Company registration number:
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COMPANY INFORMATION
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CONTENTS
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STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The business of the Company is that of a franchised motor dealership for Aston Martin. Despite the slump in the used car market our business largely outperformed financial plan and revenue grew from 2022. An increase cost base did decrease profit year on year.
The new car market has been challenging in the economic backdrop of rising interest rates. A full year of DBX sales bolstered a product line that is due to be refreshed in 2024. Our outlook remains positive with several model changes planned creating a healthy future order bank. The used car market saw two defining halves to the year as the second started a realigning of market values. With many dealers quite rightly cashing out of vehicles in H2 and into 2024. Overall we did see a small reduction in margins but still managed to increase our used franchised sales year on year. The strength of our aftersales business again proved itself outperforming the financial plan and 2022. It also contributed with a superb 88% absorption rate even with an increasing cost base.
General concerns of market stability and rising interest rates seem to be lessening as 2024 progresses. With a general election due in July 2024 it would be a surprise if any drastic policies including significant base rate reductions were introduced to affect our business. However a change in government could destabilise and provide uncertainty.
Our business measures performance using many key indicators throughout each department. The headline business KPI’s are:
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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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.
The directors who served during the year were:
The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors' 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 applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. 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 for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙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 to 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.
Where a company has chosen in accordance with section 414C(11) of the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 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 it must be stated in the Directors' Report that it has done so. This includes information that would have been included in the business review and the principal risks and uncertainties.
The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £154,585 (2022 - £241,192).
A dividend of £91.84 per share (2022 - £146.95) was declared during the year on the Ordinary shares.
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DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006, Menzies LLP will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditors 28 days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing the accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HWM SPORTS CARS LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of HWM Sports Cars Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 December 2023, which comprise the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, the Statement of Financial Position and the related notes, 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).
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 Auditors' 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 United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council'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.
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 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.
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' 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.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HWM SPORTS CARS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 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 Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HWM SPORTS CARS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
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 Auditors' 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.
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:
The Company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant including:
∙The Companies Act 2006;
∙Financial Reporting Standard 102;
∙UK employment legislation
∙UK health and safety legislation; and
∙General Data Protection Regulations
We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
∙We understood how the Company are complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by making inquiries to management and those responsible for legal and compliance procedures.
∙The engagement partner assessed whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The assessment did not identify any issues in this area.
We assessed the susceptibility of the Company's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
∙Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;
∙Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;
∙Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and
∙Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations.
As a result of the above procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas:
∙Timing of revenue recognition; and
∙Posting of unusual journals and complex transactions.
∙The use of management override of controls to manipulate results.
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.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HWM SPORTS CARS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
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 Auditors' 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.
for and on behalf of
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Ashcombe House
5 The Crescent
Surrey
KT22 8DY
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STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes on pages 10 to 20 form part of these financial statements.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
HWM Sports Cars Limited is a private company limited by shares, incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and is registered in England and Wales. The address of the Company's registered office and principal place of business are the same and are shown on the company information page.
2.Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by the FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland":
∙the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
∙the requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17(d);
∙the requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments paragraphs 11.42, 11.44 to 11.45, 11.47, 11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c);
∙the requirements of Section 12 Other Financial Instruments paragraphs 12.26 to 12.27, 12.29(a), 12.29(b) and 12.29A.
This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company's ultimate parent Company, Burwater Holdings Limited as at 31 December 2023 and these financial statements may be obtained from Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods supplied and services rendered, net of discounts and Value Added Tax.
Sales of motor vehicles are recognised when substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer, generally deemed to be at the time of delivery. Sales of parts and accessories are recognised on delivery to the customer. Service and bodyshop work are recognised on the completion of the agreed work.
Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
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.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the stock to its present location and condition.
Financial instruments are classified and accounted for, according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.
The directors have made the following estimates and judgements deemed to be significant to the financial statements: Stocks Consideration has been given to the level of provision required against vehicle stocks. In determining the provision required the directors have used guidance from independent valuation tools and their knowledge of the industry.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserves
Profit and loss account
The Company operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Company to the fund and amounted to £57,029 (2022 - £57,469). Contributions totalling £6,131 (2022 - £5,807) were payable to the fund at the reporting date and are included in creditors.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
In keeping with its status as a franchisee it will be necessary for the Company to make future expenditure to satisfy Aston Martin’s franchise requirements. The Company’s workshop at New Zealand Avenue is currently in need of remodelling and refurbishment to satisfy such requirements and the costs for the work necessary to effect those changes is currently being evaluated.
The directors consider the ultimate parent undertaking to be Burwater Holdings Limited, a company which is registered in England and operates from the same registered address as HWM Sports Cars Limited.
The smallest and largest group of undertakings for which group accounts are drawn up are those headed by Burwater Holdings Limited. Copies of the group accounts are publicly available at Companies' House.
The ultimate controlling party is considered to be N. A. Harting by virtue of his controlling shareholding in Burwater Holdings Limited.
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