TIDMTRD
RNS Number : 7312H
Triad Group Plc
12 June 2017
Triad Group Plc
AUDITED RESULTS FOR THE YEARED 31 MARCH 2017
(Company number: 2285049)
Triad Group Plc is pleased to announce its results for the year
ended 31 March 2017.
The Board is proposing a final dividend of 0.5p per share.
Subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 23
August 2017, the Company will pay the dividend on Tuesday 7
September 2017 to all shareholders on the register of members of
the Company at the close of business on 11 August 2017. The
ex-dividend date will be on 10 August 2017.
For further information please contact:
Triad Group Plc
Nick Burrows
Company Secretary
Tel: 01908 278450
Arden Partners
plc
Chris Hardie
Benjamin Cryer
Tel: 020 7614
5920
Strategic report
Financial highlights
-- Revenue for the year ended 31 March 2017: GBP30.9m (2016: GBP28.3m)
-- Profit before tax: GBP1.52m (2016: GBP0.86m)
-- Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
(EBITDA): GBP1.61m (2016: GBP1.13m)
-- Profit after tax: GBP1.53m (2016: GBP1.21m)
-- Gross profit as a percentage of revenue: 16.2% (2016: 15.0%)
Chairman's statement
Dr John Rigg, Executive Chairman
The results for the year ended 31 March 2017 represent the
Group's strongest performance in ten years. We have seen continued
improvement across key financial indicators with revenue up by 9.2%
to GBP30.9m (2016: GBP28.3m), profit before tax up by 76% to
GBP1.52m (2016: GBP0.86m), and gross profit as a percentage of
revenue increasing to 16.2% (2016: 15.0%).
Revenue and profit have been driven by careful management of
existing key accounts, with significant growth seen across three of
our four largest clients. This has been achieved as a result of the
professionalism of our staff and outstanding levels of service
delivered by our teams. Maintaining long-lasting relationships with
our clients is a key contributor to our strengthened position, and
the Group has been particularly successful in this regard despite
the intense competition faced across the industry.
Amongst the year's highlights has been Triad's involvement in a
national roll-out for digital services helping one of our Central
Government clients with their transformation agenda. Elsewhere, we
have been underpinning the work of one of the country's leading
foreign aid consultancies, helping them to deliver services more
efficiently through the development of a range of digital services.
This work has also contributed to the significant improvements
within our Office365 practice, an area we expect to expand as
uptake increases.
In another Central Government client, we have been providing a
highly talented team of system engineers responsible for creating
an industrial-strength platform from which a range of digital
services is being hosted. Triad consultants are also providing key
advisory services to a major Government-owned company, helping them
to determine and deliver their strategic goals over the next 3-5
years.
The Group's strong performance within the GIS sector continued,
expanding not only within existing key accounts but also with some
new clients who recognise our position as domain experts.
A fundamental characteristic of all of our engagements is the
provision of highly talented experts, passionate about delivering
positive outcomes for our clients. Our ability to deliver and to
get projects 'over the line' is regularly cited as a core
competence by our clients.
One of the most significant challenges of the year was
undoubtedly the build up to, and introduction of, new legislation
around Off-Payroll Working (related to existing IR35 legislation)
with a significant number of our contractors placed with public
sector clients. Triad adopted a proactive approach regarding the
legislation, working with the entire supply chain, achieving a
smooth transition when the legislation was enacted in April 2017.
The main industry-wide risk associated with the legislation (for
both suppliers and customers) was that of contractors, concerned by
the impact of the new legislation, choosing to leave their
positions to move to roles in the private sector. Whilst we saw a
modest amount of such departures, overall the retention rate was
high. Going forwards, we do not expect the legislation to pose any
significant challenges (at least until it is inevitably rolled out
to the private sector).
A further challenge arose during the year when one government
programme, to whom we were supplying a significant number of
consultants, was halted prematurely, necessitating a lengthy pause
in activity. This is an inevitable risk of larger and deeper
engagements, the mitigation of which remains a key priorty for the
Group.
The Group has maintained its presence on key frameworks such as
DOS and g-Cloud, whilst enjoying success on joining other
frameworks that give access to key target clients.
A number of new clients were acquired by the Group during the
year, including one of Europe's largest automotive retailers, a
large telecoms infrastructure operator, a significant player in the
anti-terror area, and the world's leading GIS software
provider.
The Group is steadily increasing its public profile. Triad was a
key sponsor at last year's ContainerSched conference, an event
attracting some of the leading software engineers and technology
businesses. Triad has also assumed leadership of a number of
meet-up groups, including two around the emerging BlockChain
technology. Involvement in this type of activity is increasing
Triad's reach significantly, providing access to some of the
foremost talent in these fields.
In February the Board announced the appointment of a new broker,
Arden Partners plc. We view this as a signifcant step in returning
the Group to its former glory.
Dividend
I am pleased to announce that, for the year ending 31 March
2017, the directors have proposed a dividend of 0.5p per share
(2016: NIL).
Outlook
Going forwards, the intention is to drive new business, in
particular to increase our coverage outside the public sector. Our
expertise in Agile, continuous delivery and DevOps services,
combined with increasing exposure to emerging concepts such as
BlockChain, is extremely portable across sectors and provides the
opportunity to strengthen the client portfolio.
Our sales pipeline remains healthy as we move into the the
second quarter of the new financial year and we remain focussed on
building a more robust, profitable business.
Employees
On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all our staff for
their efforts during the past year.
John Rigg
Chairman
9 June 2017
Organisation overview
Triad Group Plc is engaged in the provision of IT resourcing,
consultancy and solutions services to the public and private
sectors.
Principal objectives
The principal objectives of the Group are to;
-- Provide clients with industry leading service in our core skills.
-- Achieve sustainable profitable growth across the business and
increase long term shareholder value.
The key elements of our strategy to achieve our objectives
are;
To provide a range of specialist services relevant to our
clients' business
-- Our services include consultancy, change leadership, project
delivery, software development, mobility services and business
insights. Further capacity and expertise is provided via our
resourcing services.
-- We continue to adopt a "business first, technology second"
approach to solving our clients' problems. A cornerstone of our
service offer is our consultancy model, offering advice and
guidance to clients in terms of technology investments.
To develop long term client relationships across a broad client
base
-- Enduring client relationships fuel profitability. A hallmark
of our recent improvements has been the frequency of repeat
business, which itself has been a function of outstanding delivery
and proactive business development within existing accounts.
-- Our consistent track record in this regard is our major asset
when developing propositions for new clients, along with the use of
case studies and references.
-- We have structured our service offering to enable clients to
engage early, thus enabling the building of trust and confidence
from the outset.
To work with partners
-- Our strategy includes working with carefully chosen partners
operating under their client frameworks in addition to the
frameworks on which Triad is listed. This will expose more
opportunities whilst reducing the cost of sale.
To leverage group capability and efficiency to increase
profitability
-- We continue to develop synergies across the Group's
activities both externally and internally, driving better outcomes
for clients whilst improving efficiency and effectiveness. The
management team sets objectives to ensure that these synergies are
exploited.
-- We enable our clients to benefit from access to a full range
of ICT services, delivered through a single, easy to access, point
of sale.
-- We will continue to strive to provide the highest quality of
service through the provision of niche resources using market
experts, and the supply of IT services though our team of skilled
consultants.
-- We will strengthen our pipeline of work through the
development of fulfilling and productive client relationships.
Business model
The Group provides services to the public and private sectors in
the provision of IT consultancy and solutions services, and IT
resourcing (both contract and permanent). Typically, this entails
the supply of our own permanent consultants, the supply of
carefully chosen associates and contractors, or a combination of
these.
The Group operates in the United Kingdom from offices in
Godalming (registered office) and Milton Keynes.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The Group's business involves risks and uncertainties, which the
Board systematically manages through its planning and governance
processes.
The Board carries out a robust assessment of the principal risks
facing the Group on an annual basis, examining the Group's
operating environment, scanning for potential risks to the health
and wellbeing of the organisation. The Directors factor into the
business plan the likelihood and magnitude of risk in determining
the achievability of the operational objectives. Where feasible,
preventive and mitigating actions are developed for all principal
risks.
Senior management review the risk register and track the status
of these risk factors on an on-going basis, identifying any
emerging risks as they appear.
The outputs of this management review form part of the Board's
governance process, reviewed at regular Board meetings.
The principal risks identified are:
IT services market
The demand for IT services is affected by UK market conditions.
The creation of new services, acquisition of new clients and the
development of new commercial vehicles is important in protecting
the Group from fluctuations in market conditions.
Revenue visibility
The pipeline of contracted orders for time and materials
consultancy work can be relatively short. The Board carefully
reviews forecasts to assess the level of risk arising from business
that is forecast to be won.
Availability of staff
The ability to recruit and retain staff, and access to
appropriately skilled resources are key to ensuring the ability to
win and deliver IT services to our clients. The Group continues to
recruit quality individuals, and ensures a resilient network of
associate resources is maintained.
Competition
The Group operates in a highly competitive environment. The
markets in which the Group operates are continually monitored to
respond effectively to emerging opportunities and threats.
There are or may be other risks and uncertainties faced by the
Group that the Directors currently deem immaterial, or of which
they are unaware, that may have a material adverse impact on the
Group.
Viability Statement
In accordance with the Listing Rules the Directors have assessed
the Company's viability over the next five financial years.
This assessment of viability has been made with reference to the
Group's current financial and operational positions, revenue
projections, cash flows, availability of required finance,
commercial opportunities and threats, and the Group's experience in
managing adverse conditions in the past. The Company was founded in
1988 and has survived successfully since then.
The assessment also considered the impact of severe, yet
plausible, scenarios based on the principal risks set out on page 4
above. Sensitivities around revenue growth, gross margins, and
availability of funds to meet operational requirements were
considered.
Based on this assessment the Directors have concluded that there
is a reasonable expectation that the Company and Group will
continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due
over the next five years.
Given the Group's business model and commercial and financial
exposures the Directors consider that five years is an appropriate
period for the assessment. The maximum period of visibility of
commercial arrangements with clients is currently two years,
however in considering the assessment period assumptions have been
made beyond this immediate timeframe.
