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Cambria Automobiles plc
Annual Report 2015

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Employees 1001-5000
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FY2015 Annual Report · Cambria Automobiles plc
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Annual report and financial statements

Registered number 05754547
31 August 2015

Contents

Summary ........................................................................... 4

Chairman’s statement ....................................................... 7

Operating and financial review ........................................ 10

Strategic report ............................................................... 18

Directors’ report .............................................................. 20

Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of  
the Directors’ report and the financial statements .......... 21

Independent auditor’s report to the members of  
Cambria Automobiles plc ................................................ 22

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income ........ 24

Consolidated statement of changes in equity ................. 25

Consolidated statement of financial position .................. 26

Consolidated cash flow statement .................................. 27

Notes ............................................................................... 28

Company balance sheet ................................................. 58

Company reconciliation of movements in  
shareholders’ funds ......................................................... 59

Notes ............................................................................... 60

2
2

33

Financial Highlights

Year ended 31 August

2015

2014

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA*

Underlying operating profit*

Underlying profit before tax*

Underlying profit before tax margin*

Non-recurring expenses

Underlying earnings per share*

Earnings per share

Dividend per share

£m

523.8

10.2

8.5

7.7

1.5%

0.1

6.08p

6.03p

0.75p

£m

Change

450.1

7.4

5.9

5.4

1.2%

0.1

4.22p

4.15p

0.6p

16.4%

37.8%

44.1%

42.6%

30bps

44.1%

45.3%

25.0%

* These items exclude non-recurring expenses of £0.1m (2014: £0.1m)

4  Strong balance sheet - net assets £33.7m

4  Return on Equity at 19.6% (2013/14: 15.9%)

4  Strong operational cash flows, cash 
position of £15.4m (2013/14: £10.3m) 

4  Proposed final dividend of 0.6p, full year up 

by 25.0% to 0.75p per share (2013/14: 0.6p)

4  Net cash of £1.0m (2013/14: net debt 

£4.6m) after significant investment in April 
2015

4  Post year-end, new £37.0m, 5 year banking 
facilities arranged, including an undrawn 
£22m revolving credit facility, providing 
additional funding capacity 

4

Summary

Operational Highlights

4 Growth in new vehicle sales of 9.0%

4 Barnet Jaguar Land Rover 

4 New retail profit per unit increased  

by 12.6% 

4 Increase in used vehicle unit sales of 

4.4%  

4 Used car profit per unit increased by 

5.3%

4 Increase of 7.8%  in service and 

bodyshop hours sold

acquisition from June 2014 integrating 
well with profit contribution in line 
with expectations

4 Swindon Land Rover acquired on  

30 April 2015 for £7.6m, 
integrating well and contributed in line 
with expectations

5

 
Summary (continued)

Mark Lavery, Chief Executive Officer of Cambria said:

“The Group has delivered a strong set of full year results, with our sales exceeding £500m for the first time. Along with 

the growth in our underlying profitability, this milestone reflects the continued progress that has been made across our 

businesses as we take advantage of the UK economic recovery by identifying the right acquisition opportunities and 

strengthening our position in high luxury and premium brands. The acquisitions of the Jaguar Land Rover business 

in Barnet and the Land Rover business in Swindon fully align with this strategy and I am pleased to report that both 

businesses have integrated well. 

“Post  the  period  end,  the  Group’s  growth  momentum  has  continued  in  the  first  two  months  of  the  new  financial  year  with  results 

substantially ahead of the comparable period. We have also successfully agreed a new set of 5 year banking facilities, which, combined 

with our strong cash reserves, have boosted our acquisition capacity. The Board remains focused on strengthening its brand portfolio 

by actively delivering on our stated acquisition strategy to enhance shareholder value. We are well placed to continue our growth in the 

current financial year.”

6

 
Chairman’s statement

I am very pleased to report that Cambria has delivered a strong set of results for the year ended 31 August 2015, which show continued 

improvement in the Group’s operational and financial performance and successful delivery of its stated growth strategy. 

The UK motor retail industry has continued to demonstrate year-on-year growth with the new car market reporting buoyant registration 

data supported by strong consumer offers and a favourable exchange rate environment.

The Group reported significant operational improvements in the 2013/14 financial year and these have impacted positively the 2014/15 

year.  The Group generated gross profit growth across all core elements of the business, New Vehicles, Used Vehicles and Aftersales, as 

well as delivering another significant premium brand acquisition in Land Rover Swindon to add to the major acquisition in the previous 

year.    These  earnings  accretive  acquisitions  have  been  delivered  in  line  with  the  strategy  for  growth  in  the  premium  and  high  luxury 

segment and have achieved our robust investment criteria.

Revenue increased by 16.4% to £523.8m (2013/14: £450.1m). Underlying profit before tax rose by 42.6% to £7.7m (2013/14: £5.4m).  

Profit before tax also improved by 45.2% to £7.7m (2013/14: £5.3m), giving earnings per share of 6.03p (2013/14: 4.15p) - an increase of 

45.3%. 

The Group closed the year with net cash of £1.0m (2013/14: net debt £4.6m) and net assets of £33.7m (2013/14: £28.3m), underpinned 

by the ownership of £37.6m (2013/14: £35.7m) of freehold and long leasehold properties. 

Our capacity for making acquisitions, and the facilities development programme, have been enhanced post year end with a new set of 

banking facilities of £37m. These facilities refinance the existing term loans of £14.4m and make available a further £22.0m of Revolving 

Credit Facility.

Group overview

Cambria was established in 2006 with a strategy to build a balanced motor retail group through close cooperation with our manufacturer 

partners to deliver the self-funded acquisition and turnaround of underperforming businesses. In my previous reports, I stated that our 

strategy had evolved to encompass the acquisition of premium and high luxury businesses located in geographically strategic locations 

which would be immediately earning enhancing.

In 2014 the Group, in line with this strategy was pleased to be able to announce the acquisition of the Jaguar and Land Rover dealership 

in Barnet.  The Board has been very pleased with the manner in which this business has integrated and is confident that it will continue 

to  deliver  results  in  line  with  expectations.    Following  on  from  this  successful  acquisition,  management  has  continued  to  identify  and 

review acquisition opportunities that meet these criteria, and on 30 April 2015 completed the acquisition of Swindon Land Rover for a 

total consideration of £7.6m including £2.3m of freehold property.  In the four months of ownership the Swindon Land Rover business has 

contributed positively to the Group and is integrating well. 

The strength of the Group’s balance sheet and new financing resources available allows us to continue our acquisition strategy, realise our 

brand balance ambitions, while meeting our financial return criteria. 

Following the acquisitions, and the closure of the Group’s only Citroen new car sales franchise in Swindon,  the Group now comprises 29 

dealerships, representing 45 franchises and 17 brands, a well balanced brand portfolio spanning the high luxury, premium and volume 

segments.

Our relationship with the manufacturers which we represent is a core pillar of our business approach. The management team continues 

to develop and maintain strong working relationships, in which Cambria is seen as an effective and valued business partner.  I would also 

like to thank all our Cambria Associates, who continue to demonstrate commitment to the Group. We believe that our investment in their 

development, through the Cambria Academy, will increase skill levels in our Guest facing sales force and enhance their ability to provide 

a world class Guest experience.

7

 
Chairman’s Statement (continued)

Dividend

The Board is pleased to announce a final dividend of 0.6p per share (2013/14: 0.5p), subject to shareholder approval, resulting in a total 

dividend for the year of 0.75p per share (2013/14: 0.6p) - an increase of 25.0%.  It remains the Board’s intention to grow dividends in line 

with earnings.

Outlook

Since the industry lows experienced in Q4 2011, the UK market has enjoyed 43 consecutive months of year-on-year growth in new car 

registrations to September 2015.  This continuous growth trajectory plateaued in October against a strong prior year comparative and a 

market which is expected to reach a record high in 2015 at over 2.6m new car registrations. We believe that the new car market will remain 

robust although we do not expect year-on-year growth in new car registrations to continue when the market reaches its natural mid-cycle 

level.

I am pleased to report that Cambria has maintained its growth momentum in the first two months of the new financial year, delivering 

results  substantially  ahead  of  the  comparable  period.    We  are  actively  looking  to  deliver  on  our  stated  acquisition  strategy  to  further 

enhance  the  brand  portfolio  in  strategic  areas,  whilst  maintaining  our  aim  to  produce  superior  returns  on  Shareholders’  funds,  which 

reached 19.6% in the year under review (2013/14: 15.9%).

The Board is pleased with the progress that has been made over the last two financial years and intends to continue to exploit growth 

opportunities whilst driving the core operation of the existing businesses.

Philip Swatman

Chairman

8

‘

A culture of delivering a World Class Guest 
Experience is engrained into the business 
through the Cambria Academy training 
programme

’

9

Operating and Financial Review

Chief Executive’s review

Introduction

I am pleased to report that the Group has delivered a very good set of results for the 2015 financial year.  The operational and financial 

performance improvements delivered in H1 2015 continued into the second half with underlying profit before tax rising to £7.7m, a 42.6% 

increase on the previous year.

It is pleasing to report that the results reflect both organic growth and profit increases in the like-for-like businesses as well as delivery of 

the anticipated earnings from the acquisitions made in the current and previous financial year. 

In line with our acquisition strategy, we completed the purchase of our second Land Rover dealership in Swindon in April 2015 for £7.6m 

from existing cash resources and term debt. The integration of this business is progressing well and the business has operated in line with 

our expectations during the first four months of ownership. 

During the year under review, the like-for- like businesses contributed a £6.5m profit before tax, a 20.4% year on year increase, whilst the 

Barnet and Swindon acquisitions contributed £1.2m profit before tax.

The table below summarises our financial performance, which is detailed in the Finance Director’s Report:

Year ended 31 August

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA*

Underlying operating profit*

Underlying profit before tax*

Underlying profit before tax margin*

EBITDA

Operating profit

Profit before tax

Non-recurring expenses

Net Assets 

Profit before tax margin

Underlying earnings per share*

Earnings per share

* These items exclude non-recurring expenses of £0.1m (2013/14: £0.1m)

2015
£m

523.8

10.2

8.5

7.7

1.5%

10.1

8.4

7.7

0.1

33.7

1.5%

6.08p

6.03p

2014
£m

450.1

7.4

5.9

5.4

1.2%

7.3

5.8

5.3

0.1

28.3

1.2%

4.22p

4.15p

10

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Total revenue for the Group exceeded £500m for the first time in its history, a milestone in the Group’s evolution from its inception in 2006.  

Through a combination of operational improvements and strategic acquisitions the Group intends to continue to deliver controlled growth 

and increasing profitability.

The Group also continued to deliver strong operational cashflow during the year which funded the acquisition of the Swindon Land Rover 

business, and ensures that we have resources available to continue with our acquisition strategy to develop the Group’s profitability and 

franchise mix.  During the year we have worked with our banking partner Lloyds Banking Group to structure a new set of banking facilities 

that will provide a refinancing of the existing £14.4m term loans and make available a £15.0m Revolving Credit Facility for acquisitions and 

a further development facility of up to £7.0m for the property projects at our Barnet and Swindon dealerships to deliver the new Jaguar 

Land Rover corporate standard facilities. 

Brand partnerships

In line with our buy-and-build strategy, management has continued to work with both existing and potential Brand Partners (manufacturers) 

with whom the Group may develop Primary Brand Partner relationships (i.e. more than three franchised dealerships). We have worked hard 

to improve the businesses acquired in previous years and to integrate and develop the ones acquired and established in the year under 

review, making significant investment in the management of those businesses.

Our current portfolio of Brand Partners and dealerships comprises:

High Luxury / Premium

Aston Martin

Alfa Romeo

Honda

Jaguar

Land Rover

Volvo

Volume

Abarth

Jeep

Dacia

Fiat

Ford

Mazda

Nissan

Renault

Seat

Vauxhall

3

2

2

6

2

5

20

Motorcycle

Triumph

1

2

1

5

5

4

1

1

1

2

23

2

2

During the year the Group acquired the Swindon Land Rover business for a total consideration of £7.6m, which included £2.3m of freehold 

land and property, £0.1m of fixed assets and £2.2m of net working capital assets resulting in £3.0m of goodwill.  It is our intention to fully 

re-develop our Swindon Motor Park location to provide a new Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) facility in line with the new Arch design concept 

for JLR facilities.  It is anticipated that the development will be completed by summer 2017 and we are initiating the planning and design 

process imminently.  Once the new development is complete, we will relocate the Land Rover business from the existing dealership property 

in Royal Wootton Bassett, and will then dispose of the Royal Wootton Bassett facility.

