The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The principal activity of the group is heavy-civil engineering construction, with a continuing focus on the water, wastewater, power and marine sectors in addition to more general heavy civil engineering work.
The Directors are pleased to report ongoing growth in both turnover and profit for the year, supporting the overarching group strategy of focusing on attractive opportunities in core sectors where the group's resources, experience and expertise can add value for our clients. The group’s key measurements of effectiveness are turnover and pre-tax profit. Pre-tax profit for the year was £15,981,000 (2024 - £7,929,000) on turnover of £134,369,000 (2024 - £102,296,000).
Investment in the essential plant, machinery and transport required for core operations has continued, with additions to fixed assets over the year amounting to £3,938,000 (2024 - £2,098,000). This investment aligns with the group’s aim to reduce its carbon footprint to net zero emissions with annual investment in our owned plant to ensure we are using the technologies with the lowest emissions. This investment has seen a significant reduction in GHG emissions over a ten-year period, along with various other initiatives including increasing our electric vehicle fleet via the GL Driving Change scheme, using eco-friendly fuels, an ongoing increase in the uptake of the cycle to work scheme, and engaging with Zero Waste Scotland for further advances. The company continues to investigate greener alternatives within site delivery including the utilisation of battery powered hand tools, recyclable aggregates and low carbon steel. The company has an ongoing strategy of digital advancements for continued improvements in both internal processes and site delivery.
The civil engineering market in Scotland remains very competitive however, the level of visibility of forward workload remains buoyant, with attractive opportunities in a number of sectors. The group has long-term framework agreements with key clients. The Directors are confident that by continuing to target attractive projects in its core sectors, whilst diversifying our client base in areas where there are synergies with our skillsets, a satisfactory level of profitability can be maintained.
The strategy of developing our pipeline of competent, well-trained young people for careers in the construction industry continues to receive external recognition and this bodes well for the future. The group is pleased to acknowledge our success in this area with a number of our graduates gaining their professional qualifications through our accredited Institution of Civil Engineers and Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors training schemes. In addition, the group has invested in our Leadership and Management programme. The group also continues to place a significant emphasis on the health and wellbeing of all employees, and remains committed in providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all of our employees to be successful. As part of this commitment, the group continues to engage with Investors in People to survey all employees across the business to gather their feedback and make positive changes going forward. The group also invests significant resources as part of its Mental Health Charter aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, which includes providing ongoing training, advice and support, and promoting good health and wellbeing initiatives to all site and head office staff.
The group maintains a proactive approach to making a positive contribution within communities where the group works and during the year, considerable contributions were made to worthy causes.
The group is subject to the normal competitive risks in its ability to obtain contracts where competitive tender and renewal of longer-term contracts are subject to financial and performance criteria. The group manages these risks by regular review of its tender process and maintaining strong working relationships with its customers.
Credit risk is managed by continuing assessment of customer's financial status and payment history. The group has had no significant exposure to credit risk.
The group minimises liquidity risk by managing cash generation from its operations and applying cash collection targets. The group is confident that it has minimised any cash flow risk. This view is strengthened by the level of bank balances in a strong balance sheet. Investment is carefully controlled, with authorisation limits operating at different levels up to board level.
The group is well placed to manage any ongoing financial uncertainties as noted in the assessment of going concern in the Director's report.
Although the group’s policy does permit trading in any financial instruments, its principal financial instruments are those of cash and short-terrn deposits and debtors and creditors arising directly from its trading operations.
The group manages its legislative risks by its emphasis on training, particularly, quality, health and safety and environmental areas. The group maintains- ISO 9001 — 2015, ISO45001-2018 and ISO 14001 — 2015 accreditations in relation to quality, health and safety and environmental management systems.
As part of the Board’s decision-making process, consideration of key stakeholder interests and the potential impact decisions have on each group is vital. This is embedded within GL's values - Passion, Togetherness, Resourceful.
We demonstrate Passion for our people, our work and for the people we serve. We are passionate about what we do and how we do it. Passion is the fuel that drives us to do what we do. It's what makes us want to get up in the morning and deliver. Passion is what makes us want to be the best.
By promoting Togetherness in the workplace, we create a more collaborative environment. Our working environment leads to a better workplace and a happier workforce, enhancing our productivity and promoting better well-being.
Our incredibly Resourceful people are able to do more with less, work each problem as it is encountered and deliver creative solutions in a more efficient way.
Our various engagement processes provide us with a better understanding of what matters to our stakeholders, their views and requirements, and the consequences of any decision, which are then considered in the business decisions made by the Board. The Board also strive to embed this decision-making principal throughout all levels of the group. Our key stakeholder groups are set out below.
Employees – the strength of the group is built on a committed, motivated team of employees. Our colleagues rely on us to provide steady employment and opportunities to realise their potential in a working environment where they can perform to their best.
Customers – we aim to build strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients. This is based on a commitment to deliver quality that our customers can rely upon.
Supply chain – we depend on all levels of our supply chain to provide the materials, labour and infrastructure that are essential to operate our business. We ensure a robust preapproval and ongoing monitoring process to develop the relationship with our supply chain and provide future opportunities for our suppliers.
Promoting the success of the group (continued)
Communities and the Environment – communities and the wider public expect us to act as a responsible group and neighbour, and to minimise any adverse impact we might have on local communities and the environment.
Public Bodies and Regulators – we seek to enjoy a constructive and cooperative relationship with the bodies that authorise and regulate our business activities. This helps us maintain a reputation for high standards of business conduct. They expect us to comply with applicable law, regulations, and licence conditions.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The profit for the year before taxation amounted to £15,981,000 (2024 – profit of £7,929,000).
