The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The principal activity of the group has continued to be in architecture, building consultancy and structural & civil engineering.
2025 was a solid year. The practice's turnover has increased from 2024 and 87% of our workload for 2026 is already confirmed and should deliver an increase on our 2025 figures. We will continue to explore new opportunities and new work throughout 2026 to ensure a continuity of projects into 2027.
Housing Association and Local Authority new build housing remains constrained, with many clients prioritising investment in existing stock, fire safety remediation, and retrofit programmes. This focus has continued to generate a strong pipeline of work for our Architecture and Project Management teams. While reduced in scale, new‑build housing activity remains an important and active workstream for the business.
Healthcare continues to be a strategically significant sector, with both the Architecture and Civils & Structures teams actively involved in the delivery of healthcare projects. In addition, the Senior Housing sector remains a strong and resilient area of activity for the architectural team.
The introduction of the Building Safety Act and the new Building Regulations regime has created significant demand for competent Building Regulations Principal Designers. This sector continues to grow and we have become well established in this area.
Clients include major housing associations, local authorities, contractors, healthcare trusts, investors, keyworker and senior care providers. We are recognised for our expertise in the sectors we work in and the capability to operate across diverse sectors of the market continues to be a strategic objective.
The emphasis remains on our key staff and their experience, and in increasing capacity to respond to our clients’ needs and workload. The group continues to invest in IT to support efficient delivery, resilience and future growth.
The long lead times on this kind of work can mean that working capital is often tied up, with work being carried out a long time before payment is received. This is mitigated by implementing monthly payments against programme.
Build cost inflation and changing legislation continues to be a factor for our clients which is affecting the viability of schemes and can also cause delays to starts on site for construction.
Directors regularly review levels of work in progress (WIP) to ensure that appropriate resourcing levels are maintained and invoices are raised promptly. WIP is regularly reviewed alongside any debtors to the business. Any overdue payments are followed up at director level.
The group's principal financial instruments comprise bank balances, trade creditors and trade debtors. The main purpose of these instruments is to raise funds for the group's operations and to finance the group's operations.
Due to the nature of the financial instruments used by the group there is no exposure to price risk. The group's approach to managing other risks applicable to the financial instruments concerned is shown below.
In respect of bank balances the liquidity risk is managed by maintaining a balance between the continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of overdrafts at floating rates of interest.
Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cash flow risk by policies concerning the credit offered to customers and the regular monitoring of amounts outstanding for both time and credit limits.
Trade creditors liquidity risk is managed by ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet amounts due.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The results for the year are set out on page 9.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £400,003. 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:
The financial risk management and policies of the group, including exposure to credit risk, liquidity risk and price risk are set out in the strategic report.
The practice continues to support clients on a project by project basis. Evolving construction processes require constant review and research as our clients strive to gain commercial advantage in the market.
The increased workload relating to cladding and fire remediation to existing buildings requires bespoke solutions for each specific condition in collaboration with other specialist consultants.
We continue to invest a proportionate amount of time in research and development across all sectors in the practice, predominantly in the architectural sector as required by our various workstreams.
The practice continues to support existing clients for future business and pipeline work. Directors and associate directors continue to actively explore new opportunities through introductions to new clients and referrals.
Sector relevant conferences in housing, health and care are targeted to maintain and build client relationships. Whilst there is a current downturn in public sector housing development, the health and care markets remain strong.
Recent changes to construction legislation and the introduction of the Building Safety Act continue to support a relatively new workstream to the practice which is seeing strong growth within the Principal Designer sector under the PD Building Regs role.
All employees are encouraged to discuss operational and strategic issues with their line manager and to make suggestions aimed at improving performance. Training programmes and internal seminars are arranged to support the continuing professional development of individuals, and to keep employees informed about the group and the wider development and needs within the sector which it operates.
The directors and management teams maintain communication with employees to secure their co-operation, involvement and future well-being.
Anti-slavery policy
Under current legislation, the group is not required to prepare an annual statement in respect of slavery and human trafficking. However, in the best interests of transparency and good practice, the directors have considered those requirements in relation to the group.
Taking into account the group's size, organisation and employment procedures, the directors are confident that the group complies in all respects.
Where relevant, employees will be trained on how to recognise the signs of modern slavery within the group's supply chain and how to respond to them. Furthermore, the group will develop a supplier code of conduct to be incorporated into its commercial agreements which will include self-certification of compliance.
The group will not tolerate any form of slavery or human trafficking.
