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BEG Begbies Traynor Group Plc

107.00
1.00 (0.94%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Begbies Traynor Group Plc LSE:BEG London Ordinary Share GB00B0305S97 ORD 5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  1.00 0.94% 107.00 105.50 107.50 108.50 106.00 108.50 246,393 16:35:19
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Finance Services 121.83M 2.91M 0.0185 57.30 166.96M

Begbies Traynor Group PLC Half year results (2706W)

10/12/2019 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 2706W

Begbies Traynor Group PLC

10 December 2019

10 December 2019

Begbies Traynor Group plc

Half year results

for the six months ended 31 October 2019

"Strong first half performance and confidence in full year outlook"

Begbies Traynor Group plc (the 'company' or the 'group'), the business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, today announces its half year results for the six months ended 31 October 2019.

Financial overview *

 
                                 2019   2018 
                                 GBPm   GBPm 
------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 Revenue                         33.8   28.0 
 Adjusted profit before tax** 
  ***                             4.0    3.0 
 Profit before tax                1.9    0.5 
------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 Adjusted basic EPS** **** 
  (p)                             2.6    2.1 
 Basic EPS (p)                    1.1      - 
 Interim dividend (p)             0.9    0.8 
------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 Net debt                         2.3    6.3 
------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

* IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted from the start of the financial period. All comparative figures included within this announcement have been restated in accordance with the new standard, which has been adopted on a fully retrospective basis. Further details are included in note 1(b) to this statement.

** The board uses adjusted performance measures to provide meaningful information on the performance of the business. The items excluded from our adjusted results are those which arise due to acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3. They are not influenced by the day-to-day operations of the group.

*** Profit before tax of GBP1.9m (2018: GBP0.5m) plus amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions of GBP1.4m (2018: GBP1.1m) plus transaction costs of GBP0.7m (2018: GBP1.4m).

**** See reconciliation in note 5.

Highlights:

-- Revenue growth of 21% (10% organic) with improved operating profit margin of 13.2% (2018: 12.6%)

-- Organic development of both divisions continued, with investment in new fee earning staff and teams

   --      Completed three acquisitions towards the end of the period, enhancing both divisions 

-- Raised net proceeds of GBP7.8m in placing in July 2019: meeting investor demand and funding acquisitions

   --      13% increase in interim dividend building on increases of the previous two financial years 

Outlook:

-- Confident of delivering results at least in line with current expectations with a further year of growth

   --      Second half contribution from recent acquisitions 

-- Aggregate impact of placing and acquisitions anticipated to be earnings enhancing in current year and thereafter

Commenting on the results, Ric Traynor, Executive Chairman of Begbies Traynor Group, said:

"I am pleased to report a strong half year financial performance with growth in revenue and earnings, together with improved operating margins. This reflects the benefit of the recent organic development of the group and our investment in acquisitions.

"The increased scale of the group's activities, favourable conditions in the UK insolvency market and our strong financial position leaves the group well placed to continue our track record of revenue and profit growth.

"Following a strong financial performance in the first half of the year, the board remains confident of delivering results at least in line with current market expectations for the full year, including the benefit of the first-time contribution in the second half from our recent acquisitions. We will provide an update on third quarter trading in early March 2020."

A meeting for analysts will be held today at 8.45am for 9.00am at the offices of MHP Communications,

6 Agar Street, London WC2N 4HN. Please contact Florence Mayo on 020 3128 8572 or via Begbies@mhpc.com if you would like to attend.

Enquiries please contact:

Begbies Traynor Group plc 0161 837 1700

Ric Traynor - Executive Chairman

Nick Taylor - Group Finance Director

Canaccord Genuity Limited 020 7523 4588

(Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)

David Tyrrell / Sunil Duggal

Shore Capital 020 7408 4090

(Joint Broker)

Mark Percy / Anita Ghanekar

MHP Communications 020 3128 8572

Reg Hoare / Katie Hunt / Pete Lambie

Notes to editors

Begbies Traynor Group plc is a leading business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, providing services nationally from a comprehensive network of UK locations. The group has 735 staff and partners and the professional staff include licensed insolvency practitioners, accountants, chartered surveyors and lawyers.

The group's services include:

Business recovery and financial advisory

-- Corporate and personal insolvency - we handle the largest number of corporate appointments in the UK, principally serving the mid-market and smaller companies.

   --      Corporate finance - buy and sell side support on private company transactions. 

-- Financial advisory - forensic accounting and investigations, debt advisory, business and financial restructuring, due diligence and transactional support.

Property advisory and transactional services

   --      Valuations - valuation of property, businesses, machinery and business assets. 

-- Property consultancy, management and planning - building consultancy, commercial property management, specialist insurance and vacant property risk management, transport planning and design.

-- Transactional services - sale of property, machinery and other business assets through physical and online auctions; business sales agency; commercial property agency focussed on northern and eastern England.

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

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION

I am pleased to report a strong half year financial performance with growth in revenue and earnings, together with improved operating margins. This reflects the benefit of investment both in organic development of the group and acquisitions.

All areas of the group have continued to perform well:

-- business recovery saw the benefits of prior year organic investments and a continuing increase in insolvency numbers nationally;

-- advisory services experienced an increase in corporate finance transactions completing in the six months compared to the prior period; and

-- property advisory and transactional services benefitted from our ongoing organic development and prior year acquisitions.

Towards the end of the period, we completed three acquisitions:

   --      Alexander Lawson Jacobs - a London-based insolvency and business recovery practice; 

-- Ernest Wilson - a business sales agency, operating across a broad range of sectors ranging from food outlets and convenience stores to care homes, restaurants and hotels; and

-- Regeneratus - an advisory practice with expertise in restructuring, turnaround and legal issues.

In their last reported financial years prior to acquisition, these three businesses reported aggregate revenue of GBP5.9m and pre-tax profit of GBP1.8m.

