TIDMBLTG
RNS Number : 7237V
Blancco Technology Group PLC
07 November 2017
7 November 2017
BLANCCO TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC
FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEARED 30 JUNE 2017
Blancco Technology Group Plc (AIM:BLTG, "Blancco" or the
"Group") is pleased to announce its final results for the year
ended 30 June 2017.
Financial Highlights
-- Restatement of prior year results, following Board review, to
reflect the removal of GBP1.2 million of revenue previously
recognised in the year to 30 June 2016.
-- Revenue increased by 31% to GBP27.7 million (2016 restated:
GBP21.2 million), with organic growth being 19%. On a constant
currency basis revenue increased by 17% to GBP24.7 million.
-- Adjusted Operating Profit (as defined in note 15) of GBP3.4
million (2016 restated: GBP4.6 million), and on a constant currency
basis, GBP3.2 million. Operating losses are GBP2.5 million (2016
restated: GBP1.9 million).
-- Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (as defined in note 15) of
GBP2.8 million (2016: GBP6.0 million) with cash conversion of 80%
(2016 restated: 130%). Operating cash outflow is GBP0.7 million
(2016: GBP4.0 million inflow) after payments for administrative
expenses associated with buying out shares of minority
interests.
-- Net cash at the year end of GBP1.7 million (2016: GBP1.0
million). Net proceeds from the share placing of GBP9.3 million in
May were used to fund capital expenditure in ongoing product
development and investment in the minority interest buy outs.
-- Adjusted continuing earnings per share (as defined in note
15) of 3.02p (2016 restated: 4.16p). Basic continuing loss per
share is 5.20p (2016 restated: 5.17p).
-- Given the position of the business and the need to invest for
growth, the Board has decided not to pay a final dividend.
Operating Highlights
-- Erasure revenue grew 15% (3% in constant currency), with
strong growth in Mobile offset by the impact of a number of
non-recurring larger deals booked during 2016.
-- A number of new contracts were won during the year in our
diagnostics business, helping to grow this income stream. The
integration and rollout across 6,000 retail stores for a US
customer is complete and we are supporting over 100,000 diagnostics
events per week for this single client.
-- Increase in average revenue per client by 27% to GBP61,300.
The number of customers with invoiced revenue in excess of GBP0.1
million in the year was 45 (35 in 2016).
-- Disposal of Digital Care, the legacy Mobile Insurance
business, representing the final disposal of the Repair Services
businesses.
Outlook
The business is targeting revenue growth for the 2018 financial
year between 6% and 16% with an adjusted operating profit margin
between 8% and 12%; this range does not include possible one-off
non-recurring deals, which may or may not occur during the year and
of which the market will be updated during the year should such
deals materially impact results.
Rob Woodward, Chairman of Blancco, said:
"Following a short period of significant change to the
management team and control environment, the team has worked
extremely hard to put the business in a robust position to welcome
a new CEO who will drive forward Blancco's unrivalled product
portfolio to deliver sustainable growth and build shareholder
value.
"In the near-term, management is focused on a number of
immediate priorities: cashflow and cost management; maintaining
sustainable revenue growth; focusing marketing on near-term revenue
generation; selectively investing in targeted product development;
and embedding greater scrutiny and tighter financial controls
across the business."
Enquiries:
Blancco Technology Group Plc +44 (0) 20 3657 7000
Simon Herrick, Interim Chief Executive Officer & Chief
Financial Officer
Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser and Broker) +44 (0) 20 7418
8900
Edward Knight
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 20 7886
2500
Dominic Morley, Corporate Finance
Charles Leigh Pemberton, Corporate Broking
Tulchan Communications +44 (0) 20 7353 4200
Tom Murray
About Blancco
Blancco Technology Group is a leading global provider of mobile
device diagnostics and secure data erasure solutions. For more
information, please visit www.blancco.com
Chairman's Statement
Overview
2017 has been a year of substantial challenges for the Group,
with the business performing far below our expectations. However,
the underlying strengths of Blancco remain in place and I am
confident that these, together with the significant number of
remedial actions we are taking, will restore a sustainable growth
trajectory and build long-term shareholder value.
This is the Group's first full year as a pure-play software
business focused on mobile device diagnostics and secure data
erasure solutions. The final stages of Blancco's transformation
during the year, now substantially complete, have focused on
integrating a number of strategic acquisitions, the disposal of the
Digital Care insurance business, restructuring and buying-out
minority interests in various of the Group's subsidiary sales
offices. While the Board is in no doubt of the strategic logic of
these actions, their associated costs in a relatively short period
has had a significant adverse impact on the Group's financial
position.
The Group's customer base has evolved during the period, with a
focus on winning business from larger enterprise clients. While the
size of these contracts makes them highly attractive, their longer
sales cycles and longer term payment structures, plus the impact of
non-collection of revenue incorrectly recognised in 2016, for which
the Group has restated prior year results, have put additional
pressure on the Company's net cash.
In March, Simon Herrick was appointed interim Chief Financial
Officer and he oversaw a forensic review of the Group's cash flow
and funding requirements. This culminated in a share placing which
raised a net GBP9.3 million, which successfully addressed the
Company's near-term funding requirements and provided additional
headroom.
As part of the closing process for the 2017 financial year, the
Board took the decision to reverse revenues that had previously
been booked in the second half relating to two contracts, as well
as reversing and restating the revenues associated with a
transaction booked in the previous financial year after performing
a retrospective investigation into the substance of that
transaction. Further information on the restated prior year
revenues are included in the Chief Executive Officer's statement
and within note 2.
Board and employees
Patrick Clawson, Chief Executive Officer, has stepped down from
the Board and has left the Company and a process to appoint his
successor is ongoing. Meanwhile, Simon Herrick has agreed to become
our Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis. In addition, as
part of our rebuilding programme, other senior members of the
executive team have also left the Company. Having announced my
intention to step down as Chairman, the Board is of the view that
it is in the best interests of the Company for me to stay in place.
I remain absolutely focused on bringing increased stability to the
business, overseeing an orderly leadership transition and putting
the Company back onto a sustainable growth path.
I would like to express my thanks to all our employees. Their
hard work and dedication to our customers have remained
undiminished during a difficult year.
Dividend
Given the position of the business and the need to invest for
growth, the Board has decided not to pay a final dividend.
Outlook
Despite recent challenges, Blancco remains a business with real
strengths and exciting growth opportunities. Our products are
highly effective and, together with the investments we continue to
make in progressing our technology and enhancing our intellectual
property, support our leading position in a highly attractive
global market; our team has deep experience, covering both product
and sales; and our customer base continues to grow and diversify. I
am confident that the Group will put its recent issues behind it
and move on to deliver sustainable growth and generate value for
our shareholders.
Rob Woodward
Chairman
Chief Executive's Statement
Summary of 2017 performance
Revenue for the year was GBP27.7 million (2016 restated: GBP21.2
million), up 31%. Revenue grew 17% in constant currency. Our
Erasure division contributed GBP23.5 million (2016 restated:
GBP20.5 million), while the Diagnostics division contributed GBP4.2
million (2016: GBP0.7 million).
Adjusted operating profit was GBP3.4 million (2016 restated:
GBP4.6 million), reflecting higher selling, general and
administrative costs, partly offset by reductions in balance sheet
provisions. Adjusted EBITDA was GBP5.2 million (2016 restated:
GBP5.4 million). Adjusted EPS was 3.02p (2016 restated: 4.16p).
Further details of these results are contained in the Group
Financial Review.
Statutory continuing operations basic loss per share was 5.20p
(2016 restated: 5.17p).
Statutory losses after tax were GBP4.3 million (2016 restated:
GBP25.7 million) reflecting a series of one-off (exceptional) items
including discontinued operating costs.
2017 was the first full year of fully consolidated results from
the Diagnostics business. A number of new contracts were won in the
year, adding to those secured in the second half of 2016. The
rollout of our solution across 6,000 customer stores in the US is
complete and we are supporting over 100,000 diagnostics events per
week using our product. Following this successful first contract of
its type, we rolled out similar solutions to customers in Europe
and Asia.
North America invoiced revenue (being amounts billed to
customers before IFRS deferrals of revenue) were GBP11.4 million
(2016 restated: GBP8.7 million). The business won a number of key
enterprise contracts with large customers in this territory.
Europe's performance improved, with invoiced revenue of GBP10.0
million (2016: GBP8.1 million), as the region's new leadership and
fully resourced sales force took effect. Asia and the Rest of the
World (ROW) invoiced revenue were GBP7.9 million (2016: GBP5.8
million) following some significant growth in the mobile
market.
The Group continued to buy-out minority interests in several of
its subsidiaries during the year to position it for future growth.
In 2017, the Group increased its ownership of its businesses in
France, Australia and Canada to 100%. Ownership of the businesses
in South East Asia (SEA) (Malaysia) and Mexico increased from 51%
to 70%, including the establishment of a new 70% owned business
based in Singapore. These offices, in addition to Japan (51%) and
China (56%), are the only sales offices with minority stakes
remaining, and there are no new investments planned.
The Group fully disposed of Digital Care, its legacy Mobile
Insurance business, in September 2016.
Restatement of 2016 results
I was appointed as interim Chief Financial Officer in March
2017. During April the Group undertook a review of cash flow
forecasts and identified anticipated pressure on the cash position
of the Group. This pressure was caused by the non-collection of
GBP3.5 million of outstanding receivables relating to a sale booked
in June 2016 and a sale booked in December 2016, and costs
associated with past acquisition activity, including earn-outs and
M&A advisory fees. On 6 July 2017, the Company announced that
it had taken a charge of GBP2.2 million to provide against the
GBP3.5 million of receivables (net of deferred revenue and
taxes).
