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DRV Driver Group Plc

26.00
0.00 (0.00%)
30 Dec 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Driver Group Plc LSE:DRV London Ordinary Share GB00B0L9C092 ORD 0.4P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 26.00 25.00 27.00 0.00 00:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Heavy Construction, Nec 42.63M -336k -0.0064 -40.63 13.66M

Driver Group plc Interim Report: Half-year ended 31 March 2023 (4740C)

13/06/2023 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Driver (LSE:DRV)
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From Dec 2022 to Dec 2024

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TIDMDRV

RNS Number : 4740C

Driver Group plc

13 June 2023

DRIVER GROUP PLC

Interim Report

For the six months ended 31 March 2023

Key Points - for the six months ended 31 March 2023

 
                                   6 months      6 months 
                                      Ended         Ended 
                              31 March 2023      31 March 
                                     GBP000   2022 GBP000   Change 
                                  Unaudited     Unaudited   GBP000 
---------------------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
Revenue                              24,219        24,429    (210) 
Gross Profit                          6,340         5,882      458 
Gross Profit %                          26%           24%       2% 
---------------------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 Profit before tax                      508           130      378 
 Add: Share-based payment 
  charge                                202           272     (70) 
 Underlying* profit before 
  tax                                   710           402      308 
---------------------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
Underlying* profit before 
 tax %                                   3%            2%       1% 
Underlying* earnings per 
 share                                 1.0p          0.2p     0.8p 
Net cash**                            5,277         3,678    1,599 
 

-- Underlying* profit before tax at GBP0.7m (2022: GBP0.4m) resulting in an underlying* profit before tax margin of 3% (2022: 2%).

-- Profit before tax at GBP0.5m (2022: GBP0.1m).

-- Net cash** increase year on year of GBP1.6m to GBP5.3m (2022: GBP3.7m).

-- Revenue slightly down to GBP24.2m (2022: GBP24.4m) which is attributable to the restructured Middle East and Asia Pacific regions.

-- Gross profit margin at 26% (2022: 24%), a GBP0.5m increase to GBP6.3m (2022: GBP5.9m).

-- Middle East returned to operational profit pre provisioning.

-- Fee earner headcount decreased to 238 (2022: 294) predominantly attributable to Middle East and Asia Pacific regions.

-- Overall utilisation rates*** improved to 75.6% (2022: 69.6%).

-- Europe & Americas (EuAm) reported underlying* profit before tax for the period of GBP2.9m (2022: GBP2.4m) with utilisation rates*** at 76.1% (2022: 72.7%).

-- Middle East (ME) reported underlying* loss before tax for the period of GBP0.1m (2022: loss GBP0.3m) with utilisation rates*** at 72.3% (2022: 60.9%).

-- Asia Pacific (APAC) reported underlying* loss before tax for the period of GBP0.1m (2022: loss GBP0.5m) with utilisation rates*** at 66.1% (2022: 71.3%).

Mark Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer of Driver Group, said:

'It is a pleasure to see the benefits of last year's restructuring starting to come through in the first half. With all regions currently benefiting from a steady flow of enquiries, the Group is ideally placed to capitalise on global opportunities where and when they arise.

While we continue to have only short-term visibility in terms of fee forecasting, given the nature of our service offering, the Board expects a profitable year with strategic changes to form a solid foundation for future growth.'

Shaun Smith, Non-Executive Chair, said:

'I was delighted to join the Board of Driver Group in March this year as Chair and have been impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone that I have met since joining and have been encouraged by the performance in the first half. I very much look forward to working with Mark and his team across the business, both in the UK and internationally, as we continue to focus on improving the performance of the Group and delivering enhanced shareholder value.'

Results presentation

Driver Group's leadership team will be hosting a presentation for analysts at 09:30 BST on 13 June 2023. Analysts have already been invited to participate in a Q&A during the presentation, but any eligible person not having received details should contact the Company's PR advisers, Acuitas Communications, at driver@acuitascomms.com or on 020 3745 0293.

The Group will also host a presentation for investors on 15 June, at 10:00 BST. Questions can be submitted before and during the online event.

