Company registration number 05244735 (England and Wales)
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Mr S Corfield-Moore
Mr M Corfield-Moore
Company number
05244735
Registered office
Tor Hill Works
Dulcote
WELLS
Somerset
BA5 3NT
Auditor
Old Mill Audit Limited
Maltravers House
Petters Way
YEOVIL
Somerset
BA20 1SH
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Strategic report
1
Directors' report
2
Directors' responsibilities statement
3
Independent auditor's report
4 - 6
Profit and loss account
7
Statement of comprehensive income
8
Balance sheet
9
Statement of changes in equity
10
Notes to the financial statements
11 - 26
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 1 -

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

Review of the business

The Group, comprising Serious Stages and Serious Ventures, delivered a year of broadly flat performance in 2024 against a challenging backdrop.

 

Our core festivals business remained solid and continues to represent the foundation of the Group. We retain our position as the UK market leader in festival staging, recognised for consistent delivery quality and service standards. While both clients and suppliers operate on tighter margins, the sector remains a reliable and sustainable business line. Continued investment and disciplined management should secure its strength for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, we are mindful that the intensive summer season places significant demands on resources, limiting flexibility for diversification, and we will continue to assess our long-term commitment and allocation of effort in this area.

 

Our film and studio structures business experienced more volatility. The global film industry entered a prolonged period of disruption between mid-2023 and late-2024, primarily due to strike action in the United States by writers and actors. This led to a marked downturn in content production and, consequently, materially lower revenues for the Group in 2024 versus 2023.

 

However, with industrial action resolved by mid-2024, the backlog of scripts and productions is now feeding through to new projects. Early signs in 2025 point to a substantial rebound in studio construction and rental demand, although not yet at the exceptional levels of 2021–22.

 

The Group has weathered the period of reduced activity with resilience, supported by a strong capital base. Looking forward, we enter 2025 with a robust pipeline of confirmed and anticipated projects across both festivals and film. We remain confident in the long-term outlook for the business, with opportunities to consolidate our leadership position and to grow selectively in line with market recovery.

Key performance indicators

Our financial and non-financial performance is gauged through a set of key performance indicators (KPIs), including client retention rates, profit margins, project completion timelines, and operational efficiency. These KPIs help in ensuring that both companies stay aligned with their strategic objectives while maintaining agility in operations.

 

2024          2023

 

Turnover         £2,525,029    £5,756,114

Gross profit     £670,486    £2,571,157

Gross profit margin     26.55%    44.7%

Profit before tax     £1,063,358    £949,789

Other information and explanations

All trading companies have diligently maintained relevant accreditations, ensuring compliance with industry standards and reinforcing our commitment to quality and excellence.

On behalf of the board

Mr M Corfield-Moore
Director
26 September 2025
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 2 -

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

Principal activities

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of hire of staging and sale of stages and equipment.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 7.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £2,620,000. 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 S Corfield-Moore
Mr M Corfield-Moore
Qualifying third party indemnity provisions

The company has made qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its directors during the year. These provisions remain in force at the reporting date.

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 M Corfield-Moore
Director
26 September 2025
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 3 -

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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
- 4 -
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Serious Ventures Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the profit and loss account, 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:

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED (CONTINUED)
- 5 -
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.

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

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company and the industry in which it operates, and considered the risk of acts by the company that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. We designed audit procedures to respond to the risk, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

We focussed on laws and regulations which could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements, including, but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006 and UK tax legislation. Our tests included agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation and enquiries with management. Out tests also included enquiry of entity staff in compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud. As in all our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED (CONTINUED)
- 6 -

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.

Philip Mills MSc BA ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Old Mill Audit Limited, Statutory Auditor
Maltravers House
Petters Way
YEOVIL
Somerset
BA20 1SH
26 September 2025
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 7 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
2,525,029
5,756,114
Cost of sales
(1,854,543)
(3,184,957)
Gross profit
670,486
2,571,157
Administrative expenses
(610,118)
(1,590,427)
Other operating income
-
0
1
Operating profit
4
60,368
980,731
Interest receivable and similar income
8
1,010,000
(19,520)
Interest payable and similar expenses
9
(7,010)
(11,422)
Profit before taxation
1,063,358
949,789
Tax on profit
10
(26,828)
(228,728)
Profit for the financial year
1,036,530
721,061

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

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 8 -
2024
2023
£
£
Profit for the year
1,036,530
721,061
Other comprehensive income
-
-
Total comprehensive income for the year
1,036,530
721,061
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2024
31 December 2024
- 9 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
12
7,573
31,664
Tangible assets
13
5,248,873
5,252,401
Investments
14
11,696
11,696
5,268,142
5,295,761
Current assets
Debtors
16
2,588,923
3,347,828
Cash at bank and in hand
239,351
86,705
2,828,274
3,434,533
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
17
(1,131,338)
(435,843)
Net current assets
1,696,936
2,998,690
Total assets less current liabilities
6,965,078
8,294,451
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
18
(27,652)
(80,663)
Provisions for liabilities
Provisions
20
3,560,560
3,280,280
Deferred tax liability
21
1,175,830
1,149,002
(4,736,390)
(4,429,282)
Net assets
2,201,036
3,784,506
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
23
100
100
Profit and loss reserves
2,200,936
3,784,406
Total equity
2,201,036
3,784,506

