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Almirall

alm · LSE Basic Materials
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FY2018 Annual Report · Almirall
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8

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2018 
TRANSFORMING U.S. INVENTION INTO INNOVATION

ANNUAL REPORT AND 
ACCOUNTS 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS    

Overview ......................................................................................................... 1

Chairman’s Report .............................................................................................. 2

Strategic Report ............................................................................................... 3

CEO’s Report ..................................................................................................... 3

Highlights ......................................................................................................... 4

Company Overview ........................................................................................... 9

Portfolio Summary ............................................................................................. 12

Portfolio Company Valuation ............................................................................... 14

Key Performance Indicators ................................................................................ 18

Portfolio Review and Developments ...................................................................... 20

Financial Review .............................................................................................. 40

Risk Management ............................................................................................. 45

Management and Governance ....................................................................... 52

The Board ....................................................................................................... 52

Directors’ Report ............................................................................................... 55

Corporate Governance Report ............................................................................ 63

Sustainability ................................................................................................... 73

Directors’ Remuneration Report ............................................................................ 77

Audit Committee Report ................................................................................... 106

Financial Statements ..................................................................................... 110

Independent Auditor’s Report ............................................................................ 110

Consolidated Financial Statements ..................................................................... 122

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ................................................... 126

Company Financial Statements ......................................................................... 182

Notes to the Financial Statements ...................................................................... 185

Company Information ................................................................................... 189

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018 
  
OVERVIEW    

Allied Minds plc (Allied Minds or the Company or the Group) is an IP commercialisation company focused on 
early stage company development within the technology and life science sectors. With origination relationships 
that span US federal laboratories, universities, and leading US corporations, Allied Minds historically created, and 
now operates and funds, a portfolio of companies to generate long-term value for its investors and stakeholders. 
Based in Boston, Allied Minds supports its businesses with capital, management, expertise and shared services.

The Group currently is comprised of 10 portfolio companies in the technology and life sciences sectors based 
upon a broad range of underlying innovative technologies ranging from semiconductors, wireless connectivity, 
and space-based analytics, to medical devices and molecular compounds.

On 7 February 2019, Allied Minds announced that target annualised HQ cash operating expenses would be 
reduced by $5.6 million, or more than 40%, and that the Directors believed the existing cash balance was 
sufficient to support Allied Minds’ activities into 2021, before any potential returns from monetisations.

The  Board  of  Allied  Minds  has  now  determined  to  focus  exclusively  on  supporting  our  10  existing  portfolio 
companies and maximising monetisation opportunities for portfolio company interests, and not to deploy any 
capital into new portfolio companies. In the event of successful monetisation events from the sale of portfolio 
companies or portfolio company interests, we anticipate distributing the net proceeds to our shareholders, after 
due consideration of potential follow-on investment opportunities within our existing portfolio, working capital 
requirements and the most appropriate capital return mechanism.

The Board has not determined a timeframe by which to have monetised the Company’s ownership positions; 
however, together with the management team it recognises the value and benefit in achieving well-timed risk 
adjusted returns for the benefit of shareholders under an appropriate cost structure.

Reflecting  this  new  strategy,  Allied  Minds  is  implementing  further  reductions  in  its  annual  HQ  costs.  Allied 
Minds currently projects that its ongoing annualised HQ operating expenses excluding interest, depreciation, 
severance and share-based payments, will be reduced to approximately $5.0 to $6.0 million, in comparison 
to approximately $13.6 million for 2018. The Directors believe the Company’s cash balance is sufficient to 
continue to support Allied Minds’ operations and portfolio companies.

Allied Minds consulted with key shareholders on the change in strategy, including cost reductions, ceasing new 
investments and a managed approach to monetising the portfolio over time, and they expressed support.

1

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018 
  
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT    

I am pleased to present this Annual Report to shareholders for the financial year ended 31 December 2018.

Over the course of the year we continued to make strong progress across the technology portfolio, readying 
several for commercialisation and growth. Spin Memory, HawkEye360 and Federated Wireless are all expected 
to generate commercial revenue for the first time over the balance of 2019. Each harnesses innovative technology 
to  target  or  create  a  large  market,  has  established  strong  go-to-market  partners  and  solutions,  and  has  the 
potential to generate substantial value.

This has been achieved through a combination of strong operating management and successful fundraises which 
have brought important strategic co-investors into follow-on rounds. In addition to validating the technology and 
market opportunity, these partners bring valuable advantages to our companies through their technical resources, 
market access and commercial commitment.

Leveraging  our  broad  networks,  partners  and  insights,  in  2018  we  also  added  four  promising  early  stage 
technology businesses to our portfolio.

Despite the highly differentiated and promising developments at our life sciences companies, Precision Biopsy 
and SciFluor, the more challenging funding environment facing both and the technical delay at Precision Biopsy 
has impacted our ability to secure next round financing. Post period end, together with Woodford Investment 
Management,  we  invested  modest  bridge  capital  to  provide  both  companies  with  runway  that  we  hope  is 
sufficient to unlock successful financings to fund further development.

Our  focus  has  been  and  remains  to  realise  value  for  our  shareholders  by  effectively  driving  our  companies 
through  development  to  commercialisation  and  growth,  and  delivering  strong  monetisation  outcomes.  Going 
forward, we will cease new company investments and instead will focus exclusively on funding and operating 
our existing portfolio with a view to maximising monetisation opportunities. To align with this new strategy, we 
will  further  streamline  our  organisation  and  reduce  our  central  office  costs.  Using  our  available  capital  and 
through disciplined capital allocation, we expect to continue to support our companies and provide follow-on 
capital alongside other co-investors, as long as we believe the risk-adjusted value of that position is maximised by 
our continued ownership and effort. Upon monetisation events, we expect to return net proceeds to shareholders 
after due consideration of potential follow-on investment opportunities within our existing portfolio and working 
capital requirements. We are confident that given the strength of the portfolio, the skills of the management teams 
and our cash position, we have positioned ourselves to deliver returns to our shareholders.

I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support and our management team and staff for their 
hard work and commitment.

Peter Dolan 
Chairman

26 April 2019

2

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018 
  
 
CEO’S REPORT

CEO’S REPORT    

2018 has been a mixed year for Allied Minds characterised by strong progress and validation at our technology 
portfolio companies, but delays at our life sciences companies.

I  am  delighted  by  the  successful  funding  rounds  at  Spin  Memory,  HawkEye360  and  BridgeSat,  each  led  by 
important strategic investors, building on a similarly successful financing for Federated Wireless in late 2017. 
Bolstered by the financial and commercial support of these investors, many of whom have also signed commercial 
agreements  or  partnerships  with  our  companies,  Spin  Memory,  HawkEye360  and  Federated Wireless  are  all 
poised to deliver commercial revenue in 2019.

Federated Wireless is expecting to launch FCC-mandated CBRS Initial Commercial Deployment (ICD), followed 
by full FCC certification of CBRS spectrum sharing later in the year. With 20 partner end-users having applied for 
ICD with Federated Wireless, and its strong contract base and customer pipeline, we expect Federated Wireless 
to deliver commercial revenue this year.

HawkEye360  launched  its  Pathfinder  satellite  cluster  in  late  2018  and  confirmed  successful  commissioning  in 
February 2019. As the first provider of commercial geolocation of RF signals from space, HawkEye360 expects 
to deliver revenue this year from multiple government and commercial customers.

In  2018,  Spin  Memory  entered  into  licensing  and  commercial  agreements  with  ARM  Limited  and  Applied 
Materials.  With  Applied  Materials,  Spin  Memory  expects  to  jointly  develop  and  bring  to  market  solutions 
designed to allow customers to rapidly start producing world-class MRAM-enabled products for both non-volatile 
(flash-like) and SRAM-replacement applications. Spin Memory has licensed to ARM Limited an innovative design 
architecture to develop a new line of embedded MRAM design IP, targeting SRAM application in SoCs (Systems-
on-a-Chip). It expects to start generating revenue this year.

We have not yet been able to replicate this success with the life sciences portfolio, and in February 2019 we 
took the decision to inject bridge financing, together with Woodford Investment Management, into Precision 
Biopsy  and  SciFluor.  This  capital  is  intended  to  provide  these  businesses  with  cash  runway  while  they  seek 
financing to progress their development.

Today we announced a new strategy designed to maximise the returns from our existing portfolio. We have a 
strong portfolio of companies where we hold significant ownership stakes, several of which are approaching 
commercialisation  or  milestones  critical  to  realising  superior  returns.  By  making  no  investments  into  new 
companies, further reducing central costs and with disciplined capital allocation, we have sufficient cash and 
are  well-positioned  to  support  our  companies  through  to  monetisation  outcomes  that  maximise  returns  to  our 
shareholders.

I would like to thank our shareholders, our employees and our partners and customers for their ongoing support.

Jill Smith 
President and Chief Executive Officer

26 April 2019

3

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
HIGHLIGHTS

HIGHLIGHTS    

INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS

During 2018, an aggregate of $84.9 million was invested into new and existing portfolio companies, including:

•  $76.9 million from portfolio company fundraisings with $51.4 million coming from third-party investment and 
$25.5 million from Allied Minds, to support and accelerate the development of three of the Group’s existing 
companies: BridgeSat, HawkEye360 and Spin Memory.

 o In  January  2018,  the  Group  syndicated  $10.3  million  of  Spin  Memory’s  $22.8  million  convertible 
bridge facility underwritten by Allied Minds in October 2017; this facility was designed to bridge Spin 
Memory to the completion of the planned Series B funding round which targeted strategic investors and 
was ultimately completed in November 2018.

 o In  September  2018,  BridgeSat  announced  it  had  raised  $10.0  million  in  a  Series  B  preferred  stock 
financing led by Boeing HorizonX Ventures, the venture arm of The Boeing Company, with participation 
by Allied Minds; proceeds from the transaction will be applied to accelerate the product development 
and buildout of BridgeSat’s optical ground station (OGS) network.

 o In September 2018, HawkEye360 announced the second closing of its $14.9 million Series A-3 funding 
round led by Raytheon Company, with participation from Sumitomo Corporation of America, Razor’s 
Edge Ventures, Shield Capital, Space Angels, Allied Minds and an unnamed new financial investor; 
proceeds from the transaction will be applied to fund the development, build and launch costs of the 
company’s first commercial satellite cluster and for general commercial purposes.

 o In November 2018, Spin Memory announced its $52.0 million Series B funding round led by ARM 
Technology Investments Limited, the venture capital arm of ARM Limited, and Applied Ventures LLC, the 
venture capital arm of Applied Materials, with final participation from Abies, a Japanese venture capital 
fund,  Woodford  Investment  Management,  Invesco  Asset  Management,  Allied  Minds  and  others.  The 
round was comprised of $29.0 million raised from new and existing investors, and $23.0 million from 
the exercise of convertible securities subscribed for in an earlier bridge round by Allied Minds, Woodford 
Investment Management and Invesco Asset Management. The proceeds will be used for the development 
and execution of the commercial agreement with Applied Materials to create a comprehensive embedded 
MRAM  solution,  and  a  commercial  agreement  with  ARM  Limited  for  the  licensing  of  Spin  Memory’s 
Endurance  Engine  design  IP  to  address  static  random-access  memory  (SRAM)  application  in  SoCs 
(Systems-on-a-Chip).

•  In  addition  to  these  fundraisings,  $8.0  million  was  invested  by  the  Allied  Minds  into  three  new  portfolio 
companies: Orbital Sidekick, QuayChain and TableUp; and one additional new portfolio company was 
formed: Spark Insights:

 o In April 2018, Allied Minds led the seed funding round at Orbital Sidekick, investing $3.5 million for 
a current 32.33% ownership interest; 11.2 Capital also invested in the round; proceeds from the seed 
round will be applied principally to fund a demonstration of Orbital Sidekick’s hyperspectral capabilities 
from the International Space Station and other airborne platforms, analytics and product development, 
and customer acquisition.

4

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)  

 o In April 2018, Allied Minds led the Series A preferred stock financing at TableUp, investing $4.0 million 
for  a  current  35.52%  ownership  interest;  proceeds  from  the  round  will  be  applied  to  analytics  and 
product development, and growing revenue, focusing on signing more customers to the TableUp platform, 
building on existing relationships including with Reyes Holdings, LLC and others; post period end, Allied 
Minds invested an additional $350,000 in convertible notes.

 o In  September  2018,  Allied  Minds  formed  QuayChain  and  invested  $0.5  million  in  a  seed  funding 
round, giving Allied Minds a current 72.22% ownership interest; post period end, Allied Minds invested 
an additional $350,000 in convertible notes.

 o In  December  2018,  Allied  Minds  formed  Spark  Insights;  post  period  end,  Allied  Minds  invested  an 
aggregate of $3.2 million in funding preferred share financing, giving Allied Minds a current 70.59% 
ownership interest.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

•  Net  cash  and  investments*  of  $97.7  million  (2017:  $169.1  million)  of  which  $50.6  million  (2017: 

$84.2 million) is held at the parent level.

* includes funds in form of fixed income securities.

•  Revenues  of  $5.6  million  (2017:  $5.0  million)  mainly  from  non-recurring  engineering  (NRE)  and  service 

contracts, reflecting the early stage nature of our portfolio companies.

•  Net profit of $47.3 million, (2017: net loss of $111.1 million) primarily reflects SG&A and R&D spending 
of  $49.3  million  and  $44.9  million,  respectively,  to  support  the  portfolio  development  activities,  offset 
by  NRE  revenue  of  $5.6  million,  finance  income  of  $92.9  million  reflecting  the  fair  value  accounting 
adjustment of the portfolio company preferred shares liability balance, and other income of $45.4 million 
reflecting $3.9 million of net gain from the disposal of the trade and assets at Percipient Networks as well as  
$41.5 million due to the deconsolidation of two of the Company’s existing portfolio companies, HawkEye360 
and Spin Memory; including the share of loss related to Spin Memory.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

•  In May 2018, Rick Davis stepped down as a Non-Executive Director

•  In May 2018, the Company appointed Fritz Foley as a Non-Executive Director

SELECTED PORTFOLIO COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

•  BridgeSat’s  Network  Operations  Centre  (NOC)  is  now  operational  alongside  its  first  US  ground  station. 
During  the  year  and  post  period  end,  BridgeSat  entered  into  five  US  government  revenue  contracts,  as 
well as other strategic partnerships and agreements with NASA, ICEYE (space laser terminal), Sitael SpA 
(European partner and ground station) and Es’HailSat (Middle East partner and ground stations).

5

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
 
HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)  

•  Following  the  Federal  Communications  Commission  (FCC)  announcement  that  it  will  authorise  the  Initial 
Commercial  Deployment  (ICD)  of  CBRS  spectrum  sharing  for  approved  end-users,  Federated  Wireless 
submitted a formal application to participate in the ICD alongside 20 named partner end-users including 
wireless  operators,  cable  operators,  tower  companies,  Managed  Service  Providers  (MSPs)  and  Original 
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The majority of Federated Wireless’ dedicated nationwide ESC network 
(sensors positioned on the US coasts to enable priority use of CBRS by the US Navy) has now been installed 
and the full network is nearing completion ahead of full FCC approval.

•  Federated Wireless jointly announced with Verizon, Ericsson and Qualcomm the first successful test of CBRS 
spectrum sharing in Verizon’s live commercial network, demonstrating peak speeds of 790 Mpbs (more than 
3x the speed of current LTE technologies). Federated Wireless, in partnership with Amazon Web Services 
(AWS),  Athonet  and  Ruckus  Networks,  launched  a  fully  cloud-native  private  mobile  network  solution  for 
developers, independent software vendors (ISVs), telecom operators, public sector and enterprises.

•  HawkEye360  successfully  launched  and  deployed  its  Pathfinder  cluster  of  satellites  on  a  SpaceX  Falcon  9 
Rocket.  Post  period  end,  the  Pathfinder  cluster  was  commissioned  following  successful  testing,  indicating 
satellites and payloads are performing in line with design specifications, allowing commercial operations 
to  commence.  The  company  continued  building  backlog  with  government  and  commercial  clients,  and 
completed Beta testing for its first Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) product.

•  Spin  Memory  entered  into  a  licensing  agreement  with  ARM  Limited,  the  world’s  leading  semiconductor 
intellectual property (IP) company. The licensing agreement extends to Spin Memory’s Endurance Engine™ 
technology  and  related  IP,  and  governs  the  terms  on  which  ARM  Limited  and  Spin  Memory  will  work 
together to create SRAM-class magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) design solutions based on 
this proprietary technology. Under the licensing agreement, Spin Memory will provide ARM Limited with its 
innovative Endurance Engine design architecture to develop a new line of embedded MRAM design IP. This 
MRAM design IP will address static random-access memory (SRAM) application in SoCs, with denser and 
lower power solutions than typically achieved with the current 6T SRAM cell-based IP.

•  Spin Memory also entered into a commercial agreement with Applied Materials to create a comprehensive 
embedded MRAM solution. The solution brings together Applied Materials’ industry-leading deposition and 
etch  capabilities  with  Spin  Memory’s  MRAM  process  IP.  Key  elements  of  the  offering  include  Applied 
Materials’ innovations in PVD and etch process technology, Spin Memory’s revolutionary Precessional Spin 
Current™ (PSC™) structure (also known as the Spin Polarizer), and industry-leading perpendicular magnetic 
tunnel junction (pMTJ) technology from both companies. The solution is designed to allow customers to quickly 
bring up an MRAM manufacturing module and start producing world-class MRAM products. Spin Memory 
and Applied Materials are working together to make this turnkey solution commercially available.

•  Spin Memory demonstrated efficiency gains of 40 – 70% when applying its Spin Polarizer to a third party 
MRAM device, enabling dramatic improvements in data retention (by a factor of >10,000x) with reduced 
power consumption. Additionally, it demonstrated up to six orders of magnitude endurance enhancement 
with  a  silicon  based  FPGA  emulation  of  the  Endurance  Engine  alongside  Spin’s  test  chips,  resulting  in 
endurance levels of 1014, in line with DRAM endurance performance.

6

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)  

•  Spin  Memory  appointed  John  Kispert  as  Chairman.  Mr.  Kispert  has  held  several  executive  and  board 
positions during his more than 20 years in the memory and semiconductor industries, most recently as CEO 
of Spansion, Inc., which was sold to Cypress Semiconductor in March 2015.

•  Spin  Memory  rebranded  itself,  having  previously  been  known  as  Spin  Transfer  Technologies,  signifying 
differentiation from its former business goals and objectives as it seeks to transform the industry with a new 
MRAM IP ecosystem.

•  Precision  Biopsy  appointed  Adam  Savakus  as  President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer.  Adam  is  an 
accomplished medical device executive with direct experience driving successful operational, regulatory and 
marketing outcomes. Precision Biopsy’s progress in 2018 included receiving FDA IDE approval to initiate 
the  Pivotal  SCORE  study,  initiating  SCORE  study  roll-ins,  gathering  initial  results  using  the  improved  next 
generation consoles, and beginning its 3D Mapping FIM (first in man) study to evaluate ClariCore™’s ability 
to collect and analyse data. Precision Biopsy obtained its fourth issued patent, which relates to the diagnosis 
and treatment of tissue, and supports its ClariCore™ system with 3D mapping and focal therapy claims.

•  Notwithstanding the progress described above, due to an issue with the compatibility of the next generation 
ClariCore console and the tissue classification algorithm that became apparent during the roll in process for 
the Pivotal SCORE study, Precision Biopsy suffered an operational delay lasting several months over the course 
of 2018. This delay impacted the external financing process which was underway and was not successfully 
completed. Post period end, together with Woodford Investment Management, we extended modest bridge 
capital to Precision Biopsy to provide runway to seek external financing to fund further development.

•  SciFluor appointed Robert Dempsey as an Independent Director. Bob has over 25 years’ experience in the 
pharmaceuticals industry focusing on ophthalmology and is currently head of Takeda’s Global Ophthalmology 
Franchise.  SciFluor’s  progress  in  2018  included,  presenting  SF0166  Phase  I/II  clinical  data  at  multiple 
medical  conferences  including:  Angiogenesis,  Exudation,  and  Degeneration;  Association  for  Research  in 
Vision and Ophthalmology; World Ophthalmology Congress, publishing SF0166 Phase I/II clinical data 
published  in  the  Journal  of  Pharmacology  and  Experimental  Therapeutics,  commencing  a  six-month  sub-
chronic toxicity studies for SF0166 to support Phase II clinical development, and completing the study design 
for Phase II SF0166 trials.

•  SciFluor sought to raise external financing over the course of 2018 to fund Phase II trials for SF0166, on 
the back of safety and preliminary efficacy data from the Phase I/II trials. This process was not successfully 
completed.  As  a  result,  clinical  development  activities  at  SciFluor  have  been  pared  back,  and  are  now 
focused exclusively on the toxicology studies necessary to initiate the Phase II trials for SF0166. Post period 
end, together with Woodford Investment Management, we extended modest bridge capital to SciFluor to 
provide runway to seek external financing to fund further development.

7

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)  

OUTLOOK FOR SELECTED PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

Highlighted below are the key operational management objectives for 2019 across selected portfolio companies. 
In addition, several of these portfolio companies aim to secure additional funding in the course of 2019. It is in 
the nature of early stage company creation and development that business plans need to adapt dynamically in 
response to changing circumstances. Where this becomes necessary we will provide an update on materially 
revised plans.

Portfolio Company

2019 Key Operational Management Objectives

BridgeSat

•  Successfully demonstrate one-to-many communications solution and end-to-end 

service for ICEYE

•  Develop strategic partnership program with Boeing and others

•  Expand the capacity of the global ground network through industry partnerships 

and ground station installations

•  Build strong commercial and government customer backlog

Federated Wireless

•  ICD approval, followed by FCC certification

•  Complete  build  out  of  nationally  available  of  ESC  network  to  meet  customer 

requirements

•  Build infrastructure and capacity to support scale of the business

HawkEye360

•  Successfully  launch  three  core  analytic  products  in  the  Spectrum  Awareness 

product line, RF Geo, RF Survey and Emitter Data Base.

•  Complete development of next cluster and ready for launch

•  Commence development of follow-on clusters two, three and four, for launch in 

2020

Spin Memory

•  Create proof of concepts in silicon that demonstrate the superior performance of 

Spin Memory’s technologies

•  Leverage  exclusive  licensing  agreements  with  Applied  Materials  and  ARM 

Limited to bring technology IPs into the mainstream

•  Build strong commercial and government customer backlog for new use cases 

in AI, ADAS, 5G, IoT and more 

Precision Biopsy

•  Complete Pivotal SCORE study

•  Submit data to US FDA for 510k review

•  Obtain CE mark

SciFluor Life Sciences

•  Complete toxicology studies for SF0166

•  Submit amended IND to US FDA

8

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
COMPANY 

OVERVIEW

COMPANY OVERVIEW    

OUR COMPANY

Allied Minds has built and now operates a portfolio of 10 early stage companies seeking to commercialise 
differentiated products and services that have the potential to transform markets. Collaborating with targeted US 
federal research institutions, universities, medical institutions, and select corporations and entrepreneurs, we have 
identified potentially disruptive innovations. We have created and seed funded portfolio companies with the 
objective of commercialising these innovations, supporting them with capital, management, operating and other 
expertise, and shared services. We typically maintain a significant ownership stake in our portfolio companies. 
Our objective is to deliver attractive overall returns for our shareholders.

On 26 April 2019, Allied Minds announced that, from that date forward, we will focus exclusively on supporting 
our 10 existing portfolio companies and maximising monetisation opportunities for portfolio company interests, 
and  will  not  deploy  any  capital  into  new  portfolio  companies.  In  the  event  of  successful  monetisation  events 
from the sale of portfolio companies or portfolio company interests, we anticipate distributing the net proceeds 
to our shareholders, after due consideration of potential follow-on investment opportunities within our existing 
portfolio, working capital requirements and the most appropriate capital return mechanism. The Board has not 
determined a timeframe by which to have monetised the Company’s ownership positions; however, together 
with the management team it recognises the value and benefit in achieving well-timed risk adjusted returns for the 
benefit of shareholders under an appropriate cost structure.

On 26 April 2019, in connection with the announcement to cease investments into new portfolio companies, 
Allied Minds also announced that it is implementing further reductions in its annual HQ costs. Allied Minds currently 
projects that its ongoing annualised HQ operating expenses excluding interest, depreciation, severance and 
share-based payments, will be reduced to approximately $5.0 to $6.0 million, in comparison to approximately 
$13.6 million for 2018. The Directors believe the Company’s cash balance is sufficient to continue to support 
Allied Minds’ operations and portfolio companies.

Allied Minds consulted with key shareholders on the change in strategy, including cost reductions, ceasing new 
investments and a managed approach to monetising the portfolio over time, and they expressed support.

OUR PORTFOLIO

The Group currently is comprised of 10 portfolio companies in the technology and life sciences sectors based 
upon a broad range of underlying innovative technologies ranging from semiconductors, wireless connectivity, 
and space-based analytics, to medical devices and molecular compounds.

We have invested in companies at an early stage, including seed investments to build companies based on a 
technical breakthrough or invention. As such, our investments have significant upside potential, but also carry 
significant  risk  inherent  in  the  early  stage  model.  Allied  Minds  provides  equity  funding  at  the  initial  seed  or 
Series A investment round and participates in follow-on investment rounds. Additionally, we provide hands-on 
support through the appropriate level of management, operating and governance support and expertise, and 
shared services over the life of the portfolio company to commercialisation and monetisation. A key component 
of  the  Company’s  strategy  is  to  maintain  strict  discipline  in  the  allocation  of  financial  and  human  capital  to 
those  businesses  meeting  the  objectives  or  milestones  set,  and  ceasing  funds  for  those  where  the  path  to 
commercialisation is no longer attractive.

Allied  Minds  has  several  portfolio  companies  that  we  believe  are  well-positioned  for  commercialisation  and 
have  the  potential  to  realise  significant  monetisation  opportunities,  including  BridgeSat,  Federated  Wireless, 

9

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
 
(CONTINUED)

COMPANY OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)  

HawkEye360  and  Spin  Memory.  These  four  portfolio  companies  currently  represent  the  substantial  majority  of 
portfolio company value.

Outside  these  portfolio  companies,  Allied  Minds  has  four  active  earlier  stage  investments  (Orbital  Sidekick, 
QuayChain, Spark Insights and TableUp) that we believe represent exciting opportunities in space/analytics 
and connectivity, albeit with more work to be done to increase their value and monetisation opportunities.

OUR MODEL

As operators of early stage portfolio companies in which we hold a significant ownership position, we seek 
to provide hands-on support over the life of our companies to support their growth, focusing on enabling and 
driving  commercialisation,  supporting  follow-on  investment  rounds  and  positioning  for  superior  monetisation 
opportunities.

Allied Minds offers operational and management support to each of our portfolio companies leveraging the deep 
domain  expertise  of  our  management  team  in  their  respective  careers  as  entrepreneurs,  operators,  directors, 
advisors  and  investors.  Our  employees  have  expertise  in  business  strategy,  sales  and  marketing,  operations, 
finance, legal and transaction execution.

We play an active role in developing the strategic direction of our portfolio companies, and driving ongoing 
planning and assessment. Our executives serve on the boards of directors of our portfolio companies, working 
with  them  to  develop  and  implement  strategic,  operating  and  funding  plans.  We  evaluate  on  an  on-going 
basis the progress and potential of each of the portfolio company’s businesses, and make strategy and funding 
decisions based on the regular review of operational and financial performance and the achievement of key 
milestones.  Together  with  our  management,  the  respective  portfolio  company  board  of  directors  defines  the 
critical  milestones,  or  inflection  points,  for  each  portfolio  company  and  measures  tangible  progress  towards 
commercialisation and the key factors for  a successful monetisation event. Portfolio company management  is 
accountable for these milestones, which are developed into annual management objectives (MBOs).

Additionally,  Allied  Minds  provides  well-defined  shared  services  that  are  designed  to  enable  our  businesses 
to focus on research, product development and commercialisation activities and at the same time benefit from 
strong, cost-effective operational and financial infrastructure and support. The comprehensive operational and 
financial support provided includes accounting, cash management and financial modeling, payroll, IT, legal and 
HR. For companies where our ownership is below 50% and whose accounts are not consolidated, Allied Minds 
will provide the option for the management teams to transition from our shared service platform and set up their 
own financial, payroll, HR, IT and operating systems, procedures and teams.

As our portfolio companies meet the objectives identified for success, we will participate in subsequent capital 
raises to mitigate dilution, to the extent consistent with our goal to maximise risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders 
and  taking  into  account  competing  uses  of  capital  across  our  portfolio.  Co-investors  in  later  rounds  include 
financial, strategic and commercial partners. Where appropriate, we seek to include partners who validate the 
market opportunity and can provide support and/or commercial commitments to accelerate, expand and/or 
de-risk the path to commercialisation.

By  helping  our  portfolio  companies’  management  teams  remain  focused  on  critical  objectives  through  the 
provision of human, financial and strategic resources, we believe we are able to accelerate their development 
and success. We believe that Allied Minds’ experienced and hands-on support provide our portfolio companies 
with significant competitive advantages within their respective markets.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
COMPANY OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)  

OUR FOCUS

Our management team is focused on the following objectives:

•  Building value in portfolio companies by commercialising technology through market-focused product and 
market development, developing strong management teams and boards, growing the companies organically 
(through  partnerships,  market  penetration,  revenue  growth  and  cash  flow  improvement)  and  potentially 
through acquisitions, with a view to positioning the companies for successful follow-on investment rounds and 
liquidity at premium valuations;

•  Exercising disciplined capital allocation, while deploying follow-on capital to support our existing portfolio 

companies;

•  Realising the value of portfolio companies through selective, well-timed portfolio company exits to maximise 

risk-adjusted value;

•  Maximising monetisation opportunities for our portfolio company interests; and

•  Providing the tools needed for investors to fully recognise the shareholder value that has been created by our 

efforts.

SEEKING MONETISATION OPPORTUNITIES

The Board of Allied Minds has determined to focus exclusively on supporting our 10 existing portfolio companies 
and maximising monetisation opportunities for portfolio company interests, and not to deploy any capital into 
new portfolio companies.

In the event of successful monetisation events from the sale of portfolio companies or portfolio company interests, 
we anticipate distributing the net proceeds to our shareholders, after due consideration of potential follow-on 
investment  opportunities  within  our  existing  portfolio,  working  capital  requirements  and  the  most  appropriate 
capital return mechanism. In general, we will hold our position in a portfolio company as long as we believe 
the risk-adjusted value of that position is maximised by our continued ownership and effort. From time to time, 
we engage in discussions with other companies interested in our portfolio companies (or our interest in those 
companies), either in response to inquiries or as part of a process we initiate. To the extent we believe that a 
portfolio company’s further growth and development can best be supported by a different ownership structure or 
if we otherwise believe it is in our shareholders’ best interests, we may seek to sell some or all of our position in 
the portfolio company. These sales may take the form of privately negotiated sales of stock or assets, mergers and 
acquisitions, public offerings of the portfolio company’s securities and, in the case of publicly traded portfolio 
companies, sales of their securities in the open market.

Given this change in strategy, the value of Allied Minds is now dependent upon the value of our existing portfolio 
companies and our ability to translate that value into cash as effectively and efficiently as possible and to deliver 
that cash, net of our obligations and operating cash needs, to our shareholders. As we have in the past, we will 
utilise the service of professional advisers from time to time to explore the various alternatives for returning capital 
to our balance sheet and ultimately to our shareholders.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
PORTFOLIO 

SUMMARY

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY    

During  2018,  an  aggregate  of  $84.9  million  was  invested  into  new  and  existing  portfolio  companies.  This 
included  $76.9  million  from  portfolio  company  fundraisings,  of  which  $51.4  million  came  from  third-party 
investment, to further accelerate the development of three of the Group’s existing portfolio companies: BridgeSat, 
HawkEye360 and Spin Memory. In addition to these fundraisings, $8.0 million was invested by the Group into 
three new portfolio companies: Orbital Sidekick, QuayChain and TableUp.

Allied Minds currently has majority ownership in, or operating control of, six of its active portfolio companies; 
and has four active portfolio companies in which the Company holds a significant minority ownership position. 
Below we provide an overview of our 10 active portfolio companies, including year formed, and Allied Minds’ 
ownership interest. There are some additional non-operating or holding companies not listed in the table below.

Portfolio Company(2)(3)

Year Formed

Ownership 
Interest (1)

Overview

Technology

BridgeSat, Inc.

2015

81.38%

Federated Wireless, Inc.

2012

52.23%

HawkEye360, Inc.

2015

48.32%

Orbital Sidekick, Inc.

2016

33.23%

QuayChain, Inc.

2018

72.22%

Spark Insights, Inc.

2018

70.59%

Spin Memory, Inc.

2007

42.69%

Developing an optical communications service for big data 
transfer between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary 
Equatorial Orbit (GEO) satellites, aircraft and the ground, 
targeting significantly lower cost and faster rates than current 
Radio Frequency (RF) solutions

Plans to offer a cloud-based SaaS service that unlocks spectrum 
previously unavailable to commercial users by enabling 
government and commercial users to securely share the same 
spectrum band

Data analytics company seeking to commercialise the 
capability to detect, independently geo-locate and analyse 
diverse RF signals from space

Developing capabilities in aerial and space-based 
hyperspectral imaging and analytics, initially for the oil and 
gas industry

Developing CBRS-enabled connected digital infrastructure 
and applications at multi-user industrial locations such as 
ports and large industrial real estate complexes, enabling 
operators and users to secure efficiencies in supply chain 
management

Analytics company developing data products for the rapidly 
growing property insurance analytics market, by leveraging 
unique catastrophic event data sets, including satellite imagery 
and weather data, combined with proprietary analytics

Technology solutions that have the potential to materially 
enhance the endurance, speed and size characteristics of 
MRAM (magneto-resistive random access memory) – the 
emerging next generation memory technology targeting 
replacement of existing SRAM and DRAM 

12

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
(CONTINUED)

PORTFOLIO SUMMARY (CONTINUED)  

Portfolio Company(2)(3)

Year Formed

Ownership 
Interest (1)

Overview

Technology (continued)

TableUp, Inc.

2013

35.52%

Software provider enabling end-to-end transparency through 
the restaurant supply chain to enable more effective inventory 
and operations management

Life sciences

Precision Biopsy, Inc.

2008

64.84%

SciFluor Life Sciences, Inc.

2010

70.03%

Medical device and analytics company using spectral analysis 
to distinguish tissue characteristics in real-time, with the aim of 
improving cancer diagnostics and therapies. Initially focused 
on prostate cancer, the technology is potentially applicable to 
other cancers

Drug development company focused on creating a portfolio 
of best- in- class compounds in the fields of ophthalmology, 
neuroscience and fibrosis. Lead clinical asset SF0166 is a 
topical eye droplet treatment for retinal diseases including Wet 
AMD and DME

Notes:

(1)   Ownership interests are as at 23 April 2019 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document), and are based upon 

percentage interest in issued and outstanding share capital in the portfolio companies.

(2)   Not reflected in the above list of active portfolio companies is one non-operating holding company: Allied Minds Federal Innovations.

(3)   Post period end, Allied Minds ceased operations of LuxCath, LLC (LuxCath), and ceased operations and dissolved each of ABLS Capital, LLC, 

Allied-Bristol Life Sciences, LLC, ABLS II, LLC and ABLS IV, LLC (collectively, ABLS) and Signature Medical, Inc. (Signature Medical).

13

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
 
 
 
PORTFOLIO 

COMPANY 

VALUATION

PORTFOLIO COMPANY VALUATION    

Of the Company’s 10 active portfolio companies, six are currently majority owned and controlled, and therefore 
fully consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRS). As a result, the Company’s consolidated financial 
statements do not include current valuations of these portfolio companies.

With  respect  to  the  other  four  portfolio  companies,  the  Company  holds  a  significant  minority  stake.  In  each 
case,  Allied  Minds  is  able  to  exercise  significant  influence  over  the  portfolio  company  by  virtue  of  its  large, 
albeit minority, ownership stake in the portfolio company and its representation on the board of directors. The 
investment in preferred stock in these portfolio companies is accounted for under IFRS 9 and is classified by the 
Company as an investment at fair value in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company’s 
common stock holding in Spin Memory is accounted for under IAS 28 and is classified by the Company as an 
investment in associates.

In prior periods, the Company has provided the total value of all portfolio companies in the Group, which was 
used to derive the group Ownership Adjusted Value (OAV). The Board, in consultation with its strategic advisors 
and key shareholders, has determined to cease disclosure of OAV going forward. This decision is based on the 
view that, on balance, disclosure of OAV may not be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. 
OAV provides a public benchmark that can be detrimental to Allied Minds and its portfolio companies, including 
when negotiating with co-investors (or potential acquirors), if it sets a value that may be different than these parties 
may  otherwise  ascribe.  In  addition,  the  six  consolidated  portfolio  companies  are  pre-  or  early-revenue  stage 
companies, and the Directors, in many cases, believe that a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis used to derive 
the portfolio company value may not provide a very useful indication of value.

In lieu of OAV, Allied Minds intends to continue to provide qualitative and quantitative disclosure in relation to 
the commercial and financial progress of its portfolio companies, and directional commentary on valuation. In 
addition, where commercially possible, Allied Minds will provide, for each portfolio company: (i) the date of 
the last equity funding round, (ii) the post-money valuation of such round, (iii) the named key co-investors in such 
round, and (iv) the Company’s issued and outstanding ownership, and fully-diluted ownership, of such portfolio 
company.

BridgeSat

•   Date of Last Funding Round: September 2018

•  Post-Money Valuation: $38.0 million

•  Co-Investors: Boeing HorizonX Ventures (venture arm of Boeing Company)

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 81.38%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 62.92%

•  BridgeSat has made reasonable progress against its key operational objectives since its last funding round. 

See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

Federated Wireless

•  Date of Last Funding Round: September 2017

•  Post-Money Valuation: $121.5 million

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
PORTFOLIO 

COMPANY 

VALUATION

PORTFOLIO COMPANY VALUATION (CONTINUED)  

•  Co-Investors: Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR), American Tower (NYSE: AMT), ARRIS International 

(NASDAQ: ARRIS) and Woodford Investment Management

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 52.23%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 42.77%

•  Federated Wireless has made significant progress against its key operational objectives since its last funding 

round. See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

HawkEye360

•  Date of Last Funding Round: August 2018 (date of first closing; final closing in September 2018)

•  Post-Money Valuation: $89.9 million

•  Co-Investors:  Raytheon  Company,  Sumitomo  Corporation  of  Americas,  Razor’s  Edge  Ventures,  Shield 

Capital, Space Angels, Woodford Investment Management and Invesco Asset Management

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 48.32%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 39.00%

•  HawkEye360 has made significant progress against its key operational objectives since its last funding round. 

See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

Orbital Sidekick

•  Date of Last Funding Round: April 2018

•  Post-Money Valuation: $11.7 million

•  Co-Investors: 11.2 Capital

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 33.23%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 29.87%

•  Orbital Sidekick has made reasonable progress against its key operational objectives since its last funding 

round. See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

QuayChain

•  Date of Last Funding Round: September 2018

•  Post-Money Valuation: $0.8 million

•  Co-Investors: n/a

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 72.22%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 65.00%

15

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
(CONTINUED)

PORTFOLIO COMPANY VALUATION (CONTINUED)  

•  QuayChain has made reasonable progress against its key operational objectives since its last funding round. 

See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

Spark Insights

•  Date of Last Funding Round: April 2019

•  Post-Money Valuation: $3.2 million

•  Co-Investors: n/a

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 70.59%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 60.00%

•  Spark Insights’ last funding round was approved in December 2018 and closed in April 2019. See Portfolio 

Review and Developments for its 2019 key operational objectives.

Spin Memory

•  Date of Last Funding Round: November 2018 (date of first closing, final closing in April 2019)

•  Post-Money Valuation: $172.0 million

•  Co-Investors: Arm Technology Investments Limited, Applied Ventures, LLC, Abies Venture Fund, Woodford 

Investment Management and Invesco Asset Management

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 42.69%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 33.58%

•  Spin Memory has made significant progress against its key operational objectives since its last funding round. 

See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

TableUp

•  Date of Last Funding Round: April 2018

•  Post-Money Valuation: $12.0 million

•  Co-Investors: n/a

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 35.52%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 30.20%

•  TableUp has made reasonable progress against its key operational objectives since its last funding round. 

See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

Precision Biopsy

•  Date of Last Funding Round: October 2015 (date of first closing; final closing in October 2016)

16

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
PORTFOLIO COMPANY VALUATION  (CONTINUED)  

•  Post-Money Valuation: $95.4 million

•  Co-Investors: Woodford Investment Management

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 64.84%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 55.11%

•  Precision Biopsy has experienced clinical delays since its last funding round. The valuation is substantially 
impaired due to a prolonged inability to attract new external financing, and limited cash available to fund its 
future operations. See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

SciFluor Life Sciences

•  Date of Last Funding Round: April 2015

•  Post-Money Valuation: $130.7 million

•  Co-Investors: Woodford Investment Management and Invesco Asset Management

•  Allied Minds’ Issued and Outstanding Ownership: 70.03%

•  Allied Minds’ Fully-Diluted Ownership: 59.57%

•  SciFluor has experienced clinical delays since its last funding round. The valuation is substantially impaired 
due to a prolonged inability to attract new external financing, and limited cash available to fund its future 
operations. See Portfolio Review and Developments for more information.

There can be no guarantee that the aforementioned post-money valuations of the portfolio companies will be 
considered to be correct in light of the future performance of the various companies, or that the Company would 
be able to realise proceeds in the amount of such valuations, or at all, in the event of a sale by it of any of its 
portfolio companies or its ownership interest in such portfolio companies.

17

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
KEY PERFORMANCE 

INDICATORS

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS   

The  Key  Performance  Indicators  (KPIs)  selected  to  measure  the  performance  of  the  Company  in  2018  were 
percentage level of achievement of management by objectives (MBOs). These objectives seek to link financial, 
operational, technical and other performance milestones established by the Board directly to remuneration and 
KPIs. Performance against 2018 KPIs is set out below:

KPI

MBO Achievement; Percentage of Target;  
See Detail Below

2018

64.0%

2017

131.0%

Performance

Substantially below target

The MBOs set by the Board for 2018, along with the level of achievement against such MBOs, is set forth 
below:

MBO

Deliver Validating Events(1) and Technical 
Milestones(2) for Key Subsidiaries

Secure Funding and Strategic Relationships 
for Subsidiary Companies

Strengthen Investment Committee Process; 
Progress Longer Term Strategy:

Initiate New Company Formation and 
Investment

Deepen Specific Federal Lab 
Relationships

Expand Sources of New Deal Pipeline

Strengthen Core Business for Sustainability:

Manage Cash

Broaden Shareholder Base

Bolster Portfolio Company Support and 
Services

Total Percentage of Target

Notes:

Threshold 
Weightings

Target 
Weightings

Maximum 
Weightings

Achieved 
Weightings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

30.0%

20.0%

45.0%

30.0%

15.5%

11.0%

15.0%

22.5%

20.0%

5.0%

5.0%

15.0%

5.0%

5.0%

100.0%

7.5%

7.5%

22.5%

7.5%

7.5%

150.0%

0.0%

0.0%

7.5%

2.5%

7.5%

64.0%

(1)   “Validating Events” represent various material achievements, such as fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, development partnerships, strategic 

alliances, customer contracts and other significant corporate events.

(2)  “Technical Milestones” represent various research and development achievements, as well as advancement of clinical trials.

18

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
 
 
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS  (CONTINUED)  

The  following  Key  Performance  Indicators  (KPIs)  were  selected  to  measure  the  performance  of  the  Company 
in  2019.  These  objectives  seek  to  link  financial,  operational,  technical  and  other  performance  milestones 
established by the Board directly to remuneration and KPIs.

The 2019 KPIs, including financial, operational, technical and other performance targets and their weightings 
for the upcoming year were set at the start of 2019, and revised in April 2019, as follows:

MBO

Deliver Validating Events(1) and Technical Milestones(2) and Revenue for Key Portfolio Companies

Secure Funding and Strategic Relationships for Portfolio Companies

Manage Cash and Maintain Strong Operational Support

Capital Allocation to Portfolio Companies

Manage Reorganisation and Cash, and Reduce HQ Expenses

Deliver Shared Services Support

Manage Deconsolidation of Portfolio Companies

Total Percentage of Target

Notes:

Target 
Weightings

30.0%

20.0%

20.0%

20.0%

5.0%

5.0%

100.0%

(1)   “Validating Events” represent various material achievements, such as fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, development partnerships, strategic 

alliances, customer contracts and other significant corporate events.

(2)  “Technical Milestones” represent various research and development achievements, as well as advancement of clinical trials.

.

19

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
 
 
PORTFOLIO REVIEW 

AND DEVELOPMENTS 

PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS   

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESSES

Br i d ge Sa t, inc.

Overview

Formed  in  2015,  BridgeSat  is  seeking  to  build  an  optical-based  big  data  delivery  service  that  will  enable 
communications between satellites, aircraft and the ground at speeds of 100+ Gigabits per second (Gbps). 
This offering strives to provide substantial advances on current Radio Frequency (RF) technology. In addition to 
meaningful potential cost savings, optical delivery frees up scarce RF spectrum, does not suffer from spectrum 
interference issues and, since the narrow optical beam is difficult to jam, it is more secure than RF. The technology 
underpinning  BridgeSat’s  offering  was  sourced  originally  from  The  Aerospace  Corporation  and  Draper 
Laboratories. BridgeSat is based in Denver, Colorado. In September 2018, BridgeSat raised $10 million in a 
Series B round led by The Boeing Company via its Boeing HorizonX Ventures arm.

Problem statement – RF cannot meet exponential growth in demand for satellite data downlink

Low earth orbit (LEO) satellite data downlink demand is expected to grow over 125% annually through 2024 as 
a result of an expected three-fold increase in the number of satellites carrying a broader range of data-intensive 
sensors by 2022. The cost and speed characteristics of RF, together with increasingly scarce spectrum, make 
it difficult to support the projected increase in data downlink demand. Similarly, data demands are growing in 
the geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO) satellite, airborne and terrestrial marketplaces where free space optical 
communications systems provide complementary support for spectrum-limited RF networks and systems.

Proposed solution – Optical-based data delivery service

BridgeSat  is  seeking  to  build  an  optical-based  data  delivery  service  that  will  enable  data  transfer  to/from 
satellites and to/from aircraft at speeds of 100+ Gbps (roughly 10x the speed of current RF communications 
technologies) and significantly lower cost (up to 10x cheaper on a $/byte basis at speeds above 1Gbps).

BridgeSat’s optical communications system has three core elements. The first is the space/airborne terminal that 
is installed on customer satellites or aircraft. The second is a network of optical ground stations that will receive 
data  from  BridgeSat  space/airborne  terminals.  The  BridgeSat  network  will  ultimately  be  agnostic,  offering 
compatibility with space terminals from other manufacturers. The company estimates that an initial network of 10 
ground stations is needed to meet the service requirements of LEO and GEO customers. The third is the Network 
Operations Centre (NOC), located in Colorado, required to operate the network and manage data delivery 
against customer service levels.

Competition is a sign of market validation and though new entrants are emerging, BridgeSat continues to benefit 
from its technical leadership in multiple markets and first mover advantages in building out its network of optical 
communications ground stations, in addition to its strategic partnerships.

Intellectual property

BridgeSat has developed a patent portfolio with a number of patents filed covering a broad range of advancements 
in fiberless optical communications for applicability to space, air, and terrestrial usage.

20

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
  
 
PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

Business model and target markets

BridgeSat’s service contracts are based on volume of data and service levels.

BridgeSat’s first target market is the fast-growing LEO data downlink segment, currently estimated to be worth 
$1.5 billion, and expected to grow 26.8% annually. In addition, BridgeSat will target the GEO, aviation-related 
and terrestrial data markets, for commercial and government customers.

Team

•  Barry Matsumori, CEO. Barry has held leadership roles including as Senior VP of business development and 
advanced concepts at Virgin Orbit, Senior VP of sales and business development at SpaceX, and nearly two 
decades at Qualcomm, where he had a number of roles including VP of Wireless Connectivity. He has also 
worked with several early stage technology companies in development and management roles.

•  Board of Directors: Barry Matsumori (CEO); Craig Cooning (Independent - former President of Network and 

Space Systems (N&SS) for The Boeing Company); and Simon Davidson (Allied Minds)

•  Advisory  Board:  Lt.  Gen.  David  Deptula,  Ret.  (former  Deputy  Chief  of  Staff  for  Intelligence,  Surveillance, 
and Reconnaissance at the Headquarters US Air Force); Douglas Loverro (former Deputy Assistant Secretary 
of  Defense  for  Space  Policy);  Dr.  Sandra  Magnus  (former  Discovery  astronaut  and  engineer  designing 
stealth aircraft for the US Navy); and William Parker (former Minister-Counselor at the Department of State, 
specialising in foreign services)

2018 management objectives

•  Successfully demonstrate end-to-end service: NOC, at least one ground station, and customer pathfinder(s)

•  Sign 2+ customer agreements; build strong commercial revenue backlog

Progress in 2018

•  Denver NOC completed and operational in January 2018

•  First optical ground station installed and operable at Sierra Nevada site

•  In May 2018, announced agreements to provide space laser terminals and data services to ICEYE – the 
world’s first commercial microsatellite synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) constellation. Production and delivery of 
the first space laser terminal to ICEYE is in process.

•  NICT (Japanese state funding IT institute) contract progressing with design review held in July 2018 in Tokyo

•  Progressed development of advanced optical communications for future applications, increasing performance 

and quality, including filing six design patents

•  In August 2018, announced the formation of an Advisory Board, with initial appointments per above

•  Signed five US government revenue contracts

•  Entered into Space Act Agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

21

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

•  In  September  2018,  raised  $10.0  million  in  a  Series  B  preferred  stock  financing  round  led  by  Boeing 
HorizonX  Ventures,  the  investment  arm  of  the  world’s  largest  aerospace  company,  signaling  a  broader 
relationship with Boeing that is expected to provide BridgeSat with access to its experts, testing labs and 
other valuable resources to help scale BridgeSat’s business.

•  In  October  2018,  announced  a  partnership  with  Sitael  SpA,  an  Italian  provider  of  space  services  and 
applications, including design and production of small satellites. The companies will collaborate to jointly 
support European customers, examine opportunities in optical communications outside Europe, and develop 
an optical ground station in the Italian region.

