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Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc

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FY2017 Annual Report · Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc
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Innovative solutions 
creating quality outcomes

Annual Report 2017

About us

Advanced Medical Solutions 
is a world-leading independent 
developer and manufacturer of 
innovative and technologically 
advanced products for the 
global surgical, woundcare 
and wound closure markets, 
focused on quality outcomes 
for patients and value 
for payors.

Contents

Company Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

01    Highlights 2017
02    Our Markets and Brands

34    Board of Directors
36    Senior Management
38    Corporate Governance 

Report

44    Audit Committee Report
47    Remuneration Report
57    Directors’ Report

04    Chairman’s Statement
05    Chief Executive’s Statement
09    Our Strategic Objectives 
10    Our Business Model
12   Our  Business Units

12    Branded
18    OEM

22    Financial Review
25    Our Key Performance 

Indicators

26    Corporate Social 
Responsibility
30    Risk Management

Financial Statements

62    Independent Auditor’s 

Report

66    Consolidated Income 

Statement

66    Consolidated Statement  

of Comprehensive Income

67    Consolidated Statement  
of Financial Position
68    Consolidated Statement  
of Changes in Equity
69    Consolidated Statement  

of Cash Flows

70    Notes Forming Part of the 
Consolidated Financial 
Statements

94    Company Balance Sheet
94    Statement of Changes  

95 

in Equity
 Notes to the Company 
Financial Statements

99    Five Year Summary
100   Notice of Meeting
103   Advisers

Highlights 2017

Creating quality outcomes
through our financial strength

Financial

Group revenue (£ million)

Adjusted2 operating margin (%)

Adjusted2 profit before tax (£ million)

Profit before tax (£ million)

Adjusted2 diluted earnings per share (p)

Diluted earnings per share (p)

Net operating cash flow3 pre-
exceptional items (£ million)

Net cash (£ million)4

2017

96.9

26.2

25.4

25.3

9.46

9.39

21.5

62.5

20166

83.2

23.7

19.7

19.1

7.66

7.38

22.3

51.1

Reported 
growth

16%

250bps

29%

32%

23%

27%

(4%)

22%

Growth at 
constant 
currency1

12%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Proposed final dividend of 0.75p per share, making a total dividend for the year of 
1.10p (2016: 0.92p), up 20%.

Business

 e

 Good revenue growth, up 16% to £96.9 million and by 12% 
at constant currency 

•  Branded revenues up 22% to £55.2 million (2016: £45.4 million), 

and by 16% at constant currency

•  OEM revenues up 10% to £41.7 million (2016: £37.8 million) 

and by 8% at constant currency

 Continued strong performance from LiquiBand® topical tissue 
adhesives, sales up 35% to £26.0 million (2016: £19.3 million) and 
by 30% at constant currency 

•  US revenues up 47% to £18.2 million (2016: £12.4 million) and 

by 40% at constant currency

•  As at 31 December 2017, US market share by volume5 increased 

to 26% (June 2017: 24%)

 RESORBA® branded products up 15% to £20.8 million 
(2016: £18.1 million) and by 6% at constant currency

 Antimicrobial dressings up 11% to £19.4 million (2016: £17.5 million) 
and by 9% at constant currency

 Out-licensing deal with Organogenesis signed for a collagen based 
wound dressing containing Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (“PHMB”)

• Royalties of £2.5 million received in 2017 (2016: £nil)

 e

 e

 e

 e

Group revenue

£96.9m

(2016: £83.2m)6

Adjusted2 profit before tax

£25.4m

(2016: £19.7m)

Adjusted2 diluted  
earnings per share

9.46p

(2016: 7.66p)

Net cash4

£62.5m

(2016: £51.1m)

1  Constant currency removes the effect 

of currency movements by re-translating 
the current period’s performance at the 
previous period’s exchange rates.

2  All items are shown before exceptional 

items which were £nil (2016: £0.4 million) 
and amortisation of acquired intangible 
assets which, in 2017, were £0.1 million 
(2016: £0.2 million) as defined in the 
Financial Review.

3  Operating cash flow is arrived at by 

taking the operating profit for the period 
before exceptional items of £nil million 
(2016: £0.4 million), depreciation, 
amortisation, working capital movements 
and other non cash items.

4 Net cash is defined as cash and cash 

equivalents plus short term investments 
less financial liabilities and bank loans.

5  Data supplied by Global 
Healthcare Exchange.

6 2016 Revenue restated as a result of 
adoption of IFRS 15 (Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers).

01

Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsAdvanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Our Markets and Brands

Creating quality outcomes for the global  
surgical and advanced woundcare markets 
through quality respected brands

Our addressable market is large and growing.

Favourable global healthcare trends

Structurally growing markets

High degree of recurring revenues

Low clinical R&D risks

Advanced 
woundcare market1 
(excluding NPWT)

£2.8bn

Addressable market
~4-6% Market 
growth

Surgical market

£5.7bn

LiquiBand®

Our range of medical adhesives, based on cyanoacrylate. 
We have a range of formulations and applicators for topical 
skin closure.

We have approval to use the adhesive internally in Europe for 
hernia mesh fixation with our LiquiBand® Fix8™ device.  
Work is ongoing to gain approval for this device in the US.

02

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017£96.9m

Global sales

£25.4m

Adjusted2 profit before tax

26.2%

Adjusted2 operating margin

7

Locations

>600

Employees

>100

Distribution partners

75

Countries

1  Advanced woundcare market includes alginates, gelling fibre dressings, contact layers, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, superabsorbents, silvers/other antimicrobials and foams. It excludes Negative 

Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT).

2  All items are shown before exceptional items which were £nil and amortisation of acquired intangible assets which were £0.1 million.

ActivHeal®

Our brand of advanced 
woundcare products that are 
sold to the NHS in the UK, 
providing significant cost savings 
to payors without compromising 
on clinical effectiveness.

This range was extended in 
2017 to include Aquafiber 
AG and our atraumatic and 
antimicrobial foams.

RESORBA®

Our comprehensive range  
of sutures sold in Europe 
and the Rest of the World. 
Approval to sell our sutures 
in the US was obtained in 
September 2015 and a range 
of sutures for dental use were 
launched in the US in 2016.

We also have a range of 
haemostats based on collagen 
approved for use in Europe.

RESORBA® sutures and 
haemostats can be used 
for both surgical and 
dental applications.

03

Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsAdvanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Chairman’s Statement

Creating quality outcomes
through strong governance

AMS continues to progress as a leading international provider of high quality, high value, 
innovative and technologically advanced products for the surgical and advanced wound 
care markets. We are pleased to report another year of strong revenue growth, profit 
performance and cash generation. 

Our revenues increased 16% to £96.9 million (2016: £83.2 million), representing growth 
of 12% on a constant currency basis and our adjusted7 profit before tax increased by 
29% to £25.4 million (2016: £19.7 million) and our profit before tax increased by 32% 
to £25.3 million (2016: £19.1 million). The continued strong cash generation of the 
business has resulted in the Group ending the year with net cash of £62.5 million 
(2016: £51.1 million).

As reported at the half year, at the beginning of 2017 we reviewed our business 
structure and consolidated our Business Units from four to two. Our Branded Business 
Unit focuses on the distribution, marketing and innovation of all the Group’s branded 
products. Our OEM business focuses on the distribution, marketing and innovation of 
all the Group’s products that are supplied to our medical device partners and marketed 
under their brands. This new structure is designed to enhance focus and improve 
marketing efficiencies for the Group. We have restated our segmental prior year 
financials in line with this new reporting structure.

Good progress has been made with all of our brands. LiquiBand® continues to do 
well in the US and we have gained a further 2% market share since we last reported to 
take our market share by volume to 26%. Revenue from our RESORBA® brands grew 
steadily across all territories and has grown by 15% and by 6% at constant currency 
to £20.8 million (2016: £18.1 million), while ActivHeal® grew by 4% to £6.3 million 
(2016: £6.0 million).

We were pleased to announce in October 2017 that we had agreed a patent out-
licensing agreement with Organogenisis for a collagen based wound dressing 
containing Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (“PHMB”). Under this agreement, we receive 
royalties from Organogenesis’ net sales in the US on the product. The agreement is in 
place for the life of the patent which expires in October 2026. 

The Board is proposing a final dividend of 0.75p per share, making a total dividend for 
the year of 1.10p per share, an increase of 20% (2016: 0.92p). If approved at the Annual 
General Meeting, this dividend will be paid on 15 June 2018 to shareholders on the 
register at the close of business on 25 May 2018.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all of our employees for their contributions 
during the past year. We would not have been able to achieve our strong performance 
without their commitment and effort. I would also like to thank our customers, 
suppliers, business partners and shareholders for their continued support in helping AMS 
achieve its goals.

We ensure that the Group is managed in accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code as far as is reasonably practicable, although it is not a requirement 
for an AIM quoted company. The Board believes that effective corporate governance 
will assist in the delivery of sustainable shareholder value and safe-guard shareholders’ 
long-term interests.

AMS continues to be in robust financial health and we are continuing to grow our 
international footprint and scale. The Group is well positioned to increase investment 
in internal innovation and to actively pursue external opportunities in line with our  
long-term strategy and growth objectives. 

Peter Allen
Chairman

17 April 2018

“ The Group is well positioned to 
increase investment in internal 
innovation and to actively 
pursue external opportunities  
in line with our long-term  
strategy and growth 
objectives.”

Peter Allen
Chairman

Revenue

+16%

+12%* 
to £96.9m
(2016: £83.2m)

* at constant currency

Adjusted1  profit before tax

+29%

 to £25.4m
(2016: £19.7m)

1  All items are shown before amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
which, in 2017, was £0.1 million (2016: £0.2 million) as defined in the 
financial review and before exceptional costs which were £nil million 
(2016: £0.4 million).

04

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Chief Executive’s Statement

Creating quality outcomes
for our employees, customers and for patients

“ With our increasing portfolio 
of products, high quality 
business partners, the 
opportunities we see from our 
R&D pipeline and our strong 
financial position, the Board 
remains optimistic about our 
long-term prospects and the 
potential for further growth.”

Chris Meredith
Chief Executive  
Officer

I am pleased to report another strong set of results across the 
Group. Our revenue has increased 16% to £96.9 million and we have 
improved our adjusted2 profit before tax by 29% to £25.4 million 
and our reported profit before tax by 32% to £25.3 million 
(2016: £19.1 million).

Our strategy for growth remains unchanged. We continue to expand 
into new geographies, increase our distribution of surgical products 
through our direct sales forces, and enhance our product portfolio 
by developing high quality products that add value to patients and 
payors in our advanced woundcare and surgical markets.

As reported at the half year, we have streamlined our reporting 
structure and now operate under two Business Units: Branded 
and OEM.

Branded 
The Branded Business Unit reports the sales of all our own brands. 
Branded reported revenue was 22% higher at £55.2 million 
(2016: £45.4 million) and 16% higher at constant currency. 

LiquiBand® topical adhesives 
LiquiBand® is our range of medical adhesives based on 
cyanoacrylate, and is our largest brand with sales of £26.0 million, 
(2016: £19.3 million) up 35% on the prior year and 30% at 
constant currency. 

Our LiquiBand® range of products utilises different formulations of 
cyanoacrylate in innovatively designed applicators. They are designed 
to meet the requirements of the clinician and to treat the full 
spectrum of wounds that they need to close and protect. They have 
several key attributes that compare favourably with the existing 
market leader, including wound closure strength, tensile strength, set 
time, surface area coverage and adhesive yield.

Sales in the US, which remains our largest market, increased by 47% 
to £18.2 million (2016: £12.4 million) at reported currency and by 
40% at constant currency. We access this market through distributors 
who target both hospitals and non hospitals, helping us to identify 
customers and convert opportunities into sales following surgeon 
evaluation. We support our partners with marketing and clinical data 
demonstrating the efficacy of our products. We continue to grow our 
volume market share which is now at 26%, up 2% from June 2017 
and 3% over the full year. 

LiquiBand®Fix8™ Hernia Mesh 
Fixation device

2  All items are shown before amortisation of acquired intangible assets which, in 2017, was 
£0.1 million (2016: £0.2 million) as defined in the financial review and before exceptional 
costs which were £nil million (2016: £0.4 million).

05

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsChief Executive’s Statement continued

In the UK and Germany good progress has been made. 
Revenues have increased 12% to £5.3 million (2016: £4.7 million) 
and 10% at constant currency with new hospitals being accessed. 
In the EU and ROW, sales of LiquiBand® increased by 19% to 
£2.5 million (2016: £2.1 million) at reported currency and 18% at 
constant currency. 

We are now targeting new geographic markets for LiquiBand®. 
Following on from establishing distribution agents in Asia, we have 
also identified opportunities for LiquiBand® in a number of Central 
American markets and anticipate first sales in this region in 2018. 

Our primary focus for R&D is to extend our LiquiBand® product range 
to compete in the growing market for combined glues and tape used 
for larger wound closure. We expect to receive approval to market 
this in the US around the end of 2018. 

Hernia Mesh Fixation device – LiquiBand® Fix8™
LiquiBand® Fix 8™ is used to hold hernia meshes in place within 
the body instead of tacks and staples. This accurate laparoscopic 
application of adhesive is expected to both reduce surgical 
complications and reduce the potential pain associated with the use 
of tacks and staples. It also provides the ability to attach mesh in areas 
where tacks and staples cannot be applied, helping to improve the 
patient experience and surgical outcomes.

As reported at the half year, sales growth of LiquiBand® Fix8™ 
has been restricted due to design enhancements we have made 
following surgeon feedback. Further feedback has been received 
on the updated device and modifications have been completed. 
We have chosen not to actively promote the device while the 
modifications were ongoing, nevertheless sales increased by 3% 
to £1.7 million (2016: £1.7 million) and 1% at constant currency. 
We expect to see a return to sales growth this year.

At present, the device is approved for use within Europe and those 
markets that accept European approval standards. We have started 
the process to get LiquiBand® Fix8™ approved in the US market. 
This necessitates a full Pre Market Approval (PMA) involving clinical 
trials with patient enrolment expected to start in mid 2018 and 
enrolment completing by the end of the year. We expect the total 
cost of completing the approval process will be around £3 million 
with the majority of the spend being incurred in 2018 and 2019. 

In R&D, we are also working on broadening the claims on the use of 
the device for hernia mesh fixation as well as for a number of other 
laparoscopic surgical applications and developing a device suitable 
for hernia mesh fixation in open surgery which we expect to launch 
in Europe in the first half of 2019. 

RESORBA®
Our RESORBA® branded products portfolio is comprised of a 
comprehensive range of sutures which are used to close wounds 
and a range of bio-surgical products that include collagens, cellulose 
and bone substitutes that can be used as haemostats or scaffolds 
for tissue growth. Sales of RESORBA® products increased by 15% to 
£20.8 million (2016: £18.1 million) and by 6% at constant currency. 
Within this, sales of sutures increased by 15% to £13.0 million 
(2016: £11.3 million) and by 6% at constant currency and sales of  
bio-surgical products increased by 16% to £7.9 million 
(2016: £6.8 million) and by 8% at constant currency. 

During 2016, we renegotiated the supply agreement with an OEM 
partner for collagen products in order to go direct. We are pleased 
that we have started to sell these products into a number of 
new territories. 

Germany remains our largest market with £13.0 million of sales 
(2016: £12.0 million), up 8% on the prior year and up by 1% at 
constant currency while sales to markets outside Germany 
accessed by our distributors increased by 30% to £7.5 million 
(2016: £5.8 million) and 19% at constant currency. Our initiative to 
offer a range of dental sutures into the US market is developing 
and following launch in 2016, sales have increased to £0.3 million. 
The total US surgical suture market is estimated to be in excess of 
$1 billion and is dominated by a few major brands and provides a 
significant opportunity for the Group in the medium term.

We continue to access new markets, in particular Asia Pacific, and 
have recently hired a new sales manager to target Australasia for both 
our RESORBA® and LiquiBand® brand ranges. 

In R&D we continue to work on preparing a range of different 
antibiotics that can be incorporated in our bio-surgical products. 
We expect to file for European approval in the second half of 2018.

ActivHeal®
ActivHeal® is our range of high quality woundcare dressings 
specifically designed to offer the NHS significant cost savings 
without compromising on clinical outcomes or patient care. Sales of 
ActivHeal® increased by 4% to £6.3 million (2015: £6.0 million), 
reversing the decline that was reported in 2016, however the market 
remains difficult with increasing price pressure becoming evident. 
The Group has enhanced its education and marketing materials 
as well as broadened its product range with our antimicrobial and 
atraumatic foam dressing ranges. 

06

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017OEM
Our OEM business supports our partners with a multi-product 
portfolio of advanced woundcare products and bulk materials. 
We have been working with many of the world’s major wound care 
companies for a number of years providing manufacturing services to 
supply their woundcare dressings, new products they can incorporate 
into their portfolio of brands, as well as regulatory assistance in 
obtaining product approvals in overseas markets. Revenue increased 
10% to £41.7 million (2016: £37.8 million) and increased 8% at 
constant currency. 

A key driver for this Business Unit is in supplying products that 
incorporate antimicrobials. Sales of our antimicrobial dressings 
increased by 11% to £19.4 million (2016: £17.5 million), and by 9% at 
constant currency. Within this, silver alginate products grew by 12% 
to £18.0 million (2016: £16.2 million) and by 9% at constant currency 
while the Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB) foam range, which 
was launched in 2016 into Europe, increased 2% at reported and 
constant currency. 

PHMB is an antimicrobial which is effective against several bacteria 
including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 
Escherichia coli (E.coli). Although we received approval to market 
PHMB foam into the US in 2017, we deferred a launch until we could 
market these products with extended claims. We expect to obtain 
these approvals in 2018.

Sales of our non-antimicrobial foams were down 16% at reported 
currency to £7.4 million (2016: £8.8 million) and by 20% at constant 
currency. Sales were impacted by the pipeline fill of our atraumatic 
foam launches in 2016, which we estimate to have been around 
£1 million. We also had some issues caused by a change of raw 
material from one of our suppliers which interrupted our ability to 
promote part of our more established range of products. These issues 
are now resolved. Sales of our other technologies, which include 
alginates and gels, increased 7% at reported currency to £11.8 million 
(2016: £11.0 million) and by 5% at constant currency.

In October 2017 we agreed an out-licensing agreement with 
Organogenesis Inc., a commercial leader in regenerative medicine 
focused on advanced woundcare and surgical biologics, on a U.S. 
patent for a collagen-based wound dressing containing PHMB.

Under the terms of the agreement, Organogenesis has been granted 
an exclusive license in the United States to the patent. In exchange 
for this, we have recognised £2.5 million from royalties, and will 
receive a minimum royalty of $1 million for each of the financial 
years ending 31 December 2018 and 2019. This is part of an ongoing 
royalty stream that will be payable to AMS on the net sales of the 
Licensed Product for the life of the patent. The patent is due to expire 
in October 2026.

The Group’s ability to out-license our patented technologies is an 
endorsement of the quality of our innovation and we are pleased to 
be working with a partner that is using the AMS patent to access the 
US market so effectively. 

In the latter part of 2017, we noted that a number of our partners have 
reported a slowdown in the European advanced woundcare market. 
We continue, however, to believe in our medium and long term 
prospects in this market.

In R&D, we continue to work on extending our advanced woundcare 
portfolio with focus on our antimicrobial range, improving the 
absorbancy of dressings and combining a number of materials to 
enhance product performance. We are developing a range of surgical 
dressings for which we are expecting to obtain approval in mid 2018 
for the US market. We are also expecting to receive approval to 
market an antimicrobial high performance dressing in the US before 
the end of 2018. 

07

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsChief Executive’s Statement continued

Operations and regulatory
With the business continuing to show strong organic growth, we 
have made investments in our converting capability at our Etten Leur 
site, as well as improving our packaging capability in Nuremberg 
which is expected to complete in 2018. 

As a result of the continued success of our medical adhesives 
business, we have also made plans to extend the capacity of the 
Plymouth facility. This will be a significant project for us and we 
estimate that the spend will be around £4 million and will take 
around three years. It will provide us with the capability to increase 
production of our existing product range as well as allowing us 
the capacity to manufacture new products such as the open 
hernia device. 

Following the FDA inspection of our Winsford site in June 2016, 
our Plymouth facility was inspected by the FDA in April 2017. 
We were very pleased with the outcome of this audit with no non-
conformances raised. 

The new European Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) entered into 
force on 25 May 2017, marking the start of the transition period 
for manufacturers selling medical devices into Europe. The MDR, 
which replaces the Medical Devices Directive (MDD) has a transition 
period of three years and manufacturers have this transition period 
to update their technical documentation and processes to meet the 
new requirements. The MDR brings more scrutiny on product safety 
and performance and stricter requirements on clinical evaluation 
and post-market clinical follow up. Our notified body, BSI, is already 
adopting the new standard and we are working with our OEM 
partners to ensure that we meet the new requirements. We anticipate 
that, although there will be some additional costs associated with 
meeting the new requirements, overall, the tighter regulatory 
standards should prove beneficial for the Group in the longer term.

Our implementation of Oracle ERP in Germany was successfully 
completed at the end of September. This will bring benefits 
from better availability of information and enhanced controls. 
This completes our major ERP conversions across the Group, 
although ongoing improvements to systems will continue. 

Acquisitions strategy
The Group is actively looking for businesses that meet its acquisition 
strategy of:

 e licensing or acquiring technology that allows us to leverage our 

global OEM customer base or branded routes to market;

 e licensing or acquiring additional brands within woundcare, wound 
closure or surgical setting that complement our existing range; and

 e geographic expansion through acquiring surgically focused 

companies with strong direct sales capability and ownership of 
complementary products.

We have an internal team working with advisors to identify, appraise 
and progress acquisition opportunities. 

The UK and the European Union 
To date, there has been no day-to-day operational impact of the 
referendum vote to leave the European Union, other than changes 
to currency exchange rates. In preparation, the Group has submitted 
its application to obtain Authorised Economic Operator status for its 
UK trading entities and expects to achieve this designation by the end 
of the year. With its footprint in mainland Europe, the Group is well 
positioned to deal with the uncertain outcome of the UK negotiations 
with the EU, moving activities into jurisdictions that are beneficial to 
the business.

Our culture
As a Group that is highly dependent on the innovation and creativity 
of our employees for our future growth and success, it is important 
that we have a culture and set of values that is understood and 
embraced across the business. We have adopted the business motto 
of ‘The AMS Care, Fair, Dare approach’ to summarise our culture, 
underpin our values, and to deliver results, building a sustainable 
future for our business. Under this motto, we have defined the 
principles and expectations of how we will operate together to 
deliver success. We have run workshops across all our sites and have 
responded to feedback about how we can improve the Care, Fair, 
Dare ethos in the workplace. We are now embodying these attitudes 
into our objectives and appraisal process. 

We recognise the importance of our people to the Group and that 
it is only by their effective engagement that we will continue to be 
successful. We value their commitment and determination to achieve 
and deliver good results. Our working environment encourages 
openness, teamwork, an understanding of others’ needs and the 
ability ‘to make a difference’. We continue to develop the talent 
at AMS by training and by providing a place to work where our 
employees feel valued, incentivised and fulfilled.

Summary and outlook
2017 has seen another good performance by the Group. Trading in 
the current financial year has begun well and is in line with the 
Board’s expectations. With our increasing portfolio of products, 
high quality business partners, the opportunities we see from our 
R&D pipeline and our strong financial position, the Board remains 
optimistic about our long-term prospects and the potential for 
further growth.

Chris Meredith
Chief Executive Officer

17 April 2018

08

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Our Strategic Objectives

Creating quality outcomes
by delivering on our strategy

To become the best developer, 
producer and supplier of innovative 
medical devices in the areas of 
accelerating healing and managing 
wounds, minimising adverse 
surgical outcomes, and sealing and 
closing tissue.

Market Outlook

There is a rising incidence of both chronic and acute wounds.

Predisposing factors such as obesity, diabetes and old age are on 
the increase. There is also an increasing demand from emerging 
healthcare markets.

A continuing trend towards minimally invasive surgery further 
provides opportunities for innovations and market growth.

Healthcare economics demand cost-effective product solutions. 
AMS’s mission is to meet these needs.

Strategy for Growth

1

2

3

4

Add value for payors in advanced woundcare, 
surgical and wound closure markets

Increase direct distribution of surgical products 
through AMS’s sales forces in target markets

Continued geographic expansion

Enhance product portfolio, technologies and pipeline 
through investment in in-house R&D, acquisitions 
and licensing 

09

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOur Business Model

Creating quality outcomes
through our two streamlined divisions

Our Value Chain

New product 
development

Marketing 
and regulatory 
approval

Operations

Research and development

Bringing product to market

Design and testing

Regulatory approval  
in key markets

Manufacturing and 
security of supply

Quality assurance

 e Separate R&D teams focusing 
on different technologies:

•  OEM: foams, fibres 
and antimicrobials

•  Branded: tissue adhesives, 
haemostats and sutures
 e Collaborations with universities, 
key opinion leaders, surgeons 
and tissue viability nurses
 e Extensive patent portfolio:  
over 30 patent families

 e Stage gate process

 e Strong regulatory affairs 

department with world-wide 
regulatory experience

 e Regulatory registrations in  

over 70 countries

 e Clinical support teams 

supporting both product 
development and post 
market surveillance

 e Six manufacturing sites
 e All manufacturing sites 

compliant with ISO 13485:2016
 e All UK, German and Czech sites 
are compliant with FDA 21 CFR 
part 820 Quality Management 
System (QMS) 

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10

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Our Routes to Market

Outcomes

Own brand products

Branded
Sales of AMS Group brands.

 e  LiquiBand® and RESORBA® are sold by our direct 

sales teams in Germany, UK and the Czech 
Republic and through our global network of over 
100 distributors in other parts of the world

 e ActivHeal® is sold by our UK sales team  

to the NHS in the UK

Revenue

£55.2m

For more information see page 12

Third-party products

OEM
Sales of finished products and bulk materials 
to our medical device partners. 

 e  Global advanced woundcare customer base
 e  Convertors, packers

Revenue

£41.7m

For more information see page 18 

Quality 
outcomes 
for patients

Value for 
payors

Solid Balance 
Sheet 

Long-term 
value for 
shareholders

11

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOur Business Units

Creating quality outcomes 
through our innovative products

Branded

We are excited by the opportunities we have 
to broaden the reach of our brands, as well as 
the innovations we have coming though the 
R&D pipeline.”

Jeff Willis
Business Unit Director

The Branded Business Unit is 
focused on driving sales, innovation 
and distribution for our brands 
globally. Our direct sales teams 
drive our LiquiBand® and RESORBA® 
brands in the UK, Germany and the 
Czech Republic. Our UK sales team 
also support sales of ActivHeal® 
into the NHS in the UK. In all other 
markets we work with distributors 
to support sales. 

This Business Unit is responsible 
for the R&D activities of sutures, 
collagens, medical adhesives 
and sealants.

 Revenue

+22%*

to £55.2m
(2016: £45.4m)

* 16% higher at constant currency

Branded at a glance

Branded revenue £m

 +22%*

 *16%
higher at constant currency

12

55.2

45.4

16

17

2017 sales £m
2017 sales £m

£55.2m

LiquiBand® US 

LiquiBand® (excluding US)

LiquiBand® Fix8™

RESORBA®

ActivHeal®

Other

18.2

7.8

1.7

20.8

6.3

0.4

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
Strategy

To increase the market share of the Group’s brands globally and to develop 
innovative products that provide value to clinicians and end users.

LiquiBand®
 e Increase usage in the Operating Room (OR) in the UK and 

Germany through our existing sales teams

 e Increase the market share of LiquiBand® in the US by:
•   Partnering with key distributors that access the US  

healthcare market

•   Develop and launch new products

•   Train partner personnel, and provide marketing and  

account support

•   Targeting 30% market share in the US by volume in the 

next two years 

 e Promoting the hernia mesh fixation device LiquiBand® Fix8™ in 

markets where approval has been achieved

 e Obtain approval for the hernia mesh fixation device LiquiBand® 

Fix8™ in the US

 e Develop next generation internal applications of cyanoacrylate for 
fixation including new indications for LiquiBand® Fix8™ and new 
product variations for open hernia repair

 e Maximising opportunities across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle 

East, and Latin America

 e Leverage the combined existing distributor network for LiquiBand® 

and RESORBA®

RESORBA®
 e Ensuring that RESORBA® is included in hospital tender processes
 e Targeting Group Purchase Organisations (GPOs) in Germany 

coupled with targeted speciality products

 e Increasing the usage in the OR in the UK by cross-selling 

RESORBA® sutures and biosurgical products with LiquiBand® 
products

 e Developing new applications of collagens for unmet surgical needs
 e Maximising opportunities across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle 

East, and Latin America

 e Leverage the combined existing distributor network for LiquiBand® 

and RESORBA®

ActivHeal®
 e Ensuring ActivHeal® is included in relevant NHS tenders
 e Extending the ranges used in hospitals where ActivHeal® is listed
 e Converting new hospitals to ActivHeal®
 e Broadening the product range offered e.g. atraumatic and 

antimicrobial variants

Part of the LiquiBand® product range

13

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
Our Business Units continued

LiquiBand®
The LiquiBand® range of products has been developed to provide 
innovative solutions to close wounds and minimise adverse surgical 
outcomes. Our products have been uniquely designed to meet 
the needs of clinicians and patients for safe, secure and effective 
wound closure.

Our LiquiBand® technologies are developed and marketed for use 
in the emergency room, operating theatres and extended care 
environments. Through our expertise in cyanoacrylate technology we 
have developed a range of medical grade adhesive devices that meet 
specific clinical needs and deliver substantial benefits to patients. 

Our adhesive products are based on two main formulations; octyl 
and butyl. Octyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives provide durable 
and flexible wound closure, whilst butyl cyanoacrylate adhesives 
provide high strength with a fast setting time. We are able to supply 
products based on each formulation as well as blends of both.

Wound closure using LiquiBand® topical skin adhesives provides 
the patient with an enhanced experience over conventional wound 
closure methods. Cyanoacrylate skin adhesives allow non traumatic 
closure of wounds and do not require removal as they will naturally 
slough off the skin as part of the natural wound healing process. 
Cyanoacrylate skin adhesives can provide a water resistant and 
microbial barrier adding an extra level of security to the closed wound 
and eliminating the need for secondary dressings.

LiquiBand®

+35%

+30%* 
to £26.0m
(2016: £19.3m)

LiquiBand® US

+47%

+40%* 
to £18.2m
(2016: £12.4m)

* at constant currency

* at constant currency

The LiquiBand® family of topical skin adhesive products are provided 
in a range of different applicators to meet a variety of surgical needs 
and preferences. These include various configurations of adhesive 
volume, applicator design and the addition of wings to assist in device 
activation. The applicators also incorporate different tip designs 
such as a foam dome to provide broad application or a thin cannula 
shaped tip to provide controlled and precise adhesive placement in a 
more enclosed application.

We also sell LiquiBand® into the OR in the UK and Germany where 
it is used to make the final topical skin closure following the surgical 
procedure. LiquiBand® is also promoted and supported by our 
distributors throughout the rest of the world.

Our octyl formulation product, LiquiBand Exceed® gives us a 
competitive advantage in the topical skin adhesive market, as is 
outlined in the case study below. 

Case study

Why are we successful with LiquiBand Exceed®

Key Benefits:

PURE OCTYL FORMULATION1 
 e Maximises durability and flexibility 
 e Provides high viscosity 
 e Creates intimate skin contact
 e Provides optimal flexibility

MICROBIAL BARRIER1 
 e Acts as a barrier against gram-positive, 
gram-negative and fungal microbes. 
Proven effectiveness against S. aureus, 
P.aeruginosa, E.coli, Candida albicans 
and MRSA 

UNIQUE APPLICATOR TIP 
 e Revolutionary click-and-use applicator
 e Elliptical shape allows for narrow or 

wide application 

 e Porous felt tip allows drip-free priming 

and even, consistent application 

14

MARKET LEADING YIELD 
 e 0.8ml per applicator allows for 
closure of wounds up to 30cm 
in length 

 e No clog technology allows 

intraoperative reuse for up to 
90 minutes on a single patient 

MAINTAINS WOUND CLOSURE 
THROUGHOUT HEALING 
PROCESS1 
 e The adhesive will stay on the skin for 
5-10 days and sloughs off naturally 

EASY TO USE APPLICATOR 
 e Winged applicator allows for safe and 

easy activation 

 e Provides controlled delivery of adhesive 

Reference 1 – Data on file at Advanced Medical Solutions (Plymouth) Ltd

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017LiquiBand® Fix8™
Our LiquiBand® Fix8™ device is a safe and effective device that 
secures implantable mesh to underlying tissues for laparoscopic 
hernia repair. 

