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Cambria Automobiles plc

camb · LSE Consumer Cyclical
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Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Auto - Dealerships
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2017 Annual Report · Cambria Automobiles plc
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Annual report and fi nancial statements

Registered number 05754547
31 August 2017

Contents

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

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

Operating and fi nancial review ........................................ 10

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

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

Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect 
of the Strategic report, Directors’ report and 
the fi nancial statements .................................................. 21

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

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income ........ 26

Consolidated statement of changes in equity ................. 27

Consolidated statement of fi nancial position .................. 28

Consolidated cash fl ow statement .................................. 29

Notes ............................................................................... 30

Company balance sheet ................................................. 61

Company statement of changes in equity....................... 62

Notes ............................................................................... 63

2

3

AUDITED PRELIMINARY RESULTS 2016/17

 Solid results in Group’s 11th year of trading, continued strategic progress

Cambria, the franchised motor retailer, announces its audited preliminary results for the year to 31 August 2017. 

Financial Highlights

Year ended 31 August

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA*

Underlying operating profi t*

Underlying profi t before tax*

Underlying profi t before tax margin*

Net non-recurring income/ (expenses)

Underlying earnings per share*

Operating profi t

Profi t before tax

Earnings per share (basic)

Dividend per share

2017

£m

644.3

13.7

11.8

11.3

1.8%

-

9.19p

11.8

11.3

9.18p

1.0p

2016

£m

614.2

13.1

11.2

10.6

1.7%

1.16

8.33p

12.4

11.8

9.26p

0.9p

Change

4.9%

4.6%

5.4%

6.6%

10bps

10.3%

-4.8%

-4.2%

-0.9%

11.1%

* These items exclude net non-recurring income / (expenses) of £nil (2016: £1.16m)

✔  Strong balance sheet – net assets £50.4m 

✔  Underlying Return on Equity at 19.87% 

(2015/16: £42.1m)

(2015/16: 21.98%)

✔  Strong operational cash fl ows, cash position of 

✔  Proposed fi nal dividend of 0.75p, up by 11.1% 

£23.0m (2015/16: £19.8m) 

✔  Net cash of £6.1m (2015/16: net cash £0.4m) 

after signifi cant investment in property 
during year

over the full year to 1.0p per share 
(2015/16: 0.9p)

✔  Refi nancing of the Group’s existing debt facilities 
to provide a new £40.0m, fi ve year Revolving 
Credit Facility arranged in November 2017

4

Summary

Operational Highlights

✔ New vehicle sales down 11.7%, with 
the impact offset by a 25.7% increase 
in profi t per unit

✔ Used vehicle sales down 6.1% 

following site closure, offset by a 5.6% 
improvement in profi t per unit 

✔ Aftersales Revenue increased 9% 

✔ Signifi cant development of the Group’s 
franchising strategy with the successful 
addition of two major High Luxury 
Segment brand partners:

•  McLaren dealership in Hatfi eld to be 

opened in January 2018 

•  Two Bentley dealerships to be 

opened in January 2018

✔ Continuing investment in the Freehold 

portfolio; to increase operational 
capacity and achieve site potentials 
and comply with our Brand partners 
franchise standards

✔ Barnet Jaguar Land Rover 

development completed along with 
other Brand led corporate identity 
developments

✔ Swindon Motor Park, the Group’s fi rst 
business, was closed to make way 
for the Swindon Jaguar Land Rover 
dealership development on its site. The 
demolition and building work began in 
July and is now progressing well

✔ Hatfi eld development site secured with 
works due to begin in January 2018 for 
Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin and 
McLaren

5

Summary (continued)

Mark Lavery, Chief Executive Offi  cer of Cambria said:

“The Group has delivered a solid set of results for the full year, with underlying Profi t Before Tax of £11.3m, up from 

£10.6m in the previous year, a 6.6% increase.  

The fi rst half of the fi nancial year was strong and we reported signifi cant year on year growth. As fl agged in our Interim 

Results statement on 9 May 2017 and the subsequent Trading Update on 5 September, the Board remains cautious 

on the overall consumer outlook. As has been well documented, the trading environment in the period post March has 

been more challenging, particularly in the new car arena which has been impacted by a number of factors.  The weakening in the Sterling 

exchange rate has led to infl ation in the landed cost of imported vehicles into the UK which, combined with a level of consumer uncertainty 

in the market, has led to the anticipated reduction of new car sales.

Our strategy for the 2016/17 fi nancial year was to integrate the acquired businesses from last year and progress the property investments 

needed to bring those businesses up to manufacturer standards.  We have made good progress in this regard during the year, completing 

Barnet, beginning the build work at Swindon and securing the Hatfi eld site for development work to begin in January 2018.  

Moreover, I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to develop facilities for such prestigious brands as McLaren and Bentley 

in addition to our already excellent portfolio of Brand partners. This is an exciting development for the Group and we are looking forward 

to working with our new partners. The new bank funding also gives us the required fl exibility to deliver on the strategic investments that 

we are making in facilities and new franchise opportunities.

Post the period end, trading in September and October was in line with the Board’s expectations, but behind the prior year as a result of 

the weaker new car market. 

The  Board  remains  confi dent  that  Cambria’s  resilient  business  model,  focus  on  delivering  a  superior  Guest  experience  and  fi nancing 

arrangements leave it well positioned to take advantage of any opportunities that the current economic uncertainty could provide.”

6

Chairman’s statement

I am pleased to report that Cambria has delivered another strong set of results for the full year ended 31 August 2017, which again shows 

continued improvement in the Group’s operational and fi nancial performance, along with successful delivery of its stated growth strategy. 

Whilst the second half of the fi nancial year was more challenging than the fi rst with a shift in the new car market, the Group continued to 

focus on delivery of used car and aftersales improvements. The Group in its 11th year of trading, hit £11.3m of underlying pre-tax profi t, 

maintaining an excellent return on shareholders’ funds.

The strategic acquisitions delivered over the past three fi nancial years have accelerated the Group’s growth and have proved to be shrewd 

investments, giving the Group a broader and enhanced franchised dealership portfolio mix and bolstering its underlying earnings capacity.  

The  UK  motor  retail  industry  has  seen  a  weakening  since  the  March  plate  change  month  where  it  showed  record  registration  fi gures.  

As reported in its Interim results, the Group’s trading to the end of the half year at the end of February and into the plate change month 

of March was very strong.  However, the period from April to August was weaker year on year as consumer demand softened across 

the industry and we witnessed a more diffi  cult trading environment with some of our OEM partners being exposed to a weaker foreign 

exchange position as importers.

The Group has reported operational improvements in the past three fi nancial years and these have continued into the 2016/17 fi nancial 

year.  On a like for like basis, Cambria generated gross profi t growth across the used car and aftersales departments with the new car 

department reducing as a result of the reductions in the second half of the year.

Revenue increased by 4.9% to £644.3m (2015/16: £614.2m). Underlying profi t before tax rose by 6.6% to £11.3m (2015/16: £10.6m) and 

the Group delivered underlying earnings per share of 9.19p (2015/16: 8.33p) - an increase of 10.3%. 

The Group closed the year with net cash of £6.1m (2015/16: net cash £0.4m) and net assets of £50.4m (2015/16: £42.1m), underpinned 

by the ownership of £45.2m (2015/16: £41.3m) of freehold and long leasehold properties. 

Our capacity for making acquisitions, and the property development programme, has been enhanced after the year-end with a refi nancing 

and extension of banking facilities to £40m arranged in November 2017. These facilities refi nance the existing £37m of total facilities with 

a £40m Revolving Credit Facility with a fi ve year term available for acquisitions and property purchase and development.  

We have also strengthened our Board during the course of the year following the appointments of Tim Duckers as Managing Director of 

the motor division in September 2016 and then in February 2017 Paul McGill and William Charnley as Non-Executive Directors. Tim has 

worked in the Group since 2008 and has been heavily involved in its development to date.  Paul was most recently Head of Projects at 

Lloyds Banking Group, where he was responsible for promoting the Black Horse Consumer Finance brand across the Group, leading 

new  business  initiatives  and  recruiting  key  individuals  to  the  business.  William  is  a  solicitor  specialising  in  mergers  and  acquisitions, 

capital markets and private equity with over 25 years experience. All three appointments bring to the Group a vast amount of experience, 

knowledge and expertise of the motor retail industry which will complement the existing management team.

7

Chairman’s Statement (continued)

Group overview

Cambria was established in 2006 with a strategy to build a balanced motor retail group to deliver the self-funded acquisition and turnaround 

of  underperforming  businesses.  The  strategy  evolved  in  2013  to  encompass  the  acquisition  of  premium  and  high  luxury  businesses, 

located in geographically strategic locations, which would be immediately earning enhancing.

In line with this strategy, in the period July 2014 to July 2016, the Group announced the acquisition of the Jaguar and Land Rover dealership 

in Barnet, the acquisitions of Swindon Land Rover, Welwyn Garden City Land Rover and Woodford Jaguar Land Rover.  In May 2016, the 

Group opened a new dealership for Aston Martin in Birmingham. The Group continues to integrate and develop these businesses.  

To support the acquisitions and developments outlined above in the previous year, the Group agreed to divest of its Exeter Jaguar business 

in January 2016, to close the Exeter Aston Martin dealership which shared a facility with Jaguar and to dispose of the Croydon Jaguar 

franchise in March 2016 which shared a facility alongside the Group’s Volvo franchise.

The Group closed its Swindon Motor Park business in January 2016 in order that the site could be cleared ready for the development of 

the Jaguar Land Rover Arch concept facility on the site.  

Following  the  acquisitions,  disposals  and  the  closure  of  the  Group’s  only  SEAT  new  car  sales  franchise  in  Swindon,    the  Group  now 

comprises 31 dealerships, representing 46 franchises and 16 brands, a well balanced brand portfolio spanning the high luxury, premium 

and volume segments.

The major property development at Hatfi eld which is due to start in January 2018 will relocate the Group’s Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston 

Martin dealerships in Welwyn Garden City which currently operate in short leasehold facilities into a purpose built freehold property with 

the addition of the McLaren franchise which will operate on the same site.  

The  Group  will  also  be  opening  two  new  Bentley  dealerships  in  January  2018  operating  from  existing  Group  freehold  facilities.    The 

dealership properties are currently undergoing refurbishments to meet the Bentley franchise standard requirements.

These new franchising developments are exciting for the Group and demonstrate its commitment to developing the Premium and High 

Luxury segment franchises in geographically strategic locations.

Dividend

The Board is pleased to propose a fi nal dividend of 0.75p per share (2015/16: 0.7p), subject to shareholder approval, resulting in a total dividend 

for the year of 1.0p per share (2015/16: 0.9p) - an increase of 11.1%.  It remains the Board’s intention to maintain a progressive dividend policy.

Outlook

The UK economy remains in a period of uncertainty while the ramifi cations of leaving the EU are worked through.  There is a lack of clarity 

on how any free trade agreements will be negotiated and there continue to be major implications for the Sterling exchange rate and other 

fi scal levers.  As I stated in my report last year, and still at the time of writing we are unclear as to how these factors will impact the UK 

motor trade although we have seen an industry-wide softening in the new car market from April onwards. That said, we are continuing to 

invest for future growth as we consider that the Group is in a strong fi nancial position. Moreover, Cambria’s robust balance sheet, industry 

leading return on investment and proven management team leave it well positioned to manage any uncertainty.