•  After  the  period  end,  announced  a  strategic  relationship  with  Es’HailSat,  a  Qatari  satellite  company,  to 
build  an  optical  ground  station  to  be  co-located  at  Es’HailSat’s  new  satellite  operations  center  in  Doha, 
Qatar. There are two optical ground stations now in place, with a further three under contract to be built and 
deployed.

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Successfully demonstrate one-to-many communications solution and end-to-end service for ICEYE

•  Develop strategic partnership program with Boeing and others

•  Expand the capacity of the global ground network through industry partnerships and ground station installations

•  Build strong commercial and government customer backlog

Fe d e r a t e d  Wi rele SS, inc.

Overview

Federated Wireless plans to offer a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) that unlocks spectrum previously 
unavailable  to  commercial  users  by  enabling  government  and  commercial  users  to  securely  share  the  same 
spectrum  band.  Founded  in  2012,  the  company’s  solution  is  based  on  technology  developed  with  support 
from  Virginia  Tech  and  the  US  Department  of  Defense  (DoD).  Federated  Wireless  is  the  leader  in  enabling 
shared spectrum via a software-based service that leverages artificial intelligence (AI). Investors include Charter 
Communications, Arris International and American Tower. Federated is poised for full Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) certification of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) shared spectrum, beginning with 
a live application to roll out commercial services under the FCC’s Initial Commercial Deployment (ICD) program 
with  20  end-user  partners.  Federated  Wireless  has  multi-year  contracts  signed  for  the  provision  of  spectrum 
allocation services with multiple customers, including a large mobile network operator (MNO), Extenet, Zinwave, 
Accelleran, Airspan, Telrad, Blinq, Baicells, Landmark, Cambium, Ruckus and Motorola. Federated Wireless is 
based in Arlington, Virginia.

Problem statement – the spectrum crunch

Digital traffic globally is expected to increase three fold by 2022 (Source: Cisco) driven by demands of streaming 
media, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and next generation mobile services. Current spectrum 
allocation models include licensed spectrum, which can be high cost and inefficient, and unlicensed spectrum, 
such as Wi-Fi, which has no or very low cost but may be congested and unpredictable, and lacks carrier-grade 
technologies such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE). According to the FCC, “service quality is likely to suffer and prices 
are likely to rise” without new models that address the expected shortage of usable spectrum.

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Proposed solution – shared spectrum model

Pioneered by Federated Wireless, spectrum sharing opens up for shared use spectrum previously unavailable or 
inefficiently used.

In the US, the FCC initially plans to open up for shared use 150MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band previously 
held by the DoD, following an order creating CBRS. 150MHz of spectrum is equivalent to a large wireless 
carriers’ entire spectrum holdings. The cost to deploy shared spectrum equipment is equivalent to that for Wi-
Fi systems, but delivers secure, carrier-grade LTE service. The first commercial spectrum sharing services of the 
3.5 GHz band poised and ready to be launched, pending final FCC certification. Beyond CBRS, spectrum 
sharing is being considered for other spectral bands in US, and internationally. These markets are expected to 
be developed in the medium to longer term.

Intellectual property

There are two key elements to the core Federated Wireless spectrum controller. The Spectrum Access System 
(SAS)  is  cloud-based  software  that  dynamically  allocates  available  spectrum  to  registered  users.  Spectrum  is 
allocated according to the three tier priorities determined by FCC rules and regulations. Access to the spectrum 
is gained via “access points” - equivalent to a wi-fi router - which are deployed close to the end user.

The  second  element  is  the  Environmental  Sensing  Capability  (ESC)  sensor  network  that  detects  use  by  the 
incumbent (in the case of 3.5GHz the US Navy) and secures priority access on an as needed basis without 
interference  or  disruption.  Federated  Wireless  has  installed  and  will  operate  over  one  hundred  ESC  sensors 
along the US coastlines. We expect our ESC network to be the first which is fully deployed, operational, and 
commercially available.

Federated  Wireless  has  14  issued  patents  and  19  patent  applications  protecting  proprietary  technology 
underpinning its ESC sensor design and its SAS. These patents are primarily focused on systems and algorithms 
embedded in its core technologies.

Business model and target markets

There are five core markets for Federated Wireless’ spectrum sharing technology.

1.   Mobile operators: network densification. Expected to use the newly allocated CBRS spectrum by adding 
access points in highly populated areas to densify their existing networks, improve coverage and extend 
capacity and service quality.

2.   Cable operators (also known as multiple system operators or MSOs): wireless extension. Expected to provide 
access by installing access points in homes and destinations to provide mobile offload, with technology that 
offers the price point of Wi-Fi, with the quality of LTE.

3.   Managed service provider: neutral host. Can harness shared spectrum by installing access points at private 
venues such as stadiums, campuses and other commercial properties to provide local networks at significantly 
reduced cost compared to current distributed antenna system technologies.

4.   Broadband  wireless  access  (BWA)  providers:  connect  the  unconnected.  CBRS  offers  a  new  opportunity 
for BWAs to invest in network upgrades that can expand the availability of reliable and affordable fixed 
broadband services including in rural locations otherwise underserved by fixed line broadband.

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5.   Enterprise vertical markets: private LTE. Industrial and other commercial customers can install access points 
to enable private LTE networks in factories and other venues, in support of IoT. Federated believes that the 
Enterprise segment is likely to be the most significant source of demand for CBRS shared spectrum services, 
powered by cloud-native mobile network solutions.

Overall,  Federated Wireless  estimates  the  number  of  access  points  that  are  likely  to  be  deployed  in  the  US 
market  to  be  more  than  135  million,  including  100  million  home  cable  and  broadband  MSO  installations; 
30 million enterprise installations; and 5 million in last mile access installations for rural homes. Not included 
is additional demand expected from MNOs for network densification and underserved travel and commercial 
hubs. Following FCC certification, it is estimated that the US market could reach 15.1 million access points by 
2022. This forecast represents a volume upgrade to the previous forecast of 5.4 million access points. It assumes 
that the market will charge subscriptions across the fixed wireless segment of the market for both outdoor base 
stations (Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices or CBSDs) and indoor access points (CPEs) (previously it 
was assumed that only the base stations would command a fee). Additionally, it is now assumed that overall 
penetration rates by this point will be higher than previously thought, and comparable to historical take-up rates 
for Wi-Fi technology upgrades (as opposed to take-up rates during the original roll-out of Wi-Fi as a brand new 
technology). The forecasted economic size of the market is not substantially impacted by this change in volume 
assumptions, since pricing for indoor access points (not included in the volume forecast) will be much lower than 
the blended average annual access point subscription price previously assumed.

Future markets for spectrum sharing that are expected to develop for additional spectrum bands in the US, other 
international markets, as well as new products and services for CBRS customers are not included.

Team

•  Iyad  Tarazi,  CEO.  Joined  Federated  Wireless  from  Sprint  Corp.,  where  he  served  as  Vice  President  of 
Network Development and led the Network Vision network modernisation project. Responsibilities included 
overseeing the development and integration of new products and technologies within Sprint’s networks and 
managing Sprint-Nextel’s technology integration labs.

•  Matt  Sysak,  CFO.  Joined  Federated  Wireless  with  over  25  years  of  experience  in  corporate  finance, 
accounting, planning, M&A and has held a number of leadership roles in both public and privately-held 
companies. Most recently, Matt was CFO of Everfi, Inc. – a SaaS education-technology company growing 
revenues  from  $12  million  to  $105  million,  leading  the  company  through  two  acquisitions  and  three 
fundraising rounds, culminating in an exit to private equity.

•  Kurt  Schaubach,  CTO.  Brings  25  years  of  wireless  industry  experience  to  Federated  Wireless  where  he 
plays a key role in developing technologies and new business strategies. Previously, Kurt served in various 
engineering roles at the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), NextWave Wireless, LCC 
International, and Southwestern Bell.

•  Board  of  Directors:  Iyad  Tarazi  (CEO);  Craig  Cowden  (Senior  Vice  President,  Wireless  Technology  at 
Charter Communications); Jake Rasweiler (Senior Vice President – Managed Networks at American Tower); 
Nelson  Chan  (Independent  –  formerly  CEO  of  Magellan  Corporation);  Jill  Smith,  Joe  Pignato,  and  Mike 
Turner (each of Allied Minds)

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2018 management objectives

•  FCC certification

•  Support multiple customer launches and realise commercial revenue

•  Build out national availability of ESC network to meet customer requirements

Progress in 2018

•  In May 2018, Federated Wireless jointly announced with Verizon, Ericsson and Qualcomm the first successful 
test  of  CBRS  spectrum  sharing  in  Verizon’s  live  commercial  network,  demonstrating  peak  speeds  of  790 
Mpbs (more than 3x the speed of current LTE technologies).

•  In April 2018, Verizon confirmed that it will ship handsets in 2018 that include CBRS compliant chipsets. 
Also  during  the  year  Google  confirmed  it  will  launch  its  Pixel  3  Band  48  phones  and  Sierra  Wireless 
confirmed launch of Band 48 modules for Enterprise devices like laptops, and Cradlepoint Band 48 devices 
for IIoT (Band 48 is an LTE operating frequency band that works with CBRS). After the period end Samsung 
launched the Galaxy S10 with full support for CBRS across the product line.

•  In  late  July  2018,  the  FCC  announced  it  was  seeking  proposals  for  Initial  Commercial  Deployment  from 
CBRS  Spectrum  Access  System  (SAS)  administrators.  Under  ICD,  SAS  administrators,  such  as  Federated 
Wireless that successfully complete FCC lab testing will be permitted to operate in specified geographies, 
for specified periods.

•  On  10  September  2018,  Federated  Wireless  announced  that  it  had  submitted  a  formal  application  to 
participate in ICD alongside 15 named partner end-users including wireless operators, cable operators, tower 
companies, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Federated 
Wireless expects to scale nationwide with nearly 16,000 deployment sites by customers in 47 states in the 
US and the District of Columbia.

•  In October 2018, Federated launched a new training program for Certified Professional Installers (CPI) of 
Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs), which will help facilitate Federated Wireless’ end-to-
end Spectrum Controller solution.

•  Federated Wireless has subsequently expanded the scope of its ICD application to include 20 partner end-

users

•  The  majority  of  Federated  Wireless’  dedicated  nationwide  ESC  network  (sensors  positioned  on  the  US 
coasts to enable priority use of CBRS by the US Navy) has now been installed and the full network is nearing 
completion ahead of full FCC approval, allowing for full access to the entire 150 MHz of 3.5 GHz spectrum. 
Federated Wireless’ ESC network is expected to be the first that is commercially available in the market.

•  In November 2018, Federated Wireless, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Athonet and 
Ruckus Networks, launched a fully cloud-native private mobile network solution for developers, independent 
software vendors (ISVs), telecom operators, public sector and enterprises for quick deployment of Industrial 
IoT applications, such as real-time surveillance, smart meters and worker safety monitoring. The solution takes 
advantage of CBRS shared spectrum to deliver high performance, scalable and secure IIoT services.

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2019 key operational management objectives

•  ICD approval, followed by FCC certification

•  Complete build out of nationally available of ESC network to meet customer requirements

•  Build infrastructure and capacity to support scale of the business

Ha Wkey e 360, inc.

Overview

Formed in 2015, HawkEye360 is a data analytics company operating low earth orbit (LEO) small satellites that 
detect, independently geo-locate and analyse diverse Radio Frequency (RF) signals from space. Using its unique 
data set, sourced from the Pathfinder satellites, HawkEye applies proprietary algorithms to produce contextually 
relevant analytics and reports for government and commercial end market applications. Its first cluster of satellites 
was  launched  in  December  2018  and  commissioning  was  successfully  completed  in  February  2019.  Data 
products from the Pathfinder cluster are now commercially available. Construction of the next satellite cluster has 
been initiated. This cluster will apply information learned from the Pathfinder to further enhance RF data collection 
capabilities and expand revenue opportunities. Co-investors in HawkEye360 include Raytheon, Razor’s Edge and 
Sumitomo Corporation of the Americas. HawkEye360 is based in Herndon, Virginia.

Problem statement – current space-based RF signals detection and mapping capabilities are limited

Commercial applications than can benefit from RF geospatial information are proliferating. These applications will 
benefit significantly from new commercial capabilities that can independently geo-locate diverse RF signals. Such 
capabilities have the potential to enhance government and commercial activities across a range of applications, 
including  emergency  response  support  (search  and  rescue),  shipping  and  transportation  tracking,  spectrum 
interference and coverage mapping, support for global health and humanitarian initiatives such as identification 
of illegal fishing, and support of national and global security activities.

Proposed solution – RF signals detection, mapping and analytics from formation satellite constellations

HawkEye360‘s capabilities are delivered via clusters of three LEO small satellites flying in formation to provide 
independent data streams that can be used to accurately geo-locate and capture diverse RF signals. Following its 
launch in December 2018, the Pathfinder cluster is now on orbit and performing in line with design specifications. 
Using proprietary algorithms, signals data is being used individually, and eventually will be used in combination 
with  multiple  other  data  sources  to  deliver  contextual,  timely  analysis  and  predictions  related  to  sources  of 
RF signals, such as ships and fishing vessels. For example, maritime vessels engaged in illegal fishing may seek 
to evade detection by switching off their AIS (Automatic Identification System) and going “dark”. HawkEye360’s 
capability may be used to detect other forms of RF emissions from the “dark” ship making it possible to detect 
vessels that are attempting to hide or spoof their location and avoid interception.

The company currently plans a full commercial constellation of 10 satellite clusters (30 satellites). HawkEye360’s 
satellites and payloads are sourced from experienced suppliers with proven performance records. The algorithms 
that form the foundation of HawkEye360‘s signals processing and data analytics are proprietary to HawkEye360.

HawkEye360 enjoys first mover advantages and is thought to be the only commercial entity with satellites on orbit, 
and further launches planned, capable of diverse RF signals detection, mapping and analytics.

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Intellectual Property

HawkEye sources its satellites, payloads and signals processing hardware from third party providers. Its proprietary 
intellectual property resides in the software that analyses the RF signals data, has the ability to combine it with 
other sources of geospatial information, and generates actionable reports and analytics for the end user.

Business model and target markets

The first market targeted by HawkEye360 is maritime domain awareness (MDA). Per Frost and Sullivan, this is 
currently a $1.7 billion market, forecast to grow to $2.2 billion by 2024 (excluding defence and intelligence 
expenditure). In civil government, the market is anticipated to include: anti-piracy and pollution; illegal, unreported 
and  unregulated  (IUU)  fishing:  and  anti-illegal  transshipment.  Other  representative  markets  include:  spectrum 
mapping; emergency response and search and rescue; communications/spectrum interference detection; critical 
infrastructure awareness; and government mission support. For reference, the commercial satellite imagery market 
is forecasted to be worth $8.5 billion by 2026.

HawkEye360’s subscription model is expected to generate recurring revenue.

Team

•  John  Serafini,  CEO.  Formerly  Senior  Vice  President  of  Allied  Minds  where  he  led  the  formation  of  and 
the  investment  into  HawkEye360,  along  with  other  Allied  Minds  companies  such  as  BridgeSat,  Federated 
Wireless, Optio Labs, Percipient Networks, and Whitewood Encryption Systems. A former Airborne Ranger-
qualified U.S. Army infantry officer, John is a graduate of the US Military Academy, Harvard Business School 
and Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

•  Chris DeMay, Founder and CTO. Came up with the idea for HawkEye while serving at the NRO, where 
he was responsible for space-based intelligence technology development projects and programs. 14 years 
in various leadership positions with the U.S. Federal Government, and was the recipient of the NRO Gold 
Medal of Distinguished Performance and the Frank Beamer Award for Exceptional Service. Chris holds an 
MS in Systems Engineering and a BS in Business Information Technology, both from Virginia Tech.

•  Board of Directors: John Serafini (CEO); Mark Spoto (Razor’s Edge); Jill Smith (Allied Minds); Simon Davidson 
(Allied Minds); Honorable Arthur L. Money (Independent, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, 
Control, Communications and Intelligence (ASD (C3I)); and David Farnsworth (Raytheon)

•  Advisory Board: 16 members including: Letitia Long (recently retired Director of the National Geospatial-

Intelligence Agency (NGA)); and David Deptula (retired Lieutenant General, United States Air Force)

2018 management objectives

•  Successfully launch Pathfinder satellite cluster

•  Launch Marine Domain Awareness (MDA) products and realise commercial revenue

Progress in 2018

•  Pathfinder cluster of satellites successfully launched and deployed in December 2018 via SpaceX Falcon 9 

Rocket

•  Post period end, pathfinder cluster successfully commissioned on 26 February 2019, indicating satellites and 
payloads are performing in line with design specifications and data is available for commercial products

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•  Continued backlog build – across government and commercial clients

•  Beta testing completed for first Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) product

•  $14.9 million Series A-3 funding round completed in September 2018, led by Raytheon with participation 
from Sumitomo Corporation of America, Razor’s Edge Ventures, Shield Capital, Space Angels, Allied Minds 
and  a  new  unnamed  financial  investor.  Proceeds  are  being  deployed  to  fund  the  development  of  the 
company’s next commercial cluster

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Successfully launch three core analytic products in the Spectrum Awareness product line, RF Geo, RF Survey 

and Emitter Data Base.

•  Complete development of next cluster and ready for launch

•  Commence development of follow-on clusters two, three and four, for launch in 2020.

OrB i ta l Si d e ki ck, inc.

Overview

Allied  Minds  led  the  seed  round  of  Orbital  Sidekick  in  April  2018  with  an  investment  of  $3.5  million  for  a 
significant minority stake. 11.2 Capital, a VC firm specialising in breakthrough technologies, invested alongside 
Allied Minds.

Orbital Sidekick is a company developing capabilities in aerial and space-based hyperspectral imaging and 
analytics, initially for the oil and gas industry. Orbital Sidekick’s Spectral Intelligence™ platform is designed to 
enable more efficient monitoring of natural resource assets and infrastructure integrity. Orbital Sidekick is initially 
targeting  monitoring  of  assets  for  the  oil  and  gas  market  –  estimated  at  over  $4  billion  annually.  There  are 
potentially multiple additional commercial and government applications for its technology.

Orbital Sidekick was founded by Dan Katz and Tushar Prabhakar, leveraging their extensive experience in small-
sat design as engineers at Space Systems Loral. The team has built a complementary network of advisors to bring 
expertise in oil and gas operations and regulations, hyperspectral analysis, and data services.

Progress in 2018

•  Successful  deployment  of  its  first-generation  hyperspectral  system  on  the  NanoRacks  External  Platform  on-

board the International Space Station (ISS) in December 2018

•  Awarded  a  Phase  I  SBIR  contract  from  AFWERX,  the  United  States  Air  Force  program  with  the  goal  of 

fostering a culture of innovation within the service

•  Entered  an  agreement  with  Loft  Orbital  to  deploy  a  second-generation  hyperspectral  payload  from  Loft’s 

space infrastructure, providing a high frequency monitoring solution for Orbital Sidekick customers

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Expand Orbital Sidekick’s pilot programs to additional oil and gas pipeline operators to deliver Spectral 

Intelligence™ for asset integrity and regulatory compliance monitoring

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Qua ycHa i n, inc.

Overview

QuayChain  plans  to  provide  CBRS-enabled  connected  digital  infrastructure  and  targeted  supply  chain 
management applications at multi-user industrial locations such as international cargo ports and large industrial 
real estate complexes. We refer to these locations as Smart Industrial Hubs. Specifically, QuayChain will design 
and build private LTE networks and will deploy proprietary connected devices and sensors. This infrastructure will 
enable a single Industrial IoT platform for the collection and analysis of real-time data across the Smart Industrial 
Hub. Applications will be developed to harness this data to improve the efficiency of existing supply chain work 
flow. QuayChain will work initially at key international cargo ports to build a CBRS network and deploy devices 
and sensors for the use by occupants of the port.

Progress in 2018

•  Granted a special temporary authority (STA) by the FCC to conduct testing in the CBRS band in the Ports of 
Los Angeles / Long Beach locale. QuayChain was also included in the initial commercial deployment (ICD) 
of Federated Wireless

•  Executed four pilot agreements with partners and potential end-users

•  Installed small cell radios for initial testing. Successfully tested a number of CBRS enabled devices to operate 

on CBRS network, both stationary and moving

•  Initial discussions with the terminal operators and with the trucking industry on priority technical issues within 

the ports area

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Design,  build  and  test  a  pilot  network  across  a  multi-user  industrial  location  with  insight  into  commercial 

scalability

•  Design  and  deploy  CBRS  enabled  devices  within  the  key  parts  of  the  port  supply  chain,  across  multiple 

customers both fixed and moving

•  Design applications to ingest the data collected from deployed devices and provide analytical support for 

key business workflows within the supply chain

Spa rk inS i g H tS, inc.

Overview

Spark Insights is an advanced analytics company developing data products for the rapidly growing insurance 
analytics market. Allied Minds formed Spark Insights in late 2018 and completed a $3.2 million Series Seed 
financing post period end in April 2019.

Given the increasing prevalence of catastrophic events, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, property, 
insurers are struggling to quantify the impact on their policies, both before and after a catastrophic event occurs. 
Spark Insights plans to leverage the advent of unique data sets, including advances in satellite imagery and 
weather data, combined with proprietary analytics to transform critical workflows for these property insurers.

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Spark  Insights  draws  from  Allied  Minds’  expertise  in  the  SpaceTech  sector  and  perspective  on  the  maturing 
data sets emerging from new space platforms, analytics conducted at NASA and deep insurance and weather 
expertise of Allied Minds’ Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Ira Scharf.

Spark  Insights’  focus  is  at  the  intersection  of  several  multi-billion  dollar  addressable  markets  including  an 
approximately  $7.0  billion  per  year  insurance  analytics  market,  approximately  $10.0  billion  per  year  in 
underwriting losses, and approximately $1.0 billion per year in catastrophe modeling platforms.

Ira Scharf is a co-founder of Spark Insights and has been appointed as the company’s CEO. Ira’s background 
includes over 15 years bringing products to market in the insurance industry and over 10 years in the weather 
industry, in addition to degrees from MIT and Harvard Business School.

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Develop initial product to improve processes in the property insurance industry using novel data sets and 

analytics capabilities

•  Engage with pilot customers in the insurance and reinsurance industries

•  Build team to support data science, engineering, and business development activities in initial pilots

Sp i n Me M Ory, inc. (FOrM e rly knOWn a S Sp i n tra nSFe r te cH nOlOgi e S, inc.)

Overview

Spin Memory is developing technology solutions that have the potential to materially enhance the endurance, 
speed  and  size  characteristics  of  MRAM  (magneto-resistive  random  access  memory)  –  the  emerging  next 
generation  memory  technology.  Spin  Memory  believes  these  technologies  hold  the  potential  to  unlock  the 
widespread adoption of MRAM as a replacement for existing SRAM and DRAM. It has licensed its Endurance 
Engine technology to ARM Limited and will work with ARM Limited to create embedded SRAM-class MRAM 
design solutions based on this proprietary technology. Furthermore, Spin Memory has entered into a commercial 
agreement with Applied Materials, Inc. (Applied Materials) to jointly create a comprehensive MRAM solution 
for foundries. ARM Limited and Applied Materials were co-investors in Spin Memory’s Series B funding round 
completed in November 2018. Based in Fremont, California, Spin Memory was formed in 2006 and employs 
over 20 PhDs in fields including engineering, physics, materials sciences and mathematics.

Problem statement – current pervasive SRAM and DRAM technologies are reaching obsolescence

Current pervasive SRAM and DRAM memories deliver powerful size, speed and endurance performance, but 
have a high power consumption and are volatile, i.e. they do not retain memory when power is cut. Current 
memory and storage solutions are challenged by the demands associated with the rapid expansion of IoT and 
more complex, data-intensive applications, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual reality. 
At the same time, downward pressure on size and cost continues.

Proposed solution – universal technologies that enable SRAM- and DRAM-grade MRAM

Spin Memory is developing 3 patented, universal technologies that hold the potential to enable MRAM (which 
is inherently non-volatile and low power) to meet or exceed the size, speed and endurance characteristics of 
SRAM and DRAM.

•  Endurance Engine - circuitry designed to correct for inherent errors or non-idealities of MRAM, improving 
endurance by up to six orders of magnitude, taking current MRAM technologies from 108 to 1014 compared 

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to DRAM at up to 1015 or above. The Endurance Engine also improves cell size, speed, power consumption, 
density and retention. The Endurance Engine has parallels to innovations pioneered by SanDisk to correct for 
non-idealities in Flash memory that led to the widespread adoption of that technology.

•  Spin Polarizer (also known as PSC) – series of materials that can be layered onto a perpendicular magnetic 
tunnel junction (pMTJ – the core magnetics technology of MRAM) to improve switching speeds and increase 
efficiency by an estimated 30%, and reduce size by a corresponding amount.

•  3D multi-level cell (3D-MLC) – allows increases in densities to a level which, when combined with the Spin 

Polarizer and Endurance Engine, will allow MRAM to match or exceed the characteristics of DRAM.

The three core technologies have the potential to significantly reduce costs. Specifically, the Endurance Engine is 
intended to decrease the overall silicon area (and hence cost) of a large (> 32 Megabit) MRAM memory. The 
Spin Polarizer adds an infinitesimal processing cost (fractions of a per cent) while greatly reducing silicon area. 
The 3D-MLC adds some processing cost that is significantly outweighed by the resultant silicon area reduction.

Intellectual property

Spin  Memory  has  more  than  200  patents  issued  or  pending  in  relation  to  the  three  technologies  described 
above. These patents cover everything from the fundamental aspects of these areas of invention to derivative 
improvements. Spin Memory has granted an exclusive license to ARM Limited in relation to its Endurance Engine 
technologies for use in applications in embedded MRAM.

Target markets and business model

Through a phased roll-out of capabilities with partners, Spin Memory is targeting Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) 
and  SRAM  replacement  markets  estimated  at  $250  million  and  $500  million,  respectively,  followed  by  the 
$1.0 billion storage class memory market (also known as MDRAM), and later DRAM with a total addressable 
market estimated to be worth $20 billion across mobile and enterprise segments.

Spin Memory plans to commercialise its technology through a combination of licensing agreements, potentially 
delineated  by  component  and  field  of  use,  NRE-type  agreements  or  sponsorship  agreements,  and  other 
commercial partnerships. Spin Memory views the licensing model as an efficient way to reach the market that 
leverages the distribution and customer network and cost base of Spin Memory’s partners. Should the company 
choose to expand its strategy beyond a licensing model, it would need to partner with a manufacturer at a future 
stage.

Team

•  Tom  Sparkman,  CEO.  35  years’  experience  across  medical,  automotive,  semiconductor  and  wireless 
technologies.  Extensive  leadership  roles  include  CEO  of  Samplify  Systems,  and  most  recently  General 
Manager and Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales at Spansion, Inc., prior to its merger with Cypress 
Semiconductor. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of California 
at Berkeley.

•  Antoine Bruyns, CFO. Formerly at Bain & Co and JP Morgan where he advised on the IPOs of DocuSign 
and Eventbrite, and the acquisitions of Cavium, Ring, and Blue Bottle Coffee. Formerly Managing Director 
and start-up CEO of Riaktr’s South African branch. Antoine holds a Masters of Business Administration from 
UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a Bachelors in Business Engineering from the Universite Libre de 

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Bruxelles, along with both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences 
from Ecole Polytechnique de Bruxelles.

•  Andy Walker Ph.D., Vice President Product. Recognised leader in the semiconductor industry with 30 years’ 
experience, focusing on 3-D Flash memory since 2000. Founded Schiltron Corporation to investigate and 
develop new 3-D memory technology. Andy has worked for several major semiconductor companies including 
Cypress Semiconductor, Artisan Components and Matrix Semiconductor. Prior to this he was with Philips 
Research Laboratories where he worked on CMOS and non-volatile memory R&D. He earned a Bachelor of 
Science degree in physics from the University of Dundee, Scotland and a Ph.D. from the Technical University 
of Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

•  Board of Directors: John Kispert (Independent Chairman); Tom Sparkman (CEO); Pete Magowan (Independent, 
former  EVP  Sales  and  Marketing  at  Arm  Limited);  Surajit  Datta  (ARM);  Jill  Smith  (Allied  Minds);  and  Joe 
Pignato (Allied Minds)

2018 management objectives

•  Successfully demonstrate the advantages of the Spin Polarizer and Endurance Engine

•  Sign 2+ customer/partner agreements

Progress in 2018

•  In November 2018, raised $52 million in a Series B financing round, including the conversion of $23 million 
of convertible bridge financing from existing investors, including Allied Minds. The round was led by ARM 
Technology Investments Limited, the venture arm of ARM Limited, and Applied Ventures, the venture capital 
arm of Applied Materials, and included participation by Abies, a Japanese venture capital fund.

•  At the completion of this financing, Spin Memory signed a licensing agreement with ARM Limited, the world’s 
leading semiconductor intellectual property (IP) company. The licensing agreement extends to Spin Memory’s 
Endurance  Engine™  technology  and  related  IP,  and  governs  the  terms  on  which  ARM  Limited  and  Spin 
Memory will work together to create SRAM-class magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) design 
solutions based on this proprietary technology. Under the licensing agreement, Spin Memory will provide 
ARM Limited with its innovative Endurance Engine design architecture to develop a new line of embedded 
MRAM design IP. This MRAM design IP will address static random-access memory (SRAM) application in 
SoCs (Systems-on-a-Chip), with denser and lower power solutions than typically achieved with the current 6T 
SRAM cell-based IP.

•  Simultaneously,  Spin  Memory  announced  a  commercial  agreement  with  Applied  Materials  to  create  a 
comprehensive embedded MRAM solution. The solution brings together Applied Materials’ industry-leading 
deposition and etch capabilities with Spin Memory’s MRAM process IP. Key elements of the offering include 
Applied Materials’ innovations in PVD and etch process technology, Spin Memory’s revolutionary Precessional 
Spin  Current™  (PSC™)  structure  (also  known  as  the  Spin  Polarizer),  and  industry-leading  perpendicular 
magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) technology from both companies. The solution is designed to allow customers 
to quickly bring up an MRAM manufacturing module and start producing world-class MRAM products. Spin 
Memory and Applied Materials are working together to make this turnkey solution commercially available.

•  Both  the  ARM  Limited  license  agreement  and  the  Applied  Materials  commercial  agreement  include  a 

competitive revenue share stake for Spin Memory from future sales.

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PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

•  Demonstrated efficiency gains of 40 – 70% when applying STT’s Spin Polarizer to any MRAM device, enabling 
dramatic improvements in data retention (by a factor of >10,000x) with reduced power consumption. Results 
reported at the Intermag 2018 Conference.

•  Demonstrated up to six orders of magnitude endurance enhancement with a silicon based FPGA emulation 
of the Endurance Engine alongside STT’s test chips, resulting in endurance levels of 1014, in line with DRAM 
endurance performance.

•  Appointed John Kispert as Independent Director and Chairman. John has over 25 years of experience in the 
semiconductor industry, most recently serving as a CEO of Spansion, Inc. prior to its merger with Cypress 
Semiconductor Corp.

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Create proof of concepts in silicon that demonstrate the superior performance of Spin Memory’s technologies

•  Leverage exclusive licensing agreements with Applied Materials and ARM Limited to bring technology IPs 

into the mainstream

•  Build strong commercial and government customer backlog for new use cases in AI, ADAS, 5G, IoT and 

more

ta B le up , i nc.

Overview

TableUp is a software provider enabling end-to-end transparency through the restaurant supply chain to enable 
more effective inventory and operations management. Allied Minds’ minority investment in TableUp in April 2018 
represents a first entry into a vertical market where efficiency gains in operations, supply chain management, 
and marketing are expected to be unlocked through improved connectivity. TableUp is a revenue-generating 
company and has a relationship with Reyes Group LLC, one of the largest food and beverage distributors in the 
US.

Progress in 2018

•  Integrations with 70% of POS systems

•  2019 divisional lead goals set with key partners

•  36% CMGR in bookings since Series A financing

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Expand referral partner network

•  Expand traction in enterprise market segment

•  Build integrations with additional key POS systems

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PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

LIFE SCIENCE BUSINESSES

pre c i S i On Bi Op Sy, inc.

Overview

Precision  Biopsy  is  a  medical  device  and  analytics  company  using  spectral  analysis  to  distinguish  tissue 
characteristics  in  real-time,  with  the  aim  of  improving  cancer  diagnostics  and  therapies.  Initially  focused  on 
prostate cancer, the technology is potentially applicable to other cancers. Precision Biopsy was formed in 2008 
based on technology originally sourced from the University of Colorado. It is based in Aurora, Colorado. In 
February 2019, it secured bridge financing of $5 million from existing investors, Allied Minds and Woodford 
Investment Management to support the company to a funding round to finance the Pivotal SCORE for its diagnostic 
device (ClariCore™).

Problem statement – poor diagnosis rates and invasive therapies for prostate cancer

The location of the prostate means that cancer tumours cannot be accurately imaged so biopsies, which involve 
12-14 randomly sampled cores, are effectively performed “blind”. Lack of ability to accurately target cancer 
tumours during the biopsy leads to poor diagnosis rates: cancer is missed nearly half of the time and as a result 
patients are subjected to repeat biopsies. Further, 90% of tissue cores are negative, resulting in unnecessary 
patient  discomfort  and  pathology  costs  of  around  $900  million  annually  in  the  US  alone.  Additionally,  as 
tumours cannot be accurately mapped, treatments for prostate cancer are predominantly whole gland treatments, 
principally prostatectomy, carrying c. 85% side effects, including sexual dysfunction and incontinence.

Proposed solution – “smart” diagnosis and therapy

Precision Biopsy’s ClariCore™ system uses spectral analysis to distinguish benign from cancerous prostate tissue 
in real time during the biopsy procedure, guiding the urologist, and potentially improving diagnosis rates while 
reducing pathology costs. The same technology is being leveraged to produce accurate 3D mapping of prostate 
cancer  tumours  which  is  a  critical  enabler  of  focal  therapy  using  ClariCore™  and  other  emerging  therapies 
designed to treat only the cancerous tissue and replace certain prostatectomies. Targeted focal therapy has the 
potential to move treatment from the operating room to the clinic at significantly reduced cost and with fewer 
side effects.

Today’s standard of care involves a random biopsy of 12-14 cores under ultrasound guidance. Where routine 
biopsies of high risk patients fail to diagnose the cancer, physicians typically prescribe an MR Fusion biopsy 
which involves an MRI scan (typically in the hospital) followed by the biopsy (typically in the urology office). An 
MRI scan is expensive and has an estimated 10mm error margin. ClariCore™ 3D is estimated to have an error 
margin of 1mm, which is accurate enough for focal therapy.

Intellectual property

Precision Biopsy has four US issued patents and another four patent applications pending in the US and EU. 
Precision Biopsy’s IP portfolio is intended to protect company’s core technology and commercial products for the 
real-time tissue classification product (ClariCore™), as well as covering tumor mapping and focal therapy for 
cancer in the prostate as well as anatomical locations.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
(CONTINUED)

PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

Target markets

•  In  the  US,  Precision  Biopsy’s  ClariCore™  diagnostic  product  targets  a  c.  $1.5  billion  segment  of  the 

estimated $7 billion prostate cancer market, or approximately 1 million biopsies annually

•  Precision Biopsy believes an estimated 100,000 prostate cancer patients may be eligible for 3D mapping, 
worth c. $300 million annually in the US, plus an additional $500 million US market for an integrated focal 
therapy device

•  The European market is of a similar size to the US

Team

•  Adam Savakus, President and COO. Adam has 25 years’ experience in the medical devices industry driving 
complex product development, clinical, and regulatory efforts to successful outcomes. He was part of the 
founding team of EndoSonics, a pioneer in the field of Intravascular Ultrasound, (IPO, acquired by Jomed, 
Volcano Therapeutics, Phillips), and was a key executive at Adiana developing a novel transcervical sterilisation 
method (acquired by Cytyc/Hologic). Most recently as EVP at Relievant MedSystems, he successfully led the 
product development, operations and clinical and regulatory strategy for the Intracept device. Adam holds a 
B.S. in Biophysics and a M.S. Bioengineering, both from Pennsylvania State University.

•  Dr. Priya Werahera, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder. Two decades’ experience in prostate cancer 
diagnostics and therapies as an Associate Professor in the Departments of Pathology and Bioengineering 
at the University of Colorado. Priya holds two BS degrees (University of Moratuwa, Council of Engineering 
Institute),  an  MS  from  Oregon  State  University  and  a  PhD  in  Electrical  and  Computer  Engineering  from 
Colorado State University.

•  Scientific Advisory Board: Neal Shore, MD; Director, Carolina Urologic Research Center; Past President, 
Large  Urology  Group  Practice  Association  (LUGPA);  David  Crawford,  MD;  Head  of  Section  Urologic 
Oncology,  University  of  Colorado  Health  Sciences  Center;  Alan  Partin,  MD;  Chairman,  Department  of 
Urology, Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute; James Eastham, MD; Chief of Urology Service, Memorial 
Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Andre Abreu, MD; Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology, Keck School of 
Medicine of USC; James Wysock, MD; Assistant Professor, New York University Langone Medical Center

•  Board of Directors: Adam Savakus (President and COO); Amir Tehrani (former CEO of Precision Biopsy); Jill 

Smith (Allied Minds); and Mike Turner (Allied Minds)

2018 management objectives

•  Gain CE Mark

•  Complete Cohort B trial (now known as “Pivotal SCORE study”)

Progress in 2018

•  Received FDA IDE approval to initiate Pivotal SCORE study

•  Initiated Cohort B roll-ins

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PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

•  Initial results using the improved next generation consoles highlighted the need to partially retrain the algorithm 

prior to the commencement of the Pivotal SCORE study

•  CE mark application postponed until start of the SCORE study

•  Began 3D Mapping FIM (first in man) study to evaluate ability to collect and analyse data

•  On 10 July 2018, the company obtained its fourth issued patent, which relates to the diagnosis and treatment 

of tissue, and supports its ClariCore™ system with 3D mapping and focal therapy claims

•  Adam Savakus appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. Adam is an accomplished medical device 

executive with direct experience driving successful operational, regulatory and marketing outcomes.

•  In mid-2018, Precision Biopsy concluded that it needed to partially retrain the tissue classification algorithm 
using the updated and improved Cohort B ClariCore™ console. As a result, the start of the Pivotal SCORE 
study was delayed several months. Post period end, the work has been successfully concluded, positioning 
the Pivotal SCORE study to commence as soon as funds have been raised. This delay impacted the external 
financing process which was underway and was not successfully completed. Post period end, Allied Minds 
and  Woodford  Investment  Management  invested  $5.0  million  of  bridge  capital  in  Precision  Biopsy  to 
provide runway to seek external financing to fund further development.

•  Post period end, secured $5.0 million of bridge financing from existing investors, Allied Minds and Woodford 
Investment  Management,  to  support  the  company  to  completion  of  a  financing  round  to  fund  its  Pivotal 
SCORE study

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Complete Pivotal SCORE study

•  Submit data to US FDA for 510k review

•  Obtain CE mark

Sc iFlu Or li Fe  Sci e nce S, inc.

Overview

SciFluor  is  a  drug  development  company  focused  on  creating  best-in-class  compounds,  initially  targeting  the 
field of ophthalmology. SciFluor’s lead clinical asset, SF0166, is a topical eye droplet treatment for Age-related 
Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), both widely prevalent retinal diseases that 
lead to blindness if left untreated. The disclosure below focuses on SF0166.

Problem statement – treatment of AMD and DME requires regular injections to the back of the eye

AMD  and  DME  require  monthly  injections  to  the  back  of  the  eye,  causing  patient  discomfort  and  imposing 
significant costs on payors.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

Proposed solution – topical eye droplet

SF0166  is  a  fluorinated  compound  administered  via  daily  topical  eye  droplets.  SF0166  was  invented  by 
SciFluor scientists based in part on clinical results of a non-fluorinated molecular analog which addressed the 
same biological target and was deemed safe when ad ministered systemically but which does not reach the 
retina. Precise and strategic fluorination provides SF0166 qualities intended to enable passage to the back of 
the eye when delivered as a droplet and also confers selectivity and potency. Current treatments for Wet-AMD 
and DME are derived from large and expensive molecules delivered via monthly injections to the back of the 
eye. SciFluor concluded Phase I/II trials for SF0166 in Wet-AMD and DME patients in late 2017.

Intellectual property

SciFluor currently has 55 issued and 13 pending patents covering compositions of matter, methods of use, and 
formulations of SF0166 and related compounds.

Target markets

20 million patients globally suffer from DME and 15 million suffer from Wet-AMD, with a further 150 million 
patients suffering from earlier stage Dry-AMD. In 2016, worldwide combined revenue for Lucentis and Eylea, 
the  two  leading  injectable  drugs  treating  these  diseases,  exceeded  $8  billion.  Ageing  populations  and  the 
projected increased prevalence of diabetes are expected to drive future growth.

Team

•  Bob Dempsey, Independent Director. Bob has a 25 year career in Ophthalmology, building franchises and 
holding leadership experience in sales, marketing, medical affairs and business development at major Eye 
Care organisations including Takeda where he is currently leading the Global Ophthalmology Franchise. He 
has held numerous leadership positions at Bausch + Lomb, Inspire, Allergan, and Shire. He holds an MBA 
and a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

•  Scott  Edwards  Ph.D,  Vice  President  and  General  Manager.  Scott  has  an  extensive  background  in 
pharmaceutical R&D with a record of major accomplishments in the areas of small molecule therapeutics and 
medical imaging contrast agents. He began his career in drug discovery and development in the imaging 
division  of  DuPont  Pharmaceutical  Co.  in  1988.  At  DuPont  and  Bristol-Myers  Squibb,  he  held  positions 
spanning discovery, pre-clinical development, clinical development and regulatory affairs resulting in multiple 
new  drug  approvals  and  the  first  pediatric  extension  for  an  imaging  drug.  At  SciFluor,  Scott  has  led  the 
development and successful execution of first-in-human Phase I/II studies in patients with diabetic macular 
edema  (DME)  and  neovascular  age-related  macular  degeneration  (wet-AMD).  He  currently  is  driving  the 
toxicology studies, formulation and manufacturing development, and clinical trial design needed to advance 
SF0166 into full clinical development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Georgia Institute 
of Technology and a Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

•  Board  of  Directors  comprises:  William  Koster,  Ph.D  (Chairman);  Bob  Dempsey  (Independent  –  currently 
Group Vice President, Head of Global Ophthalmics Franchise at Takeda); Jill Smith (Allied Minds); and Mike 
Turner (Allied Minds).

•  Advisory  Board:  Jeffrey  S.  Heier,  MD  (Co-President  and  Medical  Director,  Director  of  the  Vitreoretinal 
Service, and Director of Retina Research at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston); David S. Boyer, MD (Cedars-
Sinai Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA); and Peter Kaiser, MD (Cole Eye 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

Institute,  Cleveland  Clinic).  In  addition,  Edmund  Harrigan,  MD  as  a  clinical  and  regulatory  advisor  (28 
years of pharmaceutical industry experience, including SVP roles at Pfizer leading regulatory and business 
development functions).

2018 management objectives

•  Initiate at least one Phase II trial for SF0166

•  Complete in-life IND enabling study for one new asset

Progress in 2018

•  SF0166  Phase  I/II  clinical  data  presented  at  multiple  medical  conferences  including:  Angiogenesis, 
Exudation, and Degeneration (February 2018); Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (April 
2018); World Ophthalmology Congress (June 2018)

•  SF0166 Phase I/II clinical data published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

•  Six-month sub-chronic toxicity studies for SF0166 commenced to support Phase II clinical development

•  Study design for Phase II SF0166 trials completed

•  Appointed  Robert  Dempsey  as  an  Independent  Director.  Bob  has  over  25  years’  experience  in  the 
pharmaceuticals industry focusing on ophthalmology and is currently head of Takeda’s Global Ophthalmology 
Franchise

•  SciFluor sought to raise external financing over the course of 2018 to fund Phase II trials for SF0166, on 
the back of safety and preliminary efficacy data from the Phase I/II trials. This process was not successfully 
completed.  As  a  result,  clinical  development  activities  at  SciFluor  have  been  pared  back,  and  are  now 
focused exclusively on the toxicology studies necessary to initiate the Phase II trials for SF0166. Post period 
end, Allied Minds and Woodford Investment Management invested $4.0 million of bridge capital in SciFluor 
to provide runway to seek external financing to fund further development.

2019 key operational management objectives

•  Complete toxicology studies for SF0166

•  Submit amended IND to US FDA

DISCONTINUED AND/OR SOLD PORTFOLIO COMPANIES AND PARTNERSHIPS

lux ca t H, llc

Based on technology originally sourced from George Washington University, LuxCath, LLC (LuxCath) is developing 
a  proprietary  ablation  catheter  technology  to  enable  live,  optical  interrogation  of  heart  tissue  during  cardiac 
ablation,  allowing  a  cardiologist  to  assess  on  a  real-time  basis  the  impact  of  ablation  therapy  on  targeted 
heart  tissue.  The  technology  aims  to  improve  clinical  outcomes  while  reducing  procedure  times,  fluoroscopy 
exposure, costs, and clinical recurrences. In late 2018, Allied Minds reviewed its available capital resources 
and allocation priorities across its entire portfolio, and determined to cease additional funding to LuxCath and 
seek strategic alternatives, which may include a sale of our interest or other orderly exit from this company.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS  (CONTINUED)  

Si gna ture  Me d i ca l, inc.

Signature  Medical  was  developing  cardiac  signature  technology  on  a  wearable  device  enabling  diagnosis 
and monitoring of heart failure during hospital therapy and post discharge. Its lead AcoustiCare™ device, was 
being designed to allow for better intervention and reduced hospital readmissions, and to improve outcomes for 
patients and reduce costs to the healthcare system. In late 2018, Allied Minds reviewed its available capital 
resources and allocation priorities across its entire portfolio, and determined to cease funding to and operations 
at Signature Medical. The company was subsequently dissolved in February 2019.

pe rci p i e nt ne tW OrkS, llc

In January 2018, we sold substantially all of the assets of Percipient Networks to WatchGuard Technologies, 
Inc.

alli e d -Bri StOl li Fe  Sci e nce S, llc

During 2018, Allied Minds determined to cease funding to and operations at Allied-Bristol Life Sciences (ABLS), 
including ABLS Capital, LLC, ABLS II, LLC (Harvard) and ABLS IV, LLC (Cornell), and to seek strategic alternatives 
and  an  orderly  exit  from  this  drug  discovery  and  development  company  created  in  August  2014  through 
a  partnership  between  Allied  Minds  and  Bristol-Myers  Squibb  (BMS).  Although  the  ABLS  model  provided  a 
thoughtful route to engaging in drug discovery while mitigating some of the risk inherent in this activity, Allied 
Minds reviewed its available capital resources and allocation priorities across its entire portfolio, and made this 
determination. Following the completion of the strategic review process, and after the period end, each of ABLS, 
ABLS Capital, LLC, ABLS II, LLC (Harvard) and ABLS IV, LLC (Cornell) ceased operations and were dissolved, 
and surplus cash was distributed to investors, including an aggregate of $4.3 million returned to Allied Minds.

ge ne ra l ele ctri c

In  September  2016,  Allied  Minds  and  GE  Ventures  announced  the  launch  of  a  strategic  alliance  to  jointly 
identify and invest in new and existing technologies developed from both innovation pipelines. Allied Minds and 
GE Ventures’ continued to explore commercialisation candidates in the first half of the year. However, no joint 
investments were agreed, and the agreement with GE expired by its own terms in September 2018.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
FINANCIAL REVIEW  

During 2018, $84.9 million was invested into new and existing subsidiary businesses. This included $76.9 million 
from  subsidiary  fundraisings,  with  $51.4  million  coming  from  third-party  investment,  to  further  accelerate  the 
development of three of the Group’s existing companies, HawkEye360, Inc. BridgeSat, Inc., and Spin Memory, 
Inc.  In  addition  to  these  fundraisings,  $8.0  million  was  invested  by  the  Group  into  new  and  other  existing 
subsidiary businesses.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 

Revenue

Cost of revenue

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Finance income/ (cost), net

Other income/(expense)

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

of which attributable to:

  Equity holders of the parent

  Non-controlling interests

2018 
$ ‘000

 5,561 

 (2,827)

 (49,328)

 (44,947)

 92,875 

 45,417

561

47,312

39,322 

7,990 

2017 
$ ‘000

5,001 

(5,242)

(55,214)

(49,012)

(6,545)

–

(103)

(111,115)

(75,778)

(35,337)

Revenue increased by $0.6 million, to $5.6 million in 2018 (2017: $5.0 million). This increase is primarily 
attributable to revenue from new consulting contracts in 2018 at Federated Wireless of $3.0 million, offset in 
part by lower consulting revenue at HawkEye360 of $1.1 million and at discontinued companies of $1.6 million. 
During 2018, Allied Minds sold the trade and assets of Percipient Networks and subsequently ceased operations 
and  dissolved  the  company.  In  addition,  Allied  Minds  dissolved  each  of  Whitewood  Encryption,  Seamless 
Devices, RF Biocidics, Inc., and Foreland. Cost of revenue was lower by $2.4 million at $2.8 million (2017: 
$5.2 million), when compared to the prior year, mainly due to inventory write-offs at discontinued companies 
in 2017.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  (SG&A)  expenses  decreased  by  $5.9  million,  to  $49.3  million,  for  the 
year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: $55.2 million), largely due to the restructuring charge recorded for 
discontinued funding of subsidiaries during 2017 compared to zero charges recorded in 2018.

R&D expenses decreased by $4.1 million to $44.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: 
$49.0 million). The decrease was primarily due to $2.0 million of expense incurred by closed and dissolved 
subsidiaries in 2017. The remainder of the decrease reflects the net effect from R&D spend at the other subsidiaries.

Finance cost, net increased by $99.4 million to $92.9 million in 2018 (2017: $(6.5) million) reflecting the 
fair value accounting adjustment of the subsidiary preferred shares liability balance of $91.6 million (2017: 
$(6.8) million), and interest income, net of interest expense, of $1.3 million (2017: $0.3 million).

