Company Registration No. 04575013 (England and Wales)
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Annual report and financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2025
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Company information
Directors
J R Charlton
A G Brown
J R Field
Company number
04575013
Registered office
9A Devonshire Square
London
United Kingdom
EC2M 4YN
Auditor
Saffery LLP
71 Queen Victoria Street
London
EC4V 4BE
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Contents
Page
Strategic report
1 - 2
Directors' report
3 - 4
Independent auditor's report
5 - 7
Statement of comprehensive income
8
Statement of financial position
9
Statement of changes in equity
10
Notes to the financial statements
11 - 25
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Strategic report
For the year ended 31 December 2025
1

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Review of the business

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited (“the Company”) consists of branches in the UK, Germany, France and Australia through which it operates its permanent private practice business in the UK and a mixture of permanent private practice and permanent in-house business in Germany, France and Australia.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited continues to operate branches in Germany, France and Australia along with active subsidiary companies in the USA, Spain, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

Financial review and key performance indicators

Trading conditions continued to be advantageous during 2025 producing strong financial results at year end.

The Key Performance Indicators used to determine the progress and performance of the Company are turnover and profit before tax. Turnover for the year fell to £30.8m (2024: £33.7m) and profit before tax fell to £14.2m (2024: £15.2m).

The Company's financial position remained strong as at 31 December 2025 with cash at bank of £1.8m (2024: £3.9m), net current assets of £5.8m (2024: £3.5m) and net assets of £5.9m (2024: £3.5m).

Principal risks and uncertainties

The management of the business and the execution of the Company's strategy are subject to a number of risks.

The Company's principal risks and uncertainties continue to be the uncertainty surrounding the global economy, competition, cash flow and liquidity, foreign exchange movements and employee and client retention. These risks, which are considered below, are regularly reviewed by the Board with appropriate processes put in place to monitor and mitigate them.

In respect of the uncertainty surrounding the global economy as a result of heightened geopolitical and trade tensions, the Company continues to review all its costs regularly, across each jurisdiction, to ensure that it remains profitable and has the right sized cost base.

The Company operates in a very competitive market based around pricing and providing a high-quality customer service. In order to mitigate this risk, the Company monitors market prices on an ongoing basis and strives to exceed client and other stakeholder expectations.

The Company manages its cash flow and liquidity via its treasury function and an efficient system of credit control and well-regulated payments to suppliers and employees. Cash balances are monitored daily, and cash flow forecasts are produced on a weekly basis.

The Company is exposed to foreign currency risks on its operations by entering into transactions in currencies other than the Company's functional currency. The Company monitors on a regular basis the performance of those currencies where the Company is exposed.

One of the risks in the recruitment sector is key sales staff leaving. In order to retain the best recruitment talent, the Company continually develops its employees’ skills and offers them opportunities to progress with individual promotion criteria, bespoke training plans and well-established health and well-being initiatives. The Company continually monitors the market to ensure compensation and benefits are competitive. The move to employee ownership, along with profit share and a deferred compensation scheme aimed at top performers, also ensures a high degree of loyalty and retention.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Strategic report (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
2

The Company ensures a high level of client retention by developing close client relationships to ensure it can help clients run smooth and successful recruitment processes, as well as finding high quality candidates and by charging competitive fees. Where possible the Company helps clients with their recruitment needs in multiple jurisdictions using its international capabilities.

 

On behalf of the board

J R Charlton
Director
1 September 2026
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Directors' report
For the year ended 31 December 2025
3

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of recruitment consultancy.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £9,500,000. 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:

J R Charlton
A G Brown
J R Field
Auditor

Saffery LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

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.

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.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Directors' report (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
4
On behalf of the board
J R Charlton
Director
1 September 2026
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the member of Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
5
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

 

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Independent auditor's report (continued)
To the member of Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
6
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.

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 and UK Tax legislation.

 

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.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Independent auditor's report (continued)
To the member of Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
7

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.

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 member in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's member those matters we are required to state to the member in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's member, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Lorenzo Mosca
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of Saffery LLP
1 September 2026
71 Queen Victoria Street
London
EC4V 4BE
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2025
8
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
30,840,926
33,680,630
Administrative expenses
(20,139,479)
(21,191,304)
Other operating income
712,391
498,185
Operating profit
5
11,413,838
12,987,511
Interest receivable and similar income
9
2,849,838
2,291,107
Interest payable and similar expenses
10
(29,724)
(35,857)
Profit before taxation
14,233,952
15,242,761
Tax on profit
11
(2,373,237)
(2,292,761)
Profit for the financial year
11,860,715
12,950,000

