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SBIZ The Simplybiz Group Plc

195.00
0.00 (0.00%)
26 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
The Simplybiz Group Plc LSE:SBIZ London Ordinary Share GB00BG1THS43 ORD GBP0.01
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 195.00 190.00 200.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

SimplyBiz Group PLC (The) Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2018 (3384A)

11/09/2018 7:01am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMSBIZ

RNS Number : 3384A

SimplyBiz Group PLC (The)

11 September 2018

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

11 September 2018

The SimplyBiz Group plc

("SimplyBiz", the "Company" or the "Group")

Half-year results for the six months ended 30 June 2018

Maiden results in line with expectations, with strong period of organic growth and inaugural interim dividend announced.

SimplyBiz (AIM: SBIZ), the leading independent provider of compliance and business services to financial advisers and financial institutions in the UK, today announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2018.

Financial highlights:

   --     Group Revenue up 13.7% to GBP24.2m (H1 2017: GBP21.3m) 
   --     Adjusted EBITDA* up 22.0% to GBP5.4m (H1 2017: GBP4.4m) 
   --     Adjusted EBITDA* margin increased to 22.2% from 20.7% 

-- Operating profit of GBP1.2m (H1 2017: GBP3.9m) after inclusion of IPO related costs of GBP3.6m

   --     Adjusted profit before tax* increased 60.8% to GBP4.5m 
   --     Adjusted profit after tax* increased 61.7% to GBP3.6m 
   --     Adjusted earnings per share (EPS)* increased by 61.7% to 4.68p 

-- Net debt reduced from GBP1.6m at date of listing to net cash of GBP1.2m at 30 June 2018 (30 June 2017: net debt of GBP24.7m, 31 December 2017: net debt of GBP23.0m)

-- Maiden interim dividend of 0.98p per share, in respect of the nine months trading to 31 December, post IPO, as per the stated intention in the admission document

Operational highlights:

-- Completion of IPO on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM), raising GBP30m for the Group

-- Acquisition and integration of Landmark Surveyors Limited (acquired in January 2018), and subsequent achievement of cost synergies in line with expectation

   --     Member Firms increased by 5.7% to 3,628 (31 December 2017: 3,433, 30 June 2017: 3,367) 
   --     Assets under management (AUM) increased by 5.6% to GBP615m (31 December 2017: GBP582m) 

-- Significant Distribution Channels division contract wins with new providers Guardian Financial Services and Vitality Invest

-- Launch of Centra, our end to end financial planning system, which has received high levels of interest; 1,635 users signed since its launch in March 2018

-- Remains the UK's largest support services compliance provider for intermediaries (by revenue)

   --     Winner of Best Support Services for Advisers at 2018 Professional Advisers Awards 

Ken Davy, Chairman, commented:

"We are delighted to announce our first results as a public company, following our successful AIM flotation in April. Our performance in the first half of 2018 has maintained our trading momentum, delivering strong top line organic and acquisition growth of over 13% and increasing our adjusted EBITDA margins to 22%.

"Our IPO in April 2018 has been very well received by our members and partners, and we have already witnessed positive commercial and reputational benefit. We continue to increase the number of members and channel partners that we serve, as well as look to pursue selective acquisitions.

"I would like to thank everyone in the SimplyBiz team for their dedication in delivering a successful first half of 2018."

* Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, operating exceptional costs and share based payment charges. Adjusted profit before and profit after tax exclude operating exceptional costs, exceptional finance charges, amortisation and share based payment charges. A reconciliation of these metrics to GAAP measures is provided in note 5. Adjusted earnings per share is calculated based on adjusted profit after tax, as shown in note 9.

For further information please contact:

 
 SimplyBiz                                 via Instinctif Partners 
 Matt Timmins (Joint Chief Executive 
  Officer) 
 Neil Stevens (Joint Chief Executive 
  Officer) 
  Gareth Hague (Group Finance Director) 
 
 Zeus Capital (Nominated Adviser 
  and Broker)                              +44 (0) 20 3829 5000 
 Martin Green 
  Andrew Jones 
  Pippa Underwood 
 
 Instinctif Partners                       +44 (0)20 7457 2831 / 
                                            SimplyBiz@instinctif.com 
 Giles Stewart 
  Rachel Cashmore 
  Rui Videira 
  Ambrose Fullalove 
 

Notes to editors

With over 3,600 member firms in the UK, SimplyBiz is a leading independent provider of compliance and business services to financial advisers, including directly authorised IFAs, directly authorised mortgage advisers, workplace consultants and directly authorised consumer credit brokers. It also provides marketing and promotion, product panelling and co-manufacturing services to more than 135 financial institutions, through access to its membership.

On 4 April 2018, the Group was admitted to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange, raising GBP30.0m of primary proceeds in an institutional placing.

For more information, please visit: www.simplybizgroup.co.uk/

Analyst presentation

An analyst briefing is being held at 9am on 11 September at the offices of Instinctif Partners, 65 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7NQ. To register your attendance please contact SimplyBiz@instinctif.com

JOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVES' STATEMENT

Overview

The first six months of 2018 saw the Group continue to deliver strong operational and financial performance, alongside the acquisition and integration of Landmark Surveyors Limited, and successful listing on AIM.