To register for the webinar, please visit this link:

https://www.equitydevelopment.co.uk/news-and-events/driver-group-results-presentation-15june2023

A recording of the presentation will be available shortly afterwards here:

https://www.equitydevelopment.co.uk/research/tag/driver-group

Enquiries:

 
 Driver Group plc                 020 7377 0005 
 Mark Wheeler (CEO) 
 Charlotte Parsons (CFO) 
 
 Singer Capital Markets (Nomad 
  & Broker)                       020 7496 3000 
 Sandy Fraser 
 Jen Boorer 
 Alex Emslie 
 
 Acuitas Communications           020 3745 0293 / 07799 767676 
 Simon Nayyar                     simon.nayyar@acuitascomms.com 
 Arthur Dingemans                 arthur.dingemans@acuitascomms.com 
 

INTRODUCTION

Driver Group is focussed on delivering a return to profitability in the current financial year after the challenges encountered during the FY22 financial year. The Group saw positive progress in Quarter 1 and that momentum continued and strengthened in Quarter 2.

We are pleased to report an increase in the Group's underlying* profit before tax to GBP0.7m from GBP0.4m in the comparative period, in line with the Group's Trading update of 27 April 2023 on revenue which, following the Middle East restructuring, has remained stable. We believe this has been a creditable performance, laying strong foundations for continued improvements to deliver the Group's future profitability.

In common with many of our industry peers and professional services firms more widely, the Group has inevitably been exposed to the effects of the recent global economic headwinds, and the impact that the war in Ukraine has had on some of our clients and their own counterparties, in relation to both work in hand and the deferral of some existing projects in the pipeline.

The EuAm region has continued to perform well and is now established as our central business hub, continuing our focus on global office collaboration, maximising utilisation, improving efficiencies, and delivering cost effectiveness; expert services play a large part in this, and we continue our efforts to increase our number of experts worldwide.

The Middle East region has returned to an operational profit, as a result of the implementation of the realignment of strategy and servicing in the region announced in November 2022 while also significantly reducing the trading risk in the region. We continue to closely monitor performance in the region.

We have seen an improvement in trading performance in APAC, a result of actions taken following the strategic review, and t he Group remains well positioned to expand its work with South Korean clients after a very successful office launch in Seoul in March this year.

The overheads review and cost saving measures, previously announced, are ongoing with some savings already realised and with significant further savings anticipated to take effect from Quarter 4 of FY23 and beyond.

PEOPLE

Driver is a people business and the recruitment and retention of the best people in our sector is a key priority. The Board is pleased to see that the revised Executive board is effectively supporting the CEO and CFO to deliver the Group's strategy which continues to have a positive impact upon the business.

The restructuring of the Middle East and APAC led to a short-term reduction in the number of senior testifying experts in the business, and it is pleasing that the business has already backfilled these positions in other regions, allowing revenue retention for Diales expert work, which is expected to transition to continued growth in these services.

TRADING PERFORMANCE

Group revenue for the six months to 31 March 2023 remained stable at GBP24.2m, compared to the same period in 2022 (GBP24.4m). Overall, the Group reported an increase in underlying profit before tax of GBP0.7m (2022: GBP0.4m).

Revenues in the EuAm region increased to GBP19.1m (2022: GBP17.4m) with revenues in the Middle East down to GBP3.7m (2022: GBP5.4m) and revenues in APAC down to GBP1.4m (2022: GBP1.7m). This is in line with our strategy of EuAm being our central business hub.

The EuAm region delivered an underlying profit of GBP2.9m (2022: GBP2.4m) while the Middle East region recorded an operational profit of GBP0.1m (2022: loss GBP0.2m), underlying loss of GBP0.1m (2022: underlying loss GBP0.3m), and the APAC region recorded an underlying loss of GBP0.1m (2022: underlying loss GBP0.5m).

Underlying*basic earnings per share were 1.0p (2022: 0.2p), and the basic earnings per share was 0.6p (2022: loss 0.3p).

The Group's net cash balance in the period continued to improve totalling GBP5.3m on 31 March 2023 (2022: GBP3.7m).