Performance assessment, financial review and outlook
Financial and non-financial key performance indicators (KPIs)
used by the Board to monitor progress are revenue, profit from
operations, gross margin, net borrowings and headcount. Financial
KPIs are discussed in more detail in the Financial Review below.
The outlook for the Group is discussed in the Chairman's statement
on page 1.
The KPIs are as follows;
2017 2016
Revenue GBP30,912,000 GBP28,317,000
Profit from operations GBP1,547,000 GBP980,000
Earnings before interest,
tax, depreciation and GBP1,612,000 GBP1,133,000
amortisation (EBITDA)
Gross margin 16.2% 15.0%
Average headcount 53 52
Corporate social responsibility
Our employees
The Group is committed to equal opportunities and operates
employment policies which are designed to attract, retain and
motivate high quality staff, regardless of gender, age, race,
religion or disability. The Group has a policy of supporting staff
in long term career development.
The Group recognises the importance of having effective
communication and consultation with, and of providing leadership
to, all its employees. The Group promotes the involvement of its
employees in understanding the aims and performance of the
business.
The following table shows the number of persons, by gender, who
at 31 March 2017 were directors, senior managers or employees of
the Company.
Male Female Total
----------------- ----- ------- ------
Directors 5 - 5
----------------- ----- ------- ------
Senior managers 2 1 3
----------------- ----- ------- ------
Employees 36 12 48
----------------- ----- ------- ------
43 13 56
----------------- ----- ------- ------
Environment and greenhouse gas reporting
The Group is committed to ensuring that the actual and potential
environmental impact of its activities is understood and managed
effectively.
The annual quantity of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions for the
period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 in tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalents (tCO(2) e) is shown in the table below.
2017 2016
---------------------------- ---------- ----------
tCO(2) e* tCO(2) e*
---------------------------- ---------- ----------
Emission source:
---------------------------- ---------- ----------
Combustion of fuel 23 23
---------------------------- ---------- ----------
Electricity and heat
purchased for own use 94 91
---------------------------- ---------- ----------
Total 117 114
---------------------------- ---------- ----------
tCO(2) e per GBP1m revenue 3.8 4.0
---------------------------- ---------- ----------
*The calculation of tCO(2) e for each source has been prepared
in accordance with DEFRA guidelines for GHG reporting.
Social, community and human rights issues
We do not report on social, community and human rights issues as
the Group has no significant matters to report that would be
required to understand the performance of the Group's business.
Financial review
Group performance
The Group reports the following results for the financial year
ended 31 March 2017:
Group revenue has increased to GBP30.9m (2016: GBP28.3m).
The Group reports an increase in profit from operations to
GBP1.55m (2016: GBP0.98m). Earnings before interest, tax,
depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) is GBP1.61m (2016:
GBP1.13m). The Group reports a profit after tax of GBP1.53m (2016:
GBP1.21m).
Gross margin has increased to 16.2% (2016: 15.0%). A concerted
effort across the business has led to improvements in gross margin,
helped by the eradication of lower-margin work and the increase in
profitability of new business.
Cash and cash equivalents at the year-end have increased to
GBP2,248,000 (2016: GBP955,000).
Overheads
Administrative expenses for the year have increased to GBP3.45m
(2016: GBP3.26m).
Staff costs have increased to GBP3.99m (2016: GBP3.67m). The
average headcount for the year has increased slightly to 53 (2016:
52).
Cash flows
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2017 stood at GBP2,248,000
(2016: GBP955,000). There was a net cash inflow from operating
activities of GBP1,327,000 (2016: GBP621,000). The net cash outflow
from investing activities was GBP74,000 (2016: GBP50,000).
Tangible assets
Tangible assets were purchased totalling GBP74,000 (2016:
GBP42,000).
Intangible assets
There were no development costs capitalised during the year
(2016: GBPnil).
Net assets
The net asset position of the Group at 31 March 2017 was
GBP3,562,000 (2016: GBP2,056,000). The increase over the year was
due to the profit for the year.
Share options
340,000 options were exercised by directors and staff during the
year. No new options were granted during the year. An expense of
GBP2,000 (2016: GBP4,438) has been recognised relating to options
granted in September 2014.
By order of the Board
Nick Burrows
Finance Director
9 June 2017
Directors' Report
The Directors present their Annual Report on the activities of
the Group, together with the financial statements for the year
ended 31 March 2017. The Board confirms that these, taken as a
whole, are fair, balanced and understandable, and that they provide
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the company's
position and performance, business model and strategy, and that the
narrative sections of the report are consistent with the financial
statements and accurately reflect the Group's performance and
financial position.
The Strategic Report provides information relating to the
Group's activities, its business and strategy and the principal
risks and uncertainties faced by the business, including analysis
using financial and other KPIs where necessary. These sections,
together with the Directors' Remuneration and Corporate Governance
Reports, provide an overview of the Group, including environmental
and employee matters and give an indication of future developments
in the Group's business, so providing a balanced assessment of the
Group's position and prospects, in accordance with the latest
narrative reporting requirements. The Group's subsidiary
undertakings are disclosed in the notes to the financial
statements.
Corporate Governance disclosures required with the Directors'
Report have been included within our Corporate Governance Report
beginning on page 12.
Share capital and substantial shareholdings
Share capital
As at 31 March 2017, the Company's issued share capital
comprised a single class of shares referred to as ordinary shares.
Details of the ordinary share capital can be found in note 19 to
these financial statements.
Voting rights
The Group's articles provide that on a show of hands at a
general meeting of the Company every member who (being an
individual) is present in person and entitled to vote shall have
one vote and on a poll, every member who is present in person or by
proxy shall have one vote for every share held. The notice of the
Annual General Meeting specifies deadlines for exercising voting
rights and appointing a proxy or proxies to vote in relation to
resolutions to be passed at the Annual General Meeting.
Transfer of shares
There are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary shares in
the Company other than as contained in the Articles:
-- The Board may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving
any reason for its decision, refuse to register any transfer of a
share which is not fully paid up (but not so as to prevent dealing
in listed shares from taking place) and on which the Company has a
lien. The Board may also refuse to register any transfer unless it
is in respect of only one class of shares, in favour of no more
than four transferees, lodged at the Registered office, or such
other place as the Board may decide, for registration, accompanied
by a certificate for the shares to be transferred (except where the
shares are registered in the name of a market nominee and no
certificate has been issued for them) and such other evidence as
the Board may reasonably require to prove the title of the
intending transferor or his right to transfer the shares.
Certain restrictions may from time to time be imposed by laws
and regulations, for example:
-- Insider trading laws; and
-- Whereby certain employees of the Group require the approval
of the Company to deal in the Company's ordinary shares.
Appointment and replacement of directors
The Board may appoint Directors. Any Directors so appointed
shall retire from office at the next Annual General Meeting of the
Company, but shall then be eligible for re-appointment.
The current Articles require that at the Annual General Meeting
one third of the Directors shall retire from office but shall be
eligible for re-appointment. The Directors to retire by rotation at
each Annual General Meeting shall include any Director who wishes
to retire and not offer himself for re-election and otherwise shall
be the Directors who, at the date of the meeting, have been longest
in office since their last appointment or re-appointment.
A Director may be removed from office by the service of a notice
to that effect signed by at least three quarters of all the other
Directors.
Amendment of the Company's Articles of Association
The Company's Articles may only be amended by a special
resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders.
Substantial shareholdings
As at 31 March 2017 the Company had been notified under the
Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR 5) of the following
notifiable interests in the Company's issued share capital. These
holdings are likely to have changed since the Company was notified,
however, notification of any change is not required until the next
notifiable threshold is crossed:
% of total voting rights
Liontrust Investment
Partners LLP 4.39%
T Charlton 6.04%
As at 8 June 2017 the following notifications have been received
since the year end:
% of total voting rights
P Atkinson 17.39%
Dividends
The Directors are proposing a final dividend of 0.5p per
ordinary share (2016: nil), totalling GBP77,448 (2016: nil). This
dividend has not been accrued in the statements of financial
position.
Financial instruments
The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing financial
risk. These policies, together with an analysis of the Group's
exposure to financial risks are summarised in note 3 of these
financial statements.
Research and development activity
Research and development activities are undertaken with the
prospect of gaining new technical knowledge and understanding, and
developing new software.
Directors' interests in contracts
Directors' interests in contracts are shown in note 22 to the
accounts.
Directors' insurance and indemnities
The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability
insurance which gives appropriate cover for any legal action
brought against its directors and officers. The Directors also have
the benefit of the indemnity provisions contained in the Company's
Articles of Association. These provisions, which are qualifying
third-party indemnity provisions as defined by Section 236 of the
Companies Act 2006, were in force throughout the year and are
currently in force.
Disclosure of information to auditors
All of the current Directors have taken all the steps that they
ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any information
needed by the Company's auditors for the purposes of their audit
and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
The Directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of
which the auditors are unaware.
Forward-looking statements
The Strategic Report contains forward-looking statements. Due to
the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business
risk factors, underlying such forward-looking information, the
actual results of operations, financial position and liquidity may
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements.
Going concern
The Group's business activities, together with the factors
likely to affect its future development, performance and position,
are set out in the Strategic Report. The financial position of the
Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities
are described in the Strategic Report, and in note 17 to the
financial statements. In addition, note 3 to the financial
statements includes the Group's objectives, policies and processes
for managing its capital, its financial risk management objectives,
details of its financial instruments and hedging activities, and
its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk. As highlighted in
note 17 to the financial statements, the Group meets its day to day
working capital requirements through an invoice finance
facility.
The Group's projections, taking account of reasonable possible
changes in trading performance, show that the Group should be able
to operate within the level of its current facility. The facility
may be terminated by either party with one month's written notice.
The Board receives regular cash flow and working capital
projections to enable it to monitor its available headroom under
this facility. These projections indicate that the Group expects to
have sufficient resources to meet its reasonably expected
obligations. The bank has not drawn to the attention of the Group
any matters to suggest that this facility will not be continued on
acceptable terms.
After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual
report and accounts.
