Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimatesThe principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.Basis of preparationThese abridged financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except that as disclosed in the accounting policies certain items are shown at fair value.TaxThe tax expense for the period comprises current tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a change attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.The current corporation tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted orsubstantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquidinvestments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.Trade debtorsTrade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised costusing the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of tradedebtors is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.Trade creditorsTrade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.Share capitalOrdinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.DividendsDividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the reporting period in which the dividends are declared.Defined contribution pension obligationA defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods. Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.