REG - Acceler8 Ventures - Final Results
29/04/2022 07:00
For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20220429:nRSc7887Ja&default-theme=true
RNS Number : 7887J Acceler8 Ventures PLC 29 April 2022
29 April 2022
ACCELER8 VENTURES PLC
("AC8" or the "Company")
Full Year Results for the period ended 31 December 2021
Acceler8 Ventures Plc (LSE: AC8) has today published its Annual Report and
Financial Statements for the period ended 31 December 2021 (the "Annual
Report").
In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.1 copies of the Annual Report have been
submitted to the UK Listing Authority and will shortly be available to view
on the Company's website at https://acceler8.ventures
(https://acceler8.ventures) and will be shortly available for inspection
from the National Storage Mechanism
at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanis
(https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism) m
(https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism)
LEI: 2138004B1HKZP1OR2C72
Enquiries
Tessera - Strategic Adviser
Tony Morris +44 (0) 7742 189145
Chairman's Statement
For the 9 month period ended 31 December 2021
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am pleased to present the financial results for Acceler8 Ventures Plc
("AC8", the "Company") and its subsidiary (together the "Group") for the
period ended 31 December 2021, which covers approximately nine months of
trading since the Company's incorporation on 25 March 2021.
Since establishing the Company on the Standard List of the Main Market of the
London Stock Exchange in 2021, as a team we have remained focused on executing
our strategy and continue to assess investment and acquisition opportunities
where we believe there to be sustainable growth potential both organically,
and through acquisition. These will typically be fundamentally sound assets
located in the UK or internationally, including Europe and the Asia Pacific
region, where tangible opportunities exist to drive strategic, operational and
performance improvements.
Despite some prevailing general macroeconomic uncertainty, we remain extremely
positive regarding prospects within our chosen areas of focus including
gaming, media and entertainment, software and technology, industrials and
business services sectors. With AC8, we have an ideal platform from which we
can execute our buy and build strategy and we look forward to updating
shareholders in due course as our investment and acquisition plans develop
during the new financial year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our shareholders for both their
support at IPO and while we diligently continue to source and evaluate a
number of exciting propositions that if secured, we believe have the potential
to deliver value for our shareholders.
David Williams
Chairman
28 April 2022
Report of the Directors
For the 9 month period ended 31 December 2021
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
The Directors of the Company present their report for the period ended 31
December 2021.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY AND BUSINESS REVIEW
For the financial period ended 31 December 2021, the Company's principal
activity was a holding company, which has actively pursued its strategy
through the sourcing and assessment of acquisition and investment
opportunities across gaming, media and entertainment, software and technology,
industrials and business services sectors.
On 19 July 2021, the Company successfully listed its ordinary shares onto the
Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
RESULTS
During the period, AC8 recorded a loss of £383,784 and the loss per share was
£0.72, reflecting moderate monthly operating expenses of the Company as well
as transaction expenses occurred during its IPO, which completed in July
2021. The Company had cash reserves at the end of the period of £432,440.
DIVIDENDS
At this point in the Company's development, it does not anticipate declaring
any dividends in the foreseeable future. As such, the Directors do not
recommend the payment of a dividend for the period.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Directors expect to continue to execute the Company's strategy in sourcing
and assessing acquisition and investment opportunities across its stated
sectors of focus.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Board continues to focus on maximising shareholder value through pursuing
its acquisition strategy.
As such, the Board will identify and develop appropriate key performance
indicators after an acquisition has been completed.
GOING CONCERN
The Directors, having made due and careful enquiry, are of the opinion that
the Company has adequate working capital to execute its operations and has the
ability to access additional financing, if required, over the next 12 months.
The Company's unaudited cash balance as at 22 April 2022 was £389,456, and
excluding the consummation of any investment or acquisition which will likely
require specific funding, has adequate resources available to fund the
on-going forecast operating expenses for at least twelve months following
approval of the financial statements. The Directors, therefore, have made an
informed judgement at the time of approving the financial statements, that
there is a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. As a result, the
Directors have adopted the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the
annual financial statements (see Note 2).
RISK MANAGEMENT
In order to execute the Group's strategy, the Company and its subsidiaries
will be exposed to both financial and non-financial risks. The Board has
overall responsibility for the Group's risk management and it is the Board's
role to consider whether those risks identified by management are acceptable
within the Group's strategy and risk appetite. The Board therefore
periodically reviews the principal risks and considers how effective and
appropriate the controls that management has in place to mitigate the risk
exposure are and will make recommendations to management accordingly.
