REG - Kinovo PLC - Final Results
09/07/2024 07:00
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RNS Number : 5869V Kinovo PLC 09 July 2024
9 July 2024
Kinovo plc
("Kinovo", the "Group" or the "Company")
Final Results
Continued execution of growth strategy delivers Full Year Results ahead of
original expectations
Kinovo plc (AIM:KINO), the specialist property services Group that delivers
compliance and sustainability solutions, announces its audited results for the
year ended 31 March 2024, with a full year performance ahead of prior market
expectations, as announced on 2 May 2024.
Financial highlights (Continuing operations):
· Revenue increased by 2% to £64.1 million (FY23: £62.7 million)
o reflecting a different revenue mix of workstreams in the year and the
strategic exit from a private sector mechanical contract of £3.6 million in
our Renewables division, impacting full year revenues
o Regulation grew by 9% to £38.5m
o Regeneration increased by 10% to £19.3m
o Renewables reduced by 36% to £6.3m
· Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 23% to £6.7 million (FY23: £5.5
million)
· Adjusted Operating Profit(2) increased by 22% to £6.5 million
(FY23: £5.3 million)
· Adjusted profit before tax(2) increased by 25% to £6.1 million
(FY23: £4.9 million)
· Basic earnings per share increased 37% to 8.20p (FY23: 5.97p)
· Net cash(3) of £0.4 million (FY23: £1.1 million)
· Three year visible revenues(4) increased by 11% to £162.6 million
(FY23: £146.4 million)
· Post period end, banking facilities renewed
Operating highlights:
· Continued execution of the growth strategy focusing on our three
pillars of Regulation, Regeneration and Renewables
· Mix of works, operational efficiencies and cost management
delivered profitability increases:
o Gross margins increased by 3.1% from 26.3% to 29.4%
o EBITDA margins strengthened by 1.8% from 8.7% to 10.5%
· Strong visibility of future revenues demonstrates the business'
quality of earnings:
o 99% of the three year visible revenues are recurring(5)
o £69 million of our three year visible revenues are anticipated to be
realised in FY25
o Certain planned FY24 workstreams experienced client delays; now expected
to be delivered in FY25
· Focus on diversification generates an 11% net increase in our
overall client base
· Strategic investments to drive implementation and capitalise on
market opportunities, including:
o Strengthened efficiency within our collaborative support functions,
contributing to overall margin improvements
o Established a Retrofit team to focus on works relating to the Government's
Decarbonisation objectives and related awards through the Social Housing
Decarbonisation Fund
o Geographic expansion with a new office in East Anglia which creates
significant business development opportunities initiating with short-term
awards which we are confident will be converted into longer term contracts
· Continued Business Development success leading to longer-term
contracts at higher values, including:
o An Electrical contract with The Hyde Group to deliver up to £40 million
over the next 8 years
o A two-year contract extension for the Mechanical Division with Haringey
Council, with a historical value of approximately £3 million per annum
· Framework agreements also represent a significant growth driver,
with awards during the year including:
o The Greener Future Partnership's ("GFP") Decarbonisation Framework,
leading to a direct award with an anticipated value of £4.8 million over 19
months
o The Eastern Procurement Limited's Asset Improvement and Sustainability
Framework, with a maximum estimated aggregate value of £156 million across
five contractors over 4 years
Discontinued operations: DCB Kent:
· Post-period end, have agreed, in principle, resolution of the final
of the nine projects in relation to DCB Kent ("DCB"), the former construction
subsidiary
o Full and final settlement agreed in principle at £2.2 million payable
over an 18 month period
· Only one project remains in progress on site, which will be
completed in July 2024, which, combined with the above, will finally conclude
the DCB legacy projects
· Total cumulative net pre-tax cost to complete all the DCB projects
is expected to be £12.9 million of which the pre-tax costs charged in FY24
was £7.6 million (FY23: £5.3 million)
o Total costs to complete includes provision for the £2.2 million
settlement in principle of the ninth project and excludes anticipated final
account recoveries, contract variations and claims of up to £2.6 million,
which would benefit the Group as and when they are realised
· At 31 March 2024 the outstanding balance of the £12.9 million
total estimated cost to complete on the balance sheet payables was represented
by £3.2 million provisions and £0.7 million trade creditors:
o At 31 March 2024, cumulative cash of £9.0 million cash had been paid on
the DCB projects, of which £7.4 million was paid in FY24
o At end of Q1 FY25, a further £1.7 million cash had been paid,
accumulating to £10.7 million
o Net cash remaining to be paid after Q1 FY25, excluding the benefit of
potential anticipated recoveries, is expected to be £2.2 million,
representing the expected settlement of the final project set out above,
payable over an 18 month period
· The remaining DCB commitments are expected to be funded from the
strong cash generation of the continuing operations and existing finance
facilities
Outlook:
· Having delivered another year of profitable growth, the Company
remains steadfast in its growth strategy and commitment to driving value for
shareholders
· The Company has made a positive start to FY25, underpinned by the
momentum of FY24 and continued positive market drivers
· The anticipated end to the DCB legacy projects, provides the
opportunity to fully focus on our continuing operations and the Company is
confident of delivering another strong performance in the year ahead, in line
with the Board's expectations
David Bullen, Chief Executive Officer of Kinovo, commented:
"Congratulations to the whole team for delivering what has been another
positive year as we continue to execute our exciting growth strategy.
Underpinned by regulatory and market drivers, our strategy to focus on the
three pillars of Regulation, Regeneration and Renewables continues to bear
fruit, with considerable growth in profitability that exceeded prior
expectations, a number of considerable new contract wins and framework
placings and growing visible revenues.
We are delighted that we are close to putting DCB behind us, which has taken
significant resources away from our continuing operations, both
operationally and financially. Positively, this episode demonstrated the
robustness and resilience of our business, as well as the strength and
commitment of our team, as we navigated through these challenges. With
agreement in principle for the final DCB project and the eighth DCB project
expecting to be completed in July 2024, we are pleased and motivated to
shortly be fully focused on our core operations, rather than our past.
Trading in the new financial year has been encouraging so far, and we remain
assured that our one-stop-shop offering focused on the three strategic pillars
will maintain our momentum, whilst strengthening our trusted partnerships with
our clients as we provide a best in class service to their residents.
We look forward to delivering another strong performance in the current
financial year and are equally confident that the patience of our shareholders
will be rewarded as our cash generative qualities and inherent value become
increasingly evident and the final DCB legacy project is concluded."
1 Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-underlying items (customer relationship
amortisation and share based payment charge) and is stated after the effect of
a charge for lease payments.
2 Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Profit before tax stated before
non-underlying items of £0.1 million (FY23: £0.5 million)
3 Includes cash and cash equivalents, net of bank loans and other loans and
overdraft and excluding lease obligations.
4 Three year visible revenues represents the minimum identifiable revenues,
over the following three year period; being contracted or anticipated spend as
well as historical run rates. Visible revenues does not include potential
income from framework agreements but does include £6.0 million revenues
awarded since 31 March 2024.
5 Revenues arising from term contracts currently secured or anticipated to be
renewed with an initial period spanning more than 12 months
Enquiries
Kinovo plc
Sangita Shah, Chairman +44 (0)20 7796 4133
David Bullen, Chief Executive Officer (via Hudson Sandler)
Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nominated Adviser and Sole Broker) +44 (0)20 7523 8000
Adam James
Andrew Potts
Harry Rees
Hudson Sandler (Financial PR) +44 (0)20 7796 4133
Dan de Belder
Harry Griffiths
Will Reynish
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of article 7 of
the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as amended by regulation 11 of the
Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/310. Upon the
publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to
be in the public domain.
Chair's statement
Overview
This has been a very pleasing year of solid organic growth, with underlying
EBITDA year on year having increased by 23%. I am particularly delighted
that we will shortly draw a line under the legacy project issues associated
with the disposal of our construction business, DCB, with the completion of
the eight projects and an agreed in principle settlement of the final project.
The Company, unfettered by the uncertainties relating to these legacy projects
is will now be well positioned to forge forwards in terms of further growth in
revenues, cash generation and shareholder value. To that end, our three-year
visible revenues have increased by 11% to £162.6m.
This excellent performance is entirely attributable to the execution and
commitment of all within the Company to focus on our strategic pillars of
Regulation, Regeneration and Renewables.
Market
Kinovo has been a clear beneficiary of the political and legislative landscape
with increasingly stringent building and housing regulations resulting in us
winning more work consisting of longer and more valuable contracts. This
trend is set to continue and is unlikely to be diminished with a new Labour
government.
In terms of the capital markets, the London Stock Exchange reforms will
assuredly provide a boost for liquidity and investment in small caps and small
cap equity funds, allowing better access to capital for retail investors. It
is pleasing to note that the UK is leading Europe in equity fundraising in
terms of volume of equity placed. A resurgent stock market, coupled with
excellent financial performance of the Company, will unquestionably benefit
Kinovo and shareholders.
ESG
ESG remains a fundamental part of what drives Kinovo both in terms of
day-to-day operations and in our values and commitments. We are moving to
Scope 3 reporting and action and provide a detailed assessment of this in our
section on Sustainability.
Our People
Unquestionably, our people are at the very heart of our business and it is due
to their sustained commitment and efforts throughout the organisation that we
have had such a successful year. These efforts were spearheaded by the
Executive management team who have shown resilience in overcoming the recent
challenges relating to DCB, our former construction business, and to whom I
especially express my gratitude.
Outlook
This was a significant year, and I am excited and optimistic about the
prospects for the business. As we drive organic growth, we may, alongside
this, consider opportunistic bolt-on acquisitions. In time we hope to
reinstate our dividend. Our focus now firmly remains on driving long-term
shareholder value.
Sangita Shah
Chair
9 July 2024
Chief Executive Officer's review
Kinovo delivered an excellent performance ahead of previous expectations,
achieving very strong profit growth on relatively modest revenue growth. This
was achieved through a different mix of works, particularly reflecting the
increased proportion of higher margin Electrical services in the year,
underpinned by improved operational efficiency and robust cost base
management. Furthermore, we have made significant progress as we continue to
deliver on our strategic goals.
Revenue from continued operations grew to £64.1 million (FY23: £62.7
million). Revenue growth was held back by a number of planned work delays
until FY25 and a year-on-year, £3.6 million reduction in revenue relating to
the strategic exit from a private sector mechanical contract.
I am pleased that we delivered strong growth in profitability, with EBITDA
rising by 23% to £6.7 million (FY23: 5.5 million), ahead of prior
expectations of £6.2 million. Gross margins were 29.4% (FY23: 26.3%) and
adjusted profit before tax grew by 25% to £6.1 million (FY23: £4.9 million).
At 31 March 2024, cash balances were £0.5 million and our net cash position
was £0.4 million (FY23: £1.1 million), which is after the impact of the
total cash outflow of £7.4 million from the DCB legacy projects during the
year.
This performance is a result of our clearly defined growth strategy, with the
team focused on driving our three key pillars of Regulation, Regeneration and
Renewables. Each represents a significant opportunity for the Group as we
continue to execute our strategy and position Kinovo as a specialist
one-stop-shop for all our clients' service needs to meet regulation and
compliance requirements as well as national decarbonisation targets.
Revenues of £38.5 million for our Regulation pillar and £19.3 million under
Regeneration saw year-on-year growth of 9% and 10% respectively, offset by
Renewables reducing by 36% to £6.3 million. This performance in Renewables is
predominantly due to the strategic exit from a private sector mechanical
contract as mentioned above. An analysis of revenues from the three Rs to our
segmental reporting is shown below.
Build Electrical Mechanical Total
FY24 FY23 FY24 FY23 FY24 FY23 FY24 FY23
£'m £'m £'m £'m £'m £'m £'m £'m
Regulation 14.1 14.4 19.0 15.3 5.4 5.6 38.5 35.3
Regeneration 6.4 5.3 11.3 10.4 1.6 2.0 19.3 17.6
Renewable ― ― 1.6 2.3 4.7 7.4 6.3 9.8
Total 20.5 19.7 31.9 28.0 11.7 15.0 64.1 62.7
Kinovo won, renewed, or extended 13 contracts and framework agreements during
the year. Three-year visible revenues continue to grow, with an increase of
11% at the year end to £162.6 million (FY23: £146.4 million), which includes
£6.0 million awarded since 31 March 2024, as well as a further
diversification of our portfolio with a net increase in our overall client
base also of 11%. Of the three-year visible revenues are 99% recurring and
£69 million of our three-year visible revenues are anticipated to be realised
in FY25.
Market
During the year, we managed and mitigated a number of industry-wide
macro-economic pressures, delivering a trusted partnership service and
strengthening our reputation with our clients.
We continue to benefit from a number of regulatory and legislative drivers,
including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, the Building Safety Act, the
Fire Safety Act and Electrical Wiring legislation, which have meaningfully
increased demand for, and frequency of, our range of works across our
operating areas and three growth pillars.
During the year, we continued to drive the development of our Renewables and
Regeneration pillars by establishing a Retrofit team, which will focus on
works relating to the Government's decarbonisation objectives and related
awards through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. There is a clear
growth opportunity for Kinovo that our Retrofit offering can support local
authorities and councils who are under time and administrative pressure to
progress their initiatives and activities. The team has had an incredibly
encouraging start, already generating a return on investment, and is
delivering a number of additional new business development opportunities for
the Group. The increased focus on decarbonisation across businesses in general
will play to our advantage as a leading specialist operator within our
regional markets.
Decarbonisation, along with the other key legislative and regulatory drivers,
ensures a greater focus on compliance and raises quality standards for social
housing residents and continues to deliver non-discretionary-led revenue
opportunities for Kinovo, which our strong reputation will enable us to
leverage.
Strategy
Our focus remains on driving shareholder value. We continue to reap the
rewards of our strategy to focus on the three key growth pillars of
Regulation, Regeneration and Renewables. This continues to deliver results,
with each being supported by long-term market drivers as well as the
investments in our teams and capabilities to deliver a best-in-class service
and capitalise on cross-selling opportunities.
These internal investments include building our business development,
procurement and service support teams, as well as strengthening our sales and
marketing collateral. This is all underpinned by rigorous and robust cost
management. Additionally, we ensure that we continuously develop our offering
to enable us to improve the quality of our proposals for new projects, as well
as enhancing our offering for existing clients.
The foundation of our business will continue to focus on driving organic
growth, with a primary objective to continue to demonstrate the cash
generative qualities of the business by building our cash reserves. We will,
however, evaluate the market and may consider acquisitions in the future which
are the right strategic fit for the Group.
