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EMR Empresaria Group Plc

38.00
0.00 (0.00%)
Last Updated: 08:00:00
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Empresaria Group Plc LSE:EMR London Ordinary Share GB00B0358N07 ORD 5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 38.00 37.00 39.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 0.00 08:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Employment Agencies 261.3M 3.4M 0.0687 5.53 18.81M

Empresaria Group PLC Interim Results (8439V)

12/08/2020 7:00am

UK Regulatory


TIDMEMR

RNS Number : 8439V

Empresaria Group PLC

12 August 2020

12 August 2020

   Empresaria Group   plc ("Empresaria" or "Group") 

Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2020

Profitability, financial strength and operational progress in face of COVID-19

Empresaria Group plc (AIM: EMR), the global specialist staffing group, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2020.

Overview of the half year

 
                                                                           % change 
                                                                          (constant 
                                      2020        2019     % change    currency)(2) 
------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------- 
 Revenue                         GBP136.1m   GBP175.5m         -22%            -20% 
 Net fee income                   GBP28.2m    GBP36.3m         -22%            -21% 
 Adjusted operating profit(1)      GBP3.0m     GBP4.3m         -30%            -26% 
 Operating (loss)/profit         GBP(0.6)m     GBP2.9m        -121% 
 Adjusted profit before 
  tax(1)                           GBP2.4m     GBP3.7m         -35% 
 (Loss)/profit before tax        GBP(1.2)m     GBP2.3m        -152% 
 Adjusted, diluted earnings 
  per share(1)                        1.9p        3.3p         -42% 
 Diluted (loss)/earnings 
  per share                         (2.7)p        1.4p        -293% 
 

-- Profitable in both the first and second quarters of 2020 despite impact of COVID-19 (adjusted profit before tax)

   --    Year on year profit growth in the first quarter of 2020 

o Benefitting from operational initiatives put in place last year

o More efficient cost base in place for first quarter

   --    Profitable in the second quarter of 2020 (adjusted profit before tax) 

o Net fee income in the second quarter 39% lower than 2019

o Swift and decisive action taken on costs - second quarter costs 30% lower than 2019 and 23% lower than the first quarter of 2020

o Diversification continues to prove beneficial during extreme global circumstances

-- Net debt significantly reduced to GBP8.9m (31 December 2019: GBP19.1m) and headroom increased to GBP18.1m (31 December 2019: GBP11.5m)

o Strong focus on cash management

o Significant working capital inflows reflecting reduction in activity levels

o Headroom increased due to cash flows and increased facility levels

   --    Operational investments and initiatives continue to position the Group for long-term growth 

o Investment in Bullhorn as the Group's preferred front office technology

o Operating model evolution accelerated in key brands to enable them to be more effective in temporary recruitment

1 Adjusted to exclude amortisation of intangible assets identified in business combinations, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, exceptional items (2020: GBP2.6m impairment charge on our aviation business), fair value charge on acquisition of non-controlling shares and, in the case of earnings, any related tax.

2 The constant currency movement is calculated by translating the 2019 results at the 2020 exchange rates.

Chief Executive Officer, Rhona Driggs, commented:

"I would like to thank our employees around the globe for their solidarity and perseverance during these challenging times. Our main focus over the past few months has been to protect our teams and ensure business continuity. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a material impact, the first half results demonstrate the resilience of our businesses and the fundamental strength of Empresaria. Our Stronger Together initiatives - aimed at improving collaboration, synergies and efficiency across the Group - are now embedded and have proved invaluable in effectively navigating the crisis in the period. We achieved year on year profit growth in the first quarter and despite a large impact on net fee income remained profitable in the second quarter.

Given the ongoing uncertainty and risks from COVID-19 we are cautious on the speed of recovery but remain confident in the Group's ability to fulfil its longer-term growth ambitions. A great deal of progress has been made in incorporating new ways of working since the outbreak. We are confident that by maintaining a steadfast focus on our strategic priorities of operational excellence and productivity while ensuring we continue to manage our costs, we will emerge in a strong position to take advantage as and when demand returns."

A video interview with management covering the first half performance is available here: https://bit.ly/EMR_H1_20

Investor presentation

In line with Empresaria's commitment to ensuring appropriate communication structures are in place for all sections of its shareholder base, management will deliver an online results presentation open to all existing and potential investors via the Investor Meet Company platform on Wednesday 12 August 2020 at 4pm UK time.

Questions can be submitted pre-event through the platform or at any time during the live presentation. Management may not be in a position to answer every question it receives but will address those it can while remaining within the confines of information already disclosed to the market.

Q&A responses will be published at the earliest opportunity on the Investor Meet Company platform.

Investors can sign up for free via: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/empresaria-group-plc/register-investor .

Those who have already registered and requested to meet the Company will be automatically invited.

- Ends -

Enquiries:

 
 Empresaria Group plc                      via Alma PR 
  Rhona Driggs, Chief Executive Officer 
  Tim Anderson, Chief Financial Officer 
 N+1 Singer (Nominated Adviser and 
  Broker) 
  Shaun Dobson / James Moat                020 7614 3000 
 Alma PR (Financial PR)                    020 3405 0205 
  Rebecca Sanders-Hewett                    empresaria@almapr.com 
  Sam Modlin 
  David Ison 
 

The investor presentation of these results will be made available during the course of today on Empresaria's website: empresaria.com

Notes for editors:

-- Empresaria Group plc is a global specialist staffing group offering temporary and contract recruitment, permanent recruitment and offshore recruitment services across 6 sectors: Professional, IT, Healthcare, Property, Construction & Engineering, Commercial and Offshore Recruitment Services.

-- Empresaria operates from locations across the world including the 4 largest staffing markets of the US, Japan, UK and Germany along with a strong presence elsewhere in Asia Pacific and Latin America.

-- Empresaria is listed on AIM under ticker EMR. For more information visit empresaria.com.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements which are made in good faith and are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. You can sometimes, but not always, identify these statements by the use of a date in the future or such words as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "plan", "should", "may", "assume" and other similar words. By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive and speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Empresaria undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Finance and operating review

With COVID-19 becoming the dominant factor in the global economy during the first half of 2020, the results of the Group are best analysed as two quarters - the first, which was substantially unimpacted by COVID-19, and the second which was fully impacted.

The Group had a strong start to 2020. While net fee income was down 5%, with the majority of this decrease coming in March when COVID-19 started to have an effect, the Group delivered year on year growth in profits in each month from January to March as the operational initiatives put in place last year started to bear fruit.

The second quarter results were dominated by the impact of COVID-19 and the Group's response to this. COVID-19 has had a very significant impact on the staffing industry as clients look to manage the impact on their own businesses through reductions in external staffing spend and hiring freezes. As a result, the Group's net fee income fell by 39% in the quarter compared to 2019. However, as a result of the swift and decisive cost actions taken across the Group, combined with our diversity both by sector and geography, the Group remained profitable in the quarter at an adjusted profit before tax level.

The overall results for the first half of 2020 reflect the above. Net fee income was GBP28.2m, 22% lower than 2019 while adjusted operating profit of GBP3.0m was 30% lower than 2019. Adjusted profit before tax was GBP2.4m (2019: GBP3.7m).

