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RNWH Renew Holdings Plc

929.00
-4.00 (-0.43%)
Last Updated: 08:28:00
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Renew Holdings Plc LSE:RNWH London Ordinary Share GB0005359004 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -4.00 -0.43% 929.00 923.00 929.00 930.00 921.00 930.00 10,112 08:28:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Gen Contractor-oth Residentl 921.55M 43.38M 0.5482 17.02 738.32M

Renew Holdings PLC Half-year Report (6559L)

17/05/2022 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Renew (LSE:RNWH)
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RNS Number : 6559L

Renew Holdings PLC

17 May 2022

17 May 2022

Renew Holdings plc

("Renew" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Half-year Report

Resilience shines through; trading in line with expectations

Renew (AIM: RNWH), the leading Engineering Services Group supporting the maintenance and renewal of critical UK infrastructure, announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2022 ("the period").

Highlights

 
 Six months ended 31 March         HY2022      HY2021       Change 
                                    GBPm        GBPm 
 Group revenue(1)                  GBP414.3m   GBP366.4m    +13.1% 
                                  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted operating profit(1)       GBP26.0m    GBP22.0m    +18.2% 
                                  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Operating profit                   GBP22.1m    GBP18.5m    +19.3% 
                                  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted operating margin(1)           6.3%        6.0%   +26.9bps 
                                  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Profit before tax                  GBP21.8m    GBP18.1m    +20.6% 
                                  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted earnings per share(1)        26.2p       22.9p    +14.6% 
                                  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Interim dividend                      5.67p       4.83p    +17.4% 
                                  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
   --      Record half year results 
   --      Group order book of GBP771m (HY2021: GBP750m) 
   --      Net debt (pre-IFRS16) of GBP1.2m (HY2021: GBP16.9m) 
   --      Further de-risking of balance sheet with completion of Amco Group Pension Scheme buy-in 

-- Increased interim dividend reflects board's confidence in the Group's resilient trading performance, cash position and strong forward order book

-- Trading has started well in the second half of the year and we remain confident of achieving our full year expectations

Operational Highlights

   --      Browne fully integrated and trading ahead of expectations 
   --      Secured 2-year extensions to a number of our major rail frameworks 
   --      Making good progress in rail electrification 
   --      Appointed to the Manchester Airports Group GBP700m Civils Framework 
   --      Significant framework appointments in Water with an expanding client base 
   --      Continued progress across our sustainability targets 

Paul Scott, CEO of Renew, commented:

"The first six months of this financial year have presented a unique set of circumstances and the Group's record performance clearly demonstrate the resilient and differentiated nature of our business. Supported by the commercial terms within our frameworks, we continue to successfully manage the industry-wide material shortages and inflation challenges effectively, without any material impact on trading.

We look to the future confident in the knowledge our strong market positions underpinned by long-term, non-discretionary spending cycles mean we are well positioned to take advantage of the UK Government's pledge to invest GBP650bn in a green infrastructure-led recovery that will bring significant opportunities for Renew and our differentiated, diversified, low-risk business model.

I would like to thank my colleagues across the entire Group for their hard work and continued commitment to our clients.

Trading has started well in the second half of the year and we remain confident of achieving our full year expectations."

(1) Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative performance measures when reviewing the performance of the Group against its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, and a reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in Note 30 of the 2021 Annual Report & Accounts.

For further information, please contact:

 
 Renew Holdings plc                               www.renewholdings.com 
 Paul Scott, Chief Executive Officer                 via FTI Consulting 
 Sean Wyndham-Quin, Chief Financial Officer               020 3727 1000 
 
 Numis Securities Limited (Nominated Adviser 
  and Joint Broker)                                       020 7260 1000 
 Stuart Skinner / Kevin Cruickshank 
 
 Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker)                             020 7418 8900 
 Mike Burke / Harry Nicholas / Charles 
  Batten 
 
 FTI Consulting (Financial PR)                            020 3727 1000 
 Alex Beagley / Sam Macpherson / Rafaella       Renew@fticonsulting.com 
  de Freitas 
 

About Renew Holdings plc

Renew is a leading UK Engineering Services business, performing a critical role in keeping the nation's infrastructure functioning efficiently and safely. The Group operates through independently branded subsidiaries across its chosen markets, delivering non-discretionary maintenance and renewal tasks through its highly skilled, directly employed workforce.

Renew's activities are focused into two business streams: Specialist Engineering, which accounts for over 95 per cent of the Group's adjusted operating profit, focuses on the key markets of Rail, Infrastructure, Energy (including Nuclear) and Environmental which are largely governed by regulation and benefit from non-discretionary spend with long-term visibility of committed funding.

Specialist Building focuses on the High Quality Residential and Science markets in London and the Home Counties.

For more information please visit the Renew Holdings plc website: www.renewholdings.com

Certain information contained in this announcement would have constituted inside information (as defined by Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014) prior to its release as part of this announcement.

Chief Executive Officer's Review

Resilience shines through

The Group delivered another record trading performance over the first six months of the financial year, despite the well-documented inflationary pressures, demonstrating the resilience and differentiated nature of our high-quality, low-risk business model, combined with the strong demand we have seen in our markets as the UK's infrastructure-led economic recovery continues.

At Renew, we are committed to delivering engineering infrastructure solutions for a sustainable future. We perform a critical role in keeping the nation's infrastructure functioning efficiently and safely as a leading provider of essential maintenance and renewals-led engineering services, operating in regulated markets with committed regulatory spending periods, including rail, highways, mobile telecommunications, civil nuclear, water and environmental.

As part of the UK Government's pledge to level up the economy and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it has committed to a record GBP650bn(2) investment in transforming the UK's infrastructure and we are continuing to benefit from an increased focus on maintaining and renewing assets as part of this shift. Renew has a vital role to play in supporting the green and sustainable infrastructure of the future and we continue to make progress on our own sustainability agenda.

