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Assetco PLC

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FY2017 Annual Report · Assetco PLC
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AssetCo plc

Annual report and financial statements

Year ended 30 September 2017

Registered number: 04966347

COMPANY INFORMATION

Company registration number

04966347

Registered office

Directors

Singleton Court Business Park
Wonastow Road
Monmouth
Monmouthshire
NP25 5JA

Tudor Davies (Chairman)
Christopher Mills
Mark Butcher

Company secretary

Tudor Davies

Independent auditor

Nominated adviser and
corporate broker

Registrar

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Cornwall Court
19 Cornwall Street
Birmingham
B3 2DT

Arden Partners plc
125 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1AR

Computershare Investor Services PLC
PO Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS13 8AE

Website

www.assetco.com

CONTENTS

Chairman’s statement

Board of directors

Strategic report

Directors’ report

Independent auditors’ report to the members of AssetCo plc

Income statement

Statement of comprehensive income

Statement of financial position

Statement of changes in equity

Statement of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

Page

1

2

3

5

10

15

16

17

18

19

20

Chairman’s Statement

Introduction
We are pleased to report the results for the year to 30 September 2017.

Results
Profit after taxation for the period was £2.2m (2016: £4.6m) on revenue of £24.9m (2017: £23.3m) with
the reduction in profitability being an increase in the litigation costs incurred in our claim for negligence
against Grant Thornton.

The cash position remains strong with free cash balances of £21.5m (2016: £15.5m).

Our business is based on the provision of an outsourced fire service agreement with the Abu Dhabi
government, which commenced in April 2010, but since November 2016, has continued satisfactorily
on the same basis and on similar terms but with a contract entered into on an arrears basis every five or
six months, whilst a longer term arrangement is considered by the Abu Dhabi government.

Claim against Grant Thornton
The claim for negligence against AssetCo’s former auditors, Grant Thornton, which with interest
amounts to approximately £40m, is now scheduled to be concluded at a trial in June 2018.

As previously reported by the Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”) on conclusion of their
investigations in relation to the audits in 2009 and 2010, Grant Thornton were fined £3.5m and given a
severe reprimand. Separately, the audit partner Mr Robert Napper was fined £200,000 and excluded
from membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for three years.

The FRC report on AssetCo entitled Particulars of Facts and Acts of Misconduct: Grant Thornton UK
LLP and Robert Napper, is available on the FRC website www.frc.org.uk.

Outlook
Trading continues to be in line with management’s expectations and we will keep shareholders
informed on any developments in relation to the Grant Thornton claim and our Abu Dhabi business.

Tudor Davies
27 March 2018

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

1

Board of Directors

Tudor Davies
Chairman
Appointed to the AssetCo plc board in March 2011, Tudor was the executive chairman of Dowding and
Mills plc and, following a reverse acquisition, was subsequently appointed to the board of Castle
Support Services plc in June 2007. He was also a non-executive director and subsequently chairman of
Stratagem Company plc from 2000 to 2002. From 1990 to 1999 he was chief executive and
subsequently chairman of Hicking Pentecost plc. He is currently also the chairman of Zytronic plc.

Christopher Mills
Non-executive director
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Chairman of the Nomination Committee

Appointed to the AssetCo plc board in March 2011, Christopher is chief executive officer of Harwood
Capital Management Limited and chief executive and investment manager of North Atlantic Smaller
Companies Investment Trust plc.

Mark Butcher
Non-executive director
Appointed to the AssetCo plc board in October 2012, Mark’s previous directorships include Autologic
Holdings plc, Newbury Racecourse plc, Nationwide Accident Repair Services plc, and GPG (UK)
Holdings plc, which was the UK investment arm of Guinness Peat Group plc.

2

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Strategic Report

Introduction
The directors present their strategic report on the company for the year ended 30 September 2017.

Principal activities
AssetCo plc is principally involved in the provision of management and resources to the fire and rescue
emergency services in international markets. It currently trades through a branch in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) and its strategy is to develop this business.

Business review
Further information relating to the performance of the business, strategy and progress is given in the
Chairman’s Statement on page 1 which is incorporated into this report by reference.

Key performance indicators (KPIs)
The principal indicators used to measure the performance at company and segment level in the past 12
months are operating profit and total cash generation. For the current year and the previous year, these
are shown in note 5 on pages 30 and 31 and in the Statement of Cash Flows. There are detailed KPIs
within the company’s trading contracts and these are monitored accordingly.

Principal risks and uncertainties
The directors continuously monitor the business and markets to identify and deal with risks and
uncertainties as they arise. As the main risk to the company’s business is a material reliance on one
contract with a government agency, failure to perform could result in this contract not being renewed or
lost, leading to a significant reduction in revenues and materially affecting the value and prospects of
the company.

Due to the relative importance of oil revenues to UAE government finances, renewal or continuation of
the contract could also be adversely affected by sustained low oil prices.

Whilst credit risk is low due to the government backed nature of the contract referred to above, the
concentration of revenues from one source in UAE could expose the company to material risk to trading
performance and contracts in the event of contractual issues arising. The success of the company
depends upon a continuing relationship with its principal customer.

The company may need to compete for business with companies who provide similar services in other
industry sectors. This may place other competitive pressures on the company by driving price
reductions or causing reduced margins and/or loss of the company’s market share.

The company’s growth is dependent on winning further total managed services and other contracts and
enhancing the returns from its existing contracts. Other contracts may be dependent upon the ongoing
purchasing power delegated to government agencies under government policy, which is subject to
regular review. Contracts with public bodies which are central to the company’s business are normally
awarded through a formal competitive tendering process, presenting a number of risks, including
substantial cost and managerial time and incorrectly estimating the resources and cost structure that will
be required to service any contract.

