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INSE.GB Inspired Plc

74.50
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Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Inspired Plc AQSE:INSE.GB Aquis Stock Exchange Ordinary Share GB00BR2Q0V58
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 74.50 72.00 77.00 74.50 74.50 74.50 0.00 07:03:33
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Inspired PLC Results for the six months ended 30 June 2023 (9369L)

11/09/2023 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Inspired (AQSE:INSE.GB)
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From May 2023 to May 2024

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TIDMINSE

RNS Number : 9369L

Inspired PLC

11 September 2023

11 September 2023

Inspired PLC

("Inspired" or the "Group")

Results for the six months ended 30 June 2023

Solid financial and operational progress with strong momentum in Optimisation and ESG Divisions providing confidence in full year market expectations

Inspired (AIM: INSE), a leading technology enabled service provider supporting businesses in their drive to reduce energy consumption, deliver net-zero, control energy costs and manage their response to climate change, announces its consolidated, unaudited half-year results for the six-months ended 30 June 2023.

Financial Results

 
                                     H1 2023      H1 2022  % change 
Revenue                            GBP44.63m    GBP40.45m       10% 
Gross profit                       GBP30.99m    GBP26.81m       16% 
Adjusted EBITDA*                   GBP10.57m     GBP9.67m        9% 
Adjusted profit before tax**        GBP6.24m     GBP6.47m      (4%) 
Underlying cash generated from 
 operations***                      GBP3.40m     GBP5.77m     (41%) 
Profit before tax                   GBP0.19m     GBP2.43m     (92%) 
Adjusted diluted EPS****               4.84p        5.47p     (12%) 
Net debt                         (GBP49.10m)  (GBP42.94m)     (14%) 
Interim dividend per share             1.40p        1.30p        8% 
 
 

Highlights

 
      --   Each of the Group's four divisions traded well, with the 
            Group delivering organic revenue growth of 10% in H1 2023. 
      --   Adjusted EBITDA grew by 9% in H1 2023, with Group margins 
            remaining stable and in line with expectations at 24% 
            (H1 2022: 24%). 
      --   Adjusted profit before tax was GBP6.2m (H1 2022: GBP6.5m), 
            with growth in Adjusted EBITDA offset by increased finance 
            costs reflecting the higher levels of debt over the period, 
            and increased interest rates. 
      --   Underlying cash generation from operations ( excluding 
            non-recurring fees associated with restructuring costs) 
            was GBP3.4m; a reflection of the timing and profile of 
            the optimisation service projects in H1 2023. The Group 
            generated a further GBP4.7m of cash from operations in 
            July, or GBP8.1m across the seven-month period to 31 July 
            2023 and is confident in achieving a cash conversion ratio 
            in excess of 80% for FY23. 
      --   During the period the Group paid GBP8.6m in performance 
            fees, relating to the achievement of earnout targets by 
            prior acquisitions. 
      --   Net debt has increased in line with management's expectations 
            at 30 June 2023, driven by performance related payments 
            in relation to acquisitions, plus the timing and profile 
            of optimisation projects in the period, and is expected 
            to decrease by the year end and be in line with expectations. 
      --   The interim dividend has increased to 1.40p,(H1 2022: 
            1.30p), reflecting the Board's continued confidence in 
            the Group's prospects. 
 

Operational and Strategic Highlights

Strong performance across all four divisions, underpinned by long term structural growth drivers:

Assurance Services

 
      --   Revenues were in line with H1 2022 levels and, the Group 
            continued to see good momentum in new business generation. 
            Retention rates are continuing their recovery, following 
            an increase in client churn in FY 2022 as a result of 
            the unprecedented conditions in UK energy markets, and 
            we expect the division to return to growth in FY24. 
      --   Margins are in line with expectations with an anticipated 
            increase in overheads to maintain the highest service 
            quality standards for Inspired's clients whilst supporting 
            them in managing energy costs. 
 

ESG Services

 
      --   ESG Services continue to gain significant market traction 
            as the Group leverages its expanded service offering to 
            meet clients growing demand. 
      --   Revenues increased 98% to GBP2.4m (H1 2022: GBP1.2m) and 
            represent 500% growth in the two years since inception 
            in H1 2021, with significant further potential ahead. 
      --   ESG Services not only offer an opportunity to increase 
            the lifetime value of the existing client base but has 
            also brought new clients to the Group including YouGov 
            plc, Empiric Student Property plc, Acteon Group Limited, 
            Optimas OE Solutions Limited, FW Thorpe plc, and Dyer 
            Engineering Ltd. 
 

Optimisation Services

 
      --   Revenues grew 14% to GBP22.4m (H1 2022: GBP19.6m), as 
            the division continues to benefit from cross selling and 
            a strong step up in demand, with clients focussing on 
            the beneficial impacts of energy reduction and delivering 
            net-zero. 
      --   Largest revenue contributor to the Group, delivering c.40% 
            of the divisions expected 2023 gross profits in H1 and 
            management expects the division to deliver c.60% in H2 
            2023. 
      --   As a reflection of the growth trajectory, project activity 
            increased throughout H1 and post period end. The timing 
            and profile of the optimisation service projects commencing 
            and concluding in H1 2023 impacted the Group's underlying 
            cash generated from operations over the period with substantial 
            cash subsequently generated post period end as the associated 
            working capital unwound. Optimisation Services are a key 
            component in increasing the lifetime value of Inspired's 
            clients. The repeat demand for solutions to deliver net-zero 
            and reduce costs is significant as clients respond to 
            the macro themes of ESG and climate change. This offers 
            the opportunity to drive significant absolute EBITDA growth 
            for the Group over the long term. 
 

Software Services

 
      --   Performed well delivering 24% increase in revenues to 
            GBP1.5m (H1 2022: GBP1.2m), driven by new client acquisition 
            and an increase in revenue generated from existing customers, 
            as the Group continues to add additional modules to its 
            existing platform. 
      --   Software is rapidly becoming the market leading technology 
            platform with strong growth potential supported by the 
            Group's proprietary software platform: 'Unify'. 
 

Current trading and outlook

 
      --   The over-arching business necessity for energy efficiency 
            initiatives should support continued strong demand for 
            the value added by Optimisation Services in H2. 
      --   ESG Services is expected to maintain its strong momentum 
            in H2. 
      --   Managing energy costs and ESG have become firmly embedded 
            as operationally and commercially critical for Inspired's 
            clients, creating sustained and increasing demand for 
            Inspired's differentiated products and services in the 
            long-term. 
      --   Given this half-year performance and current trading, 
            the Board remains confident in delivering market consensus 
            for the full year 2023. 
 

Commenting on the results, Mark Dickinson, CEO of Inspired, said: "We are pleased to have delivered solid financial and operational progress during H1. The elevated volatility in the energy market has made energy procurement challenging for customers, and our staff have gone above and beyond during this time to support them. We have been delighted by the momentum achieved in the Optimisation and ESG divisions in particular, as these offerings become ever more relevant to our customers in the current climate.

