TIDMWTM
RNS Number : 9877X
Waterman Group PLC
28 February 2017
WATERMAN DELIVERS STABLE PROFITS AND FURTHER DIVID GROWTH
Waterman Group plc, the engineering and environmental
consultancy, today announces its Interim Results for the six months
to 31 December 2016.
Highlights 6 months 6 months Increase
to to from
31 December 31 December the comparative
2016 2015 period
unaudited unaudited
from continuing
operations
* Revenue
* Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
GBP45.7m GBP45.4m +1%
and amortisation (EBITDA) GBP2.3m GBP2.2m +5%
GBP1.8m GBP1.8m Unchanged
* Profit before tax
3.6p 4.0p -10%
* Earnings per share
* Operating profit margin 4.1% 4.1% Unchanged
* Net funds GBP6.7m GBP6.6m +2%
* Return on Capital Employed*
56.3% 44.7% +26%
* Interim dividend per share 1.6p 1.2p +33%
* Return on Capital Employed is calculated as adjusted
operating profit divided by average capital employed
where capital employed is equity less goodwill less
net funds.
Commenting on the Interim Results, Nick Taylor, Chief Executive
said:
"Waterman continues to deliver a consistent performance in more
challenging markets than experienced in recent years. The UK
markets remain at the heart of our business, generating 87% of
Group revenue."
"The Board's focus is to continue to increase dividends payable
to shareholders consistent with the cash generative nature of our
business and I am pleased to report a 33% increase in the interim
dividend per share to 1.6p."
"The Board remains committed to its aspiration to increase the
Group's adjusted operating profit margin towards 6.0% by June 2019
from the current level of 4.1%."
-ends-
Date: 28 February 2017
For further information please contact:
Waterman Group Capital Access N+1 Singer
plc Group
Nick Taylor, Chief Scott Fulton Sandy Fraser
Executive Jessica Bradford
Alex Steele, Chief
Finance Officer
020-7928-7888 020-3763-3400 020-7496-3176
web: www.watermangroup.com
INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT
We are pleased to report that Waterman has experienced a
positive trading period with Interim Results generally in line with
the prior year comparable period and consistent with market
forecasts for the year to 30 June 2017 as a whole.
Group revenue increased by 1% to GBP45.7m. Whilst the Group has
experienced a 3% reduction in UK activity, this has been countered
by a 34% increase in workload (10% increase at constant exchange
rates) in Australia and Ireland where the markets are strong.
Operating profit margin was 4.1% (2016: 4.1%) and the Board
remains committed to its aspiration to increase the Group's
adjusted operating profit margin towards 6.0% by June 2019.
Profit for the financial period increased by 31% to GBP1.7m
(2016: GBP1.3m) following a credit of GBP0.3m from discontinued
operations in prior years.
Waterman's cash position has remained robust with net funds of
GBP6.7m (2016: GBP6.6m) and as a result the Board is announcing a
33% increase in the interim dividend to 1.6p (2016: 1.2p).
Financial Performance
Group revenue was GBP45.7m (2016: GBP45.4m), an increase of 1%,
and in line with the Board's expectations.
Profit before tax was GBP1.8m (2016: GBP1.8m).
Earnings per share from continuing operations were 3.6p (2016:
4.0p). The reduction in earnings reflects the increased
contribution from our partially owned Australian operations.
As at 31 December 2016, net assets per share increased to 98p
(31 December 2015: 92p) and, as noted above, net funds were GBP6.7m
(31 December 2015: GBP6.6m, 30 June 2016: GBP5.5m).
Working capital days were 38 days compared to the year end 30
June 2016: 38 days and the prior period end 31 December 2015: 31
days. The Board considers anything below 60 days to be a
satisfactory position. Annualised ROCE has continued to increase
significantly, up from 46.5% at the last year end to 56.3% (31
December 2015: 44.7%).
Segment Reviews
Our two segments are Property and Infrastructure &
Environment.
The two segments have suffered differing fortunes with Property
revenue reducing by GBP0.5m (2%) and Infrastructure &
Environment revenue increasing by GBP0.8m (4%).
In the UK, Waterman's Property and Infrastructure &
Environment operations have together generated revenue of GBP39.5m
(2016: GBP40.8m) which is 3% less than the prior year and operating
profits of GBP1.2m (2016: GBP1.9m) which is 37% less than the prior
year period, in part due to lower Property operating margins.
Waterman generates 87% of the Group revenue from the UK where we
operate from eleven offices with a presence in most major cities.
The main markets are shown by the percentage of the GBP39.5m UK
revenue:
Highways 32%
Retail 20%
Commercial
offices 18%
Residential 12%
Education 6%
Overseas, Waterman operations in Australia (Melbourne and
Sydney) and Europe (Dublin and Warsaw) are solely involved in the
Property markets. They have delivered a combined revenue of GBP6.2m
(2016: GBP4.6m), a growth of 34% (10% increase at constant exchange
rates). Operating profits increased to GBP0.9m (2016: GBP0.5m), up
80% (63% increase at constant exchange rates).
Property Segment
H1 FY17 H1 FY16
---------------- --------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Revenue Operating Revenue Operating
profit profit* Increase/(reduction)
GBP'000 * GBP'000 GBP'000 in profit
Country GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------------------
United Kingdom 16,311 579 18,406 1,272 (693)
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------------------
Australia 3,825 696 2,793 336 360
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------------------
Europe 2,326 217 1,789 118 99
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------------------
Total 22,462 1,492 22,988 1,726 (234)
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------------------
* Operating profit is before the charge of liability insurance
provisions.
The Property segment, which generates 49% of Group revenue, has
experienced a more challenging period in the UK (particularly
Building Services in London), whereas Australia and Europe have
seen strong increases in their performance, as noted above.
The UK Property team are involved in the Structural and Building
Services engineering design of buildings in the private and public
sector. These commissions will either be secured on a single
discipline or multi discipline appointment in markets such as
retail, residential, commercial offices, schools, hospitals, hotels
and industrial/manufacturing premises.