On 4 September 2017 the Group announced the reversal of two
contracts totalling GBP2.9 million booked as revenue during June
2017, following a number of matters being brought to the Board's
attention. I was also appointed interim Chief Executive Officer on
this date.
The Board undertook a review of the circumstances surrounding
these contracts and further work was performed to assess revenue
recorded in the year to 30 June 2017. Of the total revenue
reported, 97% had been received in cash by 30 September 2017.
Further work has also been undertaken, including reviewing material
contracts in respect of revenue reported and collected in cash and
individual significant debtors which remained outstanding at 30
September 2017 (covering 88% of these debtors) to provide
confidence that revenue has been appropriately recorded.
The review work identified other adjustments to revenue for the
year ended 30 June 2017, where some contracted revenues have been
deferred into future periods in line with the expected contract
fulfilment, and a prior year adjustment. In respect of the latter,
the results for the year ended 30 June 2016, as well as the
consolidated balance sheet position as at 30 June 2016, have been
restated.
This prior year adjustment relates to the recognition of GBP1.2
million of revenue booked during June 2016 (and prepaid costs
relating to revenue expected to be booked in the 2017 financial
year), which was subsequently fully provisioned (as announced on 6
July 2017). This transaction has now been removed, as a prior year
adjustment because the Board's review identified new evidence which
indicated that, at the time of signing the accounts on 30 September
2016, no contractual agreement was in existence with the customer
which adequately supported the criteria for recognition of revenue
under the Group's accounting policies.
The full impact on the financial statements is disclosed in note
2.
We continue to discuss opportunities with the customer; any
future sales will be subject to additional scrutiny by the Board,
including assessment of likelihood of cash collections, before
revenue is recognised.
Our proposition and strategy
In 2017 we extended our strategy of building both our erasure
and diagnostics businesses. We continued to drive market awareness
for the need to erase legacy data for security and compliance
purposes with a 56% measured share of voice (SoV) (2016: 41%) and
5,393 press mentions (2016: 3,425). In addition to publishing
studies, reports and white papers to drive awareness and draw
press, we launched a new initiative, the International Data
Sanitisation Consortium (IDSC). This industry consortium is
comprised of partners, academics and other associations who aim to
develop standards in taxonomy and nomenclature as well as policies
and practices within the field of data erasure and sanitisation.
The goal is to encourage policymakers and regulators to use
appropriate terminology and requirements for secure data erasure
and create future requirements for data sanitisation. A case in
point is the EU General Data Protection Regulation, which provides
for the "right to erasure" but fails to define what it means to
erase a data subject's personal information.
This, combined with additional activities, such as the quarterly
State of Mobile Device Health Report, raises awareness of Blancco
and facilitates the initiation of a de facto standard in data
erasure.
We continue to grow our business in the reverse logistics, IT
Asset Disposition (ITAD), and carrier warehouse operations sectors
with a high customer retention and renewal rate. 2017 also saw new
opportunities with the enterprise, data centre, and mobile network
operators. Large enterprises can use our data erasure products on
devices, servers, data centres and the cloud. The Group is the only
provider of such complete data erasure products in a relatively
thinly-penetrated market.
Building a partner business development function
Enterprise erasure occasions predominantly derive from two
sources: workflows controlled by existing large software companies
and within the workflows of enterprise service providers, such as
Value Added Resellers (VARs), who provision and manage IT solutions
for enterprises; and Managed Service Providers (MSPs), who deliver
services such as applications, networking, data storage and
security solutions over networks and in the cloud, and generally
help to manage the data life cycle of creation, storage, mining -
and finally erasure. Also in this category are the large System
Integrators (SIs) who source and deliver complete solutions to data
centres and the enterprise. In a congested IT security environment,
CIOs prefer to work with a small number of large, trusted VARs,
MSPs, and SIs. They will prefer erasure solutions which are
integrated into these platforms. We see data centres, which have a
need for erasing storage in situ, as a key opportunity for our
Active Erasure products.
Prior to 2017, Blancco had predominantly relied on a direct
sales model, led by local teams, and based on the sale of
stand-alone Blancco erasure products for licence (per erasure) or
subscription payments. This model continues to be successful and
remains a key pillar of our route to market. But, to accelerate our
revenue growth while minimising our sales expenses, we launched a
concerted business development effort in early 2017 to leverage
these routes to market.
We have also identified opportunities to work with Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to embed Blancco directly into their
products. The OEMs are beginning to recognise customer demand for
end-of-data-life erasure and that they need to turn to Blancco
which has invested decades and millions of pounds in creating
robust, patent protected products, certified by 18 bodies around
the world.
Thought leadership, regulation, and market education
Executing on our strategy has involved new sales training and a
complete rebranding achieved in January, which included normalising
our product names.
Based on Gartner research, there are trillions of gigabytes of
data that should be erased. The market is beginning to recognise
the need to have effective end-of-data-life strategies. As the only
vendor able to execute on a complete data erasure policy we have an
opportunity to further educate the market and thus drive our
business growth. To that end, we created the IDSC (mentioned above)
to be an independent proponent of data sanitisation best practices.
The launch, which coincided with the UK announcement of plans for a
new Data Protection Regulation that will incorporate many of the
requirements of the EU GDPR, drew positive attention from the
press.
Mobile Diagnostics
The market for consumer data erasure is expanding rapidly
through mobile network operators, who increasingly seek to provide
erasure solutions to their customer base, especially around the
smartphone upgrade occasion. 2017 saw the first substantial
contribution to our top line from our diagnostics business with
revenue of GBP4.2 million (2016: GBP0.7 million). The synergy with
our data erasure business occurs in at least three areas:
(1) Mobile network operators want self-help consoles in their
stores which perform smartphone diagnostics and smartphone erasure
in one package (as well as equivalent solutions delivered through
call centre and online support channels)
(2) The smartphone remarketing eco system wants to perform both
Erasure and Diagnostics on used devices prior to resale
(3) Efficient processes and an easy-to-use interface are paramount
Strategically, we have identified the mobile network operators
as a key vertical for us, alongside the enterprise market and the
data centre market. The business has acknowledged its position in
this relatively underdeveloped market but with more competition
than our erasure offering, and this will be an area of investment
focus in 2018.
Technology update
We are constantly pursuing ways to innovate and protect our
technology by the use of patents globally. In 2017, we made good
progress in consolidating our code base and cross-pollinating our
two development arms in Finland and India with consistent product
management. We introduced multiple enhanced product revisions
across the entire line, on time and within budget.
Building on our recent success with patenting our Solid State
Drive (SSD) erasure technology we have established a programme to
cultivate technology innovation and increase the number of patents
filed. This strategy protects our market share and provides a
defensive portfolio to ward off future challenges to our
position.
We have also continued to push ahead on several fronts to
maintain certifications for our products across multiple
regions.
Blancco Management Console (MC) is a product we have developed
to centrally manage licences and reports for secure erasure. A
central management console is critical to growing an enterprise
business strategy. Each data erasure product can integrate with MC,
and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are being developed
to enhance integration with third-party products. MC is available
as a standalone software solution or as a service through Blancco
Cloud.
We have demonstrated an integration of our mobile diagnostics
platform with the backend big data platform of a major carrier. The
rapid development of an accessible API demonstrates to this
customer that they have selected the correct partner for all their
in-store diagnostics and shows the wider market that we can deliver
a successful and rapid development partnering strategy.
Throughout 2017 we have pursued a consistent path and have seen
positive results from the route to market and maturing of our
message, product development, and sales strategy.
Team
Following some turbulence during 2017, our focus will be to
continue to develop the suite of products, efficiency of delivery
and to ensure our development teams' skills and experience are
brought to bear directly in growing the Group.
During my tenure as interim Chief Executive Officer my aim is to
maintain a leadership team that sets the Group agenda and works
closely with the regional teams to support them in growing their
businesses locally.
Given the recent number of changes to the team, we do not
anticipate any material alteration to the business activity or
direction, so that a new CEO will be able to transition and
formulate their own strategy drawing on the experience of the
Blancco team.
Outlook
The outlook for the data erasure and diagnostic markets in 2018
is positive. New market regulations surrounding data management
combined with a very thinly-penetrated market for secure data
erasure and the growth in penetration of diagnostic tools in the
mobile market should lead to continued healthy increases in demand
for our products.
We will stay focused on managing our cost base and cash flow to
enable us to continue to invest in product development and to
capitalise fully on the expansion of our target markets.
We remain confident that the fundamental drivers of growth in
our business are strong.
Simon Herrick
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Results
The financial performance of the business, as compared to the
restated 2016 results, is summarised as follows:
Revenue of GBP27.7 million (2016 restated: GBP21.2 million,
growth 31%, 17% in constant currency terms) with divisional
operating profit of GBP5.1 million (2016 restated: GBP6.1 million).
Adjusted operating profit after corporate costs was GBP3.4 million
(2016 restated: GBP4.6 million). Operating loss was GBP2.5 million
(2016 restated: GBP1.9 million).
Organic revenue, excluding the acquired revenues from customers
of Xcaliber at January 2016 was GBP24.3 million (growth 19%).
Organic revenue grew to GBP21.8 million when expressed in constant
currency terms (growth 6%).
The organic and acquired revenues are shown in the table
below:
Constant Prior Year
GBP'million Actual Currency Restated
================== ======= ========== ===========
Organic revenue 24.3 21.8 20.5
Acquired revenue 3.4 2.9 0.7
================== ======= ========== ===========
Revenue 27.7 24.7 21.2
================== ======= ========== ===========
Included within the operating profit are provision releases
totalling GBP1.2 million (2016: GBPnil) arising from the release of
acquisition provisions on contingent liabilities for which the
business has made steps to eliminate the risk and which are
therefore no longer required.
