REG - Personal Group - Interim Results <Origin Href="QuoteRef">PGH.L</Origin> - Part 1

Personal groupAnnouncement

29/09/2015 07:01

RNS Number : 4649A
Personal Group Holdings PLC
29 September 2015
Press Release 
29 September 2015
PERSONAL GROUP HOLDINGS PLC
("Personal Group" or "the Group")
 
Interim Results
Personal Group Holdings Plc (AIM: PGH), a leading provider of employee benefits, employee related insurance products and financial services in the UK, is pleased to report its results for the six months ended 30 June 2015:
Highlights
Revenue increased by 9.3% to 19.0m (2014: 17.4m) with like for like revenue increasing by 4.2% to 18.1m.
New core business generation increased 8.4% to 5.6m (2014: 5.1m)
Underlying EBITDA* increased by 2.1% to 4.5m (2014: 4.4m) with like for like EBITDA increasing by 9.5% to 4.9m, largely driven by core business
Profit before tax decreased by 15.8% to 2.9m (2014: 3.5m) with like for like profit before tax increasing by 15.3% to 4.0m.
Key financials:
H1 2015
H1 2014
Profit before tax
2.9m
3.5m
Interest
-
-
Depreciation
0.2m
0.2m
Amortisation of intangible assets
0.3m
-
Share based expenses
0.3m
0.4m
Acquisition costs
0.3m
0.3m
Restructuring costs
0.5m
-
EBITDA*
4.5m
4.4m
* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, share based related expenses, restructuring costs and acquisition costs
Group balance sheet remains strong with total equity (shareholders' funds) of 26.6m (31 December 2014: 27.0m) and no debt
Dividends per share paid in the period up 6.6% to 10.45 pence per share (2014: 9.8 pence)
Basic EPS decreased by 9.6% to 7.79p (2014: 8.62p)
Establishment of Personal Group Mobile Limited in April 2015 through the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of shebang Technologies Group Limited out of administration
Major contract wins secured including Lookers, Northgate and multiple care sector companies
 
