Policies and information

Bestway Group Limited UK Tax Strategy

This UK tax strategy applies to Bestway Group UK Limited and its UK based subsidiaries, referred to as “the Group”*, and is published in accordance with Paragraphs 19(2) and 22(2), Schedule 19, of Finance Act 2016, which requires large groups to publish their UK tax strategy in respect of its UK entities.

This tax strategy was published on 30 June 26, and the Group regards this publication as complying with its duty under paragraph 16(2) Schedule 19 FA 2016 in its financial year ended 30 June 2026.

Tax risk management

The Board of Directors approve this UK tax strategy, and the day-to-day management of the Group’s tax affairs is the responsibility of the in-house Finance teams in conjunction with support from external tax advisors.

The Group seeks to reduce the level of tax risk arising from its operations as far as is reasonably practicable by ensuring that reasonable care is applied in relation to all processes which could materially affect its compliance with its tax obligations.

The Group’s finance function, together with support from reputable external advisers, proactively seeks to identify, evaluate, manage, and monitor tax risks, ensuring appropriate utilisation of the existing finance team and external tax advisers to meet tax compliance requirements; Overall responsibility and ultimate accountability for tax risk management remains with the Group’s Board.

Governance in relation to UK taxation

  • Ultimate responsibility for the Group’s tax strategy and compliance rests with the Board of Directors of Bestway Group UK Limited.
  • The Board of Directors of Bestway Group UK Limited (‘the Board’) assigns responsibility for ongoing management of tax risk to the relevant Board of Directors of the Group’s main business units: Bestway Wholesale and Bestway Healthcare.
  • These businesses have Executive Teams whose responsibility it is to manage this risk.
  • Any material or sensitive tax risk items are escalated to the Board by the Board of Directors of the main business units.
  • Day-to-day management of the Group's tax affairs is delegated to the Tax Manager, with oversight from one of the following, dependent on the relevant entity they are responsible for:
    • Chief Financial Officer of Bestway Wholesale
    • Chief Financial Officer of Bestway Healthcare
    • Financial Controller of Group

    The Board ensures that the Finance team is appropriately staffed with suitably qualified and experienced individuals who understand tax and can meet the business’s tax compliance requirements and assess tax risk. Where any knowledge gaps are identified, the Board ensures that appropriate external support is obtained.
  • The Board of Directors ensures that the Group’s tax strategy is appropriately considered as a key factor in all investment decisions and other significant business activities undertaken.
  • The Board of Directors of Bestway Group has ultimate responsibility and specifically oversees the following entities, with oversight assigned to the Chief Operating Officer of Bestway Wholesale as SAO:
    • Bestway Group UK Limited
    • Bestway UK Holdings Limited
    • Bestway UK FinCo Limited
    • Bestway Wholesale Holdings Limited

  • The Board of Directors of the Group assigns responsibility for management of tax risk to the Board of Directors of Bestway Wholesale Limited for the following entities, with oversight assigned to the Chief Operating Officer of Bestway Wholesale as SAO:
    • Bestway Wholesale Limited
    • Bestway Northern Limited
    • Batleys Properties Limited
    • Palmbest Limited
    • MAP Trading Limited
    • Bestway Retail Limited
    • Costcutter Supermarkets Holdings Limited
    • Costcutter Supermarkets Group Limited
    • Ebor Foodmarkets Limited
    • Adam Foodservice Trading Ld
    • Eve Transport Ltd
    • D.B Ramsden & Company Limited

  • The Board of Directors of the Group assigns responsibility for management of tax risk to the Board of Directors of Bestway Panacea Holdings Limited (trading as Well Pharmacy) for the following entities, with oversight assigned to the Chief Financial Officer of Well Pharmacy as SAO:
    • Bestway Healthcare Holdings Limited and its group of companies***

    Risk management

  • The Group seeks to minimise tax risk arising from its operations, as it is reasonably practicable, by ensuring that reasonable care is applied to all processes that could materially affect its compliance with tax obligations.
  • Processes relating to different taxes are allocated to appropriate process owners, who review activities and processes to identify key risks and the mitigating controls in place. These key risks are monitored for business and legislative changes that may affect them, and changes to processes or controls are made where required.
  • The Group ensures that appropriately qualified individuals are in place within the business to meet its tax compliance requirements and to assess tax risk. Adequate resources are made available and training is provided to relevant individuals, and where there are areas of uncertainty, appropriate external professional advisers are engaged to provide specialist advice.

