LAVEN_PARTNERS_LIMITED - Accounts

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2021.

The principal activity of the company and group continued to be that of the provision of consultancy, investment management and advisory services.

The results for the period are set out on page 6.

No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

The directors who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Henton & Co LLP be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.

As the group has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, it qualifies as a low energy user under these regulations and is not required to report on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 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 United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). 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 group and company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors 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 group and company will continue in business.

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

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor of the company is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the company is aware of that information.

We have audited the financial statements of Laven Partners Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the period ended 31 December 2021 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

•     give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 December 2021 and of the group's profit for the period then ended;

•     have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•     have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the 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 group's and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

• the information given in the directors' report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the directors' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report.

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

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

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

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

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

• the directors were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, 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 parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the parent company 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.

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

We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following: enquiring of management concerning the group's policies with regards identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; enquiring of management concerning the group's policies detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; enquiring of management concerning the group's policies in relation to the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non- compliance with laws and regulations; discussing among the engagement team where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud; and obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in and focusing on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the group. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act 2006, Financial Reporting Standard 102 and applicable tax legislation.

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: enquiries of management and those charged with governance concerning compliance with such laws and regulations and any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

The notes on pages 12 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 12 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 12 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s loss for the year was £35,789 (2021 - £750,065 profit).

The notes on pages 12 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 12 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 12 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

Laven Partners Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 7th Floor (North), 11 Old Jewry, London, EC2R 8DU.

The group consists of Laven Partners Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

The company shortened its accounting period from 30 April 2022 to 31 December 2021 in order to bring the company year end into line with the ultimate parent company's year end. The comparative amounts presented in the financial statements are therefore not comparable to the current period.

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

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

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

The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;

• Section 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share-based payment expense charged to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options, how the fair value of options granted was measured, measurement and carrying amount of liabilities for cash-settled share-based payments, explanation of modifications to arrangements;

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

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using both acquisition accounting and the merger accounting.

The merger accounting method of consolidation was used on the business combination of the parent company and its subsidiaries that occurred in the year to 30 April 2018. The ownership of the purchaser and the acquiree did not change, and, with all requirements prescribed under FRS 102 for the use of merger accounting being met, no goodwill arose and reserves were treated as though the post merger structure had always been in place.

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

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

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Laven Partners Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2021. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

The directors have a reasonable expectation that the group will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment the directors have considered the impact of world events, such as COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine and the effect this has had on the wider economy of the group, its employees, clients and suppliers.

While there is uncertainty about the impact that these events will have on the global economy the directors do not believe they impact the use of the going concern basis of preparation nor do they cast significant doubt about the group's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from the date of the financial statements being authorised for issue.

The directors consider the group to be sufficiently robust that its operations will not be significantly affected and that it will be able to generate and maintain sufficient levels of cash in order to meet its financial commitments for at least the period under review. The group therefore continues to use the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 10 years.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

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

The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

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

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The 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.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.

Government grants relating to turnover are recognised as income over the periods when the related costs are incurred. Grants relating to an asset are recognised in income systematically over the asset's expected useful life. If part of such a grant is deferred it is recognised as deferred income rather than being deducted from the asset's carrying amount.

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 in the period are included in profit or loss.

Non controlling interests

Members' capital in the subsidiary of Laven Hosting Limited is treated as a liability as the LLP does not have any discretionary rights to withhold the repayment of capital to members. However, the non controlling interests in the consolidated balance sheet, representing minority members' interests in the LLP, are included in reserves in accordance with FRS 102.

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors 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.

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

Management make estimates of the recoverable value of trade and other debtors. When assessing the impairment of trade and other debtors, the factors considered include the current credit rating of the debtor, the ageing profile of debtors and historical experience.

Management make estimates of the useful life of tangible fixed assets and apply an appropriate depreciation policy. Impairment reviews are undertaken regularly and assets are written down as necessary.

Management estimates the useful life of intangible fixed assets and applies an appropriate amortisation policy. Impairment reviews are undertaken regularly and assets are written down as necessary.

An analysis of the group's turnover is as follows:

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The actual charge/(credit) for the period can be reconciled to the expected charge for the period based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

At 31st December 2021 the group had unrelieved trading losses amounting to approximately £956,000 (30 April 2021: £1,119,000) which are available to be carried forward and offset against future profits. A deferred tax asset is no longer recognised as the directors are uncertain about the timing and extent of sufficient taxable profits arising in the future to utilise the losses.

At 31st December 2021 the group had unrelieved capital losses amounting to approximately £19,000 (30th April 2021: £19,000) which are available to be carried forward but can only be offset against future capital gains. A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in the financial statements for capital losses.

On 22nd April 2021 the parent company purchased 100% of the share capital of MPAC Limited for £160,000. The net assets of the company were £66,046 resulting in a goodwill addition of £93,954. No amortisation was provided on this amount in the previous year. Since the acquisition date, the company has contributed £433,595 to group turnover and losses of £(144,796) to group profit.

In accordance with the Share Purchase Agreement, additional amounts are payable for the purchase of MPAC Limited based on the net assets of the company on completion and the future profitability. No provision has been made for these amounts in the current year.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2021 are as follows:

On 21 January 2022, Laven (Tech) Limited changed its name to Leo RegTech Limited.

On 8 September 2021, Laven (Consulting) Limited changed its name to Laven Hosting Limited.

MPAC Limited was purchased by Laven Partners Limited on 22 April 2021.

Laven Compliance Limited was incorporated on 8 June 2021 as a wholly owned subsidiary. On 14 December 2022, the company changed its name to IQ EQ Consulting Limited.

Bank loans are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the parent company.

The bank loans include a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loan where quarterly repayments over 5 years are due to commence from 30 April 2022 with an interest rate of 3.35% and also a bank loan which is repaid quarterly over 3 years from 31 July 2019 at an interest rate of 3.5%.

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

The deferred tax asset set out above is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature within the same period.

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.

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

The group has taken advantage of the exemptions under FRS 102.33.1A, and has not disclosed transactions with entities that are part of the group, where 100% of the voting rights of these entities are controlled within the group.

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

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

Amounts due to/from non-controlling interests in The Group Statement of Changes In Equity on page 9 relate to J Lussan, a director, by virtue of his minority holding in a subsidiary LLP.

Amounts included above as owed by/to other related parties relate to businesses under the control of the ultimate parent company but are outside of the UK group.

Laven Holdings Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, has been the ultimate parent company throughout the current and previous year.