Annual Financial Report
Baronsmead VCT 3 plc
Annual report & accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010
Investment Objective
Baronsmead VCT 3 is a tax efficient listed company which aims to achieve
long-term investment returns for private investors.
Investment Policy
â— To invest primarily in a diverse portfolio of UK growth businesses, whether
unquoted or traded on AIM.
â— Investments are made selectively across a range of sectors in companies that
have the potential to grow and enhance their value.
Full details on the Company's published investment policy and risk management
are contained in the Report of the Directors.
Dividend policy
The Board of Baronsmead VCT 3 has the objective to maintain a minimum annual
dividend level of around 4.5p per ordinary share if possible, but this depends
primarily on the level of realisations achieved and cannot be guaranteed. There
will be variations in the amount of dividends paid year on year. Since launch,
the average annual tax-free dividend paid to Shareholders has been 5.6p per
ordinary share (equivalent to a pre-tax return of 7.4p per ordinary share for a
higher rate taxpayer). For shareholders who received up front tax reliefs,
their returns would have been higher.
Secondary market in the shares of Baronsmead VCT 3
The existing shares of the Company are listed on the London Stock Exchange and
can be bought and sold using a stockbroker in the same way as shares of any
other listed company.
Qualifying investors* who invest in the existing shares of the Company can
benefit from:
• Tax free dividends
• Realised gains not subject to capital gains tax (although any realised losses
are not allowable)
• No minimum holding period
• No need to include VCT dividends in annual tax returns
The UK tax treatment of VCTs is on a first in first out basis and therefore tax
advice should be obtained before shareholders dispose of their shares and also
if they deferred a capital gain in respect of new shares acquired prior to 6
April 2004.
*UK income tax payers, aged 18 or over, who acquire no more than £200,000 worth
of VCT shares in a tax year.
Financial Headlines
â— 12.4% Net asset value ("NAV") per ordinary share increased 12.4 per cent to
109.60p before deduction of dividends.
â— 7.5p Dividends for the year total 7.5p per share comprising the interim
dividend of 3.0p and the proposed final dividend of 4.5p, tax free for
qualifying shareholders.
â— 55.8p Cumulative tax free dividends total 55.8p per share for founder
shareholders over the last ten years, equivalent to an annual average dividend
of 5.6p per share.
â— 180.2p NAV total return to ordinary shareholders for every 100p invested
since launch in January 2001, prior to tax relief.
â— 8.0% Dividend yield. Based on the 7.5p dividends paid and proposed in the
year and the mid share price of 94.25p at year end, qualifying shareholders
have received a tax free cash return of 8.0 per cent, ignoring up front tax
relief.
Summary Since Launch
Performance Summary to 31 December 2010
1 year 3 years 5 years Since
launch
Total return* % % % %
Net asset value†+12.7 +5.7 +24.5 +80.2
Share price†+13.0 +2.9 +33.5 +59.1
FTSE All-Share +14.5 +4.4 +28.4 +41.0
*Source: ISIS EP LLP and AIC.
†These returns for BVCT 3 ignore up front tax reliefs and the impact of
receiving dividends tax free.
Performance Record
Ordinary share
FTSE Combined
Total Net Share Net asset All-Share total
net asset price value total expense
Year ended assets value (mid) total return ratioâ€
return*
31 December £m p p p p %
2001 31.1 93.85 88.00 101.21 85.14 2.9
2002 32.1 94.85 85.50 105.35 65.83 3.3
2003 33.0 97.15 90.00 112.65 79.56 3.1
2004 35.1 106.38 92.50 125.64 89.77 3.5
2005 56.2 117.31 100.50 144.77 109.56 3.5
2006 66.5 130.77 116.50 169.27 127.91 3.4
2007 65.2 120.44 111.50 170.56 134.71 3.4
2008 55.1 102.72 90.50 149.56 94.61 3.0
2009 52.9 97.50 86.25 159.89 123.11 3.1
2010 64.6 106.60 94.25 180.19 140.97 3.0
* Source: ISIS EP LLP.
†As a percentage of average total shareholders' funds (excluding performance
fee).
Dividends Paid Since Launch
Ordinary share
Total Average
Revenue Capital annual Cumulative total annual
Year ended dividend dividend dividend dividends dividend
31 December p p p p p
2001 2.30 - 2.30 2.30 2.30
2002 2.80 - 2.80 5.10 2.55
2003 2.20 2.00 4.20 9.30 3.10
2004 1.20 3.30 4.50 13.80 3.45
2005 2.00 3.50 5.50 19.30 3.86
2006 1.75 4.75 6.50 25.80 4.30
2007 2.30 5.20 7.50 33.30 4.76
2008 2.40 5.10 7.50 40.80 5.10
2009 1.20 6.30 7.50 48.30 5.37
2010* 2.00 5.50 7.50 55.80 5.58
* Includes proposed final dividend of 4.5p.
Cash Returned to Shareholders
The table below shows the cash returned to shareholders dependent on their
subscription cost, including their income tax reclaimed on subscription.
Net Cumulative
Subscription Income tax cash dividends Net annual Gross
price reclaim invested paid* yield‡ yieldâ€
Year subscribed p p p p % %
2001 100.0 20.0 80.0 55.8 7.0 9.4
2005 - C share 100.0 40.0 60.0 26.3 7.5 10.0
2010 103.1 30.9 72.2 7.5 -^ -^
Note - The total return could be higher for those shareholders who were able to
defer a capital gain on subscription and the net sum invested may be less.
* Includes proposed final dividend of 4.5p to be paid on 8 April 2011.
‡ Net annual yield represents the cumulative dividends paid expressed as an
annualised percentage of the net cash invested.
†The gross equivalent yield if the dividends had been subject to higher rate
tax (32.5 per cent on dividend income at 31 December 2010). As from the tax
year 2010/11, a new additional rate of tax on dividend income of 42.5 per cent
came into force for those who earned more than £150,000. For those Shareholders
who would otherwise pay this higher rate of tax on dividends, the future gross
equivalent yield will be higher than the figures shown.
Dividends paid to C shareholders post conversion have been adjusted by the
conversion ratio (0.85642528).
ˆ The table above excludes returns for shareholders who subscribed in the Joint
Offer with Baronsmead VCT 4 plc as those returns are not yet meaningful.
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to report an increase in Net Asset Value per share of 12.4 per
cent for the year to 31 December 2010, as a result of increased valuations of
our investments following improved trading results within the portfolio
companies. The total 7.5p per share dividend paid in the last three years has
been sustained.
Baronsmead VCT 3 was launched ten years ago in January 2001. Despite
experiencing two major stock market downturns in this decade, the Company has
generated a strong, absolute and relative investment return. Dividend payments
(including the proposed final dividend of 4.5p) totalling 55.8p per share have
been tax free for qualifying private investors.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
In the year to 31 December 2010, the Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share
increased 12.4 per cent from 97.50p to 109.60p before payment of dividends. The
position can be summarised as follows:
Pence per
share
NAV as at 1 January 2010 97.50
Valuation up lift 12.10
109.60
Interim dividend paid on 15 September (3.00)
2010
Proposed final dividend payable on 8 (4.50)
April 2011
NAV as at 31 December 2010 102.10
The 12.4 per cent growth in NAV per share over the year is due to an uplift in
the valuation of the unquoted investments as a result of strong trading
performances at several companies in the portfolio as well as an increase in
the value of the AIM-traded and listed portfolio in the second half of the
financial year.
During the year, the Company realised profits from the sale of a number of
unquoted and AIM-traded investments, including Active Assistance, Advanced
Computer Software, Credit Solutions and WIN. These profitable realisations
underpin the ability of the Company to continue to pay dividends in accordance
with its dividend policy. The proposed final dividend of 4.5p per share will
take total dividends to 7.5p per share for the year.
The Board is aware of shareholders' previously expressed preference to receive
income while also achieving capital growth. The increase in NAV per share to
102.10p following payment of the proposed dividend is a positive step in this
direction and above the 100p subscription price for founder shareholders.
All of the VCT qualifying tests have been met throughout the year.
