TIDMIPEL
RNS Number : 8119S
Impellam Group plc
14 March 2019
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014
PRELIMINARY RESULTS - UNAUDITED
Impellam Group plc ("Impellam" or "the Group") - London AIM:
IPEL: 14 March 2019
Impellam announces its unaudited final results for the 53 week
period ended 4 January 2019
Revenue growth and a more focused portfolio
53 weeks 52 weeks Actual Like-for-like(4)
FY 2018 FY 2017 Inc/(Dec) Inc/(dec)
Revenue (GBP millions) 2,276.7 2,171.3 4.9% 5.7%
Gross profit (GBP millions) 282.3 285.5 (1.1)% 0.1%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
(GBP millions) 50.2 59.5 (15.6)% (14.4)%
Adjusted EBITDA conversion (3.0)
(2) 17.8% 20.8% ppts
Operating profit (GBP millions) 22.9 44.7 (48.8)%
Adjusted basic EPS (3) 56.8p 74.6p (23.9)%
Basic EPS 26.5p 61.9p (57.2)%
Net debt (GBP millions) 71.7 75.9 (5.5)%
(1) Before separately disclosed items, impairment and
share-based payments. Explanations of Alternative Performance
Measures are at the end of the report
(2) Calculated as Adjusted EBITDA / Gross Profit. Explanations
of Alternative Performance Measures are at the end of the report
this
(3) Before separately disclosed items, impairment and
share-based payments. Explanations of Alternative Performance
Measures are at the end of the report
(4) % change measured at constant exchange rates
Headlines
-- Our strategy is working with revenues increasing by 4.9%
(5.7% at constant exchange rates), driven by Managed Services
growth.
-- Increased collaboration through cross-sell delivered GBP2.5m
incremental gross profit in the UK and Group fill increased by 1.7
pps to 27.0% (2017: 25.2%), delivering an additional GBP9.2m gross
profit.
-- Challenging market conditions in the UK Healthcare, Education
and Retail markets meant that overall gross profit was flat at
constant exchange rates and decreased by 1.1% using actual exchange
rates.
-- The launch of Guidant Global in October 2018 (from the merger
of Guidant Group in the UK with Bartech Managed Services in the US)
has accelerated the transformation of our portfolio and has already
enabled the expansion of one client from the US to the UK as well
as a further new client win. The continuing drive to grow the
proportion of Managed Services within the Group's portfolio saw its
share of Gross Profit rise to 41% (2017: 39%) and its share of
segment adjusted EBITDA(1) grow to 57% (2017: 52%).
-- Focus on key markets across our Specialist Staffing
businesses delivered gross profit growth in Technology, Office,
Engineering, Legal and Blue Collar in the UK as well as Technology
in the US and Engineering in both the Australian and US
markets.
-- In February 2019, the Group announced the de-merger of
Carlisle Support Services Group. The Group believes that the
Carlisle business is a non-core division and the de-merger will
allow Impellam to further focus on its portfolio of Specialist
Staffing and Managed Services businesses.
-- Ongoing strategic IT investments, the increased cost of doing
business compliantly and the downturns in the markets noted above
resulted in adjusted EBITDA(1) of GBP50.2m (2017: GBP59.5m).
-- Operating Profit was GBP22.9m (2017: GBP44.7m). In addition
to the adjusted EBITDA(1) shortfall this was impacted by a goodwill
impairment of GBP8.6m in respect of the Education businesses
following this particularly difficult year. This is a non-cash
adjustment but does impact basic EPS. Operating Profit was also
reduced by an increase in separately disclosed items from GBP3.4m
to GBP5.7m.
-- The Group's cash conversion was strong for the year with Net
Debt closing at GBP71.7m, GBP4.2m (or 5.5%) better than prior year
(2017: GBP75.9m).
1 Explanations of Alternative Performance Measures are at the
end of the report
2 Group fill is the value of Spend Under Management supplied
from our Group brands into our Managed Service programmes
Financial results for the 53 weeks ended 04 January 2019 -
unaudited
Revenue Gross profit Adjusted EBITDA(1)
GBPm 2018 2017 % change(3) 2018 2017 % change(3) 2018 2017
---------------------- --------- -------- ------------
Spend Under
Management(1)
- UK, Europe
and Australasia 1,653.7 1,465.0 12.9%
Spend Under
Management(1)
- North America 2,368.4 2,901.9 (16.2)%
Group Fill (2)
- UK, Europe
and Australasia 871.6 784.5 11.1%
Group Fill (2)
- North America 215.2 315.1 (29.4)%
---------------------- --------- -------- ------------
Managed Services
- UK, Europe
and Australasia 1,154.6 1,019.4 13.3% 71.6 62.7 14.2% 21.5 20.4
Gross Profit
% 6.2% 6.2%
Specialist Staffing
- UK, Europe
and Australasia 800.0 811.9 (1.5)% 135.2 140.4 (3.7)% 16.5 23.6
Gross Profit
% 16.9% 17.3%
Managed Services
- North America 183.7 187.2 (0.8)% 43.7 49.5 (10.0)% 9.3 12.3
Gross Profit
% 23.8% 26.4%
Specialist Staffing
- North America 198.3 213.8 (1.8)% 31.8 32.9 (0.6)% 6.7 7.0
Gross Profit
% 16.0% 15.4%
Inter-segment
revenues (59.9) (61.0) - - - -
--------- -------- ------ ------ ---------- ---------
Total 2,276.7 2,171.3 5.7% 282.3 285.5 0.1% 54.0 63.3
--------- -------- ------ ------
Corporate costs (3.8) (3.8)
---------- ---------
Adjusted EBITDA (before separately disclosed
items and share based payments)(1) 50.2 59.5
Amortisation of intangible
assets (9.1) (7.3)
Depreciation of tangible
assets (3.3) (3.3)
Loss on disposal (0.2) (0.1)
Impairment of goodwill (8.6) -
Separately disclosed items (5.7) (3.4)
Share based payments (0.4) (0.7)
Operating profit 22.9 44.7
---------- ---------
1 Explanations of Alternative Performance Measures are at the
end of the report
2 Group fill is the value of Spend Under Management supplied
from our Group brands into our Managed Service programmes
3 Percentage change measured at constant exchange rates
Chairman's Comments on the Results
In 2018, Impellam Group made good strategic progress amidst the
backdrop of challenging conditions in the UK Healthcare, Education
and Retail markets.