In July 2019 we completed a share placing, which raised net proceeds of GBP7.8m, allowing us to meet investor demand for our shares whilst funding our recent transactions. We anticipate that the aggregate impact of these acquisitions and the increase in shares in issue following the placing, will be earnings enhancing for the benefit of all shareholders in the current financial year and thereafter.

The group is in a very strong position with a significant increase in our scale and capabilities and a breadth of service lines which generate strong operating margins and are highly cash generative. We have significant headroom in our committed bank facilities with net debt reduced to GBP2.3m, from GBP6.0m at the start of the financial year.

The increased scale of the group's activities, favourable conditions in the UK insolvency market and our strong financial position leaves the group well placed to continue our track record of revenue and profit growth for the full year and beyond.

RESULTS

IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted from the start of the financial period. All comparative figures included within this announcement have been restated in accordance with the new standard, which has been adopted on a fully retrospective basis. Further details are included in note 1(b) to this statement.

Group revenue in the half year ended 31 October 2019 increased by 21% to GBP33.8m (2018: GBP28.0m). Adjusted* profit before tax** increased by 33% to GBP4.0m (2018: GBP3.0m). Statutory profit before tax was GBP1.9m (2018: GBP0.5m).

Adjusted basic earnings per share* *** increased by 24% to 2.6p (2018: 2.1p). Basic and fully diluted earnings per share were 1.1p (2018: nil).

Net debt at 31 October 2019 was GBP2.3m (30 April 2019: GBP6.0m, 31 October 2018: GBP6.3m) with leverage**** improving to 0.2 times from 0.7 times at 30 April 2019.

* The board uses adjusted performance measures to provide meaningful information on the performance of the business. The items excluded from our adjusted results are those which arise due to acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3. They are not influenced by the day-to-day operations of the group.

** Profit before tax of GBP1.9m (2018: GBP0.5m) plus amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions of GBP1.4m (2018: GBP1.1m) plus transaction costs of GBP0.7m (2018: GBP1.4m).

*** See reconciliation in note 5.

**** Calculated as net debt to operating profit before transaction costs, amortisation, depreciation on tangible assets, software amortisation and after finance charge on lease liabilities (on a trailing 12 month basis).

DIVID

The board is pleased to declare an increased interim dividend of 0.9p (2018: 0.8p), an increase of 13%, which builds on the increases over the two previous years and reflects our confidence in sustaining our financial track record of earnings growth. We remain committed to a long-term progressive dividend policy which takes account of the market outlook, earnings growth and investment plans.

The interim dividend will be paid on 11 May 2020 to shareholders on the register as at 14 April 2020, with an

ex-dividend date of 9 April 2020.

OUTLOOK

Following a strong financial performance in the first half of the year, the board remains confident of delivering results at least in line with current market expectations for the full year, including the benefit of the first-time contribution from our recent acquisitions.

Overall, we continue to anticipate a further year of increased revenue and earnings.

With our strong financial position, we continue to look for opportunities to develop and enhance the group, both organically and through selective acquisitions. We will provide an update on third quarter trading in early March 2020.

Ric Traynor

Executive chairman

10 December 2019

BUSINESS REVIEW

OPERATING REVIEW

Business recovery and financial advisory

Revenue in the period increased by 15% (13% organic) to GBP23.0m (2018: GBP20.0m), reflecting the continuing development of the division, increased insolvency market activity levels, a strong performance from our advisory team, and the contribution from prior year acquisitions.

Operating costs increased by 12% to GBP18.2m (2018: GBP16.3m) as a result of the increased scale of the business from our continuing organic growth, increased people costs and costs associated with the acquired businesses.

Segmental profits* for the period were GBP4.9m (2018: GBP3.7m) with operating margins increasing to 21.1%

(2018: 18.5%).

Insolvency volumes nationally have continued to increase in the period, with the underlying number of corporate insolvencies increasing by 7% in the twelve months ended 30 September 2019** to 16,857 (2018: 15,699). In this improving market we have maintained our market share, continuing to take the largest number of corporate insolvency appointments in the UK.

We have continued to invest in the business recovery team through recruitment of fee earners, with a focus on business development and increasing capacity, and have also appointed four new partners: two of which were external appointments together with two internal promotions.

In October 2019, we acquired Alexander Lawson Jacobs ("ALJ"), a London-based insolvency and business recovery practice. The team of 24 directors and employees is being integrated into our existing strong network of offices across London and the South East.

We have continued to invest in our advisory fee earner team with the addition of five new partners: two of which were external appointments and three internal promotions. We have also seen an increase in corporate finance transaction completions compared with the comparative period, despite the economic and political uncertainty.

In September 2019, we acquired Regeneratus, an Exeter based advisory practice with particular expertise in restructuring, turnaround and legal issues. The team have joined our existing South West practice, enhancing the services and advice we can provide to our clients across the region.

The number of people employed in the division has increased to 412 as at 31 October 2019 from 364 at the start of the financial year and at 31 October 2018. This expansion provides the capacity to deliver growth in revenue and profits and we continue to consider further recruitment to continue to build capacity for long term growth.

* See note 2

**Source: The Insolvency Service quarterly statistics on the number of corporate insolvencies in England and Wales on a seasonally adjusted basis, excluding the one-off effect of 777 (2018: 1,561) bulk insolvencies as identified by The Insolvency Service

Property advisory and transactional services

Revenue increased to GBP10.7m (2018: GBP8.0m), principally due to the prior year acquisitions of Croft Transport Planning & Design and Barker Storey Matthews ('BSM'). Organic revenue was in line with the comparative period, with returns from our growth initiatives offset by the anticipated reduction in revenue following the completion of several property insolvencies (which enhanced margins in the prior period).

Operating costs increased to GBP8.6m (2018: GBP5.9m), principally due to costs associated with the acquired businesses.

Segmental profits* were GBP2.1m (2018: GBP2.1m), with operating margins reverting, as anticipated, to the more typical level of 19.9% (2018: margin of 26.3% was enhanced by revenue recognised on completion of property insolvencies as referred to above).

Our building consultancy team has continued to develop, notably with continuing growth in the education and wider public sector. We have continued to invest in and grow the team and its offering, which included the recruitment of a Cambridge-based team in the period. This has further developed our offering in Eastern England following the acquisition of BSM in April 2019.

Revenue from the property valuation team grew in the year, reflecting our continuing recruitment of experienced surveyors, which has improved our geographical coverage and service to our clients.

The property transactional teams (agency and auctions) have performed well in the period, with activity levels broadly in line with the prior year. However, we have experienced a reduced level of activity from our heavy plant disposal team in the period, with lower market activity levels in the current economic environment.

Our prior year acquisitions have performed in line with expectations and integration is progressing well.

In October 2019, we acquired Ernest Wilson, a Leeds-based business sales agent, which provides agency services for the sale of small businesses across the UK. The team operate across a broad range of sectors ranging from food outlets and convenience stores to care homes, restaurants and hotels. The acquisition enhances our transactional support services and is also complementary to the BTG Advisory and corporate finance offerings.

The number of people employed in the division has increased to 280 as at 31 October 2019 from 245 at the start of the financial year and 194 in October 2018.

We continue to seek opportunities to invest in the division through senior recruitment, in addition to seeking further acquisitions.

* See note 2

FINANCE REVIEW

Financial summary *

 
                                              2019   2018 
                                              GBPm   GBPm 
 
Revenue                                       33.8   28.0 
-------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
Operating profit (before transaction costs 
 and amortisation)                             4.5    3.5 
Finance costs                                (0.5)  (0.5) 
-------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
Adjusted profit before tax                     4.0    3.0 
Transaction costs                            (0.7)  (1.4) 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising 
 on acquisitions                             (1.4)  (1.1) 
-------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
Profit before tax                              1.9    0.5 
Tax                                          (0.6)  (0.5) 
-------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
Profit for the period                          1.3      - 
-------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

* IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted from the start of the financial period and all comparative figures included within this announcement have been restated in accordance with the new standard. Further details are included below and in note 1(b) to this statement.

Operating result (before transaction costs and amortisation)

Revenue in the period increased by GBP5.8m to GBP33.8m (2018: GBP28.0m), an overall increase of 21%, of which 10% was organic and 11% acquired.

Operating margins increased in the period to 13.2% (2018: 12.6%), due to the benefit of operating leverage as the group has grown. Operating profit increased to GBP4.5m (2018: GBP3.5m).

Adjusted profit before tax increased by 33% to GBP4.0m (2018: GBP3.0m) in the period as a result of the increased operating profit, with finance costs in line with the prior period.

Tax

The tax charge for the period was GBP0.6m (2018: GBP0.5m), comprising a tax charge on adjusted profit before tax of GBP0.9m (based on the expected adjusted tax rate for the full year of 22%), partially offset by a deferred tax credit of GBP0.3m resulting from transaction costs and amortisation.

Earnings per share ('EPS')

Adjusted basic EPS* increased by 24% to 2.6p (2018: 2.1p). Basic EPS increased to 1.1p (2018: nil).

* See reconciliation in note 5.

IFRS 16

IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted from the start of the financial period and seeks to align the presentation of leased assets more closely to owned assets. All comparative figures included within this announcement have been restated in accordance with the new standard, which has been adopted on a fully retrospective basis.

The adoption of IFRS 16 had the following impact on the group's financial results for the year ended 30 April 2019:

   --      Increase in operating profit of GBP0.5m offset by an increase in finance costs of GBP0.5m; 
   --      Reduction in net assets of GBP1.4m at 30 April 2019; 

-- No impact on total cash flow; however, net cash from operating activities increased by GBP2.2m and net cash used in financing activities increased by GBP2.2m.

Further details are included in note 1(b) to this statement.

Acquisitions

During the period, the group completed three acquisitions:

-- Alexander Lawson Jacobs on 24 October 2019 for initial consideration of GBP2.35m (GBP2.1m in cash and the issue of 296,195 new ordinary shares) with a maximum additional cash payment of GBP4.0m subject to financial performance in the five year period following the acquisition.

-- Ernest Wilson on 18 October 2019 for initial consideration of GBP4.0m (GBP3.0m in cash and the issue of 1,163,874 new ordinary shares) with a maximum additional cash payment of GBP1.63m subject to financial performance in the three year period following the acquisition.

-- Regeneratus on 23 September 2019 for initial consideration of GBP0.5m (in cash) with a maximum additional cash payment of GBP1.1m subject to financial performance in the four year period following the acquisition.

The net cash outflow from acquisitions in the period was GBP4.4m, comprising the cash consideration of GBP5.6m net of cash acquired of GBP1.2m.

A proportion of the consideration payable for these acquisitions requires post-acquisition service obligations to be performed by the selling shareholders. These amounts are accounted for as deemed remuneration and charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the period of the service obligation. The value of net assets acquired exceeds the accounting value of consideration and consequently a gain of GBP1.9m has been recognised within transaction costs in the period.

Financing

Net debt reduced to GBP2.3m at 31 October 2019 (30 April 2019: GBP6.0m, 31 October 2018: GBP6.3m). The group has significant headroom in its bank facilities which are committed until August 2023 and comprise a GBP25m unsecured, committed revolving credit facility and a GBP5m uncommitted acquisition facility.

The reduction in net debt of GBP3.7m in the period was generated from free cash flow of GBP3.1m and net proceeds from the share placing* of GBP7.8m which funded acquisition and deferred consideration payments of GBP6.3m and dividends of GBP0.9m.

