It seems difficult to pin down the legal ownership of HUKD - closest attempt I could find was this thread

AFAIK they've always been separate companies. The link has been the directors

The Related Party Disclosure in the accounts reads:

The Director, (named) is also the controlling shareholder in Tipping Canoe Ltd, a company registered in Seychelles. Services for software customisation totalling £12,016 (2010 £162,776) were provided by Tipping Canoe Ltd during the financial year

I expect you're right, Richard. I made no comment about the validity of their statement - but that's what they claim in their public response to discussion of the figures!

I've read that HUKD is now separate from Q, or at least much more separate than they once were, however I don't know exactly what situation exists between the two companies these days.

Is HUKD a trading name of Maple Syrup Media Ltd, or is there a separate company?

Their (audited) accounts make no mention of other income sources within the company (there is only one company, so the term "parent" doesn't apply). Indeed, they give the clear impression that their turnover and profit comes ONLY from the tcb website. If there is a significant proportion of turnover generated from elsewhere, then their accounts are misleading. But I suspect they are just embarrassed by public discussion of the figures, and are trying to deflect criticism. Someone might want to ask what these 'other sources' are and what % of turnover they account for

P.S. (I assume you're referring to tcb, though the same response would apply to quidco)

richard@imutual wrote:Then tcb. From their accounts we see that the latter two are making millions of pounds from cashback users

They're keen to point out though, that the results cover all the ventures of the parent company, not just profits from cashback.

Bruce wrote:

richard@imutual wrote:I know. Unbelievable........

Oh. Michelle has just told me she thinks it's a great idea

Unbelievable but probably very popular. I reckon loads of people will leave a tip as they see it as a free service.

If 1000 people leave just 50p each, that's an extra £500 in the coffers. Not a huge amount compared to their profits, but pays for the bubbly at the office Christmas party!

They do say that it is divided amongst all their staff equally. Seems to me they could afford to pay a decent wage and not need to rely on tips.

Bruce wrote:

richard@imutual wrote:I reckon loads of people will leave a tip as they see it as a free service.

Best to point them in the direction of the published accounts then

richard@imutual wrote:I know. Unbelievable........

Oh. Michelle has just told me she thinks it's a great idea

Unbelievable but probably very popular. I reckon loads of people will leave a tip as they see it as a free service.

If 1000 people leave just 50p each, that's an extra £500 in the coffers. Not a huge amount compared to their profits, but pays for the bubbly at the office Christmas party!

I know. Unbelievable........

Oh. Michelle has just told me she thinks it's a great idea