LEI: 213800LFMHKVNTZ7GV45
18 March 2024
For Immediate Release
AssetCo plc
Preliminary Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2023
AssetCo plc ("AssetCo" or the "Company"), the agile asset and wealth management company, today announces its results for the year ended 30 September 2023.
Highlights
• Active equity assets under management as at 30 September 2023 amounted to £2.4 billion (2022: £2.3bn)
• 81% of those assets were in the 1st or 2nd quartile for investment performance over 3 years (49% over 1 year) when compared to competitor funds in relevant Investment Association sectors.
• Operating loss for the year £7.7m (after adjusting for losses on discontinued operations (£14.0m) and exceptional items (£4.4m)) or £6.7m excluding the River and Mercantile Infrastructure business. The total loss (i.e. including other statutory items) is £26.7m.
• Definitive action taken before end September 2023 to eliminate £2.3m of costs during this financial year with a further £2-3m in cost savings identified and currently in course of action.
• Significant value-creating corporate activity with the acquisition of SVM Asset Management and Ocean Dial (completed immediately after year end), and sale of loss-making businesses River and Mercantile LLC in US, Rize ETF Limited, and River and Mercantile Infrastructure (sale agreed in principle: expected to complete shortly)
• Ocean Dial Asset Management acquisition adds £0.9m in net revenues from completion (at 2nd October 2023);
• Active equity businesses simplified and consolidated with heritage asset management activities of SVM, Saracen and Revera all now trading through River Global Investors
• The weighted average fee rate for AssetCo's operating businesses improved from 50bp to 56bp during the year, and to 59bp when Ocean Dial is taken into account.
Martin Gilbert, Chairman of AssetCo, said:
"The financial year ending 30 September 2023 was an exceptionally difficult one for the asset management sector.
The challenging backdrop has required us to take definitive action and we have cut costs in our equities business and moved to exit other early stage or loss-making businesses. That has, unfortunately, required us to take significant write-downs which have impacted our results for the year. The remaining equities business has been simplified and consolidated however, and it is encouraging to see an improvement in our fee rates as unprofitable funds have been merged or closed and inflows have been added at higher fee rates than outflows. The further action we are taking on costs has enabled us to identify between £2m and £3m per annum of additional cost savings actionable over the coming months which, together with the addition of Ocean Dial revenues, gives us a potential path to financial profitability, subject of course to reasonably stable markets and assets under management.
The uncertain global economic and political backdrop continues to weigh on financial markets, although there are tentative signs that overall market activity may finally be picking up. The Company's main underlying businesses - River Global and Parmenion - have the financial strength, support and agility to weather current conditions Our management teams have a wealth of expertise and a range of products and capabilities which enables them to capitalise on opportunities as well as meeting the needs of our existing investors and we continue to see the future potential."
For further details, visit the website, www.assetco.com
Ticker: AIM: ASTO.L
For further information, please contact:
AssetCo plc
Gary Marshall, CFOO
Peter McKellar, Deputy Chairman
Tel: +44 (0) 7788 338157
Deutsche Numis
Nominated adviser and joint broker
Giles Rolls / Charles Farquhar
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7260 1000
Panmure Gordon (
Joint broker
Atholl Tweedie
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 2500
H/Advisors Maitland
Neil Bennett
Rachel Cohen
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7379 55151
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Introduction
The financial year ended 30 September 2023 has been another eventful one for AssetCo. Substantial progress was made in rationalising and transforming the business despite considerable market headwinds. While retaining our valuable interest in Parmenion we have focussed our attention on rationalising and positioning our recently rebranded River Global equities business for growth. I have provided more detail on the year's activities below.
A Turbulent Backdrop
Geopolitics continued to unsettle markets during the financial year, with the
Corporate Activity
Notwithstanding the challenging landscape there are some reasons to be optimistic as the economic uncertainty, coupled with significant discounts on
More positive news followed in March, with the announcement of the acquisition of Ocean Dial Asset Management; that deal completed immediately after the financial year end on 2 October 2023.
River and Mercantile's loss-making US business was sold, completing in May 2023, and allowing the core business to focus equity management operations solely in the
Exiting Early Stage Businesses
In September 2023 we announced the disposal of our 70% equity interest in Rize, a thematic ETF specialist, to ARK Invest LLC. That was followed, early in the new financial year, on 6 October 2023, by the announcement of an agreement in principle to dispose of our interest in River and Mercantile Infrastructure LLP ("RMI"). While that transaction has yet to complete, the business has stabilised and is no longer loss making.
Rize and RMI had suffered significant adverse effects from developments in the market: Rize from the reversal in fortunes for thematic investment which followed the war in
Both were early stage businesses which proved slower and later to develop than had originally been hoped, given the market conditions that prevailed at a critical stage in their development. We undertook a re-evaluation of their prospects and, in particular, the potential further investment that would be required to bring them to profitability. Each was a negative contributor to the Group during the financial year ending 30 September 2023 and it was determined to be in shareholders' interests to exit the businesses, thereby relieving the Group of on-going cash drag going forward.
Although completion of the exit from RMI has not yet taken place, management focus has otherwise turned exclusively to the integration and management of the various equity asset management businesses in the Group. Under the refreshed brand, River Global, the exclusively active equity asset management activities of the Group are simpler and more immediately coherent. An environment of risk aversion, limited new business opportunities, and challenging cost pressures has now persisted for several years. More recently higher interest rates have been added to the mix and none of these factors look set to soften imminently or quickly. It is not an environment which typically favours early stage businesses where timelines to realise opportunities are pushed out substantially. Your Board has acted decisively to focus resources on its more established businesses in active equity asset management. Here, progress is being made on cutting costs and consolidating funds in order to weather the prevailing climate more successfully and be able to rapidly leverage an improvement when it comes.
The relatively difficult trading conditions for asset management do create opportunities for AssetCo in its mission to acquire, improve and grow otherwise attractive businesses that are experiencing challenges. While we must be particularly selective in current circumstances, such businesses could benefit quickly from the consolidated operating model of the Group and we continue to look actively in this area.
In the Group's equity asset management business, the process of rationalising and simplifying the operating model has continued during the financial year. Revera's business merged into Saracen in October 2022 and Saracen's business subsequently merged into SVM in August 2023. All fund management activities were consolidated into River Global Investors shortly after the financial year end, while plans are well underway to consolidate and centralise regulated authorised corporate director ("ACD") oversight and management activities under SVM Asset Management which will also rebrand as part of the River Global stable in due course.
The goal of a consolidated equity asset management business with a centralised and simplified operating model is therefore clearly within sight and this framework makes the subsequent integration of Ocean Dial Asset Management a quicker and easier task.
1 Source: www.londonstockexchange.com/indices/FTSE100
2 Industry funds under management includes money invested in the underlying funds in which funds of funds invest, but excludes money invested in funds of funds themselves (other than funds of overseas funds) to avoid double-counting. Data as at 30 Sept 2023. www.ia.org/industry-data/fund-statistics
Operating Margin Improving
Results for the year reflect the re-structuring referenced above with some £4.4m incurred in exceptional costs. Setting these to one side in order to focus on the underlying continuing operations at year end, we see operating losses of some £7.7m for the year on revenues (plus other income) of £17.3m. The comparable figures for last year, omitting the distorting effect of the River and Mercantile acquisition, were losses of £7.5m on revenues plus other income of £9.0m demonstrating a substantial improvement in operating margin, albeit still materially negative.
The infrastructure business (RMI) which we are exiting, contributed an operating loss before exceptionals of c.£1m whereas Ocean Dial, acquired on 2 October 2023, introduced additional revenues of £1.9m together with a cost base of c.£1m. The run rate for costs (i.e. monthly costs, adjusted for anomalies and annualised) in the River Global business was estimated to be c.£1m lower by year end than it had averaged during the year as certain contractual and other obligations fell away. In addition to that, further pro-active action was taken before end September 2023 to exit a further £2.3m of costs thereby rendering them non-recurring from that point.
The consolidation of asset management activities and disposal of other businesses has facilitated further initiatives on cost saving as less evident overlaps and inefficiencies are flushed out by teams coming together. We also plan further fund mergers to merge (or close) smaller funds delivering operational savings while realising economies of scale for clients and more attractive propositions for distributors. Our heritage acquisitions leave us with unnecessary corporate structures which we now plan to rationalise in order to take further costs out of the business. These further initiatives, taken together, have enabled us to identify between £2m and £3m per annum of additional cost savings actionable over the coming months, evidencing a potential path to financial profitability, subject of course to reasonably stable markets and assets under management.
Parmenion: a valuable asset
In September, we responded to speculation around the value of our 30% equity interest before dilution in Parmenion (acquired, in combination with a loan arrangement, for an initial consideration of £21.9m in October 2021). Since acquiring our interest, Parmenion has traded strongly in terms of AUM, revenue and profitability.
Parmenion secured a top three ranking for adviser service in each quarter of 2023 and, despite the challenging markets, delivered strong EBITDA growth in the year. Its acquisition of EBI last year has gone well with assets under advice materially ahead of their level at the time of acquisition.
Well Placed to Weather the Storm
The uncertain global economic and political backdrop continues to weigh on financial markets, although there are tentative signs that overall market activity may finally be picking up. Whilst the
Martin Gilbert
Chairman
15 March 2024
BUSINESS REVIEW
At the end of the financial year to September 2023, the AssetCo Group encompasses primarily an active equities asset management business, together with a structured 30% equity interest in a digital platform business.
Active Equities
Active Equities assets under management were £2,409m at September 2023 year end. From a starting point of £2,291m as at 30 September 2022, SVM, acquired during October 2022, contributed assets under management of £528m. The analysis does not include the assets managed by Ocean Dial Asset Management, which completed immediately after year end.
Movement in assets under management from end September 2022 to end September 2023 is summarised in the following chart:
We estimate the addressable market for the enlarged equity business3 to be in the region of £272bn4, being 64% of the active equities market and a very large opportunity set. As noted earlier,
Elsewhere, the Group saw outflows from almost all its
3Incorporating active, third party, Indian equity and climate change strategies
4Broadridge, Data as at 30 Sept 23
Performance
Investment performance of the Group's equities open end funds measured at the end of the financial year to September 2023 was very positive over the important 3 year period with over 80% of funds (by assets under management) outperforming peers. Over other periods it was typically more mixed with roughly half outperforming but, importantly, there were no periods over which under-performance dominated the picture.
The Saracen Global Income and Growth Fund for example, which has performed well, is focused on high quality growth investments, but with a very disciplined approach to the valuation we will pay. It now has the most industrial and cyclical portfolio since the fund launched in 2011. Corporates have healthy cash balances and many are investing to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and to automate. We expect many of these businesses to be less cyclical in the future, due to their changing business mix and to generate higher service revenues. This cluster of businesses should perform well once investor sentiment improves and valuations remain attractive.
The performance picture overall is pleasing in an environment where the value of active management of equities is constantly under challenge. It is also testament to the fact that the on-going corporate integration activity and coming together of the fund management teams has been achieved without distraction from our core deliverable, being investment returns to clients.
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The information above is disclosed in order to allow shareholders to assess the current performance of our investment strategies. While historical investment performance is not an indicator of future investment performance, the long term track records of our strategies give shareholders an indication of the sustainability of our investment performance across different investment cycles. Performance data is sourced from: FE Analytics for IA Sector Peer Group performance. B share class (net of management fees) performance is used since share class launch for all funds. For any fund performance prior to the launch of these share classes, performance is chain linked with the next highest paying fee share class back to the earliest date.
Re-structuring and Integration
A key focus throughout the financial year has been integration of the active equities businesses and the move to a lower cost operating model. At the beginning of the year, the active equities business remained largely fragmented into its legacy components of Saracen, Revera and River and Mercantile, with SVM joining the Group at end October 2022. By September 2023, Saracen and Revera had ceased active operations as they were absorbed into the on-going operating entities and, shortly after year end, all investment management activities and client contracts were consolidated into the legacy River and Mercantile business. This has allowed us to eliminate overlaps and secure economies of scale on enlarged relationships. It also presents a clearer and stronger team message which has been well received by clients.
As we have progressed into the current financial year as a more integrated business and with a single team structure, further opportunities for savings have emerged as ways of working have coalesced. This is enabling us to eliminate or consolidate some further contractual arrangements which were not immediately evident, and to ensure that existing services are used consistently to best effect.
Consolidation of the Group's legacy fund range is well advanced. We managed and marketed 25 open-ended funds at the beginning of the financial year and by year end that had been focused into 20 funds by winding up or merging smaller, uneconomic funds. We have reviewed the fund range further in context of the more tightly integrated business and advanced plans to reduce the fund range further to around 16 funds during this financial year, with opportunities for going further thereafter. The clearer focus that a narrower range of larger funds brings us increases the effectiveness of our marketing effort, delivers better value for clients and reduces or eliminates our need to subsidise less economic funds.
One legacy of integration is the various corporate structures that remain from previous activities and we have recently embarked on a focused exercise to eliminate or consolidate a large number of these. These structures currently absorb operational resource as well as requiring audit, regulatory filings etc. It follows that reducing their number and scope facilitates further business savings.
Highlights of our move to a lower cost operating model for the active equities business include:
· Headcount for the active equities business has moved from 119 at end September 2022 (including SVM on a pro forma basis) to 79 at end September 2023 - a 34% reduction.
· Equities trading platforms consolidated from 4 to 1
· IT platform delivered under-budget and ahead of schedule moving, inter alia, from 118 data servers to 18, five internet service providers to one, and delivering c.£1m in cost savings
Our simplified operating model enables greater and more effective interaction across our various teams and significantly simplifies the support requirements for our business - as well as delivering explicit cost savings in its own right.
Re-branding
River and Mercantile re-branded on 4 December 2023 to "River Global" which brings together the Group's combined active equity investment talent under a single fresh and modernised brand. Having strengthened our business through a series of strategic acquisitions and combined our talent under one brand identity, we wanted a new name to signify the company's future. River Global now reflects this unifying strength and alignment.
Alex Hoctor-Duncan, Chief Executive of River Global, commented in the press that "We have simplified and streamlined our business and product offering to better meet the needs of our clients. Whilst it hasn't been an easy 18 months for our industry, we have used that time to consolidate and leverage the capabilities our acquisitions have brought us. I am confident that River Global will go from strength to strength, providing top-rated investment products and excellent service to its clients, underpinned by the complementary talents of an exceptional team of portfolio managers.".
Ocean Dial Acquisition
We announced the acquisition of Ocean Dial Asset Management in March 2023 and, having worked to secure regulatory approvals in both
Ocean Dial's current business is the management of the assets of the India Capital Growth Fund Limited, which, as announced on acquisition at 2 October 2023, had an updated net asset value of c.£166m (at 22 September 2023) generating an annualised run rate revenue for the Group of c.£1.92m. The announcement of the acquisition in March (which used 28 February 2023 figures) noted the fund had net assets of c.£127m generating an annualised run rate revenue of £1.4m. The growth since March 2023 is illustrative of the vibrancy of the Indian stock market and the attractions of investing in this dynamic economy.
The acquisition brings with it an important capability for investing in
The acquisition is earnings enhancing for the Group and it is anticipated that further synergies will be achievable as we integrate the business and capitalise on the operating model we have established.
Corporate Rationalisation
We reached agreement to sell the Group's loss-making US business, River and Mercantile LLC, in May 2023. The deal eliminated net losses which amounted to £0.4m in the half year to end March 2023. It allowed us to focus equity management operations solely in the
On 20 September 2023 we announced the disposal of our 70% equity interest in Rize, a thematic ETF specialist, to ARK Invest LLC. The sale agreement delivered consideration to AssetCo of an up-front payment of £2.625m, a deferred payment of £2.625m and an earn out provision, capped at £5.25m, which will operate over five years and is subject to a minimum, itself dependent upon certain conditions.
For the year ended 30 September 2023, Rize contributed an operating loss before tax of £2.4m. The value of goodwill attributed to Rize by AssetCo was £12m as at 31 March 2023 and we decided to write that value down, before accounting for sale proceeds. Against this, any earn out from the sale agreement (capped at £5.25m) will emerge as a positive cash flow in future years.
The disposal of Rize was followed, early in the new financial year, on 6 October 2023, by the announcement of an agreement in principle to dispose of our interest in River and Mercantile Infrastructure LLP ("RMI"). The business generated a loss for the year to September 2023 of £1.0m before non-recurring items.
Together, disposal of these three businesses is expected to eliminate losses of c.£4m p.a. going forward.
It is challenging and disappointing to pull out of businesses which ultimately have potential, and the financial consequences for the Group are evident in the impact on carrying values which we have had to bear. These were decisions which were not taken lightly, but market conditions for both Rize and RMI had worsened dramatically during the financial year and their prospects deteriorated as a result. Recognising that the operating environment had changed during the year, to become less accommodating for the Group's initial model of a more diverse range of businesses with upside potential, we therefore made the decision to find more supportive homes for these loss-making fledgling businesses and focus on a core of established, active equities asset management business.
Digital Platform
The development of Parmenion's business (30% of which was acquired by AssetCo in October 2021) continued apace in 2023, delivering strong financial results.
In line with overall industry experience, the year to 31 December 2023 was challenging for Parmenion in terms of net flows with group AUA ending the year at £11.1bn. Fund flows generally were muted as a consequence of negative consumer confidence, rising cost of living and a flight to cash products. However, Parmenion's acquisition of EBI, which completed towards the end of 2022, has bedded in well and ended the year with AUA materially ahead of that at the time of the acquisition. Operationally and financially, Parmenion remains in a strong position with adviser service ratings restored to Parmenion's traditional industry leading position with a top three ranking in each quarter of 2023 and, despite the challenging markets, strong EBITDA growth in 2023.
Looking ahead, the pipeline of new business opportunities for Parmenion is the healthiest it has been for almost two years with active engagement across a range of existing and potential new business partners. This has undoubtedly been helped by a number of important propositional enhancements and platform service developments in response to customer feedback. The propositional enhancements include expanding the external Discretionary Fund Manager range to better support partners' centralised investment proposition and also enhancing the Advisory Models Pro to improve the efficiency of the consent process. In relation to platform service developments the introduction of a Platform Switch Service in Q3 of 2023 will facilitate the movement of clients in bulk from another provider to Parmenion and this together with number of process efficiency initiatives has added to the attraction of Parmenion as a business partner of choice for IFAs.
Annualised Revenue Breakdown by Business Type (as at 30 September 2023)
The following table shows the fee rates by business type as at financial year end September 2023 and therefore just before the inclusion of the Ocean Dial business within the Group, compared to that for the previous year:
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|
Year to end September 2023 |
Year to end Sept 2022 |
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Business Type (excluding ODAM) |
AuM (£m) |
Gross annualised revenue net of rebates (£'000) |
Weighted average fee rate, net of rebates (bp) |
Weighted average fee rate, net of rebates (bp) |
|
Wholesale |
1,759 |
10,645 |
60 |
54 |
|
Institutional |
581 |
2,131 |
37 |
35 |
|
Investment Trust |
69 |
470 |
70 |
73 |
|
Infrastructure |
101 |
690 |
68 |
68 |
|
Total |
2,510 |
13,936 |
56 |
50 |
It is pleasing to note an overall increase in average fee rate of over 10% which is partly a reflection of the mix of business (typically higher margin business being won and lower margin business being lost) and partly a result of the rationalisation of smaller, uneconomic funds. Ocean Dial makes a particularly noteworthy positive addition to the Group, operating as it does at a higher margin as appropriate for its focus on investment in
|
Business Type (including ODAM) |
AuM (£m) |
Gross annualised revenue net of rebates (£000s) |
Weighted average fee rate, net of rebates (bp) |
|
Wholesale |
1,759 |
10,645 |
60 |
|
Institutional |
581 |
2,131 |
37 |
|
Investment Trust |
235 |
2,400 |
76 |
|
Infrastructure |
101 |
690 |
68 |
|
Total |
2,676 |
15,866 |
59 |
This table excludes the Group's interest in Parmenion (including its ebi acquisition) which had assets under management or advice of £11.1bn, generating revenues of £43.2m as at 31 December 2023 (financial year end of Parmenion).
· Wholesale refers to the active equity assets which are held and managed in mutual funds distributed by the Group.
· Institutional refers to the active equity assets which are held and managed in separate accounts on behalf of institutional clients of the Group.
· Investment Trust refers to the active equity assets which are held and managed in investment trusts which are clients of the Group.
Gary Marshall
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
15 March 2024
STRATEGIC REPORT
Introduction
The Directors present their Strategic Report on the Group for the year ended 30 September 2023.
Review of the business
A review of the business is contained in the Chairman's statement on page 4 and in the Business Review on page 7 and is incorporated into this report by cross-reference.