We are actively looking to deliver on our commitments to the Brand partners that we represent with the investment programme to enhance 

our property portfolio, while maintaining our aim to produce superior returns on Shareholders’ funds, which reached 19.87% (note 8) in 

the year under review (2015/16: 21.98%).

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

growth opportunities while driving the core operation of the existing businesses.

Philip Swatman

Chairman

8

9

Operating and fi nancial review

Chief Executive Offi cer’s review

Introduction

I  am  pleased  to  report  that  the  Group  has  delivered  a  solid  set  of  results  for  the  2017  fi nancial  year.    The  operational  and  fi nancial 

performance improvements delivered in the 2016 fi nancial year continued through to H1 2017 but declined in the second half.  Overall our 

underlying profi t before tax rose to £11.3m from £10.6m, a 6.6% increase on the previous year.

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

Year ended 31 August

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA*

Underlying operating profi t*

Underlying profi t before tax*

Underlying profi t before tax margin*

Net Non-recurring income/ (expenses)

Underlying earnings per share*

Operating profi t

Profi t before tax

Earnings per share (basic)

Dividend per share

2017
£m

644.3

13.7

11.8

11.3

1.8%

-

9.19p

11.8

11.3

9.18p

1.0p

2016
£m

614.2

13.1

11.2

10.6

1.7%

1.16

8.33p

12.4

11.8

9.26p

0.9p

Change

4.9%

4.6%

5.4%

6.6%

10bps

10.3%

-4.8%

-4.2%

-0.9%

11.1%

* These items exclude net non-recurring income / (expenses) of £nil (2016: £1.16m)

10

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

The Group celebrated its 11th anniversary in July 2017.  During those 11 years the Group has grown from one site with three new car 

franchises to 31 locations representing 46 new car franchises and 16 diff erent Brand Partners. The Group has utilised a total of £10.8m of 

Share Capital to grow and has delivered an underlying Profi t before Tax of £11.3m in its 11th year of trading.  During the year, the Group 

delivered a return on shareholder funds of 19.87%.  The Group has consistently delivered strong operational cash fl ows and has built a net 

asset position of £50.4m underpinned by over £45.2m of freehold and long leasehold property. The Group has developed an exceptional 

franchise portfolio which will be enhanced further during 2018 through delivery of the property investments that the Group is making and 

the addition of the McLaren and Bentley franchises to the Group’s brand partnerships.

Brand partnerships

In line with our buy-and-build strategy, management has continued to work hard to improve the businesses acquired in previous years 

and to integrate and develop the ones acquired and established in the previous year, making signifi cant investment in the management 

of those businesses.  The core like-for-like businesses have shown continued improvements during the year and we are pleased with the 

performances delivered.

Our current portfolio of Brand Partners and dealerships comprises:

High Luxury / Premium

Aston Martin

Alfa Romeo

Jaguar

Jeep

Land Rover

Volvo

Volume

Abarth

Dacia

Fiat

Ford

Honda

Mazda

Nissan

Renault

Vauxhall

3

2

5

2

4

5

21

Motorcycle

Triumph

2

1

5

5

2

4

1

1

2

23

2

2

The Group’s acquisition strategy evolved in 2013 to enhance the Group’s Premium and High Luxury mix which immediately focused on 

participating in the Jaguar Land Rover network restructuring.  In January 2016 the Group acquired the Welwyn Garden City Land Rover 

business.  The  business  currently  operates  from  leasehold  premises  under  a  short  lease  agreed  with  the  vendor  of  the  business.  The 

Group’s existing Jaguar and Aston Martin businesses in Welwyn Garden City are located two miles from the Land Rover dealership. In line 

with the strategy to combine the Jaguar and Land Rover dealerships into the new Arch concept facilities, the Group has identifi ed and 

agreed terms to acquire a 4.3 acre freehold plot of land in Hatfi eld to build a new facility for JLR and Aston Martin and we are excited to 

confi rm that McLaren will also be represented on this development.  

We have exchanged contracts on the development land with the only condition for completion of the purchase being the receipt of detailed 

planning permission which we anticipate receiving in mid-December. The tender documents for the development have been issued to 

contractors and we expect to begin the construction work in January 2018 with expected completion in December 2018. The anticipated 

capital cost of the newly developed facility for the four franchises is £17m.  The acquisition and development of the land will be funded 

through the Group’s existing cash and new RCF facilities secured against the freehold property.  In order that the Group can begin to 

represent McLaren in January 2018 from the Hatfi eld site, a temporary sales facility will be established.  This will enable the Group to begin 

to build a database and forward orders whilst the development work is ongoing.

In May 2016, the Group opened its Aston Martin dealership in Solihull. In order to secure the franchise for the territory, the Group acquired 

a freehold property and invested in a refurbishment of the facility to accommodate the Aston Martin franchise while the permanent location 

is procured and built. The temporary facility is enabling the Group to establish a representation point, build a database and serve the 

Aston Martin car parc for the territory.  The Group has secured a new development site on the A34 in Solihull on a business park named 

“The Green” for a permanent facility in line with Aston Martin franchise standards. The Group has exchanged contracts and completion is 

subject to planning permission and the conclusion of extensive highways works to defi ne the site and the new estate road. It is anticipated 

that the total freehold investment in the permanent facility will be c.£5m, and again will be funded through the Group’s existing cash and 

new RCF facility. It is anticipated that the development will be completed by the end of Q1 2019.

11

 
Operating and Financial Review (continued)

In July 2016, the Group acquired the Jaguar and Land Rover business in Woodford, North London and continues to work towards securing 

a suitable facility for the relocation of the operation. 

During the 2015 fi nancial year the Group acquired the Swindon Land Rover business.  The Group is in the process of re-developing its 

Swindon Motor Park location to provide a new JLR facility in line with the new Arch design concept for JLR facilities.  The planning process 

for  the  approval  of  the  new  JLR  facility  was  signifi cantly  extended  whilst  we  obtained  Highways  and  Environment  Agency  consent  for 

the development which was eventually received at the end of May 2017. The on-site development work began in July 2017 and will be 

completed by July 2018.  Once the new development is complete, we will relocate the Land Rover business from the existing dealership 

property in Royal Wootton Bassett, and will sell that freehold property.  The anticipated investment in the site is £6m, and this will be funded 

from the group’s existing cash and new RCF facilities. 

When the Group acquired the Barnet Jaguar Land Rover 

dealership in the 2013/14 fi nancial year it committed 

to  develop  the  freehold  site  to  provide  a  Jaguar 

Land Rover Arch concept facility on that location.  

During  the  course  of  the  2015/16  and  2016/17 

fi nancial  years  the  building  work  was  ongoing 

at the site and we have operated the business 

through  very  diffi  cult  operational  logistics  on 

the  site.  The  development  was  eventually 

completed in July 2017 with the total property 
investment and fees amounting to £7m.  The 

facility now provides the basis for the Group 

to take advantage of the territory opportunity 

in  Barnet,  capitalising  on  the  Jaguar  Land 

Rover product and the strong demographics 

of the area.

The  Group  has  been  given  the  opportunity 

to establish two new Bentley dealerships, 

and  is  in  the  process  of  refurbishing 

existing  Group  freehold  premises 

in  order  that  the  sites  can  be 

operational  in  January  2018  at  a 

cost of c£1m.

Whilst 

the 

investments  outlined 

above  are  signifi cant,  the  Board 

Blackburn

Preston

Bolton

Bury

Oldham

believes  that  the  investment  in  the 

Warrington

facilities  for  JLR,  Aston  Martin, 

McLaren  and  Bentley  are  core  to 

Birmingham

the  future  potential  of  the  Group. 

Wellingborough

The  investment  into  the  property 

portfolio  in  strategic,  high  profi le 

locations  will  hold  the  Group  in 

good  stead  to  provide  exceptional 

representation for its brand partners 

and a world class Guest experience.   

Northampton

Woburn

Swindon

12

Automobiles plc

Locations across the UK

Welwyn Garden City

Brentwood

Chelmsford

Barnet

Woodford 

Wimbledon

Croydon

Southampton

Thanet

Tunbridge 
Wells

Canterbury

Ashford

Maidstone

Gatwick

Horsham

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Operations

New vehicles

Used vehicles

Aftersales

Internal sales

Total

Administrative expenses

Operating profi t before non- 
recurring expenses

Non-recurring income/ 
(expenses)

Operating profi t

New Vehicle Sales

New units

2017

2016

Revenue

Revenue 
mix

Gross 
Profi t

 Margin

Revenue

Revenue 
mix

Gross 
Profi t 

 Margin

£m

308.7

277.3

71.4

(13.1)

644.3

%

47.9

43.0

11.1

(2.0)

100.0

£m

21.3

23.5

27.8

-

72.7

(60.9)

11.8

-

11.8

%

6.9

8.5

38.9

-

11.3

£m

297.4

264.2

65.5

(12.9)

614.2

%

48.4

43.0

10.7

(2.1)

100.0

%

6.5

9.0

40.7

-

11.3

£m

19.3

23.7

26.6

-

69.6

(58.4)

11.2

1.2

12.4

2017  

11,052

2016

Year on year growth

12,516

(11.7)%

New vehicle revenue increased from £297.4m to £308.7m with total new vehicle sales volumes down 11.7%. Excluding the impact of the 
acquisitions and disposals, our new volumes reduced by 17% on a like-for-like basis. Gross profi t increased by £2m (10.4%) in total but 
reduced by £0.2m on a like-for-like basis. The reduced new vehicle volumes were off set by an improvement in the gross profi t per unit sold 
which increased by 25.7%, a combination of like-for-like increase and strengthening mix from the JLR and Aston Martin businesses acquired 
as this product typically sells at higher price points.

On a like-for-like basis, excluding the impact of the Welwyn Garden City, Woodford and Birmingham acquisitions and Swindon Motor Park 
closure, our new volumes reduced by 17% with gross profi t reducing by £0.2m as profi t per unit increased by 19%. The like-for-like volume 
reduction  was  partly  attributed  to  the  reduction  in  unit  sales  from  the  Barnet  JLR  site  during  the  disruptive  building  project,  and  partly 
attributable  to  reductions  in  unit  sales  from  certain  volume  manufacturer  partners.  The  achievement  of  annual  new  car  volume  related 
bonuses for the 2016 calendar year has had a positive impact on the profi t per unit and therefore overall gross profi t reported in the period.

The Group’s sale of new vehicles to private individuals was 10.2% lower year-on-year at 9,359 units, showing the volume reduction that we 
anticipated.  New commercial vehicle sales reduced by 34% to 953 units in the period.  New fl eet unit vehicle sales increased by 14.4% to 
740 units. 

The new vehicle registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders showed total registrations were down 1.0% in the rolling 
12 month period to August.  The registration of cars to private individuals was down 5.2% for the rolling 12 months, but in the period April 
to August was down 13.8%. The sale of diesel engine vehicles has been hardest hit as a result of the negative press around diesel engine 
emissions, and in the period from April to August, the sale of diesels was down 20.2%.

The signifi cant improvement in profi t per unit on both a total and like-for-like basis was particularly pleasing in a very competitive new car 
market where each of the manufacturers are delivering compelling consumer off ers and requiring increasing levels of sales from the dealers 
to meet their own registration requirements.