LiquiBand® Fix8™ is easy to use and allows precise and 
controlled application of fast setting internal use adhesive. 
The cyanoacrylate adhesive anchors provide non-traumatic 
fixation of the hernia mesh, avoiding the need for the metal or 
synthetic tackers used in traditional hernia repair procedures. 
The risk of post-operative complications caused by standard 
tackers is greatly reduced, and a higher level of patient comfort 
is reported.

The key features are:

 e Strong and secure mesh fixation

 e Precise and controlled delivery

 e Fast set time (≤10 sec)

 e No tissue penetration

 e No mechanical trauma

 e Non sticking/atraumatic applicator tip

 e Easy to use

 e Mesh fixation at multiple angles

Development work on an open hernia mesh fixation device is 
ongoing and we expect to launch in the second half of 2018.

Creating quality outcomes through 
our innovation
“LiquiBand® Fix8™ has revolutionised my 
practice with regard to Laparoscopic hernia 
surgery. In transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) 
inguinal repair it has brought a precision and 
control to fixation and peritoneal closure which 
would be difficult to better. This has brought 
significant benefits to patients in reducing 
postoperative pain, allowing early recovery, and 
reducing the risk of adverse events.

In Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh 
repair (IPOM) Incisional hernia repair, it has 
allowed me to extend the range of meshes 
used – allowing excellent fixation of biologic 
mesh in complex patients, as well as synthetic 
mesh fixation. LiquiBand® Fix8™ is a significant 
advance in Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery.”

Paul Wilson

Consultant General Surgeon, MB ChB, FRCSEd, 
FRCS (Gen) 

LiquiBand® Fix 8™ being used in surgery (above and below)

15

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRESORBA®

+15%

+6%* 
to £20.8m
(2016: £18.1m)

* at constant currency

Bio-Surgical Products

+16%

+8%* 
to £7.9m
(2016: £6.8m)

* at constant currency

Our Business Units continued

RESORBA®
Our RESORBA® branded products portfolio comprises of a 
comprehensive range of sutures which are used to close wounds and 
a range of bio-surgical products that can be used as haemostats and 
scaffolds for tissue growth.

Our suture range is extensive and includes both absorbable and non-
absorbable sutures, with mono and multifilament threads, and a wide 
range of needle shapes and sizes. It includes several brands such as 
CAPROLON®, GLYCOLON®, MOPYLEN® and RESOPREN® that are 
sold into hospitals, private practices and to oral surgeons. 

Our range of RESORBA® biosurgical products includes COLLAGEN-
resorb, Resodura® and GENTA-COLL®. The latter is a very pure 
collagen that includes the antibiotic gentamicin for use in sites where 
there is a high risk of infection. Combining the suture and collagen 
technologies, RESORBA® has developed products and brands that 
are particularly applicable to the oral surgery market, e.g. PARASORB® 
Sombrero® is a collagen cone used for dental surgery.

The RESORBA® suture and collagen ranges are sold throughout 
Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Approval to market the majority of 
our suture range in the US was received in November 2015 and the 
first sales of sutures for dental applications were achieved in 2016. 
The US is a significant opportunity for the Group in the medium term. 
The total US surgical suture market is estimated to be in excess of 
$1 billion in size and is dominated by a few major brands.

During 2016 we renegotiated an OEM supply agreement for 
collagen products in global territories, including RESODURA® and 
GENTA-COLL®. This has enabled us to start selling our gentamyacin 
loade collagens directly in the EU and those markets that accept 
CE approvals.

The GENTA-COLL® range

16

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017ActivHeal®
ActivHeal® is the Group’s brand of advanced woundcare dressings 
that it sells into the NHS in the UK. The proposition of this brand 
is that it provides a range of ‘good value’, advanced woundcare 
dressings that deliver cost savings to the NHS without compromising 
on clinical outcomes or patient care.

Our range includes alginates, foams, aquafibre, hydrocollids and 
hydrogels, providing a range of dressings to treat a variety of wounds.

The ActivHeal® range was extended in 2017 to include both 
antimicrobial foam and fibre dressings.

The ActivHeal® range is supported by a dedicated team of 
experienced healthcare professionals and by online education 
modules that provide training on the treatment of wounds. 
We continue to update our training packages which offer clinicians 
free education on all aspects of woundcare. This training has been 
developed in a non-biased way and promotes AMS as an educational 
leader in the woundcare field.

Case study

ActivHeal® team launch new 
innovative products

2017 was a busy year for the ActivHeal® team with the 
launch of a number of new products. We’ve been out and 
about presenting at a number of conferences, including 
the NHS Procurement Conference and Wounds UK, 
one of the biggest wound care events in the calendar. 
The event offered excellent education sessions led by 
some of the leading experts in the field. AMS welcomed 
the opportunity to showcase our products and speak 
with and understand the challenges clinicians face at the 
forefront of woundcare.

ActivHeal® Range

+4%

to £6.3m
(2016: £6.0m)

ActivHeal® Academy 
Knowledge Centre (above)

ActivHeal® exhibit at Wounds UK in November 2017 (above) and  
the ActivHeal® product range (below) 

17

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOur Business Units continued

Creating quality outcomes
working with many of the world’s leading 
woundcare companies 

OEM

We support our partners by developing and 
supplying new products that can be added to 
their ranges as well as helping them to obtain 
product approvals in overseas markets.”

Becky Walmsley
Business Unit Director

The OEM Business Unit is 
responsible for supporting our 
business-to-business partners and 
third party convertors with a multi-
product portfolio that is globally 
competitive and comprises our 
intellectual property, technology 
and know-how. It is responsible 
for directing R&D for our advanced 
woundcare products and focuses 
on the distribution, marketing and 
innovation of products supplied to 
our medical device partners under 
their brands. 

Revenue

 +10%*

to £41.7m
(2016: £37.8m)

* 8% higher at constant currency

OEM at a glance

OEM revenue £m

 +10%*

 *8%
higher at constant currency

18

37.8

41.7

16

17

2017 sales £m

Silver alginate

PHMB foam

Non-antimicrobial foams

Other technologies,  
royalties and fees

18.0

1.4

7.4

14.9

£41.7m

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Strategy

To support our partners to be successful by developing and supplying them with 
innovative products and obtaining product approvals.

This is done by:

Strong partner relationships:
 e Key account management
 e Reliability of service and quality
 e Expansion of product portfolio
 e Regulatory support for expansion into new markets
 e Clinical support with case studies
 e Marketing materials
 e Strong pipeline of innovative products to links with global reputable 

universities for new emerging technologies

Securing new partners through:
 e Reputation for quality, customer service and regulatory capability  

to assist with expansion into new geographies

 e Breadth of product portfolio
 e Working with partners to navigate the local regulatory landscape 

with our in-house regulatory team

Developing new products including:
 e Expansion of the foam portfolio
 e Expansion of the fibre range
 e Enhancement of the antimicrobial product platform

 e Enhanced product performance

 e Operational improvements to enable partners to be more 

cost competitive

OEM Foam Dressings (above)

19

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsOur Business Units continued

Creating quality outcomes by working 
with many of the world’s major 
woundcare companies
Unlike many of our competitors we offer a full turnkey solution 
encompassing design, development, manufacture and distribution 
service supported by regulatory, clinical and marketing professionals.

We partner with many of the world’s leading healthcare companies, 
supplying them with finished packed products which are provided 
under their own brand. Our technologies include foams, fibres, 
collagens, hydrogels and hydrocolloids.

We are also able to add antimicrobials such as silver and PHMB to our 
platform technologies.

We support our partners to access new markets through our in-
house regulatory expertise with strong marketing collateral backed by 
clinical evidence.

Following approval in 2015, we launched our PHMB foam dressing 
into Europe in 2016. PHMB is an antimicrobial effective against several 
bacteria including, amongst others, Staphylococcus Aureus including 
the methicillin resistant type, (MRSA) and Escherichia Coli (E-Coli).

This dressing may be used throughout the healing process on 
moderate to heavily exuding chronic and acute wounds that are 
infected or are at risk of infection, as well as on pressure ulcers,  
leg and foot ulcers, diabetic ulcers and surgical wounds.

In 2017 we expanded our product offering by obtaining European 
approval for our Foam Lite Non-Border dressing and our High 
Performance Dressing. In 2018 we intend to extend our Foam Lite 
range further with a Foam Lite Border variant. 

We continue to work on extending our advanced woundcare 
portfolio with focus on extending our antimicrobial range, improving 
the absorption capacity of our dressings and combining a number 
of materials to enhance product performance. We are developing a 
surgical range of dressings for the US market for which we expect to 
receive approval in 2018.

The Business Unit also manufactures rollstock foam. Our medical 
grade hydrophilic polyurethane foam is characterised by its ultrasoft, 
open-pored, medium density structure. It is very conformable 
and offers a high rate of absorbancy with good lateral control and 
fluid uptake.

We also supply film membranes with excellent moisture vapour 
transmission rates, as well as film-foam membranes that have 
applications in scar reduction.

Anti-microbials

+11%

+9%* 
to £19.4m
(2016: £17.5m)

* at constant currency

Silicone Sacral dressing for heavily exuding chronic wounds (above)

20

Rollstock Foam (above)

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Product Case study

Creating Quality Outcomes for  
chronic and acute wounds
The management of pressure damage upon removal of full leg 
cast following fracture to the right patella:

“ The Silicone Non-Border dressings were applied to the category 
3 pressure ulcer to assist in the management of exudate, prevent 
adherence and trauma at dressing changes along with providing 
a moist wound environment to aid wound healing. Reducing the 
potential mechanism for pain at dressing changes helped 
promote patient comfort and improve clinical outcomes.

The dressing was able to provide effective exudate handling as 
no signs of maceration were visible to the peri wound area, whilst 
maintaining a moist wound environment and promoting wound 
progression as the wound reduced in size and showed areas of 
new epithelial tissue. The Silicone foam dressing was easy to apply 
and remove and was atraumatic to the patient and was able to 
aid in the management of friable, vulnerable traumatic damaged 
tissue, and the achievement of satisfactory clinical outcomes for 
both the patient and the clinician.”

Carolynne Sinclair, 
Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist 
Countess of Chester Hospital

for more detail please visit  
http://www.admedsol.com/our-divisions/oem-supply/foams/

1  LD065-14.

2  P3139R.

3  Allevyn Gentle is a registered trademark of Smith & Nephew.

Performance

Total Fluid Handling Performance1
Be confident this foam can handle 
patient exudate.

AMS 
Silicone 
Foam

28.9g

10cm2/24hr

Allevyn 
Gentle3

23.7g

10cm2/24hr

Peel adhesion over 7 days2
Secure but pain free removal.

AMS 
Silicone Foam

2.7(N/2.5cm)

Allevyn 
Gentle3

1.4 (N/2.5cm)

Silicone foam dressing (above)

21

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFinancial Review

Creating quality outcomes
and good financial performance

Mary G Tavener
Chief Financial Officer

Summary
The Group has delivered another year of strong financial 
performance, with revenue increasing by 16%, or 12% at constant 
currency, to £96.9 million (2016: £83.2 million) and with improving 
operating margins.

The Group has elected to adopt IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers) in 2017, which has no impact on profit or cash flow 
but results in fee income of £0.7 million (2016: £0.6 million) being 
recorded as Revenue rather than as Other Income.

During the year, the Group streamlined into two Business Units, to 
enhance commercial focus and improve marketing efficiencies.

All prior year values have been restated to reflect IFRS 15 adoption 
and the Business Unit restructure.

The Group uses alternative performance measures such as adjusted 
operating margin, adjusted profit before tax, net operating cash flow 
pre-exceptional items, and revenue growth at constant currency, to 
allow the users of the accounts to gain a clearer understanding of 
performance, allowing the impacts of amortisation, exceptional items 
and exchange rate volatility to be separately identified. The Group 
did not incur any exceptional costs in the year (2016: £0.4 million) 
and amortisation of acquired intangible assets was £0.1 million in the 
period (2016: £0.2 million). 

To aid comparison, the Group’s Adjusted Income Statement is 
summarised in Table 1 below.

Currency movements impacted revenues favourably by 
approximately £3.4 million during the year. 

Table 1: Adjusted Income Statement

Revenue

Gross profit

Distribution costs

Adjusted administration costs1 

Other income

Adjusted operating profit

Net finance income/(costs)

Adjusted profit before tax

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Exceptional Items

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit for the period

Adjusted earnings per share – basic2

Earnings per share – basic2

Adjusted earnings per share – diluted2

Earnings per share – diluted2

1  Adjusted administration costs exclude amortisation of acquired intangible assets and exceptional items.

2  See Note 15 Earnings per share for details of calculation.

3  Restated to reflect £0.6 million of fee income as revenue under newly adopted IFRS15. 

22

Year ended  
31 December 2017 
£’000 

Year ended
31 December 2016 
(restated)3 
£’000

96,908

58,404

(1,130)

(32,050)

150

25,374

37

25,411

(134)

–

25,277

(5,143)

20,134

9.58p

9.52p

9.46p

9.39p

83,242

48,048

(1,047)

(27,293)

–

19,708

(3)

19,705

(242)

(361)

19,102

(3,410)

15,692

7.77p

7.65p

7.66p

7.38p

Change

16%

22%

29%

29%

32%

28%

23%

24%

23%

27%

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
Table 2: Taxation

Weighted average Group tax rate 

Patent box relief 

Net impact of deferred tax on capitalised 
development costs and R&D relief

Net impact of expenses not deductible, utilisation 
of historical losses, prior year adjustments, 
depreciation and share based payments

Effective taxation rate

%

21.91

(1.23)

0.67

(1.00)

20.35

Adjusted operating profit before exceptional items increased 
by 29% to £25.4 million (2016: £19.7 million) and adjusted 
operating margin increased by 250 bps to 26.2% (2016: 23.7%). 
Administration costs excluding exceptional items increased by 17% 
to £32.0m (2016: £27.3 million) due to currency movements and 
further investment in selling and marketing, particularly to support 
the Branded Business Unit. The Group incurred £3.0 million of gross 
R&D spend in the year (2016: £2.6 million), representing 3.1% of sales 
(2016: 3.1%). 

Profit before tax for the year was 32% higher at £25.3 million 
(2016: £19.1 million). 

The Group’s effective tax rate increased to 20.4% (2016: 17.9%) mainly 
due to being required to move to the less favourable, large company 
RDEC scheme in 2017. This effective tax rate reflects the blended 
tax rates in the countries in which we operate and, for the UK, 
includes the tax relief associated with the patent box scheme and the 
utilisation of residual previously unrecognised UK tax losses.

A reconciliation between the weighted average Group tax rate and 
the Group’s effective rate is summarised in Table 2 above.

Earnings (excluding amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
and before exceptional items) increased by 24% to £20.3 million 
(2016: £16.3 million), resulting in a 23% increase in adjusted basic 
earnings per share to 9.58p (2016: 7.77p) and a 23% increase in 
adjusted diluted earnings per share to 9.46p (2016: 7.66p). 

Table 3: Operating Result by Business Segment  
Year ended 31 December 2017

Revenue 

Profit from operations

Amortisation of acquired 
intangibles

Adjusted profit from operations

Adjusted operating margin

Year ended 31 December 2016 
(restated)

Revenue 

Profit from operations

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Adjusted profit from operations

Adjusted operating margin

Branded
£’000

55,244

14,336

125

14,461

26.2%

45,427

11,313

225

11,538

25.4%

OEM
£’000

41,664

11,354

9

11,363

27.3%

37,815

8,677

17

8,694

23.0%

Profit after tax increased by 28% to £20.1 million (2016: £15.7 million), 
resulting in a 24% increase in basic earnings per share to 9.52p 
(2016: 7.65p) and a 27% increase in diluted earnings per share to 
9.39p (2016: 7.38p).

The Board is proposing a final dividend of 0.75p per share, to be 
paid on 15 June 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of 
business on 25 May 2018. This follows the interim dividend of 0.35p 
per share paid on 27 October 2017 and would, if approved, make 
a total dividend for the year of 1.10p per share (2016: 0.92p), a 20% 
increase on 2016.

The operational performance of the Business Units is shown in Table 
3 below. The adjusted profit from operations and the adjusted margin 
are shown after excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles.

Branded
The adjusted operating margin of the Branded Business Unit 
increased to 26.2% (2016: 25.4%), supported by sales growth and sales 
mix. Operating costs increased, especially sales, marketing, R&D and 
regulatory costs, to continue to support ongoing growth. 

OEM 
The adjusted operating margin of the OEM Business Unit increased 
to 27.3% (2016: 23.0%), mainly due to the out-licensing agreement of 
wound dressings containing Collagen and PHMB, which generated a 
£2.5 million royalty income in the year.

Geographic breakdown of revenues
The geographic breakdown of Group revenues in 2017 is shown in 
Table 4 below:

Approximately 90% of our US sales are invoiced in US Dollars and 
approximately 60% of our sales to mainland Europe are invoiced in 
Euros. The Group hedges significant currency transaction exposure 
by using forward contracts and options and aims to have at least 70% 
of its estimated transactional exposure for the next twelve months 
hedged. The Group estimates that a 10% movement in the £:US$ or 
£:Euro exchange rate will impact Sterling revenues by approximately 
3.3% and 2.6% respectively and in the absence of any hedging this 
would have an impact on profit of 2.7% and 0.3%. 

Table 4: Geographic Breakdown of Group Revenues

UK

Germany

Europe excluding 
UK and Germany

USA

Rest of World

2017
£’000

17,266

19,062

22,937

35,330

2,311

% of total

17.9%

19.7%

23.6%

36.4%

2.4%

2016
£’000

17,957

18,466

21,360

23,505

1,954

% of total

21.5%

22.1%

25.8%

28.2%

2.4%

23

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsFinancial Review continued

Cash flows
Table 5 below summarises the Group’s cash flows. 

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 24% to £29.5 million 
(2016: £23.7 million).

Working capital increased during the year, mainly due to the higher 
value of trade receivables, which was caused by sales phasing and 
royalties, with debtor days unchanged at 41 days (2016: 41 days). 
Trade payable days reduced to 27 days (2016: 33 days) and months 
of supply of inventory held across the Group reduced to 4.2 months 
(2016: 4.4 months).

The Group generated net cash from operating activities of 
£21.5 million (2016: £21.9 million).

In the year, we invested £4.5 million in capital equipment, software 
and capitalised R&D (2016: £2.5 million), including investment 
in new packaging machines, ERP software and internally 
developed products.

Cash outflow relating to taxation increased sharply to £4.5 million 
(2016: £2.1 million) with historical losses and related deferred tax 
balances now fully used up.

The Group generated a free cash flow of £12.5 million in the year 
(2016: £17.3 million). The conversion of adjusted operating profit 
into free cash flow was 49% (2016: 88%). This was mainly due 
to investment in the Business Units, working capital outflow and 
increased taxation.

The Group paid its final dividend for the year ended 31 December 
2016 of £1.3 million on 16 June 2017 (2016: for the year ending 
2015, £1.2 million), and its interim dividend for the six months ended 
30 June 2017 of £0.7 million (2016: £0.6 million) on 27 October 2017. 

Table 5: Group Cash Flows Year ended 31 December

Adjusted operating profit (Table 1)

Non-cash items

Adjusted EBITDA1

Working capital movement

Operating cash flow before exceptional items

Exceptional items

Operating cash flow after exceptional items

Capital expenditure and capitalised R&D

Net Interest

Tax

Free cash flow

Dividends paid

Proceeds from share issues

Exchange gains

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

The Group has a £30 million, multi-currency credit facility with a 
£20 million accordion option, provided jointly by HSBC and The 
Royal Bank of Scotland in place until December 2019. It is unsecured 
and has not been drawn down. This facility carries an annual interest 
rate of LIBOR or EURIBOR plus a margin that varies between 0.65% 
and 1.75% depending on the Group’s net debt to EBITDA ratio.

At the end of the period, the Group had net cash of £62.5 million 
(2016: £51.1 million). The movement in net cash from the start of the 
year to net cash at the end of the year is reconciled in Table 6 below:

Table 6: Movement in Net Cash

Net cash as at 1 January 2017

Exchange rate impacts

Free cash flow

Dividends paid

Proceeds from share issues 

Net cash as at 31 December 2017

£’000

51,125

21

12,548

(2,049)

809

62,454

The Group’s going concern position is fully described in the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 42 and in Note 2 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

2017
£’000

25,374

4,127

29,501

(8,049)

21,452

–

21,452

(4,455)

37

(4,486)

12,548

(2,049)

809

21

2016
£’000

19,708

4,023

23,731

(1,480)

22,251

(361)

21,890

(2,536)

(3)

(2,065)

17,286

(1,783)

868

553

11,329

16,924

1  Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, intangible asset amortisation, share based payments and exceptional items.

24

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Our Key Performance Indicators

Creating quality outcomes
by measuring our performance

Revenue growth (%) at constant currency

12%

Why we measure it
We see revenue growth as a contributing factor to our aim of providing long-
term value for our shareholders.

Progress made in the year
Revenue has increased by 16% to £96.9 million (2016: £83.2 million) 
in 2017 and by 12% on a constant currency basis to £96.9 million 
(2016: £83.2 million). 

13%

12%

11%

11%

9%

13

14

15

16

17

Customer service (OTIF)1

93%

96%

99%

96%

90%

93%

13

14

15

16

17

Adjusted2 operating margin (%)

26%

24%

25%

25%

24%

26%

Why we measure it
We see OTIF as a measure of providing excellent service to our customers.

Progress made in the year
OTIF increased to 93% (2016: 90%), which is higher than 2016, but below 
the average Group OTIF over the previous four years. OTIF was impacted by 
suture availability in the first half of 2017, which was addressed by increased 
production in the second half of 2017. It was also impacted by a change of a 
raw material by one of our suppliers which has now been resolved.

Why we measure it
We see operating margin as important to ensure the sustainability of our 
business and to our aim of providing long-term value for our shareholders.

Progress made in the year
Our operating margin declined in 2016 as a result of launching some new 
products where manufacturing processes were new and not fully efficient. 
In 2017, these effects were negated. Operating margin has also benefitted 
from the fee income from Organogenesis.

13

14

15

16

17

Adjusted2 diluted earnings per share growth (%)

23%

Why we measure it
We see EPS as an important factor to our aim of providing value for 
our shareholders.

23%

Progress made in the year
Adjusted diluted earnings per share has increased by 23% to 9.46p 
(2016: 7.66p).

14%

12%

10%

6%

13

14

15

16

17

1  OTIF – ‘On time in full’.

2  Before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets.

25

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsCorporate Social Responsibility

Creating quality outcomes
by ensuring that our business is conducted  
in a responsible manner

We continually review our business 
practices to ensure that our 
business operates in a responsible 
manner with respect to Employees, 
Ethical Standards, Health, Safety, 
Environment and Community. 
We remain committed to 
continuous improvement.

Employees
At AMS we focus on creating an engaging place to work where 
employees are able to develop and are challenged to achieve both 
their ambitions and the long-term strategic goals of the business. 
With over 650 employees globally, AMS is focused on retaining and 
attracting the right calibre of people and providing an environment 
where individuals can deliver to the best of their capabilities. 
We recognise the importance of our people and that it is only by their 
effective engagement that we will continue to be highly successful. 
We value their commitment and determination to achieve and deliver 
good results. Our working environment encourages openness, 
teamwork, an understanding of others’ needs and the ability ‘to make 
a difference’.

We develop the talent at AMS by training with programmes such 
as the Management Development Programme and principles of 
Lean Manufacturing, and by providing a place to work where our 
employees feel valued, incentivised and fulfilled. We continue 
to support a number of apprenticeship schemes and graduate 
recruitments across the Group and intend to expand the number  
of schemes we operate in 2018.

AMS promotes communication with employees who are encouraged 
to put forward their views to the Company through both our 
monthly briefing meetings and also through our employee surveys. 
Employees are encouraged to participate in suggesting and 
implementing improvements across the Group. 

We support a number of apprenticeship schemes and graduate 
recruitment across the Group and intend to increase the number 
of opportunities offered under these schemes in 2018.

Employee Diversity
We are committed to actively encouraging a more inclusive and 
diverse workplace and look for opportunities to reinforce this where 
appropriate, although we continue to recruit on merit. The Group is 
committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and giving fair 
and equal treatment to all employees and job applicants in terms of 
recruitment, pay conditions, promotions, training and all employment 
matters regardless of their age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, 
marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, gender 
reassignment, religion or belief. The female representation on the 
Board, Senior Management Team and across the Group at the year-
end is shown here:

Gender Ratio

Main Board

Main Board

Senior Management Team

Senior Management Team

Total Employees

Total Employees

6

9

674

Male 

Female

4

2

Male 

Female

5

4

Male 

Female

295

379

26

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017The Advanced Medical Solutions’ ‘Care Fair Dare’ Approach

A culture of:

A focus on:

A behavioural  
style which is:

A leadership style which:

A set of values which:

Care

 ü Listening, support 
and taking action

 ü Quality

 ü Open minded

 ü Builds engagement

 ü The “Bigger  

 ü Respectful

 ü Motivates and 
retains staff

 ü Valuing  

contribution

Picture”

Fair

 ü Accountability and  

 ü Supporting 

 ü Transparent

responsibility

and coaching

 ü Leading by 
example

 ü The team not 
the individual

 ü Inclusive

 ü Proactively  

communicates

 ü Empowers 

decision making

Dare

 ü Optimism 

with realism

 ü Determination 
and persistence

 ü Solutions not 
problems

 ü Continuous  
improvement

 ü Responsive

 ü Challenges the  

 ü Creative

status quo

 ü Removes barriers 
to innovation

 ü Encourages 

pride and a sense 
of belonging

 ü Ensures that the 
health, safety 
and well-being 
of all employees 
is paramount

 ü Delivers results

 ü Will build a 
sustainable 
future

Culture
AMS is highly dependent on the innovation and creativity of our 
employees for our future growth and success. It is important that  
we have a culture and set of values that are clearly understood across 
the business, and that employees embrace. We aim to operate to the 
highest ethical standards. We have adopted the business motto of 
‘AMS Care, Fair, Dare’ to summarise our culture, underpin our values, 
and to deliver results, building a sustainable future for our business. 
Under this motto, we have defined the principles and expectations 
of how we will operate together to deliver success as the Company 
continues to grow. Care, Fair, Dare.

Throughout 2017, we ran a series of work shops and communications 
with our employees to embed our Care, Fair, Dare culture. We have 
listened to the feedback which has been received and developed our 
principles and expectations. These will now form part of our appraisal 
system and recruitment of potential new employees.

Ethical Standards
We recognise the importance of operating a business in an 
ethical manner.

AMS has set appropriate standards and policies to uphold all laws 
relevant to prevention of bribery and corruption in all jurisdictions 
in which we operate. The Group also has in place policies and 
procedures covering Gifts and Hospitality, Whistleblowing, the 
Modern Slavery Act, the Market Abuse Regulations, General Data 
Protection Regulations, the Criminal Finance Act and Equality.

AMS has introduced compulsory Ethics Training which all Group 
employees must complete to reinforce their understanding of the 
policies in place.

27

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsCorporate Social Responsibility continued

Supply Chain
Our Sourcing Policy requires suppliers to confirm they engage in 
ethical treatment of employees and observe prevailing laws in relation 
to other ethical issues, and ensures that suppliers:

 e Do not employ any forced, bonded or involuntary labour;
 e Do not use child labour;
 e Provide safe and hygienic working conditions;
 e Take adequate steps to prevent accidents and injury to health 
arising out of, associated with, or occurring in the course 
of employment;

 e Pay wages and benefits and apply working hours for a standard 
working week that are no less than the applicable minimum 
national legal standard; 

 e Do not discriminate on grounds of gender, age, religion, political 

affiliation or sexual orientation;

 e Do not permit harsh or inhumane treatment of its employees;
 e Do not supply equipment used in the unethical treatment 

of individuals;

 e Do not supply or trade in any banned or proscribed substances or 

materials in breach of the prevailing laws; 

 e Do not engage in practices that amount to bribery; and
 e Respect and seek to avoid any unlawful infringement of the 

intellectual property rights of third parties.

Health, Safety and Environment
The Health and Safety of our staff, visitors to our facilities, and those 
who carry out work on our behalf, is of the utmost importance to 
us. Identifying and complying with applicable legislation underpins 
our Health and Safety activities and improvement initiatives. 
The Board provides Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) 
leadership and the Chief Executive Officer has primary responsibility 
for setting the principles. The Chief Financial Officer, supported 
by the Group Operations Director, ensures adequate resource is 
available to support operational health, safety and environmental 
improvement plans.

We have established HSE Committees at each site which meet 
monthly. These Committees report monthly to the Senior 
Management Team and to the Board. We focus on the prevention 
of accidents and incidents through proactive reporting of 
potential hazards.

Over the last 12 months we have focused our resources to 
improve the level of accountability and expectation for continuous 
improvement in Health and Safety. Initiatives to improve involvement 
and accountability will continue over the foreseeable future to help us 
to further reduce our accident potential. 

Safety Performance 2017
Our All Injury Rate (AIR) was 3.1 in 2017 and fell from 5.4 in 2016. It has 
been below the target of 6.0 over the past 4 years. We endeavour to 
take proactive initiatives to ensure our AIR remains below our target. 
Our AIR is measured as follows:

AIR =   Total number of injuries x 100,000

Total labour hours worked

AIR (per 100,000) 

000
6.0

5.8

e
r
o
c
S

5.4

4.3

3.1

14

15

16

17

Years

28

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
Environment
It is the Group’s policy to abide by all laws, directives and regulations 
relevant to its field of operations and to act in a manner so as to 
minimise the effects of our operations on the environment. 

As AMS has operations across a number of countries, local 
management drives environmental performance. Specific, site-level 
objectives are established to ensure compliance with local legislative 
and external management system requirements. AMS uses a variety 
of indicators to monitor environmental performance.

Community
We are committed to supporting and having a positive interaction 
with our local communities and encouraging our employees, families 
and friends to participate where possible.

AMS sponsors a number of sports charities and clubs in the area. 
We have sponsored the annual Pie & Peas 5 mile race for four years, 
which is organised by Vale Royal A.C., the local athletics club based in 
Winsford, Cheshire. As well as sponsoring this local race, employees 
are encouraged to participate in pre-race training programmes to 
foster employee well being as well as enjoying good-humoured 
rivalry. AMS aims to promote participation in sports and exercise so as 
to encourage healthy lifestyles.

In 2018 we will be the main sponsor for the England Athletics 5k 
Road Championships, a national event that is being held in a local 
Cheshire village.

We also sponsor a number of local football clubs and school sports 
teams including our local ladies football club, Witton Albion Ladies 
FC, who receive no other funding and are coached by one of our 
employees in their spare time. We sponsor a local junior rugby 
team (Crewe and Nantwich RUFC Junior Colts) and a local school, 
Sandbach School, to go on rugby and hockey tours to Canada, as 
well as an Under 13’s girls football team, the ‘Runcorn Limets’ which is 
coached by one of our employees. 

On an individual level, one of our employees was part of a team that 
participated in the Open Tae Kwon Do European Championships in 
Poland in June 2017. AMS contributed financially towards her cost of 
participating in this event with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals being 
achieved. We will continue to support her in the coming years.

In 2018 AMS will be the main sponsor of the St Luke’s Hospice 
Midnight Walk, which will be held on the streets of Crewe and 
Nantwich in June. St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice has been providing 
palliative care to local people, supporting them in ways beyond the 
scope and funding of the NHS. We will be supporting this event 
through employee participation and marshalling.