The increase in statutory operating loss is largely a result of
the reduction in divisional adjusted operating profit which has
been partially offset by a lower share-based payment charge and the
non-recurrence of the Xcaliber investment disposal accounting in
the prior year. The Group's continuing M&A activity was greater
in 2017 versus the prior year, yielding a higher charge.
Adjusted operating cash flow was GBP2.8 million (2016: GBP6.0
million), with a cash conversion of 80% (2016 restated: 130%)
relative to AOP. Operating cash outflow from continuing operations
was GBP0.7 million (2016: GBP4.0 million inflow) which includes
payments associated with M&A activity and exceptional one-off
payments totalling GBP2.4 million (2016: GBP1.1 million) and
interest and tax payments which were similar to the previous
year.
Significant other cash outflows include capital expenditure
(GBP3.4 million), capital cost of acquisitions (GBP1.1 million) and
dividends (GBP1.4 million). A share placing in May which raised
GBP9.3 million of net proceeds resulted in net cash at the end of
the period of GBP1.7 million (2016: GBP1.0 million).
Tax payments were comparable year on year, however cash tax
payments due of GBP0.8 million were paid in July 2017.
2016
Key financials 2017 Restated
GBP'million GBP'million
================================== ============ ============
Invoiced revenue 29.3 22.6
Revenue 27.7 21.2
Divisional operating profit 5.1 6.1
Adjusted operating profit 3.4 4.6
Operating loss (2.5) (1.9)
===================================== ============ ============
Divisional operating
profit margin % 18.4% 28.8%
Adjusted operating profit margin
% 12.4% 21.7%
Operating profit margin % (9.0%) (8.8%)
==================================== ============ ============
A reconciliation between adjusted operating profit and operating
loss is given on the face of the income statement.
Segmental results
Year
Year ended ended
30 June
30 June 2016
2017 Restated
GBP'million GBP'million
=============================== ============ ============
Revenue
Erasure 23.5 20.5
Diagnostics 4.2 0.7
================================ ============ ============
Total 27.7 21.2
================================ ============ ============
Divisional operating profit
Erasure 4.6 6.1
Diagnostics 0.5 -
=============================== ============ ============
Total 5.1 6.1
================================ ============ ============
Corporate costs (continuing
operations) (1.7) (1.5)
Total adjusted operating
profit 3.4 4.6
================================ ============ ============
Group review
The Erasure division enables customers to erase and repurpose IT
devices with certified software. The Diagnostics division provides
consistent, accurate and measurable diagnostics of smartphones and
tablets, as well as a new diagnostics tool developed internally
following the acquisition of the SmartChk product in the Xcaliber
transaction. The Group has seen a significant increase in the
number of customers contracting both erasure and diagnostics
technology. The revenues have been allocated to the appropriate
segments according to the respective portion of licences sold.
The revenues and adjusted operating profit of these divisions
comprise the Group's continuing operations as presented in the
financial statements, while discontinued revenues are comprised of
the Digital Care insurance business which was disposed of in
September 2016 and, additionally in the prior year, revenues
associated with the Depot Repair business prior to the disposal of
that business in April 2016.
The total result for the year, including the impact of the
required accounting for discontinued operations was a loss of
GBP4.3 million (2016 restated: GBP25.7 million).
The full results of the discontinued business are presented in
note 7.
Erasure division
The Erasure division revenue increased to GBP23.5 million (2016
restated: GBP20.5 million), with the business acquiring a number of
new customers in the year.
Adjusted operating profit was GBP4.6 million, at an adjusted
operating profit margin of 19%, compared to an adjusted operating
profit margin of 30% in 2016. The margin reduction is primarily due
to the large investment in the sales force in the year which is
expected to generate a benefit to revenue in subsequent financial
years.
Diagnostics division
The Diagnostics division generated revenues of GBP4.2 million,
comprising the multi-year contract with our large US mobile carrier
(won in May 2016 and representing GBP3.2 million of revenue) as
well as significant contract wins with additional carriers in Asia
and Europe during 2017. This represents growth from the prior year
revenues of GBP0.7 million (consolidated from January 2016, GBP1.3
million on a pro forma full year 2016 basis).
The division recorded adjusted operating profit for the first
time in 2017, of GBP0.5 million (2016: GBPnil) owing to growth in
new contracts, net of investment in the development and sales teams
of the product in the first full year under Group control.
Revenue recognition
The Group monitors its sales performance by tracking invoiced
revenue, which is a measure of the level of business won in the
year. This differs from the reported revenue figures because IFRS
revenue recognition requires the business to defer the revenue
earned on software subscriptions - which have a defined term - over
the term of the contract.
This generally has an adverse impact on revenue in the period in
which the invoiced sale was made, because the revenue is held on
the balance sheet and released in future periods as the contract is
fulfilled. The impact is shown below:
2017 2016
Restated
GBP'million GBP'million
====================================== ============ ============
Invoiced revenue 29.3 22.6
Net revenue deferral of subscription
sales (1.4) (1.4)
IFRS revenue discount (0.2) -
====================================== ============ ============
Reported revenue 27.7 21.2
====================================== ============ ============
An accounting adjustment for discounts has been recorded against
revenue with the corresponding entry being recorded through
reserves until the discount is claimed by the customer.
The total deferred revenue for the continuing Group at 30 June
2017 was GBP5.9 million (2016 restated: GBP4.2 million) which
comprises revenue to be recognised in future periods. Of the
balance at 30 June 2017, GBP4.5 million of deferred revenue is due
to be recognised during 2018.
Of the GBP5.9 million deferred revenue balance, GBP3.2 million
represents cash already collected from customers and GBP2.7 million
is within trade receivables at the year end.
Corporate costs
Corporate costs of GBP1.7 million (2016: GBP1.5 million) have
increased slightly. This cost comprises the costs associated with
running the Plc function. The cost of Directors has increased in
2017 in comparison to 2016, as well as some small inflationary
increases for services procured by the Plc such as listing and
broker fees.
Currency hedging activities and constant currency
One of the risks that the Group faces by carrying out business
in overseas markets is currency fluctuations. In order to manage
the Group's exposure to this, the CFO conducts a quarterly review
of the Group's currency hedging activities and makes a formal
recommendation for any changes to the Board as required.
The Group is well diversified across ten main currencies with
Sterling representing only around 10% of revenues. The Group has a
policy of hedging cash balances across countries to minimise
individual exposures in any one currency, however with the majority
of revenues and costs in non-Sterling, there is exposure in
translating of overseas results back into Sterling when that
currency strengthens or weakens.
Following the UK's decision to leave the European Union in June
2016, Sterling weakened against all overseas currencies in which
the Group trades. This has resulted in an overall foreign exchange
benefit for the Group as the translation of revenues generated in
foreign currencies is now worth more in Sterling terms.
The average exchange rates applied are as follows:
Average Average Variance % of
FY17 rate FY16 rate FY17
Group
sales
================ ========== ========== ======== ======
Euro 1.166 1.329 (13%) 18%
US Dollar 1.271 1.473 (14%) 47%
Japanese Yen 139.187 171.83 (19%) 18%
================ ========== ========== ======== ======
The sales percentage represents amounts billed in that currency
and is not directly comparable to the sales generated in any one
jurisdiction.
A comparison of actual results, to results restated at constant
currency is presented below:
Year ended Year ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2017
Actual Constant
Results Currency
GBP'million GBP'million
================================== ============ ============
Invoiced revenue 29.3 25.9
Revenue 27.7 24.7
Divisional operating profit 5.1 4.9
Group adjusted operating profit 3.4 3.2
Operating loss (2.5) (2.7)
=================================== ============ ============
Adjusted earnings per share
(pence) 3.02 2.66
Basic earnings per share (pence) (5.20) (5.56)
=================================== ============ ============
At a revenue level, the impact of the weakening of Sterling has
been GBP3.0 million, representing 15 percentage points of the
Group's year-on-year growth. The impact is less severe at profit
level since the Group matches its revenues and costs generated in
overseas currencies, creating a natural hedge.
The Group implements forward contracts for payments and
receipts, where the amounts are large, are not denominated in the
local country's functional currency, where the timing is known in
advance, and where the amount can be predicted with certainty. In
addition, the Group undertakes natural hedges by structuring and
paying future earn-outs on acquisitions in the acquired Company's
local currency.
The Group does not undertake any cash flow or profit hedging
activities to insulate from currency movements in respect of
overseas earnings, specifically the conversion of its largely
non-Sterling generated income into the Group's reporting currency,
Sterling.
No other hedging activities are undertaken in respect of
tangible and intangible fixed assets, working capital (such as
stock, debtors, or creditors), or other balance sheet items, as
these are generally small in nature in any one individual
country.
Acquisition of non-controlling interests
In the period, the Group has continued to invest further in its
minority offices and has increased stakes in the following
offices:
On 18 August 2016, the Group acquired the remaining 49% it did
not already own of the issued share capital of Blancco Australasia
Pty. The consideration of AUD$0.1 million (GBP0.1 million) was
funded through the Group's cash reserves.
On 30 September 2016, the Group acquired an additional 19% stake
in Blancco SEA Bhd Sdn, bringing its ownership to 70%. The
consideration of USD$0.3 million (GBP0.3 million) was funded
through the Group's cash reserves.
On 11 October 2016, the Group acquired the remaining 49% it did
not already own of the issued share capital of Blancco France SAS
for an initial consideration of EUR0.1 million (GBP0.1 million) and
a contingent consideration of EUR0.1 million (GBP0.1 million). The
deferred consideration is payable in or around December 2017. At 30
June 2017, the business had achieved the required sales target in
order to earn a full pay out, and therefore the full contingent
consideration will be settled.