Operational success that stands the Group in good stead for the future

The Group's Stronger Together initiative, launched in May 2019, has proved invaluable in the current pandemic. With a more unified Group there has been greater collaboration and support between businesses, and this culture has helped the Group respond more quickly and more effectively than it might have been able to in the past.

Our move to a more performance based culture has improved focus on the bottom line and on the actions needed to drive this forwards, or, as has had to be case over the last few months, driven action to protect our profit from falls in net fee income. We are pleased with how this culture has been adopted and begun to be embedded within our businesses.

The current situation has also stress tested our ability to deliver services under adverse circumstances. The results of this were positive: we managed the move to remote working without any significant technology issues or any adverse impact to our delivery, including in our Offshore Recruitment Services sector where we moved hundreds of staff in India from office to home working over a very short space of time. This will stand us in good stead for the future and gives us flexibility in managing the return to offices.

Targeted cost actions while protecting key investments

The Group took swift and decisive action on costs as the likely impact of COVID-19 became clear. Costs in the second quarter of 2020 were 30% lower than the comparable period in 2019 and 23% lower than in the first quarter of 2020.

Our cost base was already lower as we started the year, reflecting the benefits of the operational initiatives and changes put in place in 2019. Further action on costs was taken in response to the impact of COVID-19 on demand from our clients. As a people business a large part of our cost base is employee related so difficult decisions had to be taken across the Group. Where available the Group has participated in schemes such as the UK's furlough scheme in order to protect as many jobs as possible and defer any potential redundancy exercises for as long as possible as we look for demand to return. If demand starts to return in the third quarter, we expect to see some increases in the cost base as employees return from furlough or as government support for jobs is removed. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure that our cost base reflects the ongoing demand.

Although significant cost cutting measures were put in place, we have protected key investments, such as in core technologies, as these are critical for the Group in maximising our ability to successfully recover and deliver on our strategic objectives. Cost cutting was targeted to ensure that not only did businesses protect their bottom line in the short term, but also retained the skills and expertise needed to drive the business forward as our markets recover.

While some additional one-off costs have been incurred as a result of cost cutting exercises undertaken in response to COVID-19, the Group has chosen not to disclose these as exceptional costs and they are included as a deduction within our adjusted profit measures. These costs are relatively limited in the first half but will likely increase during the second half of the year as government support schemes are removed and as we continue to execute on our strategic plan. We will keep the position under review and if these costs become significant we will highlight the impact of these on the Group's results.

Clear benefits from being a diversified Group

While nearly all our businesses have been impacted by COVID-19, the impact has varied by geography and sector and the diversity of the Group has continued to provide significant benefits.

Positive year on year performances were limited in the second quarter of 2020 but our logistics business in Germany saw a benefit from the spike in consumer demand as the country went into lockdown and delivered operating profit 30% ahead of the same period in 2019.

Our IT sector proved resilient in the first half delivering net fee income in line with 2020, with a particularly strong performance in the US.

Our Offshore Recruitment Services business was significantly impacted by COVID-19 as its clients looked to pass on the impact on their own businesses. However, net fee income in the first half of 2020 remained ahead of 2019, reflecting the significant growth of this business through 2019 and the start of 2020 before COVID-19 started to impact.

Elsewhere we saw more severe impact, particularly in our businesses supporting the aviation and new home sales industries, which saw very significant percentage falls in net fee income. Permanent placement net fee income has been impacted more than our temporary and contract business, with our Professional sector, which accounts for over half of our permanent placement net fee income, seeing particularly large drops.

Outlook

We remain cautious on the speed of recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the global economy, making it difficult to provide meaningful guidance at this time. Although we see signs of increases in economic activity in those markets where cases are falling and local restrictions are being eased, it is too early to assess the quality or pace of this and the impact that it will have on the staffing sector.

The diversity of the Group across geographies and sectors will continue to be beneficial as we move through the rest of 2020. Different markets and sectors will recover at different paces, and with the ongoing risk of second waves and localised responses across the globe, this diversity helps reduce the risk and impact of localised issues on the wider Group.

We started our Stronger Together initiative last year and along with actions taken during the pandemic we now have a more efficient and more unified organisation that is well placed to take advantage as and when demand returns.

We are executing a clear strategy to ensure Empresaria emerges a stronger, more focused, growth oriented business. While there remains much work to be done and we are wary of the risk of a second wave of COVID-19 in key markets, we are cautiously optimistic as we move into the second half of the year.

Sector Performance

Adjusted operating profit by sector

 
                                  6 months   6 months 
                                     ended      ended                % change     Year ended 
                                   30 June    30 June               (constant    31 December 
 GBP'm                                2020       2019   % change    currency)           2019 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ------------- 
 Professional                          0.5        1.7       -71%         -69%            3.5 
 IT                                    1.2        1.3        -8%          -8%            3.2 
 Healthcare                            0.1        0.2       -50%         -50%            0.5 
 Property, Construction 
  & Engineering                      (0.1)      (0.2)        n/a          n/a          (1.2) 
 Commercial                            1.5        1.9       -21%         -17%            5.4 
 Offshore Recruitment Services         1.4        1.3        +8%         +11%            3.2 
 Central costs                       (1.6)      (1.9)       +16%         +16%          (4.2) 
                                 ---------  ---------                          ------------- 
 Group                                 3.0        4.3                                   10.4 
                                 ---------  ---------                          ------------- 
 

Performance in each of the sectors is analysed below. The reduction in central costs reflects cost actions taken to offset the impact of COVID-19.

Professional

 
                              6 months   6 months 
                                 ended      ended                % change     Year ended 
                               30 June    30 June               (constant    31 December 
 GBP'm                            2020       2019   % change    currency)           2019 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ------------- 
 Revenue                          35.3       62.0       -43%         -41%          125.0 
 Net fee income                    8.8       13.7       -36%         -35%           27.3 
 Adjusted operating profit         0.5        1.7       -71%         -69%            3.5 
 % of Group net fee income         31%        38%                                    37% 
 

Our Professional sector saw a significant adverse impact from COVID-19 across all businesses. The 36% fall in net fee income was largely offset by cost reductions which meant that the sector continued to generate a profit despite the prevailing trading conditions. The sector is more than 60% permanent placement which has been significantly impacted. We also saw a particularly adverse impact where we supply the aviation sector which has experienced substantial and sustained reduction in demand. We do not expect to see a recovery in this business to pre-COVID-19 levels in the short term, but believe that this industry offers good growth potential for the Group in the medium and long term. We have taken action to restructure this business, to right size its cost base and ensure it is well placed to rebuild as the market comes back.

This remains our largest sector and while it has been hit hard by COVID-19, we believe this sector will be a significant profit driver for the Group as we move forward and continue our focus on growing our temporary and contract business.

IT

 
                              6 months   6 months 
                                 ended      ended                % change     Year ended 
                               30 June    30 June               (constant    31 December 
 GBP'm                            2020       2019   % change    currency)           2019 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ------------- 
 Revenue                          22.1       21.4        +3%          +3%           45.2 
 Net fee income                    6.7        6.8        -1%          -2%           14.4 
 Adjusted operating profit         1.2        1.3        -8%          -8%            3.2 
 % of Group net fee income         24%        19%                                    19% 
 

Our IT sector has proven resilient, delivering net fee income in line with the prior year with operating profit slightly down year on year. The results are supported by a particularly strong performance in the US where the niche roles and sectors we recruit into such as technology and banking have sustained demand through the first half of the year. In the UK we have had a more challenging first half and more significant actions have been taken on costs.

