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HYDG Hydrogen Group Plc

42.50
0.00 (0.00%)
Last Updated: 01:00:00
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Hydrogen Group Plc LSE:HYDG London Ordinary Share GB00B1DJTV45 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 42.50 35.00 50.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Hydrogen Group PLC Final Results (4829B)

04/04/2017 7:01am

UK Regulatory


Hydrogen (LSE:HYDG)
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RNS Number : 4829B

Hydrogen Group PLC

04 April 2017

4 April 2017

HYDROGEN GROUP PLC

("Hydrogen" or the "Company" or the "Group")

(AIM: HYDG)

Final results for the year ended 31 December 2016

Hydrogen, the global specialist recruitment group, announces final results for the year ended 31 December 2016.

Key points

   --      Group revenue to 31 December 2016 totalled GBP116.2m (2015: GBP123.6m*) 

-- Full year Net Fee Income(+) was 8.8% lower, at GBP17.7m (2015: GBP19.4m*) with Energy declining by GBP1.6m (EMEA decline of GBP1.5m and APAC decline of GBP0.1m).

   --      Growth in contract NFI of 11% to GBP11.6m (2015: GBP10.5m) 
   --      Adjusted** PBT GBP0.8m (2015: GBP0.2m*) 
   --      Profit before tax and exceptional items of GBP1.7m (2015: GBP0.1m*) 
   --      Profit before tax of GBP1.7m (2015: loss GBP5.4m*) with APAC returning to profitability 

-- No exceptional items in 2016 (2015: GBP5.5m including goodwill impairment charge of GBP3.5m)

   --      Strong balance sheet with net cash at year end GBP2.0m (2015: GBP2.6m) 

-- Basic EPS in the year of 6.8p (2015: loss of 24.1p). Adjusted*** basic EPS in the year of 6.8p (2015: 0.5p).

(+) Net Fee Income - which is the equivalent of gross profit

* Restated for the change in accounting policy on revenue as set out in note 20

** Adjusted for foreign exchange gains, share based payments and exceptional items.

*** Adjusted for exceptional items

Stephen Puckett, Chairman, commented:

"2016 was a solid performance given the challenges faced from the continued decline in the Energy market and the UK's decision to leave the EU holding back activity in the UK. The business now has a firm foundation, the Energy market is showing early signs of stabilisation and we remain focused on building a growing, profitable business."

Enquiries:

   Hydrogen Group plc                                     020 7090 7702 

Ian Temple CEO

Stephen Puckett Chairman

   Shore Capital (NOMAD and Broker)            020 7408 4090 

Bidhi Bhoma

Edward Mansfield

Notes to Editors:

Hydrogen is a specialist recruitment business with a proven global platform with clients' in over 50 countries. Our mission is to empower the careers of our candidates whilst powering businesses by providing their key people. We deliver by building market leading specialist teams that develop a deep understanding of candidate and clients' needs and developing solutions.

http://www.hydrogengroup.com

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

The business had a decline in NFI of 8.8%, at GBP17.7m (2015: GBP19.4m as restated) caused largely by the decline in NFI from the Energy sector of GBP1.6m. This sector has been in decline since the oil price dropped but is now showing signs of stabilisation. The referendum decision for the UK to withdraw from the EU also affected the volume of transactions in the UK business during the year. However, the group benefited from the consequent decline in the value of sterling with 43% of NFI earned in overseas currency.

We changed accounting policy for permanent recruitment during the year in order to better reflect the commercial economics of permanent placements, improve our short-term forecasting of income and increase the emphasis on time to bill and collect. As set out in Note 20 this change in accounting policy resulted in a GBP0.8m increase in the 2015 NFI. If the accounting policy was not changed the 2016 NFI would have been GBP0.2m higher. We are pleased to report that our decision to continue to invest in our international offices during 2015 has resulted in them returning to profit in 2016. Despite continued challenging conditions in the Energy sector and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the business has stabilised and has returned to profitability with a profit before exceptional items and taxation for the year of GBP1.7m (2015: profit GBP0.1m as restated). The Group's Business Transformation and Life Science practices performed strongly together with a reduction in overheads, which took the Group to an adjusted profit before tax in 2016 of GBP0.8m (2015: GBP0.2m as restated) after adjusting for GBP1.0m foreign exchange gains on intercompany loans, GBP0.2 on trading foreign exchange gains and a share-based payment cost of GBP0.3m.

There were no reported exceptional items in the year (2015: GBP5.5m). A continued key focus for management during 2016 was cash generation and the business had another strong cash performance ending the year with year-end net cash of GBP2.0m (2015: GBP2.6m) despite the growth of working capital needed to grow the contractor book.

Strategy

The business was built on building market leading specialist teams and in 2016 we re-established the focus organically building our team journey from incubator through fast growth to market leader. The ultra-niche model is even more relevant today than when the business started 20 years ago, with the ability to utilise digital marketing to build and maintain relationships. We have a wealth of high value information with over 2.6 million contacts which we are unlocking for our consultants to the benefit of our candidates and clients. We have invested in key platforms that we believe will unlock this value and increase our consultant productivity. We looked carefully at why people worked with us and ultimately it came down to empowering the careers of our candidates and staff and powering our clients and own businesses.

Having stabilised and returned to profitability in 2016, the Group aim's to further develop its market leading ultra-niche teams through taking advantage of the Group's global platform. The combination of our market leading knowledge and our immersion into tight markets, unlocks the relationships that make a difference to both clients and candidates and guarantees we work with the best clients and candidates available.

Dividend

While the Groups operating profit before exceptional items increased to GBP0.8m the Group experienced a net outflow of cash during the period to support the growth of the contract business. The Board considers that the first use of cash should be to support the investment and growth of the business and as a result the Board does not propose paying a dividend in respect of 2016 (2015: Nil).

The Board

As previously announced Colin Adams gave notice of his intention to step down from the Board and his role as company secretary with effect from today. I would like to thank Colin for his efforts during the turnaround of the business and wish him success in his future endeavours.

The Group has a strong Group Financial Controller and the three remaining directors are all Chartered Accountants. In the Board's opinion, there is sufficient financial expertise within the Group and on the Board and accordingly it will not seek an immediate replacement CFO.

Outlook

Hydrogen's plan for the year ahead is to focus on growing and developing its niche businesses on their journeys from incubator, to fast growth through to market leading businesses. This will be achieved by backing high performing individuals and by taking advantage of our global digital marketing platform. Whilst mindful of the uncertainty in the UK, the Group is well placed to continue to invest in both our international and UK businesses and to explore new investment opportunities.