Mark Scanlon, Chief Executive of Personal Group, commented: 
"Our core business continues to perform consistently well with continued growth in new sales, top line revenue and bottom line profit. In addition our Let's Connect business, operating alongside our core business, has given us the strength of conviction to develop it further by investing in our own Mobile Virtual Network Operator ("MVNO") named Personal Group Mobile ("PG Mobile") to provide smartphones and airtime on a salary sacrifice basis to our customer base. This offers a 32-47% reduction in cost of a phone with airtime to our customers.
The first half of 2015 has seen the release of 'hapi' our new software platform on which all of our propositions reside. This is now live with more than ten of our customers with many more rollouts planned. This is a major step forward for us and fundamental to the development of our company."
- ENDS -
 For more information please contact:
Personal Group Holdings Plc
Mark Scanlon / Mike Dugdale
+44 (0)1908 605 000
Cenkos Securities Plc
Max Hartley / Stephen Keys (Nomad)
+44 (0)20 7397 8900
Russell Kerr (Sales)
 Media enquiries:
Abchurch Communications
Quincy Allan / Alex Shaw
+44 (0)20 7398 7700
quincy.allan@abchurch-group.com
www.abchurch-group.com
Notes to Editors
With over 30 years' experience of looking after its customers' employees, Personal Group Holdings Plc (AIM: PGH) is a leading provider of employee benefits and employee related insurance products, offering benefits programmes to over 2 million employees across the UK.
Personal Group's innovative approach to using technology to deliver its programmes, combined with its face-to-face method of communicating with employees, makes its offering compelling to blue chip clients across the UK as a way of attracting, retaining and motivating employees. The Group tailors its packages to include insurance products such as hospital and convalescence plans, death benefit and income protection plans, as well as lifestyle benefits such as holiday and retail discounts, health and wellbeing benefits and a range of tax efficient benefits. 
Personal Group can also supply home technology via salary sacrifice through its subsidiary Let's Connect. Offering the latest iPads and other tablets, home computers and laptops, smart phones and smart TVs is a highly engaging benefit from which both the employer and employee can profit. In April 2015 the Group established its own Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) called Personal Group Mobile Ltd. which was achieved through the acquisition of the assets of shebang Technologies Ltd. This means that home technology, including handsets and airtime, can be provided via salary sacrifice with a reduction of c10-47% on costs to its client's employees.
Personal Group has a strong client base across a range of sectors including transport, where it works with the likes of Network Rail, Stagecoach and EYMS Group Ltd, and healthcare, where clients include Four Seasons Health Care, Priory Group and Spire Healthcare. The Group also covers logistics, with companies such as TNT Express and Bibby, and motoring with Manheim and JCT600 as clients. In addition the Group also has a strong presence in food manufacturing and service and clients include 2 Sisters Food Group and Young's Seafood. 
With over 520 clients the Group has grown considerably and provides engaging and effective benefits packages across a breadth of sectors. 
For further information, go to www.personal-group.com.
Chairman's Statement
Summary
The Group continued to perform well in the first half of 2015, with like for like revenue up 4.2% on the equivalent period in 2014 and record new business generation. Underlying EBITDA increased by 2.1%. During the first half we acquired certain assets and the trade of an existing mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and established PG Mobile, aimed at providing salary sacrifice phones and airtime to our established and new customers. We are pleased with the early indications of the development of this business both alongside Let's Connect and as an additional offering to the employees in our core business host company clients.
Financial Performance
Total Group revenue for the six months ended 30 June 2015 increased by 9.3% to 19.0m (2014: 17.4m). This reflects a 15.1% increase in earned premiums net of reinsurance and the revenue contribution from Let's Connect.
Annualised new business premiums written during the period from the Group's core employee benefits and insurance activities were once again a half-year record, at 5.6m, 8.4% ahead of 2014 (5.1m).
Underlying EBITDA was 4.5m (2014: 4.4m) and whilst this represents only a 2.1% improvement on the equivalent period in 2014, the Group's performance on a like for like basis (excluding the impact of setting up our own MVNO) was an increase of 9.5%. 
Group Profit before tax was 2.9m (2014: 3.5m). This reflects 0.3m of acquisition costs and 0.5m of restructuring costs associated with the establishment of PG Mobile.
Total equity at 30 June 2015 was 26.6m (31 December 2014: 27.0m). The structure of the balance sheet at 30 June 2015 reflects the acquisition of the MVNO assets and trade described above.
Business Review
Our core business continues to operate in a consistent manner, with a steady increase in sales and topline performance. This is reflected in the continued improvement in our profitability as we constrain our cost levels and as our claims ratio continues to stabilise.
