REG - Begbies Traynor - Final results for the year ended 30 April 2020

Begbies TraynorAnnouncement

21/07/2020 07:00

RNS Number : 5472T
  
Begbies Traynor Group PLC
  
21 July 2020
  
 

 
 
 
21 July 2020
Begbies Traynor Group plc
 
Final results
for the year ended 30 April 2020
 
Begbies Traynor Group plc (the 'company' or the 'group'), the business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, today announces its final results for the year ended 30 April 2020.
 
Financial highlights 
 




 


2020


2019




 


£m


£m




Revenue


70.5


60.1




Adjusted profit before tax*


9.2


7.0




Profit before tax


2.9


3.3




Adjusted basic EPS** (p)


5.7


4.8




Basic EPS (p)


0.7


2.0




Proposed total dividend (p)


2.8


2.6




Net debt


2.8


6.0




  
* Profit before tax £2.9m (2019: £3.3m) plus transaction costs £3.2m (2019: £1.3m) and amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions £3.1m (2019: £2.4m)
** See reconciliation in note 5
 
Operational highlights
 
·      Strong financial performance with revenue growth of 17% (5% organic, 12% acquired)
·      All areas of the group performed well:
o  Business recovery: market share (by volume) increased to 10% (2019: 8%) and contributions from current and prior year acquisitions
o  Financial advisory: increase in corporate finance deals compared with the prior year and contribution from current year acquisition
o  Property advisory and transactional services: performance in line with last year, having absorbed COVID impact, reflecting breadth of services and expertise 
·      Strong cash flow and funds from the July 2019 share placing enabled reduction in net debt (to £2.8m) and leverage together with the completion of three acquisitions 
·      Recommended 8% increase in the total dividend for the year to 2.8p (2019: 2.6p), the third consecutive year of dividend growth
 
COVID-19 impact and response
 
·      Business recovery and financial advisory continued to be appointed on and progress cases, realise assets and complete transactions as usual
·      Majority of property advisory and transactional services teams able to operate remotely; however, commercial property agency and valuations together with business sales agency were disrupted as the lockdown paused activities
·      No claims made under the Government's coronavirus support schemes
Current trading and outlook 
 
·      Business recovery and financial advisory start the year in a strong position:
o  Increased order book, benefit of acquisitions and investment
o  Anticipate increase in market activity levels as Government support measures withdrawn
·      Property advisory and transactional services:
o  Majority of service lines operating as expected, including increased CIF funding awards for education team as recently announced
o  Service lines impacted by lockdown have seen increased instruction levels through May, June and July
o  Insolvency-focused areas expected to benefit in line with any increase in insolvencies
·      We will provide a further update on activity levels at the time of our annual general meeting in September
 
Commenting on the results, Ric Traynor, Executive Chairman of Begbies Traynor Group, said:
 
"I am pleased to report a year of strong financial performance with growth in revenue and earnings delivered by our organic and acquisitive strategy.
 
"Our recovery and advisory teams start the new financial year in a strong position to deliver results ahead of last year. This reflects an increased order book, together with the benefit of our recent acquisitions and organic investment and an expectation of an increase in market insolvency levels once the short-term Government support measures for the economy are removed. 
 
"In our property and transactional teams, we have seen encouraging improvements in those service lines impacted by the lockdown and we anticipate further recovery in performance over the remainder of the year. Activity levels for our other property teams have remained robust.
 
"With our mix of service lines and activities, combined with our strong financial position, we are well placed to continue delivering medium to long-term growth. We continue to progress acquisition and organic investment opportunities given our strong balance sheet, cash generative businesses and counter-cyclical focus."
 
There will be a webcast or conference call for analysts today at 9:30am. Please contact Florence Mayo via begbies@mhpc.com or on 020 3128 8572 if you would like to receive details.
 
 
Enquiries please contact:
 
Begbies Traynor Group plc                                                                                             0161 837 1700
Ric Traynor - Executive Chairman
Nick Taylor - Group Finance Director
 
Canaccord Genuity Limited                                                                                             020 7523 4588
(Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
David Tyrrell / Sunil Duggal / Angelos Vlatakis
 
Shore Capital                                                                                                                     020 7408 4090
(Joint Broker)
Mark Percy / Anita Ghanekar
 
MHP Communications                                                                                                      020 3128 8572
Reg Hoare / Katie Hunt / Florence Mayo                                                                            begbies@mhpc.com
 
 
Notes to editors
Begbies Traynor Group plc is a leading business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, providing services nationally from a comprehensive network of UK locations.  The group has 740 staff and partners and the professional staff include licensed insolvency practitioners, accountants, chartered surveyors and lawyers.
The group's services include:
·      Corporate and personal insolvency - we handle the largest number of corporate insolvency appointments in the UK, principally serving the mid-market and smaller companies.
·      Financial advisory - business and financial restructuring, debt advisory, forensic accounting and investigations, due diligence and transactional support.
·      Corporate finance - buy and sell side support on corporate transactions.
·      Valuations - valuation of property, businesses, machinery and business assets.
·      Property consultancy, planning and management - building consultancy, commercial property management, specialist insurance and vacant property risk management, transport planning and design.
·      Transactional services - sale of property, machinery and other business assets through physical and online auctions; business sales agency; commercial property agency focussed on northern and eastern England.
Further information can be accessed via the group's website at www.begbies-traynorgroup.com/investor-relations.
 

 
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
 
INTRODUCTION
 
I am pleased to report a year of strong financial performance with growth in revenue and earnings.  This reflects the benefit of investment in both organic development and acquisitions in line with our strategy.  
 
Following the introduction of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the final six weeks of our financial year, the majority of the group was able to continue to provide advice and support to our clients by successfully working remotely, albeit a minority of our service lines within property advisory and transactional services were disrupted.
 
Our business recovery and financial advisory activities performed well in the year with an increase in our market share in insolvency to 10% (by volume), a strong performance from our advisory team, and contributions from current and prior year acquisitions. 
 
Our property advisory and transactional service teams delivered a solid financial performance for the year with profits in line with last year, having absorbed the impact of the COVID lockdown, reflecting the breadth of services and expertise in the division. The investments in recent years leave the division well-placed as commercial activities resume following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
 
The group has continued to generate strong cash flows in the year, which together with funds raised from a share placing in July 2019, has enabled the group to reduce its net debt, complete three acquisitions, and propose increasing the dividend for the year.
 
Overall, the group is in a very strong position with an increase in our scale and capabilities and a breadth of service lines which generate good margins and are highly cash generative. We have a strong balance sheet with a substantial reduction in leverage in the year and significant headroom in our committed bank facilities, providing resources for organic and acquisitive investment.
 
The increased scale of the group's activities with a focus on counter-cyclical services and our strong financial position leaves the group well placed to continue our track record of revenue and profit growth.
 
