Company Registration No. 08100415 (England and Wales)
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Annual report and financial statements
for the year ended 30 September 2025
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Company information
Directors
Anthony Geoffrey David Esse
Christopher James Affleck Penney
Company number
08100415
Registered office
Empire House
175 Piccadilly
London
W1J 9EN
Auditor
Saffery LLP
71 Queen Victoria Street
London
EC4V 4BE
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Contents
Page
Strategic report
1 - 2
Directors' report
3
Directors' responsibilities statement
4
Independent auditor's report
5 - 8
Statement of comprehensive income
9
Statement of financial position
10
Statement of changes in equity
11
Statement of cash flows
12
Notes to the financial statements
13 - 24
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Strategic report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
1

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Review of the business

The company's principal activity is that of providing investment advisory services. In the year under review, it has provided investment advisory services to the Darwin Leisure Property Fund, the Darwin Leisure Development Fund, and the Darwin Bereavement Services Fund, each of which is a class 'B' unit trust domiciled in Guernsey and regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.

 

The company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

 

The directors have not recommended the payment of a dividend during the year (2024: £nil).

Principal risks and uncertainties

Financial risk management objectives and policies

The company uses various financial instruments which include cash and amounts due to and from related parties that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the company's operations. The existence of these financial instruments exposes the company to a number of financial risks that could result in either reduction in the company's net assets or a reduction of the profits available for dividends.

 

These risks include liquidity risks and credit risks. The directors' approach to the management of these risks is set out below. The objectives, policies and processes for managing the risks are summarised below and remain unchanged from previous years.

 

Liquidity risk

This is the risk that the company will encounter difficulty in meeting financial liabilities. The company seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably.

 

The company's policy throughout the year has been to achieve this objective through management's day to day involvement in business decisions rather than through setting maximum or minimum liquidity ratios.

 

Credit risk

The company's principal assets are cash and trade debtors. The company's operations expose it to a variety of risks, including fee collection from the Darwin Leisure Development Fund and the Darwin Bereavement Services Fund.

 

The company has appropriate procedures in place that seek to limit the adverse effects of this risk. The risks relating to cash is managed by holding cash only at major UK banks with high quality external credit ratings or government support.

 

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Strategic report (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
2
Going Concern and Future Developments

It is the directors’ intention to continue the operation of the business in the short to medium term as in the year under review, and the directors believe that they will have sufficient available resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future and to meet all potential obligations as they fall due.

 

Due to the inherent nature of the company’s business, its long-term future is reliant upon the continued operation of the Darwin Leisure Property Fund, the Darwin Leisure Development Fund, and the Darwin Bereavement Services Fund. The net assets of these funds at 30 September 2025 were, respectively, £50.6m (2024: £296.1m), £149.6m (2024: £157.7m), and £171.8m (2024: £231.3m).

 

After making enquiries, and after considering and taking into account the matters described above, the directors of Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Key performance indicators

In the year under review, revenue decreased to £4,563,876 (2024: £4,813,544). The decrease in revenue was matched by a decrease in costs, giving rise to a loss. This result is more in line with the results from the financial year 2022 and years prior, albeit not as profitable due to higher costs in the current year overall.

Section 172 statement

The company identifies its primary stakeholders as their customers, staff and shareholders. During the year the company has directly engaged with all primary stakeholders through a variety of methods. Elsewhere in the strategic report the company has considered the actions of the company with regard to the identified primary stakeholders during the year.

On behalf of the board

Christopher James Affleck Penney
Director
19 January 2026
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Directors' report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
3

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Principal activities

The company's principal activity is that of providing investment advisory services. In the year under review, it has provided investment advisory services to Darwin Property Investment Management (Guernsey) Limited, the manager of the Darwin Leisure Property Fund, and to Darwin Alternative Investment Management (Guernsey) Limited the manager of the Darwin Leisure Development Fund, and the Darwin Bereavement Services Fund.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 9.

No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

Directors

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

Anthony Geoffrey David Esse
Christopher James Affleck Penney
Auditor

Saffery LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office.

Energy and carbon report

As the company has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, it qualifies as a low energy user under these regulations and is not required to report on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.

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.

On behalf of the board
Christopher James Affleck Penney
Director
19 January 2026
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Directors' responsibilities statement
For the year ended 30 September 2025
4

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:

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.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
5
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 30 September 2025 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position, the statement of changes in equity, the 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:

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 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 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.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited (continued)
6

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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.

 

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:

 

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's 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.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited (continued)
7

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 are detailed below.

 

Identifying and assessing risks related to irregularities:

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement and how fraud might occur, including through discussions with the directors, discussions within our audit team planning meeting, updating our record of internal controls and ensuring these controls operated as intended. We evaluated possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements. We identified laws and regulations that are of significance in the context of the company by discussions with directors and by updating our understanding of the sector in which the company operates.

 

Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the company include The Companies Act 2006, UK Tax legislation and The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, on which The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Handbook is based.

 

Audit response to risks identified

We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items including a review of financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the company's records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the company's policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance.