On 9 February 2017, the Group increased its stake in the issued
share capital of Software Blancco S.A. de CV (in Mexico) from 51%
to 70% for a deferred consideration of USD$1.2 million (GBP1.0
million). The terms of the share purchase agreement were for the
first 50% payment to be made six months after completion and the
remaining 50%, twelve months after completion. However, in light of
the matters associated with the Mexican contract from the year
ended June 2016, the cash phasing has been renegotiated such that
USD$0.4 million (GBP0.3 million) was settled in August 2017 and the
remaining USD$0.8 million (GBP0.6 million) will be settled on a pro
rata basis only in line with any cash collections.
On 13 February 2017, the Group acquired the remaining 50% it did
not already own of the issued share capital of Blancco Canada Inc.
The consideration of CAD$0.2 million (GBP0.2 million), was funded
through the Group's cash reserves.
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
On 27 September 2016, a dividend was declared and paid by
Blancco Japan Inc. The total dividend of Yen57.0 million (GBP0.4
million) was paid, of which Yen27.9 million (GBP0.2 million) was
paid to the minority shareholder. This resulted in a cash outflow
for the Group of GBP0.2 million and a corresponding reduction in
the non-controlling interest reserve held on the balance sheet. A
similar transaction occurred with Blancco Australia at a cash cost
of GBP0.1 million prior to the buyout of the 49% minority
interest.
Disposal of Mobile Insurance business
The discontinued operations generated a profit for the period of
GBPnil on a total revenue of GBP1.7 million (2016: GBP151.9 million
revenue and GBP7.7 million loss). The result for the period
represents the Mobile Insurance business only, compared to the
combined Repair Services business (to March 2016) and Mobile
Insurance business in the prior year.
The result includes GBP1.5 million of disposal provision
released for which no claim was paid out, covering working capital
adjustments and warranties. Further provisions remain in the June
2017 balance sheet, predominantly covering tax liabilities that
could realise a cash outflow for up to seven years following the
disposal dates.
Disposal costs, over and above those incurred in the disposal of
the Repair Services business in April 2016, are presented within
deal fees in the income statement and total GBP0.6 million, plus
some small reorganisation costs incurred totalling GBP0.2
million.
On 30 September 2016, the Group sold the Mobile Insurance
business to Mazovia Capital for contingent consideration payable
over two to three years. The consideration is contingent on meeting
certain performance measures with the first payment not falling due
until 2018. Latest forecasts estimate that no consideration will be
receivable and accordingly no contingent asset has been
recorded.
Exceptional acquisition and restructuring costs
The Group has undertaken acquisitions of non-controlling
interests in the period which have incurred acquisition expenses
amounting to GBP1.7 million (2016: GBP1.3 million), and are
inclusive of Hanover corporate advisory fees of GBP0.4 million
(2016: GBP0.7 million relating to continuing operations).
Exceptional costs in the continuing business amounted to GBP1.0
million (2016: GBPnil) which predominantly relate to redundancy
costs and legal fees associated with the Group's patent
defence.
Amortisation of internally generated R&D expenditure
Amortisation of internally generated intangible assets which
have been generated by the Group is presented within adjusted
operating profit. The activity of the R&D team is split between
research and administration activity which is not eligible for
capitalisation, and development time which is required to be
capitalised under IFRS. During 2017, the Group has capitalised
R&D costs amounting to GBP2.6 million (2016: GBP2.3 million),
and amortised previously capitalised R&D costs of GBP1.2
million (2016: GBP0.5 million).
The charge is increasing over time due to the accumulation of
capital expenditure since the acquisition of Blancco in April 2014.
The Group is continuing to invest greater amounts each year in its
development activities and amortises the expenditure over the
period the product is expected to last, generally four years from
the point of release of the product. The amortisation is therefore
currently lagging behind the development expenditure
capitalised.
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Amortisation of intangible assets acquired as part of the
Group's previous M&A activity was GBP2.5 million (2016: GBP2.5
million) and is in line with the prior year since no acquisitions
which have resulted in a change in control (nor recognition of
newly acquired assets) have taken place during 2017.
Share-based payments
The share-based payments charge was GBP0.7 million (2016: GBP1.2
million) and represents the charge for the options granted under
the software long term incentive plan.
The charge is lower than the previous year due to the decline in
the share price over the last 12 months, and therefore a reduction
in the accrued value of the awards currently vested.
During the year, two exercises took place under the plan, with
values totalling GBP0.4 million. These were settled by transferring
shares from the Company's Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) to the
beneficiaries. Accordingly, a credit to reserves has been recorded
representing the value generated from disposing of the EBT shares,
with a corresponding reduction in the liabilities carried for the
plan.
Net financing income
Net financing income was GBP0.8 million (2016: GBP0.9 million
expense). Included within the financing income are:
-- The unwind of the time value of money on the deferred
consideration payable in future periods for the Group's
acquisitions, which represents a non-cash charge of GBP0.5 million
(2016: GBP0.3 million).
-- The impact of revaluation of deferred consideration, due to
both foreign exchange movements and future forecasts on which the
contingent consideration is earned. A non-cash net credit of GBP1.6
million (2016: non-cash charge of GBP0.3 million) is principally
due to a reduction in value of the Xcaliber earn-out due to a
reduction in forecast qualifying revenues and to a reduction in
value of the Blancco Sweden earn out due to matters associated with
collection of debt from the active erasure sales which comprise
part of the earn out value.
-- The cost associated with the Group's banking facility of
GBP0.3 million (2016: GBP0.4 million), reduced slightly due to the
lower facility available for the continuing Group.
-- Interest received from cash held on deposit of GBPnil (2016: GBP0.1 million)
Taxation
The total tax charge was GBP0.7 million (2016: GBP0.6 million).
This comprises a corporation tax charge of GBP0.1 million and a
deferred tax charge of GBP0.6 million. The Group is seeing a higher
proportion of revenues generated in overseas territories,
particularly in Japan where the tax rate is higher than the
historic Group average.
Additionally, the deferred tax charge has increased year-on-year
due to the deferred tax charge associated with provision
releases.
Earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share for the continuing business were
3.02p (2016 restated: 4.16p).
Basic loss per share for the continuing business was 5.20p (2016
restated: 5.17p), also driven by the change in share base.
Cash and working capital
Year Year
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016 Restated
GBP'm GBP'm
==================================== ======== ===============
Adjusted operating cash
flow before movement in
working capital and exceptional
and acquisition costs 5.2 5.4
Movement in working capital
and exceptionals (1.7) 0.6
Movement in provisions (0.7) -
==================================== ======== ===============
Adjusted operating cash
flow 2.8 6.0
Net interest and tax payments (1.1) (0.9)
M&A payments (1.5) (1.1)
Exceptional payments (0.9) -
==================================== ======== ===============
Net cash from operating
activities - continuing
operations (0.7) 4.0
Net capital expenditure (3.4) (2.5)
Acquisition of subsidiaries,
associates and other investments,
net of cash acquired (1.0) (7.8)
Net cash flow from share 9.5 -
placing
Net cash flow from sale
of subsidiaries and share
buy backs - 18.8
Dividend payments (1.4) (3.1)
Other movements (0.1) (1.3)
Cash flow on discontinued
operations (2.2) (14.9)
====================================== ======== ===============
Total cash flow 0.7 (6.8)
Net cash 1.7 1.0
====================================== ======== ===============
The cash flows of the discontinued operations have been removed
from the individual captions in the cash flow statement and are
presented separately.
We closed the year with net cash of GBP1.7 million (2016: GBP1.0
million). The overall cash position has improved since 30 June 2016
due to a share placing which raised GBP9.5 million (fees totalling
GBP0.2 million were paid subsequent to the year end).
Cash reserves have been utilised as follows:
-- The continued investment in our operating locations of GBP2.8 million, representing:
o Costs of acquisition of non-controlling interests in
Australia, France, South East Asia, Canada and Mexico
o Expansion into new territories: China, Singapore and Latin
America.
-- Exceptional costs including redundancies and engagement in
patent defence to protect the market- leading position of the
business, totalling GBP0.9 million.
-- Cash flows associated with the discontinued business and
disposal of the Mobile Insurance business of GBP2.2 million,
representing:
o The budgeted final deal fees associated with the Repair
Services business of GBP0.8 million
o Lower than expected sales activity in the Mobile Insurance
business in the period as customers deferred spend during the
disposal process, resulting in an adverse result of GBP0.7
million
o Deal costs associated with the disposal of GBP0.7 million.
Operating cash conversion is 80% and the absolute cash flow has
reduced year-on-year by 54%.
The Group has seen a shift in the level of subscription business
closed, for which cash is generally collected in advance of
recognition of revenue.
Growth into new territories and associated up-front costs have
also resulted in a cash outflow for which the working capital cycle
should improve once the sales teams in these locations are fully
ramped up.
Tax and interest paid are in line with prior periods, although a
significant tax payment of GBP0.8 million was made in July
2017.
Capital expenditure and R&D qualifying for capitalisation
was GBP3.4 million (2016: GBP2.5 million). Of this capital
expenditure, GBP2.6 million (2016: GBP2.3 million) was incurred in
the ongoing development of the Blancco product range. The remaining
expenditure relates to purchase of property, plant and equipment
and investment in the Group's operating systems.
Dividend paid of GBP1.4 million represents both the dividend
paid to shareholders of the Group of GBP1.1 million and dividends
paid to minority shareholders of the Group's subsidiaries of GBP0.3
million, which includes the dividend paid to the Japanese minority
shareholder and former Australian minority shareholder, the latter
as part of the purchase of the 49% share capital previously owned
by the minority shareholder.
Other movements of GBP0.1 million outflow (2016: GBP1.3 million
outflow) include changes in the value of overseas cash held on
deposit when translated back into Sterling at the exchange rates
prevailing at the end of the period.
