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REG - CEPS PLC - Final Results

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RNS Number : 8750D  CEPS PLC  12 May 2026

 CEPS PLC

('CEPS' OR THE 'COMPANY' OR THE 'GROUP')

 

FINAL RESULTS

 

The Board of CEPS is pleased to announce its final results for the year ended
31 December 2025.

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

 

I am pleased to present to shareholders the CEPS final accounts for the year
ended 31 December 2025, the 20th Annual Report.

 

Having spent the last few years working towards 'normalising' the companies in
the CEPS Group and their presentation in the Annual Report, I am afraid that
once again we have managed to make these accounts very difficult to
understand!

 

However, the principal reason for this is, of course, the crystallisation of
the major value in the ICA Group ('ICA'), a point to which I will return in
greater detail later.

 

Macro overview

 

As Harold Macmillan said whilst Prime Minister, "Events dear boy, events"
referring to the things that throw governments off-course. During the past 15
months, the United Kingdom and the wider world seem to have had their fair
share of extraordinary domestic events and seemingly 'cataclysmic' world
events that have ensured that all media forms have had plenty of material on
which to feast.

 

This last period has been no different. The planned short 'Special Military
Operation' instigated by Vladimir Putin's Russia on Ukraine is now into its
fifth year. The resilience of the Ukrainian people has been extraordinary as
they come through another harsh winter with compromised infrastructure. They
have now been striking back deep into Russia, and the war has been brought to
the doorsteps of Russians up to 1,000 kilometres away. Some reports now
suggest that Russia may be facing mounting strain, both in sustaining its
armed forces and in financing the continuation of the campaign.

 

Recently we have seen the United States President, having gained office
partially based on the promise of no more foreign wars, effecting partial
regime change in Venezuela and, more recently, throwing the Middle East into
turmoil with the major attack on Iran. On the face of it, this seemed to be
not thought through with no plan other than to run the Venezuelan 'play book'
again. However, it appears that Venezuela and Iran were supplying China with
material amounts of its oil at big discounts to world prices. With Venezuelan
oil exports now under the 'control' of the USA and shipments being blockaded
in the Middle East, the lack of supply will undoubtedly put pressure on China,
once it has utilised its large reserves, which might well be part of the
strategy.

 

The attack by the USA appears to have increased tensions in the ongoing
conflict between Israel and certain neighbouring regions. The whole Middle
East is in great turmoil now, and the impact of this conflict will start to be
felt across Europe on a lagged basis if things do not get resolved quickly.

 

It was evident to us that the UK economy was gently recovering from the
massive errors committed by the Labour Government over the first 18 months of
its term. There is no need to waste time here listing the multiple 'U-Turns'
that the Government has made reflecting a recognition that its original
decisions were wrong. The changes to Employer National Insurance costs have
had a severe impact on general commercial life, including on all the CEPS
companies.

 

The management of a separate private company in which I am involved has
responded to this increased cost burden by opting not to replace an individual
who was leaving anyway, has put up prices by 6% instead of a previously
planned 4.5% and reduced pay expectations from 4.5% to around 3.5%. So, in one
go, the Labour Government has managed to reduce employment, curtail earnings
growth and stoke inflation!

 

The latest economic indicators for the period up to the start of the Middle
East conflict had shown inflation continuing to fall, employment levels
rising, and growth in GDP ahead of expectations, all leading to an expectation
of further cuts in interest rates over the balance of 2026. Unfortunately, the
conflict in the Middle East will have major ramifications and, unless the
situation is resolved quickly, will have a negative lagged effect. The rise in
oil prices will lead to an increase in inflation and cause further caution
amongst British consumers.

 

However, it is important to put things in context. In the last year, the
British public was reported to have saved an estimated £192bn, and since the
Covid period in 2020, savings are believed to be close to £500bn. At this
time, it is expected that increased petrol costs could amount to some £5bn
per year.

 

It is interesting to note that the futures market price of oil and gas for six
months' time is significantly lower than the current elevated levels. This
reflects the market expectation that the current turmoil in the Middle East
will be resolved and that supply of oil and gas will be restored. It is also
evident that the supply of LNG has now been extended well beyond the original
estimates and that supply is likely to increase and prices should,
consequently, decline.

 

 

Financial review and performance of the CEPS Group

 

CEPS revenue increased to £32.84m from £31.56m, gross profits increased to
£14.13m from £13.29m whilst underlying operating profits (excluding
exceptional items) marginally declined from £2.42m to £2.37m. Underlying
earnings per share decreased from 2.94p to 2.00p (see note 4).

 

As a consequence of the ICA sales process, this has required presentation of
the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as continuing and
discontinued and the Consolidated and Company Statements of Financial Position
to be split between the respective assets and liabilities.

 

Aford Awards

 

The market in which Aford Awards operates has had another tough year.
Consequently, in our view, the performance by Aford Awards to produce a modest
decline in EBITDA for 2025 to £442,000 is a solid performance given the high
costs of the increase in the minimum wage and the associated national
insurance increases. These costs have had to be absorbed by the business.

 

Sales in 2025 were £3.85m as compared to £3.66m in 2024. The associated
EBITDAs were £442,000 and £556,000 respectively.

 

Signature Fabrics, the holding company for Friedman's and Milano International

 

The two companies together had sales of £6.03m as compared to £6.51m in
2024. The associated EBITDAs were a loss of £1.02m after a goodwill write-off
of £1.42m in 2025, and £567,000 in 2024. The underlying EBITDA (excluding
the goodwill write-off) was £395,000 for 2025.

 

Having restored Milano back to a breakeven position, the increased labour
costs (induced by the Government) have had a profound effect on the business.
As a result, Milano is no longer cost-competitive with comparable products
manufactured in China. While the quality of the Milano offering remains
demonstrably superior, its current cost base renders it uncompetitive in the
UK market. Action will, therefore, be required to restore Milano's
competitiveness.

 

ICA

 

As shareholders are aware from recent announcements, in March 2026 the share
capital of ICA was sold to a new company set up by Certania Holdings Gmbh for
an enterprise value of some £30.45m, with CEPS receiving £14.01m for its
equity and outstanding loan stocks.

 

The Board of CEPS has always been enthusiastic about ICA, its management team
and the prospects for the sector. However, in the early part of 2025 it became
clear, following a failed offer made to acquire another business, that the
scale of funding required to fulfil the future development opportunity in ICA
was beyond the financial capability of CEPS. Consequently, it was decided,
with the management team, to commence a sales process with a view to finding a
partner who would buy out CEPS and the external investors for cash and provide
an opportunity for the management team to further grow the business.

