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FEN Frenkel Topping Group Plc

53.50
0.00 (0.00%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Frenkel Topping Group Plc LSE:FEN London Ordinary Share GB00B01YXQ71 ORD 0.5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 53.50 53.00 54.00 53.50 53.50 53.50 13,344 08:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Legal Services 24.85M 1.65M 0.0129 41.47 68.49M

Frenkel Topping Group PLC Final Results (3311X)

04/05/2021 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Frenkel Topping (LSE:FEN)
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TIDMFEN

RNS Number : 3311X

Frenkel Topping Group PLC

04 May 2021

Frenkel Topping Group plc

("Frenkel Topping", "the Company" or the "Group")

Results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020

Strong revenue and profit growth through the successful execution of our strategy

Frenkel Topping Group (AIM: FEN), a specialist professional and financial services firm focused on asset protection for clients, is pleased to announce its final results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020. The announcement demonstrates a strong performance in the second half of 2020 and the Board is pleased to report a solid set of results which are in line with management's expectations. In addition, the start to the new financial year has started positively giving cause for optimism for the year to 31 December 2021.

Financial Highlights

 
                               FY 2020           FY 2019       % change 
         Revenue              GBP10.2m           GBP8.6m         +19% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
    Recurring revenue          GBP7.3m           GBP6.7m         +9% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
      Gross profit             GBP5.5m           GBP5.0m         +10% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
     Adjusted EBITDA           GBP2.5m           GBP2.0m         +25% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
 Underlying profit from 
        operations             GBP2.2m           GBP1.8m         +22% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
     Pre-tax profit            GBP1.5m           GBP1.2m         +25% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
        Basic EPS               1.30p             1.25p          +4% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
        Net cash               GBP12m            GBP1.3m        +823% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
  Total dividends (paid 
      and proposed)        1.36p per share   1.35p per share     +1% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
      Total assets            GBP28.5m          GBP13.7m        +108% 
                          ----------------  ----------------  --------- 
 

Business Highlights

   --    Twelfth consecutive year of high client retention (99%) for investment management services 
   --      Assets under management ("AUM") up 13% to GBP1,012m (as at 31 December 2019: GBP898m) 

-- Ascencia - Assets on a discretionary mandate up 32% to GBP527m (as at 31 December 2019: GBP399m)

   --      Acquisition of Forth Associates Limited 
   --      Oversubscribed capital raise of GBP13m (gross) 
   --      Strong balance sheet maintained with net cash of GBP12m (2019: GBP1.3m) 

A Strong Start to the New Financial Year

-- Acquisition of Partners in Costs Limited & A&M Bacon Limited - performance and integration going to plan

-- First three months of trading has been robust - substantial AUM mandates won, outperforming internal targets for the first quarter of the new financial year

   --      Strong momentum in new expert witness instructions with high levels of new business wins 
   --      Appointment of Rt. Hon Mark Field and Zoe Holland as Non-Executive Directors 
   --      Current trading is in line with management expectations 

Richard Fraser, CEO of Frenkel Topping, said:

" Our strong performance provides a clear example of the positive outcomes achieved when commercial astuteness is anchored by a strong moral obligation to do the right thing by customers, employees and the wider society. Despite the uncertain geo-political and macroeconomic backdrop, we have achieved an increase of 25% in Adjusted EBITDA, 25% in pre-tax profit. 13% in AUM and 32% in assets on a discretionary mandate. Our client retention rate remained high at an impressive 99% which reflects our clients' trust and confidence in us to manage their money conservatively and generate returns. Further we were extremely pleased with the outcome of our capital raise of GBP13m (gross) to fund our M&A strategy to help build the future profitability of the Group and consolidate the PI and Clinical Negligence marketplace.

"The year has begun robustly giving cause for optimism for the remainder of the year. Within our IFA and Investment Management pillars, we have won significant AUM mandates. Our conservative approach to investments and customer centric ethos has demonstrated our resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Professional Services pillar, incorporating our recent acquisitions, has also had a bright start to the year. This is particularly pleasing as this is a key pipeline for future AUM growth.

The management team remain focused on delivering stakeholder value and the Group is trading in line with management's expectations."