Strategy
The Group's strategy is to identify high-quality asset and wealth management businesses which can be added to the AssetCo stable and improved by working alongside our experienced management team to improve their capabilities, distribution and reach.
Our key areas of focus include being a responsible company and manager, meeting the needs of clients and investors and to expand through a combination of selective acquisitions and organic growth.
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
The financial key performance indicators for the year ended 30 September 2023 were as follows:
|
As at end 30 September |
2023 |
2022 |
Movement
|
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Active equities assets under Management
|
£2,409m
|
£2,291m |
+£118m
|
|
Total assets (balance sheet)
|
£72.3m |
£102.8m |
-£30.5m
|
|
Annualised revenue5 |
£13.9m |
£12.9m |
+£1.0m
|
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Profit/Loss for the year (i.e. including exceptionals and discontinued business)
|
-£26.7m |
-£8.5m |
-£18.2m |
|
Operating profit/loss for continuing business excluding exceptionals6for the year |
-£7.7m |
-£7.5m |
-£0.2m |
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Investment performance7 (1 year)
|
49% |
46% |
+3% points |
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Investment performance (3 year)
|
81% |
53%3 |
+28% points |
Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs")
The Group uses non-GAAP APMs as detailed below to provide users of the annual report and accounts with supplemental financial information that helps explain its results, recognising the fact that certain acquired businesses have contributed to the results for only part of the financial year.
The calculation of these APMs has been defined above; the reasons for their use are as follows:
|
APM |
Reason for use |
|
Active equities assets under Management |
This is a standard industry measure of the scale of our active equity business. Revenues in that business are typically derived as a percentage of assets under management making it key to the profitability of the business. |
|
Annualised revenue |
Given that AssetCo has acquired and/or integrated businesses at different points during the financial year, the full year's revenues as disclosed in the statutory accounts do not give a clear picture of what "business as usual" might look like. Annualised revenues, as defined, allow us to aggregate revenues across all business units and present a consolidated picture on a consistent basis. In practice, the actual outturn is dependent upon actual business experience during the year so this is not a forecast. |
|
Operating profit/loss for continuing business excluding exceptionals for the year |
Much as above, exceptional costs (such as those incurred in re-structuring or integrating business after acquisition) obscure the "business as usual" picture. Excluding them from operating profit/loss allows a better assessment of the underlying business profitability. |
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Investment performance
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Investment performance relative to competitor funds is a standard industry measure of the competitiveness of the investment funds marketed by the Group. One and three year measurement periods are considered representative. |
5Monthly revenue at date shown (which excludes Ocean Dial) annualised (i.e. x 12)
6Operating profit/loss here is defined as revenue plus other income for continuing business less other administrative expenses but excluding exceptional and other one-off costs and exceptional gains/losses - see Notes 8 & 9.
7% active equity mutual fund AuM in 1st or 2nd quartile when compared to competitor funds in relevant Investment Association sectors.
Risk Management and Internal Controls
The Board is responsible for the Company's system of internal controls and for reviewing the effectiveness of the Company's risk management framework.
During the reporting period, the Board has continued to improve the Company's risk management framework. The Company has adopted a risk management framework and maintains a risk register which assesses risks facing the Group. The Board regularly reviews the risk register and obtains assurance from the Executive Directors as to the effectiveness of the risk management framework.
The sale of loss-making businesses allows the Group to focus on its active equities business and has helped to strengthen the risk management framework following the integration of the Group's operating businesses in line with a new target operating model. The Group's risk management framework is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.
The Directors review the internal control processes on a regular basis.
The Company has established procedures for planning and monitoring the operational and financial performance of the Group, as well as compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These procedures include:
• clear responsibilities for financial controls and the production of timely financial management information;
• the control of key financial risks through clearly laid down authorisation levels and proper segregation of accounting duties;
• the regular review of business updates, cash flows and cash balances by management and the Board.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The Directors continuously monitor the business and markets to identify and deal with risks and uncertainties as they arise. Set out below are the principal risks which we believe could materially affect the Group's ability to achieve its strategy. The risks are not listed in order of significance.
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Risk
|
Responsibility and Principal Control |
|
Profitability and Dividends: Profitability remains a key focus for the Group. Delays in profitability in the longer term could threaten the Group's ability to trade on a going concern basis, impact the Board's ability to fund growth and acquisitions as well as the ability to pay dividends. |
Board/Executive Team: The exit from Rize and the planned exit from RMI, both loss making businesses, will help the Group to focus its resources on its active equities business. The Group continues to cut costs. The Group is focused on achieving run-rate profitability and the Board monitors costs and cash management carefully to this end. |
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Distribution: Corporate actions such as acquisitions and business re-structuring can disturb existing clients while discouraging new ones. The reduction in the overall size of the market for active equity asset management has also made increasing assets under management more difficult. |
Board/Distribution: Distributors and markets are carefully targeted and client relationships monitored to identify and mitigate the risk of loss. |
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Performance and Product: Sustained under-performance or investment style drift could lead to client redemptions as could situations where a fund is considered out-of-date in its positioning or no longer fit for purpose. |
Board/Product/Investment Team: The Group continually monitors and develops its product suite to ensure that it remains competitive and attractive. The Investment Team, in conjunction with Investment Risk, continually monitor fund performance against targets, including style, taking corrective action where necessary.
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Loss of Key People: The Group has managed most departures on a planned basis but going forwards will need to ensure continued retention of key staff if it is to manage client, consultant and regulatory expectations. |
Board/Remuneration Committee: The Board reviews succession planning for all senior executives. Senior executives are subject to extended notice periods (between six and twelve months). The Group seeks to offer attractive terms as well as a flexible working environment. The Group has introduced a new Restricted Share Plan to help retain senior partners and key staff. |
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Economic Conditions: Adverse markets were a significant drag on performance in the last year. As an equity specialist the business remains vulnerable to any material fall in equity markets. |
Board/Executive Team: The Group seeks to manage an appropriate balance of fixed and variable costs. In the event of sustained economic downturn, the Group would seek to take early action to cut fixed costs. |
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Systems and Controls: Operating multiple systems across multiple subsidiary and associate companies increases the risk of control failure. Managing multiple service providers also generates challenges. |
Board/Operations: The Group has developed a detailed controls framework which is being rolled out across operating subsidiaries to create a consistent, harmonised approach. The Group has consolidated to a single operating model as well as seeking to rationalise service providers. |
ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE
In pursuing its strategy, the Company is committed to a responsible business approach that delivers positive outcomes and sustainable long-term value to its stakeholders. In this regard the Company has developed an Environmental Social and Governance policy statement (the "ESG Policy").
This ESG Policy applies to AssetCo plc ("AssetCo"). AssetCo is a holding company whose mission is to acquire, manage and operate asset and wealth management activities and interests, together with other related services (our "Mission").
In pursuing our Mission, we are committed to a responsible business approach that delivers positive outcomes and sustainable long-term value to all our stakeholders and particularly to our clients. At the heart of this is our ESG Policy which is incorporated into all our decision-making processes.
In framing our ESG Policy we are, and will continue to be, focused on our clients concerns and needs. We will endeavour to engage with our clients to understand and accommodate their ESG requirements in terms of the services we provide.
Our ESG Policy is not static, it will evolve as our business evolves and we will continually look to improve our ESG Policy in the light of best market practice and the expectations of our stakeholders.
Environmental
We strive to reduce the impact of our business activities on the environment. This includes reducing our energy, carbon, water and waste footprint. In due course we intend to implement systems to track all our major environmental impacts so that we might assess the effectiveness of our policies and report to our stakeholders.
Social
We expect to be a responsible member of the community and a force for positive change. We endeavour to contribute to the community through philanthropic partnerships, paid internships and encouraging employee volunteering.
Governance
Commensurate with the size of the AssetCo business, we embrace high standards of integrity, transparency and corporate governance. We foster a culture of inclusion, diversity of thought and background (including improving our gender balance) and equal opportunity across our businesses. We treat our staff with integrity and respect. We are a values-led business and will look to attract, develop and retain the best talent.
Membership and Reporting
Our ESG agenda is supported by the activities of our operating businesses. This includes the adoption of the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment ("UNPRI") by key subsidiaries and by becoming signatories to the
We are continuing to evolve our ESG policies across the Group with the operation of a Sustainability and Stewardship Committee under an independent Chair to oversee progress in this area.
Acquisitions and Service Providers
Our Mission is largely predicated on an acquisition strategy. In terms of businesses acquired we will look to ensure that they have or adopt policies and initiatives which are consistent with our ESG Policy. Likewise, we expect all significant service providers to AssetCo and its businesses to have in place policies which are consistent with our ESG Policy.
OUR STAKEHOLDERS: S.172 STATEMENT
Duty to promote the success of the Company
Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006 requires Directors to act in the way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:
• the likely consequences of any decision in the long-term;
• the interests of the Company's employees;
• the need to foster the Company's business relationships with suppliers, customers and others;
• the impact of the Company's operations on the community and the environment;
• the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and
• the need to act fairly as between members of the Company.
This Section 172 Statement sets out how the Directors have discharged this duty.
In order for the Company to succeed in the long-term, the Board must build and maintain successful relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. The Board recognises that the long-term success of the Company is dependent on how it works with a number of important stakeholders.
The Board's decision-making process considers both risk and reward in the pursuit of delivering the long-term success of the Company. As part of the Board's decision-making process, the Board considers the interests of a broad range of the Company's stakeholders. The Board considers that its primary stakeholders are clients, employees, shareholders, suppliers and service providers, and regulators.
The Board fulfils its duties in collaboration with the senior management team, to which day-to-day management has been delegated. The Board seeks to understand stakeholder groups' priorities and interests. The Board listens to stakeholders through a combination of information provided by management and also by direct engagement where appropriate. The following overview provides further insight into how the Board has had regard to the interests of our primary stakeholders, while complying with its duty to promote the success of the Company in accordance with Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.
|
Our primary stakeholders |
How we engage with them |
|
Clients: The Company through its subsidiaries aims to provide investment products that meet the needs of clients and put those needs first. |
Our distribution teams have a busy client engagement schedule and maintain contact with our clients through regular meetings, reporting and written communication. This helps us to understand our clients' needs. Members of the senior management team meet directly with key clients to understand the views of our clients and to ensure that we continue to meet our clients' expectations. Client engagement feeds into our regulated subsidiaries assessment that products and services are fit for purpose and offer fair value in line with the |
|
Employees: The Company's employees are senior experienced professionals. It is of the utmost importance to the Board that we have a culture that attracts and retains talented employees. |
The Group's senior management team is engaged directly with its operating subsidiaries and regularly participates in face-to-face meetings at management level where open discussion is encouraged. Our subsidiaries have strong leadership and management teams who engage with colleagues in a number of ways, including all employee calls and colleague network groups. We value our diverse workforce and seek inclusion at all levels, with a recent DEI colleague survey providing actionable insights to how we can improve this. The senior management team has focussed on withdrawing from loss making businesses, the integration of newly acquired businesses into the Group and the restructuring of certain group functions to better align with business needs. During this process, due consideration has been given to all stakeholders, including colleagues, shareholders and our clients. The Group is proud to support the development of colleagues through training, study leave and support as well as contributing to our community through the support of charities, such as The Felix Project. |
|
Shareholders: The ongoing support of our shareholders is vital in helping us deliver our long-term strategic objectives.
|
The Board engages with the Company's shareholders in a number of ways which include the AGM and one-to-one meetings and telephone conversations. Our AGM allows shareholders the opportunity to engage directly with the Board. The Chairman, Deputy Chairman and CFOO regularly meet (in person and virtually) the Company's major shareholders to discuss the financial performance of the Company. Matters discussed with shareholders include strategy, its execution and the generation of returns. The views of shareholders have been considered and fed into the implementation of the cost reduction strategy across the Group. |
|
Suppliers and service providers: The Company places reliance on external third party suppliers and service providers for certain activities and services. |
The Company is committed to the highest standards of business conduct. The selection process and engagement with these parties is undertaken by senior management. We ensure that there is an appropriate framework of oversight of our key third-party suppliers. Regular meetings are held with key third-party service providers and issues escalated to senior management where required. Material supplier selection is reported to the Board and significant issues or risks related to suppliers will be escalated to the Board. As described above, a key focus has been on the integration of the newly acquired businesses into the Group. Suppliers and service providers have been reviewed by senior management during this period as part of this project. |
Regulators
The Group operates in the
The Company is AIM listed and complies with the AIM Rules. We engage with our regulators through the Group's legal and compliance function by way of regular mandatory reporting as well as any ad hoc interactions required by our regulators.
Community and the environment
Due regard is given to the impact of the Company's operations on the community and environment through the activities of its subsidiaries overseen by the senior management team.
Sustainable investing is a key focus for the Group's businesses. River Global and SVM are signatories to UNPRI and the FRC's Stewardship Code.
The Group aims to make an impact within the communities it operates in through supporting charitable activities undertaken by employees through a GAYE payroll scheme, volunteering leave, and colleague-selected charity partners. The Group have also supported The Switch, an organisation providing Work Experience placements for students in Tower Hamlets for over 30 years to provide real life experiences of the world of work and to broaden career aspirations.
Pages 13 to 20 constitute the strategic report which was approved by the Board on 15 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by;
Gary Marshall
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
15 March 2024
Company Registration Number: 04966347
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Martin Gilbert
Chairman
Martin was appointed to the Board on 25 January 2021 as the Company's Chairman.
Martin Gilbert has a long history in asset and wealth management. He co-founded Aberdeen Asset Management PLC in 1983 and was chief executive officer from 1991 to 2017. During that period Aberdeen Asset Management PLC grew, through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisition, to become one of the world's leading independent asset managers with £308 billion of AUM. In 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management PLC merged with Standard Life plc, to become Standard Life Aberdeen plc. On merging, Standard Life Aberdeen plc was the biggest
Skills and competencies:
Martin brings substantial experience and knowledge of the financial services and asset management sector. He is an experienced leader, having been the CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC. Martin's breadth of experience in the financial services sector, understanding of the diverse issues faced when building an asset management group through acquisitions and his strong leadership style allow him to lead an effective Board and are vital to the Company's long-term sustainable success.
Peter McKellar
Deputy Chairman and executive director
Peter was appointed to the Board on 25 January 2021 and is the Company's Deputy Chairman.
Peter McKellar has spent nearly all of his working career in private markets, in particular private equity and infrastructure investment management and direct operating management. He retired in September 2020 as executive chairman and global head of private markets for Standard Life Aberdeen plc, where he oversaw investment management activities across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, natural resources, and certain private credit capabilities, totalling £55 billion of AUM. Peter is Chairman of Princess Private Equity Holding Limited, a non-executive director of 3i Group plc, Investcorp Capital plc and a non-executive member of Scottish Enterprise.
Skills and competencies:
Peter brings significant financial services experience to the Board. Peter's valuable experience combined with his financial acumen enables him to effectively contribute to the delivery of the Company's strategy, advise on cost reduction and is key to the Company's long-term sustainable success.
Gary Marshall
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Gary was appointed to the Board on 11 October 2022 as the Company's Chief Financial and Operating Officer.
Gary has worked in the financial services industry since 1983, initially in life assurance but for almost 30 years in asset management. He joined Aberdeen Asset Management PLC in 1997 following
Skills and competencies:
Gary has extensive asset management experience having held a number of senior roles in a large, well regarded asset management group. He has in-depth expertise in finance, operations and regulatory compliance. Gary's operational expertise and his experience of integrating businesses is vital to the Group's strategy and the long-term sustainable success of the Company.
Jonathan Dawson
Senior Independent Director & Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
Jonathan joined the Board as senior independent director on 15 June 2022 on completion of the acquisition of River and Mercantile Group PLC, where he had been chairman for a number of years.
He is a graduate of the universities of
Skills and competencies:
Jonathan has significant financial services, pensions and non-executive experience. He brings innovative perspective and independent oversight to the Board. Jonathan's breadth of experience, knowledge of the business of River and Mercantile and strong corporate governance expertise contribute to the effective operation of the Board and long-term sustainable success of the Company.
Tudor Davies
Non-executive director & Chairman of the Audit Committee
Tudor was appointed to the Board on 23 March 2011 and was Chair of AssetCo until the re-admission and change in April 2022 when Martin Gilbert took over the role. After standing down as Chair of the Board, Tudor took over the role of Chair of the Audit Committee.
Tudor has over 20 years of experience in the repositioning of several Plc's, as Chair, Chief Executive and Non-Executive Director, and was formerly a partner with Arthur Young (a predecessor firm of Ernst & Young LLP) specialising in corporate finance and recovery.
Skills and competencies:
Tudor brings substantial experience to the Board and his knowledge of the turnaround of businesses allow him to bring a financial and strategic perspective to a broad range of subjects in support of the Board and its Committees.
Christopher Mills
Non-executive director
Christopher was appointed to the Board on 23 March 2011.
Christopher is chief executive officer of Harwood Capital Management Limited and chief executive and investment manager of North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc. He relinquished his role as Chairman of the Audit Committee to Tudor Davies when the latter became non-executive.
Skills and competencies:
Christopher has significant asset management experience, having established a successful asset management business, Harwood Capital. He is a highly regarded investor and draws on this experience in support of the Board.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Introduction
The Directors present their annual report and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year ended 30 September 2023.
Principal activities and business review
The Company's principal activity is to act as a holding company for a group of wealth and asset management companies. AssetCo plc is a public limited company registered and domiciled in
Directors
The Directors who were in office during the year, and up to the date of signing the financial statements, were as follows:
Martin Gilbert (Executive Chairman)
Peter McKellar (Deputy Chairman)
Campbell
Gary Marshall (CFOO) appointed 11 October 2022
Mark Butcher (Non-Executive) resigned 30 March 2023
Jonathan Dawson (Senior Independent Director)
Tudor Davies (Non-Executive)
Christopher Mills (Non-Executive)
The company secretary up until 23 February 2023 was Sally Buckmaster. From that date the company secretary has been Gordon Brough.
In accordance with best practice, all Directors will offer themselves for re-election at the AGM.
Results
The financial statements are set out on pages 49 to 101.
Dividend
Your Board decided against the payment of a dividend this year in light of adverse trading conditions.
Capital structure
The primary objective of the Company's capital management is to ensure that capital is available to allocate to the business that maximises shareholder value.
Full details of the authorised and issued capital, together with details of the movements in the Company's issued share capital during the year, are shown in note 32.
Financial risk management
See note 3 to the financial statements.
Research and development
No expenditure has been incurred during the year in respect of the Group's own research and development activities.
Future developments
The outlook for the Group is set out in the Chairman's Statement.
Directors' shareholdings and interests
The beneficial interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company were as follows:
|
|
|
At 30 September 2023 |
At 30 September 2022 |
|
|
|
No. |
No. |
|
Martin Gilbert |
|
7,283,300 |
7,283,300 |
|
Peter McKellar |
|
3,938,410 |
3,938,410 |
|
Gary Marshall8 |
|
414,592 |
- |
|
Jonathan Dawson |
|
347,810 |
347,810 |
|
Tudor Davies9 |
|
2,073,920 |
2,073,920 |
|
Christopher Mills10 |
|
21,638,420 |
20,788,920 |
|
|
|
|
|
No Director had a material interest in any significant contract (other than a service contract) with the Company or any subsidiary company at any time during the year.
8 Joined October 2022
9 Tudor Davis has been treated as being interested in shares held by Cadoc Limited, a company of which he is a director, but which is controlled by other members of his family.
10 Christopher Mills, as chief executive and a member of Harwood Capital LLP, is deemed to have an interest in the 21,638,420 shares owned by various funds associated with Harwood Capital LLP.
Conflicts of interest
A director has a statutory duty to avoid a situation in which they have or could have a conflict of interest or possible conflict with the interests of the Company.
The Company has adopted a policy relating to the handling by the Company of matters that represent conflicts of interest or possible conflicts of interest involving the directors. Where a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest is identified, only directors that are not involved in the conflict or potential conflict may participate in any discussions or authorisation process.
Substantial shareholdings
At 29 February 2024 the company secretary has been notified, in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook as issued by the Financial Conduct Authority, of the following interests in 3% or more in the ordinary share capital of the Company:
|
|
No. of shares |
% of issued share capital |
|
Harwood Capital LLP |
20,818,420 |
14.5% |
|
Psigma Investment Management Limited |
12,745,800 |
8.8% |
|
Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management Limited |
7,686,912 |
5.3% |
|
Martin Gilbert |
7,283,300 |
5.1% |
|
Somers Limited |
7,170,960 |
5.0% |
|
Lombard Odier Asset Management (Europe) Limited |
5,769,174 |
4.0% |
|
Charles Stanley
|
5,339,873
|
3.7%
|
|
Richard Griffiths |
4,850,402 |
3.4% |
Share buy-back
At a general meeting on 28 September 2022, the Company was granted the authority by its shareholders to buy back its own shares up to a maximum of 14,929,297. As at 30 September 2023 the Company had purchased 8,283,027 (2022: 72,941) shares with a nominal value of £82,830 (2022: £729) for an aggregate consideration of £4,887,995 (2022: 50,968).