 

Whilst all parties try to maintain 'business as usual' during the lengthy
course of a sale process, status quo is the watchword. Shareholders will have
seen the announcement on 1 April 2025 by ICA which covered several important
matters. Firstly, it outlined an attractive 'bolt-on' acquisition of Align
Building Control and Align Group (UK) ('Align'). Align filled a geographical
gap in ICA's nationwide coverage and, whilst the brand name was retained, its
operations were absorbed into the existing group. The acquisition was funded
by a new loan from ICA's existing banker Santander which was repaid on the
sale of ICA.

 

At that time, a modest share reconstruction was announced which locked in an
equity share valuation of £12.00m for existing holders and then, when ICA was
sold, the balance of the consideration above £12.00m was participated in by
the existing shares and by a new class of shares which were held by the
working directors and certain senior employees. Essentially, this structure
was the equivalent of the introduction of a share option scheme. To summarise,
up to a value for the equity of £12.00m CEPS would receive 55.58% of the
consideration and above £12.00m CEPS would receive 50.70%.

 

ICA had another good year and sales were £23.00m in 2025 compared to £21.39m
in 2024. The associated EBITDAs were £2.51m (after exceptional costs relating
to the sale process of £360,000) and £2.65m respectively.

 

Share capital

 

There was no share issuance in the current year and, therefore, the issued
share capital remains at 21,000,000 shares as it has since September 2021.

 

 

Debt structure

 

In the accounts presented here the external debt in CEPS totals £4.95m. The
£2.00m loan from a third party, with a coupon of 7%, was extended in May 2025
by a further 12 months at 9% and was due to be repaid by 30 June 2026 or
earlier, at CEPS choice. The loan from Chelverton Asset Management Limited of
£2.95m remained with a coupon of 5% and was repayable with a notice period of
18 months. In a full year, the interest charge would be £327,500.

 

Cash held by the Company at the financial year end was £628,000 (2024:
£212,000) and Group cash was £1.11m (2024: £677,000).

Whilst at the year-end CEPS had external debt of £4.95m, as noted above, this
was repaid in full on 9 March 2026.

 

Cash in CEPS at the end of April 2026 was an elevated £9.2m, reflecting the
large cash receipt from the sale of ICA. This represents 43.66p per share.

 

 

Shareholder value creation

 

As part of the Board's deliberations on how to allocate the cash proceeds from
the sale of ICA, numerous factors have been considered.

 

Firstly, as shareholders will be aware, the Board decided to repay the
Company's outstanding debt immediately, as set out above.

 

Secondly, the Board is investigating the possibility of making further
acquisitions not only to add to the Aford Awards Group but also considering a
stand-alone acquisition to 'replace' the investment in ICA, although nothing
is under active consideration at this time.

 

Thirdly, recognising the fundamental change in the CEPS structure and scale
following the disposal of ICA, the Board considers it may be appropriate to
propose a return of capital to shareholders. The Board is considering various
options and will look to come forward with an appropriate strategy in due
course.

 

As stated in previous reports, the shareholder register of CEPS is made up of
many shareholders who have owned a relatively small number of shares for a
very long time. The Board has decided that, following the disposal of ICA,
which represented some two thirds of the sales of the CEPS Group, the
shareholder base should be provided with an opportunity to sell its shares in
a cost effective and simple manner.

 

I summarise the profit/value creation events:

 

1.     Increase in the profits of the three subsidiaries

No increase as explained above

 

2.     Self-funded 'bolt-on deals' in each of the three subsidiaries in
the manner that has  occurred over the past five years

Acquisition of Align by ICA

 

3.     Repayment of loan stocks from the subsidiaries, absent any
acquisitions

In April 2025 ICA repaid £610,000 of loan stock. No other loan stock
repayments took place.

 

4.     Increase in CEPS' shareholdings in its subsidiary companies

No increase in the shareholdings.

 

5.     Share buy backs and cancellation

There was no share buy back in the year.

 

6.     Offer to buy a subsidiary

Overshadowing all other developments, the sale process of ICA commenced in
2025 and completed on 6 March 2026.

 

Share price

 

On the 12 May 2025 the share price was 21.00p. The share price as at 7 May
2026 was 43.00p

 

Outlook

 

Going forward in 2026, like everyone, we are hopeful that the conflict in the
Middle East is resolved quickly.

 

Once this occurs, several positive steps will be expected to follow. There
will be the continued anticipated decline in inflation, and it is to be hoped
this will lead to a steady, but regular, decline in interest rates in the
second half of the calendar year. Historically, that sort of environment has
been very positive for small company trading performance, confidence and
ultimately, of course, share prices.

 

As mentioned in my introduction, the global backdrop remains highly uncertain.
However, given this Government's disappointing performance during its first
two years in office, it is reasonable to expect, and hope, that it has learnt
from its mistakes and will improve its performance.

 

For the UK to make progress economically, the theories of Dr. Arthur B.
Laffer, as articulated in his recent excellent book 'Prosperity Through
Growth', need to be embraced by Government. The book's argument is that we
need to shrink public spending and cut taxes. Of course, there is little
likelihood that the current Government has the nerve and character to 'do the
right thing'. It is to be hoped that, at the very least, it does less that is
detrimental to the economy.

 

Having repaid all the external debt in CEPS and exploring an appropriate
strategy by which to return capital to shareholders, the next challenge to be
confronted by the Company is investing its large cash reserves in profitable
and attractive businesses which will develop the CEPS Group over the next few
years.

 

David Horner

Chairman

11 May 2026

 

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute
inside information as stipulated under the retained EU law version of the
Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK
law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information is
disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of the
UK MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is
now considered to be in the public domain.

 

The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this
announcement.

