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Company registration number: 04959920
PERSUS LIMITED
Unaudited
Directors' Report and Financial Statements
Information for filing with the registrar
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Coveney Nicholls Limited
Chartered Accountants
The Old Wheel House
31/37 Church Street
Reigate
Surrey
UK
RH2 0AD
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Directors' Report
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
2024 Performance Overview
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In 2024, the company achieved a significant financial turnaround, reporting an EBITDA of £80k (2023: negative £208k) and a profit after tax of £40k. Revenue grew by 34%, increasing from £2.035m in 2023 to £2.718m in 2024, driven by strong performance across core business areas and efforts to broaden the client base diversified revenue streams, lessening reliance on individual accounts and increasing the company’s resilience to any potential client losses. Recurring licence and maintenance revenue, which accounted for 19% of total revenue, provided a reliable and predictable income stream, further strengthening the company’s financial position.
Cost control measures, such as the 2023 restructuring programme and targeted cost-reduction initiatives, led to a 12% reduction in overheads, from £1.057m in 2023 to £933k in 2024. The bottom line was impacted by £36k of interest on a relatively high-cost short-term loan during the year. Its repayment, by April 25, is expected to reduce financing costs by over 80% in 2025.
Strong relationships with suppliers have allowed the company to secure favourable payment terms, further improving cash flow and financial flexibility.
Looking ahead, 2025 revenue growth is projected to reach £3.3m, including £1m from ongoing projects which will be completed in Q1 2025. With a robust operational framework, enhanced financial flexibility, and clear plans for growth, the company is well-positioned to build on this success and deliver sustained profitability and long-term value.
Financial Stability and Directors' Support
Following the client collapses in 2022 and the resulting loss of and deferral of business, the directors stepped in to provide loans, helping to stabilise the company’s finances during this challenging period. These loans now account for a significant portion of the company’s long-term liabilities (84%).
The directors have also confirmed their willingness to provide further financial support as the business develops, reflecting their confidence in the company’s resilience and their ongoing commitment to its long-term success.
The directors who served during the year were:
In preparing this report, the directors have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the board on 12 August 2025 and signed on its behalf.
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PERSUS LIMITED
Registered number:04959920
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Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2024
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Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
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Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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Total assets less current liabilities
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Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
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Capital redemption reserve
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PERSUS LIMITED
Registered number:04959920
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Statement of Financial Position (continued)
As at 31 December 2024
The directors consider that the Company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and members have not required the Company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with the provisions of FRS 102 Section 1A - small entities.
The financial statements have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The Company has opted not to file the statement of income and retained earnings in accordance with provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 12 August 2025.
The notes on pages 4 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The company is a private company limited by shares, registered in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Unit G04, Blackfriars Foundry Annexe, 65 Glasshill Street, London, SE1 0QR England.
2.Accounting policies
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Basis of preparation of financial statements
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The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland' and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The disclosure requirements of Section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
The directors have deemed that the going concern basis is appropriate based on the explanations outlined on page 1
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:
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:
∙the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
∙it is probable that the Company will receive the consideration due under the contract;
∙the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
∙the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.
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Operating leases: the Company as lessee
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Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the lessee's benefit from the use of the leased asset.
Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.
All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the year in which they are incurred.
Defined contribution pension plan
The Company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Company has no further payment obligations.
The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Statement of Financial Position. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Company in independently administered funds.
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Current and deferred taxation
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The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the Company operates and generates income.
Deferred tax balances are recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the reporting date, except that:
∙The recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits; and
∙Any deferred tax balances are reversed if and when all conditions for retaining associated tax allowances have been met.
Deferred tax balances are not recognised in respect of permanent differences except in respect of business combinations, when deferred tax is recognised on the differences between the fair values of assets acquired and the future tax deductions available for them and the differences between the fair values of liabilities acquired and the amount that will be assessed for tax. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the difference between amounts paid on the cost of a business combination and the acquirer’s interest in the fair value of its identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquiree at the date of acquisition. Subsequent to initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is amortised on a straight-line basis to the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings over its useful economic life.
Other intangible assets
Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.
All intangible assets are considered to have a finite useful life. If a reliable estimate of the useful life cannot be made, the useful life shall not exceed ten years.
The estimated useful lives range as follows:
Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, being the estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a first in, first out basis. Work in progress and finished goods include labour and attributable overheads.
At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.
Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.
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Cash and cash equivalents
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Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.
Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
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Provisions for liabilities
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Provisions are recognised when an event has taken place that gives rise to a legal or constructive obligation, a transfer of economic benefits is probable and a reliable estimate can be made.
Provisions are measured as the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation, taking into account the related risks and uncertainties.
Increases in provisions are generally charged as an expense to profit or loss.
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The average monthly number of employees, including directors, during the year was 18 (2023 - 18).
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
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Charge for the year on owned assets
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Prepayments and accrued income
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
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Other taxation and social security
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Accruals and deferred income
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Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
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Director's advances, credits and guarantees
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Advances/(credits) to the directors
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Advances/(credits) to the directors
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
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Accelerated capital allowances
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Commitments under operating leases
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At 31 December 2024 the Company had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:
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Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
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Related party transactions
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Aside from the balances with directors disclosed in note 9, there are no related party transactions which require disclosure. The loans advanced by the directors have no formal terms, but are provided interest free and considered repayable when the company is able to do so, currently extending beyond one year.
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