Political donations
The Group made no political donations or contributions during the year.
Business combinations and disposals
Business combinations and disposals during the year are discussed in note 23.
Post balance sheet events
As mentioned in the Chairman's statement there were two post balance sheet events. These are set out in more detail in note 37 Post Balance Sheet Events.
Going concern
The Group is currently loss making, albeit with a trajectory that evidences improving operational losses over time and which affords a pathway to profitability. Against this background, the Directors have given careful consideration to the going concern assumption on which the Group's accounts have been prepared. Having carefully considered the Group's operational and regulatory requirements, the Directors have concluded that the Group has adequate financial resources to continue operating for the 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements. On that basis the Directors have continued to adopt the Going Concern basis of accounting in preparing the consolidated Group and Company accounts. Further detail is set out in note 2 to the accounts.
Statement of directors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements
• The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.
• Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the Group and the Company financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards.
• Under company law, directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:
o select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
o state whether applicable UK-adopted international accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
o make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
o prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Company will continue in business.
• The Directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
• The Directors are also responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group's and Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
• The Directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements are published on the company's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the company's website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.
Directors' confirmations
In the case of each Director in office at the date the Directors' report is approved:
• so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Group's and Company's auditors are unaware; and
• they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Group's and Company's auditors are aware of that information.
Directors' liability insurance
The Company has entered into deeds of indemnity for the benefit of each Director of the Company in respect of liabilities to which they may become liable in their capacity as director of the Company and any company in the Group. Those indemnities are qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the purposes of S. 234 of Companies Act 2006 and have been in force from 15 April 2022 (or, if later, the date of the Director's appointment) up to the date of approval of the financial statements and will continue to be in force.
Independent auditors
During the year the incumbent auditors Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP were replaced by approval of the Board with BDO LLP. In accordance with section 489(4) of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution to reappoint BDO will be proposed at the annual general meeting.
Corporate governance
The Company's statement of corporate governance can be found on pages 29 to 35 of these financial statements. The Corporate Governance Statement forms part of this Report of the Directors and is incorporated by cross-reference. The Board confirms that it has complied with the requirements of the Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code for small and mid- sized publicly traded companies, save as disclosed below.
Annual General Meeting
The resolutions to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting are set out in the formal notice of the meeting as set out on pages 102 to 109.
Recommendation
The Board considers that the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting are in the best interests of Company and it is unanimously recommended that shareholders support these proposals as the Board intends to do in respect of their own holdings.
Approval of annual report
The Corporate Governance Report, the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report were approved by the Board on 15 March 2024.
By order of the Board
Gary Marshall
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
15 March 2024
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
Dear Shareholder,
The Board recognises the value of good corporate governance in ensuring the long-term sustainable success of the Company. In accordance with AIM Rule 26, the Company chooses to report against the Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code for small and mid-sized publicly traded companies (the "QCA Code 2018"). The QCA has recently announced a number of enhancements to its Code which will apply from next year and we expect to report on these in next year's Accounts.
The following Report sets out the Company's governance arrangements and describes how the ten principles of the QCA Code have been addressed and provides the disclosures indicated by the Code. The Board has reviewed the Corporate Governance disclosures and believes that the Group complies with the principles and disclosures required by the QCA Code, except as otherwise disclosed below.
Martin Gilbert
Chairman
15 March 2024
QCA Code Compliance
The Company has adopted the QCA Code. The disclosures below describe in detail how we have applied the QCA Code and where our practices differ from the expectations of the QCA Code. A formal statement on our compliance with the QCA Code is set out in the Directors' Report at page 24.
1. Establish a strategy and business model which promote the long term value for Shareholders
The Business Review set out on page 7 and Strategic Report set out on page 13 describe the business model and business objectives which when read with the Chairman's Statement describe the past year's activity and the desired future prospects of the Group. Further detail of the strategy is included in the Directors' Report. The principal risks and uncertainties which may impact the Group's ability to achieve its strategy are set out on page 15.
2. Seek to understand and meet Shareholders' needs and expectations
The Company, through its Chairman, has regular contact with its institutional Shareholders to understand their needs and expectations. Christopher Mills is the CEO of the company's largest shareholder and where appropriate provides feedback to the Board on that shareholder's view of the Company's performance. The Board supports the principle that the Annual General Meeting should be used to communicate with private Shareholders and encourages them to participate.
Shareholders can access corporate, regulatory, news and share capital information on the Company's website at www.assetco.com. Enquiries can be directed to the Board using the corporate e-mail: info@assetco.com
3. Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their implications for long term success
Details of the Board's consideration of its stakeholders is set out on pages 17 to 19 (S172 Report).
4. Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the organisation
The Board considers regularly the risks relating to the Company's activities.
Details of the current risks and uncertainties facing the Company are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 15 to 16 of this document.
Details of the approach to internal controls and risk management are also set out in the Strategic Report. The Company does not currently have an internal assurance function and has appointed a third party to undertake this work on a case-by-case basis. The Board will continue to review the risk management framework and assess its effectiveness.
5. Maintain the Board as a well-functioning balanced team led by the Chair
The composition of the Board is considered to be appropriate in terms of the current development of the Company's business strategy. There is an appropriate balance between executive and non-executive directors, three of which were considered by the board to be independent during the accounting period. There are four Board Committees. The terms of reference for each is available on the Company's website at www.assetco.com.
Details of meeting frequency and attendance are set out below. All Board members are expected to attend the Company's quarterly board meetings and relevant Board Committee meetings and to ensure that they have sufficient time to allocate to their role. Each Board member has confirmed that he has sufficient time to perform the role effectively.
6. Ensure that between them the Directors have the necessary up-to-date skills and capabilities
The Directors (biographical details in respect of which are set out on pages 21 to 23 of this document) have a wide range of qualifications and expertise which is considered appropriate in terms of the implementation of the Company's strategy. The Board fosters an attitude of independence of character and judgement. The Company Secretary advises the Board on all governance matters. All Directors have access to the Company Secretary and the General Counsel's services and advice. While the Board is satisfied that its Directors have the appropriate skills and expertise, no disclosure is provided detailing the steps Directors take to keep their skills up to date. The Board values diversity and expects to improve its gender balance once financial conditions improve.
7. Evaluate Board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement
The Board has been focussed on the implementation of the Company's strategy and the completion of several corporate transactions. In the circumstances, the Board has not undertaken a formal evaluation process of its effectiveness during the period but expects to do so in 2024.
8. Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours
The Board, in developing the Company through the implementation of its new strategy, will promote a positive corporate culture, and desired ethical behaviours within the Company, and communicate these across the Group. Integrity is key to the Group's success and is fundamental to the development of a conduct led culture across the Group. The Group has a suite of policies which underpin the Board's expectations of ethical values and behaviours.
9. Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision-making by the Board
The Board is responsible for the Company's system of internal controls and reviewing its effectiveness. The procedures for planning and monitoring the operation and performance of the Company, as well as its compliance with applicable law and regulations, are set out below- under "Corporate Governance". The Board has formally approved a schedule of matters reserved for the Board and requires various matters to be escalated from its operating subsidiaries. The role of Chairman, CEO and Senior Independent Director is clearly understood and is operating satisfactorily, further disclosure will be included on the Company's website in due course.
10. Communicate how the Company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with Shareholders and other relevant stakeholders
The principal method of communicating the Company's corporate governance process and principles is the Annual Report which is being sent directly to Shareholders and is available on the Company's website at www.assetco.com. The Annual General Meeting also provides an opportunity for Shareholders to address corporate governance matters. Details of the role of the Board's committees and work undertaken is described below.
Corporate Governance
Leadership and strategy
The Board is responsible for matters of strategy, performance, budgeting and resources as well as setting standards of conduct and accountability. The Board has delegated authority for the day to day running of the business to the Senior Executive Team.
The Board has provided the Group with entrepreneurial leadership and is responsible for the long-term sustainable success of the Company for the benefit of its shareholders. The Board has regard for its other stakeholders, including employees, clients, shareholders, suppliers and service providers and regulatory authorities. Further detail of this is set out in the Section 172 Statement on pages 17 to 19.
During the period, the Board has focussed on the development and execution of the Company's strategy. A significant focus has been on the development of, and execution of, acquisition opportunities, the integration of those businesses and the reduction of costs in those businesses.
The Board has reviewed and challenged the annual budget during the period. The Board receives regular reports on the progress of the implementation of cost reduction strategies and the integration of the active equity businesses onto a single operating model. The Board regularly reviews the resources required for the Group's size and complexity.
Board Composition
The Board comprises three Executive Directors and three Non-Executive Directors.
No individual or group of individuals dominate the Board or its decision making.
The Board considers Jonathan Dawson to be an independent director for the purposes of the QCA Code during the reporting period. Jonathan Dawson is the Senior Independent Director.
Details of the skills and competencies brought by each Director are set out below their respective biographies.
All Directors are required to stand for re-election on an annual basis at the Company's annual general meeting in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association.
The Board, through the Nomination Committee, will continue to review the Board's composition to ensure that the skills and experience of Directors support the growth of the Company and the achievement of its strategic objectives. In doing so, Board diversity will be actively considered.
The Board has determined that it has the appropriate balance of skills and experience to enable it to effectively lead the Company.
Board and Committee Attendance
During the year, the Board held seven scheduled meetings, which included meetings to approve specific transactions as well as meetings to approve the Company's full and half year results. Board and Committee Member attendance at meetings is set out below:
|
Director |
Board |
Audit |
Remuneration |
Nomination |
|
Martin Gilbert |
7/7 |
n/a |
2/3 |
0/0 |
|
Christopher Mills |
7/7 |
6/6 |
3/3 |
0/0 |
|
Jonathan Dawson |
6/7 |
6/6 |
3/3 |
0/0 |
|
Peter McKellar |
7/7 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Gary Marshall |
7/7 |
6/6 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Tudor Davies |
7/7 |
6/6 |
3/3 |
0/0 |
Commitment
The Board requires all Directors to devote sufficient time to their duties and use their best endeavours to attend all meetings. The Directors' appointment letters or service contracts (as applicable) set out a minimum time commitment, which for a non-executive director includes attendance at six board meetings per annum, attendance at the AGM and additional meetings as required. The Board is satisfied that each Director has sufficient time to undertake their duties effectively.
Governance Framework
The Company, consistent with the early stages of the implementation of its business strategy, has a flat management structure.
The terms of reference of each Board Committee has been reviewed, updated and approved.
The Board continues to review the governance arrangements across the Group which are evolving as part of the consolidation and integration work following the completion of acquisitions.
Operation of the Board
The Board meets regularly: typically six times a year and on an ad-hoc basis to consider specific items of business as the need arises.
The Chairman, in conjunction with the Executive Directors and Company Secretary, sets the agenda for each Board meeting. Management information is delivered ahead of each Board meeting and a comprehensive set of papers is circulated before Board meetings. The decisions of the Board are formally minuted.
All Directors have access to the Company Secretary's services and advice.
On certain matters in the year, the Board has sought external advice.
Conflicts of interest
The Board takes action to identify and manage conflicts of interest. Where conflicts of interest arise, the relevant Director would declare their interest in the matter and recuse themselves from the discussion and any related decision.
Delegation of Authority
The Board is responsible for setting strategy, purpose and the direction of the Company. The Board has delegated to the Senior Executive Team authority for the day to day running of the business and specific authority (as set out in the terms of reference of each committee) to the Audit, Remuneration, Nomination and Disclosure Committees (the "Committees"). The remit of each Committee is described below.
Audit Committee
Committee Composition
The Audit Committee comprises all the Non-Executive Directors and is chaired by Tudor Davies (Chair). The Committee members have a mix of financial and sector experience. The Committee received information and support from the Executive Directors as well as the Company Secretary in performing its duties.
The Committee's responsibilities
The Audit Committee is focused on the key areas of financial integrity, internal controls and risk management. This includes:
• review of the financial statements and Annual Report;
• consideration of the external audit report and management representation letter;
• going concern review;
• review of the audit plan and audit engagement letter;
• review of the auditor's fees and non-audit services;
• review of the risk management and internal control systems;
• review of the interim results; and
• meetings with the auditors with and without management present.
The Audit Committee monitors the relationship with the auditors, BDO, to ensure that the auditors' independence and objectivity are maintained. As part of its review the Committee monitors the provision of non-audit services by the external auditors.
The auditors prepare an audit plan for the full-year financial statements. The audit plan sets out the scope of the audit, areas of special focus and audit timetable. This plan is reviewed and agreed in advance by the Audit Committee. Following the audit of the annual financial statements, the auditors present their findings to the Audit Committee for discussion. Matters of material estimates and judgement are regularly discussed and are detailed in note 4; 'Critical accounting estimates and judgements'.
Review of activities during the year
During the year ended 30 September 2023 the Audit Committee met 6 times. The Committee considered:
• The auditor's year-end audit plan;
• The annual report and financial statements for the year-ended 30 September 2022 and the interim results for the current period to ensure they were fair, balanced and understandable;
• Significant accounting judgments and estimates;
• Going concern;
• Impairments of investments, goodwill and other assets; and
• Acquisition accounting for SVM Asset Management Limited.
Remuneration Committee
Committee Composition
The Remuneration Committee comprises all the Non-Executive Directors and is chaired by Jonathan Dawson. As the Company is not listed on the Main Market, it is not subject to the requirements of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.
The Committee's responsibilities
The Remuneration Committee is tasked with ensuring that Directors and senior employees are provided with an appropriate package of incentives and rewards that align personal reward with increased shareholder value over both the short and longer term. This includes:
• Determining the framework or policy for remuneration for the Company's Executive Directors and senior management;
• Setting targets for any performance related pay schemes;
• Overseeing any long term incentive share schemes; and
• Overseeing major changes in employee benefit structures.
Review of activities during the year
During the year ended 30 September 2023 the Remuneration Committee met 3 times. The Committee considered matters related to the Restricted Share Plan.
Nomination Committee
Committee Composition
The Nomination Committee comprises all the Non-Executive Directors and is chaired by Martin Gilbert.
The Committee's responsibilities
The Nomination Committee is responsible for reviewing the structure, size and composition of the Board and identifying and nominating, for the approval of the Board, candidates to fill vacancies on the Board as and when they arise. This includes:
• Responsibility for identifying and nominating for approval of the Board candidates to fill Board vacancies;
• Evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the Board;
• Considering succession planning for directors and senior executives; and
• Reviewing the time requirements for Board positions.
Review of activities during the year
The Nomination Committee did not meet during the year.
Disclosure Committee
The Disclosure Committee is responsible for determining whether information concerning the Company or its shares constitutes inside information which should be disclosed to the market and includes the timing of such disclosures and the approval of the content of such disclosures. The Disclosure Committee is comprised of Martin Gilbert, Peter McKeller, Gary Marshall and Gordon Brough, the Company's general counsel. The Disclosure Committee meets on an ad-hoc basis as required.
The terms of reference for each Committee is available on the Company's website at www.assetco.com. The entity has taken the exemption from SECR disclosures given the size, and has not reported on scope 1, 2 or 3 emissions.
The Committees are provided with sufficient resources to discharge their duties, including access to external advisers where required.
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The following represents the Directors' Remuneration Report for the year to 30 September 2023. As the Company is listed on the Alternative Investment Market ('AIM') we have a number of obligations regarding disclosure which are covered in full in this report and elsewhere. Our aim is to demonstrate that our remuneration policy is aligned to the needs of the business and attuned to shareholders' interests by promoting the long-term success of the firm and delivery of its strategic plan.
Committee Composition
The Remuneration Committee comprises all the Non-Executive Directors and is chaired by Jonathan Dawson.
The Committee's responsibilities
The Remuneration Committee is tasked with ensuring that Executive Directors and senior employees are provided with an appropriate package of incentives and rewards that align personal reward with increased shareholder value over both the short and longer term. This includes:
• Determining the framework or policy for remuneration for the Company's Executive Directors and senior management;
• Setting targets for any performance related pay schemes;
• Overseeing any long-term incentive share schemes; and
• Overseeing major changes in employee benefit structures.
Compensation and Benefit Structure
The Group's main compensation and benefit arrangements are broadly common across all employees. The components are:
Fixed pay
Basic Salary which is paid monthly in arrears.
Benefits
The Group provides access to a range of core and flexible benefits. Whilst the intention is to harmonise these across the Group we currently operate a small number of pension arrangements: a contributory pension scheme of 5% of basic salary with Company matching, a non-contributory scheme of 10% of basic salary, or an equivalent allowance. Insured benefits consisting of Life Assurance (4x basic salary) and Income Protection (66.67% of basic salary) are also part of the core benefits offering. Employees have access to 30 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays, and can opt in to private medical insurance for themselves with the opportunity to add dependants at their own cost.
Discretionary Bonus
A discretionary cash bonus is considered at financial year end for most staff. Consideration includes the Group's overall performance along with delivery of individual performance against objectives including contribution to team and approach to risk management. Partners and employees of River and Mercantile Asset Management LLP (now River Global Investors LLP), who comprise the portfolio management team of one of the main equity asset management subsidiaries of the Group, instead participate in a profit share arrangement which allocates a fixed percentage of revenues from the portfolios that they manage to a profit sharing pool from which all salaries and any discretionary bonus is paid once certain allocated costs have been deducted. A somewhat similar revenue sharing arrangement applies for certain other portfolio managers.
Annual salary review
The Group has remained loss making throughout the year and, accordingly, it was determined that there would be no universal uplift in salaries. Targeted increases were awarded to individuals who had taken on additional responsibilities or had fallen notably behind peer group comparators.
Recognising the challenging operating conditions, the Chief Executive of River Global voluntarily reduced his fixed pay by 50% during the year and all of the non-executive Board Directors similarly agreed to substantial reductions in their compensation as part of an exercise to reduce costs across the Group.
Discretionary Bonus
Once again recognising the challenging operating conditions, discretionary bonuses were awarded only to a targeted number of employees either in recognition of an exceptional contribution or to motivate and retain key individuals.
Restricted Share Plan
The Company announced the adoption of a Restricted Share Plan at the beginning of November 2023, shortly after the end of the financial year. The Plan is designed primarily with longer term retention of critical staff in mind and recognises the fact that the challenging operating conditions provide limited scope for other more immediate rewards. It is intended to be both simple and transparent, without pre-conditions that are either complex to measure or monitor, or capable of becoming misaligned with a developing business. The simple incentive of alignment with a rising share price was considered to be the most compelling performance incentive.
The Company awarded rights over up to 5,013,000 ordinary shares of 1p each ("Shares") in the Company (which would represent approximately 3.4 per cent of the voting share capital of the Company on issue) to be satisfied out of Shares currently held in Treasury. Vesting of Shares under the Scheme is due on 1 October 2026 and is subject to usual provisions for malus, clawback and for apportionment or forfeiture in respect of good and bad leavers prior to that date at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee.
The 14 recipients are required to serve a full term of three years with the Remuneration Committee having the power to pro rate on earlier exit where considered appropriate. The typical award is 1 times salary with a range of 0.75 to 2 times. All shares have been allotted at a notional issue price of 50p.
Directors' remuneration for the year ended 30 September 2023
|
|
Salary |
Pension |
Bonus |
Total |
LTIP/Share Plan |
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
Martin Gilbert |
75,379 |
7,538 |
- |
82,917 |
- |
|
Peter McKellar |
65,152 |
6,515 |
- |
71,667 |
- |
|
Campbell Fleming* (resigned effective 30 June 2023) |
89,205 |
8,920 |
- |
98,125 |
- |
|
Gary Marshall* |
125,000 |
12,500 |
- |
137,500 |
- |
|
Jonathan Dawson |
60,000 |
- |
- |
60,000 |
- |
|
Tudor Davies |
55,000 |
- |
- |
55,000 |
- |
|
Christopher Mills |
45,000 |
- |
- |
45,000 |
- |
|
Mark Butcher (resigned effective 31 March 2023) |
25,000 |
- |
- |
25,000 |
- |
* Full time employee.
