The director presents the strategic report for the year ended 31 January 2026.

The group operates a network of community pharmacies across England and Wales, providing NHS and private pharmaceutical services, clinical consultations and healthcare advice to the communities served by its pharmacies.

During the year ended 31 January 2026, the community pharmacy sector continued to operate against a backdrop of cost and funding pressures, alongside the continuing development of NHS-commissioned clinical services. Against this environment, the group continued to focus on the integration and operational performance of its pharmacy estate, improving efficiency and maintaining the delivery of accessible, high-quality patient care.

Following the expansion of the group in previous periods, management's focus during the year was on improving operational performance across the existing estate, achieving greater consistency across the group's pharmacies and maintaining appropriate control over its cost base. The group also continued to develop the delivery of NHS and private pharmaceutical services and clinical consultations across its pharmacies.

The financial performance of the group improved significantly during the year. Although turnover reduced to £22.6 million from £23.9 million in the previous year, gross profit increased to £8.4 million and the gross profit margin improved from 31% to 37%. Operating profit increased from £1.0 million to £4.0 million, with the operating profit margin increasing from 4% to 17%. This improvement reflects the benefits of the group's continued focus on operational efficiency, margin management and cost control across the pharmacy estate.

The group remains focused on maintaining sustainable operational performance while continuing to provide high-quality pharmacy and healthcare services. Investment in its workforce, systems, processes and technology remains an important part of supporting efficient service delivery and the continued development of the business.

Financial key performance indicators

The directors monitor a range of financial key performance indicators ("KPIs") to assess the group's operational and financial performance. During the year the principal KPIs monitored were:

Gross profit margin

Staff costs as a percentage of turnover

Property and overhead costs as a percentage of turnover

Operating profit margin

The results for the year were as follows:

For the period under review, the KPIs were as follows:

2026         2025    

• Gross profit margin                    37%        31%

• Staff costs as a percentage of income            13%        12%

• Rents and overheads as a percentage of income        26%        27%

• Operating profit margin                    17%        4%

The improvement in operating profitability during the year reflects the continued integration of acquired pharmacies, operational efficiencies realised across the estate and tighter control of overhead expenditure, whilst maintaining the group's focus on patient care and service delivery.

Strategic Focus

The group's focus remains on maximising operational synergy across all pharmacy branches within the group to continue to maximise the delivery of both NHS and private pharmaceutical services, clinical consultations, and healthcare advice across all communities with which our sites are located.

Our strategy for the period ahead is to:

• Maximise opportunities from the Pharmacy First scheme and other clinical services

• Continue to expand clinical service provision in line with NHS priorities and the government's shift from hospital to community care

• Invest in digital infrastructure to streamline operations, improve patient experience, and integrate with NHS systems for enhanced information sharing

• Strengthen workforce skills and capacity through ongoing training, recruitment, and retention initiatives, recognising the national shortage of pharmacists

• Enhance operational efficiency and cost control to address the significant funding gap and mitigate ongoing inflationary pressures

• Collaborate with NHS and local partners to support integrated care and public health outcomes, positioning community pharmacy as a cornerstone of the government's 10 Year Health Plan.

• Advocate actively for sustainable long-​term funding that reflects the true Full Economic Cost of service delivery.

On behalf of the board

The director presents his annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2026.

The principal activity of the company and group was that of the delivery of pharmaceutical services.

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

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £567,438. The director does not recommend payment of a further dividend.

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

The auditor, AMS Audit Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

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.

We have audited the financial statements of Ascent Holding Group Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 January 2026 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 January 2026 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 the director's 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, 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.

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

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Group and the industry in which it operates, drawing on our broad sector experience, and considered the risk of acts by the Group that were contrary to these laws and regulations, including fraud. We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements, including, but not limited to, the GPhC, Companies Act 2006 and equivalent local laws and regulations.

We made enquiries of management with regards to compliance with the above laws and regulations and corroborated any necessary evidence to relevant information, for example, minutes of the board meetings, legal reports provided to the Group and correspondence between the Group and its solicitors. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

• Discussion with management, including consideration of known or suspected instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations and fraud;

• Review of financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates;

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that 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, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed 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 are to become aware of it.

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.

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 £1,513,337 (2025 - £170,422 profit).

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

For the financial year ended 31 January 2026 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The director acknowledges his responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

Ascent Holding Group Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 1 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF.

The group consists of Ascent Holding Group Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

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

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

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

The company 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;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Ascent Holding Group 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 January 2026. 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.

Atruet 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 represents amounts receivable from the provision of NHS pharmaceutical services, private prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medicine sales and other pharmacy and healthcare services, stated net of VAT where applicable.

Revenue is recognised when control of the goods or services has transferred to the customer and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably.