Year end net cash comprised gross borrowings of GBP9.9 million
denominated in Sterling (2016: GBP3.7 million in Sterling), cash
and cash equivalents of GBP11.6 million (2016: GBP4.8 million) and
deferred arrangement fees of GBPnil (2016: GBPnil).
Dividend
Given the position of the business and the need to invest for
growth, the Board has decided not to pay a final dividend.
Post Year end events
In August 2017, the terms of the earn-out relating to Blancco
Sweden were renegotiated (previously GBP1.1 million due for payment
in March 2017). As a consequence of this renegotiation EUR0.2
million (GBP0.2 million) was settled in August 2017 and the
remaining deferred contingent consideration will be settled
following collection of cash from the Mexican contracts which
comprised part of the earn-out value. At 30 June 2017, the fair
value of the deferred contingent consideration that has not been
settled in August 2017 has been measured at GBPnil.
Also, in August 2017, the terms of the contingent consideration
on the acquisition of 19% of the issued share capital of Software
Blancco S.A. de CV, were renegotiated. In light of the matters
associated with the Mexican contract from June 2016, the cash
phasing has been renegotiated such that $0.4 million (GBP0.3
million) was settled in August 2017 and the remaining $0.8 million
(GBP0.6 million) will be settled on a pro rata basis only in line
with collections from the associated customer. At 30 June 2017, the
fair value of the deferred contingent consideration that has not
been settled in August 2017 has been measured at GBPnil.
Key performance indicators
The Group has a range of performance indicators, both financial
and non-financial, to monitor and manage the business and
ultimately to improve performance. The Group's key performance
indicators (KPIs) are outlined below:
Year Year Commentary
ended ended
Key financials 30 June
30 June 2016
2017 Restated
=========================
Invoiced Revenue is an
important KPI for the
Group as it measures the
actual sales closed and
invoiced in the period,
before any IFRS deferral
of revenue. It is a key
metric for how the sales
Invoiced Revenue force has grown the underlying
(GBP'millions) 29.3 22.6 business of the Group.
========================== ======== ========== =================================
Geography (Regional
proportion of
invoiced revenue)
========================= ======== ========== =================================
The profile is consistent
year on year with our
strategically important
North America region benefiting
from revenues from large
new contracts.
The move into new territories
in Asia has marginally
improved revenue share
North America 39% 38% in this region.
=================================
Europe 34% 36%
=================================
Asia and ROW 27% 26%
========================== ======== ========== =================================
100% 100%
========================= ======== ========== =================================
Market type (proportion
of invoiced revenue)
========================= ======== ========== =================================
The strong growth in Mobile
is an encouraging trend
as sales in our Asian
region have increased
significantly year-on-year.
Active Erasure performance
is down due to non-recurrence
of some prior year deals;
this product continues
Active Erasure 4% 6% to be a focus for growth.
=================================
Mobile 27% 17%
=================================
IT and Other 69% 77%
========================== ======== ========== =================================
100% 100%
========================= ======== ========== =================================
Our customers spend increasing
Average annual amounts with us, showing
spend per customer* the additional value our
(GBP'000) 61.3 48.2 wide product range holds.
========================== ======== ========== =================================
End of year headcount
========================= ======== ========== =================================
We continue to invest
in headcount, through
R&D development of our
products and our sales
force to generate new
business. The business
saw a significant increase
in sales headcount in
order to cover a greater
number of territories
Admin 42 33 and sales channels.
=================================
R&D 106 117
=================================
Sales 125 101
========================== ======== ========== =================================
273 251
========================= ======== ========== =================================
* for customers spending over EUR10k per year
Consolidated Income Year ended Year ended
Statement
For the year ended
30 June 2017
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
Restated*
Note GBP'000 GBP'000
=========================== ===== =========== ===========
Continuing operations
revenue 3 27,683 21,196
Divisional operating
profit 3 5,105 6,114
Corporate costs (1,665) (1,516)
Adjusted operating
profit 3 3,440 4,598
Acquisition costs 4 (1,736) (1,343)
Exceptional restructuring
costs 5 (1,024) -
Amortisation of acquired
intangible assets (2,494) (2,494)
Share-based payments (675) (1,167)
---------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Group operating loss (2,489) (406)
Loss on disposal
of Xcaliber investment
following acquisition - (1,314)
Share of results
of associates and
jointly controlled
entities - (155)
============================ ===== =========== ===========
Operating loss (2,489) (1,875)
---------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Revaluation of deferred 1,686 -
consideration
Other finance income 2 68
---------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Finance income 6 1,688 68
---------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Unwinding of contingent
consideration (523) (292)
Revaluation of deferred
consideration (84) (293)
Other finance costs (321) (416)
---------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Finance costs 6 (928) (1,001)
---------------------------- ----- ----------- -----------
Loss before tax (1,729) (2,808)
Taxation (666) (649)
============================ ===== =========== ===========
Loss for the year (2,395) (3,457)
============================ ===== =========== ===========
Discontinued operations
Post tax results
from discontinued
operations 7 (1,917) (22,198)
============================ ===== =========== ===========
Loss for the year (4,312) (25,655)
============================ ===== =========== ===========
Attributable to:
Equity holders of
the Company (4,866) (25,893)
Non-controlling interest 554 238
============================ ===== =========== ===========
Loss for the year (4,312) (25,655)
============================ ===== =========== ===========
*See note 2
Earnings per share
Continuing operations: (5.20 (5.17
Basic 8 p) p)
(5.20 (5.17
Diluted 8 p) p)
Discontinued operations:
(3.38 (31.03
Basic 8 p) p)
(3.38 (31.03
Diluted 8 p) p)
Total Group:
(8.58 (36.20
Basic 8 p) p)
(8.58 (36.20
Diluted 8 p) p)
Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended
30 June 2017
Year Year
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
Restated*
GBP'000 GBP'000
=========================== ======== =================
Loss for the year (4,312) (25,655)
Other comprehensive
income - amounts that
may be reclassified
to profit or loss
in the future:
Exchange differences
arising on translation
of foreign entities (347) 2,542
============================= ======== =================
Total comprehensive
loss for the year (4,659) (23,113)
============================= ======== =================
Attributable to:
Equity holders of
the Company (5,234) (23,351)
Non-controlling interests 575 238
============================= ======== =================
Total comprehensive
loss for the year (4,659) (23,113)
============================= ======== =================
*see note 2
Consolidated Balance
Sheet
As at 30 June 2017
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
Restated*
Note GBP'000 GBP'000
============================= ===== ========= ===========
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill 42,821 42,821
Other intangible assets 23,330 24,071
Property, plant and
equipment 446 430
66,597 67,322
============================= ===== ========= ===========
Current assets
Inventory 142 116
Trade and other receivables 8,438 6,551
Cash 11,648 4,769
Assets held for sale 7 - 4,804
============================= ===== ========= ===========
20,228 16,240
============================= ===== ========= ===========
Total assets 86,825 83,562
============================= ===== ========= ===========
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (13,958) (13,378)
Contingent consideration (1,726) (2,213)
Current tax liability (1,450) (2,264)
Provisions (386) (1,569)
Liabilities held for
sale 7 - (3,038)
============================= ===== ========= ===========
(17,520) (22,462)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 12 (9,916) (3,727)
Other payables (1,681) (954)
Contingent consideration (2,418) (3,196)
Deferred tax (2,611) (1,844)
Provisions (2,035) (3,782)
============================= ===== ========= ===========
(18,661) (13,503)
============================= ===== ========= ===========
Total liabilities (36,181) (35,965)
============================= ===== ========= ===========
Net assets 50,644 47,597
============================= ===== ========= ===========
Equity
Ordinary share capital 1,280 1,164
Share premium 9,152 -
Merger reserve 4,034 4,034
Capital redemption reserve 417 417
Translation reserve (984) (434)
Retained earnings 35,703 41,895
============================== ======= =======
Total equity attributable
to equity holders of
the Company 49,602 47,076
Non-controlling interest
reserve 1,042 521
============================== ======= =======
Total equity 50,644 47,597
============================== ======= =======
* see note 2
Consolidated Statement of Changes
in Equity
For the year ended 30 June 2017
Non-controlling Capital
Share Share Merger Translation Retained interest redemption
capital premium reserve reserve earnings reserve reserve Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
================= ==================== ========= ======== ============ =========== ================ ============ ===========
Balance as at
30(th) June
2015 1,581 51,737 4,034 (7,115) 72,191 238 - 122,666
Comprehensive
income:
Loss for the
year* - - - - (25,893) 238 - (25,655)
Transfer of
translation
reserve on
disposal
of subsidiary - - - 4,139 - - - 4,139
Other
comprehensive
income:
Exchange
differences
arising on
translation
of foreign
entities - - - 2,542 - - - 2,542
Transactions
with owners
recorded
directly in
equity:
Recognition of
share-based
payments - - - - 757 - - 757
Dividends paid - - - - (3,071) - - (3,071)
Other
transactions:
Acquisition of
non-controlling
interest
without
a change in
control - - - - (3,046) - - (3,046)
Conversion of
share premium
account - (51,737) - - 51,737 - - -
On acquisition
of subsidiary - - - - - (43) - (43)
Reserves
transfer
on acquisition
of
non-controlling
interest - - - - (88) 88 - -
Repurchase and
cancellation
of Company's
own shares (417) - - - (50,692) - 417 (50,692)
================= ==================== ========= ======== ============ =========== ================ ============ ===========
Balance as at
30 June 2016* 1,164 - 4,034 (434) 41,895 521 417 47,597
Comprehensive
income:
(Loss)/profit
for the year - - - - (4,866) 554 - (4,312)
