ACCOUNTS - Final Accounts


Caseware UK (AP4) 2020.0.247 2020.0.247 2020-12-312020-12-31falsetruetruetrue116No description of principal activity2020-01-01false123 02467691 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 2020-12-31 02467691 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 02467691 2019-12-31 02467691 2019-01-01 02467691 c:CompanySecretary1 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director1 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director1 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director2 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director3 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director4 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director5 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director5 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director7 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director7 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director8 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director8 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director9 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Director9 2020-12-31 02467691 c:RegisteredOffice 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:Buildings 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:Buildings 2020-12-31 02467691 d:Buildings 2019-12-31 02467691 d:Buildings d:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:MotorVehicles 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:MotorVehicles 2020-12-31 02467691 d:MotorVehicles 2019-12-31 02467691 d:MotorVehicles d:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:OfficeEquipment 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:ComputerEquipment 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:ComputerEquipment 2020-12-31 02467691 d:ComputerEquipment 2019-12-31 02467691 d:ComputerEquipment d:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2020-12-31 02467691 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2019-12-31 02467691 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments d:WithinOneYear 2020-12-31 02467691 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments d:WithinOneYear 2019-12-31 02467691 d:ReportableOperatingSegment1 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:ReportableOperatingSegment1 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 02467691 e:UnitedKingdom 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 e:UnitedKingdom 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 02467691 d:UKTax 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:UKTax 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 02467691 d:ShareCapital 2020-12-31 02467691 d:ShareCapital 2019-12-31 02467691 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2020-12-31 02467691 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 02467691 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2019-12-31 02467691 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2019-01-01 02467691 d:FurtherSpecificTypeProvisionContingentLiability1ComponentTotalProvisionsContingentLiabilities 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:FurtherSpecificTypeProvisionContingentLiability1ComponentTotalProvisionsContingentLiabilities 2020-12-31 02467691 d:FurtherSpecificTypeProvisionContingentLiability1ComponentTotalProvisionsContingentLiabilities 2019-12-31 02467691 c:FRS102 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:Audited 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:FullAccounts 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 c:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:Subsidiary1 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:Subsidiary1 1 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:Subsidiary2 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:Subsidiary2 1 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 02467691 d:WithinOneYear 2020-12-31 02467691 d:WithinOneYear 2019-12-31 02467691 d:BetweenOneFiveYears 2020-12-31 02467691 d:BetweenOneFiveYears 2019-12-31 02467691 d:AcceleratedTaxDepreciationDeferredTax 2020-12-31 02467691 d:AcceleratedTaxDepreciationDeferredTax 2019-12-31 02467691 d:TaxLossesCarry-forwardsDeferredTax 2020-12-31 02467691 d:TaxLossesCarry-forwardsDeferredTax 2019-12-31 02467691 d:RetirementBenefitObligationsDeferredTax 2020-12-31 02467691 d:RetirementBenefitObligationsDeferredTax 2019-12-31 02467691 6 2020-01-01 2020-12-31 iso4217:GBP xbrli:pure
Company registration number: 02467691







ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2020


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED






































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DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
COMPANY INFORMATION


Directors
M P Dodd (resigned 22 January 2021)
N D McCarthy 
R A Quayle 
R S Verdin 
M E Myers (resigned 22 January 2021)
R Raichura (appointed 22 January 2021)
J P Round (appointed 22 January 2021)
T Smith (appointed 22 January 2021)




Company secretary
S B Fitzgerald (appointed 22 January 2021)



Registered number
02467691



Registered office
2nd Floor Gateway 2
Holgate Park Drive

York

YO26 4GB




Independent auditors
Menzies LLP
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

Victoria House

50-58 Victoria Road

Farnborough

Hampshire

GU14 7PG





 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 



CONTENTS



Page
Strategic report
1 - 4
Directors' report
5 - 6
Independent auditors' report
7 - 10
Statement of income and retained earnings
11
Statement of financial position
12
Notes to the financial statements
13 - 24