Revenue growth of 13.7% to GBP24.2m reflects continued organic growth and a GBP1.8m (8.6%) revenue contribution from the acquisition of Landmark Surveyors (from 23 January 2018). Adjusted EBITDA growth of 22.0% to GBP5.4m reflects a sound cost discipline and the ability of the business to generate operational leverage from its platform. Adjusted EBITDA margin trended positively to 22.2% from 20.7% in the prior year period.

Divisional Performance

The Intermediary Services Division provides compliance and business services to over 3,600 individual intermediary firms through a comprehensive membership model. Our members, that include Financial advisers, mortgage advisers, and consumer credit broker firms, conduct regulated activities that require that they are authorised and regulated by the FCA.

Member firms numbers increased by 5.7% to 3,628 (3,433 at 31 December 2017 and 3,367 at 30 June 2017) and we continue to benefit from the shift in the industry from advisers working as appointed representatives of network firms, to being directly authorised with the FCA. As advisers move away from costly, restrictive network firm structures, to the independence of being directly authorised, SimplyBiz is strategically well placed to support and guide them through their FCA registration process and assist them in a constantly evolving and increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Increased regulation is a tailwind for our business. The introduction of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive 2018 ("MiFID II") and the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), and the impending Senior Managers & Certification Regime ("SM&CR") and Insurance Distribution Directive ("IDD") regulations have created opportunities for the Group to engage and support its members through additional service offerings. Additional services income increased by 12.1% to GBP2.3m (H1 2017: GBP2.0m), as the Group benefitted from ongoing regulatory change.

Given its scale, the Group is able to provide its members with a customised version of the sector's leading 3(rd) party specialist practice management and CRM applications at attractive rates. Software licence users increased from 3,095 at H1 2017 (FY 2017: 3,274) to 3,504, resulting in an 18.4% increase in software licence income from H1 2017.

In March 2018, the Group launched 'Centra', an end-to-end financial planning system in partnership with Defaqto that brings together a number of existing advisor software tools into one integrated service. Centra offers our members financial planning tools, product research, suitability reports and a centralised investment process. Interest in Centra has been significant, with over 1,600 users signed up since its launch, and the Group providing additional face-to-face training workshops to meet the level of demand.

Zest Technologies, the Group's employee benefits software solution, performed in line with management expectations during the period with revenue reducing from GBP3.3m in H1 2017 to GBP2.5m in H1 2018, as customers move away from the legacy application. The re-design of the Zest platform was completed in H1 2018 and the new product has received positive feedback since its launch. The Group is currently in the final stages of a number of tenders on the new software and we look forward to updating shareholders with our progress in due course.

The Distribution Channels Division continues to provide a highly effective, efficient distribution channel for c.135 financial institutions to reach an otherwise fragmented independent intermediary sector. The Group generates revenue from product providers when it successfully engages Members to participate in the channels offered.

The Group's extensive events programme has been developed to cater for the needs of Members, and allows product providers the opportunity to deliver engaging information that will enhance advisers' knowledge and continue to improve customer outcomes. As well as delivering a significant number of events and seminars in the period, we also provided a broad range of electronic and printed materials to deliver product provider brand and product communications to its members. Income in the period from these marketing service agreements increased by 20.9% to GBP3.0m, from GBP2.5m in H1 2017, although part of the increase was due to the timing of deliverables being weighted more in H1 during 2018, as compared to 2017.

Building on our existing strong industry relationships, in August 2018, the Group announced a multi-year partnership deal with Guardian Financial Services, one of the oldest brands in the UK financial services market. The partnership will see the two companies collaborate to deliver relevant marketing messages, training and educational opportunities to the IFA and wealth management firms who subscribed to the SimplyBiz services.

SimplyBiz Mortgages is the UK's third largest mortgage club, with over 1,600 members benefitting from access to a dedicated support service and preferred products from key lenders. Mortgage Services revenues increased by 18.6% to GBP3.1m (H1 2017: GBP2.6m), as a result of increased Member penetration and greater lending in the market.

In January 2018, the Group strengthened its capabilities in providing home valuations with the acquisition of Landmark Surveyors Ltd, a business highly aligned and complementary to Sonas Surveyors, an existing Group company. Through these companies, the Group is appointed to the majority of major bank and building society panels, providing vertical integration with our other mortgage related activities.

During the period, assets under management within the Group's packaged investment service Verbatim, increased from GBP582m at 31 December 2017, to GBP615m at 30 June 2018, generating revenues of GBP1.0m - a 21.3% increase from H1 2017.

Strategy

The Group's growth strategy focuses on both organic growth and growth by acquisition. Organic growth is expected to be driven by growth in the Group's membership base, in its service offering and its average revenue per customer. Growth in its core membership will in turn be accretive to the distribution division, enhancing the Group's position as an enabler of more effective financial service provision.

Building on its proven ability to execute and integrate acquisitions, management will also continue to pursue selective acquisitions to enhance the scale of the Group and breadth of services offered.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

 
 Six months ended                            June 2018   June 2017 
                                               GBP'000     GBP'000 
------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Group Revenue                                  24,207      21,288 
 Operating Expenses                           (18,839)    (16,888) 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                 5,368       4,400 
 Adjusted EBITDA margin %                        22.2%       20.7% 
 Operating costs of an exceptional nature      (3,790)       (161) 
 EBITDA                                          1,578       4,239 
 Depreciation                                    (129)       (109) 
 Impairment of goodwill                              -       (181) 
 Amortisation of other intangible assets          (62)           - 
 Share option charges                            (132)           - 
 Net finance costs                             (2,410)     (1,515) 
 (Loss) / profit before tax                    (1,155)       2,434 
 Taxation                                        (570)       (560) 
 (Loss) / profit after tax                     (1,725)       1,874 
 
 Adjusted EPS                                    4.68p       2.90p 
 Revenue growth (%)                              13.7% 
 Adjusted EBITDA growth (%)                      22.0% 
 
 

Revenue

Revenues grew by 13.7% to GBP24.2m, reflecting GBP1.8m contribution from the acquisition of Landmark Surveyors (from 23 January 2018) and GBP1.1m (5.1%) of organic growth.

The Distribution Channels Division contributed 54% of revenue in the period, compared to 50% in H1 2017, as a result of the Landmark Surveyors acquisition.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin

Underlying operating expenses, which exclude costs of an exceptional nature, increased by GBP2.0m (11.6%) to GBP18.8m, as compared to H1 2017. Landmark Surveyors contributed to GBP1.6m of the increase, with organic growth in operating expenses of only 2.0%, well below our organic revenue growth rate.

Adjusted EBITDA is used by management as a key measure of financial performance allowing better understanding of the underlying performance of the Group. Adjusted EBITDA growth of GBP1.0m (22.0%) included GBP0.8m (17.7%) of organic growth, with the group able to benefit from its operational leverage to increase adjusted EBITDA margin in the period to 22.2% from 20.7% in H1 2017.

Operating costs of an exceptional nature

Operating costs of an exceptional nature include GBP3.6m of professional fees incurred on admission to AIM, as well as GBP0.1m of professional fees on the acquisition of Landmark Surveyors Limited.

Share based payments

Share based payment charges of GBP0.1m have been recognised in respect of the options issued on IPO.

Financial income and expense

Finance expense in H1 2018 included GBP0.7m interest paid in relation to the debt that was repaid on IPO. The current year expense also includes one off charges totalling GBP1.6m on early settlement of the retired debt and share warrant.

Taxation

The tax charge for the period has been accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to the total earnings chargeable to tax.

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS)

Adjusted EPS has been calculated based on the post-IPO weighted average number of shares, for both periods, for comparable purposes.

Dividend

At the time of the IPO the Directors stated an intention to implement a progressive dividend policy to seek to maximise shareholder value and reflect the Group's strong earnings potential and cash flow. The Board declares an interim dividend of 0.98p per share in respect of the trading for the 9 month period to 31 December 2018, post IPO. The dividend will be paid on 23 October 2018, to shareholders on the register on 21 September 2018.

Cash flow and Closing Net Cash

At 30 June 2018, the Group had net cash of GBP1.2m, compared to net debt at the date of listing of GBP1.6m and net debt of GBP23.0m as at 31 December 2017. Operating cash flow of GBP3.5m (H1 2017: GBP3.7m) represented cash conversion of 65% (H1 2017: 84%) of adjusted EBITDA. The reduction in cash conversion is due to higher than average working capital balances at the end of FY 2016, which reversed in H1 2017. Management expect cash conversion rates to increase in H2 2018, in line with historic trends of greater than 75%.

Funds raised in the IPO were used to repay the previous GBP35m borrowings, with a new GBP15m Revolving Credit Facility implemented at IPO at a significantly lower interest rate.

OUTLOOK

Since the end of the period, trading has continued in line with the Board's expectations, and we remain on track to deliver on market expectations for the full year.

Matt Timmins and Neil Stevens (Joint Chief Executive Officers)

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

for the six months ended 30 June 2018

 
 
 
                                     Note        6 months    6 months 
                                                    ended       ended 
                                             30 June 2018     30 June 
                                                                 2017 
                                                   GBP000      GBP000 
 
Revenue                                 6          24,207      21,288 
 
Operating expenses                      7        (22,890)    (17,339) 
Amortisation of other intangible 
 assets                                10            (62)           - 
 
Operating profit                                    1,255       3,949 
Finance income                          8              41          32 
Finance costs                           8         (2,451)     (1,547) 
 
(Loss) / profit before 
 taxation                                         (1,155)       2,434 
 
Taxation                                            (570)       (560) 
 
(Loss) / profit for the 
 financial period                                 (1,725)       1,874 
 
 
Earnings per share - basic              9         (2.26p)       3.47p 
Earnings per share - diluted            9         (2.26p)       3.47p 
 

There are no items to be included in other comprehensive income in the current or preceding period.