We have continued to invest selectively in line with our
strategy, whilst maintaining control on costs and cash. Our focus
on international expansion to reduce reliance on the UK and to
increase scale continues, whilst we continue to strengthen our
Managed Services proposition globally.
Our Managed Services businesses delivered strong growth,
particularly in Australia. The merger of our UK and US Managed
Services businesses has further broadened our capabilities and
service offering. We have also seen expansion of our Specialist
Staffing businesses in Europe, with new locations opened in Germany
and Switzerland.
We have also continued to invest in our people and technology to
ensure that Impellam Group is equipped to adapt to the changing
world of work.
During 2018, there were some changes to the Impellam Board.
Derek O'Neill, Non-executive Director, stepped down from the Board
in May to pursue other opportunities and Alison Wilford, Group CFO,
stepped down in October. Brian Porritt was appointed as Interim
Group CFO, a non-board role, until a permanent replacement is
recruited. The Board wishes to thank Alison and Derek for their
contribution to the Company.
Finally, I would like to thank our shareholders for their
continued support and our people for their hard work and
contribution throughout the year. We enter 2019 with a clear plan
and look forward to reporting our progress in the coming year.
Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC
Chairman
Performance Review
Despite significant challenges in the UK Healthcare, Education
and Retail markets and the impact of 2017 customer losses in the
US, overall Group gross profit was flat at constant exchange rates
(1.1% decrease at actual exchange rates), with gross profit growth
recorded in UK Managed Services, Technology, Office, Engineering,
Legal and Blue Collar markets, in US Technology and Engineering
markets and Australia Managed Services, Healthcare and Engineering
markets.
We achieved this gross profit performance by continuing to
invest in the development of our Virtuoso(2) culture, by growing
our global Managed Services business and by increasing the scale
and competitiveness of our international businesses. We also
continued our strategic IT investments: Ignite, our recruiters'
operating system, ShiftWise, a market first technology solution for
the NHS and Workplace, our internal collaboration and communication
platform.
The in-year financial impact of these investments, combined with
the contraction of the UK Healthcare, Education and Retail markets
in the UK, the gross margin wind-down of two Managed Services
programmes (MSPs) in North America in 2017 and the increased cost
of doing business compliantly (GDPR, Cyber and increase in
employment related on-costs), meant that the Group delivered
adjusted EBITDA(1) of GBP50.2m (2017: GBP59.5m) and profit before
tax of GBP16.1m (2017: GBP37.9m).
Strategic review and update on strategic priorities
Throughout a challenging year, we remained true to our vision,
mission and strategy and important progress has been made.
Enabling our Virtuosos
We now have developed 400 Virtuosos(2) ; graduates of a
leadership and cultural change programme which enables our people
to make the difference in building trust, stronger relationships
and improved experiences for our clients and candidates across the
world. We continue to invest in our culture of Virtuosity,
empowering our Virtuosos to deliver an increased quality of client
service and innovation which drives high retention and satisfaction
among clients and candidates alike.
Our Virtuosos are responsible for both front-line service
delivery and the implementation of strategic change.
Transforming the portfolio
During 2018, we accelerated the process of focusing our
portfolio of brands to give increased strategic clarity and
financial performance.
Since 2014, it has been the Group's strategy to increase our
overall percentage of Managed Services business and this now stands
at 57% of our segment adjusted EBITDA(1) (2017: 52%).
A new portfolio structure has been implemented to drive Managed
Services and international growth further to deliver premium (+ 10%
per annum) returns. Regional businesses have distinct leadership
and are focused on investing to stay relevant, productive and
efficient so that they perform ahead of their market peer
group.
A key strategic move in 2018 was the merger of our two talent
acquisition and managed solutions businesses in the UK and US to
form Guidant Global. This bold move means that we have strengthened
our position in the growing GBP117bn Spend Under Management(1)
(SUM) Managed Services market and enabled us to meet the needs of a
broader range of international clients, securing increased market
share and creating better workplaces across the world.
In February 2019, the Group announced the de-merger of Carlisle
Support Services Group. The Group believes that the Carlisle
business is a non-core division and the de-merger will allow
Impellam to focus on its portfolio of Specialist Staffing and
Managed Services businesses.
Collectively, our Managed Services businesses (Guidant Global,
Comensura, Medacs Global Group (MGG) and Lorien) recorded 57 new
wins in 2018 and have a strong sales pipeline across all
geographies.
We have continued to invest in international expansion and we
have seen particularly strong growth in Australia (Comensura and
MGG). We have strengthened our position in Ireland (MGG, Guidant
Global and SRG) and have invested in the organic start-up of a
technology business in Germany (Lorien).
Finally, during 2018 we launched Origin, our innovation hub, to
partner with, acquire and invest in staffing start-ups to drive
both sustaining and disruptive innovation across the portfolio. In
addition, Origin encourages entrepreneurship in our Virtuosos to
support them to find new ways to operate and attract, retain and
delight our customers and candidates.