For further information:

 
 Frenkel Topping Group plc            www.frenkeltopping.co.uk 
 Richard Fraser, Chief Executive      Tel: 0161 886 8000 
  Officer 
 
 finnCap Ltd                          Tel: 020 7220 0500 
 Carl Holmes/Giles Rolls (Corporate 
  Finance) 
  Tim Redfern / Richard Chambers 
  (ECM) 
 
 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

   About Frenkel Topping Group:   www.frenkeltopping.co.uk 

The financial services firm consists of Frenkel Topping Limited, Ascencia Investment Management, Obiter Wealth Management, Forth Associates, Equatas Accountants, Partners in Costs and A&M Bacon.

The group of companies specialises in providing financial advice and asset protection services to clients at times of financial vulnerability, with particular expertise in the field of personal injury and clinical negligence. With more than 30 years' experience in the industry, Frenkel Topping has earned a reputation for commercial astuteness underpinned by a strong moral obligation to its clients, employees and wider society, with a continued focus on its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impact.

Through its core business, Frenkel Topping Limited, the firm supports litigators pre-settlement in achieving maximum damages, by providing expert witness services, and post-settlement to achieve the best long-term financial outcomes for clients after injury. It boasts a client retention rate of 99%.

The Group's discretionary fund manager, Ascencia, provides financial portfolios for clients in unique circumstances. In recent years Ascencia has diversified its portfolios to include a Sharia-law-compliant portfolio and a number of ESG portfolios in response to increased interest in socially responsible investing (SRI).

Obiter provides a generalist wealth management service - including advice on Savings and Investments; Tax planning; Life Insurance; Critical Illness and Income protection; Endowment advice and Keyman Insurance, with a particular specialism in financial advice on pensions and pension sharing orders for the clients of divorce and family lawyers. Obiter applies the same core principles of honesty, transparency, responsibility and reliability to individuals, regardless of background or situation.

In 2019, Frenkel Topping launched its accountancy arm, Equatas, to assist clients with tax planning and move closer to providing a full end-to-end service under the Group brand, improving the experience for clients and maintaining the Group's standards throughout the client journey.

In 2020 Frenkel Topping acquired Forth Associates, a specialist forensic accounting services business which assists in financial and legal disputes. The acquisition makes Frenkel Topping the largest independent provider of financial expert witness reports to the claimant marketplace.

In 2021 Frenkel Topping acquired A & M Bacon Limited a leading costs specialist in local government and Court of Protection, and Partners in Costs Limited who specialise in civil litigation claims, including personal injury (ranging from catastrophic injury to clinical negligence), professional negligence, commercial claims and court of protection costs.

For more information visit: www.frenkeltopping.co.uk .

Chairman's Statement

Overview

On behalf of Frenkel Topping Group's Board of Directors, I am pleased to report on another positive year for the Group in which we continued to deliver strong results for our shareholders that are in line with the Board's expectations.

The last year has seen a clear commitment to the implementation of the Group's strategy with a number of key appointments, targeted M&A and continued investment in key areas to drive future growth. These important, successful developments are outlined in the Chief Executive Officer's Statement and the Strategic Report and are in addition to the firm's longstanding client retention rate which has been maintained at 99%, a twelfth consecutive year of excellent performance.

People

During the year, a number of changes were made at Board level including Paul Richardson stepping down from his role as Non-Executive Chairman and handing the reigns to myself. Paul leaves with our very best wishes.

In March 2020, Elaine Cullen-Grant joined the Board as Chief Financial Officer, having previously served as Group Financial Controller since 2009.

In May 2020, Christopher Mills joined the Board as Non-Executive Director, bringing his extensive financial services and public company expertise to support the Group in its ambitious growth plans.

The appointment of the Right Honourable Mark Field and Zoe Holland as Non-Executive Directors followed early in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience to the Group's Board as it continues to pursue its growth strategy this year.

On behalf of everyone at Frenkel Topping, welcome to the team. The Board strongly believes it is important to have the right balance of skills, experience and background to support the growth of the business - this year we have made significant progress on that front.

Outlook

The first three months of trading has been strong and the Group continues to show strength in organic growth, through new business and winning substantial AUM mandates.

The Group has shown resilience against the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and alongside its 99% retention rates has a solid pipeline of new business opportunities that capitalise on the potential brought into the Group by recent M&A activity.

We continue to trade in line with management's expectations and therefore remain confident about the future.

Dividend

Reflecting the Board's confidence in the Group, total dividends (paid and proposed) are up 1% to 1.36p per share (FY 2019: 1.35p).

