Company registration number 04308785 (England and Wales)
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Mr S Lyons
(Appointed 18 April 2025)
Ms M L Lazenby
(Appointed 17 April 2025)
Company number
04308785
Registered office
12-14 Berry Street
London
EC1V 0AU
Auditor
RDP Newmans LLP
Lynwood House
373-375 Station Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 2AW
Business address
12-14 Berry Street
London
EC1V 0AU
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Strategic report
1 - 2
Directors' report
3
Directors' responsibilities statement
4
Independent auditor's report
5 - 7
Statement of comprehensive income
8
Balance sheet
9
Statement of changes in equity
10
Notes to the financial statements
11 - 24
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 1 -

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 30 November 2024.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of quantitative and qualitative research for client specific audiences.

Review of the business

The year ending 30 November 2024 has been a period of consolidation. We have continued to streamline our operations and improve efficiency across all departments. Through the implementation of best practices and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, we continue to optimize our processes.

 

Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has been instrumental in driving repeat business and fostering long-term customer relationships. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers, reflecting their satisfaction with our products and services.

 

We look forward to 2025 and the company's continued expansion, here in the UK and overseas.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties facing The AFO Network Limited are:

 

Financial instruments

The company's principal financial instruments comprise of trade payables. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the group's operations. The company has various other financial assets such as trade receivables, cash and short-term deposits which arise directly from its operations.

 

The main risks arising from the company's financial instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk, foreign currency exposure and interest rate risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarised below.

 

Credit risk

The company's credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The company operates to ensure that the payment terms of customers are matched to the company's own contractual obligations in terms of delivery of contracted services. Credit risk is assessed in relation to knowledge of the customer or by credit references.

 

Liquidity risk

The company seeks to manage financial risk to ensure sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. Some liquidity risk arises from the nature of principal activities, which does not always arise in an even manner, and the group's policy is to forecast its cash needs to ensure there are sufficient cash reserves to meet liabilities during such periods. Short term flexibility is provided through the availability of bank overdraft facilities.

 

Currency risk

Whilst the significant majority of the company's activity is undertaken in sterling, the company does operate in overseas markets and is subject to exposures on transactions undertaken during the year. The company's exposure to exchange rate fluctuations is small based on its revenue and cost base.

 

Interest rate risk

The company finances its operations at present through equity, bank overdraft and working capital. The company manages its exposure to interest rate fluctuations by mixing the duration of its deposits and borrowings to reduce the impact of interest rate fluctuations.

Development and performance

At the year end the company's current ratio is 0.50 compared to 0.65 in 2023. This indicates the company's short term working capital position deteriorated during the year. This is due to a significant increase in amounts due to group undertakings in the year which is a result of the group restructuring and reorganisation which took place in the financial year.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 2 -
Key performance indicators

The key performance indications of The AFO Network Limited over the last two years are detailed below:

GBP                         2024        2023

Turnover                     £10.51m     £10.06m
Gross profit %                    40.93        33.76
Adjusted EBITDA                £1.94m        £1.47m

 

Turnover has increased in 2024 due to a change in sales mix within the group companies. Additionally, the directors have achieved cost efficiencies which has improved the gross profit margin from 33.76% to 40.93% and the adjusted EBITDA from £1.47m to £1.94m. The directors are satisfied with the level of turnover and gross profit margin and are hopeful that the profitability will improve in subsequent years.

 

On behalf of the board

Mr S Lyons
Director
28 May 2025
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 3 -

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2024.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £7,991,382. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

Directors

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

Mr H B Kosky
(Resigned 24 April 2025)
Mr P L Mitchell
(Resigned 3 May 2025)
Mr S Lyons
(Appointed 18 April 2025)
Ms M L Lazenby
(Appointed 17 April 2025)
Financial instruments

The financial risk management objectives and policies of the company, including liquidity risk and foreign currency exposure are provided in the strategic report on page 2.

Future developments

The directors are actively seeking new business and exploring new markets, which will increase the company's revenue and profitability.

Auditor

The auditor, RDP Newmans LLP, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

Statement of disclosure to auditor

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.

Medium-sized companies exemption

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.

On behalf of the board
Mr S Lyons
Director
28 May 2025
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 4 -

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:

 

 

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.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
- 5 -
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The AFO Network Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 30 November 2024 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity 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:

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 AFO NETWORK LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED (CONTINUED)
- 6 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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:

Responsibilities of directors

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.

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.

