Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements year ended 31 January 2023

 

1.       General information

 

The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding company. The principal activities of the Group in the year under review were the provision of online property portal services to businesses in the estate and lettings agency industry under the trading name of OnTheMarket.com, and the provision of software services to UK estate and lettings agents by Glanty under the trading name OnTheMarket Software.

 

The Company is a public company limited by shares and it is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is C/O Almond + Company Limited, 11 York Street, Manchester, M2 2AW. Its shares are listed on AIM.

 

2.       Summary of significant accounting policies

 

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. They have been applied consistently to all periods presented.

 

2.1.    Basis of preparation

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards (IFRS). The financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2023 were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.

 

The consolidated financial statements comprise a consolidated income statement, a consolidated statement of comprehensive income, a consolidated statement of financial position, a consolidated statement of changes in equity, a consolidated statement of cash flows and notes. Income and expenses, excluding the components of other comprehensive income, are recognised in the consolidated income statement. Other comprehensive income is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and comprises items of income and expenses (including reclassification adjustments) that are not recognised in the consolidated income statement, as required or permitted by IFRS. Reclassification adjustments are amounts reclassified to the income statement in the current period that were recognised in the current or previous periods. Transactions with the owners of the Group in their capacity as owners are recognised in the consolidate statement of changes in equity.

 

The Group presents the consolidated income statement using the classification by function of expenses. The Group believes this method provides more useful information to the users of its financial statements as it better reflects the way operations are run from a business point of view. The statement of financial position format is based on a current/non-current distinction.

 

Measurement bases

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for assets.

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in compliance with adopted IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates and management judgements in applying the accounting policies. The significant estimates and judgements that have been made and their effects are disclosed in note 3.

 

2.2.    Basis of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of OnTheMarket plc and all its subsidiaries (i.e., entities that the Group controls through its power to govern the financial and operating policies to obtain economic benefits). These are adjusted, where appropriate, to conform to Group accounting policies.

 

All intra-group transactions, balances, and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

 

2.3.    Reduced disclosures

 

The figures presented in relation to the Company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework ("FRS 101").

 

In accordance with FRS 101 the following exemptions from the requirements of IFRS have been applied in the preparation of the Company financial statements and, where relevant, equivalent disclosures have been made in the consolidated financial statements of the Group:

 

·      presentation of a Company Cash Flow Statement and related notes;

·      disclosure of the objectives, policies and processes for managing capital;

·      inclusion of an explicit and unreserved statement of compliance with IFRS;

·      disclosure of Company key management compensation;

·      disclosure of the categories of financial instrument and nature and extent of risks arising on these financial instruments;

·      disclosure of share-based payment expense charge to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options and how the fair value of options granted was measured;

·      related party disclosures in respect of two or more wholly owned members of the Group;

·      disclosure of the future impact of new International Financial Reporting Standards in issue but not yet effective at the reporting date; and

·      disclosures on fair values.

 

The financial statements of the Company are consolidated within these financial statements which are publicly available from Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.

 

2.4.    Going concern

 

The Group made a loss after tax for the year of £0.2m (2022 restated loss: £0.2m). As at 31 January 2023 the Group had a net cash balance of £11.3m (2022: £8.4m) and a net asset balance of £19.8m (2022: £18.7m). At 30 June 2023, the Group had cash of £11.4m and no borrowings.

 

The Directors have prepared and reviewed cash forecasts and projections for the Group for the 12 months subsequent to the approval of the financial statements. They have also conducted sensitivity analyses and considered scenarios where there is an adverse impact on future revenues, together with the mitigating actions they may take in such circumstances, such as a reduction in budgeted discretionary expenditure.

 

Based upon these projections and analyses, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate financial resources to continue its operations for the foreseeable future and to be able to meet its debts as and when they fall due.

 

In the light of this, the Directors consider the going concern basis to be appropriate to the preparation of these financial statements.

 

2.5.    New and revised standards and interpretations

 

The IASB have issued some amendments to IFRS that become mandatory in a subsequent accounting period. The Group has evaluated these changes and assessed that there are no standards that are issued, but not yet effective, that would be expected to have a material impact on the Group in the current or future reporting periods nor on foreseeable future transactions.

 

2.6.    Functional and presentation currency

 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand (£'000), which is also the Group's functional currency.

 

2.7.    Business Combinations

 

The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration transferred is measured at the aggregate of the fair values, at the date of exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Costs directly attributable to the business combination are recognised in the income statement in the period they are incurred. The cost of a business combination is allocated at the acquisition date by recognising the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that satisfy the recognition criteria at their fair values at that date.

 

The acquisition date is the date on which the acquirer effectively obtains control of the acquiree. Intangible assets are recognised if they meet the definition of an intangible asset contained in IAS 38 and their fair value can be measured reliably. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group's share of identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill.

 

For business combinations achieved in stages, the Group remeasures its previously held equity interest in the acquiree at its acquisition date fair value and recognises the resulting gain or loss, if any, in the Income Statement as appropriate.

 

2.8.    Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the net fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is recognised as an asset at cost and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

 

On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit and loss on disposal.

 

2.9.    Property, plant and equipment

 

All property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is calculated using an appropriate method to allocate their cost amounts to their residual values over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

 

Fixtures, fittings, and equipment                        Straight line 4 years

 

2.10.  Leases

 

Right-of-use assets

A right-of-use asset is recognised at commencement of the lease and initially measured at the amount of the lease liability, plus any incremental costs of obtaining the lease and any lease payments made at or before the leased asset is available for use by the Group.

 

Payments for the right to use an underlying asset are payments for a lease, regardless of the timing of those payments which may be before the underlying asset is available for use by the lessee. 

 

The right-of-use asset is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.  The depreciation methods applied are as follows:

 

Lease vehicles                                      Straight line 3 years

Leased premises                                   Straight line over lease term

 

Lease liabilities

On commencement of a contract (or part of a contract) which gives the Group the right to use an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability unless the lease qualifies as a 'short-term' lease or a 'low-value' lease.

 

Short-term leases - Where the lease term is twelve months or less and the lease does not contain an option to purchase the leased asset, lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Leases of low-value assets - For leases where the underlying asset is 'low-value', lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Initial measurement of the lease liability

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments during the lease term discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or the incremental borrowing rate if the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined.

 

The lease term is the non-cancellable period of the lease plus extension periods that the Group is reasonably certain to exercise and termination periods that the Group is reasonably certain not to exercise.

 

Lease payments include fixed payments, less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments dependant on an index or a rate and any residual value guarantees.  Variable lease payments are initially measured using the index or rate when the leased asset is available for use.

 

Subsequent measurement of the lease liability

Lease liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The carrying amounts are remeasured if there is a change in the following: future lease payments arising from a change in an index, or a rate used; residual guarantee; lease term; certainty of a purchase option and termination penalties. When a lease liability is remeasured, an adjustment is made to the corresponding right-of use asset, or to profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is fully written down.

 

Variable lease payments not included in the measurement of the lease liability as they are not dependant on an index or rate, are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which the event or condition that triggers those payments occurs.

 

2.11.  Intangible assets

 

In accordance with IAS 38, "Intangible Assets", expenditure incurred on research and development is distinguished as relating to a research phase or to a development phase.

 

Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

 

An internally generated intangible asset arising from the development and enhancement of the online platform, OnTheMarket.com, and associated applications, or the development and enhancement of OnTheMarket software assets, is recognised when the development has been deemed technically feasible, the Group has the intention to complete the development, probable future economic benefits will occur, the Group has the required funds to complete the development and when the Group has the ability to measure the expenditure on the development reliably.

 

The amount initially recognised for internally generated intangible assets is the sum of the directly attributable expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria defined above.

 

Capitalisation ceases when the asset is brought into use. Where no internally generated asset can be recognised, development expenditure is recognised in the income statement in the period in which it is incurred.

 

Subsequent to initial recognition, internally generated assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. The amortisation methods applied are as follows:

 

Development costs                                                       Straight-line 4 years

Technology related intangibles                                       Straight-line 4-8 years

Customer related intangibles                                         Straight-line 8 years

 

2.12.  Impairment of property, plant & equipment, right-of-use assets, intangible assets and goodwill

 

The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment, right of use assets and intangible assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.

 

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication that they might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

 

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than it's carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately as profit, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

 

2.13.  Company investments in subsidiaries

 

Investments by the Company in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less any impairment. Where management identify uncertainty over these investments, the investment is impaired to an estimate of its net realisable value.

 

An impairment review is undertaken at each reporting date or more frequently when there is an indication that the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use. In assessing value-in-use the estimated future cash flows of the cash-generating units relating to the investment are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate to discount the future pre-tax cash flows. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit relating to the investment is estimated to be less than it's carrying amount, the carrying value of the investment is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised in the income statement in the period in which it occurs and may be reversed in subsequent periods.

 

2.14.  Financial instruments

 

Recognition of financial instruments

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets

 

Initial and subsequent measurement of financial assets

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and other short-term deposits held by the Group with maturities of less than three months.

 

Trade, Group and other receivables

Trade receivables are initially measured at their transaction price. Group and other receivables are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs. 

 

Other Financial Assets

Other financial assets, including trade investments, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price.

 

The Group may make an irrevocable election at initial recognition for trade investments that would otherwise be measured at fair value through profit or loss to present subsequent changes in fair value in other comprehensive income. As such, these financial assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income.

 

Financial liabilities and equity

 

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.

 

Initial and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities

 

Trade, Group and other payables

Trade, Group and other payables are initially measured at fair value net of direct transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

 

Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

 

Derecognition of financial assets (including write-offs) and financial liabilities

 

A financial asset (or part thereof) is derecognised when the contractual rights to cash flows expire or are settled, or when the contractual rights to receive the cash flows of the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to another party.

 

When there is no reasonable expectation of recovering a financial asset it is derecognised ("written off").

 

The gain or loss on derecognition of financial assets measured at amortised cost is recognised in profit or loss.

 

A financial liability (or part thereof) is derecognised when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

 

Any difference between the carrying amount of a financial liability (or part thereof) that is derecognised and the consideration paid is recognised in profit or loss.

 

2.15.  Impairment of financial assets

 

An impairment loss is recognised for the expected credit losses on financial assets when there is an increased probability that the counterparty will be unable to settle an instrument's contractual cash flows on the contractual due dates, a reduction in the amounts expected to be recovered, or both. The probability of default and expected amounts recoverable are assessed using reasonable and supportable past and forward-looking information that is available without undue cost or effort. The expected credit loss is a probability-weighted amount determined from a range of outcomes and takes into account the time value of money.

 

For trade receivables, material expected credit losses are measured by applying an expected loss rate to the gross carrying amount. The expected loss rate comprises the risk of a default occurring and the expected cash flows on default based on the ageing of the receivable.

 

For intercompany loans that are repayable on demand, expected credit losses are based on the assumption that repayment of the loan is demanded at the reporting date. If the subsidiary does not have sufficient accessible highly liquid assets in order to repay the loan if demanded at the reporting date, an expected credit loss is calculated. This is calculated based on the expected cash flows arising from the subsidiary, weighted for probability likelihood variations in cash flows. 

 

2.16.  Income taxes

 

Tax currently payable is calculated using the tax rates in force or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Taxable profit differs from accounting profit either because some income and expenses are never taxable or deductible, or because the time pattern on which they are taxable or deductible differs between tax law and their accounting treatment.

 

Using the statement of financial position liability method, deferred tax is recognised in respect of all temporary differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position and the corresponding tax base, with the exception of temporary differences arising from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

 

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

 

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that the Group considers that it is probable (i.e. more likely than not) that there will be sufficient taxable profits available for the asset to be utilised within the same tax jurisdiction.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities, they relate to the same tax authority and the Group's intention is to settle the amounts on a net basis.

 

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except if it arises from transactions or events that are recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively. Where tax arises from the initial accounting for a business combination, it is included in the accounting for the business combination.

 

Since the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference associated with interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements, a deferred tax liability is recognised only when it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future mainly because of a dividend distribution.

 

2.17.  Government grants

 

Grants are recognised only when there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the conditions attached to them and that the grants will be received. Grants that are receivable as compensation for expenses already incurred are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they become receivable.

 

2.18.  Employee benefits

 

Defined contribution plans

The Group pays fixed percentage contributions into independent entities in relation to plans and insurances for individual employees. The Group has no legal or constructive obligations to pay contributions in addition to its fixed percentage contributions, which are recognised as an expense in the period that related employee services are received.

 

Short-term employee benefits

Short-term employee benefits, including holiday entitlement, are current liabilities included in pension and other employee obligations, measured at the undiscounted amount that the Group expects to pay as a result of the unused entitlement.

 

Employee Share Schemes

The Group provides equity settled share-based incentive plans allowing executive directors and other employees to acquire shares in the Company. An expense is recognised in the income statement, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to acquire equity settled share-based incentives. See note 25 for details on the different share schemes within the Group.

 

Fair value at the grant date is measured using either the Monte Carlo or Black Scholes pricing model as is most appropriate for each scheme. Measurement inputs include share price on measurement date; exercise price of the instrument; expected volatility (based on weighted average historic volatility adjusted for changes expected due to publicly available information); weighted average expected life of the instruments (based on historical experience and general option behaviour); expected dividends; and risk-free interest rates (based on government bonds). Service and non-market performance conditions attached to the awards are not considered in determining the fair value of the individual shares awarded.

 

Where employees are rewarded using share-based payments, the fair value of employees' services is determined indirectly by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted. This fair value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of non-market vesting conditions (for example profitability and sales growth targets and performance conditions).

 

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of share options expected to vest differs from previous estimates. Any adjustment to cumulative share-based compensation resulting from a revision is recognised in the current period.

 

The number of vested options ultimately exercised by holders does not impact the expense recorded in any prior period. Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are allocated to share capital up to the nominal (or par) value of the shares issued with any excess being recorded as share premium.

 

Employer's NI is accrued, where applicable, at a rate of 13.8%, which management expects to be the prevailing rate when share based incentives are exercised. In the case of share options, it is provided on the difference between the share price at the reporting date and the average exercise price of share options. In the case of nil cost performance shares and deferred shares, it is provided based on the share price at the reporting date. The NI on share-based payments in relation to the exercise of the shares is charged to the income statement over the vesting period of the award.

 

Employee Benefit Trust

The Employee Benefit Trust holds shares in the Company and was set up for the benefit of Group employees. The Employee Benefit Trust purchases the Company's shares in the market or is gifted these by the Company for use in connection with the Group's share-based payments arrangements. Once purchased, shares are not sold back into the market.

 

2.19.  Agent Recruitment Shares

 

The Group issues shares to key agents who commit to long-term listing agreements, in line with its strategy to grow the agent shareholder base. Shares are issued in return for payment of the nominal share value in cash and, in some cases historically, in return for share premium in non-cash consideration relating to the long-term listing agreements signed. Shares are either issued as soon as practicable after contract commencement or following the completion of contractual commitments, depending upon the contract terms.

 

For shares issued as soon as practicable after contract commencement, an agent recruitment share reserve is credited upon contract commencement (shown within other reserves in the financial statements) and a prepayment created, based on the value of the shares at contract date, which is then amortised over the life of the contract.  

 

In instances where shares are issued after the completion of contract commitments, amounts are accrued during the life of the contract and the accrual released and other reserves credited upon issue of the shares. Amounts are accrued and deducted against revenue over the period in which the fees are earnt.

 

Upon the issue of shares to the agents, which predominantly takes place on a quarterly basis, the nominal value of the shares issued, which is paid in cash by the agent, is transferred to share capital.

 

2.20.  Provisions

 

Where, at the reporting date, the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event and it is probable that the Group will settle the obligation, a provision is made in the statement of financial position. Provisions are made using best estimates of the amount required to settle the obligation. Changes in estimates are reflected in profit or loss in the period they arise. Provisions for social security on share options granted are measured using the fair value of the expected number of share options to be exercised at the applicable tax rate in use at the measurement date.

 

2.21.  Revenue

 

Revenue principally represents the amounts receivable from agency and New Homes customers in respect of listing fees and the sale of products that provide additional marketing opportunities for customers. OnTheMarket Software revenues are predominantly in respect of licence subscriptions and paid development contracts. The Group also receives revenues from non-property advertisers who pay for exposure to consumers using the Group's platforms.

 

Revenue is recognised based upon the transaction price specified in a contract with a customer. It is recognised at the point when the performance obligations are satisfied, through providing a customer with access to the OnTheMarket platforms and/or products or other services.

 

Further information on the main revenue sources is set out below.

 

Agency

 

For listing services, customers pay monthly subscriptions to list their properties on the OnTheMarket platforms. Contract fees for these services are predominantly based upon the size (number of branches) of the agent, branch locations and customer activities (sales, sales and lettings or lettings only). They vary in length from rolling monthly notice periods to five years, with agents on discounted rates or short-term introductory free of charge offers typically on shorter contracts.

 

Performance obligations are satisfied, and revenue recognised, from the point at which the customer has access to the platform to allow them to list their properties. Subscription revenue is spread over the life of the contract. Agency listing services are typically billed monthly in advance, from the point the customer gains access to the platforms.