 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Introduction
Direct Life and Pension Services Limited (‘the Company’) is a Financial Services Intermediary that was formed in 1990 and has established itself as one of the largest intermediated outsource services companies in the UK. The Company provides a range of systems and services that enable consumer brands and intermediaries to skilfully and profitably market, sell and transact protection insurance. It is directly regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The Company provides services to both Financial Intermediaries and Direct-to-Consumer distribution companies, such as price comparison websites. These services cover the creation and running of branded websites that market, offer quotations and collect applications for protection insurance; as well as call centre and administration services to sell, complete applications over the phone and manage the administration of applications with the insurers selected. The Company, whilst a key player in the Direct-to-Consumer market space is also a major service provider in the Intermediated market, trading under its LifeQuote brand. Through this it offers Financial Intermediaries services covering the application process and pipeline management of their protection sales, allowing the Intermediary to focus on prospecting and advising clients. In both sectors, the Company strives through innovation to simplify both the customer journey, and client administration.
This Strategic report has been prepared specifically for the Company and therefore provides greater emphasis on the matters which are significant to the Company. It has been prepared solely to provide additional information to facilitate an assessment of how the Directors have performed their duty to promote the success of the Company.
Business review
Despite the pandemic, forcing the company to furlough significant numbers of staff, moving all others to suddenly work from home and contending with huge volatility in trading, we still delivered a 48% increase in profit before tax, ending the year by making £180k.  We then ended the year both by signing a four year extension to our largest partnership as well as agreeing a transaction that opened up a significant trading and strategic relationship with one of the UK’s premier property services groups.
The spike in demand, followed by a Covid related contraction of the housing market and elongation of the underwriting process with insurers resulted in turnover only marginally growing, whilst furloughing of staff and prudent resource management led to costs reducing compared to 2019.  Despite this, investment in IT services to deliver new propositions and improvements to key systems and resourcing continued.
The Statement of Financial Position, showing just over £1m of net assets, including cash at bank of £1,378k, again demonstrates a strong company able to sustain such investments for the medium term. The clawback provision has been actively maintained (Note 16) and the Auditors’ review and confirmation of the method of calculation is a reassuring sign of the Company’s continuing prudent approach to potential future liabilities and a robust business.
Collaborations with RGAX (owners of 19% of the holding company’s shares) to build optimised online journeys continued, along with an agreement to sell 60% of the remaining shares to LSL Property Services, a deal which concluded in January 2021.  This brings opportunity to offer existing and new services to a wider range of Financial Intermediaries and benefit from the scale and breadth of a market leading Mortgage Intermediary distribution group. 

Page 1

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 



STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Financial key performance indicators
 
The Board uses a number of key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the performance of the business against its plan. These indicators are:


Financial KPIs (£’000)

2020
2019
£
£
Gross Commission Income

13,342

13,186
 
Gross Profit

3,804

3,989
 
Administration Expenses

3,718

3,868
 
Profit before tax

180

121
 

Page 2

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 



STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Principal risks and uncertainties
 
The Company's activities expose the business to a number of key risks, which have the potential to affect the Company's ability to achieve its business objectives. The Board Governance manual outlines the framework of control ensuring that an appropriate structure for managing these risks is maintained. The key risks and risk mitigation framework are highlighted below:
Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate internal processes, human or system errors, or from external events. The Company seeks to mitigate this risk exposure through continual enhancement of the systems and controls, and ensuring appropriately experienced personnel are in place throughout the organisation. Incident reporting and investigation procedures are well established.
As we write this we are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis and I am relieved to report that we have successfully migrated the operation to home working in order to maintain the safety of our staff.  Throughout we have successfully maintained services and coped with a spike in demand (driven by public fear of the impact of the pandemic).  Therefore, whilst many aspects of life appear fragile and uncertain I remain confident in the company’s positive outlook.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that sufficient financial resources are not available in cash to enable the Company to meet its obligations to pay cash as they fall due. The Company, through the Board, seeks to limit exposure to liquidity risk by negotiating settlement terms for its outflows that can be managed against its own working capital cycles. A sufficient cash buffer is maintained to mitigate unexpected cash calls.
Credit Risk
In the context of the Company's service arrangements with its related parties, contractual terms regulate the collection of cash flows for the activities rendered. The timing of these cash flows is one of the factors the Company considers to manage the liquidity risk noted earlier.
 
Page 3

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 



STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Conduct Risk
Conduct Risk refers to the risks attached to how the Company and its staff conduct their business in the marketplace and in respect of our customers and suppliers. Failure to create, manage and monitor the appropriate internal controls to understand and manage the Company's Conduct Risks could result in regulatory sanctions and/or fines, reputation damage and loss of business. 
The Company has an established Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) regime and culture which is outlined in the Operations Manual and covers many aspects of the business at all levels. This includes annual training for all staff, regular customer surveys and a quarterly report to the Board on defined TCF, Risk and Compliance Management Information measures; as well as other day-to-day actions such as auditing and resolution of any customer detriment. 
Cyber Information & Security
Cyber Information & Security refers to the breach of confidential data or technology disruption, caused by an internal or external attack on our information systems and data or by internal security control failure. In 2019 we achieved accreditation to the ISO27001 standard which demonstrates that our Information Security Management System meets the standards of the ISO model of implementation, maintenance and continual improvement.  This gives re-assurance to customers and current and potential business partners in our discipline around data management and operational integrity.
Other Risks and Uncertainties
     
