Company registration number SC129673 (Scotland)
Fifth Ring Limited
financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Pages for filing with registrar
Fifth Ring Limited
Contents
Page
Balance sheet
1
Notes to the financial statements
2 - 9
Fifth Ring Limited
Balance sheet
as at 31 March 2025
- 1 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
3
8,548
20,478
Investments
4
710
710
9,258
21,188
Current assets
Debtors
6
3,384,853
2,396,863
Cash at bank and in hand
73,744
109,195
3,458,597
2,506,058
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
7
(742,429)
(234,255)
Net current assets
2,716,168
2,271,803
Total assets less current liabilities
2,725,426
2,292,991
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
8
(1,190,000)
(1,190,000)
Net assets
1,535,426
1,102,991
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
9
50,000
50,000
Profit and loss reserves
10
1,485,426
1,052,991
Total equity
1,535,426
1,102,991

The directors of the company have elected not to include a copy of the profit and loss account within the financial statements.true

These financial statements have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 21 October 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
M Thomson
Director
Company registration number SC129673 (Scotland)
Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 2 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Fifth Ring Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is 47 St Mary's Court, Huntly Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TH.

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 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.

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 company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 400 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated financial statements. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

 

Fifth Ring Limited is a subsidiary of D.C. Thomson & Company Limited and is controlled within that group. The results of Fifth Ring Limited are included in the consolidated financial statements of D.C. Thomson & Company Limited, and are available from its registered office, Courier Buildings, 2 Albert Square, Dundee, DD1 9QJ.

1.2
Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The directors have considered relevant information, including the financial projections, forecast future cash flows and the impact of subsequent events in making their assessment. The directors have performed a robust analysis of forecast future cash flows taking into account the potential impact on the business of possible future scenarios arising from rising input costs and truegeneral economic conditions. This analysis also considers the effectiveness of available measures to assist in mitigating the impact.

Based on these assessments and having regard to the resources available to the company, including the ongoing financial support of its parent company D.C. Thomson & Company Limited, the directors have concluded that there is no material uncertainty and that they can continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.

Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
- 3 -
1.3
Turnover

Turnover represents amounts receivable for services net of VAT and trade discounts.

Revenue from contracts for the provision of professional services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion when the stage of completion, costs incurred and costs to complete can be estimated reliably. The stage of completion is calculated by comparing costs incurred, mainly in relation to contractual hourly staff rates and materials, as a proportion of total costs. Where the outcome cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that it is probable will be recovered.

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:

Leasehold improvements
15% straight line
Plant and machinery
25% - 33% straight line

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
Fixed asset investments

Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

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

1.6
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.

 

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.

Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
- 4 -

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

1.7
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks.

1.8
Financial instruments

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

 

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

 

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

Basic financial assets

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

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, and loans from fellow group companies, 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.

1.9
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.

Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
- 5 -
1.10
Taxation

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

Current tax

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

Deferred tax

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

 

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

1.11
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.

1.12
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.

Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 6 -
2
Employees

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

2025
2024
Number
Number
Total
29
29
3
Tangible fixed assets
Land and buildings
Plant and machinery etc
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2024
269,309
259,506
528,815
Disposals
(1,775)
(115,138)
(116,913)
At 31 March 2025
267,534
144,368
411,902
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
269,309
239,028
508,337
Depreciation charged in the year
-
0
11,930
11,930
Eliminated in respect of disposals
(1,775)
(115,138)
(116,913)
At 31 March 2025
267,534
135,820
403,354
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
-
0
8,548
8,548
At 31 March 2024
-
0
20,478
20,478
4
Fixed asset investments
2025
2024
£
£
Shares in group undertakings and participating interests
710
710
Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 7 -
5
Subsidiaries

These financial statements are separate company financial statements for Fifth Ring Limited.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:

Country of
Class of
Name of undertaking
incorporation
Nature of business
shareholding
% Held
Fifth Ring Inc.
USA
Marketing, communications, branding and litigation support
Ordinary
100.00
6
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
515,435
366,609
Amounts owed by group undertakings
2,587,244
1,832,491
Other debtors
280,090
197,735
3,382,769
2,396,835
Deferred tax asset
2,084
28
3,384,853
2,396,863

Amounts due from group undertakings have no fixed repayment terms and no interest applies.

7
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Trade creditors
20,932
54,859
Amounts owed to group undertakings
404,364
3,545
Corporation tax
97,542
6,334
Other taxation and social security
70,702
92,719
Other creditors
148,889
76,798
742,429
234,255

Amounts due to group undertakings have no fixed repayment terms and no interest applies.

Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 8 -
8
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2025
2024
£
£
Other creditors
1,190,000
1,190,000

Other creditors represent intercompany loans which are unsecured. Interest applies at 2% above base rate per annum to part of the balance.

9
Called up share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000

The company has one class of ordinary shares which are non-redeemable shares that carry the right to receive such dividends as the directors of the company may determine; attend and vote at general meetings; and to share in surplus assets on a winding up.

10
Profit and loss reserves

Profit and loss reserves include all current and prior period retained profits and losses.

11
Audit report information

As the income statement has been omitted from the filing copy of the financial statements, the following information in relation to the audit report on the statutory financial statements is provided in accordance with s444(5B) of the Companies Act 2006:

The auditor's report was unqualified.

Senior Statutory Auditor:
Gavin Black
Statutory Auditor:
Henderson Loggie LLP
Date of audit report:
21 October 2025
12
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

A bond and floating charge is in place over the assets of the company.

Fifth Ring Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 9 -
13
Operating lease commitments
As lessee

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

2025
2024
£
£
Total commitments
19,992
77,804
14
Parent company

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Clavamore Limited, a company incorporated in Great Britain and registered in Scotland.

 

Clavamore Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of DC Thomson & Company Limited, a company incorporated in Great Britain and registered in Scotland.

 

There is no individual controlling party of D.C. Thomson & Company Limited.

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