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

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2025
9
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
70,864
73,153
Investments
14
101,244
101,244
172,108
174,397
Current assets
Debtors
16
9,552,305
6,661,312
Cash at bank and in hand
1,845,434
3,864,207
11,397,739
10,525,519
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
17
(5,550,879)
(7,041,663)
Net current assets
5,846,860
3,483,856
Total assets less current liabilities
6,018,968
3,658,253
Provisions for liabilities
Provisions
18
150,000
150,000
(150,000)
(150,000)
Net assets
5,868,968
3,508,253
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
21
19,406
19,406
Share premium account
972,225
972,225
Capital redemption reserve
4,751
4,751
Profit and loss reserves
4,872,586
2,511,871
Total equity
5,868,968
3,508,253
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 1 September 2026 and are signed on its behalf by:
J R Charlton
Director
Company Registration No. 04575013
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2025
10
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 January 2024
19,406
972,225
4,751
1,811,871
2,808,253
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
-
-
12,950,000
12,950,000
Dividends
12
-
-
-
(12,250,000)
(12,250,000)
Balance at 31 December 2024
19,406
972,225
4,751
2,511,871
3,508,253
Year ended 31 December 2025:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
-
-
11,860,715
11,860,715
Dividends
12
-
-
-
(9,500,000)
(9,500,000)
Balance at 31 December 2025
19,406
972,225
4,751
4,872,586
5,868,968
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2025
11
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 9A Devonshire Square, London, United Kingdom, EC2M 4YN.

1.1
Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:

 

 

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of SSQ Group Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, which is the same as that of the company.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 400 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

 

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of SSQ Group Limited and the results of Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited are included in the consolidated financial statements of SSQ Group Limited which are available from the address stated above.

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.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
12
1.3
Revenue

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes.

The nature, timing of satisfaction of performance obligations and significant payment terms of the company's major sources of revenue are as follows:

Revenue from permanent placements is recognised in line with the contractual terms and conditions agreed with a client, where the company can demonstrate has performed its duties in accordance with those terms.

 

Revenue arising from temporary placements is recognised over the period of time that temporary staff are provided.

 

For permanent placements, where a candidate leaves their position within a specified period, a refund is issued (or in some cases a replacement candidate is provided free of charge). Provisions for refunds are made in the period the revenue was recognised, when the group is notified by the client that a candidate has left their position within the relevant refund period.

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
20-33% straight line
Computers
20-33% straight line

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
Fixed asset investments

Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

1.6
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.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
13

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.

1.7
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

1.8
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.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
14
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.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
15
Derecognition of financial liabilities

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

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.

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 income statement, 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 when the company has 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.

1.10
Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

 

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in profit or loss in the period in which it arises.

1.11
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.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
1
Accounting policies (continued)
16
1.12
Retirement benefits

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

1.13
Leases
As lessee

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.

As lessor

When the company acts as a lessor, a lease is classified as a finance lease whenever it transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee, either at the end of the lease term or for the major part of the economic life of the asset. All other leases are classified as operating leases. If an arrangement contains both lease and non-lease components, the company allocates the consideration in the contract to the two elements.

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.

1.14
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.

1.15

Dividends

Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised when approved by shareholders.

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.

The directors do not consider that the is a significant risk of material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year as a result of the estimates and judgements made in the preparation of these financial statements.

3
Turnover

No disclosures have been provided of turnover by class of business or geographical market as in the opinion of the directors such disclosures could be seriously prejudicial to the group's interests.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
17
4
Other operating income

During the year, the company sublet one of its leased properties and received rental income in the year of £712,391 (2024: £498,185).

5
Operating profit
2025
2024
Operating profit for the year is stated after charging:
£
£
Exchange losses
179,665
188,715
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
52,680
56,820
Operating lease charges
1,264,495
1,269,841
6
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
34,000
32,000
7
Employees

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

2025
2024
Number
Number
Management
3
3
Fee earners
27
27
Administration
23
21
Total
53
51

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

2025
2024
£
£
Wages and salaries
11,466,124
11,612,165
Social security costs
1,953,141
1,830,562
Pension costs
312,277
255,336
13,731,542
13,698,063

One director is remunerated via Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited. The remaining directors are remunerated by SSQ Group Limited, the ultimate parent company, so their remuneration is disclosed in the financial statements of that company.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
18
8
Directors' remuneration
2025
2024
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
438,063
492,142
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
10,000
8,446
448,063
500,588
Remuneration disclosed above include the following amounts paid to the highest paid director:
2025
2024
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
438,063
492,142
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
10,000
8,446
9
Interest receivable and similar income
2025
2024
£
£
Interest income
Interest on bank deposits
98,788
73,246
Income from fixed asset investments
Income from shares in group undertakings
2,751,050
2,217,861
Total income
2,849,838
2,291,107
10
Interest payable and similar expenses
2025
2024
£
£
Other interest
29,724
35,857
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
19
11
Taxation
2025
2024
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
2,557,935
2,491,650
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
(285,803)
(248,060)
Total UK current tax
2,272,132
2,243,590
Foreign current tax on profits for the current period
96,984
177,095
Adjustments in foreign tax in respect of prior periods
4,121
(126,714)
Total current tax
2,373,237
2,293,971
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
-
0
(1,210)
Total tax charge
2,373,237
2,292,761

