(A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee)
ANNUAL REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31st December 2024
Company Number: 01765239
Registered Charity Number: 290866
Lhasa Limited CONTENTS
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Mission Statement | 1 |
| Officers and Professional Advisors | 2 |
| Directors’ and Trustees’ Report | 3 |
| Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 19 |
| Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Lhasa Limited | 21 |
| Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an | |
| income and expenditure account) | 25 |
| Consolidated and Charity Balance Sheet | 26 |
| Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | 27 |
| Accounting Policies | 28 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 33 |
Lhasa Limited Granary Wharf House 2 Canal Wharf Leeds LS11 5PS United Kingdom Tel: + 44 (0) 113 394 6020 Email: info@lhasalimited.org Web: www.lhasalimited.org
Lhasa Limited MISSION STATEMENT
OBJECTIVES
Lhasa Limited is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation whose objective is to promote scientific knowledge and understanding through the development of computer-aided reasoning and information systems in chemistry and the chemistry-related sciences.
OUR MISSION
Shared Knowledge, Shared Progress
OUR VISION
“To be acknowledged and trusted by our members and the scientific community as the world leader in knowledge and data sharing for chemistry-related sciences.”
OUR CORE VALUES
We care about the difference we can make | Ownership
We achieve more when we work together | Collaboration
We commit to doing the right thing | Integrity
We create an environment where everyone can succeed | Diversity and Inclusivity
We maximise our potential by seeking and embracing new ideas | Curiosity and Adaptability
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Lhasa Limited OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
| Chair: | Mr S Marsland |
|---|---|
| Deputy Chair: | Dr S Gutsell |
| Other Trustees: | |
| Dr C Alexander-White (resigned 26.06.24) | |
| Dr R Brennan | |
| Mr S Clarke | |
| Dr K Dobo | |
| Ms T Lichtensteiger | |
| Dr J Harvey | |
| Mr M Mills | |
| Mr D Ratcliffe | |
| Mr D Rawson | |
| Chief Executive Officer: | Dr C Barber |
| Registered Office: | Granary Wharf House |
| 2 Canal Wharf | |
| Holbeck | |
| Leeds | |
| LS11 5PS | |
| Auditors: | Forvis Mazars LLP |
| 5thFloor | |
| 3 Wellington Place | |
| Leeds | |
| LS1 4AP | |
| Bankers: | HSBC Bank |
| 33 Park Row | |
| Leeds | |
| LS1 1LD | |
| Solicitors: | Irwin Mitchell LLP |
| 2 Wellington Place | |
| Leeds | |
| LS1 4BZ | |
| Registered Charity Number: | 290866 |
| Company Number: | 01765239 |
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Lhasa Limited
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The Board of Trustees presents the report and financial statements of Lhasa Limited for the year ended 31 December 2024. The statements appear in the format required by the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
The report and statements also comply with the Companies Act 2006 (as amended August 2013) as Lhasa Limited was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 27 October 1983. It has no share capital and is a registered charity. The guarantee of each member is limited to £10. The governing documents are the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company and members of the Board of Trustees are the Directors of the company.
1. STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Charity is governed by its Articles of Association (June 2013), it’s Memorandum of Association (June 2006) and its Codes of Practice (December 2008).
GOVERNANCE
The governing bodies consist of a Board of Trustees, responsible for the governance of the Charity; a Scientific Advisory Board, responsible for scientific matters, and a Finance and Investment SubCommittee, responsible for working with our Investment Managers (RBC Brewin Dolphin UK, Leeds and Investec Wealth & Investment, Leeds), which reports to the Board of Trustees. All of these bodies meet quarterly in Leeds when it is possible to do so or virtually when it is not.
RECRUITMENT, INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF TRUSTEES
In accordance with policy, Trustees are recruited either by recommendation or via a recruitment process for their specific skills defined as a requirement by the Board of Trustees. Upon approval, potential Trustees are sent an induction pack covering their obligations under Charity and Company Law; Articles of Association; Memorandum of Association and Codes of Practice; company policies and a non-disclosure agreement. Potential Trustees are invited to attend a maximum of two meetings as observers and after these two meetings the Board of Trustees and the individual consider their suitability to act as a Trustee ahead of their formal acceptance to the post. Upon acceptance and appointment, Trustees receive an induction to the business, covering key aspects of the organisation, its operations including salient Health and Safety, Information Security and GDPR information.
Charity Commission news and guidelines on good governance are reported to the Board on a quarterly basis.
MEMBERSHIP OF LHASA LIMITED
As at the Annual General Meeting held on 19 June 2024, there were 616 members of which 175 were full members, 425 associate, 1 honorary and 15 affiliate members of Lhasa Limited. At the Ordinary General Meeting held on 11 December 2024, there were 600 members of which 171 were full, 413 associate, 1 honorary and 15 affiliate members. A list of Lhasa Limited member organisations can be found on the Lhasa Limited website (www.lhasalimited.org).
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING
Day to day management is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer who leads the management team based in Leeds. Key members of the management team are:
Chief Executive Officer Dr C Barber Director of Applied Sciences Dr C Heghes Director of Science Dr A Fowkes Director of Finance Ms C Williams Head of Information Technology Ms N Fioritta Head of People and Culture Ms R Herscovitz Head of Software Development Mr M Anoshehpour Head of Solutions Dr N Marchetti Business Improvement Manager Dr G Poignant
The Chief Executive Officer formally reports to the Board of Trustees through a quarterly report and by attendance at quarterly meetings of the Board of Trustees. Progress is reviewed with the Chairman, the immediate past Chairman and Deputy Chairman monthly, via telephone conference.
At 31 December 2024, staff numbers stood at 192 against the 182 of the previous year.
Remuneration Policy
The Board of Trustees give up their time freely and no trustee received remuneration in the year. Details of Trustees’ expenses are disclosed in note 8 to the accounts. The Board of Trustees entrust the directing, controlling, running and operation of the Charity to the Chief Executive Officer who is supported by the key management personnel. The pay of the senior staff is reviewed annually and increased in accordance with the company remuneration policy which is applicable to all Lhasa staff.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Lhasa Limited Board of Trustees holds in high regard the principle of public benefit and requires the Chief Executive Officer and staff of Lhasa Limited to pursue policies that demonstrate this. The Board of Trustees, at its quarterly meetings, reviews ongoing charitable activities to ensure consistency with our charitable objects. The Board of Trustees is aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and has had regard to it in determining the Charity’s aims and objectives and in the way it carries out its activities.
For the public benefit, the Charity is committed to enabling scientists to make better predictions on the safety of drugs, chemicals and cosmetics by providing members with software systems that support research on toxicology, metabolism and degradation. The Charity is committed to the development and use of computer-aided reasoning and information systems for the advancement of chemistry and the life sciences. This further benefits the public by:
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reducing the need for animal testing;
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improving the lengthy and costly process of developing new drugs; and
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safeguarding human health from the adverse effects of chemicals.
Our Membership model and charitable status facilitates the sharing of confidential data with Lhasa that supports collaborative development of more predictive software which would not normally be made available. This trusted status facilitates the pre-competitive data sharing consortia that Lhasa manages allowing members within those consortia. During 2024, members continue to donate data to Lhasa that is being used to improve models available to all sponsoring Lhasa members (thereby sharing knowledge derived from private data). These donations are supporting the improvement of predictions made within Derek, Sarah, Mirabilis and Zeneth.
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Lhasa Limited
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
In support of its charitable purpose, Lhasa has made freely available the Lhasa Carcinogenicity Database – ensuring continued access to data that used to be provided by CPDB which is no longer available. This valuable data set has been supplemented with additional data and revised analyses ensuring it will continue to provide public benefit.
The charitable aims of Lhasa Limited include the sponsorship of activities that advance scientific knowledge and understanding through the use of computer-aided reasoning in chemistry and the life sciences. The Charity directly promotes and encourages the use of our software for academic teaching and research by offering membership on significantly preferential terms. In addition, the Charity actively supports research through the teaching of the use of computer aided reasoning in toxicology and the sponsorship of:
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computational chemistry events;
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scientific symposia and academic prizes; and
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research projects and scientific training to Ph.D. level.
As well as performing research and development, the Charity is committed to providing financial support for others to carry out their own research and to discuss their findings to further advance and refine the science. Specifically, the Charity provides support for research within academic institutions and the outcomes of this research, and that of our own scientists, are disseminated through publications, talks and poster presentations at relevant scientific events all around the world, encouraging further work in the public domain.
The software developed by the Charity enables the scientific community to carry out research much more effectively, reducing animal use in experiments, helping to improve toxicological testing, and improving the communication of knowledge about toxicology, degradation, metabolism and impurity profiles. Members, academic scientists, and government regulatory organisations benefit from the unique data and knowledge- sharing approach of Lhasa Limited, enhancing quality of life by assisting in the development of, and access to, safer chemical entities for the benefit of the public. Lhasa works closely with its membership to identify new areas of application for computer aided reasoning and develops specialist software that meets that need.