As the Company had not completed an investment or acquisition in the period,
it has limited financial statements and/or historical financial data, and
limited trading history. As such, the Company during the period was subject to
the risks and uncertainties associated with an early-stage acquisition
company, including the risk that the Company will not achieve its investment
objectives and that the value of any investment or acquisition could decline
and may result in the partial or complete loss of capital invested. The past
performance of investee companies or assets managed by the Directors will not
necessarily be a guide to future business, results of operations, financial
condition or prospects of the Company.
In order to mitigate against these risks, the Directors continue to undertake
thorough due diligence on investment opportunities and acquisition targets, to
a level considered reasonable and appropriate by the Company on a case-by-case
basis, including the potential commissioning of third-party specialist reports
as appropriate. Following completion of any investment or acquisition, it is
intended that any investments or assets will be overseen by the Directors and
assisted by the Company's professional advisers.
Financial Risk Management
The Directors consider the Group to be exposed to the following financial
risks:
a. Price risk: the price paid for securities is subject to market
movement that may have an impact on the operations of the Group when raising
finance;
b. Cash flow interest rate risk: the Group has significant cash
balances which exposed it to movement in the market interest rates; and
c. Liquidity risk: the Group manages its cash requirements to balance
cash availability and the generation of interest income.
Given the relatively small size and operation of the Group in the period, the
Directors have not delegated the responsibility of risk monitoring to a
sub-committee of the Board, but closely monitor the risks on a periodic basis.
The Directors consider their exposure in the financial period to have been
low. Refer to Note 14 for assessment of the risks arising from financial
instruments.
Non-financial Risk Management
The non-financial risk factors for the period ended 31 December 2021 did not
materially change from those set out in AC8's Prospectus dated 14 July 2021.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
As the Company has not completed its first acquisition and has on only two
Directors, limited travel and no premises, the Directors do not consider any
disclosure under the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures is
required at this juncture, however the Company will continue to review this
position as it executes its investment and acquisition strategy.
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
The Company has made no political contributions during the period.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS
The Company has made no charitable donations during the period.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
There have been no post balance sheet events. See Note 20.
SHARE CAPITAL
Details of the Company's share capital is set out in Note 15. The Company's
share capital consists of one class of ordinary share, which does not carry
rights to fixed income. As at 31 December 2021, there were 750,000 ordinary
shares of 1p par value each in issue.
SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS
As at 22 April 2022, the Company had been advised of the following notifiable
interests (whether directly or indirectly held) in voting rights.
Name Shareholding Percentage
David Williams 275,000 36.7%
Bank of New York Nominees Limited 116,500 15.5%
Giles Willits 100,000 13.3%
Helen Johnson 37,500 5.0%
Michael Johnson 37,500 5.0%
Transact Nominees Limited 33,333 4.4%
David Morris 25,000 3.3%
Tessera Investment Management Limited 25,000 3.3%
As at 22 April 2022, the Directors in aggregate held 375,000 ordinary shares,
which represents 50.0 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital.
COMPANY DIRECTORS
The Directors during the period and summaries of their experience are set
out below.
David Williams Non-executive Chairman (aged 68)
David has over 36 years' experience in investment markets, serving as Chairman
in executive and non-executive capacities for a number of public and private
companies. He has overseen the development of these companies, raising in
excess of £1 billion of capital to support both organic and acquisitive
growth initiatives.
David was the original founder of Marwyn Capital LLP, the award-winning
investment management company. David was also formerly Chairman of
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO), Zetar plc, and Oxford BioDynamics Plc (AIM:
OBD), and non-executive director of Breedon Group plc (AIM: BREE). He
currently serves as Non-executive Chairman of the AIM-quoted cyber security
business, Shearwater Group plc (AIM: SWG) and is a non-executive director of
Main Market listed Red Capital Plc (LSE: AC8) and Bay Capital Plc (LSE: BAY).
Giles Willits Non-Executive Director (age 55)
Giles has more than 20 years' experience in senior leadership and financial
roles in multiple household name businesses, and is Chief Financial Officer
and board director of IG Design Group plc (AIM: IGR), the world's largest
consumer gift packaging organisation.
Prior to his role at IG Design Group, Giles was Chief Financial Officer of
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO), having joined prior to its admission to
trading on AIM in 2007, during which time the business grew organically and
through acquisitions to a market capitalisation of over £1 billion, becoming
a FTSE250 premium listed organisation. He was also formerly Director of Group
Finance at J Sainsbury plc and qualified as a chartered accountant at
PricewaterhouseCoopers.
During his extensive career, Giles has completed numerous corporate
acquisitions as part of buy-and-build strategies, acquiring private and
publicly listed companies, stepping companies up from AIM to the Main Market,
as well as leading on equity and debt financings in support of organic growth
and acquisition activity.
