Company Registration No. 03663860 (England and Wales)
(aq) Limited
Annual report and financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2024
(aq) Limited
Company information
Directors
Professor Adam Beaumont
Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones
Jeremy Silver
Secretary
Mr Stephen Neale
Company number
03663860
Registered office
13-15 Hunslet Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS10 1JQ
Independent auditor
Saffery LLP
10 Wellington Place
Leeds
LS1 4AP
(aq) Limited
Contents
Page
Strategic report
1 - 3
Directors' report
4
Directors' responsibilities statement
5
Independent auditor's report
6 - 9
Statement of comprehensive income
10
Statement of financial position
11
Statement of changes in equity
12
Notes to the financial statements
13 - 23
(aq) Limited
Strategic report
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024 for (aq) Limited (the “Company”).

The strategic report provides a review of the business for the financial year and describes how the directors manage risks and opportunities.

The report outlines the development and performance of the Company during the financial year, the position at the end of the year and discusses the main trends and factors that could affect the future.

The comparative results for 2023 are for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Principal activities and business review

The Company is an Ofcom regulated Telecommunications Operator providing wholesale integrated communications services including mobile messaging, IP telephony, secure co-location datacentre services, fibre and wireless leased line services and machine-to-machine (m2m) services for the growing demand of the Internet of Things (IoT) marketplace.

The results of the Company show a turnover of £16,906,320 (2023: £16,805,421) representing a 1% increase in revenue year on year and loss before tax of £1,169,843 (2023: loss of £2,593,789). At 31 December 2024, the Company had net assets of £223,536 (2023: £1,092,733).

 

Losses were as a result of the compounding effect of completing two major DCMS 50% funded projects, driving large amounts of co-expenditure in the financial year to fulfil the company’s obligations under these projects, with a total of £2,138k one off project expenditure.

 

These projects have placed AQL into a position of industry-wide recognition as a specialist telecommunications operator in the 5G arena. In addition to the one-off project expenditure, 2023 saw continued pressure from increasing power costs within the group. The power costs have been addressed by a long term strategic change in power procurement and the creation of a binding memorandum with a leading power operator to support AQL’s longer term strategic goals.

Business strategy and objectives

The Company continues to focus on its traditional markets and key revenue lines including Messaging, IP Telephony, Connectivity and Co-location Data Centre services. The Company continues its expansion in wholesale services capable of supporting exponential growth in communications software partners. Its focus on scalable technology solutions, including IoT and 5G network as a service, remains a key tenet. This strategy is now bearing fruit following the successful delivery of a number of Government funded projects.

During the year there has been continued investment in the team and infrastructure in order to facilitate the planned growth. AQL is expending significant resource in knowledge capture and share with the wider industry to ensure leadership in how Data Centre services need to be provided, capturing the exponential growth driven by AI, in the most cost effective and sustainable way and focusing on providing infrastructure as a service as part of our strategic growth.

This will include embarking on a project to build several smaller datacentres using innovative forms of renewable energy with the first coming on line in Q3 2026.

(aq) Limited
Strategic report (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
2
Outlook

The business has been assessing its operation, products and customer proposition for the future and remains focussed on growth in scalable telecommunications services. At the same time the Company continues to be a diverse innovation business and intends to reinvest in research and development of unique products, services and solutions with strong IP protection.

 

Private cloud (leveraging own datacentre space to provide virtualised services) has shown promise, with significant investment in not only consolidation of own-services away from physical hardware, but also starting to provide virtualisation as a new high-value revenue stream.

 

Similar significant investment has allowed AQL to move away from providing MVNO services to the industry and is transitioning to MNO services using it’s own infrastructure in its primary pursuit to be a tier-1 enabler across it’s portfolio of Gartner magic quadrant services.