Stephen Puckett

Chairman

3 April 2017

BUSINESS REVIEW

We are pleased to report that having set out a turnaround plan for the business in 2015 we continued to make progress during 2016 despite the dual challenge of continued decline in Energy and the UK's vote to exit the EU. The consequent depreciation of the pound against international currencies has flattered our results but nevertheless adjusted profits increased by 300% to GBP0.8m (2015: GBP0.2m as restated). During the year, we have seen some strong performances in some of our business sectors such as Life Sciences with growth in NFI of 28% along with Business Transformation which has grown by 13%. The proportion of the Group's NFI from contract placements grew from 54% to 65% (GBP10.5m to GBP11.6m) driven by our growth in contract business in APAC and a strong performance in EMEA. The permanent recruitment market in the UK was severely affected across the summer months by the Brexit vote but the year finished strongly with the market starting to return to normal. The Energy business also declined by GBP1.6m (EMEA GBP1.5m and APAC GBP0.1m) as a result of the reduction in the oil price. With the price of oil now trading around the $50 a barrel mark we are seeing the first signs of stabilisation. We have continued to invest in our people and the Group is now well positioned to continue offering high quality services to all our clients and stakeholders.

The key factors and highlights affecting the business in 2016 were as follows:

-- The continued suppressed oil price affecting the Energy practice (NFI dropped by 48% from GBP3.1m to GBP1.6m)

   --      The referendum result for the UK to leave the EU 
   --      Growth in contractor NFI (gross profit) by GBP1.1m (11%) 
   --      The reduction in the value of the pound increasing profits by GBP1.2m 
   --      Increases in profits from APAC to GBP0.3m (2015: loss of GBP0.5m restated) 

Having reviewed the market drivers and our business model we have refocused on building market leading ultra-niche teams. This is the original model that built Hydrogen and with the power of digital marketing presents a huge opportunity to the business. Hydrogen has a strong brand name that is highly recognisable within the international marketplace and we have the clients, candidates, staff and infrastructure to take advantage of these opportunities.

EMEA (including USA)

NFI has declined by GBP1.3m during the year largely as a result of the decline in the Energy sector (decline of GBP1.5m) and the result of the UK referendum to withdraw from the EU which affected permanent recruitment during the year.

Operating profit has fallen by 23% in the year to GBP1.5m (2015: GBP2.0m) as a result of the decline in the Energy business.

APAC

It has been a positive year within the APAC market which has returned to profitability with the actions taken during a challenging 2015 and focus on improving profitability leading to operating profit in the year of GBP0.3m compared to a loss of GBP0.5m in 2015.

During 2016 we continued to focus on our contract business in APAC which grew 110% to GBP1.4m NFI during the year representing 42% of NFI for the region (2015: 18%) giving greater visibility of earnings.

Permanent and Contract

We place candidates in both permanent and contract roles. Permanent placements play to our experience in finding rare skills and satisfying the demand for niche, specialist skills. Contract provides more predictable revenue. Permanent placements generate one off revenue which historically we have recognised when the candidate accepts the client's offer. As a result of increasing candidate compliance, increasing notice periods and complexity of Visa and candidate onboarding requirements we have decided to change our revenue recognition policy. The revenue from permanent placements is now recognised when the candidate starts employment with a client. The implications of this change in policy is that the short-term revenue forecasts are more accurate, there is less estimation of back out provisions and there is greater operational focus on timeliness and accuracy of invoicing. The new policy provides improved visibility of year-on-year earnings and better reflects the timing of the satisfaction of the Group's performance. The impact of the change in policy is to restate and increase 2015 revenue and operating profit by approximately GBP0.8m. If the policy were not changed, 2016 revenue and operating profits would have been approximately GBP0.2m higher.

Contract represented 65% of total NFI in 2016 (2015: 54% as restated) as we grew our contract revenue and permanent NFI declined due to the Oil Price drop and change in accounting policy.

Clients and Candidates

We have built strong and effective relationships with all our clients based around our longstanding track record of delivery and powering their businesses forward. We would like to thank all our clients for their support over the last year.

We have a very strong candidate database and proven methodology for building candidate relationships in our core practices. We work with highly talented candidates and contractors and would like to thank them for trusting us to empower their careers.

Our people

I would like to thank all our staff for their efforts and the high level of ownership they have shown to deliver an improved performance in challenging circumstances during 2016.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Revenue

Group revenue to 31 December 2016 totalled GBP116.2m (2015: GBP123.6m as restated).

Key performance measures

We measure our progress against our strategic objectives of the Group using the following key performance indicators:

Productivity per head

Productivity per head represents total NFI divided by the average number of employees. This is important to the business to monitor the levels of activity in the business and identify fee earners who are not at full productivity.

In 2016, productivity per head reduced to GBP83,000 (2015: GBP86,000). This was due to the continued investment in staff towards the end of the year which in turn should grow the business in the future.

NFI split between the UK and the rest of the world

This is the total NFI expressed as a % over the UK and the rest of the world. This is valuable as it gives an indication of how the business has diversified its operations away from the historic UK marketplace.

NFI within the overseas market place has continued to increase and now accounts for 43% of the total NFI generated by the Group (2015: 37%). This is a result of our continued investment in international operations.

Net fee income (NFI - Gross profit)

Overall, there was a reduction in Group NFI of 8.8% to GBP17.7m (2015: GBP19.4m as restated). The major driver for this fall was the loss of NFI from the Energy Practice which declined by 46% (GBP1.5m within the EMEA segment and GBP0.1m within the APAC segment) to GBP1.9m NFI.

Contract NFI grew in the year by 11% to GBP11.6m with particular success in growing contractor numbers in APAC. Permanent NFI was held back by the result of the UK referendum of exiting the EU.

The devaluation of sterling increased the value of reported NFI from overseas by 11% (GBP0.4m) during the year if on a constant currency basis.

Operating segments

There has been a change to how we report the segmental analysis, previously these segments were Professional Support Services and Technical and Scientific. As part of the restructure and for clearer reporting purposes, current management reporting focuses on performance of our EMEA (including USA) and APAC businesses. The new segmental analysis disclosed in Note 1 reflects this. Within these operating segments are the individual practices; Technology, Finance, Energy, Legal, Life Sciences and Business Transformation.

NFI from the EMEA (including USA) operating segment totalled GBP14.4m (2015: GBP15.7m as restated), and contributed 81% (2015: 81% as restated) of total NFI. NFI from the APAC operating segment totalled GBP3.3m (2015: GBP3.7m as restated). The decrease from 2015 is due to the continued decline in the Energy sector across all global regions.

Exceptional Costs

The Group had no reported exceptional items in 2016, having recorded an exceptional charge of GBP5.5m in 2015. The majority of the exceptional charge was due to goodwill impairment (GBP3.5m), fixed asset impairment (GBP1.0m) with the remainder associated with one-off costs of restructuring.

Headcount

Total headcount at 31 December 2016 was 8% higher than the prior year, at 215 (2014: 199). Average total headcount for the year was 214, 6% down on the previous year (2015: 227).

Net Finance income/ costs

A foreign exchange gain of GBP1m (2015: nil) recognised on the translation of the long term intercompany loan balances with the Group's foreign operations has been included in net finance income.

This gain arises as a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and capital movements within the loan balances to the Group's foreign subsidiaries. While the loan balances eliminate on consolidation, the foreign exchange movements have been recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income given the trading nature of the loans.

Finance costs in the year have remained stable at GBP0.1m (2015: GBP0.1m).

