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Registered number: 09927246










WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED










ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION


Directors
P Utting 
O Jones
B G Murray 
I Southerland 




Registered number
09927246



Registered office
18 Westside Centre
London Road

Colchester

Essex

CO3 8PH




Independent auditor
KPMG LLP

20 Station Road

Cambridge

CB1 2JD





 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

CONTENTS



Page
Strategic Report
 
1 - 4
Directors' Report
 
5 - 6
Directors' Responsibilities Statement
 
7
Independent Auditor's Report
 
8 - 11
Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
12
Balance Sheet
 
13
Statement of Changes in Equity
 
14
Notes to the Financial Statements
 
15 - 25


 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Introduction
 
The Directors present the Strategic Report of Walstead Finance Limited (“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Walstead Finance Limited is a subsidiary of Walstead Holdings Limited  ("the Group").

Principal activity and business review
 
The principal activity of the Company during the year ended 31 December 2023 continued to be that of providing treasury facilities to Walstead Holdings Limited and its fellow subsidiaries.  The Directors are not aware of any likely major changes in the Company's activities in the upcoming year.
The loss before taxation of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2023 was £7.4 million 
(2022: £7.4 million).
The Company's financial position at 31 December 2023 is set out in the Balance Sheet on page 13.

Key performance indicators
 
The Group manages and reports on its operations on a divisional basis. For this reason, the Company's Directors believe that further key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Company are not necessary or appropriate for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the business.
Information regarding group performance and relevant information for the year as well as KPIs is contained within the consolidated financial statements of the parent company, Walstead Holdings Limited.

Principal risks and uncertainties
 
The Company’s principal risk relates to the loans granted to Group companies. For these loans to be repaid the Group must trade profitably and generate cash. Risks associated with the Group’s performance therefore have potential to impact on the Company’s ability to pay its liabilities.
Competitive pressure is a risk for the Group, which could result in it losing sales to its key competitors. The Group manages this risk by ensuring the quality of its products, by providing added value services to its customers, having fast response times not only in supplying products but in handling all customer queries and by maintaining strong relationships with customers. The Group’s strategy is to focus on markets with greatest longevity and where competition is relatively weak.
Another pandemic could result in disruption to our operational sites and / or customers / suppliers. The Group has developed policies and procedures to allow safe working in our plants and minimise the risk of spreading disease. Whilst there have been some permanent changes to business practice, additional procedures will be re-instated as needed to minimise the interruption to operations.
The Group places reliance on its key suppliers, and there is a potential risk that a supply disruption could impact customer satisfaction as an inability to print to schedule, leading to loss of revenue. The Group has processes in place to manage and monitor exposure to significant counterparties centrally and within the manufacturing sites; where we are exposed regarding specialised products, supplier and customer communication is at the heart of the process to ensure delivery is maintained. For all key purchases there are relationships with alternative suppliers should there be a failure amongst any of the main suppliers.
The Group places reliance on its key employees, with inherent risk that the resignation of key employees and the inability to recruit people with the right expertise and skills could adversely affect the Group's results. Training programmes and succession planning reduce this risk so that we have continuity. Incentive programmes also assist in retaining staff.
 
Page 1

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Principal risks and uncertainties (continued)
Inability to obtain finance to fund business needs could result in a shortage of cash to enable the Group to pay its debts as they fall due. The Group has obtained the financing from a diversified range of sources and includes both secured and unsecured facilities. The availability of assets to provide security to lenders provides options for the Group to obtain financing at optimal rates.
Increase in interest rates would increase the Group’s debt service requirements. In response a substantial proportion of the group’s facilities have a fixed rate of interest minimising the impact on debt service if interest rates increase.
The Company performs the group treasury function. The principal financial risks are discussed in the parent company, Walstead Holdings Limited, consolidated Annual Report. 
Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors, which has established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Company’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Company manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities, by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows, and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

Corporate and social responsibility

The Group recognises the importance of understanding and controlling environmental impacts where possible. We aim to ensure our paper is sourced from sustainably and environmentally managed forests, and production waste materials are effectively recycled. Our printing processes aim to be as efficient as reasonably possible to minimise emission and other environmental impacts.
The Group is committed to working closely, and in a sustainable manner, with our suppliers and business partners. We consider our broader role within the community and look for opportunities where we can play a larger part in those communities.
The Group supports the principles laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; our major human rights impacts relate to colleagues, contractors, suppliers and our products.