"Whilst the economic backdrop continues to present risks, our solid first-half performance, strong market position and unique ability to support customers across a wide offering, provide us with confidence for H2 and beyond."

An overview video of the results, by CEO Mark Dickinson, is available to watch here: https://bit.ly/INSE_H123_overview

Note

*Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation, excluding exceptional items and share-based payments.

**Adjusted profit before tax is earnings before tax, amortisation of intangible assets (excluding internally generated amortisation related to computer software and customer databases), exceptional items, share-based payments, the change in fair value of contingent consideration and foreign exchange gains/(losses) (A reconciliation of adjusted profit before tax to reported profit before tax can be found in note 4)

***Underlying cash generated from operations is cash generated from operations, as adjusted to remove the impact of restructuring costs and fees associated with acquisitions.

****Adjusted diluted earnings per share represents the diluted earnings per share, as adjusted to remove amortisation of intangible assets (excluding internally generated amortisation related to computer software and customer databases), exceptional items, share-based payments, the change in fair value of contingent consideration and foreign exchange gains/(losses).

All per-share figures have been adjusted to reflect the 10:1 share consolidation undertaken on 3 July 2023.

For further information, please contact:

 
 Inspired PLC                               www.inspiredplc.co.uk 
 Mark Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer    +44 (0) 1772 689 250 
 Paul Connor, Chief Financial Officer 
 David Cockshott, Chief Commercial 
  Officer 
 
 Shore Capital (Nomad and Joint Broker)     +44 (0) 20 7408 4090 
 Patrick Castle 
  James Thomas 
  Rachel Goldstein 
 Liberum (Joint Broker) 
  Edward Mansfield 
  Satbir Kler                               +44 (0) 20 3100 2000 
 Alma PR                                    +44 (0) 20 3405 0205 
 Justine James                              +44 (0) 7525 324431 
  Hannah Campbell                            Inspired@almapr.co.uk 
  Will Ellis Hancock 
 
 

Chair's Statement

Inspired continues to take every opportunity to help customers mitigate the cost of energy and manage their energy consumption and carbon emissions during these challenging times.

The Group made good progress in the first half of the financial year, with the momentum continuing into H2. As a result, the Board is pleased to report robust results for the period ended 30 June 2023.

Deed of Variation - Ignite Energy LTD ("Ignite")

As we announced on 22 May 2023, the Group entered into a deed of variation to the share purchase agreement dated 9 July 2020 between the Company and vendors of Ignite Energy LTD ("Ignite Vendors"). The Optimisation Division delivered significant growth in FY22 and H1 2023, driven by an increase in demand as the ongoing energy crisis sharpened clients' focus on the economics of investment in energy reductions, combined with the drive for delivering net-zero. With national COVID-19 restrictions behind us, we are now able to deliver on-site services once again undisrupted, a material factor which is driving strong demand for our Optimisation Services the Deed of Variation will incentivise the Ignite Vendors to deliver substantial long term for Inspired in a manner that is entirely self-funding.

Dividend

Since IPO in 2011, Inspired has established a track record of delivering profitable and cash-generative growth, which has facilitated a consistent and progressive dividend policy.

Accordingly, the Board is pleased to announce an interim dividend of 1.4 pence per share (H1 2022:1.3 pence), with the H1 2022 figure adjusted to reflect the 10:1 share consolidation undertaken on 3 July 2023. The dividend aligns with the Board's stated policy of a dividend cover of at least 3x earnings, with the objective of delivering progressive dividend growth over time.

The interim dividend will be paid on 8 December 2023 to all shareholders on the register at close of business on 13 October 2023. The shares will be marked ex-dividend on 12 October 2023.

Our People

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our colleagues, who continue to work tirelessly to support our customers through the challenges of these unprecedented times. We continue to invest in our valued team and the business. The Group's priority remains to help customers mitigate the rising cost of energy, manage their energy consumption and continue to reduce carbon emissions.

Richard Logan

Chair

10 September 2023

Chief Executive Officer's Statement

The first half of 2023 has been another period of strong progress for Inspired, delivering revenue growth of 10% to GBP44.6m and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 9% to GBP10.6m reflecting the increasing demand for our differentiated solutions, and in particular optimisation services, as businesses need to manage their energy costs and commence on their journeys to net-zero.

The unprecedented conditions in the UK energy markets during 2022 sharpened our clients' focus on ensuring they have invested effectively in carbon and energy reduction; as a consequence, managing energy costs and making ESG disclosures are now firmly embedded as operationally and commercially critical for most businesses. Supporting our customers is paramount to the whole team and Inspired's solid performance in the period, positions us well to continue supporting our customers and address their growing needs.

Each of the four divisions performed well, with Optimisation and ESG delivering particularly strong revenue growth. Optimisation continues to deliver organic growth from cross selling and a strong step up in in new customer demand, with clients focussing on the beneficial impacts of energy reduction and delivering net-zero. ESG has performed exceptionally well, increasing the lifetime value of existing clients and adding new clients to the Group providing incremental cross sell opportunities. Assurance continues to see momentum in new business generation, with client churn reducing and retention rates recovering. Software continues to deliver growth, rapidly becoming the market leading technology platform with strong client wins from competing technologies in the first half of the year as well as underpinning the Group's broader service delivery.

Whilst mindful of the challenges posed by the macro-economic environment, and in particular the impact on the Assurance Services division, we still expect to deliver double digit organic growth this year across the Group which is testament to the success of our diversification strategy to become a full suite sustainability services provider and underpins the Board's confidence in the continued success of Inspired in the long-term.

Strategy

FY22 saw the completion of the Group's initial five-year strategy to transition into a full suite sustainability services provider. We have created a business that has fully diversified from being solely an energy broker with low single digit organic revenue growth, to a business with a double-digit organic growth engine capable of delivering our ambition to double Adjusted EBITDA organically by FY27.

Our strategy for the next five years to deliver on the client life-time value opportunity, the intrinsic value of which has already firmly been embedded in the portfolio, can be summarised as:

 
      1.   Deliver the market opportunity afforded by the three 
            primary macro themes of Energy crisis defence, ESG 
            and transition to net-zero; 
      2.   Deliver a technology enabled service utilising our 
            proprietary software platform that becomes industry 
            standard; 
      3.   Evolve trusted adviser C-Suite relationships with 
            clients by assuring their energy costs and managing 
            their energy crisis defence through our Assurance 
            division; 
      4.   Enhance C-Suite relationships with clients by managing 
            their ESG disclosures and designing their net-zero 
            strategies through our ESG Services division; and 
      5.   Implement the solutions that remove the actual carbon 
            emissions and reduce the energy consumption across 
            our customers' portfolios to enable them to actually 
            deliver net-zero through our Optimisations Services 
            division increasing their client lifetime value. 
 