The Group again demonstrated its resilience during the first half of the financial year, successfully navigating our way through the industry-wide product shortages and inflation challenges without any material impact on trading. As a result, we delivered operating profit, margin and revenue ahead of the strong prior year comparative following the successful integration of Browne, a business we acquired in March 2021. This again highlights Renew's ability to perform through the economic cycle, thanks to the critical nature of our work and the committed, long-term, highly visible spending programmes that underpin our end markets.

After an outstanding FY21, the first six months of FY22 have further demonstrated the differentiated qualities and resilient nature of our business model. We continue to successfully manage the ongoing inflationary environment and our strong forward order book underpins our confidence in achieving further growth.

In addition, our robust balance sheet and strong cash generation gives us the firepower and flexibility to invest in growth by capitalising on value-accretive M&A opportunities to complement our organic growth ambitions.

On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all our dedicated colleagues for their outstanding work and continued commitment to providing our clients with mission critical, highly responsive services at all times.

Compelling market drivers

Our businesses are exposed to attractive long-term, non-discretionary structural growth drivers. Increasing demand for the maintenance and renewal of existing UK infrastructure is driven by a number of factors including:

   --      A commitment by the Government to level up the economy by investing GBP650bn(2) in a green infrastructure-led recovery, two-thirds of which will be in the transport and energy sectors, with fiscal stimulus measures likely to flow through to the type of lower cost infrastructure maintenance programmes where Renew excels ahead of larger, more capital-intensive enhancement schemes; 

-- Greater focus on sustainability and climate change as part of the UK's target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, together with flood risk prevention measures and investment in decarbonisation through nuclear projects, renewables and electrification programmes;

-- Population growth and socio-economic trends increasing the pressure on housing, energy, water and demand for natural resources;

-- Technological innovation driving a shift towards digital roads, smart cities and the transformation of transport and telecommunications networks; and

-- Increased Government regulation to improve safety, efficiency and resilience of key infrastructure assets leading to more demanding maintenance, renewal and upgrading requirements.

Renew's strengths

Renew has a number of core strengths which provide distinct competitive advantages in our chosen markets and leave us well placed to build on our strong track record of long-term value creation:

-- The health, safety and wellbeing of our people, and all stakeholders impacted by our activities, remains our number one priority and we continue to enforce strict safe working practices across all of our operations

-- We operate a differentiated, diversified, low-risk, low-capital operating model, providing critical asset maintenance and renewals services that are not dependent on large, high-risk, capital-intensive contract awards

-- Supported by the commercial terms within our frameworks, we continue to successfully manage the industry-wide material shortages and inflation challenges effectively, without any material impact on trading

-- Our directly employed workforce enables us to provide a more efficient and valuable service to our clients, reducing our exposure to sub-contractor pricing volatility and enabling us to deliver highly responsive solutions

-- Our businesses work in complex, challenging and highly regulated markets with significant barriers to entry, which demand a highly skilled and experienced workforce and a proven track record of safe delivery

-- We work in markets underpinned by resilient, long-term growth dynamics and highly visible, reliable, committed regulatory spending periods, providing predictable cashflows

-- We have a proven track record of sustainable value creation, reliable revenue growth and strong returns on capital thanks to our highly cash generative earnings model

-- We are committed to growing the business both organically and through selective complementary acquisitions while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation and risk

-- Our high-quality model of compounding earnings through the redeployment of internally generated cashflows enables us to execute on our strategy of delivering reliable growth for all our stakeholders

-- We have strong relationships in place with all our stakeholders, from our workforce to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders

Innovations

We continuously seek to develop and implement industry-leading innovations to improve operational performance including the introduction of bespoke plant-led technology to deliver cost, time and environmental improvements for routine maintenance and renewal activities for our clients.

In 2021 we deployed the Rail MegaVac, a unique Road Rail Vehicle which significantly improves the capacity and efficiency of drain management operations on the rail network. We also introduced a UK first in the form of the Vegetation Compactor, which reduces noise pollution resulting in less disturbance to wildlife and neighbouring lineside properties. Following these successful launches, in 2022 we introduced the Forwarder V2, which has a mounted Mega Chipper which can process significantly larger trees and features a metal detector in its feed bed, an industry first for this type of machine, improving reliability and efficiency.

Results overview

During the period, Group revenue increased to GBP414.3m (HY2021: GBP366.4m) with an adjusted(1) operating profit of GBP26.0m (HY2021: GBP22.0m). Adjusted(1) operating profit margin was 6.3% (2021: 6.0%). As at 31 March 2022, the Group had pre-IFRS16 net debt of GBP1.2m (31 March 2021: GBP16.9m). The Group's order book at 31 March 2022 had strengthened to GBP771m (HY2021: GBP750m) underpinned by long-term framework positions.

During the first half of the year, the Board conducted a detailed review of the liabilities relating to Allenbuild Limited, a business that was sold in 2014 and successfully resolved the final remaining tax issues relating to Lovell America. As a consequence, we have determined that a net additional provision of GBP1.1m is required to enable us to deal with the known legacy contractual issues. This is shown as a loss from discontinued operations during the period in the Group Income Statement.

Amco pension buy-in

The Group is pleased to announce that o n 8 April 2022, the Trustee of the Amco Group Pension Scheme ("Amco Scheme"), in consultation with the Board, entered into a "buy-in" agreement with a specialist insurer.

This transaction will ensure the security of the benefits of the Amco Scheme's pensioners and deferred members and, while the Group remains legally responsible for the scheme, the transaction has eliminated all of the Group's exposure to investment and funding risks in the Amco Scheme. The transaction also improves the long-term security of members' benefits. As a result of this buy-in, and the previous buy-in that occurred in 2013, all of the Amco Scheme's liabilities are now matched with corresponding annuities.

The "buy-in" will be completed by using Amco Scheme assets plus an additional, one off, cash contribution which is expected to be around GBP1.6m to purchase annuities from the specialist insurer which match corresponding pension liabilities, where the annuity policy remains an asset of the Amco Scheme.

Dividend

The Group's resilient trading performance, cash position and strong forward order book have given the Board the confidence to declare an interim dividend of 5.67p (HY2021: 4.83p) per share. This represents a 17.4 per cent increase on the last interim dividend paid. This will be paid on 13 July 2022 to shareholders on the register as at 10 June 2022, with an ex-dividend date of 9 June 2022.

Board changes

As referred to previously and confirmed in a separate announcement this morning, after almost 11 years on the Board, David Forbes has resigned as Chairman with immediate effect to pursue his other business interests. David will be replaced by David Brown, currently non-executive Director. David Brown will also assume the role as chair of the Nomination committee. At the same time Shatish Dasani has additionally assumed the responsibilities of Senior Independent Director and Stephanie Hazell has been appointed as Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

The Board continues to search for an additional Non-Executive Director to strengthen the Board.

Engineering Services

Our Engineering Services activities account for over 95 per cent of the Group's adjusted (1) operating profit and delivered revenue of GBP377.5m (HY2021: GBP327.5m) with an adjusted(1) operating profit of GBP26.6m (HY2021: GBP22.2m) resulting in an operating margin of 7.1% (HY2021: 6.8%). At 31 March 2022, the Engineering Services order book was GBP705m (31 March 2021: GBP665m). The Group's resilient performance was driven by continued positive momentum in our key Engineering Services markets.

Rail

Network Rail, a significant strategic customer for the Group, is investing GBP53bn(3) over the current control period (CP6), which runs to 2024. This increased focus on operational support, renewal and maintenance plays to our strengths as does the Government's commitment to its rail decarbonisation programme, including a significant investment in electrification, as part of the overall UK target to deliver net zero by 2050.

As the largest provider of multidisciplinary maintenance and renewals engineering services to Network Rail, we support the day-to-day operation of the rail network nationally, directly delivering essential asset maintenance through our long-term CP6 frameworks. The Group assists Network Rail through our mission-critical renewals and maintenance services supporting assets including bridges, embankments, tunnels, drainage systems, signalling and electrification.

During the period, we continued to add new positions under CP6 frameworks and the Group now holds in excess of 50 CP6 maintenance and renewals frameworks across all disciplines, covering the entire rail network. More recently, we worked with Network Rail around the clock on the reopening of the Cambrian Line between Shrewsbury and Newtown following the flood damage caused by Storm Franklin, an example of the Group's mission-critical role in keeping the nation's infrastructure functioning efficiently and safely. During the period we were pleased to be awarded a 2-year extension to our national Civils and Buildings Asset Management Frameworks. We were also awarded 2-year extensions to the CP6 Geotechnical Framework and the Renewals & General Enhancements Framework. These framework extensions give us good visibility going into the first two years of CP7.

The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail suggests the majority of decarbonisation is likely to be delivered through a programme of electrification to support the transition to a zero carbon railway between now and 2050. In July 2020, the Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy estimated that the associated capital cost will be between GBP18bn to GBP26bn(4) . With the Government's rail decarbonisation programme as a key future target, the Group acquired Rail Electrification Limited ("REL") during FY21, a leading provider of specialist services and Road Rail Plant associated with the installation and commissioning of Overhead Line Electrification ("OLE"). We continue to make good progress in this new market area where our three rail brands have formed a collaborative and unique proposition for OLE delivery. During the period, we were awarded our first OLE renewals project at Morpeth on the East Coast Mainline and we are also now involved in structure reconfiguration programmes in Scotland and on the Midland Main Line as preparatory work for electrification.

The compelling maintenance-focused structural growth drivers within this sector and Renew's high quality engineering expertise leaves the Group ideally positioned to deliver long term, profitable growth in Rail particularly as we see opportunities present themselves in the current and future control periods.

Infrastructure

Highways

The Group continued to make good operational and strategic progress within the Highways segment in the first half, delivering essential asset maintenance and critical infrastructure renewals underpinned by non-discretionary regulatory requirements.

The UK Government has committed to an investment of GBP24bn(5) in the strategic road network over a five-year period, as part of its second Road Investment Strategy ("RIS2"), GBP11.9bn of this funding will be ringfenced for operations, maintenance and renewals. Renew is well positioned to continue to benefit from the increased opportunities in the sector.

We continue to deliver innovative technological solutions to support the needs of major clients such as National Highways and during the period we were awarded two lots on their Technical Survey and Testing Framework, worth GBP14m across a seven-year duration.

In January 2022, work commenced on the National Highways Scheme Delivery Framework ("SDF") across five lots, covering civil engineering, road restraint systems and drainage disciplines, worth GBP147m over six years. The road restraint lots will be delivered through a collaboration between two of the Group's subsidiary businesses, illustrating the integration and collaboration potential of our brands. Following this success, the Group continues to pursue further opportunities where it can leverage the combined expertise of its subsidiaries.

Aviation

During the period we were appointed to the 5-year Manchester Airports Group GBP700m Civils Framework to deliver medium-sized civil-engineering projects valued between GBP3m - GBP10m. This will support its programme of infrastructure development across its three airports namely, Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted.

Wireless Telecoms

The UK wireless telecoms sector contains many attractive growth drivers. An estimated GBP30bn(6) is required to upgrade the nation's broadband networks to gigabit-capable speeds, which includes the Government's GBP5bn(7) investment in the roll-out of 5G, the expansion of the Shared Rural Network and the GBP500m(8) programme to extend 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK. As a leader in the wireless telecommunications infrastructure market, we have exposure to all of these opportunities, holding long-term relationships with the main UK network operators, equipment vendors and managed service providers including Virgin Media O2, 3UK, EE, Cornerstone and MBNL.

We continue to work with EE and 3UK to remove Huawei equipment from their networks by 2027. During the period, the Group was pleased to be awarded a new national framework contract with 3UK and we recently secured a major programme of design and construct work for new client Vodafone.

