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GTLY Gateley (holdings) Plc

114.00
-1.50 (-1.30%)
10 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Gateley (holdings) Plc LSE:GTLY London Ordinary Share GB00BXB07J71 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -1.50 -1.30% 114.00 114.00 117.00 116.00 115.50 115.50 56,076 16:35:19
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Legal Services 162.73M 12.24M 0.0930 12.42 152.04M

Gateley (Holdings) PLC Results for the six months ended 31 October 2016 (0236R)

06/12/2016 7:00am

UK Regulatory


TIDMGTLY

RNS Number : 0236R

Gateley (Holdings) PLC

06 December 2016

 
 For Immediate Release   6 December 2016 
 

Gateley (Holdings) Plc

("Gateley" or the "Group")

Half Year Results for the six months ended 31 October 2016

Gateley (AIM:GTLY), a national commercial law firm and complementary business services group, is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 October 2016 ("the period").

Financial Highlights

   --      Revenue increased 18.9% (2015: 10.9%) to GBP35.2m (2015: GBP29.6m) 
   --      Adjusted EBITDA* increased 11.1% (2015: 40.6%) to GBP5.0m (2015: GBP4.5m) 
   --      Profit before tax increased 44.8% (2015: 11.5%) to GBP4.2m (2015: GBP2.9m) 
   --      Basic EPS increased 55% (2015: 5%) to 3.1p (2015: 2.0p) 
   --      Interim dividend increased 16% to 2.2p per ordinary share (2015: 1.895p) 
   --      Strong cash generation 

* Adjusted EBITDA excludes income or expenses that relate to non-underlying items and non-cash charges relating to share based payments

Operational Highlights

   --      Successful acquisition of two complementary businesses with integration progressing well: 

o Gateley Capitus Limited was acquired in April 2016

o Gateley Hamer Limited was acquired in September 2016

-- Expansion of legal services via investment in our new Reading office in the 5 months since opening (including the appointment of 5 legal partners)

   --      Staff numbers increased by 12.7% since October 2015 to 701 

-- All staff SAYE share scheme introduced in August 2016 together with a further Stock Appreciation Rights Scheme issue on 7 October for partners. CSOP scheme for middle management to be introduced before 31 December 2016

   --      Strengthening balance sheet with gross assets of GBP41.6m (2015: GBP40.7m) 

-- Expanding shareholder base following the successful sale of former partner shares in October 2016 increasing Group free float from 30% to 34.3%

Michael Ward, CEO of Gateley, commented:

"Trading for the first half of the year has been good, with growth in revenue and operating profit supported by strong cash generation in line with the Board's expectations. I am pleased to report continued expansion of service lines and the successful acquisition of our second complementary business services company, Gateley Hamer Limited. Significant progress is being made with recruitment in our new Reading office, whilst careful and considered expansion of existing services lines continues to position us well for the second half of the year. Our broad client base has started to benefit from our new complementary business service lines and our people are showing exceptional long term commitment to the strategy, evidenced by a 43% take up by staff in our all staff share scheme, materially ahead of normal take-up rates for such schemes. Given the progress made by the business, the Board is pleased to announce an increase in our interim dividend to 2.2p per share.

"Opportunities for organic growth continue as our market share remains small relative to the overall size of the UK commercial legal sector. We remain on track to deliver against our expectations for the year and continue to look to maximise synergies from our recent acquisitions as their services continue to attract further interest from new and existing clients. We are very pleased with the progress made by the Group since IPO and the Board look forward with optimism given the opportunities it believes exist."

Enquiries:

 
 Gateley (Holdings) Plc 
 Neil Smith, Finance Director                       +44 121 234 0196 
 Nick Smith, Acquisitions Director and 
  Head of Investor Relations                        +44 20 7653 1665 
 Dawn Roberts/Matt Taylor, Interim Head          +44 7720 095114/+44 
  of Communications                                     121 221 7852 
 
 Cantor Fitzgerald Europe - Nominated adviser 
  and broker                                        +44 20 7894 7000 
 David Foreman, Marc Milmo, Michael Reynolds 
  (Corporate Finance) 
 Mark Westcott , Alex Pollen, Caspar Shand 
  Kydd (Sales) 
 
 IFC Advisory - Financial PR adviser                +44 20 3053 8671 
 Tim Metcalfe, Graham Herring, Heather 
  Armstrong, Miles Nolan 
 

CEO Operational Review

Introduction

I am pleased to report that the Group has performed well in its start to its second year as a public company. In a market that continues to be challenging, the Board has remained focused on the execution of our stated strategy of long term organic and acquisitive growth. The Group has made excellent progress since our successful AIM IPO, all of which has been made possible by the positive reaction to our flotation by our diversified client base and excellent staff.

Financial Results

The Group reports a strong trading performance with increases against last year in both revenue (up 18.9% to GBP35.2m) and adjusted EBITDA (up 11.1% to GBP5.0m). Our transition from LLP to Plc has been smooth and with the strong cash generation of the business our balance sheet continues to strengthen. We have invested for the long-term future of the business and are pleased to propose an increase in the interim dividend to 2.2p (2015: 1.895p) in line with expectations.

Operational Review

Whilst growth in our divisions is encouraging, it is also important to highlight that the Group operates through a diverse and resilient business structure that performs well in both good as well as more challenging economic environments.

Since 1 May 2015 we have welcomed 15 new lateral legal partner hires to the Group across our offices evidencing our ability to continue to attract and retain talent. In addition, 4 senior associates have been promoted to legal partner with effect from 1 May 2016. Our overall staff numbers continue to increase as our measured expansion across legal and now non-legal complementary business services enhances our offering to new and existing clients. Our new SAYE and CSOP schemes will assist with our incentivisation strategy to enable all staff to obtain equity ownership in the business.

We announced the opening of a new office in Reading on 1 November 2015 and officially moved into new leasehold premises at The Blade on 1 June 2016. Staff numbers in Reading have risen to 13, including 5 legal partners, and recruitment continues to progress well.

We continue to successfully maintain our presence on legal panels and have been reappointed to all national panels that have required retendering during this period.

Whilst we have never owned any assets in Scotland, post period end, we received six months' notice of termination of our affiliation agreement with HBJ in Scotland. We will be looking to enter into new arrangements with another firm in Scotland in the first half of next year.

Acquisitions

At the time of the Group's AIM IPO, we stated that the Group would seek to acquire businesses offering complementary professional and other specialist services to clients in Gateley's target markets. In April 2016 we successfully completed our first acquisition of a non-legal fiscal incentives business, Gateley Capitus Limited, consistent with our stated growth strategy. This was followed by our second acquisition, Gateley Hamer Limited, a specialist property consultancy. We are pleased to report that integration of both businesses is progressing well as their respective Midlands operations have been moved into Gateley's Birmingham office and Gateley Capitus' office in Northern Ireland has been moved to a new Belfast city centre location. Both acquisitions have also been rebranded. The reception from the marketplace to our enlarged service offering has been encouraging. We continue to explore acquisitions of further businesses providing complementary professional services to enable us to further diversify our income streams going forward.

Current trading and outlook

Trading is robust and we anticipate this will continue into the second half of the current financial year. We are confident that our business is well balanced and resilient and we remain focused on delivering another year of growth in our core services and exploiting synergies between all Group companies whilst looking to continue to enhance our offering to clients through further acquisitions.

Michael Ward

CEO

6 December 2016

Finance Director's Review

The Group's results for the 6 month period ended 31 October 2016 continue to demonstrate a healthy balance of solid, profitable organic revenue and EBITDA growth as we look to further increase our market share in the national commercial legal market and benefit from the implementation of our acquisition strategy. We have worked hard to fully integrate two excellent complementary professional services businesses in Gateley Capitus and Gateley Hamer and welcome the diversification these new businesses and their professionals bring to our expanding Group.

The Group has delivered a solid return for investors since its IPO and has continued, with these results, to demonstrate that it has adjusted to life in the public markets. We have increased our adjusted EPS to 3.09p (2015 2.88p) and strengthened our balance sheet as we have moved from LLP to Plc.

Revenues grew by 18.9% (2015: 10.9%) to GBP35.2m (2015: GBP29.6m) as the Group's well balanced, resilient mix of work types continued to serve our clients well.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 11.1% to GBP5.0m (2015 GBP4.5m) despite the Board making a net investment in our new Reading office of more than GBP0.6m in the period. Profit before tax increased to GBP4.2m (2015: GBP2.9m).

Total operating costs rose by 16.4% to GBP30.5m (2015: GBP26.2m) as we continue to invest in building a full service offering in Reading and increase the number of professional and support staff we employ across the Group. Our average number of legal staff numbers rose by 6.2% to 410 during the period (2015: 386). Personnel costs rose accordingly by 18.9% to 21.4m (2015: GBP18.0m). Personnel costs as a percentage of revenue were maintained at a similar rate to the prior year. As expected, due to the number of new starters, especially in Reading, utilisation of fee generating staff reduced to 83% (2015: 85%).

(1) Adjusted for depreciation, amortisation and non-underlying items and non-cash charges relating to share base payments

Balance sheet, cash flow and financing

The Group continues to build a strong balance sheet with gross assets of GBP41.6m (2015: GBP40.7m) including cash and cash equivalents of GBP2.2m (2015: GBP7.8m). The Group's cash generation remains strong as the time taken to collect debts continues to improve. Following the cash outlay of GBP1.0m on the acquisition of Gateley Capitus the Group has, during September, funded a further GBP0.5m of the cash consideration in respect of the acquisition of Gateley Hamer. Deferred consideration of GBP0.05m and GBP1.1m remain outstanding on the acquisitions of Gateley Capitus and Gateley Hamer, respectively. GBP0.65m is anticipated to be payable within one year, with GBP0.5m payable within two years.

Total net debt has reduced to GBP7.4m (2015: GBP12.0m) as the Group continues to manage working capital well.