The Group has made good progress executing this strategy in H1 adding new clients for Assurance Services and ESG Services and cross selling services to clients. Of particular note:

 
      1.   ESOS Phase 3 (the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) 
            is a mandatory ESG disclosure and the number of 
            clients taking this service has increased by over 
            50% during the period 
      2.   During FY22 our Optimisation Services teams were 
            active on 1,000 client sites and this year we are 
            currently on a run rate to be on site with 1,500 
            clients for FY23 
      3.   Software Services delivered additional Optimisation 
            and ESG services provided by the Group to its intermediary 
            customers. 
 

Assurance Services

Our Assurance Services division is a leader in helping businesses manage their energy costs and the risks of the energy markets, the importance of which has never been greater.

To do this effectively and take advantage of opportunities to reduce costs as they occur, thousands of pieces of data need to be processed every month, which is made possible by our proprietary software platform: 'Unify'. Once this data is collected and audited, it provides the detail required to identify and deliver effective carbon action programmes and opportunities to implement Optimisation Services.

The Group guided to low single digit revenue growth and a circa 40% Adjusted EBITDA margin for FY23 for the division reflecting the full year impact of client churn and increased costs to maintain service levels arising from the energy crisis. The division is performing as we expected in FY23 with a return to growth expected in FY24.

The Group has posted a record level of new client wins for the period including Central England Co-operative Limited, Focus Hotels Management Limited, and Rontec Roadside Retail Limited. New client wins have been driven by a flight to quality as businesses look for differentiated solutions from a full suite sustainability services provider to help them navigate through the energy crisis. We are also pleased to report that we expect retention levels to return to pre-energy crisis by FY24.

For H2 2023 the Group remains focussed on ensuring that Assurance Services continues to evolve to keep pace with the increasing challenges faced by clients and adding new clients to the Group.

ESG Services

The ESG Services division supports businesses with the production of their ESG disclosures to meet their regulatory obligations and determining strategies to deliver the ESG impacts clients' wish to make.

Once a business has a robust process for making consistent disclosures, its board has the information it needs to make more effective decisions and the data required to formulate a carbon action programme and deliver any necessary Optimisation Services.

The division has delivered 98% organic growth compared to H1 2022 and is expected to deliver a positive Adjusted EBITDA contribution in FY23 only two years since its inception as a boot strap market entrant.

We are delighted by the performance of the ESG Services division which added a number of clients to the Group in H1 2023 including YouGov plc, Empiric Student Property plc, Acteon Group Limited, Optimas OE Solutions Limited, FW Thorpe plc, and Dyer Engineering Ltd. These client wins also provide a further opportunity to develop the Group's revenues through cross selling the Group's product suite into the client.

As we look towards H2 2023 we see strong momentum leading management to expect organic growth of c.90% for FY23 for this division.

Importantly the ESG macro environment continues to develop strongly with the anticipated introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ('CSRD') set to encompass 50,000 European businesses under the umbrella of mandatory sustainability reporting compared to 1,800 in the UK.

Optimisation Services

Once clients have benefitted from the Group's Assurance Services to manage the price of their energy and are reporting their ESG disclosures effectively, their attention quickly turns to how they can reduce energy and carbon emissions.

The cornerstone of Assurance and ESG Services is data management through the data provided at the meter point, and this data allows the Group to help clients identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption, delivering their response to climate change and further reducing their energy costs. It is the cross selling of Optimisation Services to Assurance Services and ESG Services' customers which provides the Group with the opportunity to remove carbon from the environment and allow clients drive material progress in the transition to net-zero; providing a key competitive advantage to the Group.

H1 2023 has seen 14% organic growth from the Optimisation Services division with sales pipelines for Optimisation Services on client sites reaching record levels and the division is expected to deliver in excess of 30% organic growth by the end of FY23. We have seen an increased interest for supporting clients with the provision of environmental certificates which help them attain carbon neutrality as they continue on their journey to deliver net-zero carbon.

Unlike the other divisions, Optimisation Services revenue is project driven and consequently, revenue, profits and operating cash conversion are impacted by the timing of project work over the year and, as we observed last year, we expect higher revenues in H2 than we experienced in H1 2023.

We continue to see strong momentum in demand for optimisation projects and solutions for clients with pipelines for the rest of FY23 and FY24 at record levels and more than capable of supporting double digit growth expectations.

The Board is cognisant that there are elements outside of the Group's control with respect to the macro-environment and the timing of individual companies' decisions to deploy capital on projects, which can lead to variations in the timing of revenue, gross margin and cash conversion but the Board remains confident in meeting expectations for the division for FY23.

Software Services

Assurance, Optimisation and ESG Services require significant management and processing of unstructured data which underpins our service delivery. The technology enablement of these solutions is provided by 'Unify' our proprietary software platform which has been significantly developed over recent years and provides a market leading platform.

Software Services delivered 22% organic growth in H1 2023 compared to H1 2022 whilst maintaining significant margins, increasing expenditure from existing clients by 18% and introducing ten new TPIs and 5 direct clients to the Group.

We continue to develop incremental functionality to the platform and expect to deliver organic growth in excess of 20% for the full year FY23.

Acquisitions

Since IPO the Group has successfully completed 21 acquisitions adding GBP44.8m revenue and GBP14.4m of Adjusted EBITDA. Prior to 2017 the strategic focus of the Group was scale through consolidation, and nine Assurance Services acquisitions were completed in five years which added GBP12.4m of Assurance Services revenue and GBP5.6m Adjusted EBITDA. This strategy has allowed the Group to transform from a subscale business into a platform business. However, this single service business strategy delivered relatively low organic growth with exposure to macro risks, such as COVID-19.

From 2017 to 2022 the Group completed 12 further acquisitions, including Ignite under a self-funding structure, adding GBP15.6m of Assurance Services revenue and GBP5.7m Adjusted EBITDA, GBP15.5m of Optimisation Services revenue and GBP2.6m Adjusted EBITDA and GBP1.3m of Software Services revenue and GBP0.5m Adjusted EBITDA. These acquisitions accelerated the diversification of the Group into a full suite sustainability services provider capable of delivering double digit organic growth whilst reducing the Groups exposure to macro risks.

The Groups acquisition strategy has created a player of scale in the Assurance Services market, with a full suite of sustainability services, capable of delivering double digit organic growth with the ambition to double Adjusted EBITDA organically by the end of FY27.

After a slow down over the past few years impacted by the energy crisis and challenges of COVID-19, M&A activity in the sector is now resuming. The Board continues to monitor opportunities which can enhance the Group performance and shareholder returns in the long-term, in line with the Group's five-year strategy.

Inspired's own ESG and people

As a service provider helping businesses deliver market leading ESG disclosures, it is important that the Group is at the forefront of ESG performance. During H1 2023 the Group made the following progress with respect its ESG targets:

 
      --   We accelerated our emissions reduction targets and 
            Inspired will now be net-zero for scope 1 & 2 by 
            2030 from our 2019 baseline year. 
      --   We submitted our Scope 1, 2 and 3 targets to SBTi 
            for validation. 
      --   We have enhanced our supplier engagement with our 
            top 5 suppliers and selected 3 products to carry 
            out life cycle assessment. 
      --   We commenced the development of our STEM scholarship 
            programme. 
 