Other income increased by $45.4 million in 2018 (2017: $nil) reflecting $3.9 million of net gain from the 
disposal of the trade and assets at Percipient Networks as well as $41.5 million due to the deconsolidation 

40

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
  
 
FINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED)  

of two of the company’s existing subsidiaries, HawkEye360 and Spin Memory and the write down of residual 
investment to fair value at deconsolidation date:

•   As a result of HawkEye’s Series A-3 Preferred Stock financing round that was completed in September 2018, 
Allied Minds’ ownership percentage dropped from 54.07% to 48.33%. Consequently, the Company no 
longer controls a majority of the outstanding voting stock and does not control a majority of the board seats 
and as a result, the subsidiary was deconsolidated. Upon deconsolidation, Allied Minds recognised the fair 
value of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Series A-2 Preferred Stock, and Series A-3 Preferred Stock (collectively 
the “HE360 Preferred Stock”) held in HawkEye360, resulting in a gain of $11.1 million.

•   As a result of Spin Memory’s Series B Preferred Stock financing round, the first closing of which was completed 
in November 2018, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage dropped from 48.55% to 41.63%. Consequently, 
the Company no longer controls a majority of the outstanding voting stock and does not control a majority 
of the board seats and as a result, the subsidiary was deconsolidated. Upon deconsolidation, Allied Minds 
recognised the fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B-1 Preferred Stock, and Series B-2 Preferred 
Stock  (collectively  the  “SM  Preferred  Stock”)  held  in  Spin  Memory,  resulting  in  a  gain  of  $27.1  million. 
Additionally, due to Allied Minds Common Stock holdings that have equity-like characteristics, the investment 
is  accounted  for  under  IAS  28  and  is  classified  by  the  Company  as  an  investment  in  associates  which 
resulted in an additional net gain of $4.6 million. At December 31, 2018, Allied Minds’ investment was 
adjusted by the share of losses generated by Spin Memory in December 2018 of $1.3 million.

As  a  result  of  the  above  discussed  factors,  total  comprehensive  income  increased  by  $158.4  million  to 
$47.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: $(111.1) million). Total comprehensive income 
for  the  year  attributed  to  the  equity  holders  of  the  Group  was  $39.3  million  (2017:  $(75.8)  million)  and 
$8.0 million (2017: $(35.3) million) was attributable to the owners of non-controlling interests.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
FINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED)  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As of 31 December 

Non-current assets

Current assets

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Equity

Total liabilities and equity

2018 
$ ‘000

 86,096 

 107,034 

193,130

 436 

 69,557 

 123,137 

193,130

2017 
$ ‘000

 28,369

 184,792 

 213,161

867 

 200,202 

 12,092 

 213,161 

Significant  performance-impacting  events  and  business  developments  reflected  in  the  Company’s  financial 
position at year end include:

Non-current assets

•  Property and equipment decreased by $20.6 million to $6.0 million as at 31 December 2018 (2017: 
$26.6 million), primarily as a result of the deconsolidation of HawkEye360 and Spin Memory of $22.8 million 
and  depreciation  expense  of  $5.7  million,  offset  by  purchases  of  approximately  $7.9  million,  mainly  at 
BridgeSat and Federated Wireless.

•  Intangible assets as of 31 December 2018 increased by $0.1 million to $1.2 million (2017: $1.1 million) 
mainly  as  a  result  of  amortisation  expense  of  $0.4  million,  impairment  charges  of  $0.5  million  and  the 
net effect of the deconsolidation of HawkEye360 and Spin Memory of $0.2 million, offset by additions of 
$1.2 million in acquired licenses and software assets.

•  Investments at fair value increased to $56.5 million as of 31 December 2018 (FY17: $nil), reflecting the 
$7.5  million  invested  in  Orbital  Sidekick,  Inc.  and  TableUp,  Inc.  and  an  additional  $21.9  million  and 
$27.1 million recognised as a result of the deconsolidation of HawkEye360 and Spin Memory respectively.

•  Investments in associates increased to $21.9 million as of 31 December 2018 (FY17: $nil) entirely driven 
by the deconsolidation of Spin Memory of $23.2 million that was offset by share of loss generated by Spin 
Memory in December 2018 of $1.3 million.

Current assets

•  Cash  and  cash  equivalents,  including  restricted  cash,  decreased  by  $57.9  million  to  $100.2  million  at 
31  December  2018  from  $158.1  million  at  31  December  2017.  The  decrease  is  mainly  attributed  to 
$70.9 million of net cash used in operations and $28.0 million cash from investing activities mainly reflecting 
the deconsolidation of the two subsidiaries, offset by $41.0 million of cash from financing activities mainly 
from subsidiary financing rounds.

•  Trade  and  other  receivables  decreased  by  $9.2  million  to  $6.4  million  (FY17:  $15.6  million)  due  to  a 
decrease in trade receivables of $2.1 million and a decrease in prepaid expenses of $7.1 million primarily 
as a result of the deconsolidation of HawkEye360 and Spin Memory.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
FINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED)  

•  Other current investments decreased by $11.1 million to $nil (FY17: $11.1 million) due to their maturity into 

cash equivalents.

Current liabilities

•  Subsidiary preferred shares decreased by $127.4 million to $54.2 million as of 31 December 2018 (2017: 
$181.6 million) primarily driven by the deconsolidation of HawkEye360 and Spin Memory of $40.9 million 
and $91.5 million in IFRS 9/IAS 39 fair value adjustment for the year partially offset by net proceeds from 
subsidiary preferred rounds of $5.0 million at BridgeSat.

•  Deferred revenue decreased to $2.3 million as of 31 December 2018 (2017: $4.3 million) primarily due 

to the deconsolidation of HawkEye360 and Spin Memory of $3.6 million.

Equity

•  Net equity increased by $111.0 million to $123.1 million at 31 December 2018 (FY17: $12.1 million) 
reflecting  the  combination  of  comprehensive  income  for  the  period  of  $47.2  million,  deconsolidation  of 
subsidiaries of $54.8 million, proceeds from the exercise of options in Allied Minds of $1.5 million and a 
$7.4 million charge due to equity-settled share based payments.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended 31 December 

Net cash outflow from operating activities

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents in the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

2018 
$ ‘000

 (70,879)

 (27,994)

 41,032 

 (57,841)

 158,075 

100,234

2017 
$ ‘000

 (90,779)

 4,331

 35,372 

 (51,076) 

 209,151 

158,075 

The Group’s net cash outflow from operating activities of $70.9 million in 2018 (2017: $90.8 million) was 
primarily due to the net operating losses for the year of $91.5 million offset by the interest received net of paid 
and other finance charges of $0.9 million, the net effect from movement in working capital of $5.7 million and 
the adjustment for non-cash items such as depreciation, amortisation, impairments and share-based expenses of 
$14.0 million.

The Group had a net cash outflow from investing activities of $28.0 million in 2018 (2017: $4.3 million). 
This  outflow  predominately  reflected  the  maturity  of  fixed  income  securities  totaling  $11.0  million  (FY17: 
$5.9 million) and net proceeds from the sale of the trade and assets at Percipient of $3.5 million, offset in part 
by the deconsolidation of the two subsidiaries HawkEye360 and Spin Memory of $25.9 million (FY17: $nil), the 
investments at fair value of $7.5 million (FY17: $nil) and purchases of property and equipment and intangibles 
of $9.1 million (FY17: $1.5 million).

The Group’s net cash inflow from financing activities of $41.0 million in 2018 (2017: $35.4 million) primarily 
reflects $39.4 million proceeds from the financing round at BridgeSat and the deconsolidation of HawkEye360 
and Spin Memory and $1.6 million from exercises of stock options.

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The Group’s strategy is to maintain healthy, highly liquid cash balances that are readily available for investment. 
To further minimise its exposure to risks the Group does not maintain any material borrowings or cash balances 
in foreign currency.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
RISK MANAGEMENT  

The execution of the Group’s strategy is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. A key focus for the Board 
is to formally identify the principal risks facing the Group and develop a robust and effective framework to ensure 
that the risks are both well understood and appropriate for the Company’s risk appetite to achieve the stated 
corporate goals. This process needs to address both risks arising from the internal operations of the Group and 
those arising from the business environment in which it operates. It is possible that one or more of these identified 
risks could impact the Group in a similar timeframe which may compound their effects.

With our focus on early stage company development, commercialisation and monetisation, the Group inherently 
faces significant risks and challenges. The overall aim of the risk management policy is to achieve an effective 
balancing of risk and reward, although ultimately no strategy can provide an absolute assurance against loss.

The Board has carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would 
threaten  its  business  model,  future  performance,  solvency  and/or  liquidity.  The  major  risks  and  uncertainties 
identified by the Board are set out below along with the consequences and mitigation strategy of each risk.

1.   The  science  and  technology  being  developed  or  commercialised  by  the  Group’s  businesses  may  fail 
and/or the Group’s businesses may not be able to develop their innovations and intellectual property into 
commercially viable products or technologies. There is also a risk that some of the portfolio companies may 
fail or not succeed as anticipated, whether as a result of technical, product, market, fund-raising or other risks, 
resulting in an impairment of the Group’s value.

Impact: The failure of any of the Group’s portfolio companies would impact the Group’s value. A failure of one 
of the major portfolio companies could also impact the Group’s reputation as a builder of high value businesses 
and possibly make additional fund raising at the Group or portfolio company level more difficult.

Mitigation:

•  Before making any investment, extensive due diligence is carried out by the Group which covers all the major 
business risks including market size, strategy, adoption and intellectual property. Where appropriate, we 
seek validation through co-investment by other strategic and/or financial parties.

•  A disciplined approach to capital allocation is pursued whereby we closely monitor milestone developments 
before committing additional capital. Should a project fail to achieve sufficient progress or we be unable to 
attract other co-investors, we may terminate the investment.

•  Dedicated  leadership  with  deep  industry  or  sector  knowledge,  and  relevant  technical  and/or  leadership 
experience, is recruited to management positions, and the Group ensures that each portfolio company has 
independent directors and/or other advisors, as appropriate for the relevant stage of development.

•  Each  portfolio  company  holds  board  of  director  meetings  at  least  quarterly,  with  participation  from  the 
Group’s management and/or investment team, along with senior management and independent directors 
and/or advisors, as appropriate, of such portfolio company.

•  The shared services model provides significant administrative support to the portfolio companies, including 

strong budgetary and financial controls that ensure good governance.

•  Within  the  Group  there  is  significant  operating  and  investment  expertise  that  provides  direct,  hands-on 

strategic, operating and fund-raising support to its portfolio companies, as appropriate.

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RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)  

•  The Group actively uses third party advisors and consultants, specific to the particular domain in which a 

portfolio company operates, to assist on market strategy and direction.

2.   The Group expects to continue to incur substantial expenditure in further research and development, product 
development, sales and marketing and other operational activities of its businesses. There is no guarantee 
that the Group or any of its individual portfolio companies will become profitable prior to the achievement 
of a portfolio company sale or other liquidity event, and, even if the Group or any of its individual portfolio 
companies does become profitable, such profitability may not be sustainable. The Group may not be able to 
attract other co-investors, or monetise its ownership interests in portfolio companies during any specific time 
frame or otherwise on desirable terms, if at all.

Impact: Allied Minds’ objective is to generate returns for its shareholders through early stage company creation 
and development within the technology and life science sectors. Such value is expected to be delivered through 
the commercialisation and monetisation of these businesses via a sale or other liquidity event for each. The timing 
and size of these potential inflows is uncertain and should liquidity events not be forthcoming, or in the event 
that they are achieved at values significantly less than the amount of capital invested, then it would be difficult to 
sustain the current levels of investment in the other portfolio companies. This would lead to reduced participation 
in funding rounds, which will result in a lower ownership position, or potentially impact the ability of a company 
to raise additional funds.

Mitigation:

•  The Group retains significant cash balances in order to support its cash flow requirements, including Allied 

Minds’ investment requirements for each portfolio company and for corporate resources.

•  The Group has close relationships with a wide group of investors, including within its current shareholder 
base,  and  continues  to  identify  and  develop  strategic  and  financial  relationships  for  co-investing  in  the 
Group’s portfolio companies.

•  Senior  management  continually  seeks  to  build  and  maintain  strategic  and  financial  relationships  for  the 
Group,  and  each  portfolio  company  continually  seeks  to  engage  in  strategic  and  financial  relationships 
relevant to their respective markets and to maintain current information on and awareness of potential fund-
raising and monetisation strategies.

3.   A significant portion of the Group’s intellectual property relates to technologies originated in the course of 
research conducted in, and initially funded by, US universities or other federally-funded research institutions. 
Although the Group has been granted exclusive licenses to use this intellectual property, there are certain 
limitations inherent in these licenses, for example as required by the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980.

Impact: There are certain circumstances where the US government has rights to utilise the underlying intellectual 
property without any economic benefit flowing back to the Group. In the event this were to happen, this could 
impact the financial return to the Group on its investment in the applicable portfolio companies.

Mitigation:

•  To the Board’s knowledge, while these so called “march in” rights exist, the US government has never had 

cause to use them.

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RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)  

•  The Group seeks to develop dual use capabilities for the technology it licenses and generally tends to avoid 

use cases directly applicable to government use.

•  This risk is also mitigated through employing experienced technology transfer experts supported by our legal 

team to assess risks that may arise out of this eventuality.

4.   The Group, including certain of the portfolio companies, currently has in place cooperative research and 
development  agreements  with  certain  US  Department  of  Defense  laboratories  and  other  federally  funded 
government institutions. Certain regulatory measures apply to these agreements which restrict the export of 
information and material that may be used for military or intelligence applications by a non-US person, and 
compliance with these regulatory measures may be complex and limit commercial alternatives.

Impact: If the Group were to breach restrictions on the use of certain licensed technologies, particularly those 
derived from federally funded research facilities, this could materially impact upon the Group’s ability to license 
additional  intellectual  property  from  these  establishments.  In  certain  circumstances  it  may  also  lead  to  the 
termination of existing licenses. In the event that this were to happen, this could materially affect a number of the 
Group’s businesses and potentially harm the reputation and standing of the Group and cause the termination of 
certain important relationships with federally funded research institutions.

Mitigation:

•  Prior to licensing any technology under these agreements, the Group’s management seeks to identify the 
commercial and other alternatives available for products and services associated with such technology and 
innovations, and to ensure that there are sufficient markets available to justify the capital investment.

•  Prior to the commercialisation process, the Group’s management seeks to obtain all the necessary clearances 
from applicable regulatory bodies to ensure that the export of products based upon the licensed IP is strictly 
in accordance with government guidelines.

•  The Group, including certain of the portfolio companies, employs a number of individuals with experience in 

working with various government agencies.

•  Senior  management  is  fully  cognisant  of  the  regulations  and  sensitivities  in  relation  to  this  issue  and  in 
particular  with  International  Traffic  in  Arms  Regulations  (ITAR)  which  regulate  the  use  of  technologies  for 
export, and has numerous mitigating actions available should issues arise.

5.   The  Group  operates  in  complex  and  specialised  business  domains  and  requires  highly  qualified  and 
experienced  management  to  implement  its  strategy  successfully.  Substantially  all  of  the  operations  of  the 
Group  are  located  in  the  United  States,  which  is  a  highly  competitive  employment  market.  Furthermore, 
given the relatively small size of the senior management at the corporate level, the Group is reliant on a small 
number of key individuals.

Impact: There is a risk that the Group may lose key personnel, or fail to attract or retain new personnel. The 
loss of key personnel would have an adverse impact on the ability of the Group to continue to grow and may 
negatively affect the Group’s competitive advantage.

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Mitigation:

•  The Board annually seeks external expertise to assess the competitiveness of the compensation packages 
of its senior management, and to ensure that the structure of compensation is designed to properly incent 
performance and retention.

•  Senior  management  continually  monitor  and  assess  compensation  levels  to  ensure  the  Group  remains 

competitive in the employment market.

6.   A large proportion of the overall value of the Group’s businesses may be concentrated in a small proportion 
of the Group’s businesses. If one or more of the intellectual property rights relevant to a valuable business 
were terminated, this would have a material adverse impact on the overall value of the Group’s businesses.

Impact: The termination of critical IP licenses would materially impact the value of the portfolio company and 
have a consequent effect on the value of the overall Group.

Mitigation:

•  In each portfolio company, the management is specifically directed to pursue a policy of generating and 
patenting additional intellectual property to both provide additional protection and create direct IP ownership 
for the company.

•  Where possible, the Group seeks to negotiate intellectual property ownership rights in any research and 
development agreement it enters into with a network partner, such that the Group becomes a part owner of 
the underlying IP.

7.   Clinical studies and other trials to assess the commercial viability of a product are typically expensive, complex, 
often take years, and have uncertain outcomes. Allied Minds relies on other co-investors to substantially fund 
later financing rounds. If the Group is unable to attract other co-investors, the Company may not be able 
to complete the regulatory or commercialisation process. If the Company fails to complete or experiences 
delays in completing trials for any of its product candidates, it may not be able to obtain regulatory approval 
or commercialise its product candidates on a timely basis, or at all.

Impact: Significant delays in any of the clinical studies to support the appropriate regulatory approvals could 
significantly impact the amount of capital required for the portfolio company to achieve final regulatory approval, 
which in turn may impact the value of such portfolio company. A critical failure in any stage of a clinical testing 
programme or the failure to attract other co-investors would probably necessitate a termination of the project and 
a loss of the Group’s investment.

Mitigation:

•  The Group has dedicated internal resources within each portfolio company to establish and monitor each of 

the clinical programmes in order to try and maximise successful outcomes.

•  Prior to the launch of any clinical trials it will be normal for a dedicated management team (and an advisory 
team to include key opinion leaders (KOLs) to be hired, and experience with the management of clinical 
programmes would be a prerequisite qualification.

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RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)  

•  In the event of the outsourcing of these trials, care and attention is given to assure the quality of the Contract 

Research Organisation (CRO) vendors used to perform the work.

•  Senior management continually seeks to build and maintain strategic relationships for the Group, and each 
portfolio company continually seeks to engage in strategic relationships relevant to their respective markets 
and to maintain current information on and awareness of potential fund-raising and monetisation strategies.

8.   The US Investment Company Act of 1940 regulates companies which are engaged primarily in the business 
of  investing,  reinvesting,  owning,  holding  or  trading  in  securities.  Securities  issued  by  companies  other 
than consolidated partner companies are generally considered ‘‘investment securities’’ for purposes of the 
Investment Company Act, unless other circumstances exist which actively involve the company holding such 
interests in the management of the underlying company.

Impact: If the Company is deemed to be an ‘‘investment company’’ subject to regulation under the Investment 
Company  Act,  applicable  restrictions  could  make  it  impractical  for  the  Group  to  continue  its  business  as 
contemplated  and  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  its  business.  If  anything  were  to  happen  which 
would cause the Company to be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, 
requirements imposed by the Investment Company Act, including limitations on capital structure, ability to transact 
business with portfolio companies and ability to compensate key employees, could make it impractical for it to 
continue its business as currently conducted.

Mitigation:

•  The Company intends to monitor and conduct its operations so that it will not be deemed to be an investment 

company under the Investment Company Act.

•  The Company seeks to build value by forming majority-owned or primarily controlled subsidiary companies; it 
is not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and 
does not own or propose to acquire investment securities above prescribed thresholds under the Investment 
Company Act.

•  Currently the Company holds more than 50% of the voting securities of a majority of its portfolio companies, 
and  more  than  25%  of  all  of  its  other  portfolio  companies,  and  intends  to  continue  to  try  to  structure  its 
new businesses in such a way as to hold the majority of the voting securities in its portfolio companies, or 
otherwise obtain and maintain primary control.

•  In addition to ownership levels, the Company seeks to obtain and maintain primary control of its portfolio 

companies through a combination of the following:

 o Rights to elect representatives to the board of directors, with ability to exercise influence over the portfolio 

company’s business strategy, operating plans, budgets and key corporate decisions;

 o Legal  rights,  such  as  access  to  information  (books  and  records)  and  financial  statements,  liquidation 

preferences, registrations rights, rights of first refusal, pre-emptive rights and co-sale rights;

 o Protective provisions, such as rights to block certain portfolio company actions; and

 o Active involvement in the management of the portfolio company, such as shared service support, business 

development introductions, co-locating, and key management recruiting.

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9.   The Group expects to remain viable through December 2021 given its current cash and financial position. 
However, if the Group is unable to generate sufficient revenue, appropriately manage expenses, attract co-
investors to participate in follow-on portfolio company financings, or generate a sale or other liquidity event 
for  any  of  its  existing  portfolio  companies  or  portfolio  company  interests  prior  to  the  end  of  such  period, 
then the Group’s business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and future viability could be 
adversely affected.

Impact: Lack of capital could restrict the Group’s ability to further fund, develop and commercialise its existing 
businesses. In turn, this could ultimately lead to failure of individual portfolio companies and loss of investment as 
well as failure of the Group as a whole.

Mitigation:

•  Senior  management  continually  seeks  to  build  and  maintain  close  relationships  with  its  shareholder  base 
and other strategic partners at the Group level, and each portfolio company continually seeks to engage 
in  strategic  relationships  relevant  to  their  respective  markets  and  to  maintain  current  information  on  and 
awareness of potential fund-raising and monetisation strategies.

•  The  Company  strives  to  maintain  majority  ownership  and/or  primary  control  over  all  of  the  portfolio 
companies, so that it can seek to influence optimal capital allocation, use of cash, and fund-raising strategy.

•  The Company has built a valuable portfolio of companies since its inception.

•  The  Company  continuously  and  critically  reviews  the  progress  of  its  portfolio  companies  against  pre-set 
milestones to ensure its financial capital and human resource is properly allocated to the more promising 
areas of its portfolio to help strengthen and accelerate the Group’s path to monetisation.

BREXIT

On 23 June 2016, the UK electorate voted to leave the European Union in a so-called “Brexit” referendum.

It is expected that companies based in the UK and with significant UK and EU operational focus will be the most 
directly impacted by Brexit. All of the Group’s portfolio companies are based in the US, and substantially all of 
the business and operations of the Group are conducted in the US. However, the Group has raised significant 
capital in the UK and may need to raise additional capital in the UK in the future to support the growth and 
development of its portfolio companies. The uncertainty caused by Brexit may result in the Group being unable 
to obtain additional capital on a timely basis on commercially acceptable terms.

In addition, Brexit exposes the Group to increased foreign currency risk. Foreign exchange risk is an exposure for 
the Group as it derives substantially all of its revenue in US dollars and the Group’s businesses borrow, account 
in, and are valued in, US dollars, but its shares trade in amounts denominated in pounds sterling. Any capital 
raised by the Group in the UK would be denominated in pounds sterling, but would be allocated to portfolio 
companies which operate in the US and whose functional currency is US dollars.

If the Group requires and fails to obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms, it may be forced to curtail or 
abandon its planned growth activity and to forego further investment in developing certain of its current businesses, 
and otherwise be subject to a material adverse impact on the Group’s business and financial condition.

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CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Details  on  the  Group’s  policies,  activities  and  aims  with  regard  to  its  corporate  and  social  responsibilities, 
including diversity, are included in the Sustainability section on pages 73 to 76 and are incorporated into this 
Strategic Report by reference.

This Strategic Report has been approved by the Board of Directors.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Dolan 
Chairman 

26 April 2019

Jill Smith
Chief Executive Officer

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018Strategic Report   
 
THE BOARD    

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jill Smith – Chief Executive Officer and President

Jill joined Allied Minds as a Non-Executive Director in January 2016, and has served in the role of Chief Executive 
Officer, President and Executive Director since March 2017. Jill has more than 25 years of experience as an 
international business leader, including 17 years as Chief Executive Officer of private and public companies in 
the technology and information services markets. Most recently, Jill served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer 
and President of DigitalGlobe Inc. (NYSE:DGI), a global provider of satellite imagery products and services. 
Beginning her career as a consultant at Bain & Company, where she rose to become Partner, she has served 
in  other  leadership  capacities  including  Vice  President  of  Sara  Lee,  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  President  of 
eDial,  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  President  of  SRDS,  L.P.,  Chief  Operating  Officer  of  Micron  Electronics, 
and  Co-Founder  of  Treacy  &  Company,  a  consulting  and  boutique  investment  business.  Currently,  Jill  serves 
as an independent director on the Board of Directors of each of J.M. Huber Corporation and R1 RCM Inc. 
(NASDAQ:RCM). Jill holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of 
Management.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Peter Dolan – Non-Executive Chairman

Peter joined Allied Minds in April 2014. Peter has 30 years of operating experience, including 18 years at 
Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He subsequently served as 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gemin X, a venture capital backed oncology company that was sold 
to Cephalon. Peter is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tufts University having served in several leadership 
capacities, including Vice Chair, and as a member of the Compensation, Academic Affairs and Audit Committees, 
before his election as Chairman in November 2013. Most recently, Peter served on the Board of Overseers of 
the Tuck School at Dartmouth College and on the Board of Directors of the National Centre on Addiction and 
Substance Abuse at Columbia University. Additionally, he has served on the Boards of the American Express 
Company,  C-Change  (a  cancer  coalition  organisation),  and  was  Chairman  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Research 
and Manufacturers of America. Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in Social Psychology 
and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Peter was 
appointed to the Board in May 2014, and has served as Chairman since May 2015. Peter has also served as 
Chair of the Nomination Committee since July 2018.

Kevin Sharer – Senior Independent Director

Kevin joined Allied Minds in June 2015. Globally recognised as a leader and mentor to senior management 
teams engaged in high-growth strategies, Kevin spent more than 20 years leading Amgen, the world’s largest 
independent  biotechnology  firm,  starting  as  President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  and  then  taking  over  as 
Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer.  Kevin  began  his  career  in  the  United  States  Navy,  serving  as  Chief 
Engineer on the USS Memphis and later rising to become a Lieutenant Commander. After his service, Kevin 
worked  as  a  consultant  at  McKinsey  &  Co.,  in  corporate  development  at  General  Electric  Co.,  and  as  an 
Executive Vice President in Marketing at MCI Telecommunications Corp. Having previously served on the Boards 
of Directors of Chevron Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp., Kevin is currently a faculty member at Harvard 
Business School, where he teaches General Management and other classes. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science 
degree and a Master of Arts degree in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of 
Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. 
Kevin was appointed to the Board in June 2015, and serves on each of Nomination and Remuneration (Chair) 
Committees.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
THE BOARD (CONTINUED)  

Fritz Foley – Independent Non-Executive Director

Fritz joined Allied Minds in May 2018. Fritz Foley is the André R. Jakurski Professor and Senior Associate Dean 
for  Strategic  Financial  Planning  at  Harvard  Business  School  (HBS)  where  his  research  focuses  on  corporate 
finance. Prior to joining the HBS faculty in 2004, he taught at the University of Michigan Business School. He has 
published papers on investment, capital structure, working capital management, dividend policy, joint ventures, 
intellectual property, and corporate tax policy, and has advised firms in technology, biotech, retail, health care, 
professional services, and other industries on financial matters and strategic choices. He has also served as a 
trustee for several nonprofit organisations. Mr.  Foley gained his Ph. D. in Business Economics from Harvard 
University and his B.A. in Ethics, Politics, and Economics from Yale University. Fritz serves on each of the Audit 
and Remuneration Committees.

Harry Rein – Independent Non-Executive Director

Harry  joined  Allied  Minds  in  November  2017.  Harry  brings  extensive  experience  from  the  venture  capital 
sector,  most  recently  serving  as  General  Partner  for  10  years  at  Foundation  Medical  Partners,  having  been 
instrumental in its formation. Foundation is an early stage venture capital firm focused on the healthcare sector. 
Prior to Foundation, Harry served as Founder and Managing Partner at Canaan Partners. Harry was responsible 
for life sciences investments at both Foundation and Canaan. Prior to Canaan, Harry was President and CEO 
of GE Venture Capital Corporation, having joined General Electric Company in 1979. He directed several 
of General Electric’s lighting businesses before joining the venture capital subsidiary. Mr.  Rein currently serves 
on  the  Board  of  DeliverCareRX  and  served  on  the  Board  of  Anadigics  (NASDAQ:  ANAD)  until  2016.  He 
has served on the Board of over 20 public and private entrepreneurial companies, including: Cell Pathways; 
OraPharma; National MD; OmniSonics; GenVec (NASDAQ: GNVC); CardioNet (NASDAQ: BEAT) and Spine 
Wave, and was an investor in Praecis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: PRCS). Mr.  Rein attended Emory University 
and Oglethorpe College (1969) and holds a MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia (1973). 
Harry serves on each of the Audit and Remuneration Committees.

Jeff Rohr – Independent Non-Executive Director

Jeff joined Allied Minds in April 2014. He has 30 years of senior management experience at Deloitte LLP. Jeff 
has career long experience serving clients in a multitude of industries and extensive experience in governance 
processes having last served in the role of Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer at Deloitte. In the role 
of  Chief  Financial  Officer,  Jeff  was  responsible  for  all  aspects  of  financial  affairs  of  the  Deloitte  Global  Firm 
and the Deloitte US Firm, including strategy, accounting and financial reporting, treasury, capital adequacy, 
liquidity, taxes, pensions, and risk management. Previously, Jeff served as the Managing Partner of Deloitte’s 
Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions as well as National Director of Deloitte’s Business Planning. Currently, Jeff 
serves on a number of Boards and Foundations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of American Express 
National Bank where he is the Chairman of the Audit Committee, has served for ten years as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee of the Florida State University Foundation Board of Trustees and is Chairman of the College of 
Business Board of Governors. Jeff is a graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. degree in Accounting and 
is a Certified Public Accountant. Jeff was appointed to the Board in May 2014, and serves on each of the Audit 
(Chair) and Nomination Committees. Jeff also served on the Remuneration Committee until July 2018 when he 
was replaced by Fritz Foley.

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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
THE BOARD (CONTINUED)  

FORMER NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rick Davis – Independent Non-Executive Director (retired)

Rick joined Allied Minds in August 2011, and retired from the Board and did not seek re-election at the AGM 
held in May 2018. Rick was replaced by Kevin Sharer as Senior Independent Director, Peter Dolan as Chair 
of the Nomination Committee, and Fritz Foley as a member of the Audit Committee. Rick was appointed to the 
Board in May 2014, but was a member of the predecessor company board since 2011.

TABLE OF BOARD ATTENDANCE

The table below summarises the attendance of the Directors at the scheduled meetings held during the year:

Director

Jill Smith

Peter Dolan

Kevin Sharer

Fritz Foley

Harry Rein

Jeff Rohr

Rick Davis

Notes:

Meetings Attended

Audit 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

n/a

n/a

n/a

2 of 3

5 of 5

5 of 5

1 of 1

n/a

1 of 1

1 of 1

n/a

n/a

1 of 1

n/a

n/a

n/a

5 of 5

1 of 1

4 of 5

4 of 4

n/a

Board

10 of 10

10 of 10

10 of 10

6 of 7

9 of 10

10 of 10

3 of 3

(1)   Mr. Davis retired from the Board and did not seek re-election at the AGM held on 23 May 2018, and he was subsequently replaced by Kevin Sharer 

as Senior Independent Director, Peter Dolan as Chair of the Nomination Committee, and Fritz Foley as a member of the Audit Committee.

(2)   Mr. Foley was appointed to the Board on 30 May 2018, and was appointed to each of the Audit and Remuneration Committees on 24 July 2018.

(3)   Mr. Rohr served as a member of the Remuneration Committee until 24 July 2018, when he was replaced by Fritz Foley.

(4)   The missed meetings were as a result of unexpected scheduling conflicts. Where absences were unavoidable, the impacted Director reviewed with 
management and the respective Chair the topics and materials to be discussed at the meeting, and provided appropriate feedback to be conveyed 
at the upcoming meeting.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REPORT     

The  Directors  present  their  report  together  with  the  audited  financial  statements  for  Allied  Minds  plc  and  its 
subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2018. The Company was incorporated on 15 April 2014 under 
the UK Companies Act 2006 (Companies Act).

DIRECTORS

The Directors of the Company as at 31 December 2018 were those listed on pages 52 to 53, and these pages 
are incorporated into this Directors’ Report by reference. The changes to the composition of the Board during the 
year were:

•  The resignation of Rick Davis as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

•  The appointment of Fritz Foley as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

Rick Davis served on the predecessor company board. The Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company 
are as shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 98. None of the Directors were materially interested 
in any significant contract to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries were party during the year.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information that fulfils the requirements of the corporate governance statement can be found in the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 63 to 72, the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 77 to 105, and the Audit 
Committee Report on pages 106 to 109, and is incorporated into this Report of the Directors by reference.

DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF OFFICE

During 2018, payments for loss of office were made to Mr.  Silva as a result of his resignation as Chief Executive 
Officer on 10 March 2017. Full detail is disclosed on pages 97 to 98 within the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

EMPLOYEES

The Group’s policies in relation to employees are disclosed on page 76, and these pages are incorporated into 
this Directors’ Report by reference.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

During  the  period,  the  Group  generated  a  net  comprehensive  income  after  taxation  for  the  year  ended 
31 December 2018 of $47.3 million (2017: loss of $111.1 million). The Directors do not recommend the 
payment of a dividend for 2018 (2017: nil).

STRATEGIC REPORT

The  Group’s  Strategic  Report  can  be  found  on  pages  3  to  51,  and  includes  information  as  to  the  Group’s 
activities in the field of research and development, and as to the likely future development of the Group. Financial 
key performance indicators can be found on pages 18 to 19.

The  Strategic  Report  contains  forward-looking  statements  with  respect  to  the  business  of  Allied  Minds.  These 
statements reflect the Board’s current view, are subject to a number of material known and unknown events, risks 

55
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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)  

and uncertainties, and could change in the future. Factors that could cause or contribute to such changes include, 
but are not limited to, general economic climate and trading conditions, as well as specific factors relating to the 
financial or commercial prospects or performance of the Group’s individual portfolio companies, the ability to 
consummate expected transactions, and the ability to identify promising new technologies invented by university 
or Federal laboratory partners.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group through its operations is exposed to a number of risks. The Group’s risk management objectives and 
policies are described on pages 45 to 51 and in the Governance Report on page 71. Further information on 
the Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies, including those in relation to credit risk, liquidity 
risk and market risk, is provided in note 22 to the consolidated financial statements, along with further information 
on the Group’s use of financial instruments. The pages referenced in this paragraph are incorporated into this 
Directors’ Report by reference.

SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS

The Group has not entered into any significant agreements which may be impacted by a change of control 
following a takeover bid.

SHARE CAPITAL

Details of the structure of the Company’s share capital and the rights attaching to the Company’s shares are set 
out in note 16 to the consolidated financial statements. Other than the minimum share ownership policy adopted 
by the Board in April 2016 with respect to Executive Directors, there are no specific restrictions on the holding 
of securities or on the transfer of shares, which are both governed by the general provisions of the Company’s 
Articles of Association (Articles) and prevailing legislation. None of the ordinary shares carry any special rights 
with regard to control of the Company and there are no restrictions on voting rights.

In connection with the strategic alliance entered into with GE Ventures in September 2016, GE Ventures received 
an option to participate in any future capital raise by the Company for at least 6% of the total raise, subject to 
current pre-emption rights, applicable authorisations and applicable laws and regulations. The agreement with 
GE Ventures expired by its own terms in September 2018.

At the last Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 May 2018 (2018 AGM), authority was given 
to  the  Directors  pursuant  to  the  relevant  provisions  of  the  Companies  Act  to  allot  unissued  relevant  securities 
in the Company up to a maximum amount equivalent to approximately one-third of the issued ordinary share 
capital on 19 March 2018 at any time up to the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) of the Company and 1 September 2019. In addition, at the 2018 AGM, the Directors were also given 
authority effective for the same period as the aforementioned authority to allot relevant securities in the Company 
up to a maximum of approximately two-thirds of the total ordinary share capital in issue on 19 March 2018 
in connection with an offer by way of a fully preemptive rights issue. The Directors propose to renew both of 
these authorities at the Company’s next AGM to be held on 28 June 2019. The authorities being sought are in 
accordance with guidance issued by the Investment Association.

A special resolution passed at the 2018 AGM granted authority to the Directors to allot equity securities in the 
Company for cash, without regard to the pre-emption provisions of the Companies Act, both: (i) up to a maximum 
of approximately two-thirds of the total ordinary share capital in issue on 19 March 2018 in connection with a 

56

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)  

fully preemptive rights issue; and (ii) up to a maximum of approximately 5% of the aggregate nominal value of 
the shares in issue on 19 March 2018. A further special resolution passed at the 2018 AGM granted authority 
to the Directors to allot equity securities in the Company for cash, without regard to the pre-emption provisions of 
the Companies Act, up to a maximum of approximately 5% of the aggregate nominal value of the shares in issue 
on 19 March 2018, to be used only for the purposes of financing (or refinancing, if the authority is to be used 
within six months after the original transaction) a transaction which the Directors determine to be an acquisition 
or other capital investment of a kind contemplated by the Pre-emption Group’s Statement of Principles. These 
authorities are exercisable at any time up to the earlier of the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company and 
1 September 2019. None of these authorities were used during 2018. The Directors will seek to renew these 
authorities for a similar period at the next AGM to be held on 28 June 2019. Further details of such authorities 
are set forth in the Notice of AGM circulated with this Report and Accounts.

The Directors intend to adhere to the provisions in the Pre-emption Group’s Statement of Principles, as updated 
in March 2015, and not to allot shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis:

•  in excess of an amount equal to 5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding 

treasury shares); or

•  in excess of an amount equal to 7.5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding 

treasury shares) within a rolling three-year period, without prior consultation with shareholders,

in each case, other than in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment which is announced 
contemporaneously  with  the  allotment  or  which  has  taken  place  in  the  preceding  six-month  period  and  is 
disclosed in the announcement of the allotment.

Under the Companies Act, the Company has the power to purchase its own shares in accordance with Part 
18,  Chapter  5  of  the  Companies  Act.  At  the  2018  AGM,  a  special  resolution  was  passed  which  granted 
the Directors authority to make market purchases of the Company’s shares pursuant to these provisions of the 
Companies Act up to a maximum of approximately 10% of the Company’s issued share capital on 19 March 
2018 provided that the authority granted set a minimum and maximum price at which purchases can be made 
and is exercisable at any time up to the earlier of the conclusion of the next AGM and 1 September 2018. This 
authority has not been used during the year and therefore the outstanding authority is 23,949,616. While the 
Company has no current intention to use this authority, the Directors will seek to renew the authority within similar 
parameters and for a similar period at the next AGM to be held on 28 June 2019.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

The Company’s Articles may be amended by a special resolution of the shareholders.

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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)  

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

As at 31 December 2018, the Company had been advised of the following notifiable interests in the Company’s 
voting rights under DTR 5. Other than as shown, so far as the Company (and its directors) are aware, no other 
person holds or is beneficially interested in a disclosable interest in the Company.

Shareholder

Woodford Investment Management

Invesco Asset Management Limited

GIC Private Limited

Mark Pritchard

P3 Private Equity Fund

Number of Shares

Percentage

 65,939,855

 45,937,638 

 19,382,360 

 15,197,240 

7,721,846

27.44%

19.12%

8.07%

6.32%

3.21%

Between the year end and 23 April 2019 (the latest practicable date prior to publication), the Company issued 
and allotted 389,111 ordinary shares, and was advised pursuant to DTR 5 that (1) Invesco Asset Management 
Limited had increased its holdings to 46,144,187 shares.

POLITICAL AND CHARITABLE DONATIONS

The Group did not make any political donations in 2017, and did not make any political or charitable donations 
in 2018. Allied Minds made a charitable contribution in the amount of $25,000 in 2017 to the American Red 
Cross in order to assist the victims who were displaced and severely impacted due to the catastrophic effects of 
Hurricane Harvey.

CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Details on the Group’s policies, activities and aims with regard to its corporate and social responsibilities are 
included in the Sustainability section on pages 73 to 76, and are incorporated into this Director’s Report by 
reference.

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

During the year, the Company has maintained liability insurance in respect of its directors who held office during 
the period. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Articles provide that every director is entitled to 
be indemnified out of the funds of the Company against any liabilities incurred in the execution or discharge of 
his or her powers or duties.

ISSUANCE OF EQUITY BY MAJOR SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKING

None of the Company’s major subsidiary undertakings (as defined in the Listing Rules) issued equity in 2018.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)  

REQUIREMENTS OF THE LISTING RULES

The following table provides references to where the information required by Listing Rule 9.8.4R is disclosed:

Section

Listing Rule requirement

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Interest capitalised

Publication of unaudited financial information

Details of long-term incentive schemes

Waiver of emoluments by a director

Waiver of future emoluments by a director

Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash

Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash by any major
subsidiary undertaking

Parent participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary

Contract of significance with director

Contract of significance with a controlling shareholder

Provision of services by a controlling shareholder

Shareholder waivers of dividends

Shareholder waivers of future dividends

Relationship agreements with the controlling shareholder

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

Location

Not applicable

Not applicable

Directors’ Remuneration Report, page 77

Directors’ Remuneration Report, page 77

Not applicable

Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, Note 16

Not applicable 

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Material events occurring since the balance sheet date are disclosed in the Strategic Report. In summary, they 
are:

•  Spin Memory completed the final closing of its $52.0 million Series B Preferred Stock financing, including 

the $2.5 million that was released from escrow by Allied Minds.

•  SciFluor completed a $4.0 million bridge financing, including $2.0 million invested by Allied Minds.

•  Precision Biopsy completed a $5.0 million bridge financing, including $2.5 million invested by Allied Minds.

•  Table Up issued $350,000 in convertible notes to Allied Minds.

•  QuayChain issued $350,000 in convertible notes to Allied Minds.

•  Spark  Insights  completed  its  preferred  share  financing,  in  which  Allied  Minds  invested  an  aggregate  of 

$3.2 million.

•  The Group ceased operations at LuxCath, and ceased operations and dissolved each of ABLS and Signature 

Medical.

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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)  

VIABILITY STATEMENT

While the financial statements and accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis, section C.2.2 of 
the 2016 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code (Code) requires the Directors to make a statement in 
the Annual Report with regard to the viability of the Group, including explaining how they have assessed the 
prospects of the Group, the period of time for which they have made the assessment, and why they consider 
that  period  to  be  appropriate.  Accordingly,  the  Directors  conducted  this  assessment  over  the  three  years  to 
December 2021, taking into account the Group’s current position and capital allocation strategy. As stated in 
the Overview on page 1, the Directors have now determined to focus exclusively on supporting our 10 existing 
portfolio companies and maximising monetisation opportunities for portfolio company interests, and not to deploy 
any capital into new portfolio companies. This strategy, pursued to its conclusion, would see the Group’s existing 
assets continue to be managed and eventually monetised, with no new investments being taken on, with a view 
to returning surplus proceeds to shareholders. The Directors expect this strategy to take at least three years to 
be fully implemented, and as a matter of good governance, will continue to keep this strategy under review at 
appropriate intervals. Consequently, in terms of reporting on the viability of the Group as required under the 
Code, the Directors have prepared projections running out three years to December 2021 as, in their view, this 
remains an appropriate period, notwithstanding the eventual conclusion to the strategy as outlined.

The Directors also carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that 
would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity, and the other principal risks detailed 
in the Strategic Report. The three year period includes the assumption that further funding is not required by the 
Group in the form of proceeds from either the sale of individual portfolio companies, the sale of certain portfolio 
company interests in secondary market transactions, or a combination thereof. The Directors believe that a three-
year assessment is most appropriate as it aligns with the Group’s normal and well-established budgeting process. 
In making their assessment, the Directors considered a wide range of information, including present and future 
economic conditions, future projections of profitability, cash flows and capital requirements, and the potential 
sale of certain portfolio company interests in secondary market transactions.

The Group’s annual budgeting process builds into a robust three-year plan, which is the period the Directors 
consider as an appropriate period to be covered by the viability statement. This plan forms the basis for strategic 
decisions across the Group. The consolidated plan is reviewed and approved annually by the Directors at the 
beginning of the year. The plan is then deployed down to the portfolio companies and used to set performance 
metrics and objectives (MBOs). Progress against the original plan is reviewed quarterly by the Directors, and 
adjustments to the plan can be made if needed to address new risks or take advantage of new opportunities.

In  summary,  the  Directors  have  assessed  the  viability  of  the  Group  over  the  three-year  period  to  December 
2021. They were comforted by the Group’s strong financial position, the Board and management’s proactive 
steps taken to manage cash expenses, its long-term capital allocation objectives, the Group’s control over its 
capital allocation and how working capital requirements are met. Based on this assessment, the Directors have 
a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall 
due over the three-year period to December 2021.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITOR

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

•  so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 

unaware; and

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)  

•  the Director has taken all steps that he or she ought to have taken as a Director in order to make himself or 
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 Section 418 of the 
Companies Act.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 2.00 p.m. BST on 28 June 2019 at the offices of DLA Piper 
UK LLP, 160 Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4HT, United Kingdom. The Notice of AGM circulated with this 
Report and Accounts contains a full explanation of the business to be conducted at that meeting. This includes a 
resolution to re-appoint KPMG LLP as the Company’s auditors.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts and the Group and parent Company 
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  prepare  Group  and  parent  Company  financial  statements  for  each 
financial year. Under that law, they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union (EU) and applicable law 
and have elected to prepare the parent Company financial statements on the same basis.

Under company law, the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and parent Company and of their profit or loss for that 
period. In preparing each of the Group and parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant and reliable;

•  state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU;

•  assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, 

matters related to going concern; and

•  use 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.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain 
the parent Company’s  transactions and  disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position 
of  the  parent  Company  and  enable  them  to  ensure  that  its  financial  statements  comply  with  the  Companies 
Act 2006. The Directors are responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and 
have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the 
Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

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Under  applicable  law  and  regulations,  the  Directors  are  also  responsible  for  preparing  a  Strategic  Report, 
Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that complies with that 
law and those regulations.

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  corporate  and  financial  information 
included  on  the  Company’s  website.  Legislation  in  the  UK  governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of 
financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

•  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a 
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group and the parent 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

•  the  Strategic  Report  includes  a  fair  review  of  the  development  and  performance  of  the  business  and  the 
position of the Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

We consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Dolan 
Chairman 

26 April 2019

Jill Smith 
Chief Executive Officer

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT     

COMPLIANCE WITH THE UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE

The  Directors  are  committed  to  a  high  standard  of  corporate  governance  and  have  prepared  this  annual 
report  with  reference  to  the  2016  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  (Code)  which  was  published  by  the 
Financial Reporting Council in April 2016. The Code is available at the Financial Reporting Council website at  
www.frc.org.uk. During the twelve months ended 31 December 2018, the Directors consider that the Company 
has been in compliance with the provisions set out in the Code with the following exception:

•  Contrary to provision D.1.3 of the Code, certain Non-Executive Directors hold restricted stock units (RSUs) 
that vest over time. These RSUs were granted to the Non-Executive Directors in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 
2018, and do not have performance conditions. The Board does not believe that ownership of these RSUs 
impacts the independence of the Non-Executive Directors.

Further explanation as to how the provisions set out in the Code have been applied by the Company is provided 
in  the  following  statement,  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report,  the  Audit  Committee  Report  and  the  Strategic 
Report.

THE BOARD

Role and Responsibilities of the Board

The  Board  is  responsible  to  shareholders  for  the  overall  management  of  the  Group  as  a  whole,  providing 
entrepreneurial leadership within a framework of controls for assessing and managing risk; defining, challenging 
and interrogating the Group’s strategic aims and direction; maintaining the policy and decision-making framework 
in which such strategic aims are implemented; ensuring that the necessary financial and human resources are 
in  place  to  meet  strategic  aims;  monitoring  performance  against  key  financial  and  non-financial  indicators; 
succession planning; overseeing the system of risk management; setting values and standards in governance 
matters  and  monitoring  policies  and  performance  on  corporate  social  responsibility.  The  Directors  are  also 
responsible for ensuring that obligations to shareholders and other stakeholders are understood and met and a 
satisfactory dialogue with shareholders is maintained. All Directors are equally accountable to the Company’s 
shareholders for the proper stewardship of its affairs and the long-term success of the Group.

The responsibility of the Directors is collective, taking into account their respective roles as Executive Directors and 
Non-Executive Directors. The Executive Directors are directly responsible for running the business operations and 
the Non-Executive Directors are responsible for constructively challenging proposals on strategy, scrutinising the 
performance of management, determining levels of remuneration and for succession planning for the Executive 
Directors. The Non-Executive Directors must also satisfy themselves on the integrity of financial information and 
that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust.

The Board reviews strategic issues on a regular basis and exercises control over the performance of the Group 
by  agreeing  on  budgetary  targets  and  monitoring  performance  against  those  targets.  The  Board  has  overall 
responsibility for the Group’s system of internal controls and risk management, as described on pages 70 to 71. 
Any decisions made by the Board on policies and strategy to be adopted by the Group or changes to current 
policies and strategy are made following presentations by the Executive Directors and a detailed process of 
review and challenge by the Board. Once made, the Executive Directors are fully empowered to implement 
those decisions.

Except for a formal schedule of matters which are reserved for decision and approval by the Board, the Board 
has delegated the day-to-day management of the Group to the Chief Executive Officer who is supported by the 

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Executive Directors and other members of the senior management team. The schedule of matters reserved for 
Board decision and approval are those significant to the Group as a whole due to their strategic, financial or 
reputational implications.

This schedule is reviewed and updated regularly and currently includes those matters set forth below:

•  Approval and monitoring of the Group’s strategic aims and objectives, and approval of the annual operating 

budget.

•  Strategic acquisitions by the Group.

•  Major disposals of the Group’s assets or subsidiaries.

•  Changes to the Group’s capital structure, the issue of any securities and material borrowing of the Group.

•  Approval of the annual report and half-year results statement, accounting policies and practices or any matter 

having a material impact on future financial performance of the Group.

•  Ensuring a sound system of internal control and risk management.

•  Approval of all circulars, prospectuses and other documents issued to shareholders governed by the FCA’s 
Listing Rules, Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules or the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

•  Approving Board appointments and removals, and approving policies relating to directors’ remuneration.

•  The division of responsibility between the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer.

•  Approval of terms of reference and membership of Board Committees.

•  Considering and, where appropriate, approving directors’ conflicts of interest.

•  Approval, subject to shareholder approval, of the appointment and remuneration of the auditors.

•  Major changes in employee share schemes.

•  Insurance and litigation.

The schedule of matters reserved to the Board is available on request from the Company Secretary or within the 
Investors section of the Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com.

