The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025.
BIE Bidco Limited ('the group') works with companies going through change, supporting evolving businesses through a unique blend of business consultancy, interim management and executive search. This integrated solution allows us to support businesses at every stage of their evolution. Our deep functional expertise covers Executive Leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain and Procurement, Technology and Digital, and Programme Change Management.
The group works with an impressive network of clients from FTSE100s and FTSE 250s to smaller, private equity-backed businesses across a wide range of sectors. The group has a track record of delivering projects both in the UK and abroad, particularly across Europe but also as far afield as Asia, the Caribbean and Africa.
Due to market conditions, the group experienced a 4.08% fall in turnover and a 2.97% fall in gross profit, however the gross profit margin increased from 26.57% in FY2024 to 26.88%. Operating profit this year decreased from £616K to £288K.
Trading for FY2026 continues to be challenging, but the directors expect to see a solid year.
The group keeps on focusing on building agile business that continues to evolve with its clients, underpinned with a scalable platform for future growth; the vision, mission and values of the organisation remain integral to this, as is investment in people, marketing, CRM and brand development.
The principal risks faced by the business lie in the current economic environment and global macroeconomic uncertainties. That said, from the start of the 2025 calendar year we have seen an increase in demand for our services. The outlook for the upcoming year remains cautious, with limited growth opportunities in the current market environment. Cashflow remained strong throughout FY2025 and has continued into FY2026. The directors will continue to manage the business closely over the coming months; they believe that BIE’s offering remains highly relevant to today’s businesses.
Other risk to the business surrounds maintaining customer relationships, particularly larger key clients. As such the company invests heavily in those relationships and is fully committed to providing exceptional client service. The risk is mitigated by performance related pay for sales staff, where long term relationships are rewarded. Further, BIE closely monitors performance of the business excluding key accounts. As a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) we have a lean and adaptable cost base, which can be rapidly adjusted to changing circumstances. The directors believe that by continuing to invest in our extensive client and candidate marketplace, BIE maintains foundations for strong future performance.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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 Saffery LLP be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which the directors consider to be appropriate for the following reasons.
The group has prepared cash flow forecasts covering at least a 12 month period from the date of approval of these financial statements. In preparing these forecasts the group has considered areas of uncertainty and a number of underlying assumptions, in particular those relating to market and customer risks, cost management and working capital management. These forecasts show that the group continues to have sufficient levels of cash for the forecast period.
The group forecasts consider the sensitivity to severe but plausible downside scenarios. In assessing the sensitivity on revenues the group acknowledges forecasted revenues are contingent on the group attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
The group finances its working capital through its own cash resources and if necessary, through invoice discounting facilities.
The directors are confident that the company will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.
We have audited the financial statements of BIE Bidco Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group statement of financial position, the company statement of financial position, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 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 specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are detailed below.
Identifying and assessing risks related to irregularities:
We assessed the susceptibility of the group and parent company’s financial statements to material misstatement and how fraud might occur, including through discussions with the directors, discussions within our audit team planning meeting, updating our record of internal controls and ensuring these controls operated as intended. We evaluated possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements. We identified laws and regulations that are of significance in the context of the group and parent company by discussions with directors and by updating our understanding of the sector in which the group and parent company operates.
Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the group and parent company include The Companies Act 2006 and UK Tax legislation.
Audit response to risks identified
We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items including a review of group and parent company financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the parent company's records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the parent company's policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance.
During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement partner’s review included ensuring that the team had approached their work with appropriate professional scepticism and thus the capacity to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud.
As group auditors, our assessment of matters relating to non-compliance with laws or regulations and fraud differed at group and component level according to their particular circumstances. Our communications included a request to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud that could give rise to a material misstatement of the group financial statements in addition to our risk assessment.
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. Also, 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.
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 auditors 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.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s loss for the year was £356 (2024 - £354 loss).
BIE Bidco Limited (“the company”) is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 1 George Yard, London, EC3V 9DF.
The group consists of BIE Bidco 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 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 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’: Compensation for key management personnel.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company BIE Bidco Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries).
All financial statements are made up to 31 March 2025. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which the directors consider to be appropriate for the following reasons.
