The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 July 2025.

Section 172 of Companies Act 2006

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 sets out a number of general duties that directors owe to a company. These includes a general duty requiring directors to act in a way in which they consider, in good faith, will promote the success of the company for the benefit of shareholders as a whole.

In doing so a director of a company must have regard (amongst other matters) to:

a. The likely consequences of any decision in the long term.

b. The interests of the company’s employees.

c. The need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers, and others.

d. The impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment.

e. The desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and

f. The need to act fairly as between members of the company.

Further detail on the performance of the business during the year and the longer-term activity is provided in this strategic report.

The Directors are pleased with the results for the year; this has been a strong year for all the businesses and is in line with the targets set by the board at the beginning of the year. All the areas targeted for growth by the board have been successfully achieved within each entity of the group.

Crown was officially certified as Carbon Neutral in April 22 and are committed to the target of Net Zero Carbon by 2030. Crown has delivered carbon cutting solutions both internally to our offices and fleet, and externally to our customer base.

The shift from traditional to green fuels within our existing customer portfolio has continued to move forward, with many customers being drawn to the benefits of using our HVO or buying one of our Carbon Offset fuels to reduce their carbon footprint.

Due to supply difficulties encountered in the market, the business made the decision in the July 2022 financial year to change its traditional model of purchasing to one that included a greater emphasis on the bulk import of fuel products in order to alleviate supply issues for the group and assist in the continued provision of supplies to the customer base. This new model has proved to be a success and has continued since 2022.

The Group has continued in its long-term aim of strengthening both its infrastructure and staff resource throughout the year with further appointments being made in specific areas; This is a process that will continue in line with the organic growth of the group over the coming years.

The long-term strategy of the Group continues to be targeted investment to enable the delivery of exceptional service levels to the customer base and prospective new markets at all levels of the business.

Crown has continued investment into the supply and use of renewable and sustainable fuels to meet legislated change, in particular Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The board sees the considerable environmental benefits from use, with a reduction of up to 90% greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the NOx, PM, and CO emissions.

The board accepts that the sector in which it trades is a polluting one, but efforts have been made to reduce this impact, and emissions on fuel used for deliveries have been offset by the group for over a decade. However, the board has accepted for some years that it must do more.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Group uses financial instruments; these include cash, loans, and other various items, such as trade debtors and trade creditors that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Group's operations.

The existence of these financial instruments exposes the Group to a number of financial risks. The Directors review and agree policies for managing each of these risks which have remained unchanged from previous years and are described in more detail below.

Liquidity risk

The Group seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash safely and profitably.

Interest rate risk

The Group finances its operations through a combination of retained profits, directors' current accounts, other loans, and cash. The Group manages its exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its finance leases by entering into fixed rate agreements.

Credit risk

The Group’s principal financial assets are cash and trade debtors. The risk associated with cash is limited. The principal credit risks arise therefore from trade debtors.

The price of oil has a direct impact upon the value of debt incurred on a supply. A relatively low base commodity price of oil can have a positive impact upon the risks associated with trade debtors whereas a higher price can increase the risk.

To manage credit risk, the directors set limits for its customers based on a combination of payment history, third party credit references and commercial credit insurance availability. Credit limits are reviewed by the credit manager on a regular basis in conjunction with debt ageing, collection history and the continued availability of credit insurance on individual customers.

The Group is exposed to transaction foreign exchange risk.

Less than 1% of the Group's sales are transacted in foreign currency.

Prior to 2022, most purchases were made in Sterling. During 2022, we started to purchase much larger quantities of imported bulk fuels that are priced in Dollars. This has continued in all the periods since. For the year ended 31 July 2025, 35% of purchases were made in US dollars (PY 22%).

Environmental and regulatory Risk

The Group is exposed to environmental and regulatory risks due to the nature of the products it stores, transports, and delivers. The sector in which the group operates is heavily regulated and monitored and the Group ensures that it complies with all relevant laws and standards and has procedures and policies in place to manage the position. In addition, insurance policies are taken out to assist in mitigating any unforeseen events.

Commodity price risk

Approximately 75% of the group’s fuel purchases is on a spot basis as is the case throughout the sector, accordingly any market movement to the costs price is reflected in the subsequent sale price and as such poses little, if any, commodity price risk.

With regard to imports, the group is open to price risks but to mitigate this a hedging policy is adopted that reduces any potential risk to a manageable level should there be any adverse movement in the underlying cost price. This policy was in place throughout the year and is constantly monitored by the business to identify any additional risks so that they can be mitigated quickly.

The company has made good progress throughout the year in relation to the key elements of its strategy. The Board monitors the progress of the Group using the following Key Performance Indicators:

• Number of orders taken.

