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GHE Gresham House Plc

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Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Gresham House Plc LSE:GHE London Ordinary Share GB0003887287 ORD 25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 1,100.00 0.00 01:00:00
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Gresham House PLC Interim Results (2335Z)

17/09/2020 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Gresham House (LSE:GHE)
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TIDMGHE

RNS Number : 2335Z

Gresham House PLC

17 September 2020

17 September 2020

Gresham House plc

("Gresham House," "the Group" or "the Company")

Interim results

Strong AUM and income growth with focus on sustainable investment

Gresham House plc, (AIM: GHE) the specialist alternative asset manager, is pleased to report a strong 17% growth in Assets Under Management (AUM) in the first half of the year, with a 33% increase in core income and 15% increase in adjusted operating profit. The Group remained focused on delivering both organic as well as acquisition-based growth despite challenging market conditions, while continuing to broaden its client base, investing in people and enhancing its sustainability culture.

HIGHLIGHTS

 
                                             As at               As at           Change 
                                       30 Jun 2020         31 Dec 2019 
                                            (GBPm)              (GBPm)              (%) 
--------------------------------  ----------------  ------------------  --------------- 
   Assets under management                   3,264               2,797            +16.7 
   Cash and liquid assets(1)                  45.1                41.3             +9.0 
 
                                     Six months to          Six months 
                                       30 Jun 2020      to 30 Jun 2019 
                                            (GBPm)              (GBPm)              (%) 
--------------------------------  ----------------  ------------------  --------------- 
   Total core income                          17.8                13.4            +33.3 
   Adjusted operating profit(2)                5.2                 4.5            +15.5 
   Total comprehensive net 
    loss                                       2.2                 0.7       *    239.6 
 

(1) Cash and liquid assets includes cash and investments in tangible and realisable assets

(2) Adjusted operating profit is defined as the net trading profit of the Group after charging interest but before depreciation, amortisation, share-based payments relating to acquisitions, profits and losses on disposal of tangible fixed assets, net performance fees, net development gains and exceptional items

Financial Highlights

   --      AUM up 17% in H1 to GBP3.3 billion including +10% organic growth 
   --      Core income up 33% to GBP17.8 million (H1 2019: GBP13.4million) 
   --      Adjusted operating profit up 15% to GBP5.2 million (H1 2019: GBP4.5 million) 
   --      Strong balance sheet with cash and liquid assets at GBP45.1 million and zero debt 

Operational Highlights

-- COVID-19 pandemic resilience, with no team members furloughed or use of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

-- Integration of TradeRisks progressing well, enhancing strength and expertise of Housing team and increasing AUM by GBP184 million alongside the planned launch of Gresham House Residential Secured Income LP (shared ownership housing fund)

   --      Final close of the British Strategic Investment Fund at GBP300 million 

-- Further investment in the future growth of the business with senior appointments made including Rebecca Craddock-Taylor as Director of Sustainable Investment and David Gardner and Peter Bachmann to the International Forestry and Sustainable Infrastructure teams

Sustainable Investment Highlights

-- Achieved Principles for Responsible Investment scores of A+ for Strategy and Governance, A+ for Infrastructure and A for Strategic Equity divisions

-- Awarded Green Economy Mark by the London Stock Exchange, emphasising our dedication to building a greener economy and a more sustainable future

Commenting on the results, Tony Dalwood, Chief Executive Officer said:

"We have continued to build and invest in our platform to achieve our strategic and financial objectives set out in the "GH25" plan. Our AUM growth is testament to the strength and resilience of our investment strategies and our talented team despite the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the strong foundation and robust balance sheet, we remain confident of maintaining our long-term growth trajectory."

Gresham House is hosting its interim results webinar at 11:00 AM today via https://greshamhouse.com/webinar-gresham-house-plc-interim-results-2020/

- Ends -

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014

 
For more information contact: 
Gresham House plc 
 Tony Dalwood, Chief Executive Officer 
 Kevin Acton, Chief Financial Officer       +44 (0)20 3837 6270 
Houston - PR advisors 
 Alexander Clelland                         gh@houston.co.uk 
 Anushka Mathew                             +44 (0)20 3701 7660 
Canaccord Genuity Limited - Nominated 
 Adviser and Joint Broker 
 B obbie Hilliam 
 Georgina McCooke                           +44 (0)20 7523 8000 
Jefferies International Limited - Joint 
 Broker and Financial Adviser 
 Paul Nicholls 
 Max Jones                                  +44 (0)20 7029 8000 
 

About Gresham House

Gresham House is a specialist alternative asset management group, dedicated to sustainable investments across a range of strategies, with expertise across forestry, housing, infrastructure, renewable energy and battery storage, public and private equity.

Whilst our origins stretch back to 1857, our focus is on the future and the long term. Quoted on the London Stock Exchange (GHE:LN) we actively manage c.GBP3.3 billion of assets on behalf of institutions, family offices, charities and endowments, private individuals and their advisers. We act responsibly within a culture of empowerment that encourages individual flair and entrepreneurial thinking.

As a signatory to the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), our vision is to always make a positive social or environmental impact, while delivering on our commitments to shareholders, employees and investors. www.greshamhouse.com

Disclaimers

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results, operations and businesses of Gresham House plc. These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts.

Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am delighted to record the continued growth and momentum at Gresham House with the tenth consecutive half-year increase in AUM, under exceptionally challenging market conditions. This growth in AUM to GBP3.3 billion is testament to the strength and scalability of our platform and our ability to attract a diverse and growing pool of clients.

We are a long-term business with a long-term plan based on long-term investment horizons. We entered the pandemic in a favourable position due to the resilient nature of many of our assets, which are naturally less correlated, and less sensitive, to stock market movements, particularly in our Real Assets division. However, our continued investment performance has been a direct reflection of the expertise of our investment teams.

Our teams have delivered growth and performed well consistently whilst working remotely, ensuring smooth business continuity. With our successful track record of investing in public and private small businesses through our open-ended and closed-ended vehicles, we remain well positioned to support businesses crucial to the recovery of the UK economy post COVID-19.

We were very proud to receive our first PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) scores, and to be awarded the highest rating possible, A+, for Strategy and Governance, a reflection of the robust and transparent approach that we have taken. Our investment strategies were awarded A+ in Infrastructure and A in Public Equity and Private Equity. Placing sustainability at the core of all our investment strategies has meant that we scored well above the investment industry median.

ACTIVITY IN THE PERIOD

The resilience and appeal of our assets for clients, underpinned by the growing interest in specialist and sustainable investments, has enabled us to deliver 17% growth in AUM in the first half of 2020, despite the difficult environment, of which organic growth contributed 10%. The integration of TradeRisks, the fund management business and debt advisory services group acquired in March, into the housing division is progressing well and we remain on track to deliver identified synergies.

In Real Assets, there was notable success across a growing client base. Our Strategic Equity division maintained net positive inflows into our open-ended equity funds over the period and we were pleased to win the c.GBP150 million investment management contract for Strategic Equity Capital plc, based on our successful Strategic Public Equity track record and resources. We are excited about the fundraising pipeline of activity that we have already established, especially in Housing, Sustainable Infrastructure, Forestry and Private Equity.

