ACCOUNTS - Final Accounts


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Registered number: 556533










THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED










ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

COMPANY INFORMATION


DIRECTORS
Mark Pears CBE 
Sir Trevor Pears CMG 
David Pears 
WPG Registrars Limited 




COMPANY SECRETARY
William Bennett



REGISTERED NUMBER
556533



REGISTERED OFFICE
Ground Floor
30 City Road

London

EC1Y 2AB




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Arram Berlyn Gardner LLP
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

Ground Floor

30 City Road

London EC1Y 2AB





 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

CONTENTS



Page
Strategic Report
1
Directors' Report
2 - 3
Independent  Auditors' Report
4 - 6
Statement of Comprehensive Income
7
Statement of Financial Position
8
Statement of Changes in Equity
9
Notes to the Financial Statements
10 - 23


 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

INTRODUCTION
 
The directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2020. 

BUSINESS REVIEW
 
The level of business and the financial position at the year end were satisfactory. The directors consider the Company is well positioned for business in the future. This report only covers the company’s activities carrying out the administration and management of its group and associated companies.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
 
The principal risk for the Company is a fall in the value of investments and securities owned which would reduce profits. 

FINANCIAL KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
 
During the year turnover has remained at £5.2m (2019 - £5.2m) and the book value of securities amounted to £114.3m (2019  -  £114.4m). 
During the year net current liabilities increased by 0.7% to £324.6m (2019 - £322.2m) due to a decrease in current assets and current liabilities by £6.4m and £4.0m respectively.
 

 



This report was approved by the board on 25 January 2021 and signed on its behalf.



David Pears
Director

Page 1

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2020.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
 
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.

 In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:


select suitable accounting policies for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;

make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The Company is engaged in the administration and management of its group and associated companies, property dealing through its subsidiaries and joint venture arrangements and share dealing.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £15,023,581 (2019 - £17,259,039).

The Company paid dividends £17,002,000 (2019 - £16,949,000) to its holding company for the year under review.

DIRECTORS

The directors who served during the year were:

Mark Pears CBE 
Sir Trevor Pears CMG 
David Pears 
WPG Registrars Limited 

Page 2

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020


FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The directors consider the Company is well positioned for business in the future.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:
 
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditors are unaware, and

the director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditorsArram Berlyn Gardner LLPwill be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.

This report was approved by the board on 25 January 2021 and signed on its behalf.
 





William Bennett
Secretary

Page 3

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

OPINION


We have audited the financial statements of The William Pears Group of Companies Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 30 April 2020, which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policiesThe financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).


In our opinion the financial statements:


give a true and fair view of the state of the Company's affairs as at 30 April 2020 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.



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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council'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


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

the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the Company'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 directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Auditors' 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.
 
Page 4

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED (CONTINUED)



OTHER INFORMATION (continued)
In connection with our audit of the financial statementsour 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.


OPINIONS ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:


the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.



MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION
 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.


We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:


adequate accounting records have not been kept, 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

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

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


RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS
 

As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement on page 2, the directors 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 directors 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 directors are responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.


Page 5

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED (CONTINUED)

AUDITORS' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

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 Auditors' 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: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.


USE OF OUR REPORT
 

This report is made solely to the Company's members in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' 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 Company and the Company's members for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





Ian Hughes ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of
Arram Berlyn Gardner LLP
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Ground Floor
30 City Road
London EC1Y 2AB

27 January 2021
Page 6

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

2020
2019
Note
£
£

  

Turnover
 4 
5,182,642
5,219,849

GROSS PROFIT
  
5,182,642
5,219,849

Administrative expenses
  
(35,889,670)
(30,329,179)

OPERATING LOSS
 5 
(30,707,028)
(25,109,330)

Income from shares in group companies
  
39,600,000
36,200,000

Income from participating interests
 6 
14,095,739
14,036,803

Interest receivable and similar income
 9 
248,424
234,724

Interest payable and similar charges
 10 
(8,219,948)
(8,103,158)

PROFIT BEFORE TAX
  
15,017,187
17,259,039

Tax on profit
 11 
6,394
-

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
  
15,023,581
17,259,039

  

  

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
  
15,023,581
17,259,039

The notes on pages 10 to 23 form part of these financial statements.