A deterioration in the housing and mortgage market, traditionally linked to sales in the Protection market, could result from the current pandemic and its after effects as well as the impact of Brexit which is a potential risk to the business. In many instances, the Company pays commission to Intermediaries on an indemnity basis in advance and the associated underlying risk is that, following a policy cancellation, commission which is due to be paid back to the Company remains unpaid. This risk is mitigated by the careful vetting of the potential partners at the outset including credit checks, financial statement reviews and reference to the FCA Register.
Through the pandemic crisis, our business continuity planning has operated allowing us to review its impact daily and continuously monitor the risks associated with it.  We have taken swift and decisive actions to mitigate the impact of these and remain confident in our plans going forward.
Going Concern
The Company has considerable financial resources in the form of cash of £1.38m and trade debtors of £0.3m (see also Note 11). The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 


This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf by:.



................................................
R A Quayle
Director

Date: 28 September 2021

Page 4

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 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 judgements 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.

Directors

The directors who served during the year were:

M P Dodd (resigned 22 January 2021)
N D McCarthy 
R A Quayle 
R S Verdin
M E Myers (resigned 22 January 2021)

Matters covered in the strategic report

The company has chosen in accordance with Section 414C(11) of the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 to set out within the group's Strategic Report the Company's Strategic Report information Required by Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulation 2008. This includes information that would have been included in the business review and details of the principal risks and uncertainties.

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.

Page 5

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Post balance sheet events

On 22 January 2021 a transaction was completed whereby 60% of the share capital in Direct Life Quote Holdings Ltd was
acquired by LSL Property Services PLC.

Auditors

Under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006Menzies LLP will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditors 28 days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing the accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.

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





................................................
R A Quayle
Director

Date: 28 September 2021

Page 6

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED

Opinion


We have audited the financial statements of Direct Life And Pension Services Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 December 2020, which comprise the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, the Statement of Financial Position 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 31 December 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


In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.


Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.


Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.


Page 7

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED


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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED (CONTINUED)

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.


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.


Opinion 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 set out on page 5, 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 8

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED


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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES 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.


Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
 
The Company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant including The Companies Act, Health and Safety regulations and Client Money regulations issued by the FCA. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
 
We understood how the Company is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by, making inquiries to management, those responsible for legal and compliance procedures and the company secretary. We corroborated our inquiries through our review of board minutes.
 
The engagement partner assessed whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The assessment did not identify any issues in this area.
 
We assessed the susceptibility of the Company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
• Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;
• Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;
• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations.
 
As a result of the above procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas:
• Lack of segregation of duties in the accounts department.
• Posting of unusual journals.
 
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.


A further description of our responsibilities 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.


Page 9

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED


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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Use of our report
 

This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, 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, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





Roberto Lobue FCA (Senior statutory auditor)
  
for and on behalf of
Menzies LLP
 
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
  
Victoria House
50-58 Victoria Road
Farnborough
Hampshire
GU14 7PG

28 September 2021
Page 10

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

2020
2019
Note
£
£

  

Turnover
 4 
13,342,057
13,186,121

Cost of sales
  
(9,537,543)
(9,197,237)

Gross profit
  
3,804,514
3,988,884

Administrative expenses
  
(3,718,101)
(3,868,049)

Other operating income
 5 
93,737
-

Operating profit
 6 
180,150
120,835

Interest receivable and similar income
  
-
284

Profit before tax
  
180,150
121,119

Tax on profit
 9 
6,142
(9,652)

Profit after tax
  
186,292
111,467

  

  

Retained earnings at the beginning of the year
  
1,008,789
(447,985)

  
1,008,789
(447,985)

Profit for the year
  
186,292
111,467

Dividends declared and paid
  
(138,202)
-

Transfer from capital redemption reserve
  
-
1,345,307

Retained earnings at the end of the year
  
1,056,879
1,008,789
The notes on pages 13 to 24 form part of these financial statements.