Our position as a Charity makes it easier for organisations to donate their data, secure in the knowledge that it will only be used to promote scientific development to the benefit of all and, as such, we are able to access data and knowledge that would otherwise not be accessible. Membership and software sponsorship fees are used to support the ongoing research and development carried out by the Charity. Through the generous funding of our main sponsors, Lhasa Limited is able to offer very low fees to academic organisations and public non-political bodies to ensure that its knowledge is available to the widest possible public audience. In addition, members contribute the results of their own research, thereby making scientific research publicly available that would not otherwise be accessible to the scientific community. The Charity therefore plays an invaluable role by bringing previously unpublished information into the public domain, and permitting the knowledge derived from this to be used by the scientific community for the public benefit. The science behind our efforts on behalf of members is published in accredited scientific journals and our scientists attend conferences across the world in order to promote our charitable purpose. During 2024 Lhasa had 12 articles published, delivered 15 presentations at conferences, and presented 11 scientific posters.
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Lhasa Limited
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
RESERVES POLICY
Lhasa Limited’s reserves policy requires the retention of funds sufficient to encompass:
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The balance on tangible and intangible fixed assets for use by the Charity to avoid having to liquidate functional assets to release cash less all loans associated directly with these assets.
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To cover at least 3 months of the direct costs and support costs, agreed in the budget at meetings of the Board of Directors. Reserves held are not anticipated to be required in excess of 6 months direct costs and support costs.
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The reserves policy is reviewed annually to take into consideration perceived risks and opportunities. Lhasa revised its reserves policy in 2017 to reflect the changing needs since the previous major change in 2010. The current policy has been reviewed in 2024 and is felt still appropriate to Lhasa’s future reserves needs.
CURRENT POSITION
Based upon the above our present position is:
| Group | Charity | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec-24 | Dec-24 | |
| £'000s | £'000s | |
| Unrestricted Reserves | £25,853 | £25,896 |
| Fixed Assets | £7,833 | £7,810 |
| Designated Pension Deficit Top Up Fund | - | - |
| Designated Development Fund | £6,000 | £6,000 |
| Total Designated Funds | £13,833 | £13,810 |
| Free Reserves | £ 12,018 | £12,084 |
| 2025 Forecasted Costs - 25% | £5,712 | £5,425 |
| 2025 Forecasted Costs - 50% | £11,424 | £10,851 |
Free reserves for the charity are £1,233k above the maximum that the Board of Directors would normally expect to hold. Additional reserves were accrued during 2020 as a result of prudent action taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic, during 2021 the challenge of recruiting resulted in a further increase to reserves. The trustees established a £2,000k Development Fund in 2021 to support further advancement of Lhasa’s charitable objectives over the next 3-5 years, £690k was released and £2,000 added to this Fund during 2022 and a further £2,214k was released in 2023. The Trustees added a further £4,904k to the Designated Development Fund in 2023 to enable continued investment bringing the balance to £6,000k. Free reserves were held for the purpose of completing agreed acquisitions which did not finalise until 9 January 2025 (note 24). In accordance with the policy, Lhasa Limited has designated funds equal to tangible and intangible fixed assets and all additional designated funds are allocated from the balance of Fixed Assets.
Fixed assets
The movement in intangible and tangible fixed assets are set out in notes 9 and 10 respectively.
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
INVESTMENT
During 2012, in accordance with Charity Commission guidelines, the Board of Trustees took the decision to review the investment policy of the Charity and to invest a proportion of the Charity’s reserves. Brewin Dolphin were appointed as investment managers for the Charity, reporting to the Board of Trustees through the Finance and Investment Sub-Committee (FIC). During 2022 the Investment Policy was updated, and this has been reviewed in 2024 to ensure it remains appropriate to meet the current needs of Lhasa. An additional Investment Manager, Investec Wealth & Investment was appointed in 2018.
The Investment advisers produce detailed written reports which value the portfolio and record its respective performance statistics, these are presented to the FIC on a quarterly basis. An integral part of the regular meetings is a discussion on the content of the report with particular reference to the performance aspect.
As at 31 December 2024, the total investment portfolios held were valued at £11,064k (2023: £10,298k). The portfolios produced an annual gross income of £204k (2023: £202k), which is equivalent to a gross yield of 1.85% (2023: 1.97%). The Brewin Dolphin portfolio was initiated with an investment of £750k in 2013. During both 2014 and 2015 an additional sum of £500k was added to the portfolio in 2020 a further sum of £2,000k was added and in 2021 there was a further addition of £1,150k; giving a total invested of £4,900k. An additional portfolio was initiated with Investec Wealth & Investment in November 2018 with an initial investment of £500k. During both 2019 and 2020 an additional sum of £1,000k was added to this portfolio and in 2021 there was a further addition of £1,150k; giving a total invested of £3,650k. All sums invested are specifically approved by the Board of Trustees.
Lhasa Limited holds investments with a long-term view and receives regular updates from our Investment Managers to ensure that the portfolios are still appropriate for our risk appetite, and both have confirmed that the portfolios remain suitable and are in line with our investment objectives. Both portfolios showed a net gain during 2024.
The structure of the portfolios is in accordance with the current Investment Policy.
Subsidiary
During 2023 Lhasa Limited established a trading subsidiary, Consult Lhasa Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. The trading subsidiary was established to provide expert risk assessments for chemical safety that are recognised and trusted by industry and regulatory authorities. Lhasa Limited owns all the issued share capital of Consult Lhasa Limited. The subsidiary has continued to trade in 2024 and reported a net profit at 31 December 2024.
Investment Policy
Lhasa Limited receives income on an annual basis through membership subscriptions, sponsorships, grants, and other sources. It plans activities over a three-to-five-year time horizon and budgets to expend all anticipated income in each year, except for retained reserves in line with the reserves policy, and provides for capital expenditure within the budget or through designated income funds.
Lhasa Limited will review and determine its investment policy and attitude to risk in consultation with its Investment Managers having regards to its objectives and operating financial conditions. Lhasa Limited has a dual objective of income and real growth.
The portfolios will target growth with the objective of protecting the capital value of the fund against inflation. Income is retained on the portfolios.
A strategy of limiting risk by matching to a degree the types of assets invested in, to the obligations or liabilities of the Fund has been adopted. The balance between investing for growth and investing for income with the best fit or match to liabilities is a judgment requiring regular reappraisal, constrained only by the requirement to achieve an average moderate risk rating.
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Lhasa Limited
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
Lhasa Limited recognises that the portfolios will be invested in assets that will rise and fall in value in the short term but are most likely to show a positive return over an intermediate period of time.
Lhasa Limited further recognises that investments in this area will require a minimum time horizon of five years or more.
The suitability of various types of investments has been considered, as has the need to diversify investments to reduce the risk of being invested in too narrow a range of assets. Investments in significant holdings (>10% of the portfolio) are not permitted.
These principles are reviewed annually and discussed at least quarterly at the regular review meetings between our Investment Managers and the FIC.
Lhasa Limited is keen to maintain the liquidity of its investments and so would not wish to invest in the most speculative instruments.
Lhasa Limited keeps sufficient cash separate to its investment assets to meet short-term working capital needs. Lhasa also keeps sufficient cash savings to meet mid-term cash needs. Lhasa Limited will only place funds with the Investment Managers in excess of these funds.
The FIC reviews Lhasa’s liquidity on a quarterly basis and reports back to the Board of Trustees.
Investments may be excluded if they run counter to the work of the Charity or result in loss of financial support.
Lhasa Limited appoint professional Investment Managers to manage the assets on a discretionary basis, in line with this investment policy.
The Investment Managers are responsible for monitoring their own performance and formally reporting it (in actual and comparative terms) to the FIC quarterly. The trustees have agreed with the Investment Managers that the management of the portfolio must be within detailed tactical asset allocation (TAA). Should the agreed TAA boundaries need to be deviated from, which would only be expected in exceptional circumstances, then express permission will be required by the Investment Manager from Lhasa Limited to do so.
Any changes to this allocation must be presented by the Investment Managers, the FIC or Trustees and subsequently approved.
The Investment Managers will provide quarterly information to the FIC with a minimum disclosure of: valuation of investment; annual estimated income and yield; trading activity; performance and commentary.
Performance will be measured against agreed market indices and inflation.
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
2. STRATEGIC REPORT
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Membership
Membership numbers decreased slightly from 612 in 2023 to 600 in 2024.
Vision
Lhasa supports its members and thereby benefit the wider public by helping them make informed decisions on chemical safety resulting in improved chemical safety for humans, reduced dependency on animal testing, and a greater understanding of the mechanisms that result in toxicity. It does this through the development and sharing of scientific knowledge, through the creation of predictive models, through the assembling and curation of public experimental data and by facilitating proprietary data sharing. Lhasa Limited’s participation in numerous Lhasa data sharing consortia (see page 11) is a clear indication of a continuing acceptance of Lhasa Limited’s role at the heart of knowledge and data sharing in our chosen field and, as such, is in line both with our vision and our charitable objects. Furthermore, participation in projects of this type promotes further opportunities for the public to benefit from our activities as we widen our scope of influence and provide additional support for the use of computer aided reasoning in the sector.
Company Objectives & Strategy
The Board of Trustees reviews progress against the Company Objectives at each Board Meeting in the light of the prevailing operating climate and changes are made to objectives and strategies as required.
All aspects of strategy are monitored throughout the year and adjusted in the light of new market and scientific information. Changes in tactics are managed operationally and any suggested changes to strategy are recommended to the Board of Trustees. A review of strategy is made annually by the Board of Trustees with the last one taking place in September 2024.