Cash flow in the period is summarised as follows:

 
                                      2019   2018 
                                      GBPm   GBPm 
 
Net cash from operating activities     4.6    3.4 
Capital expenditure                  (0.4)  (0.3) 
Capital element of lease payments    (1.1)  (1.0) 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----- 
Free cash flow                         3.1    2.1 
Net proceeds from share placing        7.8      - 
Acquisition payments                 (4.4)      - 
Deferred consideration payments      (1.9)  (0.1) 
Dividends                            (0.9)  (0.8) 
Reduction in net debt                  3.7    1.2 
-----------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

* Share placing of 11,041,440 new ordinary shares completed on 26 July 2019.

During the period, all bank covenants were comfortably met and the group remains in a strong financial position. As a result of the reduced debt levels and the increased profits our leverage* improved to 0.2 times (Apr 2019: 0.7 times).

* Calculated as net debt to operating profit (before transaction costs, amortisation, depreciation on tangible assets, software amortisation and after finance charge on lease liabilities on a trailing 12 month basis).

Net assets

Net assets at 31 October 2019 were GBP66.1m, compared to GBP58.3m at 30 April 2019. The movement represents an increase of GBP3.1m from post-tax adjusted earnings and GBP9.8m from the issue of new shares (resulting from the placing and acquisition consideration in the period); offset by dividends of GBP3.2m and the post-tax impact of acquisition-related transaction and amortisation costs of GBP1.9m.

   Ric Traynor                                                                          Nick Taylor 
   Executive chairman                                                          Group finance director 
   10 December 2019                                                            10 December 2019 
 
 Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
  income 
                                                    Six months    Six months          Year 
                                                         ended         ended         ended 
                                                    31 October    31 October      30 April 
                                                          2019          2018          2019 
                                                                 (restated*)   (restated*) 
                                                   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
                                            Note       GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Revenue                                     2          33,779        27,981        60,058 
 Direct costs                                         (19,435)      (15,908)      (34,276) 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Gross profit                                           14,344        12,073        25,782 
 Other operating income                                    210           216           393 
 Administrative expenses                              (12,218)      (11,297)      (21,663) 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Operating profit before amortisation 
  and transaction costs                      2           4,460         3,547         8,033 
 Transaction costs                           3           (699)       (1,409)       (1,160) 
 Amortisation of intangible assets 
  arising on acquisitions                              (1,425)       (1,146)       (2,361) 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Operating profit                                        2,336           992         4,512 
 Finance costs                               4           (456)         (503)       (1,006) 
 Profit before tax                                       1,880           489         3,506 
 Tax                                                     (610)         (489)         (997) 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Profit and total comprehensive 
  income for the period                                  1,270             -         2,509 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Earnings per share 
 
 Basic and diluted                           5            1.1p          0.0p          2.2p 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

All of the profit and comprehensive income for the period is attributable to equity holders of the parent.

*restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 as explained in note 1b

 
 Consolidated statement of changes 
  in equity 
 
 For the six months ended 31 October           Share      Share     Merger       Capital    Retained     Total 
  2019 (unaudited)                           capital    premium    reserve    redemption    earnings    equity 
                                                                                 reserve 
                                             GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 1 May 2019 (restated)                      5,719     23,190     22,189           304       6,909    58,311 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  period                                           -          -          -             -       1,270     1,270 
 Dividends                                         -          -          -             -     (3,185)   (3,185) 
 Credit to equity for equity-settled 
  share-based payments                             -          -          -             -          26        26 
 Shares issued as consideration for 
  acquisitions                                    73          -      1,177             -           -     1,250 
 Shares issued as deferred consideration          39          -        561             -           -       600 
 Shares issued                                   551      7,266          -             -           -     7,817 
 Other share options                               1         12          -             -        (13)         - 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 October 2019                            6,383     30,468     23,927           304       5,007    66,089 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
 For the six months ended 31 October           Share      Share     Merger       Capital    Retained     Total 
  2018 (unaudited)                           capital    premium    reserve    redemption    earnings    equity 
                                                                                 reserve 
                                             GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 30 April 2018 (as previously 
  reported)                                    5,508     22,789     20,248           304      10,300    59,149 
 Restatement for IFRS 16 (note 1b)                 -          -          -             -     (1,465)   (1,465) 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 30 April 2018 (restated)                   5,508     22,789     20,248           304       8,835    57,684 
 Adjustment for changes in accounting 
  policy (IFRS15 & IFRS 9)                         -          -          -             -     (1,448)   (1,448) 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 1 May 2018 (restated)                      5,508     22,789     20,248           304       7,387    56,236 
 Total comprehensive income for the                -          -          -             -           -         - 
  period 
 Dividends                                         -          -          -             -     (2,649)   (2,649) 
 Credit to equity for equity-settled 
  share-based payments                             -          -          -             -          40        40 
 Shares issued as deferred consideration          11          -        139             -           -       150 
 SIP shares issued                                 1          7          -             -           -         8 
 Other share options                               5         78          -             -        (83)         - 
 At 31 October 2018                            5,525     22,874     20,387           304       4,695    53,785 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
 For the year ended 30 April 2019              Share      Share     Merger       Capital    Retained     Total 
  (restated)                                 capital    premium    reserve    redemption    earnings    equity 
                                                                                 reserve 
                                             GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 30 April 2018 (as previously 
  reported)                                    5,508     22,789     20,248           304      10,300    59,149 
 Restatement for IFRS 16 (note 1b)                 -          -          -             -     (1,465)   (1,465) 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 30 April 2018 (restated)                   5,508     22,789     20,248           304       8,835    57,684 
 Adjustment for changes in accounting 
  policy (IFRS15 & IFRS 9)                         -          -          -             -     (1,448)   (1,448) 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 1 May 2018 (restated)                      5,508     22,789     20,248           304       7,387    56,236 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  period                                           -          -          -             -       2,509     2,509 
 Dividends                                         -          -          -             -     (2,649)   (2,649) 
 Credit to equity for equity-settled 
  share-based payments                             -          -          -             -          99        99 
 Shares issued as consideration for 
  acquisitions                                    74          -        834             -           -       908 
 Shares issued as deferred consideration          93          -      1,107             -           -     1,200 
 SIP shares issued                                 1          7          -             -           -         8 
 Other share options                              43        394                        -       (437)         - 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 30 April 2019                              5,719     23,190     22,189           304       6,909    58,311 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
 Consolidated balance sheet 
                                              31 October     31 October       30 April 
                                                    2019           2018           2019 
                                                               restated       restated 
                                             (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (unaudited) 
                                     Note        GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                                61,409         57,843         59,392 
 Property, plant and equipment                     1,784          1,488          1,766 
 Right of use assets                               7,043          7,319          7,279 
 Trade and other receivables          7            5,589          1,268          3,220 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                                  75,825         67,918         71,657 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables          7           36,051         28,637         32,298 
 Cash and cash equivalents                         5,748          3,743          4,009 
                                                  41,799         32,380         36,307 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total assets                                    117,624        100,298        107,964 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables             8         (25,519)       (19,606)       (21,911) 
 Current tax liabilities                         (2,399)        (1,436)        (1,976) 
 Lease liabilities                               (1,876)        (2,585)        (2,257) 
 Provisions                                        (361)          (432)          (457) 
                                                (30,155)       (24,059)       (26,601) 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net current assets                               11,644          8,321          9,706 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                      (8,000)       (10,000)       (10,000) 
 Lease liabilities                               (6,059)        (5,676)        (6,110) 
 Provisions                                      (2,152)        (2,102)        (2,085) 
 Deferred tax                                    (5,169)        (4,676)        (4,857) 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                                (21,380)       (22,454)       (23,052) 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total liabilities                              (51,535)       (46,513)       (49,653) 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net assets                                       66,089         53,785         58,311 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Equity 
 Share capital                                     6,383          5,525          5,719 
 Share premium                                    30,468         22,874         23,190 
 Merger reserve                                   23,927         20,387         22,189 
 Capital redemption reserve                          304            304            304 
 Retained earnings                                 5,007          4,695          6,909 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Equity attributable to owners of 
  the company                                     66,089         53,785         58,311 
----------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
 Consolidated cash flow statement 
                                                  Six months     Six months     Year ended 
                                                       ended          ended       30 April 
                                                  31 October     31 October           2019 
                                                        2019           2018       restated 
                                                                   restated    (unaudited) 
                                                 (unaudited)    (unaudited) 
                                         Note        GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated by operations             9            5,743          4,390         11,798 
 Income taxes paid                                     (695)          (622)        (1,362) 
 Interest paid                                         (432)          (424)          (947) 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash from operating activities                    4,616          3,344          9,489 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Investing activities 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                            (329)          (249)          (784) 
 Purchase of intangible fixed 
  assets                                                (26)           (26)          (216) 
 Deferred consideration payments 
  in the period                                      (1,881)          (128)        (1,030) 
 Acquisition of businesses (net 
  of cash acquired)                                  (4,390)              -        (1,167) 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash from investing activities                  (6,626)          (403)        (3,197) 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Financing activities 
 Dividends paid                                        (914)          (771)        (2,649) 
 Net proceeds on issue of shares                       7,817              9             10 
 Repayment of obligations under 
  leases                                             (1,154)          (954)        (2,162) 
 Repayment of loans                                  (2,000)        (1,000)        (1,000) 
 Net cash from financing activities                    3,749        (2,716)        (5,801) 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                          1,739            225            491 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  beginning of period                                  4,009          3,518          3,518 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  end of period                                        5,748          3,743          4,009 
--------------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
   1.     Basis of preparation and accounting policies 

(a) Basis of preparation

The half year condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the group's annual financial statements as at 30 April 2019, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.

This condensed consolidated half year financial information does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 April 2019 were approved by the board of directors on

8 July 2019 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on those accounts was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors have reviewed the financial resources available to the group and have concluded that the group is a going concern. This conclusion is based upon, amongst other matters, a review of the group's financial projections for a period of twelve months following the date of this announcement, together with a review of the cash and committed borrowing facilities available to the group. Accordingly, the going concern basis has been used in preparing these half year condensed consolidated financial statements.

The condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 31 October 2019 have not been audited nor subject to an interim review by the auditors. IAS 34 'Interim financial reporting' is not applicable to these half year condensed consolidated financial statements and has therefore not been applied.

(b) Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted in preparation of the half year condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the group's annual financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2019, apart from those affected by the implementation of IFRS 16 'Leases'.

IFRS 16 - 'Leases'

The group has adopted IFRS 16 'Leases' with effect from the start of this financial year, which replaces IAS 17 'Leases' and its related interpretations. IFRS 16 seeks to align the presentation of leased assets more closely to owned assets. Under IAS 17 all the group's leases where the group is a lessee were operating leases. The group recognised a lease charge in the income statement based on straight-line recognition of the lease payments payable on each lease, after adjustment for lease incentives received.

IFRS 16 requires lessees to recognise a right of use asset and lease liability at lease inception, with liabilities recognised at present value. The initial value of the right of use asset is the present value of the fixed payments under the lease, any initial direct costs and an estimate of dilapidation costs under the terms of the lease.

In the income statement, the operating lease charge as recognised under IAS 17 is replaced with a straight-line depreciation charge on the right-of-use asset and an interest cost on the lease liability. This therefore results in an increase in operating profit, which is reported prior to interest charges. The depreciation on the asset is charged evenly over the term of the lease; however, the interest charge will be higher in the initial years of a lease and reduce over time. In aggregate over the lease term the charge to profit will be the same under both accounting standards.

The cash flow statement will reflect the lease payments previously included within cash generated by operations as interest payments (within net cash from operating activities) and repayments of obligations under leases (within net cash used in financing activities). There is no impact on total cash flow by year from adoption of the standard.

The group has taken advantage of the exemptions available under IFRS 16 not to apply the recognition and requirements of the standard to leases with a term of 12 months or less, or leases for which the underlying asset value is low. The recognition of these exempted leases will therefore continue unchanged - a charge will be recognised in the income statement based on straight-line recognition of the lease payments payable on each lease, after adjustment for lease incentives received.

As part of the adoption of IFRS 16, the group has reviewed its policy for the recognition of dilapidation obligations arising on leases. Previously the group recognised a dilapidation provision when it was considered probable that an obligation would crystallise through the group exiting the property at any forthcoming lease break or end of lease ('relevant date'). All leases were reviewed at least two years prior to any relevant date to determine the requirement for any provision. In addition, any onerous property commitments provided for under IAS 37 'Provisions' included an assessment of dilapidation obligations. The group will now include an estimate of dilapidation costs at lease commencement, with the discounted value recognised as a provision and included within the initial cost of the right of use asset.

The standard has been adopted on a fully retrospective basis, which includes a full restatement of the comparative results in the financial year ended 30 April 2019.

   1.     Basis of preparation and accounting policies (continued) 

(b) Significant accounting policies (continued)

In summary the adoption of IFRS 16 had the following impact on the group's financial results for the year ended 30 April 2019:

-- Increase in operating profit (before amortisation and transaction costs) of GBP0.5m to GBP8.0m;

   --      Increase in finance costs of GBP0.5m to GBP1.0m; 
   --      No impact on profit before tax; 

-- Reduction in net assets of GBP1.4m arising from the recognition of right of use asset and lease liabilities offset by the derecognition of IAS 17 working capital balances and onerous lease provisions (net of deferred tax);

-- No impact on total cash flow; however net cash from operating activities increased from GBP7.3m to GBP9.5m and net cash used in financing activities increased from GBP3.6m to GBP5.8m.

The impact of the standard on the group's statement of comprehensive income and cash flow statement for the six months ended 31 October 2018 and the year ended 30 April 2019, together with the impact on the balance sheet at 30 April 2018, 31 October 2018 and 30 April 2019 is below.

 
                                            Six months ended 31                         Year ended 30 April 
                                                October 2018                                    2019 
                                -------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated statement of           Reported           IFRS       Restated     Reported           IFRS       Restated 
  comprehensive income            (unaudited)    16 adoption    (unaudited)    (audited)    16 adoption    (unaudited) 
                                      GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                               27,981              -         27,981       60,058              -         60,058 
 Direct costs                        (15,908)              -       (15,908)     (34,276)              -       (34,276) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Gross profit                          12,073              -         12,073       25,782              -         25,782 
 Other operating income                   216              -            216          393              -            393 
 Administrative expenses             (11,454)            157       (11,297)     (22,163)            500       (21,663) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit before 
  amortisation 
  and transaction costs                 3,390            157          3,547        7,553            480          8,033 
 Transaction costs                    (1,409)              -        (1,409)      (1,180)             20        (1,160) 
 Amortisation                         (1,146)              -        (1,146)      (2,361)              -        (2,361) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit                         835            157            992        4,012            500          4,512 
 Finance costs                          (240)          (263)          (503)        (486)          (520)        (1,006) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Profit before tax                        595          (106)            489        3,526           (20)          3,506 
 Tax                                    (510)             21          (489)      (1,092)             95          (997) 
 Profit and total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the period                    85           (85)              -        2,434             75          2,509 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 
   1.     Basis of preparation and accounting policies (continued) 
   1.     (b) Significant accounting policies (continued) 
 
                                                 At 30 April 2018 
                                   -------------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated balance sheet 
                                       Reported            IFRS        Restated 
                                      (audited)     16 adoption     (unaudited) 
                                        GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                       59,061               -          59,061 
 Property, plant and equipment            1,512               -           1,512 
 Right of use assets                          -           7,066           7,066 
 Other receivables                        1,759               -           1,759 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                         62,332           7,066          69,398 
  -------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables             30,829           (225)          30,604 
 Cash and cash equivalents                3,518               -           3,518 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                         34,347           (225)          34,122 
  -------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total assets                            96,679           6,841         103,520 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables              (17,268)             887        (16,381) 
 Current tax liabilities                (1,548)               -         (1,548) 
 Lease liabilities                            -         (2,467)         (2,467) 
 Provisions                               (783)           (626)         (1,409) 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                       (19,599)         (2,206)        (21,805) 
  -------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Net current assets                      14,748         (2,431)          12,317 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables               (1,093)               -         (1,093) 
 Borrowings                            (11,000)               -        (11,000) 
 Lease liabilities                            -         (5,552)         (5,552) 
 Provisions                               (414)           (937)         (1,351) 
 Deferred tax                           (5,424)             389         (5,035) 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                       (17,931)         (6,100)        (24,031) 
  -------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total liabilities                     (37,530)         (8,306)        (45,836) 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Net assets                              59,149         (1,465)          57,684 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                            5,508               -           5,508 
 Share premium                           22,789               -          22,789 
 Merger reserve                          20,248               -          20,248 
 Exchange reserve                           304               -             304 
 Retained earnings                       10,300         (1,465)           8,835 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Equity attributable to owners 
  of the company                         59,149         (1,465)          57,684 
---------------------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
   1.     Basis of preparation and accounting policies (continued) 
   1.     (b) Significant accounting policies (continued) 
 