RESULTS

It has been pleasing to see the growth against the strategic and financial objectives we laid out in March this year through our five-year plan 'GH25'. Our core income is up 33% to GBP17.8 million from GBP13.4 million in the same period last year. Adjusted operating profit grew 15% to GBP5.2 million from GBP4.5 million in the first half of 2019. This performance is particularly noteworthy given the significant level of ongoing investment in the key areas of growth in the business - our people and our ESG offering - particularly in Housing, New Energy, Sustainable Infrastructure and Forestry. The net comprehensive loss for the period was GBP2.2 million (H1 2019: GBP0.7 million), which reflected the deduction of exceptional costs relating to acquisitions, the fair value movements of balance sheet investments and contingent consideration and tax.

Shareholders

Our successful GBP8.0 million equity fundraising in March demonstrated the commitment and support from our existing and new institutional shareholders, enabling us to enhance our balance sheet and proceed with identified strategic growth opportunities as we entered into the COVID-19 enforced lockdown. There is a focus on generating attractive returns from our own equity within the Group and this scrutiny will continue to be applied when looking at accelerating growth within existing product areas and potential acquisitions.

Outlook

Gresham House has developed substantially under our management team and it has created significant shareholder value. The ambitions are long-term and we remain well positioned to grow sustainably in all areas of the business in the second half of the year, as we target the delivery of our objectives within 'GH25' and focus on generating shareholder value over the next five years.

Although there is continued market uncertainty, the quality of the individuals and the dynamic culture that exists within the business are evident. The nature of our product areas and the increasing demand for alternative assets with sustainability characteristics give us confidence in the opportunities to fundraise across the business. Whilst we may be at an inflection point in the market cycle catalysed by COVID-19, we believe that we will be able to continue to deliver superior performance for our clients.

Anthony Townsend

Chairman

17 September 2020

SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT OVERVIEW

KEY MILESTONES

SUSTAINABLE INVESTING COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

In the past year, we codified our approach with the establishment of a Sustainable Investing Committee, which comprises senior representatives from across the company and ensures delivery against the Sustainable Investing Policies that are embedded for each investment strategy and across each stage of the investment lifecycle.

DIRECTOR, SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT APPOINTED

We announced the appointment of Rebecca Craddock-Taylor as Director of Sustainable Investment. Rebecca will lead the further development and integration of our existing sustainable investment policies across both the Real Assets and Strategic Equity divisions, alongside data capture to quantify the environmental and social benefits of our investment approach.

GREEN ECONOMY MARK AWARDED

We are pleased that our commitment to embedding ESG and sustainable investing across the Group has been recognised by the London Stock Exchange, which awarded us the coveted Green Economy Mark in July.

The Green Economy Mark is only awarded to listed companies that derive more than 50% of their annual revenues from products and services that help towards building a green economy and a more sustainable future.

TOP PRI SCORES RECEIVED

We were very proud to receive our first PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) scores, and to be awarded the highest rating possible, A+ for Strategy and Governance, a reflection of the robust and transparent approach that we have taken to sustainable investment. Our investment strategies were awarded A+ in Infrastructure and A in Public Equity and Private Equity (our Housing and Forestry strategies were not assessed this year).

Placing sustainability at the core of all our investment strategies ensured that we scored well above the investment industry median.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

GHE PLC

-- Awarded London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark

-- Achieved top scores (A+ and A) in PRI assessment

-- Published our first Diversity & Inclusion policy

-- Committed to the #100blackinterns initiative

FORESTRY

-- Planted 8.4 million trees in 2020, equivalent to an area covering over 4,600 football pitches*

-- Our existing forestry captured the equivalent CO2 generated by 270,000 people in the UK (roughly the population of Newcastle) annually**

-- All timber harvested from our UK managed forests in the previous six months was Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified

* Based on 1,100 trees per hectare for broadleaves, 2,700 per hectare for conifer

** Existing forestry is captured in the UK national account, so no direct offsetting claims can be made

NEW ENERGY & SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

-- Largest battery storage fund / operator in the UK

-- An acre of land at our first vertical farm investment will produce the same yield as 250 acres of field-grown crops

-- Invested in WasteKnot Energy, which diverts waste from landfill and produces pellets that can replace coal

-- Solar and wind projects generated enough energy to power over 117,000 homes in the last year

HOUSING

-- Delivered 166 new shared ownership homes this year, with a total shared ownership portfolio of 205 homes

-- Our housing fund provides 2,224 retirement homes and 289 homes to local authorities, housing people who are otherwise homeless

STRATEGIC EQUITY

-- In 2019, we voted 94% for management recommendations, 6% against, and had 0% abstentions

-- Developed a formal engagement and voting policy which will be published on our website

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT

The first half of 2020 will be remembered for the unprecedented challenges we have all faced, catalysed by global lockdowns on economies and the resulting changes in working practices and lifestyles. Strong actions by governments have softened some of the macroeconomic impacts, however, the microeconomic issues will increasingly become apparent over the next couple of years. It is therefore important to recognise the capabilities of all the Gresham House employees who have adapted so well to the challenging environment in order to continue to focus on the shareholder goals which are firmly embedded in our team's DNA.

Technology has allowed the Group to continue functioning and communicating to a high level, although it has been necessary to alter regular routines. Importantly, we encouraged people to "over-communicate" with their colleagues and clients to make sure nothing was taken for granted. We introduced a daily management committee briefing each morning, and a new Heads of Departments weekly forum, as well as a weekly Group video call to remind everyone that whilst working from home, that they are part of a larger family, with clear goals both short and long term. I am immensely proud of everyone within Gresham House for adapting so well to keep the business moving forward.

Over the past six months, we have continued to build on our platform with both organic and acquisition-based growth; embedding sustainability, investing in talented people, broadening our client base and thereby continuing to generate long-term shareholder value. We have achieved all this despite the exceptionally difficult market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is particularly pleasing to report overall AUM growth of 17% in this period, demonstrating the strength of our investment strategies, with strong fundraising success and good relative performance across both our Real Assets and Strategic Equity divisions. As a result, we have made a strong start against the strategic priorities of our growth plan 'GH25' outlined in March this year, where we aim to create substantial shareholder value over the next five years through a combination of strategic and financial goals.

COVID-19

For our staff, protecting their safety and wellbeing has been our priority during this period and their commitment has ensured that we were able to maintain business as usual whilst seamlessly transitioning to working from home. The investments made in the prior year in our people, systems, business continuity planning and infrastructure have ensured that we have stayed agile and nimble for our clients and I'm delighted that we have been in a position to continue to recruit new talent to support our growth ambitions.

In keeping with our culture and values and our desire to support communities in need, I am pleased that the Company, Management Committee and Directors donated GBP100,000 in aggregate to the Trussell Trust and NHS Charities Together. In addition, we set up a Give As You Earn Scheme for all employees and the Company will match the donations made.

We entered this unprecedented period from a position of strength, and cognisant of the challenges presented by market volatility and restrictions in many areas that we operate in. We were able to establish and position a number of identified growth areas across the platforms for further scale, supported by the resilience of the asset classes themselves, the majority of which are less correlated to general market movements. Prudent cash management has also helped us maintain a strong balance sheet position with cash of GBP22 million and no debt, which positions us well to deliver future growth.

Our performance in the first half of the year has been testament to the resilience and quality of the team working in challenging conditions and we look forward to building on this in the second half of 2020 and beyond.

Sustainability

Our asset management platforms, such as forestry and renewables, naturally lend themselves to the increasing focus among governments and investors on sustainability goals. We have placed sustainability at the core of all our investment strategies and our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles is central to growing the business. In the past year, we codified our approach with the establishment of a Sustainable Investing Committee, which comprises senior representatives from across the company and ensures delivery against the Sustainable Investing Policies that are embedded for each investment strategy and across each stage of the investment lifecycle.