• Quantity delivered, by product and location.

• Debtor days and Debtors aging profile.

• Creditor days and Creditor aging profile.

• Gross Profit margin per product line.

• Overall balance sheet strength.

Performance is measured against the prior year and prior month for each of these measures and has been satisfactory for the current year. Management continues to monitor these KPIs monthly, and any significant variance is acted upon promptly.

The group’s activities resulted in the emission of 2,760 tonnes (scope 1 and 3) of carbon dioxide during the year in the delivery of fuel to customer destinations (revised 2024: 2,325 tonnes). The increase in the year resulted from an increase in the number of long-distance journeys, where our lorries had to refuel with Diesel.

In addition, the group purchased 787,680 kWh of electricity for its own use, of which 108,122 kWh was from a non-renewable source (scope 2 and 3) (2024: 120,233 kWh non-renewable, and 862,421 kWh purchased in total). This electricity was primarily for the purpose of providing heat and light to its premises. The non-renewable electricity purchased was for buildings which are rented from external parties.

The tonnes of CO2 emitted has therefore decreased from 27 tonnes in 2024 to 24 tonnes in 2025. The average for the periods prior to the introduction of the group’s carbon cutting initiatives was 200 tonnes per year.

The directors continue to monitor the usage of energy across the group, with a view to reducing the group’s carbon footprint where possible.

To mitigate the group’s carbon emissions and use resources more responsibly, the group has implemented or committed to the following initiatives:

• Switched the group’s entire tanker fleet from Diesel to HVO fuel in July 2021. Carbon credits are purchased for residual fuel usage to ensure all group fuel deliveries are carbon neutral. This reduces the group’s current carbon footprint by up to 90%.

• Crown has used carbon credits to offset tanker mileage since 2007.

• Investment in a clean, modern fleet for maximum efficiency.

• Provision of electrical alternatives for company cars.

• Electric charging points have been installed at one of our office car parks, and is accessible to all staff

• All owned office buildings are run on renewable electricity.

• Solar panels have now been fitted to all owned group buildings.

• Recycle all waste, paper, toners, and old IT equipment, and also use recycled paper for office use.

• Reduce the amount of paper used during the day to day running of the business. A new paperless software system for the Finance team was implemented in 2024. Further software updates have been implemented during this financial year within the Finance team.

• All offices and warehouses within the group are fully compliant with the new UK Workplace Recycling rules that came into effect in the UK in March 2025.

• Recycle most barrels and collect customers’ empty barrels to reuse them.

• Range of educational resources to help customers understand greener fuels, including virtual webinars and one-to-one support.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025.

The principal activity of the group and company continued to be that of fuel distributors.

The results for the year are set out on page 11.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £6,000,000. 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:

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment within the group continues and that the appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the group that the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.

The group's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employees' interests.

Information about matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the group's performance.

There is no employee share scheme at present, but the directors are considering the introduction of such a scheme as a means of further encouraging the involvement of employees in the company's performance.

The auditor, Azets Audit Services, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

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 group and company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and 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 group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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 auditor of the company 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 auditor of the company is aware of that information.

We have audited the financial statements of Crown Oil Holdings Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 July 2025 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 July 2025 and of the group's profit for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 group and parent 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 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

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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

• The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their 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:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

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 parent 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 parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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.

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.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework.  Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.  This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed procedures which included:

• Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud; 

• Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;

• Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the entity through enquiry and inspection; 

• Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

• Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias. 

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation.  This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance.  The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £6.000,000 (2024: £13,896,898).

Crown Oil Holdings Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Oil Centre, Bury New Road, Heap Bridge, Bury, Lancashire, United Kingdom, BL9 7HY.

The group consists of Crown Oil Holdings 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, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value. 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 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share-based payment expense charged to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options, how the fair value of options granted was measured, measurement and carrying amount of liabilities for cash-settled share-based payments, explanation of modifications to arrangements;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination (other than a business combination accounted for under merger accounting principles) is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Crown Oil Holdings Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries).

All financial statements are made up to 31 July 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.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The directors consider that the current and forecasted levels of cash will be sufficient to meet the group's liabilities as they fall due. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

In reaching this conclusion, the directors have considered the expected future performance of the group compared to its budgeted performance up to the date of signing the financial statements, the financial position of the group at the balance sheet date, the timing of repayments to related parties, and the expected future cash flows of the group in the 12 months following the date of signing the financial statements.

The directors continually monitor the group's cash reserves, and operate a central treasury function for the group, whereby cash supluses can be distributed around the group as necessary to meet current cash requirements. The group has little external debt and are able to call upon funds from related parties if required.