Energy

Nuclear

Having worked for over 80 years in civil nuclear, we provide a multidisciplinary service through our large complement of highly skilled employees who operate to demanding nuclear standards, including delivering decontamination and decommissioning services, operational support, asset care and waste retrieval in high hazard areas such as legacy storage ponds and silos.

The Government's total nuclear decommissioning provision is estimated at GBP124bn(9) over the next 120 years, with around 75% of the total spend allocated to Sellafield which is the largest of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's sites and where we remain a principal Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation services contractor.

We continue to operate across a number of long-term frameworks on Sellafield and are well-positioned for opportunities in the Major Projects Programme. We are collaborating with Programme and Project Partners ("PPP") to secure further growth opportunities at Sellafield. PPP is a 20-year framework for the delivery of a broad range of major projects for the site, with GBP7bn allocated for seven projects.

New awards include appointment to the Fuel Racks and the Pump and Valve Frameworks at Sellafield as well as the GBP7m Expert Support and Alternative Treatment Framework for LLW Repository Ltd. We continue to expand our specialist manufacturing capabilities which now has a record order book.

The UK Government has committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and decarbonisation of our energy supply is a key step to achieve carbon neutrality. As set out in the British Energy Security Strategy Policy Paper, new nuclear is an essential component of the UK Government's plans to deliver a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

Outside of Sellafield, we continue to build on our relationship with Rolls Royce to secure further opportunities since our appointment to the Diesel Generator Programme at Hinkley Point "C". We continue to deliver operational support and decommissioning activities at Springfield and seek further opportunities with the Dounreay Decommissioning Services Framework. We have also been appointed to engineering services frameworks at AWE Aldermaston during the period.

Thermal Power, Networks and Distribution

Our essential engineering maintenance services continue at pace in a number of the UK's thermal power stations. We are progressing delivery of our work on the Minor Works Framework with National Grid and our Minor Civils Framework with Western Power Distribution.

We remain well placed to seize the attractive growth and market share opportunities with increased spending forecast over the next ten years in the electric vehicle charging market. The Group is investing to take advantage of these opportunities including development of an Independent Connection Provider ("ICP") capability to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure installations.

Environmental

Water

In Water, we continue to benefit from the UK Government's commitment to spend GBP51bn(10) over AMP7 into 2025 with increased expenditure on capital maintenance, asset optimisation and supply resilience including dam safety and infrastructure refurbishment schemes. The market is underpinned by committed regulatory spend and long-term growth opportunities.

Our offer of mains renewal, scheduled repairs and maintenance as well as extensive 24/7 emergency reactive works remains one of our key strengths, providing specialised, mission-critical services for clients around the UK. Looking ahead, we anticipate Year 3 of the current AMP cycle will see an increasing accelerated programme of regulatory spend, given the lower level of expenditure in the early part of the AMP cycle.

Browne integrated into our business seamlessly in 2021 and the acquisition has further strengthened our position in a key attractive infrastructure sector. The business continues to trade well and is performing ahead of management expectations. Following the acquisition, work for Thames Water and Southern Water continues to gather momentum and we have recently been awarded a new Below Ground Asset Delivery Framework for Affinity Water.

Our Water client base has grown and the Group is now engaged across 11 UK water regions. We continue to strengthen relationships with our existing market-leading clients. The Group continues to develop our strategy for AMP8 ahead of the anticipated start of procurement in 2024.

We continue to see long-term opportunities with existing clients, Environment Agency and Canal and River Trust, where we have national framework positions.

Specialist Restoration

We are progressing well with works at the Palace of Westminster on the new flat roofs phase at the site through a five-year conservation framework and we have experienced increased demand for our specialist capabilities in this area.

Specialist Building

Our Specialist Building business focuses on the High Quality Residential and Science markets in London and the Home Counties.

Revenue for the first half was GBP36.9m (HY2021: GBP38.9m). We reported operating profit of GBP0.6m (HY2021: GBP0.8m) and a margin of 1.6% (HY2021: 2.1%). The order book was GBP66.0m (HY2021: GBP85.0m), providing strong visibility for the second half.

We continue to make good progress on critical science schemes for Defra and the Medical Research Council.

ESG

We are pleased to report good progress across our sustainability targets in the first half. We continue to advance our ESG strategy, measuring progress across five key areas:

   --      Customer value; 
   --      Climate action; 
   --      Operating responsibly; 
   --      Engaging our people; and 
   --      Supporting our local communities. 

Environmental

It is well recognised that investment into low carbon infrastructure will be fundamental in delivering the Government's Green Industrial Revolution and getting to net zero emissions in the UK by 2050. From the rail network and digitally assisted roads to high-speed telecoms and clean energy, Renew has a key enabling role to play on the frontline of efforts to decarbonise the economy.

Our long-term approach to sustainability is more relevant now than ever before. In recognition of this, we introduced, in May 2021, quantitative targets to embed our own ESG strategy within our wider business operations and to continuously monitor the progress. Furthermore, it is the Board's ambition that the Group will achieve net zero by no later than 2040.

Leveraging our innovative capabilities, we have implemented a number of Group-wide initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint. These include the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, 'F' pod fuel storage and battery storage units as an alternative to diesel and gas oil in our commercial fleet. We have also adopted aggregate in compound setups, graphene in concrete and carbon modelling. Our STONEmaster solution has received a Green Apple award, which recognises environmental best practice around the world, for its filter drain recycling process and we continue to introduce a number of waste management initiatives.

Renew reports under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations and our core objectives are closely aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, prioritising our people, communities, environment and innovation.

We are proud holders of the London Stock Exchange's Green Economy Mark, which recognises companies that derive 50% or more of their total annual revenue from products and services that contribute to the global Green Economy.

Social value

We are committed to adding value and contributing to the communities in which we operate. During the period, the business has engaged with local schools and education providers as well as participating in a range of charity events and contributing to local communities.

