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Canfor Pulp Products

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FY2012 Annual Report · Canfor Pulp Products
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A n n u a l   R e p o r t   a n d   A c c o u n t s   2 0 1 2

11602 Colefax Annual Report IFC & IBC_11602 Colefax Annual Report IFC & IBC  20/07/2012  10:43  Page 1

Colefax  Group  is  an  international  designer  and  distributor  of  luxury
furnishing fabrics and wallpapers and a leading international decorating
company. Sales are made under the brand names Colefax and Fowler,
Cowtan and Tout, Jane Churchill, Larsen and Manuel Canovas. The Group
has offices in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Italy which form part of
an expanding worldwide distribution network.

C O N T E N T S

Financial Highlights

Chairman’s Statement

Review of Operations and Finance

Directors, Bankers and Advisers

Directors’ Report

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Independent Auditors’ Report

Group Income Statement

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Group Statement of Financial Position

Company Statement of Financial Position

Group Statement of Cash Flows

Company Statement of Cash Flows

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes to the Accounts

Five Year Review

Notice of Meeting

1

2

4

7

8

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

19

20

41

42

2 0 0 1

THE QUEEN’S AWARD FOR EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT

COLEFAX & FOWLER LTD

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 9
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 1

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

(Decrease)/
increase

Revenue from continuing 
operations

70,399

77,722

(9%)

Profit from continuing operations

3,151

6,448

(51%)

Profit before taxation 
from continuing operations

3,148

6,521

(52%)

Profit attributable to shareholders

2,195

4,573

(52%)

Basic earnings per share 
from continuing operations

15.8p

33.0p

(52%)

Diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations

15.8p

32.8p

(52%)

Dividends per share

3.85p

3.85p

–

Equity

26,254

25,460

3%

Operating cash flow

7,115

7,759

(8%)

Cash and cash equivalents

8,519

6,298

35%

* Restated

1

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 2

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

C H A I R M A N ’ S   S TAT E M E N T

Financial Results
The  Group’s  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  to  30th  April  2012  decreased  by  52%  to  £3.15 million
(2011 – £6.52 million) on sales down 9% at £70.40 million (2011 – £77.72 million). Earnings per
share decreased by 52% to 15.8p (2011 – 33.0p) and the Group ended the year with net cash of
£8.52 million (2011 – £6.30 million).

During  the  year,  the  Group  purchased  for  cancellation  140,000  shares  at  an  average  price  of
£2.44 per share, representing 1.0% of the Group’s issued share capital at the start of the year.

The Board has decided to maintain the final dividend at 2.00p per share (2011 – 2.00p), making a
total for the year of 3.85p (2011 – 3.85p). The final dividend will be paid on 9th October 2012 to
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 14th September 2012.

As  stated  when  we  announced  our  Interim  Results  the  principal  reason  for  the  decline  in  our 
pre-tax profits was a very weak performance from the Decorating Division which made a loss of
£87,000 compared to an exceptional profit of £2.01 million last year. Sales in the Product Division
were flat reflecting difficult trading conditions in all of our major markets.

Product Division
•

Fabric – Portfolio of Five Brands: “Colefax and Fowler”, “Cowtan and Tout”, “Jane Churchill”,
“Manuel Canovas” and “Larsen”

Sales  in  the  Fabric  Division,  which  represent  87%  of  Group  sales,  increased  by  1%  to
£61.27 million  on  a  constant  currency  basis  (2011  –  £61.20 million).  Profit  from  operations
decreased by 25% to £3.18 million (2011 – £4.23 million).

Sales in the US, which represent 50% of the Fabric Division’s sales, increased by 4% on a constant
currency basis. Trading conditions in all our main territories have been difficult especially New York
which is our largest territory. During the year we moved our US operations to new premises in New
York  and  we  have  continued  to  invest  in  our  network  of  showrooms  in  the  firm  belief  that  this
market  will  recover.  We  recently  assumed  full  responsibility  for  our  agent  showroom  in  Florida
which we believe will increase sales in this important territory.

UK  sales,  which  represent  21%  of  the  Fabric  Division’s  sales,  decreased  by  1%  during  the  year
following a 10% increase in the previous year. I am still surprised by the relative strength of this
market and therefore remain concerned that it will continue at this level. The UK housing market is
still showing no sign of recovery and the UK economy is being affected by the on going problems
in the Eurozone.

Sales in Continental Europe, which represent 26% of the Fabric Division’s sales, decreased by 3%
on a constant currency basis. There was a wide variation in performance between countries. In our
top three markets, sales in France were flat, sales in Italy were down 14% and sales in Germany
were up 5%. I believe that, with the possible exception of Germany, all these markets will remain
very difficult in the near future. We are about to relocate our showroom in Munich to a far more
prominent position which will improve our presence in this important market.

Sales in the rest of the world, which represent 3% of the Fabric Division’s sales, were down by 2%
in the year. There are opportunities to grow in certain markets and we are targeting the Middle East
and Russia as the two principal markets for growth in the coming year.

•

Furniture – Kingcome Sofas

Sales  of  Kingcome  furniture,  which  account  for  3%  of  Group  sales,  decreased  by  7%  to
£2.28 million (2011 – £2.44 million). Operating profit was £63,000 (2011 – £211,000) and whilst
this result was disappointing, it reflects very challenging market conditions. The majority of furniture
sales are made in the UK and we are currently exploring opportunities to increase export sales in
selected markets.

2

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 3

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

C H A I R M A N ’ S   S TAT E M E N T

Interior Decorating Division
Interior decorating sales, which account for 10% of Group sales decreased by 51% to £6.85 million
(2011  –  £14.08 million). This  resulted  in  a  loss  for  the  year  of  £87,000  compared  to  a  profit  of
£2.01 million  last  year. The  weak  performance  this  year  follows  an  exceptional  performance  last
year and is not unusual after the completion of a number of major projects.