Healthcare

 
                              6 months   6 months 
                                 ended      ended                % change     Year ended 
                               30 June    30 June               (constant    31 December 
 GBP'm                            2020       2019   % change    currency)           2019 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ------------- 
 Revenue                           5.9        5.1       +16%         +18%           11.3 
 Net fee income                    1.2        1.4       -14%         -14%            2.8 
 Adjusted operating profit         0.1        0.2       -50%         -50%            0.5 
 % of Group net fee income          4%         4%                                     4% 
 

Our Healthcare sector has been adversely impacted by COVID-19 with patients unable or unwilling to engage with healthcare services unless absolutely necessary resulting in lower demand for temporary staff. This reduction in demand has translated into a drop in net fee income and a smaller drop in profits with the sector remaining profitable.

Property, Construction & Engineering

 
                              6 months   6 months 
                                 ended      ended                % change     Year ended 
                               30 June    30 June               (constant    31 December 
 GBP'm                            2020       2019   % change    currency)           2019 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ------------- 
 Revenue                           1.8       13.0       -86%         -86%           22.4 
 Net fee income                    0.4        2.3       -83%         -83%            3.8 
 Adjusted operating loss         (0.1)      (0.2)        n/a          n/a          (1.2) 
 % of Group net fee income          1%         6%                                     5% 
 

Our Property, Construction & Engineering sector, which is based in the UK, was impacted by the enforced lockdown restrictions, particularly in our business supplying sales staff to the new home sector. Prior year net fee income includes the UK engineering business, a substantial part of which was closed in late 2019. Although the sector generated a loss, the cost base is low and when demand returns this sector is expected to quickly return to profitability.

Commercial

 
                              6 months   6 months 
                                 ended      ended                % change     Year ended 
                               30 June    30 June               (constant    31 December 
 GBP'm                            2020       2019   % change    currency)           2019 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ------------- 
 Revenue                          65.5       68.4        -4%          -1%          142.4 
 Net fee income                    8.0        9.1       -12%         -10%           19.7 
 Adjusted operating profit         1.5        1.9       -21%         -17%            5.4 
 % of Group net fee income         28%        25%                                    26% 
 

Our Commercial sector has seen a 12% fall in net fee income and a 21% reduction in adjusted operating profit with performances varying across geographies.

In Germany, our logistics business had a positive impact from COVID-19, with increased demand from its clients including supermarkets and further benefiting from the accelerated ongoing trend towards online deliveries for products rather than going to shops. Elsewhere in Germany this was offset by our businesses with major clients in the automotive sector which continues to face challenges. While factories are now reopening, consumer demand remains low suppressing the need for temporary workers.

The impact of COVID-19 was felt later in Peru and Chile and it looks as if they have not yet seen the peak impact. Our business in Chile has received some protection from the impact with supermarkets forming a large part of their client base.

Our operation in Japan provides sales staff to retailers and was significantly impacted as lockdown closed shops in Tokyo. With stores reopening in June this business is expected to have a positive second half to the year.

Offshore Recruitment Services

 
                              6 months   6 months 
                                 ended      ended                % change     Year ended 
                               30 June    30 June               (constant    31 December 
 GBP'm                            2020       2019   % change    currency)           2019 
---------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ------------- 
 Revenue                           5.8        5.8          -          +2%           12.2 
 Net fee income                    3.4        3.2        +6%          +8%            7.0 
 Adjusted operating profit         1.4        1.3        +8%         +11%            3.2 
 % of Group net fee income         12%         9%                                     9% 
 

Our Offshore Recruitment Services sector experienced a significant drop in demand from its recruitment industry clients, particularly in the US, as they have passed on the impact COVID-19 has had on their own businesses. The UK client base, which primarily operate in the healthcare sector, has been more resilient but still saw significant falls in demand. Despite this, the sector delivered year on year growth in both net fee income and adjusted operating profit in the first half reflecting the strong growth seen in 2019 and the start of 2020. Our operation in India responded extremely well to local lockdowns, successfully moving hundreds of staff to home working in a very short period of time while continuing to meet clients demands. Although net fee income has been impacted in the short term, the sector has continued to generate profits and we see increased opportunities as clients seek to make efficiency improvements in their operating models.

Regional summary

 
                                                                           Adjusted operating 
                                         Revenue        Net fee income                 profit 
                             6 months   6 months   6 months   6 months    6 months   6 months 
                                ended      ended      ended      ended       ended      ended 
                              30 June    30 June    30 June    30 June     30 June    30 June 
 GBP'm                           2020       2019       2020       2019        2020       2019 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 UK                              24.9       40.2        7.2       11.8         0.5        0.9 
 Continental Europe              44.4       44.5        6.3        6.7         1.2        1.2 
 Asia Pacific                    39.0       62.0       10.6       13.5         2.1        3.3 
 Americas                        28.1       29.0        4.4        4.5         0.8        0.8 
 Central costs/intragroup       (0.3)      (0.2)      (0.3)      (0.2)       (1.6)      (1.9) 
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Total                          136.1      175.5       28.2       36.3         3.0        4.3 
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 

The UK saw the largest year on year fall in net fee income but strong cost controls reduced the impact on adjusted operating profit with the region remaining profitable. The biggest falls were in our Professional sector and 2019 includes our UK engineering business a substantial part of which was closed in late 2019.

In Continental Europe 2020 performance is in line with 2019 with the strong performance from our logistics business in Germany offsetting the challenges we have seen elsewhere in Germany and with our Healthcare business in Finland.

In Asia Pacific the majority of the year on year reduction in net fee income and adjusted operating profit was driven by our Professional sector, in particular our aviation business based in New Zealand.

In the Americas, the strength of the US IT business has offset the impact of COVID-19 in Latin America and the underperformance of our office in Mexico which was closed in the second quarter. As a result, both net fee income and adjusted operating profit are in line with the prior year.

Financing

Net finance costs remain low at GBP0.6m (2019: GBP0.6m) reflecting the current low levels of variable interest payable on the Group's debt. Interest includes GBP0.2m in respect of leases (2019: GBP0.2m).

Net cash inflow from operating activities was GBP15.4m (2019: GBPnil). Free cash flow, which excludes movements related to pilot bonds and adds in cash outflows on leases, was an inflow of GBP11.8m (2019: GBP1.1m). The increase reflects the Group's focus on cash flows along with significant working capital inflows as a result of lower activity levels in the second quarter. The Group also deferred certain tax payments under schemes available to the Group in the UK and other countries which at 30 June totalled GBP3.5m. These deferrals will start to be repaid during the second half of the year.

Capex was limited in the period with office expansion projects put on hold. As part of measures to preserve cash the Group cancelled its 2019 dividend that would normally have been due to be paid in May. As described in more detail below the Group acquired shares from non-controlling interests resulting in a cash outflow of GBP1.0m in the period.

Reflecting the above, adjusted net debt (which excludes GBP1.5m cash held in respect of pilot bonds and does not include Lease liabilities recognised under IFRS 16 leases) was GBP8.9m as at 30 June 2020, significantly lower than the GBP18.1m as at 30 June 2019 and GBP19.1m at 31 December 2019.