The  Board  delegates  specific  responsibilities  to  certain  Committees  that  assist  the  Board  in  carrying  out  its 
functions and ensure independent oversight of internal control and risk management. The three principal Board 
Committees (Audit, Remuneration and Nomination) play an essential role in supporting the Board in fulfilling its 
responsibilities and ensuring that the highest standards of corporate governance are maintained throughout the 
Group. Each Committee has its own terms of reference which set out the specific matters for which delegated 
authority has been given by the Board. The initial terms of reference for each of the Committees, which are 
fully compliant with the provisions of the Code and which reflect both best practice and the recommendations 
arising from the external evaluation process undergone by the Board and its Committees in connection with the 
Company’s IPO, were adopted by the Board during 2014. These were reviewed in July 2018, and will be 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
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reviewed annually on an ongoing basis and updated where necessary. All of these are available on request 
from the Company Secretary or within the Investors section of the Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com.

Board Size and Composition

As at 31 December 2018, there were six Directors on the Board: the Non-Executive Chairman, one Executive 
Director and four Non-Executive Directors. During the year, changes to the composition of the Board were:

•  The resignation of Rick Davis as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

•  The appointment of Fritz Foley as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

The biographies of all of the Directors are provided on pages 52 to 54.

The Company’s policy relating to the terms of appointment and the remuneration of both Executive and Non-
Executive Directors is detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 77 to 105.

The size and composition of the Board is regularly reviewed by the Board, and in particular the Nomination 
Committee, to ensure there is an appropriate and diverse mix of skills and experience on the Board.

The  Company’s  Articles  of  Association  allow  appointment  of  Directors  by  ordinary  resolution  and  require  all 
Directors to submit themselves for re-election by the shareholders at the Company’s AGM following their first 
appointment and thereafter at each AGM in respect of which they have held office for the two preceding AGMs 
and  did  not  retire  at  either  of  them.  In  addition,  each  director  who  has  held  office  with  the  Company  for  a 
continuous period of nine years or more must retire and offer themselves up for re-election at every AGM.

However, the Company has determined to continue its past practice, and all Directors will submit themselves 
for annual re-election by shareholders at the AGM of the Company to be held on 28 June 2019. The Board 
recommends to shareholders the reappointment of all Directors retiring at the meeting and offering themselves for 
re-election on the basis that independent performance reviews demonstrated that they each contribute effectively 
to the Board and continue to display the appropriate level of commitment in their respective roles.

Diversity

The Board is committed to a culture that attracts and retains talented people to deliver outstanding performance 
and further enhance the success of the Company. In that culture, diversity across a range of criteria is valued, 
primarily in relation to skills, knowledge and experience and also in other criteria such as gender and ethnicity. 
The Company will give careful consideration to issues of overall Board balance and diversity in making new 
appointments to the Board and, in identifying suitable candidates, the Nomination Committee will seek candidates 
from a range of backgrounds, with the final decision being based on merit against objective criteria. In addition, 
the terms of reference of the Nomination Committee include a requirement for the Committee to consider diversity, 
including gender, in evaluating the composition of the Board and in identifying suitable candidates for Board 
appointments. A breakdown of employee gender showing the percentage of persons who were Directors of the 
Company and senior managers during the period covered by this Annual Report can be found on page 76.

Non-Executive Directors

The Non-Executive Directors provide a wide range of skills and experience to the Group. They bring their own 
senior level of experience in each of their respective fields, robust opinions and an independent judgement on 
issues of strategy, performance, risk and people. They are well-placed to constructively challenge and scrutinise 
the performance of management at Board and Committee meetings. The Code sets out the circumstances that 

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should be relevant to the Board in determining whether each Non-Executive Director is independent. The Board 
considers Non-Executive Director independence on an annual basis as part of each Non-Executive Director’s 
performance evaluation. Having undertaken this review and with due regard to provision B.1.1 of the Code, 
the Board has concluded this year that all of the Non-Executive Directors are considered by the Board to be 
independent of management and free of any relationship or circumstance which could materially influence or 
interfere with, or affect, or appear to affect, the exercise of their independent judgement.

Non-Executive  Directors  are  required  to  obtain  the  approval  of  the  Chairman  before  taking  on  any  further 
appointments and the Chairman and Executive Director require the approval of the Board before adding to their 
commitments. In all cases, the Directors must ensure that their external appointments do not involve excessive time 
commitment or cause a conflict of interest.

The Roles of Chairman and Chief Executive

Peter Dolan is the current Non-Executive Chairman. The division of responsibilities between the Chairman and 
the Chief Executive Officer is clearly established, set out in writing and agreed by the Board. The Chairman is 
responsible for the leadership and conduct of the Board, the conduct of the Group’s affairs and strategy and for 
ensuring effective communication with shareholders. The Chairman facilitates the full and effective contribution of 
Non-Executive Directors at Board and Committee meetings, ensures that they are kept well informed and ensures 
a  constructive  relationship  between  the  Executive  Directors  and  Non-Executive  Directors.  The  Chairman  also 
ensures that the Board Committees carry out their duties, including reporting back to the Board either orally or 
in writing following their meetings at the next Board meeting. The Chairman was deemed to be independent of 
management upon his appointment to the role.

The role of the current Chief Executive Officer, Jill Smith, is to lead the delivery of the strategy and the executive 
management  of  the  Group  and  its  operating  businesses.  She  is  responsible,  amongst  other  things,  for  the 
development and implementation of strategy and processes which enable the Group to meet the requirements 
of shareholders, for delivering the operating plans and budgets for the Group’s businesses, monitoring business 
performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting on these to the Board and for providing 
the appropriate environment to recruit, engage, retain and develop the high quality personnel needed to deliver 
the Group’s strategy.

Senior Independent Director

Kevin Sharer is the current Senior Independent Director. A key responsibility of the Senior Independent Director 
is  to  be  available  to  shareholders  in  the  event  that  they  may  feel  it  inappropriate  to  relay  views  through  the 
Chairman  or  Chief  Executive  Officer.  In  addition,  the  Senior  Independent  Director  serves  as  an  intermediary 
between the rest of the Board and the Chairman where necessary and takes the lead when the Non-Executive 
Directors  assess  the  Chairman’s  performance  and  when  the  appointment  of  a  new  Chairman  is  considered. 
Further, the Senior Independent Director will lead the Board in its deliberations on any matters on which the 
Chairman is conflicted.

Board Support

The Company Secretary is responsible to the Board for ensuring Board procedures are followed, applicable rules 
and regulations are complied with and that the Board is advised on governance matters and relevant regulatory 
matters.  All  Directors  have  access  to  the  impartial  advice  and  services  of  the  Company  Secretary.  There  is 
also an agreed procedure for directors to take independent professional advice at the Company’s expense. In 
accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association and a contractual Deed of Indemnity, directors have 
been granted an indemnity issued by the Company to the extent permitted by law in respect of liabilities incurred 

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to third parties as a result of their office. The indemnity would not provide any coverage where a director is 
proved  to  have  acted  fraudulently  or  with  willful  misconduct.  The  Company  has  also  arranged  appropriate 
insurance coverage in respect of legal action against its directors and officers.

Board Meetings and Decisions

The Board meets regularly during the year, as well as when required by business need. The Board had ten 
scheduled  Board  meetings  in  2018.  During  their  term  of  service,  each  of  the  Directors  were  present  at  the 
meetings during the year as set out in the table on page 54. The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors also 
met without the presence of the Executive Directors three times during the year.

The  schedule  of  Board  and  Committee  meetings  each  year  is,  so  far  as  is  possible,  determined  before  the 
commencement of that year and all Directors or, if appropriate, all Committee members are expected to attend 
each meeting. Supplementary meetings of the Board and/or the Committees are held as and when necessary. 
Each  member  of  the  Board  receives  detailed  Board  packs,  including  an  agenda  based  upon  the  schedule 
of  matters  reserved  for  its  approval,  appropriate  reports  and  briefing  papers  in  advance  of  each  scheduled 
meeting. If a director is unable to attend a meeting due to exceptional circumstances, he or she will still receive 
the supporting papers and is expected to discuss any matters he or she wishes to raise with the Chairman in 
advance of the meeting. The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary 
work together to ensure that the Directors receive relevant information to enable them to discharge their duties 
and that such information is accurate, timely and clear. This information includes quarterly management accounts 
containing analysis of performance against budget and other forecasts. Additional information is provided as 
appropriate or if requested. At each meeting, the Board receives information, reports and presentations from the 
Chief Executive Officer and, by invitation, other members of senior management as required. This ensures that 
all Directors are aware of, and are in a position to monitor effectively, the overall performance of the Group, its 
development and implementation of strategy and its management of risk.

Any matter requiring a decision by the Board is supported by a paper analysing the relevant aspects of the 
proposal  including  costs,  benefits,  potential  risks  involved  and  proposed  executive  management  action  and 
recommendations.

The majority of Board meetings are held at the Group’s offices in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, which gives 
members of the Company’s senior management team, as well as the senior managers of the portfolio companies, 
the opportunity to formally present to the Board. This assists the Board in gaining a deeper understanding of 
the  breadth,  stage  of  development  and  diversity  of  the  Group’s  portfolio  companies.  Meetings  between  the 
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors, both with and without the presence of the Chief Executive Officer, are 
also held as the need arises.

Directors’ Conflicts of Interest

Each director has a statutory duty under the Companies Act to avoid a situation in which he or she has or can 
have  a  direct  or  indirect  interest  that  conflicts  or  may  potentially  conflict  with  the  interests  of  the  Company. 
This duty is in addition to the continuing duty that a director owes to the Company to disclose to the Board 
any  transaction  or  arrangement  under  consideration  by  the  Company  in  which  he  or  she  is  interested.  The 
Company’s Articles of Association permit the Board to authorise conflicts or potential conflicts of interest. The 
Board  has  established  procedures  for  managing  and,  where  appropriate,  authorising  any  such  conflicts  or 
potential conflicts of interest. It is a recurring agenda item at all Board meetings and this gives the directors the 
opportunity to raise at the beginning of every Board meeting, any actual of potential conflict of interests that 
they may have on the matters to be discussed, or to update the Board on any change to a previous conflict of 

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interest already declared. In deciding whether to authorise any conflict, the directors must have regard to their 
general duties under the Companies Act and their overriding obligation to act in a way they consider, in good 
faith, will be most likely to promote the Company’s success. In addition, the directors are able to impose limits or 
conditions when giving authorisation to a conflict or potential conflict of interest if they think this is appropriate. 
The authorisation of any conflict matter, and the terms of any authorisation, may be reviewed by the Board at any 
time. The Board believes that the procedures established to deal with conflicts of interest are operating effectively.

Induction, Awareness and Development

A comprehensive induction process is in place for new directors. The programme is tailored to the needs of each 
individual director and agreed with him or her so that he or she can gain a better understanding of the Group 
and its businesses. This will generally include an overview of the Group and its businesses, structure, functions 
and strategic aims; site visits to the Group’s head office in Boston, Massachusetts, USA; and, upon request, 
site  visits  to  a  number  of  the  Group’s  portfolio  companies,  which  will  include  meeting  with  such  companies’ 
management and a presentation from them on their businesses. In addition, the Company facilitates sessions as 
appropriate with the Group’s advisers, in particular its joint corporate brokers, Credit Suisse International and 
Numis Securities Limited, as well as with appropriate governance specialists, to ensure that any new directors 
are fully aware of and understand their responsibilities and obligations as a director of a listed company and 
of  the  governance  framework  within  which  they  must  operate.  A  new  director  may  also  seek  to  meet  major 
shareholders.

In order to ensure that the Directors continue to further their understanding of the issues facing the Group, the 
Board is also exposed to the early-stage opportunities in which the Group has invested through presentations 
at Board meetings by relevant members of the Group’s staff. In addition, other members of senior management 
present  to  the  Board  to  enhance  the  Board’s  awareness  of  how  the  Group  operates  on  a  day-to-day  basis 
and how such functions operate so as to assist in the execution of the Group’s core strategy of systematically 
developing an IP commercialisation company focused on venture creation and early stage investments within 
the technology and life science sectors, which sources, operates and funds a portfolio of companies to generate 
long-term value for its investors and stakeholders.

As a further aspect of their ongoing development, each Director also receives feedback on his or her performance 
following  the  Board’s  performance  evaluation  in  each  year  and,  through  the  Company  Secretary,  access  is 
facilitated  to  relevant  training  and  development  opportunities  including  those  relevant  to  the  Non-Executive 
Directors’ membership on the Board’s Committees.

Board Effectiveness and Performance Evaluation

A performance evaluation of the Board and its Committees is carried out annually to ensure that they continue 
to be effective and that each of the Directors demonstrates commitment to his or her respective role and has 
sufficient time to meet his or her commitment to the Company. The Board conducts an internally facilitated Board 
evaluation led by the Chairman, assisted by the Company Secretary, and covering the effectiveness of the Board 
as a whole, its individual Directors and its Committees. This review includes each of the Board and Committee 
members completing a detailed questionnaire. A summary of the results of the questionnaire and review, together 
with the Chairman and Company Secretary’s observations and recommendations, are prepared and shared 
with  members  of  the  Board.  The  Board  engages  in  a  discussion  of  these  results,  provides  feedback  on  the 
observations and recommendations, and develops a list of proposed improvements and actions, as deemed 
necessary. In addition to the aforementioned annual reviews, the performance of Executive Directors is reviewed 
by the Board on an ongoing basis, as deemed necessary.

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During the 2018 financial year, the Board assessed its own effectiveness through an internal Board evaluation 
process. This process was based on: a review of documentation including Board and Committee terms of reference, 
the completion of a survey to Directors comprising quantitative and qualitative questions; and discussions with 
all Board members and a number of stakeholders who regularly interact with the Board, including the Company 
Secretary.

The  results  were  analysed  by  the  Chairman  and  the  Company  Secretary,  and  a  detailed  discussion  was 
facilitated with the Board to outline the observations and recommendations. Overall it was concluded that the 
Board  continues  to  work  effectively.  The  changes  to  the  Board  composition  in  recent  years  have  resulted  in 
a well-balanced Board with a range of skills and experience. The Board did not recommend any changes it 
considered necessary.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The composition of the three Committees of the Board and the attendance of the members throughout the year 
is set out in the table on page 54. The terms of reference of each Committee are available on request from the 
Company Secretary or within the Investors section of the Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com.

Remuneration and Audit Committees

Separate reports on the role, composition, responsibilities and operation of the Remuneration Committee and the 
Audit Committee are set out on pages 103 to 104, and pages 106 to 109, respectively, and are incorporated 
by reference into this Corporate Governance Report.

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee leads the process for Board appointments, re-election and succession of directors 
and the Chairman. Its key objective is to ensure that the Board is comprised of individuals with the necessary 
skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that it is effective in discharging its duties. It is responsible for making 
recommendations to the Board and its Committees concerning the composition and skills of the Board including 
any  changes  considered  necessary  in  the  identification  and  nomination  of  new  directors,  the  reappointment 
of existing directors and the appointment of members to the Board’s Committees. It also assesses the roles of 
the existing directors in office to ensure there continues to be a balanced Board in terms of skills, knowledge, 
experience  and  diversity.  In  addition,  the  Nomination  Committee  reviews  the  senior  leadership  needs  of  the 
Group  to  enable  it  to  compete  effectively  in  the  marketplace.  The  Nomination  Committee  also  advises  the 
Board on succession planning for Executive Director appointments, although the Board itself is responsible for 
succession generally.

The  Committee  is  chaired  by  Peter  Dolan  and  its  other  members  as  at  31  December  2018  were  Jeff  Rohr 
and Kevin Sharer, being a majority of independent Non-Executive Directors as prescribed by the Code. The 
Nomination Committee meets as and when required or requested by the Board and met one time during 2018 
to review the structure, size and composition of the Board, following which it discussed the conclusions with the 
Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. Messrs. Dolan, Rohr and Sharer were present at all meetings during 
the year.

Before  selecting  new  appointees  to  the  Board,  the  Nomination  Committee  shall  consider  the  balance,  skill, 
knowledge, independence, diversity (including gender) and experience on the Board to ensure that a suitable 
balance is maintained. The Committee shall adopt a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure for the appointment 
of new directors to the Board. Consideration shall always be given as to whether identified candidates have 

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sufficient time available to devote to the role. When searching for appropriate candidates, the Committee shall 
give consideration to using an external search company, but may also consider candidates who are proposed 
by existing Board members or employees of the Group. When the Committee has found a suitable candidate, 
the Chairman of the Committee will make a proposal to the whole Board. The appointment of a candidate is the 
responsibility of the whole Board following recommendation from the Committee. The Committee did not use the 
services of an external search company in 2018.

As part of its annual duties in 2018, the Committee and the full Board fulfilled its duties which resulted in the 
appointment of Fritz Foley as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018. The Committee did not use an external 
search  firm  to  identify  and  recruit  Mr.    Foley,  as  he  was  known  to  members  of  the  Board  as  a  result  of  his 
employment at Harvard Business School. In the year ahead, the Nomination Committee will continue to assess 
the Board’s size and composition and how it may be enhanced.

INTERNAL CONTROL

The Board fully recognises the importance of the guidance contained in Guidance on Risk Management, Internal 
Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting (Financial Reporting Council). The Group’s internal controls 
and risk management systems, which are Group wide, were in place during the whole of 2018, were reviewed 
by the Board and Audit Committee and were considered to be effective throughout the year ended 31 December 
2018 and up to the date of approval of the Annual Report and Accounts.

The Board and Audit Committee are responsible for establishing and monitoring internal control systems and 
for reviewing the effectiveness of these systems. The Board views the effective operation of a rigorous system of 
internal control as critical to the success of the Group; however, it recognises that such systems are designed to 
manage rather than eliminate risk of failure and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss. The key elements of the Group’s internal control system, all of which have been 
in place during the financial year and up to the date these financial statements were approved, are as follows:

Control environment and procedures

The Group has a clear organisational structure with defined responsibilities and accountabilities. It adopts the 
highest values surrounding quality, integrity and ethics, and these values are documented and communicated 
clearly throughout the whole organisation.

Detailed written policies and procedures have been established covering key operating and compliance risk 
areas. These are reviewed and updated at least once a year. The effectiveness of the systems of internal control 
is reviewed at least annually by the Board. The Board considers that the controls have been effective for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

Identification and evaluation of risks

The  Board  actively  identifies  and  evaluates  the  risks  inherent  in  the  business,  and  ensures  that  appropriate 
controls  and  procedures  are  in  place  to  manage  these  risks.  The  Board  obtains  an  update  regarding  the 
portfolio companies on a regular basis, and reviews the performance of the Group and its portfolio companies 
on a quarterly basis, although performance of specific investments may be reviewed more frequently if deemed 
appropriate.  The  Board  also  obtains  a  risk  management  report  from  members  of  senior  management  on  a 
regular basis. The key risks and uncertainties faced by the Group, as well as the relevant mitigations, are set out 
on pages 45 to 51.

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Information and financial reporting systems

The  Group  evaluates  and  manages  significant  risks  associated  with  the  process  for  preparing  consolidated 
accounts by having in place systems and controls that ensure adequate accounting records are maintained and 
transactions are recorded accurately and fairly to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance 
with  IFRS.  The  Board  approves  the  annual  operating  budgets  and  each  quarter  receives  details  of  actual 
performance measured against the budget.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The operations of the Group and the implementation of its objectives and strategy are subject to a number of 
key risks and uncertainties. Risks are formally reviewed by the Board and Audit Committee at least annually and 
appropriate procedures are put in place to monitor and, to the extent possible, mitigate these risks. Were more 
than one of the risks to occur together, the overall impact on the Group may be compounded. A summary of the 
key risks affecting the Group and the steps taken to manage these is set out on pages 45 to 51.

RELATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Company is committed to a continuous dialogue with shareholders as it believes that this is essential to ensure 
a greater understanding of and confidence amongst its shareholders in the medium and longer term strategy of 
the Group. It is the responsibility of the Board as a whole to ensure that a satisfactory dialogue does take place.

The  Board’s  primary  shareholder  contact  is  through  each  of  the  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer.  The 
Senior Independent Director and other Directors, as appropriate, make themselves available for contact with 
major shareholders and other stakeholders in order to understand their issues and concerns. The Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer met with major shareholders, IP commercialisation sector brokers and analysts, and other 
stakeholders, on numerous occasions throughout the year in order to discuss the Company and its business.

The Company uses the AGM as an opportunity to communicate with its shareholders. Notice of the AGM, which 
will be held at 2.00 p.m. BST on 28 June 2019 at the offices of DLA Piper UK LLP, 160 Aldersgate Street, 
London EC1A 4HT, United Kingdom, is enclosed with this Report and Accounts. In accordance with the Code, 
the Notice of AGM is sent to shareholders at least 20 working days before the meeting. Details of the resolutions 
and the explanatory notes thereto are included with the Notice. To ensure compliance with the Code, the Board 
proposes  separate  resolutions  for  each  issue  and  proxy  forms  which  allows  shareholders  who  are  unable  to 
attend the AGM to vote on each resolution. The results of all proxy voting shall be published on the Group’s 
website after the meeting and at the meeting itself to those shareholders who attend. Shareholders who attend 
the AGM will have the opportunity to ask questions and the Chairman and the Executive Directors are expected 
to be available to take questions.

The Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com is the primary source of information on the Group. The website 
includes an overview of the activities of the Group, details of its portfolio companies, and details of all recent 
Group and portfolio company announcements.

POLITICAL EXPENDITURE

It is the Board’s policy not to incur political expenditure or otherwise make cash contributions to political parties 
and it has no intention of changing that policy.

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GOING CONCERN

The  Directors  confirm  that  they  have  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  Group  will  have  adequate  resources 
to continue in operational existence for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial 
statements. For further explanation, see note 1 of the financial statements on page 127.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Dolan 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

26 April 2019

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SUSTAINABILITY     

POLICY STATEMENT

Allied Minds aims to conduct its business in a socially responsible manner, to contribute to the communities in 
which it operates and to respect the needs of its employees and all of its stakeholders.

The Group is committed to operating the business while ensuring a safe environment for employees as well as 
minimising the overall impact on the environment.

Allied  Minds  endeavours  to  conduct  its  business  in  accordance  with  established  best  practice,  to  be  a 
responsible  employer  and  to  adopt  values  and  standards  designed  to  help  guide  staff  in  their  conduct  and 
business relationships.

GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS

Given  the  overall  size  of  the  Group,  we  consider  the  direct  environmental  impact  of  the  Group  as  relatively 
low. However, we firmly recognise our responsibility to ensure that our business operates in an environmentally 
responsible  and  sustainable  manner.  The  Group  complies  with  all  current  regulations  on  emissions  including 
GHG emissions, where such regulation exists in our markets.

Though the Group’s day-to-day operational activities have a relatively limited impact on the environment, we do 
recognise that the more significant impact occurs indirectly through the nature and operations of the companies 
that we choose to support with human and financial capital.

The Group therefore considers it important to establish and nurture businesses that comply with existing applicable 
environmental, ethical and social legislation. It is also important that these businesses can demonstrate that an 
appropriate strategy is in place to meet future applicable legislative and regulatory requirements and that these 
businesses can operate to specific industry standards, striving for best practice.

The section below includes our mandatory reporting of GHG emissions. The reporting period is the same as the 
Group’s financial year.

Organisation Boundary and Scope of Emissions

We have reported on all of the emission sources required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report 
and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013. These sources fall with the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

An operational control approach has been used in order to define our organisational boundary. This is the basis 
for determining the Scope 1 and 2 emissions for which the Group is responsible.

Methodology

For the Group’s reporting, the Group has employed the services of a specialist adviser, Verco, to quantify and 
verify the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with the Group’s operations.

The following methodology was applied by Verco in the preparation and presentation of this data:

•  the Greenhouse Gas Protocol published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the 

World Resources Institute (WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol);

•  application of appropriate emission factors to the Group’s activities to calculate GHG emissions;

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•  scope 2 reporting methods – application of location-based and market-based emission factors for electricity 

supplies;

•  inclusion of all the applicable Kyoto gases, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents, or CO2e; and

•  presentation of gross emissions as the Group does not purchase carbon credits (or equivalents).

Absolute Emissions

The total Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from the Group’s operations in the year ending 31 December 2018 
were:

•  699.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) using a ‘location-based’ emission factor methodology for Scope 

2 emissions; and

•  702.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) using a ‘market-based’ emission factor methodology for Scope 2 

emissions.

This is the third year of reporting for the Group so we can now show a comparison between 2018, 2017 and 
2016. There have been a number of changes to the Group’s operations since 2016 with the closing of some 
business entities but also the opening of new entities. 2018 saw a number of businesses close.

Overall, there has been a drop in total emissions across both Scopes 1 and 2. There was a large decrease in 
scope 1 emissions due to less gas use, but there was also a significant decrease in scope 2 emissions (both 
location-based and market-based).

Intensity Ratio

As well as reporting the absolute emissions, the Group’s GHG emissions are reported below on the metrics of 
tonnes of CO2 equivalent per employee and tonnes of CO2 equivalent per square foot of the occupied areas. For 
some of the companies, floor area was not known therefore they are not included in the kg per square footage 
of office space intensity metric. These are the most appropriate metrics given that the majority of emissions result 
from the operation of the Group’s offices and the day-to-day activities of the employees.

Target and Baselines

Given the comparatively low GHG impact of the Group’s operations, the Group’s objective is to maintain or 
reduce its GHG emissions per employee and per square foot of office space each year and will report each 
year whether it has been successful in this regard.

For 2018, the intensity metrics decreased to 0.009 tCO2e per ft2 using the location-based method and using 
the market-based method. Both the total emissions and floor area have reduced in 2018.

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Key Figures

Allied Minds plc – Breakdown of emissions by scope

2018  
(market-based)

85.9

e
2
O
C
f
o
s
e
n
n
o
T

2018  
(location-based)   

85.9

616.6

613.5

0% 

20% 

40% 

60% 

80% 

100% 

Scope 1 

Scope 2 

2018

2017

2016

Tonnes 
CO2e

85.9

613.5

616.6

tCO2e / 
emp.4

tCO2e /  
sq. ft.5 

0.43

3.08

3.10

0.001

0.009

0.009

Tonnes 
CO2e

103.5

804.4

808.9

tCO2e / 
emp.6

tCO2e /  
sq. ft.7 

0.53

4.15

4.17

0.001

0.009

0.009

Tonnes 
CO2e

97.6

841.4

915.7

tCO2e / 
emp.8

tCO2e /  
sq. ft.9 

0.46

4.01

4.36

0.001

0.011

0.012

699.4

3.51

0.009

907.9

4.68

0.010

939.0

4.47

0.012

 702.5 

3.53

0.009

 912.4 

4.70

0.010  1,013.3 

4.83

0.013

GHG emissions 

Scope 11

Scope 22

Scope 23

Total GHG emissions 
(Location-based Scope 2)

Total GHG emissions 
(Market-based Scope 2)

Notes:

(1)  Scope 1 being emissions from the Group’s combustion of fuel and operation of facilities.

(2)  Scope 2 being electricity (from location-based calculations), heat, steam and cooling purchased for the Group’s own use.

(3)  Scope 2 being electricity (from market-based calculations), heat, steam and cooling purchased for the Group’s own use.

(4)  Employee numbers: 199

(5)  Occupied office space: 66,886 sq.ft (this does not include sites where floor area was not known)

(6)  Employee numbers: 194

(7)  Occupied office space: 91,589 sq.ft (this does not include sites where floor area was not known)

(8)  Employee numbers: 209

(9)  Occupied office space: 66,696 sq.ft (this does not include sites where floor area was not known)

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SUSTAINABILITY (CONTINUED)  

Understanding the Indirect Environmental Impacts of our Business Activities

The  Group’s  day-to-day  operational  activities  have  a  limited  impact  on  the  environment.  We  do,  however, 
recognise that the more significant impact occurs indirectly, through the investment decisions we make and the 
operation of the companies we choose to invest in. The Group therefore considers it important to establish and 
invest in businesses that comply with existing applicable environmental, ethical and social legislation. It is also 
important that these businesses can demonstrate that an appropriate strategy is in place to meet future applicable 
legislative  and  regulatory  requirements  and  that  these  businesses  can  operate  to  specific  industry  standards, 
striving for best practice.

OUR BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Group seeks to conduct all of its operating and business activities in an honest, ethical and socially responsible 
manner. We are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings and 
relationships wherever we operate, and for its directors and staff to have due regard to the interest of all of 
its stakeholders including investors, partners, employees, customers, suppliers and the businesses in which the 
Group invests.

We  take  a  zero  tolerance  approach  to  bribery  and  corruption  and  implement  and  enforce  effective  systems 
to  counter  bribery.  The  Group  is  bound  by  the  laws  of  the  UK,  including  the  Bribery  Act  2010,  and  has 
implemented policies and procedures to address such laws, as well as the laws in each jurisdiction where the 
Group operates, including the US.

The Group’s management and employees are fundamental to our success and as a result we are committed to 
encouraging the ongoing development of our staff with the aim of maximising the Group’s overall performance. 
Emphasis is placed on staff development through work-based learning, with senior members of staff acting as 
coaches and mentors. Allied Minds has continued to employ regular all-staff update meetings as the main source 
of employee communication.

EMPLOYEE DIVERSITY AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES

The Group seeks to operate as a responsible employer and has adopted standards which promote corporate 
values  designed  to  help  and  guide  employees  in  their  conduct  and  business  relationships.  The  Group  seeks 
to  comply  with  all  laws,  regulations  and  rules  applicable  to  its  business  and  to  conduct  the  business  in  line 
with  applicable  established  best  practice.  The  Group’s  policy  is  one  of  equal  opportunity  in  the  selection, 
training, career development and promotion of employees, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic 
origin, religion and whether disabled or otherwise. Allied Minds and its consolidated portfolio companies had 
117 employees as at 31 December 2018. A breakdown of employees by gender as at 31 December 2018 
can be seen in the illustrations below. Allied Minds supports the rights of all people as set out in the UN Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights and ensures that all transactions the Group enters into uphold these principles.

Total Employees

Senior Management

Directors

25%

18%

17%

75%

82%

83%

76

Female

Male

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT     

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

I am pleased to present, on behalf of the Board, the Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 
2018. Our current Remuneration Policy, which was approved by shareholders at our 2016 AGM with a strong 
91.6% vote of support, was applied in 2018. During 2018 we had a particular focus on the management of 
the Company’s cash expenses, as described below.

The Remuneration Committee reviewed all of the elements of remuneration for the Executive Director and senior 
management  to  assess  whether  the  current  Remuneration  Policy  approved  at  the  2016  AGM  was  meeting 
its  design  objectives.  The  Remuneration  Committee  also  reviewed  the  current  Remuneration  Policy  with  close 
regard  to  evolving  good  governance  practice  in  other  UK  listed  companies,  including  changes  to  the  UK 
Corporate Governance Code. A key objective of this review was to ensure the Remuneration Policy remained 
appropriate for a UK listed company, while also ensuring that it was designed to continue to attract and retain 
US-based management and employees of the highest calibre as the business develops. Based on this review, the 
Remuneration Committee has resolved to submit a revised Remuneration Policy for approval at our 2019 AGM. 
Key changes to the Remuneration Policy have been set out on pages 80 to 81.

The Work of the Remuneration Committee

The  Committee  met  on  five  occasions  during  the  year.  Reflecting  the  meetings  for  which  each  member  was 
then appointed to the Committee, Mr.  Rohr and I were present at all meetings during the year, and Mr.  Rein 
missed one meeting due to an unexpected scheduling conflict. I met several times during the year with the Chief 
Executive Officer and other members of senior management in order to review all elements of remuneration and 
their operation. The Committee also received professional advice from Deloitte LLP where appropriate.

During the year, the key activities carried out by the Committee were:

•  Conducted a review of all elements of remuneration for the Executive Director and senior management;

•  Reviewed remuneration and related policies for the wider workforce;

•  Reviewed feedback received from major shareholders and shareholder advisory services;

•  Developed a revised Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors, for approval at our 2019 AGM;

•  Reviewed  and  amended  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  (LTIP)  to  ensure  that  it  continues  to  advance  the 
Committee’s policy to provide a competitive, performance-linked, long-term incentive mechanism to align the 
interests of management and shareholders;

•  Determined cash incentive bonus and LTIP award outcomes for the Executive Director and senior management;

•  Determined base salaries of the Executive Director and senior management, for the period starting 1 January 

2019;

•  Approved the issuance of 2018 LTIP awards;

•  Determined the 2019 cash incentive bonus and LTIP award performance targets;

•  Reviewed progress against 2016, 2017 and 2018 LTIP award performance targets; and

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•  Reviewed the remuneration reporting regulations in connection with the review of the Group’s Remuneration 

Policy and preparation of the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Responding to Shareholder Feedback

The 2017 Directors’ Remuneration Report received a 73.96% vote in favor at the 2018 AGM. The Committee 
was  disappointed  with  this  result,  and  sought  to  understand  and  address  the  concerns  of  shareholders.  The 
Committee recognises that building a close relationship with shareholders complements the work of the Committee 
in developing an effective Remuneration Policy.

Accordingly, during 2018 we received feedback from major shareholders and shareholder advisory services 
with respect to our remuneration programme, and have reflected this, alongside other good governance features, 
within our revised Remuneration Policy.

The Committee will continue to monitor developments in the UK remuneration environment, including evolving 
market practice in relation to the Corporate Governance Code, when reviewing the continued appropriateness 
of the Remuneration Policy and its implementation.

Objectives of the Remuneration Policy

Pursuant to the current Remuneration Policy, the Committee focuses on simple and transparent market competitive 
remuneration and incentive schemes. The programme is weighted toward rewarding entrepreneurial achievement 
and the creation of shareholder value over time.

The current Remuneration Policy is designed to:

•  attract, retain and motivate high calibre US-based senior management, and to focus them on the delivery of 

the Company’s long-term strategic and business objectives;

•  promote a strong, fair and sustainable performance culture;

•  incentivise growth and the achievement of milestones;

•  align  the  interests  of  Executive  Directors  and  members  of  the  senior  management  team  with  those  of 

shareholders through equity ownership; and

•  be simple to understand and implement, and designed taking into account best practice guidelines for UK 

listed companies.

The key components of remuneration are set out in detail within the revised Remuneration Policy on pages 82 to 
92, which will be subject to a binding vote at our 2019 AGM.

Managing our Cash Expense

The Committee reviewed Jill Smith’s salary level and determined that no increase would be made for 2019. 
Ms. Smith has volunteered to defer $500,000 of her 2019 salary for two years as part of the Company’s efforts 
to reduce cash expense during 2019.

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Performance and Reward for 2018

Following strong achievement against a number of the management by objectives (MBOs) set at the start of 
2018,  including  technical  and  operational  progress  at  our  technology  companies,  initiating  new  company 
formation and investment, and bolstering portfolio company support and services, a cash incentive bonus award 
of 42.7% of the maximum opportunity of 225% of salary (96.0% of salary) was made to Jill Smith. The Committee 
considered this annual bonus outcome appropriately reflected overall performance in the period.

No LTIP awards were due to vest to the Executive Director in 2018.

We continue to appreciate any feedback shareholders may have.

Kevin Sharer 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

26 April 2019

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DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

What is in this report?

The Directors’ Remuneration Report sets out: (i) an annual statement by Chairman of the Remuneration Committee on 
pages 77 to 79; (ii) an Annual Report on Remuneration on pages 93 to 105 which describes the implementation 
of  the  current  Remuneration  Policy  during  the  2018  financial  year,  and  (iii)  the  revised  Remuneration  Policy 
for the Company on pages 82 to 92. It has been prepared in accordance with the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies  and  Groups  (Accounts  and  Reports)  Regulations  2008,  as  amended.  The  revised  Remuneration 
Policy was developed taking into account the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2016, the 
Listing Rules and shareholders’ executive remuneration guidelines.

The revised Remuneration Policy for the Executive and Non-Executive Directors on pages 82 to 92, will be put to 
a binding shareholder vote at the AGM on 28 June 2019. Subject to shareholder approval, the Remuneration 
Policy will take formal effect from that date. If the revised Remuneration Policy is not approved by shareholders, 
the current policy will remain in effect.

The Statement by Chairman of the Remuneration Committee on pages 77 to 79, together with the Annual Report 
on Remuneration on pages 93 to 105, will be subject to an advisory vote at the 2019 AGM.

DIRECTOR’S REMUNERATION POLICY OVERVIEW

The  Remuneration  Committee  has  responsibility  for  setting  the  Remuneration  Policy  for,  and  determining 
remuneration  of,  the  Executive  Directors.  The  Committee  has  reviewed  the  current  Remuneration  Policy  with 
close regard to evolving good governance practice in other UK listed companies. Allied Minds is a US-based 
business, with a US-based CEO, therefore the Remuneration Policy also contains features that reflect our need to 
remain competitive within the US market for talent.

The Company believes that remuneration should be weighted toward rewarding entrepreneurial achievement 
and the creation of shareholder value over time as its employees work toward the long-term strategic objective of 
the commercialisation and monetisation of businesses founded based on scientific and technological innovations. 
Accordingly, a significant proportion of Executive Director remuneration is delivered in Company shares. Given 
the long-term performance oriented nature of the Company, the total remuneration package for Executive Directors 
is geared towards the variable, and in particular the long-term, elements.

In  promoting  these  objectives  above,  the  Remuneration  Policy  aims  to  be  simple  in  design,  transparent  and 
understandable both to participants and shareholders, and has been structured so as to adhere to the principles 
of good corporate governance and appropriate risk management.

Key Changes to the Current Remuneration Policy

Our current Remuneration Policy was approved by our shareholders at our 2016 AGM, with a strong 91.6% vote 
of support. The Committee has undertaken an extensive review and will be submitting a revised Remuneration 
Policy for approval at our 2019 AGM.

Following the review, the Committee determined that the overall remuneration structure continues to be broadly 
appropriate. The Remuneration Policy continues to align with the Company strategy while balancing typical UK-
listed market practice with US practice in our market for talent.

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However, changes have been made to the Remuneration Policy to reflect recent governance changes and good 
practice. The key changes are:

Feature

Current Remuneration Policy

Revised Remuneration Policy

No policy maximum on bonus awards

Maximum of 225% of salary per annum

Incentive Bonus 
maximum

Exceptional LTIP 
maximum

No policy maximum on additional LTIP awards in 
exceptional circumstances

LTIP holding period

No post-vesting LTIP holding period

Malus and clawback

No malus / clawback on bonus awards, limited 
circumstances

Incentive discretion

Limited ability to operate discretion

Additional exceptional LTIP awards to be made only in the 
case of recruitment of a new Executive, with any additional 
award capped at 300% of salary

Two-year holding period applied to all future LTIP awards, 
giving a total of 5 years between award and potential 
sale of stock

Malus and clawback to apply to both Incentive Bonus and 
LTIP awards, with circumstances expanded in line with the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 2018

Increase in the Committee’s ability to operate discretion 
within the new maximum limits

Phantom Plan 
maximum

No cap on the number of units to be awarded to Executive 
Directors

Cap on number of units that may be awarded to Executive 
Directors

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REMUNERATION POLICY (PAGES 82 TO 92)

The revised Remuneration Policy for the Executive and Non-Executive Directors (Policy) set out below is proposed 
for shareholder approval at the 2019 AGM. If approved, the Policy will take effect from that date. If the new 
Policy is not approved by shareholders, the current policy will remain in effect.

The Committee will consider the revised Policy annually to ensure that it continues to align with the Company’s 
strategic objectives; however, it is intended that the revised Policy would apply for three years.

The Revised Remuneration Policy Table for Executive and Non-Executive Directors

The table below sets out the Policy for each element of remuneration for Executive and Non-Executive Directors 
and how they support the Company’s short- and long-term strategic objectives.

Element of 
remuneration and 
how it supports the 
Company’s objectives

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

There are no performance 
conditions attached to the 
payment of salary, although 
there are a number of 
performance-based factors both 
at the individual and Company 
level that influence the level of 
salaries provided to Executive 
Directors.

There is no prescribed 
maximum annual salary or 
increase, however annual 
increases will normally be in 
line with those of the wider 
workforce.

More significant increases may 
be made from time to time, 
for example to recognise an 
increase to the individual’s 
role and responsibilities, or a 
significant increase in the scale 
or size of the Company.

Salary
Provides an appropriate 
level of salary in order 
to be competitive and 
to maintain the ability 
to recruit and retain 
Executive Directors of the 
required calibre. 

An Executive Director’s basic salary is considered 
by the Committee on appointment and normally 
reviewed once per year or when there is a 
significant change to role or responsibility.

Salary will normally be paid twice per month 
in cash. In exceptional circumstances, part of 
the salary may be deferred at the request of the 
individual and become payable at a later date.

Salaries and salary increases are set taking into 
consideration a number of factors including (but not 
limited to):

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 scale, scope and responsibility of the role;

 skills and experience of the individual;

 individual and Company performance;

 the impact on other remuneration elements and 
the total remuneration package;

 the individual’s marketability;

 pay and conditions across the Company;

 the wider economic environment; and

 market-appropriate pay positioning against 
relevant US and UK listed peers and other 
companies of a similar size and complexity.

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Element of 
remuneration and 
how it supports the 
Company’s objectives

Benefits
Provides a benefits 
package in line with 
US employment market 
practice.

Pension
Provides pension 
benefits in line with US 
employment market 
practice.

The Company is not 
required to provide 
pension benefits in order 
to be competitive and to 
ensure its ability to recruit 
and retain Executive 
Directors.

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

N/A

The cost of benefits provided 
varies from year to year in 
accordance with market 
conditions, therefore there is no 
prescribed monetary limit. 

N/A

N/A

The main benefits provided to Executive Directors 
include (but are not limited to):

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 life insurance;

 disability insurance;

 medical benefits and dental care;

 a car allowance; and

 an annual payment to cover personal legal and 
tax advice.

Executive Directors may also participate in any all-
employee share plans that may be operated by the 
Group from time to time on the same terms as other 
employees.

Additional benefits, which may include relocation 
expenses, housing allowance or other benefits-in-
kind, may be provided in certain circumstances 
if considered appropriate and reasonable by the 
Committee, for example on recruitment.

A consistent pension policy operates for all 
employees across the Company, creating alignment 
between Executive Directors and the wider 
workforce.

In line with US market practice, no element of the 
Executive Directors’ remuneration is pensionable, 
and the Company does not operate any pension 
scheme or other scheme providing retirement or 
similar benefits.

However, in line with the approach taken for all 
employees, the Company offers a retirement plan in 
accordance with subsection 401(k) of the Internal 
Revenue Code in which Executive Directors may 
make voluntary pre-tax contributions toward their 
own retirement. The Company does not make any 
payments or contributions to such 401(k) Plan.

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Element of 
remuneration and 
how it supports the 
Company’s objectives

Incentive Bonus 
Awards
Incentivises the 
achievement of pre-
determined strategic 
goals – management by 
objectives (“MBOs”) – 
over a single year period.

Allied Minds Long 
Term Incentive Plan 
(LTIP)
Incentivises and rewards 
the achievement of the 
Company’s long-term 
strategic objectives.

Provides alignment with 
shareholders through long-
term time horizons and 
the facilitation of share 
ownership.

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Annual MBOs and their respective weightings 
and targets, are set at or around the start of each 
financial year.

An Executive Director’s incentive bonus award is 
considered by the Committee upon completion of 
each financial year.

The decision to provide any award and the amount 
and terms of any such award, are determined 
based on the level of achievement against the 
MBOs set at the start of the year.

The Committee may exercise its discretion and 
make adjustments to the formulaic payout level (both 
upwards and downwards, including a reduction 
to zero) if the formulaic outcome is not considered 
to be appropriate. When making this judgement, 
the Committee will consider a number of factors, 
including (but not limited to) the overall shareholder 
experience, underlying business performance 
(including financial, operational and technical 
performance) and individual performance during 
the year.

An award over Company stock is typically made 
to Executive Directors annually, subject to pre-
determined performance measures which are 
typically tested over a period of three years.

The specific performance measures, weightings 
and targets are set at or around the start of each 
financial year.

Performance will normally be tested after three 
years, subject to the Committee’s assessment of the 
extent to which the performance measures have 
been met. This assessment may take into account 
any additional relevant factors, at the Committee’s 
discretion.

A further two-year holding period will typically 
apply to awards, giving a total period between the 
date of the initial award was made and the end of 
the holding period of five years.

Awards are subject to malus and clawback 
provisions, as described in the notes to this Policy 
table.

Incentive Bonus opportunities 
are capped at 225% of 
salary per annum, which is 
only achieved if performance 
significantly exceeds 
expectations across all MBOs 
set for the year.

The level of annual bonus 
payable for on-target 
performance is set at a 
level significantly below the 
maximum opportunity, and 
will be disclosed each year 
in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

The Committee and senior 
management review the 
Group’s MBOs annually prior 
to the start of each financial 
year to ensure the detailed 
performance measures and 
weightings are appropriate 
and continue to support the 
business strategy.

MBOs may include financial, 
operational, technical and 
other performance targets.

The MBOs will be weighted 
primarily towards Group, 
and not individual, MBO 
performance. 

LTIP awards are normally 
granted to an individual 
each financial year and are 
capped at 300% of salary. 
The award will only vest in full 
if performance significantly 
exceeds expectations over the 
performance period.

The proportion of the award 
that will vest for threshold 
performance will be 16.67%.

When attracting a new 
executive director of the 
required calibre, an additional 
LTIP award of up to 300% 
of salary may be granted 
in the executive’s first year 
of appointment if deemed 
appropriate by the Committee. 
Thereafter, LTIP awards granted 
to the executive would be 
made under the normal policy 
maximum above.

The Committee may vary 
specific measures and targets 
applicable to LTIP awards 
from year to year, to ensure 
they continue to support the 
achievement of the Company’s 
strategy and to ensure that the 
target range remains sufficiently 
stretching.

In respect of the LTIP awards 
to be granted in 2019, 60% 
of vesting will be based on 
the Company’s relative total 
shareholder return (rTSR) 
performance in respect of a 
three-year performance period, 
and 40% of vesting will be 
based upon the monetisation of 
portfolio companies over such 
period. 

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Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

The Phantom Plan is a performance-based, cash 
settled bonus plan for Allied Minds’ Executive 
Directors and management.

The Plan is triggered by a successful portfolio 
liquidity event, including (i) a portfolio company 
IPO, (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of a 
portfolio company’s assets, (iii) the sale of at 
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of a 
portfolio company’s voting equity, (iv) the merger 
or consolidation of a portfolio company with or 
into another entity, or (v) a portfolio company’s 
liquidation.

Upon a liquidity event, Allied Minds will deduct 
the amount it invested in such portfolio company 
and deduct the accrued interest in respect of 
such investment, and will then allocate 10% of 
the remaining net proceeds to the Phantom Plan 
account for allocation among the participants.

Participants receive “units”, which equates to a pro-
rata share of the Phantom Plan pool.

Vesting of units is determined at the time of grant of 
the units.

Executive Directors are required to acquire and 
maintain a minimum ownership level of ordinary 
shares in the Company.

This minimum level is set at the equivalent of 400% 
of salary for the CEO.

No amounts accrue under 
the Phantom Plan, and no 
amounts are distributed to 
participants, until and unless a 
successful portfolio company 
liquidity event occurs, and 
the cash generated in such 
liquidity event exceeds the 
amount Allied Minds invested 
in such portfolio company, plus 
accrued interest and expenses 
in respect of such investment. 
No other performance metrics 
apply.

The maximum aggregate 
number of units that may be 
awarded under the Phantom 
Plan is 200,000 units.

Awards to Executive Directors 
under the Phantom Plan may 
not exceed 30,000 units.

Upon a liquidity event Allied 
Minds will distribute 80% of the 
Phantom Plan account to the 
participants based on their pro 
rata share of all vested units 
on the date of the applicable 
liquidation event, and the 
remaining 20% of the Phantom 
Plan account will be distributed 
to participants at the discretion 
of the Committee.

N/A

N/A

Element of 
remuneration and 
how it supports the 
Company’s objectives

Allied Minds Phantom 
Plan
Rewards participants 
for a successful portfolio 
company liquidity event, 
a key strategic objective 
of the Group and its 
shareholders, thereby 
providing alignment 
between the interests 
of participants and 
shareholders.

Operation of such plans 
is common practice 
amongst our peers in 
the venture creation / IP 
commercialisation sectors, 
therefore the Phantom 
Plan allows the Company 
to provide a market-
competitive remuneration 
offering within the relevant 
market for talent across 
this industry.

Share ownership 
requirement
Encourages Executive 
Directors to build a 
meaningful shareholding 
in the Company, 
providing alignment 
between the long-
term interests of 
Executive Directors and 
shareholders.

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Element of 
remuneration and 
how it supports the 
Company’s objectives

Non-Executive 
Directors’ Fees
Provides an appropriate 
level of fees in order to 
be competitive and to 
maintain the ability to 
recruit and retain Non-
Executive Directors of 
the required calibre and 
experience.

Partial delivery in 
Company stock 
encourages alignment of 
interests with shareholders.

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Non-Executive Directors receive an annual fee, 
with additional fees paid to reflect additional time 
commitment and responsibilities for certain roles, 
e.g. Chairmanship of a Board Committee / the 
Board.

There is no prescribed 
maximum fee or increase, 
however total fees payable are 
subject to the limits set out in 
the Articles of Association.

N/A

Non-Executive Directors’ fee levels are typically 
reviewed annually, taking into consideration a 
number of factors, including (but not limited to):

• 

• 

• 

 scale, scope and responsibility of the role;

 relevant skills and experience required; and

 market-appropriate pay positioning against 
relevant US and UK listed peers and other 
companies of a similar size and complexity.

Non-Executive Directors are not entitled to 
participate in any Company pension scheme or 
to receive benefits, other than the reimbursement 
of reasonable and properly documented expenses 
incurred in performing the duties of their office (and 
any associated taxes).

Non-Executive Directors do not receive any 
performance-related awards.

Given the US-based nature of the Group’s business, 
and the need to attract and retain independent 
directors with significant US business and leadership 
experience, a proportion of the fees are paid in 
stock (with the remainder paid in cash). The stock 
element is subject to time-based vesting over a three-
year period, however no performance conditions 
are applied.

Careful consideration has been given as to whether 
including an equity component would affect the 
independence of the Non-Executive Directors, and 
the conclusion was reached that it would not, given 
the level of the awards and the fact that they are not 
performance-related.

Common award terms

The Committee will operate the LTIP in accordance with the Policy table above and the respective rules. Awards 
under these schemes:

•  will  normally  take  the  form  of  restricted  share  units  (RSUs)  in  respect  of  shares  in  Allied  Minds,  although 

instruments with similar economic effect may be used if considered appropriate;

•  may incorporate the right to receive an amount (paid in cash or additional shares) equal to the value of 
dividends that would have been paid on the shares under the award that vests up to the time of vesting 
(and where awards are subject to a holding period, the end of the holding period). This amount may be 
calculated assuming the dividends have been reinvested in the Company’s shares;

•  may exceptionally be cash-settled at the Committee’s discretion;

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•  may have the applicable performance conditions amended or substituted by the Committee if an event occurs 
which causes the Committee to determine an amended or substituted performance condition would be more 
appropriate and not materially less difficult to satisfy; and

•  may be appropriately adjusted in the event of any variation of the Company’s share capital or any demerger, 

delisting, special dividend or other event that may affect the Company’s share price.