We have continued to make further progress over the past six months by hosting our first webinar on our approach to sustainable investing, providing examples of the application to real assets including forestry, housing, new energy and sustainable infrastructure. We also announced the appointment of Rebecca Craddock-Taylor as Director of Sustainable Investment, who will lead the further development and integration of our existing sustainable investment policies across both the Real Assets and Strategic Equity divisions, alongside data capture to quantify the social benefits from our investment approach.

Our sustainable investment credentials have been recognised with a top score rating under the PRI (Principles for Responsible Investing) assessment report for 2020, the Company's first assessment since becoming a PRI signatory in 2018. We achieved the highest rating possible, A+ for our Strategy and Governance and, for the investment strategies covered by the scheme, an A+ for Infrastructure and As in both Public and Private Equity. This underlines the focus that we place on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria across the whole business and reflects the robust and transparent approach that we have adopted.

We were also pleased that our commitment to embedding ESG and sustainable investing across the Group has been recognised by the London Stock Exchange, which awarded us the coveted Green Economy Mark in July. The Green Economy Mark is only awarded to listed companies that derive more than 50% of their annual revenues from products and services that help towards building a green economy and a more sustainable future.

Progress on 2020 priorities

We have made good progress against our 2020 priorities in the first half of this year, despite the exceptionally difficult market conditions. We have delivered AUM growth of 17%, with core income rising 33% and adjusted operating profit up by 15%.

Organic growth has been driven by strong fundraising success with a growing client base across Institutional, Wholesale and Family Office investors, demonstrating the attractive nature of our market-leading growth opportunities, and the continued increase in asset allocation to alternative investments.

In our Real Assets division, we raised GBP31 million of equity for Gresham House Energy Storage Fund plc (GRID) in March 2020. We continue to develop battery storage projects to scale GRID and are in advanced stages with two projects expected to be operational in the coming months. We achieved the successful final close in our Housing and Infrastructure Strategy, the British Strategic Investment Fund strategy (BSIF), hitting the target of GBP300 million, with GBP100 million raised in the period from three new Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) clients. We continue to invest these funds in sustainable housing and infrastructure projects and look forward to launching BSIF 2 in 2021. We were pleased that Peter Bachmann joined as a senior fund manager in our sustainable infrastructure unit, as we continue to add capability and resources to this growing area.

As a result of the TradeRisks acquisition, we announced the launch of a new Limited Partnership, Gresham House Residential Secure Income LP, targeting the shared ownership housing market and aiming to unlock a new supply of more affordable homes across the UK and to encourage first time buyers onto the housing ladder. Meanwhile in Forestry, we commenced fundraising for the Gresham House Forest Fund I LP, which is targeting a close in the second half of the year with a strong pipeline of assets ready to acquire. We have continued to acquire forests for existing and new clients, and the pricing remains robust as the asset class becomes increasingly of interest to institutional investors. As previously indicated, and following our initial move into Irish Forestry, we are increasing resources with the appointment of David Gardner to build our international presence, including related asset classes in carbon credits in jurisdictions such as New Zealand.

Despite market volatility, the Strategic Equity division has seen positive net inflows, including into our open-ended funds, the LF Gresham House UK Micro Cap and LF Gresham House UK Multi Cap Income funds, alongside winning the Strategic Public Equity mandate for Strategic Equity Capital plc (SEC). The Strategic Public Equity approach of using private equity techniques to invest in public companies is a growing area of the smaller company market, and Gresham House has a successful 20-year track record alongside significant resources to continue expanding the opportunity for more investors to benefit from the long-term superior performance record of this strategy. The LF Gresham House UK Multi Cap Income Fund marked its three-year anniversary on 30 June 2020. It is the best performing fund in the IA UK Equity Income sector since launch. In Private Equity, the Baronsmead VCTs raised a further GBP22 million in the first half of 2020 and we are planning to commence further fundraising in the second half of the year.

The original intention shared by us and Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI), as announced in March 2019, for the formation of a joint venture relationship is no longer viewed as practicable based on a current regulatory/financial cost benefit analysis. GHAM will now enter into a distribution and marketing agreement with ASI, pursuant to which ASI will, amongst other things, provide certain marketing services for SEC.

Having focused on organic growth and integration synergies in 2019, we resumed our acquisition-based growth, with the purchase in March 2020 of TradeRisks Limited, a housing fund management business and specialist provider of debt advisory services to the housing and social infrastructure sectors. Residential Capital Management Limited, a subsidiary of TradeRisks Limited, is the manager of Residential Secure Income plc (ReSI), a listed Investment Trust seeking to deliver secure income returns to its shareholders by investing in portfolios of shared ownership, retirement and Local Authority housing which as at 31 December 2019 had gross AUM of GBP321 million (including committed acquisitions). I am delighted to welcome Alex Pilato, Ben Fry and Antoine Pesenti to the Gresham House family, who together considerably enhance our ability to scale our Housing strategy and we look forward to benefitting from the expertise of their highly experienced team. We remain on track with the integration process and delivering on the targeted synergies.

Delivering value to shareholders

In March, we outlined our 'GH25' strategy that aims to achieve both strategic and financial goals in order to double shareholder value over the next five years. With sustainability and governance at the heart of our goal to generate long-term shareholder value, we aim to:

   --      grow AUM to over GBP6 billion; 
   --      increase operating margins to greater than 40%; and 
   --      maintain target Returns on Invested Capital of 15% or above. 

Our broader strategic goals include becoming a recognised leader in sustainable investing, ensuring that our funds maintain superior returns compared to the market, building market share in niche investment product areas, developing the business internationally and generating further goodwill for the Gresham House brand. Our goals are well aligned with those of our shareholders, with senior management owning 8% of shares in the Company.

The continued positive momentum in AUM growth in the first half of the year has ensured that we have made good progress against our targets, maintaining our positive growth trajectory. Our robust balance sheet and the strong cash and net liquid asset positions have also provided us with the strength and flexibility to pursue our growth ambitions. The strong fundraising success across multiple areas in both our Real Assets and Strategic Equity divisions, has enabled us to achieve scale and to establish significant market share in critical areas of sustainable investment opportunities such as housing, infrastructure, renewable energy and forestry, which are all important building blocks of a green economy.

People

Our greatest asset has always been our people and I am very proud of the quality of our team, who have continued to work diligently and to deliver on our objectives for the year, ensuring that we have remained fully operational during these times. We have continued to build our talented team with a number of strategic hires, who will help us to expand in their relevant areas. In addition to the appointment of Rebecca Craddock-Taylor (Sustainable Investment Director), the senior appointments to the Forestry, Housing and New Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure teams of David Gardner (Investment Director of Forestry) focusing on international expansion, Peter Bachmann (Senior Infrastructure Investor) in sustainable infrastructure and Andrew Stirling (Head of Treasury Solutions), have maintained our commitment to investing in our people.

We are also aware of our responsibilities around diversity and inclusion and amongst various initiatives we are proud to have signed up to the #100blackinterns initiative and look forward to welcoming our first intern through this scheme next summer. More detail can be found in our diversity and inclusion policy, available on our website: greshamhouse.com/diversity-and-inclusion.

Outlook

Despite clear macro and socio-economic challenges, the opportunities for growth from alternative asset allocation, underpinned by significant demand for sustainable investments, place Gresham House in a position of strength.