The Directors who held office during the period and their beneficial interest
in the share capital of the Company at 31 December 2021 were as follows:
31 December 2021
David Williams 275,000
Giles Willits 100,000
375,000
DIRECTORS REMUNERATION
The Chairman and Non-Executive Director are each entitled to fees of £20,000
each per annum for their respective roles within the Company, as per their
service agreements entered into on 13 July 2021. All Director fees have been
accrued in the period. There are no other benefits paid to Directors outside
of their service fees, save for ordinary course reimbursable expenses properly
incurred in the performing their duties as Directors. The Company does not
operate a pension scheme.
Salary Benefits in kind 31 December 2021 Total
Director £ £ £
David Williams 10,000 - 10,000
Giles Willits 10,000 - 10,000
20,000 - 20,000
In addition to the Directors' fee entitlements outlined above, the Directors
are also participants in the Subco Incentive Scheme and holders of warrants as
detailed below.
SUBCO INCENTIVE SCHEME
The Directors believe that the success of the Company will depend to a high
degree on the future performance of key employees and advisers in executing
and supporting the Company's growth strategy. The Company has therefore
established equity-based incentive arrangements which are, and will continue
to be, an important means of retaining, attracting and motivating key
employees, consultants and advisers, and also for aligning the interests of
the Directors with those of shareholders.
On 27 May 2021, the Group created a new Subco Incentive Scheme within its
wholly owned subsidiary Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited. Under the terms of
the Subco Incentive Scheme, scheme participants are only rewarded if a
predetermined level of shareholder value is created over a three to five year
period or upon a change of control of the Company or Subco (whichever occurs
first), calculated on a formula basis by reference to the growth in market
capitalisation of the Company, following adjustments for the issue of any new
ordinary shares and taking into account dividends and capital returns
("Shareholder Value"), realised by the exercise by the beneficiaries of a put
option in respect of their shares in Subco and satisfied either in cash or by
the issue of new ordinary shares at the election of the Company.
Under these arrangements in place, participants are entitled up to 15 per
cent. of the Shareholder Value created, subject to such Shareholder Value
having increased by at least 12.5 per cent. per annum compounded over a period
of between three and five years from Admission, or following a change of
control of the Company or Subco.
In order to implement the Subco Incentive Scheme, the Company as sole
shareholder of Subco, approved the creation of a new share class in Subco (the
"B Shares"). At the same time the Subco's existing ordinary shares were
redesignated A Shares. The B Shares do not have voting or dividend rights.
On 27 May 2021, David Williams, Chairman of the Company, Giles Willits, a
Non-Executive Director of the Company, and Kathleen Long and Anthony Morris,
Directors of Tessera Investment Management Limited, became the first
participants in the Subco Incentive Scheme ("Founder Participants"), and as
such, the proportion of Shareholder Value attaching to the Subco Incentive
Scheme is 2.9 per cent. of a total cap of 15 per cent.
The Founder Participants and their respective holdings are outlined below.
Participant Subco B shares held
David Williams 1,667
Giles Willits 24,000
Kathleen Long 1,667
Anthony Morris 1,666
29,000
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As a Jersey company and a company with a Standard Listing, the Company is not
required to comply with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code
2018. Furthermore, there is no applicable regime of corporate governance to
which the directors of a Jersey company must adhere over and above the general
fiduciary duties and duties of care, skill and diligence imposed on such
directors under Jersey law. Notwithstanding this, the Directors are
committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and will be
responsible for carrying out the Company's objectives and implementing its
business strategy.
All investment, acquisition, divestment and other strategic decisions are
considered and determined by the Board. The Board provides leadership within a
framework of prudent and effective controls. The Board has established the
corporate governance values of the Company and has overall responsibility for
setting the Company's strategic aims, defining the business plan and strategy
and managing the financial and operational resources of the Company.
In this regard, the Board, so far as is practicable given the Company's size
and stage of its development, has voluntarily adopted the QCA Code as its
chosen corporate governance framework. There are certain provisions of the QCA
Code which the Company will not adhere to currently, and their adoption will
be delayed until such time as the Directors believe it is appropriate to do
so. It is anticipated that this will occur concurrently with the Company's
first material investment or acquisition.
Following such an acquisition, the Company will seek to develop its corporate
governance position, and will address key differences to the QCA Code
including the implementation of audit, remuneration and nomination committees
with appropriate terms of reference, the publication of KPIs, and the
development of a corporate and social responsibility policy.
ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Board is responsible for the management of the business of the Company,
setting the strategic direction of the Company and establishing the policies
of the Company. It is the Directors' responsibility to oversee the financial
position of the Company and monitor the business and affairs of the Company,
on behalf of the shareholders, to whom they are accountable. The primary duty
of the Directors is to act in the best interests of the Company at all times.