DIVID

The final dividend announced at the time of the results for the year to 30 September 2022 (0.75p per share) in February was paid in April 2023. Reflecting our confidence in the medium-term prospects for the Group and with the strong balance sheet position the Board recommends the payment of an interim dividend of 0.75p per share for 2023 (2022: 0.75p per share). The interim dividend will be paid on 27 October 2023 to shareholders who are on the register of members at the close of business on 22 September 2023, with an ex-dividend date of 21 September 2023 .

OUTLOOK

Driver Group's business in Europe and the Americas continues to trade very profitably. Performance has strengthened with the implementation of our cost-saving strategies, a limited number of which are already taking effect, and the balance will flow through to the bottom line in the next trading year. Post-restructure, the Middle East are expected to contribute a profit for the current financial year with APAC being well placed to improve further during FY24 as a consequence of work coming out of Korea.

While the second half of the year for Driver has been shown historically to be strong. April was slower than expected owing to the timing of the Easter weekend and a succession of public holidays, which affected utilisation. The Board is currently considering its policy on forward guidance, which will reflect the short-term revenue visibility.

* Underlying figures are stated before the share-based payment costs and exceptional costs

Consolidated Income Statement

Interim report for the six months ended 31 March 2023

 
                                                6 months ended    6 months     Year ended 
                                                 31 March 2023       ended   30 September 
                                                        GBP000    31 March           2022 
                                                     Unaudited        2022         GBP000 
                                                                    GBP000        Audited 
                                                                 Unaudited 
REVENUE                                                 24,219      24,429         46,897 
Cost of sales                                         (17,729)    (18,413)       (37,095) 
Impairment movement                                      (150)       (134)          (188) 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
GROSS PROFIT                                             6,340       5,882          9,614 
Administrative expenses                                (5,851)     (5,767)       (12,107) 
Other operating income                                      41          75            167 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
 Underlying* operating profit                              732         462          (861) 
 Exceptional costs                                           -           -        (1,000) 
 Share-based payment charge and 
  associated costs                                       (202)       (272)          (465) 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS)                                    530         190        (2,326) 
Finance income                                              32           -              - 
Finance costs                                             (54)        (60)          (100) 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXATION                              508         130        (2,426) 
Tax expense (note 2)                                     (207)       (309)          (460) 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD                               301       (179)        (2,886) 
Profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling 
 interests                                                   -           -            (2) 
Profit/(loss) attributable to equity 
 shareholders of the parent                                301       (179)        (2,884) 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
                                                           301       (179)        (2,886) 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
Basic earnings/(loss) per share 
 attributable to equity shareholders 
 of the parent (pence)                                    0.6p      (0.3)p         (5.5)p 
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 
 attributable to equity shareholders 
 of the parent (pence)                                    0.6p      (0.3)p         (5.3)p 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
 

*Underlying figures are stated before the share-based payment costs (this is not a GAAP measure)

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Interim report for the six months ended 31 March 2023

 
                                                  6 months    6 months     Year ended 
                                                     ended       ended   30 September 
                                                  31 March    31 March           2022 
                                                      2023        2022         GBP000 
                                                    GBP000      GBP000        Audited 
                                                 Unaudited   Unaudited 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD                           301       (179)        (2,886) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
Other comprehensive income/(loss): 
Items that could subsequently be reclassified 
 to the Income Statement: 
Exchange differences on translating 
 foreign operations                                    473       (187)          (970) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
Other comprehensive income/(loss) 
 for the year net of tax                               473       (187)          (970) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) 
 FOR THE PERIOD                                        774       (366)        (3,856) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
Total comprehensive income/(loss) 
 attributable to: 
Owners of the parent                                   774       (366)        (3,854) 
Non-controlling interest                                 -           -            (2) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
                                                       774       (366)        (3,856) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Interim report for the six months ended 31 March 2023

 
 
                                 6 months ended    6 months     Year ended 
                                  31 March 2023       ended   30 September 
                                         GBP000    31 March           2022 
                                      Unaudited        2022         GBP000 
                                                     GBP000        Audited 
                                                  Unaudited 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
NON-CURRENT ASSETS 
Goodwill                                  2,969       2,969          2,969 
Property, plant and equipment               344         567            384 
Right of use assets                         400       2,130          1,375 
Intangible asset                            756         759            798 
Deferred tax assets                         202         186            192 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
                                          4,671       6,611          5,718 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
CURRENT ASSETS 
Trade and other receivables              16,065      20,640         20,281 
Current tax receivable                      166         360            470 
Cash and cash equivalents                 5,277       3,678          4,931 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
                                         21,508      24,678         25,682 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
TOTAL ASSETS                             26,179      31,289         31,400 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Borrowings                                    -           -              - 
Trade and other payables                (9,087)     (8,409)       (11,296) 
Derivative financial liability                -       (384)        (1,938) 
Lease creditor                            (317)       (938)          (754) 
Current tax payable                           -       (188)          (251) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
                                        (9,404)     (9,919)       (14,239) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Lease creditor                            (110)     (1,066)          (634) 
Deferred tax liability                    (167)       (149)          (169) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
                                          (277)     (1,215)          (803) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
TOTAL LIABILITIES                       (9,681)    (11,134)       (15,042) 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
NET ASSETS                               16,498      20,155         16,358 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
Share capital                               216         216            216 
Share premium                            11,496      11,496         11,496 
Merger reserve                            1,055       1,055          1,055 
Currency reserve                          (908)       (598)        (1,381) 
Capital redemption reserve                   18          18             18 
Treasury shares                         (1,525)     (1,025)        (1,525) 
Retained earnings                         6,145       8,990          6,478 
Own shares                                  (3)         (3)            (3) 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY               16,494      20,149         16,354 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST                      4           6              4 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
TOTAL EQUITY                             16,498      20,155         16,358 
-------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated Cash flow Statement

Interim report for the six months ended 31 March 2023

 
                                            6 months ended    6 months     Year ended 
                                             31 March 2023       ended   30 September 
                                                    GBP000    31 March           2022 
                                                 Unaudited        2022         GBP000 
                                                                GBP000        Audited 
                                                             Unaudited 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
Profit/(loss) for the period                           301       (179)        (2,886) 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation                                            84         127            239 
Amortisation of right to use assets                    375         501            917 
Amortisation of intangible asset                        42           -             40 
Exchange adjustments                                   105          15          (361) 
Finance income                                        (32)           -              - 
Finance expense                                         54          60            100 
Tax expense                                            207         309            460 
Equity settled share-based payment 
 charge                                                151         272            229 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
OPERATING CASH FLOW BEFORE CHANGES 
 IN WORKING CAPITAL AND PROVISIONS                   1,287       1,105        (1,262) 
Decrease/(increase) in trade and 
 other receivables                                   4,283     (1,611)        (1,330) 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and 
 other payables                                    (3,562)       (235)          4,000 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
CASH GENERATED/(USED) IN OPERATIONS                  2,008       (741)          1,408 
Tax paid                                             (139)       (390)          (539) 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM 
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                1,869     (1,131)            868 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
Interest received                                       32           -              - 
Acquisition of property, plant 
 and equipment                                        (44)       (319)          (398) 
Proceeds from the disposal of property, 
 plant and equipment                                     -           -            150 
Acquisition of intangible asset                          -       (244)          (321) 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM INVESTING 
 ACTIVITIES                                           (12)       (563)          (569) 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
Interest paid                                         (54)        (60)          (100) 
Repayment of borrowings                                  -     (1,000)        (1,000) 
Proceeds of borrowings                                   -       1,000          1,000 
Repayment of lease liabilities                       (961)       (635)          (821) 
Purchase of Treasury shares                              -           -          (500) 
Dividends paid to the equity shareholders 
 of the parent                                       (391)       (392)          (783) 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM FINANCING 
 ACTIVITIES                                        (1,406)     (1,087)        (2,204) 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash 
 and cash equivalents                                  451     (2,781)        (1,904) 
Effect of foreign exchange on cash 
 and cash equivalents                                (105)        (15)            361 
Cash and cash equivalents at start 
 of period                                           4.931       6,474          6,474 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 
 OF PERIOD                                           5,277       3,678          4,931 
------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes of Equity

Interim Report for the six months ended 31 March 2023

For the six months ended 31 March 2023 (Unaudited):