Auditors
The external audit was last put out to tender in 2006 when the
current auditor, BDO LLP, was appointed. The lead audit partner was
changed by rotation in 2013, her predecessor having served for a
period of 5 years. Following the implementation of EU Audit Reform,
Triad is required to conduct a selection process for the
appointment of the external auditor every 10 years. Accordingly,
the Audit Committee intends to undertake a selection process for
the appointment of the external auditor for the financial year
ending 31 March 2018 so as to ensure auditor independence and
continued quality of judgement. The Board can confirm that there
are no contractual obligations that restrict the Company's choice
of external auditor.
Environment and greenhouse gas reporting
Carbon dioxide emissions data, is contained in the Corporate
Social Responsibility section of the Strategic Report.
Statement of Directors' responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the annual report
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and
regulations.
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial
statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors
are required to prepare the Group financial statements and have
elected to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted
by the European Union. Under company law the Directors must not
approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that
they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group
and Company and of the profit or loss for the Group and Company for
that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are
required to:
-- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-- make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-- state whether they have been prepared in accordance with
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union,, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-- prepare a Directors' Report, Strategic Report and Director's
Remuneration Report which comply with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting
records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the
financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as
regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS
Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets
of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report and
the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial
statements are published on the company's website in accordance
with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation
and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from
legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity
of the Company's website is the responsibility of the Directors.
The Directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity
of the financial statements contained therein.
The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge:
-- The Group financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)
as adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS
Regulation and give a true and fair view of the assets,
liabilities, financial position and profit and loss of the
Group.
-- The annual report includes a fair review of the development
and performance of the business and the financial position of the
Group and the Parent Company, together with the description of the
principal risks and uncertainties that they face.
By order of the Board
Nick Burrows
Company Secretary 9 June 2017
Corporate governance report
The Board has considered the principles and provisions of the UK
Corporate Governance Code 2014 ("the Code") applicable for this
financial period. The following statement sets out the Group's
application of the principles of the Code and the extent of
compliance with the Code's provisions, made in accordance with the
requirements of the Listing Rules.
The Board
The Directors who held office during the financial year
were:
Executive Directors
John Rigg, Chairman
Nick Burrows, Finance Director
Adrian Leer, Commercial Director
Independent non-executive Directors
Alistair Fulton, senior independent non-executive Director
Steven Sanderson
John Rigg is Chairman. He is a Chartered Accountant. He was a
founder of Marcol Group Plc and was its Managing Director from 1983
until 1988. Marcol was floated on the Unlisted Securities Market in
1987. He was Chairman of Vega Group plc from 1989 until 1996,
holding the post of Chief Executive for much of this period. Vega
floated on the main market in 1992. He was a founder shareholder of
Triad and served as the Chairman of the Company from 1988 up to
just before its flotation in 1996, when he resigned to develop new
business interests overseas. He was appointed as non-executive
Chairman in June 1999: in May 2004 he became part-time executive
Chairman. Between 4 February 2005 and 5 September 2007 John was
acting Group Chief Executive.
Alistair Fulton is a non-executive Director. He is a Chartered
Engineer and member of the British Computer Society. He was the
founding Managing Director of Triad. He continued in this role
until February 1997 when he became non-executive Chairman, a
position he retained until June 1999, when he took up his present
position.
Steven Sanderson is a non-executive Director. He is a Chartered
Accountant. He was appointed non-executive Director in January
2007. He has extensive experience at executive director level in
the IT services and telecommunications sectors. His background
includes public flotations, plc directorship, fund raising,
acquisition and disposal activities.
Nick Burrows is the Finance Director. He is a Chartered
Accountant who joined Triad in 2001 as Financial Controller of the
Consulting & Solutions business. He was appointed Company
Secretary in 2008 and executive Finance Director in October
2009.
Adrian Leer was appointed to the Board as Commercial Director on
3 March 2015. He initially joined Triad in 2009 in a consultative
capacity, providing advice to the business regarding its fledgling
geospatial product, Zubed, and helping to secure significant wins
with major clients. In 2010, he became General Manager of Zubed
Geospatial. In 2012 Adrian became Commercial Director of Triad
Consulting & Solutions.
The Board exercise full and effective control of the Group and
has a formal schedule of matters specifically reserved to it for
decision, including responsibility for formulating, reviewing and
approving Group strategy, budgets and major items of capital
expenditure.
Regularly the Board will consider and discuss matters which
include, but are not limited to:
-- Strategy;
-- Financial performance and forecast;
-- Human resources; and
-- City and compliance matters.
The Executive Chairman, John Rigg, is responsible for the
leadership and efficient operation of the Board. This entails
ensuring that Board meetings are held in an open manner, and allow
sufficient time for agenda points to be discussed. It also entails
the regular appraisal of each director, providing feedback and
reviewing any training or development needs.
The Board meets regularly with senior management to discuss
operational matters. The Non-Executive Directors must satisfy
themselves on the integrity of financial information and that
financial controls and systems of risk management are robust.
Following presentations by senior management and a disciplined
process of review and challenge by the Board, clear decisions on
the policy or strategy are adopted. The responsibility for
implementing Board decisions is delegated to management on a
structured basis and monitored at subsequent meetings.
During the period under review, and to date, the Executive
Chairman has not held any significant commitments outside the
Group.
Alistair Fulton is the nominated senior independent
non-executive Director. Steven Sanderson is a non-executive
Director. Both have long standing industry experience and are free
from any business or other relationship which could materially
interfere with the exercise of thier independent judgement. The
Board benefits from their experience and independence, when they
bring their judgement to Board decisions. Alistair Fulton has been
a non-executive Director for twenty years. Steven Sanderson has
been a non-executive director for ten years. The Board considers
that both continue to remain independent for the reasons stated
above.
The Group has a procedure for Directors to take independent
professional advice in connection with the affairs of the Group and
the discharge of their duties as Directors.
The Board has an Audit Committee, comprised of the Executive
Chairman John Rigg, and the independent non-executive Directors,
Alistair Fulton and Steven Sanderson. The Committee is chaired by
Alistair Fulton.
The Board has a Remuneration Committee, comprised of the
Executive Chairman John Rigg, and the independent non-executive
Directors, Alistair Fulton and Steven Sanderson. The Committee is
chaired by Alistair Fulton.
The following table shows the attendance of Directors at
scheduled meetings of the Board and Audit and Remuneration
Committees during the year ended 31 March 2017 and shows that the
Board are able to allocate sufficient time to the company to
discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Audit Committee Remuneration
Board Committee
Number of meetings
held
Number of meetings
attended
Executive Directors: 11 2 4
John Rigg (Chairman) 11 2 4
Nick Burrows 11 n/a n/a
Adrian Leer 11 n/a n/a
Non-executive Directors:
Alistair Fulton 11 2 4
Steven Sanderson 9 2 4
Audit Committee
The members of the Audit Committee are shown above.
The Board believe that John Rigg and Steven Sanderson, both
Chartered Accountants with broad experience of the IT industry, and
Alistair Fulton, who has been a Director of companies in the IT
sector for over 30 years, have recent and relevant financial
experience, as required by the Code.
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Group's
annual and interim financial statements and other announcements. It
is also responsible for reviewing the Group's internal financial
controls and its internal control and risk management systems. It
considers the appointment and fees of external auditors, and
discusses the audit scope and findings arising from audits. The
Committee is also responsible for assessing the Group's need for an
internal audit function.
Consideration of significant issues in relation to the financial
statements
The Audit Committee have considered the following significant
issues in relation to the preparation of these financial
statements;
Revenue recognition: The Committee has considered revenue
recognised in consultancy and development projects during, and
active at the end of, the financial year to ensure revenue has been
recognised correctly.
Going concern: The Committee has reviewed budgets and cash flow
projections against borrowing facilities available to the Group to
ensure the going concern basis of preparation of the results
remains appropriate.
Meetings with auditors and senior finance team
The Audit Committee met with the senior finance team in advance
of their meeting with the auditors, prior to commencement of the
year end audit to discuss;
-- Audit scope, strategy and objectives
-- Key audit and accounting matters
-- Independence and audit fee
Further meetings were held following completion of the audit
with the senior finance team and the auditors to assess the
effectiveness of the audit and discuss audit findings.
Effectiveness of external audit process
The Committee conducts an annual review of the effectiveness of
the annual report process. Inputs into the review include feedback
from the finance team, planning and scope of the audit process and
identification of risk, the execution of the audit, communication
by the auditor with the Committee, how the audit adds value and a
review of auditor independence and objectivity. Feedback is
provided to the external auditor and management by the Committee,
with any actions reviewed by the Committee.
Auditor independence and objectivity
The Committee has procedures in place to ensure that
independence and objectivity is not impaired. These include
restrictions on the types of services which the external Auditor
can provide, in line with the FRC Ethical Standards on Auditing.
The external auditors themselves have safeguards in place to ensure
that objectivity and independence is maintained and the Committee
regularly reviews independence taking into consideration relevant
UK professional and regulatory requirements. The external auditors
are required to rotate the audit partner responsible for the Group
audit every five years.
Non-audit fees
The Committee reviews all non-audit work to ensure it is
appropriate and the fees justified. In relation to the non-audit
services provided by BDO LLP during the year, the Committee
reviewed and approved management's reasons for selecting BDO LLP as
the best placed adviser on a case-by-case basis. This decision was
typically based on the merit of using BDO's existing knowledge of
the Group.
In the future, to comply with new EU audit regulations, the
Group will not be engaging Group's auditors for any non-audit
work.
Appointment of external auditor
BDO LLP was appointed external auditor in 2006 following a
tendering process. As explained on page 10, the Audit Committee
intends to undertake a selection process for the appointment of the
external auditor for the financial year ending 31 March 2018.
BDO LLP has confirmed to the Committee that they remain
independent and have maintained internal safeguards to ensure that
the objectivity of the engagement partner and audit staff is not
impaired.
The Committee has considered the level of non-audit fees and the
nature of non-audit services provided and is satisfied that auditor
independence has been maintained. See also the note above in
relation to fees for non-audit work.
Internal audit
The Audit Committee has considered the need for a separate
internal audit function this year but does not consider it
appropriate in view of the above controls, and in light of the size
of the Group. The Group is certified to ISO 9001: 2008.
