Bridgeman Art Library Ltd. Berlin

Bridgeman Art Library Ltd. Berlin

Berlin

Befreiender Jahresabschluss zum Geschäftsjahr vom 01.01.2023 bis zum 31.12.2023

Company registration number 01056394 (England and Wales)

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

COMPANY INFORMATION

CONTENTS

Strategic report

Directors' report

Independent auditor's report

Group statement of comprehensive income

Group statement of financial position

Company statement of financial position

Group statement of changes in equity

Company statement of changes in equity

Group statement of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

STRATEGIC REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Review of the business

Bridgeman Images is the leading global source of video, photography, and illustrations from the past and present worlds of art, culture and history. Working with museums, photographers, galleries, collections, and artists, Bridgeman Images provides a central resource of art and archive images, both still and moving, to creative professionals. Every subject, concept, style and medium is represented, from the masterpieces of national museums to the hidden treasures of private collections. With offices in London, New York, Paris, Berlin, and Bologna, as well as numerous agents world-wide, it offers a truly global service that is second-to-none for professionals and novices alike.

During 2023, the business continued to invest in its future with significant investment in Digital projects, including the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence into Bridgeman's outward facing systems. There has been a focus in 2023 on improving the eCommerce experience, creating better purchasing processes for customers and increasing the number of assets and licence types available for online purchase.

Marketing has also received a large amount of investment throughout 2023, with an increase in in-person events and activity following Covid-19 helping to develop and deepen relationships with key suppliers and clients.

This increased investment in Digital and Marketing is expected to continue in 2024 to provide better results for our clients and suppliers as well as setting the business up with a strong platform for future growth and sustainable profitability.

The business continues to represent a unique and growing library of fine art and historical images and footage assets from globally recognisable artists and collections. This resource when combined with the skills, experience and knowledge of our team is helping to create innovative, exciting and award winning creative projects seen around the world.

Development and performance

The key financial performance indicators are those that communicate the financial performance and strength of the group, these being turnover, EBITDA and cash balances. Revenue for the year was £8.4m (2022: £9.1m). EBITDA for the year was a loss of £0.07m (2022: £0.24m). The group cash balance of £0.53m (2022: £1.1m) reflects a balance sheet with sufficient liquid resources to meet the working capital requirements of the group.

As some historic debt was fully repaid in 2023 the Company has undertaken additional borrowing to be able to continue investing in marketing and technology projects, which are all focused around improving and automating the user experience to establish higher revenue capacity within the Company.

Bridgeman Images continued its recovery from various economic challenges such as interest rates, inflation and their impact on consumer spending. This has impacted sales, particularly within the Print on Demand segment where revenues were down by over 10% in 2023 vs 2022. The Writers Guild of America and associated strikes in 2023 had a specific impact on the activity within the Film and Television sector for the Company, however the business is well placed to continue serving the sector as production is expected to return to historic levels in 2024.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The financial risk management objectives and policies of the group are focussed on effectively managing foreign exchange risk and credit risk as follows:

The group's principal foreign currency exposures arise from trading overseas. Although a certain degree of natural hedging occurs, as the group operates in foreign markets the trading performance is affected by exchange rate movements, the risk of which was not actively managed during the accounting period but is has been from April 2024. From April 2024 the Company has engaged in hedging activities in line with the budgeted foreign exchange rates to remove the need for full reliance on opportune moments to transfer foreign currencies.

Credit facilities are provided to customers who meet the required criteria. Risk of default is minimized by a robust credit control function and the use of professional debt-collection services where appropriate.

The changes in access to the European single market following the UK's exit from the European Union have adversely influenced overall industry performance. However, with our international trading locations well established, we have a good structure to manage and mitigate against difficulties which arise from the trading relationship between the UK and the EU. Equally, our operations in multiple territories provide a good structure from which to manage volatility in exchange rates.

Higher interest rates and global issues such as the war in Ukraine continue to affect consumer confidence and spending. Sales have not yet returned to the pre-pandemic levels. However, the business has continued to work to expand the diversity of its client base and product offering to mitigate declines within some industry sectors. The Group has also benefited from being more geographically diverse, due to its acquisitions and expansion overseas.

The Group currently has sufficient liquidity to enable all operations of the business to continue. The Group secured a new 4 year bank loan of £0.5m as part of ensuring the liquidity needs of the business were met.

