Registered number:
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
CONTENTS
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
The Directors present the Strategic Report of Babington Business Limited (the "Group") for the year ended 31 July 2024. The principal activity of the Company is an investment holding company.
Principal activities of the business Babington seeks to develop better futures for organisations, individuals and the communities in which we operate. We seek to achieve this by supporting organisations and individuals unlock potential and perform at their very best. The Group is a national training provider, delivering apprenticeships and commercial training across the UK funded by the Government through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (“ESFA”), Skills Development Scotland (“SDS”) and via a subcontracting agreement, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland. Although we’re one of the largest and most established apprenticeship providers in the UK, we’re also an organisation of learning experts. Our national delivery and learner support teams have a diverse range of both education and industry backgrounds, allowing them to draw upon technical expertise and practical experience to provide optimal training solutions and learner engagement. All Babington’s accredited programmes take a learner-centred and people-focused approach, ensuring active participation in new learning and sought-after skills are well developed. Through hands on activities, collaborative projects and high quality facilitated learning Babington equip learners with the necessary skills and competencies to excel within their respective roles and future careers. Business review During the year ended 31 July 2024, the financial performance of the Group was challenged across each of the Group financial key performance indicators: • Turnover reduced by 19.9% (£4.5m) from £2332m in FY23 to £18.6m in FY24; • Gross margin remained broadly unchanged at 30% in FY24, compared to 31% in FY23; and EBITDA (adjusted for one-off restructuring activities) improved by 62.3% (£1.9m) from £(3.0)m in FY23 to £(1.3)m in FY24. In June 2023, in response to the worsening financial performance of the Group, the business commenced an extensive programme of activities to restructure business operations to increase focus, innovation and operational best practice aligned to a streamlined set of core apprenticeship programmes. Whilst the end-to-end programme of restructuring activities is not expected to be completed until early 2026, initial steps taken in June and July 2023 saw the organisation simplify, strengthen and refocus its operations to deliver market-leading learning experiences to support critical skills development aligned to market demand. As a result, the organisational restructure saw the Group focus on apprenticeships, professional qualifications and commercial programmes across five professional service specialisms: Accountancy, HR and L&D; Leadership & Management, Data and IT, and Business Administration and Customer Services. Consequently, Babington exited its existing Adult Education Budget (“AEB”) portfolio, including its digital skills bootcamps and sector work academy programme (“SWAP”) courses, as well as its England apprenticeships training offering within Property Services, Financial Services and Insurance; and Retail Apprenticeship Standards. Despite the move to exit certain Apprenticeship Standards, Babington has remained committed to safeguard and ensure continuity for all current and committed learners across affected programmes.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
During the year ended 31 July 2024, both the Operational Improvement Plan and Financial Turnaround Plan were significantly progressed. With fifty years’ experience delivering high-impact learning programmes, the business leveraged its deep foundations, passionate colleagues and quality programmes to successfully execute the planned restructuring activities and return the business to positive and sustainable profitability and growth.
As a result of these activities, the Group’s operating loss for the year ended 31 July 2024 reduced by 47.8% (adjusting for one-off restructuring costs) and the Company returned to sustainable profitability and cash generation in Q4 FY24.
As a result of restructuring activities outlined above, overall revenue reduced by 19.6%:
∙62% of the year-on-year reduction in revenue is attributable to the exit of its Adult Education Budget (“AEB”) portfolio, including its digital skills bootcamps and sector work academy programme (“SWAP”) courses; and
∙38% of the year-on-year reduction in revenue is attributable to the cessation of England apprenticeships training offering within Property Services, Financial Services and Insurance; and Retail Apprenticeship Standards; partially offset by 9% growth in Continuing England apprenticeships training and 4% growth in Continuing Devolved Nations apprenticeships training.
Alongside the purposeful and managed reduction in revenue, successful implementation of the Operational Improvement Plan, supported by a restructure of the Group ’s central service departments, resulted in a 6.9ppts uplift to underlying EBITDA (adjusting for one-off restructuring costs).
This uplift in underlying financial performance was delivered alongside improvements to Apprenticeship Learner Outcomes (i.e. Qualification Achievement Rates) and Apprenticeship Learner Retention Rates, as well as uplifts to both Customer and Employee satisfaction scores.
As part of the restructuring plan, in September 2023, aligned to Babington’s commitment to safeguard and ensure continuity for all current and committed learners across affected programmes, Babington entered into an agreement with Davies Group that saw all existing customers and learners in affected Financial Services and Insurance Apprenticeship Standards offered the option to transfer and complete their learning with Davies.
In January 2024, the Office for Standards in Education (“Ofsted”) awarded Babington ‘Good’ across all five core inspection categories: Quality of education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management and Apprenticeships.
