| Registered number |
| Registered number: | |||||||
| Directors' Report | |||||||
| The directors present their report and accounts for the year ended |
|||||||
| Principal activities | |||||||
| Directors review of the year and outlook for 2026 | |||||||
| The Directors are pleased to present their report for Ermine Construction Services Limited for the year ended 31 December 2025. A Year of Resilience, Investment and Strategic Growth The UK housing and construction sector experienced one of its most challenging trading environments in recent years throughout 2025. Planning delays, resource constraints within Local Authorities, elevated borrowing costs, inflationary pressures and continued uncertainty across both the public and private sectors significantly impacted the delivery of new housing developments. Despite the Government's ambitious housing targets, these headwinds resulted in reduced construction output and increased commercial pressures across much of the industry. Nevertheless, Ermine Construction Services Limited continued to demonstrate resilience, strengthening its position within the public sector and affordable housing market through disciplined financial management, careful project selection and an unwavering commitment to quality. Throughout the year, the Company continued to build upon the strong foundations established over the previous decade, positioning itself for sustainable long-term growth and further strengthening its reputation as a trusted delivery partner for Local Authorities and Housing Associations. Financial Performance The Company continued to perform resiliently throughout 2025 despite one of the most challenging trading environments experienced by the UK housing and construction sector in recent years. During the year, turnover increased by 10.31% compared with the previous financial year, whilst gross profit increased by 9.91%, demonstrating the strength of the Company's operational performance and its ability to continue delivering high-quality projects within a difficult market. |
|||||||
| Ermine entered 2025 with a secured order book of £22.5 million, providing a strong platform from which to deliver the Company's business plan. At the year end, the Company also had an active pipeline of opportunities, with projects currently at tender stage and in the final stages of negotiation totalling approximately £172.6 million, reflecting continued client confidence and the strength of the Company's business development strategy. Throughout the year, the Company maintained disciplined financial management, carefully managed cash flow and continued to invest in its people, operational systems and governance. Significant investment was also made in strengthening the senior leadership team and supporting the Company's long-term strategic objectives. The Directors remain confident that the Company's strong order book, substantial future pipeline and continued investment in operational excellence position Ermine Construction Services Limited well for continued sustainable growth. Business Highlights Despite the challenging market conditions, Ermine continued to achieve several significant strategic milestones during the year. Key achievements included: • Successfully securing the Chamberlain Way Children's Home development for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, further strengthening the Company's reputation for delivering specialist public sector residential projects. • Securing the Company's first land-led development opportunity with Accent Housing at Ermine Street, Papworth Everard. This represents a significant milestone in Ermine's evolution, broadening its offering beyond traditional contracting into development-led opportunities. • Continuing the successful delivery of key residential developments including Naked House, Caishowe Road, Sparrow Farm Drive and Manor Gardens. |
|||||||
| • Appointing Christopher Luxford as Operations Director in June 2025 to lead the Company's operational refresh and strengthen the senior leadership team. Chris was subsequently appointed to the Board of Directors, reinforcing Ermine's governance and providing the leadership required to support the next phase of the Company's growth. Quality, Compliance and Recognition Maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and governance remains fundamental to the Company's success. During 2025, Ermine successfully maintained its: • ISO 9001 – Quality Management • ISO 14001 – Environmental Management • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety • Constructionline Gold Accreditation • CHAS Elite Accreditation • Chartered Building Company status The Company also continued to receive recognition for the quality of its work, including: • NHBC Building Control Gold Award. • An outstanding 45/45 Considerate Constructors Scheme score achieved on the Naked House development. These achievements are testament to the professionalism, commitment and dedication shown by every member of the Ermine team and reflect the Company's continued commitment to delivering excellence across every project. |
|||||||