RESULTS
 
IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted from the start of the financial year. All comparative figures included within this announcement have been restated in accordance with the new standard, which has been adopted on a fully retrospective basis. Further details are included in note 1 to this statement.
 
Group revenue in the year increased by 17% to £70.5m (2019: £60.1m), 5% of which was organic. Adjusted* profit before tax** increased by 31% to £9.2m (2019: £7.0m). Statutory profit before tax was £2.9m (2019: £3.3m).
 
Adjusted*** basic earnings per share increased by 19% to 5.7p (2019: 4.8p).  Basic earnings per share was 0.7p (2019: 2.0p).
 
Net debt decreased to £2.8m (2019: £6.0m) with leverage (calculated as net debt to EBITDA****) improving to 0.3 times (2019: 0.7 times).
 
* The board uses adjusted performance measures to provide meaningful information on the operating performance of the business. The items excluded from our adjusted results are those which arise due to acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3.  They are not influenced by the day-to-day operations of the group.
 
** Profit before tax £2.9m (2019: £3.3m) plus transaction costs £3.2m (2019: £1.3m) and amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions £3.1m (2019: £2.4m)
 
*** See reconciliation in note 5
 
**** Calculated as net debt to operating profit before transaction costs, amortisation, depreciation on tangible assets, software amortisation and after finance charge on lease liabilities. 
 
 
COVID-19 IMPACT AND RESPONSE
 
Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic focused on the health, safety and well-being of our people and followed HM Government's advice on working practices. We quickly enabled the majority of our staff to work remotely and securely from the commencement of lockdown. The ability to operate remotely has been enhanced by investments made to improve the digital capabilities of the group, including the ability to host on-line auctions for the sale of assets, electronic document management solutions, a robust and flexible IT infrastructure and ongoing investment in our digital marketing activities.
 
The impact of the lockdown was as follows: 
 
·      Business recovery and advisory continued to be appointed on and progress cases, realise assets and complete transactions as usual.
·      The majority of property advisory and transactional service lines have been able to operate remotely. However, commercial property agency and valuations together with the business sales agency service lines were disrupted as the lockdown paused activities, which reduced revenue in the financial year by c.£1m, partially mitigated by £0.4m of cost reductions.
 
The group's operating cash generation remained robust throughout the lockdown period and the group has maintained low levels of debt and a strong financial position.  As a result of this we have not made any claims under the Government's coronavirus support schemes.
 
DIVIDEND
 
The board is pleased to recommend (subject to shareholder approval at the company's annual general meeting scheduled for 17 September 2020) an 8% increase in the total dividend for the year to 2.8p (2019: 2.6p), representing our third consecutive year of dividend growth. This comprises the interim dividend already paid of 0.9p (2019: 0.8p) and a proposed final dividend of 1.9p (2019: 1.8p).
 
This reflects the board's confidence in the group's financial position and the resilience of our financial performance. We remain committed to our long-term progressive dividend policy, which takes account of the market outlook, and the group's earnings growth and investment plans.
 
The final dividend will be paid on 5 November 2020 to shareholders on the register on 9 October 2020, with an ex-dividend date of 8 October 2020.
 
STRATEGY
 
We believe that the execution of our strategy will continue to enhance shareholder value through the delivery of strong, sustainable financial performance.
 
Organic growth will be targeted through: 
 
·      retention and development of our existing partners and employees; 
·      recruitment of new talent; 
·      enhanced cross-selling of our service lines and expertise to our wider client base; and 
·      investment in technology and processes to enhance working practices and improve the service to our clients.
 
Our acquisition strategy is to target value-accretive acquisitions in any of the following market segments:
 
·      insolvency to increase market share;
·      property services to enhance expertise or geographical coverage; and
·      complementary professional services businesses to continue the development of the group and its service offering.
 
BOARD APPOINTMENT
 
In December 2019, Peter Wallqvist joined the board as a non-executive director.  Peter has spent his career in information technology and in 2010 he co-founded and became CEO at the AI company RAVN Systems, which was acquired in May 2017 by iManage, a leading vendor of document management systems for the legal and professional services industries. Following the acquisition, Peter served as VP of Strategy and Global Practice Director, specifically to serve the professional services sector, until he left the business in October 2019.
 
Peter brings significant experience of the use of information technology in professional services firms, in the context of improving working practices and strategic business development. 
 
PEOPLE
 
I would like to thank all of our partners and staff for their valued contribution to the business over the course of this financial year and in particular their commitment and flexibility during the uncertain period of recent months, when we have continued to provide excellent service to our clients in very different circumstances. Our success as a business is reliant on the quality of advice and service which is delivered to our clients by our people.
 
CURRENT TRADING AND OUTLOOK
 
Having started our new financial year six weeks into the lockdown, we are currently seeing the unwinding of these restrictions and resulting increases in economic activity. 
 
In the short term, the Government's financial support measures have helped many companies to continue trading despite the extreme economic downturn caused by the lockdown. Nationally the Insolvency Service reported that numbers of corporate insolvencies dropped in the days immediately after the UK lockdown was applied, and in most cases have not yet returned to pre-lockdown levels. We anticipate that as the support measures are removed in the coming months there will be a significant increase in corporate distress, which is likely to lead to increased insolvencies. 
 
Our recovery and advisory teams start the financial year in a strong position to deliver results ahead of last year. This reflects an increased order book of committed future insolvency revenue, together with the benefit of our recent acquisitions and organic investment, and an expectation of an increase in market insolvency levels once the short-term support measures for the economy are removed. 
 
Most of our property advisory and transactional service lines have continued to operate remotely and activity levels have remained robust. The insolvency-focused areas of property and asset sales are expected to benefit in line with any increase in insolvencies in due course. The service lines impacted by lockdown are beginning to recover as the economy opens up, with instruction levels having improved through May, June and July to date; we anticipate further recovery in performance over the remainder of the year. In addition, we anticipate increased property auction lot numbers following the expected resumption of in-room auctions from autumn 2020. As a result of the above factors, we anticipate that the division's financial performance is likely to be below last year and weighted towards the second half of the year.
 
Overall, we anticipate that the group's trading for the new financial year will have a greater weighting to the second half than in recent years and we will provide a further update on activity levels at the time of our annual general meeting in September.
 
With our mix of service lines and activities, combined with our strong financial position, we are well placed to continue delivering medium to long-term growth. We continue to progress acquisition and organic investment opportunities given our strong balance sheet, cash generative businesses and counter-cyclical focus.
 
 
Ric Traynor
Executive chairman
21 July 2020



 
BUSINESS REVIEW
 
OPERATING REVIEW
 
Business recovery and financial advisory
 
Financial summary
 
Revenue increased by 15% (8% organic) to £49.6m (2019: £43.3m), reflecting increased insolvency appointments, a strong performance from our advisory team, and contributions from current and prior year acquisitions.
 