Consolidated statement of financial position

As at 30 June 2018

 
                                                                           Audited 
                                            Unaudited      Unaudited   31 December 
                                  Note   30 June 2018   30 June 2017          2017 
                                               GBP000         GBP000        GBP000 
Assets 
Non-current assets 
Property, plant & equipment                       439            386           384 
Intangible assets                   10         23,111         17,835        18,205 
 
Total non-current assets                       23,550         18,221        18,589 
 
Current assets 
Trade and other receivables                     9,065          8,664         7,505 
Deferred tax asset                                 34             57            25 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 -unrestricted                                 10,691          8,211        10,998 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 - restricted                                     545            545           545 
 
Total current assets                           20,335         17,477        19,073 
 
Total assets                                   43,885         35,698        37,662 
 
 
Equity and liabilities 
Equity attributable 
 to the owners of the 
 Company 
Share capital                       12            765             10            10 
Share premium account               12         36,809         50,852        52,544 
Other reserves                      13       (61,255)       (63,147)      (61,387) 
Retained earnings                              46,257          4,082         2,982 
 
Total equity                                   22,576        (8,203)       (5,851) 
 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                        9,112          8,283         8,161 
Financial liabilities 
 - borrowings                       11         10,010              -             - 
Income tax liabilities                            446            614            16 
 
Total current liabilities                      19,568          8,897         8,177 
 
Non-current liabilities 
Financial liabilities 
 - borrowings                       11              -         33,459        33,665 
Trade and other payables                        1,125            598           400 
Financial derivatives                               -            690           848 
Deferred tax liabilities                          616            257           423 
 
Total non-current liabilities                   1,741         35,004        35,336 
 
Total liabilities                              21,309         43,901        43,513 
 
Total equity and liabilities                   43,885         35,698        37,662 
 
 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

 
                                            Share     Share     Other  Retained    Total 
                                          capital   premium   reserve  earnings   equity 
                                           GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000   GBP000 
 
Balance at 1 January 2017                      10    50,852  (63,147)     3,008  (9,277) 
Total comprehensive income for 
 period                                         -         -         -     1,874    1,874 
 
Transactions with owners, recorded 
 directly in equity 
Dividends                                       -         -         -     (800)    (800) 
 
Total contributions by and distribution 
 to owners                                      -         -         -     (800)    (800) 
 
Balance at 30 June 2017                        10    50,852  (63,147)     4,082  (8,203) 
Total comprehensive income for 
 period                                         -         -         -     2,913    2,913 
 
Transactions with owners, recorded 
 directly in equity 
Issue of shares                                 -     1,692         -         -    1,692 
Purchase of minority interest                   -         -         -   (2,248)  (2,248) 
Transfer to retained earnings                   -         -     1,760   (1,760)        - 
Dividends                                       -         -         -       (5)      (5) 
 
Total contributions by and distribution 
 to owners                                      -     1,692     1,760   (4,013)    (561) 
 
Balance at 31 December 2017                    10    52,544  (61,387)     2,982  (5,851) 
 
Total comprehensive income for 
 period                                         -         -         -   (1,725)  (1,725) 
 
Transactions with owners, recorded 
 directly in equity 
Issue of share capital                        176    29,844         -         -   30,020 
Bonus issue of shares                         579     (579)         -         -        - 
Transfer to retained earnings                   -  (45,000)         -    45,000        - 
Share option charge                             -         -       132         -      132 
 
Total contributions by and distribution 
 to owners                                    755  (15,735)       132    45,000   30,152 
 
Balance at 30 June 2018                       765    36,809  (61,255)    46,257   22,576 
 
 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

for the 6 months ended 30 June 2018

 
 
                                                  6 months    6 months 
                                                     ended       ended 
                                                   30 June     30 June 
                                                      2018        2017 
                                                    GBP000      GBP000 
 
Net cash (used in) / generated from operating 
 activities (note 15)                                (530)       4,980 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
   Finance income                                       41          30 
   Purchase of property, plant and equipment          (46)        (65) 
   Development expenditure                           (437)       (404) 
 
Net cash used in investing activities                (442)       (439) 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
   Finance costs                                     (922)     (1,450) 
   Loan repayments made                           (36,193)        (77) 
   Drawdown of loans                                10,093           - 
   Purchase of shares in subsidiaries                    -     (1,099) 
   Acquisitions, net of cash received              (2,333)           - 
   Issue of share capital                           30,020           - 
   Dividends paid                                        -       (800) 
 
Net cash generated from / (used in) financing 
 activities                                            665     (3,426) 
 
   Net (decrease) / increase in cash and 
    cash equivalents                                 (307)       1,115 
   Cash and cash equivalents at start of 
    period                                          11,543       7,641 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period          11,236       8,756 
 
 

NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   1.             General information and basis of preparation 

The consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards and Interpretations (collectively IFRSs), as adopted by the European Union and AIM rules. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies that are consistent with the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2017 and that are expected to be applied in the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2018. The financial information set out in these interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2018 and the comparative figures for the six months ended 30 June 2017 are unaudited.

The comparative financial information for the period ended 31 December 2017 in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts for that period under 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The interim financial information do not contain all the information required for statutory financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2017, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.

Statutory accounts for the period ended 31 December 2017 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on the accounts for 31 December 2017 was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Group and its subsidiaries at 30 June 2018. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtained control, and continue to be consolidated until the date when such control ceases.

