Caseware UK (AP4) 2024.0.164 2024.0.164 2023-05-31sale of cleaning and maintenance materials, mainly for the consumer market2023-01-01falsetrue2218falsefalse 03844599 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 03844599 2023-12-31 03844599 2022-12-31 03844599 2022-01-01 03844599 c:Director1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director1 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director2 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director2 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director3 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director3 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director4 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director4 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director5 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director5 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director6 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Director6 2023-12-31 03844599 c:RegisteredOffice 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:PlantMachinery 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:PlantMachinery 2023-12-31 03844599 d:PlantMachinery 2022-12-31 03844599 d:PlantMachinery d:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:FurnitureFittings 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:FurnitureFittings 2023-12-31 03844599 d:FurnitureFittings 2022-12-31 03844599 d:FurnitureFittings d:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:Goodwill 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:Goodwill 2023-12-31 03844599 d:Goodwill 2022-12-31 03844599 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2023-12-31 03844599 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2022-12-31 03844599 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments d:WithinOneYear 2023-12-31 03844599 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments d:WithinOneYear 2022-12-31 03844599 d:ReportableOperatingSegment1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:ReportableOperatingSegment1 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 03844599 d:ShareCapital 2023-12-31 03844599 d:ShareCapital 2022-12-31 03844599 d:ShareCapital 2022-01-01 03844599 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2023-12-31 03844599 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 03844599 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2022-12-31 03844599 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2022-01-01 03844599 c:OrdinaryShareClass1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:OrdinaryShareClass1 2023-12-31 03844599 c:OrdinaryShareClass1 2022-12-31 03844599 c:FRS102 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:Audited 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:FullAccounts 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 c:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:Subsidiary1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:Subsidiary1 1 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:WithinOneYear 2023-12-31 03844599 d:WithinOneYear 2022-12-31 03844599 d:BetweenOneFiveYears 2023-12-31 03844599 d:BetweenOneFiveYears 2022-12-31 03844599 6 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 d:Goodwill d:OwnedIntangibleAssets 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 03844599 e:PoundSterling 2023-01-01 2023-12-31 xbrli:shares iso4217:GBP xbrli:pure

Registered number: 03844599










HG UKI LTD










Annual Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Company Information


Directors
HG International B.V. (appointed 2 July 2024)
Karel Ludo Frans Vandamme (appointed 19 June 2024)
Robert Dirk Michel (appointed 11 March 2025)




Registered number
03844599



Registered office
Weston Business Centre Parsonage Road
Takeley

Bishop's Stortford

CM22 6PU




Independent auditor
Kreston Reeves LLP
Statutory Auditor & Chartered Accountants

Second Floor

168 Shoreditch High Street

London

E1 6RA





 
HG UKI LTD
 

Strategic Report
For the year ended 31 December 2023

Principal activity
 
The principal activity of the company is the marketing, sale and distribution of specialty cleaning products in the UK and Ireland. 

Business review
 
HG UKI Ltd is a subsidiary of Brandblock Global BV.
The company operates in the highly competitive cleaning product market and has the mission to become the undisputed No. 1 in specialty cleaning products in the UK.
The company’s portfolio of specialty products covers all cleaning categories; Bathroom, Kitchen, Living room, Floors, Washroom & Textiles, Shed & Garage, and Garden & Outdoors and is distributed via the following channels:

Retail (including major supermarkets)
DIY
Household Online
E-commerce

The unique position of being able to provide specialized products in any category provides a stable platform for the business to grow. The company continues to seek new product opportunities by innovation and or acquisition. 

Consumer trends are changing with more awareness of environmental impact of products in particular. With the acquisition of Ecozone and launch of HG Eco the company believes it is well placed to service the consumer needs.



Financial key performance indicators
 
The management of the company relies on a number of key performance indicators to monitor the health of the business. As indicated by the examples below, these expressed the strong performance of the company in such a competitive environment. 
 