Directors' statement of compliance with duty to promote the success of the Company
 
This statement, which forms part of the Strategic Report, is intended to show how the Directors have approached and met their responsibilities under Section 172(1) (a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006 (“Section 172(1)”) during the period under review.  As required by Section 172(1), the Directors consider, both individually and together, that they have acted in the way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Group for the benefit of its members as a whole, having regard to its stakeholders and the matters set out in Section 172(1).  In doing this, the Directors must have regard amongst other matters, to; 
a) The likely consequences of any decision in the long term;
b)The interests of the Group’s employees;
c)The need to foster the Group’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others;
d)The impact of the Group’s operations on the community and the environment;
e)The desirability of the Group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and
f)The need to act fairly between members of the Group.

The Board receives suitable training and briefings on Directors’ duties and updates in relation to corporate governance developments and stakeholder engagement.  New Directors appointed to the Board receive tailored, individual briefings on their duties and obligations as part of their induction.
The following paragraphs, together with the Corporate and Social Responsibilities, as shown in the Strategic Report, summarise how the Directors fulfil their duties:
 
Page 2

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

(a) The likely consequences of any decision in the long term;
 
The Board recognises that decisions taken today will affect the long-term success and sustainability of the Group.  
The Board receives regular reports from across the business on performance, financial position, and the implementation of strategy, as well as updates on the market, relationships with customers, suppliers and other external influences.  These factors feed into discussions on strategy and setting priorities to ensure that the potential impact of decisions, particularly on the long term, are understood and considered.
The Board understands the potential impacts of the decisions it makes for its stakeholders, the environment and the communities in which the Group operates.
(b) The interests of the Group’s employees;
The Board recognise that the Group’s employees are fundamental to the success of the business and the delivery of its strategic ambitions.  The business depends on attracting, retaining, developing and motivating talented employees. 
The Board regularly consider and assess the implications of relevant decisions on employees and the wider workforce. 
The Group aims to be a fair and responsible employer in its approach to the pay and benefits its employees receive. The Group operates a training programme for its employees and provides incentives linked to the results that are designed to retain key personnel.
The health, safety and well-being of the Group’s employees is of paramount importance to the way the business operates. Each employee is provided with a comprehensive handbook on Safety in the Workplace as part of an induction programme. The Group has established a clearly defined policy of Health and Safety which meets all the requirements set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 or the relevant standards applicable to the country of operation.
The Board places considerable value on the involvement of its employees and has continued to keep them informed on matters affecting them as employees and on the various factors affecting the performance of the Group.  Employees are encouraged to participate and be involved in matters that affect their interests as employees.
(c) The need to foster the Group’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others;
The Board recognises the importance of key stakeholders in the long-term success of the Group, reflected in the focus on effective engagement and building mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers, customers and other business partners. 
The Group engage regularly with these stakeholders, with interactions led by the day-to-day management team and with Board-level involvement where appropriate. The Board receive feedback on a variety of topics that indicate how these stakeholders have been engaged and uses this to continuously review its approach. The Group utilise multi-year contracts with both customers and suppliers to provide certainty to both parties and enable a longer-term strategic development of these relationships. 
The Group acting as an intermediary between stakeholders works with suppliers to develop products that meet the needs of the customers. Similarly, it proactively promotes new, innovative solutions that have been developed and tested by the Group and its suppliers. This creates an environment for continuous improvement providing improved quality, process efficiencies and reducing the environmental footprint of a product, ultimately benefitting all stakeholders.  
 