Strategic priorities and outlook

Managing energy costs and ESG have now become firmly embedded as operationally and commercially critical for most businesses. This is creating sustained and increasing demand for Inspired's differentiated products and services as a full-service provider.

The Group's objective is to deliver double digit Adjusted EBITDA growth for FY23 and double Adjusted EBITDA organically by FY27 and the Board is pleased to confirm that, with our performance in H1 2023 and having started H2 2023 well, we are on track to achieve our objectives and deliver in line with market consensus for the year.

Mark Dickinson

Chief Executive Officer

10 September 2023

Chief Financial Officer's Statement

We are pleased to report strong financial results for the six months period ended 30 June 2023; we have remained agile and alert to the challenging environment in which we operate whilst making clear strategic progress.

In H1 2023 the Group achieved 10% organic revenue growth at GBP44.6m (H1 2022: GBP40.5m). Group Adjusted EBITDA increased by 9% to GBP10.6m (H1 2022: GBP9.7m). Group margins remained stable and in-line with expectations at 24% (H1 2022: 24%) with the lower margin within Assurance Services offset by margin improvement in Optimisation Services.

Divisional performance

Assurance Services

Whilst continuing to face volatility in UK energy markets, the Group's Assurance Services delivered revenues in line with expectations. The division continued to see momentum in new business generation and recovery in retention rates after the increase in client churn experienced in FY22 as a result of the unprecedented conditions in UK energy markets. Margins were in line with expectations, with an anticipated increase in overheads, to maintain the highest service quality standards for our clients, whilst supporting them in managing their energy costs.

Assurance Services generated 41% of total Group revenues in H1 2023 (H1 2022: 45%), being GBP18.4m (H1 2022: GBP18.4m).

Assurance Services continues to be a significant contributor to the Group, representing 55% of Group Adjusted EBITDA, prior to accounting for PLC costs, and contributed Adjusted EBITDA of GBP7.7m (H1 2022: GBP8.3m), a reduction of 7%. The Assurance Services adjusted EBITDA percentage margin was 42% (H1 2022: 45%). We retain our objective to provide a first-class level of service to our Assurance clients, which we believe is essential to retain our market leadership position in Assurance Services and to generate client lifetime value for the Group.

ESG Services

ESG Services generated revenues of GBP2.4m (H1 2022: GBP1.2m), delivering 98% growth organically, reflective of the demand and growing market for these services. ESG Services was break even for the period as the Group continues to invest to scale up the division in response to the substantial market opportunity.

The increasing focus of investors and businesses on net-zero targets, combined with mandatory requirements for businesses to make ESG disclosures from 2022, provides a favourable backdrop for the ESG Services division.

Optimisation Services

The ongoing energy crisis has significantly sharpened clients' focus on the economics of investment in energy reductions. Combined with the drive for delivering net-zero, this has translated into a significant step up in demand and activity for the Optimisation Services division.

Optimisation Services generated 50% of Group revenues in H1 2023 (H1 2022: 49%), amounting to GBP22.4m (H1 2022: GBP19.6m), an increase of 14%, all of which was organic. Optimisation Services contributed Adjusted EBITDA of GBP5.1m (H1 2022: GBP3.1m), an increase of 68% and a resulting improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin to 23% (H1 2022: 16%).

Demand for Optimisation Services continues to increase, with strong underlying drivers, including the drive to net-zero and the need to manage high commodity prices. As the division continues to represent a growing proportion of Group revenues, Group margins will reflect the change in business mix in the future.

Software Services

Software Services continues to develop well, with revenues growing by 22% to GBP1.5m (H1 2022: GBP1.2m) and Adjusted EBITDA of GBP1.0m (H1 2022: GBP0.9m) reflecting momentum in client acquisition activity and an increase in revenue generated from existing clients. The division produced an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 70% in line with FY2022 (H1 2022: 74%).

Group results

PLC costs were GBP3.3m (H1 2022: GBP2.7m) in line with expectations, the increase over the prior period reflecting the investment made in FY 22 into central functions including Marketing, Finance and HR, to support the acceleration in growth.

Overall, the Group generated Adjusted EBITDA of GBP10.6m in H1 2023 (H1 2022: GBP9.7m). In percentage terms the Adjusted EBITDA margin was stable in line with expectations at 24% (H1 2022: 24%). After deducting charges for depreciation, amortisation of internally generated intangible assets and finance expenditure, the adjusted profit before tax for the half-year was GBP6.2m (H1 2022: GBP6.5m). The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was offset by an increase in finance costs, due to a combination of the company carrying a higher level of debt over the period and increased interest rates.

Under IFRS measures, the Group reported a profit before tax for the half-year of GBP0.2m (H1 2022: GBP2.4m), with the reduction in reported profit before tax being primarily driven by increased charges for changes in the fair value of contingent consideration. Other items contributing to the reduction in the adjusted profit before tax include the amortisation of intangible assets as a result of acquisitions, share-based payment charges and restructuring costs, all of which have reduced from H1 2022.

A reconciliation of reported profit/(loss) before tax to adjusted profit before tax is set out below:

 
                                                                                Year ended 
                                                                               31 December 
                                                                                      2022 
                                        Six months          Six months 
                                          ended 30            ended 30 
                                         June 2023           June 2022 
                                       (unaudited)         (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                            GBP000              GBP000              GBP000 
-----------------------------------  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ------------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) before tax                      190               2,429             (3,957) 
 Share-based payments costs                    521                 715               1,732 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                          1,178               1,359               2,687 
 Foreign exchange variation                      6                 263                 508 
 Exceptional costs: 
  Fees associated with acquisition               8                 144                 523 
  Restructuring costs                          451                 615               1,574 
  Exceptional finance costs                    120                   -                   - 
  Change in fair value of 
   contingent consideration                  3,764                 943              10,936 
 
 Adjusted profit before tax                  6,238               6,468              14,003 
                                     -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 

Alternative performance measures

Acquisition activity can significantly distort underlying financial performance from IFRS measures. The Board therefore considers it appropriate to report adjusted metrics, as well as IFRS measures, for the benefit of primary users of the Group's financial statements. Reconciliations to adjusted profit before tax and adjusted fully diluted EPS can be found in note 4.

Exceptional costs

Exceptional costs of GBP0.5m (H1 2022: GBP0.8m) incurred in the period related to restructuring programmes associated with the integration of businesses acquired prior to 2022, reducing significantly from the prior year.

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

The fair value of contingent consideration at the balance sheet date is a judgement of the contingent consideration which will become payable based on a weighted average range of performance outcomes of the acquired business during an earn out period, which is subsequently discounted for the time value of money and risk.

The Group reported a GBP0.2m pre-tax profit (H1 2022: GBP2.4m) in the period, of which GBP3.8m (H1 2022: GBP0.9m) related to the increase in the liability for contingent consideration payable, of which GBP0.7m (H2 2022: GBP0.9 m) related to the unwinding of discount rate, and GBP3.1m in respect of Ignite Energy LTD and Businesswise Solutions Limited performing at the higher end of the range of possible performance outcomes. The changes in the fair value of contingent consideration was treated as exceptional.