The Board also addresses issues relating to internal control and the Company's
approach to risk management and has formally adopted an anti-corruption and
bribery policy.
The Company does not have a separate investing committee and therefore the
Board as a whole will be responsible for sourcing acquisitions and ensuring
that opportunities are in conformity with the Company's strategy.
The Company holds four formal Board meetings a year, with unscheduled meetings
as matters arise which require the attention of the Board. Formal Board
meetings are timed to link to key events in the Company's corporate calendar.
Outside the scheduled and unscheduled meetings of the Board, the Directors
maintain frequent contact with each other to keep them fully briefed on the
Company's operations.
INTERNAL CONTROLS
The Board acknowledges its responsibility for establishing and monitoring the
Group's systems of internal control. Although no system of internal control
can provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss, the
Group's systems are designed to provide the Directors with reasonable
assurance that problems can be identified on a timely basis and dealt with
appropriately.
The Group maintains an appropriate process for financial reporting. The annual
budget is reviewed and approved by then Board before being formally adopted.
Other key procedures that have been established and which are designed to
provide effective control are as follows:
Management structure - The Board meets regularly on a formal and informal
basis to discuss all issues affecting the Group.
Investment appraisal - The Group has a robust framework for investment
appraisal and approval is required by the Board, where appropriate.
Share dealing and inside information - the Company has adopted a share dealing
code regulating trading and confidentiality of inside information for the
Directors and other persons discharging managerial responsibilities (and their
persons closely associated) which contains provisions appropriate for a
company whose shares are admitted to trading on the Official List
(particularly relating to dealing during closed periods which will be in line
with the Market Abuse Regulation). The Company takes all reasonable steps to
ensure compliance by the Directors and any relevant employees with the terms
of that share dealing code.
The Board reviews the effectiveness of the systems of internal control and
considers the major business risks and the control environment. No significant
deficiencies have come to light during the period and no weaknesses in
internal financial control have resulted in any material losses, or
contingencies which would require disclosure, as recommended by the guidance
for Directors on reporting on internal financial control.
The Directors are focused on careful management of the Company's cash and
financial resources through Board level approvals. At such time that the
Company completes an acquisition, the Directors anticipate that the Company's
financial position and prospects procedures regime will be updated and
expanded as necessary to cater for the nature of the Company's business
following completion of its inaugural investment or acquisition.
BOARD EVALUATION
In the period, the Board evaluation process was limited to an ongoing informal
evaluation of the performance of the Board by each Director. This will be
replaced by a formal, annual evaluation process once the Company has completed
its first acquisition.
EXTERNAL ADVISERS
The Board accessed the following external advisers during the period and post
the period end:
Mayer Brown International LLP and Ogier (Jersey) LLP - legal
Tessera Investment Management Limited - capital markets and M&A
JTC Plc - company secretarial, governance and regulatory filings
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A Director has a duty to avoid a situation in which he or she has, or can
have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may conflict,
with the interests of the Company. The Board has satisfied itself that there
are no conflicts of interest where the Directors have appointments on the
Boards of, or relationships with, companies outside the Company. Furthermore,
the Board requires Directors to declare all appointments and other situations
which could result in a possible conflict of interest, and therefore believes
it has a robust framework to deal with any conflict of interest should it
arise.
RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Chairman is the Group's principal spokesperson with investors, fund
managers, the press and other interested parties. As well as the Annual
General Meeting with shareholders, the other Directors may give formal
presentations at investor road shows following the announcement of interim and
full year results.
Notice of this year's Annual General Meeting will shortly be sent to
shareholders.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR
So far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of
which the Company's auditor is unaware, and each Director has taken all the
steps that he ought to have taken as a Director in order to make himself aware
of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditor
is aware of that information.
The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:
· the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the
relevant financial reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as whole;
· the Chairman's Statement and Report of the Directors includes a
fair review of the development and performance of the business and the
position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that they face; and
· the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, are fair,
balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for
shareholders to assess the Company's position and performance, business model
and strategy.
AUDITOR
The auditor, MHA MacIntyre Hudson, will be proposed for re-appointment at the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
David Williams
Chairman
28 April 2022
Statement of Directors Responsibilities
For the 9 month period ended 31 December 2021
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' report and the
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Jersey Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for
each financial period. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare
the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as adopted by the United Kingdom ("IFRS"). Under company law the
Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied
that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and
of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them
consistently;
· make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
· state whether the Group financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the United Kingdom;
· state whether the Company financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with FRS 101 "Reduced disclosure framework"; and
· prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in
business.