Improved resilience
Our Virtuoso(2) culture and our focus on collaboration and
cross-selling creates an operating model where customers stay with
us for longer, as we adapt and innovate our services for them.
Sometimes this means they move from being a Specialist Staffing
customer to a Vertical Specialist Managed Services(3) customer and
sometimes from either a Specialist Staffing or a Vertical
Specialist Managed Services(3) customer to a full service MSP. In
2018, 13 customers migrated from one service offering to another
with three of these moving to be a full service MSP.
In addition, our collaborative culture means that Group fill
continues to rise as we leverage our Specialist Staffing brands as
a key source of talent for our Managed Services customers. This
collaboration works to the service of all our stakeholders.
Our customers have access to the best talent, our candidates
have access to good work, and our people benefit from long term
relationships with customers and candidates and our investors
benefit from increased share of our customers' spend.
All of our markets are increasingly competitive. We compete for
scarce candidates at the same time as our customers expect more
value from us for less, as their individual market dynamics create
increasing pressure.
To stay competitive, whilst offering a premium service to
customers where engaged, fulfilled and productive workers are at
the heart of our proposition, we have invested in a CRM system for
our Specialist Staffing businesses and are mid-way a roll out
programme to Blue Arrow.
Likewise, in the UK Healthcare market, where the NHS has been
driving down use of agencies and agency margins over the last three
years, we have boldly invested in ShiftWise technology to support
the NHS in their strategic goal to shift spend to internal staff
banks. Our performance in NHS backed pilots has been such that we
confidently expect to increase our market share as this market
place continues to transform over the next 24 months.
Despite all this progress, we are acutely aware of, and attuned
to, the impact of the combination of events described in the
opening statement of this report on our adjusted EBITDA(1)
performance in 2018. In anticipation of continued market and
technological disruption and downward pricing pressure, we will
continue to focus on the price point for our premium positioning,
our integrated operating model and our cost base to improve our
conversion of gross profit to adjusted EBITDA(1) .
Continued commitment to our strategic priorities and sales
momentum is key, but we will also ensure that our rigour on project
investment and implementation is second to none and that we have
explored every angle to focus the portfolio on achieving optimum
results. We believe that with this focus we will see a return to
higher levels of conversion in the months ahead as we continue to
work in partnership with our customers as they navigate the
changing world of work as well as ongoing political and economic
uncertainty.
Operating review
We continue to balance the risk in our portfolio. Our global
Managed Services businesses are winning new customers and expanding
their remit with existing customers. Our combined Managed Services
operation with its long-term customer base and high level of
recurring revenues now accounts for 59% of our revenue, 41% of our
gross profit and 57% of our segment adjusted EBITDA(1) . Our non-UK
businesses now represent 51% of our total adjusted EBITDA(1) .
We achieved a 1.8pps increase in Group fill(4) to 27% (2017:
25.2%) which created GBP9.2m of additional gross profit in 2018. In
addition, our focus on collaboration between our brands has
continued to deliver results with an additional GBP2.5m gross
profit reported in the UK.
Managed Services gross profit at GBP115.3m was 2.8% up on prior
year with growth across the UK brands. Segment adjusted EBITDA(1)
from Managed Services is GBP30.8m (2017: GBP32.7m). There was
growth in the UK (Lorien), Australia (Comensura) and healthcare
(Australia) while US Managed Services (Bartech, rebranded to
Guidant Global) was down due to the timing of wins and losses.
Specialist Staffing gross profit at GBP167.0m was 3.6% down on
the prior year, impacted by challenges in the UK retail market, the
NHS and UK education sector. However, there were good performances
from Technology in the UK and US (Lorien and s.com), Engineering in
the UK (Carbon60), Legal in the UK (Chadwick Nott), Office and Blue
collar in the UK (Blue Arrow and Tate).
Financial report
Revenue for the 53 week period ended 4 January 2019 grew by 4.9%
(5.7% at constant exchange rates). Gross profit decreased by 1.1%
(0.1% increase at constant exchange rates). Gross profit declined
in our Specialist Staffing business and was further impacted by the
increased mix of our Managed Services business revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) was 15.6% lower year-on-year (14.4% at
constant exchange rates). This was the combination of lower gross
profit and an increase in operating costs, particularly IT
investment. Operating profit was 48.8% lower year-on-year. The
difference between these measures is reconciled below and is
principally due to a goodwill impairment charge of GBP8.6m in
respect of the education business and GBP5.7m of separately
disclosed items primarily in respect of legal provisions and
restructure and integration costs.
Foreign exchange
Currency movements versus Sterling negatively impacted our
reported performance. Over the course of the period to December
2018, the negative impact of exchange movements on gross profit and
operating profit was GBP3.2m and GBP0.7m respectively. Fluctuations
in the rates of the Group's key operating currencies versus
Sterling continue to represent a sensitivity for the reported
performance of our business. By way of illustration, each one cent
movement in annual exchange rates of the US Dollar impacts gross
profit by GBP0.6m per annum and operating profits by GBP0.13m per
annum. The rate of exchange between the US Dollar and Sterling over
the period ended 4 January 2019 averaged USD 1.334 and closed at
USD 1.274. As the Group expands further in Australasia and Europe
the impact of changes in exchange rates will be greater.
Capital investment
Capital expenditure on fixed assets in the period was GBP10.0m
(2017: GBP11.3m), with continued investment in our two strategic IT
projects (ShiftWise and Ignite). The net finance expense in the
period was GBP6.8m (2017: GBP6.8m).
