Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Caffyns plc
Annual Report for the
year ended 31 March 2026
Contents
Our Business
Results at a Glance 01
Operational and Business Review 02
Strategic Report 07
Governance
Board of Directors 20
Chairman’s Statement
on Corporate Governance 21
Directors’ Remuneration Report 28
Report of the Directors 42
Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 46
Consolidated Financials
Report of the Independent Auditor 47
Income Statement 53
Statement of Comprehensive Income 54
Statement of Financial Position 55
Statement of Changes in Equity 56
Cash Flow Statement 57
Material Accounting Policies 58
Notes to the Financial Statements 64
Other Information
Five-year Review 94
Our Dealerships 95
Visit us online
www.caffyns.co.uk
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Revenue 270,661 275,464
Underlying EBITDA (see note below and note 4) 3,605 5,639
Underlying (loss)/profit before tax (see note below) (1,487) 606
(Loss)/profit before tax (1,721) 246
2026
pence
2025
pence
Underlying (losses)/earnings per share (see note 10) (40.7) 16.4
(Losses)/earnings per share (47.2) 6.4
Proposed final dividend per Ordinary share 5.0 5.0
Dividends per Ordinary share for the year 10.0 10.0
Note: Underlying results exclude items that have non-trading attributes due to their size, nature
or incidence or are unrelated to the primary motor trade business of the Company and which
management, therefore, consider should be disclosed separately to enable a full understanding
of the operating results (see page 60). Non-underlying items for the year totalled a charge
of £234,000 (2025: £360,000) and are detailed in note 3 to these consolidated financial
statements. Underlying EBITDA of £3,605,000 (2025: £5,639,000) represents operating profit
before non-underlying items of £1,478,000 (2025: £3,498,000) adding back depreciation and
amortisation of £2,127,000 (2025: £2,141,000).
Results at a Glance
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
01
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
£270.7 m (11)%
Revenue
(£’000)
Revenue down 2% to
£270.7 million
(2025: £275.5 million)
New car unit deliveries
down by 11%
22
23
24
25
26
270,661
275,464
262,084
251,426
223,928
4% £32.7m
Underlying (LBT)/PBT
(£’000)
Used car unit sales up by 4% Aftersales revenues up by
6% to £32.7 million
(2025: £30.7 million)
22
23
24
25
26
(1,487)
606
(566)
3,140
4,574
£(1.5)m 5.0p
Underlying earnings/(loss)
per Ordinary share (pence)
Underlying loss before tax of
£1.5 million
(2025: profit of £0.6 million)
Final dividend of 5.0 pence per
Ordinary share
(2025: 5.0 pence per Ordinary
share)
22
23
24
25
26
(40.7)
16.4
(17.3)
95.1
117.0
£7.3m £10.7m
Underlying EBITDA
(£’000)
Net bank borrowings at
31 March 2026 of £7.3 million
(2025: £8.5 million),
as disclosed in note 22
Property portfolio valuation
at 31 March 2026 showed
a reduced surplus to net
book value of £10.7 million
(2025: £11.2 million); this
surplus is not recognised
in the Company’s financial
statements.
22
23
24
25
26
3,605
5,639
4,212
6,955
7,712
Operational and Business Review
Summary
The Company encountered significant
trading headwinds during the financial
year ended 31 March 2026 (the “year”),
resulting in turnover falling by 2% to
£270.7 million (2025: £275.5 million)
and a loss before tax position.
Volumes of new cars sold in the year
fell by 11%. Used cars and aftersales
fared better with both achieving volume
growth in the year despite a very
competitive marketplace. However,
profits from used car sales declined
and inflationary pressures on the cost
base remained high. The underlying loss
before tax for the year of £1.5 million,
which included income of £0.3 million
from the sale at auction of a veteran
car and a personalised number plate,
compared to an underlying profit
before tax of £0.6 million in the prior
year, which included £0.1 million from
the sale at auction of a personalised
number plate.
The statutory loss before tax for the year
was £1.7 million (2025: profit before
tax of £0.2 million) with the Company
incurring certain non-underlying costs,
primarily associated with the financing
and service costs of its defined benefit
pension scheme (the “scheme”).
Actuarial adjustments arising on the
scheme have been taken direct to
reserves. The basic losses per share for
the year were 47.2 pence
(2025: earnings per share of 6.4 pence).
The underlying losses per share for the
year were 40.7 pence (2025: earnings
per share of 16.4 pence).
New and used car sales
The Company’s total revenues fell by
£4.8 million over the prior year
(2025: increase of £13.4 million), which
arose from the sale of fewer new cars.
Total UK new car registrations in the year
increased by 3% to 2.05 million as the
market was buoyed by new Chinese
brands entering the UK market, although
customers remained careful with their
discretionary spending. Within this,
total new car registrations in the private
and small business sector, in which we
principally operate, rose by 5%. Our own
retail new car deliveries fell by 11% as
many of the brands that we represent
suffered from a decline in their retail
performance against strong competition
from new market entrants. We already
represent a number of Chinese-owned
brands and are in discussions which
could lead to the addition of further
Chinese brands to our portfolio.
Our volume of used car sales in the
year rose by 4% with our performance
boosted by rising volumes from the
expansion to our representation
for the CUPRA and SEAT brands.
However, overall unit margins in the
year fell by 5% against their level in the
prior year. Lower volumes of new car
registrations in the years following the
covid pandemic in 2020 have reduced
the number of less than four-year-old
used cars available in the market. In
recognition of this scarcity, procedures
were further strengthened to broaden
our sources for replenishing inventory
but the sourcing of good quality, well-
priced used cars remains challenging.
Great efforts have been made over the
last twelve months to further enhance
and develop our omni-channel used
car offering, which allows customers
to interact with us in the way that
suits them best, from the traditional
showroom discussion through to an
online experience, and any combination
in between. We continue to see our
used car offering providing a major
opportunity for stronger growth. Whilst
market conditions have been volatile,
we have continued to actively monitor
and control used car stock turn and
yield. The number of used cars sold in
the year again exceeded the number
of new cars sold, and by an increased
multiple than in the prior year.
The Company has taken a number
of actions to increase order take and
reduce costs and these are delivering
improvements. Key areas are the
procurement of quality used car stock
at sensible prices, better management
on new and used inventory to reduce
both stocking interest and depreciation
costs of ageing stock, together with
general control on vehicle sales costs
such as marketing.
The Company’s defined benefit
pension scheme deficit, calculated
in accordance with the requirements
of IAS 19 Pensions, reduced to
£1.4 million at 31 March 2026
(2025: £4.5 million). During the year,
the Company made cash contributions
to the scheme of £1.3 million
(2025: £4.2 million). Contributions in the
prior year were boosted from the sale of
a surplus freehold premises in Lewes.
The Company continues to own all but
two of the freeholds of the dealership
and office premises from which it
operates, and this provides the dual
strengths of a strong asset base and
minimal exposure to rent reviews.
The board declared an interim dividend of
5.0 pence per Ordinary share
(2025: 5.0 pence), which was paid
in January 2026. Despite the losses
incurred in the year, the board remains
confident in the prospects of the
Company and is declaring a final dividend
for the year of 5.0 pence per Ordinary
share (2025: 5.0 pence).
Net bank borrowings at 31 March 2026
were £7.3 million (2025: £8.5 million),
which equated to gearing of 24%
(2025: 29%).
We faced significant trading headwinds during the
financial year ended 31 March 2026 and have taken a
number of actions to increase order take and reduce
costs. These actions are delivering improvement.
02
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Aftersales
Our aftersales business performed well
during the year with service revenues
rising by 8%. We continue to place
great emphasis on our customer
retention programmes and in growing
sales of service plans. Our parts
business also reported higher sales, up
by 4% from the prior year.
Our people
I am very grateful for the dedication
of our employees and their efforts
throughout the year to provide our
customers with a first-class experience.
The Company benefits from a dedicated
workforce with more than a quarter
of employees having more than ten
years’ service. As a result of their hard
work and professionalism, the business
remains in a strong position in the
competitive retail environment in which
we operate, and we continue to be an
employer of choice in Kent and Sussex.
On 5 January 2026 Mike Warren, our
Finance Director since May 2016, stood
down from the board. Mike has played
a hugely significant role in the Company
over the last decade and the board
and I would like to thank him for his
outstanding contribution throughout this
period. Joelle Timperley was appointed
as the Company’s new Chief Financial
Officer on 5 January 2026. Joelle is
a chartered accountant and CIMA
Fellow has many years of relevant
finance experience. Subsequent to the
year-end, the board has agreed with
Joelle to modify her contract to allow
her to concentrate on the strategic and
operational aspects of her role over a
three-day week and Mike Warren has
agreed to extend his employment, two
days a week, as a Financial Controller
for Joelle. We are fortunate to have the
wisdom and experience of both Joelle
and Mike going forward.
The Company has a long tradition of
investing in apprenticeship programmes.
Despite the pressures on the business,
we have kept our apprenticeship
numbers at a high level and continue
to see the benefits flow through the
business as more apprentices complete
their training. Due to our apprentice
numbers, we continued to fully utilise
our apprenticeship levy payments
within the stipulated time limits. We
remain firmly committed to the long-
term benefits of apprenticeships and
our recruitment programme continues
with the aim of maintaining a healthy
complement in the current year, which
will assist the Company to grow.
Operations
Our franchise businesses have
experienced a very difficult year as many
of the manufacturers we represent
have been adversely impacted by new
entrants to the UK market. Our Audi
and MG businesses fared the best,
with both businesses improving their
financial performance in comparison
with the prior year.
In June 2025, we closed our Caffyns
Motorstore used car business in
Lewes. Trading at our remaining
Caffyns Motorstore business in Ashford
remained subdued as the business
struggled to source high-quality
used cars. However, the concept
continues to be well received by our
customers, who particularly value the
Caffyns brand.
Groupwide projects
We remain focused on generating
further improvements in the levels of
used car sales, used car finance income
and service labour sales. These three
areas will be key to achieving increases
in profitability in the coming years. In
addition, we continue to make very
good progress utilising technology
to enhance customers’ experience
throughout their buying journey, as well
as improving our aftersales retention.
Zero-emission vehicle (“ZEV)
targets
With effect from 1 January 2024, the
Government announced that vehicle
manufacturers would be required to
meet annual minimum registration
targets for ZEV cars, with the target
for the 2024 calendar year set at 22%
of registrations. For the 2025 calendar
year, this minimum registration target
increased to 28% and for 2026 to 33%.
Failure to achieve the set target could
result in potential financial penalties
being levied on the manufacturer,
03
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
although manufacturers were provided
with potential relief against penalties by
being able to carry forward shortfalls
into future years. Registrations of ZEV
cars in the first calendar quarter of 2026
amounted to 23% of the market, some
way below the stipulated minimum
of 33%.
Climate-related emissions
The board is acutely aware of
the impact that the Company’s
operations have on the environment,
its responsibility to minimise these
wherever possible, and to supporting
the Government’s efforts to transition
towards net zero carbon emissions.
To assist with this process an
Environmental, Sustainability and
Efficiency Committee operated during
the year, headed by a senior operational
manager who reports directly to the
Chief Executive. The remit of the
Committee was to scrutinise and seek
to reduce the Company’s energy usage.
The Committee was able to achieve
year-on-year savings in electricity, gas
and fuel usage of some 2% in the 2025
calendar year. The Company purchases
all its electricity from sources that are
certified as generating 100% renewable
electricity and investments were made
in the year to improve the efficiency of
lighting and heating equipment. Further
energy savings are expected in future
periods.
The Company operates two of its
franchised businesses from leased
premises as well as having two leased
vehicle storage compounds, which are
shown on the balance sheet as right of
use assets.
Bank facilities and borrowings
The Company’s banking facilities with
HSBC comprise a term loan, originally
of £7.5 million, repayable by instalments
over a twenty-year period to 2038 and
a revolving credit facility of £6.0 million,
both of which were next scheduled to
come up for their periodic review in
April 2027. The Company’s bankers
recognise the current difficulties being
experienced by the motor retail sector
and remain very supportive and,
subsequent to the end of the year,
this review date was extended by
twelve months to April 2028. HSBC
also provides an overdraft facility of
£3.5 million, reviewed annually.
In addition to its facilities with HSBC,
the Company also has a revolving credit
facility of £4.0 million (2025: £4.0 million)
provided by Volkswagen Bank, reviewed
annually with the next periodic review
due in October 2026. At 31 March 2026
the Company was utilising £1.0 million
of this facility (2025: £1.0 million).
The Company continues to enjoy
supportive relationships with both
HSBC and Volkswagen Bank.
The term loan and revolving credit
facilities provided by HSBC include
certain covenant tests covering interest,
borrowing and security levels. In the
light of the underlying trading losses
incurred in the year, HSBC agreed
to waive the covenant tests covering
interest and borrowing levels at
30 September and 31 December 2025
and replaced them with a new covenant
test, solely for the year under review,
Property
We operate primarily from freehold sites,
which provides additional stability to our
business model. As in previous years,
our freehold premises were valued at
the balance sheet date by chartered
surveyors CBRE Limited, based on an
existing use valuation. The excess of
the valuation over net book value of our
freehold properties at 31 March 2026
was £10.7 million (2025: £11.2 million),
reflecting adjustments in the commercial
property market. No impairment
charges were deemed necessary in the
year (2025: £Nil). In accordance with
our accounting policies, this surplus of
£10.7 million has not been incorporated
into our accounts.
During the year, we incurred
capital expenditure of £0.8 million
(2025: £1.1 million). The Company’s
spend in the year related primarily to the
replacement of existing assets that had
reached the end of their economic life.
The Company continues to enjoy supportive
relationships with both HSBC and Volkswagen Bank.
Operational and Business Review
continued
04
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
which required the Company to achieve
an EBITDA hurdle for the full financial
year, which was achieved. The covenant
test relating to security levels, which
continued unchanged in the year, was
passed at each quarter-end during the
year. EBITDA hurdles have been agreed
for each of the financial quarters in the
coming year ending 31 March 2027,
which the directors are confident of
achieving. The previous covenant tests
relating to interest and borrowing levels
will then be reapplied with effect from
30 June 2027. The Group is reliant
on the HSBC borrowing facility of
£14.2 million. Any failure of a covenant
test would render the borrowing facilities
from HSBC to become repayable on
demand, at the option of the lender,
and would put the going concern
assessment at risk.
During the year, cash generated from
operating activities was £2.5 million
(2025: cash absorbed of £0.3 million),
predominantly due to reduced
contributions to the Company’s
defined benefit pension scheme.
Changes in net working capital
generated cash of £3.3 million
(2025: £1.2 million), with inventories and
payables both increasing from higher
levels of new cars held on consignment
from manufacturers. Other significant
cash movements in the year included
capital expenditure of £0.8 million
(2025: £1.1 million), repayments
of bank term loans of £0.4 million
(2025: net receipt of £0.6 million),
repayments on leases of £0.4 million
(2025: £0.5 million) and dividends
paid to shareholders of £0.3 million
(2025: £0.3 million). Cash balances held
at 31 March 2026 were £4.6 million, an
increase of £0.8 million from the prior
year-end.
Bank borrowings, net of cash
balances, at 31 March 2026 were
£7.3 million (2025: £8.5 million) and as
a proportion of shareholders’ funds at
31 March 2026 were 24%
(2025: 29%). In addition to the year-
end cash balances held, available
but undrawn banking facilities with
HSBC and Volkswagen Bank at
31 March 2026 were £6.5 million (2025:
£7.5 million).
Taxation
The year produced a tax credit against
losses of £0.4 million (2025: tax charge
on profits of £0.1 million). The effective
tax rate for the year, at 25%, was in line
with the standard rate of corporation tax
in force for the year.
The Company has outstanding trading
losses of £4.0 million (2025: £0.7 million)
available for relief against profits in
future accounting periods as well
as a corporate interest restriction
carried forward of £1.3 million (2025:
£1.1 million). There are no capital losses
awaiting relief. Capital gains which
remain unrealised, where potentially
taxable gains arising from the sale of
properties and goodwill have been rolled
over into replacement assets, amounted
to £3.5 million (2025: £3.9 million), which
could equate to a future potential tax
liability of £0.9 million (2025: £1.0 million).
The Company was unable to utilise any
of its Advanced Corporation Tax in the
year, leaving an unchanged amount
carried forward to future trading periods
of £0.3 million (2025: £0.3 million).
Pension scheme
The Company’s defined benefit scheme
was closed to future accrual in 2010.
The board has little control over the
key assumptions in the valuation
calculations as required by accounting
standards and movements in yields of
gilts and bonds can have a significant
impact on the net funding position of
the scheme. At 31 March 2026, the
deficit of the scheme was £1.4 million
(2025: £4.5 million). The deficit, net of
deferred tax, was £1.1 million
(2025: £3.4 million). During the year, the
Company made cash contributions to
the scheme of £1.3 million
(2025: £4.2 million).
The scheme operates with a fiduciary
manager and the board, together
with the independent pension fund
trustees, continues to review options
to reduce the cost of operation and
its deficit. Actions that could further
reduce the risk profile of the assets and
more closely match the nature of the
scheme’s assets to its liabilities continue
to be considered.
The pension cost under IAS 19 is
charged as a non-underlying cost and
amounted to £0.2 million in the year
(2025: £0.4 million).
The latest triennial valuation was at
31 March 2023 and was formally
submitted to the Pensions Regulator in
June 2024. A recovery plan to address
the scheme deficit identified from this
triennial valuation was agreed with
the trustees under which the annual
recovery plan payment was set at a
base level of £0.8 million for the year
ended 31 March 2024, to be increased
in each subsequent year thereafter by
2.25%. Additional cash contributions
to the scheme were agreed, being
£1.0 million in the year ended
31 March 2025, £0.5 million in the years
ending 31 March 2026 and 2027 and
an additional contribution of £0.1 million
in the year ending 31 March 2028.
Contributions in future years beyond
2028 would then continue at the base
level until superseded by any future new
recovery plan to be agreed between
the Company and the trustees until
the projected end of the recovery plan
in the year ending 31 March 2031. As
at 31 March 2026 all contributions as
required under the recovery plan had
been paid.
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Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Operational and Business Review
continued
A new triennial valuation will take
place as at 31 March 2026 and will be
submitted to the Pensions Regulator
before the end of June 2027.
Dividend
The board declared an interim dividend
of 5.0 pence per Ordinary share
(2025: 5.0 pence), which was paid
in January 2026. The board remains
confident in the prospects of the
Company and is declaring a final
dividend for the year of 5.0 pence
per Ordinary share (2025: 5.0 pence).
This will be paid on 11 August 2026
to shareholders on the register at
close of business on 10 July 2026
if approved by shareholders at the
Company’s Annual General Meeting on
6 August 2026. The Ordinary shares will
be marked ex-dividend on 9 July 2026.
Strategy
Our continuing strategy is to focus
on growing our loyal customer base
through representing premium and
premium-volume franchises, maximising
opportunities for premium used cars
and delivering an excellent aftersales
service. We recognise that we operate
in a rapidly changing environment
and continue to carefully monitor the
appropriateness of this strategy. We
continue to seek opportunities to invest
in the future growth of our business,
with particular focus on the new
entrants to the UK marketplace.
We are concentrating on business
opportunities that deliver higher returns
from fewer but larger sites.
year have remained challenging, with
inflationary pressures and high interest
rates continuing to impact on our
cost base.
We have appointed a new marketing
agent across the business having seen
increased levels of enquiry during a
trial period. Enquiry rates from retail
customers for electric cars have
increased as retail offers become more
attractive and prices are closer to petrol
and diesel equivalents. Customers’
confidence levels in the product have
increased and the ongoing war in Iran
has made electric cars more desirable,
although much of the demand for these
continues to come through the fleet
channel. Our manufacturers are well
placed for the future with a pipeline
of market-leading electric new car
products due to come to market.
We continue to seek to deliver
performance improvement, in particular
in our used car and aftersales
operations, and to enhance both the
purchasing and aftersales experience
for our customers.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held
on 6 August 2026 and will be an open
meeting, to which shareholders will be
invited to attend in person.
Outlook
The Company has taken a number
of actions to increase order take and
reduce costs and these are delivering
improvements. Key areas are the
procurement of quality used car stock
at sensible prices, better management
on new and used inventory to reduce
both stocking interest and depreciation
costs of ageing stock, together with
general control on vehicle sales costs
such as marketing.
The new car forward-order book is
steady, although trading conditions in
the early part of the current financial
We have appointed a new marketing agent across
the business having seen increased levels of enquiry
during a trial period.
Our Company enjoys an exceptional
workforce who represent excellent
brands. We also continue to enjoy
supportive relationships with our
banking partners, HSBC and
Volkswagen Bank, with undrawn
facilities at 31 March 2026 of
£6.5 million. The balance sheet is
appropriately funded, and our freehold
property portfolio is a source of stability.
We remain confident in the prospects of
the Company and are ready to benefit
from future business opportunities.
S G M Caffyn
Chief Executive
18 June 2026
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Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Strategic Report
The Operational and Business Review, which forms part of the Strategic Report, principally covers the development and
performance of the business and the external environment and is set out on pages 2 to 6. The main Key Performance
Indicators are:
Financial 2026 2025
Revenue (£ million) 270.66 275.46
Underlying EBITDA (£ million) – see note 4 3.61 5.64
(Loss)/profit for the year before tax (£ million) (1.49) 0.25
Underlying (losses)/earnings per share (pence) (40.7) 16.4
(Losses)/earnings per share (pence) (42.7) 6.4
Bank overdrafts and loans (net of cash in hand balances) (£ million) 7.26 8.55
Gearing (%) 24.3 28.6
Note: Underlying results exclude items that have non-trading attributes due to their size, nature or incidence and are detailed in Note 3 to the Financial Statements.
Other and non-financial 2026 2025
UK new car market – total registrations (million) 2.05 1.99
UK new car market – retail and small business sector registrations (million) 0.85 0.81
Caffyns new car unit sales (‘000) 5.05 5.66
Caffyns used car unit sales (‘000) 5.92 5.71
Caffyns aftersales revenues (excluding internal sales) (£ million) 25.11 23.28
Company employees (full-time equivalents) 414 415
Source of UK market registrations: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (“SMMT”).
Business Performance
New and used cars
Our new unit deliveries fell by 10.7%
in the year, against a challenging
economic background and market
disruption from several new overseas
entrants. The total UK new car
registrations rose by 3.4% over the
twelve-month period and, within this
total, the private and small business
sector to which we have most exposure
fell by 5.2%. New car registrations
to the fleet market in the year rose,
by 2.1%.
Our used unit sales increased, by
3.7% in the year, despite a reduction
in cars sold through our Motorstore
non-franchised used car businesses.
Transaction data released by the
Society of Motor Manufacturers and
Traders reported that nationwide used
car transactions were up by 2.2% for
the 2025 calendar year.
Aftersales
Over recent years, new car registration
levels have been adversely impacted
by several factors, from changes in
emissions regulations in 2018 and
2019, the covid-19 pandemic in 2020
and 2021 and the disruptions caused to
manufacturers’ production levels from
the global shortage of semiconductors
in the years following the covid-19
pandemic. This significantly reduced
the number of one to four-year-old cars
in circulation. Despite these factors,
aftersales revenues rose in the year by
6%, aided by further enhancements to
our aftersales marketing and retention
procedures.
EBITDA
EBITDA saw a significant reduction
during the year from adverse trading
across from new car sales and from
continuing upward pressures on the
Company’s cost base.
Business Strategy
The Company continues to focus on the
premium and premium-volume market,
where it believes that there is greater
scope to deliver stronger sales, profits
and returns. Representation is held for a
strong portfolio of nine franchises being
Audi, CUPRA, Lotus, MG, SEAT, Skoda,
Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo. We
generally operate from our own freehold
properties, which we believe offers
better long-term returns and greater
flexibility. Proceeds from disposals of
properties are generally reinvested in
the Company’s operations. Whilst the
Company’s defined benefit pension
scheme remains in a deficit position,
sale proceeds have also been applied to
reduce this deficit.
Business model
Caffyns is one of the leading motor retail and aftersales companies in the south-east of England. The Company’s
principal activities are the sale and maintenance of motor vehicles.
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Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Strategic Report
continued
Corporate social responsibility,
community issues, human
rights and diversity
Caffyns has a long-standing Corporate
and Social Responsibility agenda
including its approach to its employees,
the environment, health and safety, and
the communities in which it operates.
We are also conscious of human rights
issues within the Company and the key
area that would impact our business,
our supply chain. Our supply chain is
predominantly the major international
motor manufacturers who also take
these issues very seriously.
The UK Corporate Governance Code
includes a recommendation that
boards should consider the benefits
of diversity, including gender, when
making board appointments. The board
recognises the importance of gender
balance and the important requirement
to ensure that there is an appropriate
range of experience, balance of skills
and background on the board. We
will continue to make changes to the
composition of the board irrespective
of gender or any form of discrimination
so that the best candidate is appointed.
The Company does not comply with the
Listing Rule on diversity, as less than
40% of the directors are women and
that at least one individual on the board
of directors should be from a minority
ethnic background. There are currently
no vacant board positions, with the
last appointment having been made in
January 2026 when Ms J N Timperley
was appointed as the Company’s new
Chief Financial Officer. The board will
remain mindful of its responsibilities
under Listing Rules as and when future
appointments are made.
Number
of board
members
Percentage
of the board
Number
of senior
positions on
the board
Number in
executive
management
Percentage
of executive
management
Men 4 66% 3 9 75%
Women 2 33% 1 3 25%
6 100% 4 12 100%
Number
of board
members
Percentage
of the board
Number
of senior
positions on
the board
Number in
executive
management
Percentage
of executive
management
White British or Other White 6 100% 4 12 100%
Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups
Asian/Asian British
Black/African/Caribbean/
Black British
Other ethnic group,
including Arab
6 100% 4 12 100%
Executive Management represents an
Operations Board, which is attended by
the three executive board directors and
eight senior operational management
employees and there are no vacant
positions. In addition, Executive
Management also included the previous
Finance Director, who does not attend
Operations Board meetings but was
still considered to be part of Executive
Management whilst he handed over his
role to the new Chief Financial Officer.
The Company seeks to promote talent
from within, whenever that is possible.
Excluding the directors and the
previous Finance Director, the average
employment tenure of these senior
operational management employees is
25 years with the most recent external
appointment being in 2012.
The individuals who constitute the
tables above self-identified as to their
gender and ethnicity. The Company
does not ask about, nor record, the
ethnicity of its general workforce.
The table below gives the total number
of our employees in each category, by
gender, at 31 March 2026.
Female Male Total
Director 2 4 6
Executive
management 1 9 10
All other
employees 116 353 469
Employees
We recognise that our people are
our key asset and are responsible for
delivering our strategy. We continue
to invest in an enhanced training and
development programme, with support
from our manufacturer partners. The
positive approach shown by our
employees throughout the Company’s
businesses has been key to our
success.
Employees are encouraged to discuss
with management factors affecting the
Company and any other matters that
they are concerned about. In addition,
the board takes account of employees’
interests when making decisions. We
have an HR director who has day to
day responsibility for employee welfare.
Suggestions from employees aimed at
improving the Company’s performance
are welcomed.
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Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Good performance from employees is
recognised every four months by their
peer group who nominate employees
for awards and formal Company-wide
recognition. A significant number of
employees are remunerated partly by
profit-related bonus schemes.
We have a dedicated Company intranet,
which keeps employees up to date
with Company developments and
activities. This platform also includes the
Company’s policies and procedures.
Long service awards were made during
the year to those staff with 25 years’
continuous service. All employment
policies remain compliant with current
legislation.
It is our policy to encourage career
development for all employees and to
help staff achieve job satisfaction and
increase their personal motivation.
We support the recruitment of
disabled people wherever possible.
Priority is given to those who become
disabled during their employment. It
is our policy, wherever practicable, to
provide continuing employment under
normal terms and conditions and to
provide training, career development
and promotion wherever appropriate.
Employment by the Company is offered
on the basis of the person’s ability to
work and not on the basis of race,
individual characteristics or political
opinion.
We have continued to recruit to our
apprenticeship programme, and
we are seeing the benefits of this
investment. We look to further recruit
both apprentices and others across the
Company’s businesses as we continue
to grow.
Principal risks and
uncertainties
Risk is an accepted part of doing
business and the Company has a risk
assessment process that facilitates
the identification and mitigation of risk.
Whilst the risk factors listed below
could cause our actual future results to
differ materially from expected results,
other factors could also adversely
affect the Company and they should,
therefore, not be considered to be a
complete set of all potential risks and
uncertainties. The risk factors should be
considered alongside the statement on
internal control and risk management
included in the Statement on Corporate
Governance on page 26 and those in
note 22 to the financial statements.
Principal risks Potential impact/material risk Key controls and mitigating factors
Business
conditions
and
the UK
economy
The profitability of the Company could be adversely affected
by a worsening of general economic conditions in the United
Kingdom, where all of its business is transacted. Other
relevant factors would include a pandemic-level infection,
interest rates, unemployment, fuel prices, inflation, indirect
taxation, the availability and cost of credit and other factors
that could affect the level of consumer confidence.
Monitoring of key macroeconomic
indicators against internal performance
leads to the anticipation of, and
mitigation for, expected volatilities. The
Company is not responsible for the
importation of new cars into the UK and
is not exposed to border frictions.
Conflicts in
Middle East,
Ukraine,
Yemen and
Gaza
The conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, Yemen and
Gaza continue to be a source of volatility in energy prices,
particularly for gas, as well as placing additional strain on
manufacturers’ parts supply chains. A sustained period of
high energy prices would have an effect on the Company’s
cost base and profitability whilst disrupted supply chains
could adversely impact the receipt of an adequate supply
of new cars from the manufacturers that the Company
represents.
The Company purchases its electricity
and gas under long-term fixed priced
contracts, shielding it from short-term
movements in market prices. The
Company’s current fixed-price contracts
for electricity and gas are next scheduled
for price review in September 2026.
The Company represents a diversified
range of car manufacturers, diluting its
exposure to supply chain issues.
Vehicle
manufacturer
dependencies
Caffyns operates franchised motor dealerships. These
franchises are awarded to the Company by the vehicle
manufacturers. For ongoing business, the Company holds
franchise agreements for its dealership operations. These
agreements are generally on a rolling basis and can be
terminated by giving two years’ notice, or less in the event
of a serious unremedied breach, including continued
under-performance. One manufacturer operates fixed-term
contracts. The Company is not aware of any existing
breaches of these agreements.
Diversification through representing
multiple marques reduces the
potential dependency on any single
manufacturer. Revenue streams from
other activities (aftersales and used
cars) prevent over-reliance on new car
sales.
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Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Strategic Report
continued
Principal risks Potential impact/material risk Key controls and mitigating factors
Vehicle
manufacturer
marketing
programmes
Vehicle manufacturers provide a wide variety of marketing
programmes which are used to promote new vehicle sales. A
withdrawal or reduction in these programmes would have an
adverse impact on our business.
By representing multiple marques, the
Company believes that this diversity
reduces the potential impact on the
Company. In addition, the Company
continues to develop its own marketing
initiatives.
Used car
prices
The value of our used car inventory could decline significantly
if market prices were to quickly fall. A large proportion of our
business comprises used car sales and such declines could
have a material impact through reduced profits on sales and
write-downs in the value of inventories.
Close monitoring of the ageing of
vehicle inventories and a firm policy of
inventory management help to mitigate
this risk. Any impact is also mitigated
by revenue streams being balanced
between aftersales, new car and used
car sales.
Transition
to electric
vehicle power-
trains
Government announcements have indicated that solus petrol
and diesel powertrains will no longer be permitted in new
vehicles sold after 2030, although hybrids will be allowed to
be sold until 2035. This change may result in disruption to the
supply and demand for new cars in the run up to 2030, and
to the used car market.
Ensuring that our premises are
developed to be able to adapt to
the expected future shift towards
battery-electric vehicles and that our
representation of manufacturers is
broad based to spread risk.