We have achieved a strong first half performance despite exceptionally challenging external conditions, and this has provided us with a solid foundation from which to deliver on our objectives in the second half of the year and beyond. The talent and strength of our team have underpinned outperformance in a number of our funds including the LF Gresham House UK Micro Cap, LF Gresham House UK Multi Cap Income and Gresham House Strategic plc (GHS) funds.

During the second half of the year we will continue, and anticipate commencing new fundraisings, in a number of areas including Forestry, Housing, New Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure and focusing on a number of distribution channels for our Public Equity funds.

The speed and strength of the UK economy's recovery remains contingent upon various factors, including the extent of any second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, levels of unemployment, Brexit trade negotiations and the scale of the recession. We expect challenging times in the real economy but the long term and resilient nature of our asset classes lead us to remain cautiously optimistic that our growing client base will continue to view our investment solutions favourably throughout these turbulent times and beyond.

Tony Dalwood

Chief Executive

17 September 2020

FINANCIAL REVIEW

In the first half of 2020 we witnessed the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world. This has provided one of the most challenging environments for businesses to operate in and Gresham House approached this period from a position of balance sheet strength and stability. We were able to continue to execute our strategy with the acquisition of TradeRisks alongside further organic growth in AUM in the first half of 2020.

Gresham House has seen core income grow in the period by 33% to GBP17.8 million compared to GBP13.4 million in the first half of 2019. This has driven the adjusted operating profits of the Group up by 15% to GBP5.2 million (H1 2019: GBP4.5 million). After the deduction of the amortisation and depreciation, exceptional items, acquisition related share-based payment charges, net losses on investments and other fair value movements and tax the total comprehensive net loss was GBP2.2 million for the period (H1 2019: GBP0.8 million).

COVID-19

We entered the COVID-19 pandemic with a strong balance sheet and as at 30 June 2020 had cash of GBP21.9 million. The pressure placed on many businesses forced a focus on cash and receivables. The nature of our asset management business and the quality of our clients remained strong, with core income continuing to grow in the period.

A clear focus on discretionary spend, alongside maintaining investment in the critical growth areas of the business has meant that we have remained focussed on executing our growth strategy during the period. We have therefore not utilised the government COVID-19 support initiatives of the furlough scheme or the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

AUM grew by 17% in the first six months of the year to GBP3.3 billion (2019: GBP2.8 billion), despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with our strategy this was achieved through both organic growth (10%) and acquisition growth (7%).

 
 GBP millions            AUM         Net   Performance   Funds Acquired/Won(2)       AUM     Total 
                      Dec-19        Fund                                          Jun-20    Growth 
                                Flows(1)                                                         % 
 Strategic 
  Equity 
 Public Equity         283.7        59.0        (26.3)                   147.6     464.0     63.6% 
 Private Equity        424.5        20.6        (38.0)                  (55.2)     351.9   (17.1)% 
 Subtotal              708.2        79.6        (64.3)                    92.4     815.9     15.2% 
 Real Assets 
 Forestry            1,333.3       (8.5)          72.1                       -   1,396.9      4.8% 
 New Energy 
  and Sustainable 
  Infrastructure       672.8        97.2        (17.9)                       -     752.1     11.8% 
 Housing                82.5        34.0         (1.2)                   184.0     299.3    262.8% 
 Subtotal            2,088.6       122.7          53.0                   184.0   2,448.3     17.2% 
 Total AUM           2,796.8       202.3        (11.3)                   276.4   3,264.2     16.7% 
 

1. Including funds raised, redemptions and distributions.

2. The LMS Capital plc contract was terminated in January 2020 with a NAV of GBP55.2 million and is included in Funds Acquired/Won.

The Real Assets division grew by GBP359 million with a successful GBP100 million fundraising for the British Strategic Investment Fund (GBP34 million Housing and GBP66 million Infrastructure) and GBP31 million for Gresham House Energy Storage plc (GRID), as well as the acquisition of the Residential Secured Income Fund plc management contract of GBP184 million as part of the TradeRisks transaction. Following the acquisition of TradeRisks we now separately report the Housing division from the New Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure division. We also saw strong performance in the Forestry division with GBP72 million of growth in the period.

The Strategic Equity division was more impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it achieved continued growth in AUM of 108 million in the period. Net fund inflows of GBP80 million and the winning of the GBP148 million Strategic Equity Capital mandate more than offset the market-driven performance reductions.

ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT

The adjusted operating profit for the Group grew in the first half of 2020 by 15% to GBP5.2 million (H1 2019: GBP4.5 million). We use the non-GAAP measure of adjusted operating profit as a key performance indicator for Gresham House as an alternative asset manager and have separated out net performance fees and net gains on investments. As set out in the 2019 Annual Report, the adjusted operating profit is defined as the net trading profit of the Group before deducting amortisation, depreciation and exceptional items relating to acquisition and restructuring costs and share-based payments relating to acquisitions.

ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT

 
 
                                                             Six months         Six months 
                                                             to 30 June                 to 
                                                                   2020       30 June 2019 
                                                                GBP'000            GBP'000 
 
    Total core income                                            17,803             13,358 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Administration overheads (excluding amortisation, 
     depreciation, exceptional items and acquisition 
     related share-based payments)                             (12,561)            (8,518) 
    Finance costs                                                   (5)              (305) 
    Adjusted operating profit                                     5,237              4,535 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Adjusted operating margin                                     29.4%              33.9% 
 
    Performance fees (gross)                                          -              1,944 
    Variable compensation attributable to 
     performance fees                                                 -            (1,744) 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Performance fees net of costs                                     -                200 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Adjusted operating profit including performance 
     fees                                                         5,237              4,735 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Amortisation and depreciation                               (4,482)            (4,350) 
    Acquisition related share-based payments 
     charges                                                      (296)              (296) 
    Exceptional items                                           (1,170)              (757) 
    Net losses on investments and other fair 
     value movements                                              (898)              (133) 
    Tax                                                           (623)                144 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Operating loss after tax                                    (2,232)              (657) 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Loss from discontinued operations                               (6)                (2) 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
    Total comprehensive net income                              (2,238)              (659) 
                                                        ---------------  ----------------- 
 

INCOME

Core income in the period increased by 33% to GBP17.8 million (H1 2019: GBP13.4 million). This increase reflects the organic growth in AUM across the business alongside four months of revenues from the TradeRisks business since acquisition and the winning of the SEC management contract in May 2020. The Strategic Equity division was impacted by the volatility in the equity markets since March 2020, however this was offset by net fund inflows and new mandates won in the period. Markets have improved since the end of the period and we continue to see net inflows into our Strategic Equity Funds, however, volatility remains.

The long-term nature of the Group's Real Asset management contracts highlight the stable revenue streams for the business with over GBP1.0 billion of AUM in Limited Partnership management contracts with a weighted average contract length of 15 years. The underlying assets within these funds are forests, infrastructure and renewable energy, which have been relatively less impacted by recent market volatility. This asset base continues to provide a stable platform to grow the business from.

ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES

Administration expenses, (excluding amortisation, depreciation, share-based payments relating to acquisitions and exceptional items) have increased to GBP12.6 million (H1 2019: GBP8.5 million) in the period. We continue to manage costs diligently while ensuring that we invest in critical areas of the business. This includes a focused investment in our distribution and investment teams as a key driver of growth, as well as in critical support functions such as compliance and legal.

The small increase in depreciation and amortisation to GBP4.5 million (H1 2019: GBP4.4 million) is primarily driven by the amortisation of the management contract acquired as part of the TradeRisks acquisition.