Any use of these discretions above would, where relevant, be explained in the relevant year’s Annual Report 
on Remuneration and may (if deemed appropriate) be subject to prior consultation with the Company’s major 
shareholders.

Minor amendments

The Committee may make minor amendments to the Policy set out in this report (for regulatory, exchange control, 
tax  or  administrative  purposes  or  to  take  account  of  a  change  in  legislation)  without  obtaining  shareholder 
approval for the amendment(s).

Malus and clawback

Awards under the annual Incentive Bonus and the LTIP are subject to malus provisions (allowing for the reduction 
of deferred awards) and clawback provisions (the recovery of awards to which the participants are entitled) in 
the case of:

•  Material misstatement of the Group accounts;

•  A material correction of any figures used to assess satisfaction of any performance conditions;

•  A participant’s gross misconduct;

•  Serious reputational damage; or

•  Corporate failure.

Under both plans, the clawback provision applies for the two-year period following vesting.

Legacy awards

The  Committee  reserves  the  right  to  make  any  remuneration  payments  and  payments  for  loss  of  office, 
notwithstanding that they are not in line with the Policy set out in the table on the previous pages, where the terms 
of the payment were agreed:

(i)  before the 2016 AGM (being the date on which the previous Policy came into effect);

(ii)   before the Policy set out above came into effect, provided that the terms of the payment were consistent with 

the shareholder-approved Remuneration Policy in force at the time they were agreed; or

(iii)  at  a  time  when  the  relevant  individual  was  not  a  Director  of  the  Company  and,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Committee, the payment was not in consideration for the individual becoming a Director of the Company.

For these purposes “payments” include the Committee satisfying awards of variable remuneration and, in relation 
to an award over shares, the terms of the payment are “agreed” at the time the award is granted.

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Details of any such payments will be set out in the Annual Report on Remuneration as they arise.

Consideration of employee remuneration arrangements and policies elsewhere in the company

Although the Policy set out above applies only to Executive and Non-Executive Directors of the Company, in 
practice the Committee is responsible for setting the policy for, and determining remuneration of, the Company’s 
senior management team, and reviewing workforce remuneration and related policies. In considering changes 
to the remuneration of the Executive Directors, for example when determining salary increases, the Committee is 
mindful of pay and conditions in the wider Group.

The Group’s senior management team also participate in the components of remuneration set out above (i.e. 
salary, benefits, pension, Incentive Bonus, LTIP and Phantom Plan). The operation of the incentive schemes for 
senior management varies from Executive Directors where appropriate, for example award maxima and vesting 
criteria.

All  US  employees  at  the  Allied  Minds  (parent  company)  level  are  eligible  for  discretionary  incentive  bonus 
awards. While a range of bonus plans are operated at the portfolio company level, appropriate to the relevant 
business, the main drivers of these portfolio company plans, in common with the annual Incentive Bonus awards to 
Executive Directors, are the achievement of company milestones, and other company and individual objectives.

In  addition,  the  Company  is  committed  to  fostering  alignment  with  shareholders  through  widespread  share 
ownership. Therefore all US employees at Allied Minds (parent company) level are eligible to participate in the 
LTIP, which is also mirrored at the portfolio company level through the operation of equity incentive plans within 
the portfolio companies, with the aim of incentivising and rewarding employees and Directors to achieve long-
term shareholder value and the delivery of the Company’s long-term strategic and business objectives.

How the views of shareholders and employees are taken into account

The  Committee  did  not  formally  consult  directly  with  employees  on  executive  pay  in  2018,  but  through  the 
Board,  the  Committee  is  regularly  updated  as  to  employees’  views  on  remuneration  generally  and  receives 
periodic  updates  in  relation  to  salary  and  bonus  reviews  across  the  Company.  As  set  out  above,  in  setting 
remuneration for the Executive Directors, the Committee takes note of the overall approach to reward employees 
in  the  Company  and  salary  increases  will  ordinarily  be  considered  in  light  of  those  of  the  wider  workforce. 
Thus, the Committee is satisfied that the decisions made in relation to Executive Directors’ pay are made with an 
appropriate understanding of the wider workforce.

The Committee values the input of shareholders and is committed to dialogue on material matters. Any feedback 
received  from  time  to  time  from  shareholders,  and  the  AGM  voting  results  in  respect  of  remuneration-related 
resolutions, are considered as part of the Committee’s annual review of the Policy. When developing the 2019 
Policy, a key part of the process was the engagement with the Company’s major shareholders and proxy voting 
agencies on the proposed remuneration changes, prior to finalising the Policy.

The Committee will seek to engage formally with shareholders and their representative bodies when it is proposed 
that any material changes are to be made to the Policy, and also welcomes and appreciates feedback at any 
other time.

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Approach to recruitment remuneration

The Committee will apply the principles set out in the Policy table above for any new Executive Director recruited 
to the Board, in particular:

•  Providing  a  remuneration  package  that  attracts,  retains  and  motivates  individuals  of  the  required  calibre, 

while at all times ensuring that the Company pays no more than necessary;

•  Taking into consideration a number of factors when determining the appropriate package on recruitment, 
including the individual’s skills and experience, scale, scope and responsibility of the role, and pay conditions 
across the Company;

•  Ongoing remuneration arrangements for the individual will be limited to those elements listed within the Policy 

table above;

•  Additional benefits in kind, pensions and other allowances, such as relocation, education and tax equalisation, 

may be provided in order to recruit the intended candidate; and

•  Full disclosure will be made of the recruitment package provided to the individual within the next Annual 

Report on Remuneration, including rationale for the decisions made where appropriate.

Salaries may be set below market levels on appointment with a view to increase them to broad market levels, 
subject to individual performance and progression within the role, by making phased salary increases above 
inflation levels.

The maximum level of variable remuneration under the annual Incentive Bonus and LTIP that may be awarded 
will be within the usual maximums set out in the Remuneration Policy, subject to the exceptional limit provided 
under the LTIP.

The  Committee  may  make  awards  on  hiring  an  external  candidate  to  buy  out  remuneration  arrangements 
forfeited on leaving a previous employer. In doing so, the Committee will seek to structure buyout awards on a 
comparable basis to awards forfeited, taking into account relevant factors including any performance conditions 
attached to these awards and the likelihood of achieving these conditions, the form in which they were granted 
(e.g. cash or shares) and the timeframe of awards. It is intended that the value awarded would be no higher than 
the expected value of the forfeited awards. The Committee would seek as far as possible to make such buyout 
awards under the Company’s existing share plans but, if necessary, may rely on the Listing Rules provision which 
allows for the grant of awards to facilitate, in exceptional circumstances, the recruitment of a Director without 
seeking prior shareholder approval.

In  addition  to  the  above  principles,  the  following  additional  considerations  may  be  applied  as  appropriate 
depending on the circumstances:

•  In the case of internal promotion, any pre-existing arrangements arising from an individual’s previous role will 

continue to be honoured in line with their original terms and conditions.

•  In the case of promotion to Executive Director following an acquisition or other business combination, the 
Committee may permit equity-based incentive arrangements to continue in force if they can be “rolled-up” 
into  awards  over  Allied  Minds’  shares  provided  the  performance  and  vesting  conditions  are  considered 
appropriate.

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•  In the case of the recruitment of an executive at a time of the year when it would be inappropriate or not 
possible to provide an LTIP award for that year (for instance due to price sensitive information or if there is 
insufficient time to assess performance), the quantum in respect of the months employed during the year may 
be transferred to and amalgamated with the subsequent year’s award if considered reasonable to do so by 
the Committee.

Similarly, the Remuneration Policy for a new Chairman or Non-Executive Director would be to apply the same 
remuneration elements as applicable to existing Non-Executive Directors under the Remuneration Policy.

Remuneration Policy on payment for loss of office

The Directors believe the policy on payments for loss of office detailed below are aligned with UK corporate 
governance expectations and local market practice, and appropriate to attract and retain senior management 
of the highest calibre.

The Committee reserves the right to make payments where they are made in good faith in discharge of an existing 
obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such an obligation) or by way of settlement or compromise of 
any claim arising in connection with the termination of a Director’s office or employment where they are in the 
best interests of Allied Minds and its shareholders and reflecting the directors’ contractual and legal rights.

If  an  Executive  Director’s  employment  is  terminated  by  the  Company  for  “Cause”,  the  Director  shall  only  be 
entitled  to  amounts  that  are  accrued  or  owing  but  not  yet  paid  and  reimbursement  of  any  properly  incurred 
business expenses but excluding any bonus payments or other compensation provided pursuant to the Company’s 
incentive compensation plan (such amounts, the “Standard Benefit”).

If the Executive Director terminates the service contract for “Good Reason” or the Company terminates the service 
contract without Cause, the Executive Director shall be entitled to:

•  payment of twelve (12) months’ base salary in accordance with regular payroll;

•  an annual incentive award equal to the product of: (A) the level of Group and individual MBO performance 
during the current year, as determined by the Committee; and (B) a fraction based on the number of days 
in which the Executive Director was employed during that year; or, alternatively, an annual incentive award 
equal to the product of: (A) the Executive Director’s average bonus for the prior three (3) years; and (B) a 
fraction based on the number of days in which the Executive Director was employed during that year;

•  payment of the portion of the premiums paid by the Company at the time of such termination under COBRA 
for medical, dental, hospitalisation and other employee welfare benefit plans, programs and arrangements 
covered by COBRA, for a period of twelve (12) months for the Director and eligible dependents; and

•  payment of the Standard Benefit.

The  annual  incentive  award  component  above  was  changed  in  early  2019  in  Ms.  Smith’s  service  contract 
to include a performance element and Remuneration Committee discretion in the calculation of the size of the 
award, whereas her prior agreement was simply based upon the prior years’ bonus award multiplied by the 
number of days employed during the year.

In the event of death or disability, similar payments will be made as those payable as a termination for Good 
Reason save that the payment of base salary shall only continue for 90 days after the death of the Executive 

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Director  and/or  until  the  commencement  of  long  term  disability  payments  in  the  case  of  termination  due  to 
disability.

If the Executive Director terminates employment with Allied Minds without Good Reason (and not because of 
death or due to disability), the Executive Director shall be entitled solely to payment of the Standard Benefit.

LTIP participants who cease to be employees, directors or service providers to the Group will normally forfeit 
any unvested awards. However, if a participant leaves as a result of death, disability, dismissal other than for 
cause or any other reason determined by the Committee, awards will normally vest on the normal vesting date 
on a pro-rata basis taking into account performance and the period of time during the applicable performance 
measurement period in which the participant continuously provided services. The Committee may in its discretion 
determine that there are exceptional circumstances justifying vesting to a greater or lesser extent. The Committee 
also has discretion to determine that awards will vest at the time of cessation of employment, taking into account 
performance up to that time, and pro-rated to reflect the time worked in the performance period (with discretion 
to determine vesting to a greater or lesser extent).

Impact of change of control on awards under LTIP

If there is a change of control of the Company, the number of ordinary shares over which awards will vest will 
be calculated on the basis of the extent to which the performance criteria applicable to those awards have been 
satisfied as at the date of the change of control. The resulting number of shares will then be reduced on a pro 
rata basis to reflect the reduced period between the date the award was made and the date of the change of 
control, unless the Committee decides otherwise. In exceptional circumstances, the Committee may recommend 
full vesting with respect to a change of control. This discretion to accelerate vesting upon a change of control is 
included in the LTIP to meet the expectations of a US-based workforce.

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Illustration of application of the Remuneration Policy

The value and composition of the Executive Director’s remuneration package for the year ending 31 December 
2019 is illustrated in the chart below under the following four scenarios:

Fixed Pay

Incentive Bonus

LTIP

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum plus 50% 
share price growth

2019 salary ($100,000 in cash and $500,000 deferred) plus estimated value of benefits

—

—

Two-thirds of maximum 
opportunity

100% of the maximum 
opportunity

100% of the maximum 
opportunity

Two-thirds of maximum 
opportunity

100% of the maximum 
opportunity

100% of maximum 
opportunity plus 50% share 
price growth

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ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION (PAGES 93 TO 105)

The Annual Report on Remuneration will be subject to an advisory vote at the AGM.

Single Total Figure of Remuneration for Each Director (audited information)

The following table sets out the single total figure for remuneration for Directors for the financial years ended 
31 December 2018 and 2017.

Base salary/ 
fees(1)

Benefits(2)

Pension

Incentive Bonus

EBP(3)

Total

In $’000

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

Executive Directors

Jill Smith(4)

600

610

16

11

Non-Executive Directors

Rick Davis(5)

Peter Dolan

Fritz Foley(6)

Harry Rein(7)

33

156

44

75

85

150

—

21

Jeff Rohr

100

100

Kevin Sharer

Jill Smith(8)

85

—

85

14

Notes:

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

576

707

—

— 1,192

1,328

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

20

29

—

—

20

20

—

9

14

—

—

9

9

—

53

185

44

75

120

105

—

94

164

—

21

109

94

14

(1) 

 Actual Executive Directors’ and Non-Executive Directors’ fees, pro-rated for the portion of the year they served on the Board.

(2) 

 Includes, where applicable, Company contribution to medical and dental insurance premiums.

(3) 

(4) 

 Equities based payments include the value of LTIP awards granted to the Non-Executive Directors that vested in 2017 and 2018 (based on the 
value on the date the awards vested and the shares were granted).

 Ms. Smith was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director as of 10 March 2017. On 26 May 2017, Ms. Smith 
transitioned to serve as “permanent” Chief Executive Officer and President.

(5)  Mr.  Davis resigned his appointment as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

(6)  Mr.  Foley was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

(7) 

 Mr.  Rein was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in November 2017.

(8) 

 Ms. Smith was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in January 2016. Ms. Smith resigned as Non-Executive Director on 10 March 2017 
when she transitioned to her role as an Executive Officer.

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Individual Elements of Remuneration

Base Salary and Incentive Bonus Awards during 2018

In conjunction with the Company’s year-end compensation review process, including an analysis of the traditional 
elements  of  executive  pay  (base  salary,  annual  incentive  bonus,  long-term  equity  incentives  and  total  direct 
compensation),  and  based  upon  a  review  of  Company  performance  in  2017,  the  Remuneration  Committee 
recommended to the Board the following for 2018: for Jill Smith, that base salary remain constant at $600,000, 
and that maximum incentive bonus award remain constant at 225% of base salary (150% at target).

The Remuneration Committee determined that the base salary and incentive bonus award continued to reflect 
its policy to emphasise the variable component of compensation, by allocating a significant percentage of cash 
compensation to the incentive bonus award and not base salary.

As  described  in  the  Remuneration  Policy,  the  Remuneration  Committee  and  senior  management  review  the 
Group’s  management  by  objectives  (MBOs)  annually  prior  to  the  start  of  each  financial  year  to  ensure  the 
detailed performance measures and weightings are appropriate and continue to align with business strategy. 
Annual MBOs, including financial, operational, technical and other performance targets and their weightings for 
the upcoming year are set at or around the start of each financial year. An Executive Director’s incentive bonus 
award is considered by the Remuneration Committee upon completion of each financial year. The decision to 
provide any incentive bonus award and the amount and terms of any such award, are determined solely by the 
level of achievement against the MBOs set by the Remuneration Committee at the start of the financial year. In 
keeping with the emphasis on the variable component of compensation and strong management incentives, the 
Remuneration Committee set the threshold payout for incentive bonus awards at nil.

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The  MBOs  set  by  the  Remuneration  Committee  for  2018,  along  with  the  level  of  achievement  against  such 
MBOs, is set forth below:

MBO

Deliver Validating Events(1) and Technical 
Milestones(2) for Key Portfolio Companies

Secure Funding and Strategic Relationships 
for Portfolio Companies

Strengthen Investment Committee Process; 
Progress Longer Term Strategy:

 Initiate New Company Formation and 
Investment

 Deepen Specific Federal Lab 
Relationships

  Expand Sources of New Deal Pipeline

Strengthen Core Business for Sustainability:

  Manage Cash

  Broaden Shareholder Base

 Bolster Portfolio Company Support and 
Services

 Total Percentage of Target

Notes:

Threshold 
Weightings

Target 
Weightings

Maximum 
Weightings

Achieved 
Weightings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

30.0%

20.0%

45.0%

30.0%

15.5%

11.0%

15.0%

22.5%

20.0%

5.0%

5.0%

15.0%

5.0%

5.0%

100.0%

7.5%

7.5%

22.5%

7.5%

7.5%

150.0%

0.0%

0.0%

7.5%

2.5%

7.5%

64.0%

(1) 

 “Validating Events” represent various material achievements, such as fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, development partnerships, strategic 
alliances, customer contracts and other significant corporate events.

(2) 

 “Technical Milestones” represent various research and development achievements, as well as advancement of clinical trials.

Based on the above, the Remuneration Committee determined that the MBO percentage achievement for 2018 
was 64.0% of target percentage. The Remuneration Committee determined such achievement in accordance 
with the MBOs set at the beginning of 2018, and did not exercise any material discretion. As noted above, 
the target incentive bonus award for the Chief Executive Officer was set at 150% of base salary for 2018, with 
maximum award set at 225% of base salary. Based upon the MBO achievement, the incentive bonus award to 
the Chief Executive Officer was set at 96.0% of base salary, resulting in a 2018 incentive bonus of $576,000.

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LTIP Awards made during 2018 (audited information)

Basis of 
award

Number of 
shares

Face value 
of award 
($’000)

% of value 
to vest at 
threshold

% of value 
 to vest at 
target

Vesting  
conditions

See below

1,134,501

$1,800

16.67%

66.67%

Executive Directors

Jill Smith

Type

Annual
RSU

Non-Executive Directors

Peter Dolan

RSU

See below

47,271

$75

n/a

n/a

Harry Rein

RSU

See below

31,514

$50

n/a

n/a

Jeff Rohr

RSU

See below

31,514

$50

n/a

n/a

Kevin Sharer

RSU

See below

31,514

$50

n/a

n/a

Based on 
performance 
achievement, 100% 
at 30 April 2021

Based on service, 
annually over three 
years to April 2021

Based on service, 
annually over three 
years to April 2021

Based on service, 
annually over three 
years to April 2021

Based on service, 
annually over three 
years to April 2021

At 10 April 2018, the annual LTIP award above was granted to the Chief Executive Officer. The total value of 
the award has been calculated using the closing share price of 112p on such date. The Committee determined 
that the target value of the award should remain the same as the prior year at $1,200,000, or 200% of base 
salary. The maximum value of such award which could be received by Ms. Smith is 300% of base salary.

Vesting of the LTIP award is dependent upon the Company’s relative total shareholder return (rTSR) performance 
in respect of a three-year performance period to 30 April 2021:

•  threshold  vesting  (16.67%  of  maximum)  where  the  Company’s  TSR  was  below  the  relevant  Comparator 
Group Index TSR by more than 15% but Company’s TSR was positive, or where the Company’s TSR is below 
the relevant Comparator Group Index TSR by 15%;

•  target vesting (66.67% of maximum) where the Company’s TSR matches the relevant Comparator Group 

Index TSR; and

•  maximum vesting where the Company’s TSR performance exceeds the relevant Comparator Group Index 

TSR by 20% or more.

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Two Comparator Group Indexes have been selected:

•  50% based upon a Peer Group, being IP Group plc, Draper Esprit plc, Arix Bioscience plc, PureTech Health 

plc, and Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.; and

•  50% based upon the FTSE All-Share Index.

At 10 April 2018, the LTIP awards above were granted to the Non-Executive Directors including Messrs. Dolan, 
Rein, Rohr and Sharer. The total value of the award has been calculated using the closing share price of 112p 
on  such  date.  The  level  of  award  for  such  Non-Executive  Directors  was  determined  by  the  Committee  after 
giving due consideration to the US-based nature of the Group’s business, and the need to attract and retain 
independent directors with significant US business and leadership experience. Vesting of the LTIP award is based 
upon time of service, with each award vesting in three equal installments over a three year period. There are no 
performance conditions attached to the vesting under the awards granted under the LTIP.

Long Term Incentive Plan Vesting during 2018 (audited information)

Executive Director Awards

Save for the loss of office payments described below, no LTIP awards made to the Executive Directors were due 
to vest in respect of performance to 2017 or 2018.

Non-Executive Director Awards

LTIP awards granted to the Non-Executive Directors in June 2015, May 2016 and May 2017 partially vested 
in 2017 and 2018. Vesting of the Non-Executive Director LTIP awards is based upon time of service, with each 
award vesting in three equal installments over a three year period. There are no performance conditions attached 
to the vesting under the awards granted under the LTIP to the Non-Executive Directors. As a result of such vesting 
in 2017, 7,868 ordinary shares were allotted and issued to Mr.  Dolan, and 5,245 ordinary shares were 
allotted and issued to each of Messrs. Davis, Rohr and Sharer. As a result of such vesting in 2018, 21,338 
ordinary shares were allotted and issued to Mr.  Dolan, and 14,225 ordinary shares were allotted and issued 
to each of Messrs. Davis, Rohr and Sharer.

Payments to Past Directors (audited information)

Save for the loss of office payments described below, no payments to past Directors were made during the last 
financial year.

Loss of Office Payments (audited information)

During 2018, loss of office payments were made to Mr.  Chris Silva as a result of his resignation as Chief 
Executive  Officer  on  10  March  2017,  which  comprised  payment  in  lieu  of  base  salary  in  the  amount  of 
$600,000,  and  payment  of  medical  insurance  premiums  in  the  amount  of  $8,000,  each  in  line  with  the 
arrangements disclosed in the 2017 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

As disclosed in the 2017 Directors’ Remuneration Report, Mr.  Silva had outstanding restricted share unit awards 
(RSUs)  granted  under  the  Company’s  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan,  outstanding  share  options  (Options)  granted 
under the Allied Minds Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, and outstanding awards in the form of units (Phantom 
Units) granted under the Allied Minds Phantom Plan (Phantom Plan). The RSUs and Options are settled in ordinary 
shares in the Company (Shares) and the Phantom Units are settled in cash.

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In accordance with the terms of such awards and the Company’s Remuneration Policy:

•  The RSUs continued to vest subject to achievement of the relevant performance criteria and, to the extent 
that they vested, Mr. Silva was entitled to a pro rata number of Shares taking into account the time which 
Mr. Silva has worked in the period over which the performance criteria are measured. As of 23 April 2019, 
Mr.  Silva has no outstanding RSUs, as his final 365,100 RSUs lapsed at 31 December 2018.

•  The Options were fully vested. Mr.  Silva had until 10 March 2018 to exercise such Options, failing which 
they lapsed. As of 23 April 2019, Mr.  Silva has no outstanding Options, as all remaining Options lapsed 
on 10 March 2018.

•  The Phantom Units are also fully vested. Settlement of Phantom Units under the Phantom Plan is triggered 
by a successful subsidiary liquidity event (Liquidity Event). Mr.  Silva remains entitled to a proportion of the 
payment he would have received on a Liquidity Event had he remained an employee. That proportion is 
50% if 19-27 months from his resignation date; 25% if 28-36 months from his resignation date, and 0% if 
later than 36 months from his resignation date. As of 23 April 2019, Mr.  Silva has 2,214 Phantom Units.

Total Pension Entitlements (audited information)

No payments for pension entitlements were made to Directors during the last financial year. The Company offers 
a retirement plan in accordance with subsection 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (401(k) Plan) in which 
Executive Directors may make voluntary pre-tax contributions toward their own retirement. The Company does 
not make any payments or contributions to such 401(k) Plan.

Statement of Directors’ Shareholding and Share Interests (audited information)

Share ownership plays a key role in the alignment of our executives with the interests of shareholders, therefore 
the Committee operates a share ownership policy for Executive Directors. The policy currently requires Executive 
Directors to acquire and maintain a minimum ownership level of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company 
equal to 400% of base salary. At 31 December 2018, the Executive Director was making progress against this 
requirement, including market purchases of stock in June 2018.

The table below sets out the number of shares held by Directors as at 31 December 2018, and the Company 
is not aware of any changes through 23 April 2019.

Shares held 
outright

Shares 
conditional on 
performance

Shares 
conditional on 
service

Options 
to purchase shares

Executive Directors

Jill Smith

217,000

3,745,467

—

Non-Executive Directors

Peter Dolan

Fritz Foley

Harry Rein

Jeff Rohr

Kevin Sharer

155,329

75,000

—

60,885

21,285

—

—

—

—

—

79,354

—

52,014

52,903

52,903

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total

3,962,467

234,683

75,000

52,014

113,788

74,188

98

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

Performance Graph

The graph below illustrates the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance relative to the constituents 
of the FTSE 250 index excluding investment companies and the FTSE All Share index, from the Admission date of 
25 June 2014 to 31 December 2018. These indices were chosen since the Company was / is a constituent for 
a significant proportion of the relevant period. The graph shows performance of a hypothetical £100 invested 
and its performance over that period.

Historical CEO remuneration outcomes

The table below summarises the Chief Executive Officer single total figure for total remuneration, annual incentive 
bonus award, LTIP vesting as a percentage of maximum opportunity, and US Stock Plan share award vesting 
as a percentage of maximum opportunity, for the last six financial years. As the company listed in 2014, the 
comparative begins with the 2013 period.

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

$1,192

$1,328

$9,178

$1,067

$15,942

$1,236

CEO single total figure for remuneration 
($’000)

Annual incentive bonus award pay-out  
(% of maximum)(1)

LTIP award vesting (% of maximum)(2)

US Stock Plan award vesting (% of maximum)(3)

n/a

42.67%

33.00%

87.33%

94.33%

n/a

74.13%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

100%

100%

Notes:

(1) 

 With respect to 2015, 2014 and 2013, the percentage of maximum is not applicable because the Company did not have any cap on 
incentive bonus award payments in those financial years. As a percentage of base salary, the award was 65.7% in 2013, 125.0% in 2014 
and 105.0% in 2015.

(2) 

 No equity-based awards vested under the LTIP during 2016, 2015, 2014 or 2013.

(3) 

 All equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock, under the US Stock Plan became vested and fully exercisable, or vested and fully 
transferable, in connection with the IPO.

99
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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

Change in remuneration of Chief Executive Officer compared to US Group employees

The table below sets out the increase in total remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer and that of our US 
Group employees (excluding Directors) from 2017 to 2018. Our US Group employees were chosen since they 
are exposed to the same economic factors as the Chief Executive Officer, who is also US-based.

CEO

US Group Employees

Relative importance of spend on pay

% change in 
base salary

% change in 
incentive bonus

% change in 
benefits

0.0%

3.5%

(18.6)%

(9.2)%

45.5%

23.6%

The chart below shows the total employee costs, and change in share price from 2017 to 2018.

The information shown in this chart is based on the following:

•  Total employee pay: Total US Group employee staff costs from note 5, including salaries and wages, payroll 

taxes, healthcare benefit, and share-based payments.

•  Returns  to  shareholders:  since  the  Group  does  not  currently  pay  a  dividend,  returns  to  shareholders  are 
represented  by  the  change  in  the  Group’s  share  price  over  the  period  from  31  December  2017  to 
31 December 2018.

 50.3 

 47.0 

 165.0 

 70.2 

Share Price (p) 

Total employee costs 
($m) 

(-6.6%) 

(-57.6%) 

2018 

2017 

Statement of implementation of remuneration policy in the following financial year

Base Salary, Pension and Benefits

Effective from 1 January 2019, the base salary of the current Executive Director will be:

Jill Smith

100

Base Salary

Increase

% Increase

$600,000

0

0.0%

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

As  for  2018,  in  conjunction  with  the  Company’s  year-end  compensation  review  process,  the  Committee 
recommended Ms. Smith’s base salary remain constant at $600,000. This compares to an average base salary 
increase across the Group to US employees of 3.5% base salary.

As part of the Company’s efforts to reduce cash expense during 2019, Ms. Smith has agreed to defer $500,000 
of her base salary. The deferred amount shall be paid to Ms. Smith upon the earlier of: (i) January 1, 2021; (ii) 
the date of her separation from service to the Company; or (iii) the date of a change of control of the Company.

The pension and benefits package during 2019 will continue to be in line with US employment market practice 
and the Remuneration Policy.

Incentive Bonus Awards

The maximum incentive bonus opportunity for the Executive Director in 2019 will remain constant at 225% of 
base salary.

Performance will be measured according to the level of achievement against the MBOs set by the Committee at 
the start of the financial year. The annual MBOs, including financial, operational, technical and other performance 
targets and their weightings for the upcoming year were set at the start of 2019, and revised in April 2019, as 
follows:

MBO

Deliver Validating Events(1) and Technical Milestones(2) and Revenue for or 
Key Portfolio Companies

Secure Funding and Strategic Relationships for Portfolio Companies

Manage Cash and Maintain Strong Operational Support

  Capital Allocation to Portfolio Companies

  Manage Reorganisation and Cash, and Reduce HQ Expenses

  Deliver Shared Services Support

  Manage Deconsolidation of Portfolio Companies

Total Percentage of Target

Notes:

Threshold 
Weightings

Target 
Weightings

Maximum 
Weightings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

30.0%

20.0%

20.0%

20.0%

5.0%

5.0%

45.0%

30.0%

30.0%

30.0%

7.5%

7.5%

100.0%

150.0%

(1) 

 “Validating Events” represent various material achievements, such as fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, development partnerships, strategic 
alliances, customer contracts and other significant corporate events.

(2) 

 “Technical Milestones” represent various research and development achievements, as well as advancement of clinical trials.

(3) 

 In keeping with the emphasis on the variable component of compensation and strong management incentives, the Remuneration Committee set 
the threshold for cash incentive bonus awards at nil.

The Remuneration Committee may then exercise its direction and make adjustments to the formulaic payout level 
if  the  formulaic  outcome  is  not  considered  to  be  appropriate.  When  making  this  judgement,  the  Committee 
will consider a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the overall shareholder experience, underlying 
business performance (including financial, operational and technical performance) and individual performance 
during the year.

101
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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

Long Term Incentive Plan

The maximum LTIP opportunity to the Executive Director will be 300% of salary for 2019, in line with previous 
years.

60% of the LTIP will be assessed against the same relative TSR performance vesting terms as for 2018, whereby 
the Group TSR will be measured in equal weightings relative to the FTSE All-Share Index and a peer group of 
five publicly-traded companies.

The remaining 40% of the LTIP will be based upon the monetisation of portfolio companies over the performance 
period (including portfolio company sales or other liquidity events). This measure is deemed by the Remuneration 
Committee to be directly aligned with the Company’s strategy over the next three years.

For both measures, the level of vesting for threshold performance is 16.67% of the maximum and the level of 
vesting for target performance is 66.67% of the maximum.

As per the Remuneration Policy, any awards vesting will be subject to a further two-year holding period, giving 
a total of five years between award and potential sale.

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors

The 2019 fee arrangements of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors remain unchanged from 2018:

Cash Component

Non-Executive Director Annual Fee

Audit Committee Chair Annual Fee

Remuneration Committee Chair Annual Fee

Nomination Committee Chair Annual Fee

Chairman of the Board Annual Fee

Equity Component

Non-Executive Director LTIP Award Value

Chairman of the Board LTIP Award Value

2019

$75,000

$25,000

$10,000

$10,000

$75,000

$50,000

$75,000

The  additional  fee  for  serving  as  Chairman  shall  only  be  payable  where  the  Chairman  is  a  Non-Executive 
Director. Given the US-based nature of the Group’s business, and the need to attract and retain independent 
directors with significant US business and leadership experience, the fees above include an equity component, 
which is subject to time-based vesting over three years.

Service Contracts and Letters of Appointment

Ms.  Smith  entered  into  an  amended  and  restated  service  contract  on  7  March  2019,  to  implement  (i)  the 
deferral of base salary for 2019 and 2020, and (ii) revisions to the calculation of any annual incentive award 
to be made to her in connection with any termination of service, to include that such award is subject to MBO 
performance achievement.

The Executive Director’s contract does not provide for extended notice periods or compensation in the event of 
a change of control. Details on the treatment of remuneration on loss of office or on a change of control are 
provided in the Remuneration Policy.

102

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

The Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment, which are for an initial fixed term of three years. The 
letters are reviewed and may be extended, and are terminable on one months’ notice by either party.

The  letters  of  appointment  do  not  provide  for  any  compensation  on  termination,  other  than  payment  of  fees 
accrued or owing but not yet paid.

The letters of appointment and service contracts are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office. 
In  accordance  with  the  Code,  all  Directors  submit  themselves  for  election  at  the  first  AGM  following  their 
appointment to the Board, and for annual re-election by shareholders at each AGM.

Outside Appointments for Executive Directors

Any proposed external directorships are considered and approved by the Board to ensure they do not cause a 
conflict of interest but, subject to this, Executive Directors may accept outside non-executive appointments. Where 
such  appointments  are  agreed  with  the  Board,  the  Executive  Directors  may  retain  any  fees  payable  for  their 
services. The Executive Director served as a Non-Executive Director elsewhere and received fees or benefits for 
the period covered by this Annual Report as detailed below.

Executive Director

Jill Smith

Notes:

Details of any non-
executive directorship

Endo International plc (1)

Gemalto N.V. (2)

J.M. Huber Corporation

Fees retained for any 
non-executive directorship 
(local currency)

$ 132,696 (USD)
€ 94,000 (EUR)

$ 68,000 (USD)

(1)  Ms. Smith did not stand for re-election at the Endo AGM in June 2018, and no longer serves on the board.

(2)  Ms. Smith resigned from the Board of Gemalto in April 2019 upon the completion of Gemalto’s sale to Thales.

Limits on the number of shares used to satisfy share awards (dilution limits)

All of the Group’s incentive schemes that contain an element that may be satisfied in Allied Minds plc shares 
incorporate provisions that in any ten-year period (ending on the relevant date of grant), the maximum number 
of the shares that may be issued or issuable under all such schemes shall not exceed 10% of the issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company from time to time (excluding shares issued pursuant to awards granted prior to IPO 
under the US Stock Plan).

The Committee regularly monitors the position and prior to the making of any share-based award, considers the 
effect of potential vesting of outstanding awards to ensure that the Company remains within these limits. Any 
awards which are required to be satisfied by market purchased shares are excluded from such calculations. No 
treasury shares were held or utilised in the year ended 31 December 2018.

Remuneration Committee: details and governance

The full terms of reference of the Committee, which are reviewed annually, are available on the Group’s website 
at www.alliedminds.com. In summary, the Remuneration Committee has specific responsibility for advising the 
Board on the remuneration and other benefits of Executive Directors and senior management, an overall policy 
in respect of remuneration of other employees of the Group and establishing the Group’s policy with respect to 
employee incentivisation schemes.

103
103

Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

The Remuneration Committee is currently comprised of the following independent Non-Executive Directors, whose 
backgrounds and experience are summarised on pages 52 to 53:

•  Kevin Sharer (Chair)

•  Fritz Foley

•  Harry Rein

Messrs.  Sharer  and  Rein  served  during  the  entire  financial  year,  and  Fritz  Foley  replaced  Jeff  Rohr  on  the 
Committee as of 24 July 2018.

Committee  meetings  are  administered  and  minuted  by  the  Company  Secretary.  In  addition,  the  Committee 
received assistance from Jill Smith, Chief Executive Officer and Joe Pignato, Chief Financial Officer, each of 
who attend certain meetings by invitation, except when matters relating to their own remuneration were being 
discussed.

Key activities carried out by the Committee were during 2018 are set out in the Committee Chairman’s statement 
on pages 77 to 79.

External Advisers

The  Remuneration  Committee  is  authorised,  if  it  wishes,  to  seek  independent  specialist  services  to  provide 
information and advice on remuneration at the Company’s expense, including attendance at Committee meetings.

During  the  year,  the  Remuneration  Committee  continued  its  review  of  executive  remuneration  and  took  into 
consideration  professional  advice  from  Korn  Ferry  and  Deloitte  LLP.  Korn  Ferry  assisted  the  Remuneration 
Committee with the calculation of performance criteria of the LTIP awards granted in 2015. Deloitte LLP assisted the 
Remuneration Committee with a thorough review of the Remuneration Policy, and also assisted the Remuneration 
Committee  with  a  review  of  proposed  details  of  the  base  salary,  incentive  bonus  awards,  and  LTIP  awards 
(including the performance vesting criteria) for 2019. Fees paid to Korn Ferry and Deloitte LLP in connection with 
advice to the Remuneration Committee in 2018 were $22,000 (2017: $81,000) and $43,000 (2017: $0), 
respectively. Neither of Korn Ferry or Deloitte provided any other services or advice to the Group during the year. 
They are both members of the Remuneration Consultants Group and adhere to its Code of Conduct in relation 
to executive remuneration consulting in the UK.

104

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)  

Statement of voting at general meeting

The table below sets out the proxy results of the vote on the Group’s Remuneration Report at the Group’s 2018 
AGM, and the proxy results of the vote on the Group’s Remuneration Policy at the Group’s 2016 AGM:

Votes for

Votes against

Number % of cast votes

Number % of cast votes

Votes cast 

Votes withheld 

Remuneration Report

136,095,133

73.96%

47,914,260

26.04%

184,009,393

1,225,726

Remuneration Policy

143,253,719

91.64%

13,072,976

8.36%

156,316,695

1,288,535

Approval

This Directors’ Remuneration Report, including both the Remuneration Policy and Annual Report on Remuneration 
has been approved by the Board of Directors.

Kevin Sharer 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

26 April 2019

105
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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT     

The Audit Committee plays an integral role in assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, and as 
a whole, has the competence relevant to the sector in which the Company operates. In performing its duties, the 
Committee strives to maintain effective working relationships with the Board, the Company’s management and 
the external auditors. The Committee reviews the integrity of the financial statements of the Group, reviews all 
proposed half-yearly and annual results, and advises the Board whether it believes the annual report and accounts, 
taken as a whole, fairly present the Company’s financial position and provide the necessary information to the 
shareholders of the Company to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model, and strategy.

MEMBERSHIP

The Committee comprises three independent Non-Executive Directors. Members of the Committee are appointed 
by the Board. The CEO, CFO, General Counsel and external auditors also participate in Committee meetings by 
invitation. As Chair of the Audit Committee, Mr.  Jeff Rohr has relevant, recent financial experience as a Certified 
Public Accountant with over thirty years of senior management and executive experience. At the beginning of 
2018, Mr.  Rick Davis and Mr.  Harry Rein served as the other two independent members of the Committee. In 
July 2018, Mr.  Fritz Foley was appointed to replace Mr.  Davis who had resigned from the Board or Directors.

The Committee met five times in 2018, and the external auditors participated in four of these meetings. Reflecting 
the meetings for which each member was then appointed to the Committee, Mr.  Rohr, Mr.  Davis and Mr.  Rein 
were present at all meetings during the year during their term of service, and Mr.  Foley missed one meeting due 
to an unexpected scheduling conflict.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Committee’s main responsibilities are to monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, 
including  its  annual  and  half-yearly  reports  and  accounts  and  any  other  formal  announcement  relating  to  its 
financial performance; and reviewing and reporting to the Board on significant financial reporting issues and 
judgements  made  and  matters  communicated  to  it  by  the  auditor.  The  roles  and  responsibilities  of  the  Audit 
Committee additionally include to:

•  Review the Company’s internal financial controls and the Company’s internal control and risk management 

systems;

•  Advise on the need for and monitor and review the effectiveness of the Company’s internal audit function;

•  Make recommendations to the Board, for it to put to the shareholders for their approval in general meeting, in 
relation to the appointment of the external auditor and to approve the remuneration and terms of engagement 
of the external auditor;

•  Review and monitor the external auditor’s independence and objectivity and the effectiveness of the audit 

process, taking into consideration relevant UK professional and regulatory requirements;

•  Develop and implement policy on the engagement of the external auditor to supply non-audit services, taking 
into account relevant ethical guidance regarding the provision of non-audit services by the external audit firm; 
and to report to the Board, identifying any matters in respect of which it considers that action or improvement 
is needed, and making recommendations as to the steps to be taken;

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)  

•  Conduct a performance evaluation of the Committee annually to ensure that it continues to be effective and 
that each of the Directors on the Committee demonstrates commitment to his or her respective role and has 
sufficient time to meet his or her commitment to the Company; and

•  Report to the Board on how it has discharged its responsibilities.

The Committee carries out these duties for the Company, major subsidiary undertakings and the Group as a 
whole, as appropriate.

ACTIVITIES DURING THE YEAR

The Committee’s activities for the year ended 31 December 2018 included the responsibilities set forth above, 
as well as the items set forth below:

Financial reporting

•  Reviewed and approved the appropriate audit plan, before the start of the annual audit cycle;

•  Reviewed and provided comments and recommendations in respect of the financial statements in the half-
yearly report for the period ended 30 June 2018, and the financial statements in the Annual Report and 
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018;

•  Reviewed  the  Company’s  approach  and  methodology  for  determining  the  fair  value  of  investments. 
Considered and recommended the involvement of an external valuation specialist firm to assist management 
and the Board in deriving the fair value of the subsidiary undertakings; and

•  Considered  significant  matters,  risk  areas,  and  areas  of  judgement  in  relation  to  the  Group’s  financial 
statements  taking  into  account  the  areas  highlighted  by  the  external  auditors  in  their  presentations  to  the 
Committee, and challenged where necessary.

The Committee is satisfied with the integrity of the financial statements of the Company in all material aspects, 
including the application of significant accounting policies, the methods used to account for significant transactions, 
use of judgements and estimates made by management, including those made in deriving the fair value of the 
subsidiary undertakings, and the quality and completeness of the disclosures in the financial statements of the 
Company.

The Committee is satisfied that this Annual Report as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides 
the  information  necessary  for  a  reasonable  shareholder  to  assess  the  Company’s  position  and  performance, 
business model and strategy.

Internal controls and risk management systems

•  Reviewed  the  principal  elements  of  the  Company’s  risk  management  framework  as  set  out  on  pages  45 
to 51 of this Annual Report. The Committee gives consideration and provides guidance on enhancing the 
internal controls and risk management framework, as needed;

•  Reviewed  the  established  procedures,  which  provide  a  reasonable  basis  for  the  Board  to  make  proper 
judgements on an ongoing basis as to the Financial Position, Prospects and Procedures (FPPP) of the Company 
following the adopted risk approach; and

107
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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)  

•  Reviewed the whistleblower policy that was established and approved by the Board in 2014, which has 
been communicated to employees. The Audit Committee is satisfied that the policy has been designed to 
encourage staff to report suspected wrongdoing as soon as possible, provide staff with guidance on how 
to raise those concerns, and ensure staff that they should be able to raise genuine concerns without fear of 
reprisals, even if they turn out to be mistaken.

SIGNIFICANT AREAS REPORTED TO THE BOARD

Revenue

Group subsidiaries enter into various revenue contracts with customers. Certain of these contracts require the use 
of significant key estimates and judgements when determining the appropriate accounting treatment of key terms 
in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. In particular, judgements arise in relation to allocation 
of fair values between multiple elements within contracts and recognition on delivery or over a period of time. As 
such, they present a significant risk of error for the financial statements.

Financial instruments – subsidiary preferred shares

Certain of the Group’s subsidiaries have outstanding preferred shares which have been classified as subsidiary 
preferred shares in current liabilities as the subsidiaries have a contractual obligation to deliver cash or other 
assets to the holders under certain future liquidity events, and/or a requirement to deliver an uncertain number of 
common shares upon conversion. Significant judgement is used in determining the classification of these financial 
instruments in terms of liability or equity and significant estimates are made when determining the appropriate 
valuation methodology and deriving the estimated fair value of the subsidiary preferred shares. As such, they 
present a significant risk for the financial statements.

Carrying amount of parent’s investment in affiliates and related party receivables

The significant issue is the recoverability of the investment by the Company, due to its materiality in the context 
of the total assets of the Company. The carrying value of investments and related party receivables was not 
supported by the market capitalisation of the Group therefore an impairment was recorded. The Committee was 
satisfied with the conclusion reached.

Determination of the accounting and valuation of investment in associates

It has been determined that the Group no longer has control as defined in IFRS 10 but has maintained significant 
influence  over some of its subsidiaries  and  due to the fact that Group holds a variety of instruments in these 
entities, which have varying risks and rights, there is significant judgement in relation to the accounting for these 
instruments. It has been determined that where the instruments held are preferred shares these will be accounted 
for as financial assets and held at fair value rather than equity accounted for as associates. This is due to the 
fact that the preferred shares are determined not to have equity like features. The valuation of these financial 
assets also includes a significant level of judgement and external valuation specialists are utilised in this process. 
The Committee believes that the Group considered the pertinent terms and accurate accounting of each of the 
financial instruments (and sought external expertise as well).

Change in strategy – impact on viability

Reviewed the impact of the change in strategy on the Company’s viability as stated in the Overview on page 1, 
as the Directors have now determined to focus exclusively on supporting our 10 existing portfolio companies 
and maximising monetisation opportunities for portfolio company interests, and not to deploy any capital into 
new portfolio companies. The Committee concluded that the change in strategy did not adversely impact the 
Company’s viability.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)  

Going concern

There is judgement relating to whether the Group and Company has sufficient financial resources to continue 
as a going concern based on the Group and Company’s business model. Management have assessed that the 
Group and Company continue to be a going concern and the Committee is satisfied with the assessment made.

EXTERNAL AUDIT

•  Reviewed and approved the scope of the external audit procedures over the half-yearly report for the period 

ended 30 June 2018, and the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018;

•  Discussed with management and agreed upon the terms of the engagement of the external auditors and the 
auditors’  remuneration  for  audit  and  non-audit  services.  In  assessing  independence,  the  Audit  Committee 
received the auditor’s presentation and confirmation that in its professional judgment, KPMG LLP is independent 
within the meaning of regulatory and professional requirements and the objectivity of the partner and audit staff 
is not impaired. The Committee was satisfied that throughout the year that the objectivity and independence 
of KPMG LLP was not in any way impaired by the non-audit services they provided to the Group during the 
year, by the amounts of non-audit fees, or by any other factors;

•  Assessed the independence, objectivity and qualifications of KPMG LLP as the external auditor and evaluated 
the quality and effectiveness of the audit procedures. In doing so, the Committee reviewed the audit plan 
and monitored performance against the plan, reviewed the periodic reports of KPMG LLP to the Committee 
that highlighted key areas of focus during the audit and the applied audit approach, and obtained feedback 
from the finance department in respect to quality and status of KPMG LLP work in the course of the audit. The 
Committee concluded that the audit process during the year was effective; and

•  Reviewed and discussed the principal areas of financial reporting risk, as highlighted above, and reported 

to the Board.

KPMG LLP has been the external auditor of the Group since the first audit of the consolidated financial statements 
of Allied Minds plc in 2014. Mr.  Charles le Strange Meakin has been the audit partner throughout this period. 
The  total  fees  to  KPMG  LLP  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2018  were  $0.6  million  (see  note  5  of  the 
consolidated financial statements). The Audit Committee has considered the recent European Union audit reforms 
in terms of tendering and auditor’s tenure. Given that the Group listed on the London Stock Exchange during 
2014 and became a public interest entity (PIE), the next anticipated requirement to tender audit will be for the 
2024 calendar year. As such, the Company is complying with the Statutory Audit Services Order.

INTERNAL AUDIT

Given the size and composition of the Group, taking into account relevant significant matters, risk areas, areas of 
judgement in relation to the Group’s financial statements, and the centralised internal controls system in respect to 
the Group’s financial reporting process, the Board did not consider it necessary to have an internal audit function 
during the year. The Board will keep this decision under annual review.

Jeff Rohr 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

26 April 2019

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Management & GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018   
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED 

MINDS PLC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  
TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED MINDS PLC    

1.  OUR OPINION IS UNMODIFIED

We have audited the financial statements of Allied Minds plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 
2018 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss, Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position,  Consolidated  Statement  of  Changes  in  Equity,  Consolidated  Statement  of  Cash  Flows,  Company 
Balance Sheet, Company Statement of Changes in Equity, Company Statement of Cash flows, and the related 
notes, including the accounting policies in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements and note 1 to the 
parent Company financial statements.

In our opinion:

•   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 2018 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

•   the  Group  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial 

Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU);

•   the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted 

by the EU and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

•   the  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  Companies  Act 

2006 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable 
law.  Our  responsibilities  are  described  below.  We  believe  that  the  audit  evidence  we  have  obtained  is  a 
sufficient  and  appropriate  basis  for  our  opinion.  Our  audit  opinion  is  consistent  with  our  report  to  the  audit 
committee.

We  were  first  appointed  as  auditor  by  the  shareholders  on  10  July  2014.  The  period  of  total  uninterrupted 
engagement is for the five financial years ended 31 December 2018. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities 
under, and we remain independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical requirements including the FRC 
Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities. No non-audit services prohibited by that standard 
were provided.

2.   KEY AUDIT MATTERS: INCLUDING OUR ASSESSMENT OF RISKS OF MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit 
of the financial statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or 
not due to fraud) identified by us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; 
the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. We summarise below 
the key audit matters in arriving at our audit opinion above, together with our key audit procedures to address 
those matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results from those procedures. These matters were 
addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the purpose 
of, our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and consequently are 
incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Going concern (Risk increased from prior year)

Refer to page 109 (Audit Committee Report), and note 1 on page 127 (financial disclosures).

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  
TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED MINDS PLC (CONTINUED)  

Disclosure quality: The financial statements explain how the Board has formed a judgement that it is appropriate 
to adopt the going concern basis of preparation for the Group and parent Company.

That judgement is based on an evaluation of the inherent risks to the Group’s and Company’s business model 
and how those risks might affect the Group’s and Company’s financial resources or ability to continue operations 
over a period of at least a year from the date of approval of the financial statements.

The risks most likely to adversely affect the Group’s and Company’s available financial resources over this period 
was significant judgement with respect to its ability to manage future costs of the Company and the requirements 
of subsidiaries for funding.

The risk for our audit was whether or not the risk was such that they amounted to a material uncertainty that may 
have cast significant doubt about the ability to continue as a going concern. Had they been such, then that fact 
would have been required to have been disclosed.

Our procedures included:

Recalculation: We checked the integrity of the Group’s cash flow forecast.