We are committed to help grow the future of the industry, investing in young talent through a variety of schemes including a graduate scheme to support the development of talent within rail construction.

We work with local and national partners to develop the talent pipeline, providing opportunities and insight into our different sectors. Initiatives include a green labour employability programme and STEM ambassador programmes. A number of our businesses have also signed up to the Women in Rail EDI Charter, demonstrating their dedication to advancing female careers in the sector.

Our businesses have sponsored award events including the Social Inclusion category of the Team Awards at the Women in Rail Awards 2022. Our subsidiary achievements include social value certification and recognition as Disability Confident Committed Employers, reflecting inclusive hiring practices.

In the period, we launched culture programmes and have progressed collaborative working schemes with local councils including with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council shaping their 'Building Our Future' primary school programme.

Governance

The Board is responsible for overseeing the effective application of high levels of governance across the Group businesses, whilst pursuing what is in the best interest of all our stakeholders. The Board is also responsible for risk management.

In line with the Group's commitment to the highest standards of governance, the Group is compliant with the QCA Corporate Governance Code.

Outlook

As the UK Government makes progress on its plans to invest in infrastructure and reach net zero by 2050 the structural growth drivers in our end markets have never been more attractive. One of the unique strengths of Renew is that the spending plans of our clients are underpinned by strategic national needs and regulatory commitments.

Trading has started well in the second half of the year and we remain confident of achieving our full year expectations. We continue to successfully manage the industry-wide challenges around staff retention, material shortages and inflation, without any material impact on trading.

Our strong market positions across key infrastructure sectors with visible, long-term, non-discretionary spending cycles, from rail to nuclear energy, gives us confidence in the Group's prospects.

References

1 Renew uses a range of statutory performance measures and alternative performance measures when reviewing the performance of the Group against its strategy. Definitions of the alternative performance measures, and a reconciliation to statutory performance measures, are included in Note 30 of the 2021 Annual Report & Accounts.

2 Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Analysis of the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline 2021, August 2021

   3    Network Rail Delivery Plan, Control Period 6, High Level Summary, 26 March 2020 
   4    Network Rail Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy, September 2020 
   5    HM Treasury, Autumn budget and spending review 2021, October 2021 

6 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Delivering a gigabit-capable UK: Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy, 1 June 2021

7 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Project Gigabit, Phase One Delivery Plan, 19 March 2021

8 Gov.uk press release, Government breakthrough on GBP500 million support package to boost rural mobile coverage, 11 March 2021

9 Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Nuclear Provision: the cost of cleaning up Britain's historic nuclear sites, 4 July 2019

10 Ofwat PR19 final determinations, December 2019

 
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
                    for the six months ended 31 March 
                                                 2022 
 
 
                                          Exceptional 
                                                items                                              Exceptional 
                                Before            and                                   Before           items 
                           exceptional   amortisation                              exceptional             and 
                                 items             of                                    items    amortisation 
                                   and     intangible                                      and              of 
                          amortisation         assets                             amortisation      intangible        Year 
                                    of           (see          Six months                   of          assets       ended 
                            intangible           Note             ended             intangible       (see Note          30 
                                assets             3)           31 March                assets              3)   September 
 
                                  2022           2022         2022        2021*           2021            2021        2021 
 
                             Unaudited      Unaudited    Unaudited    Unaudited        Audited         Audited     Audited 
 
                   Note         GBP000         GBP000       GBP000       GBP000         GBP000          GBP000      GBP000 
 
 Revenue: Group 
  including 
  share 
  of joint 
  ventures            2        414,343              -      414,343      366,411        790,995               -     790,995 
 Less share of 
  joint 
  ventures' 
  revenue                     (15,228)              -     (15,228)            -       (15,356)               -    (15,356) 
                         -------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Group revenue 
  from 
  continuing 
  activities          2        399,115              -      399,115      366,411        775,639               -     775,639 
 Cost of sales               (342,373)              -    (342,373)    (316,127)      (666,454)               -   (666,454) 
                         -------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Gross profit                   56,742              -       56,742       50,284        109,185               -     109,185 
 Administrative 
  expenses                    (32,663)        (3,896)     (36,559)     (31,763)       (57,985)        (10,070)    (68,055) 
 Other operating 
  income                         1,665              -        1,665            -              -               -           - 
 Share of 
  post-tax 
  result of 
  joint 
  ventures                         250              -          250            -             11               -          11 
                         -------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Operating 
  profit              2         25,994        (3,896)       22,098       18,521         51,211        (10,070)      41,141 
 Finance income                      3              -            3           13             19               -          19 
 Finance costs                   (329)              -        (329)        (478)          (836)               -       (836) 
 Other finance 
  income 
  - defined 
  benefit 
  pension 
  schemes                            -              -            -            -            428               -         428 
                         -------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Profit before 
  income 
  tax                 2         25,668        (3,896)       21,772       18,056         50,822        (10,070)      40,752 
 Income tax 
  expense             5        (5,048)            890      (4,158)      (3,029)       (11,096)           2,427     (8,669) 
                         -------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Profit for the 
  period from 
  continuing 
  activities                    20,620        (3,006)       17,614       15,027         39,726         (7,643)      32,083 
                         -------------  -------------                            -------------  -------------- 
 Loss for the 
  period 
  from 
  discontinued 
  operations          4                                    (1,103)            -                                    (1,620) 
                                                       -----------  -----------                                 ---------- 
 Profit for the 
  period 
  attributable 
  to equity 
  holders 
  of the parent 
  company                                                   16,511       15,027                                     30,463 
                                                       -----------  -----------                                 ---------- 
 
  Basic earnings 
   per share 
   from 
   continuing 
   operations         6         26.19p        (3.82p)       22.37p       19.12p         50.51p         (9.72p)      40.79p 
 Diluted 
  earnings 
  per share from 
  continuing 
  operations          6         26.02p        (3.79p)       22.23p       18.98p         50.09p         (9.63p)      40.46p 
                         -------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Basic earnings 
  per share           6         26.19p        (5.22p)       20.97p       19.12p         50.51p        (11.78p)      38.73p 
 Diluted 
  earnings 
  per share           6         26.02p        (5.18p)       20.84p       18.98p         50.09p        (11.68p)      38.41p 
                         -------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 Proposed 
  dividend            7                                      5.67p        4.83p                                     16.00p 
                                                       -----------  -----------                                 ---------- 
 

*Operating profit for the six months ended 31 March 2021 is stated after charging GBP2,810,000 of amortisation cost and GBP669,000 acquisition cost (see Note 3).