Key Performance Indicators
The Board of Trustees task the CEO and senior management team to work to a budget, agreed annually, for income and associated expenditure in support of the charity’s aims; performance is monitored each quarter by the Trustees. There has been a net decrease of 12 in Lhasa membership numbers during the year which is partly due to consolidation of multiple site memberships into one parent company membership. Lhasa continues to promote the use of computer aided reasoning in chemistry and the life sciences. In 2024, 15 presentations associated with conferences, 12 publications and 11 posters were presented by Lhasa Limited staff.
Research and Development
The science team continued to maintain and develop the scientific components (data, knowledge bases, statistical algorithms) that power our existing products (Vitic, Derek Nexus, Zeneth, Mirabilis, Sarah Nexus, Meteor Nexus), in addition to progressing new scientific innovations to enhance current products or leading to the delivery of new products (Kaptis and Acrostic). Beyond solution enhancements, the science team have continued to provide scientific support for our existing and future products which included interactions with members, active participation in scientific committees and cross-industry collaboration groups, delivery of presentations, posters and publications.
Highlights for the year include:
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Enhancing the portfolio for nitrosamine safety assessment to including maintenance of the carcinogenicity potency classification approach (CPCA), curation of more data and knowledge to support assessments, development of a robust workflow to perform read-across.
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Development of the knowledge bases in Derek, Zeneth and Mirabilis, improving predictivity and
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DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
coverage for the use-cases identified in Lhasa’s product strategy.
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Enhancements to the training set and predictions within Sarah Nexus.
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Expansion of the core Vitic database and Vitic databases used to support collaborative projects such as Vitic Complex Nitrosamines.
Toxicity prediction (Derek Nexus and Sarah Nexus)
The development of Derek Nexus (DX) and Sarah Nexus (SX) was driven to meet two key use cases as planned. The two use cases and key results are:
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Assessing the mutagenicity of pharmaceutical impurities, a key requirement of members for the use of the software in the regulatory context of the international ICH M7 guidelines. To enhance the software additional mutagenicity datasets have been curated and stored in the Vitic database, which has supported the expansion of the Sarah Nexus training set. The knowledgebase of Derek Nexus was also enhanced with modification to the mutagenicity and chromosome damage endpoints. With respect to nitrosamines, the CPCA has been implemented into Nexus to enable members to assign limits to nitrosamine impurities based on their chemical structure.
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Assessing the chromosome damage potential of molecules in preparation of regulatory guidance for the assessment of agrochemical impurities. The Derek knowledge base was refined to be more specific for the chromosome damage endpoint and in addition a statistical QSAR model was implemented into Sarah Nexus. The provision of these models will allow members to perform more comprehensive assessments for chromosome damage.
Weight-of-evidence assessment (Kaptis)
Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) can act as a framework to organise evidence to support toxicity risk assessments based on weight of evidence. Kaptis has been developed by Lhasa to allow safety assessors to perform weight-of-evidence assessments for complex endpoints, where combination of experimental data, predictions and knowledge are required to reach a confident conclusion. The science team continues to develop AOPs that capture established mechanisms leading to carcinogenicity, developmental/reproductive toxicity, and skin sensitisation. Through the incorporation of experimental data and reasoning rules into the AOP framework, enabled the development of a weight-of-evidence approach described in the ICH S1B addendum for assessing the carcinogenicity risk of small molecules in the pharmaceutical setting. AOPs are also providing the backdrop for many interactions and collaborations with academia, industry, and regulators.
Toxicity Data (Vitic and Lhasa Carcinogenicity Database)
Vitic continues to be our flagship toxicity database and the database continues to be expanded with a focus on genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and skin sensitisation. In addition, the Vitic Nexus platform is continuing to support several data sharing initiatives including Aromatic Amines, Production Intermediates, Exposure Limits for Pharmaceutical Impurities (PDE), Excipients, Elemental Impurities, Nitrites and Complex Nitrosamines. The science behind the Lhasa Carcinogenicity Database was also further developed by the science team, with the curation of additional records, inclusion of features to enhance the usability of the database.
Forced degradation (Zeneth)
Zeneth continues to be developed to support members’ understanding of potential degradation pathways for drug products. The knowledge base has seen significant growth through the addition of new transformations and a wider range of excipients, many of which were requested by members. The knowledge base is supported with provision of physiochemical parameters to refine reasoning and enhance predictions.
Impurity tracking (Mirabilis)
Mirabilis enables users to predict whether potential impurities will be removed (purged) from pharmaceutical products during their synthesis. Such impurities can be introduced during drug synthesis and may pose a carcinogenic risk. Mirabilis has established itself as the leading tool to support use of the purge argument to satisfy option 4 of the ICH M7 guideline. The science team has helped maintain this position through supporting the implementation of a condition-based approach,
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DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
which increases the confidence and robustness of reactivity predictions, as well as further development of the Mirabilis knowledge base to cover additional impurity and reaction types. The knowledge within Mirabilis continues to grow enabling coverage of additional genotoxic impurity classes.
Metabolite prediction (Meteor)
Meteor remains Lhasa’s solution for the prediction of the metabolic fate of compounds and is integrated into the Nexus platform. A metabolism database has been further developed to support improved predictivity and decision making within Meteor.
Key Collaborations
USA Food and Drug Administration Research Collaboration Agreement
The FDA RCA (Research Collaboration Agreement) allowing for research collaboration and access to Lhasa software by the FDA progressed well through 2024. The FDA also continues to provide valuable feedback/input for the further development of Mirabilis, and development of alerts in Derek Nexus related to the assessment of nitrosamines development. This project benefits the outputs of computer-aided reasoning in chemistry and the life sciences in accordance with our charitable objects by providing the regulatory feedback needed to ensure our software remains regulatory applicable and to support regulatory access to ensure public safety.
European Medicines Agency
Access to the EMA and 18 EU regulators has been provided under a collaboration agreement. Lhasa continues to provide training sessions and material, with positive feedback received for the sessions provided so far. Marketing activity is also being planned to socialise the EMA’s membership.
NIHS Japan
The Japanese NIHS continued to fund a long-standing research collaboration with Lhasa, with the focus (for 2024) on continuing the improvement of the prediction of development/reprotoxicity adverse outcome pathways which is in-line with the goal of increasing understanding of computational methods in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal products and chemical applications.
Lhasa sponsored data sharing initiatives
During 2024 Lhasa continued to drive the following data sharing initiatives:
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Vitic Intermediate Impurities
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Vitic Aromatic Amines
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Vitic Excipients
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Vitic Elemental Impurities
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Vitic AI/PDE
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Vitic Nitrites
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Vitic Complex Nitrosamines
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
Training
As part of the Lhasa Limited service to our members, and in support of individual user education, 298 training sessions were delivered overall in 2024 (compared to 287 in 2023). Of these sessions, 49 were held at member sites, 248 via the web, and 1 at Lhasa.
While the overall number of training sessions has increased, the pandemic has significantly changed how these are delivered. Since many Lhasa members now work from home, we've seen a reduction in member-site training sessions. Only 17% of all training sessions were delivered on-site in 2023 and 2024, compared to 38% in 2019 (pre-pandemic). The ability to deliver training sessions online has been a positive development, allowing us to reach more of our members regardless of their location, as reflected in the overall increase in training sessions.
Lhasa Limited Face to Face and Virtual Events
Lhasa Limited continues to run events to share knowledge and experience in chemistry and the life sciences as it applies to the future developments of the Charity’s collaborative tools.
During 2024, we held 10 virtual events, some of which were conducted in languages other than English, to suit our audience (attracting a total of 1,075 external logins).
During 2024, we held seven scientific in-person events in Mexico, Brazil, India, South Korea, China, and Japan with 661 in-person attendees. Across all 2024 webinars and events, we generated 238 leads to follow up with.
In 2024, we also hosted four local technology events with 145 in-person attendees.
Conferences
In 2024, Lhasa Limited staff attended 19 scientific events (conferences and external webinars) in support of our aims, philosophy, services, and charitable objects.
In 2024, we held five industry-hosted conference sessions, with 380 attendees.
Publications
A key part of the work of Lhasa Limited is the expansion in the understanding of toxicology, metabolism, and degradation prediction. During 2024, this objective was achieved by the delivery of 15 presentations to conferences, 12 publications and 11 posters.
Sponsorship
The Board of Trustees have approved a number of sponsorship activities in accordance with Lhasa Limited’s charitable objects including:
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Supporting PhD students, financially or as industry supervisors at the:
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Oxford University - Investigating graph-based machine learning methods in drug discovery
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Oxford University - Applications of Deep Learning for Binding Affinity Prediction
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oOxford University - Improving QSAR Models for the Prediction of the Activities and Toxicity of Small Molecule Candidates -
Swansea University - 3D in vitro models for quantitative genotoxicity prediction
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oUniversity of Lisbon - Towards a framework to unify in silico methods to support decision-making for chemical risk assessments: application in endocrine disruptors -
Society of Toxicology, Computational Toxicology Speciality Section
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MGMS Young Modellers’ Forum 2024.