A breakdown of the Group's facilities as at 30 June 2020 is given below:

 
                                  30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                     2020      2019          2019 
                                     GBPm      GBPm          GBPm 
 UK facilities 
 - Overdrafts                        10.0       7.5           7.5 
 - Revolving credit facility         15.0      10.0          14.0 
 - Invoice financing facility        10.0      13.0          13.0 
                                 --------  --------  ------------ 
 Total UK facilities                 35.0      30.5          34.5 
 Continental Europe facilities       13.1      12.9          12.2 
 Asia Pacific facilities              2.7       2.4           2.4 
 Americas facilities                  6.6       4.6           6.0 
                                 --------  --------  ------------ 
                                     57.4      50.4          55.1 
                                 --------  --------  ------------ 
 Undrawn facilities (excluding 
  invoice financing)                 18.1      12.0          11.5 
                                 --------  --------  ------------ 
 
 

During the period the Group agreed an increase of GBP2.5m in its main UK overdraft facility in order to provide additional financial flexibility in an uncertain economic environment. Additionally, the Group activated the remaining GBP1m of its RCF facility in order to fund an increase in its ownership in ConSol Partners as described in more detail below.

The level of undrawn facilities has increased during the period reflecting the strong cash inflows and the increase in the core financing arrangements.

The Revolving Credit Facility covenants are tested on a quarterly basis. The Group has agreed a relaxation of its covenants in order to provide increased financial flexibility and headroom. As can be seen in the table below the Group continues to have significant headroom against both the original and revised covenants as at 30 June 2020:

 
                   Original 
 Measure            covenant      Revised covenant   Actual 
 Net debt:EBITDA   < 2.5 times    < 4.5 times        0.1 times 
 Interest cover    > 5.0 times    > 3.0 times        13.6 times 
 Debt service      > 1.25 times   > 1.25 times       18.7 times 
  cover 
 

The Group is in the early stages of refinancing its GBP15m RCF facility which expires in June 2021 and expects to complete this exercise before the end of 2020.

Management equity

During the period the Group increased its investment in ConSol Partners from 82.5% to 98.7% for total consideration of GBP1.6m, of which GBP0.9m was paid in the period, GBP0.1m is due to be paid before the end of 2020 and a further GBP0.6m payable in April 2021. An additional GBP0.1m is payable in 2022 contingent upon the 2021 financial performance of Consol.

This investment was done on substantially reduced terms compared to the original acquisition in 2016 reflecting both the founders' desire to sell their remaining shares now they are no longer directly involved in the business and all parties' appreciation of the situation. Other management shareholders who continue to work in the business were given the opportunity to sell their shares on substantially similar terms.

Based on the Group's results for the year ended 31 December 2019 and ignoring holding period requirements, the potential payment to acquire non-controlling interests in full would be in the range of GBP7.1m to GBP11.7m, with the lower end of the range based on Empresaria's current share price and the upper end assessed using the maximum multiple that could be applied. There is no legal obligation on the Group to acquire the shares held by management at any time.

Dividend

In line with prior years, the Board is not recommending the payment of an interim dividend for 2020 (2019: nil).

12 August 2020

 
 Condensed consolidated income statement 
 Six months ended 30 June 2020 
                                                                                Year 
                                                   6 months     6 months    ended 31 
                                                   ended 30     ended 30    December 
                                                  June 2020    June 2019        2019 
                                                  Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                         Notes         GBPm         GBPm        GBPm 
 
 Revenue                                   3          136.1        175.5       358.0 
 Cost of sales                                      (107.9)      (139.2)     (283.5) 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Net fee income                            3           28.2         36.3        74.5 
 Administrative costs                                (25.2)       (32.0)      (64.1) 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Adjusted operating profit                 3            3.0          4.3        10.4 
 
 Exceptional items                         5              -        (0.5)       (2.1) 
 Impairment of goodwill and other 
  intangible assets                      9,10         (2.6)            -       (2.5) 
 Fair value charge on acquisition 
  of non-controlling shares                           (0.1)            -           - 
 Amortisation of intangible assets 
  identified in business combinations                 (0.9)        (0.9)       (1.8) 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Operating (loss)/profit                              (0.6)          2.9         4.0 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Finance income                            4            0.1          0.1         0.2 
 Finance costs                             4          (0.7)        (0.7)       (1.3) 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net finance costs                         4          (0.6)        (0.6)       (1.1) 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 (Loss)/profit before tax                             (1.2)          2.3         2.9 
 
 Taxation                                  7          (0.2)        (1.0)       (2.4) 
 
 (Loss)/profit for the period                         (1.4)          1.3         0.5 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of Empresaria Group plc                       (1.4)          0.7       (0.8) 
 Non-controlling interests                                -          0.6         1.3 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
                                                      (1.4)          1.3         0.5 
                                                -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
                                                      Pence        Pence       Pence 
                                                  Unaudited    Unaudited 
 (Loss)/earnings per share 
 Basic                                     8          (2.8)          1.4       (1.6) 
 Diluted                                   8          (2.7)          1.4       (1.6) 
 
 Details of adjusted earnings per share are shown in note 8. 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
 Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
                                                   6 months    6 months        Year 
                                                      ended       ended    ended 31 
                                                    30 June     30 June    December 
                                                       2020        2019        2019 
                                                  Unaudited   Unaudited 
                                                       GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
 
 (Loss)/profit for the period                         (1.4)         1.3         0.5 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that may be reclassified subsequently 
  to the income statement: 
     Exchange differences on translation 
      of foreign operations                             2.1         0.3       (1.9) 
 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  to the income statement: 
     Exchange differences on translation 
      of non-controlling interests in foreign 
      operations                                          -           -       (0.3) 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Other comprehensive income/(loss) for 
  the period                                            2.1         0.3       (2.2) 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Total comprehensive income/(loss) for 
  the period                                            0.7         1.6       (1.7) 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of Empresaria Group plc                         0.7         1.0       (2.7) 
 Non-controlling interests                                -         0.6         1.0 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                                        0.7         1.6       (1.7) 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated balance sheet 
 As at 30 June 2020 
                                                    30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                       2020        2019          2019 
                                                  Unaudited   Unaudited 
                                          Notes        GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment                          2.1         2.5           2.3 
 Right-of-use assets                                    8.8        13.5          10.6 
 Goodwill                                   9          34.9        37.2          33.5 
 Other intangible assets                   10          12.3        16.8          15.5 
 Deferred tax assets                                    2.8         1.6           2.4 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                       60.9        71.6          64.3 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables               13          44.6        58.5          55.2 
 Cash and cash equivalents                 12          25.0        21.2          17.6 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                       69.6        79.7          72.8 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Total assets                                         130.5       151.3         137.1 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                  14          38.3        39.1          37.7 
 Current tax liabilities                                1.5         1.4           1.4 
 Borrowings                                11          31.9        28.9          25.2 
 Lease liabilities                                      5.7         6.1           6.0 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                       77.4        75.5          70.3 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                11           0.5         9.2          10.0 
 Lease liabilities                                      3.3         7.5           5.2 
 Deferred tax liabilities                               2.7         3.9           3.6 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                        6.5        20.6          18.8 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Total liabilities                                     83.9        96.1          89.1 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Net assets                                            46.6        55.2          48.0 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                                          2.4         2.4           2.4 
 Share premium account                                 22.4        22.4          22.4 
 Merger reserve                                         0.9         0.9           0.9 
 Retranslation reserve                                  6.1         6.2           4.0 
 Equity reserve                                      (10.2)       (7.7)         (9.8) 
 Other reserves                                       (0.7)       (0.6)         (0.6) 
 Retained earnings                                     20.0        22.9          21.4 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Equity attributable to owners of Empresaria 
  Group plc                                            40.9        46.5          40.7 
 Non-controlling interests                              5.7         8.7           7.3 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total equity                                          46.6        55.2          48.0 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated statement of changes in 
  equity 
 Six months ended 
 30 June 2020 
                                                       Equity attributable to owners of Empresaria Group 
                                                                                                     plc 
                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                Share 
                      Share   premium     Merger   Retranslation    Equity      Other   Retained           Non-controlling    Total 
                    capital   account    reserve         reserve   reserve   reserves   earnings   Total         interests   equity 
                       GBPm      GBPm       GBPm            GBPm      GBPm       GBPm       GBPm    GBPm              GBPm     GBPm 
 
 At 31 December 
  2018                  2.4      22.4        0.9             5.8     (7.7)      (0.7)       23.2    46.3               8.3     54.6 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 Profit for the 
  period                  -         -          -               -         -          -        0.7     0.7               0.6      1.3 
 Exchange 
  differences on 
  translation 
  of foreign 
  operations              -         -          -             0.4         -      (0.1)          -     0.3                 -      0.3 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for 
  the period              -         -          -             0.4         -      (0.1)        0.7     1.0               0.6      1.6 
 Dividend paid to 
  owners of 
  Empresaria 
  Group plc               -         -          -               -         -          -      (1.0)   (1.0)                 -    (1.0) 
 Dividend paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interests               -         -          -               -         -          -          -       -             (0.2)    (0.2) 
 Share-based 
  payments                -         -          -               -         -        0.2          -     0.2                 -      0.2 
 At 30 June 2019 
  (Unaudited)           2.4      22.4        0.9             6.2     (7.7)      (0.6)       22.9    46.5               8.7     55.2 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 At 31 December 
  2018                  2.4      22.4        0.9             5.8     (7.7)      (0.7)       23.2    46.3               8.3     54.6 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 (Loss)/profit 
  for the year            -         -          -               -         -          -      (0.8)   (0.8)               1.3      0.5 
 Exchange 
  differences on 
  translation 
  of foreign 
  operations              -         -          -           (1.8)         -      (0.1)          -   (1.9)             (0.3)    (2.2) 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for 
  the year                -         -          -           (1.8)         -      (0.1)      (0.8)   (2.7)               1.0    (1.7) 
 Dividend paid to 
  owners of 
  Empresaria 
  Group plc               -         -          -               -         -          -      (1.0)   (1.0)                 -    (1.0) 
 Dividend paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interests               -         -          -               -         -          -          -       -             (0.6)    (0.6) 
 Acquisition of 
  non-controlling 
  shares                  -         -          -               -     (2.1)          -          -   (2.1)             (1.4)    (3.5) 
 Share-based 
  payments                -         -          -               -         -        0.2          -     0.2                 -      0.2 
 At 31 December 
  2019                  2.4      22.4        0.9             4.0     (9.8)      (0.6)       21.4    40.7               7.3     48.0 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 Loss for the 
  period                  -         -          -               -         -          -      (1.4)   (1.4)                 -    (1.4) 
 Exchange 
  differences on 
  translation 
  of foreign 
  operations              -         -          -             2.1         -          -          -     2.1                 -      2.1 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for 
  the period              -         -          -             2.1         -          -      (1.4)     0.7                 -      0.7 
 Dividend paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interests               -         -          -               -         -          -          -       -             (0.3)    (0.3) 
 Acquisition of 
  non-controlling 
  shares                  -         -          -               -     (0.4)          -          -   (0.4)             (1.3)    (1.7) 
 Share-based 
  payments                -         -          -               -         -      (0.1)          -   (0.1)                 -    (0.1) 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 At 30 June 2020 
  (Unaudited)           2.4      22.4        0.9             6.1    (10.2)      (0.7)       20.0    40.9               5.7     46.6 
-----------------  --------  --------  ---------  --------------  --------  ---------  ---------  ------  ----------------  ------- 
 
 
 Condensed consolidated cash 
 flow statement 
 Six months ended 30 June 
 2020 
                               6 months ended 30 June 2020   6 months ended 30 June 2019   Year ended 31 December 2019 
                                                 Unaudited                     Unaudited 
                                                      GBPm                          GBPm                          GBPm 
 
 (Loss)/profit for the 
  period                                             (1.4)                           1.3                           0.5 
 Adjustments for: 
  Depreciation and software 
   amortisation                                        0.5                           0.6                           1.2 
  Depreciation of 
   right-of-use assets                                 3.5                           3.1                           6.4 
  Impairment of goodwill and 
   other intangible assets                             2.6                             -                           2.5 
           Amortisation of 
            intangible 
            assets 
            identified in 
            business 
            combinations                               0.9                           0.9                           1.8 
  Share-based payments                                   -                           0.2                           0.2 
  Net finance costs                                    0.6                           0.6                           1.1 
  Taxation charge                                      0.2                           1.0                           2.4 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
                                                       6.9                           7.7                          16.1 
  Decrease/(increase) in 
   trade and other 
   receivables                                        11.9                         (0.8)                           0.3 
  Decrease in trade and 
   other payables (including 
   pilot bonds outflow of 
   nil (30 June 2019: 
   GBP4.1m, 31 December 
   2019: GBP3.8m))                                   (1.5)                         (3.1)                         (2.0) 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Cash generated from 
  operations                                          17.3                           3.8                          14.4 
 Interest paid                                       (0.6)                         (0.6)                         (1.3) 
 Income taxes paid                                   (1.3)                         (3.2)                         (5.6) 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Net cash inflow from 
  operating activities                                15.4                             -                           7.5 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing 
 activities 
 Consideration paid for 
  business acquisitions (net 
  of cash acquired)                                  (0.1)                         (0.2)                         (0.2) 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment, and 
  software                                           (0.4)                         (1.0)                         (1.5) 
 Finance income                                        0.1                           0.1                           0.2 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Net cash outflow from 
  investing activities                               (0.4)                         (1.1)                         (1.5) 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing 
 activities 
 Increase/(decrease) in 
  overdrafts                                           1.0                         (2.3)                         (3.6) 
 Proceeds from bank loans                              1.0                           4.0                           5.0 
 Repayment of bank loans                             (2.0)                         (0.2)                         (0.2) 
 Decrease in invoice 
  financing                                          (3.4)                         (0.6)                         (2.7) 
 Payment of obligations 
  under leases                                       (3.6)                         (3.0)                         (6.5) 
 Purchase of shares in 
  existing subsidiaries                              (1.0)                             -                         (3.5) 
 Dividends paid to owners of 
  Empresaria Group plc                                   -                         (1.0)                         (1.0) 
 Dividends paid to 
  non-controlling interests                          (0.3)                         (0.2)                         (0.6) 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Net cash outflow from 
  financing activities                               (8.3)                         (3.3)                        (13.1) 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 Net increase/(decrease) in 
  cash and cash equivalents                            6.7                         (4.4)                         (7.1) 
 Foreign exchange movements                            0.7                           0.2                         (0.7) 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at beginning of the period                          17.6                          25.4                          25.4 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of the period                                25.0                          21.2                          17.6 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 Bank overdrafts at 
  beginning of the period                           (17.9)                        (22.0)                        (22.0) 
 (Increase)/decrease in the 
  period                                             (1.0)                           2.3                           3.6 
 Foreign exchange movements                          (0.7)                             -                           0.5 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Bank overdrafts at end of 
  the period                                        (19.6)                        (19.7)                        (17.9) 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Cash, cash equivalents and 
  bank overdrafts at period 
  end                                                  5.4                           1.5                         (0.3) 
                              ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 
     Notes to the interim financial statements 
     Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
 1   Basis of preparation and general information 
 
 
 
     Empresaria Group plc is the Group's ultimate parent company. It is incorporated and domiciled 
      in England and its registered office address is Old Church House, Sandy Lane, Crawley Down, 
      Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4HS, United Kingdom, its company registration number is 03743194 
      and its shares are listed on AIM, a market of London Stock Exchange plc. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared using accounting policies consistent 
      with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 
      The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the 
      condensed set of financial statements as applied in the Group's latest annual audited financial. 
      The Group does not anticipate any change in these accounting policies for the year ended 31 
      December 2020. While the financial information included in these interim financial statements 
      have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs applicable to interim periods, these interim financial 
      statements do not contain sufficient information to constitute an interim financial report 
      as that term is defined in IAS 34. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     The information for the year ended 31 December 2019 has been derived from audited statutory 
      accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019. The information for the year ended 31 December 
      2019 included herein does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the 
      Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the 
      Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts: their report was unqualified, 
      did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under 
      section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The interim financial information for 2020 
      and 2019 has been neither audited nor reviewed. 
 
     Going concern 
 
     The Group's activities are funded by a combination of long-term equity capital and bank facilities, 
      primarily a revolving credit facility, invoice financing and overdrafts. 
 
     The Board has reviewed projections for the Group's profit and cash flow including the application 
      of sensitivities and scenarios to reflect the current uncertain global economic environment. 
      These projections demonstrate that the Group expects to meet its obligations as they fall 
      due through the use of existing facilities and to continue to meet its covenant requirements. 
      As at 30 June 2020 the Group had undrawn facilities (excluding invoice discounting) of GBP18.1m. 
      The majority of the Group's overdraft facilities fall due for renewal at the end of January 
      each year and the revolving credit facility has a term until June 2021. The Group is in the 
      early stages of refinancing the revolving credit facility and expects to do so before the 
      end of 2020 . Based on informal discussions the Board has had with its lenders, we have no 
      reason to believe that these or equivalent facilities will not continue to be available to 
      the Group for the foreseeable future. 
 
     As a result the Directors consider it appropriate to continue to prepare the financial statements 
      on a going concern basis. 
 
 2   Accounting estimates and judgements 
 
     The preparation of interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates 
      and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amount 
      of income, expense, assets and liabilities. The significant estimates and judgements made 
      by management were consistent with those applied to the consolidated financial statements 
      for the year ended 31 December 2019. 
 
 
 
 
      Notes to the interim financial statements 
      Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
 3    Segment analysis 
 
 
 
      Information reported to the Group's Executive Committee, considered to be 
      the chief operating 
      decision maker of the Group for the purpose of resource allocation and 
      assessment of segment 
      performance is based on the Group's six operating sectors. Changes to 
      these sectors were made 
      in the second half of 2019 and the comparative information for the 6 
      months ended 30 June 
      2019 has been re-presented to reflect these changes. 
 
 
      The Group has one principal activity, the provision of staffing and 
      recruitment services delivered 
      across a number of service lines being permanent placement, temporary and 
      contract placement, 
      and offshore recruitment services. 
 
      The analysis of the Group's business by sector is set out below: 
 
      Six months to 30 June                                                           Adjusted operating 
      2020                                      Revenue           Net fee income           profit/(loss) 
                                                   GBPm                     GBPm                    GBPm 
  Professional                                     35.3                      8.8                     0.5 
  IT                                               22.1                      6.7                     1.2 
  Healthcare                                        5.9                      1.2                     0.1 
  Property, Construction & 
   Engineering                                      1.8                      0.4                   (0.1) 
  Commercial                                       65.5                      8.0                     1.5 
  Offshore Recruitment Services                     5.8                      3.4                     1.4 
  Central costs                                       -                        -                   (1.6) 
  Intragroup eliminations                         (0.3)                    (0.3)                       - 
                                       ----------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
                                                  136.1                     28.2                     3.0 
                                       ----------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
      Six months to 30 June                                                           Adjusted operating 
      2019                                      Revenue           Net fee income           profit/(loss) 
                                                   GBPm                     GBPm                    GBPm 
  Professional                                     62.0                     13.7                     1.7 
  IT                                               21.4                      6.8                     1.3 
  Healthcare                                        5.1                      1.4                     0.2 
  Property, Construction & 
   Engineering                                     13.0                      2.3                   (0.2) 
  Commercial                                       68.4                      9.1                     1.9 
  Offshore Recruitment Services                     5.8                      3.2                     1.3 
  Central costs                                       -                        -                   (1.9) 
  Intragroup eliminations                         (0.2)                    (0.2)                       - 
                                           ------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
                                                  175.5                     36.3                     4.3 
                                           ------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
 
 
 
      Notes to the interim 
      financial statements 
      Six months ended 30 June 
      2020 
 
      Segment analysis 
 3    (continued) 
 
      Year ended 31 December                                                                      Adjusted operating 
      2019                                           Revenue              Net fee income               profit/(loss) 
                                                        GBPm                        GBPm                        GBPm 
  Professional                                         125.0                        27.3                         3.5 
  IT                                                    45.2                        14.4                         3.2 
  Healthcare                                            11.3                         2.8                         0.5 
  Property, Construction & 
   Engineering                                          22.4                         3.8                       (1.2) 
  Commercial                                           142.4                        19.7                         5.4 
  Offshore Recruitment 
   Services                                             12.2                         7.0                         3.2 
  Central costs                                            -                           -                       (4.2) 
  Intragroup eliminations                              (0.5)                       (0.5)                           - 
                                  --------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
  Total                                                358.0                        74.5                        10.4 
                                  --------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
 4    Finance income and costs 
 
                                      6 months ended 30 June      6 months ended 30 June      Year ended 31 December 
                                                        2020                        2019                        2019 
                                                   Unaudited                   Unaudited 
                                                        GBPm                        GBPm                        GBPm 
 
      Finance income 
  Bank interest receivable                               0.1                         0.1                         0.2 
                                  --------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
                                                         0.1                         0.1                         0.2 
                                  --------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
      Finance costs 
  Invoice financing                                    (0.1)                       (0.1)                       (0.2) 
  Bank loans and overdrafts                            (0.3)                       (0.3)                       (0.6) 
  Interest on lease 
   obligations                                         (0.2)                       (0.2)                       (0.4) 
  Interest on tax 
   liabilities                                         (0.1)                       (0.1)                       (0.1) 
                                                       (0.7)                       (0.7)                       (1.3) 
                                  --------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
  Net finance costs                                    (0.6)                       (0.6)                       (1.1) 
                                  --------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------------- 
 