Operating costs increased by £3.6m to £38.0m (2019: £34.4m) principally as a result of the addition of costs associated with acquired businesses, together with organic investment and increased people costs. However, these costs reduced as a percentage of revenue, giving improved operating margins of 23.4% (2019: 20.6%). 
 
Segmental profits* increased by 30% to £11.6m (2019: £8.9m).
 
COVID-19 impact
 
We quickly enabled our teams to work remotely and securely from the commencement of lockdown, which enabled them to continue to be appointed on and progress cases, realise assets and complete transactions as usual. 
 
In the period immediately following lockdown the number of new insolvency cases reduced in line with market trends (as detailed below) and are currently broadly in line with appointment levels from 12 months ago.
 
Operating review
 
The number of people employed in the division has increased to 394 as at 30 April 2020 from 364 at the start of the financial year.  This expansion provides the capacity to deliver growth in revenue and profits and we continue to consider further recruitment to continue to build capacity for long-term growth. 
 
Business recovery 
We have continued to invest in the business recovery team during the year through recruitment of fee earners, with a focus on business development and increasing capacity, and have also appointed four new partners: two of which were external appointments together with two internal promotions. Subsequent to the year end we have promoted a further two fee earners to partner.
 
In October 2019, we acquired Alexander Lawson Jacobs ("ALJ"), a London-based insolvency and business recovery practice. The team of 24 partners and staff has been integrated into our existing strong network of offices across London and the South East and made a first-time contribution ahead of our expectations.
 
We have had a successful year of new insolvency appointments, which has increased our order book of committed future insolvency revenue by 23% to £19.0m (2019: £15.4m). As a result of this, we have also increased our market share to 10% (by volume) and we continue to take the largest number of corporate insolvency appointments in the UK.
 
Financial advisory 
We have continued to invest in our advisory fee earner team with the addition of five new partners: two of which were external appointments and three internal promotions. We also completed additional corporate finance transactions compared with the prior year.
 
In September 2019, we acquired Regeneratus, an Exeter based advisory practice with particular expertise in restructuring, turnaround and legal issues.  The team has joined our existing South West practice, enhancing the services and advice we can provide to our clients across the region.
 
Insolvency market
 
In the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, insolvency volumes** nationally continued to increase, with the underlying number of corporate insolvencies in calendar year 2019 increasing by 7% to 17,224 (2018: 16,105, 2017: 14,630). 
 
Nationally the Insolvency Service reported*** that numbers of corporate insolvencies dropped in the days immediately after the UK lockdown was applied on 23 March, and in most cases have not yet returned to pre-lockdown levels. 
 
They stated that this was likely to be a result of a combination of factors including: 
 
·      HM Courts & Tribunals Service reducing the operational running of the courts and tribunals;
·      HMRC reducing their enforcement activity;
·      The Insolvency Service, insolvency practitioners and Companies House having to adjust to new working arrangements;
·      Delays in documents being provided to Companies House by insolvency practitioners.
 
We also believe that the current Government support initiatives (including the staff furlough arrangements and loan support packages) are deferring some insolvency appointments.
 
* See note 2
** Source: The Insolvency Service quarterly statistics on the number of corporate insolvencies in England and Wales on a seasonally adjusted basis, excluding the one-off effect of 1 (2018: 1,349, 2017: 2,686) bulk insolvencies as identified by The Insolvency Service
*** Source: Insolvency Service Monthly insolvency statistics, May and June 2020
 
Property advisory and transactional services
 
Financial summary
 
Revenue increased by 25% to £20.9m (2019: £16.7m), reflecting the benefit of both current and prior year acquisitions. Organic revenue was broadly in line with the prior year with returns from our growth initiatives offset by the anticipated reduction in revenue following the completion of several property insolvencies (which enhanced margins in the prior year). 
 
Revenue in the final six weeks of the financial year was adversely impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown by c.£1m, which was partially mitigated by £0.4m of cost reductions.
 
Operating costs increased to £17.0m (2019: £12.9m), principally due to costs associated with the acquired businesses. 
 
Segmental profits* were £3.9m (2019: £3.8m), with operating margins of 18.5% (2019: margin of 22.8% was enhanced by revenue recognised on completion of property insolvencies as referred to above). Operating margins were adversely impacted by the lockdown by c.2%, with the underlying rate of c.20% in line with previous guidance of margins for the division.
 
COVID-19 impact
 
All service lines had performed strongly in the period up to the commencement of lockdown in March and the majority continued to operate remotely during lockdown: 
 
·      Consultancy, commercial property agency and property management teams operated as normal from remote locations.
 
·      The plant and machinery and property auction teams continued to trade through our online channels (www.eddisons.com and www.pugh-auctions.com), completing transactions and realising value for our clients together with asset realisations on our group insolvency appointments, albeit property auction lot numbers reduced as detailed in the operating review below. 
 
·      Commercial property agency and valuations together with business sales agency experienced reduced activity levels in late March and April as a result of the lockdown. In addition, the Department for Education delayed its awards under the condition improvement fund (CIF), which had been anticipated in April 2020, resulting in a deferral of revenue recognition to the new financial year for our building consultancy team. 
 
Operating review
 
Our building consultancy team has continued to develop, notably with further growth in the education and wider public sector. We have continued to invest in and grow the team and its offering, which included the recruitment of a Cambridge-based team in the period. This has further developed our offering in Eastern England following the acquisition of BSM in April 2019. In the announcement of the delayed CIF project awards (as noted above) we increased the funding secured for our clients to £28m, up by 50% compared to last year, which will generate project management and consultancy fees for the group of £2.2m in the new financial year compared to £1.3m last year.
 
Revenue from the property valuation team grew in the year, reflecting our recruitment of experienced surveyors, which has improved our geographical coverage and service to our clients.  The restrictions of lockdown impacted on activity levels at the end of the financial year; however, we are encouraged by the increase in the level of new instructions we are receiving from lenders as the UK exits its lockdown restrictions and anticipate that this will progressively increase over the course of the new financial year.
 
The property transactional teams (agency and auctions) have performed well in the year with an increase in agency revenue, largely from the integration of the BSM team acquired in April 2019. 
 
Commercial property auctions performed well in the period pre lockdown with lot numbers and revenue broadly in line with the prior year. We converted our usual in-room auctions to an on-line auction from April as a result of the lockdown restrictions and have continued to offer this service to clients in the new financial year, which has been a positive development enabling the team to continue servicing clients' requirements and realising value. However, across the industry, lot numbers are currently c.60% lower than normal levels.  We currently anticipate that we will be able resume in-room auctions from autumn 2020 which we believe will result in a recovery in lot numbers.
 