The continuing attraction of our core products is evidenced by the particularly high proportion of sales in the first half which came from entirely new host company clients: more than 35% of total new sales were to employees of companies which were new to the Group.
Our like for like sales in Let's Connect were up 29% on the equivalent period last year. The turnover of Let's Connect is as always very strongly weighted to the fourth quarter of the year.
The establishment of PG Mobile is a further development of our strategy to broaden the Group's offering to include additional products of appeal to our policyholders, to other employees in our host company clients, and to our Let's Connect customers. The Group acquired in April certain assets and the trade of shebang Technologies, an existing MVNO, and we have incorporated this business into PG Mobile so as to be able to offer airtime tax efficiently, both as part of our smartphone Let's Connect package and as a standalone benefit for our wider customer base. Airtime provisioning is increasingly becoming a form of utility rather than an occasional purchase, and as such its cost-effective provision should appeal to anyone who pays for a mobile phone.
Our new technology platform called 'hapi' is now released for use by our customers. This is a state-of-the-art platform which is very customer-friendly: simple to navigate and use. The system gives us a strong digital connection with the end user and for the first time enables us to offer our full product range. Smaller as well as larger companies will find this attractive, and so it is expected to open up access to the growing SME market. The system also offers far greater visibility and management information reporting, which is of great attraction to our host company clients. In addition it significantly reduces our dependency on third parties.
Through the budget announcement recently we have seen Insurance Premium Tax ("IPT") increase from 6% to 9.5%, due to be implemented in November this year. Our premium collection method through payroll deduction makes it difficult to adjust premiums retrospectively and we have decided as part of our annual price review to adjust our pricing for new business only. 
Dividends
The first two dividends of 2015, each of 5.225p per share, were paid in March and June, with the third dividend of the same amount being paid on 24th September 2015. The Directors expect that the fourth and final dividend for 2015 of the same amount will be paid in December. This would give a total for the year of 20.9p per share (2014: 19.6p per share), an increase of 6.6%.
The Board
As announced earlier in the year Ken Rooney retired from his executive position as Chief Operating Officer in June 2015. We are pleased that he will remain on the Group Board as a Non-executive Director.
Outlook
The Group's core business continues to perform strongly and grow steadily. 
The acquisition last year of Let's Connect and the establishment this year of PG Mobile reflect the Group's intention to widen the range of its own products forming part of our employee benefits offering and to make available to our host company clients and to others products and services which are complementary to our core products.
We remain confident about the added value which this strategy will continue to generate for the benefit of our shareholders.
C J Curling
Non-Executive Chairman
29 September 2015
Consolidated income statement
6 months
ended 30
June 2015
Unaudited
6 months
ended 30
June 2014 Unaudited
12 months
ended 31
December 2014 Audited 
Note
'000
'000
'000
Gross premiums written
13,872
11,915
 24,189
Outward reinsurance premiums
(79)
(176)
(359)
Change in unearned premiums
5
242
 233 
Change in reinsurers' share of unearned premiums
(30)
(20)
 (9)
________
________
________
Earned premiums net of reinsurance
13,768
11,961
24,054
Other income:
 Insurance related
1,352
2,137
4,501
 Non-insurance related
3,795
3,082
18,202
 Investment property
33
33
67
Investment income
83
195
210
________
________
________
Revenue
19,031
17,408
47,034
________
________
________
Claims incurred
(3,440)
(3,384)
(6,551)
Insurance operating expenses
(5,504)
(5,478)
(10,525)
Other expenses:
 Insurance related
(765)
(735)
(1,599)
 Non-insurance related
(5,826)
(3,923)
(18,182)
Share based payment expenses
(291)
(446)
(797)
Charitable donations
(50)
(50)
(100)
Amortisation of intangible assets
(285)
(39)
(275)
________
________
________
Expenses
(16,161)
(14,055)
(38,029)
________
________
________
Results of operating activities
2,870
3,353
9,005
Share of profit of equity-accounted investee net of tax
41
106
192
________
________
________
Profit before tax
2,911
3,459
9,197
Tax
4
(556)
(868)
(1,653)
________
________
________
Profit for the period after tax
2,355
2,591
7,544
________
________
________
Earnings per share as arising from total and continuing operations
Pence
Pence
Pence
Basic
5
7.79
8.62
25.1
Diluted
5
7.53
8.60
24.4
All operations are considered to be continuing.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
6 months
ended 30
June 2015
Unaudited
6 months
ended 30
June 2014
Unaudited 
12 months
ended 31
December 2014
Audited 
'000
'000
'000
Profit for the period
2,355
2,591
7,544
Other comprehensive income
Available for sale financial assets:
Valuation changes taken to equity
31
(21)
(65)
Reclassification of gain on available for sale
financial assets on derecognition
(5)
(22)
(34)
 