THE LAST TEN YEARS
Since the launch of the Company in January 2001, Baronsmead VCT 3 has raised £
71m (after expenses). The Company's net asset value as at 31 December 2010 was
£64.6 million, having paid dividends of approximately £25.4 million and bought
back shares at a cost of £9.4 million. The Company has had three major
fundraisings as well as a number of smaller non-prospectus offers during the
past ten years.
A little over 2,000 shareholders invested £31 million (after costs) in the
first quarter of 2001. The first of the major downturns in stock markets that
have occurred during the past ten years happened almost immediately after the
launch, as the FTSE All-Share Index fell by approximately 50 per cent by March
2003. However shareholders in Baronsmead VCT 3 experienced positive year on
year investment returns until 2008 when the second major stock market downturn
occurred. This did have an impact on Baronsmead VCT 3 and in the 2008 year
there was a negative return. This has now been more than made up by the
positive investment returns in 2009 and more particularly 2010. The chart at
the top of page 2 in the Annual report and accounts for year ended 31 December
2010 shows how the total return achieved by Baronsmead VCT 3 has, from the
outset, out-performed the FTSE All-Share index and been less volatile.
Shareholders subscribed £23 million after costs in winter 2005/6 and a further
£7.7 million in spring 2010. The investment returns for those who invested in
these fundraisings have also been positive with annual dividends of 7.5p per
ordinary share since the 2007 financial year being a particular feature.
Dividends totalling 55.8p per share have been paid to founder shareholders.
This represents an average annual dividend of 5.6p per share since launch in
January 2001 when founder shareholders subscribed £1 per share (prior to taking
account of any initial income tax relief or capital gains deferral relief on
subscription).
The returns to shareholders are significantly enhanced by the range of VCT tax
reliefs available to qualifying investors. The tax free nature of VCT dividends
is of particular benefit for qualifying shareholders as they do not have to pay
income tax on the dividends they receive, or declare them in a tax return. As a
result, qualifying shareholders in Baronsmead VCT 3, who are higher or
additional rate tax payers do not have to pay income tax equivalent to 25 per
cent and 36.1 per cent respectively on the cash dividend they receive from the
Company. To generate the same after-tax dividends, it would be necessary for
the dividend received from a non-VCT investment to be 33.3 per cent or 56.5 per
cent higher, respectively.
Depending on when investors subscribed for new shares, qualifying shareholders
would have been able to reclaim 20 per cent, 30 per cent or 40 per cent of the
amount invested. If the initial tax relief on the amounts subscribed is taken
into account, the extra yield required from a non-VCT investment to deliver the
same after-tax returns is substantial.
PORTFOLIO
The portfolio, consisting of 63 companies, has shown a strong valuation
increase over the last twelve months. The direction of travel of these
companies is recorded every quarter so that the overall health of the portfolio
can be monitored. At the year-end, 89 per cent of companies in the portfolio
are progressing steadily or better. The level of investee company borrowings
has fallen generally and profit margins have been maintained.
48 per cent of the £64.6 million of net assets at 31 December 2010 were
invested in unquoted companies, 25 per cent in AIM-traded and other listed
shares and the balance of 27 per cent remained in liquid assets or government
securities. The largest unquoted investment at that date, Reed & Mackay, and
the largest AIM investment, IDOX plc, represented 7 and 2 per cent of net asset
value respectively.
The performance of the unquoted portfolio has been robust and its underlying
valuation has increased during the year by 19 per cent. On average, the current
portfolio of unquoted investments is valued at 38 per cent higher than cost.
This is a reflection of the quality of the portfolio, active management by the
Manager, ISIS Equity Partners and the effectiveness of their close co-operation
with investee companies.
The share prices of the AIM-traded and other listed investments in the
portfolio have improved 9 per cent over the last twelve months, although it was
not until August 2010 that market sentiment really began to recognise the value
implicit in many profitable AIM-traded companies. Eight AIM-traded investees
have been sold including three outright to acquirers, which confirms the good
value that resided in these relatively lowly rated situations. This also
supports the longer term strategy of taking more influential stakes in a
smaller number of AIM-traded investments, where a likely exit strategy to a
trade buyer can be envisaged.
SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
Shareholders can reinvest their dividends by purchasing existing shares through
the Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"). Shareholders who increase their
holdings via the DRIP will be buying into a well-diversified portfolio of
mainly established and profitable unquoted and AIM-traded companies. Currently,
shareholders holding approximately 13 per cent of the Company's shares
participate in the DRIP. The DRIP may be appropriate for those subscribers who
are investing primarily for capital growth.
During the twelve months to 31 December 2010, 286,018 shares were acquired by
participants of the DRIP. These shares were acquired through the stock market
and the price paid for these shares represented a discount of approximately 10
per cent of the prevailing NAV at the time. In addition, third party purchasers
acquired 647,051 shares through conventional stock market activity.
The Company has consistently maintained its policy of buying back shares and
will continue to do so if, in the opinion of the Board, a repurchase of shares
is in the interests of the shareholders as a whole. Historically, the
repurchase price has represented an approximate discount to NAV of 10 per cent.
Shareholders are asked annually to give their authority to the Directors to
acquire up to 14.99 per cent of the Company's shares. During the twelve months
to 31 December 2010, the Company bought back 1.51 million shares to be held in
treasury representing 2.5 per cent of the share capital at the start of the
year.
The Manager works closely with the Company's broker, Matrix Corporate Capital,
to put into effect the Company's share buy-back policy, provide shares for the
DRIP and maintain a narrow difference between the buy and sell price of the
Company's shares. This difference, known as "the spread", has averaged
approximately 1.5p per share since Matrix' appointment in August 2009.
BOARD SUCCESSION
As discussed in the Interim Report Mark Cannon Brookes, the first Chairman of
the Company retired at the Annual General Meeting in May 2010. The Board would
like to thank Mark for his excellent work as Chairman since formation of
Baronsmead VCT 3 in 2001.
The definition of `independence' in the context of a director of a venture
capital trust was amended as from 28 September 2010 to bring it into line with
other listed investment companies. This made it necessary for Robert Owen to
resign from the Board after becoming Chairman of Baronsmead VCT 4 plc. Robert
joined as a Director on the formation of the Company in 2001 and the Board
thanks him for his very valuable contribution since then.
After a formal process using independent recruitment specialists, Ian Orrock
was appointed a Director by the Board on October 2010. Ian has considerable
relevant experience having founded, developed and sold a number of businesses
throughout his career, particularly focusing on the international technology
and telecoms sectors, and has also worked at board level in a number of global
organisations. Finally he has served on the boards of two Investment Trusts,
which specialised in investing in smaller companies. He will of course be
proposed for election by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
I look forward to meeting as many shareholders as possible at our 10th Annual
General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 6 April 2011 at the London Stock
Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square near St Paul's Cathedral. The AGM is at 11.00
a.m. followed by presentations from the Manager and an investee company. After
a light lunch, a shareholder workshop is being held and is expected to finish
by about 2.00 pm.
OUTLOOK
Whilst profits in the portfolio companies continue to grow, the outlook for the
economy as a whole remains uncertain, particularly since it is not yet clear
what the impact of the recent public sector cuts and weaker consumer spending
will be. However, ISIS Equity Partners believe that the uncertain economic
climate will generate specific sector opportunities which they hope the Company
can capitalise on.
Many of the portfolio companies have improved their market positions and
operating efficiency over the last year and both the Board and the Manager
share the belief that these ambitious companies can continue to grow. We also
believe that if the Government succeeds in creating a more business friendly
and less restrictively regulated environment, it is the sort of companies in
our portfolio and their like that will drive the growth that the UK economy
desperately needs.
Anthony Townsend
Chairman
17 February 2011
Manager's Review
Trading across the unquoted and AIM-traded companies in the portfolio has
markedly improved in the last year. During the year under review, more stable
trading conditions were evident in a number of sectors and new investments were
completed in three unquoted and seven AIM-traded companies.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
The total portfolio comprised 63 investee companies at the year end after 11
full realisations and one write off. All new and further round financings, as
well as realisations, are scheduled below. Cash proceeds from all realisations
totalled £6.3 million and net capital profits realised in the period were £1.8
million.