                                             At 31 October 2018                           At 30 April 2019 
                                -------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated balance sheet          Reported           IFRS       Restated     Reported           IFRS       Restated 
                                  (unaudited)    16 adoption    (unaudited)    (audited)    16 adoption    (unaudited) 
                                      GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Non-current assets 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Intangible assets                     57,843              -         57,843       59,392              -         59,392 
 Property, plant and equipment          1,488              -          1,488        1,766              -          1,766 
 Right of use assets                                   7,319          7,319            -          7,279          7,279 
 Other receivables                      1,268              -          1,268        3,220              -          3,220 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
                                       60,599          7,319         67,918       64,378          7,279         71,657 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables           28,917          (280)         28,637       32,653          (355)         32,298 
 Cash and cash equivalents              3,743              -          3,743        4,009              -          4,009 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
                                       32,660          (280)         32,380       36,662          (355)         36,307 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total assets                          93,259          7,039        100,298      101,040          6,924        107,964 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables            (20,528)            922       (19,606)     (22,664)            753       (21,911) 
 Current tax liabilities              (1,436)              -        (1,436)      (1,976)              -        (1,976) 
 Lease liabilities                          -        (2,585)        (2,585)            -        (2,257)        (2,257) 
 Provisions                             (496)             64          (432)        (588)            131          (457) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
                                     (22,460)        (1,599)       (24,059)     (25,228)        (1,373)       (26,601) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net current assets                    10,200        (1,879)          8,321       11,434        (1,728)          9,706 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                          (10,000)              -       (10,000)     (10,000)              -       (10,000) 
 Lease liabilities                          -        (5,676)        (5,676)            -        (6,110)        (6,110) 
 Provisions                             (366)        (1,736)        (2,102)        (763)        (1,322)        (2,085) 
 Deferred tax                         (5,087)            411        (4,676)      (5,348)            491        (4,857) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
                                     (15,453)        (7,001)       (22,454)     (16,111)        (6,941)       (23,052) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total liabilities                   (37,913)        (8,600)       (46,513)     (41,339)        (8,314)       (49,653) 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net assets                            55,346        (1,561)         53,785       59,701        (1,390)         58,311 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                          5,525              -          5,525        5,719              -          5,719 
 Share premium                         22,874              -         22,874       23,190              -         23,190 
 Merger reserve                        20,387              -         20,387       22,189              -         22,189 
 Exchange reserve                         304              -            304          304              -            304 
 Retained earnings                      6,256        (1,561)          4,695        8,299        (1,390)          6,909 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 Equity attributable to owners 
  of the company                       55,346        (1,561)         53,785       59,701        (1,390)         58,311 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 
                                               Six months ended 31                       Year ended 30 April 
                                                   October 2018                                  2019 
                                    -----------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated cashflow statement         Reported         IFRS       Restated     Reported         IFRS       Restated 
                                      (unaudited)    16 impact    (unaudited)    (audited)    16 impact    (unaudited) 
                                          GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 Cash generated by operations               3,206        1,184          4,390        9,178        2,620         11,798 
 Income taxes paid                          (622)            -          (622)      (1,362)            -        (1,362) 
 Interest paid                              (194)        (230)          (424)        (489)        (458)          (947) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Net cash from operating 
  activities                                2,390          954          3,344        7,327        2,162          9,489 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Investing activities 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                             (249)            -          (249)        (784)            -          (784) 
 Purchase of intangible fixed 
  assets                                     (26)            -           (26)        (216)            -          (216) 
 Deferred consideration payments 
  in the period                             (128)            -          (128)      (1,030)            -        (1,030) 
 Acquisition of businesses                      -            -              -      (1,167)            -        (1,167) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Net cash from investing 
  activities                                (403)            -          (403)      (3,197)            -        (3,197) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Financing activities 
 Dividends paid                             (771)            -          (771)      (2,649)            -        (2,649) 
 Proceeds on issue of shares                    9            -              9           10            -             10 
 Repayment of obligations under 
  leases                                        -        (954)          (954)            -      (2,162)        (2,162) 
 Repayment of loans                       (1,000)            -        (1,000)      (1,000)            -        (1,000) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Net cash from financing 
  activities                              (1,762)        (954)        (2,716)      (3,639)      (2,162)        (5,801) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Net increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                 225            -            225          491            -            491 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at start of period                        3,518            -          3,518        3,518            -          3,518 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period                          3,743            -          3,743        4,009            -          4,009 
----------------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 
   2.     Segmental analysis by class of business 
 
                                               Six months     Six months      Year ended 
                                                    ended          ended 
                                               31 October     31 October        30 April 
                                                     2019           2018            2019 
                                                              (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                             (unaudited) 
                                              (unaudited)    (unaudited) 
                                                  GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Revenue 
 Business recovery and financial advisory          23,043         19,982          43,313 
 Property advisory and transactional 
  services                                         10,736          7,999          16,745 
------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
                                                   33,779         27,981          60,058 
------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Operating profit before amortisation 
  and transaction costs 
 Business recovery and financial advisory           4,864          3,688           8,919 
 Property advisory and transactional 
  services                                          2,137          2,103           3,826 
 Shared and central costs                         (2,541)        (2,244)         (4,712) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
                                                    4,460          3,547           8,033 
------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
   3.     Transaction costs 
 
                                             Six months     Six months      Year ended 
                                               ended 31          ended 
                                           October 2019 
                                                            31 October        30 April 
                                                                  2018            2019 
                                            (unaudited)     (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                           (unaudited) 
                                                           (unaudited) 
                                                GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Deemed remuneration                              1,737          1,045           2,806 
 Acquisition costs                                  445              -             154 
 Gain on acquisition                            (1,928)              -         (2,929) 
 Charge relating to the put and call 
  option over Begbies Traynor (London) 
  LLP                                               445            364           1,129 
                                                    699          1,409           1,160 
---------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
   4.     Finance costs 
 
                                           Six months     Six months      Year ended 
                                             ended 31          ended 
                                         October 2019 
                                                          31 October        30 April 
                                                                2018            2019 
                                          (unaudited)     (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                         (unaudited) 
                                                         (unaudited) 
                                              GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
-------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Interest on bank loans                           205            240             486 
 Finance charge on lease liabilities              251            263             520 
-------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
                                                  456            503           1,006 
-------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
   5.     Earnings per share 