Aftersales
revenues
The maintenance of battery-electric propulsion systems is
expected to be less labour intensive and to require fewer
replacement parts, in comparison to an equivalent petrol
or diesel-powered engine. As a result, aftersales revenues
are likely to fall in coming years as the transition to battery-
electric vehicles accelerates.
Careful control of the cost base of
aftersales departments to ensure that
costs remain commensurate with the
levels of available revenues and more
active upselling to ensure that revenue
per vehicle is maximised.
Environmental
legislation
The transition to new battery-electric propulsion systems
will pose risks to the business from a number of sources:
additional investment required in providing an adequate
charging infrastructure; lower demand for petrol and diesel-
powered vehicles, potentially impacting on residual values;
and space constraints for when potentially faulty battery-
electric vehicles need to be quarantined, prior to repair.
Representation of multiple marques
reduces the potential dependency
on any single manufacturer. Early
installation of charging infrastructure
minimises the likely necessity of
installing additional electrical supply
infrastructure.
Liquidity and
financing
Liquidity and financing risks relate to our ability to pay for
goods and services enabling us to trade. Our principal
sources of finance are from our bankers by way of committed
borrowing facilities, from manufacturers to fund the
purchases of inventories, and trade credit from our suppliers.
A withdrawal of facilities, or failure to renew them when due,
could lead to a significant reduction in the trading capability
of the Company.
We work closely with providers of
finance to help reduce this risk by
managing expectations of trading
results and utilisation of facilities. The
status of our bank facilities is set out
in note 22. These negotiated facilities
provide sufficient liquidity and funding.
We do not presently hedge against
interest rate movements, but the
position is kept under regular review.
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Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Principal risks Potential impact/material risk Key controls and mitigating factors
Regulatory
compliance
The Company is subject to regulatory compliance risk,
which could arise from a failure to comply fully with the laws,
regulations or codes applicable.
Non-compliance could lead to fines, cessation of certain
business activities or public reprimand.
The direction of new regulatory policy
is monitored through close contact
with relevant trade and representative
bodies, and these are carefully
considered when developing strategy.
Information
systems
The Company is dependent upon certain business-critical
systems which, if interrupted for any considerable length of
time, could have a material effect on the efficient running of
our businesses.
A series of contingency plans are in
place that would enable the resumption
of operations within a short space of
time, thus mitigating the likelihood of
material loss.
Competition
Caffyns competes with other franchised vehicle dealerships,
private buyers and sellers, internet-based dealers,
independent service and repair shops and manufacturers
that have entered the retail market. The sale of new and
used cars, the performance of warranty repairs, routine
maintenance business and the supply of spare parts operate
in highly competitive markets. The principal competitive
factors are price, reputation, customer service and
knowledge of a manufacturer’s brands and models. We also
compete with funders who finance customers’ car purchases
directly.
We regularly monitor our competitors’
activities and seek to price our products
competitively, optimise customer
service, efficiently utilise our customer
database and fully understand our
manufacturers’ brands and products.
The
distribution
and sale of
vehicles
Sales agreements are granted by manufacturers based on
standards but agreements are restricted to areas of influence
granted by manufacturers, who also determine choice of
partner, enabling them to restrict entry into the franchise or
the number of outlets any one dealer can hold. Aftersales
agreements are legislated by a Block Exemption, dictating
that aftersales businesses that meet a manufacturer’s
qualitative standards criteria have an entitlement to represent
that brand’s aftersales service and parts franchise.
By continuing to focus on providing
excellent customer facilities, excellent
customer service and by providing high-
level representation for the Company’s
manufacturer partners, current business
relationships will be maintained,
providing opportunities for selective
growth.
Pension
scheme
Caffyns operates a defined benefit pension scheme, which
was closed to new entrants in 2006 and closed to future
accrual in 2010. The scheme relies on achieving satisfactory
investment returns sufficient to meet the present value of
the accrued liabilities. Reduced investment returns or higher
liabilities due to increased mortality rates and/or continuing
record low interest rates could adversely affect the surplus
or deficit of the scheme and may result in increased cash
contributions in future.
The Company regularly reviews the
position of the defined benefit pension
scheme and Company representatives
attend the meetings held by the trustees
of the pension scheme. The Company
continues to review possible options to
mitigate the risk of underlying volatility
causing an increase in the deficit.
Political
uncertainties
The current Administration in the United States of America,
alongside numerous global developments, such as the
conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, Yemen and Gaza,
means that a degree of uncertainty exists in the economic
outlook. We believe the main risks to arise relate to consumer
confidence, new car production levels, the potential
impact that Sterling/Euro exchange rates may have on
vehicle pricing, and the possible imposition of tariffs and/or
restrictions on the imports of cars and parts into the United
Kingdom.
We continue to focus on delivering an
excellent service to new and existing
customers, giving confidence in our
operations and building a strong loyal
base and to maintaining our close
working relationship with our nine
manufacturers.
11
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Strategic Report
continued
Environment and
climate change
The Taskforce on Climate-related
Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) has
published four “pillars” relating to
disclosures, categorised under the
headings of Governance, Strategy, Risk
Management and Metrics and Targets.
This Annual Report contains certain of
the recommended disclosures, although
constraints on available resources mean
that we continue to be in the early stages
of this journey and that more time will be
required to allow for a full consideration
of the issues and outcomes. Regulatory
guidance continues to emerge in this
area, which will be considered as part of
our future work. We expect to be able to
widen our disclosures in future Annual
Reports.
In accordance with Listing Rule
9.8.6R(8), we have disclosed in the
tables below certain climate-related
financial disclosures aligned to the four
“pillars” listed above and the eleven
recommended disclosures contained
within the TCFD additional guidance
(Implementing the Recommendations
of the Task Force on Climate-Related
Financial Disclosures (2021 TCFD
Annex)). For each of the recommended
disclosures we have laid out whether
our disclosures are fully or partially
compliant, or non-compliant with the
recommendations of the TCFD and
the future steps planned to be taken to
ensure our disclosures are compliant
in the future, including relevant
timeframes.
At 31 March 2026, the Company
considers that it is fully compliant
for the disclosures required for both
recommendations under Governance,
is compliant for one of the three
recommendations under Strategy,
but is non-compliant for two of the
recommendations. Compliance has
been achieved for all recommendations
under Risk Management. For Metrics
and Targets, partial compliance
has been achieved for two
recommendations, whilst the Company
remains non-compliant for the remaining
recommendation.
The recommendations for which the
Company is currently unable to be fully
compliant require more time before
full implementation can be achieved.
It is expected that full implementation
of these TCFD recommendations will
require up to a further three years,
except for the measurement of Scope
3 emissions, where no time frame can
currently be determined, as further
clarity is required to identify which
emissions would be applicable for the
Company to have to measure.
The Company’s strategic priority for
the current financial year was returning
the Company to profitable trading and
this absorbed significant management
time. As a result, no significant progress
has been made in some of the
recommendations related to “Strategic”
and “Metrics and targets” matters
required by TCFD. Accordingly, we have
retained the timeline commitments to
achieve these metrics largely in line with
the previous year financial statements.
For the four “pillars” relating to disclosures, the Company’s current position is as follows:
Recommendation
Recommended
disclosures Summary of progress
Disclosure
compliance
GOVERNANCE
Disclosure of the
board’s governance
around climate-
related risks and
opportunities
a) Describe the
board’s oversight
of climate-
related risks and
opportunities.
The board of directors retains ultimate responsibility for the
Company’s environmental policies and for seeking to minimise
the effect of our operations on the environment and has
formally accepted oversight of climate-related issues. This
includes the development of principles and approaches to
protecting the environment to the extent that we are able,
minimising the environmental impact of our business and
providing a framework to manage climate-related risks.
Through the establishment of an Environmental, Sustainability
and Efficiency Committee (see below), the climate-related
risks and opportunities relevant to the Company have
been identified. The board receives climate-related energy
consumption reports from management on a monthly
basis throughout the year and can use the Environmental,
Sustainability and Efficiency Committee as a conduit to both
receive climate-based information and disseminate guidance
and instructions to branch-based management.
Compliant.
12
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Recommendation
Recommended
disclosures Summary of progress
Disclosure
compliance
b) Describe
management’s role
in assessing and
managing climate-
related risks and
opportunities.
In 2022, an Environmental, Sustainability and Efficiency
Committee was established under the leadership of a senior
manager to assist with the process of identifying climate-
related risks and opportunities and to review the Company’s
environmental footprint, including its energy usage. The
Committee aims to meet twice each year, which it achieved in
the period under review. The risks and opportunities identified
and agreed are set out later in this report on pages 15 and 16.
This Committee reports directly to the Chief Executive, who then
reports on its work to the board.
Since its implementation, the Committee has also identified and
implemented several energy-saving measures and continues to
develop plans for further reductions, which are expected to yield
results in the next reporting period.
The board continues to consider whether any external
assistance would be beneficial to review and quantify our carbon
emissions.
Compliant.
STRATEGY
Disclosure of the
actual and potential
impacts of climate-
related risks and
opportunities on
the Company’s
business, strategy
and financial
planning, where
such information is
material
a) Describe
the climate-
related risks and
opportunities the
organisation has
faced over the
short, medium and
long term.
The actual and potential impacts from climate change are
described on pages 15 and 16. The Company has assessed
short term as being between 0 and 3 years from the balance
sheet date, with medium term being within 3 and 10 years and
long term more than ten years from the balance sheet date.
The most fundamental change to our business will arise
from the transition from cars powered by fossil fuels to cars
powered by non-fossil fuels by 2030, most likely battery-
electric but possibly also hydrogen. Energy supply, particularly
of electricity and gas, will require close monitoring to ensure
supplies are sustainable and affordable. The Company will
continue its policy of entering into long-term contracts at fixed
prices for the supply of electricity and gas.
Compliant.
b) Describe the
impact of climate-
related risks and
opportunities on
the organisation’s
businesses,
strategy and
financial planning.
The board considers climate-related factors when determining
its future strategy for the business and in assessing major
plans of action.
However, no specific goals and targets have yet been set. The
board monitors energy usage on a monthly basis and, once
targets can be set and adopted, will monitor progress being
made in regard to their achievement.
At the current time it is envisaged that the net impact on
future revenues and profits from the climate-related risks and
opportunities so far identified is unlikely to be significant.
Non-compliant
with further
work required
to set targets
for reductions
in carbon
emissions. This
is expected to
be completed
within the next
two years for
inclusion in the
2028 Annual
Report.
c) Describe the
resilience of the
organisation’s
strategy, taking
into consideration
different climate-
related scenarios,
including a 2°C or
lower scenario.
Limited work has been able to be completed in determining
the resilience of our strategy under different climate-related
scenarios and further work is required in this area.
Non-compliant.
This is
expected to
be completed
within the next
three years for
inclusion in the
2029 Annual
Report.
13
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Strategic Report
continued
Recommendation
Recommended
disclosures Summary of progress
Disclosure
compliance
RISK MANAGEMENT
Disclosure of how
the Company
identifies,
assesses and
manages climate-
related risks
a) Describe the
risk management
processes for
identifying and
assessing climate-
related risks.
The Company’s Environmental, Sustainability and Efficiency
Committee has worked with the executive directors in order
to identify risks arising from climate-related change and
these are detailed later in this report on pages 15 and 16.
Information published by industry-specific bodies, such as
the National Franchised Dealers Association and the Society
of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, as well as the Business
Development Groups run by the vehicle manufacturers that
the Company represents, and Government publications
have all been used in order to assist in the identification and
assessment of climate-related risks. The review of existing
risks and consideration of potential new risks is a standing
agenda item for the board on at least two of the eight meetings
scheduled to be held during each year.
Compliant.
b) Describe the
organisation’s
processes for
managing climate-
related risks.
Identified risks for all areas of the business are subject to
regular review and assessment to ensure that they remain
accurate, relevant and comprehensive. Where appropriate,
this includes discussions with external third parties such as
insurers and finance providers. The Company’s Risk Register
is based on a grid-based system where risks are assessed
for their potential impact on the business and likelihood of
occurring to produce a combined significance ranking. At
the biannual meetings where the risk register is reviewed and
updated, discussions are directed primarily at those risks
deemed to be the most significant. Information provided by
the Environmental, Sustainability and Efficiency Committee is
incorporated into the review process.
Compliant.
c) Describe
how processes
for identifying,
assessing and
managing climate-
related risks are
integrated into
the organisation’s
overall risk
management.
The Company’s Environmental, Sustainability and Efficiency
Committee will continue to identify, assess and manage
climate-related risks that may impact our operations. The Risk
Register maintained by the board covers all identified business
risks and includes those arising from climate change.
We will be reliant on our manufacturers to control the new car
transition away from fossil-fuel powered engines by the supply
of appropriately powered new cars, but we will continue to
monitor our diversity of manufacturer representation.
Compliant.
METRICS AND TARGETS
Disclose the
metrics used by
the organisation
to assess and
manage climate-
related risks and
opportunities,
where such
information is
material
a) Disclose the
metrics used by
the organisation
to assess climate-
related risks and
opportunities
in line with its
strategy and risk
management
process.
Our identification of climate-related risks and opportunities is
shown on pages 15 and 16. Metrics covering electricity and
gas consumption levels are in place, being an aftersales energy
efficiency ratio of aftersales turnover as a proportion of energy
consumed in kWhs in a given rolling twelve month period and
a property efficiency ratio of energy consumed in kWhs in
a given rolling twelve month period to the square meterage
of buildings. The Company’s dealership operations are then
ranked against these two metrics. Further work continues
to identify additional specific metrics in relation to: (i) climate
change; (ii) land use and ecological sensitivity; (iii) solid waste
and single-use plastics, and (iv) product diversification, which
would be beneficial in order to promote best practice in energy
usage across the Company.
Partial
compliance.
This is
expected to
be completed
within the next
two years for
inclusion in the
2028 Annual
Report.
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Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Recommendation
Recommended
disclosures Summary of progress
Disclosure
compliance
b) Disclose Scope
1, Scope 2, and, if
appropriate, Scope
3 greenhouse
gas (“GHG”)
emissions, and the
related risks.
We disclose on page 18 our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
caused by activities in the financial year.
We do not currently disclose our Scope 3 emissions (being
other indirect emissions from the extraction and production
of purchased materials and fuels which the Company does
not own or control) as further clarity is required as to what
emissions are applicable for the Company, and how that
data would be practicably obtained without imposing a
disproportionate burden on the effective operation of our
businesses.
Partial
compliance,
except for the
disclosure
of Scope 3
emissions.
No timeframe
can currently
be set for the
completion of
this task.
c) Describe the
targets used by
the organisation to
manage climate-
related risks and
opportunities
and performance
against targets.
Further work is required in order to allow targets to be set
in relation to: (i) climate change; (ii) land use and ecological
sensitivity; (iii) solid waste and single-use plastics; and (iv)
product diversification.
The Company’s aim remains to consistently reduce its energy
usage, and hence the amount of CO
2
it emits from its business
activities, and to contribute towards worldwide efforts to limit
global warming to 1.5% above pre-industrial levels.
Non-
compliant. This
is expected to
be completed
within the next
two years for
inclusion in the
2028 Annual
Report.
Key climate-related risks
Description of the risk Potential financial impact
Timescale, likelihood
and magnitude
The transition from cars powered by internal
combustion engines to battery-electric
powertrains will be a profound technological
change and the initial projected direction of
change may not prove to be the ultimate
destination. Such changes will also place
significant pressures on supply chains,
potentially restricting the availability of new car
supply.
Residual values of existing battery-electric
vehicles have already proved volatile, so
stock-holding risks will increase whilst this
transition occurs. A limited investment has
been made in workshop equipment to
facilitate the servicing of battery-electric
vehicles and the value of this equipment
could be compromised if the technology
was to change. Lack of availability of new
car supply would impact revenues.
Highly likely to occur over
the medium term (defined as
between 3 and 10 years) with
the potential of the magnitude
to be severe.
Battery-electric vehicles can cost more
than the equivalent models powered by
internal combustion engines, although this
price differential has been falling over time
as production methods improve. However,
battery components remain expensive. High
energy prices mean that the running cost
savings of battery-electric vehicles may not
achieve desired levels.
Customers’ preferences for the early
adoption of new battery-electric
technologies might be adversely impacted
by cost considerations. This might result
in over-supply to the market and market
disruption in order to bring supply and
demand back into equilibrium.
Likelihood of occurring is
considered possible over the
short and medium terms,
defined as between 0 and 10
years, with the potential of the
magnitude to be major.
Battery-electric vehicles are comprised of
fewer parts, will use less fluids and should
suffer less brake degradation due to
regenerative braking methods, all of which
would result in less aftersales revenue.
However, these vehicles are also likely to
require more high-skilled and complex
diagnostic work.
On balance, overall aftersales revenues
are expected to reduce during the
transition phase, although the existing fleet
of cars powered by internal combustion
engines will remain on UK roads for many
years to come.
Highly likely to occur over
the medium term with the
potential of the magnitude to
be major.
15
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Strategic Report
continued
Description of the risk Potential financial impact
Timescale, likelihood
and magnitude
Increased prevalence of battery-electric
vehicles will require a significant investment
in charging infrastructure, including potential
upgrades to the levels of electrical supplies to
our dealership premises. Once installed, this
charging infrastructure will also result in higher
on-going operating costs due to the increases
in electricity prices.
The investment in capital assets might
be at risk if the pace or direction of the
technological changes associated with
battery-electric vehicles were to change
and higher operating costs could only be
mitigated by external reductions in energy
prices.
Likelihood of occurring is
considered likely over the
short and medium terms with
the potential of the magnitude
to be major.
Increasing variability in the UK climate and
increasing frequency of more extreme climate
events increase the risk of more potentially
damaging events to buildings and associated
infrastructure.
Costs of insuring the Company’s buildings
and associated infrastructure may
increase and costs of lower-level repairs,
which are not covered by insurance, might
increase.
Likely to occur over the
medium term with the
potential of the magnitude to
be moderate.
Key climate-related opportunities
Description of the opportunity Potential financial impact
Timescale, likelihood
and magnitude
The transition from cars powered by internal
combustion engines to battery-electric
powertrains will present a major opportunity
for additional new car sales as it provides
a heightened reason for companies and
individuals to more quickly adopt to the new
technologies.
Additional new car revenues, as well as
those from associated revenue streams.
Likely to occur over the
medium term (defined as
between 3 and 10 years) with
the potential of the magnitude
to be major.
Closer scrutiny of energy use, particularly for
heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and
for equipment in our aftersales workshops,
should allow for the identification of further
savings in energy usage.
Lower and more stable operating costs. Highly likely to occur over
the short and medium terms,
defined as between 0 and 10
years with the potential of the
magnitude to be moderate.
Climate-related actions
The Company is aware of its
environmental responsibilities arising
from its motor retailing and aftersales
activities and recognises that some
of its activities affect the environment.
Our Health, Safety and Environment
Officer has received formal training
in environmental management and is
appropriately experienced in this field.
Our policy is to promote and operate
processes and procedures that, so far
as is reasonably practicable, avoid or
minimise the contamination of water, air
or the ground.
Licences are obtained from the relevant
authorities, where required, to operate
certain elements of the Company’s
business. Waste is disposed of by
authorised contractors and is recycled
where possible. Special care is taken in
the storage of fuels and oils. Through
the management of these activities, we
seek to minimise any adverse effects of
our activities on the environment.
We also seek to reduce our energy
and water consumption and our use
of plastic materials, particularly those
of single-use plastics. Use of the
latest building materials is made in
the construction of new sites and the
refurbishment of existing locations.
Audit processes are in place to measure
energy and materials usage and make
recommendations for improvements.
A regime to periodically test electrical
systems is in place throughout the
Company’s premises.
The Company has mapped out its
journey towards net-zero carbon
emissions by the Government’s current
target date of 2050. This journey
comprises four main strands, being
electricity, gas, transport and other
energy usage.
16
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
The Company uses significant amounts
of electricity in its operations, which
it purchases under fixed-price term
contracts, normally for
two-year periods although the current
contract is for a twelve month period
to 30 September 2026. The Company
purchases all its electricity from
sources that are certified as generating
100% renewable electricity. Whilst the
electricity that the Company consumes
comes direct from the national grid and
therefore is associated with carbon
emissions, an amount equivalent to the
Company’s usage would not produce
any emissions in its generation so, in
practical terms, its purchased electricity
is emissions-free. Our electricity usage
in 2025 was 2.20 million kWhs
(2024: 2.16 million kWhs) and
comprised some two-thirds of our
annual energy usage. Underlying energy
savings have been achieved but these
have been countered by increased on-
site charging of electric cars.
The Company also uses significant
amounts of gas in its operations,
with usage in 2025 amounting to
0.97 million kWhs (2024: 1.02 million
kWhs), being a little under one-third
of its energy usage, as we continue
to control energy use in our premises.
As for electricity, purchases are made
under fixed-price term contracts,
normally for two-year periods, and the
current contracts is next scheduled
for renewal in September 2026. The
primary use of gas is for central heating
purposes through gas boilers, which
are at various stages in their life cycle.
The original production of these gas
boilers would itself have been energy
intensive, so the Company’s approach
is to ensure that these boilers continue
in use until they reach the end of their
economic life. The gas boilers have an
estimated life span of between ten and
fifteen years, so the Company does
not intend to install any new gas boilers
after 2035. Between now and 2035 the
Company is committed to investigating
alternative heating sources, such as air-
and ground-source heat pumps, as and
when gas boilers need replacement.
Where these alternatives are practically
and commercially viable, the Company
will seek to avoid the purchase of
replacement gas boilers.
The third strand to the Company’s
usage is its own fleet of demonstrator
and courtesy cars, which equate to
some one-twentieth of its energy
usage. The manufacturers that the
Company represents are all in various
stages of transitioning their new car
offerings away from cars powered
by internal combustion engines and
towards hybrid and battery-electric
powertrains. In the 2025 calendar year
battery-electric cars comprised 23.4%
of all new car registrations in the United
Kingdom, whilst hybrid cars, excluding
mild hybrids, made up a further 25.0%
of new car registrations. New cars
powered solely by internal combustion
engines therefore represented just less
than half of new car registrations in
2025. The Government has stipulated
no new cars that are solely powered
by an internal combustion engine
will be able to be sold in the United
Kingdom after the end of 2030. As our
manufacturers transition away from
petrol and diesel-powered cars, our
own fleet of vehicles increasingly reflects
that movement. At 31 March 2026,
37% of our own demonstrator, courtesy
and staff car fleet comprised either
alternatively fuelled or battery-electric
cars, compared to 35% at the previous
year-end.
The final strand to the Company’s
energy usage is its water usage. As
water will always be required in order
to operate the Company’s premises
and the preparation of clean water is
unlikely to become totally carbon-free,
it is anticipated that our emissions
in this area will ultimately need to be
covered through a carbon-offsetting
arrangement.
Reducing carbon and waste
During the year, we have continued
to assess and monitor our energy use
and, where practicable, we continue
to implement measures in order to
reduce the environmental impact of our
activities.
Climate change influences seasonal
energy usage and whilst, at times, we
benefit from milder weather, we are
aware that any adverse change could
affect energy usage. To minimise our
energy usage we continue, where
practicable, to install LED lighting at
our sites as this uses significantly less
energy than conventional lighting. In
addition, we limit the duration of periods
when full lighting is used, using sensors
and timers to further reduce the energy
we use.
We continue to improve our energy
use and efficiency by replacing old
equipment with new efficient units
and ensuring workshop doors are
closed when not in use by fitting
automatic closing devices. Water use in
valeting areas uses recycling facilities,
where practicable, and all sites have
appropriate water filtration systems.
At one dealership, we are able to
generate electricity through the use
of roof-mounted photovoltaic cells,
whilst elsewhere, we use air-sourced
heat pumps to reduce electricity
consumption. We seek to limit our
paper consumption and waste through
increasingly paperless communications
and systems, and to minimise the use
of plastic materials.
Streamlined energy
and carbon reporting
This section includes our mandatory
reporting of greenhouse gas
emissions for the period 1 January to
31 December 2025, the latest annual
period for which data is available, and
is pursuant to the Companies Act
2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’
Report) Regulations 2013. We report
our emissions data using an operational
control approach taking data for
which we deem ourselves responsible,
including both energy consumption and
vehicle usage for business use.
17
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Strategic Report
continued
In the 2025 calendar year, our businesses emitted 598 tonnes of carbon dioxide (“CO
2
”) (2024: 662 tonnes). Our emissions are
principally of CO
2
and are from the following sources:
Greenhouse gas emissions data
Tonnes of
CO
2
2025
Tonnes of
CO
2
2024
Tonnes of
CO
2
2023
Scope 1
Gas consumption 176.8
186.8
195.5
Owned transport 31.9
35.3
52.4
Water supply 3.2
1.5
3.0
Scope 2
Purchased electricity (location-based emissions) 390.3
446.9
454.4
Purchased electricity (market-based emissions) 0.0*
0.0*
0.0*
Generated electricity (4.5)
(8.8)
(4.4)
Statutory total 597.7
661.7
700.9
Revenue (£million) 268.1 272.5 275.7
* The Company purchases its electricity from a supplier that was able to certificate that an equivalent amount of electricity has been generated by wind and hydro
assets matched to renewable energy guarantees of origin, enabling zero emission reporting.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 energy
consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions data has been calculated
in line with the Greenhouse Gas
(“GHG”) protocol methodology. UK
Government GHG Conversion Factors
for Company Reporting databases
have been used, which are consistent
with the UK Government environmental
reporting guidance, utilising the current
published kWh gross calorific value
and CO
2
e emissions factors relevant
for the reporting calendar year. We
have selected emissions per £million of
revenues per tonne as our intensity ratio
as this, in our view, provides the best
comparative measure over time.
2023 intensity ratio: 2.5 tonnes of CO
2
per £million of revenue
2024 intensity ratio: 2.4 tonnes of CO
2
per £million of revenue
2025 intensity ratio: 2.2 tonnes of
CO
2
per £million of revenue
The Company’s total energy
consumption for the period 1 January
to 31 December 2025 was 3.3 million
kWh (2024: 3.3 million kWh). The
methodology for calculating this
annual energy consumption figure was
the same as that outlined above for
producing the estimate of the Company
greenhouse gas emissions. All of the
Company’s energy consumption arose
in the United Kingdom.
Our greenhouse gas emissions
associated with waste arise from a
number of waste streams generated
from our business. For conversion to
carbon dioxide equivalent (“CO
2
e”), data
are not readily available for a number
of our waste streams, so we have
chosen to report this in weight and
percentage of waste recycled compared
to waste sent to landfill, as opposed to
CO
2
e. Waste in 2025 was 473 tonnes
(2024: 479 tonnes) of which 85% was
recycled (2024: 80%) with the balance
incinerated to generate electricity. We
continue to work with our recycling
partners to maximise waste that can be
recycled.
Future emissions legislative
changes
The Government had indicated that
the sale of vehicles powered solely by
an internal combustion engine will be
banned from the end of 2030 onwards
although hybrid vehicles, which are
powered by a combination of a battery
and an internal combustion engine, will
be allowed to be sold up to the end
of 2035. After that time, all vehicles
will need to be powered without the
use of an internal combustion engine.
The implementation of this intended
legislation will bring significant change
to the motor retail industry, and we are
working with our manufacturers to more
fully develop our transitional plans. We
have already installed electric charging
points in all our dealerships, although
further installations will be required in
the coming years. A number of the
other actions we have already taken
are detailed below and we anticipate
fuller disclosures of our plans, and their
possible impact on the business, will be
made in future Annual Reports.
Health and safety
The board recognises its responsibility
to members of staff and others working
or visiting our facilities to provide, so
far as is reasonably practicable, an
environment that is safe and without
risk to their health and this is always
the first agenda item at each board
meeting. The board maintains ultimate
responsibility for health and safety
issues with a full-time Health, Safety
and Environment Officer responsible
on a day-to-day basis, supported by all
levels of management.
The Company’s policy is to identify
potential hazards, assess the risks
presented by its activities and to
provide systems and procedures that
allow our staff to take responsible
decisions in their work in relation to
their own, and others’, safety. We
promote awareness of potential risks
and hazards and implementation of
corresponding preventative or remedial
actions through online health and
safety systems, operations manuals
18
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
and monthly communication on topical
issues. With clear lines of operating
unit responsibility, staff are supported
by specialist guidance from the Health,
Safety and Environment Officer. All our
staff have access to a detailed health
and safety guide.
Section 172 statement
Section 172 of the Companies Act
2006 requires directors to take into
consideration the interests of all
stakeholders and other matters in
their decision-making. The directors
continue to have regard to the interests
of the Company’s employees and other
stakeholders, the impact of its activities
on the community, the environment
and the Company’s reputation for
good business conduct, when making
decisions. In this context, acting in
good faith and fairly, the directors
consider what is most likely to promote
the success of the Company for its
members in the long term. We explain
in this Annual Report how the board
engages with stakeholders.
Relations with key stakeholders,
such as shareholders and suppliers,
are considered in more detail on
page 27;
The Company’s employees are
recognised as vital to its success
and employee relations are
considered in more detail on pages
3, 8 and 43. The Chief Executive
regularly visits the Company’s sites,
speaking to staff whilst he is there
and reporting to the board on the
outcome of those visits. The board
continues to review its methods of
engagement with its employees. In
addition, the board takes account of
employees’ interests when making
decisions;
The directors are fully aware of
their responsibilities to promote
the success of the Company in
accordance with section 172 of the
Companies Act 2006. To ensure the
Company operates in line with good
corporate practice, all directors
receive refresher training annually on
the scope and application of section
172. This encourages the board
to reflect on how the Company
engages with its stakeholders and
opportunities for enhancement in
the future and was considered at the
Company’s board meeting in March
2026. As required, the Company
Secretary provides support to the
board to help ensure that sufficient
consideration is given to issues
relating to the matters set out in
s172(1)(a)-(f);
The board regularly reviews the
Company’s principal stakeholders
and how it engages with them. This
is achieved through information
provided by management and
also by direct engagement with
stakeholders themselves; and
We aim to work responsibly with our
stakeholders, including suppliers.
The board periodically reviews its
policies covering anti-corruption and
anti-bribery, equal opportunities and
whistleblowing.
During the year under review, ended
31 March 2026, the key decisions taken
by the board included:
Dividends: The Company is aware of its
responsibility to shareholders to provide
a return on the investment that they
have made and has returned dividends
per Ordinary share in excess of £4 over
the last two decades. Although trading
conditions in the current financial year
have been difficult and the Company
has incurred an underlying loss, the
board remains confident in the future
prospects of the Company. An interim
dividend of 5.0 pence per Ordinary
share was declared and the board is
proposing a final dividend for the year of
5.0 pence per Ordinary share.
Pension scheme triennial valuation:
The latest completed triennial valuation
of the Company’s defined benefit
pension scheme (the “Scheme”) was
effective from 31 March 2023 with
the next review at 31 March 2026
having just started. The Scheme has
operated with an actuarial deficit for a
number of years with a recovery plan
agreed between the Company and
the Scheme’s trustees to address the
Scheme’s deficit. The board remains
very mindful of its responsibilities to its
current and previous employees who
are members of the Scheme and for
the need to appropriately deal with
the Scheme’s deficit, whilst ensuring
that the Company has adequate
resources to develop and strengthen its
businesses in order to ensure its future
success. The Company has worked
collaboratively with the trustees of the
Scheme during the year to improve the
Scheme’s financial position.
Additional manufacturer
representation: The board continues
to seek new opportunities to maximise
the effectiveness of its existing property
portfolio.
By order of the board
S G M Caffyn
Chief Executive
18 June 2026
19
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Our Business Consolidated
Financials
Governance Other information
Governance
Board of Directors 20
Chairman’s Statement on Corporate
Governance 21
Directors’ Remuneration Report 28
Report of the Directors 42
Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 46
Board of Directors
Directors
Richard C Wright
PG Dip FIMI FCIM
Chairman
Simon G M Caffyn
MA FIMI
Chief Executive
Joelle N Timperley BA FCMA
Chief Financial Officer
Sarah J Caffyn
BSc FCIPD AICSA FIMI
Human Resources
Stephen G Bellamy
BCom CA(NZ)
Non-executive
and senior independent director
Nigel T Gourlay
BSc
Non-executive
Bankers
HSBC Bank plc
1 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 1HQ
Volkswagen Bank
Brunswick Court, Yeomans Drive,
Blakelands, Milton Keynes MK14 5LR
Independent Auditor
Kreston Reeves Audit LLP
Statutory Auditor
168 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6RA
Company Secretary
Sarah J Caffyn
BSc FCIPD AICSA FIMI
Registered Office Saffrons Rooms, Meads Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7DR
Telephone (0371) 664 0300
Companies House Caffyns public limited company (00105664)
20
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance
This statement explains how the
Company has applied the main and
supporting principles of corporate
governance and describes the
Company’s compliance with the
provisions of the UK Corporate
Governance Code (the “Code”), as
published in 2018 by the Financial
Reporting Council and available at
www.frc.org.uk. The Company is not
required to comply with the Code
but, where it does not, it is required
to explain its non-compliance. The
directors take governance very seriously
and seek to comply with the Code for
best practice.
The Company has complied with the
provisions of the Code throughout the
year ended 31 March 2026 in so far
as this has been possible given the
size of its operations and the available
resources. Areas where the Company
has not been able to fully comply are
set out below, explaining the nature of
non-compliance.
Provision 10 requires that non-
executive directors should not
serve for more than nine years as
longer service could impair their
independence. Both Mr R C Wright,
who was appointed to the board on
1 November 2011, and
Mr N T Gourlay, who was appointed
as a non-executive director on
26 September 2013, exceeded
nine years’ service in a previous
financial year. Mr S G Bellamy
was appointed in June 2019 and
remains independent. The board is
satisfied that both Mr R C Wright
and Mr N T Gourlay continue to
act independently and to robustly
challenge the executive, where
appropriate.
Provision 11 requires that at
least half the board, excluding
the Chairman, should consist
of independent non-executive
directors. The board is satisfied the
composition of the board and the
committees reflects the compact
nature of the board and size of
the Company as a whole, and
that the non-executive directors
have shown that they are able to
work independently and provide
appropriate challenge of the
executive management;
Provision 19 requires that the
Chairman should not remain in post
beyond nine years from the date of
their appointment.
Mr R C Wright was appointed
as Chairman on 26 July 2012 so
exceeded nine years’ service in a
previous financial year in his role as
Chairman. The board is satisfied
that Mr R C Wright will continue to
chair the board in an appropriate
manner;
Provision 24 requires that the
chairman of the board should not
be a member of the Audit & Risk
Committee. The Company believes
that an Audit & Risk Committee
of three non-executive directors
operates better than with just two
members and, due to the size of the
board, the Chairman needs to be a
member in order to achieve this;
Provision 36 requires that
remuneration schemes for
directors should promote long-term
shareholdings by executive directors
and support alignment with long-term
shareholder interests. The Company
has operated Save As You Earn
schemes for all eligible employees,
including directors, but does not
currently have an open scheme in
operation. The Company does not
operate a Long-Term Incentive Plan
(“LTIP”) for directors, primarily due
to the relative lack of liquidity in the
trading of its shares and the weak
link between share price and financial
performance. Of the executive
directors, Mr S G M Caffyn and Ms
S J Caffyn are Ordinary shareholders
and those shareholdings are detailed
on page 37;
Provision 39 requires that only
directors’ salaries should be
pensionable. The Company
Secretary, who is also a director, is a
member of the Company’s defined
contribution pension scheme on the
same terms as all other employees
and any bonus payments made to
her would be pensionable. This is a
long-standing arrangement that also
aligns with the treatment of pension
contributions on bonus payments
for the wider employee base. The
board is satisfied and has decided
that it would not be in the best
interests of the Company to change
her existing employment contract.
Subsequent to the year-end, the
Chief Financial Officer has become
a member of the Company’s defined
contribution pension scheme;
Provision 40 requires that notice
periods for directors should be one
year or less. The Chief Executive
previously had a service contract
that provided a notice period of two
years (see page 32 of the Directors’
Remuneration Report), which was a
long-standing arrangement. During
the year, the Chief Executive has
been issued with a new service
contract that will reduce the notice
period down to one year from
1 December 2026. Provision 40
will therefore be complied with for
the coming financial year ending
31 March 2027.
A description of the Company’s
business model and strategy is set out
in the Strategic Report on page 7.
21
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance
continued
Structure of the board and its
key activities
The board is collectively responsible for
the long-term success of the Company
and for ensuring that it operates to a
governance standard that serves the
best interests of the Company. The
board sets the strategy of the Company
and its individual trading businesses
and ensures that the Company has in
place the financial and human resources
it needs to meet its objectives. There
is a written schedule of matters
reserved for board decision, which is
summarised below.
Schedule of matters reserved
for decision by the board
Health and safety policy;
Business strategy;
Approval of significant capital
projects and other investments;
Principal terms of agreement for
the Company’s principal banking
facilities;
Annual business plan and budget
monitoring;
Risk management strategy and
internal control and governance
arrangements;
Approval of acquisitions and
divestments;
Changes to management and
control structure;
Significant changes to accounting
policies and/or practices;
Financial reporting to shareholders;
Dividend policy;
Changes in employee share
incentives;
Reviewing the overall corporate
governance arrangements;
Appointments to the board and its
committees;
Policies relating to directors’
remuneration and service;
Prosecution, defence or settlement
of material litigation;
Any alterations to the share capital
of the Company;
Approval of all circulars and
announcements to shareholders;
Major changes to the Company’s
pension schemes; and
Insurance cover, including directors’
and officers’ liability insurance and
indemnification of the directors.
The Chairman takes responsibility for
ensuring that the directors receive
accurate, timely and clear information.
Monthly financial information is provided
to the directors. Regular and ad hoc
reports and presentations are circulated,
with all board and committee papers
being issued in advance of meetings by
the Company Secretary. In addition to
formal board meetings, the Chairman
maintains regular contact with the
Chief Executive and other directors to
discuss specific issues. In furtherance
of their duties, the directors have full
access to the Company Secretary and
may take independent professional
advice at the Company’s expense.
The board believes that, given the
experience and skills of its directors,
the identification of training needs is
best left to the individual’s discretion.
If any developmental need is identified
through the board’s formal appraisal
process or by an individual director,
the Company makes the necessary
resources available.
As part of their role, the non-executive
directors constructively challenge and
help develop proposals on strategy.
The non-executive directors scrutinise
management’s performance in meeting
agreed goals and objectives and
monitor the reporting of performance.
They satisfy themselves on the
integrity of financial information and
that the Company’s financial controls
and systems of risk management are
robust and defensible. They determine
appropriate levels of remuneration of
executive directors and have a prime
role in appointing and, where necessary,
removing executive directors, and in
succession planning. The non-executive
directors meet formally, without the
executive directors, at least once a year.
Operating within prescribed delegated
authority, such as capital expenditure
limits, the operational running of the
Company and its businesses is carried
out by the executive directors, led by
the Chief Executive.
The board delegates certain of its duties
to its Audit & Risk, Nomination and
Remuneration Committees, each of
which operates within prescribed terms
of reference. These are set out on the
Company’s website. The responsibilities
of the board’s committees are set out
on pages 23 and 24 of this report and in
the Directors’ Remuneration Report.
The board has evaluated the
performance of its Audit & Risk and
Remuneration Committees for the
year under review. The Chairman and
the respective committee chairman
take responsibility for carrying out any
actions recommended as a result of that
evaluation.
Performance evaluation
The board has established a procedure
to evaluate its performance, as well
as its Audit & Risk and Remuneration
committees, and its individual directors,
which is carried out in each financial
year. Detailed questionnaires are
completed by the directors, who then
debate any matters arising.
Individual director evaluation has
shown that each director continues to
demonstrate commitment to the role.
The non-executive directors, led by
the senior independent director, have
carried out a performance evaluation
of the Chairman after taking account
of the views of the executive directors.
The Chairman has reviewed the
performance of the non-executive
directors and the Chief Executive.
The Chief Executive has reviewed the
other executive directors. The board
intends to carry out further performance
evaluations but will keep under review
the method and frequency.
The latest board evaluation process
concluded that the board and
committees were operating effectively,
with clear demarcation of the respective
responsibilities of individual directors
and board committees. The board is
satisfied that all directors are each able
to devote the amount of time required
to attend to the Company’s affairs and
their duties as a board member. The
Chairman discusses with each director
any training and development needs.
Board composition and
independence
At 18 June 2026, the board comprised
three executive directors and three
non-executive directors, one of whom
is the Chairman. Mr R C Wright is the
non-executive Chairman and
Mr S G M Caffyn is the Chief Executive.
The Chairman leads the board and
the Chief Executive manages the
Company and implements the strategy
and policies adopted by the board.
There is a clear division of responsibility
between the role of the non-executive
22
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Chairman and the Chief Executive; this
is recorded in a written statement which
is reviewed and agreed annually by the
board. The Chairman is responsible for
leadership of the board and ensuring its
effectiveness for all aspects of its role.
The Company maintains appropriate
directors’ and officers’ insurance in
respect of legal action against its
directors.
Directors’ conflict of interest
Conflicts of interest can include
situations where a director has an
interest that directly or indirectly
conflicts, or may possibly conflict, with
the interests of the Company. The board
operates a formal system for directors
to declare at all board meetings all
conflicts of interest. The non-conflicted
directors must act in the way they
consider, in good faith, would be most
likely to promote the success of the
Company.
Balance and challenge
The non-executive directors
complement the skills and experience
of the executive directors, providing
the requisite degree of judgement and
scrutiny to the decision-making process
at board and committee level.
Mr S G Bellamy is the senior
independent director.
The board maintains and regularly
reviews a register of all interests, offices
and appointments that are material
to be considered in the assessment
of the independence of directors and
has concluded that there are not, in
relation to any director, any relationships
or circumstances regarded by the
Company as affecting their exercising
independent judgement.
Re-election of directors
All directors will seek re-election
annually in accordance with the
latest corporate governance
recommendations.
Meetings and attendance
There were eight meetings of the board
in the year under review. All directors
were in attendance for all of the
meetings, with the exception of
Ms S J Caffyn who was unable to
attend two of the meetings.
Nomination Committee
Our Nomination Committee comprises
two non-executive directors, the non-
executive Chairman and the Chief
Executive. The members are:
R C Wright (Chairman)
N T Gourlay
S G Bellamy
S G M Caffyn
The Nomination Committee is
responsible for leading the process for
appointments to the board and meets
at least once a year. The Committee
is chaired by Mr R C Wright. The
Company Secretary or alternate also
attends meetings in her capacity as
secretary of the Committee. Where
the matters discussed relate to the
Chairman, such as in the case of
selection and appointment of the
Company Chairman, the senior
independent director chairs the
Committee. New directors receive a full,
formal and tailored induction on joining
the board.
The principal responsibilities of the
Committee are as follows:
To regularly review the structure,
size and composition of the board
and make recommendations to the
board regarding any adjustments
deemed appropriate;
To prepare the description of the
role and capabilities required for
a particular board appointment.
Executive search consultants may
be retained as appropriate to assist
in this process;
To identify, and nominate for
approval by the board, candidates
to fill board vacancies as and when
they arise;
To satisfy itself, with regard to
succession planning, that processes
are in place regarding both board
and senior appointments; and
To undertake an annual performance
evaluation to ensure that all
members of the board have devoted
sufficient time to their duties.
The Committee met twice during the
year. All members eligible to attend were
present at both meetings.
Audit & Risk Committee
Our Audit & Risk Committee comprises
two non-executive directors and the
Chairman. The members are:
S G Bellamy (chairman)
R C Wright
N T Gourlay
The Committee is chaired by Mr S G
Bellamy. The Company Secretary, or
alternate, also attends meetings in her
capacity as secretary of the Committee.
The chairman of the Committee is
considered by the board as having
recent and relevant financial experience.
The board also remains satisfied
that the Committee as a whole has
competence relevant to the sectors
in which the Company operates.
The chairman of the board is on the
Committee due to his experience and
the small number of non-executive
directors on the board. The board is
satisfied with this arrangement. The
Audit & Risk Committee meets at least
three times a year. The meetings are
attended by invitation by the executive
directors and by the head of the
internal audit function and the internal
auditor, and by representatives of the
Company’s external Auditor, at the
chairman’s discretion.
The Committee’s meetings in quarters
one and three coincide with the
Company’s reporting timetable for
its audited financial statements and
unaudited interim condensed financial
statements respectively. During these
meetings, the Committee:
Reviews the drafts of the financial
statements and preliminary and
interim results announcements; and
Reviews all published accounts
(including interim reports) and
post-audit findings before their
presentation to the board, focusing
in particular on accounting
policies, compliance, management
judgement and estimates, and
considers the reports of the external
Auditor on the unaudited interim
condensed financial statements
and the full-year audited financial
statements.
At the second of these meetings,
the Committee reviews the external
audit plan.
23
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance
continued
The Committee’s third meeting is
primarily concerned with:
Reviewing the Company’s systems
of control and their effectiveness;
Significant corporate governance
issues, such as those relating to the
regulation of financial services;
Reviewing the external Auditor’s
performance;
Reviewing the risk register and
making recommendations to the
board on the content and relative
importance of the risks identified;
Recommending to the board
the reappointment, or not, of the
external Auditor; and
Reviewing the effectiveness and
independence of the external
Auditor, including monitoring the
level of audit and non-audit fees.
The Committee met three times in
the year and all directors were in
attendance at all the meetings. The
Committee reviewed the effectiveness
of the Company’s system of internal
control and financial risk management
during the year, including the review
of the Company’s risk register and
consideration of reports from both
the internal and external auditors.
The Committee reported the results
of its work to the board and the
board considered these reports when
reviewing the effectiveness of the
Company’s system of internal control
which forms part of the board’s
high-level risk review performed
during the year. The effectiveness of
the internal audit function was also
monitored.
The Committee provides advice to the
board on whether the Annual Report
is fair, balanced and provides the
necessary information shareholders
require to assess the Company’s
performance, business model and
strategy. In doing so, the following
issues have been addressed
specifically:
Review of key strategic risks: The
Committee conducts an annual
review of key strategic risks. The
review highlights the key risks based
on a combination of likelihood and
impact, and then also considers
what appropriate mitigating factors
should be implemented (highlights
from this work are included in the
Strategic Report).
Review of poorly performing fixed
assets including dealerships: As
part of both the interim and year-
end review processes, consideration
is given to any requirement for
potential impairments against the
book value of property, plant and
equipment, investment property
and goodwill relating to poorly
performing locations. Management
then follow up with detailed action
plans to either improve dealership
performance or seek an exit
solution. The Committee also
reviews progress on these plans at
the following review. The Committee
is satisfied that no impairments were
required in relation to the carrying
value of cash generating units
(“CGUs”) in the financial year.
Going concern and financial
viability: The Finance Director
provides an assessment of the
Company’s ability to continue to
trade on a going concern basis for
a period of at least one year from
the date of approval of this Annual
Report. Forecasts are based on
financial plans agreed with the
board (budgets or forecasts), the
Company’s most recent trading
results, and include a range of
possible downside scenarios.
The assumptions that underpin
the assessments are considered
and discussed in detail when the
Committee meets. The conclusion of
that review is included in the Going
Concern section of this report.
Inventory valuation: The value
of new and used cars, as well as
the provision for slow-moving and
obsolete inventory, can have a
significant influence on the inventory
valuation in the financial statements.
The Committee has considered
the Company’s procedures and
controls, which are satisfactory, to
reduce the risk of misstatement in
relation to inventory valuation.
Pensions: The Company operates
a defined benefit pension scheme,
closed to future accrual, which has
an excess of liabilities over the value
of assets owned by the scheme.
The assessment of the valuation
of the scheme is based on several
key assumptions, which can have a
significant impact on the valuation
of the deficit. The Committee has
considered the assumptions used
for the valuation of the assets and
liabilities of the scheme and is
satisfied that these are reasonable.
The 2024 Corporate Governance
Code is applicable for financial periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2025
and the requirements of Provision
29 apply from financial periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2026.
Management are in the process
of considering changes to existing
practices that will be required to comply
with the above new requirements as at
the due date. Ahead of full introduction
of the Code, the Committee already
monitors the Company’s risk
management and internal control
framework and carries out an annual
review of its effectiveness. This review
was carried out at its meeting in
March 2026.
Mr S G Bellamy will attend the 2026
Annual General Meeting and will be
available at that meeting to answer
any questions regarding the workings
of the Audit & Risk Committee that
shareholders may wish to raise.
Anti-bribery
During the year, as well as its routine
business, the Committee continued to
monitor the suitability of the Company’s
controls designed to combat bribery
to satisfy itself of the adequacy of
its systems and procedures for the
prevention of bribery and corruption,
particularly in the light of the Bribery Act
2010. It has reviewed the Company’s
anti-bribery policy statement that has
been adopted by the board.
Whistleblowing
The Committee has reviewed the
arrangements for its employees to
raise, in confidence, concerns about
possible improprieties in relation to
financial reporting, suspected fraud and
dishonest acts, or other similar matters,
commonly known as “whistleblowing”.
The Committee reviews any such
reported incidences and any
improvements to internal procedures
that may be required.
24
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Non-audit services provided
by the external Auditor
Non-audit services provided by the
Company’s Auditor require prior
approval from the Audit & Risk
Committee based on an assessment
against permissible services and
associated fee levels. The only non-
audit service provided in the year by the
Auditor was an interim review, which is
a permissible service under the FRC’s
ethical standards.
The Committee ensures that the
Auditor’s objectivity and independence
are safeguarded by ensuring that the
level of fees is not material to either
the Company or to the Auditor. The
report from Kreston Reeves Audit
LLP confirming their independence
and objectivity was reviewed by the
chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee
and the Chief Financial Officer. Fees
payable to the Auditor are set out in
note 4 to the financial statements.
Effectiveness and
independence of the external
Auditor
The Committee is responsible for
advising the board on the appointment
of the Auditor, assessing their
independence and formulating policy
on the award of non-audit work. The
current Auditor is Kreston Reeves Audit
LLP and the year under review is their
first year of tenure. They were appointed
as the result of a formal competitive
tender process in 2025 and replaced
BDO LLP. BDO LLP resigned on
1 October 2025 and, under Section 519
of the Companies Act, confirmed that
there were no matters regarding their
ceasing to hold office that needed to be
brought to the attention of members or
creditors of the Company.
As part of their normal cycle of reviews,
the Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”)
reviewed the audit by BDO LLP of the
Company’s 31 March 2025 financial
statements. The FRC’s report identified
a number of areas in which the audit
could be improved, of which the three
most significant related to confirmation
of the physical existence of vehicle
consignment stocks, the recognition in
inventory of certain vehicles under
buy-back arrangements and the
occurrence and accuracy of vehicle
sales recognised in the year. The
chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee
received the FRC’s final report in April
2026 and has been told the FRC will
contact him to discuss their report.
The findings of the report have been
discussed with the other members
of the Audit & Risk Committee and
with the BDO LLP audit partner. The
March 2025 audit was the sixth annual
audit performed by BDO LLP and, on
completion and before the FRC review
had been completed, the Audit & Risk
Committee decided that length of
tenure would be an appropriate moment
to put the audit out to competitive
tender. As a result of that tender
exercise the board appointed Kreston
Reeves Audit LLP as Auditor and
BDO LLP resigned in October 2025.
Kreston Reeves Audit LLP has been
made aware of the FRC’s report
findings. The Audit & Risk Committee
has carefully reviewed the audit
approach proposed by Kreston Reeves
Audit LLP and is satisfied that it will
address the principal areas of concern
raised by the FRC.
At the conclusion of each year’s
audit, the performance of the external
Auditor is reviewed by the Committee,
with the executive directors, covering
such areas as quality of audit team,
business understanding, audit approach
and process management. Where
appropriate, actions are agreed against
the points raised and subsequently
monitored for progress.
The Company maintains an internal
audit function, which reports to the
Audit & Risk Committee. During the
year, the Committee reviewed the work
of the internal audit function and was
satisfied that it remained effective and
appropriate for the Company’s needs.
Tax strategy and objective
As a responsible taxpayer, the
Company is committed to establishing,
maintaining and monitoring the
implementation of an appropriate tax
strategy. Our tax strategy is aligned
with our objective of paying the
correct amount of tax at the right time.
Commercial transactions are therefore
structured in the most tax-efficient
way but without resorting to artificial
arrangements that we would regard as
abusive. There is an ethical dimension
to achieving this objective. The ethical
dimension reflects the need to mitigate
the risk to the Company’s reputation
that would arise from tax strategy that
entails aggressive tax planning.
A copy of the Company’s tax strategy
is available from its corporate website,
www.caffynsplc.co.uk.
Going concern
The financial statements have been
prepared on a going concern basis,
which the directors consider appropriate
for the reasons set out below.
The directors have considered the going
concern basis and have undertaken
a detailed review of trading and cash
flow forecasts for a period of one
year from the date of approval of
this Annual Report. This has focused
primarily on the achievement of the
banking covenants associated with
the term loan and revolving credit
facilities provided by HSBC, which
cover levels of interest, borrowing and
freehold property security. HSBC has
agreed to implement a new earnings
covenant test solely for the year ending
31 March 2027 that will require the
Company to achieve certain minimum
cumulative quarterly Senior EBITDA
hurdles.
Under the Company’s interest cover
covenant test, to be reapplied from
30 June 2027, it will be required to
make underlying profits before Senior
Interest (that being paid to HSBC and
VW Bank on its term loan and revolving
credit facility borrowings), corporation
tax, depreciation and amortisation
(“Senior EBITDA”) for a rolling
twelve-month period which is at least
three times the level of Senior Interest.
Under the borrowings test, also to
be reapplied from 30 June 2027, the
Company’s borrowings from HSBC and
VW Bank on its term loan and revolving
credit facilities must be less than 400%
of its Senior EBITDA.
The Company’s final covenant test, over
its levels of freehold property security,
requires that the level of its bank
borrowings at each quarter-end does
not exceed 70% of the independently
assessed value of its charged freehold
properties. This covenant test will
remain in force in the coming year.
Financial modelling for the coming
twelve-month period has allowed the
directors to conclude that there is
satisfactory headroom in the Company’s
banking covenants.
25
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance
continued
The Group is reliant on the HSBC
borrowing facility of £14.2 million. Any
failure of a covenant test would render
the borrowing facilities from HSBC to
become repayable on demand, at the
option of the lender, and would put the
going concern assessment at risk.
The directors have also given
consideration to the current
uncertainties in the state of the UK
economy, as well as to cost pressures
that have impacted businesses such as
increases to staffing costs from the rise
in the National Minimum and National
Living Wages, from higher energy costs,
from business rates and from increases
to funding costs due to continuing high
interest base rates.
The directors have also considered
the Company’s working capital
requirements. The Company meets its
day-to-day working capital requirements
through short-term stocking loans,
bank overdraft and revolving-credit
facility, and medium-term revolving
credit facilities and term loans. At the
year-end, the medium-term banking
facilities included a term loan with an
outstanding balance of £4.7 million
(2025: £5.1 million) and a revolving
credit facility of £6.0 million
(2025: £6.0 million) from HSBC, its
primary bankers, with both facilities
next being renewable during the going
concern period in April 2027. The
Company’s bankers recognise the
current difficulties being experienced
by the motor retail sector and remain
very supportive and, subsequent to
the end of the year, this review date
was extended by twelve months to
April 2028. HSBC also make available
a short-term overdraft facility of
£3.5 million (2025: £3.5 million), which
is renewed annually each August. The
Company also has a short-term facility
from Volkswagen Bank of £4.0 million
(2025: £4.0 million), which is renewed
annually each October. The Company
maintains strong relationships with
HSBC and VW Bank and, based on
the discussions to date regarding the
renewal of the facilities, the directors are
of the opinion that there is a reasonable
expectation that all facilities will be
renewed at their scheduled expiry
dates.
At 31 March 2026, the Company held
cash in hand balances of £4.6 million
and had undrawn borrowing facilities of
£6.5 million, all of which are immediately
available.
Information concerning the Company’s
liquidity and financing risk are set out
on page 10 and note 22 to the financial
statements.
The directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Company has
adequate resources and headroom
against the covenant tests to be able to
continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future and for a period of at
least one year from the date of approval
of the Annual Report. For those
reasons, they have concluded that
there is no material uncertainty and they
continue to adopt the going concern
basis in preparing this Annual Report.
Viability statement
In accordance with provision 31 of the
UK Corporate Governance Code, the
directors have assessed the viability of
the Company over a three-year period
to 31 March 2029 and have concluded
that the Company is viable over that
period. The directors believe this period
to be appropriate as the Company’s
strategic review considered by the
board encompasses this period. In
making their assessment, the directors
have considered the Company’s current
financial position and performance
and its cash flow projections, including
future capital expenditure, in relation to
the availability of finance and funding
facilities, and have considered these
factors in relation to the principal risks
and uncertainties as explained in the
Report of the Directors.
The Company’s primary borrowing
facilities were next scheduled to come
up for periodic review within that
three-year period, in April 2027.
Subsequent to the end of the year, this
review date was extended by twelve
months to April 2028. The Company
has strong relationships with its funding
banks and the directors are satisfied
that these facilities will be renewable at
their current levels and on acceptable
commercial terms.
During the year ended 31 March 2026,
the board carried out a robust
assessment of the emerging and
principal risks facing the Company,
including those that would threaten its
business model, future performance,
solvency or liquidity. The directors
believe that the Company is well
placed to manage its business risks
successfully, having considered the
principal risks and uncertainties.
Accordingly, taking into account the
Company’s current position and subject
to the principal risks faced by the
business, the board has a reasonable
expectation that the Company will be
able to continue in operation and to
meet its liabilities as they fall due in the
period up to 31 March 2029.
Risk management and
internal controls
The board is responsible for
maintaining a sound system of
internal controls, including financial,
operational and compliance controls
and risk management, and reviews
the effectiveness of the system at
least annually in order to safeguard
shareholders’ investment and the
Company’s assets. The system is
designed to manage rather than
eliminate risk and can provide only
reasonable and not absolute assurance
against material misstatement or loss.
The board has completed a robust
assessment of the Company’s
emerging and principal risks, including
a description of its principal risks, the
procedures that are in place to identify
emerging risks, and an explanation of
how these risks are being managed or
mitigated.
The board has reviewed the
effectiveness of the system of internal
control. In particular, it has reviewed and
updated the process for identifying and
evaluating the significant risks affecting
the business and the policies and
procedures by which these risks are
managed.
Management are responsible for
the identification and evaluation of
significant risks applicable to their
areas of business together with the
design and operation of suitable internal
controls. These risks are assessed on
a regular basis and may be associated
with a variety of internal or external
sources, including control breakdowns,
disruption to information systems,
competition, natural catastrophe,
customer or supplier actions and
regulatory requirements. The process
used by the board is to review the
effectiveness of the system of internal
control, including a review of legal
compliance, health and safety and
environmental issues on a six-monthly
26
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
basis. Insurance and risk management
and treasury issues are reviewed
annually or more frequently if necessary.
In addition, the Audit & Risk Committee
reviews the scope of audits, the half-
yearly and annual financial statements
(including compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements) and reports
to the board on financial issues raised
by both the internal and external
audit functions. Financial control is
exercised through an organisational
structure, which has clear management
responsibilities with segregation of
duties, authorisation procedures and
appropriate information systems.
The system of annual budgeting with
monthly reporting and comparisons
to budget is a key control over the
business and in the preparation of
consolidated accounts.
There is an ongoing programme of
internal audit visits to monitor financial
and operational controls throughout
the Company. The executive directors
receive regular reports from the
internal audit and health and safety
monitoring functions, which include
recommendations for improvement.
Financial reporting
The directors consider the Annual
Report and Accounts, taken as a whole,
to be fair, balanced and understandable,
and provides the information necessary
for shareholders to assess the
Company’s position, performance,
business model and strategy.
Relations with shareholders
The board values the constructive views
of its shareholders and recognises
their interest in the Company’s strategy
and performance, board membership
and quality of management. The views
of major shareholders are reported
back to the board as appropriate.
The non-executive directors are
available to attend meetings with major
shareholders. The principal methods of
communication with private investors
are the Interim Report, the Annual
Report and the Annual General Meeting.
Information on the Company is also
included on its corporate website,
www.caffynsplc.co.uk.
The Annual General Meeting is used
to communicate with investors.
The chairmen of the Audit & Risk,
Remuneration and Nomination
Committees are available to answer
questions. Separate resolutions are
proposed on each issue so that they
can be given proper consideration and
there is a resolution to approve the
Annual Report and financial statements.
The Company counts all proxy votes
and, after it has been dealt with by a
show of hands, indicates the level of
proxies lodged on each resolution.
Relations with suppliers
The board maintains close relationships
with its suppliers and, in particular, with
the nine motor manufacturers for which
it currently holds operating franchises:
namely Audi, CUPRA, Lotus, MG,
SEAT, Skoda, Vauxhall, Volkswagen
and Volvo. The Chief Executive holds
regular meetings with these parties
and the Company’s operations are
split into three divisions, with the head
of each division specifically tasked
with maintaining a close and mutually
beneficial relationship with their
manufacturer. For its wider supplier
base, the Company ensures that it
operates in an ethical manner, ensuring
that invoices are settled within agreed
terms. The average credit period taken
for trade-related purchases in the year
under review was thirty-four days (2025:
twenty-eight days).
By order of the board
R C Wright
Chairman
18 June 2026
27
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
Annual statement
from the chairman
of the Remuneration
Committee
Introduction
On behalf of your board, I am
pleased to present our Directors’
Remuneration Report for the year
ended 31 March 2026. The Directors’
Remuneration Report has been
prepared on behalf of the board by the
Remuneration Committee in accordance
with the requirements of the Companies
Act 2006 and the Large and Medium-
sized Companies and Groups (Accounts
and Reports) (Amendments) Regulations
2013, and is split into two sections:
The directors’ remuneration policy
sets out the Company’s policy on
remuneration, which was subject
to a binding shareholder vote at
the Annual General Meeting on
3 August 2023. The remuneration
policy will be voted on at the Annual
General Meeting scheduled for
6 August 2026, and thereafter in
the future at least once every three
years; and
The annual report on remuneration
sets out the payments and awards
made to the directors and details the
link between company performance
and remuneration for the financial
year ended 31 March 2026.
The information set out on pages 29 to
41, which comprises the remuneration
disclosures is, where stated, subject to
audit in accordance with the relevant
statutory requirements.
Remuneration outcomes for
the financial year ended 31
March 2026
Annual bonus opportunities for the
directors are based on the achievement
of an underlying profit before tax
target, subject to the discretion of
the Remuneration Committee. The
necessary profit target was not
achieved in relation to the financial year
ended 31 March 2026. As a result, no
bonuses were awarded to the executive
directors.
Key remuneration decisions
for the forthcoming financial
year ending 31 March 2027
The Company’s annual salary review
has not yet been determined and the
base salaries for both the executive and
non-executive directors currently remain
unchanged. Salaries for any employees
on National Minimum Wage increased
as required by 4.1% from 1 April 2026.
Once determined, the annual salary
review is likely to be retrospective
to 1 April 2026 and details of any
increases will be disclosed in the 2027
Annual Report.
Conclusion
The directors’ remuneration policy
that follows this annual statement
sets out the Committee’s principles
on remuneration for the future and the
annual report on remuneration provides
details of the remuneration for the year
ended 31 March 2026.
The Committee will continue to be
mindful of shareholder views and
interests, and we believe that our
directors’ remuneration policy continues
to be aligned with the achievement of
the Company’s business objectives.
By order of the board
N T Gourlay
Chairman of the Remuneration
Committee
18 June 2026
28
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Remuneration policy
The policy of the Committee is to ensure that the executive directors are fairly rewarded for their individual contributions to the
Company’s overall performance and to provide a competitive remuneration package to executive directors to attract, retain
and motivate individuals of the calibre required to ensure that the Company is managed successfully in the interests of all
stakeholders. In addition, the Committee’s policy is that a substantial proportion of the remuneration of the executive directors
should be performance-related.
The Company’s directors’ remuneration policy is voted on every three years and was last approved by shareholders at the
Annual General Meeting held on 3 August 2023 and became effective from that date. The full policy was disclosed in the 2023
Annual Report, which is available on the Caffyns plc website located at www.caffynsplc.co.uk. A resolution will be placed before
shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting in August 2026 to approve the directors’ remuneration policy as set
out below.
The main elements of the remuneration package of executive directors are set out below:
Purpose and link
to strategy Operation
Maximum
potential value Performance metrics
Base salary
Provide competitive
remuneration that will
attract and retain high-
calibre executive directors
to develop and implement
the Company’s strategy,
without paying more than
necessary, and having
regard to the views of
shareholders and other
stakeholders.
Reviewed annually effective
from 1 April to reflect role,
responsibility and performance
of the individual and the
Company, and to take account
of rates of pay for comparable
roles in similar companies.
Paid in twelve equal monthly
instalments during the year.
When selecting comparators,
the Committee has regard to
the Company’s revenue, market
worth and business sector.
There is no prescribed
maximum increase,
although the
Committee carefully
considers any
increases against
those awarded to
the Company’s
employees, taken as
a whole. The annual
rate of any increase is
set out in the Annual
Report in the section
covering remuneration
for the year and the
following year.
The Committee considers
individual salaries at the
appropriate Committee meeting
each year, taking due account of
the factors noted in the operation
of the salary policy.
Benefits
Provide market
competitive benefits
consistent with the role.
Benefits consist of the provision
of a company car, private
medical health insurance,
business-related and certain
other subscriptions, and the
opportunity to join any Company
savings-related share option
scheme.
The cost of providing
benefits varies from
time to time and is
borne wholly by the
Company, except for
the cost of private
medical health
insurance where the
Company contributes
half of the cost.
Not applicable.
29
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued
Purpose and link
to strategy Operation
Maximum
potential value Performance metrics
Annual bonus
Incentivises achievement
of business objectives
by providing a reward
for performance against
annual targets.
Paid in cash after the end of the
financial year to which it relates.
Up to 100% of salary. Targets based on the underlying
profit before tax of the Company.
The Committee sets threshold
and maximum targets on an
annual basis. In general:
A percentage of the maximum
bonus is payable for hitting the
threshold target; and
100% of the maximum bonus
is payable for meeting or
exceeding the maximum target.
A sliding scale operates between
threshold and maximum
performance. Payment of any
bonus is subject to the discretion
of the Committee and, if deemed
appropriate, a bonus of up to
10% of salary may be paid in
exceptional circumstances,
despite the threshold target not
being reached.
Long-term incentives
Alignment of interests with
shareholders by providing
long-term incentives
delivered in the form of
shares.
Executive directors are able to
apply for maximum entitlement
under the rules of any Company
savings-related share option
scheme.
No other long-term incentive
scheme is considered
appropriate for the Company’s
specific circumstances.
See page 37 for
details.
Not applicable.
Pension
Attract and retain
executive directors for the
long-term by providing
funding for retirement.
Executive directors are eligible
to join the Company’s defined
contribution pension scheme
on the same terms as staff
generally. In accordance with
the rules of the pension scheme,
bonuses are pensionable.
As a result of changes in
pensions’ legislation effective
from 6 April 2006, executive
directors can choose to be paid
a salary supplement in lieu of the
employer’s contribution to the
Company’s pension scheme.
3% of base salary plus
bonus.
Not applicable.
30
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Notes to the policy table
The remuneration policy is designed to
support the strategy and promote long-
term sustainable success. There is no
link between the levels of remuneration
earned by the executive directors and
the Company’s share price.
When reviewing the remuneration policy,
the Remuneration Committee remains
mindful of the Company’s purpose,
values and culture.
Performance conditions
The Committee selected the
performance conditions as they are
central to the Company’s strategy and
are key metrics used by the executive
directors to oversee the operation of
the business. The performance targets
for the annual bonus are determined
annually by the Committee.
The performance targets for any annual
bonus in the coming financial year
ending 31 March 2027 are based on
achievement of a pre-set profit before
tax for that year. The target profit
would be the profit excluding property
profits and losses and pension fund
costs or gains. The Remuneration
Committee also reserves the right to
make additional adjustments to the
profit target when calculating bonus
entitlement for items (losses or gains)
that they considered not to be part of
normal underlying profit for that year.
Furthermore, in determining whether to
award a bonus, the Committee would
also take into account factors such
as dividend cover and year-on-year
changes to the net asset value of the
Company. The Committee is of the
opinion that these performance targets
are commercially sensitive and that it
would therefore be detrimental to the
Company to disclose their details in
advance. The targets will be disclosed
after the end of the financial year in the
Directors’ Remuneration Report in next
year’s Annual Report.
In exceptional circumstances, the
Remuneration Committee would have
the discretion to pay a maximum of
10% of salary as a bonus, even if
performance were to be below the
threshold required.
Differences from
remuneration policy for all
employees
All employees of the Company are
entitled to base salary and benefits.
The opportunity to earn commission
or a bonus is made available to a high
proportion of employees. The maximum
opportunity available is based on the
seniority and responsibility of the role.
Statement of consideration
of employment conditions of
employees elsewhere in the
Company
The Committee receives reports on
an annual basis on the level of pay
rises awarded across the Company
and takes these into account when
determining salary increases for
executive directors. In addition, the
Committee receives reports on the
structure of remuneration for senior
management in the tier below the
executive directors and uses this
information to ensure a consistency of
approach for its most senior managers.
The Committee does not specifically
invite employees to comment on the
directors’ remuneration policy, but it
does take note of any comments made
by employees.
Statement of consideration of
shareholder views
The board would carefully consider
any shareholder feedback and any
actions to be taken would be built
into the Committee’s business for
the ensuing period. This, and any
additional feedback received from
shareholders from time to time, would
be considered by the Committee as
part of the Company’s annual review of
remuneration policy.
Approach to recruitment
remuneration
The Committee’s approach to
recruitment remuneration is to offer
a market-competitive remuneration
package sufficient to attract high-calibre
candidates who are appropriate to the
role but without paying any more than is
necessary.
Any new executive director’s
remuneration package would include
the same elements and be in line with
the policy table set out earlier in the
directors’ remuneration policy, including
the same limits on performance-related
remuneration.
Were an internal candidate promoted
to the board, the original grant terms
and conditions of any bonus or share
awards made before that promotion
would continue to apply.
Reasonable relocation and other similar
expenses may be paid if appropriate.
31
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued
Directors’ service contracts, notice periods and termination payments
Provision Policy Details
Contractual
provisions on
a change of
control of the
Company
Other provisions
in specific service
contracts
Notice periods
in executive
directors’
service
contracts.
Twelve months by the
Company and six months by
the executive director.
Executive directors
may be required to
work during the notice
period.
None. S G M Caffyn is entitled
to two years’ notice from
the Company if notice
given by the Company
before 1 December 2026,
and thereafter one year’s
notice.
J N Timperley is entitled
to, and can give, three
months’ notice until
20 October 2026 and
thereafter six months’
notice both by the
Company and the
executive director.
Treatment of
annual bonus
on termination.
Bonuses that have already
been declared are payable in
full. In the event of termination
by the Company (except for
cause), a pro-rated bonus to
the end of the notice period
would also be payable.
None. None. None.
Treatment
of unvested
options from
savings-related
share option
schemes.
Good leavers may exercise
their options within six months
of cessation (one year for
death).
Options of leavers for fraud,
dishonesty or misconduct
lapse. Options of other leavers
may be exercised within six
months of cessation, but only
to the extent that they would
ordinarily become vested
during that time. There is no
discretion to treat any such
leaver as a “good leaver”.
Other than death,
“good leaver”
circumstances
comprise: injury,
disability, redundancy,
retirement or transfer
of employing business
outside the Company.
The number of options
that can be exercised
is reduced pro rata to
reflect the proportion
of the vesting period
before cessation.
The number of
options that can
be exercised
is reduced pro
rata to reflect
the proportion
of the vesting
period before
cessation.
Not applicable.
Exercise of
discretion.
Intended only to be relied upon
to provide flexibility in unusual
circumstances.
The Committee’s
determination would
consider the particular
circumstances of the
executive director’s
departure and the
recent performance of
the Company.
Not applicable. Not applicable.
Outside
appointments.
Subject to approval. Board approval must
be sought.
Not applicable. Not applicable.
32
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Provision Policy Details
Contractual
provisions on
a change of
control of the
Company
Other provisions
in specific service
contracts
Non-executive
directors.
Appointed for three-year terms. Early termination by
either the Company
or the director may
occur with six months’
notice. Fees for that
period would be paid
as compensation if
the early termination
was requested by the
Company.
Not applicable. Not applicable.
During the year, the Company entered into a replacement employment contract with Mr S G M Caffyn as his contract had
included a clause that the contract would end on 1 December 2025, his 65th birthday. The new employment contract effectively
mirrored his existing contract but made amendments to the terms of his notice period due from the Company in light of current
Corporate Governance recommendations. The provision of employment benefits remained unchanged.
In the event of the negotiation of a compromise or settlement agreement between the Company and a departing director, the
Committee may make payments it considers reasonable in settlement of potential legal claims. Such payments may also include
reasonable reimbursements of professional fees in connection with such agreements.
The Committee may also include the reimbursement of repatriation costs or fees for professional or outplacement advice in the
termination package, if it considers it reasonable to do so. It may also allow the continuation of benefits for a limited period.
Service contracts
Executive directors are appointed under rolling service contracts, whereas non-executive directors each have a fixed-term
appointment of three years, renewable upon expiry at the Company’s discretion. When considering the reappointment of a non-
executive director, the board reviews their attendance at, and participation in, meetings and their overall performance, and takes
into account the balance of skills and experience of the board as a whole.
Director
Commencement
of current renewal
contract Expiry
Unexpired terms at
31 March 2026
R C Wright 27 July 2024 26 July 2027 16 months
N T Gourlay 26 September 2025 25 September 2028 30 months
S G Bellamy 18 June 2025 17 June 2028 27 months
Copies of directors’ service contracts and letters of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office.
Fees from external directorships
None of the executive directors holds office as a non-executive director of other companies other than in a voluntary or honorary
(that is, unpaid) capacity. The Company does not have a formal policy on whether an executive director may or may not keep
fees gained from holding an external non-executive directorship. This would be decided on a case-by-case basis.
33
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued
Total remuneration opportunity for the year ending 31 March 2027
The chart below illustrates the remuneration that would be paid to each of the executive directors under three different
performance scenarios: (i) below threshold; (ii) on target; and (iii) outperformance.
The elements of remuneration have been categorised into two components: (i) fixed; and (ii) annual variable (annual bonus
awards).
S G M Caffyn J N Timperley
Below threshold
Target
Outperformance
50% £662,000
20% £414,000
£331,000
50%
80%
100%
Below threshold
Target
Outperformance
50% £218,000
20% £136,000
£109,000
50%
80%
100%
Ms J N Timperley was appointed as Chief Financial Officer on 5 January 2026 on an annual salary of £180,000. In April 2026 her
contract was amended to reduce her working days from full-time to three days a week with a pro-rata reduction in annual salary
to £108,000.
S J Caffyn
Below threshold
Target
Outperformance
50% £136,000
20% £85,000
£68,000
50%
80%
100%
In October 2025 the contract of Ms S J Caffyn was amended to increase her working hours to 19 hours a week, with a
consequent pro-rata increase in salary to £67,000.
Each element of remuneration is defined in the table below:
Element Description
Fixed Base salary and benefits in kind
Annual variable Annual bonus awards
The on-target scenario assumes that for the annual bonus, underlying profit before tax would be 234% of the threshold target.
Non-executive directors’ fee policy
The policy for the remuneration of the non-executive directors is as set out below. Non-executive directors are not entitled to a
bonus, cannot participate in the Company’s savings-related share option scheme and are not eligible for pension arrangements
or any other employment benefits.
Purpose and link
to strategy Operation Maximum potential value
Performance
metrics
Base salary
Attract non-executive
directors who have a
broad range of experience
and skills to oversee the
implementation of the
Company’s strategy.
Non-executive directors’ fees
are determined by the board
within the limits set out in the
Articles of Association and are
paid in twelve equal, monthly
instalments during the year.
Reviewed annually to reflect the role,
responsibility and performance of the
individual and the Company. Annual rate
of increase set out in the annual report on
remuneration for the year under review
and the following year. No prescribed
maximum annual increase.
None.
When reviewing the level of fees paid to non-executive directors, care is taken to ensure that no conflicts of interest arise and no
non-executive director would take part in discussions concerning their own fees.
34
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Annual report on remuneration
Total single figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 March 2026 (audited)
The following table shows a total single figure of remuneration in respect of qualifying services for the year ended
31 March 2026, for each director, together with comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2025. The information
provided in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is subject to audit.
Salary and fees
£’000
Taxable benefits
£’000
Annual bonus
£’000
In lieu of pension
contributions
£’000
Total single
figure
£’000
2026 2025 2026 2025 2026 2025 2026 2025 2026 2025
Executive
S G M Caffyn 324 318 10 9 10 10 344 337
M Warren
1
128 163 4 6 3 4 135 173
J N Timperley
1
42 1 1 44
S J Caffyn
2
59 50 2 1 2 61 53
Total 553 531 17 16 14 16 584 563
Non-executive
R C Wright 74 73 74 73
N T Gourlay 37 36 37 36
S G Bellamy 37 36 37 36
Total 148 145 148 145
701 676 17 16 14 16 732 708
1
Mr M Warren resigned on 5 January 2026 and was replaced on the same date by Ms J N Timperley. Mr M Warren continues to be employed but not in the role of
a director.
2
Ms S J Caffyn increased the length of her working week to 19 hours from 1 October 2025.
Employment benefits made available to the executive directors include the provision of a company car, a 50% contribution
towards the cost of private medical health and the cost of appropriate subscriptions. Under the terms of his employment
contract, Mr S G M Caffyn is entitled to the provision of two company cars.
Remuneration received by the directors can be analysed between Fixed and Variable sums as follows:
Total Fixed sums
£’000
Total Variable sums
£’000
Total single figure
£’000
2026 2025 2026 2025 2026 2025
Executive
S G M Caffyn 344 337 344 337
M Warren 135 173 135 173
J N Timperley 44 44
S J Caffyn 61 53 61 53
Total 584 563 584 563
Non-executive
R C Wright 74 73 74 73
N T Gourlay 37 36 37 36
S G Bellamy 37 36 37 36
Total 148 145 148 145
732 708 732 708
35
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued
Annual bonus (audited)
Bonuses are earned by reference to the financial year and paid in May or June following the end of the financial year and after
completion of the external audit. Any bonuses accruing to the executive directors in respect of the year ended 31 March 2026
were based on the underlying profit before tax, as shown below.
Bonus paid as a percentage of base salary
S G M Caffyn M Warren S J Caffyn
Threshold Target Maximum
Actual
performance Max Actual Max Actual Max Actual
Underlying result
before tax (£’million)* £1.21 £1.46 £3.35 £(1.49) 100% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0%
Bonus receivable 15% 25% 100% 0% £0 £0 £0
* The underlying profit before tax is calculated after taking account of the cost of such bonus, including employer’s National Insurance charges and contributions in
lieu of pension contributions.
Pension entitlements and cash allowances (audited)
One executive director, the Company Secretary, was a deferred member of the Company’s closed defined benefit pension
scheme at 31 March 2026 (2025: one). The defined benefit pension scheme will provide a pension to the Company Secretary of
a maximum of two-thirds of final salary in respect of benefits accrued up to 31 March 2006. From 1 April 2006 until 1 April 2010,
when the scheme closed to future accrual, the accrued benefits of this director were based on a “career average” basis and
based upon earnings in each financial year. Under the rules of the scheme, the Company Secretary is eligible for a pension at
normal retirement age of 65. If early retirement is taken before age 65, the accrued pension is discounted by 5% per annum
(2025: 5%) simple, except where the Company consents to early retirement between 60 and 65 when no discount would be
applied. Pensions paid increase in line with price indexation, which may be limited. On death, a one-half spouse’s pension
becomes due. Children’s allowances up to a maximum of 100% of the executive’s pension may be payable, including any
spouse’s pension. Allowance would be made to transfer value payments for discretionary benefits. The total annual accrued
pension excludes transferred-in benefits.
Normal
retirement date
Total annual accrued
defined benefit pension at
31 March 2026
£’000
Total annual accrued
defined benefit pension at
31 March 2025
£’000
S J Caffyn 12 December 2033 48 44
The pension for the Company Secretary for service since 2010 has been provided on a contributory basis through the
Company’s defined contribution pension scheme. In certain years, the Company Secretary elected not to be included in the
defined contribution pension scheme and, instead, to be paid a salary supplement in lieu of the employer’s contribution to the
Company’s defined contribution pension scheme.
In the year to 31 March 2026, one of the executive directors was a member of the Company’s defined contribution pension
scheme (2025: one). Subsequent to the year-end, a second executive director has elected to become a member of the
Company’s defined contribution pension scheme.
The non-executive directors are not members of the Company’s defined contribution pension scheme (2025: none).
36
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Directors’ interests in shares (audited)
The interests of the directors and their families in the shares of the Company are as follows:
As at 31 March 2026 As at 31 March 2025
Ordinary
11%
Preference
7%
Preference Ordinary
11%
Preference
7%
Preference
R C Wright 7,500 7,500
S G M Caffyn 78,199 1,600 200 78,199 1,600 200
M Warren
1
8,036 8,036
J N Timperley
2
S J Caffyn 48,323 1,655 48,323 1,655
N T Gourlay 4,893 4,893
S G Bellamy 5,000 5,000
1
Shareholding on resignation as a director on 5 January 2026. Mr M Warren continued to be employed but not in the role of a director.
2
Appointed on 5 January 2026.
There are no contractual requirements for directors to own shares in the Company, although they are encouraged to become
shareholders in order to increase the alignment of their interests with those of other shareholders. At 31 March 2026, all directors
held a direct interest in the Ordinary shares of the Company, with the exception of Ms J N Timperley.
All-employee share scheme (audited)
At 31 March 2026, no share options were held by any director.
Performance graph and table
The chart below shows the Company’s eight-year annual Total Shareholders Return performance against the FTSE Small-Cap
Total Return Index, which is considered an appropriate comparison to other public companies of a similar size.
0
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
25
31/03/2018 31/03/2019 31/03/2020 31/03/2021 31/03/2022 31/03/2023 31/03/2024 31/03/2025
31/03/2026
AIM:VTU LSE:CFYN FTSE Small Cap LSE:MOTR
37
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued
Chief Executive’s remuneration
The table below sets out the total remuneration delivered to the Chief Executive over each of the last ten years, valued using the
same methodology as applied to the total single figure of remuneration.
Chief Executive: S G M Caffyn
Financial years ended 31 March 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Total single remuneration
figure (£’000) 388 302 364 319 281 576 453 344 337 344
Annual bonus as percentage
of maximum opportunity 31% 0% 19% 0% 0% 83% 37% 0% 0% 0%
Annual percentage change in remuneration of directors and employees
The table below shows the percentage increases/(decreases) in the directors’ salary, taxable benefits and annual bonus over the
relevant reporting periods noted in the table compared to the average of all employees. Ms J N Timperley joined the board in
January 2026 so has not been included in the table below as there is no comparative amount. She will be included in the 2027
Annual Report.
S G
M Caffyn
(Chief
Executive)
S J Caffyn
(Company
Secretary)
M Warren
(Finance
Director)
R C
Wright
(Non-
executive
Chairman
S G
Bellamy
(Non-
executive
director)
N T
Gourlay
(Non-
executive
director)
All
employees
% change
Year to
31 March 2021
Salary/fees (13.1)% (4.7)% (6.9)% (8.9)% (5.0)% (5.0)% (4.2)%
Benefits 3.5% 43.7% (45.4)% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 13.6%
Annual bonus 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 62.3%
% change
Year to
31 March 2022
Salary/fees 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Benefits (1.1)% 47.2% (24.8)% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4.9%
Annual bonus 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 64.0%
% change
Year to
31 March 2023
Salary/fees 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 15.5% 15.5% 4.4%
Benefits 0.1% (22.2)% 9.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4.9%
Annual bonus (53.8)% (53.8)% (53.8)% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% (10.8)%
% change
Year to
31 March 2024
Salary/fees 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0%
Benefits (25.6)% 2.9% (9.0)% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% (3.8)%
Annual bonus (100.0)% (100.0)% (100.0)% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% (24.0)%
% change
Year to
31 March 2025
Salary/fees 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 5.0%
Benefits (58.3)% (81.5)% 3.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% (20.0)%
Annual bonus 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 13.6%
% change
Year to
31 March 2026
Salary/fees 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 3.4%
Benefits 19.4% 50.0% (3.0)% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% (22.5)%
Annual bonus 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% (8.8)%
The underlying package of benefits in kind for the directors, and for employees in general, remained unchanged in comparison
to the prior years, although the outcomes were different. Care should be exercised when considering the percentage changes,
given the relatively small monetary values involved in each year.
38
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Comparison of the pay of the Chief Executive to other employees
The table below shows the ratio of the single figure annual remuneration of Mr S G M Caffyn, the Chief Executive, to the median,
25th and 75th percentile paid employee. Their total remuneration includes wages and salaries, taxable benefits, commissions
and bonuses, and pension benefits.
Methodology Population
25th
percentile Median
75th
percentile
Year to 31 March 2026 Option A Employee salary
Employee total remuneration
CEO to employee pay ratio
£25,000
£25,000
14:1
£31,000
£33,000
10:1
£22,000
£42,000
8:1
Year to 31 March 2025 CEO to employee pay ratio 14:1 10:1 8:1
Year to 31 March 2024 CEO to employee pay ratio 20:1 14:1 10:1
Year to 31 March 2023 CEO to employee pay ratio 22:1 15:1 10:1
Year to 31 March 2022 CEO to employee pay ratio 25:1 17:1 13:1
Year to 31 March 2021 CEO to employee pay ratio 13:1 9:1 7:1
Year to 31 March 2020 CEO to employee pay ratio 17:1 11:1 8:1
The pay ratio disclosure above complies with Regulation 18 of The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) regulations 2018.
These ratios have been prepared using Option A in the regulations by ranking the annualised earnings of those employees of the
Company in employment on 31 March 2026, the last day of the financial year under review. Earnings includes salary, bonuses,
variable elements of pay such as commissions and overtime, holiday and sickness pay, company pension contributions and
the taxable value of benefits-in-kind. The Company’s Chairman and non-executive directors have been excluded from the
calculation as they receive a fee rather than a salary. Any employees on zero-hour contracts have been included if they worked
in the month of March 2026.
Change in remuneration of the Chief Executive
The base salary of the Chief Executive increased by 2.0% between 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2026. The Company’s
Regional Directors and Heads of Business were awarded a salary increase of 2.0%. Neither the Chief Executive nor the
comparator group received any changes to their employment benefits during the year. The Chief Executive did not receive a
bonus for either the year under review, nor for the previous financial year. The bonuses earned by the comparator group reduced
by 41% compared to the prior year. The comparator group comprises Regional Directors and Heads of Business and has been
selected on the basis that these managers have direct senior operational management responsibilities.
Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below sets out the total spend on pay in the two years to 31 March 2026 compared with other disbursements from
profit (i.e. distributions to shareholders). These were the most significant outgoings for the Company in the last financial year.
Spend in
2026
£’000
Spend in
2025
£’000
Change
%
Spend on staff pay (including directors) 17,484 16,892 3.5%
Profit distributed by way of dividend 273 273 0.0%
The board is declaring a final dividend of 5.0 pence per Ordinary share for the year ended 31 March 2026, in addition to an
interim dividend of 5.0 pence that was paid during the year. The total dividend payable in respect of the year to 31 March 2026
will therefore be £273,000 (2025: £273,000).
39
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued
Implementation of the remuneration policy for the coming financial year ending 31 March 2027
The annual salaries and fees to be paid to directors in the coming financial year are set out in the table below, together with any
increases expressed as a percentage.
2027
annualised
salary/fees
£’000
2026
annualised
salary/fees
£’000
Increase
to hourly
rate
%
S G M Caffyn 331 324 2.0
J N Timperley
1
109 180 1.0
S J Caffyn
2
68 51 2.0
R C Wright 76 74 2.0
N T Gourlay 38 37 2.0
S G Bellamy 38 37 2.0
1
In April 2026 Ms J N Timperley reduced her contractual working week from five days to three days with a consequent pro-rata reduction in her annual salary from
£180,000 to £108,000. She was subsequently awarded a 1.0% pay increase, retrospective to 1 April 2026.
2
In October 2025 Ms S J Caffyn increased her working hours to 19 hours a week and received a pro-rata increase to her salary based on an unchanged
hourly rate.
The basis for determining annual bonus payments for the financial year ending 31 March 2027 is set out in the policy table in the
Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 30. The profit targets are considered commercially sensitive because of the information
that it could provide to the Company’s competitors and consequently these profit targets will only be disclosed after the end of
the financial year in the Directors’ Remuneration Report in the 2027 Annual Report.
Consideration by the directors of matters relating to directors’ remuneration
The Committee
The Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending the framework and policy for remuneration of the executive
directors and of senior management. The Committee’s terms of reference are available on the Company’s corporate website.
The members of the Committee at 31 March 2026 were Mr N T Gourlay (chairman), Mr R C Wright and Mr S G Bellamy. Mr S G
Bellamy was an independent non-executive director throughout the year. The Committee met three times during the year and all
members were present.
The primary role of the Committee is to set the directors’ remuneration policy and accordingly to:
review, recommend and monitor the level and structure of remuneration for the executive directors and to review and monitor
the level and structure of remuneration of other senior executives;
approve the remuneration package for the executive directors;
determine the balance between base pay and performance-related elements of the package to align executive directors’
interests with those of shareholders and other stakeholders; and
approve annual incentive payments for executive directors.
Summary of activity during the year ended 31 March 2026
During the year, the Committee conducted its annual review of all aspects of the remuneration packages of the executive
directors to ensure that they continue to reward and motivate achievement of medium and long-term objectives and align their
interests with those of shareholders and other stakeholders. Accordingly, the Committee’s activities during the year included:
reviewing the basic salaries of the executive directors and reviewing and monitoring the level and structure of remuneration of
other senior executives;
reviewing the basic salary of the Company’s Chairman. This review was performed by Mr N T Gourlay and Mr S G Bellamy
only; and
setting the annual performance targets in line with the Company’s plan for the coming financial year ending 31 March 2026
and determining the amounts that may potentially have been payable for the financial year under review ended
31 March 2026.
40
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Statement of voting at the 2025 Annual General Meeting
At the last Annual General Meeting, votes to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report were cast as follows:
Votes for % Votes against % Withheld %
3,456,277 99.98 600 0.02 0 0.00
Statement of voting at the 2023 Annual General Meeting
A shareholder vote on the directors’ remuneration policy is required at least every third year. The policy was last voted on at the
2023 Annual General Meeting and will be voted on again at the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Votes at the 2023 meeting on the
directors’ remuneration policy were cast as follows:
Votes for % Votes against % Withheld %
2,652,631 99.96 800 0.03 100 0.01
Mr N T Gourlay will attend the 2026 Annual General Meeting and will be available at that meeting to answer any questions that
shareholders may wish to raise.
By order of the board
N T Gourlay
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
18 June 2026
41
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Report of the Directors
The directors present their report and
the financial statements for the year
ended 31 March 2026. The corporate
governance statement on pages 21 to
27 forms part of this Directors’ Report.
Results and dividends
The results of the Company for the year
are set out in the financial statements on
pages 53 to 94. An interim dividend of
5.0 pence per Ordinary share was paid
to shareholders on 7 January 2026. The
board is recommending a final dividend
of 5.0 pence per Ordinary share
(2025: 5.0 pence) making a total of 10.0
pence per Ordinary share (2025: 10.0
pence). Total Ordinary dividends paid in
the year amounted to £273,000
(2025: £273,000). Dividends paid in the
year to preference shareholders were
£72,000 (2025: £72,000) as set out in
note 11 to the financial statements.
Future developments of the Company
are set out in the Operational and
Business Review on pages 2 to 6.
Financial risk management
Consideration of principal risks and
uncertainties is included on pages
10 and 11 of the Strategic Report,
including the management of financial
risks. These are also outlined further in
note 22 to the financial statements.
Appointment and
replacement of the Company’s
directors
The rules for the appointment and
replacement of the Company’s directors
are detailed in the Company’s Articles of
Association. Directors are appointed by
ordinary resolution at a general meeting
by shareholders entitled to vote or by
the board, either to fill a vacancy or as
an addition to the existing board. The
appointment of non-executive directors
is on the recommendation of the
Nomination Committee; the procedure
is detailed in the Chairman’s Statement
on Corporate Governance on page 22.
Directors
Details of the directors who served
during the year and who remained
in office at 31 March 2026 are set
out below.
Mr R C Wright PG Dip FIMI FCIM was
appointed Chairman on 26 July 2012.
He joined the board as a non-executive
director and Chairman-elect on
1 November 2011. He has previously
held senior executive roles with the Ford
Motor Company including: Director,
European Operations at Jaguar Cars
Limited; Director of Sales, Ford Motor
Company Limited; and President/
Managing Director of Ford Belgium NV.
He was Chairman of API Group plc
from 2001 until 31 October 2014, and
sat on the advisory board of Warwick
Business School, University of Warwick,
for several years. He is the former Chair
of the board of National Savings and
Investments, part of HM Treasury. He
is currently an advisor to a number of
privately held companies.
Mr N T Gourlay BSc, a Chartered
Accountant, joined the board
as a non-executive director on
26 September 2013. He spent more
than twenty years with the BAT plc
group of companies. In 2003,
Mr Gourlay co-founded Animos LLP,
a business consultancy of which he
remains a partner.
Mr S G Bellamy BCom CA(NZ) joined
the board on 18 June 2019 and has
been chairman and non-executive
director to a wide range of both
public and private companies and
chairman of, and advisor to, investment
committees and capital providers. He
was previously joint founder and Chief
Executive Officer of Accretion Capital
LLP and Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Financial Officer of Sherwood
International plc. Prior to Sherwood,
he was a UK Investment Director of
Brierley Investments, an active investor
in quoted UK companies. He is currently
Chairman of TheWorks.co.uk plc,
an AIM-quoted family-friendly value
retailer. He is a New Zealand Chartered
Accountant and worked at Coopers
& Lybrand (now PwC), both in New
Zealand and New York.
Mr S G M Caffyn MA FIMI joined
the board on 16 July 1992 and
was appointed Chief Executive on
1 May 1998. He graduated from
Cambridge in 1983 having read
engineering, and subsequently worked
for Andersen Consulting. He joined the
Company in 1990.
Ms J N Timperley BA FCMA joined
the board on 5 January 2026 as Chief
Financial Officer to replace
Mr M Warren, the previous Finance
Director, who resigned on the same
day. She has over twenty-five years’
experience across a wide range of
industries, including the last fifteen
years in senior finance leadership roles
as Chief Financial Officer and Finance
Director. During this time, she has held
positions with organisations including
EDF and Iveco Group.
Ms S J Caffyn BSc FCIPD AICSA FIMI
has over thirty years’ Human Resource
experience across several different
sectors. She joined the board on
28 April 2003 as Human Resources
Director, having previously been Group
Personnel Manager and Company
Secretary. A Chartered Company
Secretary, she has governance
experience from several not-for-profit
organisations.
Directors’ indemnity and
insurance
The Company’s Articles of Association
permit the board to grant the directors
indemnities in relation to their duties
as directors in respect of liabilities
incurred by them in connection with
any negligence, default, breach of duty
or breach of trust in relation to the
Company. In line with market practice,
each director has the benefit of a deed
of indemnity. The Company has also
purchased insurance cover for the
directors against liabilities arising in
relation to the Company, as permitted
by the Companies Act 2006. This
insurance does not cover fraudulent
activity.
ShareSave scheme
The Company encourages employee
share ownership through the provision
of periodic Save As You Earn schemes,
although no scheme is currently
operating.
Mr S G M Caffyn and Ms S J Caffyn
are directors of Caffyn Family Holdings
Limited, which owns all of the
2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second
Preference shares, which have full
voting rights, except in relation to
matters that under the Listing Rules (as
amended from time to time) are required
to be voted on by premium-listed
securities, being the Ordinary shares.
The market price of the Company’s
Ordinary shares at 31 March 2026 was
£4.00 and the range of market prices
during the year was £4.00 to £5.00.
42
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Compensation for loss of
office
Mr S G M Caffyn is entitled to receive
from the Company a sum equivalent
to two years’ annual emoluments,
which applies immediately before his
termination, up to 1 December 2026
and thereafter a sum equivalent to his
annual emoluments. Ms S J Caffyn is
entitled to receive from the Company
a sum equivalent to her annual
emoluments, which applies immediately
before her termination, and
Ms J N Timperley is entitled to receive
from the Company a sum equivalent to
six months’ emoluments. Emoluments
include a proportion of the available
bonus, which the expired part of the
measured period for bonus bears to the
whole of such measurement period. The
executive directors’ service contracts
commenced from the date of their
appointment to the board.
In the event of the Chairman’s or a non-
executive director’s employment with
the Company being terminated, they are
entitled to receive from the Company a
sum equivalent to six months’ fees.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Information on greenhouse gas
emissions is set out in the Strategic
Report on page 18.
Employees
Employees are encouraged to discuss
with management any matters that
they are concerned about and issues
affecting the Company. The Chief
Executive regularly visits the Company’s
sites, speaking to staff whilst he is there.
He reports to the board on the outcome
of these visits. In addition, the board
takes account of employees’ interests
when making decisions. Suggestions
from employees aimed at improving the
Company’s performance are welcomed.
The board reviews feedback from the
employee consultation group on pay
and bonuses, as well as reviewing all
exit interview feedback. The board
also meets with senior staff during the
strategic review process. The Company
has a Human Resources director, Ms
S J Caffyn. Further information on
employees, including those who are
disabled, is set out in the Strategic
Report on page 8 and the Section 172
statement on page 19.
Share capital and the rights
and obligations attaching to
shares
As at 31 March 2026, the issued share
capital of the Company comprised
Ordinary shares of 50 pence each
and three classes of preference share,
namely 7% Cumulative First Preference
shares of £1 each, 11% Cumulative
Preference shares of £1 each, and 6%
Cumulative Second Preference shares
of 10 pence each. Details of the share
capital of the Company are set out in
note 26 to the financial statements.
Subject to applicable statutes and other
shareholders’ rights, shares may be
issued with such rights and restrictions
as the Company may by ordinary
resolution decide.
Holders of Ordinary shares are entitled
to attend and speak at general meetings
of the Company, to appoint one or more
proxies (and, if they are corporations,
corporate representatives). Holders of
Ordinary shares are entitled to receive a
dividend, if one is declared, and a copy
of the Company’s Annual Report and
Accounts.
Holders of Cumulative First Preference
shares are entitled, in priority to any
payment of dividend on any other
class of shares, to a fixed cumulative
preferential dividend at the rate of 7%
per annum.
Subject to the rights of the holders of
Cumulative First Preference shares,
holders of 6% Cumulative Second
Preference shares of 10 pence each
are entitled in priority to any payment of
dividend on any other class of shares to
a fixed cumulative preferential dividend
at the rate of 6% per annum.
Subject to the rights of the holders of
Cumulative First Preference shares and
6% Cumulative Second Preference
shares of 10 pence, holders of 11%
Cumulative Preference shares of £1
each are entitled in priority to any
payment of dividend on any other
class of shares to a fixed cumulative
preferential dividend at the rate of 11%
per annum. The percentage of the total
share capital represented by each class
of share as at 31 March 2026 is shown
below. The full rights and obligations
attaching to the Company’s shares are
set out in the Company’s Articles of
Association, copies of which can be
obtained from Companies House or by
writing to the Company Secretary.
43
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Report of the Directors
continued
£’000 %
Authorised
500,000 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each 500 12.35
1,250,000 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each 1,250 30.86
3,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10p each 300 7.41
4,000,000 Ordinary shares of 50p each 2,000 49.38
4,050 100.00
Allotted, called-up and fully paid
170,732 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each 171 7.60
441,401 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each 441 19.59
2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10p each 200 8.89
Total Preference shares recognised as a financial liability 812 36.08
2,879,298 Ordinary shares of 50p each 1,439 63.92
2,251 100.00
Property
The Company valued its portfolio of
freehold premises as at 31 March 2026.
The valuation was carried out by CBRE
Limited, Chartered Surveyors, based on
an existing use valuation. The excess of
the valuation over net book value at that
date was £10.7 million
(2025: £11.2 million). In accordance
with the Company’s accounting policies,
this surplus has not been incorporated
into these financial statements.
Voting rights, restrictions on
voting rights and deadlines for
voting rights
Shareholders (other than any who,
under the provisions of the Articles
of Association or the terms of the
shares they hold, are not entitled
to receive such notices from the
Company) have the right to receive
notice of, and attend, and to vote at
all general meetings of the Company.
The Company’s Auditor has similar
rights, except that they may not vote.
A resolution put to the vote at any
general meeting is to be decided on a
show of hands unless (before or on the
declaration of the result of the show
of hands or on the withdrawal of any
demand for a poll) a poll is properly
demanded.
Every member present in person at a
general meeting has, on the calling of a
poll, one vote for every Ordinary share
of which the member is the holder,
and one vote for every 6% Cumulative
Second Preference share of which the
member is the holder. In the case of
joint holders of a share, the vote of the
member whose name stands first in
the register of members is accepted to
the exclusion of any vote tendered by
any other joint holder. Unless the board
decides otherwise, a shareholder may
not vote at any general meeting or class
meeting or exercise any rights in relation
to meetings, whilst any amount of
money relating to their shares remains
outstanding.
A member is entitled to appoint a proxy
to exercise all or any of their rights to
attend and speak and vote on their
behalf at a general meeting. Further
details regarding voting at the Annual
General Meeting can be found in the
notes to the Notice of the Annual
General Meeting. To be effective,
paper proxy appointments and voting
instructions must be received by the
Company’s registrars no later than 48
hours before a general meeting.
There are no restrictions on the transfer
of Ordinary shares other than certain
restrictions which may be imposed
pursuant to the Articles of Association
of the Company, certain restrictions,
which may, from time to time, be
imposed by laws and regulations (for
example in relation to insider dealing),
restrictions pursuant to the Company’s
share dealing code whereby directors
and certain employees of the Company
require prior approval to deal in the
Company’s shares, and where a person
has failed to provide the Company with
information concerning the interests in
those shares.
The Company is not aware of any
arrangements or agreements between
shareholders that may result in
restrictions on the transfer of Ordinary
shares or on voting rights.
Modern Slavery Act 2015
In the light of the legislation regarding
employment and human rights, in
particular the Modern Slavery Act
2015, the board continues to review
its policies and risk management
processes to determine additional
measures that may be required to
prevent slavery and human trafficking
taking place in any part of its
businesses, or in its supply chains.
We expect all who have, or seek
to have, a business relationship
with Caffyns plc or with any of our
employees, to familiarise themselves
with our anti-slavery values and to act at
all times in a way that is consistent with
those values.
The board has adopted a Statement on
Slavery and Human Trafficking, which
can be found on its corporate website
at www.caffynsplc.co.uk.
44
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Significant direct or indirect shareholdings
At 18 June 2026, the directors were aware of the following interests in 3% or more of the nominal value of the Ordinary share
capital (excluding treasury shares) of the Company:
Ordinary
shares %
Maland Pension Fund (Pershing Nominees Limited RKCLT) 606,000 22.2
Charles Stanley (Rock (Nominees) Ltd) 192,245 7.1
Armstrong Investments (Nortrust Nominees) 129,000 4.7
HSBC Republic Bank Suisse SA 128,349 4.7
Caffyns Pension Fund 125,570 4.6
A W Caffyn/B Lees 107,409 3.9
K E Caffyn 104,804 3.8
M I Caffyn 103,495 3.8
Fostering relationships with
stakeholders
Details of the Company’s engagement
with stakeholders are explained in more
detail on page 19.
The Company also engages with its
suppliers in order to maintain good
relationships, and with its prospective
and actual customers by offering
excellent service and an attractive omni-
channel retail experience.
Business at the Annual
General Meeting
As well as dealing with formal business,
the Company takes the opportunity
afforded at the Annual General Meeting
to provide up-to-date information
about the Company’s trading position
and to invite and answer questions
from shareholders on its policies
and business. At the Annual General
Meeting, a separate resolution is
proposed for each substantive matter.
The Company’s Annual Report and
financial statements are posted to
shareholders, together with the Notice
of Annual General Meeting summarising
the business proposed, giving the
requisite period of notice.
Political donations
The Company made no donations to
political parties in either the current or
previous financial year.
Auditor
Kreston Reeves Audit LLP was
appointed as the Company’s Auditor
on 9 October 2025 as a result of a
competitive tender process. Kreston
Reeves Audit LLP has indicated
its willingness to continue as the
independent Auditor to the Company
and a resolution concerning its
reappointment will be proposed
at the Annual General Meeting in
August 2026.
All of the directors as at the date of this
report have taken all the steps that they
ought to have taken as a director to
make themselves aware of any relevant
audit information and to establish that
the Company’s Auditor is aware of
that information. The directors are not
aware of any relevant audit information
of which the Company’s Auditor is
unaware.
By order of the board
S J Caffyn
Company Secretary
18 June 2026
45
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Consolidated
Financials
Other informationOur Business Governance
Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
The directors are responsible for
preparing the Annual Report and the
financial statements in accordance with
UK-adopted international accounting
standards and applicable law and
regulations.
Company law requires the directors
to prepare financial statements for
each financial year. Under that law,
the directors are required to prepare
the group financial statements and
have elected to prepare the company
financial statements in accordance with
UK-adopted international accounting
standards. Under company law, the
directors must not approve the financial
statements unless they are satisfied that
they give a true and fair view of both the
state of affairs and of the profit or loss for
the Group and Company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements
the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies
and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting
estimates that are reasonable and
prudent;
state whether they have been
prepared in accordance with UK-
adopted international accounting
standards, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained
in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements
on the going concern basis unless
it is inappropriate to presume that
the Group and the Company will
continue in business; and
prepare a Directors’ Report, a
Strategic Report and Directors’
Remuneration Report which
comply with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006.
The directors are responsible for
keeping adequate accounting records
that are sufficient to show and explain
the Company’s transactions and
disclose with reasonable accuracy at
any time the financial position of the
Company and 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. The directors are
responsible for ensuring that the Annual
Report and Accounts, taken as a whole,
are fair, balanced and understandable
and provides the information necessary
for shareholders to assess the Group’s
performance, business model and
strategy.
Website publication
The directors are responsible for
ensuring the Annual Report and the
financial statements are made available
on a website. Financial statements are
published on the Company’s corporate
website, www.caffynsplc.co.uk, in
accordance with legislation in the United
Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements,
which may vary from legislation in other
jurisdictions. The maintenance and
integrity of the Company's website is
the responsibility of the directors. The
directors' responsibility also extends
to the ongoing integrity of the financial
statements contained therein.
Directors’ responsibilities
pursuant to Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency
Rules 4 (“DTR 4”)
The directors confirm to the best of their
knowledge that:
the financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with
the applicable set of accounting
standards, give a true and fair view
of the assets, liabilities, financial
position and profit and loss of the
Group and the Company; and
the Annual Report includes a fair
review of the development and
performance of the business and
the financial position of the Group
and Company, together with a
description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that they face.
Approved on behalf of the board.
S G M Caffyn J N Timperley
Chief Executive Chief Financial Officer
18 June 2026
46
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Report of the
Independent
Auditor
Opinion on the financial
statements
In our opinion:
We have audited the financial
statements of Caffyns plc (the “Parent
Company”) and its subsidiaries
(the “Group”), for the year ended
31 March 2026 which comprise
the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income, the
consolidated and company statements’
of financial position, the consolidated
and company statements’ of changes in
equity, the consolidated and company
statements’ of cashflows and notes
to the financial statements, including
a summary of significant accounting
policies.
the financial statements of Caffyns
plc give a true and fair view of the
state of the Group’s and of the
Parent Company’s affairs as at
31 March 2026 and of the Group’s
loss for the year then ended and of
the Group’s cashflows position as at
31 March 2026;
the Group and Parent financial
statements have been properly
prepared in accordance with UK
adopted international accounting
standards; and
the Group and Parent Company
financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Companies
Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance
with International Standards on Auditing
(UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law.
Our responsibilities under those
standards are further described in the
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit
of the financial statements section of
our report. We are independent of the
Group in accordance with the ethical
requirements that are relevant to our
audit of the financial statements in the
UK, including the Financial Reporting
Council’s Ethical Standard as applied
to listed entities, 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.
An overview of the scope of
our audit
As part of designing our audit, we
determined materiality and assessed
the risks of material misstatement in
the financial statements. In particular,
we looked at where the directors made
subjective judgements, for example
in respect of significant accounting
estimates that involved making
assumptions and considering future
events that are inherently uncertain. We
also addressed the risk of management
override of internal controls, including
evaluating whether there was evidence
of bias by the directors that represented
a risk of material misstatement due to
fraud. We tailored the scope of our audit
to ensure that we performed sufficient
work to be able to give an opinion on
the financial statements as a whole,
taking into account the structure of the
Group and the Parent Company, the
accounting processes and controls, and
the industry in which they operate.
Our scoping considerations for the
Group audit were based both on
financial information and risk. In total
we have identified a single distinct
component within the Group financial
statements.
Consolidated Financials
Report of the Independent Auditor 47
Income Statement 53
Statement of Comprehensive Income 54
Statement of Financial Position 55
Statement of Changes in Equity 56
Cash Flow Statement 57
Material Accounting Policies 58
Notes to the Financial Statements 64
47
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Report of the Independent Auditor
continued
The table below summarises for the Parent Company and its subsidiaries, the level of assurance gained:
Group component Level of assurance
Caffyns plc
Full statutory audit (Kreston Reeves Audit LLP)
Caffyns Properties Limited
Outside of the scope
Caffyns Wessex Limited
Outside of the scope
Fasthaven Limited
Outside of the scope
Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on
the audit and in forming our audit opinion. Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality and performance
materiality for the financial statements of the Group and of the Parent Company as follows:
Group financial statements Parent Company financial statements
Materiality
£1,300,000 £1,300,000
Basis for determining
materiality
0.5% of Group revenue 0.5% of Company revenue
Rationale for the
benchmark applied
The Group’s revenue is generated by
the Parent Company operating as a car
dealership and as such a revenue-focused
benchmark is considered appropriate.
Future profitability of the company
is driven by the company’s ability to
generate revenue and this is the focus of
the users of the financial statements.
This aligns with the disclosed key
performance indicators, which in turn
reflect the focus areas of users of the
financial statements being the business
performance.
The company operates as a car
dealership with high volumes of sales
across multiple dealerships. As such
a revenue-focused benchmark is
considered appropriate. Future profitability
of the company is driven by the
company’s ability to generate revenue,
and this is the focus of the users of the
financial statements.
This aligns with the disclosed key
performance indicators, which in turn
reflect the focus areas of users of the
financial statements being the business
performance.
Performance materiality
£975,000 £975,000
Basis for determining
performance materiality
75% of materiality 75% of materiality
Reporting threshold
£65,000 £65,000
Rationale for the
percentage applied for
performance materiality
5% of materiality 5% of materiality
We reported all audit differences found in excess of our reporting threshold to the Audit & Risk Committee.
48
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to
fraud) we identified, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the
audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team.
These matters, including our discussion of going concern, were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements
as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. This is not a
complete list of all risks identified by our audit.
The use of Going Concern basis of accounting was assessed as a key audit matter and has been covered in the subsequent
‘Conclusions relating to going concern’ section of this report.
Defined benefit pension schemeRetirement benefit obligations £1,422,000 (2025: £4,523,000)
Significance and nature of the key audit matter How our audit addressed the key audit matter
The Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme,
which is accounted for in accordance with IAS 19 Employee
Benefits. The valuation of the defined benefit obligation
involves the use of significant actuarial assumptions,
including discount rates, inflation rates, and mortality
assumptions.
Management, with the assistance of external actuarial
specialists, exercises judgement in determining these
assumptions. Small changes in these assumptions can have
a material impact on the valuation of the pension liability
recognised in the statement of financial position.
Due to the inherent estimation uncertainty, the sensitivity of
the valuation to key assumptions, and the level of judgement
involved, we considered the valuation of the defined benefit
pension scheme to be an area of significant audit focus and
therefore a key audit matter.
We assessed whether the valuation of the defined benefit
pension scheme and the associated disclosures were
prepared in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits and
applied consistently.
With the assistance of our actuarial specialists, we evaluated
the appropriateness of the actuarial valuation methodology
and challenged the key assumptions used, including the
discount rate, inflation and mortality assumptions, by
reference to external market data and established industry
practices.
We also assessed the competence, capabilities and
objectivity of management’s actuarial expert, as well as the
adequacy of the work performed by our own specialists in
supporting our audit conclusions.
Key observations:
Based on procedures performed, we considered the assumptions and judgements made by management to be appropriate.
Conclusions relating to going
concern
In auditing the consolidated financial
statements, we have concluded that
the directors’ use of the going concern
basis of accounting in the preparation of
the consolidated financial statements is
appropriate.
We performed the following audit
procedures:
Gaining an understanding of the
systems and controls around
management’s going concern
assessment, including for the
preparation and review process for
forecasts and budgets.
Evidence was obtained that
management have undertaken a
formal going concern assessment
to 31 December 2028, including
sensitivity analysis on cash flow
forecasts, clear consideration
of external factors including the
increase in interest rates and the
potential liquidity impact of these on
cash balances including available
facilities.
We tested the mechanical integrity
of forecast model by checking the
accuracy and completeness of
the model, including challenging
the appropriateness of estimates
and assumptions with reference
to empirical data and external
evidence.
We considered post year-end
performance of the business
and any significant events which
may impact the going concern of
the Group.
We reviewed the correspondence
from HSBC confirming its ongoing
support of the Group, we confirmed
that the correspondence relaxed
the covenants until June 2027
and confirmed support until April
2028. We discussed the continuing
support and compliance with the
covenants with HSBC directly.
We considered the directors’
assessment of the Group’s
main banking facilities for which
support from the bank has been
extended and confirmed through to
April 2028.
We reviewed the adequacy and
completeness of the disclosure
included within the consolidated
financial statements in respect of
going concern.
Based on the work we have performed,
we have not identified any material
uncertainties relating to events
or conditions that, individually or
collectively, may cast significant doubt
on the Group’s or the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern
49
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Report of the Independent Auditor
continued
for a period of at least twelve months
from when the consolidated financial
statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the
responsibilities of the directors with
respect to going concern are described
in the relevant sections of this report.
Our consideration of climate
change related risks
The financial impacts on the Group of
climate change and the transition to a
low-carbon economy (climate change)
were considered in our audit where they
have the potential to directly or indirectly
impact key judgements and estimates
within the financial statements.
The Group continues to develop its
assessment of the potential impacts of
climate change. Climate risks have the
potential to materially impact the key
judgements and estimates within the
financial report. Our audit considered
those risks that could be material to
the key judgements and estimates in
the assessment of the carrying value
of non-current assets and closure and
rehabilitation provisions.
The key judgements and estimates
included in the financial statements
incorporate actions and strategies, to
the extent they have been approved and
can be reliably estimated in accordance
with the Group’s accounting policies.
Accordingly, our key audit matters
address how we have assessed the
Group’s climate-related assumptions to
the extent they impact each key audit
matter.
Other information
The other information comprises the
information included in the Annual
Report other than the financial
statements and our Auditor’s report
thereon. The directors are responsible
for the other information. Our opinion
on the financial statements does not
cover the other information and, except
to the extent otherwise explicitly stated
in our report, we do not express any
form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other
information and, in doing so, consider
whether the other information is
materially inconsistent with the financial
statements or our knowledge obtained
in the course of the audit, or otherwise
appears to be materially misstated. If we
identify such material inconsistencies or
apparent material misstatements, we
are required to determine whether this
gives rise to a material misstatement in
the financial statements themselves. If,
based on the work we have performed,
we conclude that there is a material
misstatement of this other information,
we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Our opinion on the
Remuneration report
Kreston Reeves Audit LLP has audited
the Remuneration report set out on
pages 28 to 41 of the Annual Report
for the financial year. The directors of
the Company are responsible for the
preparation and presentation of the
Remuneration report in accordance
with the Companies Act 2006. Kreston
Reeves Audit LLP’s responsibility is to
express an opinion on the Remuneration
report, based on our audit conducted
in accordance with International
Accounting Standards. In Kreston
Reeves’ opinion, the Remuneration
report of the Group for the period
complies with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006.
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 strategic
report and the directors’ report
for the financial year for which the
financial statements are prepared
is consistent with the financial
statements; and
the strategic report and the
directors’ report have been prepared
in accordance with applicable legal
requirements.
Matters on which we
are required to report by
exception
In the light of our knowledge and
understanding of the Group and Parent
Company and its environment obtained
in the course of the audit, we have not
identified material misstatements in the
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 by the parent
company, or returns adequate for
our audit have not been received
from branches not visited by us; or
the parent company financial
statements are not in agreement
with the accounting records and
returns; or
certain disclosures of directors’
remuneration specified by law are
not made; or
we have not received all the
information and explanations we
require for our audit.
50
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’
responsibilities statement (set out on
page 46), the directors are responsible
for the preparation of the financial
statements and for being satisfied that
they give a true and fair view, and for
such internal control as the directors
determine is necessary to enable the
preparation of financial statements that
are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements,
the directors are responsible for
assessing the Group’s and Parent
Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern, disclosing, as applicable,
matters related to going concern
and using the going concern basis of
accounting unless the directors either
intend to liquidate the Group or Parent
Company or to cease operations, or
have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities
for the audit of the financial
statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial
statements as a whole are free from
material misstatement, whether due to
fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor’s
report that includes our opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level
of assurance but is not a guarantee
that an audit conducted in accordance
with ISAs (UK) will always detect a
material misstatement when it exists.
Misstatements can arise from fraud
or error and are considered material
if, individually or in the aggregate,
they could reasonably be expected
to influence the economic decisions
of users taken on the basis of these
financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are
instances of non-compliance with laws
and regulations. We design procedures
in line with our responsibilities, outlined
above, to detect material misstatements
in respect of irregularities, including
fraud. The extent to which our
procedures are capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud is
detailed below:
Capability of the audit in
detecting irregularities,
including fraud
Based on our understanding of the
Group and industry, and through
discussion with the directors and other
management (as required by auditing
standards), we identified that the
principal risks of non-compliance with
laws and regulations related to FCA
compliance, health and safety, and
employment law. We considered the
extent to which non-compliance might
have a material effect on the financial
statements. We also considered
those laws and regulations that have
a direct impact on the preparation of
the financial statements such as the
Companies Act 2006, and taxation
legislation. We communicated identified
laws and regulations throughout
our team and remained alert to any
indications of non-compliance
throughout the audit. We evaluated
management’s incentives and
opportunities for fraudulent manipulation
of the financial statements (including
the risk of override of controls), and
determined that the principal risks
were related to posting inappropriate
journal entries to enhance revenue
to manipulate financial performance
and management bias in accounting
estimates and judgemental areas of the
financial statements such as property
valuations and the defined benefit
pension scheme. Audit procedures
performed by the group engagement
team included:
Discussions with management and
assessment of known or suspected
instances of non-compliance with
laws and regulations (including
health and safety and FCA) and
fraud, and review of the reports
made by management and internal
audit; and assessment of identified
fraud risk factors; and
Assessment of identified fraud risk
factors; and
Testing of internal controls
procedures relating to sales,
potentially more susceptible to fraud
and other irregularities; and
Challenging assumptions and
judgements made by management
in its significant accounting
estimates; and
Confirmation of related parties
with management, and review
of transactions throughout the
period to identify any previously
undisclosed transactions with
related parties outside the normal
course of business; and
Performing analytical procedures
with automated data analytic
tools to identify any unusual or
unexpected relationships, including
related party transactions, that
may indicate risks or material
misstatement due to fraud; and
Reading minutes of meetings of
those charged with governance,
reviewing internal audit reports
and reviewing correspondence
with relevant tax and regulatory
authorities; and
Physical inspection of tangible fixed
assets; and
Review of significant and unusual
transactions and evaluation of
the underlying financial rationale
supporting the transactions; and
Identifying and testing journal
entries, in particular any manual
entries made at the year-end for
financial statement preparation.
Because of the inherent limitations of
an audit, there is a risk that we will not
detect all irregularities, including those
leading to a material misstatement
in the financial statements or non-
compliance with regulation. This risk
increases the more that compliance
with a law or regulation is removed from
the events and transactions reflected in
the financial statements, as we will be
less likely to become aware of instances
of non-compliance.
51
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Report of the Independent Auditor
continued
As part of an audit in accordance with
ISAs (UK), we exercise professional
judgement and maintain professional
scepticism throughout the audit.
We also:
Identify and assess the risks of
material misstatement of the
financial statements, whether due to
fraud or error, design and perform
audit procedures responsive
to those risks, and obtain audit
evidence that is sufficient and
appropriate to provide a basis for
our opinion. The risk of not detecting
a material misstatement resulting
from fraud is higher than for one
resulting from error, as fraud may
involve collusion, forgery, intentional
omissions, misrepresentations, or
the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal
control relevant to the audit in order
to design audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances,
but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the
effectiveness of the Group’s internal
control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of
accounting policies used and the
reasonableness of accounting
estimates and related disclosures
made by the directors.
Conclude on the appropriateness
of the directors’ use of the going
concern basis of accounting and,
based on the audit evidence
obtained, whether a material
uncertainty exists related to
events or conditions that may cast
significant doubt on the Group’s
or the Parent Company’s ability to
continue as a going concern.
If we conclude that a material
uncertainty exists, we are required
to draw attention in our Auditor’s
report to the related disclosures in
the financial statements or, if such
disclosures are inadequate, to
modify our opinion. Our conclusions
are based on the audit evidence
obtained up to the date of our
Auditor’s report. However, future
events or conditions may cause
the Group or the Parent Company
to cease to continue as a going
concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation,
structure and content of the
financial statements, including
the disclosures, and whether the
financial statements represent the
underlying transactions and events
in a manner that achieves fair
presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit
evidence regarding the financial
information of the entities or
business activities within the Group
to express an opinion on the
consolidated financial statements.
We are responsible for the direction,
supervision and performance of
the Group audit. We remain solely
responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with those charged
with governance regarding, among
other matters, the planned scope
and timing of the audit and significant
audit findings, including any significant
deficiencies in internal control that we
identify during our audit.
Other matters which we are
required to address
We were appointed by the Audit &
Risk Committee in October 2025 to
audit the financial statements. Our total
uninterrupted period of engagement is
one period, covering the financial year
ended 31 March 2026.
Non-audit services prohibited by the
Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical
Standard were not provided to the Group
or the Parent Company and we remain
independent of the Group and the Parent
Company in conducting our audit.
Our audit opinion is consistent with the
additional report to the Audit & Risk
Committee.
Use of our Report
This report is made solely to the
company’s members, as a body, in
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16
of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit
work has been undertaken so that we
might state to the company’s members
those matters we are required to state
to them in an Auditor report and for
no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or
assume responsibility to anyone other
than the company and the company’s
members as a body, for our audit work,
for this report, or for the opinions we
have formed.
Anne Dwyer BSc(Hons) FCA
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of
Kreston Reeves Audit LLP,
Statutory Auditor
London
18 June 2026
52
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Group and Company
Note
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Revenue 2 270,661 275,464
Cost of sales (236,899) (240,774)
Gross profit 33,762 34,690
Operating expenses
Distribution costs (23,105) (21,572)
Administration expenses (9,772) (10,101)
Operating profit before other income 885 3,017
Other income 5 578 530
Operating profit 1,463 3,547
Operating profit before non-underlying items 1,478 3,498
Non-underlying items within operating profit 3 (15) 49
Operating profit 4 1,463 3,547
Finance expense 7 (2,965) (2,892)
Finance expense on pension scheme 8 (219) (409)
Net finance expense (3,184) (3,301)
(Loss)/profit before taxation (1,721) 246
(Loss)/profit before tax and non-underlying items (1,487) 606
Non-underlying items within operating profit 3 (15) 49
Non-underlying items within finance expense on pension scheme 3 (219) (409)
(Loss)/profit before taxation (1,721) 246
Taxation 9 435 (70)
(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to the owners of the parent (1,286) 176
(Losses)/earnings per share
Basic 10 (40.7)p 6.4p
Diluted 10 (40.7)p 6.4p
Underlying (losses)/earnings per share
Basic 10 (47.2)p 16.4p
Diluted 10 (47.2)p 16.4p
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
Income Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2026
53
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 March 2026
Group and Company
Note
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
(Loss)/profit for the year (1,286) 176
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability 24 2,015 1,707
Deferred tax on remeasurement 25 (504) (427)
Total other comprehensive income, net of taxation 1,511 1,280
Total comprehensive income for the year 225 1,456
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
54
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 March 2026
Note
Group
2026
£’000
Group
2025
£’000
Company
2026
£’000
Company
2025
£’000
Non-current assets
Right-of-use assets 12 1,820 2,200 1,820 2,200
Property, plant and equipment 13 37,183 38,080 37,183 38,080
Investment properties 14 2,457 2,513 2,457 2,513
Goodwill 16 286 286 286 286
Deferred tax asset 25 155 224 155 224
Investment in subsidiary undertakings 17 250 250
41,901 43,303 42,151 43,553
Current assets
Inventories 18 52,362 44,425 52,362 44,425
Trade and other receivables 19 9,961 10,113 9,961 10,113
Interest in lease 15 65 65
Current tax recoverable 39 39
Cash and cash equivalents 4,605 3,762 4,605 3,762
66,928 58,404 66,928 58,404
Total assets 108,829 101,707 109,079 101,957
Current liabilities
Interest-bearing bank overdrafts and loans 21 1,445 1,445 1,445 1,445
Trade and other payables 20 62,901 51,781 63,151 52,031
Lease liabilities 23 328 642 328 642
64,674 53,868 64,924 54,118
Net current assets 2,254 4,536 2,004 4,286
Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing bank loans 21 10,418 10,863 10,418 10,863
Lease liabilities 23 1,630 1,720 1,630 1,720
Preference shares 26 812 812 812 812
Retirement benefit obligations 24 1,422 4,523 1,422 4,523
14,282 17,918 14,282 17,918
Total liabilities 78,956 71,786 79,206 72,036
Net assets 29,873 29,921 29,873 29,921
Capital and reserves
Share capital 26 1,439 1,439 1,439 1,439
Share premium account 272 272 272 272
Capital redemption reserve 707 707 707 707
Non-distributable reserve 1,531 1,531 1,531 1,531
Retained earnings 25,924 25,972 25,924 25,972
Total equity attributable to shareholders 29,873 29,921 29,873 29,921
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 18 June 2026 and were signed on
its behalf by:
S G M Caffyn J N Timperley
Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
Company number: 105664.
55
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March 2026
Group and Company
Note
Share
capital
£’000
Share
premium
£’000
Capital
redemption
reserve
£’000
Non-
distributable
reserve
£’000
Retained
earnings
£’000
Total
£’000
At 1 April 2025 1,439 272 707 1,531 25,972 29,921
Total comprehensive
income/(expense)
Loss for the year (1,286) (1,286)
Other comprehensive income 1,511 1,511
Total comprehensive
income for the year 225 225
Transactions with
owners:
Dividends 11 (273) (273)
At 31 March 2026 1,439 272 707 1,531 25,924 29,873
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Group and Company
Note
Share
capital
£’000
Share
premium
£’000
Capital
redemption
reserve
£’000
Non-
distributable
reserve
£’000
Retained
earnings
£’000
Total
£’000
At 1 April 2024 1,439 272 707 1,724 24,594 28,736
Total comprehensive
income
Profit for the year 176 176
Other comprehensive income 1,280 1,280
Total comprehensive income
for the year 1,456 1,456
Transactions with owners:
Dividends 11 (273) (273)
Issue of shares – SAYE 27 2 2
Transfer arising from disposal of
Held for Sale Asset (193) 193
At 31 March 2025 1,439 272 707 1,531 25,972 29,921
56
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2026
Group and Company
Note
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 28 2,532 (303)
Investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of investment property 4,620
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 183 93
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (827) (1,063)
Receipt from investment in lease 77 185
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities (567) 3,835
Financing activities
Revolving credit facility utilised 4,000 6,500
Revolving credit facility repaid (4,000) (6,500)
Secured loan received 1,000
Secured loans repaid (375) (375)
Unsecured loan repaid (70) (70)
Issue of shares – SAYE scheme 2
Dividends paid (273) (273)
Repayment of capital element of lease liabilities (404) (492)
Net cash outflow from financing activities (1,122) (208)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 843 3,324
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 3,762 438
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 4,605 3,762
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
57
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Material Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation and statement of compliance
The Group and Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting
Standards and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The principal accounting policies adopted are set
out below. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires the use of estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting year. Although these estimates are based upon management’s best knowledge of the
amount, events or actions, actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.
The estimated 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.
Judgements made by the directors in the application of accounting policies that have significant effect on the financial
statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed in note 1.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is both the functional currency of the Company and its
subsidiaries and the presentational currency of the Group. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£’000) except
where otherwise indicated.
Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing Standards that are not yet effective and
have not been adopted early by the Group
There have been a number of amendments to existing standards, which are effective from 1 January 2025, but they do not have
material effect on the Group financial statements.
New/Revised International Financial Reporting Standards
Effective Date:
Annual periods
beginning on or after:
IAS 21 Amendments to IAS 21: The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates 1 January 2025
There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that are
effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early. Whilst these standards and interpretations
are not effective for, and have not been applied in the preparation of, these financial statements, the following could have a
material impact on the Group’s financial statements going forward:
New/Revised International Financial Reporting Standards
Effective Date:
Annual periods
beginning on or after:
IFRS 9 Amendments to the Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments 1 January 2026
IFRS 7 Contracts Referencing Nature-dependant Electricity 1 January 2026
IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements 1 January 2027
IFRS 19 Subsidiaries without Public Accountability: Disclosures 1 January 2027
The Group has undertaken an initial assessment of the effect of these new accounting standards and amendments and does
not expect these to have a material impact on the Group or the Company.
The Group does not expect to be eligible to apply IFRS 19 Subsidiaries without Public Accountability: Disclosures.
There are no other standards and interpretations in issue but not yet adopted that the directors anticipate will have a material
effect on the reported income or net assets of the Group.
Going concern
The directors have considered the going concern basis and have undertaken a detailed review of trading and cash flow
forecasts for a period of one year from the date of approval of this Annual Report. This has focused primarily on the achievement
of the banking covenants associated with the term loan and revolving credit facilities provided by HSBC, which cover levels
of interest, borrowing and freehold property security. HSBC has agreed to implement a new earnings covenant test solely for
the year ending 31 March 2027 that will require the Company to achieve certain minimum cumulative quarterly Senior EBITDA
hurdles.
58
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Under the Company’s interest cover
covenant test, to be reapplied from
30 June 2027, it will be required to
make underlying profits before Senior
Interest (that being paid to HSBC and
VW Bank on its term loan and revolving
credit facility borrowings), corporation
tax, depreciation and amortisation
(“Senior EBITDA”) for a rolling
twelve-month period which is at least
three times the level of Senior Interest.
Under the borrowings test, also to
be reapplied from 30 June 2027, the
Company’s borrowings from HSBC and
VW Bank on its term loan and revolving
credit facilities must be less than 400%
of its Senior EBITDA.
The Company’s final covenant test over
its levels of freehold property security
requires that the level of its bank
borrowings at each quarter-end do
not exceed 70% of the independently
assessed value of its charged freehold
properties. This covenant test will
remain in force in the coming year.
Financial modelling for the coming
twelve-month period has allowed the
directors to conclude that there is
satisfactory headroom in the Company’s
banking covenants.
The Group is reliant on the HSBC
borrowing facility of £14.2 million. Any
failure of a covenant test would render
the borrowing facilities from HSBC to
become repayable on demand, at the
option of the lender, and would put the
going concern assessment at risk.
The directors have also given
consideration to the current
uncertainties in the state of the UK
economy, as well as to cost pressures
that have impacted businesses such as
increases to staffing costs from the rise
in the National Minimum and National
Living Wages, from higher energy costs,
from business rates and from increases
to funding costs from continuing high
interest base rates.
The directors have also considered
the Company’s working capital
requirements. The Company meets its
day-to-day working capital requirements
through short-term stocking loans,
bank overdraft and revolving-credit
facility, and medium-term revolving
credit facilities and term loans. At the
year-end, the medium-term banking
facilities included a term loan with an
outstanding balance of £4.7 million
(2025: £5.1 million) and a revolving
credit facility of £6.0 million
(2025: £6.0 million) from HSBC, its
primary bankers, with both facilities
next scheduled for renewal during the
going concern period in April 2027.
The Company’s bankers recognise the
current difficulties being experienced
by the motor retail sector and remain
very supportive and, subsequent to
the end of the year, this review date
was extended by twelve months to
April 2028. HSBC also make available
a short-term overdraft facility of
£3.5 million (2025: £3.5 million), which
is renewed annually each August.
The Company also has a short-term
revolving-credit facility from Volkswagen
Bank of £4.0 million (2025: £4.0 million),
which is renewed annually each
October. The Company maintains
strong relationships with HSBC and VW
Bank and, based on the discussions
to date regarding the renewal of the
facilities, the directors are of the opinion
that there is a reasonable expectation
that all facilities will be renewed at their
scheduled expiry dates.
At 31 March 2026, the Company held
cash in hand balances of £4.6 million
and had undrawn borrowing facilities
of £6.5 million, all of which would be
immediately available.
The directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Company has
adequate resources and headroom
against the covenant tests to be able
to continue in operational existence for
the foreseeable future and for a period
of one year from the date of approval of
the Annual Report. For those reasons,
they have concluded that there is no
material uncertainty and they continue
to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing this Annual Report.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements
incorporate the financial statements
of the Company and its subsidiaries
(“the Group”) made up to 31 March
each year. All subsidiaries are currently
dormant, so the income, expenses and
cash flows are the same for the Group
and the Company.
Where necessary, adjustments are
made to the financial statements of
subsidiaries to bring the accounting
policies used into line with those used
by the Group.
All intra-Group transactions, balances,
income and expenses are eliminated on
consolidation.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the
cost of an acquisition over the fair value
of the net identifiable assets acquired and
is tested annually for impairment. Any
impairment is recognised immediately
in the income statement and is not
subsequently reversed. Gains and losses
on subsequent disposal of the assets
acquired include any related goodwill.
Goodwill arising on acquisitions before
the date of transition to IFRS has been
retained at the previous UK GAAP
amounts, subject to being tested for
impairment at that date, and annually
thereafter.
Revenue recognition
Revenue generated from a contract
for the sale of goods is recognised
on delivery when all promises to the
customer have been fulfilled, such as
the supply of a specific vehicle. If the
customer has added various accessory
products to their order, the Company’s
promise is fulfilled by supplying these
products onto the vehicle at the
time of its delivery. Certain vehicle
manufacturers that the Company
represents have transitioned their dealer
agreements to an agency arrangement
whereby the manufacturer and the
customer transact directly for the sale of
the car but the dealer is paid an agency
fee for facilitating delivery of the car to
the customer. In these circumstances,
where the Company acts as an agent
on behalf of a principal in relation to
the sale of a new car, the associated
income is recognised within revenue
in the period in which the product is
sold. The decision whether the car is
sold to the customer under a wholesale
or agency arrangement is made by
the vehicle manufacturer based on
the make and model of the related
car. Of the manufacturers that the
Company represents, Volvo operated
a full agency model in the year for all
new car sales whilst MG and Vauxhall
operated solely under a wholesale
arrangement in the year. Lotus and
the remaining Volkswagen Audi Group
franchises operated a mixed model
with manufacturers applying an agency
model to some new battery-electric
cars. Audi also operated an agency
sales model for cars sold through
certain leasing companies.
59
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Finance commissions are earned from
the finance house that is providing a
finance arrangement to a consumer
buying the vehicle. In this regard, the
Company’s customer is considered to be
the finance house, rather than the end
user of the vehicle. Income derived from
such commissions is recognised within
revenue on completion of the arranging
of the various products (i.e. at the point
at which control passes to the customer).
For servicing work, the Company
promises to complete the work in
accordance with the contract. This
obligation is satisfied when the
customer takes collection of their
vehicle on completion of the work. If
a customer takes out a service plan,
the Company has a future obligation to
complete agreed work over a set period
of time. These obligations are only
completed in full once those elements
of the service plan have expired. Where
the Company sells a service plan
alongside a vehicle, the service element
is distinct from the vehicle sale and is
subject to a fixed and determinable
transaction price. Each individual
service included within the service plan
is considered distinct and revenue is
recognised at a point in time when the
services have been carried out. Further
information can be found in note 2.
The obligation of supplying vehicle
parts to customers is satisfied when the
customer takes delivery of the goods.
Supplier income
The Company receives income from
brand partners and other suppliers.
These are generally based on achieving
certain predetermined objectives,
such as specific sales volumes and
maintaining agreed operational
standards. The supplier income
received is recognised as a deduction
from cost of sales at the point when it is
reasonably certain that the targets have
been achieved for the relevant period
and when income can be measured
reliably based on the terms of each
relevant supplier agreement. Supplier
income that has been earned but not
invoiced at the balance sheet date is
recognised in other receivables.
Manufacturer bonuses are reported
within cost of sales.
Non-underlying items
Non-underlying items are those items
that are unusual because of their
size, nature or incidence and which
management consider should be
disclosed separately to enable a full
understanding of the operating results.
Non-underlying items comprise only
profits and losses from disposal of
freehold property, gains arising from
lease extensions from freehold property,
impairment charges against non-current
assets, costs attributable to vacant
properties held pending their disposal,
net financing return and service cost
on pension obligations in respect of
the defined benefit pension scheme,
which is closed to future accrual, and
Company-wide operational restructuring
and redundancy costs. All other
activities are treated as underlying.
The net financing return and service
cost on pension obligations in respect
of the defined benefit pension scheme,
which is closed to future accrual, are
presented as non-underlying items
due to the inability of management to
influence the underlying assumptions
from which the charges are derived.
All other activities are treated as
underlying.
Borrowing costs
All borrowing costs are recognised in
the Income Statement in the period
in which they are incurred unless the
borrowing costs are directly attributable
to the acquisition, construction or
production of a qualifying asset, in
which case they are capitalised.
Retirement benefit costs
The Company operates the Caffyns
Pension Scheme, which is a defined
benefit pension scheme. The defined
benefit scheme defines the amount of
pension benefit that an employee will
receive on retirement, dependent on
one or more factors including age, years
of service and final salary. The Scheme
was closed to new members in 2006
and to future accrual in April 2010.
Under IAS 19 (Revised) Employee
Benefits, the defined benefit deficit is
included on the Statement of Financial
Position. Liabilities are calculated
based on the current yields on high-
quality corporate bonds and on market
conditions. Surpluses are only included
to the extent that they are recoverable
through reduced contributions in the
future or through refunds from the
Scheme.
Remeasurement arising from experience
adjustments and changes in actuarial
assumptions each year are charged or
credited, net of deferred tax, to retained
earnings and shown in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income.
An interest expense or income is
calculated on the defined benefit liability
or asset, respectively, by applying the
discount rate to that defined benefit
liability or asset.
The Company also provides pension
arrangements for employees under
defined contribution schemes.
Contributions for these schemes are
charged to the Income Statement in the
year in which they are payable.
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of
the tax currently payable and deferred
tax. Tax balances are not discounted.
The tax currently payable is based
on taxable profit for the year. Taxable
profit differs from net profit as reported
in the Income Statement because it
excludes items of income or expense
that are taxable or deductible in other
years and it further excludes items that
are never taxable or deductible. The
liability for current tax is calculated using
tax rates that have been enacted, or
substantively enacted, by the year-end
accounting date.
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be
payable or recoverable on differences
between the carrying amounts of
assets and liabilities in the financial
statements and the corresponding
tax bases used in the computation
of taxable profit and is accounted for
using the liability method. Deferred tax
liabilities are, generally, recognised for
all taxable temporary differences and
deferred tax assets are recognised to
the extent that it is probable that taxable
profits will be available against which
Material Accounting Policies
continued
60
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
deductible temporary differences can
be utilised. Such assets and liabilities
are not recognised if the temporary
difference arises from goodwill or from
the initial recognition (other than in a
business combination) of other assets
and liabilities in a transaction that affects
neither the tax profit nor the accounting
profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax
assets is reviewed at each financial
year-end date and reduced to the
extent that it is no longer probable that
sufficient taxable profits will be available
to allow all, or part of, the asset to be
recovered.
Deferred tax is calculated at the tax
rates that are expected to apply in
the period when the liability is settled
or the asset is realised. Deferred tax
is charged or credited in the Income
Statement, except when it relates to
items charged or credited within other
comprehensive income, in which case
the deferred tax is also dealt with in
other comprehensive income. The tax
base of an item considers its intended
method of recovery by either sale
or use.
Property, plant and
equipment
Land and buildings used in the business
are stated in the Statement of Financial
Position at cost. The property held at
the date of transition to IFRSs in 2007
was recognised at deemed cost, being
the carrying amount at the date of
transition to IFRSs. The date of the last
valuation undertaken under its previous
GAAP was in 1995.
Depreciation on buildings is charged
to the Income Statement. On the
subsequent sale of a property, the
attributable surplus remaining in the
non-distributable reserve is transferred
directly to accumulated profits.
Properties in the course of construction
are carried at cost, less any recognised
impairment loss. Cost includes
professional fees and attributable
borrowing costs. Depreciation of these
assets, on the same basis as other
property assets, commences when the
assets are ready for their intended use.
Properties are regarded as purchased
or sold on the date on which contracts
for the purchase or sale become
unconditional. The gain or loss
arising on the disposal of an asset is
determined as the difference between
the sales proceeds and the carrying
amount of the asset and is recognised
in the Income Statement.
Other assets are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation and any
recognised impairment loss.
Depreciation is charged so as to write
off the cost less residual values of
assets, other than land and properties
under construction, over their estimated
useful lives using the straight-line
method, on the following basis:
Freehold buildings – 50 years
Freehold land – not depreciated
Leasehold buildings – period of lease
Plant and machinery,
fixtures and fittings – 3 to 10 years
The residual value of all assets,
depreciation methods and useful
economic lives, if significant, are
assessed annually.
Investment property
Investment property, which is
property held to earn rentals and/
or capital appreciation, is stated at
cost less accumulated depreciation
and impairment. Rental income from
investment property is recognised on a
straight-line basis over the term of the
lease. Depreciation is charged to write
off the cost, excluding the assessed
value of the freehold land, less residual
values of investment properties over
their estimated useful lives using the
straight-line method over 50 years.
Any transfers from property, plant
and equipment are made at cost less
accumulated depreciation.
Leases
The Company recognises a right-of-
use asset and a lease liability at the
commencement date of the lease. The
right-of-use asset is initially measured
at cost and, subsequently, at cost
less accumulated depreciation and
impairment losses and is then adjusted
for certain remeasurements of the lease
liability. Depreciation is recognised on a
straight-line basis over the period of the
lease the right-of-use asset is expected
to be utilised.
The lease liability is initially measured
at the present value of lease payments
that are not paid at the commencement
date, discounted by the Company’s
incremental borrowing rate. The lease
liability is, subsequently, increased by
the interest cost on the lease liability
and reduced by payments made. It is
remeasured when there is a change in
future lease payments arising from a
change of index or rate, a variation in
amounts payable following contractual
rent reviews and changes in the
assessment of whether an extension/
termination option is reasonably certain
to be exercised.
Where lease contracts include renewal
and termination options, judgement
is applied to determine the lease
term. The assessment of whether
the Company is reasonably certain to
exercise such options impacts the lease
term and the subsequent recognition of
the lease liability and right-of-use asset.
Where the Company acts as a lessor,
receipts of lease payments are
recognised in the income statement on
a straight-line basis over the period of
the lease unless it is deemed that the
risks and rewards of ownership have
been substantially transferred to the
Company’s lessee. If it is deemed that
the risks and rewards of ownership have
been substantially transferred, then the
Company will, rather than recognise
a right-of-use asset, recognise an
investment in the lease, this being the
present value of future lease receipts
discounted at the interest rate implicit
in the lease or, if this is not specified, at
the Company’s incremental borrowing
rate. The finance lease receivable will be
increased by the interest receivable less
payments made by the lessee.
61
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Impairment
a. Impairment of goodwill: Goodwill
is tested annually for impairment. If
an impairment provision is made, it
cannot subsequently be reversed.
b. Impairment of property, plant and
equipment, investment properties
and right-of-use assets: At each
financial year-end date, the
Company reviews the carrying
amounts of its property, plant and
equipment, investment properties
and right-of-use assets in order
to determine whether there is any
indication that those assets have
suffered an impairment loss. If such
indication exists, the recoverable
amount of the asset is estimated
to determine the extent of the
impairment loss (if any). Where
the asset does not generate cash
inflows that are independent
from other assets, the Company
estimates the recoverable amount of
the CGU to which it belongs.
The recoverable amount is the higher
of fair value less costs to sell and
value in use. In assessing value in use,
the estimated future cash inflows are
discounted to their present value using
a pre-tax discount rate that reflects
current market assessments of the time
value of money and the risks specific
to the asset for which the estimates
of future cash inflows have not been
adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset
or CGU is estimated to be less than its
carrying amount, the carrying amount
of the asset (CGU) is reduced to its
recoverable amount.
An impairment loss is recognised as
an expense immediately, unless the
relevant asset is carried at a revalued
amount, in which case the impairment
loss is treated as a revaluation
decrease.
Where an impairment loss subsequently
reverses, the carrying amount of the
asset (CGU) is increased to the revised
estimate of its recoverable amount, but
so that the increased carrying amount
does not exceed the carrying amount
that would have been determined had
no impairment loss been recognised
for the asset (CGU) in prior years.
A reversal of an impairment loss is
recognised as income immediately,
unless the relevant asset is carried at
a revalued amount, in which case the
reversal of the impairment loss is treated
as a revaluation increase.
For the purpose of impairment testing,
assets are grouped together into the
smallest group of assets that generates
cash inflows from continuing use that
are largely independent of the cash
inflows from other groups of assets.
Management have determined that the
CGUs are the individual dealerships for
each franchise.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of
cost and net realisable value. Cost
represents the purchase price plus any
additional costs incurred.
Vehicle inventories include owned
vehicles used for demonstration
purposes and as courtesy cars for
service customers. Consignment vehicle
inventories are regarded as effectively
under the control of the Company and
are included within inventories on the
balance sheet where the Company
has the ability to direct the use of,
and obtain substantially all of the
remaining benefits from, the asset.
Control includes the ability to prevent
other entities from directing the use
of, and obtaining the benefits from, an
asset even though legal title has not
yet passed. The corresponding liability
is included within trade and other
payables. Each vehicle is recognised
in inventory at its individual purchase
price plus any specific additional costs
incurred. Demonstration vehicles are
subject to regular review and written
down to their estimated net realisable
value to recognise the use and age of
the vehicle.
Parts inventories are valued at cost,
based on latest manufacturer cost, and
are written down to net realisable value,
in accordance with normal industry
practice, by providing for obsolescence
on a time-in-stock basis. Net realisable
value represents the estimated selling
price less all estimated costs to
completion and costs to be incurred in
marketing and selling.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise
cash in hand and on demand deposits.
The Company recognises as cash and
cash equivalents amounts received from
customers and suppliers on confirmed
initiation of the transaction by the
transferor rather than the settlement
date. In the Cash Flow Statement,
cash and cash equivalents exclude the
Company’s Cash Overdraft facility from
Volkswagen Bank, as this facility has the
properties of a revolving-credit facility.
This facility is shown within interest-
bearing borrowings in current liabilities
on the Statement of Financial Position.
Investments in subsidiary
undertakings
Investments in subsidiary undertakings
are included at cost less amounts
written off if the investment is
determined to have been impaired and
are included in the Parent Company’s
separate financial statements.
Interest-bearing borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and
revolving credit facilities are recorded
at their fair value on initial recognition
(normally the proceeds received less
transaction costs that are directly
attributable to the financial liability) and,
subsequently, at amortised cost under
the effective interest method. Finance
charges, including premiums payable
on settlement or redemption and direct
issue costs, are accounted for on an
accruals basis to profit or loss using the
effective interest method, and are added
to the carrying amount of the instrument
to the extent that they are not settled in
the period in which they arise.
Trade and other payables
Trade payables are not interest-bearing
and are stated at their fair value on
initial recognition and are, subsequently,
carried at amortised cost.
Other payables include obligations
relating to consignment stock and
vehicle stocking loans.
Obligations relating to consignment
stock relate to new cars supplied by
manufacturers on consignment terms
and the full purchase price can be
funded.
Material Accounting Policies
continued
62
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Vehicle stocking loans relates to
creditors in relation to used vehicles and
is funded up to a level generally 80%
of market value of the used car based
on independent market guides. The
utilisation is recorded at fair value with
associated interest charged to profit
or loss. Cash flows relating to these
arrangements are included in operating
cash flows.
Equity
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
Incremental costs directly attributable
to the issue of new shares are shown in
equity as a deduction, net of tax, from
the proceeds.
Share premium includes any premium
received on the sale of shares. Any
transaction costs associated with the
issuing of shares are deducted from
share premium, net of any corporation
tax benefits.
The capital redemption reserve
comprises the nominal value of ordinary
and preference share capital purchased
by the Company in prior years and
cancelled. The non-distributable reserve
within equity is a revaluation reserve,
which comprises gains and losses due
to the revaluation of property, plant
and equipment prior to 1995. Retained
earnings includes all current and prior
period retained profits.
Where any company in the Group
purchases the Company’s equity
share capital (treasury shares), the
consideration paid, including any directly
attributable incremental costs (net of
tax), is deducted from equity attributable
to the Company’s equity holders until
the shares are cancelled, reissued or
disposed of. Where such shares are,
subsequently, sold or reissued, any
consideration received, net of any directly
attributable incremental transactions
costs and the related tax effects, is
included in equity attributable to the
Company’s equity holders.
Dividends
Final dividends proposed by the board
and unpaid at the balance sheet date
are not recognised in the financial
statements until they have been
approved by shareholders at the Annual
General Meeting.
Interim dividends are recognised once
paid to shareholders.
Preference shares
Preference shares are accounted for as
non-current liabilities, as they have the
attributes of debt. Preference dividends
are accounted for as finance charges
within finance expenses.
Financial instruments
Recognition, initial
measurement and
re-recognition
Financial assets and financial liabilities
are recognised when the Company
becomes a party to the contractual
provisions of the financial instrument
and are measured initially at fair value
adjusted for transaction costs, except
for those carried at fair value through
profit and loss, which are measured
initially at fair value. Subsequent
measurement of financial assets and
financial liabilities is described below.
Financial assets are derecognised when
the contractual rights to the cash flows
from the financial asset expire, or when
the financial asset and substantially all
the risks and rewards are transferred.
The only types of financial assets held
by the Group are financial assets at
amortised cost.
Financial liabilities are derecognised
when the obligation specified in the
contract is discharged, cancelled or
expires.
Financial assets at
amortised cost
Trade receivables do not carry any
interest and are stated at their fair
value on initial recognition as reduced
by appropriate allowances for
estimated irrecoverable amounts and
subsequently carried at amortised cost.
The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified
approach to measuring expected credit
losses, which uses a lifetime expected
loss allowance for all receivables. The
expected loss rates are based on the
payment profile of sales over 36 months
before the year-end date, or the first day
of the accounting period under review,
respectively, and the corresponding
historical losses expected in the
period. The Company also considers
future expected credit losses due to
circumstances in addition to historical
loss rates.
63
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2026
1. Critical accounting judgements and estimates when applying the Company’s accounting
policies
Judgements and estimates are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including
expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Certain critical accounting estimates in applying the Company’s accounting policies are listed below.
Retirement benefit obligation
The Company has a defined benefit pension scheme. The obligations under this scheme are recognised in the balance sheet
and represent the present value of the obligation calculated by independent actuaries, with input from management. These
actuarial valuations include assumptions such as discount rates, return on assets and mortality rates. These assumptions
vary from time to time, depending on prevailing economic conditions. Details of the assumptions used are provided in
note 24. At 31 March 2026, the net liability of the scheme included in the Statement of Financial Position was £1.4 million
(2025: £4.5 million).
The assessment of the potential impact of the Virgin Media ruling, and the application of the Pension Schemes Act 2026,
requires significant judgement. This includes determining whether relevant historic amendments were made without required
actuarial confirmation; assessing whether such amendments fall within the scope of the statutory remediation framework; and
forming a view, with input from the scheme actuary, as to whether retrospective actuarial confirmation can be supported.
The directors have exercised judgement in concluding that no liability adjustment is required at this stage. This conclusion is
based on advice received and the existence of a legislative remedy but remains subject to uncertainty pending completion of the
scheme’s review.
Impairment
The carrying value of property, plant and equipment and goodwill are tested annually for impairment as described in notes
12, 13, 14 and 16. For the purposes of the annual impairment testing, the directors recognise Cash Generating Units (CGUs)
to be those assets attributable to an individual dealership, which represents the smallest group of assets that generate cash
inflows that are independent from other assets or CGUs. The recoverable amount of each CGU is based on the higher of its fair
value less costs to sell and its value in use. The fair value less costs to sell of each CGU is based upon the market value of any
property contained within it and is determined by an independent valuer, and its value in use is determined through discounting
future cash inflows (as described in detail in note 16). As a result of this review, the directors considered that no impairments
were required to the carrying value of its property assets (2025: no impairments) (see notes 12, 13, 14 and 16).
Inventory provisions
The Company carries significant inventories of new and used cars, as well as operating its own fleet of sales demonstrators and
courtesy cars for service customers. These cars are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value by reference to trade
valuation guides, after adjusting for the mileage and condition of the cars. At the year-end, the Company held a provision against
the cost of its used inventory of £0.4 million (2025: £0.3 million). The directors considered that this provision was sufficient to
ensure that inventories were shown at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Taxation
The Company has significant deferred tax assets with a carrying value of £2.4 million (2025: £2.5 million). These primarily relate
to carried forward corporation tax losses, Advanced Corporation Tax and carried forward Corporate Interest Restriction and are
detailed in note 25 to these financial statements. Management have assessed the recoverability of these amounts based on the
future forecast financial performance and results as the recoverability of these amounts is dependent on future taxable profits.
The directors considered that no impairments were required to the carrying value of these deferred tax assets
(2025: no impairments required).
2. General information
Caffyns plc is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 and is listed on
the London Stock Exchange. The address of the registered office is Meads Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7DR. Its
revenue is attributable to the sole activity of operating as a motor retailer in the south-east of the United Kingdom and comprises
revenue from:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Sale of goods 251,079 256,995
Rendering of services and agency sales commission income 19,582 18,469
Total revenue 270,661 275,464
64
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Sales of motor vehicles, parts and aftersales services
The Group’s full revenue recognition policy is set out in the section on Material Accounting Policies under the heading Revenue
Recognition. The Group generates revenue through the sale of new and used motor vehicles and of parts (together comprising
Sale of goods as shown above), and through facilitating the delivery of new cars under an agency sales model as well as the
provision of aftersales services in the form of vehicle servicing, maintenance and repairs and introducing customers to finance
companies (together comprising Rendering of services as shown above).
The Group recognises revenue from the sale of new and used motor vehicles when a customer takes possession of the vehicle,
at which point they have an obligation to pay in full and as such control is considered to transfer at this point. The Group typically
receives cash equal to the invoice amount for most direct retail sales to consumers at the time the consumer takes possession
of the vehicle. When the consumer has taken out a finance agreement to purchase the vehicle, the Group receives payment
from the finance company at the time the consumer takes possession of the vehicle. Payment terms on sales to corporate
customers typically range from seven to ten days. The Company acts as an agent in instances where it facilitates sales that have
been arranged by the manufacturer.
The Group recognises revenue from the provision of aftersales services when the service has been completed, at which point
customers have an obligation to pay in full. The Group typically receives cash equal to the invoice amount for most direct retail
sales to consumers at the time the service has been completed. Payment terms on sales to corporate customers typically range
from 30 to 60 days.
All revenue recognised in the Income Statement is from contracts with customers and no other revenue has been recognised.
No impaired losses have been recognised on any receivables arising from a contract with a customer.
Due to the nature of the Group’s contractual relationships with customers and the nature of the services provided, there are
no timing differences between revenue recognised in the Income Statement and trade receivables being recognised in the
Statement of Financial Position.
There have been no significant judgements regarding the timing of transactions or the associated transaction price.
The transaction price is set out in individual contractual agreements and there is a range of prices based on the types of goods
and services offered. There are no variable pricing considerations.
Contract liabilities relating to aftersales service plans
Where the Group receives an amount of consideration in advance of completion of performance obligations under a contract
with a customer, the value of the advance consideration is, initially, recognised as a contract liability within liabilities. Revenue is
subsequently recognised as the performance obligations are completed over the period of the contract (i.e. as control is passed
to the customer). Contract liabilities are presented within trade and other payables in the Statement of Financial Position and
disclosed in note 20 Trade and other payables. Approximately one-third of the value of these liabilities would be anticipated to be
recognised as revenue in each of the next three financial years.
Contract costs
The Group applies the practical expedient in paragraph 94 of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts and recognises the incremental
costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortisation period of the assets that the Group otherwise
would have recognised is one year or less. The Group is satisfied that any incremental costs incurred in obtaining contracts that
extend for more than one year are immaterial.
Transaction price allocation to remaining performance obligations
The Group applies the practical expedient in paragraph 121 of IFRS 15 and does not disclose information about remaining
performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.
Segmental reporting
Based upon the management information reported to the chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive, in the opinion
of the directors, the Company has one reportable segment. The Company physically operates and is managed from individual
dealership sites, although strategic and investment decisions are made based on dealership groupings or market territories.
The Company’s individual dealerships represent a range of manufacturers, but are considered to have similar economic
characteristics, such as margin structures, and offer similar products and services to a similar customer base. As such, the
results of each dealership have been aggregated to form one reportable segment. There are no major customers amounting to
10% or more of revenue. All revenue and non-current assets derive from, or are based in, the United Kingdom.