Reserves
transfer
on disposal of
subsidiary - - - (182) - - - (182)
Transactions
with owners
recorded
directly in
equity:
Recognition of
share-based
payments - - - - 343 - - 343
Other
comprehensive
income:
Exchange
differences
arising on
translation
of foreign
entities - - - (368) - 21 - (347)
Dividends paid - - - - (1,139) (278) - (1,417)
Share placing 116 9,152 - - - - - 9,268
Share options
exercised - - - - 407 - - 407
Vesting of
options
to sell shares
in subsidiary - - - - 165 - - 165
Other
transactions:
Acquisition of
non-controlling
interest
without
a change in
control - - - - (1,041) - - (1,041)
Issue of shares
to
non-controlling
interest - - - - - 163 - 163
Reserves
transfer
on acquisition
of
non-controlling
interest - - - - (61) 61 - -
================= ==================== ========= ======== ============ =========== ================ ============ ===========
Balance as at
30 June 2017 1,280 9,152 4,034 (984) 35,703 1,042 417 50,644
================= ==================== ========= ======== ============ =========== ================ ============ ===========
*restated see
note 2
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 30 June
2017
Year Year
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
Restated*
Note GBP'000 GBP'000
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Loss for the period (4,312) (25,655)
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Adjustments for:
Results of discontinued operations 7 1,917 22,198
Net finance (income)/charges 6 (760) 933
Tax expense 666 649
Depreciation on property,
plant and equipment 202 113
Amortisation of intangible
assets 1,579 668
Amortisation of acquired intangible
assets 2,494 2,494
Share of losses and disposal
of joint ventures and associates - 1,469
Share-based payments expense 675 1,167
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Operating cash flow before
movement in working capital 2,461 4,036
------------------------------------------ ----- -------- -----------
Acquisition costs 1,736 1,343
Exceptional restructuring 1,024 -
costs
------------------------------------------ ----- -------- -----------
Operating cash flow before
movement in working capital
and exceptional and acquisition
costs 5,221 5,379
------------------------------------------ ----- -------- -----------
Increase in inventories (26) (41)
Decrease/(increase) in receivables (1,637) (2,399)
(Decrease)/increase in payables
and accruals 321 3,310
Decrease in provisions (732) -
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Cash generated from continuing
operations 387 4,906
------------------------------------------ ----- -------- -----------
Acquisition costs payments 1,477 1,080
Exceptional restructuring 890 -
payments
------------------------------------------ ----- -------- -----------
Adjusted operating cash flow 2,754 5,986
------------------------------------------ ----- -------- -----------
Interest received 6 2 68
Interest paid (321) (309)
Tax paid (731) (629)
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Net cash (outflow)/inflow
from operating activities
- continuing operations (663) 4,036
Net cash outflow from operating
activities - discontinued
operations 7 (2,123) (10,890)
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Net cash outflow from operating
activities - continuing and
discontinued operations (2,786) (6,854)
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Cash flows from investing
activities
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment (249) (236)
Purchase and development of
intangible assets (3,146) (2,282)
Acquisition of subsidiaries,
net of cash acquired 10 (657) (7,485)
Payments made to acquire non-controlling
interests 10 (462) (345)
Proceeds from issue of shares 136 -
to non-controlling interests
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Net cash used in investing
activities - continuing operations (4,378) (10,348)
Net cash (used in)/from investing
activities - discontinued
operations 7 (61) 65,399
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Net cash (used in)/from investing
activities - continuing and
discontinued operations (4,439) 55,051
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Cash flows from financing
activities
Dividends paid 11 (1,417) (3,071)
Drawdown/(repayment) of borrowings 12 6,174 (1,223)
Share placing net of fees 9,479 -
Repurchase of shares - (50,692)
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Net cash from/(used in) financing
activities 14,236 (54,986)
Net cash used in financing - -
activities - discontinued
operations
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Net cash from/(used in) financing
activities - continuing and
discontinued operations 14,236 (54,986)
Net increase/(decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents 7,011 (6,789)
Other non-cash movements -
exchange rate changes (132) (585)
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of period 4,769 12,143
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 11,648 4,769
Bank borrowings 12 (9,916) (3,727)
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
Net cash 1,732 1,042
========================================== ===== ======== ===========
* see note 2
1. Basis of Preparation
The financial information set out in this statement does not
constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 30
June 2017 or 30 June 2016. The financial information is derived
from those accounts for the year ended 30 June 2016 and from the
draft version of those accounts of the year ended 30 June 2017.
Statutory accounts for the year ended 2016 have been delivered to
the Registrar of Companies and those for 2017 will be delivered in
due course. The audit of the statutory accounts for the year ended
30 June 2017 is not yet complete. The Group's auditors have
reported on the 30 June 2016 accounts; their report was unmodified,
did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without
modifying their report and did not contain statements under s498
(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. Whilst the financial
information included in this announcement has been computed in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
("IFRS") this announcement does not itself contain sufficient
information to comply with IFRS.
2. Prior Year Adjustment
A prior year adjustment has been made, relating to the
recognition of GBP1.2 million of revenue that was previously booked
in the year ended 30 June 2016 (and prepaid costs relating to
revenue expected to be booked in the 2017 year end). The Board
review performed from August 2017 identified new evidence which
indicated that at the time of signing the accounts on 30 September
2016, although certain licences had been delivered to the customer,
no contractual agreement was in existence with the customer which
adequately supported the criteria for recognition of revenue under
the Group's accounting policies at that time. As a result, invoiced
trade receivables of GBP2.1 million as at 30 June 2016 have been
reversed, together with the prepayment of GBP0.3 million of costs
associated with the undelivered portion of the contract, which has
now been written off in the year to 30 June 2016. Deferred revenue
of GBP0.6 million and sales tax of GBP0.3 million is similarly
reversed, together with revenue recognised of GBP1.2 million.
A summary of the impact of the prior year adjustment on the
consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of cash
flows for the year ended 30 June 2016, as well as the consolidated
balance sheet as at 30 June 2016 arising from the restatements, are
as follows:
Consolidated Income Statement for the Year Ended 30 June
2016
Continuing Operations As reported Overstatement Restated
GBP'000 of revenue GBP'000
and trade
and other
receivables
Revenue 22,387 (1,191) 21,196
Divisional adjusted
operating profit 7,605 (1,491) 6,114
Adjusted operating profit 6,089 (1,491) 4,598
Operating loss (384) (1,491) (1,875)
Loss before tax (1,317) (1,491) (2,808)
Tax (649) - (649)
Loss for the period (1,966) (1,491) (3,457)
Loss from discontinued
operations (22,198) - (22,198)
Loss for the year (24,164) (1,491) (25,655)
No adjustment to the tax charge for the previous year has been
made since an invoice had been raised in respect of this contract
and, while unpaid, there is a likelihood that the tax could be
demanded from the Mexican government as a result.
There is no change to the previously reported cash outflow from
operating activities, cash used in investing activities and cash
used in financing activities. The cash conversion has been restated
to 130%, previously 96% following the reduction in adjusted
operating profit.
There is no impact on the balance sheet or retained profits at
30 June 2015. Retained profits at 30 June 2016 are reduced by
GBP1.5 million.
Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2016
Overstatement
of revenue
and trade
As reported and other Restated
receivables
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
============================= ============== ============== ===========
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill 42,821 - 42,821
Other intangible assets 24,071 - 24,071
Property, plant and
equipment 430 - 430
67,322 - 67,322
============================= ============== ============== ===========
Current assets
Inventory 116 - 116
Trade and other receivables 8,901 (2,350) 6,551
Cash 4,769 - 4,769
Assets held for sale 4,804 - 4,804
============================= ============== ============== ===========
18,590 (2,350) 16,240
============================= ============== ============== ===========
Total assets 85,912 (2,350) 83,562
============================= ============== ============== ===========
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (14,237) 859 (13,378)
Contingent consideration (2,213) - (2,213)
Current tax liability (2,264) - (2,264)
Provisions (1,569) - (1,569)
Liabilities held for
sale (3,038) - (3,038)
============================= ============== ============== ===========
(23,321) 859 (22,462)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (3,727) - (3,727)
Other payables (1,674) - (954)
Contingent consideration (3,196) - (3,196)
Deferred tax (1,844) - (1,844)
Provisions (3,062) - (3,782)
============================= ============== ============== ===========
(13,503) - (13,503)
============================= ============== ============== ===========
Total liabilities (36,824) 859 (35,965)
============================= ============== ============== ===========
Net assets 49,088 (1,491) 47,597
============================= ============== ============== ===========
3. Segmental Reporting
The Group's management structure is reported in two distinct
divisions, comprising the continuing operations:
Erasure Division
The Erasure division enables customers to erase and repurpose IT
devices with certified software.
Diagnostics Division
The Diagnostics division provides consistent, accurate and
measurable diagnostics of smartphones and tablets, as well as a new
diagnostics tool developed internally following the acquisition of
the SmartChk product in the Xcaliber transaction.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued revenues are comprised of the Digital Care
insurance business which was disposed in September 2016 and
additionally, in the prior year revenues associated with the Depot
Repair business prior to the disposal date in April 2016.