Exceptional costs, amortisation and impairment of internally generated intangible assets, share based payment charges and changes in fair value of contingent consideration are considered by the Directors to be material in nature and non-recurring; they, therefore, merit separate identification to give a true and fair view of the Group's result for the period.

Cash and Working Capital

Group cash generated from operations in H1 2023 was GBP3.0m (H1 2022: GBP5.0m), impacted by the timing and profile of optimisation services projects over the period and receipts post the period end . Excluding non-recurring fees associated with restructuring costs and deal fees, cash generated from operations was GBP3.4m (H1 2022: GBP5.8m).

Underlying operating cash conversion remain a key focus for management, acknowledging the need to facilitate the acceleration of growth within the Optimisation Services division.

Trade and other receivables increased 19% in the period to GBP45.8m (FY 2022: 38.6m), driven by a 52% increase in trade receivables to GBP18.7m (2022: GBP12.3m) as a result of the increased activity levels, and invoicing in the Optimisation Services division, which unwound post period end. Accrued income reduced in the period to GBP18.3m (FY 2022: GBP18.6m). Working capital management remains a key focus for management in sustaining strong cash conversion.

Trade and other payables increased 5% to GBP18.0m (FY 2022: GBP17.1m), driven by an increase in deferred income to GBP4.9m, primarily within the Optimisation Services division, as the division continues to focus on improving the number of stage payments it receives from its Optimisation project customers.

The Group's net debt (defined as bank borrowings less cash and cash equivalents) increased by GBP11.9m in the period to GBP49.1 million (FY 2022: GBP37.2m) in line with expectations.

The increase in Group net debt reflects the payment of GBP8.6m of contingent cash consideration to the vendors of Ignite, BWS and LSI, with a further GBP2.6m paid to the vendors of Ignite in ordinary shares of the Group. A further GBP4.0m performance payments, in the form of contingent cash consideration for acquisitions is expected to be paid in H2 2023. The balance of the contingent consideration within current liabilities will be payable in H1 2024.

Financial position and liquidity

At 30 June 2023, the Group's net debt was GBP49.1m (H1 2022: GBP42.9m). Cash and cash equivalents stood at GBP8.4m (H1 2022: GBP6.4m). Approximately GBP2.4m of the Group's GBP60.0m Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn, with an additional GBP25m accordion option available to the Group, subject to covenant compliance.

On entering the current facility agreement with Santander and Bank of Ireland in October 2019, the Group had an option to extend the term of the facility from October 2023 to October 2024. The Group exercised that option in September 2021, taking the term of the existing facility to October 2024.

In March 2023, the Group agreed with its lenders a resetting of the adjusted leverage covenant for quarters ending 31 March 2023 through to 30 June 2024, increasing the headroom available to the Group from a covenant perspective through a period in which the Group expects to make material contingent consideration payments, while facilitating the acceleration of growth within the Optimisation Services division.

Summary

The strategic and financial initiatives delivered in the year have ensured that the Group is is in a strong position to implement our strategic growth plan effectively, whilst managing the additional risks created by the continued market volatility. The strong performance in the Group's revenues, and adjusted EBITDA, in a challenging environment coupled with a strengthened platform capable of generating enhanced long-term growth

leaves Inspired better placed than ever           to achieve its long-term financial goals. 

Paul Connor

Chief Financial Officer

10 September 2023

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                                                                   Year ended 
                                                                                  31 December 
                                                                                         2022 
                                           Six months          Six months 
                                             ended 30            ended 30 
                                            June 2023           June 2022 
                                          (unaudited)         (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                               GBP000              GBP000              GBP000 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ------------- 
 
 Revenue                                       44,634              40,448              88,776 
 
 Cost of sales                               (13,648)            (13,635)            (31,070) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Gross profit                                  30,986              26,813              57,706 
 
 Administrative expenses                     (28,755)            (23,184)            (58,524) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Operating profit/(loss)                        2,231               3,629               (818) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Analysed as: 
 Earnings before exceptional 
  costs, depreciation, 
  amortisation and share-based 
  payment costs                                10,568               9,672              21,000 
 Fees associated with 
  acquisition                                     (8)               (144)               (523) 
 Restructuring costs                            (451)               (615)             (1,574) 
 Change in fair value 
  of contingent consideration                 (3,764)               (943)            (10,936) 
 Depreciation, impairment 
  and loss on disposal 
  of property, plant 
  and equipment                                 (839)               (936)             (1,827) 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                           (1,178)             (1,359)             (2,687) 
 Amortisation of internally 
  generated intangible 
  assets                                      (1,576)             (1,331)             (2,539) 
 Share-based payment 
  costs                                         (521)               (715)             (1,732) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
                                                2,231               3,629               (818) 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ------------- 
 
 Finance expenditure               3          (2,058)             (1,211)             (3,148) 
 Other financial items                             17                  11                   9 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) before 
  income tax                                      190               2,429             (3,957) 
 
 Income tax (expense)/credit                    (858)               (510)                 329 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 (Loss)/profit for 
  the period                                    (668)               1,919             (3,628) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity owners of the 
  company                                       (668)               1,919             (3,628) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Other comprehensive 
  income: 
 Exchange differences 
  on translation of 
  foreign operations                            (120)                 354                 119 
 Movement in deferred 
  tax asset as a result 
  of change in fair 
  value of share options                            -                   -             (1,323) 
                                        -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 Total other comprehensive 
  (expense)/income for 
  the year                                      (120)                 354             (1,204) 
                                        =============       =============       ============= 
 Total comprehensive 
  (expense)/income for 
  the year                                      (788)               2,273             (4,832) 
                                        =============       =============       ============= 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity owners of the 
  company                                       (788)               2,273             (4,832) 
 
                                  Note 
 Diluted earnings/(loss) 
  per share attributable 
  to the equity holders 
  of the Company (pence)           4           (0.75)                1.84              (3.47) 
 Adjusted diluted earnings 
  per share attributable 
  to the equity holders 
  of the Company (pence)           4             4.84                5.47               13.06 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ------------- 
 

Group Statement of Financial Position

At 30 June 2023

 
                                         Six months     Six months 
                                           ended 30       ended 30        Year ended 
                                          June 2023      June 2022       31 December 
                                        (unaudited)    (unaudited)    2022 (audited) 
                                Note         GBP000         GBP000            GBP000 
-----------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ---------------- 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
 Investments                                  1,830          1,137             1,737 
 Goodwill                        7           76,901         76,895            76,960 
 Other intangible assets         7           17,972         18,247            17,716 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                      5            3,079          2,743             3,216 
 Right of use assets             6            1,509          1,875             1,428 
                                            101,291        100,897           101,057 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables     8           44,837         36,424            37,520 
 Deferred contingent 
  consideration                  8            1,002          4,208             1,077 
 Inventories                                    668            370               211 
 Cash and cash equivalents                    8,416          6,410            12,270 
                                      -------------  -------------  ---------------- 
                                             54,923         47,412            51,078 
 