Used Vehicle Sales

Used units

2017  

14,765

2016

Year on year growth

15,729

(6.1)%

We have delivered another good performance in used vehicle sales. Revenues increased from £264.2m to £277.3m whilst the number of units 
sold declined by 6.1% partly driven by the closure of Swindon Motor Park, which was a high volume used car operation.  The gross profi t on 
used vehicles decreased by 0.8% (£0.2m) to £23.5m, however the profi t per unit sold increased 5.6%.   

On a like-for-like basis, excluding the impact of the Welwyn Garden City, Woodford and Birmingham acquisitions and Swindon Motor Park 
closure whilst volumes were down 2.4% the gross profi t generated increased by £0.5m (2.1%) with profi t per unit increasing by 4.3%.  

13

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

We have continued our focused strategy in the used car department to increase the effi  ciency with which we source, prepare and market our 
used vehicles in order to drive our Velocity trading principles. This has produced strong results, increasing the like-for-like profi tability of the 
used car department. During the period, this strategy continued to deliver a strong 12 month rolling return on used car investment* of 129%.  
This level was reduced from the 147% achieved last year, but refl ects the increase in the average carrying value of the stock resulting from 
the higher representation of premium vehicles that are sold through the acquired businesses and removal of the high volume, lower value 
product sold from the Swindon Motor Park site. The ROI performance at 129% remains signifi cantly ahead of the industry average of 89.8%.
* gross profi t from used car operation over 12 months as a proportion of average stock levels for the year

Aftersales

Aftersales Revenue

2017  

2016

Year on year growth

£71.4m

£65.5m

9%

The combined aftersales revenue increased 9% year on year from £65.5m to £71.4m and related gross profi t increased to £27.8m from 
£26.6m. Like-for-like aftersales revenues excluding the impact of the Welwyn Garden City, Woodford and Birmingham acquisitions and 
Swindon Motor Park closure were 2.9% higher year on year, with gross profi t improving 1.7% to £24.5m, up £0.4m.  

The  aftersales  departments  contributed  11.1%  of  the  Group’s  Revenue,  and  38.2%  of  the  Group’s  overall  gross  profi t.  The  aftersales 
margin was slightly diluted in the year as the parts component of the aftersales revenue increased in mix terms. The margin in the parts 
element is smaller than that generated by service and bodyshop labour sales. 

The  fi re  that  took  place  in  October  2016  at  the  Group’s  Jaguar  and  Aston  Martin  aftersales  workshop  in  Welwyn  Garden  City  had  a 
signifi cant impact on the profi tability of that site, and whilst we have attempted to maintain a service level for our Guests by utilising the 
Welwyn Garden City Land Rover dealership, the constraint on both operations has been evident. The business interruption insurance claim 
has now been settled and has been included within the trading fi gures for the full year. The site reinstatement took signifi cantly longer than 
fi rst anticipated as a result of the complexity around stakeholders and insurance liability allocation. Whilst this was frustrating the work is 
now complete and we were able to reoccupy the workshop in July 2017.  

Our Associates operating from the site performed incredibly well in mitigating the potentially damaging losses that could have arisen as a 
result of the fi re and we are grateful for their commitment and eff orts through a diffi  cult set of circumstances.

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 as well as traditional communication methods. The 
Group continues to focus on the sale of service plans and its unique warranty-4-life product to enhance Guest retention. 

The 0-3 year car parc continues to be replenished, as new car sales increase year on year, and this gives the Group confi dence of further 
progress in Guest relationship and retention and the aftersales business remaining strong.

Total  underlying  administrative expenses  remained  well  controlled  during  the  year  and  as  a  percentage  of  revenue  remained  at  9.5%, 
demonstrating good overhead recovery and strong capital disciplines as the Group continues to grow.

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 three years of 
the Barnet, Swindon, Welwyn Garden City, and Woodford businesses are fi rmly in line with this strategy and the opportunity to develop 
our relationship and representation with Jaguar Land Rover fi ts our brand portfolio aspirations perfectly. The Birmingham Aston Martin 
business opening creates a future opportunity for the Group once it has established in a permanent facility and has developed a database.

We have now completed 14 separate transactions since our incorporation. Following any acquisition, the Cambria management team 
implements new fi nancial 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 refl ect 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 defi ned benefi t 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 

14

 
Operating and Financial Review (continued)

any related funding requirements are assessed on their individual merits. For compelling acquisition targets, like the JLR acquisitions, 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  benefi ts  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 fi nancial controls are implemented immediately, ranging from individual cheque signatories to daily 
reporting of vehicle sales and aftersales revenues, margins and other performance fi gures. We then implement our two growth strategies 
“Cambria Digital”, which is our internet social networking strategy for vehicle sales coupled with our “Guest Connect” support centre. 

Cambria Academy

The Group has continued to develop the Cambria Academy, a training Academy for the Group’s Associates. 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 specifi c telephone handling courses to ensure that we increase the competency 
of all our Associates in dealing with Guest enquiries eff ectively. The Group launched its Leadership Development Programme during the 
year with the fi rst cohort of Associates working towards achieving a Level 5 Diploma in Management.  The aim of the fi rst stage of the LDP 
is to develop high calibre managers into the Group’s future General Managers.

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 refi ne 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 car market in 2017 will see another strong year for registrations in the UK, with current SMMT forecast at 2.57m, 4.5% down on 
the record 2.69m registrations of 2016 but nonetheless above the mean average of 2.35m for the past 17 years.  

There is little doubt that market sentiment has been impacted since the EU referendum vote in 2016.  With the current weakening in the 
sterling exchange rate, there has been some downward pressure on the number of cars registered in the UK as the manufacturer landed 
cost of imported cars and components increases. The SMMT is currently forecasting a 2.43m new car market in 2018, a further 5.5% 
reduction in new car registrations forecast for the 2017 outturn. There has been a downward shift in new car sales in the period from 
April 2017 onwards as the level of consumer uncertainty increases. Diesel engines have received a signifi cant amount of negative press 
speculation over the past six months following political positioning in relation to diesel vehicle emissions. The speculation around how 
diesels will be taxed has impacted the sale of these cars and clarity around the strategy is needed.  

Whilst the 2017 fi nancial year delivered a solid set of results, because of the uncertainty in the economic outlook, the Board is cautious 
about trading in the coming year particularly in the new car arena. Post the period end, September and October trading were in line with 
expectations but down on the previous year driven by new car volume and bonus achievements impacting new car margins.

The achievements we have made to progress our property portfolio and franchising strategy are pleasing and we are excited about the 
opportunities with the new Brands that we are adding to the Group in 2018.

The formative years of the Group have laid solid foundations with an extremely capable management team and high quality digitised data 
systems. In uncertain times, the quality of people and systems is absolutely critical and the Board is confi dent that Cambria remains well 
placed to take advantage of any opportunities aff orded to the Group.

We  intend  to  continue  the  process  of  enhancing  the  existing  businesses  and  focusing  on  integrating  and  optimising  the  businesses 
acquired to reap the full potential of those acquisitions. We will continue our relentless focus on driving strong returns on shareholder funds 
from the foundations that we have put in place.

Mark Lavery

Chief Executive Offi  cer

15

 
Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Finance Director’s Report

Overview

Total revenues in the period increased 4.9% to £644.3m from £614.2m in the prior year.  New vehicle unit volumes were down 11.7% new 
vehicle revenues were up 3.8%. Used car unit sales reduced by 6.1% although revenues increased by 5.0%. Revenues from the aftersales 
businesses increased by 9%, compared with the previous year. 

Total gross profi t increased by £3.1m (4.5%) from £69.6m to £72.7m in the year. Gross profi t margin across the Group remained consistent 
at 11.3%, refl ecting the change in revenue mix with new car margins improving, off setting the slight reductions in used cars and aftersales 
margins. The average selling price of both new and used cars increased year on year, as did the average profi t per new and used units that 
we sold.  The aftersales operations contributed 38.2% of the total gross profi t for the Group. The gross profi t contribution made by the used 
car and aftersales components of the business accounted for 70.6% of the Group’s total gross profi t mix. 

During the year, the Group has non-recurring net expenses of £14,000 only relating to the accounting income and expenses associated with 
the insurance pay-out relating to the fi re at Welwyn Garden City Jaguar. This net £14,000 expense refl ects gross income of £0.4m for the 
replacement of fi xed assets which have been capitalised, off set by £0.4m of impairment and third party expenses due to the fact that we will 
be relocating the Jaguar and Aston Martin dealership before January 2019 once the Hatfi eld development is complete. In the prior year, the 
Group generated a non-recurring net income of £1.16m which was a combination of £1.95m of non-recurring income from the sale of Exeter 
Jaguar and Croydon Jaguar and non-recurring expenses totalling £0.79m in relation to the transaction and set up costs associated with the 
acquisitions made in the year and the write off  of certain assets as a result of the acquisitions.

Underlying EBITDA increased by 4.6% in the period to £13.7m, from £13.1m in the previous year. Underlying operating profi t improved 5.4% 
to £11.8m, compared with £11.2m in the previous year, resulting in an underlying operating margin of 1.8% (2015/16: 1.8%).

Net fi nance expenses reduced to £0.5m (2015/16: £0.6m) as a result of the savings in the mortgage interest following the refi nancing in 
November 2015 and slightly reduced consignment stocking charges.

The Group’s underlying profi t before tax rose by 6.6% to £11.3m, compared with £10.6m in the previous year.

Underlying earnings per share were 9.19p (2015/16: 8.33p). Basic earnings per share were 9.18p (2015/16: 9.26p) and the Group’s underlying 
return on shareholders’ funds for the year was 19.87% (2015/16: 21.98%).

Taxation

The Group tax charge was £2.1m (2015/16: £2.5m) representing an eff ective rate of tax of 18.4% (2015/16: 21.3%) on a profi t before tax of £11.3m 
(2015/16: £11.8m). As outlined in last year’s report, it is anticipated that the tax rate will continue at a substantially normal eff ective tax rate. 

Financial position

The Group has a robust balance sheet with a net asset position of £50.4m underpinned by £45.2m of freehold and long leasehold property which 
are held on a historic cost basis. Secured against the freehold and long leasehold property are mortgages and RCF amounting to £16.9m.  

As at the balance sheet date, and as a result of the banking facility arranged on 23 November 2015, the Group had a term loan with a fi ve year 
term, and 15 year capital repayment profi le which amounted to repayments of £1m per annum, and this is disclosed in the balance sheet as 
due within one year. Post year end, the Group refi nanced the Banking facilities and as a result, the revised £40m Revolving Credit Facility has 
no fi xed capital repayment profi le throughout its 5 year term.

The loans outstanding at the balance sheet date refl ect very similar commercial terms, 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 net cash position of the Group as at 31 August 2017 was £6.1m (2015/16: net cash £0.4m), refl ecting a cash position of £23m (2015/16: 
£19.8m).  This is after the £7.9m investment in Capital Expenditure.

The Group typically uses bank 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 fl uctuations in working 
capital. The overdraft facilities are renewable annually and are next due in September 2018. 

16

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Cash fl ow and capital expenditure

The Group generated an operating cash infl ow of £14.5m with working capital reducing by £3.3m through effi  cient management of the vehicle 

inventory and the stocking lines associated with that inventory and higher levels of new vehicle deposits for new car orders for September 

delivery. Total funds invested in capital expenditure were £7.9m. In the year, the Barnet development incurred £4.5m of capex to complete 

the project, the Croydon Ford dealership was fully refurbished at a total cost of £0.7m, other smaller site refurbishments totalled £0.6m and 

the Welwyn Garden City Jaguar workshop is capitalised at a total cost of £0.4m.  There were fi xtures, fi ttings plant and machinery additions 

of £1.5m and computer expenditure of £0.2m.