Chief Executive Officer's Statement

Overview

I am proud to report on another year of strong delivery against our strategy and a 12-month period that saw the Group achieve a number of key milestones.

The performance during 2020 reflects the Board's commitment to:

-- improving Frenkel Topping's ability to manage increased assets under management ("AUM"), including those on a discretionary basis with Ascencia Investment Management Limited ("Ascencia")

   --      improving the customer journey to maintain our strong client retention 
   --      laying the foundations for future years' profitability 

Revenue for the year increased by 18.6% to GBP10.2m (2019: GBP8.6m), of which GBP7.3m (2019: GBP6.7m) related to recurring revenues within our financial services businesses.

Gross profit was up to GBP5.5m (2019: GBP5.0m) and underlying profit from operations (as defined in our Accounting Policies) was GBP2.2m (2019: GBP1.8m), an increase of 22%. Pre-tax profit increased by 25% to GBP1.5m (2019: GBP1.2m). The Group is in a strong financial position, following the GBP13m (gross) placing undertaken in July 2020, with total assets of GBP28.5m (2019 GBP13.7m) and as at 31 December 2020, net cash stood at GBP12m (2019 GBP1.3m). Cash generated from operating activities was up 30% to GBP1.7m (2019: GBP1.3m).

Our client retention rate remains exceptionally high at 99%, reflecting positive performance from our portfolios and our relentless focus on excellent customer service.

The net assets added in 2020 (GBP108m) and market movements (GBP6m) resulted in AUM increasing by 13% to GBP1,012m. Similarly, Ascencia's assets on a discretionary mandate grew strongly by 32% to GBP527m (2019: GBP399m).

Strategic Progress

We have entered 2021 with great momentum after a successful year enacting a buy and build strategy and bolstering the Board with a wealth of relevant experience across Personal Injury (PI) and Clinical Negligence (CN) as well as from a public company and fast-growth business perspective.

We have clearly defined the core pillars of the Group and the positioning of the brands in our Group structure. By focusing on the key drivers of success in each division, we have cemented the foundations and created a clear growth plan that allows us to continue to build on the success of the Group as a holistic financial services offering in our well-defined niche. This is expanded on within the Strategic Report.

2020 was a positive year of growth for Frenkel Topping Group, defined by progress towards our strategic goal to consolidate the PI and CN marketplace.

The Group has performed well, delivering both organic growth and new business wins, showing resilience to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, and we have a solid pipeline of new business opportunities for the year ahead.

The oversubscribed capital raise of GBP13m (gross) in July 2020 accelerated the Company's vision of becoming the market leader in providing a full service offering to clients and claimants, particularly in the PI and CN marketplace. It was a significant step in allowing us to pursue our plans to consolidate the heavily fragmented pre-settlement professional services market by targeting acquisitions that have clear synergies in the PI and CN sectors in order to scale routes into growing assets under management (AUM) mandates from successful claims.

The capital raise coincided with the acquisition of forensic accountancy firm, Forth Associates Limited (Forths). By bringing Forths into Frenkel Topping Group we have created the largest independent provider of financial expert witness reports to the claimant marketplace. Forths has been successfully integrated into the Group and work continues to further develop the opportunities this presents for continued growth.

During early 2021 we have been pleased to welcome A & M Bacon (A & M) and Partners in Costs (PIC) to the Group. A & M is a firm of civil and commercial litigation costs specialists and PIC is one of the UK's leading costs law specialists with costs lawyers and costs consultants.

The PI and CN professional services vertical is particularly fragmented. These acquisitions, and that of Forths, mean that the Group has now become one of the largest players in the market.

The transactions are firmly in line with the Group's acquisition strategy:

To pursue quality opportunities in, and drive consolidation of, the pre-settlement professional services marketplace in personal injury and clinical negligence and to ensure the Group has as many touch points as possible in the personal injury/clinical negligence space in order to capture as many revenue opportunities as possible.

This will bring a number of synergies that will drive an increase in Underlying Profit from Operations and normalised EBITDA going forwards.

In addition to cost synergies, the claimants that A&M Bacon and PIC support will naturally benefit from the additional services that Frenkel Topping Group offers, such as welfare benefits assessments and trust advice in conjunction with forensic accounting and expert witness services throughout the entire timespan of a claim and financial advisory and investment management services following settlement.

Bringing PIC and A&M Bacon into the wider Group will enhance the Company's chances of winning the AUM mandate on the result of a successful claim.