2024
2023
Comments
Revenue growth (%)
35.28%
13.8%
Current period increase appear to be attributable to the inclusion of the Ecozone revenues taking full effect in the current period as well as the general uptick in trading of the entity
Gross (%)
27.1%
16.9%

Inventory turnover 
5.71
4.84



Future developments
 
The integration of the group’s commercial operations in the UK has resulted in the company offering a significant broader portfolio plus access to a pipeline of new products to be launched over the coming years. The addition of new innovative products and Eco products to the already established portfolio will lead to continued revenue growth in the years ahead, as the portfolio expansion will retain existing customers and attract new customers by ensuring HG can meet any consumers cleaning needs.

Page 1

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Strategic Report (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2023

Principal risks and uncertainties

Competition and price pressure are the main commercial risks that the company faces, which are managed through strategic customer relationships, pricing strategies, a robust supply chain and cost control. The majority of the company’s portfolio is sourced from internal and external overseas suppliers and there is a risk that the value of sterling may decrease.
Financial risk management
All financial risk is borne by Brandblock Global BV in relation to borrowings. Within the UK, all cash requirements are sourced internally through intercompany borrowings as and when required.
Credit risk
All customers are subject to credit assessments upon acceptance and regular credit checks are performed to ensure risk is managed.
Interest rate and cash flow risk
The company has only interest-bearing liabilities. All borrowings are in the form of intercompany loans and are at a fixed rate of interest.
Litigation risk
Any failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations may result in legal proceedings or regulatory sanctions. The company manages this risk through a strong ethical and compliance culture, training for all directors and employees, a Code of Conduct and global policies and standards applied across the group.
Employee policy
The company aims to consistently retain and recruit the best employees in the UK and the local market to provide good customer service and achieve objectives. This is achieved by offering competitive salary packages and benefits as well as having the goal of a healthy work/life balance for employees and family-friendly policies. All employees are encouraged towards self-development and develop a level of autonomy in their own roles.
The company’s performance depends largely on its staff. The resignation of key individuals and the inability to recruit people with the right experience and skills from the local community could adversely impact the group’s results. To mitigate these issues, the company invests in development plans for all our staff and rewards performance appropriately.


This report was approved by the board on 31 March 2025 and signed on its behalf.



Robert Dirk Michel
Director

Page 2

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Directors' Report
For the year ended 31 December 2023

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Directors' responsibilities statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
 
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period.

 In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:


select suitable accounting policies for the company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;

make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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.

Results and dividends

The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £511,294 (2022 - loss of £1,547,418).

Directors

The directors who served during the year were:

Robert Uytdewillegen (resigned 2 July 2024)
Dirk Van Breen (resigned 31 May 2023)
Diederik Casper Van Dijk (appointed 2 July 2024, resigned 31 December 2024)

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.

Page 3

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Directors' Report (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2023


Auditor

The auditor, Kreston Reeves 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.
 





Robert Dirk Michel
Director
Date: 31 March 2025

Page 4

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of HG UKI LTD
 

Qualified opinion


We have audited the financial statements of HG UKI LTD (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2023, which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policiesThe 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).


In our opinion, except for the possible effects of the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, 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 profit for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.


Basis for qualified opinion


We were not appointed as auditor of the company under after 31 December 2023 and thus did not observe the counting of physical inventories at the end of the year, or obtain comfort over the year-end quantity of stock from the third-party stock manager. We were unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means concerning the inventory quantities held at 31 December 2023, which are included in the balance sheet at £3,390,325, by using other audit procedures. Consequently we were unable to determine whether any adjustment to this amount was necessary. 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our qualified opinion.


Conclusions relating to going concern


In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.


Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.


Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.


Page 5

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of HG UKI LTD (continued)

Other information


The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditor's Report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual ReportOur 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.


As described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, we were unable to satisfy ourselves concerning the inventory quantities of £3,390,325 held at 31 December 2023. We have concluded that where the other information refers to the inventory balance or related balances such as cost of sales, it may be materially misstated for the same reason.


Basis for qualified opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
 

We were not appointed as auditor of the company under after 31 December 2023 and thus did not observe the counting of physical inventories at the end of the year, or obtain comfort over the year-end quantity of stock from the third-party stock manager. We were unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means concerning the inventory quantities held at 31 December 2023, which are included in the balance sheet at £3,390,325, by using other audit procedures. Consequently we were unable to determine whether any adjustment to this amount was necessary. In addition, were any adjustment to the inventory balance to be required, the strategic report would also need to be amended.
Except for the possible effects of the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, in our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:


the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.


