The director presents the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2025.

The principal activity of the group is the manufacture and distribution of automotive and industrial refinish coatings, including aerosol products and paint mixing systems. The group operates under the Capella Solutions Group brand and supplies both domestic and international markets across a range of specialist paint, primer, and refinishing products.

The group operates as a specialist manufacturer and wholesaler within the automotive aftermarket, primarily focused on supplying refinishing aerosols used in body repair and paintwork restoration. The product portfolio includes paint aerosols, primers, clear coats, panel wipes, adhesion promoters, and other essential consumables.

The group's customer base comprises distributors and motor factors that supply trade repairers, along with a growing segment of semi-professional users. The group differentiates itself through rapid and reliable B2B fulfilment, strong private-label production capability, and consistently high stock availability enabled by automated order workflows.

Market Context and Trends
The UK automotive refinishing market remained stable during the year. Growth was supported by an increasing

number of vehicles on the road, greater public awareness of vehicle aesthetics and repairs, and continued demand

from insurance-led repair networks.

However, the group faced several external challenges, including rising raw material and freight costs, regulatory pressure on VOC emissions and propellant usage, and labour shortages in skilled auto body repair trades. In response, the group strengthened its supplier relationships to protect continuity of supply, invested in compliant aerosol technologies, and developed end-user training resources to support product adoption.

The group continues to monitor a range of key risks and uncertainties that may impact its operational and financial performance. One of the primary risks is supply chain disruption, which is mitigated through the use of multiple suppliers and the maintenance of strategic stockholding levels to ensure continuity. Regulatory changes affecting product formulation and packaging also present an ongoing challenge; these are addressed through regular compliance audits and the continued development of low-VOC product alternatives to ensure adherence to environmental standards.

Customer concentration remains a business risk, and the group is actively diversifying its revenue base by developing new sales channels, including partnerships with e-commerce resellers. In addition, the group is exposed to currency volatility, particularly relating to imports denominated in USD and EUR. This risk is managed through forward planning and, where appropriate, hedging strategies to minimise the impact of exchange rate fluctuations.

Management actively reviews its risk register throughout the year and continues to refine its mitigation strategies in

line with changes in market conditions and operational priorities.

In the short term, the group aims to increase its market share through targeted promotions and an expansion of its distribution partnerships. Efforts will also focus on growing the average basket size by encouraging cross-selling and strengthening the value proposition of its own-brand products to drive loyalty and premium positioning.

Digital sales performance will be optimised through improvements in user experience, product bundling and conversion tracking across e-commerce platforms.

Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, the group delivered a strong operational performance during the year. Turnover and gross margin remained resilient, supported by the continued diversification of the product range, targeted upselling of premium products, and greater efficiency within warehouse operations, achieved through enhancements to the group's digital infrastructure. Operational improvements in areas such as order tracking and fulfilment also contributed positively to profitability and helped strengthen customer retention.

Key financial indicators for the year included turnover of £16.56m, a gross margin of 34.09%, and an operating profit

margin of 6.45%. These results reflect the group's ability to adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining a

consistent focus on margin protection and service quality.

Future developments
The group continues to invest in product development conformance, undertaking research and development into both new and existing products and their application methodologies.

On behalf of the board

The director presents his annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.

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

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £310,701. The director does not recommend payment of a further dividend.

No preference dividends were paid. The director does not recommend payment of a final dividend.

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

The director is responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

United Kingdom company law requires the director to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the director has 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 director must not approve the financial statements unless he is 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 director is 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 director is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and parent company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and parent company, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. He is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and parent company, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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 auditor of the company 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 auditor of the company is aware of that information.

Group reconstruction
During the year, the group underwent an internal reorganisation pursuant to which Capella Investments Ltd became the ultimate parent undertaking of Alpha Coating Investments Ltd and its subsidiary undertakings. The reorganisation was undertaken between existing shareholders and did not result in any change in the ultimate ownership or control of the group. The directors consider that the restructuring represents an internal group simplification and has no impact on the underlying operations of the group. Following the reorganisation, Capella Investments Ltd has been presented as the parent undertaking of the group for reporting purposes.

