The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.
In its fourth full year of trading, the group has seen further diversity and growth in its customer base, including agreements with large merchants within the industry. This has led to income related to venue fees increasing significantly compared to the previous year. This has been supported by further investment into E-wallet functionality and the Luxon Pay Mastercard which has been the top request from customers.
The reductions in turnover, and expenses, from the previous year are in line with management’s expectations as some customers are now using the services of other related parties.
The group's main subsidiary, Luxon Payments Limited, is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") reference number 900929 and is authorised to issue electronic money and provide payment services.
During the year, the group incurred and capitalised a further £0.6m of development costs, financed by loans from external investors.
The directors are confident that the continued improvements in the Exchange service will increase the functionality of the products on offer and lead to further growth in the customer base in 2025.
The following risks represent the major challenges facing the business, however no specific risk gives any cause for concern.
Business Risk
The group's principal business risks are the normal trading risks such as losing major customers and the increase of competition. The directors are confident that through maintaining a high level of service and investment in new technology, the group can retain its clients and remain competitive in the marketplace.
Liquidity Risk
The group manages its cash and borrowing requirements in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring there are sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the business
Foreign currency Risk
The group's principal foreign currency exposures arise from the holding of client funds and cash balances in foreign currencies. The group's foreign currency risk is offset by holding both assets and liabilities in a variety of currencies. The group policy permits but does not demand that derivative foreign exchange products are used to eliminate undue risks contained in these cash flows.
Credit Risk
The group places its cash with creditworthy institutions and performs ongoing credit evaluations of its debtors' financial position. Trade debtors are reviewed on a regular basis and provision is made for doubtful debts when necessary. The carrying amount of cash and debtors represents the maximum credit risk that the group is exposed to.
The directors have the following comments regarding the performance of their duties to promote the success of the group:
Interests of members of the parent company
The parent company was privately owned during the period under review and the majority shareholders are represented on the board of directors. In common with many privately owned groups the interests of the board and the shareholders are broadly aligned in that the group should create value by generating strong and sustainable results, providing a return to shareholders through either dividend income or capital growth.
The interests of employees
The group focuses on training and supporting its employees in the understanding that a well informed and trained workforce is essential for the group's ongoing success. Regular staff meetings are held, attended by members of the Board, and annual appraisals of staff performance are carried out. Feedback is encouraged from staff and where possible practical suggestions are implemented to improve procedures and the working environment.
The average number of staff for the period was 4 (2023: 16), excluding directors.
The group offers its employees competitive remuneration packages and all staff members have the opportunity to join the pension plan of the respective employer within the group.
The interests of our customers
It is imperative that customers are provided with an excellent level of customer service and the group's ethos is that the work performed must be of the highest quality to ensure this.
The interests of our suppliers
Due to the nature of the group's activities it is not reliant on suppliers in order to generate revenue as this is achieved through the staff base. Suppliers are used to provide auxiliary services to the offices and for ad hoc services.
The impact of the Group's operations on the community and the environment
The nature of the group's business means its activities are largely undertaken online and therefore direct impact on the environment is minimal. The group endeavours to use its technological resources wherever possible to reduce unnecessary travel by staff.
Maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct
The group is committed to maintaining a reputation of the high standards of business conduct associated with FCA regulated firms. The group has a number of policies for all employees to follow and externally prepared compliance reviews are undertaken in respect of any regulated activities.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The results for the year are set out on page 8.
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Henton & Co LLP be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.
We have audited the financial statements of Luxon Group Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise 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 and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following: enquiring of management concerning the company's policies with regards identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; enquiring of management concerning the company's policies detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; enquiring of management concerning the company's policies in relation to the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non- compliance with laws and regulations; discussing among the engagement team where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud; and obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in and focusing on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the company. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act 2006, Financial Reporting Standard 102, applicable tax legislation and health and safety laws.
Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: enquiries of management and those charged with governance concerning compliance with such laws and regulations and any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.
No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK). We are not responsible for preventing non compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s 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.
As permitted by s408 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 £213,570 (2023 - £159,998 profit).
Luxon Group Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Strelley Hall, Strelley, Nottingham, England, NG8 6PE.
The group consists of Luxon 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.
The parent company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, The parent company has taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Luxon 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.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
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 31 December 2024 the group has net liabilities of £727,658 (2023: £759,762) which are supported by a long term loan. The directors consider that the group's net liability position is due to a provision for deferred tax.
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 electric money services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes.
Development costs
Costs in relation to internally generated development projects are capitalised when all of the following can be demonstrated:
a) The development is technically feasible
b) The company has an intention to complete and use or sell the development and the ability to do so
c) The development will generate future economic benefits
d) The company has sufficient technical and financial resources to complete the development
e) Expenditure relating to the development can be measured reliably
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.
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.
Entities in which the group has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
The group only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade debtors, trade creditors and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties and loans to related parties.
Debt instruments like loans and other accounts receivable and payable are initially measured at present value of the future payments and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method; Debt instruments that are payable or receivable within one year, typically trade payables or receivables, are measured, initially and subsequently, at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received. However if the arrangements of a short-term instrument constitute a financing transaction, like the payment of a trade debt deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate or in case of an outright short-term loan not at market rate, the financial asset or liability is measured, initially and subsequently, at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Financial assets that are measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the profit and loss account.
For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. If a financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract.
For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the best estimate, which is an approximation, of the amount that the group would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is an 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.
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.
Taxation for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Statement of comprehensive Income, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.
Current or deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted.
Current tax is recognised at the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date.
Timing differences arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in financial statements. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the year end and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.
Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.
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.
Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.
Client funds
The main trading subsidiary is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") and authorised to hold funds on behalf of its clients and to provide services enabling payments and withdrawals from these funds. Funds are held in multiple currencies in designated client accounts with reputable financial institutions and consequently are held and owed by the group. Periodic timing differences that occur between payments and withdrawals from client accounts and funds held are shown separately within cash and cash equivalents.
Related party exemption
The company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', to not disclose related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries within the group.
Transactions between group entities which have been eliminated on consolidation are not disclosed within the financial statements.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.
Development costs are capitalised according to the accounting policy as described under the respective paragraph below. In order for the group to account for the amounts to be capitalised, amortised or impaired, management has made certain assumptions in relation to expected future cash inflows generated from the asset, discount rates and expected future periods in which benefits will inflow to the group.
The turnover and loss before taxation are attributable to the one principal activity of the group.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
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:
The group has approximately £3.60m (2023: £4.54m) of losses available to carry forward against future taxable profits and gains. A deferred tax asset is provided for in relation to the losses and is offset against other deferred tax liabilities.
No expenditure was incurred in relation to research costs and 100% of applicable development costs were capitalised during the period on the following projects in accordance with the company's accounting policies:
E-wallet payment service
The e-wallet payment service has been developed to provide an easy to use online cash transfer system. The carrying value of this asset at the period end was £8,068,644 (2023: £8,820,721) with a remaining amortisation period of 4 years 11 months.
Exchange service
The Exchange service allows users to exchange, send and request money across multiple currencies around the world. The carrying value of this asset at the period end was £3,851,991 (2023: £4,381,551). This project was launched in January 2022 and an amortisation period of 7 years remains.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:
At 31st December 2023 the group held £15,124,508 (2023: £23,750,936) in designated client fund bank
accounts across multiple currencies which was not available for use by the entity and as such has been
derecognised in these financial statements.
Included in cash at bank on the balance sheet is £16,099 (2023: £847,961) representing the periodic timing
differences between payments and withdrawals from client funds.
Other loans are accruing interest at 2% per annum and are repayable on 31st December 2029
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
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:
During the year the group entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date: