Begbies Traynor Group PLC AGM Statement (2111A)

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RNS Number : 2111A

Begbies Traynor Group PLC

22 September 2022

22 September 2022

Begbies Traynor Group plc

AGM Statement

Trading Update

Begbies Traynor Group plc ("the group"), the business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, is today holding its Annual General Meeting. Ric Traynor, Executive Chairman, will make the following statement:

"The last financial year was a further successful year for the group, with financial performance comfortably ahead of original market expectations due to acquisitions and improved trading. The results reflected a material increase in scale and service offerings and a continuation of our strong financial track record, resulting from our organic and acquisitive growth strategy.

Since 2018 we have increased revenue from GBP52m to GBP110m, operating margins from 11.6% to 16.9%, adjusted profit before tax from GBP5.6m to GBP17.8m and adjusted earnings per share from 4.0p to 9.1p, respectively, from a combination of acquisitions and organic growth. Last year was no exception, as all areas of the group delivered strong growth. Over the same period, we have also increased dividends by 10% CAGR and moved from net debt to net cash.

We have made a good start to our new financial year. Trading for the first quarter to 31 July 2022 was in line with expectations, with encouraging activity levels across both operating divisions. The level of new insolvency appointments continues to increase year on year, with an increasing number of larger, mid-market insolvency and restructuring cases emerging, as a result of the increased activity in administrations and our expanded London office and offshore practice.

Notable recent appointments include the ongoing administrations of Avonside Group, the largest roofing contractor in the UK, and Silverbond Enterprises Limited, the former operator of the Park Lane Casino in London. In addition, we have advised on the first SME court sanctioned restructuring plan (enabled by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020), of Houst the short-term holiday lettings operator. This follows our previous use of this new legislation on the mid-market Amicus finance restructuring in 2021.

At this early stage of the financial year, we therefore remain confident of delivering market expectations* for the full year.

We have completed two acquisitions in the new financial year: Mantra Capital, the London-based property finance brokerage, in July 2022; and the chartered surveyors practice, Budworth Hardcastle, in June 2022. The integration of both businesses is underway and progressing in line with our expectations.

Overall, the group remains in a strong position. Our scale, capabilities and breadth of expertise provide us with the ability to continue to assist our clients as they face the challenges of the forthcoming year.

We will next update on current trading with our half year results, which are due to be released in December 2022."

* current range of analyst forecasts for adjusted PBT of GBP19.7m-GBP20.6m (as compiled by the group)

- ENDS -

Enquiries please contact:

Begbies Traynor Group PLC 0161 837 1700

Ric Traynor - Executive Chairman

Nick Taylor - Group Finance Director

Canaccord Genuity Limited 020 7523 8000

(Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)

Emma Gabriel / Patrick Dolaghan

Shore Capital 020 7408 4090

(Joint Broker)

Malachy McEntyre / Mark Percy / Anita Ghanekar / James Thomas

MHP Communications 020 3128 8567

Reg Hoare / Katie Hunt / Pauline Guenot [e-mail]

Further information on Begbies Traynor Group can be accessed via the Group's website at www.begbies-traynorgroup.com/investor-relations

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September 22, 2022 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)