Unquoted investment totalled £3.6 million in the year under review, including
further round financings into two existing portfolio companies. The new
unquoted investments were in the following companies:
• Surgi C, the UK's leading independent distributor of spinal implants, which
is based in Birmingham. The business has developed its strong market position
as a result of the high levels of education and technical support it provides
to spinal surgeons on its broad range of products. www.surgi-c.com.
• Inspired Thinking Group also Birmingham based, which provides services that
help large marketing departments to operate more efficiently, including
improved procurement of artwork and print management. The new funding was used
to acquire Total Marketing Service, a provider of workflow management systems
to marketing departments. www.inspiredthinkinggroup.com.
• Getting Personal, which is a leading online retailer, based in Manchester,
that sells personalised and unique gifts. The business was established in
November 2005 with just one product, a personalised calendar.
www.GettingPersonal.co.uk now sells over 4,000 items ranging from personalised
cards, notebooks, mugs and chocolate to non-personalised items for general
gifting.
The further round financings were made into the following companies:
• Nexus Vehicle Holdings, which is a leading provider of vehicle rental
services to the UK corporate market and it is a pioneer of paperless rental
trading through its web based IRIS procurement system. It acquired Adapted
Vehicle Hire, which is a niche rental business providing adapted vehicles for
the disabled driver market. www.nexusrental.com
• Independent Living Services which is an acute domiciliary care provider based
in Scotland. Two small investments were made firstly to fund a small
acquisition and secondly to repurchase shares. www.ilsscotland.com.
The volume of qualifying AIM-traded opportunities also increased from the
depressed levels of 2009. In all £1.8 million was invested into seven
AIM-traded companies and another £1.8 million as additional capital for seven
existing investments.
Wood Street Microcap Investment Fund ("WSM") was established by ISIS in May
2009 to provide flexibility for the Baronsmead VCTs to invest in predominantly
larger and more liquid non VCT qualifying AIM-traded and Small Cap
opportunities. At 31 December 2010, the market value of the holding in WSM had
increased by 20 per cent to £2.1 million, representing 3.3 per cent of NAV, and
was spread across 27 smaller quoted companies. ISIS receives no additional fee
for managing this fund.
It is pleasing to see the improvement in trading performance across the
majority of the portfolio companies, some of which have exhilarating stories as
they have grown their profits and work-forces through the recession. Often this
growth has come from business models which have proved robust despite the slow
recovery of the UK economy, and from companies which are able to deliver real
value to their customers.
The exposure to the UK public sector is relatively light but the only new
provision made is in the investment made in Carnell Contractors, which provides
motorway maintenance and technical services to many of the Highway Agencies,
where net revenues have fallen sharply.
Case studies
Four case studies are highlighted within the portfolio and are set out in the
Annual report and accounts.
• Reed & Mackay is featured for the third year due to its sustained growth
providing a superior travel management service to its business customers.
• Nexus Vehicle Holdings is growing both organically and by acquisition.
• Crew Clothing Company continues to grow its networks of shops, creating jobs
as well as experiencing fast growth from its direct mail/website retailing
• Cablecom, an internet access solutions provider, has achieved growth in both
core and related markets through product innovation.
The combined growth in value of these four investments in the last twelve
months is £5.2 million, an increase of 59 per cent since 31 December 2009.
Active portfolio management
The sale of three unquoted investments in Active Assistance, Occam and Credit
Solutions returned £3.90 million, being 1.8 times the original cost. The sale
of Occam and Active Assistance were reported in the last interim statement.
In November 2010, the unquoted investment in Credit Solutions was successfully
sold to arvato, a global business outsourcing partner. Sale proceeds were 1.8
times the original cost of £4 million invested by the four generalist
Baronsmead VCTs in June 2005. Credit Solutions is ranked as one of the top 10
debt collection agencies providing a range of integrated telephone and field
based collection and management services on accounts ranging from early arrears
to later stage debt recovery.
The investment strategy with regard to AIM-traded companies has increasingly
focused on taking more influential stakes through the collective shareholdings
of the Baronsmead family of VCTs. For example, the original shareholding of 5
per cent in WIN, a provider of mobile data solutions, had been subscribed in
2004 and grew to over 19 per cent by August 2009 through a series of market
purchases. The average price paid for the total shareholding was 85p and the
sale price in August 2010 was 150p. ISIS believes that the concentration of
WIN's shareholder base enabled its board to improve on the opening offer
received for the business.
The sale of WIN is an example of how trade purchasers perceive good value in a
number of the portfolio companies and, in all, three trade sales have been
achieved from the AIM portfolio over the last twelve months. Investor sentiment
towards the AIM market has also improved in recent months but ISIS believes
there is still scope for the gap between the price earnings ratings of smaller
qualifying AIM-traded companies and that of larger quoted companies to be
reduced. The shares in Advanced Computer Software were also sold through a
series of market trades realising an overall profit of £553,000 (2.1 times
cost).
Following the period end an unquoted investment of £1.6m was completed in
Valldata, a leading provider of outsourced donation processing and fulfilment
services for the UK not-for-profit market based in Wiltshire.
OUTLOOK
The focus of both the unquoted and AIM-traded portfolio companies has moved
from cautious management in 2008/09 to actively pursuing and taking advantage
of emerging opportunities. This is evidenced by increased profits, stronger
balance sheets and higher valuations in a number of cases. Hopefully further
improvements in the economic environment will assist these companies to
continue to grow and be important job creators for the UK.
It will be the continued innovation and drive of these companies aided by the
encouragement and experience of ISIS as active investors that can help generate
shareholder value.
ISIS EP LLP
Investment Managers
17 February 2011
Table of Investments and Realisations
New investments in the year to 31 December 2010
Company Location Sector Activity Investment
cost
(£'000)
Unquoted investments
New
Surgi C Ltd Birmingham Healthcare & Distribution of 1,102
Education spinal implants
Getting Personal Manchester Consumer On-line retail of 988
Ltd markets personalised
gifts
Inspired Thinking Birmingham Business Marketing 796
Group Ltd Services services & work
flow systems
Follow on
Nexus Vehicle Pudsey Business Vehicle rental 499
Holdings Ltd Services provider to
corporates
Independent Living Alloa Healthcare & Care at home 211
Services Ltd Education services
Paper consideration
Independent Living Alloa Healthcare & Care at home 150
Services Ltd* Education services
Crew Clothing London Consumer Branded clothing 51
Company Ltd* markets retailer
Total unquoted 3,797
investments
AIM-traded & listed investments
New
Netcall plc St Ives IT & Media Communications 789
software
Accumuli plc Salford IT & Media Managed IT 333
security
Tristel plc Newmarket Healthcare & Infection control 217
Education
Bglobal plc Darwen Business Smart metering 176
Services
Brady plc Cambridge IT & Media Commodities 176
trading software
Hangar8 plc Oxford Business Business jet 44
Services management
Strategic Thought Maidenhead IT & Media Risk management 35
Group plc software
Follow on
Green Compliance Cirencester Business Small business 531
plc Services compliance
Electric Word plc London IT & Media Business to 380
business
publisher
IS Pharma plc Chester Healthcare & Specialist 278
Education hospital
medicines group
Proactis Holdings Wetherby IT & Media Procurement 219
plc Software
Jelf Group plc Bristol Financial Financial 210
Services solutions
consultancy
Tasty plc London Consumer Restaurant 114
Markets operator
Tangent London Business Digital direct 88
Communications plc Services marketing
Total AIM-traded & listed investments 3,590
Collective investment vehicle
Follow on
Wood Street 1,300
Microcap Investment
Fund
Total collective investment 1,300
vehicle
Total investments in period 8,687
* Paper consideration from rolled up interest.