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper 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
(Jersey) Law 1991. 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 maintenance and integrity of the Group's website is the responsibility of
the Directors. The work carried out by the auditors does not involve the
consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no
responsibility for any changes that may have occurred in the accounts since
they were initially presented on the website. Legislation in Jersey governing
the preparation and dissemination of the accounts and the other information
included in annual reports may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the 9 month period ended 31 December 2021
2021
Note £
Administrative expenses (383,784)
Loss before taxation 6 (383,784)
Taxation charge 7 -
Loss for the period (383,784)
Total comprehensive expense for the period (383,784)
Loss per share
Basic and diluted 8 (£0.72)
Loss attributable to;
Owners of the parent company (383,785)
Non-controlling interests -
The notes below form part of these consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2021
31 December 31 December
2021 2021
Note £ £
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 11 432,440
Other receivables 12 1,169
Total current assets 433,609
Total assets 433,609
Current liabilities
Other payables 13 80,080
Total current liabilities 80,080
Total liabilities 80,080
Total net assets 353,529
Equity
Issued share capital 15 7,500
Share premium 16 729,598
Capital redemption reserve 16 2
Share based payment reserve 16 146
Non-controlling interest 16 67
Retained deficit 16 (383,784)
Total equity 353,529
The consolidated financial statements were approved and authorised for issue
by the Board on 28 April 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
David Williams
Chairman
The notes below form part of these consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the 9 month period ended 31 December 2021
Non-controlling interest
Share capital Share premium Capital redemption reserve Share based payment reserve Retained deficit
Total
Note £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Balance at incorporation date 2 - - - - - 2
Loss for the period - - - - (383,784) - (383,784)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:
Issue of new ordinary shares 15 7,498 742,498 2 - - 67 750,065
Ordinary share issue costs (12,900) (12,900)
Share based payment 18 - - - 146 - 146
At 31 December 2021 7,500 729,598 2 146 (383,784) 35329
See note 15 of the notes for full details of the capital movements during the
period.
The notes below form part of these consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the 9 month period ended 31 December 2021
2021
£
Operating activities
Loss before taxation (383,784)
Adjustments for:
Share based payment charge 146
Operating cash flows before changes in working capital (383,638)
Increase in other receivables (1,169)
Increase in other payables 80,147
Net cash outflows from operating activities (304,660)
Financing activities
Issue of ordinary shares net of issue costs 750,000
Ordinary share issue costs (12,900)
Net cash inflows from financing activities 737,100
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 432,440
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period -
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 432,440
The notes below form part of these consolidated Financial Statements.
Notes forming part of the consolidated financial statements
For the 9 month period ended 31 December 2021
1 General information
The Company was incorporated on 25 March 2021 as Acceler8 Ventures Limited, a
private limited company under the laws of Jersey with registered number
134586. On 17 May 2021, the Company was re-registered as an unlisted public
limited company and its name was changed to Acceler8 Ventures Plc. On 19 July
2021 the Company shares were admitted to trading onto the Main Market of the
London Stock Exchange. The Company is the parent company of Acceler8 Ventures
Subco Limited (a private limited company under the laws of Jersey with
registered number 134587).
The address of its registered office is 28 Esplanade, St. Helier, Channel
Islands, JE2 3QA, Jersey. The Group has been incorporated for the purpose of
identifying suitable acquisition opportunities in accordance with the Group's
investment and acquisition strategy with a view to creating shareholder value.
The Group will retain a flexible investment and acquisition strategy which
will, subject to appropriate levels of due diligence, enable it to deploy
capital in target companies by way of minority or majority investments, or
full acquisitions where it is in the interests of shareholders to do so. This
will include transactions with target companies located in the UK and
internationally.
2 Accounting policies
The principal policies adopted in the preparation of the consolidated
financial statements are as follows:
(a) Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by
the United Kingdom ("IFRS") and the requirements of the Companies (Jersey) Law
1991.
No comparative figures have been presented as the consolidated financial
statements cover the period from incorporation on 25 March 2021 to 31 December
2021.
(b) Basis of consolidation
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.
Where the Group has control over a Company, it is classified as a subsidiary.
The Group controls a Company if all three of the following elements are
present: power over the Company, exposure to variable returns from the
Company, and the ability of the Group to use its power to affect those
variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances
indicate that there may be a change in any of these elements of control.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business
combinations using the acquisition method. In the consolidated statement of
financial position, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and
contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the
acquisition date. The acquisition related costs are included in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income on an accruals basis. The
results of acquired operations are included in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income from the date on which control is obtained.
2 Accounting policies
(c) Functional and presentational currency
The Group's functional and presentational currency for these financial
statements is the pound sterling.
(d) Going concern
The Directors, having made due and careful enquiry, are of the opinion that
the Company has adequate working capital to execute its operations and has the
ability to access additional financing, if required, over the next 12 months.
