The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2023.
RiskSave Technologies Ltd provide compliance, risk management and operational services for regulated financial service platforms.
RiskSave’s mission has been to widen access to low-cost investing and digital wealth services. The traditional investment world has been reserved for the affluent and those versed in financial jargon. It lacks transparency being opaque and characterised by high fees, RiskSave aims to support low-cost innovative platforms to help change this.
The Firm was accepted as B-Corp in 2022 and will continue to work alongside our partners as an ethical stakeholder-led business. Certified B Corps are businesses that balance purpose and profit. As a B-Corp the Firm will be legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on its workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. The Firm aims to meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.
As an investment firm RiskSave Technologies has the objective to create better financial futures for the Firm’s clients and their stakeholders, aiming to be a thought leader in how to incorporate sustainability into investment processes and the digital distribution of finance.
Research has shown that high fees and a lack of market knowledge prevent many UK residents from getting started with investing and exclude them from the potential long-term benefits from participating in the securities markets. In particular the Retail Distribution Review (2012) identified the ‘Financial Advice Gap’. The Firm believes that Digital Processes can help close the advice gap and empower millions. To enable this the Firm partners with established regulated financial firms as well as selected startups to provide investors access to the securities markets. Through the RiskSave platform customers are able to invest with lower costs, increased transparency, and a better user experience.
The firm sees its mission to customers as
Widening access;
Lowering costs; and
Increasing consumer choice.
The Firm’s mission centres on treating customers fairly and creating good customer outcomes. Receiving financial advice can be both low cost and low friction service to the retail investor, and modern technology makes this possible.
The Firm's main revenue stream is from platform charges from its B2B customer base who pay a subscription fee for access to compliance services and the Firm’s operational expertise, alongside consulting-based revenues for a number of investment and risk management based specialisms.
The directors place a strong emphasis on the compliance culture within the business, which shapes the decisions and operations of the Company. The principal risks facing the Company have been identified as regulatory risk, operational risk, business risk and to a lesser extent the funding risk of our core FinTech clients. The board of directors considers impacts on clients, employees, the community & environment in its decision making and specifically takes seriously its Treating Customers Fairly responsibilities and its obligations under the FCA's new Consumer Duty.
The Firm has a comprehensive risk management framework in place to identify, assess, and mitigate these risks. The framework includes:
A risk register that identifies all material risks to the Firm.
A risk assessment process that assesses the likelihood and impact of each risk.
A risk mitigation plan that identifies and implements controls to mitigate the risks.
A risk monitoring process that tracks the effectiveness of the risk mitigation plan.
The Firm is committed to managing its risks effectively and to complying with all applicable regulations.
Risk management is overseen by the board and a risk framework sets out how the company identifies, assesses and mitigates its material risks. The board works with the Risk Committee on the formulation and development of our risk appetite statement, our risk tolerance and the development of the firm’s ICARA.
Non-Exhaustive Identified Key Risks and mitigating factors
Cybercrime and Information security:
The threat of cybercrime and information security breaches are a key area of focus for the Company. The responsibilities associated with information security are taken very seriously throughout the Firm from the Board to the employees. The Firm is continuously educating employees on cybersecurity best practices. This is especially vital as Employees are often the weak link in the cybersecurity chain. By educating ourselves and our partners on how to protect themselves and the company's data, the firm seeks to mitigate information security risk, alongside implementing best practice in areas such as multi-factor authentication.
Credit risk:
The Company's principal financial asset is cash. The credit risk associated with cash is limited as the counterparties have high credit ratings assigned by credit-rating agencies. Credit risk is further limited by ensuring that all cash is all held in accounts in either the UK or the EU.
Liquidity risk:
The Company seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely. The firm has a policy of ensuring that all deposits are under 12m and keeps short-term funding needs in accounts less than one week.
Economic risk:
Having stress tested the business the directors are satisfied that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
RiskSave ended 2023 with strong business performance. Revenue saw another period of double digit growth for the seventh year running, margins increased reflecting previous investment in capacity and regulatory infrastructure. We closed the year with both a record number of clients and a record profitability.
This is due yet again to our exceptional colleagues and partners whose fantastic work and achievements are reflected in the recognition and accolades the business has received.
The company is reporting a profit before taxation of £302,869 (2022: profit before taxation of £133,230) for the financial year to 31 December 2023.
The balance sheet shows that the company's net assets at the year-end have increased from £489,578 to £808,385.
The firm has placed investment into R&D and the development of new revenue streams over and above its core compliance business.
The development of high-profile clients has boosted revenues and increased recognition of the firm within the FinTech ecosystem. Clients now range from listed multinationals to seed stage startups.
The firm has moved to aiding larger clients and this has led to a notably slower sales cycle for new customers, but the retention of existing customers remains high, with a notably low churn rate for clients and many clients engaging us for more than one service.
Matters of strategic importance
RiskSave continues to invest in innovation, people, technology, client acquisition and growth in order to extend its leadership position in FinTech Compliance.
We continue to grow strongly using internal capital, with no need to raise external funding in the near to medium term. There remain significant opportunities for the continued digital transformation of wealth management within the UK and we have an increasing number of partnerships being developed.
