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PTY.GB Partway Group Plc

0.75
-0.05 (-6.25%)
19 Apr 2024 - Closed
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Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Partway Group Plc AQSE:PTY.GB Aquis Stock Exchange Ordinary Share GB00B1235860
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -0.05 -6.25% 0.75 0.60 0.90 0.80 0.75 0.80 0.00 13:19:29
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Parity Group PLC Half-year Report (2514J)

08/09/2016 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMPTY

RNS Number : 2514J

Parity Group PLC

08 September 2016

Parity Group PLC

Financial Report for the six months ended 30 June 2016

Parity Group plc ("Parity", or the "Group"), the UK information technology services group, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2016.

FINANCIAL HEADLINES

-- Group revenues increased by 15% to GBP47.5m (H1 2015: GBP41.2m)

-- EBITDA before share based charges and non-recurring items increased by 182% to GBP1.1m (H1 2015: GBP0.4m)

-- Profit before tax of GBP0.2m (H1 2015: loss before tax of GBP0.9m)

-- Earnings per share 0.16p (H1 2015: loss per share 0.87p)

-- Cash inflow from operations increased to GBP1.1m (H1 2015: GBP0.6m)

-- Reduction in net debt to GBP6.5m from GBP7.4m at 2015 year end

-- Cash at period end GBP4.1 million (2015 year end: GBP2.6 million)

-- Finance facility extended on improved terms for two further years until 31 December 2018

OPERATIONAL HEADLINES

-- Implementing the new growth strategy:

i. launching new initiatives to bring to market existing expertise and new capabilities. Senior level consultants recruited in July providing expertise in Utilities and Health alongside the established Defence practice in Consultancy Services;

ii. building on our core service offering of IT Resources and Talent Management under our Professionals division; and

iii. Board of Directors enhanced with the appointment of David Firth as a Non-Executive Director, bringing additional direct industry experience

-- Closer alignment and collaboration in service offerings across the Group to target growing markets, in-demand skills, to support joint and cross sales activity

-- Strengthening of the core recruitment service offerings with improvement in volumes and margins in our Professionals division

-- MoD Military Capability Output Costing System ("MCOCS") Business Intelligence contract with the Consultancy division extended by a further GBP1.8m

-- Strong control maintained on cost base and working capital across the Group

-- Reduced pensions contributions commenced in line with the improved payment terms on the legacy pension deficit

Reconciliation of Operating Profit/(Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA

 
                                              Six Months     Six Months     Year to 
                                             to 30.06.16    to 30.06.15    31.12.15 
                                                 GBP'000        GBP'000     GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Operating profit/(loss) from continuing 
  operations                                         408          (709)     (3,343) 
 Non-recurring items                                 270            661       4,052 
 Share-based payment charges                         (3)             57         152 
 Depreciation and amortisation                       407            375         719 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                   1,082            384       1,580 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 

Alan Rommel, CEO of Parity Group, said:

"Parity has made strong progress in delivering the new growth strategy, and it is clear to see the enthusiasm across the Group with which this momentum is being maintained. The improved financial results demonstrate that the Group has a stable and solid base upon which it can continue to invest in our Professionals division and to create new higher-value services through our exciting new Consultancy Services division.

The Board remains confident in the progress being made in the new strategic direction, and is focused on continuing to drive profitability, cash flow and shareholder value. Current trading is in line with expectations, with an improved performance expected in the second half."

For further information, contact:

 
 
   Alan Rommel CEO 
   Roger Antony GFD        Parity Group plc     020 8543 5353 
 John Olsen 
  Kelsey Traynor         MHP Communications   020 3128 8100 
 Andrew Pinder 
  Patrick Robb 
  Dominic Emery          Investec             020 7597 4000 
 

Parity Group PLC

Half Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 30 June 2016

The Board announces its unaudited interim results for the first half of 2016.

Introduction

Parity supports its clients by maximising the effectiveness of people, processes and systems through two business divisions - Parity Professionals and Parity Consultancy Services. Building upon the Group's well-established and profitable businesses, whilst managing the cost base, we have completed a successful first half with notable improvements in our KPIs, and we are pleased to report a significant increase in profitability in the first half of this year.