Member facing activity
Lhasa Limited is justifiably proud of its record of supporting members. During 2024, we continued to provide first class scientific and technical support through our strong team of Application Scientists. Our members are regularly surveyed for their views on the scientific and technical support we provide and in 2024 our satisfaction rating was 97.1% or 5.83/6.
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
3. FINANCIAL REVIEW
Funding Sources
Lhasa Limited receives the majority of its income from membership fees, software sponsorship fees and buying-in fees from members using Lhasa software for their own research and development purposes and royalty fees from consultants using Lhasa software to provide results to third parties, with the aim of attracting significant income from the additional sponsorship of specific research and development projects. The results derived from these projects are incorporated into the software available to the whole Lhasa Limited membership.
Lhasa Limited is involved in several external research collaborations that run as strategic projects. These collaborations include working with IQ and HESI groups on nitrosamine related topics.
Results for the year
The surplus for the financial year 2024 was £2,152k (2023 £3,070k). Income for the 2024 financial year increased and the majority of existing customers renewed their membership and continued to license the software. The geographical income split for 2024 (2023) was:
| Europe | 38% | (39%) |
|---|---|---|
| Americas | 38% | (37%) |
| Asia | 24% | (24%) |
The value of the software systems owned and developed by Lhasa Limited increased during 2024 by £150k (2023: increased by £569k), a further £3,228k (2023: £2,736k) was invested in new product development in 2024. The capitalisation of staff effort expended in developing the database systems during 2024 was £1,819k (2023: £2,044k) which was offset by their amortisation charges during the year of £1,669k (2023: £1,475k).
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). The notes to the financial statements on pages 28 to 48 indicate how the income totalling £20,635k (2023 £18,704k) represents the commitment of the existing customers to the Charity and each of the databases.
The expenditure has been allocated on the same basis as income across the main activities, the allocation of the costs being based on the staff hours spent on each database together with the direct costs incurred.
The governance costs totalling £53k (2023: £79k) are detailed in note 6 on page 35 and include the management time incurred in assisting the Board of Trustees to fulfil their duties.
Following the latest valuation of the USS Pension Scheme Lhasa fully released the provision as at 31 December 2023.
The Charity has prepared a budget for the year ended 31 December 2025 which indicates a modest surplus for the coming year. This budget is based on identified income sources and planned costs and reflects Lhasa’s commitment to the development of new databases. This budget was approved by the Board in December 2024.
The level of income and the Charity’s year end position in 2024 were positive and very satisfactory.
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
4. FUTURE PROSPECTS
Income
To directly address the further development of the Charity, the Charity has released, and continues to develop, new software with an identified market to provide a broader base of support for member needs in accordance with our charitable objectives. The focus will remain on increasing value to our membership through the development of existing and new software alongside the further development of strategic, collaborative projects that meet our member’s future needs, and together will further safeguard the longer-term future of the Charity.
Income growth from core sponsorship has remained strong for 2024 at 9.5% (2023: 8.3%) representing an excellent performance which indicates that the chosen strategic direction and overall approach of the Charity is right for the current economic climate. The budgeted income growth from core sponsorship for 2024 is 3.5%. An average increase of 6.0% was passed on to our members during 2024 and an average increase of 5.0% was approved by the Board for 2025 in recognition of the cumulative effects on our costs of price rises and inflation over the past few years.
Applied Sciences
Global Alliances
Global Alliance managers, working within our Applied Sciences team, provide project direction and support for our new strategic projects, consortia developments and for our relationships with regulators in Europe, the USA, Japan, and other territories.
Business Partnerships
The Business Partnerships team are focused on working with prospective members to secure sponsorship of our solutions and to extend the application to new markets and new territories.
Application Scientists
The focus of application scientists is to support our members to solve problems they have. The application scientist identifies needs and applies our solutions to meet member’s needs.
Marketing
The focus of the Marketing team is to promote our science, our solutions and the value that it can bring to members and prospects alongside other activities that support our charitable purpose.
Business Support
The focus of business support is to assist all Lhasa employees with travel, negotiate deals for conferences, hotels, events etc. The team are also involved in release activities for all our solutions and always looking for improvements by automating and making processes more effective.
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Lhasa Limited
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
Solutions
The Solutions function has focused on improving functional performance, portfolio integration, delivery processes, intellectual property protection, and team culture. Role and job descriptions for key positions, including Product Owners and Delivery Managers, have been reviewed and updated, with clear expectations communicated across teams. Internal processes for decision-making and stakeholder communication have been strengthened, leading to improved transparency and alignment with senior leadership.
The Solutions Portfolio has been consolidated under unified roadmaps that provide a clear and comprehensive view of planned activities. Significant progress has been made in integrating solutions beyond the user interface level, ensuring alignment at the data and assessment layers. This deeper integration is enhancing the value and consistency of solutions delivered to members.
Delivery governance has been strengthened through the introduction of structured documentation for each planned release, offering end-to-end visibility of scope and lifecycle. This has enabled more effective prioritisation and data-driven decision-making. An Enablement Team has also been established to support solution teams and proactively manage delivery risks, reducing the need for senior-level escalations.
To protect intellectual property, work has been initiated to implement centrally controlled and revokable licenses across all software solutions. A technology partner has been identified and is undergoing due diligence prior to implementation. Additional actions have been defined to mitigate risks associated with reporting and knowledge base access.
Alongside these improvements, the Solutions function continues to promote a high-performance culture within teams to ensure the effective delivery of strategic and operational objectives.
Science
The Science Team continues to deliver the necessary capacity to investigate opportunities to develop computer-aided reasoning for the life sciences outside of the general improvements delivered via operational projects.
Upon continuous review of our scientific strategy and inputs provided by the Science Advisory Board, a number of key scientific domains will continue to be supported via specific research projects:
-
Novel approaches to the prediction of toxicology/reactivity-driven purge/degradation with the objective of improving the accuracy, scope of applicability and transparency of predictions;
-
Automation of the acquisition of new knowledge in support of expert knowledge development and curation;
-
Increase the understanding and articulation at the chemistry/biology interface;
-
Develop new approaches for the resolution of workflow challenges in safety assessment in the pharmaceutical/cosmetics/chemical/agrochemical markets; and
-
Specific research projects underpinning the longer-term scientific objectives of the Charity.
The work of the Science Team will be applied by multidisciplinary teams to ensure the delivery of value to members through different solutions. Synergies arising from the integration of the knowledge, data and technology teams will be leveraged to increase the quality, accuracy, and transparency of scientific interpretation that the Lhasa Limited software provides for members.
Architecture
The Architecture function continues to play a key role in orchestrating technical initiatives that deliver Lhasa products to Lhasa members. Our Architecture practice is evolving, ensuring greater consistency and alignment with industry standards. This year, in close collaboration with our IT and Solution Delivery teams, we simplified complexity through automation and governance, enhancing security, resilience, and accelerating feature delivery. We also optimised cloud infrastructure, reducing costs and improving performance for a scalable, efficient foundation.
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Lhasa Limited
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
Architectural leadership ensured cross-solution alignment, enabling seamless integration, crossproduct workflows, and greater component reuse across our solution portfolio.
We also strengthened our presence in the local tech community by co-hosting an Architecture Kata event in the Leeds Digital Festival, fostering innovation and collaboration.
We are enhancing our Architecture practice with Automation and AI to streamline decision-making and accelerate solution design, ensuring our technology landscape remains future-ready and aligned with business growth.
These achievements have strengthened our architecture foundation, positioning us well for continued innovation and growth.
Software Development
Delivery
Efforts are being made to improve solution delivery across all teams by ensuring adequate resourcing, aligning skills and experience with demand, and enabling teams through expert leadership. Key individuals identified as dev leads to fill leadership gaps in dev teams and enhance alignment, ownership and collaboration in the solution teams. A new enablement team has been formed to provide expert support and guidance, helping solution teams function more effectively and autonomously.
Platform Engineering
Platform Engineering capabilities are being extended to additional solutions. Additional Lhasa solutions will be onboarded into the new platform over the course of 2025. This will increase consistency, drive automation further, and improve efficiency in software development life cycle.
AI
AI capabilities are being continuously integrated into the software development life cycle, empowering individuals and teams to acquire skills, adapt practices, and embrace AI transformation. Coding co-pilots are being rolled out across SD, with an AI co-pilot event organised to invite external guests. The community of practice will support proficiency in using AI-based tools, with regular sessions for knowledge sharing.
Software Quality
The quality of Lhasa solutions is being enhanced to improve service reliability and member satisfaction. Quality profiles for each solution are being created to inform improvement plans and drive consistency in testing. Improved practices will be applied to drive wider quality improvement across all Lhasa solutions and support the upskilling of teams.
Culture
A collaborative and outcome-oriented culture in software development is being fostered. Monthly allhands meetings focus on building high-performing teams, addressing common challenges, and enhancing culture through a community approach. These meetings aim to foster collaboration and build stronger connections within the Software Development community and wider Lhasa.
16
Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
5. RISK MANAGEMENT & REVIEW
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the management of risk by the Charity. Key controls for the management of risk include:
-
Formal agendas for all Board of Trustees’ activity and minutes;
-
Comprehensive strategic planning, budgeting, and management accounting;
-
Established organisational structure and lines of reporting;
-
Formal written policies; and
-
Clear authorisation and approval levels.