We have audited the financial statements of Capella Investments Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, group and company balance sheets, group and company statements of changes in equity, group statement of cashflows 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:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 December 2025 and of the group's profit for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 group and parent 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 director's 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 director 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 director is 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:

• The information given in the strategic report and the director's report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• The strategic report and directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the director's 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:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the director's responsibilities statement set out on page 3, the director is 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 director determines 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 director is responsible for assessing the group's and parent 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 director either intends to liquidate the group or parent company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

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 extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the group and its financial operations we have considered the initial risks of non-compliance with the UK regulators, predominantly HM Revenue and Customs and the Companies Act 2006. We have assessed the impact of any breaches in such laws and regulations, based on the results of audit testing and enquiries made with management, and considered whether any such findings would have a material impact on these financial statements. We have considered the risk of those charged with management overriding internal controls and the opportunity for financial manipulation. We have considered the effect of any accounting estimates included within these accounts and the effect this may have on our audit opinion.

Our audit procedures together with our assessment of risks identified at planning were transparent to the group and we have communicated with the client throughout the audit as well as the audit engagement team, and this includes such matters as fraud and irregularity. The above procedures do however have their limitations as we can only work on a sample of financial transactions. Ultimately it is the responsibility of those charged with management for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

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

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized groups.

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 £329,689 (2024 - £0 profit).

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.

Capella Investments Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 6, Walbrook Business Park, Queenborough Road, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3XS.

The group consists of Capella Investments Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

Capella Investments Ltd was incorporated on 22 October 2024. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a merger accounting basis reflecting the group as a continuation of the existing group structure.

Accordingly, the consolidated results and comparatives are presented for the full financial year ended 31 Dec 2025, as if the current group structure had been in place throughout the period.

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 consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Capella Investments Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a merger accounting basis in respect of the internal group reorganisation under common control. The results of the group are presented as if the current group structure had been in place throughout the reporting period and comparative period.

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2025. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Entities in which the group holds an interest and which are jointly controlled by the group and one or more other venturers under a contractual arrangement are treated as joint ventures. Entities other than subsidiary undertakings or joint ventures, in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates.

Investments in joint ventures and associates are carried in the group balance sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the group’s share of the net assets of the entity, less any impairment in value. The carrying values of investments in joint ventures and associates include acquired goodwill.

If the group’s share of losses in a joint venture or associate equals or exceeds its investment in the joint venture or associate, the group does not recognise further losses unless it has incurred obligations to do so or has made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate.

Unrealised gains arising from transactions with joint ventures and associates are eliminated to the extent of the group’s interest in the entity.

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

Revenue comprises sales of goods or services provided to customers net of value added tax and other sales taxes, less an appropriate deduction for actual and expected returns and discounts. Revenue is recognised when performance obligations are satisfied and the control of goods or services is transferred to the buyer. Where the performance obligation is satisfied over time, revenue is recognised in accordance with its progress towards complete satisfaction of that performance obligation.

When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the promised consideration is adjusted for the effects of the time value of money, which is recognised as interest income.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction 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.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 10 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation 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:

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:

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.

Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

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

An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The group considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.

Investments in associates are initially recognised at the transaction price (including transaction costs) and are subsequently adjusted to reflect the group’s share of the profit or loss, other comprehensive income and equity of the associate using the equity method. Any difference between the cost of acquisition and the share of the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the associate on acquisition is recognised as goodwill. Any unamortised balance of goodwill is included in the carrying value of the investment in associates.

Losses in excess of the carrying amount of an investment in an associate are recorded as a provision only when the company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or has made payments on behalf of the associate.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Entities in which the group has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.

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

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

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

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.

The component parts of compound instruments issued by the group are classified separately as financial liabilities and equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement. At the date of issue, the fair value of the liability component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for a similar non-convertible instrument. This amount is recorded as a liability on an amortised cost basis using the effective interest method until extinguished upon conversion or at the instrument's maturity date. The equity component is determined by deducting the amount of the liability component from the fair value of the compound instrument as a whole. This is recognised and included in equity net of income tax effects and is not subsequently remeasured.

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 company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

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

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

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

FRS 102 Revision

In September 2024, The Financial Reporting Council issued a revised edition of FRS 102, effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026. The company has not early adopted the revised standard. The directors are assessing the impact of the revised requirements, particularly in relation to revenue recognition and lease accounting. At the date of approval of these financial statements, it is not practicable to quantify the effect of the changes.

