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BLTG Blancco Technology Group Plc

225.00
0.00 (0.00%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Blancco Technology Group Plc LSE:BLTG London Ordinary Share GB00B06GNN57 ORD 2P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 225.00 222.00 228.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Blancco Technology Group PLC Interim results (2712D)

18/02/2020 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Blancco Technology (LSE:BLTG)
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TIDMBLTG

RNS Number : 2712D

Blancco Technology Group PLC

18 February 2020

18 February 2020

Blancco Technology Group plc

Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2019

Strategic progress drives continued revenue and profit growth across all segments and geographies

Blancco Technology Group plc (AIM: BLTG, "Blancco", the "Company" or the "Group"), the industry standard in data erasure and mobile device diagnostics, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2019 .

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

 
 GBPm unless otherwise stated       H1 FY20   H1 FY19*   Change   FY19* 
 Revenue                               17.4       14.6     +19%    30.5 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Gross Profit                          16.5       13.7     +20%    29.0 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Adjusted EBITDA**                      4.4        3.4     +29%     7.0 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Adjusted Operating Profit**            2.5        1.7     +47%     3.5 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Operating Profit                       0.7        0.7     +14%     0.1 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Profit / (Loss) before taxation        0.7        0.3    +166%   (0.4) 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Adjusted Operating Cash Flow***        2.4        2.9     -19%     9.1 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Cash generated from continuing 
  operations                            1.6        2.9     -45%     9.1 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Diluted Earnings per share           1.40p      0.68p     106%   0.95p 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 Net Cash / (Debt)                      5.4      (2.3)              0.1 
                                   --------  ---------  -------  ------ 
 
   --       Strong revenue growth of 19% (constant exchange rates ('CER') +16%) across all segments: 

o Enterprise revenue increased by 28% (CER +26%) to GBP6.0 million (H1 2019: GBP4.7 million)

o Mobile revenue increased by 15% (CER +10%) to GBP5.8 million (H1 2019: GBP5.0 million), driven by acquisition of Inhance Technology ("Inhance")

o IT Asset Disposition ("ITAD") revenue increased by 15% (CER +13%) to GBP5.6 million (H1 2019: GBP4.9 million)

   --       Adjusted Operating margin increased to 14.3% (H1 2019: 11.6%) 

-- Gross debt cleared during the period post July placing. Cash generation from operations weaker in H1 as anticipated due to acquisition related costs and outflows from newly implemented employee bonus scheme

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

-- The first phase of the ZroBlack innovation has been released and has led to a number of significant contract wins as new and existing customers move to warehouse-based diagnostics and data erasure

   --       Inhance's operations have been fully integrated following acquisition in July 2019 

-- Achieved "Advanced Technology Partner" status with Amazon Web Services as channel sales strategy continues to progress

-- Acquired minority interests in Blancco Japan Inc and Blancco APAC Pte. Limited leaving the 20% holding of Aucnet Inc in Blancco Japan Inc as the only interest held in a Group company by a third party

   --       Blancco accredited with Green Economy Mark by London Stock Exchange 

-- Continuing investment in R&D: protected IP position strengthened further with five new patents filed in the period, primarily relating to the mobile product

CURRENT TRADING

   --        Revenue growth is continuing in line with market expectations for FY20 
   --        Revenues from contracts won through ZroBlack innovation commenced in Q3 FY20 
   --        Enterprise continues to lead all segments for growth 

*Prior year results have been restated following the implementation of new accounting standard, IFRS16. See note 1.1 for details.

**Adjusted profit measures are stated after excluding expenses relating to share option schemes, exceptional costs and incomes and the amortisation of acquired intangible assets

*** Adjusted operating cash flow is operating cash flow excluding taxation, interest payments and receipts and exceptional payments

Matt Jones, Chief Executive said:

"We remain absolutely focused on our growth strategy, as demonstrated by these results with strong revenue and profit growth in all of our segments and in all of the geographies in which we operate. The acquisition of Inhance and IP relating to ZroBlack have been integrated quickly and to plan, with both attracting robust demand from both existing as well as new clients in the mobile sector.

"Blancco continues to benefit from the strong tailwinds driven by regulation governing the ownership and retention of data and from the increasing awareness of the importance of environmental considerations in terms of enterprises recycling aging technology.

"The second half of the financial year has started with good momentum and in line with expectations. The Board is confident that Blancco is well placed to deliver sustained levels of revenue growth going forwards."

For further information:

 
 Blancco Technology Group plc                         Via Buchanan 
 Matt Jones, Chief Executive Officer 
 Adam Moloney, Chief Financial Officer 
 
 
   Peel Hunt (Nominated Advisor & Joint Broker) 
                                                   +44 (0) 20 7418 
 Edward Knight / Nick Prowting / Edward Allsopp               8900 
 
 
   Investec Bank plc (Joint Broker) 
                                                   +44 (0) 20 7597 
 Patrick Robb / Sara Hale / Virginia Bull                     5970 
 
 Buchanan Communications Limited 
 Chris Lane / Stephanie Watson / Charlotte 
  Slater                                           +44 (0) 20 7466 
  blancco@buchanan.uk.com                                     5000 
 

There will be a presentation for analysts held at 0930hrs today at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN. Please contact blancco@buchanan.uk.com if you would like to attend. An audio webcast of this briefing will be available later in the day via the following link: https://webcasting.buchanan.uk.com/broadcast/5e38124cb9710760e2925766 .

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT

Business overview

I am pleased to report that the trading of the Group for the six months ended 31 December 2019 has continued to build on the progress made in the prior financial year. Regulatory requirements continue to encourage organisations to be increasingly prescriptive with how they manage stored data, whilst environmental considerations are pushing companies to find ways to recycle devices that store data, rather than to destroy them. We have seen good revenue growth across the three segments in which we operate and the three key geographies. Whilst the Company continues to invest in ensuring continued future growth, adjusted operating margins are increasing which has resulted in a sharp increase in the adjusted operating profits being generated from our activities.