Prospects
Trading in all our major markets remains difficult. However, over the last two months, we have seen
a small improvement in our largest market, the US. The current economic conditions prevailing in
our most important markets make it difficult to be optimistic about short term growth prospects. The
Group has a strong balance sheet and is well placed to deal with adverse market conditions. Until
we are confident of an improvement we will continue to run the business prudently focussing on
cash flow and tight control of working capital.

I  would  like  to  thank  all  of  our  staff  for  their  hard  work  during  the  year  and  for  their  continued
commitment to the success of the Group.

David B. Green
Chairman
25th July 2012

3

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 4

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

R E V I E W   O F   O P E R AT I O N S   A N D   F I N A N C E

Key Performance Indicators (continuing operations)
Constant Currency Sales Growth
Gross Profit Margin
Operating Profit Margin
Basic Earnings Per Share
Operating Cash Flow
Stock Turn (Days)
Cost of Equity Capital

2012
(9.0%)
55.1%
4.5%
15.8p
£7.1m
207
6.6%

2011
11.8%
55.1%
8.3%
33.0p
£7.8m
214
11.5%

Sales Growth
Group sales decreased by 9.4% to £70.40 million (2011 – £77.72 million) and by 9.0% on a constant currency
basis. All of this decrease was attributable to the Decorating Division where sales decreased by £7.23 million to
£6.85 million  (2011  –  £14.08 million)  following  an  exceptional  year  in  2011. The  contract  based  nature  of  the
Decorating Division means that there can sometimes be significant sales fluctuations from one year to another but
it was a particularly weak year in 2012 and we are budgeting a 28% increase in Decorating Division sales this year.

In  our  core  Fabric  Division  sales  increased  by  just  0.7%  on  a  like  for  like  basis  reflecting  challenging  trading
conditions  in  all  our  major  markets.  Our  most  important  market  is  the  US  which  accounts  for  50%  of  Fabric
Division sales and this is the market where we have concentrated the majority of our Fabric Division investment.
In the first six months US sales increased by 7.0% on a constant currency basis but this slowed to just half a percent
in the second half resulting in a full year increase of 3.8% or $1.76 million. The US market is not recovering as
fast or as strongly as we had hoped but in contrast to the UK and Europe we do expect continued growth this year
and  we  are  budgeting  a  sales  increase  of  3%  to  $49.8 million. This  is  still  23%  below  the  peak  sales  that  we
achieved in 2008. It is fortunate that the significant decline in sales that took place after 2008 has been partially
offset by a 20% strengthening in the US dollar exchange rate from an average of $2.01 in 2008 to $1.60 in 2012.
Without this the effect on the Group’s results would have been much more extreme.

In  the  UK,  which  is  our  second  largest  individual  market,  sales  declined  by  1.0%.  Given  the  problems  of  the
Eurozone this was more resilient than we expected and the UK market would have performed better if we had not
adopted a fairly conservative approach to worldwide new product investment. Although the UK housing market
remains  comparatively  weak  it  seems  that  the  consequences  have  been  largely  offset  by  an  increase  in
refurbishment activity. We are still cautious about prospects in the UK due to the general economic impact of a
continuing slowdown in Europe and the fact that our sector tends to lag changes in the wider economy.

Sales in Europe declined by 3.0% for the full year compared to a 5.7% decline in the first six months. Although
this suggests that sales may be stabilising the improved second half performance mainly reflects differences in the
timing of new product launches and sales in Europe are in fact deteriorating. Currently it is very difficult to be
optimistic about growth prospects in Europe and we are budgeting an 8% decline in European sales next year due
to the ongoing Euro crisis. This is a major concern as sales in Europe are £16 million and the expected decline will
not be offset by growth from a low base in less developed markets such as Russia and the Middle East. Our most
important country in Europe is France and sales were flat last year. This year we believe that significant increases
in personal taxes for high earners will start to negatively impact the market for luxury products.

Gross Profit Margin
The Group’s gross profit margin was flat during the year at 55.1%. This percentage is a composite of the higher
margin Fabric Division and the lower margin Decorating Division. The fact that gross margins were flat despite a
£7.23 million  reduction  in  decorating  sales  was  due  to  an  offsetting  decline  in  Fabric  Division  margins. This
decline was expected and relates to some substantial supplier price increases dating back to late 2010 following
worldwide increases in the cost of cotton, linen and silk. It takes time for these increases to work their way through
inventory to the income statement. Although we attempted to mitigate the impact of these increases some were so
significant that it was not possible to pass the full increase on to customers. Fortunately the prices of raw cotton,
silk and linen all reduced last year and Fabric Division margins have stabilised.

The US dollar exchange rate remains critical to the Group’s gross profit margin. This is due to the fact that 50% of
Fabric Division sales are invoiced in US dollars but most of the goods sold are sourced in Euros or Sterling. Every
one cent change in the US dollar against Sterling impacts Group profits by approximately £75,000. For this reason
the  Group  uses  forward  foreign  currency  contracts  to  hedge  some  of  its  cash  flow  exposure  to  the  US  dollar.
Unrecognised gains or losses on contracts are recorded in equity and only transferred to cost of goods sold in the
income statement when realised. At the 30th April 2012 the Group had unrealised gains on forward contracts of
£203,000 net of deferred tax (2011 – £583,000).

