Annual Financial Report
Baronsmead VCT 2 plc
Annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 September 2012
Investment Objective
Baronsmead VCT 2 is a tax efficient listed company which aims to
achieve long-term investment returns for private investors, including tax free
dividends.
Investment Policy
* To invest primarily in a diverse portfolio of UK growth
businesses, whether unquoted or traded on AIM.
* Investments are made selectively across a range of sectors in
companies that have the potential to grow and enhance their value.
Further details on investment policy and risk management are
contained in the Report of the Directors in the Company's 2012 Annual Report
and Accounts.
Dividend policy
The Board of Baronsmead VCT 2 aims to sustain a minimum annual
dividend level at an average of 6.5p per Ordinary Share, mindful of the need
to maintain net asset value. The ability to meet these twin objectives depends
significantly on the level and timing of profitable realisations and cannot be
guaranteed. There will be variations in the amounts of dividends paid year on
year.
Since launch, the average annual tax free dividend paid to
Shareholders has been 6.4p per share (equivalent to a pre-tax return of
8.5p per Ordinary Share for a higher rate taxpayer). For Shareholders who claimed
tax reliefs of 20 per cent, 30 per cent or 40 per cent, their returns would
have been higher.
Financial Headlines
* + 8.9% - Net asset value ("NAV") per share increased
8.9 per cent to 103.6p in the twelve months ended 30 September 2012, before deduction
of the interim dividend of 2.5p.
* 7.5p - Tax free dividends totalled 7.5p for the year to 30
September 2012, including the proposed final dividend of 5.0p.
* 8.3% - Tax free annual dividend yield of 8.3 per cent and gross
annual yield of 11.1 per cent.
* 252.0p - NAV total return to shareholders for every 100.0p
invested at launch.
Chairman's Statement
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
Results
In the year to 30 September 2012, the net asset value ("NAV") grew
by 8.45p per share (8.9 per cent) to 103.60p before payment of dividends. This
growth (together with reserves accumulated from successful realisations) has
enabled us to recommend a final dividend of 5p making a total of 7.5p for the
year
Pence per
ordinary
share
NAV as at 1 October 2012 95.15
Valuation uplift (8.9 per cent) 8.45
103.60
Interim dividend paid on 15 June 2012 (2.50)
Proposed final dividend of 5.0p, payable after
shareholder approval, on 18 Jan 2013 (5.00)
NAV as at 30 September 2012 assuming final
dividend paid 96.10
We continue to be very satisfied with the management provided by
ISIS. They have created a valuable portfolio of investments and this has
enabled us to pay good dividends in a period in which investment returns more
generally have been depressed. We are proud of our dividend record which has
provided shareholders with an average tax free dividend of 7.9p per share for
the last 10 years. With a share price of 90p per share this is equivalent to a
tax free yield of 8.8 per cent (11.7 per cent for higher rate tax payers).
Compared with the returns achievable on deposits and many other investments in
the current market place this is outstanding.
Our policy is to invest in growth companies. It is pleasing to
report that, despite a weak economy, lack of bank finance and a recession in
the euro zone our top ten investments (representing 51 per cent by value of
the portfolio) have delivered an outstanding 18 per cent average annual growth
in profits over the last three years. Indeed the overall portfolio (of 71
companies) is in good health with 8.5 per cent showing steady or better
progress.
The value of the unquoted and AIM portions of the portfolio,
increased by 8 per cent and 19 per cent during the year. The largest gains
came from the investments in Independent Living Services and IDOX, which both
increased in value by some £1.7 million in the last year.
I am also delighted to report that, in November 2011, Baronsmead
VCT 2 and Baronsmead VCT 3 were jointly voted VCT of the year at the
Investment Trust Awards 2011. The judging process was based on a mixture of a
quantitative assessment of investment performance and a qualitative assessment
of the fund manager. This year Baronsmead VCT 2, Baronsmead VCT 3 as well as
Baronsmead VCT 4 have been short listed for the same award.
LONGER TERM INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
The Company is a generalist investor and our investment objective
and the investment and dividend policies are aimed at producing consistent
returns over the long-term.
The NAV total return over the last ten years has been 222.8p
(before taxation benefits) for each 100p invested compared with an average of
166.3p for the VCT generalist sector as a whole (source AIC). Over the same
period, cumulative tax free dividends paid to shareholders, including the
proposed final dividend of 5.0p, amount to 7.9p per share (equivalent to 10.5p
for a higher rate taxpayer). This is before taking account of the initial
income tax relief available on subscription.
Over the same period, the FTSE All-Share Index grew to 235.7p using
the same metrics, but this comparison takes no account of the restricted
nature of VCT investments or the benefit of tax reliefs available to investors
in VCTs.
FUND RAISING AND SHAREHOLDER OPPORTUNITIES
Our top up offer in February 2012 generated proceeds of
£3.9 million net of expenses. We expect to make a further prospectus offer for
subscription shortly seeking to raise net proceeds of approximately
£5 million.
In deciding how much to raise the Directors have considered the
level of cash that will be required by the Company for investment over the
next few years as well as the need to maintain sufficient liquidity to pay
dividends and costs.
Since inception the Board has, as a service to shareholders,
maintained a buy back policy to acquire shares through the market, generally
at a 10 per cent discount to NAV. The level of such buy backs has, in recent
years, been small (0.75 million shares or 1 per cent of shares in issue last
year). The Directors have decided that in an effort to minimise the discount
between the share price and the NAV and increase the attractiveness of the
Company's shares the Company will in future endeavour to buy back shares at a
5 per cent discount to NAV. This will also enable those shareholders who sell
their shares to achieve a return closer to net asset value.
This new share buy back policy will be kept under continuous review
based on the number of shares bought back and may be subject to revision.
Shares will be bought back depending on market conditions at the time and only
where the Directors believe they will be in the best interests of shareholders
as a whole.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
I look forward to meeting as many shareholders as possible at our
15th Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 10 January 2013 at the
Plaisterers' Hall, One London Wall, EC2Y 5JU. Proceedings for the day commence
at 11:00am with presentations from the Manager and an investee company
followed by lunch before the AGM at 1:30pm, which is expected to finish at
2:00pm.
OUTLOOK
As anticipated in my half-yearly report the continued scarcity of
bank debt in the UK and concerns regarding the stability of the European Union
has resulted in both uncertain and slower growth for the UK economy generally.
Against this backdrop it is good to report that there has been
steady growth across many of the portfolio companies as witnessed by the `top
ten' investees showing excellent increases in turnover and more importantly in
profits. The relatively low levels of debt in our portfolio companies should
enable them to be more resilient if trading conditions remain uncertain.
Government continues to talk about helping smaller companies such
as those in our portfolio. However the burden of regulation and the difficulty
of raising capital for growth remains a problem for investees. VCTs have an
excellent record of generating growth by investing in well managed companies,
but proposed restrictions on fund raising (by the FSA in particular) threaten
this well proven source of capital. Small companies are the large employers of
the future and they need more equity investment rather than more bank
borrowing. What is needed is fiscal and regulatory encouragement for
individuals and others so that equity investment in any small growing company
is made desirable.
The Company will continue to seek out and invest in growing
businesses and further enhance our excellent portfolio.
Clive Parritt
Chairman
16 November 2012
Manager's Review
The progress made by the Company's investees has been creditable
given the ongoing economic uncertainty during the period under review. The
portfolio has overall performed very well. It is pleasing to see a pickup in
new investment, particularly in unquoted Private Equity.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Overview
The net assets of £72 million were invested as follows:
Number Annual
% of of return
Asset class NAV NAV investees %
Unquoted £36,720,000 51 25 8
Quoted £22,276,000 30 46 19
Wood Street Microcap £4,183,000 6 33 8
Cash and near cash £9,254,000 13 n/a n/a
During the year in total there were;
- New investments of £9.14 million in eleven new companies and six follow ons;
- Divestments of £2.38 million from eight full investments and a partial loan
realisation.
Each quarter the direction of general trading and profitability of all
investee companies is recorded so that the Board can monitor the overall
health and trajectory of the portfolio. At 30 September 2012, 87 per cent of
the 71 companies in the quoted and unquoted portfolio were progressing
steadily or better.
Unquoted Private Equity
The unquoted portfolio has again performed well and there has been
an increase in unquoted values of 8 per cent. The unquoted portion of the
portfolio is valued using a consistent process every three months which the
Board oversees and approves. Almost all of the value creation in unquoted
investments has come from operational improvements (revenue and margin
growth), rather than financial leverage. For example, external bank debt
within the top ten investments on average is only 0.7 times earnings, which is
very low within the Private Equity arena.
The sale of TVC Group to the Economist Group realised £1.32 million.
Quoted (AIM traded and other listed investments)
There has also been a significant uplift in the quoted portfolio of
19 per cent partially reflecting a positive re-rating of the small cap sector
in the first quarter of 2012. This recovery has been helpful to the quoted
portfolio following several years of headwinds from a challenging AIM market
environment and weak share prices.