Internal controls and risk management
The Board has applied the internal control and risk management
provisions of the Code by establishing a continuous process for
identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by
the Group. The Board regularly reviews the process, which has been
in place from the start of the year to the date of approval of this
report and which is in accordance with FRC guidance on risk
management, internal control and related financial and business
reporting. The Board is responsible for the Group's system of
internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a system
is designed to manage rather than eliminate risk of failure to
achieve business objectives, and can only provide reasonable and
not absolute assurance against misstatement or loss.
In compliance with the Code, the Audit Committee regularly
reviews the effectiveness of the Group's systems of internal
financial control and risk management. The Board's monitoring
covers all controls, including financial, operational and
compliance controls and risk management. It is based principally on
reviewing reports from management to consider whether significant
weaknesses and risks are effectively managed and, if applicable,
considering the need for more extensive monitoring.
The Board has also performed a specific assessment for the
purpose of this annual report. This assessment considers all
significant aspects of internal control and risk management arising
during the period covered by the report.
The key elements of the internal control and risk management
systems are described below:
-- Clearly documented procedures contained in a series of
manuals covering Group operations and management, which are subject
to internal project audit and external audit as well as regular
Board review.
-- An appropriate budgeting process where the business prepares
budgets for the coming year, which are approved by the Board.
-- Close involvement in the day to day management of the business by the executive Directors.
-- Regular meetings between the executive Chairman, executive
Director and senior managers to discuss and monitor potential risks
to the business, and to implement mitigation plans to address
them.
Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for setting
remuneration for executive directors and the Chairman in accordance
with the remuneration policy below. In addition, the Committee is
responsible for recommending and monitoring the level and structure
of remuneration for senior management.
The Group's Remuneration Committee is authorised to take
appropriate counsel to enable it to discharge its duty to make
recommendations to the Board in respect of all aspects of the
remuneration package of Directors.
The Directors Remuneration Report can be found on page 18.
Whistleblowing
Staff may contact the senior independent non-executive Director,
in confidence, to raise genuine concerns of possible improprieties
in financial reporting or other matters.
Directors' training
Any new Board members are made fully aware of their duties and
responsibilities as Directors of listed companies, and are
supported in understanding and applying these by established and
more experienced Directors. Further training is available for any
Director at the Group's expense should the Board consider it
appropriate in the interests of the Group.
Relations with shareholders
Substantial time and effort is spent by Board members on
meetings with and presentations to existing and prospective
investors. The views of shareholders derived from such meetings are
disseminated by the Chairman to other Board members.
Private shareholders are invited to attend and participate at
the Annual General Meeting.
Terms of reference
The terms of reference of the Audit and Remuneration Committees
are available on request from the Company Secretary.
Statement of compliance
The Board considers that it has been compliant with the
provisions of the Code for the whole of the period, except as
detailed below:
A.2.1 The roles of chairman and chief executive
should not be exercised by the same
individual. John Rigg is the Executive
Chairman. The Board currently has no
plans to recruit a Chief Executive Officer
as it considers that the duties are
being satisfactorily covered by members
of the Executive Board and the Group's
senior management.
B.2.1/2.4 There should be a nominations committee
which should lead the process for board
appointments and make recommendations
to the board. The Board considers that
because of its size, the whole Board
should be involved in Board appointments.
B.6 The board should undertake a formal
and rigorous annual evaluation of its
own performance and that of its committees
and individual directors. There is a
process of continuous informal evaluation,
due to the small size of the Board.
B.2.3 Non-executive directors should be appointed
for specified terms subject to re-election.
Although not appointed for fixed terms,
Non-executive Directors are subject
to re-election in accordance with the
B.7.1 Company's Articles of Association at
the Annual General Meeting. Their contracts
are subject to a notice period that
does not exceed one month.
Non-executive directors who have served
longer than nine years should be subject
to annual re-election. The Board consider
that because of its size, re-election
by rotation in accordance with the Company's
Articles of Association at the Annual
General Meeting is sufficient.
By order of the Board
Nick Burrows
Company Secretary
9 June 2017
Directors' Remuneration report
On the following pages we set out the Remuneration Report for
the year ended 31 March 2017. The members of the Remuneration
Committee are shown in the Corporate Governance Report on page
13.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies
Act 2006 and is split into two sections as follows;
1. The Directors' remuneration policy.
2. The Annual report on remuneration. This will be subject to an
advisory shareholder vote at this years' Annual General
Meeting.
No major decisions or changes were made to Directors'
remuneration during the year.
Directors' remuneration policy
The remuneration policy sets out the framework within which the
Company remunerates its Directors. The Company's remuneration
policy was put to a shareholder vote at the 2016 Annual General
Meeting of the Company and was approved by 100% of shareholders.
There is no requirement to vote on the policy in 2017 unless any
changes to the policy are proposed, and the Committee does not
intend making any changes to the policy at this time.
Policy table - executive Directors
Element Relevance Operation Maximum Performance
to short payable metrics
and long
term strategic
objectives
------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
Base salary Reflects Reviewed Ordinarily, None, although
the individual's annually salary increases individual
skills, taking will be performance
responsibilities into consideration in line is considered
and experience. individual with average when setting
and companywide increases salary levels.
Supports performance awarded
the recruitment and the to other
and retention wider employee employees
of Executive pay review in the Company.
Directors.
------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
Benefits Protects Benefits Benefits None.
in kind the well-being in kind are set
of directors include at a level
and provides company considered
fair and cars or to be appropriate
reasonable allowances, taking into
market competitive private account
benefits. medical individual
insurance, circumstances
life cover
and permanent
health
insurance.
Benefits
are reviewed
periodically.
------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
Pension Provides The Company The Company None.
competitive pays contributions matches
post-retirement into a individual
benefits personal contributions
to support pension up to a
the recruitment scheme maximum
and retention or cash of 5%.
of Executive alternative.
Directors.
------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
Share option Encourages The Company The potential Specific
scheme share ownership operates value of performance
amongst an EMI options criteria
employees share option held rises are specified
and aligns scheme. as the Company's at the time
their interests Discretionary share price of awarding
with the awards increases. the share
shareholders. are made options
in accordance to ensure
with the alignment
scheme with the
rules. interests
of shareholders.
------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
The award of share options is at the discretion of the
Remuneration Committee: there is no scheme providing entitlement to
share options, and there is no long-term incentive scheme. The
Group does not believe that performance related bonuses are
appropriate at the present time. The Executive Directors' existing
interests in shares and share options are expected to align their
interests with those of shareholders.
Policy table - non-executive Directors
Element Relevance Operation Maximum Performance
to short payable metrics
and long
term strategic
objectives
-------- ---------------- ---------- -------------------- ----------------
Fees Competitive Reviewed In general, Not applicable.
fees to annually the level
attract of fee increase
experienced for
directors the non-executive
directors
will be
set
taking account
of
any change
in responsibility.
-------- ---------------- ---------- -------------------- ----------------
The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is agreed by the
Board. However, no Director is involved in deciding their own
remuneration.
Approach to recruitment remuneration
The Group's remuneration policy is to provide remuneration
packages which secure and retain management of the highest quality.
Therefore, when determining the remuneration packages of new
executive Directors, the Remuneration Committee will structure a
package in accordance with the general policy for executive
Directors as shown above. In doing so the Committee will consider a
number of factors including:
-- the salaries and benefits available to executive Directors of comparable companies;
-- the need to ensure executive Directors' commitment to the continued success of the Group;
-- the experience of each executive Director; and
-- the nature and complexity of the work of each executive Director.
Directors' service contracts and policy
The details of the Directors' contracts are summarised as
follows:
Date of contract Notice period
J C Rigg 01/07/1999 1 month
A M Fulton 19/02/1997 1 month
S M Sanderson 01/01/2007 1 month
N E Burrows 03/03/2015 6 months
A Leer 03/03/2015 6 months
All contracts are for an indefinite period. No contract has any
provision for the payment of compensation upon the termination of
that contract.
Illustrations of application of remuneration policy
As there are currently no performance related or variable
elements of executive director remuneration it is not appropriate
to prepare illustrations required under the legislation.
Policy on payment for loss of office
It is the Group's policy in relation to Directors' contracts
that:
-- executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite
term providing for a maximum of six months' notice by either
party.
-- non-executive Directors should have terms of engagement for
an indefinite term providing for one month notice by either
party.
-- there is no provision for termination payments to Directors.
Consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in group
In setting the executive Directors' remuneration the Committee
takes into account the pay and employment conditions applicable
across the Group in the reported period. As with employees
elsewhere in the Group there were no substantial increases to
Directors' remuneration terms since the prior year. No consultation
has been held with employees in respect of executive Directors'
remuneration.
Consideration of shareholders views
The policy is unchanged from the previous year as endorsed by
the unanimous vote in favour of the approval of the Directors'
Remuneration Report at the Annual General Meeting in August
2016.
Annual report on remuneration (audited)
Directors' remuneration - single total figure of
remuneration
The remuneration of each of the Directors for the period they
served as a Director are set out below:
2017
Director Basic Benefits Pension Total
salary in kind
and fees
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Executive
J C Rigg 25 - - 25
N E Burrows 92 13 18 123
A Leer 100 9 9 118
Non-executive
A M Fulton 40 - - 40
S M Sanderson 20 - - 20
2016
Director Basic Benefits Pension Total
salary in kind
and fees
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Executive
J C Rigg 25 - - 25
N E Burrows 91 12 18 121
A Leer (appointed
3 March 2016) 99 8 9 116
Non-executive
A M Fulton 25 - - 25
S M Sanderson 20 - - 20
Benefits in kind include the provision of company car and
medical insurance.
Pension includes a 5% employer contribution together with
contributions made under an employee salary sacrifice scheme.
No performance measures or targets were in place for either the
year ended 31 March 2017, or any prior financial year, upon which
any variable pay elements could become payable during the year.
Two Directors are members of a money purchase scheme into which
the Group made contributions during the year.
Payments to past Directors
There were no payments to past Directors during the year.
Payment for loss of office
There were no payments for loss of office during the year.
Directors' interests in shares
The Directors who held office at the end of the financial year
had the following beneficial interests in the ordinary shares of
the Company. No change has occurred between the year end and the
date of this report.