Interest and debt
Net cash generated from operations during the period was
GBP38.2m (2017: GBP55.0m). Strong underlying cash performance was
the result of the continued focus on cash collections, overdue debt
reduction and working capital management activities. Cash
conversion (net cash generated from operations to operating profit)
of 166.8% in 2018 (2017: 123.0%) was positively impacted by the
additional week at the end of the year; however, using the cash
conversion of net cash generated from operations to adjusted
EBITDA(1) gives 76.1% (2017: 92.4%) which is more reflective of the
underlying business performance. At the end of 2018, Days Sales
Outstanding (DSO)(5) stood at 39.5 days (2017: 38.7 days).
The Group's operations are financed by retained earnings and
bank borrowings. The Group has in place a GBP240m global Revolving
Credit Facility (RCF) with an accordion element of an additional
GBP50m. This provides the Group with the flexibility to fund its
working capital as well as future acquisitions. Rates of interest
for the RCF are based on LIBOR plus a margin calculated on the net
debt to adjusted EBITDA(1) leverage.
Incorporated into the RCF is a letter of credit facility which
at the end of the period amounted to GBP5.1m (2017: GBP3.8m).
The Group takes advantage of a number of non-recourse financing
agreements organised by clients of the Group to allow for the
acceleration of payment of their receivables. At the end of 2018,
these amounted to GBP18.5m (2017: GBP17.3m). These agreements
accrue interest at between 0.7% and 1.85% over LIBOR. A significant
priority for the Group continues to be to focus on the conversion
of operating profit into sustained positive cash flow by
controlling working capital. The Group measures three covenants as
required by the facility - interest cover, adjusted leverage ratio
(defined as net debt less loan notes and restricted cash to
adjusted EBITDA(1) ) and debtor cover. All covenants were met
during the year.
Borrowing levels are controlled by the Group Finance department,
which manages treasury risk in accordance with policies set by the
Board.
The Group's financial liabilities are denominated primarily in
Sterling. At December 2018, US$40.0m of the RCF was drawn in US$ to
provide a hedge against the US operations' profit streams and net
assets which, when reported at a Group level, are affected by
movements in exchange rates. Exposure to currency risk at a
transactional level is generally minimal, with most transactions
being carried out in local currency.
Taxation
The tax charge in the period of GBP2.8m (2017: GBP6.8m)
represents an effective tax rate of 17.4% (2017: 17.9%). The tax
charge is comprised of corporate tax charges arising from the
Group's activities in the UK and overseas. At the end of the
period, the Group has maintained the level of losses against which
a deferred tax asset has been recognised on the basis that the
Group remains confident that the US business will continue to be
profitable in the foreseeable future.
The Group had a UK Corporation Tax charge of GBP1.4m (2017:
GBP4.8m) and an overseas corporate income tax charge of GBP2.5m
(2017: GBP2.3m). The effective current tax rate on the UK business
is 17.5% (2017: 26.3%). This is lower than the UK statutory rate of
Corporation Tax which is 19.0% (2017: 19.3%). The difference is
principally due to tax credits arising from the true-up of prior
years' provisions off-set partially by charges to the profit and
loss account which are not deductible for corporation tax purposes.
The overseas current tax charge arises mainly in Australia where
the highest corporate income tax rate is 30%.
The Group made a major contribution to the UK Treasury. In the
period, GBP312.4m (2017: GBP303.3m) was remitted in the form of
VAT, income tax, national insurance, and Corporation Tax.
Of this amount, employer's national insurance and Corporation
Tax of GBP52.0m (2017: GBP57.0m) was a cost to the business.
Capital management
The Group's capital base is primarily used to finance its
working capital requirement, the key component of which is trade
receivables. Trade receivables in the staffing and support services
sectors are managed according to a range of DSO targets. Terms of
trade are monitored and the approval of extended payment terms
requires senior finance involvement. In some of the Group's Managed
Services businesses, the amounts payable to third party suppliers
are not due until after the receipt of the client receivable. As
noted above, the Group has committed facilities that ensure there
is sufficient liquidity to meet ongoing business requirements.
The primary objectives of the Group's capital management
function are to ensure that it maintains a good credit rating in
order to support its business, to maximise shareholder value and to
safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a
reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable
future. In coming to their conclusion the Directors have considered
the Group's profit and cash flow plans for the coming period,
together with outline projections for 2019 and 2020. The amount of
borrowing required to fund the Group's activities is determined
based on these projections, together with expected returns to
shareholders and planned capital expenditure. This is then compared
to the bank lending facilities currently committed and expected to
be available to the Group.
Also considered is the projection of compliance with the
financial covenants implied by these plans. In addition, these
figures are tested for sensitivity to possible changes to the
economic environments in which the Group operates.
The impact on Group liquidity and covenants of each of these
sensitivities is then evaluated together with the likelihood of
each of these occurring either individually or in combination.
On a regular basis, and at least quarterly, the Board reviews
updated projections of future borrowing requirements, facility
usage and resulting headroom, together with projected covenant
compliance; these are based upon the latest actual results and
borrowing position supplemented by regularly updated profit
forecasts. Based on the above, the Directors consider it
appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing the financial statements.
Dividends and share buyback
In July 2018 the Board announced that it would be undertaking a
share buyback programme whereby it is returning cash to its
shareholders through the purchase of ordinary shares in the Company
up to an aggregate market value of GBP12m over a period of 12
months. The proposed quantum of the buyback (GBP12m) reflects the
value that the Board would otherwise have intended to return to
shareholders through dividends over the same period.
Therefore no final dividend has been declared.
Insurance
The Group maintains a comprehensive insurance programme with a
number of reputable third party underwriters. Insurance is brokered
at a Group level. The Group's insurance policies are reviewed and
updated annually to ensure that there is adequate cover for
insurable risks and that the terms of those policies are
optimised.