The group has prepared cash flow forecasts covering at least a 12 month period from the date of approval of these financial statements. In preparing these forecasts the group has considered areas of uncertainty and a number of underlying assumptions, in particular those relating to market and customer risks, cost management and working capital management. These forecasts show that the company continues to have sufficient levels of cash for the forecast period.
The group forecasts consider the sensitivity to severe but plausible downside scenarios. In assessing the sensitivity on revenues the group acknowledges forecasted revenues are contingent on the group attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
The group finances its working capital through its own cash resources and if necessary, through invoice discounting facilities.
The directors are confident that the group will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of the Company's activities. Turnover is shown net of value added tax. Turnover from placement of interim candidates is recognised over the period that the services are provided to clients based on the time charged to the customer and matched to the cost incurred. Turnover from permanent placements is recognised on the candidate's start date or on completion of agreed milestones in the recruitment process.
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:
Rendering of services
Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all the following conditions are satisfied:
The amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
It is probable that the Company will receive the consideration due under the contract;
The obligations of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
The costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the income statement.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries 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.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's statement of financial position when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including 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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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 income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Where items recognised in other comprehensive income or equity are chargeable to or deductible for tax purposes, the resulting current or deferred tax expense or income is presented in the same component of comprehensive income or equity as the transaction or other event that resulted in the tax expense or income. 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.
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.
Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted using the Black-Scholes model. The fair value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the estimate of shares that will eventually vest. A corresponding adjustment is made to equity.
The expense in relation to options over the parent company’s shares granted to employees of a subsidiary is recognised by the company as a capital contribution, and presented as an increase in the company’s investment in that subsidiary.
When the terms and conditions of equity-settled share-based payments at the time they were granted are subsequently modified, the fair value of the share-based payment under the original terms and conditions and under the modified terms and conditions are both determined at the date of the modification. Any excess of the modified fair value over the original fair value is recognised over the remaining vesting period in addition to the grant date fair value of the original share-based payment. The share-based payment expense is not adjusted if the modified fair value is less than the original fair value.
Cancellations or settlements (including those resulting from employee redundancies) are treated as an acceleration of vesting and the amount that would have been recognised over the remaining vesting period is recognised immediately.
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.
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.
All audit fees have been recognised in the trading subsidiary, BIE Executive Limited.
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:
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:
Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):
Amounts owed to other group undertakings do not bear any interest, are unsecured and are repayable on demand.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
The deferred tax liability relates to accelerated capital allowances.
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. The pension liability at 31 March 2025 is £33,213.
As at 31 March 2025, 14,491 of the 164,267 share options issued during the prior year remain outstanding at the year end.
EMI share options are allocated on a discretionary basis to employees. Share options allocated are subject to non-market vesting conditions and only become exercisable subject to the conditions set out in the option scheme rules. The options may not be exercised later than the 10th anniversary of the option agreement.
The fair value of the EMI share options as at the grant date is deemed to be the following over the company:
The options outstanding at 31 March 2025 had an exercise price of £0.05 each, a weighted average fair value of £0.1388 each and the corresponding share based payment is recognised over an expected vesting period.
The ordinary shares have attached to them full voting rights and full dividend rights (following the payment of the preference dividend) and are entitled on a return of capital to the amount calculated in accordance with the table in article 6 of the articles of association of the company. The ordinary shares do not confer any rights of redemption.
The C ordinary shares have attached to them full voting rights and conditional rights to a dividend (following the payment of the preference dividend) and are entitled on a return of capital to the amount calculated in accordance with the table in article 6 of the articles of the association of the company. The C shares do not confer any rights of redemption.
The Preference shares have attached to them no voting rights, preferential rights to a dividend and are entitled on a return of capital to the amount calculated in accordance with the table set out in article 6 of the articles of the association of the company. The Preference shares do not confer any rights of redemption.
On 16 January 2025 the company bought back into treasury 11,100 C Ordinary shares of 1 p each for £30,702.
On 16 January 2025 the company bought back into treasury 11,100 C Ordinary shares of 1 p each for £30,702.
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.
BIE Bidco Limited has taken the exemption in accordance with FRS102 section 33 for group undertakings to not disclose related party transactions with each other whereby any subsidiary which is a party to the transactions is wholly owned.