Earnings per share and Dividend

Adjusted basic earnings per share was 3.09p (2015: 2.88p). Basic and diluted earnings per share was 3.09p (2015: 2.03p). The Board today declares an interim dividend of 2.2 pence per share which will be paid in early March 2017 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 10 February 2017. The shares will go ex-dividend on 9 February 2017.

Neil Smith

Finance Director

6 December 2016

Gateley (Holdings) Plc

Consolidated income statement and other comprehensive income (Unaudited)

For the 6 months ended 31 October 2016

 
                                 Notes    Unaudited     Unaudited       Audited 
                                           6 months   6 months to     12 months 
                                                 to    31 October            to 
                                         31 October          2015      30 April 
                                               2016                        2016 
                                             GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
 
Revenue                              2       35,153        29,636        67,061 
 
Other operating income                          197           149           442 
Personnel costs                      3     (21,378)      (18,014)      (38,951) 
Depreciation and amortisation                 (569)         (357)         (687) 
Other operating expenses                    (9,101)       (8,324)      (16,605) 
                                        -----------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA                               4,971         4,473        12,928 
Share based payments                          (100)         (100)         (125) 
Depreciation and amortisation                 (569)         (357)         (687) 
Non-underlying items 
One off professional costs                        -         (171)         (101) 
Admission costs                                   -         (755)         (755) 
-------------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ------------ 
 
Operating profit                              4,302         3,090        11,260 
 
Net financing expense                          (84)         (160)         (226) 
                                        -----------  ------------  ------------ 
 
Profit before tax                             4,218         2,930        11,034 
 
Taxation                                      (926)         (800)       (2,448) 
                                        -----------  ------------  ------------ 
 
Profit for the year after tax                 3,292         2,130         8,586 
                                        ===========  ============  ============ 
 
Total comprehensive income for 
 the period, net of tax                       3,292         2,130         8,586 
                                        ===========  ============  ============ 
 
 

Earnings per share (pence)

 
Basic and diluted earnings per 
 share                           43.09   2.03  8.18 
Adjusted basic earnings per 
 share                           43.09   2.88  8.98 
 
Proposed interim dividend per 
 share                           52.20  1.895 
 

The results for the periods presented above are derived from continuing operations.

Gateley (Holdings) Plc

Consolidated statement of financial position

at 31 October 2016

 
                                                      Unaudited at  Unaudited at  Audited at 
                                                        31 October    31 October    30 April 
                                                              2016          2015        2016 
                                                Note        GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
  Property, plant and equipment                              2,019         1,422       1,478 
  Investment property                                          164           164         164 
  Intangible assets & goodwill                     6         4,119             -       2,515 
  Investments                                                   85            70          85 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Total non-current assets                                   6,387         1,656       4,242 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Current assets 
  Trade and other receivables                      7        33,023        31,238      33,696 
  Cash and cash equivalents                                  2,214         7,808       9,795 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Total current assets                                      35,237        39,046      43,491 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Total assets                                              41,624        40,702      47,733 
                                                      ============  ============  ========== 
 
  Non-current liabilities 
 
  Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings      8       (5,950)       (9,458)     (7,438) 
  Other payables                                   9         (654)             -       (154) 
  Deferred tax liability                                     (295)             -       (200) 
  Provisions                                                 (755)         (339)       (339) 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Total non-current liabilities                            (7,654)       (9,797)     (8,131) 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Current liabilities 
  Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings      8       (3,705)      (10,304)     (6,583) 
  Trade and other payables                         9      (17,553)      (13,366)    (20,038) 
  Provisions                                                 (150)         (150)       (257) 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Total current liabilities                               (21,408)      (23,820)    (26,878) 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  Total liabilities                                       (29,062)      (33,617)    (35,009) 
                                                      ============  ============  ========== 
 
  NET ASSETS                                                12,562         7,085      12,724 
                                                      ============  ============  ========== 
 
  EQUITY 
 Share capital                                    10        10,678        10,527      10,640 
 Share premium                                               4,333         4,333       4,332 
 Merger reserve                                            (9,950)       (9,950)     (9,950) 
 Other reserves                                              1,418             -       1,013 
 Treasury reserve                                             (29)          (55)        (27) 
 Retained earnings                                           6,112         2,230       6,716 
                                                      ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
  TOTAL EQUITY                                              12,562         7,085      12,724 
                                                      ============  ============  ========== 
 