Brexit
One of the biggest risks we see over the coming year is in the
UK, where uncertainties regarding the macroeconomic and political
outlook are likely to remain throughout the period in which the UK
negotiates its exit from the EU. This could have a detrimental
impact on candidate confidence to switch jobs, or business
confidence to invest and take on new staff. The impact of this
could be reduced volumes of placements in our UK business and
therefore reduced fees. Forward visibility remains limited and
outlook uncertain, but as ever we will monitor activity levels
closely.
Outlook
Looking forward, we anticipate continued market and
technological disruption and downward pricing pressure, as well as
ongoing uncertainty from Brexit. Notwithstanding this, we
anticipate an increasing return from our strategic investments in
2019, and this, coupled with a rigorous portfolio, operating model
and cost base review means that we expect to see a return to higher
levels of conversion of gross profit to EBITDA and profit before
tax.
Julia Robertson
Group Chief Executive Officer
1 Explanations of Alternative Performance Measures are at the
end of the report
2 Virtuosos are people who see possibilities and can tune-in to
the needs of our customers and candidates
3 Vertical Specialist Managed Services are our brands which have
Specialist focus and expertise delivering sector or function
staffing solutions.
4 Group Fill is the percentage of Spend Under Management
supplied from our Group brands into our Managed Service
programmes.
5 Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) is total trade receivables
divided by average daily invoiced sales
Consolidated Income Statement
For the 53 weeks ended 4 January 2019 Unaudited Audited 52
53 weeks weeks
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
Notes GBPm GBPm
Revenue 2 2,276.7 2,171.3
Cost of sales (1,994.4) (1,885.8)
_________ _________
Gross profit 282.3 285.5
Administrative expenses (259.4) (240.8)
_________ _________
Operating profit 2 22.9 44.7
---------------------------------------------- ------ ----------- ------------
Operating profit before separately disclosed
items, impairment of goodwill and share
based payments 37.6 48.8
Separately disclosed items 3 (5.7) (3.4)
Impairment of goodwill (8.6) -
Share based payment (0.4) (0.7)
_________ _________
Operating profit 22.9 44.7
---------------------------------------------- ------ ----------- ------------
Finance expense (6.8) (6.8)
_________ _________
Profit before taxation 16.1 37.9
Taxation charge 4 (2.8) (6.8)
_________ _________
Profit for the period 13.3 31.1
_________ _________
Profit attributable to:
Equity holders of the Parent Company 13.2 30.9
Non-controlling interest 0.1 0.2
_________ _________
13.3 31.1
_________ _________
Earnings per share 5
Attributable to equity holders of the
Parent Company - basic 26.5p 61.9p
- diluted 26.5p 61.1p
Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive
Income
For the 53 weeks ended 4 January 2019 Unaudited Audited 52
53 weeks weeks
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
GBPm GBPm
Profit for the period 13.3 31.1
Other comprehensive income:
Items that may be subsequently reclassified
into income:
Remeasurement of defined benefit liability 0.1 -
Foreign currency translation differences
- foreign operations 5.6 (7.9)
_________ _________
Total comprehensive income for the period,
net of tax 19.0 23.2
_________ _________
Total comprehensive income for the period
attributable to:
Equity holders of the Parent Company 19.1 23.1
Non-controlling interest (0.1) 0.1
_________ _________
19.0 23.2
_________ _________
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 4 January 2019 Unaudited Audited
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
GBPm GBPm
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 6.7 7.3
Goodwill 156.2 160.4
Other intangible assets 131.1 131.7
Financial assets 1.4 1.4
Deferred tax assets 15.3 13.2
_________ _________
310.7 314.0
_________ _________
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 569.1 687.2
Cash and cash equivalents 77.2 100.3
_________ _________
646.3 787.5
_________ _________
Total assets 957.0 1,101.5
_________ _________
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings 25.1 73.2
Trade and other payables 508.3 635.5
Tax payable 1.7 4.2
Provisions 0.9 1.1
_________ _________
536.0 714.0
_________ _________
Net current assets 110.3 73.5
_________ _________
Non-current liabilities
Long-term borrowings 123.8 103.0
Other payables 1.6 0.9
Provisions 3.4 1.1
Deferred tax liabilities 22.8 22.2
_________ _________
151.6 127.2
_________ _________
Total liabilities 687.6 841.2
_________ _________
Net assets 269.4 260.3
_________ _________
Unaudited Audited
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
GBPm GBP m
Equity
Issued share capital 0.5 0.5
Share premium account 30.1 30.1
_________ _________
30.6 30.6
Other reserves 124.6 120.9
Retained earnings 114.2 108.7
_________ _________
Total equity attributable to equity
holders of the parent Company 269.4 260.2
_________ _________
Non-controlling interest - 0.1
Total equity 269.4 260.3
_________ _________
Consolidated Statement of Changes
in Equity
For the 53 weeks ended 4 Total share Other Retained Total equity Non-controlling Total
January 2019 capital reserves earnings attributable Interest Equity
and share to equity
premium owners
of the
parent
Audited GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
31 December 2016 30.6 128.0 88.2 246.8 - 246.8
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Profit for the period - - 30.9 30.9 0.2 31.1
Other comprehensive income - (7.8) - (7.8) (0.1) (7.9)
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Total comprehensive income
in period - (7.8) 30.9 23.1 0.1 23.2
Transactions with owners, recorded
directly in equity
Purchase of treasury shares - - (0.1) (0.1) - (0.1)
Share-based payment charge - 0.7 - 0.7 - 0.7
Dividends paid - - (10.3) (10.3) - (10.3)
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
29 December 2017 30.6 120.9 108.7 260.2 0.1 260.3
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Unaudited
30 December 2017 30.6 120.9 108.7 260.2 0.1 260.3
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Profit for the period - - 13.2 13.2 0.1 13.3
Other comprehensive income - 5.8 0.1 5.9 (0.2) 5.7
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Total comprehensive income