Income tax on unrealised valuation
changes taken to equity
(6)
5
 14
 
_______
_______
_______
Total comprehensive income for the period
2,375
2,553
7,459
_______ 
_______ 
_______
Consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 2015
      
At 30
June 2015
Unaudited
At 30
June 2014
Unaudited
At 31
December 2014
Audited 
Note
'000
'000
'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Goodwill
10,12
10,670
11,189
10,575
Intangible assets
11,12
2,399
666
1,373
Property, plant and equipment
6
4,988
5,063
4,850
Investment property
 
1,070
1,070
1,070
Equity-accounted investee
9
631
505
591
Financial assets
7
10,724
13,422
11,610
________
________
________
30,482
31,915
30,069
________
________
________
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
4,330
1,835
4,433
Trade and other receivables
8,149
7,051
16,783
Reinsurance assets
329
393
351
Inventories
289
288
623
________
________
________
13,097
9,567
22,190
________
________
________
Total assets
43,579
41,482
52,259
________
________
________
Consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 2015
At 30
June 2015
Unaudited
At 30
June 2014
Unaudited 
At 31
December 2014
Audited 
'000
'000
'000
EQUITY
Equity attributable to equity holders of Personal Group Holdings plc
Share capital
1,517
1,507
1,516
Capital redemption reserve
24
24
24
Amounts recognised directly into equity relating to available for sale financial assets
(4)
23
 (24)
Other reserve - own shares
(476)
(627)
(548)
Profit and loss reserve
25,513
23,772
26,080
________
________
________
Total equity
26,574
24,699
27,048
________
________
________
 
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
219
118
255
________
________
________
Current liabilities
Provisions
23
33
23
Trade and other payables
13,296
12,837
21,313
Insurance contract liabilities
2,918
2,996
2,784
Current tax liabilities
549
799
836
________
________
________
16,786
16,665
24,956
________
________
________
________
________
________
Total liabilities
17,005
16,783
25,211
________
________
________
________
________
________
Total equity and liabilities
43,579
41,482
52,259
________
________
________
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 June 2015
 
   
Share capital
Capital
redemption
reserve
Available for sale financial assets
Other reserve 
Profit & loss reserve
Total equity
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
Balance as at 1 January 2015
1,516
24
(24)
(548)
26,080
27,048
________
________
________
________
________
________
Dividends
-
-
-
-
(3,160)
(3,160)
Employee share-based compensation
-
-
-
-
291
291
Proceeds of AESOP* share sales
-
-
-
-
90
90
Cost of AESOP shares sold
-
-
-
142
(142)
-
Cost of AESOP shares purchased
-
-
-
(70)
-
(70)
Nominal value of LTIP** shares issued
1
-
-
-
(1)
-
________
________
________
________
________
________
Transactions with owners
1
-
-
72
(2,922)
(2,849)
________
________
________
________
________
________
Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
2,355
2,355
Other comprehensive income
Available for sale financial assets:
 Valuation changes taken to equity
-
-
31
-
-
31
 Transfer to income statement
-
-
(5)
-
-
(5)
 Current tax on unrealised
 valuation changes taken to
 equity
-
-
 (6)
-
-
(6)
________
________
________
________
________
________
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
20
-
2,355
2,375
________
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Balance as at 30 June 2015
1,517
24
(4)
(476)
25,513
26,574
________
________
________
________
________
________
 All Employee Share Option Plan (AESOP) ** Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2014
   