Waterman's UK Structural team has continued to perform well,
securing new commissions from a range of clients including British
Land, Land Securities, Hammerson, Lend Lease, AVIVA, Berkeley,
Barratt and Kier. Whilst our Building Services team in London has
suffered from delayed starts to projects in the commercial and
residential markets during the first half of the financial year, it
is anticipated that the situation will improve during 2017. Outside
London, the regional offices have performed better with a wider
range of projects in the education, performing arts, leisure,
student accommodation and healthcare markets.
Recent UK commissions include Teddington Studios and Mortlake
Stag Brewery sites in West London, two residential developments in
prime riverside locations extending in total to over 26.5 acres. We
continue to assist Canary Wharf Group with their plans for a
further phase of the overall Canary Wharf development which is
likely to involve over 200,000m(2) of mixed use buildings.
The 80,000m(2) Westgate retail centre in Oxford for Land
Securities and The Crown Estate is currently being constructed on
site. We are progressing with detailed designs for the Bluewater
Plaza Development, Dartford, for Land Securities and the 10,000m(2)
extension to Touchwood shopping centre, Solihull, for Lend
Lease.
Our offices in Melbourne and Sydney have continued to win new
commissions, particularly in the healthcare, judicial, residential
and telecommunications markets. Waterman are currently working for
Westpac Bank and Commonwealth Bank on their frameworks for
upgrading their existing high street retail outlets and for Aldi on
their store refurbishment programme. The population of Australia
has grown significantly over the last decade and there is an
increasing need for social infrastructure where Waterman has
significant expertise. The population of Australia is also aging
and we are receiving more commissions for private and public funded
care facilities for the elderly.
In Ireland, Waterman has designed the tallest and largest
building project in Dublin which is currently undergoing
construction. This speculative development by Kennedy Wilson
provides 60,000m(2) of commercial and residential space. The Irish
economy has been the fastest growing in the Eurozone for the last
three years and unemployment has fallen from 15% in 2012 to 7.2% by
2016. Waterman is benefiting from the increasing demand for
consulting engineering services for development in the residential,
commercial offices, retail and leisure markets.
Waterman has teamed up with Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan in a UK
pilot of NABERS (National Australian Built Environmental Rating
System) on the recently completed new Angel Court development, a
27,000m(2) office building in the City of London previously
designed by Waterman. This study will assess over a twelve month
period the energy use within the completed building and compare
that to the design parameters. The building will then be verified
by an investment grade rating using the measured data. Our London
and Australian teams are both involved in this initiative.
Infrastructure & Environment Segment
H1 FY17 H1 FY16
---------------- --------------------- --------------------- ----------
Revenue Operating Revenue Operating Reduction
profit* profit* in
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 profit
Country GBP'000
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
United Kingdom 23,219 585 22,412 602 (17)
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Total 23,219 585 22,412 602 (17)
---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
*Operating profit is before the charge of liability insurance
provisions.
The Infrastructure & Environment teams operate throughout
the UK, with a greater regional presence than our Property
operation. During the period the Infrastructure & Environment
segment generated a 4% increase in revenue from GBP22,412k to
GBP23,219k. The operating profit reduced by 3% from GBP602k to
GBP585k following investment in the recruitment of several senior
individuals to further expand our revenue from public sector
frameworks and highways infrastructure.
The Infrastructure & Environment segment comprises teams
providing consultancy advice on development and civil engineering
projects and an outsourcing operation which seconds over 430
specialist highways and transportation engineers to clients
involved in public sector infrastructure throughout the UK.
Waterman has several long term frameworks to provide consultancy
and secondment resources to many Local Authority engineering
departments. During the last six months we have been appointed on a
new four year framework for Swindon Borough Council and are
currently discussing a two year extension to London Borough of
Bexley framework where we have been providing services on the
existing framework for 21 years.
Waterman's pre-planning team which provides Environmental Impact
Assessments and sustainability advice on developments has been
particularly busy over the last six months. Since the European
Referendum in June 2016, we have experienced an increase in
activity by our clients. We are currently involved in Battersea
Power Station for the Battersea Power Station company, British
Land's masterplan for Canada Water, Ballymore's Leamouth South
scheme, Old Oak Park for Car Giant and London & Regional and
Brent Cross, Cricklewood for Hammerson and Standard Life. These are
all significant developments and they will provide future
opportunities for our Property teams.
Waterman's outsourcing team provides a tailored service to our
public sector clients who require specialist engineers to work
within their teams. We have commenced a programme to diversify this
successful business model into new areas, such as water and
environmental services, as well as continuing to target our
existing highways and transportation markets. We have made good
progress and have secured initial secondments into Natural Resource
Wales and the Environment Agency.
Dividend
In line with the Group's strategy of growing shareholder
returns, the Board has increased the interim dividend to 1.6p per
share (2016: 1.2p) up 33%. The dividend will be payable on 14 April
2017 to shareholders on the register on 17 March 2017.
Board
Michael Strong was appointed as Non Executive Director following
the retirement of Geoff Wright at the end of the Annual General
Meeting on 9 December 2016.
Michael was also appointed Chairman of the Remuneration
Committee and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the
Nomination Committee.
Michael was previously employed by CBRE, the US publicly quoted
company and leading real estate adviser, which he joined in 1972.
He was Chief Executive Officer and President of Europe, Middle East
and Africa (EMEA) from 2005 until 2012 and Executive Chairman for
EMEA from 2001 until December 2015. During the 15 year period when
Michael led the EMEA business, employee numbers grew from 1,500 to
11,000 through the successful implementation of organic and
acquisitive growth strategies.
Currently, Michael is a Non Executive Director of NHS Property
Services Limited where he chairs the Asset and Investment Committee
and is a member of the Remuneration Committee. He is also a Non
Executive Director at GCHO Holdings Limited, the parent of Geoffrey
Osborne Limited which is a private company involved in construction
development and investment activities.