65
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
3. Non-underlying items
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Net gain on disposal of freehold property 64
Other income, net 64
Within operating expenses:
Service cost on pension scheme (15) (15)
(15) (15)
Non-underlying items within operating profit (15) 49
Net finance expense on pension scheme (219) (409)
Non-underlying items within net finance expense (219) (409)
Total non-underlying items before taxation (234) (360)
Taxation credit on non-underlying items 58 90
Total non-underlying items after taxation (176) (270)
Underlying results exclude items that, in the judgement of the directors, have non-trading attributes, being unrelated to the
primary motor trade business of the Company. Management therefore consider these items should be disclosed separately
in order to enable a full understanding of the operating results. Non-underlying items comprise only profits and losses from
disposal of freehold property, gains arising from lease extensions from freehold property, impairment charges against non-
current assets, costs attributable to vacant properties held pending their disposal, net financing return and service cost on
pension obligations in respect of the defined benefit pension scheme, which is closed to future accrual, and Company-wide
operational restructuring and redundancy costs. All other activities are treated as underlying but are not designed to replace the
requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards.
4. Operating profit
Operating profit has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Employee benefit expense 20,167 19,045
Depreciation of property, plant, equipment and investment property
– owned assets
– right-of-use assets
1,747
380
1,753
388
Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment (151) (64)
Short-term lease rentals payable – land and buildings 86 68
Rental income (267) (328)
The Company applies the exemption in IFRS 16 Leases not to recognise right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases with a
duration of less than twelve months.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
66
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Operating profit has been arrived at after charging:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Auditor’s remuneration
Fees payable to the Company’s Auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts 90 115
Fees payable to the Company’s Auditor and its associates for other services:
– pursuant to legislation being review of interim financial statements 15 23
105 124
The Company’s Statutory Auditor in the current year is Kreston Reeves Audit LLP and for the previous year was BDO LLP.
The statutory audit of the Caffyns Pension Scheme is performed by Cooper Parry LLP.
A description of the work of the Audit & Risk Committee is set out in the Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance on
pages 23 and 24 and includes an explanation of how Auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded when non-audit
services are provided by the Statutory Auditor.
The Company refers to underlying profit and underlying EBITDA as being key alternative performance measures when
considering the results for the year. These performance metrics can be reconciled to the Company’s result for the year as
follows:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
(Loss)/profit for the year (1,286) 176
Tax (credit)/charge (note 9) (435) 70
(Loss)/profit before tax (1,721) 246
Net finance expense (notes 7 and 8) 3,184 3,301
Non-underlying items within operating profit (note 3) 15 (49)
Depreciation charged on property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and
investment properties (notes 12, 13 and 14) 2,127 2,141
Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”) 3,605 5,639
5. Other income
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Rent receivable 267 328
Gain on sale of personalised number plate 160 138
Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets 151 64
Other income 578 530
6. Employee benefit expense
The average number of people (full-time equivalents) employed in the following areas was:
Group and Company
2026
Number
2025
Number
Sales 127 136
Aftersales 208 201
Administration 79 78
Average number of full-time equivalents employees 414 415
67
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
6. Employee benefit expense continued
Employee benefit expense, including directors, during the year amounted to:
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Wages and salaries 17,484 16,892
Social security costs 2,214 1,745
Contributions to defined contribution plans 454 393
Other pension costs (see note 24) 234 424
Employee benefit expense 20,386 19,454
Directors’ emoluments were:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits 732 708
Details of the directors’ remuneration are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 28 to 41.
Key management compensation:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits 1,487 1,480
Key management personnel includes the directors and other key operational employees. During the year, one member of key
management personnel purchased a car from the Company on normal commercial terms for a sum of £36,000
(2025: no members of key management personnel purchased any cars).
7. Finance expense
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Interest payable on bank borrowings 819 955
Interest payable on inventory stocking loans (see note 20) 1,874 1,612
Interest on lease liabilities 143 150
Finance costs amortised 66 124
Preference dividends (see note 11) 72 72
Other miscellaneous interest 3 5
Finance income on interest in lease (12) (26)
Finance expense 2,965 2,892
8. Finance expense on pension scheme
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Defined benefit pension scheme net finance expense (see note 24) 219 409
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
68
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
9. Tax
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Current tax
UK corporation tax
Adjustments recognised in the period for current tax of prior periods 152
Total charge/(credit) 152
Deferred tax (see note 25)
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (343) (33)
Adjustments recognised in the period for deferred tax of prior periods (92) (49)
Total credit (435) (82)
Tax charged/(credited) in the Income Statement (435) 70
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
(Loss)/profit before tax (1,721) 246
Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 25% (2025: 25%) (430) 62
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit 197 326
Movement in rolled over and held over gains (110) (490)
Other differences
69
Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior periods
(92)
103
Tax charge/(credit) for the year (435) 70
The current year total tax credit was impacted by the effect of non-deductible expenses, which includes non-qualifying depreciation.
The total tax (credit)/charge for the year is made up as follows:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Total current tax charge/(credit) 152
Deferred tax charge/(credit)
Credited in the Income Statement (435) (82)
Charged/(credited) against other comprehensive expense 504 427
Total deferred tax charge/(credit) 69 345
Total tax charge/(credit) for the year 69 497
Factors affecting future tax charges
The Company has unrelieved trading losses of £4.0 million (2025: £0.7 million) and a Corporate Interest Restriction of
£1.3 million (2025: £1.1 million), both of which will be available for offset against profits made in future periods.
A deferred tax asset totalling £1.3 million (2025: £0.4 million) has been accounted for in deferred tax (see note 25).
The Company also has unrelieved advance corporation tax of £0.3 million (2025: £0.3 million), which is available to be utilised
against future mainstream corporation tax liabilities and is accounted for in deferred tax (see note 25).
69
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
10. Earnings per Ordinary share
The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to Ordinary shareholders divided by the
weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. Treasury shares are treated as cancelled for the purposes of this
calculation.
The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share, adjusted to allow for the issue of shares
and the post-tax effect of dividends and/or interest on the assumed conversion of all dilutive options and other dilutive potential
Ordinary shares.
Reconciliations of earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below.
Underlying Basic
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
(Loss)/profit before tax (1,721) 246 (1,721) 246
Adjustments:
Non-underlying items (note 3) 234 360
(Loss)/profit before tax (1,487) 606 (1,721) 246
Tax (note 9) 377 (160) 435 (70)
(Loss)/profit after tax (1,110) 446 (1,286) 176
(Losses)/earnings per share (pence) (40.7)p 16.4p (47.2)p 6.4p
Diluted (losses)/earnings per share (pence) (40.7)p 16.4p (47.2)p 6.4p
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Underlying (loss)/earnings after tax (1,110) 446
Underlying (losses)/earnings per share (pence) (40.7) 16.4
Underlying diluted (losses)/earnings per share (pence) (40.7) 16.4
Non-underlying losses after tax (176) (270)
Losses per share (pence) (6.5) (10.0)
Diluted losses per share (pence) (6.5) (10.0)
Total (losses)/earnings (1,286) 176
(Losses)/earnings per share (pence) (47.2)p 6.4p
Diluted (losses)/earnings per share (pence) (47.2)p 6.4p
The number of fully paid Ordinary shares in circulation at the year-end was 2,726,811 (2025: 2,726,811). The weighted average
number of shares in issue for the purposes of the earnings per share calculation was 2,726,811 (2025: 2,726,797). Shares
granted under the Company’s SAYE scheme have been treated as dilutive. For the purposes of this calculation, the weighted
average number of shares in issue for the purposes of the earnings per share calculation were 2,726,811 (2025: 2,726,959).
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
70
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
11. Dividends
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Preference shares
7% Cumulative First Preference 12 12
11% Cumulative Preference 48 48
6% Cumulative Second Preference 12 12
Included in finance expense (see note 7) 72 72
Ordinary shares
Interim dividend of 5.0 pence per Ordinary share paid in respect
of the current year (2024: 5.0 pence) 136 136
Final dividend paid of 5.0 pence per Ordinary share in respect of the
March 2024 year-end (2023: 15.0 pence) 137 137
273 273
The board is declaring a final dividend of 5.0 pence per Ordinary share in respect of the year ended 31 March 2026.
12. Right-of-use assets
Group and Company £’000
Deemed cost
At 1 April 2024 4,024
Additions 245
At 31 March 2025 4,269
Deemed cost
At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 4,269
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2024 1,681
Depreciation for the year 388
At 31 March 2025 2,069
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2025 2,069
Depreciation for the year 380
At 31 March 2026 2,449
Net book value
At 31 March 2026 1,820
At 31 March 2025 2,200
The right-of-use assets above represent four long-term property leases for premises from which the Company operates
a Volkswagen dealership in Brighton, a Volvo dealership in Worthing and two car storage compounds in Eastbourne and
Tunbridge Wells.
Depreciation charges of £380,000 (2025: £388,000) in respect of right-of-use assets were recognised within Administration
Expenses in the Income Statement.
The interest expense on the associated lease liability of £143,000 (2025: £150,000) is disclosed in note 7. Payments made in
the year on the above leases were £470,000 (2025: £456,000), representing repayments of both capital and interest.
Payments made in the year under other leases with contractual periods of 12 months or less, which have not been required to
be capitalised, of £86,000 (2025: £68,000) are disclosed in note 4.
71
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
13. Property, plant and equipment
Group and Company
Freehold
property
£’000
Leasehold
improvements
£’000
Fixtures &
fittings
£’000
Plant &
machinery
£’000
Total
£’000
Cost or deemed cost
At 1 April 2024 43,250 1,995 5,735 4,741 55,721
Additions at cost 388 10 398 269 1,065
Disposals (27) (225) (67) (319)
At 31 March 2025 43,611 2,005 5,908 4,943 56,467
Cost or deemed cost
At 1 April 2025 43,611 2,005 5,908 4,943 56,467
Additions at cost 15 612 200 827
Disposals (250) (193) (443)
At 31 March 2026 43,611 2,020 6,270 4,950 56,851
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2024 8,500 753 4,400 3,354 17,007
Depreciation charge
for the year 718 85 453 415 1,671
Disposals (224) (67) (291)
At 31 March 2025 9,218 838 4,629 3,702 18,387
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2025 9,218 838 4,629 3,702 18,387
Depreciation charge
for the year 760 86 469 376 1,691
Disposals (247) (163) (410)
At 31 March 2026 9,978 924 4,851 3,915 19,668
Net book value
31 March 2026 33,633 1,096 1,419 1,035 37,183
31 March 2025 34,393 1,167 1,279 1,241 38,080
31 March 2024 34,750 1,242 1,335 1,387 38,714
Short-term leasehold improvements for both the Company and the Group comprises net book value of £1,096,000 (2025:
£1,167,000) in the Statement of Financial Position.
Depreciation charges of £1,691,000 (2025: £1,671,000) in respect of property, plant and equipment were recognised within
Administration Expenses in the Income Statement. Based on the valuation of the Company’s freehold properties undertaken by
CBRE, no impairment charges were required in the year.
The freehold properties were originally revalued externally on 31 March 1995 by Herring Baker Harris, Chartered Surveyors, at
open market value for existing use (which then approximated to fair value). Freehold properties acquired since that date, and the
other assets listed above, have been stated at cost in accordance with IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment.
The Company valued its portfolio of freehold premises and investment properties as at 31 March 2026. The valuation was
carried out by CBRE Limited, Chartered Surveyors, in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors valuation
– global and professional standards requirements. The valuation is based on existing use value, which has been calculated by
applying various assumptions as to tenure, letting, town planning, and the condition and repair of buildings and sites including
ground and groundwater contamination. Management are satisfied that this valuation is materially accurate. The excess of the
valuation over net book value, as at 31 March 2026, of those sites was £10.7 million (2025: £11.2 million). In accordance with
the Company’s accounting policies, this surplus has not been incorporated into these financial statements.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
72
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
14. Investment properties
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Cost
At 1 April 3,385 9,650
Reclassified to Held for Sale Asset (6,265)
At 31 March 3,385 3,385
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 872 2,434
Depreciation charge for the year 56 82
Reclassified to Held for Sale Asset (1,644)
At 31 March 928 872
Net book value
At 31 March 2,457 2,513
Depreciation charges of £56,000 (2025: £82,000) in respect of Investment properties were recognised within Administration
Expenses in the Income Statement. Based on the valuation of the Company’s freehold properties undertaken by CBRE, no
impairment charges were required in the year.
The fair value measurement of the CGU in its entirety was categorised as a Level 3 within the hierarchy set out in IFRS 13
Fair Measurement. The valuation technique that is used to measure the fair value less costs of disposal is consistent with
that applied in respect of the Company’s property, plant and equipment, which is set out in note 12. The CGU comprises
two freehold properties leased to third parties and the following are the key assumptions on which the directors based their
determination of fair value less costs of disposal in respect of that CGU:
Property 1 Property 2
Market value of buildings per square foot: £283 Market value of buildings per square foot: £145
Market value of site per acre: Between £7.35 million Market value of site per acre: Between £2.41 million
Initial and reversionary yields: 6.9% and 8.5%, respectively Initial and reversionary yields: 7.9% and 6.0%, respectively
Costs of disposal: Between 6.0% Costs of disposal: Between 6.2%
As described in note 13, the total excess of the valuation of all of the Company’s freehold properties over net book value as at
31 March 2026 was £10.7 million (2025: £11.2 million). Investment properties accounted for £0.6 million (2025: £0.6 million) of
this surplus.
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Held for Sale asset (Lewes Property)
Net book value transferred from Investment Properties 4,621
Disposals proceeds (net of costs) (4,620)
Loss on disposal (1)
In the prior year, a transfer of £193,000 as a result of the disposal was made from the revaluation reserve to retained earnings.
73
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
15. Net investment in lease
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Due after more than one year
Due within one year 65
At 31 March 65
The premises shown above were sub-let to a third party under a lease, which had the same terms and duration as the
Company’s own lease. The lease ended in the year.
16. Goodwill
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Cost
At 1 April and 31 March 481 481
Provision for impairment
At 1 April and 31 March 195 195
Carrying amounts allocated to CGUs
Volkswagen, Brighton 200 200
Audi, Eastbourne 86 86
At 31 March 286 286
For the purposes of the annual impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to a CGU. Each CGU is allocated against the lowest
level within the entity at which goodwill is monitored for management purposes. Consequently, the directors recognise CGUs to
be those assets attributable to individual dealerships and the table above sets out the allocation of goodwill into the individual
dealership CGUs. The carrying amount of goodwill allocated to the Volkswagen, Brighton CGU is the only amount considered
significant in comparison with the Group’s total carrying amount of goodwill.
Goodwill impairment reviews are undertaken annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount may not be recoverable and a potential impairment may be required. Impairment reviews have been performed
for all CGUs for the years ended 31 March 2025 and 2026.
Valuation basis
The recoverable amount of each CGU is based on the higher of its fair value less selling costs and value in use. The fair value
less selling costs of each CGU is based initially upon the market value of any property contained within it and is determined by
an independent valuer as described in note 13. Where the fair value less selling costs of a CGU indicates that an impairment
may have occurred, a discounted cash flow calculation is prepared in order to assess the value in use of that CGU, involving the
application of a pre-tax discount rate to the projected, risk-adjusted pre-tax cash inflows and terminal value.
The two CGUs noted below both relate to leasehold premises and, therefore, only the value-in-use calculation is appropriate.
Period of specific projected cash flows (Volkswagen, Brighton CGU)
The recoverable amount of the Volkswagen, Brighton CGU is based on value in use. Value in use is calculated using cash flow
projections for a five-year period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. These projections are based on the most recent budget
that has been approved by the board being the budget for the year ending 31 March 2027. The key assumptions in the most
recent annual budget on which the cash flow projections are based relate to expectations of sales volumes and margins,
and expectations around changes in the operating cost base. These assumptions are based on past experience, adjusted to
expected changes, and on external sources of information. The cash flows include ongoing capital expenditure required to
maintain the dealership, but exclude any growth capital expenditure projects to which the Group was not committed at the
reporting date.
In the initial year of the impairment test, this CGU is forecast to have net cashflows of £0.2 million growing by 106% over a
four-year period to reach £0.5 million by 2031. This anticipated growth reflects the products and markets in which the CGU
operates and does not give rise to an impairment. Forecast growth from internal forecasts is based on a combination of
internal and external information. Based on these forecasts, the headroom available on the total future profits is £3.2 million
(2025: £1.5 million) before an impairment would be necessary.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
74
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Period of specific projected cash flows (Volvo, Worthing CGU)
The recoverable amount of the Volvo, Worthing CGU is based on value in use. Value in use is calculated using cash flow
projections for a five-year period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. These projections are based on the most recent budget
that has been approved by the board being the budget for the year ending 31 March 2027. The key assumptions in the most
recent annual budget on which the cash flow projections are based relate to expectations of sales volumes and margins,
and expectations around changes in the operating cost base. These assumptions are based on past experience, adjusted to
expected changes, and on external sources of information. The cash flows include ongoing capital expenditure required to
maintain the dealership, but exclude any growth capital expenditure projects to which the Group was not committed at the
reporting date.
In the initial year of the impairment test, this CGU is forecast to have net cashflows of £0.4 million growing by 11% over a four-
year period to reach £0.5 million by 2031. This anticipated growth reflects the products and markets in which the CGU operates
and does not give rise to an impairment. Forecast growth from internal forecasts is based on a combination of internal and
external information. Based on these forecasts, the headroom available on the total future profits is £1.6 million
(2025: £0.3 million) before an impairment would be necessary.
Discount rate
The cash flow projections have been discounted using a rate derived from the Group’s pre-tax weighted average cost of capital,
adjusted for industry and market risk. The discount rate used was 11.4% (2025: 12.4%).
Terminal growth rate
The cash flows subsequent to the forecast period are extrapolated into the future over the useful economic life of the CGU using
a steady or declining growth rate that is consistent with that of the product and industry. These cash flows form the basis of
what is referred to as the terminal value. The growth rate to perpetuity beyond the initial budgeted cash flows used in the value in
use calculations to arrive at a terminal value is 0.5% (2025: 0.5%). Terminal growth rates are based on management’s estimate
of future, long-term average growth rates.
Conclusion
At 31 March 2026, no impairment charge in respect of goodwill was identified (2025: no impairment charge).
Sensitivity to changes in key assumptions
Impairment testing is dependent on estimates and judgements, particularly as they relate to the forecasting of future cash flows.
The outcome of the impairment test is not sensitive to reasonably possible changes in respect of the projected cash flows, the
discount rate applied, nor in respect of the terminal growth rate assumed.
17. Investments in subsidiary undertakings
The Company owns the whole of the issued Ordinary share capital of Caffyns Wessex Limited, Caffyns Properties Limited and
Fasthaven Limited, all of which are dormant. The amount at which the investments are stated is equivalent to the net assets
of the subsidiaries. All subsidiary undertakings are registered in England and Wales and have their registered office at Saffrons
Rooms, Meads Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 7DR.
Company £’000
Cost
At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 476
Provision
At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 226
Net book value
At 31 March 2026 250
At 31 March 2025 250
75
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
18. Inventories
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Vehicles 30,560 29,420
Vehicles on consignment 20,452 13,792
Oil, spare parts, materials and work in progress 1,350 1,213
At 31 March 52,362 44,425
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Inventories recognised as an expense during the year 233,795 237,494
Inventories stated at net realisable value 1,216 1,072
Carrying value of inventories subject to retention of title clauses 34,167 27,092
Vehicle inventories held under consignment stocking arrangements are deemed to be assets of the Group and are included on
the Statement of Financial Position from the date of consignment, with the exception of vehicles allocated by the manufacturer
to the Company but physically held in manufacturer-controlled central compounds and which can be called down by any
dealer. At 31 March 2026 such vehicles not recognised on the Company’s balance sheet amounted to £832,000 (2025: £Nil).
The corresponding liabilities to the manufacturers are included within trade and other payables. Inventories can be held on
consignment for a maximum consignment period set by the manufacturer, which is generally between 180 and 365 days.
Interest is payable in certain cases for part of the consignment period, at various rates indirectly linked to the Bank of England
base rate.
During the year, £21,000 (2025: £20,000) was recognised in respect of the write-down of inventories of spare parts due to
general obsolescence.
19. Trade and other receivables
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Trade receivables 8,616 9,033
Allowance for doubtful debts (9) (16)
8,607 9,017
Prepayments 264 402
Other receivables 1,090 694
At 31 March 9,961 10,113
All amounts are due within one year.
The Group makes an impairment provision for all debts that are considered unlikely to be collected. At 31 March 2026, trade
receivables were shown net of an allowance for impairment of £9,000 (2025: £16,000). The charge recognised during the year
was £3,000 (2025: £16,000).
Trade receivables have been classified at amortised cost under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Not impaired:
Neither past due nor impaired 8,542 8,892
Past due up to three months but not impaired 65 125
At 31 March 8,607 9,017
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
76
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
The movement in the allowance for impairment during the year was:
At 1 April 16 8
Impairment recognised in the Income Statement 3 16
Utilisation
(10)
(8)
At 31 March
9
16
All amounts are due within one year.
Credit risk
The Company’s principal financial assets are trade receivables, bank balances and cash that represent the Company’s maximum
exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.
The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables that are due on the earlier of the presentation of the
invoice or the expiry of a credit term. The amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Position are net of allowances
for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Company’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the
current economic environment. Consequently, the directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables
approximates to their fair value.
Before granting any new customer credit terms, the Company uses external credit rating agencies to assess the potential new
customer’s credit quality and to define credit facility limits to be made available. These credit limits and creditworthiness are
regularly reviewed. The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and unrelated. The Company
has no customer that represents more than 5% of the total balance of trade receivables.
20. Trade and other payables
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Trade payable 28,506 23,727
Obligations relating to consignment stock 20,452 13,792
Vehicle stocking loans 9,531 8,623
Social security and other taxes 1,522 1,769
Accruals 2,244 2,444
Deferred income 403 411
Other creditors 243 1,015
Group total 62,901 51,781
Amounts owed to Group undertakings 250 250
Company total 63,151 52,031
Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The average credit
period taken for these trade-related purchases was 34 days (2025: 28 days).
The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to fair value.
The Group finances the purchases of new car inventory through the use of consignment funding facilities provided by its
manufacturer partners and which are shown above as Obligations relating to consignment stock. Vehicles are physically
supplied by the manufacturers with payment deferred until the earlier of the registration of the vehicle or the end of the
consignment period, generally between 180 and 365 days. In certain circumstances, consignment periods can be extended
with the agreement of the manufacturer. The consignment funding facilities attract interest at a commercial rate.
77
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
20. Trade and other payables continued
The Group utilises vehicle stocking loans to assist with the purchase of certain used car inventory. Facilities are available from
both its manufacturer partners and a third-party finance provider and are generally available for a period of 90 days from the date
of purchase. These vehicle stocking loans attract interest at a commercial rate. Interest charges on consignment stocking loans
and vehicle stocking loans described above for the year ended 31 March 2026 were £1,874,000 (2025: £1,612,000).
The obligations relating to consignment stock are all subject to retention of title clauses for the vehicles to which they relate.
Obligations for used and demonstrator cars that have been funded are secured on the vehicles to which they relate and are
shown above as vehicle stocking loans. From a risk perspective, the Company’s funding is split between manufacturers through
their related finance arms and that funded by the Company through bank borrowings.
The movements in deferred income in the year were as follows:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
At 1 April 411 452
Utilisation of deferred income in the year (943) (1,015)
Income received and deferred in the year 935 974
At 31 March 403 411
Management are satisfied in respect of the brought-forward deferred income for both the year under review and prior years, that
the amount of deferred income not recognised as revenue in the year is not material.
21. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Current liabilities:
Secured bank loans and overdrafts 1,375 1,375
Unsecured other loan 70 70
1,445 1,445
Non-current liabilities:
Secured bank loans 10,313 10,688
Unsecured other loan 105 175
10,418 10,863
At 31 March 11,863 12,308
Cash balances held at 31 March 2026 were £4.6 million (2025: £3.8 million) so that net bank borrowings at year-end were
£7.3 million (2025: £8.5 million).
Note 22 sets out the maturity profile of non-current liabilities. The directors estimate that there is no material difference between
the fair value of the Company’s borrowings and their book value. The loan and overdraft facilities provided to the Company of
£18.3 million (2025: £18.8 million) are secured by a general debenture and fixed charges over certain freehold properties.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
78
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
22. Financial instruments
The Group utilises financial instruments such as bank loans and overdrafts and new and used vehicle stocking loans to finance
its operations and to manage the interest rate and liquidity risks that arise from those operations and from its sources of finance.
The disclosures below apply to the Group and the Company unless otherwise noted.
Group and Company
2026
carrying
value
£’000
2025
carrying
value
£’000
Carrying value of financial assets
and liabilities:
Primary financial instruments
held or issued to finance operations Classification
Long-term bank borrowings (note 21) Financial liability measured at amortised cost (10,313) (10,688)
Long-term other loan (note 21) Financial liability measured at amortised cost (105) (175)
Bank revolving credit facility (note 21) Financial liability measured at amortised cost (1,000) (1,000)
Secured short-term bank borrowings
(note 21) Financial liability measured at amortised cost (375) (375)
Unsecured short-term borrowings Financial liability measured at amortised cost (70) (70)
Trade and other payables (note 20) Financial liability measured at amortised cost (60,976) (49,490)
Lease liabilities (note 23) (1,958) (2,362)
Trade and other receivables (note 19) Financial asset at amortised cost 9,697 9,711
Cash and cash equivalents Financial asset at amortised cost 4,605 3,762
Preference share capital (note 26) Financial liability measured at amortised cost (812) (812)
The amounts noted in the above table are the
same for the Company except for:
Trade and other payables (note 20) Financial liability measured at amortised cost (61,196) (49,650)
The carrying values of financial assets and liabilities in the table above approximate their value due to their nature and term.
Financial risk management
The Group is exposed to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:
a) Funding and liquidity risk – the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its obligations as they fall due;
b) Credit risk – the risk of financial loss to the Group on the failure of a customer or counterparty to meet their obligations as
they fall due; and
c) Market risk – the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates, have on the Group’s financial performance.
The Group manages credit and liquidity risk by particularly focusing on working capital management. The Group’s quantitative
exposure to these risks is explained throughout these financial statements whilst the Group’s objectives and management of
these risks is set out below.
Capital management
The Group views its financial capital resources as primarily comprising share capital, bank loans and overdrafts, vehicle stocking
credit lines and operating cash flow.
The board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base to facilitate market confidence and safeguard the Group’s ability to
continue as a going concern whilst maximising the return on capital to the Group’s shareholders. The Group monitors its capital
through closely scrutinising and reviewing its cash flows. The capital of the Group is £29.9 million (2025: £29.9 million) and
comprises share capital, share premium, retained earnings and other reserve accounts: the capital redemption reserve, the
non-distributable reserve and the other reserve. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the
level of dividends paid to the holders of Ordinary shares, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to
reduce debt. The Group’s ratio of net bank loans and overdrafts to equity was 24% at 31 March 2026 (2025: 29%). Capital
requirements imposed externally by HSBC are that borrowings should not exceed 70% of the current open-market value for
existing use of the Group’s freehold properties, certain of which are subject to a fixed charge.
79
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
22. Financial instruments continued
The underlying pre-tax return as a proportion of equity for the year was a negative return of 5.0% (2025: positive return of 2.0%).
The Company has occasionally repurchased its own shares in the market and cancelled them to promote growth in earnings per
share. There is no predetermined plan for doing this, although the Company has permission from its shareholders to buy back
up to 15% of its equity in any one financial year. The Company may also purchase its own shares to satisfy share incentives
issued to employees and these shares are then held as treasury shares.
Treasury policy and procedures
The Company’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in interest rates. There are no fixed rate borrowings
other than preference shares.
Funding and liquidity risk management
The Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits and borrowings from bank, vehicle stocking credit
lines and operating cash flow. The Group’s policy is to maintain a balance between committed and uncommitted facilities and
between term loans and overdrafts. Facilities are maintained at levels in excess of planned requirements. At 31 March 2026,
the Group held cash in hand balances of £4.6 million (2025: £3.8 million) and had undrawn floating rate borrowing facilities of
£6.5 million (2025: £6.5 million) represented by overdrafts and revolving credit facilities, which would be repayable on demand, in
respect of which all conditions precedent had been met. The Group is not directly exposed to foreign currency risk.
Interest rate management
The objective of the Group’s interest rate policy is to minimise interest costs whilst protecting the Group from adverse
movements in interest rates. Borrowings at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk, whereas borrowings
at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group does not currently hedge any interest rate risk.
Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis
As all of the Group’s borrowings and vehicle stocking credit lines are floating rate instruments, they therefore have a sensitivity
to changes in market rates of interest. The effect of a change of 100 basis points in interest rates for floating rate instruments
outstanding at the period end, on the assumption that the instruments at the period end were outstanding for the entire period,
would change interest charges by £168,000 (2025: £172,000) before tax relief.
Credit risk management
The Group’s receivables are all denominated in Sterling. The Group is exposed to credit risk, primarily in respect of its trade
receivables and financial assets. Trade receivables are stated net of provision for estimated impairment losses. Exposure to
credit risk in respect of trade receivables is mitigated by the Group’s policy of only granting credit to certain customers after
an appropriate evaluation of their credit risk. Credit risk also arises in respect of amounts due from manufacturers in relation to
bonuses and warranty receivables. This risk is mitigated by the range of manufacturers dealt with, the Group’s procedures in
effecting timely collection of amounts due, and management’s belief that it does not expect any manufacturer to fail to meet its
obligations. Finance assets comprise cash balances. The counterparties are major banks and management do not expect any
counterparty to fail to meet its obligations. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of the
financial asset in the Statement of Financial Position.
These objectives, policies and strategies are consistent with those applied in the previous year.
Group and Company
2026
carrying
value &
fair value
£’000
2025
carrying
value &
fair value
£’000
Bank balances and cash equivalents 4,605 3,762
The net bank borrowings of the Company at 31 March 2026 were £7.3 million (2025: £8.5 million).
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
80
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Interest-bearing overdrafts and loans due within one year 1,445 1,445
Interest-bearing bank loans due after more than one year 10,418 10,862
Less: Cash and cash equivalents (4,605) (3,762)
At 31 March 7,258 8,545
All borrowings are denominated in Sterling. The effective interest rates for all borrowings are based on bank base rates.
Information regarding classification of balances and interest and the range of interest rates applied in the year to 31 March 2026
are set out in the following table:
Carrying value
& fair value Classification
Interest
classification
Interest rate
range
Current: within one year or on demand
Bank revolving-credit facility 1,000 Amortised cost Floating VBBR* + 2.64%
Bank term loan 375 Amortised cost Floating SONIA** + 2.75%
Other loan 70 Amortised cost Fixed 1.54%
Trade and other payables (60,751) Amortised cost
Carrying value
& fair value Classification
Interest
classification
Interest rate
range
Not repayable within one year
Term loan 4,313 Amortised cost Floating SONIA** + 2.75%
Revolving credit facility 6,000 Amortised cost Floating SONIA** + 2.75%
Other loan 105 Amortised cost Fixed 1.54%
Preference share capital 812 Amortised cost Fixed
* Volkswagen Bank Base Rate, a base rate calculated by Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch.
** Sterling Overnight Index Average.
The maturity of non-current borrowings is as follows:
Borrowings Leases Preference shares Total
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Between one and two years 10,383 10,758 378 336 10,761 11,094
Between two and five years 35 105 462 738 497 843
Over five years 790 646 812 812 1,602 1,458
At 31 March 10,418 10,863 1,630 1,720 812 812 12,860 13,395
With regard to the table above, maturities include amounts drawn under bank term loans and revolving credit facilities,
manufacturer loans, lease liabilities and preference shares. The Company’s revolving credit facility with HSBC can continue to
be drawn in whole, or part, at any time, under a facility that continues until April 2027. The Company’s bankers recognise the
current difficulties being experienced by the motor retail sector and remain very supportive and, subsequent to the end of the
year, this review date was extended by twelve months to April 2028. The maturities of the bank borrowings represent the final
payment dates for those drawn facilities as at 31 March 2026. The maturities of lease liabilities represent the undiscounted future
repayments on those leases. The preference shares are not redeemable so have no set repayment date.