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 26 September 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr M Corfield-Moore
Director
Company registration number 05244735 (England and Wales)
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 10 -
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
Balance at 1 January 2023
100
3,125,845
3,125,945
Year ended 31 December 2023:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
721,061
721,061
Dividends
11
-
(62,500)
(62,500)
Balance at 31 December 2023
100
3,784,406
3,784,506
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
1,036,530
1,036,530
Dividends
11
-
(2,620,000)
(2,620,000)
Balance at 31 December 2024
100
2,200,936
2,201,036
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 11 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Serious Ventures Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Tor Hill Works, Dulcote, WELLS, Somerset, BA5 3NT.

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 Serious Global Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Tor Hill Works, Dulcote, Wells, Somerset, BA5 3NT.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 399 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts, on the basis that the group of which this is the parent qualifies as a small group. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

1.2
Going concern

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company 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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 12 -
1.3
Turnover

Revenue comprises sales of goods or services provided to customers net of value added tax and other sales taxes, less an appropriate deduction for actual and expected returns and discounts. Revenue is recognised when performance obligations are satisfied and the control of goods or services is transferred to the buyer. Where the performance obligation is satisfied over time, revenue is recognised in accordance with its progress towards complete satisfaction of that performance obligation.

 

When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the promised consideration is adjusted for the effects of the time value of money, which is recognised as interest income.

Revenue in relation to the supply and hire of staging is recognised over the period to which the revenue relates.

 

Revenue in relation to the sale of staging parts is recognised on the date a change of ownership occurs.

1.4
Research and development expenditure

Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.

1.5
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.

 

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

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:

Stage Development Costs
10% straight line
1.6
Tangible fixed assets

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:

Staging equipment
6% straight line
Plant and machinery
15% reducing balance
Office equipment
25% reducing balance
Motor vehicles
25% reducing balance

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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
1.7
Fixed asset investments

Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities 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.

1.8
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.

1.9
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.

1.10
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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -
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.

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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 15 -
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.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

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

1.11
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.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognised in profit or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.

1.12
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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 16 -
1.13
Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the company 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.

1.14
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.

1.15
Retirement benefits

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

1.16
Leases

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.

1.17
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.

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.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 17 -
3
Turnover and other revenue

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

2024
2023
£
£
Turnover analysed by class of business
Supply of staging services
1,436,488
5,756,114
Sale of stages and equipment
1,088,541
-
2,525,029
5,756,114
2024
2023
£
£
Turnover analysed by geographical market
UK
2,376,822
4,736,085
Dubai
148,207
-
Middle East
-
1,020,029
2,525,029
5,756,114
2024
2023
£
£
Other revenue
Interest income
-
(19,520)
Dividends received
1,010,000
-
4
Operating profit
2024
2023
Operating profit for the year is stated after charging:
£
£
Exchange (gains)/losses
-
0
4,844
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
652,084
657,698
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets held under finance leases
23,959
29,070
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
20,991
6,967
Amortisation of intangible assets
24,091
24,091
5
Auditor's remuneration
2024
2023
Fees payable to the company's auditor and associates:
£
£
For audit services
Audit of the financial statements of the company
14,040
14,040
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 18 -
6
Employees

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

2024
2023
Number
Number
2
2

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
9,100
9,100
Pension costs
60,000
60,000
69,100
69,100
7
Directors' remuneration
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
9,100
9,100
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
60,000
60,000
69,100
69,100
8
Interest receivable and similar income
2024
2023
£
£
Interest income
Other interest income
-
0
(19,520)
Income from fixed asset investments
Income from shares in group undertakings
1,010,000
-
0
Total income
1,010,000
(19,520)
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 19 -
9
Interest payable and similar expenses
2024
2023
£
£
Interest on bank overdrafts and loans
-
25
Interest on finance leases and hire purchase contracts
7,010
11,397
7,010
11,422
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 20 -
10
Taxation
2024
2023
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
-
0
138,631
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
26,828
90,097
Total tax charge
26,828
228,728

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
1,063,358
949,789
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2023: 23.52%)
265,840
223,390
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
281
-
0
Group relief
10,524
-
0
Deferred tax adjustments in respect of prior years
2,683
-
0
Exempt ABGH distributions
(252,500)
-
0
Remeasurement of deferred tax for changes in tax rate
-
0
5,338
Taxation charge for the year
26,828
228,728
11
Dividends
2024
2023
£
£
Interim paid
2,620,000
62,500
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 21 -
12
Intangible fixed assets
Stage Development Costs
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024
240,913
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
209,249
Amortisation charged for the year
24,091
At 31 December 2024
233,340
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
7,573
At 31 December 2023
31,664

More information on impairment movements in the year is given in note .