This statement sets out how the Directors have fulfilled their duty to comply with the requirements of Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. In particular it explains how the directors have considered broader stakeholder interests when making decisions to promote the success of the business.
Basis of Decision Making and Engagement with Stakeholders
The Board aims to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of all stakeholders as a whole, taking into account the long-term consequences of its decisions and looking at those decisions through a variety of lenses. This involves the Board and management considering in detail and discussing the interests of the Company’s key stakeholders including our shareholders, customers, our people, our investors, our suppliers, local communities and our regulator; the importance of maintaining our reputation for high standards of business conduct; and the environment. The firm acknowledges that while it endeavours to make decisions to benefit the whole, not all decisions will necessarily result in a positive outcome for all stakeholders.
Some practical examples of what that has looked like in practice over the past year are summarised below. Engagement with all our stakeholders is led by our executive teams, who in turn regularly update the Board members via briefings and reports.
Our shareholders
The directors of RiskSave Technologies are committed to providing their investors with positive outcomes. They have a strong track record of financial performance, and they are committed to maintaining this track record in the future.
The company has a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure that it is acting in the best interests of its investors. These include:
A transparent and regular reporting process, which keeps relevant stakeholders informed of the company's financial performance and its risks.
A robust risk management framework, which is designed to mitigate the risks to the company's investment value.
A strong governance structure, which ensures that the company is being run in a responsible and ethical manner.
A commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, which demonstrates the company's long-term commitment to its stakeholders.
The directors believe that these policies and procedures will contribute to positive investor outcomes and promote the long-term success of the business.
Our customers
The group’s customers fall into two groups: our corporate clients and their end-users. In both cases our culture puts good customer outcomes at the heart of what we do.
Many of our AR have enjoyed long term relationships with us. During the pandemic and lockdown, we have maintained close contact with them, making special efforts to support those nascent businesses that further help democratise financial services.
We acknowledge that to achieve our ambition, we need to recruit and retain talented people. Our success is determined by their ability to communicate with our clients, to work within a collaborative and supportive culture with a focus on achieving good customer outcomes.
We aim to ensure that staff are remunerated at market rates and are further incentivised through various bonus schemes based upon achieving positive outcomes for all stakeholders particularly consumers. Our bonus incentive schemes are based on multiple metrics, financial, consumer outcomes, professional conduct and learning and development goals.
We also invest in our employees’ welfare by providing a comprehensive benefits package, including confidential counselling services, life and health benefits and a pension scheme. Regular staff briefings are held to keep staff aware of developments and opportunities within the business. This is followed up by line managers who seek regular feedback from their reports. During the year we have conducted several staff surveys to assess the needs of staff working from home so that additional support can be delivered to improve their working conditions.
Our suppliers
The group has a variety of agreements with service providers and suppliers. We treat all suppliers fairly and with respect, ensuring that invoices are paid on time. Where concerns exist about the quality of a product or service delivered, we raise these concerns with the supplier and seek to find a resolution in an open and constructive manner. We value the relationship as well as the service or product which is supplied. Our focus is on long term relationships which should be more valuable than short term gains.
The environment and our local community.
Investors and customers are increasingly concerned not to invest in or purchase from companies that have a negative impact on the environment and society in general. We take this responsibility very seriously, as demonstrated by our B Corp achievement. Our investment solutions include investments which are screened for their environmental and social impacts and their compliance with good governance. Equally, we ensure that our Appointed Representatives are treating their customers fairly and with respect, as they invest for a better financial future.
We also have a role to play as a Company in ensuring we do what we can at every level to act responsibly. All staff are encouraged to reduce waste, avoid unnecessary travel and to recycle materials or dispose of them responsibly and to use digital communications when it is possible to do so.
Our regulator
The group is directly regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We operate within a highly regulated industry and we value this regulation. We recognise that regulation is designed to protect both investors and market participants creating a level playing field and confidence in the markets. We therefore view regulation as an extremely positive factor for our business and, as a group, we always engage with our regulators in an open, cooperative and proactive manner.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The results for the year are set out on page 11.
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The auditor, Ellacotts Audit Services Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
As the company 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.
Basis for 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 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
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.
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 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.
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 part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK),we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also performed the following procedures:
Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims.
Enquiry of entity staff in tax and compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
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 significant transactions outside the normal course of business.
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.
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
RiskSave Technologies Ltd is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 70 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PP.
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 principal accounting policies adopted in preparing the financial statements are set out below.
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 credited or charged to profit or loss.
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.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
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 company after deducting all of its liabilities.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
In the application of the company’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.
In the directors' opinion there are no judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty that warrant additional disclosure under this heading.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2022 - 2).
From 1 April 2023, the main rate of corporation tax in the UK increased from 19% to 25%.
The actual (credit)/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:
No deferred tax asset has been recognised relating to unutilised losses. The unrelieved losses at the year end total £nil (2022: £166,717).
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
At 31 December 2023, the company was owed £27,212 by directors (2022: £28,490). The loans carry interest at a rate of 2.5% per annum and are repayable in instalments.
During the year, the company made total loan advances of £7,000 (2022: £30,000) to directors and received repayments of £8,980 (2022: £15,421) from directors.