Enterprise

Blancco has a strong proposition in the Enterprise market demonstrated by the revenue growth experienced in the previous financial year of 20% followed by revenue growth in this most recent six-month period of 28% (26% on a constant currency basis) to GBP6.0m (H1 2019: GBP4.7m). The revenue growth was driven by both Direct and Channel sales with the direct route securing particular success in the first half of the financial year as a result of winning a number of larger contracts. Channel revenues in the market grew to GBP2.4m (H1 2019: GBP2.2m) in the period whilst direct revenues grew to GBP3.6m (H1 2019: GBP2.5m). In the medium term we continue to believe that stronger revenue growth will come from channel partners but we are encouraged that both routes are seeing good growth.

Regulation continues to be implemented globally requiring companies to be increasingly vigilant about how they manage data reaching the end of the data lifecycle. The most well-known regulation is the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) but these general principles are being replicated in many other parts of the world. For example, we have recently seen the first regulation in the US with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) being enacted from 1 January 2020 and similar regulations are being implemented in most of the rest of the developed world. The potential penalties accompanying data loss can be very significant but the brand damage for organisations who suffer such a loss can be similarly impactful.

All organisations globally face the challenge of how to ensure that their data is not recoverable from storage devices when they either reach end of life or are reused or recycled. The options for organisations are to either destroy the equipment altogether, resulting in the equipment being deposited in landfill sites, or to use software such as that provided by Blancco to securely erase the data and validate that erasure. The use of Blancco software enables customers to recycle the equipment and therefore has a positive impact on the environment. Blancco has unrivalled experience and security accreditations that give customers the peace of mind that data erased using Blancco software cannot ever be recovered.

Blancco's ability to enable organisations to recycle equipment led to Blancco being awarded the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark in October 2019. This accreditation recognises companies and investment funds on all segments of the Main Market and AIM that derive 50% or more of their total annual revenues from products and services that contribute to the global green economy. We were delighted to be named among the initial 74 companies to be given this accreditation.

Another notable milestone in the period was achieving Advanced Technology Partner status with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN). As an AWS Advanced Technology Partner, Blancco will offer its data sanitisation technologies to AWS enterprise customers worldwide and the AWS channel supporting cloud migrations. After undergoing a thorough process with AWS, we are now the recommended partner when organisations are looking to migrate data to the AWS cloud and need to sanitise their previous storage facilities. With Blancco's secure data erasure suite, AWS customers can incorporate a value-add solution to their security portfolios that enhances end-of-life data management and provides a verifiable audit trail to comply with the growing number of data protection regulations and standards, including PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GBLA, EU GDPR, ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, and NIST 800-88.

Blancco continues to contract with the largest companies in the world and is confident that the growth rates in the Enterprise sector will continue to be strong. Whilst the opportunity from the current product suite is significant, we are beginning to explore how we could supplement the existing offering with complementary activities that would enable us to secure greater revenues from the blue-chip customer base that we already have. The regulatory and environmental growth drivers that are prevalent give the Board and management team confidence that there is significant value to be gained from further traction in the Enterprise market.

Mobile

During the period the mobile segment experienced a 15% increase in revenue to GBP5.8m (H1 2019: GBP5.0m, 10% increase on a constant currency basis).

Our Mobile proposition saw substantial investment through the previous financial year culminating in July 2019 with the acquisition of Inhance. During the first half of this financial year we have been able to train the existing Blancco sales team on Inhance's capabilities that allow diagnostic tests to be run on a mobile handset through the use of an easily downloadable mobile app. This initiative allows retailers to offer their customers the capability to run tests on their devices without the need to visit a store as well as the ability to offer customers a trade-in value for their handset in the event that they wish to upgrade their handset.

This Inhance mobile capability has also opened a new market for Blancco with handset insurers. Traditionally, mobile phone insurance is taken out through the completion of an online form which has an inherent weakness that the insurer has no way of knowing whether the handset is already damaged when the policy is taken out. As a result, there are a high number of mobile handset insurance claims when compared to the number of policies taken out. The Inhance capability enables insurers to require that their customers run diagnostic tests on their handsets at the point of applying for insurance cover. Critically, these diagnostic tests include the ability to test whether there is any screen damage which represents by far the most common defect when claims are made. We have seen significant interest in this offering from the insurance market, and a good pipeline of opportunity in this area is being worked on.

We are seeing an increasing demand for retailers to keep service requests out of their retail stores which will drive demand for Blancco's app-based solution. The growth in the second-hand mobile market is also feeding an increase in the volume of phones being processed in warehouses. During the period, Blancco has been successful in winning a number of mobile handset processor contracts, primarily on the strength of the product enhancements arising from the Consulting Agreement with ZroBlack LLC ("ZroBlack") announced in July 2019. This investment in R&D resulted in a software release in September that saw a substantial reduction in the time required to run erasure and diagnostic processes on mobile handsets. The time to process a handset is of critical importance to mobile handset processor customers who may be handling thousands of handsets on any given day. Additional releases are scheduled in the months ahead which will further reduce processing times.

The trend to keep service requests out of retail stores also led to the Group's largest customer in revenue terms, which accounted for 8% of total group revenues in H1 FY 2020, moving from a model whereby mobile handsets were being diagnosed in store to one where all mobile devices are now being diagnosed in warehouses. Blancco was successful in winning a new agreement with the warehouses who supply these diagnostic services to the client, albeit at a lower annualised value than the previous retail agreement.

Revenue from these new mobile processor contracts that have already been won will start to flow in the second half of the financial year and will substantially replace the revenues lost from the retail contract. Blancco has received positive feedback from the customer on the new offering which will serve as a useful reference point to attract other similar sized customers. Going into the second half of the financial year no single customer contract in the Group represents more than 2% of Group revenues.