An IFRS 2 accounting charge of £9,000 was accrued in the year ended 30 September 2023 relating to the portion of the Restricted Share Plan awarded in November 2023 to Gary Marshall.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
For the year ended 30 September 2023
|
|
Note |
2023 £'000 |
RESTATED 2022 £'000 |
|
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
5 |
14,979 |
6,285 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
- |
- |
|
Gross profit |
|
14,979 |
6,285 |
|
Other income |
7 |
2,321 |
2,690 |
|
Provision against doubtful debt |
|
(1,467) |
- |
|
Other administrative expenses |
|
(28,069) |
(20,387) |
|
Total administrative expenses |
8 |
(29,536) |
(20,387) |
|
Other gains / (losses) |
9 |
122 |
(9,732) |
|
Operating (loss) |
10 |
(12,114) |
(21,144) |
|
Gain on bargain purchase |
13 |
- |
3,227 |
|
Finance income |
14 |
74 |
12,393 |
|
Finance costs |
15 |
(510) |
(10) |
|
Finance (loss) / income |
|
(436) |
12,383 |
|
Share of results of associate |
24 |
(352) |
181 |
|
(Loss) before tax |
|
(12,902) |
(5,353) |
|
Income tax credit |
17 |
195 |
59 |
|
(Loss) for the year |
|
(12,707) |
(5,294) |
|
(Loss) attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
Owners of the parent |
|
(12,707) |
(4,479) |
|
Non-controlling interest |
|
- |
- |
|
(Loss) for the period attributable to continuing operations |
|
(12,707) |
(4,480) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
|
(Loss) from discontinued operation (attributable to equity holders of the company) |
6 |
(13,992) |
(4,062) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total (Loss) attributable to the owners of the parent during the year |
|
(26,699) |
(8,542) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations (loss) per ordinary share attributable to the owners of the parent during the year |
|||
|
Basic - pence (restated) |
18 |
(9.06) |
(4.35) |
|
Diluted - pence (restated) |
18 |
(9.06) |
(4.35) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations (loss) per ordinary share attributable to the owners of the parent during the year |
|||
|
Basic - pence (restated) |
18 |
(9.98) |
(3.15) |
|
Diluted - pence (restated) |
18 |
(9.98) |
(3.15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total (Loss) per ordinary share attributable to the owners of the parent during the year |
|||
|
Basic - pence (restated) |
18 |
(19.04) |
(7.50) |
|
Diluted - pence (restated) |
18 |
(19.04) |
(7.50) |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the year ended 30 September 2023
|
|
Note |
2023 £'000 |
Restated 2022 £'000 |
|
(Loss) for the year |
5 |
(26,699) |
(8,542) |
|
Other comprehensive (expense) |
|
|
|
|
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss |
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations |
|
- |
- |
|
Other comprehensive (expense), net of tax |
|
- |
- |
|
Total comprehensive (loss)/ for the year |
|
(26,699) |
(8,542) |
|
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
Owners of the parent |
|
(26,699) |
(7,727) |
|
Non-controlling interests |
|
- |
(815) |
|
Total comprehensive (loss) for the year |
|
(26,699) |
(8,542) |
CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY'S STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 30 September 2023
|
|
Note |
Group 2023 £'000 |
RESTATED Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
RESTATED Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
19 |
98 |
32 |
- |
- |
|
Right-of-use assets |
20 |
1,534 |
224 |
- |
- |
|
Goodwill and intangible assets |
21 |
13,495 |
24,600 |
- |
- |
|
Investments in subsidiaries |
22 |
- |
- |
38,122 |
69,921 |
|
Investment in associates |
24 |
24,626 |
22,765 |
24,797 |
22,584 |
|
Long-term receivables |
25 |
- |
1,208 |
- |
- |
|
Total non-current assets |
|
39,753 |
48,829 |
62,919 |
92,505 |
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables |
26 |
5,807 |
9,700 |
2,502 |
34 |
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss |
27 |
13 |
37 |
- |
- |
|
Current income tax receivable |
30 |
1,159 |
1,173 |
- |
- |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
28 |
25,573 |
43,066 |
3,698 |
7,394 |
|
Total current assets |
|
32,551 |
53,976 |
6,200 |
7,428 |
|
Total assets |
|
72,304 |
102,805 |
69,119 |
99,933 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities |
20 |
950 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
33 |
905 |
1,070 |
- |
- |
|
Total non-current liabilities |
|
1,855 |
1,070 |
- |
- |
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
29 |
14,347 |
12,750 |
13,233 |
5,853 |
|
Lease liabilities |
20 |
697 |
294 |
- |
- |
|
Current income tax liabilities |
30 |
1,465 |
1,437 |
1,437 |
1,437 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
16,507 |
14,481 |
14,670 |
7,290 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
18,362 |
15,551 |
14,670 |
7,290 |
|
Shareholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued share capital |
32 |
1,493 |
1,493 |
1,493 |
1,493 |
|
Share premium |
32 |
209 |
- |
209 |
- |
|
Capital redemption reserve |
32 |
653 |
653 |
653 |
653 |
|
Merger reserve |
32 |
43,063 |
43,063 |
43,063 |
43,063 |
|
Other reserve |
32 |
95 |
- |
95 |
- |
|
Retained earnings |
|
8,429 |
43,139 |
8,936 |
47,434 |
|
|
|
53,942 |
88,348 |
54,449 |
92,643 |
|
Non-controlling interest |
|
- |
(1,094) |
- |
- |
|
Total equity |
|
53,942 |
87,254 |
54,449 |
92,643 |
|
Total equity and liabilities |
|
72,304 |
102,805 |
69,119 |
99,933 |
The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the Company income statement. The loss of the Company for the year was £31,655,000 (Restated 2022: £3,640,000). The notes on pages 55 to 101 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. The financial statements were authorised for issue by the board of directors and were signed on its behalf by Gary Marshall.
Gary Marshall
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
15 March 2024
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended 30 September 2023
|
|
Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
Capital redemption reserve £'000 |
Merger reserve £'000 |
Other reserve £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Non-controlling interest £'000 |
Total equity £'000 |
|
Balance at 1 October 2021 |
843 |
27,770 |
653 |
2,762 |
5,496 |
18,892 |
56,416 |
(279) |
56,137 |
|
Restated loss for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(7,727) |
(7,727) |
(815) |
(8,542) |
|
Other comprehensive expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Restated total comprehensive income for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(7,727) |
(7,727) |
(815) |
(8,542) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued on acquisition (note 32) |
598 |
- |
- |
41,301 |
- |
- |
41,899 |
- |
41,899 |
|
Costs of share issue (note 32) |
- |
- |
- |
(1,000) |
- |
- |
(1,000) |
- |
(1,000) |
|
Share-based payments - LTIP (note 32) |
52 |
4,255 |
- |
- |
(5,496) |
- |
(1,189) |
- |
(1,189) |
|
Share premium cancellation (note 32) |
- |
(32,025) |
- |
- |
- |
32,025 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Shares bought for treasury |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(51) |
(51) |
- |
(51) |
|
Restated balance at 30 September 2022 |
1,493 |
- |
653 |
43,063 |
- |
43,139 |
88,348 |
(1,094) |
87,254 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(26,699) |
(26,699) |
- |
(26,699) |
|
Other comprehensive expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total comprehensive income for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(26,699) |
(26,699) |
- |
(26,699) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCI transfer on sale of Rize ETF Limited |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,094) |
(1,094) |
1,094 |
- |
|
IFRS2 share scheme charge |
- |
- |
- |
- |
95 |
(95) |
- |
- |
- |
|
Shares bought for treasury |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(6,815) |
(6,815) |
- |
(6,815) |
|
Treasury shares used to settle conversion of loan notes (note 32) |
- |
209 |
- |
- |
- |
1,791 |
2,000 |
- |
2,000 |
|
Dividends paid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,798) |
(1,798) |
- |
(1,798) |
|
Balance at 30 September 2023 |
1,493 |
209 |
653 |
43,063 |
95 |
8,429 |
53,942 |
- |
53,942 |
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended 30 September 2023
|
|
Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
Capital redemption reserve £'000 |
Merger reserve £'000 |
Other reserve £'000 |
Profit and loss account £'000 |
Total Equity £'000 |
|
Balance at 1 October 2021 |
843 |
27,770 |
653 |
2,762 |
5,496 |
19,101 |
56,625 |
|
Restated loss for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(3,641) |
(3,641) |
|
Other comprehensive expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Restated total comprehensive income for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(3,641) |
(3,641) |
|
Shares issued on acquisition (note 32) |
598 |
- |
- |
41,301 |
- |
- |
41,899 |
|
Costs of share issue (note 32) |
- |
- |
- |
(1,000) |
- |
- |
(1,000) |
|
Share-based payments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- LTIP (note 32) |
52 |
4,255 |
- |
- |
(5,496) |
- |
(1,189) |
|
Share premium cancellation (note 32) |
- |
(32,025) |
- |
- |
- |
32,025 |
- |
|
Shares bought for treasury |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(51) |
(51) |
|
Restated balance at 30 September 2022 |
1,493 |
- |
653 |
43,063 |
- |
47,434 |
92,643 |
|
Loss for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(31,655) |
(31,655) |
|
Other comprehensive expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total comprehensive income for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(31,655) |
(31,655) |
|
Shares bought for treasury |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(6,836) |
(6,836) |
|
IFRS 2 share scheme charge |
- |
- |
- |
- |
95 |
- |
95 |
|
Treasury shares used to settle conversion of loan notes (note 32) |
- |
209 |
- |
- |
- |
1,791 |
2,000 |
|
Dividends paid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,798) |
(1,798) |
|
Balance at 30 September 2023 |
1,493 |
209 |
653 |
43,063 |
95 |
8,936 |
54,449 |
CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY'S STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 30 September 2023
|
Notes |
Group 2023 £'000 |
RESTATED Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
RESTATED Company 2022 £'000 |
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash (outflow) from continuing operations |
34 |
(11,201) |
(15,070) |
(270) |
(9,345) |
|
Corporation tax paid |
|
(137) |
(31) |
- |
- |
|
Finance costs |
15 |
- |
(10) |
- |
- |
|
Net cash (outflow) from Continuing Operations |
|
(11,338) |
(15,111) |
(270) |
- |
|
Net cash inflow / (outflow) from Discontinued Operations |
|
266 |
(3,247) |
- |
- |
|
Net cash (outflow) from total operations |
|
(11,072) |
(18,358) |
(270) |
(9,345) |
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash received from acquisitions |
23 |
2,801 |
42,148 |
- |
(1,001) |
|
Payments for acquisition of associates |
24 |
- |
(21,871) |
- |
(21,871) |
|
Interest on loan notes held in associate |
7 |
- |
1,977 |
- |
1,977 |
|
Dividends received from financial assets held at fair value |
14 |
- |
11,459 |
5,000 |
11,459 |
|
Finance income |
14 |
74 |
974 |
- |
- |
|
Finance costs |
15 |
(14) |
- |
- |
- |
|
Proceeds from sale of investment at fair value through profit and loss |
|
24 |
1,017 |
- |
- |
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
19 |
(114) |
(15) |
- |
- |
|
Purchase of intangibles |
21 |
- |
(12) |
- |
- |
|
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities |
|
2,771 |
35,677 |
5,000 |
(9,436) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued for cash |
32 |
209 |
- |
209 |
- |
|
Costs of share issue |
32 |
- |
(1,000) |
|
(1,000) |
|
Dividends paid |
32 |
(1,798) |
|
(1,798) |
|
|
Lease payments |
|
(630) |
(104) |
- |
- |
|
Loan from group company |
|
- |
- |
|
5,000 |
|
Payments for treasury shares |
|
(6,837) |
(51) |
(6,837) |
(51) |
|
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities |
|
(9,056) |
(1,155) |
(8,426) |
3,949 |
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(17,357) |
16,164 |
(3,696) |
(14,832) |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
|
43,066 |
26,902 |
7,394 |
22,226 |
|
Exchange differences on translation |
|
(136) |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
28 |
25,573 |
43,066 |
3,698 |
7,394 |
NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 30 September 2023
General information and basis of presentation
AssetCo Plc ("AssetCo" or the "Company") is the Parent Company of a group of companies ("the Group") which offers a range of investment services to private and institutional investors. The Company is a public limited company, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and is listed on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange. The address of its registered office is 30 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AL.
The audited preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the Group's accounting policies as disclosed in the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2023 and international accounting standards ('IFRS'), and the applicable legal requirements of the Companies Act 2006. This preliminary announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 15 March 2024. The preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year to 30 September 2022 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The audit report for those accounts was unqualified and did not contain statements under 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006 and did not contain any emphasis of matter.
Certain statements in this announcement constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement in this announcement that is not a statement of historical fact including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future expectations, operations, financial performance, financial condition and business is a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, amongst other factors, changing economic, financial, business or other market conditions. These and other factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described in this announcement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update its view of such risks and uncertainties or to update the forward-looking statements contained herein. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.
While the financial information included in this preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRSs.
A notice convening the annual general meeting for 24 April 2024 at 10:00 a.m. will be posted to shareholders in due course.
This Preliminary Announcement is available on the Company's website www.assetco.com. News updates, regulatory news and financial statements can be viewed and downloaded from the company's website, www.assetco.com. Copies can also be requested, in writing, from The Company Secretary, AssetCo plc, 30 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5AL. The Company is not proposing to bulk print and distribute hard copies of the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2023 unless specifically requested by individual shareholders; it will be available for download from the Company's website.
1. Legal Status and Activities
AssetCo Plc ("AssetCo" or the "Company") is the Parent Company of a group of companies ("the Group") which offers a range of investment services to private and institutional investors. The Company is a public limited company, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and is listed on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange. The address of its registered office is 30 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AL.
The financial statements have been presented in sterling to the nearest thousand pounds (£000) except where otherwise indicated.
These financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 15 March 2024.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, which have been applied consistently with those applied in the previous year, are set out below.
a. Basis of preparation
The financial statements comply with AIM Rules and have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards. The financial statements are prepared using the historical cost convention modified by revaluation of financial assets and financial liabilities held at fair value through profit and loss. The accounting policies which follow set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2023.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenue and expenses during the year. The nature of estimation means the actual outcomes may differ from the estimates. Further details on the critical accounting estimates used and judgements made in preparing these financial statements can be found in note 4.
NEW AND AMENDED STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE COMPANY AND GROUP
There have been no new adoptions in the year.
NEW STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS NOT YET ADOPTED
Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for 30 September 2023 reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the Company or the Group, including changes to IAS 1 (Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current) and IAS 12 (Deferred tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a single transaction)These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Group or Company in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.
GOING CONCERN
The Group is currently loss making, albeit with a trajectory that evidences improving operational losses over time and which affords a pathway to profitability. Against this background, the Directors have given careful consideration to the going concern assumption on which the Group's accounts have been prepared. Having carefully considered the Group's operational and regulatory requirements, the Directors have concluded that the Group has adequate financial resources to continue operating for the 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements. On that basis the Directors have continued to adopt the Going Concern basis of accounting in preparing the consolidated Group and Company accounts.
As part of this review, the Directors have prepared projections rolling forward more than two years from the date of signing for the Company and Group under several scenarios from growth to stressed environments. The latter includes a fall of 30% in assets under management over the 2024 financial year. Those projections were subject to challenge and review to ensure that appropriate stresses were applied to the projections with key drivers to the stress scenarios taking account of the principal risks and uncertainties identified in the Risk Management section of the Strategic Report on page 14. For the purpose of this assessment, management made conservative assumptions regarding future growth, assuming both nil growth and further reductions in revenue. The ability to achieve cost saving measures and the reasonableness of the stress testing applied was considered in the light of those assumptions. Sensitivity analysis and modelling to take account of specific one-off risks to the Group and Company was undertaken in line with the principal risks and uncertainties.
In the event that profitability is not achieved, there will be an increased risk to the going concern assessment in subsequent reporting periods. The risk should be considered in the context that the Group has no external debt and had net cash at 31 January 2024 of £12.6m. The Group is required to hold a minimum level of regulatory capital together with a buffer of at least a 10% at all times.
The Directors also acknowledge less resilience within the Group to one-off shocks and macroeconomic events while losses continue. Principal risks and uncertainties are set out in the Strategic Report on page 15. Current initiatives, outlined in the Chairman's Statement and Business Review, will deliver further cost savings and the Directors are committed to additional cost saving initiatives as necessary to respond to future business developments. Should there be a need for additional capital, the directors have the option of seeking to raise additional capital, of considering potential partnerships or of re-structuring the business. AssetCo also has a structured 30% equity interest in Parmenion. An independent valuation concluded that AssetCo's equity interest had a value of between £75 and 90m (or 53p to 64p per share) at that time (end August 2023).
b. Principles of Consolidation and Equity Accounting
SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity where the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.
The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for business combinations by the Group (note 23).
Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated, unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.
Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and balance sheet respectively.
CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS
The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of the Group. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interests and any consideration paid or received is recognised in a separate reserve within equity attributable to owners of AssetCo plc.
INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control or joint control. This is generally the case where the Group holds between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting where the investments are initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognise the Group's share of post-acquisition profits or losses of the investee in profit or loss, and the Group's share of movements in other comprehensive income of the investee in other comprehensive income. Dividends received from associates are recognised as a reduction in the carrying value of the investment. The Company recognises the holding in associates at cost.
The Company and Group recognises interest received on loan instruments held in the investee company as other income. The Group holds loan notes in the corporate owner of its associate, Parmenion. These loan notes carry a coupon of 10%. The accounting for this interest is set out in note 7. There are no repayment dates for the loan notes until 2050 and the Group carries the loans at amortised cost.
ACCOUNTING POLICY CHOICE FOR NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
The Group recognises non-controlling interests in an acquired entity either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the acquired entity's net identifiable assets. This decision is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis. For the non-controlling interests in Rize ETF Limited, the Group elected to recognise the non-controlling interests at the proportionate basis of the acquired net identifiable assets. See note 2 for the Group's accounting policies for business combinations.
c. Revenue Recognition
IFRS 15 specifies the requirements that an entity must apply in order to measure and recognise revenue and its related cash flows. The core principle of the standard is that an entity should recognise revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer.
The standard includes a five-step model for recognising revenue as follows: Identifying the contract with the customer; identifying the relevant performance obligations of the contract; determining the amount of consideration to be received under the contract; allocating the consideration to the relevant performance obligation; and accounting for the revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied.
The Group's primary source of income is made up as follows:
MANAGEMENT FEES
Gross management fees from investment management activities. These fees are generally based on an agreed percentage, as per the management contract, of the AuM and are recognised in the same period in which it is provided. Under the requirements of IFRS 15 revenue is presented net of rebates.
MARKETING FEES
Marketing fees are from marketing thematic ETFs. These marketing fees are generally based on an agreed percentage, as per the contract, of the AuM and are recognised in the same period in which it is provided. Services are provided to the Manager of the ETF funds as a Marketing Agent for the funds and as such recognised at the time that services are provided.
For all revenue streams, the Group acts as principal and therefore recognises revenue gross with any related expenses presented in Administrative expenses.
The Group had four segments for the year ended 30 September 2023; Active Equities, Infrastructure Asset Management, Exchange Traded Funds and Digital Platform. Whilst revenue is generated in each of the first three segments, with regard to AuM in the Active Equities and Infrastructure Asset Management segments, the assets are managed by the Group. In Exchange Traded Funds, the Group does not take part in the management as our focus is on providing clients with access to the funds in particular themed sectors. The Digital Platform is operated via an associated company.
d. Other Items in the Income Statement Cost of Sales
Cost of sales in the prior year income statement included those costs directly related to creating and maintaining Exchange Traded Funds which were principally staff costs and marketing costs. In the current year income statement these costs have been included within administrative expenses to align with the classification of similar costs within the Group.
Other income
Other income consists primarily of interest on loan notes held in associate.
Other gains or losses
The Group includes in this heading those items such as movement on fair value investments.
Exceptional Items
Exceptional items are those items which are outside the normal course of business, whether income or cost, which are material by nature or amount and which are not expected to recur. Specific costs included are; one-off redundancy costs relating to the Group's restructuring plans, specific one-off retention bonuses issued by River and Mercantile Group PLC prior to its acquisition and a one-off provision with regards to the infrastructure business.
e. Foreign Currency Translation
Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Company's businesses are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ("the functional currency"). The financial statements are presented in sterling (£), which is the Company's and the Group's functional and presentation currency. There has been no change in the Company's functional or presentation currency during the year under review.
Foreign operations translation
The financial statements are prepared in sterling. Income statements of foreign operations are translated into sterling at the average exchange rates for the year and balance sheets are translated into sterling at the exchange rate ruling on the balance sheet date. Foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from such translation are recognised through other comprehensive income.
Other transactions and balances
Other foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, other than those held in foreign operations, are recognised in the income statement.
f. Segment Reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the board of directors.
g. Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill is measured as described in note 23 Business Combinations. Goodwill arising on acquisition of subsidiaries is not amortised but it is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains on the bargain purchase of an entity, where the purchase consideration is less than the fair value of net assets acquired, is taken to the income statement at the time of acquisition. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.
Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose. The units or groups of units are identified at the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes, being the legal entity (note 21).
Brands
Separately acquired brands are shown at historical cost. Brands acquired in a business combination are recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. They have a finite useful life and are subsequently carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.
Amortisation on assets is calculated using the straight-line method to write down their cost to their residual values over their estimated useful lives over 5 - 10 years.
Software
Costs incurred on internally developed computer software are initially recognised at cost, and when the software is available for use, the costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of between two and five years. Initial research costs and planning prior to a decision to proceed with development of software are recognised in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income when incurred on acquisition.
Customer relationships
Intangible assets are recognised where client relationship contracts are either separately acquired or acquired with investment managers who are employed by the Group. These are initially recognised at cost and are subsequently amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic life. Separately acquired client relationship contracts are amortised over 11 years.
Website development
Development costs payable to third parties that are directly attributable to the design and testing of new features of websites used by Group companies are capitalised. No internal costs in relation to website development are capitalised. Capitalised development costs are recorded as intangible assets and amortised from the point at which the asset is ready for use.
Amortisation on website development costs is calculated using the straight-line method to write down their cost to their residual values over their estimated useful lives over a maximum of 10 years.
Costs associated with maintaining software programmes are recognised as an expense as incurred.
h. Financial Instruments
Financial assets
Investments and other financial assets
Classification
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:
• those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income or through profit or loss); and
• those to be measured at amortised cost.
The classification depends on the Company's business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will be recorded either in profit or loss or in other comprehensive income.
For investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, this will depend on whether the Group has made an irrevocable election at the time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).
Recognition and de-recognition
Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on trade date being the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset). Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.
Measurement
At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVPL are expensed in profit or loss.
Equity instruments
The Group subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. Where the group's management has elected to present fair value gains and losses on equity investments in OCI, there is no subsequent reclassification of
fair value gains and losses to profit or loss following the de-recognition of the investment. Dividends from such investments continue to be recognised in profit or loss as investment income when the group's right to receive payments is established.
Changes in the fair value of financial assets at FVPL are recognised in investment income in the statement of profit or loss as applicable. Impairment losses (and reversal of impairment losses) on equity investments measured at FVOCI are not reported separately from other changes in fair value.
Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
The Group has applied the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses for trade receivables. Under this approach a provision is made for lifetime expected credit losses for the trade receivable. For calculation of expected credit losses the trade receivables are grouped based on the number of days past due. Expected credit losses on trade receivables that are not past due are primarily based on actual credit losses from recent years.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held on call with banks..
Financial liabilities
A financial liability is any liability that is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another entity under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the Company.
An equity instrument is a contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. Financial liabilities are classified as such in the balance sheet.
Finance costs and gains or losses relating to financial liabilities are included in the income statement. Finance costs are calculated so as to produce a constant rate of return on the outstanding liability. Where the contractual terms of share capital do not have any terms meeting the definition of a financial liability then this is classed as an equity instrument. Dividends and distributions relating to equity instruments are debited direct to equity.
Trade payables
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Trade payables represent amounts owed to suppliers for professional services, utilities, office supplies and any other goods provided to the Group.
i. Equity
Issued share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
Share premium
The share premium account represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration received for equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue.
Purchase of own shares
Where the Company purchases the Company's equity instruments (for example, as the result of a share buy- back), and the shares are cancelled, the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes), is deducted from equity attributable to the owners of AssetCo plc and the relevant amount transferred to a capital redemption reserve.
Where the Company purchases the Company's equity instruments for the purpose of holding them as treasury shares then the amount is transferred to retained earnings. Any incidental costs arising on purchase of Treasury shares are recognised in the profit and loss account immediately.
On 28 September 2022 the Company was granted authority by shareholders to purchase up to 10% of the outstanding ordinary shares in the Company. By 30 September 2023 the Company has held 8,283,027 (2022: 72,941) shares with a nominal value of £82,830 (2022: £729) for an aggregate consideration of £4,887,995 (2022: 50,968).
Merger Reserve
A merger reserve arises when the Company issues equity in respect of acquiring substantially all the equity in another entity. As required by the Companies Act 2006 the excess over the par value of the shares is credited to Merger Reserve rather than Share Premium.
Other Reserves
Other reserves represent the amount of share capital which may become issuable when shares vest under the Company's LTIP (see note 36). This reserve is no longer required now that the LTIP has been discontinued.
j. Dividends
Dividends payable are recognised as a liability in the year in which they are authorised. An interim dividend is recognised when it is approved and paid and a final dividend is recognised when it has been approved by shareholders at the annual general meeting. Dividends receivable are recognised on the date given by the investee company as the ex- dividend date.
k. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing:
• the profit attributable to owners of the Company, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares;
• by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the year and excluding treasury shares
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account:
• the after-income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares; and
• the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding, assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.
l. Leases
Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:
• Fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;
• Variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;
• Amounts expected to be payable by the Company under residual value guarantees;
• The exercise price of a purchase option if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and
• Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Company exercising that option.
Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the liability.
The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee's incremental borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions.
Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:
• The amount of the initial measurement of lease liability;
• Any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;
• Any initial direct costs; and
• Restoration costs.
Right-of-use assets are generally depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis. If the Company is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, the right-of-use asset is depreciated over the underlying asset's useful life.
Payments associated with short-term leases of equipment and vehicles and all leases of low-value assets are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.
The main leasing activities undertaken by the Company are rental of office buildings in the UK.
m. Business Combinations
The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for all business combinations, regardless of whether equity instruments or other assets are acquired. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary comprises the:
• fair values of the assets transferred;
• liabilities incurred to the former owners of the acquired business;
• equity interests issued by the Group;
• fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement; and
• fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the subsidiary.
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are, with limited exceptions, measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the acquired entity's net identifiable assets.
Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The excess of the:
• consideration transferred;
• amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity; and
• acquisition date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquired entity over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If those amounts are less than the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the business acquired, the difference is recognised directly in profit or loss as a bargain purchase.
Where settlement of any part of cash consideration is deferred, the amounts payable in the future are discounted to their present value as at the date of exchange. The discount rate used is the entity's incremental borrowing rate, being the rate at which a similar borrowing could be obtained from an independent financier under comparable terms and conditions.
Contingent consideration is classified either as equity or as a financial liability. Amounts classified as a financial liability are subsequently re-measured to fair value, with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.
If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of the acquirer's previously held equity interest in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date. Any gains or losses arising from such re-measurement are recognised in profit or loss.
n. Property, Plant and Equipment
All property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.
Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of any replaced parts is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial year in which they are incurred.
Depreciation on assets is calculated using the straight-line method to write down their cost to their residual values over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Leasehold improvements Remaining life of the lease
Fixtures and fittings 3 - 5 years
Computer equipment 5 years
The residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.
An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised within operating profit in the income statement.
o. Income Taxes
The income tax expense or credit for the period is the tax payable on the current period's taxable income, based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences and to unused tax losses.
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period in the countries where the Company and its subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation and considers whether it is probable that a taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment. The Group measures its tax balances either based on the most likely amount or the expected value, depending on which method provides a better prediction of the resolution of the uncertainty. As mentioned in note 4a Critical accounting estimates the position in respect of the Company's 2022 tax liability is uncertain and whilst a range of outcomes is possible, the maximum possible tax payable would be £3,437,000 being £2,000,000 more than currently recognised. At a minimum tax payable could be £nil resulting in a reduction in liabilities of up to £1,437,000.
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred income tax is also not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting nor taxable profit nor loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the end of the reporting period and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.
Deferred tax assets are recognised only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and where the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority.
Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively, that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.
p. Employee Benefits
Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP")
The Group operated an LTIP until 5 July 2022 at which date it was cancelled, full details of which are set out in Note 36.
RESTRICTED SHARE PLAN ("RSP")
After the balance sheet date on 7 November 2023 certain employees were granted an award that vests over 3 years. Due to conditions that existed in the year, the charge for the RSP has commenced in the current financial year and will be spread over the life of the award.
Pension contributions - defined contribution scheme
For defined contribution schemes, the Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. Contributions to defined contribution schemes are recognised in the income statement during the year in which they become payable.
q. Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when an employment is terminated by the Group before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Group recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to either terminating the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of withdrawal or providing termination benefits as a result of acceptance of an offer of voluntary redundancy. Benefits falling due more than twelve months after the balance sheet date are discounted to their present value.
r. Accrued Income
Material income earned from, but not yet invoiced to, customers in the financial year is included within prepayments and accrued income where receipt of such income is virtually certain.
s. Deffered Income
Deferred income arises when cash from customers is received in advance of the year in which the Company is contractually obliged to provide its service. Such income is held within accruals and deferred income and only released to the income statement when the Company has met its related obligations.
3. Financial Risk Management
a. Financial Risk Factors
The risks of the business are measured and monitored continuously by the Board which has in place procedures and policies covering specific areas namely credit, market and liquidity risk. We set out below how we approach each area.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty defaults on their contractual obligations which may result in financial loss to the Group. The Group holds no collateral as security against any financial asset. Credit risk arises principally from the Group's fee receivables, other receivables, loan notes and cash balances.
The banks with whom the Group deposits cash and cash equivalent balances are monitored, including their credit ratings. The credit risk is limited as balances are held with reputable banks with credit ratings of triple B and above, as disclosed in note 28.
The Group manages its credit risk through monitoring the aging of receivables and the credit quality of the counterparties with which it does business. The ageing of these is provided in note 31.
The Group has two main types of receivables: revenue related and loan notes in respect of its investment in associate. For revenue receivables, the Group proactively manages the invoicing process to ensure that invoices are sent out on a timely basis and has procedures in place to chase for payment at pre-determined times after the dispatch of the invoice to ensure timely settlement. For receivables due from loan notes in respect of its investment in associate, the Group has rigorous procedures for monitoring its investment which included regular review of monthly management accounts from the associated entity and regular dialogue with that entity's management.
There is no schedule of repayment in place. In all cases, detailed escalation procedures are in place to ensure that senior management are aware of any problems at an early stage.
Market risk Pricing risk
Pricing risk arises where the fair value or future cash flows of financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in market prices other than those from interest rate risk or currency risk. The Group is at an early stage in its development of an Asset and Wealth Management business and the current exposure to pricing risk is immaterial.
Currency risk
The Company and Group transacts principally in sterling. The Company's and Group's exposure to currency risk is detailed in note 31.
In relation to translation risk, the Group's current policy is not to hedge the net asset values of the overseas investments although, where appropriate and cost-effective facilities are available, local borrowings are utilised to reduce the translation risk.
Cash flow interest rate risk
The Group's policy on managing interest rate risk is subject to regular monitoring of the effect of potential changes in interest rates on its interest cost and income with a view to taking suitable actions should exposure reach certain levels. The Group may seek to limit its exposure to fluctuating interest rates by keeping a significant proportion of the Group's cash or borrowings at fixed interest rates.
The Group's only external borrowing is the lease on its properties where the interest rate is fixed for the life of the agreement so there is no sensitivity to interest rate rises. As regards interest income the Group is able to invest surplus funds and any interest rate increase will be beneficial.
Financial assets
The Company holds its surplus funds in short-term bank deposits.
Financial liabilities
The Group has no material cash flow interest rate risk as it has no material financial liabilities that attract interest. Should this situation change then the Group may manage the risk by using floating or fixed interest rate swaps.
Liquidity risk
Prudent liquidity management implies maintaining sufficient cash and the availability of funding through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities. The Group maintains adequate bank balances to fund its operations. See note 31 for analysis of the Group's financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the year-end date to the contractual maturity date.
b. Capital Risk Management
The Group considers its capital to comprise:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
RESTATED 2022 £'000 |
|
Issued share capital |
1,493 |
1,493 |
|
Share premium account |
209 |
- |
|
Capital redemption reserve |
653 |
653 |
|
Merger reserve |
43,063 |
43,063 |
|
Other reserve |
95 |
- |
|
Retained earnings |
8,430 |
43,139 |
|
|
53,943 |
88,348 |
|
Non-controlling interest |
- |
(1,094) |
|
Total equity |
53,943 |
87,254 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
(25,573) |
(43,066) |
|
Total equity less Cash and cash equivalents |
28,370 |
44,188 |
|
|
|
|
The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Group is not subject to externally impaired capital requirements.
The Group owns subsidiary companies which are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and these businesses are subject to regulatory capital thresholds. The Group's internal compliance and finance departments in these businesses regularly monitor and report to FCA to ensure the business complies with the capital thresholds which apply to them.
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.
4. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. This note provides an overview of the areas that involved a higher degree of judgement or complexity, and of items which are more likely to be materially adjusted due to estimates and assumptions turning out to be wrong.
a. Significant estimates
Valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets
Determining the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets arising from a business combination under IFRS 3 contains elements of judgement The Group has acquired customer relationships, acquired brands and computer software included within intangible assets as part of the business combinations. The valuation methodology and key assumptions in respect of the valuation of these intangible assets can be found in Note 21.
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets and recoverability of Company's investment in subsidiaries
The recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets arising on acquisitions and the impairment assessments contain significant accounting estimates. Goodwill is carried at cost less provision for impairment, the carrying value is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if any indicators arise. Other intangible assets are amortised over their useful economic life and are assessed for impairment when there is an indication that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test of goodwill and other intangible assets includes key assumptions underlying the recoverable amounts, the growth rates applied to the future cash flows and the Group's discount rate. Note 21 sets out the estimates used and the sensitivity changes in the key assumptions.
Estimation of current tax payable and current tax expense in relation to an uncertain tax position
The Group's corporation tax provision for the prior year of £1,442,000 relates to management's assessment of the amount of tax payable on open positions where the liabilities remain to be agreed with relevant tax authorities - principally due to the Grant Thornton litigation which concluded in 2021. Uncertain tax items for which a provision of £1,437,000 is made relates principally to the interpretation applicable to arrangements entered into by the Group including the application of carried forward losses before 1 April 2017 driven from HMRC guidance on this matter. Due to uncertainty associated with such tax items, it is possible that, on conclusion of open tax matters at a future date, the final outcome may differ significantly. Whilst a range of outcomes is possible, the maximum possible tax payable would be £3,437,000 being £2,000,000 more than currently recognised. At a minimum tax payable could be £nil resulting in a reduction in liabilities of up to £1,437,000.
b. Significant judgements
Accounting for subsidiaries
During the year AssetCo sold its shareholding in Rize ETF Limited.
AssetCo held 68% of the equity of Rize ETF Limited. Whilst the founders of the business had a material stake (which could be increased by 5% percentage points in the event of a sales "trigger" being met) there was in place a comprehensive shareholder agreement which conferred considerable control to the Group via the appointment of Board representation and the way in which key matters had to be agreed, including the ability to block resolutions as well as voting patterns and economic dependency. Accordingly we believe it was appropriate to account for Rize as a subsidiary entity.
At the year-end Rize ETF Limited was considered sold and no longer owned by the Group.
Recoverability of receivables
Advanced drawings and specific other balances in relation to members of a partnership within the Group are held on the balance sheet as receivables until there are accumulated profits to distribute to the members. Judgement is required to assess the likelihood of recoverability of these receivables. At 30 September 2023 the Group has taken a provision of £1,467,000 against these receivables.
The Board do not consider that any other critical judgements have been made in preparing the financial statements which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to be made to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
Going concern assumptions
Inputs, including stresses, management actions and forecasting all require significant judgement in concluding on going concern. These have been set out in more detail in the basis of preparation note on page 56.
Discontinued Operations
During the year the Group sold two separate operations classified as Discontinued Operations under IFRS 5. These were for the sale of River and Mercantile Asset Management LLC and Rize ETF Limited. River and Mercantile Asset Management LLC represented a specific geographic area of business for the Group (being the USA) and Rize ETF Limited represented a major line of business for the Group. Both sales completed within the year ended 30 September 2023 and so qualify as discontinued operations under the standard.
HELD FOR SALE ASSETS
No assets were classified as held for sale by the Group as at 30 September 2023. As noted in the post balance sheet subsequent events note 37; as at 30 September 2023 the Group held two businesses which were identified as potential targets for disposal; The Infrastructure business (under entities; River and Mercantile Infrastructure LLP and River and Mercantile Infrastructure GP S.a r.l.) and Saracen Asset Managers Limited.
An analysis of these operations under IFRS 5 was conducted, in both cases that at 30 September 2023 there was not enough certainty about the proposed transactions to classify them as held for sale under IFRS 5. In addition, for Saracen Asset Managers Limited, the operating activity of the entity was expected to be retained by the Group meaning that its identification as a discontinued operation and subsequent removal from the face of the Financial Statements would not be representative of the continuing operations of the Group.
5. Segmental Reporting
The core principle of IFRS 8 'Operating segments' is to require an entity to disclose information that enables users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business activities in which the entity engages and the economic environments in which it operates.
Segment information has historically been presented in respect of the Group's commercial competencies, Active equities, Infrastructure asset management, Exchange Traded Funds and its investment in Digital Platforms.
Active equities comprise RMG, Saracen and Revera; Infrastructure Asset Management is the non-equities investment arm of RMG; Exchange Traded Funds is Rize ETF and Digital Platforms represents the Group's investment in the associated company, Parmenion.
The Directors consider that the chief operating decision maker is the Board. Head Office segment comprises the Group Board's management and associated costs and consolidation adjustments and for 2022 includes the UAE business.
Intra-segment transactions are disclosed on the face of the segmental report. The amounts provided to the Board with respect to net assets are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial statements. The Company is domiciled in the UK.
Changes to segmental reporting
By 30 September 2023 the US business has been sold alongside Rize ETF Limited. During the 2023 financial year the UAE did not generate any revenue and only incurred administrative costs.
Consequently the US business is now presented as a Discontinued Operation for the purposes of Segmental reporting. Additionally the Exchange Traded Funds segment (fully encompassed by the now sold Rize ETF Limited) has also been moved to Discontinued Operations. Additionally, depreciation and amortisation have been removed from the segmental reporting for the year ended 30 September 2023 as management no longer places reliance on its analysis at segmental level.
Further detail of these Discontinued Operations can be found in note 6.
Geographical analysis of Revenue for Consolidated Group
For the year ended 30 September 2023
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
UK |
16,536 |
6,905 |
|
US |
186 |
1,270 |
|
|
16,722 |
8,175 |
ANALYSIS OF REVENUE AND RESULTS BY COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
For the year ended 30 September 2023
|
|
Active equities £'000 |
Infrastructure asset management £'000 |
Digital platform £'000 |
Head office £'000 |
Discontinued Operations £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees |
14,419 |
560 |
- |
- |
186 |
15,165 |
|
Marketing fees |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,557 |
1,557 |
|
Total revenue to external customers |
14,419 |
560 |
- |
- |
1,743 |
16,722 |
|
Segment result |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss)/profit |
(9,415) |
(2,413) |
- |
(2,500) |
(2,832) |
(17,160) |
|
Finance income |
75 |
- |
- |
2,213 |
(6) |
2,282 |
|
Finance costs |
(450) |
- |
- |
(60) |
6 |
(504) |
|
(Loss) on sale of subsidiary |
|
|
|
- |
(11,160) |
(11,160) |
|
Share of result of associate |
- |
- |
(352) |
- |
- |
(352) |
|
(Loss)/profit before tax |
(9,790) |
(2,413) |
(352) |
(347) |
(13,992) |
(26,894) |
|
Income tax |
19 |
(11) |
- |
187 |
- |
195 |
|
(Loss)/profit for the year |
(9,771) |
(2,424) |
(352) |
(160) |
(13,992) |
(26,699) |
|
Segment assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
40,456 |
173 |
- |
31,675 |
- |
72,304 |
|
Total liabilities |
(8,039) |
(1,013) |
- |
(9,310) |
- |
(18,362) |
|
Total net assets |
32,417 |
(840) |
- |
22,365 |
- |
53,942 |
ANALYSIS OF REVENUE AND RESULTS BY COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
For the year ended 30 September 2022
|
|
Active equities £'000 |
Infrastructure asset management £'000 |
Exchange traded funds £'000 |
Digital platform £'000 |
Head office £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees |
6,372 |
79 |
- |
- |
- |
6,451 |
|
Marketing fees |
- |
- |
1,724 |
- |
- |
1,724 |
|
Total revenue to external customers |
6,372 |
79 |
1,724 |
- |
- |
8,175 |
|
Segment result |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit/(loss) |
(7,124) |
(151) |
(2,794) |
- |
(15,076) |
(25,145) |
|
Gain on bargain purchase |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3,940 |
3,940 |
|
Finance income |
974 |
- |
- |
- |
11,459 |
12,433 |
|
Finance costs |
(10) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(10) |
|
Share of result of associate |
- |
- |
- |
181 |
- |
181 |
|
(Loss)/profit before tax |
(6,160) |
(151) |
(2,794) |
181 |
323 |
(8,601) |
|
Income tax |
59 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
59 |
|
(Loss)/profit for the year |
(6,101) |
(151) |
(2,794) |
181 |
323 |
(8,542) |
|
Segment assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
56,826 |
1,706 |
19,324 |
- |
24,949 |
102,805 |
|
Total liabilities |
(12,157) |
(678) |
(461) |
- |
(2,255) |
(15,551) |
|
Total net assets |
44,669 |
1,028 |
18,863 |
- |
22,694 |
87,254 |
6. Discontinued Operations
Within the year ended 30 September 2023 two businesses were sold and have been classified as Discontinued Operations under IFRS 5. These are River and Mercantile Asset Management LLC and Rize ETF Limited.
