The directors present the strategic report for the sixteen month period from incorporation in December 2022 to 31 March 2024. The Group was formed when Cow Corner Investments (No. 6) Limited acquired Ingenuity Holdings Limited. Immediately following this the Group acquired Future Factory Consultants Limited.
Ingenuity Group is a specialist business service business, providing a range of services which facilitate connections between all participants of the marketing industry, helping them to achieve their business objectives. The key services of the Group are:
Outsourced business development for marketing agencies – through the Ingenuity and Future Factory brands
Agency search and selection and brand consultancy
Brand partnerships and sponsorship
Events to connect participants of the industry
Training to marketers in agencies and brands
Revenue growth in the period has been strong in the subsidiaries. Over the period the Group have made some significant investments in the business, including; making a number of key hires to strengthen the leadership of the business and to increase the level of expertise to drive growth and moving offices in London to get all Group employees based in London into one office.
As these accounts cover the period since incorporation, we have not included KPIs. However, the Board considers the main KPIs going forward to be:
Revenue growth
Gross profit margin
EBITDA margin
The Group are focused on continuing to increase the number of connections made between agencies and brands – increasing the services offered by the Group and the number of clients served. As well as making a number of key hires the Group have made several acquisitions to meet its strategic objectives.
On the 7 December 2022 the Group acquired Future Factory Consultants Limited, increasing the number of marketing agencies that the Group provide outsourced business development services to.
On the 28 February 2024 the Group acquired Reg&Co Limited to strengthen the brand partnerships offering.
Following the year end, but prior to the date of this report, the Group acquired:
Hippocampus Media Limited (including the Mad//Fest and Mad//Masters brands) on 14 June 2024. Mad//Fest is the largest event connecting participants in the marketing industry and Mad//Masters provides training to those in the industry.
Pearlfinders Limited on 31 March 2025. Pearlfinders provides data and insights to assist customers in making connections/winning new business across four channels – marketing, sports, HR and charities.
The balance sheet shows the Group’s financial position at year end. The Group had available cash of £1.4m. Whilst the Group shows a net liability position of £1.8m this is the consequence of the shareholders’ preference shares being classified as a debt instrument. The preference shares are non-cash paying and are held exclusively by the majority shareholder and the founders of Ingenuity, who view them as equity instruments. As a consequence, it is the view of the directors that the Group is very well capitalised.
The Group is exposed to market risk and competitor behaviour which could impact the valuation of its investments, goodwill or other intangible assets as well as its trading performance. The Group monitors the risks it believes it faces on an ongoing basis with a view to managing and mitigating these. These include:
Conflict of interest – Ingenuity acts for clients who are competitors of each other. Within the business we ensure that there are separate teams and suitable fire walls to manage these conflicts of interest
Credit risk – a number of marketing agencies go into administration each year and therefore with some smaller clients there is an inherent credit risk. To mitigate against this we ensure that clients are invoiced monthly and the debtor book is regularly reviewed. We also regularly review the client list to ensure that we are not taking on/working for clients that are unlikely to be able to pay for our services
Liquidity risk – the Group is cash generating and has £1.4m of cash available on the balance sheet, along with access to funding from the majority shareholder if required, for example to fund additional M&A. The Directors are therefore of the view that there is sufficient operational leverage for the next twelve months.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024.
The directors who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
Moore Kingston Smith LLP were appointed as auditor to the group and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.
We have audited the financial statements of Ingenuity Topco Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the period ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Group Balance Sheet, the Company Balance Sheet, the Group Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity, the Group Statement of Cash Flows 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).
Basis for 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 group's and 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.
Other information
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 period 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.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement 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 purposes of expressing an opinion on 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 group's or the parent 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 group or the parent 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.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
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.
Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including
fraud
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.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the company.
Our approach was as follows:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council, and UK taxation legislation.
We obtained an understanding of how the company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of noncompliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
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 for no purpose other than to draw to the attention of the company’s members those matters we are required to include in an auditor's report addressed to them. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party 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.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s loss for the period was £1,806,061.