 

Agent customers have the option to enhance their property listings and presence through purchasing additional advertising products. For products that provide enhanced brand exposure over a period of time, revenue is recognised over the life of the product, from the point the customer gains access to the product. Invoices for such products are sent on a monthly basis, in arrears.

 

For products with a one-off usage basis, revenue is recognised at the point in time or over time depending on the nature in which the customer chooses to apply and use the product.

 

Where contracts include an issue of shares to an agent customer following payment of listing fees, and the shares issued are calculated as a percentage of the fees paid, the fair value of the shares expected to be awarded is accrued over the relevant period and treated as a discount to revenues.

 

New Homes

 

For listing services, customers pay monthly subscriptions to list their developments on the OnTheMarket platforms. Revenues for these services are predominantly based upon a monthly fee per development listed. Contracts are predominantly rolling, and the contract will end when the listed development is fully sold.

 

Performance obligations are satisfied, and revenue recognised, from the point at which the customer has access to the platform to allow them to list their properties. Subscription revenue is spread over the life of the contract. New Homes listing services are typically billed monthly in arrears, from the point the customer gains access to the platforms.

 

New Homes customers have the option to enhance their property listings and presence through purchasing additional advertising products. For products that provide enhanced brand exposure over a period of time, revenue is recognised over the life of the product, from the point the customer gains access to the product. Invoices for such products are sent on a monthly basis, in arrears.

 

For products with a one-off usage basis, revenue is recognised at the point in time or over time depending on the nature in which the customer chooses to apply and use the product.

 

OnTheMarket Software

 

OnTheMarket Software revenue is derived from the sale of software licences or for the provision of software development services for customers.

 

Licence agreements with customers include a pre-defined subscription period during which the customer is entitled to the usage of the software. The length of the subscription period varies and might be one, 12, 24, or 36 months. Performance obligations are satisfied, and revenue recognised, when the customer has the contractual right to use the software. Revenue is then recognised on a monthly basis, over the life of the contract, from the point the customer has the right to access software. Invoices are issued under a range of billing agreements including monthly, quarterly, in advance and in arrears.

 

For paid development work, revenue is recognised on the basis of work performed over the life of the contract, with billing often based on contractual milestones within the contracts.

 

Other

 

Other revenue principally relates to advertising revenue paid by customers (not agency or New Homes customers) to advertise non-property products on the OnTheMarket platforms. Performance obligations are met once a customer is actively advertising on the OnTheMarket platforms. Revenue is recognised from the point in time in which the customer advertised. Where third parties are acting as intermediaries between the Group and the advertiser customer, only net revenues receivable are recognised.

 

 

 

 

Contract assets and liabilities

 

Contract assets relate to the Group's rights to consideration for services that have been provided at the reporting date, predominantly under contracts invoiced in arrears. Contract assets are transferred to receivables when the rights to consideration have become unconditional.

 

Contract liabilities predominantly relate to advance consideration received from agency customers for listing services, for which revenue is recognised at a later date, as or when the services are provided.

 

2.22.  Operating segments

 

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Group's other components. An operating segment's operating results, where discrete financial information is available, are reviewed regularly by the Group's Chief Executive Officer to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance.

 

2.23.  Alternative Performance Measures

 

In the analysis of the Group's financial performance, certain information disclosed in the financial statements may be prepared on a non-GAAP basis or has been derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but are not themselves an expressly permitted GAAP measure.

 

These measures are reported in line with the way in which financial information is analysed by management and designed to increase comparability of the Group's year-on-year financial position, based on its operational activity. APMs should not be viewed in isolation but as supplementary information to the Groups results. The key alternative performance measures presented by the Group are:

 

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is operating profit before amortisation, depreciation, share-based payments, (including charges relating to shares issued for agent recruitment), specific professional fees and non-recurring items.

 

Adjusted Operating Profit

Adjusted EBITDA after amortisation and depreciation.

 

These are alternative performance measures and should not be considered an alternatives to IFRS measures, such as revenue or operating profit or loss. The directors believe that adjusting items relate to costs or incomes that derive from events or transactions that fall within the normal activities of the Group, but are excluded from the Group's adjusted profit measures, individually or, if of a similar type in aggregate, due to their size and/or nature in order to better reflect management's view of the performance of the Group. These include:

 

·      Share-based payments;

·      Agent Recruitment charges;

·      Staff related costs associated with termination of employment and professional fees associated with employee share-based plans;

·      Acquisition costs; and

·      Goodwill or Intangible asset impairment charges within the Group.

The directors therefore consider adjusted operating profit to be the most appropriate indicator of the performance of the business and year-on-year trends.

 

3.       Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions concerning the future which impact the application of accounting policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The accounting estimates resulting from these judgements and assumptions seldom equal the actual results but are based on historical experiences and future expectations.

 

 

 

Critical accounting judgements

 

There are no critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations (which are dealt with separately below), that the directors have made in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

 

Significant accounting estimates

 

The preparation of the Group's consolidated financial statements includes the use of estimates and assumption. The significant accounting estimates with a significant risk of a material change to the carrying value of assets and liabilities within the next year in terms of IAS 1, 'Presentation of Financial Statements', are:

 

Impairment of Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Investments in subsidiaries

Determining whether goodwill, intangible assets or investment in subsidiaries are impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating unit to which these have been allocated. The value in use calculation requires the company to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate to calculate present value. Projections are based on both internal and external market information and reflect past experience. As at 31 January 2023 the estimate relates entirely to the OnTheMarket Software  CGU. Further details are included in note 13.

 

Impairment of Company receivables

The Company has intercompany loans to its subsidiaries Agents' Mutual and OnTheMarket Software which are repayable on demand. As the subsidiaries did not have sufficient highly liquid resources to repay the loans at 31 January 2023, an expected credit loss is calculated under IFRS 9.

 

The calculation is based upon a number of scenarios, ranging from a scenario which anticipates that Agents' Mutual and OnTheMarket Software will trade profitably in the future and that this will allow it to repay the loans in time, to a scenario under which it is anticipated that the loan will not be fully recovered. Forecast cash flows under a range of possible outcomes are used to derive a probability-weighted value for the loans based upon the time taken to repay the outstanding amount in full.

 

These calculations rely on management estimates as to the future cash flow forecasts and the probability weightings assigned. The estimates reflect the views of management at 31 January 2023 and the future cash flows therefore vary year to year.

 

Deferred tax

At 31 January 2023 Agents' Mutual had tax losses available to carry forward. Agents' Mutual was profitable in the year to 31 January 2023 and the Directors believe it will make taxable profits in the future, against which the tax losses carried forward will be available to offset future corporation tax payments. A deferred tax asset has therefore been recognised in respect of these losses.

 

In considering their recoverability, the Group assesses the likelihood of their being recovered within a reasonably foreseeable timeframe, being typically a minimum of three years, taking into account the future expected profit profile and business model of the company. Short-term timing differences are generally recognised ahead of losses and other tax attributes as being likely to reverse more quickly.

 

The Directors are required to estimate possible revenues and profits that may arise and the asset is restricted to forecast profits in the foreseeable future (see note 11).

 

4.       Revenue

 

The Group reports revenues attributable to products and services offered to:

 

·      Estate and letting agents

·      New home developers

·      OnTheMarket Software customers

·      Other, non-property advertising income

 

		Restated
Revenues for the year ended 31 January	2023	2022
Group revenue	£m	£m
-     Agency	29.1	26.8
-     New Homes	4.0	2.5
-     OnTheMarket Software	1.0	0.6
-     Other	0.3	0.3
-     Total	34.4	30.2

 

Agency sales are predominantly billed monthly in advance, and these are recognised as deferred income. The Group has contract liabilities of £1.7m as at 31 January 2023 (2022: £1.7m).

 

Contract liabilities of £1.7m at 31 January 2022 were recognised as revenue in the year ended 31 January 2023 (2022: £1.8m).

 

A proportion of sales are billed monthly in arrears (predominantly New Homes) and are recognised as accrued income. The Group has accrued income of £0.6m as at 31 January 2023 (2022: £0.4m).

 

Agency revenue is reduced by £0.4m of agent recruitment charges during the year (2022: £0.6m).

 

All revenue is generated in the UK for the Group's services.

 

5.       Operating Segments

 

The Group determines and presents operating segments based on internal information that is provided to the Chief Executive Officer, who is the Group's chief operating decision maker.

 

The Group's reportable segments are as follows:

 

·      OnTheMarket Software

·      Rest of the Group

 

Management monitors the business segments at a revenue and operating profit level separately for the purpose of making decisions about resources to be allocated and of assessing performance. There was no inter-segment revenue during the year.

 

Costs, assets and liabilities are not attributed to the different revenue sources other than for OnTheMarket Software and so segmental reporting under IFRS 8 is not appropriate for the remainder of the Group.