in period - 5.8 13.3 19.1 (0.1) 19.0
Transactions with owners, recorded
directly in equity
Purchase of Treasury shares - - (3.5) (3.5) - (3.5)
Share-based payment charge - 0.4 - 0.4 - 0.4
Dividends paid - - (6.8) (6.8) - (6.8)
Transfer between reserves - (2.5) 2.5 - - -
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
4 January 2019 30.6 124.6 114.2 269.4 - 269.4
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Unaudited Audited 52 weeks
For the 53 weeks ended 4 January 2019 53 weeks
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
GBPm GBPm
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before taxation 16.1 37.9
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 3.3 3.3
Amortisation of intangible assets 9.1 7.3
Impairment of goodwill 8.6 -
Loss on disposal of property, plant and
equipment 0.3 0.1
Net finance expense 6.8 6.8
Share-based payment 0.4 0.7
_________ _________
44.6 56.1
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other
receivables 89.9 (94.8)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other
payables (91.9) 105.7
Increase/(decrease) in provisions 2.1 (3.7)
_________ _________
Cash generated by operations 44.7 63.3
Tax paid (6.5) (8.3)
_________ _________
Net cash from operating activities 38.2 55.0
_________ _________
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiary (4.8) (1.8)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (3.1) (3.2)
Purchase of intangible assets (6.9) (8.1)
increase in other financial assets - (0.2)
_________ _________
Net cash from investing activities (14.8) (13.3)
_________ _________
Cash flows from financing activities
(Decrease)/increase in short-term borrowings (27.6) 26.8
Purchase of Treasury shares (3.5) (0.1)
Finance expense paid (6.8) (6.8)
Capital element of finance lease payments 0.4 (0.2)
Dividends paid (6.8) (10.3)
_________ _________
Net cash from financing activities (44.3) 9.4
_________ _________
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents (20.9) 51.1
Opening cash and cash equivalents 100.3 54.8
Effect of foreign exchange rate movements (2.2) (5.6)
_________ _________
Closing cash and cash equivalents* 77.2 100.3
_________ _________
* Unrestricted cash, available to the Group
1. Basis of preparation
Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a
going concern basis in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and
those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies
reporting under IFRS.
Financial information
The financial information, which is unaudited, for the 53 weeks
to 4 January 2019 does not constitute the statutory accounts of the
Group for the relevant period within the meaning of section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006. Such statutory accounts will be completed
in due course and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
Accounting policies, new IFRS and interpretations
The accounting policies used in this report are consistent with
those applied at 4 January 2019. No other new and/or revised IFRS
and IFRIC publications that come into force in the period and were
adopted have had any impact on the accounting policies, financial
position or performance of the Group.
2. Segment information - unaudited
53 weeks ended 4 January 2019
Adjusted
Revenue Gross profit EBITDA
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Managed Services - UK,
Europe and Australasia 1,154.6 71.6 21.5
Specialist Staffing -
UK, Europe and Australasia 800.0 135.2 16.5
Managed Services - North
America 183.3 43.7 9.3
Specialist Staffing -
North America 198.3 31.8 6.7
Inter-segment revenues (59.9) - -
_______ _______ _______
Operating segments 2,276.7 282.3 54.0
_______ _______ _______
52 weeks ended 29 December 2017 - audited
Adjusted
Revenue Gross profit EBITDA
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Managed Services - UK,
Europe and Australasia 1,019.4 62.7 20.4
Specialist Staffing -
UK, Europe and Australasia 811.9 140.4 23.6
Managed Services - North
America 187.2 49.5 12.3
Specialist Staffing -
North America 213.8 32.9 7.0
Inter-segment revenues (61.0) - -
_______ _______ _______
Operating segments 2,171.3 285.5 63.3
_______ _______ _______
Reconciliation of segment adjusted EBITDA to profit after tax is
as follows:
Unaudited Audited 52
53 weeks weeks
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
GBPm GBPm
Segment Adjusted EBITDA 54.0 63.3
Corporate costs (3.8) (3.8)
_______ _______
Adjusted EBITDA 50.2 59.5
Amortisation of intangible assets (9.1) (7.3)
Depreciation of tangible assets (3.3) (3.3)
Loss on disposal (0.2) (0.1)
Impairment of goodwill (8.6) -
Separately disclosed items* (5.7) (3.4)
Share based payments (0.4) (0.7)
_______ _______
Operating profit 22.9 44.7
Finance expense (6.8) (6.8)
Tax charge (2.8) (6.8)
_______ _______
Profit for the period from continuing
operations 13.3 31.1
_______ _______
(*) Further details of separately disclosed items can be found
in note 3
The above table reconciles the adjusted Earnings Before
Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation ('EBITDA'), which also
excludes separately disclosed items, impairment of goodwill and
share-based payment to the standard profit measure under
International Financial Reporting Standards (Operating Profit).
This is the Group's Alternate Profit Measure used when discussing
the performance of the Group. The Directors believe that adjusted
EBITDA is the most appropriate approach for ascertaining the
underlying trading performance and trends as it reflects the
measures used internally by senior management for all discussions
of performance, including Directors' remuneration, and also
reflects the starting profit measure used when calculating the
Group's banking covenants. All discussions within the Group on
segmental and individual brand performance refer to adjusted
EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA is not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be
directly comparable with other companies' adjusted profit measures.
It is not intended to be a substitute, or superior to, IFRS
measurements of profit.
Separately disclosed items are costs or income that have been
recognised in the income statement which the Directors believe, due
to their nature or size, should be disclosed separately to give a
more comparable view of the year-on-year underlying financial
performance (note 3).