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the group's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED (CONTINUED)
- 7 -

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also 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. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

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 member 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 member those matters we are required to state to the member 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 member, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Paresh Radia FCA
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of RDP Newmans LLP
28 May 2025
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Lynwood House
373-375 Station Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 2AW
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 8 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
10,510,225
10,058,181
Cost of sales
(6,207,891)
(6,662,760)
Gross profit
4,302,334
3,395,421
Administrative expenses
(2,603,467)
(2,305,976)
Other operating income
82,547
252,773
Restructuring and reorganisation costs
4
(497,563)
(287,368)
Operating profit
5
1,283,851
1,054,850
Interest receivable and similar income
7
4,860,041
5,821
Interest payable and similar expenses
8
-
0
(5,717)
Profit before taxation
6,143,892
1,054,954
Tax on profit
9
(437,261)
(262,726)
Profit for the financial year
5,706,631
792,228

The statement of comprehensive income has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
30 NOVEMBER 2024
30 November 2024
- 9 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
11
127,975
85,513
Tangible assets
12
375,640
432,152
Investments
13
6,272,849
6,272,849
6,776,464
6,790,514
Current assets
Debtors
15
5,370,940
6,707,283
Cash at bank and in hand
699,373
410,874
6,070,313
7,118,157
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
16
(12,186,819)
(10,942,618)
Net current liabilities
(6,116,506)
(3,824,461)
Total assets less current liabilities
659,958
2,966,053
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
17
64,422
85,766
(64,422)
(85,766)
Net assets
595,536
2,880,287
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
19
73
73
Capital redemption reserve
20
34
34
Profit and loss reserves
21
595,429
2,880,180
Total equity
595,536
2,880,287

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 28 May 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr S  Lyons
Director
Company registration number 04308785 (England and Wales)
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 10 -
Share capital
Capital redemption reserve
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 December 2022
66
34
2,087,952
2,088,052
Year ended 30 November 2023:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
-
792,228
792,228
Issue of share capital
19
7
-
-
7
Balance at 30 November 2023
73
34
2,880,180
2,880,287
Year ended 30 November 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
-
5,706,631
5,706,631
Dividends
10
-
-
(7,991,382)
(7,991,382)
Balance at 30 November 2024
73
34
595,429
595,536
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 11 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

The AFO Network Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 12-14 Berry Street, London, EC1V 0AU.

1.1
Accounting convention

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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

This 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:

 

 

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of AFO Topco Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, 12-14 Berry Street, London, EC1V 0AU.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 400 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

1.2
Going concern

Theses financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. The validity of this assumption depends on the continuing support of the company's parent undertaking, AFO Topco Limited and its investors. true

 

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the parent undertaking and the investors will ensure the company is provided with the necessary working capital for the company to meet its liabilities as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the signing of the financial statements. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

 

If the company were unable to continue in existence for the foreseeable future, adjustments would be necessary to reduce the balance sheet values of assets to their recoverable amounts, to reclassify fixed assets as current assets and to provide for further liabilities which might arise.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 12 -
1.3
Turnover

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

Rendering of services

Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

Other operating income is recognised on an apportionment basis when the related overhead expenditure is incurred.

1.4
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill

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 bases:

Other intangibles - Website development costs
20% on cost
1.5
Tangible fixed assets

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

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Leasehold improvements
Over period of lease
Fixtures and fittings
25% / 33% on cost

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.

1.6
Fixed asset investments

Interests in subsidiaries are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
1.7
Impairment of fixed assets

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). 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.

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.

1.8
Cash and cash equivalents

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.

1.9
Financial instruments

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

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

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.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -
Impairment of financial assets

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.

Derecognition of financial assets

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.

Classification of financial liabilities

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

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.

Other financial liabilities

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.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 15 -
Derecognition of financial liabilities

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

1.10
Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the company 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 company.

1.11
Taxation

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

Current 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 tax

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 when the company has 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.

1.12
Employee benefits

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.

1.13
Retirement benefits

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

1.14
Leases

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.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 16 -
1.15
Foreign exchange

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

1.16

Exceptional costs

Exceptional items are transactions which are one-off and have a material impact on the company's financial results. These are disclosed separately due to their size of incidence and nature and are considered non-recurring.

2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying 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.

Critical judgements

The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Assessing indicators of impairment

In assessing whether there have been any indicators of impairment to assets, the directors have considered both external and internal sources of information such as market conditions and experience of recoverability.