IT Asset Disposition ("ITAD")

Whilst the Company has grown from its roots in the ITAD market, our expectation has been that ITAD is the slowest growth market of the areas in which Blancco currently operates. However, the same regulatory and environmental pressures that apply in the Enterprise market also apply to ITAD customers. In the prior financial year we saw revenue growth in this market of 18% and this has been followed in H1 of FY2020 by revenue growth of 15% (13% on a constant currency basis). Our research demonstrates that Blancco represents a very significant proportion of the ITAD market meaning that there is little opportunity for market share gains, but the market continues to grow at a faster rate than expected 18 months ago. In the longer term, we do expect growth in this market to moderate but the ITAD market remains cash generative for Blancco.

Summary and Outlook

The Company has had a strong 18 months of trading and looks forward with great optimism to the continuation of this revenue progression over the coming years. The Enterprise market has strong regulatory and environmental drivers which should sustain the growth seen in prior periods. Blancco now has a robust balance sheet that can enable us to further explore how the opportunity in the Enterprise market can be maximised.

Within our Mobile segment, we have made the necessary investments and integrated them within our business, generating a healthy pipeline of opportunity. Growth in the used handset market will generate growth in Blancco's mobile segment and the Company now has a market leading offering that we believe will capture an increasing market share, leading to accelerated progress in future periods. Finally, our ITAD offering continues to exceed our expectations and shows no signs of slowing in the immediate term.

We are trading in line with our expectations for the financial year ending 30 June 2020 and look forward to the coming periods with great confidence.

Matt Jones

Chief Executive Officer

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER'S REPORT

Revenue

As detailed above we have seen good revenue growth in all three markets in which we operate resulting in an increase in Group revenue of 19% to GBP17.4m (H1 2019: GBP14.6m, 16% increase on a constant currency basis). Excluding the impact of revenues coming from the acquired Inhance entity revenue growth in the period was 12% on a constant currency basis.

As seen in the last financial year, as well as growth in each of the three segments, we have also seen good growth in each of the three regions in which the Company operates.

Revenue breakdown

 
                            Six months    Six months   Growth     Year 
                                 Ended         Ended     rate    ended 
                                                                    30 
                           31 December   31 December              June 
                                  2019          2018              2019 
======================== 
 
 Revenue (GBP'millions)           17.4          14.6      19%     30.5 
========================  ============  ============  =======  ======= 
 Revenue by Geography 
========================  ============  ============  =======  ======= 
 North America                     5.9           5.3      10%     10.7 
 Europe                            6.7           5.6      20%     11.4 
 Asia and ROW                      4.8           3.7      32%      8.4 
========================  ============  ============  =======  ======= 
 Revenue by Segment 
========================  ============  ============  =======  ======= 
 Enterprise                        6.0           4.7      28%     10.3 
 ITAD                              5.6           4.9      15%     10.2 
 Mobile                            5.8           5.0      15%     10.0 
========================  ============  ============  =======  ======= 
 

Profitability Measures

Adjusted operating margins have increased to 14.3% (H1 2019: 11.6%) resulting in the revenue growth leading to significantly increased profits. Adjusted Operating Profit for the period has increased by 47% to GBP2.5m (H1 2019: GBP1.7m).

 
                                                        6 months                     Year ended 
                                                        ended 31                        30 June 
                                                        December                           2019 
                                                            2019        6 months    (restated*) 
                                                                        ended 31 
                                                                        December 
                                                     (unaudited)            2018 
                                                                     (unaudited, 
                                                                      restated*) 
                                                         GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
=====================================  ====  ====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Operating profit                                            743             654            141 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Acquisition costs                                           503               -            486 
 Exceptional income                                        (875)           (652)          (630) 
 Amortisation of acquired intangible 
  assets                                                   1,474           1,314          2,605 
 Share-based payments charge                                 646             375            935 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted administrative expenses                       (13,975)        (12,022)       (25,449) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted operating profit                                 2,491           1,691          3,537 
-------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

The Acquisition costs relate to expenses incurred from the GBP10.0m fund raise and acquisition of Inhance announced in July 2019. The Exceptional income relates to the release of provisions no longer required in respect of acquisitions made in previous years.

The new accounting standard, IFRS16, on leases has been applied in the period. The standard requires that leases are recognised as both an asset and a liability on the balance sheet and are depreciated over time rather than expensed when incurred. EBITDA for the six months ended 31 December 2018 has been restated to GBP3.4m (previously reported as GBP3.0m). EBITDA for the six months ended 31 December 2019 increased by 29% to GBP4.4m.

Group profit before tax increased to GBP0.7m from GBP0.3m.

Cash and Working Capital

The Group ended the period with net cash of GBP5.4m (30 June 2019: GBP0.1m). This increase in cash was primarily driven by the fund raise of GBP10.0m announced in July 2019 in connection with the acquisition of Inhance. The gross debt position which stood at GBP6.5m at the end of the previous financial year, has now been completely cleared.

In December we announced that we had reached agreement with minority interest shareholders in the APAC and Japanese subsidiaries to swap their holding in these subsidiaries for a holding in the listed parent company. As a result, the only remaining minority interest is a 20% holding held by Aucnet Inc in the Japanese subsidiary. Aucnet, which reduced its holding in the Japanese subsidiary from 49%, has been increasingly operating outside of Japan and is becoming a global partner which will receive value from growth in the value of its holding in Blancco Technology Group plc. This change in shareholdings has also enabled Blancco to take full control of these subsidiaries and releases cash surpluses that were previously trapped by the minority partnership status.

The conversion of profits into cash is depressed in the first half of the year when bonus payments are made to staff in relation to the prior financial year. In this reporting period, cash conversion was further reduced by the payment of costs relating to the acquisition and fund raising in July. These seasonal effects on cash generation will even out across the twelve month period with cash generation anticipated to be in line with market expectations at the end of the financial year.