We are involved with some international 
charities. We sponsor a number of children 
in Africa and Asia through Plan International, 
a charity that promotes child rights and 
aims to end child poverty.

We intend to continue to provide ongoing 
support to these and other events.

Sandbach School Rugby (above) 

29

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRisk Management

Creating quality outcomes
by managing risk

Risk and uncertainty are an inherent 
part of doing business and could have 
an impact on our business, brands, 
assets, revenue, profits, liquidity 
and capital resources. To meet our 
strategic objectives, build shareholder 
value and promote our stakeholders’ 
interests, we must manage this risk.

An effective and successful risk management process balances risk 
and reward and is dependent on the judgement of the likelihood and 
impact of the risk involved. The Board has overall responsibility for 
ensuring there is an effective risk management framework, which 
underpins our business model.

The Business Units, Senior Management Team (SMT), Audit 
Committee and Board review risks throughout the year. These risks 
are documented in the Risk Register which is formally reviewed 
by the SMT, Internal Audit and the Board twice annually. The plans 
and actions assigned to the Executive Directors and SMT members 
are reviewed to ensure progress is being made with risk and 
mitigation plans.

We believe that the policies, procedures and monitoring systems that 
are in place are sufficient to effectively manage the risks faced by 
our business.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Board

 e Overall responsibility for corporate strategy, governance, performance, internal controls  

and Risk Management Framework

 e Identification, review and management of identified Group strategic risks 
 e Defining the Group’s appetite for risk 
 e Assessing the effectiveness of the risk management processes adopted across the Group
 e Challenging the content of the Risk Register 

Audit  
Committee

 e Assessing the effectiveness of the risk management processes adopted across the Group
 e Ensuring compliance with financial and reporting legislation, rules and regulations
 e Monitoring compliance with internal control systems and managing Internal Audit arrangements
 e Monitoring and oversight of external audit

Senior 
Management  
Team

 e Management of the business and delivery of strategy
 e Identification and monitoring of the key risk indicators and taking timely action where appropriate 
 e Ensuring implementation of the Group’s actions and mitigation plans required to manage risk
 e Challenging the appropriateness and adequacy of action plans to mitigate risk
 e Analysing the aggregation of risk across the Group
 e Provision of cross functional/Business Unit resource to effectively mitigate risk

Business  
Units

 e Execution of the delivery of the actions associated with managing risk
 e Timely reporting on the implementation and progress of agreed action plans
 e Identification and reporting of strategic risks to the Senior Management Team
 e Implementation of a risk management approach which promotes the ongoing identification, 

evaluation, prioritisation, mitigation and monitoring of operational risk

y
t
i
l
i

b
i
s
n
o
p
s
e
r
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c
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a

i
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p
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30

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
Identifying Risks
A robust methodology is used to identify key risks across the 
Group; in Business Units, operations and during projects. This is an 
ongoing process.

Analysing Risks
Once identified, the process will evaluate identified risks to establish 
root causes, financial and non-financial impacts and likelihood of 
occurrence. We use a scoring system to assess the likelihood of a 
risk materialising and the potential financial impact on the Group. 
The risks are prioritised in terms of severity based on the scoring and 
a mitigation plan is prepared to reduce the risk. Once controls and 
mitigating factors are considered, the risk is reassessed and re-scored 
(mitigated score) to ascertain the net exposure.

Managing Risk
The SMT, Internal Audit and the Board review the Risk Register 
formally at least twice a year, assessing whether the risks are still 
the most significant facing the Group and whether new risks have 
arisen. Effectiveness, adequacy of controls and mitigating actions are 
assessed and if additional controls or actions are required, these are 
identified and actions assigned. The Risk Register documents this. 

Monitoring and Reporting Risk 
The SMT is responsible for monitoring progress to mitigate key 
risks. The risk management process is continuous; key risks and 
risk mitigation plans and progress are reported to, and reviewed 
by the Board, following the SMT’s bi-annual review of the Group’s 
Risk Register. 

Internal Audit
Additionally, the Board is supported by a programme of Internal 
Audits. Internal Audit reports to the Audit Committee on 
progress of control or process improvements following Internal 
Audit recommendations.

Risk Management Model

C o r p o r a te Governance

Identify

Identify risks

Assess existing controls

Analyse

Score risks

Assess mitigated 
factors

Score mitigated 
risks

Risk  
Management  
Process

Monitor  
and Report

Monitor execution 
of actions

Manage

Assign responsibility

Develop action plan

31

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRisk Management continued

Principal Risks: 
Impact, key controls and mitigating factors

Risk

Potential Impact

Key Controls and Mitigating Factors

Market share growth 
declines/developing 
new markets is slower 
than expected

 e Income shortfall
 e Loss of OEM partners
 e Cost increase
 e Loss of competitive  

advantage

 e Effective alignment of strategy to consider the market changes and 

promote quality and cost savings

 e New territories for revenue growth identified and developed
 e Continued development of new products and projects to deliver growth 

to provide differentiation

 e Marketing strategy to support partners and products 

Lack of innovation/
insufficient focus on 
protection of intellectual 
property (IP)

Industry consolidation/
loss of business at key 
account level

Increased global 
competition 
reduces profitability

Regulatory risk

 e Loss of business 
 e Loss of market share
 e Return on R&D investment 

is poor

 e Misidentification of new, 
competitive technology

 e Commercial value of 

products not maximised
 e Potential patent infringement

 e Pipeline of new products / technologies identified and prioritised
 e R&D progress is monitored against the stage gate process to ensure 

projects are progressing to plan and action is taken if necessary
 e Patented technologies reviewed for inclusion in new developments
 e Strong links with partners, including Universities, to reduce the risk of 

missed opportunities

 e Investment in clinical programmes, Key Opinion Leaders, clinical training 

and symposia to foster the adoption of new approaches

 e Consideration of licensing technology
 e IP portfolio regularly reviewed and strong IP enforcement

 e Income shortfall

 e No over reliance on any one customer. No one customer is more than 

15% of the Group’s revenue

 e All customers have contracts with agreed termination clauses
 e Evaluation of opportunities to broaden reach into new markets
 e Unique products protected by IP
 e Evaluation of new claims to support existing product range

 e Income shortfall

 e Full service offering including strong regulatory and quality assurance 

together with product development, product differentiation and clinical 
support to mitigate a pure cost of supply proposition

 e Contacts have agreed set minimas which allow terms to be renegotiated 

or agreements terminated

 e Diversified approach reduces the impact on any one project, partner 

or product

 e Inability to supply product
 e Product launches delayed
 e Unable to keep 
existing claims

 e Loss of customer, revenue 

and reputation

 e Stringent regulatory regime in place
 e Experienced regulatory team
 e Strong regulatory pathway ensures that the increased regulatory 

requirements are met to gain approvals 

 e Work with partners and distributors where they have local expertise
 e Strictly controlled Quality Management System

Making the wrong or 
no acquisition

 e Impact on Group 

performance, revenue and 
market capitalisation

 e Reputational loss

 e Strategy set and M&A objectives defined
 e Advisors appointed
 e Detailed market intelligence and identification of targets
 e Extensive due diligence process established

32

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Risk

Potential Impact

Key Controls and Mitigating Factors

Brexit implications

 e Higher costs
 e Customs delays
 e More complicated/longer 

product approvals
 e Longer lead times 
for customers

 e Complications hiring non-

UK employees

 e Brexit team established with plans outlined
 e Monitor Brexit discussions and agree course of action once decisions 

are made

 e Applied for Authorised Economic Operator status to allow quicker 

customs clearance. HMRC have completed their audit and we await 
final approval

 e Evaluate benefits of establishing a distribution hub in Mainland Europe
 e Utilise existing European subsidiaries to best advantage

Forex exposure

 e Loss of income
 e Shortfall in profit
 e Market expectations missed

 e Treasury policy on forex exposure determined
 e Robust use of Treasury Management System
 e At least 70% of estimated transactional exposure for next 

12 months hedged

Vulnerability to single 
source supply

 e Inability to supply specific 
products and exposed to 
price increases

 e Increased cost of supply

 e Dual source key components wherever possible
 e Strong Vendor Risk Assessment process
 e Hold levels of inventory to prevent operational issues arising from delays
 e Business Interruption Insurance to cover significant interruption of supply

Cyber-Risk 

 e Systems and 

data compromised
 e Loss of sensitive data
 e Loss of reputation

 e Cyber Security audits carried out
 e Penetration testing
 e Compulsory Cyber Security training for all employees
 e Ongoing user education
 e Implementation of audit and testing recommendations

This Strategic Report has been prepared solely to provide information to shareholders to assess how the Directors have performed their duty 
to promote the success of the Group.

The Strategic Report contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made by the Directors in good faith based on the 
information available to them up to the approval of this report and such statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent 
uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors, underlying any such forward-looking information.

The Group Strategic Report, which encompasses pages 4-33, was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

Mary Tavener 
Company Secretary 

17 April 2018

33

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsBoard of Directors

Peter V Allen
Non-Executive Chairman 

Chris Meredith
Chief Executive Officer 

Mary G Tavener
Chief Financial Officer 

A

R N*

N

C

Mr Allen was appointed as Non-
Executive Chairman of the Group 
in January 2014. He is currently the 
Non-Executive Chairman of AIM 
listed Clinigen plc, and Diurnal plc, 
together with privately owned Oxford 
Nanopore Technologies Limited 
and Istesso Limted. He is a qualified 
Chartered Accountant.

Mr Allen has extensive experience 
in the healthcare industry, having 
held key senior positions in a 
number of companies and playing a 
significant role in their development. 
This includes 12 years at Celltech 
Group plc (1992-2004) as CFO and 
Deputy CEO, six years as Chairman 
(2007-2013) of ProStrakan Group 
plc (Interim CEO 2010-11), and three 
years as Chairman of Proximagen 
Neurosciences plc (2009-12).

Mr Meredith was appointed Group 
Chief Executive Officer in January 
2011. He joined AMS as Group 
Commercial Director in July 2005 
following a successful 18-year 
career in international healthcare 
sales, marketing and business 
development. His experience prior 
to joining AMS covered business-to 
business contract manufacturing, 
product development and clinical 
research, as well as branded product 
sales all within the medical device, 
pharmaceutical or consumer 
healthcare markets. He was 
appointed Managing Director of 
Advanced Woundcare in February 
2008 and in January 2010 he 
became Chief Operating Officer 
for the Group. Mr Meredith has 
previously held senior positions 
at Smiths Industries, Cardinal 
Health, Banner Pharmacaps, and 
Aster Cephac.

Ms Tavener joined AMS as Finance 
Director in 1999. Prior to this she 
was the Group Financial Controller 
at BTP plc during a period of 
considerable corporate activity 
and was involved in the acquisition 
and disposal of several businesses 
that repositioned BTP plc as a fine 
chemical company prior to it being 
sold to Clariant AG. Her experience 
has been gained in several 
manufacturing companies and she 
has held financial positions with 
Cadburys Ltd and Parker Hannifin,  
a US Engineering Corporation. 
Prior to BTP plc she was the Finance 
Director of Churchill Tableware 
Ltd. She is a qualified Chartered 
Management Accountant and 
member of the Association of 
Corporate Treasurers.

Key
*   Denotes Chairman

34

C   Company Secretary 

A   Audit Committee

R    Remuneration 
Committee

N    Nomination  
Committee

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Penny Freer
Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Steve G Bellamy
Non-Executive Director 

Peter M Steinmann
Non-Executive Director 

A

R* N

A*

R

N

A

R

N

Ms Freer was appointed as Senior 
Independent Non-Executive 
Director of AMS in March 2010. 
She is a partner of London Bridge 
Capital Partners, a corporate 
advisory business, and a Non-
Executive Director of Empresaria 
Group plc, Crown Place VCT plc, 
Sinophi Healthcare, and Centric 
Health, based in Ireland.

With 25 years’ experience in 
investment banking she was 
formerly Head of Equities for 
Robert W Baird in London 
and prior to this held senior 
positions at Credit Lyonnais and 
NatWest Markets.

Mr Bellamy was appointed as 
Non-Executive Director of AMS 
in February 2007. He is currently 
Chairman of Becrypt Ltd (data 
security and protection technology) 
and Concirrus Ltd (insurance 
technology), a Non-Executive 
Director at Michelmersh Brick 
Holdings plc, and a founding partner 
of Accretion Capital LLP (technology 
fund managment and advice).

Formerly an Executive Director 
of Sherwood International plc 
and Brierley Investments’ London 
operations, he has also held a 
number of other Non-Executive 
Directorships and advisory roles. 
He is a New Zealand qualified 
Chartered Accountant.

Mr Steinmann was appointed as Non-
Executive Director of AMS in July 
2013. He is a Swiss national with over 
25 years of commercial experience 
in Medical Devices and Diagnostics. 
He has held senior roles within 
Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic 
International and Boehringer 
Mannheim. Most recently, he was 
Regional Vice President Global 
Surgery and Shared Services, Medical 
Devices and Diagnostics, Austria, 
Germany and Switzerland at Johnson 
& Johnson AG, Switzerland as well as 
Chairman of the Board.

Having worked throughout Europe 
and North America, he has extensive 
knowledge of the global medical 
devices market. He is currently 
Chairman of Advanced Perfusion 
Diagnostics SA, a Non-Executive 
Director of DistaMotion SA and is a 
Board Observer with Orthimo AG, 
and has held a number of other 
Non-Executive Directorships prior to 
joining AMS.

Registered Office 
Premier Park, 33 Road One, Winsford Industrial Estate, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT

Registered Number
2867684

35

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsSenior Management

Simon Coates
Group IS Manager

Simon joined AMS in 2002 as 
Group Information Systems 
Manager and, during the 
Company’s growth since 
then, he has overseen many 
key IT projects including 
implementing ERP systems 
across the Group, integrating 
acquisitions and relocating 
the business into its existing 
Winsford site.

Simon has over 25 
years’ experience in IT 
infrastructure, systems 
implementation and software 
development gained from 
a number of different 
industries. Prior to joining 
AMS he was Worldwide 
IT manager at Whitford 
Plastics Ltd, a manufacturer 
of fluropolymer coatings, 
supporting them through 
a period of rapid growth, 
managing multiple sites and 
key IT projects including 
ERP implementation and 
adoption of the Euro for the 
European offices.

Simon was appointed to the 
Senior Management Team in 
January 2015.

Rose Guang
Group Quality 
Assurance /
Regulatory Affairs  
(QA/RA) Director

Rose joined AMS in May 2013 
as Group QA/RA Director. 
Having completed her 
Masters Degree in Precision 
Engineering from Nanyang 
Technology University in 
Singapore, Rose has over 20 
years’ experience working for 
medical device companies 
and has a strong background 
in setting up effective quality 
systems. Rose has worked for 
Bausch & Lomb International 
Healthcare, Nypro and spent 
nine years at Medical House 
Products plc as Director of 
Quality, Regulatory Affairs 
and Operations. Prior to 
joining AMS, Rose was Head 
of Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs at Bespak, part of 
Consort Medical plc.

Rose is also a 6 Sigma Master 
Black Belt.

Eddie Johnson
Group Financial  
Controller

Eddie joined AMS in October 
2011. Having gained a first 
class degree in Maths and 
Computer Science from 
Keele University in 1993, 
he qualified as a Chartered 
Accountant in 1996. 
Since moving into industry 
in 1996 Eddie has held a 
number of senior finance 
roles in various sectors 
including, more recently, 
Head of Commercial Finance 
at Norcros plc and Western 
European Financial Controller 
for Sumitomo Electrical 
Wiring Systems.

In November 2012, Eddie 
was appointed Group 
Financial Controller.

Pieter van Hoof
Group Operations  
Director

Pieter joined AMS B.V. 
in November 2009. 
Having completed a Masters 
degree in Engineering in 
Chemistry and Biochemistry 
at the Katholieke Universiteit 
Leuven (Belgium). 
Pieter joined Janssen 
Pharmaceutica working as 
a production supervisor in 
the manufacturing unit for 
sterile injectable products 
before joining the DuPont 
Engineering Polymers 
business in September 1999. 
At DuPont Engineering 
Polymers Pieter worked 
in a number of business 
process improvement roles 
in Supply Chain, certifying as 
a 6 Sigma Master Black Belt, 
before moving into Sales 
and Marketing, gathering 
experience in account 
management and business 
development. Before joining 
Advanced Medical Solutions 
B.V. Pieter held the position 
of European Customer 
Services Manager for DuPont 
Engineering Polymers.

Pieter was appointed Director 
of our Bulk Materials Business 
Unit in November 2012 and 
became the Operations 
Manager for our Winsford and 
Etten-Leur sites in February 
2015. He was promoted to 
Group Operations Director in 
December 2016.

36

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Cathy Tomlinson
Group HR Director

Cathy joined AMS in May 
2017 as Group HR Director. 
Cathy graduated with a 
degree in Business Studies 
from Liverpool John Moores 
University and completed 
a Master in Business 
Administration at Strathclyde 
University. She spent five years 
working for Amazon and was 
head of HR for their final mile 
delivery business (which was a 
start-up business for Amazon). 

Prior to this Cathy held 
senior HR roles for Xerox – 
supporting the outsourcing 
of managed services from 
government and blue chip 
organisations to Xerox and 
Emirates Airline, based in 
Dubai, where she supported 
the growth of the airline 
in new geographies and 
and acquisitions.

Becky Walmsley
Business Unit 
Director, OEM

Becky joined AMS in July 
2015 as Business Unit 
Director of OEM and Bulk 
Materials. Becky graduated 
with a degree in Modern 
Languages (French and 
German) with International 
Studies from South Bank 
University in 1993 and 
completed an Executive 
Masters of Business 
Administration at Lancaster 
University in 2000.

Becky has more than 13 
years’ experience in the 
Medical Device sector, 
having held various 
senior management 
roles, most recently as 
European Sales Director 
for Scapa Healthcare.

Jeff Willis
Business Unit 
Director, Branded

Jeff joined AMS in 
October 2005  
as Vice President Business 
Development, Americas. 
Jeff graduated with a degree 
in Biomedical Engineering 
from the University of Florida 
in 1996 and completed 
a Masters programme in 
Management of Technology 
at Georgia Institute of 
Technology in 2001. He spent 
ten years with Kimberly-Clark 
Health Care in various R&D, 
Product Development, and 
New Business Development 
roles. In 2004, Jeff joined 
Abbott Laboratories in 
Columbus, Ohio as Manager 
of Licensing and Business 
Development supporting 
the medical nutritional and 
consumer products division.

In October 2009, Jeff 
assumed the role of Vice 
President of Group Marketing 
for AMS, relocating to the UK. 
In December 2011, Jeff also 
took responsibility for the 
Integration of RESORBA®.

Jeff was appointed Director 
of our Branded Distributed 
Business Unit in November 
2012, and following a recent 
re-organisation is now 
Director of the Branded 
Business Unit. He resides 
in the US.

37

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance Report

Governance Statement 
The Company’s shares are quoted on the AIM market and are subject to the AIM Admission Rules of the London Stock Exchange and 
consequently are not required to comply with the provisions or report in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2016 (the 
Code) issued by the Financial Reporting Council. The Board is however committed to the principles of good corporate governance covering 
leadership, effectiveness, accountability, remuneration and shareholder relations as outlined in the Code, and have applied the Code as far as is 
practicable and appropriate for a public company of the Group’s size. 

In anticipation of the new guidelines that will come into force on 28th September 2018, AMS aims to comply with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2016. The area where AMS currently does not comply is the tenure requirements for a Non-Executive Director who has 
served on the Board for more than nine years from the date of first election to not be considered to be independent (Code Provision B.1.1.). 
Steve Bellamy has served as a Non-Executive Director for 11 years (February 2018) and is considered to be an independent Director. Details of 
this judgement are shown on page 40.

Role of the Board
The role of the Board is to establish the vision and strategy for the Group, to deliver shareholder value and it is responsible for the  
long-term success of the Company. Individual members of the Board have equal responsibility for the overall stewardship, management 
and performance of the Group and for the approval of its long-term objectives and strategic plans.

Division of Responsibilities
There is a clear division of responsibilities between the role of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The roles are 
clearly set out in writing and reviewed by the Board.

Role

Chairman

Name

Peter Allen

Appointed Chairman on 
1 January 2014 (following 
his appointment as a 
Non-Executive Director on 
4 December 2013)

Chief Executive  
Officer

Chris Meredith

Senior Independent  
Director 

Penny Freer

Appointed Senior Independent 
Director in 2010

Non-Executive  
Directors

Steve Bellamy

Peter Steinmann

Responsibility

 e Leadership and management of the Board
 e Setting the Board’s Agenda, style and tone of discussions
 e Ensuring the Board’s effectiveness in all aspects of its role
 e Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer on developing the 

Group’s strategy, and providing general advice and support

 e Facilitating active engagement by all members
 e Participating in shareholder communications
 e Promoting high standards of corporate governance 

 e Managing the Group’s business
 e Developing Group strategy for consideration and approval by the Board
 e Leading the Senior Management Team (SMT) in delivering the Group’s 

strategic and day-to-day operational objectives

 e Leading and maintaining communications with all stakeholders

 e Acting as an intermediary for other Directors when necessary
 e Available to meet with shareholders and aid communication of 

shareholder concerns when normal channels of communication 
are inappropriate

 e Chairing meetings of Non-Executive Directors if, and when, required
 e All responsibilities of a Non-Executive Director as outlined below

 e Constructively challenging and contributing to the development of 

Group strategy

 e Monitoring the integrity of financial information, financial controls and 

systems of risk management to ensure they are robust
 e Reviewing the performance of Executive Management
 e Formulating Executive Director remuneration

The Non Executive Directors
Each of the Non-Executive Directors are free from any relationship with the Executive Management of the Company and are free from 
any business or other relationship that could affect or appear to affect the exercise of their independent judgement. The Board considers 
that all of the Company’s Non-Executive Directors are Independent Directors, in both character and judgement, in accordance with the 
recommendations of the Code. This is explained in more detail on page 40. The Chairman, Peter Allen, was considered independent on 
his appointment.

38

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017The Operation of the Board
The Board has the authority for ensuring that the Group is appropriately managed and achieves the strategic objectives it sets. To achieve 
this, the Board reserves certain matters for its own determination including matters relating to Group strategy, approval of interim and 
annual financial results, dividends, major capital expenditure, budgets, monitoring performance, treasury policy, risk management, corporate 
governance and the effectiveness of its internal control systems. It has a schedule of matters specifically reserved for its approval. Matters are 
delegated to the Board Committees, Executive Directors and the Senior Management Team where appropriate. The Board performs its 
responsibilities through an annual programme of meetings and by continuous monitoring of the performance of the Group.

Matters considered by the Board in 2017 included:

 e Directors’ responsibilities
 e Finance and operations review
 e Annual budget
 e Risk review
 e Strategic plans
 e Health and Safety

 e Board evaluation
 e Impact of Brexit
 e Gender Pay Gap Reporting
 e Acquisition strategy
 e Potential merger and acquisition targets
 e Market Abuse Regulations (MAR)

 e Modern Slavery Act
 e Markets in Financial Instruments Directive 

(MiFID II)

 e Consultant appointments across Group
 e Major capital expenditure
 e Reports from the Board Committees
 e General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The Board also delegates a number of its responsibilities to Committees and Management as described below.

Board Committees
The Board has delegated specific authority to the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee. Peter Allen, 
Steve Bellamy, Penny Freer and Peter Steinmann are members of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees. Chris Meredith is a 
member of the Nomination Committee.

The Terms of Reference of all three Board Committees are available on the corporate website ‘www.admedsol.com’.

Board and Committee Meetings
The Board meets on a formal basis regularly, and met formally eight times in 2017. Members are supplied with financial and operational 
information in good time for review in advance of the meetings. Most Board Committee meetings are scheduled around Board meetings.

The Directors attended the following meetings in the year ended 31 December 2017:

Peter Allen

Steve Bellamy

Penny Freer

Chris Meredith

Peter Steinmann

Mary Tavener

* By invitation.

Board

Audit Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

8

8

8

8

8

8

3

3

3

3*

3

3*

3

3

3

3*

3

2*

1

1

1

1

1

1*

All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary. The Board approves the appointment and removal of the 
Company Secretary. The Non-Executive Directors are able to contact the Executive Directors, Company Secretary, Deputy Company Secretary 
or Senior Managers at any time for further information.

Effectiveness

Board Composition
The Board comprises the Non-Executive Chairman, two Executive Directors and three Non-Executive Directors. The Directors’ profiles appear 
on pages 34 and 35 and detail their experience and suitability for leading and managing the Group. Together they bring a valuable range of 
expertise and experience to the Group. No individual or group of individuals dominates the Board’s decision making process. The Chairman 
fosters a climate of debate and challenge in the boardroom, built on his challenging but supportive relationship with the Chief Executive 
Officer which sets the tone for Board interaction and discussions.

Appointment of Non-Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors are appointed to the Board following a formal, rigorous and transparent process, involving external recruitment 
agencies, to select individuals who have a depth and breadth of relevant experience, thus ensuring that the selected candidates will be capable 
of making an effective and relevant contribution to the Board. The process for the appointment of Non- Executive Directors is managed by the 
Nomination Committee, whose responsibilities are outlined on page 40.

Diversity
We recognise the importance of diversity at Board level and our Board members comprise a number of different nationalities with a wide 
range of skills and experiences from a variety of business backgrounds. Our current female representation on the Board is 33.3%. Additionally, 
the Senior Management Team also has a diverse experience. Its members comprise of several nationalities and female representation is 44.4%.

39

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance Report continued

Terms of Appointment and Time Commitment
All Non-Executive Directors are appointed for an initial term of three years subject to satisfactory performance. After this time they may serve 
additional three year terms following review by the Board. All Non-Executive Directors are expected to devote such time as is necessary for the 
proper performance of their duties. Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings and Committee meetings of which they are members 
and any additional meetings as required.

Further details of their terms and conditions are summarised in the Remuneration Report on page 54 and the terms and conditions of 
appointment of the Non-Executive Directors are available at the Company’s Registered Office.

Tenure Chart
The size of the Board during 2017 was six and the tenure is shown below.

The Company follows the Code as far as is practicable. The Board notes the tenure requirement for a Non-Executive Director who has 
served on the Board for more than nine years from the date of first election to not be considered to be independent (Code Provision B.1.1.). 
Steve Bellamy has served as a Non-Executive Director for 11 years (February 2018). Due to his extensive experience with the Company, and 
that the Board consider him to be independent of character and judgement, he is considered to be an independent Director. Steve Bellamy is, 
however, subject to annual re-election which started in 2017 (Code Provision B.7.1.).

The Board further notes that under Code Provision B.1.2 a smaller company (below FTSE 350) must have at least two independent Non-
Executive Directors. The Board consider Peter Allen, Steve Bellamy, Penny Freer and Peter Steinmann to be independent.

Peter Allen, Steve Bellamy and Penny Freer own shares in the Company as shown on page 58. These holdings have been highlighted to 
shareholders and are small. They are not considered to impact Non-Executive Director independence under Code Provision B.1.1.

Code Provision B.2.3. states that any term beyond six years for a Non-Executive Director should be subject to rigorous review, taking into 
account the need for progressive refreshing of the Board. The Board reviewed the appointments of Steve Bellamy and Penny Freer, and 
consider that their continued appointment does not present any issues.

Board Composition

Board Composition

Gender Diversity of Board

Gender

Board Tenure

Board

Non-Executive Chairman 

Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

1

2

3

Male 

Female

4

2

0-3 years

4-6 years

7-9 years

10+ years

nil

2

1

3

Induction and Professional Development
New Directors are given a formal induction process including details of how the Board and Committees operate, meetings with Senior 
Management and information on Group strategy, products and performance. Training and development needs of Directors are reviewed 
regularly. The Directors are kept appraised of developments in legal, regulatory and financial matters affecting the Group by the Deputy 
Company Secretary and the Group’s External Auditors and advisors.

Professional Advice, Indemnities and Insurance
There is provision for Directors to take independent professional advice relating to the discharge of their responsibilities should they feel 
they need it. The Company has arranged Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance against certain liabilities and defence costs. However, the 
Directors’ insurance does not provide protection in the event of a Director being found to have acted fraudulently or dishonestly.

Board and Committee Evaluation
The performance evaluation of the Board, its Committees and Directors is undertaken by the Chairman annually and implemented in 
collaboration with the Committee Chairmen. The 2017 Board and Committee evaluations were conducted by way of each Director and 
Committee member completing comprehensive questionnaires. The results were collated, discussed and acted upon by the Board and 
Committees. The Board reviews the outcomes of the Committee evaluations and assesses their performance. The Chairman confirms that the 
performance of the Non-Executive Directors continues to be effective.

40

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Election and Re-Election of Directors
The Company’s Articles of Association require all Directors to retire and submit themselves for re-election at the first AGM after appointment 
and thereafter at least every three years. The Notice of AGM will give details of those Directors seeking re-election.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee comprises Penny Freer (Chairman), Peter Allen, Steve Bellamy and Peter Steinmann as laid out below:

Name

Penny Freer

Steve Bellamy

Peter Allen

Peter Steinmann

Chairman (since 25 June 2010, member since 1 March 2010)

Member (since 20 February 2007)

Member (since 4 December 2013)

Member (since 1 July 2013)

The Committee has Terms of Reference that are reviewed at least annually, were updated at the end of 2017 and are available to view on the 
Company Website ‘www.admedsol.com’. The Deputy Company Secretary acts as Secretary to the Committee.

The Remuneration Committee met three times in 2017. The Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, determines the 
Group’s policy on Executive remuneration, employment conditions and the individual remuneration packages of the Executive Directors of all 
Group companies and all Management earning in excess of £100,000 per annum. It also approves all new incentive schemes, the grants of 
options under the Group’s share option schemes and the grant of shares under the Group’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). The report of the 
Committee is included on pages 47 to 56.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee comprises Peter Allen (Chairman), Penny Freer, Steve Bellamy, Chris Meredith and Peter Steinmann as laid 
out below:

Name

Peter Allen

Chris Meredith

Penny Freer

Steve Bellamy

Peter Steinmann

Chairman (since 1 January 2014, member since 4 December 2013)

Member (since 1 January 2011)

Member (since 1 March 2010)

Member (since 20 February 2007)

Member (since 1 July 2013)

The Committee meets as and when it is necessary to do so. The Committee has Terms of Reference that are reviewed at least annually, were 
updated at the end of 2017 and are available to view on the Company Website ‘www.admedsol.com’. The Deputy Company Secretary acts as 
Secretary to the Committee. The Committee met once during the year.

The Committee’s role is to:

 e Ensure that appropriate procedures are in place for the nomination and selection of candidates for appointment to the Board considering 

the balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the Board;

 e Make recommendations to the Board regarding re-election of Directors, succession planning and Board composition, having due regard for 

diversity, including gender; and

 e Consider succession planning for Senior Management and membership of the Audit and Remuneration Committees.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises Steve Bellamy (Chairman), Peter Allen, Penny Freer, and Peter Steinmann as laid out below:

Name

Steve Bellamy

Penny Freer

Peter Allen

Peter Steinmann

Chairman (since 6 June 2007, member since 20 February 2007)

Member (since 1 March 2010)

Member (since 4 December 2013)

Member (since 1 July 2013)

Steve Bellamy, a qualified Chartered Accountant, chairs the Committee. The Committee has Terms of Reference that are reviewed at least 
annually, were updated at the end of 2017 and are available to view on the Company Website ‘www.admedsol.com’. The Deputy Company 
Secretary acts as Secretary to the Committee.

The Committee met three times during the year. The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial Controller, External Audit 
Partner and Internal Auditor attended a number of these meetings. The Audit Committee also met with the External Audit partner without the 
Executives and Senior Managers present. The Audit Committee Report is included on pages 44 to 46.

41

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsCorporate Governance Report continued

Going Concern
In carrying out their duties in respect of going concern, the Directors have carried out a review of the Group’s financial position and cash flow 
forecasts for the next 12 months from signing of the accounts. These have been based on a comprehensive review of revenue, expenditure 
and cash flows, taking into account specific business risks and the current economic environment.