Under these standards the Discontinued Operations have been separately identified on the face of the Financial Statements and have instead been disclosed below to help the users of the accounts better understand the continuing operations of the Group.
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
River and Mercantile Asset Management LLC |
(470) |
(453) |
|
Rize ETF Limited |
(2,362) |
(2,794) |
|
Loss on disposal |
(11,160) |
- |
|
(Loss) from discontinued operation (attributable to equity holders of the company) |
(13,992) |
(3,247) |
|
Non-controlling interest |
- |
(815) |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating cashflows |
|
|
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
River and Mercantile Asset Management LLC |
(1,149) |
(453) |
|
Rize ETF Limited |
(2,286) |
(2,794) |
|
Operating cash (outflow) from Discontinued Operations |
(3,435) |
(3,247) |
River and Mercantile Asset Management LLC
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Management fees |
186 |
166 |
|
Total revenue to external customers |
186 |
166 |
|
Operating expenses |
(656) |
(659) |
|
Operating profit/(loss) |
(470) |
(493) |
|
Finance income |
- |
40 |
|
(Loss)/profit before tax |
(470) |
(453) |
|
Income tax |
- |
- |
|
(Loss)/profit for the year |
(470) |
(453) |
Rize ETF Limited
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
Marketing fees |
1,635 |
1,724 |
|
Total revenue to external customers |
1,635 |
1,724 |
|
Operating expenses |
(3,997) |
(4,518) |
|
Operating profit/(loss) |
(2,362) |
(2,794) |
|
(Loss)/profit before tax |
(2,362) |
(2,794) |
|
Income tax |
- |
- |
|
(Loss)/profit for the year |
(2,362) |
(2,794) |
Disposal costs
The disposal of River and Mercantile Asset Management LLC ("LLC") and Rize ETF Limited ("Rize") resulted in a net loss totalling £11,160,000. This is broken down as follows:
|
|
LLC £'000 |
Rize £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Fair value of consideration received |
440 |
4,779 |
5,219 |
|
Impairment of existing intangible assets |
- |
(16,924) |
(16,924) |
|
Disposal of net assets/(liabilities) on sale |
(99) |
644 |
545 |
|
Total gain / (loss) on disposal |
341 |
(11,501) |
(11,160) |
The deferred consideration for the LLC constitutes an agreed percentage of future revenues up to 30 June 2025 estimated at $139,000 before discount.
The deferred consideration for Rize includes both a cash and earn-out element. Given the uncertainty and lack of Group control over the ability to earn a consideration on the earn-out element, no value has been ascribed to this. In addition, there was a deferred cash element of £2,650,000 payable 18 months from completion. This has been discounted present value using a rate of 14.65%.
7. Other Income
|
|
2023 £'000 |
RESTATED 2022 £'000 |
|
Interest on loan notes held in associate |
2,214 |
2,690 |
|
Other income |
107 |
- |
|
Total other income |
2,321 |
2,690 |
Interest on loan notes held in associate
As set out in note 24 the Group has acquired a 30% equity interest in Parmenion Capital Partners LLP via a corporate entity, Shillay TopCo Limited. A large part of the Group's total investment is held by way of loan notes.
During the financial year the Group recognised £2,214,000 of interest on those loan notes and this is reflected in other income.
Prior Year Restatement
Interest on loan notes held for the year ended 30 September 2022 has been restated. The income previously presented was £1,977,000. This was equal to the interest earned and received in cash by Shillay TopCo Limited in the year. The Directors have restated this figure to reflect accrued interest earned but not received.
The impact of this restatement is an additional £713,000 which has been recognised in the prior year relating to interest accrued for, but which had not yet been received in either cash or payment in kind loan notes. This has had the effect of increasing profit and investments in associates by £713,000 for the 2022 year.
As at 30 September 2023 interest is fully accrued up to that date. The restatement has not affected the 2023 figures.
8. Administrative expenses and exceptional items
Included with administrative expenses are exceptional items as shown below:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Restructuring costs |
2,967 |
3,196 |
|
Provision against doubtful debt |
1,467 |
- |
|
Costs of re-admission to AIM |
- |
671 |
|
Exceptional items |
4,434 |
3,867 |
|
Acquisition costs |
152 |
1,116 |
|
Disposal Costs Rize and LLC |
201 |
- |
|
Share-based payment expense and social security |
104 |
3,250 |
|
Other administrative expenses |
24,645 |
12,154 |
|
Total administrative expenses |
29,536 |
20,387 |
Restructuring costs include, salaries of employees being made redundant from the point of notice of redundancy, severance costs, costs associated with the implementation of the new target operating model and guaranteed bonuses awarded by River and Mercantile Group PLC ("RMG") prior to its acquisition (the final tranche of these bonuses will vest in January 2024). The provision against doubtful debt is against the receivables due from the Partners of the Infrastructure business, repayable through future profits. As noted in the Chairmans Statement and note 37 the Group has entered talks to transfer its interest in the Infrastructure business to the partners.
The Group has twice had to apply for re-admission to AIM; once in April 2021 when shareholders were asked to approve the change in strategy to asset and wealth management, and again in June 2022 given the nature and scale of the acquisition of RMG. These significant costs are in relation to those exercises and were required because of the unusual nature of the change in strategy and the relative size of AssetCo compared to the acquisition target. Our strategy is now settled and, with the completion of the acquisition of RMG, AssetCo is at a scale where re-admission in order to complete an acquisition is less likely so the Directors consider that costs such as this are not likely to recur.
A further breakdown of administrative costs has been provided below to show staff costs, amortisation and depreciation:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Staff costs (note 12) |
15,429 |
15,160 |
|
Amortisation and depreciation |
684 |
238 |
|
Other administrative costs |
13,423 |
4,989 |
|
Total administrative expenses |
29,536 |
20,387 |
Reconciliation of 'Operating loss for continuing business excluding exceptionals'.
The table below reconciles statutory losses to the Strategic Report's KPI for Operating loss for continuing business excluding exceptionals:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Continuing operations: Operating loss |
(12,114) |
(21,145) |
|
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
(Reduction) in fair value of asset held for resale (note 9) |
- |
9,750 |
|
Exceptional items |
4,434 |
3,867 |
|
Operating profit/loss for continuing business excluding exceptionals for the year |
(7,680) |
(7,528) |
9. Other Gains and Losses
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
(Reduction) in fair value of asset held for resale |
- |
(9,750) |
|
Gain on disposal of fair value investments |
122 |
18 |
|
|
122 |
(9,732) |
2023
During the year the Group made a small gain on certain assets held at fair value through profit or loss of £122,000.
2022
On 15 June 2022 the Group acquired the entire share capital of RMG. However, the Group had in 2021 bought 5,000,000 shares in RMG representing 5.85% and this investment was taken on the 2021 balance sheet at a fair value of £12,000,000. When calculating the overall consideration for the whole of RMG the Group must assess the fair value of the existing investment at the time of completion of the deal. Given the effect on the RMG share price of normal market pricing and the significant return to shareholders arising from the sale of the RMG Solutions business the fair value was assessed at £2,250,000 leading to a reduction in fair value of £9,750,000.
The Group acquired a small number of seed investments with the acquisition of RMG in June 2022. One of those investments was sold before 30 September 2022 for sale proceeds of £1,017,000 realising a gain on disposal of £18,000.
10. Operating Loss and Profit
Operating (loss)/profit is stated after charging the following:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Depreciation of property plant and equipment (note 19) |
28 |
14 |
|
Depreciation of right-of-use assets (note 20) |
865 |
187 |
|
Amortisation of intangible assets (note 21) |
661 |
227 |
|
Loss on foreign exchange differences |
212 |
25 |
|
Fees payable to the Company's auditors: |
|
|
|
- For the audit of the parent Company and the consolidated financial statements |
295 |
262 |
|
- audit fees re: subsidiaries |
260 |
90 |
|
- audit-related assurance services |
10 |
10 |
|
- tax advisory services |
- |
86 |
|
- other non-audit services |
- |
471 |
|
Staff costs (note 12) |
15,429 |
15,160 |
|
Expense relating to short-term and low-value leases |
- |
66 |
11. Directors' Emoluments
|
|
Salary and fees |
Long term incentive plan |
|
Total |
||||||
|
Director |
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
||
|
Martin Gilbert |
83 |
138 |
|
- |
784 |
|
83 |
922 |
||
|
Peter McKellar |
72 |
110 |
|
- |
653 |
|
72 |
763 |
||
|
Campbell Fleming |
98 |
165 |
|
- |
313 |
|
98 |
478 |
||
|
Gary Marshall |
138 |
- |
|
9 |
- |
|
147 |
- |
||
|
Jonathan Dawson |
60 |
23 |
|
- |
- |
|
60 |
23 |
||
|
Tudor Davies |
55 |
70 |
|
- |
- |
|
55 |
70 |
||
|
Christopher Mills |
45 |
39 |
|
- |
- |
|
45 |
39 |
||
|
Mark Butcher |
25 |
39 |
|
- |
- |
|
25 |
39 |
||
|
Aggregate fees and emoluments |
576 |
584 |
|
9 |
1,750 |
|
585 |
2,334 |
||
As referred to in note 36 the LTIP Scheme was discontinued on 5 July 2022 and all shares due under the scheme have been released immediately subject to adjustments for the settlement of PAYE liabilities and subject to lock-in restrictions as set out in the note.
Three directors have received awards under the Company's LTIP during the financial year 2022. The amounts in respect of the LTIP in the table above include the fair value of shares awarded and the national insurance contribution and Pay as you Earn obligations which the Company has paid on behalf of the Participants. The awards have now been fully vested and expensed in the income statement, with a charge of £1,750,000 recognised in the prior year. As the Scheme has closed no further charges will come through the income statement. An IFRS 2 accounting charge of £9,000 was accrued in the year ended 30 September 2023 relating to the portion of the Restricted Share Plan awarded in November 2023 to Gary Marshall.
Pension allowances paid to current directors were £24,000 (2022: none). The highest paid director received aggregate emoluments, including awards under the share- based payments charge, of £138,000 (2022: £922,000).
12. Staff Costs
The monthly average number of staff employed by the Group and Company (including executive directors) was:
|
|
Group 2023 No. |
Group 2022 No. |
Company 2023 No. |
Company 2022 No. |
|
Active equities |
92 |
36 |
- |
- |
|
Infrastructure asset management |
6 |
5 |
- |
- |
|
Exchange Traded Funds (discontinued operation) |
14 |
13 |
- |
- |
|
Head office |
13 |
14 |
13 |
14 |
|
|
125 |
68 |
13 |
14 |
The costs incurred in respect of these employees were:
|
Continuing operations: |
Group 2023 £'000 |
Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Wages and salaries |
13,473 |
11,251 |
1,306 |
1,073 |
|
Social security costs |
1,408 |
965 |
159 |
171 |
|
Share-based payments |
113 |
2,749 |
26 |
2,749 |
|
Other pension costs |
435 |
195 |
13 |
12 |
|
|
15,429 |
15,160 |
1,506 |
4,005 |
Wages and salaries include termination payments of £1,095,000 (2022: £1,140,000). These amounts are reflected in the total exceptional restructuring costs set out in Note 8.
Employee benefit obligations
The Group's subsidiaries have defined contribution pension schemes in place. The pension contribution charge in 2023 amounted to £435,000 (2022: £195,000).
13. Gain on bargain purchase
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Arising on acquisition of RMG |
- |
3,227 |
In the prior year the calculation of the difference arising on acquisition of River and Mercantile between the purchase consideration and the value of net assets acquired gave rise to a negative amount of goodwill as the value of net assets acquired was larger than the consideration. In accordance with accounting standards the amount of £3,227,000 was treated as a credit to the income statement.
14. Finance income
|
Finance income from continuing operations was: |
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Dividend income |
- |
11,459 |
|
Gain on foreign exchange |
- |
927 |
|
Interest income |
74 |
7 |
|
|
74 |
12,393 |
15. Finance Costs
|
Finance costs from continuing operations were: |
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Lease liability finance charge |
(90) |
(10) |
|
Finance costs on bonds and letters of credit |
(208) |
- |
|
Loss on foreign exchange |
(212) |
- |
|
|
(510) |
(10) |
16. Group and Company Dividends
The Group has not declared any interim or final dividends with respect to the financial year to September 2023.
In respect of the financial year to 30 September 2022 an interim dividend of 1.3p per share was paid in December 2022 and amounted to £1,798,000 (2021: £nil). The dividend was not recognised as a liability at 30 September 2022 as it was not approved and paid until after the period end.
17. Income Tax
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Current tax |
|
|
|
Current tax on (loss)/profits for the year |
11 |
(13) |
|
Total current tax expense/(credit) |
11 |
(13) |
|
Deferred tax |
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
(199) |
(46) |
|
Discontinued operations |
(7) |
- |
|
Total deferred tax (credit)/expense |
(206) |
(46) |
|
Income tax (credit)/expense |
(195) |
(59) |
The tax on the Group's (loss)/profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the standard tax rate applicable to the profits of the consolidated entities as follows:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
Restated 2022 £'000 |
|
(Loss) before tax continuing operations |
(12,902) |
(4,538) |
|
(Loss) before tax discontinued operations |
(13,992) |
(4,062) |
|
Total (loss) before tax |
(26,894) |
(8,600) |
|
Tax credit at a standard rate of 22% (2022: 19%) |
(5,917) |
(1,634) |
|
Factors affecting tax charge for the year: |
|
|
|
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes |
4,416 |
404 |
|
Income not taxable for tax purposes |
(3,491) |
(3,003) |
|
Difference between depreciation and capital allowances |
- |
(5) |
|
Other short-term timing differences |
(184) |
752 |
|
Tax losses used |
- |
- |
|
Movement in unrecognised deferred tax on losses |
4,981 |
3,427 |
|
|
(195) |
(59) |
The rate applicable from 1 April 2023 increased to 25%, resulting in a pro-rata rate for the period of 22%. The rate applicable from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 was 19%. Deferred taxes at the reporting date have been measured using these enacted tax rates and reflected in these financial statements.
18. Loss & earnings per share
In August 2023 the Company effected a 10 for 1 share split (see Note 32). The prior year share numbers and EPS have been adjusted for this.
Basic
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the (loss)/profit attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the year. The weighted average number of shares is calculated by reference to the length of time shares are in issue taking into account the issue date of new shares and any buybacks (see note 32). The prior year has been restated to split out continuing and discontinued operations.
|
|
2023 |
RESTATED 2022 |
|
(Loss)/profit from continuing operations - £000 |
(12,707) |
(4,480) |
|
(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations - £000 |
(13,992) |
(3,247) |
|
Total (loss) attributable to owners of the parent |
(26,699) |
(7,727) |
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue post share split - no. |
140,364,398 |
103,017,624 |
|
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations - pence |
(9.06) |
(4.35) |
|
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations - pence |
(9.98) |
(3.15) |
|
Total basic earnings per share |
(19.04) |
(7.50) |
Diluted
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue assuming conversion of all dilutive potential Ordinary Shares. As at 30 September 2022, the LTIP was discontinued therefore there were no dilutive potential ordinary shares.
|
|
2023 |
RESTATED 2022 |
|
(Loss)/profit from continuing operations - £000 |
(12,707) |
(4,480) |
|
(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations - £000 |
(13,992) |
(3,247) |
|
Total (loss) attributable to owners of the parent |
(26,699) |
(7,727) |
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue post share split - no. |
140,364,398 |
103,017,624 |
|
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations - pence |
(9.06) |
(4.35) |
|
Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations - pence |
(9.98) |
(3.15) |
|
Total diluted earnings per share |
(19.04) |
(7.50) |
19. Property, Plant & Equipment
Consolidated Group
|
|
Leasehold improvements £'000 |
Fixtures and fittings £'000 |
Computer equipment £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
- |
34 |
40 |
74 |
|
Acquisition of subsidiary |
2 |
- |
13 |
15 |
|
Additions |
- |
- |
15 |
15 |
|
Disposals |
- |
(26) |
- |
(26) |
|
At 30 September 2022 |
2 |
8 |
68 |
78 |
|
Acquisition of subsidiary |
68 |
38 |
137 |
243 |
|
Additions |
17 |
- |
- |
17 |
|
Disposals |
(1) |
- |
- |
(1) |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
86 |
46 |
205 |
337 |
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
- |
34 |
24 |
58 |
|
Charge for the year |
1 |
- |
13 |
14 |
|
Disposals |
- |
(26) |
- |
(26) |
|
At 30 September 2022 |
1 |
8 |
37 |
46 |
|
Acquisition of subsidiary |
17 |
36 |
127 |
180 |
|
Charge for the year |
4 |
- |
24 |
28 |
|
Disposals |
- |
- |
(15) |
(15) |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
22 |
44 |
173 |
239 |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2023 |
64 |
2 |
32 |
98 |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2022 |
1 |
- |
31 |
32 |
Company
|
|
Fixtures and fittings £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Cost |
|
|
|
At 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022 |
26 |
26 |
|
Disposals |
(26) |
(26) |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
- |
- |
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
|
At 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2022 |
26 |
26 |
|
Disposals |
(26) |
(26) |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
- |
- |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2023 |
- |
- |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2022 |
- |
- |
20. Right of use assets and lease liability
Consolidated Group
|
|
Right of use asset £'000 |
|
Cost: |
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
- |
|
Acquisition of subsidiary |
411 |
|
At 30 September 2022 |
411 |
|
Additions |
2,175 |
|
Write offs |
(411) |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
2,175 |
|
Accumulated depreciation: |
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
- |
|
Charge for the year |
187 |
|
At 30 September 2022 |
187 |
|
Charge for the year |
865 |
|
Write offs |
(411) |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
641 |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2023 |
1,534 |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2022 |
224 |
|
|
Lease liability £'000 |
|
Lease liability: |
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
- |
|
Acquisition of subsidiary |
398 |
|
Payments made |
(114) |
|
Interest charge |
10 |
|
At 30 September 2022 |
294 |
|
Additions |
2,160 |
|
Write offs |
(254) |
|
Payments made |
(630) |
|
Interest charge |
76 |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
1,646 |
|
Of which: |
|
|
Current lease liabilities |
696 |
|
Non-current liabilities |
950 |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
1,646 |
The Group's leases relating to office accommodation with terms of more than one year are recognised as a right of use asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Group. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to the leases was 4 %. The Company has no leases. On 20th October 2022 the Coleman Street lease agreements were renegotiated and extended, leading to a full write down of the existing lease balances held and recognition of the new lease agreements effective from 14th January 2023.
21. Goodwill & Intangible Assets
|
Group |
Goodwill £'000 |
Customer relationships £'000 |
Software £'000 |
Brand £'000 |
Website development £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
19,787 |
- |
- |
200 |
100 |
20,087 |
|
Acquisition of business |
648 |
2,400 |
1,250 |
450 |
- |
4,748 |
|
Additions |
- |
- |
- |
- |
12 |
12 |
|
Cost at 30 September 2022 |
20,435 |
2,400 |
1,250 |
650 |
112 |
24,847 |
|
Acquisition of business |
6,340 |
200 |
- |
50 |
- |
6,590 |
|
Additions |
- |
- |
- |
- |
12 |
12 |
|
Disposal of business |
(16,860) |
- |
- |
(150) |
(124) |
(17,134) |
|
Cost at 30 September 2023 |
9,915 |
2,600 |
1,250 |
550 |
- |
14,315 |
|
Accumulated amortisation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 October 2021 |
- |
- |
- |
6 |
14 |
20 |
|
Acquisition of business |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Charge for the year |
- |
64 |
98 |
54 |
11 |
227 |
|
Amortisation at 30 September 2022 |
- |
64 |
98 |
60 |
25 |
247 |
|
Acquisition of business |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Impairment |
11,860 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
11,860 |
|
Charge for the year |
- |
232 |
340 |
89 |
12 |
673 |
|
Disposal of business |
(11,860) |
- |
- |
(64) |
(37) |
(11,961) |
|
Amortisation at 30 September 2023 |
- |
296 |
438 |
85 |
- |
819 |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2023 |
9,915 |
2,304 |
812 |
465 |
- |
13,496 |
|
Net book value at 30 September 2022 |
20,435 |
2,336 |
1,152 |
590 |
87 |
24,600 |
Software and website development are internally generated and have finite lives as set out in Note 2. Amortisation of all intangible assets is included in administrative expenses in the income statement. Customer relationships principally relates to the customer relationships recognised on acquisition of the River and Mercantile Group, with a carrying amount of £2,118,000 (2022: £2,336,000) and a remaining amortisation period of 10 years. Software principally relates to the software acquired through the purchase of the River and Mercantile Group, with a carrying amount of £705,000 (2022: £895,000) and a remaining amortisation period of 4 years.