In October 2019, we acquired Ernest Wilson, a Leeds-based business sales agent with 24 employees, which provides agency services for the sale of small businesses across the UK. The team operate across a broad range of sectors ranging from food outlets and convenience stores to care homes, restaurants and hotels. The acquisition enhances our transactional support services and is also complementary to the BTG Advisory and corporate finance offerings. Activity levels were impacted during the lockdown period, but as with the property valuations business, we are encouraged by the increase in transaction levels we have experienced since the lockdown restrictions were eased. We anticipate that transactional activity will progressively increase over the course of the new financial year.
 
The number of people employed in the division has increased to 281 as at 30 April 2020 from 245 at the start of the financial year.  
 
* See note 2
 
 
FINANCE REVIEW
 
Financial summary*




 


2020


2019




 


£'000


£'000




 


 


 




Revenue


70,503


60,058




Operating profit (before transaction costs and amortisation)


10,119


7,999




Finance costs 


(968)


(1,006)




Adjusted profit before tax


9,151


6,993




Transaction costs 


(3,163)


(1,283)




Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions


(3,104)


(2,361)




Profit before tax


2,884


3,349




Tax


(1,953)


(1,102)




Profit for the year


931


2,247




 
* IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted from the start of the financial year and all comparative figures have been restated in accordance with the new standard. Further details are included below and in note 1 to this statement.
 
Operating result (before transaction costs and amortisation)
 
Revenue in the year increased by £10.4m to £70.5m (2019: £60.1m), an overall increase of 17%, of which 5% was organic and 12% was acquired*. Operating profit increased by 27% to £10.1m (2019: £8.0m). These results include the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in the final six weeks of the financial year, which impacted property services revenue by c.£1m, partially mitigated by £0.4m of cost reductions.
 
The financial performance by operating segment (as detailed in the operating review) is summarised in the table below:
 




 


Revenue (£'000)


Profit (£'000)




 


2020


2019


 growth


2020


2019


growth




Business recovery and financial advisory


49,630


43,313


15%


11,588


8,889


30%




Property advisory and transactional services


20,873


16,745


25%


3,860


3,826


1%




Shared and central costs


-


-


-


(5,329)


(4,716)


13%




Total


70,503


60,058


17%


10,119


7,999


27%




 
 
Margins improved to 14.4% (2019: 13.3%), principally due to profit growth and margin enhancement in business recovery and financial advisory, together with shared and central costs reducing as a percentage of group revenue to 7.6% (2019: 7.9%).  These margin enhancements were partially offset by property advisory and transactional services as detailed in the operating review.
 
Adjusted profit before tax increased by 31% to £9.2m (2019: £7.0m), as a result of the increased operating profits detailed above, with finance costs in line with the prior year.
 
* part year contribution from acquisitions in the year and full year contribution of prior year acquisitions
 
Transaction costs 
 
Transaction costs (as detailed in note 3) increased to £3.2m (2019: £1.3m) as a result of increased deemed remuneration charges resulting from current and prior year acquisitions.
 
Tax
 
The overall tax charge for the year was £2.0m (2019: £1.1m) as detailed below:
 




 


2020


2019




 


Profit before tax


Tax 


Profit after tax


Effective rate


Profit before tax


Tax


Profit after tax


Effective rate




 


£'000


£'000


£'000


 


£'000


£'000


£'000


 




Adjusted


9,151


(1,928)


7,223


21%


6,993


(1,551)


5,442


22%




Transaction costs


(3,163)


-


(3,163)


-


(1,283)


-


(1,283)


-




Amortisation


(3,104)


590


(2,514)


19%


(2,361)


449


(1,912)


19%




Change in rate*


-


(615)


(615)


-


-


-


-


-




Statutory


2,884


(1,953)


931


68%


3,349


(1,102)


2,247


33%




 
* Deferred tax charge of £0.6m resulting from an increase in deferred tax liabilities as a result of the UK corporation tax rate now remaining at 19% rather than reducing to 17% as previously announced. 
 
Earnings per share
 
Adjusted basic earnings per share* increased by 19% to 5.7p (2019: 4.8p). Basic earnings per share decreased to 0.7p (2019: 2.0p). 
 
* See reconciliation in note 5
 
Partners and employees
 
The average number of full-time equivalent (FTE) partners and staff working in the group increased over the year as a result of acquisitions and organic investment.
 




 


2020


2019




 


Business recovery and financial advisory


Property advisory and transactional services


Shared and support teams


Total


Business recovery and financial advisory


Property advisory and transactional services


Shared and support teams


Total




Partners


60


-


-


60


52


-


-


52




Staff


234


237


-


471


217


173


-


390




Fee earners


294


237


-


531


269


173


-


442




Support teams


44


6


61


111


43


6


60


109




Total


338


243


61


642


312


179


60


551




 
The ratio of our support teams to fee earning partners and staff improved to 4.8 (2019: 4.1) reflecting the increased efficiency of our operations as the group continues to grow, which has been reflected in the improved operating margins in the year.
 
IFRS 16
 
IFRS 16 'Leases' was adopted from the start of the financial year and seeks to align the presentation of leased assets more closely to owned assets. All comparative figures have been restated in accordance with the new standard, which has been adopted on a fully retrospective basis. 
 
The adoption of IFRS 16 had the following impact on the group's financial results for the year ended 30 April 2019:
·      Reduction in profit before tax of £0.1m (increase in operating profit of £0.4m offset by an increase in finance costs of £0.5m);
·      Reduction in net assets of £1.5m at 30 April 2019;
·      No impact on total cash flow; however net cash from operating activities increased by £2.1m and net cash used in financing activities increased by £2.1m.
 
Further details are included in note 1 to this statement.
 
Acquisitions
 
During the year, the group completed three acquisitions:
 
·      Alexander Lawson Jacobs on 24 October 2019 for initial consideration of £2.35m (£2.1m in cash and the issue of 296,195 new ordinary shares) with a maximum additional cash payment of £4.0m subject to financial performance in the five year period following the acquisition. In its financial year ended 30 June 2019, the business reported annual revenue of £3.1m and pre-tax profits of £0.9m, when reported on the same basis as the group.
·      Ernest Wilson on 18 October 2019 for initial consideration of £4.0m (£3.0m in cash and the issue of 1,163,874 new ordinary shares) with a maximum additional cash payment of £1.63m subject to financial performance in the three year period following the acquisition. In its financial year ended 31 July 2019, the business reported annual revenue of £2.2m and pre-tax profits of £0.7m, when reported on the same basis as the group.
·      Regeneratus on 23 September 2019 for initial consideration of £0.5m (in cash) with a maximum additional cash payment of £1.1m subject to financial performance in the four year period following the acquisition. In its financial year ended 31 March 2019, the business reported annual revenue of £0.6m and pre-tax profits of £0.2m, when reported on the same basis as the group.
 