 

No customer made up more than 10% of Group revenues in the current or prior years.

 

Operating profit in relation to the Rest of the Group segment is managed together and as there are no internal measures of individual segment profitability, relevant disclosures have been shown under the heading Rest of the Group in the table below.

		OnTheMarket Software		(Restated) Rest of the Group		(Restated) Group
Year ended 31 January 2022		£m		£m		£m
Revenue		0.6		29.6		30.2
Operating loss1		(0.5)		(0.4)		(0.9)
Depreciation & amortisation		0.2		2.9		3.1
	OnTheMarket Software		Rest of the Group		Group
Year ended 31 January 2023	£m		£m		£m
Revenue	1.0		33.4		34.4
Operating (loss) / profit1	(1.2)		1.3		0.1
Depreciation & amortisation	0.4		3.3		3.7

 

¹ Operating (loss) / profit is stated after the charge for depreciation and amortisation.

² Assets and liabilities are not separately monitored by the Chief Operating Decision Maker and therefore not identified above.

6.       Administrative Expenses

	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Operating (loss) / profit is stated after charging:
Short-term lease expenses	69	246
Staff costs (note 8)	11,770	9,509
Advertising expenditure	8,624	10,574
Audit fees payable to the Company's auditor
- audit of Group financial statements	218	132
- audit related assurance services	20	8
Other administrative expenses	6,052	4,606
Adjusting Items (note 7)	3,837	3,045
	30,590	28,120
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets	633	605
Amortisation of intangible assets	3,081	2,460
	34,304	31,185

 

7.       Adjusting Items

		Restated
	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Agent share recruitment revenue	358	628
Share-based management incentive	310	467
Professional fees	351	211
Agent recruitment charges	1,375	1,683
Government grant repaid	-	449
Staff related costs	90	106
Acquisition related costs	193	129
Goodwill impairment (note 13)	1,518	-
	4,195	3,673

 

Agent share recruitment revenue arises where contracts include an issue of shares to an agent customer following payment of listing fees, and the shares issued are calculated as a percentage of the fees paid, the fair value of the shares expected to be awarded is accrued over the relevant period and treated as a discount to revenue.

 

Share-based management incentive charges include employer's national insurance charged on options exercised in the year as well as the movement in the expected future employer's national insurance charged based upon the year-end share price. See note 25 for further details.

 

Professional fees incurred in the year relate to fees and expenses associated with the recruitment of a new Chief Financial Officer, legal fees relating to the post IPO lock-in share placement in February 2023 and cancellation of the share premium account in May 2022.

 

Agent recruitment charges relate to share-based charges arising on the issue of shares to agents committing to long-term service agreements in line with the Group's strategy to grow the agent shareholder base.

 

Staff related costs relate to termination of employment, the associated professional fees and legal fees to establish an Employee Benefit Trust.

 

Acquisition related costs represent the amortisation of prepayments for employee services incurred as part of the acquisition of Glanty Limited (OnTheMarket Software) and amortised over a three-year period from acquisition.

 

Goodwill impairment relates to the OnTheMarket Software cash generating unit and is explained in detail in note 13.

 

8.       Employees and Directors

Group	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Staff costs (including Directors) comprise:
Wages and salaries	12,317	10,002
Social security costs	1,549	1,199
Pension	167	136
	________	________
	14,033	11,337
Less staff costs capitalised to intangible assets	(2,263)	(1,828)
	________	________
Staff costs expensed	11,770	9,509
	________	________

 

Company	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Staff costs (including Directors) comprise:
Wages and salaries	226	206
Social security costs	29	25
Pension	1	1
	________	________
	256	232
	________	________

 

The average monthly number of persons employed by the Group during the year was:	2023 Number	2022 Number
Non-Executive Directors	3	3
Marketing, sales and administration	136	116
IT	59	52
	________	________
	198	171
	________	________

 

The Non-Executive Directors were the only employees in the Company as they had service contracts during the year:

Directors' remuneration Group	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Aggregate emoluments	1,055	1,218
Payment due on loss of office	31	-
Pension contributions	4	4
	________	________
	1,090	1,222
	________	________
Highest paid Director Group	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Aggregate emoluments	313	401
	________	________

One Director, not the highest paid Director, exercised share options during the year.

 

 

 

 

Key management personnel compensation

 

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group. The Group considers the Directors to be the only key management personnel. As well as the emoluments above the Group paid employers national insurance contributions of £133k (2022: £161k) due in respect of Directors. A charge of £124k (2022: £49k) was recognised in respect of options awarded to Directors in the year. Chris Bell, Non-executive Chair, and the Executive Directors receive payments from the Group into money-purchase pension schemes. Further details on Directors' remuneration are set out in the Directors' Remuneration Report within these accounts.

 

9.       Finance income

	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Finance income:
Other interest receivable	99	33
	________	________

 

10.       Finance expense

	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Interest arising on:
Lease liability interest (note 16)	14	11
	________	________

 

11.     Income tax

	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Current tax:
UK corporation tax on income for year	-	5
	________	________
Total current tax	-	5
Deferred tax:
Origination and reversal of temporary differences	376	(580)
Arising from change in enacted tax rate	-	(461)
	________	________
Income tax debit/ (credit)	376	(1,036)
	________	________

 

Factors affecting tax charge for the year

 

The tax assessed for the year is different from the effective rate of corporation tax as explained below:	2023 £'000	Restated 2022 £'000
Profit / (loss) before taxation	209	(1,249)
	________	________
Profit / (loss) before taxation multiplied by the effective rate of corporation tax of 19% (2022: 19%)	40	(237)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes	592	340
Depreciation in excess of capital allowances	62	180
Expenditure on intangible assets claimed as incurred	(102)	(99)
Tax losses (utilised in year) / carried forward	(592)	(179)
Previously unrecognised tax losses	101	(1,041)
Origination and reversal of temporary differences	275 ________	- ________
Tax charge / (income)	376	(1,036)
	________	________

 

 

Deferred taxes reflected in these financial statements have been measured using the enacted tax rates at the Balance Sheet date. For UK corporation tax the enacted rate of 25% was used.

 

This net deferred tax asset within the Group comprises temporary differences attributable to:

 

	2023 £'000	2022 £'000
Employee share-based payments	1,248	1,271
Property, plant and equipment temporary differences	157	157
Development cost temporary differences	(1,560)	(1,307)
Tax losses	2,377	2,478
	________	________
Deferred tax asset	2,222	2,599
	________	________
Intangible assets	(400)	(401)
Deferred tax liability	(400)	(401)
	________	________
Net deferred tax asset	1,822	2,198
	________	________

The movement in the year in the net deferred tax asset arising from the Agents' Mutual losses and other timing differences is as follows:

                                                                        £'000

Opening balance at 1 February 2022                   2,198

Debited to profit and loss                                  (376)

                                                                        _____

Closing balance            at 31 January 2023                   1,822

                                                                        _____

 

The subsidiary, Agents' Mutual Limited, had trading losses available for carry forward of £26.7m (2022: £30.2m). Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised total £16.9m (2022: £18.9m).

 

The subsidiary, Glanty Limited (OnTheMarket Software), has trading losses available for carry forward of £6.1m (2022: £4.8m) for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised. The Group has been implementing its strategic plans for the long-term development of the business. These plans envisage a period of strong growth in the future, underpinned by initial investment in product development and roll-out. As a result of the Group's strategic plans, circumstances with respect to recoverability of the deferred tax asset in relation to losses carried forward in the foreseeable future remain uncertain. Consequently, no deferred tax asset has been recognised.

 

12.     Loss per share

 

Numerators: Earnings attributable to equity
Loss for the year from continuing operations  attributable to owners of the Company	2023 £'000	Restated 2022 £'000 2019 £'000
Total basic earnings and diluted loss	(167)	(213)
	________	________
	No.	No.
Denominators: Weighted average number of equity shares
Weighted average number of equity shares used in calculating basic earnings per share	75,000,325	73,744,914
Adjustments for calculating diluted earnings per share:	7,986,795	7,194,021
-     options over equity shares
Weighted average number of equity shares used in calculating diluted loss per share	82,987,120	80,938,935
	_________	_________

 

As required by IAS33 (Earnings per Share), the impact of potentially dilutive options was disregarded for the purposes of calculating diluted loss per share in the year as the Group was loss making.

 

13.     Goodwill         

	Group £'000
At 1 February 2022	1,518
Impairment	(1,518)
	________
At 31 January 2023	-
	________

 

Impairment testing for the OnTheMarket Software Cash Generating Unit

 

The Group tests goodwill for impairment at each reporting date. If there are indicators of impairment, then other intangible assets are also tested.