Page 3

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Group continually assesses the priorities related to customers, suppliers and those with whom it does business, with the Board engaging with the business and management team on these topics.
(d) The impact of the Group’s operations on the community and the environment;
The Board are committed to driving down energy and carbon impacts and recognise that its business activities interact with the environment in a variety of ways.  The Board receive information on relevant topics to help them make decisions.  
The Group is committed to working closely, and in a sustainable manner, with key stakeholders.  The Group considers its broader role within the community and looks for opportunities where it can play a larger role in these communities.
The Board recognise the importance of understanding and controlling environmental impacts wherever possible.  The Group aim to ensure paper is sourced from sustainable and environmentally managed forests, and that production waste materials are effectively recycled.  The Group’s printing processes aim to be as efficiency as reasonably possible to minimise emission and other environmental impacts.
More information can be found in the ‘Environmental, social and governance reporting’.
(e) The desirability of the Group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; 
The Board is responsible for setting and monitoring the culture, values and reputation of the Group.  Maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct is an essential part of this responsibility.  
The Board periodically reviews and approves clear frameworks, such as the Group’s Code of Conduct and Integrity Principles, to ensure that high standards are maintained in the business and in the Group’s business relationships. The Code of Conduct sets out the principles of how the Board expect everyone who works with or represents the Group to behave and do business, with the Board leading by example.
The Board of Directors aim to behave responsibly and ensure that management operates the business in a responsible manner, operating within the expected high standards of business conduct and good governance and in doing so contribute to the delivery of the Group’s strategy and plans.
(f) The need to act fairly between members of the Group
After weighing up all relevant factors, the Board consider which course of action best enables delivery of the Group’s strategy and long-term interests, taking into consideration the effect on stakeholders.  In doing so, the Board act fairly between the Group’s members but are not required to balance the Group’s interests with those of other stakeholders. This can sometimes mean that certain stakeholder interests may not be fully aligned.
As a result of these activities, the Directors believe they have demonstrated compliance with their legal duty under Section 172(1) (a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006.


This report was approved by the Board on and signed on its behalf by:





P Utting
Director
Date: 20 November 2024

Page 4

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Directors present their Report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Dividends

The Directors have not recommended a dividend during the year ended 31 December 2023 (2022: £nil).

Directors

The Directors who served during the year ended 31 December 2023 and up to the date of approval of this report were:

P Utting 
O Jones
N Johnson (appointed 1 June 2023, resigned 3 September 2024)
 
J Rothwell (resigned 31 March 2023)
B Murray (appointed 3 September 2024)
I Southerland (appointed 5 August 2024)

Political contributions

The Company made no political donations or incurred any political expenditure during the year ended 31 December 2023 (2022: £nil).

Directors’ indemnities

The Company has made qualifying third-party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its Directors which remain in force at the date of this report.

Greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and energy efficiency action

The Company has not disclosed information in respect of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and energy efficiency action as its energy consumption in the United Kingdom for the year is 40,000kWh or lower.

Matters covered in the Strategic Report

In accordance with Section 414c (ii) of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors have chosen to include the following items in the Strategic Report:
 
Principal activity and business review
Principal risks and uncertainties
Future developments

Post balance sheet events

There are no post balance sheet events which require disclosure in, or adjustments to the financial statements.

Page 5

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the persons who are Directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:
 
so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditor is unaware, and

the Director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditor is aware of that information.

Auditor

The auditor, KPMG LLPwill be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.

This report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:
 





P Utting
Director
Date: 20 November 2024

Page 6

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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 judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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

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 2006They 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.

Page 7

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Walstead Finance Limited (“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity and related notes, including the accounting policies in note 2.
 
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 loss for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards applicable to smaller entities, including Section 1A of FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland; 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 are described below.  We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and are independent of the Company in accordance with, UK ethical requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note 2.1 to the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. 