Focusing on consolidating our geographic position, we identified Norfolk as a
natural opportunity for organic geographic expansion. We have considered this
for a while, believing that there is a rich opportunity for a high-quality
specialist building services provider. The Norfolk office is already
delivering, and has won several new clients.
Critically, the Norfolk team has generated a number of opportunities for us to
demonstrate the quality of our works through initial short-term awards which
we are confident will be converted into longer-term contracts as our
partnerships develop. Most pleasingly the awareness of our businesses are
increasing in Norfolk, which will prove invaluable as we continue to implement
our growth plans to capitalise on the identified growth opportunity.
We continue to prioritise the diversification of our contract and client base,
which was a key driver in our strong bottom-line performance this year. There
have been a number of meaningful new contract wins, contract extensions and
positions on framework agreements which saw us deliver a net increase of 11%
to our overall client base.
Examples of these include:
· an electrical contract with The Hyde Group to deliver up to £40
million over the next eight years;
· a two-year contract extension for the Mechanical Division with
Haringey Council, with a historical value of approximately £3 million per
annum;
· a place on The Greener Future Partnership's ("GFP") Decarbonisation
Framework which led to a direct award to Kinovo for the Building Services
Division with an anticipated value of £4.8 million over 19 months to retrofit
approximately 200 properties. The framework comprises five housing
associations and over 300,000 homes, representing 9% of the total UK social
housing market;
· a place on the Eastern Procurement Limited's Asset Improvement and
Sustainability Framework, with a maximum estimated aggregate value of £156
million across a total of five contractors over a term of four years; and
· winning a place on three lots of The Hyde Group's Alternative Heating
Servicing and Maintenance Services and Metering and Billing Services Framework
with an estimated aggregate value of £132 million across a total of five
contractors over a term of four years.
We anticipate a continued uplift in the value we are able to derive from our
framework placings, and look forward to updating the market on these in the
months ahead.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we continue to invest in their
development. During the year, we engaged our staff with 3,983 hours of
learning, with 20% of our employees attending management training, and over 8%
of our staff progressing into more senior roles as we build out our team to
leverage the opportunities ahead.
The sector is recognised as having an ageing skilled workforce and we remain
committed to developing the next generation into our trades, ensuring we
maintain a pipeline of qualified staff to support our continued growth.
Despite a number of apprentices achieving their qualifications and graduating
during the year, we are pleased to report that we have maintained our skills
pipeline and apprentices account for 12% of our total employees.
We also see ourselves as a partner of our local communities, helping to leave
a positive and lasting impact in the areas where we operate. During the year,
we undertook a vast amount of initiatives to benefit our communities amounting
to 1,066 volunteer hours ranging from clearing rubbish, installing security
lighting, prison visits, facilitating mock interviews in local schools,
painting and decorating communal areas in a domestic violence shelter,
providing high-visibility vests for a primary school through to setting up a
food bank with one of the oldest housing associations in the country, which
our staff continue to attend on a regular basis.
Discontinued operations
I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress in relation to
DCB Kent ("DCB"), our former construction subsidiary. Having agreed in
principle the settlement of the final of the nine projects post period end,
there is only one project in progress on site which will be completed in July
2024. Formal agreement on the final project and completion of the eighth
project will, bring an end to this disappointing situation. This has had a
massive impact on resources both operationally and financially, significantly
hindering our valuation and growth opportunities.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our shareholders for their
patience and support as we navigated the challenges it brought to our
business. In turn, I also extend our thanks to our team for its resilience,
commitment and efforts regarding DCB - we are pleased and motivated to finally
be fully focused on our future rather than our past.
Outlook
The new financial year has started positively, in line with the Board's
expectations, and our momentum continues with the ongoing facilitation of the
market's legislative and decarbonisation drivers. Buoyed by the imminent end
of the DCB legacy projects and the opportunity to fully commit to our
continuing operations, we are confident of delivering another strong
performance in the year ahead and are equally confident that the patience of
our shareholders will be rewarded as our cash generative qualities and
inherent value become increasingly evident and the final DCB legacy project is
concluded.
David Bullen
Chief Executive Officer
9 July 2024
Financial review
Strong profit growth resulting from increasing regulation and legislation
drivers
Trading review
Continuing operations
Kinovo delivered a strong trading result and cash generation from its
continuing operations of specialist property services focusing on electrical,
build and mechanical.
Adjusted EBITDA (after the effect of a charge for lease payments) increased by
23% to £6.7 million (FY23: £5.5 million) with operating profit from
continuing operations delivering £6.4 million (FY23: £4.8 million), an
increase of 33%.
Adjusted profit before taxation for continuing operations was £6.1 million
(FY23: £4.9 million), an increase of 25% and basic earnings per share were up
37% to 8.20p (FY23: 5.97p).
Revenues increased 2% to £64.1 million (FY23: £62.7 million) with electrical
services up 16%, building services up 2% and mechanical services down 22% as a
result of the different revenue mix of workstreams and the strategic exit from
a private sector contract. As a result of the change in revenue mix, gross
margin increased by 3.1% to 29.4% (FY23: 26.3%). Gross profit increased by 15%
to £18.9 million (FY23: £16.5 million).
Underlying administrative expenses of £12.4 million increased £1.2 million
(11%) compared to £11.2 million in the prior year.
Profit after tax for the continuing businesses was £5.1 million (FY23: £3.7
million), an increase of 38%.
Kinovo has substantially completed the fulfilment of its commitments on the
DCB construction projects as set out in the Chief Executive Officer Review and
below. Discontinued operations reported a loss after tax of £5.7 million in
the period (FY23: loss £4.3 million).
As a result of the discontinued operations result, the Group has reported a
total loss for the period of £0.6 million (FY23: loss £0.5 million).
Financial position and key indicators
Net cash (excluding lease liabilities) was £0.4 million at 31 March 2024
compared to net cash (excluding lease liabilities) of £1.1 million in the
prior year, reflecting continuing working capital efficiency and robust
underlying operational cash generation from the continuing operations of £5.9
million (FY23: £5.9 million), despite the cash absorbed by the discontinued
operations during the year of £7.4 million (FY23: £2.8 million).
We focus on a range of financial and non-financial KPIs to assess our
performance and ensure that the Group targets its resources around its
clients, operations and finance. Collectively, they form an integral part of
the way that we manage the business to deliver our strategic goals.
The key financial performance indicators for the year are set out on the
following pages.
The Board considers Adjusted EBITDA to be a key alternative performance
measure ("APM") as it is the basis upon which the underlying management
information is prepared and the performance of the business is assessed by the
Board.
FY24 FY23 FY22 FY21
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Continuing operations
Income statement
Revenue 64,137 62,670 53,325 39,369
Gross profit 18,886 16,472 12,767 9,291
Gross margin 29.4% 26.3% 23.9% 23.6%
EBITDA(1) (excluding effect of lease payments) 7,331 6,013 4,600 2,763
Adjusted EBITDA(2) (including effect of lease payments) 6,715 5,474 4,237 2,096
Adjusted operating profit(3) 6,483 5,297 4,091 2,010
Adjusted profit before taxation(4) 6,143 4,896 3,822 1,572
Profit after taxation 5,128 3,713 2,262 (252)
Basic earnings per share(5) 8.20p 5.97p 3.66p (0.42p)
Adjusted earnings per share(6) 8.36p 6.76p 5.33p 2.76p
Cash flow
Net cash generated from operating activities 7,809 5,488 9,777 5,542
Adjusted net cash generated from operating activities(7) 5,885 5,865 9,442 4,360
Adjusted operating cash conversion(8) (%) 88% 107% 223% 208%
Financial position
Cash and cash equivalents 489 1,322 2,504 1,293
Term and other loans (86) (177) (2,843) (3,966)
Net cash/(debt)(9) 403 1,145 (339) (2,673)
Trade receivables 4,866 3,610 4,977 5,564
Accrued income 7,677 7,066 5,247 8,634
Trade payables (14,654) (13,025) (12,552) (11,082)
Net (liabilities)/assets (1,081) (652) (143) 10,862
Discontinued operations
(Loss)/profit after taxation ― ― (549) 409
Loss on disposal after taxation (5,737) (4,261) (12,595) ―
Net cash (absorbed)/generated by operating activities (7,427) (2,750) (6,117) 272
1 Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation
("EBITDA") and excluding non-underlying items, as set out in note 8 of the
financial statements.
2 Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-underlying items and is stated after the
effect of a charge for lease payments, as set out below.
3 Adjusted operating profit is stated before charging non-underlying
items as set out in note 9 of the financial statements.
4 Adjusted profit before taxation is stated after finance costs and
before charging non-underlying items.
5 Basic earnings per share is the profit after tax divided by the
weighted average number of ordinary shares.
6 Adjusted earnings per share is the profit before deducting
non-underlying items after tax divided by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares.
7 Net cash generated from continuing operations before tax and after
lease payments in the period ended 31 March 2024. It is also adjusted to
reflect the payment of deferred HMRC payments to normal terms.
8 Adjusted net cash generated from operating activities divided by
Adjusted EBITDA.
9 Net cash/(debt) includes term and other loans and overdraft net of
cash, and excludes lease obligations.
Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation
Internal management information and reporting under the Group's banking
facilities is focused on Adjusted EBITDA of £6.7 million (FY23: £5.5
million), which is stated after the effect of a charge for lease payments.
Adjusted EBITDA has increased by 23% in FY24 following an increase of 29% in
FY23 compared to FY22.
Set out below is the basis for the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA.
FY24 FY23 FY22 FY21
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Continuing operations
Profit before tax 6,039 4,408 2,792 (371)
Add back non-underlying items:
Amortisation of customer relationships ― 385 940 1,582
Share based payment charge 103 103 90 27
Exceptional item ― ― ― 334
Underlying profit before tax 6,142 4,896 3,822 1,572
EBITDA adjustments:
Finance costs 341 401 269 438
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 148 131 130 82
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 585 513 336 654
Amortisation of software costs 116 72 44 17
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment ― ― (1) ―
EBITDA 7,332 6,013 4,600 2,763
Adjustment for lease payments (617) (539) (363) (667)
Adjusted EBITDA 6,715 5,474 4,237 2,096
Non-underlying items
Non-underlying items are considered by the Board to be either exceptional in
size, one-off in nature or non-trading related items and are represented by
the following:
FY24 FY23 FY22 FY21
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Amortisation of customer relationships ― 385 940 1,582
Share based payment charge 103 103 90 27
Exceptional item ― ― ― 334
Total 103 488 1,030 1,943
The share based payment charge reflects the impact attributed to the new share
schemes established since 2021. Additional information on the schemes is set
out in note 28.
Finance costs
Finance expenses were £0.3 million (FY23: £0.4 million) and are represented
by interest on bank borrowings and loans, other interest costs and other
finance costs, being the amortisation of debt issue costs. There was no
finance income in the year.
Tax
The Group tax position reflects an underlying charge of £0.9 million (FY23:
£0.7 million) on continuing activities set off by tax credits of £1.9
million (FY23: £1.0 million) on discontinued activities. No tax payments were
made in the current or prior year.
Overall, the Group has no tax liability at 31 March 2024.
The net deferred tax asset at 31 March 2024 was £1.6 million (FY23: asset
£0.6 million), comprising a deferred tax liability of £0.3 million (FY23:
£0.2 million) relating to right-of-use assets and a deferred tax asset of
£1.9 million (FY23: £0.8 million) relating to unused tax losses, lease
liabilities and share based payments.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share, from continuing operations, was 8.20 pence (FY23:
5.97 pence), an increase of 37%, based on profit after tax of £5.1 million
(FY23: £3.7 million). The weighted average number of shares in issue was
adjusted for the SIP share awards in the year ended 31 March 2024 as set out
in note 24 of the financial statements.
Adjusted earnings per share, from continuing operations, excluding
non-underlying items, was up 24% to 8.36 pence (FY23: 6.76 pence). Diluted
adjusted earnings per share was 8.25 pence (FY23: 6.70 pence), an increase of
23%.
Cash flow performance
Adjusted cash generated from continuing operations was £5.9 million (FY23:
£5.9 million), resulting in an adjusted operating cash conversion of 88%
(FY23: 107%).
Adjusted operating cash conversion is calculated as cash generated from
continuing operations (after lease payments), and adjusted for the effects of
deferred HMRC repayments of £1.3 million (FY23: repayments of £0.9 million),
divided by Adjusted EBITDA of £6.7 million (FY23: £5.5 million), as set out
below.
*FY24 *FY23 FY22 FY21
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cash flow from operating activities (see note 25) 382 2,738 3,660 5,814
Adjustment for cash absorbed by/(generated from) discontinued activities 7,427 2,750 6,117 (272)
Net cash generated from continuing operating activities 7,809 5,488 9,777 5,542
Less operating lease payments (582) (511) (471) (667)
Less corporation tax received ― ― ― (163)
7,227 4,977 9,306 4,712
Net adjustment for deferred HMRC payments (1,342) 887 136 (686)
Add exceptional item ― ― ― 334
Adjusted net cash generated from continuing operating activities 5,885 5,864 9,442 4,360
Adjusted EBITDA (see above and note 8) 6,715 5,474 4,237 2,096
Adjusted cash conversion (Adjusted operating cash/Adjusted EBITDA) 88% 107% 223% 208%
By arrangement with HMRC, VAT liabilities of £1.3 million were deferred at 31
March 2024. A monthly repayment plan has been agreed with HMRC with full
repayment of deferred VAT by 30 September 2024. The arrangement was necessary,
in response to the unexpected calling of the performance bond on a DCB project
at the end of February 2024. The terms of the performance bond required almost
immediate settlement although, as set out below, in the discontinued
operations section, Kinovo has managed to mitigate the impact, as part of the
final DCB project settlement.
* At 31 March 2023, £0.4 million (at 31 March 2024: £nil) of cash receipts
were received in advance, with a corresponding impact on cash generated in
FY24. Cash conversion restated for the effect of the accelerated cash receipts
would be 94% for FY24 (FY23: 100%).
Cash absorbed by discontinued operations in the period amounted to £7.4
million (FY23: £2.8 million including working capital provided in April 2022,
post disposal of DCB (Kent) Limited of £1.2 million). Set out below is an
analysis of the net cash flows (absorbed)/generated by DCB resulting from the
costs to complete the projects post administration of DCB and the contracted
working capital support and underlying cash flow pre-administration of DCB.
FY24 FY23 FY22 FY21
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
DCB costs to complete (7,428) (1,523) ― ―
DCB cash flow pre-administration ― (1,227) (6,117) 227
Total (7,428) (2,750) (6,117) 227
The Group has a centralised treasury function and actively manages cash flows
on both a daily and longer-term basis. The Group enjoys long-term client
relationships with both its clients, being local Government organisations and
other housing associations, and its supply chain partners.