1 April 31 March
2016 2017
A M Fulton 354,100 354,100
J C Rigg 4,509,400 4,509,400
S M Sanderson 104,089 104,089
N E Burrows 7,893 9,893
A Leer 5,379 5,379
Directors' share options
The interests of executive Directors in share options were as
follows:
At beginning Granted Exercised At end Exercise Exercise
of year during during of year price period
year year
N E Burrows:
granted 07.08.11
07.08.08 25,000 - (20,000) 5,000 14.0p to 07.08.18
granted 23.09.14
23.09.11 100,000 - - 100,000 13.5p to 23.09.21
granted 18.09.17
18.09.14 25,000 - - 25,000 11.0p to 18.09.24
A Leer:
granted 23.09.14
23.09.11 50,000 - - 50,000 13.5p to 23.09.21
- -
granted 18.09.17
18.09.14 100,000 - - 100,000 11.0p to 18.09.24
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
300,000 - (20,000) 280,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
155,000 share options were exercisable at the end of the year
(2016: 175,000).
Share options are exercisable provided that the relevant
performance requirement has been satisfied.
-- that the Group shall have achieved positive earnings per
share in any financial year commencing at least one year after the
date of grant of the option. This performance requirement is the
same as that applying to employee share options granted at the same
time.
The total share based payment expense recognised in the year in
respect of Directors' share options is GBP1,585 (2016:
GBP1,585).
N E Burrows made a gain of GBP12,500 (2016: nil) on share
options exercised during the year.
The market price of the Company's shares was 68.00p at 31 March
2017 and the range during the year was between 24.75p and
85.50p.
Annual Report on Remuneration (Unaudited)
Performance graph
The following graph shows the Group's performance, measured by
total shareholder return, compared with the performance of the FTSE
Fledgling Index ("FTSEFI") also measured by total shareholder
return ("TSR"). The FTSEFI has been selected for this comparison
because it is an index of companies with similar current market
capitalisation to Triad Group Plc.
Chief executive remuneration
There have been no changes to the remuneration of the Executive
Chairman during the year.
Relative importance of spend on pay
The total dividends or other cash distributions to shareholders
during the year was GBPnil (2016: GBPnil). The total employee
remuneration (including directors) during the year was GBP3,613m
(2016: GBP3.308m).
Consideration of matters related to directors' remuneration
During the financial year the remuneration committee met three
times to consider directors' remuneration. No external advice was
sought in relation to matters discussed at these meetings.
Statement of voting at last general meeting
At the last annual general meeting the Directors' Remuneration
Report was approved with 99.9% of votes cast in favour of the
resolution. There were 4,507,951 votes withheld. There was no vote
on the directors' remuneration policy as the policy was unchaged
from that last voted on by shareholders.
Alistair Fulton
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
9 June 2017
Independent auditor report to the members of Triad Group Plc
Opinion on the financial statements
In our opinion:
-- the financial statements give a true and fair view of the
state of the Group's and the Parent Company's affairs as at 31
March 2017 and of the Group's and Parent Company's profit for the
year then ended;
-- the Group and the Parent Company financial statements have
been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;
and
-- the financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and, as regards
the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS
Regulation.
The financial statements of Triad Group Plc for the year ended
31 March 2017 comprise:
-- The Group and Parent Company statement of comprehensive income;
-- The Group and Parent Company statements of financial position;
-- The Group and Parent Company statements of changes in equity;
-- The Group and Parent Company statements of cash flows; and
-- The notes to the financial statements.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the
preparation of the Group and Parent Company financial statements is
applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.
Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the statement of directors'
responsibilities, the directors are responsible for the preparation
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give
a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an
opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable
law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those
standards require us to comply with the Financial Reporting
Council's (FRC's) Ethical Standards for Auditors.
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body,
in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006.
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the
Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in
an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to
anyone other than the Company and the Company's members as a body,
for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have
formed.
Our assessment of risks of material misstatement and overview of
the scope of our audit
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements
is provided on the FRC's website at
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.
Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the
group and its environment, including the group's system of internal
control, and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the
financial statements at the group level.
We set out below the risk that had the greatest impact on our
audit strategy and scope. The Audit Committee's consideration of
these matters is set out on page 14:
Risk of material misstatement Our response to the
risks identified
Revenue recognition
Revenue is predominantly Our procedures included
recognised on an approved understanding and testing
timecard basis and we the controls in respect
consider there to be of billing from approved
a significant risk over timecards, the controls
the completeness of over invoicing and the
revenue at the year resulting posting to
end due to missing or the financial statements.
late timecards or contractor
invoices. We tested a sample of
approved timecards along
There is a presumed with invoices raised
risk of fraud in relation either side of the balance
to revenue recognition sheet date and compared
due to the possibility these to recorded revenue,
that management may accrued revenue and
be motivated to achieve costs and deferred revenue.
certain results. Furthermore we tested
contractor purchase
invoices around the
year end to ensure they
and the corresponding
revenue invoices have
been recorded in the
correct period.
We reviewed and considered
journals posted to revenue
during the year.
An overview of the scope of our audit
The Group financial statements are a consolidation of six
companies made up of one trading company (the Parent Company) which
provides consultancy and development services and five dormant
companies. In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit,
we determined the type of work that needed to be performed on each
company. The Group operates solely in the United Kingdom. Our Group
audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its
environment, including the group's system of internal control, and
assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial
statements at the Group level.
Based on our assessment we performed an audit of the complete
financial information of the Parent Company as the only trading
company.
In our audit, we tested and examined information, using sampling
and other auditing techniques, to the extent we considered
necessary to provide a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions.
Our audit evidence was largely obtained through substantive
procedures.
Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and
performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of
misstatements. For planning, we consider materiality to be the
magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, could
influence the economic decisions of reasonable users that are taken
on the basis of the financial statements.
The materiality for the group financial statements as a whole
was set at GBP300,000. This was determined with reference to a
benchmark of revenue (of which it represents one per cent) which we
consider to be one of the principal considerations for members of
the company in assessing the financial performance of the
group.
Performance materiality was set at seventy per cent of the above
materiality level.
Materiality levels are not significantly different from those
applied in the previous year.
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the
committee all individual audit differences in excess of GBP6,000.
We also agreed to report differences below this threshold that, in
our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act
2006
In our opinion the part of the directors' remuneration report to
be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the
Companies Act 2006.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of
the audit;
-- the information given in the strategic report and directors'
report for the financial year for which the financial statements
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-- the strategic report and directors' report have been prepared
in accordance with applicable legal requirements;.
Statement regarding the directors' assessment of principal
risks, going concern and longer term viability of the company
We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to in
relation to:
-- the directors' confirmation in the annual report that they
have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing
the entity, including those that would threaten its business model,
future performance, solvency or liquidity;
-- the disclosures in the annual report that describe those
risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated;
-- the directors' statement in the financial statements about
whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern
basis of accounting in preparing them and their identification of
any material uncertainties to the entity's ability to continue to
do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of
approval of the financial statements; or
-- the directors' explanation in the annual report as to how
they have assessed the prospects of the entity, over what period
they have done so and why they consider that period to be
appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a
reasonable expectation that the entity will be able to continue in
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period
of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing
attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:
Under the ISAs (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to
you if, in our opinion, information in the annual report is:
-- materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or
-- apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially
inconsistent with, our knowledge of the Group acquired in the
course of performing our audit; or
-- is otherwise misleading.
In particular, we are required to consider whether we have
identified any inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired
during the audit and the directors' statement that they consider
the annual report is fair, balanced and understandable and whether
the annual report appropriately discloses those matters that we
communicated to the Audit Committee which we consider should have
been disclosed.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and
the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of
the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the
strategic report or the directors' report
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you
if, in our opinion:
-- adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent
company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received
from branches not visited by us; or
-- the parent company financial statements and the part of the
directors' remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement
with the accounting records and returns; or
-- certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:
-- the directors' statements, set out on pages 5 and 10, in
relation to going concern and in relation to longer-term viability;
and
-- the part of the corporate governance statement relating to
the Company's compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate
Governance Code specified for review by the auditor in accordance
with Listing Rule 9.8.10 R(2). We have nothing to report in respect
of these matters.
Anna Draper (senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor
London
United Kingdom
Statements of comprehensive income and expense
for the year ended 31 March 2017
Group and Company Note 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 30,912 28,317
Cost of sales (25,912) (24,081)
------------- -------------
Gross profit 5,000 4,236
Administrative expenses (3,453) (3,256)
------------- -------------
Profit from operations 5 1,547 980
Finance expense 6 (31) (118)
Finance income 5 1
------------- -------------
Profit before tax 1,521 863
Tax credit 8 13 350
------------- -------------
Profit for the year and total
comprehensive income attributable
to equity holders of the parent 1,534 1,213
------------- -------------
Basic earnings per share 10 10.08p 8.01p
--------- ---------
Diluted earnings per share 10 9.55p 7.72p
--------- ---------
All amounts relate to continuing activities.
Statements of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 March 2017
Group
Share Share Capital Retained Total
Capital premium redemption earnings
account reserve
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 April 2015 151 562 104 22 839
Profit for the
year and total
comprehensive
income - - - 1,213 1,213
Share-based
payments - - - 4 4
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
At 1 April 2016 151 562 104 1,239 2,056
Profit for the
year and total
comprehensive
income - - - 1,534 1,534
Ordinary shares
issued 4 43 - - 47
Share-based
payments - - - 2 2
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 March
2017 155 605 104 2,775 3,639
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Company
Share Share Capital Retained Total
Capital premium redemption earnings
account reserve
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 April 2015 151 562 104 17 834
Profit for the
year and total
comprehensive
income - - - 1,213 1,213
Share-based
payments - - - 4 4
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
At 1 April 2016 151 562 104 1,234 2,051
Profit for the
year and total
comprehensive
income - - - 1,534 1,534
Ordinary shares
issued 4 43 - - 47
Share-based
payments - - - 2 2
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 March
2017 155 605 104 2,770 3,634
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Share capital represents the amount subscribed for share capital
at nominal value.
