The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

It is our aim to present a comprehensive review of the performance of George Baker Group Limited and its subsidiaries and the position of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The review is consistent with the size and nature of the business and is written in the context of the risks and uncertainties encountered during the year.

The trades of the following subsidiaries were transferred to George Baker (Shipping) Limited on various dates during the previous financial year and did not trade during the year ended 31 December 2024:

George Baker (Air & Sea) Limited

George Baker (Europe) Limited

George Baker (Transport) Limited

George Baker (Logistics) Limited

The company’s core activity continues to be the provision of specialist warehousing and related services. The company continues to operate a long-term warehousing contract, based at a dedicated facility and run by an experienced operations team, providing the company with a stable platform from which to develop the business further.

George Baker (Shipping) Limited

The company provides services across the Transport and Logistics sector, including freight-forwarding, customs clearance, UK and pan-European distribution, warehousing and transport. The directors consider the company’s performance during this financial year to have been good, having exceeded expectations across all sectors of the business. A continued focus around Sales and Marketing, with a clear plan around new business generation, is delivering measurable results and is positively impacting the company’s commercial proposition. Client retention remains strong and is considered pivotal to the long-term performance of the business.

The reorganisation of the Group during the previous financial year involved the transfer of the trades of three of its subsidiaries, into the company. The directors consider the aim of the reorganisation to have been achieved, with efficiencies and synergies across the enlarged business bringing a strongly cohesive service for clients.

The company’s freight-forwarding division started the year slowly with bookings and market confidence low following disruption in the Red Sea late in the previous financial year. However, a spike in freight pricing late in Q2 and into Q3 brought improved opportunities and margins and with volumes remaining strong, performance in the second half of the year comfortably exceeded that in the previous year.

The company’s EU operations saw a year of stability across most fronts, with fleet operations in particular continuing to deliver growth despite a backdrop of weak demand in the major EU economies. A focus on developing closer partnership relationships with suppliers also helped enhance margins across all departments.

The company’s Transport division continued to face tough trading conditions throughout 2024, especially in view of high inflation bringing pressure on fuel, maintenance, and fleet-related costs. At the same time, sub-contract margins remained tight, reflecting strong competition in the market and with rising costs impacting the wider haulage industry. Although operating margins came under pressure during 2024, overall, turnover was maintained and the investment made in expanding the truck fleet in 2023 was key to being able to take on extra volumes from existing customers, and to exploring new business opportunities.

BKR Consultants Limited

The company delivered another year of strong performance, with continued growth across turnover, profitability, and client acquisition. The expansion of the advisory team, both in headcount and technical capability, has enhanced the depth of expertise across the business. This investment in talent has supported the strategic extension of our service offering, which now includes ongoing operational management services, in addition to our established portfolio of professional advisory solutions.

Economic risk

The main risks facing the Group arise from cyclical fluctuations in the freight and shipping markets and general economic conditions, which influence the underlying business of the customer base.

Liquidity Risk

The Group manages liquidity risk by monitoring the position on liquid asset balances on a daily basis and by actively managing available funds, ensuring that cash reserves are sufficient in the short-term to meet the Group’s financial obligations as they fall due and ensuring that funds are available to support the Group’s operations and growth ambitions.

Foreign currency risk

The Group is not materially exposed to foreign currency fluctuations however, some risk is inevitable given the modest volume of foreign currency transactions undertaken during the year.

Overall, the Group has performed well during the financial year, despite continued turbulence in the logistics sector and a lack of confidence in the wider economy. Continued control of margins and costs is central to strengthening the Group’s ongoing performance and a focus on Sales and Marketing, with a clear plan around new business generation, is having a positive impact on the Group’s commercial ambitions. Client retention remains strong and with no reliance on any individual customers.

The directors are pleased with the results of the Group. The profit for the financial year, after taxation, amounted to £1,828k (year ended December 2023: £2,910k).

The Group uses bespoke key performance indicators to monitor and measure profit centre performance and uses contribution margin and earnings before tax to evaluate overall performance.

The Group’s financial position at the year end is strong, there were no bank borrowings and the Group has sufficient cash reserves with which to meet its obligations as they fall due.

At the financial year end, the Group’s reserves were £8,535k (year ended December 2023: £8,707k) and the Group had net assets of £8,542k (year ended December 2023: £8,714k).