Our 2020 results demonstrate the cumulative impact of clearly defined commercial goals, coupled with a sense of duty to deliver the right outcomes for clients. Our focus on growth via strategic acquisitions is unrelenting and whilst not all acquisition opportunities which we have considered have progressed to completion, we are working on other compelling opportunities to expand further in 2021.

Given remarkable market volatility, it is pleasing the Group's investment solutions, provided by Ascencia Investment Management, have performed well throughout the year. In the 12 months from 1 January to 31 December 2020, all Ascencia clients received a positive return - a testament to its robust and conservative strategies.

Of particular note is the strong performance of the Company's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) portfolios, launched over two years ago. This ESG approach has now been integrated into the Company's investment philosophy.

Furthermore, Ascencia's fund of Sharia-compliant holdings, launched in 2019, gained traction throughout 2020 and has been received well by clients of the Group with particular interest from external companies.

We are looking forward to building on the successes of the last year with a continued focus on growing our core business, driving AUM, executing our Buy and Build strategy, maintaining our outstanding client retention levels and generating strong and sustainable returns for our shareholders.

group STATEMENT of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 December 2020

 
                                                                 2020         2019 
                                                   Notes          GBP          GBP 
 
REVENUE                                                1   10,187,425    8,558,325 
Direct staff costs                                        (4,645,203)  (3,516,465) 
                                                              _______      _______ 
GROSS PROFIT                                                5,542,222    5,041,860 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 
Share based compensation                                    (283,682)    (393,876) 
Further adjustments to underlying profit 
 from operations (see below)                                (337,113)    (220,857) 
Other administrative expenses                             (3,320,648)  (3,267,729) 
                                                              _______      _______ 
TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES                             (3,941,443)  (3,882,462) 
 
Underlying profit from operations:                          2,221,574    1,774,131 
- share based compensation                                  (283,682)    (393,876) 
- reorganisation costs                                       (46,031)            - 
- contract write off                                                -     (63,978) 
- acquisitions strategy                                     (291,082)    (156,879) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
                                                              _______      _______ 
profit from operations                                      1,600,779    1,159,398 
 
Finance and other income                                       31,229       75,944 
Finance costs                                                (82,378)      (4,880) 
                                                              _______      _______ 
profit BEFORE TAX                                           1,549,630    1,230,462 
 
Income tax expense                                     2    (377,583)    (270,382) 
                                                             ________     ________ 
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR                                         1,172,047      960,080 
ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE SUBSEQUENTLY RECLASSIFIED 
 TO PROFIT OR LOSS: 
 Gains on property revaluation arising net 
 of tax                                                        25,000       24,000 
                                                              _______      _______ 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR YEAR                         1,197,047      984,080 
                                                              _______      _______ 
 
  profit ATTRIBUTABLE TO: 
Owners of the parent undertaking                            1,051,234      861,540 
Non-controlling interests                                     120,813       98,540 
                                                              _______      _______ 
 
  total comprehensive INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE 
  TO: 
Owners of the parent undertaking                            1,076,234      885,540 
Non-controlling interests                                     120,813       98,540 
                                                              _______      _______ 
Earnings per ordinary share - basic 
 (pence)                                               3        1.30p        1.25p 
Earnings per ordinary share - diluted 
 (pence)                                               3        1.26p        1.19p 
                                                              _______      _______ 
 
 
 
group STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION               Group         Group 
AS AT 31(ST) DECEMBER 2020                           2020          2019 
                                                      GBP           GBP 
assets 
 NON-CURRENT ASSETS 
Goodwill                                        8,299,323     7,020,287 
 Property, plant and equipment                  1,946,585     1,639,159 
Investments                                             -             - 
Loans receivable                                  100,000       100,000 
Deferred taxation                                 118,431        56,992 
                                                  _______       _______ 
                                               10,464,339     8,816,438 
CURRENT ASSETS 
Accrued income                                  1,197,585       924,773 
Trade receivables                               3,286,910     1,580,774 
Other receivables                                 367,973       321,064 
Investments                                     1,232,909       774,158 
Cash and cash equivalents                      11,997,436     1,329,220 
                                                  _______       _______ 
                                               18,082,813     4,929,989 
                                                  _______       _______ 
total assets                                   28,547,152    13,746,427 
                                                  _______       _______ 
equity and liabilities 
 equity 
 Share capital                                    555,787       393,287 
 Share premium                                 12,697,252       400,194 
 Merger reserve                                 5,314,702     5,314,702 
 Revaluation reserve                              227,103       202,103 
 Other reserve                                  (341,174)     (341,174) 
 Own shares reserve                           (4,578,549)   (4,578,549) 
 Retained earnings                             11,110,993    10,875,372 
                                                  _______       _______ 
Equity attributable to owners of the 
 parent company                                24,986,114    12,265,935 
 