Gateley (Holdings) Plc

Consolidated cash flow statement

for the 6 months ended 31 October 2016

 
                                                                                Unaudited     Unaudited        Audited 
                                                                              6 months to   6 months to   12 months to 
                                                                               31 October    31 October       30 April 
                                                                                     2016          2015           2016 
                                                                                   GBP000        GBP000         GBP000 
Cash flows from operating activities 
                                                                       Note 
Profit for the period                                                               3,292         2,130          8,586 
Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                                        374           357            687 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                                                    195             -              - 
 Financial income                                                                   (153)         (121)          (265) 
 Financial expense                                                                    237           280            491 
 Equity settled share based payments                                                  100           100            125 
 Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment                                    -           (2)            (8) 
 Tax expense                                                                          926           800          2,448 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
                                                                                    4,971         3,544         12,064 
 Increase in trade and other receivables                                            1,022           457        (1,387) 
 Increase in trade and other payables                                             (2,783)       (1,087)          4,605 
 Increase in provisions                                                               309          (48)             59 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
Cash generated from operations                                                      3,519         2,866         15,341 
Tax expense paid                                                                  (1,526)             -        (1,007) 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities                                            1,993         2,866         14,334 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 
Investing activities 
Interest and other financial income paid                                             (84)         (159)          (226) 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment                                        (899)         (280)          (670) 
Purchase of other investments                                                           -             -           (15) 
Consideration paid on acquisition of subsidiary                          12         (508)             -        (1,592) 
Cash received on acquisition of subsidiary                               12           280         2,719            350 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                     -             2             16 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
Net cash (outflow)/inflow investing activities                                    (1,211)         2,282        (2,137) 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 
Financing activities 
Issue of ordinary shares, net of issue costs                                            -         4,910          4,910 
Proceeds from new term bank loans                                                       -         9,907          9,907 
Repayment of term bank loans                                                        (990)             -          (989) 
Repayment of loans from former members of Gateley Heritage LLP                    (3,375)       (5,402)       (10,153) 
Repayment of fixed capital from former members of Gateley Heritage 
 LLP                                                                                    -       (6,717)        (6,717) 
Transactions with Gateley EBT Limited                                                 (2)             -           (27) 
Dividends paid                                                            5       (3,996)             -        (1,995) 
Payment of finance lease liabilities                                                    -          (38)           (57) 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
Net cash (outflow)/inflow financing activities                                    (8,363)         2,660        (5,121) 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                              (7,581)         7,808          7,076 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                    9,795             -          2,719 
                                                                             ------------  ------------  ------------- 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                          2,214         7,808          9,795 
                                                                             ============  ============  ============= 
 
 

Gateley (Holdings) Plc

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the 6 months ended 31 October 2016

 
                                      Share     Share    Merger     Other  Treasury   Retained    Total 
                                    capital   premium   reserve   reserve   reserve   earnings   equity 
                                    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000  GBP'000 
 
 
 
 
At 1 May 2015                        10,000         -   (9,950)         -         -          -       50 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the year                             -         -         -         -         -      8,586    8,586 
Repurchase of treasury 
 shares                                   -         -         -         -      (27)          -     (27) 
Issue of shares                         640     4,482         -     1,013         -          -    6,135 
Share issue costs                         -     (150)         -         -         -          -    (150) 
Dividend paid                             -         -         -         -         -    (1,995)  (1,995) 
Share based payment transactions          -         -         -         -         -        125      125 
                                   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
Total equity at 30 April 
 2016                                10,640     4,332   (9,950)     1,013      (27)      6,716   12,724 
                                   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  =========  ======= 
 
 
At 1 May 2015                        10,000         -   (9,950)         -         -          -       50 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period                           -         -         -         -         -      2,130    2,130 
Repurchase of treasury 
 shares                                   -         -         -         -      (55)          -     (55) 
Issue of shares                         527     4,483         -         -         -          -    5,010 
Share issue costs                         -     (150)         -         -         -          -    (150) 
Share based payment transactions          -         -         -         -         -        100      100 
                                   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
Total equity at 31 October 
 2015                                10,527     4,333   (9,950)         -      (55)      2,230    7,085 
                                   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  =========  ======= 
 
 
At 1 May 2016                        10,640     4,332   (9,950)     1,013      (27)      6,716   12,724 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period                           -         -         -         -         -      3,292    3,292 
Repurchase of treasury 
 shares                                   -         -         -         -       (2)          -      (2) 
Issue of shares                          38         1         -       419         -          -      458 
Share issue costs                         -         -         -      (14)         -          -     (14) 
Dividend paid                             -         -         -         -         -    (3,996)  (3,996) 
Share based payment transactions          -         -         -         -         -        100      100 
                                   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ------- 
Total equity at 31 October 
 2016                                10,678     4,333   (9,950)     1,418      (29)      6,112   12,562 
                                   ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  =========  ======= 
 

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within equity:

Share premium - Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

Merger reserve - Represents the difference between the nominal value of shares acquired by the company in the share for share exchange with the former Gateley Heritage LLP members and the nominal value of shares issued to acquire them.

Other reserve - Represents the difference between the actual and nominal value of shares issued by the company in the acquisition of subsidiaries.

Treasury reserve - Represents the repurchase of shares for future distribution by the Group's Employee Benefit Trust.

Retained earnings - All other net gains and losses and transactions with owners not recognised anywhere else.

Gateley (Holdings) Plc

Notes

for the year ended 30 April 2016

   1              Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies 

These interim unaudited financial statements for the six months ended 31 October 2016 have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report and Financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 April 2016.