Page 7

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER:556533

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 30 APRIL 2020

2020
2019
Note
£
£

FIXED ASSETS
  

Tangible assets
 13 
1,292,798
1,468,935

Investments
 14 
331,634,323
331,634,323

  
332,927,121
333,103,258

CURRENT ASSETS
  

Debtors:amounts falling due within one year
 15 
8,524,172
6,757,295

Current asset investments
 16 
114,277,686
114,430,635

Cash at bank and in hand
  
3,639,411
11,645,414

  
126,441,269
132,833,344

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 17 
(451,033,369)
(455,023,162)

NET CURRENT LIABILITIES
  
 
 
(324,592,100)
 
 
(322,189,818)

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
  
8,335,021
10,913,440

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 18 
(1,650,000)
(2,250,000)

  

NET ASSETS
  
6,685,021
8,663,440


CAPITAL AND RESERVES
  

Called up share capital 
 19 
21,510
21,510

Profit and loss account
 20 
6,663,511
8,641,930

TOTAL EQUITY
  
6,685,021
8,663,440


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 25 January 2021.




David Pears
Director

The notes on pages 10 to 23 form part of these financial statements.

Page 8

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020


Share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£

At 1 May 2019
21,510
8,641,930
8,663,440


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Profit for the year
-
15,023,581
15,023,581
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
-
15,023,581
15,023,581

Dividends: Equity capital
-
(17,002,000)
(17,002,000)


AT 30 APRIL 2020
21,510
6,663,511
6,685,021


The notes on pages 10 to 23 form part of these financial statements.


STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2019


Share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£

At 1 May 2018
21,510
8,331,891
8,353,401


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Profit for the year
-
17,259,039
17,259,039
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
-
17,259,039
17,259,039

Dividends: Equity capital
-
(16,949,000)
(16,949,000)


AT 30 APRIL 2019
21,510
8,641,930
8,663,440


The notes on pages 10 to 23 form part of these financial statements.

Page 9

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

1.


GENERAL INFORMATION

The William Pears Group of Companies Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Ground floor, 30 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AB. The principal place of business is Haskell House,152 West End Lane, London NW6 1SD.

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES


 
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies (see note 3).

The Company is itself a subsidiary company and is exempt from the requirement to prepare group
accounts by virtue of section 400 of the Companies Act 2006. These financial statements therefore
present information about the company as an individual undertaking and not about its group.

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

 
2.2

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these
financial statements, as permitted by the FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland":

the requirements of Section 4 Statement of Financial Position paragraph 4.12(a)(iv);
the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
the requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments paragraphs 11.41(b), 11.41(c), 11.41(e), 11.42,11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c) ;
the requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7.
This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of William Pears Group Limited as at 30 April 2020 and these financial statements may be obtained from Companies House.

 
2.3

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis even though the company has net current liabilities of £324,592,100 (2019 - £322,189,818). The validity of the going concern concept is dependent on the continuing support from creditors. The directors believe that the going concern concept is applicable as the company will be able to meet its debts as and when they fall due, as they are confident that the principal creditors will continue to provide support as required for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements.
 

Page 10

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

 
2.4

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

The Company's functional and presentational currency is GBP and rounded to the nearest £1.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within 'finance income or costs'. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in profit or loss within 'other operating income'.

 
2.5

Turnover

Turnover is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the turnover can be reliably measured. Turnover is measured as the fair value of profit shares, management fees receivable and other dealing activities. 

 
2.6

Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the lessee's benefit from the use of the leased asset.

 
2.7

Interest income

Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

 
2.8

Finance costs

Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

 
2.9

Borrowing costs

All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the year in which they are incurred.

Page 11

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

  
2.10

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

 
2.11

Pensions

Defined contribution pension plan

The Company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Company has no further payment obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Statement of Financial Position. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Company in independently administered funds.

