The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The Group’s strategy is centred on the supply of tattoo equipment and supplies to Tattoo Artists in the UK and Europe. The company remains dedicated to advancing the range of products it offers to customers and works with its sister companies within Nexus Brands Group to foster innovation in Tattoo machines, inks and studio supplies. In 2025 this resulted in the launch of new state-of-the-art products including the Bishop Power Wand Advanced Limited Edition and Critical Torque Lite and Bundle Tattoo Machines, Bishop Inks and own range of Barber DTS furniture providing a more affordable option for studios.
During the period there was an 10% reduction in sales turnover in comparison to the prior period, in part due to changes in consumer behaviour over the past few years. Consistent gross profit margin at 36.3% (2024: 35.5%) was achieved through the maintenance of more rigorous purchasing procedures coupled with stringent management of operating costs which enabled management to effectively manage the reduced sales.
Consequently, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the period showed a profit of £3,942,862 which represented an increase on prior period result of £2,509,387.
In addition to profits generated through trading activities, the Group is financed through a combination of intercompany balances and loans. At 31 December 2025, included within creditors was £40,068,141 owed to group undertakings and which gave rise to an interest expense of £2,194,242.
Working capital balances have been bolstered and inventory has been unwound to improve the cash conversion cycle and reduce working capital locked up in excess stock.
At the year end, the Group had net current liabilities of £8,899,442 (2024 - £8,313,454), cash and bank balances totalling £1,071,188 (2024 - £1,118,333) and access to additional funding if necessary. The Group has significant intercompany balances with its parent company and other entities within the wider group all of which are expected to be recovered and settled in full.
Budgets and forecasts have been prepared based on expected performance for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. With all relevant information considered, and appropriate planning implemented considering revised forecasting, the directors are satisfied that the Group will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due and continue as a going concern. On this basis management have prepared these financial statements on a going concern basis.
In 2025, we have faced several risks and challenges. The primary influencing factor has been the continued economic downturn in the UK. Consequently, there has been a decrease in the demand for tattoos by our customers clients and therefore reduced demand for the company’s products, this has been particularly noticeable in the UK market, the European market has been more resilient and showed less of a decline.
The European Chemicals Agency regulations relating to tattoo pigments and their use within the body art industry. With some initial restrictions being introduced taking effect in 2023, the Group along with its main ink manufacturer (which has the same ultimate parent company as ourselves) has launched a range of compliant pigment formulations for its Ink Range. It is envisaged that such changes will leave the Group well positioned to benefit from the supply of such inks, subsequently leading to sales of these products across Europe. A similar review within the UK is also now underway given the departure of the UK from the EU. Any such impact is likely to be mitigated by the work already undertaken as part of the European Chemicals Agency review.
Financial risk management objectives and policies
The main financial risks facing the Group relate to foreign exchange and liquidity/cashflow.
Foreign exchange risk
In 2025, there was fluctuation in the GBP to EUR and GBP to USD exchange rates, although ultimately both strengthened from January to December. As a large volume of our sales transactions are invoiced in EUR to European customers, and stock purchases are from USD denominated suppliers, the business is continually affected by this exchange rate fluctuation.
Credit risk
The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The Group's credit policy dictates that credit terms are generally not extended to customers, except for those who are considered large customers with a proven history of timely payments. A rigorous system of credit control is applied, and receivables are continually monitored. The amounts presented in the statement of financial position are net of allowances for doubtful debts.
Liquidity and cashflow risks
To sustain liquidity and guarantee the availability of adequate funds for day-to-day operations, the Group places a strong emphasis on meticulous budget planning and continuously updates its financial forecasts. The Group closely tracks its cash flow on a weekly basis in alignment with the most current projections. It's worth noting that the primary driver affecting cash flow is the management of inventory, and as such, this aspect is scrutinized extensively to ensure effective working capital management.
The Directors consider that the key performance indicators relevant to an understanding of the development, performance and position of the Group during the year and at the year end include sales, gross profit margin and EBITDA. Additional information and descriptions relating to those key performance indicators is included above as part of the fair review of the business. Further to this, management regularly review a suite of Management Information covering all facets of the business and take action as required.
Looking ahead, the Group remains committed to providing the best service and product offering to its customers in the UK and Europe. With the Group’s main tattoo machine manufacturers to launch new wireless tattoo machines at different price points to cover both established and new tattoo artists. This is in addition to continuing to source market leading products from a variety of suppliers.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The results for the year are set out on page 9.
No ordinary dividends were paid (2024: £nil). The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend (2024: £nil)
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The auditor, MHA, previously traded through the legal entity MacIntyre Hudson LLP. In response to regulatory changes, MacIntyre Hudson LLP ceased to hold an audit registration with the engagement transitioning to MHA Audit Services LLP.