 
 
      Notes to the interim 
      financial statements 
      Six months ended 30 
      June 2020 
 
 5    Exceptional items 
 
                                      6 months ended 30 June   6 months ended 30 June   Year ended 31 December 
                                                        2020                     2019                     2019 
                                                   Unaudited                Unaudited 
                                                        GBPm                     GBPm                     GBPm 
 
  Restructuring of UK 
   engineering business                                    -                        -                      1.1 
  Restructuring of marketing 
   and digital business                                (0.1)                        -                      0.5 
  Change of Chief Executive 
   Officer                                             (0.1)                      0.5                      0.5 
      Closure of Mexico 
      operation                                          0.2                        -                        - 
                                                           -                      0.5                      2.1 
                                     -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
 
 6    Reconciliation of (loss)/profit before tax to adjusted profit before tax 
 
                                      6 months ended 30 June   6 months ended 30 June   Year ended 31 December 
                                                        2020                     2019                     2019 
                                                   Unaudited                Unaudited 
                                                        GBPm                     GBPm                     GBPm 
 
  (Loss)/profit before tax                             (1.2)                      2.3                      2.9 
  Exceptional items                                        -                      0.5                      2.1 
  Impairment of goodwill 
   and other intangible 
   assets                                                2.6                        -                      2.5 
      Fair value charge on 
      acquisition of 
      non-controlling shares                             0.1                        -                        - 
  Amortisation of 
   intangible assets 
   identified in business 
   combinations                                          0.9                      0.9                      1.8 
  Adjusted profit before 
   tax                                                   2.4                      3.7                      9.3 
                                     -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
 
 7    Taxation 
 
 
  The tax charge for the six month period is GBP0.2m (6 months ended 30 June 2019: GBP1.0m, 
   year ended 31 December 2019: GBP2.4m). On an adjusted basis (excluding adjusting items as 
   set out in note 6 and their tax effect), the effective tax rate is 42% (6 months ended 30 
   June 2019: 36%). The tax charge for the period is assessed using the best estimate of the 
   effective tax rates expected to be applicable for the full year, applied to the pre-tax income 
   of the six month period. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Notes to the interim financial statements 
      Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
 8    Earnings per share 
 
 
      Basic earnings per share is assessed by dividing the earnings 
       attributable to the owners of Empresaria Group plc by the weighted 
       average number of shares in issue during the year. Diluted earnings 
       per share is calculated as for basic earnings per share but adjusting 
       the weighted average number of shares for the diluting impact 
       of shares that could potentially be issued. For 2020 and 2019 
       these are all related to share options. Reconciliations between 
       basic and diluted measures are given below. 
 
       The Group also presents adjusted earnings per share which it considers 
       to be a key measure of the Group's performance. A reconciliation 
       of earnings to adjusted earnings is provided below. 
 
 
                                                                         6 months     6 months     Year ended 
                                                                         ended 30     ended 30    31 December 
                                                                        June 2020    June 2019           2019 
                                                                        Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                                                             GBPm         GBPm           GBPm 
      Earnings 
  Earnings attributable to owners of 
   Empresaria Group plc                                                     (1.4)          0.7          (0.8) 
 
      Adjustments: 
   Exceptional items                                                            -          0.5            2.1 
   Impairment of goodwill and other intangible 
    assets                                                                    2.6            -            2.5 
       Fair value charge on acquisition of 
        non-controlling shares                                                0.1            -              - 
   Amortisation of intangible assets identified 
    in business combinations                                                  0.9          0.9            1.8 
   Tax on the above                                                         (0.8)        (0.3)          (1.0) 
   Non-controlling interests in respect 
    of the above                                                            (0.4)        (0.1)          (0.2) 
  Earnings for the purpose of adjusted 
   earnings per share                                                         1.0          1.7            4.4 
                                                                    -------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
      Number of shares                                                   Millions     Millions       Millions 
  Weighted average number of shares - 
   basic                                                                     50.4         50.4           50.4 
  Dilution effect of share options                                            0.9          0.7            1.0 
                                                                    -------------  -----------  ------------- 
  Weighted average number of shares - 
   diluted                                                                   51.3         51.1           51.4 
                                                                    -------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
      Earnings per share                                                    Pence        Pence          Pence 
  Basic                                                                     (2.8)          1.4          (1.6) 
      Dilution effect of share options                                        0.1            -              - 
                                                                    -------------  -----------  ------------- 
  Diluted                                                                   (2.7)          1.4          (1.6) 
                                                                    -------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
      Adjusted earnings per share                                           Pence        Pence          Pence 
  Basic                                                                       2.0          3.4            8.6 
  Dilution effect of share options                                          (0.1)        (0.1)          (0.1) 
                                                                    -------------  -----------  ------------- 
  Diluted                                                                     1.9          3.3            8.5 
                                                                    -------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
  The weighted average number of shares (basic) has been calculated 
   as the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year 
   plus the number of share options already vested less the weighted 
   average number of shares held by the Empresaria Employee Benefit 
   Trust. The Trustees have waived their rights to dividends on the 
   shares held by the Empresaria Employee Benefit Trust. 
 
 
 
 
       Notes to the interim financial statements 
       Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
  9    Goodwill 
                                                                             30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                                                2020        2019          2019 
                                                                           Unaudited   Unaudited 
                                                                                GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
 
  At 1 January                                                                  33.5        37.1          37.1 
       Business combinations                                                     0.1           -             - 
  Impairment charge                                                                -           -         (2.5) 
  Foreign exchange movements                                                     1.3         0.1         (1.1) 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                                                34.9        37.2          33.5 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
       In line with IFRS the Group reviewed its assets for indications 
        of impairment as at 30 June 2020. The current global economic environment 
        has had a significant impact on the Group reducing revenues and 
        profits in the short term to varying degrees in many businesses 
        across the Group. Where businesses have been adversely impacted 
        and this is significant enough to be considered an indication of 
        impairment a goodwill impairment review has been carried out. As 
        a result of these impairment reviews no impairment of goodwill 
        has been required at this time. 
 