We have identified and recruited expertise to support our new growth strategy in Consultancy, supplementing deep industry expertise with technology and people solutions from the wider Group. Our new offerings focus this expertise to provide solutions to specific industry problems, and develop our capability to add value across our wider client community. We are delighted to already be seeing the early signs of success with improved collaboration across the business, both leveraging existing relationships and working closer to develop unified offerings.

The increased depth in niche skills and services across the business helps us to respond rapidly to changes in the market and to present new offerings designed to meet client objectives. This demand-driven flexibility is a founding principle of our customer-centric, profitable growth.

Results

Group revenues for the period grew by 15% to GBP47.5m, reflecting revenue growth in both divisions.

Group EBITDA before share based charges and non-recurring items has grown significantly to GBP1.1m (H1 2015: GBP0.4m).

Profit before tax was GBP0.2m (2015: GBP0.9m loss) reflecting the increase in revenues and a reduction in non-recurring costs. Cash generated from operations was GBP1.1m (2015: GBP0.6m) and included a GBP0.3m inflow from working capital, reflecting an improvement in debtor days at the end of June, being 27 days versus 31 days at the 2015 year end. The cash position at 30 June 2016 was GBP4.1m (31 December 2015: GBP2.6m) with net debt at the period end GBP6.5m (31 December 2015: 7.4m).

As announced on 17 March 2016, we reached agreement with the trustees of the defined benefit pension scheme to reduce the Group's deficit reduction contributions, linking amounts payable to Group performance and affordability on a sliding scale as part of the current triennial valuation review. Reduced commitments over the next three years, which commenced in February 2016, will help the Group's interest cover ratio and cash generating capability.

On 1 September 2016 we extended our GBP15m finance facility with PNC, the Group's asset-based lender, for a further two years, and have agreed an improved discount rate effective from the extension date. PNC have provided the facility since 2010, and the renewal extends the relationship until 31 December 2018.

Given that the Group is in the early stages of executing its strategy, and in order to help fund the further investment in Parity's growth, the Board has not declared an interim dividend for the period.

Parity Professionals Division

Parity Professionals provides targeted temporary and permanent recruitment of professional and technical staff as well as supporting the development of our clients' workforces through training and coaching services. We enable our clients to have both the capacity and the capability to transform organisational performance in high growth and rapidly evolving markets.

Divisional revenues have grown by 15% against the same period last year to GBP43.6m (H1 2015: GBP37.8m) with a segmental contribution of GBP1.1m (H1 2015: GBP1.0m).

The recruitment offering has continued to grow with improvements through the period in all key metrics for contractor volumes, permanent fees and average margins. As the largest part of the business, it is pleasing to see the volume of new orders increase over H1 2015 with the gross profit generated from these sales 33% higher than the same period last year. This has been a result of further development of some key accounts with higher-value service, as well as the addition of smaller SME clients in emerging sectors. The focus remains in IT with more targeted specialism in high growth areas such as Digital, Data and Information Security, but we are also supporting clients with the provision of interim staff to deliver broader business change programmes.

The talent management offering has again retained the contract for the delivery of the FastStream graduate recruitment programme on behalf of HMRC, though the Government funding for the INTRO programme in Northern Ireland was discontinued with necessary actions taken to reduce the costs attributed to this service. This has accelerated our efforts to expand the mainland Great Britain market with increased focus on a tighter range of programmes, which has resulted in a number of larger scale and improved margin sales.

Parity Consultancy Services Division

Parity Consultancy Services provides clients with niche expertise driven by senior industry-experienced consultants, exploiting technology and maximising the potential of information to provide competitive advantage for our clients. There remains a strong core of technology specialists from our IT solutions offering which is complemented by the recent addition of specific industry experts with deep knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our clients in the sectors in which they operate.

Divisional revenues have grown by 17% to GBP3.93m (H1 2015: GBP3.35m) with a significant improvement in segmental contribution to GBP0.61m (H1 2015: GBP0.19m).