The share premium account represents the amount subscribed for
share capital in excess of the nominal value.
The capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of
the purchase and cancellation of its own shares by the Company in
2002.
Retained earnings represents the cumulative net gains and losses
recognised in the statement of comprehensive income and
expense.
Statements of financial position
at 31 March 2017
Registered number: 2285049
Group Company
Note 2017 2016 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 11 8 13 8 13
Property, plant
and equipment 12 134 120 134 120
Deferred tax 8 361 350 361 350
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
503 483 503 483
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Current assets
Trade and other
receivables 14 5,051 4,683 5,051 4,683
Cash and cash equivalents 15 2,248 955 2,248 955
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
7,299 5,638 7,299 5,638
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets 7,802 6,121 7,802 6,121
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other
payables 16 (3,702) (3,496) (3,707) (3,501)
Financial liabilities 17 (11) (7) (11) (7)
Short term provisions 18 (405) (254) (405) (254)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(4,118) (3,757) (4,123) (3,762)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities 17 (-) (11) (-) (11)
Long term provisions 18 (45) (297) (45) (297)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(45) (308) (45) (308)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities (4,163) (4,065) (4,168) (4,070)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net assets 3,639 2,056 3,634 2,051
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 19 155 151 155 151
Share premium account 605 562 605 562
Capital redemption
reserve 104 104 104 104
Retained earnings 2,775 1,239 2,770 1,234
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total shareholders'
equity 3,639 2,056 3,634 2,051
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
The financial statements on pages 28 to 50 were approved by the
Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 9 June 2017 and were
signed on its behalf by:
Nick Burrows Alistair Fulton
Director Director
Triad Group Plc is registered in England and Wales with
registered number 2285049.
Statements of cash flows
for the year ended 31 March 2017
Group and company Note 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating
activities
Profit for the year before
taxation 1,521 863
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property,
plant and equipment 60 46
Amortisation/impairment
of intangible assets 5 107
Interest expense 4 10
Finance income - -
Share-based payment expense 2 4
Changes in working capital
Increase in trade and
other receivables (367) (672)
Increase in trade and
other payables 205 363
Decrease in provisions (101) (90)
-------------- --------------
Cash generated by operations 1,329 631
Interest paid (4) (10)
Tax received 2 -
-------------- --------------
Net cash flows from operating
activities 1,327 621
-------------- --------------
Investing activities
Purchase of intangible
assets - (8)
Purchase of property,
plant and equipment (74) (42)
-------------- --------------
Net cash used in investing
activities (74) (50)
-------------- --------------
Financing activities
Proceeds of issue of shares 47 -
Finance lease principal
payments (7) (6)
-------------- --------------
Net cash flows from financing
activities 40 (6)
-------------- --------------
Net increase in cash and
cash equivalents 1,293 565
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of the period 955 390
-------------- --------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of the period 15 2,248 955
-------------- --------------
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2017
1. Principal accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of
the financial statements are set out below. The policies have been
consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise
stated.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IFRIC
interpretations), as adopted by the European Union (EU), issued by
the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and with those
parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies preparing
their accounts under IFRS.
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis.
These financial statements have been prepared on a historical
cost basis and are presented in sterling, the functional currency
of the Group.
Basis of consolidation
Where the Company has control over an investee, it is classified
as a subsidiary. The Company controls an investee if all three of
the following elements are present: power over the investee,
exposure to variable returns from the investee and the ability of
the investor to use its power to affect those variable returns. The
consolidated financial statements present the results of the
Company and its subsidiaries ("the Group") as if they formed a
single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between Group
companies are therefore eliminated in full.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of
accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value.
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of
assets, less their estimated residual values, on a straight line
basis over the expected useful economic lives of the assets
concerned. The principal annual rates used for this purpose
are:
%
Computer hardware 25-33
Fixtures and
fittings 10-33
Motor vehicles 25-33
Intangible assets
Expenditure on internally developed products is capitalised if
it can be demonstrated that:
-- it is technically feasible to develop the product so that it
will be available for use or sale;
-- adequate resources are available to complete the development;
-- there is an intention to complete the product and use or sell it;
-- it is able to be used or sold;
-- the product will generate future economic benefits, internally and/or externally; and
-- expenditure attributable to the development of the product can be measured reliably.
Intangible assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated
amortisation and any impairment in value. The cost of internally
developed software is the attributable salary costs and directly
attributable overheads.
Amortisation is calculated so as to write off the cost of
assets, less their estimated residual values, on a straight line
basis over the expected useful economic lives of the assets
concerned. Amortisation is charged to administration expenses in
the statement of comprehensive income and expense. The principal
annual rates used for this purpose are:
%
Purchased computer
software 25-33
Internally developed
software 10-25
Impairment of non-financial assets
Non-financial assets are subject to impairment tests whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying
amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of an asset
exceeds its recoverable amount the asset is written down
accordingly. Impairment is charged to administration expenses in
the statements of comprehensive income and expense.
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair
value, and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method, less provision for impairment.
Amounts are charged to an impairment account when there is
objective evidence that an impairment loss has occurred. Amounts
are written off against the carrying amount of trade receivables
when it is certain that the receivable will not be realised.
Cash
Cash in the balance sheet comprises cash held on demand with
banks. For the purpose of the consolidated cash flow statement,
cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, as defined above, net of
bank borrowings due on demand.
Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value,
and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective
interest method.
Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, and
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective
interest method.
Leases
Costs in respect of operating leases are charged to the
statement of comprehensive income and expense on a straight line
basis over the lease term.
Finance lease payments are apportioned between the finance
charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance
charge is allocated so as to produce a constant periodic rate of
interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are
translated into sterling at the exchange rate ruling on the balance
sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the
exchange rate ruling as at the date of the transaction. All
differences on exchange are taken to the statement of comprehensive
income and expense in the year in which they arise.
Revenue
Revenue, which excludes value added tax, represents the invoiced
value of goods and services supplied: where a service has been
provided, but not yet invoiced, the amount is included in the
financial statements as accrued income.
Income from consultancy contracts, which are on a time hire
basis, is recognised as the services are provided.
Income from maintenance and fixed price consultancy and
development contracts, is recognised over the life of the contract,
using the percentage of completion method, and is deferred to the
extent that it has not been earned.
Taxation
The charge for taxation is based on the profit or loss for the
year as adjusted for disallowable items. It is calculated using tax
rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the
balance sheet date.
Full provision is made for deferred tax on all temporary
differences resulting from the difference between the carrying
value of an asset or liability and its tax base, and on tax losses
carried forward indefinitely. Deferred tax assets are recognised to
the extent that it is probable that the deferred tax asset will be
recovered in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax is calculated at
the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the
asset is realised or liability is settled.
Pension costs
Contributions to defined contribution plans are charged to the
statements of comprehensive income and expense as the contributions
accrue.
Share-based payments
Share-based incentive arrangements are provided to employees
under the Group's share option scheme. Share options granted to
employees are valued at the date of grant using an appropriate
option pricing model and are charged to operating profit over the
performance or vesting period of the scheme. The annual charge is
modified to take account of shares forfeited by employees who leave
during the performance or vesting period and, in the case of
non-market related performance conditions, where it becomes
unlikely the option will vest.
Provisions
A provision is recognised when the Group has a legal or
constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is
probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to
settle the obligation. If the effect is material, expected future
cash flows are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that
reflects the risks specific to the liability. Calculations of these
provisions require judgements to be made. The Group has provided
for property dilapidation and vacant property as detailed in note
18.
New standards and interpretations
The Group has adopted with effect from 1 April 2016 certain
mandatory new standards, amendments and interpretations. Adoption
of these standards, amendments and interpretations did not have any
impact on the results, cash flows or financial position of the
Group or their presentation.
There are also certain standards, amendments and interpretations
which have been issued but which are not yet mandatory (and in some
cases had not yet been adopted by the EU). The Group has not
applied these standards and interpretations in the preparation of
these financial statements.
IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts' was published in May 2014 and
will be effective for the Group from 1 April 2018, replacing IAS 18
'Revenue'. The standard specifies how and when to recognise
revenue. The impact of future adoption of IFRS 15 is under
review.
IFRS 16 'Leases' was published in January 2016 and will be
effective for the Group from 1 April 2019, replacing IAS 17
'Leases' subject to EU endorsement. The standard requires lessees
to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease
term is 12 months or less or the underlying asset is of low value.
The impact of future adoption of IFRS 16 is under review.
The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of other
standards and amendments will have a material impact on the Group's
financial statements in the period of initial application.
2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on
historical experience and other factors, including expectations of
future events that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances. The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning
the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition,
seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and
assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within
the next financial year are discussed below.
Surplus property
Provision has been made to meet the estimated liabilities of any
property surplus to the requirements of the business. All ongoing
costs net of estimated future rental income are charged to the
provision. The provision is discounted, unless the effect of the
time value of money is not material (see note 18).
Management exercises judgement in estimating costs, rental
incomes and the discount rate used in the calculation of the
provision.
Were the discount rate to increase or decrease by 1% this would
increase or decrease net income and equity by GBP2,000.
Were 50% of the vacant property to be let through to the end of
the lease at a rent that was the same as the rent paid, this would
increase net income and equity by GBP120,000.
Deferred tax asset
A deferred tax asset of GBP361,000 (2016: GBP350,000) has been
recognised in accordance with the accounting policy on page 35. A
deferred tax asset of GBP732,000 (2016: GBP1,081,000) has not been
recognised due to the assumptions and judgments made by management
on the certainty and timing of future profits.
3. Financial risk management
The Group uses financial instruments that are necessary to
facilitate its ordinary purchase and sale activities, namely cash,
bank borrowings in the form of a receivables finance facility and
trade payables and receivables: the resultant risks are foreign
exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.
The Group does not use financial derivatives in its management of
these risks.
The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing these risks
and they are summarised below. These policies are consistent with
last year.
3.1 Financial risk factors
Foreign exchange risk
There are a small number of routine trading contracts with both
suppliers and clients in euros. In all such circumstances the "back
to back" contracts with supplier and client will be in the same
currency thereby mitigating the Group's exposure to movements in
exchange rates. Payments and receipts are made through a bank
account in the currency of the contract therefore balances held in
any foreign currency are to facilitate day to day transactions.