Profit before taxation

Profit before taxation ("PBT") for the year was GBP1.7m (2015: GBP0.1m as restated before exceptional items).

An adjusted PBT of GBP0.8m (2015: GBP0.2m as restated) has been calculated to exclude share-based costs of GBP0.3m (2015: GBP0.2m) and foreign exchange related gains of GBP1.2m (2015: GBP0.1m).

Taxation

There was a GBP0.1m tax charge for the year (2015: GBPNil), giving an effective tax rate of 8% (2015: 0%).

At 31 December 2016 the Group had unutilised tax losses of GBP3.7m (2015: GBP3.9m) available for offset against future profits. No deferred tax assets have been recognised due to the recent restructuring of the business and that it remains uncertain whether the overseas operations will be consistently profitable in the future.

Dividend

The Board does not propose paying a dividend in respect of 2016 (2015: Nil).

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share was 6.8p (2015: restated loss of 24.1p). Diluted earnings per share was 6.5p (2015: restated loss of 24.1p).

An adjusted basic earnings per share has been calculated, excluding exceptional items of 6.8p (2015: restated profit of 0.5p). Adjusted diluted earnings per share of 6.5p (2015: restated profit of 0.5p).

Balance Sheet

Net assets at 31 December 2016 increased by GBP1.7m to GBP19.0m (2015: GBP17.3m as restated).

There were no impairments to the carrying value of goodwill in 2016 (2015: GBP3.5m) and the value remained at GBP10.1m.

Current trade and other receivables increased by 25% to GBP17.9m (2015: GBP14.3m as restated). The main reason for this was the increased trade receivables balance at year end which has risen by GBP3.3m to GBP9.7m (2015: GBP6.4m). The main contributor to this increase was the growth in contract NFI and the number of contractors working for the Group. The trade debtor balance at the year-end was also higher than anticipated as several major customers delayed remittances; these were all received in early 2017. As a consequence of these delays, days sales outstanding at the end of 2016 increased to 30 days (2015: 19 days as restated).

The increase of GBP1.2m in trade and other payables in the current year is mainly as a result of timing differences of payments to trade payables at the year end. Accruals principally comprise amounts owed to contract staff which grew in line with the growth in contactors.

Short term bank deposits remain positive at GBP3.1m (2015: GBP3.0m) and we have a strong net cash position of GBP2.0m (2015: GBP2.6m).

Reserves

As a result of the Group's positive trading performance in the year and the impact of foreign exchange movements, total equity has increased in the year by GBP1.7m to GBP19.0m (2015: GBP17.3m as restated).

Treasury management and currency risk

Approximately 77% of the Group's revenue in 2016 (2015: 80% as restated) was denominated in Sterling. For contract revenue, the Group aims to pay and bill in the same currency to provide a natural hedge for the majority of its revenues. The Group has not utilised foreign currency options during the year to manage the foreign exchange risk on its non-Sterling fees.

Cash flow and cash position

The Group started 2016 with net cash of GBP2.6m. There was an outflow of GBP1.2m from operating activities (2015: inflow GBP10.1m as restated) which is mainly in relation to the increased trade receivables balance noted above.

The cash impact of exceptional items was an outflow of GBPNil (2015: GBP1.2m).

There were no dividend payments during the year.

At 31st December 2016, the Group had net cash of GBP2.0m (2015 net cash: GBP2.6m).

Bank facilities

The Group has an Invoice Discounting Facility of GBP18.0m, which was renewed in February 2015 with a commitment to April 2018. After this date the facility shall continue until ended by either party giving to the other not less than three months' written notice. The average facility available during the year stood at GBP5.3m. Average utilisation in the year was noted at 51% (GBP2.7m).

Foreign Exchange Risk

There was a foreign exchange gain of GBP1.2m made up of GBP1.0m foreign operation loan balances and GBP0.2m trading in the current year (2015: gain of GBP0.1m).

The weakness of Sterling during the year resulted in a positive impact on the translation of the Group's overseas subsidiaries. The extent of the depreciation of Sterling is detailed below:

 
 Currency                Depreciation in 
                          Sterling over the 
                          2016 financial 
                          year (Average rates) 
 Australian Dollar                10% 
 Euro                             11% 
 Hong Kong Dollar                 11% 
 Malaysian Ringgit                6% 
 Norwegian Kroner                 7% 
 Singapore Dollar                 11% 
 Swiss Franc                      9% 
 United Arab Emirates 
  Dirham                          11% 
 United Stated 
  of America Dollar               11% 
 

The Group are currently not hedged against this translation exposure.

Going concern

It should be recognised that any consideration of the foreseeable future involves making a judgement, at a particular point in time, about future events, which are inherently uncertain.

The Group has two revenue streams, permanent and contract recruitment. The cash flow characteristics of the two streams interact in a complementary fashion. The permanent business, which has minimal working capital requirement, is cash generative during the growth phase, and with tight cost control, near to cash neutral in a downturn. By contrast, the contract business has a large working capital requirement, and requires significant cash investment during a period of growth, but is cash generative in the first periods of a downturn which is what we experienced in 2015.

The Group has prepared financial forecasts for the period ending 30 June 2018 and the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have sufficient cash flow and available resources to continue operating in the foreseeable future. On these grounds the Board has continued to adopt the going concern basis for the preparation of the financial statements.

Ian Temple

Chief Executive Officer

3 April 2017

 
                                             2016           2015 
                                                     As restated 
                                 Note     GBP'000        GBP'000 
----------------------------  -------  ----------  ------------- 
 
   Revenue                       1        116,246        123,610 
 
 Cost of sales                           (98,508)      (104,200) 
----------------------------  -------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Gross profit                    1         17,738         19,410 
                                       ----------  ------------- 
 Other administrative 
  expenses                               (17,541)       (19,437) 
 Exceptional administrative 
  expenses                       4              -        (5,493) 
                                       ----------  ------------- 
 Administrative expenses                 (17,541)       (24,930) 
 
 Other income                    1            553            219 
 
 Operating profit before 
  exceptional items                           750            192 
 Exceptional items                              -        (5,493) 
                                       ----------  ------------- 
 
 
 Operating profit/(loss)         1            750        (5,301) 
 
 Finance costs                   2           (63)           (80) 
 Finance income                  3            980              5 
 
 Profit/(loss) before 
  taxation                                  1,667        (5,376) 
 
 Income tax expense              6          (135)              - 
----------------------------  -------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) for the 
  year                                      1,532        (5,376) 
----------------------------  -------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Other comprehensive 
  gains and losses: 
 Items that may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss: 
 Exchange differences on 
  translating foreign operations 
                                            (539)          (137) 
  Exchange differences on 
  intercompany loans                          347              - 
 
 Other comprehensive losses for 
  the year, net of tax                      (192)          (137) 
-------------------------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Total comprehensive gain/(loss) 
  for the year                              1,340        (5,513) 
-------------------------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the 
  parent                                    1,340        (5,513) 
----------------------------  -------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Profit/ (Loss) per share: 
 Basic profit/ (loss) 
  per share (pence)              18          6.8p        (24.1p) 
 Diluted profit/ (loss) 
  per share (pence)              18          6.5p        (24.1p) 
 
 The above results relate 
  to continuing operations. 
 
