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Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

9th May 2025 14:22

RNS Number : 1266I
London Security PLC
09 May 2025
 

 

London Security plc

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE UK VERSION OF REGULATION (EU) NO 596/2014 WHICH IS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

 

Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

 

Chairman's statement

 J.J. Murray, Chairman

 

Financial Highlights

Financial highlights of the audited results for the year ended 31 December 2024 compared with the year ended 31 December 2023 are as follows:

• revenue of £220.7 million (2023: £219.7 million),

• operating profit of £29.7 million (2023: £31.6 million),

• profit for the year of £21.7 million (2023: £23.3 million),

• cash of £29.6 million (2023: £32.7 million),

• earnings per share for the year of £1.77 (2023: £1.90) and

• a dividend per share of £1.22 (2023: £1.24).

Trading review

The financial highlights illustrate that the Group's revenue increased by £1.0 million (0.5%) to £220.7 million and operating profit decreased by £1.8 million (5.7%) to £29.8 million. These results reflect:

• The movement in the Euro to Sterling average exchange rate, which had an adverse effect of £4.6 million on reported revenue and £0.8 million on operating profit. A more detailed review of this year's performance is given in the Financial Review and the Strategic Report.

• 2024 was a period of consolidation for the Group following the 16.2% increase in operating profit that was enjoyed in 2023. Whilst operating profit has decreased versus 2023, this still represents a 9.2% increase on 2022.

• The core servicing business remains very consistent with a slight fall in special projects, the instance of which is unpredictable.

• Although inflation has moderated since last year, we continue to experience upward input price pressures. These supply price increases have been passed on to our customers where possible. Business confidence is low and is depressing growth and reducing our customers' appetite to invest. All the countries in which we operate are experiencing low or no growth.

Acquisitions

It remains a principal aim of the Group to grow through acquisition. Acquisitions are being sought throughout Europe and the Group will invest at prices where an adequate return is envisaged by the Board. In the year under review the Group completed the acquisition of service contracts from smaller well-established businesses for integration into the Group's existing subsidiaries and has grown its presence in Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany.

Management and staff

2024 was a year in which the staff performed well and, on behalf of the shareholders, I would like to express thanks and appreciation for their contribution. The Group recognises that we can only achieve our aims with talented and dedicated colleagues who provide outstanding customer service in every area of the business.

Dividends

An interim dividend in respect of 2024 of £0.80 per ordinary share was paid to shareholders on 29 November 2024. The Board is recommending the payment of a final dividend in respect of 2024 of £0.42 per ordinary share. This would be paid on 12 July 2025 to shareholders on the register on 13 June 2025 with the shares marked ex-dividend on 12 June 2025.

Future prospects

The markets in which we operate are entering what is likely to be a period of low growth. The London Security Group however has a healthy balance sheet, strong cash reserves and a track record for good cash generation. The Board therefore considers that the Group is well placed to weather any downturn. We will also continue to invest in our future and the Group plans to continue to grow through acquisitions.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting ("AGM") will be held at 2 Jubilee Way, Elland, West Yorkshire HX5 9DY, on 25 June 2025 at 11.30 am. The Company confirms that shareholders are able to attend in person should they wish to do so. However, we strongly encourage shareholders to vote on all resolutions by completing the enclosed form of proxy for use at that Meeting, which you are requested to return in accordance with the instructions on the form.

J-J. Murray

Chairman

9 May 2025

 

 

 

Consolidated income statement

 for the year ended 31 December 2024

2024

2023

 

Note

£'000

£'000

Revenue

220,653

219,705

Cost of sales

 

(58,752)

(58,988)

Gross profit

161,901

160,717

Distribution costs

(82,323)

(81,373)

Administrative expenses

 

(49,924)

(47,762)

 

Operating profit

 

29,654

31,582

Finance income

420

226

Finance costs

 

(377)

(264)

Finance costs - net

 

43

(38)

Profit before income tax

29,697

31,544

Income tax expense

 

(8,032)

(8,280)

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

 

21,665

23,264

Earnings per share

Basic and diluted

1

176.7p

189.8p

 

 

The above results are all as a result of continuing operations.

 

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 December 2024

2024

2023

 

 

£'000

£'000

Profit for the financial year

 

21,665

23,264

Other comprehensive (expense)/income:

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

- currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments

(4,284)

(1,579)

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

- actuarial gain recognised in the Nu-Swift Pension Scheme

38

52

- movement on deferred tax relating to the Nu-Swift Pension Scheme surplus

26

(18)

- actuarial gain/(loss) recognised in the Ansul Pension Scheme

308

(171)

- movement on deferred tax relating to the Ansul Pension Scheme deficit

 

(75)

43

Other comprehensive expense for the year, net of tax

 

(3,987)

(1,673)

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

17,678

21,591

 

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Capital

Ordinary

Share

redemption

Merger

Other

Retained

Total

shares

premium

reserve

reserve

reserves

earnings

equity

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

At 1 January 2023

123

344

1

2,033

8,658

134,722

 

145,881

Total comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the financial year

-

-

-

-

-

23,264

23,264

Other comprehensive income/(expense):