81
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
22. Financial instruments continued
In the table below, cash flows from preference shares have been restricted to the total borrowing outstanding at the balance
sheet date. If the bank revolving credit facilities drawn at the year-end were redrawn at the Group’s usual practice of three-
monthly drawings, the total cash outflows, assuming interest rates remain at the same rates as at year-end, contractual
payments over the next five years on an undiscounted basis would be:
Borrowings Leases Preference shares Total
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Within one year 2,245 2,273 451 547 60 60 2,756 2,880
Between one and two years 10,447 10,824 448 451 60 60 10,955 11,335
Between two and three years 35 71 347 448 60 60 442 579
Between three and four years 35 154 347 60 60 214 442
Between four and five years 113 154 60 60 173 214
Over five years 1,107 1,108 512 512 1,619 1,620
Contractual cash flows within
five years of the balance sheet
date 12,727 13,203 2,620 3,055 812 812 16,159 17,070
The Group has a term loan with HSBC, first entered into in March 2018 with a loan advance of £7.5 million, at a rate of interest
of 2.75% above SONIA. The loan had a current term to next expire in April 2027 and is repayable over 20 years. Subsequent
to the end of the year, this review date was extended by twelve months to April 2028. The balance outstanding on this term
loan at 31 March 2026 was £4.7 million (2025: £5.1 million) with capital repayments in the year of £0.4 million. HSBC also make
available to the Group a revolving credit facility of £6.0 million at a rate of interest of 2.75% above SONIA. This facility has a
current term to next expire in April 2027. Subsequent to the end of the year, this review date was extended by twelve months
to April 2028. The balance drawn as at 31 March 2026 was £6.0 million (2025: £6.0 million). These facilities are subject to
covenants which, for the current year, were tested with respect to debt/freehold property values and Senior EBITDA levels. The
covenant tests for the quarters ended 30 September and 31 December were waived by HSBC but the remaining covenant tests
were passed in the year ended 31 March 2026. The failure of a covenant test would render these facilities repayable on demand
at the option of the lender.
For the coming year ending 31 March 2027, HSBC have agreed to amend the interest cover covenant test to four cumulative
Senior EBITDA hurdles, which the board is satisfied will be achieved. The previous interest cover covenant test will then be
reapplied from 30 June 2027 and will require underlying profits before Senior Interest (that being paid to HSBC and VW Bank
on its term loan and revolving credit facility borrowings), corporation tax, depreciation and amortisation (“Senior EBITDA”) for a
rolling twelve-month period to be at least three times the level of Senior Interest. Under the borrowings test, also to be reapplied
from 30 June 2027, the Company’s borrowings from HSBC and VW Bank on its term loan and revolving credit facilities must be
less than 400% of its Senior EBITDA.
The Company’s final covenant test over its levels of freehold property security requires that the level of its bank borrowings does
not exceed 70% of the independently assessed value of its charged freehold properties.
Once reapplied on 30 June 2027, all covenant tests will then continue to be tested quarterly.
No reduction in term loan or revolving credit facilities is expected to apply consequent to the trading results for the year ended
31 March 2027.
The Group also had £7.5 million of combined annual overdraft and revolving credit facilities (2025: £7.5 million) from HSBC
and Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch and these facilities are next due for renewal in August and October 2026,
respectively. The directors have every expectation that these facilities will be renewed based on the current discussions with the
relevant banks. These facilities carry interest rates of 2.75% above UK bank base rate and 2.64% above VBBR, respectively.
The Group has granted security to HSBC and Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch by way of a general debenture over
its assets and a fixed charge over certain freehold property. The Company has five freehold properties that are not subject to a
security charge with a value at 31 March 2026 of £5.1 million (2025: £5.3 million). The total value of assets subject to a charge
at 31 March 2026 in the Statement of Financial Position was £71.6 million (2025: £72.1 million). The Group has also granted
security to its defined benefit pension scheme by way of certain fixed first and second charges over certain freehold properties.
The second charges rank in priority behind those charges granted to HSBC and Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch.
The ongoing costs associated with the bank facilities are included in finance expense (see note 7).
The preference shares in issue do not have a maturity date as they are non-redeemable.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
82
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
23. Lease liabilities
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Deemed liability
At 1 April 2,362 2,607
Additions in the year 245
Interest charge for the year 143 151
Lease payments (547) (641)
At 31 March 1,958 2,362
Due in less than one year 328 642
Due after more than one year 1,630 1,720
At 31 March 1,958 2,362
24. Retirement benefit scheme
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Fair value of scheme assets 57,752 55,880
Present value of the defined benefit pension obligation (59,174) (60,403)
Scheme deficit at 31 March (1,422) (4,523)
Description of scheme
The Company operates a pension scheme, the Caffyns Pensions Scheme (“the Scheme”), which provides benefits based on
final pensionable pay until 31 March 2006. With effect from 1 April 2006, the Scheme closed to new entrants and all members
in the final salary section were transferred to the career average section for future service and certain benefits were reduced.
Depending on the proportion of pensionable pay purchased, the Company contribution rates varied between 4% and 15%. With
effect from 1 April 2010, the Scheme closed to future accrual with all members transferred to a defined contribution scheme for
their future service. As part of the 2014 funding valuation, it was agreed that the inflation measure used to set in-deferment and
in-payment increases for pensions in excess of guaranteed minimum pensions would change from the Retail Prices Index to the
Consumer Prices Index for members (or dependents of members) who were in service on, or after, 1 April 1991.
The Scheme is run by a board of trustees who are responsible for the operation and governance of the Scheme, including
making decisions regarding the Scheme’s funding and investment strategy, in conjunction with the Company. The assets of the
Caffyns Pensions Scheme, administered by Capita Employee Solutions, are held separately from those of the Company, being
held in separate funds by the trustees of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme. The Scheme rules do not impose a restriction on the
level of Scheme asset that may be reported under IAS 19. The Scheme has been registered with the Pensions Regulator and
is subject to the scheme-specific funding requirements as outlined in UK legislation. The liabilities are determined by a qualified
independent actuary based on triennial valuations using the projected unit method. The most recent completed actuarial
valuation was at 31 March 2023. A new actuarial valuation will be completed as at 31 March 2026 and will be submitted to the
Pensions Regulator on or before 30 June 2027.
Description of expected cash flows to and from the Scheme
As part of the 31 March 2023 funding valuation, the trustees and the Company agreed a recovery plan with a view to eliminating
the scheme-specific funding shortfall by January 2031. This recovery plan requires the Company to make basic annual
deficit-reduction contributions to the Scheme, starting at £0.8 million in the year and increasing thereafter by 2.25% per annum.
In addition, the Company agreed to make an additional payment of £2.1 million over a four-year period, with £1 million being
paid in the prior year, £0.5 million in the current year, and then £0.5 million in the following year and £0.1 million in the year
ending 31 March 2028. In the year to 31 March 2026, the Company contributed £1.3 million (2025: £4.2 million) to fund the
existing deficit. During the prior year, the Company sold a freehold property in Lewes for a cash consideration of £4.7 million.
The Scheme held a security charge over the property and, in return for releasing that charge, received an additional cash
contribution into the Scheme of £2.4 million.
The Company and the Scheme also agreed that the monetary excess of any Ordinary dividends paid to shareholders in excess
of 22½ pence per Ordinary share in any given year until the end of the present recovery plan will be matched by a further equal
contribution into the Scheme.
83
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
24. Retirement benefit scheme continued
Over the year to 31 March 2027, the Company expects to contribute a minimum of £1.3 million in relation to deficit reduction
contributions. In addition, the Company will continue to make contributions towards risk benefits and to meet the administrative
expenses of the Scheme and its Pension Protection Fund levies.
The liabilities of the Scheme are based on the current value of expected benefit payment cash flows to members of the Scheme
over the coming decades. The mean average duration of the liabilities is approximately 10 years. Expected benefit payments in
the year to 31 March 2027 are £4.8 million.
Risks to the Scheme
The ultimate cost of the Scheme to the Company will depend upon actual future events rather than the assumptions made.
Many of the assumptions made are unlikely to be borne out in practice and, as such, the cost of the Scheme may be higher, or
lower, than disclosed. In general, the risk to the Company is that assumptions underlying the disclosures, or the calculation of
contribution requirements, are not borne out in practice and the cost to the Company is higher than expected.
More specifically, the Scheme exposes the Company to actuarial risks such as:
Interest rate risk – the present value of the defined benefit liability is calculated using a discount rate determined by
reference to market yields of corporate bonds, whereas the Scheme holds a mixture of investments. A decrease in market
yield on high-quality corporate bonds will increase the Company’s defined benefit liability, although it is expected that this
would be offset partially by an increase in the fair value of certain of the Scheme’s assets;
Investment risk – the Scheme’s assets at 31 March 2026 are invested by two appointed fiduciary management companies,
SEI Investments (Europe) and Towers Watson Limited. The Company is in the process of completing the transition of its
appointed fiduciary manager to Towers Watson Limited. The investment in various types of asset funds is intended to reduce
risk whilst maintaining planned returns;
Longevity risk – the Company is required to provide benefits for life for the members of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme.
Increases in life expectancy of the members will increase the defined benefit liability; and
Inflation risk – a significant proportion of the defined benefit liability is linked to inflation. An increase in the inflation rate will
increase the Company’s liability. A portion of the Scheme’s assets are inflation-linked debt securities, which would mitigate
some of the effect of inflation.
The Company has applied IAS 19 Employee Benefits (Revised) to this scheme and the following disclosures relate to this
Standard. The Company recognises any remeasurement (actuarial gains and losses) in each period in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income.
Results of most recent actuarial valuation
The assumptions that have the most significant effect on the results of the valuation are those relating to rates of mortality, the
discount rate used to reflect the present value of scheme liabilities, and the rate of inflation. As at the year-end, the last available
actuarial valuation was at 31 March 2023 and showed that the market value of the assets of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme
were £61.9 million and that the value of those assets represented 93% of the actuarial value of the benefits that had accrued to
employees at that date. The deficit arising at 31 March 2023 of £4.8 million, compared to a deficit of £10.0 million under IAS 19,
and was due to different assumptions being adopted for the triennial valuation.
The costs and liabilities of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme are based on actuarial valuations. At the year-end, the latest available
full actuarial valuation carried out at 31 March 2023, was updated to 31 March 2026 by Willis Towers Watson, independent
qualified actuaries, for the requirements of IAS 19. Details of the actuarial assumptions are as follows:
2026 2025
Mortality tables used: females 104% of SAPS series 3 104% of SAPS series 3
Mortality tables used: males 109% of SAPS series 3 109% of SAPS series 3
Future improvements in mortality CMI 2025 + 1.25% CMI 2023 + 1.25%
Discount rate 6.00% 5.65%
Inflation (CPI) 3.05% 2.80%
Pension increase for in-payment benefits (CPI max 5%) 3.00% 2.80%
The discount rate adopted is based upon the yields of high-quality corporate bonds of appropriate duration.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
84
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure scheme liabilities are set out below:
Assumption Change in assumption Impact on scheme liabilities
Discount rate Increase/decrease by 0.1% +/- £0.6 million
Pension increases Increase/decrease by 0.1% +/- £0.4 million
Mortality Increase/decrease by 0.1% +/- £2.2 million
The fair value of assets of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme for each class of asset, all of which have a quoted market price in an
active market, are as follows:
Market value
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
LDI fund 21,780 19,591
Growth fund 34,630 35,649
Equity instruments 1,342 640
At 31 March 57,752 55,880
Two fiduciary managers, Towers Watson Limited and SEI Investments (Europe) Limited operated in the year with the role of
fiduciary manager continuing to transition from SEI Investments (Europe) to Towers Watson Limited. The fiduciary managers
operate with the objective of improving the performance of the assets of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme. Assets of the Scheme
(excluding cash in the trustees’ administrative bank account) at 31 March 2026 were invested 38% (2025: 35%) in LDI funds,
60% (2025: 64%) in return enhancing growth funds and 2% (2025: 1%) in Caffyns plc shares.
In accordance with the requirements of IAS 19 Employee Benefits, the expected return on assets is based on the discount rate
noted above of 6.0% and not the return on the underlying portfolio of investments. Consequently, the charge to the Income
Statement for the year ending 31 March 2027 is expected to be approximately £61,000.
Equity instruments include shares in Caffyns plc, which are detailed in note 29.
The assumptions used by the actuary are the best estimates based on market conditions chosen from a range of possible
actuarial assumptions, which, due to the timescales covered, may not necessarily be borne out in practice.
Life expectancy at age 65 (in years):
2026
Male
2026
Female
2025
Male
2025
Female
Member currently aged 65 21.3 23.9 20.8 23.7
Member currently aged 45 22.5 25.3 22.1 25.1
A liability for the defined benefit pension scheme deficit is included in the Statement of Financial Position under the heading of
non-current liabilities.
Analysis of the movement in the net liability for defined benefit obligations recognised
in the Statement of Financial Position
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
At 1 April (4,523) (10,036)
Expense recognised in the Income Statement (234) (424)
Contributions paid by the Company 1,320 4,230
Net remeasurement recognised in other comprehensive income 2,015 1,707
At 31 March (1,422) (4,523)
85
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
24. Retirement benefit scheme continued
Total expense recognised in the Income Statement
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Interest cost 3,294 3,195
Interest income on Scheme assets (3,075) (2,786)
Interest – net (see note 8) 219 409
Current service cost 15 15
234 424
Changes in the present value of the defined benefit pension obligation
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
At 1 April 60,403 68,805
Service cost 15 15
Interest cost 3,294 3,195
Actuarial (gains)/losses – experience 243 (920)
Actuarial (gains)/losses – demographic assumptions
637
(156)
Actuarial gains – financial assumptions
(1,189)
(6,054)
Benefits paid (4,229) (4,482)
At 31 March 59,174 60,403
In October 2018, the High Court issued a judgement, which required pension schemes to equalise members’ benefits to
address the unequal effect of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions between genders. In assessing the present value of the pension
liabilities, an allowance for the liabilities to increase by 0.9% continues to be made for the estimated cost of this Guaranteed
Minimum Pensions equalisation process.
The Group has considered the implications of the High Court and Court of Appeal judgements in Virgin Media Ltd v NTL
Pension Trustees II Ltd (the “Virgin Media ruling”), which raised questions regarding the validity of certain historical amendments
to contracted-out defined benefit pension schemes where required actuarial confirmation under section 37 of the Pension
Schemes Act 1993 may not have been obtained.
In April 2026, the UK Government enacted the Pension Schemes Act 2026, which provides a statutory mechanism to
retrospectively validate affected amendments through actuarial confirmation. The Group’s pension scheme is currently
undertaking a review, with support from legal and actuarial advisors, to determine whether any amendments fall within the scope
of this legislation and whether retrospective validation can be obtained.
Based on work performed to date, the Group is continuing its assessment. Given the availability of the statutory remediation
framework and the stage of the review, no adjustment has been recognised in these financial statements.
Movement in the fair value of scheme assets
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
At 1 April 55,880 58,769
Interest income 3,075 2,786
Actuarial losses – financial assumptions 1,706 (5,423)
Contributions paid by the Company 1,320 4,230
Benefits paid (4,229) (4,482)
At 31 March 57,752 55,880
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
86
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
25. Deferred tax
Group and Company
The following are the major deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised and the movements thereon during the current and
prior reporting period.
Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£’000
Unrealised
capital gains
£’000
Retirement
benefit
obligations
£’000
Short-term
temporary
differences
£’000
Trading
losses
and CIR
£’000
Recoverable
ACT
£’000
Total
£’000
At 1 April 2024 (1,124) (1,465) 2,509 (21) 326 343 568
Change in tax rates and
prior year adjustments (163) 212 49
Arising from origination
and reversal of
temporary differences (37) 490 (952) 622 (89) 34
Recognised in other
comprehensive income 427 427
At 31 March 2025 (1,324) (975) 1,130 601 449 343 224
At 1 April 2025 (1,324) (975) 1,130 601 449 343 224
Prior year
adjustments (4) 96 92
Arising from origination
and reversal of
temporary differences (72) 108 (272) (202) 781 343
Recognised in other
comprehensive income (504) (504)
At 31 March 2026 (1,400) (867) 354 399 1,326 343 155
The movement in items arising from origination and reversal of temporary difference in the table above arise primarily from the
requirement to spread forward the pension contributions made in the year ended 31 March 2025 of £4.2 million to the defined-
benefit Caffyns Pension Scheme, as required under tax legislation.
The Company carries a balance of surplus unrelieved advanced corporation tax (“ACT”), which can be utilised to reduce
corporation tax payable subject to a restriction of 25% of taxable profits less shadow ACT calculated at 25% of shareholder
Ordinary dividends. Shadow ACT has no effect on the corporation tax payable itself but any surplus shadow ACT on dividends
must be fully absorbed before surplus unrelieved ACT can be utilised. At the commencement of the financial year under review
on 1 April 2025, there was Shadow ACT outstanding of £203,000. During the year, Shadow ACT generated by the payment
of dividends was unable to be utilised, so no surplus ACT could be utilised in the year. The remaining value of surplus ACT
available for utilisation in future periods at 31 March 2026 was £343,000 (2025: £343,000). Shadow ACT carried forward at
31 March 2026 was £271,000 (2025: £203,000).
87
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
25. Deferred tax continued
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current
tax liabilities and it is considered that this requirement is fulfilled. The offset amounts are as follows:
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Deferred tax liabilities (2,267) (2,299)
Deferred tax assets 2,422 2,523
At 31 March 155 224
The unrealised capital gains include deferred tax on gains recognised on revaluing the land and buildings in 1995 and where
potentially taxable gains arising from the sale of properties have been rolled over into replacement assets. Such tax would
become payable only if such properties were sold without it being possible to claim rollover relief.
Trading losses and Corporate Interest restrictions available for use in future periods amounted to £5.3 million (2025: £1.8 million).
Based on forecasts prepared, the directors conclude that these losses will reverse against future profitability.
26. Called-up share capital
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Authorised
500,000 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each 500 500
1,250,000 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each 1,250 1,250
3,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10 pence each 300 300
4,000,000 Ordinary shares of 50 pence each 2,000 2,000
At 31 March 4,050 4,050
Allotted, called up and fully paid
170,732 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each 171 171
441,401 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each 441 441
2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10 pence each 200 200
Total preference shares recognised as a financial liability (see note below) 812 812
2,879,298 Ordinary shares of 50 pence each 1,439 1,439
At 31 March 2,251 2,251
At 1 April 2025, the Company held 2,726,811 Ordinary shares with 152,487 shares held in treasury. During the year, none of
these treasury shares were utilised so shares held in treasury at 31 March 2026 remained at 152,487. In the prior year, 505
treasury shares were utilised under the 2020 SAYE scheme. The remaining treasury shares are held to fulfil the requirements of
any future Company SAYE schemes for eligible employees. The market value of these shares at 31 March 2026 was £0.6 million
(2025: £0.7 million). Dividend income from, and voting rights on, the shares held in treasury have been waived.
The 7% Cumulative First Preference shares have rights to a fixed dividend and, in the event of a winding-up, a priority to the
Ordinary shares for a capital repayment. The shares do not have voting rights.
The 11% Cumulative Preference shares have rights to a fixed dividend and, in the event of a winding-up, a priority to the
Ordinary shares for a capital repayment. The shares do not have voting rights.
The 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares continue to have voting rights (one vote per Second Preference share) except in
relation to matters, which under the Listing Rules, as amended from time to time, are required to be voted on only by Ordinary
shareholders.
Although the Articles of Association of the Company give the directors discretion to pay the preference dividend only if they
consider there are adequate profits, such dividends are cumulative. For this reason, the directors consider that the preference
shares have the characteristic of a financial liability rather than equity, and, consequently, the preference shares are included as a
non-current liability. None of the preference shares have rights of conversion.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
88
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
27. Share-based payments
Year of grant
Exercise
price
Exercise
date
Number at
1 April
2024 Issued Cancelled
Number at
31 March
2025
2020 £3.06 February 2024 505 (505)
Year of grant
Exercise
price
Exercise
date
Number at
1 April
2025 Issued Lapsed
Number at
31 March
2026
2020 £3.06 February 2024
All grants made under the Company’s Save As You Earn (“SAYE”) schemes were for periods of three years and vest in Ordinary
shares. The market value of the shares at the date of the grant of the 2020 SAYE scheme options was £3.85.
The fair value of the grants made under the SAYE scheme is charged to the Income Statement over the vesting period based on
the valuation derived from an adjusted Black-Scholes model. The volatility factor for movements in the Company’s share price
used in the valuation model was estimated at 65%.
The Company did not operate a SAYE scheme in either the year nor the prior year so the total expense included within operating
profit relating to share-based payments was £Nil (2025: £Nil).
28. Notes to the cash flow statement
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
(Loss)/profit before tax for the year (1,721) 246
Adjustments for net finance expense 3,184 3,301
1,463 3,547
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and impairments of property, plant and equipment, investment
properties and right-of-use assets 2,129 2,141
Cash payments into the defined benefit pension scheme (1,320) (4,230)
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment (151) (64)
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 2,121 1,394
Increase in inventories (7,938) (2,173)
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 154 (2,802)
Increase in payables 11,133 6,194
Cash generated by operations 5,470 2,613
Tax received, net of payments 39
Interest paid (2,977) (2,916)
Net cash generated from/(absorbed) by operating activities 2,532 (303)
All interest payments are treated as operating cash movements as they arise from movements in working capital.
89
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
28. Notes to the cash flow statement continued
Reconciliation of debt
Group and Company
Bank
and other
loans
£’000
Revolving
credit
facilities
£’000
Lease
liabilities
£’000
Preference
shares
£’000
Liabilities
arising from
financing
activities
£’000
Bank
and cash
balances
£’000
Net
debt
£’000
At 1 April 2024 5,753 6,000 2,607 812 15,172 (438) 14,734
Cash movement (445) 1,000 (642) (87) (3,324) (3,411)
Non-cash movement 397 397 397
At 31 March 2025 5,308 7,000 2,362 812 15,482 (3,762) 11,720
Current liabilities 445 1,000 642 2,087 (3,762) (1,675)
Non-current liabilities 4,863 6,000 1,720 812 13,395 13,395
At 31 March 2025 5,308 7,000 2,362 812 15,482 (3,762) 11,720
At 1 April 2025 5,308 7,000 2,362 812 15,482 (3,762) 11,720
Cash movement (445) (547) (992) (843) (1,835)
Non-cash movement 143 143 143
At 31 March 2026 4,863 7,000 1,958 812 14,633 (4,605) 10,028
Current liabilities 445 1,000 328 1,773 (4,605) (2,832)
Non-current liabilities 4,418 6,000 1,630 812 12,860 12,860
At 31 March 2026 4,863 7,000 1,958 812 14,633 (4,605) 10,028
Non-cash movements in lease liabilities relate to an extension in the year of an existing lease and interest charges.
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
90
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
29. Related parties
The remuneration of directors is set out in note 6 and in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for each of the categories specified
in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Further information about the remuneration of individual directors is provided in the
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 28 to 41.
The 2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares have full voting rights along with the Ordinary shares, except
in relation to matters which, under the Listing Rules, as amended from time to time, are required to be voted on only by
Ordinary shareholders. These Cumulative Second Preference shares are beneficially owned by Caffyn Family Holdings Limited
(“Holdings”). Mr S G M Caffyn and Ms S J Caffyn are directors of Holdings. The whole of the issued share capital of Holdings is
held by close relatives of those directors. Holdings controls directly 42.3% (2025: 42.3%) of the voting rights of Caffyns plc. The
directors and shareholders of Holdings are also beneficial holders of 496,816 (2025: 496,816) Ordinary shares in Caffyns plc
representing a further 10.5% (2025: 10.5%) of the voting rights. It is, therefore, considered that the Caffyn family is the ultimate
controlling party. As required under the Stock Exchange Listing Rules, the Company entered into a Relationship Agreement
with Holdings on 6 November 2014, whereby Holdings undertakes to the Company that it shall exercise its voting rights and
shall exercise all its powers to ensure, so far as it is properly able to do so, that its associates shall exercise their respective
voting rights and exercise all their respective powers to ensure, to the extent that they are able by the exercise of such rights to
procure, that:
a) transactions and arrangements between any member of the Company and Holdings (and/or any of its associates) will be
conducted at arm’s length and on normal commercial terms;
b) neither Holdings nor any of its associates will take any action that would have the effect of preventing the Company from
complying with its obligations under the Listing Rules; and
c) neither Holdings nor any of its associates will propose or procure the proposal of a shareholder resolution, which is intended,
or appears to be intended, to circumvent the proper application of the Listing Rules.
Directors of the Company and their immediate relatives control 14.7% (2025: 15.0%) of the issued Ordinary share capital of the
Company. Dividends of £15,000 were paid to directors in the year (2025: £15,000).
Caffyns Pension Scheme
Details of contributions are disclosed in note 24.
The Caffyns Pension Scheme held the following investments in the Company:
Fair value
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Shares held:
125,570 (2025: 125,570) Ordinary shares of 50 pence each 502 565
12,862 (2025: 12,862) 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each 20 20
At 31 March 522 585
During the year to 31 March 2026, the Company paid management fees of £283,000 (2025: £336,000) on behalf of the
Caffyns Pension Scheme. These costs comprised the Pension Protection Fund levy, actuarial advisory fees and external
administration fees.
91
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
30. Leases as a lessor
The Group as a lessor – finance leases
At 31 March 2026, the Company had an interest in a single lease. The total future minimum lease receipts payable are:
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Within one year 77
In two to three years
In three to four years
In four to five years
Beyond five years
77
Finance income on the net investment in the lease was £12,000 (2025: £26,000).
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Gross undiscounted cash flows 77 263
Unearned finance income (12) (38)
Net investment in lease 65 225
The Group as lessor – operating leases
The Company’s gross property rental income earned during the year from the direct lease of two (2025: three) investment
properties owned by the Group was £267,000 (2025: £328,000). No contingent rents were recognised in income (2025: £Nil).
At 31 March 2026, there were contracts for land and buildings with tenants for the following lease rentals receivable:
Group and Company
2026
£’000
2025
£’000
Within one year 263 263
In two to three years 263 263
In three to four years 241 241
In four to five years 241 241
Beyond five years 650 891
1,658 1,899
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
for the year ended 31 March 2026
92
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
31. Capital commitments
Purchase of fixed assets
The Group and the Company had capital commitments at 31 March 2026 of £0.1 million (2025: £0.2 million).
32. Contingent liability
Regulatory investigation into discretionary commission arrangements
In October 2024, the High Court ruled that lenders and credit brokers are liable to customers where the disclosure of
commission was insufficient to obtain the customer’s informed consent and that a fiduciary duty was held to exist between the
credit broker (motor retailer) and the customer. The outcome of the case was unexpected and caused stakeholders considerable
unease and concern around historic finance commission in the sector. As a result, the Company moved to full disclosure to
customers of any applicable finance commission and there was no noticeable change in consumer behaviour. In April 2025, the
Supreme Court heard an appeal against this High Court ruling and in July 2025 overturned two of the three cases, ruling that no
fiduciary duty was owed to the customer. In one case the Supreme Court ruled that some customers had been mis-sold their
finance product. The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) launched an investigation and has determined that some customers
were mis-sold finance and are entitled to compensation. They have announced a redress scheme to cover finance agreements
made between 2007 and 2024 with payouts capped in around one in three cases to ensure customers are not put in a better
position than had they been treated fairly. Payouts are expected to commence later in 2026, subject to any further legal action
being commenced by impacted parties. The cost of compensating customers is expected to fall solely on the lender and not on
the contracting dealer.
As the implementation of the redress scheme is ongoing, the Company does not have sufficient certainty over the nature, timing
or value of any potential financial impact to be able to estimate the liability, if any, that may arise for the Company. As a result, no
liability has been recognised at 31 March 2026 in respect of this investigation.
93
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
Governance Other informationConsolidated
Financials
Our Business
Five-Year Review
(unaudited)
2022
£’000
2023
£’000
2024
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
Income Statement
Revenue 223,928 251,426 262,084 275,464 270,661
Underlying operating profit 5,690 4,827 2,114 3,498 1,478
Finance expense (1,116) (1,687) (2,680) (2,892) (2,965)
Underlying profit/(loss) before tax 4,574 3,140 (566) 606 (1,487)
Non-underlying items (189) (50) (979) (360) (234)
Profit/(loss) before tax 4,385 3,090 (1,545) 246 (1,721)
Profit/(loss) after tax 2,999 2,524 (1,204) 176 (1,286)
EBITDA 7,712 6,955 4,212 5,439 3,607
Basic earnings/(loss) per Ordinary share 111.3p 93.6p (44.3)p 6.4p (47.2)p
Underlying earnings/(loss) per Ordinary share 117.0p 95.1p (17.3)p 16.4p 140.7p
Dividend per Ordinary share payable in respect of the year 22.50p 22.50p 10.00p 10.00p 10.00p
2022
£’000
2023
£’000
2024
£’000
2025
£’000
2026
£’000
As at year-end
Shareholders’ funds 34,731 31,662 28,736 29,921 29,873
Property, plant and equipment* 46,621 45,676 45,930 40,593 39,640
Bank overdrafts and loans (net) 10,428 8,086 11,315 8,545 7,258
Bank overdrafts and loans/shareholders’ funds (gearing) 30% 26% 39% 29% 24%
Retirement benefit liability 2,797 8,799 10,036 4,523 1,422
* Represents property, plant and equipment and investment properties.
94
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026www.caffyns.co.uk
Our Dealerships
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Stock code CFYN
GovernanceOur Business Other informationConsolidated
Financials
95
AUDI
BRIGHTON:
EASTBOURNE:
WORTHING:
200 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 5AT (01273 553061)
Edward Road, Eastbourne BN23 8AS (01323 525700)
Roundstone Lane, Worthing BN16 4BD (01903 231111)
MG
ASHFORD: Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford TN24 0HB (01233 504620)
CUPRA
TUNBRIDGE WELLS:
WORTHING:
North Farm Industrial Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3EL (01892 515700)
Nightingale Avenue, Worthing BN12 6FH (01903 257017)
LOTUS
KENT: Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford TN24 0HB (01233 504630)
SEAT
TUNBRIDGE WELLS:
WORTHING:
North Farm Industrial Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3EL (01892 515700)
Nightingale Avenue, Worthing BN12 6FH (01903 926505)
SKODA
ASHFORD:
EASTBOURNE:
TUNBRIDGE WELLS:
The Boulevard, Ashford TN24 0GA (01233 504600)
Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne BN23 6PW (01323 925441)
North Farm Industrial Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3EL (01892 515700)
VAUXHALL
ASHFORD: Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford TN24 0HB (01233 504604)
VOLKSWAGEN
BRIGHTON:
EASTBOURNE:
HAYWARDS HEATH:
WORTHING:
Victoria Road, Portslade BN41 1YD (01273 425600)
Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne BN23 6PW (01323 647141)
Market Place, Haywards Heath RH16 1DB (01444 451511)
Nightingale Avenue, Worthing BN12 6FH (01903 837878)
VOLVO
EASTBOURNE:
WORTHING:
Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne BN23 6PJ (01323 418300)
Palatine Road, Worthing BN12 6JH (01903 507124)
MOTORSTORE
ASHFORD:
Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford TN24 0HB (01233 504624)
HEAD OFFICE
EASTBOURNE: Meads Road, Eastbourne BN20 7DR (01323 730201)
Caffyns plc Annual Report 2026
Caffyns plc
Meads Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN20 7DR
www.caffyns.co.uk
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