Strategic relationships

We believe our employees are the most valuable asset of the group of which their dedication, professionalism and drive have contributed to the continued success of the group. The group is committed to prompt payment to its suppliers and always maintains adequate cash reserves to cover its supplier balances. In the event of a dispute, the group informs the supplier without delay and seeks to settle the dispute quickly and efficiently. The group believes the way in which it behaves and interacts with its stakeholders is essential to the business', success, and development. To this end corporate and social responsibility issues are reviewed ensuring that sufficient focus and resource are given to implementing and monitoring these issues.

DIRECTORS' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the group continued to be that of the licensing of digital images and footage.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

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

Directors

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

E Bridgeman

Viscount Bridgeman

P Russell-Cobb

Viscountess Bridgeman

Auditor

The auditor, Goodman Jones LLP, are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, 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 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 company and of the group 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 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 the group 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 company and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement of disclosure to auditor

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.

Employee involvement

The group's policy is to consult and discuss with employees at meetings matters likely to affect employees' interests.

Information of matters of concern to employees is given through updates which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the group's performance.

Going concern

The directors have considered the forecast position of both the company and the wider group in reaching their conclusions in respect of going concern. At the balance sheet date, the Company's net current liability position is due to the funding structure of the business and which comprises bank loans and amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings. The Company has significant net assets. The Group has net current assets and significant net assets.

At the date of this report, the group is funded by cash generated from its operations globally. In considering the forecast trading performance of the company and the enlarged group, the directors have considered the impact of economic factors affecting global economies. The assessment made recognises the inherent uncertainty associated with any forecasting at the present time.

In assessing the appropriateness of the going concern assumption the Group secured a new 4 year bank loan of £0.5m in the year as part of ensuring the liquidity needs of the business were met. The group's forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the group is able to operate comfortably within the level of its current facilities and meet its obligations as they fall due. Sensitivities have been modelled to understand the impact of the various risks outlined above.

The directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and that it remains appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.

On behalf of the board

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY LIMITED (THE)

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Bridgeman Art Library Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group statement of financial position, the company statement of financial position, 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:

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:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their 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:

Responsibilities of directors

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.

Auditor's 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 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.

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.

Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to industry sector regulations and unethical and prohibited business practices, and we considered the extent to which noncompliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and UK Tax Legislation. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls). Appropriate audit procedures in response to these risks were carried out. These procedures included:

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members; and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

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.

GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Loss for the financial year is all attributable to the owners of the parent company.

Total comprehensive income for the year is all attributable to the owners of the parent company.

GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 18-09-24 and are signed on its behalf by:

Company registration number 01056394 (England and Wales)

COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own income statement and related notes. The company's profit for the year was £335,234 (2022 - £595,663 loss).

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 18-09-24 and are signed on its behalf by:

Company registration number 01056394 (England and Wales)

GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

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 on-going 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.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

Impairment of fixed assets and goodwill

At each reporting year end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of goodwill and fixed 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 group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of a cash-generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the cash-generating unit is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease. The estimated future cash flows used to assess the impairment of goodwill are based on management's assumptions.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the cash-generating unit is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the cash-generating unit in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2 Accounting policies

Company information

Bridgeman Art Library Limited (The) ("the company") is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 17-19 Garway Road, London, W2 4PH.

The group consists of Bridgeman Art Library Limited (The) and all of its subsidiaries.

2.1 Accounting convention

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 pound.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. 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:

2.2 Basis of consolidation

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 Bridgeman Art Library 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 2023. 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.

2.3 Going concern

The group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the strategic report. The strategic report further describes the financial position of the group; the group's objectives and policies; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments; and its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The group operated at a loss for the year of £182,584 (2022: £311,399) of which non-cash goodwill amortisation charges amounted to £218,469 (2022: £302,933). The group absorbed £328,774 (2022 generated £308,118) of operating cashflow. At the year-end net current assets amounted to £345,128 (2022: £219,874) and net assets amounted to £3,537,828 (2022: £3,720,412).

The directors have considered the forecast position of both the company and the wider group in reaching their conclusions in respect of going concern. At the balance sheet date, the Company's net current liability position is due to the funding structure of the business and which comprises bank loans and amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings. The Company has significant net assets. The Group has net current assets and significant net assets.

At the date of this report, the group is funded by cash generated from its operations globally. In considering the forecast trading performance of the company and the enlarged group, the directors have considered the impact of economic factors affecting global economies. The assessment made recognises the inherent uncertainty associated with any forecasting at the present time.

In assessing the appropriateness of the going concern assumption the Group secured a new 4 year bank loan of £0.5m in the year as part of ensuring the liquidity needs of the business were met. The group's forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the group is able to operate comfortably within the level of its current facilities and meet its obligations as they fall due. Sensitivities have been modelled to understand the impact of the various risks outlined above.

The directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and that it remains appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.

2.4 Revenue

Revenue from the licensing of digital images and footage is recognised when the usage is declared.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

2.5 Intangible fixed assets - goodwill

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 20 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

2.6 Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill

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.

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.

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:

2.7 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment 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 income statement.

2.8 Non-current investments

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.

2.9 Impairment of non-current assets

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.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cashgenerating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

2.10 Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

Inventories held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of inventories over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

2.11 Cash and cash equivalents

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.

2.12 Financial instruments

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 statement of financial position 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

Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables 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.

Other financial assets

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Classification of financial liabilities

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 trade and other payables, 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 payables 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 payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Other financial liabilities

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2.13 Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded as 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.

2.14 Taxation

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

Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement 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

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 carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

2.15 Employee benefits

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 non-current assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2.16 Retirement benefits

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

2.17 Share-based payments

Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted using the Black-Scholes model. The fair value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the estimate of shares that will eventually vest. A corresponding adjustment is made to equity.

The expense in relation to options over the parent company's shares granted to employees of a subsidiary is recognised by the company as a capital contribution, and presented as an increase in the company's investment in that subsidiary.

When the terms and conditions of equity-settled share-based payments at the time they were granted are subsequently modified, the fair value of the share-based payment under the original terms and conditions and under the modified terms and conditions are both determined at the date of the modification. Any excess of the modified fair value over the original fair value is recognised over the remaining vesting period in addition to the grant date fair value of the original share-based payment. The share-based payment expense is not adjusted if the modified fair value is less than the original fair value.

Cancellations or settlements (including those resulting from employee redundancies) are treated as an acceleration of vesting and the amount that would have been recognised over the remaining vesting period is recognised immediately.

2.18 Foreign exchange

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.

3 Revenue

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

4 Auditor's remuneration

5 Operating loss

6 Directors' remuneration

Remuneration disclosed above includes the following amounts paid to the highest paid director:

As total directors' remuneration was less than £200,000 in the current year, no disclosure is provided for that year.

7 Employees

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

8 Investment income

9 Finance costs

10 Taxation

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

Changes to UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted by the Finance Bill 2021 including an increase in the corporation tax rate to 25% from 1 April 2023. Deferred tax is recognised at 25% in the current year.

11 Impairments

Impairment tests have been carried out where appropriate and the following impairment losses have been recognised in profit or loss:

The impairment losses in respect of financial assets are recognised in other gains and losses in the income statement.

12 Property, plant and equipment

13 Intangible fixed assets

14 Fixed asset investments

Movements in non-current investments

15 Subsidiaries

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2023 are as follows:

For the financial period ended 31 December 2023, the following subsidiary companies were entitled to exemption from audit under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 relating to subsidiary companies:

16 Financial instruments

17 Trade and other receivables

Amounts owed by group undertakings are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed repayment date,

18 Current liabilities

19 Non-current liabilities

20 Borrowings

The bank loans are secured by way of fixed and floating charges over all assets of the company both present and future.

21 Deferred taxation

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the group or company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

22 Retirement benefit schemes

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.

23 Share capital

Ordinary A shares have attached to them full voting, dividend and capital distribution rights. Ordinary B shares have attached to them dividend and capital distribution rights.

24 Share-based payment transactions

Group

The Group is unable to directly measure the fair value of employee services received. Instead the fair value of the share options granted during the year is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The model is internationally recognised as being appropriate to value employee share schemes.

25 Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

The company's assets are secured by way of a guarantee and debenture securing bank loans obtained by the company.

26 Operating lease commitments

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:

27 Cash (absorbed by)/generated from group operations

28 Analysis of changes in net funds/(debt) - group

29 Controlling party

There is no single ultimate controlling party.

30 Related party transactions

At the balance sheet date, Viscountess Bridgeman, director, was owed from the company £31,591 (2022 owed to the company: £7,013). No interest was charged on this balance (2022: £140).

At the balance sheet date, Victoria Bridgeman, a former director, owed the company £73,085 (2022: £36,492). No interest was charged on this balance (2022: £nil).

The company purchased the head lease in respect of the property at 17-23 Garway Road, London on 7 December 1999. As part of the same transaction, the Trustees of the Bridgeman Pension Scheme acquired the underlease of the office space at 17-19 Garway Road for a term of 980 years expiring 28 September 2979. The Bridgeman Art Library now rent the office space from the pension scheme. Rent of £99,997 (2022: £99,997) was charged during the period.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

GROUP DETAILED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

PARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023