Over the three years to 30 September 2012, the approach in quoted
investments has been to concentrate on making fewer AIM investments and
becoming a more engaged shareholder where possible and appropriate. This has
taken time to implement as only a small minority of AIM companies qualify for
VCT purposes. The average size by value of the investments in the portfolio in
September 2009 was £246,000 but this had nearly doubled to £484,000 by
September 2012.
Realisations of £737,000 came from realising seven AIM-traded
companies, three through trade sales (Clarity Commerce Solutions plc,
Stagecoach Theatre Arts plc and Prologic plc); two through market sales (Real
Good Food Company plc and Nakama Group plc) and two written off (Colliers
International UK and Adventis Group). The latter five were mainly legacy
companies that were valued below cost and were divested largely to reduce the
tail of older and poorer performing investments.
Wood Street
Wood Street Microcap Investment Fund ("Wood Street") was
established by ISIS in May 2009 to provide flexibility for the Baronsmead VCTs
to invest in generally larger and more liquid non VCT qualifying AIM and Small
Cap opportunities. At 30 September 2012, Baronsmead VCT 2 had invested
£3.5 million into Wood Street. At the year end Wood Street was invested in a
portfolio of 33 companies and the Baronsmead VCT 2 investment was valued at
£4.2 million. Wood Street generated an increase of 8 per cent over the year.
During the year, a further investment of £1 million was made into
Wood Street. The Manager receives no additional fee for managing this fund.
Liquid assets (cash and near cash)
Baronsmead VCT 2 had cash and near cash resources of approximately
£9.3 million at the year-end. This asset class is conservatively managed to
take minimal or no capital risk.
In addition, investments within the Wood Street fund are expected
to be relatively more liquid than other investments as covered in the section
above. This gives the Manager the possibility of realising cash from Wood
Street should this ever be required to supplement liquid assets.
Unquoted Investments
During the year £6.60 million was invested in unquoted companies.
The principal unquoted investments were:
* Independent Community Care Management ("ICCM") is a care
business based in Kettering. It is a leading provider of homecare to
individuals with complex long-term spinal and neurological conditions. This is
a specialist healthcare business where the Manager has experience, most
recently from the investment in Active Assistance which was successfully
realised in 2010. The investment will help build infrastructure and capacity
to grow the business.
* Happy Days Consultancy, a children's nursery business, is based
in the South West of the UK. The business has 17 sites already and the
investment will help accelerate growth in new sites. This is a sector that the
Manager has invested in before with a successful investment in Kidsunlimited
which was realised in 2008.
* Pho Holdings is a group of traditional Vietnamese restaurants
based in London. The Pho sites are informal, fast casual environments,
specialising in Vietnam's national dish of Pho, a tasty and nutritious noodle
soup. Pho was awarded `Best Emerging Concept' at this year's Retailer of the
Year Awards. The first Pho location opened on St. John Street, Clerkenwell,
London, in June 2005 and the group now has a total of seven sites across
London and the South East. The new investment enables the team to open new
sites, but with each site retaining a unique and independent feel.
* Impetus Holdings is a specialist business consultancy,
supplying sales and after sales support services to the automotive industry.
The business delivers a diverse range of programmes and projects for vehicle
manufacturers, with much of their work taking place within dealerships and
national sales companies. Impetus Holdings has achieved strong growth in
recent years with revenues increasing by 50 per cent since 2010. Clients
include VW, Land Rover, Audi, Toyota, BMW, Citroen, Fiat, Ford and Jaguar.
Approximately 15 per cent of work is delivered outside of the UK. The
investment by ISIS will support the business in its continued expansion into
new markets, building on the strong presence established in the UK and further
development of new services to clients.
Top Ten investments
The average investment value of the top ten companies held by
Baronsmead VCT 2 is £3 million per company. As these investments are normally
held by the other four Baronsmead VCTs, the total managed by ISIS in each
investee is significantly larger than this, which enables ISIS to dedicate
significant resource to manage each investment and its progress. The top ten
investees employ some 2,600 people which is an increase of 22 per cent over
the last year. They have grown their turnover and profits by some 18 per cent
annually for the last three years. Each of the top ten companies is described
in more detail below.
Investment Management
ISIS continues to invest in its skills and capacity with over 40 of
its total team of 60 devoted to investment management across all its investing
activities. Its focus is on generating strong investment returns from its
portfolio through a mixture of intelligent investment selection and hands on
portfolio management. Its ability to select good investments owes much to its
in depth sector research and specialisation and to its strong origination team
that help the team to generate proprietary deal flow. Its investments are
supported from the outset by an experienced internal value enhancement team
together with a panel of proven Operating Partners who work exclusively with
ISIS to assist management teams to deliver both strategic development and
operational efficiencies. They have enabled ISIS to build a strong track
record of producing consistent returns from its unquoted investments.
ISIS has pursued a strategy of sector specialisation over the past
fourteen years and in that time its executives have developed in-depth
knowledge of these sectors and valuable networks of contacts which have
enabled it to capitalise on opportunities that have presented themselves in an
ever changing environment. Its key sectors are:
* Business Services
* Financial Services
* Consumer Markets
* Healthcare & Education
* Energy & Environmental
* Technology, Media & Telecommunications
ISIS' Operating Partners are all proven executives with a track
record within the portfolio. Some are experienced Chairmen to lead change
within investees. Others have deep functional experience including Sales, IT,
Talent Management and Finance. This is an important additional resource on top
of the experience of the ISIS executives to support investments made by the
fund.
OUTLOOK
A number of commentators believe that the UK economy is unlikely to
experience significant growth in the next decade. At this stage of the
recovery, this is hard to dispute and it is a fair working assumption for
investors.
However, many of our portfolio companies and their management teams
are now more experienced at handling the economic uncertainties, including
managing their growth and operations in a tougher environment than in previous
decades. Low bank borrowings within the portfolio give them robust financial
structures.
ISIS is an active investment manager who partners with our
investees to help them to grow revenue and earnings whilst continuing to
enhance customer service and build resilient businesses with good momentum.
Our intention is to seek out the best opportunities where growth is driven by
innovation and gaining market share through differentiation rather than
relying on favourable economic growth. We continue to be confident that good
levels of performance can be maintained through the ongoing challenging
environment.
ISIS EP LLP
Investment Manager
16 November 2012
Summary Investment Portfolio
Investment Classification at 30 September 2012
Sector* Percentage
Business Services 34%
Technology, Media &
Telecommunications
("TMT") 31%
Consumer Markets 19%
Healthcare &
Education 14%
Financial Services 2%
* at 30 September 2012 valuation.
Total Assets* Percentage
Unquoted - loan
stock 36%
AIM, listed &
collective
investment vehicles 36%
Unquoted - ordinary
and preference 15%
Listed interest
bearing securities 8%
Net current assets
principally cash 5%
* at 30 September 2012 valuation
Time Investments Percentage
Held*
Less than 1 year 16%
Between 1 and 3 17%
years
Between 3 and 5 15%
years
Greater than 5 52%
years
* at 30 September 2012 valuation.
Table of Investments and Realisations
Investments in the year
Book Cost
Company Location Sector Activity £'000
Unquoted investments
New
Independent Community Kettering Healthcare & High acuity
Care Management Limited Education care for home
based care
users 1,346
Impetus Holdings Limited London Business Automotive
Services consultancy and
outsourced
service
provider 1,075
Consumer Investment London Business Company seeking
Partners Limited Services to acquire
businesses in
the business
services sector 1,000
Riccal Investments London Consumer Markets Company seeking
Limited to acquire
businesses in
the consumer
markets sector 1,000
Pho Holdings Limited London Consumer Markets Restaurant
group
specialising in
Vietnamese
street food 987
Happy Days Consultancy Newquay Healthcare & Provider of
Limited Education nursery based
childcare in
Cornwall &
Plymouth across
16 settings 833
Follow on
Crew Clothing Holdings London Consumer Markets Multi-channel
Limited clothing
retailer 360
Total unquoted
investments 6,601
AIM-traded & listed
investments
New
TLA Worldwide plc London Business Baseball sports
Services management and
marketing
business 620
Zattikka plc London TMT* Online games
development 316
Inspired Energy plc Kirkham Business Energy
Services procurement
consultancy
services 300
Paragon Entertainment London Consumer Markets Visitor
Limited attraction
business 200
GB Group plc Chester TMT* ID verification
and data
solutions 150
Follow on
Dods (Group) plc London TMT* Political
information and
communication 678
Electric Word plc London TMT* Business to
business
publisher 80
Accumuli plc Salford TMT* Managed IT
security 76
FFastFill plc London TMT* Trading
platform
software
provider 62
Rossendale Business Dispute
Driver Group plc Services resolution 61
Total AIM-traded & listed
investments 2,543
Collective investment
vehicle
Follow on
Wood Street Microcap
Investment Fund 1,000
Total collective investment
vehicle 1,000
Total investments in the
year 10,144
* Technology, Media & Telecommunications ("TMT").