Subsequently, Babington received Satisfactory gradings from both an ESFA Funding Assurance Review and SDS Funding Compliance Review conducted in 2024.
Also in January 2024, the Group restructured its approach to curriculum design and programme delivery; adopting a learner centric approach with the stated objectives of improving learner engagement and application of knowledge, as well as improved contextualisation of curriculum within workplace settings; to uplift both the academic and practical outcomes of Apprenticeship learning for both learners and their employers. By January 2025, 55% of Babington’s Apprenticeship programmes have commenced redesign and relaunch of curriculum materials under the new design principles; whilst 100% of Babington’s Apprenticeship programmes have seen their delivery and learner support approach adapted to the revised approach.
Following successful implementation of the Operational Improvement Plan and restructure of both Central Services and Programme Development departments, Babington’s Customer Engagement team was also restructured in Jul-24, transitioning the team to industry aligned verticals to better support Babington’s customers and support them to develop tailored strategies to address their learning and development requirements through a blend of funded and commercial solutions.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
In November 2024, Babington was notified by ESFA of investigations relating to funding received in the academic years 2019/20 and 2020/21 for traineeship provision that Babington had subcontracted to third-party providers. The investigation relates to claims of learner data manipulation and recycled learner details by subcontractor providers.
As Babington is the primary contracting party with ESFA, any funds recovery / clawback for subcontractor errors or wrongdoing, would be claimed against Babington. At the current time, ESFA investigations have not been concluded, however the total funding received under the traineeship agreements for provision subcontracted to the third-parties under investigation is held on balance sheet as a provision and relevant insurers have been notified.
Despite the financial challenges, the business continues to invest for the long-term and the Directors do not envisage any material change to the Group’s principal activities. As such, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as set out in the Directors’ Report.
With fifty years’ experience delivering high-impact learning programmes, the business is leveraging its deep foundations, passionate colleagues and quality programmes to successfully execute the planned restructuring activities and return the business to positive and sustainable profitability and growth.
The performance of the business is monitored at various levels through a range of operational, commercial and financial metrics. Detailed management financial statements are produced on a monthly basis; analysed by individuals, teams and departments with accountability for the performance.
The key financial performance measures considered by the Board and management are turnover, gross profit, gross margin, EBITDA and Free Cash Flow (“FCF”). To contextualise the financial performance of the business, other non-financial key performance indicators are monitored by the business, including (but not limited to) learner enrolment volumes by programme, timeliness of learner progression, learner retention and achievement rates, and both learner and customer satisfaction scores
It is a requirement that the Directors of the Company act in accordance with Section 172 (1) (a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006 to promote the success of the Group and Company for the benefit of its members as whole.
We recognise the critically important role that our employees play in the success of the business and ensure that the health, safety and wellbeing of Babington employees is a top priority of the Board. We also ensure thatdealings with learners, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders are fair and transparent, as we recognise that they are a critical factor in the success of the business. We behave responsibly and ensure that management operate the business in a responsible manner too,operating within the high standards of business conduct and good governance. The Directors understand that they must act in a way that is most likely to promote the success of the Group for the benefit of its members.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Babington is principally funded by the Government through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (“ESFA”), Skills Development Scotland (“SDS”) and via a subcontracting agreement, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland.
As a result, the principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are considered to be related to changes to its contractual relationships with these Government Bodies, together with the strength of the UK’s economy and economic outlook and the willingness of employers to enrol and support employees on apprenticeship programmes. As such, the Directors manage this risk through regular and open dialogue with these funding bodies and through continuously monitoring and adapting to changes in Government policies, priorities and funding availability, and associated changes to the political and regulatory environment. Due to the complexity of the funding rules within which the Group operates, Babington continues to invest in its funding and compliance team who ensure funding submissions are accurate and complete, whilst also providing guidance and training to colleagues across the business to ensure adherence to funding rules and application of best practice in day-to-day decision making. Quality is central to both operational and strategic decision-making, formalised in 2023 by the creation of Quality & Compliance Governance Board, with non-executive chair and representatives to monitor and advise on all aspects of quality and compliance within the business
This report was approved by the board on 7 March 2025 and signed on its behalf.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2024.
The directors are responsible for preparing the Group Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies for the Group's financial statements and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group 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 the Group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to £5,263,681 (2023 - loss £3,907,890).
The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2023: £Nil).
The directors who served during the year were:
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Notwithstanding the Groups operating loss for the year ended 31 July 2024 of £5.2m, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which the Directors consider to be appropriate for the following reasons.