We continue to develop our technology solutions offering, and we have recently signed a partnership agreement with Magnitude software in line with our strategy to increasingly focus upon data analytics, data management and information security. The business has also been awarded frameworks for G-Cloud 8, expanding the portfolio of cloud services, and has won contracts through the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework into the Public Sector. A closer working relationship with Parity Professionals is demonstrating efficiencies in the management and processing of consultants in the division, and also the speed and cost of hiring specific expertise to support programmes in increasingly specialised solutions.

Parity Consultancy Services is also building expertise in key market sectors. As with the Defence market, where we have had a further GBP1.8m extension on the MCOCS Business Intelligence programme, we have invested in both the Health and Utilities markets where our industry focussed consultants will be able to apply market knowledge to deliver directly relevant solutions, backed up by the Parity brand.

Inition, the Group's stand-alone Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and 3D technology production company, continues to build presence in these exciting markets using the creativity of their producers, artists and software developers to deliver installation-based experiences and marketing solutions. In addition to building relationships with some large brands, Inition is also attracting new clients seeking to differentiate themselves by being at the forefront of technology.

Board

David Firth will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director shortly, as first announced on 31 May 2016. David is the Finance Director of Penna Consulting plc and was the Finance Director of Parity in the 1990's. As such, he brings with him a wealth of direct industry experience in the people management and consultancy markets.

Current Trading and Future Prospects

The Board is pleased to announce positive results which highlight the progress made in the strategic direction of the Group. Our experienced management team is fully focused on continuing to execute this new strategy whilst retaining the agility required to develop new and exciting solutions to customer needs by combining our core services. This period has maintained the strong momentum carried forward from the second half of 2015, and trading in the early weeks of the second half remains strong. Whilst it is too early to fully appreciate the potential impact of the Brexit referendum on the wider economy, we have seen minimal immediate direct impact on our business as we are UK-centric. We have, however, formed a working party to track the impact and potential risks of future Brexit-related developments.

Parity Professionals expects to maintain steady progress through the remainder of the year, with further investment in building niche skill capabilities and the increased focus on larger scale opportunities in talent management.

Parity Consultancy Services will continue to refine the services that they offer, building further expertise in data analysis, data management and information security via partnerships with technology providers in these markets, building upon the established skills base in the Solutions offering. This is in addition to self-funded investment in developing new services with our consultancy expertise to support targeted market sectors undergoing significant change. Inition remains an exciting node at the forefront of a rapidly evolving market, and has increased its contribution to the Group's results through an improved sales mix, and the successful delivery of a number of 3D VR and AR projects to high profile clients.

Parity is in a unique positon for its size, being able to provide expertise led by people and enabled by technology. We are ideally placed to support our clients and help deliver positive change in their businesses which will drive their growth. Whilst there will be continued investment to build the new higher margin offerings aligned to our clients' needs, we will continue to manage costs closely and minimise the restructuring costs associated with the change in strategy announced last year.

The Board remains confident in the progress being made in the new strategic direction. Current trading is in line with expectations with an improved performance expected in the second half. The improved financial results demonstrate that the Group has a stable and solid base upon which it can continue to develop, reflecting the drive and the enthusiasm of our people and the quality of the service they provide. Parity is now very well positioned with a clear strategy to support our clients with the people, skills and technology they need to succeed.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Pursuant to the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules the Group provides the following information on its principal risks and uncertainties. The Group considers strategic, operational and financial risks and identifies actions to mitigate those risks. These risk profiles are updated at least annually. The principal risks and uncertainties detailed within the Group's 2015 Annual Report remain applicable for the final six months of this financial year. The Group's 2015 Annual Report is available from the Party website www.parity.net. The Board has set up a Brexit Working Group to monitor and respond to any emerging risks as and when the implications of Brexit unfold.