When we acquired the Barnet Jaguar Land Rover dealership in the 2013/14 financial year we committed to develop the freehold site to 

provide a Jaguar Land Rover Arch concept facility on that location.  At the time of writing we have now secured full planning consent and are 

in the process of finalising the negotiations with contractors for delivery of the site.  It is our expectation that the site development will begin 

in calendar Q1 2016 with completion in calendar Q1 2017.  We are excited about this development and are confident that once complete 

it will provide an exceptional facility from which we can deliver a great Guest Experience and achieve the full potential of the businesses.

Cambria has enjoyed the benefits of a strategically balanced brand portfolio with a strong mix of high luxury, premium and volume businesses 

and we intend to continue our buy-and-build strategy, acquiring businesses that further improve the brand mix and represent good value 

for our shareholders.

We continue to promote the philosophy of stand-alone autonomous business units, in which local management teams are empowered via 
our “Four Pillar Strategy” to run their own business units. Cambria dealerships do not trade under the “Cambria” name but focus on local 

branding. Our dealerships trade as “Grange”, “Doves”, “Dees”, “Invicta Motors”, “County Motor Works”, “Pure Triumph” and “Motorparks”. 

When acquiring a business, the Board considers the geographical location of the franchise and then chooses to either adopt a new trading 

style or retain the existing business name. On completion of both the Barnet and Swindon acquisitions, the businesses were re-branded 

as “Grange”.

11

Automobiles plc

Locations across the UK

Welwyn  
Garden City

Brentwood

Chelmsford

Barnet

Thanet

Tunbridge 
Wells

Canterbury

Ashford

Maidstone

Gatwick

Horsham

Wimbledon

Croydon

Southampton

Blackburn

Preston

Bolton

Bury

Oldham

Warrington

Wellingborough

Northampton

Woburn

Swindon

Exeter

12

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Operations

2015
Revenue

2015
Revenue 
mix

2015
Gross 
Profit

2015
  Margin

2014
Revenue

2014
Revenue 
mix

2014
Gross 
Profit 

2014
 Margin

£m

238.4

235.9

60.6

(11.1)

523.8

%

45.5

45.0

11.6

(2.1)

100.0

£m

15.5

20.8

25.8

-

62.1

(53.6)

8.5

(0.1)

8.4

%

6.5

8.8

42.5

-

11.9

1.6

£m

195.2

208.9

55.8

(9.8)

%

43.4

46.4

12.4

(2.2)

450.1

100.0

£m

12.3

19.0

23.9

-

55.2

(49.3)

5.9

(0.1)

5.8

%

6.3

9.1

42.9

-

12.3

1.3

2015  

11,388

2014

Year on year growth

10,451

9.0%

New Vehicles

Used Vehicles

Aftersales

Internal sales

Total

Administrative expenses

Operating profit before non- 
recurring expenses

Non-recurring expenses

Operating profit

New Vehicle Sales

New units

New vehicle revenue increased from £195.2m to £238.4m with total new vehicle sales volume up 9%. Excluding the impact of Barnet and 

Swindon acquisitions, our new volumes rose by 1.1% on a like-for-like basis. Gross profit also increased by £3.2m (26.0%) in total and £0.3m 

on a like-for-like basis with an improvement in the gross profit per unit sold.   

This strong performance was delivered against an overall year-on-year increase of 7.2% in new UK car registrations in the 12 month period 

to 31 August 2015. New car registrations for the rolling 12 months exceeded 2.57m in this period for the first time since 2007, and it is 

anticipated that in the calendar year 2015 total registrations will exceed 2.6m for the first time. The private registrations element of the new 

car market increased 4.4% year-on-year. ASE industry data indicates that dealer sales are at a lower level than the SMMT registration data 

which also includes the impact of self/pre-registrations.

The Group’s sale of new vehicles to private individuals was 9.2% higher year-on-year at 9,693 units. Commercial and fleet vehicle sales by 

the Group increased by 11.6% to 1,090 units and by 0.8% to 605 units respectively; these sales are transacted at lower margins hence the 

dilutive effect on overall new car gross margin.

Used Vehicle Sales

Used units

2015  

14,945

2014

Year on year growth

14,320

4.4%

We have delivered a strong performance in used vehicle sales. Revenues increased from £208.9m to £235.9m and the number of units sold 

rose by 4.4%.  Like-for-like volumes were up 1.3%. The gross profit generated increased by £1.8m (9.5%) in total and £0.9m on a like-for-like 

basis.  

The Group continues to place a major focus on managing and driving the used car operation within the business, and pleasingly, the improved 

controls and trading style that the Group has adopted is delivering results.  Over the past 24 months, the Group has adopted a “Velocity” 

trading strategy which involves applying consistent controls to the level of used car stock being held, the pricing and presentation of the 

inventory and the penetration of Finance and Insurance products to the sale of used cars.  The adoption of this trading style has resulted in 

the average gross profit on each unit retailed increasing year on year to £1,395 per unit (up 5.3%). The adoption of the Velocity trading strategy 

means that the Group has also concentrated on tight management of its used vehicle inventories, closely monitoring stock turn and used 

car Return on Investment with an improvement to 137% in the year from 119% in 2013 and 122% in 2014. Cambria has therefore further 

distanced itself from the industry average used car Return on investment of 76.5%  

13

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Aftersales

Service and Bodyshop hours

2015  

2014

Year on year growth

341,611

316,963

7.8%

Overall, the service and bodyshop elements of the business increased the number of hours sold by 7.8% and the total aftersales gross 

profit by £1.9m (7.9%) to £25.8m. The combined aftersales revenue increased 8.6% year on year from £55.8m to £60.6m.  The aftersales 

departments contributed 41.5% of the Group’s overall gross profit.

The Group continues to review its processes for ensuring that we engage with all our Guests to maximise the opportunity to interact with 

them through our Guest Relationship Management Programme. This is our contact strategy involving the sale of service plans and delivery of 

service and MOT reminders in a structured manner, utilising all forms of digital media and traditional communication methods.

The 0-3 year car parc continues to be replenished, as new car sales increases year on year, and this gives the Group confidence of further 

progress in Guest relationship and retention and the aftersales business remaining strong.

Group Strategy

Since the Group’s incorporation in March 2006, we have continued to apply our focused buy-and-build strategy of acquiring motor dealership 

assets using internally generated funds and bank facilities. The earnings enhancing acquisitions over the past two years of the Barnet and 

Swindon businesses are firmly in line with this strategy and the opportunity to develop our relationship with Jaguar Land Rover fits our brand 

portfolio aspirations perfectly.

We have now completed eleven separate transactions since our incorporation. Following any acquisition, the Cambria management team 

implements new financial and operational controls and processes in order to rationalise, restructure and develop each individual dealership. 

A culture of delivering a world class Guest experience is engrained into the business through the Cambria Academy training.  This tailored 

approach  ensures  the  changes  made  to  each  dealership  are  sustainable  and  create  shareholder  value  through  achieving  an  appropriate 

contribution for the level of investment. 

We will continue with our three step approach to purchasing a new business - acquisition, integration and operation, as outlined below:  

Acquisition

When acquiring new businesses, we are diligent in ensuring that none of the contractual obligations taken on upset the integrity of our balance 

sheet. This includes ensuring that leases reflect market value and that any unusual contractual obligations are addressed prior to acquisition 

in order to avoid taking on any legacy costs. We do not have any defined benefit pension schemes. We have always taken the approach that 

Cambria will not acquire any business unless there is a strong underlying business case to do so and our acquisitions have been funded from 

our own cash resources and banking facilities. Maintaining the Group’s balanced brand portfolio will be fundamental to its continued success 

and development and this will undoubtedly mean that we will acquire and develop more Premium and Luxury businesses. All acquisitions and 

any related funding requirements are assessed on their individual merits.  For compelling acquisition targets, like Barnet and Swindon, where 

a premium may need to be paid, we will still focus on ensuring that the Group delivers strong and consistent returns on equity.

Integration

The integration process of every new dealership starts with an Associate engagement evening where our senior management present 

the Cambria “Four Pillar” culture change programme. After this meeting, the Group integration team implements systems, processes and 

procedures to improve legislator compliance including FCA and Health & Safety. Newly acquired Associates are transferred to Cambria 

employment  contracts  with  compensation  and  benefits  commensurate  with  the  particular  business.  An  analysis  of  training  needs  is 

conducted, followed by the implementation of training programmes for all relevant Associates in the new business.

Operation

With any new acquisition, the standard financial controls are implemented immediately, ranging from individual cheque signatories to daily 

reporting of vehicle sales and aftersales revenues, margins and other performance figures. We then implement our two growth strategies (i) 
“Cambria Digital”, which is our internet social networking strategy for vehicle sales coupled with our “Guest Connect” support centre, and 

(ii) in Aftersales our “Duty of Care Gearbox” and Local Contact Strategy which is designed to supply our Guests with a one stop solution 

for all their vehicle maintenance needs. 

14

 
Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Cambria Academy

The Group has continued to develop the Cambria Academy, a training Academy for the Group’s Associates, which was established nearly 

three years ago. The Academy is evolving consistently in order to support the business and development needs of the Group.  The initial 

training programmes for the sales teams have been supplemented with induction programmes and specific telephone handling courses to 

ensure that we increase the competency of all our Associates in dealing with Guest enquiries effectively. 

The Academy was established to enhance the Cambria Guest Experience with the key strategic objective:  “To deliver an outstanding 

experience making it easy for our Guests to buy, own and maintain their vehicle, ensuring that they will want to do so again and recommend 

us to others.”

We will continue to enhance and refine the Academy to help develop our own talent pool, promote Associate retention and to create our 

own future management with the overriding objective of enhancing the Guest Experience when interacting with Cambria. 

Outlook

The new financial year has started strongly. Group performance in the first two months is significantly ahead of the comparable period of 

the 2014/15 financial year, and is tracking ahead of current market expectations. I am pleased with the progress that we are making across 

our established businesses; and I am also pleased with the progress that we are making in both the Barnet and Swindon acquisitions.  

Whilst there is further work to do in order that those businesses achieve their potential, the opportunity to generate significant returns from 
these business is substantial. I am confident that through a disciplined approach to managing the used car operation and adhering to the 

principles of the “Velocity” trading strategy that we have adopted, that Cambria can maintain this momentum and deliver further improved 

performances across all its departments in the current financial year.

Our continued strong cash generation and new banking facilities leave us well positioned to develop our balanced brand portfolio. We will 

continue to focus on the development of our high luxury and premium brands and Cambria continues to invest in identifying acquisition 

opportunities.

Whilst there were 43 consecutive months of year-on-year growth in new car registrations in the UK to September, and a stabilising in 

October, we believe that at just over 2.6m registrations for the year, the new car market is now mid-cycle and will remain around this level.  

The UK remains an attractive place for the vehicle manufacturers to register and sell cars given the overall recovery of the economy and 

the exchange rate benefit that the manufacturers receive if sterling remains strong.   

As a result of the exchange rate benefit and the ongoing low interest rate environment, vehicle manufacturers continue to deliver strong 

consumer offers, which represent attractive propositions for our Guests to acquire new cars.  The level of cars sold on Personal Contract 

Purchase “PCP” related products has increased significantly over the past four years. As a result of the increased penetration of the PCP 

offers, there becomes a natural change cycle where a Guest is more likely to change a car for another new one during the term of the 

PCP product. A larger portion of cars sold on PCP gives greater control of the Guest’s change cycle and creates an opportunity for us to 

engage with our Guests.