The company has contractual obligations to perform its services within stringent time and service level
criteria, and may be subject to financial penalties if it fails to meet such obligations. Any such
circumstances may have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition,
trading
performance and prospects. Furthermore, from time to time the company subcontracts some of its
contracted obligations and may be responsible for and liable in respect of subcontractor defaults.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

3

Strategic Report (continued)

The company is dependent upon senior management and so the focus is on the recruitment and retention
of suitably qualified employees. The loss of key personnel without adequate replacement may have a
material adverse effect on the company’s business, performance and prospects.

The activities of the company are subject to laws and regulation governing taxes, employment standards
and occupational health, safety, environmental and other matters. Failure to comply with such
requirements may result in fines and/or penalties being assessed against the company which could have
a material adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition, trading performance and
prospects.

By order of the board

Tudor Davies
Company Secretary

27 March 2018

Company Registration Number: 04966347

4

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Directors’ Report

Introduction
The directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements of the company for the
year ended 30 September 2017.

Results
The financial statements are set out on pages 15 to 39.

Dividend
The directors do not propose a dividend this year (2016: £nil).

Capital structure
The primary objective of the company’s capital management is to ensure that capital is available to
allocate to the business that maximises shareholder value.

Details of the authorised and issued capital, together with details of the movements in the company’s
issued share capital during the year, are shown in note 19.

Financial risk management
See note 3 to the financial statements.

Directors
The directors who held office for the whole of the period were as follows:

Tudor Davies (Chairman)
Christopher Mills (Non- Executive)
Mark Butcher (Non-Executive)

The company secretary who held office for the whole of the period was Tudor Davies.

Directors’ shareholdings
The beneficial interests of the directors in the shares of the company were as follows:

Tudor Davies *
Christopher Mills *
Mark Butcher

At
30 September
2017
No.
32,813
5,915,779
—

At
30 September
2016
No.
32,813
5,915,779
—

* Christopher Mills, as chief executive and a member of Harwood Capital LLP, is deemed to have an interest in the 5,915,779 shares owned
by various funds associated with Harwood Capital LLP. Those shares, which include the 32,813 that Tudor Davies has an interest in, are
held on a discretionary management basis for a number of private clients who remain the ultimate beneficial owners.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

5

Directors’ Report (continued)

Substantial shareholdings
At 27 March 2018 the company secretary has been notified, in accordance with Chapter 5 of the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook as issued by the Financial Conduct Authority,
of the following interest in 3% or more in the ordinary share capital of the company:

Name
Harwood Capital LLP
Lombard Odier Asset Management (Europe) Limited
Ingot Capital Management

Number of
shares
5,915,779
3,540,580
2,362,558

% of
issued share
capital
48.4%
29.0%
19.3%

Business combinations and disposals
There have been no business combinations or disposals during the period.

Post balance sheet events
Post balance sheet events can be found in Note 25 on page 39.

Corporate governance
As an AIM listed company AssetCo Plc is not required to comply with the UK Corporate Governance
Code published in April 2016 (“the Code”) in respect of the financial year ended 30 September 2017,
instead using its provisions as a guide, but only as considered appropriate to the circumstances of
the company.

Directors
Brief biographical details of the directors in office are set out on page 2.

The board consists of a chairman and two non-executive directors who are considered by the board to
be independent of the chairman for the purposes of the Code. The board considers that it has an
appropriate balance of skills, experience, ages and length of service.

The board is a small board and individual members have a wide range of qualifications and expertise to
bring to any debate. The board meets as necessary. The board has considered the need to appoint a
senior independent director and believes that it is not necessary at present.

Board meetings
At each scheduled meeting of the board reports are received on the company’s operations and the
financial position of the company. To enable the board to discharge its duties, all directors receive
appropriate and timely information. Briefing papers are distributed by the company secretary to all
directors in advance of board meetings. In addition to scheduled board meetings, the board may carry
out certain urgent matters not requiring debate by way of delegation to a committee of the board or by
resolution in writing of all directors.

Remuneration committee
All of the non-executive directors comprise the remuneration committee. The remuneration committee
reviews the remuneration paid to the chairman and any executive directors.

6

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Directors’ Report (continued)

Audit committee
The board is supported by an audit committee which comprises all of the non-executive directors.

The audit committee meets twice a year with the external auditors in attendance as required. It assists
the board in ensuring that appropriate accounting policies, financial systems, internal controls and
compliance procedures are in place. It also reviews the relationship between the company and external
auditors in terms of the provision of non-audit services and ensuring that auditor independence and
objectivity is maintained.

Nominations committee
The nominations committee makes recommendations to the board on the composition of the board
generally and on the balance between executive and non-executive directors. It also makes
recommendations on the appointment of new directors and subsequent re-appointments on retirement
by rotation.

Re-election of directors
The articles of association provide that newly appointed directors are required to submit themselves for
election by shareholders at the general meeting following their appointment and for all directors to be
re-elected at least once every three years.

Shareholder relations
The company, through the chairman, has regular contact with its institutional shareholders. The board
supports the principle that the annual general meeting be used to communicate with private shareholders
and encourages them to participate.

The notice of the annual general meeting will be sent out in due course.

Internal control
The board is responsible for the company’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness
in accordance with the guidance set out in the Code. However, such a system is designed to manage
rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can provide only reasonable
and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Code has a requirement that the directors review the effectiveness of the company’s system of
internal controls. This includes internal financial controls and controls over financial, operational,
compliance and risk management.

The company has established procedures for planning and monitoring the operational and financial
performance of all businesses in the company, as well as their compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. These procedures include:

•

•

•

•

clear responsibilities for good financial controls and the production of timely financial
management information;

the control of key financial risks through clearly laid down authorisation levels and proper
segregation of accounting duties;

the review of trading results, balance sheets and cash flows by management and the board;

reporting on compliance with internal financial controls and procedures by each individual
business unit under the supervision of the chairman and at the year-end by external auditors.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

7

Directors’ Report (continued)

Going concern
The directors have considered the going concern assumption for the company, AssetCo plc, by assessing
the operational and funding requirements of the company as a whole.