- exchange adjustments

-

-

-

-

(1,579)

-

(1,579)

- actuarial loss on pension schemes

-

-

-

-

-

(119)

(119)

-net movement on deferred tax relating to pension deficit

-

-

-

-

-

25

 

25

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year

-

-

-

-

(1,579)

23,170

 

21,591

Contributions by and distributions to owners of the Company:

- purchase of own shares

-

-

-

-

-

(33)

(33)

- dividends

-

-

-

-

 -

 (15,196)

 

(15,196)

 

-

-

-

-

-

(15,229)

 

(15,229)

At 31 December 2023 and 1 January 2024

123

344

1

2,033

7,079

142,663

 

152,243

Total comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the financial year

-

-

-

-

-

21,665

21,665

Other comprehensive income:

- exchange adjustments

-

-

-

-

(4,284)

-

(4,284)

- actuarial gain on pension schemes

-

-

-

-

-

346

346

 - net movement on deferred tax relating to pension schemes

-

-

-

-

-

(49)

 

(49)

Total comprehensive income for the year

-

-

-

-

(4,284)

21,962

 

17,678

Contributions by and distributions to owners of the Company:

- dividends

-

-

-

-

-

(14,950)

 

(14,950)

At 31 December 2024

123

344

1

2,033

2,795

149,675

 

154,971

 

The merger reserve is not a distributable reserve. The other reserves relate entirely to the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Consolidated statement of financial position

as at 31 December 2024

2024

2023

 

 

£'000

£'000

Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

18,351

17,749

Right of use assets

7,159

6,549

Intangible assets

76,744

77,382

Deferred tax asset

623

749

Retirement benefit surplus

 

359

342

 

 

103,236

102,771

Current assets

Inventories

21,476

22,143

Trade and other receivables

50,855

44,488

Cash and cash equivalents

 

29,561

32,737

 

 

101,892

99,368

Total assets

 

205,128

202,139

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(36,862)

(36,403)

Income tax liabilities

(2,328)

(2,275)

Borrowings

(221)

(381)

Lease liabilities

(2,449)

(2,274)

Provision

 

(455)

(6)

 

 

(42,315)

(41,339)

Non-current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(1,100)

(1,090)

Borrowings

(27)

(97)

Lease liabilities

(4,873)

(4,402)

Deferred tax liabilities

(1,311)

(1,811)

Retirement benefit obligations

(531)

(1,021)

Provision

 

-

(136)

 

 

(7,842)

(8,557)

Total liabilities

 

(50,157)

(49,896)

Net assets

 

154,971

152,243

Shareholders' equity

Ordinary shares

123

123

Share premium

344

344

Capital redemption reserve

1

1

Merger reserve

2,033

2,033

Other reserves

2,795

7,079

Retained earnings

 

149,675

142,663

Total equity

 

154,971

152,243

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

for the year ended 31 December 2024

2024

2023

 

 

£'000

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

33,880

38,234

Interest paid

(358)

(256)

Income tax paid

 

(7,700)

(8,229)

Net cash generated from operating activities

 

25,822

29,749

Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired)

-

(1,582)

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(6,641)

(7,665)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

632

721

Purchases of intangible assets

(4,162)

(3,033)

Interest received

 

404

212

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(9,767)

(11,347)

Cash flows from financing activities

Repayments of borrowings

(206)

(1,443)

Payment of lease liabilities

(2,725)

(2,484)

Dividends paid to the Company's shareholders

(14,950)

(15,196)

Purchase of own shares

 

-

(33)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(17,881)

(19,156)

Net decrease in cash in the year

(1,826)

(754)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

32,737

33,962

Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,350)

(471)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

 

29,561

32,737

 

 

 

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

 

1 Earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per ordinary share ("EPS") is based on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation of £21,665,000 (2023: £23,264,000) and on 12,259,877 (2023: 12,260,286) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

For diluted EPS, the weighted average number of shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. There was no difference in the weighted average number of shares used for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share as there are no potentially dilutive shares outstanding.

2024 

2023

 

£'000

Pence

 

£'000

Pence

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation

21,665

176.7

 

23,264

189.8

 

2 This financial information within this preliminary announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The results for the year ended 31 December 2024 have been extracted from the full accounts of the Group for that year which received an unmodified auditor's report, and which have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2023 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on those filed accounts was unmodified and does not include a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

This preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the AIM rules. The financial information included in this preliminary announcement does not include all the disclosures required in accounts prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and accordingly it does not itself comply with UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The accounting policies used in the preparation of this preliminary announcement have remained unchanged from those set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023. They are also consistent with those in the full accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024, which have yet to be published.

 

The Group will post its annual report and accounts to shareholders on 22 May 2025, a copy of the annual report and accounts will be available on the company's website (www.londonsecurity.org).

 

 

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Richard Pollard, Company Secretary.

 

Enquiries

London Security plc

Richard Pollard

Company Secretary

Tel: 01422 372 852

Zeus (Nomad and Broker)

Dan Bate / Darshan Patel / George Duxberry

Tel: 0203 829 5000

 

 

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