Share capital
Capital
redemption
reserve
Available for sale financial assets
Other reserve 
Profit & loss reserve
Total equity
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
Balance as at 1 January 2014
1,507
24
61
(264)
23,835
25,163
________
________
________
________
________
________
Dividends
-
-
-
-
(5,899)
(5,899)
Employee share-based compensation
-
-
-
-
797
797
Proceeds of AESOP* share sales
-
-
-
-
349
349
Cost of AESOP shares sold
-
-
-
537
(537)
-
Cost of AESOP shares purchased
-
-
-
(821)
-
(821)
Nominal value of LTIP** shares issued
9
-
-
-
(9)
-
________
________
________
________
________
________
Transactions with owners
9
-
-
(284)
(5,299)
(5,574)
________
________
________
________
________
________
Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
7,544
7,544
Other comprehensive income
Available for sale financial assets:
Valuation changes taken to equity
-
-
(65)
-
-
(65)
Transfer to income statement
-
-
(34)
-
-
(34)
Current tax on unrealised
 valuation changes taken to
 equity
-
-
14
-
-
14
________
________
________
________
________
________
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
(85)
-
7,544
7,459
________
________
________
________
________
________
Balance as at 31 December 2014
1,516
24
(24)
(548)
26,080
27,048
________
________
________
________
________
________
 
     Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 June 2014
Share capital
Capital
redemption
reserve
Available for sale financial assets
Other reserve 
Profit & loss reserve
Total equity
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
Balance as at 1 January 2014
1,507
24
61
(264)
23,835
25,163
________
________
________
________
________
________
Dividends
-
-
-
-
(2,947)
(2,947)
Employee share-based compensation
-
-
-
-
446
446
Proceeds of AESOP* share sales
-
-
-
-
288
288
Cost of AESOP shares sold
-
-
-
441
(441)
-
Cost of AESOP shares purchased
-
-
-
(804)
-
(804)
Nominal value of LTIP** shares issued
-
-
-
-
-
-
________
________
________
________
________
________
Transactions with owners
-
-
-
(363)
(2,654)
(3,017)
________
________
________
________
________
________
Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
2,591
2,591
Other comprehensive income
Available for sale financial assets:
Valuation changes taken to equity
-
-
(21)
-
-
21
Transfer to income statement
-
-
(22)
-
-
(22)
Current tax on unrealised
valuation changes taken to equity
-
-
5
-
-
5
________
________
________
________
________
________
Total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
(38)
-
2,591
2,553
________
________
________
________
________
________
Balance as at 30 June 2014
1,507
24
23
(627)
23,772
24,699
________
________
________
________
________
________
  Consolidated cash flow statement
6 months
ended 30
June 2015
Unaudited
6 months
ended 30
June 2014
Unaudited
12 months
ended 31
December 2014
Audited
Net cash from operating activities (see opposite)
3,745
2,333
5,998
______
______
______
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(326)
(415)
(412)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
3
52
72
Purchase of own shares by the AESOP
(70)
(804)
(821)
Proceeds from disposal of own shares by the AESOP
90
288
349
Purchase of financial assets
(75)
(136)
(246)
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets
1,002
1,730
3,655
Additions to investment property
-
(130)
(130)
Interest received
66
140
131
Dividends received
12
9
21
______
______
______
Net cash from investing activities
702
734
2,619
______
______
______
Acquisition and disposal activities
Payment to acquire Let's Connect
-
(6,000)
(6,000)
Payment to acquire trade and assets of shebang
(1,390)
- 
-
Net cash acquired with trading
-
724
724
______
______
______
Net cash from acquisition and disposal activities
(1,390)
(5,276)
(5,276)
______
______
______
Financing activities
Dividends paid
(3,160)
(2,947)
(5,899)
______
______
______
Net cash used in financing activities
(3,160)
(2,947)
(5,899)
______
______
______
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(103)
(5,156)
(2,558)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
4,433
6,991
6,991
_______
_______
_______
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
4,330
1,835
4,433
Consolidated cash flow statement
6 months
ended 30
June 2015
Unaudited
6 months
ended 30
June 2014
Unaudited
12 months
ended 31
December 2014
Audited
Operating activities
'000
'000
'000
Profit after tax
2,355
2,591
7,544
Adjustment for: 
 Depreciation
190
191
385
 Goodwill impairment
-
39
-
 Amortisation of intangible assets
285
-
275
 Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
-
(30)
(34)
 Realised and unrealised net investment losses/(profits)
(15)
(19)
(31)
 Interest received
(66)
(140)
(131)
 Dividends received
(12)
(9)
(21)
 Share of profit of equity-accounted investee, net of tax
(41)
(106)
(192)
 Share-based payments
291
446
797
 Taxation expense recognised in income statement
556
868
1,653
Changes in working capital:
 Trade and other receivables
8,676
(2,842)
(12,283)
 Trade and other payables
(7,978)
2,393
10,366
 Inventories
388
(137)
(472)
Taxes paid
(884)
(912)
(1,858)
______
______
______
Net cash from operating activities
3,745
2,333
5,998
______
______
______