Non-controlling interests                         162,230       141,417 
                                                  _______       _______ 
TOTAL EQUITY                                   25,148,344    12,407,352 
                                                  _______       _______ 
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
 Current taxation                                 299,429    197,656 
 Trade and other payables                       2,254,332    1,085,732 
                                                  _______       _______ 
                                                2,553,761     1,283,388 
 
LONG TERM LIABILITIES                             845,047        55,687 
                                                  _______       _______ 
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                   28,547,152    13,746,427 
                                                  _______       _______ 
 
 
 
 group statement of CHANGES IN EQUITY 
  For the year ended 31 December 2020 
                                                                                                                   Total   Non-controlling 
                     Share        Share      Merger       Other    Own shares      Retained    Revaluation   controlling         interests 
                   Capital      Premium     reserve     Reserve       Reserve      Earnings        reserve      interest                           Total 
                       GBP          GBP         GBP         GBP           GBP           GBP            GBP           GBP               GBP           GBP 
 Balance 1 
  January 2019     393,287      400,194   5,314,702   (341,174)   (4,566,926)    10,552,643        178,103    11,930,829            42,877    11,973,706 
 
 Purchase of 
  own shares             -            -           -           -      (11,623)             -              -      (11,623)                 -      (11,623) 
 Share based 
  payments 
  (note 4)               -            -           -           -             -       350,066              -       350,066                 -       350,066 
 Tax credit 
  relating 
  to share 
  option scheme          -            -           -           -             -          (21)              -          (21)                 -          (21) 
 Dividend paid           -            -           -           -             -     (888,856)              -     (888,856)                 -     (888,856) 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______          _______-       _______ 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with 
  owners 
  recognised in 
  equity                 -            -           -           -      (11,623)     (538,811)              -     (550,434)                 -     (550,434) 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 Profit for 
  year                   -            -           -           -             -       861,540              -       861,540            98,540       960,080 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                 -            -           -           -             -             -         24,000        24,000                 -        24,000 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                 -            -           -           -             -       861,540         24,000       885,540            98,540       984,080 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 Balance at 1 
  January 
  2020             393,287      400,194   5,314,702   (341,174)   (4,578,549)    10,875,372        202,103    12,265,935           141,417    12,407,352 
 
 Issue of Share 
  Capital          162,500   12,297,058           -           -             -             -              -    12,459,558                 -    12,459,558 
 Share based 
  payments 
  (note 4)               -            -           -           -             -       218,585              -       218,585                 -       218,585 
 Dividend paid           -            -           -           -             -   (1,034,198)              -   (1,034,198)         (100,000)   (1,134,198) 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with 
  owners 
  recognised in 
  equity           162,500   12,297,058           -           -             -     (815,613)              -    11,643,945         (100,000)    11,543,945 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 Profit for 
  year                   -            -           -           -             -     1,051,234              -     1,051,234           120,813     1,172,047 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                 -            -           -           -             -             -         25,000        25,000                 -        25,000 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                 -            -           -           -             -     1,051,234         25,000     1,076,234           120,813     1,197,047 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 Balance at 31 
  December 
  2020             555,787   12,697,252   5,314,702   (341,174)   (4,578,549)    11,110,993        227,103    24,986,114           162,230    25,148,344 
                   _______      _______     _______     _______       _______       _______        _______       _______           _______       _______ 
 

The share capital represents the number of shares issued at nominal price.

The merger reserve represents the cost of the shares issued to purchase the non-controlling interest at market value at the date of the acquisition and the excess of fair value over nominal value of shares issued to acquire Ascencia Investment Management Limited (formerly Frenkel Topping Investment Management Limited).

The share premium represents the amount paid over the nominal value for new shares issued.

The other reserve represents the excess paid for the non-controlling interest over the book value at the date of the acquisition. This transaction occurred in 2013.

The revaluation reserve reflects the cumulative surplus arising on the revaluation of freehold property to market value, net of deferred tax.