Net cash
Kinovo had a net cash position at 31 March 2024 of £0.4 million compared to
net cash of £1.1 million at 31 March 2023, a reduction of £0.7 million as
analysed in the table below and note 21 for full details of borrowings. The
reduction in net cash reflects the payments required to fund the DCB projects
mitigated by the strong operating cash flow from the continuing businesses and
the deferral of HMRC liabilities at 31 March 2024.
FY24 FY23 FY22 FY21 FY20 FY19
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Borrowings
HSBC Term Loan ― ― (2,534) (3,533) (3,333) (5,000)
Other loan ― (34) (109) (176) (235) (289)
Mortgage loan (86) (143) (200) (257) (314) (371)
Overdraft ― ― ― ― (3,351) (5,219)
(86) (177) (2,843) (3,966) (7,233) (10,879)
Cash and cash equivalents 489 1,322 2,504 1,293 19 21
Net cash/(debt) 403 1,145 (339) (2,673) (7,214) (10,858)
During the year, the Group repaid £91,000 of mortgage and other loans (FY23:
£2.7 million of HSBC Term Loan and other loans). Of the borrowings of
£86,000 at 31 March 2024, £57,000 is repayable within one year and the
balance in the following financial year.
Discontinued operations - DCB (Kent) Limited
Following its rebranding and strategic review, Kinovo determined that DCB
(Kent) Limited ("DCB"), the Group's construction business, was non-core and
was disposed in January 2022.
On 16 May 2022, DCB filed for administration and as at the date of these
financial statements, Kinovo has limited expectation of, and has not provided
for, the recovery of amounts owed under the terms of the disposal of DCB.
Kinovo had residual commitments under various parent company guarantees for
the DCB construction projects and working capital support. Under the terms of
the parent company guarantees, Kinovo is responsible for the completion of the
projects.
The activities of DCB are presented as discontinued operations.
There were nine DCB projects in total with seven finalised at the date of the
signing of the financial statements and another due for completion during July
2024. On the remaining project, Kinovo has reached agreement in principle, to
settle the obligation under the construction contract and parent company
guarantee, releasing Kinovo from its obligations to complete the project. The
expected full and final settlement of a fixed amount of £2.2 million is
payable over a period of 18 months from July 2024. A total of £0.9 million
had already been provided for in the Company accounts under the previously
forecasted costs to complete the DCB legacy projects. The agreement removes
the risk from possible future cost overruns or claims from this final DCB
legacy project.
A performance bond of £0.9 million remains outstanding on the final project.
The bond was called at the end of February 2024 but with Kinovo's continuing
engagement with the insurer, underwriter and client and the ongoing
discussions between the parties, the bond holder agreed to defer payment
obligations. The agreement in principle of the settlement of the final project
includes the cancellation of the performance bond once Kinovo has fulfilled
the equivalent value of the bond to the client.
On 8 March 2024, the Group announced that it expected the overall net cost to
complete the construction projects to be approximately £8.7 million, an
increase of £2.9 million on previous expectation resulting from unexpected
remedial works partly related to the adverse weather of winter 2023/24 but
mainly as a result of poor legacy workmanship.
The net costs to complete of £8.7 million included anticipated claims made by
Kinovo as a result of poor sub-contractor workmanship and other contractual
recoveries which had not been confirmed at the date of the signing of the
financial statements. The potential recoveries by Kinovo of up to
approximately £2.6 million are required to be recognised in future periods,
as and when they have been realised.
With the agreement in principle of the settlement in of the final project and
the deferral of the recognition of the potential recoveries to future periods
as and when realised, the reported net costs to complete all the projects has
increased to a total of £12.9 million with a £7.6 million (FY23: £5.3
million) pre-tax loss reported in the year ended 31 March 2024.
At 31 March 2024, the outstanding costs to complete provision was £3.2
million which together with £0.7 million in trade payables, represents the
balance of the total £12.9 million due to be fulfilled.
A total of £9.0 million has been paid in FY23 and FY24 on the fulfilment of
the project obligations with a further £1.7 million paid in the first quarter
of FY25. Other than the outstanding amounts on the settlement in principle of
the final project, Kinovo has paid, at the end of the first quarter of FY25,
almost all of the net costs to complete the projects. The settlement on the
final project is expected to be payable during FY25 and FY26 set off by final
account recoveries, claims and retentions. Each of the projects, except the
final project, has the usual industry standard post completion defect period
of 12 months. We are not aware of or expecting any claim under these
arrangements. The agreement in principle on the final project represents full
and final settlement and therefore there would not be a defects period.
The remaining DCB commitments are expected to be funded from the strong cash
generation from the continuing operations and existing finance facilities.
In 2023, £1.2 million was also paid to DCB for contracted working capital
support which is in addition to the £12.9 million costs to complete the DCB
projects. The total amount paid relating to DCB in 2023 including the working
capital support of £1.2 million was £2.7 million.
Set out below is an analysis of the DCB costs paid and payable.
Cash paid and payable in relation to the DCB project costs £'000
Cash paid
FY23 1,523
FY24 7,428
Q1 FY25 1,725
Cumulative cash paid at end of Q1 FY25 10,676
Cash payable
Settlement of final project 2,200
Other 34
Total reported costs to complete DCB projects (excluding potential recoveries) 12,910
Additional details of the discontinued operations are set out in note 30.
The disposal of DCB allowed the Group to harmonise its operations and increase
the focus on its three strategic workflow pillars: Regulation, Regeneration
and Renewables as demonstrated by the results delivered for FY24. These
pillars are centred on compliance-driven, regulatory-led specialist services
that offer long-term contracts, recurring revenue streams and strong cash
generation.
Banking arrangements
The Group's debt facilities at 31 March 2024, with HSBC UK Bank plc ("HSBC"),
comprised a £2.5 million overdraft facility, which was renewed post year end
until April 2025 and a balance of £86,000 (FY23: £143,000) on a ten-year
mortgage loan. In the period, the Group fully repaid the balance (FY23:
£34,000) on a legacy loan with Funding Circle. Net debt analysis is set out
above and full details of the borrowing facilities are set out in note 21 of
the financial statements.
The Group also has a purchasing card facility of £6.0 million, which was
renewed on 31 May 2024, with HSBC which is disclosed within trade creditors
and detailed in note 23 of the financial statements. To align with HSBC
standard terms on this product, the facility is scheduled to reduce by £1.4
million on 30 September 2024.
Dividends
No interim dividend was paid (FY23: £nil). Due to the discontinued operations
commitments and the consequent financial position of Kinovo, the Board does
not recommend the payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2024
(FY23: £nil). It remains the Board's priority to complete the outstanding
discontinued operations obligations, proactively manage the level of
borrowings and strengthen the balance sheet, and to resume the payment of a
dividend as soon as financial conditions allow.
Going concern
The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, the commitments on the
discontinued operations, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are
described above.
In assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, the Board
reviews and approves the annual budget and longer-term strategic plan,
including forecasts of cash flows.
The Board also reviews the Group's sources of available funds and the level of
headroom available against its committed borrowing facilities.
After considering the above factors including possible sensitivities in
trading performance, the Board has an expectation that the Group has adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
For these reasons, the Board continues to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these accounts
do not include any adjustments to the carrying amount or classification of
assets and liabilities that would result if the Group was unable to continue
as a going concern. Further detail on going concern is set out in note 2.1.
Clive Lovett
Group Finance Director
9 July 2024
The following pages have been extracted from the audited financial statements
Independent auditor's report to the members of Kinovo plc
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Kinovo plc (the 'group') for the
year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in
Equity and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including
significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has
been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK adopted
international accounting standards.
In our opinion the group financial statements:
· give a true and fair view of the state of the group's affairs as
at 31 March 2024 and of its loss for the year then ended;
· have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted
international accounting standards; and
· have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing
(UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those
standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the
audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of
the group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our
audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical
Standard as applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe
that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to
provide a basis for our opinion.
An overview of the scope of our audit
Our audit approach was a risk-based approach founded on a thorough
understanding of the group's business, its environment and risk profile. We
conducted substantive audit procedures and evaluated the group's internal
control environment. The components of the group are subject to individual
statutory audit and were audited to their own individual materiality by the
group audit team.
For all entities that are subject to a full scope audit, we evaluated the
controls in place at those components by performing walkthroughs over the
financial reporting systems identified as part of our risk assessment. We also
reviewed the accounts production process and addressed critical accounting
matters. We then undertook substantive testing on significant classes of
transactions and material account balances.
Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were
of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current
period and include the most significant assessed risks of material
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) we identified, including those
which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation
of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team.
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not
provide a separate opinion on these matters.
A description of each matter together with our audit approach is set out
below.
Audit Area and Description Audit Approach
Completeness of onerous contract provisions Our audit work included, but was not limited to, the following procedures:
Due to the parent company guarantee put in place prior to the disposal of DCB · We held discussions with management to understand the latest position of
(Kent) Limited, the group is liable for completion of the contracts originally each project.
undertaken by DCB (Kent). Management estimated the total provision required
for the losses for the 9 projects to be approximately £12.9 million, out of · We reviewed and critically assessed relevant documentation and
which £3.2 million remains outstanding as at 31 March 2024. correspondence in relation to the projects, including reviewing an expert
report prepared by management's external qualified surveyors detailing the
latest position and estimated costs to complete of each project. We challenged
management and the surveyors on the contents of the report, critically
assessing the methodology and key assumptions made.
· We confirmed amounts included in the provision at settlement value to the
draft settlement agreement from the customer, subject to contract.
· We considered advice provided by management's legal advisers to establish
if future claims were likely on specified contracts.
· We considered evidence which contradicted the assertions made by management
as part of this process, as well as evidence which corroborated them.
· We substantively tested transactions incurred pre-year end in respect of
projects for which work had commenced in the year.
· We reviewed the accounting treatment and related disclosures in the
financial statements to ensure they complied with the relevant requirements of
UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.
We concluded that the approach adopted by management in determining the amount
of the provision as at the reporting date was acceptable and in accordance
with the requirements of UK adopted International Accounting Standards,
specifically IAS 37 'Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent
Assets'.
Our application of materiality
The scope and focus of our audit was influenced by our assessment and
application of materiality. We define materiality as the magnitude of
misstatement that could reasonably be expected to influence the readers and
the economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. We use
materiality to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and
extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements,
both individually and on the financial statements as a whole.
Due to the nature of the group we considered income to be the main focus for
the readers of the financial statements, accordingly this consideration
influenced our judgement of materiality. Based on our professional judgement,
we determined materiality for the group to be £676,000 based on one percent
of revenue during the period.
On the basis of our risk assessment, together with our assessment of the
overall control environment, our judgement was that performance materiality
(i.e. our tolerance for misstatement in an individual account or balance) for
the Group was 50% of materiality, namely £338,000.
We agreed to report to the Audit Committee all audit differences in excess of
£33,000, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view,
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also reported to the Audit
Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the
overall presentation of the financial statements.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors'
use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the
financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors'
assessment of the group's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis
of accounting included, but was not limited to:
· Evaluating management's forecasting accuracy based on historical
budgets versus actual performance;
· Reviewing and critically assessing the detailed cash flow
projections up to September 2025
· Comparison of projected performance to past performance;
· Reviewing and critically assessing the Board's assessment of the
group's obligations resulting from the administration of DCB (Kent) Limited
and timing thereof;
· Reviewing the terms of the working capital facilities available
to the group and assessing headroom available in the projections;
· Sensitising cash flows for variations in trading performance and
the group's obligations from the administration of DCB (Kent) Limited;
· Understanding the most recently available trading results for the
group after the reporting date; and
· reviewing the appropriateness of the disclosures in the financial
statements.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material
uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or
collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's ability to continue as
a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial
statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to
going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report,
other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The
directors are responsible for the other information contained within the
annual report. Our opinion on the group financial statements does not cover
the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in
our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the group
financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material
inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to
determine whether there is a material misstatement in the group financial
statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude
that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are
required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
· the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors'
Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared
is consistent with the group financial statements; and
· the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared
in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and its
environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified
material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the
Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
· certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law
are not made; or
· we have not received all the information and explanations we
require for our audit.
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the
directors are responsible for the preparation of the group financial
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and
for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable
the preparation of group financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the group financial statements, the directors are responsible for
assessing the group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as
applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis
of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or to
cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to
fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that
an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and
are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on
the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC's
website at
https://wwww.frc.org.uk/auditors/auditor-assurance/auditor-s-responsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fi/description-of-the-auditor's-responsibilities-for
(https://www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance/auditor-s-responsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fi/description-of-the-auditor%E2%80%99s-responsibilities-for)
This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and
regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined
above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities,
including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud;
to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks
of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing
appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to
instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However,
the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests
with both management and those charged with governance of the group.
Our approach was as follows:
· We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory
requirements applicable to the company and considered that the most
significant are the Companies Act 2006, UK adopted International Accounting
Standards, the rules of the Alternative Investment Market, and UK taxation
legislation.
· We obtained an understanding of how the company complies with
these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with
governance.
· We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial
statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how
it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with
governance.
· We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to
any known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws
and regulations, and reviewed board minutes for any evidence of.
· Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate
audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and
regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged
with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are
less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and
regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected
in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material
misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one
resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for
example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
Other matter
We have reported separately on the parent company financial statements of
Kinovo plc for the year ended 31 March 2024. That report includes details of
the parent company key audit matters; how we applied the concept of
materiality in planning and performing our audit of the parent company and an
overview of the scope of our audit of the parent company. That report includes
an emphasis of matter in relation to in the carrying value of the parent
company's investment in Spokemead Maintenance Limited.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance
with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been
undertaken for no purpose other than to draw to the attention of the company's
members those matters which we are required to include in an auditor's report
addressed to them. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or
assume responsibility to any party other than the company and company's
members as a body, for our work, for this report, or for the opinions we have
formed.