With regard to the Group’s financial position, it had cash and cash equivalents at the year-end of £62.5 million (2016: £51.1 million) and was 
debt free (2016: debt free). The Group agreed a five-year, £30 million, multi-currency, revolving credit facility in December 2014 with an 
accordion option under which AMS can request up to an additional £20 million on the same terms. The facility is provided jointly by the 
Group’s existing bank HSBC, as well as The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC. It is unsecured on the assets of the Group and is currently undrawn.

While the current economic environment is uncertain, AMS operates in a market whose demographics are favourable, underpinned by an 
increasing need for products to treat chronic and acute wounds. Consequently, market growth is predicted. The Group has a number of long-
term contracts with customers across different geographic regions and also with substantial financial resources, ranging from government 
agencies through to global healthcare companies.

Having taken the above into consideration, the Directors have reached the conclusion that the Group is well placed to manage its business 
risks in the current economic environment. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Financial Statements.

Remuneration
The level of remuneration of the Directors is set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 47 to 56.

Modern Slavery Act
Prior to the introduction of the legislation the Company had implemented an Ethical Sourcing Policy and the requirements of the Modern 
Slavery Act build on that policy. During 2017 the Company has taken the following key steps to implement the requirements of the Modern 
Slavery Act 2015:

 e Introduction of an Anti-Slavery/Human Trafficking Policy (the “Policy”) and procedures
 e Group-wide communication of the Policy, with all employees confirming their understanding of the Policy
 e Reinforcement of existing policies covering ethical business practices and legal compliance
 e Contractual commitments from supply chain partners to act in accordance with our Ethical Sourcing Policy
 e Routine audits of suppliers include an assessment of compliance
 e Continuing liaison with suppliers, contractors and business partners to establish their commitment to the eradication of slavery and 

human trafficking

The full compliance statement can be found on the Company website ‘www.admedsol.com/modernslaveryact’.

Gender Pay Gap Reporting – Ensuring Opportunities for All
AMS believes in being an inclusive and diverse employer, where individuals are provided opportunities to develop and reach their full potential.

Pay and Bonus Gap

Gender pay gap

Gender bonus gap

Gender bonus gap (excluding share exercises)

Mean

11.2%

60.3%

8.7%

Median

6.1%

0.0%

0.0%

The above table shows our mean and median gender pay gap and bonus gap as at the snap-shot date (i.e. 5 April 2017). This information is for 
Advanced Medical Solutions Limited only.

Our disclosable pay gap is 11.2%. Our analysis of our gender gap tells us this is largely driven by the fact that women hold fewer senior positions 
than men. Women made up 41% of our overall workforce on the snapshot date, compared to 32% of women in upper quartile for pay.

Our analysis suggests that when we adjust for this structural issue, our pay gap changes to -2.4% (women paid more than men), which can be 
explained by time in role or skill-set factors.

Our bonus gap has been driven by a number of high value share exercises in the year to 5 April 2017, a large proportion of which were made 
by men. The exercise of these shares relates to options granted over a number of previous years and, as such, is not representative of the 
bonus earned in the year. Individuals have discretion on the timing as to when to exercise their share incentives. Any share incentives that 
vested but were not exercised are not included in this calculation. When we adjust for this factor, and exclude the impact of share exercises, 
our bonus gap drops to 8.7%.

Males

Males

FemalesFemales

No Bonus 

Bonus

7

93

No Bonus 

Bonus

5

95

42

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017This shows a 2% difference in the number of men and women who received a bonus in the reference period. We are confident that men and 
women have an equal opportunity to earn a bonus.

Pay Quartiles
The below chart illustrates the gender distribution across AMS Ltd in four equally sized quartiles.

Quartile

Upper

Upper Middle

Lower Middle

Lower

Male

68%

55%

57%

49%

Female

32%

45%

43%

51%

As a responsible employer we are committed to addressing diversity and are approaching this in a number of ways to promote and attract 
more senior candidates. This includes flexible working (including job sharing, part-time working, flexitime, career break, home working), 
development opportunities (sponsorship of further education, coaching and mentoring, personal development plans) and our recruitment 
processes (attraction of diverse talent pools). We are confident that men and women are paid equally for doing equivalent jobs across 
the business.

Our Gender Pay Gap figures have been calculated using the methodology provided in the gender pay gap reporting legislation; The Equality 
Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017. These figures have been verified and checked to ensure accuracy. The Compliance 
Statement can be found on the Company website ‘www.admedsol.com/genderpay’.

Relations with Shareholders
The Board appreciates that effective communication with the Company’s shareholders and the investment community as a whole is a key 
objective. The Chairman’s Statement, Chief Executive’s Statement and the Strategic Report and Financial Review, together with the information 
in the Annual Report of the Group, provides a detailed review of the business. The views of both institutional and private shareholders are 
important, and these can be varied and wide-ranging, as is their interest in the Company’s strategy, reputation and performance. The Executive 
Directors have overall responsibility for ensuring effective communication and the Company maintains a regular dialogue with its shareholders, 
mainly in the periods following the announcement of the interim and final results, but also at other times during the year. The views of 
shareholders are sought through direct contact and via feedback from advisors and are communicated to the Board as a whole. The Board 
encourages the participation of shareholders at its Annual General Meeting, notice of which is sent to shareholders at least 20 working days 
before the meeting. The AMS website ‘www.admedsol.com’ is regularly updated and provides additional information on the Group including 
information on the Group’s products and technology.

Annual General Meeting
This year’s AGM will, as last year, include a presentation by the Chief Executive Officer on the current progress of the business and allow the 
opportunity for questions on this or any of the resolutions. The Company proposes separate resolutions for each issue and specifically relating 
to the report and accounts. The Company ensures all proxy votes are counted and indicates the level of proxies on each resolution along with 
the abstentions after it has been dealt with on a show of hands.

After the meeting, shareholders have the opportunity to talk informally to the Board and raise any further questions or issues they may have. 
The outcome of the AGM, a copy of the AGM presentation and details of the poll results will be posted on the Company’s website after 
the meeting.

Mary Tavener 
Company Secretary 

17 April 2018

43

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsAudit Committee Report

Aims and Objectives
The overall aim of the Committee is to monitor the integrity of the Group’s Financial Statements and announcements, its accounting 
processes, and the effectiveness of its internal controls and risk management system. The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its 
responsibility to ensure that the Group’s financial systems provide accurate and up-to-date information on its financial position, and supports 
the Board in its consideration as to whether the Group’s published Financial Statements are fair, balanced and understandable.

The Audit Committee is required to: 

 e Oversee and advise the Board on the current risk exposures of the Company and related future risk strategies
 e Oversee the activities of Internal Audit 
 e Review internal control policies and procedures for the identification, assessment and reporting of material financial and non-financial risks 
 e Review the Group’s procedures for detecting fraud 
 e Review the Group’s procedures for the prevention of bribery and corruption 
 e Review the Group’s procedures for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to enable employees to raise matters of possible 

impropriety in confidence 

 e Review the effectiveness of the Group’s financial reporting 
 e Review the content of the Annual Report and advise the Board whether, taken as a whole, it is fair, balanced and understandable, and 

provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position, performance, business model and strategy

 e Review the engagement, effectiveness and independence of the External Auditor
 e Review audit and non audit services and fees
 e Review the Committee’s Terms of Reference

Audit Committee Activities
To discharge its responsibilities, during the year, the Committee has undertaken the following activities: 

Financial Statements and Reports 
 e Reviewed and approved the External Audit fees for 2017 
 e Reviewed the annual and half-yearly financial reports and related statements and discussed:

•  Key accounting judgements 

•  Cost of capital

•  Identification of Cash Generating Units (CGUs) and impairment of goodwill

•  Brexit effect 

•  Treatment of R&D Tax Credits as the Group no longer qualifies as a SME

•  Enhanced Audit Report

•  Working towards releasing the Annual Report earlier following the Preliminary Statement

 e Reviewed and considered the significant issues in relation to the Financial Statements and how these have been addressed, including: 

•  Going Concern – The 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code provision C.2.2 has set out a requirement for the Directors to explain in the 
Annual Report how they have assessed the prospects of the Company, over what period they have done so and why they consider that 
period to be appropriate. The Committee reviews the analysis undertaken in relation to strategic risk management and risk assessment, 
risk appetite, internal control, risk and control reporting structure and the principal risks identified on an ongoing basis. This monitoring and 
review validates the draft statement which was documented for the first time in 2016

External Audit
 e Monitored the independence and ensured the objectivity of the External Auditor
 e Approved all non-audit service work over £10,000
 e Reviewed and approved the Audit Plan for the 2017 audit
 e Reviewed the performance of the External Auditor and considered the reappointment of Deloitte LLP as auditor for 2018 and recommended 

appointment to the Board

 e Managed a successful transition of engagement partner for the audit in line with partner rotation rules

Internal Audit
 e Considered and agreed the strategic and annual Internal Audit plan
 e Reviewed and followed up on management responses to Internal Audit findings and recommendations
 e Reviewed the performance of RSM UK and considered their reappointment
 e Reviewed the performance and the resulting recommendations of the Internal Audits into Cyber Security and Budgeting and Forecasting

 e Reviewed ongoing advice from previous audits

44

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Risk Management
 e Reviewed the key risks to the Group and the plans to mitigate these risks
 e Reviewed Cyber Security risks and controls
 e Initial discussions (and approval of Policy) relating to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 

Terms of Reference
 e The Committee’s Terms of Reference are reviewed annually in line with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) 

guidance to reflect the UK Governance Code. 

Effectiveness of External Auditor
To assess the effectiveness of our External Auditor, a formal performance review is undertaken on an annual basis to identify the adequacy of 
their approach to: 

 e Resource quality: – it is important that the External Auditor has achieved the right balance of audit team resource. With the team providing 
both continuity and knowledge, as well as a fresh perspective through new team members to allow processes and accounting policies to 
be challenged. 

 e Effective communication: – key audit judgements are communicated at the earliest opportunity to promote discussion and challenge 
between the External Auditors and management, informing AMS of audit issues as they arise, so that these can be dealt with in a timely 
manner. Communication regarding good practice, changes to reporting requirements and accounting standards is also needed to enable 
the Company to be prepared prior to year end. Timely provision of audit papers is required to enable adequate management review and 
feedback. The quality of the reports and publications provided by the External Auditor in terms of content, relevance and presentation 
is reviewed. 

 e Scoping and planning: – specifically relating to the year-end audit work: timely provision of the External Audit strategy and timetable to Audit 

Committee and management. 

 e Fees: – ensuring they are transparent and communicated prior to the commencement of any work undertaken. Where variations occur, 

these are challenged at the earliest opportunity to enable dialogue and negotiation to be undertaken.

 e Auditor independence: – the Committee continues to monitor the External Auditor’s compliance with applicable ethical guidelines and 

considers the independence and objectivity of the External Auditor as part of the Committee’s duties. The Committee received and reviewed 
written confirmation from the External Auditor on all relationships that, in their judgement, may bear on their independence. The External 
Auditor has also confirmed that they consider themselves independent within the meaning of UK regulatory and professional requirements. 

The External Auditor may be appointed to provide non-audit services where it is in the Group’s best interests to do so, provided a number of 
criteria are met. These are that the External Auditor does not: 

 e Audit their own work
 e Make management decisions for the Group
 e Create a conflict of interest 
 e Find themselves in the role of an advocate for the Group
All projects where forecasted expenditure exceeded £10,000 were approved by the Audit Committee. Deloitte LLP has been the Group’s 
External Auditor for nine financial years and the engagement partner completed five years as audit partner on completion of the 2016 Audit. 
During 2017 there was a successful transition to a new engagement partner to the Group. Following the positive outcome of a performance 
and effectiveness evaluation undertaken by the management, the Audit Committee concluded that it was appropriate to recommend to the 
Board the reappointment of Deloitte LLP as the Group’s External Auditor for the next financial year. 

Internal Audit
Internal Audit at AMS is managed and delivered by an external firm of Auditors, RSM UK, who provide this service under the direction and 
guidance of the Audit Committee. Against an agreed mandate, this function performs independent Internal Audit across the Group. A two-
year Internal Audit strategy and an annual Internal Audit plan are approved by the Audit Committee each year. Internal Audit reviews areas 
of areas of potentially significant risk and substantial process improvement and provide assurance that key controls are effectively designed 
and operated consistently. Audit reports are produced to convey the extent of control assurance derived from the formal testing of controls. 
RSM UK’s findings and recommendations are reported directly to the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee:
 e Reviews and approves the charter of the Internal Audit function and ensures the function has the necessary resources and access to 
information and the Group’s employees as necessary to enable it to fulfil its mandate and is equipped to perform in accordance with 
appropriate professional standards for Internal Auditors

 e Approves the appointment and the termination of the Internal Auditors
 e Ensures the Internal Auditor has direct access to the Board Chairman and to the Committee Chairman and is accountable to the Committee
 e Reviews and assesses the annual Internal Audit workplan
 e Receives a report on the results of the Internal Auditors work at least twice per year
 e Reviews and monitors management’s responsiveness to the Internal Auditor’s findings and recommendations and the corrective 

actions taken

 e Meets with the Internal Auditor at least once a year without the presence of management
 e Monitors and reviews the effectiveness of the Company’s controls in the context of the Company’s overall risk management system

45

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsAudit Committee Report continued

All Internal Audit reports are discussed with the Audit Committee and the External Auditor, and the recommendations considered 
and acted upon. RSM UK attends Audit Committee meetings twice a year and updates the Audit Committee in writing ahead of each 
Committee meeting.

In 2017 the Internal Auditor undertook detailed audits of Cyber Security and Budgeting and Forecasting, together with a review of previous 
audit reports. The recommendations of Internal Audit were accepted by the Audit Committee and acted upon. The Group also calls on the 
services of external bodies to review the controls in certain areas of the Group. The quality assurance systems are reviewed by the Group’s 
notified bodies, the British Standards Institute (BSI) and TÜV Rheinland and LGA Products GmbH, on a regular basis.

The Internal Controls Framework is available for all employees to view on the Intranet. Updates are driven by an underlying process change or 
by the outcomes of Internal Audit projects. Issues are identified, the policies are updated and then approved by the Group Financial Controller 
and Chief Financial Officer. The updated policies are then formally approved by the Board.

Risk Management and Internal Controls
The Board takes responsibility for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness, taking guidance from the Audit 
Committee. The Board monitors and reviews all material controls including financial, operational and compliance controls. Risks arising from 
operations can only be managed rather than eliminated. Only reasonable and not absolute assurances can be made against material loss or 
misstatement. Key features of the internal control system are:

 e The Group has an organisational structure with clear responsibilities and lines of accountability. The Group promotes the values of integrity 

and professionalism. The members of the Board are available to hear, in confidence, any individual’s concerns about improprieties;

 e The Board has a schedule of matters reserved for its consideration. This schedule includes potential acquisitions, capital projects, treasury 

policies and management systems, risk management systems and policies, approval of budgets, re-forecasts and Health and Safety;

 e The Board or the Audit Committee reviews the Risk Register at least twice a year;
 e The Board monitors the activities of the Group through the management accounts, monthly forecasts and other reports on current activities 

and plans. The Senior Management Team, at least monthly, monitors financial and operational performance in detail; 
 e The Group has set appropriate levels of authorisation which must be adhered to as the Group concludes its business; 
 e An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with in-built controls over process and authority, minimising manual intervention and overall 

strengthening controls is in place in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany;and

 e The Group operates a ‘whistle-blowing’ policy enabling any individual with a concern to approach any of the Non-Executive Directors 

in confidence.

As part of the External Auditor’s annual review process, any weaknesses identified in the Group’s internal control system are reported to and 
discussed with the Audit Committee and corrective actions are agreed.

The Group’s corporate objective is to maximise long-term shareholder value, recognising that creating value is the reward for taking and 
accepting risk. The Directors consider risk management to be crucial to the Group’s success and give it a high priority to ensure that adequate 
systems are in place to evaluate and limit risk exposure.

Management formally reviews the Risk Register at least twice a year. Risks are evaluated for both likelihood and financial impact and scored 
against both criteria. This is used to identify the most significant risks the business faces. These risks have been identified and are discussed in 
more detail in the Strategic Report on pages 4 to 33. Actions are agreed to mitigate the risks. 

At each review, progress on actions is assessed and further actions may be identified. Risks are re-scored and the effects of mitigating actions 
taken are used to identify a residual risk score. Management also gives consideration to other risks that have been identified, score these risks 
to understand significance and assign actions to be taken to mitigate, if required. The process for identifying, evaluating and managing the risks 
faced by the Group is ongoing throughout the year.

Management report to the Audit Committee at least twice a year on the Risk Register. The Board or the Audit Committee reviews the Group’s 
Risk Register and the effectiveness of Management’s actions to mitigate the risks. 

As part of the External Auditor’s annual review process, any key risks and areas of audit focus are also identified and agreed with the 
Audit Committee. 

In September 2014 the FRC issued guidance on ‘Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial & Business Reporting’. The new 
guidance was first applied in the Group’s 2015 accounting period. The Audit Committee believes it meets the FRC requirements.

Mary Tavener
Company Secretary

17 April 2018

46

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Remuneration Report 

The Board presents the Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2017.

As an AIM quoted company, Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc is not required to comply with the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
regulations requirements under Main Market UK Listing Rules or those aspects of the Companies Act applicable to listed companies. 
The following disclosures are made voluntarily.

The Remuneration Committee (Committee) comprises the three Non-Executive Directors of the Group and the Chairman of the Board as laid 
out below:

Name

Penny Freer

Steve Bellamy

Peter Allen

Peter Steinmann

Chairman (since 2 June 2010, member since 1 March 2010)

Member (since 20 February 2007)

Member (since 4 December 2013)

Member (since 1 July 2013)

Biographical information on the Committee members is set out on pages 34 to 35. They have no personal financial interest, other than as 
shareholders, in the matters to be decided. They have no conflict of interest arising from cross-directorships and no day-to-day involvement in 
running the business. They do not participate in any bonus, share option or pension arrangements. The Committee met three times during the 
year. All the meetings were attended by all members. The Board has accepted the Committee’s recommendations in full.

The Committee, on behalf of the Board, and in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, determines the Group’s policy on executive 
remuneration, employment conditions and the individual remuneration packages of the Executive Directors of all Group companies and 
management and staff earning in excess of £100,000 per annum. It administers the share option schemes, determines the design of 
performance-related pay schemes, sets the targets for such schemes and approves payment under such schemes. The Terms of Reference of 
the Committee are reviewed each year and are available on the Company’s website, ‘www.admedsol.com’.

A resolution will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 6 June 2018 asking them to consider and approve this Report. 
The activities the Remuneration Committee undertook in 2017 were:

Month

February

September

Principal Activities

 e Review of 2016 personal objectives and setting of 2017 personal objectives for Executive Directors
 e Review of proposed 2016 Executive Director and Senior Management Team (SMT) bonus and 

Deferred Annual Bonus awards

 e Review of proposed share option and LTIP awards

 e Ratification of LTIP and share option awards for SMT
 e Ratification of bonus and Deferred Annual Bonus awards for Executive Directors and SMT
 e Review of compliance with Executive Shareholding Policy for Executive Directors and SMT
 e Review of Executive Director Financial Objectives
 e Award of additional LTIPs following internal re-organisation
 e Agreement to amend payment of Employers NI for Unapproved Deferred Share Bonus Plan 

Matching Shares

 e Gender Pay Reporting

December 

 e Consideration and approval of 2018 basic salary for Executive Directors and SMT 
 e Review of results of Committee Self Assessment questionnaire, Terms of Reference and Directors 

Expenses Policy 

 e Agreement of 2018 Remuneration Committee Meeting dates
 e Review of legal and corporate governance developments

47

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRemuneration Report continued 

Remuneration Policy
The remuneration policy is formulated around the need to provide a remuneration structure that is competitive to attract, retain and motivate 
Senior Executives of the calibre required to develop and implement the Company’s strategy and enhance earnings over the long-term, 
whilst at the same time not paying more than is necessary for this purpose. A cohesive reward structure consistently applied with links to 
corporate performance is seen as crucial in ensuring attainment of the Group’s strategic goals. It is the intention of this policy to conform to 
best practice as far as reasonably practicable and that it will continue to apply for 2018 and subsequent years, subject to ongoing review as 
appropriate. The Committee retains the right for discretion, although no discretion was used in 2017. The policy is based around the following 
key principles:

 e Total rewards will be set at levels that are sufficiently competitive to enable the recruitment and retention of high calibre Senior Executives;
 e Total incentive-based rewards will be earned through the achievement of performance conditions consistent with shareholder interests;
 e The design of long-term incentives will be prudent and will not expose shareholders to unreasonable financial risk; and
 e In considering the market positioning of reward elements, account will be taken of the performance of the Group and of each individual 

Executive Director.

Kepler, part of Mercer (previously Kepler Associates), were engaged in 2014 to advise the Committee with regard to the remuneration of 
the Executives and SMT. Executive Directors are expected to accumulate and maintain a significant shareholding. The Committee took 
into account this expectation, together with the recommendations from Kepler, into account when introducing an Executive Shareholding 
Policy requiring the Executive Directors and SMT to hold a minimum of 100% and 50% respectively, of their pre-tax annual salary in Company 
shares within five years of attaining office. All SMT members met or exceeded the shareholding target except the two members who have 
been with the Company less than 5 years. Each Executive Director’s remuneration package consists of basic salary, bonus, LTIPs, health 
and insurance benefits, and pension contributions. The Committee ensures that there is a balance between fixed and performance related 
remuneration elements.

Consideration of Shareholder Views
In formulating the remuneration policy, the Committee takes into account guidance issued by shareholder representative bodies, including 
the Investment Association, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association and Institutional Shareholder Services. The Committee also takes 
into consideration any views expressed by shareholders during the year (including at the AGM) and encourages open dialogue with its largest 
shareholders. Major shareholders are consulted in advance about changes to the remuneration policy.

Consideration of Employment Conditions elsewhere in the Group
The Committee considers the general basic salary increase for the broader employee population when determining the annual salary 
increases and remuneration for the Executive Directors. For example, as explained on page 51, reflecting the wider cost of living increase for 
the 2018 financial year, the Committee determined to only increase the basic salary for the Executive Directors by the cost of living (3%).

Statement of Voting at General Meeting
At the 2017 AGM, the percentages of votes cast ‘for’, ‘against’ and ‘withheld’ in respect of the Directors’ Remuneration Report were as follows:

Resolution

To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report

No.  

of shares

123,308,123

Votes cast  

‘for’

99.17%

Votes cast  
‘against’

0.83%

48

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Overview of Director’s Remuneration Policy

Directors’ Policy Table

Element of  
remuneration

Purpose and how it 
supports strategy

How the element operated  
and maximum opportunity

Framework used to 
assess performance

Base Salary

To provide competitive 
fixed remuneration.

To attract, retain and 
motivate Executive 
Directors and the SMT 
of the right calibre to 
deliver the Company’s 
strategy and to provide 
a core level of reward 
for the role.

In line with the policy outlined on page 48 
salary levels of Executive Directors and the SMT 
are set after taking into account experience, 
responsibilities and performance, both on an 
individual and business perspective, and external 
market data (benchmarked against companies 
of a similar size and complexity and other 
companies in the same industry sector).

Salaries are reviewed annually (normally 
December, with any changes effective from 
1 January). Details of the current salaries of 
the Executive Directors are set out below. 
This review was last carried out in December 
2017. There is no prescribed maximum annual 
increase. The Committee will take into account 
the general increase for the broader employee 
population in the UK but on occasions may 
need to recognise, for example, an increase 
in the scale, scope or responsibility of the role. 
Current salary levels are set out on page 51.

Where there is a change in responsibility, 
progression in the role, change in size 
or structure of the Group or increased 
experience of the Executive Director or 
member of the SMT, the Committee retains 
the discretion to award a higher increase than 
the UK workforce.

Benefits

To attract, retain and 
motivate Executive 
Directors and the SMT 
of the right calibre to 
deliver the Company’s 
strategy by providing a 
market competitive level 
of benefit provision.

The range of benefits that may be provided 
by the Committee after taking into account 
local market practice. The Executive Directors’ 
benefits currently comprise private medical 
insurance. Additional benefits may be provided 
as appropriate. There is no defined maximum 
as the cost benefits can vary annually 
and the Company requires the ability to 
remain competitive.

N/A

Annual 
Performance 
Bonus

Drives and rewards 
performance against 
annual financial and 
operational goals which 
are consistent with the 
medium to long-term 
strategic needs of 
the business.

Deferred Annual 
Bonus (DAB)

Provides mechanism 
to exercise 
malus provisions.

The annual performance bonus is focused 
on the delivery of strategically important 
performance targets. These include 
demanding financial and non-financial 
measures. The financial targets are currently 
set against Group revenue, Group profit 
before tax and Earnings Per Share. 85% of 
the award is dependent upon the financial 
performance of the Group and 15% is 
achievable for meeting personal objectives.

The SMT are entitled to receive up to 50% 
of their salary in bonus, of which 86% of the 
award is dependent on financial performance 
targets and 14% on personal objectives. 
The Committee may use different measures 
and/or weightings for future bonus cycles to 
take into account changes in the strategic 
needs of the business.

N/A

Each of the Executive Directors is entitled 
under the terms of their service agreements to 
receive an Annual Bonus to be determined by 
the Committee based on the Group’s financial 
performance and the achievement of specific 
personal targets set by the Committee.

The maximum Annual Bonus potential is 120% of 
salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 100% 
of salary for the Chief Financial Officer, of which 
85% of the award is dependent on financial 
performance targets and 15% on personal 
objectives. Bonuses are paid in a mixture of cash 
and shares with an element deferred under the 
Deferred Annual Bonus scheme.

Following advice from Mercer (formally Kepler) 
regarding corporate governance developments 
in remuneration, the Committee introduced 
a Deferred Annual Bonus (DAB) Scheme after 
receiving shareholder approval at the 2014 AGM 
whereby both Executive Directors and the SMT 
are required to defer up to 25% of their Annual 
Bonus for three years.

The DAB introduced malus provisions which 
are laid out on page 51. There is no provision 
for clawback.

49

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRemuneration Report continued 

Element of  
remuneration

Purpose and how it 
supports strategy

How the element operated  
and maximum opportunity

Framework used to 
assess performance

N/A

50% of the Award is determined based on the 
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance 
of the Company compared with the AIM 
Healthcare Share Index over the vesting 
period and 50% of the Award is determined by 
the growth in the average Earnings Per Share 
(EPS) per year of the Company over a three-
year period. 

Of the 50% of the Award that is determined by 
reference to the AIM Healthcare Share Index, 
no shares will be awarded if the Company 
is ranked below the median. Awards will 
vest on a sliding scale from 25% to 100% for 
performance above median to upper quartile 
performance against the Index. 

The performance measurement for EPS will 
be based on the percentage increase of the 
Company’s EPS over a three-year period 
commencing on the 1 January of the year 
the Award is made. Awards will vest on a 
sliding scale from 25% to 100% for an average 
increase of EPS from target EPS of 5% to 
an average increase of EPS of 20% over the 
vesting period. No awards will be made for 
an average increase of EPS below target EPS. 
In 2014 the EPS target was set at 5%.

The Committee has the flexibility to make 
appropriate adjustments to the performance 
conditions to ensure that the Award achieves 
its purpose. Any vesting is also subject to 
the Committee being satisfied that the 
Company’s performance on these measures 
is consistent with the underlying performance 
of the business.

N/A

The Deferred Share Bonus Plan (DSB) is available 
to all employees and allows them to choose for 
the payment of some bonus to be made in the 
form of shares. It also allows for the provision of 
matching shares if the bonus shares are held for 
a set period. The DSB encourages employees 
to acquire shares in the Company and retain 
those shares to receive additional free shares 
from the Company. It acts as a valuable retention 
tool aligning employees’ interests with those of 
shareholders. The DSB first operated in 2007. 
The existing scheme received shareholder 
approval at the 2015 AGM.

The Company introduced a new Long 
Term Incentive Plan (2014 LTIP) at the 2014 
AGM, replacing the LTIP introduced in 2006. 
The LTIP permits an annual grant of shares that 
vest subject to performance and continued 
employment. The LTIP awards are granted 
in accordance with the rules of the plan. 
Individuals who are entitled to awards under 
the 2014 LTIP are not eligible to receive options 
under the Company’s Share Option Plan or the 
Executive Share Option Scheme.

Under the rules of the LTIP, the maximum 
annual award size is 200% of salary. Details of 
the proposed award level for 2017 are set out 
below. Awards under the LTIP may be granted in 
the form of nil-cost options or cash (where the 
award cannot be settled in shares). Awards are 
currently structured with a consideration of £1.

The 2014 LTIP introduced malus provisions 
which are laid out on page 51. There is no 
provision for clawback.

All UK employees are entitled to become 
members of the Group Pension and Life 
Assurance Scheme which was set up with 
effect from 1 February 1999. The Scheme 
entitles Executive Directors to contribute up to 
10% of salary with the Group contributing 10%. 
All other UK employees contribute a minimum 
of 3% of their salary which is matched by a 6% 
contribution of the Group. The Pension Plan is 
a money purchase scheme. In 2011, the Group 
made arrangements allowing individuals to 
sacrifice their salary for pension contributions. 

Following changes in the taxation of personal UK 
pension contributions, and limitations on the size 
of individual personal pension funds, the Group 
has agreed that an employee may substitute the 
pension contributions they would have received 
from the Group for salary.

Automatic enrolment has been implemented for 
all UK employees.

Deferred Share 
Bonus Plan 
(DSB)

To align the interests 
of the Executive 
Directors, the SMT and 
the employees with 
shareholders, incentivise 
long-term value creation 
and is a key tool for 
retention of staff.

Long Term 
Incentive Plan 
(LTIP)

To align the interests 
of the Executive 
Directors and the SMT 
with shareholders and 
incentivise long-term 
value creation.

Pensions

To provide a 
market competitive 
remuneration 
package to enable 
the recruitment 
and retention of the 
Executive Directors 
and SMT.

50

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Malus provisions – 2014 LTIP/DAB
The 2014 LTIP and DAB incorporate malus provisions. For LTIPs and DAB’s awarded from 2014 onwards, the Committee may in its absolute 
discretion resolve to vary an Award in the event that any of the Financial Statements or results for the Company, or for any Group Company, 
are materially restated (other than restatement due to a change in accounting policy or to rectify a minor error) or if, in the reasonable 
opinion of the Committee and following consultation with the relevant employing Group Company, a participant has deliberately misled the 
management of the Company and/or the market and/or the Company’s shareholders regarding the financial performance and/or technical 
information of any Group Company or any Subsidiary, or a participant’s actions amount to serious misconduct or conduct which causes 
significant financial loss for the Company, any Group Company and/or the participant’s Business Unit. 

If the Committee determines that the malus provision applies then they may resolve that the number of shares comprised in an Award that 
are not vested shares and/or vested shares in the case of an Option where the Option has not yet been exercised should be reduced (to nil if 
appropriate) and/or impose further conditions on an Award.

Directors’ Emoluments – Single Figure of Remuneration
The various elements of the remuneration for each Director in 2016 and 2017:

Salary and fees

Annual Bonus

Annual Bonus

LTIPs vested

vested**

Benefits

Pensions

Deferred  

Gains on DSBs

Total 
remuneration

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

Peter Allen

Steve Bellamy

Penny Freer

Peter Steinmann

2017 
£’000

270

209

2016 
£’000

265

200*

71

42

42

36

69

41

41

35

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

201

130

173

111

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

67

43

–

–

–

–

58

37

–

–

–

–

466

329

254

204

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8

4

–

–

–

–

7

–

–

–

–

–

7

1

1

–

–

–

–

2

1

1

–

–

–

–

2

27

21

–

–

–

–

26 1,040

26

737

–

–

–

–

71

42

42

36

784

579

69

41

41

35

48

52 1,968 1,549

Total

670

651

331

284

110

95

795

458

12

* Sacrificed salary of £5,125 in January to March 2016 in lieu of Pension. Annual Salary of £205,000 in 2016.