Year
Year ended
ended 30 June
30 June 2016
2017 Restated
Continuing operations GBP'000 GBP'000
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Erasure revenue 23,520 20,468
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Diagnostics revenue 4,163 1,017
Less: share of jointly controlled
entity - (289)
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Diagnostics revenue 4,163 728
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Software revenue 27,683 21,196
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Erasure 4,557 6,101
Diagnostics 548 13
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Divisional operating profit 5,105 6,114
Corporate costs (1,665) (1,516)
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Adjusted operating profit 3,440 4,598
Acquisition costs (1,736) (1,343)
Exceptional restructuring costs (1,024) -
Amortisation of intangible assets (2,494) (2,494)
Share-based payments (675) (1,167)
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Group operating loss (2,489) (406)
Loss on disposal of Xcaliber
investment following acquisition - (1,314)
Share of results of associates
and jointly controlled entities - (155)
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Operating loss (2,489) (1,875)
Revaluation of contingent consideration 1,686 -
Other finance income 2 68
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Finance income 1,688 68
Unwinding of discount factor
on contingent consideration (523) (292)
Revaluation of contingent consideration (84) (293)
Other finance costs (321) (416)
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Finance costs (928) (1,001)
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Loss before tax (1,729) (2,808)
========================================== ====== ========= ==========
Year Year
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
Discontinued operations GBP'000 GBP'000
========================================= === ============= ==========
Revenue 1,740 151,901
============================================== ============= ==========
Divisional operating (loss)/profit (346) 9,711
Corporate costs (415) (3,438)
============================================== ============= ==========
Adjusted operating (loss)/profit (761) 6,273
Acquisition and disposal costs (595) (9,600)
Exceptional restructuring costs (165) (1,542)
Other exceptional income 1,478 -
Amortisation of intangible assets - (425)
Share-based payments - (714)
============================================== ============= ==========
Operating loss (43) (6,008)
Finance income - 20
Unwinding of discount factor
on contingent consideration - (342)
Other finance costs - (1,337)
============================================== ============= ==========
Net finance cost - (1,659)
============================================== ============= ==========
Loss before tax (43) (7,667)
============================================== ============= ==========
4. Acquisition Costs
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
========================== ======== ========
Acquisition costs and
other M&A related costs 1,736 1,343
============================ ======== ========
1,736 1,343
========================== ======== ========
Acquisition costs relate to the M&A activity within the year
with the most significant costs in both years relating to the
buyouts of minority interest stakes in sales offices.
Deal costs not included above relate to the disposal of the
Repair Services and Mobile Insurance Business totalling GBP0.6
million (2016: GBP9.6 million) and are presented within
discontinued operations.
5. Exceptional Restructuring Costs
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
=============================== ======== ========
Redundancies and restructuring 846 -
Patent defence litigation 178 -
=============================== ======== ========
1,024 -
=============================== ======== ========
GBP1.0 million of exceptional restructuring costs have been
recorded in the current period (2016: GBPnil) relating to personnel
restructuring and litigation regarding patent infringement.
Exceptional redundancy and restructuring costs not included
above relate to the restructuring activities for the disposal of
the Repair Services and Mobile Insurance Business totalling GBP0.2
million (2016: GBP1.5 million), and are presented within
discontinued operations.
6. Finance Costs and Finance Income
2017 2016
Continuing operations GBP'000 GBP'000
========================================= ======== ========
Bank interest receivable
and similar income 2 68
Interest payable on borrowings: - -
Bank loans and overdrafts (307) (377)
Other finance costs (14) (39)
Revaluation of contingent consideration 1,602 (293)
Unwind of discount factor on contingent
consideration (523) (292)
Net finance income/(cost) 760 (933)
=========================================== ======== ========
Contingent consideration was revalued in respect of movements in
foreign exchange rates in the year and a reforecast of contingent
consideration payable in relation to the Xcaliber and Blancco
Sweden acquisitions which is based on the performance of the
business and revenue and associated cash collection targets. The
impact was a decrease in the present value of the liability in
Sterling of GBP1.6 million.
7. Discontinued Operations
Year ended Year
30 June ended
2017 30 June
2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
==================================== === =========== =========
Discontinued operations
revenue 1,740 151,901
Divisional operating (loss)/profit (346) 9,711
Corporate costs (415) (3,438)
Adjusted operating (loss)/profit (761) 6,273
Acquisition and disposal
costs (595) (9,600)
Exceptional restructuring
costs (165) (1,542)
Other exceptional Income 1,478 -
Amortisation of intangible
assets - (425)
Share-based payments - (714)
------------------------------------- ----------- ---------
Group Operating loss (43) (6,008)
------------------------------------- ----------- ---------
Other finance income - 20
===================================== =========== =========
Finance income - 20
------------------------------------- ----------- ---------
Unwinding of contingent
consideration - (342)
Other finance costs - (1,337)
===================================== =========== =========
Finance costs - (1,679)
------------------------------------- ----------- ---------
Loss before tax (43) (7,667)
Taxation (318) (609)
===================================== =========== =========
Loss for the period (361) (8,276)
===================================== =========== =========
Post tax loss on disposal
of discontinued business (1,556) (13,922)
===================================== =========== =========
The loss on disposal reconciliation for the disposal of the
Mobile Insurance business is as below. In the prior year the loss
on disposal related to the Repair Services business and Digital
Care Sweden AB.
Year Year
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
===================================== ======== =========
Proceeds - 79,914
====================================== ======== =========
Assets
Goodwill 49,816
Other intangible assets 1,472 5,186
Property, plant and equipment 125 7,894
Deferred taxation 298 2,404
Cash 154 10,396
Inventory 42 9,881
Trade and other receivables 2,441 27,585
====================================== ======== =========
Total assets disposed 4,532 113,162
====================================== ======== =========
Liabilities
Trade and other payables (2,794) (20,299)
Deferred consideration - (3,166)
========
Total liabilities disposed (2,794) (23,465)
====================================== ======== =========
Total net assets disposed 1,738 89,697
====================================== ======== =========
Transfer of translation differences
to Consolidated Income Statement (182) 4,139
Loss on disposal (1,556) (13,922)
====================================== ======== =========
On disposal of the Mobile Insurance business, the Group is
required to transfer accumulated foreign exchange differences from
the translation reserve to the Income Statement. This charge
amounted to GBP0.2 million (2016: GBP4.1 million).
On 19th September 2017, the Group reached an agreement to sell
the Mobile Insurance business to Mazova Capital for an initial
contingent consideration of EUR1.2 million (GBP1.0 million) with a
further contingent earn-out of EUR3.3 million (GBP2.8 million)
payable over two to three years. The consideration is contingent on
meeting certain performance measures with the first payment will
not become due until 2018. Latest forecasts estimate that no
consideration will be receivable and accordingly no contingent
asset has been recorded.
The cash flows associated with the discontinued operations are
as follows:
Year Year
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
================================= ======= ========
Loss for the period (361) (8,276)
=================================== ======= ========
Adjustments for:
Net finance charges - 1,659
Tax expense 318 609
Depreciation on property,
plant and equipment 9 410
Amortisation of intangible
assets 56 471
Amortisation of acquired
intangible assets - 425
Share-based payments expense - 714
=================================== ======= ========
Operating cash flow before
movement in working capital 22 (3,988)
=================================== ======= ========
Increase in inventories (11) (495)
Increase in receivables 433 809
Increase in payables and
accruals (1,089) (6,004)
Decrease in provisions (1,478) (222)
=================================== ======= ========
Cash used in discontinued
operations (2,123) (9,900)
Interest received - 20
Interest paid - (655)
Tax paid - (355)
=================================== ======= ========
Net cash outflow from operating
activities - discontinued
operations (2,123) (10,890)
=================================== ======= ========
Cash flows from investing
activities
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment (12) (1,549)
Purchase and development
of intangible assets (49) (1,575)
Acquisition of subsidiaries
and payment of contingent
consideration - (995)
Disposal of subsidiaries,
net of cash disposed - 69,518
=================================== ======= ========
Net cash (used in)/from
investing activities -
discontinued operations (61) 65,399
=================================== ======= ========
8. Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Year Ended Year ended
30 June
30 June 2016
2017 Restated
Pence Pence
=================================== =========== ===========
Continuing operations
(5.20 (5.17
Basic earnings per share p) p)
(5.20 (5.17
Diluted earnings per share p) p)
Adjusted earnings per
share 3.02 p 4.16 p
Diluted adjusted earnings
per share 3.02 p 4.16 p
==================================== =========== ===========
Discontinued operations
(3.38 (31.03
Basic earnings per share p) p)
(3.38 (31.03
Diluted earnings per share p) p)
Adjusted earnings per (1.90
share p) 7.18 p
Diluted adjusted earnings (1.90 7.18
per share p) p
=================================== =========== ===========
Total Group
(8.58 (36.20
Basic earnings per share p) p)
(8.58 (36.20
Diluted earnings per share p) p)
Adjusted earnings per 1.12 p 11.34
share p
Diluted adjusted earnings 1.12 p 11.34
per share p
=================================== =========== ===========
Year ended Year ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
Restated
Continuing operations GBP'000 GBP'000
=================================== =========== ===========
Loss for the period (2,395) (3,457)
Profit attributable to
non-controlling interests (554) (238)
==================================== =========== ===========
Loss attributable to equity
holders of the Parent
parpaparentCompany (2,949) (3,695)
==================================== =========== ===========
Reconciliation to adjusted
profit:
Unwinding of contingent
consideration 523 292
Revaluation of contingent
consideration (1,602) 293
Acquisition costs 1,736 1,343
Amortisation of acquired
intangible assets 2,494 2,494
Exceptional restructuring 1,024 -
costs
Exceptional bank charges 14 17
Share-based payments 675 1,167
Loss on disposal of Xcaliber
investment following acquisition - 1,314
Tax impact of above adjustments (205) (251)
==================================== =========== ===========
Adjusted profit for the
period 1,710 2,974
==================================== =========== ===========
Year ended Year ended
30 June 30 June
2017 2016
Discontinued operations GBP'000 GBP'000
============================ =========== ===========
Loss attributable to
equity holders of the
Parent Company (1,917) (22,198)
============================= =========== ===========
Reconciliation to adjusted
profit:
Unwinding of contingent
consideration - 342
Acquisition costs 595 9,600
Amortisation of intangible
assets - 425
Exceptional restructuring
costs 165 1,542
Exceptional bank charges - 793
Share-based payments - 714
Provision release (1,478) -
Disposal of discontinued
operations 1,556 13,922
Adjusted (loss)/profit
for the period (1,079) 5,140
============================= =========== ===========
Number of shares '000s '000s
Weighted average number of shares
used to calculate earnings per
share
* Basic 56,668 71,537
* Diluted 56,668 71,537
===================================== ======= =======
The ordinary share capital at 30 June 2017 was 63,989,266 shares
(2016: 58,189,266) following a share repurchase and cancellation of
20,833,333 shares on 6 May 2016 and share placing of 5,800,000
ordinary shares on 9 May 2017.