Consolidated condensed income statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                    Six months to 30.06.16                          Six months to 30.06.15                              Year to 31.12.15 
                                          (Unaudited)                                     (Unaudited)                                       (Audited) 
                  Notes         Before  Non-recurring           After         Before  Non-recurring  After non-recurring         Before  Non-recurring           After 
                         non-recurring          items   non-recurring  non-recurring          items                items  non-recurring          items   non-recurring 
                                 items          (note           items          items          (note              GBP'000          items          (note           items 
                               GBP'000             3)         GBP'000        GBP'000             3)                             GBP'000             3)         GBP'000 
                                              GBP'000                                       GBP'000                                            GBP'000 
Continuing 
 operations 
 Revenue                        47,490              -          47,490         41,175              -               41,175         84,842              -          84,842 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Employee benefit 
 costs                         (3,818)          (144)         (3,962)        (4,130)          (421)              (4,551)        (7,800)        (1,404)         (9,204) 
Depreciation 
 & amortisation                  (407)              -           (407)          (375)              -                (375)          (719)          (341)         (1,060) 
Impairment 
 loss                                -              -               -              -              -                    -              -        (1,994)         (1,994) 
All other 
 operating 
 expenses                     (42,587)          (126)        (42,713)       (36,718)          (240)             (36,958)       (75,614)          (313)        (75,927) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Total operating 
 expenses                     (46,812)          (270)        (47,082)       (41,223)          (661)             (41,884)       (84,133)        (4,052)        (88,185) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Operating profit 
 / (loss)                          678          (270)             408           (48)          (661)                (709)            709        (4,052)         (3,343) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Finance income      4              333              -             333            349              -                  349            506              -             506 
Finance costs       5            (554)              -           (554)          (530)              -                (530)        (1,072)              -         (1,072) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Profit / (loss) 
 before tax                        457          (270)             187          (229)          (661)                (890)            143        (4,052)         (3,909) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Tax 
 (charge)/credit    6             (76)             54            (22)          (131)            135                    4          (258)            252             (6) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Profit / (loss) 
 for the period 
 from continuing 
 operations                        381          (216)             165          (360)          (526)                (886)          (115)        (3,800)         (3,915) 
Discontinued 
 operations 
(Loss) for 
 the period 
 from 
 discontinued 
 operations          7             (2)              -             (2)            (2)              -                  (2)            (4)              -             (4) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
Profit / (loss) 
 for the period 
 attributable 
 to equity 
 shareholders                      379          (216)             163          (362)          (526)                (888)          (119)        (3,800)         (3,919) 
----------------  -----  -------------  -------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
 
 Basic profit/(loss) 
  per share                 8     0.16p     (0.87p)     (3.85p) 
 Diluted profit/(loss) 
  per share                 8     0.16p     (0.87p)     (3.85p) 
-----------------------  ----  --------  ----------  ---------- 
 Basic profit/(loss) 
  per share 
  from continuing 
  operations                8     0.16p     (0.87p)     (3.85p) 
 Diluted profit/(loss) 
  per share 
  from continuing 
  operations                8     0.16p     (0.87p)     (3.85p) 
-----------------------  ----  --------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Consolidated condensed statement of comprehensive income

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                                 Six months     Six months      Year to 
                                                         to             to 
                                                   30.06.16       30.06.15     31.12.15 
                                                (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                                                    GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ---  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Profit/(loss) for the period                           163          (888)      (3,919) 
 Other comprehensive (expense)/income: 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                               (116)             79           42 
 Actuarial (loss)/gain on defined 
  benefit pension scheme                              (179)          (238)          848 
 Other comprehensive (expense)/income 
  for the period, net of tax                          (295)          (159)          890 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total comprehensive expense for 
  the period                                          (132)        (1,047)      (3,029) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

Consolidated condensed statement of changes in equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                                        Share 
                                Share     Deferred    premium       Other    Retained 
                              capital       Shares    reserve    reserves    earnings      Total 
                              GBP'000      GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
-------------------------   ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 At 1 January 2016              2,037       14,319     33,195      44,160    (87,689)      6,022 
 Profit for the period              -            -          -           -         163        163 
 Other comprehensive 
  expense for the period 
  net of tax                        -            -          -           -       (295)      (295) 
 Share options - value 
  of employee services              -            -          -           -         (3)        (3) 
 At 30 June 2016                2,037       14,319     33,195      44,160    (87,824)      5,887 
--------------------------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 
                                                        Share 
                                Share     Deferred    premium       Other    Retained 
                              capital       Shares    reserve    reserves    earnings      Total 
                              GBP'000      GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
-------------------------   ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 At 1 January 2015              2,035       14,319     33,189      44,160    (84,812)      8,891 
 Loss for the period                -            -          -           -       (888)      (888) 
 Other comprehensive 
  expense for the period 
  net of tax                        -            -          -           -       (159)      (159) 
 Share options - value 
  of employee services              -            -          -           -          57         57 
 At 30 June 2015                2,035       14,319     33,189      44,160    (85,802)      7,901 
--------------------------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 