 
2.12

Taxation

Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the Company operates and generates income.

 
2.13

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, on a reducing balance basis.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Motor vehicles
-
25%
Fixtures & fittings
-
15%
Computer equipment
-
25%

The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.

Page 12

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

 
2.14

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

Investments in unlisted company shares or other types of investments, whose market value can be reliably determined, are remeasured to market value at each balance sheet date. Gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the period. Where market value cannot be reliably determined, such investments are stated at historic cost less impairment.

Investments in listed company shares are remeasured to market value at each Statement of Financial Position date. Gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in Statement of Comprehensive Income for the period.

 
2.15

Associates and Joint Ventures

Associates and Joint Ventures are held at cost less impairment.

 
2.16

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

 
2.17

Creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. 

 
2.18

Financial instruments


The Company only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, and other third parties and loans to related parties.

Debt instruments (other than those wholly repayable or receivable within one year), including loans and other accounts receivable and payable, are initially measured at present value of the future cash flows and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Debt instruments that are payable or receivable within one year, typically trade debtors and creditors, are measured, initially and subsequently, at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received. However, if the arrangements of a short-term instrument constitute a financing transaction, like the payment of a trade debt deferred beyond normal business terms or in case of an out-right short-term loan that is not at market rate, the financial asset or liability is measured, initially at the present value of future cash flows discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument and subsequently at amortised cost, unless it qualifies as a loan from a director in the case of a small company, or a public benefit entity concessionary loan.

Financial assets that are measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. If a financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract.

Page 13

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)


2.18
Financial instruments (continued)

For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and best estimate of the recoverable amount, which is an approximation of the amount that the Company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the Statement of Financial Position when there is an 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.

 
2.19

Dividends

Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an annual general meeting.


3.



JUDGMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

The Company's significant accounting policies are stated in note 2 above. These accounting policies do not require management to make subjective or complex judgments or estimates.
 

Page 14

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

4.


TURNOVER


The turnover of the Company for the year has been derived from its principal activities wholly undertaken in the United Kingdom and comprises the following:


2020
2019
£
£


Management fees receivable
4,240,650
3,908,354

Profit on share dealing activities
147,115
2,639

Share of profits from subsidiary undertakings
647,813
1,001,314

Other share of loss
(19,637)
(12,109)

Other income
166,701
319,651

5,182,642
5,219,849





5.


OPERATING LOSS

The operating loss is stated after charging:

2020
2019
£
£

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
245,973
288,234

Fees payable to the Company's auditor and its associates for the audit of the company's annual accounts
45,755
44,680

Foreign exchange loss
83,653
40,675

Operating leases
851,739
868,896

Defined contribution pension cost
141,752
117,423

Charitable donations
22,516,026
18,029,120


6.


INCOME FROM PARTICIPATING INTERESTS

2020
2019
£
£


Dividend received on preference shares
14,095,739
14,036,803

14,095,739
14,036,803


Page 15

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

7.


EMPLOYEES

Staff costs, including directors' remuneration, were as follows:


2020
2019
£
£

Wages and salaries
7,288,421
6,743,597

Social security costs
984,074
897,027

Cost of defined contribution scheme
141,752
117,423

8,414,247
7,758,047


The average monthly number of employees, including the directors, during the year was as follows:


        2020
        2019
            No.
            No.







Administrative staff
46
47


8.


DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION

2020
2019
£
£

Directors' emoluments
3,000,000
3,000,000

3,000,000
3,000,000


The highest paid director received remuneration of £3,000,000 (2019 - £3,000,000).


9.


INTEREST RECEIVABLE AND SIMILAR INCOME

2020
2019
£
£


Interest receivable from group companies
4,884
737

Bank deposit and other interest receivable
243,540
233,987

248,424
234,724

Page 16

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

10.


INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR CHARGES

2020
2019
£
£


Other loan interest payable
4,900,013
4,721,147

Loans from group undertakings
3,319,886
3,382,011

Other interest payable
49
-

8,219,948
8,103,158


11.


