Headlam Share Discussion Threads

[jeffian] 13/5/2017 19:25

I have quite a lot of Headlam shares and have held for ages. I intend to hold on. I'm not particularly worried about it as Headlam's business isn't financially complex. I just thought it was interesting to pick someone with a bit of a cloud over his CV rather than someone with a clean bill of health (particularly as the Headlam business model includes growth by acquisition of small independent carpet distributor - just the accounting area that tripped up Mitie!).

[pugugly] 13/5/2017 18:11

jeffian: Thanks for above info - Market reaction was interesting - has been a long term hold but only recently started to out perform - will have to have another look especially if City start to associate with Mitie problems.

[jeffian] 12/5/2017 22:48

"Finance Director for Mitie's technical services division - led the financial integration of the Dalkia FM acquisition" Still Hmmmmm! "Investors such as Mr Steer say that they were sceptical about the way in which Mitie accounted for goodwill associated with its acquired businesses..... ....distrust of Mitie’s accounting was widespread in the City.... .....Investors such as Mr Steer say that they were sceptical about the way in which Mitie accounted for goodwill associated with its acquired businesses"

[effortless cool] 12/5/2017 21:36

jeffian, I had the same thought. At least he seems not to have been involved with the two divisions mentioned in that article. From his linkedin: "Led the commercial, financial and legal function for Mitie's decentralised energy solutions division. Also Chairman of Mitie's pension governance committee". "Finance Director for Mitie's technical services division - led the financial integration of the Dalkia FM acquisition increasing Divisional revenue to over £500m".

[jeffian] 11/5/2017 10:41

Hmmmm! That's an interesting appointment as FD. "Chris......was previously at Mitie Group plc, the facilities management and consultancy company, between January 2008 and July 2013 where he held two divisional Finance Director positions." I seem to remember that Mitie had a little difficulty with its accounts! "A former top City fund manager with a reputation for unearthing accounting problems at listed companies has criticised the regulator for failing to intervene in the bookkeeping practices at Mitie. In an outspoken opinion piece for The Times today, Tim Steer claims that the Financial Reporting Council was aware of potentially “significant problems” with accounting at the troubled contractor as far back as May 2015 but failed to act. Mr Steer, who made his name at New Star before moving to Artemis, claims that distrust of Mitie’s accounting was widespread in the City and that British fund managers stayed away from the company’s share register, leaving bargain-hunting American investors to take positions in the company instead. Last week Mitie offloaded its homecare division to Apposite Capital for £2 and agreed to pay the buyer £9.45 million to cover potential future losses and the costs of turning it around. Acquisitions of Mitie’s healthcare businesses were made under the leadership of Baroness McGregor-Smith in 2012 and 2014 at a cost of just under £120 million, but late last year the group wrote off its entire investment and took a charge of £128 million. Investors such as Mr Steer say that they were sceptical about the way in which Mitie accounted for goodwill associated with its acquired businesses, as well as the start-up costs associated with contracts for the wider group. “One has to ask: where were all the checks and balances? Auditors, management, non-executive directors and audit committees all failed,” Mr Steer writes."

[the big fella] 05/5/2017 11:58

I have held these for many years. I was a holder of Eclipse Blinds so that tells you how long! It has been a steady core investment over the years and at present I can see no reason why I wont continue to hold.

[thorpematt] 05/5/2017 10:42

Still very quiet here. I thought the last TS was very positive. I also think that the strong cash position masks the true value here. On MC the PER looks around 15. (A little low given the quality IMO). HOWEVER take the nett cash out and the EV to earnings ratio reveals a much lower ratio. Undervalued company which is likely to outperform in the mid-term is my view.

[essentialinvestor] 19/1/2017 11:20

Mentioned a couple of times that forecasts looked too low, you only needed to look at what they did in H1 coupled with the updates. Not sure why analysts were so slow, not a particularly followed company perhaps.

[jeffian] 19/1/2017 10:08

Agreed and nice to see it break significantly above £5 which it's had trouble breaching before. Let's hope it stays there!

[effortless cool] 19/1/2017 09:37

And now above revised expectations - great update this morning.

[essentialinvestor] 16/12/2016 08:59

So we are none the wiser atm on any strategic differences that amy have prompted the CEO departure, if indeed that even was the case, just reported speculation in the trade press on the reason. What we do know is Headlam is trading above expectations on the update. Added a few this AM.

[jeffian] 01/12/2016 08:14

Yes, not a share to set the bulletin boards alight but a sound performer in my portfolio.

[battlebus2] 01/12/2016 08:05

Update stimulating the share price :))

[jeffian] 21/9/2016 17:14

‘There are no problems with Tony’s or the company’s health.’ That knocks #184 on the head, then! 8-)

[eeza] 21/9/2016 17:04

Whose strategy will be proven right - is the ?

[essentialinvestor] 21/9/2016 17:01

Appreciated Jim, I wondered was there a disagreement re strategy as posted.

[jimmywilson612] 21/9/2016 16:58

hxxps://www.financialdirector.co.uk/2016/09/14/headlam-group-promotes-finance-director-steve-wilson-to-ceo/ nteriors Monthly can exclusively reveal the reason why Tony Brewer, former Headlam group chief executive departed from the country’s largest flooring supplier. Sources have told Interiors Monthly that the company’s non-executive directors were not satisfied with the information from Brewer on its future strategy and asked him to step down. Since Brewer, who left the group on 14 September after 16 years as group chief executive and 25 years as an executive director, parted ways several rumours have been in circulation regarding the reason for Brewer’s departure. ‘There was a difference of opinion of the strategy going forward,’ said a source, speaking on the condition of anonymity. ‘The non-executive directors – who are there to ask questions on strategy – were not satisfied with the information as to why things were being done,’ said another source. ‘There are no problems with Tony’s or the company’s health.’

[jeffian] 15/9/2016 17:44

I missed the announcement of CEO change (not in UK at mo) but it doesn't read to me like anything untoward and they say suitably warm things about him. Health issue, maybe?

[essentialinvestor] 15/9/2016 14:39

If some institutions decide to sell down a little, as per the recent RNS, the share price can move quickly lower IMV.

[essentialinvestor] 15/9/2016 14:33

Bought a small amount.

[rhomboid] 15/9/2016 14:32

That's a positive sign of confidence. A chunk of change as well, not sure why he didn't own any prior to his elevation though given his seniority?

[rjd123] 15/9/2016 14:11

Looks like the new CEO has bought 50,000 shares

[essentialinvestor] 15/9/2016 13:35

Well can understand that, if they gave a reason it may have been more understandable. No director buying?.