Page 11

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER:02467691



STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

2020
2019
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Tangible assets
 11 
100,855
66,776

Investments
 12 
1,001
1,001

  
101,856
67,777

Current assets
  

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 13 
657,440
749,705

Cash at bank and in hand
  
1,377,931
1,138,804

  
2,035,371
1,888,509

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 14 
(632,918)
(522,507)

Net current assets
  
 
 
1,402,453
 
 
1,366,002

Total assets less current liabilities
  
1,504,309
1,433,779

Provisions for liabilities
  

Other provisions
 16 
(446,287)
(423,847)

  
 
 
(446,287)
 
 
(423,847)

Net assets
  
1,058,022
1,009,932


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
  
1,143
1,143

Profit and loss account
 17 
1,056,879
1,008,789

  
1,058,022
1,009,932


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by: 




................................................
R A Quayle
Director

Date: 28 September 2021

The notes on pages 13 to 24 form part of these financial statements.

Page 12

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1.


General information

Direct Life and Pension Services Limited is a private limited company, limited by shares, incorporated in the United Kingdom.
The address of the registered office, which is the same as its principal place of business, is 2nd Floor Gateway 2, Holgate Park Drive, York, United Kingdom, YO26 4GB.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the Company and rounded to
the nearest £.

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 judgement in applying the Company's accounting policies (see note 3).

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 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
the requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17(d).

This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of Direct Life Quote Holdings Limited as at 31 December 2020 and these financial statements may be obtained from Companies house.

 
2.3

Revenue

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:

Rendering of services

Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
it is probable that the Company will receive the consideration due under the contract;
the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.

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DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.4

Operating leases: the Company as lessee

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

 
2.5

Government grants

Grants are accounted under the accruals model as permitted by FRS 102. 
Grants of a revenue nature are recognised in the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings in the same period as the related expenditure.

 
2.6

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.

 
2.7

Current and deferred taxation

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. 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.

Deferred tax balances are recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the Statement of Financial Position date, except that:
The recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits; and
Any deferred tax balances are reversed if and when all conditions for retaining associated tax allowances have been met.

Deferred tax balances are not recognised in respect of permanent differences except in respect of business combinations, when deferred tax is recognised on the differences between the fair values of assets acquired and the future tax deductions available for them and the differences between the fair values of liabilities acquired and the amount that will be assessed for tax. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Page 14

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.8

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, as below:

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Freehold property improvements
-
20% Straight-line
Motor vehicles
-
25% Straight-line
Computer equipment
-
20%-33% Straight-line

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.

 
2.9

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

 
2.10

Provisions for liabilities

Provisions are made where an event has taken place that gives the Company a legal or constructive obligation that probably requires settlement by a transfer of economic benefit, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
Provisions are charged as an expense to profit or loss in the year that the Company becomes aware of the obligation, and are measured at the best estimate at the Statement of Financial Position date of the expenditure required to settle the obligation, taking into account relevant risks and uncertainties.
When payments are eventually made, they are charged to the provision carried in the Statement of Financial Position.

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

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 Income and Retained Earnings.

 
2.11

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.

Page 15

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

3.


Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Estimates and judgements are continually evalued and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be unreasonable under the circumstances. There are no material accounting judgements or estimates considered to be critical for the purposes of understanding the financial statements other that that disclosed below.
The directors have calculated the claw-back using judgement, based on historical revenue data to get to the net liability in the accounts.


4.


Turnover

An analysis of turnover by class of business is as follows:


2020
2019
£
£

Commissions received
13,342,057
13,186,121

13,342,057
13,186,121


Analysis of turnover by country of destination:

2020
2019
£
£

United Kingdom
13,342,057
13,186,121

13,342,057
13,186,121



5.


Other operating income

2020
2019
£
£

Government grants receivable
93,737
-

93,737
-


Government grants were received as part of the Coronavirus Job Retention Schemes, there are no unfulfilled
conditions or other contingencies in relation to these grants received.

Page 16

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

6.


Operating profit

The operating profit is stated after charging:

2020
2019
£
£

Depreciation
52,337
54,681

Other operating lease rentals
110,300
110,501

Bad debts
52,602
12,098

Auditor's remuneration
33,740
40,660


7.


Employees

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


2020
2019
£
£

Wages and salaries
2,561,734
2,422,915

Social security costs
186,613
186,577

Cost of defined contribution scheme
85,394
83,268

2,833,741
2,692,760


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


        2020
        2019
            No.
            No.







Directors
5
5



Sales
11
10



Administration
107
101

123
116

Page 17

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

8.


Directors' remuneration

2020
2019
£
£

Directors' emoluments
238,977
229,983

Company contributions to defined contribution pension schemes
10,000
16,667

248,977
246,650


The highest paid director received remuneration of £110,059 (2019 -£104,125).