Ingenuity Topco Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 3rd Floor, 24-32 Stephenson Way, London, United Kingdom, NW1 2HD.
The group consists of Ingenuity Topco Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
The reporting period is a long period from incorporation of the company on 2 December 2022 to 31 March 2024.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Ingenuity Topco Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 31 March 2024. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
At the period end, the Group reported a loss after tax of £1,920,648 and the parent company reported a loss after tax of £1,086,061. For the group, this is mainly due to other interest on financial liabilities of £1,805,903 and amortisation on goodwill of £2,279,579. The interest on financial liabilities accounts for most of the parent company loss. The Group was in a net liability position of £1,741,219 at the period end and a net current asset position of £950,259 with the parent company in a net liability position of £1,626,632. The main reason for the net liability position being preference shares held as a financial liability on the balance sheet at the year end which are not recallable by the holders of the preference shares.
The trading entities are profitable and continue to be in FY25 while the Directors have also prepared cash flow forecasts covering the 12 month period beyond the signing date of these financial statements. These forecasts and existing performance show the group and company is a going concern. In addition, the group (including the parent company) has obtained a letter of support from its majority shareholder indicating that they will provide support as required to enable the group and parent company to meet its liabilities as they fall due, the Directors have also confirmed that the majority shareholder has sufficient resources to provide that support. On the basis of the cash flow forecasts and support from the majority shareholder, the Directors are of the opinion that the financial statements can be prepared on the going concern basis.
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the fair value of the consideration is the present value of the future receipts. The difference between the fair value of the consideration and the nominal amount received is recognised as interest income.
Revenue from contracts for the provision of professional services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion when the stage of completion, costs incurred and costs to complete can be estimated reliably. The stage of completion is calculated by comparing costs incurred, mainly in relation to contractual hourly staff rates and materials, as a proportion of total costs. Where the outcome cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that it is probable will be recovered.
Revenue derived from retainer fees is recognised in accordance with terms of the contractual arrangements, on a straight line basis across the contractual service period.
Event revenue is recognised when the event takes place, being the point the company has obtained the right to compensation.
Commission revenue is recognised in the period in which the commission is earned in line with contractual arrangements.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting period end date, the group 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). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method 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. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, 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, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
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. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, 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 group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that 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. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to 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 leased asset are consumed.
In the application of the group’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.
The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
The company holds investments in its subsidiary companies. Investments are measured at cost less accumulated impairment. Such impairment is determined through the comparison of carrying value against value in use. The Directors do not consider these investments to be impaired and will continue to review the investments for impairment on an annual basis.
Where management have deemed balances to be irrecoverable, a provision against the respective balance from the relevant entity has been made. Trading entities are forecast to be profitable in 2025 and beyond based on management estimates and this will allow the pay down of group balances.
The determination for the carrying value of intangible assets including goodwill arising on the acquisition of businesses is based on management judgement. The assets are expected to generate future economic benefits which are discounted to determine their value in use. Assumptions made within this calculation include expected future cash flows, discount rate and useful life for which a change a change would alter the value of intangible assets. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually by re-performing this assessment.
The main area of judgement in revenue recognition is for projects not completed in a financial year. Estimates of revenue are based on the stage of completion which is calculated by comparing costs incurred, mainly in relation to expected staff time on a project overall compared to staff time incurred at the period end. Where a service is not completed and invoiced, revenue will be recognised based upon this stage of completion as a portion of the fee agreed in advance with clients. Any material change to these estimates would affect revenue recognised as well as deferred and accrued income on the balance sheet.
Management have reviewed the criteria under FRS102 for the accounting of preference shares and made a judgement based on the information included within the Articles of Association. The preference shares are mandatorily redeemable on a specific date and dividends are non-discretionary therefore have been classified as a liability within the accounts.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the period was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual charge for the period can be reconciled to the expected credit for the period based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
Amortisation of intangible assets is charged to administrative expenses. Goodwill relates to goodwill arising on acquisitions during the period which can be found in note 22.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2024 are as follows:
Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):
All the above subsidiaries are included in the consolidation.