 

 

Enquiries

 

 CEPS PLC

 Vivien Langford, Group Finance Director   +44 1225 483030

 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited

 Mark Brady                                +44 20 3368 3551

 

Caution regarding forward looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward
looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of
terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'',
''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''potentially'', "expect",
''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions,
including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not
based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations
and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations,
performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount,
nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business
prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the
Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information
currently available to the Directors.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

                                                                                Continuing  Discontinued
                                                                                operations  operations
                                                                                            Held for sale  Total
                                                                                2025        2025           2025
                                                                                £'000       £'000          £'000

 Revenue                                                                        9,879       22,957         32,836
 Cost of sales                                                                  (6,213)     (12,490)       (18,703)

 Gross profit                                                                   3,666       10,467         14,133
 Other operating income                                                         8           -              8
 Impairment of goodwill                                                         (1,419)     -              (1,419)
 Administration expenses                                                        (3,898)     (8,235)        (12,133)

 Operating (loss)/profit                                                        (1,643)     2,232          589

 Analysis of operating (loss)/profit
 Trading subsidiaries before exceptional costs                                  179         2,592          2,771
 Exceptional costs                                                              (1,419)     (360)          (1,779)
 Group net costs                                                                (403)       -              (403)

                                                                                (1,643)     2,232          589

 Finance income                                                                 6           4              10
 Finance costs                                                                  (534)       (319)          (853)

 (Loss)/profit before tax                                                       (2,171)     1,917          (254)
 Taxation                                                                       33          (529)          (496)

 (Loss)/profit and total comprehensive (expense)/income for the financial year  (2,138)     1,388          (750)

 Total comprehensive (expense)/income attributable to:
 Owners of the parent                                                           (1,562)     825            (737)
 Non-controlling interests                                                      (576)       563            (13)

                                                                                (2,138)     1,388          (750)

 (Loss)/earnings per share
 basic and diluted (pence)                                                      (7.44)p     3.93p          (3.51)p

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

                                                                                Continuing  Discontinued
                                                                                operations  operations
                                                                                            Held for sale  Total
                                                                                2024        2024           2024
                                                                                £'000       £'000          £'000

 Revenue                                                                        10,167      21,391         31,558
 Cost of sales                                                                  (6,198)     (12,070)       (18,268)

 Gross profit                                                                   3,969       9,321          13,290
 Administration expenses                                                        (3,927)     (6,947)        (10,874)

 Operating profit                                                               42          2,374          2,416

 Analysis of operating profit
 Trading subsidiaries before exceptional costs                                  497         2,374          2,871
 Exceptional costs                                                              (37)        -              (37)
 Group net costs                                                                (418)       -              (418)

                                                                                42          2,374          2,416

 Finance income                                                                 1           4              5
 Finance costs                                                                  (469)       (221)          (690)

 (Loss)/profit before tax                                                       (426)       2,157          1,731
 Taxation                                                                       50          (483)          (433)

 (Loss)/profit and total comprehensive (expense)/income for the financial year  (376)       1,674          1,298

 Total comprehensive (expense)/income attributable to:
 Owners of the parent                                                           (414)       994            580
 Non-controlling interests                                                      38          680            718

                                                                                (376)       1,674          1,298

 (Loss)/earnings per share
 basic and diluted (pence)                                                      (1.97)p     4.73p          2.76p

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025

                                                                             Group   Group   Company  Company
                                                                             2025    2024    2025     2024
                                                                             £'000   £'000   £'000    £'000
 Assets
 Non-current assets
 Property, plant and equipment                                               726     931     11       16
 Right-of-use assets                                                         1,227   1,760   54       -
 Intangible assets                                                           3,976   11,603  -        -
 Investments                                                                 -       -       2,160    4,885

                                                                             5,929   14,294  2,225    4,901

 Current assets
 Inventories                                                                 1,913   2,346   -        -
 Trade and other receivables                                                 802     4,484   3,069    1,839
 Corporation tax recoverable                                                 28      -       -        -
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                   1,108   677     628      212
 Current assets excluding assets classified as held for sale                 3,851   7,507   3,697    2,051

 Assets relating to disposal group classified as held for sale               12,735  -       -        -

 Total current assets                                                        16,586  7,507   3,697    2,051

 Total assets                                                                22,515  21,801  5,922    6,952

 Equity
 Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent
 Called up share capital                                                     63      63      63       63
 Retained earnings                                                           2,011   2,754   405      1,452

                                                                             2,074   2,817   468      1,515
 Non-controlling                                                             1,983   2,149   -        -

 interests in equity

 Total equity                                                                4,057   4,966   468      1,515

 Liabilities
 Non-current liabilities
 Borrowings                                                                  4,393   5,278   2,950    2,950
 Lease liabilities                                                           900     1,436   46       -
 Trade and other payables                                                    43      68      -        -
 Provisions                                                                  400     412     377      389
 Deferred tax liability                                                      204     312     -        -

                                                                             5,940   7,506   3,373    3,339

 Current liabilities
 Borrowings                                                                  2,412   3,432   2,000    2,000
 Lease liabilities                                                           451     505     7        -
 Trade and other payables                                                    1,469   3,789   68       94
 Current tax liabilities                                                     298     1,603   6        4

 Total current liabilities excluding liabilities relating to disposal group  4,630   9,329   2,081    2,098
 classified as held for sale
 Liabilities relating to disposal group classified as held for sale          7,888   -       -        -

 Total current liabilities                                                   12,518  9,329   2,081    2,098

 Total liabilities                                                           18,458  16,835  5,454    5,437

 Total equity and liabilities                                                22,515  21,801  5,922    6,952

 

 

 

 

The total comprehensive income within the parent company financial statements
for the year was a loss of £1,047,000 (2024: profit of £1,901,000).

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

                                                                              2025     2024
                                                                              £'000    £'000
 Group
 Cash flows from operating activities
 (Loss)/profit for the financial year                                         (750)    1,298

 Adjustments for:
 Depreciation and amortisation                                                951      902
 Impairment of goodwill                                                       1,419    -
 Loss/(profit) on disposal of fixed assets                                    1        (4)
 Share based payment charge                                                   215      -
 Net finance costs                                                            843      685
 Taxation charge                                                              496      433
 Changes in working capital:
 Movement in inventories                                                      433      42
 Movement in trade and other receivables                                      (306)    353
 Movement in trade and other payables                                         332      312
 Movement in provisions                                                       (12)     12

 Cash generated from operations                                               3,622    4,033
 Corporation tax paid                                                         (466)    (488)

 Net cash generated from operations                                           3,156    3,545

 Cash flows from investing activities
 Interest received                                                            10       5
 Acquisition of businesses and subsidiaries including deferred consideration  (900)    (172)
 paid
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                    (169)    (142)
 Proceeds from sale of assets                                                 1        51
 Purchase of intangible assets                                                (203)    (32)

 Net cash used in investing activities                                        (1,261)  (290)

 Cash flows from financing activities
 Purchase of subsidiary shares from minority holders                          (374)    (790)
 Proceeds from borrowings                                                     2,586    -
 Loan issue costs paid                                                        (80)     -
 Repayment of borrowings                                                      (1,924)  (1,425)
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests                                  -        (67)
 Interest paid                                                                (822)    (690)
 Lease liability payments                                                     (551)    (522)

 Net cash used in financing activities                                        (1,165)  (3,494)

 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                         730      (239)
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year                       677      916

 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year                             1,407    677

 Continuing operations                                                        1,108
 Discontinued held for sale assets                                            299

                                                                              1,407

 

 

 

Major non-cash movements: there were £444,000 of non-cash additions to
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in the year (2024: £293,000 of
non-cash additions to right-of-use assets and lease liabilities). In
connection with the restructuring of the Signature Fabrics group of companies,
£1,068,000 of loans were assumed by the minority shareholders in the prior
year 2024.