With a functional currency of sterling there are the following
foreign currency net assets:
Group and company Note 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Currency: Euros
Net cash 15 37 47
Trade and other receivables 14 25 20
Trade and other payables 16 (27) (24)
-------- --------
35 43
--------- ---------
Any change in currency rates would have no significant effect on
results.
Interest rate risk
The Group's interest rate risk arises from its borrowings, which
are at a rate that fluctuates in relation to movements in bank base
rate. This facility, as detailed in note 17, is secured by way of a
debenture over all assets. At the year-end borrowing under this
facility totalled GBPnil (2016: GBPnil).
Cash balances are held in short term interest bearing accounts,
repayable on demand: these attract interest rates which fluctuate
in relation to movements in bank base rate. This maintains
liquidity and does not commit the Group to long term deposits at
fixed rates of interest.
A 1% change in interest rates would have changed net income and
equity by GBP1,000 (2016: GBP4,000).
Credit risk
The Group is mainly exposed to credit risk from credit sales. It
is Group policy to assess the credit risk of new customers before
entering into contracts. Each new customer is assessed, using
external ratings and relevant information in the public domain,
before any credit limit is granted. In addition, trade receivables
balances are monitored on a regular basis to minimise exposure to
bad debts. The amount charged to the income statement during the
year in respect of bad debts was GBP69,000 being 0.22% of revenue
(2016: GBP12,000).
The Group is also exposed to credit risk from accrued income,
being revenue earned but not yet invoiced (note 14).
Financial assets that are past due but not impaired are analysed
in note 14. Each balance has been reviewed by management to assess
its recoverability.
The Group also has credit risk from cash deposits with banks
(note 15).
The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk is:
Note 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Trade and other receivables 14 4,048 3,489
Accrued income 14 757 1,036
Cash and cash equivalents 15 2,248 955
---------- ----------
7,053 5,480
--------- ---------
Liquidity risk
The Group's liquidity risk arises from its management of working
capital. The Group has a facility to borrow an amount up to 90% of
approved trade debtors subject to a maximum limit of GBP2.5m. The
facility may be terminated by either party with one month's written
notice. The Board receives regular cash flow and working capital
projections to enable it to monitor its available headroom under
this facility. At the balance sheet date these projections
indicated that the Group expected to have sufficient liquid
resources to meet its reasonably expected obligations. Maturity of
financial liabilities is set out in notes 16 and 17.
Capital risk management
The Group's capital comprises both borrowings and shareholders'
equity. Its objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the
Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to maximise
shareholder value. To maintain or adjust the capital structure the
Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return
capital to shareholders, issue new shares or alter the level of
borrowings.
3.2 Fair value estimation
The carrying value of financial assets and liabilities
approximate their fair values.
4. Revenue
The Group operates solely in the UK. All material revenues are
generated in the UK.
53% (2016: 40%) of revenue was generated in the public sector.
The largest single customer contributed 27% of Group revenue and
was in the public sector. In 2016, the largest single customer
contributed 24% of Group revenue and was in the private sector.
5. Profit from operations
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit from operations is stated
after charging:
Depreciation of owned assets 60 46
Amortisation of intangible
assets 5 38
Impairment of intangible assets - 69
Operating leases for land and
buildings 489 479
Other operating leases 44 50
Impairment of receivables 69 12
Auditors' remuneration:
Audit of financial statements:
Group and company 53 50
Taxation compliance services 4 5
--------- ---------
6. Finance expense
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Bank interest payable 3 8
Other interest payable 1 2
-------- --------
Total interest expense 4 10
Unwinding of discount on
provisions 27 108
-------- --------
Total finance expense 31 118
--------- ---------
7. Employees and directors
Group and company 2017 2016
Number Number
Average number of persons
(including executive Directors)
employed
Senior management 5 4
Fee earners 27 26
Sales 13 14
Administration and finance 8 8
--------- ---------
53 52
--------- ---------
Staff costs for the above 2017 2016
persons (including executive GBP'000 GBP'000
Directors)
Wages and salaries 3,291 3,040
Social security costs 381 358
Defined contribution pension
costs 320 264
Equity settled share-based
payments 2 4
--------- ---------
3,994 3,666
--------- ---------
2017 2016
Directors GBP'000 GBP'000
Emoluments 299 280
Money purchase pension contributions 27 27
-------- --------
326 307
--------- ---------
Two Directors (2016: two) had retirement benefits accruing under
money purchase pension schemes.
8. Tax credit
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Current tax
Current tax on profits for - -
the year
Research and development
tax credit relating to earlier (2) -
period
Deferred tax
Increase in recognised deferred
tax asset (11) (350)
-------- --------
Total tax credit for the
year (13) (350)
--------- ---------
The differences between the actual tax credit for the year and
the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK applied to profits
for the year are as follows:
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit before tax 1,521 863
Profit before tax multiplied
by standard rate of corporation
tax in the UK of 20% (2016:
21%) 304 173
Research and development
tax credit relating to earlier (2) -
period
Expenses not deductible for
tax purposes 8 24
Brought forward losses utilised
against taxable profits - (197)
Recognition of previously
unrecognised deferred tax
on losses (323) (350)
-------- --------
Tax credit for the year (13) (350)
--------- ---------
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Deferred tax asset
The movement in deferred
tax is as follows:
At beginning of the year 350 -
Utilisation against taxable
profits (312) -
Recognition of previously
unrecognised deferred tax
on losses 342 316
(Decrease)/increase in relation
to timing differences (15) 34
Rate change (4) -
-------- --------
At end of the year 361 350
--------- ---------
Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of tax
losses where the Directors believe it is probable that the assets
will be recovered. A deferred tax asset amounting to GBP732,000
(2016: GBP1,081,000) has not been recognised in respect of trading
losses, which can be carried forward indefinitely.
9. Dividends
Dividend paid on equity shares during the year: nil (2016:
nil)
Proposed final dividend on equity shares: 0.5p per share (2016:
nil), totalling GBP77,448 (2016: nil). This dividend has not been
accrued in the statements of financial position.
Subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting,
the Company will pay the proposed dividend on Tuesday 7 September
2017 to all shareholders on the register of members of the Company
at the close of business on 11 August 2017 (the "Record Date").
10. Earnings per ordinary share
Earnings per share have been calculated on the profit for the
year divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue
during the period based on the following:
2017 2016
Profit for the year GBP1,534,000 GBP1,213,000
-------------- --------------
Average number of shares
in issue 15,219,826 15,149,579
Effect of dilutive options 848,437 554,919
_________ _________
Average number of shares
in issue plus dilutive options 16,068,263 15,704,498
-------------- --------------
Basic earnings per share 10.08p 8.01p
--------- ---------
Diluted earnings per share 9.55p 7.72p
--------- ---------
11. Intangible assets
Group and company Purchased Internally Total
software developed
software
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cost
At 31 March 2015 264 1,110 1,374
Additions 8 - 8
-------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2016 272 1,110 1,382
Additions - - -
-------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2017 272 1,110 1,382
--------- --------- ---------
Accumulated amortisation/impairment
At 31 March 2015 255 1,007 1,262
Charge for the
year 4 34 38
Impairment - 69 69
-------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2016 259 1,110 1,369
Charge for the
year 5 - 5
-------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2017 264 1,110 1,374
--------- --------- ---------
Net book value
At 31 March 2017 8 - 8
--------- --------- ---------
At 31 March 2016 13 - 13
--------- --------- ---------
12. Property, plant and equipment
Group and company Computer Fixtures Motor
hardware & fittings vehicles Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cost
At 31 March 2015 302 706 42 1,050
Additions 29 13 - 42
-------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2016 331 719 42 1,092
Additions 39 35 - 74
-------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2017 370 754 42 1,166
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Accumulated depreciation
At 31 March 2015 256 650 20 926
Charge for the
year 21 15 10 46
-------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2016 277 665 30 972
Charge for the
year 28 22 10 60
-------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2017 305 687 40 1,032
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net book value
At 31 March 2017 65 67 2 134
--------- --------- --------- ---------
At 31 March 2016 54 54 12 120
--------- --------- --------- ---------
The net carrying amount of property, plant and equipment
includes GBP2,000 (2016: GBP12,000) in respect of assets held under
finance leases.
13. Investments
Company
Investments are:
(a) Generic Software Consultants Limited ("Generic"), a 100%
subsidiary undertaking, in respect of both voting rights and issued
shares, which is registered in England and Wales and has an issued
share capital of 5,610 US$1 ordinary shares. The investment is
stated in the Company's books at GBP440.
Up to 31 March 2009 Generic acted as an agent for the business,
but did not enter into any transactions in its own right: its
business was included within the figures reported by the Company.
On 1 April 2009 the agency agreement was terminated and all
business is now conducted directly by the parent company through
its Generic business.
(b) Triad Special Systems Limited, Generic Online Limited, Zubed
Geospatial Limited, Zubed Sales Limited, are all 100% subsidiaries
which are registered in England and Wales. They are dormant
companies, which have never traded. Each has a share capital of
GBP1.
The registered office of Triad Special Systems is Huxley House,
Weyside Park, Catteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XE. The
registered office of the other subsidiaries is 37 Sunningdale
House, Caldecotte Lake Drive, Caldecotte, Milton Keynes MK7
8LF.
14. Trade and other receivables
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Trade receivables 4,081 3,507
Less: provision for impairment
of trade receivables (33) (18)
-------- --------
Trade receivables-net 4,048 3,489
Accrued income 757 1,036
-------- --------
Trade and other receivables 4,805 4,525
Prepayments 246 158
-------- --------
5,051 4,683
--------- ---------
The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates
closely to their book value.