Colin Turnbull
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor
6th Floor
9 Appold Street
London
EC1A 2AP
9 July 2024
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
12 months to 31 March 2024 12 months to 31 March 2023
Continuing operations Notes Underlying Non- Total Underlying Non- Total
items underlying £'000 items underlying £'000
£'000 items £'000 items
(note 9) (note 9)
£'000 £'000
Revenue 5 64,137 - 64,137 62,670 - 62,670
Cost of sales (45,251) - (45,251) (46,198) - (46,198)
Gross Profit 18,886 - 18,886 16,472 - 16,472
Administrative expenses (12,403) (103) (12,506) (11,175) (488) (11,663)
Operating profit 7 6,483 (103) 6,380 5,297 (488) 4,809
Finance cost 11 (341) - (341) (401) - (401)
Profit before tax 6,142 (103) 6,039 4,896 (488) 4,408
Income tax expense 13 (911) (695)
Profit for the year attributable to the equity holders of the parent company 5,128 3,713
from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss from discontinued operations 30 - (5,737) (5,737) - (4,261) (4,261)
Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to the equity holders of (609) (548)
the parent company
Earnings/(loss) per share
From continuing operations
Basic (pence) 14 8.20 5.97
Diluted (pence) 14 8.08 5.92
From total operations
Basic (pence) 14 (0.97) (0.88)
Diluted (pence) 14 (0.97) (0.88)
Consolidated statement of financial position
as at 31 March 2024
Notes 2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 15 4,514 4,511
Property, plant and equipment 16 1,073 1,062
Right-of-use assets 17 1,183 929
Total non-current assets 6,770 6,502
Current assets
Inventories 18 2,612 2,438
Deferred tax asset 29 1,612 610
Trade and other receivables 19 12,907 11,087
Cash and cash equivalents 20 489 1,322
Total current assets 17,620 15,457
Total assets 24,390 21,959
Equity and liabilities attributable to equity holders of the parent company
Issued capital and reserves
Share capital 24.1 6,279 6,213
Own shares 24.1 (850) (850)
Share premium 24.2 9,289 9,245
Share based payment reserve 28 172 113
Merger reserve 24.3 (248) (248)
Retained earnings (15,723) (15,125)
Total equity (1,081) (652)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 21 29 86
Lease liabilities 22 606 491
Total non-current liabilities 635 577
Current liabilities
Borrowings 21 57 91
Lease liabilities 22 594 452
Trade and other payables 23 21,032 18,013
Provisions 30 3,153 3,478
Total current liabilities 24,836 22,034
Total equity and liabilities 24,390 21,959
The financial statements on were approved by the Board and authorised for
issue on 9 July 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Clive Lovett
Group Finance Director
9 July 2024
Company registration number: 09095860
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
Issued share Share Own Share based Merger Retained Total
capital premium shares payment reserve earnings equity
£'000 £'000 £'000 reserve £'000 £'000 £'000
£'000
At 1 April 2022 6,213 9,245 (850) 74 (248) (14,577) (143)
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year - - - - - (548) (548)
Purchase of own shares for SIP - - - (64) - - (64)
Share based payment charge - - - 103 - - 103
Total transactions with owners recognised directly in equity - - - 39 - - 39
Balance at 31 March 2023 6,213 9,245 (850) 113 (248) (15,125) (652)
Loss and total comprehensive income for the year - - - - - (609) (609)
Share issue for SIP 66 44 - (33) - - 77
Share based payment charge - - - 103 - - 103
Transfer to retained earnings - - - (11) - 11 -
for share options exercised
Total transactions with owners recognised directly in equity 66 44 - 59 - 11 180
Balance at 31 March 2024 6,279 9,289 (850) 172 (248) (15,723) (1,081)
Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
Notes 12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Net cash generated from operating activities 25 382 2,738
Cash flow from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (159) (90)
Purchase of intangible assets (119) (188)
Net cash used in investing activities (278) (278)
Cash flow from financing activities
Issue of new shares SIP 24.1 77 -
Repurchase of own shares for SIP 24.1 - (64)
Repayment of borrowings (91) (2,666)
Interest paid (341) (401)
Principal payments of leases (582) (511)
Net cash used in financing activities (937) (3,642)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (833) (1,182)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,322 2,504
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 489 1,322
The cash and cash equivalents for the year ended 31 March 2024 are represented
by cash balances of £489,000 (2023: £1,322,000).
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
1. Basis of preparation
Kinovo plc and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") operate in the
specialist mechanical, electrical and building services markets. The Company
is a public company operating on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange
("AIM") and is incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales (registered
number 09095860). The address of its registered office is 201 Temple Chambers,
3-7 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0DT. The Company was incorporated on 20 June
2014.
The Group's financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis
under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with UK adopted
International Accounting Standards, the International Financial Reporting
Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") interpretations issued by the
International Accounting Standards Boards ("IASB") that are effective or
issued and early adopted as at the time of preparing these financial
statements and in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
The Group has adopted all of the new and revised standards and interpretations
issued by the IASB and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations
Committee ("IFRIC") of the IASB, as they have been adopted by the United
Kingdom, that are relevant to its operations and effective for accounting
periods beginning on 1 April 2023.
The preparation of financial statements requires management to exercise its
judgement in the process of applying accounting policies. The areas involving
a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and
estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are
disclosed in notes 2 and 4. The functional and presentational currency of the
Group is Pounds Sterling (£) rounded to the nearest thousand. The principal
accounting policies adopted by the Group are set out in note 2.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
2.1. Going concern
Accounting standards require that Directors satisfy themselves that it is
reasonable for them to conclude whether it is appropriate to prepare the
financial statements on a going concern basis. The Group's business
activities, together with factors that are likely to affect its future
development and position are set out below and in the Group Chief Executive
Officer's Review on pages • and • .
The continuing business traded strongly in the year ended 31 March 2024,
continuing to grow, improve margins and maintain a net cash position at the
end of the year.
It is expected to grow further, extending its' client base, developing the new
contracts it has won and securing new business opportunities through its
placing on various framework agreements and from the work of the business
development team.
In assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, the Board
reviews and approves the annual budget and longer-term strategic plan,
including forecasts of cash flows.
In building these budgets and forecasts, the Board has considered market
challenges and uncertainties including the availability of labour and supply
chain resources to grow the business activities.
Kinovo had residual commitments under various parent company guarantees for
its former construction business, DCB. Under the terms of the parent company
guarantees, Kinovo was responsible for the completion of nine projects.
Five projects have been completed by Kinovo and another has been substantially
finished with completion due during July 2024. One project was completed
directly by the client and another client was placed into Administration with
Kinovo not expecting to have any further commitment on the project. Kinovo has
reached a settlement in principle of £2.2 million on the final project which
will be payable by instalments over an eighteen month period from July 2024. A
performance bond amounting to £860,000 is outstanding on the final project
but as part of the settlement this will be cancelled once Kinovo has paid
cumulative amounts to the client equivalent to the value of the bond.
Other than the outstanding amounts on the settlement of the final project,
Kinovo has paid, at the date of signing of the financial statements, almost
all of the gross costs to complete the projects with recoveries expected in
future periods.
The HSBC Bank UK plc overdraft and purchasing card facilities were renewed
after the year end, through to the end of April 2025. The facilities are
expected to be utilised during the going concern period.
The Directors expect that the cash generated by the continuing business and
the renewal of the HSBC facilities will provide the financial capacity to
facilitate the growth of the core operations and support the completion of the
DCB project liabilities.
After taking into account the above factors and possible sensitivities in
trading performance, the Board has reasonable expectation that Kinovo plc and
the Group as a whole have adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for the foreseeable future.
For these reasons, the Board continues to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these accounts
do not include any adjustments to the carrying amount or classification of
assets and liabilities that would result if the Group were unable to continue
as a going concern.
2.2. Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements consolidate those of the Company and its
subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 March each year. Subsidiaries are
entities that are controlled by the Company. The definition of control
involves three elements: power over the investee; exposure or rights to
variable returns; and the ability to use power over the investee to affect the
amount of the investors' returns. The Group generally obtains power through
voting rights.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial information of
Kinovo plc and its subsidiaries. Subsidiary companies are consolidated from
the date that control is gained. The subsidiaries of the Group are detailed in
note 6 of the parent company financial statements on page • . All
intra-group transactions, balances, income and expense are eliminated on
consolidation.
2.3. Business combinations and goodwill
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method, with the
exception of the acquisition of P&R Installation Company Limited. The
acquisition method involves the recognition at fair value of all identifiable
assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the subsidiary at the
acquisition date, regardless of whether or not they were recorded in the
financial statements of the subsidiary prior to acquisition. On initial
recognition, the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary are included in the
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at their fair values, which are
also used as the bases of subsequent measurement in accordance with the Group
accounting policies.
The acquisition of P&R Installation Company Limited did not meet the
definition of a business combination as the company was not a business and
therefore falls outside the scope of IFRS 3 (Revised) "Business Combinations".
As IFRS does not provide specific guidance in relation to Group
reorganisations it defers to the next appropriate GAAP, being UK GAAP. The
acquisition of P&R Installation Company Limited by the Company has
therefore been accounted for in accordance with the principles of merger
accounting as set out in Section 19 of FRS 102. Costs relating to acquisitions
in the year are expensed and are included in administrative expenses.
Goodwill arising on acquisitions is recognised for an acquisition as an asset
and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the business
combination over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognised.
Where applicable, the consideration for an acquisition includes any assets or
liabilities resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, measured at
fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes in such fair values are
adjusted against the cost of acquisition where they result in additional
information, obtained within one year from the acquisition date, about facts
and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. All other subsequent
changes in fair value of contingent consideration classified as an asset or
liability are recognised in accordance with IAS 39, either in profit or loss
or as a change to other comprehensive income. Changes in fair value of
contingent consideration classified as equity are not recognised.
2.4. Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or
receivable for the provision of the Group's services. Revenue is recognised by
the Group, net of value added tax, based upon the following:
• Mechanical services - Mechanical services are supplied under a
term contract or framework agreement with both local authority and corporate
customers that usually span one or more years. These contracts will outline a
number of services that the Group is retained to provide to the customer
ranging from boiler servicing and meter connections to installing central
heating solutions, including air source heat pumps under decarbonisation
projects. These services will be provided on request from the customer, and
work will be charged based on the customer schedule of rates. Each service is
considered to have a single performance obligation, and generally takes
between a couple of hours and a few days to complete. Revenue is only
recognised at the point that the service is complete. Invoicing only occurs
once the customer has agreed that the relevant service has been received and
completed. Any costs incurred in advance of the performance obligation being
completed are recognised as work in progress. Any work completed but not yet
agreed with the customer/invoiced is recognised as accrued income.
• Building services: Building work is supplied under a term contract
or framework agreement which sets out the range of services the Group is
retained to provide to the customer including refurbishments, replacements of
kitchens and bathrooms, window installations and painting and decorating,
alongside retrofit of insulation. These services will be provided on request
from the customer, and work will be charged based on the customer schedule of
rates. Each service is considered to have a single performance obligation, and
generally takes between a couple of hours and a few days to complete. Revenue
is only recognised at the point that the service is complete. Invoicing only
occurs once the customer has agreed that the relevant service has been
received and completed. Any costs incurred in advance of the performance
obligation being completed are recognised as work in progress. Any work
completed but not yet agreed with the customer/invoiced is recognised as
accrued income.
• Electrical services - Electrical services are supplied under a
term contract or framework agreement with both local authority and corporate
customers that usually spans one or more years. These contracts will outline a
number of services that the Group is retained to provide to the customer
including servicing, maintenance, emergency call-outs, rewires, as well as
installation of solar PV and other renewable energy sources. These services
will be provided on request from the customer, and work will be charged based
on the customer schedule of rates. Each service is considered to have a single
performance obligation, and generally takes between a couple of hours and a
few days to complete. Revenue is only recognised at the point that the service
is complete. Invoicing only occurs once the customer has agreed that the
relevant service has been received and completed. Any costs incurred in
advance of the performance obligation being completed are recognised as work
in progress. Any work completed but not yet agreed with the customer/invoiced
is recognised as accrued income.
It is considered by management that the above revenue recognition policies are
suitable for recognising revenue arising from the Group's key market
verticals. All revenue streams are wholly attributable to the principle
activity of the Group and arise solely within the United Kingdom. Note 5 gives
further detail of any work in progress and accrued income balances recognised
in relation to contracts with customers.
2.5. Operating profit and non-underlying items
Operating profit comprises the Group's revenue for the provision of services,
less the costs of providing those services and administrative overheads,
including depreciation of the Group's non-current assets.
Underlying operating profit before the deduction of exceptional costs and
other adjusting items is one of the key measures used by the Board to monitor
the Group's performance. Exceptional costs are disclosed on the face of the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as "non-underlying items".
These non-underlying items comprise costs that are considered by the Board to
not relate to the underlying financial performance of the Group and are
separately analysed so that the users of the accounts can compare trading
performance on a like-for-like basis. Costs falling within this category will
have one or more of the following attributes:
• one-off transactions not relating to current or future trading;
• non-cash items such as amortisation and impairment of financial
assets and share based payment charges; and
• exceptional in size such that they distort the understanding of
underlying trading activities.
2.6. Dividends
The Group has a policy of paying dividends to shareholders in accordance with
the amount recommended by the Directors. If the Directors believe the
dividends are justified by the profits of the Group available for
distribution, they also pay interim dividends. Dividends are recognised when
they become legally payable. In the case of interim dividends, this is when
dividends are paid. In the case of final dividends, this is when the dividends
are approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.
2.7. Segmental reporting
The Board of Directors of Kinovo plc (which is considered to be the Chief
Operating Decision Maker) has identified the reportable segments to be
mechanical services, building services and electrical services. Direct costs
are allocated to the appropriate segment as they arise and central overheads
are apportioned based on management's estimated allocation of the underlying
utilisation of resources. Operating segments are presented in a manner
consistent with internal reporting, with inter-segment revenue and
expenditure eliminated on consolidation. The segmental reporting is outlined
in note 6.
2.8. Intangible assets
In accordance with IFRS 3, an intangible asset acquired in a business
combination is deemed to have a cost to the Group of its fair value at the
acquisition date. The fair value of the intangible asset reflects market
expectations about the probability that future economic benefits embodied in
the asset will flow to the Group.
Software expenditure is capitalised as an intangible asset if the asset
created can be identified, if it is probable that the asset created will
generate future economic benefits and if the development cost of the asset can
be measured reliably.
Following initial recognition, the carrying amount of an intangible asset is
its cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment
losses. Amortisation expense is charged to administrative expenses in the
income statement on a straight line basis over its useful life.
The identifiable intangible assets and associated periods of amortisation are
as follows:
• Customer relationships -
over the period expected to benefit, typically seven years.
• Software and development costs - over four years.
2.9. Impairment
For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest
levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows: cash-generating
units ("CGUs"). As a result, some assets are tested individually for
impairment, and some are tested at CGU level. Goodwill is allocated to CGUs
that are expected to benefit from synergies of the related business
combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which
management monitors the related cash flows.