The Impairment charge due its size is disclosed separately to
give a more comparable view of the year-on-year underlying
financial performance.
Share-based payment - in September 2015 the Company granted
share awards to two senior Directors which were due to vest
following the publication of the audited financial results for the
fifty two weeks ended 29 December 2017. One of the Directors left
during 2016 and the share award relating to that Director has been
cancelled. The remaining shares lapsed in 2018 as the vesting
conditions were not met.
3. Separately disclosed items
Unaudited Audited 52
53 weeks weeks
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
GBPm GBPm
Legal costs (a) 3.2 1.9
US business restructuring and integration
(b) 2.0 0.7
Adjustments to deferred consideration (c) 0.5 0.8
______ ______
Total included in Operating profit 5.7 3.4
______ ______
a) In 2018 the Group had an ongoing litigation matter for which
a provision for settlement and associated legal costs of GBP3.0m
has been made. There was also an additional GBP0.2m cost for a
legal case which GBP1.6m was previously provided for in 2017. In
2017 the US incurred tax and associated legal costs of GBP0.3m with
regard to the settlement of historic state tax liabilities for the
period 2010 to 2016. These are disclosed separately due to their
one-off nature and significance.
b) US Business restructuring and integration costs are of such
significance that they are excluded in order to bring them to the
reader's attention in understanding the Group's financial
performance. Following the acquisition of Bartech at the end of
2015 the Group has gone through a 3 year programme to enable the
realisation of cost and revenue synergies and ensure the right
structure of Impellam North America is in place. This includes
costs related to the integration of the Bartech business to
Impellam systems, processes and policies. This programme has
concluded at the end of 2018. All other costs related to
restructures within the individual Impellam brands have been
included in the trading results as they are not deemed
significant.
c) Contingent consideration payments linked to individuals
continuing employment in the business generated a GBP0.5m charge in
relation to the acquisition of Global Group (UK) Ltd (2017:
GBP0.8m). These are of such significance that they are shown
separately so as to not distort the reporting of the underlying
performance of the respective businesses.
4. Taxation
Tax charge / (credit) in the income statement
Unaudited 53 weeks Audited 52 weeks
4 January 2019 29 December 2017
GBPm GBPm
Current income tax
UK corporation tax on results for the period 1.7 4.4
Adjustments in respect of previous periods (0.3) 0.4
______ ______
1.4 4.8
Foreign tax in the period 2.5 2.3
______ ______
Total current income tax 3.9 7.1
Deferred tax credit (1.1) (0.3)
______ ______
Total taxation charge in the income statement 2.8 6.8
______ ______
5. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the
profit for the year attributable to the owners of the Company by
the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during
the period.
Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated on the same
basis but after adjusting the denominator for the effects of
dilutive options. The only potentially dilutive shares arise from
the share options issued by the Group under its share-based
compensation plans. There were zero options outstanding at 4
January 2019 (2017: 850,000).
Excluding the 19,841 shares owned by The Corporate Services
Group Ltd Employee Share Trust, the weighted average number of
shares in 2018 is 50,171,830 (2017: 50,322,196) and the fully
diluted average number of shares is 50,191,671 (2017:
50,912,395).
EPS Unaudited Audited
4 January 29 December
2019 2017
Pence Pence
Basic calculation 26.5 61.9
Diluted calculation 26.5 61.1
_________ _________
6. Business combinations
Acquisition of Global Group (UK) Limited
On 30 July 2015 the Group acquired 100% of the shares of Global
Group (UK) Limited, an unlisted company incorporated in the UK in
exchange for cash. Global Group is a specialist doctors' locum
recruitment business operating in Ireland, Australasia and the UK,
which is complementary to the Medacs business and propels the
healthcare business forward significantly outside the UK.
Contingent consideration payments arising on the acquisition of
Global Group (UK) Limited which are linked to the continued
employment of certain individuals are being amortised through the
profit and loss account over the earnout periods until 2019. A
charge of GBP0.5m (2017: GBP0.8m) was recorded in operating profit.
At the end of the period there was GBP1.2m outstanding (2017:
GBP6.0m).
7. Net debt
Audited Cash Interest Interest Decrease Foreign Unaudited
29 December paid expense in short exchange 4 January
2017 term borrowings 2019
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Cash and short-term
deposits 100.3 6.7 (0.3) 0.3 (27.6) (2.2) 77.2
Revolving
credit (176.2) - (6.5) 6.5 27.6 0.1 (148.5)
Hire purchase - (0.4) - - - - (0.4)
______ ______ ______ ______ _____ _____ ______
Net debt (75.9) 6.3 (6.8) 6.8 - (2.1) (71.7)
______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______
Alternative Performance Measures
Certain discussions and analyses set out in this Annual Report
and Accounts include measures which are not defined by generally
accepted accounting principles such as IFRS. We believe this
information, along with comparable IFRS measurements, is useful to
investors because it provides a basis for measuring our operating
performance on a comparable basis. Our management uses these
financial measures, along with the most directly comparable IFRS
financial measures, in evaluating our operating performance and
value creation. Non-IFRS financial measures should not be
considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial
information presented in compliance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial
measures as reported by us may not be comparable with similarly
titled amounts reported by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA
Definition: The Group calculates adjusted EBITDA as operating
profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and
excludes separately disclosed items, impairment of goodwill and
share-based payments.
Closest equivalent IFRS measure: Operating profit.
Rationale for adjustment: The Directors believe that adjusted
EBITDA is the most appropriate approach for ascertaining the
underlying trading performance and trends as it reflects the
measures used internally by senior management for all discussions
of performance, including Directors' remuneration, and also
reflects the starting profit measure used when calculating the
Group's banking covenants. All discussions within the Group on
segmental and individual brand performance refer to adjusted
EBITDA.
Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating profit:
2018 2017
GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------- ----- -----
Segment adjusted EBITDA 54.0 63.3
Corporate Costs (3.8) (3.8)
Adjusted EBITDA 50.2 59.5
Amortisation of intangible assets (9.1) (7.3)
Depreciation of tangible assets (3.3) (3.3)
Loss on disposal (0.2) (0.1)
Separately disclosed items (5.7) (3.4)
Impairment of goodwill (8.6) -
Share-based payments (0.4) (0.7)
---------------------------------- ----- -----
Operating profit 22.9 44.7
---------------------------------- ----- -----
Separately disclosed items are costs or income that have been
recognised in the income statement which the Directors believe, due
to their nature or size, should be disclosed separately to give a
more comparable view of the year-on-year underlying financial
performance.
The impairment charge due its size is disclosed separately to
give a more comparable view of the year-on-year underlying
financial performance.
Share-based payments - in September 2015 the Company granted
share awards to two senior Directors to vest following the
publication of the audited financial results for the year ended 31
December 2017. One of the Directors left during 2016 and the share
award relating to that Director have been cancelled. The remaining
shares lapsed in 2018 as the vesting conditions were not met.
These are shown separately in order to bring this to the
attention of the reader to highlight that this is a scheme which is
one-off in nature and not part of the ongoing remuneration
structure of senior executives.
The separately disclosed items are:
2018 2017
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------ ---- ----
Legal costs(a) 3.2 1.9
US Business restructuring and integration
(b) 2.0 0.7
Adjustments to deferred consideration(c) 0.5 0.8
Total 5.7 3.4
------------------------------------------ ---- ----
a) In 2018 the Group had an ongoing litigation matter for which
a provision for settlement and associated legal costs of GBP3.0m
has been made. There was also an additional GBP0.2m cost for a
legal case of which GBP1.6m was previously provided for in 2017. In
2017 the US incurred tax and associated legal costs of GBP0.3m with
regard to the settlement of historic state tax liabilities for the
period 2010 to 2016. These are disclosed separately due to their
one-off nature and significance.
b) US Business restructuring and integration costs are of such
significance that they are excluded in order to bring them to the
reader's attention in understanding the Group's financial
performance. Following the acquisition of Bartech at the end of
2015 the Group has gone through a 3 year programme to enable the
realisation of cost and revenue synergies and ensure the right
structure of Impellam North America is in place. This includes
costs related to the integration of the Bartech business to
Impellam systems, processes and policies. This programme has
concluded at the end of 2018. All other costs related to
restructures within the individual Impellam brands have been
included in the trading results as they are not deemed
significant.
c) Contingent consideration payments linked to individuals
continuing employment in the business generated a GBP0.5m charge in
relation to the acquisition of Global Group (UK) Ltd (2017:
GBP0.8m). These are of such significance that they are shown
separately so as to not distort the reporting of the underlying
performance of the respective businesses.
Spend Under Management (SUM)
Definition: Total amount of client expenditure which our Managed
Service brands managed on behalf of their clients. This equates to
revenue earned where Impellam acts as principal plus gross billings
to customers where Impellam acts as agent.
Closest equivalent IFRS measure: Group Revenue.
Rationale for adjustment: The Group uses this measure as it
reflects the total value of the client spend to the Group, not just
the revenue generated.
Adjusted earnings per share (EPS)
Definition: Adjusted EBITDA divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
Closest equivalent IFRS measure: Basic earnings per share
Rationale for adjustment: The Group uses this measure alongside
the basic EPS calculation as it reflects the underlying trading
performance of the business.
Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to Basic EPS:
2018 2017
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------ ----------- -----------
Profit for the period 13.3 31.1
Separately disclosed items (net
of tax) 4.9 3.3
Impairment of goodwill (net of
tax) 7.0 -
Customer relationship amortisation
(net of tax) 3.4 3.0
Adjusted profit 28.6 37.4
------------------------------------ ----------- -----------
Weighted average number of shares 50,171,830 50,322,196
Basic EPS 26.5 61.9
------------------------------------ ----------- -----------
Adjusted EPS 56.8 74.6
------------------------------------ ----------- -----------
[]
For further information please contact:
Impellam Group plc
Julia Robertson, Group Chief Executive Tel: + 44 (0)1582
692658
Cenkos Securities plc (NOMAD and Corporate Broker to
Impellam)
Nicholas Wells Tel: +44 (0)20 7397 8900
Callum Davidson
Note to Editors:
Impellam is the second largest(1) staffing company in the UK and
sixth largest(2) Managed Services provider worldwide. Our vision is
to be the world's most trusted staffing company - trusted by our
people, our customers and our investors in equal measure.
We provide Managed Services and Specialist Staffing solutions
across the UK, Europe, US, the Middle East and Australasia. We have
over 3,200 Impellam people throughout our network of 17
market-leading brands across 165 worldwide locations.
Ultimately, Impellam Group's mission is to provide fulfilment
and a sense of purpose to our people and to help customers build
better businesses in a changing world.
For more information about Impellam Group please visit:
www.impellam.com
1 By revenue (2017 published numbers)
2 By SUM (confirmed by Staffing Industry Analysts. Spend Under
Management (SUM) is the total amount of client expenditure which
our Managed Services brands manage on behalf of their clients. This
equates to revenue earned where Impellam acts as principal plus
gross billings to customers where Impellam acts as agent (2017
published numbers). Management use this measure as it reflects the
total value of the client spend to the Group and not just the
revenue generated
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
FR EAFDDFLANEAF
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