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:

 
                                             Six months     Six months      Year ended 
                                               ended 31          ended 
                                           October 2019 
                                                            31 October        30 April 
                                                                  2018            2019 
                                            (unaudited)     (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                           (unaudited) 
                                                           (unaudited) 
                                                GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Earnings 
 Profit for the period attributable to 
  equity holders                                  1,270              0           2,509 
---------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
 
                                                         31 October          31 October          30 April 
                                                   2019 (unaudited)    2018 (unaudited)    2019 (audited) 
                                                             number              number            number 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ---------------- 
 Number of shares 
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares 
  for the purposes of basic earnings per share          120,124,194         112,087,052       112,547,759 
 Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares: 
  Share options                                           2,006,906           1,079,286           404,262 
  Contingent shares                                         338,983           2,975,783         3,476,190 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ---------------- 
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares 
  for the purposes of diluted earnings per 
  share                                                 122,470,083         116,142,121       116,428,211 
-----------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ---------------- 
 
 
                                  Six months     Six months      Year ended 
                                    ended 31          ended 
                                October 2019 
                                                 31 October        30 April 
                                                       2018            2019 
                                 (unaudited)     (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                (unaudited) 
                                                (unaudited) 
                                       pence          pence           pence 
----------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Basic earnings per share                1.1            0.0             2.2 
 Diluted earnings per share              1.0            0.0             2.2 
----------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 

The following additional earnings per share figures are presented as the directors believe they provide a better understanding of the trading position of the group, as they exclude the accounting charges which arise due to acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3 and are not influenced by the day-to-day operations of the group.

 
                                                 Six months     Six months      Year ended 
                                                   ended 31          ended 
                                               October 2019 
                                                                31 October        30 April 
                                                                      2018            2019 
                                                (unaudited)     (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                               (unaudited) 
                                                               (unaudited) 
                                                    GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Earnings 
 Profit for the period attributable to 
  equity holders                                      1,270              0           2,509 
 Amortisation of intangible assets arising 
  on acquisitions                                     1,425          1,146           2,361 
 Transaction costs                                      699          1,409           1,160 
 Tax effect of above items                            (271)          (218)           (449) 
-------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Adjusted earnings                                    3,123          2,337           5,581 
-------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
 
                                           Six months     Six months      Year ended 
                                             ended 31          ended 
                                         October 2019 
                                                          31 October        30 April 
                                                                2018            2019 
                                          (unaudited)     (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                         (unaudited) 
                                                         (unaudited) 
                                                pence          pence           pence 
-------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share                2.6            2.1             5.0 
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share              2.6            2.0             4.8 
-------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
   6.     Dividends 

The interim dividend of 0.9p (2018: 0.8p) per share (not recognised as a liability at 31 October 2019) will be payable on 11 May 2020 to ordinary shareholders on the register at 14 April 2020. The final dividend of 1.8p per share as proposed in the 30 April 2019 financial statements and approved at the group's AGM was paid on 7 November 2019 and was recognised as a liability at 31 October 2019.

   7.     Trade and other receivables 
 
                                    31 October     31 October        30 April 
                                          2019           2018            2019 
                                                   (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                  (unaudited) 
                                   (unaudited)    (unaudited) 
                                       GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
-------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Non current 
 Deemed remuneration                     5,589          1,268           3,220 
 Current 
 Trade receivables                       7,158          5,660           7,823 
 Less: impairment provision            (1,420)        (1,366)         (1,338) 
-------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Trade receivables - net                 5,738          4,294           6,485 
 Unbilled income                        23,910         20,679          21,310 
 Other debtors and prepayments           2,526          2,489           2,024 
 Deemed remuneration                     3,877          1,175           2,479 
-------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
                                        36,051         28,637          32,298 
-------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
   8.     Trade and other payables 
 
                                      31 October     31 October        30 April 
                                            2019           2018            2019 
                                                     (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                    (unaudited) 
                                     (unaudited)    (unaudited) 
                                         GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
---------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Current 
 Trade payables                            1,391          1,175             953 
 Accruals                                  5,972          4,522           6,372 
 Final dividend                            2,271          1,878               - 
 Other taxes and social security           2,620          2,113           3,308 
 Deferred income                           4,494          2,230           3,338 
 Other creditors                           6,370          5,503           4,830 
 Deemed remuneration liabilities           2,401          2,185           3,110 
---------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
                                          25,519         19,606          21,911 
---------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
   9.     Reconciliation to the cash flow statement 
 
                                                    31 October     31 October        30 April 
                                                          2019           2018            2019 
                                                                   (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                                  (unaudited) 
                                                   (unaudited)    (unaudited) 
                                                       GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 Profit for the period                                   1,270              -           2,509 
 Adjustments for: 
 Tax                                                       610            489             997 
 Finance costs                                             456            503           1,006 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                       1,541          1,244           2,558 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment             333            273             563 
 Depreciation of right of use assets                     1,005          1,022           2,089 
 Impairment of right of use asset                            -              -             340 
 Deemed remuneration                                     1,737          1,045           2,806 
 Charge relating to the put and call option 
  over Begbies Traynor (London) LLP                        445            364           1,129 
 Gain on acquisition                                   (1,928)              -         (2,929) 
 Loss on disposal of fixed assets                           12              -               - 
 Share-based payment expense                                26             40              99 
 Operating cash flows before movements in 
  working capital                                        5,507          4,980          11,167 
 (Increase) decrease in receivables                      (726)            196           (698) 
 Increase (decrease) in payables                         1,071          (450)           1,770 
 Decrease in provisions                                  (109)          (336)           (441) 
 Cash generated by operations                            5,743          4,390          11,798 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------- 
 

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