 
 Company no: 05563206                     2016           2015           2014 
                                                  As restated    As restated 
                               Note    GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
   Non-current assets 
 
 Goodwill                      7        10,141         10,141         13,658 
 Other intangible 
  assets                       8           792            778          1,212 
 Property, plant 
  and equipment                9           858            687          1,536 
 Deferred tax assets           10          104            138             52 
 Other financial 
  assets                       11           99            108            278 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
                                        11,994         11,852         16,736 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other 
  receivables                  11       17,852         14,341         28,982 
 Current tax receivable                    232              -              - 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents                  12        3,106          3,034          5,975 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
                                        20,967         17,375         34,957 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Total assets                           33,184         29,227         51,693 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other 
  payables                     13     (12,493)       (11,258)       (15,124) 
 Borrowings                    14      (1,087)          (454)       (12,704) 
 Current tax liabilities                     -            (5)           (80) 
 Provisions                    15            -              -          (308) 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
                                      (13,580)       (11,717)       (28,216) 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Deferred tax liabilities      10        (280)           (98)           (34) 
 Provisions                    15        (309)           (68)           (60) 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
                                         (589)          (166)           (94) 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Total liabilities                    (14,169)       (11,883)       (28,310) 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Net assets                             19,015         17,344         23,383 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                 16          239            239            239 
 Share premium 
  account                                3,520          3,520          3,520 
 Merger reserve                         16,100         16,100         16,100 
 Own shares held                       (1,338)        (1,338)        (1,338) 
 Share option reserve                    2,544          2,213          2,041 
 Translation reserve                     (788)          (596)          (459) 
 (Deficit)/ Retained 
  earnings                             (1,262)        (2,794)          3,280 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Total equity                           19,015         17,344         23,383 
--------------------------  -------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 

The financial statements on pages 31 to 64 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 3 April 2017 and were signed on its behalf by:

Ian Temple

Chief Executive

 
 
 
                                   Share                   Own      Share    Trans-lation     (Deficit)/ 
                        Share    premium     Merger     shares     option         reserve       Retained       Total 
                      capital    account    reserve       held    reserve         GBP'000       earnings      equity 
                      GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000                        GBP'000     GBP'000 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ---------- 
 At 1 January 
  2015 (As 
  previously 
  reported)               239      3,520     16,100    (1,338)      2,041           (196)          4,857      25,223 
 
 Prior year 
  adjustment 
  (Note 27)                 -          -          -          -          -           (263)        (1,577)     (1,840) 
 
   At 1 January 
   2015 (As 
   restated)              239      3,520     16,100    (1,338)      2,041           (459)          3,280      23,383 
 
   Dividends                -          -          -          -          -               -          (698)       (698) 
 Share option 
  charge                    -          -          -          -        172               -              -         172 
 
   Transactions 
   with owners              -          -          -          -        172               -          (698)       (526) 
 
 Loss for 
  the year                  -          -          -          -          -               -        (5,376)     (5,376) 
 Other comprehensive 
  loss: 
 Foreign 
  currency 
  translation 
  loss                      -          -          -          -          -           (137)              -       (137) 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
   Total 
   comprehensive 
   loss for 
   the year                 -          -          -          -          -           (137)        (5,376)     (5,513) 
 
 
   At 31 December 
   2015 (As 
   restated)              239      3,520     16,100    (1,338)      2,213           (596)        (2,794)      17,344 
 
 Share option 
  charge                    -          -          -          -        331               -              -         331 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
   Transactions 
   with owners              -          -          -          -        331               -              -         331 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Profit for 
  the year                  -          -          -          -          -               -          1,532       1,532 
 Other comprehensive 
  income: 
 Exchange 
  differences 
  on intercompany 
  loans                     -          -          -          -          -             347              -         347 
 
 Foreign 
  currency 
  translation 
  loss                      -          -          -          -          -           (539)              -       (539) 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
   Total 
   comprehensive 
   profit for 
   the year                 -          -          -          -          -           (192)          1,532       1,340 
 
 
   At 31 December 
   2016                   239      3,520     16,100    (1,338)      2,544           (788)        (1,262)      19,015 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 
 
                                                  2016           2015 
                                                          As restated 
                                               GBP'000        GBP'000 
                                   Note 
------------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Net cash (used in)/generated 
  from operating activities       19a          (1,244)         10,069 
 
 Investing activities 
 Proceeds from disposal 
  of property, plant 
  and equipment                                      -             23 
 Purchase of property, 
  plant and equipment              9             (285)            (1) 
 Purchase of software 
  assets                           8             (216)          (138) 
 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                                     (501)          (116) 
------------------------------  -------      ---------  ------------- 
 
 Financing activities 
 Increase/(decrease) 
  in borrowings                    14              633       (12,250) 
 Equity dividends paid             5                 -          (698) 
 
 Net cash generated 
  from/ (used by) financing 
  activities                                       633       (12,948) 
------------------------------  -------      ---------  ------------- 
 
 Net (decrease) in cash 
  and cash equivalents                         (1,112)        (2,995) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at beginning of year             12            3,034          5,975 
 
   Exchange gain on cash 
   and cash equivalents                          1,184             54 
------------------------------  -------      ---------  ------------- 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of year                   12            3,106          3,034 
------------------------------  -------      ---------  ------------- 
 
 
 

Basis of preparation

Hydrogen Group plc is the Group's ultimate parent company. The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The registered office address and principal place of business is 30 Eastcheap, London, EC3M 1HD, England. Hydrogen Group plc's shares are listed on the AIM Market. Registered company number is 05563206.

The consolidated financial statements of Hydrogen Group plc have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as endorsed by the European Union and also comply with IFRIC interpretations and Company Law applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Group's accounting policies, as set out below, have been consistently applied to all the periods presented.

The factors considered by the Directors in exercising their judgement of the Group's ability to continue to operate in the foreseeable future are set out in the Annual Report and summarised in the Financial Review. The Group has prepared financial forecasts for the period to 30 June 2018. and the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have sufficient cash flow and available resources to continue operating in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Board has continued to adopt the going concern basis for the preparation of the financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 (including comparatives) are presented in GBP '000, and were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 3 April 2017.

   1       Segment reporting 

Segment operating profit is the profit earned by each operating segment excluding the allocation of central administration costs, and is the measure reported to the Group's Board, the Group's Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), for performance management and resource allocation purposes.

(a) Revenue, gross profit, and operating profit by discipline

For management purposes, the Group is organised into the following two operating segments based on the discipline of the candidate being placed:

   -     EMEA including (USA); and 
   -     APAC 

The operating segments noted reflect the information that is regularly reviewed by the Group's Chief Operating Decision Maker which is the Board of Hydrogen Group plc. Both operating segments have similar economic characteristics and share a majority of the aggregation criteria set out in IFRS 8:12.