Realisations in the year
30
September Realised
First 2011 profit/(loss) Overall
Investment valuation this Multiple
Company date £'000 period £'000 Return
Unquoted
realisations
Full trade
TVC Group Limited sale Jul 08 766 558 ^
MLS Limited Loan repayment Jul 06 320 0 1.00
Total unquoted
realisations 1,086 558
AIM-traded & listed
realisations
Stagecoach Theatre Full trade
Arts plc sale Feb 01 153 140 0.70
Full trade
Prologic plc sale Jun 04 103 48 0.49
Real Good Food Full market
Company (The) plc sale Dec 03 218 40 0.42
Clarity Commerce Full trade
Solutions plc sale Oct 09 26 6 0.63
Full market
Nakama Group plc sale Dec 96 5 (1) 0.02
Adventis Group plc Written off Jun 04 22 (22) 0.00
Colliers
International UK
plc Written off Jul 01 27 (27) 0.00
Total AIM-traded &
listed realisations 554 184
Total realisations
in the year 1,640 742â€
^ Not disclosed.
†Proceeds of £8,000 were also received in respect of Getting Personal
Limited, which had been sold in the year ended 30 September 2011.
Ten Largest Investments
The top ten investments by current value at 30 September 2012 illustrate the
diversity and size of investee companies within the portfolio. This financial
information is taken from publicly available information, which has been
audited by the auditors of the investee companies.
1. - NEXUS VEHICLE HOLDINGS LIMITED - Leeds
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: February 2008
Total Cost: £9,500,000
Total equity held: 57.38%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £2,367,000
Valuation: £4,721,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 12.62%
Year ended 30 2011 2010
September £ million £ million
Sales: 38.3 33.5
EBITA: 4.3 4.0
Profit before tax: 1.4 1.3
Net Assets: 1.7 0.8
No. of Employees: 90 73
(Source: Nexus Vehicle Holdings Limited, Report and Financial Statements
2011).
2. - IDOX PLC - London
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: May 2002
Total Cost: £3,015,000
Total equity held: 9.52%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,038,000
Valuation: £4,215,000
Valuation basis: Bid Price
% of equity held: 3.19%
Year ended 31 2011 2010
October £ million £ million
Sales: 38.6 31.3
EBITA: 9.5 7.5
Profit before tax: 5.6 4.9
Net Assets: 34.4 31.0
No. of Employees 363 332
(Source: IDOX Plc, Directors' Report and Financial Statements 31 October 2011)
3. CABLECOM NETWORKING HOLDINGS LIMITED - Clevedon
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: May 2007
Total Cost: £5,600,000
Total equity held: 48.00%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,381,000
Valuation: £4,131,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 10.56%
Year ended 30 2011 2010
September £ million £ million
Sales: 12.2 8.2
EBITA: 1.4 0.9
Loss before tax: (0.2) (0.5)
Net Assets: 0.3 0.5
No. of Employees 61 52
(Source: CableCom Networking Holdings Limited, Report and Financial Statement
30 September 2011)
4. CREW CLOTHING HOLDINGS LIMITED - London
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: November 2006
Total Cost: £5,395,000
Total equity held: 25.51%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,344,000
Valuation: £3,049,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 6.08%
Year ended 30 2011 2010
October £ million £ million
Sales: 40.7 34.6
EBITA: 3.3 2.7
Profit before tax: 2.8 2.0
Net Assets: 5.7 3.8
No. of Employees: 311 284
(Source: Crew Clothing Holdings Limited, Consolidated Financial Statements
30 October 2011)
5. KAFEVEND HOLDINGS LIMITED - Crawley
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: October 2005
Total Cost: £5,024,000
Total equity held: 66.50%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,252,000
Valuation: £2,908,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 15.79%
Year ended 30 2011 2010
September £ million £ million
Sales: 18.4 15.6
EBITA: 1.9 2.0
Profit before tax: 0.6 0.8
Net Assets: 1.5 1.2
No. of Employees: 105 95
(Source: Kafevend Holdings Limited, audited Directors' Report and Financial
Statements 30 September 2011)
6. INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES LIMITED - Aberdeen
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: September 2005
Total Cost: £5,829,000
Total equity held: 65.68%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,599,000
Valuation: £2,705,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 16.18%
Year ended 30 2011 2010
September £ million £ million
Sales: 11.5 10.1
EBITA: (0.7) (0.8)
Loss before tax: (0.9) (1.1)
Net Assets: 0.4 3.1
No. of Employees: 836 705
(Source: Independent Living Services Limited, Directors' Report and Financial
Statements 30 September 2011)
7. FISHER OUTDOOR LEISURE HOLDINGS LIMITED - St. Albans
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: June 2006
Total Cost: £5,700,000
Total equity held: 44.00%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,423,000
Valuation: £2,329,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 10.45%
Year ended 31 July 2011* 2010**
£ million £ million
Sales: 43.6 26.5
EBITA: 2.7 2.3
Profit before tax: 0.0 0.7
Net Assets: 1.2 1.4
No. of Employees: 110 96
(Source: Fisher Outdoor Leisure Holdings Limited, Directors' Report and
Financial Statements 31 July 2011)
** 12 month period ending 31 January 2010.
* 18 month period ending 31 July 2011. The Company changed its year end from
31 January to 31 July.
8. CSC (WORLD) LIMITED - Pudsey, Leeds
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: January 2008
Total Cost: £6,450,000
Total equity held: 40.03%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,606,000
Valuation: £2,295,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 8.81%
Year ended 31 March 2011 2010
£ million £ million
Sales: 7.9 7.3
EBITA: 2.4 2.3
Loss before tax: (0.5) (0.4)
Net Liabilities: (2.0) (1.3)
No. of Employees 59 58
(Source: Cobco 867 Limited, Report and Financial Statements 31 March 2012)
9. STAFFLINE GROUP PLC - Nottingham
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: July 2000
Total Cost: £498,000
Total equity held: 8.38%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £249,000
Valuation: £2,129,000
Valuation basis: Bid Price
% of equity held: 4.19%
Year ended 31 2011 2010
December £ million £ million
Sales: 288.3 206.2
EBITA: 10.3 7.8
Profit before tax: 7.5 7.0
Net Assets: 34.9 30.5
No. of Employees: 498 319
(Source: Staffline Recruitment Limited, Report and Financial Statements
31 December 2011)
10. VALLDATA GROUP LIMITED - Melksham
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: January 2011
Total Cost: £6,475,000
Total equity held: 39.84%
Baronsmead VCT 2 only
Cost: £1,616,000
Valuation: £1,769,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 8.76%
Year ended 31 March 2012 2011
£ million £ million
Sales: 7.1 6.3
EBITA: 0.8 0.9
Profit before tax: 0.7 0.8
Net Assets: 0.8 0.6
No. of Employees: 137 126
(Source: Valldata Services Limited, Report and Financial Statements 31 March
2012)
Extract from Report of the Directors
The Chairman's statement and the Corporate Governance Statement from part of
the report of the Directors
Results and Dividends
The Directors present the fifteenth Report and audited financial statements of
the Company for the year ended 30 September 2012.
Ordinary Shares £'000
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 5,964
Interim dividend of 2.5p per ordinary share
paid on 15 June 2012 (1,804)
Total dividends paid during the year (1,804)
Subject to approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting the final
proposed dividend in respect of the year ended 30 September 2012 of 5.0p per
ordinary share will be paid on 18 January 2013 to shareholders recorded on the
register on 7 December 2012.
Principal Activity and Status
The Company is registered in England as a Public Limited Company
(Registration number 03504214). The Directors have managed, and intend to
continue to manage, the Company's affairs in such a manner as to comply with
Section 274 of the Income Tax Act 2007 which grants approval as a VCT.
Business Review
The Business Review has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of Section 417 of the Companies Act 2006 and best practice. The
purpose of this review is to provide shareholders with a summary setting out
the business objectives of the Company, the Board's strategy to achieve those
objectives, the risks faced, the regulatory environment and the key
performance indicators ("KPIs") used to measure performance.
Strategy for achieving objectives
Baronsmead VCT 2 plc is a tax efficient Company listed on the
London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities.
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Company is to achieve long-term
investment returns for private investors, including tax-free dividends.
Investment Policy
The Company's investment policy is to invest primarily in a diverse
portfolio of UK growth businesses, whether unquoted or traded on AIM.
Investments are made selectively across a range of sectors in
companies that have the potential to grow and enhance their value.
Investment securities
The Company invests in a range of securities including, but not
limited to, ordinary and preference shares, loan stock, convertible
securities, and interest bearing securities as well as cash. Unquoted
investments are usually structured as a combination of ordinary shares and
loan stock, while AIM investments are primarily held in ordinary shares.
Pending investment in unquoted and AIM-traded securities, cash is primarily
held in interest bearing accounts, money market open ended investment
companies ("OEICs"), UK gilts and Treasury bills.
UK companies
Investments are primarily made in companies which are substantially
based in the UK, although many of these investees will trade overseas.
VCT regulation
The investment policy is designed to ensure that the Company
continues to qualify and is approved as a VCT by HM Revenue and Customs.
