Hemlow Limited 03247495 false 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 2023-12-31 The principal activity of the company is that of facilities management. Digita Accounts Production Advanced 6.30.9574.0 true true true false true 03247495 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Director3 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:OrdinaryShareClass1 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Consolidated 2023-12-31 03247495 core:AcceleratedTaxDepreciationDeferredTax 2023-12-31 03247495 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2023-12-31 03247495 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments core:WithinOneYear 2023-12-31 03247495 core:BetweenTwoFiveYears 2023-12-31 03247495 core:MoreThanFiveYears 2023-12-31 03247495 core:WithinOneYear 2023-12-31 03247495 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2023-12-31 03247495 core:LandBuildings 2023-12-31 03247495 core:MotorVehicles 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:FRS102 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Audited 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:FullAccounts 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:RegisteredOffice 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Director1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Director2 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Director3 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Director4 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:HighestPaidDirector 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:OrdinaryShareClass1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:Consolidated 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 bus:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:FurnitureFittings 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:LandBuildings 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:LeaseholdImprovements 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:MotorVehicles 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:AllSubsidiaries 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:OtherRelatedParties 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 core:UKTax 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 countries:EnglandWales 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03247495 2022-12-31 03247495 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2022-12-31 03247495 core:LandBuildings 2022-12-31 03247495 core:MotorVehicles 2022-12-31 03247495 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 03247495 2022-12-31 03247495 bus:OrdinaryShareClass1 2022-12-31 03247495 core:AcceleratedTaxDepreciationDeferredTax 2022-12-31 03247495 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2022-12-31 03247495 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments core:WithinOneYear 2022-12-31 03247495 core:BetweenTwoFiveYears 2022-12-31 03247495 core:MoreThanFiveYears 2022-12-31 03247495 core:WithinOneYear 2022-12-31 03247495 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2022-12-31 03247495 core:LandBuildings 2022-12-31 03247495 core:MotorVehicles 2022-12-31 03247495 bus:HighestPaidDirector 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 03247495 core:UKTax 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 iso4217:GBP xbrli:pure xbrli:shares

Registration number: 03247495

Hemlow Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Brebners
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor
1 Suffolk Way
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1YL

 

Hemlow Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2 to 3

Directors' Report

4

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

5

Independent Auditor's Report

6 to 9

Statement of Income and Retained Earnings

10

Statement of Financial Position

11

Notes to the Financial Statements

12 to 20

 

Hemlow Limited

Company Information

Directors

Mr T M Taylor Lowen

Mr C Ward

Mr T P Wicks

Registered office

Suite 3a, 2nd Floor
160 London Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 2JA

Auditor

Brebners
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor
1 Suffolk Way
Sevenoaks
TN13 1YL

 

Hemlow Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Fair review of the business

The principal activity of the company is the provision of mechanical and electrical maintenance services for commercial properties which are provided, as appropriate, by either our mobile or resident engineers. In addition, the company advises on plant replacement and upgrade.

The company’s client portfolio includes some of the most recognisable and significant investors, occupiers and managing agents of commercial property throughout the United Kingdom.

Expansion of the client base is being undertaken by developing relationships throughout the property sector as well as providing CPD training for clients.

On a turnover in 2023 of £17,368,312 (2022 - £16,684,797) the company has generated a pre-tax profit of £495,344 (2022 - £702,872). There are now 136 employees.

The statement of financial position as at 31 December 2023 reflects a successful trading year in difficult recovery circumstances where net assets rose from £3,44,523.to £3,735,953. The company continues to invest strongly in capital items.

The company's key financial and other performance indicators during the year were as follows:

Financial KPIs

Unit

2023

2022

Turnover

£000's

17,368

16,684

Gross Profit Margin

%

23

23

Net Profit

£000's

495

703

Net Profit Margin

%

3

4

Principal risks and uncertainties

The management of the business and the execution of the company’s strategy are subject to a number of risks.

The key business risks and uncertainties affecting the company are considered to relate to clients’ own strategies regarding acquisition and disposals within their own property portfolios, competition and employee recruitment/retention.

The company’s principal financial instruments comprise of bank balances, trade creditors and trade debtors. The main purpose of these instruments is to finance the company operations and, together with the retention of profits, to provide the necessary funding for growth.

Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cashflow risk by policies concerning the credit offered to clients and the regular monitoring of amounts outstanding for both time and credit limits.

Trade creditors liquidity risk is managed by ensuring that sufficient funds are available to meet amounts due.