Adam Moloney

Chief Financial Officer

 
 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
  for the six months ended 31 December 2019 
 
                                                        6 months        6 months     Year ended 
                                                           ended           ended 
                                                     31 December                        30 June 
                                                                                           2019 
                                                            2019     31 December    (restated*) 
                                                     (unaudited)            2018 
                                                                     (unaudited, 
                                                                      restated*) 
                                             Note        GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
=====================================  ===  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Revenue                                                  17,388          14,591         30,519 
 Cost of sales                                             (922)           (878)        (1,533) 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Gross profit                                             16,466          13,713         28,986 
 Administrative expenses and 
  depreciation                                          (15,723)        (13,059)       (28,845) 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Operating profit                                            743             654            141 
------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Acquisition costs                              4            503               -            486 
 Exceptional income                             4          (875)           (652)          (630) 
 Amortisation of acquired intangible 
  assets                                                   1,474           1,314          2,605 
 Share-based payments charge                                 646             375            935 
------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted administrative expenses                       (13,975)        (12,022)       (25,449) 
------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted operating profit                                 2,491           1,691          3,537 
------------------------------------------  -----  -------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Finance income                                                1               -             71 
 Finance costs                                              (76)           (403)          (587) 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Profit/(loss) before tax                                    668             251          (375) 
 Taxation                                                   (30)           (104)             33 
 Profit/(loss) for the period                                638             147          (342) 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Discontinued operations 
 Post tax results from discontinued 
  operations                                    5            378             431          1,252 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Profit for the period                                     1,016             578            910 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the company                             1,037             425            623 
 Non-controlling interests                                  (21)             153            287 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 Profit for the period                                     1,016             578            910 
==========================================  =====  =============  ==============  ============= 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Consolidated Statement 
   of Comprehensive Income 
 for the six months ended 
  31 December 2019 
                                            6 months           6 months           Year 
                                             ended                ended          ended 
                                                                               30 June 
                                             31 December    31 December 
                                                    2019           2018           2019 
                                                            (unaudited, 
                                             (unaudited)     restated*)    (restated*) 
                                                 GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
===================================  ====  =============  =============  ============= 
 Profit for the period                             1,016            578            910 
 Other comprehensive (loss)/income 
  - amounts that may be 
  reclassified to profit 
  or loss in the future: 
 Exchange differences arising 
  on translation of foreign 
  entities                                       (3,784)          1,389          1,238 
=========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income 
  for the period                                 (2,768)          1,967          2,148 
=========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the 
  Company                                        (2,680)          1,761          1,771 
 Non-controlling interests                          (88)            206            377 
=========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income 
  for the period                                 (2,768)          1,967          2,148 
=========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 
   *see note 1.1 
 
 
 
 Earnings per share 
 Continuing Operations: 
  Basic                        2   0.92 p   (0.01) p   (1.01 p) 
 Diluted                      2    0.89 p   (0.01) p   (1.01 p) 
 Discontinued Operations: 
 Basic                        2    0.53 p     0.70 p     2.00 p 
 Diluted                      2    0.51 p     0.69 p     1.96 p 
 Total Group: 
 Basic                        2    1.45 p     0.69 p     0.99 p 
 Diluted                      2    1.40 p     0.68 p     0.95 p 
 
 
 
   Condensed Consolidated Balance 
   Sheet 
 as at 31 December 2019 
                                              31 December    31 December        30 June 
                                                     2019           2018           2019 
                                                             (unaudited, 
                                              (unaudited)     restated*)    (restated*) 
                                     Note         GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
==================================  ======  =============  =============  ============= 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                          48,667         47,295         47,262 
 Other intangible assets                           21,616         21,373         21,722 
 Property, plant and equipment                      1,960          1,876          2,079 
 Deferred tax assets                                  428            438            626 
                                                   72,671         70,982         71,689 
 =========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Current assets 
 Inventory                                             84             88             91 
 Trade and other receivables                        7,265          7,664          7,360 
 Current tax asset                                    189             94              - 
 Cash                                               5,394          5,708          6,636 
                                                   12,932         13,554         14,087 
 =========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Total assets                                      85,603         84,536         85,776 
==========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                         (8,217)        (7,648)        (9,927) 
 Contingent consideration                           (269)          (684)          (278) 
 Current tax liability                              (312)              -          (155) 
 Provisions                                         (507)              -          (787) 
                                                  (9,305)        (8,332)       (11,147) 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                             -        (7,987)        (6,494) 
 Other payables                                   (1,359)        (1,287)        (1,960) 
 Deferred tax                                     (3,325)        (3,837)        (3,639) 
 Provisions                                         (218)        (1,550)          (332) 
==========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
                                                  (4,902)       (14,661)       (12,425) 
 =========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Total liabilities                               (14,207)       (22,993)       (23,572) 
==========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 
 Net assets                                        71,396         61,543         62,204 
==========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 
 
 
 Equity 
 Called up share capital               1,507    1,280    1,304 
 Share premium account                21,103    9,152   10,397 
 Merger reserve                        5,861    4,034    4,034 
 Capital redemption reserve              417      417      417 
 Translation reserve                     880    4,788    4,598 
 Retained earnings                    41,006   40,841   40,248 
===================================  =======  =======  ======= 
 Total equity attributable to 
  equity holders of the Company       70,774   60,512   60,998 
 Non-Controlling interest reserve        622    1,031    1,206 
===================================  =======  =======  ======= 
 Total equity                         71,396   61,543   62,204 
===================================  =======  =======  ======= 
 
 
 Condensed Consolidated Statement 
  of Changes in Equity 
 for the six months ended 31 
  December 2019 
 
                                                 6 months       6 months           Year 
                                                    ended          ended          ended 
                                              31 December    31 December        30 June 
                                                     2019           2018           2019 
                                                             (unaudited, 
                                              (unaudited)     restated*)    (restated*) 
                                                  GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
=====================================  ===  =============  =============  ============= 
 Balance at the start of the 
  period as previously reported                    62,289         58,188         58,188 
 Adjustment on initial application 
  of IFRS16                                          (85)           (77)           (77) 
==========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Restated balance at the start 
  of the period                                    62,204         58,111         58,111 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income 
  for the period                                  (2,768)          1,967          2,148 
 Dividends paid to non-controlling 
  interests                                             -          (190)          (190) 
 Reclassification of deferred 
  consideration to equity instrument                    -          1,317          1,317 
 Acquisition of non-controlling 
  interest without a change in 
  control                                         (1,370)              -           (28) 
 Share issue                                       12,736              -              - 
 Share based payment charge                           594            338            846 
==========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 Balance at the end of the period                  71,396         61,543         62,204 
==========================================  =============  =============  ============= 
 