The directors have concluded that there are no material uncertainties that they have identified relating
to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of AssetCo plc to continue as a
going concern.

Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the financial statements
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that
law the directors have prepared the financial statements in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 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 company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing the
financial statements, the directors are required to:

•

•

•

•

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to
any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial
position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the
Companies Act 2006.

The directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the company’s website. Legislation
in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ
from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The directors consider that the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and
understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the company’s
performance, business model and strategy.

8

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Directors’ Report (continued)

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed in Board of Directors confirm that, to the
best of their knowledge:

•

•

the company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted
by the European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
profit of the company; and

the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and
the position of the company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that
it faces.

Statement on the provision of information to auditors
Each of the directors confirms that, as far as he is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which
the company’s auditors are unaware, and that he has taken all the steps he ought to have as a director to
make himself aware of any relevant audit information, and to establish that the auditors are aware of
that information. The above is in accordance with the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act
2006. The auditors have direct access to all members of the board and attend and present their reports
at appropriate board meetings. The board considers, at least annually, the relationships and fees in place
with the auditors to confirm that their independence is maintained.

Independent auditor
In accordance with section 489(4) of the Companies Act 2006 a resolution to reappoint
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be proposed at the annual general meeting.

By order of the Board

Tudor Davies
Company Secretary

27 March 2018

Company Registration Number: 04966347

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

9

Report of the independent auditors to the members of AssetCo plc

REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Opinion
In our opinion, AssetCo plc’s financial statements:

•

•

•

give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 30 September 2017 and of its
profit and cash flows for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual report and financial statements
(the “Annual Report”), which comprise: the statement of financial position as at 30 September 2017;
the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of cash flows, the
statement of changes in equity for the year then ended; and the notes to the financial statements, which
include a description of the significant accounting policies.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”)
and applicable law. Our responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’
responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We believe that the audit
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant
to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as
applicable to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with
these requirements.

Our audit approach
Overview

•

Overall materiality: £100,000, based on approximately 5% of profit before tax.

• We conducted an audit of the complete financial information of the two
separate components located in the UK and UAE resulting in 100% coverage
across all financial statement line items.

•

Revenue recognition and recoverability of debtor balances.

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material
misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, we looked at where the directors made subjective
judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that
involved making
assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.

As in all of our audits we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including
evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material
misstatement due to fraud.

10 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Report of the independent auditors to the members of AssetCo plc
(continued)

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most
significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant
assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by the auditors,
including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources
in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we
make on the results of our procedures thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion
on these matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Revenue recognition and recoverability of accrued
income balances
As at the year-end date, there was an agreed but
unsigned contract in place between the Company
and its most significant customer in the UAE for a
five month period. Such amounts were recognised
as revenue and included within accrued income in
note 14 to the accounts. As the contract was
the revenue
the year-end date,
unsigned at
recognition and the subsequent recoverability of
accrued income balances was considered to be a
key audit matter.

Subsequent to the year end, we have agreed that
the contract for the five month period has now
been signed by all parties.

We are satisfied that
the revenue amounts
recognised by the Company are in accordance
with the terms of this signed contract and that
invoices have been raised and issued to the
customer.

Cash amounts in relation to this contract were then
receipted by the Company and corroborated by
ourselves prior to the signing of the Annual Report
and Accounts.

We found that the recognition of revenue for the
period and the recoverability of debtor balances at
the year-end date to be consistent with the
evidence obtained.

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an
opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the company, the
accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which it operates.

The structure of the Company is a revenue generating branch located in the UAE and the head office
and registered address of the Company in the UK. For the purposes of our audit, these have been treated
as separate components and each have been subject to an audit of their complete financial information
on the basis of the significance of each component to the Company financial statements.

The audit of the UAE branch was undertaken by a separate component audit team and their work was
subject to review both remotely and in person by the Company audit Engagement Leader. The work
performed over revenue recognition and recoverability of accrued income balances fed directly into our
key audit matters.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative
thresholds for materiality. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the
scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on the individual financial
statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and
in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

11

Report of the independent auditors to the members of AssetCo plc
(continued)

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

Overall materiality

£100,000.

How we determined it

5% of profit before tax.

Rationale for benchmark applied

We believe that profit before tax is the primary measure used
by the shareholders in assessing the performance of the entity,
and is a generally accepted auditing benchmark.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our
audit above £5,000 as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting
for qualitative reasons.

Conclusions relating to going concern
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which ISAs (UK) require us
to report to you when:

•

•

the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial
statements is not appropriate; or

the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that
may cast significant doubt about the company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis
of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements
are authorised for issue.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee
as to the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Reporting on other information
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial
statements and our auditors’ report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our
opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not
express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form of
assurance thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other
information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the
financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially
misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required
to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements
or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that
fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report, we also considered whether the disclosures
required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have been included.

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, ISAs
(UK) require us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below.