During the year, and as a result of the Group banking facilities, capital repayment of £1m were made. There was a repayment of the £5m of 

RCF that was drawn at 31 August 2016.  On completion of the Barnet development £3.5m of the property development RCF was drawn. 

As a result of the net cash infl ow of £3.2m, the gross cash position was £23m with gross debt of £16.9m and overall net cash of £6.1m after 

signifi cant investment, compared with net cash at 31 August 2016 of £0.4m.

Capital expenditure commitments 

As outlined in the Chief Executive’s report, the Group has committed to delivering property solutions to facilitate the acquired businesses 

complying with the franchise standards for its Brand partners. Over the coming 24 months the Group intends to complete the following major 

freehold investments; Swindon JLR development forecast at c.£6m, Welwyn Garden City JLR, Aston Martin and McLaren at c.£17m and 

Solihull Aston Martin at c.£5m and Bentley site refurbishments at c.£1m, the total freehold new build investment being in the order of £29m. 
The developments will be funded through a drawdown of newly arranged RCF and existing cash. The Board intends to draw down against the 

RCF normal Loan to Value security against each development which the Board forecasts at 70% of the land purchase and development cost.     

The Board is committed to these investments and anticipates that by making the investments it will position the Group well for realising the 

full operational potential of the businesses acquired over the past three years.

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 defi ned benefi t pension schemes and has no liability arising from any such scheme. The Group made 

contributions amounting to £0.3m (2015/16: £0.4m) to defi ned contributions schemes for certain employees. 

Financial instruments

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

Dividends

The Board is pleased to propose a fi nal dividend payment in respect of the fi nancial year to 31 August 2017 of 0.75p per share in addition 

to the interim dividend of 0.25p per share paid in May 2017. If approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 4 

January 2018, the dividend will be payable on 22 January 2018 to those shareholders registered on 29 December 2017, with an ex-dividend 

date of 28 December 2017. 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

17

Strategic report

Enhanced Business Review

All details required are covered in the Chairman’s Statement and the Operating and Financial Review between pages 7 and 17.

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 aff ect 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 fi nancial 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  fi nancial  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 fi nancial 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 fi nances its operations through a combination of bank funding and shareholders’ funds.  The interest rate on bank funding is 

variable with the base rate.

Liquidity risk

The Group seeks to manage fi nancial risk by ensuring suffi  cient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets 

safely and profi tably.  The funding for signifi cant new ventures is secured before commitments are made.  Cash fl ows 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  fi nancial  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 fl ow 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

Date: 21 November 2017

Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA

19

Directors’ report            

The Directors present their Directors’ report and fi nancial statements for the year ended 31 August 2017.  

Principal activities

Cambria’s principal activities are the sale and servicing of motor vehicles and the provision of ancillary services. The Group operates from 
31 sites with a total of 46 dealer franchises.  

Proposed dividend

The Directors recommend the payment of a fi nal dividend for 2017 of 0.75p per share which equates to £0.75m (2016: £0.7m).  If approved 
at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 4 January 2018, the dividend will be payable on 22 January 2018 to those shareholders 
registered on 29 December 2017.

Directors 

The Directors who held offi  ce during the year were as follows:
P H Swatman
M J J Lavery 
M W Burt 
J A Mullins
Sir P A Burt
T A Duckers (appointed 5 September 2016)
P McGill (appointed 7 February 2017)
W F Charnley (appointed 7 February 2017)

All Directors benefi ted from qualifying third party indemnity provisions in place during the fi nancial period. 
On 5 September 2016 Tim Duckers was appointed to the Board of Directors as Managing Director of the motor division.  Tim has been 
an employee of the Group since 2008, and has been heavily involved in the Group’s development.  On 7 February 2017 Paul McGill and 
William Charnley were appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Directors.  Both Paul and William have extensive knowledge of the motor 
industry and further strengthen the Board.

Associates

The Group recognises the benefi t of keeping Associates informed of group aff airs 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  diff erently  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 eff ort to accommodate them in suitable alternative employment.  

Political and charitable contributions

During the year, the Company made no charitable donations.  
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries made any political donations or incurred any political expenditure during the year (2016: £nil).

Disclosure of information to auditor 

The Directors who held offi  ce at the date of approval of this Directors’ Report confi rm 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

Date: 21 November 2017

20

Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA

Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the Annual Report and the 
fi nancial statements         

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual report and the Group and parent company fi nancial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.  

Company law requires the directors to prepare group and parent company fi nancial statements for each fi nancial year.  As required by 
the AIM rules of the London Stock Exchange they are required to prepare the group fi nancial 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 fi nancial 
statements  in  accordance  with  UK  Accounting  Standards  and  applicable  law  (UK  Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Practice),  including 
FRS101 Reduced Disclosure Framework.

Under company law the directors must not approve the fi nancial statements unless they are satisfi ed that they give a true and fair view of 
the state of aff airs of the Group and parent company and of their profi t or loss for that period.

In preparing each of the Group and parent company fi nancial 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 fi nancial statements, state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU

•  for the parent company fi nancial statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any 

material departures disclosed and explained in the parent company fi nancial statements; and 

•  prepare the fi nancial 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  suffi  cient  to  show  and  explain  the  parent  company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the fi nancial position of the parent company and enable them to ensure 
that its fi nancial 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  fi nancial  information  included  on  the  company’s 
website.    Legislation  in  the  UK  governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of  the  fi nancial  statements  may  diff er  from  legislation  in 
other jurisdictions.

21

Independent 
auditor’s report

to the members of Cambria Automobiles plc 

Materiality: 
group financial 
statements as a 
whole

Coverage

£0.57m (2016:£0.59m)

5% (2016: 5%) of group profit 
before tax

100% (2016:100%) of group 
profit before tax

Risks of material misstatement vs 2017

Recurring risks Goodwill valuation

Revenue recognition

Recoverability of 
parent’s debt due from 
group entities

◄►

◄►

◄►

1. Our opinion is unmodified 

We have audited the financial statements of 
Cambria Automobiles plc (“the Company”) for the 
year ended 31 August 2017 which comprise the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, 
consolidated statement of changes in equity, 
consolidated statement of financial position, 
consolidated cash-flow statement, company 
balance sheet, company statement of changes in 
equity, and the related notes, including the 
accounting policies in note 1.

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 2017 
and of the Group’s profit for the year then 
ended; 

— the group financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union; 

— the parent Company financial statements have 
been properly prepared in accordance with UK 
accounting standards, including FRS 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework; and 

— the financial statements have been prepared in 

accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with 
International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs 
(UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities are 
described below. We have fulfilled our ethical 
responsibilities under, and are independent of the 
Group in accordance with, UK ethical requirements 
including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied to 
listed entities. We believe that the audit evidence 
we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate 
basis for our opinion. 

2. Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by 
us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and 
directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. In 
arriving at our audit opinion above, the key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit significance, were as follows (unchanged 
from 2016):

Goodwill

Forecast based valuation

Our procedures included: 

The risk

Our response

£21.3 million; 
(2016: £21.3 million)

Refer to page 30 accounting 
policy) and page 44 (financial 
disclosures).

Goodwill acquired in a business 
combination is allocated to the Group’s 
Cash Generating Units (CGUs). 

— Benchmarking assumptions: comparing 

the key assumptions (discount rate, growth 
rate) used to externally derived data;

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs 
are determined from value in use 
calculations and where the carrying 
value of a CGU exceeds its recoverable 
amount an impairment charge is 
required. This is a key judgement area 
as inaccuracies in assumptions, 
particularly relating to forecast cash 
flows and discount rates, could result in 
the recoverable amount being calculated 
incorrectly resulting in potentially 
material impairment charges not being 
recognised or too great an impairment
charge being recorded.

— Historical comparisons: comparing the 

previously forecast cash flows to actuals to 
assess the historical accuracy of forecasting; 

— Assessing transparency: considering the 
adequacy of Group’s disclosures in respect 
of Goodwill; 

— Sensitivity analysis: we evaluated the 

Group’s sensitivity analysis, by performing 
our own analysis to assess the sensitivity of 
the impairment reviews to changes in the 
key assumptions of the discount rate, 
growth rate and the forecast cash flows.

Revenue

2017/2018 sales

Our procedures included:

£644.3 million; 
(2016: £614.2 million)

Refer to page 29 (accounting 
policy) and page 37 (financial 
disclosures)

The business is seasonal in nature, with 
peak revenues in the months of March 
and September. Trading in the motor 
industry continues to be competitive and 
there is pressure on management to 
achieve financial targets. These 
conditions give rise to an increased risk 
of management bias or fraud over the 
timing of revenue recognition. 

— Control design and re-performance: we 

tested controls relating to the sales process, 
assessing whether third party 
documentation was collated in line with 
Group policy;

— Test of details: we assessed whether 

revenue had been recorded in the correct 
period for a sample of sales invoices raised 
around the year-end. We also assessed 
credit notes raised after the year-end to 
identify significant corrections relating to 
[We continue to perform procedures over [identify key audit matter]. However, following [explain why risk is less significant 
2017. 
this year], we have not assessed this as one of the most significant risks in our current year audit and, therefore, it is not 
separately identified in our report this year.]

Low risk, high value

Our procedures included: 

Recoverability of parent’s debt 
due from group entities

£18.8 million 
(2016: £19.9 million)

Refer to page 64 (accounting 
policy) and page 70 (financial 
disclosures).

The carrying amount of the intra-group 
debtor balance represents 89% of the 
parent company’s total assets.  Their 
recoverability is not at a high risk of 
significant misstatement or subject to 
significant judgement.  However, due to 
their materiality in the context of the 
parent company financial statements, 
this is considered to be the area that had 
the greatest effect on our overall parent 
company audit.

— Tests of detail: Assessing 100% of group 
debtors to identify, with reference to the 
relevant debtors’ draft balance sheet
whether they have a positive net asset value 
and therefore coverage of the debt owed, as 
well as assessing whether those debtor 
companies have historically been profit-
making.

, 

— Assessing subsidiary audits: Assessing 
the evidence obtained during our audit of 
those subsidiaries and considering the 
results of that work on their profits and net 
assets.

3. Our application of materiality and an 
overview of the scope of our audit 

Group profit before taxation
£11.4m (2016: £11.8m)

Group Materiality
£0.57m (2016: £0.59m)

Materiality for the group financial statements as a 
whole was set at £0.57 million (2016: £0.59 
million) determined with reference to a benchmark 
of group profit before taxation, normalised to 
exclude this year’s impairment in respect of trade 
receivables as disclosed in note 22, of £11.4 
million, of which it represents 5.0% (2016: 
determined with reference to a benchmark of 
group profit before taxation of 5.0%).

Materiality for the parent company financial 
statements as a whole was set at £0.21 million 
(2016: £0.23 million), determined with reference to 
a benchmark of total assets, of which it represents 
1.0% (2016: 1.0%).

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any 
corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements 
exceeding £0.03 million (2016: £0.04 million), in 
addition to other identified misstatements that 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

All  of the group’s thirteen (2016: thirteen) 
components, including the parent company, were 
subject to full scope audits for group purposes, all 
of which were performed by the group team. 