The Company's unaudited cash balance as at 22 April 2022 is £389,456, and
excluding the consummation of any investment or acquisition which will likely
require specific funding, has adequate resources available to fund the
on-going forecasted operating expenses for at least twelve months following
approval of the financial statements. The Directors, therefore, have made an
informed judgement, at the time of approving the financial statements, that
there is a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. As a result, the
Directors have adopted the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the
annual financial statements.
(e) Employee benefits
Short-term benefits
Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis
and are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is
recognised for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonus or
profit-sharing plans if the Group has a present legal or constructive
obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the
employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.
(f) Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the period comprises current and deferred tax.
Tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates
to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in
equity.
Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or
loss for the period, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the
balance sheet date.
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts
used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not
provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill; the initial recognition of
assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other
than in a business combination, and differences relating to investments in
subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the
foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the
expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets
and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the
balance sheet date.
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that
future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary
difference can be utilised.
(g) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and short-term deposits with
an original maturity of three months or less, held for meeting short term
commitments.
(h) Financial assets and liabilities
The Group's financial assets and liabilities comprise cash and other payables.
Other payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their amortised
cost.
(i) Share-based payments
The Group operates an equity-settled share-based payment plan. The fair value
of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of options is
recognised as an expense over the vesting period, based on the Group's
estimate of awards that will eventually vest, with a corresponding increase in
equity as a share-based payment reserve.
This plan includes market-based vesting conditions for which the fair value at
grant date reflects and are therefore not subsequently revisited. The fair
value is determined using a binomial model.
(j) Accounting standards issued
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 - Interest Rate
Benchmark Reform - Phase 2 (effective for annual periods beginning on or after
1 January 2021) were issued and adopted in the period with no material impact
on the financial statements.
There were no other new accounting standards issued have been adopted in the
period.
(k) Standards in issue but not yet effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements there were
amendments to standards which were in issue but which were not yet effective
and which have not been applied. The principal ones were:
· Amendment to IFRS 16, 'Leases' - COVID-19 related rent
concessions. Extension of the practical expedient (effective for annual period
beginning on or 1 April 2021)
· A number of narrow-scope amendments to IFRS 3, IAS 16, IAS 37 and
some annual improvements on IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IAS 41 and IFRS 16 (effective for
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022)
· Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of financial statements on
classification of liabilities (effective date deferred until accounting
periods starting not earlier than 1 January 2024)
· Narrow scope amendments to IAS 1, Practice statement 2 and IAS
8 (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.
· Amendment to IAS 12 - deferred tax related to assets and
liabilities arising from a single transaction (effective for annual periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2023)
· The Directors do not expect the adoption of these amendments to
standards to have a material impact on the financial statements.
3 Accounting estimates and judgements
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Directors have to make
judgments on how to apply the Group's accounting policies and make estimates
about the future. The Directors do not consider there to be any critical
judgments that have been made in arriving at the amounts recognised in the
consolidated financial statements with the exception of the valuation of share
based payments. Please see note 18 for further details.
4 Employees
Staff costs, including Directors, consist of: 2021
£
Wages and salaries 20,000
Share based payments (Note 18) 129
_______
20,129
_______
2021
Number
The average number of employees, including Directors, during the period was: 2
_______
5 Directors' remuneration
The Company Directors are considered the only key management personnel and
their remuneration was as follows:
2021
£
Directors' emoluments 20,000
Share-based payments (Note 18) 129
________
20,129
________
6 Operating loss
2021
£
This has been arrived at after charging:
Professional services 244,328
Listing expenses 56,549
Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the parent and 20,000
consolidated accounts
7 Taxation
2021
£
Jersey corporation tax
Corporation tax on loss for the period -
Total taxation on loss on ordinary activities -
9 month period ended 31 Dec 2021
£
Loss before tax (383,784)
________
Tax for financial service companies at 10% (38,378)
Effect of:
Tax losses on which a deferred tax asset has not been recognised 38,378
________
Total taxation on loss on ordinary activities -
________
8 Earnings per share
Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the loss after tax for the period
by the weighted average number of shares in issue for the period, these
figures being as follows:
2021
£
Loss used in basic and diluted EPS, being loss after tax (383,784)
Adjustments:
Share based remuneration 146
Adjusted earnings used in adjusted EPS (383,638)
________
The Subco Incentive Scheme share options (note 18) have not been included in
the diluted EPS on the basis that they are anti-dilutive, however they may
become dilutive in future periods.