 

 

Key performance indicators

2024         2023                 

£          £

 

Turnover                16,906,320        16,805,421

Gross profit                 3,752,590         2,558,880

Gross profit percentage % 22.2         15.2

Administrative expenses         4,922,432         5,152,669

Administrative expenses/turnover %     29.1         30.7

Principle risks and uncertainties

The Company has loans in place with related parties, the entirety of which are stated in the related parties note (note 15) of this report. As a result of our growing revenue trends, lack of long-term debt obligations and clear strategic focus the Company has a favourable view of its ability to meet its current and long term financial obligations.

 

The Company has limited exposure to market fluctuations in relation to Brexit, as a result of its trading activities relying on services rather than imports and exports.

 

The key risks within the business are maintaining ongoing regulatory compliance, the Group has a longstanding track record of compliance and has dedicated team to manage and mitigate this risk.

 

Another significant risk factor is the rising cost of energy, which is mitigated by ongoing review of energy pricing, management of current and future energy contracts, cost management and onward billing to end customers.

Going concern

The Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. The Directors have prepared forecasts which are underpinned by the strong recurring revenue streams which have allowed the company to continue to invest in projects. The company has no external debt and continues to be supported by the Shareholder and other connected entities. At 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.

(aq) Limited
Strategic report (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
3

On behalf of the board

Professor Adam Beaumont
Director
31 October 2025
(aq) Limited
Directors' report
For the year ended 31 December 2024
4

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

Principal activities

The Company is an Ofcom regulated Telecommunications Operator providing wholesale integrated communications services including mobile messaging, IP telephony, secure co-location datacentre services, fibre and wireless leased line services and machine-to-machine (m2m) services for the growing demand of the Internet of Things (IoT) marketplace.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 10.

No ordinary dividends were paid. 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:

Professor Adam Beaumont
Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones
Jeremy Silver
Research and development

The company has continued to invest in research and development activity during the year with a view to enhancing infrastructure to drive efficiencies and new opportunities to generate revenue.

Auditor

Saffery LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office.

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
Professor Adam Beaumont
Director
31 October 2025
(aq) Limited
Directors' responsibilities statement
For the year ended 31 December 2024
5

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.

(aq) Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of (aq) Limited
6
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of (aq) Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position, 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.

(aq) Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of (aq) Limited (continued)
7

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

 

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.

(aq) Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of (aq) Limited (continued)
8

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 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 company by discussions with directors and by updating our understanding of the sector in which the company operates.

 

Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the 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 financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the 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 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

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 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.

(aq) Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of (aq) Limited (continued)
9
Jonathan Davis
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of Saffery LLP
4 November 2025
Statutory Auditors
10 Wellington Place
Leeds
LS1 4AP
(aq) Limited
Statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2024
10
2024
2023
as restated
Notes
£
£
Turnover
16,906,320
16,805,421
Cost of sales
(13,153,730)
(14,246,541)
Gross profit
3,752,590
2,558,880
Administrative expenses
(4,922,433)
(5,152,669)
Loss before taxation
(1,169,843)
(2,593,789)
Tax on loss
6
300,646
414,928
Loss for the financial year
(869,197)
(2,178,861)

The income statement has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

 

There are no recognised gain or losses other than those stated above and therefore no separate statement of other comprehensive income has been prepared.

(aq) Limited
Statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2024
11
2024
2023
as restated
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
7
192,079
220,887
Current assets
Debtors
8
10,059,683
13,296,221
Cash at bank and in hand
1,659,943
193,111
11,719,626
13,489,332
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
9
(11,688,169)
(12,609,301)
Net current assets
31,457
880,031
Total assets less current liabilities
223,536
1,100,918
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
10
-
0
8,185
-
(8,185)
Net assets
223,536
1,092,733
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
12
12
12
Other reserves
99
99
Profit and loss reserves
223,425
1,092,622
Total equity
223,536
1,092,733
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 31 October 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Professor Adam Beaumont
Director
Company Registration No. 03663860
(aq) Limited
Statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2024
12
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
£
As restated for the period ended 31 December 2023:
Balance at 1 January 2023
12
99
3,699,179
3,699,290
Correction of accounting error
-
-
(427,696)
(427,696)
As restated
12
99
3,271,483
3,271,594
Year ended 31 December 2023:
Loss and total comprehensive income
-
-
(2,178,861)
(2,178,861)
Balance at 31 December 2023
12
99
1,092,622
1,092,733
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Loss and total comprehensive income
-
-
(869,197)
(869,197)
Balance at 31 December 2024
12
99
223,425
223,536
(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
13
1
Accounting policies
Company information

(aq) Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 13-15 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.