Operational Risk

Operational risk is caused by failures in business processes or the systems or physical infrastructure that support them that have the potential to result in financial loss or reputation damage. This includes errors, omissions, systems failure, lack of resources or physical assets and deliberate acts such as fraud.

The directors impose continuing self assessment and appraisals along with continually seeking to improve its operating efficiencies and standards. The directors endeavour to limit cost increases wherever possible and actively negotiate best terms with their major suppliers. The company governs its own price risk based on the directors' expectations for the company.

 

Hemlow Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that counter-parties will not be able to meet their obligations as they fall due. The company closely monitors outstanding debts from all sources resulting in minimal exposure.

Market Risk

Facilities management is a spend required by most contractors and the company is looking to build on large contracts won in the year. Although the directors are aware that the business may have some exposure to the current climate, the directors feel their reputation and position in the South East ensures it is not exposed to significant market risk.

Foreign Currency Risk

As the company only deals in sterling it is not exposed to foreign currency risk.

Risk Summary

The directors continuously monitor and respond to changes in the company's risk environment, so ensuring that the company remains well placed to address operational, reputational, financial and business risks in a timely and appropriate manner.

Future Developments

The company continues to invest heavily in IT and operational support systems to continue to provide a competitive offering in a more cost-conscious market with declining asset values and continues to enhance its national offering through its branch network with implementation of new systems and support. This is expected to continue throughout 2024.

The directors have stated they intend to continue to make investments in the business with particular regard to staff and training to ensure the company maintains and enhances its reputation in the commercial property M&E sector
 

Approved by the Board on 13 August 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

.........................................
Mr T M Taylor Lowen
Director

 

Hemlow Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Directors of the company

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

Mr T M Taylor Lowen

Mr C Ward

Mr C P Smith (ceased 31 December 2023)

Mr T P Wicks

Dividends

During the year interim dividends amounting to £230,000 (2022 : £330,000) were paid. No final dividend is proposed.

Information included in the Strategic Report

The company has chosen in accordance with section 414C(11) Companies Act 2006 to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Schedule 7 of the large and medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of financial risk management, exposure and future developments.

Research and development

The company carries out research and development activities in connection with the development of a bespoke database used to facilitate the operations of the company.

Directors' liabilities

The company has purchased Directors’ and Officers’ liability Insurance for Directors and Officers as permitted by section 233 of the Companies Act 2006.

Disclosure of information to the auditor

Each director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. The directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditors are unaware.

Approved by the director on 13 August 2024 and signed by:



 

.........................................
Mr T M Taylor Lowen
Director

 

Hemlow Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

Hemlow Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Hemlow Limited
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Hemlow Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2023, which comprise the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, Statement of Financial Position, 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 Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2023 and of its profit for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 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 director's 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 company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were 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 directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

 

Hemlow Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Hemlow Limited
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the 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, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

the 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.

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities (set out on page 5), 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 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.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

 

Hemlow Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Hemlow Limited
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the company and the industry in which it operates, we determined that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations relate to the reporting framework (FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006) and UK corporate taxation laws, environmental legislation, health and safety legislation, anti-bribery legislation and data protection legislation. These risks were communicated to our audit team and we remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout our audit.

We understood how the company is complying with relevant legislation by making enquiries of management and those responsible for legal and compliance procedures. We also considered the results of our audit procedures and to what extent these corroborate this understanding and assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement. This included consideration of how fraud might occur and evaluation of management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements.

We designed our audit procedures to identify any non-compliance with laws and regulations. Such procedures included, but were not limited to, inspection of any regulatory or legal correspondence; challenging assumptions and judgements made by management; identifying and testing journal entries with a focus on large or unusual transactions as determined based on our understanding of the business; and identifying and assessing the effectiveness of controls in place to prevent and detect fraud.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there remains a risk that a material misstatement may not have been detected, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance with laws and regulations and cannot be expected to detect all instances of non-compliance.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

The primary responsibility for the detection and prevention of fraud rests with those responsible for governance and management. The further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor will become aware of it.

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, collusion, omission, misrepresentation or forgery.

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.