A proportion of the consideration payable for these acquisitions requires post-acquisition service obligations to be performed by the selling shareholders. These amounts are accounted for as deemed remuneration and charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the period of the service obligation. 
 
The net cash outflow as a result of these acquisitions in the year was £4.7m, comprising the cash consideration of £5.6m (including £4.2m accounted for as deemed remuneration), completion accounts payments of £2.5m (including £0.9m accounted for as deemed remuneration) offset by cash acquired of £3.4m. 
 
In addition, deferred consideration payments of £4.4m (including £3.7m accounted for as deemed remuneration) were made in the year.
 
The value of net assets acquired exceeds the accounting value of consideration (as a result of the majority of consideration being accounted for as deemed remuneration) and consequently a gain of £2.2m has been recognised within transaction costs in the year.
 
Liquidity
 
The group is in a strong financial position. At the year end the group had cash balances of £7.2m (2019: £4.0m) together with undrawn, committed borrowing facilities of £15.0m (2019: £15.0m) providing significant liquidity entering the new financial year.
 
Our borrowing facilities mature in August 2023 and comprise a £25m unsecured, committed revolving credit facility and a £5m uncommitted acquisition facility.
 
Net debt at 30 April 2020 was £2.8m (2019: £6.0m), represented by cash balances (as noted above) of £7.2m (2019: £4.0m) net of drawn borrowing facilities of £10.0m (2019: £10.0m). As a result of the reduced levels of debt together with increased profits, our leverage* reduced to 0.3 times (2019: 0.7 times). All bank covenants were comfortably met during the year.
 
* Calculated as net debt to operating profit (before transaction costs, amortisation, depreciation on tangible assets, software amortisation and after finance charge on lease liabilities). 
 
Cash flow
 
Net debt reduced by £3.2m (2019: £1.5m) due to strong levels of free cash flow of £7.7m and net proceeds from the share placing* of £7.8m which funded acquisition and deferred consideration payments of £9.1m and dividends of £3.2m.
 
Cash flow in the year is summarised as follows:




 


2020


2019




 


£'000


£'000




 


 


 




Net cash from operating activities (before deemed remuneration)


10,428


9,475




Capital expenditure 


(789)


(1,000)




Capital element of lease payments


(1,934)


(2,148)




Free cash flow


7,705


6,327




Net proceeds from share issues


7,818


10




Acquisition payments


(4,710)


(1,167)




Deferred consideration payments


(4,390)


(1,030)




Dividends


(3,185)


(2,649)




Reduction in net debt


3,238


1,491




 
* Share placing of 11,041,440 new ordinary shares completed on 26 July 2019.
 
Net assets
 
At 30 April 2020 net assets were £65.6m (2019: £58.1m). The movement in net assets reflects an increase of £4.0m, from post-tax adjusted earnings of £7.2m net of dividends of £3.2m; £9.8m from the issue of new shares (resulting from the placing and acquisition consideration in the period); offset by the post-tax impact of acquisition-related transaction and amortisation costs of £6.3m. 
 
Going concern 
 
The group is in a strong financial position and has significant liquidity as detailed above.  The majority of the group's service lines have operated remotely during the period of the COVID-19 lockdown.
 
In carrying out their duties in respect of going concern, the directors have completed a review of the group's financial forecasts for a period exceeding 12 months from the date of approving this statement. This review included sensitivity analysis and stress tests to determine the potential impact on the group of reasonably possible downside scenarios, including those arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant increase in risks for the group. Under all modelled scenarios, the group's banking facilities were sufficient and all associated covenant measures were forecast to be met.
 
As such, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company and the group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the financial information in this statement is prepared on the going concern basis.
 
 
       
Ric Traynor                                                                          Nick Taylor
Executive chairman                                                           Group finance director
21 July 2020                                                                        21 July 2020






Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
 


 


2020


Restated
2019




 


Note


£'000


£'000




 


 


 


 




Revenue


2


70,503


60,058




Direct costs


 


(40,317)


(34,246)




Gross profit


 


30,186


25,812




Other operating income


 


363


393




Administrative expenses


 


(26,697)


(21,850)




Operating profit (before amortisation and transaction costs)


2


10,119


7,999




Transaction costs


3


(3,163)


(1,283)




Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions


 


(3,104)


(2,361)




Operating profit


 


3,852


4,355




Finance costs


4


(968)


(1,006)




Profit before tax


 


2,884


3,349




Tax


 


(1,953)


(1,102)




Profit and total comprehensive income for the year


 


931


2,247




Earnings per share


 


 


 




Basic


5


0.7 pence


2.0 pence




Diluted


5


0.7 pence


1.9 pence




 
The profit, comprehensive income and earnings per share is attributable to equity holders of the parent.


Consolidated statement of changes in equity
 




 


 
Share


 
Share


 
Merger


Capital redemption


 
Retained


 
Total




 


capital


premium


reserve


reserve


earnings


equity




 


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000




At 1 May 2018 as previously reported


5,508


22,789


20,248


304


8,852


57,701




Restatement (note 1)


-


(603)


-


-


(855)


(1,458)




At 1 May 2018 as restated


5,508


22,186


20,248


304


7,997


56,243




Profit for the year


-


-


-


-


2,247


2,247




Dividends


-


-


-


-


(2,649)


(2,649)




Credit to equity for equity-settled share-based payments


-


-


-


-


99


99




Shares issued as consideration for acquisitions


74


-


834


-


-


908




Shares issued as deferred consideration


93


-


1,107


-


-


1,200




SIP shares issued


1


7


-


-


-


8




Other share options


43


-


-


-


(43)


-




At 30 April 2019


5,719


22,193


22,189


304


7,651


58,056




Profit for the year


-


-


-


-


931


931




Dividends


-


-


-


-


(3,185)


(3,185)




Credit to equity for equity-settled share-based payments


-


-


-


-


102


102




Shares issued as consideration for acquisitions


73


-


1,177


-


-


1,250




Shares issued as deferred consideration


38


-


561


-


-


599




Placing shares issued


552


7,266


-


-


-


7,818




Other share options


4


-


-


-


(4)


-




At 30 April 2020


6,386


29,459


23,927


304


5,495


65,571




 


Consolidated balance sheet




 


 


 
 
 
 
2020


 
 
 
Restated
2019


 
 
 
Restated
2018




 


Note


£'000


£'000


£'000




Non-current assets


 


 


 


 




Intangible assets


 


59,437


59,392


59,061




Property, plant and equipment


 


1,800


1,766


1,512




Right of use assets


 