 
                                                                                                         Non- 
                   Share     Share  Treasury    Merger        Other  Retained      Own            controlling    Total 
                 capital   premium    shares   reserve  reserves(2)  earnings   shares  Total(1)     interest   Equity 
                  GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000       GBP000    GBP000   GBP000    GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
CLOSING 
 BALANCE 
 AT 30 
 SEPTEMBER 
 2022                216    11,496   (1,525)     1,055      (1,363)     6,478      (3)    16,354            4   16,358 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Profit for the 
 period                -         -         -         -            -       301        -       301            -      301 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 period                -         -         -         -          473         -        -       473            -      473 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 period                -         -         -         -          473       301        -       774            -      774 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Contributions 
by 
and 
distributions 
to owners 
Dividend               -         -         -         -            -     (785)        -     (785)            -    (785) 
Share-based 
 payment 
 charge                -         -         -         -            -       151        -       151            -      151 
Purchase of            -         -         -         -            -         -        -         -            -        - 
Treasury 
shares 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Total 
 contributions 
 by and 
 distributions 
 to owners             -         -         -         -            -     (634)        -     (634)            -    (634) 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
CLOSING 
 BALANCE 
 AT 31 MARCH 
 2022                216    11,496   (1,525)     1,055        (890)     6,145      (3)    16,494            4   16,498 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
 

For the six months ended 31 March 2022 (Unaudited):

 
                                                                                                         Non- 
                   Share     Share  Treasury    Merger        Other  Retained      Own            controlling    Total 
                 capital   premium    shares   reserve  reserves(2)  earnings   shares  Total(1)     interest   Equity 
                  GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000       GBP000    GBP000   GBP000    GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
CLOSING 
 BALANCE 
 AT 30 
 SEPTEMBER 
 2021                216    11,496   (1,025)     1,055        (393)     9,916      (3)    21,262            6   21,268 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Loss for the 
 period                -         -         -         -            -     (179)        -     (179)            -    (179) 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 period                -         -         -         -        (187)         -        -     (187)            -    (187) 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 period                -         -         -         -        (187)     (179)        -     (366)            -    (366) 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Contributions 
by 
and 
distributions 
to owners 
Dividend               -         -         -         -            -     (783)        -     (783)            -    (783) 
Share-based 
 payment 
 charge                -         -         -         -            -        36        -        36            -       36 
Purchase of            -         -         -         -            -         -        -         -            -        - 
Treasury 
shares 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
Total 
 contributions 
 by and 
 distributions 
 to owners             -         -         -         -            -     (747)        -     (747)            -    (747) 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
CLOSING 
 BALANCE 
 AT 31 MARCH 
 2022                216    11,496   (1,025)     1,055        (580)     8,990      (3)    20,149            6   20,155 
--------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes of Equity (continued)

Interim Report for the six months ended 31 March 2023

For the year ended 30 September 2022 (Audited):

 
                                                                                                         Non- 
                     Share    Share  Treasury   Merger        Other  Retained      Own            controlling    Total 
                   capital  premium    shares  reserve  reserves(2)  earnings   shares  Total(1)     interest   Equity 
                    GBP000   GBP000    GBP000   GBP000       GBP000    GBP000   GBP000    GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  ------- 
OPENING BALANCE 
 AT 1 OCTOBER 
 2021                  216   11,496   (1,025)    1,055        (393)     9,916      (3)    21,262            6     21,268 
-----------------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  --------- 
Loss for the year        -        -         -        -            -   (2,884)        -   (2,884)          (2)    (2,886) 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 year                    -        -         -        -        (970)         -        -     (970)            -      (970) 
-----------------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  --------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 year                    -        -         -        -        (970)   (2,884)        -   (3,854)          (2)    (3,856) 
-----------------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  --------- 
Dividends                -        -         -        -            -     (783)        -     (793)            -      (783) 
Share-based 
 payment 
 charge and 
 associated 
 costs                   -        -         -        -            -       229        -       229            -        229 
Purchase of 
 Treasury 
 shares                  -        -     (500)        -            -         -        -     (500)            -      (500) 
-----------------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  --------- 
CLOSING BALANCE 
 AT 30 SEPTEMBER 
 2022                  216   11,496   (1,525)    1,055      (1,363)     6,478      (3)    16,354            4     16,358 
-----------------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  --------  -----------  --------- 
 
 
   (1)   Total equity attributable to the equity holders of the Parent 

(2) 'Other reserves' combines the currency reserve and capital redemption reserve. The movement in the current and prior year relates to the translation of foreign currency equity balances and foreign currency non-monetary items.