Consolidated condensed statement of financial position

As at 30 June 2016

 
                                                As at          As at        As at 
                                             30.06.16       30.06.15     31.12.15 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                                  Note        GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
   Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                       5,759          7,753        5,759 
 Intangible assets - software                   1,035          1,373        1,354 
 Property, plant and equipment                    160            528          180 
 Deferred tax assets                              485            540          507 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                                7,439         10,194        7,800 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Stocks                                            28             34           61 
 Trade and other receivables                   17,098         15,774       15,619 
 Cash and cash equivalents                      4,114          3,023        2,648 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                               21,240         18,831       18,328 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total assets                                  28,679         29,025       26,128 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Loans and borrowings                        (10,575)        (9,629)     (10,016) 
 Trade and other payables                    (10,564)        (9,156)      (8,574) 
 Provisions                                      (38)           (37)            - 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                             (21,177)       (18,822)     (18,590) 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Loans and borrowings                            (11)            (2)         (11) 
 Provisions                                         -              -         (14) 
 Retirement benefit liability      9          (1,604)        (2,300)      (1,491) 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                              (1,615)        (2,302)      (1,516) 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total liabilities                           (22,792)       (21,124)     (20,106) 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Net assets                                     5,887          7,901        6,022 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Shareholders' equity 
 Called up share capital                       16,356         16,354       16,356 
 Share premium account                         33,195         33,189       33,195 
 Other reserves                                44,160         44,160       44,160 
 Retained earnings                           (87,824)       (85,802)     (87,689) 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total shareholders' equity                     5,887          7,901        6,022 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

Consolidated condensed statement of cash flows

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                                                        Six months        Six months             Year 
                                                                to 
                                                          30.06.16                to               to 
                                                       (unaudited)          30.06.15         31.12.15 
                                                           GBP'000       (unaudited)        (audited) 
                                              Notes                          GBP'000          GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ----------  -------------  ----------------      ----------- 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Profit / (loss) for period:                                   163             (888)          (3,919) 
 Adjustments for: 
 Finance income                               4              (333)             (349)            (506) 
 Finance costs                                5                554               530            1,072 
 Share-based payment (credit)/expense                          (3)                57              152 
 Income tax charge/(credit)                   6                 22               (4)                6 
 Amortisation of intangible fixed 
  assets                                                       332               268              546 
 Depreciation of property plant 
  and equipment                                                 75               107              173 
 Impairment of goodwill                                          -                 -            1,994 
 Loss on disposal of intangible 
  assets                                                         -                 -                3 
 Loss on disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                                            -                 -              341 
                                                               810             (279)            (138) 
                                                     -------------      ------------      ----------- 
 Decrease/(increase) in stocks                                  32               (7)             (34) 
 (Increase)/decrease in trade 
  and other receivables                                    (1,488)             (250)             (96) 
 Increase/(decrease) in trade 
  and other payables                                         1,875             1,213              522 
 Increase/(decrease) in provisions                              25              (45)             (68) 
 Payments to retirement benefit 
  plan                                                       (130)              (72)             (28) 
                                                     -------------      ------------      ----------- 
 Cash generated from operations                              1,124               560              158 
                                                     -------------      ------------      ----------- 
 Income taxes (paid)                                             -                 -               23 
 Net cash flow from operating 
  activities                                                 1,124               560              181 
 
 Investing activities 
 Acquisitions                                                    -             (250)            (250) 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                                               (55)              (87)             (92) 
 Purchase of intangible assets                                (13)              (33)            (349) 
 Net cash used in investing activities                        (68)             (370)            (691) 
 