Exceptional items in the first half of the year of GBP1.2 million (2019: GBP0.8 million) represent the acquisition costs and restructuring costs of combining the TradeRisks business. These are considered one-off costs and have therefore been classified as exceptional in the period.

GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS

Gains and losses on investments in the period of GBP0.9 million reflect the recognition of the Group's investments in associates as well as the fair value movements of contingent consideration relating to previous acquisitions. The treatment of GHS as an associate requires the Group to recognise its share of profits or losses in the period last reported by GHS. GHS announced its annual results for the period to 31 March 2020. However, given the impact of COVID-19 in the intervening period the Board has reviewed this accounting treatment and have adjusted for GHS's Net Asset Value as at 30 June 2020 which shows the Group's share of losses over the period was GBP127,000 (H1 2019: GBP37,000 profit).

Contingent consideration payable to the sellers of acquired businesses is fair valued each period end, with the movement reflecting assessments of the expected final payment as well as the discount over time. The fair value movement in the period of GBP0.7 million was primarily driven by the unwind of the discount (H1 2019: GBP0.5 million). I am pleased to announce that the investment in FIM Services Limited reached the end of its earnout period and exceeded the original acquisition targeted income.

FINANCIAL POSITION

The balance sheet remains strong with cash at the end of the period at GBP21.9 million, up from GBP19.4 million at the beginning of the year. The business continues to generate cash from operations alongside the issuance of GBP8.0 million of shares in March 2020 and gross cash received of GBP2.4 million on the sale of the Devco Project (battery storage) to GRID, which was announced in December 2019. This activity underlines the Group's ability to generate cash to grow the business.

This cash has been used to acquire the TradeRisks business (GBP3.5 million) and make further investments in the development of battery storage through Devco Projects to support the pipeline for GRID.

The Devco Projects are included in the statement of financial position as assets and liabilities of a disposal group held for sale. These vehicles are consolidated under IFRS and the increase in assets and the associated liabilities reflects the investment in batteries, which has been funded by loans with GRID.

OUTLOOK

The continued growth in AUM through the turbulent first half of 2020 means the Group is well placed for the second half of 2020 and beyond. We continue to raise funds in ESG attractive asset classes such as forestry, infrastructure, housing and renewable energy and are cautiously optimistic of continued progress during the remainder of 2020.

Kevin Acton

Chief Financial Officer

17 September 2020

UNAUDITED CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
                                                    Six months           Six months 
                                                         ended                ended        Year ended 
                                                                                          31 December 
                                                                                                 2019 
                                                  30 June 2020         30 June 2019 
                                                   (unaudited)          (unaudited)         (audited) 
 
                                          Notes       GBP' 000             GBP' 000          GBP' 000 
 Income 
 Asset management income                                17,583               13,270            31,226 
 Dividend and interest income                              200                   74               278 
 Other operating income                                     20                   14                79 
 Performance fees and carried 
  interest                                                   -                1,944             1,944 
                                                 -------------      ---------------      ------------ 
 Total income                                 5         17,803               15,302            33,527 
 Operating costs 
 Administrative overheads                             (17,339)             (14,908)          (34,130) 
                                                 -------------      ---------------      ------------ 
 Net operating profit/(loss) 
  before exceptional items                                 464                  394             (603) 
 Finance costs                                             (5)                (305)             (390) 
 Exceptional items                            7        (1,170)                (757)           (1,063) 
 Net operating loss after exceptional 
  items                                                  (711)                (668)           (2,056) 
 Gains and losses on investments 
 Share of associates' (losses)/profits                   (177)                  142               246 
 Gains and losses on investments 
  held at fair value                                      (64)                  274             3,048 
 Movement in fair value of 
  contingent consideration                               (657)                (549)           (2,065) 
 Operating loss before taxation                        (1,609)                (801)             (827) 
 Taxation                                                (623)                  144              (23) 
                                                 -------------      ---------------      ------------ 
 Operating loss from continuing 
  operations                                           (2,232)                (657)             (850) 
 (Loss)/profit from discontinued 
  operations                                               (6)                  (2)                55 
 Total comprehensive income                            (2,238)                (659)             (795) 
                                                 =============      ===============      ============ 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the parent                          (2,237)                (664)             (850) 
 Non-controlling interest                                  (1)                    5                55 
                                                 -------------      ---------------      ------------ 
                                                       (2,238)                (659)             (795) 
                                                 =============      ===============      ============ 
 
 Basic and diluted loss per 
  ordinary share (pence)                      8              (7.7)                (2.6)             (3.2) 
 Basic adjusted profit per 
  ordinary share (pence)                      8               18.0                 18.1              38.9 
 Diluted adjusted profit per 
  ordinary share (pence)                      8               16.2                 16.6              34.3 
 
 
 
 
   Six months ended 30 June 2020 (unaudited) 
                                                                            Equity 
                                      Ordinary                        attributable          Non- 
                                         Share     Share   Retained      to equity   controlling     Total 
                                       Capital   premium   reserves   shareholders      interest    equity 
                                       GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Balance at 31 December 2019             6,956    69,242     14,039         90,237           582    90,819 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  income for the period                      -         -    (2,237)        (2,237)           (1)   (2,238) 
 Contributions by and distributions 
  to owners 
 Share-based payments                        -         -    (1,755)        (1,755)             -   (1,755) 
 Issue of shares                           547    10,800          -         11,347             -    11,347 
 Dividends paid                              -         -    (1,351)        (1,351)             -   (1,351) 
                                     ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Total contributions by and 
  distributions to owners                  547    10,800    (3,106)          8,241             -     8,241 
                                     ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Balance at 30 June 2020                 7,503    80,042      8,696         96,241           581    96,822 
                                     =========  ========  =========  =============  ============  ======== 
 
   Six months ended 30 June 2019 (unaudited) 
                                                                            Equity 
                           Ordinary                Share              attributable          Non- 
                              share      Share   warrant   Retained      to equity   controlling     Total 
                            capital    premium   reserve   reserves   shareholders      interest    equity 
                            GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Balance at 31 December 
  2018                        6,218     57,901        58     15,036         79,213           527    79,740 
 Adjustments for changes 
  in accounting policy 
  for IFRS16 Leases               -          -         -          6              6             -         6 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Balance at 31 December 
  2018 after adjustment       6,218     57,901        58     15,042         79,219           527    79,746 
 Loss and total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the period           -          -         -      (664)          (664)             5     (659) 
 Contributions by and 
 distributions to owners 
 Share-based payments             -          -         -        756            756             -       756 
 Issue of shares                592      9,500      (57)          -         10,035             -    10,035 
 Dividends paid                   -          -         -      (795)          (795)             -     (795) 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Total contributions by 
  and distributions to 
  owners                        592      9,500      (57)       (39)          9,996             -     9,996 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Balance at 30 June 2019      6,810     67,401         1     14,339         88,511           532    89,083 
                          =========  =========  ========  =========  =============  ============  ======== 
 
 Year ended 31 December 2019 (audited) 
                                                                            Equity 
                           Ordinary                Share              attributable          Non- 
                              share      Share   warrant   Retained      to equity   controlling     Total 
                            capital    premium   reserve   reserves   shareholders      interest    equity 
                            GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Balance at 31 December 
  2018                        6,218     57,901        58     15,036         79,213           527    79,740 
 Adjustments for changes 
  in accounting policy 
  for IFRS16 Leases               -          -         -          6              6             -         6 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Balance at 31 December 
  2018 after adjustment       6,218     57,901        58     15,042         79,219           527    79,746 
 