*see note 1.1

 
  Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 
   for the six months ended 31 December 
    2019 
                                                      6 months      6 months          Year 
                                                         ended         ended         ended 
                                                   31 December   31 December       30 June 
                                                          2019          2018          2019 
                                            Note   (unaudited)   (unaudited,   (restated*) 
                                                       GBP'000    restated*)       GBP'000 
                                                                     GBP'000 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Profit for the period                                 1,016           578           910 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Adjustments for: 
   Results of discontinued operations                    (378)         (431)       (1,252) 
   Net finance charges                                      75           403           516 
   Tax expense/(income)                                     30           104          (33) 
   (Profit)/loss on disposal of 
    property, plant and equipment                          (2)             -             3 
   Depreciation on property, plant 
    and equipment                                          526           457           905 
   Amortisation of intangible assets                     1,396         1,272         2,508 
   Amortisation of acquired intangible 
    assets                                               1,474         1,314         2,605 
   Share-based payments expense                            646           375           935 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Operating cash flow before movement 
    in working capital                                   4,783         4,072         7,097 
  ---------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
   Acquisition costs                                       503             -           486 
   Exceptional income                                    (875)         (652)         (630) 
  ---------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
   Adjusted EBITDA                                       4,411         3,420         6,953 
  ---------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
   Decrease in inventories                                   5            13            11 
   Decrease/(increase) in receivables                      130         (648)         (325) 
   (Decrease)/increase in payables 
    and accruals                                       (3,333)         (500)         2,371 
   Decrease in provisions                                    -          (63)          (63) 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Cash generated from continuing 
    operations                                           1,585         2,874         9,091 
   Acquisition costs payments                              767             -             - 
   Exceptional restructuring payments                        -            46            46 
  ---------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
   Adjusted operating cash flow                          2,352         2,920         9,137 
  ---------------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
   Interest received                                         1             -             1 
   Interest paid                                          (70)         (170)         (374) 
   Tax paid                                              (286)         (193)         (356) 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Net cash generated from operating 
    activities - continuing operations                   1,230         2,511         8,362 
   Net cash (used in)/generated 
    from operating activities - 
    discontinued 
    operations                               5            (15)             -           346 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Net cash generated from operating 
    activities - continuing and 
    discontinued 
    operations                                           1,215         2,511         8,708 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
 
   Cash flows from investing activities 
   Purchase of property, plant and 
    equipment                                            (248)          (84)         (196) 
   Purchase and development of intangible 
    assets                                             (2,183)       (1,310)       (4,166) 
   Acquisition of subsidiaries, 
    net of cash acquired                               (2,432)         (446)         (796) 
   Net cash used in investing activities 
    - continuing operations                            (4,863)       (1,840)       (5,158) 
   Net cash generated from investing 
    activities - discontinued operations     5               -           102           102 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Net cash used in investing activities 
    - continuing and discontinued 
    operations                                         (4,863)       (1,738)       (5,056) 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
 
 
    Cash flows from financing activities 
   Dividends paid to non-controlling 
    interests                                                -         (190)         (190) 
   Payment of lease liabilities                          (421)         (379)         (751) 
   Payments made to acquire                               (28)             -             - 
   non-controlling 
   interest 
   Repayment of borrowings                             (6,500)         (950)       (2,450) 
   Share placing, net of fees                            9,577             -             - 
   Net cash generated from/(used 
    in) financing activities                             2,628       (1,519)       (3.391) 
   Net cash generated from/(used 
    in) financing activities - continuing 
    and discontinued operations                          2,628       (1,519)       (3,391) 
   Net (decrease)/increase in cash 
    and cash equivalents                               (1,020)         (746)           261 
   Other non-cash movements - exchange 
    rate changes                                         (222)           234           155 
   Cash and cash equivalents at 
    the beginning of period                              6,636         6,220         6,220 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Cash and cash equivalents at 
    end of period                                        5,394         5,708         6,636 
   Bank borrowings                                           -       (7,987)       (6,494) 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
   Net cash/(debt)                                       5,394       (2,279)           142 
  =======================================  =====  ============  ============  ============ 
 

*see note 1.1

Notes to the Half Year Report

For the six months ended 31 December 2019

   1.   Basis of Preparation 

These half yearly results have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies to be adopted for the year ended 30 June 2020. These are in accordance with the Group's accounting policies as set out in the latest audited annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019 with the exception of the implementation of IFRS16 as set out below.

All International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'), International Accounting Standards ('IAS') and interpretations currently endorsed by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') and its committees, as adopted by the EU and as required to be adopted by AIM listed companies, have been applied. This includes application for the first time of IFRS16 Leases, the impact of which is provided in note 1.1. AIM listed companies are not required to comply with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and accordingly the Company has taken advantage of this exemption.

The financial information in these half yearly results does not constitute statutory accounts for the six months ended 31 December 2019 and should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019.

The condensed consolidated half yearly financial statements for the six months to 31 December 2019 have not been audited or reviewed by auditors pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board guidance on Review of Half yearly Financial Information.

These unaudited half yearly results were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 February 2020.

1.1 Prior Period Adjustment

This is the first set of the Group's financial statements in which IFRS16 Leases has been applied. The standard, replacing IAS 17 Leases, sets out the requirements for recognising lease contracts in place as right-to-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet.

The Group has retrospectively applied this standard and the accounts for the financial year ended 30 June 2019, including opening balances, have been restated.

The standard has materially impacted the financial statements of the Group as a result of the number of property leases held. There are also leases relating to motor vehicles. Overall, assets and liabilities on the balance sheet have increased by GBP1.7 million upon restatement for the year ended 30 June 2019 and are disclosed as right-to-use assets and lease liabilities. Whilst other movements resulting from the transition to the new standard, such as the impact on the profit after tax and Retained Earnings, are not considered material, there is a significant movement in EBITDA as a result of the reallocation, with lease costs now recognised within depreciation rather than in operating expenses as operating lease rental payments. On an annualised basis, the net impact to EBITDA at the point of transition is an increase of GBP0.8 million.