4

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 5

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

R E V I E W   O F   O P E R AT I O N S   A N D   F I N A N C E

The average and closing US dollar and Euro rates were as follows:

US dollar average
US dollar closing
Euro average
Euro closing

2012
1.60
1.62
1.17
1.23

2011
1.57
1.67
1.17
1.12

% change
1.9%
(3.0%)
–
9.8%

Operating Profit Margin
Group profit from continuing operations decreased by 51.2% to £3.15 million (2011 – £6.45 million) representing
an operating profit margin of 4.5% (2011 – 8.3%). This is a disappointing performance and most of the decline
was due to the weak performance from the Decorating Division which made a loss of £87,000 compared to a
profit of £2.01 million last year. In the Fabric Division profits declined by 25% from £4.23 million to £3.18 million
which represents an operating margin of 5.2% compared to 6.9% last year. Most of this reduction was due to lower
gross profit margins.

The Group is committed to increasing its operating profit margin in the Fabric Division and still aspires to a target
operating margin of 10%. The business is highly operationally geared with high gross profit margins and a relatively
fixed cost base. This means that sales growth is the key to improving the operating profit margin. The short term
growth outlook is challenging with Europe likely to cancel out gains in other territories. The market remains highly
competitive with substantial amounts of new product being launched. Inevitably this is putting pressure on the
return on new product investment and the fine balance between investment in working capital, profitability and
cash  flow.  The  Group’s  relatively  conservative  approach  to  new  product  investment  which  seemed  a  logical
response to adverse market conditions has benefitted cash flow but hurt profitability.

Taxation
The Group tax charge on continuing operations was 30.3% compared to 27.1% last year. This is slightly higher
than we expected at the start of the year. The increase is mainly due to changes in the split of profits between our
US  and  UK  operations.  Last  year  UK  taxable  profits  were  proportionately  higher  due  to  an  exceptional
performance from the UK based Decorating Division. Total corporate tax rates in the US which comprise federal,
state and city taxes are approximately 40% compared to 25.8% in the UK. This year the Group will benefit from
the further reduction in the rate of UK corporation tax to 24% and 23% from April 2013.

The  Group  statement  of  financial  position  includes  a  significant  deferred  tax  asset  of  £1.06 million 
(2011  –  £1.37 million)  mostly  relating  to  timing  differences  in  the  US.  During  the  year  the  Group  incurred
substantial capital expenditure relocating its office and warehouse premises in the US. This expenditure benefited
from a 100% first year capital allowance which was a one-off government tax incentive only available in 2011.
This is the main reason for a net repayment of overseas tax during the year of £383,000. The overall Group tax
cash flow during the year was £536,000 compared to a charge of £953,000 in the income statement.

Basic Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share decreased by 52.1% to 15.8p (2011 – 33.0p) in line with the reduction in Group profit.
The  impact  of  an  increase  in  the  Group  tax  charge  from  27.1%  to  30.3%  was  almost  exactly  offset  by  a  3.3%
reduction in the weighted average number of shares in issue due to share buybacks in the current and prior year.

During the year the Group purchased for cancellation a total of 140,000 shares representing 1.0% of the issued
share capital at the start of the year.

Cost of Equity Capital
The Group’s cost of equity capital measured in terms of earnings per share as a percentage of the closing share
price of 240p is 6.6%, down from 11.5% in 2011. The decrease mainly reflects the 52.0% reduction in Group
profits compared to a 16.1% reduction in the Group share price. The Group had net cash of £8.52 million at the
year end and the Board remains committed to a strategy of utilising surplus cash for share buybacks provided they
enhance shareholder value through their effect on earnings per share, net assets per share and return on capital
employed. The  Group  holding  company  has  significant  distributable  reserves  of  £6.86 million  to  cover  further
share buybacks but any purchases will continue to depend on cash generation and market conditions.

5

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 6

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

R E V I E W   O F   O P E R AT I O N S   A N D   F I N A N C E

At our AGM on 11th September 2012, the Group will seek approval to make annual share buybacks of up to 15%
of  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  company  up  to  a  maximum  of  4,774,004  shares  over  a  five  year  period. The
shareholding  of  David  Green,  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  is  currently  32.8%  and  as  a  result  further  share
buybacks will require the renewal of an existing authority to waive Rule 9 of the Takeover Code. Under Rule 9 any
person or persons acting in concert with a combined shareholding of 30% or more are required to make an offer
for the entire issued share capital of the company. A General Meeting to seek approval of the waiver will be held
on 11th September 2012 after our Annual General Meeting.

Dividends
The Board has proposed holding the final dividend at 2.00p (2011 – 2.00p) making a total for the year of 3.85p
(2011 – 3.85p). This follows a dividend increase of 24.2% last year. The total cost of the dividend is £534,000
which represents dividend cover of 4.1 times earnings (2011 – 8.5 times). The flat dividend represents a pause in
the  Board’s  progressive  dividend  policy  due  to  the  significant  decline  in  profitability  and  the  current  uncertain
trading environment. Although the dividend is still well covered by earnings the Board continues to believe that
the  interests  of  shareholders  are  best  served  by  utilising  the  Group’s  cash  and  distributable  reserves  for  share
buybacks or to fund acquisitions which fit with the Group’s existing brand portfolio.

Cash flow
The  Group  had  a  strong  operating  cash  flow  of  £7.12 million  which  was  only  slightly  down  on  last  year’s
£7.76 million.  However,  a  significant  part  of  the  current  year  operating  cash  flow  was  a  one-off  reduction  in
Decorating Division debtors following the exceptional trading performance in the previous year. Group trade and
other receivables reduced by £3.21 million. A cautious approach to new product investment meant that inventory
remained tightly under control with a small decrease of £115,000 during the year. Maintaining a tight control over
working capital is the key to the Group’s future cash flow and remains a critical objective.