Cambria  remains  data  driven,  digitised  and  agile  which  puts  us  in  a  good  position  to  capitalise  on  the  opportunities  that  the  market 

and brand partners present.  We intend to continue the process of enhancing the existing businesses and acquiring businesses that fit 

strategically in terms of brand, location and return on investment.

Mark Lavery

Chief Executive

15

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Finance Director’s Report

Overview

Total revenues in the period increased 16.4% to £523.8m from £450.1m in the prior year.  New vehicle unit volumes were up 9% and new 

vehicle revenues were up 22.1%. Used car unit sales and revenues increased by 4.4% and 12.9% respectively. Revenues from the aftersales 

businesses increased by 8.6%, compared with the previous year. 

Total gross profit increased by £6.9m (12.5%) from £55.2m to £62.1m in the year. Gross profit margin across the Group reduced from 12.3% 

to 11.9%, reflecting the change in revenue mix following the increase in new car sales and the improvement in commercial vehicles and fleet 

cars. The average selling price of both new and used cars increased year on year, as did the average profit per new and used unit that we 

sold.  The aftersales operations contributed 41.5% of the total gross profit for the Group, compared to 43.3% in the previous period, at a 

gross profit margin of 42.5%, compared with 42.9% in the previous year.

During  the  year,  the  Group  incurred  non-recurring  expenses  of  £57,000  in  relation  to  transaction  and  set  up  costs  associated  with  the 

acquisition of the Swindon Land Rover business.

Underlying EBITDA increased by 37.8% in the period to £10.2m from £7.4m in the previous year.  Underlying operating profit improved 44% 

to £8.5m, compared to £5.9m in the previous year, resulting in an underlying operating margin of 1.6% (2013/14: 1.3%).

Net finance expenses increased to £0.7m (2013/14: £0.5m) as a result of the additional mortgages against the Barnet and Swindon freehold 
properties acquired and additional consignment stocking costs relating to the higher level of consignment stock carried across the year.

The Group’s underlying profit before tax rose by 42.6% to £7.7m, in comparison with £5.4m in the previous year. The acquisition accounted 

for a profit of £1.2m in the year, in line with our budget.

Underlying earnings per share were 6.08p (2013/14: 4.22p). Basic earnings per share were 6.03p (2013/14: 4.15p) and the Group’s underlying 

return on shareholders’ funds for the year was 19.6% (2013/14: 15.9%).

Taxation

The Group tax charge was £1.6m (2013/14: £1.2m) representing an effective rate of tax of 21.2% (2013/14: 21.8%) on a profit before tax 

of £7.7m (2013/14: £5.3m). As outlined in last year’s report, it is anticipated that the tax rate will continue at a substantially normal effective 

tax rate.   

Financial Position

The Group has a robust balance sheet with a net asset position of £33.7m underpinned by £37.5m of freehold and long leasehold property 

which are held on a historic cost basis. Secured against the freehold and long leasehold property are mortgages amounting to £14.4m. 

As at the balance sheet date, each of the loans has different repayment profiles between three and fifteen years and bear interest at between 
base plus 1.25% and LIBOR plus 3%. During the year, the Group comfortably met the bank covenants attached to these borrowings.  

Post year end, on 23 November 2015, the Group entered into revised banking arrangements with Lloyds Banking Group to refinance the 

existing £14.4m of term loans into one standardised facility of £15m that has a 5 year term, and 15 year capital repayment profile.

The cost of the facilities is LIBOR plus a margin.  The margin attributable to the term loans will be set each quarter and is dependent on the 

net debt: EBITDA ratio for the Group.  The spread of margin chargeable against the facility ranges from 1.2% where the net debt is less than 

1 times EBITDA, up to 2% where the net debt is greater than 2.5 times EBITDA.

The Group has also arranged two further Revolving Credit Facilities.  The first is a 5 year, £15m RCF available for the acquisition of businesses 

and property, the second is a 5 year property development facility to be used against the development of Barnet and Swindon properties.  The 

maximum drawdown against this facility is £7m, and it is intended that once the developments are complete that the RCF will be converted 

into a standard amortising term facility.  The margins attributable to these Revolving Credit Facilities mirror those attributable to the revised 

term loan facilities.  

16

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

The net cash position of the Group as at 31 August 2015 was £1.0m (2013/14: net debt £4.6m), reflecting a cash position of £15.4m 

(2013/14: £10.3m).  This is after the £7.6m investment in acquired businesses.

The  Group  typically  uses  term  loan  facilities  to  fund  the  purchase  of  freehold  and  long  leasehold  properties,  stocking  loans  to  fund 

the acquisition of consignment, demonstrator and used vehicles and has a £5.0m overdraft facility which is used to manage seasonal 

fluctuations in working capital. The overdraft facilities are renewable annually and are next due in February 2016. At the balance sheet date, 

the Group had a £5.0m Revolving Credit Facility, (RCF) which has now been replaced with the revised facilities which give us significant 

liquidity to identify and approach acquisition targets.

Cash Flow and Capital Expenditure

The Group generated an operating cash inflow of £15.0m with working capital reducing by £6.4m through efficient management of the 

vehicle inventory and the stocking lines associated with that inventory, VAT inflow from increased consignment stock levels and higher 

levels of new vehicle deposits. Total funds invested in business acquisitions and capital expenditure were £8.4m, of which £7.6m related 

to the acquisition of the Swindon Land Rover business and £0.9m was fixtures and fittings, plant and equipment and computer equipment.  

We drew down one new term loan of £1.6m against the freehold purchase of the Swindon Land Rover Property.

During  the  year,  capital  repayments  of  £2.1m  were  made  against  the  total  term  loans  outstanding.  The  capital  repayments  due  in  the 

financial year to 31 August 2016 under the old facilities total £2.1m, under the revised facilities will equate to £1.3m in 2016 and £1m each 

year thereafter. 

As a result of the net cash inflow of £5.1m, the gross cash position was £15.4m with gross debt decreasing by £0.5m to £14.4m, overall 

net debt decreased from a net debt position of £4.6m at 31 August 2014 to a net cash position of £1.0m.

Shareholders’ Funds

There are 100,000,000 ordinary shares of 10p each with an associated share premium account of £0.8m. There were no new funds raised 

during the year; therefore the share capital and share premium account remain at £10.8m consistent with the prior year. All ordinary shares 

rank pari passu for both voting and dividend rights. 

Pension Schemes

The Group does not operate any defined benefit pension schemes and has no liability arising from any such scheme. The Group made 

contributions amounting to £0.3m (2013/14: £0.3m) to defined contributions schemes for certain employees. 

Financial Instruments

The Group does not have any contractual obligation under any financial instruments with respect to the hedging of interest rate risk.

Dividends

The Board is pleased to propose a final dividend payment in respect of the financial year to 31 August 2015 of 0.6p per share in addition 

to the interim dividend of 0.15p per share paid in May 2015. If approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held 

on 14 January 2016, the dividend will be payable on 21 January 2016 to those shareholders registered on 29 December 2015, with an 

ex-dividend date of 24 December 2015. The Board aims to maintain a dividend policy that grows with the Group’s earnings but intends to 

ensure that the payment of dividend does not detract from its primary strategy to continue to buy-and-build and grow the Group.   

James Mullins
Finance Director

23 November 2015

17

Strategic report

Enhanced Business Review

All details required are covered in the Chairman’s Statement and the Operating and Financial Review between pages 3 and 13.

Cambria Business Philosophy

Cambria’s culture – The Four Pillars

The Group works hard to instil a group culture. This culture is built around four pillars which are:

Pillar One - Associate delight

The Directors believe that Associates are the Company’s most important asset and therefore members of the team are not referred to as 

members of staff or employees, but rather as “Associates”. The Directors want all Associates to be proud to be associated with the Group 

and to be given the autonomy to make decisions that affect the running of “their” business. The Directors promote internal development 

and  foster  a  culture  whereby  associates  feel  they  can  achieve  their  career  aspirations  with  Cambria.  Equally,  Cambria  invests  in  its 

Associates in order for them to achieve their full potential within the Group.  

Pillar Two - Guest delight

Cambria Associates are encouraged to treat all customers at all times, in the way that they would treat a guest visiting their own home.  

The Directors believe that associate empowerment is key to achieving this goal and the Directors believe that the organisation must be 

transparent and open at all times generating empathy with the diverse guest base of the Group.

Pillar Three - Brand delight

The Group’s goal is to become the retailer of choice for all of the automotive manufacturers that it represents.  This pillar focuses on 

achieving the following goals:

•  brand vehicle sales objectives

•  brand part sales objectives

•  top half placing in brand customer satisfaction surveys

•  the development of a trusting relationship with brand personnel from the manufacturer partners

Pillar Four - Stakeholder delight

The Group aims to provide satisfaction to its Stakeholders. It seeks to achieve this through:

•  disclosing timely and accurate information providing Stakeholders with a detailed  understanding of business performance; and

•  communicating openly and transparently.

Primary Risks

The primary risk to the Group is the volatility in the new and used car markets and the changes made by our manufacturer brand partners 

to the pricing and margin structure on the new vehicles that we sell.  

The Group uses a variety of financial instruments including cash, borrowings and various items, such as trade debtors and trade creditors 

that  arise  directly  from  its  operations.  The  main  purpose  of  these  financial  instruments  is  to  provide  working  capital  for  the  Group’s 
operations.

The Directors are of the view that the main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are interest rate risk, liquidity risk, price risk 

and credit risk. The Directors set and review policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarised below. These policies have 

remained unchanged from previous years.

18

Strategic report  (continued)

Interest rate risk

The Group finances its operations through a combination of bank funding and shareholders’ funds.  The interest rate on bank funding is 

variable with base rate.

Liquidity risk

The Group seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets 

safely and profitably.  The funding for significant new ventures is secured before commitments are made.  Cash flows are monitored on a 

monthly basis.

Price risk

The principal price risks arise from vehicle stocks which are either inappropriate for resale, or are bought at too high a price, relative to a 

fast moving marketplace.  The Group’s purchasing staff are trained and developed to be aware of the current marketplace.  They are also 

provided with all the latest available market data.  The managers of each business unit consider their stock books and purchasing patterns 

on a very regular basis, with a higher level of review by the Directors.

Credit risk

The principal credit risk arises from trade debtors.  In order to manage credit risk, the Directors set limits for customers and ensure a 

regular review is made of trade debtors outstanding.  Credit limits are reviewed on a regular basis in conjunction with debt ageing and 
collection history.

All  potential  areas  of  financial  risk  are  monitored  regularly  and  reviewed  by  the  Directors  and  local  management.  Any  preventative  or 

corrective measures are taken as necessary.

Associate involvement

During the year, the policy of providing associates with information about the Group has been continued through internal media methods 

in which associates have also been encouraged to present their suggestions and views on the Group’s performance. Regular meetings are 

held between local management and associates to allow a free flow of information and ideas.

Through  implementing  tight  controls  and  building  a  strong  operational  Group  infrastructure,  the  Directors  believe  they  are  taking  all 

possible steps to protect the business.

By order of the board

James Mullins
Director
23 November 2015

Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA

19

Directors’ report            

The directors present their directors’ report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2015.  

Principal activities

Cambria’s principal activities are the sale and servicing of motor vehicles and the provision of ancillary services. The Group operates from 

29 sites with a total of 45 dealer franchises.  

Proposed dividend

The directors recommend the payment of a final dividend for 2015 of 0.6p per share which equates to £0.6m (2014: £0.5m).  If approved 
at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 14 January 2015, the dividend will be payable on 21 January 2016 to those shareholders 

registered on 29 December 2015.

Directors 

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

P H Swatman

M J J Lavery 

M W Burt 

J A Mullins

Sir P A Burt

All directors benefited from qualifying third party indemnity provisions in place during the financial period. 

Associates

The Group recognises the benefit of keeping associates informed of group affairs and the views of associates are given full consideration 

at regular meetings with their representatives.

Full  and  fair  consideration  is  given  to  the  employment  of  disabled  persons,  who  are  treated  no  differently  from  other  associates  as 

regards recruiting, training, career development and promotion opportunities.  For people who may become disabled, in the course of 

employment, the Group will make every effort to accommodate them in suitable alternative employment.  