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:

2025
2024
£
£
Profit before taxation
14,233,952
15,242,761
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2024: 25.00%)
3,558,488
3,810,690
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
26,687
21,877
Tax effect of income not taxable in determining taxable profit
(175,088)
(1,407)
Adjustments in respect of prior years
(281,682)
(374,774)
Group relief
(93,452)
(411,707)
Dividend income
(687,763)
(554,465)
Foreign tax credits
(67,807)
(323,841)
Other movements
(3,130)
(50,708)
Foreign tax payable
96,984
177,096
Taxation charge for the year
2,373,237
2,292,761
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
20
12
Dividends
2025
2024
£
£
Interim paid
9,500,000
12,250,000
13
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
Computers
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2025
773,383
465,311
1,238,694
Additions
-
0
50,391
50,391
At 31 December 2025
773,383
515,702
1,289,085
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2025
773,148
392,393
1,165,541
Depreciation charged in the year
-
0
52,680
52,680
At 31 December 2025
773,148
445,073
1,218,221
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2025
235
70,629
70,864
At 31 December 2024
235
72,918
73,153
14
Fixed asset investments
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
Investments in subsidiaries
15
101,244
101,244
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
21
15
Subsidiaries

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2025 are as follows:

Name of undertaking
Address
Nature of business
Class of
% Held
shares held
Direct
Indirect
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Spain SL
1
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-
SSQ Contracts Limited
2
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Hong Kong Limited
3
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Singapore PTE Limited
4
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-
Shilton Sharpe Quarry (Shanghai) Business Consulting Limited
5
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
0
100
SSQ Middle East Recruitment Limited
6
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-
SSQ Legal Interims GmbH
7
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-
SSQ People Limited
2
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-
SSQ America Inc.
8
Recruitment consultancy
Ordinary
100
-

Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):

1
Gran Via 6, 28013, Madrid, Spain
2
9a Devonshire Square, London, England, EC2M 4YN
3
Unit 1209, 12/F, Two Chinachem Central, No. 26 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong
4
77 Robinson Road, 16-00 Robinson 77, Singapore
5
Shanghai - Suite 728, 7/F, Tower 2, Jing An Kerry Centre, No.1539 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai 200041
6
Office 121, WeWork, Level 9, The Offices 4, One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
7
Oper46, Bockenheimer Anlage 46, 60322 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
8
135 W 50th St, Suite 200, New York, NY, 10020, USA
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
22
16
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
2,617,838
3,864,694
Corporation tax recoverable
579,750
-
0
Amounts owed by group undertakings
5,757,981
1,562,160
Other debtors
210,063
262,276
Prepayments and accrued income
363,477
948,986
9,529,109
6,638,116
Deferred tax asset (note 19)
23,196
23,196
9,552,305
6,661,312

Amounts owed by group undertakings are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.

17
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Trade creditors
44,971
78,344
Amounts owed to group undertakings
378,427
457,455
Corporation tax
48,964
53,087
Other taxation and social security
591,429
192,184
Other creditors
36,528
36,229
Accruals and deferred income
4,450,560
6,224,364
5,550,879
7,041,663

Amounts owed to group undertakings are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.

18
Provisions for liabilities
2025
2024
£
£
Dilapidations
150,000
150,000
Movements on provisions:
Dilapidations
£
At 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025
150,000
Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
23
19
Deferred taxation

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

Assets
Assets
2025
2024
Balances:
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
20,033
20,033
Tax losses
3,163
3,163
23,196
23,196
There were no deferred tax movements in the year.

The deferred tax asset set out above is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to the utilisation of tax losses against future expected profits of the same period.

20
Retirement benefit schemes
2025
2024
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
312,277
255,336

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. Contributions totalling £25,210 (2024: £25,056) were payable to the fund at the year end and are included in other creditors.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
24
21
Share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary A Shares of 10p each
95,000
95,000
9,500
9,500
Ordinary B Shares of 10p each
5,000
5,000
500
500
Ordinary C Shares of 10p each
18,826
18,826
1,882
1,882
Ordinary E Shares of 10p each
29,998
29,998
3,000
3,000
Ordinary F shares of £1 each
4,524
4,524
4,524
4,524
153,348
153,348
19,406
19,406

All shares are owned by SSQ Group Limited.