7,021


7,399


7,210




Trade and other receivables


7


4,586


3,220


1,759




 


 


72,844


71,777


69,542




Current assets


 


 


 


 




Trade and other receivables


7


36,460


32,332


28,816




Cash and cash equivalents


 


7,247


4,009


3,518




 


 


43,707


36,341


32,334




Total assets


 


116,551


108,118


101,876




Current liabilities


 


 


 


      




Trade and other payables


8


(22,223)


(22,048)


(16,381)




Current tax liabilities


 


(1,878)


(1,976)


(1,548)




Lease liabilities


 


(2,232)


(1,927)


(2,147)




Provisions


 


(883)


(478)


(576)




 


 


(27,216)


(26,429)


(20,652)




Net current assets


 


16,491


9,912


11,682




Non-current liabilities


 


 


 


 




Trade and other payables


 


-


-


(1,093)




Borrowings


 


(10,000)


(10,000)


(11,000)




Lease liabilities


 


(6,137)


(6,667)


(6,079)




Provisions


 


(1,935)


(2,070)


(2,187)




Deferred tax


 


(5,692)


(4,896)


(4,622)




 


 


(23,764)


(23,633)


(24,981)




Total liabilities


 


(50,980)


(50,062)


(45,633)




Net assets


 


65,571


58,056


56,243




Equity


 


 


 


 




Share capital


 


6,386


5,719


5,508




Share premium


 


29,459


22,193


22,186




Merger reserve


 


23,927


22,189


20,248




Capital redemption reserve


 


304


304


304




Retained earnings


 


5,495


7,651


7,997




Equity attributable to owners of the company


 


65,571


58,056


56,243




 






 
Consolidated cash flow statement

 
 
 
 
 




Notes




2020
£'000




Restated
2019
£'000





Cash flows from operating activities


 


 


 




Cash generated by operations


9


4,734


8,016




Income taxes paid


 


(2,186)


(1,362)




Interest paid on borrowings


 


(436)


(491)




Interest paid on lease liabilities


 


(454)


(460)




Net cash from operating activities (before deemed remuneration payments)


 


10,428


9,475




Deemed remuneration payments


 


(8,770)


(3,772)




Net cash from operating activities


 


1,658


5,703




Investing activities


 


 


 




Purchase of intangible fixed assets


 


(103)


(216)




Purchase of property, plant and equipment


 


(686)


(784)




Acquisition of businesses


 


(2,970)


(1,778)




Deferred consideration payments


 


(720)


-





Cash acquired in acquisition of businesses




 




3,360




3,353






Net cash used in investing activities




 




(1,119)




575





Financing activities


 


 


 




Dividends paid


6


(3,185)


(2,649)




Proceeds on issue of shares


 


7,818


10




Capital element of lease payments


 


(1,934)


(2,148)





Repayment of loans




 




- 




(1,000)






Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities




 




2,699




(5,787)





Net increase in cash and cash equivalents


 


3,238


491





Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year




 




4,009




3,518






Cash and cash equivalents at end of year




 




7,247




4,009







1.     Basis of preparation and accounting policies
The results for the year ended 30 April 2020 have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those set out in the annual report to shareholders of Begbies Traynor Group plc for the year ended 30 April 2019, apart from those affected by the implementation of IFRS 16 'Leases' as noted below. 
 
The group's financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2020 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted for use in the EU.  Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with IFRS, this announcement itself does not contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS.
 
This financial information does not include all of the information and disclosures required for full annual financial statements and does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. 
 
The comparative figures for the year ended 30 April 2019 do not comprise the group's statutory accounts for that financial year.  Those accounts have been reported upon by the group's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.  The report of the auditors was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
 
Statutory accounts for Begbies Traynor Group plc for 2020 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the company's annual general meeting.  The auditors have reported on these accounts; their report is unqualified and does not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under either section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.  The 2020 annual report will be available on the group's website: www.begbies-traynorgroup.com/investor-relations.
 
Going concern
 
In carrying out their duties in respect of going concern, the directors have completed a review of the group's financial forecasts for a period exceeding 12 months from the date of approving this statement. This review included sensitivity analysis and stress tests to determine the potential impact on the group of reasonably possible downside scenarios, including those arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant increase in risks for the group. Under all modelled scenarios, the group's banking facilities were sufficient and all associated covenant measures were forecast to be met.
 
As such, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company and the group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the financial information in this statement is prepared on the going concern basis.
 
Adjusted performance measures
 
Management believes that adjusted performance measures provide meaningful information to the users of the accounts on the performance of the business and are the performance measures used by the board. Accordingly, adjusted measures of operating profit, profit before tax and earnings per share exclude, where applicable, transaction costs, amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions and related tax effects on these items. These terms are not defined terms under IFRS and may therefore not be comparable with similarly titled profit measures reported by other companies. They are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP measures. 
 
The items excluded from adjusted results are those which arise due to acquisitions and are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in accordance with IFRS 3. They are not influenced by the

day-to-day operations of the group. 
 
Restatement of prior year financial statements
 
Adoption of new accounting standards
 
The group has adopted IFRS 16 'Leases' with effect from the start of this financial year, which replaces IAS 17 'Leases' and its related interpretations. IFRS 16 seeks to align the presentation of leased assets more closely to owned assets. Under IAS 17 all the group's leases where the group is a lessee were operating leases. The group recognised a lease charge in the income statement based on straight-line recognition of the lease payments payable on each lease, after adjustment for lease incentives received.
 
IFRS 16 requires lessees to recognise a right of use asset and lease liability at lease inception, with liabilities recognised at present value. The initial value of the right of use asset is the present value of the fixed payments under the lease, any initial direct costs and an estimate of dilapidation costs under the terms of the lease.
In the income statement, the operating lease charge as recognised under IAS 17 is replaced with a straight-line depreciation charge on the right-of-use asset and an interest cost on the lease liability. This therefore results in an increase in operating profit, which is reported prior to interest charges.  The depreciation on the asset is charged evenly over the term of the lease; however, the interest charge will be higher in the initial years of a lease and reduce over time. In aggregate over the lease term the charge to profit will be the same under both accounting standards. 
 
The cash flow statement will reflect the lease payments previously included within cash generated by operations as interest payments (within net cash from operating activities) and repayments of obligations under leases (within net cash used in financing activities). There is no impact on total cash flow by year from adoption of the standard.
 
The group has taken advantage of the exemptions available under IFRS 16 not to apply the recognition and requirements of the standard to leases with a term of 12 months or less, or leases for which the underlying asset value is low. The recognition of these exempted leases will therefore continue unchanged - a charge will be recognised in the income statement based on straight-line recognition of the lease payments payable on each lease, after adjustment for lease incentives received. 
 