The value of the company's contributions paid to a defined benefit pension scheme in respect of the highest paid director amounted to £NIL (2019 -£6,667).


9.


Taxation


2020
2019
£
£

Corporation tax


Adjustments in respect of previous periods
-
(23,990)


-
(23,990)


Total current tax
-
(23,990)

Deferred tax


Origination and reversal of timing differences
(6,142)
33,642

Total deferred tax
(6,142)
33,642


Taxation on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities
(6,142)
9,652
Page 18

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
 
9.Taxation (continued)


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
180,150
121,119


Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2019 -19%)
34,229
23,013

Effects of:


Expenses not deductible for tax purposes, other than goodwill amortisation and impairment
3,553
697

Adjustments to tax charge in respect of prior periods
(21,117)
13,890

Adjustment in research and development tax credit leading to an increase (decrease) in the tax charge
-
(23,990)

Changes to tax rate on deferred tax balances
(22,807)
(3,958)

Total tax charge for the year
(6,142)
9,652


10.


Dividends

2020
2019
£
£


Equity dividends
138,202
-

138,202
-

Page 19

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

11.


Tangible fixed assets





Freehold property improvements
Computer equipment
Motor vehicles
Total

£
£
£
£



Cost or valuation


At 1 January 2020
388,143
414,320
20,350
822,813


Additions
-
86,416
-
86,416



At 31 December 2020

388,143
500,736
20,350
909,229



Depreciation


At 1 January 2020
387,489
367,701
847
756,037


Charge for the year on owned assets
387
46,862
5,088
52,337



At 31 December 2020

387,876
414,563
5,935
808,374



Net book value



At 31 December 2020
267
86,173
14,415
100,855



At 31 December 2019
654
46,619
19,503
66,776

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DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

12.


Fixed asset investments





Investments in subsidiary companies

£



Cost or valuation


At 1 January 2020
1,001



At 31 December 2020
1,001





Subsidiary undertakings


The following were subsidiary undertakings of the Company:

Name

Class of shares

Holding

LifeQuote Limited
Ordinary
100%
Direct Life Limited
Ordinary
100%

The registered office of these above companies is the same as Direct Life and Pension Services Ltd and is disclosed on the company information page.


13.


Debtors

2020
2019
£
£


Trade debtors
300,520
390,973

Amounts owed by group undertakings
-
23,209

Prepayments and accrued income
178,041
138,796

Tax recoverable
-
23,990

Deferred taxation
178,879
172,737

657,440
749,705


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DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

14.


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2020
2019
£
£

Trade creditors
381,729
361,727

Amounts owed to group undertakings
1,001
-

Other taxation and social security
75,621
78,553

Other creditors
15,281
12,197

Accruals and deferred income
159,286
70,030

632,918
522,507



15.


Deferred taxation




2020
2019


£

£






At beginning of year
172,737
206,379


Charged to profit or loss
6,142
(33,642)



At end of year
178,879
172,737

The deferred tax asset is made up as follows:

2020
2019
£
£


Accelerated capital allowances
34,145
44,032

Short-term timing differences
2,903
-

Unused tax losses
141,831
128,705

178,879
172,737

Page 22

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

16.


Provision




Claw-back Provision

£





At 1 January 2020
423,847


Utilised in year
22,440



At 31 December 2020
446,287

The clawback provision is the net effect of the asset and liability calculated by management based on the amount of commission potentially that may be owed and due over the next four years as a result of commission income and agents’ commission payable. The outflow and inflow of clawbacks is not guaranteed in terms of having to be paid as policies may be cancelled. This is management’s best estimate of the provision. 


17.


Reserves

Profit and loss account

The profit and loss account comprises cumulative retained earnings less amounts distributed to shareholders.


18.


Pension commitments

Included within other creditors is a pension commitment of £15,281 (2019: £12,197). 
Pension contributions included within the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings as an expense are £85,394 (2019: £83,268). 


19.


Commitments under operating leases

At 31 December 2020 the Company had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:

2020
2019
£
£


Not later than 1 year
176,380
176,380

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
73,492
249,871

249,872
426,251


20.


Controlling party

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of Direct Life Quote Holdings Limited and is included in its consolidated accounts. Its registered office is 2nd Floor Gateway 2, Holgate Park Drive, York, United Kingdom, YO26 4GB.

Page 23

 


DIRECT LIFE AND PENSION SERVICES LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

21.


Post balance sheet event

On 22 January 2021 a transaction was completed whereby 60% of the share capital in Direct Life Quote Holdings Ltd was acquired by LSL Property Services PLC.

 
Page 24