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 AQL Holdings Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, 13-15 Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ.

1.2
Going concern

The Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. The Directors have prepared forecasts which are underpinned by the strong recurring revenue streams which have allowed the company to continue to invest in projects. The company has no external debt and continues to be supported by the Shareholder and other connected entities. At 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.true

1.3
Turnover

Turnover consist primarily of recurring monthly fees from hosting services which is recognised as the services are provided. Hosting service contracts range from one month to five years. Payment receive and billing in advance of providing services are deferred until services are provided. Unbilled revenue for service provided are accrued at the end of each period.

(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1
Accounting policies (continued)
14
1.4
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:

Fixtures and fittings
10 and 25% on cost
Computers
33% on cost
Motor vehicles
20% on cost
Other
10 and 25% on cost

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.

1.5
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible 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.

1.6
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.

1.7
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 statement of financial position when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial assets

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.

(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1
Accounting policies (continued)
15
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.

(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1
Accounting policies (continued)
16
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.

1.8
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.

1.9
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 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 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. 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.

(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1
Accounting policies (continued)
17
1.10
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.

1.11
Retirement benefits

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

1.12
Leases

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 leases asset are consumed.

1.13
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
Critical accounting 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.

3
Operating loss
2024
2023
Operating loss for the year is stated after charging/(crediting):
£
£
Exchange losses/(gains)
50,009
(931)
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial statements
23,500
16,500
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
193,422
239,296
Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets
(148,612)
-
Operating lease charges
8,469
17,228
(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
18
4
Employees

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

2024
2023
Number
Number
Management
3
3
Administration
65
71
Total
68
74

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
2,411,308
2,549,346
Social security costs
253,534
261,273
Pension costs
87,340
90,810
2,752,182
2,901,429
5
Directors' remuneration
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
35,044
35,044
6
Taxation
2024
2023
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
(292,461)
-
0
Benefit arising from a previously unrecognised tax loss or credit
-
0
(351,020)
Total current tax
(292,461)
(351,020)
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
(8,185)
(35,001)
Adjustment in respect of prior periods
-
0
(28,907)
Total deferred tax
(8,185)
(63,908)
Total tax credit
(300,646)
(414,928)
(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
6
Taxation (continued)
19

The actual credit for the year can be reconciled to the expected credit for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

2024
2023
£
£
Loss before taxation
(1,169,843)
(2,593,789)
Expected tax credit based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2023: 23.52%)
(292,461)
(610,059)
Adjustments in respect of prior years
-
0
(28,907)
Research and development tax credit
-
0
(351,020)
Other effects
-
0
24,925
Remeasurement of deferred tax for changes in tax rates
-
0
(36,806)
Movement in deferred tax not recognised
-
0
586,939
Fixed asset timing differences
(8,185)
-
0
Taxation credit for the year
(300,646)
(414,928)
7
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
Computers
Motor vehicles
Other
Total
£
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
1,097,574
2,069,758
71,857
223,408
3,462,597
Additions
-
0
192,565
-
0
-
0
192,565
Disposals
-
0
-
0
-
0
(223,408)
(223,408)
At 31 December 2024
1,097,574
2,262,323
71,857
-
0
3,431,754
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
1,034,355
1,954,479
63,004
189,872
3,241,710
Depreciation charged in the year
15,105
166,483
6,249
5,585
193,422
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
0
-
0
-
0
(195,457)
(195,457)
At 31 December 2024
1,049,460
2,120,962
69,253
-
0
3,239,675
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
48,114
141,361
2,604
-
0
192,079
At 31 December 2023
63,219
115,279
8,853
33,536
220,887
(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
20
8
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
As restated
Trade debtors
1,884,286
1,673,855
Corporation tax recoverable
1,016,112
1,644,453
Other debtors
6,540,077
9,643,613
Prepayments and accrued income
619,208
334,300
10,059,683
13,296,221

Included within other debtors is Directors loan account balances of £2,375,538 (2023: 2,277,624 as restated). See note 15 for more details.