Realisations in the year to 31 December 2010
Realised
profit/
31 December (loss)
First 2009 this Overall
investment valuation period multiple
Company date £'000 £'000 return*
Unquoted realisations
Active Assistance Trade sale Mar 08 1,155 414 2.8
Credit Solutions Trade sale May 05 1,127 167 1.8
Occam DM Ltd Trade sale Jul 04 121 422 1.7
Total unquoted 2,403 1,003
realisations
AIM-traded & listed realisations
Advanced Computer Full Market Jul 08 1,081 (3) 2.1
Software plc Sale
Alere Inc Part Sale Aug 09 28 - 1.3
Brainjuicer Group plc Full Market Nov 06 59 26 1.7
Sale
Character Group plc Full Market Feb 08 88 44 0.9
Sale
INVU plc Full Market May 07 1 (1) 0.0
Sale
Mission Marketing Full Market Dec 07 35 (22) 0.1
Group (The) plc Sale
Mount Engineering plc Full Trade Jun 07 275 176 1.2
Sale
Vero Software Full Trade Apr 02 181 63 0.8
Sale
WIN plc Full Trade Oct 04 374 302 1.6
Sale
2,122 585
Written off
Payzone plc May 03 1 (1) -
1 (1)
Total AIM-traded & listed 2,123 584
realisations
Total realisations 4,526 1,587â€
* Includes interest/dividends received, loan note redemptions and partial
realisations accounted for in prior periods.
†Proceeds of £173,000 were received in respect of an investment, Scriptswitch
which had been sold in a prior period and proceeds of £6,000 were received in
respect of an investment, Interactive Prospect Targeting plc, which had been
written off in a prior period. In addition, a loss of £9,000 was realised
during the year on the redemption on 7 June 2010 of a UK Treasury Gilt which
had paid a rate of interest of 4.75 per cent.
Investment Portfolio
Investment Classification at 31 December2010
Sector* Percentage
Business 36
Services
Consumer 18
Markets
Financial 2
Services
Healthcare & 12
Education
IT & Media 32
Total Assets* Percentage
Unquoted - 30
loan stock
Unquoted - 18
ordinary and
preference
shares
AIM, Listed & 25
Collective
Investments
Interest 25
bearing
securities
Net current 2
assets
Time Investments Percentage
Held*
Less than 1 year 10
Between 1 and 3 25
years
Between 3 and 5 31
years
Greater than 5 34
years
* at 31 December 2010 valuation
31 31 % of % of
December December total Equity
Book 2009 2010 % of held by held by
cost valuation valuation net Baronsmead all
Company Sector £'000 £'000†£'000 assets VCT 3 plc funds*
Unquoted
Reed & Mackay Ltd Business 1,211 3,145 4,779 7.4 9.5 40.0
Services
Nexus Vehicle Business 2,368 2,511 4,182 6.5 12.6 57.4
Holdings Limited Services
Crew Clothing Consumer 984 1,300 2,569 4.0 5.7 24.1
Company Ltd Markets
CableCom IT & Media 1,381 1,848 2,490 3.9 10.6 48.0
Networking
Holdings Ltd
Kafevend Holdings Consumer 1,252 1,445 2,032 3.1 15.8 66.5
Ltd Markets
Quantix Limited IT & Media 1,194 1,862 2,025 3.1 11.4 48.0
Independent Healthcare 1,161 1,566 1,849 2.9 16.2 68.1
Living Services & Education
Ltd
Fisher Outdoor Consumer 1,423 1,777 1,777 2.7 10.5 44.0
Leisure Holdings Markets
Ltd
CSC (World) Ltd IT & Media 1,606 1,250 1,687 2.6 8.8 40.0
MLS Ltd IT & Media 781 1,138 1,161 1.8 5.3 22.5
Playforce Business 1,033 1,106 1,023 1.6 9.7 44.0
Holdings Limited Services
Getting Personal Consumer 988 - 1,013 1.6 8.3 37.5
Limited Markets
Inspired Thinking Business 796 - 976 1.5 5.0 22.5
Group Ltd Services
Surgi C Ltd Healthcare 1,102 - 919 1.4 9.8 44.7
& Education
Empire World Business 1,297 658 869 1.3 ╪ ╪
Trade Limited Services
TVC Group Limited IT & Media 1,233 341 774 1.2 13.0 59.3
Carnell Business 1,499 2,639 337 0.5 8.3 37.5
Contractors Ltd Services
Xention Pharma Healthcare 893 183 104 0.2 2.2 3.0
Ltd & Education
Kidsunlimited Business 113 113 113 0.2 0.0 0.0
Group Ltd Services
Provesica Ltd Healthcare - - 56 0.1 1.0 1.6^
& Education
Total unquoted 22,315 22,882 30,735 47.5
AIM
IDOX plc IT & Media 1,038 1,136 1,525 2.4 3.3 9.7
Green Compliance Business 781 500 938 1.5 3.4 17.0
plc Services
Murgitroyd Group Business 319 712 751 1.2 3.1 6.2
plc Services
Electric Word plc IT & Media 616 247 702 1.1 5.2 28.8
Jelf Group plc Financial 761 235 670 1.0 1.4 6.3
Services
Proactis Holdings IT & Media 619 307 614 1.0 5.4 26.5
plc
Brulines Group Business 646 715 544 0.8 1.8 9.6
Services
IS Pharma plc Healthcare 524 239 540 0.8 1.3 7.1
& Education
Netcall plc IT & Media 789 - 508 0.8 3.6 18.2
Accumuli plc IT & Media 333 - 409 0.6 4.7 26.6
InterQuest Group Business 310 259 360 0.6 1.8 7.3
plc Services
EG Solutions plc IT & Media 375 101 357 0.6 3.1 14.2
Begbies Traynor Financial 231 607 347 0.5 0.6 2.5
Group plc Services
Kiotech Healthcare 275 298 339 0.5 2.2 15.8
International plc & Education
Craneware plc IT & Media 71 184 335 0.5 0.2 1.1
Tasty plc Consumer 469 161 316 0.5 2.5 17.1
Markets
FFastFill plc IT & Media 251 297 316 0.5 0.9 6.5
Plastics Capital Business 473 184 307 0.5 1.7 9.8
plc Services
Tristel plc Healthcare 217 - 232 0.4 1.0 5.4
& Education
Sanderson Group IT & Media 387 132 209 0.3 1.8 6.9
plc
Brady plc IT & Media 176 - 199 0.3 0.6 3.1
Quadnetics Group Business 296 162 192 0.3 0.6 2.1
plc Services
Prologic plc IT & Media 310 124 186 0.3 4.1 15.0
Stagecoach Consumer 419 194 180 0.3 4.5 9.1
Theatre Arts plc Markets
Bglobal plc Business 176 - 172 0.3 0.5 2.7
Services
Praesepe plc Consumer 525 185 167 0.3 0.6 3.6
Markets
Tangent Business 268 73 158 0.2 2.0 10.3
Communications Services
plc
Dods Group plc IT & Media 541 158 142 0.2 1.4 4.4
Driver Group plc Business 438 294 138 0.2 2.3 10.4
Services
Autoclenz Business 400 122 115 0.2 3.1 12.3
Holdings plc Services
Real Good Food Consumer 540 17 92 0.1 0.6 2.3
Company (The) plc Markets
Adventis Group IT & Media 361 267 89 0.1 3.1 20.7
plc
Cohort plc Business 179 138 84 0.1 0.3 1.4
Services
Colliers CRE plc Financial 470 78 76 0.1 0.3 0.8
Services
STM Group plc Financial 140 58 47 0.1 0.5 3.8
Services
Hangar8 plc Business 44 - 44 0.1 0.5 2.6
Services
Strategic Thought IT & Media 35 - 44 0.1 0.4 2.1
Group plc
Clarity Commerce IT & Media 50 40 43 0.1 0.3 6.0
Solutions plc
Zoo Digital Group IT & Media 584 15 36 0.1 0.3 0.9
plc
Total AIM 15,437 8,239 12,522 19.4
Listed
Vectura Group Healthcare 771 1,208 1,120 1.7 0.5 1.3
plc & Education
Chime IT & Media 369 372 386 0.6 0.2 1.5
Communications
plc
Marwyn Value Financial 64 62 55 0.1 1.3 6.0
Investors plc Services
Total listed 1,204 1,642 1,561 2.4
New York Stock
Exchange
Alere Inc Healthcare 157 224 179 0.3 0.0 0.0
& Education
Total New York Stock Exchange 157 224 179 0.3
Interest bearing
securities
UK T-Bill 10/01/ 6,888 - 6,888 10.7
11
BlackRock Cash 5,700 5,700 5,700 8.8
Market OEIC
UK T-Bill 17/01/ 2,499 - 2,499 3.9
11
JPMorgan Europe 1,200 - 1,200 1.9
OEIC
Total interest 16,287 5,700 16,287 25.2
bearing
securities
Collective i
nvestment v
ehicles
Wood Street 1,825 526 2,123 3.3 27.3 100#
Microcap
Investment Fund
Total collective investment v 1,825 526 2,123 3.3
ehicles
Total investments 57,225 63,407 98.1
Net current 1,236 1.9
assets
Net assets 64,643 100.0
* All funds managed by the same investment manager, ISIS EP LLP, including
Baronsmead VCT 3.