Going concern

The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Company or to cease its operations, and as they have concluded that the Company’s financial position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no material uncertainties that could have cast significant doubt over its ability to continue as a going concern for at least a year from the date of approval of the financial statements (“the going concern period”).

In our evaluation of the Directors’ conclusions, we considered the inherent risks to the Company’s business model and analysed how those risks might affect the Company’s financial resources or ability to continue operations over the going concern period.

Our conclusions based on this work:

we consider that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate;
we have not identified, and concur with the directors’ assessment that there is not, a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for the going concern period.

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Company will continue in operation.

Page 8

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – ability to detect

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud
To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included enquiring of directors and inspection of policy documentation as to the Walstead Finance Limited’s policies and procedures to prevent and detect fraud that apply to this group company as well as enquiring whether the directors have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud.
As required by auditing standards, we perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls, in particular the risk that management may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting entries. On this audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk related to revenue recognition because there are no revenue transactions. We did not identify any additional fraud risks.
We performed procedures including agreeing a sample of accounting entries in the period to supporting documentation.


Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement related to compliance with laws and regulations
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience and through discussion with the directors (as required by auditing standards), and discussed with the directors the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations.

The company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation (including related companies legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.  
This company, as a holding company, is not subject to other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements. 
 

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or breaches of law or regulation
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it.

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
Page 9

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

The Strategic Report and the Directors' Report

The Directors are responsible for the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report.  Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover that report and we do not express an audit opinion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the directors’ report and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work:

we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report; 
in our opinion the information given in that report for the financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and 
in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required 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; or
the Directors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

Directors’ responsibilities

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 7, the Directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; 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 they either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 10

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

Auditor’s responsibilities

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 our opinion in an Auditor’s Report.  Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

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.




Michael Scrivener (Senior Statutory Auditor)

  

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor
 
Chartered Accountants
 
20 Station Road
Cambridge
CB1 2JD
20 November 2024

Page 11

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023
2022
Note
£'000
£'000

  

Administrative expenses
  
(7)
(5)

Operating loss
  
(7)
(5)

Interest receivable and similar income
 6 
994
701

Interest payable and similar expenses
 7 
(8,388)
(8,105)

Loss before tax
  
(7,401)
(7,409)

Loss for the financial year
  
(7,401)
(7,409)

All activities derive from continuing activities.
There was no other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2023 
(2022£nil).

The notes on pages 15 to 25 form part of these financial statements.

Page 12

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 09927246

BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023
2023
2022
2022
Note
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000

Fixed assets
  

Investments
  
50
50

 
Current assets
  

Debtors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 10 
13,447
17,503

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 10 
2
2

  
13,449
17,505

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 11 
(1,001)
(1,001)

Net current assets
  
 
 
12,448
 
 
16,504

Total assets less current liabilities
  
12,498
16,554

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 12 
(72,607)
(69,262)

Net liabilities
  
(60,109)
(52,708)


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 13 
50
50

Profit and loss account
 14 
(60,159)
(52,758)

  
(60,109)
(52,708)


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board and were signed on its behalf by: 




B G Murray
Director
Date: 20 November 2024

The notes on pages 15 to 25 form part of these financial statements.

Page 13

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£'000
£'000
£'000


At 1 January 2022
50
(45,349)
(45,299)


Comprehensive income

Loss for the year
-
(7,409)
(7,409)



At 1 January 2023
50
(52,758)
(52,708)


Comprehensive income

Loss for the year
-
(7,401)
(7,401)


At 31 December 2023
50
(60,159)
(60,109)


The notes on pages 15 to 25 form part of these financial statements.

Page 14

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1.


General information

Walstead Finance Limited is a company incorporated, domiciled and registered in the UK under the Companies Act. The Company is a private company limited by shares and is registered in England and Wales with registration number 09927246. The address of the Company’s registered office is 18 Westside Centre, London Road, Colchester, Essex, England, CO3 8PH.
The principal activity of the Company during the year ended 31 December 2023 continued to be that of providing treasury facilities to Walstead Holdings Limited and its fellow subsidiaries.