   Loss and total 
   comprehensive 
   income for the year            -          -         -      (850)          (850)            55     (795) 
 Contributions by and 
 distributions to owners 
 Share-based payments             8        189         -        642            839             -       839 
 Issue of shares                730     11,152      (58)          -         11,824             -    11,824 
 Dividends paid                   -          -         -      (795)          (795)             -     (795) 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Total contributions by 
  and distributions to 
  owners                        738     11,341      (58)      (153)         11,868             -    11,868 
                          ---------  ---------  --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 Balance at 31 December 
  2019                        6,956     69,242         -     14,039         90,237           582    90,819 
                          =========  =========  ========  =========  =============  ============  ======== 
 
 
 
 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 
                                                               30 June                30 June           31 December 
                                                                  2020                   2019                  2019 
                                                 Notes     (unaudited)            (unaudited)             (audited) 
 Assets                                                        GBP'000                GBP'000               GBP'000 
 Non-current assets 
  Investments - securities                          10           9,872                  7,791                 9,621 
  Tangible fixed assets                                            743                  1,132                   813 
  Investment in associates                                       9,009                 10,340                 9,186 
  Intangible assets                                             63,779                 62,157                58,545 
 Total non-current assets                                       83,403                 81,420                78,165 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 
 Current assets 
  Trade and other receivables                                    6,092                  7,405                 5,334 
  Accrued income and prepaid expenses                            6,196                  2,202                 7,200 
  Other current assets                                           1,071                  3,192                 1,420 
  Deferred tax                                                     613                      -                   613 
  Cash and cash equivalents                                     21,864                 15,826                19,432 
 Non-current assets held for sale 
     Assets of a disposal group held 
      for sale                                                  35,407                      -                12,188 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 Total current & non-current assets 
  held for sale                                                 71,243                 28,625                46,187 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 Total assets                                                  154,646                110,045               124,352 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
  Trade and other payables                                      19,618                  6,059                15,210 
       Short-term borrowings                                         -                  2,000                     - 
 Liabilities of a disposal group 
  held for sale 
  Liabilities of a disposal group 
   held for sale                                                31,255                      -                 9,718 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
                                                                50,873                  8,059                24,928 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 Total assets less current liabilities                         103,773                101,986                99,424 
 Non-current liabilities 
     Deferred taxation                                           3,037                  2,800                 2,632 
     Long-term borrowings                                            -                    947                     - 
     Other creditors                                             3,914                  9,156                 5,973 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
                                                                 6,951                 12,903                 8,605 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 Net assets                                                     96,822                 89,083                90,819 
                                                        ==============      =================  ==================== 
 
 Capital and reserves 
 Ordinary share capital                             11           7,503                  6,810                 6,956 
 Share premium                                                  80,042                 67,401                69,242 
 Share warrant reserve                                               -                      1                     - 
 Retained reserves                                               8,696                 14,339                14,039 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 Equity attributable to equity shareholders                     96,241                 88,551                90,237 
 Non-controlling interest                                          581                    532                   582 
                                                        --------------      -----------------  -------------------- 
 Total equity                                                   96,822                 89,083                90,819 
                                                        ==============      =================  ==================== 
 
 
 Basic net asset value per ordinary 
  share (pence)                                     13           320.7                  325.1                 324.3 
                                                        ==============      =================  ==================== 
 Diluted net asset value per ordinary 
  share (pence)                                     13           288.9                  299.7                 288.2 
                                                        ==============      =================  ==================== 
 
 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 
                                                    Six months         Six months 
                                                         ended              ended        Year ended 
                                                       30 June            30 June       31 December 
                                                          2020               2019              2019 
                                          Notes    (unaudited)        (unaudited)         (audited) 
                                                       GBP'000            GBP'000           GBP'000 
 Cash flow from operating activities 
 Net cash generated from operations        14            6,225              2,362             9,646 
 Corporation tax paid                                     (98)              (171)             (178) 
 Interest paid on loans                                    (5)              (222)             (265) 
 Net cash flow from operating 
  activities                                             6,122              1,969             9,203 
                                                 =============      =============  ================ 
 
 Cash flow from investing activities 
 Acquisition of TradeRisks Limited                     (8,045)                  -                 - 
 Investment in associates                                    -                  -              (65) 
 Dividends received from associates                         82                  -               118 
 Purchase of investments                                 (269)            (2,260)           (2,149) 
 Sale of investments                                       187                 27               319 
 Deferred proceeds received 
  on sale of investment properties                           -              1,033             1,033 
 Investment in DevCo projects                          (2,021)                  -           (1,510) 
 DevCo loans repaid                                      1,096                  -                 - 
 Proceeds received on sale of 
  DevCo projects                                         2,334                  -                 - 
 Purchase of fixed assets                                (103)              (139)             (269) 
 Sale of fixed assets                                        -                 12                40 
 Purchase of intangible assets                           (286)              (158)             (302) 
                                                       (7,025)            (1,485)           (2,785) 
                                                 =============      =============  ================ 
 Cash flow from financing activities 
 Repayment of loans                                          -            (7,000)          (10,000) 
 Share issue proceeds                                    8,010              6,496             6,495 
 Share issue costs                                       (347)                (8)               (8) 
 Share warrants exercised                                  182              3,069             4,859 
 Share-based payments settled                          (2,860)                  -             (833) 
 Dividends paid                                        (1,351)              (795)             (795) 
 Lease payments under IFRS16                             (299)              (378)             (662) 
                                                 -------------      -------------  ---------------- 
                                                         3,335              1,384             (944) 
                                                 =============      =============  ================ 
 
 Increase in cash and cash equivalents                   2,432              1,868             5,474 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  start of period                                       19,432             13,958            13,958 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  end of period                                         21,864             15,826            19,432 
                                                 =============      =============  ================ 
 

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 REPORTING ENTITY

Gresham House plc (the Company) is a public limited company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act and registered in England. The unaudited condensed group interim financial statements of the Company as at and for the six months ended 30 June 2020 comprise the Company and its subsidiary undertakings (together referred to as the Group). All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

2 STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE AND BASIS OF PREPARATION

The financial information presented in these interim results has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, as adopted by the European Union. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial information in these interim results are primarily unchanged from those used in the Company's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 and are consistent with those that the Company expects to apply in its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2019 presented in this Interim Report does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for that period but has been derived from them. The Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 were audited and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditor's Report on the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 was unqualified and did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the periods ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2020 are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the Company's auditors.

3 ESTIMATES AND MANAGEMENT JUDGEMENTS

The preparation of the unaudited condensed group interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

In preparing these unaudited condensed group interim financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation were the same as those that applied to the group financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The only change has been the recognition of the significant events of COVID-19 on the treatment of Gresham House Strategic plc (GHS) as an Associate. The Group recognises its share of profits and losses in GHS using the latest available annual report (year to 31 March) or interim results (period to 30 September). The Board has considered the significant impact of COVID-19 and in this instance have used the Group's share of GHS's profits and losses based on its publicly announced Net Asset Value as at 30 June 2020. The Group's share of this loss is GBP127,000 for the nine month period to 30 June 2020. The 31 March 2020 share of losses is considered not reflective of the position of GHS as at 30 June 2020 and as a significant event has taken place the Board have concluded to adjust for this interim period. This is not a change of accounting policy but has been adjusted to provide the reader of the accounts with greater clarity.

4 FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group's financial risk management objectives and policy are consistent with those disclosed in the group financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2019.