9. Acquisitions
Acquisitions of Non-controlling Interests
On 18 August 2016, the Group acquired the remaining 49% of the
share capital of Blancco Australasia Pty which it did not already
own, for a cost of AUD$0.1 million (GBP0.1 million). There is no
earn-out.
On 30 September 2016, the Group acquired 19% of the share
capital of Blancco SEA Sdn Bhd, taking ownership to 70% for a cost
of $0.3 million (GBP0.3 million). There is no earn-out.
On 11 October 2016, the Group acquired the remaining 49% it did
not already own, of the issued share capital of Blancco France SAS
for an initial consideration of EUR0.1 million (GBP0.1 million) and
a contingent consideration of EUR0.1 million (GBP0.1 million). The
deferred consideration is payable in December 2017. At 30 June
2017, the business had achieved the required sales target in order
to earn a full pay out, and therefore the full contingent
consideration will be settled in H1 2018.
On 9 February 2017, the Group acquired a further 19% of the
issued share capital of Software Blancco S.A. de CV, bringing the
Group's stake to 70%. The consideration of USD$1.2 million (GBP1.0
million) was due to be payable in two tranches, the first 50% due
six months after completion and the remaining 50% due twelve months
after completion. However, in light of the matters associated with
the Mexican contract from the year ended June 2016, the cash
phasing has been renegotiated such that $0.4 million (GBP0.3
million) was settled in August 2017 and the remaining $0.8 million
(GBP0.6 million) will be settled on a pro rata basis only in line
with any collections. At 30 June 2017, the fair value of the
deferred contingent consideration that has not been settled in
August 2017 has been measured at GBPnil.
On 13 February 2017, the Group acquired the remaining 49% it did
not already own of the issued share capital of Blancco Canada Inc.
The consideration of CAD$0.2 million (GBP0.2 million) was funded
through the Group's cash reserves. There is no earn-out.
The buyouts of non-controlling interests do not require a fair
value assessment as they were already under control of the Group
when the initial Blancco acquisition was completed on 16 April
2014.
In accordance with IFRS10, "Consolidated Financial Statements",
the purchase prices for each acquisition have been taken directly
to the Retained Earnings reserve, in addition to the
non-controlling interest in the balance sheet attributable to each
acquisition as at the respective acquisition dates.
10. Cash Flows Associated with Acquisitions and Disposals
Within the consolidated cash flow statement, the cash flow
relating to acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
relates to payment of contingent consideration on Xcaliber of
GBP0.7 million.
Within the consolidated cash flow statement, the payments made
to acquire non-controlling interest is as follows:
GBP'000
========================================== ========
Acquisition of minority interest of
Blancco France SAS 73
Acquisition of minority interest of
Blancco SEA 146
Acquisition of minority interest of
Blancco Australia Pty 106
Acquisition of minority interest of
Blancco Canada Inc 137
Net cash flow - payments made to acquire
non-controlling interests 462
=========================================== ========
No cash or overdraft was acquired as part of the non-controlling
interest buy-outs since the cash balances were consolidated by
virtue of the existing shareholding being a controlling stake.
The Group received cash consideration of $0.2 million (GBP0.1
million) in respect of the 30% of share capital subscribed by
minority interests in Blancco APAC Pte Ltd.
11. Dividends
2017 2017 2016 2016
GBP'000 Pence per GBP'000 Pence per
share share
====================== ======== ========== ======== ==========
Previous year
final 747 1.34 2,565 3.35
Current year interim
dividend 392 0.70 506 0.66
====================== ======== ========== ======== ==========
1,139 2.04 3,071 4.01
====================== ======== ========== ======== ==========
12. Bank Borrowings
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
========================= ======== ========
Due after more than
one year:
Secured bank loan 9,916 3,727
=========================== ======== ========
Repayable:
In the first to second
years inclusive - -
========================= ======== ========
In the third to fifth
years inclusive 9,916 3,727
=========================== ======== ========
The bank borrowing is secured on the majority of the Group's
assets for the duration of the Revolving Credit Facility. The total
facility available to the Group as at 30 June 2017 totalled GBP12.4
million (2016: GBP11.5 million), of which GBP9.9 million (2016:
GBP3.7 million) had been drawn down in cash, resulting in an
unutilised facility of GBP2.5 million (2016: GBP7.8 million).
Borrowing costs of GBPnil (2016: GBPnil) are set off against the
amount owing at year end.
The facility is available until October 2019, which gives
Blancco clear certainty of funding over the next two years.
All banking covenants have been satisfied in the year and show
headroom for the foreseeable future.
13. Subsequent Events
In August 2017, the terms of the earn-out relating to Blancco
Sweden were renegotiated (previously GBP1.1 million due for payment
in March 2017). As a consequence of this renegotiation EUR0.2
million (GBP0.2 million) was settled in August 2017 and the
remaining deferred contingent consideration will be settled
following collection of cash from the Mexican contracts which
comprised part of the earn-out value. At 30 June 2017, the fair
value of the deferred contingent consideration that has not been
settled in August 2017 has been measured at GBPnil.
Also, in August 2017, the terms of the contingent consideration
on the acquisition of 19% of the issued share capital of Software
Blancco S.A. de CV, were renegotiated. In light of the matters
associated with the Mexican contract from June 2016, the cash
phasing has been renegotiated such that $0.4 million (GBP0.3
million) was settled in August 2017 and the remaining $0.8 million
(GBP0.6 million) will be settled on a pro rata basis only in line
with collections from the associated customer. At 30 June 2017, the
fair value of the deferred contingent consideration that has not
been settled in August 2017 has been measured at GBPnil.
14. Related Party Transactions
Transactions between Blancco and its 100% subsidiaries, which
are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation. No
disclosure of these transactions is required under IAS24.
Matthew Peacock, Non-executive Chairman (until 14 March 2017) is
associated with Hanover Investors Management LLP. A fee is charged
for his services as a Non-executive Director which is disclosed in
the Directors' Remuneration Report.
Hanover Investors previously had an indirect beneficial interest
in the shares of the Group until 3 October 2016 when Hanover
Investors Management LLP sold its remaining shares in the Company.
The combined holding of Hanover Investors Management LLP and its
connected parties on 30 June 2016 was 209,728 ordinary shares
equating to 0.36% of the issued share capital of the Company.
During the year, fees amounting to GBP400,000 were incurred for
M&A related consultancy services provided by Hanover Investors
Management LLP or its connected parties (2016: GBP1,580,200). At 30
June 2017, Hanover were no longer a related party (2016: GBPnil
outstanding in relation to these services).
These services were for corporate finance advisory and services
related to the minority interest buy-outs that have taken place in
the year ended 30 June 2017.
These fees were benchmarked against fees paid to our other
advisors, with the Board considering that Hanover offered the best
alternative to any third parties based on the work performed for
the Group on previous acquisitions.
Property lease costs of GBP96,000 (2016: GBP165,000) were
recharged to Hanover Investors Management LLP in the year, of which
GBPnil was outstanding at the year-end (2016: GBPnil).
15. Definitions
Adjusted Earnings Per Share: Adjusted earnings are stated before
amortisation or impairment of acquired intangible assets and
development costs capitalised, amortisation of bank fees,
exceptional restructuring costs, acquisition costs, share-based
payments, losses on disposals of investments and jointly controlled
entities, unwinding of the discounted contingent consideration,
adjustments to estimates of contingent consideration, and tax
impacts of the above. Adjusted earnings per share is the key
earnings per share measure used by the Board.
Adjusted Operating Cash Flow or AOCF: Operating cash flow
excluding taxation, interest payments and receipts, acquisition
costs, and exceptional restructuring costs. This measure excludes
capital expenditure. This is the key operating cash flow measure
used by the Board to assess the underlying cash flow of the
Group.
Adjusted Operating Profit or AOP: Operating Profit stated before
acquisition costs (because these are one-off in nature),
exceptional restructuring costs (because these are not considered
to reflect the underlying performance of the Group's operating
business), share-based payment charges (because these represent a
non-cash accounting charge for long term incentives to senior
management rather than the underlying operations of the Group's
business), amortisation or impairment of acquired intangible assets
(because these are non-cash charges arising as a result of the
application of acquisition accounting, rather than core
operations), the non-cash amortisation charge of development
expenditure capitalised (because this does not reflect an ongoing
cash outflow of the Group), and disposal of subsidiaries (because
these represent a one-off non-cash charge to the consolidated
income statement).
16. Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at 4.00pm
on Tuesday 19 December 2017 at Shakespeare Martineau LLP, 60
Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0HR.
17. Report and Accounts
Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts will be available from
the Company's website - www.blancco.com on or before 30 November
2017. Copies will be sent to shareholders in due course and will be
available from the registered office of 60 Gracechurch Street,
London EC3V 0HR.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR FSIEDMFWSEEF
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 07, 2017 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
Blancco Technology (LSE:BLTG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Blancco Technology (LSE:BLTG)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024