The impact on the 6 month period ended 31 December 2019 versus the IAS 17 treatment is an increase to profit for the year of GBP12,000, with the value of right-to-use assets on the balance sheet at GBP1.4 million and lease liabilities of GBP1.5 million.

The implementation of IFRS16 has not resulted in a restatement to the reported cash balance. However, the presentation of the Cash Flow Statement has changed due to the payment of lease liabilities now being classified as a financing activity rather than stated through operating activities as a rental payment. There is no significant restatement of working capital impact upon transition and therefore the quantum of this re-presentation is consistent with the movement in EBITDA of GBP0.8 million annualised.

The financial impact of these restatements is shown below, including both the impact on the comparative half year results and full year results to June 2019.

A summary of the impact of the prior period adjustments on the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the 6 months ended 31 December 2018, as well as the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 is as follows:

 
 
 
 
                                      Period ended                          Period ended 
                                       31 December                           31 December 
                                              2018                                  2018 
 Consolidated Income Statement         As reported   IFRS16 application      As restated 
                                           GBP'000              GBP'000          GBP'000 
===================================  =============  ===================  =============== 
 Revenue                                    14,591                    -           14,591 
 Adjusted operating profit                   1,644                   47            1,691 
 Operating profit                              607                   47              654 
 Finance income                                  -                    -                - 
 Finance costs                               (364)                 (39)            (403) 
 Profit before tax                             243                    8              251 
 Taxation                                    (104)                    -            (104) 
 Profit for the period                         139                    8              147 
 Post tax profit from discontinued 
  operations                                   431                    -              431 
 Profit for the period                         570                    8              578 
===================================  =============  ===================  =============== 
 
 
 
 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement                                          IFRS16 
  for the six months ended 31 December 2018            As reported    application   As restated 
                                                           GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Profit for the period                                         570              8           578 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Adjustments for: 
 Results of discontinued operations                          (431)              -         (431) 
 Net finance charges                                           364             39           403 
 Tax expense                                                   104              -           104 
 Depreciation on property, plant and equipment                 101            356           457 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                           1,272              -         1,272 
 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets                  1,314              -         1,314 
 Share-based payments income                                   375              -           375 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Operating cash flow before movement in working 
  capital                                                    3,669            403         4,072 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Exceptional income                                          (652)              -         (652) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                             3,017            403         3,420 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Decrease in inventories                                        13              -            13 
 Increase in receivables                                     (648)              -         (648) 
 Decrease in payables and accruals                           (506)              6         (500) 
 Decrease in provisions                                       (63)              -          (63) 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Cash generated from continuing operations                   2,465            409         2,874 
 Exceptional restructuring payments                             46              -            46 
 Adjusted operating cash flow                                2,511            409         2,920 
                                                      ------------  ------------- 
 Interest paid                                               (131)           (39)         (170) 
 Tax paid                                                    (193)              -         (193) 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Net cash generated from operating activities 
  - continuing and discontinued operations                   2,141            370         2,511 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 
 Net cash used in investing activities - continuing 
  and discontinued operations                              (1,738)              -       (1,738) 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests                 (190)              -         (190) 
 Payment of lease liabilities                                    -          (379)         (379) 
 Repayment of borrowings                                     (950)              -         (950) 
 Net cash used in financing activities - continuing 
  and discontinued operations                              (1,140)          (379)       (1,519) 
 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                   (737)            (9)         (746) 
 Other non-cash movements - exchange rate changes              225              9           234 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
  of period                                                  6,220              -         6,220 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                  5,708              -         5,708 
 Bank borrowings                                           (7,987)              -       (7,987) 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Net debt                                                  (2,279)              -       (2,279) 
====================================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2018

 
                                                            IFRS16 
                                        As reported    application   As restated 
                                            GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment                  352          1,524         1,876 
 Other non-current assets                    69,106              -        69,106 
                                             69,458          1,524        70,982 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                  7,691           (27)         7,664 
  Other current assets                        5,890              -         5,890 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
                                             13,581           (27)        13,554 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Total assets                                83,039          1,497        84,536 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                   (7,097)          (551)       (7,648) 
 Other current liabilities                    (684)              -         (684) 
                                            (7,781)          (551)       (8,332) 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Other payables                               (281)        (1,006)       (1,287) 
 Other non-current liabilities             (13,374)              -      (13,374) 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
                                           (13,655)        (1,006)      (14,661) 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Total liabilities                         (21,436)        (1,557)      (22,993) 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 
 Net assets                                  61,603           (60)        61,543 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 
 Equity 
 Ordinary share capital                       1,280              -         1,280 
 Share premium                                9,152              -         9,152 
 Merger reserve                               4,034              -         4,034 
 Capital redemption reserve                     417              -           417 
 Translation reserve                          4,779              9         4,788 
 Retained earnings                           40,910           (69)        40,841 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Total equity attributable to equity 
  holders of the company                     60,572           (60)        60,512 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Non-controlling interest                     1,031              -         1,031 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 Total equity                                61,603           (60)        61,543 
=====================================  ============  =============  ============ 
 
 

An adjustment has also been made to the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of cash flows and consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2019 in respect of the retrospective application of IFRS16 as detailed below.