5 INCOME

 
                                    Six months   Six months 
                                         ended        ended     Year ended 
                                       30 June      30 June    31 December 
                                          2020         2019           2019 
                                       GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Asset management income 
 Asset management income                17,583       13,270         31,226 
                                        17,583       13,270         31,226 
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Income from investments 
 Dividend income - Listed UK               138           47            166 
 Interest receivable - Banks                51           15             52 
                         - Other            11           12             60 
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------- 
                                           200           74            278 
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Other operating income 
 Arrangement fees                            -            -             13 
 Consultancy fees receivable                 -            5              5 
 Other fees receivable                      20            9             61 
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------- 
                                            20           14             79 
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Performance fees 
 Performance fees                            -        1,944          1,944 
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------- 
                                             -        1,944          1,944 
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Total income                           17,803       15,302         33,527 
                                   ===========  ===========  ============= 
 

6 BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On 5 March 2020 the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of TradeRisks Limited (TradeRisks), a company registered in England. TradeRisks is a fund management business and specialist provider of debt structuring and advisory services to the housing and social infrastructure sectors. TradeRisks' wholly owned and separately FCA regulated subsidiary, ReSI Capital Management Limited (RCM), is the manager of Residential Secure Income plc (ReSI plc) (LSE: RESI), a closed-ended investment company which seeks to deliver secure income returns to its shareholders by investing in portfolios of shared ownership, retirement and local authority housing. The management contracts for ReSI plc were acquired as part of the acquisition of TradeRisks.

The fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, and the consideration paid under IFRS3 are as follows:

 
                                  Net book 
                                     value   Adjustments   Fair value 
                                   GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Investments                           463             -          463 
 Tangible fixed assets                 180             -          180 
 Intangible fixed assets                97             -           97 
 Cash                                1,639             -        1,639 
 Trade and other receivables         5,999             -        5,999 
 Trade and other payables            (426)             -        (426) 
 Management contracts                    -         2,886        2,886 
 Customer relationships                  -           263          263 
 Deferred tax liability                  -         (598)        (598) 
 Goodwill                                -         5,655        5,655 
 Total identifiable net assets       7,952         8,206       16,158 
                                 =========  ============  =========== 
 

Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the fair value of the consideration paid to the vendors of TradeRisks was:

 
                                                         GBP'000 
 Cash                                                      9,684 
 Shares - 555,555 shares in Gresham House plc valued 
  at 625 pence per share on 5 March 2020                   3,472 
                                                        -------- 
 Total initial consideration                              13,156 
 Contingent consideration                                  3,002 
 Total consideration                                      16,158 
                                                        ======== 
 

The consideration shares were admitted to trading on AIM on 11 March 2020.

Contingent consideration

Contingent consideration totalling a maximum of GBP6.0 million will be payable in cash to the sellers based on the following:

-- 0.5% of funds raised payable in three years, with maximum amount capped at GBP3.0 million. The expected fair value at acquisition is GBP1.9 million.

-- Any realised synergies payable in three years, capped at GBP1.0 million. The expected fair value at acquisition is GBP0.8 million.

   --    GBP2.0 million payable within six months post-completion for any inventory true-up. 

The fair value of the contingent consideration has been estimated at the date of acquisition using estimated outcomes, the probability of those outcomes and discounting this at 7.5%. This is cash settled and will therefore be recognised as a liability on the balance sheet and the fair value assessed each reporting period. The fair value at the time of acquisition was calculated as GBP3.0 million.

Revenue and profits of TradeRisks

TradeRisks was acquired on 5 March 2020. The Group has recognised the following amounts in respect of TradeRisks for the 17-week period ended 30 June 2020:

 
                    GBP'000 
 Revenue                784 
 Loss before tax      (133) 
 

The GBP133,000 loss for the period of ownership reflects the impact of COVID-19 on the debt arrangement business.

Prior to acquisition by the Group, TradeRisks had a 31 July year end. The results for the most recent audited reporting period prior to acquisition were to 31 July 2019. Had TradeRisks been part of the Group for the entire reporting period the following sums would have been consolidated:

 
                      GBP'000 
 Revenue                5,897 
 Profit before tax      2,187 
 

Goodwill

Goodwill arises due to the excess of the fair value of the consideration payable over the fair value of the net assets acquired. It is mainly attributable to the skills of the team acquired, the synergies expected to be achieved from the acquisition and the business development potential. Goodwill arising on the TradeRisks acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.

Fair value

The fair value of the management contracts and customer relationships have been estimated using a discounted cash flow model. The estimated cash flows have been valued at a discount of 7.5%. This resulted in the fair value of management contracts being recognised at GBP2,886,000 and the customer relationships at GBP263,000.

7 EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

 
                                Six months   Six months 
                                     ended        ended     Year ended 
                                   30 June      30 June    31 December 
                                      2020         2019           2019 
                                   GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Acquisition costs 
 TradeRisks Limited                    847            -              - 
 FIM Services Limited                    -            -              2 
 Livingbridge VC                         -           10             10 
 Joint Venture establishment           210          217            251 
 Other                                  30            -              - 
                               -----------  -----------  ------------- 
                                     1,087          227            263 
 Restructuring costs                    83          376            646 
 Exceptional legal fees                  -          154            154 
                               -----------  -----------  ------------- 
                                     1,170          757          1,063 
                               ===========  ===========  ============= 
 

Acquisition, associated restructuring costs and exceptional legal fees are considered exceptional and not part of the normal course of business activity.

8 EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted loss per share

 
                                                 Six 
                                              months   Six months 
                                               ended        ended     Year ended 
                                             30 June      30 June    31 December 
                                                2020         2019           2019 
 
 Total net loss attributable to equity 
  holders of the parent (GBP'000)            (2,237)        (664)          (850) 
 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares in issue during the period       29,099,750   25,089,445     26,479,021 
 
 Basic and diluted loss per share to 
  equity holders of the parent (pence)         (7.7)        (2.6)          (3.2) 
                                         ===========  ===========  ============= 
 

3,301,297 (30 June 2019: 2,307,168; 31 December 2019: 3,490,871) shares were deemed to have been issued at nil consideration as a result of the shareholder and supporter warrants granted (in prior periods) and shares which could be issued under the bonus share matching plan and long-term incentive plans which, as required under IAS 33, Earnings per Share, have not been recognised as they would reduce the loss per share.

Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share is based on adjusted operating profit, which is stated after charging interest but before depreciation, amortisation, share-based payments relating to acquisitions, profits and losses on disposal of tangible fixed assets, net performance fees, net development gains and exceptional items, to provide the non-GAAP measure of the performance as an asset manager. This includes dividend and interest income received from investment in associates. This metric was revised in 2019 to reflect the activity of the core asset management business separately from performance fees and realised gains on investments. Accordingly, the metric now deducts net performance fees, variable compensation attributable to gains on investments (development projects) and share-based payments relating to acquisitions.

Adjusted profit for calculating adjusted earnings per share:

 
                                                  Six months   Six months 
                                                       ended        ended     Year ended 
                                                     30 June      30 June    31 December 
                                                        2020         2019           2019 
                                                     GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Net operating loss after exceptional 
  items                                                (711)        (668)        (2,056) 
 Add back: 
 Exceptional operating expenses                        1,170          757          1,063 
 Depreciation and amortisation                         4,482        4,325          8,484 
 Loss on disposal of tangible fixed 
  assets                                                   -           25             43 
 Dividend income received from associates                  -            -          1,323 
 Net performance fees                                      -        (200)          (200) 
 Variable compensation attributable 
  to realised gains on investments                         -            -          1,037 
 Share-based payments relating to acquisitions           296          296            593 
 Adjusted operating profit attributable 
  to equity holders of the parent                      5,237        4,535         10,287 
 
 Adjusted profit per share (pence) 
  - basic                                               18.0         18.1           38.9 
                                                 ===========  ===========  ============= 
 Adjusted profit per share (pence) 
  - diluted                                             16.2         16.6           34.3 
                                                 ===========  ===========  ============= 
 

9 DIVIDS

The Company paid GBP1,351,000 during the period which represents a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 4.5 pence per share. A final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 3.0 pence per share totalling GBP795,000 was paid in May 2019.