2.Accounting policies

 
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Section 1A of 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 rounded to the nearest thousand (£'000), unless otherwise stated.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the Company's accounting policies (see note 3).

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

 
2.2

Financial Reporting Standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

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;
the requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7.

This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of Walstead Holdings Limited as at 31 December 2023 and these financial statements may be obtained from Companies House.

 
2.3

Exemption from preparing consolidated financial statements

The Company is a parent company that is also a subsidiary included in the consolidated financial statements of a larger group by a parent undertaking established under the law of any part of the United Kingdom and is therefore exempt from the requirement to prepare consolidated financial statements under section 400 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 15

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.4

Going concern

Notwithstanding net liabilities of €60.1m as at 31 December 2023 and a loss after tax for the year of €7.4m, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the Directors consider to be appropriate for the following reasons:
The Company's net liabilities are driven by long-term shareholder loan notes that are not due until more than 12 months from the signing date of these accounts. The Company has net current assets of £12.4 million 
(2022: £16.5 million assets) consisting mainly of loans to Group companies that can be recalled on demand if the Company needs funds. 
The Company is part of a group, headed by the ultimate parent company Walstead Holdings Limited, and the Directors of the Group have prepared a base case forecast and considered the factors that impact Walstead Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries and their future development, performance, cash flows and financial position along with the Group and Company’s current and forecast liquidity in forming their opinion on the going concern basis. In doing so, the Directors have prepared forecasts covering a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements.
The Group and Company’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Strategic Report. Principal risks are detailed on pages 1 - 2. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the financial statements.
The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts and performed a going concern assessment for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements (the going concern period), which indicates that in the base case scenario the group will have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities as they fall due during the going concern assessment period.
The Directors have also prepared severe yet plausible downside scenarios, which take account of potential and realistic decline in trading performance driven by inflation and loss in customer demand. In particular, these scenarios include modelling reductions in revenue or an increase in the price of raw materials. Results from these models noted that there was sufficient funds to meet group’s liabilities as they fall due during the going concern assessment period.
In addition to operating cash flows, the Group meets day to day financing and working capital needs through external facilities and shareholder loan notes, amounting to €149.5m.  As part of the Group’s working capital management, it utilises invoice factoring facilities. These ongoing factoring facilities have operated successfully and efficiently for a number of years, and while the earliest date that these facilities could cease to be available is 30 November 2025, the Group has no reason to believe that the facilities would not continue to be available beyond this date. The facilities remain attractive to the provider due to the quality and strength of the group's receivables. The Group also uses a range of revolving credit and other non-term facilities which have been, and are expected to be, renewed as considered appropriate. 
There are no covenants attached to the shareholder loan notes and the factoring facility held across the Group is subject to a net equity covenant. The Directors note that at no point in the modelling (i.e. either at the base case or severe but plausible case) the covenants were expected to breach. 
 
Page 16

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2.Accounting policies (continued)


2.4
Going concern (continued)

In the unlikely event of these existing factoring facilities ceasing to be available or if other facilities are not renewed, the Group already has prudent back up facilities in place in respect of all but €38m of its projected working capital management  requirements at the end of 2025, with adequate time to ensure that additional facilities are in place to fully meet its working capital management requirements. 
Consequently, the Directors are confident that the Group and the Company will have sufficient working capital to continue to meet its liabilities for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements and therefore have prepared these financial statements on a going concern basis.

 
2.5

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

The Company's functional and presentational currency is pound sterling.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within 'finance income or costs'. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in profit or loss within 'other operating income'.

 
2.6

Interest income

Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

 
2.7

Finance costs

Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

 
2.8

Borrowing costs

All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the year in which they are incurred.