 
                       2016                                                         2015 (As restated) 
 
                      EMEA        APAC       Group      Total        EMEA        APAC       Group      Total 
                      (and                    Cost                   (and                    Cost 
                      USA)     GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000        USA)     GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
                   GBP'000                                        GBP'000 
                ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Revenue           104,428      11,818           -    116,246     116,403       7,207           -    123,610 
 
 Gross profit 
  (Net Fee 
  income)           14,403       3,335           -     17,738      15,712       3,698           -     19,410 
 
 Depreciation 
  and 
 Amortisation        (310)         (8)           -      (318)       (383)        (30)           -      (413) 
 
 Other income          553           -           -        553         219           -           -        219 
 
 Operating 
  profit/ 
  (loss) 
  before 
  exceptional 
  items              1,547         323     (1,120)        750       2,014       (475)     (1,347)        192 
                ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Finance 
  costs                                                  (63)                                           (80) 
 Finance 
  income                                                  980                                              5 
 
 Profit before tax 
  and exceptional 
  items                                                 1,667                                            117 
                                                    =========                                      ========= 
 
 
   1              Segment reporting (continued) 

Group costs represent central management costs that are not allocated to operating segments.

The exceptional items in 2015 were not allocated between the segments given the bulk of this cost related to goodwill impairment of GBP3.5m, accounted for at the Group level. The remainder of the exceptional items included employee restructuring, property costs and tangible asset write downs in EMEA (including USA), with an insignificant portion allocated to APAC.

Revenue reported above represents revenue generated from external customers. There were no sales between segments in the year (2015: GBPNil).

The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies described above. Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment without allocation of central administration costs, finance costs and finance income.

There is one external customer that represented 31% (2015: 32%) of the entity's revenues, with revenue of GBP36.3m (2015: GBP39.4m), and approximately 16% (2015: 16%) of the Group's Net Fee Income ("NFI") which is included in the EMEA segment.

(b) Revenue and gross profit by geography:

 
                        Revenue            Gross profit 
----------  ------------------------      ------------- 
                 2016           2015               2016           2015 
                         As restated                       As restated 
              GBP'000        GBP'000            GBP'000        GBP'000 
---------   ---------  -------------  -----------------  ------------- 
 
 UK            90,007         99,506             10,190         12,325 
 Rest of 
  world        26,239         24,104              7,548          7,085 
            ---------  -------------  -----------------  ------------- 
              116,246        123,610             17,738         19,410 
 ---------  ---------  -------------  -----------------  ------------- 
 
 

The 'Rest of world' revenue and gross profit numbers disclosed above have been accumulated for geographies outside of the UK on the basis that no one geography is significant in its entirety, other than the UK.

(c) Revenue and gross profit by recruitment classification:

 
                            Revenue            Gross profit 
-----------   ------------------------  ------------------------ 
                   2016           2015       2016           2015 
                           As restated               As restated 
                GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000 
-----------   ---------  -------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Permanent        6,122          8,924      6,105          8,889 
 Contract       110,124        114,686     11,633         10,521 
              ---------  -------------  ---------  ------------- 
                116,246        123,610     17,738         19,410 
 -----------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ------------- 
 

The information reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker, or otherwise regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker, does not include information on total assets and liabilities. The cost to develop this information would be excessive in comparison to the value that would be derived.

   2      Finance costs 
 
                                            2016       2015 
                                         GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------------------------------    ---------  --------- 
 
   Interest on invoice discounting            63         57 
 Interest on bank overdrafts 
  and loans                                    -         23 
-------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
                                              63         80 
  -----------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
   3      Finance income 
 
                                     2016       2015 
                                  GBP'000    GBP'000 
----------------------------    ---------  --------- 
 
   Bank interest receivable             -          5 
 Other interest and income            980          - 
  receivable* 
----------------------------    ---------  --------- 
 
                                      980          5 
  ----------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

*Foreign exchange gains recognised on the translation of intercompany financing balances.

   4      Exceptional items 

Exceptional items are costs that are separately disclosed due to their material and non-recurring nature. They have arisen as a result of the comprehensive review of the Group's operations and actions taken to reduce the Group's administration costs:

 
                                  2016       2015 
                               GBP'000    GBP'000 
 -------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 Goodwill impairment                 -      3,517 
 Tangible asset write 
  down and disposal                  -        988 
 Employee restructuring 
 costs                               -        939 
 Property costs                      -        223 
 Release of onerous 
  lease provision                    -      (212) 
 Advisor's costs                     -         31 
 Other                               -          7 
-------------------------   ----------  --------- 
 
   Total                             -      5,493 
-------------------------   ----------  --------- 
 
 
   5      Dividends 
 
                                              2016                 2015 
                                           GBP'000              GBP'000 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ------------------- 
 
   Amounts recognised and distributed 
   to shareholders in the year 
 
 Final dividend for the year ended 
  31 December 2016 of Nil p per share 
  (2015: 3.1p per share)                         -                  698 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ------------------- 
                                                 -                  698 
 -------------------------------------------------  ------------------- 
 

No interim dividend during the year was paid in respect of the year ended 31 December 2016 (2015: Nil p per share).

The final dividend in relation to 2014 was recommended on 3 March 2015, and was not recognised as a liability in the year ended 31 December 2014. This was distributed to the shareholders in the 2015 financial year.

The Board does not propose a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016 (2015: Nil p per share).

   6      Tax 
 
 (a) Analysis of tax charge 
  for the year:                           2016           2015 
                                                  As restated 
  The charge based on the              GBP'000        GBP'000 
  profit for the year comprises: 
---------------------------------    ---------  ------------- 
 
   Corporation tax: 
 UK corporation tax on 
  profits for the year                     139             76 
 Adjustment to tax charge 
  in respect of previous 
  periods                                (217)           (42) 
-----------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
   Foreign tax                            (78)             34 
 Current tax                                10              4 
 Prior year tax                              -           (19) 
 Total current tax                        (68)             19 
-----------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Deferred tax: 
 Origination and reversal 
  of temporary differences                  16           (19) 
 Adjustment to tax charge                  190              - 
  in respect of previous 
  periods 
 Effect of tax rate change                 (3)              - 
---------------------------------    ---------  ------------- 
 Total deferred tax                        203           (19) 
-----------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Tax charge on profit for                  135              - 
  the year 
---------------------------------    ---------  ------------- 
 
 6 Tax (continued) 
  UK corporation tax is calculated at 20% (2015: 
  20.25%) of the estimated assessable profits 
  for the year. Taxation for other jurisdictions 
  is calculated at the rates prevailing in the 
  respective jurisdictions. 
 
 (b) The charge for the year can be reconciled 
  to the profit per the Consolidated Statement 
  of Comprehensive Income as follows: 
 
 Profit/(loss) before tax                1,667        (5,376) 
-----------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Tax at the UK corporation tax 
  rate of 20% (2015: 20.25%)               333        (1,089) 
 
 Effects of: 
 Goodwill impairment                         -            712 
 Fixed asset differences                     9              - 
 Expenses not deductible 
  for tax purposes                         219            188 
 Effect of difference in 
  tax rates                               (11)           (85) 
 Utilisation of tax losses               (379)              - 
  and other deductions 
 Tax losses carried forward 
  not recognised for deferred 
  tax                                        4            465 
 Adjustment to tax charge 
  in respect of prior periods               30           (42) 
 Prior year adjustment                       -          (166) 
 Share-based payments                     (66)             35 
 Other short term timing 
  differences                              (4)              1 
 Foreign tax suffered                        -           (19) 
 
 Tax charge for the year                   135              - 
-----------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 

In relation to the prior year adjustment, the tax effect has been deemed immaterial to the statutory accounts and no change to prior year numbers has been recorded.