We are delighted to welcome Michael to the Board and his diverse
experience brings a breadth of expertise which will be of
considerable value to our business.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to take the opportunity to
thank Geoff Wright for his valuable contribution over the last ten
years.
Outlook
The Board anticipates that the Group will continue to experience
a stable trading outlook overall with revenue, profit and operating
margin generally in line with the prior year.
Whilst trading conditions in the UK are expected to remain
challenging, it is encouraging that Waterman continues to win
exciting and varied projects across many sectors. We have recently
announced the following commissions:
-- Waterman has been appointed to the Ministry of Defence's Army
Basing Programme delivered by Aspire Defence to complete, by 2020,
130 new buildings and over 2,600 additional bed spaces for single
soldiers at new and enhanced garrison facilities at Bulford,
Tidworth, Perham Down and Larkhill across Salisbury Plain and at
Aldershot. The value of the construction programme is anticipated
to be approximately GBP680 million and Waterman is involved in over
50% of the works.
-- We have been instructed to progress scheme and tender
information for the planned 90,000m(2) extension to the Brent Cross
shopping centre in London for Hammerson and Standard Life. This
exciting new development continues our involvement in large retail
projects throughout the UK where we have recently been the
designers for the 40,000m(2) Victoria Gate Centre, Leeds for
Hammerson which opened in October 2016 and the 80,000m(2) Westgate
Centre, Oxford for Land Securities and The Crown Estate which will
open in Autumn this year.
-- As part of the Priority Schools Building Programme, PSBP2,
Waterman has been appointed by Turner & Townsend to provide
technical advice for the feasibility studies of each school. Under
PSBP2 the Government is aiming to improve and refurbish 278 schools
by 2021. Waterman's involvement will be nationwide and cover
approximately one quarter of the schools.
In addition, Waterman Aspen, our specialist Highways and
Transportation outsourcing business, is anticipating an uplift in
secondment activity following the announcement in the Autumn
Statement by the UK Government confirming its commitment to invest
over GBP1.3bn to ease congestion on the country's roads. Of
particular note is that included within this investment is GBP1.1bn
for the upgrade of local roads. Waterman currently provides
engineers on secondment to over fifty County, City and Borough
Councils throughout the UK as well as Highways England and
Transport for Scotland.
Overseas, the contribution towards Group results from Waterman's
offices in Australia and Ireland is expected to increase due to
improved performance. The markets in these two countries are
particularly buoyant with investment in public social
infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and prisons, and in the
private sector in residential, commercial and retail
development.
Waterman has a strong focus on working capital management. The
Board's aspiration is to continue to increase dividends payable to
shareholders consistent with the cash generative nature of our
business.
Whilst 2017 is proving, as we expected, to be a period of
consolidation, beyond that the Board looks to the future with
measured optimism.
Michael Baker Nick Taylor
Chairman Chief Executive
28 February 2017
Independent review report to Waterman Group plc
Report on the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
Our conclusion
We have reviewed Waterman Group plc's Consolidated Interim
Financial Statements (the "interim financial statements") in the
Half-Yearly Financial Report of Waterman Group plc for the 6 month
period ended 31 December 2016. Based on our review, nothing has
come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim
financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim
Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
What we have reviewed
The interim financial statements comprise:
-- the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2016;
-- the Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income for the period then ended;
-- the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the period then ended;
-- the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the period then ended; and
-- the explanatory notes to the interim financial statements.
The interim financial statements included in the Half-Yearly
Financial Report have been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial
Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's
Financial Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in note 2 to the interim financial statements, the
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the
preparation of the full annual financial statements of the Group is
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union.
Responsibilities for the interim financial statements and the
review
Our responsibilities and those of the directors
The Half-Yearly Financial Report, including the interim
financial statements, is the responsibility of, and has been
approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for
preparing the Half-Yearly Financial Report in accordance with the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the interim
financial statements in the Half-Yearly Financial Report based on
our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been
prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of complying
with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of
the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other
purpose. We do not, in giving this conclusion, accept or assume
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom
this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
What a review of interim financial statements involves
We conducted our review in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of
Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor
of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in
the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information
consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for
financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other
review procedures.
A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted
in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and
Ireland) and, consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance
that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be
identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit
opinion.