TAXATION


2020
2019
£
£

CORPORATION TAX


Adjustments in respect of previous periods
(6,394)
-


Total current tax
(6,394)
-

FACTORS AFFECTING TAX CHARGE FOR THE YEAR

The tax assessed for the year is lower than (2019 - lower than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2019 - 19%). The differences are explained below:

2020
2019
£
£


Profit on ordinary activities before tax
15,017,187
17,259,039


Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2019 - 19%)
2,853,266
3,279,217

EFFECTS OF:


Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
31,334
35,723

Depreciation for the year in excess of capital allowances
18,643
31,906

Adjustments to tax charge in respect of prior periods
(6,394)
-

Non-taxable income
(10,202,190)
(9,544,993)

Group relief
7,298,947
6,198,147

TOTAL TAX CREDIT FOR THE YEAR
(6,394)
-


FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE TAX CHARGES

There were no factors that may affect future tax charges.



Page 17

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

12.


DIVIDENDS

2020
2019
£
£


Dividends paid
17,002,000
16,949,000

17,002,000
16,949,000


13.


TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS





Motor vehicles
Fixtures & fittings
Computer equipment
Total

£
£
£
£



COST OR VALUATION


At 1 May 2019
194,065
4,784,795
1,112,355
6,091,215


Additions
41,740
29,297
-
71,037


Disposals
(9,000)
-
-
(9,000)



At 30 April 2020

226,805
4,814,092
1,112,355
6,153,252



DEPRECIATION


At 1 May 2019
110,605
3,515,643
996,032
4,622,280


Charge for the year on owned assets
22,126
194,767
29,080
245,973


Disposals
(7,799)
-
-
(7,799)



At 30 April 2020

124,932
3,710,410
1,025,112
4,860,454



NET BOOK VALUE



At 30 April 2020
101,873
1,103,682
87,243
1,292,798



At 30 April 2019
83,460
1,269,152
116,323
1,468,935

Page 18

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

14.


FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS





Investments in subsidiary companies
Investments in associates
Unlisted investments
Trade investments
Total

£
£
£
£
£



COST OR VALUATION


At 1 May 2019
114,119,787
11,041,925
110
206,472,501
331,634,323



At 30 April 2020
114,119,787
11,041,925
110
206,472,501
331,634,323




Trade investments comprises of preferences shares totalling £200,044,101 and bonds totalling £6,428,400.


SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS


The following were subsidiary undertakings of the Company:

Name

Principal activity

Class of shares

Holding

Anglo Caledonian Asset Management Limited
Property Dealing
Ordinary
100
Aramis Holdings Limited
Holding Company
Ordinary
85
Area Estates Limited
Property Dealing
Ordinary
100
Avondale Properties Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Bickenhall Engineering Company Limited
Property Dealing
Ordinary
100
Bromley Park Gardens Estates Limited
Dormant
Ordinary
100
Capital Land Holdings Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Castle Lane Securities Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Clearview Properties Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Freehold Portfolio Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Hallway Properties Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
*Haslam Court Management Limited
Management Company
Ordinary
100
Highlaw Limited
Property Dealing
Ordinary
100
HK Properties (UK) Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Law and Equity Property Company Limited
Dormant
Ordinary
100
Long Acre Securities Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Manzil Way Residential Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
Ordnance Estates Limited
Dormant
Ordinary
100
Pears Style Limited
Dormant
Ordinary
100
Saint Cross Securities Limited
Dormant
Ordinary
100
South Tottenham Land Securities Limited
Dormant
Ordinary
100
Stanley N Evans Limited
Property Management
Ordinary
100
Swiftly Limited
Lloyds Underwriting
Ordinary
100
The Welkin Property Company Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100
UTB No.1 Limited
Provision of finance
Ordinary
100
William Pears Limited
Property Dealing
Ordinary
100
WPG Treasury Limited
Provision of Finance
Ordinary
100
WX Investments Limited
Property Investment
Ordinary
100

* Held directly by Castle Lane Securities Limited.
The registered office of the above subsidiaries is Ground Floor, 30 City Road, London EC1Y 2AB.