 Total assets                               156,214        148,309           152,135 
                                      -------------  -------------  ---------------- 
 
 LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables        9           17,996         10,888            17,079 
 Lease liabilities                              439            834               869 
 Current tax liability                        3,835          2,560             3,091 
 Contingent consideration                    11,273          9,998            13,056 
                                             33,543         24,280            34,095 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Bank borrowings                             57,520         49,346            49,462 
 Lease liabilities                              940          1,049               552 
 Contingent consideration                         -          2,523             5,699 
 Deferred tax liability                         838          1,522             1,282 
 Interest rate swap                               -             14                17 
                                             59,298         54,454            57,012 
 
 Total liabilities                           92,841         78,734            91,107 
                                      -------------  -------------  ---------------- 
 
 Net assets                                  63,373         69,575            61,028 
                                      =============  =============  ================ 
 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                                1,256          1,219             1,220 
 Share premium account                       63,498         60,930            60,930 
 Merger relief reserve                       20,995         20,995            20,995 
 Retained earnings                         (19,115)        (9,117)          (18,447) 
 Share based payments 
  reserves                                    8,632          7,094             8,111 
 Investment on own 
  shares                                       (28)           (36)              (36) 
 Translation reserve                          (482)          (127)             (362) 
 Reverse acquisition 
  reserve                                  (11,383)       (11,383)          (11,383) 
 
 Total equity                                63,373         69,575            61,028 
 
 

Group Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 
                                       Six months    Six months 
                                         ended 30      ended 30       Year ended 
                                        June 2023     June 2022      31 December 
                                      (unaudited)   (unaudited)   2022 (audited) 
                                           GBP000        GBP000           GBP000 
----------------------------------   ------------  ------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from operating 
 activities 
 
Profit/(loss) before 
 income tax                                   190         2,429          (3,957) 
 
Adjustments 
Depreciation and impairment                   839           936            1,827 
Amortisation and impairment                 2,754         2,690            5,226 
Share based payment costs                     521           715            1,732 
Finance expenditure                         2,041         1,200            3,139 
Exchange rate variances                     (133)         (449)              151 
Change in fair value 
 of contingent consideration                3,764           943           10,936 
 
Cash flows before changes 
 in working capital                         9,976         8,464           19,054 
 
Movement in working 
 capital 
 (Increase)/decrease in 
 inventories                                (457)          (71)               88 
Increase in trade and 
 other receivables                        (7,490)       (2,179)          (3,995) 
Increase/(decrease) in 
 trade and other payables                     916       (1,207)            4,602 
Cash generated from 
 operations                                 2,945         5,007           19,749 
                                     ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
Income taxes paid                           (460)         (215)            (421) 
 
Net cash flows from 
 operating activities                       2,485         4,792           19,328 
 
Cash flows from investing 
 activities 
Purchase of property, 
 plant and equipment                        (242)         (646)          (1,137) 
Payments to acquire intangible 
 assets                                   (3,001)       (2,742)          (4,651) 
Contingent consideration 
 paid                                     (8,646)      (10,174)         (10,790) 
Contingent consideration 
 received                                       -           320                - 
Repayment of working 
 capital facility to discontinued 
 operation                                    250           125              375 
Disposal of investments                         -           324              324 
Acquisition of subsidiary, 
 net of cash                                 (93)         (633)          (1,233) 
Net cash flows from 
 investing activities                    (11,732)      (13,426)         (17,112) 
 
Cash flows from financing 
 activities 
New bank loans                              8,000         3,500            3,500 
Interest paid on financing 
 activities                               (2,000)         (907)          (3,032) 
Repayment of lease liabilities              (589)         (546)          (1,048) 
Proceeds from issue of 
 new shares                                     4             7                8 
Dividends paid                                  -             -          (2,460) 
                                     ------------  ------------  --------------- 
Net cash flows from 
 financing activities                       5,415         2,054          (3,032) 
 
Net decrease in cash 
 and cash equivalents                     (3,832)       (6,580)            (816) 
 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 brought forward                           12,270        12,944           12,994 
Exchange differences 
 on cash and cash equivalents                (22)            46               92 
                                     ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 carried forward                            8,416         6,410           12,270 
                                     ============  ============  =============== 
 

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 
 
                               Share   Merger  Share-based             Investment                    Reverse          Total 
                      Share  premium   relief      payment  Retained       in own   Translation  acquisition  shareholders' 
                    capital  account  reserve      reserve  earnings       shares       reserve      reserve         equity 
                     GBP000   GBP000   GBP000       GBP000    GBP000       GBP000        GBP000       GBP000         GBP000 
 
Balance at 1 
 January 2022         1,219   60,923   20,995        6,319  (11,036)         (36)         (481)     (11,383)         66,580 
                    -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
Loss for the year         -        -        -            -   (3,628)            -             -            -        (3,628) 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 income                   -        -        -            -   (1,323)            -           119            -        (1,204) 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense) 
 for the year             -        -        -            -   (4,951)            -           119            -        (4,832) 
Share-based 
 payment cost             -        -        -        1,732         -            -             -            -          1,732 
Shares issued (12 
 April 2022)              -        7        -            -         -            -             -            -              7 
Shares issued (7 
 December 2022)           1        -        -            -         -            -             -            -              1 
Dividends paid            -        -        -            -   (2,460)            -             -            -        (2,460) 
                    -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
Total transactions 
 with owners              1        7        -        1,732   (7,411)            -           119            -        (5,552) 
                    -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
Balance at 31 
 December 2022        1,220   60,930   20,995        8,111  (18,447)         (36)         (362)     (11,383)         61,028 
                    ------- 
Profit for the 
 period                   -        -        -            -     (668)            -             -            -          (668) 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 expense                  -        -        -            -         -            -         (120)            -          (120) 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense) 
 for the period           -        -        -            -     (668)            -         (120)            -          (788) 
Share-based 
 payment cost             -        -        -          521         -            -             -            -            521 
Shares issues (5 
 May 2023)                3        -        -            -         -            -             -            -              3 
Shares issued (25 
 May 2023)               32    2,568        -            -         -            -             -            -          2,600 
Shares issued (21 
 June 2023)               1        -        -            -         -            -             -            -              1 
Shares transferred        -        -        -            -         -            8             -            -              8 
Total transactions 
 with owners             36    2,568        -          521     (668)            8         (120)            -          2,345 
                    -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
Balance at 30 June 
 2023                 1,256   63,498   20,995        8,632  (19,115)         (28)         (482)     (11,383)         63,373 
                    -------  -------  -------  -----------  --------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
   1.     Accounting Policies 

Basis of preparation

The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the statutory accounts of the Group for the period ended 30 June 2023. The financial information included in this interim announcement has been computed in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRS). They have been prepared on an accrual basis and under the historical cost convention except for certain financial instruments measured at fair value. This announcement in itself does not contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS.