 

Other debtors also include amounts owed to the company from non-group companies under common control of £4,054,982 (2023: £4,765,077). These amounts are receivable on demand and no interest is charged on outstanding balances. Whilst technically repayable on demand, the Directors consider these balances to be longer term in nature with recovery not anticipated in the next 12 months.

 

9
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Trade creditors
1,341,298
4,666,241
Amounts owed to related companies
8,452,073
6,098,365
Corporation tax
-
0
290,825
Other taxation and social security
234,046
236,952
Other creditors
18,644
45,005
Accruals and deferred income
1,642,108
1,271,913
11,688,169
12,609,301
10
Deferred taxation

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:

Liabilities
Liabilities
2024
2023
Balances:
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
-
8,185
(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
10
Deferred taxation (continued)
21
2024
Movements in the year:
£
Liability at 1 January 2024
8,185
Credit to profit or loss
(8,185)
Liability at 31 December 2024
-
11
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
87,340
90,810

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.

 

12
Share capital
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
12
12
12
12
13
Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties

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

Recharges from
2024
2023
£
£
Entities relating to key managment personnel of the company
1,620,446
2,175,646
2024
2023
Amounts due to related parties
£
£
Entities relating to key managment personnel of the company
8,452,073
6,098,365
(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
13
Related party transactions (continued)
22

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

2024
2023
Amounts due from related parties
£
£
Entities relating to key managment personnel of the company
4,055,470
6,409,458
14
Directors' transactions

Dividends totalling £0 (2023 - £0) were paid in the year in respect of shares held by the company's directors.

Interest free loans have been granted by the company to its directors as follows:

Description
% Rate
Opening balance
Amounts advanced
Closing balance
£
£
£
As restated
Professor Adam Beaumont -
-
2,277,624
97,914
2,375,538
2,277,624
97,914
2,375,538
15
Ultimate controlling party

The Company is a subsidiary undertaking of AQL Holdings Limited. The consolidated financial statements of the group are available to the public and may be obtained from 13-15 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.

16
Prior period adjustment

A prior period restatement has been recognised in order to reallocate items of expenditure which had previously been recognised through the Director's loan account to the profit and loss account. This adjustment has been made by the Directors in order to more accurately reflect the business related nature of certain items of expenditure identified.

 

The impact of this is that £105,973 of costs have been recognised through the comparative profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December 2023. A further £427,696 of costs which relate to periods before the year ended 31 December 2023 have been recognised through the opening reserves as at 1 January 2023.

 

The cumulative impact of these adjustments is a reduction in the Director's loan account balance as at 31 December 2023 of £533,669.

(aq) Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
16
Prior period adjustment (continued)
23
Reconciliation of changes in equity
1 January
31 December
2023
2023
£
£
Adjustments to prior year
Admin expenses adjustment
1
-
-
Cost of sales adjustment
2
-
-
Profit or loss adjustment
3
(427,696)
(533,669)
Equity as previously reported
3,699,290
1,626,402
Equity as adjusted
3,271,594
1,092,733
Analysis of the effect upon equity
Profit and loss reserves
(427,696)
(533,669)
Reconciliation of changes in loss for the previous financial period
2023
£
Adjustments to prior year
Admin expenses adjustment
1
(100,231)
Cost of sales adjustment
2
(5,742)
Profit or loss adjustment
3
-
Total adjustments
(105,973)
Loss as previously reported
(2,072,888)
Loss as adjusted
(2,178,861)
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