Notes to the consolidated financial statements
1 General information
The principal activities of Personal Group Holdings Plc ('the company') and subsidiaries ('the group') include transacting short-term accident and health insurance and providing employee benefits related business and financial services in the UK. 
The company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England. The address of its registered office is John Ormond House, 899 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3XL.
The company's shares trade on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange.
The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the group as at and for the year ended 31 December 2014.
The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2014 set out in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
These interim financial statements are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the auditors under International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410.
These consolidated interim financial statements have been approved for issue by the board of directors on 28 September 2015.
2 Accounting policies 
These June 2015 interim consolidated financial statements of Personal Group Holdings Plc are for the six months ended 30 June 2015. These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. They do not include all the information required for a complete set of IFRS financial statements. However, selected explanatory notes are included to explain events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in the Group's financial position and performance since the last annual consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2014.
These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of those IFRS standards and IFRIC interpretations as adopted by the EU, issued and effective or issued and early adopted in respect of periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014. 
The principal accounting policies have remained unchanged from the year ended 31 December 2014.
3 Segment analysis
The group operates two trading operating segments, namely employee benefits insurance and consultancy; and financial services offered by Berkeley Morgan Group Limited (BMG) and its subsidiary undertakings.
1) Employee benefits insurance and consultancy
Personal Assurance Plc (PA), a subsidiary within the group, is a PRA regulated general insurance company and is authorised to transact accident and sickness insurance. It was established in 1984 and has been underwriting business since 1985. In 1997 Personal Group Holdings Plc (PGH) was created and became the ultimate parent undertaking of the group.
This operating segment derives the majority of its revenue from the underwriting by PA of insurance policies that have been bought by employees of host companies via bespoke benefit programmes.
Insurance related income includes insurance and reinsurance brokerage commission. Insurance brokerage commission includes that derived from voluntary group income protection plan sales.

Non-insurance related income includes income derived from the sale of benefit books, consultancy services, the provision of salary sacrifice technology products and property rental income. Non-insurance related expenses include costs relating to those sales, and also acquisition costs. Non-insurance income and expenses have increased in 2015 due to the additional sales and purchases made subsequent to the acquisition of the trade and assets of Shebang.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
2) Financial services

The financial services operating segment consists exclusively of revenue generated by BMG and its subsidiary undertakings. BMG was acquired by PGH in January 2005.