The recognition and measurement requirements of all International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRSs'), International Accounting Standards ('IAS') and interpretations currently endorsed by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') and its committees as adopted by the EU and as required to be adopted by AIM listed companies have been applied. AIM-listed companies are not required to comply with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and accordingly the Company has taken advantage of this exemption.

The financial information contained in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts for the six months ended 31 October 2016 or 31 October 2015 and should be read in conjunction with the statutory accounts for the 30 April 2016. The auditors have reported on those accounts.

The condensed unaudited financial statements for the six months to 31 October 2016 have not been audited or reviewed by auditors pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board guidance on Review of Interim Financial Information.

Going concern

These interim accounts are prepared on a going concern basis as the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Group remains cash generative, with a strong on-going trading performance. On 1 June 2015 the Group acquired two unsecured term loans for GBP5m each repayable quarterly over five years. These term loan facilities contain financial covenants which the Group continues and is forecast to comply with for the foreseeable future. Additional unsecured 12 month overdraft facilities of up to GBP5m in total are also currently available to the Group.

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, this condensed set of consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the AIM Rules.

Cautionary statement

This document contains certain forward-looking statements with respect of the financial condition, results, operations and business of the Group. Whilst these statements are made in good faith based on information available at the time of approval, these statements and forecasts inherently involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause the actual results of developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit forecast.

   2              Operating segments 

The Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") is the Strategic Board. The Group has the following five strategic divisions, which are its reportable segments. These divisions offer different products and services and are managed separately because they report different specialisms from the legal teams in those divisions.

The following summary describes the operations of each reportable segment:

 
 Reportable segment        Operations 
 Banking and Financial     Provision of legal advice in respect of 
  Services                  asset finance, banking and corporate recovery 
                            services 
 Corporate                 Provision of legal advice in respect of 
                            corporate, private client, family and taxation 
                            services 
 Business Services         Provision of legal advice in respect of 
                            commercial, commercial dispute resolution, 
                            litigation, regulatory, shipping, transport 
                            and insurance services 
 Employees, Pensions and   Provision of legal advice in respect of 
  Benefits                  employment and pension services, including 
                            Entrust Pension Limited's trustee advisory 
                            services 
 Property                  Provision of legal advice in respect of 
                            construction, planning, real estate and 
                            residential development services, Gateley 
                            Capitus tax incentives services and Gateley 
                            Hamer property consultancy services 
 

31 October 2016

 
                             Banking and  Corporate   Business   Employee  Property      Total  Other expense    Total 
                               Financial              Services   Pensions             segments   and movement 
                                Services                              and                         in unbilled 
                                                                 Benefits                             revenue 
                                  GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000    GBP000     GBP000         GBP000   GBP000 
Segment revenue                    5,343      6,257      5,461      3,423    13,519     34,003          1,150   35,153 
                             -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------- 
Segment contribution 
 (as reported internally)          1,330      1,758      2,496      1,171     6,466     13,220          1,150   14,362 
Costs not allocated to 
segments: 
 Other operating income                                                                                            197 
 Personnel costs                                                                                               (3,314) 
 Depreciation and 
  amortisation                                                                                                   (569) 
 Other operating expenses                                                                                      (6,374) 
Net financial expense                                                                                             (84) 
                                                                                                               ------- 
Profit for the financial 
 period before taxation and 
 non-underlying items                                                                                            4,218 
                                                                                                               ======= 
 

31 October 2015

 
                            Banking and  Corporate   Business   Employee  Property      Total  Other expenses    Total 
                              Financial              Services   Pensions             segments    and movement 
                               Services                              and                          in unbilled 
                                                                Benefits                              revenue 
                                 GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000    GBP000     GBP000          GBP000   GBP000 
Segment revenue                   5,051      5,210      4,442      3,688    10,116     28,507           1,129   29,636 
                            -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  --------------  ------- 
Pro-forma segment 
 contribution 
 (as reported internally)         1,820      1,568      2,017      1,679     4,813     11,897           1,129   13,026 
Costs not allocated to 
segments: 
 Other operating income                                                                                            149 
 Personnel costs                                                                                               (3,101) 
 Depreciation and 
  amortisation                                                                                                   (357) 
 Other operating expenses                                                                                      (5,701) 
Net financial expense                                                                                            (160) 
                                                                                                               ------- 
Profit for the financial 
 period before taxation 
 and non-underlying items                                                                                        3,856 
                                                                                                               ======= 
 

30 April 2016

 
                           Banking and  Corporate   Business   Employee  Property      Total  Other expenses     Total 
                             Financial              Services   Pensions             segments    and movement 
                              Services                              and                          in unbilled 
                                                               Benefits                              revenue 
                                GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000    GBP000     GBP000          GBP000    GBP000 
Segment revenue                 13,550     11,345     10,295      7,273    22,349     64,812           2,249    67,061 
                           -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  --------------  -------- 
Pro-forma segment 
 contribution 
 (as reported internally)        6,304      3,157      4,037      2,456    10,132     26,086           2,249    28,335 
Costs not allocated to 
segments: 
 Other operating income                                                                                            442 
 Personnel costs                                                                                               (3,882) 
 Depreciation and 
  amortisation                                                                                                   (687) 
 Other operating expenses                                                                                     (12,092) 
Net financial expense                                                                                            (226) 
                                                                                                              -------- 
Profit for the financial 
 year before taxation and 
 non-underlying items                                                                                           11,890 
                                                                                                              ======== 
 

No other financial information has been disclosed as it is not provided to the CODM on a regular basis.