These audits accounted for 100% (2016: 100%) of 
total group revenue, group profit before tax and 
total group assets and were performed to 
individual component materiality levels which 
ranged from £0.02 million to £0.40 million (2016: 
£0.01 million to £0.53 million), having regard to the 
mix of size and risk profile of the group across 
these components. 

£0.57 million
Whole financial
statements materiality
(2016: £0.59m)

£0.4 million
Range of materiality at thirteen 
components 
£0.02m-£0.4m 
(2016: £0.02m to £0.5m)

Group PBT
Group materiality

£0.03m
Misstatements reported to the 
audit committee 
(2016: £0.04m)

Group revenue

Group profit before tax

100%

(2016 100%)

100

100

100%

(2016 100%)

100

100

Group total assets 

Group profit before exceptional 
items and tax

100%

(2016 100%)

100

100

100%

(2016 100%)

100

100

Key: 

Full scope for group audit purposes 2017

Full scope for group audit purposes 2016

4. We have nothing to report on going concern

7. Respective responsibilities

We are required to report to you if we have concluded that
the use of the going concern basis of accounting is
inappropriate or there is an undisclosed material uncertainty
that may cast significant doubt over the use of that basis for
a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval
of the financial statements. We have nothing to report in
these respects.

5. We have nothing to report on the other information in

the Annual Report

The directors are responsible for the other information
presented in the Annual Report together with the financial
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does
not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not
express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated
below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in
doing so, consider whether, based on our financial
statements audit work, the information therein is materially
misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or
our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work we have
not identified material misstatements in the other
information.

Strategic report and directors’ report

Based solely on our work on the other information:

— we have not identified material misstatements in the

strategic report and the directors’ report; 

— in our opinion the information given in those reports for 

the financial year is consistent with the financial 
statements; and 

— in our opinion those reports have been prepared in 

accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

6. We have nothing to report on the other matters on

which we are required to report by exception

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

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

— the parent Company financial statements are not in 

agreement with the accounting records and 
returns; or 

— certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified 

by law are not made; or 

— we have not received all the information and 

explanations we require for our audit.

We have nothing to report in these respects

Directors’ responsibilities

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page
[A], the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the
financial statements including being satisfied that they give
a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine
is necessary to enable the preparation of financial
statements that are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Group and,
parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern,
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern;
and using the going concern basis of accounting unless
they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent
Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic
alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities

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

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the
FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

8. The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe

our responsibilities

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a
body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the
Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken
so that we might state to the Company’s members those
matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s
report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume
responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the
Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Ian Brokenshire (Senior Statutory Auditor) 

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 

Chartered Accountants 

66 Queen Square

Bristol 

BS1 4BE

22 November 2017

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for year ended 31 August 2017

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profi t

Administrative expenses

Other operating profi t

Results from operating activities

Finance income

Finance expenses

Net fi nance expenses

Profi t before tax from operations before non-recurring income/ 
(expenses)

Net non-recurring income and expenses

Profi t before tax

Taxation

Profi t and total comprehensive income for the period

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Note

3

4

4

9

9

5

4

10

8

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

2017  

£000

644,286

(571,607)

72,679

(60,901)

-

11,778

49

(576)

(527)

11,265

(14)

11,251

(2,071)

9,180

9.18p

2016  

£000

614,218

(544,614)

69,604

(59,158)

1,950

12,396

133

(761)

(628)

10,605

1,163

11,768

(2,508)

9,260

9.26p

26

     
       
            
            
            
     
       
            
      
      
      
                 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for year ended 31 August 2017

Balance at 31 August 2015

Profi t for the year

Dividend paid

Balance at 31 August 2016

Profi t for the year

Dividend paid

Balance at 31 August 2017

Note

Share capital Share premium Retained earnings

Total equity

£000

£000

£000

£000

10,000

-

-

10,000

-

-

10,000

799

-

-

799

-

-

799

22,867

9,260

(800)

31,327

9,180

(950)

33,666

9,260

(800)

42,126

9,180

(950)

39,557

50,356

21

27

            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
Consolidated statement of fi nancial position
at 31 August 2017

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

Non-current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Provisions

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

17

20

21

2017

£000

49,321

21,365

-

2016

£000

43,949

21,391

13

70,686

65,353

105,419

12,428

23,046

95,068

13,314

19,817

140,893

128,199

211,579

193,552

(1,000)

(142,539)

(801)

(6,000)

(129,731)

(1,245)

(144,340)

(136,976)

(15,883)

(1,000)

(13,450)

(1,000)

(16,883)

(14,450)

(161,223)

(151,426)

50,356

42,126

10,000

799

39,557

10,000

799

31,327

50,356

42,126

These fi nancial statements were approved by the board of directors on 21 November 2017 and were signed on its behalf by:

M J J Lavery
Director

28

Company registered number: 05754547

Consolidated cash fl ow statement
for year ended 31 August 2017

Notes

Cash fl ows from operating activities

Profi t for the year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

11/12

Financial income

Financial expense

Loss on disposal of fi xed assets

Profi t on sale of branches

Taxation

Non-recurring (income)/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 fl ows from investing activities

Interest received

Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment

Acquisition of branch net of cash acquired

Disposal of branches by trade and asset sale

Receipt of insurance claim settlement

Purchase of property, plant and equipment and software

Net cash from investing activities

Cash fl ows from fi nancing activities

Proceeds from new loan

Interest paid

Repayment of borrowings

Dividend paid

Net cash from fi nancing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September 2016

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 2017

9

9

10

5

5

28

5

21

16

16

2017  

£000

9,180

2,271

(49)

576

324

-

2,071

(411)

13,962

886

(10,351)

12,767

-

17,264

(350)

(2,461)

-

14,453

49

-

-

-

411

(7,941)

(7,481)

3,433

(226)

(6,000)

(950)

(3,743)

3,229

19,817

23,046

2016  

£000

9,260

1,837

(133)

761

-

(1,950)

2,508

787

13,070

(131)

(6,827)

12,956

1,000

20,068

(460)

(2,075)

(787)

16,746

133

95

(12,946)

2,058

-

(5,622)

(16,282)

29,950

(301)

(24,891)

(800)

3,958

4,422

15,395

19,817

29

Notes
(forming part of the fi nancial 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 offi  ce is Swindon Motor Park, Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA.  The 

registered number of the company is 05754547. 

These  fi nancial  statements  as  at  31  August  2017  consolidate  those  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  (together  referred  to  as  the 

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

The Group fi nancial 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 fi nancial statements in 

accordance with FRS101; and these are presented on pages 61 to 71.

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

statements. 

Judgements made by the directors in the application of these accounting policies that have signifi cant eff ect on the fi nancial statements 

and estimates with a signifi cant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed in note 2.

Basis of preparation

The fi nancial 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.

At the balance sheet date, the Group had net current liabilities of £3,447,000, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group 

has adequate resources given the cash position at year end, the banking facilities and the trading performance of the Group that it will 

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

fi nancial statements.

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

and position is set out in the Strategic report and Directors’ report on pages 18 to 20.

Basis of consolidation

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

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when it is exposed to, or has right to, variable returns from its investment 

within the entity and has the ability to aff ect these returns through its power over the entity. The fi nancial 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 identifi able assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognised immediately in profi t 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 classifi ed 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 profi t or 

loss.

30

Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

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 identifi able assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquiree. When the excess was 

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

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 identifi ed as the Chief Executive Offi  cer. 

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 signifi cant 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 fi nance 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 profi t or loss as it accrues, using the eff ective interest method. 

Operating profi t

Operating profi t relates to profi t before fi nance income, fi nance expense and income tax expense.

31

Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

1  Accounting policies (continued)

Intangible assets 

Goodwill

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

liabilities and contingent liabilities, and recognition of identifi able intangibles at the date of acquisition. Identifi able 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 identifi able group of assets that generates cash infl ows that are largely independent of the cash infl ows 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.

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  indefi nite. 

Intangible assets with an indefi nite 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 diff erent 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 

•  fi xtures and fi ttings 

•  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.

32

 
 
 
 
 
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

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 eff ect on the estimated 

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

For goodwill, assets that have an indefi nite 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 fi rst 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 identifi able group of assets that generates cash infl ows that are largely independent of the cash infl ows from other assets 

or groups of assets.

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

to which the asset belongs.

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 fi rst-in fi rst-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.

33

Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

1  Accounting policies (continued)

Financial Instruments

Classifi cation of fi nancial 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)  a) they  include  no  contractual  obligations  upon  the  group  to  deliver  cash  or  other  fi nancial  assets  or  to  exchange  fi nancial  assets  or 

fi nancial liabilities with another party under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the group; and 

b)  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 fi xed amount of cash or other fi nancial assets for a fi xed number of its own equity instruments.

To the extent that this defi nition is not met, the proceeds of issue are classifi ed as a fi nancial liability.  Where the instrument so classifi ed takes 

the legal form of the company’s own shares, the amounts presented in the historical fi nancial information  for called up share capital and share 

premium account exclude amounts in relation to those shares.   

Non-derivative fi nancial instruments

Non-derivative fi nancial 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 eff ective 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 eff ective 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 fl ow 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 eff ective interest method.

Taxation

Tax  on  the  profi t  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 diff erences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for fi nancial reporting purposes 

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

initial recognition of assets or liabilities that aff ect neither accounting nor taxable profi t other than in a business combination, and diff erences 

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 profi ts will be available against which the temporary 

diff erence can be utilised. 

34

Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

Employee benefi ts

Defi ned contribution plans

A defi ned contribution plan is a post-employment benefi t plan under which the company pays fi xed contributions into a separate entity 

and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defi ned 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 eff ect 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 eff ect 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 eff ects 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  classifi ed  as  fi nance 

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 fi nance 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 fi nance charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The fi nance 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 outfl ow of economic benefi ts will be required to settle the obligation. 

35

Accounting policies (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

1  Accounting policies (continued)

IFRS

The following accounting standards and interpretations, issued by the IASB and endorsed by the EU or International Financial Reporting 

Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), are eff ective for the fi rst time in the current fi nancial year and have been adopted by the group with no 

signifi cant impact on the consolidated results or fi nancial position:

•  IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts

•  Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations – Amendments to IFRS 11

•  Clarifi cation of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation – Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38.

•  Agriculture: Bearer Plants – Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 41

•  Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements – Amendments to IAS 27

•  Annual Improvements to IFRSs – 2012-2014 Cycle

•  Investment entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception – Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28

•  Disclosure Initiative – Amendments to IAS 1

The IASB and the IFRIC have also issued the following standards and interpretations with an eff ective date after the date of these 

Financial Statements:

New standards and interpretations endorsed but not yet effective:

•  Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses – Amendments to IAS 12 (eff ective date 1 January 2017)

•   Disclosure Initiative – Amendments to IAS 7 (eff ective date 1 January 2017)

•  IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (eff ective date 1 January 2018)

•  IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (eff ective date 1 January 2018)

•  Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts – Amendments to IFRS 4 (eff ective date 1 January 2018)

•  IFRS 16 Leases (eff ective date 1 January 2019)

New standards and interpretations not yet endorsed and not yet effective:

•  Annual Improvements to IFRSs – 2014-2016 Cycle

•  Classifi cation and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions – Amendments to IFRS 2

•  IFRIC Interpretation 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration

•  Amendments to IAS 40 Investment Property

•  IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

•  Amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

•  Amendments to IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

•  IFRS 17 Insurance contracts

Amendments to IFRS 9 are due to take eff ect from accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2018. The Directors do not anticipate 

that the adoption of IFRS 9, where relevant in future periods, will have a material impact.