Political and charitable contributions

During the year, the Company made a £10,000 charitable donation to support BEN, the Motor And Allied Trades Benevolent Fund.  The 

Group and its Associates also support BEN through a payroll giving scheme.  
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries made any political donations or incurred any political expenditure during the year (2014: 
£nil).

Disclosure of information to auditor 

The directors who held office at the date of approval of this directors’ report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant 

audit information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and each director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a 

director to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information. 

Auditor

In accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as auditor of the Company 

is to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the board

James Mullins
Director

23 November 2015

20

Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA

 
Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the Strategic Report, the Directors’ 
Report and the financial statements   

The  directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Strategic  report,  the  Directors’  Report  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.  As required by the 
AIM rules of the London Stock Exchange they are required to prepare the group financial statements and Operating and Financial Review 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law and have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements 
in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

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 judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;  
•   for the group financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU
•   for the parent company financial statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any 

material departures disclosed and explained in the parent company financial statements; and 

•   prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent company 

will continue in business.

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.  They 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.

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 the financial statements may differ from legislation in other 
jurisdictions.

21

 
KPMG LLP

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Cambria Automobiles plc

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Cambria  Automobiles  plc  for  the  year  ended  31  August  2015  which  comprise  the  Group 
Statement  of  Financial  Position  and  Parent  Company  Balance  Sheet,  the  Group  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income,  the  Group 
Statement of Changes in Equity, the Group Statement of Cash Flow, the Parent Company Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ 
Funds and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements 
is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU.  The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in the preparation of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and UK Accounting Standards (UK Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).

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.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 17, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit, and express an opinion 
on, the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/

auditscopeukprivate

Opinion on 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 August 2015 

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

•   the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;
•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the information given in the Operating and financial review, Chairman’s statement, Strategic report and Directors’ report for 
the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following.  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 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.

Ian Brokenshire (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants

Plym House 

3 Longbridge Road 
Plymouth

PL6 8LT

22

23 November 2015

23

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
for year ended 31 August 2015

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Administrative expenses

Results from operating activities

Finance income

Finance expenses

Net finance expenses

Profit before tax from operations before  
non-recurring expenses, and acquisitions

Trading profit/(loss) from branch acquired in year

Non-recurring expenses

Profit before tax

Taxation

Profit and total comprehensive income for  
the period

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Note

3

4

4

9

9

5

4

10

8

2015  

£000

523,812

(461,746)

62,066

(53,672)

8,394

66

(805)

(739)

7,505

207

7,712

(57)

7,655

(1,625)

6,030

2014  

£000

450,148

(394,930)

55,218

(49,415)

5,803

72

(564)

(492)

5,412

(20)

5,392

(81)

5,311

(1,158)

4,153

6.03p

4.15p

All comprehensive income is attributable to owners of the parent company.

24

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
for year ended 31 August 2015

Balance at 31August 2013

Profit for the year

Dividend paid

Balance at 31 August 2014

Profit for the year

Dividend paid

Note

Share capital Share premium Retained earnings

Total equity

£000

£000

£000

£000

10,000

-

-

10,000

-

-

799

-

-

799

-

-

13,834

4,153

(500)

24,633

4,153

(500)

17,487

28,286

6,030

(650)

6,030

(650)

21

Balance at 31 August 2015

10,000

799

22,867

33,666

25

Consolidated statement of financial position 
at 31 August 2015

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Deferred tax asset

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

Trade and other payables

Taxation

Provisions

Non-current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Other payables

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Share capital

Share premium

Retained earnings

Total equity 

Note

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

20

17

13

21

2015

£000

40,040

8,393

155

2014  

£000

38,571

5,370

463

48,588

44,404

87,051

13,200

15,395

77,100

10,358

10,251

115,646

97,709

164,234

142,113

(2,070)

(115,227)

(950)

-

  (2,020)

(97,972)

(785)

(11)

(118,247)

(100,788)

(12,321)

-

(12,875)

(164)

(12,321)

(13,039)

(130,568)

(113,827)

33,666

28,286

10,000

799

22,867

10,000

799

17,487

33,666

28,286

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors on 23 November 2015 and were signed on its behalf by: 

Mark Lavery
Director

26

Company registered number: 05754547

Consolidated cash flow statement 
for year ended 31 August 2015

Notes

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

11/12

Financial income

Financial expense

Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

Taxation

Non-recurring expenses

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in inventories

Change in trade and other payables

Change in provisions

Interest paid

Tax paid

Non-recurring expenses 

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Acquisition of branch net of cash acquired

Acquisition of land and property with branch acquired

Purchase of property, plant and equipment and software

Net cash from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from new loan

Interest paid

Repayment of borrowings

Dividend paid

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September 2014

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 2015

9

9

10

5

5

2

2

21

16

16

2015  

£000

6,030

1,715

(66)

805

-

1,625

57

10,166

(2,842)

(7,469)

16,855

(11)

16,699

(444)

(1,153)

(57)

15,045

66

(5,311)

(2,250)

(891)

(8,386)

1,575

(361)

(2,079)

(650)

(1,515)

5,144

10,251

15,395

2014  

£000

4,153

1,542

(72)

564

-

1,158

81

7,426

(2,275)

(9,071)

16,096

(40)

12,136

(246)

(559)

(81)

11,250

72

(6,721)

(3,750)

(7,564)

(17,963)

4,700

(318)

(1,672)

(500)

2,210

(4,503)

14,754

10,251

27

Notes 
(forming part of the financial statements)

1  Accounting policies

Cambria Automobiles plc is a company which is quoted on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange plc and is incorporated and 

domiciled in the United Kingdom.  The address of the registered office is Swindon Motor Park, Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA.  The 

registered number of the company is 05754547. 

These  financial  statements  as  at  31  August  2015  consolidate  those  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  (together  referred  to  as  the 

“Group”).  The parent company financial statements present information about the Company as a separate entity and not about its group. 

The Group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting 

Standards as adopted by the EU (“Adopted IFRS”).  The Company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in 

accordance with UK GAAP; and these are presented on pages 54 to 62.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in the financial 

statements. 

Judgements made by the directors in the application of these accounting policies that have significant effect on the financial statements 

and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed at the end of this note.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention.

The  directors  believe  that  the  Group  is  well  placed  to  manage  its  business  risks  successfully  despite  the  current  uncertain  economic 

outlook

Despite the group having net current liabilities of £2,601,000, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate 

resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing 

the annual financial statements.

Further information regarding the company’s business activities together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance 

and position is set out in the Strategic report and Directors’ report on pages 14 to 16.

Basis of consolidation

The financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the Company together with its subsidiary companies.

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries  are  entities  controlled  by  the  Group.  Control  exists  when  the  Group  has  the  power,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  govern  the 

financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that are 

currently exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The financial information of subsidiaries is included from the date that control 

commences until the date that control ceases. 

All  business  combinations  are  accounted  for  by  applying  the  acquisition  method.  Business  combinations  are  accounted  for  using  the 

acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which is the date on which control is transferred to the Group.

For acquisitions on or after 1 January 2010, the Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as:

- 

- 

the fair value of the consideration transferred; less

the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Costs related to the acquisition, other 

than  those  associated  with  the  issue  of  debt  or  equity  securities,  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Any  contingent  consideration  payable  is 

recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, it is not remeasured and settlement 

is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognised in profit or 
loss.

For acquisitions prior to 1 January 2010, goodwill represents the excess of the cost of the acquisition over the Group’s interest in the 

recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquiree. When the excess was 

negative, a bargain purchase gain was recognised immediately in profit or loss. Transaction costs, other than those associated with the 

28

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

issue of debt or equity securities, that the Group incurred in connection with business combinations were capitalised as part of the cost 

of acquisition.

Inter-company  transactions,  balances  and  unrealised  gains  and  losses  on  transactions  between  Group  companies  are  eliminated  on 

consolidation.

Operating segments

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 Chief Executive Officer. 

All revenue generated and non-current assets held are attributable to UK operations only. 

Revenue recognition

Revenue  is  measured  at  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration  received  or  receivable  and  represents  amounts  receivable  for  goods  and 

services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts and VAT.

Sales of motor vehicles, parts and accessories are recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred 

to the buyer.  In general this occurs when vehicles or parts are delivered to the customer and title has passed.  Manufacturer incentives are 

recognised as revenue when earned.  Servicing and bodyshop sales, including warranty work, are recognised on completion of the agreed 

work.  Finance commission revenue is recognised as the related vehicles are sold. 

Deposits received from customers

Deposits received from customers prior to the completion of a sale (delivery of vehicle) are included in the accounts as creditors falling 

due within one year.

Financing income and expenses

Financing expenses comprise interest payable, stocking interest charge on consignment and used vehicles and finance leases.  Financing 

income comprises interest receivable on funds invested and interest credits received from manufacturers on stock management.

Borrowing costs are recognised in the period in which they are incurred.

Interest income and interest payable is recognised in profit or loss as it accrues, using the effective interest method. 

Operating profit

Operating profit relates to profit before finance income, finance expense and income tax expense.

Intangible assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess between the cost of an acquisition of a subsidiary compared to the net fair value of the identifiable assets, 

liabilities and contingent liabilities, and recognition of identifiable intangibles at the date of acquisition. Identifiable intangibles are those 

which can be sold separately or which arise from legal rights regardless of whether those rights are separable. 

Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units of the acquiree which 
represent the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other 

assets or groups of assets. Goodwill is not amortised but is tested annually for impairment. Any impairment is recognised immediately in 

the statement of comprehensive income and is not subsequently reversed.

29

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

1  Accounting policies (continued)

Other intangible assets

Expenditure on internally generated goodwill and brands is recognised as an expense as incurred.

Other intangible assets that are acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment 

losses.

Amortisation 

Amortisation  is  charged  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 year. Other intangible assets 

are amortised from the date they are available for use. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Computer software 

3 – 5 years

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, 

plant and equipment.

Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. 

Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

•  freehold buildings 

•  leasehold properties 

•  plant and machinery 

•  fixtures and fittings 

•  computer equipment 

50 years

over the lifetime of the lease

5 to 10 years

5 to 10 years

3 to 5 years

Depreciation methods, useful lives, residual values and possible impairments have been reviewed at the year end. As a result of this review, 

no impairment charge has been deemed necessary for the period.

Impairment of assets excluding inventories

The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets, are reviewed at each year end to determine whether there is any indication of impairment; 

an asset is considered to be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one or more events have had a negative effect on the estimated 

future cash flows of that asset. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. 

For goodwill, assets that have an indefinite useful life and intangible assets that are not yet available for use, the recoverable amount is 

estimated at each year end.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. 

Impairment losses are recognised in income.

Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated 

to cash-generating units and then to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.  A cash generating unit 

is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets 

or groups of assets.

For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit 

to which the asset belongs.

30

 
 
 
 
 
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

Reversals of impairment

An impairment loss in respect of trade and other receivables carried at amortised cost is reversed if the subsequent increase in recoverable 

amount can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. 

An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have 

been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. In determining the cost of motor vehicles, the actual amount paid and 

payable to date for each vehicle is used, for spare parts and service items cost is based on the first-in first-out principle.  An appropriate 

provision is made for obsolete or slow moving items.

New  vehicles  on  consignment  from  manufacturers  are  included  in  the  Statement  of  Financial  Position  with  a  corresponding  liability  in 

creditors due within one year. This stock is considered to be under the control of the Group as it is considered that the Group bears all the 
risks and rewards or ownership, even though legal title has not yet passed.

Consignment stock is held for a maximum period (which varies between manufacturers) before becoming due for payment. Part of the 

consignment period is interest free and the remaining periods are interest bearing (periods and charges vary between manufacturers but 

interest is generally linked to LIBOR). 

Used motor vehicles are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value, by reference to Glass’s Guide or CAP data.

Demonstrator vehicles are held within inventories at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Vehicle funding and stocking loans form part of the Group’s working capital and are recognised at the fair value of the amount due to the 

facility provider.