   3          Staff numbers and costs 

The average number of persons employed by the Group during the period, analysed by category, was as follows:

 
                                                                                      Number of employees 
                                                                       6 months to       6 months to    12 months to 
                                                                   31 October 2016   31 October 2015   30 April 2016 
 
Legal staff                                                                    410               386             392 
Surveyors                                                                        9                 -               - 
Administrative staff                                                           253               231             230 
                                                                  ----------------  ----------------  -------------- 
                                                                               672               617             622 
                                                                  ================  ================  ============== 
 
  The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows: 
                                                                            GBP000            GBP000          GBP000 
 
Wages and salaries                                                          18,938            15,870          34,733 
Social security costs                                                        2,007             1,757           3,491 
Pension costs                                                                  333               287             602 
Share based payments expenses                                                  100               100             125 
                                                                  ----------------  ----------------  -------------- 
                                                                            21,378            18,014          38,951 
                                                                  ================  ================  ============== 
 
   4              Earnings per share 
 
                                                                         6 months to       6 months to    12 months to 
                                                                     31 October 2016   31 October 2015   30 April 2016 
                                                                              Number            Number          Number 
 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for calculating basic 
 and diluted earnings per 
 share                                                                   106,461,584       104,725,070     104,928,209 
                                                                    ================  ================  ============== 
 
 
                                                                              GBP000            GBP000          GBP000 
 
Profit for the period and basic earnings attributable to ordinary 
 equity shareholders                                                           3,292             2,130           8,586 
 
 
 
Non-underlying items 
Operating expenses and finance costs                                 -    926    856 
Tax on non-underlying items                                          -   (36)   (20) 
                                                                 -----  -----  ----- 
Underlying earnings before non-underlying items                  3,292  3,020  9,422 
 
Earnings per share is calculated as follows: 
                                                                 Pence  Pence  Pence 
 
Basic earnings per ordinary share                                3.09p  2.03p  8.18p 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share                              3.09p  2.03p  8.18p 
 
Basic earnings per ordinary share after non-underlying items     3.09p  2.88p  8.98p 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share after non-underlying items   3.09p  2.88p  8.98p 
 

Underlying earnings per share have been shown because the Directors consider that this provides valuable additional information about the underlying performance of the Group.

   5              Dividends 
 
                                            6 months to     6 months 
                                             31 October           to 
                                                   2016   31 October 
                                                                2015 
 
Paid during the period 
Equity dividends on ordinary shares: 
 - Final dividend for 2016: 5.65p                 3,996            - 
                                            -----------  ----------- 
Dividends paid                                    3,996            - 
                                            -----------  ----------- 
 
Proposed during the period 
 Equity dividends on ordinary shares: 
 - Interim dividend for 2017: 2.2p (2016: 
  1.895p)                                         2,349        1,995 
                                            -----------  ----------- 
Dividends proposed                                2,349        1,995 
                                            -----------  ----------- 
 

The Board has approved an interim dividend of 2.2p (2016: 1.895p) per share. This dividend will be paid in early March 2017 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 10 February 2017. The shares will go ex-dividend on 9 February 2017. This dividend has not been recognised as a liability in these final statements.

   6          Intangible assets 
 
                                                    Customer list  Goodwill   Total 
                                                        and brand 
                                                            names 
                                                           GBP000    GBP000  GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 May 2015 and 31 October 2015                               -         -       - 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 
At 1 November 2015                                              -         -       - 
Acquired through business combination                       1,000     1,515   2,515 
                                                    -------------  --------  ------ 
At 30 April 2016                                            1,000     1,515   2,515 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 
At 1 May 2016                                               1,000     1,515   2,515 
Acquired through business combination                         638     1,161   1,799 
At 31 October 2016                                          1,638     2,676   4,314 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 
Accumulated amortisation 
 At 1 May 2015, 31 October 2015 and 30 April 2016               -         -       - 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 
At 1 May 2016                                                   -         -       - 
Charge for the period                                         195         -     195 
At 31 October 2016                                            195         -     195 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 
Net Book Value 
 At 1 May 2015 and 31 October 2015                              -         -       - 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 
At 30 April 2016                                            1,000     1,515   2,515 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 
At 31 October 2016                                          1,443     2,676   4,119 
                                                    =============  ========  ====== 
 

Goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to the following cash generating units

 
                                                            31 October  31 October  30 April 
                                                                  2016        2015      2016 
                                                                GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
 