IFRS 15 is due to take eff ect from accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2018. The Directors are currently assessing the impact 

of these changes on the accounting policies of the Group.

IFRS 16 is due to take eff ect from accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019. The Directors are currently assessing the impact 

of these changes on the accounting policies of the Group.

36

Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

2  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 fl ow 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 identifi able 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 

acquisitions are immaterial or have not arisen.

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 income and expenses

Non-recurring income and 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 fi nancial statements to 

present a true and fair view. 

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 identifi ed as the Chief Executive Offi  cer. 

37

 
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

3 Revenue

Sale of goods 

Aftersales services

Total revenues 

4 Segmental reporting

2017

£000

585,991

58,295

644,286

2016

£000

557,776

56,442

614,218

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 Offi  cer. The Group is operated and managed on a Dealership 

by Dealership basis. Dealerships operate a number of diff erent business streams such as new vehicle sales, used vehicle sales and after 

sales operations. Management is organised based on the dealership operations as a whole rather than the specifi c business streams. 

Dealerships are considered to have similar economic characteristics and off er similar products and services which appeal to a similar 

customer base. As such the results of each dealership have been aggregated to form one reportable operating segment.  

All segment revenue, profi t before tax, assets and liabilities are attributable to the principal activity of the Group being the provision of car 

vehicle sales, vehicle servicing and related services. Therefore to increase transparency, the Group has included below additional voluntary 

disclosure analysing revenue and gross margins within the reportable segment.

2017
Revenue

2017
Revenue 
mix

2017
Gross 
Profi t

2017
Margin

2016
Revenue

2016
Revenue 
mix

2016
Gross 
Profi t

2016
Margin

£m

308.7

277.3

71.4

(13.1)

%

47.9

43.0

11.1

(2.0)

£m

21.3

23.5

27.8

-

%

6.9

8.5

38.9

-

£m

297.4

264.2

65.5

(12.9)

%

48.4

43.0

10.7

(2.1)

£m

19.3

23.7

26.6

-

%

6.5

9.0

40.7

-

644.3

100.0

72.7

11.3

614.2

100.0

69.6

11.3

New Car

Used Car

Aftersales

Internal sales

Total

Administrative expenses

Operating profi t before non-recurring  
expenses

Non-recurring income/ (expenses)

Operating profi t

(60.9)

11.8

-

11.8

(58.4)

11.2

1.2

12.4

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

a reconciliation of the Profi t before tax to EBITDA.

38

      
      
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

Profi t Before Tax

Other operating profi t

Non-recurring expenses (note 5)

Underlying Profi t Before Tax

Net fi nance expense

Depreciation and amortisation

Underlying EBITDA

Other operating profi t

Non-recurring expenses

EBITDA

2017

£000

11,251

-

14

11,265

527

1,887

13,679

-

(14)

13,665

2016

£000

11,768

(1,950)

787

10,605

628

1,837

13,070

1,950

(787)

14,233

5  Non-recurring Income/ (expenses) 

Non-recurring income and 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 fi nancial statements to 

present a true and fair view. 

Income from sale of businesses

Relocation costs – relating to asset write off

Restructuring costs

Transaction costs

Welwyn fi re insurance claim - replacement of fi xed assets

                                            - impairment for value in use 

                                            - impairment of fi xed assets destroyed 

                                            - excess on insurance policy

                                            - professional fees

2017

£000

-

-

-

-

411

(367)

(20)

(5)

(33)

(14)

2016

£000

1,950

(498)

(28)

(261)

-

-

-

-

-

   1,163       

39

            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

6  Expenses and auditor’s remuneration

The result from operating activities is stated after charging the following:

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

Auditor’s remuneration:

Audit of these fi nancial statements

Audit of fi nancial statements of subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

Other services relating to taxation

All other services

2017    

£000

155

2017  

£000

26

98

38

7

2016

£000

467 

2016  

£000

26

98

38

7

40

Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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 defi ned contribution plans

Share based payments expense

2017

385

447

113

265

1,210

2017

£000

35,752

3,843

338

32

39,965

2016

374

451

105

245

1,175

2016

£000

34,639

3,685

362

32

38,718

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.

The Underlying Return on Equity number has been calculated as the Adjusted profi t attributable to equity shareholders divided by the 

unweighted average shareholder funds taking the average of the opening and closing shareholders equity from the statement of fi nancial 

position.  The calculation is therefore £9,191,000 divided by £46,241,000 giving 19.87%.

Profi t attributable to shareholders

Non recurring (income)/ expenses (Note 5)

Tax on adjustments (at 19.58% (2016: 20%))

Adjusted profi t attributable to equity shareholders

Number of shares in issue (‘000)

Basic earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

2017

£000

9,180

14

(3)

9,191

100,000

9.18p

9.19p

2016

£000

9,260

(1,163)

232

8,329

100,000

9.26p

8.33p

41

     
     
      
      
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

9  Finance income and expense

Recognised in the income statement

Finance income

Rent deposit interest

Interest receivable 

Total fi nance income

Finance expense

Interest payable on bank borrowings

Consignment and vehicle stocking interest

Total fi nance expense

Total interest expense on fi nancial 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

2017

£000

2

47

49

226

350

576

226

350

576

2017

£000

2,049

(32)

2,017

(80)

134

54

2016

£000

2

131

133

301

460

761

301

460

761

2016

£000

2,373

(7)

2,366

(1)

143

142

Total tax expense

2,071

2,508

42

        
        
  
  
        
        
  
  
        
        
  
  
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
  
  
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

10  Taxation (continued)

Recognised in the income statement

Profi t for the year

Total tax expense

Profi t excluding taxation

Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 19.58% (2016: 20%)

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

Other fi xed asset differences

Total tax expense 

2017

£000

9,180

2,071

11,251

2,203

34

182

(154)

(14)

(112)

-

(68)

2,071

2016

£000

9,260

2,508

11,768

2,354

124

152

(83)

2

(8)

(33)

-

2,508

The applicable tax rate for the current year is 19.58% (2016: 20%) following the reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax from 20% 

to 19% with eff ect from 1 April 2017.

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

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

were substantively enacted on 26 October 2015. An additional reduction to 17% (eff ective 1 April 2020) was substantively enacted on 6 

September 2016.

This will reduce the company’s future current tax charge accordingly.

43

    
    
    
    
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

11  Property, plant and equipment 

Cost

Balance at 1 September 2015

Additions

Branch acquisitions

Disposals

Balance at 1 September 2016

Additions

Branch acquisitions

Disposals

Reclassifi cation

Freehold 
land &
 buildings

Long 
leasehold 
land & 
buildings

Short  
leasehold 
improvements

Plant & 
equipment

Fixtures, 
fi ttings & 
computer 
equipment

Total

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

36,923

4,396

-

-

41,319

4,571

-

-

-

4,117

4,552

-

-

-

9

-

(17)

4,117

4,544

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,546)

(514)

3,060

509

97

(505)

3,161

953

-

(758)

-

7,317

687

121

(1,686)

6,439

2,417

-

(1,169)

514

55,969

5,601

218

(2,208)

59,580

7,941

-

(3,473)

-

Balance at 31 August 2017

45,890

4,117

2,484

3,356

8,201

64,048

Depreciation 

Balance at 1 September 2015

Charge for the year

Disposals

Balance at 1 September 2016

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Impairment

Reclassifi cation

2,901

506

-

3,407

611

-

-

-

602

104

-

706

105

-

-

-

3,946

247

(17)

4,176

120

(1,275)

-

(693)

2,503

305

(455)

2,353

356

(726)

269

-

5,977

651

(1,639)

4,989

668

(1,148)

116

693

15,929

1,813

(2,111)

15,631

1,860

(3,149)

385

-

Balance at 31 August 2017

4,018

811

2,328

2,252

5,318

14,727

Net book value

At 31 August 2016

37,912

3,411

At 31 August 2017

41,872

3,306

368

156

808

1,450

43,949

1,104

2,883

49,321

As at 31 August 2017 the Group was partially through the building project relating to its Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Swindon.   There was a 
further £6m of contract sum payments to be made under the terms of the agreement with the main contractor (2016: £4.1m relating to Barnet). 

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  with  the 

exception of the freehold property acquired in the year for the Aston Martin dealership in Solihull.

Property, plant and equipment under construction

At 31 August 2017 the Swindon Jaguar Land Rover dealership was under construction, included in Freehold land and buildings is an 
amount of £Nil  (2016: £2.8m relating to Barnet).
amount of £Nil  (2016: £2.8m relating to Barnet).

44

           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
           
 
   
         
   
         
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
            
   
         
            
            
            
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

12  Intangible assets 

Cost

Balance at 1 September 2015

Additions

Balance at 1 September 2016

Additions

Balance at 31 August 2017

Amortisation and impairment 

Balance at 1 September 2015

Amortisation

Balance at 1 September 2016

Amortisation for the year

Balance at 31 August 2017

Net book value

At 31 August 2016

At 31 August 2017

Goodwill

Software

£000

8,346

13,000

21,346

-

21,346

-

-

-

-

-

21,346

21,346

£000

778

22

800

-

800

731

24

755

26

781

45

19

Other

£000

176

-

176

-

176

176

-

176

-

176

-

-

Total

£000

9,300

13,022

22,322

-

22,322

907

24

931

26

957

21,391

21,365

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

The registered offi  ce of all of the Group Companies is Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA.

45

            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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

2017

£000

26

2016

£000

24

Goodwill and indefi nite life intangible assets considered signifi cant 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. For the purpose of impairment testing of goodwill and other 

indefi nite life assets, the Directors recognise the Group’s cash generating units to be connected groupings of dealerships. The identifi ed 

CGU’s are as follows:

Multiple units without signifi cant goodwill 

Goodwill

2017

£000

346

2016

£000

346

Jaguar Land Rover

21,000

21,000

21,346

21,346

The recoverable amount of the Jaguar Land Rover cash generating unit (CGU) has been calculated with reference to its value in use.  These 

calculations use projections based on fi nancial budgets approved by the board of Directors which are extrapolated using an estimated 

growth rate. The budgets were prepared to 31 August 2017 and then projected for a further 4 years. As the goodwill is newly acquired and 

the underlying expected performance of the CGU gives suffi  cient headroom using conservative assumptions, a growth rate of 0% was 

applied, and a terminal value was included with a 0% growth rate in perpetuity. The discount rate used is 8%. 

Management has also performed 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.

46
46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

13  Deferred tax assets and liabilities 

Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities  

The amount of temporary diff erences, 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 off set against future taxable profi ts of the Group.

Property, plant and equipment

Provisions

Tax value of loss carry-forward

Share options

1 September 
2016 

Recognised
in income

Net 31 
August 2016

Deferred tax 
liabilities

Deferred tax 
assets

£000

(29)

6

-

36

13

£000

(32)

-

-

(22)

(54)

£000

(61)

6

-

14

£000

(442)

-

-

-

£000

381

6

-

14

(41)

(442)

401

Unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities  

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

profi tability 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

2017

£000  

329

329

2016

£000

490

490

47

 
 
 
      
      
      
      
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

14  Inventories

Vehicle consignment stock

Motor vehicles

Parts and other stock

2017

£000

74,682

27,524

3,213

105,419

2016

£000

62,702

29,297

3,069

95,068

Included within inventories is £nil (2016: £nil) expected to be recovered in more than 12 months.