Capital expenditure during the year was exceptionally high at £3.46 million due to the New York warehouse and
office  move.  Normal  recurring  capital  expenditure  is  approximately  £1.6 million  and  the  Group’s  annual
depreciation  charge  is  £2 million. The  cash  flow  impact  of  the  exceptional  capital  expenditure  in  the  US  was
reduced by a one-off 100% capital allowance for tax purposes and overall there was a £174,000 tax refund in the
US. This allowance together with a 51.7% reduction in Group profit before tax meant that tax payments were only
£536,000 compared to £1.56 million last year.

Cash generation before dividends and share buybacks was £3.14 million (2011 – £3.32 million) and compares to
profit after tax of £2.20 million (2011 – £4.57 million). Dividend payments were £534,000 (2011 – £486,000) and
share  buybacks  were  £342,000  (2011  –  £1.84 million).  The  Group  has  ended  the  year  with  net  cash  of
£8.52 million. Together with an HSBC bank overdraft facility of £3.00 million the Group has £11.52 million of
cash resources at its disposal.

Going Concern
The Directors are confident having made appropriate enquiries that the Group and the Company has adequate
resources to continue in the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing the accounts.

Rob Barker
Group Finance Director

6

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 7

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

D I R E C T O R S,  B A N K E R S   A N D   A D V I S E R S

Directors

Nominated Advisers and Stockbrokers

D. B. Green, Chairman and Chief Executive
R. M. Barker BSc ACA, Finance Director
W. Nicholls, Decorating Managing Director
K. Hall, Chief Executive Officer – USA
A. K. P. Smith, Non-Executive Director

Secretary and Registered Office

R. M. Barker BSc ACA
39 Brook Street, London W1K 4JE

Peel Hunt LLP
Moor House
120 London Wall
London EC2Y 5ET

Auditors

BDO LLP
55 Baker Street
London W1U 7EU

Registered in England No. 1870320

Solicitors

SJ Berwin
10 Queen Street Place
London EC4R 1BE

Bankers

HSBC Bank plc
31 Holborn
London EC1N 2HR

HSBC Bank USA
452 Fifth Avenue
New York
NY 10018
U.S.A.

JP Morgan Chase Bank
270 Park Avenue
41st Floor
New York
NY 10017
U.S.A.

Registrars and Transfer Office

Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZY

7

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 8

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

D I R E C T O R S ’  R E P O RT

The Directors submit their report and Group financial statements for the year ended 30th April 2012.

Principal Activities
The  principal  activities  of  the  Group  are  the  design,  marketing,  distribution  and  retailing  of  furnishing  fabrics,
wallpapers, trimmings, related products and upholstered furniture in the UK and overseas and the sale of antiques,
interior and architectural design, project management, decorating and furnishing for private and commercial clients.

Review of the Business and Future Developments
Details of the Group’s activities during the year, key performance indicators and future plans are contained in the
Chairman’s Statement on pages 2 and 3, and in the Review of Operations and Finance on pages 4 to 6.

Share Capital
At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, certain resolutions are to be proposed relating to the allotment and
purchase of shares.

Resolution  Number  6,  proposed  as  an  ordinary  resolution,  would  authorise  the  Directors  to  allot  shares  in  the
Company  and  to  grant  rights  to  subscribe  for  or  to  convert  any  security  into  shares  in  the  Company  up  to  a
maximum of one third of the issued share capital of the Company for a period expiring on the date of the next
Annual General Meeting or 15 months after the passing of the resolution, whichever occurs first.

In addition, Resolution Number 6 would also authorise the Directors to allot equity securities in connection with a
rights issue up to a maximum of one third of the issued share capital of the Company for a period expiring on the
date of the next Annual General Meeting or 15 months after the passing of the resolution, whichever occurs first.

Resolution Number 7, proposed as a special resolution, would authorise the Directors to allot shares for cash, on
rights issues and other issues to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings and also allows issues
or sales other than to existing shareholders in respect of a maximum of 5% of the existing issued share capital of
the Company, for a period again expiring on the date of the next Annual General Meeting or 15 months after the
passing of the resolution, whichever occurs first.

Resolution  Number  8,  proposed  as  a  special  resolution,  would  authorise  the  Directors  to  make  annual  share
buybacks  of  up  to  15%  of  the  issued  ordinary  share  capital  over  a  period  of  five  years  from  the  passing  of  the
resolution up to a total nominal value of £477,400 of the Company’s ordinary shares at prices from 10p up to a
maximum of 5% above the middle market quotations for the preceding five business days. This represents 34% of
the issued share capital as at 25th July 2012. Previously the Company has passed annual resolutions permitting a
market  purchase  under  s701  and  consequently  due  to  the  shareholding  of  David  Green  passed  a  waiver  of
obligations under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code (“Rule 9 Waiver”). The Company has now decided to take advantage
of the amendments to s701(5) of the Companies Act 2006 permitting resolutions authorising a buyback by way of
a market purchase to have a five year duration. This will enable the Rule 9 Waiver to have a five year duration and
therefore save on time and money for the Company. This power will only be exercised by the Board when it is
satisfied  that  any  purchase  would  have  a  beneficial  impact  on  earnings  per  share,  would  not  have  a  material
adverse impact upon attributable assets and would be in the interests of shareholders.

Results and Dividends
The Group’s profit after tax was £2,195,000 (2011 – £4,573,000). An interim dividend of 1.85p (2011 – 1.85p) per
share was paid to shareholders on 10th April 2012. The Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of
2.00p (2011 – 2.00p) per share to be paid on 9th October 2012 to shareholders on the register at the close of
business on 14th September 2012. The total dividend is 3.85p (2011 – 3.85p) per share and the total of the interim
and proposed final dividend is £534,000 (2011 – £540,000).