Gateley Capitus Limited                                          1,515           -     1,515 
Gateley Hamer Limited (Formerly Hamer Associates Limited)        1,161           -         - 
                                                            ----------  ----------  -------- 
                                                                 2,676           -     1,515 
                                                            ==========  ==========  ======== 
 
   7          Trade and other receivables 
 
 
                                 31 October  31 October  30 April 
                                       2016        2015      2016 
                                     GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
 
Trade receivables                    20,501      19,967    20,759 
Unbilled revenue                     10,532       9,314     9,881 
Prepayments and accrued income        1,990       1,957     3,056 
                                 ----------  ----------  -------- 
                                     33,023      31,238    33,696 
                                 ==========  ==========  ======== 
 
 
   8          Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

The contractual terms of the Group's interest-bearing loans and borrowings, which are measured at amortised cost are described below.

 
                             31 October 2016    31 October 2015    30 April 2016 
                               Fair  Carrying     Fair  Carrying    Fair  Carrying 
                              value    amount    value    amount   value    amount 
                             GBP000    GBP000   GBP000    GBP000  GBP000    GBP000 
Non-Current liabilities 
Unsecured bank loan           5,950     5,950    7,920     7,920   6,938     6,938 
Loans from former members         -         -    1,538     1,538     500       500 
                              5,950     5,950    9,458     9,458   7,438     7,438 
                            =======  ========  =======  ========  ======  ======== 
 
Current liabilities 
Unsecured bank loan           1,978     1,978    1,987     1,987   1,980     1,980 
Loans from former members     1,727     1,727    8,317     8,317   4,603     4,603 
                              3,705     3,705   10,304    10,304   6,583     6,583 
                            =======  ========  =======  ========  ======  ======== 
 

The unsecured overdraft facilities totalling GBP5m (2015 GBP7m) are repayable on demand.

The unsecured term loans are repayable quarterly over five years commencing on 8 November 2015. Interest is chargeable at 2.25% over LIBOR.

The loans from former members are repayable quarterly over a period of not less than two years commencing, May 2015 and there being adequate working capital facilities, in the opinion of the board of directors, within the Group available to accommodate such payments. Interest is chargeable at 0.5% over Bank of England base rate.

   9          Trade and other payables 
 
 
                                             31 October  31 October  30 April 
                                                   2016        2015      2016 
                                                 GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
Current 
Trade payables                                    4,541       3,474     5,844 
Other taxation and social security payable        5,259       3,833     4,153 
Other payables                                      701         493       653 
Contingent consideration (a & b)                    637           -       220 
Accruals and deferred income                      6,415       5,547     7,727 
Obligations under finance leases                      -          19         - 
                                             ----------  ----------  -------- 
                                                 17,553      13,366    18,597 
                                             ==========  ==========  ======== 
 
                                                 GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
Non-current 
Other payables                                      154           -       154 
Contingent consideration (b)                        500           -         - 
                                             ----------  ----------  -------- 
                                                    654           -       154 
                                             ==========  ==========  ======== 
 

(a) GBP0.054m of contingent consideration represents the balance of consideration payable to the sellers of Gateley Capitus Limited (formerly Capitus Limited) upon collection of acquired assets.

(b) GBP1.083m of contingent consideration represents the earn-out sums payable to the sellers of Gateley Hamer Limited (formerly Hamer Associates Limited). It has been calculated based on the Group's expectation of what it will pay in relation to the earn-out clause of the sale and purchase agreement. The earn-out targets are based on the annual results of the acquired business. The fair value of the earn-out consideration is calculated by weighting the probability of achieving these targets to give an estimate of the final obligation. In accordance with the terms of the sale and purchase agreement the total earn-out cannot exceed GBP1.083m.

   10           Share capital 

Authorised, issued and fully paid

 
                                                           Number         GBP 
Ordinary shares of 10p each 
Shares issued on incorporation - 13 November 
 2014                                                          10           1 
Shares issued on acquisition of business              100,000,001  10,000,000 
Shares issued on initial public offering                5,274,148     527,415 
                                                      -----------  ---------- 
At 31 October 2015                                    105,274,159  10,527,416 
Issued on acquisition of Gateley Capitus Limited        1,122,753     112,275 
                                                      -----------  ---------- 
At 30 April 2016                                      106,396,912  10,639,691 
Issued on acquisition of Gateley Hamer Limited            388,029      38,803 
                                                      -----------  ---------- 
At 31 October 2016                                    106,784,941  10,678,494 
                                                      ===========  ========== 
 
 
 

On 8 April 2016 the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Gateley Capitus Limited (formerly Capitus Limited) in part for the issue of 1,122,753 10p ordinary shares.

On 16 September 2016 the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Gateley Hamer Limited (formerly Hamer Associates Limited) in part for the issue of 388,029 10p ordinary shares.

   11           Share based payments 

Group

At period end the Group has two share based payment schemes in operation.

Stock Appreciation Rights Scheme (SARS)

This Scheme is a discretionary executive reward plan which allows the Group to grant conditional share awards or nil cost options to selected executives at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee.