As part of the adoption of IFRS 16, the group has reviewed its policy for the recognition of dilapidation obligations arising on leases. Previously the group recognised a dilapidation provision when it was considered probable that an obligation would crystallise through the group exiting the property at any forthcoming lease break or end of lease ('relevant date'). All leases were reviewed at least two years prior to any relevant date to determine the requirement for any provision.  In addition, any onerous property commitments provided for under IAS 37 'Provisions' included an assessment of dilapidation obligations. The group will now include an estimate of dilapidation costs at lease commencement, with the discounted value recognised as a provision and included within the initial cost of the right of use asset.  
 
The standard has been adopted on a fully retrospective basis, which includes a full restatement of the comparative results in the financial year ended 30 April 2019.  As part of the IFRS16 restatement at 1 May 2018 an adjustment of £1.7m has been recorded to increase the dilapidation provision on the balance sheet, with a corresponding entry in retained earnings. There was no material impact on reported profits in prior years as a result of the previous assessment.
 
In summary the adoption of IFRS 16 had the following impact on the group's financial results for the year ended 30 April 2019:
 
·      Increase in operating profit (before amortisation and transaction costs) of £0.4m to £8.0m;
·      Increase in finance costs of £0.5m to £1.0m;
·      Reduction in profit before tax of £0.1m;
·      Reduction in net assets of £1.5m arising from the recognition of right of use asset and lease liabilities offset by the derecognition of IAS 17 working capital balances and onerous lease provisions (net of deferred tax);
·      No impact on total cash flow; however net cash from operating activities increased by £2.1m and net cash used in financing activities increased by £2.1m.
 
The impact of the standard on the group's statement of comprehensive income and cash flow statement for the year ended 30 April 2019, together with the impact on the balance sheet at 1 May 2018 and 30 April 2019 is below.
 
Adjustment to provisional accounting estimates under IFRS 3
 
Following agreement of completion accounts for prior year acquisitions, there were some amendments to provisional estimates. In accordance with the group's accounting policy for business combinations, provisional values are adjusted retrospectively and comparative information is restated. 
 
Reclassification of deemed remuneration payments
 
Deemed remuneration payments have been reclassified from investing cashflows to operating cashflows.
 
Reserves reclassification 
 
The group has reclassified the premium on shares issued in relation to employee share schemes from share premium to retained earnings. At 1 May 2018 and 30 April 2019 the adjustments between share premium and retained earnings were £603,000 and £997,000 respectively. 
 
The following tables show the impact of these restatements.
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income




 



 




As reported
30 April 2019
£'000




IFRS 16
£'000




Adjustment to provisional estimates on acquisitions
£'000




Restated
30 April 2019
£'000





 


Revenue


60,058


-


-


60,058




 



Direct costs




(34,276)




30




-




(34,246)





 


Gross profit


25,782


30


-


25,812




 


Other operating income


393


-


-


393





 




Administrative expenses




(22,163)




432




(119)




(21,850)





 


Operating profit before amortisation and transaction costs


7,553


446


-


7,999




 


Transaction costs


(1,180)


16


(119)


(1,283)





 




Amortisation




(2,361)




-




-




(2,361)





 


Operating profit


4,012


462


(119)


4,355




 



Finance costs




(486)




(520)




-




(1,006)





 


Profit before tax


3,526


(58)


(119)


3,349




 



Tax




(1,092)




(10)




-




(1,102)





 



Profit and total comprehensive income for the year




2,434




(68)




(119)




2,247





 


Earnings per share


 


 


 


 




 



Basic




2.2 pence




 




 




2.0 pence





 



Diluted




2.1 pence




 




 




1.9 pence





 
 
Consolidated cashflow statement





 




As reported
30 April 2019
£'000




IFRS 16
£'000




Reclassification of deemed remuneration payments
£'000




Restated
30 April 2019
£'000





Net cash from operating activities


7,327


2,148


(3,772)


5,703




Net cash used in investing activities


(3,197)


-


3,772


575





Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities




(3,639)




(2,148)




-




(5,787)






Net increase in cash and cash equivalents




491




-




-




491






 




 




 




 




 





 
Consolidated balance sheets
 




 


 
 
As reported
30 April 2019
£'000


 
 
 
IFRS16
£'000


Adjustment to provisional estimates on acquisitions
£'000


 
 
Reserves reclassification
£'000


 
 
Restated
30 April 2019
£'000




Non-current assets


 


 


 


 


 




Intangible assets


59,392


-


-


-


59,392




Property, plant and equipment


1,766


-


-


-


1,766




Right of use assets


-


7,399


-


-


7,399




Trade and other receivables


3,220


-


-


-


3,220




 


64,378


7,399


-


-


71,777




Current assets


 


 


 


 


 




Trade and other receivables


 


 


 


 


 




Cash and cash equivalents


32,653


(339)


18


-


32,332




 


4,009


-


-


-


4,009




Total assets


36,662


(339)


18


-


36,341




Current liabilities


101,040


7,060


18


-


108,118




Trade and other payables


 


 


 


 


 




Current tax liabilities


(22,664)


753


(137)


-


(22,048)




Lease liabilities


(1,976)


-


-


-


(1,976)




Provisions


-


(1,927)


-


-


(1,927)




 


(588)


110


-


-


(478)




Net current assets


(25,228)


(1,064)


(137)


-


(26,429)




Non-current liabilities


11,434


(1,403)


(119)


-


9,912




Trade and other payables


 


 


 


 


 




Borrowings


(10,000)


-


-


-


(10,000)




Lease liabilities


-


(6,667)


-


-


(6,667)




Provisions


(763)


(1,307)


-


-


(2,070)




Deferred tax


(5,348)


452


-


-


(4,896)




 


(16,111)


(7,522)


-


-


(23,633)




Total liabilities


(41,339)


(8,586)


(137)


-


(50,062)




Net assets


59,701


(1,526)


(119)


-


58,056




Equity


 


 


 


 


 




Share capital


5,719


-


-


-


5,719




Share premium


23,190


-


-


(997)


22,193




Merger reserve


22,189


-


-


-


22,189




Capital redemption reserve


304


-


-


-


304




Retained earnings


8,299


(1,526)


(119)


997


7,651




Equity attributable to owners of the company


59,701


(1,526)


(119)


-


58,056




 




 


 
 
As reported
1 May 2018
£'000


 
 
 
IFRS16
£'000


 
 
Reserves reclassification
£'000


 
 
Restated
1 May 2018
£'000




Non-current assets


 


 


 


 




Intangible assets


59,061


-


-


59,061




Property, plant and equipment


1,512


-


-


1,512




Right of use assets


-


7,210


-


7,210




Trade and other receivables


1,759


-


-


1,759




 


62,332


7,210


-


69,542




Current assets


 


 


 


 




Trade and other receivables


29,041


(225)