†The total investment valuation at 31 December 2009 per the table above does
not agree to the audited accounts at 31 December 2009 due to purchases and
sales since that date.
‡ Following a restructuring, the effective ownership percentage is dependent on
final exit proceeds.
^ Provesica Ltd shares received after a company restructure by Xention.
# Fund managed by FPPE LLP.
AIM, Listed & NYSE Portfolio Concentration Analysis at 31 December 2010
Investment % of
ranking Book cost Valuation Quoted
by valuation £'000 £'000 portfolio
Top Ten 6,864 7,910 55.6
11-20 3,158 3,472 24.3
21-30 2,931 1,875 13.1
30+ 3,846 1,005 7.0
Total 16,799 14,262 100.0
Ten Largest Investments
The top ten investments by current value at 31 December 2010 illustrate the
diversity and size of investee companies within the portfolio. This financial
information is taken from publicly available information published on Companies
House, which has been audited by the auditors of the investee companies.
1. REED & MACKAY HOLDINGS LIMITED - London
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: November 2005
Total Cost: £4,870,000
Total equity held: 40.00%
Baronsmead VCT 3 only
Cost: £1,211,000
Valuation: £4,779,000
Valuation basis: Earning multiple
% of equity held: 9.49%
Year ended 31 March 2010 2009
£ million £ million
Sales 16.0 16.0
EBITA 3.5 2.7
Profit before tax 2.4 1.6
Net Assets 3.9 2.3
No. of Employees 218 221
(Source: Reed & Mackay Holdings Limited, Report and Financial Statements 2010).
2. 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 3 only
Cost: £2,368,000
Valuation: £4,182,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 12.62%
Year ended 2009 2008*
30 September
£ million £ million
Sales 19.4 6.9
EBITA 2.2 0.4
Loss before tax (0.1) (0.5)
Net Assets 0.3 0.2
No. of Employees 32 22
* Accounts for a 9 month period.
(Source: Nexus Vehicle Holdings Limited, Financial Statements 2009)
3. CREW CLOTHING COMPANY LIMITED - London
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: November 2006
Total Cost: £3,935,000
Total equity held: 24.08%
Baronsmead VCT 3 only
Cost: £984,000
Valuation: £2,569,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 5.72%
Year ended 25 October 2009 2008
£ million £ million
Sales 29.3 22.0
EBITA 0.8 1.4
Profit before tax 0.2 0.8
Net Assets 2.3 2.3
No. of Employees 273 209
(Source: Crew Clothing Holdings Limited, Consolidated Financial Statements
2009)
4. 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 3 only
Cost: £1,381,000
Valuation: £2,490,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 10.56%
Year ended 2010 2009
30 September
£ million £ million
Sales 8.2 8.1
EBITA 0.9 0.9
Loss before tax (0.5) (0.4)
Net Assets 0.5 0.9
No. of Employees 52 40
(Source: CableCom Networking Holdings Limited, Audited Annual Report and
Accounts 2010)
5. KAFÉVEND 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 3 only
Cost: £1,252,000
Valuation: £2,032,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 15.79%
Year ended 2009 2008
30 September
£ million £ million
Sales 14.7 16.1
EBITA 1.0 1.1
Profit before tax 1.0 1.2
Net Assets 3.5 2.7
No. of Employees 98 107
(Source: Kafevend Holdings Limited, audited Annual Report and Accounts 2009)
6. QUANTIX LIMITED - Nottingham
(A trading name of Newincco 635 Limited)
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: March 2007
Total Cost: £4,800,000
Total equity held: 48.00%
Baronsmead VCT 3 only
Cost: £1,194,000
Valuation: £2.025,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 11.40%
Year ended 2009 2008
30 September
£ million £ million
Sales 8.6 8.3
EBITA 1.6 1.2
Profit/(Loss) before 0.2 (0.3)
tax
Net Assets 0.7 0.7
No. of Employees 46 42
(Source: Newincco 635 Limited, audited Annual Report and Accounts 2009)
7. ILS GROUP LIMITED - Alloa
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: September 2005
Total Cost: £4,679,000
Total equity held: 68.12%
Baronsmead VCT 3 only
Cost: £1,161,000
Valuation: £1,849,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 16.18%
Year ended 2009 2008
30 September
£ million £ million
Sales 16.5 12.7
EBITA 1.8 1.8
PBT 0.1 0.6
Net Assets 0.9 0.9
No. of Employees 1,133 838
(Source: ILS Group Limited, Directors Report and Financial Statements 2009)
8. 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 3 only
Cost: £1,423,000
Valuation: £1,777,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 10.45%
Year ended 31 January 2010 2009
£ million £ million
Sales 26.5 22.2
EBITA 2.3 1.8
Profit before tax 0.7 0.1
Net Assets 1.4 1.0
No. of Employees 96 83
(Source: Fisher Outdoor Leisure Holdings Limited, Directors Report and
Financial Statements 2010)
9. CSC (WORLD) LIMITED - Leeds
(A trading name of Cobco 867 Limited)
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: January 2008
Total Cost: £6,450,000
Total equity held: 40.03%
Baronsmead VCT 3 only
Cost: £1,606,000
Valuation: £1,687,000
Valuation basis: Earnings Multiple
% of equity held: 8.81%
Year ended 31 March 2010 2009
£ million £ million
Sales 6.4 6.6
EBITA 1.9 1.9
Loss before tax (0.8) (1.0)
Net (Liabilities)/ (0.6) 0.3
Assets
No. of Employees 55 51
(Source: Cobco 867 Limited, Directors Report and Consolidated Financial
Statements 2010)
10. IDOX PLC - London
All ISIS EP LLP managed funds
First Investment: June 2006
Total Cost: £3,014,800
Total equity held: 9.74%
Baronsmead VCT 3 only
Cost: £1,038,000
Valuation: £1,525,000
Valuation basis: Bid price
% of equity held: 3.26%
Year ended 31 October 2010 2009
£ million £ million
Sales 31.3 32.2
EBITA 7.5 6.6
Profit before tax 4.9 4.5
Net Assets 31.0 28.2
No. of Employees 332 304
(Source: IDOX plc Annual Report and Accounts 2010)
Note: EBITA represents earnings before interest, tax and amortisation.
Profit before tax represents earnings before tax, after interest, amortisation
and depreciation.
Extract from the Report of the Directors
The Chairman's Statement and the Corporate Governance statement in the Annual
report and accounts form part of the Report of the Directors.
Results and Dividends
The Directors present the tenth Report and audited financial statements of the
Company for the year ended 31 December 2010.
Ordinary shares £'000
Profit on ordinary activities after 7,235
taxation
Interim dividend of 3.0p per ordinary share
paid on 15 September 2010 (1,837)
Final dividend of 4.5p per ordinary share
paid on 8 April 2011 (2,729)
Total dividends for the year (4,566)
Subject to approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting the final
proposed dividend of 4.5p per ordinary share will be paid on 8 April 2011 to
shareholders recorded on the register on 11 March 2011.
Principal Activity and Status
The Company is registered as a Public Limited Company (Registration number
04115341). The Directors have managed and intend to continue to manage the
Company's affairs in such a manner so as to comply with Section 274 of the
Income Tax Act 2007 which grants approval as a VCT. A review of the Company's
business during the period is contained in the Chairman's Statement and
Manager's Review.