Key  dependency  assessment:  We  considered  the  reasonableness  of  the  Group’s  assumptions  including 
considering  whether  cost  reductions  applied  were  achievable  and  whether  subsidiaries  could  require  more 
funding than that within is available within the Group.

Sensitivity analysis: We considered sensitivities over the level of available financial resources indicated by the 
Group’s financial forecasts taking account of reasonably possible (but not unrealistic) adverse effects that could 
arise from these risks individually and collectively.

Assessing  transparency:  We  checked  whether  the  appropriate  disclosure  in  the  financial  statements  was 
included and assessed the completeness and accuracy of the matters covered in the going concern disclosure by 
considering other procedures performed during the audit, including those over significant risk areas as described 
below, and analysing public releases relating to the Company.

Evaluating directors’ intent: We evaluated the achievability of the actions the Directors consider they would 
take  to  improve  the  forecast  position  should  the  risks  materialise  by,  for  example,  demonstration  of  previous 
actions the Directors have taken to improve the position of the Group and Company.

Historical comparisons: We compared the current year going concern forecast to that provided by management 
for year end audit to consider consistency of assumptions used and evaluate achievement of previous forecasts 
against actual events.

Our results

We found the going concern disclosure without any material uncertainty to be acceptable (2017: acceptable).

Valuation of preferred share liabilities measured at fair value through profit/loss ($54.2m; 2017: $181.6m) 
(Risk is the same as in prior year)

Refer to page 108 (Audit Committee Report), and note 18 on pages 166 to 171 (financial disclosures).

The Group finances its operations and subsidiaries partly preferred shares which are classified as liabilities and 
carried at fair value.

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Determining the fair value of the preferred shares involves a significant level of judgement around the assumptions 
used, and internal and external factors that may impact the assumptions.

The  fair  value  of  these  liabilities  is  derived  using  an  option  pricing  model  (OPM)  or  Probability-Weighted 
Expected  Return  Model  (PWERM)  analysis  or  hybrid  of  both  which  involves  a  significant  level  of  judgement 
around the key assumptions, such as subsidiary values (either the implied value from a third party funding round, 
a valuation based on a discounted cash flows (DCF) and/or market based approach)), volatility, expected time 
to the conversion event, forecast exit dates and scenarios and applicable probability weighting.

The  valuation  methodologies  utilised  to  determine  the  subsidiary  valuations  are  based  on  recent  third  party 
funding, net present values from DCFs, market approach valuations and probability weighted analysis (PWERM).

•  Where the valuation is driven by a DCF, there is an inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting the trading 
of such companies and the significant level of judgement required to determine the assumptions used in the 
DCFs such as discount rate, revenue and Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) forecasts and probability of 
success and the valuations are sensitive to changes in these assumptions.

•   Where there is a valuation which utilises a PWERM analysis there is significant judgement in relation to both 

the scenarios chosen as well as the weighting of those scenarios.

•   For valuations based on recent third party funding rounds, the relatively low number of investors partaking 
in funding rounds meaning that there is a risk that recent investment on which fair value is based are not 
sufficiently at arm’s length to ensure an independent market valuation representative of fair value.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk assessment, we determined that the valuation of financial 
liabilities has a high degree of estimation uncertainty, with a potential range of reasonable outcomes greater 
than our materiality for the financial statements as a whole and possibly many times that amount. The financial 
statements (note 18) disclose the sensitivity estimated by the Group.

Our procedures included:

Our valuation expertise:

•   We used our own valuation specialists to assist us in critically assessing certain key inputs utilised within the 

OPM.

•   We  used  comparable  company  data  to  critically  assess  the  volatility  assumption.  Internal  data  such  as 
strategic  plans,  forecasts  and  budgets  and  actual  results  are  utilised  for  inputs  such  as  exit  dates  and 
scenarios and probability of exit scenarios. Procedures performed include comparing to prior periods for 
consistency, understanding key changes and critically assessing current progress against milestones set and 
assessing where there is an impact on the forecast exit date and assessing whether the assumptions used are 
consistent with the strategic plans.

•   Assessing valuer’s credentials: We assessed the expertise and independence of the external experts that 

assisted the Group in deriving the fair value amounts.

Methodology choice:

•   We  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the  valuation  model  used  for  each  company  based  on  the  specific 
circumstances  relevant  to  each  company  such  as  the  stage  of  development,  proximity  to  funding  round, 
the industry in which it operates and also the likely exit date or commercialisation date and assessed for 
consistency with the approach taken in the prior year, understanding and challenging changes made.

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•   We critically assessed the appropriateness of the assumptions underlying the forecasts, including assumptions 
over projected revenue including forecast product commercialisation or license date and royalty rates where 
applicable and operating costs and EBIT margin terminal values and the probability of success factors where 
applicable. In doing this we used our knowledge of each subsidiary and its industry with reference to both 
internal management information and externally derived data and benchmarks, including market size data, 
royalty rates and competitor analyses based on information from public material.

•   Benchmarking  assumptions:  The  Group’s  internal  data  such  as  strategic  plans,  forecasts  and  budgets 
and actual results are utilised for inputs such as exit dates and scenarios and probability of exit scenarios. 
Procedures performed include comparing to prior periods for consistency, understanding key changes and 
critically assessing current progress against milestones set and assessing where there is an impact on the 
forecast exit date and assessing whether the assumptions used are consistent with the strategic plans.

Benchmarking assumptions:

•   We  critically  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the  discount  rates  applied  against  the  assumption  used  in 
the  prior  year,  with  specific  focus  (where  applicable)  on:  the  company  specific  risk  premium  (including 
appropriateness of the probability of success where applicable); the control premium; and the venture capital 
rates of return utilised.

•   We considered against the stage of development of the company where capital rates of return are utilised 

and the specific scenarios of the company in respect of the control premium.

•   We  critically  challenged  the  appropriateness  of  the  comparable  companies  utilised  in  the  market  based 
valuation approach by using our own valuations experts to source confirming and disconfirming evidence. 
We  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the  probabilities  assigned  to  the  scenarios  given  the  stage  of  the 
Company in its life cycle.

•   Third party funding rounds valuation: Where valuations are based on the implied value from the most recent 
third party investment we assessed the accuracy of the data used including agreeing to related contracts and 
capitalisation tables. We evaluated the independence of the funding rounds on which the valuation was 
based by looking at the number of external investors included within the funding round and the significance 
of their investments. For a sample of external investors we compared the directors and key management of 
those investors for any potential overlap with the Group.

•   Market  based  valuation:  We  critically  challenged  the  appropriateness  of  the  comparable  companies 
utilised in the market based valuation approach by using our own valuation experts to find confirming and 
disconfirming  evidence.  We  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the  probabilities  assigned  to  the  scenarios 
given the stage of the company in its life cycle.

•   Subsidiary  valuation  methodology  choice:  We  critically  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the  valuation 
model used for each subsidiary based on the specific circumstances relevant to each company such as the 
stage of development, the industry in which it operates and also the likely exit date or commercialisation 
date.  We  compared  the  approach  taken  to  that  used  in  the  prior  year;  understanding  and  challenging 
changes made.

•   Assessing transparency: We assessed whether the Group’s disclosures were consistent with the valuations 
performed  and  whether  the  Group’s  disclosures  adequately  highlighted  the  uncertainty  inherent  in  the 
valuations.

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•   Sensitivity analysis: We assessed the sensitivity analysis disclosure for appropriateness by recalculating the 

disclosure.

Our results

•   We  found  the  valuation  of  preferred  shares  liabilities  carried  at  fair  value  through  profit  and  loss  to  be 

acceptable (2017: acceptable).

Financial instrument liabilities – preferred shares classification ($54.2m; 2017: $181.6m) (Risk is the same 
as in prior year)

Refer to page 108 (Audit Committee Report), note 1 on pages 129 to 132 (accounting policy) and note 18 on 
pages 166 to 171 (financial disclosures).

Accounting treatment: The Group finances its operations and subsidiaries partly through financial instruments 
such as preferred shares. There is a significant level of judgement in determining whether the instruments should 
be classified as debt or equity and, when classified as debt, whether there are any embedded derivatives that 
require separation and would prevent the designation of the entire hybrid contract at fair value through profit or 
loss.

There  is  a significant level of judgement  in relation to assessing the terms of the instruments to determine  the 
impact on the non-controlling interest calculation of the debt versus equity classification of the shares in issue at 
the subsidiaries.

Due to these factors, for new preferred shares issued in the year, this has been determined to be a significant risk.

Our procedures included:

Accounting analysis:

•   We assessed the conclusions reached by the Directors in relation to the debt versus equity classification of 
the issued financial instruments by critically assessing the key terms and features of the contracts and applying 
and interpreting the relevant accounting standards;

•   We  assessed  whether  the  financial  instruments  contained  embedded  derivatives  by  considering  the  key 
terms of the contracts, identifying a host contract, and assessing whether each feature met the definition of 
an embedded derivative and whether they should be bifurcated;

•   Where the Group designated the entire hybrid contract at fair value through profit or loss, we evaluated 
whether certain embedded derivatives required separate accounting by critically assessing the key terms and 
features of those derivatives;

•   We assessed the Group’s determination of whether any separable embedded derivative should be liability 

or equity classified based on the terms of the related contracts; and

•   We  challenged  the  Group’s  assessment  of  the  implications  of  the  debt  versus  equity  classification  of  the 
preferred shares issued at subsidiary level on the measurement of NCI in the Group by inspecting the source 
documentation to identify the key features which would determine the classification and then considering the 
impact of this classification on the measurement if the of the NCI calculation.

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•   Assessing  transparency:  Assessed  whether  the  Group’s  disclosures  were  consistent  with  the  conclusions 
reached in relation to both the classification of these financial instruments and the determination of whether 
there are embedded derivatives within the host contracts.

Our results

•   We found the classification of and determination of embedded derivatives within financial instruments to be 

acceptable (2017: acceptable).

Revenue recognition ($5.6m; 2017: $5.0m) (Risk is unchanged from prior year)

Refer to page 108 (Audit Committee Report), note 1 on pages 136 to 137 (accounting policy) and note 3 on 
pages 140 to 141 (financial disclosures).

Accounting judgement: Due to the complex nature of the customer contracts that the Group enters into and the 
implementation of IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’, we assessed the risk of error to be significant. 
Revenue  recognition  involves  a  significant  level  of  judgement  due  to  the  non-standard  nature  of  the  revenue 
streams of the Group and the bespoke contracts that the Group enters into. Judgement is required in assessing 
the impact of the terms of these contracts on the timing of revenue recognition

Our procedures included:

•   Accounting  analysis:  We  inspected  the  material  agreements  to  corroborate  the  Group’s  assessment  of 
the revenue contract. We have assessed the Group’s determination of the distinct performance obligations 
contained  within  the  contract. We  have  considered  the  Group’s  calculated  constrained  transaction  price 
and its allocation to the identified performance obligations. We have assessed the Group’s methodology in 
recognising revenue based on the inputs method by testing a sample of costs and considering completeness 
of the costs.

•   Assessing  transparency:  Assessed  the  adequacy  of  the  Group’s  disclosures  in  relation  to  the  revenue 

recognition accounting policies adopted, including the transition to IFRS 15.

Our results

•   We found the revenue recognition to be acceptable (2017: acceptable).

Determination of the accounting and valuation of investment in associate and investments held at fair value 
($78.4m; 2017: Not applicable) (New risk)

Refer to page 108 (Audit Committee Report), note 1 on page 130 (accounting policy) and note 11 on pages 
159 to 163 (financial disclosures).

Accounting treatment: The Group has entities it controls and therefore consolidates these entities under IFRS 10 
Consolidated Financial Statements. As the entities progress they may require further external funding which is 
some scenarios reduces the Group’s shareholding to an extent that it loses control which results in them no longer 
being able to consolidate the entity. Where the Group loses control of the entities, there is judgement in relation 
to whether the Group retains significant influence and therefore has an associate entity. Due to the fact that the 
Company holds a variety of instruments in the entities, which have varying risks and rights, there is significant 
judgement in relation to whether the shares that the Group holds are such that they should be equity accounted 
under IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures or accounted for as a financial asset under IFRS 9 
Financial Instruments and therefore accounted for at fair value through profit or loss.

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Our procedures included:

•   Accounting analysis: We assessed the Group’s determination of whether significant influence exists including 
key factors such as; access to financial information, presence on the Board of Directors and voting rights 
of shares owned by the Group. We have considered The Group’s technical accounting where there is a 
determination that the investment held by the Group falls within the scope of IAS 28 and/or IFRS 9. We 
have considered the appropriate accounting in each case whether that be equity accounting or accounted 
as a financial asset or a combination of both.

•   Assessing transparency: We considered the adequacy of the disclosure of the accounting treatment in the 
financial statements and disclosure of assumptions relating to the valuation of the investment when it falls into 
the scope of IFRS 9.

•   Our valuation expertise: We assessed the Group’s valuation of the financial assets in line with the procedures 
outlined in our response to the significant risk detailed in the “Valuation of preferred share liabilities measured 
at fair value through profit/loss”.

Our results

•   We found the determination of the classification of and the valuation of the investments to be acceptable.

Parent company cost of investment and recoverability of intra-group debtors ($186.8m; 2017: $173.5m) 
(Risk increased from prior year)

Refer to note 1 on page 185 (accounting policy) and note 2 on page 186 (financial disclosures).

Low risk, High value

The  carrying  amount  of  the  parent  company’s  investments  in  the  subsidiary  companies  and  intra-group 
debtor balances represents 99% (2017: 99%) of the Company’s total assets. Their recoverability is at risk of 
irrecoverability due to the fall in value of some of the subsidiaries including the fact that a number of subsidiaries 
have ceased to operate in the year. The estimated recoverable amount of these balances is subjective due to 
the inherent uncertainty in forecasting trading conditions and cash flows used in the budgets. The effect of these 
matters is that, as part of our risk assessment, we determined that the recoverable amount of the cost of investment 
in subsidiaries and of intra-group debtors has a high degree of estimation uncertainty, with a potential range of 
reasonable outcomes greater than our materiality for the financial statements as a whole. Due to its materiality in 
the context of the parent Company financial statements, this is considered to be the area that had the greatest 
effect on our overall parent company audit.

Our procedures included:

Comparing valuations:

•   Compared  the  carrying  amount  of  the  sum  of  investments  and  intra-group  debtor  balances  to  the  market 

capitalisation of the Group.

•   We  analysed  the  valuations  prepared  on  behalf  of  the  Group  (as  set  out  in  the  ‘Valuation  of  financial 
instruments measured at fair value through profit/loss’ section) and considered the impact of these valuations 
on the carrying value of the investment and intra-group debtor balances recorded.

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•   We compare the carrying amount of the investment and intra-group debtor balances to the net assets of the 

Group, including the carrying amount of investments held in deconsolidated entities.

•   Benchmarking assumptions: We considered if the Group has sufficient net assets to support the value of the 

investments held by the parent Company and intra-group debtor balances.

Our results

•   We  found  the  Group’s  assessment  of  the  parent  Company  cost  of  investment  and  recoverability  of  intra-
Group debtors and the resulting impairment charge in 2018 only to be acceptable (2017: acceptable).

In our audit report for the year ended 31 December 2017 we included Disclosure of Group Subsidiary Ownership 
Adjusted Value as one of the risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit. However, 
following the directors’ decision to no longer include this disclosure in their financial statements, this is no longer 
one of the most significant risks in our current year audit and, therefore, it is not separately identified in our report 
this year.

3.   OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT

Materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at $0.9m (2017: $1.0m), determined with 
reference  to  a  benchmark  of  total  expenses  (being  general  and  administrative  expenses  and  research  and 
development expenses) of $94.3m (2017: $104.2m) which it represents 1.0% (2017: 1.0%). Total expenses is 
considered to be one of the principal considerations for the members of the Company in assessing the financial 
performance  of  the  Group,  since  the  Group’s  activities  are  currently  principally  in  relation  to  expenditure  on 
developing forms of intellectual property which can be exploited commercially to generate income and growth 
in the future.

Materiality for the parent Company financial statements as a whole was set at $0.8m (2017: $0.9m), determined 
with  reference  to  a  benchmark  of  total  assets  of  $188.8m  (2017:  $376.5m),  of  which  it  represents  0.4% 
(2017: 0.2%).

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding 
$45k (2017: $50k), in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Of the Group’s 2 (2017: 2) reporting components, we subjected 2 (2017: 2) to full scope audits for group 
purposes.

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the percentages illustrated opposite. The component 
materiality (other than the audit of the parent Company) was $756k (2017: $900k).

The work, including the audit of the parent Company, was performed by the Group team.

4.   WE HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ON GOING CONCERN

The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate 
the Company or the Group or to cease their operations, and as they have concluded that the Company’s and 
the Group’s financial position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no material 
uncertainties that could have cast significant doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern for at least a 
year from the date of approval of the financial statements (“the going concern period”).

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Our  responsibility  is  to  conclude  on  the  appropriateness  of  the  Directors’  conclusions  and,  had  there  been 
a  material  uncertainty  related  to  going  concern,  to  make  reference  to  that  in  this  audit  report.  However,  as 
we  cannot  predict  all  future  events  or  conditions  and  as  subsequent  events  may  result  in  outcomes  that  are 
inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of reference to a 
material uncertainty in this auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the Group and the Company will continue in 
operation.

We identified going concern as a key audit matter (see section 2 of this report). Based on the work described 
in our response to that key audit matter, we are required to report to you if:

•   we have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in note 1 to the 
financial statements on the use of the going concern basis of accounting with no material uncertainties that 
may cast significant doubt over the Group and Company’s use of that basis for a period of at least twelve 
months from the date of approval of the financial statements; or

•   the  related  statement  under  the  Listing  Rules  set  out  on  page  59  is  materially  inconsistent  with  our  audit 

knowledge.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

5.   WE HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ON THE OTHER INFORMATION IN THE ANNUAL REPORT

The Directors are responsible for the other information presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we 
do not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial 
statements audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements 
or our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work we have not identified material misstatements in the other 
information.

Strategic report and directors’ report

Based solely on our work on the other information:

•   we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report;

•   in  our  opinion  the  information  given  in  those  reports  for  the  financial  year  is  consistent  with  the  financial 

statements; and

•   in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Directors’ remuneration report

In  our  opinion  the  part  of  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  to  be  audited  has  been  properly  prepared  in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Disclosures of principal risks and longer-term viability

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial statements audit, we have nothing material to add 
or draw attention to in relation to:

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•   the  directors’  confirmation  within  the  viability  statement  on  page  60  that  they  have  carried  out  a  robust 
assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency and liquidity;

•   the  Principal  Risks  disclosures  describing  these  risks  and  explaining  how  they  are  being  managed  and 

mitigated; and

•   the directors’ explanation in the viability statement of how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 
over  what  period  they  have  done  so  and  why  they  considered  that  period  to  be  appropriate,  and  their 
statement  as  to  whether  they  have  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  Group  will  be  able  to  continue  in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related 
disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the viability statement. We have nothing to report in this respect.

Corporate governance disclosures

We are required to report to you if:

•   we have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge we acquired during our financial statements 
audit and the directors’ statement that they consider that the annual report and financial statements taken as 
a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy; or

•   the section of the annual report describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address 

matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance Statement does not properly disclose a departure 
from the eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing Rules for our review.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

6.   WE HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ON THE OTHER MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO 

REPORT BY EXCEPTION

Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•   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

•   the parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 

are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•   certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

•   we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

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7.  RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Directors’ responsibilities

As  explained  more  fully  in  their  statement  set  out  on  pages  61  to  62,  the  directors  are  responsible  for:  the 
preparation of the financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal 
control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Group and 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 they 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

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 other irregularities (see below), or error, and to issue our 
opinion in an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not guarantee that 
an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with  ISAs  (UK)  will  always  detect  a  material  misstatement  when  it  exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud, other irregularities or error and are considered material if, individually or in 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis 
of the financial statements.

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

Irregularities – ability to detect

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the 
financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience and through discussion with the directors 
and other management (as required by auditing standards), and from inspection of the Group’s regulatory and 
legal  correspondence  and  discussed  with  the  directors  and  other  management  the  policies  and  procedures 
regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout 
our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial 
reporting legislation (including related companies legislation), distributable profits legislation, taxation legislation, 
Food and Drug Administration regulation and whether they need to comply with the 1940’s Investment Act and 
we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related 
financial statement items.

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance 
could  have  a  material  effect  on  amounts  or  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements,  for  instance  through  the 
imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the Group’s licence to operate. We identified the following areas as 
those most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, employment law, regulatory capital and 
liquidity and certain aspects of company legislation recognising the financial and regulated nature of the Group’s 
activities and its legal form. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance 
with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and inspection of regulatory 
and legal correspondence, if any. These limited procedures did not identify actual or suspected non-compliance.

120

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018HEAD_0 1st line release HEAD_0 2nd line release HEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continuedINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  
TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED MINDS PLC (CONTINUED)  

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some 
material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our 
audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely 
the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, 
there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional 
omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-
compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

8.   THE PURPOSE OF OUR AUDIT WORK AND TO WHOM WE OWE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

Charles le Strange Meakin (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
15 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London

E14 5GL

26 April 2019

121

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018HEAD_0 1st line release HEAD_0 2nd line release HEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continuedFinancial StatementsCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/ 

(LOSS)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 

FINANCIAL POSITION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/ (LOSS)  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 

NOTE    

Revenue

Operating expenses:

  Cost of revenue

  Selling, general and administrative expenses

  Research and development expenses

Operating loss

Other income/(expense):

  Gain on disposal of assets

  Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary

Other income

  Finance income

  Finance cost

  Finance income/(cost) from IFRS9/IAS 39 fair value accounting

Finance income/(loss), net

Share of net loss of associates accounted for using the equity method

Income/(loss) before taxation

Taxation

Income/(loss) for the period

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

  Foreign currency translation differences

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxation

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

Income/(loss) attributable to:

  Equity holders of the parent

  Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to:

  Equity holders of the parent

  Non-controlling interests

Income/(loss) per share

  Basic

  Diluted

3

4,5

4,5

4,5

11

11

7

7

7

11

24

17

17

8

8

2018 
$ ‘000

5,561

(2,827)  

(49,328)  

(44,947)  

(91,541)  

 3,887

42,831

 46,718

1,775

 (462)  

91,562

92,875

 (1,301)  

46,751

—

2017 
$ ‘000

 5,001

 (5,242)  

(55,214)  

(49,012)  

(104,467)  

—

—

—

485

(180)  

(6,850)  

(6,545)  

—

(111,012)  

—

46,751

(111,012)  

561

561

(103)  

(103)  

47,312

(111,115)  

38,761

7,990

46,751

39,322

 7,990

47,312

(75,675)  

(35,337)  

(111,012)  

(75,778)  

(35,337)  

(111,115)  

$

$

 0.16

0.16

(0.32)  

(0.32)  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

122

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 

FINANCIAL POSITION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION  

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 

Non-current assets

  Property and equipment

Intangible assets

Investments at fair value

Investment in associate

  Other financial assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

  Cash and cash equivalents

  Restricted cash

  Other investments

  Trade and other receivables

  Other financial assets

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity

  Share capital

  Share premium

  Merger reserve

  Translation reserve

  Accumulated deficit

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

  Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

  Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

  Trade and other payables

  Deferred revenue

  Subsidiary preferred shares

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

NOTE 

2018 
$ ‘000

2017 
$ ‘000

9

10

11

11

21

13

13

12

15

21

16

16

16

16

16

16,17

19

19

3

18

5,997

1,221

56,544

21,900

 434

86,096

97,734

2,500

—

 6,400

 400

 107,034

 193,130

3,743

160,170

263,367

 651

(300,304)  

127,627

(4,490)  

123,137

436

436

13,030

2,333

54,194

69,557

69,993

193,130

26,627

1,074

—

—

 668

28,369

158,075

—

11,057

15,642

 18

184,792

 213,161

3,714

158,606

263,367

89

(354,443)  

71,333

(59,241)  

12,092

867

867

14,276

4,296

181,630

200,202

201,069

213,161

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Registered number: 8998697

The financial statements on pages 122 to 181 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue 
on 26 April 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Jill Smith 
Chief Executive Officer

123

Financial StatementsHEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continuedANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018     
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 

CHANGES IN EQUITY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 

CASH FLOWS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

NOTE 

Share capital

Shares 

Amount 
$’ 000

Share 
premium 
$’ 000

Merger 
reserve 
$’ 000

Translation 
reserve 
$’ 000

Accumulated 
Deficit 
$’ 000

Total parent 
equity 
$’ 000

Non-
controlling 
interests 
$’ 000

Total 
equity 
$’ 000

Balance at 31 December 2016

233,744,378

3,657

157,067

263,435

192

(289,437)  

134,914

(20,797)  

114,117

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Loss from continuing operations

  Foreign currency translation

Total comprehensive loss for the year

—

—

Issuance of ordinary shares

16

3,402,567

Gain/(loss) arising from change in

non-controlling interest

Dissolution of subsidiaries

Exercise of stock options

Equity-settled share based payments

17

17

6

6

—

—

1,055,596

—

—

—

43

—

—

14

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,539

—

—

—

(68)  

—

—

—

—

—

(75,675)  

(75,675)  

(35,337)  

(111,012)  

(103)  

—

(103)  

—

(103)  

(103)  

(75,675)  

( 75,778)  

(35,377)  

(111,115)  

—

—

—

—

—

—

(25)  

(50)  

(50)  

—

50

4,653

4,653

(4,653)  

—

6,066

1,553

6,066

—

1,496

(25)  

—

—

1,553

7,562

Balance at 31 December 2017

238,202,541

3,714

158,606

263,367

89

(354,443)  

71,333

(59,241)  

12,092

Total comprehensive income for the year

Income from continuing operations

  Foreign currency translation

Total comprehensive income for the year

—

—

Issuance of ordinary shares

16

1,224,831

Gain/(loss) arising from change in

non-controlling interest

Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Dissolution of subsidiaries

Exercise of stock options

Equity-settled share based payments

17

17

17

6

6

—

—

—

887,373

—

—

—

17

—

—

—

12

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,564

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

562

562

—

—

—

—

—

—

38,761

38,761

7,990

46,751

(63)  

499

(1)  

498

38,698

39,260

7,989

47,249

—

17

—

(5,208)  

(5,208)  

5,208

17

—

5,300

9,952

—

5,397

5,300

49,490

54,790

9,952

(9,952)  

—

1,577

5,397

—

2,016

1,577

7,413

Balance at 31 December 2018

240,314,745

3,743

160,170

263,367

651

(300,304)  

127,627

(4,490)  

123,137

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

124

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018HEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continued     
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 

CASH FLOWS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 

Cash flows from operating activities:

  Net operating loss

  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash

  used in operating activities:

  Depreciation

  Amortisation

Impairment losses on property and equipment

Impairment losses on intangible assets

  Share-based compensation expense

  Changes in working capital:

  Decrease in inventory

  Decrease in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in other assets

Increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/increase in other non-current liabilities

Increase in deferred revenue

  Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Interest received

Interest paid

  Other finance expense

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

  Purchases of property and equipment, net of disposals

  Purchases of intangible assets, net of disposals

  Purchase of investments at fair value

  Proceeds on disposal of assets

  Cash payment on disposal of assets

  Disposal of other investments

  Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Net cash (used in)/ provided by investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

  Proceeds from exercise of stock options

  Repayment of notes payable

  Proceeds from issuance of share capital

  Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares in subsidiaries

Net cash provided by financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period

Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of the period

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 

2018 
$ ‘000

2017 
$ ‘000

(91,541)  

(104,467)  

9

10

9

10

5,6

14

15

19

19

3

7

7

7

9

10

11

11

12

11

16

19

16

18

5,662

396

84

461

7,413

—

(7)  

94

4,150

(380)  

1,623

270

1,771

(407)  

(468)  

5,800

302

701

1,662

7,562

2,551

(9,742)  

394

335

147

3,838

—

475

(174)  

(163)  

(70,879)  

(90,779)  

(7,908)  

(1,202)  

(7,500)  

3,600

(113)  

11,057

(25,928)  

(27,994)  

1,577

—

17

39,438

41,032

(57,841)  

158,075

100,234

(1,246)  

(276)  

—

—

—

5,853

—

4,331

1,545

(115)  

50

33,892

35,372

(51,076)  

209,151

158,075

125

Financial StatementsHEAD_0 1st line release HEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continuedANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 

2018

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
For the year ended 31 December 2018    

(1) ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

Allied Minds plc (“Allied Minds” or the “Company”) is a company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The 
Annual Report and Accounts of Allied Minds and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”) are presented 
for the year ended 31 December 2018. The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and 
its subsidiaries and include the Group’s interest in associates using the equity method of accounting. The Group 
financial statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance with the International 
Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards, and Interpretations (collectively “IFRS”) issued 
by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) as adopted by the European Union (“adopted IFRSs”). 
The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods 
presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Measurement

The  consolidated  financial  statements,  with  exception  of  financial  instruments,  have  been  prepared  on  the 
historical cost basis.

Use of Judgments and Estimates

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management has made judgments, estimates and assumptions 
that  affect  the  application  of  the  Group’s  accounting  policies  and  the  reported  amounts  of  assets,  liabilities, 
income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are 
reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively. The effects on the amounts 
recognised in the consolidated financial statements, or on other alternative performance measures, is included 
in the following notes:

Estimates made include:

•   Note 3 – revenue recognition: in determining the correct amount of revenue to be recognised, the Directors 
make  estimates  of  the  fair  values  of  each  component  of  a  contract  to  be  able  to  allocate  the  overall 
consideration to each component based on the relative fair value method or make estimates of future costs 
when applying the inputs method.

•   Note 11 and 18 – portfolio and subsidiary preferred shares valuations: when deriving the estimated fair 
value of subsidiary undertakings and subsidiary preferred shares, this includes making certain estimates of 
the future earnings potential of the subsidiary businesses, appropriate discount rate and earnings multiple to 
be applied, marketability and the probability weighting of the scenarios and other industry and company 
specific risk factors.

Judgements made include:

•   Note  3  –  timing  of  revenue  recognition:  making  certain  judgements  when  determining  the  appropriate 
accounting treatment of key customer contract terms in accordance with the applicable accounting standards 
and in determining whether revenue should be recognised at a point in time or over a period of time.

•   Note 11 – when the power to control the subsidiary exists or retaining significant influence as it is dependent 
on certain factors including the voting power the entity exercises over the company, the proportion of seats 
the company controls on the board and the investees dependence on the investor for funding, knowledge 
and its operations.

126

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018HEAD_0 2nd line release HEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continued  
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 

(CONTINUED)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

•  Note 11 – as the entities in the group progress they require further external funding which in some scenarios 
reduces the Group’s shareholding to an extent that it loses control under IFRS 10 which results in them no 
longer being able to consolidate the entity. Due to the fact that the Group holds a variety of instruments in the 
entities, which have varying risks and rights, there is significant judgement in relation to whether the shares 
are accounted for as an investment in associate per IAS 28 or as a financial asset per IFRS 9 and therefore 
held at fair value.

•   Note 18 – subsidiary preferred shares liability classification: when determining the classification of financial 
instruments  in  terms  of  liability  or  equity.  These  judgements  include  an  assessment  whether  the  financial 
instrument include any embedded derivative features, whether they include a contractual obligations upon 
the Group to deliver cash or other financial assets or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with 
another party, and whether that obligation will be settled by the Company’s exchanging a fixed amount of 
cash or other financial assets for a fixed number of its own equity instruments. Further information about these 
critical judgments is included below under Financial Instruments.

•   Note  11  and  18:  subsidiary  preferred  shares  valuations:  when  determining  the  appropriate  valuation 

methodology.

Changes in Accounting Policies

With the exception of the new standards the Group adopted as of 1 January 2018, included below, no other 
new standards, interpretations and amendments have had a material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

Going Concern

The  Directors  have  taken  proactive  cost  management  measures  that  include  reduction  in  expenses  of  the 
management  function  of  the  head  office  at  the  parent  level.  They  have  also  decided  to  focus  exclusively  on 
supporting the 10 existing portfolio companies and maximising monetisation opportunities for portfolio company 
interests, and not to deploy any capital into new portfolio companies. In the event of successful monetisation 
events from the sale of portfolio companies or portfolio company interests, the Directors anticipate distributing the 
net proceeds to shareholders, after due consideration of potential follow-on investment opportunities within the 
existing portfolio, working capital requirements and the most appropriate capital return mechanism. The Directors 
expect this strategy to take at least three years to be fully implemented, and as a matter of good governance, 
will continue to keep this strategy under review at appropriate intervals. They have prepared trading and cash 
flow forecasts for the Group covering the period to 31 December 2021. Reflecting this revised strategy, despite 
the fact that the Group is currently loss making and is likely to continue to be so, at least in the short term, after 
making enquiries and considering the impact of risks and opportunities on expected cash flows, and given the 
fact that the Group has $97.7 million of available funds in the form of cash and fixed income securities as at 
31 December 2018, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate cash to continue 
in  operational  existence  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  12  months  from  the  date  of  approval  of  the  financial 
statements. For this reason, they have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation

Allied Minds plc was formed on 15 April 2014 and the consolidated financial statements for each of the years 
ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 comprises the financial statements of Allied Minds plc and its subsidiaries.

127

Financial StatementsHEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continuedANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018    
  
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Subsidiaries

The financial information of the subsidiaries is prepared for the same reporting period as the parent Company, 
using consistent accounting policies. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an 
entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability 
to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in 
the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. 
Losses applicable to the non-controlling interests in a subsidiary are allocated to the non-controlling interests even 
if doing so causes the non-controlling interests to have a deficit balance.

Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity 
transactions. Where the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the assets and liabilities are derecognised along 
with any related NCI and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. 
Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

Associates

Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control, over the financial and 
operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20 and 50 percent 
of the voting power of another entity.

Associates are accounted for using the equity method (equity accounted investees) and are initially recognised 
at cost. The Group’s investment includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment 
losses. The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share of the total comprehensive income and 
equity movements of equity accounted investees, from the date that significant influence commences until the date 
that significant influence ceases. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity accounted 
investee, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced to $nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except 
to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of an 
investee.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group  balances  and  transactions,  and  any  unrealised  income  and  expenses  arising  from  intra-group 
transactions,  are  eliminated.  Unrealised  gains  arising  from  transactions  with  equity-accounted  investees  are 
eliminated  against  the  investment  to  the  extent  of  the  Group’s  interest  in  the  investee.  Unrealised  losses  are 
eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Acquisitions and disposals of non-controlling interests

Non-controlling  interests  (‘‘NCI’’)  are  measured  at  their  proportionate  share  of  the  acquiree’s  identifiable  net 
assets at the acquisition date. Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control 
are accounted for as equity transactions.

Acquisitions and disposals of non-controlling interests that do not result in a change of control are accounted 
for as transactions with owners in their capacity as owners and therefore no goodwill is recognised as a result 
of such transactions. The adjustments to non-controlling interests are based on a proportionate amount of the 
net assets of the subsidiary. Any difference between the price paid or received and the amount by which non-
controlling interests are adjusted is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of the parent.

128

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018HEAD_0 1st line release HEAD_0 2nd line release HEAD_0 1st line continued2nd line continued    
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Loss of control

When the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecongnises the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and 
any related NCI and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. Any 
interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

Functional and Presentation Currency

These consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, which is the functional currency of most of 
the entities in the Group. All amounts have been rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise indicated.

Foreign Currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of Group entities 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 retranslated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling 
at that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive loss. 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 retranslated to the functional currency at foreign 
exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

The  assets  and  liabilities  of  foreign  operations,  including  goodwill  and  fair  value  adjustments  arising  on 
consolidation, are translated to the Group’s presentational currency (US dollar) at foreign exchange rates ruling 
at the balance sheet date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated at an average rate 
for the year where this rate approximates to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. 
Exchange  differences  arising  from  this  translation  of  foreign  operations  are  reported  as  an  item  of  other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in the translation reserve or non- controlling interest, as the case may 
be. When a foreign operation is disposed of, such that control, joint control or significant influence (as the case 
may be) is lost, the entire accumulated amount in the translation reserve, net of amounts previously attributed to 
non-controlling interests, is reclassified to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal. When the Group 
disposes of only part of its interest in a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation while still retaining control, 
the relevant proportion of the accumulated amount is reattributed to non-controlling interests. When the Group 
disposes of only part of its investment in a subsidiary or an associate that includes a foreign operation while still 
retaining significant influence or joint control, the relevant proportion of the cumulative amount is reclassified to 
profit or loss.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less.

Financial Instruments

As of 1 January 2018, the Company adopted IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”), which replaced IAS 39, 
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 sets out requirements for recognising and measuring 
financial assets, financial liabilities and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items. This standard replaces 
IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. At the reporting date, the only complex financial 
instruments that the Group holds are subsidiary preferred shares liabilities. The Group have taken the transition 
option to apply IFRS 9 from 1 January 2018. There is no effect on these financial instruments on the transition 
to the new accounting standard with it continuing to be measured at fair value through profit or loss and hence 
no restatement is required. The application of the IFRS 9 ‘expected credit loss’ model does not have a material 
impact on the level of impairment of receivables.

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Classification – Financial Assets

IFRS 9 contains a new classification and measurement approach for financial assets that reflects the business model, 
in which assets are managed, and their cash flow characteristics. IFRS 9 contains three principal classification 
categories  for  financial  assets:  measured  at  amortised  cost,  fair  value  through  other  comprehensive  income 
(“FVOCI”) and fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”). The standard eliminates the existing IAS 39 categories of 
held to maturity, loans and receivables, and available for sale. Under IFRS 9, derivatives embedded in contracts 
where the host is a financial asset in the scope of the standard are never bifurcated. Instead, the hybrid as a 
whole is assessed for classification.

Cash and cash equivalents: Represent basic cash balances in banks used to fund operations. These are classified 
as assets at amortised cost under the new standard.

Trade Receivables: Under IFRS 9 trade receivables that do not have a significant financing component have to be 
initially recognised at their transaction price rather than at fair value. The Group initially recognises receivables 
and deposits on the date that they are originated at their transaction price, which is the same as their fair value. 
As such, Trade and other receivables are now classified as assets at amortised cost under IFRS 9.

Security and other deposits: These generally represent security deposits paid by the Group to landlords as part 
of operating lease commitments. As the Company’s objective is that those deposits will be collected back, they 
are now classified as assets at amortised cost under IFRS 9.

Investments in subsidiaries: Per the application of IFRS 9, the Group elected to classify minority interest investments 
at FVTPL with all fair value gains and losses to be recognised in profit or loss as they arise, increasing volatility 
in the Group’s profits. All other group subsidiaries are fully consolidated in the consolidated financial statements.

Investments at fair value: Reflect investments made by the Group in non-derivative instruments of the investees 
that are designated in this category or not classified in any other category. These financial assets are initially 
measured at fair value and subsequently re-measured at fair value at each reporting date. The Company elects 
if the gain or loss will be recognised in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/ (Loss) in Other 
Comprehensive Income/(Loss) or through the profit and loss on an instrument by instrument basis. Investments 
at fair value are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as non-current assets, unless the 
Group intends to dispose of them within 12 months after the end of the reporting period. If the investments at fair 
value continue to be held for the same long-term strategic purposes, per the application of IFRS 9, the Group 
may elect then to classify them as FVOCI or FVTPL. The Group decided to classify them as FVTPL. In the former 
case, all fair value gains and losses would be reported in other comprehensive income, no impairment losses 
would be recognised in profit or loss and no gains or losses would be reclassified to profit or loss on disposal. 
In the latter case, all fair value gains and losses would be recognised in profit or loss as they arise, increasing 
volatility in the Group’s profits.

Classification – Financial Liabilities

Under IAS 39 all fair value changes of liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss are recognised 
in profit or loss, whereas under IFRS 9 these fair value changes are generally presented as follows:

•   the  amount  of  change  in  the  fair  value  that  is  attributable  to  changes  in  the  credit  risk  of  the  liability  is 

presented in OCI; and

•   the remaining amount of change in the fair value is presented in profit or loss.

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The Group has designated the subsidiary preferred shares liability at FVTPL and the trade and other payables 
and loans at amortised cost under IFRS 9. The Group’s assessment did not indicate any material impact of IFRS 
9’s requirements regarding the classification of financial liabilities were applied at 31 December 2018.

Impairment

IFRS 9 replaces the ‘incurred loss’ model in IAS 39 with a ‘forward looking expected credit loss’ (“ECL”) model. 
The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. 
For trade receivables, the group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected 
lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables.

The following accounting policy relates to the financial assets and liabilities recognised in accordance with IAS 
39 as applicable for 2017 results:

Financial Assets

The Group initially recognises loans and receivables and deposits on the date that they are originated. All other 
financial assets are recognised initially on the trade date at which the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, 
or  it  transfers  the  rights  to  receive  the  contractual  cash  flows  on  the  financial  asset  in  a  transaction  in  which 
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position when, and only when, the Group has a legal right to offset the amounts and intends either to settle on a 
net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

The Group classifies its financial assets into the following categories: cash and cash equivalents, trade and other 
receivables, security and other deposits, other investments. Fixed income securities are recognised at fair value 
through profit and loss. The remaining categories are recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest 
rate method.

Other investments comprise fixed income debt securities, including government agency and corporate bonds, 
are stated at amortised cost less impairment. It is the Group policy to hold these investments until a maximum 
maturity of three years.

Financial Liabilities

The  Group  initially  recognises  debt  securities  issued  and  subordinated  liabilities  on  the  date  that  they  are 
originated. All other financial liabilities are recognised initially on the trade date at which the Group becomes a 
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

The Group derecognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged, cancelled or expire.

The Group classifies non-derivative financial liabilities into the following categories: trade and other payables and 
loans. Such financial liabilities are recognised at fair value through profit and loss plus any directly attributable 
transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition these financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using 
the effective interest method.

Warrants are accounted for as financial liabilities and recorded at fair value.

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The  Group’s  financial  liabilities  include  subsidiary  preferred  shares  some  of  which  incorporate  embedded 
derivatives.  In  accordance  with  IAS  39.11  the  Group  has  elected  not  to  bifurcate  the  embedded  derivative 
but fair value the entire instrument at each reporting date. The gain or loss on remeasurement to fair value is 
recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Financial Instruments Issued by the Group

Following the adoption of IAS 32, financial instruments issued by the Group are treated as equity only to the 
extent that they meet the following two conditions:

•   they include no contractual obligations upon the Group to deliver cash or other financial assets or to exchange 
financial assets or financial liabilities with another party under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to 
the Group; and

•   where  the  instrument  will  or  may  be  settled  in  the  Company’s  own  equity  instruments,  it  is  either  a  non 
derivative that includes no obligation to deliver a variable number of the Company’s own equity instruments 
or is a derivative that will be settled by the Company’s 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 financial instrument is classified as a financial liability. Where the 
instrument so classified takes the legal form of the Company’s own shares, the amounts presented in the financial 
information for share capital and merger reserve account exclude amounts in relation to those shares.

Where a financial instrument that contains both equity and financial liability components exists, these components 
are separated and accounted for individually under the above policy.

Share Capital

Ordinary  shares  are  classified  as  equity.  The  Group  considers  its  capital  to  comprise  share  capital,  share 
premium, merger reserve, translation reserve, and accumulated deficit.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. 
Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Assets under construction 
represent machinery and equipment to be used in operations, R&D activities, or to be leased to customers once 
completed.

When parts of an item of property and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate 
items (major components) of property and equipment. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method 
over the estimated useful lives of the related assets:

Computers and electronics

Furniture and fixtures

3 years

5 years

Machinery and equipment

5 -20 years

Under construction

Not depreciated until transferred into use

Leasehold improvements

Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at least annually and adjusted if appropriate.

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The directors have considered the value of fixed assets without revaluing them.

The directors are satisfied that the aggregate value of those assets at the time in question is or was not less than 
aggregate amount at which they are or were for the time being stated in the company’s accounts

Intangible Assets

Licenses (or Options to License) and Purchased In Process Research & Development

Licenses or options to license represent licenses or such options provided by universities, federal laboratories, 
and  scientists  in  exchange  for  an  equity  ownership  in  the  entities  or  cash.  Purchased  in  process  research  & 
development (‘‘IPR&D’’) represents time and expertise already invested by the scientist and provided in exchange 
for an equity interest in the entity. Licenses or options to license and purchased IPR&D are valued based on the 
amount of cash directly paid to acquire those assets or based on the amount of cash contributed by Allied Minds, 
at inception of the subsidiary, and the proportionate amount of equity ascribed to Allied Minds. The licenses 
or options to license and purchased IPR&D are capitalised only when they meet the criteria for capitalisation, 
namely separately identifiable and measurable and it is probable that economic benefit will flow to the entity.

Capitalised Development Costs

Research and development costs include charges from universities based on sponsored research agreements 
(“SRAs”) that the subsidiaries of Allied Minds enter into with universities. Under these agreements, the universities 
perform research on the technology that is being licensed to the subsidiaries. Research and development costs 
also include charges from independent research and development contractors, contract research organisations 
(“CROs”), and other research institutions.

Expenditure on research activities is recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Development expenditure is capitalised 
only  if  the  expenditure  can  be  measured  reliably,  the  product  or  process  is  technically  and  commercially 
feasible, future economic benefits are probable, the Group intends to and has sufficient resources to complete 
development and to use or sell the asset, and if the Group can measure reliably the expenditure attributable to 
the intangible asset during its development. The point at which technical feasibility is determined to have been 
reached  is  when  regulatory  approval  has  been  received,  where  applicable.  Management  determines  that 
commercial viability has been reached when a clear market and pricing point have been identified, which may 
coincide with achieving recurring sales. Development activities involve a plan or design for the production of 
new or substantially improved products or processes. The expenditure considered for capitalisation includes the 
cost of materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of overhead costs. Otherwise, the development 
expenditure is recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, development expenditure 
is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Software

Software intangible assets that are acquired by the Group and have finite useful lives are measured at cost less 
accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Finite-lived intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, from the date 
that they are available for use. Intangible assets which are not yet available for use (and therefore not amortised) 
are tested for impairment at least annually.

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Amortisation

Amortisation is charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the 
estimated useful lives of intangible assets unless such lives are indefinite. Intangible assets with an indefinite useful 
life and goodwill are systematically tested for impairment at each balance sheet date. Other intangible assets 
are amortised from the date they are available for use. Amortisation methods, useful lives and residual values are 
reviewed at least annually and adjusted if appropriate.

The estimated useful lives of the Group’s intangible assets are as follows:

Licences and Options to License

Over the remaining life of the underlying patents

Purchased IPR&D

Over  the  remaining  life  of  the  underlying  patents,  once  commercial 
viability has been achieved

Development cost

Over the remaining life of the underlying technology

Software

Taxation

2 years

Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement 
except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Current Income Tax

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates 
enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous 
years.

Deferred Income 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. Deferred tax assets are 
recognised for unused tax losses, unused tax credits and deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is 
probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be used. Deferred tax assets are 
reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax 
benefit will be realised.

Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they 
reverse, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and 
assets, and they relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax 
entities where the Group intends to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets and 
liabilities will be realised simultaneously.

Deferred taxes are recognised in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in 
equity or in other comprehensive income.

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Impairment

Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Non-financial  assets  consist  of  property  and  equipment  and  intangible  assets,  including  licences,  purchased 
IPR&D, capitalised development cost, with finite lives and such intangible assets which are not yet available for 
use.

The  Group  reviews  the  carrying  amounts  of  its  property  and  equipment  and  finite-lived  intangibles  at  each 
reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the 
asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Intangible assets which are not yet available for use are tested annually 
for impairment.

For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows 
from  continuing  use  that  are  largely  independent  of  the  cash  inflows  of  other  assets  or  cash-generating  units 
(‘‘CGUs’’).

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. 
Value in use is based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount 
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU.

An  impairment  loss  is  recognised  in  profit  and  loss  if  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  or  CGU  exceeds  its 
recoverable amount. Impairment losses are allocated to reduce the carrying amounts of assets in a CGU on a 
pro rata basis.

Impairment of Financial Assets

The  company  recognises  loss  allowances  for  expected  credit  losses  (ECLs)  on  financial  assets  measured  at 
amortised cost.

The  company  measures  loss  allowances  at  an  amount  equal  to  lifetime  ECL,  except  for  other  debt  securities 
and bank balances for which credit risk (i.e. the risk of default occurring over the expected life of the financial 
instrument) has not increased significantly since initial recognition, which are measured as 12-month ECL.

Loss allowances for trade receivables and contract assets are always measured at an amount equal to lifetime 
ECL.

When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition 
and when estimating ECL, the company considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and 
available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, 
based on the company’s historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward-looking 
information.

Share-based Payments

Share-based payment arrangements in which the Group or its subsidiaries receive goods or services as consideration 
for their own equity instruments are accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions, regardless 
of how the equity instruments are obtained by the Group or its subsidiaries. Grants of equity instruments under 
the subsidiary stock option incentive plans are accounted for as equity-settled in the consolidated accounts of the 
parent and are reflected in equity as a credit to Non-Controlling Interest.

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The grant date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee 
expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees become unconditionally 
entitled to the awards. The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option pricing valuation model, 
taking  into  account  the  terms  and  conditions  upon  which  the  options  were  granted.  The  amount  recognised 
as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related service and non-market 
vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based 
on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting 
date. For share-based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, the grant date fair value of the share-based 
payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences between expected and 
actual outcomes.

Employee Benefits

Short-term Employee Benefits

Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed as the related 
service is provided. A liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid if the Group has a present 
legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee, and the 
obligation can be estimated reliably.

Defined Contribution Plans

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions into 
a separate entity and has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions 
to defined contribution plans are recognised as an employee benefit expense in the periods during which related 
services are rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash 
refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

Phantom Plan

The Phantom Plan is a cash settled bonus plan. Expense is accrued when it is determined that it is probable that 
a payment will be made and when the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as 
a result of a past event, that can be reliably measured and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits 
will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows 
at a pre-tax rate that reflects risks specific to the liability.

Revenue Recognition

The accounting policy that reflects the new accounting standard for IFRS 15 is effective from 1 January 2018. 
IFRS  15  establishes  a  comprehensive  framework  for  determining  whether,  how  much  and  when  revenue  is 
recognised. It replaces existing revenue recognition guidance, including IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction 
Contracts and IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programs.