The interim financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the acquisition method. In the consolidated balance sheet, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date.

The following recently adopted IFRSs have been applied by the Group for the first time in these financial statements:

-- IFRS 9 Financial Instruments - adoption of IFRS 9 had no material impact on the financial statements.

-- IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers - The effect of adopting the new revenue standard has been to recognise revenue on bundled contracts based on the performance of the individual deliverables. Adoption of the new standard has no material effect on the opening balance sheet at 1 January 2018. The revenue streams and policies of the Group remain consistent with those described in the 2017 accounts.

The following adopted IFRSs have been issued but have not been applied by the Group in these financial statements:

-- IFRS 16 Leases introduces a single, on-balance sheet accounting model for lessees, which has an effective date of 1 January 2019. The Group is in the process of quantifying the potential impact of this standard. It is expected that the Group will adopt IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019.

   2.             Going concern 

The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Joint Chief Executives' statement.

The Directors have considered these factors, the likely performance of the business and possible alternative outcomes and the financing activities available to the Group. Having taken all of these factors into consideration, including the impact on covenants relating to the external borrowing facility, the Directors confirm that forecasts and projections indicate that the Group and its Parent Company have adequate resources for the foreseeable future and at least for the period of 12 months from the date of signing the half year report. Accordingly, the financial information has been prepared on the going concern basis.

   3.             Accounting policies 

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those used in preparing the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2017.

Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total earnings.

Amortisation of intangible assets is charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the useful lives of the asset. Intangible assets are amortised from the date they are available for use. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

   --      Brands                                   10 years 
   --      Customer relationships     8 years 

The basis for choosing these useful lives is with reference to the period over which they can continue to generate value for the group.

   4.             Estimates 

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

In preparing these interim financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017.

   5.             Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP measures 

The Group uses a number of 'Non-GAAP' figures as comparable key performance measures, as they exclude the impact of one off items that are not considered part of on-going trade.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as follows:

 
 
                                                 6 months     6 months 
                                                 ended 30     ended 30 
                                                June 2018    June 2017 
                                                   GBP000       GBP000 
Operating profit                                    1,255        3,949 
add back: 
    Depreciation                                      129          109 
    Impairment of goodwill (note 10)                    -          181 
    Amortisation of other intangible assets 
     (note 10)                                         62            - 
    Operating costs of exceptional nature 
     (note 7)                                       3,790          161 
    Share option charges                              132            - 
 
Adjusted EBITDA                                     5,368        4,400 
 
 

Adjusted profit before tax is calculated as follows:

 
 
                                                 6 months     6 months 
                                                 ended 30     ended 30 
                                                June 2018    June 2017 
                                                   GBP000       GBP000 
(Loss) / profit before tax                        (1,155)        2,434 
add back: 
    Operating costs of exceptional nature 
     (note 7)                                       3,790          161 
    Finance costs of exceptional nature 
     (note 8)                                       1,635            - 
    Impairment of goodwill (note 10)                    -          181 
    Amortisation of other intangible assets 
     (note 10)                                         62            - 
    Share option charges                              132            - 
 
Adjusted profit before tax                          4,464        2,776 
 
 

Finance costs of an exceptional nature represent the one-off costs incurred on settlement of the previous loan facility and associated share warrant, including the accelerated release of capitalised arrangement fees.

Adjusted profit after tax is calculated as follows:

 
 
                                                 6 months     6 months 
                                                 ended 30     ended 30 
                                                June 2018    June 2017 
                                                   GBP000       GBP000 
(Loss) / profit after tax                         (1,725)        1,874 
add back: 
    Operating costs of exceptional nature 
     (note 7)                                       3,790          161 
    Finance costs of exceptional nature, 
     net of tax (note 8)                            1,324            - 
    Impairment of goodwill (note 10)                    -          181 
    Amortisation of other intangible assets 
     (note 10)                                         62            - 
    Share option charges                              132            - 
 
Adjusted profit after tax                           3,583        2,216 
 
 
   6.             Segmental Information 

In the period covered by this financial information, the Company was domiciled in the UK and as such all revenue is derived from external customers in the United Kingdom.

During the period under review, the information reported to the Company's joint Chief Executive Officers, who are considered to be the chief operating decision makers, was predominately based on the consolidated Group, with disaggregation where appropriate. The consolidated information is shown in the statement of profit or loss.

From 1 January 2017, the Group has established two operating segments, which are considered reportable segments under IFRS. The two reportable segments are:

   --      Intermediary Services 
   --      Distribution Channels 

Intermediary Services provides compliance and regulation services to individual financial intermediary Member Firms, including directly authorised IFAs, directly authorised mortgage advisers, workplace consultants and directly authorised consumer credit brokers.

Distribution Channels provides marketing and promotion, product panelling and co-manufacturing services to financial institutions. This division of the Group also undertakes survey panelling and surveying work for Mortgage Lenders.

The reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting produced to the chief operating decision-makers.

The tables below present the segmental information for the periods ended 30 June 2018 and 2017.