Trade receivables are normally on 30 days payment terms. As at
31 March 2017 trade receivables of GBP1,011,000 (2016: GBP603,000)
were past due but not impaired. They relate to customers with no
default history. The total number of customer ledger balances at 31
March 2017 was 51 (2016: 65). The ageing analysis of these
receivables is as follows:
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Up to 30 days past due 722 518
30 to 60 days past due 136 63
Over 60 days past due 153 22
-------- --------
1,011 603
--------- ---------
Movements on the provision for impairment of trade receivables
is as follows:
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
At beginning of the year 18 28
Charged to income statement 67 12
Credited to income statement - (22)
Written off during the year (52) -
-------- --------
At end of the year 33 18
--------- ---------
The carrying amount of the Group's trade and other receivables
are denominated in the following currencies:
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Sterling 4,780 4,505
Euros 25 20
-------- --------
4,805 4,525
---------- ---------
15. Cash and cash equivalents
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash available on demand 2,248 955
--------- ---------
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates closely
to their book value.
The carrying amount of the Group's cash and cash equivalents is
denominated in the following currencies:
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Sterling 2,211 908
Euros 37 47
-------- --------
2,248 955
--------- ---------
For the purpose of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash
and cash equivalents consist of cash, as detailed above, net of
bank borrowings repayable on demand.
16. Trade and other payables
Group Company
2017 2016 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Trade payables 2,568 1,945 2,568 1,945
Accruals 652 968 652 968
Owed to subsidiary - - 5 5
-------- -------- -------- --------
3,220 2,913 3,225 2,918
Deferred income 82 109 82 109
Other taxation and social
security 400 474 400 474
-------- -------- -------- --------
3,702 3,496 3,707 3,501
--------- --------- --------- ---------
The maturity date of trade and other payables is as follows:
Group Company
2017 2016 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Up to 3 months 2,698 2,637 2,703 2,642
3 to 6 months 151 156 151 156
6 to 12 months 371 120 371 120
-------- -------- -------- --------
3,220 2,913 3,225 2,918
--------- --------- --------- ---------
The fair value of trade and other payables approximates closely
to their book value.
The carrying amount of trade and other payables is denominated
in the following currencies:
Group Company
2017 2016 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Sterling 3,193 2,889 3,198 2,894
Euros 27 24 27 24
-------- -------- -------- --------
3,220 2,913 3,225 2,918
--------- --------- --------- ---------
17. Financial liabilities
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Current
Finance lease obligations 11 7
--------- ---------
Non-current
Finance lease obligations - 11
--------- ---------
The fair value of bank borrowings approximates closely to their
book value.
The carrying amount of the Group's financial liabilities is all
denominated in sterling.
Bank borrowings are in the form of a receivables finance
facility to borrow an amount up to 90% of approved trade debtors
subject to a maximum limit of GBP2.5m. This facility is secured by
way of a debenture over all the assets of the Group. Bank
borrowings are repayable upon demand. The balance at the year end
was nil (2016: nil).
The receivables finance facility is included as part of cash and
cash equivalents for the purpose of the cash flow statement as it
forms an integral part of the Group's cash management.
18. Provisions
Group and company Provision Provision Other Total
for for property provision
vacant dilapidation
properties
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 April 2016 465 86 - 551
Charged to income
statement - 25 115 140
Utilised in year (252) (16) - (268)
Unwinding of discount:
passage of time
(note 6) 27 - - 27
-------- -------- -------- --------
At 31 March 2017 240 95 115 450
--------- --------- --------- ---------
The discount rate applied in the calculation of the provision
for vacant properties is 5.95% (2016:
5.84%).
The maturity profile of the present value of provisions is as
follows:
Group and company Provision Provision Other Total
for for property provision
vacant properties dilapidation
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current 240 50 115 405
Non-current - 45 - 45
------- -------- -------- --------
240 95 115 450
--------- --------- --------- ---------
The provision for vacant properties covers the anticipated
future costs of rent, rates and other outgoings in respect of
unoccupied property, less anticipated future rental income. It has
been calculated on the basis of when the property is anticipated to
be sub-let. These liabilities have been discounted therefore there
is no material difference between the value of the provision
recorded in the accounts and the fair value. The maturity profile
of the carrying amount of this provision as at 31 March 2017 is as
follows:
Group and company 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
In one year or less 240 238
In more than one year, but not more
than 2 years - 227
-------- --------
240 465
--------- ---------
The provision for property dilapidation covers the estimated
future costs required to meet obligations under property leases to
redecorate and repair property.
19. Share capital
2017 2016
Ordinary shares of 1p each
Issued, called up and fully
paid:
Number 15,489,579 15,149,579
Nominal value GBP154,896 GBP151,496
During the year 340,000 1p ordinary shares were
issued as a result of the exercise by employees
of share options:
Number Option price Increase in Increase in
share capital share premium
55,000 14.0p GBP550 GBP7,150
285,000 13.5p GBP2,850 GBP35,625
----------- ---------- -----------
340,000 GBP3,400 GBP42,775
----------- ---------- -----------
20. Share-based payments
At 31 March 2017, 878,000 options granted under employee share
option schemes remain outstanding:
Date option Number Exercise Period options exercisable
granted price
7 August 7 August 2011 to 7
2008 78,000 14.0p August 2018
23 September 23 September 2014 to
2011 420,000 13.5p 23 September 2021
18 September 18 September 2017 to
2014 380,000 11.0p 18 September 2024
Under the terms of the scheme, options vest after after a period
of three years continued employment and are subject to the
following performance condition:
In any financial year commencing at least one year after the
date of grant, the Company shall have achieved a positive basic
earnings per share (subject to adjustment to exclude identified
exceptional items), as reported in its audited annual accounts.
The options outstanding at 31 March 2017 had a weighted average
remaining contractual life of 5.5 years (2016: 6.1 years).
Options have been valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model. No performance conditions were included in the fair value
calculations.
There were no options granted during the year (2016: nil).
The total expense recognised in the year is GBP2,000 (2016:
GBP4,000).
A reconciliation of option movements over the year to 31 March
2017 is shown below:
2017 2016
Number Weighted Number Weighted
of options average of options average
exercise exercise
price price
Pence Pence
Outstanding at start
of year 1,268,000 12.8 1,476,000 17.4
Exercised (340,000) 13.6 - -
Forfeited (50,000) 12.6 (32,000) 15.5
Lapsed - - (176,000) 51.5
-------------- --------- -------------- ---------
Outstanding at end
of year 878,000 12.5 1,268,000 12.8
-------------- --------- -------------- ---------
Exercisable at end
of year 498,000 13.6 868,000 13.6
-------------- --------- -------------- ---------
There were 340,000 options exercised during the year. The above
figures include options held by Directors which are set out in the
Directors' Remuneration Report on page 22.
21. Commitments
The Group and Company had capital commitments totalling GBPnil
at 31 March 2017 (31 March 2016: GBPnil).
The future aggregate minimum lease payments under
non-cancellable operating leases are:
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Not later than 1 year 518 552
Later than 1 year and no later
than 5 years 164 685
--------- ---------
682 1,237
--------- ---------
22. Related party transactions
The Group and Company rents two of its offices under contracts
expiring in 2018. The current annual rents of GBP395,000 were
fixed, by independent valuation, at the last rent review in 2008.
JC Rigg, a Director, has notified the Board that he has a 50%
beneficial interest in these contracts. The balance owed at the
year end was GBPnil (2016: GBPnil).
Key management comprises the Board of Directors and their
remuneration is set out in the Directors' Remuneration Report on
page 18.
Five year record
Consolidated income statement
Years ended 31 March 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 30,912 28,317 23,482 19,702 18,880
Gross profit 5,000 4,236 3,325 2,863 2,704
Profit before tax 1,521 863 352 11 28
Tax credit 13 350 - - -
Profit after tax 1,534 1,213 352 11 28
Retained profit for the
financial year 1,534 1,213 352 11 28
Basic earnings per share
(pence) 10.08 8.01 2.32 0.07 0.18
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Balance sheet
As at 31 March 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Non-current assets 503 483 236 210 233
Current assets 7,299 5,638 4,401 3,544 3,343
Current liabilities (4,118) (3,757) (3,387) (2,705) (2,513)
Non-current liabilities (45) (308) (411) (570) (665)
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Net assets 3,639 2,056 839 479 398
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Share capital 155 151 151 151 151
Share premium account 605 562 562 562 562
Capital redemption reserve 104 104 104 104 104
Retained earnings 2,775 1,239 22 (338) (419)
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Equity shareholders'
funds 3,639 2,056 839 479 398
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Shareholders' information and financial calendar
Share register
Equiniti maintain the register of members of the Company. If you
have any questions about your personal holding of the Company's
shares, please contact:
Equiniti
PO Box 4630
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN99 6QQ
Telephone: 0870 6015366
If you change your name or address or if the details on the
envelope enclosing the report, including your postcode, are
incorrect or incomplete, please notify the registrar in
writing.
Shareholders' enquiries
If you have an enquiry about the Group's business, or about
something affecting you as a shareholder (other than queries which
are dealt with by the registrar) you should contact the Company
Secretary, by letter or telephone at the Company's registered
office.
Company Secretary and registered office:
Nick Burrows
Triad Group Plc
Weyside Park
Catteshall Lane
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1XE
Telephone: 01908 860222
Email: investors@triad.co.uk
Website: www.triad.co.uk
Financial calendar
Annual General Meeting 23 August 2017
Final dividend: payment 7 September 2017
date
11 August 2017
Final dividend: record
date
Financial year ended 31
March 2018:
expected announcement of
results
Half year November 2017
Full year June 2018
Corporate information
Executive Directors Registered Auditors
John Rigg, Chairman BDO LLP
Nick Burrows 55 Baker Street
Adrian Leer London
W1U 7EU
Non-executive Directors Brokers
Alistair Fulton Arden Partners plc
Steven Sanderson 125 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1AR
Secretary and registered Solicitors
office
Freeths
Nick Burrows Davy Avenue
Triad Group Plc Knowlhill
Weyside Park Milton Keynes
Catteshall Lane MK5 8HJ
Godalming
Surrey Bankers
GU7 1XE
Lloyds Bank plc
Telephone: 01908 860222 City Office
Email: investors@triad.co.uk 11-15 Monument Street
Website: www.triad.co.uk London
EC3V 9JA
Country of incorporation Registrars
and domicile of parent
company Equiniti
United Kingdom Aspect House
Spencer Road
Legal form Lancing
West Sussex
Public limited company BN99 6DA
Company number
2285049
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR UGUAGQUPMGQB
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June 12, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
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