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 3 plc is a tax efficient company listed on The London Stock
Exchange's main market which aims to achieve long-term investment returns for
private investors.
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 stocks, convertible securities, and
fixed-interest securities as well as cash. Unquoted investments are usually
structured as a combination of ordinary shares and loan stocks, while AIM
investments are primarily held in ordinary shares. Pending investment in
unquoted and AIM-traded securities, cash is primarily held in an interest
bearing money market open ended investment company (OEIC), 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. The companies in
which investments are made must have no more than £15 million of gross assets
at the time of investment (or £7 million if the funds being invested were
raised after 5 April 2006) to be classed as a VCT qualifying holding.
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 of its investments
in a single company and must have at least 70 per cent by value of its
investments throughout the period in shares or securities comprised in
qualifying holdings, of which 30 per cent by value must be ordinary shares
which carry no preferential rights. In addition, it must have at least 10 per
cent by value of its total investments in any qualifying company in ordinary
shares which carry no preferential rights.
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 un-invested 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 industry sectors using a mixture of securities. The maximum
qualifying amount invested in any one company is limited to £1 million in a
fiscal year and 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 are mandated to invest in
unquoteds alongside the Company on terms which align the interests of
shareholders and the Manager.
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. The Company's borrowings are restricted to 25 per cent of the
value of the gross assts of that company. The Company currently has no
borrowings.
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 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 investment 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 listed, AIM-traded and unquoted companies, by its
nature, involves 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 Revised Guidance
for Directors on the Combined Code. Details of the Company's internal controls
are contained in the Corporate Governance section of the Annual report and
accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010.
Performance and key performance indicators (KPIs)
The Board expects the Manager to deliver a performance which meets the
objectives of achieving long term investment returns for private investors.
Performance, measured by dividends paid to shareholders and the change in NAV
per share, is also measured against the FTSE All-Share Index Total Return. This
index, as the widest measure of UK quoted equities, has been adopted as an
informal benchmark. Investment performance, cash returned to shareholders and
share price are also measured against the Company's peer group of other
generalist venture capital trusts. 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 in the Annual report and
accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010.
Issue and Buy-Back of Shares
During the period the Company issued 7,920,298 ordinary shares.
During the period the Company bought back 1,510,000 ordinary shares with a
nominal value of 10p to be held in Treasury, representing 2.2 per cent of the
issued share capital at an aggregate cost of £1,350,100. These 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. The Company holds 6,977,317 ordinary
shares in Treasury representing 10.3 per cent of the issued share capital as at
16 February 2011.
Management
ISIS EP LLP manages the investments for the Company. The liquid assets within
the portfolio (being cash, interest bearing securities, 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 liability
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 accounting, 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 2.5
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 that
was initially fixed at £33,816 in 2006 and is revised annually to reflect the
movement in RPI, 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
capped at £102,212 per annum and the cap is revised annually to reflect the
movement in RPI.
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.
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.
Co-investment Scheme
The Scheme is intended to help attract, retain and incentivise certain
executive members of the Manager and reflects schemes which are used elsewhere
in the private equity industry in the UK. It requires all the members of the
Scheme to invest their own capital into a proportion of the ordinary shares of
each and every unquoted investment made by the Baronsmead VCTs (except those
life sciences transactions where the Manager is not the lead investor).
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
generalist Baronsmead VCTs. In addition, any prior ranking financial
instruments, e.g. loan stock, held by the Baronsmead VCTs have to be repaid in
full prior to any gain accruing to the ordinary shares.
As at 31 December 2010 forty-two executives of the Manager had invested a total
of approximately £141,000 in the ordinary shares of twenty-two unquoted
investments through the Co-investment Scheme with respect to investments
attributable to Baronsmead VCT 3 plc. The amount invested by Baronsmead VCT 3
plc in these twenty-two companies totals approximately £24.5 million. As at 31
December 2010 five of the investments in the Scheme have been sold realising
total proceeds of £8.7 million for Baronsmead VCT 3 and £0.7 million for the
members of the Co-investment Scheme.
The Board reviews the operation of the Co-investment Scheme at each quarterly
valuation meeting.
Performance Incentive
A performance fee is payable to the Manager when the total return on net
proceeds of the ordinary share offers exceeds 8 per cent per annum (simple) on
net funds raised. The performance fee payable in any one year is capped at 5.00
per cent of net assets.
To the extent that the total return exceeds the threshold, a performance fee
(plus VAT) will be paid to the Manager of 20.00 per cent of the excess in
respect of the period to 31 March 2007, 16.66 per cent of the excess in respect
of the period to 31 March 2008, 13.33 per cent in respect of the period to 31
March 2009, and 10 per cent thereafter. No performance fee is payable for the
year to 31 December 2010.
ISIS Equity Partners - Advisory Fees
During the year to 31 December 2010, ISIS EP LLP received net income of £92,750
(2009: £nil) in connection with advisory fees and incurred abort fees of £
13,286 (2009: £1,945) with respect to investments attributable to Baronsmead
VCT 3.
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 31 December 2010, there were no outstanding
supplier invoices (2009: 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
At 16 February 2011 the Company was not aware of any beneficial interest
exceeding 3 per cent of the total voting rights of the Company.
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 31 December 2010 the Company held cash balances & investments in interest
bearing securities and Money Market Funds with a combined value of £17,555,000.
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 buy-back 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
17 February 2011
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 Accounting Standards.
The financial statements are required by law to 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:
â— select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
â— make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
â— state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards ("UK GAAP") have been
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the
financial statements; and
â— 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
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the
Company and enable them to ensure that its 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 (including Business Review), 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,
www.baronsmeadvct3.co.uk. 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:
â— 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
â— the 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,
Anthony Townsend
Chairman
17 February 2011
Independent Auditors' Report
The Company's Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2010 have
been audited by KPMG Audit Plc. The text of the Auditor's report can be found
in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts at www.baronsmeadvct3.co.uk
Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2010
2010 2009
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Unrealised gains on 9 - 4,951 4,951 - 2,434 2,434
investments
Realised gains on 9 - 1,757 1,757 - 1,350 1,350
investments
Income 2 2,407 - 2,407 1,513 - 1,513
VAT 3 - - - (2) (6) (8)
Investment 4 (380) (1,140) (1,520) (339) (1,016) (1,355)
management fee
Other expenses 5 (360) - (360) (347) - (347)
Profit on ordinary 1,667 5,568 7,235 825 2,762 3,587
activities before
taxation
Taxation on 6 (412) 412 - (167) 167 -
ordinary activities
Profit on ordinary 1,255 5,980 7,235 658 2,929 3,587
activities after
taxation
Return per ordinary 8 2.09p 9.98p 12.07p 1.22p 5.41p 6.63p
share: Basic
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 and losses other than those disclosed in the
Income Statement therefore a separate statement of total recognised gains and
losses has not been prepared.
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds
For the year ended 31 December 2010
2010 2009
Notes £'000 £'000
Opening shareholders' funds 52,878 55,136
Profit for the year 7,235 3,587
Increase in share capital in issue 8,165 1,524
Purchase of shares for Treasury 13,14 (1,357) (821)
Dividends paid 7 (1,837) (6,483)*
Expenses of share issue 14 (441) (65)
Closing shareholders' funds 64,643 52,878
* Includes payment of 2008 final dividend.
Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2010
2010 2009
Notes £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 9 63,407 50,965
Current assets
Debtors 10 461 349
Cash at bank and on deposit 1,268 2,033
1,729 2,382
Creditors (amounts falling due within one year) 11 (493) (439)
Net current assets 1,236 1,943
Total assets less current liabilities 64,643 52,908
Creditors (amounts falling due after one year) 12 - (30)
Net assets 64,643 52,878
Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital 13 6,762 5,970
Share premium account 14 15,012 8,080
Capital redemption reserve 14 10,862 10,862
Revaluation reserve 14 6,182 1,393
Capital reserve 14 24,941 26,271
Revenue reserve 14 884 302
Equity shareholders' funds 15 64,643 52,878
Net asset value per share
- Basic 15 106.60p 97.50p
- Treasury 15 105.32p 96.47p
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 February
2011 and were signed on its behalf by:
Anthony Townsend (Chairman)
Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2010
2010 2009
Notes £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 2,099 1,302
VAT income received - 1,296
Interest received 5 144
Investment management fees (1,446) (1,371)
Other cash payments (426) (416)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 17 232 955
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchases of investments (76,980) (39,388)
Disposals of investments 71,447 44,583
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from capital (5,533) 5,195
expenditure and financial investment
Dividends
Equity dividends paid (1,837) (6,483)
Net cash outflow before financing (7,138) (333)
Financing
Issue of shares 8,165 1,524
Buy-back of ordinary shares (1,357) (821)
Expenses relating to issue of shares (435) (69)
Net cash inflow from financing 6,373 634
(Decrease)/increase in cash (765) 301
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in
net cash
(Decrease)/increase in cash (765) 301
Opening cash position 2,033 1,732
Closing cash position 16 1,268 2,033
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these 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 4 February 2004
in order to permit the distribution of capital profits.
The principle 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.
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 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 and
Collective Investment Vehicles this is either bid price or the last traded
price, depending on the convention of the exchange on which the investment is
traded.
In respect of unquoted investments, these are fair valued 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 unrealised investments, are dealt with in this
reserve.
2. Income
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Income from investmentsâ€
UK franked 195 198
UK unfranked 1,872 1,005
Redemption premium on repayment of Loan Notes 335 168
2,402 1,371
Other income╪
Interest 5 142
Total income 2,407 1,513
Total income comprises:
Dividends 195 198
Interest 2,212 1,315
2,407 1,513
Income from investments:
Listed and AIM securities 234 456
Unquoted securities 2,168 915
2,402 1,371
†All investments have been designated 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. Recoverable VAT
HM Revenue and Customs ("HMRC") confirmed in October 2007, following the
European Court of Justice decision in the JPMorgan Claverhouse case, that the
provision of management services to investment trusts is exempt from VAT.
Accordingly ISIS EP LLP ceased to charge VAT on management fees payable by the
Company with effect from 30 June 2008. During the year ended 31 December 2008,
£1,304,000 for VAT recovery was recognised in the income statement. However
only £1,296,000 was eventually received during the year ended 31 December 2009
and the difference was charged in the Income Statement in that year. The
Company does not foresee any further future repayment of VAT.
4. Investment management fee
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Investment management fee 1,520 1,355
Performance fee - -
1,520 1,355
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 2.5 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 when the total return on funds
raised exceeds 8 per cent per annum (on a simple rather than compound basis) on
net funds raised. The performance fee payable in any one year will be capped at
5 per cent of shareholders' funds at the end of the period. No performance fee
is payable for the year ended 31 December 2010 (2009: £ Nil). Performance fees
are chargeable 100 per cent to capital.
In addition, the Manager receives an annual secretarial and accounting fee that
was initially fixed at £33,816 in 2006 and is revised annually to reflect the
movement in RPI, plus a variable fee of 0.125 per cent of the net assets of the
Company which exceed £5 million. The annual fee was initially capped at £
102,212 per annum and is also revised annually to reflect the movement in RPI.
It is chargeable 100 per cent to revenue.
Amounts payable to the Manager at the period end are disclosed in note 11.
5. Other expenses
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Directors' fees 74 69
Secretarial and accounting fees 109 96
Remuneration of the auditors and their associates:
- audit 16 21
- other services supplied pursuant to legislation 5 5
(interim review)
- other services supplied relating to taxation 5 6
Trail Commission (17) (2)
Other 168 152
360 347
The Chairman received £23,500 per annum (2009: £21,000). Each of the other
Directors received £15,500 per annum (2009: £14,000).
Charges for other services provided by the auditors in the year ended 31
December 2010 were in relation to the interim review and tax compliance work.
The Audit Committee reviews the nature and extent of non-audit services to
ensure that independence is maintained. The Directors consider the auditors
were best placed to provide these services.
6. Tax on ordinary activities
6a. Analysis of charge for the year
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
UK corporation tax - -
The Income Statement shows the tax charge allocated between revenue and capital.
6b. 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:
2010 2009
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Profit on ordinary 1,667 5,568 7,235 825 2,762 3,587
activities before tax
Corporation tax at rate of 467 1,559 2,026 231 773 1,004
28%
(2009: 28%)
Effect of:
Non-taxable dividend income (55) - (55) (55) - (55)
Non-taxable investment - (1,878) (1,878) - (1,059) (1,059)
gains
Marginal tax relief - - - (9) 9 -
Losses (utilised)/carried - (93) (93) - 110 110
forward
Tax charge for the year 412 (412) - 167 (167) -
(note 6a)
At 31 December 2010 the Company had surplus management expenses of £1,498,000
(2009: £1,830,000) 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.
7. Dividends
2010 2009
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
31 December 2008
- Final dividend of 4.5p - - - 537 1,879 2,416
per ordinary share paid on
20 March 2009
For the year ended
31 December 2009
- First interim dividend of - - - 271 1,356 1,627
3.0p per ordinary share
paid on 7 September 2009
- Second interim dividend - - - 380 2,060 2,440
of 4.5p per ordinary share
paid on 30 December 2010
For the year ended to
31 December 2010:
- Interim dividend of 3.0p 673 1,164 1,837 - - -
per share paid on
15 September 2010
673 1,164 1,837 1,188 5,295 6,483
8. Returns per share
The 12.07p return per ordinary share (2009: 6.63p) is based on the net profit
from ordinary activities after tax of £7,235,000 (2009: £3,587,000) and on
59,933,988 ordinary shares (2009: 54,121,721 ordinary shares), being the
weighted average number of shares in circulation during the year.
9. Investments
All investments are designated fair value through profit or loss at initial
recognition, therefore all gains and losses arise on investments designated at
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:
â— Level 1 - investments whose prices are quoted in an active market.
â— Level 2 - investments whose fair value is based directly on observable
current market prices or indirectly being derived from market prices.
â— 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.
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Level 1
Interest bearing securities 16,287 12,956
Investments traded on AIM 12,522 10,394
Investment traded on NYSE 179 224
Investments listed on LSE 1,561 1,580
30,549 25,154
Level 2
Collective investment vehicle (Wood Street Microcap 2,123 526
Investment Fund)
Level 3
Unquoted investments 30,735 25,285
63,407 50,965
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Equity shares 18,170 18,582
Loan notes 28,790 19,226
Preference shares 160 201
Interest bearing securities 16,287 12,956
63,407 50,965
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Interset Traded Listed Collective
bearing Traded on on investment
securities on AIM NYSE LSE vehicle Unquoted Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Opening book cost 12,940 14,042 180 1,140 525 20,745 49,572
Opening unrealised 16 (3,648) 44 440 1 4,540 1,393
appreciation/
(depreciation)
Opening valuation 12,956 10,394 224 1,580 526 25,285 50,965
Movements in the year:
Purchases at cost 68,495 3,590 - - 1,300 3,796 77,181
Sales - proceeds (65,155) (2,685) (29) - - (3,578) (71,447)
- realised (losses)/ (9) 590 - - - 1,176 1,757
gains on sales
Transfer between two - (64) - 64 - - -
categories
Unrealised gains/ 16 (36) 6 - - 176 162
(losses) realised
during the year
Increase/(decrease) in (16) 733 (22) (83) 297 3,880 4,789
unrealised
appreciation
16,287 12,522 179 1,561 2,123 30,735 63,407
Closing book cost 16,287 15,437 157 1,204 1,825 22,315 57,225
Closing unrealised - (2,915) 22 357 298 8,420 6,182
appreciation/
(depreciation)
16,287 12,522 179 1,561 2,123 30,735 63,407
During the year the Company incurred brokerage costs on purchases of £1,600
(2009: £1,700) and brokerage costs on sales of £4,000 (2009: £2,800) in respect
of ordinary shareholder interests.
The gains and losses included in the above table have all been recognised in
the Income Statement.
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. Applying the downside
alternatives the value of the unquoted investments would be £2.9 million or 9.5
per cent lower. Using the upside alternative the value would be increased by £
2.3 million or 7.5 per cent.