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The Directors have identified a number of financial risks facing the Group and these are explained in note 20 to
the financial statements, “Financial Instruments”.

The Group has a broad geographical spread of revenue and is not wholly dependent upon any one market. The
most  significant  business  risk  is  the  US  market  which  accounts  for  43%  of  the  Group’s  revenue.  This  risk  is
mitigated by a broad customer base, with no reliance on any one customer, and a large product range across five
individual fabric brands.

The  Group  has  detailed  disaster  recovery  plans  in  place  to  ensure  business  continuity  and  also  has  business
interruption insurance policies to mitigate any financial losses arising from unforeseen events.

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 9

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

D I R E C T O R S ’  R E P O RT

Employees
The Group values the involvement of its employees and keeps them informed on matters affecting them and on
factors affecting the performance of the Group. Information is given at formal and informal meetings throughout
the year.

The Group believes in the policy of equal opportunities. Recruitment and promotion are undertaken on the basis of
merit, regardless of gender, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, colour and disability.

Disabled Persons
It is the policy of the Group to employ disabled persons wherever appropriate. Such disabled employees are given
the same opportunities for training and promotion as other employees. In the event of members of staff becoming
disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment with the Group continues.

Payment to Suppliers
It is the Group’s policy that payments to suppliers are made in accordance with those terms and conditions agreed
between the Group and its suppliers, provided that all trading terms and conditions have been complied with. At
30th April 2012, the Group had an average of 31 days purchases outstanding to trade creditors (2011 – 33 days).
The parent company has no trade creditors.

Charitable Donations
During the year the Group made various charitable donations totalling £14,000 (2011 – £15,000).

Events after the Reporting Date
No significant events have occurred since 30th April 2012 at the date of approval of these financial statements.

Freehold Property
The  Group’s  freehold  property  was  last  valued  on  28th April  2011  on  an  open  market  value  basis  by  qualified
valuers  from  Drew  Pearce,  an  independent  firm  of  chartered  surveyors.  The  valuation  was  carried  out  in
accordance with guidance issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The market value determined
under this basis was £850,000.

The net book value of the Group’s freehold property, on an historical cost basis, was £175,000 at 30th April 2012
(2011 – £178,000).

Directors
The Directors listed on page 7 have held office throughout the year to 30th April 2012.

In accordance with Article 14.1 of the Company’s Articles of Association, R. Barker will retire by rotation at the
Annual General Meeting. Resolution 5 proposes his re-election as Director. R. Barker has a service contract, which
is terminable by one year’s notice by either the Company, or the Director.

Non-Executive Directors
A. K. P. Smith was appointed as non-executive Director in February 1994.

Directors’ Remuneration

Executive Directors:
D. B. Green
R. M. Barker
W. Nicholls
K. Hall

Non-executive Directors:
A. K. P. Smith

Salary and
fees
£’000

Bonus
£’000

Pension
Benefits
in kind contributions
£’000

£’000

508
147
173
255

23

1,106

39
7
20
–

–

66

–
20
–
17

–

37

–
–
7
–

–

7

9

2012
Total
£’000

547
174
200
272

23

1,216

2011
Total
£’000

574
257
145
288

29

1,293

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 10

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

D I R E C T O R S ’  R E P O RT

Substantial Shareholdings
Interests amounting to 3% or more in the issued share capital of the Company were as follows as at 25th July 2012:

D. B. Green
Discretionary Unit Fund Managers
Schroder plc
Hunter Hall Investment Management

Number of shares
4,558,862
2,910,000
2,144,927
1,621,500

%
32.8
20.9
15.4
11.7

Directors’ Interests
The Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company at the end of the financial year were as follows:

D. B. Green
R. M. Barker
W. Nicholls
K. Hall
A. K. P. Smith

Ordinary shares of 10p each
2011
4,558,862
284,000
226,354
132,000
45,000

2012
4,558,862
268,700
226,354
201,500
45,000

No Director has interests in the shares of any subsidiary company. On 12th October 2011 K. Hall acquired 100,000
shares through the exercise of ESOP share options and, following the exercise of these options, sold 30,500 shares
at a price of 242p per share. On 4th April 2012 R. M. Barker transferred 15,300 shares to his adult daughter for nil
consideration.

Share Options
The following options are outstanding in respect of the Colefax Group plc Employee Share Ownership Plan Trust.
The options each have an exercise price of £1 in total.

Total
Exercise
price
£1

At 1st
May 2011
100,000

Exercised
during
the year
(100,000)

K. Hall

At 30th
April 2012
–

Date of
Grant
30.04.08

Exercisable
from
30.04.08

Expiry
date
29.04.18

The market price of the Company’s shares at 30th April 2012 was 240.0p. The range of market prices during the
financial year was between 197.5p and 286.0p.

Corporate Governance
Although  it  is  not  a  requirement  of  AIM  listed  companies,  the  Group  seeks  within  the  practical  confines  of  a
smaller company to act in compliance with the principles of good governance and the code of best practice as set
out in the UK Corporate Governance Code. The Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee are headed by
the Group’s non-executive director. The whole Board acts as a Nomination Committee. The Board has identified
the principal business and financial risks facing the Group and documented the key control procedures that are in
place to manage these risks. This document is subject to review by the Audit Committee and updated on a regular
basis.

Auditors
All of the current directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any
information needed by the Company’s auditors for the purposes of their audit and to establish that the auditors are
aware of that information. The directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of which the auditors are
unaware.

A resolution to reappoint BDO LLP as auditors will be put to the members at the Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board

R. M. Barker BSc ACA
Secretary
25th July 2012

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 11

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

S TAT E M E N T   O F   D I R E C T O R S ’  R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S   I N   R E S P E C T   O F
T H E   F I N A N C I A L   S TAT E M E N T S

Directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the director’s report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and regulations.