Raw materials, consumables and changes in fi nished goods and work in progress recognised as cost of sales in the year amounted to 
£567million (2016: £540 million).  

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

15  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Prepayments and other receivables

2017

£000

6,588

5,840

2016

£000

8,580

4,734

12,428

13,314

Included within trade and other receivables is £nil (2016: £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 fl ow statement

2017

£000

23,046

23,046

2016

£000

19,817

19,817

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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

2017  

£000

2016 

£000

15,883

13,450

1,000

6,000

Nominal interest rate

Year of
Maturity

Face 
Value and 
Carrying Amount

Face Value and 
Carrying Amount

2017

£000

2016

£000

Loan 31/12/2015

LIBOR +1.20%*

2020

16,883

14,450

16,883

14,450

*The  Facilities  arranged  in  November  2015  have  diff erent  margin  bandings  that  are  dependent  on  the  net  debt:  EBITDA  ratio  for  the 

previous quarter.  The margin is 1.2% where the ratio is below 1 times, increasing to 2% where the ratio is in excess of 2.5 times.

18  Trade and other payables

Current

Vehicle consignment creditor

Other trade payables

Non-trade payables and accrued expenses

Vehicle funding

Deferred tax liability

2017  

£000

89,024

14,021

13,539

25,914

41

2016  

£000

74,308

10,313

18,303

26,807

-

142,539

129,731

Included within trade and other payables is £nil (2016: £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.

49

           
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

19  Employee benefi ts

Pension plans

Defi ned contribution plans 

The Group operates a number of defi ned contribution pension plans.
The total expense relating to these plans in the current year was £338,000 (2016: £362,000).

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. There are certain performance criteria 

relating to shareholder return and the underlying profi t before tax of the Group which have to be achieved for the options to be exercisable.

During the year ended 31 August 2017, 250,000 share options were granted (2016: £nil).

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

Date of grant

Share price at 
option date £

Exercise price £

Volatility

Expected life (years)

Risk free rate

2/3/15

1/4/15

12/12/16

0.47

0.54

0.60

0.47

0.54

0.60

17.5%

17.2%

1 year beyond vesting date

1 year beyond vesting date

39.19%

1 year beyond vesting date

0.5%

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  eff ects  of  non-transferability, 

exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Weighted average 
exercise price

Number
of options

Weighted average 
exercise price

2017

£

0.48

0.60

2017

4,750,000

250,000

2016

£

0.48

-

Number
of options

2016

4,750,000

-

Outstanding at the end of the year

0.49

5,000,000

0.48

4,750,000

Exercisable at the end of the year

-

-

The Company recognised an expense of £32,896 (year ended 31 August 2016: £31,887) in respect of share based payments in the year.

50

              
  
 
           
              
              
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

20  Provisions

Balance at 1 September 2016

Provisions used during the year

Provisions made in year

Balance at 31 August 2017

Current

Non-current

Balance at 31 August 2016

Current

Non-current

Balance at 31 August 2017

Onerous Leases

£000

1,000

-

-

1,000

-

1,000

1,000

-

1,000

1,000

The provision represents a lease acquired on unfavourable terms and is being released against the costs incurred on the relevant lease.  

The unfavourable nature of the lease taken on as part of the acquisition of Woodford Jaguar Land Rover will be realised at the point that 

the Group vacates the Woodford showroom and will need to sublet the premises for uses other than its existing use.  It is anticipated that 

at the point of vacation of the premises there will be approximately 6 years of the lease remaining.  

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 classifi ed in shareholders’ funds

2017

£000

10,000  

10,000  

10,000  

2016

£000

10,000  

10,000  

10,000

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

eligible for dividends and rank equally for dividend payments.

51

            
            
            
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

Dividends

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

0.7 p per ordinary share – prior year fi nal (2016: 0.6p)

0.25p  per ordinary share – current year interim (2016: 0.2p)

2017

£000

700

250

950

  2016

£000

600

200

800

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.

2017

£000

750

  2016

£000

700  

0.75p per ordinary share – current year fi nal (2016: 0.7p)

22  Financial instruments

22  (a) Fair values of fi nancial instruments

Trade and other receivables

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

the balance sheet date if the eff ect is material.

Trade and other payables

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

balance sheet date if the eff ect 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 fl ows, 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 fl ows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance sheet date. 

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

Loans and borrowings

2017

%

3.5

  2016

%

3.5

52

Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

Fair values

The fair values for each class of fi nancial assets and fi nancial 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 
2017

As at 31 August 
2016

£000

£000

6,588

5,840

23,046

8,580

4,734

19,817

35,474

33,131

16,883

142,539

19,450

129,731

159,422

149,181

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

their fair value.

53

 
 
 
     
     
     
     
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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 fi ndings 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 fi nancial asset in the statement of fi nancial 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 £6,588,000 (2016: £8,580,000) 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

2017

£000

6,588

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

2017

£000

4,189

1,266

1,133

6,588

2016

£000

8,580

2016

£000

3,578

3,034

1,968

8,580

Credit quality of fi nancial 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
2017

£000

6,588

224

6,812

Impairment
2017

£000

-

224

224

Gross
2016

£000

8,580

361

8,941

Impairment
2016

£000

-

361

361

Trade receivables not past due

Trade receivables past due

54

            
   
         
       
     
   
         
   
         
  
         
  
         
   
     
 
     
  
     
 
     
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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 2016

Impairment loss recognised

Allowance for impairment utilised

Balance at 31 August 2017

£000

361

155

(292)

224

The allowance account for trade receivables is used to record impairment losses unless the Group is satisfi ed 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 fi nancial 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 fi nanced 

primarily by bank loans, vehicle stocking credit lines and operating cash fl ow.  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 fi nancial 

forecasts, fi nancial instruments and cash fl ow 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 fi nancial liabilities, including estimated interest payments and excluding the eff ect of netting 
agreements: Interest is payable on loans of £16,883,000 (2016: £14,450,000) at LIBOR plus 1.20%.

2016

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash fl ows

£000

£000

1 year
or less

£000

1 to
<2years

£000

2 to
<5years

£000

5years and
 over

£000

Non-derivative fi nancial liabilities

Secured bank loans

Revolving Credit Facility

Trade and other payables

Non-derivative fi nancial liabilities

Secured bank loans

Revolving Credit Facility

Trade and other payables

15,125

1,237

1,219

12,669

14,450

5,000

-

-

129,731

129,731

129,731

-

-

-

-

2017

-

-

-

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash fl ows

1 year
or less

1 to
<2years

2 to
<5years

5years and
 over

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

16,883

17,669

1,279

1,262

15,128

-

-

-

142,500

142,500

142,500

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

55

 
      
      
       
      
     
      
      
       
      
     
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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 aff ect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of 

fi nancial instruments.

Market risk - Foreign currency risk

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

Market risk – Interest rate risk

Profi le

At the balance sheet date the interest rate profi le of the Group’s interest-bearing fi nancial instruments was:

Variable rate instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Vehicle funding

Loans and overdrafts

2017

£000

23,046

(25,914)

(16,883)

2016

£000

19,817

(26,807)

(19,450)

(19,751)

(26,440)

The objectives of the Group’s interest rate policy are to minimise interest costs.  The Group does not actively manage cash fl ow 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 fl oating 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 profi t or loss by the amounts 

shown below. 

This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant and considers the eff ect of fi nancial 

instruments with variable interest rates, fi nancial instrument at fair value through profi t or loss or available for sale with fi xed interest rates 

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

2017

£000

214

2016  

£000

211

214

211

Equity

Decrease

Profi t or loss

Decrease

56

            
     
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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 benefi ts to other stakeholders.  The Group must ensure that suffi  cient 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 
fi nancial 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)/defi cit

Total equity

Gearing ratio

23 Operating leases

Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows: 

Less than one year

Between one and fi ve years

More than fi ve years

As at 31 August
 2017

As at 31 August
 2016

16,883

(23,046)

19,450

(19,817)

6,163

(367)

50,356

42,126

0%

0%

2017  

£000

2,986

9,949

13,314

2016

£000

2,824

9,426

14,465

26,249

26,715

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

lease classifi cation.  

During the year £3,141,000 was recognised as an expense in the income statement in respect of operating leases (2016: £2,710,000).

57

 
            
            
            
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial 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 in a repayment situation at 31 August 2016 and 2017.

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 fi nance 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 47.56% (2016: 47.09%) 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

2017

£000

1,001

646

24

2016

£000

677

636

12

1,671

1,325

58

 
            
 
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

25 Related parties (continued)

The emoluments consist of:

Directors’ emoluments

Philip Swatman

James Mullins

Mark Lavery

Sir Peter Burt

Michael Burt

Tim Duckers

Paul McGill

William Charnley

Salaries

Bonus

2017

£000

2017

£000

Share 
related 
awards

2017

£000

Total

Total

2017

£000

2016

£000

40

215

400

33

33

265

15

-

1,001

-

177

365

-

-

104

-

-

646

40

404

765

33

33

381

15

-

36

373

850

33

33

-

-

-

1,671

1,325

12

12

-

24

All directors benefi ted from qualifying third party indemnity provisions during the fi nancial period

During the year Mark Lavery bought 7 vehicles from the Group and sold 5 vehicles back to the Group, James Mullins bought 5 vehicles 

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

Group. Tim Duckers bought 4 vehicles from the Group and sold 3 vehicles back to the Group.  Philip Swatman bought 2 vehicles from 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 £57,175. William Charnley is a partner at the law fi rm King & Spalding, during the year 

the Group paid professional fees of £5,807 In relation to the legal services provided to the Group.

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 fi nal dividend payment in respect of the fi nancial year to 31 August 2017 of 0.75p 
(2016: 0.7p) per share in addition to the interim payment of 0.25p per share (2016: 0.2p).

Banking Facilities

Post year end, the Group refi nanced the Banking facilities and as a result, the revised £40m Revolving Credit Facility has no fi xed capital 

repayment profi le throughout its 5 year term.

59

  
            
       
       
  
    
  
  
Notes (continued)
(forming part of the fi nancial statements)

28  Acquisitions of trading branches

On  11  January  2016,  the  company  completed  the  acquisition  of  the  Land  Rover  dealership  in  Welwyn  Garden  City  from  Jardine 

Motor Group.

Acquiree’s net assets at the acquisition date:

Plant and equipment

Stocks

Trade and other payables

Net and identifi able 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 
profi tability from the sale of vehicles from the Welwyn Garden City dealership)

Consideration paid, in cash

Pre-acquisition carrying 
amount and Fair Value

£000

87

1,066

(331)

822

10,000

10,822

On  6  July  2016,  the  company  completed  the  acquisition  of  the  Jaguar  and  Land  Rover  dealership  in  Woodford,  North  London  from 

Pendragon PLC.