** Gains on DSBs vested is based on the share price at vesting date. Details of the DSB can be found on page 50.

The table above summarises the payments made and additional amounts earned by the Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors 
for the 2016 and 2017 financial years. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee (Steve Bellamy and Penny Freer) 
received a supplementary fee of £3,000 for chairing the Committees. The Deferred Annual Bonus recorded in the table above is in respect of 
the 2016 and 2017 financial years, to be paid or deferred into shares, which will not be received until 2020 and 2021 respectively. The Executive 
Directors were granted further LTIPs as detailed on page 52. All Directors have confirmed that, save as disclosed in the single figures of 
remuneration tables above, they have not received any other items in the nature of remuneration.

Salaries and Fees

Executive Directors
The Remuneration Committee determined there would be an increase of 3% for Executive Director base salary for 2018. The Group’s UK 
employees also received a 3% salary increase for the 2018 financial year.

Director 

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener 

2018 

2017

% increase

£278,409

£215,373

£270,300

£209,100 

3%

3%

Annual Performance Bonus
The Annual Bonus contains two elements — the cash element and the deferred share element. The bonus is determined on both financial 
targets and personal objectives. Up to 25% of the bonus is deferred into shares in line with the malus provisions. The Annual Bonus payments 
presented in the table above were based on performance against growth in Group revenue, adjusted Profit before Tax, and EPS, and 
performance against personal performance objectives measured over the relevant financial year. The maximum bonus potential for the year 
ending 31 December 2018 will remain as 120% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 100% for the Chief Financial Officer. 

The personal objectives for the Executive Directors are usually set on an individual basis. The personal objectives of each Executive Director for 
the year ended 31 December 2017 were linked to the corporate, financial, strategic and other non-financial objectives of the Company. 

Up to 18% of salary was payable to the Chief Executive Officer and 15% of salary to the Chief Financial Officer upon achievement of personal 
objectives. Based on the assessment against objectives set, the Committee determined that the performance of the Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer warranted a 60% (2016: 50%) payout in relation to the non-financial elements of their respective bonuses, which 
resulted in payment worth 11% (2016: 9%) of salary to the Chief Executive Officer and 9% (2016: 7.5%) of salary to the Chief Financial Officer. 
The Committee consider the 2018 objectives to be commercially sensitive as they give our competitors insight into our business plans and 
therefore are not detailed in this Report.

The bonus for the 2017 financial year is accrued and paid in 2018. Overall the 2017 bonus payments made in respect of the 2016 financial year 
were as follows:

Name

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

Bonus paid in 2017 
(2016 Financial 
Year)

Deferred Annual 
Bonus

Percentage of 
salary (for total 
bonus)

Maximum % of 
salary

£172,949

£111,492

£57,650

£37,164

72.5%

72.5%

120%

100%

51

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRemuneration Report continued 

Vesting of LTIPs for the year ended 31 December 2017
The LTIPs granted on 6 June 2014 to the Executive Directors under the 2014 Long-Term Investment Plan were based on performance criteria 
during the three-year period as detailed below. The LTIPs vested on 6 June 2017. The performance conditions were: 

 e 50% of the Award is subject to a performance condition based on the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance over 

the performance period (90 dealing day period to the date of grant measured against the 90 dealing day period prior to the three year 
anniversary following the date of grant) relative to the constituent companies of the AIM Healthcare Share Index over the performance 
period; and

 e 50% of each Award is subject to a performance condition based on the growth in the Company’s underlying diluted earnings per share (EPS) 

over the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016.

The Performance Targets were as follows:

TSR Performance

Vesting %

Below 50% of the comparator group
Between 50% and 75% of comparator group
Above 75% of comparator group

0%
Pro-rata vesting between 25% and 100% based on the ranking in the comparator group
100%

EPS compound annual growth rate

Vesting %

<5% CAGR
5%-20% CAGR

0%
Pro-rata vesting between 25% and 100%

Following a review of the performance conditions of the LTIPs granted in June 2014, 76.9% of the award vested in June 2017. The Company 
achieved 100% vesting for the TSR element (ranking 7th out of the 50 comparators) and 53.7% for the EPS element (compound annual EPS 
growth of 10.7%)

In the Directors’ emoluments single figure remuneration table on page 51, the figure attributable to the LTIPs granted on 6 June 2014 is 
calculated by multiplying the number of shares in respect of which the Award vested by the share price on the vesting date. 

Directors’ Interests in the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
On 6 April 2017 the following LTIP awards were granted to each Executive Director:

Director

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

Type of Award

Basis of grant  
awarded

Nil-cost option

100% of salary

Nil-cost option

100% of salary

Share price 
at date  
of grant (£)

2.4669

2.4669

Number of shares 
granted

109,571

84,762

Face value  
of grant (£)

270,300

209,100

Vesting 
determined by 
performance over

See below 

See below

EPS – Three financial years to 31 December 2019

TSR – Three years to 6 April 2020

Outstanding Share Awards
The maximum number of shares to be allocated to the Executive Directors under the LTIP, in each case for an aggregate consideration of £1, 
are as follows:

Director

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

As at 31
December 2016

Exercised in the 
year

Issued in the year

Lapsed in the year

As at 31 December 
2017

188,628

143,631

113,555

210,753

168,316

143,553

–

111,314

88,005

148,817

132,013

111,050

–

188,628

143,631

113,555

162,069

–

–

–

111,314

88,005

114,440

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

109,571

–

–

–

–

–

84,762

–

–

–

48,684

–

–

–

–

–

34,377

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

168,316

143,553

109,571

–

–

 –

132,013

111,050

84,762

Market price at 
date of
grant (p)

88.00

76.75

First vesting date

15 April 2014 (vested)

6 September 2015 (vested)

90.00

19 September 2016 (vested)

116.25

151.50

184.60

246.69

6 June 2017 (vested)

10 September 2018

18 April 2019

6 April 2020

76.75

6 September 2015 (vested)

90.00

19 September 2016 (vested)

116.25

151.50

184.60

246.69

6 June 2017 (vested)

10 September 2018

18 April 2019

6 April 2020

The entitlement to shares under the LTIP is subject to achieving the performance conditions referred to on page 50. The figures shown are 
maximum entitlements and the actual number of shares (if any) will depend on these performance conditions being achieved. During the 
year ended 31 December 2017 Chris Meredith exercised 607,883 LTIPs (2016: Nil) and Mary Tavener exercised 313,759 LTIPs (2016: Nil). 
Awards made have no performance re-testing facility.

52

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Approach to Remuneration of Executive Directors on Recruitment
In the case of appointing a new Executive Director, the Committee may make use of all the existing components of remuneration. The salaries 
of new appointments will be determined by reference to the experience and skills of the individual, market data, internal relativities and their 
current salary. New appointments will be eligible to receive a personal pension, benefits and to participate in the Company’s share schemes. 
No Director or Senior Manager shall be involved in any decisions as to their own remuneration. 

Non-Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors are appointed under arrangements that may generally be terminated by either party on six months notice and 
their appointment is reviewed annually. The fees of the Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Executive Directors, taking into 
account the time and responsibility of each role. Additional fees relate to the supplementary fee paid to the Chairmen of the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees. 

Non-Executive Directors receive travel expenses but do not participate in any incentive arrangements. All Non-Executive Directors have 
confirmed that, save as disclosed in the single figures of remuneration tables above, they have not received any other items in the nature of 
remuneration. Further details of the Non-Executive Director fees are outlined below.

Element of remuneration

Purpose and how it supports strategy

Non-Executive Director fees and 
benefits

Reflects time commitments, 
responsibilities of each role, fees 
paid and benefits provided by 
similar sized companies

Framework used to assess performance

Non-Executive Directors do 
not participate in variable pay 
arrangement and do not receive 
retirement benefits

How the element operated and maximum 
opportunity

As per the Executive Directors 
there is no prescribed maximum 
annual increase. The Board is 
guided by the general increase 
in the Non-Executive Director 
market and the broader employee 
population but on occasion may 
need to recognise, for example, 
an increase in the scale, scope or 
responsibility of the role. Current 
fee levels are set out on page 51

Service Agreements
Executive Director service contracts, including arrangements for early termination, are carefully considered by the Committee and are 
designed to recruit, retain and motivate Directors of the quality required to manage the Company. The service contract of each Executive 
Director is not fixed term and is terminable by either party giving not less than 12 months’ notice in writing. The Executive Directors’ contracts 
are available to view throughout the year at the Company’s registered office and at the Annual General Meeting. The Remuneration 
Committee reviews the contractual terms for new Executive Directors to ensure they reflect best practice. Details of the service contracts for 
the Executive Directors and letters of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors are as follows:

Executive Director

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

Non-Executive Directors

Peter Allen

Steve Bellamy

Penny Freer

Peter Steinmann

Unexpired Term (months) 
or Rolling Contract

Notice Period 
(months)

Date of Contract

3 May 2005

28 June 1999

Rolling Contract

Rolling Contract

4 December 2013

Rolling Contract

1 February 2007

Rolling Contract

1 March 2010

1 July 2013

Rolling Contract

Rolling Contract

12

12

6

6

6

6

Policy on Payment for Loss of Office – Executive Directors
The Remuneration Committee considers the circumstances of individual cases of early termination and determines compensation on a case-
by-case basis accordingly, taking into account the relevant contractual terms, the circumstances of the termination and any applicable duty to 
mitigate. There are no special provisions in the event of loss of office or for payment in lieu of notice (PILON). The Remuneration Committee 
considers the circumstances of individual cases of early termination and determines compensation accordingly.

If such circumstances were to arise, the Executive Director concerned would have no claim against the Company for damages or any other 
remedy in respect of the termination. The Remuneration Committee would apply general principles of mitigation to any payment made to a 
departing Executive Director and will honour previous commitments as appropriate. 

The table below summarises how the awards under the Annual Bonus and 2014 LTIP are typically treated in different leaver scenarios and on 
a change of control. Whilst the Remuneration Committee retains overall discretion for determining ‘Good Leaver’ status, it typically defines a 
‘Good Leaver’ for the Annual Bonus and 2014 LTIP as circumstances which include retirement, ill health or injury, disability, redundancy and the 
employing company ceasing to be under the control of the Group. 

The 2014 DAB defines a ‘Good Leaver’ as ceasing to be a Director or employee of a Group Company where that individual is not a ‘Bad 
Leaver’. A ‘Bad Leaver’ is defined as a Director or employee leaving the business due to the Financial Statements requiring restatement. 
Final treatment is subject to the Committee’s discretion.

53

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRemuneration Report continued 

Event

Timing of vesting/award

Calculation of vesting/payment

Annual Bonus/DAB
‘Good Leaver’

Annual Bonus payment would be negotiated as part of the 
terms of the leaving arrangements (at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee)

Unvested Deferred Annual Bonus share awards vest at 
the normal vesting date (or earlier at the Remuneration 
Committee’s discretion)

No automatic entitlement to Annual Bonus on a pro-rata basis 
(at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee)

‘Bad Leaver’

Not applicable

Annual Bonuses are paid and unvested Deferred Share Bonus 
share awards vest on the date of notification to the Executive 
Directors regarding the change of control

Individuals lose the right to their Annual Bonus and unvested 
Deferred Annual Bonus share awards

Annual Bonus is paid only to the extent that any performance 
conditions have been satisfied and is pro-rated for the 
proportion of the financial year worked to the effective date of 
change of control

Change of control

LTIP
‘Good Leaver’

On normal vesting date (or earlier at the Remuneration 
Committee’s discretion)

Unvested awards vest to the extent that any performance 
conditions have been satisfied and a pro-rata reduction applies 
to the value of the awards to take into account the proportion 
of vesting period not served

‘Bad Leaver’

Unvested awards lapse

Unvested awards lapse on cessation of employment

Change of control

Unvested awards vest on the date of notification to the 
Executive Directors regarding the change of control

Unvested awards vest and a pro-rata reduction applies for the 
proportion of the vesting period not served

Outstanding deferred shares vest in full

Upon exit or change of control Deferred Share Bonus (DSB) awards will be treated in line with the DSB plan rules.

If employment is terminated by the Company, the departing Executive Director may have a legal entitlement (under statute or otherwise) to 
additional amounts, which would need to be met. In addition, the Committee retains discretion to settle other amounts reasonably due to the 
Executive Director.

In certain circumstances, the Committee may approve new contractual arrangements with departing Executive Directors including (but 
not limited to) settlement and/or consultancy arrangements. These will be used sparingly and only entered into where the Remuneration 
Committee believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to do so.

There are no agreements between the Group and its Directors or employees for loss of office or employment (whether through resignation, 
purported redundancy or otherwise) that occurs because of a takeover bid.

Payments to past Directors
No payments were made to past Directors during the year ended 31 December 2017.

Payments for Loss of Office
No payments for loss of office were made during the year ended 31 December 2017.

Statement of Directors’ Shareholdings and Share Interests

Director

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

Beneficially owned*  
at 31 December 
2016

Beneficially owned* 
at 31 December 
2017

Outstanding LTIP 
awards at 
31 December 
2017

Outstanding DAB 
awards at 
31 December 
2017

Outstanding share 
awards under DSB 
at 31 December 
2017

Shareholding 
as a % of Issued 
Share Capital 
at 31 December 
2017

1,190,322

1,828,129

1,485,530

1,961,119

421,440

327,825

 83,384

55,728

11,667

7,837

0.70%

0.92%

Executive Directors are required to hold shares worth 100% of pre-tax annual salary in Company shares in compliance with the Executive 
Shareholding Policy. Compliance with this policy as at 31 December 2017 is shown below:

Director

Shares held**

Vested DSB’s

LTIPs (50% of 
vested /
unexercised LTIPs)

DAB Awards

Total Shares

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

1,471,327

1,952,877

14,203

8,242

Nil

Nil

 83,384

1,568,914

55,728

2,016,847

Target 
shareholding
target (£)

270,300

209,100

Actual 
shareholding 
 value (£)

4,977,380

6,398,447

% vs 
holding target

1,841%

3,060%

* Includes all shares beneficially held by the Executive Director (or their spouses and children) and vested DSB’s.

**  Beneficially held by the Executive Director (or their spouses and children).

The shareholding as a % shown above is based on the share price as at 31 December 2017.

54

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017CEO Total Remuneration
The total remuneration figure for the Chief Executive Officer during each of the last five financial years is shown in the table below. The total 
remuneration figure includes the salary, Annual Bonus based on that year’s performance, gains made on DSBs in that year and LTIP awards 
based on the three-year performance periods ending in the relevant year. The Annual Bonus payout and LTIP vesting level as a percentage of 
the maximum opportunity are also shown for each of these years.

Year ended 31 December

Total remuneration (£’000)

Annual Bonus (% of maximum)

LTIP vesting (% of maximum)

2013

331

50.1%

– 

2014

 645

59.7%

61.5%

2015

741

78.76% 

55.1%

2016

784

72.5%

50%

2017 

1,040

82.6%

76.9%

Relative Importance of Spend on Pay
The following table shows the Company’s actual spend on pay (for all employees) relative to dividends, tax and profits for the year attributable 
to owners of the parent:

Year ended 31 December

Staff costs

Dividends1

Tax

Profits for the year attributable to owners of the parent

1  The dividend figures relate to amounts payable in respect of the relevant financial year.

2016 (£m)

2017 (£m)

change %

26.2

1.8

3.4

15.7

29.9

2.0

5.1

20.1

14.4%

14.9%

50.8%

28.3%

£1,365,000 (2016: £1,339,000) of the staff costs figure relate to pay for the Directors, of which £789,000 relates to the highest paid Director 
(2016: £778,000). Total pension contributions were £1,091,000 (2016: £988,000) and for the highest paid Director £27,000 (2016: £26,000). 

During 2017, distributions to shareholders included a dividend of £1,307,000 paid on 16 June 2017 (2016: £1,150,000) and £742,000 paid on 
27 October 2017 (2016: £633,000). It is proposed that a dividend of 0.75p per share be paid on 15 June 2018. Further details are provided in 
Note 14 on page 81.

Gender Pay Gap Reporting – Ensuring Opportunities for All
The full compliance statement can be found on pages 42 to 43 of the Corporate Governance Report and on the Company website 
‘www.admedsol.com/genderpay’.

Private Healthcare
Executive Directors and other senior employees are entitled to private healthcare and permanent health insurance.

Share Options
Employees, except for participants in the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), may be granted options over shares in the Company under the 
Company Share Option Plan and Executive Share Option Scheme, under which either approved or unapproved options may be granted. 
Options granted under these schemes are not offered at a discount.

The exercising of options under these schemes is conditional on certain performance conditions which are pre-determined by the 
Remuneration Committee. Options are exercisable normally only after the third anniversary of the date of grant (or such later time as may be 
determined at the time of grant) and cannot, in any event, be exercised later than the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. Awards will not 
vest if the Group is not profitable at the end of the performance period. Full details are included in Note 29 on pages 89 to 93.

Company Share Option Plan (CSOP)
The Company received approval for a Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) on 2 June 2010. This was adopted after HMRC approval on 
13 August 2010. This Plan allows relevant employees to receive up to £30,000 of Company shares by reference to the market value of these 
shares on the grant date and to benefit from the growth in value of those shares.

2009 Executive Share Option Scheme
Up until 2010, the Company was able to offer options under an Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) Scheme. The Company no longer 
satisfies the requirements for operating this scheme, however, options already granted will be allowed to vest in accordance with the 
scheme rules.

Share Performance - 2017
The opening share price for 2017 was 221.75p and the closing price, on the last trading day of the year, was 317.25p. The range during the year 
was 350p (high) and 209.5p (low) (Source: daily official list of the London Stock Exchange).

55

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsRemuneration Report continued 

Five-year Share Performance
For the five-year period ending 28 February 2018 the Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc share price has outperformed the FTSE All-Share 
Index by 363%, FTSE Techmark All-Share Index by 339%, FTSE All-Share Health Care Index by 358%, the FTSE Small Cap Index by 329%, and 
FTSE AIM All-Share Index by 344%.

)

0
0
1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(
e
c
i
r
p
e
r
a
h
S

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

AMS

FTSE All Share

FTSE Techmark All Share

FTSE All Share Health

FTSE Small Cap

FTSE AIM All Share

For the five-year period ending 28 February 2018 the Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Total Shareholder Return (TSR), defined as share 
price growth plus reinvested dividends, has outperformed the FTSE All-Share Index by 351%, FTSE Techmark All-Share Index by 329%, FTSE All-
Share Health Care Index by 345%, the FTSE Small Cap Index by 319%, and FTSE AIM All-Share Index by 344%.

AMS

FTSE All Share

FTSE Techmark All Share

FTSE All Share Health

FTSE Small Cap

FTSE AIM All Share

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

)

0
0
1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(

n
r
u
t
e
r

l

r
e
d
o
h
e
r
a
h
s

l

a
t
o
T

(

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2013

Mary Tavener
Company Secretary

17 April 2018

56

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 
For the year ended 31 December 2017

The Directors present their report, incorporating the Chairman’s Statement, the Strategic Report, the Governance reports, and the audited 
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2017.

Strategic Report
The Strategic Report can be found on pages 4 to 33. This report includes a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the development 
and performance of the business of the Group and a description of the main trends and factors likely to affect the future development, 
performance or position of the business at the end of the year, using key performance indicators where appropriate.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
A description of the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties can be found on pages 32 to 33, which forms part of the Strategic Report.

Research and Development
The Group attaches a high priority to research and development aimed at developing new products and updating existing products. 
The Group has expensed to the Income Statement in the year ended 31 December 2017 £2,052,000 (2016: £2,276,000) on research and 
development. In accordance with International Accounting Standards a further £860,000 (2016: £259,000) has been capitalised. Following a 
review of development £nil impairments were made in 2017 (2016: £125,000).

Dividends
The Group made a profit before tax for the year to 31 December 2017 of £25.3 million (2016: £19.1 million). The Directors are recommending 
payment of a final dividend of 0.75p per share (2016: 0.62p per share). The final dividend will, subject to shareholders’ approval, be paid on 
15 June 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 25 May 2018. This will make a total dividend of 1.10p for the full year 
(2016: 0.92p).

Post-Balance Sheet Events
There have been no adjusting or non-adjusting post-balance sheet events.

Key Performance Indicators
The Directors have monitored the performance of the Group with particular reference to the relevant key performance indicators:

 e Revenue growth (%) at constant currency
 e Adjusted1 operating margin (%)
 e Customer service (OTIF)2
 e Adjusted1 diluted Earnings per Share growth (%)
The Group monitors progress on a regular basis. Performance against the key performance indicators can be found on page 25. The Group 
intends to review its key performance indicators in 2018 to ensure that they continue to be the most relevant for the Group. 

Capital Structure
The Group is debt free. A five-year, £30 million, multi-currency, revolving, credit facility was agreed in December 2014 with an accordion 
option under which AMS can request up to an additional £20 million on the same terms. The facility is provided jointly by the Group’s banks 
HSBC and The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC. It is unsecured on the assets of the Group and is currently undrawn.

Going Concern
After making enquiries and on the basis outlined in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 38 to 42, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and for this reason they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

Share Listing
The Company’s Ordinary Shares are admitted to, and traded on, the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM), a 
market operated by the London Stock Exchange. Further information regarding the Company’s share capital, including movements during the 
year, are set out in Note 27 to the Financial Statements.

1  Before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets.

2  OTIF – ‘On time in full’.

57

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsDirectors’ Report continued
For the year ended 31 December 2017

Share Capital and Issue of Ordinary Shares
At 8 March 2018, the Group’s issued share capital comprised: 

Ordinary Shares of 5p each

Number

212,647,634

£000

10,632

% of Issued 
Share Capital 

100%

The issued share capital of the Company is set out in Note 27 to the financial statements on pages 88 and 89 .

Substantial Shareholdings
As at 6 April 2018 the Company had been notified of, in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, or was otherwise aware of, 
the following substantial interests of 3% or more in the Ordinary Share capital of the Company.

Octopus Investments Limited

AXA SA

BlackRock Inc

Cannacord Genuity Group Inc

Investec Group

Aviva plc

Schroders

Charles Stanley Group

8 March 18

20,739,259

16,632,986

15,892,747

13,995,238

11,857,384

9,317,308

9,072,050

7,763,296

% of Issued  

Share Capital

9.75

7.82

7.47

6.58

5.58

4.38

4.27

3.65

There has been no significant changes to the substantial shareholdings between 31 December 2017 and 6 April 2018. The top shareholders 
listed above remain the same as 31 December 2017.

Directors
The names of the current Directors together with brief biographies are shown on pages 34 and 35.

The Directors who were in office during the year ended 31 December 2017, the terms of the Directors’ service contracts and details of the 
Directors’ interests in the shares of the Company, together with details of share options granted and any other awards made to the Directors, 
are disclosed in the Remuneration Report commencing on page 47.

Directors are re-appointed by ordinary resolution at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders. The Board can appoint a Director during the 
year but that Director must be elected by an ordinary resolution at the next Annual General Meeting. Directors are subject to re-election at 
intervals of no more than three years, with the exception of Steve Bellamy who will be put forward for re-election annually. At the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting Chris Meredith and Steve Bellamy have indicated their willingness to be re-elected and will retire by rotation. 
The Directors continue to contribute effectively and demonstrate commitment to their roles. Details of the notice period in their service 
agreements are disclosed in the Remuneration Report on page 53.

Directors and their Interests
The Directors of the Company at 31 December 2017 and their interests, all of which are beneficially held, in the share capital of the 
Company were:

Chris Meredith

Mary Tavener

Steve Bellamy

Peter Allen

Penny Freer

Ordinary Shares of 5p each 31 December 2017

Ordinary Shares of 5p each 31 December 2016

Shares

1,482,079

1,959,691

100,000

50,000

13,888

DSBs

15,118

9,265

–

–

–

LTIPs Deferred Bonus2

Shares

421,440

327,825

 83,384

1,190,322

55,728

1,828,129

DSBs

28,995

16,516

LTIPs Deferred Bonus1

968,436

591,199

82,218

57,870

–

–

–

–

–

–

100,000

50,000

13,888

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1  Deferred Bonus shares are in respect of the bonus earned relating to the 2013. 2014 and 2015 financial years.

2  Deferred Bonus shares are in respect of the bonus earned relating to the 2013, 2014. 2015 and 2016 financial years.

Further details of the Directors’ remuneration and benefits are included in the Remuneration Report on pages 47 to 56.

58

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017The Board has agreed procedures for considering and, where appropriate, authorising Directors’ conflicts or potential conflicts of interest. 
Only independent Directors i.e. those who have no interest in the matter under consideration are able to take the relevant decision. In taking 
the decision the Directors must act in a way they consider, in good faith, will be most likely to promote the Company’s success. Directors will 
be able to impose limits or conditions when giving authorisation if they believe it is appropriate. The Board will report annually on the 
Company’s procedures for ensuring that the Board’s power of authorisation in respect of conflicts of interest operated effectively and that 
procedures have been followed. None of the Directors had any interest during or at the end of the year in any contract relating to the business 
of the Company or its subsidiaries.

Directors and Officers’ Liability Insurance
Insurance cover is in force in respect of the personal liabilities which may be incurred by Directors and Officers of the Company in the course 
of their service with the Group, as permitted by the Companies Act 2006. No cover is provided in respect of any fraudulent or dishonest act.

Employees
The Group depends on the skills and engagement of its employees in order to achieve its objectives. Staff at all levels are encouraged to 
make the fullest possible contribution to the Group’s success. The Group is an equal opportunities employer. It is committed to eliminating 
all forms of discrimination and to giving fair and equal treatment to all employees and job applicants in terms of recruitment, pay conditions, 
promotions, training and all employment matters regardless of age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership 
status, pregnancy, maternity and paternity, gender reassignment, religion or belief. An Equality Policy is in force which aims to ensure that 
all employees are selected, trained, compensated, promoted and transferred solely on the strength of their ability, skills, qualifications and 
merit. The aim is to encourage a culture in which all employees have the opportunity to develop as fully as possible in accordance with their 
individual abilities and the needs of the Group. The Group also believes that all employees have a right to work in an environment free from 
harassment and bullying, and there is an emphasis upon providing a safe and healthy working environment.

The Group ensures that every consideration is given to applications for employment from disabled persons. Should an employee become 
disabled, every effort would be made to retrain the employee if required and offer suitable alternative employment within the Group.

The Group’s policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through meetings, both formal and informal, those matters likely to affect 
employees’ interests. The Employees’ Consultative Committee in the UK, which comprises representatives of employees and management, 
and the Work’s Council in Germany meet regularly to discuss business issues and areas of concern.

Management also communicates with staff through regular team briefs. Details of policies, procedures and other information of interest are 
regularly updated and are easily accessed by all employees on the Group’s intranet page. The Group undertakes Employee Opinion Surveys 
and takes into account comments and feedback received when updating and formulating policies and procedures.

The Group’s aim is to recruit and retain sufficient skilled and motivated employees to meet the needs of the business. The Group operates to 
the internationally recognised medical device standard ISO 13485. Staff work within a defined quality system, and have Personal Development 
Plans that identify their training requirements to help them progress their careers and development. Employees are encouraged to become 
involved in the financial performance of the Group through participation in the Group’s share option plans and are incentivised directly through 
the Company’s bonus scheme, performance reviews and training and development opportunities.

Employee Share Schemes
Employees, except for participants in the Long-Term Incentive Plan (2014 LTIP), may be eligible after a period of service to be granted options 
over shares in the Company under the Company Share Option Plan or Executive Share Option Scheme. The Group received HMRC approval 
in 2010 to adopt a Company Share Option Plan (CSOP). Under the CSOP, employees are allowed to receive up to £30,000 of options in a tax-
efficient manner. Options granted under these schemes are not offered at a discount. Further details are included in the Remuneration Report 
on pages 47 to 56.

The Company also operates a Deferred Share Bonus Scheme (DSB) in which employees are invited to participate. The DSB encourages 
employee share ownership which helps to align the employees’ interests with those of the shareholders. The details of the DSB Scheme are 
provided in the Remuneration Report on page 50. The original DSB was set up in 2006 and having reached the end of its ten-year life a new 
DSB scheme was introduced on the same terms as the existing scheme following shareholder approval at the 2015 Annual General Meeting.

The Company no longer satisfies the requirements for granting tax-efficient options under its EMI scheme. Options already granted under this 
scheme will be allowed to vest in accordance with the rules of the scheme. 

2,200,000 Ordinary Shares (2016: 1,452,000) were issued during the year to employees exercising their share options and options over other 
share incentive schemes. Details are given in Note 29 to the Group Financial Statements.

Health and Safety
The Group is committed to high standards in health, safety and environmental performance. It is the Group’s policy to abide by, and where 
appropriate exceed, all laws, directives and regulations pertinent to its field of operations and to act in a manner so as to minimise the effects 
of its operations on the environment. The Group provides safe places and systems of work, safe plant and machinery, safe handling of 
materials and ensures appropriate information, instruction and training is given. Employees are encouraged to identify ‘near misses’ to ensure 
preventative actions are taken to avoid any unsafe work practices and a common All Incident Rate (AIR) reporting metric is used across the 
Group. Emphasis is placed on all employees having a responsibility to maintain a safe working environment. Health and Safety Committees at 
all sites assist with advice on safe working practices and ensure any corrective action is taken where necessary. Health and Safety reports are 
regularly received from Group sites and are reviewed by the Board. Regular audits are undertaken to evaluate compliance with Group policy. 
Health and Safety is a key component of the Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy.

59

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsDirectors’ Report continued
For the year ended 31 December 2017

Environment
AMS is focused on reducing our impact on the environment. The Group has operations across a number of countries, where local 
management drive environmental performance. Specific site level objectives are established to ensure compliance with local legislative 
requirements. The Company aims to adopt responsible environmental practices and to give consideration to minimising the impact on 
the environment. The facility at Winsford has been built with a high level of thermal insulation to reduce the Group’s carbon footprint. 
It incorporates a solar wall, a renewable energy source that captures the sun’s warmth and supplements the building’s heating system. 
Lighting is controlled by movement sensors to avoid wastage and the heating system is fully programmable. Air compressors were replaced 
providing both business contingency and energy reduction. Across the manufacturing sites in recent years less energy efficient plant such as 
steam humidifiers, pump systems, chillers and transformers have been replaced and upgraded.

2017 saw an increased emphasis on energy management and using energy more efficiently. We continue to monitor and optimise the energy 
resources at our manufacturing facilities across the Group. Examples of activity in this area includes the fitting of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in 
our warehouse at Winsford. A study of water usage at the Winsford site, which focused on managing our use of water, resulted in a significant 
reduction in water usage, highlighting our commitment to environmental compliance and management. Work on the warehouse extension 
at our Plymouth site has commenced and it will incorporate an energy efficient system for heating and lighting, and be insulated to the 
highest standard.

Evaluations of capital investment opportunities are ongoing to further reduce energy consumption. 2018 will demonstrate significant 
investment in both infrastructure and expertise. The UK manufacturing sites will apply for the ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard, which 
is an internationally recognised world class standard. 

Corporate Social Responsibility
AMS is committed to ensuring that the business operates in a responsible way across these key areas:

 e Employees
 e Ethical Standards
 e Health, Safety and Environment
 e Customer and Community
The Group has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy.

Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors are required to 
prepare the Group Financial Statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European 
Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have elected to prepare the Parent Company Financial Statements in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law including FRS 101 ‘Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’). Under company law the Directors must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.

In preparing the Parent Company Financial Statements the Directors are required to:

 e Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
 e Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
 e State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the 

Financial Statements; and

 e Prepare the Financial Statements on the Going Concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue 

in business.

In preparing the Group Financial Statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

 e Properly select and apply accounting policies;
 e Present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;
 e Provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users to understand the 

impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

 e Make an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements 
comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable 
steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of Financial Statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

60

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Responsibility Statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 e The Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the assets, 

liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

 e The Strategic Report and Directors’ Report include a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of 
the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face; and

 e The Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable, and provide the information necessary 

for shareholders to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy.