 Financing activities 
 Net cash from issue of ordinary 
  shares                                                         -                 -                8 
 Net proceeds from finance facility                            559                 4              476 
 Interest paid                                               (149)             (145)            (300) 
                                                     -------------      ------------      ----------- 
 Net cash generated from financing 
  activities                                                   410             (141)              184 
                                                     -------------      ------------      ----------- 
 Net increase / (decrease) in 
  cash and cash equivalents                                  1,466                49            (326) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the beginning of the period                                2,648             2,974            2,974 
                                                     -------------      ------------      ----------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the end of the period                                      4,114             3,023            2,648 
                                                     -------------      ------------      ----------- 
 
 

Notes to the interim results

   1             Basis of preparation 

The condensed financial statements comprise the unaudited results for the six months to 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2015 and the audited results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2015. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2015 does not constitute the full statutory accounts for that period. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2015 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditor's Report on the Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2015 was unqualified, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The condensed financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2016 have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union. The information in these condensed financial statements does not include all the information and disclosures made in the annual financial statements.

Accounting policies

The condensed financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies set out in the group financial statements for the twelve months ended 31 December 2015 and on the basis of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted for use in the EU that the Group expects to be applicable as at 31 December 2016. IFRS are subject to amendment and interpretation by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and there is an ongoing process of review and endorsement by the European Commission.

None of the new standard amendments or interpretations that have become effective in the period has had a material effect on the Group.

   2             Segmental information 
 
 Six months to 30 June 
  2016 
 (unaudited) 
                                                                     Parity 
                                        Parity Professionals    Consultancy 
                               Note                                Services      Total 
                                                     GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Revenue from external 
  customers                                           43,561          3,929     47,490 
 Attributable costs                                 (42,447)        (3,322)   (45,769) 
-----------------------------------  -----------------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Segmental Contribution                                1,114            607      1,721 
 
 
 Central costs                                          (639) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 EBITDA before share based charges and non-recurring 
  items                                                 1,082 
 Depreciation and amortisation                          (407) 
 Share based payment                                        3 
 Non-recurring items 3                                  (270) 
 Finance income                                           333 
 Finance costs                                          (554) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Profit before tax (continuing activities)                187 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 
 
 Six months to 30 June 
  2015 
 (unaudited) 
                                                                             Parity 
                                                Parity Professionals    Consultancy 
                                       Note                                Services      Total 
                                                             GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Revenue from external 
  customers                                                   37,825          3,350     41,175 
 Attributable costs                                         (36,813)        (3,157)   (39,970) 
-------------------------------------------  -----------------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Segmental Contribution                                        1,012            193      1,205 
 
 
 
 Central costs                                          (821) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 EBITDA before share based charges and non-recurring 
  items                                                   384 
 Depreciation and amortisation                          (375) 
 Share based payment                                     (57) 
 Non-recurring items 3                                  (661) 
 Finance income                                           349 
 Finance costs                                          (530) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Loss before tax (continuing activities)                (890) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 
   2             Segmental information (continued) 
 
 
   Year ended 31 December 
   2015 
 (audited) 
                                                                       Parity 
                                          Parity Professionals    Consultancy 
                                 Note                                Services      Total 
                                                       GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Revenue from external 
  customers                                             78,190          6,652     84,842 
 Attributable costs                                   (75,914)        (5,851)   (81,765) 
-------------------------------------  -----------------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Segmental contribution                                  2,276            801      3,077 
 
 
 Central costs                                          (1,497) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 EBITDA before share based charges and non-recurring 
  items                                                   1,580 
 Depreciation and amortisation                            (719) 
 Share based charges                                      (152) 
 Non-recurring items 3                                  (2,058) 
 Impairment losses 3                                    (1,994) 
 Finance income                                             506 
 Finance costs                                          (1,072) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 Loss before tax (continuing activities)                (3,909) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 
   3              Non-recurring items 
 
                                           Six months     Six months      Year to 
                                                   to             to     31.12.15 
                                             30.06.16       30.06.15    (audited) 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)      GBP'000 
                                              GBP'000        GBP'000 
--------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Continuing operations 
 Transaction costs                                 48            123          125 
 Restructuring 
 - Employee benefit costs                         144            421        1,404 
 - Write down of tangible fixed 
  assets                                            -              -          341 
 - Other operating costs                           34            101          126 
 Property costs                                    44             16           62 
 Total non-recurring items from 
  continuing operations                           270            661         2058 
 Impairment of Goodwill                             -              -        1,994 
--------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total non-recurring items                        270            661        4,052 
--------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

Non-recurring items in H1 2016 include GBP178,000 of restructuring costs. Of this amount approximately GBP105,000 related to Group restructuring in line with the Board's strategy to focus on core business, GBP39,000 related to downsizing the Talent Management service offering in Northern Ireland, and GBP34,000 related to residual costs incurred to close the Golden Square service offering. In addition, GBP48,000 of transaction costs were incurred.