 

The impairment review is undertaken by assessing whether the carrying value of assets is supported by their value-in-use, which is calculated as the net present value of future cash flows derived from those assets, using cash flow projections.

 

If an impairment charge is required, this is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit (£1.5m) and then to the other assets of the cash generating unit, but subject to not reducing any asset below its recoverable amount.

 

As at 31 January 2023 the impairment assessment relates entirely to the OnTheMarket Software CGU which is a reportable segment (see note 5).

 

For the impairment review, cash flows were prepared using Board approved forecasts to 31 January 2026, alongside management projections for a further two years. The projections demonstrate continued growth in line with the Board approved plan, specifically revenue from existing customers including forecast growth in sales with the Group's listing agent customer base. In addition, a long-term revenue growth rate beyond the 5-year period of 0% has been assumed.

 

OnTheMarket Software has made good progress during the year, however trading performance (specifically software licences) has been lower than expected. A remediation plan has been put in place and although management consider there to be significant future value, our current assessment is lower than envisaged at acquisition.

 

This resulted in an updated assessment of the key assumptions, which impact the recoverable amount of the CGU.

 

The following key assumptions were used in the discounted cash flow model:

-     Revenue growth in the base model for the years 1-5 is assumed at a CAGR of 33% (2022: 44%).

-     EBITDA margins increase to a steady state level of 32% (2022: 40%) in perpetuity; and

-     19 % pre-tax discount rate (2022: 14%).

 

Revenue growth in the base model is assumed at a CAGR of 33%. OnTheMarket Software achieved growth in license revenue of 33% in the prior year. Management believe continued growth in the base model is achievable in accordance with the acquisition strategy of providing additional services for agents listed on the OnTheMarket.com portal and supports the move of the Group from specific listing services to a holistic approach towards service and product delivery.

 

During the forecast period OnTheMarket Software is expected to become profitable and EBITDA margins increase to a steady state level of 32% in perpetuity. Management believes this is reflective of a steady state within the industry and reflects the costs of supporting the business in the long run.

 

The discount rate of 19% pre-tax reflects management's estimate of the time value of money and the consolidated entity's weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the risk-free rate and the volatility of the share price relative to market movements.

 

The above assumptions used in the annual review, have resulted in an impairment charge of £1.5m to Goodwill. This has been recorded as a charge within the income statement. The recoverable amount is £2.7m.

 

14.     Intangible assets

Group	Development costs   £'000	Technology related intangibles £'000	Customer related intangibles £'000	Total     £'000
Cost:
At 1 February 2021	13,547	-	-	13,547
Acquisition through business combination	-	1,482	444	1,926
Additions - internally developed	2,823	546	-	3,369
	________	________	________	________
At 31 January 2022	16,370	2,028	444	18,842
Amortisation:
At 1 February 2021	8,862	-	-	8,862
Charge for the year	2,258	165	37	2,460
	________	________	________	________
At 31 January 2022	11,120	165	37	11,322
	________	________	________	________
Net book value:
At 31 January 2022	5,250	1,863	407	7,520
	________	________	________	________
Cost:
At 1 February 2022	16,370	2,028	444	18,842
Additions - internally developed	3,627	864		4,491
At 31 January 2023	19,997	2,892	444	23,333
	________	________	________	________
Amortisation:
At 1 February 2022	11,120	165	37	11,322
Charge for the year	2,607	474		3,081
At 31 January 2023	13,727	639	37	14,403
	________	________	________	________
Net book value:
At 31 January 2023	6,270	2,253	407	8,930
	________	________	________	________

 

Amortisation is included within administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

The development costs relate to those costs incurred in relation to the development of the Group's online property portal, OnTheMarket.com. The development costs capitalised above are amortised over a period of 4 years which represents the period over which the Directors expect the Group to consume the assets' future economic benefits. The development costs are amortised from the point at which the asset is ready for use within the business.

 

The technology and customer related intangible assets acquired through business combination relate to the development of software by OnTheMarket Software for TecLet lettings and TecLet CRM products and represent the fair value of those assets acquired as part of the Group's acquisition.

 

 

 

15.     Property, plant and equipment            

Group	Fixtures, fittings and equipment £'000
Cost:
At 1 February 2021	318
Additions	49
	________
At 31 January 2022	367
Depreciation:
At 1 February 2021	215
Charge for the year	56
	________
At 31 January 2022	271
Net book value:	________
At 31 January 2022	96
	________
Cost:
At 1 February 2022	367
Additions	62
	________
At 31 January 2023	429
Depreciation:
At 1 February 2022	271
Charge for the year	59
	________
At 31 January 2023	330
Net book value:	________
At 31 January 2023	99
	________

 

Depreciation is included within administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

 

 

16.     Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

 

The Group has lease contracts for motor vehicles and for premises.

 

The amounts presented in the financial statements are as follows:

 

Right-of-Use Assets

Motor Leasehold Group     Vehicles Premises       £'000 £'000 £'000 At 1 February 2021 119 61 180 Additions 429 683 1,112 Disposals - (40) (40) Depreciation charge (176) (373) (549) _______ _________ _______ At 1 February 2022   372 331 703 Additions - 822 822       Depreciation charge (143) (431) (574) _______ _________ _______ At 31 January 2023 229 722 951

 

Lease Liabilities

Motor Leasehold Group Vehicles Premises   £'000 £'000 £'000       98 61 159 429 683 1,112 - (42) (42) 4 7 11 (202) (380) (582) _______ _________ _______ 329 329 658   - 822 822       7 7 14 (129) (441) (570) _______ _________ _______ 207 717 924

 

Non-current lease liabilities amount to £364k (2022: £237k) and are all due between 1-5 years.

 

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities relate to lease liabilities only. The movement during the year in lease liabilities is set out above. During the year, cash repayments of lease liabilities totalled £570k (2022: £582k) and cash payments of short-term lease expenses were £69k (2022: £246k).

17.     Investments in subsidiaries    

Company				Subsidiary undertakings £'000
At 1 February 2021				-
Additions				2,364
				________
At 31 January 2022				2,364
				________
At 31 January 2023				2,364
				________

 

The Company has the following investments in subsidiary undertakings:

 

 

	Registered Number	Class of shares held1	Principal activity	Ownership at 31 Jan 2023
Agents' Mutual Limited1	08381458	Member	Online property portal services	100%
Glanty Limited	05562443	Ordinary	Property software business	100%

 

¹ Agents' Mutual is a company limited by guarantee and has no shares. The Company owns the only member interest in Agents' Mutual.

 

All the above subsidiary undertakings share the same registered office as the Company.

 

On The Market (Europe) Limited was dissolved in 2022 and therefore not included in the above table.

 

The following subsidiary companies have taken the exemption from an audit of individual accounts under s479A-C of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act):

 

-     Agents' Mutual Limited

 

18.     Investments in associates       

Group and Company	£'000
At 1 February 2021	851
Share of after-tax loss (to 28 May 2021)	(122)
Fair value loss on step acquisition	(183)
Deemed disposal of associate interest in Glanty	(546)
	________
At 31 January 2022	-
	________
At 1 February 2022	-
	________
At 31 January 2023	-
	________

 

 

19.     Investments

Group and Company	£'000
At 1 Feb 2021	-
Additions	405
At 1 February 2022	405
Additions	-
Fair value adjustment through OCI	(358)
	________
At 31 January 2023	47
	________

 

The investment balance is comprised of £47k of Property Funding Hub Limited, trading as Brickflow. This business is an unlisted company and the investment was in return for minority interest shares in equity. The Group has designated the investment an equity instrument at FVTOCI as this is an investment that the Group plans to hold in the long term for strategic reasons.

 

During 2023 a fair value adjustment of £358k in relation to Insurestreet Limited was identified bringing the investment value down to nil.

 

20.     Trade and other receivables

			Restated	Restated
Current	Group	Company	Group	Company
	2023	2023	2022	2022
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Trade receivables	1,566	-	1,215	-
Amounts due from Group undertakings	-	-	-	43,814
Other receivables	241	57	227	-
Prepayments and accrued income	2,875	158	3,933	187
	_______	_________	_______	_________
	4,682	215	5,375	44,001

 

The aged analysis of trade receivables is shown in note 22.

 

Included within prepayments is £1.4m (2022 restated: £2.0m) in relation to prepaid agent recruitment share-based payment charges. Of this, £0.3m (2022 restated: £0.9m) is not due to be recognised in the income statement until after 12 months. The remaining prepayments relate to insurance, advertising media commitments and other administrative expenses.