Pre-acquisition carrying 
amount and Fair Value

Acquiree’s net assets at the acquisition date:

Plant and equipment

Stocks

FV adjustment for lease acquired on unfavourable terms

Trade and other payables

Net and identifi able assets and liabilities

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

Consideration paid, in cash

£000

132

301

(1,000)

(309)

(876)

3,000

2,124

60

Company Balance Sheet
At 31 August 2017

Fixed assets

Tangible fi xed assets

Investments

Current assets

Stock 

Debtors 

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

Profi t and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

Note

2016

2015

£000

£000

£000

£000

5

6

7

8

9

11

12

12

76

666

710

19,731

20,441

(7,480)

103

666

742

769

1,073

20,858

21,931

(11,112)

12,961

13,703

13,703

10,000

799

2,904

13,703

10,819

11,588

11,588

10,000

799

789

11,588

These fi nancial statements were approved by the board of directors on 21 November 2017 and were signed on its behalf by:

M J J Lavery
Director

Company number: 05754547

61

  
            
              
  
            
              
  
            
              
     
     
         
     
         
Company Statement of changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 August 2017

Balance at 31August 2015

Profi t for the year

Dividend paid

Balance at 31 August 2016

Profi t for the year

Dividend paid

Dividend received

Note

Share capital
£000

£000

10,000

-

-

10,000

-

-

-

4

Share 
premium
£000

£000

799

-

-

799

-

-

-

Retained 
earnings
£000

£000

1,441

148

(800)

Total equity
£000

£000

12,240

148

(800)

789

11,588

65

(950)

3,000

65

(950)

3,000

Balance at 31 August 2017

10,000

799

2,904

13,703

62

              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
         
         
         
         
Notes

1  Accounting policies

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

Further information regarding the company’s business activities together with the factors likely to aff ect its future development, performance 
and position is set out in the Strategic report on page 16.

Basis of preparation

These fi nancial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (“FRS 
101”).  The amendments to FRS 101 (2014/15 Cycle) issued in July 2015 and eff ective immediately have been applied.

In preparing these fi nancial statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“Adopted IFRSs”), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with 
Companies Act 2006 and has set out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has been taken.

Under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the company is exempt from the requirement to present its own profi t and loss account.

IFRS 1 grants certain exemptions from the full requirements of Adopted IFRSs in the transition period.  The following exemptions have 
been taken in these fi nancial statements:

-  Business combinations – Business combinations that took place prior to 1 September 2015 have not been restated.

-  Share based payments – IFRS 2 is being applied to equity instruments that were granted after 7 November 2002 and that had not vested 

by 1 September 2014. 

In these fi nancial statements, the company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures: 

-  a Cash Flow Statement and related notes; 

-  Comparative period reconciliations for share capital and tangible fi xed assets; 

-  Disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries; 

-  Disclosures in respect of capital management;  

-  The eff ects of new but not yet eff ective IFRSs;

-  Disclosures in respect of the compensation of Key Management Personnel; and

-  Disclosures of transactions with a management entity that provides key management personnel services to the company.

As the consolidated fi nancial statements include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has also taken the exemptions under FRS 101 
available in respect of the following disclosures:

-  IFRS 2 Share Based Payments in respect of group settled share based payments

-  Certain disclosures required by IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement and the disclosures required by IFRS 7 Financial Instrument Disclosures.

The Company proposes to continue to adopt the reduced disclosure framework of FRS 101 in its next fi nancial statements. 

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in these fi nancial 
statements and in preparing an opening FRS 101 balance sheet at 1 September 2014 for the purposes of the transition to FRS 101. 

Judgements made by the directors, in the application of these accounting policies that have signifi cant eff ect on the fi nancial statements 
and estimates with a signifi cant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed on page 31.

63

Notes (continued)

Measurement convention

The fi nancial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis.  

Tangible fi xed assets

Tangible fi xed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Where parts of an item of tangible fi xed assets have diff erent useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of tangible fi xed assets.

Leases in which the Company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset are classifi ed as fi nance 

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 fi nance 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.

Depreciation is charged to the profi t and loss account on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of 

tangible fi xed assets. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

•  computer equipment 

3 to 5 years

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each balance sheet date. 

Impairment excluding stocks and deferred tax assets

Financial assets (including trade and other debtors)

A fi nancial asset not carried at fair value through profi t or loss is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is objective 

evidence that it is impaired. A fi nancial asset is impaired if objective evidence indicates that a loss event has occurred after the initial 

recognition of the asset, and that the loss event had a negative eff ect on the estimated future cash fl ows of that asset that can be estimated 

reliably.

An impairment loss in respect of a fi nancial asset measured at amortised cost is calculated as the diff erence between its carrying amount 

and the present value of estimated future cash fl ows discounted at the asset’s original eff ective interest rate. For fi nancial instruments 

measured at cost less impairment an impairment is calculated as the diff erence between its carrying amount and the best estimate of the 

amount that the Company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date. Interest on the impaired asset continues to 

be recognised through the unwinding of the discount. When a subsequent event causes the amount of impairment loss to decrease, the 

decrease in impairment loss is reversed through profi t or loss.

Non-fi nancial assets

The carrying amounts of the Company’s non-fi nancial assets, other than stocks and deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each reporting 

date  to  determine  whether  there  is  any  indication  of  impairment.  If  any  such  indication  exists,  then  the  asset’s  recoverable  amount  is 

estimated. For goodwill, and intangible assets that have indefi nite useful lives or that are not yet available for use, the recoverable amount 

is estimated each year at the same time.

Leases

Operating lease payments

Payments (excluding costs for services and insurance) made under operating leases are recognised in the profi t and loss account on a 

straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised in the profi t and loss account as an integral part of 

the total lease expense. 

Employee benefi ts

Defi ned contribution plans

A defi ned contribution plan is a post-employment benefi t plan under which the company pays fi xed contributions into a separate entity 

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

are recognised as an expense in the profi t and loss account in the periods during which services are rendered by employees.

64

Notes (continued)

Share based payments

Share-based payment arrangements in which the Company receives goods or services as consideration for its own equity instruments are 

accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions, regardless of how the equity instruments are obtained by the Company.

The  grant  date  fair  value  of  share-based  payments  awards  granted  to  employees  is  recognised  as  an  employee  expense,  with  a 

corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the awards.  The fair value 

of the awards granted is measured using an option valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the awards 

were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to refl ect the actual number of awards for which the related service and 

non-market vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number 

of awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date. For share-based payment awards 

with non-vesting conditions, the grant date fair value of the share-based payment is measured to refl ect such conditions and there is no 

true-up for diff erences between expected and actual outcomes.

Share-based payment transactions in which the Company receives goods or services by incurring a liability to transfer cash or other assets 

that is based on the price of the Company’s equity instruments are accounted for as cash-settled share-based payments.  The fair value 

of the amount payable to employees is recognised as an expense, with a corresponding increase in liabilities, over the period in which the 

employees become unconditionally entitled to payment. The liability is remeasured at each balance sheet date and at settlement date. Any 

changes in the fair value of the liability are recognised as personnel expense in profi t or loss.  

The  Company  took  advantage  of  the  option  available  in  IFRS  1  to  apply  IFRS  2  only  to  equity  instruments  that  were  granted  after  7 

November 2002 and that had not vested by 1 September 2014.

Non-derivative fi nancial instruments

Non-derivative  fi nancial  instruments  comprise  investments  in  equity  and  debt  securities,  trade  and  other  debtors,  cash  and  cash 

equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and other creditors.

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

the eff ective interest method, less any impairment losses.

Trade and other creditors

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

the eff ective interest method.

Investments in debt and equity securities

Investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less impairment.  

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 eff ective interest method, less any impairment losses.

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). 

65

Notes (continued)

Taxation

Tax on the profi t or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the profi t and loss account except to the 

extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income, in which case it is recognised directly in equity 

or other comprehensive income. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss 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 diff erences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for fi nancial reporting purposes 

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

the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that aff ect neither accounting nor taxable profi t other than in a business combination, and 

diff erences 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  profi ts  will  be  available  against  which  the 

temporary diff erence can be utilised.

Classifi cation of fi nancial instruments issued by the Company

Following the adoption of IAS 32, fi nancial instruments issued by the Company 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 to deliver cash or other fi nancial assets or to exchange fi nancial assets or 

fi nancial liabilities with another party under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the Company; 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 fi xed amount of cash or other fi nancial assets for a fi xed number of its own equity instruments.

To the extent that this defi nition is not met, the proceeds of issue are classifi ed as a fi nancial liability.  Where the instrument so classifi ed 

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

share premium account exclude amounts in relation to those shares.  

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

associated with fi nancial instruments that are classifi ed 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 

fi nancial statements.

66

Notes (continued)

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

2017

£000

1,001

646

-

24

1,671

2017

£000

400

365

765

2016

£000

677

636

-

12

1,325

2016

£000

400

450

850

All directors benefi ted from qualifying third party indemnity provisions during the fi nancial period.

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

Company

2017

Company

2016

56

48

Company

Company

2017

£000

4,380

529

18

32

4,959

2016

£000

4,064

512

20

32

4,628

67

Notes (continued)

4  Dividends

The aggregate amount of dividends paid and received compromises:

Aggregate amount of dividends paid in the fi nancial year

Aggregate amount of dividends received in the fi nancial year

2017

£000

950

3,000

The aggregate amount of dividends proposed but not recognised at the year end is £750,000 (2016: £700,000).

5 Tangible fi xed assets

Company

Cost 

At 1 September 2016

Additions

At 31 August 2017

Depreciation

At 1 September 2016

Charge for year

At 31 August 2017

Net book value

At 31 August  2017

At 31 August 2016

6  Fixed asset investments

Company

Cost and net book value

At 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017

Computer 
equipment
£000

£000

749

34

783

646

61

707

76

103

2016

£000

800

-

Total
£000

£000

749

34

783

646

61

707

76

103

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.

68

      
      
              
              
      
      
      
      
              
              
      
      
      
      
Notes (continued)

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

* Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles Acquisitions Limited

** Owned directly by Cambria Automobiles Group Limited

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

The registered offi  ce of all of the Group Companies is Dorcan Way, Swindon, SN3 3RA.

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

7  Stocks

Motor vehicles

8 Debtors

Trade debtors

Amounts owed by group undertakings

Prepayments and accrued  income

Deferred tax (note 11)

Other taxation

2017

£000

710

2017

£000

45

18,788

726

52

120

2016

£000

1,073

2016

£000

25

19,932

662

74

165

19,731

20,858

69

       
             
     
  
Notes (continued)

9  Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors

Bank overdraft

Bank loan

Vehicle funding

Other taxation and social security

Accruals and deferred income

Corporation tax

2017

£000

279

3,394

-

474

281

3,027

25

2016

£000

337

1,481

5,000

849

303

3,075

67

7,480

11,112

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

10  Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

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

at amortised cost. 

Creditors falling due within less than one year 

Secured bank loans

11  Deferred taxation

Deferred taxation asset

At 1 September 2016

Movement in period

At 31 August 2017

The elements of deferred taxation asset are as follows:

Difference between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances

Other timing differences

Total deferred tax

70

2017

£000

-

2017

£000

52

-

52

2016

£000

5,000

£000

74

(22)

52

2016

£000

74

-

74

 
 
 
              
              
              
Notes (continued)

12  Called up share capital

Authorised

2017

£000

2016

£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

Shares classifi ed in shareholder’s funds

10,000

10,000

10,000              

10,000

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

eligible for dividends and rank equally for dividend payments.

13  Share premium and reserves

At 1 September 2016

Profi t for the year

Dividend paid

Dividend received

At 31 August 2017

Share premium account

Profi t and loss account

£000

799

-

-

-

799

£000

789

65

(950)

3,000

2,904

14  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.

71