Auditor
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this Annual Report confirms that:

 e So far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s Auditor is unaware; and
 e The Director has taken all the steps that he/she ought to have taken as Director in order to make himself/herself aware of any relevant audit 

information and to establish that the Company’s Auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of S418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Deloitte LLP has expressed their willingness to continue in office as Auditor and a resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Proposed resolutions for the Annual General Meeting
Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 6 June 2018 are contained in the Notice of the 
Annual General Meeting on pages 100 to 102. In the opinion of the Directors, the passing of these resolutions is in the best interest of the 
shareholders. Details of the Special Business to be conducted are outlined below.

Special Business
The effect of Resolution 7, to be proposed at the meeting, would be to allow the Company to allot shares conferred by S551 of the Companies 
Act 2006.

The effect of Resolution 8, to be proposed at the meeting, would be to disapply the statutory pre-emption rights conferred by S570 of the 
Companies Act 2006.

The effect of Resolution 9, to be proposed at the meeting, would be to allow the Company to purchase its own shares conferred by S701 of 
the Companies Act 2006.

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.00 am on 6 June 2018 at 85 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7NQ. Details of the Notice of the 
Annual General Meeting are given on pages 100 to 102. The Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity for shareholders to question 
your Board and to meet informally with the executive management after the meeting.

On behalf of the Board

Mary Tavener
Company Secretary

17 April 2018

61

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsIndependent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc
Report on the audit of the Financial Statements

Opinion
In our opinion:

 e the Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of The Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2017 

and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 e the Group Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 

adopted by the European Union;

 e the Parent Company Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 

Accounting Practice including Financial Reporting Standard 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”; and

 e the Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
We have audited the Financial Statements of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) 
which comprise:

 e the Consolidated Income Statement;
 e the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income;
 e the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position;
 e the Parent Company Balance Sheet;
 e the Consolidated and Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity;
 e the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement; and
 e the related Consolidated Financial Statement Notes 1 to 31; and
 e the related Parent Company Financial Statement Notes 1 to 7.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group Financial Statements is applicable law and IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of The Parent Company Financial 
Statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 and The Parent Company 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.

Summary of our audit approach

Key audit matters
The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:

 e Identification of cash generating units and allocation of goodwill; and
 e Revenue recognition

Materiality
The materiality that we used for the Group Financial Statements was £1.2 million which was determined on the basis of approximately 5% of 
statutory profit before tax.

Scoping
We focused our Group audit scope on the UK, Germany and the Netherlands which were subject to a full audit. As a consequence of the audit 
scope determined, we achieved coverage of approximately 97% of revenue, 96% of profit before tax and 98% of net assets.

Conclusions relating to going concern
We are required by ISAs (UK) to report in respect of the following matters where:

 e the Directors’ use of the Going Concern basis of accounting in preparation of the Financial Statements is not appropriate; or 
 e the Directors have not disclosed in the Financial Statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the 

Group’s or The Parent Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months 
from the date when the Financial Statements are authorised for issue.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

62

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017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) that we identified. 
These matters included 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.
Identification of cash generating units and allocation of goodwill

Key audit matter description

How the scope of our audit 
responded to the key audit 
matter

The Group holds £42 million of goodwill which has been allocated against three cash generating units (CGU) as 
shown in Note 19. Identifying the CGU at the smallest group of assets which can largely generate independent 
cash inflows requires the exercise of judgement regarding the interdependency of assets across the Group, in 
particular where geographic spread of sites and product ranges exist within each segment. For specific detail on 
the Groups accounting policy, please see Note 3.

We have assessed the design and implementation of controls relating to the identification of CGU and 
allocation of goodwill.

We challenged management’s assumptions and conclusions regarding the identification of the CGU. As part of 
our procedures we:
 e assessed the impact of the internal Business Unit restructure upon the business operations;
 e reviewed how performance is monitored and decisions are made; 
 e evaluated management’s assertions of the extent of interdependency of generation of cash inflows across 

individual sites, products and customer groups; and

 e checked the allocation of goodwill is in line with management’s basis of aggregating previous CGU.

Key observations

Based on the procedures we have concluded that the CGU identified and allocation of goodwill were 
appropriate.

Key audit matter description

ISAs (UK) require that, as part of our overall response to the risk of fraud, when identifying and assessing the risks 
of material misstatement due to fraud, we evaluate which types of revenue or revenue transactions might give 
rise to potential fraud risks.

The Group sells medical devices across a number of Geographical regions. We have specifically focused this 
key audit matter to whether sales have occurred, particularly for periods where revenue patterns are different to 
prior year and budget. Pressures to meet stakeholder expectations could provide incentives to record revenues 
where risk and reward have not passed.

The associated disclosure is included within Note 4. For specific detail on the Group’s accounting policy, please 
see Note 3.

How the scope of our audit 
responded to the key audit 
matter

We performed walkthroughs of the revenue cycle at significant components to gain an understanding of when 
the revenue should be recognised, to map out the relevant controls end to end and the processes in place. We 
have assessed the design and implementation of these controls.

We tested a sample of individual sales transactions and traced to sales invoices, final sales contracts or purchase 
orders.

We performed analytic reviews to identify any unusual sales trends, including analysis of sales prices at a 
customer Group level.

We reviewed a sample of new contracts in the period and considered the appropriateness of the revenue 
recognition policies adopted, including identification of any rebate conditions or minimum order clauses.

We identified and considered the impact of any credit notes or inventory returns occurring after year-end, 
including evaluating the impact of any overdue debts from customers.

Key observations

We were satisfied that the revenue recognition policies have been applied appropriately. We noted no material 
instances of inappropriate revenue recognition arising from our testing.

63

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsIndependent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc
Report on the audit of the Financial Statements

Our application of materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the Financial Statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a 
reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in 
evaluating the results of our work.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the Financial Statements as a whole as follows:

Group Financial Statements

Parent company Financial Statements

Group materiality

£1.2 million

£1.08 million

Approximately 5% of profit before tax

Profit before tax is determined to be the most relevant 
performance measure to the users of the Financial 
Statements.

The Parent Company materiality represents less than 1% 
of equity which is capped at 90% of Group materiality.
As a non-trading Parent Company, equity is the key 
driver of the company.

Basis for determining 
materiality
Rationale for the  
benchmark applied

Materiality

Profit before tax
£25.3 million

Group materiality
£1.2 million

Component
materiality
range £0.53 million 
to £1.08 million

Audit committee 
reporting threshold
£0.06 million

Profit before tax

Group materiality

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of £60,000, as well as differences 
below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure 
matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the Financial Statements.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including Group-wide controls, and assessing 
the risks of material misstatement at the Group level.

Based on this assessment, we focused our Group audit scope on the UK, Germany and Netherlands, with the UK and Germany subject to a full 
audit and Netherlands specified procedures. As a consequence of the audit scope determined, we achieved coverage of 97% of the Group’s 
revenue, 96% of the Group’s profit before tax and 98% of the Group’s net assets. Our audit work at each location was executed at levels of 
materiality applicable to each individual entity which was lower than Group materiality. Component materiality ranged from £0.53 million to 
£1.08 million. 

The Group audit team are responsible for the audit of all components within the Group except for Germany, Russia and Czech Republic which 
are the responsibility of the component auditor Deloitte & Touche GmbH. During the year, senior members of the Group audit team have 
engaged in regular communications with Deloitte & Touche GmbH. We include the component audit team in our team briefing, discuss their 
risk assessment, attend the close meeting and review documentation of the findings from their work.

At the parent entity level we also tested the consolidation process and carried out analytical procedures to confirm our conclusion that there 
were no significant risks of material misstatement of the aggregated financial information of the remaining components (Russia, Czech 
Republic, and the US components) not subject to audit.

Other information
The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other 
than the Financial Statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the 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.

In connection with our audit of the Financial Statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether 
the other information is materially inconsistent with the Financial Statements or our knowledge obtained in 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 Financial Statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

64

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the 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 Financial Statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the Financial Statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and The Parent Company’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 The Parent Company 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 the 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 for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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 so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an 
auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other 
than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

 e 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 Financial Statements; and

 e the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and or The Parent Company and their environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we have not identified any material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

 e we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
 e adequate accounting records have not been kept by The Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or

 e the Parent Company Financial Statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration have not 
been made.

We have nothing to report in respect of this matter.

Rachel Argyle (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
Manchester

17 April 2018

65

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNote

4

Year ended 
31 December 
2017

Total 
£’000

96,908

(38,504)

58,404

(1,130)

(32,184)

150

Before 
exceptional
items 
£’000

83,242

(35,194)

48,048

(1,047)

(27,535)

–

4, 5

25,240

19,466

11

12

13

15

15

15

147

(110)

25,277

(5,143)

20,134

9.52p

9.39p

9.46p

108

(111)

19,463

(3,410)

16,053

7.65p

7.55p

7.66p

Year ended 31 December 2016 (restated)

Exceptional
 items 
£’000

–

–

–

–

(361)

–

(361)

–

–

(361)

–

(361)

(0.17p)

(0.17p)

(0.17p)

Total 
£’000

83,242

(35,194)

48,048

(1,047)

(27,896)

–

19,105

108

(111)

19,102

(3,410)

15,692

7.48p

7.38p

7.49p

Year ended 
31 December 
2017 
£’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2016
£’000 

20,134

15,692

2,187

4,192

6,379

26,513

8,851

(3,009)

5,842

21,534

Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2017

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Distribution costs

Administration costs

Other income

Profit from operations 

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before taxation 

Income tax

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted diluted

The above results relate to continuing operations.

Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2017

Profit for the year

Items that will potentially be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Gain / (loss) arising on cash flow hedges

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

66

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
Consolidated Statement Of Financial Position
For the year ended 31 December 2017

Assets

Non-current assets

Acquired intellectual property rights

Software intangibles

Development costs

Goodwill

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Trade and other receivables

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Other taxes payable

Non-current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Share-based payments reserve

Investment in own shares

Share-based payments deferred tax reserve

Other reserve

Hedging reserve

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Note

2017
£’000

2016
£’000 

16

16

16

19

17

18

21

20

21

22

23

23

18

27

28

28

28

28

9,675

3,078

2,135

41,801

17,019

199

286

9,468

2,500

1,645

40,337

16,177

 – 

10

74,193

70,137

11,073

20,950

 48 

62,454

94,525

11,440

11,872

 432 

51,125

74,869

168,718

145,006

10,547

2,290

15

12,852

310

3,120

3,430

16,282

152,436

10,632

34,778

4,676

(152)

815

1,531

658

2,823

96,675

152,436

12,901

2,049

85

15,035

1,291

3,152

4,443

19,478

125,528

10,524

34,005

3,469

(152)

459

1,531

(3,534)

636

78,590

125,528

The Financial Statements of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (registration number 2867684) on pages 66 to 93 were approved by the 
Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 17 April 2018 and were signed on its behalf by:

Chris Meredith
Chief Executive Officer

17 April 2018

67

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsShare
capital
£’000

Share
premium
£’000

Share–
based
payments
£’000

Investment
in own
Shares
£’000

Share-based
payments 
deferred tax
£’000

10,451

33,196

2,253

(152)

437

Other
reserve
£’000

1,531

Hedging
reserve
£’000

Translation
reserve
£’000

Retained 
earnings
£’000

Total
£’000

(525)

(8,215)

64,681

103,657

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(449)

449

 – 

(152)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(484)

 484 

 – 

(152)

 – 

 – 

 – 

22

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

15,692

15,692

(3,009)

(3,009)

8,851

8,851

 – 

5,842

 15,692 

21,534

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1,252

868

(449)

449

(1,783)

(1,783)

459

1,531

(3,534)

636

78,590

125,528

 – 

 – 

 – 

 356 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

20,134

20,134

4,192

4,192

 2,187 

 – 

 6,379 

 2,187 

 20,134 

 26,513 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1,635

 809 

(484)

484

(2,049)

(2,049)

815

1,531

658

2,823

96,675

152,436

Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Equity
Attributable to equity holders of the Group

At 1 January 2016
Consolidated profit for the year to 
31 December 2016
Other comprehensive (expense)/
income

Total comprehensive income

Share-based payments

Share options exercised

Shares purchased by EBT

Shares sold by EBT

Dividends paid

At 31 December 2016
Consolidated profit for the year 
to 31 December 2017

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Share-based payments

Share options exercised

Shares purchased by EBT

Shares sold by EBT

Dividends paid

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

73

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1,230

809

 – 

 – 

 – 

(14)

 – 

 – 

 – 

10,524

34,005

3,469

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

108

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

773

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1,279

(72)

 – 

 – 

 – 

At 31 December 2017

10,632

34,778

4,676

68

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2017

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit from operations

Adjustments for:

Depreciation

Amortisation

– intellectual property rights

– software intangibles

– development costs 

Impairment of development costs

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

Increase in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Share-based payments expense

Taxation

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of software

Capitalised research and development

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Disposal of property, plant and equipment

Interest received

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Dividends paid

Finance lease 

Issue of equity shares

Shares purchased by EBT

Shares sold by EBT

Interest paid

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2016
£’000

25,240

19,105

2,053

1,898

134

415

380

–

505

(8,627)

73

1,279

(4,486)

16,966

(958)

(860)

(2,901)

264

147

242

329

441

 125 

(2,005)

(674)

1,199

1,230

(2,065)

19,825

(795)

(259)

(1,523)

41

109

(4,308)

(2,427)

(2,049)

(1,783)

–

809

(484)

484

(110)

(1,350)

11,308

51,125

21

62,454

(1)

868

(449)

449

(111)

(1,027)

16,371

34,201

553

51,125

69

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements

1  Reporting entity
Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (“the Company”) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales 
(registration number 2867684). The Company’s registered address is Premier Park, 33 Road One, Winsford Industrial Estate, Cheshire, CW7 3RT.

The Company’s Ordinary Shares are traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the 
Company for the twelve months ended 31 December 2017 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”).

The Group is primarily involved in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of novel high performance polymers (both natural 
and synthetic) for use in advanced woundcare dressings and materials, medical adhesives for closing and sealing tissue, and sutures and 
haemostats for sale into the global medical device market. 

2  Basis of preparation
The Group accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), as adopted by the EU. 
The Financial Statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis of accounting except as disclosed in the accounting policies set 
out below.

The individual Financial Statements for each Group Company are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which 
it operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the results and financial position of each 
Group Company are expressed in Pounds Sterling, which is the functional currency of the Company and the presentation currency for the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In carrying out their duties in respect of going concern, the Directors have carried out a review of the Group’s financial position and cash flow 
forecasts for the next 12 months. These have been based on a comprehensive review of revenue, expenditure and cash flows, taking into 
account specific business risks and the current forecast economic environment for the next 12 months. 

With regards to the Group’s financial position, it had cash and cash equivalents at the year end of £62.5 million. The Group also has in place a 
five-year, unsecured, multi-currency, revolving credit facility for £30 million which was undrawn during 2017.

While the current economic environment is uncertain, the Group operates in markets whose demographics are favourable, underpinned by 
an increasing need for products to treat chronic and acute wounds. Consequently, market growth is predicted. The Group has a number of 
contracts with customers across different geographic regions and also with substantial financial resources, ranging from government agencies 
through to global healthcare companies.

Having taken the above into consideration, the Directors have reached a conclusion that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks 
in the current economic environment. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

In the current year the Group has applied a number of amendments to IFRSs issued by the IASB. Their adoption has not had a material impact 
on the disclosures or on the amounts reported in the Annual Financial Statements. The following amendments were applied:

 e Amendments to IAS 7, Disclosure Initiative
 e Amendments to IAS 12, Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses
 e Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2014-16 Cycle, specifically amendments to IFRS 12, Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
IFRS 15 is effective for annual periods beginning 1 January 2018 and will replace IAS 11 Construction Contracts and IAS 18 Revenue. 
The standard establishes a principles based approach for revenue recognition and is based on the concept of recognising revenue for 
obligations only when they are satisfied and the control of goods or services is transferred. It applies to all contracts with customers, except 
those in the scope of other standards. It replaces the separate models for goods, services and construction contracts under the current 
accounting standards. The Group has decided to adopt the standard early with effect for the year ended 31 December 2017. As a result of the 
early adoption, Other Income of £709,000 (excluding the £2,504,000 royalty income from Organogenesis) has been re-classified as Revenue 
(2016: £621,000). The impact on Profit before Taxation is £nil (2016: £nil).

3  Accounting policies

Critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the course of preparing the Financial Statements, no critical judgements have been made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting 
policies, nor are there any key sources of estimation uncertainty that exist which may cause a material impact in the next 12 months.

Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies 
of an entity so as to retain benefits from its activities. The Financial Statements of the subsidiaries are included in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements on the basis of acquisition accounting, from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Intercompany transactions and balances between Group entities are eliminated upon consolidation.

Business combinations
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the purchase method. The cost of the acquisition is measured at the aggregate of the 
fair values, at the date of exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, the equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange 
for control of the acquiree, plus any costs directly attributable to the issue of debt or equity. Acquisition related expenses are accounted for as 
expenses in the period in which the costs are incurred and the services rendered, with the exception of directly attributable costs incurred as 
a result of raising equity, which are off-set against share premium, and raising debt, which are capitalised and amortised over the term of the 
debt. The acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 are recognised 
at their fair value at the acquisition date, except for non-current assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with 
IFRS 5 Non-Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, which are recognised and measured at fair value less costs to sell.

70

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised 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. If, after 
reassessment, the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost 
of the business combination, the excess is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Goodwill
Goodwill arising in a business combination is recognised as an asset at the date that control is acquired (the acquisition date). Goodwill is 
measured as the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities of a subsidiary or associate at the date of acquisition. If after restatement, the Group’s interest in the net fair value of 
the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business combination, the excess is recognised 
immediately in profit or loss.

Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each 
of the Group’s cash-generating units expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has 
been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the 
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce 
the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to assets of the unit on a pro-rata basis. An impairment loss recognised for 
goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.

Revenue recognition
The Group manufactures and sells a range of innovative and technologically advanced products for the global surgical, woundcare and wound 
closure markets. Sales are recognised when control of the products has transferred to the customer in accordance with the contractual 
shipping terms, the customer has discretion over the channel and price to sell the products in accordance with the sales contract, and there is 
no unfulfilled obligation that could affect the customer’s acceptance of the products. Transfer occurs when the products have been shipped 
to the specific location, the risks of obsolescence and loss have been transferred to the customer, and either the customer has accepted the 
products in accordance with the sales contract, the acceptance provisions have lapsed, or the Group has objective evidence that all criteria for 
acceptance have been satisfied.

Occasionally, the products are sold with volume discounts based on aggregate sales over a 12 month period. Revenue from these sales is 
recognised based on the price specified in the contract, net of the estimated volume discounts. The Group recognised £92.6 million revenue 
in the year ended 31 December 2017 (2016: £81.8 million). Accumulated experience and customer-provided forecasts is used to estimate 
and provide for the discounts, using the expected value method, and revenue is only recognised to the extent that it is highly probable that a 
significant reversal will not occur. No element of finance is deemed present as the sales are made with a credit term of up to 90 days, which is 
consistent with market practice. A receivable is recognised when the goods are transferred as this is the point in time that the consideration is 
unconditional because only the passage of time is required before the payment is due. 

The Group also recognises revenue from royalty income receivable under licence agreements from external customers at amounts excluding 
value added tax as the products under licence are sold and the revenue can be reliably measured. For the year ended 31 December 2017, 
£3.3 million (2016: £0.8 million) revenue from royalty income was recognised.

Other income
Other income relates to tax credits received under the UK Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) scheme and is recognised in 
the Income Statement in the same period in which the expense is incurred.

Exceptional items
Exceptional items are those items that are significant for separate disclosure by virtue of their size, nature or incidence, or that the Directors 
consider should be disclosed separately to enable a full understanding of the Group’s financial performance. This includes non-recurring 
transaction costs (see Note 6). Exceptional items have been presented separately on the face of the Income Statement. The Directors consider 
that this presentation gives a fairer presentation of the results of the Group.

Finance income
Finance income relates to interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and investments. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference 
to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable.

Finance costs
Finance costs relate to finance payments associated with financial liabilities. They are recognised in the Income Statement as they accrue using 
the effective interest method.

Finance costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily 
take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are 
substantially ready for their intended use.

Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted 
from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an 
outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the 
amount of the obligation.

71

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

3  Accounting policies continued

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies at the Balance Sheet date are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange 
differences arising on translation are recognised in the Income Statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of 
historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. 

Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated at foreign exchange rates ruling 
at the date the fair value was determined.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated at foreign 
exchange rates ruling at the Balance Sheet date. The revenue and expenses of foreign operations are translated at an average rate for the 
period unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly. Exchange differences arising on consolidation are recognised in equity within the Group’s 
translation reserve. Such translation differences are recognised as income or expense in the period in which the operation is disposed of.

Hedging
The Group designates certain hedging instruments, which include derivatives, embedded derivatives and non-derivatives in respect of foreign 
currency risk, as either fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, or hedges of net investments in foreign operations. Hedges of foreign exchange 
risk on firm commitments are accounted for as cash flow hedges. At the inception of the hedge relationship, the entity documents the 
relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking 
various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging 
instrument is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item. Note 24 sets out details of the fair values of 
the derivative instruments used for hedging purposes. Movements in the hedging reserve in equity are detailed in the Consolidated Statement 
of Changes in Equity.

Taxation
Taxation expense includes the amount of current income tax payable and the charge for the year in respect of deferred taxation.

The income tax payable is based on an estimation of the amount due on the taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit is different from Profit 
before Taxation as reported in the Income Statement because it excludes items of income or expenditure which are not taxable or deductible 
in the year as a result of either the nature of the item or the fact that it is taxable or deductible in another period. The Group’s liability for current 
tax is calculated by using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the Balance Sheet date.

Deferred tax is accounted for on a basis of temporary differences, except to the extent where it arises from the initial recognition of goodwill 
or of an asset or liability in a transaction where it is probable the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax 
assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which temporary differences can 
be utilised.

Deferred tax is charged or credited to the Income Statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which 
case it is dealt with within equity. It is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability 
is settled based on tax laws enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Intangible assets

Acquired intellectual property rights
Intellectual property rights that are acquired in a business combination are initially recognised at their fair value. Intellectual property rights 
purchased outright are initially recognised at cost. Intellectual property rights are capitalised and amortised over their estimated useful 
economic lives. In determining the useful economic life each asset is reviewed separately and consideration given to the period over which 
the Group expects to derive economic benefit from the asset.

Development costs
Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge, is recognised in the Income 
Statement as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

Expenditure on development activities, where research findings are applied to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially 
improved products and processes, is capitalised once it can be demonstrated that the product or process is clearly identifiable, technically 
and commercially feasible, will generate future economic benefits, that the development costs of the asset can be measured reliably and 
the Group has sufficient resources to complete development. Expenditure capitalised is stated as the cost of materials and direct labour less 
accumulated amortisation.

Where development expenditure results in new or substantially improved products or processes and it is probable that recovery will take 
place, it is capitalised and amortised on a straight-line basis over the product’s useful life starting from the date on which serial production 
commences, which is between one and ten years. Patents and trademarks are measured initially at purchase cost and are amortised on a 
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which is between three and 20 years.

Software intangibles
Where computer software is not integral to an item of property, plant or equipment its costs are capitalised and categorised as intangible 
assets. Amortisation is provided on a straight-line basis over its economic useful life, which is in the range of three to ten years.

72

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Property, plant and equipment
Land and buildings and plant and equipment held for use in the production of goods and services or for administrative purposes are carried in 
the Balance Sheet at cost less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The Group elected to use the fair value as the deemed cost in respect of land and buildings at the date of transition to IFRS. Fair value was 
calculated by reference to their existing use at the date of transition.

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost, less estimated residual values, of all property, plant and equipment, over the expected useful life 
of the asset from the date that the asset is brought into use. It is calculated at the following rates:

 e Freehold property and improvements  – 4% per annum on cost
 e Leasehold improvements 
 e Plant and machinery 
 e Fixtures and fittings 
 e Motor vehicles 

– 25% per annum on cost

– 33.3% per annum on cost

– over the length of the lease

– 6.7% to 33.3% per annum on cost

Property, plant and equipment in the course of construction for production are carried at cost, less any recognised impairment loss. 
Depreciation of these assets, on the same basis as other property, plant and equipment assets, commences when the assets are ready for their 
intended use.

No depreciation is provided on freehold land.

Impairment of intangible and intangible assets excluding goodwill
The carrying amount of the Group’s assets other than inventories and deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each balance sheet date to 
determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. 
Impairment losses are recognised in the Income Statement.

Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash-generating units are allocated to reduce the carrying amount of the assets in the unit on a pro 
rata basis. A cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash 
inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Calculation of recoverable amount
The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell or value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money.

Reversal of impairment
An impairment loss in respect of a receivable carried at amortised cost is reversed if the subsequent increase in recoverable amount can be 
related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised.

In respect of other assets, an impairment loss is reversed when there is an indication that the impairment loss may no longer exist and there 
has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount.

An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been 
determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

Inventory
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs 
that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition and an attributable proportion of manufacturing 
overheads based on normal levels of activity.

Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less further costs to completion and disposal.

The Group makes provision for inventory deemed to be irrecoverable or where the net realisable value is lower than cost. This provision is 
established on a stock keeping unit (SKU) basis by reference to the age of the stock, the forward order book, management’s experience and its 
assessment of the present value of estimated future cash flow.

Financial Instruments

Classification of financial instruments
Financial instruments are classified as financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments.

Financial instruments issued by the Group are treated as equity only to the extent that they meet the following two conditions:

 e They include no contractual obligations upon the Group to deliver cash or other financial assets that are potentially unfavourable to the 

Group; and 

 e Where the instrument will or may be settled in the Group’s own equity instruments, it is either a non-derivative that includes no obligation 
to deliver a variable number of the Group’s own equity instruments or is a derivative that will be settled by the Group exchanging a fixed 
amount of cash or other financial assets for a fixed number of its own equity instruments.

To the extent that this definition is not met, the proceeds of issue are classified as a financial liability.

73

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

3  Accounting policies continued
Recognition and valuation of financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and cash deposits and amounts under short-term guarantees usually three 
months or less that are held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash commitments and are subject to insignificant risk in change in value 
and which are readily convertible to a known amount of cash. Cash held in accounts with more than 90 days’ notice that are not required to 
meet short-term cash commitments are shown as an investment.

Investments
Cash held in accounts with more than 90 days’ notice that are not required to meet short-term cash commitments are shown as an 
investment. The Group invests funds which are surplus to requirements in fixed rate deposits operating within parameters for credit ratings and 
credit limits for individual institutions that are approved and monitored by the Board.

Under IAS 39 ‘Financial instruments; recognition and measurement’, such investments are classified as loans and receivables and are 
recognised at fair value on initial recognition and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are recognised and carried at the lower of their original invoiced value and recoverable amount. An impairment is made 
when it is likely that the balance will not be recovered in full. The recoverable amount is calculated as the present value of estimated future 
cash flows. Estimated future cash flows are not discounted due to the relatively short period of time between recognition of trade receivables 
and receipt of cash.

Recognition and valuation of equity instruments
Equity instruments are stated at par value. Any premium on issue is taken to the share premium account.

Recognition and valuation of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into.

Trade payables
Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Other loans
Other loans are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently recognised at amortised cost.

Financial liabilities at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss (‘FVTPL’)
A derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument is classified as held for trading. Financial liabilities are classified as at 
FVTPL where the financial liabilities are held for trading.

Financial liabilities at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss recognised in profit or loss. Fair value is determined in the 
manner described in Note 24.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rate risk. Further details of derivative 
financial instruments are disclosed in Note 24 to the Financial Statements.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their 
fair value at each Balance Sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss (administrative costs) immediately unless the 
derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in profit or loss depends on the 
nature of the hedge relationship. The Group currently designates certain derivatives as hedges of highly probable forecast transactions or 
hedges of foreign currency risk of firm commitments (cash flow hedges). A derivative with a positive fair value is recognised as a financial asset 
whereas a derivative with a negative fair value is recognised as a financial liability.

Derivatives with remaining maturity of less than 12 months are presented as current assets or current liabilities.

Leased assets
Leases are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group. 
All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held as finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease 
payments during the lease term at the inception of the lease. Lease payments are apportioned between the reduction of the lease liability and 
finance charges in the Income Statement so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Assets held under 
finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the assets and the lease term.

Assets leased under operating leases are not recorded on the Balance Sheet. Rental payments are charged directly to the Income Statement. 
Lease incentives, primarily up-front cash payments or rent-free periods, are capitalised and spread over the period of the lease term on a 
straight line basis unless another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern of the users’ benefit. Payments made to acquire 
operating leases are treated as prepaid lease expenses and amortised over the life of the lease.

Pensions
The Group operates a money purchase pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in an 
independently administered fund. The amount charged against the Income Statement represents the contributions payable to the scheme in 
respect of the accounting period.

74

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Share-based payments
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 ‘Share-based payments’. IFRS has been applied to all options granted after 7 November 
2002 that were unvested as of 1 January 2006.

The Group issues equity–settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value 
at the date of grant. The fair value as determined at the grant date of equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis 
over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of options that will eventually vest. At each Balance Sheet date the Group revises its 
estimate of the number expected to vest as a result of the effect of non-market based vesting conditions. The impact, if any, is recognised in 
profit or loss with a corresponding adjustment to reserves.

Fair value is measured by use of a Black-Scholes Merton or Monte Carlo model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based 
on management’s best estimate, for the effect of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Capital management
For the year ended 31 December 2017, the Group had net funds with no borrowings. Capital is managed by maximising retained 
profits. Working capital is managed in order to generate maximum conversion of these profits into cash and cash equivalents thereby 
maintaining capital.

Capital includes share capital, share premium, investment in own shares, share-based payments reserve, share-based payments deferred tax 
reserve, other reserve, translation reserve and retained earnings reserve. There are no externally imposed capital requirements on the Group.

Employee Benefit Trusts
The Group operates an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT): ‘Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc UK Employee Benefit Trust’.

The Group has de facto control of the assets, liabilities and shares held by the Trust and bear their benefits and risks. The Group records assets 
and liabilities of the Trust as its own.

In compliance with IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation Group’, shares held by the EBT are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet 
as a reduction in equity. Gains and losses on Group shares are recognised directly in reserves.

IFRS not yet effective and not adopted early
New accounting standards not yet applied

At the date of authorisation of the Annual Financial Statements, the following new and revised IFRSs that are potentially relevant to the Group, 
and which have not been applied in the Annual Financial Statements, were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been 
adopted by the EU):

 e IFRS 9, Financial Instruments – effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.
 e IFRIC 22, Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration – effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.
 e Amendments to IFRS 2, Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions – effective for accounting periods beginning 

on or after 1 January 2018.

 e Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2014-16 Cycle, IFRS 1 and IAS 28 Amendments – effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 

1 January 2018.

 e IFRS 16, Leases – effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.
 e IFRIC 23, Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments – effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the standards listed above will have a material impact on the Financial Statements of the 
Group in future periods, except as follows:

IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning 1 January 2019 and will replace IAS 17 Leases. The standard represents a significant change 
in the accounting and reporting of leases for lessees as it provides a single lessee accounting model. As such it requires lessees to recognise 
assets and liabilities for all leases unless the underlying asset has a low value or the lease term is 12 months or less. The standard may also 
require the capitalisation of a lease element of contracts held by the Group which under the existing accounting standard would not be 
considered a lease. Early adoption is permitted if IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ has also been applied, however the Group 
does not expect to undertake this option.

As at 31 December 2017, the Group holds a number of operating leases, which currently, under IAS 17, are expensed on a straight line basis 
over the lease term. The Group has made the following estimates of the approximate impacts of adopting the new standard, which are 
sensitive to all changes up to the application date. If the standard had been adopted in the current year, a depreciation charge of around 
£1.0 million in relation to the right-of-use asset and a finance expense charge of around £0.6 million would have been recognised in place 
of the operating lease charge of £1.3 million. In addition, a right-of-use asset and largely offsetting lease liability of approximately £11.0 million 
would be recognised in the statement of financial position.

