterling exchange rate at the period end used by the Group was $1.1234 = £1 (2022 - $1.1514). The average euro exchange rate for the period used by the Group was $1.0827 = €1 (2022 - $1.1190). The euro exchange rate at the period end used by the Group was $1.0567 = €1 (2022 - $0.9885).
Revenue is recognised to the extent that is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes.
Revenue is recognised on the shipment date of goods, being when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the buyer. As the substance of the transaction is that the Group is acting as principal, turnover is recognised as the gross amount received or receivable in respect of its performance under sales contracts with the customer.
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases. At the statement of financial position date all leases are classified as operating leases.
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the terms of the relevant lease.
Interest income
Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.
Associates and joint ventures
An entity is treated as a joint venture where the Group is a party to a contractual agreement with one or more parties from outside the Group to undertake an economic activity that is subject to joint control.
An entity is treated as an associated undertaking where the Group exercises significant influence in that it has the power to participate in the operating and financial policy decisions.
Investments in joint ventures are measured at cost and are then subsequently adjusted to reflect the Group's share of the profit or loss of the joint venture less accumulated impairment in the financial statements of the Company.
Current asset investment
Current asset investments relate to US treasury notes. These are classified as basic financial instruments and measured on initial recognition at transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Trade and other debtors and creditors are classified as basic financial instruments and measured at initial recognition at transaction price. A provision is established when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due.
Cash and cash equivalents are classified as basic financial instruments and comprise of cash in hand and at bank, short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less and bank overdrafts which are an integral part of the Company's cash management.
Derivative financial instruments are classified as other financial instruments. They are measured at fair value on initial recognition and at the end of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments issued by the Company are classified in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into and the definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.
Interest bearing bank loans, overdrafts and other loans which meet the criteria to be classified as basic financial instruments are initially recorded at the present value of cash payable to the bank, which is ordinarily equal to the proceeds received net of direct issue costs. These liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting practices requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the Statement of Financial Position date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Judgements
Revenue recognition
The directors consider that the Group is acting as "principal" for all trades completed. As a result, the associated sales and cost of sales are recognised gross in profit or loss. FRS 102 provides limited guidance regarding such considerations. Accordingly, we have considered previous UK GAAP guidance and IFRS guidance, and given the Group has credit risk on its sale to the buyer with letters of credit being in the Group name, the Group has price risk and the Group has stock risk on its purchase the directors consider that the Group has exposure to significant risks and rewards.
Bad debt provisions
The trade debtor balances of $2,532,364 (2022 - $7,575,868) recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position comprise a relatively small number of large balances. A full line by line review of trade debtors is carried out at the end of each month. Whilst every attempt is made to ensure that the bad debt provisions are as accurate as possible, there remains a risk that the provisions do not match the level of debts which ultimately prove to be uncollectible.
Financial instruments classification
The classification of financial instruments as "basic" or "other" requires judgement as to whether all the applicable conditions for classification as basic are met. This includes consideration of the form of the instrument and its return.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
Determination of market rate of interest rate
Interest on the $14,000,000 loan to a subsidiary company (included within the Company's debtors due in more than one year) is charged at 2% above 90-day US Dollar LIBOR rate. This has been deemed to represent a market rate of interest by management on the basis that this is the rate that the subsidiary would be able to borrow at on the open market. This takes into account the financial position of the entity and the assets which can be held as security, including cash. It is also based on rates made available to the Company by current lenders.
In the opinion of the directors, the disclosure of analysis of turnover information would be seriously prejudicial to the interests of the Group.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 October 2023 are as follows:
Details of joint ventures at 31 October 2023 are as follows:
Financial instruments - Group
The Group's financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents, borrowings and items such as trade creditors and trade debtors which arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to provide finance for the Group's operations.
The Group's operations expose it to a variety of financial risks including credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. Given the size of the Group, the directors have not delegated the responsibility of monitoring financial risk management to a sub-committee of the board. The policies set by the board of directors are implemented by the Group's finance department.