We have read the other information contained in the Half-Yearly
Financial Report and considered whether it contains any apparent
misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in
the interim financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
London
28 February 2017
Consolidated Income Statement
for the six months ended 31
December 2016
------------------------------------ -------------------------- -----------------
Unaudited Unaudited
Six months Six months
to 31 December to 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
Note
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Revenue 4 45,681 45,400
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Employee benefits expense 5 (26,871) (24,525)
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Other operating charges (16,530) (18,674)
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Operating expenses (43,401) (43,199)
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortisation
(EBITDA) 2,280 2,201
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment 11 (408) (323)
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Amortisation of other intangible
assets 11 (20) (22)
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Operating profit 1,852 1,856
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Finance costs (35) (61)
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Finance income 11 16
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Profit before taxation 1,828 1,811
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Taxation 6 (457) (471)
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Profit after taxation from
Continuing operations 1,371 1,340
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Credit for the period from
Discontinued operations in
prior years 7 307 -
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Profit for the financial period 1,678 1,340
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Profit attributable to:
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Owners of the Parent 1,406 1,234
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Non - Controlling Interests 272 106
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
1,678 1,340
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Earnings per share from Continuing
operations
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Basic and diluted earnings
per share 8 3.6p 4.0p
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Earnings per share from Continuing
and Discontinued operations
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Basic and diluted earnings
per share 8 4.6p 4.0p
------------------------------------ ------- ----------------- -----------------
Unaudited Unaudited
Six months Six months
Consolidated Statement of to to
Comprehensive Income for the 31 December 31 December
six months ended 31 December 2016 2015
2016 GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Profit for the financial period
(see above) 1,678 1,340
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Other comprehensive income
/ (loss):
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Items that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or
loss:
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Currency translation adjustments (39) 22
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Employee Benefit Trust profit 7 22
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Change in valuation of own
shares held by Employee Benefit
Trust (7) (22)
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total of items that may be
reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss (39) 22
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Other comprehensive profit
for the period, net of tax: (39) 22
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total comprehensive profit
for the period 1,639 1,362
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total comprehensive profit
attributable to:
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Owners of the Parent 1,225 1,239
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Non - Controlling Interests 414 123
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
1,639 1,362
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total Comprehensive profit
attributable to Owners of
the Parent arising from:
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Continuing operations 918 1,239
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Discontinued operations 307 -
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
1,225 1,239
---------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2016
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at As at As at
31 December 31 December 30 June
2016 2015 2016
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
ASSETS
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Non - current assets
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Goodwill 10 16,499 15,720 16,225
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Other intangible assets 11 60 92 78
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Property, plant and
equipment 11 2,396 3,294 2,567
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Investments 10 10 10
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Deferred taxation asset 1,309 1,200 1,219
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
20,274 20,316 20,099
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Current assets
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Trade and other receivables 12 30,152 29,933 30,803
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Cash at bank 7,366 7,809 7,706
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
37,518 37,742 38,509
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Total assets 57,792 58,058 58,608
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
LIABILITIES
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Current liabilities
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Trade and other payables 13 (24,887) (26,144) (25,146)
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Financial liabilities
- borrowings 14 (322) (668) (1,829)
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
(25,209) (26,812) (26,975)
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Non - current liabilities
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Financial liabilities
- borrowings 14 (328) (582) (428)
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Provisions 15 (2,250) (2,377) (2,035)
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
(2,578) (2,959) (2,463)
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Total liabilities (27,787) (29,771) (29,438)
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Net assets 30,005 28,287 29,170
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE
TO THE OWNERS OF THE
PARENT
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Share capital 16 3,076 3,076 3,076
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Share premium reserve 11,881 11,881 11,881
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Merger reserve 3,144 3,144 3,144
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Revaluation reserve - 598 -
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Retained earnings 10,779 9,032 10,101
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
28,880 27,731 28,202
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Non - Controlling Interests 1,125 556 968
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Total equity 30,005 28,287 29,170
----------------------------- -------- -------------- -------------- ----------
Unaudited Unaudited
Consolidated cash flow statement Six months Six months
For the six months ended to to
31 December 2016 31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 (restated)
Notes GBP'000
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Cash flows from operating
activities
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Continuing operations:
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Cash generated from Continuing
operations (see below) 1,746 3,825
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Interest paid (35) (61)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Taxation paid (111) (203)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Discontinued operations 7 (26) (78)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Net cash from operating activities 1,574 3,483
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Cash flows from investing
activities
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Continuing operations:
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment (PPE) and other
intangible assets (222) (548)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Interest received 11 16
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment (3) -
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Net cash (used in) investing
activities (214) (532)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Cash flows from financing
activities
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Continuing operations:
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Repayment of borrowing (328) (331)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Equity dividends paid to
Non - Controlling Interests (257) (184)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Net cash (used in) financing
activities (585) (515)
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Net increase in cash, cash
equivalents and bank overdrafts 775 2,436
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at start of period 6,428 5,343
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Exchange gain / (loss) on
cash and cash equivalents 163 30
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 18 7,366 7,809
------------------------------------ -------- ------------- -------------
The cash flow from discontinued operations in the prior period
has been restated to be consistent with the basis used in the
current period.
Reconciliation of profit for the financial period to cash
generated from Continuing operations
Unaudited Unaudited
Six months Six months
to to
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Profit before taxation from Continuing
operations 1,828 1,811
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Interest payable 35 61
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Interest receivable (11) (16)
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Amortisation of other intangible
assets 20 22
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Depreciation 408 323
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Changes in working capital
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Decrease in Trade and other receivables 247 2,020
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Decrease in Trade and other payables (976) (780)
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Increase in Provisions 195 384
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Cash generated from Continuing
operations (see above) 1,746 3,825
----------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)
as at 31 December 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attributable to the Owners
of the Parent
--------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- ----------
Share Non
Share premium Merger Revaluation Retained - Total
capital reserve reserve Reserve earnings Total Controlling equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 Interests GBP'000
GBP'000
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Balance at 1
July
2015 3,076 11,881 3,144 598 8,161 26,860 617 27,477
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Currency
translation
adjustments - - - - 5 5 17 22
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Change in
valuation
of own shares
held
by Employee
Benefit
Trust - - - - (22) (22) - (22)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Employee
Benefit
Trust Profit - - - - 22 22 - 22
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Other
comprehensive
income - - - - 5 5 17 22
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Profit for the
financial
period - - - - 1,234 1,234 106 1,340
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - - 1,239 1,239 123 1,362
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Dividend - - - - (368) (368) (184) (552)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Balance at 31
December
2015 3,076 11,881 3,144 598 9,032 27,731 556 28,287
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Currency
translation
adjustments - - - - 334 334 261 595
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Impairment of
land
and freehold
property - - - (598) - (598) - (598)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Other
comprehensive
(expense)
/income - - - (598) 334 (264) 261 (3)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Profit for the
financial
period - - - - 1,102 1,102 248 1,350
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Total
comprehensive
(expense)/
income - - - (598) 1,436 838 509 1,347
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Dividend - - - - (367) (367) (97) (464)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Balance at 30
June
2016 3,076 11,881 3,144 - 10,101 28,202 968 29,170
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Currency
translation
adjustments - - - - (181) (181) 142 (39)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Change in
valuation
of own shares
held
by Employee
Benefit
Trust - - - - (7) (7) - (7)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Employee
Benefit
Trust profit - - - - 7 7 - 7
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Other
comprehensive
income - - - - (181) (181) 142 (39)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Profit for the
financial
period - - - - 1,406 1,406 272 1,678
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - - 1,225 1,225 414 1,639
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Dividend - - - - (547) (547) (257) (804)
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Balance at 31
December
2016 3,076 11,881 3,144 - 10,779 28,880 1,125 30,005
--------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------
As a result of a change in the future use of the Group's
freehold property in Leeds, an impairment review was performed in
the six months ending 30 June 2016. An impairment charge of
GBP781,000 was taken and set against the revaluation reserve.