Amongst other conditions, the Company may not invest more than 15 per cent. by
value of its investments calculated in accordance with Section 278 of the
Income Tax Act 2007 (as amended) ("VCT Value") in a single company or group of
companies and must have at least 70 per cent. of its investments by VCT Value
throughout the period in shares and securities comprised in qualifying
holdings. At least 70 per cent by VCT Value of qualifying holdings must be in
"eligible shares", which are ordinary shares which have no preferential rights
to assets on a winding up and no rights to be redeemed, but may have certain
preferential rights to dividends. For funds raised before 6 April 2011, at
least 30 per cent by VCT Value of qualifying holdings must be in "eligible
shares" which are ordinary shares which do not carry any rights to be redeemed
or preferential rights to dividends or to assets on a winding up. At least
10 per cent of each qualifying investment must be in "eligible shares".
The companies in which investments are made must have no more than
£15 million of gross assets at the time of investment to be classed as a VCT
qualifying holding.
Asset mix
The Company aims to be at least 90 per cent. invested in growth
businesses, subject always to the quality of investment opportunities and the
timing of realisations. Any uninvested funds are held in cash and interest
bearing securities. It is intended that at least 75 per cent. of any funds
raised by the Company will be invested in VCT qualifying investments.
Risk diversification and maximum exposures
Risk is spread by investing in a number of different businesses
within different qualifying industry sectors using a mixture of securities.
Generally no more than £2.5 million, at cost, is invested in the same company.
The value of an individual investment is expected to increase over time as a
result of trading progress and a continuous assessment is made of its
suitability for sale.
Investment style
Investments are selected in the expectation that the application of
private equity disciplines, including an active management style for unquoted
companies, will enhance value and enable profits to be realised from planned
exits.
Co-investment
The Company aims to invest in larger more mature unquoted and AIM companies
and to achieve this it invests alongside the other Baronsmead VCTs. Currently
ISIS EP LLP ("the Manager") and its executive members and certain staff are
mandated to invest in unquoteds alongside the Company on terms which align the
interests of shareholders and the Manager. Further details about the
Co-investment scheme can be found in the 2012 Annual Report & Accounts.
Borrowing powers
The Company's Articles permit borrowing to give a degree of investment
flexibility. The Company's policy is to use borrowing for short term liquidity
purposes only up to a maximum of 25 per cent of gross assets.
Management
The Board has delegated the management of the investment portfolio
to the Manager. The Manager also provides or procures the provision of company
secretarial, administrative, accounting and custodian services to the Company.
The Manager has adopted a `top-down, sector-driven' approach to
identifying and evaluating potential investment opportunities, by assessing a
forward view of firstly the business environment, then the sector and finally
the specific potential investment opportunity. Based on its research, the
Manager has selected a number of sectors that it believes will offer
attractive growth prospects and investment opportunities. Diversification is
also achieved by spreading investments across different asset classes and
making investments for a variety of different periods.
The Manager's Review above provides a review of the investment
portfolio and of market conditions during the year.
Principal risks, risk management and regulatory environment
The Board believes that the principal risks faced by the Company
are:
- Economic risk - events such as an economic recession and movement
in interest rates could affect smaller companies' valuations.
- Loss of approval as a Venture Capital Trust - the Company must
comply with Section 274 of the Income Tax Act 2007 which allows it to be
exempted from capital gains tax on capital gains. Any breach of these rules
may lead to the Company losing its approval as a VCT, qualifying shareholders
who have not held their shares for the designated holding period having to
repay the income tax relief they obtained and future dividends paid by the
Company becoming subject to tax. The Company would also lose its exemption
from corporation tax on capital gains.
- Investment and strategic - an inappropriate strategy, poor asset
allocation or consistent weak stock selection might lead to under performance
and poor returns to shareholders. Therefore the Company's investment strategy
is periodically reviewed by the Board which considers at each meeting the
performance of the investment portfolio.
- Regulatory - the Company is required to comply with the Companies
Act 2006, the rules of the UK Listing Authority and United Kingdom Accounting
Standards. Breach of any of these might lead to suspension of the Company's
Stock Exchange listing, financial penalties or a qualified audit report.
General changes in legislation, regulations or government policy could
significantly influence the decisions of investors or impact upon the markets
in which the Company invests.
- Reputational - inadequate or failed controls might result in
breaches of regulations or loss of shareholder trust.
- Operational - failure of the Manager's and administrator's
accounting systems or disruption to its business might lead to an inability to
provide accurate reporting and monitoring.
- Financial - the Board has identified the Company's principal
financial risks which are set out in the notes to the Financial Statements
below. Inadequate controls might lead to misappropriation of assets.
Inappropriate accounting policies might lead to misreporting or breaches of
regulations.
- Market Risk - investment in AIM traded and unquoted companies by
nature involve a higher degree of risk than investment in companies traded on
the main market. In particular, smaller companies often have limited product
lines, markets or financial resources and may be dependent for their
management on a smaller number of key individuals. In addition, the market for
stock in smaller companies is often less liquid than that for stock in larger
companies, bringing with it potential difficulties in acquiring, valuing and
disposing of such stock.
- Liquidity Risk - the Company's investments may be difficult to
realise. The fact that a share is traded on AIM does not guarantee its
liquidity. The spread between the buying and selling price of such shares may
be wide and thus the price used for valuation may not be achievable.
- Competitive Risk - retention of key personnel of the Manager is
vital to the success of the Company. Appropriate incentives are in place to
ensure retention of such personnel.
The Board seeks to mitigate the internal risks by setting policy,
regular review of performance, enforcement of contractual obligations and
monitoring progress and compliance. In the mitigation and management of these
risks, the Board applies rigorously the principles detailed in the FRC's
Internal Controls: Guidance to Directors.
Details of the Company's internal controls are contained in the
Corporate Governance section of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended
30 September 2012.
Performance and key performance indicators ("KPIs")
The Board expects the Manager to deliver a performance which meets
the objective of achieving NAV total return which is in the top quartile of
generalist VCTs. A review of the Company's performance during the financial
period, the position of the Company at the year end and the outlook for the
coming year is contained within the Chairman's statement above.
The Board assesses the performance of the Manager in meeting the
Company's objective against the primary KPIs highlighted on pages 1 to 3 of
this Report and Accounts.
Issue and Buy-Back of Shares
As a result of a top-up offer on 20 February 2012 the Company
allotted 4,077,587 ordinary shares at a price of 101.40p representing 5.0 per
cent of the then issued share capital with an aggregate nominal value of
£407,758.70 raising £4,135,000 of new funds in total. The terms of issue were
set out in the Offer document dated 12 January 2012 and the offer price was
set on 20 February 2012.
The Company also bought back 744,913 ordinary shares with a nominal
value of 10p each to be held in treasury, representing an aggregate cost of
£651,7 79. No shares were sold from treasury during the period. Shares will
not be sold from treasury at a discount wider than the discount prevailing at
the time the shares were initially bought back by the Company. The Company
holds 9,218,819 ordinary shares in treasury representing 11.40 per cent of the
issued share capital as at 16 November 2012. This was the maximum number of
shares held in treasury during the year.
Directors
Biographies of the Directors are shown in the 2012 Annual Report and Accounts.
Ms McComb, having been elected at the Annual General Meeting in 2012, will not
retire at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Mr Goldring will, in accordance with the Articles of Association, retire by
rotation and submit himself for re-election at the forthcoming Annual General
Meeting.
As explained in more detail under Corporate Governance and in accordance with
the provisions of the AIC Code of Corporate Governance, the Board has agreed
that Directors who have held office for more than nine years will retire
annually. Accordingly, as Mr Parritt and Mrs Nott have held office for a
period of more than nine years, they will retire at the forthcoming Annual
General Meeting of the Company and, being eligible, offer themselves for
re-election. Mrs Nott who is a director of Baronsmead VCT 3 plc and Baronsmead
VCT 5 plc is also required to seek annual re-election under the terms of the
UKLA's Listing Rules.
The Board confirms that, following formal performance evaluations,
the performance of each of the Directors continues to be effective and
demonstrates commitment to the role; the Board believes that it is therefore
in the best interests of shareholders that these Directors be re-elected.
The interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company, at the
beginning and at the end of the year, or date of appointment, if later, were
as follows:
30 September 2012 30 September 2011
Ordinary Ordinary
shares 10p Shares 10p
Clive Parritt 87,729 85,316
Gillian Nott 48,462 48,462
Howard Goldring 10,157 -
Christina McComb 20,315 -
Total shares held 166,663 133,778
There have been no changes in the holdings of the Directors between 30
September 2012 and 16 November 2012.
No Director has a service contract with the Company.
All Directors are members of the Audit, Management Engagement and Remuneration
and Nomination Committees.
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors'
Report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant audit
information of which the Company's auditors are unaware; and each Director has
taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director to make
themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the
Company's auditors are aware of that information.
Directors' Professional Development
When a new director is appointed he or she is provided with an induction
programme that is held by the Manager. Directors are also provided on a
regular basis with key information on the Company's policies, regulatory and
statutory requirements and internal controls. Changes affecting directors'
responsibilities are advised to the Board as they arise. Directors also
regularly participate in industry seminars.