Matters on which we are required to report by exception
 

Except for the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, in the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.
Arising solely from the limitation of the scope of our work relating to inventory, referred to above:
 
we have not obtained all the information and explanations that we consider necessary for the purpose of our audit; and
we were unable to determine whether adequate accounting records have been kept.


We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:


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


Page 6

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of HG UKI LTD (continued)

Responsibilities of directors
 

As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 3, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.


In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.


Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor's Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.


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:

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud
The objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud or error; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error; and to respond appropriately to those risks.
Based on our understanding of the company and industry, and through discussion with the directors and other management (as required by auditing standards), we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to health and safety and employment law. We considered the extent to which noncompliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006, UK GAAP and taxation legislation. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and examined alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase revenue or reduce expenditure. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

Discussions with management and assessment of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations (including health and safety) and fraud, and review of the reports made by management; and
Performing analytical procedures with automated data analytics tools to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships, including related party transactions, that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud; and
Reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance, reviewing internal audit reports and reviewing correspondence with relevant tax and regulatory authorities; and
Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any manual entries made at the year end for financial statement preparation; and
Year-end trade debtors balances have been agreed to cash received.
 
Page 7

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of HG UKI LTD (continued)



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.


As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:


Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion of the effectiveness of the company's internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our Auditor's Report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our Auditor's Report. However, future events or conditions may cause the company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.


We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.


Use of our report
 

This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006Our 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.





Allan Pinner FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of
Kreston Reeves LLP
Statutory Auditor & Chartered Accountants
London

1 April 2025
Page 8

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2023

2023
2022
 £
£

  

Turnover
 4 
22,156,281
16,378,276

Cost of sales
  
(16,149,531)
(13,615,781)

Gross profit
  
6,006,750
2,762,495

Administrative expenses
  
(5,080,227)
(4,057,400)

Operating profit/(loss)
  
926,523
(1,294,905)

Interest payable and similar expenses
 9 
(415,229)
(252,513)

Profit/(loss) before tax
  
511,294
(1,547,418)

Profit/(loss) for the financial year
  
511,294
(1,547,418)

There was no other comprehensive income for 2023 (2022: £NIL).

The notes on pages 12 to 22 form part of these financial statements.

Page 9

 
HG UKI LTD
Registered number:03844599

Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2023

2023
2022
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Intangible fixed assets
 11 
4,015,077
4,500,914

Tangible assets
 12 
12,682
16,685

Investments
 13 
1,868,998
1,852,330

  
5,896,757
6,369,929

Current assets
  

Stocks
 14 
3,390,325
2,271,168

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 15 
7,890,905
5,261,579

Cash at bank and in hand
  
3,258,719
533,721

  
14,539,949
8,066,468

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 16 
(20,375,873)
(14,886,858)

Net current liabilities
  
 
 
(5,835,924)
 
 
(6,820,390)

Total assets less current liabilities
  
60,833
(450,461)

  

Net assets/(liabilities)
  
60,833
(450,461)


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 17 
1,000
1,000

Profit and loss account
 18 
59,833
(451,461)

  
60,833
(450,461)


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




Robert Dirk Michel
Director
Date: 31 March 2025

The notes on pages 12 to 22 form part of these financial statements.

Page 10

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2023


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£


At 1 January 2022
1,000
1,095,957
1,096,957



Loss for the year
-
(1,547,418)
(1,547,418)



At 1 January 2023
1,000
(451,461)
(450,461)



Profit for the year
-
511,294
511,294


At 31 December 2023
1,000
59,833
60,833


The notes on pages 12 to 22 form part of these financial statements.

Page 11

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

1.


General information

HG UKI Ltd is a private company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England. The company's registered address and principal place of business is Weston Business Centre Parsonage Road, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, England, CM22 6PU.

2.Accounting policies

 
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

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

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

 
2.2

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 a state other than the United Kingdom and is therefore exempt from the requirement to prepare consolidated financial statements under section 401 of the Companies Act 2006.