The own shares reserve represents the cost of the 3,105,708 shares (2019: 3,105,708) held by the Company and the 6,648,016 (2019: 6,648,016) shares held by the Frenkel Topping Group Employee Benefit Trust. The open market value of the shares held at 31 December 2020 was GBP4,096,564 (2019: GBP3,599,124).

Retained earnings represents the profit generated by the Group since trading commenced, together with dividends paid, share premium cancelled and share based payment credits.

The non-controlling interest is in respect of Frenkel Topping Associates Limited, ExpressFT Limited, HCC Investment Solutions Limited, Hudgells Financial Management Services Limited, Aspire + Wealth Management Limited and Truly Asset Management Limited.

The Group has conformed with all capital requirements as imposed by the FCA.

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 December 2020

 
                                                                   Group                                         Group 
 
                                                                    2020                                          2019 
                                                                     GBP                                           GBP 
 
 Profit before tax                                             1,549,630                                     1,230,462 
 Adjustments to 
 reconcile profit 
 before 
 tax to cash generated 
 from operating 
 activities: 
 Finance income                                                 (28,796)                                      (75,944) 
 Finance costs                                                    82,378                                         4,880 
 Share based 
  compensation                                                   218,585                                       350,046 
 Depreciation and 
  amortisation                                                   323,769                                       197,773 
 (Increase)/decrease in 
  accrued income, 
  trade and other 
  receivables                                                   (63,311)                                     (266,590) 
 Increase in trade and 
  other payables                                                (70,497)                                       198,207 
                                                                 _______                                       _______ 
 Cash generated from 
  operations                                                   2,011,758                                     1,638,834 
 
 Income tax paid                                               (291,620)                                     (332,958) 
                                                                 _______                                       _______ 
 Cash generated from 
  operating activities                                         1,720,138                                     1,305,876 
 
 Investing activities 
 Acquisition of 
  property, plant and 
  equipment                                                     (37,008)                                     (169,692) 
 Acquisition of                                                (566,480)                                             - 
 subsidiaries 
 Cash acquired on                                                 29,702                                             - 
 acquisition of 
 subsidiaries 
 Investment purchases                                        (1,680,753)                                             - 
 Investment disposals                                          1,250,798                                       438,008 
 Loans advanced                                                        -                                     (100,000) 
 Dividend received                                                     -                                             - 
                                                                 _______                                       _______ 
 Cash generated from / 
  (used in) investment 
  activities                                                 (1,003,741)                                       168,316 
 Financing activities 
 Shares issued (net of                                        12,459,558                                             - 
 costs) 
 Own shares purchased                                                  -                                      (11,623) 
 Dividend paid                                               (1,134,198)                                     (888,856) 
 Repayment of borrowing                                      (1,186,571) 
 Interest element of 
  lease payments                                                (20,412)                                       (4,880) 
 Principal element of 
  lease payments                                               (166,558)                                      (88,004) 
                                                                 _______                                       _______ 
 Cash used in financing                                        9,951,819                                     (993,363) 
 
    Increase/(decrease) 
     in cash and cash 
        equivalents                                           10,668,216                                       480,829 
 
   Opening cash and cash 
   equivalents                                                 1,329,220                                       848,391 
                                                                 _______                                       _______ 
 Closing cash and cash 
  equivalents                                                 11,997,436                                     1,329,220 
                               =========================================     ========================================= 
 
 Reconciliation of cash 
 and cash equivalents 
 
 Cash at bank and in 
  hand                                                        11,997,436                                   1,329,220 
                               =========================================   ========================================= 
 
 

General information

The preliminary financial information does not constitute full accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 but is derived from accounts for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020. The figures for the year ended 31 December 2020 are audited. The preliminary announcement is prepared on the same basis as set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020. Those accounts upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis, without qualifying their report, and made no statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006, will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Annual General Meeting.

Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 have been filed with the registrar of Companies. The auditors report on those accounts was unqualified did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis, without qualifying their report, and made no statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

While the financial information included in this preliminary report has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union (EU), this announcement does not in itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS.

Frenkel Topping Group Plc is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom.

   1              revenue and SEGMENTAL REPORTING 

All of the Group's revenue arises from activities within the UK. Management considers there to be only one operating segment within the business based on the way the business is organised and the way results are reported internally.