The Board of Trustees has conducted a review of the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. During 2007 the Board of Trustees approved the use of Charity Magique software which is used to further identify, manage, and mitigate risks throughout the Charity’s operations. An overview of key risks is presented at each quarterly Board of Trustees meeting and the risk register is formally reviewed by the Board of Trustees on an annual basis.
Corporate Risk
The Board of Trustees meet on a regular basis to review the performance of the Charity and its activities and are provided with financial management reports and forecasts which they use to ensure proper business controls are in place. Contractual and other legal arrangements are regularly reviewed by the management team and brought to the Board of Trustees for their consideration and approval where appropriate before action. As far as the Board of Trustees are aware there are no instances of actual, suspected, or alleged fraud that will affect the Charity.
Financial Risk
With the majority of income derived from overseas sources, the risk of currency fluctuation is mitigated by our policy not to retain significant currency holdings. The foreign exchange loss in the current year is £12k compared to a loss in the prior year of £35k reflecting the movement in the currency market.
Data Loss
Lhasa has established policies and procedures which ensure all data is stored and backed up aligned to industry good practice. Lhasa operates full resilience and high availability across the networking and core infrastructure; all critical services are backed up in Microsoft Azure Cloud and immutable repositories with full business continuity failover in the event of loss or interruption to primary services, non-critical services are backed up in Synology. Lhasa also has an established Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity test and restoration schedule which ensures data can be restored from back up if and when required in very short timescales; due to Lhasa’s high availability, high dependency network infrastructure all DR & BC activity can be executed remotely without on-site presence at Granary Wharf House.
Fraud
To minimise the risk of fraud, all financial transactions are subject to approval prior to payment. Operational Managers can approve purchases up to £1,000 or the value specifically approved in the annual budget, whichever is greater. Operational Directors can approve up to £10,000 or the value approved by the Board in the annual budget, whichever is greater. Purchases exceeding these limits require secondary approval by the CEO. Key financial transactions greater than £100k must be approved by two Officers of the Charity with approval from the Board for all expenditure over £250k. All signatories have clear and communicated authorisation levels.
Competitive Risk
The Charity continues to monitor the competitive risk arising from a number of different sources including direct substitution of the software provided by the Charity and the potential replacement by
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Lhasa Limited
DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
newer or more cost-effective technologies. In addition, to protect our existing intellectual property, we protect our company and product names by means of registration in countries in which we support our members.
Key Risks
The primary risks for Lhasa Limited are managed and mitigated through the application of Board of Trustee approved strategies and monitored using the Charity Magique software system.
The key risks as identified by the Board of Trustees all have controls in place to mitigate any potential impact they might have. The key risks identified are:
-
Changes in the market may affect the demand for the Charity's activities leading to a significant reduction in revenue.
-
Failure to deliver solutions to meet members' needs
-
The impact on Business Continuity of a systems failure or other emergency situation
-
Security Breach due to Logical Access failure
-
Impact of new science used by competitors may damage competitiveness.
-
Failure to adopt AI could result in loss of market position and hinder operational efficiency, putting the company at a competitive disadvantage.
-
Failure to protect intellectual property (Brand, knowledge and expertise)
-
We are unable to manage the quantity and complexity of scientific data to enable us to achieve our ambitions.
-
Strain on Senior Leadership Capacity Due to Multi-Subsidiary Oversight
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS
The Trustees who were in office on the date of approval of these financial statements have confirmed, as far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware. Each of the Trustees has confirmed that they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor.
AUDITORS
A resolution to reappoint Forvis Mazars LLP will be put to the annual general meeting.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 28th May 2025 and signed on its behalf.
In approving the Directors’ and Trustees’ Report, the Trustees are also approving the Strategic Report therein in their capacity as company directors.
Steve Marsland
Steve Marsland (May 28, 2025 12:54 GMT+1)
Mr Stephen Marsland CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
By order of the Board
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Lhasa Limited DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees 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 Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
a. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
b. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
c.
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
d. state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
e. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The Trustees 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 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 hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
20
Lhasa Limited
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LHASA LIMITED
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Lhasa Limited (the ‘parent charity’) and its subsidiary (‘the group’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Charity Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Cashflows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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 and of the parent charity’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the group’s income and expenditure for the year then ended;
-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the “Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements” section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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 trustees’ 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 or the charity'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 trustees 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 trustees 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.
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Lhasa Limited
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LHASA LIMITED
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 the audit:
-
the information given in the Trustees’ Report which includes the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report included within the Trustee’s Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
-
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
-
certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
22
Lhasa Limited INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LHASA LIMITED
Responsibilities of Trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement, the trustees 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 trustees 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 trustees are responsible for assessing the group’s and parent charity’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 trustees either intend to liquidate the charity 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 the financial statements. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Based on our understanding of the charity and its industry, we considered that non-compliance with the following laws and regulations might have a material effect on the financial statements: Charities Act 2011, UK tax legislation, anti-bribery, corruption and fraud and money laundering.
To help us identify instances of non-compliance with these laws and regulations, and in identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect to non-compliance, our procedures included, but were not limited to:
-
Inquiring of management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance, as to whether the charity is in compliance with laws and regulations, and discussing their policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations;
-
Inspecting correspondence, if any, with relevant licensing or regulatory authorities;
-
Communicating identified laws and regulations to the engagement team and remaining alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout our audit; and
-
Considering the risk of acts by the company which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.
We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the preparation of the financial statements, such as the Charities Act 2022, the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice, UK tax legislation, pensions legislation, employment regulation and the Companies Act 2006.
23
Lhasa Limited INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LHASA LIMITED
In addition, we evaluated the trustees’ and management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements, including the risk of management override of controls, and determined that the principal risks related to posting manual journal entries to manipulate financial performance, management bias through judgements and assumptions in significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to revenue recognition (which we pinpointed to the cut-off assertion), the pension deficit provision, the capitalisation of labour, the depreciation of fixed assets and the amortisation of databases, the bad debt provision and significant one-off or unusual transactions.
Our audit procedures in relation to fraud included but were not limited to:
-
Making enquiries of the trustees and management on whether they had knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
-
Gaining an understanding of the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud;
-
Discussing amongst the engagement team the risks of fraud; and
-
Addressing the risks of fraud through management override of controls by performing journal entry testing.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities including fraud rests with management. As with any audit, there remained a risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations or the override of internal controls.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Use of the audit report
This report is made solely to the charity’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 charity’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 charity and the charity’s members as a body for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
David Hoose (Jun 3, 2025 08:35 GMT+1)
David Hoose (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Forvis Mazars LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
5[th] Floor 3 Wellington Place Leeds LS1 4AP
Date: 03/06/2025
24
Lhasa Limited
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) For the year ended 31 December 2024
| For theyear ended 31 December 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes INCOME Income from investments 1 Income from charitable activities 2 Income from trading activities 3 Other income 4 TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Investment Management costs 5 Expenditure on charitable activities 5 TOTAL EXPENDITURE Net gains/(losses) on investments 11 NET INCOME AND NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2024 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds £’000 536 19,768 331 - 20,635 150 19,110 19,260 777 2,152 23,701 25,853 |
Restricted Funds £’000 - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2024 £’000 536 19,768 331 - 20,635 150 19,110 19,260 777 2,152 23,701 25,853 |
Total (all unrestricted) 2023 £’000 469 18,138 94 3 |
| 18,704 | ||||
| 81 16,166 |
||||
| 16,247 | ||||
| 613 | ||||
| 3,070 | ||||
| 20,631 | ||||
| 23,701 |
The net income for the year arises from the group’s continuing operations.
No separate Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has been presented as all such gains and losses have been dealt with in the Statement of Financial Activities.
The notes on pages 28 to 48 form part of these financial statements.
25
Company Registration No. 01765239
Lhasa Limited
CONSOLIDATED AND CHARITY BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2024
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Intangible 9 Tangible 10 Investments 11 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 12 Cash and cash equivalents 13 LIABILITIES Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 14 Deferred income 15 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 16 NET ASSETS FUNDS Accumulated unrestricted funds • designated funds 17,18 • general funds 17,18 TOTAL FUNDS |
Group 2024 £’000 4,642 3,193 11,064 18,899 5,451 11,641 17,092 1,497 8,641 10,138 6,954 25,853 - 25,853 13,833 12,020 25,853 |
Group 2023 £’000 4,474 3,299 10,298 18,071 5,128 10,627 15,755 1,879 8,246 10,125 5,630 23,701 - 23,701 13,773 9,928 23,701 |
Charity 2024 £’000 4,631 3,181 11,064 18,876 5,575 11,568 17,143 1,482 8,641 10,123 7,020 25,896 - 25,896 13,810 12,086 25,896 |
Charity 2023 £’000 4,459 3,288 10,298 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18,045 | ||||
| 5,207 10,620 |
||||
| 15,827 | ||||
| 1,853 8,246 |
||||
| 10,099 | ||||
| 5,728 | ||||
| 23,773 - |
||||
| 23,773 | ||||
| 13,747 10,026 |
||||
| 23,773 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 28th May 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Steve Marsland Steve Marsland (May 28, 2025 12:54 GMT+1) Mr S Marsland
CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
The notes on pages 28 to 48 form part of these financial statements.