There has been no deferred tax charge relating to share options charged directly to equity (2015: GBPNil).

In total, at the reporting date, the Group had tax losses of GBP3.7m (2015: GBP3.9m) available for offset against future profits. No deferred tax assets have been recognised due to the recent restructuring of the business as it remains uncertain whether the overseas operations will be consistently profitable in the future.

   7      Goodwill 
 
                                             2016        2015 
                                          GBP'000     GBP'000 
 ------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   Cost 
 At 1 January and 31 December              19,228      19,228 
 
 Accumulated impairment losses 
 At 1 January                             (9,087)     (5,570) 
 Impairment charge for the 
  year                                          -     (3,517) 
 
 
   At 31 December                         (9,087)     (9,087) 
 
 
 Carrying amount at 31 December            10,141      10,141 
------------------------------------   ----------  ---------- 
 
 Allocation of goodwill to 
  cash generating units (CGU): 
 EMEA (including USA) Professional 
 Support Services                          10,141      10,141 
------------------------------------   ----------  ---------- 
 
 
   7      Goodwill (continued) 

Goodwill arising on business combinations is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indications that the value of goodwill may have been impaired. Goodwill has been tested for impairment by comparing the carrying value with the recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount is determined on a value-in-use basis utilising the value of cash flow projections over five years with a terminal value added. Multiple scenarios were tested, firstly using the 2016 actuals (of which key assumptions are detailed below) and secondly using detailed budgets prepared as part of the Group's performance and control procedures. Subsequent years are based on further extrapolations using the key assumptions listed below. Cashflows are discounted by the cash generating unit's weighted average cost of capital. Management believes that no reasonably possible change to the key assumptions given below would cause the carrying value to materially exceed the recoverable amount.

Management determines that there has been no further impairment in the carrying value of goodwill in 2016.

The key assumptions for revenue growth rates and discount rates used in the impairment review are stated below:

 
                                                  Growth rates 
 
                                                                   Discount 
  EMEA (including USA) Professional                                    rate 
   Support Services                        2017       2018-2021           % 
                                              %               % 
 
 Net fee income growth rate 
  on actuals                               2.5%            2.5%        6.5% 
------------------------------------  ---------  --------------  ---------- 
 

For the purposes of the goodwill impairment review, the Board consider it prudent to assume a 2.5% revenue growth on pre-tax actuals for 2017 through to 2021. The revenue growth rates for 2017-2021 are the Group's own internal forecasts, supported by external industry reports predicting improving conditions in the industry, with demand for the industry's services anticipated to pick up.

The discount rate used is an estimate of the Group's weighted average cost of capital, based on the risk adjusted average weighted cost of its debt and equity financing. The Group has sensitised both the discount rate and growth rate by 1% with no material impact (and no impairments) noted.

   8      Other intangible assets 
 
                                    Computer 
                                    software 
                                     GBP'000 
-----------------------------     ---------- 
 
   Cost 
 At 1 January 2015                     1,983 
 Additions                               138 
 Exchange differences                   (20) 
 
   At 31 December 2015                 2,101 
 
   Additions                             216 
 
   At 31 December 2016                 2,317 
--------------------------------  ---------- 
 
 Amortisation and impairment 
 At 1 January 2015                     (771) 
 Charge for the year                   (218) 
 Impairment                            (355) 
 Exchange differences                     21 
 
   At 31 December 2015               (1,323) 
 Charge for the year                   (202) 
 
   At 31 December 2016               (1,525) 
--------------------------------  ---------- 
 
 Net book value at 31 
  December 2016                          792 
--------------------------------  ---------- 
 
   Net book value at 31 
   December 2015                         778 
--------------------------------  ---------- 
 
   Net book value at 31 
   December 2014                       1,212 
--------------------------------  ---------- 
 

Amortisation on intangible assets is charged to administration expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

   9      Property, plant and equipment 
 
                               Computer 
                                    and        Motor       Leasehold 
                                 office     vehicles    improvements       Total 
                              equipment      GBP'000         GBP'000     GBP'000 
                                GBP'000 
--------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  ---------- 
 
   Cost 
 At 1 January 2015                  819           41           1,708       2,568 
 Additions                            1            -               -           1 
 Disposals                          (6)         (41)               -        (47) 
 Exchange differences              (46)            -             (6)        (52) 
 
   At 31 December 2015              768            -           1,702       2,470 
 
 Additions                           69            -             216         285 
 Exchange differences                22            -               -          22 
 
   At 31 December 2016              859            -           1,918       2,777 
--------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
  and impairment 
 At 1 January 2015                (631)         (24)           (377)     (1,032) 
 Charge for year                  (123)            -            (72)       (195) 
 Impairment loss                      -            -           (633)       (633) 
 Disposals                            4           24               -          28 
 Exchange differences                44            -               5          49 
 
   At 31 December 2015            (706)            -         (1,077)     (1,783) 
 Charge for the year               (66)            -            (50)       (116) 
 Exchange differences              (20)            -               -        (20) 
 
   At 31 December 2016            (792)            -         (1,127)     (1,919) 
--------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 Net book value at 
  31 December 2016                   67            -             791         858 
--------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  ---------- 
 
   Net book value at 
   31 December 2015                  62            -             625         687 
--------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  ---------- 
 
   Net book value at 
   31 December 2014                 188           17           1,331       1,536 
--------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  ---------- 
 

Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is charged to administration expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

   10    Deferred tax 
 
                                                            Share 
                                          Accelerated       based 
                           Other         depreciation    payments                  Total 
  Deferred tax asset     GBP'000              GBP'000     GBP'000                GBP'000 
---------------------  ---------  -------------------  ----------  --------------------- 
 
 At 1 January 2015            15                 (99)         136                     52 
 Credited/ (Charged) 
  to profit or loss            4                   99        (17)                     86 
 At 31 December 2015          19                    -         119                    138 
 Credited/(Charged) 
  to profit or loss         (10)                    -        (24)                   (34) 
 
 At 31 December 2016           9                    -          95                    104 
---------------------  ---------  -------------------  ----------  --------------------- 
 
 
 
 
                                   Accelerated 
                                       capital 
                                    allowances 
  Deferred tax (liability)             GBP'000 
---------------------------     -------------- 
 
 At 1 January 2015 
  and 1 January 2016                      (98) 
 Credited/(charged) 
  to profit or loss                      (182) 
 
 At 31 December 2015                     (280) 
------------------------------  -------------- 
 

No reversal of deferred tax is expected within the next twelve months (2015: Nil).