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

 

                                                         Share capital  Share premium  Retained earnings  Attributable to owners of the parent  Non-controlling interest  Total equity
                                                         £'000          £'000          £'000              £'000                                 £'000                     £'000

 At 1 January 2024                                       2,100          7,017          (6,931)            2,186                                 3,407                     5,593

 Profit for the year                                     -              -              580                580                                   718                       1,298

 Total comprehensive income for the financial year       -              -              580                580                                   718

                                                                                                                                                                          1,298
 Capital reduction in the year                           (2,037)        (7,017)        9,054              -                                     -                         -
 Changes in ownership interest in subsidiaries                                         51                 51                                    (1,909)                   (1,858)
 Dividends paid in respect of non-controlling interests  -              -              -                  -                                     (67)                      (67)

 At 31 December 2024                                     63             -              2,754              2,817                                 2,149                     4,966

 Loss for the year                                       -              -              (737)              (737)                                 (13)                      (750)

 Total comprehensive expense for the financial year      -              -              (737)              (737)                                 (13)

                                                                                                                                                                          (750)

 Share based payments                                    -              -              120                120                                   95                        215
 Changes in ownership interest in subsidiaries           -              -              (126)              (126)                                 (248)                     (374)

 At 31 December 2025                                     63             -              2,011              2,074                                 1,983                     4,057

 

 

 

Share capital comprises the nominal value of shares subscribed for.

 

Share premium represents the amount above nominal value received for shares
issued, less transaction costs.

 

Retained earnings comprise accumulated comprehensive income for the current
year and prior periods attributable to the parent, less dividends paid.

 

Non-controlling interest represents the element of retained earnings which is
not attributable to the owners of the parent.

Notes to the financial information

1.         General information

CEPS PLC (the 'Company') is a company incorporated and domiciled in England
and Wales. The Company is a public company limited by shares, which is listed
on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The address of the registered
office is 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL.

The principal activities of the Company are that of a holding company for
service and manufacturing companies, acquiring stakes in stable, profitable
and steadily growing entrepreneurial companies.

The financial statements are presented in British Pounds Sterling (£), the
currency of the primary economic environment in which the Group's activities
are operated and are reported in £'000. The Group comprises CEPS PLC and its
subsidiary companies. The financial statements are to the year ended 31
December 2025.

The registered number of the Company is 00507461.

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these
consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been
consistently applied throughout the year, unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation and going concern

This announcement is an extract from the consolidated financial statements of
the Company for the year ended 31 December 2025 and comprises the Company and
its subsidiaries.  The consolidated financial statements were authorised for
issue on 11 May 2026.  The financial information set out below does not
constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December
2024 or 2025 within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006, but
is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2024 have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2025 will be delivered
following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditor's reports on the
statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2025
were unqualified and do not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies
Act 2006.

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under
the historical cost convention in accordance with UK-adopted International
Accounting Standards ('UK-adopted IAS'), IFRIC interpretations and the
Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under UK-adopted IAS.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with UK-adopted IAS
requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires
management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's
accounting policies.

Going concern

The directors have considered the going concern basis of the Company and of
the Group for a period of 12 months from the reporting date utilising detailed
forecasts of the trading performance and the financial position to the end of
2027. The Aford Awards and Signature Fabrics Group sub-groups service their
bank and shareholder held debt from cash generated in the trading subsidiaries
which continued to trade at a level sufficient to meet the interest cash
flows. Whilst the continuing group incurred a loss for the year, the sale of
the ICA group in March 2026 resulted in net cash inflow of over £13m allowing
£5m of debt to be repaid and providing the resources to invest in the growth
of the continuing operations.

Critical accounting assumptions, judgements and estimates

 

The directors make estimates and assumptions concerning the future. They are
also required to exercise judgement in the process of applying the Company's
accounting policies. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and
are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations
of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of
causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities within the next financial year are assessed below:

a)         Impairment of intangible assets (including goodwill)

             The Group tests annually whether goodwill has
suffered any impairment, and evaluates other intangible assets for indicators
of impairment in accordance with its accounting policy. The recoverable
amounts of the cash-generating units have been determined based on
value-in-use calculations. The calculations require the use of estimates.

b)         Impairment of investments (including loans)

The Company assesses the impairment of investments whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Factors considered important that could trigger an impairment review include a
significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future
operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends.

 

The assessment would include judgement over industry trends and forecasts
using estimates.

 

c)          Leases

Management utilise judgement in respect of any option clauses in leases and
whether such an option to extend would be reasonably certain to be exercised.
Management consider all facts and circumstances including past practice, costs
of alternatives and future forecasts to determine the lease term. Management
also apply judgement and estimation in assessing the discount rate, which is
based on the incremental borrowing rate. These judgements impact on the lease
term and associated lease liabilities.

 

d)         Recognition of revenue in respect of services

Revenue is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in
accordance with the stage of completion of the contract. This requires a
degree of estimation in respect of the stage of completion and time required
to complete the services, but is based on significant experience and data from
completed services.

 

e)         Acquisitions

Fair values have been applied on the acquisition of businesses which involve a
degree of judgement and estimation, in particular in the identification and
evaluation of intangible assets including customer relationships. The values
recognised are derived from discounted cash flow forecasts and assumptions
based on experience and estimated factors relevant to the nature of the
business activity.

 

Where contingent consideration arises in respect of acquisitions, the best
estimate of further payments to be made is accrued. The actual trading results
may result in different amounts being payable and subsequent adjustments to
the deferred consideration.

 

f)          Provisions

Dilapidations provisions are by their nature specific to individual
properties, can be open to interpretation of the lease terms and to a degree
of estimation in respect of the potential reinstatement costs. As a result,
the outcome of such claims can vary from the provisions made.

g)         Held for sale classification

A critical judgement is made in respect of the point where a disposal group is
classified as held for sale. This was judged to be in October 2025 when an
acceptable offer was received from a buyer with the necessary funds and
exclusivity was granted.