Turnover is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the group and the turnover can be reliably measured. Turnover is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes.

Sale of goods

Turnover from the sale of goods is recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

•    the group has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer;

•    the group retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with     ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;

•    the amount of turnover can be measured reliably;

•    it is probable that the group will receive the consideration due under the transaction; and

•    the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Rendering of services

Turnover 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 of the following conditions are satisfied:

•    the amount of turnover can be measured reliably;

•    it is probable that the group will receive the consideration due under the contract;

•    the stage of completion 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.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 5-10 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

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:

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:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

Stocks are stated at the lower of costs and net realisable value, being the estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a weighted average basis.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

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 balance sheet 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 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. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

As a supplier of sustainable biofuels the group holds a number of Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) which are claimed at the point of sale of fuel generated from renewable sources. These RTFC’s can either be used to meet the group’s own Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (RTFOs) or sold on to other suppliers of fossil transport fuels. Since RTFCs are readily tradeable on an open market, they are held at market value (or contractual sales value if applicable) at the balance sheet date.  Gains and losses on the sale of RTFCs are reported as fair value movements through profit and loss.

Assets and liabilities arising from RTFC's and RTFO's are shown net in the financial statements, where the group has the legal right and intention to settle the transactions together.

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 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.

Derivatives, including hedging instruments 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.

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 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 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. 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 if, and only if, there is 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.

Provisions are recognised when the group has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in profit or loss in the period in which it arises.

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.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

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.

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.

Environmental liabilities

The group is exposed to environmental liabilities relating to its past operations. Provisions for such liabilities are recognised in the period in which an obligation to a third party arises and the amount can be reasonably estimated discounted to reflect the time value of money where appropriate. Estimated costs of environmental remediation work are based on recent independent surveys, of the industry and prices.

Dividends

Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised When approved by the shareholders.

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The 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 July 2025 are as follows:

Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):

Included within Other creditors due within one year, is an aggregate Directors' Loan Account balance of £21,310,768 (2024: £27,159,107).

Included within the Invoice discounting advances and bank loans is an invoice discounting facility held with Barclays Bank PLC. The invoice discounting advances are secured on the trade debtors of the group. Also included within this balance is a term loan agreement with Barclays Bank PLC. This loan has a maximum facility of £15m, of which £3.67m has been drawn down at the balance sheet date. The loan is secured against future sales of Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates, incurs interest at a rate of 1.95% above the Bank of England base rate and is payable in October 2025.

Obligations under finance leases are secured upon the assets to which they relate.

Barclays Bank PLC hold a fixed and floating charge over accounts as security for all debts and other liabilities owed to it by one of the company's subsidiaries, Crown Oil Limited.

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

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.

Other reserves contains £2,362,859 (2024: £2,362,859) of non-distributable reserves.

The balance includes £490,000 (2024: £490,000) relating to non-qualifying consideration which arose on disposal of investment properties that have previously been revalued.

The remaining balance is made up of £1,872,859 (2024: £1,872,859) relating to a previous capital redemption.

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:

Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:

During the year, the company made sales (including management charges) of £582,633 (2024: £763,619) to, and made purchases of £nil (2024: £nil) from Crown Energy Limited, a company related by common familial control. At the balance sheet date, £78,596 (2024: £180,395) was due from Crown Energy Limited. The amount is unsecured and repayable on demand.

During the year, the company made sales (including management charges) of £155,427 (2024: £239,974) to Gas and Electricity Connections Limited, a company related by common familial control. At the balance sheet date, £6,523 (2024: £66,825) was due from Gas and Electricity Connections Limited. The amount is unsecured and repayable on demand.

During the year, the group made sales of £19,817 (2024: £22,026) to, and was charged rent of £808,444 (2024: £733,873) from, Crown Oil Property Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. Additionally, the group advanced loans of £2,825,000 (2024: £nil) to, received principal repayments of £450,000 (2024: £nil) from, and charged interest at an arms length basis of £168,524 (2024: £58,274) to Crown Oil Property Limited. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £3,169,766 from (2024: £619,232) Crown Oil Property Limited. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

During the year, the group made sales (including management charges) of £57,713 (2024: £147,309) to, and purchases of £12,701 (2024: £18) from, Crown Gas and Power Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £10,707 from (2024: £17,429) Crown Gas and Power Limited. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

During the year, the group incurred interest at an arms length basis of £1,316,920 (2024: £1,624,861) on amounts due to the previous members of Speedy Fuels and Lubricants LLP, a related party by means of common familial control. At the balance sheet date, the group owed £13,408,582 to (2024: £16,116,537) the previous members of Speedy Fuels and Lubricants LLP. The balance is unsecured and repayable in instalments, disclosed within notes 19 and 20 to the accounts. Included within amounts due greater than one year is £nil (2024: £nil).