Credit risk
The Group's credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade debtors. The Group has implemented policies that require appropriate credit checks on potential customers before sales are made.
The Group extends credit to a limited number of customers who are well known to the directors and with whom the Company has been doing business for a number of years. Furthermore, the amount of credit extended is carefully monitored so that it does not exceed a pre-set amount, determined according to the customer's ability to repay.
The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.
Amounts lent to related parties are detailed in Note 22. There is not deemed to be any significant credit risk from these entities.
Liquidity risk
The Group actively monitors its cash balances to ensure it has sufficient available funds for operations and planned expansions.
The Group's financial liabilities comprise trade and other creditors which are measured at amortised cost. The trade creditors are all payable within six months.
The Group will continue to monitor availability of funds from banks as required. However, there is no such reliance on the banks and if this support was to be reduced the Group has the ability to self-finance their activities.
Interest rate risk
The Group has interest bearing assets and interest bearing liabilities. Interest bearing assets comprise cash and cash equivalents which earn interest at a variable rate and US treasury notes which earn interest at both fixed and variable rates.
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
The Group holds cash denoted in other currencies and conducts trade in other currencies from time to time and either hedges the exchange rate risk or holds the currency if the management decide that there may be advantage to do so, or if the Group has perceived the need for the other currency in the short term.
Financial instruments - Company
The Company's financial instruments comprise trade debtors and creditors, intercompany balances and cash and cash equivalents.
The intercompany debtor due in more than one year earned interest at a variable rate based on 90 day US Dollar LIBOR rate plus 2% during the year. The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.
The Company's financial liabilities, which are all non-derivatives, comprise trade and other creditors which are recorded at amortised cost.
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.
Other reserves
This account relates to the consolidation adjustment to remove the investment in Europa Import Export Limited.
Profit and loss account
This account relates to the cumulative profit and losses less amounts distributed to shareholders.
At 30 April the Group and the Company had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:
At the year end, the Group was committed to sell €6,075,086 (2022 - €Nil) under forward exchange contracts.
There is a company with whom it has directors in common. During the period ended 31 October 2023, the Company did a currency exchange with the company at market exchange rates at a value of $443,607 (2022: $134,107). During the period ended 31 October 2023, the Company made sales of $320,242 (2022 - $10,560,440) to the company and purchased stock of $1,109,813 (2022 - $951,419) from the company. At the period end, $765,887 (2022 - $2,038) was owed from the company and $Nil (2022 - $506,802) was owed to the company.
During the period, the Company paid rent of $44,323 representing an underlying rent charge of £36,000 (2022 - $69,800 representing an underlying rent charge of £54,000) to a director of the Company.
During 2015, the Company made a loan to a company with whom it has directors in common. $Nil (2022 - $Nil) was repaid during the period. The loan balance at the period end was $725,429 representing an underlying balance of £597,848 (2022 - $688,362, representing an underlying balance of £597,848). No interest is charged on this balance. The Company also rented one floor of a property from the same company on a rent free basis during the year.
There is a company of which one of the persons with significant control is also a director. During the year ended 31 October 2023, the Company made purchases of $90,784 (2022: $88,819). At the period end, $567 (2022: $76,548) was owed to the company.
Loans due to former directors totalled $62,810 representing an underlying value of £52,439 (2022: $59,601 representing an underlying value of £52,439). Interest on these loans was charged at 6% per annum (2022: 6% per annum), amounting to a total charge of $3,807 representing interest of £3,416 (2022: $6,117 representing interest of £4,720) for the year which remains unpaid at the year end.
Remuneration to close family members for their services provided to the company during the year totalled $17,206 representing an underlying balance of £13,943 (2022: $26,173 representing an underlying balance of £20,190).
Remuneration to key management personnel during the year totalled $31,511 (2022: $50,536) and benefits paid to key management personnel totalled $11,358.
All transactions have been translated in line with the group's foreign currencies accounting policy.