12 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Report of the independent auditors to the members of AssetCo plc
(continued)

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the
Strategic Report and Directors’ Report for the year ended 30 September 2017 is consistent with the
financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course
of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and Directors’
Report.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the financial
statements set out on page 8, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements
in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.
The directors are also 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.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company’s ability
to continue as a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the
going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an
audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it
exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the
basis of these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the
FRC’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’
report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a
body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We
do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other
person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by
our prior consent in writing.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

13

Report of the independent auditors to the members of AssetCo plc
(continued)

OTHER REQUIRED REPORTING

Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•

•

•

•

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns adequate for our audit
have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Mark Skedgel (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Birmingham

27 March 2018

14 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Income Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Year ended
30 September
2017
£’000

Year ended
30 September
2016
£’000

Notes

5

6
8
8

10

11
11

24,881
(17,738)

7,143
(4,891)

2,252
8
(87)

2,173
—

2,173

17.80
17.80

23,300
(16,550)

6,750
(1,874)

4,876
21
(294)

4,603
—

4,603

37.70
37.70

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses

Operating profit
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit before tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Earnings per share
Basic – pence
Diluted – pence

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

15

Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Recognised profit for the year

Other comprehensive (expense)/income
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

Other comprehensive (expense)/income, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year

Year ended
30 September
2017
£’000
2,173

Year ended
30 September
2016
£’000
4,603

Notes
5

(438)

(438)

1,735

1,858

1,858

6,461

16 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Statement of Financial Position
as at 30 September 2017

At
30 September
2017
£’000

At
30 September
2016
£’000

Notes

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Cash held in respect of a bond

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash held in respect of bonds

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity
Share capital
Share premium
Profit and loss account

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities

12

13
14
15

16

19

—
233

233

—
10,685
21,530
102

32,317

32,550

4,759

4,759

4,759

25,474
64,941
(62,624)

27,791

32,550

—
240

240

—
12,498
15,470
3,040

31,008

31,248

5,192

5,192

5,192

25,474
64,941
(64,359)

26,056

31,248

The notes on pages 20 to 39 are an integral part of these financial statements. The financial statements
were authorised for issue by the board of directors on 27 March 2018 and were signed on its behalf by
Tudor Davies.

Registered number: 04966347

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

17

Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Balance at 30 September 2015
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translation

Total comprehensive income for the year

Balance at 30 September 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive expense:
Exchange differences on translation

Total comprehensive income for the year

Share
capital
£’000
25,474
—

—

—

Share
premium
£’000
64,941
—

—

—

Profit
and loss
account
£’000
(70,820)
4,603

1,858

6,461

25,474
—

64,941
—

(64,359)
2,173

Total
equity
£’000
19,595
4,603

1,858

6,461

26,056
2,173

—

—

—

—

(438)

1,735

(438)

1,735

Balance at 30 September 2017

25,474

64,941

(62,624)

27,791

18 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Notes

22

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Cash deposited in respect of a bond
Cash released in respect of bonds
Finance costs

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Finance income

Net cash generated from investing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange differences on translation

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

15

Year ended
30 September
2017
£’000

Year ended
30 September
2016
£’000

3,094
(104)
3,246
(87)

6,149

8

8

6,157
15,470
(97)

21,530

2,151
—
—
(294)

1,857

21

21

1,878
12,836
756

15,470

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

19

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 30 September 2017

LEGAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES

1.
AssetCo plc (the “company”) is principally involved in the provision of management and resources to the
fire and rescue emergency services in international markets. It currently trades through a branch in UAE
and its strategy is to develop this business. As at period end, the company has no trading subsidiaries.

AssetCo plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The address
of its registered office is Singleton Court Business Park, Wonastow Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire,
NP25 5JA. The company operates from one site in UAE.

AssetCo plc shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) of the London Stock
Exchange.

The financial statements have been presented in sterling to the nearest thousand pounds (£000) except
where otherwise indicated.

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the board of directors on 27 March 2018.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2.
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements, which have
been applied consistently with those applied in the previous year, are set out below.

2.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements comply with AIM Rules and have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”), as adopted by the European Union, the IFRS
Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”) and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting
under IFRS. The financial statements are prepared using the historical cost convention as modified by
financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss. The accounting policies which follow set out
those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2017.

Going concern
As the company has no subsidiaries the directors have considered the going concern assumption for the
company, AssetCo plc by assessing the operational and funding requirements of the company as
a whole.

The directors have concluded that there are no material uncertainties that they have identified relating
to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of AssetCo plc to continue as a
going concern.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts
reported for revenue and expenses during the year. The nature of estimation means the actual outcomes
may differ from the estimates. Further details on the critical accounting estimates used and judgements
made in preparing these financial statements can be found in Note 4.

20 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Accounting standards and interpretations
The company has not yet adopted certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing
standards, which have been published but are only effective for accounting periods beginning on or after
1 October 2017 or later periods. These new pronouncements are listed below:

Amendment to IAS 7, “Statement of cash flows” on disclosure initiative (effective 1 January 2017)

Amendment to IAS 12, “Income taxes” on recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses
(effective 1 January 2017)

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” (effective 1 January 2018)

IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers” (effective 1 January 2018)

IFRIC 22, ‘Foreign currency transactions and advance consideration’ (effective 1 January 2018)

Amendments to IFRS 2, ‘Share based payments’ – Classification and measurement (effective 1 January
2018) (subject to EU endorsement)

Amendments to IFRS 4, Amendments regarding implementation of IFRS 9 (effective 1 January 2018)
(subject to EU endorsement)

Amendment to IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’, on general hedge accounting (effective date 1 Jan 2018)

Amendments to IAS 40, ‘Investment property’ transfer of property (effective 1 January 2018) (subject
to EU endorsement)

Annual improvements 2014-2016 cycle (effective 1 January 2018) (subject to EU endorsement)

IFRS 16 “Leases” (effective 1 January 2019)

IFRIC 23,’Uncertainty over income tax’ (effective 1 January 2019)

IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts” (effective 1 January 2021)

The directors are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these standards, amendments and
interpretations in future periods, although it is anticipated that the impact will be immaterial.

No new or amended standards with any impact on the company’s financial statements were adopted for
the year ending 30 September 2017.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

21

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

2.2 Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable from the provision of
goods and services in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Revenue is shown net of value-
added tax and after eliminating sales within the company.

The company recognises revenue when specific criteria have been met for each of the company’s
activities as described below. The amount of revenue is not considered to be reliably measurable until
all contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved.

The company recognises revenue in respect of the provision of services and the supply of equipment
for fire and emergency services in UAE.

