The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 August 2022.
During the year the value of investments held by the group decreased by £3,231,750, the group's Unit Trust Management income increased by £37,600, and the group's profit/loss before tax decreased by £7,742,599, from a profit before tax of £5,562,252 last year, to a loss before tax of £2,180,347 this year. This decrease being largely due to a reduction in the market value of the listed investments held during this period.
The results for the period are set out in detail from page 8 onwards.
The group's principal financial instruments comprise bank balances, trade debtors and trade creditors. The main purpose of these instruments is to provide funds for the group's operations.
In respect of the bank balances, the liquidity risk is managed by maintaining a balance sufficient to meet the funds required for the group's operations. The group makes use of money market facilities when appropriate.
Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cash flow risk by ensuring that management and incentive fees are collected within 30 days of the due date.
Trade creditors' liquidity risk is managed by ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet amounts due.
The war in Europe, supply shortages, global inflation and widening discounts, have had a significant effect on the economy and stock market prices around the world. All the investments in the funds are liquid and able to be sold quickly, if this was deemed necessary. As such and based on what has been seen to date, the directors do not expect this to have an impact on going concern of the underlying funds, which in turn means that Frobridge Assets Company is considered a going concern.
The directors of the group and company consider the key performance indicators to be those that communicate the financial performance and strength of the group and company as a whole, these being the level of funds under management, the number of investors within the funds and the overall performance of the funds.
By order of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2022.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The results for the year are set out on page 8.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £1,182,000. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The group and company intends to continue to act as manager of an investment portfolio for the foreseeable future.
The auditor, Foot Davson Ltd, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
We have audited the financial statements of Frobridge Assets Company (the 'parent company') and its subsidiary (the 'group') for the year ended 31 August 2022 which comprise 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, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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 the 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 its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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 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.
In determining the susceptibility of the group and company's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, we carried out a risk assessment for the year, considering the following sources:
· Communication with the client at commencement of audit
· The results of our preliminary analytical review
· Audit team discussion
· Permanent file risk assessment summary
This assessment considered the risks, any mitigating internal controls, the likelihood of material misstatement and identified the specific tests to be carried out in our audit work.
Our audit plan and approach then documented the procedures to be undertaken in response to these assessed risks.
The laws and regulations we identified as being of significance in the context of the group and company are as follows:
· FCA regulation
· Financial reporting regulations (FRS102, CA2006)
Our audit response to the risks identified included, but was not limited to, the following:
- Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims.
- Enquiry of company staff in compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations.
- Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions outside the normal course of business.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
As group auditor we are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit and we remain solely responsible for the audit opinion given. We are therefore required to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial statements of the subsidiary within the group, in order to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. This has been achieved by communication with the component auditor throughout the group audit, in particular through the issue by us and completion by the component auditor of a group audit instruction letter and questionnaire. Any and all audit evidence requested by us of the component auditor was successfully and satisfactorily received.
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 parent 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 parent 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 parent company and the parent 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 loss for the period was £1,316,689 (2021 - £3,634,386 profit).
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
Frobridge Assets Company (“the company”) is a private company, limited by shares, domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Lonsdale Gate, Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1NU. The business address is stated on the Company Information page.
The group consists of Frobridge Assets Company and its subsidiary, Consistent Unit Trust Management Company Limited, whose registered office and business address is Fair Lorna House, Buckingham Road, Milton Keynes, MK17 0RB.
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 sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of listed investments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of Frobridge Assets Company and its subsidiary (ie an entity that the parent company controls through its power to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain economic benefits). Subsidiaries acquired during the year are consolidated using the purchase method. Their results are incorporated from the date that control passes.
All financial statements are made up to 31 August 2022. 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.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group and the company have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Income arises entirely within the United Kingdom and represents the gross earnings from the management of unit trusts, including the net surplus arising from the purchase and resale of units in the manager's box. It includes amounts invoiced to the unit trusts and accrued income arising on management fees.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the parent. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
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 costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Reserves
Realised profits and losses on investments are dealt with in the capital reserve.
Unrealised profits and losses on investments together with the related deferred taxation provisions are dealt with in the revaluation reserve.
The balance in the Profit and loss reserve is all distributable.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
The useful economic life of the intangible asset in the subsidiary is considered to be 16 years, giving an amortisation rate of 6% per annum straight line. This is an estimate of the length of time the average unit holder remains within the fund, and therefore the period over which the company derives a benefit from the asset.
The amortisation of the adjustment to fair value of the management rights on acquisition has been set at 7.5% per annum, so that both are written off in the same financial year.
All the turnover arises in the United Kingdom.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual (credit)/charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected (credit)/charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The intangible fixed asset represents the rights acquired by the subsidiary company (Consistent Unit Trust Management Company Limited) to manage the Practical Investment Fund and to derive the income therefrom. The asset is valued at cost. The asset is being amortised over a 16 year period, of which 8 years remain. Please see Note 2 for further detail.
With the exception of the investment in its subsidiary, all of the fixed asset investments of the company are Listed and are stated at market value. At 31 August 2022 the historical cost of these investments (excluding the investment in subsidiary) was £1,126,155.
Details of the company's subsidiary at 31 August 2022 are as follows:
The investment in subsidiary is stated at cost.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
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.
The company is owned by members of the Ashfield family.
The subsidiary company manages unit trusts. The parent company's key management personnel own or act as trustee for approximately 3.68% (2021: 3.83%) of the subsidiary's funds under management.
Dividends have been paid by the subsidiary company to its minority shareholders, which include a serving director of the parent company at 31 August 2022 and who owns 3.16% (2021: 3.16%) of the shares. The dividends paid to the parent company director totalled £19,214 (2021: £16,499).
Dividends were also paid during the year by the parent company to one of its serving directors and minority shareholders, as at 31 August 2022. These dividends totalled £147,750 (2021: £134,375).
At the reporting period end date the directors were owed £nil (2021: £nil) by the parent company.