75

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

4  Segment information
The Group has reviewed its business structure and has consolidated its Business Units from four to two. The Branded Direct and Branded 
Distributed Business Units have now been combined into the Branded Business Unit which is responsible for selling, marketing and innovation 
of all AMS branded products, whether sold directly by our sales teams or through our distributors. The OEM and Bulk Business Units have been 
consolidated within the OEM Business Unit and is responsible for the distribution, marketing and innovation of the Group’s products that are 
supplied to our medical device partners under their brands. This new structure provides improved marketing efficiencies and supports the 
strategic initiatives of the Group, and is the level at which the Board reviews and evaluates performance.

The Group’s strategic initiatives continue to be:

 e Growing the business by investing in R&D
 e Extending the markets for our existing products
 e Evaluating acquisition opportunities that align with the Group’s strategy

Segment information about these businesses is presented below with the comparative information restated to align with the new 
segmental structure.

Year ended 31 December 2017

Revenue

External sales

Result

Segment result

Unallocated expenses

Profit from operations

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit for the year

At 31 December 2017

Other information

Capital additions:

Software intangibles

Research & development

Property, plant and equipment

Depreciation and amortisation

Balance sheet

Assets

Segment assets

Unallocated assets

Consolidated total assets

Liabilities

Segment liabilities

Consolidated total liabilities

Year ended 31 December 2016 (restated)

Revenue

External sales

Result

Segment result

Unallocated expenses

Profit from operations

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit for the year

76

Branded
£’000

OEM
£’000

Consolidated
£’000

55,244

41,664

96,908

14,336

11,354

25,690

(450)

25,240

147

(110)

25,277

(5,143)

20,134

Branded
£’000

OEM
£’000

Consolidated
£’000

715

425

1,563

(1,192)

243

435

1,338

(1,790)

958

860

2,901

(2,982)

112,057

56,580

168,637

10,406

5,876

81

168,718

16,282

16,282

Branded
£’000

OEM
£’000

Consolidated
£’000

45,427

37,815

83,242

11,313

8,677

19,990

(885)

19,105

108

(111)

19,102

(3,410)

15,692

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017At 31 December 2016 (restated)

Other Information

Capital additions:

Software intangibles

Research & development

Property, plant and equipment

Depreciation and amortisation

Balance sheet

Assets

Segment assets

Unallocated assets

Consolidated total assets

Liabilities

Segment liabilities

Consolidated total liabilities

Branded
£’000

OEM
£’000

Consolidated
£’000

596

157

1,105

(1,310)

199

102

418

(1,600)

795

259

1,523

(2,910)

97,498

47,388

144,886

12,020

7,458

120

145,006

19,478

19,478

Geographic segments
The Group operates in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, with sales offices in Russia and a sales presence in the US. 
In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segment revenue is based on the geographical location of customers. 
Segment assets are based on the geographical location of the assets. 

The following table provides an analysis of the Group’s sales by geographical market, irrespective of the origin of the goods/services, based 
upon location of the Group’s customers:

United Kingdom

Germany

Europe excluding United Kingdom and Germany

United States of America

Rest of World

The following table provides an analysis of the Group’s total assets by geographical location.

United Kingdom

Germany
Europe excluding United Kingdom and Germany

United States of America

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

17,266

19,062

22,939

35,330

2,311

96,908

17,957

18,466

21,360

23,505

1,954

83,242

Year ended 31 
December 
2017
£’000

98,305

65,212
4,743

458

Year ended 31 
December  

2016
£’000 

80,580

59,950
3,962

514

168,718

145,006

77

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
Notes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

5  Profit from operations

Profit from operations is arrived at after charging:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of: 

–  acquired intellectual property rights

–  software intangibles

–  development costs

Impairment of development cost

Operating lease rentals 

– plant and machinery

– land and buildings

Research and development costs expensed to the Income Statement

Cost of inventories recognised as expense

Write down of inventories expensed

Staff costs

Net foreign exchange loss

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

2,053

1,898

134

415

380

–

248

1,005

2,052

36,516

1,448

29,920

2,427

242

329

441

125

253

917

2,276

33,498

634

26,162

1,271

6  Exceptional items
During 2017, no exceptional costs were incurred (2016: £0.4 million – relating to an acquisition that was not progressed in the year).

7  Auditor’s remuneration
Amounts payable to Deloitte LLP and their associates in respect of both audit and non-audit services:

Fees payable to the Company's auditor and their associates for the audit of the Company's annual accounts

Fees payable to the Company's auditor and their associates for other audit services to the Group

  – the audit of the Company's subsidiaries

Total audit fees

Audit related assurance services

Other services

Corporate finance services relating to an aborted acquisition

Total non audit fees

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

 18 

 97 

 115 

 13 

 6 

 –

 19 

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

 13 

 71 

 84 

 13 

 4 

 114 

 131 

 134

 215 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor, Deloitte LLP and its associates, for non-audit services to the Company are not required to be disclosed 
in subsidiaries’ accounts because the Consolidated Financial Statements are required to disclose such fees on a consolidated basis.

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Governance section of the Annual Report which includes explanations of 
how the audit objectivity and independence is safeguarded when non-audit service are provided by the Auditor.

78

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
8  Employees
The average monthly number of employees of the Group during the year, including Executive Directors, was as follows:

Production

Research and development

Sales and marketing

Administration

Staff costs for all employees, including Executive Directors, consists of:

Wages and salaries

Social Security costs

Pension costs

Share-based payments (see Note 29)

9  Directors’ Emoluments

Remuneration for management services

Pension

Amounts paid to third parties

Share-based payments

Year ended 
31 December  
2017

343

36

128

96

603

Year ended 
31 December  

2016

303

30

120

86

539

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

23,697

20,979

3,853

1,091

1,279

2,965

988

1,230

29,920

26,162

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

1,046

48

66

395

1,555

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

967

52

65

442

1,526

Retirement benefits are accruing to the following number of Directors under money purchase schemes

2

2

10  Remuneration of Key Management Personnel
The key management of the Group comprises the Directors of the Group together with senior members of the management team. 
Their aggregate compensation is shown below:

Salaries and short-term employee benefits

Pension

Share-based payments

11  Finance Income

Bank interest

12  Finance costs

Amortisation of facility fees

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

2,286

100

740

3,126

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

 2,334 

 108 

 795 

 3,237 

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

147

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

 108 

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

 110 

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

 111 

79

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

13  Taxation 
a) Analysis of charge for the year

Current tax:

Tax on ordinary activities – current year

Tax on ordinary activities – prior year

Deferred tax:

Tax on ordinary activities – current year

Effect of reduction in UK corporation tax rates

Tax charge for the year

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

5,397

(296)

5,101

42

 – 

42

5,143

3,180

(358)

2,822

599

(11)

588

3,410

The Group has chosen to use a weighted average country tax rate rather than the UK tax rate for the reconciliation of the charge for the year 
to the profit per the Income Statement. The Group operates in several jurisdictions, some of which have a tax rate in excess of the UK tax rate. 
As such, a weighted average country tax rate is believed to provide the most meaningful information to the users of the Financial Statements.

b) Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The tax assessed for the year is lower (2016: lower) than the weighted average Group tax rate of 21.91% (2016: 22.11%) as explained below:

Profit before taxation

Weighted average Group tax rate 21.91% (2016:22.11%) 

Effects of:

Net expenses not deductible for tax purposes and other timing differences

Utilisation and recognition of trading losses 

Patent box relief

Net impact of deferred tax on capitalised development costs and R&D relief

Share-based payments

Adjustments in respect of prior year – current tax

Adjustments in respect of prior year and rate changes – deferred tax

Taxation

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

25,277

5,538

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

19,102

4,224

1

–

(310)

170

37

(293)

– 

19

(203)

(242)

(183)

(47)

(359)

 201 

5,143

3,410

Legislation to reduce the main rate of UK corporation tax to 17% was passed by Parliament in September 2016 to take effect from 1 April 2020. 
The reduction in the main rate to 17% had been substantively enacted at the Balance Sheet date and, therefore, the deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are calculated in these Financial Statements at this rate.

In addition to the amount charged to the Income Statement and other Comprehensive Income, the Group has recognised directly in equity:

 e Excess tax deductions related to share-based payments on exercised options
 e Changes in excess deferred tax deductions related to share-based payments, totalling £356,000 deficit: (2016: £22,000 deficit).

80

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 201714  Dividends
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:

Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016 of 0.62p (2015: 0.55p) per Ordinary Share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017 of 0.35p (2016: 0.30p) per Ordinary Share

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017 of 0.75p (2016: 0.62p) per Ordinary Share

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

 1,307 

 742 

 2,049 

 1,595 

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

 1,150 

 633 

 1,783 

 1,307 

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by the shareholders and has not been included as a liability in these Financial Statements.

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

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

Pre exceptional items

Post exceptional items

Number of shares

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share

Effect of dilutive potential Ordinary Shares: share options, deferred share bonus, LTIPs

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share being net profit attributable to equity holders 
of the parent

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusted profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Earnings per share

Basic – pre exceptional

Basic – post exceptional

Diluted – pre exceptional

Diluted – post exceptional

Adjusted basic (before exceptional items)

Adjusted diluted (before exceptional items)

Year ended 
31 December  
2017
£’000

Year ended 
31 December  

2016
£’000 

20,134

20,134

16,053

15,692

‘000

‘000

211,563

209,815

2,760

2,778

214,323

212,593

‘000

20,134

‘000

16,053

134

20,268

242

16,295

pence

9.52

9.52

9.39

9.39

9.58

9.46

pence

7.65

7.48

7.55

7.38

7.77

7.66

81

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

16  Acquired intellectual property rights, software intangibles and development costs

2017

Cost

At beginning of year

Additions

Disposals / impairment

Exchange differences

At end of year

Amortisation

At beginning of year

Charged in the year

Disposals / impairment

Exchange differences

At end of year

Net book value

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2016

Acquired
intellectual
property rights
£’000

Software
intangibles
£’000

Development
costs
£’000

Total
£’000

 12,897 

 – 

 – 

 340 

 13,237 

 3,429 

 134 

 – 

(1)

 3,724 

 958 

(14)

43

 3,735 

 860 

 – 

 11 

 20,356 

 1,818 

(14)

394

 4,711 

 4,606 

 22,554 

 1,224 

 415 

(14)

8

 2,090 

 380 

 – 

1

 6,743 

 929 

(14)

8

 3,562 

 1,633 

 2,471 

 7,666 

 9,675 

 9,468 

 3,078 

 2,500 

 2,135 

 1,645 

 14,888 

 13,613 

Acquired intellectual property rights were initially recognised on the acquisition of MedLogic Global Limited representing patents and on the 
acquisition of RESORBA® representing brand names, know-how and customer listings and contracts.

Intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis and the amortisation is recognised within administration costs, the largest intangible 
asset being RESORBA® ‘know-how’ which is being amortised over ten years with four years remaining, with the exception of the RESORBA® 
brand name, which the Directors believe has an unlimited useful economic life and has a carrying value of £9.2 million. In reaching this 
assessment, the Directors have considered that the RESORBA® brand has existed for over 80 years and is widely recognised as a market leader 
in the surgical market.

Acquired
intellectual
property rights
£’000

Software
intangibles
£’000

Development
costs
£’000

Total
£’000

 11,541 

 2,859 

 – 

 1,356 

 12,897 

 3,182 

 242 

 – 

 5 

 795 

 70 

 3,340 

 364 

31

 17,740 

 1,159 

1,457

 3,724 

 3,735 

 20,356 

 850 

 329 

 – 

45

 1,537 

 441 

 125 

(13)

 5,569 

 1,012 

 125 

37

 3,429 

 1,224 

 2,090 

 6,743 

 9,468 

 8,359 

 2,500 

 2,009 

 1,645 

 1,803 

 13,613 

 12,171 

2016

Cost

At beginning of year

Additions

Exchange differences

At end of year

Amortisation

At beginning of year

Charged in the year

Disposals / Impairment

Exchange differences

At end of year

Net book value

At 31 December 2016

At 31 December 2015

82

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 201717  Property, plant and equipment

Freehold land, 
property and
improvements
£’000

Short
leasehold
improvements
£’000

Plant and 
machinery
£’000

Fixtures
and
fittings
£’000

Motor
vehicles
£’000

Assets
under
construction 
£’000

2017

Cost

At beginning of year

Additions

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At end of year

Depreciation

At beginning of year

Provided for the year

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At end of year 

Net book value

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2016

 5,034 

 142 

– 

 145 

 5,321 

 657 

 140 

 – 

 4 

 801 

 4,520 

 4,377 

 12 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 12 

 10 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 23,876 

 2,308 

(558)

 181 

 688 

 60 

– 

 4 

 719 

 391 

– 

 29 

 25,807 

 752 

 1,139 

 12,983 

 1,659 

(294)

 88 

 386 

 54 

– 

 1 

 116 

 200 

– 

 8 

 10 

 14,436 

 441 

 324 

 2 

 2 

 11,371 

 10,893 

 311 

 302 

 815 

 603 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Total 
£’000

 30,329 

 2,901 

(558)

 359 

 33,031 

 14,152 

 2,053 

(294)

 101 

 16,012 

 17,019 

 16,177 

At 31 December 2017, the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment amounting 
to £1.4 million (2016: £0.4 million).

The net book value of plant and equipment includes £146,000 of plant and machinery (2016: £167,000) of capitalised borrowing costs relating 
to the Winsford site.

Freehold land, 
property and
improvements
£’000

Short
leasehold
improvements
£’000

Plant and 
machinery
£’000

Fixtures
and
fittings
£’000

Motor
vehicles
£’000

Assets
under
construction 
£’000

2016

Cost

At beginning of year

Additions

Transfer of assets into use

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At end of year

Depreciation

At beginning of year

Provided for the year

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At end of year 

Net book value

At 31 December 2016

At 31 December 2015

 4,443 

 12 

 22,430 

 679 

 29 

 – 

(2)

 564 

 5,034 

 451 

 124 

 – 

 82 

 657 

 4,377 

 3,992 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,247 

 72 

(493)

 620 

 12 

 – 

(18)

 15 

 12 

 23,876 

 688 

 10 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 11,566 

 1,572 

(457)

 302 

 10 

 12,983 

 2 

 2 

 10,893 

 10,864 

 340 

 58 

(17)

 5 

 386 

 302 

 339 

 641 

 235 

 – 

(239)

 82 

 719 

 115 

 144 

(157)

 14 

 116 

 603 

 526 

Total 
£’000

 28,277 

 1,523 

 – 

(752)

 1,281 

 30,329 

 12,482 

 1,898 

(631)

 403 

 14,152 

 72 

 – 

(72)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 72 

 16,177 

 15,795 

83

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

18  Deferred tax
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior 
reporting year.

At 31 December 2015

Charge to income

Charge to equity

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2016

Charge to income

Charge to equity

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017

Share-based
 payment
£’000

 562 

 100 

 22

 – 

 684

 34

 356

 – 

 1,074

Tax
losses
£’000

 590 

(590)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Advanced 
capital 
allowances
£’000

(664)

 51 

 – 

 – 

(613)

 26 

 – 

 – 

Intangible
assets
£’000

(2,311)

(199)

 – 

(410)

(2,920)

25

 – 

(83)

Research and 
development 
assets
£’000

(353)

 50 

 – 

 – 

(303)

(127)

 – 

 – 

Total
£’000

(2,176)

(588)

 22 

(410)

(3,152)

(42)

 356 

(83)

(587)

(2,978)

(430)

(2,921)

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial 
reporting purposes:

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax assets

2017
£’000

(3,995)

1,074

(2,921)

2016
£’000 

(3,836)

684

(3,152)

At the balance sheet date, the Group has £nil unused tax losses (2016: £0.6 million) available for offset against future profits.

19  Goodwill

Cost

At 1 January 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 

2017
£’000

2016
£’000 

40,337

 1,464 

41,801

34,579

5,758

40,337

Two cash-generating units (CGU) exist within the Branded segment whereby goodwill has been allocated. CGU1 has £1.8 million 
(2016: £1.5 million) of goodwill allocated, and CGU2 has goodwill and indefinite useful life intangible assets of £38.8 million and £9.2 million 
(2016: £37.5 million and £8.9 million) respectively. Only one CGU has been identified within the OEM segment to which goodwill has 
been allocated.

Goodwill arose on the acquisition of Advanced Medical Solutions B.V. on 30 September 2009 and the acquisition of RESORBA® on 
22 December 2011.

The goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful economic life have been allocated to the relevant Business Units in proportion to 
profit from operations on a consistent basis for both segments, as follows:

At 31 December 2017

Branded:  CGU1

CGU2

CGU1

OEM: 

Consolidated

Intangible assets 
with indefinite 
useful life
£’000

 – 

9,208

 – 

 9,208 

Goodwill
£’000

1,779

38,821

1,201

41,801

Total
£’000

1,779

48,029

1,201

51,009

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired.

The recoverable amounts have been determined based on a value-in-use calculation on a cash-generating unit basis, which uses cash flow 
projections based on financial budgets approved by the Directors covering a 12 month period. These budgets have been adjusted for specific 
risk factors that take into account sensitivities of the projection. The base 12 month projection is extrapolated using reasonable growth rates 
specific to each cash generating unit up to year five of between 2% and 14% with growth not exceeding the long-term average growth rate for 
the industry for years six to twenty. A discount rate of between 6.5% and 7.25% per annum (2016: between 6.5% and 7.5%), being the Group’s 
current pre tax weighted average cost of capital adjusted for risk, has been applied to these cash flows, being an estimation of current market 
risks and the time value of money. The Group has conducted a sensitivity analysis on the impairment test. The Directors believe that any 
reasonably possible further change in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount is based would not cause any of the carrying 
amounts to exceed the relevant recoverable amount.

84

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
 
20  Inventories

Raw materials

Work in progress

Finished goods

2017
£’000

4,773

2,723

3,577

11,073

There is no material difference between the replacement cost of stock and the amount at which it is stated in the Financial Statements.

Included above are finished goods of £nil (2016: £nil) carried at net realisable value.

Total gross inventories

Inventory impairment

Net inventory

21  Trade and other receivables

Current assets

Due within one year:

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Prepayments and accrued income

Amount receivable for the sale of goods

Provision for impairment

Non-current assets

Other receivables 

Derivative financial instruments

2016
£’000 

4,971

2,819

3,650

11,440

2016
£’000 

12,995

(1,555)

11,440

2017
£’000

13,256

(2,183)

11,073

2017
£’000

2016
£’000 

19,041

10,456

186

381

1,342

20,950

2017
£’000

19,233

(192)

19,041

 2017
£’000

9

277

 286 

255

–

1,161

11,872

2016
£’000 

10,692

(236)

10,456

 2016
£’000 

10

–

10

The Group’s principal financial assets are cash and trade receivables. The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables.

No interest is charged on the receivables within the contracted credit period. Thereafter, interest may be charged at 2% per month on the 
outstanding balance. In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade 
receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the Group’s large 
and unrelated customer base. Accordingly, the Directors believe that there is no further credit provision required in excess of the allowance 
for impairments.

Before accepting any new customer, the Group assesses the potential customer’s credit quality and defines credit limits by customer. 
Limits are reviewed on an ongoing basis and reflect current payment history.

Included in the Group’s trade receivable balance are debtors which are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided as 
there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable – a large proportion of debts overdue 
over 30 days were recovered post the Balance Sheet date. The Group does not hold any collateral or other credit enhancements over these 
balances. The carrying amount and ageing of these debtors are summarised below.

Ageing of overdue but not impaired receivables

31 to 60 days overdue

61 to 90 days overdue

Total

2017
£’000

832

107

939

2016
£’000 

128

 20 

148

85

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

21  Trade and other receivables continued

Movement in provision for impairment

Balance at the beginning of the year

Impairment losses recognised 

Amounts written off as uncollectible

Amounts recovered during the year

Balance at the end of the year

Year ended
 31 December 
2017
£’000

Year ended
 31 December 
2016
£’000 

236

9

(15)

(38)

192

268

100

(1)

(131)

236

Analysis of customers
In the year ended 31 December 2017, one customer accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s revenue (2016: none). This customer 
accounted for 14% (£13.2 million across the Branded and OEM segments) of the Group’s revenue in 2017.

22  Investments, cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

2017
£’000

62,454

2016
£’000 

51,125

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount 
of these assets is approximately equal to their fair value.

23  Trade and other payables

Current liabilities

Trade payables

Other payables

Derivative financial instruments

Accruals and deferred income

Non-current liabilities

Other payables

Derivative financial instruments

 2017
£’000

 2016
£’000 

 2,578 

 2,051 

 – 

 5,918 

 10,547 

 310 

 – 

 310 

 3,278 

 1,599 

 2,605 

 5,419 

 12,901 

 362 

 929 

 1,291 

Trade payables, other payables and accruals and deferred income principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and 
ongoing costs.

No interest is charged on trade payables that are within pre-agreed credit terms. Thereafter, interest may be charged on the outstanding 
balances at various interest rates. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within the pre-
agreed credit terms.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

24  Financial instruments

Categories of financial instruments
All financial instruments held by the Group, as detailed in this Note, are classified as ‘Loans and Receivables’ (trade and other receivables, cash 
and cash equivalents), ‘Held to maturity investments’ (short-term investments), ‘Financial Liabilities Measured at Amortised Cost’ (trade and 
other payables, financial liabilities and obligations under finance leases), ‘Derivative instruments in designated hedge accounting relationships 
(cash flow hedges)’ and ‘Fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL)’ (derivative financial instruments) under IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement’ and finance leases under IAS 17 ‘ Leases’.

Financial assets

Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents)

Derivative instruments in designated hedge accounting relationships

Financial liabilities

Derivative instruments in designated hedge accounting relationships

Amortised cost

86

 2017
£’000

 2016
£’000 

 81,690 

 61,846 

 658 

 – 

 – 

 10,857 

 3,534 

 10,658 

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017In December 2014 the Group entered into a multi-currency facility with the Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC. The principle features of the 
facility are:

 e The committed value of the facility is £30 million
 e There is an uncommitted accordion of an additional £20 million
 e It is unsecured
 e Facility will expire in December 2019
 e The interest payable on drawings under the loan is based on inter-bank interest (EURIBOR or, if sterling denominated LIBOR) plus a sliding 

scale margin determined by the Group’s leverage

 e The margin is currently 0.65%
 e The facility has two covenants – interest cover (ratio of EBITDA to net finance charges) must be above 4:1 and leverage (ratio of Total Net 

Debt to adjusted EBITDA) should not exceed 3:1

 e It was undrawn at the end of the year

The Risk Management section on pages 30 to 33 provides an explanation of the financial risks faced by the Group and the objectives and 
policies for managing those risks including hedging practices adopted. The information below deals with the financial assets and liabilities.

(a) Maturity of financial liabilities
The maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities, of which other loans and finance lease obligations are at fixed rates and denominated in 
Sterling whilst derivative financial instruments are non-interest bearing, is as follows:

Trade and other payables at 31 December 2017

2017

2016

On demand
or within
one year
£’000

Between
one and
two years
£’000

Between
two and
five years
£’000

Five
years 
or more
£’000

Total
financial
liabilities
£’000

 10,547 

 53 

 158 

 99 

 10,857 

On demand
or within
one year
£’000

Between
one and
two years
£’000

Between
two and
five years
£’000

Five
years 
or more
£’000

Total
financial
liabilities
£’000

Trade and other payables at 31 December 2016

 10,296 

 53 

 158 

 151 

 10,658 

(b) Interest rate and currency of financial assets
The currency and interest rate profile of the financial assets of the Group is as follows:

Investments and cash and cash equivalents

2017

Currency

Sterling

US Dollar

Euro

At 31 December 2017

2016

Currency

Sterling

US Dollar

Euro

At 31 December 2016

Floating 
£’000

Non-interest
bearing 
£’000 

Total 
£’000

 43,173 

 16,043 

 59,216 

 191 

 1,785 

 947 

 315 

 1,138 

 2,100 

45,149

17,305

62,454

Floating 
£’000

Non-interest
bearing 
£’000 

Total 
£’000

 16,195 

 30,621 

 46,816 

 136 

 2,625 

 18,956 

 973 

 575 

 32,169 

 1,109 

 3,200 

 51,125 

Trade and other receivables
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value.

Sterling

US Dollar

Euro

 2017
£’000

 8,545 

 4,177 

 8,228 

20,950

 2016
£’000 

6,389

2,399

3,084

11,872

The financial assets all mature within one year.

(c) Currency exposures
At 31 December 2017, the Group had unhedged U.S. Dollar currency exposures of £nil (2016: £nil) and unhedged Euro currency exposures of 
£nil (2016: £nil).

87

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

24  Financial instruments continued

Risk sensitivity
The Group estimates that a 10% movement in the £:US$ or £:Euro exchange rate would have impacted 2017 Sterling revenues by 
approximately 3.2% and 2.6% respectively and in the absence of any hedging this would have had an impact on profit of 2.7% and 0.3%.

Forward foreign exchange contracts
It is the policy of the Group to enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to cover specific foreign currency payments and receipts.

The following table details the forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as at the year-end:

Outstanding contracts

Cash flow hedges

Sell U.S. dollars

Less than 3 months

3 to 6 months

7 to 12 months 

Over 12 months

Sell Euros

Less than 3 months

3 to 6 months

7 to 12 months 

Over 12 months

Average contract rate 

Notional principle

Fair value

2017 
USD:£1

2016 
USD:£1

2017 
USD ‘000

2016 
USD ‘000

2017 
£’000

2016 
£’000

1.382

1.369

1.283

1.289

1.467

1.421

1.423

1.319

8,500

6,500

14,800

5,900

35,700

5,250

5,250

10,500

22,200

43,200

(132)

(39)

693

277

799

(673)

(548)

(1,079)

(857)

(3,157)

Average exchange rate 

Foreign currency

Fair value

2017 
EUR:£1

2016 
EUR:£1

2017 
EUR ‘000

2016 
EUR ‘000

1.215

1.177

1.138

–

1.290

1.263

1.245

1.192

1,000

1,100

1,800

–

3,900

1,050

1,250

2,500

2,400

7,200

2017 
£’000

(66)

(46)

(29)

–

(141)

2016 
£’000

(85)

(73)

(146)

(72)

(376)

The fair value amounts (classified under level two of the fair value hierarchy) presented above are the difference between the market value of 
equivalent instruments at the Balance Sheet date and the contract value of the instruments. No profits or losses are included in operating profit 
in the year (2016: £nil) in respect of FVTPL contracts. The profit of £4.2 million (2016: £3.0 million loss) in respect of these cash flow hedges 
has been taken to reserves.

25  Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
The Directors consider that the fair value of the Group’s financial instruments do not differ significantly from their book values.

26  Foreign exchange rates

Currency

US Dollar

Euro

27  Share capital

Number of Ordinary Shares of 5p each

At 1 January 2016

Share options exercised

At 31 December 2016

Share options exercised

At 31 December 2017

Average rate 

Closing rate

Percentage change

2017

2016

2017

2016

Average %

Closing %

1.2880

1.1459

1.3661

1.2352

1.3517

1.1271

1.2312

1.168

(6)

(7)

10

(4)

Allotted, called 
up and fully paid
‘000

209,022

 1,452 

210,474

2,168

212,642

During the year, employees exercised share options and options over LTIPs for 1,981,490 shares (2016: 965,958) at a range of option prices 
from 42p to 122p.

During the year, 236,640 (2016: 354,582) shares were issued under the Deferred Share Bonus (DSB) Scheme and the Deferred Annual Bonus 
(DAB) Scheme at the nominal value of 5p per share. At the Balance Sheet date, 412,583 (2016: 501,324) shares are retained by the Trust to meet 
the matching requirements of the scheme.

88

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Ordinary Shares of 5p each

At 1 January 2016

Share options exercised

At 31 December 2016

Share options exercised

At 31 December 2017

28  Reserves

Allotted, called 
up and fully paid
£‘000

10,451

73

10,524

 108 

10,632

Investment in own shares
This is the nominal value of the shares held in trust on behalf of employees in respect of the DSB scheme.

Other reserve
This represents Advanced Medical Solutions Limited’s share premium account arising from merger accounting.

Translation reserve
The hedging reserve represents the cumulative amount of gains and losses on hedging instruments deemed effective in cash flow hedges. 
The cumulative deferred gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised in profit or loss only when the hedged transaction impacts the 
profit or loss, or is included as a basis adjustment to the non-financial hedged item, consistent with the applicable accounting policy.

Hedging reserve
Exchange differences relating to the translation of the net assets of the Group’s foreign operations, which relate to subsidiaries only, from 
their functional currency into the parent’s functional currency, being Sterling, are recognised directly in the translation reserve. Gains and 
losses on hedging instruments that are designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations are included in the translation 
reserve. A £2,187,000 gain has been recorded in the translation reserve during the period, which would otherwise have been recognised in 
Administration costs (2016: £8,851,000 gain), if hedge accounting had not been adopted.

29  Share-based payments
The charge for share based payments under IFRS 2 arises across the following schemes:

Unapproved Executive Share Option Scheme, Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme and 
Company Share Option Scheme

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Deferred Share Bonus Scheme and Deferred Annual Bonus Scheme

2017
£’000

37

908

334

2016
£’000

102

744

384

1,279

1,230

Unapproved Executive Share Option Scheme, Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme(EMI) and Company Share 
Option Plan (CSOP)
The fair value of the executive options is calculated based on a Black-Scholes Merton model assuming the inputs below:

Grant Date

Share price at grant date

Exercise price

Expected life

Contractual life

Risk free rate

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Fair value of options

Grant Date

Share price at grant date

Exercise price

Expected life

Contractual life

Risk free rate

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Fair value of options

12/04/2007

20/04/2009

15/04/2011

08/09/2011

10/05/2012

20/06/2012

06/09/2012

16.75p

16.75p

3.5 yrs

10 yrs

5.00%

27%

0%

2p

33.75p

33.75p

3 yrs

10 yrs

2.40%

34%

0%

6p

88.0p

88.0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

1.92%

18%

0.7%

9p

86.25p

86.25p

3 yrs

10 yrs

1.92%

18%

0.7%

9p

69.08p

69.08p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.39%

34%

0.7%

13p

67.5p

67.5p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.39%

34%

0.7%

12p

76.75p

76.75p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.17%

34%

0.7%

17p

26/04/2013

21/05/2013

15/04/2014

19/09/2014

02/04/2015

18/04/2016

06/04/2017

77.5p

77.5p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.36%

36%

0.7%

15p

74.0p

74.0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.49%

36%

0.7%

14p

115.75p

115.75p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

36%

0.7%

23p

121.75p

121.75p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

36%

0.7%

24p

132.0p

132.0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

31%

0.7%

22p

184.6p

184.6p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.67%

25%

0.4%

25p

246.7p

246.7p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.18%

23%

0.4%

29p

89

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

29  Share-based payments continued
Under the terms of the Company’s Share Option Schemes, approved by shareholders in 2010, the Board may offer options to purchase 
Ordinary Shares in the Company to all employees of the Company at the market price on a date to be determined prior to the date of the 
offer. Since 2005, individuals who are entitled to awards under the LTIP are no longer eligible to receive options under the Company’s Share 
Option Schemes.

Performance targets are assessed over a three-year period from the date of grant. Once options have vested they can be exercised during the 
period up to ten years from the date of grant.

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historic volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous three years.