Property costs of GBP44,000 represent empty property costs incurred as a result of centralising the London office.

Non-recurring items in H1 2015 included GBP522,000 of restructuring costs. Of this amount, approximately GBP443,000 related to the restructuring of the Supercommunications business, including GBP315,000 relating to the termination of the Golden Square Content service offering. In addition, costs of GBP123,000 were incurred during the period in relation to an aborted transaction.

Property costs of GBP16,000 represented empty property costs incurred as a result of the relocation of the PLC head office.

Goodwill was tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 at the 2015 year end. An impairment charge of GBP1,994,000 was recorded in respect of the Group's investment in Inition Limited. The impairment charge was driven by the Group's decision to discontinue its digital "buy and build" acquisition initiative, and to subsequently focus management attention on its core businesses.

   4             Finance income 
 
                                              Six months     Six months      Year to 
                                                      to             to 
                                                30.06.16       30.06.15     31.12.15 
                                             (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                                                 GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
-----------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Expected return on pension scheme 
  assets                                             333            349          506 
-----------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
   5             Finance costs 
 
                                     Six months     Six months      Year to 
                                             to             to     31.12.15 
                                       30.06.16       30.06.15    (audited) 
                                    (unaudited)    (unaudited)      GBP'000 
                                        GBP'000        GBP'000 
--------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Bank interest payable                      149            145          300 
 Post-retirement benefits                   405            385          772 
 Total finance costs                        554            530        1,072 
--------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

Bank interest payable is in respect of the Group's invoice financing facilities.

   6             Tax 
 
                                      Six months     Six months      Year to 
                                              to             to     31.12.15 
                                        30.06.16       30.06.15    (audited) 
                                     (unaudited)    (unaudited)      GBP'000 
                                         GBP'000        GBP'000 
---------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Current tax                                   -              -         (23) 
 Deferred tax                                 22            (4)           29 
---------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total tax (credit)/charge                    22            (4)            6 
---------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 
                                      Six months     Six months      Year to 
                                              to             to     31.12.15 
                                        30.06.16       30.06.15    (audited) 
                                     (unaudited)    (unaudited)      GBP'000 
                                         GBP'000        GBP'000 
---------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Continuing operations                        22            (4)            6 
 Discontinued operations                       -              -            - 
---------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total tax (credit)/charge                    22            (4)            6 
---------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
   7             Discontinued operations 
 
                                           Six months     Six months      Year to 
                                                   to             to     31.12.15 
                                             30.06.16       30.06.15    (audited) 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)      GBP'000 
                                              GBP'000        GBP'000 
--------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Pre-tax loss from discontinued 
  operations                                      (2)            (2)          (4) 
 Taxation                                           -              -            - 
--------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Loss for the period                              (2)            (2)          (4) 
--------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

The pre-tax losses in 2016 and 2015 relate to costs incurred by legacy Group companies.

   8             Earnings per share 

The calculation of the earnings per share is based on a profit after taxation of GBP163,000 (30 June 2015: loss of GBP888,000, 31 December 2015: loss of GBP3,919,000). The calculation of the earnings per share from continuing operations is based on a profit after taxation of GBP165,000 (30 June 2015: loss of GBP886,000, 31 December 2015: loss of GBP3,915,000). The calculation of the earnings per share from discontinued operations below is based on a loss after taxation of GBP2,000 (30 June 2015: loss of GBP2,000, 31 December 2015: loss of GBP4,000).

