The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2025.
FY2025 represented a year of continued transformation across the global media and entertainment industry. Market conditions remained challenging in parts of the sector following the disruption experienced during 2023 and 2024, however content production activity and client demand began to stabilise during the year. At the same time, technological innovation accelerated rapidly, particularly through the increased adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”), automation and cloud-based workflows across media localisation, content servicing and asset management.
Media companies continued to seek greater operational efficiency, scalability and flexibility within their supply chains, driving demand for technology-enabled service providers capable of delivering high-quality content workflows at competitive pricing. Subscription-based and recurring revenue models also continued to gain importance across the sector, providing improved visibility and resilience compared with traditional project-only revenue streams.
The group also continued to benefit from prior restructuring and operational repositioning initiatives undertaken over recent years, including the optimisation of the Media Services operating model and the continued focus on profitable and scalable business segments.
As an international media services business operating in a rapidly evolving sector, the group faces several risks and uncertainties which could impact future performance.
Technological change and industry disruption
The continued evolution of AI, automation and emerging media technologies presents both opportunities and risks to the group. Rapid technological advancement may alter traditional media workflows, client expectations and pricing dynamics across the industry.
Management continues to invest in workflow optimisation, automation initiatives and platform development to ensure the group remains competitive and aligned with changing market requirements. The group also continues to monitor developments in generative AI and related technologies to assess both operational opportunities and potential commercial impacts.
Economic and market conditions
Global economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures and changes in customer spending patterns may impact demand for media localisation and post-production services. In addition, ongoing industry consolidation and changing streaming platform investment strategies may affect project volumes and timing.
The group continues to actively manage its cost base, working capital and operational structure to maintain financial flexibility and resilience during periods of market volatility.
Talent and Operational Delivery
The media services industry remains highly dependent on skilled operational and technical personnel. Retention of experienced staff and access to specialist freelance resources remain important to maintaining service quality and delivery capability.
The group continues to invest in employee development, operational training and scalable delivery infrastructure to support long-term growth and operational continuity.
Financial key performance indicators
For the financial year ended 31 December 2025, the group achieved turnover of £37.3 million (2024: £37.4 million), demonstrating resilience despite continued market pressure and industry-wide restructuring activity.
Gross profit for the year was £10.4 million (2024: £11.1 million), reflecting ongoing investment into operational scalability, workflow optimisation and delivery transformation initiatives across the group.
Administrative expenses reduced significantly to £9.7 million from £14.2 million in the prior year, reflecting the successful execution of cost optimisation initiatives, operational efficiencies and restructuring activities implemented across the business.
The group returned to operating profitability during FY2025, generating an operating profit of £0.7 million compared with an operating loss of £3.1 million in FY2024. Profit before taxation improved to £0.4 million compared with a loss before taxation of £3.3 million in the prior year.
The group also generated strong positive operating cash inflows of £2.0 million during FY2025, with closing cash balances increasing to £3.0 million at year end compared with £1.3 million at the prior year end, further strengthening liquidity and financial stability.
The directors remain focused on cash generation, operational efficiency and EBITDA improvement as key measures of long-term financial sustainability.
Other key performance indicators
The directors do not believe there are any other non-financial key performance indicators necessary for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the business beyond those disclosed within the financial statements.
The directors remain optimistic regarding the group’s future prospects and believe the business is well positioned to benefit from the continued recovery and evolution of the media and entertainment industry.
The group will continue to focus on operational scalability, technology-enabled service delivery and the expansion of recurring and platform-based revenue streams, including automation initiatives across all its services.
Management will also continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen margins and expand strategic customer relationships across key markets.
Investment in employees, workflow optimisation and emerging technologies will remain central to the group’s strategy as the industry continues to evolve. The directors believe the group’s lean operational structure, strengthened liquidity position, established client relationships and scalable infrastructure position the business well for sustainable long-term growth.
The directors of the company, as those of all UK companies, must act in accordance with a set of general duties. These duties detailed in section 172 of the UK Companies Act 2006 which is summarised as follows:
A director of a company must act in a way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its shareholders as a whole and, in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:
1. The likely consequences of any decisions in the long term:
The group continues to invest in equipment and technology and develop its people and processes to enable it to be competitive for the short, medium and long term.
2. The interest of the group's employees:
Our employees are at the heart of our group, and we are dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment that empowers them to succeed. We also uphold a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, implementing initiatives and policies that ensure every employee is respected and treated equitably.
3. The need to foster the group's business relationships with suppliers' customers and others business relationships:
Our customers remain central to our mission, and our teams provide exceptional service and quality. We aim to sustain a strong reputation by adhering to high standards of business conduct. This year, we have devoted considerable effort to collaborating with our customers, identifying best practices, and staying adaptable to meet their evolving needs.