Goodwill is allocated to the Group's cash-generating units (CGU's) identified according to corporate entity and an analysis is presented below:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Rize ETF Limited |
- |
16,860 |
|
Saracen Fund Managers Limited and Revera Asset Management Limited |
3,575 |
3,575 |
|
SVM |
6,340 |
- |
|
Total |
9,915 |
20,435 |
Impairment review
Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment and its recoverability has been assessed at 30 September 2023 by comparing the carrying amount of the CGUs to their expected recoverable amount, estimated on a value-in-use basis. The value-in-use of each CGU has been calculated using discounted cash flow projections based on the most recent budgets and forecasts maintained by the Group. The most recent budgets prepared are part of the annual planning process for the year ending 30 September 2024 and are then extrapolated over the next four years so that the budgets and forecasts cover a period of five years. Cash flows are then extrapolated beyond the five-year budget and forecast period using an expected long-term growth rate, with the long-term growth rate considered reasonable compared with budget and any forecasted growth.
Consolidated assessment: As at 30 September 2023 headroom exists in the calculations in respective recoverable amounts of these CGUs over the carrying amounts of the goodwill allocated to them. On this basis the Directors have concluded that there is no impairment required to the goodwill balances as at 30 September 2023 with the exception of Rize ETF Limited as detailed below
Company assessment: As at 30 September 2023 the Company was deemed to require an impairment in some of its investments in subsidiaries as set out in note 22.
Rize ETF Limited
The Rize ETF balance was written down in the year before being sold. Full details of the sale can be found within note 6.
Saracen Fund Managers Limited
Following the 2022 year end the businesses of Saracen Fund Managers and Revera Asset Management were combined to provide synergies and enhance growth prospects. Accordingly, the Directors view the CGU as the combined businesses and have approached the review of impairment on the same basis.
Key inputs
Modelling was performed to support both discounted cash flow (DCF) and net present value (NPV) methodologies. The overall approach to impairment reviews for 2023 represents a more conservative approach with a reduction in expected revenue growth in all cases vs. prior year modelling.
Key DCF inputs included: Forecasting revenue driven by AuM. Previously modelling was based on new business targets, expected net funds flows and estimated impact of market performance. Modelling for the year ended 30 September 2023 took the 2024 budget as its starting point which is more conservative in its approach to modelling revenue growth. Revenue growth was modelled to be broadly flat for the financial years ending 2024 and 2025 with a subsequent annual growth rate of 2%. Costs were grown at 2% p.a. where applicable, notably below current inflation rates, primarily due to expected future cost saving measures and a strategy throughout the business to manage costs. The discount rate applied for the analysis was 14.65% (2022: 14.5%) based on the risk-free rate of interest and specific risks relating to the Group.
Key NPV inputs included; A broad spectrum of third party transaction and trading data was analysed (both current and historical). It is noted that industry trading multiples have fallen in the period based on peer group share price analysis and this was incorporated into the relevant modelling. This data was compared with the relevant cash generating units and businesses in the Group to select an appropriate and conservative valuation multiples after taking into account any identified free cash and estimated costs to realise these prices.
22. Investments in Subsidiaries
Company shares in group undertakings:
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
At 1 October |
69,921 |
25,194 |
|
Additions in the year |
9,073 |
45,249 |
|
Impairment & Disposal |
(40,872) |
(522) |
|
At 30 September |
38,122 |
69,921 |
Investments in Group undertakings are recorded at cost, which is the fair value of the consideration paid, less any impairment. In the year the additions relate to the issue of loan note with respect of the acquisition of SVM, an additional £2,216,000 in cash was paid by the Company's subsidiary River Global Holdings Limited, and £73,000 with respect to the share award detailed in note 32. The disposal and impairment in the year of £16,750,000 and £5,000,000 respectively relate to Rize.
An additional impairment was recognised in relation to the Company's investment in River and Mercantile Group Limited for £18,880,000, and in relation to Revera Asset Management for £241,000. As noted in note 21 a review of goodwill and intangible assets was conducted for the year ended 30 September 2023 and as a result of this testing it was considered appropriate to impair the values of these investments to the higher of their net realisable value or value in use. The methodology for this modelling has been set out in note 21.
The impairment charged in 2022 relates to management's view that the carrying value of the investment in Revera Asset Management Limited should be written down to its underlying net asset value following its combination with Saracen Fund Managers Limited.
The subsidiaries of AssetCo plc as at 30 September 2023 are as follows:
|
Name of Company |
Note |
Proportion held |
Class of shareholding |
Nature of business |
|
River and Mercantile Group Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Investment management |
|
River Global Holdings Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Holding company |
|
River Global Group Services Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Service company |
|
River and Mercantile Group Trustees Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Dormant service company |
|
River and Mercantile US Holdings Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Holding company for the US business |
|
River Global Investors LLP |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Investment management company |
|
River and Mercantile Infrastructure LLP |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Investment advisor company |
|
River and Mercantile Infrastructure GP S.a.r.l. |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
General partner company |
|
Revera Asset Management Limited |
2 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Investment management |
|
Saracen Fund Managers Limited |
2 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Investment management |
|
SVM Asset Management Holdings Limited |
2 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Investment management |
|
SVM Asset Management Limited |
2 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Investment management |
|
SVM Investment Management Limited |
2 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Dormant |
|
SVM Investment Managers Limited |
2 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Dormant |
|
AAMCO Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Dormant |
|
AssetCo Asset Management Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Dormant |
|
AssetCo Asset Managers Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Dormant |
|
AssetCo Investment Management Limited |
1 |
100% |
Ordinary |
Dormant |
Notes:
1. Incorporated, registered and having their principal places of business in the United Kingdom with their registered offices being 30 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AL.
2. Incorporated, registered and having their principal place of business in the United Kingdom with their registered office being 7 Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3AH.
All subsidiary undertakings are included in the consolidation of the Group.
23. Business Combination
Summary of acquisitions
On 31 October 2022 AssetCo plc announced the completion of the acquisition of the entire share capital and 100% voting rights of SVM Asset Management Holdings Limited ("SVM"). SVM is an active equities fund management Group based in Edinburgh.
Details of the purchase consideration are as follows:
|
|
SVM £'000 |
|
Cash paid |
2,216 |
|
Convertible loan notes issued |
9,000 |
|
Fair value adjustment to loan notes |
(173) |
|
Total consideration |
11,043 |
The fair value of assets and liabilities recognised as a result of the acquisition are as follows:
|
|
SVM £'000 |
|
Cash |
5,017 |
|
Trade and other receivables |
444 |
|
Plant and equipment |
2 |
|
Right-of-use assets |
- |
|
Trade payables |
(238) |
|
Other payables |
(565) |
|
Lease liability |
- |
|
Corporation tax liability |
(145) |
|
Total net assets recognised on acquisition |
4,515 |
|
Fair value adjustments |
|
|
Intangible assets: brand |
50 |
|
Intangible assets: customer relationships |
200 |
|
Deferred tax liability |
(62) |
|
Net identifiable assets/(liabilities) acquired |
4,703 |
|
Goodwill |
6,340 |
|
Net assets acquired |
11,043 |
Acquired receivables
The fair value of acquired trade receivables was £444,000 and no loss allowance has been recognised on acquisition.
Acquired brands
The brands are recognised on acquisition at their fair values at the date of acquisition and subsequently amortised on a straight-line basis, over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives for the Saracen and RMG brands are 10 years and for the Rize ETF brand was 5 years, however this has been disposed of in the year. The valuation methodology adopted by the Group for brands is the "relief-from-royalty" approach. A royalty rate of 0.4% was adopted and applied to forecast cashflows assuming a 10-year life for RMG brands and a weighted average cost of capital of 16%.
Computer software
In the prior year, RMG had two internally developed computer programs which were recognised at fair value at the date of acquisition. They are being amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of between 2 and 5 years. The valuation approach for computer software was replacement-cost. We estimated the total development costs which needed to be incurred in developing the software from the date of acquisition. This involved estimating the number of developers required for each system, their salary costs and time input. We added estimates for overhead costs to support this development team and then applied a mark-up on total costs of 17.9% to reflect the margin required to incentivise a third-party developer. No opportunity cost was applied.
Customer relationships
In the prior year, RMG's relationships with Institutional Investors was recognised at cost, being the fair value at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, this was carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses, with the related charge recognised in the consolidated income statement. Amortisation is charged on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 11 years. The valuation approach applied to Customer Relationships was the Multi-period Excess Earnings Method ("MEEM"). Management developed a cash flow forecast based on expectations for the year from acquisition as tempered by historical analysis of sales and then extrapolated to give revenue growth of 2% in perpetuity. Other assumptions key to establishing the valuation were the attrition rate of clients, estimated at a rate of 8%, and the operating margin of 26.2% for institutional relationships which has been historically achieved. We assumed a weighted average cost of capital of 17%, which was a 1% premium to the overall WACC in the Group's businesses and this is a reflection of the limited control and marketability of relationship assets.
Intangible asset in relation to non-contracted relationships
If customer relationships are to be recognised IFRS 3 requires that they must stem from contractual or legal rights or are capable of being separable. Despite being an important driver of value, customer relationships with end investors and intermediaries are neither contractual nor separable.
Revenue and profit contribution
The business was accounted for from the date of acquisition (31 October 2023). Had the business been consolidated from the start of the period, this would have increased the Group's consolidated revenue by £249,000 and operating losses by £101,000 for the year. The revenues of the business for the 12 months to 30 September 2023 were £3,058,000 and the operating losses for the 12 months to 30 September 2023 was £1,108,000.
Purchase consideration - cash outflow
Outflow of cash to acquire subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Cash consideration |
2,216 |
1,001 |
|
Less: balances acquired |
(5,017) |
(43,149) |
|
Net (inflow)/outflow of cash - investing activities |
(2,801) |
(42,148) |
Acquisition-related costs
Acquisition-related costs of £205,000 (2022: £1,116,000) that were not directly attributable to the issue of shares are included in administrative expenses in the statement of profit or loss.
Convertible loan
The terms of the £9,000,000 loan were for loan notes with a nominal value of £9 million, unsecured and carrying a coupon of 1%. The reduction in nominal value of the loan notes represents a fair value adjustment to reflect the difference in the 1% coupon and a market interest rate. The first £2 million of loan notes were convertible into AssetCo ordinary shares in certain circumstances, at market value, up to 31 December 2022 with the remainder convertible into AssetCo ordinary shares, at £1.45 per share, up to 31 December 2023. If not converted the loan notes were repayable at nominal value on 31 December 2023. As announced on 20 March 2023 the SVM vendors, following an extension of their conversion option date to 28 February 2023, duly exercised their option to convert the first £2 million of loan notes into AssetCo ordinary shares. The market price agreed was 68.7p per share and led to the issue to the SVM vendors of 2,911,208 AssetCo ordinary shares which were satisfied by the transfer of shares from those held in treasury. As set out in Companies Act 2006 the difference between the average purchase price of these shares and the agreed issue price is taken to share premium.
The final settlement of the loan occurred after year end and has been described in note 37.
24. Group Interest in Associates
|
|
Total £'000 |
Equity £'000 |
Restated Loan notes £'000 |
|
Purchase of interest in Parmenion |
21,871 |
171 |
21,700 |
|
Share of operating results for 2022 |
181 |
181 |
- |
|
Interest earned in the year (restated) |
2,690 |
- |
2,690 |
|
Payment of interest (restated) |
(1,977) |
- |
(1,977) |
|
Restated balance at 30 September 2022 |
22,765 |
352 |
22,413 |
|
Share of operating results for 2023 |
(352) |
(352) |
- |
|
Interest earned in the year |
2,213 |
- |
2,213 |
|
Closing balance at 30 September 2023 |
24,626 |
- |
24,626 |
During the period, £2,333,000 interest accrued were settled via the issue of an additional loan note. Further details on the restatement of prior year interest can be found on note 7.
On 1 October 2021 AssetCo acquired an effective 30% interest in the equity of Parmenion Capital Partners LLP, via a Guernsey-registered corporate structure. AssetCo is a shareholder in the holding company for this group, Shillay TopCo Limited. Further details on Parmenion are set out in the Business Review.
The tables below provide summarised information of the associate. The information disclosed reflects the amounts presented in the unaudited financial statements of the relevant associate and not the AssetCo plc share of those amounts. They have been amended to reflect adjustments made by the Company when using the equity method, including fair value adjustments and modifications for differences in accounting policy.
Unaudited summarised balance sheet
|
|
Shillay TopCo Limited 30 September 2023 £'000 |
Shillay TopCo Limited 30 September 2022 £'000 |
|
Total current assets |
31,657 |
36,203 |
|
Non-current assets |
107,752 |
87,241 |
|
Total current liabilities |
(18,772) |
(17,330) |
|
Total non-current liabilities |
(128,216) |
(105,219) |
|
Net assets |
(7,579) |
895 |
Unaudited summarised statement of comprehensive income
|
|
Shillay TopCo Limited 30 September 2023 £'000 |
Shillay TopCo Limited 30 September 2022 £'000 |
|
Revenue |
40,761 |
40,800 |
|
Profit for the period |
921 |
602 |
|
Net Asset Adjustment |
(9,095) |
- |
|
Total comprehensive income |
(8,174) |
602 |
|
Equity interest (%) |
30% |
30% |
|
Equity interest |
(2,452) |
181 |
|
Share of operating results for 2023 |
(352) |
181 |
Shillay TopCo Limited movement in net assets for the year ended 30 September 2022
The Shillay TopCo Limited (Shillay) accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 were the first set of consolidated accounts for the entity. These accounts were approved and signed 28th June 2023. This accounting period was also the first accounting period in which the purchase price allocation and any resulting tax positions were calculated in respect of its acquisitions of Parmenion Capital Partners LLP and EBI Portfolios Limited. As a result of finalising these positions for the 2022 consolidated accounts for the Shillay group net assets were reduced by £9.1m relative to the presented figures as at September 2022 primarily as a result of adjustments for uplifts in goodwill recognised on acquisition and the recognition of additional deferred tax liabilities.
Share of operating results
The AssetCo Group has recognised this adjustment in its accounts for the year ended September 2023, reducing the value of its equity investment by its share of these losses down to a value of £nil.
It is important to note that this adjustment reflects a finalisation of accounting positions for the December 2022 year end for Shillay TopCo Limited and has no bearing on the underlying performance of its investment in Parmenion.
25. Long Term Receivables
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Drawings in advance of profits |
- |
1,208 |
- |
- |
In the period, members of a partnership in the Group have received drawings and special drawings in advance of future profits of £380,000 (2022: 1,208,000). However due to the expected recoverability of these drawings a provision has been made against the balance of drawings on the balance sheet in addition to a receivable in relation to the fund managed by the partners. The total provision at 30 September 2023 was £1,467,000 this has been further described in note 8.
26. Trade and other receivables
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Restated Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Trade receivables |
377 |
1,441 |
- |
- |
|
Other receivables |
2,767 |
2,364 |
2,174 |
- |
|
Amounts due from Group undertakings |
- |
- |
258 |
- |
|
Consideration receivable on sale of US and UK Solutions businesses |
- |
3,018 |
- |
- |
|
Prepayments and accrued income |
2,662 |
2,877 |
70 |
34 |
|
|
5,806 |
9,700 |
2,502 |
34 |
Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of trade and other receivables is considered to be substantially equal to its fair value.
Trade and other receivables, including accrued income and the consideration due on the sale of the US Solutions business, held in other currencies amounted to £503,000 (2022: £2,639,000).
The carrying value of trade receivables and accrued income forms part of the Group's overall exposure to credit risk. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.
As of 30 September 2023, trade and other receivables of £nil (2022: £nil) were impaired, and all trade receivables were aged less than 30 days. The amount of the provision was immaterial (2022: immaterial). No trade receivables were written off during the year (2022: £nil).
Allocation Restatement
The 2022 allocations of trade and other receivables have been restated. No adjustment has been made to the total of trade and other receivables. The impact of these changes is to reallocate £1,629,000 from Other Receivables to Prepayments and Accrued Income.
27. Financial Assets at Fair Value Through Profit and Loss
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Seeded funds |
13 |
37 |
- |
- |
|
|
13 |
37 |
- |
- |
The Group uses capital to invest in its own products as seed investments and they are recognised under the existing accounting policy as assets held at fair value through profit and loss. The fair value of the Group's investment in its funds is derived from the fair value of the underlying investments some of which are not traded in an active market and therefore the investment is classified as Level 2 under IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.
Amounts recognised in profit or loss
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Fair value (losses)/gains on equity investments |
- |
(9,750) |
- |
(9,750) |
|
Dividends received recognised in finance income |
- |
11,459 |
- |
11,459 |
Risk exposure and fair value measurement
The financial instruments are exposed to equity market price risk. Fair value for the investments were determined by reference to their published price quotation in an active market (classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 13). As mentioned in note 27 the Group has a financial instrument classified at level 2 which is an immaterial investment in a seed fund.
28. Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Cash at bank and in hand |
25,573 |
43,066 |
3,698 |
7,394 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
25,573 |
43,066 |
3,698 |
7,394 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
UK sterling |
24,971 |
41,270 |
3,698 |
7,394 |
|
US dollars |
302 |
1,576 |
- |
- |
|
Euros |
297 |
12 |
- |
- |
|
Australian dollars |
3 |
13 |
- |
- |
|
New Zealand dollars |
- |
195 |
- |
- |
|
|
25,573 |
43,066 |
3,698 |
7,394 |
Cash and cash equivalents receive interest at the floating rate and are carried on the balance sheet at a value approximate to their fair values. Balances are held with reputable banks with credit ratings of triple B and above.
29. Trade and other payables
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Restated Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Trade payables |
655 |
1,135 |
- |
84 |
|
Other payables |
1,046 |
1,802 |
712 |
2 |
|
Other taxation and social security |
242 |
441 |
26 |
68 |
|
Amounts due to Group undertakings |
- |
- |
5,495 |
5,100 |
|
Deferred consideration |
7,000 |
100 |
7,000 |
100 |
|
Accruals and deferred income |
5,403 |
9,272 |
- |
499 |
|
|
14,346 |
12,750 |
13,233 |
5,853 |
Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. Trade and other payables held in other currencies amounted to £152,000 (2022: £810,000).
Deferred consideration outstanding at 30 September 2023 represents loan notes payable with respect to the acquisition of SVM. In the prior year deferred consideration is in respect of the acquisition of Revera Asset Management Limited and was paid in August 2023.
The amount due to Group undertakings recognised in the Company's trade and other payables is due to River and Mercantile Holdings Limited and is for the purpose of providing working capital. It is interest-free, unsecured and repayable on demand.
Allocation Restatement
The 2022 allocations of trade and other payables have been restated. No adjustment has been made to the total of trade and other payables. The impact of these changes is to reallocate £10,212,000 from Trade Payables to Other Payables (£1,710,000), Other taxation and social security (£336,000) and Accruals (£8,166,000). Other creditors now includes balances due to Partners in the LLP subsidiary of the Group and the Accruals balance for 2022 is principally made up of accrued bonus and other compensation accruals.
30. Current taxation
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Tax receivable |
1,159 |
1,173 |
- |
- |
|
Tax (payable) |
(1,465) |
(1,437) |
(1,437) |
(1,437) |
|
Corporation tax (payable) |
(304) |
(264) |
(1,437) |
(1,437) |
In the current year, corporation tax payable made up of a payable balance of £1,465,000 and a receivable balance of £1,159,000. The receivable is expected to be received by end of the calendar year 2023 and relates to tax payments made by a Group subsidiary in prior years..
There is no corporation tax charge arising in the current year so the balance above is in respect of AssetCo plc's prior year charge only. As referred to in note 4 there is some uncertainty around the treatment of certain items in the tax return and the matter remains open.