26
2
Company Registration No. 01765239
Lhasa Limited
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | ||||
| £’000 | £’000 | |||
| Cash flows from operating activities | 19 | 5,859 | 4,630 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||
| Interest received | 332 | 271 | ||
| Dividends received | 204 | 203 | ||
| Purchase of fixed assets | (250) | (345) | ||
| Purchase of investments | (4,174) | (1,498) | ||
| Sale of investments | 4,131 | 1,097 | ||
| Purchase of intangible assets | (5,088) | (4,849) | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (4,845) | (5,121) | ||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||
| Repayments of borrowing | - | - | ||
| Cash inflows from new borrowing |
- | - | ||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing | ||||
| activities | - | - | ||
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period |
1,014 | (491) | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period |
10,627 | 11,118 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
11,641 | 10,627 | ||
| Analysis of change in net cash | ||||
| At 1 January 2024 |
Cash flows | At 31 December 2024 |
||
| £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 10,627 | 1,014 | 11,641 |
The notes on pages 28 to 48 form part of these financial statements.
27
Lhasa Limited ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
Lhasa Limited is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England. The registered address is Granary Wharf House, 2 Canal Wharf, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 5PS.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Lhasa Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note. The financial statements have been prepared in Pound Sterling as this is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the company operates.
Under s408 of the Companies Act 2006 the charitable company is exempt from the requirement to present its own Statement of Financial activities. The surplus for the year for the charitable parent company was £2,123k (2023: surplus of £3,142k)
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS & KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY In applying the company’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions in determining the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. The Trustees’ judgements, estimates and assumptions are based on the best and most reliable evidence available at the time when the decisions are made and are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be applicable. Due to the inherent subjectivity involved in making such judgements, estimates and assumptions, the actual results and outcomes may differ.
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, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods, if the revision affects both current and future periods.
Critical accounting judgements
The critical accounting judgements that the Trustees have made in the process of applying the company’s accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the statutory financial statements are discussed below.
- Assessing indicators of impairment
In assessing whether there have been any indicators of impairment in relation to assets, the Trustees have considered both external and internal sources of information such as market conditions and experience of recoverability. There have been no indicators of impairments identified during the current financial year, other than in relation to the development of new databases which have not as yet been released to Members. Those databases where the future value is not sufficiently certain to warrant capitalisation of the development costs have been expensed.
- Capitalisation of wage costs in intangible fixed assets
Wage costs capitalised within intangible fixed assets are based on time sheet postings made by the employee and reviewed by management which allows for the separation of time to be expensed (such as that spent on database maintenance) and time to be capitalised, for which there is considered to be future benefit (such as the input of information or the development of new functionality).
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.
28
Lhasa Limited ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- Estimating value in use
Where an indication of impairment exists, the Trustees will carry out an impairment review to determine the recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less cost to sell and value in use. The value in use calculation requires the Trustees to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the asset or the cash generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value.
- Recoverability of receivables
The company establishes a provision for receivables that are estimated not to be recoverable. When assessing recoverability, the Trustees consider factors such as the ageing of the receivables, past experience of recoverability, and the credit profile of individual or groups of customers.
- Determining residual values and useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment
The company depreciates tangible and intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. The estimation of the useful lives of assets is based on historic performance as well as expectations about future use and therefore requires estimates and assumptions to be applied by management. The actual lives of these assets can vary depending on a variety of factors, including technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes. Judgement is applied by management when determining the residual values for plant, machinery and equipment. When determining the residual value, management aim to assess the amount that the company would currently obtain for the disposal of the asset, if it were already of the condition expected at the end of its useful economic life. Where possible, this is done with reference to external market prices.
- Determining useful economic lives of intangible assets
The company continually develops our database systems. This investment enables our databases to stay current both in content and delivery. Without this continual investment our databases would not provide our members with the latest research nor be accessible in an effective way as science and technology both continually change. Historic data suggests that a reasonable economic life of five years is appropriate over which to amortise our databases on a straight-line basis. This assumption is validated by an annual review of the future cash flows expected to arise from each database and, where this is not reflected in the asset value, it is impaired.
- Pension deficit provision
As at the balance sheet date, the company has fully released the provision in respect of the deficit of the multi-employer defined benefit pension scheme.
GOING CONCERN
Having reviewed the current working capital position, the forecast financial activity and capital commitment spend, the Trustees believe that there are no apparent reasons that the charity will not continue to operate for at least 12 months following the signing of the audit report and as such the financial statements have been prepared on the basis that Lhasa Limited is and will continue to be a going concern.
BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of those undertakings which are owned by Lhasa Limited. Group turnover excludes transactions between group undertakings, intra group sales being eliminated on consolidation. All subsidiary company accounting periods are co-terminus with the parent company.
29
Lhasa Limited ACCOUNTING POLICIES
FUND ACCOUNTING
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors. They include income received under contracts with members in respect of special projects where use of the income is restricted to that project. On completion of a project, the resulting data or software becomes available to the general membership and so there is no longer any restriction on the assets. At this point the value of the income relating to the completed projects is transferred from restricted to unrestricted funds.
INCOME
Income comprises:
Buying in fees
This is a one-off payment by a sponsor to buy into an existing Lhasa Limited software development project. This takes account of the investment already made in the project by the existing sponsors. This income is recognised once access to the relevant database has been granted.
Computer software sponsorship and license fees
This is an annual fee made by an organisation to fund ongoing software development projects. This income is recognised on an accruals basis in line with the period of service provided.
Subscriptions
This is an annual fee payable by an organisation to become a member of Lhasa Limited and to have access to software developed by Lhasa Limited. This income is recognised on an accruals basis in line with the period of membership.
Project sponsorship
This is income received from sponsors for specific projects which is recognised immediately, unless a contract has been entered into that specifically limits the income use.
The percentage of income arising from outside the UK was 91% (2023: 90%).
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Expenditure, including direct staff costs attributable to the computer software, is capitalised. All other expenditure on research and development is written off in the year in which it is incurred.
FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the date ruling at the date of the transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating surplus or deficit for the year.
EXPENDITURE
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that activity. Where costs cannot be directly allocated to activities, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Direct costs, including directly attributable salaries, are allocated on an actual basis to the key strategic areas of activity. Support costs are allocated on an actual basis to the key strategic areas of activity with any unallocated support costs being apportioned on an income received basis for each strategic area of activity.
Governance costs include the cost of governance arrangements which relate to the general running of the charity. These activities provide the governance infrastructure which allows the charity to operate and to generate the information required for public accountability. They include the strategic planning processes that contribute to the future development of the charity.
30
Lhasa Limited ACCOUNTING POLICIES
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Assets with a cost in excess of £1,000 intended to be of ongoing use to Lhasa Limited in carrying out its activities are capitalised as fixed assets.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets other than freehold land at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value evenly over its expected useful life at the following rates:
| Freehold properties | 2% |
|---|---|
| Freehold property refurbishment | 10% |
| Fixtures and fittings | 20% |
| Computer hardware | 25% |
| Office equipment | 20% |
INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Intangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation.
Expenditure, including direct staff costs attributable to project sponsorship is either capitalised if attributable to the computer software or prepaid until the information is available to add to the software.
Assets with a cost in excess of £1,000 intended to be of ongoing use to Lhasa Limited in carrying out its activities are capitalised as intangible assets.
Amortisation is provided on all intangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value evenly over its expected useful life at the following rates:
Trademarks 10% Databases 20% Computer software 25%
FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Listed investments are revalued to open market value on an annual basis in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities. Any gains or losses on revaluation are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents notice deposit accounts with terms of 125 days or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.
31
Lhasa Limited ACCOUNTING POLICIES
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The charitable company participates in the Universities Superannuation Scheme. This scheme was closed to new staff members in 2015. This is a multi-employer scheme for which it is not possible to separately identify the charity’s share of the underlying assets and liabilities attributable to the scheme.
If the actuarial valuation of the scheme reveals a deficit, the Trustees will agree a recovery plan to eliminate the deficit over a specified period. This is held as a provision in the financial statements, as detailed in note 16.
The charitable company operates a defined contributions scheme on behalf of its new staff with the Aviva pension scheme.
Company contributions to both these schemes are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
The pension charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the funds in respect of the year, as disclosed in note 22.
TAXATION
As a charity Lhasa Limited is exempt from tax on income and gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.