2.         Segmental analysis

The Chief Operating Decision-Maker ('CODM') of the Group is its Board. Each
operating segment regularly reports its performance to the Board which, based
on those reports, allocates resources to and assesses the performance of those
operating segments.

 

The operating segments set out below are the only level for which discrete
information is available or utilised by the CODM.

 

Operating segments and their principal activities are as follows:

 

Aford Awards, a sports trophy and engraving company;

 

Signature Fabrics, comprising Friedman's, a convertor and distributor of
specialist lycra, and Milano International (trading as Milano Pro-Sport), a
designer and manufacturer of leotards;

 

ICA Group, comprising Align, Cook Brown, Hickton Quality Control, Morgan
Lambert and Qualitas Compliance, providers of services to the construction
industry.

 

Group costs, assets and liabilities are not allocated to segments as they
represent costs incurred at Head Office level together with related assets and
liabilities which are primarily funding balances which support the investments
in the trading subsidiary groups.

 

The United Kingdom is the main country of operation from which the Group
derives its revenue and operating profit and is the principal location of the
assets and liabilities of the Group.

 

The Board assesses the performance of each operating segment by a measure of
adjusted earnings before interest, tax, Group costs, depreciation and
amortisation and, when applicable, exceptional costs (EBITDA). Other
information provided to the Board is measured in a manner consistent with that
in the financial statements.

 

i)       Results by segment

                                              Aford    Signature   Held for sale ICA   Total

Awards
Fabrics
Group
Group
                                              2025     2025       2025                 2025
                                              £'000    £'000      £'000                £'000
 Revenue                                      3,851    6,028      22,957               32,836
 Expenses excluding exceptional costs         (3,409)  (5,633)    (20,086)             (29,128)
 Exceptional costs including impairment loss  -        (1,419)    (360)                (1,779)
 Segmental result (EBITDA)                    442      (1,024)    2,511                1,929
 Depreciation and amortisation charge         (176)    (118)      (135)                (429)
 IFRS 16 depreciation                         (106)    (257)      (145)                (508)
 Group costs                                                                           (403)
 Net finance costs (including IFRS 16)                                                 (843)
 (Loss) before taxation                                                                (254)
 Taxation                                                                              (496)
 (Loss) for the year                                                                   (750)

 

                                        Aford    Signature  Held for sale ICA  Total

Awards
Fabrics
Group
Group
                                        2024     2024       2024               2024
                                        £'000    £'000      £'000              £'000
 Revenue                                3,658    6,509      21,391             31,558
 Expenses                               (3,102)  (5,942)    (18,746)           (27,790)
 Segmental result (EBITDA)              556      567        2,645              3,768
 Depreciation and amortisation charge   (151)    (130)      (120)              (401)
 IFRS 16 depreciation                   (90)     (256)      (150)              (496)
 Group costs                                                                   (455)
 Net finance costs (including IFRS 16)                                         (685)
 Profit before taxation                                                        1,731
 Taxation                                                                      (433)
 Profit for the year                                                           1,298

 

ii)             Assets and liabilities by segment as at 31
December

 

                               Segment assets             Segment liabilities               Segment net assets/(liabilities)
                               2025           2024        2025             2024             2025                      2024
                               £'000          £'000       £'000            £'000            £'000                     £'000
 Continuing
 Aford Awards                  3,892          4,087       (1,622)          (1,858)          2,270                     2,229
 Signature Fabrics             5,180          7,016       (3,494)          (3,472)          1,686                     3,544
 Discontinued - held for sale
 ICA Group                     12,735         10,322      (7,888)          (5,958)          4,847                     4,364
 Continuing - unallocated
 CEPS Group                    708            265         (5,454)          (5,436)          (4,746)                   (5,171)

 Total - Group                 22,515         21,690      (18,458)         (16,724)         4,057                     4,966

 

(iii)          Revenue by geographical destination

 

                2025        2024
                £'000       £'000
 UK             31,284      30,038
 Europe         1,169       1,095
 Rest of world  383         425
                32,836      31,558

 

(iv)          Revenue by nature

 

                                            2025        2024
                                            £'000       £'000
 Continuing
 Products - recognised at a point in time   9,879       10,167
 Discontinued - held for sale
 Services - recognised over time delivered  22,957      21,391
                                            32,836      31,558

 

 

3.         Taxation

                                            2025        2024
                                            £'000       £'000
 Analysis of taxation in the year:
 Current tax
 Tax on profits of the year                 541         508
 Tax deducted at source on pension surplus  -           (9)
 Tax in respect of prior years              14          28
 Total current tax                          555         527
 Deferred tax
 Current year deferred tax movement         (63)        (59)
 Tax in respect of prior years              4           (35)
 Total deferred tax                         (59)        (94)
 Total tax charge                           496         433

 

 

The tax assessed for the year is higher than (2024: equal to) the average
standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2024: 25%).

 

 

 Factors affecting tax:
 Loss from continuing operations before tax                                     (2,171)                     (426)
 Profit from discontinued held for sale disposal group                          1,917                       2,157
 (Loss)/profit before taxation                                                  (254)                       1,731
 (Loss)/profit multiplied by the average standard rate of UK tax of 25% (2024:  (64)                        433
 25%)
 Effects of:
 Impairment loss not tax deductible                                             355                         -
 Other expenses not tax deductible                                              86                          15
 Adjustments to tax in prior periods                                            18                          (7)
 Deferred tax not recognised                                                    101                         (8)
 Total tax charge                                                                          496                         433
 Tax attributable to:
 Loss from continuing operations before tax                                     (33)                        (50)
 Profit from discontinued held for sale disposal group                          529                         483
                                                                                           496                         433

 

The corporation tax rate of 25% in the UK continues to be in effect with no
current proposed change. The rate of 25% is accordingly applied to UK deferred
taxation balances at 31 December 2025 (2024: 25%).

 

There are tax losses carried forward in the Company of approximately
£2,000,000 (2024: £2,000,000) and of £2,400,000 in the Group (2024:
£2,100,000).

 

4.         Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated on the loss for the year after taxation
from continuing operations attributable to the owners of the parent of
£1,818,000 (2024: profit of £351,000) and on 21,000,000 (2024: 21,000,000)
ordinary shares, being the weighted number in issue during the year.

 

There are no potentially dilutive shares in the Group.