Assessing the functional currency

The directors are required to identify the functional currency of the company and each subsidiary undertaking. In making this judgement the directors have considered factors such as currency which mainly influences both sales and cost prices, as the countries whose competitive forced and regulations affect those prices.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

Determining residual values of useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment

The company depreciates tangible assets over their estimated useful lives. The estimation of the useful lives of assets is based on historic performance as well as expectations about future use and therefore requires estimates and assumptions to be applied by the directors. The actual lives of these assets can vary depending on a variety of a factors, including technological innovation, product life cycles, and maintenance programmes.

 

Judgement is applied by the directors when determining the residual values for plant, machinery and equipment. When determining the residual value, the directors aim to assess the amount that the group would currently obtain for the disposal of the asset, if it were already of the condition expected at the end of its useful economic life.

 

 

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 17 -
3
Turnover and other revenue

All turnover relates to the principal activity of the company.

2024
2023
£
£
Turnover analysed by geographical market
United Kingdom
9,248,204
9,448,852
Europe
943,585
482,921
Rest of the world
318,436
126,408
10,510,225
10,058,181
2024
2023
£
£
Other revenue
Interest income
9,225
5,821
Dividends received
4,850,816
-
4
Exceptional item
2024
2023
£
£
Expenditure
Restructuring and reorganisation costs
497,563
287,368

The restructuring and reorganisation costs consist of salary costs, legal and professional fees and project related fees relating to the rebranding of group companies and the restructuring of company divisions. These fees are considered non-recurring and are disclosed separately due to their size and nature.

5
Operating profit
2024
2023
Operating profit for the year is stated after charging/(crediting):
£
£
Exchange losses
3,388
6,226
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial statements
42,000
38,000
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
154,968
130,735
Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets
-
(13,183)
Amortisation of intangible assets
33,821
7,126
Operating lease charges
179,749
187,630
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 18 -
6
Employees

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

2024
2023
Number
Number
Office & administrative
14
9
Marketing, selling & distribution
61
63
Total
75
72

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
3,397,559
4,156,131
Social security costs
547,912
426,150
Pension costs
135,237
94,797
4,080,708
4,677,078

The directors received no remuneration during the current or prior year and there was no other key management compensation in the year. The key management are on the payroll in other group companies. There were no pension benefits accrued for any of the directors.

7
Interest receivable and similar income
2024
2023
£
£
Interest income
Interest on bank deposits
9,225
5,821
Income from fixed asset investments
Income from shares in group undertakings
4,850,816
-
0
Total income
4,860,041
5,821
8
Interest payable and similar expenses
2024
2023
£
£
Interest on finance leases and hire purchase contracts
-
1,276
Other interest
-
0
4,441
-
0
5,717
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 19 -
9
Taxation
2024
2023
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
459,913
304,052
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
(22,652)
(41,326)
Total tax charge
437,261
262,726

As of 1 April 2023, the main rate of the corporation tax increased from 19% to 25%. there has been no change to corporation tax rates for the for the financial year ended 30 November 2024. For the current financial year the weighted average tax rate is 25% (2023: 23.01%).

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:

2024
2023
£
£
Profit before taxation
6,143,892
1,054,954
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2023: 23.01%)
1,535,973
242,745
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
111,137
56,860
Permanent capital allowances in excess of depreciation
-
0
6,520
Deferred tax adjustments in respect of prior years
342
-
0
Dividend income
(1,212,704)
-
0
Other tax adjustments
-
0
(6,870)
Fixed asset differences
2,514
(645)
Remeasurement of deferred tax for changes in tax rates
-
0
(439)
Movement in deferred tax not recognised
-
0
(35,445)
Other movements
(1)
-
0
Taxation charge for the year
437,261
262,726
10
Dividends
2024
2023
£
£
Interim paid
7,991,382
-
0
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 20 -
11
Intangible fixed assets
Other intangibles - Website development costs
£
Cost
At 1 December 2023
92,639
Additions
76,283
At 30 November 2024
168,922
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 December 2023
7,126
Amortisation charged for the year
33,821
At 30 November 2024
40,947
Carrying amount
At 30 November 2024
127,975
At 30 November 2023
85,513
12
Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold improvements
Fixtures and fittings
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 December 2023
373,637
1,881,587
2,255,224
Additions
7,452
91,004
98,456
At 30 November 2024
381,089
1,972,591
2,353,680
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 December 2023
104,691
1,718,381
1,823,072
Depreciation charged in the year
75,117
79,851
154,968
At 30 November 2024
179,808
1,798,232
1,978,040
Carrying amount
At 30 November 2024
201,281
174,359
375,640
At 30 November 2023
268,946
163,206
432,152
13
Fixed asset investments
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Investments in subsidiaries
14
6,272,849
6,272,849
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 21 -
14
Subsidiaries