The Directors have prepared detailed profit and loss and cash flow forecasts for the period to 31 July 2026. The business returned to operational profitability in Jun-24 and is forecast to maintain this position going forward. Whilst additional funding is required to settle aged liabilities (principally to ESFA) for funding years FY23 and earlier; sufficient funding has been committed by Unigestion SA to fund these liabilities, together with contingency for substantial downside scenarios. Whilst these loans are subject to interest, signed confirmation has been provided that no interest will be paid, nor any capital repayments made, on these loans prior to 31 March 2026. Following careful consideration of the assumptions and underlying drivers of the financial information, the Board is satisfied that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and to meet its current liabilities as they fall due. As such, the Directors believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
Details of future developments are outlined in the Strategic Report.
Financial Risk Management
The principal financial instruments used by the Group comprise bank balances, trade creditors, trade debtors and loans to and from other companies in the Group. The management of these instruments provides finance for the Group’s operations. As a result, main risks arising from the Group ’s financial instruments are credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. Credit Risk Trade debtors are managed by policies concerning the credit offered to customers and regular monitoring of amounts outstanding for both time and credit limits. As the principal trade debtors of the Group are the Education and Skills Funding Agency (“ESFA”) and Skills Development Scotland (“SDS”), the risk of significant bad debtors is deemed to be low; however the risk is further mitigated through close scrutiny of the accuracy and completeness of funding claim submissions to reduce potential clawback of funds in future periods. Liquidity Risk The Group forecasts cash flows on a weekly basis to monitor the likely cash requirements of the business over a 13-week forecast period. The forecast is used to ensure that there are sufficient funds available within the business to meet amounts as they fall due. Liquidity is managed through regular monitoring of short-term cash flows as well as medium and long-term scenario planning. Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is mitigated through loans held by the Group being agreed at a fixed interest rate.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
The Group’s employment policies have been designed to meet the needs of the Group and follow best practice, whilst complying with all applicable and relevant legislation. These policies are applied consistently throughout the Group and provide a fair and transparent framework within which employees operate.
The Group is firmly committed to ensuring that the manner in which it employs staff is fair and equitable. Its equal opportunities policy is designed to ensure that no person or group of individuals will be treated less favourably because of their race, colour, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, age, disability or marital status. The Directors are committed to maintaining a policy of regular communication, consultation and discussion with Group employees on a wide range of issues that are likely to affect their interests, ensuring employees are provided with information on matters of concern to them as employees, including the commercial, operational and financial factors affecting the performance of the Group.
The Directors have placed great importance on maintaining and nurturing relationships with key external stakeholders, including customers, partners, suppliers and others; and the impact of principal decisions taken by the Group during the financial year.
In the event of employees becoming disabled whilst in the service of the Group, all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that they have the opportunity for continued employment with the Group; including transfer to alternative duties if required and by provision of such retraining as appropriate.
Details of post balance sheet events are outlined in the Strategic Report.
Under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006, PKF Smith Cooper Audit Limited will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditors 28 days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing the accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
This report was approved by the board on
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of Babington Business Limited (the 'parent Company') and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the year ended 31 July 2024, which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Company Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's or the parent 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.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Group 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 Group Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Group Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these Group financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, we identify the key laws and regulations affecting the Group which include compliance with ESFA and OFSTED regulations. We identified that the principal risk of fraud or noncompliance with laws and regulations related to: • management bias in respect of accounting estimates and judgements made; • management override of control; • posting of unusual journals or transactions. We focused on those aresa that could give rise to a material misstatement in the Group financial statements.Our procedures included, but were not limited to: • Enquiry of management and those charged with governance/review of correspondence around actual and potential litigation and claims, including instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud; • Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance where available; • Reviewing legal expenditure in the year to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud/ and enquiries with third party advisors about potential claims; • Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations. • Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for bias. In particular, review of revenue recognition and the useful economic lives of assets /analytical procedures to identify any unexpected or unusual relationships that might indicate material misstatement due to fraud. It is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensur ethat the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of
Statutory Auditors
1 Prospect Place
Millenium Way
DE24 8HG
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 07077954
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 JULY 2024
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 7 March 2025.
The notes on pages 19 to 34 form part of these financial statements.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 07077954
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 JULY 2024
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on
The notes on pages 19 to 34 form part of these financial statements.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
The Company is a private limited company and is incorporated in England and Wales and details of its registered office are set out in the company information page. The principal activities of the Group and Company are set out in the Strategic report.
2.Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in £ sterling and rounded to the nearest £.
The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Group management to exercise judgment in applying the Group's accounting policies (see note 3).
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of Comprehensive Income in these financial statements.