Goodwill or CGUs that include goodwill and those intangible assets not yet
available for use are tested for impairment at least annually. All other
individual assets or CGUs are tested for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
An impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for
the amount by which the asset or CGU's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable
amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value, reflecting market
conditions less costs to sell, and value in use based on an internal
discounted cash flow evaluation. Impairment losses recognised for CGUs to
which goodwill has been allocated are credited initially to the carrying
amount of goodwill. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the
other assets in the CGU. With the exception of goodwill, all assets are
subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss previously
recognised may no longer exist.
2.10. Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of the assets,
net of anticipated disposal proceeds, over the expected useful lives of the
assets concerned as follows:
Freehold property - 2% on freehold building cost.
Long leasehold improvements - 5% on long leasehold improvements cost.
Office and computer equipment - 25% reducing balance.
Fixtures and fittings - 25% reducing balance.
Motor vehicles - 25% reducing balance.
Freehold land is not depreciated.
Subsequent expenditure is included in the asset's carrying amount or
recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that
future economic benefits will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can
be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the
Statement of Comprehensive Income during the financial period in which they
are incurred.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with
carrying amount and are included in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
The residual values and economic lives of assets are reviewed by the Directors
on at least an annual basis and are amended as appropriate.
2.11. Impairment of property, plant and equipment
At each Statement of Financial Position date, the Group reviews the carrying
amounts of its property, plant and equipment to determine whether there is any
indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such
indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order
to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does
not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group
estimates the recoverable amount of the cash‑generating unit to which the
asset belongs.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in
use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted
to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current
market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the
asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated
to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset
(cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment
loss is recognised as an expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is
carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as
a revaluation decrease. For assets other than goodwill, where conditions
giving rise to impairment subsequently reverse, the effect of the impairment
charge is also reversed as a credit to the Statement of Comprehensive Income,
net of any depreciation or amortisation that would have been charged since the
impairment.
2.12. Inventories
Raw materials and consumables are measured at the lower of cost and net
realisable value. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price
less additional costs to completion and disposal.
Work in progress is measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Cost comprises direct materials and direct labour costs that have been
incurred in advance of the performance obligations on contracts being
completed.
2.13. Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Consolidated
Statement of Financial Position when the Group becomes party to the
contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are de-recognised
when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire
or when the contractual rights to those assets are transferred. Financial
liabilities are de-recognised when the obligation specified in the contract is
discharged, cancelled or expired.
(a) Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method
less provision for impairment. Appropriate provisions for expected credit
losses are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when there is
objective evidence that the assets are impaired. Interest income is recognised
by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term trade and other
receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial.
The Group incurs costs in advance of new contracts commencing in association
with preparatory work to ensure the contract can be delivered from day one.
These costs are included within work in progress and released over the life
of the contract.
(b) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits and other
short-term highly liquid investments that have maturities of three months or
less from inception, are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and
are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
(c) Equity instruments
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the
assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments
issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct
issue costs.
(d) Trade and other payables
Trade payables are initially measured at their fair value and are subsequently
measured at their amortised cost using the effective interest rate method;
this method allocates interest expense over the relevant period by applying
the "effective interest rate" to the carrying amount of the liability.
(e) Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs
incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost; any difference
between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is
recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the period of the
borrowings using the effective interest method.
2.14. Current and deferred tax
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is
recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, except to the extent that
it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in
equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income
or directly in equity, respectively.
(a) Current tax
Tax payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs
from net profit reported in the Statement of Comprehensive Income because it
excludes items of income and expense that are taxable or deductible in other
years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The
Group's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been
enacted or substantively enacted by the Statement of Financial Position date.
As the Group has brought forward losses there is no tax payable for the year
to 31 March 2024. Details of the tax charge on ordinary operations and tax
credit on discontinued operations during the year are outlined in note 13.
(b) Deferred tax
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on temporary
differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the
financial information and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation
of taxable profit and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability
method. Deferred tax assets/liabilities are recognised to the extent that it
is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible
temporary differences can be utilised.
Deferred tax is charged or credited to the Statement of Comprehensive Income
except when it relates to items credited or charged directly in equity, in
which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.
Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates and laws that are expected to
apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled
based upon tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the
reporting date.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date
and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient
taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be
recovered.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally
enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax
liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation
authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and
liabilities on a net basis.
2.15. Leases
The Group leases various premises, vehicles and equipment. Rental contracts
are typically made for fixed periods of six months to 5 years but may have
extension options. Contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components.
The Group allocates the consideration in the contract to the lease and
non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices. However, for
leases of real estate for which the Group is a lessee, it has elected not to
separate the lease and non-lease components and instead accounts for these as
a single lease component.
Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of
different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any
covenants other than the security interests in the leased assets that are
held by the lessor. Leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing
purposes.
Leases are recognised as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability at
the date which the leased asset is available for use by the Group.
Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a
present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the
following lease payments:
• fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any
lease incentives receivable;
• variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate,
initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;
• amounts expected to be payable by the Group under residual value
guarantees;
• the exercise price or a purchase option if the Group is reasonably
certain to exercise that option; and
• payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term
reflects the Group exercising that option.
Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also
included in the measurement of the liability.
The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the
lease. If that rate cannot be determined, which is generally the case for
leases in the Group, the lessee's incremental borrowing rate is used, being
the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds
necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a
similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions.
To determine the incremental borrowing rate, the Group uses recent third-party
financing received by the individual lessee as a starting point, adjusted to
reflect changes in the financing conditions since the third-party financing
was received.
Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance cost. The finance
cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period so as to produce a
constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability
for each period.
Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:
• the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability;
• any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less
any lease incentives received;
• any initial direct costs; and
• restoration costs.
Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful
life and the lease term on a straight line basis. If the Group is reasonably
certain to exercise a purchase option, the right-of-use asset is depreciated
over the underlying asset's useful life.
Payments associated with short-term leases of equipment and vehicles and all
leases of low-value assets are recognised on a straight line basis as an
expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of
twelve months or less. Low-value assets comprise small items of office
equipment and IT.
2.16. Employee benefits
The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes for certain employees
of the Group. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the
Group in an independently administered fund. The pension costs charged to
profit or loss are the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the
accounting period.
All Group companies are in compliance with their pension obligations and have
auto-enrolled, offering all employees the opportunity to participate.
2.17. Share based payments
The Group issues equity-settled share based payment transactions to certain
employees. Equity-settled share based payment transactions are measured at
fair value at the date of grant. The calculation of fair value at the date of
grant requires the use of management's best estimate of volatility, risk free
rate and expected time to exercise the options. Details regarding the
determination of the fair value of equity-settled transactions are set out in
note 28.
The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share based
payments is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period, based
on the Group's estimate of the number of equity instruments that will
eventually vest. At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimate of the
number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of
non-market-based vesting conditions. The impact of the revision of the
original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the
cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding
adjustment to reserves.
2.18. Onerous contracts
In accordance with IAS 37, assessment of whether any contracts within the
business are onerous is made on an ongoing basis. A contract is deemed to be
onerous at the point at which the unavoidable costs of meeting the contract
outweigh the expected future economic benefit. In making this assessment the
following costs are considered:
• any incremental costs associated with delivery, ie direct labour,
materials etc.; and
• an allocation of other direct costs, ie depreciation for machinery
involved etc.
At the point these expected costs outweigh the future benefit, the full value
of the future expected loss will be provided for as an onerous contract.
2.19. New standards and interpretations
The Group has applied the following standards and amendments for the first
time for the annual reporting period commencing on 1 April 2023:
· IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (including the June 2020 and December
2021 Amendments to IFRS 17)
· IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements
· IFRS 19 Subsidiaries without Public Accountability: Disclosures
· Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS
Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements - Disclosure of Accounting
Policies
· Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes - Deferred Tax related to
Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction
· Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes - International Tax Reform -
Pillar Two Model Rules
· Amendments to IAS 8 Accounting Polices, Changes in Accounting
Estimates and Errors - Definition of Accounting Estimates
The amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognised
in prior periods and are not expected to significantly affect the current
or future periods.
2.20. New standards and interpretations not yet adopted
The following new accounting standards and interpretations are currently in
issue but not effective for accounting periods commencing on 1 April 2023 and
therefore have not been early adopted by the Group:
• Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its
Associate or Joint Venture (Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28)
• Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current
(Amendments to IAS 1)
• Non-current Liabilities with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1)
• Supplier Finance Arrangements (Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7)
• Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback (Amendments to IFRS 16)
These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the entity in
the current or future reporting periods or on foreseeable future transactions.
3. Financial risk management
3.1. Financial risk factors
The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk,
credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group's overall risk management programme
focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise
potential adverse effects on the Group's financial performance.
Risk management is carried out by management under policies approved by the
Board of Directors. Management identifies and evaluates financial risks and
provides principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering
specific areas, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and investment of
excess liquidity.
3.2. Market risk
Market risk is the risk of loss that may arise from changes in market factors
such as interest rates, foreign exchange and security prices.
(a) Interest rate risk
The Group has exposure to interest rate risk by virtue of its borrowings with
HSBC UK Bank Plc, which attract interest at a mark-up to the base rate.
Details of actual interest rates can be found in note 21 to these consolidated
financial statements. No hedging arrangements are currently in place but the
Board keeps this under constant review.
3.3. Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its
contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. Credit risk
arises principally from the Group's cash balances and trade receivables
balances. The Group's customers are primarily local authorities and housing
associations with high credit ratings.
The Group has a number of policies for managing the credit risk of its new and
existing customers, and has dedicated functions focused on cash conversion,
collection and management.
The Group gives careful consideration to which organisations it uses for its
banking services in order to minimise credit risk and therefore only financial
institutions with a minimum rating of B are used. Currently the Group bank
accounts are held primarily with HSBC UK Bank Plc which has a Fitch rating of
AA-.
3.4. Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its
financial obligations as they fall due. This risk relates to the Group's
prudent liquidity risk management and implies maintaining sufficient cash
reserves to meet the Group's working capital requirements. Management monitors
rolling forecasts of the Group's liquidity and cash and cash equivalents on
the basis of expected cash flow.
As at 31 March 2024, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of £489,000
(2023: £1,322,000).
The Group has a centralised treasury function and actively manages cash flows
on both a daily and longer-term basis.
3.5. Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a
going concern whilst maximising the return to shareholders. The Group funds
its expenditure on commitments from existing cash and cash equivalent
balances.
There are no externally imposed capital requirements.
Financing decisions are made by the Board of Directors based on forecasts of
the expected timing and level of capital and operating expenditure required to
meet the Group's commitments and development plans.
The capital structure of the Group consists of cash and cash equivalents and
equity, comprising issued share capital and retained profits.
4. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates
and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and
expenditure during year. The estimates and associated judgements are based on
historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of
making judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not
readily apparent from other sources.
The estimates and underlying judgements are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the
estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the
period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current
and future periods.
In the process of applying the Group's accounting policies, management has
decided the following estimates and assumptions have a significant risk of
causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities recognised in the consolidated financial statements.
4.1. Critical judgements in applying the Group's accounting policies
(a) Valuation of accrued income
Work completed under either a framework agreement or term contract for gas
services, building services and electrical services is recognised as accrued
income until it has been billed to the client. A level of judgement is
involved in determining whether the Group has met all of the required
performance obligations necessary in order to recognise the revenue. Accrued
income of £7.7 million was recognised within the Statement of Financial
Position at 31 March 2024 (2023: £7.1 million).
(b) Share based payment charge
The Black Scholes model and the Monte Carlo simulation have been used to
calculate the appropriate charge for the share options issued across the
Group's share option plans in the current and previous years. The use of these
models to calculate a charge involves using a number of judgements to
establish the appropriate inputs to be entered into the models, covering areas
such as exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations of scheme
members. Full details of judgements used within the calculation to derive the
charge are given within note 28. Underlying estimates and a full sensitivity
analysis have not been disclosed as management does not feel that any
reasonable change would materially influence the interpretation of the charge.
(c) Tax treatment of disposal
There is a tax credit of £1.1 million included in 2022 loss on disposal of
£12.6 million on DCB. Management engaged with third party tax specialists to
identify the appropriate tax treatment of the different aspects of the loss on
disposal and based on relevant judgements and interpretation of tax
legislation, it is managements expectation that £1.1 million of tax credits
will be recoverable from the losses. If a different viewpoint and
interpretation of tax legislation were applied, it might be concluded that
the credit would not be recoverable.
(d) Costs to complete legacy DCB construction projects
As part of the obligations under the terms of the sale of DCB, the Group
continues to provide parent company guarantees (PCG's) on nine construction
projects of DCB which run through to their practical completion. On
administration of DCB the outstanding obligations under the PCG's were assumed
by Kinovo plc. At the date of signing the financial statements seven of the
projects were finalised, one was in progress on site due for completion in
July 2024 and settlement of £2.2 million on the final project was agreed in
principle. The total expected cost to complete all the projects, including the
settlement on the final project has been determined as £12.9 million which
has been fully provided at 31 March 2024.
At 31 March 2024, the outstanding provision for completion of the projects was
£3.2 million which includes £2.2 million in respect of the settlement in
principle on the final project. Management have made the judgement that the
settlement on the final project will be completed in accordance with the
agreed commercial terms and conditions. Furthermore they have judged that the
project in progress on site will be completed in line with the forecast cost
and that there is unlikely to be material post completion remediation work
required on the projects.
4.2. Key sources of estimation uncertainty
(a) Impairment of goodwill
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimate of the value in
use of the cash-generating units ("CGUs") to which goodwill has been
allocated. The value in use calculation involves an estimate of the future
cash flows of the CGUs and also the selection of appropriate discount rates to
calculate present values. Future cash flows are estimated based on contract
value and duration, together with margin based on past performance. Change in
contract values and duration, together with margins achieved, could result in
variations to the carrying value of goodwill. In addition, an adverse movement
in the discount factor due to an increased risk profile or a change in the
cost of debt (increase in interest rates) would also result in a variation to
the carrying value of goodwill. The primary sensitivity is the discount rate;
however, the Directors consider that there is no reason to believe it is not
appropriate. See note 15.2 for details on the key estimates used within the
impairment test for goodwill, along with the Group's sensitivity analysis.
(b) Right-of-use assets
Management is required to make a number of estimates in recognising
right-of-use assets. These key estimates are considered to be:
• estimation of the lease term, which is done on a lease-by-lease
basis;
• determination of the appropriate rate to discount the lease
payments. This is set with reference to the Group's incremental cost of
borrowing. The incremental rate was 8.1% in the current year (2023: 3.4%); and
• assessment of whether a right-of-use asset is impaired. An
impairment is considered to be present where the net present value of future
cash benefit of utilising the asset within the business, or if applicable
potential sub-lease income if the asset is no longer required, is less than
the net present value of future lease payments.