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 30 November 2024 are as follows:

Name of undertaking
Address
Class of
% Held
shares held
Direct
Censuswide Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
Sound Creative Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
Sainted Image Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
ThroughTheI Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
Markettiers4DC Mena Marketing Management LLC
Note 2
Ordinary
99.00
Radio News Hub Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
Sassy Films Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
Sassy Create Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
Opinion Matters Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
Markettiers Limited
Note 1
Ordinary
100.00
1
12-14 Berry Street, London EC1V 0AU
2
Executive Heights Office 1402, 14th Floor, Barsha Heights, 211802, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
15
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
2,246,904
3,294,793
Amounts owed by group undertakings
2,711,221
3,131,675
Other debtors
143,291
140,291
Prepayments and accrued income
242,641
114,949
5,344,057
6,681,708
Deferred tax asset (note 17)
6,883
5,575
5,350,940
6,687,283
2024
2023
Amounts falling due after more than one year:
£
£
Other debtors
20,000
20,000
Total debtors
5,370,940
6,707,283

Included within trade debtors above is an amount of £nil (2023: £1,315,575) due from group undertakings.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 22 -
16
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Trade creditors
203,643
822,959
Amounts owed to group undertakings
10,424,077
7,247,611
Corporation tax
107,791
304,052
Other taxation and social security
644,043
1,081,442
Other creditors
35,022
42,226
Accruals and deferred income
772,243
1,444,328
12,186,819
10,942,618

Included within trade creditors above is an amount of £nil (2023: £549,974) due to amounts owed to group undertakings.

17
Deferred taxation

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

Liabilities
Liabilities
Assets
Assets
2024
2023
2024
2023
Balances:
£
£
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
64,422
85,766
-
-
Retirement benefit obligations
-
-
6,883
5,575
64,422
85,766
6,883
5,575
2024
Movements in the year:
£
Liability at 1 December 2023
80,191
Credit to profit or loss
(22,652)
Liability at 30 November 2024
57,539

The deferred tax asset set out above is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to the utilisation of tax losses against future expected profits of the same period. The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature within the same period.

THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 23 -
18
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
135,237
94,797

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 an independently administered fund.

19
Share capital
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 1p each
7,334
7,334
73
73
20
Capital redemption reserve

The capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of the share capital that the company repurchased.

21
Profit and loss reserves

The reserve is the accumulated retained profit.

22
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

Glas Trust Corporation Limited has a fixed and floating charge over all the property or undertakings of the company. The charge contains a negative pledge. Mr H Kosky acts as Security Trustee.

 

There is an unlimited multilateral guarantee with HSBC, with a fixed and floating charge over all assets and undertakings both present and future.

23
Operating lease commitments
Lessee

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:

2024
2023
£
£
Within one year
262,455
271,732
Between two and five years
663,231
925,686
925,686
1,197,418
THE AFO NETWORK LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 24 -
24
Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties

Dividends amounting to £7,991,382 (2023: £nil) in aggregate was declared to the shareholder of the company during the year. The company had sufficient reserves at the time of declaring the dividends.

 

Dividends amounting to £4,850,816 (2023: £nil) was received in the year from a subsidiary undertaking.

 

During the year the company entered into the following transactions with related parties:

 

 

Sales
Sales
2024
2023
£
£
Fellow subsidiary undertakings
37,976
-
Payroll costs
2024
2023
£
£
Other related parties
88,888
105,958

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

2024
2023
Amounts due from related parties
£
£
Fellow subsidiary undertakings
163,208
-
Other information

The company has taken advantage of the exemption available in accordance with FRS 102 para 33.1A not to disclose transactions entered into between two or more members of a group, as the company is a wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of the group.

25
Ultimate controlling party

The company is a 100% subsidiary of AFO Bidco Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales and whose registered office is 12-14 Berry Street, London, EC1V 0AU.

 

The smallest and largest group in which this company is consolidated is AFO Topco Limited. The consolidated financial statements of AFO Topco Limited are available to the public and may be obtained from Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.

 

There is no ultimate controlling party in AFO Topco Limited.

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