The awards vest after a 3 year performance period, subject to the achievement of performance measures based on increase in the share price.

Save As You Earn Scheme (SAYE)

The scheme is open to all staff allowing them the opportunity to purchase shares in the Group. Individuals can save between GBP5 and GBP500 each month for a period of 3 years, at which time they will have the option to use those savings to purchase shares at the exercise price.

The annual awards granted under the schemes are summarised below:

 
                                    Weighted average remaining    Weighted   At 1 May      Granted  At 31 October 2016 
                                              contractual life     average       2016       During 
                                                                  exercise              the period 
                                                                     price 
                                                                                                                Number 
SARS 
SARS 15/16 - 8 June 2015                             1.6 years   GBP1.0997  7,050,000            -           7,050,000 
SARS 16/17 - 7 October 2016                          2.9 years   GBP1.3880          -   10,850,000          10,850,000 
                                                                            ---------  -----------  ------------------ 
                                                                            7,050,000   10,850,000          17,900,000 
                                                                            ---------  -----------  ------------------ 
SAYE 
SAYE 16/17- 1 October 2016                           2.9 years     GBP0.95          -    1,166,779           1,166,779 
                                                                            ---------  -----------  ------------------ 
 

Fair value calculations

The award is accounted for as equity-settled under IFRS 2. The fair value of awards which are subject to non-market based performance conditions is calculated using the Black Scholes option pricing model. The inputs to this model for awards granted during the financial year are detailed below:

 
                                          SAR 15/16     SAR 16/17          SAYE 
Grant date                               8 June 2015  7 October 2016  1 October 2016 
 
Share price at date of grant                GBP0.95p        GBP1.20p        GBP1.20p 
Exercise price                              GBP1.10p        GBP1.39p        GBP0.95p 
Volatility                                       24%             24%             24% 
Expected life                              3.3 years       3.3 years       3.3 years 
Risk free rate                                    1%              1%              1% 
Dividend yield                                    6%              6%              6% 
 
Fair value per share 
Market based performance condition          GBP0.05p        GBP0.07p        GBP0.19p 
Non-market based performance condition             -               -             20% 
                                         -----------  --------------  -------------- 
 

As the Group had only limited share price history at the date of grant, expected volatility was based on a proxy volatility determined from the median volatility of a group of appropriate comparator companies. For the same reason, a similar approach was followed to derive the dividend yield. Expected life has been taken to be between the minimum and maximum exercise period of 3 and 3.5 years, respectively.

   12           Business combinations 

Acquisition of Gateley Hamer Limited ("GHL") (Formerly Hamer Associates Limited).

On 16 September 2016 the Company acquired 100% of the voting equity interest of GHL, a specialist property consultant business. The acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method. The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of GHL as at the date of the acquisition was:

 
                                                  Pre-acquisition 
                                                  carrying amount  Policy alignment and fair value adjustments   Total 
                                                          GBP'000                                      GBP'000  GBP000 
 
Property, plant and equipment                                  16                                            -      16 
Intangible asset relating to customer list and 
 brand                                                          -                                          638     638 
Cash and short term deposits                                  335                                            -     335 
Trade receivables                                             280                                            -     280 
Prepayments and accrued income                                 14                                            -      14 
Total assets                                                  645                                          638   1,283 
                                                 ----------------  -------------------------------------------  ------ 
 
Trade payables                                                  -                                            -       - 
Other taxation and social security payable                  (206)                                            -   (206) 
Accruals                                                     (54)                                            -    (54) 
Deferred tax                                                    -                                        (134)   (134) 
                                                 ----------------  -------------------------------------------  ------ 
Total liabilities                                           (260)                                        (134)   (394) 
                                                 ----------------  -------------------------------------------  ------ 
 
Total identifiable net assets at fair value                   385                                          504     889 
Goodwill arising on acquisition                                                                                  1,161 
                                                                                                                ------ 
Total acquisition cost                                                                                           2,050 
                                                                                                                ------ 
 
Analysed as follows: 
Initial cash consideration paid                                                                                    508 
Issue of new 10p ordinary shares in Gateley 
 (Holdings) Plc                                                                                                    459 
Deferred share consideration payable                                                                               542 
Deferred cash consideration payable                                                                                541 
                                                                                                                ------ 
                                                                                                                 2,050 
                                                                                                                ------ 
 
Cash outflow on acquisition 
Cash paid                                                                                                        (508) 
Acquisition costs                                                                                                    - 
Net cash acquired with subsidiary (Included in 
 cash flows from investing activities)                                                                             280 
                                                                                                                ------ 
Net cash outflow                                                                                                 (228) 
                                                                                                                ------ 
 
 

From the date of acquisition GHL, has contributed GBP0.3m to revenue and GBP0.1m to Group profit for the period. If the combination had taken place at the beginning of the year, Group revenue from continuing operations would have been GBP0.6m and the profit for the period would have been GBP0.2m.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

- Ends -

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR DBBDDGGGBGLU

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