The director presents the strategic report for the year ended 30 November 2023.
The group’s trade is the import and export of minerals.
The group's trade is undertaken solely by the subsidiary Leader (UK) Limited. Trading continued as normal during the year, which was one of the most difficult ever experienced because of continuous and massive fluctuations in the price of sea freight, a shortage of containers, and general difficulties in transportation.
The group was able to record a pre-tax profit of £0.6m, compared with £1.74m achieved in the previous year. Volatile market conditions and unforeseen geopolitical events resulted in a fall in turnover of 30% to £12.9m, down from the £18.7m transacted in 2021/22; and a consequent drop in profitability resulted in an overall gross margin of 7.1% (11.4% in 2021/22). Overheads fell from £537k to £490k, and remain very low by industry standards. The group benefits from a stable, skilled group of employees, where staff numbers totalled 4 full-time and 3 part-time as in the previous year.
The group's stock levels have decreased from £4.3m to £1.6m, the easing of supply conditions meaning higher stock levels were no longer necessary. Trade debtors fell in proportion to sales, to £1.6m; and trade creditors remained at £3.7m. Cash balances rose from £5.1m to £8.7m,as a result of stock reductions and the group had no bank borrowing during the year.
The key performance indicators are considered to be turnover, pre-tax profit and liquidity.
Since the year-end sales remain adequate, and the director expects trading for 2023/24 to remain profitable, despite the hangover of the two claimed cargo disputes. Due to these claims, it was decided to divest and discontinue business in certain product lines, as the possible liabilities were deemed too onerous. Taken together with a general market uncertainty, this is expected to result in a further drop in turnover and profitability for 2023/24.
The group trades and distributes commodities in a worldwide market and is therefore subject to the consequential uncertainties including fluctuating exchange rates, commodity prices, industrial demand, and geo-political risks. The principal business risks are exposure to currency fluctuations, which is managed by the forward purchase of currency and options and the continuous monitoring of exchange rates; credit risk, which is closely researched and managed; and liquidity risk.
At the year-end, the group's balance sheet remains strong and management information implies that this position will be maintained even after dividends have been paid. The group is in a good position, with a niche market, a strong supply base and strong customer base, which have endured for the last 30 years, and could still be significantly expanded in the longer term.
On behalf of the board
The director presents his annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2023.
The director who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements was as follows:
The results for the year are set out on page 8.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £100,000. The director does not recommend payment of a final dividend.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Kershen Fairfax be appointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
We have audited the financial statements of Rosebud Maximus Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiary (the 'group') for the year ended 30 November 2023 which comprise the Group Profit And Loss Account, the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Group Balance Sheet, the Company Balance Sheet, the Group Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity, the Group Statement of Cash Flows, 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 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 director's use of the going concern basis of accounting in their preparation is appropriate. Based on the work that we performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions which individually or collectively may cast doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern, for at least twelve months from the date of their approval. Our responsibilities regarding going concern are described elsewhere in 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 director is responsible for the other information. 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.
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 director's report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the director's report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Director's 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 Director's Responsibilities Statement, the director is 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 director is responsible for assessing the group's and 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 director either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below;
We planned our audit in accordance with the requirements of ISA 300, and assessed audit risks in accordance with ISA 315. No significant risks of fraud or other irregularities were identified. Our audit work was conducted in accordance with the audit plan, and no indications of fraud or other irregularities were found. We consider therefore that so far as reasonably possible our audit is capable of detecting irregularities.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows;
-we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with management and from our knowledge and experience of the sector;
-we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a material effect on the company's financial statements or operations;
-and we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified, by making enquires of management and inspecting correspondence.
We assessed the susceptibility of the group's and company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur,by;
- enquiring of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud and their knowledge of actual or suspected fraud;
-and by considering the internal controls in place to mitigate the risks of such fraud and non-compliance.
In order to address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we;
- performed analytical procedures to look for unusual or unexpected relationships;
- tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
-assessed whether judgments and assumptions made in determining accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias;
-and investigated the rationale behind unusual or significant transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance, we designed procedures including but not limited to;
-agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
- enquiring of management as to actual or potential litigation and claims;
- and reviewing correspondence with relevant authorities.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations, to enquiries of directors and management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements arising due to fraud can be harder to detect than those arising from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website. 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 that we have formed.
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £1,247,727 (2022 - £1,281,779 profit).
Rosebud Maximus Limited (“the company”) is a group of private limited companies incorporated in England. The registered office is at 4th floor, Eldon Chambers, 30-32 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AA.
The group consists of Rosebud Maximus Limited and its subsidiary Leader (UK) Limited.
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 certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of Rosebud Maximus Limited and its subsidiary.
All financial statements are made up to 30 November 2023.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the director has a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the director continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Turnover represents amounts receivable for goods delivered and invoiced, net of VAT.
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods from the warehouse), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. 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 company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if necessary.
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. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets 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.
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity.
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, and loans from fellow group companies, are initially recognised at transaction price. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
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.. Trade creditors are recognised at transaction price.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate.
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.
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting end date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately.
A derivative with a positive fair value is recognised as a financial asset, whereas a derivative with a negative fair value is recognised as a financial liability.
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..
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.
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.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to income on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the director is 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.
An analysis of the group's turnover is as follows:
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 30 November 2023 are as follows:
Finance facilities are secured on a debenture held by Svenska Handelsbanken over the assets of the company.
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 group occupies offices owned by the director for which a market rent was paid.
At the year-end, the group owed £15,873 (2022; £48,877) to the director.