 
2.3

Going concern

The directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. During the year the company made profits of of £511,294 (2022: losses of £1,547,418). At the year end the company had net current liabilities of £5,835,924 (2022: £6,820,390) and net assets of £60,833 (2022: £450,461 net liabilities). The company has the support of its parent company.  Due to this support, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

  
2.4

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 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraphs 33.1A and 33.7. 
This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of  Brandblock Holding B.V. as at 31 December 2023. The group accounts are available from Brandblock Holding B.V., Damsluisweg 70, Almere, 1332 EJ, The Netherlands. 

Page 12

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
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.

 
2.6

Revenue

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:

Sale of goods

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
the company has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer;
the company retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;
the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
it is probable that the company will receive the consideration due under the transaction; and
the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

 
2.7

Operating leases: the company as lessee

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 
2.8

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.

Page 13

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.9

Pensions

Defined contribution pension plan

The company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the company has no further payment obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Statement of Financial Position. The assets of the plan are held separately from the company in independently administered funds.

 
2.10

Current and deferred taxation

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates income.

Deferred tax balances are recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the reporting date, except that:
The recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits; and
Any deferred tax balances are reversed if and when all conditions for retaining associated tax allowances have been met.

Deferred tax balances are not recognised in respect of permanent differences except in respect of business combinations, when deferred tax is recognised on the differences between the fair values of assets acquired and the future tax deductions available for them and the differences between the fair values of liabilities acquired and the amount that will be assessed for tax. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.


 
2.11

Intangible assets

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 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 Statement of Comprehensive Income over its useful economic life of 10 years.




Page 14

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.12

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.

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 bases:

Plant and machinery
-
33%
Fixtures and fittings
-
20%

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.

 
2.13

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

 
2.14

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a first in, first out basis.
At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 
2.15

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.

 
2.16

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

 
2.17

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.

Page 15

 
HG UKI LTD
 

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.18

Financial instruments

The company only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of
financial assets and liabilities such as trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and
other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in non-puttable ordinary shares. 



3.


Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Management makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimate and assumption that has a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next year is addressed below:
Amortisation of Goodwill
The Company has recognised goodwill arising from business combinations with a carrying value of £4,015,077 (2023: £4,500,914) at the reporting date. On acquisition, the company determines a reliable estimate of useful life of the goodwill based upon factors such as the expected use of the acquired business and forecasts of expected future results and cashflows. A finite 10 year useful economic life has been chosen.


4.


Turnover

An analysis of turnover by class of business is as follows:


2023
2022
£
£

Sales of goods
22,156,281
16,378,276


All turnover arose within the United Kingdom.


5.


Auditor's remuneration

During the year, the company obtained the following services from the company's auditor:


2023
2022
£
£

Audit of the company's financial statements
28,500
19,500

Assistance with preparation of the financial statements
2,300
2,000

Corporation tax compliance

1,700
1,500

32,500
23,000


6.


Foreign currency translation

The company recognised £24,804 (2022: £278,019) of costs relating to exchange differences during the period.

Page 16

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

7.


Employees

Staff costs were as follows:


2023
2022
£
£

Wages and salaries
1,122,421
783,190

Social security costs
196,132
108,719

Cost of defined contribution scheme
77,361
23,982

1,395,914
915,891


The average monthly number of employees, including directors, during the year was 22 (2022 - 18).


8.


Directors' remuneration



There was no directors' remmuneration in the year (2022: £Nil)


9.


Interest payable and similar expenses

2023
2022
£
£


Loans from group undertakings
415,229
252,513


10.