Details of the accounting policies are those set out in the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2022. The accounting policies in this announcement are consistent with those set out in the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2022.

2. Segmental information

Revenue and segmental reporting

The chief operating decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Group's Executive Directors. The Group reports under four reporting segments, namely Assurance, Optimisation, Software and ESG.

 
                                Six months ended 30 June 2023                                  Six months ended 30 June 2022 
                Assurance  Optimisation  Software      ESG      PLC     Total  Assurance  Optimisation  Software      ESG      PLC     Total 
                  GBP000      GBP000       GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000     GBP000        GBP000    GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000 
 Revenue           18,343        22,372     1,507    2,412        -    44,634     18,378        19,619     1,233    1,218        -    40,448 
 Cost of sales    (1,233)      (11,991)      (56)    (368)        -  (13,648)    (1,555)      (11,964)      (51)     (65)        -  (13,635) 
 -------------  ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  -------- 
 Gross profit      17,110        10,381     1,451    2,044        -    30,986     16,823         7,655     1,182    1,153        -    26,813 
 -------------  ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  -------- 
 Overheads        (9,566)       (5,234)     (397)  (2,085)  (7,880)  (25,162)    (8,852)       (4,590)     (270)  (1,080)  (4,766)  (19,558) 
 EBITDA             7,544         5,147     1,054     (41)  (7,880)     5,824      7,971         3,065       912       73  (4,766)     7,255 
 -------------  ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  -------- 
 Analysed as: 
 Adjusted 
  EBITDA            7,670         5,148     1,054     (41)  (3,263)    10,568      8,337         3,069       912       73  (2,719)     9,672 
 Share-based 
  payments              -             -         -        -    (521)     (521)          -             -         -        -    (715)     (715) 
 Exceptional 
  costs             (126)           (1)         -        -  (4,096)   (4,223)      (366)           (4)         -        -  (1,332)   (1,702) 
                ---------  ------------                                        ---------  ------------ 
                    7,544         5,147     1,054     (41)  (7,880)     5,824      7,971         3,065       912       73  (4,766)     7,255 
                ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  -------  -------  -------- 
 Depreciation                                                           (839)                                                          (936) 
 
 Amortisation                                                         (2,754)                                                        (2,690) 
 
 Finance 
  expenditure                                                         (2,058)                                                        (1,211) 
 
 Other 
  financial 
  items                                                                    17                                                             11 
                                                                     --------                                                       -------- 
 Profit before 
  income tax                                                              190                                                          2,429 
                                                                     --------                                                       -------- 
 
   3.     Finance Expenditure 
 
                                                                         Year ended 
                                                                        31 December 
                                                                               2022 
                                 Six months          Six months 
                                   ended 30            ended 30 
                                  June 2023           June 2022 
                                (unaudited)         (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                     GBP000              GBP000              GBP000 
----------------------------  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ------------- 
 
 Interest payable on bank 
  borrowings                          1,930                 822               2,268 
 Interest payable on lease 
  liabilities                            41                  45                  83 
 Foreign exchange variance                6                 263                 508 
 Other interest                          23                   9                  20 
 Loan facility fees                       -                  14                 153 
 Amortisation of debt issue 
  costs                                  58                  58                 116 
 
                                      2,058               1,211               3,148 
                              -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
   4.     Earnings Per Share 

The earnings per share is based on the net profit for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 
                                                       Six months         Year ended 
                                       Six months        ended 30        31 December 
                                         ended 30       June 2022               2022 
                                        June 2023      (unaudited           (audited 
                                      (unaudited)     - restated)        - restated) 
                                           GBP000          GBP000             GBP000 
----------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 
 (Loss)/profit attributable 
  to equity holders of the 
  Group                                     (788)           1,919            (3,628) 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                         1,178           1,359              2,687 
 Deferred tax in respect of 
  amortisation of intangible 
  assets                                    (294)           (258)              (673) 
 Changes in fair value of 
  contingent consideration                  3,764             943             10,936 
 Foreign exchange variation                   126             263                508 
 Fees associated with acquisition               8             144                523 
 Share-based payments costs                   521             715              1,732 
 Restructuring costs                          451             615              1,574 
 Exceptional finance costs                    120               -                  - 
 
 Adjusted profit attributable 
  to equity holders of the 
  Group                                     5,086           5,700             13,659 
                                    -------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares in issue 
  (000)                                    98,277          97,497             97,507 
 Dilutive effect of share 
  options (000)                             6,749           6,706              7,100 
                                    -------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 Diluted weighted average 
  number of ordinary shares 
  in issue (000)                          105,026         104,203           104,607 
                                    -------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 
 Basic earnings/(loss) per 
  share (pence)                            (0.80)            1.97             (3.72) 
 Diluted earnings/(loss) per 
  share (pence)                            (0.75)            1.84             (3.47) 
 Adjusted basic earnings per 
  share (pence)                              5.18            5.85              14.01 
 Adjusted diluted earnings 
  per share (pence)                          4.84            5.47              13.06 
 

All per share figures have been adjusted to reflect the 10:1 share consolidation undertaken on 3 July 2023.

The weighted average number of shares in issue for the adjusted diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of the share options in issue to senior staff of Inspired.

Adjusted earnings per share represents the earnings per share, as adjusted to remove the effect of the fees associated with acquisition, amortisation of intangible assets (excluding amortisation related to computer software and customer databases), share-based payments and exceptional items which have been expensed to the income statement in the period. Adjusted profit before tax is calculated as follows:

 
                                                                                Year ended 
                                                                               31 December 
                                                                                      2022 
                                        Six months          Six months 
                                          ended 30            ended 30 
                                         June 2023           June 2022 
                                       (unaudited)         (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                            GBP000              GBP000              GBP000 
-----------------------------------  -------------  ---  -------------  ---  ------------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) before tax                      190               2,429             (3,957) 
 Share-based payments costs                    521                 715               1,732 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangible assets                          1,178               1,359               2,687 
 Foreign exchange variation                      6                 263                 508 
 Exceptional costs: 
  Fees associated with acquisition               8                 144                 523 
  Restructuring costs                          451                 615               1,574 
  Exceptional finance costs                    120                   -                   - 
  Change in fair value of 
   contingent consideration                  3,764                 943              10,936 
 
 Adjusted profit before tax                  6,238               6,468              14,003 
                                     -------------       -------------       ------------- 
 
 

Acquisitional activity can significantly distort underlying financial performance from IFRS measures and therefore the Board deems it appropriate to report adjusted metrics as well as IFRS measures for the benefit of primary users of the Group financial statements.