Restatement of reserves- 1 August 2022
No consolidated financial statements were prepared for the Group for the year ended 31 July 2023, although consolidated financial statements were prepared for the year ended 31 July 2022. In the year end 31 July 2023, there were some prior year adjustments which impacted upon the opening reserves. Therefore there is a difference between the closing reserves for 31 July 2022 as noted in these accounts and those included in the 31 July 2022 consolidated financial statements. They have not been reflected as prior year adjustment in these financial statements, because they were recorded in the financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2023. The impact was to reduce reserves by £2,280,525. For further details, please see the financial statements of Babington Business College Limited.
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
The consolidated financial statements present the results of the Company and its own subsidiaries ("the Group") as if they form a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between group companies are therefore eliminated in full.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the purchase method. In the Balance Sheet, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income from the date on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date control ceases.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The directors have prepared forecasts for the Group and Company based on conservative assumptions for the period to 31 July 2026, including new starts and success rates, as well as on-going cost levels. These forecasts include detailed cashflow forecasts through to 31 July 2026 showing that the Group and Company will have sufficient funds over this period to satisfy all liabilities as they fall due for payment. The Group and Company's cashflow needs will be met from funds committed by Unigestion Direct II SCS-SICAV-RAIF (Compartment - Europe) ("Unigestion" for further detaild see note 24) of an additional facility to cover the anticipated cashflow requirements identified by the forecasting exercise, including a contingency for any deviation for actual performance variance to budget. These loans are subject to interest, but signed confirmation has been provided that no interest will be paid nor any capital repayments made on these loans prior to 12 August 2026.
As noted above, the Group and Company have received a letter of continued commitment from Unigestion confirming that they will continue to make these funds available to enable the Group and Company to meet its liabilities as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing of these financial statements. Therefore, the directors consider that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and to meet its current liabilities as they fall due. The Group therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
If it is not possible to distinguish between the research phase and the development phase of an internal project, the expenditure is treated as if it were all incurred in the research phase only.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the difference between amounts paid on the cost of a business combination and the acquirer’s interest in the fair value of the Group's share of its identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquiree at the date of acquisition. Subsequent to initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is amortised on a straight-line basis to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income over its useful economic life, which is 20 years. Other intangible assets Intangible assets,which comprise the development of training course content and delivery, are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the revaluation model, intangible assets shall be carried at a revalued amount, being its fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated amortisation and subsequent impairment losses - provided that the fair value can be determined by reference to an active market. Revaluations are made with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying amount does not differ materially from that which would be determined using fair value at the end of the balance sheet date. At each reporting date the company assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. All intangible assets are considered to have a finite useful life. If a reliable estimate of the useful life cannot be made, the useful life shall not exceed ten years.
The estimated useful lives range as follows:
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
In the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group's cash management. Provisions are measured as the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation, taking into account the related risks and uncertainties.
The Group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 “Basic Financial Instruments” of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other debtors, cash and bank balances, are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusted for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial assets that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss) and are
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment, 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.
Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Group's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other debtors due with the operating cycle fall into this category of financial instruments. 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 the deduction of all its liabilities. Basic financial liabilities, which include trade and other creditors, bank loans, other loans and loans due to fellow group companies are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusting for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial liabilities that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss). When this constitutes a financing transaction, whereby the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest, discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods and services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Trade creditors are classified as current liabilities if the payment is due within one year. If not, they represent non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are initially recognised at their transaction price and subsequently are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. Revenue recognition The Group recognises revenue when services have been provided and contract conditions have been met in relation to these services. Therefore, the Group make a provision against revenue for instances where funding has to be returned to the ESFA when certain conditions are not met. Useful economic lives of fixed assets The annual charges for depreciation and amortisation of tangible and intangible fixed assets are sensitive to changes in the estimated economic useful lives of the asset. These are re-assessed annually and amended when necessary to reflect any changes arising from economic utilisation, future investments and their physical condition.
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Page 25
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Page 26
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Page 27
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
9.Taxation (continued)
There are approximately £10,369,234 (2023: £6,405,562) of taxable losses which have not been recognised as a deferred tax asset. In addition, other timing differences of £170,719, which represent deferred tax assets have not been recognised
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Page 29
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Page 30
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Page 31
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
Page 32
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
17.Deferred taxation (continued)
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BABINGTON BUSINESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
19.Share capital (continued)
Profit and loss account
The Group operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Group to the fund and amounted to £280,395 (2023: £369,515). Contributions totalling £55,347 (2023: £71,384) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
At 31 July 2024, the immediate parent undertaking is Marshal Bidco Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales. The ultimate parent company is Marshal Topco Limited, a company incorporated in England & Wales,
Marshal Topco Limited is considered to be under the control of funds managed by an affliate of Unigestion SA which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The directors consider that there is no one ultimate controlling party by virtue of there being no majority shareholder within the ultimate parent entity.
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