While IAS 18 states that the revenue recognition criteria depends on each type of revenue, IFRS 15 implements 
a  uniform  method  of  recognising  revenue  based  on  the  actual  contract  and  performance  obligation.  Under 
IFRS 15, revenue will be recognised when the Company satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a 
promised good or service to its customer. As such, based on the application of the new standard, the amount of 
revenue recognised is the amount allocated to the satisfied performance obligation. A performance obligation 

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may be satisfied at a point in time (typically for promises to transfer goods to a customer) or over time (typically 
for promises to transfer services to a customer).

Determining the timing of the transfer of control – at a point in time or over time – requires judgement. This was 
the key point that was considered by the Group on transition of this accounting standard. Based on Group’s 
assessment, it was concluded that the majority of the Company’s projects that:

•   Render a service is performed on a time and materials basis and revenue will be recognised as services are 
provided based on actual hours worked for a set period. The performance obligations identified within these 
projects are distinct and meet the criteria resulting in transfer of control over time. Since the fair value and the 
stand-alone selling prices of the services are broadly similar, the Group concluded that the application of IFRS 
15 does not result in significant differences in the timing of revenue recognition for these services.

•   Sell goods, revenue is recognised when the control of the products were transferred to the customer. The 
performance obligations identified within these projects are distinct and meet the criteria resulting in transfer 
of control at a point in time. No significant accounting differences noted between IAS 18 and IFRS 15 in the 
timing of revenue recognition for the sale of these products.

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 on a cumulative catch-up basis, with the effect of initially applying this standard 
recognised at the date of initial application (i.e. 1 January 2018). Based on the Group’s assessment, it was 
determined the application of IFRS 15 results in no significant differences in the timing of revenue recognition and 
it did not have a significant impact on the Group’s accounting policies.

The following accounting policy relates to the revenue policy under IAS 18 as applicable for 2017 results:

Sale of Goods

Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer, 
recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs and possible return of goods can be estimated 
reliably,  there  is  no  continuing  management  involvement  with  the  goods  and  the  amount  of  revenue  can  be 
measured reliably.

The transfer of significant risks and rewards of ownership usually occurs when products are shipped and the 
customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss.

Rendering of Services

The Group recognises revenue from rendering of services at the time services are provided to the customer and 
the Group has no additional performance obligation to the customer.

Government Grants

Grants received are recognised as revenue when the related work is performed and the qualifying research and 
development costs are incurred.

License Revenue

The Group recognises revenue from fees associated with licensing of its technologies to third parties in the form 
of license fees and royalties on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement 
and when the Company’s right to receive payment is established, provided that it is probable that the economic 
benefits will flow to the Company and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably.

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Finance Income and Finance Costs

Finance income mainly comprises interest income on funds invested and foreign exchange gains. Finance costs 
mainly comprise loan interest expense and foreign exchange losses. Interest income and interest payable are 
recognised as they accrue in profit or loss, using the effective interest method.

Fair Value Measurements

A number of the Group’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both 
financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

When  measuring  the  fair  value  of  an  asset  or  a  liability,  the  Group  uses  market  observable  data  as  far  as 
possible. Fair values are categorised into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the 
valuation techniques as follows:

•  Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•  Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either 

directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

•  Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability might be categorised in different levels of the 
fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety in the same level of the fair value 
hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

The Group recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during 
which the change has occurred.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, accounts payable, accrued 
expenses and other current liabilities in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position approximates 
their fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments.

Operating Leases

Payments made under operating leases are recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of 
the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term 
of the lease.

Operating Segments

Allied Minds determines and presents operating segments based on the information that internally is provided to 
the executive management team, the body which is considered to be Allied Minds’ Chief Operating Decision 
Maker (‘‘CODM’’).

An operating segment is a component of Allied Minds that engages in business activities from which it may earn 
revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Allied 
Minds’ other components. The operating segment’s operating results are reviewed regularly by the CODM to 
make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment, to assess its performance, and for which discrete 
financial information is available.

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(2) NEW STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS NOT YET ADOPTED

A  number  of  new  standards,  interpretations  and  amendments  to  existing  standards  are  effective  for  annual 
periods beginning after 1 January 2019, and have not therefore been applied in preparing this consolidated 
financial information. Management has yet to complete an analysis of these new standards, interpretations and 
amendments to existing standards on the results of its operations, financial position, and disclosures. The Group 
intends to adopt these standards on their respective effective dates.

The  following  are  amended  or  new  standards  and  interpretations  that  may  impact  the  Group.  The  Group  is 
finalising  the  required  disclosures,  which  includes  an  assessment  of  the  impact  of  the  new  guidance  on  our 
financial position and results of operations. The adoption of the proposed changes is not expected to have a 
material effect on the financial statements unless otherwise indicated:

IFRS 16, ‘Leases’ (effective 1 January 2019)

IFRS 16 replaces existing leases guidance, including IAS 17 Leases, IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement 
contains a lease, SIC -15 Operating Leases – Incentives and SIC - 27 Evaluating the substance of transactions 
involving the legal form of a lease.

The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. Early adoption is permitted 
for entities that apply IFRS 15 at or before the date of initial application of IFRS 16.

IFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease accounting model for lessees in a similar way to finance 
leases under IAS 17. A lessee recognises a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and 
a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. There are recognition exemptions for short-
term leases and leases of low-value items. Lessor accounting remains similar to the current standard-i.e: lessors 
continue to classify leases as finance or operating leases.

The actual impacts of adopting the standard on 1 January 2019 may change because:

•  The  Group  has  not  finalised  the  testing  and  assessment  of  controls  over  the  implementation  of  the  new 

standard; and

•  The new accounting policies are subject to change until the Group presents its first financial statements that 

include the date of initial application.

Previously the Group recognised operating lease expense on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, 
and recognised assets and liabilities only to the extent that there was a timing difference between actual lease 
payments and the expense recognised. As at 31 December 2018, the Group’s future minimum lease payments 
under non-cancellable operating leases amounted to $3.4 million, on an undiscounted basis (see Note 20).

So far, the most significant impact identified is that the Group will recognise new assets and liabilities for its 
operating leases of its rented office and laboratory space. In addition, the nature of expenses related to those 
leases will now change as IFRS 16 replaces the straight-line operating lease expense with a depreciation charge 
for right-of-use assets and interest expense on lease liabilities.

The Company does not have any finance leases as of 31 December 2018. Based on the information currently 
available, the Group estimates that it will recognise additional lease liabilities of $2.8 million and $2.6 million 
in lease assets as at 1 January 2019.

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Transition

As a lessee; the Group can either apply the standard using a:

•  retrospective approach; or

•  modified retrospective approach with optional practical expedients.

The lessee applies the election consistently to all of its leases.

The Group plans to apply IFRS 16 initially on 1 January 2019, using modified retrospective approach. Therefore, 
the cumulative effect of adopting IFRS 16 will be recognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained 
earnings at 1 January 2019, with no restatement of comparative information.

When applying the modified retrospective approach to leases previously classified as operating leases under 
IAS 17, the lessee can elect, on a lease-by-lease basis, whether to apply a number of practical expedients on 
transition. The Group is assessing the potential impact of using these practical expedients.

The  Group  is  not  required  to  make  any  adjustments  for  leases  in  which  it  is  a  lessor  except  where  it  is  an 
intermediate lessor in a sub-lease.

Other new standards and interpretations yet to be adopted, for which the Company does not expect to have a 
material impact on its financial statements include:

•  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle (issued on 12 December 2017)

•  Amendments to IAS 19: Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement (issued on 7 February 2018)

•  Amendments to IAS 28: Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures (issued on 12 October 2017)

•  IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (issued on 7 June 2017)

•  IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration (issued on 8 December 2016)

•  Amendments to IFRS 9: Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation (issued on 12 October 2017)

(3) REVENUE

Revenue recorded in the statement of comprehensive loss consists of the following:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER: 

Product revenue

Service revenue

Total revenue in consolidated statement of income/(loss)

2018 
$’000

290

5,271

 5,561

2017 
$’000

1,537

3,464

5,001

Product revenue includes license revenue of $40,342 and $22,000 during 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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Deferred revenue recorded in the statement of financial position consists of the following:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Customer deposits

Other deferred revenue, current

Total deferred revenue in statement of financial position

(4) OPERATING SEGMENTS

Basis for Segmentation

2018 
$’000

2,225

108

2,333

2017 
$’000

3,750

546

4,296

For management purposes, the Group’s principal operations are currently organised in three types of activities:

(i)   Early stage companies – subsidiary businesses that are in the early stage of their lifecycle characterised by 

incubation, research and development activities;

(ii)   Later  stage  companies  –  subsidiary  businesses  that  have  substantially  advanced  with  or  completed  their 
research  and  development  activities,  are  closer  in  their  lifecycle  to  commercialisation,  and/or  have  a 
potential of realising material return on investment through a future liquidity event;

(iii)  Minority holdings companies – reflects the activity related to portfolio companies other than consolidated 
subsidiary businesses where the Group has made a minority investment and does not control or exercise joint 
control over the financial and operating policies of those entities.

Minority  holdings:  In  April  2018,  Allied  Minds  led  funding  rounds  at  Orbital  Sidekick  ($3.5  million)  and  at 
TableUp  ($4.0  million),  receiving  a  significant  minority  stake  in  each  company.  Also,  two  of  the  company’s 
subsidiaries,  HawkEye360,  Inc.  and  Spin  Memory,  Inc.  (formerly  Spin  Transfer  Technologies,  Inc.),  were 
deconsolidated during 2018 as a result of financing events at both companies.

As a result of HawkEye’s Series A-3 financing round that was completed in September 2018, Allied Minds’ 
ownership percentage dropped from 54.07% to 48.33%. Consequently, while Allied Minds is still considered 
a large minority shareholder, since it no longer holds a majority of voting rights in the Company and does not 
hold a majority on the board of directors, Allied Minds does not exercise effective control over HawkEye360. 
However,  even  after  the  transaction,  Allied  Minds  is  able  to  exercise  significant  influence  over  the  entity  by 
virtue of its large, albeit minority, stake in the company and its representation on the HawkEye360’s board of 
directors. Allied Minds does not hold common stock in HawkEye360 and therefore is not subject to equity method 
accounting under IAS 28. HawkEye360‘s Preferred Stock was classified as an Investments held at fair value upon 
deconsolidation. Upon deconsolidation, Allied Minds recognised the fair value of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, 
Series A-2 Preferred Stock, and Series A-3 Preferred Stock (collectively the “HE360 Preferred Stock”) held in HE360, 
resulting in a gain of $11.1 million.

As a result of Spin Memory’s Series B financing round, the first closing of which was completed in November 
2018,  Allied  Minds’  ownership  percentage  dropped  from  48.55%  to  41.63%.  Consequently,  while  Allied 
Minds is still considered a large minority shareholder, it no longer holds a majority of voting rights and therefore 
it does not exercise effective control over Spin Memory. However, even after the transaction, Allied Minds is able 
to exercise significant influence over the entity by virtue of its large, albeit minority, stake in the company and 

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its representation on the Spin Memory’s board of directors. Due to the liability-like characteristics of the Series A 
Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock the investment is accounted for under IFRS 9 and is classified by the 
Company as an investment at fair value. Upon deconsolidation, Allied Minds recognised the fair value of the 
Series A Preferred Stock, Series B-1 Preferred Stock, and Series B-2 Preferred Stock (collectively the “SM Preferred 
Stock”) held in Spin Memory, resulting in a gain of $27.1 million. Additionally, due to Allied Minds’ Common 
Stock holdings that have equity-like characteristics, the investment is accounted for under IAS 28 and is classified 
by the Company as an investment in associates which resulted in an additional net gain of $4.6 million. At 
December 31, 2018, Allied Minds’ investment was adjusted by the share of losses generated by Spin Memory 
in December 2018 of $1.3 million.

As  such,  as  of  year-end  2018,  given  its  investment  activities  in  2018,  Allied  Minds  has  decided  that  it  is 
appropriate to create a new operating segment to classify and capture its minority and deconsolidated portfolio 
companies. Such segment will be called Minority Holdings and shall include HawkEye360, Spin Memory, and 
other  companies  that  follow  a  similar  strategic  path  in  the  future.  In  addition,  TableUp  and  Orbital  Sidekick 
are included in the Minority Holdings segment and not included within the Early Stage segment because they 
represent the values of the entire investments that Allied Minds holds and not their own current assets (as is the 
case for the rest of the consolidated subsidiaries). Allied Minds has significant influence over the companies’ 
strategic operations through its large, albeit minority, ownership stake and its representation on each company’s 
board of directors. Therefore, these are included in Allied Minds’ trial balance as non-current assets, which then 
map to the Minority Holdings segment as well.

The Group’s CODM reviews internal management reports on these segments at least quarterly in order to make 
decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance.

Other operations include the management function of the head office at the parent level of Allied Minds.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Information about Reportable Segments

The following provides detailed information of the Group’s reportable segments as of and for the years ended 
31 December 2018 and 2017, respectively:

2018 
$’000

Early stage

Later stage

Minority 
Holdings

Other 
operations

Consolidated

Statement of Comprehensive Loss

  Revenue

  Cost of revenue

 Selling, general and administrative 
expenses

  Research and development expenses

  Other income

  Finance income/(cost), net

250

(5)  

(2,168)  

(4,454)  

3,887

261

4,792

(2,384)  

(17,400)  

(23,763)  

—

57,597

 Share of net loss of associates accounted 
for using the equity method

Income/(loss) for the period

  Other comprehensive income

—

—

(2,229)  

18,842

—

—

519

(438)  

(10,907)  

(16,730)  

42,831

34,247

(1,301)  

48,221

—

—

—

(18,853)  

—

—

770

—

(18,083)  

561

5,561

(2,827)  

(49,328)  

(44,947)  

46,718

92,875

(1,301)  

46,751

561

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

(2,229)  

18,842

48,221

(17,522)  

47,312

  Total comprehensive loss attributable to:

  Equity holders of the parent

  Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive loss

Statement of financial position

  Non-current assets

  Current assets

Total assets

  Non-current liabilities

  Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets/(liabilities)

(1,368)  

(862)  

(2,230)  

(50)  

19,529

19,479

—

(1,696)  

(1,696)  

17,783

9,067

9,777

18,844

6,895

33,537

40,432

(60)  

(64,156)  

(64,216)  

(23,784)  

49,147

(17,524)  

(925)  

—

48,222

(17,524)  

78,444

—

78,444

—

—

—

807

53,968

54,775

(376)  

(3,705)  

(4,081)  

39,322

7,990

47,312

86,096

107,034

193,130

(436)  

(69,557)  

(69,993)  

78,444

50,694

123,137

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

2017 
$’000

Statement of Comprehensive Loss

  Revenue

  Cost of revenue

 Selling, general and administrative 
expenses 

  Research and development expenses

  Finance income/(cost), net

Loss for the period

Early stage

Later stage

Minority 
holdings

Other 
operations

Consolidated

1,607

(3,861)  

(9,544)  

(6,424)  

(11)  

 1,761

(714)  

(10,886)  

(25,185)  

(1,296)  

1,633

(667)  

(12,319)  

(17,403)  

(5,658)  

—

—

(22,465)  

—

420

5,001

(5,242)  

(55,214)  

(49,012)  

(6,545)  

(18,233)  

(36,320)  

(34,414)  

(22,045)  

(111,012)  

  Other comprehensive income/(loss)  

79

—

—

182

(103)  

Total comprehensive loss

(18,154)  

(36,320)  

(34,414)  

(22,227)  

(111,115)  

  Total comprehensive loss attributable to:

  Equity holders of the parent

(13,792)  

(31,606)  

(8,153)  

(22,227)  

  Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive loss

Statement of financial position

  Non-current assets

  Current assets

Total assets

  Non-current liabilities

  Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets/(liabilities)

(4,362)  

(4,714)  

(18,154)  

(36,320)  

(26,261)  

(34,414)  

452

22,297

22,749

(3)  

(2,239)  

(2,242)  

1,919

58,470

60,389

(28)  

(111,598)  

(111,626)  

20,509

(51,237)  

24,915

19,379

44,294

(81)  

(81,923)  

(82,004)  

(37,710)  

(75,778)  

(35,337)  

—

(22,227)  

(111,115)  

1,083

84,646

85,729

(755)  

(4,442)  

(5,197)  

28,369

184,792

213,161

(867)  

(200,202)  

(201,069)  

80,532

12,092

All closed or dissolved subsidiaries were presented in the Early Stage segment up to the time at which they were all 
dissolved. During 2018, Allied Minds sold the trade and assets of Percipient Networks and subsequently ceased 
operations  and  dissolved  the  company.  In  addition,  Allied  Minds  dissolved  each  of Whitewood  Encryption, 
Seamless Devices, RF Biocidics, Inc., and Foreland. Later stage companies in the current year comprise those 
that have graduated from Early stage by way of further advancements in their development as described above. 
Those currently include BridgeSat, Federated Wireless, Precision Biopsy, and SciFluor Life Sciences. This change 
has been reflected accordingly in the comparative year information about reportable segments. Hawkeye360 and 
Spin Memory were deconsolidated and were reclassified from Later Stage segment to the Minority Holdings 
segment at the date of deconsolidation. The Group has retrospectively restated 2017 segment amounts to reflect 
the above transactions.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Summarised information related to the Company’s operating revenues by reporting segment for the years ended 
31 December 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

2018

Service 
revenue  

Software 
revenue  

Early Stage

Later Stage

Minority

—

 4,752

 519

Total revenue

 5,271

 250

 40

—

 290

Total

 250

 4,792

 519

 5,561

Product 
revenue

1,309

—

—

 1,309

2017

Service 
revenue

Software 
revenue

Other 
revenue

 224

 1,761

1,633

 3,618

 89

—

—

 89

 (15)  

—

—

 (15)  

Total

 1,607

 1,761

1,633

 5,001

In 2018, Cost of revenue and Selling, general and administrative expenses of Early stage, Later stage, Minority 
holdings  and  Other  operations  segments  included  depreciation  and  amortisation  expense  of  $117,000, 
$1,041,000,  $4,664,000,  and  $235,000,  respectively  (2017:  $308,000,  $485,000,  $5,072,000, 
$nil, and $236,000, respectively).

The  proportion  of  net  assets  shown  above  that  is  attributable  to  non-controlling  interest  is  disclosed  further  in 
notes 11 and 17.

Geographic Information

The Group revenues and net operating losses for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 are considered 
to be entirely derived from its operations within the United States and accordingly no additional geographical 
disclosures are provided.

(5) OPERATING EXPENSES

The  average  number  of  persons  employed  by  the  Group  (including  Directors)  during  the  year,  analysed  by 
category, was as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER:

2018

2017

Selling, general and administrative

Research and development

Total

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER: 

Selling, general and administrative

Research and development

Total

68

124

192

2018 
$’000

25,896

21,070

46,966

80

125

205

2017 
$’000

28,714

21,596

50,310

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Total operating expenses were as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER: 

Salaries and wages

Payroll taxes

Healthcare benefit

Other payroll cost

Share-based payments

Total

Cost of revenue

Other SG&A expenses

Other R&D expenses

Total operating expenses

Auditor’s remuneration

Audit of these financial statements

Audit of the financial statements of subsidiaries

Audit-related assurance services

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

33,915

36,864

2,267

2,233

1,138

7,413

2,026

2,589

1,269

7,562

46,966

50,310

2,827

23,432

23,877

97,102

2018 
$’000

618

20

211

849

5,242

26,500

27,416

109,468

2017 
$’000

552

20

129

701

The Group recorded an impairment charge on property and equipment of $0.1 million (2017: $0.6 million) 
and on intangible assets of $0.5 million (2017: $1.6 million) and wrote off certain tangible and intangible 
assets as a result of companies that were closed during fiscal year 2018.

See note 6 for further disclosures related to share-based payments and note 23 for management’s remuneration 
disclosures.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(6) SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

UK Long Term Incentive Plan

Under  the  UK  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  (“LTIP”),  awards  of  Ordinary  Shares  may  be  made  to  employees, 
officers  and  directors,  and  other  individuals  providing  services  to  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries.  Awards 
may be granted in the form of share options, share appreciation rights, restricted or unrestricted share awards, 
performance share awards, restricted share units, phantom-share awards and other share-based awards. Vesting 
is subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions and continued services of the participant.

Awards have been granted under the LTIP based on the following vesting criteria:

•  awards  subject  to  performance  conditions  based  on  the  Company’s  total  shareholder  return  (“TSR”) 

performance or relative total shareholder return (rTSR) performance over a defined of time;

•  awards  subject  to  performance  conditions  based  on  a  basket  of  shareholder  value  metrics  (“SVM”). 

Performance is assessed on these measures on a scorecard basis over a defined period of time;

•  awards that vest 100 per cent after a period of time subject to continued service condition only.

The Company issued awards under the LTIP during 2018 and 2017 in respect of a total of 3,924,851 and 
7,466,235 Ordinary Shares, respectively. A summary of stock option activity under the UK LTIP for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 and 2017, respectively, is shown below:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

2018

2017

rTSR

SVM

Time

rTSR

SVM

Time

Number of shares granted
at maximum (‘000)

Weighted average fair value ($)

Fair value measurement basis

3,481

1.13

—

—

444

1.12

2,837

0.89

1,632

1.44

2,998

1.48

Monte Carlo Market value 
of ordinary 
share

Market value 
of ordinary 
share

Monte Carlo Market value 
of ordinary 
share

Market value 
of ordinary 
share

The share grants that vest upon the occurrence of a market condition (i.e. the TSR performance) and service 
condition were adjusted to current market price at the date of the grant to reflect the effect of the market condition 
on the non-vested shares’ value. The Company used a Monte Carlo simulation analysis utilising a Geometric 
Brownian Motion process with 50,000 simulations to value those shares. The model takes into account share 
price volatilities, risk-free rate and other covariance of comparable UK public companies and other market data 
to predict distribution of relative share performance. This is applied to the reward criteria to arrive at expected 
value of the TSR awards.

The  share  grants  that  vests  only  upon  the  occurrence  of  a  non-market  performance  condition  (i.e.  the  SVM 
grants)  and  service  condition  were  valued  at  the  fair  value  of  the  shares  on  the  date  of  the  grants  and  the 
vesting conditions are taken into account by subsequently adjusting the number of instruments included in the 
measurement of the transaction amount  so that, ultimately, the amount of recognised share-based expense is 
based on the number of instruments that eventually vest.

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The  accounting  charge  does  not  necessarily  represent  the  intended  value  of  share-based  payments  made  to 
recipients, which are determined by the Remuneration Committee according to established criteria. The share-
based payment charge for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2018 related to the UK LTIP was $7.4 million 
(2017: $7.6 million).

U.S. Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan

The U.S. Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the “U.S. Stock Plan”) was originally adopted by Allied Minds, Inc. 
(now Allied Minds, LLC) in 2008. The U.S. Stock Plan provides for the grant of share option awards, restricted 
share awards, and other awards to acquire common stock of Allied Minds, Inc. (now Allied Minds, LLC). All stock 
options granted to employees under this plan are equity settled, for a ten-year term. Pursuant to the Company’s 
IPO in 2014, Allied Minds plc adopted and assumed the rights and obligations of Allied Minds, Inc. (now Allied 
Minds, LLC) under this plan except that the obligation to issue Common Stock is replaced with an obligation to 
issue ordinary shares to satisfy awards granted under the U.S. Stock Plan. As of 19 June 2014, the maximum 
number of options reserved under the plan were issued and outstanding and as a result of the Company’s IPO 
in 2014, all issued and outstanding options vested on 19 June 2014. The Company does not intend to make 
any further grants under the U.S. Stock Plan.

No new stock option grants were awarded in 2018 and 2017 under the Allied Minds 2008 Plan. A summary 
of stock option activity in the U.S. Stock Plan is presented in the following table:

FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED:

31 December 2018

31 December 2017

Outstanding as of 1 January

Exercised during the period

Forfeited during the period

Outstanding as of period end

Exercisable at period end

Intrinsic value of exercisable

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE PRICE

$2.21

$1.78

$2.30

$2.15

$2.15

NUMBER OF 
 OPTIONS

7,499,116

(887,373)  

(5,311,743)  

1,300,000

1,300,000

$ nil

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE PRICE

$2.12

$1.46

—

$2.21

$2.21

NUMBER OF 
 OPTIONS

8,554,712

(1,055,596)  

—

7,499,116

7,499,116

$0.1 million

The  options  outstanding  as  of  31  December  2018  had  an  exercise  price  in  the  range  of  $1.78  to  $2.49 
(2017: $1.78 to $2.49).

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Other Plans

SciFluor Life Sciences, Inc. (“SciFluor”)

Stock compensation expense was approximately $800,000 and $nil for the year ended 31 December 2018 
and 2017, respectively. Deferred stock compensation expense under these grants was approximately $465,000 
and $nil as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, respectively.

There were no new grants under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan in 2017. The fair value of the stock option grants 
awarded in 2018 under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan was estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-
Scholes- Merton option valuation model that uses the following weighted average assumptions:

Expected option life (in years)

Expected stock price volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Grant date option fair value

Share price at grant date

Exercise price

2018

6.07

32.90

2.85

—

 $ 2.51

 $ 6.72

 $ 6.72

2017

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Expected volatility has been based on an evaluation of the historical volatility of the share price of publicly traded 
companies  comparable  to  SciFluor,  particularly  over  the  historical  period  commensurate  with  the  expected 
term. The expected term of the instruments has been based on historical experience and general option holder 
behavior.

A summary of stock option activity in the SciFluor plans is presented in the following table:

Outstanding as of 1 January

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Outstanding as of 31 December

Exercisable as of 31 December

Intrinsic value of Exercisable

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS 

2018  

457,961

775,303

(501,179)  

732,085

469,615

$ nil

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE 
PRICE 
2018

$ 1.20

$ 6.72

$ 4.05

$ 5.10

$ 4.20

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS 
2017

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE 
PRICE 
2017

457,961

$ 1.20

—

—

457,961

457,961

$ 3.7 million

—

—

$ 1.20

$ 1.20

The  options  outstanding  as  of  31  December  2018  had  an  exercise  price  in  the  range  of  $1.20  to  $6.72 
(2017: $nil) and a weighted-average contractual life of approximately 3.4 years (2017: nil years).

Plans Under Other Subsidiaries

The  stock  compensation  expense  under  other  subsidiaries  of  the  Company  was  $1,216,000  (2017: 
$1,495,000).  Deferred  stock  compensation  expense  under  these  grants  as  of  31  December  2018  was 
approximately $1,106,000 (2017: $1,220,000).

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Allied Minds Phantom Plan

In 2007, Allied Minds established a cash settled bonus plan for Allied Minds employees, also known as its 
Phantom Plan. In 2012, the board of directors adopted the Amended and Restated 2007 Phantom Plan. Under 
the terms of the Amended and Restated Plan, upon a liquidity event Allied Minds will allocate 10% of the value 
(after deduction of the amount invested by Allied Minds and accrued interest at a rate not exceeding 5% per 
annum) of the invested capital owned by Allied Minds of each operating company to the plan account. Upon 
a liquidity event, plan participants holding units will receive their proportionate share of the plan account. The 
allocated shares at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of Allied Minds and holders of units have 
no rights or interests in Allied Minds. No amount has been paid out to employees under the Phantom Stock Plan 
through 31 December 2018.

Allied Minds has not accrued any expense relating to the Phantom Plan as of 31 December 2018 or 2017. 
Management will record an expense relating to this plan when it is probable that a subsidiary will be sold and 
the amount of the payout is reasonably estimable.

Share-based Payment Expense

The  Group  recorded  share-based  payment  expense  related  to  stock  options  of  approximately  $7,413,000 
and  $7,562,000  for  the  years  ended  31  December  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  There  was  no  income 
tax  benefit  recognised  for  share-  based  payment  arrangements  for  the  years  ended  31  December  2018 
and  2017,  respectively,  due  to  operating  losses.  Shared-based  payment  expenses  are  included  in  selling, 
general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses in the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income.

(7) FINANCE COST, NET

The following table shows the breakdown of finance income and cost:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

Interest income on:

– Bank deposits

Foreign exchange gain

  Finance income

Interest expense on:

– Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Foreign exchange loss

  Finance cost contractual

Income/(loss) on fair value measurement of subsidiary preferred shares

  Finance income/(cost)

Total finance income/(cost), net

See note 18 for further disclosure related to subsidiary preferred shares.

2018 
$’000

1,771

4

1,775

(407)  

(55)  

(462)  

91,562

91,100

92,875

2017 
$’000

475

10

485

(174)  

(6)  

(180)  

(6,850)  

(7,030)  

(6,545)  

150

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(8) INCOME PER SHARE

The  calculation  of  basic  and  diluted  loss  per  share  as  of  31  December  2018  was  based  on  the  income 
attributable to ordinary shareholders of $38.7 million (2017: $75.7 million) and a weighted average number 
of ordinary shares outstanding of 239,915,663 (2017: 236,194,051), calculated as follows:

Income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted

Income/(loss) for the year attributed to the
owners of the Company

Income/(loss) for the year attributed to the
ordinary shareholders

38,761

38,761

(75,675)  

(75,675)  

38,761

38,761

(75,675)  

(75,675)  

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

2018

Basic

Diluted

2017

Basic

Diluted

Issued ordinary shares on 1 January

 238,202,541

 238,202,541

233,744,378

233,744,378

Effect of share capital issued

Effect of vesting of RSUs

Effect of share options exercised

Effect of dilutive shares

 —

 896,372

 816,751

 —

 —

 896,372

 816,751

778,945

—

1,823,106

626,567

—

—

1,823,106

626,567

—

Weighted average ordinary shares

239,915,663

240,694,608

236,194,051

236,194,051

Income per share

Income/(loss) per share

2018 
$

Basic

0.16

Diluted

0.16

2017 
$

Basic

(0.32)  

Diluted

(0.32)  

151

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(9) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment, net, consists of the following at:

Cost

in $’000

Balance as of 31 December 2016

  Additions, net of transfers

Machinery 
and 
Equipment

35,109

723

862

25

  Disposals

(1,159)  

(211)  

Balance as of 31 December 2017

  Additions, net of transfers

  Disposals

  Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Balance as of 31 December 2018

34,673

1,664

(561)  

(33,334)  

2,463

676

184

—

(151)  

709

Accumulated Depreciation and Impairment loss

Furniture 
and Fixtures

Leasehold 
Improvements

Computers 
and 
Electronics

Under 
Construction

5,563

1,351

258

(147)  

5,674

1,813

—

(4,405)  

3,082

373

(530)  

1,194

464

(14)  

(733)  

911

Total

43,586

1,246

(2,047)  

42,785

7,908

(575)  

701

(133)  

—

568

3,762

—

(2,691)  

(41,314)  

1,639

8,804

Machinery 
and 
Equipment

Furniture 
and Fixtures

Leasehold 
Improvements

Computers 
and 
Electronics

Under 
Construction

in $’000

Balance as of 31 December 2016

  Depreciation

Impairment loss

  Disposals

Balance as of 31 December 2017

  Depreciation

Impairment loss

  Disposals

  Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Balance as of 31 December 2018

Property and equipment, net

in $’000

Balance as of 31 December 2017

Balance as of 31 December 2018

(8,674)  

(4,456)  

(425)  

1,159

(12,396)  

(4,184)  

(81)  

561

15,091

(1,007)  

Machinery 
and 
Equipment

 22,277

 1,456

(316)  

(122)  

(114)  

211

(341)  

(131)  

—

—

91

(381)  

(1,860)  

(909)  

(53)  

147

(2,675)  

(1,065)  

—

—

2,899

(842)  

(854)  

(313)  

(109)  

530

(746)  

(282)  

(3)  

14

441

(571)  

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total

(11,704)  

(5,800)  

(701)  

2,047

(16,158)  

(5,662)  

(84)  

575

18,522

(2,807)  

Furniture 
and Fixtures

Leasehold 
Improvements

Computers 
and 
Electronics

Under 
Construction

Total

 335

328

 2,999

2,240

 448

334

 568

 26,627

1,639

5,997

Impairment of property and equipment of $84,000 and $701,000 for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 
2017, respectively, is mainly attributed to the closing of subsidiary companies, which resulted in the associated 
assets being impaired, see further detail in note 25. Impairment of property and equipment is included in selling, 
general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

152

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Property and equipment under constructions represents assets that are in the process of being built and not placed 
in service as of the reporting date.

(10) 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Information regarding the cost and accumulated amortisation of intangible assets is as follows:

Cost

in $’000

Balance as of 31 December 2016

  Additions - Acquired separately

  Additions - Internally developed

  Disposals

Balance as of 31 December 2017

  Additions - Acquired separately

  Additions - Internally developed

  Disposals

  Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Balance as of 31 December 2018

Licenses

4,821

264

—

(3,883)  

 1,202

 20

—

(529)  

(530)  

162

Accumulated amortisation and Impairment loss

Purchased 
IPR&D

Software

Development 
cost

768

—

—

(491)  

277

—

—

—

—

277

730

12

—

(199)  

543

1,182

—

 —

 (35)  

1,691

94

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(94)  

(4,667)  

in $’000

Balance as of December 31, 2016

  Amortisation

Impairment loss

  Disposals

Balance as of December 31, 2017

  Amortisation

Impairment loss

  Disposals

  Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Balance as of December 31, 2018

Intangible assets, net

in $’000

Balance as of 31 December 2017

Balance as of 31 December 2018

Licenses

(2,943)  

(130)  

(1,223)  

3,883

(413)  

(59)  

(461)  

529

340

(65)  

Licenses

789

97

Purchased 
IPR&D

Software

Development 
cost

(124)  

(13)  

(354)  

491

—

—

—

—

—

—

(560)  

(153)  

(21)  

199

(535)  

(337)  

—

—

27

(844)  

(24)  

(6)  

(64)  

94

—

—

—

—

—

—

Purchased 
IPR&D

277

277

Software

8

847

Development 
cost

—

—

Total

6,413

276

—

2,022

1,202

—

(529)  

(565)  

2,130

Total

(3,651)  

(302)  

(1,662)  

4,667

(948)  

(396)  

(461)  

529

367

(909)  

Total

1,074

1,221

153

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Relating to Spin Memory, assets of $30.1 million and liabilities of $75.1 million have been deconsolidated of 
and no consideration was received.

Relating to Hawkeye360, assets of $26.2 million and liabilities of $56.0 million have been deconsolidated of 
and no consideration was received.

Amortisation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement 
of  comprehensive  loss.  Amortisation  expense,  recorded  using  the  straight-line  method,  was  approximately 
$396,000 and $302,000 for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Impairment of intangible assets of $462,000 and $1,662,000 for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 
2017, respectively, is mainly attributed to the closing of subsidiary companies, which resulted in the associated 
intangible assets being impaired to zero, see further detail in note 25. Impairment expense is included in selling, 
general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

At  each  reporting  period,  management  considers  qualitative  and  quantitative  factors  that  define  the  future 
prospects of the respective investment and assesses whether it supports the value of the underlying intangible.

(11) 

INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATES

Group Subsidiaries and associates

Allied  Minds  has  19  portfolio  companies  as  of  31  December  2018.  As  of  and  for  the  two  years  ended 
31 December 2018 the capitalisation of all subsidiary companies in the Group portfolio is in the form of ordinary 
shares only, except for certain subsidiaries where preferred shares were issued to both the parent company and 
third parties in financing rounds, namely ABLS II, BridgeSat, Federated Wireless, HawkEye360, Precision Biopsy, 
QuayChain, SciFluor Life Sciences, Signature Medical and Spin Memory (former Spin Transfer Technologies). 
The Group’s ownership of preferred shares as per cent of the total ownership percentage of economic interest 
in those subsidiaries as of 31 December 2018 were 19.14%, 38.22%, 12.59%, 48.33% 18.02%, 72.22%, 
3.80%, 47.63% and 17.45%, respectively.

154

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

The following outlines the formation of each subsidiary and evolution of Allied Minds’ equity ownership interest 
over the two year period ended 31 December 2018:

INCEPTION DATE

LOCATION (4)  

2018

2017

OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE 
OF EQUITY INTEREST AT 
31 DECEMBER(2)  

Active subsidiaries

Holding companies
  Allied Minds, LLC (1), (3)
  Allied Minds Securities Corp. (3)

Early stage companies

  ABLS Capital, LLC

  Allied-Bristol Life Sciences, LLC
  ABLS II, LLC(5)
  ABLS IV, LLC(5)

  Allied Minds Federal Innovations, Inc.

LuxCath, LLC(5)

  QuayChain, Inc.
  Signature Medical, Inc.(5)

  Spark Insights, Inc.

Later stage companies

  BridgeSat, Inc.

  Federated Wireless, Inc.

 Federated Wireless Government 
Solutions, Inc. (3)

  Precision Biopsy, Inc.

  SciFluor Life Sciences, LLC

Closed subsidiaries

  Foreland Technologies, Inc.

  Percipient Networks, LLC

  RF Biocidics, Inc.

  RF Biocidics (UK)   Ltd (3)  

  Seamless Devices, Inc.

  Whitewood Encryption Systems, Inc.

Number of active subsidiaries at 31 December:

Deconsolidated Companies
  HawkEye360, Inc. (2)   (4)  

  HawkEye360 Federal, Inc. (2)   (4)  

  Spin Memory, Inc.(2) (4)

Minority Holding Companies
  TableUp, Inc. (4)
  Orbital Sidekick, Inc. (4)

19/06/14

21/12/15

09/07/15

31/07/14

24/09/14

26/10/17

09/03/12

29/05/12

18/09/18

12/12/16

09/10/18

09/02/15

08/08/12

04/05/16

17/06/08

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

San Pedro, CA

Boston, MA

Boston, MA

Denver, CO

Arlington, VA

Arlington, VA

Denver, CO

14/12/10

Cambridge, MA

23/01/13

29/01/14

12/06/08

Boston, MA

Wakefield, MA

Boston, MA

10/09/10

 United Kingdom

 14/10/14

 21/07/14

 Boston, MA

 Boston, MA

16/09/15

22/09/15

 03/12/07

Herndon, VA

Herndon, VA

 Fremont, CA

04/20/07

Boston, MA

02/08/16

San Francisco, CA

100.00%

100.00%

30.25%

80.00%

35.95%

80.00%

100.00%

99.29%

72.22%

88.09%

100.00%

81.38%

52.23%

52.23%

64.84%

70.03%

—

—

—

—

—

—

16

48.33%

48.33%

41.63%

35.52%

33.23%

100.00%

100.00%

30.25%

80.00%

35.95%

80.00%

100.00%

98.00%

—

88.09%

—

98.15%

52.26%

52.26%

64.59%

69.89%

100.00%

100.00%

67.14%

67.14%

79.12%

100.00%

23

53.06%

53.06%

48.40%

—

—

155

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Notes:

(1) 

(2) 

 On 19 June 2014, Allied Minds plc completed a reorganisation of its corporate structure, whereby Allied Minds plc acquired the entire issued 
share capital of Allied Minds, Inc., first incorporated on 4 June 2004, which at the same time changed its name to Allied Minds, LLC;

 Represents  ownership  percentage  used  in  allocations  to  non-controlling  interests  except  for  BridgeSat,  Federated  Wireless,  HawkEye360, 
Precision Biopsy, SciFluor Life Sciences, Signature Medical and Spin Memory in which cases the percentage used to allocate the non-controlling 
interests was 99.12%, 93.69%, 0%, 80.59%, 86.86%, 100.00% and 56.31% (2017: 100%, 94.15%, 0%, 80.35%, 86.86%, 100.00% 
and 56.13%), where in these cases there are liability classified preferred shares in issue, which are excluded. Note that Spin Memory was 
deconsolidated in the year 2018 and the Non-controlling interest was allocated up to the time it was deconsolidated.

(3) 

These subsidiaries do not represent separate subsidiary businesses referred to earlier within the annual report.

(4) 

 All subsidiaries have a registered office address at CT Corporation System, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 
19801, United States except for Allied Minds Securities Corp. with registered office address at CT Corporation System, 155 Federal Street, 
Suite 700, Boston, MA 02110, United States. Hawkeye 360 Inc., Hawkeye 360 Federal Inc., Spin Memory Inc. and TableUp Inc. have a 
registered office address at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Orbital Sidekick Inc. has a registered office at Corporation Service 
Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808.

(5)  Signature Medical, LuxCath and ABLS are in the process of being wound up.

2018

On 24 August 2018, BridgeSat closed a Series B Preferred Stock round of financing issuing 7,098,240 Series 
B  preferred  shares  for  an  aggregate  purchase  price  of  $10.0  million  to  Allied  Minds  and  another  strategic 
investor. As a result, following the transaction, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage in BridgeSat is 81.38%. 
Allied Minds continues to exercise effective control over BridgeSat and as such, the subsidiary will continue to 
be fully consolidated within the Group’s financial statements.

On 7 September 2018, HawkEye closed a Series A-3 Preferred Stock financing round for $14.9 million. On 
the date of the closing, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage was reduced to 48.33%, the Company no longer 
controls a majority of the outstanding voting stock and does not control a majority of the board seats and as a 
result, the subsidiary was deconsolidated.

On 9 November 2018, Spin Memory completed the first closing of its Series B Preferred Stock financing round 
for up to $52.0 million. As of 31 December 2018, as a result of such funding round, the Company’s ownership 
percentage was reduced to 41.63%, the Company no longer controls a majority of the outstanding voting stock 
and does not control a majority of the board seats and as a result, the subsidiary was deconsolidated.

During 2018, the Company formed two new subsidiaries, QuayChain, Inc. (72.22%) and Spark Insights, Inc. 
(100.0%).

In April 2018 the Company made two minority investments in TableUp, Inc. (“TableUp”) and Orbital Sidekick, 
Inc. (“OSK”). They are accounted for as investments held at fair value as the shares held do not have equity like 
features.

Also during 2018, the Company dissolved Foreland Technologies, RF Biocidics, RF Biocidics (UK), Seamless 
Devices and Whitewood Encryption Systems. In January 2018, Allied Minds completed a sale of the trade and 
assets of Percipient Networks for $3.6 million with $0.4 million in escrow and a gain on disposal of assets of 
$3.9 million, and subsequently ceased operations and dissolved the company. Further, at the end of 2018, the 
Company discontinued funding for ABLS, LuxCath and Signature Medical and as such, the assets for the three 
companies were written down as of 31 December 2018.

156

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

2017

In February 2017, HawkEye360 completed a second closing of its Series A-2 Preferred Stock financing round for 
an additional $2.75 million, of which $1.25 million was raised from existing shareholders of HawkEye360 and 
members of management of HawkEye360 for 967,641 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock and $1.5 million 
was raised from an existing investor of HawkEye360 in exchange for a warrant to purchase 1,161,172 shares 
of Series A-2 Preferred Stock.

In May 2017, BridgeSat closed a Series A Preferred Stock round of financing issuing 4,675,446 Series A 
preferred shares to Allied Minds and another strategic investor for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million. 
As  a  result,  following  the  transaction,  Allied  Minds’  ownership  percentage  in  BridgeSat  was  98.15%.  The 
Company continues to exercise effective control over BridgeSat and as such, the subsidiary will continue to be 
fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements.

In July 2017, Signature Medical completed a Series A Preferred Stock round of financing issuing 13,241,526 
shares of Series A preferred to Allied Minds and two new strategic investors for an aggregate purchase price of 
$2.5 million. As a result, following the transaction, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage in Signature Medical 
was 88.09%. The Company continues to exercise effective control over Signature Medical and as such, the 
subsidiary will continue to be fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements.

In  September  2017,  Federated  Wireless  completed  a  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  round  of  financing  issuing 
27,167,093 shares of Series B preferred stock for to Allied Minds, existing shareholders of the Group, and 
a number of new strategic investors who led the round, for an aggregate purchase price of $42.0 million. As 
a result, following the transaction, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage in Federated Wireless was 52.26%. 
The Company continues to exercise effective control over Federated Wireless and as such, the subsidiary will 
continue to be fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements.

157

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

2016

Allied Minds is determined to control ABLS Capital, ABLS and ABLS II by virtue of the organisation documents 
whereby the company effectively controls the policies and management of these companies. As a result Allied 
Minds fully consolidate these entities within the group’s financial statements.

The following tables summarise the financial information related to the Group’s subsidiaries with material non-
controlling interests, aggregated for interests in similar entities, and before intra-group eliminations.

As of and for the year ended 31 December:

2018 
$’000

Early stage

Later stage

Minority holdings

250

(1,543)    

—

(1,543)  

(862)  

 (82)  

 19,438

19,356

—

 (1,645)  

 (1,645)  

 17,711

(862)  

 (7,511)  

 (272)  

 5,289

(2,494)  

 4,792

 18,844

—

 18,844

9,777

 6,906

 33,537

40,443

 (62)  

 (64,155)  

 (64,217)  

 (23,774)  

9,788

 47,658

 (5,931)  

(68,866)  

(27,139)  

519

48,221

—

48,221

(925)  

 78,444

—

78,444

—

—

—

 78,444

925

 24,183

 (2,886)  

 (3,232)  

18,065

Statement of Comprehensive Loss

  Revenue

Loss for the year

  Other comprehensive loss

  Total comprehensive loss

  Comprehensive loss attributed to NCI

Statement of Financial Position

  Non-current assets

  Current assets

  Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

  Total liabilities

  Net assets/(liabilities)  

  Carrying amount of NCI

Statement of Cash Flows

  Cash flows from operating activities

  Cash flows from investing activities

  Cash flows from financing activities

158

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Statement of Comprehensive Loss

  Revenue

Loss for the year

  Other comprehensive loss

  Total comprehensive loss

  Comprehensive loss attributed to NCI

Statement of Financial Position

  Non-current assets

  Current assets

  Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

  Total liabilities

  Net assets/(liabilities)

  Carrying amount of NCI

Statement of Cash Flows

  Cash flows from operating activities

  Cash flows from investing activities

  Cash flows from financing activities

Investment in Associates

2017 
$’000

Early stage

Later stage

Minority holdings

1,405

(13,390)  

79

(13,311)  

(4,360)  

412

21,825

22,237

(3)  

(2,066)  

(2,069)  

20,168

(4,371)  

(11,262)  

149

8,881

(2,232)  

1,761

(36,320)  

—

(36,320)  

(4,714)  

1,919

58,470

60,389

(28)  

(111,600)  

(111,628)  

(51,239)  

(54,870)  

(39,448)  

(925)  

51,142

10,769

1,633

(34,414)  

(34,414)  

(26,261)  

 24,915

 19,379

44,294

(81)  

(81,925)  

(82,006)  

(37,712)  

—

(37,866)  

(547)  

25,344

(13,069)  

Spin Memory: As of November 2018, Spin Memory was deconsolidated from the Group’s financial statements 
as  a  result  of  its  latest  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  financing  round.  Allied  Minds’  ownership  percentage  as  of 
31 December 2018 dropped from 48.55% to 41.63%. Consequently, since the Company no longer holds a 
majority of the voting rights in Spin Memory and it does not hold a majority on its board of directors, Allied Minds 
does not exercise effective control over Spin Memory. However, even after the transaction, Allied Minds is able 
to exercise significant influence over the entity by virtue of its large, albeit minority, stake in the company and its 
representation on the Spin Memory’s board of directors. As such, only the profits and losses generated by Spin 
Memory through November 2018 were included in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income/  (Loss).  Upon  the  date  of  deconsolidation,  Allied  Minds  recognised  an  investment  in  Spin  Memory 
related to its common shares of $23.2 million with a share of loss in associate of $1.3 million. As a result of the 
deconsolidation, Allied Minds recorded an unrealised gain of $31.7 million in the Consolidated Statements of 
Comprehensive Income/ (Loss).

159

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

As of 31 December 2018, Allied Minds’ investment in Spin Memory related to its common shares was subject 
to equity method accounting. In accordance with IAS 28, Allied Minds’ investment was adjusted by the share of 
profits and losses generated by Spin Memory subsequent to the date of deconsolidation as follows:

Spin Memory, Inc.

Location

Fremont, CA

Spin Memory, Inc.

Carrying amount for equity accounted investees

Ownership percentage 
31 December

2018

41.63%

2018 
$’000

21,900

21,900

2017

48.40%

2017 
$’000

—

—

The Group’s interest in Spin Memory is presented in the below table as of 31 December:

Carrying amount of interest in associates

Share of:

Loss from continuing operations

Total comprehensive loss

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

1,301

1,301

—

—

HawkEye360: As of September 2018, HawkEye was deconsolidated from the Group’s financial statements as a 
result of its Series A-3 Preferred Stock financing round. Allied Minds’ ownership percentage as of 31 December 
2018 dropped from 54.07% to 48.33%. Consequently, since the Company no longer holds a majority of the 
voting rights in HawkEye and it does not hold a majority on its board of directors, Allied Minds does not exercise 
effective control over HawkEye. However, even after the transaction, Allied Minds is able to exercise significant 
influence over the entity by virtue of its large, albeit minority, stake in the company and its representation on the 
HawkEye’s board of directors. Allied Minds do not own any common shares in HawkEye and the preferred 
shares Allied Minds own are not equity-like therefore Allied Minds does not account for its ownership in HawkEye 
in accordance with IAS 28. As a result of the deconsolidation, Allied Minds recorded an unrealized gain of 
$11.1 million in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income/(Loss).

Investments at fair value

The Group’s investments at fair value represent securities of portfolio companies where Allied Minds holds a 
minority stake in those companies. These investments are initially measured at fair value through profit or loss and 
are subsequently re-measured at fair value at each reporting date.

The  fair  value  is  derived  using  the  option  pricing  model  (“OPM”),  the  Probability-Weighted  Expected  Return 
Method (“PWERM”) or a hybrid of the two.

The key inputs into these valuation models include the equity value of the subsidiary, the term of the instrument, 
risk free rate and volatility.

The valuation methodologies utilised for determining the equity value include backsolve to a third party funding 
round, income approach such as Net Present Valuation method or market approach.

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Other valuation approaches

In certain cases, the value of a subsidiary is determined using a market instead of income- based approach.

Where there has been a third party funding round in the year this has been used as the implied value of the 
subsidiary, adjusted for indexation where this is deemed to be appropriate.

Other methodologies such as asset based, dissolution scenarios and cash in are also utilised where deemed 
appropriate.

Whilst  the  Board  considers  the  methodologies  and  assumptions  adopted  in  the  valuation  are  supportable, 
reasonable  and  robust,  because  of  the  inherent  uncertainty  of  valuation,  those  estimated  values  may  differ 
significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed and the 
differences could be significant.