 

An underlying earnings per share has also been calculated for the year in view
of a number of exceptional one-off and non-recurring expenses that have
occurred in ICA Group Limited in preparation for a sale that occurred post
year end and in view of a significant one-off impairment loss in respect of
the goodwill related to part of the continuing businesses. The ICA Group costs
comprised transaction expenses for an acquisition made in April 2025,
professional fees related to the sale process, together with a share-based
payment charge for shares issued to employees in April 2025.

 

 

 

 

                                              Continuing      Discontinued Held for sale      Total
                                              2025            2025                            2025
                                              £'000           £'000                           £'000

 (Loss)/Profit for the year                   (2,138)         1,388                           (750)
 Impairment loss                              1,419           -                               1,419
 Acquisition expenses                         -               45                              45
 Transaction and restructuring related costs  -               100                             100
 Share based payment charges                  -               215                             215
                                              (719)           1,748                           1,029
                                              115             (723)                           (608)
                                              (604)           1,025                           421
 Underlying earnings per share                (2.88)p         4.88p                           2.00p

                                              Continuing      Discontinued Held for sale      Total
                                              2024            2024                            2024
                                              £'000           £'000                           £'000

 (Loss)/Profit for the year                   (376)           1,674                           1,298
 Pension Scheme Charge                        37              -                               37
 Non-controlling interests                    (339)           1,674                           1,335
                                              (38)            (680)                           (718)
                                              (377)           994                             617
 Underlying earnings per share                (1.79)p         4.73p                           2.94p

 

 

 

5.      Property, plant and equipment

                                    Freehold   Leasehold               Plant       Motor      Total

                                    property   property improvements   And         vehicles

                                                                       machinery
                                    £'000      £'000                   £'000       £'000      £'000

 Cost
 At 1 January 2024                  398        511                     918         -          1,827
 Additions at cost                  -          1                       135         6          142
 Transfer from right of use assets  -          -                       105         -
 Disposals                          -          -                       (94)        -          (94)
 At 31 December 2024                398        512                     1,064       6          1,980
 Additions at cost                  -          36                      133         -          169
 On acquisition                     -          -                       3           -          3
 Disposals                          -          -                       (42)        -          (42)
 Transfer to held for sale assets   -          (149)                   (631)       -          (780)
 At 31 December 2025                398        399                     527         6          1,330

 Accumulated depreciation
 At 1 January 2024                  8          322                     523         -          853
 Charge for the year                8          42                      150         1          201
 Transfer from right of use assets  -          -                       71          -
 Disposals                          -          -                       (76)        -          (76)
 At 31 December 2024                16         364                     668         1          1,049
 Charge for the year                8          40                      149         1          198
 Disposals                          -          -                       (40)        -          (40)
 Transfer to held for sale assets   -          (115)                   (488)       -          (603)
 At 31 December 2025                24         289                     289         2          604

 Net book amount
 At 31 December 2025                374        110                     238         4          726
 At 31 December 2024                382        148                     396         5          931

 

6.         Right-of-use assets

                                         Leasehold  Plant       Motor      Total

                                         property   And         vehicles

                                                    machinery
                                         £'000      £'000       £'000      £'000

 Cost
 At 1 January 2024                       2,421      492         197        3,110
 Additions at cost                       98         156         39         293
 Transfer to owned fixed assets          -          (105)       -
 Disposals at the end of the lease term  (80)       (33)        -          (113)
 At 31 December 2024                     2,439      510         236        3,185
 Additions at cost                       297        147         -          444
 Disposals at the end of the lease term  -          (30)        -          (30)
 Transfer to held for sale assets        (692)      -           (192)      (884)
 At 31 December 2025                     2,044      627         44         2,715

 Accumulated depreciation
 At 1 January 2024                       898        178         9          1,085
 Charge for the year                     330        106         59         495
 Transfer to owned fixed assets          -          (71)        -          (71)
 Disposals at the end of the lease term  (80)       (4)         -          (84)
 At 31 December 2024                     1,148      209         68         1,425
 Charge for the year                     356        102         59         517
 Disposals at the end of the lease term  -          (30)        -          (30)
 Transfer to held for sale assets        (318)      -           (106)      (424)
 At 31 December 2025                     1,186      281         21         1,488

 Net book amount
 At 31 December 2025                     858        346         23         1,227
 At 31 December 2024                     1,291      301         168        1,760

 

At the year end, assets held under hire purchase contracts and capitalised as
plant and machinery right-of-use assets have a net book value of £368,000
(2024: £330,000).

The depreciation of £108,000 (2024: £96,000) in respect of these has been
charged to cost of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income.

 

7.         Business combinations and held for sale disposal group

Acquisition in 2025 of Align Building Control Limited and Align Group (UK)
Limited

 

On 1 April 2025, a subsidiary, ICA Group Limited, acquired Align Building
Control Limited and Align Group (UK) Limited. These provide building control
services.

 

The acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method of
accounting. All book values were considered to represent book values with a
fair value adjustment made in respect of customer relationships amounting to
£133,000 together with a related deferred tax liability of £33,000. Goodwill
of £1,369,000 arises primarily in respect of the workforce skills and their
ability to generate income. Acquisition expenses of £45,000 were incurred and
have been expensed as an exceptional administrative cost in the year.

 

The following table shows the fair value of assets and liabilities included in
the consolidated statements at the date of acquisition:

                                        Fair value
                                        £'000
 Identifiable assets and liabilities
 Intangible assets                      133
 Tangible fixed assets                  3
 Debtors                                134
 Corporation tax                        12
 Cash                                   155
 Creditors                              (271)
 Bank loans                             (25)
 Deferred taxation                      (33)
                                        108
 Goodwill                               1,369
                                                  1,477
 Consideration
 Cash consideration paid at completion  899
 Loan notes issued to seller            118
 Deferred consideration                 460
                                        1,477

 

The cash outflow at the date of acquisition, net of the cash acquired, was
£744,000. Deferred consideration payable over three years is included in
other payables.

 

The acquired companies contributed £1,365,000 of revenue for the nine months
in 2025 after the acquisition date and a profit of £375,000 before tax
(excluding the amortisation of intangible assets). If it had been included
from 1 January 2025, Group revenue would have been £516,000 higher and the
profit before tax approximately £95,000 higher.

 

£68,000 of deferred consideration was also paid subsequently in 2025 together
with £88,000 of deferred consideration in respect of businesses acquired in
earlier periods.

 

 

Acquisition in 2024 of Millennium Awards Limited trading as Online Trophies

 

On 11 November 2024, a subsidiary, Aford Awards Limited, acquired the trade
and customer lists of Millennium Awards Limited. This supplies trophies,
awards and medals.