Our business thrives on solid vendor relationships, and we are committed to strengthening these partnerships. By working together, we ensure the sourcing of high-quality products at competitive prices, all while prioritising ethical and sustainable practices. We value our diverse network of vendors and have implemented efficient systems to guarantee timely payments.
4. The impact of the group's operations on the community and the environment:.
As a responsible group, we recognise the importance of protecting the environment and minimising our carbon footprint. We are constantly integrating sustainable practices across our operations, including reducing energy consumption, recycling waste, and promoting the use of environmentally friendly products. Our commitment to advancing sustainability remains our priority.
5. The desirability of the group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct:
The group prides itself on its professional reputation and ethical processes. We are regularly audited by external bodies to ensure the highest compliance.
6. The need to act fairly as between stakeholders of the group:
Fairness and equality are a major strength of the business, we work with members at all levels and promote a good working relationship between all colleagues.
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 10.
No ordinary dividends were paid in the current or previous year. 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 group's operations expose it to a number of financial risks, which include cash flow risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk and technology and economic risk.
The directors closely monitor the group’s liquidity position to ensure sufficient resources are available to support operational and strategic requirements. Cash flow risks primarily relate to the timing of customer receipts, working capital management and international intercompany funding flows.
The group mitigates these risks through detailed short and long-term cash flow forecasting, strong credit control procedures, disciplined cost management and regular engagement with key customers and suppliers. The directors are satisfied that appropriate controls and resources are in place to support the group as a going concern.
As an international business, the group is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations across its operations and intercompany transactions. Management actively monitors exchange rate movements and seeks to minimise exposure through ongoing operational and financial oversight.
The group is exposed to credit risk through trade receivables and customer payment behaviour. To mitigate this risk, appropriate credit checks and ongoing monitoring procedures are performed, alongside regular review of aged receivables and collection trends.
Technology and economic risk
The media services industry continues to evolve rapidly through technological advancement, automation and changing customer demand patterns. The group continues to invest in scalable infrastructure, workflow optimisation and technology-enabled services to remain competitive while maintaining a disciplined and flexible operating model in response to broader economic uncertainty.
The directors recognise that the continued success of the group is dependent upon the skills, commitment and dedication of its employees. The group is committed to keeping employees informed of matters affecting them and the business through regular internal communications, team meetings and one-to-one reviews.
Employees are encouraged to contribute to the group's performance through open dialogue with management, ensuring that their views are considered in decisions that may affect their interests. The group operates an inclusive working environment and provides employees with relevant training and development to support their professional growth and enable them to fulfil their roles effectively.
The directors are committed to ensuring that all employees are treated fairly and with respect, and that the group remains an engaging and supportive place to work.
There have been no material events since the balance sheet date which would require adjustment to, or disclosure in, the financial statements.
The auditor, Sedulo Leeds Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
As the group 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.
United Kingdom company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the group and parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and parent company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and company, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and company, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
We have audited the financial statements of VDMS UK Holdings 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.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the group and parent company through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the digital media sector;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the group and parent company, including the Companies Act 2006 and taxation legislation;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the group's and parent company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries selected on a risk criteria basis to identify unusual transactions; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions; and
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
enquiring of management as to any actual and potential litigation and claims.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: 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 group's and 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 group's and 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 group and parent company and the group's and parent company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
There were no recognised gains or losses for 2025 or 2024 other than those included in the group statement of comprehensive income
The notes on pages 16 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 16 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 16 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
As permitted by section 408 of the 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 £1,252,940 (2024 - £745,527 loss).
The notes on pages 16 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 16 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 16 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
VDMS UK Holdings Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 316-318 Latimer Road, London, W106QN.
The group consists of VDMS UK Holdings Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The company has taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements as these consolidated financial statements are publically available therefore the company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS102:
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: the company has taken advantage of the exemption under FRS 102 paragraph 33.1A and has therefore not disclosed transactions or balances with wholly owned members of the group, nor key management personnel compensation.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
The directors have reviewed forecasts and the performance of the group for the going concern assessment period, including EBITDA and net cash inflows, and consider the group and company to be a going concern.
The group has also received assurance from VDMS Parent Holdings, LLC that it will continue to provide operational and financial support for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. The directors are confident of the intention and ability of the parent company to provide the support should this be required.
The directors do not consider there to be a material uncertainty relating to going concern that may cast significant doubt over the ability of the group and company to meet its obligations as they fall due. Therefore, the financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.