The weighted average number of shares used in the calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 
                                             Six months     Six months         Year to 
                                                     to    to 30.06.15        31.12.15 
                                               30.06.15    (unaudited)       (audited) 
                                            (unaudited)         Number          Number 
                                                 Number 
----------------------------------  ----  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
 Basic 
 Weighted average number of fully 
  paid ordinary shares in issue 
  during the period                         101,824,020    101,726,520     101,731,321 
 
 Dilutive 
 Weighted average number of fully 
  paid ordinary shares in issue 
  during the period                         101,824,020    101,726,520     101,731,321 
 Dilutive effect of potential                                                        - 
  ordinary shares                             1,845,606              - 
 Diluted weighted average number 
  of ordinary shares in issue 
  during the period                         103,669,626    101,726,520     101,731,321 
----------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
 
 Number of issued ordinary shares 
  at the end of the period              101,824,020     101,726,520     101,824,020 
-----------------------------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the basic earnings for the period by the weighted average number of fully paid ordinary shares in issue during the period.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated on the same basis as the basic earnings per share with a further adjustment to the weighted average number of fully paid ordinary shares to reflect the effect of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares. During 2015 none of the potential ordinary shares were dilutive, as the Group made a loss on continuing activities during the year.

   9             Post retirement benefits 

The Group provides employee benefits under various arrangements, including through defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, the details of which are disclosed in the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts. At the interim balance sheet date the major assumptions used in assessing the defined benefit pension scheme liability have been reviewed and updated based on a roll-forward of the last formal actuarial valuation, which was carried out as at 5 April 2012.

The following changes in estimate have been applied to the IAS19 valuation as at 30 June 2016:

 
                                     30.06.16    30.06.15    31.12.15 
                                            %           %           % 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Rate of increase in pensions in    3.6 - 3.9   3.7 - 4.0   3.6 - 3.9 
  payment 
 Discount rate                            2.9         3.8         3.8 
 Retail price inflation                   3.1         3.5         3.1 
 Consumer price inflation                 2.1         2.5         2.1 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   10          Commitments and contingencies 

The Group leases various buildings which operate within all the segments. The leases are non-cancellable operating agreements with varying terms and renewal rights. The Group also has various other non-cancellable operating lease commitments and a small number of assets that are held under finance leases. The finance leases have varying terms and renewal rights.

   11          Related party transactions 

Director transactions

There were no related party director transactions for the six months' period to 30 June 2016. During the six months' period to 30 June 2015 and year to 31 December 2015 the Group transacted with one entity over which one of the Group's directors, at the time, had control or significant influence, as follows:

 
 Director       Transaction                 Transaction value                         Balance outstanding 
                                                  Six months         Year 
                                                          to           to          As at          As at        As at 
                                   Six months 
                                           to       30.06.15     31.12.15       30.06.16       30.06.15     31.12.15 
                                     30.06.16    (unaudited)    (audited)    (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                                  (unaudited) 
                                      GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
-------------  --------------  --------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
                IT interim 
 D. Courtley     recruitment                -             49           81              -             10            - 
-------------  --------------  --------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

During the comparative periods, the Group provided IT contractors to Mozaic Services Limited, a company that was significantly influenced by Mr D Courtley. Mr Courtley was a non-executive director of the Group during 2015 until he stepped down on 13 August 2015. Amounts were billed at normal market rates for such services, and were due and payable under standard client payment terms.

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are therefore not disclosed in this note.

There were no other related party transactions during the period (2015: none).

   12          Post balance sheet events 

There are no post balance sheet events to report

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The directors confirm, to the best of their knowledge:

-- The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union;

-- The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year, and gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and loss for the period of the Group; and

-- The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority, being a disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein since the previous annual report.

By order of the Board

Lord Freeman

Non-Executive Chairman

7 September 2016

Independent review report to the members of Parity Group plc

for the six months ended 30 June 2016

Introduction

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June which comprises consolidated condensed income statement, the consolidated condensed statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated condensed statement of changes in equity, the consolidated condensed statement of financial position, the consolidated condensed statement of cash flows and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our engagement. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly report in accordance with the AIM Rules.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June 2016 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the AIM Rules.

Kelly Dunn (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants

15 Canada Square

E14 5GL

London

United Kingdom

7th September 2016

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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