Company  law  requires  the  directors  to  prepare  financial  statements  for  each  financial  year.  Under  that  law  the
directors have elected to prepare the group and company financial statements in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the directors must
not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs
of the group and company and of the profit or loss of the group and company for that period. The directors are
also  required  to  prepare  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange  for
companies trading securities on the Alternative Investment Market.

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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

•

•

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

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

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the
company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company
and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Website publication
The directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report and the financial statements are made available on a
website. Financial statements are published on the company‘s website in accordance with legislation in the United
Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in
other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the company‘s website is the responsibility of the directors.
The directors’ responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.

11

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 12

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

I N D E P E N D E N T   AU D I T O R S ’  R E P O RT
T O   T H E   M E M B E R S   O F   C O L E FA X   G R O U P   P L C

We have audited the financial statements of Colefax Group plc for the year ended 30th April 2012 which comprise
the  group  income  statement  and  statement  of  comprehensive  income,  the  group  and  company  statement  of
financial position, the group and company statement of cash flows, the group and company statement of changes
in equity and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and,
as regards  the  parent  company  financial  statements,  as  applied  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the
Companies Act 2006.

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with sections 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 auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

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

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A  description  of  the  scope  of  an  audit  of  financial  statements  is  provided  on  the  APB’s  website  at
www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

•

•

•

•

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the parent company’s affairs
as at 30th April 2012 and of the group’s profit for the year then ended;

the  group  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRSs  as  adopted  by  the
European Union;

the parent company’s financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted
by the European Union and as applied in accordance with provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

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

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us 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.

Scott McNaughton (senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor
London, United Kingdom
25th July 2012

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).

12

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 13

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

G R O U P   I N C O M E   S TAT E M E N T
For the year ended 30th April 2012

Continuing operations:
Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Operating expenses

Profit from operations

Finance income
Finance expense

Profit before taxation

Tax expense
– UK
– Overseas

Profit from continuing operations

Trading loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
Loss on disposal, net of tax

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

Profit for the year attributable to 
equity holders of the parent

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

Continuing operations:
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

3

5

6

8

9

10

12
12

12
12

70,399
31,595

38,804
35,653

77,722
34,929

42,793
36,345

3,151

6,448

–
(3)

(3)

74
(1)

73

3,148

6,521

(691)
(262)

(953)

(1,329)
(436)

(1,765)

2,195

4,756

–
–

–

(111)
(72)

(183)

2,195

4,573

15.8p
15.8p

31.8p
31.5p

15.8p
15.8p

33.0p
32.8p

The notes on pages 20 to 40 form part of these Consolidated financial statements.

13

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Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 14

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

G R O U P   S TAT E M E N T   O F   C O M P R E H E N S I V E   I N C O M E
For the year ended 30th April 2012

Profit for the year

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2,195

4,573

Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments

Cash flow hedges:
(Losses)/gains recognised directly in equity
Transferred to profit and loss for the year

Tax on components of other comprehensive income

19

Total other comprehensive (expense)/income

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

(62)

(610)

(120)
(400)

57

(525)

1,012
(235)

50

217

1,670

4,790

The notes on pages 20 to 40 form part of these Consolidated financial statements.

14

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Customer: Colefax Group plc

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Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 15

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

G R O U P   S TAT E M E N T   O F   F I N A N C I A L   P O S I T I O N
At 30th April 2012

Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax asset

Current assets:
Inventories and work in progress
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables
Current corporation tax
Provisions

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities:
Pension liability

Net assets

Capital and reserves attributable to equity
holders of the Company:
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
ESOP share reserve
Share based payment reserve
Foreign exchange reserve
Cash flow hedge reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Notes

13
19

15
16
17

2012
£’000

7,319
1,062

8,381

2011
£’000

5,909
1,372

7,281

12,215
8,894
8,519

12,283
12,640
7,132

29,628

32,055

11,064
438
–

13,042
388
205

18

11,502

13,635

18,126

18,420

26,507

25,701

25

253

241

26,254

25,460

21
22
22
22
22
22
22
22

1,391
11,148
1,483
(96)
19
1,238
203
10,868

1,405
11,148
1,469
(96)
94
1,383
583
9,474

26,254

25,460

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on
25th July 2012.

D. B. Green Director
R. M. Barker Director

The notes on pages 20 to 40 form part of these Consolidated financial statements.

Company No. 1870320

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Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 16

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

C O M PA N Y   S TAT E M E N T   O F   F I N A N C I A L   P O S I T I O N
At 30th April 2012

Non-current assets:
Investments

Current assets:
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables

Net current assets

Net assets

Capital and reserves attributable to equity
holders of the Company:
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Share based payment reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

14

27,629

27,629

16
17

18

21
22
22
22
22
22

6,186
–

6,186

6,113
–

6,113

2,149

4,037

2,283

3,830

31,666

31,459

1,391
11,148
10,762
1,483
19
6,863

1,405
11,148
10,762
1,469
94
6,581

31,666

31,459

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on
25th July 2012.

D. B. Green Director
R. M. Barker Director

The notes on pages 20 to 40 form part of these Consolidated financial statements.