MHA will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to groups and companies entitled to the exemptions of the medium-sized companies regime.
United Kingdom company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the group and parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and parent company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and 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. They are 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.
We have audited the financial statements of Blade Acquisition Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
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 directors' report.
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, is detailed below:
Enquiries with management about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
Enquiries with management about any known or suspected instances of fraud within the business;
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates;
Auditing the risk of fraud in revenue, through testing a sample of relevant transactions to provide comfort that revenue as stated in the financial statements has occurred and by reviewing the application of income cut off procedures around the balance sheet date;
Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through the testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness;and
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and legal and professional expenditure to identify any evidence of ongoing litigation or enquiries.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
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 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.
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 loss for the year was £212,343 (2024 - £3,048,779 loss).
Blade Acquisition Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 3rd Floor, 1 Ashley Road, Altrincham, WA14 2DT.
The group consists of Blade Acquisition Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
The company's and the group's principal activities and nature of its operations are disclosed in the Directors' Report.
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 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 for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Blade Acquisition 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.
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.
At the year end, the Group had net current liabilities of £8,899,442 (2024 - £8,313,454), cash and bank balances totalling £1,071,188 (2024 - £1,118,333) and access to additional funding if necessary. The Group has significant intercompany balances with its parent company and other entities within the wider group all of which are expected to be recovered and settled in full.
Budgets and forecasts have been prepared based on expected performance for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. With all relevant information considered, and appropriate planning implemented considering revised forecasting, the directors are satisfied that, with the support from the ultimate parent company, the group and company will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due and continue as a going concern. On this basis management have prepared these financial statements on a going concern basis.
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the 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.
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.
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.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction, or, if the asset or liability is measured at fair value, the rate when that fair value was determined.
All translation differences are taken to profit or loss, except to the extent that they relate to gains or losses on non-monetary items recognised in other comprehensive income, when the related translation gain or loss is also recognised in other comprehensive income.
Assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries (including goodwill and fair value adjustments in relation to overseas subsidiaries) are translated into the group’s presentation currency at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Income and expenses of overseas subsidiaries are translated at the average rate for the year as the directors consider this to be a reasonable approximation to the rate at the date of the transaction. Translation differences are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.
The annual amortisation and depreciation charge for fixed assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are reviewed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.
At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment of stocks. When calculating the stock provision, management considers the nature and condition of the stock, as well as applying assumptions around anticipated saleability of finished goods and future usage of raw materials.
The group considers whether intangible assets and goodwill are impaired. Where an indication of impairment is identified the estimate of recoverable amount requires estimation of the value in use of the cash generating units (CGUs). This requires estimation of the future cash flows from the CGUs and also selection of appropriate discount rates in order to calculate the net present value of those cash flows.
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 credit for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The enacted UK corporation tax rate existing at the year end date of 25% forms the basis for the UK element of the deferred tax calculation, following the UK budget in 2021 when the chancellor announced an increase to the main rate of corporation tax in the UK to 25% from April 2023.
At 31 December 2025 and 31 December 2024, the company had no contractual commitments to acquire intangible fixed assets. The amortisation charge for the period is recognised within administrative expenses.
Goodwill above is attributable to anticipated future profitability and growth as a result of past acquisitions.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2025 are as follows:
Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):
Amounts owed by group undertakings are unsecured, accrue no interest and are repayable on demand.
Amounts owed to group undertakings falling due within one year includes loan notes payable to group undertakings of £232,565 (2024 - £249,490). The loan notes are repayable in quarterly instalments with the final payment falling due in November 2028 and interest is charged at a variable rate. The average interest rate during the year was 9.99% (2024 - 10.59%).
The remaining amounts owed to group undertakings falling due within one year are unsecured, accrue no interest and are repayable on demand.
Amounts owed to group undertakings falling due after one year includes loan notes payable to group undertakings of £22,151,811 (2024 - £24,010,143). The loan notes are repayable in quarterly instalments with the final payment falling due in November 2028 and interest is charged at a variable rate. The average interest rate during the year was 9.99% (2024 - 10.59%).
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.
Contributions due at year end amounted to £nil (2024 - £nil) and are included within other creditors.
The company's Ordinary shares, which carry no right to fixed income, each carry the right to one vote at general meetings of the company.
The share premium account represents the excess of consideration received over the nominal value of shares issues.
The capital contribution reserve represents a credit in respect of additional funding provided by the ultimate parent entity on acquisition of the business.
Cumulative profit and loss net of distributions to owners.
At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
During the year, management identified that certain management charges relating to the year ended 31 December 2024 had not been recorded when the 2024 financial statements were finalised. This was considered to be a prior period error and has been corrected retrospectively in these financial statements by adjusting the comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2024 to appropriately recognise the management charges in the period to which they relate.