Rendering of services

a)
Revenue is recognised on performance of the company’s service obligations in respect of the company’s
fire service personnel contracts. Deductions are made for any service shortfalls in the period.

Sale of goods

b)
Revenue from the sale of goods to the emergency services market is recognised when all of the
following conditions have been satisfied:

•

•

•

•

•

the company has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the
goods which is generally when the goods have been successfully delivered to the customer and
accepted;

the company retains neither continuous managerial involvement to the degree usually associated
with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold which is generally when the goods have
been despatched;

the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the company;
and

the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Leasing and short-term hire

c)
Revenue from the leasing and short-term hire of assets is recognised in the income statement on a
straight-line basis over the period of the hire.

Interest income

d)
Interest is recognised using the effective interest method which calculates the amortised cost of a
financial asset and allocates the interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is
the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial
asset to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

22 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

2.3

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

a)
Items included in the financial statements of each of the company’s businesses are measured using the
currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”).
The financial statements are presented in sterling (£), which is the company’s functional and
presentation currency.

There has been no change in the company’s functional or presentation currency during the year under
review.

Foreign operations translation

b)
The financial statements are prepared in sterling. Income statements of foreign operations are translated
into sterling at the average exchange rates for the period and balance sheets are translated into sterling
at the exchange rate ruling on the balance sheet date. Foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from
such translation are recognised through equity.

Other transactions and balances

c)
Other foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates
prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the
settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, other than those held in foreign operations, are
recognised in the income statement.

Segment reporting

2.4
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief
operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating
resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the board of
directors.

Property, plant and equipment

2.5
All property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes
expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as
appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow
to the company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of any replaced
parts is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the
financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation on assets is calculated using the straight-line method to write down their cost to their
residual values over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Fixtures and fittings

3 – 5 years

The residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance
sheet date.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

23

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying
amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and
are recognised within operating profit in the income statement.

Financial instruments
Financial assets

2.6
a)
The company classifies its financial assets at fair value through profit or loss or loans and receivables.
The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management
determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.

Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments. They are
included in current assets, except for maturities greater than twelve months after the balance sheet.
These are classified as non-current assets. The company’s loans and receivables comprise “trade and
other receivables” and “cash and cash equivalents”. They are measured initially on recognition at fair
value and subsequently at amortised cost.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs and
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for
impairment. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective
evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of
the receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter
bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default in payments are considered indicators that the trade
receivable is impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying
amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest
rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the
amount of the loss is recognised in the income statement within administrative expenses. When a trade
receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade receivables.
Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against administrative expenses in
the income statement.

Cash held in respect of bonds
Cash held in respect of bonds includes cash on deposit with banks held by them as collateral against
performance bonds.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and bank overdrafts.
Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments

b)
A financial liability is any liability that is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial
asset to another entity or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another entity under
conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the company.

24 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are financial liabilities held for trading. A
financial liability is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the
short-term. Derivatives are also categorised as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges.

An equity instrument is a contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after
deducting all of its liabilities.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual
arrangements entered into. Where the contractual obligations of financial instruments, including share
capital, are equivalent to a similar debt instrument, those financial instruments are classed as financial
liabilities. Financial liabilities are classified as such in the balance sheet.

Finance costs and gains or losses relating to financial liabilities are included in the income statement.
Finance costs are calculated so as to produce a constant rate of return on the outstanding liability.

Where the contractual terms of share capital do not have any terms meeting the definition of a financial
liability then this is classed as an equity instrument. Dividends and distributions relating to equity
instruments are debited direct to equity.

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are
subsequently stated at amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and
the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the
effective interest method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the company has an unconditional right to defer
settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the balance sheet date.

Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives during the year that do not
qualify for hedge accounting are taken directly to the income statement. The fair value of interest rate
swap contracts is determined by reference to discounted cash flows for similar instruments.

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

2.7 Equity
Issued share capital
Ordinary and deferred shares are classified as equity.

Costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net
of tax, from the proceeds.

Share premium
The share premium account represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration
received for equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

25

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

2.8 Leases
Company as a lessee
The company leases certain property, plant and equipment. Leases of property, plant and equipment
where the company has substantially all the risk and rewards of ownership are classified as finance
leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the commencement of the lease at the lower of the fair value of
the leased asset and the present value of the minimum lease payments.

Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance charges so as to achieve a constant rate
on the finance balance outstanding. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance charges, are
included in other short-term and other long-term payables. The interest element of the finance cost is
charged to the income statement over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest
on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The property, plant and equipment acquired
under finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term.

Leases other than finance leases are classified as operating leases and payments are charged to the
income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives, if applicable, are spread
over the term of the lease.

Income taxes

2.9
Income tax payable is provided on taxable profits using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the
balance sheet date.

Income 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.

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements.
However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of goodwill
or of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the
transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined
using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and
are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax
liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that is it probable that future taxable profit will
be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

2.10 Employee benefits
Pension contributions – defined contribution scheme
For defined contribution schemes, the company pays contributions to publicly or privately administered
pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The company has no further
payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. Contributions to defined contribution
schemes are recognised in the income statement during the period in which they become payable.

26 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when an employment is terminated by the company before the normal
retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits.
The company recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to either terminating
the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of
withdrawal or providing termination benefits as a result of acceptance of an offer of voluntary
redundancy. Benefits falling due more than twelve months after the balance sheet date are discounted
to their present value.

2.11 Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are authorised. An interim dividend
is recognised when it is paid and a final dividend is recognised when it has been approved by
shareholders at the annual general meeting.

2.12 Accrued income
Material income earned from, but not yet invoiced to, customers in the financial period is included
within prepayments and accrued income where receipt of such income is virtually certain.