During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement partner’s review included ensuring that the team had approached their work with appropriate professional scepticism and thus the capacity to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud.

 

The company is regulated by the FCA. We discussed the company’s authorisation and permitted activities with the SMF16 and obtained evidence of this from the FCA register. We obtained additional evidence about compliance by discussing any breaches with the SMF16 and SMF17 and reviewing correspondence with the FCA.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

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 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.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited (continued)
8
Lucy Brennan (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Saffery LLP
Statutory Auditors
71 Queen Victoria Street
London
EC4V 4BE
22 January 2026
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 30 September 2025
9
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
4,563,876
4,813,544
Administrative expenses
(4,576,847)
(4,710,707)
Other operating income
2,276
-
0
(Loss)/profit before taxation
(10,695)
102,837
Tax on (loss)/profit
8
-
0
(34,325)
(Loss)/profit for the financial year
(10,695)
68,512

The income statement has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Statement of financial position
As at 30 September 2025
10
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
23,604
30,866
Current assets
Debtors
10
644,973
807,821
Cash at bank and in hand
138,632
188,013
783,605
995,834
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
11
(331,275)
(540,071)
Net current assets
452,330
455,763
Total assets less current liabilities
475,934
486,629
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
12
2,624
2,624
(2,624)
(2,624)
Net assets
473,310
484,005
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
14
47,500
47,500
Profit and loss reserves
425,810
436,505
Total equity
473,310
484,005
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 19 January 2026 and are signed on its behalf by:
Christopher James  Affleck Penney
Director
Company Registration No. 08100415
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 30 September 2025
11
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
Balance at 1 October 2023
47,500
367,993
415,493
Year ended 30 September 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
68,512
68,512
Balance at 30 September 2024
47,500
436,505
484,005
Year ended 30 September 2025:
Loss and total comprehensive income
-
0
(10,695)
(10,695)
Balance at 30 September 2025
47,500
425,810
473,310
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Statement of cash flows
For the year ended 30 September 2025
12
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations
18
(41,668)
162,301
Income taxes paid
(7,713)
-
0
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities
(49,381)
162,301
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
(49,381)
162,301
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
188,013
25,712
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
138,632
188,013
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
13
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Empire House, 175 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EN.

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.

1.2
Going concern

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Turnover

The company receives investment advisory fees in respect of the funds for which it is the investment adviser. These fees are recognised in the company's accounts in the month in which the liability to pay these fees arises on the part of the fund, which matches when the services is supplied and therefore the company's right to the income is met.

1.4
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures and fittings
Straight over remaining length of office lease

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

1.5
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
14

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

 

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

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

1.6
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.7
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 statement of financial position 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, 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.

Other financial assets

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
15
Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, 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.

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, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Other financial liabilities

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, 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 in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

 

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
16
Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.8
Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

1.9
Taxation

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

Current tax

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

Deferred tax

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

1.10
Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
17
1.12
Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.

1.13
Foreign exchange

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

2
Critical accounting 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.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

Amortisation and Depreciation

The company charges amortisation and depreciation based on the expected useful life of the asset. Determining the useful life of the asset requires management to make an estimate.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
18
3
Turnover and other revenue
2025
2024
£
£
Turnover analysed by class of business
Investment advisory fees
3,825,563
4,636,000
Expenses recharged
713,313
177,544
Ancillary services
25,000
-
4,563,876
4,813,544
2025
2024
£
£
Turnover analysed by geographical market
Guernsey
4,563,876
4,813,544
4
Operating (loss)/profit
2025
2024
Operating (loss)/profit for the year is stated after charging:
£
£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
7,262
7,262
Operating lease charges
88,693
102,212
5
Auditor's remuneration
2025
2024
Fees payable to the company's auditor and associates:
£
£
For audit services
Audit of the financial statements of the company
21,000
20,000
For other services
Taxation compliance services
5,865
2,650
6
Employees

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

2025
2024
Number
Number
12
13
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
6
Employees (continued)
19

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

2025
2024
£
£
Wages and salaries
1,799,663
1,786,899
Social security costs
-
18,738
Pension costs
282,666
294,380
2,082,329
2,100,017
7
Directors' remuneration
2025
2024
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
463,050
463,050
Remuneration disclosed above include the following amounts paid to the highest paid director:
2025
2024
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
441,000
441,000
8
Taxation
2025
2024
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
-
0
9,337
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
-
0
24,988
Total tax charge
-
0
34,325
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
-- (continued)
20

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected (credit)/charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

2025
2024
£
£
(Loss)/profit before taxation
(10,695)
102,837
Expected tax (credit)/charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2024: 19.00%)
(2,674)
19,539
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
2,540
8,340
Adjustments in respect of prior years
(1,624)
-
0
Effect of change in corporation tax rate
412
5,684
Other non-reversing timing differences
1,003
762
Other permanent differences
343
-
0
Taxation charge for the year
-
34,325
9
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
£
Cost
At 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025
46,600
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 October 2024
15,734
Depreciation charged in the year
7,262
At 30 September 2025
22,996
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2025
23,604
At 30 September 2024
30,866
10
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
392,509
594,659
Other debtors
108,193
107,775
Prepayments and accrued income
142,952
104,068
643,654
806,502
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
10
Debtors (continued)
21
2025
2024
Amounts falling due after more than one year:
£
£
Deferred tax asset (note 12)
1,319
1,319
Total debtors
644,973
807,821
11
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Trade creditors
178,334
331,588
Corporation tax
1,624
9,337
Other taxation and social security
63,760
67,939
Other creditors
1,014
1,304
Accruals and deferred income
86,543
129,903
331,275
540,071
12
Deferred taxation