Management considers all facts and circumstances including its past practice
and business plans in making this estimate on a lease-by-lease basis.
At 31 March 2024 the Group holds £1.2 million of right-of-use assets (2023:
£0.9 million). Management has reviewed the future benefit and costs of the
underlying assets and has not identified the need to recognise any impairment.
5. Revenue
All results in the current and prior period derive from continuing operations
and all revenues arose in the UK.
There are four customers who individually contributed 12%, 12%, 11% and 11%
respectively towards the revenue (2023: two contributing 16% and 12%).
The Group has recognised the following assets within the Statement of
Financial Position related to contracts with customers:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Current assets relating to contracts with customers:
Trade receivables 4,866 3,610
Work in progress 2,261 2,005
Accrued income 7,677 7,066
14,804 12,681
As set out in note 2.12, work in progress balances arise where costs are
incurred in advance of the performance obligations required to recognise
revenue having been met, and therefore the costs are recognised as an asset.
Accrued income relates to performance obligations that have been satisfied,
but the invoice has not yet been raised to the customer.
There are no long-term construction contracts held within continuing
operations.
Services are provided under framework agreements and therefore not considered
to have any unsatisfied performance obligations as at 31 March 2024.
6. Segmental reporting
The Board of Directors (Chief Operating Decision Maker) has determined an
operating management structure aligned around the three core activities of the
Group, with the following operating segments applicable:
• Mechanical services: the Group offers a range of services within
the mechanical services segment which is inclusive but not limited to: boiler
servicing, meter connections and installing central heating solutions,
including air source heat pumps under decarbonisation projects.
• Building services: the Group offers a range of services which is
inclusive but not limited to: refurbishment, replacements of kitchens and
bathrooms, window installations and painting and decorating, alongside
retrofit of insulation.
• Electrical services: the Group offers a range of services within
the electrical services segment which is inclusive but not limited to:
servicing, maintenance, emergency call-outs, rewires, as well as installation
of solar PV and other renewable energy sources.
The Board adopts the operating profit before exceptional items and
amortisation of acquisition intangibles as the profit measure. The following
is an analysis of the Group's revenue and operating profit before
non-underlying items, for continuing operations, by reportable segment:
12 months ended 12 months ended
31 March 2024 31 March 2023
£'000 £'000
Mechanical services 11,670 15,022
Building services 20,555 19,686
Electrical services 31,912 27,962
Total revenue 64,137 62,670
Reconciliation of operating profit before non-underlying items to profit
before taxation from continuing operations:
12 months ended 12 months ended
31 March 2024 31 March 2023
£'000 £'000
Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquisition
intangibles by segment
Mechanical services 1,167 1,527
Building services 1,419 1,494
Electrical services 5,585 4,099
Unallocated central costs (1,688) (1,823)
Total operating profit before non-underlying items 6,483 5,297
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles - (385)
Share based payment charge (103) (103)
Operating profit 6,380 4,809
Finance costs (341) (401)
Profit before tax 6,039 4,408
Only the Group Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income is regularly
reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker and consequently no segment
assets or liabilities are disclosed under IFRS 8.
7. Operating profit
Operating profit for the continuing business is stated after charging all
costs including non-underlying items which are detailed in note 9.
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Inventory recognised as an expense in cost of sales 11,876 9,992
Staff costs 13,116 11,742
Depreciation 148 131
Depreciation of right of use assets 585 513
Amortisation of software costs 116 72
Auditor's remuneration 125 114
Non-audit remuneration - 2
The depreciation and amortisation charges as stated in the table above are
included within administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income.
8. EBITDA for continuing operations
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA")
EBITDA is calculated as follows:
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations 6,142 4,896
Finance costs 341 401
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 148 131
Depreciation of right of use assets 585 513
Amortisation of software costs 116 72
EBITDA from continuing operations (before lease payment charges) 7,332 6,013
Lease payment charge (617) (539)
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations (after lease payment charges) 6,715 5,474
9. Non-underlying items
Operating profit includes the following items which are considered by the
Board to be either exceptional in size, one-off in nature or non-trading
related items as defined in note 2.5.
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Amortisation of customer relationships (a) - 385
Share based payment charge (b) 103 103
103 488
(a) Amortisation and impairment of customer relationships
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles was £nil for the year (2023:
£385,000). In 2023 the charge related to amortisation of the customer
relationships identified by the Directors on the acquisition of Purdy.
(b) Share based payment charge
A number of Group share option schemes are in place and new options have been
granted during the year as detailed in note 28. The share based payment charge
has been separately identified as it is a non-cash expense for the Group.
10. Employee expenses
The average number of employees (including Directors) employed during the year
was:
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
No. No.
Management 43 38
Administration 63 56
Engineers 142 130
248 224
The aggregate remuneration of the above employees (including Directors)
comprised:
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Wages and salaries 11,685 10,344
Social security costs 1,113 1,137
Pension costs 318 261
13,116 11,742
The remuneration of the Directors and other key management personnel of the
Group is shown in note 27 and the Remuneration Committee Report.
11. Finance costs and finance income
The Group received no finance income in either the current or prior period.
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Interest payable on bank borrowings and loans 77 140
Interest payable on lease liabilities 36 30
Other finance costs 228 231
341 401
12. Dividends
The Directors do not recommend a final dividend for the year ended 31 March
2024 (2023: £nil).
No interim dividend was paid in the year or for the previous year.
13. Income tax
13.1. Components of income tax charge
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Current income tax expense
Current income tax charge in relation to continuing operations 940 960
Current income tax credit in relation to discontinued operations (1,912) -
Carry forward tax losses arising in the year 972
Utilisation of tax losses from disposal - (960)
Total current tax - -
Deferred tax
Credit in connection with intangible assets acquired - (72)
Movement in brought forward tax losses (972) (209)
Short-term timing differences - (3)
Charge for lease liabilities recognised on adoption of IFRS 16 118 28
Credit for right of use asset recognised on adoption of IFRS 16 (121) (28)
Credit for share based payment charge (26) (20)
Total deferred tax (1,001) (304)
Total income tax charge for continuing operations 911 695
Total tax credit for discontinued operations (1,912) (999)
Income tax credit reported in income statement (1,001) (304)
13.2. Tax reconciliation
The tax assessed in each period differs from the standard rate of corporation
tax in the UK. The differences are explained below.
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation (1,610) (852)
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation multiplied by standard rate of (403) (162)
UK corporation tax of 25% (2023: 19%)
Effects of:
Non-deductible expenses 44 66
Movement in brought forward tax losses (569) (208)
Other (73) -
(1,001) (304)
14. Earnings per share
14.1. Basic and diluted earnings per share
The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the result
attributable to shareholders divided by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the year.
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the
year or period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. The
Group has potentially issuable shares all of which relate to the Group's share
options issued to Directors and employees.
Basic and diluted profit per share from continuing operations are calculated
as follows:
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Profit used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for continuing 5,128 3,713
operations
Loss used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for total (609) (548)
operations
Number of shares
Weighted average number of shares for the purpose of basic earnings per share 62,528,742 62,137,757
Weighted average number of shares for the purpose of diluted earnings per 63,393,296 62,689,167
share
Basic earnings per share (pence) for continuing operations 8.20 5.97
Diluted earnings per share (pence) for continuing operations 8.08 5.92
Basic loss per share (pence) for total operations (0.97) (0.88)
Diluted loss per share (pence) for total operations (0.97) (0.88)
Diluted earnings per share includes potentially dilutive equity instruments.
These instruments are anti-dilutive in the current and prior year in respect
of the loss per share for total operations.
Options over 5,404,142 ordinary shares remained outstanding as at 31 March
2024 (2023: 5,439,968) as detailed in note 28.
Details of loss per share for discontinued operations are set out in note 30.
14.2. Adjusted earnings per share
Profit after tax for continuing operations is stated after deducting
non-underlying items totalling £103,000 (2023: £488,000) as set out in note
9 and the impact of these items on corporation tax. Non-underlying items are
either exceptional in size, one-off in nature or non-trading related items.
These are shown separately on the face of the Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income.
The calculation of adjusted basic and adjusted diluted earnings per share is
based on the result attributable to shareholders, adjusted for non-underlying
items, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
during the year.
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Profit after tax 5,128 3,713
Add back:
Amortisation of customer relationships - 385
Share based payment charge 103 103
Impact of above adjustments on corporation tax - -
Adjusted profit after tax 5,231 4,201
Number of shares
Weighted average number of shares for the purpose of adjusted earnings per 62,528,742 62,137,757
share
Weighted average number of shares for the purpose of diluted adjusted earnings 63,393,296 62,689,167
per share
Adjusted earnings per share (pence) for continuing operations 8.36 6.76
Diluted adjusted earnings per share (pence) for continuing operations 8.25 6.70
Diluted adjusted earnings per share includes potentially dilutive equity
instruments.
15. Intangible assets
Software Customer
costs relationships Goodwill Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 April 2023 531 11,708 4,192 16,431
Additions in the year 119 - - 119
At 31 March 2024 650 11,708 4,192 16,550
Amortisation
At 1 April 2023 212 11,708 - 11,920
Charge for the year 116 - - 116
At 31 March 2024 328 11,708 - 12,036
Net book value
At 31 March 2023 319 - 4,192 4,511
At 31 March 2024 322 - 4,192 4,514
Software Customer
costs relationships Goodwill Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 April 2022 343 11,708 4,192 16,243
Additions in the year 188 - - 188
At 31 March 2023 531 11,708 4,192 16,431
Amortisation
At 1 April 2022 140 11,323 - 11,463
Charge for the year 72 385 - 457
At 31 March 2023 212 11,708 - 11,920
Net book value
At 31 March 2022 203 385 4,192 4,780
At 31 March 2023 319 - 4,192 4,511
15.1. Customer relationships
The customer relationships intangible assets arise on acquisition of
subsidiaries when accounted for as a business combination and relate to the
expected value to be derived from contractual and non-contractual customer
relationships. The value placed on the contractual customer relationship is
based on the expected cash revenue inflows over the estimated remaining life
of each existing contract. The value placed on the non-contractual customer
relationships is based on the expected cash inflows based on past revenue
performance by virtue of the customer relationship, but using an attrition
rate depending on the length of the relationship. Associated cash outflows
have been based on historically achieved margins and overhead run rates per
£1 of revenue. The net cash flows are discounted at a rate which the
Directors consider is commensurate with the risks associated with capturing
returns from the customer relationships.
The estimated life for customer relationships is based on the average of the
contracted remaining life of contracted relationships and estimated life of
the non‑contractual relationships.
Purdy Spokemead Dunhams Total
Attrition rate where relationship <5 years 80% n/a n/a
Attrition rate where relationship >5 years 50% n/a n/a
Discount rate 13.30% 12.84% 15.79%
Estimated life of relationship at date of acquisition 7 years 7.5 years 1.5 years
Fair value of customer relationships at date of acquisition £5,586,000 £5,922,000 £200,000 £11,708,000
Current carrying value of customer relationships - - - -
15.2. Goodwill
Goodwill on consolidation arises on the excess of cost of acquisition over the
fair value of the net assets acquired on purchase of the company. Each
subsidiary is its own CGU for the purposes of the goodwill calculation and
impairment reviews and is monitored on an ongoing basis by the Board.
The goodwill allocated to each subsidiary entity is presented below:
Purdy Spokemead Dunhams Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Allocation of goodwill 1,719 1,186 1,287 4,192
The Group tests whether goodwill has suffered any impairment on an annual
basis. For the 2024 and 2023 reporting periods, the recoverable amount of the
cash-generating units ("CGUs") was determined based on the value in use
calculations which require the use of key assumptions. The calculations use
cash flow projections based on the level of recurring revenue from secured
contracts, which have already been won and are expected to be won in the
future. Cash flows beyond five years are extrapolated using the estimated
growth rates stated below. These growth rates are consistent with forecasts
included in industry reports specific to the industry in which the CGU
operates.
The following table sets out the key assumptions for those CGUs that have
significant goodwill allocated to them. The same assumptions have been used
across the CGUs as they are all considered to operate in markets with similar
characteristics.
Key assumptions 2024 2023
Long-term growth rate (used after 5 years) 1.9% 1.9%
3 to 5-year growth rate 5.0% 5.0%
Pre-tax discount rate 12.7% 16.3%
15.3. Sensitivity review
Management has performed a range of sensitivity analysis around movements in
both the discount rates and future growth rates used within the model and does
not anticipate that any realistic changes in the assumptions would cause the
assets to be impaired.
16. Property, plant and equipment
At 31 March 2024
Freehold Freehold Motor Fixtures Office and Total
land property vehicles and computer £'000
£'000 £'000 £'000 fittings equipment
£'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 April 2023 300 643 - 89 626 1,658
Additions - - 16 33 110 159
At 31 March 2024 300 643 16 122 736 1,817
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 - 174 - 42 380 596
Charge for the year - 47 4 19 78 148
At 31 March 2024 - 221 4 61 458 744
Net book value
At 1 April 2023 300 469 - 47 246 1,062
At 31 March 2024 300 422 12 61 278 1,073
At 31 March 2023
Freehold Freehold Motor Fixtures Office and Total
land property vehicles and computer £'000
£'000 £'000 £'000 fittings equipment
£'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 April 2022 300 617 - 55 596 1,568
Additions - 26 - 34 30 90
At 31 March 2023 300 643 - 89 626 1,658
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022 - 148 - 29 288 465
Charge for the year - 26 - 13 92 131
At 31 March 2023 - 174 - 42 380 596
Net book value
At 1 April 2022 300 469 - 26 308 1,103
At 31 March 2023 300 469 - 47 246 1,062
Freehold land and building property was included at its net book value of
£784,000 at the date of acquisition, being the fair value of the land and
buildings at £815,000, less accumulated depreciation of £31,000. The
property was valued by an independent valuer with a recognised and relevant
professional qualification and with recent experience in the location and
category of investment property being valued, Savills (UK) Limited, as at 22
May 2015 on the existing use value basis in accordance with the Appraisal and
Valuation Manual of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The critical
assumptions made relating to its valuation are the market rent at £65,000 per
annum and the yield at 8.00%.
The bank facilities detailed in note 26 are secured on the property, plant and
equipment of the Group. The bank facility does not impose any restrictions of
use on the assets.