OPERATING LEASES
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The charitable company only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other accounts receivable and payable, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in non-puttable ordinary shares. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Debt instruments (other than those wholly repayable or receivable within one year), including loans and other accounts receivable and payable, are initially measured at present value of the future cash flows and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Debt instruments that are payable or receivable within one year, typically trade payables or receivables, are measured, initially and subsequently, at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration, expected to be paid or received.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, and the net amount reported in the Balance Sheet when there is an enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
32
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Lhasa Limited NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS or the year ended 31 December 2024 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 INVESTMENT INCOME Bank interest Investment income 2 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Buying in fee Membership subscriptions Computer software sponsorship Strategic projects Donations 3 INCOME FROM TRADING ACTIVITIES Subsidiary Sales A geographical analysis of income is as follows: Europe Americas Asia |
2024 £’000 332 204 536 2024 £’000 324 947 17,604 866 27 19,768 2024 £’000 331 331 2024 £’000 7,685 7,585 4,830 20,099 |
2023 £’000 267 202 469 2023 £’000 282 899 16,047 910 - 18,138 2023 £’000 94 94 2023 £’000 7,061 6,763 4,408 18,232 |
|||
33
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 4 OTHER INCOME Insurance Claims Loss on disposal of assets CJRS grant 5 EXPENDITURE Investment management costs Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities: Consultancy fees Travel costs Depreciation and amortisation Impairment (reversal)/charge Staff costs Sales exhibition costs Support costs (see below) Marketing costs Governance costs (see note 6) |
2024 £’000 - - - - 2024 £’000 150 329 332 2,049 3,228 8,135 44 4,913 14 19,194 66 19,260 |
2023 £’000 3 - - 3 2023 £’000 81 242 302 1,858 2,736 8,621 61 2,259 7 16,168 79 16,247 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Analysis of support costs:
All support costs are allocated on the basis of income, with the exception of recruitment of direct staff which are based on the hours spent on each database. Support costs include:
| Research sponsorship Employee related costs Premises costs IT costs Other costs |
2024 £’000 - 2,122 554 995 1,242 4,913 |
2023 £’000 79 (253) 424 936 1,073 2,259 |
|---|---|---|
Research sponsorship represents the impact of grants awarded to institutions to sponsor PhD students in accordance with Lhasa Limited’s charitable objects. Certain of these grants span multiple accounting periods, in which case the terms of the grant dictate the accounting treatment.
34
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 6 ANALYSIS OF GOVERNANCE COSTS Audit Accountancy and other audit costs Cost of AGMs and Board of Trustees’ expenses 7 NET INCOME This is stated after charging: Auditor’s remuneration Depreciation Amortisation Impairment charge/(reversal) Exchange (gains)/losses Operating lease rentals: Lease costs |
2024 £’000 29 8 29 66 2024 £’000 29 380 1,669 3,228 12 3 |
2023 £’000 29 15 35 79 2023 £’000 29 343 1,491 2,736 35 3 |
|---|---|---|
35
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
8 REMUNERATION
No Trustees’ remuneration was paid in either year. Trustees’ expenses totalling £4k (2023: £7k) were incurred by the charity for 11 Trustees (2023 – 12 Trustees). The Trustees expenses related to travel, accommodation and subsistence within their role as Trustee.
The average number of employees in the year, analysed by category, is as follows:
| Administration Science Applied Sciences Product Management Software Delivery The average number of full-time equivalent number of employees in the year was: Wages and salaries Social security Pension |
2024 32 58 34 12 49 185 2024 181 2024 10,629 1,218 1,427 13,724 |
2023 33 56 31 9 46 175 2023 168 2023 10,234 1,128 (779) 10,583 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total pension contributions for 2024 were £1,427k (2023: £1,540k) the USS pension provision was fully released in 2023, no further adjustments in 2024 (2023: decrease of £2,319k).
36
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
The key management personnel are considered to be the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Applied Sciences, Director of Science, Director of Finance, Head of Information Technology, Lead Architect, Head of People and Culture, Head of Software Development, Head of Solutions, Business Improvement Manager. The total emoluments and employee benefits of the key management personnel (including employer’s National Insurance contributions and costs attributable to re-organisation) were £1,263k (2023: £1,341k).
Employees received emoluments of more than £60,000 as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ 60,000 - £ 70,000 | 37 | 26 |
| £ 70,000 - £ 80,000 | 18 | 17 |
| £ 80,000 - £ 90,000 | 12 | 5 |
| £ 90,000 - £100,000 | 1 | 1 |
| £100,000 - £110,000 | 1 | 1 |
| £110,000 - £120,000 | 1 | - |
| £160,000 - £170,000 | - | 1 |
| £180,000 - £190,000 | 1 | - |
Pension contributions in respect of the above higher paid staff were £627,128 (2023: £600,382).
9 INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS: GROUP
| Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Amortisation Impairment charge At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Computer Software £’000 157 - 157 119 11 130 27 40 |
Databases £’000 25,411 5,047 30,458 21,033 1,669 3,228 25,930 4,528 4,379 |
Trademarks £’000 97 41 138 40 11 51 87 57 |
Total £’000 25,665 5,088 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30,753 | ||||
| 21,192 1,691 3,228 |
||||
| 26,111 | ||||
| 4,642 | ||||
| 4,474 |
37
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
9 INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS: PARENT
| Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Amortisation Impairment charge At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Computer Software £’000 147 - 147 117 9 126 21 29 |
Databases £’000 25,411 5,047 30,458 21,033 1,669 3,228 25,930 4,528 4,379 |
Trademarks £’000 91 41 132 40 11 51 81 51 |
Total £’000 25,649 5,088 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.737 | ||||
| 21,190 1,689 3,228 |
||||
| 26,107 | ||||
| 4,630 | ||||
| 4,459 |
The direct effort in the development of Lhasa’s databases is capitalised where there is added value which adds to the economic life of the database. Lhasa tests the capitalised value annually to forecasted income to ensure that the capitalised effort does not exceed economic value.
38
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
10 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS: GROUP
| Freehold Land and Buildings £’000 Cost At 1 January 2024 3,676 Additions 75 Disposals - At 31 December 2024 3,751 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 823 Provided in year 152 Disposals - At 31 December 2024 975 Net book value At 31 December 2024 2,776 At 31 December 2023 2,853 10 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS: PARENT Freehold Land and Buildings £’000 Cost At 1 January 2024 3,676 Additions 75 Disposals - At 31 December 2024 3,751 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 823 Provided in year 151 Disposals At 31 December 2024 974 Net book value At 31 December 2024 2,776 At 31 December 2023 2,853 |
Computer Hardware £’000 1,005 158 (21) 1,143 696 149 (21) 824 319 309 Computer Hardware £’000 992 153 (21) 1,125 694 145 (21) 818 307 298 |
Office Equipment £’000 283 16 299 146 55 201 98 137 Office Equipment £’000 283 16 299 146 55 201 98 137 |
Total £’000 4,963 250 (21) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,192 | |||
| 1,665 356 (21) |
|||
| 1,999 | |||
| 3,193 | |||
| 3,299 | |||
| Total £’000 4,951 245 (21) |
|||
| 5,174 | |||
| 1,663 350 (21) |
|||
| 1,994 | |||
| 3,181 | |||
| 3,288 |
39
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 11 INVESTMENTS Listed fixed asset investments: Share portfolio The share portfolio comprises the following movements: Market value at 1 Jan 2024 Additions Disposals Unrealised gain/(losses) on investments Realised gain/(losses) on investments Fund management fees Market value at 31 Dec 2024 Historical cost at 31 Dec 2024 |
2024 £’000 11,064 2024 £’000 10,298 4,174 (4,131) 680 97 (54) ────── 11,064 ══════ 9,788 ══════ |
2023 £’000 10,298 2023 £’000 9,337 1,498 (1,097) 672 (60) (52) ────── 10,298 ══════ 9,603 ══════ |
|---|---|---|
The cost and market value of the investments listed on a recognised Stock Exchange were £9,788k (2023: £9,603k) and £11,064k (2023: £10,298k) respectively.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| The investments are held: | £’000 | £’000 |
| In the UK | 3,172 | 3,013 |
| Outside the UK | 7,892 | 7,285 |
| ────── | ────── | |
| 11,064 | 10,298 | |
| ══════ | ══════ |
The entity holds one investment which has a market value at 31 December 2024 exceeding 5% of the value of the portfolio. The entity’s investment in Vanguard Funds Plc S&P 500 consists of 8.1% of the total market value of the investment (2023: 6.6%)
40
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
11 INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
| INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| % of | Net liabilities at | Profit for the | |
| capital | 31 December | year ended 31 | |
| held | 2024 | December | |
| £’000 | 2024 | ||
| £’000 | |||
| Subsidiaries included in consolidation: | |||
| Consult Lhasa Limited | 100% | 43 |
29 |
Consult Lhasa company number is 14707253 and its registered office is Granary Wharf House, 2 Canal Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PS, UK.
12 DEBTORS
| Trade debtors Prepayments Other debtors Accrued income Amounts falling due after more than one year Intercompany Loan |
Group 2024 £’000 4,493 453 246 259 5,451 - - |
Group 2023 £’000 4,150 413 256 309 5,128 - - |
Charity 2024 £’000 4,426 420 470 259 5,575 150 150 |
Charity 2023 £’000 4,076 391 431 309 5,207 150 150 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
41
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 13 CASH Cash Cash equivalents |
Group 2024 £’000 7,297 4,344 11,641 |
Group 2023 £’000 6,575 4,052 10,627 |
Charity 2024 £’000 7,224 4,344 11,568 |
Charity 2023 £’000 6,568 4,052 10,620 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents represent notice deposit accounts with terms of 125 days or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.