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

Liabilities
Liabilities
Assets
Assets
2025
2024
2025
2024
Balances:
£
£
£
£
Fixed asset timing differences
2,624
2,624
-
-
Short term timing differences
-
-
1,319
1,319
2,624
2,624
1,319
1,319
There were no deferred tax movements in the year.
13
Retirement benefit schemes
2025
2024
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
282,666
294,380

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
22
14
Share capital
2025
2024
£
£
Ordinary share capital
Issued and fully paid
47,500 Ordinary shares of £1 each
47,500
47,500
47,500
47,500
15
Operating lease commitments
Lessee

[General description if appropriate]

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

2025
2024
£
£
Within one year
102,225
102,225
Between two and five years
230,006
332,231
332,231
434,456
Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
23
16
Related party transactions

During the year, the company supplied services to the value of £1,192,500 (2024: £2,261,000) to Darwin Alternative Investment Management (Guernsey) Limited, of which A. Esse and J. Penney are directors. In addition to these services, the company also recharged costs to the value of £8,412 (2024: £7,348). At the year end, £265,000 (2024: £325,000) of this amount remained outstanding.

 

During the year, the company supplied services to the value of £2,633,063 (2024: £2,375,000) to Darwin Property Investment Management (Guernsey) Limited, of which A. Esse and J. Penney are directors. In addition to these services, the company also recharged costs to the value of £11,116 (2024: £3,674). At the year end, £79,973 (2024: £250,000) of this amount remained outstanding.

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £nil (2024: £3,750) to Darwin Bereavement Properties (Guernsey) Limited, of which A. Esse and J. Penney are directors.

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £280,000 (2024: £21,286) to Darwin Leisure Development Properties (Guernsey) Limited, of which A. Esse and J. Penney are directors.

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £15,000 (2024: £21,800) to Greenacres Portfolio Management Limited, of which A. Esse and J. Penney are directors. At the year end, £1,500 (2024: £9,660) of this amount remained outstanding.

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £nil (2024: £19,000) to Memoria Funeral Plans Limited (formerly known as Low Cost Funeral Limited), of which A. Esse and J. Penney are directors.

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £744 (2024: £19,700) to Memoria Limited, of which A. Esse and J. Penney are directors.

 

During the year, the company purchased services to the value of £50,825 (2024: £388,864) from Picton Asset Management Limited, of which A. Esse is a director. There was no balance outstanding from this entity at year end (2024: £32,495).

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £nil (2024: £965) with Darwin (North West) Limited, of which J. Penney is a director.

 

During the year, the company purchased services to the value of £7,182 (2024: £nil) with Darwin Contract Management Limited, of which J. Penney and A. Esse are directors. In addition to these services, the company also recharged costs to the value of £68,179 (2024: £nil).

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £68 (2024: £nil) with Addfield Environmental Systems Limited, of which J. Penney and A. Esse are directors. At the year end, £68 (2024: £nil) of this amount remained outstanding.

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £68 (2024: £nil) with Bereavement Support Network Limited, of which J. Penney and A. Esse are directors.

 

During the year, the company supplied services to the value of £25,000 (2024: £nil) with Verde Resorts Management Limited (formerly known as Darwin Leisure Development Management Limited), of which J. Penney and A. Esse are directors. At the year end, £30,000 (2024: £nil) of this amount remained outstanding.

 

During the year, the company recharged costs to the value of £218 (2024: £nil) with Turnside Marketing Limited, of which J. Penney and A. Esse are directors. At the year end, £221 (2024: £nil) of this amount remained outstanding.

 

During the year, the company paid remuneration and benefits of £104,804 (2024: £100,637) to a close family member of key management personnel.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 30 September 2025
16
Related party transactions (continued)
24

There was a creditor outstanding to a member of key management personnel of £591 (2024: £nil) at the year end.

17
Ultimate controlling party

The directors, Mr. Christopher James Affleck Penney and Mr. Anthony Geoffrey David Esse, are the persons with significant control and are therefore considered the ultimate controlling parties of the company.

18
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations
2025
2024
£
£
(Loss)/profit after taxation
(10,695)
68,512
Adjustments for:
Taxation charged
-
0
34,325
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
7,262
7,262
Movements in working capital:
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
162,848
(12,475)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
(201,083)
64,677
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations
(41,668)
162,301
19
Analysis of changes in net funds
1 October 2024
Cash flows
30 September 2025
£
£
£
Cash at bank and in hand
188,013
(49,381)
138,632
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