 
                                               6 months   6 months 
                                               ended 30   ended 30 
                                                   June       June 
                                                   2018       2017 
                                                 GBP000     GBP000 
Intermediary Services 
Revenue                                          11,185     11,065 
Operating expenses, before amortisation and 
 depreciation                                   (8,834)    (8,947) 
 
Intermediary Services EBITDA                      2,350      2,118 
Operating costs of exceptional nature           (1,751)       (84) 
 
Intermediary Services EBITDA                        599      2,034 
 
Distribution Channels 
Revenue                                          13,022     10,223 
Operating expenses, before amortisation and 
 depreciation                                  (10,004)    (7,941) 
 
Distribution Channels EBITDA                      3,018      2,282 
Operating costs of exceptional nature           (2,039)       (77) 
 
Distribution Channels EBITDA                        979      2,205 
 
Total EBITDA                                      1,578      4,239 
 
Impairment of goodwill                                -      (181) 
Amortisation of other intangible assets            (62)          - 
Depreciation                                      (129)      (109) 
Share option charges                              (132)          - 
 
Operating profit                                  1,255      3,949 
 
 

In determining the trading performance of the operating segments central costs are allocated based on the divisional contribution of revenue to the Group.

The statement of financial position is not analysed between reporting segments for management and the chief decision-makers consider the Group statement of financial position as a whole.

No customer has generated more than 10% of total revenue during the period covered by the financial information.

   7.             Operating Profit 

Operating profit for the period has been arrived at after charging:

 
                                                    6 months ended  6 months ended 
                                                      30 June 2018    30 June 2017 
                                                            GBP000          GBP000 
 
Depreciation of tangible assets                                129             109 
Operating costs of exceptional nature: 
     Costs in relation to corporate restructuring 
      and refinancing                                            -             191 
     Restructuring costs                                        65              10 
     Write off of Director's loan                                -              89 
     Professional fees for acquisitions                        120               - 
     Release of deferred consideration                           -           (129) 
     Fees in relation to IPO process                         3,605               - 
 
                                                             3,790             161 
 
 
   8.             Finance Expense and Income 
 
                                                    6 months ended  6 months ended 
                                                      30 June 2018    30 June 2017 
                                                            GBP000          GBP000 
Finance Expense 
Bank interest payable                                        (816)         (1,547) 
Fair value loss on financial instruments                     (345)               - 
Accelerated arrangement fees on settlement 
 of previous loan                                            (775)               - 
Accelerated implied interest charge on settlement 
 of previous loan                                            (515)               - 
 
                                                           (2,451)         (1,547) 
Finance Income 
Bank interest receivable                                        41              32 
 
                                                                41              32 
 
Net finance expense                                        (2,410)         (1,515) 
 
 
   9.             Earnings per share 
 
 
  Basic Earnings Per Share                                   6 months        6 months 
                                                                ended           ended 
                                                         30 June 2018    30 June 2017 
                                                               GBP000          GBP000 
 
(Loss) / profit attributable to equity shareholders 
 of the parent                                                (1,725)           1,874 
 
Weighted average number of shares 
 in issue                                                  76,470,588      53,971,492 
 
Basic (loss) / profit per share (pence)                       (2.26p)           3.47p 
 
 
  Diluted Earnings Per Share                                 6 months        6 months 
                                                                ended           ended 
                                                         30 June 2018    30 June 2017 
                                                               GBP000          GBP000 
 
(Loss) / profit attributable to equity shareholders 
 of the parent                                                (1,725)           1,874 
 
Weighted average number of shares 
 in issue                                                  76,470,588      53,971,492 
Diluted weighted average number of shares and 
 options for the period                                       444,406               - 
 
                                                           76,914,994      53,971,492 
 
Diluted (loss) / profit per share 
 (pence) (see below)                                          (2.26p)           3.47p 
 
 

The loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of calculating the diluted loss per share for the current year is identical to those used for the basic loss per share. This is because the exercise of share options would have the effect of reducing the loss per share and is, therefore, not a dilution under the terms of IAS 33.

An adjusted EPS has been calculated below based on the adjusted profit after tax, which removes one of items not considered to be part of underlying trading. For comparable purposes the weighted average number of shares in issue has been treated as those in issue post IPO for both the current and prior year.

 
 
  Adjusted basic Earnings Per Share          6 months        6 months 
                                                ended           ended 
                                         30 June 2018    30 June 2017 
                                               GBP000          GBP000 
 
Adjusted profit after tax (note 5)              3,583           2,216 
 
Weighted average number of shares 
 in issue                                  76,470,588      76,470,588 
 
Adjusted earnings per share (pence)             4.68p           2.90p 
 
 
   10.          Intangible assets 
 
                              Goodwill  Intangible   Development   Total 
                                            assets   expenditure 
                                GBP000      GBP000        GBP000  GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2017               16,250           -         1,361  17,611 
Additions                            -           -           402     402 
 
At 30 June 2017                 16,250           -         1,763  18,013 
Additions                            -           -           370     370 
 
At 31 December 2017             16,250           -         2,133  18,383 
Additions                        3,520       1,012           436   4,968 
 
At 30 June 2018                 19,770       1,012         2,569  23,351 
 
Amortisation and impairment 
At 1 January 2017                    -           -             -       - 
Charge in the period               178           -             -     178 
 