Page 17

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.9

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

 
2.10

Debtors

Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

 
2.11

Creditors

Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

  
2.12

Financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Trade and other debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised initially at transaction price plus attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.
When considering the recoverability of amounts due from group companies, guarantees from the parent company are taken into consideration.
Trade and other creditors
Trade and other creditors are recognised initially at transaction price less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and on call deposits.
Shareholder loan notes
Interest-bearing shareholder loan notes are recorded at the proceeds received and accrued.  Finance charges, including interest, are accounted for on an accruals basis. 
There are no covenants attached to the shareholder loan facility and the factoring facility held across the Group is subject to a net equity covenant

Page 18

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3.


Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the Company’s accounting policies the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts 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 performance 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 if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
Critical judgements in applying the Company’s accounting policies
There are not considered to be any critical judgments that the Directors have made in the process of applying the Company's accounting policies.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
There are not considered to be any key assumptions concerning the future or other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date.


4.


Auditor's remuneration

The auditor’s remuneration for audit was £7,000 (2022: £7,000) and this was borne by another group company.




5.


Employees

The Company has no employees other than the Directors who did not receive any remuneration in the current or prior year.  The Directors who served during the year ended 31 December 2023 are also Directors of the ultimate parent company or a fellow subsidiary company and are remunerated by those companies. Although they do receive remuneration from those companies in respect of the services to various group companies, their involvement in the day to day running of Walstead Finance Limited is minimal due to its size within the Group. Therefore, if the proportion of their remuneration were to be disclosed in these financial statements it would be £nil (2022: £nil).


6.


Interest receivable

2023
2022
£'000
£'000


Interest receivable on intra-group loan
994
701

994
701

Page 19

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

7.


Interest payable and similar expenses

2023
2022
£'000
£'000


Interest payable on shareholder loans
8,388
8,105

8,388
8,105


8.


Taxation


2023
2022
£'000
£'000



Deferred tax


Origination and reversal of timing differences
-
-


Tax on loss
-
-

Factors affecting tax charge for the year

The tax assessed for the year is higher than (2022 - higher than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% to 31 March 2023 and 25% after 31 March 2023 (2022: 19%). The differences are explained below:

2023
2022
£'000
£'000


Loss on ordinary activities before tax
(7,401)
(7,409)


Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by effective rate of corporation tax in
the UK of 23.5% (2022: 19%)
(1,741)
(1,408)

Effects of:


Current year losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised
1,741
1,408

Total tax charge for the year
-
-

An increase in the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% was substantively enacted in June 2021 and took effect from 1 April 2023 for profits over £250,000.  For profits under £50,000 the tax rate will remain the same at 19% and for profits between these figures it will be subject to 25% but reduced by a marginal relief providing a gradual increase in the effective corporation tax rate.


Factors that may affect future tax charges

There were no factors that may affect future tax charges.

Page 20

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

9.


Fixed asset investments





Investment in subsidiary company

£'000



Cost


At 1 January 2023
50



At 31 December 2023
50





Subsidiary undertakings


The following were subsidiary undertakings of the Company:

Name

Registered office

Principal activity

Class of shares

Holding

Walstead Group Limited*
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Treasury Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead United Kingdom Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead UK Holdings Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead UK Holdings Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Peterborough Limited
UK1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Roche Limited
UK1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Bicester Limited
UK1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead York Limited
UK1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Press Group Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Heron Limited
UK1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Iberia Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Eurohueco S.A.U.
ES1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Rotocobrhi S.A.U.
ES1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Rhapsody Media S.L.U.
ES1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Encuadernación y Acabados S.L.U.
ES1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Iberia S.L.U.
ES1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Leykam Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead CE GmbH
AU1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Let's Print Holdings AG
AU1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Moraviapress s.r.o.
CZ1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Leykam Tiskana d.o.o.
SL1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Gotha GmbH
DE1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Leykam Druck GmbH
AU1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Page 21

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Subsidiary undertakings (continued)