10. Debtors
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Prepayments and accrued income 447 349
Other debtors 14 -
461 349
11. Creditors (amounts falling due within one year)
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Management, secretarial and accounting fees due to the 435 357
Manager
Trail commission payable - 29
Other creditors 58 53
493 439
12. Creditors (amounts falling due after one year)
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Trail commission payable - 30
13. Called-up share capital
The Companies Act 2006 abolished the requirement for a company to have an
authorised share capital and at the Company's last Annual General Meeting, the
Company's Articles of Association were amended to reflect this. Whilst the
Company no longer has authorised share capital, the Directors will still be
limited as to the number of shares they can at any time allot as the Companies
Act 2006 requires that Directors seek authority from the shareholders for the
allotment of new shares.
Allotted, called-up and fully paid:
Ordinary shares
59,699,553 ordinary shares of 10p each listed at 31 December 2009 5,970
7,920,298 ordinary shares of 10p issued and allotted during the year 792
67,619,851 ordinary shares of 10p each listed at 31 December 2010 6,762
5,467,317 ordinary shares of 10p each held in treasury at 31 (547)
December 2009
1,510,000 ordinary shares of 10p each repurchased during the year (151)
and held in treasury
6,977,317 ordinary shares of 10p each held in treasury at 31 (698)
December 2010
60,642,534 ordinary shares of 10p each in circulation at 31 December 6,064
2010
As at 16 February 2011 the Company's issued share capital was 67,619,851
ordinary shares of 10 pence each, of which 6,977,317 were held in treasury. The
number of shares in circulation was 60,642,534 ordinary shares carrying one
vote each.
The capital of the Company is managed in accordance with its investment policy,
in pursuit of its investment objectives, both of which are detailed in the
Report of the Directors.
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 2.5 million Euros 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, and therefore shares are unlikely to be issued from
treasury in the same year as a ``top up'' offer for subscription.
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.
14. Reserves
Capital
Share redemption Revaluation Capital Revenue
premium reserve reserve reserve reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 31 December 2009 8,080 10,862 1,393 26,271 302
Premium on issue of 7,373 - - - -
ordinary shares
Expenses of share issue (441) - - (6) -
and buybacks
Shares bought back - - - (1,351) -
Transfer of prior years' - - (162) 162 -
revaluation to capital
reserve
Realised gain on disposal - - - 1,757 -
of investments
Net increase in value of - - 4,951 - -
investments
Management fee - - - (1,140) -
capitalised
Revenue return on - - - - 1,255
ordinary activities after
tax
Dividends recognised in - - - (1,164) (673)
the period
Taxation - - - 412 -
At 31 December 2010 15,012 10,862 6,182 24,941 884
At 31 December 2010, reserves distributable by way of dividend amounted to
£23,587,000 (2009: £23,426,000), 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.
15. 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:
Net asset value per Net asset value
Number of shares share attributable attributable
2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
number number pence pence £'000 £'000
Ordinary shares 60,642,534 54,232,236 106.60 97.50 64,643 52,878
(basic)
Ordinary shares 67,619,851 59,699,553 105.32 96.47 71,219 57,593
(treasury)
Basic net asset value per share is based on net assets at the year end, and on
60,642,534 (2009: 54,232,236) ordinary shares, being the respective number of
shares in circulation at the year end.
The treasury net asset value per share as at 31 December 2010 included ordinary
shares held in treasury valued at the mid share price of 94.25p at 31 December
2010 (31 December 2009: 86.25p).
16. Analysis of changes in cash
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Beginning of year 2,033 1,732
Net cash (outflow)/inflow (765) 301
As at 31 December 2010 1,268 2,033
17. Reconciliation of profit before taxation to net cash inflow from operating
activities
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 7,235 3,587
Profit on realisation of investments (1,757) (1,350)
Unrealised gains on investments (4,951) (2,434)
Interest reinvested (201) -
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (117) 1,234
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 23 (82)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 232 955
18. Contingencies, guarantees and financial commitments
At 31 December 2010 there were no contingent liabilities, guarantees or
financial commitments of the Company.
19. Significant interests
There are no interests of 20 per cent or more of any class of share capital.
Further information on the significant interests is disclosed in the Annual
report.
20. Financial instruments
The Company's financial instruments comprise equity and fixed interest
investments, cash balances and liquid resources including debtors and
creditors. The Company holds financial assets in accordance with its investment
policy to invest in a diverse portfolio of UK growth businesses, whether
unquoted or traded on AIM.
Fixed asset investments (see note 9) 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 the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation
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 outstanding at the balance
sheet date and the risk management policies employed by the Company are
discussed in notes 21 to 24.
21. 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 20. 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
in the Annual Report, 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 listed 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's 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 9.
25 per cent (2009: 25 per cent) of the Company's investments are listed on the
London Stock Exchange, traded on AIM, NYSE or invested through Wood Street
Microcap Fund. A 5 per cent increase in stock prices as at 31 December 2010
would have increased the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders
and the total profit for the year by £819,000 (2009: £636,000); 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.
48 per cent (2009: 50 per cent) of the Company's investments are in unquoted
companies held at fair value. Valuation methodology includes the application of
earning 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 31 December 2010 would have increased the net assets
attributable to the Company's shareholders and the total profit for the year by
£1,537,000 (2009: £1,264,000); 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.
22. Interest rate risk
At 31 December 2010 £9,387,000 (2009: £7,256,000) 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.
At 31 December 2010 £ 17,611,000 (2009: £19,226,000) fixed rate loan notes were
held by the Company. The weighted average effective interest rate for the loan
note securities is 8.48 per cent as at 31 December 2010 (2009: 8.28 per cent).
Due to 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
fixed interest-bearing financial instruments:
2010 2009
Weighted Weighted
Total Weighted average Total Weighted average
fixed average time for fixed average time for
rate interest which rate rate interest which rate
portfolio rate is fixed portfolio rate is fixed
£'000 % days £'000 % days
Fixed rate
Fixed interest 9,387 0.5 12 7,256 0.7 21
securities
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 31 December 2010
(2009: 0.5 per cent).
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Floating rate
OEIC 6,900 5,700
Cash on deposit 1,268 2,033
23. 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 (value) of financial assets best represents 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:
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Investments in fixed rate instruments 9,387 7,256
Investments in floating rate instruments 6,900 5,700
Cash and cash equivalents 1,268 2,033
Interest, dividends and other receivables 461 349
18,016 15,338
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 JPMorgan
Chase ("JPM"). Credit risk on unquoted loan stock held within unlisted
investments is considered to be part of market risk as disclosed in note 21.
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 for further mitigate this risk.
Credit risk on fixed interest investments in unlisted companies is managed as
part of the Company's main investment management procedures.
All the 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 control reports as described in the
Corporate Governance section of the Annual Report.
Substantially all of the cash held by the Company is held by JPM. The Board
monitors the Company's risk by reviewing regularly JPM's internal control
reports as previously described. Should the credit quality or the financial
position of JPM 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
31 December 2010 or 31 December 2009. No individual investment exceeded 8.8 per
cent of the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders at 31
December 2010 (2009: 10.7 per cent).
24. 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
interest bearing securities to pay accounts payable and accrued expenses. At 31
December 2010 these investments were valued at £17,555,000 (2009: £14,989,000).
25. Related parties
Related party transactions include Management, Secretarial, Accounting and
Performance fees payable to the Manager, ISIS EP LLP, as disclosed in notes 4
and 5, and fees paid to the Directors as disclosed in note 5. In addition, the
Manager operates a Co-Investment Scheme, detailed in the Report of the
Directors in the Annual Report, whereby employees of the Manager are entitled
to participate in certain unquoted investments alongside the Company.
National Storage Mechanism
A copy of the Annual Report and Financial Statements will be submitted shortly
to the National Storage Mechanism ("NSM") and will be available for inspection
at the NSM, which is situated at: www.hemscott.com/nsm.do.
Annual General Meeting
The Company's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 6 April 2011 at
11am at the London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7LS.
Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website
accessible from hyperlinks on this announcement (or any other website) is
incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.