Business Review

After a very strong three years (with turnover in 2021, 2022 and 2023 sitting well over £21 million) 2024 has seen a return to rather more “normal” trading conditions.  Turnover has fallen to £18.4 million (hence relatively comparative to the £17.8 million figure in 2020 and £17.5 million in 2019).

Whilst volumes are relatively consistent (with case sales of 91,343), the market conditions are significantly more challenging than for some years.  Values of premium champagnes and wines have softened significantly and therefore sales of these higher margin items have slowed down.  The position in terms of fine spirits has proven even more difficult.  Whilst sales of “standard” lines of spirits have held up relatively well, we have seen little movement either of higher age statement whiskies or bespoke single casks.  Hence, both turnover and contribution has dropped during the year.

We have been fortunate that the traditional trade has, despite the headwinds, continued well through the year.  And, at the same time, we have expanded our sales coverage to the broader on trade.  These have, to a certain extent, provided a buffer against the drop at the top end of the market.

One of the highlights of the year has been the granting of the Royal Warrant to Pol Roger by King Charles III.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

We continue, keenly, to monitor overheads, sales and marketing costs against budget.  After some years of significant price increases, there is now relative stability across the market and we have to hope that, despite challenging economic conditions, the strengths of our brands continues to allow us to broaden our customer base and maintain our position in the market.  We are continuing to work to reduce our environmental impact (following our certification with Planet Mark last year) and to ensure that we promote diversity, equity and inclusion within our workforce.  In addition, we also continue to support sensible drinking through our active membership of the key trade bodies and our particular role in training a further generation of responsible drinkers through ongoing tastings and events through the University sector.

Performance Indicators

The Board continue to monitor the performance of the company against the following parameters:

• Sales volumes against budget and previous year’s sales.

• Profit margins against budget and the previous year’s figures.

• Marketing expenditure against budgets agreed individually with each of our principals.

On behalf of the board

The results for the year are set out on page 7.

During the year dividends of £712,500 (2023 £950,000) were paid to Pol Roger Et Cie S.A. the parent company of Pol Roger Limited, and £37,500 (2023 £50,000) were paid to J&G Grant.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Kendall Wadley LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

As the company has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, it qualifies as a low energy user under these regulations and is not required to report on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual 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 United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). 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 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; and

• 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 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 hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

We have audited the financial statements of Pol Roger Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including 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).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 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 opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

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

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

Other information

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 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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.

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:

• 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 remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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

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:

- an understanding of the risk assessment process (including the assessment of the risk of fraud) adopted by the Board is obtained and their attitude to risk ascertained

- an assessment of the susceptibility to material mis-statement of the financial statements as a result of management over-ride or fraud is made

- it is ensured that the engagement team have, collectively, the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to be involved in the assignment, are fully briefed and understand the risks specific to the company

- processes to test the outcomes of our assessment include, a review of Board minutes, analytical review, the relevance and accuracy of significant accounting estimates, substantive testing of significant transactions, work to identify unusual or unexpected accounting entries including the testing of journal entries, information disclosed in the financial statements is traced to supporting documentation. In all instances it is acknowledged that material mis-statements that arise from fraud may involve deliberate concealment or collusion and are, therefore, by their very nature harder to detect than those arising from error.

- an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework as applicable to the company is obtained together with knowledge of the procedures put in place by the company in order to comply with the same

- it is established if there have been any instances of non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations, where there are such breaches, a full understanding, including gathering of relevant documentation appertaining to the event is obtained and assessed

It should be noted that Auditing standards limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

Pol Roger Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Shelton House, 4 Coningsby Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2DY.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Turnover represents amounts receivable for goods net of VAT and trade discounts. Turnover is recognised when the goods are physically delivered to the customer.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following basis:

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct acquisition costs of the product determined on a first in first out basis.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. The impairment loss is recognised in profit and loss account.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest.

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities as payment is due within one year or less.

Derivatives and forward foreign exchange contracts are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in exchange rate (gains)/losses.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

The company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts in order to manage its exposure to foreign exchange risk. The company realises the asset and settles the liability simultaneously, accordingly the net amount arising upon being re-measured to fair value at each reporting end date is presented in the statement of financial position, gains or losses in this regard being taken to the profit and loss account.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognised in profit or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred taxation is provided in full in respect of taxation deferred by timing differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes. The deferred tax balance has not been discounted.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. All differences are taken to profit and loss account.

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:

In addition to their audit fees, the auditors received £7,336 (2023 - £4,727) for corporation tax, accounts preparation and other services.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The company also paid employee health insurance and permanent health insurance costs of £48,206 (2023 £42,358).

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 4 (2023 - 3).

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

Trade debtors disclosed above are measured at amortised cost.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:

Deferred tax liabilities are offset where the company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The amount of the net reversal of the deferred tax expected to occur next year is £4,115 (2023 - £6,904).

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in independently administered funds.

National Westminster Bank plc hold a debenture over all freehold and leasehold property as security for monies due to National Westminster Bank plc, the indebtedness at the balance sheet date was £1,096,300 (2023 - £459,005).

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the company for property, vehicles and software. Leases for property are negotiated for an average term of 5 years, rentals for vehicles and software are negotiated for an average term of 3 years.

At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

During the year ended 31 December 2024 the company purchased stock totalling £9,280,605 (2023 £8,959,268) from its parent company Pol Roger Et Cie S.A.. The company also received sales income of £2,784 (2023 £16,227), marketing contributions of £316,971 (2023 £156,388) and sales credit notes of £702 (2023 £88) from Pol Roger Et Cie S.A. All of the transactions were carried out on an arm's length basis.

Other amounts due to Pol Roger Et Cie S.A. within one year are £3,221,358 (2023 £2,398,100). Amounts due from Pol Roger Et Cie S.A. are £155,668 (2023 £1,955).

During the year the company paid a dividend to Pol Roger Et Cie S.A. amounting to £712,500 (2023 £950,000) and to J&G Grant a dividend of £37,500 (2023 £50,000).

During the year there were sales of £259,410 (2023 £190,151) to, recharged disbursements of £83,967 (2023 £98,345) to, and purchases of £900,254 (2023 £2,681,346) from J&G Grant, a shareholder of Pol Roger Limited. At the year end £230,642 (2023 £425,260) was owed to J&G Grant and £nil (2023 £72,811) owed by J&G Grant.

Interest free loans have been granted by the company to its directors as follows:

An interest free loan to director Mr J.C.O. Simpson is included in other debtors of which £9,995 (2023 - £9,995) is receivable within 1 year and £nil (2023 - £nil) is receivable over 1 year.

The directors regard Pol Roger Et Cie S.A., a company registered in France and owning 95% of the issued share capital, to be the company's ultimate parent company.