17. Right-of-use assets
Leasehold Motor Office and Total
property vehicles computer £'000
£'000 £'000 equipment
£'000
Cost
At 1 April 2023 263 1,256 - 1,519
Additions 83 914 - 997
Disposals - (696) - (696)
At 31 March 2024 346 1,474 - 1,820
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 59 531 - 590
Charge for the year 60 525 - 585
Disposals - (538) - (538)
At 31 March 2024 119 518 - 637
Net book value
At 1 April 2023 204 725 - 929
At 31 March 2024 227 956 - 1,183
Leasehold Motor Office and Total
property vehicles computer £'000
£'000 £'000 equipment
£'000
Cost
At 1 April 2022 263 992 56 1,311
Additions - 656 - 656
Disposals - (392) (56) (448)
At 31 March 2023 263 1,256 - 1,519
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022 7 468 50 525
Charge for the year 52 456 5 513
Disposals - (393) (55) (448)
At 31 March 2023 59 531 - 590
Net book value
At 31 March 2022 256 524 6 786
At 31 March 2023 204 725 - 929
18. Inventories
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Raw materials 351 433
Work in progress 2,261 2,005
2,612 2,438
19. Trade and other receivables
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Current
Trade receivables 4,866 3,610
Other receivables 77 173
Prepayments 287 238
Accrued income 7,677 7,066
12,907 11,087
The ageing of trade receivables that are past due but not impaired is shown
below:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Between 1 and 2 months 573 629
Between 2 and 3 months 37 107
More than 3 months 46 281
656 1,017
No allowance for doubtful debt has been made as management does not consider
that there are any issues over recoverability, due to the creditworthiness of
the customer profile and little historical issue of default.
In 2023, an allowance for doubtful debt of £29,000 was recognised in the
above balance for trade receivables. This was a specific provision resulting
from a commercial agreement rather than an issue with collection.
The Group's exposure to credit risk is discussed in note 26 to the
consolidated financial statements, including how the Group assesses the credit
quality of potential new customers and its policy for providing against
overdue invoices.
The average credit period taken on invoiced sales of services as at 31 March
2024 is 28 days (31 March 2023: 21 days). No interest was charged on overdue
receivables during the year.
The Directors believe that the carrying value of the trade and other
receivables is considered to represent its fair value. The maximum exposure to
credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of
receivable shown above. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.
The bank facilities detailed in note 26 are secured on the trade receivables
of £4,866,000 (2023: £3,610,000).
The Group's trade and other receivables are all denominated in Pounds
Sterling.
20. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank. The Group's cash and cash
equivalents are held at floating interest rates and are primarily held at HSBC
UK Bank Plc which has an AA- credit rating as assessed by Fitch Ratings. The
Directors consider that the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents
approximates to their fair value.
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Cash at HSBC UK Bank Plc 486 1,311
Other cash and bank balances 3 11
489 1,322
21. Borrowings
The maturity analysis of borrowings, inclusive of finance charges, is included
below. All of the loans are denominated in Pounds Sterling.
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Non-current borrowings
Bank and other borrowings:
Other loans - -
Mortgage loans 29 86
Total non-current borrowings 29 86
Current borrowings:
Bank and other borrowings:
Other loans - 34
Mortgage loan 57 57
Total current borrowings 57 91
Bank and other borrowings:
Other loans - 34
Mortgage loans 86 143
Total borrowings 86 177
The fair value of the borrowings outstanding as at 31 March 2024 is not
materially different to its carrying value since interest rates applicable on
the loans are close to the current market rates.
(a) Working capital facilities
At 31 March 2024 the Group had an unused £2.5 million working capital
facility with HSBC UK Bank Plc. The facility has an interest rate of 2.85%
above base rate and is repayable on demand. All cash at bank balances are
denominated in Pounds Sterling.
The £2.5 million working capital facility with HSBC UK Bank Plc was renewed
after the period end until April 2025, at an interest rate of 3.5% above base
rate and is repayable on demand.
(b) Other loans
Mortgage loan
A ten-year mortgage loan of £570,000 with HSBC UK Bank Plc was drawn down in
July 2015, with interest payable at 1.9% above base rate. The mortgage is held
over the freehold property of Purdy known as Brooklyn Lodge, Mott Street,
Chingford, London E4 7RW. £85,500 remained unpaid at the end of the period.
Other loan
A five-year term loan, originally drawn down in September 2018 of £317,000
with Funding Circle, was assumed by the Group on the acquisition of Dunhams in
November 2018 and was fully repaid in the period.
(c) Security
Bank loans are secured on related property, plant and equipment and debtor
books of the Group.
In respect of bank debt there is an Unlimited Composite Company Guarantee
given by Kinovo plc, Purdy, P&R, Spokemead and Dunhams to secure all
liabilities of each borrower.
22. Lease liabilities
As at 31 March 2024 the following amounts are included in the Statement of
Financial Position in relation to non-cancellable leases:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Lease liabilities
Current 594 452
Non-current 606 491
1,200 943
The maturity analysis of obligations under non-cancellable leases is shown in
the following table:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
No later than 1 year 594 452
Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 606 491
1,200 943
The interest expense recognised through the Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income during the year in relation to lease liabilities was
£36,000 (2023: £30,000).
23. Trade and other payables
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Trade payables 14,654 13,025
Other payables 88 63
Other taxation and social security 3,488 1,977
Accruals 2,802 2,948
21,032 18,013
Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade
purchases and ongoing costs. They are non-interest bearing.
The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables
approximates their fair value as the impact of discounting is insignificant.
The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all
payables are paid within the credit time frame and no interest has been
charged by any suppliers as a result of late payment of invoices.
Included within trade payables is a balance of £4,126,000 (2023: £4,609,000)
on a purchasing card facility provided by HSBC UK Bank Plc. The purchasing
card is typically used to facilitate administration and reporting of costs on
maintenance contracts at a granular level. Payment terms for Kinovo plc on the
purchasing cards are typically 90 days, which aligns with existing credit
terms with suppliers. Approved suppliers benefit from increased volumes and
receive funds upfront from HSBC UK Bank Plc. Based on the nature of the
transactions the Board considers it appropriate to disclose the balance within
trade creditors.
The average credit period taken on trade purchases (excluding those settled on
purchasing card) is 85 days (2023: 66 days). Trade purchases include the
purchase of materials and subcontractor costs.
24. Share capital and reserves
24.1. Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares of £0.10 each 2024 2023
£'000 £'000
At the beginning of the year 6,213 6,213
Issued in the year 66 -
At the end of the year 6,279 6,213
Number of shares
At the beginning of the year 62,137,757 62,137,757
Issued in the year 650,457 -
At the end of the year 62,788,214 62,137,757
Issued in the year
During the year the Company issued 650,457 of shares to allocate to members of
the SIP scheme (Please see note 28 for further details on the SIP). 23.5p was
paid for 325,229 of these shares, a total consideration of £77,000. This was
allocated as £33,000 of share capital,and £44,000 of share premium. The
remaining 325,228 shares were a share based payment for the members of the
scheme, and therefore 10p per share (a total consideration of £33,000) was
transferred to share capital from the share based payment reserve as payment
for these.
During 2023 the Company repurchased 364,402 of its own shares for £132,000 at
36p per share. These shares will be held in trust to use to settle obligations
under the SIP scheme as they become due. £68,000 was received from the SIP
Trust in contribution towards this, thus the total purchase netted to
£64,000.
During the year ended March 2021, the Company issued a total of 2,492,858
ordinary shares to RBC Cees Trustee (Nominees) Limited for £850,000. These
shares are to be held for future redemption by members of the JSOP scheme
subject to successful achievement of vesting conditions. Within the Group
accounts the share trust is consolidated and the £850,000 value of shares is
shown in equity as the Group ownership of own share capital.
24.2. Share premium
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
At the beginning of the year 9,245 9,245
Issued in the year (net of share issue costs) 44 -
At the end of the year 9,289 9,245
24.3. Merger reserve
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
At the beginning and end of the year (248) (248)
25. Note to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
12 months 12 months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Cash flow from operating activities
Loss before income tax (1,610) (852)
Adjustments for:
Net finance cost 341 401
Depreciation 732 645
Amortisation of intangible assets 116 457
Share based payments 103 103
Movement in receivables (1,820) (461)
Movement in payables 3,019 (1,050)
Movement in provisions (325) 3,478
Movement in inventories (174) 17
382 2,738
26. Financial instruments
The Group's principal financial assets are cash and cash equivalents and trade
and other receivables. All financial assets are classified as loans and
receivables.
The Group's principal financial liabilities are financing liabilities and
trade and other payables. All financial liabilities are held at amortised
cost.
The Group is exposed to the risks that arise from its use of financial
instruments. This note describes the objectives, policies and processes of the
Group for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further
quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented throughout
these consolidated financial statements.
26.1. Principal financial instruments
The principal financial instruments used by the Group, from which financial
instrument risk arises, are as follows:
• cash and cash equivalents;
• trade and other receivables;
• trade and other payables;
• borrowings; and
• leases.
The Group held the following financial assets at each reporting date:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Loans and receivables:
Trade receivables 4,866 3,610
Accrued income 7,677 7,066
Other receivables 364 411
Cash and cash equivalents 489 1,322
13,396 12,409
The Group held the following financial liabilities at each reporting date:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Held at amortised cost:
Bank loans and overdrafts 86 177
Lease liabilities 1,200 943
Accruals 2,802 2,948
Trade payables 14,654 13,025
Other payables including tax and social security 3,576 2,040
Provisions 3,153 3,478
25,471 22,611
26.2. Financial risk management
The Group's treasury function monitors and manages the financial risks in
relation to its operations. These risks include those arising from interest
rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and capital risk. The Group seeks to
minimise the effects of these risks by using effective control measures. The
Group's policies for financial risk management are outlined below.
(a) Interest rate risk management
The Group finances its operations through a combination of retained earnings
and bank borrowings from major financial institutions, with a minimum Fitch
rating of B, at floating rates of interest above the Bank of England base
rate. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow
interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Group to fair
value interest rate risk.
The Group's treasury function reviews its risk management strategy on a
regular basis and gives careful consideration to interest rates when
considering its borrowing requirements and where to hold its excess cash.
The Group currently has loans totalling £85,500 (2023: £176,500) at variable
interest rates. The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on some of its
financial assets, being its cash and cash equivalents. The interest rate
receivable on these balances at 31 March 2024 was at an average rate of less
than 1% (2023: less than 1%).
The Group's policy is to minimise interest charges through active cash
management. Interest charged on the Group's borrowings is kept under constant
review.
(b) Credit risk management
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its
contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. Credit risk
arises principlely from the Group's trade and other receivables and its cash
balances. The Group has an established credit policy under which each new
customer is analysed for creditworthiness before the Group's required payment
and delivery terms and conditions are offered.
The maximum exposure the Group will bear with a single customer is dependent
upon that customer's credit rating, the level of anticipated trading and the
time period over which the relationship is likely to run.
Social housing customers are typically local authorities or housing
associations and the nature of which means the credit risk is minimal. Other
trade receivables contain no specific concentration of credit risk with
amounts recognised representing a large number of receivables from various
customers.
(c) Trade and other receivables
The Group is exposed to the risk of default by its customers. At 31 March
2024, the Group had 6 customers with an outstanding balance over £250,000 (31
March 2023: 6). An allowance for impairment is made where there is an
identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a
reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. No allowance for doubtful
debts has been recognised in the current year. In 2023, a specific provision
against receivables of £29,000 was recognised in relation to settlement of
commercial negotiations on one client.
There are no other significant concentrations of credit risk at the balance
sheet date.
At 31 March 2024, the Group held no collateral as security against any
financial asset. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the
consolidated financial statements, net of any allowances for losses,
represents the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk without taking account
of the value of any collateral obtained.
(d) Liquidity risk management
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 managing
liquidity risk management is to ensure it will always have sufficient
liquidity to meet the Group's working capital requirements. Management
monitors rolling forecasts of the Group's liquidity and cash and cash
equivalents on the basis of expected cash flow.
The Directors manage liquidity risk by regularly reviewing cash requirements
by reference to short-term cash flow forecasts and medium-term working capital
projections prepared by management and operate a centralised treasury function
and actively manage cash flows on both a daily and longer-term basis.
The Group had total available working capital facilities at an interest rate
of 2.85% over base rate amounting to £2,500,000 with HSBC UK Bank Plc as at
31 March 2024. The Group maintains a good relationship with its bank, which
has a high credit rating. As at 31 March 2024, the Group had cash and cash
equivalents of £489,000 (2023: £1,322,000).
The table below shows the maturity profile of the Group's non-derivative
financial liabilities:
2024 Within 1-2 years 2-5 years Over Total
1 year £'000 £'000 5 years £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-derivative financial liabilities
HSBC mortgage 57 29 - - 86
Funding Circle unsecured loan - - - - -
Lease liabilities 594 444 134 28 1,200
Trade and other payables and accruals 21,032 - - - 21,032
Provisions 2,349 804 3,153
24,032 1,277 134 28 25,471
2023 Within 1-2 years 2-5 years Over Total
1 year £'000 £'000 5 years £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-derivative financial liabilities
HSBC mortgage 57 57 29 - 143
Funding Circle unsecured loan 34 - - - 34
Lease liabilities 452 286 157 48 943
Trade and other payables and accruals 18,013 - - - 18,013
Provisions 3,478 3,478
22,034 343 186 48 22,611
(e) Capital management risk
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be
able to continue as a going concern so that it can continue to provide returns
for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders through the optimisation
of debt and equity.
The capital structure of the Group consists of net debt as disclosed below and
equity as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Net cash comprised as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents 489 1,322
Bank borrowings and overdrafts (86) (177)
Lease liabilities (1,200) (943)
(797) 202
The movement in the net cash/(debt) position for the year can be reconciled as
follows:
2023 Cash movements Interest charges New lease Disposals 2024
£'000 £'000 £'000 agreements £'000 £'000
£'000
Cash and cash equivalents 1,322 (833) - - - 489
Bank borrowings and overdrafts (177) 91 - - - (86)
Lease liabilities (943) 583 (36) (997) 193 (1,200)
202 (159) (36) (997) 193 (797)
2022 Cash movements Interest charges New lease Disposals 2023
£'000 £'000 £'000 agreements £'000 £'000
£'000
Cash and cash equivalents 2,504 (1,182) - - - 1,322
Bank borrowings and overdrafts (2,843) 2,666 - - - (177)
Lease liabilities (796) 539 (30) (656) - (943)
(1,135) 2,023 (30) (656) - 202
27. Related party transactions
During 2023, Kinovo plc paid the Non-Executive Chair of Kinovo plc, Sangita
Shah the sum of £60,000 in relation to additional time spent on DCB including
liaising with lawyers and advisers. These amounts were paid to Odyssean
Enterprises Limited, a company in which Sangita Shah has an interest.