2.13 Deferred income
Deferred income arises when cash from customers is received in advance of the period in which the
company is contractually obliged to provide its service. Such income is held within accruals and
deferred income and only released to the income statement when the company has met its related
obligations.

2.14 Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities reflect the maximum potential liability on performance and warranty bonds issued
in respect of contracted performance obligations and warranties given to customers under contracts for
the provision goods and services. The warranty period varies between 6 and 36 months depending on
the specific product or service under warranty and the maximum liability may be partially released part
way through this period. The outflow of resources associated with these amounts is not considered to
be probable hence such amounts are not recognised as liabilities at the balance sheet date.

3

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Financial risk factors
Credit risk

3.1
a)
The company’s exposure to credit risk is detailed in Note 14.

As at 30 September 2017 the company had exposure to one customer, with the whole of revenue, trade
receivables and accrued income accruing with a department of the Abu Dhabi government, who are
considered to offer an extremely small credit risk.

The company has policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any financial institution. The credit
risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are financial institutions with strong credit
ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The possibility of material loss is therefore
considered to be unlikely.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

27

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

b) Market risk
Currency risk
The company transacts principally in sterling and UAE dirhams.

The company’s exposure to currency risk is detailed in Note 18.

Transaction risk in the company is principally managed by seeking to ensure that sales, payroll costs
and purchases are made in the same currency and, if material imbalances are predicted to arise, a
decision is made on whether to hedge the exposure.

In relation to translation risk, the company’s current policy is not to hedge the net asset values of the
overseas investments although, where appropriate and cost effective facilities are available, local
borrowings are utilised to reduce the translation risk.

Cash flow interest-rate risk
The company’s policy on managing interest rate risk is subject to regular monitoring of the effect of
potential changes in interest rates on its interest cost with a view to taking suitable actions should
exposure reach certain levels. The company may seek to limit its exposure to fluctuating interest rates
by keeping a significant proportion of the company’s cash or borrowings at fixed interest rates.

Financial assets
The company holds its surplus funds in short-term bank deposits.

Financial liabilities
The company has no material cash flow interest rate risk as it has a low level of financial liabilities that
attract interest. Should this situation change then the company may manage the risk by using floating
to fixed interest rate swaps.

Other price risk
Other price risks, such as changes in the fair value of financial instruments being caused by movements
in commodity or equity prices, are not applicable to the company’s operations. The company does not
hold any investments in companies listed on recognised stock exchanges.

Liquidity risk

c)
Prudent liquidity management implies maintaining sufficient cash and the availability of funding
through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities. The company maintains adequate bank
balances to fund its operations.

28 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

3.2 Capital risk management
The company considers its capital to comprise

Issued share capital
Share premium account
Accumulated reserves

Total equity

Total borrowings
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash held in respect of bonds

At
30 September
2017
£’000
25,474
64,941
(62,624)

27,791

—
(21,530)
(335)

(21,865)

At
30 September
2016
£’000
25,474
64,941
(64,359)

26,056

—
(15,470)
(3,280)

(18,750)

Total capital

5,926

7,306

The company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the company’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. The company is not subject to
externally impaired capital requirements.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the company may adjust the amount of dividends
paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

4.
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other
factors,
including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances.

Estimates

a)
The company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting
estimates will, by definition, rarely equal the related actual results. The board do not consider that there
are any estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Judgements

b)
The board do not consider that any critical judgements have been made in preparing the financial
statements which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to be made to the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

29

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

SEGMENTAL REPORTING

5.
The core principle of IFRS 8 ‘Operating segments’ is to require an entity to disclose information that
enables users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business
activities in which the entity engages and the economic environments in which it operates. Segment
information is therefore presented in respect of the company’s geographical settlement. No secondary
segmental information has been provided as, in the view of the directors, the company operates in only
one segment, being the provision of management and resources to fire and rescue emergency services.
The directors consider that the chief operating decision maker is the board.

Revenues of £24,491,000 (2016: £22,574,000) are derived from a single customer within the UAE
segment. Revenues of £24,881,000 (2016: £22,982,000) were generated from the provision of services
and £nil (2016: £318,000) from the sale of goods.

The amounts provided to the board with respect to net assets are measured in a manner consistent with
that of the financial statements.

The company is domiciled in the UK and also operates out of a branch in UAE. Revenue by destination
is not materially different from the turnover by origin shown below.

Unallocated comprises the head office.

Analysis of revenue and results by geographic settlement
Year ended 30 September 2017

Revenue
Revenue to external customers

Total revenue

Segment result
EBITDA and Operating profit
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit before tax
Income tax

Profit for the year

Segment assets and liabilities
Total assets
Total liabilities

Total net assets

Other segment information
Total capital expenditure

UAE
£’000

24,881

24,881

6,450
—
(87)

6,363
—

6,363

18,669
(3,348)

15,321

Unallocated
£’000

—

—

(4,198)
8
—

(4,190)
—

(4,190)

13,881
(1,411)

12,470

Continuing
operations
£’000

24,881

24,881

2,252
8
(87)

2,173
—

2,173

32,550
(4,759)

27,791

—

—

—

30 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Analysis of revenue and results by geographic settlement (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2016

Revenue
Revenue to external customers

Total revenue

Segment result
EBITDA and Operating profit
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit before tax
Income tax

Profit for the year

Segment assets and liabilities
Total assets
Total liabilities

Total net assets

Other segment information
Total capital expenditure

UAE
£’000

23,300

23,300

6,050
7
(294)

5,763
—

5,763

19,110
(4,414)

14,696

Unallocated
£’000

—

—

(1,174)
14
—

(1,160)
—

(1,160)

12,138
(778)

11,360

Continuing
operations
£’000

23,300

23,300

4,876
21
(294)

4,603
—

4,603

31,248
(5,192)

26,056

—

—

—

OPERATING PROFIT

6.
Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:

Depreciation of property plant and equipment (note 12)
Loss/(profit) on foreign exchange differences
Fees payable to the company’s auditors:
For the audit of the annual accounts
For other services

Operating lease rentals on company properties
Operating lease rentals on other assets
Employee benefit expense
Raw materials and consumables used

2017
£’000
—
368

70
—

70

66
236
16,766
74

2016
£’000
—
(516)

64
6

70

57
205
14,728
762

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

31

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

7.
The average number of persons employed by the company (including executive directors) was:

Production
Administration

The costs incurred in respect of these employees were:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs

Key management compensation
The directors consider the executive directors to be the key management.