At 30 June 2017                    178           -             -     178 
Charge in the period                 -           -             -       - 
 
At 31 December 2017                178           -             -     178 
Charge in the period                 -          62             -      62 
 
At 30 June 2018                    178          62             -     240 
 
Net book value 
At 30 June 2018                 19,592         950         2,569  23,111 
 
At 31 December 2017             16,072           -         2,133  18,205 
 
At 30 June 2017                 16,072           -         1,763  17,835 
 
 
   11.          Borrowings 
 
                             30 June 2018  30 June 2017 
                                   GBP000        GBP000 
Secured bank loan: 
Current                            10,093             - 
Non-current                             -        34,372 
Less loan arrangement fees           (83)         (913) 
 
                                   10,010        33,459 
 
 

On 5 April 2018, the Group repaid its previous loan in full and drew down GBP10.1m from a new GBP15.0m Revolving Credit Facility ('RCF') provided by Yorkshire Bank.

The previous loan was due to be settled in June 2022. On settlement of the loan, GBP776k of capitalised loan arrangement fees were accelerated into the profit and loss account, along with GBP515k of implied interest (due to the discounting of the amount repayable to the present date). GBP90k of loan arrangement fees were incurred on the new RCF, which have been capitalised and amortised over 3 years.

   12.          Share Capital & Share Premium 

Share capital

 
                               Ordinary     Ordinary      Ordinary     Ordinary    Ordinary 
                               A shares     B shares      C shares     D shares      Shares         Total 
Number of fully 
 paid shares: 
At 1 January 2017             8,349,148       50,852     1,331,112      256,974           -     9,988,086 
Issue of share                        -            -             -            -           -             - 
 capital 
 
At 30 June 2017               8,349,148       50,582     1,331,112      256,974           -     9,988,086 
Issue of share 
 capital                              -      281,380             -            -           -       281,380 
Repurchase of 
 shares and cancellation              -            -             -     (26,075)           -      (26,075) 
 
At 31 December 
 2017                         8,349,148      332,232     1,331,112      230,899           -    10,243,391 
 
Repurchase of 
 shares and cancellation              -            -             -      (1,093)           -       (1,093) 
Bonus issue of 
 shares                      75,142,332    2,990,088    11,980,008    2,068,254           -    92,180,682 
Share consolidation        (75,142,332)  (2,990,088)  (11,980,008)  (2,068,254)           -  (92,180,682) 
Bonus issue of 
 shares                      45,295,619    1,802,410     1,275,069      208,043           -    48,581,141 
Share conversion           (53,644,767)  (2,134,642)   (2,606,181)    (437,849)  58,823,439             - 
Issue of share 
 capital                              -            -             -            -  17,647,149    17,649,149 
 
At 30 June 2018                       -            -             -            -  76,470,588    76,470,588 
 
 

During 2017 the Company bought back and cancelled 26,075 D ordinary shares. On 5 December 2017, the company issued 281,380 B ordinary shares.

During 2018, prior to the IPO listing, the Company bought back and cancelled 1,093 D ordinary shares.

As part of the IPO process, the following share restructuring took place on 4 April 2018:

-- An initial bonus issue of shares in the ratio of 9 new shares to 1 existing share was issued across all share categories.

   --      A share consolidation across all share categories, at a rate of 10 shares to 1. 
   --      A second bonus issue of shares across all share categories at differing share ratios. 

-- A conversion of all categories of shares, in a ratio of 1 to 1, into a new category of Ordinary shares.

In addition to the above, an issue of 17,647,149 new ordinary shares was made on 4 April 2018, and the Company undertook a reduction of its share capital by cancelling GBP45,000,000 of its share premium account.

Share Premium

 
                                Share 
                              Premium 
                              GBP'000 
At 1 January 2017 and 
 30 June 2017                  50,852 
Issue of share capital          1,692 
 
At 31 December 2017            52,544 
Issue of share capital         29,844 
Transfer to retained 
 earnings                    (45,000) 
Bonus issue                     (579) 
 
At 30 June 2018                36,809 
 
 
   13.          Other reserves 
 
                          Merger      Capital       Put and     Share      Total 
                         Reserve   redemption   Call Option    Option      Other 
                                      reserve       reserve   Reserve   Reserves 
                         GBP'000      GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
At 1 January 2017 and 
 30 June 2017           (61,395)            8       (1,760)         -   (63,147) 
Transfer to retained 
 earnings                      -            -         1,760         -      1,760 
 
At 31 December 2017     (61,395)            8             -         -   (61,387) 
Share option charge            -            -             -       132        132 
 
At 30 June 2018         (61,395)            8             -       132   (61,255) 
 
 
   14.          Share-based payment arrangements 

At 30 June 2018, the Group had the following share-based payment arrangements.