Revenue arising from recurring and non-recurring sources is as follows:

 
                                 Group      Group 
                                  2020       2019 
                                   GBP        GBP 
 
              Recurring      7,279,544  6,668,299 
            Non-recurring    2,907,881  1,890,026 
                               _______    _______ 
            Total revenue   10,187,425  8,558,325 
                               _______    _______ 
 
 
                                                                  Group     Group 
2 TAXation                                                         2020      2019 
                                                                    GBP       GBP 
            Analysis of charge in year 
            Current tax 
             UK corporation tax                                 444,410   356,253 
             Adjustments in respect of previous periods             212  (39,169) 
                                                                _______   _______ 
             Total current tax charge                           444,622   317,084 
                                                                _______   _______ 
             Deferred tax 
             Temporary differences, origination and reversal   (67,039)  (46,702) 
                                                                _______   _______ 
             Total deferred tax charge                         (67,039)  (46,702) 
                                                                _______   _______ 
             Tax on profit on ordinary activities               377,583   270,382 
                                                                _______   _______ 
 
 

Factors affecting tax charge for year

The standard rate of tax applied to reported profit on ordinary activities is 19 per cent (2019: 19 per cent). The corporation tax rate for the 2020 financial year, commencing 1 April 2020, was included in the Finance Act 2016 at 17%, and this rate was substantively enacted on 6 September 2016. On 17 March 2020 a resolution having statutory effect was passed under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968, setting the rate at 19%.

FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE TAX CHARGE

On 3 March 2021 the Chancellor announced that the corporation tax rate will rise to 25% from 1 April 2023.

There is no expiry date on timing differences, unused tax losses or tax credits.

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the income statement as follows:

 
                                                                Group      Group 
                                                                 2020       2019 
                                                                  GBP        GBP 
            Profit before taxation                          1,549,630  1,230,462 
                                                              _______    _______ 
            Profit multiplied by main rate of corporation 
             tax in the UK of 19% (2019: 19%)                 294,430    233,788 
            Effects of: 
            Expenses not deductible                           134,340    125,542 
            Share based payments                             (51,399)   (56,331) 
            Other charges/(deductions) in period                  212   (32,617) 
                                                              _______    _______ 
            Total tax expense for year                        377,583    270,382 
                                                              _______    _______ 
 

A total of GBPnil (2019: GBPnil) was recognised in other comprehensive income in relation to deferred taxation on a revaluation uplift. The revaluation gain has been shown on a net basis in other comprehensive income.

No charge for deferred taxation (2019: GBP21 debit) was recognised directly in equity in relation to share options.

   3              EARNINGS PER SHARE 

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

 
                                                                      Group         Group 
                                                                       2020          2019 
                                                                        GBP           GBP 
            Earnings 
            Earnings for the purposes of basic earnings 
             per share (net profit for the year attributable 
             to equity holders of the parent)                     1,051,234       861,540 
            Earnings for the purposes of diluted earnings 
             per share                                            1,051,234       861,540 
 
            Number of shares 
            Weighted average number of ordinary shares 
             for the purposes of basic earnings per share 
             Weighted average shares in issue                    90,588,856    78,657,349 
             Less: own shares held                              (9,753,724)   (9,752,507) 
                                                                    _______       _______ 
                                                                 80,835,132    68,904,842 
 
              Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares: 
              - Share options                                     2,916,834     3,416,834 
                                                                    _______       _______ 
            Weighted average number of ordinary shares 
             for the purposes of diluted earnings per share      83,751,966    72,321,676 
                                                                    _______       _______ 
 
 
Earnings per ordinary share 
 - basic (pence)                1.30p       1.25p 
Earnings per ordinary share 
 - diluted (pence)                1.26p     1.19p 
                                _______   _______ 
 
   4              EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE 

In February 2021 the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of A & M Bacon Limited (through the purchase of its holding company) and Partners in Costs Limited ("PIC") (through the purchase of its holding company and the purchase of shares directly in PIC). A & M Bacon Limited is a firm of civil and commercial litigation costs specialists and PIC is one of the UK's leading costs law specialists with costs lawyers and costs consultants .

The combined total maximum consideration is GBP9.0 million of which GBP5.0 million is payable in cash and GBP0.9 million through the issue of 2,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.5p each in the Company on completion and a further GBP3.1 million deferred consideration is payable in cash in two tranches on 31 January 2022 and 31 January 2023.

In April 2021 the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Daniel Lewis Law Limited. Daniel Lewis Law Limited provides recruitment and advisory services within the legal sector.

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END

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