GBP183,000 of deferred tax held within the revaluation reserve was
reversed. The net impact on the revaluation reserve was a reduction
of GBP598,000 to GBPnil at 30 June 2016.
Notes to Financial Information for the six months ended 31
December 2016
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Group is a multidisciplinary consultancy providing
sustainable solutions to meet the planning, engineering design and
project delivery needs of the property, infrastructure, environment
and energy markets.
The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and
domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is
Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street, London SE1 9DG. The Company has its
listing on the London Stock Exchange.
This Half-Yearly Financial Report was approved for issue on 28
February 2017.
This Half-Yearly Financial Report does not comprise statutory
accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act
2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 June 2016 were
approved by the Board of Directors on 28 October 2016 and delivered
to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those
accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter
paragraph and did not contain any statement under Section 498 of
the Companies Act 2006.
This Half-Yearly Financial Report has been reviewed but not
audited by the company's independent auditors,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
2. BASIS OF PREPARATION
This Half-Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 31
December 2016 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with
IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European
Union (EU).This Half-Yearly Financial Report should be read in
conjunction with the Annual Report and Financial Statement for the
year ended 30 June 2016, which has been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by
the EU.
The Half-Yearly Financial Report has been prepared in accordance
with IFRS as adopted by the EU and those parts of the Companies Act
2006 related to reporting under IFRS that the directors expect to
be applicable as at 30 June 2017. IFRS's are subject to amendment
or interpretation by the International Accounting Standards Board
and there is an ongoing process of review and endorsement by the
EU. For these reasons, it is possible that the information
presented in this report may be subject to change.
There has been no impact due to the implementation of new
accounting standards during the period. All of the accounting
policies adopted are consistent with those of the audited Financial
Statements for the year ended 30 June 2016, as described in those
Financial Statements.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
International Financial Reporting Standards requires the use of
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported
period. Although these estimates are based on management's best
knowledge of the amount, events or actions, actual results
ultimately may differ from those estimates. There has been no
change to the basis of these estimates since the previous year
end.
3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
TAXATION
Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the tax
rate that would be applicable to expected total annual
earnings.
SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY
The preparation of the Half-Yearly Financial Report requires the
Group to make estimates, judgements and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and
related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The
Directors base their estimates on historical experience and various
other assumptions that they believe are reasonable under the
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making
judgements about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that
are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may
differ from these estimates under different assumptions or
conditions. The estimates and assumptions that have the most
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities are addressed in the paragraph
below.
CRITICAL JUDGMENTS
The Board considers that the estimates, judgments and
assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within
the current financial year are:
-- Contract Accounting: Revenue recognition, the valuation of
trade receivables and amounts recoverable on contracts and the
assessment of the percentage of completion achieved. The Group
assesses contract progress and determines the proportion of
contract work completed at the balance sheet date in relation to
the total contract works. This policy requires forecasts to be made
on the projected outcomes of projects. These forecasts require
assessments and judgments to be made on matters including changes
in work scope, changes in costs and costs to completion. While the
assumptions made are based on professional judgments, subsequent
events may mean that estimates calculated prove to be inaccurate,
with a consequent effect on the reporting results;
-- Insurance Claims: Provisions in respect of potential
liability insurance claims require assessments and judgments to be
made of the likelihood of a claim succeeding and an estimate of the
quantum. While the assumptions made are based on professional
judgments, subsequent events may mean that estimates calculated
prove to be inaccurate, with a consequent effect on the reporting
results;
-- Goodwill is subject to impairment review both annually and
when there are indications that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. The carrying value is compared to the recoverable
amount, which is the higher of value in use and fair value less
costs to sell. Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an
estimation of the value in use of CGU's to which the goodwill has
been allocated. The value in use calculation requires an estimate
to be made of the timing and amount of future cash flows expected
to arise from the CGU and the application of a suitable discount
rate to calculate the present value. The discount rates used are
based on the Group's weighted average cost of capital adjusted to
reflect the specific economic environment of the relevant CGU;
and
-- Deferred Tax: Deferred tax is accounted for on temporary
differences using the liability method. Deferred tax assets are
only recognised as recoverable if it is judged probable that a
future taxable profit will arise against which the temporary
differences can be utilised. Deferred tax liabilities will be
provided for in full.
4. SEGMENTAL REPORTING
The Board reviews the Group's internal management accounts in
order to analyse performance and allocate resources. Performance of
each segment was assessed on the basis of operating profit before
exceptional items and the charge or release of liability insurance
provisions. Revenue was reported and assessed on a consistent basis
with revenue reported in the Consolidated Income Statement. The
Board assesses the business from both a business discipline and
geographic perspective.
The Group monitors and reports on the performance of its
Property and Infrastructure & Environment ("IE") business
segments. The components of each business segment have been
reported in the segmental reporting note for informational
purposes.
The credit for the period from Discontinued operations in prior
years is reported separately in the Consolidated Income Statement
below profit after taxation from Continuing operations (note
7).