Options have been granted over the following number of Ordinary Shares which were outstanding at 31 December 2017:

Date of
grant

Option
price (p)

Weighted
average
price at
exercise (p)

No of options
as at 
1 January
2017

Remaining
life 
1 January
2017

Issued

Lapsed

Exercised

No of options
as at 
31 December
2017

Remaining
life
31 December
2017

Unapproved Executive Share Option Scheme

10.05.12

20.06.12

21.05.13

15.04.14

19.09.14

02.04.15

18.04.16

06.04.17

69.08

67.50

74.00

115.75

121.75

132.00

184.60

246.70

 – 

 5,500 

283.45

266.91

 75,334 

 60,000 

 271.40 

 484,679 

 313.53 

 127,680 

 365,296 

 755,572 

 – 

 – 

 – 

5.4

5.5

6.4

7.3

7.7

8.2

9.3

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(80,000)

(88,359)

 – 

 – 

 527,903 

(18,193)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 5,500 

(75,334)

(60,000)

 – 

 – 

(344,679)

 140,000 

(73,960)

 53,720 

Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme

20.04.09

16.04.10

33.75

42.00

 – 

 3,000 

252.93

 58,000 

Company Share Option Plan

15.04.11

08.09.11

10.05.12

26.04.13

21.05.13

15.04.14

19.09.14

02.04.15

18.04.16

06.04.17

88.00

86.25

69.08

77.50

74.00

115.75

121.75

132.00

184.60

246.70

 – 

 – 

 6,000 

 1,000 

278.90

 23,500 

 – 

 1,000 

274.59

 45,149 

 278.41 

 135,321 

 301.22 

 116,320 

 99,704 

 148,053 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2.3

3.3

4.3

4.7

5.4

6.3

6.4

7.3

7.7

8.2

9.3

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 285,296 

 667,213 

 509,710 

 – 

 3,000 

(10,000)

 48,000 

 – 

 – 

(22,500)

 – 

(42,049)

 6,000 

 1,000 

 1,000 

 1,000 

 3,100 

(82,321)

 53,000 

(91,680)

 24,640 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 99,704 

 148,053 

 223,163 

 – 

 – 

 234,522 

(11,359)

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding at 31 December 2017 is 8.0 years (2016: 8.0 years).

 2,511,108 

 762,425 

(197,911)

(802,523)  2,273,099 

2017

2016

Number of 
Options

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (p)

Number of 
Options

 2,511,108 

138.49  2,473,300 

 762,425 

246.70

 903,625 

(802,523)

280.35

(839,817)

(197,911)

172.61

(26,000)

 2,273,099 

183.50  2,511,108 

 339,960 

102.92

 278,483 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (p)

97.52

184.60

194.23

81.94

138.49

64.99

Outstanding at beginning of the year

Issued

Exercised

Lapsed

Outstanding at end of the year

Exercisable at end of year

90

4.4

4.5

5.4

6.3

6.7

7.2

8.3

9.3

1.3

2.3

3.3

3.7

4.4

5.3

5.4

6.3

6.7

7.2

8.3

9.3

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017 
 
Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The fair value of the LTIP is calculated based on a binomial tree model assuming the inputs below:

Grant date

15/04/2011

06/09/2012

19/09/2013

06/06/2014

02/04/2015

10/09/2015

18/04/2016

06/04/2017

02/11/2017

Share price at grant date

88.00p

Exercise price

Expected life

Contractual life

Risk free rate

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield
Probability of performance 
conditions

Fair value of option

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

1.92%

33%

0%

52%

76.5p

76.8p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.39%

34%

0.7%

49%

36.4p

90.0p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.86%

36%

0.7%

70%

60.9p

117.0p

132.0p

151.5p

184.6p

246.7p

344.7p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

36%

0.7%

75%

85.9p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

29%

0.7%

80%

64.4p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

27%

0.7%

80%

75.5p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.67%

25%

0.4%

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.18%

23%

0.4%

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.18%

23%

0.4%

64%

64%

64%

159.0p

220.0p

220.0p

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historic volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous three years.

The entitlement to shares under the LTIP is subject to achieving the performance conditions referred to on page 50. The numbers shown are 
maximum entitlements and the actual number of shares (if any) will depend on these performance conditions being achieved.

Market
price at 
date of 
Grant (p)

Number of 
LTIPs at
1 January
2017

Remaining
life
1 January
2017

Date of 
grant

Issued

Lapsed

Exercised

Number of 
LTIPs at
31 December
2017

Remaining
life
31 December
2017

Long-Term Incentive Plan

15.04.11

06.09.12

19.09.13

06.06.14

02.04.15

10.09.15

18.04.16

06.04.17

02.11.17

88.00

 188,628 

76.75

 254,945 

90.00

 201,560 

117.00

 807,957 

132.00

 468,213 

151.50

 300,329 

184.60

 632,016 

246.70

344.70

 – 

 – 

5.3

5.7

6.8

7.5

 8.3 

8.7

9.3

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 459,855 

 9,308 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(188,628)

(254,945)

(201,560)

 – 

 – 

 – 

(186,640)

(533,834)

87,483

(40,000)

 – 

(21,993)

(7,386)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

428,213

300,329

610,023

452,469

9,308

 2,853,648 

 469,163 

(256,019) (1,178,967)  1,887,825 

4.3

4.7

5.8

6.5

7.3

7.7

8.3

9.3

9.8

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the LTIPs outstanding at 31 December 2017 is 8.1 years (2016: 7.9 years).

Outstanding at beginning of the period

Issued

Exercised

Lapsed

Outstanding at end of the period

Exercisable at end of period

2017
Number of
Options

2016
Number of
Options

 2,853,648 

 2,654,456 

 469,163 

 700,991 

(1,178,967)

(126,141)

(256,019)

(375,658)

 1,887,825 

 2,853,648 

 87,483 

 1,453,090 

The exercise price of these options is £1 for each issue of LTIPs.

Deferred Share Bonus Scheme (DSB)
The fair value of the DSB are calculated based on a Black-Scholes Merton model assuming the inputs below:

Grant date

12/04/2007

02/05/2008

23/04/2009

05/05/2010

05/05/2010

11/05/2011

11/05/2011

10/05/2012

Share price at grant date

18.25p

35.50p

34.00p

40.32p

40.32p

83.00p

83.00p

70.625p

Exercise price

Expected life

Contractual life

Risk-free rate

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Probability of performance conditions

Fair value of option

0p

3.5 yrs

10 yrs

5.00%

27%

0%

100%

14p

0p

3.5 yrs

10 yrs

5.00%

38%

0%

100%

30p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

2.40%

30%

0%

100%

29p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

2.40%

34%

0%

100%

34p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

2.40%

34%

0%

100%

34p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

1.92%

18%

0.7%

100%

72p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

1.92%

18%

0.7%

100%

72p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

0.39%

34%

0.7%

100%

61p

91

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes Forming Part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

29  Share-based payments continued

Grant date

10/05/2012

02/07/2013

02/07/2013

30/04/2014

30/04/2014

29/04/2015

29/04/2015

03/05/2016

Share price at grant date

70.625p

74.125p

74.125p

126.0p

126.0p

141.5p

141.5p

183.0p

Exercise price

Expected life

Contractual life

Risk-free rate

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Probability of performance conditions

Fair value of option

Grant date

Share price at grant date

Exercise price

Expected life

Contractual life

Risk-free rate

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Probability of performance conditions

Fair value of option

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.39%

34%

0.7%

100%

62p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

0.69%

36%

0.7%

100%

63p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.69%

36%

0.7%

100%

64p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

36%

0.7%

100%

110p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

36%

0.7%

100%

110p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

31%

0.7%

100%

124p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

31%

0.7%

100%

124p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

0.67%

25%

0.4%

100%

160p

03/05/2016

02/05/2017

02/05/2017

183.0p

264.1p

264.1p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.67%

25%

0.4%

100%

161p

0p

5 yrs

10 yrs

0.18%

23%

0.4%

100%

233p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.18%

23%

0.4%

100%

233p

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historic volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous three years.

The entitlement to shares under the DSB is subject to a three year holding period. Additionally, for certain levels of share matching, additional 
performance conditions also need to be achieved. The actual number of shares that will be matched will depend on these performance 
conditions. Details of the DSB are given on page 50.

Market
price at 
date of 
grant (p)

Number of 
 DSB matching 
shares at
1 January
2017

Remaining
life
1 January
2017

Issued

Lapsed

Exercised

Number of
 DSB matching 
shares at
31 December
2017

Remaining
life
31 December
2017

Deferred Share Bonus Plan

Date of 
grant

12.04.07

02.05.08

23.04.09

05.05.10

11.05.11

10.05.12

02.07.13

18.25

35.50

34.00

40.32

83.00

 15,779 

 13,640 

 35,212 

 29,140 

 34,021 

70.625

 36,928 

74.125

 188,416 

0.3

1.3

2.3

3.3

4.4

5.4

6.5

7.3

8.3

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(4,428)

 11,351 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 13,640 

(10,664)

 24,548 

(5,580)

 23,560 

(19,828)

 14,193 

(19,998)

 16,930 

(60,390)

 128,026 

0.3

1.3

2.3

3.4

4.4

5.5

6.3

7.3

8.3

9.3

30.04.14

126.000

 152,587 

29.04.15

141.500

 242,422 

03.05.16

183.000

 346,151 

 9.3 

(198)

(59,473)

 92,916 

(13,324)

(17,201)

 – 

 229,098 

(5,135)

 323,815 

02.05.17

264.100

 – 

 –

 279,362 

(1,740)

 – 

 277,622 

 1,094,296 

 279,362 

(32,463)

(185,496)  1,155,699 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the DSB’s outstanding at 31 December 2017 is 7.4 years (2016: 7.6 years).

Outstanding at beginning of the period

Issued

Exercised

Lapsed

Outstanding at end of the period

Exercisable at end of period

The exercise price of the matching shares is £nil.

92

2017
Number of
Options

2016
Number of
Options

1,094,296

1,101,704

279,362

367,204

(185,496)

(345,867)

(32,463)

(28,745)

1,155,699

1,094,296

325,164

353,136

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Deferred Annual Bonus Scheme (DAB)
The fair value of the DAB are calculated based on a Black-Scholes Merton model assuming the inputs below:

Grant date

Share price at grant date

Exercise price

Expected life

Contractual life

Risk-free rate

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Probability of performance conditions

Fair value of option

21/05/2014

15/04/2015

18/04/2016

06/04/2017

115.4p

129.0p

184.6p

246.7p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

31%

0.7%

100%

115p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.80%

31%

0.7%

100%

129p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.67%

25%

0.4%

100%

183p

0p

3 yrs

10 yrs

0.18%

23%

0.4%

100%

250p

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historic volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous three years.

The DAB scheme began on 21 May 2014. Participants compulsorily defer part of their bonus for the relevant financial year and vest at the end 
of a three-year period determined by the remuneration committee at the time of grant.

Market
price at 
date of 
grant (p)

Number of 
 DAB matching 
shares at
1 January
2017

Remaining
life
1 January
2017

Date of 
grant

Issued

Lapsed

Exercised

Number of
 DAB matching 
shares at
31 December
2017

Remaining
life
31 December
2017

Deferred Annual Bonus Plan

21.05.2014

15.04.2015

18.04.2016

06.04.2017

115.40

129.00

184.60

246.70

 50,813 

 78,293 

 90,739 

 – 

 219,845 

 7.3 

 8.3 

 9.3 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 64,886 

 64,886 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(50,293)

 520 

 – 

 78,293 

(851)

 89,888 

 – 

 64,886 

(51,144)

 233,587 

6.3

7.3

8.3

9.3

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the DAB outstanding at 31 December 2017 is 8.2 years (2016: 8.8).

Outstanding at beginning of the period

Issued

Exercised

Outstanding at end of the period

Exercisable at end of period

30  Commitments under operating leases
As at 31 December 2017, the Group had outstanding commitments under operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2017
Number of
Options

2016
Number of
Options

 219,845 

 134,359 

 64,886 

 94,201 

 (51,144) 

(8,715)

 233,587 

 219,845 

 520 

 – 

Grant date

Amounts payable under operating leases:

Within one year

In one to five years

After five years

2017
Land and
buildings
£’000

1,034

4,245

10,147

15,426

2017
Other
£’000

206

131

4

347

2016
Land and
buildings
£’000

908

3,633

2,207

6,748

2016
Other
£’000

83

143

 7 

233

31  Related party transaction
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and there are no 
other related party transactions to disclose.

93

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsCompany Balance Sheet
At 31 December 2017

Non current assets

Investment in subsidiaries

Current assets
Investments

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables

Net current assets

Net assets

Equity shareholders’ funds

Share capital

Share-based payments reserve

Investment in own shares

Share premium 

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2016

Share-based payments

Share options exercised

Shares purchased by EBT

Shares sold by EBT

Profit for the year

Dividends paid

At 31 December 2016

Share-based payments

Share options exercised

Shares purchased by EBT

Shares sold by EBT

Profit for the year

Dividends paid

At 31 December 2017

Note

2017
£’000

2016
£’000

3

4

5

6

52,147

52.147

 2,722 

 58,175 

 60,897 

3,479

42,530

 46,009 

(9,024)

 51,873 

(3,698)

42,311

 104,020 

 94,458 

 10,632 

 4,676 

(152)

 34,778 

 54,086 

10,524

3,469

(152)

34,005

46,612

 104,020 

 94,458 

Share capital
£’000

 10,451 

 – 

 73 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

10,524

 – 

 108 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Share-based 
payments
£’000

Investment in 
own shares
£’000 

Share premium
£’000

 2,253 

 1,230 

(14)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

3,469

 1,279 

(72)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(152)

 33,196 

 – 

 – 

(449)

 449 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 809 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(152)

34,005

 – 

 – 

(484)

 484 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 773 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Retained 
earnings
£’000

 30,119 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 18,276 

(1,783)

46,612

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

9,523

(2,049)

Total
£’000

 75,867 

 1,230 

 868 

(449)

 449 

 18,276 

(1,783)

94,458

 1,279 

 809 

(484)

 484 

 9,523 

(2,049)

10,632

4,676

(152)

34,778

54,086

104,020

The Financial Statements of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (registration number 2867684) on pages 94 to 98 were approved by the 
Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 17 April 2018 and were signed on its behalf by:

C Meredith
Chief Executive Officer

17 April 2018

94

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Notes to the Company Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2017

1  Significant accounting policies

Basis of preparation
These Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (‘FRS 101’). 
In preparing these Financial Statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (‘Adopted IFRSs’), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with 
Companies Act 2006 and has set out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has been taken.

In these Financial Statements, the Company has adopted FRS 101.

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to share-
based payments, financial instruments, capital management, presentation of an income statement, presentation of a Cash Flow statement, 
presentation of comparative information in respect of certain assets, standards not yet effective, impairment of assets business combinations, 
discontinued operations and related party transactions.

Critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the course of preparing the Financial Statements, no critical judgements have been made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting 
policies, nor are there any key sources of estimation uncertainty that exist which may cause a material impact in the next 12 months.

Impairment of investments and intragroup receivables
Investment and receivable carrying values are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount 
of an asset or cash-generating unit is not recoverable. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value, as supported by management valuation, 
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 risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of 
future cash flows have not been adjusted.

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are shown at cost less provision for impairment.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in currencies other than Pounds Sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each 
Balance Sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the 
Balance Sheet date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. Gains and 
losses arising on retranslation are included in the profit or loss for the period.

Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the period comprises current and deferred tax.

Current tax
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting 
date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Temporary differences in respect of the initial recognition of assets and liabilities that 
affect neither accounting nor taxable profit are not provided for. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of 
realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Finance charges
Finance charges comprise interest payable on interest-bearing loans and borrowings and fair value losses on interest rate swap derivative 
financial instruments. Finance charges are recognised in the Income Statement on an effective interest method.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Company’s Balance Sheet when the Company becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial assets expire or 
are transferred. Financial liabilities are derecognised when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

95

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes to the Company Financial Statements continued

1  Significant accounting policies continued

Derivatives
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to interest rate risks arising from operational, financing and 
investment activities. In accordance with its treasury policy, the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading 
purposes. However, derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading instruments. Derivative financial 
instruments are recognised initially at fair value and re-measured at each period end. The gain or loss on re-measurement to fair value is 
recognised immediately in the Income Statement. The Company has elected not to apply hedge accounting. Forward currency contracts are 
recognised at fair value in the Balance Sheet with movements in fair value recognised in the Income Statement for the period. The fair value 
of the instruments is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swap at the reporting date, taking into 
account current interest rates and the respective risk profiles of the swap counterparties. 
Derivatives are presented as assets when the fair values are positive and as liabilities when the fair values are negative. 
A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and 
it is not expected to be realised or settled within 12 months.

Share-based payments
The Company has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share-based payments.

The Company issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair 
value at the date of grant. 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. At each Balance Sheet date, the Company 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 estimates with a corresponding adjustment to the equity-settled employee 
benefits reserves.

2  Income Statement
As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company has elected not to present its own Income Statement for the year. 
Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc reported a profit for the financial year ended 31 December 2017 of £9,523,000 (2016: profit of 
£18,276,000).

The Auditor’s remuneration for audit and other services is disclosed in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The average number of employees in the year was 14 (2016: 11). The Directors’ remuneration is detailed in Note 9 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

3  Investments in subsidiaries

Cost

At 1 January 2017

At 31 December 2017

Provisions for impairment

At 1 January 2017

At 31 December 2017

Net Book value

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2016

Investments
in subsidiaries
£’000

80,817

80,817

28,670

28,670

52,147

52,147

In the year to 31 December 2014, a loan of £59,000,000 with Advanced Medical Solutions (Germany) GmbH was converted to an investment 
in Advanced Medical Solutions (Europe) Limited.

Shares in Group undertakings and loans to Group undertakings have been written down to recognise losses in subsidiary companies.

96

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017The following were subsidiary undertakings at the end of the year and have all been included in the consolidated accounts.

Name

Advanced Medical Solutions Limited

Country of
operation

England

Proportion of 
voting rights and 
ordinary share 
capital held

100%

Nature of business

Registered address

Development and 
manufacture of 
medical products

Advanced Medical Solutions (UK) Limited

England

100%

Holding Company

AMS Trustee Company Limited

England

100%

Trustee Company

Advanced Medical Solutions (Plymouth) Limited

England

100%

Development and 
manufacture of 
medical products

Advanced Healthcare Systems Limited

England

100%*

Dormant

MedLogic Global Holdings Limited

England

100%¶

Holding Company

Innovative Technologies Limited

England

100%‡

Dormant

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

Advanced Medical Solutions B.V.

Netherlands

100%

Development and 
manufacture of 
medical products

Munnikenheiweg 35, 
4879 NE Etten-Leur, Netherlands

Advanced Medical Solutions (Germany) GmbH

Germany

100%^

Holding Company

Resorba Medical GmbH

Germany

100%#

Czech Republic 100%#

Resorba s.r.o.

Resorba ooo

Am Flachmoor 16, 90475 
Nuremberg, Germany

Am Flachmoor 16, 90475 
Nuremberg, Germany

Haltravska No. 9/578, 34401 
Domazlice, Czech Republic

Development and 
manufacture of 
medical products

Manufacture and 
sales office of 
medical products

Russia

100%#

Sales office of 
medical products

Fadeeva Str. 5,  
125047 Moscow, Russia

MPN Medizin Produkte Neustadt GmbH

Germany

100%#

Advanced Medical Solutions (USA) Inc.

USA

100%¶

Advanced Medical Solutions (Europe) Limited

England

100%

Manufacturer of 
medical products

Sierksdorfer Str. 15, 23730, 
Neustadt in Holstein, Germany

Marketing support of 
medical products

Providing financial 
support to other 
Group entities

2711 Caterville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington, Newcastle, 19808, 
Delaware, USA

Premier Park, 33 Road One, 
Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT, 
United Kingdom

*  Held indirectly through Advanced Medical Solutions Limited.

‡  Held indirectly through MedLogic Global Holdings Limited.

^ s.291 of German Commercial Code invoked: No Consolidated Financial Statements prepared for the German companies.

¶  Held indirectly through Advanced Medical Solutions (Plymouth) Limited.

# Held indirectly through Advanced Medical Solutions (Germany) GmbH.

The above table reflects the situation at the year-end.

97

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotes to the Company Financial Statements continued

4  Trade and other receivables

Due within one year

Prepayments and accrued income

Amounts due from Group undertakings

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

At 1 January

Movement

At 31 December

Provisions for impairment

At 1 January

At 31 December

Net book value

At 31 December

5  Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors

Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Accruals and deferred income

Derivative financial instruments

6  Share capital
Details on the share capital of the Company are provided in Note 27 on page 88 to the Group’s accounts.

7  Share-based payments
The charge for share-based payments under IFRS 2 arises across the following schemes:

Unapproved Executive Share Option Scheme, Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme and Company Share 
Option Scheme

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Deferred Share Bonus Scheme

2017
£’000

2016
£’000

137

2,585

2,722

2017 
£’000

5,639

(714)

4,925

180

3,299

3,479

2016 
£’000

2,340

3,299

5,639

2,340

 2,340 

2,340

 2,340 

 2,585 

 3,299 

2017
£’000

 – 

5,635

3,248

141

 9,024 

2016
£’000

 55 

 287 

 2,980 

 376 

 3,698 

2017
£’000

37

908

334

2016
£’000

102

744

384

 1,279 

 1,230 

Details on the share-based payments of the Company are provided in Note 29 on pages 89 to 93 in the Notes to the Group’s accounts.

98

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Five Year Summary

Consolidated Income Statement (Pre-exceptional)

Revenue (restated)

Profit from operations

Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent

Basic earnings per share

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Net assets employed

Non-current assets

Current assets

Total liabilities

Net assets

Shareholders’ equity

Share capital and investment in own shares

Share-based payments reserve

Share-based payments deferred tax reserve

Share premium account

Other reserve

Hedging reserve

Translation reserve

Retained equity

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

2017 
£m

 96.9 

 25.2 

 20.1 

9.5p

 74.2 

 94.5 

(16.3)

152.4

10.5

4.7

0.8

34.8

1.5

0.6

2.8

96.7

152.4

2016 
£m

 83.2 

 19.1 

 15.7 

7.5p

 70.1 

 74.9 

(19.5)

125.5

 10.4 

 3.5 

 0.5 

 34.0 

 1.5 

(3.6)

 0.6 

 78.6 

 125.5 

2015 
£m

 69.2 

 17.0 

 14.1 

6.8p

 62.7 

 53.9 

(12.9)

103.7

 10.3 

 2.3 

 0.4 

 33.2 

 1.5 

(0.5)

(8.2)

 64.7 

 103.7 

2014 
£m

 63.3 

 15.2 

 12.9 

6.2p

 66.8 

 37.8 

(11.5)

93.1

 10.2 

 1.6 

 0.3 

 32.8 

 1.5 

(0.5)

(4.9)

 52.1 

 93.1 

2013 
£m

 59.8 

 13.7 

 11.4 

5.5p

 71.3 

 25.8 

(11.0)

86.1

 10.2 

 1.3 

 0.2 

 32.4 

 1.5 

 0.7 

(0.7)

 40.5 

 86.1 

99

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotice of Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the twenty-fourth Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at 11.00 am on 6 June 2018 at 85 Gresham 
Street, London, EC2V 7NQ for the following purposes:

As Ordinary Business:
1   To receive the Report of the Directors and the Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2017 (together with 

the Report of the Auditor thereon).

2  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2017.

3  To reappoint Deloitte LLP as Auditor and to authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration.

4  To re-elect Chris Meredith (who retires by rotation in accordance with the Articles of Association) as a Director of the Company.

5  To re-elect Steve Bellamy (who retires by rotation in accordance with the Articles of Association) as a Director of the Company.

6   To declare a final dividend of 0.75p per Ordinary Share, payable on 15 June 2018 to shareholders on the register at close of business 

on 25 May 2018.

As Special Business:
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass Resolution 7, which will be proposed as an Ordinary Resolution, and Resolutions 8 and 9, which will be 
proposed as Special Resolutions.

7   To authorise the Directors generally and unconditionally for the purposes of section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘2006 Act’) to 

exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into 
shares in the Company (each an allotment of ‘relevant securities’) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £3,544,127 provided that this 
authority is for a period expiring upon the earlier of the date of the Company’s next Annual General Meeting and 15 months after the date 
of the passing of this Resolution but the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require 
relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement 
notwithstanding that the authority conferred by this Resolution has expired. This authority is in substitution for all subsisting authorities, 
to the extent unused.

8   Subject to the passing of Resolution 7 above, to authorise the Directors pursuant to section 570 of the 2006 Act to allot equity securities 

(within the meaning of section 560 of the 2006 Act) wholly for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by Resolution 7 above as if section 
561(1) of the 2006 Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities:

(a) in connection with an offer of such securities by way of rights to holders of Ordinary Shares in proportion (as nearly as may be 

practicable) to their respective holdings of such shares, but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem 
necessary or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements or any legal or practical problems under the laws of any territory, or the 
requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange;

(b) otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above up to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,063,238; and

(c) which shall expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company and 15 months after the date of 

the passing of this Resolution, save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require 
equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of any such offer or agreement 
notwithstanding that the power conferred by this Resolution has expired.

9   That the Company is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of Section 701 of the 2006 Act to make market 

purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the 2006 Act) of any of its Ordinary Shares of 5p each in the capital of the Company 
on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may from time to time determine provided that:

(a) the maximum number of Ordinary Shares which may be purchased is 10,632,381;

(b) the minimum price which may be paid for each Ordinary Share is 5p which amount shall be exclusive of expenses, if any;

(c)  the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for each Ordinary Share shall not be more than 5% above the average of 
the middle market quotations for an Ordinary Share as derived from The London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business 
days immediately preceding the date on which the ordinary share is purchased;

(d) unless previously renewed, revoked or varied, this authority shall expire upon the earlier of the date of the Company’s next Annual 

General Meeting and 15 months after the date of the passing of this Resolution; and

(e) under this authority the Company may make a contract to purchase Ordinary Shares which would or might be executed wholly or partly 

after the expiry of this authority, and may make purchases of Ordinary Shares pursuant to it as if this authority had not expired.

By order of the Board

Mary Tavener
Company Secretary

17 April 2018

100

Registered office:
Premier Park, 33 Road One, Winsford Industrial Estate, 
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT.

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Notes
1   A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting convened by the Notice set out on page 100 may appoint a proxy to attend, speak 

and, on a poll to vote in his place. A holder of more than one Ordinary Share may appoint different proxies in relation to each or any of those 
Ordinary Shares.

2   A member may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares. A member 

may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise rights attached to any one share. To appoint more than one proxy notice must be given 
to the Company’s Registrars not later than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting.

3   A proxy does not need to be a member of the Company but must attend the meeting to represent you. Details of how to appoint the 
Chairman of the meeting or another person as your proxy using the proxy form are set out at Note 1 of the proxy form. If you wish 
your proxy to speak on your behalf at the meeting you will need to appoint your own choice of proxy (not the Chairman) and give your 
instructions directly to them.

4   On a vote on a Resolution on a show of hands at the meeting, a proxy has one vote for and one vote against if the proxy has been 

appointed by more than one member and the proxy has been instructed by one or more of the members to vote for the resolution and by 
one or more other member to vote against it.

5   Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers 

as a member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares.

6   A form of proxy is enclosed for use by members. To be effective, it must be completed and arrive not later than 48 hours before the time 
fixed for the Meeting at Link Asset Services, PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU. You may also deliver by hand to The 
Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU during usual business hours.

7   The Register of Directors’ Interests in the shares of the Company will be available for inspection at the registered office of the Company 

during usual business hours on any weekday (public holidays excepted) until the date of the Meeting and also on that date and at the place 
of the Meeting from 9.00 am until the conclusion of the Meeting.

8   The Company, pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, specifies that only those shareholders registered 

in the Register of Members of the Company as at close of business on 4 June 2018 shall be entitled to attend or vote at the aforesaid 
Annual General Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their names at that time. Changes in the entries in the relevant 
register of Securities after close of business on 4 June 2018 shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at 
the meeting.

Notes on Special Business

Resolution 7: Authority to Allot Shares and other relevant securities
This Resolution would give the Directors the authority to allot Ordinary Shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £3,544,127 
(representing 70,882,544 Ordinary Shares of 5p each). This amount represents approximately one-third of the issued Ordinary Share capital 
of the Company as at 29 March 2018, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice.

The authority sought under this resolution will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in 2019 or, 
if earlier, 15 months after the passing of the resolution.

While the Directors have no present intention of issuing any of the authorised but unissued share capital, it is considered prudent and 
appropriate to maintain the flexibility that this authority provides.

Resolution 8: Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights
Your Directors also require additional authority from shareholders to allot shares or grant rights over shares or sell treasury shares where they 
propose to do so for cash and otherwise than to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings. Accordingly, Resolution 8 will 
be proposed as a Special Resolution to grant such authority. Apart from rights issues, open offers or any other pre-emptive offer as mentioned 
the authority will be limited to the issue of shares and sales of treasury shares for cash up to an aggregate nominal value of £1,063,238 (being 
10% of the Company’s issued Ordinary Share capital at 29 March 2018, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice). This is 
in keeping with the extent for which such authority has been sought and given at each previous Annual General Meeting of the Company 
since 2006.

Allotments made under the authorisation in paragraph (a) of Resolution 8 would be limited to allotments by way of a rights issue only 
(subject to the right of the Directors to impose necessary or appropriate limitations to deal with, for example, fractional entitlements and 
regulatory matters).

If given, this authority will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in 2019 or, if earlier, 15 months after 
the passing of the Resolution.

101

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsNotice of Meeting continued

Resolution 9: Purchase by the Company of its own shares
In certain circumstances, it may be advantageous for the Company to purchase its own shares. Under section 701 of the 2006 Act, the 
Directors of a Company may make market purchases of that Company’s shares if authorised to do so. Your Directors believe that granting 
such approval would be in the best interests of shareholders in allowing Directors the flexibility to react promptly to circumstances requiring 
market purchases.

Accordingly, Resolution 9, which will be proposed as a Special Resolution, will give the Directors the authority to purchase issued shares of the 
Company under section 701 of the 2006 Act.

The authority contained in this Resolution will be limited to an aggregate nominal value of £531,619 (representing 5% of the issued Ordinary 
Share capital of the Company as at 29 March 2018, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice; representing 10,632,381 
Ordinary Shares of 5p each). The price which may be paid for those shares is also restricted as set out in the Resolution.

This authority will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in 2019 or, if earlier, 15 months after the 
passing of the Resolution.

The Board has no present intention of exercising this authority. However, this will be kept under review, and the Board will use this power only 
if and when, taking account of market conditions prevailing at the time, other investment opportunities, appropriate gearing levels and the 
overall financial position of the Group, they believe that the effect of such purchases will be in the best interests of shareholders generally and 
that they will result in an increase in earnings per share.

Shares purchased under this authority may be held as treasury shares. Shares held in treasury do not carry voting rights and no dividends will 
be paid on any such shares. Shares held in treasury in this way can be sold for cash or cancelled. This would allow the Company to manage its 
capital base more effectively and to replenish its distributable reserves.

If and when the Board resolves to exercise its authority to make market purchases, it will at that time decide whether shares purchased are to 
be cancelled or held in treasury.

As at 29 March 2018, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice, there were share options outstanding over Ordinary Shares, 
representing 2.6% of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital. The Company has no warrants in issue in relation to its shares. If the buyback 
authority was to be exercised in full, these options would represent 2.7% of the Company’s ordinary issued share capital. 

102

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Advisers

Nominated Advisor and Broker
Investec Bank plc 
2 Gresham Street 
London EC2V 7QP

Bankers
HSBC 
99–101 Lord Street 
Liverpool L2 6PG 

Auditor
Deloitte LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
PO Box 500 
2 Hardman Street 
Manchester M60 2AT

Tax Adviser
PwC 
No. 1 Spinningfields  
1 Hardman Square 
Manchester M3 3EB

Solicitors
Brown Rudnick LLP 
8 Clifford Street 
London W1S 2LQ

Registrars and Transfer Office
Link Registrars 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent BR3 4TU

Royal Bank of Scotland 
2nd Floor 
1 Spinningfields Square 
Manchester M3 3AP

Patent Attorneys
Marks & Clerk 
Manchester Office 
1 New York Street 
Manchester M1 4HD

Foley & Lardner LLC 
975 Page Mill Square 
Palo Alto CA 94304-1013

Public Relations
Consilium Strategic Communications 
41 Lothbury 
London EC2R 7HG

103

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Company OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Statements104

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc Annual Report 2017Designed and produced by Radley Yeldar www.ry.com

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Registered Office:

Premier Park, 33 Road One  
Winsford Industrial Estate  
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3RT

Company Number: 2867684  
Tel: +44 (0)1606 863500  
Fax: +44 (0)1606 863600  
e-mail: info@admedsol.com

Web: www.admedsol.com