   1      BASIS OF PREPARATION 

The consolidated interim financial information has been prepared using accounting policies which are consistent with those applied at the prior year end 30 September 2022 and that are expected to be adopted in the Group's full financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2023. The financial information in this interim report is in compliance with the recognition and measurement principles of international accounting standards but does not include all disclosures that would be required under IFRSs and are not IAS 34 compliant. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the Group for the purposes of preparation of this financial information. The financial information for the half years ended 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2022 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006 and is unaudited but has been reviewed by our auditors.

The comparative financial information for the year ended 30 September 2022 included within this report does not constitute the full statutory accounts for that period. The statutory Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2022 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditor's Report on that Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2022 was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In reaching their assessment, the Directors have considered a period extending at least twelve months from the date of approval of this financial report.

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts covering a period of more than 12 months from the date of releasing these financial statements. This assessment has included consideration of the forecast performance of the business for the foreseeable future and the cash and financing facilities available to the Group. At 31 March 2023 the Group had cash reserves of GBP5.3m. The strong trading performance and cash collections in the period resulted in a cash increase of GBP0.4m from that reported at 30 September 2022.

The Directors have also prepared a stress case scenario that demonstrates the Group's ability to continue as a going concern even with a significant drop in revenues and limited mitigating cost reduction to re-align with the revenue drop.

Based on the cash flow forecasts prepared including appropriate stress testing, the Directors are confident that any funding needs required by the business will be sufficiently covered by the existing cash reserves. As such these Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

   2      TAXATION 

The tax charge for the half-year ended 31 March 2023 is based on the estimated tax rates in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates, for the year ending 30 September 2023.

   3      DIVID 

In view of the medium-term prospects for the Group along with the strong balance sheet position, the Board recommends the payment of an interim dividend of 0.75p per share for 2023 (2022: 0.75p per share).

During the period, the Group paid an interim dividend for 2022 of 0.75p per share (2022: 0.75p per share) and approved a final dividend for 2022 of 0.75p per share which was paid in April 2023.

   4      POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT 

There have been no significant events requiring disclosure since 31 March 2023.

   5      SUMMARY SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS 

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

For management purposes, the Group is organised into three operating divisions: Europe & Americas (EuAm), Middle East (ME) and Asia Pacific (APAC). These divisions are the basis on which the Group is structured and managed, based on its geographic structure. The following key service provisions are provided across all three operating divisions: quantity surveying, planning / programming, quantum and planning experts, dispute avoidance / resolution, litigation support, contract administration and commercial advice / management. Segment information about these reportable segments is presented below.

 
                                      Europe   Middle      Asia 
Six months ended 31 March         & Americas     East   Pacific  Eliminations  Unallocated  Consolidated 
 2023 (Unaudited)                     GBP000   GBP000    GBP000        GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Total external revenue                19,128    3,724     1,367             -            -        24,219 
Total inter-segment revenue              760      237       318       (1,315)            -             - 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Total revenue                         19,888    3,961     1,685       (1,315)            -        24,219 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Segmental profit/(loss) (2)            2,939     (92)     (144)             -            -         2,703 
Unallocated corporate expenses 
 (1)(2)                                    -        -         -             -      (1,971)       (1,971) 
Share-based payment charge                 -        -         -             -        (202)         (202) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Operating profit/(loss)                2,939     (92)     (144)             -      (2,173)           530 
Finance income                             -        -         -             -           32            32 
Finance expense                            -        -         -             -         (54)          (54) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Profit/(loss) before taxation          2,939     (92)     (144)             -      (2,195)           508 
Taxation                                   -        -         -             -        (207)         (207) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Profit/(loss) for the period           2,939     (92)     (144)             -      (2,402)           301 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
 

(1) Unallocated costs represent Directors' remuneration, administration staff, corporate head office costs and expenses associated with AIM.

(2) Unallocated corporate expenses are stated before the central recharge. Historically a recharge was recognised monthly. The prior year comparative figure below of GBP1.1m is net of a cross charge amount totalling GBP0.6m.