    • Tax planning and attitude to risk

    The level of risk which Group accepts in relation to UK taxation is consistent with its overall objective of achieving certainty in the group’s tax affairs.

    The Group’s primary objective is to achieve certainty in its tax affairs, and it is fully committed to complying with UK tax law and HMRC guidance. This includes paying the right amount of tax at the right time, making full and accurate disclosures of all relevant facts and circumstances to HMRC, and claiming available reliefs, exemptions, and incentives in a manner that is consistent with both the letter and the spirit of the law.

    When entering into commercial transactions, the Group seeks to utilise available tax incentives, reliefs, and exemptions in a manner that is fully in line with, and in the spirit of, applicable tax legislation. The Group does not undertake any form of tax planning that is unrelated to, or not driven by, genuine commercial transactions and business activities. Where there is uncertainty on how to interpret tax law on any business transaction, The Group proactively engages with advisors and where applicable with tax authorities to seek clarity.

    Intra-group transactions are conducted on an arm’s length basis that reflects the underlying business and commercial realities of the transaction and comply with the relevant transfer pricing rules and guidance issued by the tax authorities in the respective jurisdictions.

    The Group is committed to paying the correct amount of taxation. The UK entities do not engage in artificial tax arrangements that lack genuine business or commercial substance. The Group operates a zero-tolerance approach to tax evasion and to the facilitation of tax evasion in any form.

    Relationship and approach to working with HMRC.

    The Group is committed to the principles of openness and transparency and maintains an open and constructive relationship with HMRC. This is achieved through regular meetings, updates on key developments in the business, and clear communication regarding current, future, and historical tax risks, as well as the interpretation of tax law in relation to all relevant UK taxes.

    The Group seeks to discuss any potential tax issues with HMRC at an early stage. When submitting tax computations and returns, the Group reviews the relevant facts and consults on any transactions or issues where there is potential uncertainty in the appropriate tax treatment.

    Any inadvertent errors in submissions made to HMRC are fully disclosed as soon as reasonably practicable after they are identified.


    * The Group includes the following companies: Bestway Group UK Limited, Bestway UK Holdings Limited, Bestway UK FinCo Limited, Bestway Wholesale Holdings Limited, Bestway Wholesale Limited, Bestway Northern Limited, Batleys Properties Limited, Palmbest Limited, Adam Foodservice Trading Ltd, Eve Transport Ltd, MAP Trading Limited, Bestway Retail Limited, Costcutter Supermarket Holdings Limited, Costcutter Supermarkets Group Limited, Ebor Foodmarkets Limited ,D.B. Ramsden & Company Limited and Bestway Healthcare Holdings Limited**.
    **This entity has a group of companies including: Bestway Healthcare Holdings Limited’s Group of companies includes Bestway Healthcare Finco Limited, Bestway Panacea Holdings Limited, Bestway Pharmacy NDC Limited, Donald Wardle and Son Limited, Lexon UK Holdings Limited, Norchem Healthcare Limited, Lexon (UK) Limited, Key Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharmdata Limited, Asurex Limited, Bestway National Chemists Limited, Bestway Belfast Chemists Limited, Frosts Group Limited, LP North Eleven Limited, LP North Thirteen Limited, John Bell & Croyden Limited, L&P 244 Limited, Frosts Pharmacy Limited.
    ***This entity has a group of companies including: Bestway Healthcare Holdings Limited’s Group of companies includes Bestway Healthcare Finco Limited, Bestway Panacea Holdings Limited, Bestway Pharmacy NDC Limited, Donald Wardle and Son Limited, Lexon UK Holdings Limited, Norchem Healthcare Limited, Lexon (UK) Limited, Key Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharmdata Limited, Asurex Limited, Bestway National Chemists Limited, Bestway Belfast Chemists Limited, Frosts Group Limited, LP North Eleven Limited, LP North Thirteen Limited, John Bell & Croyden Limited, L&P 244 Limited, Frosts Pharmacy Limited.
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