The group's principal revenue streams comprise:

• NHS prescription income, recognised when prescriptions are dispensed and entitlement to reimbursement from the NHS arises;

• NHS service income, including clinical and consultation services, recognised when the relevant service has been delivered;

• Private prescription income, recognised when medicines are dispensed to patients;

• Retail and over-the-counter sales, recognised at the point goods are supplied to customers; and

• Other pharmacy and healthcare service income, recognised when the relevant service has been performed.

Amounts received in advance are deferred until the relevant goods or services have been provided.

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.

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.

When the group 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 group 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.

Subsidiary undertakings exempt from audit

Under Section 479a of the Companies Act 2006 available to subsidiary undertakings, the company provides a guarantee in respect of the below subsidiary undertakings claiming exemption from audit.

Name                         Registration Number

Ascent (Wollaton) Limited                14549317

Ascent (Sherwood) Limited             14549373

Ascent (Clowne) Limited                14540679

AQA Group Ltd              14763500

Ascent (South East) Limited            11393609

Ascent Healthcare Limited                10311966

Ascent Spondon Ltd                11398226

LP SD Six Limited                14744168

Ascent (Coulby Newham) Limited            14539511

LP SD Five Limited                 14744430

LP SD Twenty Six Limited                14766960

Ascent (Coalville) Ltd                14632800

LP SD Sixty Five Limited                15074437

LP SD Sixty Six Limited                15074398

Ascent (Mansfield) Limited                14540482

Ascent Biggleswade Ltd              15508646

Ascent Crich Ltd                    15507478

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 following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

The directors have noted that debtors due to the group from related parties where the group has assisted in funding the initial working capital of the related party in its first period of trade. The directors consider that these balances are fully recoverable in the future.

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 director considers stock valuation to be a key source of estimation uncertainty. The company uses 3rd party experts, Retail & Asset Solutions Limited, to count and value the stock at the year end. The value of the stock is based on industry cost guidance less impairment. At 31 January 2026 the stock was valued at £1,352,559 (2025: £985,071).

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The average employee numbers in the comparative period are high due to the acquisition of subsidiaries in the year.

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:

Transfers represent sales and purchases of licences between group companies at net book value.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 January 2026 are as follows:

Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):

Changes in group structure during the year

During the year, the group disposed of its entire interests in LP SD Seven Limited on 13 October 2025 and LP SD One Hundred Twenty One Limited on 1 August 2025. The results of these entities have been included within the consolidated financial statements up to their respective dates of disposal.

Subsequent to the year end, the group disposed of its interest in Ascent (Wollaton) Ltd on 10 August 2026. Following completion of the transaction, the company was renamed Nisha (Wollaton) Ltd. As the disposal occurred after the reporting date, no adjustment has been made to the financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2026

Details of associates at 31 January 2026 are as follows:

Changes in associates during the year

During the year, the group acquired a 29% interest in Abra Healthcare Ltd on 1 February 2025 and accordingly included the entity as an associate from that date.

The group's interest in Tupton Healthcare Limited was disposed of on 30 June 2025. The results of Tupton Healthcare Limited have therefore been included within the group's share of associate results up to the date of disposal.

Accordingly, the list of associates disclosed above includes entities that were associates for all or part of the financial year ended 31 January 2026.

The associates have the following registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):

1 1 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, M3 3HF

2 Unit 2 Micklehead Business Park St. Michaels Road, Lea Green, St. Helens, England, WA9 4YU

3 Office 204 10 Courtenay Road, East Lane, Wembley, London, HA9 7ND

Loans from participating interests and related parties are interest free. The directors have received confirmation that these loans will not be recalled within 12 months.

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

The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse in a future period and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature.

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.

Ordinary shares have full rights in the company with respect to voting, dividends and distributions.

Ordinary A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H shares have full rights in the company with respect to dividends only.

Profit and loss reserves represents the accumulated profit of the owners of the parent company, less dividends.

Other reserves

Other reserves comprise amounts not distributable to shareholders and include other capital-based reserves.

Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests represents the accumulated profit of the minority interests, less dividends paid.

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:

During the year the group entered into the following transactions with related parties:

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

Dividends totalling £140,634 (2025 - £0) were paid in the year in respect of shares held by the company's directors.

At 31 January 2026, the directors' loan accounts included within debtors totalled £1,093,578 (2025: £845,755). The balances arise from overdrawn directors' current accounts.

The balances are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand. The directors have confirmed that the balances will be repaid within twelve months of the balance sheet date and accordingly the amounts have been classified within amounts falling due within one year. No amounts have been written off, waived or impaired during the year.

Mr Q Nazir is the ultimate controlling party by virtue of his ownership of the majority of the issued share capital of the company.