Financial services revenue consists mainly of commission generated by financial advisers and commission generated from insurance underwriting agencies.
The revenue and net result generated by each of the group's operating segments are summarised as follows:
Employee
benefits
'000
Financial services
'000
Unallocated
'000
Consolidation
adjustments
'000
Group
'000
Operating segments
For the 6 months ended 30 June 2015
Revenue
Earned premiums net of reinsurance
Other income:
13,768
-
-
-
13,768
 Insurance related
1,154
198
-
-
1,352
 Non-insurance related
3,795
-
-
-
3,795
 Investment property
-
-
33
-
33
Investment income
83
-
-
-
83
________
________
________
________
________
Total revenue
18,880
_______
198
______
33
______
-
______
19,031
_______
Net result for period before tax
2,976
132
33
(271)
2,870
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Segment assets
28,756
799
940
13,084
43,579
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Segment liabilities
16,398
607
-
-
17,005
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Depreciation and amortisation 
190
-
-
285
475
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Employee
benefits
'000
Financial services
'000
Unallocated
'000
Consolidation
adjustments
'000
Group
'000
For the year ended 31 December 2014
Revenue
Earned premiums net of reinsurance
Other income:
24,054
-
-
-
24,054
 Insurance related
4,007
494
-
-
4,501
 Non-insurance related
18,202
-
-
-
18,202
 Investment property
-
-
67
-
67
Investment income
210
-
-
-
210
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Total revenue
46,473
_______
494
_______
67
_______
-
_______
47,034
_______
Net result for year before tax
9,361
347
67
 (770)
9,005
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Segment assets
38,694
677
940
11,948
52,259
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Segment liabilities
24,829
382
-
-
25,211
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Depreciation and amortisation
376
-
-
284
660
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Employee
benefits
'000
Financial services
'000
Unallocated
'000
Consolidation
adjustments
'000
Group
'000
For the 6 months ended 30 June 2014
Revenue
Earned premiums net of reinsurance
Other income:
11,961
-
-
-
11,961
 Insurance related
1,853
284
-
-
2,137
 Non-insurance related
3,082
-
-
-
3,082
 Investment property
-
-
33
-
33
Investment income
195
-
-
-
195
________
________
________
________
________
Total revenue
17,091
_______
284
_______
33
_______
-
_______
17,408
_______
Net result for period before tax
3,535
216
33
 (431)
3,353
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Segment assets
27,795
892
940
11,855
41,482
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Segment liabilities
16,173
610
-
-
16,783
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Depreciation and amortisation
230
-
-
-
230
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Income is derived from the UK and Guernsey (Dec 2014 all income was derived from UK)
The figures shown above for employee benefits and financial services are from the group's management accounts. Unallocated amounts relate to the group's investment property.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
4 Taxation
Tax expense is recognised based on the weighted-average annual income tax rate expected for the full financial year multiplied by management's best estimate of the taxable profit of the interim reporting period.
The Group's consolidated effective tax rate in respect of continuing operations for the six months ended 30 June 2015 was 19.4% (six months ended 30 June 2014: 25.9%).
5 Earnings per share and dividends
The weighted average numbers of outstanding shares used for basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
6 months 
ended 30 
June 2015
EPS
Pence
6 months 
ended 30 
June 2014
EPS
Pence
12 months 
ended 31 
December 2014
EPS
Pence
Basic
30,229,332
7.79
30,066,146
8.62
30,066,390
25.1
Diluted
31,280,284
7.53
30,102,976
8.60
30,901,027
24.4
During the first six months of 2015, Personal Group Holdings Plc paid dividends of 3,160,000 to its equity shareholders (six months to 30 June 2014: 2,954,000, twelve months to 31 December 2014: 5,916,000). This represents a payment of 10.45p per share (six months to 30 June 2014: 9.8p, twelve months to 31 December 2014: 19.6p). 
In the statement of changes in equity and the cash flow statement dividends are stated net of amounts paid on treasury shares and unallocated shares held by Personal Group Trustees Limited as follows:
6 months ended 30 June 2015
6 months ended 30 June 2014
12 months ended 31 December 2014
6 months ended 30 June 2015
6 months ended 30 June 2014
12 months ended 31 December 2014
Pence per share
'000
'000
'000
Equity dividends
Ordinary shares paid in period
March
5.225
4.90
4.90
1,580
1,477
1,477
June
5.225
4.90
4.90
1,580
1,477
1,477
September
-
-
4.90
-
-
1,477
December
-
-
4.90
-
-
1,485
______
______
______
3,160
2,954
5,916
Less: amounts paid on own shares
-
(7)
(17)
_____
_____
______
______
______
______
10.45
9.80
19.60
3,160
2,947
5,899
 
_____
_____
______
______
______
______
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
6 Property, plant and equipment
For the six months ended 30 June 2015
Freehold land and properties
'000
Motor vehicles
'000
Computer
equipment
'000
Furniture fixtures & fittings
'000
Leasehold improve-
ments
'000
Other
'000
Total
'000
Cost
At 1 January 2015
5,478
169
1,060
970
15
59
7,751
Acquisition
-
-
-
5
-
-
5
Additions
-
-
309
17
-
-
326
Disposals
-
-
(3)
(2)
-
-
(5)
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
At 30 June 2015
5,478
169
1,366
990
15
59
8,077
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Depreciation
At 1 January 2015
1,316
17
755
778
8
27
2,901
Acquisition
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Provided in the period
47
14
101
21
2
5
190
Eliminated on disposals
-
-
(1)
(1)
-
-
(2)
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
At 30 June 2015
1,363
31
855
798
10
32
3,089
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Net book amount at 30 June 2015
4,115
138
511
192
5
27
4,988
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Net book amount at 31 December 2014
4,162
152
305
192
7
32
4,850
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
For the year ended 31 December 2014
Freehold land and properties
'000
Motor vehicles
'000
Computer
equipment
'000
Furniture fixtures & fittings
'000
Leasehold improve-
ments
'000
Other
'000
Total
'000
Cost
At 1 January 2014
5,478
145
841
931
-
-
7,395
Acquisition
-
1
29
7
15
59
111
Additions
-
168
206
38
-
-
412
Disposals
-
(145)
(16)
(6)
-
-
(67)
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
At 31 December 2014
5,478
169
1,060
970
15
59
7,751
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Depreciation
At 1 January 2014
1,222
103
536
744
-
-
2,605
Acquisition
-
1
13
4
4
19
41
Provided in the year
94
22
221
36
4
8
385
Eliminated on disposals
-
(109)
(15)
(6)
-
-
(130)
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
At 31 December 2014
1,316
17
755
778
8
27
2,901
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Net book amount at 31 December 2014
4,162
152
305
192
7
32
4,850
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Net book amount at 31 December 2013
4,256
42
305
187
-
-
4,790
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the six months ended 30 June 2014
Freehold land and properties
'000
Motor vehicles
'000
Computer
equipment
'000
Furniture fixtures & fittings
'000
Leasehold improve-
ments
'000
Other
'000
Total
'000
Cost
At 1 January 2014
5,478
145
841
931
-
-
7,395
Acquisition
-
-
15
3
10
42
70
Additions
-
92
299
24
-
-
415
Disposals
-
(119)
-
-
-
-
(119)
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
At 30 June 2014
5,478
118
1,155
958
10
-
7,761
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Depreciation
At 1 January 2014
1,222
103
536
744
-
-
2,605
Acquisition
-
-
2
-
1
3
6
Provided in the period
49
7
112
17
-
-
185
Eliminated on disposals
-
(98)
-
-
-
-
(98)
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
At 30 June 2014
1,271
12
650
761
1
3
2,698
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Net book amount at 30 June 2014
4,207
106
505
197
9
39
5,063
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Net book amount at 31 December 2013
4,256
42
305
187
-
-
4,790
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
7 Financial assets
At 30 June 
2015
Unaudited
At 30 June 
2014
Unaudited
At 31 December 
2014
Audited
'000
'000
'000
Bank deposits
9,914
11,802
10,859
Loans & receivables
-
922
-
Investment Bond
100
-
100
Financial assets:
 Available for sale
710
698
651
________
________
________
10,724
13,422
11,610
_________
_________
_________
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement establishes a fair value hierarchy that categorises into three levels the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 inputs) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs)
 Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
 Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices)
 Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable input).
The available for sale financial assets are stated at their bid market price, these are all based on level 1 inputs.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Loans and receivables (as at 30 June 2014), held at amortised cost, were short-term trade receivables and the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value. The loans and receivables were secured by a charge over the Milton Keynes property shown within note 9.
Bank deposits, also held at amortised cost, are due within 6 months and the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.
Trade receivables arising out of direct insurance operations and other receivables are also held at amortised cost and the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.
The investment bond subscribed to during 2014 is held in Criticaleye Investments plc and has a fixed three-year initial term. Interest is paid at 8% gross per annum. The bond was acquired late in 2014 and the carrying value is a reasonable approximation of fair value.
 