Environmental policy
The group considers environmental issues, wherever practicable, in all areas in which it is involved including the design of buildings, urban and transport planning, and in the choice of its suppliers and resources and materials are used that can be recycled. The group supports and promotes the initiatives from various professions and government organisations for the responsible use of energy and natural resources.
The group has made a commitment to the ongoing monitoring of the resources it uses, with a view to reducing these wherever achievable.
The group has been awarded accreditation under BS EN ISO 14001 for its environmental management.
The group is currently Carbon Neutral.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Beavis Morgan Audit Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
We have audited the financial statements of HAWB (London) Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 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).
Basis for 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
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.
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 extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud
Discussions with and enquiries of management and those charged with governance were held with a view to identifying those laws and regulations that could be expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. During the engagement team briefing, the outcomes of these discussions and enquiries were shared with the team, as well as consideration as to where and how fraud may occur in the entity.
The following laws and regulations were identified as being of significance to the group:
Those laws and regulations considered to have a direct effect on the financial statements include UK financial reporting standards, company law and tax and pensions legislation.
Those laws and regulations for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the business and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include environmental regulations and health and safety legislation.
Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and those charged with governance as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; review of board minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.
No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the parent 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 parent 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 parent company and the parent 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 £1,672,307 (2024 - £1,437,125 profit).
HAWB (London) Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Space One, Beadon Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0EA.
The group consists of HAWB (London) 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. 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': Net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company HAWB (London) Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 31 December 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.
The group has sufficient financial resources, based on current assets including trade receivables and work in progress which can be converted into cash. The directors believe it is well placed to manage its business risks successfully. The directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.
Profit is recognised on long-term contracts if the final outcome can be assessed with reasonable certainty, by including in profit or loss the turnover and related costs as contract activity progresses. Contract costs are recognised as incurred and revenue is recognised on the basis of the proportion of total costs at the reporting date to the estimated total costs of the contract.
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 profit or loss.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting period end date, the group 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 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 the profit and 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.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ 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 cash equivalent 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.
Financial assets, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
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 loans, deferred consideration and trade and other 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.
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.
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 statement of comprehensive income 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 enacted or substantially enacted 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.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.
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.
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.
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.
Long term contracts
Amounts recoverable on contracts, which are included in debtors, are stated at the net sales value of the work done after provision for contingencies and anticipated future losses on contracts, less amounts received as progress payments on account. Excess progress payments are included in creditors as payments on account.
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.
Estimation is required in calculating the stage of completion of contracts, in order to determine the amount of revenue which can be recognised for the provision of services. Stage of completion is determined by comparing the costs incurred to the total forecast costs for the relevant project. Contract balance at the reporting date are disclosed in debtors (gross amounts owed by contract customers - note 16) and creditors (payments received in account - note 17).
All turnover arises in the UK and relates to the provision of architectural and surveying services.
Other operating income recognised in the period relates to an R&D expenditure credit.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 6 (2024: 6).
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the statement of comprehensive income as follows:
Goodwill relates to the acquisition of the subsidiary Hunter & Partners Limited. The goodwill has a remaining amortisation period of 7.5 years.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2025 are as follows:
Hunters & Partners Limited is registered at Space One, Beadon Road, London, United Kingdom, W6 0EA.
MHM (Hammersmith) Limited was dissolved on 25 February 2025.
Deferred consideration relates to loan notes payable in monthly installments until June 2028. The loan notes were measured at present value on initial recognition using a discount rate of 7.5% per annum. A floating charge over all assets, property and undertakings of the group are held by the noteholder.
During the year, the company's subsidiary Hunter & Partners Limited took out two loans. One loan of £462,421, which is fully repayable over 10 months by monthly installments of £47,666.31, with a fixed interest rate of 6.65% per annum charged on the loan. One loan of £39,090, which is fully repayable over 36 months, with a initial payment of £9,344.21 followed by quarterly instalments of £2,704.18, with a fixed interest rate of 0% per annum charged on the loan.
Hunter & Partners Limited has a £400,000 bank overdraft facility with National Westminster Bank PLC. The overdraft facility was not utilised at the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the group or company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:
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.
At the balance sheet date, the group owed £nil (2024: £35,328) to the scheme.
There is a single class of ordinary shares. There are no restrictions on the distribution of dividends.
National Westminster Bank Plc holds a fixed and floating charge over all assets of the group.
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:
The group has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard 102 from the requirement to disclose transactions with other wholly owned group members.
The group's key management personnel are considered to be the directors of the company whose remuneration is disclosed in note 7.
Non-cash flows relate to the unwinding of the discount on the deferred consideration.