 

Non-current	Group	Company	Group	Company
	2023	2023	2022	2022
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Amounts due from Group undertakings	-	48,347	-	-
	_______	_________	_______	_________
	-	48,347	-	-

 

 

 

21.     Trade and other payables

 

			Restated
	Group	Company	Group	Company
	2023	2023	2022	2022
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Current liabilities
Trade payables	928	120	1,031	22
Social security and other taxes	1,410	46	840	4
Other payables	55	1	29	1
Accruals and deferred income	3,978	336	3,980	58
	_________	_________	_________	________
	6,371	503	5,880	85

Included within accruals is £0.7m (2022 restated: £0.7m) in relation to agent recruitment share-based payment charges

 

22.     Financial instruments and financial risks

 

Financial risks

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group's risk management objectives and policies and, whilst retaining ultimate responsibility for them, it has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board receives monthly reports from the finance function through which it reviews the effectiveness of the processes put in place and the appropriateness of the objectives and policies it sets.

 

The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group's competitiveness and flexibility. Further details regarding these policies are set out below:

 

The Group is exposed through its operations to the following financial risks:

 

·      credit risk; and

·      liquidity risk.

 

In common with all other businesses, the Group is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. This note describes the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them from previous periods unless otherwise stated in this note.

 

The financial assets and liabilities of the Group are as follows:

 

Financial assets
	2023	2022
	£'000	£'000
Non-current assets at fair value through OCI
Investments	47	405
Current assets at amortised cost
Trade and other receivables	1,807	1,442
Accrued income	557	405
Cash and cash equivalents	11,333	8,412
	________	________
Measured at amortised cost	13,697	10,259

 

 

 

Financial liabilities held at amortised cost
		Restated
	2023	2022
	£'000	£'000
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	983	1,031
Accrued expenses	2,236	2,235
Lease liabilities	560	658
	________	________
Total financial liabilities measured at amortised cost	3,779	3,924

 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations.

 

The loss allowance on all financial assets is measured by considering the probability of default.

 

Trade receivables are considered to be in default when the amount due is significantly more than the associated credit terms past due, based on an assessment of past payment practices and the likelihood of such overdue amounts being recovered.

 

Trade receivables are written off by the Group when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery, such as when the counterparty (the agent) is known to be going bankrupt, or into liquidation or administration. Trade receivables will also be written off when the amount is more than materially past due.

 

Expected credit losses are measured using a provisioning matrix based on the reason the trade receivable is past due or, for current debtors at risk of recovery. The provision matrix rates are based on actual credit loss experience over the past 12 months and adjusted, when required, to take into account current macro-economic factors.

 

In the prior year the expected loss rate on balances less than 120 days gave rise to an immaterial loss allowances provision. The expected loss rate on balances greater than 120 days also gave rise to an immaterial loss allowances provision.

                                                             

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited as the funds are held at banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies.

 

The following table shows an aged analysis of gross trade receivables for the Group.

 

	2023		2023	2023	2022
	Gross	Expected Credit Loss Rate	Provision	Net
	£'000	%	£'000	£'000	£'000
0 - 30 days	870	0.9%	(8)	862	922
31 - 60 days	340	0.9%	(3)	337	147
61 - 90 days	182	0.9%	(2)	180	21
91 - 120 days	101	25.0%	(25)	76	53
Over 120 days	341	67.5%	(230)	111	72
	________		________	________	________
	1,834		(268)	1,566	1,215

 

Impairment of Company financial assets

The Company's Group receivables represent trading balances and amounts advanced to other Group companies with no fixed repayment dates.

 

 

The Company determines that credit risk has increased significantly when:

·      there are significant actual or expected changes in the operating results of the Group entity, including declining revenues, profitability or liquidity management problems; or

·      there are existing or forecast adverse changes to the business, financial or economic conditions that may impact the Group entity's ability to meet its debt obligations.

The Company has determined that there is no increased credit risk with respect to the intercompany loan to Agents' Mutual. Management believes the strong operational progress in the business means its future financial prospects are less risky and it is judged to be more likely now to generate future profits to allow it to repay the loan than before. As such the expected credit losses have been calculated under the 12-month expected credit losses methodology.

 

The Company has determined that there is increased credit risk with respect to the intercompany loan to Glanty Ltd as it is currently loss making and management believes there is a risk in its ability to generate future profits to allow it to repay the loan. As such the expected credit losses have been calculated under the lifetime expected credit losses methodology.

 

Following an impairment review as at 31 January 2023 the intercompany balances are as follows:

	Loan Receivable from Agent's Mutual	Loan Receivable from Glanty Ltd	Total
	2023	2023	2023
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Gross Balance as at 31 Jan 2022	53,374	1,355	54,729
Provision	(10,359)	(556)	(10,915)
	_________	_________	_________
Net Balance as at 31 Jan 2022 (restated)	43,015	799	43,814
Gross Balance as at 31 Jan 2023	54,923	1,426	56,349
Provision	(6,582)	(1,420)	(8,002)
	_________	_________	_________
Balance as at 31 January 2023	48,341	6	48,347

 

Impairment reversal of loan receivable from Agents' Mutual

The weighting of the scenarios applied in the expected credit loss provision reflects the position and prospects of the individual companies. Agents' Mutual delivered an after-tax profit in the year to 31 January 2023 of £3.1m (2022: after tax profit of £1.2m). The reversal of impairment for the Agents' Mutual provision of £3.8m (2022: reversal of £0.5m) is a result of increased profitability and assessment of future repayment.

Impairment of loan receivable from Glanty

Glanty is currently loss making, the assessment of future repayment is lower than envisaged at acquisition, this has resulted in an impairment charge in the year of £0.9m against the Glanty receivable (2022: impairment of £0.6m).

The net increase in the provision of £2.9m is included within the Company's profit for the year, however it is fully eliminated on Consolidation and has no impact on the Group's reported financial performance for the year or financial position at the balance sheet date.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the Group's management of working capital. It is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as they fall due.

 

In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the Group monitors forecast cash inflows and outflows on a monthly basis.

 

The following is an analysis of the maturities of the financial liabilities in the Statement of Financial Position:       

	Carrying amount	6 months or less	6-12 months	1 year or more
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
2023
Trade and other payables	928	928	-	-
Accrued expenses	2,236	2,236	-	-
Lease liabilities	924	278	282	364
	4,088	3,442	282	364

 

         

	Carrying amount	6 months or less	6-12 months	1 year or more
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
2022 (restated)
Trade and other payables	1,031	1,031	-	-
Accrued expenses	2,235	2,235	-	-
Lease liabilities	658	214	207	237
	________	________	________	________
	3,924	3,480	207	237

All financial liabilities are denominated in Sterling.

 

Capital risk management

Management considers capital to be the carrying amount of equity. The Group manages its capital to ensure its obligations are adequately provided for, while maximising the return to shareholders through the effective management of its resources.

 

The Group's objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern. The Group meets its objective by aiming to achieve growth which will generate regular and increasing returns to its shareholders. The principal policies in this regard relate to increasing the number of paying advertiser customers whilst managing costs, in particular discretionary costs, to available resources.

 

The Group deposits cash at bank, which is included in cash and cash equivalents, with a number of separate financial institutions with appropriate credit ratings.

 

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities

The fair value of the Group's financial assets and liabilities are not materially different from their book values and therefore the Directors consider no hierarchical analysis is necessary.

 

23.     Provisions

		Social security on share options granted
		£'000
At 1 February 2021		880
Exercise of share options		(40)
Revaluation of employers' social security liability		95
		_______
At 31 January 2022		935
Exercise of share options		(10)
Revaluation of employers' social security liability		(212)
		_______
At 31 January 2023		713
	2023	2022
	£'000	£'000
Disclosed as:
Current liability	639	732
Non-current liability	74	203
	_______	_______
	713	935

 

The provision for social security on share options granted relates to the social security charges that will be incurred by the Group when the share options are exercised. This is calculated based on the options disclosed in note 26 in respect of the management incentive share option plan and the employee share scheme. Employer's National Insurance Contributions are accrued, where applicable, at a rate of 13.8% (2022: 15.05%). The amount accrued is based on the market value of the shares at the period end after deducting the exercise price of the share option, adjusted to account for any vesting period related to ongoing employment.

 

For the purposes of the provision, it is assumed that options are exercised once employees can do so in determining whether the liability is current or non-current. Actual liabilities are triggered on exercise which is at employees' discretion and may be later than assumed in the above table, therefore it is not possible to determine the exact timing of outflows.

 

24.     Deferred Consideration

 

During 2022 the purchase agreement of Glanty Limited (OnTheMarket Software) included additional consideration which may become payable under earn-out arrangements (capped at £12m and payable in shares or cash at the Company's discretion) and if Glanty received R&D tax credits from HMRC which relate to periods prior to completion (capped at £150k). The Group has calculated the fair value of the contingent consideration based on probabilities assigned to forecasts based on different assumptions. As at 31 January 2022 a balance of £75k was recognised on the balance sheet in respect of R&D tax credits.