 


28,816




Cash and cash equivalents


3,518


-


-


3,518




 


32,559


(225)


-


32,334




Total assets


94,891


6,985


-


101,876




Current liabilities


 


 


-


 




Trade and other payables


(17,268)


887


 


(16,381)




Current tax liabilities


(1,548)


-


-


(1,548)




Lease liabilities


-


(2,147)


-


(2,147)




Provisions


(783)


207


-


(576)




 


(19,599)


(1,053)


-


(20,652)




Net current assets


12,960


(1,278)


-


11,682




Non-current liabilities


 


 


-


 




Trade and other payables


(1,093)


-


 


(1,093)




Borrowings


(11,000)


-


-


(11,000)




Lease liabilities


-


(6,079)


-


(6,079)




Provisions


(414)


(1,773)


-


(2,187)




Deferred tax


(5,084)


462


-


(4,622)




 


(17,591)


(7,390)


-


(24,981)




Total liabilities


(37,190)


(8,443)


-


(45,633)




Net assets


57,701


(1,458)


-


56,243




Equity


 


 


 


 




Share capital


5,508


-


-


5,508




Share premium


22,789


-


(603)


22,186




Merger reserve


20,248


-


-


20,248




Capital redemption reserve


304


-


-


304




Retained earnings


8,852


(1,458)


603


7,997




Equity attributable to owners of the company


57,701


(1,458)


-


56,243




 
2.     Segmental analysis
The group's operating segments are established on the basis of the components of the group that are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. The group is managed as two operating segments: business recovery and financial advisory services, and property advisory and transactional services.




 


Business recovery and financial advisory services


Property advisory and transactional services


Shared and central costs


Consolidated




 


2020 


2020 


2020 


2020




 


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000




Revenue


 


 


 


 




Total revenue from rendering of professional services


49,630


21,021


-


70,651




Inter-segment revenue


-


(148)


-


(148)




Revenue from external customers


49,630


20,873


-


70,503




Operating profit before amortisation and transaction costs


11,588


3,860


(5,329)


10,119




 




 


Business recovery and financial advisory services


Property advisory and transactional services


Shared and central costs


Restated
Consolidated




 


2019 


2019 


2019 


2019




 


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000




Revenue


 


 


 


 




Total revenue from rendering of professional services


43,313


16,903


-


60,216




Inter-segment revenue


-


(158)


-


(158)




Revenue from external customers


43,313


16,745


-


60,058




Operating profit before amortisation and transaction costs


8,889


3,826


(4,716)


7,999




 
3.     Transaction costs




 


2020
£'000


Restated
2019
£'000




Deemed remuneration


3,908


2,806




Acquisition costs


583


154




Gain on acquisition


(2,217)


(2,806)




Charge arising under Begbies Traynor (London) LLP put and call option


889


1,129




 


3,163


1,283




 
4.     Finance costs




 


2020
£'000


Restated
2019
£'000




Interest on borrowings


454


486




Finance charge on lease liabilities


454


460




Finance charge on dilapidation provisions


60


60




 


968


1,006




 
5.     Earnings per share
The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:




 


2020
£'000


Restated
2019
£'000




Earnings


 


 




Profit for the year attributable to equity holders


931


2,247




 




 


2020
Number
'000


2019
Number
'000




Number of shares


 


 




Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share


125,652


112,548




Effect of:


 


 




Share options


1,477


404




Contingent shares as consideration for capital transactions


144


3,476




Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share


127,273


116,428




 




 


2020
pence


Restated
2019
pence




Basic and diluted earnings per share


 


 




Basic earnings per share 


0.7


2.0





Diluted earnings per share




0.7




1.9





 
The calculation of adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:




 


2020
£'000


Restated
2019
£'000




Earnings


 


 




Profit for the year attributable to equity holders


931


2,247




Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions


3,104


2,361




Transaction costs


3,163


1,283




Tax effect of above items


(590)


(449)




Change in deferred tax rate


615


-




Adjusted earnings


7,223


5,442




 




 


2020
pence


Restated
2019
pence




Adjusted basic earnings per share


5.7


4.8




Adjusted diluted earnings per share


5.7


4.7




 
6.     Dividends




 


2020
£'000


2019
£'000




Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year


 


 




Interim dividend for the year ended 30 April 2019 of 0.8p (2018: 0.7p) per share


914


771




Final dividend for the year ended 30 April 2019 of 1.8p (2018: 1.7p) per share


2,271


1,878




 


3,185


2,649




Amounts proposed as distributions to equity holders


 


 




Interim dividend for the year ended 30 April 2020 of 0.9p (2019: 0.8p) per share


1,149


914




Final dividend for the year ended 30 April 2020 of 1.9p (2019: 1.8p) per share


2,426


2,271




 


3,575


3,185




 
The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the annual general meeting in September 2020. The interim dividend for 2020 was not paid until 11 May 2020 and, accordingly, has not been included as a liability in these financial statements nor as a distribution to equity shareholders.
 
7.     Trade and other receivables





 




2020
£'000




Restated
2019
£'000





Non-current


 


 





Deemed remuneration




4,586




3,220





Current


 


 




Trade receivables


6,879


7,823




Less: impairment provision


(1,392)


(1,338)




Trade receivables - net


5,487


6,485




Unbilled income


24,492


21,310




Other debtors and prepayments


1,987


2,058





Deemed remuneration




4,494




2,479






 




36,460




32,332





 
8.     Trade and other payables
 





 




2020
£'000




Restated
2019
£'000





Current


 


 




Trade payables


1,176


953




Accruals


7,055


6,372




Other taxes and social security


3,687


3,308




Deferred income


4,168


3,338




Other creditors


5,853


4,980




Deferred consideration


150


772





Deemed remuneration liabilities




134




2,325






 




22,223




22,048





 
9.     Reconciliation to the cash flow statement




 


2020
£'000


Restated
2019
£'000




Profit for the year


931


2,247




Adjustments for:


 


 




Tax


1,953


1,102




Finance costs


968


1,006




Amortisation of intangible assets


3,315


2,558




Depreciation of property, plant and equipment


718


563




Depreciation of right of use assets


2,137


2,094




Impairment of right of use asset


-


369




Gain on acquisition


(2,217)


(2,806)




Loss on disposal of fixed assets


31


-




Share-based payment expense


102


99




Increase in deemed remuneration receivable


(1,782)


(1,733)




(Decrease) increase in deemed remuneration liability


(2,191)


1,896




Operating cash flows before movements in working capital


3,965


7,395




Increase in receivables (excluding deemed remuneration)


(1,177)


(714)




Increase in payables (excluding deemed remuneration)


1,813


1,773




Increase (decrease) in provisions


133


(438)




Cash generated by operations


4,734


8,016




 
 


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