Page 19

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

PARTICIPATING INTERESTS


The Company owns 50% of the issued share capital of Talisman Properties Limited (registered in England).
The Company owns 25% of the share capital of Orbit Estates Limited (registered in England) which is a holding company for a property investment group.
The Company owns 1% of the members interests of P Win Quadrant LLP (registered in England).


15.


DEBTORS

2020
2019
£
£


Amounts owed by group undertakings
1,432,623
54,208

Amounts owed by joint ventures and associated undertakings
11,989
100

Other debtors
2,345,167
2,973,131

Prepayments and accrued income
4,734,393
3,729,856

8,524,172
6,757,295



16.


CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS

2020
2019
£
£

Unlisted investments at cost
114,277,686
114,430,635

114,277,686
114,430,635






17.


CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

2020
2019
£
£

Bank overdrafts
70,431
426

Amounts owed to group undertakings
129,064,673
150,057,528

Loan accounts with family connected companies (see below)
316,134,898
300,691,568

Other creditors
4,219,238
4,021,175

Accruals and deferred income
1,544,129
252,465

451,033,369
455,023,162


The family connected companies are those companies in which the directors and/or their family trusts have a 50% or 100% interest.

Page 20

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

18.


CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after more than one year

2020
2019
£
£

Other creditors
1,650,000
2,250,000

1,650,000
2,250,000



19.


SHARE CAPITAL

2020
2019
£
£
Allotted, called up and fully paid



100 Ordinary shares of £1.00 each
100
100
21,410 1% Non-cumulative preference shares shares of £1.00 each
21,410
21,410

21,510

21,510


20.


RESERVES

Profit & loss account

The profit and loss account includes all current and prior year retained profits and losses.

Page 21

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

21.


RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has taken advantage of the exemptions from disclosure available to subsidiary undertakings under section 33 of FRS102 in connection with intra group transactions.
During the year there were the following transactions with companies and entities in which the directors Mark  Pears CBE, Sir Trevor Pears CMG and David Pears have an interest.


2020
2019
£
£



Management fees receivable
2,287,900
2,075,770

Loan interest payable
4,900,013
4,721,147

Rent payable
776,431
787,899

During the year the Company contributed £22,287,346 (2019 - £18,029,120) to The Pears Family Charitable Foundation, a registered charity in which the directors Mark Pears CBE, Sir Trevor Pears CMG and David Pears are trustees.
At the year end there were the following balances with companies and entities in which the directors Mark  Pears CBE, Sir Trevor Pears CMG and David Pears have an interest.

2020
2019
        £
        £
Loan due from family connected companies

11,989

100

Management fees receivable

2,230,667

1,583,822

Loans due to family connected companies

316,134,898

300,691,568

Other loans payable

19,807

-










22.


PENSION COMMITMENTS

The Company operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Company to the fund and amounted to £141,752 (2019- £117,423).

Page 22

 
THE WILLIAM PEARS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2020

23.


COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES

At 30 April 2020 the Company had future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

2020
2019
£
£

Land and buildings


Not later than 1 year
804,906
804,906

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
3,219,624
3,219,624

Later than 5 years
4,758,482
5,563,388

Total
8,783,012
9,587,918

2020
2019

£
£

Other


Not later than 1 year
36,444
36,444

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
33,407
69,851

Total
69,851
106,295


24.


POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

After the balance sheet date the Company paid dividends totalling £8,498,000.


25.


CONTROLLING PARTY

The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of William Pears Group Investments Limited.The Company's
ultimate holding company is William Pears Group Limited, a company incorporated in England. The registered office is Ground Floor, 30 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AB.


26.
BANKING ARRANGEMENTS

The Company, in common with certain family connected companies, participates in a group banking
arrangement in respect of overdraft and loan facilities. Companies participating in this arrangement have
a joint and several liability to the bank for the total group indebtedness. The total amount outstanding at
30 April 2020 was £Nil (2019 - £Nil). The directors do not consider that the bank will ever need recourse
to this company, each family connected company having ample resources to meet its own liabilities.


Page 23