There have been no related party transactions in the current year.
27.1. Key management compensation
The Group's key management is considered to comprise the Directors of Kinovo
plc and the Chief Operating Officer. The aggregate remuneration of the key
management is as follows:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
The aggregate remuneration comprised:
Aggregate emoluments 1,313 1,460
Share based payments 52 52
Total remuneration 1,365 1,512
The remuneration of the highest paid Director during the year was £498,000
(2023: £513,000). The remuneration of individual Directors is disclosed in
the Remuneration Committee Report. The aggregate emoluments in the prior year
includes related party transactions as set out in note 27. There were no
related party transactions in 2024.
There were no other transactions with Directors or key personnel to disclose.
The 2023 comparative has been adjusted by £102,000 to reflect finalisation of
the FY23 bonus award, paid in 2024.
28. Share based payments
As at 31 March 2024 the Group maintained four share based payment schemes for
employee remuneration, a Share Incentive Plan ("SIP"), Company Share Option
Plan ("CSOP"), Joint Share Ownership Plan ("JSOP") and Enterprise Management
Incentive ("EMI").
Share Incentive Plan ("SIP")
The SIP is an HMRC-approved scheme plan open to all employees. The plan was
established on 1 August 2020. Employees were invited to buy shares in the
Company at a price, of 17.5 pence, being the market price immediately prior to
the date of establishment of the plan. The acquisition of the shares is funded
through a salary sacrifice scheme with monthly deductions taken through
payroll over a twelve-month accumulation period. At the end of the
accumulation period (31st July 2021) the SIP Trust used the contributions to
acquire the shares on behalf of the employees ("partnership shares"). Further
tranches were rolled out on the 1 August 2021, 1 August 2022, and 1 August
2023 operating on the same basis as the original, however with a share
purchase price of 34.0 pence, 23.5 pence and 44.5 pence respectively. At 31
March 2024 employees had accumulated contributions of £56,102 on the FY24
scheme (2023: £52,200 in relation to FY23 scheme).
Employees are also awarded a matching share for each partnership share
acquired. Once awarded these shares are held in trust, and are subject to
forfeiture, in accordance with the scheme rules, for three years. The
retention rate has been estimated as 82%.
The SIP is considered a hybrid financial instrument with characteristics of
both share and option awards and linked to a twelve-month accumulation
contract. The obligation of the Company arose when the plan was established,
at the beginning of the accumulation period. The employee pays the market
value for the partnership shares and therefore no share based payment charge
is recognised. The matching shares give rise to a share based payment charge
based on the market value of the shares at the date the plan was established
adjusted for the risk of forfeiture.
Company Share Option Plan ("CSOP")
The CSOP is open to all employees at the discretion of the Remuneration
Committee. In the year ended 31 March 2021, the Company issued four CSOP
awards totalling 1,772,142 ordinary shares at market prices ranging from 20.50
pence to 35.00 pence.
The vesting period is for three years, during which the holder must remain in
the employment of the Group. There are no performance conditions attached to
the awards. At 31 March 2024, 1,402,142 CSOP awards had vested but had not
been exercised.
The CSOP and EMI schemes were valued using the Black Scholes model. The use of
this model to calculate a charge involves using a number of estimates and
judgements to establish the appropriate inputs to be entered into the model,
covering areas such as the use of an appropriate interest rate and dividend
rate, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. A significant
element of judgement is therefore involved in the calculation of the charge.
Joint Share Ownership Plan ("JSOP")
The JSOP is open to certain senior executives at the discretion of the
Remuneration Committee. In the year ended 31 March 2021, the Company issued
two JSOP awards, 250,000 ordinary shares of 10 pence each on 21 December 2020
at the market price of 26.0 pence and 2,242,858 ordinary shares of 10 pence
each on 5 March 2021 at the market price of 35.0 pence, to three senior
executives. There were no JSOP awards in the year ended 31 March 2024 (2023:
nil).
Under the JSOP, shares in the Company were jointly purchased at fair market
value by the participating executives and the trustees of the JSOP trust, with
such shares held in the JSOP trust.
Under IFRS, the awards are treated as a share based payment arrangement. The
JSOP trust holds the shares of the JSOP until such time as the JSOP shares are
vested and the participating executives exercise their rights under the JSOP.
The JSOP trust is granted a non-interest-bearing loan by the Company in order
to fund the purchase of its interest in the JSOP shares. The loan held by the
trust is eliminated on consolidation in the financial statements of the Group.
The Company funded portion of the share purchase price is deemed to be held as
own shares until such time as they are transferred to the employee and is
recorded as a reduction in equity and subject to board discretion.
The award on 21 December 2020 had no performance conditions. The awards on 5
March 2021 vest based on certain non-market conditions and specific fair
market share price hurdles, as defined by the plan. 2,492,858 shares have
vested at 31 March 2024 (2023: nil) but have not been exercised.
Under the JSOP , participating executives will, when the JSOP shares are sold,
be entitled to a share of the proceeds of sale equal to the growth in market
value of the JSOP shares versus the exercise price, net of executives' cash
contribution at inception, as agreed for each grant (the "Carry Charge").
The balance of the proceeds will remain to the benefit of the JSOP trust and
will be applied to the repayment of the loan originally made by the Company to
the JSOP trust. Any funds remaining in the JSOP trust after settlement of the
loan and any expenses of the JSOP trust are for the benefit of the Company.
The JSOP awards are valued based on the component conditions comprising each
of the awards. Components of awards containing non-market-based conditions and
awards with no performance conditions are valued using the Black Scholes
model. Components of awards with market-based performance conditions are
determined by the Monte Carlo simulation.
A number of estimates and judgements are required to establish the appropriate
inputs to be entered into the model, covering areas such as the use of an
appropriate interest rate and dividend rate, exercise restrictions and
behavioural considerations. A significant element of judgement is therefore
involved in the calculation of the charge.
Having established the full value of the JSOP awards using the Black Scholes
model and Monte Carlo simulation outlined above, a deduction is made in
respect of the anticipated Carry Charge in order that the expense recorded in
the financial statements only represents the participating executives' net
interest in the awards.
Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme ("EMI")
The EMI options scheme was open to all employees at the discretion of the
Remuneration Committee. In the year ended 31 March 2023, no grants were
awarded and the majority of the grants have now been cancelled.
The vesting period is for three years, during which the holder must remain in
the employment of the Group subject to the discretion of the Remuneration
Committee. They can be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the
day before the tenth anniversary of their grant and are not subject to
performance conditions.
The net charge recognised for share based payments in the year was £103,000
(2023: £103,000) analysed as follows:
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
SIP 45 32
CSOP 15 24
JSOP 43 47
103 103
All share based employee remuneration will be settled in equity. Options are
generally exercisable at a price equal to the market price of the Kinovo plc
shares on the day immediately prior to the date of the grant. Options are
forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before the Options vest except in
specific circumstances allowed by the terms of the schemes.
SIP CSOP JSOP EMI/ Total
unapproved
Number
At 1 April 2022 639,190 1,427,142 2,492,858 500,000 5,059,190
Granted 541,340 50,000 - - 591,340
Exercised (194,713) - - - (194,713)
Lapsed (15,849) - - - (15,849)
At 31 March 2023 969,968 1,477,142 2,492,858 500,000 5,439,968
Granted 470,026 - - - 470,026
Exercised (346,073) - - - (346,073)
Lapsed (84,779) (75,000) - - (159,779)
At 31 March 2024 1,009,142 1,402,142 2,492,858 500,000 5,404,142
Weighted average exercise price (pence)
At 1 April 2023 - 25.0 34.1 95.0
Granted - - - -
Lapsed - 31.5 - -
At 31 March 2024 - 24.8 34.1 95.0
Assumptions used in estimating the fair value
Exercise price (pence) 17.5-44.5 20.5-35.0 26.0-35.0 95.0
Expected dividend yield n/a 1.00% 1.00% 2.15%
Risk free rate n/a 0.50% 0.50% 4.00%
Expected volatility n/a 35.00% 35.00% 45.70%
Expected life 4 years 3 years 3 years 6.5 years
Expected volatility for the CSOP and JSOP awards is based upon the historical
volatility as adjusted for management expectations over the life of the
schemes. The expected life is based upon scheme rules and reflects
management's best estimates for the effects of non-transferability, exercise
restrictions and behavioural considerations.
The risk free interest rate for the CSOP and JSOP awards is based upon the
expected yield of UK gilts over the expected life of the awards.
The Company has applied an expected dividend yield of 1% for the CSOP and JSOP
awards as the Company anticipates making dividend payments during the expected
life of the awards.
29. Deferred tax
The following are the significant deferred tax liabilities and assets
recognised by the Group and the movements thereon during the current and prior
reporting period.
Intangible Unused Short-term Right-of-use Lease Share based Total
assets tax losses timing assets liabilities payments £'000
acquired £'000 differences £'000 £'000 £'000
£'000 £'000
At 1 April 2022 (72) 306 (3) (150) 151 74 306
Credit/(charge) to Statement of Comprehensive Income or recognised 72 209 3 (28) 28 20 304
directly through shareholders, equity
At 31 March 2023 - 515 - (178) 179 94 610
Credit/(charge) to Statement of Comprehensive Income or recognised - 973 - (118) 121 26 1002
directly through shareholders, equity
At 31 March 2024 - 1,488 - (296) 300 120 1,612
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Deferred tax asset 1,908 788
Deferred tax liability (296) (178)
Net deferred tax asset 1,612 610
30. Discontinued operations
Following its rebranding and strategic review, Kinovo determined that DCB
(Kent) Limited ("DCB"), the Group's construction business, was non-core and
was disposed in the year ended 31 March 2022.
On 16 May 2022, DCB filed for administration and as at the date of the
financial statements Kinovo has limited expectation of recovery of amounts
owed under the terms of the disposal of DCB.
Kinovo had residual commitments under various parent company guarantees for
the DCB construction projects and working capital support. Under the terms of
the parent company guarantees, Kinovo is responsible for the completion of the
projects.
The activities of DCB are presented as discontinued operations.
There are nine projects in total, five have been completed by Kinovo and one
project is in progress on site and scheduled to be completed by Kinovo in July
2024. Another was completed directly by the client and another client itself
was placed into administration with no further obligation expected. On the
remaining project Kinovo has agreed, in principle, to settle, for £2.2
million, payable over eighteen months, the obligation under the construction
contract and parent company guarantee, releasing Kinovo from its obligations
to complete the project. £860,000 of the £2.2 million settlement is payable
in three equal monthly instalments from July 2024. The balance is payable by
fifteen equal monthly instalments thereafter.
Three of the nine DCB contracts originally had performance bonds, which were
indemnified by Kinovo plc, totalling £2.10 million. Only one bond of
£860,000 remains outstanding relating to the final project. The bond was
called at the end of February 2024 but with Kinovo's continuing engagement
with the insurer, underwriter and client and the ongoing discussions between
the parties, the bond holder agreed to defer payment obligations. The
settlement in principle of the final project will include the cancellation of
the performance bond once Kinovo has fulfilled, after three months, the
equivalent value of the bond to the client.
On 8 March 2024 the Group announced that it expected the overall net cost to
complete the construction projects to be approximately £8.7 million, an
increase of £3.4 million on the costs to complete forecast reported at 31
March 2023 of £5.3 million, resulting from unexpected remedial works partly
related to the adverse weather of winter 2023/24 but mainly as a result of
poor legacy workmanship.
The net costs to complete of £8.7 million included anticipated claims made by
Kinovo as a result of poor sub-contractor workmanship and other contractual
recoveries which had not been confirmed at the date of signing of the
financial statements. The potential recoveries, of up to approximately £2.6
million are required to be recognised in future periods, when they have been
realised.
With the settlement in principle on the final project (net of £0.9 million
already provided in the expected cost to complete provision) and the deferral
of the recognition of potential recoveries to future periods, the reported
pre-tax costs to complete all the projects has increased to a total of £12.9
million with a £7.6 million (FY23: £5.3 million) pre-tax loss reported in
the year ended 31 March 2024.
A total of £9.0 million has been paid in FY23 and FY24 on the fulfilment of
the project obligations with a further £1.7 million paid in the first quarter
of FY25. Other than the outstanding amounts on the settlement in principle of
the final project, Kinovo has paid, at the end of the first quarter almost all
of the gross costs to complete the projects. The settlement on the final
project will be payable during FY25 and FY26 set off by final account
recoveries, claims and retentions.
At 31 March 2024 the outstanding balance on the costs to complete provision
was £3.2 million representing the balance of the total £12.9 million due to
be fulfilled. £0.7 million costs had been incurred at 31 March 2024 that were
paid after the year end. An analysis of the movement on the provision is set
out below.
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
At the beginning of the year 3,478 -
Cost to complete provision 7,649 5,260
Costs incurred (7,974) (1,782)
At the end of the year 3,153 3,478
The fulfilment of the remaining cost to complete commitments are expected to
be funded from cash flows from the strong cash generation from the underlying
operations and existing banking facilities which were renewed post year end.
In 2023, £1.2 million was also paid to DCB for contracted working capital
support which is in addition to the £12.9 million costs to complete the DCB
projects. The total amount paid relating to DCB in 2023 including the working
capital support of £1.2 million was £2.7 million.
The disposal of DCB allowed the Group to harmonise its operations and increase
the focus on its three strategic workflow pillars: Regulation, Regeneration
and Renewables as demonstrated by the results delivered for FY24. These
pillars are centred on compliance-driven, regulatory-led specialist services
that offer long-term contracts, recurring revenue streams and strong cash
generation.
Financial performance and cash flow information from discontinued operations
2024 2023
£'000 £'000
Revenue 3,878 532
Cost of sales (11,527) (5,792)
Gross loss (7,649) (5,260)
Underlying administrative expenses - -
Operating loss (7,649) (5,260)
Finance costs - -
Loss before taxation (7,649) (5,260)
Income tax credit 1,912 999
Loss for the period (5,737) (4,261)
Loss per share from discontinued operations
Basic (pence) (9.17) (6.86)
Diluted (pence) (9.17) (6.86)
Cash flows from discontinued operations
Net cash outflow from operating activities (7,428) (2,750)
Net cash outflow from investing activities - -
Net cash outflow from financing activities - -
Net reduction in cash generated by the subsidiary (7,428) (2,750)
31. Ultimate controlling party
The Directors consider that there is no ultimate controlling party of Kinovo
plc.
32. Events after the balance sheet date
Details of the status of the DCB projects and post period end agreed in
principle the settlement of the final project and outstanding performance bond
is set out in note 30.
There have been no other post balance sheet events.
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