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the director is 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 average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

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:

Factors that may affect future tax charges
Future tax charges may be affected by changes in corporation tax rates, the utilisation of capital allowances on qualifying investments. No material unrecognised deferred tax assets or liabilities exist at the reporting date, and the group does not anticipate significant movements outside normal trading activity.

Impairment tests have been carried out where appropriate and the following impairment losses have been recognised in profit or loss:

The impairment losses in respect of financial assets are recognised in other gains and losses in the profit and loss account.

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

The group had entered into finance arrangements with HSBC Equipment Finance and other financial institutions to fund the acquisition of plant and equipment. These borrowings are secured on the underlying assets financed and are separate from the group's primary banking facilities. The total amount outstanding under these arrangements, included within other loans, is £218,287. As at 31 December 2025, the group had utilised a trade finance and overdraft facility with HSBC amounting to £511,638. This facility is included within bank loans.

Assets held under finance leases are capitalised and depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the lease term. The corresponding liability is recognised within creditors, and lease payments are apportioned between capital and interest.

The net proceeds received from the issue of the convertible loan notes have been split between the financial liability element and an equity component, representing the fair value of the embedded option to convert the financial liability into equity.

The liability component is measured at amortised cost, and the difference between the carrying amount of the liability at the date of issue and the amount reported in the Balance Sheet represents the effective interest rate less interest paid to that date.

The group has issued unsecured loan notes with a principal limit of £1,838,598 in Nov 2022. The notes are redeemable at the request of all noteholders.Interest accrues monthly at rates linked to the Bank of England base rate, with a maximum rate of 6%. The notes are unsecured obligations of the company and rank pari passu.

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

The deferred tax liability set out above relates to temporary differences arising from accelerated capital allowances. These timing differences are expected to unwind over the useful lives of the related assets.

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.

The company has multiple classes of ordinary shares in issue. Each ordinary share has equal voting and distribution rights, including repayment of capital in the event of winding up.

Capital redemption reserve, arising from prior year share redemptions, and classified as non-distributable. Currency translation reserve, representing exchange differences on the consolidation of foreign operations, specifically relating to subsidiaries in the US and Republic of Ireland. Other reserves, which include amounts arising from historical group reorganisations and business combinations involving entities under common control. These reserves reflect differences between consideration issued and nominal value of shares acquired and are non-distributable. Profit and loss reserves, representing cumulative retained earnings attributable to equity shareholders.

Reserves are separately presented between amounts attributable to the parent company and to non-controlling interests in the group.

During the financial year ended 31 December 2025, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared with Capella Investments Ltd as the ultimate parent undertaking of the Group following the completion of an internal group reorganisation.

On 28 October 2024, Capella Investments Ltd acquired a 45.2% interest in Alpha Coatings Investments Ltd (ACIL). Although this initial acquisition did not confer immediate control, it represented the first stage of the restructuring process. The shareholders of Capella Investments Ltd and ACIL remained substantially the same and there was no change in the underlying management or strategic direction of the Group.

Subsequently, in April 2025, Capella Investments Ltd acquired the remaining shareholding in ACIL, resulting in it obtaining full control of the Group and becoming the ultimate parent undertaking. Accordingly, Capella Investments Ltd is the parent undertaking of the Group at the reporting date.

The consolidated financial statements include the results of Capella Investments Ltd and its subsidiary undertakings for the year ended 31 December 2025. Subsidiaries are consolidated where the Group exercises control in accordance with FRS 102 Section 9.

Included within other debtors are loans due from a related party of £nil (2024: £27,581). The balance related to Peticular (2022) Ltd, a related party by virtue of common directorship and shareholding. Following an assessment of recoverability, and taking into account the financial position of the counterparty, the directors have fully provided against and written off the balance in the current year.

Amounts due to directors included within creditors at the year end total £401,046 (2024: £233,862). In addition, amounts due from directors included within debtors total £120,881 (2024: £68,517).

The ultimate controlling party of the company is Mr James Bruce, by virtue of his controlling interest and influence over the Group’s governance and operations.