Six months Six months
ended 31 December ended 31 December
2016 2015
Property I&E Total Property I&E Total
Consolidated Income
Statement GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Revenue - total 26,445 23,522 49,967 27,226 23,724 50,950
Revenue - internal (3,983) (303) (4,286) (4,238) (1,312) (5,550)
Revenue 22,462 23,219 45,681 22,988 22,412 45,400
EBITDA before charge
of liability insurance
provisions 1,701 804 2,505 1,898 775 2,673
Depreciation and amortisation
on computer software (209) (219) (428) (172) (173) (345)
--------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Operating profit before
charge of liability
insurance provisions 1,492 585 2,077 1,726 602 2,328
Charge of liability
insurance provisions (175) (50) (225) (472) - (472)
--------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Operating profit 1,317 535 1,852 1,254 602 1,856
Net finance costs (24) (45)
Profit before taxation 1,828 1,811
Taxation (457) (471)
Profit after taxation
from Continuing operations 1,371 1,340
Credit for the period
from Discontinued operations
in prior years 307 -
--------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Profit for the financial
period 1,678 1,340
--------- -------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Profit attributable
to non-controlling
interests 272 106
Profit attributable
to the owners of the
parent 1,406 1,234
Six months ended Total
31 December 2016 UK Property Australia Europe Property UK I&E
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Revenue - total 20,154 3,834 2,458 26,446 23,522
Revenue - internal (3,843) (9) (132) (3,984) (303)
Revenue 16,311 3,825 2,326 22,462 23,219
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
EBITDA before charge
of liability insurance
provisions 723 722 256 1,701 804
Depreciation and
amortisation on
computer software (144) (26) (39) (209) (219)
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Operating profit
before charge of
liability insurance
provisions 579 696 217 1,492 585
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Six months ended Total
31 December 2015 UK Property Australia Europe Property UK I&E
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Revenue - total 22,510 2,798 1,918 27,226 23,724
Revenue - internal (4,104) (5) (129) (4,238) (1,312)
Revenue 18,406 2,793 1,789 22,988 22,412
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
EBITDA before charge
of liability insurance
provisions 1,394 351 153 1,898 775
Depreciation and
amortisation on
computer software (122) (15) (35) (172) (173)
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Operating profit
before charge of
liability insurance
provisions 1,272 336 118 1,726 602
------------ ---------- -------- ---------- --------
5. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSE
Six
months Six months
ended ended 31
31 December December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Staff costs including Executive Directors
remuneration amounted to:
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Wages and salaries 23,290 21,017
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Social security costs 2,486 2,241
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Other pension costs 1,095 1,267
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Total employee benefits expense 26,871 24,525
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
The average monthly number of employees
including executive directors during
the six months ended 31 December were 2016 2015
as follows: Number Number
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Technical 813 808
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Non-technical 127 128
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
940 936
------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
The average monthly number of temporary and contract staff
during the six months ended December 2016 was 305 (2015: 369). The
costs relating to contract staff are included in other operating
charges.
6. TAXATION
The taxation charge, for the 6 months to 31 December 2016 is
calculated at 25% of the profit before tax, being the estimated
effective rate for the full year (31 December 2015: 26%). The total
tax charge is GBP457,000 and is made up of GBP476,000 current tax
charge on current year profits and GBP19,000 deferred tax credit
being the reversal of the deferred tax asset relating to property,
plant & equipment.
The effective tax rate for the period is higher than the UK
corporation tax rate for the period of 19.75% (31 December 2015:
20.0%) due principally to the mix of profits between the different
Group companies and jurisdictions in which they operate.
7. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In July 2013, the Board decided to discontinue trading in the
United Arab Emirates (UAE). In January 2014, the Board decided to
discontinue trading in Russia. By 31 December 2013 for UAE and by
30 June 2014 for Russia, all revenue generating operations in the
UAE and in Russia had ceased and these operations were classified
as discontinued.
All costs of winding down the Discontinued operations were
charged in the year ended 30 June 2014. All subsequent
expenses/credits relate to progressing the liquidation of the legal
entities.
The Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated Cash Flow
statement report Continuing and Discontinued operations separately.
The results for the Discontinued operations, which have been
included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income,
were as follows:
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Credit before tax 307 -
----------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Taxation - -
----------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Credit after tax from Discontinued 307 -
operations
----------------------------------- ------------- -------------
The credit from Discontinued operations is mainly due to foreign
exchange gains upon liquidation of the Moscow legal entity.
A net cash outflow from Discontinued operations of GBP26,000 (31
December 2015: GBP78,000) occurred during the period, principally
relating to progressing the liquidation of the legal entities.
8. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The basic and diluted earnings per share has been calculated on
the earnings attributable to owners of the Parent Company and based
on the weighted average of 30,758,824 shares in issue during the
period and ranking for dividend (31 December 2015: 30,725,824). The
diluted earnings per share from Continuing and Discontinued
operations is the same as the basic earnings per share, as there
were no dilutive share options on issue at 30 June 2016. The
earnings per share from Continuing operations is 3.6p (31 December
2015: 4.0p).
Six Six
months months
ended Weighted ended Weighted
31 average Per 31 average
December number share December number
2016 of shares amount 2015 of shares Per share
GBP'000 (thousands) (pence) GBP'000 (thousands) amount (pence)
------------------------ ----------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------------
Basic earnings
per share:
------------------------ ----------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------------
Earnings attributable
to owners of
the parent 1,406 30,758 4.6 1,234 30,726 4.0
------------------------ ----------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------------
Diluted earnings
per share 1,406 30,758 4.6 1,234 30,726 4.0
Earnings from
Continuing operations
------------------------ ----------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------------
Earnings attributable
to the Owners
of the Parent 1,099 30,758 3.6 1,234 30,726 4.0
------------------------ ----------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------------
Earnings from
Continuing and
Discontinued
operations
------------------------ ----------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------------
Earnings attributable
to the Owners
of the Parent 1,406 30,758 4.6 1,234 30,726 4.0
------------------------ ----------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------- ----------------
9. DIVIDS
The directors propose an interim dividend of 1.6p per share (30
June 2016: 1.8p and 31 December 2015: 1.2p).
The shares will become ex-dividend on 16 March 2017 and the
dividend will be paid on 14 April 2017 to shareholders on the
register at the close of business on 17 March 2017.