10 INVESTMENTS - SECURITIES

Investments have been classified as follows:

 
                                                   30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                                      2020      2019          2019 
                                                   GBP'000   GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
 Non-current assets                                  9,872     7,791         9,621 
 Other debtors due within one year - Investment 
  in development projects                              752     2,840         1,208 
                                                    10,624    10,631        10,829 
                                                  ========  ========  ============ 
 

A further analysis of total investments is as follows:

 
                                                   30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                                      2020      2019          2019 
                                                   GBP'000   GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
 Listed securities - on the London Stock 
  Exchange                                           6,318     4,389         5,624 
 Securities dealt in under AIM                         395       593           531 
 Securities dealt in under Aquis Stock Exchange         13        18            10 
 Unlisted securities                                 3,898     5,631         4,664 
 Closing value                                      10,624    10,631        10,829 
                                                  ========  ========  ============ 
 
 Investments valued at fair value through 
  profit or loss                                     9,605     7,489         8,914 
 Loans and receivables carried at amortised 
  cost                                               1,019     3,142         1,915 
                                                    10,624    10,631        10,829 
                                                  ========  ========  ============ 
 

Unlisted securities primarily include the Group's investment in the Gresham House Forestry Fund LP (GBP2.1 million, including non-controlling interests), investment in battery storage projects (GBP0.8 million) included within other debtors due within one year, and an investment of GBP0.6 million in LF GH Equity Funds.

11 SHARE CAPITAL

 
                                                     30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                                        2020      2019          2019 
                                                     GBP'000   GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Allotted: Ordinary - 30,012,401 (30 June 
  2019: 27,239,162; 31 December 2019: 27,824,222) 
  fully paid shares of 25 pence each                   7,503     6,810         6,956 
                                                    ========  ========  ============ 
 

During the six months to 30 June 2020 the Company issued the following new ordinary shares:

-- 2,924 shares on 14 January 2020 at a price of 324.8 pence per share pursuant to an exercise of options in the 2018 Save as You Earn (SAYE) Scheme ;

-- 555,555 shares on 11 March 2020 at a price of 625 pence per share to the vendors of TradeRisks Limited;

-- 4,770 shares on 11 March 2020 at a price of 632.5 pence to the Gresham House plc Employee Benefit Trust to be used to satisfy awards arising from the Company's employee incentive schemes ;

   --      1,568,628 placing shares on 20 March 2020 at a price of 510 pence per share; and 

-- 56,302 shareholder warrants were exercised during the period at a price of 323.27 pence per share.

12 SHARE WARRANTS

 
                                         Shareholder   Supporter         Total 
                                            warrants    warrants      warrants 
 
 Balance at 1 January 2019                   874,485     769,000     1,643,485 
 Warrants exercised during the period      (197,726)   (752,000)     (949,726) 
                                        ------------  ----------  ------------ 
 Balance at 30 June 2019                     676,759      17,000       693,759 
 Warrants exercised during the period      (536,456)    (17,000)     (553,456) 
 Warrants lapsed during the period          (83,940)           -      (83,940) 
                                        ------------  ----------  ------------ 
 Balance at 31 December 2019                  56,363           -        56,363 
 Warrants exercised during the period       (56,302)           -      (56,302) 
 Warrants lapsed during the period                61           -            61 
 Balance at 30 June 2020                           -           -             - 
                                        ============  ==========  ============ 
 

Shareholder warrants

On 1 December 2014 the Company issued 1,073,904 shareholder warrants to existing shareholders as at the close of business on 28 November 2014 on a 1:5 basis, such warrants having been admitted to trading on AIM. Shareholder warrants are freely transferable, are exercisable at any time between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 at an exercise price of 323.27 pence per ordinary share and are subject to the terms of the shareholder warrant instrument dated 7 October 2014. Shareholder warrants not exercised by 31 December 2019 lapsed.

Supporter warrants

On 1 December 2014 the Company issued 850,000 supporter warrants to the new directors and certain members of the Investment Committee and Advisory Group at a price of 7.5 pence per warrant. Supporter warrants have the same entitlements as the shareholder warrants save that (i) they are not freely transferable (such supporter warrants only being transferable to certain family members, trusts or companies connected with the relevant warrant holder) and accordingly not quoted on AIM; (ii) are exercisable between 1 December 2015 and 31 December 2019; and (iii) are subject to the terms of the supporter warrant instrument dated 7 October 2014.

During the six months to 30 June 2020 56,302 shareholder warrants were converted into ordinary shares resulting in the issue of 56,302 new ordinary shares (30 June 2019: 949,726; year ended 31 December 2019: 1,503,182). Notice was given by shareholder warrant holders by 31 December 2019 for 56,363 shareholder warrants, of which 56,302 have been exercised, with the remaining 61 shareholder warrants lapsing in the period.

13 NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

Basic

 
                                          30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                             2020         2019          2019 
 
 Equity attributable to holders of 
  the parent (GBP'000)                     96,241       88,551        90,237 
 
 Number of ordinary shares in issue 
  at the end of the period             30,012,401   27,239,162    27,824,222 
 
 Basic net asset value (pence)              320.7        325.1         324.3 
                                      ===========  ===========  ============ 
 

Diluted

 
                                          30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                             2020         2019          2019 
 
 Equity attributable to holders of 
  the parent (GBP'000)                     96,241       88,551        90,237 
 
 Number of ordinary shares in issue 
  at the end of the period             33,313,698   29,546,330    31,315,093 
 
 Diluted net asset value (pence)            288.1        299.7         288.2 
                                      ===========  ===========  ============ 
 

Diluted net asset value per share is based on the number of shares in issue at the period end together with 3,301,297 (30 June 2019: 2,307,168; 31 December 2019: 3,490,871) shares deemed to have been issued at nil consideration as a result of the shareholder and supporter warrants (in prior periods) and shares which could be issued under the bonus share matching plan and long-term incentive plans.

14 RECONCILIATION OF NET OPERATING LOSS TO OPERATING CASH FLOWS

 
                                               30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                                  2020         2019          2019 
                                               GBP'000      GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Net operating loss after exceptional 
  items                                          (711)        (668)       (2,056) 
 (Loss)/profit from discontinued operations        (6)          (2)            55 
 Interest payable                                    5          195           221 
 Depreciation                                      529          413           816 
 Loss/(profit) on disposal of tangible 
  fixed assets                                       -           25            43 
 Amortisation                                    3,953        3,912         7,668 
 Share-based payments                            1,105          756         1,844 
                                                 4,875        4,631         8,591 
 Decrease in long-term receivables                   -           78            78 
 Decrease/(increase) in current assets           3,851      (4,127)       (4,638) 
 (Decrease)/increase in current liabilities    (2,501)        1,780         5,615 
                                                 6,225        2,362         9,646 
                                              ========  ===========  ============ 
 

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END

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September 17, 2020 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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