   5.     Property, plant and equipment 
 
                      Fixtures and      Motor          Computer         Leasehold  Office equipment 
                          fittings   vehicles         equipment      improvements            GBP000    Total 
                            GBP000     GBP000            GBP000            GBP000                     GBP000 
Cost 
As at 1 January 
 2022                          720        107             3,004               806                 -    4,637 
Transfer between 
 classes                     (368)         42                92               386               415      567 
Foreign exchange 
 variances                       5          -                 4                 -                 -        9 
Additions                        8         32             1,094                 -                 3    1,137 
Disposals                     (30)       (66)              (60)                 -                 -    (156) 
At 31 December 
 2022                          335        115             4,134             1,192               418    6,194 
                  ----------------  ---------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ------- 
Foreign exchange 
 variances                     (2)        (2)               (2)                 -               (1)      (7) 
Additions                        -          -               240                 -                 -      240 
Disposals                        -       (37)                 -                 -                 -     (37) 
At 30 June 2023                333         76             4,372             1,192               417    6,390 
                  ----------------  ---------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ------- 
Depreciation 
As at 1 January 
 2022                          664         38             1,042               326                 -    2,185 
Transfer between 
 classes                     (450)         38               281                70               293      232 
Foreign exchange 
 variances                       3          -                 4                 -              (33)     (26) 
Charge for the 
 year                           37         22               496               123                56      734 
Disposals                     (30)        (3)              (60)              (29)              (25)    (147) 
At 31 December 
 2022                          224         95             1,763               605               291    2,978 
Charge for the 
 period                         14          5               236                61                49      365 
Foreign exchange 
 variance                      (2)        (2)               (3)                 -                 -      (7) 
Disposals                        -       (25)                 -                 -                 -     (25) 
At 30 June 2023                236         73             1,996               666               340    3,311 
                  ----------------  ---------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ------- 
Net Book Value 
At 30 June 2023                 97          3             2,376               526                77    3,079 
                  ----------------  ---------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ------- 
At 31 December 
 2022                          111         20             2,371               587               127    3,216 
                  ----------------  ---------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ------- 
 
   6.     Right of use assets 
 
                             Fixtures and fittings  Motor vehicles  Property  Intangibles    Total 
                                            GBP000          GBP000    GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
Cost 
As at 1 January 2022                           623             353     3,689            -    4,665 
Transfer between classes                         -            (14)     (277)            -    (291) 
Foreign exchange variances                       -               1       (5)            -      (4) 
Additions                                        -              86       360          301      747 
Disposals                                    (368)             (5)     (433)            -    (806) 
At 31 December 2022                            255             421     3,334          301    4,311 
Additions                                      115              20       403            -      538 
Foreign exchange variances                       -               -        16            -       16 
Disposals                                        -           (232)      (53)            -    (285) 
At 30 June 2023                                370             209     3,700          301    4,580 
                             ---------------------  --------------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Depreciation 
As at 1 January 2022                           282             146     1,944            -    2,372 
Transfer between classes                         -              19        25            -       44 
Foreign exchange variances                       -             (2)        14            -       12 
Charge for the year                             87             169       742           50    1,048 
Disposals                                    (211)            (22)     (473)            -    (706) 
At 31 December 2022                            158             310     2,252           50    2,770 
Charge for the period                           51              62       311           50      474 
Disposals                                        -           (232)      (54)            -    (286) 
At 30 June 2023                                209             140     2,509          100    2,958 
                             ---------------------  --------------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Impairment 
As at 1 January 2022                             -               -       113            -      113 
Impairment for the year                          -               -         -            -        - 
At 31 December 2022                              -               -       113            -      113 
Impairment for the period                        -               -         -            -        - 
                             ---------------------  --------------  --------  -----------  ------- 
At 30 June 2023                                  -               -       113            -      113 
                             ---------------------  --------------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Net Book Value 
At 30 June 2023                                161              69     1,078          201    1,509 
                             ---------------------  --------------  --------  -----------  ------- 
At 31 December 2022                             97             111       969          251    1,428 
                             ---------------------  --------------  --------  -----------  ------- 
 
   7.     Intangible assets and goodwill 
 
                                                                            Total other 
                    Computer    Trade name       Customer        Customer   intangibles 
                    software        GBP000      contracts   relationships        GBP000  Goodwill    Total 
                      GBP000                       GBP000          GBP000                  GBP000   GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 
 2022                 21,317           160         21,575           7,511        50,563    76,111  126,674 
Additions              4,651             -              -               -         4,651         -    4,651 
Acquisitions 
 through 
 business 
 combinations              -             -              -               -             -       730      730 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 variances                 -             -              -               -             -       119      119 
At 31 
 December 
 2022                 25,968           160         21,575           7,511        55,214    76,960  132,174 
Additions              3,002             -              -               -         3,002         -    3,002 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 variance                  1             -          (247)               -         (246)      (59)    (305) 
At 30 June 
 2023                 28,971           160         21,328           7,511        57,970    76,901  134,871 
               -------------  ------------  -------------  --------------  ------------  --------  ------- 
Amortisation 
As at 1 
 January 2022         11,399            37         16,796           4,040        32,272         -   32,272 
Charge for 
 the year              2,920             8          1,531             767         5,226         -    5,226 
At 31 
 December 
 2022                 14,319            45         18,327           4,807        37,498         -   37,498 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 variance                  -             -          (254)               -         (254)         -    (254) 
Charge for 
 the period            1,659             4            714             377         2,754         -    2,754 
At 30 June 
 2023                 15,978            49         18,787           5,184        39,998         -   39,998 
               -------------  ------------  -------------  --------------  ------------  --------  ------- 
Net Book 
Value 
At 30 June 
 2023                 12,993           111          2,541           2,327        17,972    76,901   94,873 
               -------------  ------------  -------------  --------------  ------------  --------  ------- 
At 31 
 December 
 2022                 11,649           115          3,248           2,704        17,716    79,960   94,676 
               -------------  ------------  -------------  --------------  ------------  --------  ------- 
 

Computer software is a combination of assets internally generated and assets acquired through business combinations. Amortisation charged in the period to 30 June 2023 associated with computer software acquired through business combinations is GBP83,000. The additional GBP1,576,000 charged in the period relates to the amortisation of internally generated computer software.

8. Trade and other receivables

 
 
 
                                    30 June    30 June    31 December 
                                       2023       2022           2022 
                                     GBP000     GBP000         GBP000 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
Trade receivables                    18,695     16,351         12,298 
Other receivables                       900      1,338          1,078 
Deferred contingent consideration     1,002      4,208          1,077 
Prepayments                           6,990      4,265          5,524 
Accrued income                       18,252     14,470         18,620 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
                                     45,839     40,632         38,597 
----------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
 

9. Trade and other payables

 
 
 
                                  30 June    30 June    31 December 
                                     2023       2022           2022 
                                   GBP000     GBP000         GBP000 
--------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
Trade payables                      5,240      4,587          5,952 
Social security and other taxes     4,514      2,918          5,117 
Accruals                            2,463      2,303          3,141 
Deferred income                     4,912        526          1,861 
Other payables                        867        554          1,008 
--------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
                                   17,996     10,888         17.079 
--------------------------------  -------  ---------  ------------- 
 
   10.     Availability of this announcement 

This announcement together with the financial statements herein and a presentation in respect of the interim financial results are available on the Group's website, www.inspiredplc.co.uk

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