Name

Registered office

Principal activity

Class of shares

Holding

Walstead Kraków Sp. z.o.o.
PL1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Starachowice Sp. z.o.o.
PL2
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Walstead Deutschland GmbH
DE2
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Rhapsody Group Limited
UK1
Management
Ordinary
100%
Rhapsody Limited
UK1
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%
Rhapsody CE Sp. z.o.o.
PL3
Print and related services
Ordinary
100%

* Direct undertaking

Registered offices

UK118 Westside Centre, London Road, Colchester, CO3 8PH, United Kingdom
ES1 Ronda de Valdecarrizo 13, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
AU1Bickfordstraße 21, 7201 Neudörfl an der Leitha, Austria
CZ1 Breclav, U Póny 3061, PSC 69002, Czech Republic
SL1 Miklavška cesta 61, 2311 Hoce, Slovenia
PL1 Obroncow Modlina 11, Krakow, 30-733, Poland
PL2 Bema 2C, Starachowice, 27-200, Poland
PL3 Aleja Armii Ludowej 14, Warsaw, 00-638, Poland
DE1 Gutenbergstraße 3, 99869 Günthersleben-Wechmar, Germany
DE2Ulmenstraße 37-39, Frankfurt, 60325, Germany

Further details for active companies including the principal business address, can be found at: www.walstead-group.com
The Group also includes a number of historic entities that no longer trade and are classed as dormant entities. None of these entities have any income or expenditure, nor significant consolidated assets or liabilities. The entities have been included within the Group's consolidated reporting but have not been included on this list of companies for the sake of clarity and brevity.

Page 22

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

10.


Debtors

2023
2022
£'000
£'000

Due after more than one year

Amounts owed by group undertakings
13,447
17,503

13,447
17,503


2023
2022
£'000
£'000

Due within one year

Prepayments and accrued income
2
2

2
2


The amounts owed by group undertakings due after more than one year comprise of loans granted to the Company’s subsidiary at SONIA + 2.0% per annum on the outstanding balance. Those loans are due to mature in 2026.


11.


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2023
2022
£'000
£'000

Trade creditors
2
2

Amounts owed to group undertakings
999
999

1,001
1,001


Amounts owed to group undertakings are interest free, unsecured and are repayable on demand.


12.


Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

2023
2022
£'000
£'000

Shareholder loan notes
72,607
69,262

72,607
69,262


The shareholder loan notes are sterling denominated and due to mature in 2026. Interest is accrued daily at 12%.

Page 23

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

13.


Share capital

2023
2022
£'000
£'000
Allotted, called up and fully paid



50,000 (2022: 50,000) Ordinary shares of £1.00 each
50
50

The shares have full voting, dividend and capital distribution rights.



14.


Reserves

Profit and loss account

The profit and loss account represents the accumulation of retained profits, net of dividends, which are in the form of distributable reserves.


15.


Deferred tax

Unprovided deferred tax assets with no expiry date of £1,439(2022: £1,223k) have not been recognised as it is not considered probable that they can be utilised in the foreseeable future.


16.


Related party transactions

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in Section 33.1A FRS 102 from the requirement to disclose transactions and balances entered into with wholly owned members of the Group.
The Company has the following related party transactions to report;


2023
2022
£'000
£'000

Shareholder loan notes
  
Outstanding balances
 12 
72,607
69,262
Transactions during the year
  
Accrued interest
  
8,388
8,105
Repayments of shareholder loan notes
  
5,043
10,091

Page 24

 
WALSTEAD FINANCE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

17.


Controlling party

The immediate parent and ultimate holding company is Walstead Holdings Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company registered number 09927148).  Walstead Holdings Limited forms the largest group for which consolidated financial statements are drawn up and these financial statements are available from Companies House.  The registered office for Walstead Holdings Limited is 18 Westside Centre, London Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 8PH.
The ultimate controlling party is Rutland Partners LLP.  Rutland Partners LLP is held by multiple partners and is diversified.  It is not significantly influenced by a single person.

 
Page 25