31. Financial assets and liabilities
The following tables illustrate the categorisation and carrying value of financial assets and liabilities as at 30 September 2023. Credit risk is also discussed in note 3. It should be noted that Loans to associates has been included in the financial assets table in 2023 to reflect the nature of the loan as a financial asset. The prior year other receivables balance has been restated to remove tax assets which are not classified as financial liabilities within the 2023 year end and to include all relevant accruals balances.
Financial assets
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Restated Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Trade receivables |
377 |
1,441 |
- |
- |
|
Other receivables |
5,429 |
5,396 |
2,174 |
- |
|
Amounts due to Group undertakings |
- |
- |
258 |
|
|
Consideration for US Solutions business |
- |
1,807 |
- |
- |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
25,573 |
43,066 |
3,698 |
7,394 |
|
Financial assets at amortised cost |
31,379 |
51,710 |
6,130 |
7,394 |
|
Financial assets held as investments in associates |
24,626 |
22,765 |
24,797 |
22,584 |
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss |
13 |
37 |
- |
- |
|
|
56,018 |
74,512 |
30,927 |
29,978 |
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Restated Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Trade payables |
655 |
1,134 |
- |
84 |
|
Other payables |
1,047 |
1,902 |
93 |
501 |
|
Accruals |
5,403 |
9,217 |
|
|
|
Intercompany payables |
- |
- |
5,492 |
- |
|
Lease liability |
1,646 |
294 |
- |
- |
|
|
8,751 |
12,547 |
5,585 |
585 |
Maturity analysis of financial liabilities
The following disclosures show the maturity profile of contractual undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities as at 30 September 2023:
|
|
Trade payables £'000 |
Other payables and accruals £'000 |
Lease liability and accruals £'000 |
Deferred Considerations £'000 |
Total
£'000 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due in one year or less |
655 |
6,450 |
697 |
7,000 |
14,802 |
|
Due in more than one year |
- |
- |
1,091 |
- |
1,091 |
|
RESTATED 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In one year or less |
1,134 |
11,074 |
294 |
- |
12,503 |
Currency risk
The Company and Group has performed sensitivity testing on the fair value of the Group and Company's financial instruments of a 10% movement in sterling against all other currencies from the closing rates as at 30 September 2023, with all other variables remaining constant. A 10% variation would have had an impact on the post-tax profit balance sheet of £52,000 (2022: £328,000).
|
|
Financial assets £'000 |
Financial liabilities £'000 |
Net £'000 |
2023 |
|
|
|
|
US dollar |
407 |
(22) |
385 |
|
Euro |
135 |
(4) |
131 |
|
Australian dollar |
3 |
- |
3 |
|
|
545 |
(26) |
519 |
2022 |
|
|
|
|
US dollar |
3,901 |
(495) |
3,406 |
|
Euro |
142 |
(44) |
98 |
|
Australian dollar |
13 |
(237) |
(224) |
|
New Zealand dollar |
379 |
- |
379 |
|
Swiss franc |
- |
(41) |
(41) |
|
|
4,435 |
(817) |
3,618 |
Exposures to foreign exchange rates vary during the year depending on the volume of overseas transactions. Nonetheless the analysis above is considered to be materially representative of the Group's exposure to currency risk during the year.
32. Equity
Share capital and share premium
|
|
2023 Shares |
2022 Shares |
2023 £000 |
2022 £000 |
|
Ordinary shares of £0.01 each (2022: £0.01) |
||||
|
Fully paid |
149,292,970 |
149,292,970 |
1,493 |
1,493 |
The ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends, and to share in the proceeds of winding up the Company in proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held.
Movement in ordinary shares
|
|
Number of shares No. |
Share capital £000 |
Share premium £000 |
Total £000 |
|
Opening balance at 1 October 2021 |
8,424,847 |
843 |
27,770 |
28,613 |
|
Consideration shares re: RMG (1) |
5,985,541 |
598 |
- |
598 |
|
Shares arising from LTIP (2) |
518,909 |
52 |
4,255 |
4,307 |
|
Share premium cancellation (3) |
- |
- |
(32,025) |
(32,025) |
|
|
14,929,297 |
1,493 |
- |
1,493 |
|
Effect of 10 for 1 share split (3) |
134,363,673 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Balance at 30 September 2022 |
149,292,970 |
1,493 |
- |
1,493 |
|
Share premium arising on treasury shares used in loan note conversion (note 23) |
- |
- |
209 |
209 |
|
Balance at 30 September 2023 |
149,292,970 |
1,493 |
209 |
1,702 |
Notes:
1. Consideration re: River and Mercantile
On 15 June 2022 the Company completed the acquisition of River and Mercantile Group Plc, the consideration for which, amounting to £41,899,000, was wholly settled by the issue of new ordinary shares in AssetCo plc. Under section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 the excess over the par value of these shares is accounted for as a Merger Reserve rather than as share premium.
Where a company issues equity shares in consideration for securing a holding of at least 90% of the nominal value of each class of equity in another company, the application of merger relief is compulsory. Merger relief is a statutory relief from recognising any share premium on shares issued. Instead, a merger reserve is recorded equal to the value of share premium which would have been recorded if the provisions of section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 had not be applicable. As the consideration for the acquisition of River and Mercantile met this criterion merger relief has been applied.
2. Shares arising from LTIP
As referred to in Note 36 on 5 July 2022 the Company discontinued its LTIP scheme which resulted in the issue of 518,909 new ordinary shares at a price of £8.30.
3. 10 for 1 share split
On 10 August 2022 the Court sanctioned the sub-division of the Company's shares such that one share of 10p became 10 shares of 1p. Accordingly the number of shares in issue at that date was increased by 134,363,673 so that the total number of shares in issue became 149,292,970. There was no change to the nominal value of shares in issue. On the same date the Court also sanctioned the cancellation of the amount standing to the credit of the Company's share premium account. Accordingly, an amount of £32,025,000 was transferred to distributable reserves.
Other reserves
|
|
Capital redemption reserve £'000 |
Merger reserve £'000 |
Other reserve £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Opening balance at 1 October 2021 |
653 |
2,762 |
5,496 |
8,911 |
|
Arising on acquisition of RMG |
- |
41,301 |
- |
41,301 |
|
Costs of RMG acquisition |
- |
(1,000) |
- |
(1,000) |
|
Share-based payments in relation to LTIP (see note 36) |
- |
- |
(5,496) |
(5,496) |
|
Balance at 30 September 2022 and 2023 |
653 |
43,063 |
- |
43,716 |
The Company bought back and cancelled 6,532,942 ordinary shares in December 2020. These shares have been credited to the Capital Redemption Reserve in the amount of £653,000.
A Merger Reserve arose on the issue of shares to vendors of Saracen Fund Managers Limited rather than share premium.
The share scheme charge in the year, relates to the RSP awarded after the balance sheet date, however due to circumstances that existed in the year the charge for the award has commenced in the current year and will be spread over the life of the award (note 37)
An Other Reserve movement arose during the prior year when the Company terminated its Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"). The original balance of £5,496,000 was recognised in the year ended 2021 fully in respect of the equity settled LTIP award. Any shares due to the participants under the terms of the LTIP have been issued although sale by participants is restricted by certain "lock-in" arrangements.
Retained earnings
|
|
2023 £'000 |
RESTATED 2022 £'000 |
|
Opening balance as at 1 October |
43,139 |
18,892 |
|
Net (loss)/profit for period |
(26,699) |
(7,727) |
|
Share based payment charge |
(95) |
- |
|
Cancellation of share premium |
- |
32,025 |
|
Dividends paid |
(1,798) |
- |
|
Treasury shares used to settle conversion of loan notes |
1,791 |
- |
|
Shares purchased for Treasury |
(6,815) |
(51) |
|
Non-controlling interest on sale of Rize |
(1,094) |
- |
|
Exchange movement |
- |
- |
|
Balance as at 30 September |
8,429 |
43,139 |
As at 30 September 2023 the Group held 8,283,027 of treasury shares (2022: 72,941) further described in note 2.
33. Deferred taxation
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
Group 2023 £'000
|
Group 2022 £'000
|
Company 2023 £'000
|
Company 2022 £'000
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities to be settled after more than one year |
745 |
861 |
- |
- |
|
Deferred tax liabilities to be settled within one year |
160 |
209 |
- |
- |
|
Total deferred tax liabilities |
905 |
1,070 |
- |
- |
The balance comprised temporary differences attributable to:
Deferred tax liability
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
Group 2022 £'000 |
Company 2023 £'000 |
Company 2022 £'000 |
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss |
- |
28 |
- |
- |
|
Right-of-use assets |
31 |
45 |
- |
- |
|
Intangible assets |
874 |
997 |
- |
- |
|
Deferred tax liability |
905 |
1,070 |
- |
- |
Deferred tax movements:
|
Group |
Financial assets at fair value through profit and Loss £'000 |
Right-of-use assets £'000 |
Intangible assets £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
At 1 October 2021 |
- |
- |
49 |
49 |
|
Acquisition of subsidiary |
28 |
45 |
1,011 |
1,084 |
|
Credited/(charged) to profit and loss |
- |
- |
(63) |
(63) |
|
At 30 September 2022 |
28 |
45 |
997 |
1,070 |
|
Acquisition of subsidiaries |
|
|
(21) |
(21) |
|
Disposal of subsidiaries |
|
|
63 |
63 |
|
Credited/(charged) to profit and loss |
(28) |
(13) |
(165) |
(206) |
|
At 30 September 2023 |
- |
32 |
874 |
905 |
The recognition of deferred tax assets is based upon whether it is more likely than not that sufficient and suitable taxable profits will be available in the future against which the reversal of temporary differences can be deducted. Where the temporary differences relate to losses, the availability of the losses to offset against future profitability is also considered. The directors consider that there is no basis on which to recognise deferred tax assets at 30 September 2023 or 30 September 2022. The unrecognised asset in respect of tax losses is set out below.
Tax Losses
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax benefit has been recognised |
55,075 |
36,600 |
|
Potential tax benefit at 25% (2022: 25%) |
13,769 |
9,150 |
The unused tax losses were incurred by AssetCo plc, Revera Asset Management Limited, River and Mercantile US Holdings Limited and Mercantile Group Limited. Of these tax losses £7,477,000 relate to US tax losses from the Group's former US business and are only utilisable against US generated profits.
34. Reconcilliation of losses and profits before tax to net cash inflow from operations
|
|
Group 2023 £'000 |
RESTATED Group 2022 £'000
|
Company 2023 £'000
|
RESTATED Company 2022 £'000
|
|
(Loss)/profit for the year before taxation |
(12,902) |
(5,354) |
(31,655) |
(3,642) |
|
Share-based payments |
|
|
|
|
|
- in respect of LTIP |
- |
2,749 |
23 |
2,749 |
|
Cash effect of LTIP |
- |
(3,938) |
- |
(3,938) |
|
Share of (loss) / profits of associate |
352 |
(181) |
- |
- |
|
Interest received from associate |
(2,213) |
(2,690) |
(2,213) |
(2,690) |
|
Increase in investments |
- |
- |
(4,000) |
- |
|
Reduction in fair value of investments |
- |
9,750 |
- |
9,750 |
|
Gain on disposal of fair value investments |
- |
(18) |
- |
- |
|
Impairment of investments |
- |
- |
35,871 |
522 |
|
Proceeds of asset held for resale |
- |
5,462 |
- |
- |
|
Bargain purchase |
- |
(3,227) |
- |
- |
|
Depreciation |
28 |
14 |
- |
- |
|
Amortisation of intangible assets |
665 |
227 |
- |
- |
|
Amortisation of right-of-use assets |
860 |
187 |
- |
- |
|
Finance costs (note 15) |
510 |
10 |
- |
- |
|
Movement in foreign exchange |
(76) |
- |
- |
- |
|
Finance income (note 14) |
(74) |
(974) |
- |
- |
|
Provision against doubtful debt (note 8) |
1,467 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Dividends from investment held at fair value |
- |
(11,459) |
(5,000) |
(11,459) |
|
Decrease in receivables |
3,841 |
928 |
(2,468) |
(638) |
|
(Decrease)/increase in payables |
(3,659) |
(6,556) |
9,171 |
(712) |
|
Cash (outflow)/inflow from continuing operations |
(11,201) |
(15,070) |
(271) |
(10,058) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
35. Related Party Transactions
Related parties comprise the Company's shareholders, subsidiaries, associated companies, joint ventures and other entities over which the shareholders of the Company have the ability to control or exercise significant influence over financial and operating decisions and key management personnel.
During the year, the Company entered into the following significant transactions with related parties at prices and on terms agreed between the related parties:
Intercompany balances
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000
|
|
Amounts receivable from Rize ETF Ltd.
|
-
|
-
|
|
Amounts payable to River & Mercantile Holdings Ltd. |
(5,000) |
- |
|
Amounts payable to Revera Asset Management Limited |
(492) |
|
|
Amounts payable from River Global Investors LLP |
156 |
|
|
Amounts payable from River Global Services Limited. |
102 |
- |
|
|
(5,234) |
(-) |
The balance with River & Mercantile Holdings is a current loan, payable on demand within the next year. Subsequent to year end, the amount was repaid.
During the year loans were made by the Company to Rize ETF Limited totalling £490,000 accruing interest at a rate of 15% p.a. from the date of utilisation. On completion of the sale of Rize ETF Limited the loan balance was settled and accrued interest totalling £15,000 was written off as part of the sale agreement. Further details on the sale can be found in note 6.
Key management compensation
|
|
2023 £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
|
Salaries, fees and other employee benefits |
575 |
584 |
|
Share-based payments |
95 |
1,750 |
|
|
670 |
2,334 |
Further details on directors' emoluments can be found in note 11.
On 15 June 2022 AssetCo completed the acquisition of River and Mercantile Group Plc. At the time of completion the AssetCo chairman, Martin Gilbert, was also a director and shareholder in RMG. Also upon completion the chairman of RMG, Jonathan Dawson, became a non-executive director of AssetCo.
Details of the Directors' shareholdings in the Company can be found in the Directors' Report.
36. Long term incentive plan cancellation
On 29 September 2021 the Company announced that the Remuneration Committee was conducting an ongoing review of the quantum, terms and form of the LTIP in respect of periods beyond the first performance period (being the period from 8 January 2021 to 30 September 2021) (the "First Performance Period").
After concluding its review and after consultation with advisers and Shareholders, the Remuneration Committee recommended, and the Board was in agreement, that the LTIP would be cancelled in respect of periods beyond the First Performance Period. The Company will take time to consult with its advisers and Shareholders in terms of appropriate schemes/arrangements to replace the LTIP and will make an announcement in due course.
The number of ordinary shares of 10p each in the Company ("Ordinary Shares"), the subject of awards granted to participants under the LTIP ("Participants") in respect of the First Performance Period was determined to be 993,315 Ordinary Shares being released over a five year deferral period subject to the terms of the LTIP (the "Deferral Period"). As a consequence of the cancellation of the LTIP, the Remuneration Committee has accelerated the release to Participants of the Ordinary Shares which were due to be released to them over the Deferral Period subject to the lock-in arrangements detailed below. Further, the Remuneration Committee has determined that the Participants' entitlements will be settled net of their National Insurance Contributions and Pay as you Earn obligations which will be paid by the Company, on behalf of the Participants, with a commensurate reduction in the number of Deferred Ordinary Shares issued to Participants. The value of the Deferred Ordinary Shares was determined at £8.30, the closing share price subsequent to 5 July 2022, the effective date of cancellation of the LTIP. As a result, the net total of Deferred Ordinary Shares issued to Participants on 5 July 2022 was 518,909 Ordinary Shares. This represents a significant reduction in the dilution to Shareholders which would have resulted in the event that the total of 993,315 Ordinary Shares had been issued to Participants.
The details of how the shares issuable under the LTIP were settled are set out below:
|
|
Shares No |
2022 £000 |
|
Shares issued on 5 July 2022 at £8.30 each |
518,909 |
4,307 |
|
Shares "retained" to fund cash payment of employees' PAYE and NI liability |
474,406 |
3,938 |
|
Shares issuable under the LTIP |
993,315 |
8,245 |
The details of the charges reflected in the income statement over the life of the LTIP until cancellation in the current year are set out below:
|
|
Total £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
Shares issuable under LTIP |
8,245 |
2,749 |
5,496 |
|
Employers' national insurance |
1,278 |
501 |
777 |
|
Total share-based payment charge |
9,523 |
3,250 |
6,273 |
Of the 518,909 shares issued on 5 July 2022 under the LTIP the following were issued to Directors:
|
|
Shares No |
2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
Martin Gilbert |
160,920 |
784 |
1,649 |
|
Peter McKellar |
126,029 |
653 |
1,374 |
|
Campbell Fleming |
61,685 |
313 |
- |
|
|
348,634 |
1,750 |
3,023 |
The Participants have entered into lock-in arrangements with the Company whereby they are restricted from disposing of Deferred Ordinary Shares for the period up to 30 September 2026.
37. Post Balance Sheet Events
a) Completion of acquisition of Ocean Dial Asset Management Limited ("ODAM")
On 2 October 2023 the Group completed the acquisition of ODAM. The purchase was for 100% of the shares and voting rights of the Company.
The acquisition is earnings enhancing for the Group and it is anticipated that further synergies will be achievable due to further integration of the business in order to capitalise on the existing operating model of the Group.
The consideration was satisfied by the delivery of 1,464,129 ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company satisfied from shares held in treasury and £2.46m in cash (£1.82m net of cash within the business). A final 1,464,129 Ordinary Shares of the Company, again satisfied from shares held in treasury, were delivered on 30 January 2024. The total paid for the ODAM business was therefore 2,928,258 Ordinary Shares, funded from treasury, and £2.46m in cash (£1.82m net of cash within the business). Using a share price of 38p (price as at 29 September 2023) this would indicate a fair value paid of £3,573,000.
In the year to September 2023, the Group incurred some professional fee costs in relation to the purchase however the transaction has not had a material impact on the results for the year.
It should be noted that management has not yet fully concluded its assessment of purchase price allocation however the Net Assets of ODAM on acquisition were £669,000 with cash of £642,000. It is expected that the majority of the net cost of acquisition will be accounted for as Goodwill once finalised.
b) Sale of Interest in River and Mercantile Infrastructure LLP ("RMI")
On 6 October 2023 the Group announced it had reached an agreement in principle to transfer its interest in RMI to the partners of RMI, which would then continue to operate outside of the Group. Subsequent dialogue with the partners of RMI and investors in the fund advised by RMI has identified a different route forward whereby AssetCo and River Group exit the Infrastructure business, the fund continues to be appropriately advised and the partners of RMI establish a business outside of the AssetCo Group. The transaction to effect this has yet to be completed but was at an advanced stage of discussion at the date of publication of AssetCo results. In the meantime, measures were taken to move the current RMI business to break even from January 2024 and it is anticipated that a clean break will be achieved in the near future which is satisfactory to both the current clients and the current RMI Team.
c) Award of Restricted Share Plan ("the Plan")
On 6 November 2023 the Group announced that it has put in place a Restricted Share Plan for a limited number of executives, partners and staff. The Plan has awarded rights over up to 5,013,000 ordinary shares in the Company, which it is expected would be satisfied from shares currently held in treasury. Vesting of Shares under the Scheme is due on 1 October 2026 and is subject to usual provisions for malus, clawback and for apportionment or forfeiture in respect of good and bad leavers prior to that date at the discretion of the Board's Remuneration Committee.
Due to conditions that existed in the year, the charge for the RSP has commenced in the current financial year and will be spread over the life of the award.
d) Rebrand of Equities business
On 4 December 2023 the Group rebranded its Equities business to River Global, reflecting the bringing together of all of the River and Mercantile, Saracen and SVM brands under one brand and operating model.
e) Settlement of SVM loan notes
On 27 December 2023, the Group settled the loan notes due to the previous owners of SVM. This represented an outflow of cash of £7m from the business.
GLOSSARY
|
AGM |
Annual General Meeting |
|
Board |
The board of directors of the Company |
|
CEO |
Chief Executive Officer |
|
Company |
AssetCo plc |
|
Covid |
Coronavirus |
|
Director |
A director of the Company |
|
ETF |
Exchange Traded Fund |
|
Group |
AssetCo plc and its subsidiaries |
|
Revera or Revera Asset Management |
Revera Asset Management Limited |
|
River and Mercantile or River and Mercantile Group or RMG |
River and Mercantile Group Limited and its subsidiaries |
|
Rize |
Rize ETF Limited |
|
Saracen |
Saracen Fund Managers Limited |
|
SVM or SVM Asset Management |
SVM Asset Management Limited or its holding company SVM Asset Management Holdings Limited |
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