Payments made to board directors
Aggregate fees and emoluments

Including in respect of the highest paid director:
Salary and benefits

2017
Number
238
2

240

2017
£’000
15,067
13
1,686

16,766

2017
£’000

110

70

2016
Number
236
2

238

2016
£’000
13,321
6
1,401

14,728

2016
£’000

448

338

There were no pension contributions made in respect of key management (2016: £99,000).

Employee benefit obligations – Overseas schemes
The Abu Dhabi based branch of AssetCo plc contributes towards a statutory pension scheme to the
Abu Dhabi government. The total cost in the year for this scheme was £1,380,000 (2016: £1,180,000).

8.

FINANCE INCOME AND FINANCE COSTS

Finance costs on performance bonds and letters of credit
Bank interest receivable

2017
£’000
(87)
8

(79)

2016
£’000
(294)
21

(273)

DIVIDENDS

9.
A final dividend for 2017 has not been recommended (2016: £nil).

32 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

10.

INCOME TAX

Current taxation
UK corporation tax

Total current tax

2017
£’000

—

—

2016
£’000

—

—

The difference between the profit on ordinary activities at an effective corporation tax rate of 19.5%
(2016: 20%) ruling in the UK and the actual current tax shown above is explained below:

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation

Tax on profit on ordinary activities at a standard rate

of 19.5% (2016: 20%)

Factors affecting tax charge for the year:
Income not taxable
Tax losses generated

2017
£’000
2,173

424

(1,241)
817

—

2016
£’000
4,603

921

(1,152)
231

—

The July 2015 budget announced that the standard rate of corporation tax would change from 20% to
19% with effect from 1 April 2017 and then from 19% to 18% with effect from 1 April 2020. The March
2016 budget announced that the standard rate of corporation tax would now change from 19% to 17%
with effect from 1 April 2020. These changes were substantively enacted in the Finance Act 2015 in
October 2015 and the Finance Act 2016 in September 2016 respectively.

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of
the company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. There
was no dilutive impact in either period therefore diluted earnings per share is equal to basic earnings
per share.

Profit for the year

2017
£’000
2,173

2016
£’000
4,603

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
Basic and diluted earnings per share – pence

12,211,163
17.80

12,211,163
37.70

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

33

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

12.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost
At 30 September 2016 and 2017

Accumulated depreciation
At 30 September 2016 and 2017

Net book value
At 30 September 2016 and 2017

Fixtures
and fittings
£’000

104

104

—

Total
£’000

104

104

—

Security
As at 30 September 2017 the company provided no security in respect of property, plant and equipment
(2016: £nil).

INVENTORIES

13.
As at 30 September 2017 the company had no inventories (2016: £nil). No inventories were impaired
(2016: £nil) and no inventories were pledged as security (2016: £nil).

14. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

2017
£’000
—
190
10,495

10,685

2016
£’000
11,106
258
1,134

12,498

Due to their short-term nature the carrying value of trade and other receivables approximates to their
fair value. Trade and other receivables, including accrued income, held in UAE dirhams amounted to
£10,554,000 (2016: £11,292,000)

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of trade receivables
mentioned above. The company does not hold any collateral as security. There is a material
concentration of credit risk due to the company’s individual material trade debts being with the
Abu Dhabi government. However, these are nationally backed and have a AAA credit rating as well as
there being a strong history of collection of trade debts due.

As of 30 September 2017, trade receivables of £nil (2016: £nil) were impaired. The amount of the
provision was £nil (2016: £nil). No trade receivables were written off during the period (2016: £nil).

34 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

15. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents
UK sterling
UAE dirhams

2017
£’000
21,530

21,530

6,598
14,932

21,530

2016
£’000
15,470

15,470

9,840
5,630

15,470

Cash and cash equivalents receive interest at the floating rate and are carried on the balance sheet at a
value approximate to their fair values. Balances are held with reputable banks with credit ratings of A
and above.

In addition to the above, UAE dirhams amounting to £335,000 (2016: £3,280,000) were held on deposit
as security in respect of outstanding performance bonds. See note 23 – Contingent Liabilities for further
information.

16

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables
Other payables
Other taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income

2017
£’000
878
1,183
3
2,695

4,759

2016
£’000
580
2,126
3
2,483

5,192

Due to their short-term nature the carrying value of trade and other payables approximates to their fair
value. Trade and other payables held in UAE dirhams amounted to £1,401,000 (2016: £2,323,000).

17. BORROWINGS
As at 30 September 2017 there were total borrowings of £nil (2016: £nil).

FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

18.
The following tables illustrate the categorisation and carrying value of financial assets and liabilities as
at 30 September 2017:

Financial assets

Trade receivables
Other receivables and accrued income
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash held in respect of bonds

At amortised cost

2017
£’000
—
10,516
21,530
335

32,381

2016
£’000
11,364
—
15,470
3,280

30,114

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

35

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

At amortised cost

2017
£’000
4,759

2016
£’000
2,709

Maturity analysis of financial liabilities
The following disclosures show the maturity profile of gross undiscounted cash flows of financial
liabilities, excluding deferred income, as at 30 September 2017:

Trade
payables
£000

878

580

Other
payables
and accruals
£000

3,878

2,126

Other
taxation
and social
security
£000

3

3

Total
£000

4,759

2,709

2017
In one year or less

2016
In one year or less

Currency risk
The company has used a sensitivity technique that measures the estimated change to the fair value of
the company’s financial instruments of a 10% strengthening in sterling against all other currencies, from
the closing rates as at 30 September 2017, with all other variables remaining constant. A 10% variation
would have had an impact on the balance sheet of £2,030,000. Of this charge, £650,000 would be taken
to the income statement.