2021
Number
Weighted average number of ordinary shares of 1p each used as the denominator 529,360
in calculating basic and diluted EPS
________
Earnings/(loss) per share
Basic and diluted (£0.72)
Adjusted - basic and diluted after the adjustments in the table above (£0.72)
9 Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
(Adjusted EBITDA)
2021
£
Loss before tax (383,784)
EBITDA loss (383,784)
Share based remuneration 146
Adjusted EBITDA loss (383,638)
10 Subsidiaries
The Company directly owns the ordinary share capital of its subsidiary
undertakings as set out below:
Subsidiary Nature of business Country of incorporation Proportion of A ordinary shares held by Company Proportion of B ordinary shares held by Company
Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited Intermediate holding company Jersey, Channel Islands 100 per cent. 0 per cent.
The address of the registered office of Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited (the
"Subco") is 28 Esplanade, St. Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 3QA, Jersey. The
Subco was incorporated on 25 March 2021.
The A ordinary shares have full voting rights, full rights to participate in a
dividend and full rights to participate in a distribution of capital. The B
ordinary shares have been issued pursuant to the Company's Subco Incentive
Scheme and hold no voting or dividend rights
11 Cash and cash equivalents
2021
£
Cash and cash equivalents 432,440
________
12 Other receivables
2021
£
Prepayments 1,169
________
13 Other payables
2021
Current other payables £
Accruals 80,080
________
14 Financial instruments
The Group's financial assets and liabilities comprise cash and other payables.
The carrying value of all financial assets and liabilities equals fair value
given their short term nature.
Financial assets measured at amortised cost
2021
£
Current financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 432,440
________
Financial liabilities
measured at amortised cost
2021
£
Current financial liabilities
Accruals 80,080
________
Credit risk
The Group's credit risk is wholly attributable to its cash balance. All cash
balances are held at a reputable bank in Jersey. The credit risk from its cash
and cash equivalents is deemed to be low due to the nature and size of the
balances held.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its
financial obligations as they fall due.
The Group's approach to liquidity risk is to ensure that sufficient liquidity
is available to meet foreseeable requirements and to invest funds securely and
profitably.
The following table details the contractual maturity of financial liabilities
based on the dates the liabilities are due to be settled:
Financial liabilities:
Less than 1 year 2 to 5 Years More than 5 years Total
£ £ £ £
Accruals 80,080 - - 80,080
______ ______ ______ ______
At 31 December 2021 80,080 - - 80,080
_______ _______ ______ _______
15 Share capital
Allotted, called up and fully paid
2021 2021
Number £
Ordinary shares of 1p each:
At incorporation date 2 -
Issued in the period 749,998 7,500
_________ _________
At 31 December 750,000 7,500
_________ _________
On incorporation on 25 March 2021, the Company had an authorised share capital
of £10,000 divided into 10,000 ordinary shares of par value of £1 each, of
which one ordinary share was issued to each of the Founders. The two ordinary
shares were each issued for consideration of £1.00 per share.
On 18 May 2021, the Company sub-divided its share capital. Pursuant to the
Sub-division, the two ordinary shares of £1.00 each in the issued share
capital of the Company were split into 200 ordinary shares. Following the
sub-division, 198 ordinary shares were re-designated as deferred shares of par
value £0.01 each. Following the sub-division and re-designation: the issued
share capital of the Company was comprised of 2 ordinary shares and 198
deferred shares; and the Company had an authorised share capital of £10,002
divided into 1,000,000 ordinary shares of par value £0.01 each and 200
deferred shares of a par value £0.01 each. The deferred shares were redeemed
and subsequently cancelled, with a capital redemption reserve created of
equivalent value as per note 16.
On 21 May 2021, the Company issued and allotted 399,998 Ordinary Shares at a
price of £1.00 per ordinary share to the founders, for aggregate
consideration of £399,998 in cash. Immediately following that issue and
allotment, the issued share capital of the Company was comprised of 400,000
ordinary shares and 198 deferred shares.
On 21 May 2021, in accordance with article 5B of the Articles, the Company
redeemed for nil consideration the deferred shares. Any amounts standing to
the credit of any nominal or share premium account relating to deferred shares
that were redeemed were credited to a capital reserve of the Company and are
available for use in accordance with the Companies Law.
On 24 May 2021, the Company issued and allotted 25,000 ordinary shares at a
price of £1.00 per ordinary share, for aggregate consideration of £25,000 in
cash. Immediately following that issue and allotment, the issued share capital
of the Company was comprised of 425,000 ordinary shares.
Pursuant to the IPO placing, 325,000 ordinary shares were issued and allotted
at a price of £0.10 per ordinary shares to certain new investors.
Immediately following this issue and allotment, the Company's issued share
capital increased to 750,000 ordinary shares. All shares are equally eligible
to receive dividends and the repayment of capital and represent one vote at
the shareholders' meeting of the Company.
16 Reserves
Share premium and retained earnings represent balances conventionally
attributed to those descriptions. The transaction costs relating to the issue
of shares was deducted from share premium.