31

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

1  Accounting policies (continued)

Financial Instruments 

Classification of financial instruments issued by the Group

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

a)  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 

b)  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 proceeds of issue are 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 historical financial information  for called up share capital and share 

premium account exclude amounts in relation to those shares.  

Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and 
other payables.

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value.  Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using 

the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value.  Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using 

the effective interest method.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral 

part of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose only of the cash flow 

statement.

Interest-bearing borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-

bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Taxation

Tax  on  the  profit  or  loss  for  the  year  comprises  current  and  deferred  tax.  Tax  is  recognised  except  to  the  extent  that  it  relates  to  items 

recognised in other comprehensive income, in which case it is recognised in other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance 

sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes 

and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill; the 

initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business combination, and differences 

relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax 

provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted 

or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary 

difference can be utilised. 

32

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

1  Accounting policies (continued)

Employee benefits

Defined contribution plans

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which the company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity 

and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans 

are recognised as an expense as incurred.

Share Based Payments

The  Company  issues  equity-settled  share-based  payments  to  certain  employees.  Equity-settled  share-based  payments  are  measured 

at fair value (excluding the effect of non market-based vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair value so determined has been 

expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period, based on the Company’s estimate of the number of shares that will eventually 

vest and adjusted for the effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

Fair value is measured using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The key assumptions used in the model have been adjusted, 

based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. 

Leasing

Leases  in  which  the  Group  assumes  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  of  the  leased  asset  are  classified  as  finance 

leases.  Where land and buildings are held under leases the accounting treatment of the land is considered separately from that of the 

buildings.  Leased assets acquired by way of finance lease are stated at an amount equal to the lower of their fair value and the present 

value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease, less accumulated depreciation and less accumulated impairment losses.  

Lease payments are accounted for as described below.

Operating lease payments

Payments made under operating leases are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income 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. 

Finance lease payments

Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance charge is 

allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the Statement of Financial Position 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.

IFRS not yet applied

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2015, 

and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements.  Those which may be relevant to the Group are set out 

below.  The Group does not plan to adopt these standards early and their adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the financial 

statements unless otherwise indicated:

• IAS 36 
When  developing  IFRS  13  Fair  Value  Measurement,  the  IASB  decided  to  amend  IAS  36  to  require  disclosures  about  the  recoverable 

amount of impaired assets. The amendments clarify the IASB’s original intention: that the scope of those disclosures is limited to the 

recoverable amount of impaired assets that is based on fair value less costs to sell.

33

Accounting policies (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

IFRS not yet applied (continued)

•  IAS 16 and IAS 38

-  The IASB has clarified that the use of revenue-based methods to calculate the depreciation of an asset is not appropriate and that 

revenue is generally presumed to be an inappropriate basis for measuring the consumption of the economic benefits embodied in 

an intangible asset.

•  IAS 32 Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities  – The amendments clarify the offsetting criteria, specifically:  

-  when an entity currently has a legal right of set off; and 

-  when gross settlement is equivalent to net settlement.

Amendments not yet endorsed by the EU

Annual improvements 2010 – 2012 and Annual improvements 2011 – 2013. The amendments to IFRSs from the two improvement cycles 

were issued in Q4 of 2013. The IASB effective date for these amendments is 1 July 2014.

Disclosure initiative (amendments to IAS 1). Designed to further encourage companies to apply professional judgement in determining 

what information to disclose in their financial statements.

Annual improvements 2012 – 2014. Amendments to IFRSs from the 2012 – 2014 cycle were issued in September 2014. The IASB effective 

date is 1 January 2016.

Critical accounting judgements in applying the Group’s accounting policies

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.  

Certain critical accounting judgements in applying the Group’s accounting policies are described below:

Goodwill and property portfolio impairment

The carrying values of goodwill and property are tested annually for impairment, for goodwill by using cash flow projections for each cash 

generating unit, and for property by comparing the carrying value to the higher of value in use or market value.

Intangible assets

On Business combinations the directors consider separately identifiable intangible assets that are pertinent to the motor business.  This 

includes consideration of franchise rights, brand, and other intangible assets.  The directors have concluded that intangibles arising on 

subsequent acquisitions are immaterial or have not arisen.

Consignment inventories

Consignment vehicles are regarded as being effectively under the control of the Group and are included within inventories in the Statement 

of Financial Position as the Group has the significant risks and rewards of ownership even though legal title has not yet passed, if the 

vehicles are not sold in the consignment period, the Group has the obligation to purchase. The corresponding liability is included in trade 

and other payables.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities require management judgement in determining the amounts to be recognised.  In particular judgement 

is used when assessing the extent to which deferred tax assets should be recognised with consideration given to the timing and level of 

future taxable income.  

Non-recurring expenses

Non-recurring expenses are items which derive from events or transactions that are outside the normal course of business, and do not 

directly relate to the on-going operations, therefore have been separately disclosed in order for the financial statements to present a true 
and fair view. 

34

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

2  Acquisitions of trading branches

Effect of acquisition in 2015

On 1 May 2015, the company completed the acquisition of the Land Rover dealership in Royal Wootton Bassett from T H White Ltd.

Acquiree’s net assets at the acquisition date:

Freehold land and buildings

Plant and equipment

Stocks

Trade and other creditors

Net and identifiable assets and liabilities

Goodwill on acquisition (The goodwill arising on acquisition is attributable to expanding our geographical 
base for the Land Rover brand, and the anticipated profitability from the sale of vehicles from the Swindon 
dealership)

Consideration paid (note that transaction and set up costs of £57k were written off to administrative expenses 
in 2015), satisfied in cash

It is estimated that in the year before acquisition, the business generated £30m of revenue and a pre-tax profit 
of £0.7m.   
The results attributable to the branch acquired during the financial year and included in the group results were 
as follows:

Turnover

Profit before tax

Pre-acquisition 
carrying amount and 
Fair Value

         £000

2,250

71

2,482

(242)

4,561

 3,000

7,561

9,045

207

35

             
  
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

2  Acquisitions and disposals of trading branches

Effect of acquisition in 2014

On 7 July 2014, the company completed the acquisition of the Jaguar and Land Rover dealership in Barnet from Lookers PLC

Recognised values on 
acquisition and Fair Value

Acquiree’s net assets at the acquisition date:

Freehold land and buildings

Plant and equipment

Stocks

Trade and other creditors

Prepayments

Net and identifiable assets and liabilities

Goodwill on acquisition (The goodwill arising on acquisition is attributable to expanding our  
geographical base for Jaguar, adding the Land Rover brand to our business, and the anticipated  
profitability from the sale of vehicles from the Barnet dealership)

Consideration paid (note that transaction and set up costs of £81k were written off to  
administrative expenses in 2014), satisfied in cash

£000

3,750

461

1,781

(566)

45

5,471

5,000

10,471

It is estimated that in the year before acquisition, the business generated £46m of revenue and a pre-tax profit of £0.7m.  The results 

attributable to the branch acquired during the financial year and included in the group results were as follows:

Effect of acquisition in 2014 (continued)

2014

£000

4,755

(20)

Turnover

Loss before tax

36

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

2  Acquisitions of trading branches (continued) 

3 Revenue

Sale of goods 

Aftersales services

Total revenues 

4 Segmental reporting

2015

£000

474,316

49,496

523,812

2014

£000

404,129

46,019

450,148

The Group has adopted IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ which determines and presents operating segments based on information presented 

to the Group’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), the Chief Executive Officer. The Group is operated and managed on a Dealership 

by Dealership basis.  The CODM receives information both on a dealership basis and by revenue stream (New, Used, Aftersales). Given 
the number of dealerships, it was deemed most appropriate to present the information by revenue stream for the purposes of segmental 

analysis.

New Car

Used Car

Aftersales

Internal sales

Total

2015
Revenue

2015
Revenue 
mix

2015
Gross 
Profit

2015
Margin

2014
Revenue

2014
Revenue 
mix

2014
Gross 
Profit

2014
Margin

£m

238.4

235.9

60.6

(11.1)

%

45.5

45.0

11.6

(2.1)

£m

15.5

20.8

25.8

-

%

6.5

8.8

42.5

-

£m

195.2

208.9

55.8

(9.8)

%

43.4

46.4

12.4

(2.2)

£m

12.3

19.0

23.9

-

%

6.3

9.1

42.9

-

523.8

100.0

62.1

11.9

450.1

100.0

55.2

12.3

Administrative expenses

Operating profit before non-recurring  
expenses

Non-recurring expenses

(53.6)

8.5

(0.1)

(49.3)

5.9

(0.1)

Operating profit

8.4

1.6

5.8

1.3

The CODM reviews the performance of the business in terms of both net profit before tax and EBITDA, as such the following table shows 

a reconciliation of the Profit before tax to EBITDA.

37

      
      
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

4  Segmental reporting (continued)

Profit Before Tax

Non-recurring expenses (note 5)

Underlying Profit Before Tax

Net finance expense

Depreciation and amortisation

Underlying EBITDA

Non-recurring expenses

EBITDA

Revenue and non-current assets are attributable to United Kingdom operations only.

5  Non-recurring expenses   

Transaction costs                                                                    

6  Expenses and auditor’s remuneration

The result from operating activities is stated after (crediting)/charging the following:

Impairment loss/(gain) recognised on other trade receivables and prepayments (note 
22(b))

Auditor’s remuneration:

Audit of these financial statements

Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

Other services relating to taxation

All other services

38

2015

£000

7,655

57

7,712

739

1,715

10,166

(57)

10,109

2015

£000

57

2015    

£000

285

2015  

£000

26

94

41

7

2014

£000

5,311

81

5,392

492

1,542

7,426

(81)

7,345

2014  

£000

81

2014

£000

(11)  

2014  

£000

25

91

29

7

            
            
            
            
            
            
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

7  Staff numbers and costs

The average number of persons employed by the group (including directors) during the year, analysed by category, was as follows:

Number of employees

Sales

Service

Parts

Administration

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Expenses related to defined contribution plans

Share based payments expense

2015

377

394

102

222

1,095

2015

£000

31,861

3,395

342

16

35,614

2014

343

362

109

210

1,024

2014

£000

28,545

3,128

326

-

31,999

8   Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to equity shareholders by the number of ordinary shares in 

issue in the year.  There is one class of ordinary share with 100,000,000 shares in issue.     

The share options are not currently dilutive because the performance conditions are not yet met.

Profit attributable to shareholders

Non underlying costs (Note 5)

Tax on adjustments (at 20.58 % (2014: 22.16%))

Adjusted profit attributable to equity shareholders

2015

£000

6,030

57

(12)

6,075

2014

£000

4,153

81

(18)

4,216

Number of shares in issue (‘000)

100,000

100,000

Basic earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

6.03p

6.08p

4.15p

4.22p

39

     
     
      
      
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

9  Finance income and expense

Recognised in the income statement

Finance income

Rent deposit interest

Interest receivable 

Total finance income

Finance expense

Interest payable on bank borrowings

Consignment and vehicle stocking interest

Total finance expense

Total  interest expense on financial liabilities held at amortised cost

Total other interest expense

10  Taxation

Recognised in the income statement

Current tax expense

Current year

Adjustment in respect of prior years

Deferred tax

Adjustment in respect of prior years

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

2015 

£000

2

64

66

361

444

805

361

444

805

2015 

£000

1,341

(24)

1,317

22

286

308

2014

£000

2

70

72

318

246

564

318

246

564

2014  

£000

1,013

(10)

1,003

3

152

155

Total tax expense

1,625

1,158

40

        
        
  
  
 
           
 
           
  
  
 
           
 
           
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

10  Taxation (continued)

Reconciliation of total tax

Profit for the year

Total tax expense

Profit excluding taxation

Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 20.58% (2014: 22.16%)

Non-deductible expenses

Accounting deprecation for which no tax relief is due

Utilisation of brought forward losses

Change in tax rate

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Change in deferred tax in respect of property

2015  

£000

6,030

1,625

7,655

1,575

29

134

(34)

(8)

(2)

(69)

2014  

£000

4,153

1,158

5,311

1,177

44

132

(92)

(6)

(7)

(90)

Total tax expense 

1,625

1,158

The applicable tax rate for the current year is 20.58% (2014: 22.16%) following the reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax from 
21% to 20% with effect from 1 April 2015.