 

'A', 'B', 'C', 'E' and 'F' shares have one vote per share.

 

The profits of the company available for distribution and resolved to be distributed in respect of any financial year shall be distributed to the owners of 'A', 'B' and 'C' shares. Owners of 'E' and 'F' shares are not entitled to any profit distribution.

22
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

In prior years, the company entered into a composite guarantee in relation to monies owed to HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited ("HSBC") by other group companies under the group's invoice finance facility. The invoice finance facility was secured by fixed and floating charges over all the property of the company. The charge was satisfied in full on 3 March 2025.

Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
25
23
Operating lease commitments
Lessee

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
1,144,766
1,141,019
Between two and five years
2,131,216
3,100,488
3,275,982
4,241,507
Lessor

At the reporting end date the company had contracted with tenants for the following minimum lease payments:

2025
2024
£
£
Within one year
517,144
517,144
Between two and five years
1,422,500
1,939,644
1,939,644
2,456,788
24
Ultimate controlling party

The immediate parent company of Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited is SSQ Group Limited, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom, which owns 100% of the company's issued share capital.

 

SSQ Group Limited is the smallest and largest group of undertakings for which group accounts are drawn up. Consolidated financial statements, including Shilton Sharpe Quarry Limited can be obtained from SSQ Group Limited's registered office 9a Devonshire Square, London, England, EC2M 4YN.

 

The group is controlled by an employee ownership trust known as the SSQ Group Employee Ownership Trust.

2025-12-312025-01-01falsefalsefalseCCH SoftwareCCH Accounts Production 2026.100J R CharltonA G BrownJ R Field045750132025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:Director12025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:Director22025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:Director32025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:RegisteredOffice2025-01-012025-12-31045750132025-12-31045750132024-01-012024-12-3104575013core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2024-01-012024-12-3104575013core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2025-01-012025-12-31045750132024-12-3104575013core:FurnitureFittings2025-12-3104575013core:ComputerEquipment2025-12-3104575013core:FurnitureFittings2024-12-3104575013core:ComputerEquipment2024-12-3104575013core:CurrentFinancialInstrumentscore:WithinOneYear2025-12-3104575013core:CurrentFinancialInstrumentscore:WithinOneYear2024-12-3104575013core:ShareCapital2025-12-3104575013core:ShareCapital2024-12-3104575013core:SharePremium2025-12-3104575013core:SharePremium2024-12-3104575013core:CapitalRedemptionReserve2025-12-3104575013core:CapitalRedemptionReserve2024-12-3104575013core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2025-12-3104575013core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2024-12-3104575013core:ShareCapital2023-12-3104575013core:SharePremium2023-12-3104575013core:CapitalRedemptionReserve2023-12-3104575013core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2023-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass12025-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass12024-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass22025-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass22024-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass32025-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass32024-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass42025-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass42024-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass52025-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass52024-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShares2025-12-3104575013core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShares2024-12-3104575013core:FurnitureFittings2025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:ComputerEquipment2025-01-012025-12-310457501312025-01-012025-12-310457501312024-01-012024-12-3104575013core:UKTax2025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:UKTax2024-01-012024-12-3104575013core:ForeignTax2025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:ForeignTax2024-01-012024-12-310457501322025-01-012025-12-310457501322024-01-012024-12-310457501332025-01-012025-12-310457501332024-01-012024-12-3104575013core:FurnitureFittings2024-12-3104575013core:ComputerEquipment2024-12-31045750132024-12-3104575013core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments2025-12-3104575013core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments2024-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary12025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary22025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary32025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary42025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary52025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary62025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary72025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary82025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary92025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary112025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary222025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary332025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary442025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary552025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary662025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary772025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary882025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:Subsidiary992025-01-012025-12-3104575013core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2025-12-3104575013core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2024-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass12025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass22025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass32025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass42025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass52025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass12025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass12024-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass22025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass22024-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass32025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass32024-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass42025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass42024-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass52025-12-3104575013bus:OrdinaryShareClass52024-12-3104575013bus:AllOrdinaryShares2025-12-3104575013bus:AllOrdinaryShares2024-12-3104575013core:WithinOneYear2025-12-3104575013core:WithinOneYear2024-12-3104575013core:BetweenTwoFiveYears2025-12-3104575013core:BetweenTwoFiveYears2024-12-3104575013bus:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd2025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:FRS1022025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:Audited2025-01-012025-12-3104575013bus:FullAccounts2025-01-012025-12-31xbrli:purexbrli:sharesiso4217:GBP