In total, at the reporting date, the Group had unutilised tax losses of GBP3.7m (2015 as restated: GBP3.9m) available for offset against future profits, for which no deferred tax assets had been recognised.

   11    Trade and other receivables 
 
 Trade and other receivables         2016           2015           2014 
  are as follows:                            As restated    As restated 
                                  GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
-----------------------------   ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Trade receivables                  9,687          6,428         16,186 
 Allowance for doubtful 
  debts                             (142)          (319)          (109) 
 Accrued income                     7,532          7,704         12,405 
 Prepayments                          561            372            445 
 Other receivables: 
 - due within 12 months               214            156             55 
 - due after more than 
  12 months                            99            108            278 
 
 Total                             17,951         14,449         29,260 
------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 
  Current                          17,852         14,341         28,982 
 Non- current                          99            108            278 
------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------- 
 

As at 31 December 2016, the average credit period taken on sales of recruitment services was 30 days (2015 as restated: 19 days) from the date of invoicing, and the receivables are predominantly non-interest bearing. An allowance of GBP142,000

(2015: GBP319,000) has been made for estimated irrecoverable amounts. Due to the short-term nature of trade and other receivables, the Directors consider that the carrying value approximates to their fair value.

   11   Trade and other receivables (continued) 

Accrued income principally comprises accruals for amounts to be billed for contract staff for time worked in December. Other receivables due after more than 12 months are predominantly rental deposits on leasehold properties.

The Group does not provide against receivables solely on the basis of the age of the debt, as experience has demonstrated that this is not a reliable indicator of recoverability. The Group provides fully against all receivables where it has positive evidence that the amount is not recoverable.

The Group uses an external credit scoring system to assess the creditworthiness of new customers. The Group supplies mainly FTSE 100 and other major companies and major professional partnerships.

Included in the Group's trade receivable balances are receivables with a carrying amount of GBP2.1m (2015: GBP1.2m) which are past due date at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided as the amounts are still considered recoverable. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances.

 
 Ageing of past 30 days but                              2016       2015 
  not impaired trade receivables:                     GBP'000    GBP'000 
  (Number of days overdue) 
--------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
 0-30 days                                                210        332 
 30-60 days                                               498        348 
 60-90 days                                               453        212 
 90+ days                                                 952        271 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
   31 December                                          2,113      1,163 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Movement in allowance                                   2016         2015 
  for doubtful debts:                                 GBP'000      GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ----  ---  ---------  ----------- 
 
 1 January                                              (319)        (109) 
 Impairment losses recognised 
  on receivables                                        (100)        (274) 
 Previous impairment 
  losses reversed                                         277           64 
 Amounts written off the trade                              -            - 
  receivables ledger as uncollectable 
 
 31 December                                            (142)        (319) 
---------------------------------------  ----  ---  ---------  ----------- 
 
 

In determining the recoverability of trade receivables, the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. The Directors believe that there is no further credit provision required.

There are no individually impaired trade receivables that have been placed in administration or liquidation included in the allowance for doubtful debts (2015: GBPNil).

 
                                     2016       2015 
   Ageing of impaired trade       GBP'000    GBP'000 
   receivables: 
----------------------------    ---------  --------- 
 
 30-60 days                             -          - 
 60-90 days                             -          - 
 90+ days                             142        319 
 
 31 December                          142        319 
------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

As at 31 December trade receivables to a value of GBP4.6m were subject to an invoice financing facility (2015: GBP3.4m).

   12    Cash and cash equivalents 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents         2016       2015 
  are as follows:               GBP'000    GBP'000 
---------------------------   ---------  --------- 
 
 Short-term bank deposits         3,106      3,034 
 
                                  3,106      3,034 
 ---------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less, less bank overdrafts repayable on demand. The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.

   13    Trade and other payables 
 
 Trade and other payables                      2015           2014 
  are as follows:                  2016          As    As restated 
                                GBP'000    restated        GBP'000 
                                            GBP'000 
--------------------------   ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Trade payables                   1,505         613            310 
 Other taxes and social 
  security costs                    701         489            928 
 Other payables                     947       1,121            804 
 Accruals                         9,340       9,035         13,082 
 
                                 12,493      11,258         15,124 
 --------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 

Accruals principally comprise accruals for amounts owed to contract staff for time worked in December, in addition to a rental accrual and a bonus and commission accrual.

The average credit period taken on trade purchases, excluding contract staff costs, by the Group is 35 days (2015: 32 days as restated), based on the average daily amount invoiced by suppliers. Interest charged by suppliers is at various rates on payables not settled within terms. The Group has procedures to ensure that payables are paid to terms wherever possible. Due to the short-term nature of trade and other payables, the Directors consider that the carrying value approximates to their fair value.

   14    Borrowings 
 
                                       2016       2015 
                                    GBP'000    GBP'000 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Invoice discounting (repayable 
  on demand)                          1,087        454 
 
                                      1,087        454 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The Invoice discounting borrowing is at a floating interest rate. Interest on the invoice discounting facility is charged at 1.7% over UK Base Rate on actual amounts drawn down, and the margin is fixed to April 2018.

   15    Provisions 
 
                               Leasehold      Onerous 
                           dilapidations    contracts       Total 
                                 GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000 
----------------------   ---------------  -----------  ---------- 
 At 1 January 2015                    60          308         368 
 New provision                        28            -          28 
 Unutilised provision 
  released                             -        (212)       (212) 
 Utilised                           (20)         (96)       (116) 
 
   At 31 December 
   2015                               68            -          68 
 
 New provision                       241            -         241 
-----------------------  ---------------  -----------  ---------- 
 At 31 December 
  2016                               309            -         309 
-----------------------  ---------------  -----------  ---------- 
 Current                               -            -           - 
 Non-current                         309            -         309 
-----------------------  ---------------  -----------  ---------- 
 

The dilapidations provisions relates to the Group's current leased offices in London and Singapore. This provision will unwind over the course of the leases agreements.

The onerous lease contracts relate to surplus accommodation within the Group's London HQ at 30 Eastcheap. In 2014, the Group made an exceptional charge for 18 months' costs, starting from 1 July 2014, relating to this space to cover the marketing void and rent free incentive that is assumed would be required to sublet this space. No rent shortfall/surplus was assumed for the duration of any sub-lease eventually granted. The space was sub-let during 2015 and 2016 and the unutilised portion of the provision was released and is included within exceptional items in 2015.

   16    Share capital 

The share capital at 31 December 2016 was as follows:

 
                                     2016                     2015 
-------------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
 
  Ordinary shares of            Number                   Number 
  1p each                    of shares     GBP'000    of shares     GBP'000 
-------------------------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Authorised 
                           -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 At 1 January and 31 
  December                  40,000,000         400   40,000,000         400 
                           -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Issued and fully paid: 
 At 1 January               23,891,713         239   23,881,094         239 
 Issuance of new shares 
  for 
  employee share schemes        12,000           -       10,619           - 
 
 
 31 December                23,903,713         239   23,891,713         239 
                           -----------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 

During 2016, 12,000 options were exercised (2015: 10,619), all of which were satisfied by the issuance of new shares.