 

The earnout targets are based on Glanty Limited's recurring revenues and EBITDA in the third-year post completion, the mechanism for determining which is detailed in the share purchase agreement. The earnout will be payable if third year revenues exceed £2m and third year EBITDA exceeds £0.5m. Below those levels, no earnout is paid. If payable, the earnout payable will be 1 times third year revenues plus 1.5 times third year EBITDA, capped at an aggregate payment of £12m. Payment of any earnout will be made following the third anniversary of completion of the call option and allows time for drawing up and agreeing the relevant accounts on which the earnout is calculated. Following a review of future forecasts it has been determined that no further provision is required given that the criteria above is not met.

 

25.     Share-based payments

 

Agent recruitment shares

The Group issued agent recruitment shares during the year. 916,470 ordinary shares were issued (2022: 464,224). Fair value was determined in accordance with the accounting policy set out in note 2.19 The weighted average fair value of the shares granted was £0.76 (2022: £0.78).

 

Management and employee share schemes

The Group operates management and employee equity settled share schemes. Options over its shares were awarded under the employee share scheme in the year to 31 January 2023, as set out below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant date of option	Expiry	Option exercise per share	Fair value	2023
		£	£	Number
Granted 15 September 2017	2027	nil	1.48	5,850,439
Granted 19 September 2017	2027	nil	1.48	86,360
Granted 10 October 2017	2027	nil	1.48	-
Granted 20 November 2018	2028	1.65	0.69	382,293
Granted 4 December 2018	2028	nil	1.13	42,424
Granted 10 September 2020	2030	nil	0.77	-
Granted 10 September 2020	2030	nil	0.65	-
Granted 14 December 2020	2030	nil	0.93	379,249
Granted 19 March 2021	2031	0.95	0.62	212,133
Granted 24 August 2021	2031	nil	0.62	822,412
Granted 21 March 2022	2032	0.88	0.56	109,327
Granted 21 March 2022	2032	0.86	0.62	21,195
Granted 20 June 2022	2032	nil	0.87	166,302
Granted 20 June 2022	2032	nil	0.87	166,303
Granted 14 July 2022	2032	0.69	0.40	810,224
Granted 1 December 2022	2032	nil	0.44	1,119,998
Outstanding at 31 January 2023				10,168,659

 

 

2023	Management Incentive Plan	Employee Share Scheme	Company Share Option Plan	Deferred Bonus Scheme	SAYE	Total
Opening 1 February 2022	5,832,939	2,104,072	634,562	-	-	8,571,573
Granted during the year	-	1,119,998	130,522	429,467	821,928	2,501,915
Forfeited during the year	-	(671,658)	(40,136)	(96,862)	(11,704)	(820,360)
Exercised during the year	-	(84,469)	-	-	-	(84,469)
Closing 31 January 2023	5,832,939	2,467,943	724,948	332,605	810,224	10,168,659
Exercisable	4,446,389	17,500	382,293	-	-	4,846,182

 

 

2022	Management Incentive Plan	Employee Share Scheme	Company Share Option Plan	Deferred Bonus Scheme	SAYE	Total
Opening 1 February 2021	5,892,939	1,228,972	572,219	-	-	7,694,130
Granted during the year	-	1,089,308	251,669	-	-	1,340,977
Forfeited during the year	-	-	(189,326)	-	-	(189,326)
Exercised during the year	(60,000)	(214,208)	-	-	-	(274,208)
Closing 31 January 2022	5,832,939	2,104,072	634,562	-	-	8,571,573
Exercisable	4,446,389	230,753	422,371	-	-	5,099,513

 

 

The value of employee services provided of £522k (2022: £372k) has been charged to the income statement.

 

Management Incentive Scheme

 

These share options expire 10 years after the date of grant and have a nil exercise price. 1,386,550 are exercisable on the fifth anniversary (9 February 2023). The remaining 4,446,389 options are exercisable immediately. The fair value of all these options was charged to the profit and loss account in full in the year to 31 January 2018. During the year nil options were exercised (2022: 60,000).

 

Employee Share Scheme

 

These share options expire 10 years after the date of grant. During the year 84,469 options were exercised. The weighted average share price at exercise was £0.70. All options granted prior to 1 February 2020 are exercisable at 31 January 2023. Share options granted under this scheme have a nil exercise price. Details of the options outstanding as at 31 January 2023 and not yet exercisable are as follows:

 

·      the options were issued pursuant to the Company's Long-Term Investment Plan;

·      they are subject to performance conditions based on the total shareholder return achieved by the Company relative to the FTSE AIM 100 Index in the three years prior to the performance period end date and are, save for limited circumstances, forfeited should the employee leave prior to the vesting date;

·      119,048 options were granted on 10 September 2020 and vest on 1 February 2023;

·      285,714 options were granted on 10 September 2020 and vest on 10 September 2025;

·      379,249 options were granted on 14 December 2020 and vest on 14 December 2025;

·      1,089,308 options were granted on 24 August 2021 and vest on 24 August 2026; and

·      1,199,998 options were granted on 1 December 2022 and vest on 1 December 2025.

 

Company Share Option Plan (CSOP)

 

These share options expire 10 years after the date of grant. Share options granted under this scheme have an exercise price of £1.65, £0.95, £0.88 & £0.86 and vest 3 years after the date of grant. The fair value of these share options is charged to the profit and loss account over the vesting period. The share options are, save for limited circumstances, forfeited should the employee leave.

 

Deferred Bonus Share Plan (DBP)

 

On 21 June 2022 the company awarded the 429,467 options under the Company's Deferred Benefit Plan. The options vest in two equal tranches on 20 June 2024 and 20 June 2025, before exercise is possible. All the options have a nil exercise price and require continued employment, subject to exceptions. The fair value of awards granted under the Deferred Bonus Share Plan are equal to the share price on the grant date.

 

Save as You Earn Scheme (SAYE Scheme)

 

The Company launched an SAYE scheme offering a saving plan over 3 years for all eligible employees. Employees were invited to subscribe for options ("Options") over the Company's ordinary shares of £0.002 each in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") which have been granted on 14 July 2022 at an exercise price of £0.692 in accordance with the terms of the SAYE Scheme. This represents a discount of 20% from the mid-market closing price for an Ordinary Share on 17 June 2022, the business date prior to the invitation made to all eligible employees on 20 June 2022.

 

A total of 81 employees have participated in the scheme and 821,928 Options have been granted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of Share options granted

 

Share Scheme	Grant Date	Options	Share Price at grant date (£)	Exercise Price (£)	Expected Volatility	Dividend Yield	Risk-free interest rate	Fair value derived per option (£)
CSOP	21/03/2022	109,327	0.88	0.88	40%	0%	1.35%	0.56
CSOP	21/03/2022	21,195	0.86	0.86	40%	0%	1.35%	0.62
DBP	21/06/2022	429,467	0.87	nil	n/a	n/a	n/a	0.87
SAYE	14/07/2022	623,208	0.85	0.69	54%	0%	2.1%	0.40
SAYE	14/07/2022	198,720	0.85	0.69	54%	0%	2.1%	0.40
Employee	01/12/2022	1,119,998	0.73	nil	40%	0%	3.2%	0.44

 

National Insurance Contributions

National insurance contributions are payable by the Group in respect of all share-based payment schemes except the Company Share Option Plan. A provision has been recognised at 13.8% (2022: 15.05%).

 

The following have been expensed in the consolidated income statement:

	2023	2022
	£'000	£'000
Share-based payment charge	522	372
Employer's social security on share options	(212)	95
	_______	_______
	310	467

26.     Share capital

 

Share capital issued and fully paid	2023	2022
	No.	No.
Opening Ordinary shares of £0.002 each	74,549,165	72,445,046
Issued in the year	1,166,461	2,104,119
	_______	_______
Closing Ordinary shares of £0.002 each	75,715,626	74,549,165

 

	2023	2022
	£'000	£'000
Ordinary shares of £0.002 each	151	149

           

All issued shares are fully paid. The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per ordinary share at general meetings of the Company.

 

On incorporation, the Company issued 2 ordinary shares of £0.002 each at par.

 

	Total
Balance as at 1 February 2022	74,549,165
Issued in respect of employee share schemes	249,991
Issued to agents	916,470
Balance as at 31 January 2023	75,715,626

 

 

          Share option scheme

At the year end, there were a total of 10,168,659 (2022: 8,571,573) share options under the Company's share option plans (note 25), which on exercise can be settled either by the issue of ordinary shares or by market purchases of existing shares. During the year to 31 January 2023, 249,991 options were settled through market purchases by the Employee Benefit Trust (2022: nil options).