| Frameworks and Business Development The Company's framework strategy continued to generate significant opportunities throughout the year. Ermine remains successfully appointed to several key procurement frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems, including: • Prosper Procurement • Procurement for Housing (PfH) • South East Consortium (SEC) • Additional Local Authority and Housing Association procurement routes These appointments continue to provide access to long-term opportunities across the affordable housing, residential and public sector construction markets and reinforce the Company's reputation as a trusted public sector delivery partner. Looking Ahead to 2026 Whilst market conditions continue to present challenges, the Directors remain optimistic about the Company's future prospects. The Government's renewed commitment to accelerating housing delivery, together with the continued demand for affordable housing and specialist public sector developments, provides significant opportunities for well-managed regional contractors with proven delivery capability. With a strengthened leadership team, an established client base, a secured order book, a substantial pipeline of future opportunities and an expanding portfolio of repeat business, Ermine is well positioned to capitalise on future opportunities whilst continuing to deliver projects safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. |
|||||||
The Company's continued investment in its people, operational systems, governance and strategic growth initiatives ensures that it remains well placed to deliver sustainable, profitable growth while maintaining the quality, integrity and customer service upon which its reputation has been built. As Ermine enters its second decade of trading, the Directors remain confident in the Company's long-term strategy and its ability to continue creating lasting value for its clients, employees, supply chain partners and the communities in which it operates. The Directors would like to express their sincere thanks to our employees, clients, consultants, supply chain partners and stakeholders for their continued support, professionalism and commitment throughout another successful year. Their dedication remains fundamental to the continued success and future growth of Ermine Construction Services Limited. |
|||||||
| Directors | |||||||
| The following persons served as directors during the year: | |||||||
| Small company provisions | |||||||
| This report was approved by the board on |
|||||||
| D Peters | |||||||
| Director | |||||||
| Registered number: | |||||||
| Balance Sheet | |||||||
| as at |
|||||||
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Fixed assets | |||||||
| Tangible assets | 3 | ||||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Stocks | |||||||
| Debtors | 4 | ||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | |||||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 5 | ( |
( |
||||
| Net current assets | |||||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | |||||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year | 6 | ( |
( |
||||
| Provisions for liabilities | ( |
( |
|||||
| Net assets | |||||||
| Capital and reserves | |||||||
| Called up share capital | |||||||
| Profit and loss account | |||||||
| Shareholders' funds | |||||||
| D Peters | |||||||
| Director | |||||||
| Approved by the board on |
|||||||
| Notes to the Accounts | ||||||||
| for the year ended |
||||||||
| 1 | Accounting policies | |||||||
| Basis of preparation | ||||||||
| Turnover | ||||||||
| Intangible fixed assets | ||||||||
| Tangible fixed assets | ||||||||
| Plant and machinery | 25% reducing balance method | |||||||
| Fixtures, fittings, tools and equipment | 25% reducing balance method | |||||||
| Stocks | ||||||||
| Debtors | ||||||||
| Creditors | ||||||||
| Taxation | ||||||||
| Provisions | ||||||||
| Leased assets | ||||||||
| Pensions | ||||||||
| 2 | Employees | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Number | Number | |||||||
| Average number of persons employed by the company | ||||||||
| 3 | Tangible fixed assets | |||||||
| Land and buildings | Plant and machinery etc | Motor vehicles | Total | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Cost | ||||||||
| At 1 January 2025 | ||||||||
| Additions | - | - | ||||||
| At 31 December 2025 | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| At 1 January 2025 | ||||||||
| Charge for the year | ||||||||
| At 31 December 2025 | ||||||||
| Net book value | ||||||||
| At 31 December 2025 | ||||||||
| At 31 December 2024 | ||||||||
| 4 | Debtors | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Trade debtors | ||||||||
| Other debtors | ||||||||
| Amounts due after more than one year included above | ||||||||
| 5 | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Bank loans and overdrafts | ||||||||
| Obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts | ||||||||
| Trade creditors | ||||||||
| Taxation and social security costs | ||||||||
| Other creditors | ||||||||
| 6 | Creditors: amounts falling due after one year | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Bank loans | ||||||||
| Obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts | ||||||||
| 7 | Loans | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Creditors include: | ||||||||
| Secured bank loans | 51,412 | 82,443 | ||||||
| 8 | Other financial commitments | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||||
| Total future minimum payments under non-cancellable operating leases | ||||||||
| 9 | Related party transactions | |||||||
| 10 | Controlling party | |||||||
| 11 | Other information | |||||||
| Ermine Construction Services Limited is a private company limited by shares and incorporated in England. Its registered office is: | ||||||||
| 4 St Georges Tower | ||||||||
| Hatley St Geroge | ||||||||
| Sandy | ||||||||
| Cambridgeshire | ||||||||
| SG19 3SH | ||||||||