13
Tangible fixed assets
Staging equipment
Plant and machinery
Office equipment
Motor vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
6,968,818
3,185,258
79,711
388,625
10,622,412
Additions
553,011
121,899
-
0
20,345
695,255
Disposals
-
0
(76,117)
(39,875)
(77,540)
(193,532)
At 31 December 2024
7,521,829
3,231,040
39,836
331,430
11,124,135
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
4,165,412
919,115
69,307
216,179
5,370,013
Depreciation charged in the year
272,051
353,667
2,601
47,724
676,043
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
0
(66,604)
(36,627)
(67,563)
(170,794)
At 31 December 2024
4,437,463
1,206,178
35,281
196,340
5,875,262
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
3,084,366
2,024,862
4,555
135,090
5,248,873
At 31 December 2023
2,803,402
2,266,148
10,405
172,446
5,252,401
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
13
Tangible fixed assets
(Continued)
- 22 -

Tangible fixed assets includes assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts, as follows:

2024
2023
£
£
Plant and machinery
101,333
122,277
Motor vehicles
16,850
22,467
118,183
144,744
Depreciation charge for the year in respect of leased assets
23,959
29,070
14
Fixed asset investments
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Investments in subsidiaries
15
11,696
11,696
15
Subsidiaries

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

Name of undertaking
Registered office
Class of
% Held
shares held
Direct
Serious Stages Limited
Tor Hill Works, Dulcote, Wells, Somerset, BA5 3NT
Ordinary
100.00
Serious Fabrication Limited
Tor Hill Works, Dulcote, Wells, Somerset, BA5 3NT
Ordinary
100.00
16
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Amounts owed by group undertakings
1,067,802
1,726,873
Other debtors
453,303
1,123,530
Prepayments and accrued income
579,818
9,425
2,100,923
2,859,828
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
16
Debtors
(Continued)
- 23 -
2024
2023
Amounts falling due after more than one year:
£
£
Amounts owed by related parties
488,000
488,000
Total debtors
2,588,923
3,347,828
17
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Obligations under finance leases
19
56,171
66,305
Trade creditors
699,604
163,587
Corporation tax
-
0
138,631
Other taxation and social security
272
272
Other creditors
96,890
35,668
Accruals and deferred income
278,401
31,380
1,131,338
435,843

Hire purchase liabilities of £56,171 (2023- £66,305) are secured by fixed charges over the assets to which they relate.

18
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Obligations under finance leases
19
27,652
80,663

Hire purchase liabilities of £27,652 (2023- £80,663) are secured by fixed charges over the assets to which they relate.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 24 -
19
Finance lease obligations
2024
2023
Future minimum lease payments due under finance leases:
£
£
Within one year
56,171
66,305
In two to five years
27,652
80,663
83,823
146,968

Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company 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 1.2 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

20
Provisions for liabilities
2024
2023
£
£
Derigging provision
3,000,000
3,000,000
Other provision
560,560
280,280
3,560,560
3,280,280
Movements on provisions:
Derigging provision
Other provision
Total
£
£
£
At 1 January 2024
3,000,000
280,280
3,280,280
Additional provisions in the year
-
280,280
280,280
At 31 December 2024
3,000,000
560,560
3,560,560
SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 25 -
21
Deferred taxation

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the 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:

Liabilities
Liabilities
2024
2023
Balances:
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
1,175,830
1,149,002
2024
Movements in the year:
£
Liability at 1 January 2024
1,149,002
Charge to profit or loss
26,828
Liability at 31 December 2024
1,175,830

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.

22
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
60,000
60,000

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.

23
Share capital
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary A of 10p each
950
950
95
95
Ordinary B of 10p each
50
50
5
5
1,000
1,000
100
100

Ordinary A and B shares both have full voting and equity rights.

SERIOUS VENTURES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 26 -
24
Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties

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

Sales
Sales
Purchases
Purchases
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Entities under common control
1,800,344
1,204,365
-
28,719
Other related parties
-
0
1,020,033
-
-
Management charges receivable
2024
2023
£
£
Entities under common control
-
2,631,716

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

2024
2023
Amounts due to related parties
£
£
Entities under common control
92,181
30,958

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

2024
2023
Amounts due from related parties
£
£
Entities under common control
308
-
Entities under common control
488,000
1,184,598
Other information

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 102 33.1A 'Related Party Disclosures' from disclosing transactions with other members of the group.

25
Ultimate controlling party

The ultimate controlling party is Mr M Corfield-Moore who owns 62.5% of the ultimate parent company, Serious Global Limited.

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