14 CREDITORS
| Trade Creditors Other tax and social security Other creditors Accruals Pension deficit provision |
Group 2024 £’000 257 290 111 839 - 1,497 |
Group 2023 £’000 207 267 305 1,100 - 1,879 |
Charity 2024 £’000 257 290 111 824 - 1,482 |
Charity 2023 £’000 207 267 305 1,074 - 1,853 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
42
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
15 DEFERRED INCOME: GROUP AND COMPANY
Deferred income in the year relates to monies invoiced in the year for subscriptions, knowledge contributions and licences which relate to subsequent years.
| Deferred income as at 1 January 2024 Invoiced during year Deferred income as at 31 December 2024 Income for the year 16 CREDITORS: GROUP AND COMPANY Amounts falling due after more than one year: Pension deficit provision |
2024 £’000 8,245 19,298 (8,641) 18,902 2024 £’000 - - |
2023 £’000 8,088 17,420 (8,245) 17,263 2023 £’000 - - |
|---|---|---|
Included within creditors due after more than one year is the multi-employer defined benefit pension scheme deficit and the estimated employer debt. Following the valuation of the scheme as at 31 March 2024 the provision has been fully released. As of the balance sheet date the estimated discounted employer deficit is detailed below.
| Pension deficit provision as at 1 January 2024 Provision made/(released) in the period Pension deficit provision as at 31 December 2024 Less: amount due within one year |
2024 £’000 - - - - - |
2023 £’000 2,319 (2,319) - - - |
|---|---|---|
43
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
Designated funds are general funds that the Trustees have chosen to use for a specific purpose, as detailed below:
Fixed asset fund – represents the net book value of intangible and tangible fixed assets totalling £7,833k (2023: £7,747k).
Closed pension deficit fund – this represents the value of the pension deficit provision.
Development Fund – this represents funds set aside for further development of charitable objectives over the next 3 to 5 years.
Transfer between funds – represents the additions to tangible and intangible assets during the year.
17 RESERVES
RESERVES |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 | Net gains | Transfer | At 31 | ||||
| January | Income | Expenditure | on | between | December | ||
| 2024 | investments | Funds | 2024 | ||||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £’000 | £’000 | ||
| Unrestricted funds - general |
10,026 | 20,417 | (13,800) | 777 | (5,334) | 12,086 | |
| Unrestricted designated funds |
7,747 | (5,270) | 5,334 | 7,810 | |||
| – fixed assets | |||||||
| Unrestricted | |||||||
| designated funds | |||||||
| – closed pension | |||||||
| deficit fund | |||||||
| Unrestricted | |||||||
| designated funds – closed pension |
6,000 | 6,000 | |||||
| deficit fund |
|||||||
Parent Charity |
23,773 |
20,417 |
(19,070) |
777 |
- |
25,896 |
|
| Subsidiary Contribution |
(72) |
218 |
(190) |
- |
- |
(43) |
|
| Group Total | 23,700 |
20,635 |
(19,260) |
777 |
- |
25,853 |
44
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
18 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| As at 31 December 2024 Fixed assets Net £’000 Unrestricted funds – general 5,064 Unrestricted designated funds – fixed assets 7,810 Unrestricted designated funds – closed pension deficit fund Unrestricted designated funds – future development designation 6,000 Total unrestricted 18,874 Restricted - Parent Charity 18,874 Subsidiary Contribution 23 Group Total 18,897 As at 31 December 2023 Fixed assets Net £’000 Unrestricted funds – general 4,298 Unrestricted designated funds – fixed assets 7,747 Unrestricted designated funds – closed pension deficit fund Unrestricted designated funds – future development designation 6,000 Total unrestricted 18,045 Restricted Parent Charity 18,045 Subsidiary Contribution 26 Group Total 18,071 |
As at 31 December 2024 Fixed assets Net £’000 Unrestricted funds – general 5,064 Unrestricted designated funds – fixed assets 7,810 Unrestricted designated funds – closed pension deficit fund Unrestricted designated funds – future development designation 6,000 Total unrestricted 18,874 Restricted - Parent Charity 18,874 Subsidiary Contribution 23 Group Total 18,897 As at 31 December 2023 Fixed assets Net £’000 Unrestricted funds – general 4,298 Unrestricted designated funds – fixed assets 7,747 Unrestricted designated funds – closed pension deficit fund Unrestricted designated funds – future development designation 6,000 Total unrestricted 18,045 Restricted Parent Charity 18,045 Subsidiary Contribution 26 Group Total 18,071 |
As at 31 December 2024 Fixed assets Net £’000 Unrestricted funds – general 5,064 Unrestricted designated funds – fixed assets 7,810 Unrestricted designated funds – closed pension deficit fund Unrestricted designated funds – future development designation 6,000 Total unrestricted 18,874 Restricted - Parent Charity 18,874 Subsidiary Contribution 23 Group Total 18,897 As at 31 December 2023 Fixed assets Net £’000 Unrestricted funds – general 4,298 Unrestricted designated funds – fixed assets 7,747 Unrestricted designated funds – closed pension deficit fund Unrestricted designated funds – future development designation 6,000 Total unrestricted 18,045 Restricted Parent Charity 18,045 Subsidiary Contribution 26 Group Total 18,071 |
current assets Long term creditors £’000 £’000 7,022 7,022 - - - 7,022 - (66) - 6,956 - current assets Long term creditors £’000 £’000 5,728 5,728 - - 5,728 - (98) - 5,630 - |
Total £’000 12,086 7,810 6,000 25,896 - 25,896 (43) 25,853 Total £’000 10,026 7,747 - 6,000 23,773 - 23,773 (72) 23,701 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
45
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 19 | CASH FLOWS | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £’000 | £’000 | ||
| RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH | |||
| INFLOW FROM OPERATIONS | |||
| Net income | 2,152 | 3,070 | |
| Investment income | (536) | (473) | |
| Depreciation | 356 | 345 | |
| Amortisation | 1,691 | 1,490 | |
| Impairment charge | 3,228 | 2,736 | |
| (Profit)/Loss on disposal of fixed assets | - | 11 | |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | (322) | (135) | |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 13 | (1,854) | |
| (Gain)/Loss on investments | (777) | (612) | |
| Investment management fees | 54 | 52 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||
| 5,859 | 4,630 |
20 OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
At 31 December 2024 the company had the following commitments under non-cancellable operating leases in respect of assets:
| Within 1 year Between 2 and 5 years |
2024 £’000 4 2 6 |
2023 £’000 4 6 10 |
|---|---|---|
21 LIABILITY OF MEMBERS
Lhasa Limited is a company limited by guarantee. The company has 600 members and joint liability under guarantee is limited to £10 per member.
46
Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2024
22 PENSION FUND
Employees of this company, together with other University entities participate in the Universities Superannuation Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme and the rules require a full actuarial valuation of the Fund at intervals of not less than three years and six months. The assets of the Scheme are held in a separate Trustee administered fund. The Universities Superannuation Scheme is a multi-employer scheme for which it is not possible to separately identify the share of the total underlying assets and liabilities attributable to this particular company.
The latest actuarial valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme was carried out as at 31 March 2023. The valuation at 31 March 2023 shows that the market value of the total assets held by the University Scheme was £73,100m and that the actuarial valuation of these assets represented 111% of the amount of the liabilities of the scheme. Contributions by participating employers are at the rate of 21.6% up to December 2023 then from January 2024 14.5% of salaries. The next full actuarial valuation is due as at 31 March 2026.
The basis of the valuation was from the long-term yield on Government bonds in the market at the valuation date and the significant assumptions underlying the valuation were that the investment return would be 3.7% pa, and that salary increases would be CPI +3.0%
During the year the company made contributions for the year, in respect of its eligible employees, totalling £598,114 (2023: £829,598).
Pension contributions were made in respect of 198 (2023: 197) employees in the year.
The Charity also operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The cost for the year represents the Charity’s contributions to the scheme of £828,468 (2023: £710,410). There were no contributions payable to the scheme at the year end (2023: £nil).
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Lhasa Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024
23 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Lhasa Limited charged the following costs to Consult Lhasa Limited: Software and Royalty Fees £101,716, Staff and Facilities recharges £50,433 and Loan Interest £10,691. The balance outstanding to Lhasa Limited at 31 December 2024 for invoiced transactions was £86,866.
A summary of the subsidiary’s trading results is shown below:
| Turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Administrative expenses Loss on ordinary activities The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary were: Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Debtors due after one year Share capital Profit and loss account |
2024 £ 331,127 (148,968) 182,159 (153,069) 29,090 23,007 185,481 (101,876) (150,000) (43,388) 1 (43,389) (43,388) |
|---|---|
Debtors due after one year includes a loan of £150,000 from the Parent charity to the subsidiary, the amount outstanding at 31 December 2024 is £150,000. Interest is charged on the unpaid principal at the rate of 2% plus Bank of England Base Rate per annum.
24 POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT
On 9 January 2025 Lhasa Limited acquired Altamira for a total consideration of €600,000.00 (Euros Six Hundred Thousand).
On 9 January 2025 Lhasa Limited acquired Molecular Networks GmbH for a total consideration of €1,400,000.00 (Euros One Million Four Hundred Thousand).
The acquisition of Altamira LLC and Molecular Networks GmbH is projected to positively impact Lhasa Limited's beneficiaries by leveraging the synergies of complementary cheminformatics software and services. This acquisition will expand the reach of our scientific and technological expertise, benefiting the global community.
The acquisitions were finalised after the balance sheet date of 31 December 2024 and therefore are classified as non-adjusting events.
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