Management
ISIS EP LLP manages the investments for the Company. The liquid
assets within the portfolio (being cash, gilts and other assets, which are not
categorised as venture capital investments for the purpose of the FSA's rules)
have been managed by FPPE LLP. This is a limited partnership, which is
authorised and regulated by the FSA and which has the same controlling members
as the Manager. The Manager has continued to act as the Manager of the Company
and as the Investment Manager of the Company's illiquid assets (being all
AIM-traded and other venture capital investments).
The Manager also provides or procures the provision of secretarial,
administrative and custodian services to the Company. The management agreement
may be terminated at any date by either party giving twelve months' notice of
termination. Under the management agreement, the Manager receives a fee of
2.0 per cent per annum of the net assets of the Company. If the management
agreement is terminated, the Manager is only entitled to the management fees
paid to it and any interest due on unpaid fees.
In addition, the Manager receives an annual secretarial and
accounting fee of £36,380 (linked to the movement in the UK Retail Price Index
("RPI")), subject to annual review, plus a variable fee of 0.125 per cent of
the net assets of the Company which exceed £5 million. The annual secretarial
and accounting fee is subject to a maximum of £105,634 per annum (linked to
the movement in RPI) subject to annual review.
Annual running costs are capped at 3.5 per cent of the net assets
of the Company (excluding any performance fee payable to the Manager and
irrecoverable VAT), any excess being refunded by the Manager by way of an
adjustment to its management fee. The running cost as at 30 September 2012 was
2.49 per cent.
It is the Board's opinion that the continuing appointment of ISIS
EP LLP on the terms agreed is in the best interests of shareholders as a
whole. The Board believes that the knowledge and experience accumulated by the
Manager in the period since the launch of the first Baronsmead VCT in 1995 is
reflected in processes which are designed to find, manage and realise good
quality growth businesses.
Directors' Indemnity
Directors and officers' liability insurance cover is in place in respect of
the Directors. The Company's Articles of Association provide, subject to the
provisions of UK legislation, an indemnity for directors in respect of costs
which they may incur relating to the defence of any proceedings brought
against them arising out of their positions as directors, in which they are
acquitted or judgement is given in their favour by the Court.
Save for such indemnity provisions in the Company's Articles of Association
and in the Directors' letters of appointment, there are no qualifying third
party indemnity provisions.
Co-investment Scheme
The Co-investment Scheme was introduced in November 2004. Members of the
Manager's investment team invest their own capital into a proportion of the
ordinary shares of each and every unquoted investment made by the Baronsmead
VCTs. The shares held by the members of the Co-investment Scheme in any
portfolio company can only be sold at the same time as the investment held by
the Baronsmead VCTs is sold. In addition, any prior ranking financial
instruments, such as loan stock, held by the Baronsmead VCTs have to be repaid
in full together with the agreed priority annual return before any gain
accrues to the ordinary shares. This ensures that the Baronsmead VCTs achieve
a good priority return before profits accrue to the Co-investment Scheme.
The Board is keen to ensure that the Manager continues to have one of the best
investment teams in the VCT and private equity market place and considers the
scheme to be essential in order to attract, retain and incentivise the best
talent. The scheme is in line with current market practice in the private
equity industry and the Board believes that it aligns the interests of the
Manager with those of the Baronsmead VCTs since executives have to invest
their own capital in every unquoted transaction and cannot decide selectively
in which investments to participate. In addition the co-investment only
delivers a return after each VCT has realised a priority return built into the
structure.
The executives participating in the Co-investment Scheme subscribe jointly for
a proportion (currently 12%) of the ordinary shares available to the
Baronsmead VCTs in each unquoted investment. The level of participation was
increased from 5% in 2007 when the Manager's performance fee was reduced from
20% to its current level of 10%.
Since the formation of the scheme in 2004, 52 executives have invested a total
of £696k in 32 companies. At 30 September 2012 nine of these investments have
been realised generating proceeds of £81m for the Baronsmead VCTs and £4.7m
for the Co-investment Scheme. For Baronsmead VCT 2 the average money multiple
on these nine realisations was 2.3 times cost. Had the co-investment shares
been held instead by the Baronsmead VCTs that money multiple would have been
2.44 times cost. Over the period of eight years (based upon the current number
of shares in issue) this equates to approximately 1.6p a share.
The Board reviews the operation of the Co-investment Scheme at each quarterly
valuation meeting. The Co-investment Scheme was also independently reviewed
during the period by Singer Capital Markets who confirmed that the investments
were compliant with the Co-investment Scheme rules.
Performance Incentive
A performance fee will not be payable to the Manager until the total return on
shareholders' funds exceeds an annual threshold of base rate plus 2 per cent
calculated on a compound basis. To the extent that the total return exceeds
the threshold of base rate plus 2 per cent on shareholders' funds compounded
over the relevant period then a performance fee will be paid to the Manager of
10 per cent. The amount of any performance fee which is paid in an accounting
period shall be capped at 5 per cent of shareholders' funds for that period.
ISIS Equity Partners - Advisory Fees
During the year to 30 September 2012, ISIS EP LLP received income of £130,300
(2011: £37,500) from investee companies in connection with advisory fees and
incurred abort fees of £58,901 (2011: £15,246), with respect to investments
attributable to Baronsmead VCT 2.
VCT Status Adviser
The Company has retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") as their VCT Tax
Status Advisers to advise it on compliance with VCT requirements. PwC review
new investment opportunities, as appropriate, and review regularly the
investment portfolio of the Company. PwC work closely with the Manager but
report directly to the Board.
Creditor Payment Policy
The Company's payment policy is to settle investment transactions in
accordance with market practice and to ensure settlement of supplier invoices
in accordance with stated terms. At 30 September 2012, there were no
outstanding supplier invoices (2011: none).
Environment
The Company seeks to conduct its affairs responsibly and environmental factors
are, where appropriate, taken into consideration with regard to investment
decisions.
Substantial Interests in Share Capital
At 16 November 2012 the Company was not aware of any beneficial interests
exceeding 3 per cent of the ordinary share capital in circulation.
Going Concern
After making enquires, and bearing in mind the nature of the Company's
business and assets, the Directors consider that the Company has adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
In arriving at this conclusion the Directors have considered the liquidity of the
Company and its ability to meet obligations as they fall due for a period of
at least twelve months from the date that these financial statements were
approved. As at 30 September 2012 the Company held cash balances & investments
in UK Gilts and Money Market Funds with a combined value of £9,404,000. Cash
flow projections have been reviewed and show that the Company has sufficient
funds to meet both its contracted expenditure and its discretionary cash
outflows in the form of the share buyback programme and dividend policy. The
Company has no external loan finance in place and therefore is not exposed to
any gearing covenants.
By Order of the Board,
ISIS EP LLP
Secretary
100 Wood Street
London EC2V 7AN
16 November 2012
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities in respect of the Annual Report and
the Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the
Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each
financial year. Under that law they have elected to prepare the financial
statements in accordance with UK Standards and applicable law (UK Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice).
Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements
unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of
affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that
period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
* select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
* make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
* state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed,
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial
statements; and
* prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies
Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are
reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and to prevent
and detect fraud and other irregularities.
Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for
preparing a Directors' Report, Directors' Remuneration Report and Corporate
Governance Statement that comply with that law and those regulations.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the
corporate and financial information included on the Company's website.
Visitors to the website should be aware that legislation in the UK governing
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from
legislation in other jurisdictions.
Responsibility Statement of the Directors in respect of the Annual Financial
Report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
- the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of
accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities,
financial position and profit or loss of the Company; and
- the Annual Report of the Directors includes a fair review of the development
and performance of the business and the position of the issuer together with a
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.
On behalf of the Board,
Clive A Parritt
Chairman
16 November 2012
Non-Statutory Accounts
The financial information set out below does not constitute the Company's
statutory accounts for the years ended 30 September 2012 and 2011 but is
derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2011 have been delivered
to the Registrar of Companies, and those for 2012 will be delivered in due
course. The Auditors have reported on those accounts; their report was (i)
unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the
Auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and
(iii) did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 2006. The text of the Auditors' report can be found in the
Company's full Annual Report and Accounts at www.baronsmeadvct2.co.uk.
Income Statement
For the year ended 30 September 2012
2012 2011
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Unrealised gains on
investments 8 - 5,842 5,842 - 3,346 3,346
Realised gains on
investments 8 - 750 750 - 2,865 2,865
Income 2 1,101 - 1,101 2,425 - 2,425
Investment
management fee 3 (337) (1,011) (1,348) (323) (970) (1,293)
Other expenses 4 (381) - (381) (368) - (368)
Profit on ordinary
activities before
taxation 383 5,581 5,964 1,734 5,241 6,975
Taxation on ordinary
activities 5 (16) 16 - (379) 379 -
Profit on ordinary
activities after
taxation 367 5,597 5,964 1,355 5,620 6,975
Return per ordinary
share: Basic 7 0.52p 7.93p 8.45p 1.98p 8.21p 10.19p
The `Total' column of this statement is the profit and loss account
of the Company.
All revenue and capital items in this statement derive from
continuing operations.
No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
There are no recognised gains or losses other than those disclosed
in the Income Statement, therefore a separate statement of total recognised
gains or losses has not been prepared.
