Company registration number 09520377 (England and Wales)
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Dr M C Dale
Mrs C E Dale
Company number
09520377
Registered office
19 Park Road
Lytham St. Annes
FY8 1PW
Auditor
MHA
Richard House
9 Winckley Square
Preston
PR1 3HP
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Strategic report
1 - 2
Directors' report
3 - 4
Directors' responsibilities statement
5
Independent auditor's report
6 - 8
Statement of comprehensive income
9
Balance sheet
10
Statement of changes in equity
11
Notes to the financial statements
12 - 16
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 1 -
The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Review of the business
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 2 -
Investing in people
Investment in people has increased across the business. By investing in people, the business has developed and enhanced staff skills and clients have access to greater expertise, including the set-up of internal training academies for specialist clinical and management roles. The company is committed to promoting a supportive, respectful and inclusive working environment. The company is also committed to providing specialist and bespoke training across all aspects of the business and is rapidly becoming known as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Psychedelic research as well as our acknowledged ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Neuroscience research.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The management of the business and the execution of the company strategy are subject to a number of risks. All risks are formally reviewed by the board and appropriate processes put in place to monitor and mitigate them. The key business risks affecting the company are set out below:
Competition
The company acknowledges that the principal risk to its business is competition. The company constantly reviews its performance to ensure the level of service offered is second to none. In addition, the company continues to actively market and promote its products and services.
Employee risks
The company acknowledges that employees are key to the success of the business and ensures that appropriate training and support are provided to secure longevity of service.
Economy
The Board is aware of risks associated with the general economic outlook and will continue to review the situation.
Key performance indicators
Revenue in the MAC group has increased in 2025 driven primarily driven by strong performance of MAC’s CRO services.
Wages & salaries currently represent the largest cost for the Company, approaching 20M during FY25, of which all are recognised in overheads.
Pipeline for MAC has continued to grow significantly in past 12 months and is forecast to continue. MAC’s global reach and scale now allows the group to carry out its CRO services on larger trials and this trend will continue as the business grows. MAC is a full service CRO, working with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to assist them in the development of new and improved treatments for patients on a global basis. The Group utilises its full end-to-end clinical research capabilities to accommodate the most complex Phase I trials through to Phase IV and to date has completed over 350 trials.
..............................................
Dr M C Dale
Director
.........................
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 3 -
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the company continued to be that of the provision of support staff to pharmaceutical research companies.
Results and dividends
The results for the year are set out on page 9.
Directors
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
Dr M C Dale
Mrs C E Dale
Disabled persons
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 company continues and that the appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the company that the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.
Employee involvement
The MAC group has introduced a biannual staff survey to identify areas new areas of improvement and develop staff engagement in the process. Staff working groups have been established to address issues raised. A portal for structured suggestions “new innovations and ideas” has been set up to collate opinions. There is a new Biannual inspiring peoples award to recognise staff achievements. There are new task forces established working groups and senior leadership team groups to improve employee contribution to problem solving. There has also been the launch of an internal mentoring program to support staff development needs.
Strategic report
The company has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report.
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.
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 4 -
On behalf of the board
Dr M C Dale
Director
4 November 2025
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 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:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
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.
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF SMO SERVICES LIMITED
- 6 -
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of SMO Services Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 30 June 2025 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, 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:
give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 30 June 2025 and of its 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.
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 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 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.
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.
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF SMO SERVICES 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:
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 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.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
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, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the 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.
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 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.
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, is detailed below:
Enquiries with management about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
Enquires with management about any known or suspected instances of fraud;
Auditing the risk of fraud in revenue by ensuring payroll expenses for the correct period are recharged,
Examination of journal entries and other adjustments to test for appropriateness and identify any instances of management override of controls; and
Review of legal and professional expenditure to identify any evidence of ongoing litigation or enquiries.
Ensuring compliance with HMRC payroll regulations.
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF SMO SERVICES LIMITED (CONTINUED)
- 8 -
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 is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
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.
This report is made solely to the company's member 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 member those matters we are required to state to the member 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 member, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Karen Hain BA FCA
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of MHA, Statutory Auditor
Preston, United Kingdom
4 November 2025
MHA is the trading name of MHA Audit Services LLP, a limited liability partnership in England and Wales (registered number OC455542)
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 9 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
17,809,666
16,726,085
Administrative expenses
(17,809,666)
(16,726,085)
Profit before taxation
Tax on profit
6
Profit for the financial year
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
- 10 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
7
484,936
454,657
Cash at bank and in hand
1
1
484,937
454,658
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
8
(484,936)
(454,657)
Net current assets
1
1
Capital and reserves
-
-
Called up share capital
9
1
1
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 4 November 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Dr M C Dale
Director
Company registration number 09520377 (England and Wales)
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 11 -
Share capital
£
Balance at 1 July 2023
1
Year ended 30 June 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
Balance at 30 June 2024
1
Year ended 30 June 2025:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
Balance at 30 June 2025
1
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 12 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
SMO Services Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 19 Park Road, Lytham St. Annes, FY8 1PW.
The trading address of the company is Kaman Court, 1 Faraday Way, Blackpool, FY2 0JH.
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:
Section 4 ‘Statement of Financial Position’: Reconciliation of the opening and closing number of shares;
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’: Carrying amounts, interest income/expense and net gains/losses for each category of financial instrument; 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.
The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of MAC Research Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, and companies house.
1.2
Turnover
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for services provided in the normal course of business.
1.3
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.
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
1.4
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 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.
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, 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.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.5
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.
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -
1.6
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.
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.
There are no key judgements and estimations that have a significant impact on these financial statements
3
Turnover
2025
2024
£
£
Turnover analysed by class of business
Group services provided
17,809,666
16,726,085
4
Operating profit
2025
2024
Operating profit for the year is stated after charging:
£
£
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial statements
3,500
3,000
5
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
2025
2024
Number
Number
Employees
385
365
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
5
Employees
(Continued)
- 15 -
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
2025
2024
£
£
Wages and salaries
16,039,842
15,154,431
Social security costs
1,769,824
1,571,654
17,809,666
16,726,085
6
Taxation
The actual charge 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:
2025
2024
£
£
Profit before taxation
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2024: 25.00%)
Taxation charge in the financial statements
-
-
7
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Amounts owed by undertakings in which the company has a participating interest
484,936
454,657
8
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Taxation and social security
484,936
454,657
9
Share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary of £1 each
1
1
1
1
SMO SERVICES LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
- 16 -
10
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities
The company has placed all property and undertakings as security with Santander Bank.
11
Ultimate controlling party
SMO Services Limited is wholly owned by MAC Research Limited a company incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 19 Park Road, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1PW. The principle place of business is Kaman Court, 1 Faraday Way, Blackpool. FY2 0JH.
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