Reductions in the UK corporation tax rate from 23% to 21% (effective from 1 April 2014) and 20% (effective from 1 April 2015) were 

substantively enacted on 2 July 2013.  Further reductions to 19% (effective from 1 April 2017) and to 18% (effective from 1 April 2020) 

were substantively enacted on 26 October 2015. 

This will reduce the company’s future current tax charge accordingly and reduce the deferred tax asset at 31 August 2015 (which has been 

calculated based on the rate of 20% substantively enacted at the balance sheet date).

41

    
    
    
    
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

11  Property, plant and equipment 

Cost

Balance at 1 September 2013

Additions

Branch acquisitions

Disposals

Transfer

Balance at 1 September 2014

Additions

Branch acquisitions

Disposals

Freehold 
land &
 buildings

Long 
leasehold 
land & 
buildings

Short  
leasehold 
improvements

Plant & 
equipment

Fixtures, 
fittings & 
computer 
equipment

Total

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

23,324

6,514

3,750

-

941

34,529

144

2,250

-

5,058

4,352

-

-

-

(941)

104

104

(8)

-

4,117

4,552

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,807

159

112

(171)

-

2,907

338

20

(205)

6,566

42,107

761

245

(482)

-

7,090

376

51

(200)

7,538

4,211

(661)

-

53,195

858

2,321

(405)

Balance at 31 August 2015

36,923

4,117

4,552

3,060

7,317

55,969

Depreciation 

Balance at 1 September 2013

Charge for the year

Disposals

Transfer

Balance at 1 September 2014

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Balance at 31 August 2015

Net book value

At 31 August 2014

1,913

364

-

213

2,490

411

-

2,901

639

71

-

(213)

497

105

-

602

32,039

3,620

At 31 August 2015

34,022

3,515

3,380

287

(8)

-

3,659

287

-

2,387

223

(171)

-

2,439

266

(202)

5,435

586

(482)

-

5,539

636

(198)

13,754

1,531

(661)

-

14,624

1,705

(400)

3,946

2,503

5,977

15,929

893

606

468

557

1,551

38,571

1,340

40,040

As at 31 August 2015 there are no capital commitments (2014: £nil).  
The directors have considered the property portfolio for impairment by comparing the carrying amount to the higher of value in use or 

market value and have concluded that no impairment is required.

Security

The title of all freehold and long leasehold properties have been pledged as security to the bank loans disclosed in note 17.

Property, plant and equipment under construction

At 31 August 2015 there were no assets in the course of construction (2014: £nil).

42

           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
   
         
            
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
Balance at 1 September 2014

4,117

4,552

Balance at 31 August 2015

36,923

4,117

4,552

3,060

7,317

55,969

Freehold 

Long 

Short  

Plant & 

Total

land &

leasehold 

leasehold 

equipment

 buildings

land & 

improvements

buildings

Fixtures, 

fittings & 

computer 

equipment

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Balance at 1 September 2013

5,058

4,352

6,566

42,107

Cost

Additions

Disposals

Transfer

Branch acquisitions

Additions

Disposals

Branch acquisitions

Depreciation 

Balance at 1 September 2013

Charge for the year

Disposals

Transfer

Balance at 1 September 2014

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Net book value

At 31 August 2014

23,324

6,514

3,750

-

941

34,529

144

2,250

-

1,913

364

-

213

2,490

411

-

2,901

(941)

-

-

-

-

-

-

639

71

-

(213)

497

105

-

602

761

245

(482)

-

7,090

376

51

(200)

5,435

586

(482)

-

5,539

636

(198)

7,538

4,211

(661)

-

53,195

858

2,321

(405)

13,754

1,531

(661)

-

14,624

1,705

(400)

104

104

(8)

-

-

-

-

3,380

287

(8)

-

3,659

287

-

893

606

2,807

159

112

(171)

-

2,907

338

20

(205)

2,387

223

(171)

-

2,439

266

(202)

468

557

Balance at 31 August 2015

3,946

2,503

5,977

15,929

32,039

3,620

1,551

38,571

At 31 August 2015

34,022

3,515

1,340

40,040

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

12  Intangible assets 

Cost

Balance at 1 September 2013

Additions

Balance at 1 September 2014

Additions

Balance at 31 August 2015

Amortisation and impairment 

Balance at 1 September 2013

Amortisation

Balance at 1 September 2014

Amortisation for the year

Balance at 31 August 2015

Net book value

At 31 August 2014

At 31 August 2015

Goodwill

Software

£000

346

5,000

5,346

3,000

8,346

-

-

-

-

-

5,346

8,346

£000

720

25

745

33

778

710

11

721

10

731

24

47

Other

£000

176

-

176

-

176

176

-

176

-

176

-

-

Total

£000

1,242

5,025

6,267

3,033

9,300

886

11

897

10

907

5,370

8,393

The undertakings included in the consolidated Group accounts are as follows:

*     Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles Acquisitions Limited

**    Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles Group Limited

***   Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles (South East) Limited

Country of
incorporation

Principal
activity

Class and percentage 
of shares held

Subsidiary undertakings

Cambria Automobiles Group Limited

England and Wales

Holding Company

Cambria Automobiles Acquisitions Limited **

England and Wales

Investment Company

Cambria Automobiles Property Limited **

England and Wales

Property Company

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

Cambria Automobiles (Swindon) Limited *

England and Wales

Motor retailer

100% Ordinary & Preference 

Grange Motors (Swindon) Limited *  

England and Wales

Motor retailer

Thoranmart Limited *

England and Wales

Motor retailer

Cambria Vehicle Services Limited*

England and Wales

Motor retailer

Cambria Automobiles (South East) Limited*

England and Wales

Motor retailer

Grange Motors (Brentwood) Limited***

England and Wales

Motor retailer

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

Invicta Motors Limited***

England and Wales

Motor retailer

100% Ordinary & Preference 

Invicta Motors (Maidstone) Limited*

England and Wales

Motor retailer

Deeslease Limited***

Dove Group Limited***

England and Wales

England and Wales

Translease Vehicle Management Limited***

England and Wales

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

43

           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
 
            
   
         
            
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

12  Intangible assets  (continued)

Amortisation charge

The amortisation charge is recognised in the following line items in the income statement:

Administrative expenses

Impairment loss and subsequent reversal

2015  

£000

10

2014 

£000

11

Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets considered significant in comparison to the Group’s total carrying amount of such assets have 

been allocated to cash generating units or groups of cash generating units as follows:

Grange Motors (Swindon) Ltd and Cambria Automobiles (Swindon) Ltd

Thoranmart Ltd

Grange Barnet dealership

Grange Swindon Land Rover dealership

Goodwill

2015  

£000

261

85

5,000

3,000

8,346

2014

£000

261

85

5,000

-

5,346

The recoverable amount of each cash generating unit (CGU) has been calculated with reference to its value in use.  The calculation for is 

performed via a review of forecast EBITDA for the CGU for a number of years based on the EBITDA multiples being paid for equivalent 

businesses in the marketplace.  The board reviews transactional information and assesses the businesses earnings capacity in order to 

ensure that the recoverable amount is in excess of the carrying amount.

The value in use exceeds the above carrying values for each CGU, therefore no impairment is considered necessary.

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

13  Deferred tax assets and liabilities 

Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities  

The amount of temporary differences, unused tax losses and tax credits for which a deferred tax asset is recognised is set out below, along 

with the movement in the balance in the year.  The asset would be recovered if offset against future taxable profits of the group.    

Property, plant and equipment

Provisions

Tax value of loss carry-forward

Share options

1 September 
2014 

Recognised
in income

Net 31 
August 2015

Deferred tax 
liabilities

Deferred tax 
assets

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

431

5

27

-

463

(295)

9

(27)

5

(308)

136

14

-

5

155

(310)

-

-

-

(310)

446

14

-

5

465

The Group has an arrangement with the vendors of Cambria Automobiles (South East) Limited, which was acquired in the year ended 31 

August 2008, under which an amount equal to any tax benefit received by the Group in relation to tax losses that existed at the date of 

acquisition must be paid to the vendors as additional consideration. At the date of acquisition, the utilisation of tax losses was not probable 

and therefore no deferred tax asset was recognised as part of the acquisition accounting, and the fair value of the liability for contingent 

consideration was immaterial. Subsequent to the acquisition the utilisation of pre-acquisition losses became probable and, as a result, a 

deferred tax asset was recognised. A liability for the contingent consideration payable to the vendors was recognised at its fair value. At 

the end of the 2014 financial year, the final reconciliation of amounts due to the vendors was calculated and paid over.  There is no further 

liability arising from this agreement. 

Amount payable to previous owner of subsidiary

Unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities  

2015

£000

-

2014 

£000

164

The deferred tax asset in relation to loss carried forward within a subsidiary has not been recognised due to uncertainty over the future 

profitability of the subsidiary, these losses are locked in to this particular subsidiary and cannot be utilised in the wider Group.

Tax value of loss carry-forwards

Unrecognised net tax assets

Assets

2015

£000  

624

624

2014

£000

657

657

The applicable tax rate for the current year is 20.58% (2014: 22.16%) following the reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax from 21% to 
20% with effect from 1 April 2015.

Reductions in the UK corporation tax rate from 23% to 21% (effective from 1 April 2014) and 20% (effective from 1 April 2015) were substantively 

enacted on 2 July 2013.  Further reductions to 19% (effective from 1 April 2017) and to 18% (effective from 1 April 2020) were substantively 
enacted on 26 October 2015. 

This will reduce the company’s future current tax charge accordingly and reduce the deferred tax asset at 31 August 2015 (which has been 

calculated based on the rate of 20% substantively enacted at the balance sheet date).

45

 
 
 
      
      
      
      
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

14  Inventories

Vehicle consignment stock

Motor vehicles

Parts and other stock

2015  

£000

59,177

24,943

2,931

87,051

2014

£000

47,132

27,392

2,576

77,100

Included within inventories is £nil (2014: £nil) expected to be recovered in more than 12 months.

Raw materials, consumables and changes in finished goods and work in progress recognised as cost of sales in the year amounted to 
£458 million (2014: £385 million).  

Details of stock held as security is given in note 18.

15  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Prepayments and other receivables

2015 

£000

9,183

4,017

2014

£000

7,130

3,228

13,200

10,358

Included within trade and other receivables is £nil (2014: £nil) expected to be recovered in more than 12 months.

16  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents per balance sheet

Cash and cash equivalents per cash flow statement

2015  

£000

15,395

15,395

2014

£000

10,251

10,251

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

17  Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Group’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings, which are measured at 

amortised cost. For more information about the Group’s exposure to interest rate risk, see note 22.

Non-current liabilities

Secured bank loans

Current liabilities

Secured bank loans

Terms and debt repayment schedule    

All debt is in GBP currency

2015  

£000

2014 

£000

12,321

12,875

2,070

2,020

Nominal interest rate

Year of
Maturity

Face Value and 
Carrying Amount

Face Value and 
Carrying Amount

Loan 31/07/2006

Loan 01/08/2007

Loan 31/12/2007

Loan 01/03/2010

Loan 01/02/2013                                         

Loan 03/02/2014                                         

Loan 07/07/2014

Loan 01/05/2015

Bank of England Base Rate +1.25%

Bank of England Base Rate +1.25%

     LIBOR +1.75%

LIBOR +3.00% 

    LIBOR +1.95%

    LIBOR +1.95%

LIBOR +1.95%

LIBOR + 1.95%

2019

2020

2020

2017

2018

2019

2019

2018

2015

1,122

363

4,261

1,545

1,485

2,210

1,843

1,562

2014

1,409

435

5,047

1,751

1,683

2,470

2,100

-

14,391

14,895

47

           
           
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

18  Trade and other payables

Current

Vehicle consignment creditor

Other trade payables

Non-trade payables and accrued expenses

Vehicle funding

2015  

£000

69,888

10,081

13,318

21,940

115,227

2014  

£000

55,419

10,537

11,306

20,710

97,972

Included within trade and other payables is £ nil (2014: £nil) expected to be settled in more than 12 months.
Both the consignment and vehicle funding creditors are secured on the stock to which they relate.
19  Employee benefits

Pension plans 

Defined contribution plans 

The Group operates a number of defined contribution pension plans.
The total expense relating to these plans in the current year was £342,000 (2014: £326,000).