For the period ended 31 March 2024, the following companies have taken the entitled exemption from audit under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006. Ingenuity Topco Limited have therefore given a guarantee under section 479C of the Companies Act 2006 in respect of these subsidiaries:
Ingenuity Midco Limited
ING Holdings Limited
Ingenuity ABM Limited
Future Factory Consultants Limited
Reg & Co. Limited
The preference shares meet the definition of a basic financial instrument and therefore are not included in equity. The rights attributable to the preference shares in respect of voting, dividends and return of capital can be found in note 21.
The preference shares were issued during the period to fund the acquisitions made during the period and attract interest of 8%, compounded annually, of which £1,805,701 is accrued and included in the amount of £18,898,051 above.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse over several years and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature within the same period.
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. Contributions totalling £24,622 were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
Voting
All classes of shares, with the exception of ordinary shares, are non-voting as set out in the Company's articles of association. Only holders of the ordinary shares and preference shares will receive notice of all general meetings.
Dividends
Ordinary shares and B ordinary shares rank pari passu in respect of dividends. No dividend shall be declared or paid on the deferred shares.
Return of capital
On a return of capital on liquidation or otherwise, the surplus assets of the Company remaining of its liabilities shall be applied in the following order of priority:
first in paying the holders of the deferred shares;
second in paying to each holder of the preference shares a sum equal to any arrears dividends payable to the holder of such instruments;
third in paying the issue price to the holders of the preference shares; and
finally the balance of such assets amongst the holders of the ordinary shares and the B ordinary shares.
Preference shares
During the period, the Company issued 17,092,350 preference shares of £1 each which attract a dividend at a rate of 8%, compounded annually. The rights relating to the preference shares in respect of voting and on return of capital are documented above. The preference shares are classified as a financial liability in accordance with accounting standards and are included in creditors falling due after more than one year in note 18.
During the period, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of the following entities:
Entity name Date acquired
ING Holdings Limited 5th December 2022
Future Factory Consultants Limited 7th December 2022
Reg & Co Limited 29th February 2024
All of these acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method. Furthermore, these business operated in the marketing services, brand and sponsorship sectors.
On 5 December 2022 the group acquired 100% of the issued capital of ING Holdings Limited.
On 7 December 2022 the group acquired 100 percent of the issued capital of Future Factory Consultants Limited.
On 28 February 2024 the group acquired 100 percent of the issued capital of Reg & Co Limited.
At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
On 14 June 2024, the group acquired the entire share capital of Hippocampus Media Limited, which operates a number of festivals on marketing and advertising in the UK. The total consideration was £7,058,429, comprising £4,858,845 which was paid immediately in cash, £486,118 issued as preference shares, £163,882 issued as ordinary shares, £20,636 issued as B ordinary shares, £1,450,000 as an earnout and directly attributable expenses of £78,948 which were capitalised.
On 31 March 2025, the group acquired the entire share capital of Pearlfinders Limited, which operates a data and insights platform. The total consideration was £2,875,000, comprising £1,675,000 which was paid immediately in cash and £1,200,000 as deferred consideration.
On 31 March 2025, Ingenuity ABM Limited took out a £750,000 bank loan with HSBC. The loan is repayable over 3 years.
During the period, ING Holdings reimbursed expenses to Cow Corner Investing Limited totalling £3,775.
During the period, Reg & Co received consultancy services from Westlake Consulting Ltd totalling £89,452.
During the period, Reg & Co paid the European Sponsorship Association to attend and participate in ESA events, totalling £1,191.
During the period, Reg & Co provided Food FM Radio Limited with consultancy services, totalling £3,630. At 31st March 2024, an amount of £756 was due from FoodFM Radio.
During the period, interest of £1,805,701 was accrued on the preference shares and payable to shareholders and a director of the company. The coupon rate is 8%.