The final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2016 of 1.8p per
share was paid on 6 January 2017 to shareholders on the register at
9 December 2016.
The Employee Benefit Trust has waived its entitlement to
dividends which has reduced the 2017 interim dividend payable by
GBP2,090 (2016: GBP1,568) and the 2016 final dividend paid by
GBP2,352.
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 December 31 December
2016 GBP'000 2015 GBP'000
----------------------------- -------------- --------------
Dividends charged to equity
in the period 547 368
----------------------------- -------------- --------------
Dividend per ordinary share
paid in period 0.0p 0.0p
----------------------------- -------------- --------------
Dividend per ordinary share
proposed in period 1.6p 1.2p
----------------------------- -------------- --------------
10. GOODWILL
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------- ------------ ------------
Cost at 1 July 16,719 16,177
--------------------------- ------------ ------------
Exchange rate adjustments 274 37
--------------------------- ------------ ------------
At 31 December 16,993 16,214
--------------------------- ------------ ------------
Impairment at 1 July and
31 December (494) (494)
--------------------------- ------------ ------------
Net book amount 16,499 15,720
--------------------------- ------------ ------------
11. CAPITAL EXPITURE
Property, Other Property, Other intangible
plant intangible plant assets 31
and equipment assets and equipment December
31 December 31 December 31 December 2015
2016 2016 2015 GBP'000
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- -----------------
Opening net book
amount at 1 July 2,567 78 3,106 70
--------------------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- -----------------
Additions 222 - 507 40
--------------------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- -----------------
Exchange rate adjustments 15 2 4 4
--------------------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- -----------------
Depreciation and
amortisation (408) (20) (323) (22)
--------------------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- -----------------
Closing net book
amount at 31 December 2,396 60 3,294 92
--------------------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- -----------------
12. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
Group Group
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Trade receivables 22,025 21,020
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Less: Provision for impairment
of receivables (2,436) (2,578)
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Trade receivables (net) 19,589 18,442
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Amounts due from customers
on long term contracts 8,095 8,070
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Other receivables - 103
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Prepayments and accrued income 2,468 3,318
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
30,152 29,933
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
As of 31 December 2016, trade receivables over 30 days from the
date of issue of GBP13.5m (31 December 2015: GBP12.8m) were
considered for potential impairment. The amount provided for these
balances was GBP2.4m (31 December 2015: GBP2.6m).
As of 31 December 2016, trade receivables net of provisions of
GBP11.1m (31 December 2015: GBP10.2m) were past due but not
impaired. These relate to a number of independent customers for
whom there is no recent history of default. The ageing analysis of
these trade receivables from the date of issue is as follows:
Group Group
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------- ------------- -------------
Less than 30 days - -
------------------------- ------------- -------------
Between 30 and 60 days 6,013 4,628
------------------------- ------------- -------------
Between 60 and 90 days 2,291 2,741
------------------------- ------------- -------------
Between 90 and 120 days 1,025 748
------------------------- ------------- -------------
Greater than 120 days 1,804 2,055
------------------------- ------------- -------------
11,133 10,172
------------------------- ------------- -------------
13. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
Group Group
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Trade payables 3,686 2,570
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Amounts due to customers
on long term contracts 12,109 14,158
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Other taxes and social security 4,305 3,848
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Corporation tax payable 312 236
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Other payables 1,561 1,427
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Accruals 2,914 3,905
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
24,887 26,144
--------------------------------- ------------- -------------
14. FINANCIAL LIABILITIES - BORROWINGS
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------- ------------- -------------
Current
--------------- ------------- -------------
Bank loans 322 668
--------------- ------------- -------------
322 668
--------------- ------------- -------------
Non - current
--------------- ------------- -------------
Bank loans 328 582
--------------- ------------- -------------
Total 650 1,250
--------------- ------------- -------------
The Group had one sterling bank loan which was fully repaid in
January 2017. This loan was at a floating interest rate of 2.75%
(2015: 2.75%) above sterling base rate. The Group has one
Australian dollar bank loan for AUD $918,500 which is repayable in
March 2019. The loan is at a floating interest rate of 2.5% above
Australian LIBOR. The loan is secured by a fixed and floating
charge over certain Group assets and is subject to three financial
covenants which are tested half yearly.
In August 2015, the terms and conditions of the Invoice
Discounting Facility were revised. Significant revisions included
an increase in the facility limit to GBP6m (previously GBP2.5m),
and a reduction in interest margin from 2.75% to 2.25%.
15. PROVISIONS
Liability Property Liability Property
Insurance provisions 2016 Insurance provisions 2015
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
1 July 2,018 17 2,035 1,907 42 1,949
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Charged to the Consolidated Income
Statement 225 - 225 500 - 500
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Released to the Consolidated Income
Statement - - - (28) - (28)
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Sub-total 225 - 225 472 - 472
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Utilised - (10) (10) (35) (14) (49)
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Exchange rate adjustments - - - 5 - 5
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
31 December 2,243 7 2,250 2,349 28 2,377
---------------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ----------
Liability insurance provisions represent the Board's estimate of
likely costs to be incurred by the Group arising from professional
liability claims.
Property provisions relate to rent, rates, service charge and
other associated costs relating to office premises that have been
wholly or partially vacated before the end of the lease term or
before a break clause can be exercised.
These provisions will be carried forward until the matters to
which they relate are resolved and the provisions are utilised or
released as appropriate. No provision has been released or utilised
for any purpose other than that for which it is established.
16. SHARE CAPITAL
The share capital of the Company comprises ordinary shares of
10p each. No new shares were issued during the current or
comparative period.
31 December 2016 and 31 December Issued and Fully
2015 Paid
---------------------------------- -------------------
Number GBP'000
'000
---------------------------------- -------- ---------
At 1 July and at 31 December 30,759 3,076
---------------------------------- -------- ---------
The rights and obligations attaching to the Company's ordinary
shares, in addition to those conferred on their holders by law, are
set out in the Company's Articles of Association. On a show of
hands, every shareholder present in person or by proxy has one vote
and, on a poll, every shareholder present in person or by proxy has
one vote for each share which they hold in accordance with the
Companies Act 2006.