2017
Financial assets
Financial liabilities

2016
Financial assets
Financial liabilities

UK sterling
£’000

UAE dirhams
£’000

6,711
(1,411)

5,300

9,912
(386)

9,526

25,670
(3,348)

22,322

20,202
(2,323)

17,879

Total
£’000

32,381
(4,759)

27,622

30,114
(2,709)

27,405

10%
£’000

2,334
(304)

2,030

1,837
(211)

1,626

Exposures to foreign exchange rates vary during the year depending on the volume of overseas
transactions. Nonetheless the analysis above is considered to be representative of the company’s
exposure to currency risk.

36 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

19.

SHARE CAPITAL

12,211,163 (2016: 12,211,163) ordinary shares of 10p each
90,712,740 (2016: 90,712,740) deferred shares of 24p each
501,425 (2016: 501,425) deferred shares of 495p each

2017
£’000
1,221
21,771
2,482

25,474

2016
£’000
1,221
21,771
2,482

25,474

The rights attaching to the deferred shares are set out in the company’s articles of association and are
minimal. They do not carry any voting rights or dividend rights.

20. TAX LIABILITIES AND DEFERRED TAXATION
Deferred taxation
There was no deferred tax asset or liability recognised at 30 September 2017 (2016: £nil).

The recognition of deferred tax assets is based upon whether it is more likely than not that sufficient
and suitable taxable profits will be available in the future against which the reversal of temporary
differences can be deducted. Where the temporary differences relate to losses, the availability of the
losses to offset against future profitability is also considered. The directors consider that there is no
basis on which to recognise deferred tax assets at 30 September 2017 or 30 September 2016. The
unrecognised asset in respect of tax losses at 30 September 2017 amounts to £2,082,000 (2016:
£1,370,000).

FUTURE CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

21.
There were no capital commitments contracted for but not provided in these financial statements at
30 September 2017 (2016: £nil).

Operating lease commitments
The company leases various assets under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The leases have
varying terms and renewal rights.

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Within one year

Property

Other assets

2017
£000
31

2016
£000
29

2017
£000
—

2016
£000
76

The company leases the commercial property from which it operates. The lease was taken at the open
market rent for the property prevailing at the outset of the lease. Lease renewals in respect of property
are governed by the laws of the countries in which the leases are held. There are no purchase rights to
any of the leased properties and no contingent rents are payable. None of the leases imposes financial
or operating restrictions upon the business other than those associated with planning laws.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

37

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

22. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE TAX TO NET CASH GENERATED FROM

OPERATIONS

Profit for the year before taxation
Finance costs (note 8)
Finance income (note 8)
Decrease/(increase) in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables

Cash generated from operations

23. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Performance bond related to a UAE based contract,

released in full in the period

Performance bond related to a UAE based contract,

expected to reduce to approximately £1.2 million in
2018 and to be released in full in 2020

Performance bond related to a UAE based contract,

released in full in the period

Performance bond related to a UAE based contract,

expected to be released in full in 2018

2017
£’000
2,173
87
(8)
1,191
(349)

3,094

2016
£’000
4,603
294
(21)
(4,766)
2,041

2,151

Approximate maximum
potential liability

2017
£’000

—

2016
£’000

3,000

2,400

2,400

—

105

130

—

24. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related parties comprise the company’s shareholders, subsidiaries, associated companies, joint ventures
and other entities over which the shareholders of the company have the ability to control or exercise
significant influence over financial and operating decisions and key management personnel.

During the period, the company entered into the following significant transactions with related parties
at prices and on terms agreed between the related parties:

Executive directors’ remuneration
For the year ended 30 September 2017

Tudor Davies (see i below)

Salary
£’000
70

Bonus
£’000
—

Benefits
in Kind
£’000
—

Total
emoluments
£’000
70

38 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 30 September 2017

For the year ended 30 September 2016

Tudor Davies (see i below)
Jeff Ord (see ii below)

Salary
£’000
70
234

304

Bonus
£’000
—
77

77

Benefits
in Kind
£’000
—
27

27

Total
emoluments
£’000
70
338

408

i.

ii.

Tudor Davies was appointed Executive Chairman on 23 March 2011.

Jeff Ord was appointed to the board on 11 April 2012 and passed away on 23 June 2016. Pension
contributions and similar entitlements made during the year ended 30 September 2016 in respect
of Jeff Ord amounted to £99,000.

Non-executive directors’ remuneration

Mark Butcher (see iii below)
Christopher Mills (see iv below)

2017
£’000
20
20

40

2016
£’000
20
20

40

iii. Mark Butcher was appointed as a non-executive director on 24 October 2012.

iv. Christopher Mills was appointed as a non-executive director on 23 March 2011.

Consultancy services were provided by Cadoc Limited, a company associated with Tudor Davies, to
AssetCo plc during the year at a cost of £375,000 (2016: £180,000), including at the balance sheet date
an accrual of £245,000 (2016: £97,000).

Costs of £78,000 (2016: £Nil) incurred by Harwood Capital LLP, one of the company’s significant
shareholders, in relation to legal action being taken by the company against the company’s former
auditors were charged by Harwood Capital LLP to the company during the year, including at the
balance sheet date an accrual of £78,000 (2016; £nil).

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

25.
The performance bond referred to in note 23 and expected to be released in full in 2018 was released
towards the end of December 2017. In February 2018, the company entered into a new performance
bond of similar value to that released in December 2017. It is expected that this will be released in full
later in 2018. There are no other post balance sheet events to report.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2017

39

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