Company Share Option Plan ("CSOP")

On 4 April 2018, the Group established the Company Share Option Plan ("CSOP"), which granted share options to certain key management personnel. The CSOP consists of two parts, and all options are to be settled by physical delivery of shares. The terms and conditions of the share option schemes granted during the six months ended 30 June 2018 are as follows:

 
 Scheme            Grant Date     Number of   Vesting conditions   Contractual 
                                   awards                           life of options 
----------------  -------------  ----------  -------------------  ----------------- 
 Approved Scheme   4 April 2018   400,000     3 years' service     3 to 10 years 
                                               from grant 
                                               date 
 Unapproved        4 April 2018   425,000     3 years' service     3 years 
  Scheme                                       from grant 
                                               date 
----------------  -------------  ----------  -------------------  ----------------- 
 

Management Incentive Plan ("MIP")

On 4 April 2018, the Group established the Management Incentive Plan ("MIP") which invited eligible employees to subscribe for A Shares in the Company's subsidiary SimplyBiz Limited. Participants have a put option to sell the A shares to the Company in exchange for ordinary shares of the Company at any point between 3 years and 10 years after the date of grant, provided that they are still employed and an equity hurdle is met. The terms and conditions of the MIP are as follows:

 
 Grant Date     Number of awards   Vesting conditions   Contractual life 
                                                         of options 
-------------  -----------------  -------------------  ----------------- 
 4 April 2018   2,250              3 years' service     3 to 10 years 
                                    from grant date, 
                                    subject to an 
                                    equity hurdle 
                                    of 40% above 
                                    the IPO price. 
-------------  -----------------  -------------------  ----------------- 
 

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is based on the fair value of the share options granted. The fair value has been measured using the Black-Scholes model for the unapproved CSOP scheme, and the Monte Carlo model for the MIP and approved CSOP scheme.

The following inputs were used in the measurement of the fair values at grant date of the share based payment plans.

 
                                   Approved   Unapproved   Management 
                                       CSOP         CSOP    incentive 
                                                                 plan 
--------------------------------  ---------  -----------  ----------- 
 Fair value at grant date           GBP0.64      GBP1.59    GBP290.22 
 Share price at grant date          GBP1.70      GBP1.70      GBP1.70 
 Exercise price                     GBP1.70      GBP0.01     GBP1.785 
 Expected volatility                    40%          40%          40% 
 Option life (expected weighted 
  average life)                           3            3            3 
 Expected dividends                      2%           2%           2% 
 Risk-free interest rate (based 
  on government bonds)                 1.2%         1.2%         1.2% 
--------------------------------  ---------  -----------  ----------- 
 
   15.          Notes to the cash flow statement 
 
 
                                                   6 months    6 months ended 
                                                   ended 30      30 June 2017 
                                                  June 2018 
                                                     GBP000            GBP000 
Cash flow from operating activities 
(Loss) / profit after taxation                      (1,725)             1,874 
Add back / (deduct): 
Finance income                                         (41)              (32) 
Finance cost                                          2,451             1,547 
Taxation                                                570               560 
 
                                                      1,255             3,949 
 
Adjustments for: 
Impairment of goodwill                                    -               181 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment           129               109 
Amortisation of other intangible assets                  62                 - 
Share option charge                                     132                 - 
 
Operating cash flow before movements in 
 working capital                                      1,578             4,239 
 
Increase in receivables                             (1,301)           (1,499) 
(Decrease) / increase in trade and other 
 payables                                             (581)               736 
 
Cash (used in) / generated from operations            (304)             3,476 
Income taxes (paid) / received                        (226)             1,504 
 
Net cash (used in) / generated from operating 
 activities                                           (530)             4,980 
 
 
   16.          Acquisitions 

On 23 January 2018 the Group purchased 100% of the share capital of Landmark Surveyors Limited for GBP4,834,000. The principal activity of the company is residential surveying and the purchase price includes GBP1,450,000 of deferred consideration, which is payable in two equal tranches on the 1st and 2nd anniversary of the acquisition.

The acquisition of Landmark Surveyors strengthens the Group's capabilities in providing home valuations, with the business highly aligned and complementary to Sonas Surveyors, an existing Group company. In the period to 30 June 2018, Landmark Surveyors contributed revenue of GBP1.8m and adjusted EBITDA of GBP0.2m. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2018, management estimates that revenue would have been GBP2.0m and adjusted EBITDA would have been GBP0.1m.

The Group incurred acquisition related costs of GBP0.1m relating to external legal and professional fees. These costs have been included in 'operating expenses' in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

The following fair values have been determined on a provisional basis:

 
                                               Provisional Fair 
                                                          Value 
                                                         GBP000 
Net assets acquired 
Property, plant & equipment                                 138 
Trade and other receivables                                 296 
Cash and cash equivalents                                 1,052 
Trade and other payables                                  (924) 
Income tax liabilities                                     (68) 
Intangible assets - Brands                                  115 
Intangible assets - Customer relationships                  897 
Deferred tax liability                                    (192) 
 
                                                          1,314 
 
Consideration paid 
Initial cash price paid                                   3,384 
Deferred consideration                                    1,450 
 
                                                          4,834 
 
Goodwill                                                  3,520 
 
 

Goodwill acquired on the acquisition relates to the assembled workforce and the synergies expected to be achieved from integrating the company into the Group's existing business.

   17.          Subsequent Events 

No material subsequent events have arisen since the balance sheet date.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

IR EAENEFLNPEAF

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