 

27.     Share Premium cancellation

 

A General meeting was held on the 26 May 2022 at which shareholder approval for a proposed cancellation of capital was received. Following approval from shareholders and the courts, on 23 July 2022 the cancellation of the Company's share premium account became effective. This created additional distributable reserves of £44m within the Company.

The cancellation has the effect of creating distributable reserves and, subject to the financial performance of the Company and the CA 2006 provides the Company with greater flexibility to pay dividends to shareholders and/or introduce a share buyback programme, should the Board consider it appropriate in the future. No distributions have currently been made or proposed.

28.     Retirement benefit schemes

 

Defined contribution schemes

The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the Group in independently administered funds. The cost charged represents contributions payable by the Group to the funds. At the balance sheet date contributions of £30k (2022: £28k) were outstanding.  

	2023	2022
	£'000	£'000
Contributions payable by the Group for the year	167	136

 

29.     Prior Period Restatement

 

As part of the Group's admission to the AIM market in prior years, an equity incentivisation scheme was introduced to encourage agents to join as shareholders in return for committing to long-term paying contracts. By a resolution dated 22 December 2017 the Directors were authorised to issue up to 40,000,000 shares to estate agents in connection with such agents signing listing agreements with the Company or its subsidiaries. This expired in December 2022. Shares were issued in return for payment of the nominal share value in cash and, in some cases historically, in return for share premium in non-cash consideration relating to the long-term listing agreements signed. Shares are either issued as soon as practicable after contract commencement or following the completion of contractual commitments, depending upon the contract terms.

 

Following an internal review of agents that were entitled to shares as part of long-term listing agreements, it was identified that an acceleration of the agent recruitment charge was required in prior periods due to incomplete agent charges, incorrect fair values used at the grant date and incorrect classification of the charge in line with the Group's accounting policies.

 

Impact on prior periods

 

Group

The restatement corrects the combined errors for two types of agent recruitment share arrangements. One type impacts prepayments, administrative costs and other reserves. The other type impacts accruals, revenue and other reserves. The restatement is set out in the reconciliations below.

Consequently, the consolidated statement of cashflows has been restated as follows: Profit for the year after income tax reduced from £108k to £(213)k and Agent recruitment expense increased from £1,985k to £2,306k.

As a result of the changes to the income statement for the period ended 31 January 2022, basic EPS reduced from 0.15p to (0.29)p. Diluted EPS also reduced to (0.29)p as the potential ordinary shares are antidilutive.

 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position extract

	Reported as at 31 January 2021	Total Adjustments	As at 31 January 2021 (restated)
	£000	£000	£000
Non-current assets	7,377	-	7,377
Trade and other receivables	4,793	449	5,242
Other current assets	10,719	-	10,719
Total current assets	15,512	449	15,961
Total assets	22,889	449	23,338
Trade and other payables	(4,934)	(282)	(5,216)
Other current liabilities	(795)	-	(795)
Total Current Liabilities	(5,729)	(282)	(6,011)
Non-current liabilities	(260)	-	(260)
Total Liabilities	(5,989)	(282)	(6,271)
Net Assets	16,900	167	17,067
Other equity	47,527	-	47,527
Other reserves	782	647	1,429
Retained earnings	(31,409)	(480)	(31,889)
Total Equity	16,900	167	17,067

 

 

 

	Reported as at 31 January 2022	Total Adjustments	As at 31 January 2022 (restated)
	£000	£000	£000
Non-current assets	12,841	-	12,841
Trade and Other receivables	5,085	290	5,375
Other current assets	8,412	-	8,412
Total current assets	13,497	290	13,787
Total assets	26,338	290	26,628
Trade and other payables	(5,580)	(300)	(5,880)
Other current liabilities	(1,165)	-	(1,165)
Total Current Liabilities	(6,745)	(300)	(7,045)
Non-current liabilities	(916)	-	(916)
Total Liabilities	(7,661)	(300)	(7,961)
Net Assets	18,677	(10)	18,667
Other equity	45,133	-	45,133
Other reserves	4,473	791	5,264
Retained earnings	(30,929)	(801)	(31,730)
Total Equity	18,677	(10)	18,667

 

Consolidated Income Statement extract

	Reported as at 31 January 2022	Total Adjustments	As at 31 January 2022 (restated)
	£000	£000	£000
Revenue	30,443	(224)	30,219
Administration expenses	(31,088) *	(97)	(31,185) **
	________	________	________
Operating loss	(645)	(321)	(966)
Finance income	33	-	33
Finance expense	(11)	-	(11)
Share of loss of associate	(122)	-	(122)
Fair value loss on step acquisition	(183)	-	(183)
	________	________	________
Loss before income tax	(928)	(321)	(1,249)
Income tax	1,036	-	1,036
	________	________	________
Profit / (loss) for the year attributable to owners of the parent	108	(321)	(213)
Total Comprehensive income/(loss) for the year	108	(321)	(213)

 

 

* Administration expense £28,140k, adjusting items £2,948k, total £31,088k.

 

** Administration expense £28,120k, amortisation £2,460k & depreciation £605k, total £31,185k.

Company

As the shares are issued by the Company for the benefit of its subsidiary, Agents' Mutual Limited, the restatement impacts Amounts due from Group undertakings and Other reserves. The restatement is set out in the reconciliations below.

 

 

Company Statement of Financial Position extract

 

	Reported as at 31 January 2021	Total Adjustments	As at 31 January 2021 (restated)
	£000	£000	£000
Non-current assets	851	-	851
Trade and other receivables	43,011	647	43,658
Other current assets	6,189	-	6,189
Total current assets	49,200	647	49,847
Total assets	50,051	647	50,698
Total liabilities	(74)	-	(74)
Net assets	49,977	647	50,624
Other Equity	47,598		47,598
Other Reserves	782	647	1,429
Retained Earnings	1,597		1,597
Total Equity	49,977	647	50,624

 

 

	Reported as at 31 January 2022	Total Adjustments	As at 31 January 2022 (restated)
	£000	£000	£000
Non-current assets	2,814	-	2,814
Trade and other receivables	43,235	766	44,001
Other current assets	5,681	-	5,681
Total assets	48,916	766	49,682
Total assets	51,730	766	52,496
Total liabilities	(97)	-	(97)
Net assets	51,633	766	52,399
Other Equity	45,133	-	45,133
Other Reserves	4,614	790	5,404
Retained Earnings	1,886	(24)	1,862
Total Equity	51,633	766	52,399

 

 

30.     Controlling parties

                                                                                                                                   

The Directors do not consider there to be a single immediate or ultimate controlling party (2022: none).

 

31.     Related party relationships and transactions

 

Subsidiaries

 

Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 17.

 

Key management personnel

 

Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in note 8.

 

Other related party transactions

 

There were no further related party transactions during the year.

 

32.     Post balance sheet events

 

Agent share lock in expiry

On 16 February 2023 the "Lock-in Arrangements" whereby agents who had agreed to retain Ordinary Shares for at least 5 years from the date on which OnTheMarket shares were admitted to trading on AIM expired. A total of 3,130,675 shares were traded; this number includes the 1,386,550 share options exercised by Morgan Ross detailed below.

 

Employee Share Scheme

On 16 February 2023 Morgan Ross exercised options over 1,386,550 ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each pursuant to an exercise of nil-cost options.

 

On 3 March 2023 85,000 ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each were issued pursuant to an exercise of nil-cost options by a former employee.

 

On 15 May 2023 100,000 ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each were issued pursuant to an exercise of nil-cost options by a former employee.

 

On 16 May 2023 17,500 ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each were issued pursuant to an exercise of nil-cost options by a former employee.

 

On 19 June 2023 2,528,205 ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each were issued pursuant to an exercise of nil-cost options by a former employee.

 

Agent Shares

On 26 April 2023 257,774 each were admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and issued to certain agents following them having earlier signed new long-term listing agreements in accordance with the strategy set out in the admission document published on 26 January 2018.

 

EBT share purchase programme

On 3 July 2023 the Board submitted a letter of wishes to the OnTheMarket Employee Benefit Trust (EBT"). The letter requested that the trustees commence a market purchase programme of ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each in OnTheMarket plc (Ordinary Shares) with effect from 10 July 2023. The Company has made funds available to the EBT to facilitate Ordinary Share purchases. Such Ordinary Shares repurchased will be used to satisfy existing and future share-based compensation awards.

 

Intertrust Employee Benefit Trustee Limited, as trustee of the EBT, will make market purchases which will be limited in value terms to an aggregate of £500,000 (exclusive of costs) in total under the purchase programme. The programme will remain in operation until 30 September 2023, unless extended.

 

There are no other post balance sheet events.

 

ENDS