Company registration number SC375068 (Scotland)
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Pages for filing with registrar
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Contents
Page
Balance sheet
1
Notes to the financial statements
2 - 8
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Balance sheet
as at 31 March 2025
- 1 -
2025
2024
Notes
£000
£000
£000
£000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
4
1,636
1,664
Tangible assets
5
200
91
1,836
1,755
Current assets
Debtors
6
6,193
6,813
Cash at bank and in hand
112
340
6,305
7,153
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
7
(1,414)
(3,262)
Net current assets
4,891
3,891
Total assets less current liabilities
6,727
5,646
Provisions for liabilities
(162)
(77)
Net assets
6,565
5,569
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
8
3,000
3,000
Profit and loss reserves
9
3,565
2,569
Total equity
6,565
5,569
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 20 October 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
RP Daly
Director
Company registration number SC375068 (Scotland)
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 2 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Gateway House, Luna Place, Technology Park, Dundee, DD2 1TP.
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 £000.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The directors have considered relevant information, including the truefinancial projections, forecast future cash flows and the impact of subsequent events in making their assessment. The directors have performed a robust analysis of future forecast future cash flows taking into account the potential impact on the business of possible future scenarios arising from rising input costs and general 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, 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.
1.3
Turnover
Turnover represents amounts receivable for goods and services net of VAT and trade discounts. Subscription revenue is recognised evenly across the period of subscription. Pay-per-view revenue is deferred in the balance sheet until a customer obtains a view of the requested data, whereupon the revenue is recognised as turnover.
1.4
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.
Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Datasets
10 years
1.5
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.
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
- 3 -
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:
Computer equipment
3 years 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.
1.6
Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
1.7
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.
1.8
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.
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
- 4 -
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, 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.
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.
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.
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
- 5 -
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
Foreign exchange
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Critical judgements
The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
Intangible assets
Directors and key management assess the useful lives of intangible assets, primarily datasets, at 10 years over which period the intangibles are expected to generate revenue. However, intangible assets can potentially generate revenue over a shorter or longer period.
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 6 -
3
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
2025
2024
Number
Number
Total
0
0
The company does not employ staff. All staff are provided on an agency basis by Findmypast Limited. Staff recharges totalled £283,196 (2024 - £270,373) of which £282,250 (2024 - £270,031) was capitalised as part of intangible fixed assets.
No remuneration was paid to directors during the year. All directors are remunerated through D.C. Thomson & Company Limited.
4
Intangible fixed assets
Datasets
£000
Cost
At 1 April 2024
8,357
Additions
328
At 31 March 2025
8,685
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
6,693
Amortisation charged for the year
356
At 31 March 2025
7,049
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
1,636
At 31 March 2024
1,664
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 7 -
5
Tangible fixed assets
Plant and machinery etc
£000
Cost
At 1 April 2024
212
Additions
168
At 31 March 2025
380
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
121
Depreciation charged in the year
59
At 31 March 2025
180
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
200
At 31 March 2024
91
6
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£000
£000
Trade debtors
127
150
Amounts owed by group undertakings
5,906
6,500
Other debtors
160
163
6,193
6,813
There are no fixed repayment terms for amounts owed by group undertakings and no interest applies.
7
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£000
£000
Trade creditors
1
Amounts owed to group undertakings
1,248
Corporation tax
247
807
Other creditors
1,167
1,206
1,414
3,262
Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- 8 -
8
Called up share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£000
£000
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
3,000,000
3,000,000
3,000
3,000
The company has one class of ordinary shares and each share carries one vote and is entitled to participate pari passu in any dividend or capital distribution. On liquidation, surplus assets are to be distributed among the ordinary shares. The ordinary shares are not redeemable at the option of the company or the holder.
9
Profit and loss reserves
Profit and loss reserves include all current and prior period retained profits and losses.
10
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:
20 October 2025
11
Parent company
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Findmypast Limited, a company incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England.
The ultimate parent company is D.C. 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.