HELIOS_INVESTMENT_PARTNER - Accounts

The members present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The principal activity of the LLP during the year was providing advisory services relating to investments in Africa.

The profit for the year before members' fixed annual remuneration and residual profit shares was £4,613,715 (2018: £4,063,107).

The partnership is exposed to financial risk through its assets and liabilities. Due to the partnership's business and the assets and liabilities contained in the partnership's balance sheet, the only financial risks that the members consider relevant are currency risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk.

Currency risk is mitigated by the partnership through the holding of cash in the respective currencies of the partnership's underlying obligations. Liquidity and cash flow risks are mitigated by the partnership through the regular reviewing of its current and future liquidity and cash flow requirements. The partnership has a contractual agreement with three of its main customers, all of whom are related entities with which it has a close working relationship that enables it to draw down advisory fees as they are earned.

Members are permitted to make drawings in anticipation of profits which will be allocated to them. The amount of such drawings is set at the beginning of each financial year, taking into account the anticipated cash needs of the LLP.

New members are required to subscribe a minimum level of capital and in subsequent years members are invited to subscribe for further capital, the amounts of which is determined by the performance and seniority of those members. On retirement, capital is repaid to members, subject to an overriding provision that this would not lead to a breach in the LLP's FCA requirements.

The designated members who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The auditor, Arnold Hill & Co LLP, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

Each of the members in office at the date of approval of this annual report confirms that:

•     so far as the members are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the limited liability partnership's auditor is unaware, and

•     the members have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as members in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the limited liability partnership's auditor is aware of that information.

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

Company law (as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008) requires the members to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the members have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Under company law (as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008) the members must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the limited liability partnership and of the profit or loss of the limited liability partnership for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the members are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the limited liability partnership will continue in business.

The members are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the limited liability partnership’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the limited liability partnership and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 (as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the limited liability partnership and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

We have audited the financial statements of Helios Investment Partners LLP (the 'LLP') for the year ended 31 December 2019 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the reconciliation of members' interests, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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 LLP's affairs as at 31 December 2019 and of its 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 as applied to limited liability partnerships by the Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008.

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 LLP 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

The rapid and fluid development of the COVID-19 virus and its impact on the global economy and businesses around the world (as explained in note 1 to the financial statements), indicate the existence of uncertainty which may cast doubt about the LLP’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the LLP was unable to continue as a going concern.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

• the members' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or

• the members have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the LLP’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Other information

The members are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the members' report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 as applied to limited liability partnerships requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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

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

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

As explained more fully in the members' responsibilities statement, the members are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the members determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the members are responsible for assessing the LLP’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 members either intend to liquidate the LLP or to cease operations, or have 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.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://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 limited liability partnership's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 as applied by the Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the LLP'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 LLP and the LLP's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

The Profit And Loss Account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

There are no recognised gains and losses other than those passing through the Profit and Loss Account.

Helios Investment Partners LLP is a limited liability partnership domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 2nd Floor, 12 Charles II Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 4QU.

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting by Limited Liability Partnerships' issued in July 2014, together 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 LLP. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

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

Having reviewed the LLP's financial forecasts and expected future cash flows, the members have a reasonable expectation that the LLP has adequate resources to continue in operation existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the members continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Additionally, COVID-19 is a developing situation and as of 31 December 2019, the assessment of this situation will need continued attention and will evolve over time. In the view of the Members, consistent with many others in our industry, COVID-19 is considered to be a non-adjusting event after the reporting year and no adjustment is made in the financial statements as a result.

The turnover shown in the profit and loss account represents the fees earned during the year for advisory services exclusive of Value Added Tax, and all other sales discounts.

If, at the Balance sheet date, completion of contractual obligations is dependent on external factors (and thus outside the control of the Limited Liability Partnership), then revenue is recognised only when the event occurs. In such cases, costs incurred up to the Balance sheet date are carried forward as work in progress.

Members' participation rights are the rights of a member against the LLP that arise under the members' agreement (for example, in respect of amounts subscribed or otherwise contributed remuneration and profits).

Members' participation rights in the earnings or assets of the LLP are analysed between those that are, from the LLP's perspective, either a financial liability or equity, in accordance with section 22 of FRS 102. A member's participation rights including amounts subscribed or otherwise contributed by members, for example members' capital, are classed as liabilities unless the LLP has an unconditional right to refuse payment to members, in which case they are classified as equity.

All amounts due to members that are classified as liabilities are presented within 'Loans and other debts due to members' and, where such an amount relates to current year profits, they are recognised within ‘Members' remuneration charged as an expense’ in arriving at the relevant year’s result. Undivided amounts that are classified as equity are shown within ‘Members' other interests’. Amounts recoverable from members are presented as debtors and shown as amounts due from members within members’ interests.

Where there exists an asset and liability component in respect of an individual member’s participation rights, they are presented on a gross basis unless the LLP has both a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts, and it intends either to settle on a net basis or to settle and realise these amounts simultaneously, in which case they are presented net.

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

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.

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

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

The LLP 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 LLP's statement of financial position when the LLP 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.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the LLP 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 limited liability partnership after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables, bank loans and loans from fellow limited liability partnership companies 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 receipts discounted at a market rate of interest.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts 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 payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the limited liability partnership’s obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Equity instruments issued by the limited liability partnership are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the limited liability partnership.

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 limited liability partnership 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.

The limited liability partnership operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees.

Contributions payable are charged to the profit and loss account in the year they are payable.

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

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation are included in the profit and loss account for the period.

Reimbursed deal costs

Certain costs relating to deals incurred by the LLP are reimbursed by the General Partners, and as such are not shown in the profit and loss account as expenses of the LLP.

In the application of the limited liability partnership’s accounting policies, the members are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

An analysis of the limited liability partnership's turnover is as follows:

Exchange differences recognised in profit or loss during the year, except for those arising on financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss, amounted to £122 (2018 - £7,527).

The average number of persons (excluding members) employed by the partnership during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Other debtors include an amount of £415,288 (2018: £415,288) in relation to rental deposits due in greater than one year.

The LLP operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the LLP in an independently administered fund.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £40,016 (2018 - £29,231).

In the event of a winding up the amounts included in "Loans and other debts due to members" will rank equally with unsecured creditors.

At the reporting end date the limited liability partnership had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Helios Investment Partners LLP ("the LLP") is under control of four of its designated members: Mr T Lawani, Mr B Soyoye, Mr P Cunningham and Ms C Drews.

During the year the LLP earned advisory fees of £16,644,700 (2018: 15,257,888), £5,992,092 from Helios Investors GenPar II LP (“GenPar II LP”) and £10,652,608 from Helios Investors GenPar III LP (“GenPar II LP”), all related entities. During the year the LLP earned 36% of it's advisory fees from from GenPar II LP (2018: 36%) and 64% (2018: 64%) from GenPar III LP.

The LLP owed Genpar LP £1,174,380 as at 31 December 2019 (2018: £1,174,380) in relation to prepaid advisory fees.

As at 31 December 2019, the LLP was owed £3,484,239 (2018: £3,841,171) from Genpar II LP in relation to advisory fees and rechargeable costs.

As at 31 December 2019, the LLP was owed £129,358 from Genpar III LP in relation to advisory fees and rechargeable costs (2018: £181,042).

Following the resignation of HIP Holdings Ltd as a member of the LLP on 31 December 2018, £903,760 has been reallocated to other creditors from amounts due to members in the current period. £500,000 of this balance has been allocated as a long term creditor and is considered to be a subordinated loan to ensure that the LLP continues to meet its capital requirements as an entity regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.