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

George Baker (Shipping) limited is a company providing shipping related services, based at the container port of Felixstowe, and offers the following services:

- Customs clearance services, both import and export, at all major UK sea ports

- Container packing/unpacking and bonded warehousing

- Distribution of warehoused products

- Road haulage services

- Sea and air freight-forwarding services

- UK container and trailer transportation and European trucking services

The principal activity of George Baker Group Limited continued to be that of a holding company.

The principal activity of George Baker (Logistics) Limited continued to be the provision of warehousing services.

The principal activity of BKR Consultants Limited continued to be the provision of professional and practical guidance on all matters associated with customs clearance, customs compliance and supply chain efficiency.

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

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

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £2,000,047. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

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

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 auditor of the company 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 auditor of the company is aware of that information.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and 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 group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

We have audited the financial statements of George Baker Group Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the group's profit for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent 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 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

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

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

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

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

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

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the parent 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 parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to operating licence requirements relating to it's transport business, and considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that impact directly on the preparation of the financial statements including the Companies Act, and UK tax legislation.

We considered managements incentives and opportunities for fraudulent adjustments to the financial statements including override of controls and determined that the principal risks were related to inappropriate journal entries or fraudulent transactions that would result in the manipulation of profits.

Audit procedures included:

• Making enquiries of management for known or suspected instances of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.

• Consideration of management’s procedures for detecting and preventing fraud, including controls.

• Reviewing journal entries to identify material or unusual transactions

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 is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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 parent 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 parent 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 parent company and the parent company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

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

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £2,558,852 (2023 - £5,503,792 profit).

George Baker Group Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Felixstowe Mega Distribution Centre, Clickett Hill Road, Felixstowe, IP11 4BA. The company number is 08270818.

The group consists of George Baker Group 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 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.

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company George Baker Group Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2024. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

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

Turnover 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 and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 5 years.

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

Depreciation 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:

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

Change in depreciation classification

The directors consider it appropriate to reanalyse depreciation relating to motor vehicles from cost of sales to administration expenses. Depreciation totalling £829,418 has been reanalysed in the current year and depreciation totalling £530,233 has been reanalysed in the comparative year. There has been no effect on profit for the year ended 31st December 2024 or the year ended 31st December 2023.

Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

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

At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.

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

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

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

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

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

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

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

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.

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

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

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

Provisions are recognised when the group has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in profit or loss in the period in which it arises.

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

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

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

For cash-settled share-based payments, a liability is recognised for the goods and services acquired, measured initially at the fair value of the liability. At each succeeding financial reporting period end and at the date of settlement, the fair value of the liability is remeasured, with any changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss for the period.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

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.

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.

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.

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

The whole of the turnover is attributable to the company’s principal activities.

The Directors consider that disclosure of geographical markets would be prejudicial to the company’s interests and therefore this has not been given.

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

All Directors received their remuneration primarily in respect of services provided to other group companies and as a result their respective remuneration details are reflected in the financial statements of those companies.

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:

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:

Net obligations of £421,561 (2023: £461,510) under hire purchase contracts are secured on the assets concerned.

Net obligations of £328,952 (2023: £700,752) under hire purchase contracts are secured on the assets concerned.

Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company or group for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 4 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the group or company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

The net deferred tax liability expected to reverse in the year ended 31st December 2025 is £203,664. This primarily relates to the reversal of timing differences on acquired tangible assets and capital allowances through depreciation, offset by expected tax deductions when payments are made to utilise provisions.

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.

In August 2023, the parent company issued 3,200 shares of 5p. There are good and bad leaver conditions attached to the shares that may result in a liability under a cash settled share-based payment arrangement for certain employees in the group. The directors estimate the liability and any accounting entries to be immaterial to the financial statements as at 31st December 2024.

There are two classes of ordinary shares issued. There are no restrictions on the distribution of dividends and the repayment of capital on the Ordinary shares. The Ordinary B shares have no voting rights or rights to dividends, and the repayment of capital is conditional on certain events.

The bank has made guarantees on behalf of the company to Customs Comprehensive Guarantee Team to £487,000.

An Unlimited Multilateral Bank Guarantee has been given by George Baker Group Limited, George Baker (Shipping) Limited, BKR Consultants Limited and George Baker (Logistics) Limited.

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

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

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

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

During the year dividends of £2,000,047 (2023: £4,113,511) were paid to the joint owners.

The company has taken advantage of the exemptions conferred by FR102 not to make disclosures concerning companies wholly owned within the group.

In the opinion of the Directors, there is no ultimate controlling party.

During the year a director made repayments of £627. At the year end a director owed the company £Nil (2023: £627).