REG - Malvern Inter. PLC - Trading Update

Malvern InternationalAnnouncement

09/02/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 3747P  Malvern International PLC  09 February 2023

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law
by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is
disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of
MAR.

9 February 2023

MALVERN INTERNATIONAL PLC

("Malvern", the "Company" or the "Group")

Trading update

Malvern International plc (AIM: MLVN), the global learning and skills
development partner, is pleased to provide a trading update in respect of its
 year ended 31 December 2022 ("FY22"), and current trading.

FY22

The preliminary unaudited assessment of the Group's trading for the full
year indicates that revenues have increased 170% to circa £6.5 million
(FY21: £2.4 million) that the loss before tax for the year will be
significantly reduced at circa £1.1 million (FY21: £1.6 million,
pre-adjustment for Singapore disposal). Unaudited net debt as at 31 December
was £4.4 million (FY21: £5.8 million) including lease liabilities of
£3.1m. This is approximately £0.7 million better than management were
expecting due to the late invoicing to the company of summer accommodation
costs for Juniors.

H2 saw significant growth compared with H1 2022 and H2 2021 which were both
impacted by Covid-19 and limitations on international travel. As borders
opened and travel restrictions relaxed, we saw a return to pre-pandemic levels
of student numbers in our adult language schools and our first cohorts of
junior students since 2019. This resulted in growth in H2 revenue year on year
from £1.0m in FY21 to c£4.2m in FY22.

Adult ELT revenue increased c150% to c£3.1m, mainly coming from the MENA and
Latin America markets. This was helped by the Government's announcement in
early May 2022 that Saudi Arabia nationals can apply to travel to the UK for
tourism, business, study or medical treatment for up to six months with an
electronic visa waiver from 1 June 2022. This was also supported by all our
schools being approved by the Kuwait Cultural Office ("KCO") in December 2021
and students from this region traveling again.

Juniors ran for the first time since 2019 with c£1.4m in revenue. The bulk of
the students coming from Italy.

University Pathway revenue continued to grow up c50% year on year to c£2.0m
with a big increase in students from South Asia.

Current trading and outlook

University Pathways

January's student intake for University Pathways are up over 200% on last
year's intake with c.245 students enrolled (January 2022:80, January 2021:45),
significantly ahead of management's expectations. Of the c245 students have
enrolled, c230 of the students are studying at University of East London. In
addition, we currently have c475 students enrolled in University Pathways
courses for the 2022-23 academic year, up 230% on the 2021-22 academic year
compared which had 144 students.

The growth in the university student numbers bears strong testimony to the
strategic investment by the Group over the last two years in sales and
marketing, management team and collaborative processes within our University
Partnerships structure.

English Learning Training ("ELT") and Juniors

The Board is confident for the outlook for ELT in 2023 and beyond. Malvern is
currently working with the biggest agencies in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait
and Italy. The pipeline of bookings is strong and our focus for the Q1 2023 is
to capitalise on the Group's momentum, to continue to foster good relations
and build Malvern's agent network across other key regions.

As part of our recruitment strategy, we have continued to build our sales and
marketing capability. In China, the biggest international student market to
the UK for Higher Education and Junior summer camps. To this end we have
recently appointed an experienced East Asia Director to oversee our
development in that region. The timing of this is significant with the China
market predicted to open again in 2023.

Junior summer camps successfully returned at the end of H1 2022 for the first
time since 2019. There remains a clear back-log of demand based on
pre-bookings, consequently we expect the student numbers and revenues to grow
in 2023.

 

Mark Elliott, Chairman, said: "The team has worked hard to grow University
Pathway student numbers in 2022. January's intake represents a great start to
2023 and strengthens our revenue visibility for H1 2023 which we expect to be
significantly ahead of H1 2022, with a combination of pre-booked income from
the University Pathway courses and no COVID-19 restrictions affecting
students' ability to travel. The Board is increasingly confident for Malvern's
prospects and expects it achieve growth in all divisions in 2023."

 For further information please contact:
 Malvern International Plc                 www.malverninternational.com (http://www.malverninternational.com/)
 Mark Elliott - Chairman                   Via our website
 Richard Mace - Chief Executive Officer
 WH Ireland (NOMAD & Broker)               www.whirelandcm.com (http://www.whirelandcm.com)
 Mike Coe / Sarah Mather                   0207 220 1666

 

Notes to Editors:

Malvern International is a learning and language skills development partner,
offering international students essential academic and English language
skills, cultural experiences and the support they need to thrive in their
academic studies, daily life and career development.

University Pathways    - on and off-campus university pathway programmes
helping students progress to a range of universities, as well as in-sessional
and pre-sessional courses.

 Malvern House Schools    - British Council accredited English Language
Training at English UK registered schools in London, Brighton and Manchester.

Malvern Online Academy    - British Council accredited online school,
offering supported tuition to students from around the world in English
language, higher education, and professional education.

Juniors and summer camps    - fully-immersive summer residential English
language camps and bespoke group programmes for 13 to 18 year olds.

For further investor information go to    www.malverninternational.com
(http://www.malverninternational.com/)

 

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