The Capital redemption reserve is made up on amounts
arising from the cancellation of the deferred shares.
The Group having no regulatory capital or similar requirements, its primary
capital management focus is on maximising earnings per share and therefore
shareholder return.
The non-controlling interests reserves arises out of amounts due to holders of
the B shares in Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited.
The Directors have proposed that there will be no final dividend in respect of
2021.
17 Share Incentive Plan
On 14 July 2021, the Group created a Subco Incentive Scheme within its wholly
owned subsidiary Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited ("Subco"). Under the terms of
the Subco Incentive Scheme, scheme participants are only rewarded if a
predetermined level of shareholder value is created over a three to five year
period or upon a change of control of the Company or Subco (whichever occurs
first), calculated on a formula basis by reference to the growth in market
capitalisation of the Company, following adjustments for the issue of any new
Ordinary shares and taking into account dividends and capital returns
("Shareholder Value"), realised by the exercise by the beneficiaries of a put
option in respect of their shares in Subco and satisfied either in cash or by
the issue of new ordinary shares at the election of the Company.
Under these arrangements in place, participants are entitled to up to 15 per
cent. of the Shareholder Value created, subject to such Shareholder Value
having increased by at least 12.5 per cent. per annum compounded over a period
of between three and five years from admission or following a change of
control of the Company or Subco.
18 Share based payments
The Subco Incentive Scheme detailed in Note 17 is an equity-settled share
option plan which allows employees and advisors of the Group to sell their B
shares to the company in exchange for a cash payment or for shares in the
Company (at the Company's election) if certain conditions are met.
These conditions include good and bad leaver provisions and that growth in
Shareholder Value of 12.5 per cent. compound per annual is delivered over a
three to five year period for the scheme to vest. This second condition is
therefore a market condition which has been taken into account in the
measurement at grant date of the fair value of the options.
The outstanding B share options have a weighted average contractual life of 4
years 9 months. 29,000 B share options were issued in the period, all of which
were outstanding at the period end. No B share options were exercised in the
period. No B share options have expired during the period. The weighted
average exercise price of the outstanding B share options is Nil.
The Group recognised £146 of expenditure in the statement of total
comprehensive income in relation to equity-settled share-based payments in the
period.
The fair value of options granted during the period is determined by applying
a binominal model. The expense is apportioned over the vesting period of the
option and is based on the number which are expected to vest and the fair
value of these options at the date of grant.
The inputs into the binomial model in respect of options granted in the period
are as follows:
Opening share price £1
Expected volatility of share price 16.67%
Expected life of options 5 years
Risk-free rate 0.71%
Target increase in share price per annum 12.5%
Fair value of options 5.397p
Expected volatility was estimated by reference to the average 5-year
volatility of the FTSE SmallCap Index.
The target increase in Shareholder Value is laid out in the Articles of
Association of the Subco and represents the compounded target annual increase
in market capitalisation (adjusted for capital raises and dividends) that
needs to be met between the third and fifth anniversary of the Group's
admission onto the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in order for the
scheme to vest.
The Group did not enter into any share-based payment transactions with parties
other than employees and advisors during the current period.
19 Related party transactions
Transactions with key management personnel
Key management personnel comprise the Directors and executive officers. The
remuneration of the individual Directors is disclosed in the Report of the
Directors.
Other transactions - Group
On 14 May 2021, the Company entered into an arm's length strategic advisory
agreement with Tessera pursuant to which Tessera has agreed to provide
strategic and general corporate advice, and acquisition and capital raising
transaction support services to the Company. Tessera was entitled to an
initial transaction fee of £100,000 (plus VAT) payable on admission for
transaction management services provided to the Company in connection with
admission capital raising activities.
From admission, Tessera will provide strategic advisory services and will be
paid a success fee on completion on the first acquisition, at an amount to be
agreed between Tessera and the Company. Following completion of the first
acquisition, Tessera will provide services as requested by the Company and
will charge a fixed daily rate or monthly retainer fee depending on the volume
of such services. As at 31 December 2021, £nil was owed to Tessera by the
Company.
20 Post balance sheet events
There are no events subsequent to the reporting date which would have a
material impact on the financial statements.
21 Contingent liabilities
There are no contingent liabilities at the reporting date which would have a
material impact on the financial statements.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
. END FR UWUARUKUSUURRecent news on Acceler8 Ventures
See all newsREG - Acceler8 Ventures - Interim Results
AnnouncementREG - Acceler8 Ventures - Result of AGM
AnnouncementREG - Acceler8 Ventures - Notice of AGM
AnnouncementREG - Acceler8 Ventures - Full Year Results for the period ended 31 Dec 2022
AnnouncementREG - Acceler8 Ventures - Interim Results
Announcement