Turnover from end to end content management and digital media supply chain solution is recognised on an accruals basis in line with relevant agreements.
Turnover is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the group and the turnover can be reliably measured. Turnover is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before turnover is recognised:
Sale of goods
Turnover from the sale of goods is recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
the group has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer;
the group retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;
the amount of turnover can be measured reliably;
it is probable that the group will receive the consideration due under the transaction; and
the costs incurred, or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
Rendering of services
Turnover from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
the amount of turnover can be measured reliably
it is probable that the group will receive the consideration due under the contract;
the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.
Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.
Investments in unlisted Group shares, whose market value can be reliably determined, are remeasured to market value at each reporting date. Gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period. Where market value cannot be reliably determined, such investments are stated at historic cost less impairment.
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 group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.
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.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method 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, 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.
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.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, 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.
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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
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 group is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
The group operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the group has no further payment obligations.
The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the group in independently administered funds.
Operating leases: the group as lessee
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the lessee's benefit from the use of the leased asset.
Leased assets: the group as lessee
Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts and finance leases are capitalised as tangible fixed assets. Assets acquired by finance lease are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives. Assets acquired by hire purchase are depreciated over their useful lives. Finance leases are those where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership are assumed by the group. Obligations under such agreements are included in creditors net of the finance charge allocated to future periods. The finance element of the rental payment is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge on the net obligation outstanding in each period.
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.
At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash flow hedges.
On consolidation, the results of overseas operations are translated into Sterling at rates approximating to those ruling when the transactions took place: All assets and liabilities of overseas operations are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on translating the opening net assets at opening rate and the results of overseas operations at actual rate are recognised in other comprehensive income.
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.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The estimates and assumptions which have a heightened risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows:
Accrued income
The directors consider that an area where uncertainty of estimation arises is accrued income. The directors must use their judgement to assess the stage of completion of projects and as a result, the amount of income to recognise.
Goodwill impairment
Goodwill is subject to an annual review for indicators of impairment. Based on the evaluation of internal indicators and financial performance, management identified consistent negative EBITDA resulting from the operation of EVA France which ultimately led to the sale of the entity in September 2025. A quantitative impairment assessment was carried out on the remaining cash generating units. While a detailed assessment indicates a potential impairment, the financial statements have not been adjusted. Management concluded that this variance is immaterial to the financial position of the group.
The whole of turnover is attributable to the principal activity of the group.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 1 (2024 - 1)
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The group has tax losses of £939,343 (2024: £3,294,854) to offset against future trading profits. A deferred tax asset of approximately £235,000 (2024: £824,000) has not been provided in respect of these losses due to the uncertainty over the timing of their recovery.
Included within the goodwill is £462,644 (2024: £571,193) in relation to the acquisition of the trade and assets of VDMS Newco Limited and Soho Digital Media Services Ltd. The remaining goodwill of £5,601,927 (2024: £6,438,898) is in relation to the acquisition of the group's subsidiaries.
Group finance leases
The net book value of assets held under finance leases at the reporting date totalled £472,935 (2024: £811,084).
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2025 are as follows:
Stock recognised through cost of sales during the year was £2,430 (2024: £Nil).
Transactions with group companies are conducted at arms length with standard credit terms.
Transactions with group companies are conducted at arms length with standard credit terms.
Other loans have fixed repayment terms and accrue interest.
Obligations under finance leases are secured on the assets to which they relate.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group, and movements thereon:
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. Outstanding pension commitments at the year end amounted to £62,556 (2024: £27,353) and are included within other creditors.
Share premium represents amounts paid by members of the Group for share capital above the nominal value of the shares acquired.
The currency translation reserve comprises translation differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of the group's foreign entities into sterling (£).
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:
No events materially affecting the assessment of these financial statements have occurred after the balance sheet date.
The company has taken advantage of the exemptions available under FRS 102 regarding transactions with entities that are part of the group headed by VDMS Parent holdings LLC, on the grounds that all direct and indirect subsidiary undertakings which are party to such transactions are wholly owned members of the group.
During the year, a director paid expenses totaling £481,137 (2024: £634,254) on behalf of the group. As at 31 December 2025, £40,085 (2024: £38,587) was owed to the director.
The immediate parent company is Visual Data Media Services LLC.
The ultimate parent undertaking of the company is Endeavour Capital Fund VII, LP, a limited partnership incorporated in the United States of America.
The largest group for which consolidated financial statements are prepared of which the company is a member is headed by VDMS Parent Holdings LLC, a company incorporated in the United States of America. The registered office and principal place of business is 610 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505, USA. The financial statements of VDMS Parent Holdings LLC are not publicly available.