Taxation


2023
2022
£
£



Total current tax
-
-

Deferred tax


-
-

Total deferred tax
-
-


-
-
Page 17

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023
 
10.Taxation (continued)


Factors affecting tax charge for the year

The tax assessed for the year is lower than (2022 - higher than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 28% (2022 - 19%). The differences are explained below:

2023
2022
£
£


Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax
511,294
(1,547,418)


Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 23.5% (2022 - 19%)
127,622
(294,009)

Effects of:


Expenses not deductible for tax purposes, other than goodwill amortisation and impairment
8,874
18,600

Fixed asset differences
119,695
64,876

Changes in provisions leading to an increase (decrease) in the tax charge
(684)
(392)

Utilisation of tax losses
(255,507)
-

Unrelieved tax losses carried forward
-
210,925

Total tax charge for the year
-
-


Factors that may affect future tax charges

Following the end of the accounting period, on 1 April 2023, Finance Bill 2021 was substantively enacted, increasing the rate of corporation tax that will apply for financial year 2023 onwards to 25% (on taxable profits above £250,000).

Page 18

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

11.


Intangible assets




Goodwill

£



Cost


At 1 January 2023
4,865,854



At 31 December 2023

4,865,854



Amortisation


At 1 January 2023
364,940


Charge for the year on owned assets
485,837



At 31 December 2023

850,777



Net book value



At 31 December 2023
4,015,077



At 31 December 2022
4,500,914




12.


Tangible fixed assets





Plant and machinery
Fixtures and fittings
Total

£
£
£



Cost


At 1 January 2023
151,938
5,651
157,589


Additions
2,120
4,700
6,820



At 31 December 2023

154,058
10,351
164,409



Depreciation


At 1 January 2023
138,082
2,822
140,904


Charge for the year on owned assets
9,463
1,360
10,823



At 31 December 2023

147,545
4,182
151,727



Net book value



At 31 December 2023
6,513
6,169
12,682



At 31 December 2022
13,856
2,829
16,685

Page 19

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

13.


Fixed asset investments





Investments in subsidiary companies

£



Cost


At 1 January 2023
1,852,330


Additions
16,668



At 31 December 2023
1,868,998





Subsidiary undertaking


The following was a subsidiary undertaking of the company:

Name

Registered office

Holding

Ecozone Limited
Weston Business Centre Parsonage Road, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, England, CM22 6PU
100%

The aggregate of the share capital and reserves as at 31 December 2023 and the profit or loss for the year ended on that date for the subsidiary undertaking were as follows:

Name
Aggregate of share capital and reserves
Profit/(Loss)

Ecozone Limited
1,494,047
-

Page 20

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

14.


Stocks

2023
2022
£
£

Finished goods and goods for resale
3,390,325
2,271,168



15.


Debtors

2023
2022
£
£


Trade debtors
4,290,950
4,614,551

Other debtors
3,581,868
431,228

Prepayments and accrued income
18,087
178,353

Deferred taxation
-
37,447

7,890,905
5,261,579



16.


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2023
2022
£
£

Trade creditors
781,738
1,268,062

Amounts owed to group undertakings
18,107,864
12,675,341

Other taxation and social security
613,433
532,171

Accruals and deferred income
872,838
411,284

20,375,873
14,886,858



17.


Share capital

2023
2022
£
£
Allotted, called up and fully paid



1,000 (2022 - 1,000) Ordinary shares of £1.00 each
1,000
1,000


This represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued by the company.



18.


Reserves

Profit and loss account
This reserve comprises all current and prior period retained profits and losses after deducting any distributions made to the company’s shareholders.

Page 21

 
HG UKI LTD
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023

19.


Pension commitments

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost paid during the year was £77,361 (2022: £15,311) and the contributions payable by the company to the fund at the balance sheet date amounted to £Nil (2022: £Nil).


20.


Commitments under operating leases

At 31 December 2023 the company had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:

2023
2022
£
£


Not later than 1 year
109,119
125,736

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
160,492
176,535

269,611
302,271


21.


Related party transactions

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption from disclosing related party transactions with its
fellow group members provided by paragraph 33.1A of Financial Reporting Standard 102 as it is a wholly
owned subsidiary undertaking of HG UKI Limited. 


22.


Controlling party

The directors consider that the ultimate parent undertaking of this company is COPEBA S.A.
The largest and smallest group of undertakings for which group accounts have been drawn up is that headed by Brandblock Holding B.V incorporated in Netherlands.
The group accounts are available from Brandblock Holding B.V., Damsluisweg 70, Almere, 1332 EJ, The Netherlands. 


Page 22