 10    Other intangible assets 
 
                                                                             30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                                                2020        2019          2019 
                                                                           Unaudited   Unaudited 
                                                                                GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
       Cost 
  At 1 January                                                                  24.3        24.9          24.9 
  Additions                                                                        -           -           0.1 
       Impairment charge                                                       (2.6)           -             - 
  Foreign exchange movements                                                     0.6           -         (0.7) 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                                                22.3        24.9          24.3 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
       Accumulated amortisation 
  At 1 January                                                                   8.8         7.2           7.2 
  Charge for the year                                                            0.9         0.9           1.9 
  Foreign exchange movements                                                     0.3           -         (0.3) 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                                                10.0         8.1           8.8 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
  Net book value                                                                12.3        16.8          15.5 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 
  In line with IFRS the Group reviewed its assets for indications 
   of impairment as at 30 June 2020. The current global economic environment 
   has had a significant impact on the Group reducing revenues and 
   profits in the short term to varying degrees in many businesses 
   across the Group. Where businesses have been adversely impacted 
   and this is significant enough to be considered an indication of 
   impairment of other intangible assets an impairment review has 
   been carried out. 
   As a result of these impairment reviews, an impairment charge of 
   GBP2.6m has been booked in respect of our aviation business. The 
   aviation sector has been hit hard by COVID-19 and we do not expect 
   a short-term recovery to pre-COVID revenues. The decline in net 
   fee income, particularly with those customers present on acquisition 
   and included in the customer relationship intangible asset, is 
   the prime driver of this impairment. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       Notes to the interim financial statements 
       Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
 11    Borrowings 
                                                                             30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                                                2020        2019          2019 
                                                                           Unaudited   Unaudited 
                                                                                GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
       Current 
  Bank overdrafts                                                               19.6        19.7          17.9 
  Invoice financing                                                              3.4         9.1           6.9 
  Bank loans                                                                     8.9         0.1           0.4 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                                                31.9        28.9          25.2 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
       Non-current 
  Bank loans                                                                     0.5         9.2          10.0 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                                                 0.5         9.2          10.0 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
  Borrowings                                                                    32.4        38.1          35.2 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 
  The following key bank facilities are in place at 30 June 2020: 
   A revolving credit facility of GBP15.0 million, expiring in June 
   2021. As at 30 June 2020 the amount outstanding is GBP8.0 million 
   (30 June 2019: GBP9.0 million). Interest is payable at 1.5% plus 
   LIBOR or EURIBOR. In 2020, the remaining GBP1.0m of the GBP5.0m 
   extension to the revolving credit facility was activated, increasing 
   the revolving facility to GBP15.0m. The Group is in the early stages 
   of refinancing this facility and expects to do so before the end 
   of 2020. 
   Overdraft facilities are in place in the UK with a limit of GBP10.0m 
   which was increased from GBP7.5m during 2020. The balance on this 
   facility as at 30 June 2020 was GBP6.4m (30 June 2019: GBP5.1m). 
   The interest rate was fixed at 1% above applicable currency base 
   rates. A $2.0m overdraft facility to provide working capital funding 
   in the US had a balance as at 30 June 2020 of $1.5m (30 June 2019: 
   $1.0m). Interest on this USD facility is payable at 2% over LIBOR. 
   A EUR13m overdraft facility is also in place in Germany. The balance 
   at 30 June 2020 was EUR9.2m (30 June 2019: EUR8.5m) and interest 
   is payable at EURIBOR plus 2.3%. A NZ$2.0m overdraft facility is 
   in place in New Zealand. The overdraft has not been utilised and 
   attracts interest at 2% over the base lending rate. 
   The UK facilities are secured by a first fixed charge over all 
   book and other debts given by the Company and certain of its UK, 
   German and New Zealand subsidiaries. 
   There is an invoice financing facility in the UK of GBP10.0m (30 
   June 2019: GBP13.0m). The facility was reduced during 2020 following 
   the closure of a substantial part of the Group's UK engineering 
   business towards the end of 2019. As at 30 June 2020 the amount 
   outstanding was GBP3.4m (30 June 2019: GBP8.8m). Interest is payable 
   at 1.47% over UK base rate. There are also invoice financing facilities 
   in Chile of GBP3.8m (30 June 2019: GBP2.6m). As at 30 June 2020 
   the amount outstanding was GBPnil (30 June 2019: GBP0.4m). Interest 
   is payable at approximately 5%. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       Notes to the interim financial statements 
       Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
 12    Adjusted net debt 
                                                     30 June      30 June    31 December 
       a) Adjusted net debt                             2020         2019           2019 
                                                   Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                                        GBPm         GBPm           GBPm 
 
  Cash and cash equivalents                             25.0         21.2           17.6 
  Less cash held in respect of pilot 
   bonds                                               (1.5)        (1.2)          (1.5) 
                                                 -----------  -----------  ------------- 
  Adjusted cash                                         23.5         20.0           16.1 
 
  Borrowings                                          (32.4)       (38.1)         (35.2) 
 
  Adjusted net debt                                    (8.9)       (18.1)         (19.1) 
                                                 -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 
       The Group presents adjusted net debt as its principle debt measure. 
        Adjusted net debt excludes cash held in respect of pilot bonds 
        within our aviation business. Where required by the client, pilot 
        bonds are taken at the start of the pilot's contract and are repayable 
        to the pilot or the client during the course of the contract or 
        if it ends early. There is no legal restriction over this cash, 
        but given the requirement to repay it over a three year period, 
        and that to hold these is a client requirement, cash equal to 
        the amount of the bonds is excluded in calculating adjusted net 
        debt. 
 
                                                    6 months     6 months     Year ended 
                                                    ended 30     ended 30    31 December 
       b) Movement in adjusted net debt            June 2020    June 2019           2019 
                                                   Unaudited    Unaudited 
                                                        GBPm         GBPm           GBPm 
 
  At 1 January                                        (19.1)       (17.1)         (17.1) 
  Net increase/(decrease) in cash 
   and cash equivalents per consolidated 
   cash flow statement                                   6.7        (4.4)          (7.1) 
  Net increase in overdrafts and 
   loans                                                   -        (1.5)          (1.2) 
  Decrease in invoice financing                          3.4          0.6            2.7 
  Foreign exchange movements                             0.1          0.2          (0.2) 
  Adjusted for decrease in cash held 
   in respect of pilot bonds                               -          4.1            3.8 
                                                       (8.9)       (18.1)         (19.1) 
                                                 -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 
 
       Notes to the interim financial 
        statements 
       Six months ended 30 June 2020 
 
 13    Trade and other receivables 
                                                                             30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                                                2020        2019          2019 
                                                                           Unaudited   Unaudited 
                                                                                GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
 
  Gross trade receivables                                                       35.3        48.7          46.3 
  Less provision for impairment of 
   trade receivables                                                           (0.9)       (0.6)         (0.7) 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
  Trade receivables                                                             34.4        48.1          45.6 
  Prepayments                                                                    2.0         2.4           1.7 
  Accrued income                                                                 4.4         3.5           4.6 
  Corporation tax receivable                                                     0.9         1.3           1.0 
  Other receivables                                                              2.9         3.2           2.3 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                                                44.6        58.5          55.2 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 14    Trade and other payables 
                                                                             30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                                                                2020        2019          2019 
                                                                           Unaudited   Unaudited 
                                                                                GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
       Current 
  Trade payables                                                                 1.9         2.2           2.1 
  Other tax and social security                                                 11.0         7.6           7.4 
  Pilot bonds                                                                    1.5         1.2           1.5 
  Client deposits                                                                0.6         0.9           0.6 
  Other payables                                                                 1.2         1.4           1.6 
  Accruals                                                                      21.4        25.8          24.5 
       Deferred consideration                                                    0.7           -             - 
                                                                                38.3        39.1          37.7 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
  Pilot bonds represent unrestricted funds held by our aviation 
   business at the request of clients that are repayable to the pilot 
   over the course of a contract, typically between three and five 
   years. If the pilot terminates their contract early, the outstanding 
   bond is payable to the client. For this reason the bonds are shown 
   as a current liability. 
 
 

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