Share-based payments 

The Group has a share option scheme open to certain employees at the discretion of the Board.  Options are exercisable at a price equal 

to the higher of the nominal value or market price of the company’s shares on the date of grant.

In the scheme the options vest over a ten year period, depending on the terms of the individual grant.

4,750,000 options were granted in the year ended 31 August 2015 (2014: £nil).

The fair values were calculated using a Black-Scholes model.  The inputs into the model were as follows: 

Date of grant

2/3/15

1/4/15

Share price at 
option date £

Exercise price £

Volatility

0.47

0.54

0.47

0.54

17.5%

17.2%

Expected life 
(years)

1 year beyond 
vesting date

1 year beyond 
vesting date

Risk free rate

0.5%

0.5%

Expected volatility was determined using as a base the share price movements of the Company recorded over a 52 week period prior to 

the grant of the options.

The  expected  life  used  in  the  model  has  been  adjusted,  based  on  management’s  best  estimate  for  the  effects  of  non-transferability, 

exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Granted during the year

Lapsed during the year

Weighted average 
exercise price

2015

£ 

-

-

-

0.48

-

Number
of options

2015

-

-

-

4,750,000

-

Outstanding at the end of the year

0.48

4,750,000

Exercisable at the end of the year

-

-

Weighted average 
exercise price

2014

£ 

Number
of options

2014

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The Company recognised an expense of £15,668 (year ended 31 August 2014: £nil) in respect of share based payments in the year.

48

Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

20  Provisions

Balance at 1 September 2014

Provisions used during the year

Balance at 31 August 2015

Current

Non-current

Balance at 31 August 2014

Current

Non-current

Balance at 31 August 2015

Onerous Leases

£000

11

(11)

-

11

-

11

-

-

-

The onerous lease provision is being released against the costs incurred on the relevant lease.  The provision is now fully released.  

21  Capital and reserves

Share capital

Authorised

100,000,000 Ordinary shares of 10 pence each

Allotted, called up and fully paid

100,000,000 Ordinary shares of 10 pence each

Shares classified in shareholders’ funds

2015

£000

10,000  

10,000  

10,000

2014

£000

10,000  

10,000  

10,000

All of the shares rank pari passu, and no shareholder enjoys different or enhanced voting rights from any other shareholder. All shares are 

eligible for dividends and rank equally for dividend payments.

49

            
            
            
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

Dividends

The following dividends were paid by the company in the year ended 31 August.

0.5p per ordinary share – prior year final (2014: 0.4p)

0.15p  per ordinary share – current year interim (2014: 0.1p)

2015

£000

500

150

650

  2014

£000

400

100

500

After the end of the reporting period, the following dividends were proposed by the directors.  The dividends have not been provided for 

and there are no tax consequences.

0.6 p per ordinary share – current year final (2014: 0.5p)

2015

£000  

600

2014

£000

500

22 Financial instruments

22 (a) Fair values of financial instruments

Trade and other receivables

The fair value of trade and other receivables, is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at 

the balance sheet date if the effect is material.

Trade and other payables

The fair value of trade and other payables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the 

balance sheet date if the effect is material.

Cash and cash equivalents

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is estimated as its carrying amount where the cash is repayable on demand.  Where it is not repayable 

on demand then the fair value is estimated at the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance 

sheet date.

Interest-bearing borrowings

Fair value, which after initial recognition is determined for disclosure purposes only, is calculated based on the present value of future principal 

and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance sheet date. 

The rates used to discount estimated cash flows, where applicable are based on the weighted average cost of capital and were as follows:

2015

%

3.5

2014

%

3.5

Loans and borrowings

50

 
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

Fair values

The fair values for each class of financial assets and financial liabilities together with their carrying amounts shown in the balance 

sheet are as follows: 

Financial assets

Loans and receivables at amortised cost including cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables(net) (note 15)

Other receivables (note 15)

Cash and cash equivalents

Total Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings (note 17)

Trade and other payables (note 18)

Total Financial liabilities

As at 31 August  
2015

As at 31 August 
2014

£000

£000

9,183

4,017

15,395

7,130

3,228

10,251

28,595

20,609

14,391

115,227

14,895

97,972

129,618

112,867

The Directors consider the carrying amount of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities, as detailed above, approximate 

their fair value.

51

 
 
     
      
            
     
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

22 Financial instruments (continued)

22 (b) Credit risk

Credit risk management 

The Group is exposed to credit risk primarily in respect of its trade receivables.  Trade receivables are stated net of provision for estimated 

impairment losses.  Exposure to credit risk in respect of trade receivables is mitigated by the Group’s policy of only granting credit to 

certain customers after an appropriate evaluation of risk coupled with the findings from external reference agencies.  Credit risk arises in 

respect of amounts due from vehicle manufacturers in relation to bonuses and warranty receivables.  This risk is mitigated by the number 

of manufacturers for which the group holds franchises, procedures to ensure timely collection of debts and management’s belief that it 

does not expect any manufacturer to fail to meet its obligations.  The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying 

amount of each financial asset in the statement of financial position.       

Exposure to credit risk

The carrying amount of trade receivables represents the maximum credit exposure. Therefore, the maximum exposure to credit risk at 
the balance sheet date was £9,183,000 (2014: £7,130,000) being the total of the carrying amount of trade receivables shown in the table 
below.

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the balance sheet date by geographic region was:

United Kingdom

2015

£000

9,183

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the balance sheet date by type of counterparty was:

Vehicle debtors

Non vehicle debtors

Manufacturer debtors

2015

£000

4,465

2,755

1,963

9,183

2014

£000

7,130

2014

£000

3,359

2,403

1,368

7,130

Credit quality of financial assets and impairment losses

The ageing of trade receivables at the balance sheet date is given below. The Group’s policy is to provide for all debts which are past due. 
The directors consider the balance to be recoverable based on credit terms and post balance sheet receipts. 

Gross

Impairment

Gross

Impairment

2015 

£000

9,183

156

9,339

2015

£000

-

156

156

2014  

£000

7,130

89

7,219

2014

£000

-

89

89

Trade receivables not past due

Trade receivables past due

52

            
   
         
       
     
   
         
   
         
  
         
  
         
   
     
 
     
  
     
 
     
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

22 Financial instruments (continued)

22 (b) Credit risk (continued)

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

Balance at 1 September 2014

Impairment loss recognised

Allowance for impairment utilised

Balance at 31 August 2015

£000

89

285

(218)

156

The allowance account for trade receivables is used to record impairment losses unless the Group is satisfied that no recovery of the 

amount owing is possible; at that point the amounts considered irrecoverable are written off against the trade receivables directly.

22 (c) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk management 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.  Liquidity is managed by the Group’s central 

treasury function within policy guidelines set by the Board with prime areas of focus being liquidity and interest rate exposure.  The Group is financed 

primarily by bank loans, vehicle stocking credit lines and operating cash flow.  The directors have assessed the future funding requirements of the 

Group and compared them to the level of committed available borrowing facilities.  These committed facilities are maintained at levels in excess 

of planned requirements and are in addition to short term uncommitted facilities that are also available to the Group.  The assessment included a 

review of financial forecasts, financial instruments and cash flow projections.  These forecasts and projections show that the Group, taking account 

of reasonably possible scenarios, should be able to operate within the level of its borrowing facilities for the foreseeable future.            

The  following  are  the  contractual  maturities  of  financial  liabilities,  including  estimated  interest  payments  and  excluding  the  effect  of  netting 
agreements: Interest is payable on loans of £1,485,000 (2014: £1,844,000) at Bank of England base rate plus 1.25%, loans of £4,261,000 (2014: 
£5,047,000) at LIBOR plus 1.75%, loans of £1,545,000 (2014: £1,751,000) at LIBOR plus 3% and on loans of £7,100,000 (2014: £6,253,000) at 
LIBOR plus 1.95%.

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Secured bank loans

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Secured bank loans

2014

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

1 year
or less

1 to
<2years

2 to
<5years

5years
 and
 over

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

14,895

15,998

2,362

2,314

10,115

1,207

2015

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

1 year
or less

1 to
<2years

2 to
<5years

5years
 and
 over

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

14,391

15,590

2,517

3,606

9,137

330

53

 
      
      
       
      
     
      
      
       
      
     
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

22 Financial instruments (continued)

22 (d) Market risk

Financial risk management

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates will affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of 

financial instruments.

Market risk - Foreign currency risk

The Group does not have any exposure to foreign currency risk.

Market risk – Interest rate risk

Profile

At the balance sheet date the interest rate profile of the Group’s interest-bearing financial instruments was:

Variable rate instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Vehicle funding

Loans and overdrafts

2015

£000

15,395

(21,940)

(14,391)

2014  

£000

10,251

(20,710)

(14,895)

(20,936)

(25,354)

The objectives of the Group’s interest rate policy are to minimise interest costs.  The Group does not actively manage cash flow interest risk 

as the directors believe that the underlying earnings from the retail sector in which the Group operates provides a natural hedge against 

interest rate movements.  Consequently, it is Group policy to borrow on a floating rate basis.

Whilst there are no hedging instruments, the Board reviews its hedging policy on a regular basis.

Sensitivity analysis 

An increase of 0.5 basis points in interest rates at the balance sheet date would have decreased equity and profit or loss by the amounts 

shown below. 

This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant and considers the effect of financial 

instruments with variable interest rates, financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss or available for sale with fixed interest rates 

and the fixed rate element of interest rate swaps. The analysis is performed on the same basis for comparative periods.

2015 

£000

2014  

£000

182

176

182

176

Equity

Decrease

Profit or loss

Decrease

54

 
            
     
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

22 Financial instruments (continued)

22 (e) Capital management

Prior to each acquisition, the Board considers its funding options and the appropriate mix of secured debt and equity.

The Group’s primary objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide 
returns for shareholders and benefits to other stakeholders.  The Group must ensure that sufficient capital resources are available for 
working capital requirements and meeting principal and interest payment obligations as they fall due.

Consistent with others in the industry, the Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio, which is calculated as net debt divided 
by total capital.  Net debt is calculated as total borrowings (including current and non-current borrowings as shown in the statement of 
financial position) less cash and cash equivalents.  Total capital is calculated as total shareholders’ equity.

The gearing ratios for each year are as follows:

Total borrowings

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net (surplus)/deficit

Total equity

Gearing ratio

23 Operating leases

Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows: 

Less than one year

Between one and five years

More than five years

As at 31 August
 2015

As at 31 August
 2014

£000

£000

14,391

(15,395)

14,895

(10,251)

(1,004)

4,644

33,666

28,286

(3.0)%

16.4%

2015  

£000

2,402

9,229

18,667

2014

£000

2,394

8,775

16,153

30,298

27,322

The Group leases a number of motor dealership sites under operating leases.  Land and buildings have been considered separately for 

lease classification.  

During the year £2,620,000 was recognised as an expense in the income statement in respect of operating leases (2014: £2,440,000).

55

            
            
            
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

24 Contingencies

The Group is jointly and severally liable in respect of value added tax liabilities arising in other group undertakings.  The related fellow 

subsidiary undertakings and the parent company were is a repayment situation at 31 August 2014 and 2015.

In recognition of the Cambria Automobiles plc group bank and used vehicle funding facilities, the following companies have entered into 

a joint agreement to guarantee liabilities with banks and finance houses of the motor manufacturers that provide new and used vehicles 

to the group: 

Cambria Automobiles plc, Cambria Automobiles Property Limited, Cambria Automobiles Group Limited, Cambria Automobiles Acquisitions 

Limited, Cambria Automobiles (Swindon) Limited, Grange Motors (Swindon) Limited, Thoranmart Limited, Cambria Automobiles (South 

East)  Limited,  Grange  Motors  (Brentwood)  Limited,  Invicta  Motors  Limited,  Invicta  Motors  (Maidstone)  Limited  and  Cambria  Vehicle 

Services Limited.