 
 
 
 
                                    Year ended                             Year ended 
                                       30 June                                30 June 
                                          2019                                   2019 
 Consolidated Income Statement     As reported     IFRS16 application     As restated 
                                       GBP'000                GBP'000         GBP'000 
===============================  =============  =====================  ============== 
 Revenue                                30,519                      -          30,519 
 Adjusted operating profit               3,458                     79           3,537 
 Operating profit                           62                     79             141 
 Finance income                             71                      -              71 
 Finance costs                           (508)                   (79)           (587) 
 Loss before tax                         (375)                      -           (375) 
 Taxation                                   33                      -              33 
 Loss for the year                       (342)                      -           (342) 
 Profit from discontinued 
  operations                             1,252                      -           1,252 
 Profit for the year                       910                      -             910 
===============================  =============  =====================  ============== 
 
 
 
 
 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement                                         IFRS16 
  for the year ended 30 June 2019                      As Reported   application     As Restated 
                                                           GBP'000       GBP'000         GBP'000 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Profit for the period                                         910             -             910 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Adjustments for: 
 Results of discontinued operations                        (1,252)             -         (1,252) 
 Net finance expense                                           437            79             516 
 Tax income                                                   (33)             -            (33) 
 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment               3             -               3 
 Depreciation on property, plant and equipment                 180           725             905 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                           2,508             -           2,508 
 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets                  2,605             -           2,605 
 Share-based payments income                                   935             -             935 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Operating cash flow before movement in working 
  capital                                                    6,293           804           7,097 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Acquisition costs                                             486             -             486 
 Exceptional income                                          (630)             -           (630) 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                             6,149           804           6,953 
----------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Decrease in inventories                                        11             -              11 
 Increase in receivables                                     (325)             -           (325) 
 Increase in payables and accruals                           2,337            34           2,371 
 Decrease in provisions                                       (63)             -            (63) 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Cash generated from continuing operations                   8,253           838           9,091 
 Exceptional restructuring payments                             46             -              46 
 Adjusted operating cash flow                                8,299           838           9,137 
                                                      ------------  ------------ 
 Interest received                                               1             -               1 
 Interest paid                                               (295)          (79)           (374) 
 Tax paid                                                    (356)             -           (356) 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Net cash generated from operating activities 
  - continuing operations                                    7,603           759           8,362 
 Net cash generated from operating activities 
  - discontinued operations                                    346             -             346 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Net cash generated from operating activities 
  - continuing and discontinued operations                   7,949           759           8,708 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 
 Net cash used in investing activities - continuing 
  and discontinued operations                              (5,056)             -         (5,056) 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests                 (190)             -           (190) 
 Payment of lease liabilities                                    -         (751)           (751) 
 Repayment of borrowings                                   (2,450)             -         (2,450) 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Net cash used in financing activities - continuing 
  and discontinued operations                              (2,640)         (751)         (3,391) 
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                     253             8             261 
 Other non-cash movements - exchange rate changes              163           (8)             155 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
  of period                                                  6,220             -           6,220 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                  6,636             -           6,636 
 Bank borrowings                                           (6,494)             -         (6,494) 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 Net cash                                                      142             -             142 
====================================================  ============  ============  ============== 
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2019

 
                                  As reported   IFRS16 application   As restated 
                                      GBP'000              GBP'000       GBP'000 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 Assets 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                               382                1,697         2,079 
 Other non-current assets              69,610                    -        69,610 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
                                       69,992                1,697        71,689 
 
 Trade and other receivables            7,397                 (37)         7,360 
 Other current assets                   6,727                    -         6,727 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
                                       14,124                 (37)        14,087 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 Total assets                          84,116                1,660        85,776 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables             (9,163)                (764)       (9,927) 
 Other current liabilities            (1,220)                    -       (1,220) 
                                     (10,383)                (764)      (11,147) 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Other payables                         (979)                (981)       (1,960) 
 Other non-current liabilities       (10,465)                    -      (10,465) 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
                                     (11,444)                (981)      (12,425) 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 Total liabilities                   (21,827)              (1,745)      (23,572) 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 
 Net assets                            62,289                 (85)        62,204 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 
 Equity 
 Ordinary share capital                 1,304                    -         1,304 
 Share premium                         10,397                    -        10,397 
 Merger reserve                         4,034                    -         4,034 
 Capital redemption reserve               417                    -           417 
 Translation reserve                    4,606                  (8)         4,598 
 Retained earnings                     40,316                 (68)        40,248 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 Total equity attributable 
  to equity holders of 
  the company                          61,074                 (76)        60,998 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 Non-controlling interest               1,215                  (9)         1,206 
 Total equity                          62,289                 (85)        62,204 
===============================  ============  ===================  ============ 
 
   2.   Earnings per share (EPS) 
 
                                               6 months      6 months 
                                                  ended         ended   Year ended 
                                            31 December   31 December      30 June 
                                                   2019          2018         2019 
                                                          (unaudited, 
                                            (unaudited)     restated)   (restated) 
                                                  Pence         Pence        Pence 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 Continuing operations 
 Basic earnings per share                        0.92 p      (0.01 p)     (1.01 p) 
 Diluted earnings per share                      0.89 p      (0.01 p)     (1.01 p) 
 Adjusted earnings per share                     3.02 p        1.61 p       3.56 p 
 Diluted adjusted earnings per 
  share                                          2.93 p        1.58 p       3.48 p 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 Discontinued operations 
 Basic earnings per share                        0.53 p        0.70 p       2.00 p 
 Diluted earnings per share                      0.51 p        0.69 p       1.96 p 
 Adjusted earnings per share                     0.53 p        0.70 p       2.00 p 
 Diluted adjusted earnings per 
  share                                          0.51 p        0.69 p       1.96 p 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 Total Group 
 Basic earnings per share                        1.45 p        0.69 p       0.99 p 
 Diluted earnings per share                      1.40 p        0.68 p       0.95 p 
 Adjusted earnings per share                     3.55 p        2.31 p       5.56 p 
 Diluted adjusted earnings per 
  share                                          3.44 p        2.27 p       5.44 p 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 
                                               6 months      6 months 
                                                  ended         ended   Year ended 
                                            31 December   31 December      30 June 
                                                   2019          2018         2018 
                                                          (unaudited, 
                                            (unaudited)     restated)   (restated) 
 Continuing operations                          GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 Profit/(loss) for the period                       638           147        (342) 
 Loss/(profit) attributable to 
  non-controlling interests                          21         (153)        (287) 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 Profit/(Loss) attributable to 
  equity holders of the Company                     659           (6)        (629) 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 
 Reconciliation to adjusted profit: 
 Unwinding of discount on contingent 
  consideration                                       -            60           82 
 Revaluation of contingent consideration              -           116           46 
 Acquisition costs                                  503             -          486 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                1,474         1,314        2,605 
 Exceptional income                               (875)         (652)        (630) 
 Amortisation of bank fees                            6             7           14 
 Share based payments                               646           375          935 
 Tax impact of above adjustments                  (249)         (220)        (688) 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 Adjusted profit for the period                   2,164           994        2,221 
=========================================  ============  ============  =========== 
 