During the year dividends of 1,860,000 (2024 – £999,000) were approved by the members. Of this sum, £1,350,000 (2024 – £660,000) was paid to the ordinary shareholders during the year.
Future developments
Future developments are outlined in the Strategic Report on page 1, under principal activity and review of the business.
Going concern
The Group’s business activities, a review of the business and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties, together with the Group’s financial risk management processes and narrative regarding its exposure to key financial risks are outlined in the Strategic Report on pages 1 to 3.
The Group has considerable financial resources and, as a consequence, the Directors believe that it is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.
Therefore, having made their own assessment of the Group’s financial position, the Directors believe the Group is well placed to manage it’s business risks successfully and meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The group's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employees' interests.
Information about matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the group's performance.
There is no employee share scheme at present, but the directors are considering the introduction of such a scheme as a means of further encouraging the involvement of employees in the company's performance.
The auditor, Azets Audit Services, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
The Directors are committed to reduce the group’s carbon footprint as detailed in the strategic report on page 1, under principal activity and review of the business. The group’s annual consumption of electricity and gas in the period is 297,516 kWh (2024 - 202,432 kWH) and 173,146 kWh (2024 - 192,552 kWh) respectively. In addition, there was 1,148,377 litres (2024 - 993,924) of diesel and petrol fuel used for transportation and site based activities. This is a total carbon footprint from the total UK energy use of electricity, gas, and transport of 3,158 tonnes of CO2e (2024 - 2,589 tonnes), or 0.023 tonnes of CO2e per £k of sales revenue (2024 - 0.025). The consumption results reported are calculated using the actual spending in the period, and converted using average annual prices in each category and the UK Government’s GHG conversion factors for company reporting.
We have audited the financial statements of GLL (Holdings) Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the group income statement, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group statement of financial position, the company statement of financial position, 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 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.
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.
Extent to which 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 and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we 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. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed procedures which included:
Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the entity through enquiry and inspection;
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk 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.
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.
GLL (Holdings) Limited (“the company”) is a private company limited by shares incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Blackbyres Road, Barrhead, Glasgow, United Kingdom, G78 1DU.
The group consists of GLL (Holdings) Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
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 group. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £'000.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own income statement and related notes. The company's profit for the year was £1,860,000 (2024 - £999,000 profit).
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company, GLL (Holdings) Limited, together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries).
All financial statements are made up to 31 March 2025. 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.
The group’s business activities, a review of the business and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties, together with the group’s financial risk management processes and narrative regarding its exposure to key financial risks are outlined in the Strategic Report on pages 1 to 3.
The group has considerable financial resources and, as a consequence, the directors believe that it is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.
Therefore, having made their own assessment of the group’s financial position, the directors believe the group is well placed to manage it’s business risks successfully and meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Revenue 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.
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 income statement.
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.
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 statement of financial position 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 trade and other receivables 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.
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 trade and other payables, 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 payables 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 payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group'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 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 income statement 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 income statement, 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 non-current 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 group 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.
A group personal pension scheme is operated for staff engaged after 1 January 1999. Contributions are charged in the income statement as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
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.
Plant hire rentals payable under operating leases in respect of fixed assets not owned by the group are expensed to the income statement as incurred.
Research & Development
Costs associated with research and development are expensed to the income statement as incurred.
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 estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows:
Valuations which include an estimation of cost to complete and remaining revenues are carried out at regular intervals throughout the year. These assessments may include a degree of inherent uncertainty when estimating contract profitability and any impairment provisions that may be required.
Turnover represents the sales value of work done in the period as valued by internal and external surveyors.
Turnover, which is stated net of value added tax, is attributable to one continuing activity, namely civil engineering, and is carried out entirely within the United Kingdom.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits were accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 6 (2024 - 3).
The directors of George Leslie Limited are also considered to be key management personnel of the group. Employer national insurance contributions on behalf of key management personnel in the year were £65,000 (2024 - £1,000).
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:
Within the land and buildings cost figure, there is land of £47,000 (2024: £47,000) that is not depreciated.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:
George Leslie Limited's principal activity is heavy civil engineering construction. Both George Leslie Plant Limited and Ashmoon Limited are dormant subsidiaries of George Leslie Limited. The Registered Office of all subsidiary companies is Blackbyres Road, Barrhead, Glasgow, G78 1DU.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
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. Included within other creditors is £271,000 (2024 - £263,000) in respect of contributions to the group personal pension scheme.
The ordinary shareholders are entitled to dividends and shares rank equally for voting rights.
The Preferred Ordinary Shares carry no voting rights.
On a winding up the holders of Preferred Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to receive the redemption price as specified in the company's Articles of Association in priority to a Holder of any other class of Shares.
During the year, 25,000 ordinary shares were bought back by the company for £1,949,000. These shares were subsequently cancelled.
This reserve relates to the nominal value of shares repurchased by the company.
Profit and loss account
The retained earnings account includes all current and prior year retained profits or losses less dividends paid.
The share premium account represents the value of shares issued over the nominal value of shares issued.
The group’s only contingent liabilities are those which arise in the ordinary course of business in connection with the completion of contracts in accordance with specification. The group has granted its bankers a bond and floating charge as security.
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:
The group had £6,000 contracted capital commitments at 31 March 2025 (2024 — £78,000).
The group entered into an interest free loan agreement of £130,275 on 11 September 2013 with N Doherty, a former director. This amount was fully repaid in the year ended 31 March 2025.
The group entered into interest free loan agreements of £130,275 each with D Ross on 11 September 2013, and with M Gault and T Fry on 8 December 2015 and 17 September 2019 respectively to enable them to acquire existing shares in the group. These amounts remain outstanding at 31 March 2025.