Under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan, new ordinary
shares may be granted to directors and senior employees (see note
17).
17. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS
During the period, the Group had two share based payment
arrangements in operation of which further details are set out
below:
a) LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)
At the AGM held on 5 December 2014, shareholders approved the
creation of a new LTIP for Executive Directors and key employees
which are to be settled in equity. Under the terms of the LTIP, the
right to acquire ordinary shares at no cost will be based on the
company's share price as follows:
Share price target % of award vesting % of award vesting
Executive directors Other employees
& COO's
100p 25% 50%
115p 40% 65%
125p 50% 75%
140p 80% 90%
150p 100% 100%
The performance conditions may be measured at any time over the
five years from the date of grant but awards will not vest until at
least three years after the date of grant. A summary of the awards
is as follows:
9 December
Award date 2014
Scheme maturity 10 years
Maximum term 5 years
Awards outstanding at 30
June 2016 3,000,000
Awards exercisable at 30
June 2016 Nil
The Group used the Monte Carlo valuation model to value its LTIP
shares using the market price at the date of grant.
b) SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
On 4 December 2014, the Board approved the creation of a new
Share Incentive Plan (SIP) for the benefit of all qualifying
employees. The aim of the SIP is to reward employees for past
performance and to incentivise future performance. Awards will be
settled from shares already in issue.
In December 2014, an award of 200 free shares per person was
made to permanent full time qualifying employees with pro rata
awards to part time employees. In total, 95,427 free shares were
issued. In January 2016 and January 2017, a similar award was made
to qualifying employees and a total of 244,267 free shares were
awarded. The shares will be held in trust until the awards vest or
an employee leaves the Group's employment.
On 1 April 2015, the Company invited all qualifying UK employees
to purchase shares in the Company by entering into a partnership
share agreement. Under this agreement, employees may purchase
Waterman shares up to a market value of GBP1,800 in any tax year
from their monthly gross salary.
18. ANALYSIS OF NET FUNDS
31 December 30 Other Exchange 31 December
2015 June Cash non -cash movements 2016
GBP'000 2016 flow changes GBP'000 GBP'000
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Cash at bank 7,809 7,706 (507) - 167 7,366
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Drawdown on invoice
discounting facility - (1,278) 1,278 - - -
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Cash and cash
equivalents 7,809 6,428 771 - 167 7,366
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Current
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Bank loans (668) (551) 329 (100) - (322)
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Non - current
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Bank loans (582) (428) - 100 - (328)
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Net funds 6,559 5,449 1,100 - 167 6,716
----------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
At 31 December 2016, GBP1.5m (2015: GBP1.1m) of the cash and
cash equivalents were held in subsidiaries not wholly owned by the
Group of which GBP0.8m (2015: GBP0.6m) was attributable to the
non-controlling interests.
19. 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 Interim Report. The financial position of the
Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities
are described in the Half-Yearly Financial Report. The Directors
have prepared a cash flow forecast and a forecast for covenant
compliance to 30 June 2018. The financial covenants allow for a
sensible tolerance in trading performance in relation to the
forecasts. The Directors are confident that the underlying
forecasts are reasonable.
The Group is reliant on the ability of customers to pay debts
and on the timing of projects coming on line. In adverse
circumstances the Board has a number of mitigating actions it could
take to seek to ensure covenant compliance with its covenants to
banks and other institutions. The Group has considerable financial
resources together with long term contracts and relationships with
a number of customers and suppliers across different geographic
areas and industries. An analysis of the Group's borrowing
facilities is disclosed in Note 14 Financial liabilities -
borrowings. As a consequence, the directors believe that the Group
is well placed to manage its business risks successfully.
The Directors have assessed, in the light of current and
anticipated economic conditions, the Group's ability to continue as
a going concern. The Directors confirm that they have a reasonable
expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources
to continue in business for the next three years. For this reason,
they continue to adopt the going concern basis for preparing the
financial statements.
20. PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the business
activities of the Group remain broadly the same as at 30 June 2016
as disclosed and described on pages 45 to 49 of the Annual Report
& Financial Statement 2016. These risks and uncertainties are
expected to be unchanged for the next six months.
21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Details of the directors' shareholdings, share options and
remuneration are disclosed in the Annual Report & Financial
Statement 2016. No material transactions have occurred to disclose
this information at the half year.
22. EVENTS OCCURRING AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
Dividends: details of the interim dividend proposed are given in
note 9.
23. FURTHER INFORMATION
Electronic copies of the Half-Yearly Financial Report to 31
December 2016 and the Annual Report & Financial Statement to 30
June 2016 can be viewed on the Group's website
www.watermangroup.com. Copies of these reports will also be
available from the Company's registered office at Pickfords Wharf,
Clink Street, London SE1 9DG.
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity
of the Group's website on the internet. However, information is
accessible in many different countries where legislation governing
the preparation and dissemination of financial information may
differ to that applicable to the United Kingdom.
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
The directors confirm that this Half-Yearly Financial Report
been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard
34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union
and that the Half-Yearly Financial Report includes a fair review of
the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8 namely:
-- An indication of important events that have occurred during
the first six months and their impact on the Consolidated Interim
Financial Statements and a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year;
and
-- Material related-party transactions in the first six months and any material changes in the related-party transactions described in the last annual report.
The directors of Waterman Group plc are listed in the Waterman
Group plc Annual Report and Financial Statement to 30 June 2016. At
the AGM on 9 December 2016, Geoff Wright retired as a Non Executive
Director of Waterman Group and was replaced by Michael Strong. A
list of current directors is maintained on the Waterman Group
website www.watermangroup.com
By order of the Board
Marie Anne Culnane
Company Secretary
28 February 2017
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR SEAFWWFWSEIE
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 28, 2017 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
Waterman (LSE:WTM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Waterman (LSE:WTM)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024