At 31 December 2016, 1,162,051 (2015: 1,162,051) shares were held in the EBT.

At 31 December 2016, 211,414 (2015: 211,414) ordinary shares were held in the Hydrogen Group plc Share Incentive Plan trust for employees.

   17    Own shares held 

During the year, there was no movement in the number of shares held by the EBT.

At 31 December 2016, the total number of ordinary shares held in the EBT and their values were as follows:

 
 Shares held for share           2016        2015 
  option schemes 
-----------------------    ----------  ---------- 
 
 Number of shares           1,162,051   1,162,051 
 
                              GBP'000     GBP'000 
 Nominal value                     12          12 
 Carrying value                 1,338       1,338 
 Market value                     418         349 
 
 
   18    Earnings/ (loss) per share 

Earnings/ (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the Group by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue.

Diluted earnings/ (loss) per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares by existing share options and share incentive plans, assuming dilution through conversion of all existing options and shares held in share plans. The Employee Benefit Trust shares are ignored for the purposes of calculating the Group's earnings per share.

 
 From continuing operations          2016           2015 
                                             As restated 
                                  GBP'000        GBP'000 
----------------------------    ---------  ------------- 
 Earnings 
 Profit/(loss) attributable 
  to equity holders of 
  the parent                        1,532        (5,376) 
------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
   Adjusted earnings 
----------------------------    ---------  ------------- 
 
   Profit/ (loss) for the 
   year                             1,532        (5,376) 
 Add back: exceptional 
  costs                                 -          5,493 
------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
                                    1,532            117 
  ----------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 
                                                  2016           2015 
                                                          As restated 
 Number of shares 
 Weighted average number of shares 
  used for basic and adjusted earnings 
  per share                                 22,529,360     22,304,607 
 Dilutive effect of share 
  plans                                      1,212,308      2,553,982 
 
   Diluted weighted average 
   number of shares used 
   to calculate diluted 
   and adjusted diluted 
   earnings per share                       23,741,668     24,858,589 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Basic profit/ (loss) 
  per share (pence)                              6.80p       (24.10p) 
 Diluted profit/(loss) 
  per share (pence)                              6.45p       (24.10p) 
 Adjusted basic profit 
  earnings per share (pence)                     6.80p          0.52p 
 Adjusted diluted profit 
  earnings per share (pence)                     6.45p          0.47p 
 

*The calculation of diluted earnings per share does not assume conversion, exercise, or other issue of potential ordinary shares that would have an antidilutive effect on earnings or loss per share. (An antidilution is a reduction in the loss per share or an increase in the earnings per share). The antidilutive effect of share plans in the 2015 year (in relation to dilutive loss per share) was 2,553,982 shares.

   19    Notes to the cash flow statement 

a. Reconciliation of profit before tax to net cash inflow from operating activities

 
                                                   2016           2015 
                                                           As restated 
                                                GBP'000        GBP'000 
------------------------------------------    ---------  ------------- 
 
 Profit before taxation 
  and exceptional items                           1,667            117 
 Adjusted for: 
 Depreciation and amortisation                      318            413 
 Increase/ (decrease) in 
  provisions                                        241           (88) 
 FX unrealised gains                              (315)          (197) 
 Gain on sale of property, 
  plant and equipment                                 -            (4) 
 Share-based payments                               331            172 
 Net finance (income)/costs                       (917)             75 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 Operating cash flows before movements 
  in working capital                              1,325            488 
 
 (Increase)/decrease in 
  receivables                                   (3,502)         14,811 
 Increase/ (decrease) in 
  payables                                        1,235        (3,866) 
 Income tax expense                               (135)              - 
------------------------------------------    ---------  ------------- 
 
 Cash (used in) /generated from 
  operating activities                          (1,077)         11,433 
 
 Income taxes paid                                (104)           (89) 
 Finance costs                                     (63)           (80) 
 Finance income                                       -              5 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Net cash (outflow)/ inflow from 
  operating activities before exceptional 
  items                                         (1,244)         11,269 
 
 Cash flows arising from exceptional 
  costs                                               -        (1,200) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
  operating activities                          (1,244)      10,069 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------- 
 

b. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt:

 
                                             2016       2015 
                                          GBP'000    GBP'000 
------------------------------------    ---------  --------- 
 
 Increase/ (decrease) in 
  cash and cash equivalents 
  in the year                                  72    (2,941) 
 (Increase)/ decrease in borrowings         (633)     12,250 
 
 (Increase)/ decrease in 
  net debt during the year                  (561)      9,309 
 
 Net cash/ (debt) at the 
  start of the year                         2,580    (6,729) 
--------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Net cash at the end of 
  the year                                  2,019      2,580 
--------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

Represented by:

 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  (note 12)                       3,106   3,034 
 Borrowings (note 14)           (1,087)   (454) 
 
   20    Change in Accounting policy 

During the year, the Group changed its accounting policy with respect to the recognition and measurement of revenue. Permanent recruitment revenue was previously recognised on the acceptance of the role by a candidate. This policy has been changed to recognise revenue on the start date of a candidate.

The impact of this change in accounting policy on the comparative figures previously reported is illustrated below on each line item of the Group financial statements that has been affected (note the tax impact of the below adjustments has not been taken into account due to the amounts being immaterial to the group results):

 
 
                                As reported              Adjustments            Restated under 
                             under the previous                               the new accounting 
                                 accounting                                         policy 
                                   policy 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------- 
                             2015        2014        2015        2014         2015        2014 
                            GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000 
-----------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
   Consolidated Statement 
   of Comprehensive Income 
 Revenue                     122,765                     845                  123,610 
 Gross Profit                 18,565                     845                   19,410 
 Other administrative 
  expenses*                 (19,412)                    (25)                 (19,437) 
 Profit/ (Loss) 
  before taxation            (6,196)                     820                  (5,376) 
 Income tax                        -                       -                        - 
  expense 
 Profit/ (loss) 
  for the year               (6,196)                     820                  (5,376) 
 
 Basic Earnings/(loss) 
  per share                 (27.52p)                    3.7p                 (23.88p) 
 
 Diluted Earnings/ 
  (loss) per 
  share                     (27.52p)                    3.7p                 (23.88p) 
 Consolidated Statement 
  of Financial Position 
 
   Total Assets               30,517      53,825     (1,290)     (2,132)       29,227      51,693 
 Total payables             (12,152)    (28,602)         269         292     (11,883)    (28,310) 
 Total Equity**               18,365      25,223     (1,021)     (1,840)       17,344      23,383 
 

*This excludes exceptional administrative expenses which were unaffected by the change in accounting policy.

** Included within the adjustment to equity as at 1 January 2015, is an amount of GBP263,000 in the translation reserve as a result of the revenue policy change. This arose from translating the foreign subsidiaries from their functional currencies to the Group's presentational currency.

   21    Statutory report classification 

The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016 and the year ended 31 December 2015 does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for those years.

Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.

The auditors' reports on the accounts for 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2015 were unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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