8 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
During 2012 the company adopted a discretionary LTIP for the benefit of selected directors and senior employees of Personal Group. 
The Plan provides for the grant of awards, entitling participants to the payment of a bonus relating to the percentage increase in the market capitalisation of the company over a specified period. The awards will be satisfied in shares or in the discretion of the remuneration committee wholly or partly in cash in accordance with the plan rules. It is management's intention to settle these awards in shares.
A participant would be entitled to a payment in respect of their award on each of the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversary of their commencement date in the plan or if there is an exit event such as a sale before the fifth 
anniversary date. Each participant has been awarded a specified percentage of the value increase in the market capitalisation. If there is no increase in market capitalisation at the award dates then no payment will be made. 
Where the market capitalisation has increased the level of payment will be 10%, 30%, 60% and 100% cumulatively on the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversary respectively. The number of shares awarded will be determined by dividing the amount of appropriate payment by the average of the closing bid price for the 20 business days immediately preceding the date of issue.
An amount of 271,000 has been charged to the profit and loss account for this scheme in the six months ended 30 June 2015 (six months ended 30 June 2014: 431,000) based on estimating the future share price of the company over the duration of the plan. Estimates of future share prices have been used for the remaining payments to calculate the expense for each individual under their remaining tranches, taking into account the maximum cap on the payout to all individuals in the scheme of 10,000,000.
Given that the estimate is highly sensitive to share price movement, the following scenarios have been considered:
- If the share price were to increase at a quicker rate than assumed the charge for the period would have increased by 43,000
- If the share price were to remain static for the remainder of the plan or if the share price were to reduce over the remainder of the plan there would have been no charge for the period.
As at 30 July 2015 the above scheme was amended to:
- Include a maximum cap on market capitalisation of 183.7m; this will have the impact of reducing the maximum cap on the payout to individuals on the scheme to 7,987,000.
- Grant options rather than shares at each vesting date; this change will not have any impact on the charge to the profit and loss account.
A further LTIP scheme ("LTIP2") was then put in place to take effect from 30 July 2015:
- The current 5 Year Senior Management LTIP ("LTIP1") will mature at the end of 2016. As with LTIP1, LTIP2 is designed to reward directors and certain other senior employees in a way that aligns the interests of LTIP participants with the interests of shareholders, as well as with the Group's long-term strategic plan.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
9 Equity-accounted investment
During 2004 the company entered into a joint venture agreement with Abbeygate Developments Limited to construct a freehold joint office and residential property development on land adjacent to John Ormond House. A joint venture company called Abbeygate Developments (Marlborough Gate 2) Limited was established to construct the property. This company is owned equally by Personal Group Holdings Plc and Abbeygate Developments Limited.
The development was funded by way of a loan from Personal Group Holdings Plc. The profit and loss account and balance sheet for this joint venture company are as follows:
Profit and loss account
6 months ended 30 
June 2015
6 months ended 30 
June 2014
12 months 
ended 31 December 2014
Unaudited
Unaudited
Audited
'000
'000
'000
Rent receivable 
81
127
210
Profit on disposal of apartments
35
226
388
Administration expenses
(15)
(58)
(84)
________
________
________
Operating profit
101
295
514
Interest payable
-
(25)
(30)
________
________
________
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
101
270
484
Tax on profit on ordinary activities
(20)
(58)
(99)
________
________
________
Profit for the financial period retained
81
212
385
________
________
________
Personal Group Holdings share of profit
41
106
192
________
________
________
Balance sheet
6 months ended 30 
June 2015
6 months ended 30 
June 2014
12 months 
ended 31 December 2014
Unaudited
Unaudited
Audited
'000
'000
'000
Current assets 
Inventories
1,058
2,091
1,236
Debtors
375
(6)
98
Cash at bank and in hand
18
12
18
________
________
________
1,451
2,097
1,352
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
(190)
(1,088)
(170)
________
________
________
Net current assets
1,261
1,009
1,182
________
________
________
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
-
-
-
Profit and loss account
1,261
1,009
1,182
________
________
________
Shareholders' funds
1,261
1,009
1,182
________
________
________
Personal Group Holdings share of net assets
631
505
591
________
________
________
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
10 Goodwill
PGM
Let's Connect
Total
'000
'000
'000
Cost
At 1 January 2015
-
10,575
10,575
Additions in the year 
95
-
95
 _________
 _________
 ________
At 30 June 2015
95
10,575
10,670
 _________
 _________
 ________
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2015
-
-
-
Impairment charge for year
-
-
-
 _________
 _________
 _________
At 30 June 2015
0
0
0
 _________
 _________
 _________
Net book value at 30 June 2015
95
10,575
10,670
_________
_________
_________
11 Intangible assets
Customer Value 
Software
Licence agreements
Customer Contracts
Total 
Let's Connect
PGM
PGM
PGM
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
Cost
At 1 January 2015
1,648
-
-
-
1,648
Additions in the year 
-
506
703
102
1,311
 ________
 ________
 ________
 ________
 ________
At 30 June 2015
1,648
506
703
102
2,959
 ________
 ________
 ________
 ________
 ________
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2015
275
-
-
-
275
Amortisation charge for year
165
60
51
9
285
 _________
 _________
 _________
 ________
 _________
At 30 June 2015
440
60
51
9
560
 _________
 _________
 _________
 ________
 _________
Net book value at 30 June 2015
1,208
446
652
93
2,399
_________
_________
_________
________
_________
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
12 Acquisitions of business
Acquisitions in the current period
On 1 April 2015 Personal Group Mobile Limited (PGM) was incorporated as a new subsidiary within the Group and on 17 April 2015 PGM purchased the trade and certain assets and liabilities of shebang Technology Group Limited (shebang) out of administration for a total consideration of 1.4m. 0.7m was paid to the administrator of shebang and a further 0.7m was paid to Hutchison 3G UK Limited (Three UK) in respect of novation of a Mobile Virtual Network Operator Services agreement. PGM is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator ("MVNO") aimed at providing salary sacrifice phones and airtime to its established and new customers through the Group's subsidiary Let's Connect in addition to shebang's existing distribution channels. The acquisition is highly complementary to the Group's salary sacrifice product offering and customer base, and it provides the Group with another reason to engage and rollout employee benefit programmes, which can include its core insurance products. It has also brought with it over 20 years' of experience in the mobile industry, an established relationship with Three UK and an experienced team of 40 people based in Daventry already serving its customers with over 10,000 connections.
In the period to 30 June 2015 the business contributed net loss of 0.9m including acquisition costs of 0.3m and re-organisation costs of 0.4m. 
Effect of acquisition
The acquisition had the following effect on the Group's assets and liabilities.
*Recognised Values on Acquisition
'000
Net assets acquired:
Licence agreement (intangible)
703
Software (intangible)
506
Customer value (intangible)
102
Property, plant and equipment
5
Inventories
55
Trade and other receivables
20
Trade and other payables
(96)
_________
Net identifiable assets and liabilities
1,295
_________
Consideration paid
1,390
_________
Goodwill on acquisition
95
_________
*The recognised values above have been determined on a book basis with the exception of licence agreement, software and customer value which represent a provisional assessment of fair value. A complete assessment of fair values will be completed for the year end.
A minimal amount of goodwill has arisen because the consideration paid reflects management expectations of the future profitability of the business, whilst recognising that the majority of this future profitability will derive from new income streams.
The licence agreement, software and customer value are being amortised through the consolidated income statement over 3 year, 2 year and 3 year periods respectively; the combined charge for the 6 months to 30 June 2015 was 105k.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Financial calendar for the year ending 31 December 2015
The company announces the following dates in its financial calendar for the year ending 31 December 2015:
 Preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 2015                -      March 2016
 Publication of Report and Accounts for 2015-     March 2016
 AGM - April 2016

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
  END
IR EAKNPALXSEFF