PWERM and OPM

The principal methods the Group applies for allocation of value are the PWERM, the OPM as well as a hybrid 
of the two. These models take assumptions such as the equity values, term of the instruments, risk free rate and 
volatility to determine the fair value of each share class.

The PWERM estimates the value of equity securities based on an analysis of various discrete future outcomes, 
such as an IPO, merger or sale, dissolution, or continued operation as a private enterprise until a later exit date. 
The equity value today is based on the probability-weighted present values of expected future investment returns, 
considering each of the possible outcomes available to the enterprise, as well as the rights of each security class. 
The key judgement relates to probability weighting of the scenarios.

The OPM treats common stock or derivatives thereof as call options on the enterprise’s value or overall equity 
value. The value of a security is based on the optionality over and above the value securities that are senior in 
the capital structure (e.g. preferred stock), considering the dilutive effects of subordinate securities. In the OPM, 
the exercise price is based on a comparison with the overall equity value rather than per-share value.

Those investments are presented in the below table:

FINANCE 
(INCOME)  /
COST FROM 
IFRS 9 FAIR VALUE 
ACCOUNTING 
$’000

31 DECEMBER 
2018 
$’000

ADDITIONS 
$’000

31 DECEMBER 
2017 
$’000

21,887

27,157

3,500

4,000

56,544

—

—

—

—

—

21,887

27,157

3,500

4,000

56,544

—

—

—

—

—

HawkEye360, Inc.

Spin Memory, Inc.

Orbital Sidekick

TableUp

Total investments at fair value

On 7 September 2018, HawkEye closed a Series A-3 Preferred Stock financing round for $14.9 million. On 
the date of the closing, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage was reduced to 48.33% and since the Company 
no longer controls a majority of the outstanding voting stock and does not control a majority of the board seats 

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and as a result, the subsidiary was deconsolidated. As such, the Company included only the profits and losses 
generated by HawkEye through September 2018 in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income/ (Loss). However, even after the transaction, Allied Minds is able to exercise significant influence over the 
entity by virtue of its large, albeit minority, stake in the company and its representation on the HawkEye’s board 
of directors. As Allied Minds is able to demonstrate that it has significant influence over HawkEye, the entity will 
be accounted for as an associate under IAS 28, however, the shares held by Allied Minds are recorded as 
investments held at fair value per IFRS 9 as the preferred shares held do not have equity-like features and therefore 
Allied Minds had no basis to account for its investment in HawkEye under IAS 28, Investment in Associates and 
Joint Ventures. All movements to the value of Allied Minds’ share in the preferred stock will be recorded through 
the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss), accordingly. As of 31 December 2018, Allied 
Minds recognised an investment held at fair value related to its Preferred Shares in HawkEye of $21.9 million.

On  9  November  2018,  Spin  Memory  completed  the  first  closing  of  its  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  financing 
round for up to $52.0 million. As of December 31, 2018, as a result of such funding round, the Company’s 
ownership percentage was reduced to 41.63%, the Company does not control a majority of the board seats 
and therefore, the subsidiary was deconsolidated. However, even after the transaction, Allied Minds is able to 
exercise significant influence over the entity by virtue of its large, albeit minority, stake in the company and its 
representation on the Spin Memory’s board of directors. As such, only the profits and losses generated by Spin 
Memory through November 2018 were included in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income/ (Loss). Upon the date of deconsolidation, Allied Minds held shares of preferred stock in Spin Memory 
as well as common shares. The preferred shares held by Allied Minds fall under the guidance of IFRS 9 and 
will be treated as a financial asset held at fair value and all movements to the value of Allied Minds’ share in 
the  preferred  stock  will  be  recorded  through  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Comprehensive  Income/(Loss), 
accordingly. As of 31 December 2018, Allied Minds recognised an investment held at fair value related to its 
Preferred Shares in Spin Memory of $27.2 million.

On 6 April 2018, Allied Minds made an investment in Orbital Sidekick, a company developing capabilities in 
aerial and space-based hyperspectral imaging and analytics, initially for the oil and gas industry. Allied Minds 
led the Series Seed Preferred Stock financing with a total investment of $3.5 million for a significant minority 
stake.  As  a  result  of  the  transaction,  Allied  Minds  is  able  to  exercise  significant  influence  over  the  entity  by 
virtue of its large, albeit minority, stake in the company and its representation on the Orbital Sidekick board of 
directors. Due to the liability-like characteristics of the Series Seed Preferred Stock instrument of Orbital Sidekick 
in which Allied Minds invested, conversely the investment is accounted for under IFRS 9 and is classified by the 
Company as an investment at fair value.

On  6  April  2018,  Allied  Minds  made  an  investment  in  TableUp  –  a  software  provider  enabling  end-to-end 
transparency through the restaurant supply chain to enable more effective inventory and operations management. 
Allied Minds led the Series A Preferred Stock financing with a total investment of $4.0 million for a significant 
minority stake. As a result of the transaction, Allied Minds is able to exercise significant influence over the entity 
by  virtue  of  its  large,  albeit  minority,  stake  in  the  company  and  its  representation  on  the  TableUp  board  of 
directors. Due to the liability-like characteristics of the Series A Preferred Stock instrument of TableUp in which 
Allied Minds invested, conversely the investment is accounted for under IFRS 9 and is classified by the Company 
as an investment at fair value.

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Allocation Model Inputs

The following presents the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value 
measurement of the Group’s financial assets:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Volatility

Time to Liquidity (years)

Risk-Free Rate

IPO/M&A/Sale Probability

Sensitivity Analysis

2018

42.3% – 60.0%

1.64 – 2.30

2.73% – 2.86%

45% – 50% / 45% – 50% / 0% – 10.0%

The following summarises the sensitivity from the assumptions made by the Company in respect to the unobservable 
inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Group’s financial assets:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Input

Enterprise Value

Volatility

Time to Liquidity

Risk-Free Rate (1)

M&A vs. IPO Probability

(1)  Risk-free rate is a function of the time to liquidity input assumption.

(12)  OTHER INVESTMENTS

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Fixed income securities

Corporate bonds

Other investments, current

Fixed income securities

Corporate bonds

Other investments, long-term

Total other investments

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

Sensitivity range

Financial assets increase/(decrease)  

–2%

+2%

–10%

+10%

–6 months

+6 months

–0.10% / –0.07%

0.09% / 0.05%

40%

60%

 (887)  

 855

 32

 95

 572

 (320)  

 572

 (320)  

(1,778)  

1,901

 (515)  

 515

 (556)  

 301

 (306)  

 118

 (306)  

 118

—

—

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

—

—

—

—

—

11,057

11,057

—

—

11,057

Other investments represent investments in fixed income securities issued by government agencies and US and 
non-US corporations. As of 31 December 2017, the investments had a credit rating of A-1 to A+, maturities of 
up to 2 months and original coupon rate from 0.00% to 1.55%.

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(13)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Bank balances

Restricted cash

Total cash and cash equivalents

2018 
$’000

100,366

(2,632)  

97,734

2017 
$’000

158,207

(132)  

158,075

Restricted cash includes a balance of $2.5 million that is held in escrow and represents the remaining commitment 
by Allied Minds to subscribe to the Spin Memory Series B funding round to the extent further investors do not take 
it up. The amount is classified as current assets in the statement of financial position. The remaining $0.1 million 
within  restricted cash represents a collateral against a letter of credit with a bank issued for the benefit  of  a 
landlord in lieu of a security deposit to an office space lease for one of the Group’s subsidiaries. The amount is 
classified as other financial assets, non-current in the statement of financial position.

(14) 

INVENTORIES

At 31 December 2018, the company had no inventory balance (2017: $nil). Finished units and raw materials 
recognised as cost of revenue in the year amounted to $2,066,000 (2017: $1,874,000). The write-down 
of  inventories  to  net  realisable  value  recognised  through  cost  of  revenue  during  the  year  was  $nil  (2017: 
$2,532,000).

(15) 

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Trade receivables

Prepayments and other current assets

Total trade and other receivables

(16)  EQUITY

2018 
$’000

1,334

5,066

6,400

2017 
$’000

3,493

12,149

15,642

In December 2016, the Company issued 17,457,015 ordinary shares of one pence at 367 pence, which were 
admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the LSE’s 
Main Market for listed securities. This resulted in approximately $78.1 million of net proceeds from the equity 
placing (net of issue cost of $2.2 million). The amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the nominal 
value in relation to this transaction are reflected in the merger reserve balance as of 31 December 2016.

During 2018, existing and former employees of the Group exercised options to purchase 877,373 shares of the 
Company under the U.S. Stock Plan (2017: 1,055,596), resulting in additional share premium of $1,564,000 
(2017: $1,539,000). Additionally, 1,224,831 shares were issued to existing and former employees of the 
Group during the year as result of vesting of RSUs under the LTIP.

As  of  31  December  2018,  11,551,496  ordinary  shares  were  reserved  under  the  U.S.  Stock  Plan  and 
24,031,475 were reserved under the LTIP, see note 6 for further discussion of the share-based payment plans.

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The table below explains the composition of share capital:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Equity

Share capital, $0.01 par value, issued and fully paid

240,314,745 and 238,202,541, respectively

Share premium

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated deficit

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

3,743

3,714

160,170

263,367

651

(300,304)  

127,627

(4,490)  

123,137

158,606

263,367

89

(354,443)  

71,333

(59,241)  

12,092

Holders  of  Ordinary  Shares  are  entitled  to  vote,  on  all  matters  submitted  to  shareholders  for  a  vote.  Each 
Ordinary Share is entitled to one vote. Each ordinary share is entitled to receive dividends when and if declared 
by the Company’s board of directors. The Company has not declared any dividends in the past.

Share premium represents the amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the nominal value, net of directly 
attributable issue costs.

Merger reserve reflects the amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the nominal value in relation to the 
qualifying acquisition of subsidiary undertakings.

Translation  reserve  comprises  all  foreign  exchange  differences  arising  from  the  translation  of  the  financial 
statements of foreign operations.

(17)  ACQUISITION OF NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST (“NCI”)

For the two years ended 31 December 2018, the Group recognised the following changes in common and 
preferred stock ownership in subsidiaries resulting in changes to non-controlling interest:

•  In October 2017, Allied-Bristol Life Sciences (ABLS) launched its fourth project – ABLS IV, LLC, in a partnership 
with Cornell University. ABLS owns 100% of the common stock of ABLS IV. Following the transaction, Allied 
Minds continues to exercise effective control over ABLS and subsidiaries including ABLSI V and as such the 
subsidiary will continue to be fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements.

•  During 2017, as a result of the restructuring earlier in the year, the company discontinued funding of eight 

subsidiaries, seven of which were legally dissolved and deconsolidated as of 31 December 2017.

•  On 7 September 2018, HawkEye completed the second closing of its Series A-3 Preferred Stock financing 
round for a combined total proceeds with its first closing of $14.9 million. On the date of the second closing 
the Company’s ownership percentage was reduced to 48.33%, and the Company does not hold a majority 
of the board seats and as a result, the subsidiary was deconsolidated.

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•  On 9 November 2018, Spin Memory completed the first closing of its Series B Preferred Stock financing 
round  for  up  to  $52.0  million.  As  of  31  December  2018,  the  Company’s  ownership  percentage  was 
reduced to 41.63% and the Company does not control a majority of the board seats and therefore, the 
subsidiary was deconsolidated.

•  During 2018, the Company formed two new subsidiaries, QuayChain, Inc. (72.22%) and Spark Insights, 

Inc. (100.0%).

•  During  2018,  Allied  Minds  sold  the  trade  and  assets  of  Percipient  Networks  and  subsequently  ceased 
operations and dissolved the company. In addition, Allied Minds dissolved each of Whitewood Encryption, 
Seamless Devices, RF Biocidics, Inc., RF Biocidics (UK), and Foreland Technologies.

•  Further, at the end of 2018, the Company discontinued funding for ABLS, LuxCath and Signature Medical 

and as such, the assets for the three companies were written down as of 31 December 2018.

The  following  summarises  the  changes  in  the  non-controlling  ownership  interest  in  subsidiaries  by  reportable 
segment:

Non-controlling interest as of 31 December 2016

Share of comprehensive loss

Effect of change in Company’s ownership interest

Equity-settled share based payments

Dissolution of subsidiaries

Non-controlling interest as of 31 December 2017

Share of comprehensive loss

Effect of change in Company’s ownership interest

Equity-settled share based payments

Deconsolidation of subsidiaries

Dissolution of subsidiaries

Non-controlling interest as of 31 December 2018

(18)  SUBSIDIARY PREFERRED SHARES

Early stage 
$’000

Later stage 
$’000

Minority 
Holdings 
$’000

Consolidated 
$’000

4,400

(4,360)  

36

206

(4,653)  

(4,371)  

(862)  

4,711

160

—

(9,952)  

(10,314)  

(25,197)  

(30,977)  

14

1,290

—

(54,870)  

9,777

110

1,796

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(925)  

387

59

49,490

—

(43,187)  

49,011

(20,797)  

(35,337)  

50

1,496

(4,653)  

(59,241)  

7,990

5,208

2,015

49,490

(9,952)  

(4,490)  

Certain of the Group’s subsidiaries have outstanding preferred shares which have been classified as a subsidiary 
preferred shares in current liabilities in accordance with IFRS 9 as the subsidiaries have a contractual obligation 
to deliver cash or other assets to the holders under certain future liquidity events, and/or a requirement to deliver 
an  uncertain  number  of  common  shares  upon  conversion.  The  preferred  shares  do  not  contain  mandatory 
dividend rights. The preferred shares are convertible into common stock of the subsidiary at the option of the 
holder and mandatorily convertible into common stock of the subsidiary upon a qualified public offering at or 
above certain value and gross proceeds specified in the agreements or upon the vote of the holders of a majority 
of the subsidiary preferred shares. Under certain scenarios the number of common stock shares receivable on 
conversion will change. The Group has elected not to bifurcate the variable conversion feature as a derivative 
liability, but account for the entire instrument at fair value through the income statement.

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The preferred shares are entitled to a vote with holders of common stock on an as converted basis. The holders 
of the preferred shares are entitled to a liquidation preference amount in the event of a liquidation or a deemed 
liquidation  event  of  the  respective  subsidiary.  The  Group  recognises  the  subsidiary  preferred  shares  balance 
upon the receipt of cash financing, and records the change in its fair value for the respective reporting period 
through profit and loss. Preferred shares are not allocated shares of the subsidiary losses.

The following summarises the subsidiary preferred shares balance:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

BridgeSat

Federated Wireless

HawkEye360

Precision Biopsy

SciFluor Life Sciences

Signature Medical

Spin Memory

2018 
$’000

5,487

46,634

—

542

1,001

530

—

Total subsidiary preferred shares

54,194

Finance cost 
from IFRS 9 fair 
value accounting 
$’000

169

(399)  

2,088

(25,431)  

(31,353)  

—

(36,636)  

(91,562)  

Additions 
$’000

Deconsolidation 
$’000

4,979

—

11,071

—

—

—

—

—

(26,671)  

—

—

—

2017 
$’000

339

47,033

13,512

25,973

32,354

530

23,389

39,439

(48,642)  

(75,313)  

61,889

181,630

The redemption is conditional on occurrence of uncertain future events beyond the control of the Group. The 
amount that would be payable in case of such events is as follows:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

BridgeSat

Federated Wireless

HawkEye360

Precision Biopsy

SciFluor Life Sciences

Signature Medical

Spin Memory

Total liquidation preference

2018 
$’000

5,325

50,000

—

22,000

25,200

500

—

103,025

2017 
 $’000

325

50,000

8,500

22,000

25,200

500

50,000

156,525

For  the  two  years  ended  31  December  2018,  the  Group  recognised  the  following  changes  in  subsidiary 
preferred shares:

2018

•  On 24 August 2018, BridgeSat closed a Series B Preferred Stock round of financing issuing 7,098,240 
Series B preferred shares for an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million to Allied Minds and another 
strategic investor. As a result, following the transaction, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage in BridgeSat is 
81.38%. Allied Minds continues to exercise effective control over BridgeSat and as such, the subsidiary will 
continue to be fully consolidated within the Group’s financial statements.

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•  On 7 September 2018, HawkEye closed a Series A-3 Preferred Stock financing round for $14.9 million. 
On the date of the closing, Allied Minds’ ownership percentage was reduced to 48.33%, the Company no 
longer controls a majority of the outstanding voting stock and does not control a majority of the board seats 
and as a result, the subsidiary was deconsolidated.

•  On 9 November 2018, Spin Memory completed the first closing of its Series B Preferred Stock financing 
round  for  up  to  $52.0  million.  As  of  31  December  31  2018,  as  a  result  of  such  funding  round,  the 
Company’s ownership percentage was reduced to 41.63%, the Company does not control a majority of the 
board seats and therefore, the subsidiary was deconsolidated.

2017

•  HawkEye360 completed a second closing of the Series A-2 financing round in February 2017 for additional 
$2.75 million, of which $1.25 million from existing shareholders of the Group and members of management 
of the company for 967,641 Series A-2 shares

•  BridgeSat closed a Series A round of financing in May 2017 issuing 4,675,446 Series A preferred shares 
for $6.0 million. Allied Minds contributed $5.7 million and another strategic investor contributed with the 
remainder of the round.

•  Signature  Medical  completed  a  Series  A  round  of  financing  in  July  2017  issuing  13,241,526  Series  A 
preferred shares for $2.5 million. Allied Minds contributed with $2.0 million and two new strategic investors 
contributed with the remainder of the round.

•  Federated Wireless completed a Series B round of financing in September 2017 issuing 27,167,093 Series 
B preferred shares for $42.0 million. Allied Minds contributed $9.0 million. Other existing shareholders of 
the Group and a number of new strategic investors contributed with the remainder of the round.

The  fair  value  is  derived  using  the  option  pricing  model  (“OPM”),  the  Probability-Weighted  Expected  Return 
Method (“PWERM”) or a hybrid of the two.

The key inputs into these valuation models include the equity value of the subsidiary, the term of the instrument, 
risk free rate and volatility.

The valuation methodologies utilised for determining the equity value include backsolve to a third party funding 
round, income approach such as Net Present Valuation method, market approach or asset based approach.

Net Present Valuation (‘‘NPV’’) method

NPV is a standard technique used in valuation and can be defined as the difference between the present value of 
the future cash flows from an investment and the amount of investment. Present value of the estimated cash flows 
is computed by discounting them at the required rate of return which includes an adjustment for risk.

The following are important factors when determining fair value based on NPV:

•  Estimated  income  generally  consists  of  sales,  co-development  revenues,  one-time  payments  and  royalty 
payments on sales depending on the company, its business model and industry. These are estimated based 
on  a  variety  of  factors  including:  total  addressable  market;  competitive  factors;  barriers  to  competition; 
pricing; typical standards for contract value; royalty rates; and likelihood of development of a product that 
is commercially viable.

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•  Costs  and  capital  expenditures  are  estimated  for  each  phase  of  development  based  on  the  companies’ 
information  or  according  to  industry  standards.  Costs  are  typically  forecasted  for  cost  of  goods,  SG&A 
(selling, general and administrative), research and development as well as a variety of other expenses. These 
are typically developed ‘‘from the ground up’’ for earlier years and for later years depicted as a factor or 
percentage of sales.

•  The  terminal  or  exit  value  represents  the  aggregate  value  of  an  entity  at  the  end  of  the  discrete  forecast 
period.  Terminal  value  may  be  estimated  using  the  terminal  multiple  method,  which  inherently  assumes 
that the business will be valued at the end of the projection period based on reference valuations. Under 
this  methodology,  the  terminal  value  is  typically  calculated  by  applying  one  of  two  commonly  accepted 
methodologies:

 — Multiple base terminal value: Use of an appropriate multiple to the relevant financial metric forecasted 
for the last projected year taking into consideration the ongoing growth potential of the business in the 
terminal year. Exit values included in the analysis are typically projected as a multiple of EBIT, EBITDA or 
Sales based on the final year results for the forecast period. Where available, a set of guideline public 
companies  that  are  similar  to  the  company  to  be  used  for  comparative  purposes  and  the  multiple  is 
derived from this set;

 — EBIT Exit Multiple to determine the terminal value: an assumption is made regarding an appropriate long-
term growth rate beyond the discrete forecast period of the discounted cash flow or an appropriate exit 
multiple which is used to estimate a terminal value. The terminal growth rate or exit multiple is derived by 
estimating the long-term annual growth potential of the business at the terminal year.

•  Selection  of  discount  rates  is  based  on  part  utilising  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants 
(“AICPA”) practice standards varying by stage of development of the subsidiary as well as other risk factors 
and typically range from 20-45%.

•  Where available NPV results are compared against peer companies and to valuations for similar companies.

Due to the early stage nature of the Group’s subsidiary companies, projections are particularly sensitive to certain 
key assumptions namely:

•  Discount rate and in particular risk premium;

•  The ability to predict the cost and timing of achieving technical and commercial viability;

•  Projected revenue and operating costs in the post-product development phase of each company; and

•  The size and share of addressable market for intellectual property, products and services developed.

Other valuation approaches

In certain cases, the value of a subsidiary is determined using a market instead of income- based approach.

Where there has been a third party funding round in the year this has been used as the implied value of the 
subsidiary, adjusted for indexation where this is deemed to be appropriate.

Other methodologies such as asset based, dissolution scenarios and cash in are also utilised where deemed 
appropriate.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Whilst  the  Board  considers  the  methodologies  and  assumptions  adopted  in  the  valuation  are  supportable, 
reasonable  and  robust,  because  of  the  inherent  uncertainty  of  valuation,  those  estimated  values  may  differ 
significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed and the 
differences could be significant.

PWERM and OPM

The principal methods the Group applies for allocation of value are the PWERM, the OPM as well as a hybrid 
of the two. These models take assumptions such as the equity values, term of the instruments, risk free rate and 
volatility to determine the fair value of each share class.

The PWERM estimates the value of equity securities based on an analysis of various discrete future outcomes, 
such as an IPO, merger or sale, dissolution, or continued operation as a private enterprise until a later exit date. 
The equity value today is based on the probability-weighted present values of expected future investment returns, 
considering each of the possible outcomes available to the enterprise, as well as the rights of each security class. 
The key judgement relates to probability weighting of the scenarios.

The OPM treats common stock or derivatives thereof as call options on the enterprise’s value or overall equity 
value. The value of a security is based on the optionality over and above the value securities that are senior in 
the capital structure (e.g. preferred stock), considering the dilutive effects of subordinate securities. In the OPM, 
the exercise price is based on a comparison with the overall equity value rather than per-share value.

In certain cases, the value of a subsidiary is determined using a market instead of income- based approach. 
Where there has been a third party funding round in the year this has been used as the implied value of the 
subsidiary, adjusted for indexation where this is deemed to be appropriate.

Whilst  the  Board  considers  the  methodologies  and  assumptions  adopted  in  the  valuation  are  supportable, 
reasonable  and  robust,  because  of  the  inherent  uncertainty  of  valuation,  those  estimated  values  may  differ 
significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed and the 
differences could be significant.

Allocation Model Inputs

The following presents the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value 
measurement of the Group’s subsidiary preferred shares liability:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Volatility

Time to Liquidity (years)

Risk-Free Rate

2018

2017

27.6% – 90.1%

29.0% – 79.3%

0.50 – 2.50

1.70 – 4.57

2.47% – 2.60%

1.85% – 2.15%

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Sensitivity Analysis

The following summarises the sensitivity from the assumptions made by the Company in respect to the unobservable 
inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Group’s subsidiary preferred shares liability:

As of 31 December: 

Input

Enterprise Value

Volatility

Time to Liquidity

Risk-Free Rate (1)

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

Sensitivity  

range

Subsidiary Preferred Shares Liability 
increase/(decrease)  

–2%

+2%

–10%

+10%

–6 months

+6 months

–0.04% / –0.44%

0.01% / 0.06%

 (569)  

 329

 541

 (1,148)  

 237

 (209)  

 237

 (209)  

(1,956)  

2,144

(138)  

(651)  

168

(413)  

168

(413)  

(1)  Risk-free rate is a function of the time to liquidity input assumption.

The change in fair value of the subsidiary preferred shares is recorded in Finance cost, net in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive loss.

(19) 

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Other current liabilities

Trade and other payables, current

Other non-current payables

Total trade and other payables

2018 
$’000

4,254

8,251

525

13,030

436

13,466

2017 
$’000

2,489

10,434

1,353

14,276

867

 15,143

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(20) 

LEASES

Office and laboratory space is rented under non-cancellable operating leases. These lease agreements contain 
various clauses for renewal at the Group’s option and, in certain cases, escalation clauses typically linked to 
rates of inflation.

Minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable leases were payable as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER: 

 Less than one year

 Between one and five years

 More than five years

Total minimum lease payments

2018 
$’000

1,330

2,075

 —

3,405

2017 
$’000

2,204

5,842

—

8,046

Total rent expense under these leases, including deconsolidated companies, was approximately $2,484,000 and 
$2,426,000 in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Rent expenses are included in selling, general and administrative 
expenses and research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(21) 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED DISCLOSURES

The  following  table  shows  the  carrying  amounts  and  fair  values  of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities, 
including their levels in the fair value hierarchy:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Financial assets designated as 
fair value through profit or loss

Investments at fair value

Loans and receivables

Carrying 
Amount

—

  Cash and cash equivalents

100,366

  Trade and other receivables

  Security and other deposits

Total

 6,400

834

107,600

Financial liabilities designated 
as fair value through profit or 
loss

  Subsidiary preferred shares

54,194

Financial liabilities measured 
at amortised cost

  Unsecured loan

  Trade and other payables

Total

—

13,468

67,662

2018 
$’000

Fair value  

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

 Total

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

56,544

56,544 

100,366

6,400

834

 —

 —

 —

100,366

6,400

834

107,600

 56,544

164,144

—

—

13,468

13,468

54,194

54,194

—

—

54,194

—

13,468

67,662

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

2017 
$’000

Fair value

Carrying 
amount

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

 Total

Financial assets designated as 
fair value through profit or loss

  Fixed income securities

11,057

Loans and receivables

  Cash and cash equivalents

  Trade and other receivables

  Security and other deposits

Total

Financial liabilities designated 
as fair value through profit or 
loss

158,075

15,642

686

185,460

  Subsidiary preferred shares

181,630

Financial liabilities measured 
at amortised cost

  Unsecured loan

  Trade and other payables

Total

—

15,143

196,773

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

11,057

158,075

15,642

686

185,460

—

—

15,143

15,143

—

—

—

—

—

11,057

158,075

15,642

686

185,460

181,630

181,630

—

—

181,630

—

15,143

196, 773

The  fair  value  of  financial  instruments  that  are  not  traded  is  determined  by  using  valuation  techniques  that 
maximise the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific 
estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included 
in Level 2. Where the inputs for determining the fair value of financial instruments are not based on observable 
market data, the instrument is included in Level 3.

The Group has determined that the carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables 
and payables, security and other deposits, and customer deposits are a reasonable approximation of their fair 
values and are included in Level 2.

For assumptions used in the fair value measurement of the Group’s subsidiary preferred shares liability designated 
as Level 3, see footnote 18. For assumptions used in the fair value measurement of Investments at fair value 
designated as Level 3, see footnote 11.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(22)  CAPITAL AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence 
and  to  sustain  future  development  of  the  business.  Management  monitors  the  level  of  capital  deployed  and 
available for deployment in subsidiary projects. The board of directors seeks to maintain a balance between 
the higher returns that might be possible with higher levels of deployed capital and the advantages and security 
afforded by a sound capital position.

The  Group’s  executive  management  and  board  of  directors  have  overall  responsibility  for  establishment  and 
oversight of the Group’s risk management framework. The Group is exposed to certain risks through its normal 
course of operations. The Group’s main objective in using financial instruments is to promote the commercialisation 
of  intellectual  property  through  the  raising  and  investing  of  funds  for  this  purpose.  The  Group’s  policies  in 
calculating the nature, amount and timing of funding are determined by planned future investment activity. Due to 
the nature of activities and with the aim to maintain the investors’ funds secure and protected, the Group’s policy 
is to hold any excess funds in highly liquid and readily available financial instruments and reduce the exposure 
to other financial risks.

The Group has exposure to the following risks arising from financial instruments:

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to 
meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to concentrations of credit 
risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, other investments in the form of fixed income securities, and 
trade and other receivables.

The Group held following balances:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Cash and cash equivalents

Other investments

Trade and other receivables

2018 
$’000

97,734

—

6,400

104,134

2017 
$’000

158,075

11,057

15,642

184,774

The Group maintains  money market funds, certificates of deposits, and fixed income securities with  financial 
institutions, which the Group believes are of high credit quality. Risk control assesses the credit quality of the 
customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. Individual risk limits are set 
based on ratings in accordance with limits set by the board. The utilisation of credit limits is regularly monitored. 
The credit quality of financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired can be assessed by reference to credit 
ratings (if available) or to historical information about counterparty default rates.

Group policy is to maintain its funds in highly liquid deposit accounts with reputable financial institutions.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

The aging of trade receivables that were not impaired was as follows:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Neither past due nor impaired

Past due 30 – 90 days

Past due over 90 days

Reserve for bad debt

2018 
$’000

467

867

—

—

1,334

2017 
$’000

3,493

—

367

(367)  

3,493

The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk. The Group assesses the credit quality of customers, 
taking into account their current financial position. An analysis of the credit quality of trade receivables that are 
neither past due nor impaired is as follows:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Customers with less than three years of trading history with the Group

2018 
$’000

1,334

1,334

2017 
$’000

3,493

3,493

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  Group  will  encounter  difficulty  in  meeting  the  obligations  associated  with  its 
financial  liabilities  that  are  settled  by  delivering  cash  or  another  financial  asset.  The  Group’s  approach  to 
managing  liquidity  is  to  ensure,  as  far  as  possible,  that  it  will  have  sufficient  liquidity  to  meet  its  liabilities 
when they are due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking 
damage to the Group’s reputation.

The  Group  seeks  to  manage  liquidity  risk,  ensuring  that  sufficient  liquidity  is  available  to  meet  foreseeable 
requirements.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

The following are the remaining contractual maturities of financial liabilities at the reporting date. The amounts are 
gross and undiscounted, and include estimated interest payments and exclude the impact of netting agreements. 
The current portion of the carrying amount of lease obligations is included in trade and other payables.

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2018:

Contractual cash flows

$’000

Trade and other payables

Other non-current liabilities

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2017:

$’000

Trade and other payables

Other non-current liabilities

Carrying 
amount

13,030

436

13,466

Carrying 
amount

14,276

867

15,143

Total

13,030

436

13,466

Total

14,276

867

15,143

Less than 
1 year

13,030

—

13,030

2-5 years

More than 
5 years

—

436

436

—

—

—

Contractual cash flows

Less than 
1 year

2-5 years

More than 
5 years

14,276

—

14,276

—

867

867

—

—

—

It  is  not  expected  that  the  cash  flows  included  in  the  maturity  analysis  could  occur  significantly  earlier,  or  at 
significantly different amounts.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices – such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity 
prices – will affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market 
risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising 
the return. The Group maintains the exposure to market risk from such financial instruments to insignificant levels. 
The Group exposure to changes in interest rates is determined to be insignificant.

Capital Risk Management

The Group is funded by equity finance and long term borrowings. Total capital is calculated as ‘total equity’ as 
shown in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern  in  order  to  provide  returns  for  shareholders  and  benefits  for  other  stakeholders  and  to  maintain  an 
optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the 
Group may issue new shares or borrow new debt. The Group has some external debt and no material externally 
imposed capital requirements. The Group’s share capital is set out in note 16.

Brexit

On 23 June 2016, the UK electorate voted to leave the European Union in a so-called “Brexit” referendum. The 
full consequences of the decision to leave the European Union will not be known for some time. The uncertainty 
surrounding  the  implementation  and  effect  of  Brexit  has  caused  and  is  likely  to  continue  to  cause  increased 
economic volatility.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

It is expected that companies based in the UK and with significant UK and EU operational focus will be the most 
directly impacted by Brexit. All of the Group’s portfolio companies are based in the US, and substantially all of 
the business and operations of the Group are conducted in the US. Brexit exposes the Group to increased foreign 
currency risk. However, since the functional currency of the Group’s portfolio companies is US dollars and the 
cash deposits are maintained in US based banks, the Group’s exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates 
as a result of Brexit is determined to be insignificant.

(23)  RELATED PARTIES

Transactions with Key Management Personnel

Key Management Personnel Compensation

Key management personnel compensation received comprised the following:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER: 

Short-term employee benefits

Share-based payments

Total

2018 
$’000

3,032

3,713

6,745

2017 
$’000

1,658

7,607

9,265

Short-term employee benefits of the Group’s key management personnel include salaries and bonuses, health 
care and other non-cash benefits.

Share-based payments include the value of awards granted under the LTIP during the year. Share-based payments 
under the LTIP are subject to vesting terms over future periods. See further details of the two plans in note 6.

Bonuses to key management for the year of $1,237,000 were outstanding at 31 December 2018 (2017: 
$1,840,000) and were paid in March of 2019.

Key Management Personnel Transactions

Directors’ remuneration for the year comprised the following:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER: 

Executive Directors’ fees

Non-executive Directors’ fees

Total

2018 
$’000

1,192

493

1,685

2017 
$’000

1,328

456

1,784

Executive management and Directors of the Company control 0.5% of the voting shares of the Company as of 
31 December 2018 (2017: 0.2%).

The Group has not engaged in any other transactions with key management personnel or other related parties.

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(CONTINUED)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(24) 

TAXATION

Amounts recognised in profit or loss

No  current  income  tax  expense  was  recorded  for  the  years  ended  31  December  2018  and  2017  due  to 
accumulated losses.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER: 

Net income/(loss)

Income taxes

Net income/(loss) before taxes

Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate

2018 
$’000

46,751

—

46,751

2017 
$’000

(111,012)  

—

(111,012)  

The Group is primarily subject to taxation in the US, therefore the reconciliation of the effective tax rate has been 
prepared using the US statutory tax rate. A reconciliation of the US statutory rate to the effective tax rate is as 
follows:

Weighted average statutory rate

Effect of state tax rate in US

Research credits

Share-based payment remeasurement

Permanent differences on dissolved/deconsolidated subsidiaries and preferred stock 
valuation

Other temporary differences

Current year income/(losses) for which no deferred
tax asset/(liability) is recognised

2018 
%

21.0

5.6

(7.6)  

5.0

(32.4)  

0.9

7.5

—

2017 
%

35.0

5.2

3.8

(12.7)  

5.0

(2.5)  

(33.8)  

—

The Group’s state tax rate increased in 2018 due to an increased exposure in jurisdictions with higher effective 
income tax rates.

In 2017 the Group reported a consolidated net loss. In 2018 the Group reported consolidated net income. 
This change in operating performance impacts the Group’s reconciliation of its effective tax rate as certain items 
that were previously accretive to the Group’s overall tax rate due to its loss position no longer in 2018 due to 
its income position.

Factors that may affect future tax expense

The Group is primarily subject to taxation in the US and UK. Additionally, the Group is exposed to state taxation 
in  various  jurisdictions  throughout  the  US.  Changes  in  corporate  tax  rates  can  change  both  the  current  tax 
expense (benefit) as well as the deferred tax expense (benefit). Reductions in the UK corporation tax rate to 19% 
(effective 1 April 2017) and to 18% (effective 1 April 2020) were substantially enacted on 26 October 2015. 
A further reduction to 17% (effective 1 April 2020) was substantially enacted on 6 September 2016.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

On  22  December  2017,  the  U.S.  government  enacted  a  comprehensive  tax  legislation,  H.R.1,  commonly 
referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the 
U.S. tax code.

The Tax Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The change in our future effective tax 
rate is not anticipated to have an effect on our tax until all of our U.S. federal net operating losses and credits 
have been utilised.

Unrecognised Deferred Tax Assets

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items, due to history of operating losses 
and no convincing evidence that future taxable profit will be available against which the Group can use the 
benefits therefrom, as well as due to potential permanent restrictions under IRS Section 382 rules:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Tax loss carryforward (1)

Research credits (1)

Temporary differences (2)

Deferred tax assets

Other temporary differences (2)

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax assets, net, not recognised

(1)  expiring since 2015

2018 
$’000

99,852

10,190

1,649

2017 
$’000

97,633

11,772

4,502

111,691

113,907

(3,549)  

(3,549)  

(746)  

(746)  

108,142

113,161

(2)  generally will expire 20 years subsequent to the time the deduction is taken

Deferred tax is measured at the rates that are expected to apply in the period when the temporary differences 
are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the 
statement of financial position date. The reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax to 20% (from 23%) was 
substantially enacted on 2 July 2013 and applied from 1 April 2015. However, the UK corporation tax rate 
initially reduced from 23% to 21% from 1 April 2014. The change in the UK corporate tax rate did not materially 
impact the calculation of the deferred tax assets as these assets are generally exposed to tax in US jurisdiction.

During the year ending 31 December 2018 the Company recognised a profit of approximately $46.8 million. The 
Company did not record any current or deferred income taxes relating to this income as previously unrecognised 
tax assets were available to offset any tax liability from the current year income.

There were no movements in deferred tax recognised in income or equity in 2017 as the deferred tax asset was 
not recognised in that year.

As of 31 December 2018 the Company had United States federal net operating losses carry forwards (“NOLs”) 
of approximately $374.8 million (2017: $321.7 million) available to offset future taxable income, if any. These 
carryforwards start to expire in 2024 and are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue 
Service.  The  Company  may  be  subject  to  limitations  under  Section  382  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  as  a 
result of changes in ownership. The Company’s preliminary analysis on the impact from Section 382 limitations 
suggests that there is unlikely to be a material restriction on NOLs. A detailed exercise is ongoing. Upon the 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

completion of the study, there may or may not be limitations on the Company’s ability to utilize its current NOLs 
against future profits, although these are not expected to be material.

(25)  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The  Company  has  evaluated  subsequent  events  through  26  April  2019,  which  is  the  date  the  consolidated 
financial information is available to be issued.

SciFluor Life Sciences, Inc. and Precision Biopsy Inc.

In February 2019, Allied Minds and Woodford Investment Management (WIM) jointly contributed an aggregate 
of $4.0 million of convertible bridge financing to SciFluor, half of which was contributed by Allied Minds and 
half  by  WIM.  The  bridge  financing  will  be  applied  to  support  the  business  to  the  completion  of  a  Series  B 
financing round to fund Phase II trials for its SF0166 topical eye drop treatment for retinal disease and position 
the  company  for  growth  of  its  platform.  In  addition,  Allied  Minds  and  WIM  contributed  an  aggregate  of 
$5.0 million of convertible bridge financing to Precision Biopsy, half of which was contributed by Allied Minds 
and half by WIM. The bridge financing will be applied to support the company to completion of a financing 
round to fund its pivotal SCORE study.

Spin Memory, Inc.

Spin Memory completed the final closing of its $52.0 million Series B Preferred Stock financing when $2.5 
million was released from escrow by Allied Minds in March 2019.

TableUp, Inc.

In April 2019, TableUp secured $0.4 million of funding through the issuance of a convertible bridge note to 
Allied Minds.

Spark Insights, Inc.

In April 2019, Allied Minds invested an aggregate of $3.2 million in funding preferred share financing, giving 
Allied Minds a current 70.59% ownership interest.

QuayChain, Inc.

In April 2019, QuayChain secured $0.4 million of funding through the issuance of a convertible bridge note to 
Allied Minds.

Closed Subsidiaries

The Group ceased operations and dissolved each of ABLS and Signature Medical subsequent to year end. The 
impact of this was assessed in the Group financials as of 31 December 2018 and unrecoverable amounts were 
written off.

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COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

NOTE 

2018 
$ ‘000

2

4

3

5

5

5

5

5

5

2017 
$ ‘000 
(Restated*)

 173,531

199,629

373,160

3,094

289

3,383

—

186,842

186,842

1,746

224

1,970

188,812

376,543

3,743

160,170

263,367

(70,857)  

(167,815)  

188,608

204

204

204

3,714

158,606

263,367

(48,043)  

(1,328)  

376,316

227

227

227

188,812

376,543

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET     

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 

Non-current assets

Investment in subsidiary

Loan to subsidiary

Total non-current assets

Current assets

  Cash and cash equivalents

  Trade and other receivables

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated deficit

Total equity

Current liabilities

  Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

* 

See Note 4 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Registered number: 8998697

The financial statements on pages 182 to 188 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue 
on 26 April 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Jill Smith 
Chief Executive Officer

182

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018HEAD_0 1st line continued    
  
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF 

CHANGES IN EQUITY

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY     

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
31 DECEMBER 2018

Share capital

Shares 

Amount 
$’000

Share 
premium 
$’000

Merger 
reserve 
$’000

Translation 
reserve 
$’000

Accumulated  
deficit 
$’000

Total  
equity 
$’000

Balance at 31 December 2016

233,744,378

3,657

157,067

263,435

(79,815)  

(1,518)  

342,826

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Loss for the year

  Foreign currency translation

Total comprehensive loss for the year

—

—

Issuance of ordinary shares

  Exercise of stock options

3,402,567

1,055,596

  Equity-settled share based payments

—

—

—

43

14

—

—

—

—

1,539

—

—

—

(68)  

—

—

—

 (6,636)  

(6,636)  

31,754

31,754

778

32,532

(5,858)  

25,896

—

—

18

—

—

 6,048

 (25)  

 1,553

 6,066

Balance at 31 December 2017

238,202,541

3,714

158,606

263,367

(48,043)  

(1,328)  

376,316

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Loss for the year

  Foreign currency translation

Total comprehensive loss for the year

—

—

Issuance of ordinary shares

  Exercise of stock options

1,224,831

887,373

  Equity-settled share based payments

—

—

—

17

12

—

—

—

—

1,564

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(171,390)  

(171,390)  

(24,829)  

(495)  

(25,324)  

(24,829)  

(171,885)  

(196,714)  

—

—

—

—

2,015

5,398

17

1,576

7,413

Balance at 31 December 2018

240,314,745

3,743

160,170

263,367

(70,857)  

(167,815)  

188,608

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COMPANY STATEMENT OF 

CASH FLOWS

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS     

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER: 

Cash flows from operating activities:

  Net operating loss

 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating 
activities:

  Share-based compensation expense

Impairment loss in subsidiary and loan to subsidiary

  Changes in working capital:

  Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

  Decrease in trade and other payables

  Other finance cost

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

(Issuance)/repayments of note receivable to subsidiary, net

Net cash (used in)/ provided by investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

  Proceeds from issuance of share capital

  Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Net cash provided by financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

NOTE 

2018 
$ ‘000

2017 
$ ‘000

(173,813)  

(8,991)  

5,398

165,349

64

(23)  

2,210

(815)  

(2,127)  

(2,127)  

17

1,577

1,594

(1,348)  

3,094

1,746

4

5

5

6,066

—

(145)  

(216)  

2,308

(978)  

1,247

1,247

(25)  

1,553

1,528

1,797

1,297

3,094

184

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL 

STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 

2018

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
For the year ended 31 December 2018     

(1) ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation and Measurement

The  financial  statements  of  the  parent  company  have  been  prepared  under  the  historical  cost  convention, 
in  accordance  with  the  Companies  Act  2006  and  the  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”). 
In  preparing  these  financial  statements,  the  Company  applies  the  recognition,  measurement  and  disclosure 
requirements  of  the  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as  adopted  by  the  EU  (“Adopted  IFRSs”).  A 
summary of the more important accounting policies which have been applied consistently throughout the year 
are set out below.

Functional and Presentation Currency

The functional currency of the parent company is British Pounds. The financial statements of the parent company 
are presented in US dollars.

Foreign Currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of the parent company 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 retranslated to the functional currency 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 retranslated to the functional currency at foreign exchange rates 
ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

On translation of the Company financial statements from functional currency to presentational currency the assets 
and liabilities are translated at the closing exchange rates. Profit and loss accounts are translated at the average 
rates of exchange during the year. Gains and losses arising on these translations are taken to reserves.

Investments

Investments  are  stated  at  historic  cost  less  any  provision  for  impairment  in  value  and  are  held  for  long-term 
investment  purposes.  Provisions  are  based  upon  an  assessment  of  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  that 
indicate  that  an  impairment  has  occurred  such  as  the  performance  and/or  prospects  (including  the  financial 
prospects)  of  the  investee  company  being  significantly  below  the  expectations  on  which  the  investment  was 
based, a significant adverse change in the markets in which the investee company operates or a deterioration 
in general market conditions.

Intercompany Loans

All  intercompany  loans  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost. 
Where intercompany loans are intended for use on a continuing basis in the Company’s activities and there is 
no intention of their settlement in the foreseeable future, they are presented as current assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less.

185

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(CONTINUED)

STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

Impairment

If there is an indication that an asset might be impaired, the Company will perform an impairment review. An 
asset is impaired if the recoverable amount, being the higher of net realisable value and value in use, is less 
than its carrying amount. Value in use is measured based on future discounted cash flows (“DCF”) attributable to 
the asset. In such cases, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to recoverable amount with a corresponding 
charge recognised in the profit and loss account.

Financial Instruments

Currently the Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments. Financial assets and financial liabilities 
are recognised and cease to be recognised on the basis of when the related titles pass to or from the Company.

Share-based Payments

Share-based payment arrangements in which the Company receives goods or services as consideration for its 
own equity instruments are accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions, regardless of how 
the equity instruments are obtained by the Company.

The grant date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee 
expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees become unconditionally 
entitled  to  the  awards.  The  fair  value  of  the  options  granted  is  measured  using  an  option  valuation  model, 
taking  into  account  the  terms  and  conditions  upon  which  the  options  were  granted.  The  amount  recognised 
as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related service and non-market 
vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based 
on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting 
date. For share-based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, the grant date fair value of the share-based 
payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences between expected and 
actual outcomes.

(2) INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY

Balance at 1 January

  Additions

Impairment

  Disposals

  Effect from currency translation

Balance at 31 December

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

173,531

158,431

—

 (162,791)  

—

(10,740)  

—

—

—

—

15,100

173,531

Investment in subsidiary represents the Company’s wholly-owned investment in Allied Minds, LLC. Allied Minds, 
LLC operates in the US as a US-focused science and technology development and commercialisation company. 
For a summary of the Company’s indirect subsidiaries see note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.

The Directors reviewed the value of the underlying business and concluded an impairment charge of $165.3 million 
should be recorded. The recoverable amount is based on the value in use. This has been recorded against the 
investment in subsidiary balance (this note) and the loan to subsidiary balance (note 4).

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(CONTINUED)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(3) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Bank balances

Cash and cash equivalents

(4) LOAN TO SUBSIDIARY

Balance at 1 January

  Additions

Impairment

  Repayments

  Effect from currency translation

Balance at 31 December

2018 
$’000

1,746

1,746

2017 
$’000

3,094

3,094

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

199,629

183,397

3,302

(2,558)  

(1,176)  

(12,355)  

186,842

2,530

—

(3,778)  

17,480

199,629

The Company has loaned its excess cash to its operating subsidiary Allied Minds, LLC to be further deployed in 
support of the continuing operations of the Group. The note bears an interest of 1.25% and is repayable upon 
demand.

The Directors reviewed the value of the underlying business and concluded an impairment charge of $165.3 million 
should be recorded. The recoverable amount is based on the value in use. This has been recorded against the 
investment in subsidiary balance (note 3) and the loan to subsidiary balance (this note).

As there is no intention of settlement in the foreseeable future, the loan is classified as a non-current asset (resulting 
in the 2017 balance being reclassified from current to non-current).

187

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)  

(5)  SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Allied Minds plc was incorporated with the Companies House under the Companies Act 2006 as a public 
company on 15 April 2014. Full detail of the share capital and reserves activity for the year can be found in 
note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.

AS OF 31 DECEMBER: 

Equity

Share capital, $0.01 par value, issued and fully paid
240,314,745 and 238,202,541, respectively

Share premium

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated deficit

Total equity

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

3,743

160,170

263,367

(70,857)  

(167,815)  

188,608

3,714

158,606

263,367

(48,043)  

(1,328)  

376,316

In December 2016, the Company issued 17,457,015 ordinary shares of one pence at 367 pence, which were 
admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the LSE’s 
Main Market for listed securities. This resulted in approximately $78.1 million of net proceeds from the equity 
placing (net of issue cost of $2.2 million). The amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the nominal 
value in relation to this transaction are reflected in the merger reserve balance as of 31 December 2016.

The share-based payment charge for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2018 included in accumulated deficit 
was $5.4 million (2017: $6.1 million).

(6) PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

As  permitted  by  Section  408  of  the  Companies  Act  2006,  the  Company’s  profit  and  loss  account  has  not 
been  included  in  these  financial  statements.  The  Company’s  loss  for  the  year  was  $171,390,000  (2017: 
$6,636,000).

(7) DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION, EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The remuneration of the Directors of the Company is disclosed in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements. 
Full details for their remuneration can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 77 to 105. Full 
detail of the share-based payment charge and related disclosures can be found in note 6 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

The Company had one employee during 2018 (2017: one).

188

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COMPANY INFORMATION

COMPANY INFORMATION    

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 08998697

BROKERS

REGISTERED OFFICE

Beaufort House 
51 New North Road 
Exeter EX4 4EP 
United Kingdom

WEBSITE

www.alliedminds.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peter Dolan 
(Non-Executive Chairman)

Jill Smith 
(Chief Executive Officer)

Kevin Sharer 
(Senior Independent Director)

Fritz Foley 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

Harry Rein 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

Jeff Rohr 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

COMPANY SECRETARY

Michael Turner

Credit Suisse International 
1 Cabot Square 
London E14 4QJ 
United Kingdom 
TEL: +44 207 888 8888

Numis Securities Limited 
The London Stock Exchange Building 
10 Paternoster Square 
London EC4M 7LT 
United Kingdom 
TEL: +44 207 260 1000

REGISTRAR

Link Asset Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent BR3 4TU 
United Kingdom 
TEL UK: 0871 664 0300 
TEL Overseas: +44 208 639 3399

SOLICITORS

DLA Piper UK LLP 
160 Aldersgate Street 
London EC1A 4HT 
United Kingdom 
TEL: +44 207 349 0296

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

KPMG LLP 
15 Canada Square 
London E14 5GL 
United Kingdom 
TEL: +44 207 311 1000

MEDIA RELATIONS

FTI Consulting LLP 
200 Aldersgate 
Aldersgate Street 
London EC1A 4HD 
United Kingdom 
TEL: +44 203 727 1000

189

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