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds
For the year ended 30 September 2012
2012 2011
Note £'000 £'000
Opening shareholders' funds 64,999 63,673
Profit for the year 5,964 6,975
Gross proceeds of share issues 11/12 4,135 2,111
Purchase of shares for treasury 12 (652) (813)
Expenses of share issue and buybacks 12 (199) (78)
Other costs charged to capital 12 (10) -
Dividends paid 6 (1,804) (6,869)
Closing shareholders' funds 72,433 64,999
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Balance Sheet
As at 30 September 2012
2012 2011
Notes £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 8 69,118 64,330
Current assets
Debtors 9 310 586
Cash at bank 465 542
Cash on deposit 3,000 -
3,775 1,128
Creditors (amounts falling due within 10 (460) (459)
one year)
Net current assets 3,315 669
Net assets 72,433 64,999
Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital 11 8,087 7,679
Share premium account 12 3,531 14,404
Capital redemption reserve 12 - 9,254
Capital reserve 12 47,452 28,849
Revaluation reserve 12 12,742 4,559
Revenue reserve 12 621 254
Equity shareholders' funds 13 72,433 64,999
Net asset value per share
- Basic 13 101.10p 95.15p
- Treasury 13 99.83p 94.16p
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on
16 November 2012 and were signed on its behalf by:
CLIVE A PARRITT FCA (Chairman)
Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 30 September 2012
2012 2011
Notes £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 1,343 2,082
Deposit interest received 6 -
Other interest received - 63
Investment management fees paid (1,311) (1,286)
Other cash payments (375) (371)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 15 (337) 488
operating activities
Capital expenditure and financial
investment
Purchases of investments (99,024) (52,054)
Disposals of investments 100,857 55,846
Net cash inflow from capital
expenditure and financial investment 1,833 3,792
Dividends
Equity dividends paid (1,804) (6,869)
Net cash outflow before financing (308) (2,589)
Financing
Gross proceeds of share issues 4,135 2,111
Purchase of shares for treasury (695) (770)
Expenses on share issue and buybacks (199) (78)
Other costs charged to capital (10) -
Net cash inflow from financing 3,231 1,263
Increase/(decrease) in cash at bank and 2,923 (1,326)
on deposit in the year
Reconciliation of net cash flow to
movement in net cash at bank and on
deposit
Increase/(decrease) in cash at bank on 2,923 (1,326)
deposit
Opening cash at bank and on deposit 542 1,868
Closing cash at bank and on deposit 14 3,465 542
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Notes to the Accounts
1. Accounting polices
(a) Basis of accounting
These financial statements have been prepared under UK Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice ("UK GAAP") and in accordance with the Statement of
Recommended Practice ("SORP") for investment trust companies and venture
capital trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC") in
January 2009 and on the assumption that the Company maintains VCT status.
The Company is no longer an investment company as defined by Section 833 of
the Companies Act 2006, as investment company status was revoked on
10 March 2003 in order to permit the distribution of capital profits.
The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Presentation of the Income Statement
In order to better reflect the activities of a VCT and in accordance with the
SORP, supplementary information which analyses the income statement between
items of a revenue and capital nature has been presented alongside the income
statement. Net Revenue is the measure the Directors believe appropriate in
assessing the Company's compliance with certain requirements set out in
Section 274 of the Income Tax Act 2007.
(b) Valuation of investments
Purchases or sales of investments are recognised at the date of transaction.
Investments are valued at fair value. For AIM traded & listed securities this
is either bid price or the last traded price, depending on the convention of
the exchange on which the investment is quoted.
In respect of unquoted investments, these are valued at fair value by the
Directors using methodology which is consistent with the International Private
Equity and Venture Capital Valuation ("IPEV") guidelines. This means
investments are valued using an earnings multiple, which has a discount or
premium applied which adjusts for points of difference to appropriate stock
market or comparable transaction multiples. Alternative methods of valuation
will include application of an arm's length third party valuation, a provision
on cost or a net asset value basis.
Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the investments are
included in the Income Statement for the period as a capital item. Transaction
costs on acquisition are included within the initial recognition and the
profit or loss on disposal is calculated net of transaction costs on disposal.
(c) Income
Interest income on loan stock and dividends on preference shares are accrued
on a daily basis. Provision is made against this income where recovery is
doubtful. Where the terms of unquoted loan stocks only require interest or a
redemption premium to be paid on redemption, the interest and redemption
premium is recognised as income once redemption is reasonably certain. Until
such date interest is accrued daily and included within the valuation of the
investment.
Income from fixed interest securities and deposit interest is included on an
effective interest rate basis.
Dividends on quoted shares are recognised as income on the date that the
related investments are marked ex dividend and where no dividend date is
quoted, when the Company's right to receive payment is established.
(d) Expenses
All expenses are recorded on an accruals basis.
(e) Revenue/capital
The revenue column of the Income Statement includes all income and expenses.
The capital column accounts for the realised and unrealised profit and loss on
investments and the proportion of management fee charged to capital.
(f) Issue costs
Issue costs are deducted from the share premium account.
(g) Deferred taxation
Deferred taxation is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have
originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or
events that result in an obligation to pay more, or the right to pay less, tax
in future have occurred at the balance sheet date. This is subject to deferred
tax assets only being recognised if it is considered more likely than not that
there will be suitable profits from which the future reversal of the
underlying timing differences can be deducted. Timing differences are
differences arising between the Company's taxable profits and its results as
stated in the financial statements which are capable of reversal in one or
more subsequent periods.
(h) Capital reserves
(i) Capital Reserve
Gains and losses on realisation of investments of a capital nature are dealt
with in this reserve. Purchase of the Company's own shares to be either held
in treasury or cancelled are also funded from this reserve. 75 per cent of
management fees are allocated to the capital reserve in accordance with the
Board's expected split between long term income and capital returns.
(ii) Revaluation Reserve
Changes in fair value of investments are dealt with in this reserve.
2. Income
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Income from investmentsâ€
UK franked 323 331
UK unfranked 710 1,502
UK unfranked - reinvested 29 -
Redemption premium 33 528
1,095 2,361
Other income†â€
Deposit Interest 6 1
Other income - 63
Total income 1,101 2,425
Total income comprises:
Dividends 323 333
Interest 778 2,092
1,101 2,425
Income from investments:
AIM-traded & listed securities 344 347
Unquoted securities 751 2,014
1,095 2,361
†All investments have been designated at fair value through profit or loss on
initial recognition, therefore all investment income arises on investments at
fair value through profit or loss.
††Other income on financial assets not designated fair value through profit
or loss.
3. Investment management fee
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Investment management fee 1,348 1,293
Performance fee - -
1,348 1,293
For the purposes of the revenue and capital columns in the income statement,
the management fee has been allocated 25 per cent to revenue and 75 per cent
to capital, in line with the Board's expected long term return in the form of
income and capital gains respectively from the Company's investment portfolio.
The management agreement may be terminated by either party giving twelve
months notice of termination. The Manager, ISIS EP LLP, receives a fee of
2 per cent per annum of the net assets of the Company, calculated and payable on
a quarterly basis.
The Manager is entitled to a performance fee if at the end of any calculation
period, the total return on shareholders' funds, exceeds the threshold of UK
base rate plus 2 per cent on shareholders' funds (calculated on a compound
basis). The Manager is entitled to 10 per cent of the excess. The amount of
any performance fee which is paid in respect of a calculation period shall be
capped at 5 per cent of shareholders' funds at the end of the period.
In addition, the Manager receives an annual secretarial and accounting fee of
£36,380 (linked to the movement in the UK Retail Price Index ("RPI")), subject
to annual review, plus a variable fee of 0.125 per cent of the net assets of
the Company which exceed £5 million. The annual secretarial and accounting fee
is subject to a maximum of £105,634 per annum (linked to the movement in RPI)
subject to annual review. It is chargeable 100 per cent to revenue.
Amounts payable to the Manager at the year end are disclosed in note 10.
4. Other expenses
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Directors' fees 78 69
Secretarial and accounting fees 125 121
Remuneration of the auditors and their associates:
- audit 22 21
- other services supplied pursuant to legislation (interim 5 5
review)
- other services supplied relating to taxation 11 5
Other 140 147
381 368
The Chairman received £26,000 per annum (2011: £24,750). Each of the other
Directors received £17,325 per annum (2011: £16,500).
Charges for other services provided by the auditors in the year ended
30 September 2012 were in relation to the interim reviews and tax compliance work
(including iXBRL). The Audit Committee reviews the nature and extent of
non-audit services to ensure that independence is maintained. The Directors
consider that the auditors were best placed to provide such services.
All figures include irrecoverable VAT, where applicable. The Company is not
registered for VAT.
5. Tax on ordinary activities
5a. Analysis of charge for the year
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
UK corporation tax - -
The income statement shows the tax change allocated between revenue and
capital.