 

This acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting.
Fair value adjustments were made in respect of customer relationships
amounting to all of the consideration of £138,000, together with a related
deferred tax liability of £34,000, resulting in goodwill of £34,000.

 

The following table shows the fair value of assets and liabilities included in
the consolidated statements at the date of acquisition:

 

                                        Fair value
                                        £'000
 Identifiable assets and liabilities
 Intangible assets                      138
 Deferred taxation                      (34)
                                        104
 Goodwill                               34
                                        138
 Consideration
 Cash consideration paid at completion  35
 Deferred contingent consideration      103
                                        138

 

The cash outflow at the date of acquisition was £35,000 with forecast
deferred contingent consideration payable of £103,000 contingent on sales
over the five years following the acquisition. Deferred consideration is
included in other payables.

 

The business contributed £11,000 of revenue for the two months in 2024 after
the acquisition date. It is integrated into the overall Aford Awards business
and generates similar margins. If it had been included from 1 January 2024,
Group revenue would have been £130,000 higher and operating profit
approximately £50,000 higher.

 

£137,000 of deferred consideration was also paid in 2024 in respect of
businesses acquired in earlier periods.

 

Held for sale disposal group

 

The Group decided to sell and realise its shareholding in the ICA Group
Limited in 2025 and the sale became highly probable once an acceptable offer
and exclusivity was agreed with Certania Holding GmbH in October 2025. Whilst
not subject to an unconditional contract in the year, the sale was concluded
on 6 March 2026 and, in accordance with the commitment to sell made before 31
December 2025, the assets and liabilities of this disposal group are recorded
as held for sale. The trading results are presented as discontinued activity
and, in view of the size of this segment compared to the continuing
businesses, this is shown on the face of the Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income.

 

The assets and liabilities of the ICA Group held for sale at 31 December 2025
are as follows:

 

 Assets                                                                          £'000
 Property, plant and equipment                                                   177
 Right of use assets                                                             460
 Intangible assets including goodwill                                            7,677
 Trade and other receivables                                                     4,122
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                       299

 Assets relating to disposal group classified as held for sale                   12,735

 Liabilities
 Non-current liabilities
 Borrowings                                                                      (1,453)
 Lease liabilities                                                               (358)
 Trade and other payables                                                        (254)
 Deferred tax liability                                                          (82)

 Current liabilities
 Borrowings                                                                      (1,208)
 Lease liabilities                                                               (125)
 Trade and other payables                                                        (2,975)
 Current tax liabilities                                                         (1,433)

 Liabilities relating to disposal group classified as held for sale              (7,888)

 The cash flows from the disposal group held for sale were as follows:

                                                                                 Year ended 31 December 2025  Year ended 31 December 2024
                                                                                 £'000                        £'000

 Net cash generated from operations                                              2,253                        2,225
 Net cash used in investing activities                                           (1,171)                      (86)
 Net cash used in financing actives                                              (832)                        (2,122)

 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                       250                          17

 

 

 

 8.         Intangible assets             Business combination assets

                                          Goodwill    Customer relationship assets  Website         Software, licences and website assets  Total

                                                                                    assets
                                          £'000       £'000                         £'000           £'000                                  £'000

 Cost
 At 1 January 2024                        10,942      981                           190             512                                    12,625
 On acquisition                           34          138                           -               -                                      172
 Additions at cost                        -           -                             -               32                                     32
 At 31 December 2024                      10,976      1,119                         190             544                                    12,829
 On acquisition                           1,369       133                           -               -                                      1,502
 Additions at cost                        -           -                             -               203                                    203
 Transfer to held for sale assets         (7,308)     (483)                                         (341)                                  (8,132)
 At 31 December 2025                      5,037       769                           190             406                                    6,402

 Accumulated amortisation and impairment
 At 1 January 2024                        172         480                           65              303                                    1,020
 Amortisation charge                      -           128                           38              40                                     206
 At 31 December 2024                      172         608                           103             343                                    1,226
 Amortisation charge                      -           160                           38              38                                     236
 Impairment charge                        1,419       -                             -               -                                      1,419
 Transfer to held for sale assets         (172)       (220)                                         (63)                                   (455)
 At 31 December 2025                      1,419       548                           141             318                                    2,426

 Net book amount
 At 31 December 2025                      3,618       221                           49              88                                     3,976
 At 31 December 2024                      10,804      511                           87              201                                    11,603

 

Goodwill is not amortised under IFRS, but is subject to impairment testing.
Any impairment charges are included in administration expenses and separately
disclosed.

 

Customer relationship related assets and other intangibles in respect of
computer software, website costs and licences are amortised over their
estimated economic lives. The annual amortisation charge is expensed to cost
of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

Impairment tests for goodwill

 

The Group tests goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary annually
for impairment or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill may
be impaired.

 

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the Group's
cash generating units (CGUs) on a business segment basis where businesses are
fully integrated and by company where they are identifiable within a segment.
The ICA Group goodwill has been fully realised and with a profit arising on
disposal post year end.

 

 

                      Continuing Operations           Held for sale
                      Aford     Friedman's  Milano    ICA            Total

Awards

                                                      Group
                      £'000     £'000       £'000     £'000          £'000
 Goodwill
 At 31 December 2025  1,871     1,483       264       7,136          10,754
 At 31 December 2024  1,871     1,483       1,683     5,767          10,804

 

 

 

The recoverable amount of each CGU is based on value-in-use calculations.
These calculations use cash flow projections based on financial budgets
approved by management covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond five
years are assumed to increase only by a long-term growth rate of 2.5%. A
discount rate of 13.4% has been applied to Friedman's, 16.1% to Milano
International and 14.2% to Aford Awards, representing the estimated post-tax
cost of capital (2024: 13.7%).

 

The increased discount rates reflect a revised market based debt to equity
ratio (lower than the actual ratios within the CGUs which utilise significant
shareholder fixed rate debt) and higher CGU specific risk premiums in 2025.

 

Management has determined the budgeted revenue growth and gross margins based
on past performance and their expectations of market developments in the
future. Long-term growth rates are based on the UK long-term growth rate and
management's general expectations for the relevant CGU. The applied discount
rate is also a key judgement in the calculation.

 

The Milano International business has encountered more difficult trading
conditions and markets, with a loss incurred in 2025, and the 31 December 2025
impairment test indicated an impairment of £1,419,000 which has been recorded
against the respective goodwill of £1,871,000.