 
                                      Europe   Middle      Asia 
Six months ended 31 March         & Americas     East   Pacific  Eliminations  Unallocated  Consolidated 
 2022 (Unaudited)                     GBP000   GBP000    GBP000        GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Total external revenue                17,370    5,405     1,654             -            -        24,429 
Total inter-segment revenue              746      450       290       (1,486)            -             - 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Total revenue                         18,116    5,855     1,944       (1,486)            -        24,429 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Segmental profit/(loss)                2,377    (332)     (485)             -            -         1,560 
Unallocated corporate expenses 
 (1)                                       -        -         -             -      (1,098)       (1,098) 
Share-based payment charge                 -        -         -             -        (272)         (272) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Operating profit/(loss)                2,377    (332)     (485)             -      (1,370)           190 
Finance income                             -        -         -             -            -             - 
Finance expense                            -        -         -             -         (60)          (60) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Profit/(loss) before taxation          2,377    (332)     (485)             -      (1,430)           130 
Taxation                                   -        -         -             -        (309)         (309) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Profit/(loss) for the period           2,377    (332)     (485)             -      (1,739)         (179) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
 

(1) Unallocated costs represent Directors' remuneration, administration staff, corporate head office costs and expenses associated with AIM.

 
                                      Europe   Middle      Asia 
Year ended 30 September           & Americas     East   Pacific  Eliminations  Unallocated  Consolidated 
 2022 (A udited )                     GBP000   GBP000    GBP000        GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Total external revenue                35,089    8,063     3,745             -            -        46,897 
Total inter-segment revenue            1,093      754       551       (2,398)            -             - 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Total revenue                         36,182    8,817     4,296       (2,398)            -        46,897 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Segmental profit/(loss)                3,923  (1,814)     (544)             -            -         1,565 
Unallocated corporate expenses 
 (1)                                       -        -         -             -      (2,426)       (2,426) 
Share-based payments charge 
 and associated costs                      -        -         -             -        (465)         (465) 
Exceptional costs                          -        -         -             -      (1,000)       (1,000) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Operating profit/(loss)                3,923  (1,814)     (544)             -      (3,891)       (2,326) 
Finance income                             -        -         -             -            -             - 
Finance expense                            -        -         -             -        (100)         (100) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Profit/(loss) before taxation          3,923  (1,814)     (544)             -      (3,991)       (2,426) 
Taxation                                   -        -         -             -        (460)         (460) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
Profit/(loss) for the period           3,923  (1,814)     (544)             -      (4,451)       (2,886) 
-------------------------------  -----------  -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
 

(1) Unallocated costs represent Directors' remuneration, administration staff, corporate head office costs and expenses associated with AIM.

   6      EARNINGS PER SHARE 
 
                                                    6 months     6 months 
                                                       ended        ended     Year ended 
                                                    31 March     31 March   30 September 
                                                        2023         2022           2022 
                                                      GBP000       GBP000         GBP000 
                                                   Unaudited    Unaudited        Audited 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
Profit/(loss) for the financial period 
 attributable to equity shareholders                     301        (179)        (2,884) 
Exceptional costs                                          -            -          1,000 
Share-based payments cost and associated 
 costs                                                   202          272            465 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
Underlying* profit/(loss) for the financial 
 period                                                  503           93        (1,419) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
Weighted average number of shares: 
- Ordinary shares in issue                        53,962,868   53,962,868     53,962,868 
- Shares held by EBT                                 (3,677)      (3,677)        (3,677) 
- Treasury shares                                (1,642,543)  (1,687,208)    (1,405,839) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
Basic weighted average number of shares           52,316,648   52,271,983     52,553,352 
Effect of employee share options                   1,618,097    2,684,905      2,309,028 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
Diluted weighted average number of shares         53,934,745   54,956,888     54,862,380 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
Basic earnings/(loss) per share attributable 
 to equity shareholders of the Parent (pence)           0.6p       (0.3)p         (5.5)p 
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share attributable 
 to equity shareholders of the Parent (pence)           0.6p       (0.3)p         (5.3)p 
Underlying* basic earnings/(loss) per 
 share                                                  1.0p         0.2p         (2.7)p 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 

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