5b. Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The tax charge for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax
in the UK for a company. The differences are explained below:
2012 2011
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Profit on ordinary
activities before taxation 383 5,581 5,964 1,734 5,241 6,975
Corporation tax at 26 per
cent (2011: 27 per cent) 100 1,451 1,551 468 1,415 1,883
Effect of:
Non-taxable dividend income (84) - (84) (89) - (89)
Non-taxable gains - (1,714)(1,714) - (1,676)(1,676)
Losses carried
forward/(utilised) - 247 247 - (118) (118)
Tax charge/(credit) for the
year (note 5a) 16 (16) - 379 (379) -
At 30 September 2012 the Company had surplus management expenses of £1,785,618
(2011: £ 834,592) which have not been recognised as a deferred tax asset. This
is because the Company is not expected to generate taxable income in a future
period in excess of the deductible expenses of that future period and,
accordingly, the Company is unlikely to be able to reduce future tax
liabilities through the use of existing surplus expenses. Due to the Company's
status as a VCT, and the intention to continue meeting the conditions required
to obtain approval in the foreseeable future, the Company has not provided
deferred tax on any capital gains and losses arising on the revaluation or
disposal of investments.
6. Dividends
2012 2011
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Amounts recognised as
distributions to equity
holders in the year:
For the year ended 30
September 2012
- interim dividend of 2.5p
per ordinary share paid on
15 June 2012 - 1,804 1,804 - - -
For the year ended 30
September 2011
- First interim dividend of
2.5p per ordinary share paid
on 17 June 2011 - - - 515 1,200 1,715
- Second interim dividend of
4.5p per ordinary share paid
on 29 September 2011 - - - 1,299 1,778 3,077
For the year end 30
September 2010
- Final dividend of 3.0p per
ordinary share paid on 14
January 2011 - - - 692 1,385 2,077
- 1,804 1,804 2,506 4,363 6,869
7. Returns per share
The 8.45p return per ordinary share (2011: 10.19p) is based on the net profit
on ordinary activities after taxation of £5,964,000 (2011: £6,975,000) and on
70,544,594 ordinary shares (2011: 68,443,702), being the weighted average
number of shares in circulation during the year.
8. Investments
All investments are designated fair value through profit or loss at initial
recognition, therefore all gains and losses arise on investments designated as
fair value through profit or loss.
Financial Reporting Standard 29 `Financial Instruments: Disclosures' (the
Standard) requires an analysis of investments valued at fair value based on
the reliability and significance of the information used to measure their fair
value. The level is determined by the lowest (that is the least reliable or
independently observable) level of input that is significant to the fair value
measurement for the individual investment in its entirety as follows:
* Level 1 - investment prices quoted in an active market.
* Level 2 - investments whose fair value is based directly on observable
current market prices or indirectly being derived from market prices.
* Level 3 - investments whose fair value is determined using a valuation
technique based on assumptions that are not supported by observable current
market prices or based on observable market data.
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Level 1
Listed interest bearing securities 5,939 15,498
Investments traded on AIM 20,750 15,448
Investments listed on LSE 1,526 1,516
28,215 32,462
Level 2
Collective investment vehicle (Wood Street Microcap 4,183 2,863
Investment Fund)
Level 3
Unquoted investments 36,720 29,005
69,118 64,330
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Equity shares 37,154 29,441
Loan notes 25,947 19,391
Preference shares 78 -
Fixed income securities 5,939 15,498
69,118 64,330
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Listed interest Listed Collective
bearing Traded on investment
securities on AIM LSE vehicle Unquoted Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Opening book cost 15,498 17,222 1,536 2,525 22,990 59,771
Opening unrealised
(depreciation)/appreciation - (1,774) (20) 338 6,015 4,559
Opening valuation 15,498 15,448 1,516 2,863 29,005 64,330
Movements in the year:
Purchases at cost 88,909 2,543 - 1,000 6,601 99,053
Sales - proceeds (98,468) (737) - - (1,652) (100,857)
- realised gains on sales - 184 - - 566 750
Unrealised losses realised
during the year - (1,874) - - (467) (2,341)
Increase in unrealised
appreciation - 5,186 10 320 2,667 8,183
Closing valuation 5,939 20,750 1,526 4,183 36,720 69,118
Closing book cost 5,939 17,338 1,536 3,525 28,038 56,376
Closing unrealised
appreciation/(depreciation) - 3,412 (10) 658 8,682 12,742
5,939 20,750 1,526 4,183 36,720 69,118
During the year the Company incurred brokerage costs on purchases of £1,100
(2011: £3,100) and brokerage costs of sales of £nil (2011: £2,500) in respect
of ordinary shareholder interests.
The gains and losses included in the above table have all been recognised in
the income statement above
The Standard requires disclosure, by class of financial instruments, if the
effect of changing one or more inputs to reasonably possible alternative
assumptions would result in a significant change to the fair value
measurement. The information used in determination of the fair value of Level
3 investments is chosen with reference to the specific underlying
circumstances and position of the investee company. The portfolio has been
reviewed and both downside and upside reasonable possible alternatives have
been identified and applied to the valuation of each of the unquoted
investments. The inputs flexed in determining the reasonably possible
alternative assumptions include the earnings stream and marketability
discount. Applying the downside alternatives the value of the unquoted
investments would be £2.14 million or 5.84 per cent lower. Using the upside
alternative the value would be increased by £2.57 million or 7.00 per cent.
9. Debtors
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Prepayments and accrued income 310 586
310 586
10. Creditors (amounts falling due within one year)
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Management, performance, secretarial and accounting fees
due to the Manager 397 357
Amounts due to brokers (for buybacks) - 43
Other creditors 63 59
460 459
11. Called-up share capital
Allotted, called-up and fully paid:
£'000
Ordinary shares
76,789,184 ordinary shares of 10p each listed at 30 September 2011 7,679
4,077,587 ordinary shares of 10p each issued during the year 408
80,866,771 ordinary shares of 10p each listed at 30 September 2012 8,087
8,473,906 ordinary shares of 10p each held in treasury at 30 September (847)
2011
744,913 ordinary shares of 10p each repurchased during the year and (75)
held in treasury
9,218,819 ordinary shares of 10p each held in treasury at 30 September (922)
2012
71,647,952 ordinary shares of 10p each in circulation at 30 September 7,165
2012
As at 16 November 2012 the Company's issued share capital was 80,866,771
ordinary shares, of which 9,218,819 shares were held in treasury. The number
of shares in circulation was 71,647,952 ordinary shares carrying one vote
each.
Treasury shares
The Companies (Acquisition of Own Shares) (Treasury Shares) Regulations 2003
came into force on 1 December 2003 and allowed the Company to hold shares
acquired by way of market purchase as treasury shares, rather than having to
cancel them. Shareholders have previously approved a resolution permitting the
Company to issue shares from treasury at a discount to the prevailing NAV if
the Board considers it in the best interests of the Company to do so. However,
treasury shares will not be sold at a discount wider than the discount
prevailing at the time the shares were initially bought back by the Company.
It is the Board's intention only to use the mechanism of re-issuing treasury
shares when demand for the Company's shares is greater than the supply
available in the market place. Such issues would be captured under the terms
of the Prospectus Directive and subject to the annual cap of €5 million on
funds raised before requiring a full prospectus, although they would not be
considered by HM Revenue & Customs to be new shares entitling the purchaser to
initial income tax relief.
The Company does not have any externally imposed capital requirements.
Where shares are bought back but not cancelled the share capital remains
unchanged. The NAV is calculated by using the number of shares in issue less
those bought back and held in treasury.
12. Reserves
Share Capital
premium redemption Capital Revaluation Revenue
account reserve reserve reserve reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 1 October 2011 14,404 9,254 28,849 4,559 254
Cancellation of share
premium and capital
redemption reserve (14,404) (9,254) 23,658 - -
Costs relating to the
cancellation of share
premium and capital
redemption reserve - - (10) - -
Gross proceeds of shares
issues 3,727 - - - -
Purchase of shares for
treasury - - (652) - -
Expenses of share issue and
buy backs (196) - (3) - -
Reallocation of prior year
unrealised gains - - (2,341) 2,341 -
Realised on disposal of
investments* - - 750 - -
Net increase in value of
investments* - - - 5,842 -
Management fee capitalised* - - (1,011) - -
Taxation relief from
capital expenses* - - 16 - -
Revenue return on ordinary
activities after taxation* - - - 367
Dividends paid in the year - - (1,804) - -
At 30 September 2012 3,531 - 47,452 12,742 621
At 30 September 2012, reserves distributable by way of dividend amounted to
£48,073,000 (2011: £27,309,000) comprising the capital reserve and revenue
reserve less the net unrealised loss on those investments whose prices are
quoted in an active market and deemed readily realisable.
* The total of these items is £5,964,000, which agrees to the total profit on
ordinary activities after taxation above.
On 2 November 2011, the share premium account and capital redemption reserve
were cancelled by an Order of Court following the passing of a Special
Resolution. The credit arising has been applied in crediting a special
reserve, within the capital reserve, which shall be able to be applied in any
manner in which the Company's profits available for distribution (as
determined in accordance with section 649 of the Companies Act 2006) are able
to be applied.