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the six months ended 31 March 2022

 
                                                    Six months ended        Year ended 
                                                        31 March          30 September 
                                                       2022        2021           2021 
 
                                                  Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                                                     GBP000      GBP000         GBP000 
 
 Profit for the period attributable 
  to equity holders of the parent company            16,511      15,027         30,463 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss: 
 Movement in actuarial valuation of 
  the defined benefit pension schemes                     -    (27,337)       (25,672) 
 Movement on deferred tax relating 
  to the defined benefit pension schemes                  -       9,568          9,026 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Total items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss                                       -    (17,769)       (16,646) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Items that are or may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss: 
 Exchange movement in reserves                            1        (30)            (8) 
 Total items that are or may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss                          1        (30)            (8) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  period attributable to equity holders 
  of the parent company                              16,512     (2,772)         13,809 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the six months ended 31 March 2022

 
                                                    Share      Capital    Cumulative      Share                  Total 
                                                                                          based 
                                          Share   premium   redemption   translation   payments   Retained      equity 
                                        capital   account      reserve    adjustment    reserve   earnings   Unaudited 
                                         GBP000    GBP000       GBP000        GBP000     GBP000     GBP000      GBP000 
 
 At 1 October 2020                        7,856    66,378        3,896         1,316        821     40,180     120,447 
 Transfer from income 
  statement for the period                                                                          15,027      15,027 
 Dividends paid                                                                                    (6,554)     (6,554) 
 New shares issued                           12       647                                                          659 
 Recognition of share 
  based payments                                                                           (30)                   (30) 
 Exchange differences                                                           (30)                              (30) 
 Actuarial movement recognised 
  in the pension schemes                                                                          (27,337)    (27,337) 
 Movement on deferred 
  tax relating to the pension 
  schemes                                                                                            9,568       9,568 
                                       --------  --------  -----------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 31 March 2021                         7,868    67,025        3,896         1,286        791     30,884     111,750 
 Transfer from income 
  statement for the period                                                                          15,436      15,436 
 Share premium cost reclassification                (647)                                              647           - 
 Dividends paid                                                                                    (3,800)     (3,800) 
 Recognition of share 
  based payments                                                                            288                    288 
 Exchange differences                                                             22                                22 
 Actuarial movement recognised 
  in the pension schemes                                                                             1,665       1,665 
 Movement on deferred 
  tax relating to the pension 
  schemes                                                                                            (542)       (542) 
                                       --------  --------  -----------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 30 September 2021                     7,868    66,378        3,896         1,308      1,079     44,290     124,819 
 Transfer from income 
  statement for the period                                                                          16,511      16,511 
 Dividends paid                                                                                    (8,809)     (8,809) 
 New shares issued                           18                                                      1,451       1,469 
 Recognition of share 
  based payments                                                                           (32)                   (32) 
 Exchange differences                                                              1                                 1 
 Cumulative translation 
  reclassification                                                           (1,309)                 1,309           - 
 At 31 March 2022                         7,886    66,378        3,896             -      1,047     54,752     133,959 
                                       --------  --------  -----------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

at 31 March 2022

 
                                                           31 March 31 
                                                                 March   30 September 
                                                      2022        2021           2021 
                                                 Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                                                    GBP000      GBP000         GBP000 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets - 
  goodwill                                         139,698     139,479        139,698 
                         - other                    25,814      34,394         29,241 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                                         15,154      15,324         16,254 
 Right of use assets                                16,037      17,940         17,247 
 Investment in joint 
  ventures                                           5,560         586          5,708 
 Retirement benefit 
  assets                                               761         974            661 
 Deferred tax assets                                 1,861       2,233          2,301 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
                                                   204,885     210,930        211,110 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                         2,061       1,699          2,078 
 Assets held for resale                              1,250       1,500          1,250 
 Trade and other receivables                       166,812     150,640        157,416 
 Current tax assets                                  1,316         911          1,382 
 Cash and cash equivalents                               -       1,836            881 
                                                   171,439     156,586        163,007 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Total assets                                      376,324     367,516        374,117 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Lease liabilities                                 (8,542)     (9,740)        (9,421) 
 Retirement benefit 
  obligation                                             -           -          (152) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                          (8,219)     (6,925)        (8,067) 
 Provisions                                          (441)       (441)          (441) 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
                                                  (17,202)    (17,106)       (18,081) 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                        (1,211)    (18,750)       (14,609) 
 Trade and other payables                        (215,320)   (210,728)      (207,667) 
 Lease liabilities                                 (5,871)     (6,421)        (6,180) 
 Provisions                                        (2,761)     (2,761)        (2,761) 
                                                (225,163)    (238,660)      (231,217) 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Total liabilities                               (242,365)   (255,766)      (249,298) 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Net assets                                        133,959     111,750        124,819 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Share capital                                       7,886       7,868          7,868 
 Share premium account                              66,378      67,025         66,378 
 Capital redemption 
  reserve                                            3,896       3,896          3,896 
 Cumulative translation 
  adjustment                                             -       1,286          1,308 
 Share based payments 
  reserve                                            1,047         791          1,079 
 Retained earnings                                  54,752      30,884         44,290 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 Total equity                                      133,959     111,750        124,819 
                                    ----------------------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT

for the six months ended 31 March 2022

 
                                                      Six months ended      Year ended 
                                                           31 March       30 September 
                                                       2022        2021           2021 
                                                  Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                                                     GBP000      GBP000         GBP000 
 Profit for the period from continuing 
  operating activities                               17,614      15,027         32,083 
 Share of post-tax trading result of 
  joint venture                                       (250)           -           (11) 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                    3,561       2,810          6,463 
 Defined benefit pension scheme G.M.P. 
  equalisation/past service cost                          -           -          2,805 
 Depreciation                                         4,978       4,799         10,504 
 Profit on sale of property, plant and 
  equipment                                           (561)        (80)          (649) 
 Decrease/(increase) in inventories                      17        (45)          (405) 
 Increase in receivables                            (9,637)     (8,560)       (15,289) 
 Increase in payables                                 7,191       9,565          3,996 
 Current and past service cost in respect 
  of defined benefit pension scheme                      25          25             61 
 Cash contribution to defined benefit 
  pension schemes                                     (252)       (252)          (560) 
 (Credit)/charge in respect of share 
  options                                              (32)        (30)            258 
 Finance income                                         (3)        (13)           (19) 
 Finance expense                                        329         478            408 
 Interest paid                                        (329)       (478)          (836) 
 Income taxes paid                                  (3,500)     (2,862)        (7,335) 
 Income tax expense                                   4,158       3,029          8,669 
 Net cash inflow from continuing operating 
  activities                                         23,309      23,413         40,143 
 Net cash outflow from discontinued operating 
  activities                                          (424)     (1,111)          (976) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Net cash inflow from operating activities           22,885      22,302         39,167 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Investing activities 
 Interest received                                        3          13             19 
 Dividend received from joint venture                   264           -             60 
 Proceeds on disposal of property, plant 
  and equipment                                       1,116         483          1,263 
 Purchases of property, plant and equipment           (814)     (1,327)        (4,042) 
 Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash 
  acquired                                                -    (29,206)       (33,343) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing 
  activities                                            569    (30,037)       (36,043) 
 
 Financing activities 
 Dividends paid                                     (8,809)     (6,554)       (10,354) 
 Issue of Ordinary Shares                             1,469         659            659 
 New loan                                            18,000      10,000         10,000 
 Loan repayments                                   (22,375)     (4,375)       (18,752) 
 Repayment of obligations under finance 
  leases                                            (3,598)     (3,528)        (7,410) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Net cash outflow from financing activities        (15,313)     (3,798)       (25,857) 
 
 Net increase/(decrease) in continuing 
  cash and cash equivalents                           8,565    (10,422)       (21,757) 
 Net decrease in discontinued cash and 
  cash equivalents                                    (424)     (1,111)          (976) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 
  cash equivalents                                    8,141    (11,533)       (22,733) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
  of the period                                     (9,355)      13,396         13,396 
 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
  on cash and cash equivalents                            3        (27)           (18) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the end 
  of the period                                     (1,211)       1,836        (9,355) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Bank balances and cash                                   -       1,836            881 
 Bank overdraft                                     (1,211)           -       (10,236) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of 
  period                                            (1,211)       1,836        (9,355) 
                                                -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

   1      Basis of preparation 

(a) The condensed consolidated interim financial report for the six months ended 31 March 2022

and the equivalent period in 2021 has not been audited or reviewed by the Group's auditor.

It does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. It has been prepared under the historical cost convention and on a going concern basis in accordance with applicable law and international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ("Adopted IFRSs"). The report does not comply with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" which is not currently required to be applied for AIM companies and it was approved by the Directors on 17 May 2022.

(b) The accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021 were prepared under IFRS and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. In this report, the comparative figures for the year ended 30 September 2021 have been audited. The comparative figures for the period ended 31 March 2021 are unaudited.

(c) The accounting policies applied in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information are the same as those applied in the preparation of the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2021 as described in those financial statements.

(d) The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are unchanged from those set out in the Group's Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021. The Directors have reviewed financial forecasts and are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Group continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial report.

This condensed consolidated interim financial report is being sent to all shareholders and is also available upon request from the Company Secretary, Renew Holdings plc, 3175 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8ZB, or via the website www.renewholdings.com .

   2    Segmental analysis 

Operating segments have been identified based on the internal reporting information provided to the Group's Chief Operating Decision Maker. From such information, Engineering Services and Specialist Building have been determined to represent operating segments.

 
                                                  Group revenue from 
                                                 continuing activities 
                                                   Six months ended 
                                                       31 March 
                                                                                                               Group 
                                                                                   Group                     revenue 
                         Group                                                 including                        from 
                     including         Less                                        share         Less     continuing 
                         share        share                                     of joint        share     activities 
                      of joint     of joint                                     ventures     of joint     Year ended 
                      ventures     ventures                                                  ventures   30 September 
                                                               2021                 2021                        2021 
                          2022         2022         2022     Unaudited           Audited         2021        Audited 
                     Unaudited    Unaudited    Unaudited    (* restated)    (* restated)      Audited   (* restated) 
 
 
                        GBP000       GBP000       GBP000          GBP000          GBP000       GBP000         GBP000 
 Analysis of 
 revenue 
 Engineering 
  Services             377,460     (15,228)      362,232         327,514         706,563     (15,356)        691,207 
 Specialist 
  Building              36,882            -       36,882          38,897          84,425            -         84,425 
 Segment revenue       414,342     (15,228)      399,114         366,411         790,988     (15,356)        775,632 
 Central 
  activities                 1            -            1               -               7            -              7 
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Group revenue 
  from continuing 
  operations           414,343     (15,228)      399,115         366,411         790,995     (15,356)        775,639 
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  --------------  --------------  -----------  ------------- 
 

-- Comparatives for the 6 months ended 31 March 2021 and year ended 30 September 2021 have been restated to remove inter-segmental revenue disclosure.