Intra-group guarantees are accounted for as insurance contracts.

25 Related parties

Identity of related parties with which the Group has transacted

Key management personnel are considered to be the board of directors for the purposes of this disclosure.

Transactions with key management personnel

At the year end, the Directors of the Company and their immediate relatives controlled 47.04 % (2014: 46.96%) per cent of the voting shares of the 
Company. 

The compensation of key management personnel is as follows:

Directors’ emoluments

Salaries and consultancy fees

Annual bonus

Share related awards

The emoluments consist of:

Directors’ emoluments

Philip Swatman

James Mullins

Mark Lavery

Sir Peter Burt

Michael Burt

2015

£000

664

552

6

2014

£000

655

473

-

1,222

1,128

Total

Total

2015

£000

33

328

805

28

28

2014

£000

30

298

750

25

25

1,222

1,128

Salaries

Bonus

2015

£000

33

175

400

28

28

664

2015

£000

-

147

405

-

-

552

Share 
related 
awards

2015

£000

-

6

-

-

-

6

All directors benefited from qualifying third party indemnity provisions during the financial period.

56

 
            
 
  
            
       
       
  
    
  
  
Notes (continued) 
(forming part of the financial statements)

25 Related parties (continued)

During the year Mark Lavery bought 6 vehicles from the Group and sold 6 vehicles back to the Group, James Mullins bought 3 vehicles 

from the Group and sold 3 vehicles back to the Group.  Sir Peter Burt bought 4 vehicles from the Group and sold 4 vehicles back to the 

Group. Michael Burt bought 3 vehicles from the Group and sold 3 vehicles back to the Group.  All transactions were carried out at arm’s 

length and there were no outstanding balances due to the Group at the year end. The average value of each transaction in the year was 

£50,472.

26 Ultimate parent company and parent company of larger group

In the opinion of the directors, the distribution of the ordinary shares and the rights attributing themselves to them means that there is no 

overall controlling party of the company.

27 Post balance sheet events

Dividend

The Board is pleased to announce that it will make a final dividend payment in respect of the financial year to 31 August 2015 of 0.6p (2014: 
0.5p) per share in addition to the interim payment of 0.15p per share (2014: 0.1p).

Refinancing

Post year end, on 23 November 2015, the Group entered into revised banking arrangements with Lloyds Banking Group to refinance the 
existing £14.4m of term loans into one standardised facility of £15m that has a 5 year term, and 15 year capital repayment profile.  

The cost of the facilities is LIBOR plus a margin.  The margin attributable to the term loans will be set each quarter and is dependant on 

the net debt: EBITDA ratio for the Group.  The spread of margin chargeable against the facility ranges from 1.2% where the net debt is less 

than 1 times EBITDA, up to 2% where the net debt is greater than 2.5 times EBITDA.

The  Group  has  also  arranged  two  further  Revolving  Credit  Facilities.    The  First  is  a  5  year,  £15m  RCF  available  for  the  acquisition  of 

businesses and property, the second is a 5 year property development facility to be used against the development of Barnet and Swindon 

properties.  The maximum drawdown against this facility is £7m, and it is intended that once the developments are complete that the 

RCF will be converted into a standard amortising term facility.  The margins attributable to these Revolving Credit Facilities mirror those 

attributable to the revised term loan facilities.  

57

Company Balance Sheet 
At 31 August 2015

Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Stock 

Debtors 

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

Note

2015

2014

£000

£000

£000

£000

5

6

7

8

9

11

12

12

98

666

919

8,499

5,533

14,951

(3,475)

109

666

764

775

860

4,985

9,445

15,290

(2,853)

11,476

12,240

12,240

10,000

799

1,441

12,240

12,437

13,212

13,212

10,000

799

2,413

13,212

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors on 23 November 2015 and were signed on its behalf by:

M J J Lavery
Director

Company number: 05754547

58

  
            
              
  
            
              
  
            
              
     
     
         
     
Company Reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds 
for the year ended 31 August 2015

Loss for the financial year

Dividend paid

Net decrease in shareholders’ funds

Opening shareholders’ funds

Closing shareholders’ funds

Note

Company

Company

12

2015

£000

(322)

(650)

(972)

13,212

12,240

2014

£000

(531)

(500)

(1,031)

14,243

13,212

59

Notes (continued)

1  Accounting policies

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the 
financial statements.

Going concern

The directors believe that the company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic 
outlook
The  directors  have  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  company  has  adequate  resources  to  continue  in  operational  existence  for  the 
foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual financial statements.

Further information regarding the company’s business activities together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance 
and position is set out in the Strategic report on page 14.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost accounting 
rules.  
Under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the company is exempt from the requirement to present its own profit and loss account.

Under Financial Reporting Standard 1 the Company is exempt from the requirement to prepare a cash flow statement on the grounds that 
the Group financial statements include the Company in its own published consolidated financial statements.

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption contained in FRS 8 and has therefore not disclosed transactions or balances with 
entities which form part of the group.  

Fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost less the estimated residual value of tangible fixed assets by instalments over their estimated 
useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows: 

•  computer equipment 

3 to 5 years

Investments

Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less amounts written off.  Where impairment indicators exist, the carrying value 
of investments will be reviewed against the value is use based upon the estimated future cash flows of the subsidiary undertaking.

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.  In determining the cost of motor vehicles, the actual amount payable to 
date for each car is used, for spare parts and service items stocks are valued at invoiced cost on a FIFO basis.  An appropriate provision 
is made for obsolete or slow moving items.

New vehicles on consignment from manufacturers are included in the balance sheet where it is considered that the company bears the 
risks and rewards or ownership.

Consignment stock is held for a maximum period (which varies between manufacturers) before becoming due for payment. Part of the 
consignment period is interest free and the remaining period are interest bearing (periods varies between manufacturers). 
Notes (continued)

Taxation

The charge for taxation is based on the profit for the year and takes into account taxation deferred because of timing differences between 
the treatment of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes.

Deferred tax is recognised, without discounting, in respect of all timing differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and 
accounting purposes which have arisen but not reversed by the balance sheet date, except as otherwise required by FRS 19.

60

Notes (continued)

Classification of financial instruments issued by the Company

Following the adoption of FRS 25, financial instruments issued by the Group are treated as equity (i.e. forming part of shareholders’ funds) 

only to the extent that they meet the following two conditions: 

a)  they include no contractual obligations upon the Company (or Group as the case may be) 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 Company 

(or Group); and 

b)  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 proceeds of issue are classified as a financial liability.  Where the instrument so classified 

takes the legal form of the Company’s own shares, the amounts presented in these financial statements for called up share capital and 

share premium account exclude amounts in relation to those shares.  

Finance payments associated with financial liabilities are dealt with as part of interest payable and similar charges.  Finance payments 

associated with financial instruments that are classified as part of shareholders’ funds (see dividends policy), are dealt with as appropriations 

in the reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds.

Dividends on shares presented within equity

Dividends unpaid at the balance sheet date are only recognised as a liability at that date to the extent that they are appropriately authorised 

and are no longer at the discretion of the Company.  Unpaid dividends that do not meet these criteria are disclosed in the notes to the 

financial statements.   

2  Remuneration of directors

Directors’ emoluments

Salaries

Annual bonus

Pension costs

Share related awards

The emoluments in respect of the highest paid director were:

Salaries

Annual bonus

All directors benefited from qualifying third party indemnity provisions during the financial period.

2015

£000

664

552

-

6

2014

£000

655

473

2

-

1,222

1,130

2015

£000

400

405

805

2014

£000

400

350

750

61

Notes (continued)

3  Staff numbers and costs

The average number of persons employed by the Company (including directors) during the period, analysed by category, was as follows:

Number of employees

Administration

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

Share related awards

4  Dividends

The aggregate amount of dividends paid and received compromises:

Aggregate amount of dividends paid in the financial year

Aggregate amount of dividends received in the financial year

Company

2015

Company

2014

55

49

Company

Company

2015

£000

3,897

446

21

16

2014

£000

3,336

443

28

-

4,3780

3,807

2015

£000

650

-

2014

£000

500

-

The aggregate amount of dividends proposed but not recognised at the year end is £600,000  (2014: £500,000).

62

              
Notes (continued)

5  Tangible fixed assets

Company

Cost

At 1 September 2014

Additions

At 31 August 2015

Depreciation

At 1 September 2014

Charge for year

At 31 August 2015

Net book value

At 31 August  2015

At 31 August 2014

Computer equipment

£000

623

52

675

514

63

577

98

109

Total

£000

623

52

675

514

63

577

98

109

63

      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
        
        
        
        
Notes (continued)

6  Fixed asset investments

Company

Cost and net book value

At 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015

Shares in group
undertakings

£000

666

The directors have considered the investments in subsidiary undertakings for impairment by comparing the carrying amount to the value 

in use and have concluded that no impairment is required.

The undertakings in which the Company’s interest at the year end is more than 20% are as follows:

Country of
incorporation

Principal
activity

Subsidiary undertakings

Cambria Automobiles Group Limited

England and Wales

Holding Company

Cambria Automobiles Acquisitions Limited **

England and Wales

Investment Company

Cambria Automobiles Property Limited **

England and Wales

Property Company

Cambria Automobiles (Swindon) Limited *

England and Wales

Grange Motors (Swindon) Limited * 

Thoranmart Limited *

Cambria Vehicle Services Limited*

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

Cambria Automobiles (South East) Limited*

England and Wales

Grange Motors (Brentwood) Limited***

England and Wales

Invicta Motors Limited***

Deeslease Limited***

Dove Group Limited***

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

Translease Vehicle Management Limited***

England and Wales

Motor retailer

Motor retailer

Motor retailer

Motor retailer

Motor retailer

Motor retailer

Motor retailer

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Invicta Motors (Maidstone) Limited*

England and Wales

Motor retailer

Class and 
percentage 
of shares held

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary & Preference

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary & Preference

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

100% Ordinary

*  

  Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles Acquisitions Limited

**     Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles Group Limited

***    Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles (South East) Limited

7  Stocks

Motor vehicles

64

2015

£000

919

2014

£000

860

Notes (continued)

8 Debtors

Trade debtors

Amounts owed by group undertakings

Prepayments and accrued  income

Deferred tax (note 10)

Other taxation

9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors

Vehicle funding

Other taxation and social security

Accruals and deferred income

Corporation tax

The vehicle funding creditor is secured on the stock to which it relates.

2015

£000

86

7,639

586

54

134

8,499

2015

£000

392

477

301

-

2014

£000

18

4,458

380

38

91

4,985

2014

£000

339

317

251

-

2,305

1,946

3,475

2,853

65

       
             
     
  
 
 
 
Notes (continued)

10  Deferred taxation

Deferred taxation asset

At 1 September 2014

Movement in period

At 31 August 2015

The elements of deferred taxation asset are as follows:

Difference between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances

Other timing differences

Total deferred tax

2015

£000

   54

-

54

£000

38

16

54

2014

£000

38

-

38

66

              
       
           
       
Notes (continued)

11  Called up share capital

Authorised

2015

£000

2014

£000

100,000,000 Ordinary shares of 10 pence each

10,000              

10,000

Allotted, called up and fully paid

100,000,000 Ordinary shares of 10 pence each

10,000              

10,000

Shares classified in shareholder’s funds

10,000

10,000

All of the shares rank pari passu, and no shareholder enjoys different or enhanced voting rights from any other shareholder. All shares are 

eligible for dividends and rank equally for dividend payments.

12  Share premium and reserves

At 1 September 2014

Loss for the year

Dividend paid

At 31 August 2015

Share premium account

Profit and loss account

£000

799

-

-

799

£000

2,413

(322)

(650)

1,441

13  Ultimate parent company and parent undertaking of larger group

In the opinion of the directors, the distribution of the ordinary shares and the rights attributing themselves to them means that there is no 

overall controlling party of the Company.

67