13. Net asset value per share
The net asset value per share and the net asset values attributable to the
ordinary shares at the year end are calculated in accordance with their
entitlements in the Articles of Association and were as follows:
Number of shares Net asset value per Net asset value
share attributable attributable
2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
number number pence pence £'000 £'000
Ordinary shares (basic) 71,647,952 68,315,278 101.10 95.15 72,433 64,999
Ordinary shares 80,866,771 76,789,184 99.83 94.16 80,730 72,308
(treasury)
Basic net asset value per share is based on net assets at the year end, and on
71,647,952 (2011: 68,315,278) ordinary shares, being the respective number of
shares in circulation at the year end.
The treasury net asset value per share as at 30 September 2012 included
ordinary shares held in treasury valued at the mid share price of 90.00p at
30 September 2012 (2011: 86.25p).
14. Analysis of changes in cash
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Beginning of year 542 1,868
Net cash inflow/(outflow) 2,923 (1,326)
As at 30 September 2012 3,465 542
15. Reconciliation of profit on ordinary activities before taxation to net
cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 5,964 6,975
Gains on investments (6,592) (6,211)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 276 (279)
Increase in creditors 44 3
Income reinvested (29) -
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (337) 488
16. Contingencies, guarantees and financial commitments
There were no contingencies, guarantees or financial commitments of the
Company as at 30 September 2012 (2011: nil).
17. Significant interests
There are no interests of 20 per cent or more of any class of share capital in
any underlying holdings in investee companies.
Further information on the significant interests is disclosed above.
18. Financial instruments and associated risks
The Company's financial instruments comprise equity and fixed interest
investments, cash balances and liquid resources. The Company holds financial
assets in accordance with its investment policy to invest in a diverse
portfolio of established and profitable UK unquoted companies and companies
raising new share capital on AIM.
Fixed asset investments held (see note 8) are valued at fair value. For quoted
securities this is either bid price or the last traded price, depending on the
convention of the exchange on which the investment is quoted. In respect of
unquoted investments, these are fair valued by the Directors (using rules
consistent with IPEV guidelines). The fair value of all other financial assets
and liabilities is represented by their carrying value in the Balance sheet.
The Company's investing activities expose it to various types of risk that are
associated with financial instruments and markets in which it invests. The
most important types of financial risk to which the Company is exposed are
market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The nature and extent of the
financial instruments held at the balance sheet date and the risk management
policies employed by the Company are discussed in notes 19 to 22.
19. Market risk
Market risk embodies the potential for both loss and gains and includes
interest rate risk and price risk.
The Company's strategy on the management of investment risk is driven by the
Company's investment objective as outlined in note 18. The management of
market risk is part of the investment management process and is typical of
private equity investment. The portfolio is managed in accordance with
policies and procedures in place as described in more detail in the Report of
the Directors, with an awareness of the effects of adverse price movements
through detailed and continuing analysis, with an objective of maximising
overall returns to shareholders. Investments in unquoted stocks and AIM traded
companies, by their nature, involve a higher degree of risk than investments
in the main market. Some of that risk can be mitigated by diversifying the
portfolio across business sectors and asset classes. The Company's overall
market positions are monitored by the Board on a quarterly basis.
Details of the Company investment portfolio at the balance sheet date are
disclosed in the schedule of investments set out above. An analysis of
investments between debt and equity instruments is disclosed in note 8.
38 per cent (2011: 26 per cent) of the Company's investments are listed on the
London Stock Exchange, traded on AIM or invested through Wood Street Microcap
Fund. A 5 per cent increase in stock prices as at 30 September 2012 would have
increased the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders and the
total profit for the year by £1,323,000 (2011: £848,000); an equal change in
the opposite direction would have decreased the net assets attributable to the
Company's shareholders and the total profit for the year by an equal amount.
53 per cent (2011: 45 per cent) of the Company's investments are in unquoted
companies held at fair value. Valuation methodology includes the application
of earnings multiples derived from either listed companies with similar
characteristics or recent comparable transactions. Therefore the value of the
unquoted element of the portfolio may also be indirectly affected by price
movements on the listed exchanges. A 5 per cent increase in the valuations of
unquoted investments at 30 September 2012 would have increased the net assets
attributable to the Company's shareholders and the total profit for the year
by £1,836,000 (2011: £1,450,000); an equal change in the opposite direction
would have decreased the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders
and the total profit for the year by an equal amount.
20. Interest rate risk
At 30 September 2012 £4,699,000 (2011: £9,498,000) fixed rate securities were
held by the Company. As a result, the Company is subject to exposure to fair
value interest rate risk due to fluctuations in the prevailing levels of
market interest rates. However the effect of these interest rate changes is
not materially significant.
At 30 September 2012 £25,947,000 (2011: £19,391,000) fixed rate loan notes
were held by the Company. The weighted average coupon rate for the loan note
securities is 9.41 per cent as at 30 September 2012 (2011: 9.59 per cent). Due
to the complexity of the instruments and uncertainty surrounding timing of
redemption the weighted average time for which the rate is fixed has not been
calculated.
The table below summarises weighted average effective interest rates for the
other fixed interest-bearing financial instruments:
Fixed Rate
2012 2011
Total Weighted Weighted Total Weighted Weighted
fixed average average fixed average average
rate interest time for rate interest time for
portfolio rate which rate portfolio rate which rate
£'000 % is fixed £'000 % is fixed
days days
Fixed rate
Fixed interest 4,699 0.18 10 9,498 0.43 3
instruments
Floating rate
When the Company retains cash balances, the majority of cash is ordinarily
held on interest bearing deposit accounts and, where appropriate, within an
interest bearing money market open ended investment company ("OEIC"). The
benchmark rate which determines the interest payments received on interest
bearing cash balances is the bank base rate which was 0.5 per cent as at
30 September 2012 (2011: 0.5 per cent).
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Floating rate
Floating rate instruments ("OEIC") 1,240 6,000
Cash at bank 465 542
Cash on deposit 3,000 -
4,705 6,542
21. Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty to a financial instrument will
fail to discharge an obligation or commitment that it has entered into with
the Company. The Investment Manager has in place a monitoring procedure in
respect of counterparty risk which is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The
carrying amounts of financial assets best represent the maximum credit risk
exposure at the balance sheet date.
At the reporting date, the Company's financial assets exposed to credit risk
amounted to the following:
2012 2011
£'000 £'000
Investments in fixed rate instruments 4,699 9,498
Investments in floating rate instruments 1,240 6,000
Cash at bank 465 542
Cash on deposit 3,000 -
Interest, dividends and other receivables 310 586
9,714 16,626
Credit risk arising on unquoted loan notes are considered in conjunction with
the associated equity investment in the portfolio company.
Credit risk arising on fixed interest instruments is mitigated by investing in
UK Government Stock.
Credit risk arising on floating rate instruments is mitigated by investing in
money market open ended investment companies managed by BlackRock and JP
Morgan Chase ("JPM"). Credit risk on unquoted loan stock held within unlisted
investments is considered to be part of market risk as disclosed in note 19.
Credit risk arising on transactions with brokers relates to transactions
awaiting settlement. Risk relating to unsettled transactions is considered to
be small due to the short settlement period involved and the high credit
quality of the brokers used. The Board monitors the quality of service
provided by the brokers used to further mitigate this risk.
All assets of the Company which are traded on a recognised exchange are held
by JPM, the Company's custodian. The Board monitors the Company's risk by
reviewing the custodian's internal controls reports as described in the
Corporate Governance section in the 2012 Annual Report and Accounts.
The cash held by the Company is held by JPM and Lloyds TSB. The Board monitors
the Company's risk by reviewing regularly the internal control reports of
these banks. Should the credit quality or the financial position of either
bank deteriorate significantly the Investment Manager will seek to move the
cash holdings to another bank.
There were no significant concentrations of credit risk to counterparties at
30 September 2012 or 30 September 2011. No individual investment exceeded
6.5 per cent of the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders at
30 September 2012 (2011: 14.6 per cent).
22. Liquidity risk
The Company's financial instruments include investments in unquoted companies
which are not traded in an organised public market as well as AIM-traded
equity investments both of which generally may be illiquid. As a result, the
Company may not be able to liquidate quickly some of its investments in these
instruments at an amount close to their fair value in order to meet its
liquidity requirements, or to respond to specific events such as deterioration
in the creditworthiness of any particular issuer.
The Company's liquidity risk is managed on an ongoing basis by the Investment
Manager in accordance with policies and procedures in place as described in
the Report of the Directors above. The Company's overall liquidity risks are
monitored on a quarterly basis by the Board.
The Company maintains sufficient investments in cash and readily realisable
securities to pay accounts payable and accrued expenses.
At 30 September 2012 these investments were valued at £9,404,000
(2011:£16,040,000).
23. Related parties
Related party transactions include Management, Secretarial, Accounting and
Performance fees payable to the Manager, ISIS EP LLP, as disclosed in notes 3,
4 and 10, and fees paid to the Directors as disclosed in note 4. In addition,
the Manager operates a Co-investment Scheme, detailed in the Report of the
Directors detailed above, whereby employees of the Manager are entitled to
participate in all unquoted investments alongside the Company.
Annual General Meeting
The Company's Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 10 January 2013
at 1:30pm at the Plaisters' Hall, One London Wall, EC2Y 5JU.
END
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incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.