 
                                                Six months ended 
                                                     31 March 
                      Before 
                 exceptional    Exceptional                                 Before    Exceptional 
                       items          items                            exceptional          items 
                         and            and                              items and            and 
                amortisation   amortisation                           amortisation   amortisation        Year 
                          of             of                                     of             of       ended 
                  intangible     intangible                             intangible     intangible          30 
                      assets         assets                                 assets         assets   September 
                        2022           2022        2022       2021*           2021           2021        2021 
                   Unaudited      Unaudited   Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited        Audited     Audited 
                      GBP000         GBP000      GBP000      GBP000         GBP000         GBP000      GBP000 
 Analysis of 
 operating 
 profit 
 Engineering 
  Services            26,623        (3,561)      23,062      18,739         51,526        (9,070)      42,456 
 Specialist 
  Building               585              -         585         786          1,613              -       1,613 
               -------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Segment 
  operating 
  profit              27,208        (3,561)      23,647      19,525         53,139        (9,070)      44,069 
 Central 
  activities         (1,214)          (335)     (1,549)     (1,004)        (1,928)        (1,000)     (2,928) 
               -------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Operating 
  profit              25,994        (3,896)      22,098      18,521         51,211       (10,070)      41,141 
 Net 
  financing 
  expense              (326)              -       (326)       (465)          (389)              -       (389) 
               -------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Profit 
  before 
  income tax          25,668        (3,896)      21,772      18,056         50,822       (10,070)      40,752 
               -------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 

* Operating profit for the six months ended 31 March 2021 is stated after charging GBP2,810,000 of amortisation cost and GBP669,000 acquisition cost (see Note 3).

   3    Exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets 
 
                                                                             Six months ended        Year ended 
                                                                                 31 March          30 September 
                                                                                2022        2021           2021 
                                                                           Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                                                                              GBP000      GBP000         GBP000 
 Defined benefit pension scheme guaranteed minimum pension equalisation            -           -          1,107 
 Amco defined benefit scheme past service cost deficit                             -           -          1,698 
 Aborted acquisition costs/acquisition costs                                     335         669            802 
 Total charges arising from exceptional items                                    335         669          3,607 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                                             3,561       2,810          6,463 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Total exceptional items and amortisation charge before income tax             3,896       3,479         10,070 
 Taxation credit on exceptional items and amortisation                         (890)       (538)        (2,427) 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Total exceptional items and amortisation charge                               3,006       2,941          7,643 
                                                                          ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 

During the period the Company incurred GBP335,000 on an unsuccessful acquisition opportunity.

   4    Loss for the period from discontinued operations 
 
                                            Six months ended        Year ended 
                                                31 March          30 September 
                                               2022        2021           2021 
                                          Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                                             GBP000      GBP000         GBP000 
 Revenue                                          -           -              - 
 Expenses                                   (1,103)           -        (1,620) 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Loss before income tax                     (1,103)           -        (1,620) 
 Income tax charge                                -           -              - 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Loss for the period from discontinued 
  operations                                (1,103)           -        (1,620) 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 

The Group has increased accruals as a result of the settlement of Allenbuild Ltd historic claims during the period and an internal reassessment of the likely costs required to settle other known contractual disputes.

   5    Income tax expense 
 
                                         Six months ended        Year ended 
                                             31 March          30 September 
                                            2022        2021           2021 
                                       Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                                          GBP000      GBP000         GBP000 
 Current tax: 
 UK corporation tax on profit 
  for the period                         (3,566)     (4,075)        (8,719) 
 Adjustments in respect of previous 
  periods                                      -         531             25 
                                      ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Total current tax                       (3,566)     (3,544)        (8,694) 
 Deferred tax                              (592)         515             25 
                                      ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Income tax expense                      (4,158)     (3,029)        (8,669) 
                                      ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 
   6    Earnings per share 
 
                                                      Six months ended 31 March      Year ended 30 September 
 
                                  2022                 2021                            2021 
                             Unaudited                        Unaudited                                 Audited 
                  Earnings         EPS     DEPS    Earnings         EPS     DEPS   Earnings                 EPS     DEPS 
                    GBP000       Pence    Pence      GBP000       Pence    Pence     GBP000               Pence    Pence 
 Earnings 
  before 
  exceptional 
  items and 
  amortisation      20,620       26.19    26.02      17,968       22.86    22.70     39,726               50.51    50.09 
 Exceptional 
  items and 
  amortisation     (3,006)      (3.82)   (3.79)     (2,941)      (3.74)   (3.72)    (7,643)              (9.72)   (9.63) 
                ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  ----------  -------  ---------  ------------------  ------- 
 Basic 
  earnings 
  per share 
  - continuing 
  activities        17,614       22.37    22.23      15,027       19.12    18.98     32,083               40.79    40.46 
 Loss for 
  the period 
  from 
  discontinued 
  activities       (1,103)      (1.40)   (1.39)           -           -        -    (1,620)              (2.06)   (2.05) 
                ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  ----------  -------  ---------  ------------------  ------- 
 Basic 
  earnings 
  per share         16,511       20.97    20.84      15,027       19.12    18.98     30,463               38.73    38.41 
                ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  ----------  -------  ---------  ------------------  ------- 
 
 Weighted 
  average 
  number 
  of shares                     78,727   79,234                  78,587   79,166                         78,655   79,304 
                            ----------  -------              ----------  -------             ------------------  ------- 
 
 

The dilutive effect of share options is to increase the number of shares by 507,000 (March 2021: 579,000; September 2021: 649,000) and reduce the basic earnings per share by 0.13p (March 2021: 0.14p; September 2021: 0.32p).

   7      Dividends 

The proposed interim dividend is 5.67p (2021: 4.83p) per share. This will be paid out of the Company's available distributable reserves to shareholders on the register on 10 June 2022, payable on 13 July 2022. The ex-dividend date will be 9 June 2022. In accordance with IAS 1 "Presentation of Financial Statements", dividends are recorded only when paid and are shown as a movement in equity rather than as a charge in the Income statement.

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