Company No. 1870320

16

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 17

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

G R O U P   S TAT E M E N T   O F   C A S H   F L O W S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

Operating activities
Profit before taxation – continuing operations
Loss before taxation – discontinued operations
Finance income
Finance expense
Depreciation

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital
Decrease/(increase) in inventories and work in progress
Decrease in trade and other receivables
Decrease in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Taxation paid
UK corporation tax paid
Overseas tax received/(paid)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Investing activities
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment
Receipts from sales of property, plant and equipment
Interest received
Purchase of ESOP shares

Net cash outflow from investing

Financing activities
Purchase of own shares
Interest paid
Equity dividends paid

Net cash outflow from financing

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents

Notes

10

13

13

21

2012
£’000

3,148
–
–
3
1,991

5,142
115
3,213
(1,355)

7,115

2011
£’000

6,521
(278)
(74)
1
2,044

8,214
(566)
316
(205)

7,759

(919)
383

(536)

(1,280)
(279)

(1,559)

6,579

6,200

(3,460)
20
–
–

(2,885)
29
74
(95)

(3,440)

(2,877)

(342)
(3)
(534)

(879)

2,260
6,298
(39)

(1,840)
(1)
(486)

(2,327)

996
5,472
(170)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

17

8,519

6,298

The notes on pages 20 to 40 form part of these Consolidated financial statements.

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 18

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

C O M PA N Y   S TAT E M E N T   O F  C A S H   F L O W S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

Operating activities
Profit before taxation
Finance income
Finance expense

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital
Increase in trade and other receivables
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Taxation paid
UK corporation tax paid

Net cash outflow from operating activities

Investing activities
Interest received
Dividends received from subsidiaries
Purchase of ESOP shares

Net cash inflow from investing

Financing activities
Purchase of own shares
Interest paid
Equity dividends paid

Net cash outflow from financing

Notes

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1,150
(187)
3

966
(2,445)
(16)

(1,495)

4,449
(242)
1

4,208
(4,159)
14

63

(919)

(1,306)

(2,414)

(1,243)

187
3,224
–

3,411

242
–
(95)

147

(342)
(3)
(534)

(879)

(1,840)
–
(486)

(2,326)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

118
(2,267)

(3,422)
1,155

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

17

(2,149)

(2,267)

The notes on pages 20 to 40 form part of these Consolidated financial statements.

18

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Customer: Colefax Group plc

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Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 19

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

g r o u p   s tat e m e n t   o f   c h a n g e s   i n   e q u i t y
For the year ended 30th April 2012

Share
capital
£’000

1,405
–
–

Share

Capital
premium redemption
reserve
account
£’000
£’000

11,148
–
–

1,469
–
–

ESOP
share
reserve
£’000

(96)
–
–

–
–

–
(14)
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
14
–
–

At 1st May 2011
Profit for the year
Foreign exchange

Cash flow hedges:
Losses
Transfers

Tax on other 
comprehensive income
Share buybacks
Share options exercised
Dividends paid

At 30th April 2012

1,391

11,148

1,483

At 1st May 2010
Profit for the year
Foreign exchange

Cash flow hedges:
Gains
Transfers

Tax on other 
comprehensive income
Share buybacks
ESOP shares granted
Share options exercised
Dividends paid
Purchase of ESOP shares

1,470
–
–

11,148
–
–

1,404
–
–

–
–

–
(65)
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
65
–
–
–
–

At 30th April 2011

1,405

11,148

1,469

Share
based
payment
reserve
£’000

94
–
–

–
–

–
–
(75)
–

19

196
–
–

–
–

–
–
19
(121)
–
–

Foreign
exchange
reserve
£’000

1,383
–
(62)

–
–

(83)
–
–
–

1,238

1,741
–
(610)

–
–

252
–
–
–
–
–

94

1,383

Cash
flow
hedge
reserve
£’000

583
–
–

(120)
(400)

140
–
–
–

203

8
–
–

1,012
(235)

(202)
–
–
–
–
–

583

Retained
earnings
£’000

9,474
2,195
–

–
–

–
(342)
75
(534)

Total
equity
£’000

25,460
2,195
(62)

(120)
(400)

57
(342)
–
(534)

10,868

26,254

7,106
4,573
–

23,055
4,573
(610)

–
–

1,012
(235)

–
(1,840)
–
121
(486)
–

50
(1,840)
36
–
(486)
(95)

9,474

25,460

–
–

–
–
–
–

(96)

(18)
–
–

–
–

–
–
17
–
–
(95)

(96)

c o m pa n y   s tat e m e n t   o f   c h a n g e s   i n   e q u i t y
For the year ended 30th April 2012

At 1st May 2011
Profit for the year
Share buybacks
Share options exercised
Dividends paid

At 30th April 2012

At 1st May 2010
Profit for the year
Share buybacks
ESOP shares granted
Share options exercised
Dividends paid

At 30th April 2011

Share
capital
£’000

1,405
–
(14)
–
–

Share
premium
reserve
£’000

11,148
–
–
–
–

Capital
Merger redemption
reserve
reserve
£’000
£’000

10,762
–
–
–
–

1,391

11,148

10,762

1,470
–
(65)
–
–
–

11,148
–
–
–
–
–

10,762
–
–
–
–
–

1,405

11,148

10,762

Share
based
payment
reserve
£’000

94
–
–
(75)
–

19

196
–
–
19
(121)
–

Retained
earnings
£’000

6,581
1,083
(342)
75
(534)

Total
equity
£’000

31,459
1,083
(342)
–
(534)

6,863

31,666

4,546
4,240
(1,840)
–
121
(486)

29,526
4,240
(1,840)
19
–
(486)

94

6,581

31,459

1,469
–
14
–
–

1,483

1,404
–
65
–
–
–

1,469

The notes on pages 20 to 40 form part of these Consolidated financial statements.

19

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 20

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

1. Accounting policies

General Information
Colefax Group Plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The
principal activity of the Company is to act as a holding company for the Group’s trading subsidiaries.
The address of its registered office and principal place of business are disclosed on page 7. The principal
activities  of  the  Group  are  the  design,  marketing,  distribution  and  retailing  of  furnishing  fabrics,
wallpapers, trimmings, related products and upholstered furniture in the UK and overseas and the sale
of antiques, interior and architectural design, project management, decorating and furnishing for private
individuals and commercial firms.