During the year, the group incurred interest at an arms length basis of £520,922 (2024: £654,646) on amounts due to the previous members of Nationwide Fuels LLP, a related party by means of common familial control. At the balance sheet date, the group owed £4,729,179 to (2024: £6,208,319) the previous members of Nationwide Fuels LLP. The balance is unsecured and repayable in instalments, disclosed within notes 19 and 20 to the accounts. Included within amounts due greater than one year is £nil (2024: £nil).

During the year, the group made sales of £551,759 (2024: £410,709) to, and purchases of £15,667 (2024: £17,394) from, Crown Performance Additives Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £147,034 from (2024: £147,132) Crown Performance Additives Limited. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

During the year, the group made sales (including management charges) of £18,402 (2024: £22,176) to Crown Oil House LLP, a related party by means of common familial control. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £2,878 from (2024: £4,266) Crown Oil House LLP. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

During the year, the group made sales (including management charges) of £162,867 (2024: £101,432) to, and purchases of £12,922 (2024: £nil) from AMA FIC Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. Additionally, the group advanced loans of £1,480,000 (2024: £950,000) to, received principal repayments of £nil (2024: £nil) from, and charged interest at an arms length basis of £658,443 (2024: £586,460) to AMA FIC Limited. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £8,537,166 from (2024: £7,038,541) AMA FIC Limited. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

During the year, the group ade sales (including management charges) of £184.586 (2024: £316,667) to GFIC Properties Limited, a company related by common familial control. At the balance sheet date, £10,915 (2024: £14,498) was due from GFIC Properties Limited. The amount is unsecured and repayable on demand.

During the year, the group advanced loans of £nil (2024: £7,500) to Heysham Industries Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £90,150 from (2024: £90,150) Heysham Industries Limited. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

During the year, the group made sales (including management charges) of £6,014 (2024: £6,500) to Crown Oil Investments Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. Additionally, the group charged interest at an arms length basis of £249,697 (2024: £538,566) to Crown Oil Investments Limited on loan facilities. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £1,066,403 from (2024: £2,867,736) Crown Oil Investments Limited, stated net of an historical provision of £1,500,000 made against the balance. The balance is unsecured and disclosed in debtors due more than one year.

During the year, the group made sales (including management charges) of £240,339 (2024: £228,262), and purchases of £nil (2024: £nil) from, Exchange Utility Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £57,289 from (2024: £57,743) Exchange Utility Limited. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

During the year, the group made sales (including management charges) of £236,908 (2024: £284,078) to, and purchases of £2,489 (2024: £19,961) from General All Purpose Plastics Limited, a related party by means of common familial control over one entity and significant familial influence in another. Additionally, the group advanced loans of £nil (2024: £nil) to, received principal repayments of £615,385 (2024: £615,385) from, and charged interest at an arms length basis of £54,691 (2024: £107,642) to General All Purpose Plastics Limited. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £442,310 from (2024: £1,082,645) General All Purpose Plastics Limited. The balance is unsecured and repayable in instalments, disclosed within note 17 to the accounts, of which £82,051 is due more than one year and less than 5 years.

During the year, the group made sales (including management charges) of £192,260 (2024: £157,594) to Caspian Assured Limited, a related party by means of common familial control over one entity and significant familial influence in another. Additionally, the group advanced loans of £420,291 (2024: £456,883) to, received principal repayments of £600,000 (2024: £150,000) from, and charged interest at an arms length basis of £464,768 (2024: £460,229) to Caspian Assured Limited. At the balance sheet date, the group was due £6,390,743 from (2024: £6,590,095) Caspian Assured Limited. The balance is secured and is repayable in instalments, disclosed within note 17 to the accounts, of which £5,727,174 is due more than one year and less than five years.

During the year, the the group made sales (including management charges) of £3,729 (2024: £nil) to Bridgemere Limited, a related party by means of common familial control. Additionally, the group advanced loans of £400,000 (2024: £nil) and received principal repayments of £nil (2024: £nil), and charged interest at an arms length basis of £13,170 (2024: £nil). At the balance sheet date, the group was due £409,326 (2024: £nil) from Bridgemere Ltd. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within debtors due less than one year.

At the balance sheet date, the group owed £21,310,768 (2024: £27,159,107) to its directors. The balance is unsecured and repayable on demand, disclosed within creditors due less than one year.

The ultimate controlling party of Crown Oil Holdings Limited is considered to be the Greensmith family.