 

Hemlow Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Hemlow Limited
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

......................................
Martin Widdowson (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of

Brebners, Statutory Auditor
1 Suffolk Way
Sevenoaks
TN13 1YL

13 August 2024

 

Hemlow Limited

Statement of Income and Retained Earnings for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Note

2023
£

2022
£

Turnover

3

17,368,312

16,684,797

Cost of sales

 

(13,475,590)

(12,787,371)

Gross profit

 

3,892,722

3,897,426

Administrative expenses

 

(3,442,349)

(3,279,950)

Other operating income

4

-

56,900

Operating profit

5

450,373

674,376

Other interest receivable and similar income

6

44,971

28,496

 

44,971

28,496

Profit before tax

 

495,344

702,872

Taxation

10

26,086

(83,401)

Profit for the financial year

 

521,430

619,471

Retained earnings brought forward

 

3,444,523

3,155,052

Dividends paid

 

(230,000)

(330,000)

Retained earnings carried forward

 

3,735,953

3,444,523

 

Hemlow Limited

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2023

Note

2023
£

2022
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

11

534,265

499,473

Current assets

 

Stocks

12

8,000

8,000

Debtors

13

4,515,157

4,694,392

Cash at bank and in hand

 

1,801,821

1,926,423

 

6,324,978

6,628,815

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

15

(3,032,837)

(3,604,204)

Net current assets

 

3,292,141

3,024,611

Total assets less current liabilities

 

3,826,406

3,524,084

Provisions for liabilities

10

(90,451)

(79,559)

Net assets

 

3,735,955

3,444,525

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

2

2

Retained earnings

3,735,953

3,444,523

Shareholders' funds

 

3,735,955

3,444,525

Approved and authorised by the Board on 13 August 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

 

......................................................................

Mr T M Taylor Lowen

Director

Company registration number: 03247495

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

1

General information

The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.

The address of its registered office is:
Suite 3a, 2nd Floor
160 London Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 2JA

The principal activity of the company is that of facilities management.

2

Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except any items disclosed in the accounting policies as being shown at fair value and are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Summary of disclosure exemptions

The entity satisfies the criteria of being a qualifying entity as defined in FRS102. Its financial statements are consolidated into the financial statements of Hemlow Holdings Limited which can be obtained from Companies House. As such, advantage has been taken of the following disclosure exemptions available under paragraph 1.12 of FRS102:

(a) No cash flow statement has been presented for the company.
(b) No disclosure has been given for the aggregate remuneration of key management personnel.

Going concern

The statement of financial position at 31 December 2023 showed the company had net current assets amounting to £3,292,141 and net total assets amounting to £3,735,955 including cash at bank of £1,801,821.

On the basis of above, and after making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Judgements and key sources of estimation

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. Key assumptions and other estimation uncertainties provide a risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

Judgements and estimates that management has made in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are as follows:

Tangible fixed assets are depreciated to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives.

Revenue recognition

Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the provision of services in the ordinary course of the company's activities. Turnover is shown net value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts.

The company recognises turnover from facilities management services on the date contractual obligations are fulfilled and it becomes probable that economic benefit will flow to the company.

Turnover from the rendering of refurbishment works is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract. The stage of completion of a contract is measured by comparing the costs incurred for work performed to date to the total estimated contract costs. Turnover is only recognised to the extent of recoverable expenses when the outcome of a contract cannot be reliably measured.

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a charge attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences between taxable profits and profits reported in the financial statements.

Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised when it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.

Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the statement of financial position at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Depreciation

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land and properties under construction over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Leasehold improvements

Over the period of the lease

Furniture, fixtures and fittings

15% to 33% straight line

Motor vehicles

25% straight line

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.

Dividends

Dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the reporting period in which the dividends are declared.

Defined contribution pension obligation

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

3

Turnover

The analysis of the company's revenue for the year from continuing operations is as follows:

2023
 £

2022
 £

Provision of services - UK

17,368,312

16,684,797

4

Other operating income

The analysis of the company's other operating income for the year is as follows:

2023
 £

2022
 £

Management charges receivable

-

56,900

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

5

Operating profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

2023
 £

2022
 £

Depreciation expense

180,977

206,133

(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(80,238)

1,548

6

Other interest receivable and similar income

2023
£

2022
£

Other finance income

44,971

28,496

7

Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs (including directors' remuneration) were as follows:

2023
£

2022
£

Wages and salaries

5,819,283

5,169,346

Social security costs

634,629

601,700

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

261,599

256,235

6,715,511

6,027,281

The average number of persons employed by the company during the year, analysed by category was as follows:

2023
No.

2022
No.

Administration and support

57

50

Engineers

75

71

Directors

4

4

136

125

8

Directors' remuneration

The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:

2023
 £

2022
 £

Remuneration

307,473

405,180

Contributions paid to money purchase pension schemes

49,550

51,750

357,023

456,930

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

During the year the number of directors who were receiving benefits and share incentives was as follows:

2023
 No.

2022
 No.

Accruing benefits under money purchase pension scheme

4

4

In respect of the highest paid director:

2023
 £

2022
 £

Remuneration

180,167

192,000

Company contributions to money purchase pension schemes

36,750

36,750

9

Auditor's remuneration

2023
 £

2022
 £

Audit of the financial statements

16,000

16,000

Other fees to auditors

Compliance services

2,000

2,000


 

10

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the income statement

2023
£

2022
£

Current taxation

UK corporation tax

(36,978)

131,744

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

10,892

(48,343)

Tax (receipt)/expense in the income statement

(26,086)

83,401

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

The tax on profit before tax for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2022 - lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 23.5% (2022 - 19%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2023
£

2022
£

Profit before tax

495,344

702,872

Corporation tax at standard rate

116,406

133,546

Tax decrease from effect of capital allowances and depreciation

(109)

(15,996)

Effect of expense not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss)

4,216

5,381

Tax decrease from effect of adjustment in research and development tax credit

(146,599)

(39,530)

Total tax (credit)/charge

(26,086)

83,401

Deferred tax

2023

Asset
£

Liability
£

Accelerated capital allowances

-

90,451

-

90,451

2022

Asset
£

Liability
£

Accelerated capital allowances

-

79,559

-

79,559

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

11

Tangible assets

Leasehold Improvements
£

Furniture, fittings and equipment
 £

Motor vehicles
 £

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2023

267,287

100,662

639,206

1,007,155

Additions

-

5,160

229,352

234,512

Disposals

-

-

(223,601)

(223,601)

At 31 December 2023

267,287

105,822

644,957

1,018,066

Depreciation

At 1 January 2023

60,006

49,319

398,355

507,680

Charge for the year

26,227

11,454

143,296

180,977

Eliminated on disposal

-

-

(204,856)

(204,856)

At 31 December 2023

86,233

60,773

336,795

483,801

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2023

181,054

45,049

308,162

534,265

At 31 December 2022

207,281

51,341

240,851

499,473

12

Stocks

2023
£

2022
£

Other inventories

8,000

8,000

13

Debtors

2023
 £

2022
 £

Trade debtors

2,564,068

2,256,768

Amounts owed by group undertakings

184,133

179,419

Other debtors

1,272,041

1,612,422

Prepayments

183,522

255,413

Accrued income

274,415

390,370

Corporation tax asset

36,978

-

Total current trade and other debtors

4,515,157

4,694,392

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

14

Cash and cash equivalents

2023
£

2022
£

Cash at bank

1,801,821

1,926,423

15

Creditors

2023
 £

2022
 £

Due within one year

Trade creditors

1,717,702

2,087,058

Social security and other taxes

755,509

749,403

Accrued expenses

375,687

347,482

Corporation tax liability

-

131,744

Deferred income

183,939

288,517

3,032,837

3,604,204

16

Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the company to the scheme and amounted to £261,599 (2022 - £256,235).

17

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

2023

2022

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary shares of £1 each

2

2

2

2

       

There are no restrictions on the repayment of capital or the declaration of dividends.

 

Hemlow Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

18

Commitments under operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments not reflected in the statement of financial position is as follows:

2023
£

2022
£

Not later than one year

140,796

138,108

Later than one year and not later than five years

510,432

510,432

Later than five years

457,262

584,870

1,108,490

1,233,410

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £244,557 (2022 - £238,490).

19

Dividends

   

2023

 

2022

   

£

 

£

Dividends of £115,000 (2022 - £165,000) per ordinary share

 

230,000

 

330,000

         

20

Related party transactions

Summary of transactions with subsidiaries

Exemption has been taken under FRS 102 paragraph 33.1A not to disclose transactions or amounts falling due with companies that are wholly owned within the group.
 

Summary of transactions with other related parties

At 31 December 2023 an amount of £1,261,125 (2022: £1,540,573) was due from companies over which a director exerts significant influence. Interest receivable during the year amounted to £44,971 (2022: £28,496).

During the year, Hemlow Limited incurred expenses of £179,448 (2022 : £141,422) which were recharged to these companies.

 

21

Parent and ultimate parent undertaking

The company's immediate and ultimate parent undertaking Hemlow Holdings Limited.

The parent of the smallest and largest group in which the results of the company are included is Hemlow Holdings Limited.

The registered address of Hemlow Holdings Limited is Suite 3a, 2nd Floor, 160 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2JA.

Ultimate control vests with Mr T M Taylor Lowen.