NIGEL BRUNT PROPERTIES LIMITED
Company number 10034409 · Monitor this company
This analysis was written by an AI from the company's public filings. It may contain errors or omissions and is not financial or professional advice.
Credit Analysis: Nigel Brunt Properties Limited
1. Credit Opinion: CONDITIONAL
Reasoning: While the company demonstrates consistent profitability and a growing equity base, several material credit concerns warrant a conditional rating. The most significant red flag is the negative working capital position (£154,384 net current liabilities), meaning the company cannot cover its short-term debts from current assets alone. This is compounded by a 24% revenue decline year-on-year, extremely high debtor days (~192 days outstanding), and heavy reliance on creditor financing and group support for liquidity. The going concern basis explicitly depends on shareholder financial support, creating contingent risk. Credit facilities should only be extended with appropriate covenants and security, and with confirmation of parent company guarantee support.
2. Financial Strength
Balance Sheet Analysis:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Assets | £1,552,883 | £1,439,954 | +7.8% |
| Shareholders' Funds | £1,552,883 | £1,439,954 | +7.8% |
| Net Current Assets/Liabilities | (£154,384) | (£618,492) | Improving |
| Tangible Fixed Assets | £1,948,490 | £2,213,227 | -12.0% |
Positive indicators: - Equity has grown steadily from £125,551 (2017) to £1,552,883 (2024), demonstrating long-term value accumulation - The net current liability position has improved from (£618,492) to (£154,384), suggesting better working capital management - Provisions of £241,223 are recognised, indicating conservative accounting
Concerning indicators: - Current liabilities of £6.27M dwarf current assets of £6.12M — the business is technically insolvent on a current basis without group support - Share capital of just £1 provides virtually no equity cushion from paid-in capital - Tangible fixed assets declining, suggesting limited reinvestment or asset disposal - The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brunt Group Holdings Limited, meaning financial health is intertwined with parent company performance — no separate parent financials reviewed here
Gearing/Leverage: The absence of long-term creditors on the balance sheet suggests all debt is short-term, creating significant refinancing risk. The entire creditor base of £6.27M is due within one year.
3. Cash Flow Assessment
Profitability:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | £10,875,092 | £14,298,992 | -24.0% |
| Gross Profit | £3,435,154 | £3,164,049 | +8.6% |
| Gross Margin | 31.6% | 22.1% | +950bps |
| Operating Profit | £287,753 | £323,804 | -11.1% |
| Operating Margin | 2.6% | 2.3% | +30bps |
| Profit After Tax | £112,929 | £323,315 | -65.0% |
Key observations: - Revenue decline of 24% is significant and requires explanation — whether cyclical, contract-driven, or structural - Gross margin improvement of ~950 basis points is encouraging and suggests better contract pricing or cost management - Operating margin remains razor-thin at 2.6%, leaving minimal buffer for cost overruns or further revenue decline - The tax charge jumped from £489 to £174,856, which appears inconsistent and warrants investigation — the 2023 figure may reflect losses carried forward or group relief
Liquidity:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | £284,813 | £108,063 |
| Current Ratio | 0.98x | 0.91x |
| Quick Ratio (ex-stock) | 0.96x | 0.89x |
- Cash position improved 163% year-on-year, which is positive
- However, current ratio below 1.0x indicates structural reliance on creditor financing
- The going concern note explicitly states the company "meets its day to day working capital requirements through operating cash flows and through facilities provided by its stakeholders" and that "existing shareholders are willing to provide further financial support"
Debtors Analysis: - Debtors of £5,739,756 represent approximately 192 days of revenue — an extremely high figure - This suggests either: (a) significant overdue receivables, (b) long contractual payment terms, or (c) retentions common in construction - Given the SIC codes relate to construction, retentions are likely, but the quantum remains concerning - Year-on-year debtors only fell by £89,661 despite a £3.4M revenue decline, suggesting collection is not accelerating
Creditor Dependency: - Trade and other creditors of £6.27M likely include significant amounts due to group companies or related parties - The company is essentially funding operations through its supply chain and group support rather than own liquidity
4. Monitoring Points
| Priority | Metric | Current | Target/Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical | Current Ratio | 0.98x | Must reach >1.2x to demonstrate standalone viability |
| Critical | Debtor Days | ~192 days | Target <90 days; investigate ageing and provision adequacy |
| Critical | Revenue Trajectory | -24% YoY | Stabilisation required; clarify if contract-specific or market-driven |
| High | Operating Margin | 2.6% | Target >5% for adequate debt service buffer |
| High | Parent Company Financials | Not reviewed | Obtain Brunt Group Holdings consolidated accounts |
| High | Related Party Balances | Unknown split | Quantify intercompany creditors within £6.27M total |
| Medium | Tax Charge Consistency | £489 → £174,856 | Clarify effective tax rate and group relief arrangements |
| Medium | Provisions | £241,223 | Understand nature — contractual obligations, warranties, or legal? |
| Low | Tangible Asset Decline | -12% YoY | Clarify if disposals, depreciation, or impairment |
Additional diligence required: 1. Parent company guarantee — Any credit facility should require a guarantee from Brunt Group Holdings Limited given the subsidiary's dependence on group support 2. Intercompany position — The balance between related-party and third-party creditors must be understood; if significant creditors are group-related, they may be more forgiving but also more contingent 3. Strategic report disconnect — The strategic report discusses OOH advertising installation, but SIC codes relate to metal manufacturing and construction. Clarification needed on actual business activities 4. Filing compliance — Accounts signed 20 December 2024 for year ending 31 March 2024 represents a 9-month delay, which while not overdue, is slower than best practice