 

An increase of 1% in the discount rate would increase the impairment by
£70,000. In respect of Friedman's, the goodwill would only be impaired if the
discount rate was 2% higher.

 

In respect of Aford Awards, the value-in-use calculation gives rise to
sufficient headroom such that reasonable changes in the key assumptions do not
eliminate the headroom.

 

 

9.            Share capital and share premium

 

                               Number of shares  Ordinary £0.10 shares   Share premium  Total
                                                 £'000                   £'000          £'000

 At 31 December 2023           21,000,000        2,100                   7,017          9,117
 Capital reduction                               (2,037)                 (7,017)        (9,054)
 At 31 December 2024 and 2025  21,000,000        63                      -              63

 

In March 2024, a special resolution was passed to reduce the nominal value of
each share from 10 pence to 0.3 pence and to cancel the share premium
resulting in a total nominal value of £63,000, no share premium and with an
amount of £9,054,000 transferred to retained earnings.

 

 

10.          Related Party Transactions

During the year the Company entered into the following transactions with its
subsidiaries.

 

                                      Aford Awards          Group Holdings     Limited               Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited         and subsidiaries          ICA Group Limited subsidiaries
                                      £'000                                                          £'000                                                                £'000
 Loan interest receivable
 - 2025                               76                                                             260                                                                  112
 - 2024                               76                                                             85                                                                   184
 Management charge income receivable
 - 2025                               20                                                             35                                                                   25
 - 2024                               20                                                             35                                                                   25
 Dividends received
 - 2025                               -                                                              -                                                                    -
 - 2024                               -                                                              83                                                                   -
 Amount owed to the Company
 - 31 December 2025                   1,235                                                                         3,381                                                           1,254
 - 31 December 2024                   1,235                                                                         3,384                                                           1,864

 

 

The Company is under the control of its shareholders and not any one
individual party.

 

The restructuring of the Signature Fabrics group on 29 October 2024 with a new
intermediate holding company, Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited, used to
acquire Signature Fabrics Limited, resulted in £2,132,500 of loan notes being
issued to the Company, increasing the amounts receivable from this sub group.
As part of the transaction D and H Kaitiff reduced their shareholdings from a
combined 45% to 25% and received the new loan notes of £390,000 and
£577,500. D Kaitiff also received £710,000 in cash for his shares and was
owed a further £100,000, left as a short term loan at 31 December 2024 and
2025. A provision of £860,000 has been made against the loan notes receivable
(2024: no provision).

 

At the year end the parent company owed a loan of £2,950,000 (2024:
£2,950,000) and accrued interest of £nil (2024: £nil) to an entity with
common shareholders and interest of £147,000 (2024: £146,000) was charged on
this loan during the year. The loan is guaranteed by D A Horner. This entity
also recharged the parent company £4,000 (2024: £17,000) in respect of staff
time utilised.

 

At the year end the Company owed £2,000,000 to a third party (2024:
£2,000,000). Interest of £165,000 (2023: £140,000) was charged on the third
party loan during the year. The loan is guaranteed by D A Horner.

 

At the year end the Company owed £nil (2024: £nil) to a director, D A
Horner. A loan of £192,000 was unsecured, interest free and repaid in 2024.

 

At the year end amounts owed to directors of subsidiary companies and their
close family members in respect of acquisition loan notes amounted to
£2,071,000 (2024: £2,386,000). Interest payable on these loans in the year
amounted to £169,000 (2024: £144,000).

 

At the year end amounts owed to directors of subsidiary companies in relation
to loans amounted to £240,000 (2024: £240,000). Interest paid on these loans
in the year amounted to £7,000 (2024: £7,000).

 

These amounts are analysed below:

 

 At 31 December 2025                                                          Amount  Interest  Interest
 Related party        Company                             Position            £'000   £'000     %
 R Ferguson           Aford Awards Limited                Director            62      4         7
 R Ferguson           Aford Awards Limited                Director            90      5         5
 P Wood               Aford Awards Limited                Director            63      4         7
 P Wood               Aford Awards Limited                Director            50      3         5
 J Ford               Aford Awards (Holdings) Limited       Former Director   69      6         8
 D Kaitiff            Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited    Former Director   390     31        8
 D Kaitiff            Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited    Former Director   100     -         -
 H Kaitiff            Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited  Director            578     46        8
 M Brown              ICA Group Limited                   Director            219     20        8
 J Cook               ICA Group Limited                   Director            311     28        8
 A Mobbs              ICA Group Limited                     Former Director   149     13        8
 J Pryke              ICA Group Limited                   Director            230     17        8
                                                                              2,311   177
 At 31 December 2024                                                          Amount  Interest  Interest
 Related party        Company                             Position            £'000   £'000     %
 R Ferguson           Aford Awards Limited                Director            62      4         7
 R Ferguson           Aford Awards Limited                Director            90      5         5
 P Wood               Aford Awards Limited                Director            63      4         7
 P Wood               Aford Awards Limited                Director            50      3         5
 J Ford               Aford Awards (Holdings) Limited       Former Director   90      7         8
 D Kaitiff            Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited    Former Director   390     5         8
 D Kaitiff            Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited    Former Director   100     -         -
 H Kaitiff            Signature Fabrics Holdings Limited  Director            578     8         8
 M Brown              ICA Group Limited                   Director            328     33        8
 J Cook               ICA Group Limited                   Director            451     42        8
 A Mobbs              ICA Group Limited                     Former Director   223     22        8
 J Pryke              ICA Group Limited                   Director            201     18        8
                                                                              2,626   151

 

 

11.          Post balance sheet events

On 6 March 2026 a subsidiary, ICA Group Limited, was sold to the Certania
Holding GmbH. Loans of £1,250,000 owed by ICA Group to the Company were
repaid together with interest to that date and the Company received proceeds,
net of transaction costs, of £12,400,000 for its investment in the shares. A
profit of approximately £11,000,000 was realised in the Group accounts.

On 10 March 2026, loan liabilities of £2,000,000 and £2,950,000 were repaid
by the Company, utilising £4,950,000 of the cash proceeds from the ICA
disposal.

 

12.          Distribution of the Annual Report and Notice of AGM

A copy of the Annual Report 2025, together with a notice of the Company's
Annual General Meeting ('AGM') to be held at 11:30am on Monday 15 June 2026 at
11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL, will be sent to all shareholders on Wednesday 13
May 2026,  Further copies will be available to the public from the Company
Secretary at the Company's registered address at 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL
and from the Group website, www.cepsplc.com (http://www.cepsplc.com) .

 

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.   END  FR UAORRNRUVAUR



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