 
 Number of shares                      '000s    '000s    '000s 
 Weighted average number of 
  shares                              71,434   61,714   62,310 
 Bonus element from share placing 
  in July 2019                           140      140      140 
 Basic                                71,574   61,854   62,450 
 Impact of dilutive share options      2,254      917    1,428 
 Diluted                              73,828   62,771   63,738 
===================================  =======  =======  ======= 
 

The bonus element increasing the basic number of shares used in the earnings per share calculation arises from the placing of 8,000,000 shares in July 2019 and represents the number of shares effectively issued without consideration, due to the issue price of 125 pence being at a discount on the market price of 127.5 pence prior to the placing. In accordance with IAS 33, the impact of the bonus element is allocated to all reporting periods prior to that in which the placing took place.

The dilutive share options are in respect of the shares awarded under the Blancco Performance Share Plan.

   3.   Profit for the period 

The figures for the Group's continuing operations are as follows:

 
                                                6 months      6 months 
                                                ended 31      ended 31    Year ended 
                                                December      December       30 June 
                                                    2019          2018          2019 
                                                           (unaudited,   (unaudited, 
                                             (unaudited)     restated)     restated) 
                                                 GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000 
========================================    ============  ============  ============ 
 Depreciation of property, plant and 
  equipment - owned                                  120           101           180 
 Depreciation of property, plant and 
  equipment - right of use asset                     406           356           725 
 (Profit)/loss on disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                                (2)             -             3 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                 2,870         2,586         5,113 
 Cost of inventories recognised 
  as an expense                                      197           141           252 
 Research & Development expense                      522           358           869 
 Staff costs                                       8,266         7,427        14,816 
 Net foreign exchange (profit)/loss                (216)            87           158 
==========================================  ============  ============  ============ 
 
   4.   Exceptional and acquisition (income)/costs 
 
                            6 months      6 months 
                            ended 31      ended 31   Year ended 
                            December      December      30 June 
                                2019          2018         2019 
                         (unaudited)   (unaudited)    (audited) 
                             GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000 
====================    ============  ============  =========== 
 Provision releases            (875)         (652)        (630) 
 Acquisition costs               503             -          486 
======================  ============  ============  =========== 
                               (372)         (652)        (144) 
  ====================  ============  ============  =========== 
 
 

Exceptional income arises from the release of provisions recognised on the acquisition of Xcaliber (in the prior year Tabernus) that the business deems to no longer be required. These cover items that are exceptional in nature and do not relate to the underlying operating expenses of the acquired business and accordingly the releases are recorded through exceptional income.

Acquisition costs relate to the acquisition of YouGetItBack Limited, trading as Inhance Technology, that was completed on 11 July 2019, and the buyouts of minority interest stakes in Japan and Singapore.

   5.   Discontinued Operations 

The post-tax results from discontinued operations in the period was a profit of GBP0.4 million (H1 2019: GBP0.4 million). This arose from the reassessment of provisions over time that were created upon the disposal of the Repair Services business in the year ended 30 June 2016.

   6.   Acquisitions 

On 11 July 2019 the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of YouGetItBack Limited, trading as Inhance Technologies ("Inhance") for a total consideration of EUR5.25 million, of which EUR3.25 million was satisfied in cash and EUR2 million of which was satisfied through the issue of 1,311,264 new ordinary shares in the Company.

The provisional book value and fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:

 
                                                                       Fair value 
                                                                      adjustments 
                                                 Book value    and IFRS alignment     Fair value 
                                                    GBP'000               GBP'000        GBP'000 
============================================  =============  ====================  ============= 
 Intangible assets arising on consolidation               -                 1,649          1,649 
 Property, plant and equipment                           12                    65             77 
 Deferred tax                                             -                 (130)          (130) 
 Cash and cash equivalents                              327                     -            327 
 Trade and other receivables                            226                     -            226 
 Trade and other payables                             (293)                 (819)        (1,112) 
 Net assets acquired                                    272                   765          1,037 
 Goodwill                                                                                  3,780 
============================================  =============  ====================  ============= 
 Total consideration                                                                       4,817 
============================================  =============  ====================  ============= 
 
 Satisfied by: 
 Cash paid                                                                                 2,759 
 Deferred consideration                                                                      269 
 Shares issued                                                                             1,789 
============================================  =============  ====================  ============= 
 Total consideration                                                                       4,817 
============================================  =============  ====================  ============= 
 

The Directors have not identified any new assets or liabilities or any change in circumstances that would result in a material reassessment of the fair value of the assets or liabilities acquired. In accordance with IFRS3, the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired will be reassessed at the end of the 12 month hindsight period in July 2020.

The deferred cash consideration has been settled after the period end.

On 12 December the Group acquired 29% of the issued share capital in Blancco Japan from its joint venture partner, Aucnet, taking shareholding from 51% to 80%. The consideration was settled through the issue of 813,253 ordinary shares.

On the same date the Group acquired the 30% that it did not already own of the issued share capital of Blancco APAC Pte. Limited, being 15% each from both of the minority shareholders, Aucnet and Alan Puah. The consideration payable to Aucnet was US$1 in cash and to Alan Puah settled by the issue of 41,686 ordinary shares.

The buyouts of non-controlling interests do not require a fair value assessment as they were already under control of the Group when the initial Blancco acquisition was completed 16 April 2014.

In accordance with IFRS 10, "Consolidated Financial Statements", the purchase prices for each acquisition have been taken directly to the Retained Earnings reserve, in addition to the non-controlling interest in the balance sheet attributable to each acquisition as at the respective acquisition dates.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

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