Basis of Preparation
The  principal  accounting  policies  adopted  in  the  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  are  set  out
below. The policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
The policies have been applied to the Group and Company, unless otherwise stated.

These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting
Standards  (IFRSs  and  IFRIC  interpretations)  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board
(IASB) as adopted by the European Union (“EU adopted IFRS”) and with those parts of the Companies
Act 2006 applicable to companies preparing their financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

The Group Income Statement has been prepared on the basis of continuing operations. The trading loss of the
beachwear division, and the costs associated with its sale in the prior year, have been disclosed separately.

Changes in Accounting Policies
The following standards and interpretations, issued by the IASB or the International Financial Reporting
Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), are effective for the first time in the current financial year and have
been adopted by the Group with no significant impact on its consolidated results or financial position
for the current reporting period:

– Revised  IAS24  ‘Related  Party  Disclosures’ (effective  for  accounting  periods  beginning  on  or  after
1st January 2011). This revision has been endorsed for use in the EU. This revision will only impact
disclosure and have no effect on the net assets or result of the Group.

– IFRIC19, ‘Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments’ (effective for accounting periods

beginning on or after 1st July 2010). This interpretation has been endorsed for use in the EU.

– Improvements to IFRS issued in 2010. These affect disclosure only.

The following standards and interpretations issued by the IASB or IFRIC have not been adopted by the
Group as these are not effective for the current year. The Group is currently assessing the impact these
standards and interpretations will have on the presentation of its consolidated results in future periods:

– Amendments to IAS 1: Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (effective for periods
beginning on or after 1st July 2012). This amendment has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU.

– IFRS9 ‘Financial Instruments’ (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2015).

This standard has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU.

– IFRS  10:  Consolidated  Financial  Statements (effective  for  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1st  January

2013). This amendment has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU.

– IFRS 13: Fair Value Measurement (effective for periods beginning on or after 1st January 2013). This

amendment has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU.

– IAS 27: Separate Financial Statements (effective for periods beginning on or after 1st January 2013).

This amendment has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU.

– IAS  19:  Employee  Benefits (effective  for  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1st  January  2013).  This

amendment has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU.

– Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 11, IFRS 12: Condolidated Financial Statements, Joint Arrangements and
Disclosure  of  Interests  in  Other  Entities:  Transition  Guidance (effective  for  periods  beginning  on  or
after 1st January 2013). This amendment has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU.

– Improvements  to  IFRSs  (2011) –  Minor  amendments  to  various  accounting  standards.  These

amendments have been endorsed for use in the EU.

– Improvements  to  IFRSs  (2012) –  Minor  amendments  to  various  accounting  standards.  These

amendments have been endorsed for use in the EU.

The  following  principal  accounting  policies  have  been  applied  consistently  in  the  preparation  of  the
financial statements:

Basis of Consolidation
Where  the  Group  has  the  power,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  to  govern  the  financial  and  operating
policies  of  another  entity  or  business  so  as  to  obtain  benefits  from  its  activities,  it  is  classified  as  a
subsidiary.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  present  the  results  of  Colefax  Group  Plc  and  its
subsidiaries as if they formed a single entity.

20

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 21

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

1. Accounting policies

continued

No income statement is presented for the Company as provided in S.408 of the Companies Act 2006. 
The profit dealt with in the financial statements of Company was £1,083,000 (2011 – 4,240,000). Total
comprehensive income relating to the year for the Company consists of the profit for the year only.

Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method. Under the acquisition method the results
of subsidiary undertakings are included from the date of acquisition.

Where merger accounting was used in business combinations prior to 1st May 2006 (transition date),
the investment is still recorded in the Company’s statement of financial position at the nominal value of
the  shares  issued,  together  with  the  fair  value  of  any  additional  consideration  paid  as  the  Group  has
applied  the  IFRS  1  ‘First-time  Adoption  of  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards’  exemption
relating to business combinations.

In  the  Group  Financial  Statements,  merged  subsidiary  undertakings  are  treated  as  if  they  had  always
been a member of the Group. Any difference between the nominal value of the shares acquired by the
Group and those issued by the company to acquire them is taken to reserves.

Goodwill
Goodwill arising on acquisitions prior to 30th April 1998 was set off directly against reserves. Goodwill
previously eliminated against reserves has not been reinstated upon transition to IFRS.

Investments in Subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries in the Company statement of financial position are stated at cost less any
provision for impairment.

Revenue Recognition
Revenue,  which  excludes  value  added  taxes,  represents  the  amounts  receivable  from  customers  for
goods and services supplied including disbursements. Sales of goods are recognised when goods are
delivered  and  title  has  passed.  Revenue  for  services  is  recognised  in  the  period  in  which  they  are
rendered. Where projects are ongoing at the year end, revenue is recognised on a stage of completion
basis, when the Group has a right to consideration for those services.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  stated  at  historical  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  and
accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost comprises the purchase price and costs directly incurred
in bringing the asset into use. The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for
impairment  when  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  the  carrying  value  may  not  be
recoverable.

Depreciation  is  provided  on  all  property,  plant  and  equipment  other  than  freehold  land  at  rates
calculated  to  write  off  the  cost  less  estimated  residual  value  evenly  over  its  expected  useful  life,  as
follows:

Freehold buildings
Leasehold improvements
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Motor vehicles
Screens and originations

50 years
over the shorter of the life of the lease or the life of the asset
5 – 10 years
4 years
4 years

Inventories
Inventories  are  initially  recognised  at  cost,  and  subsequently  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable
value. Cost comprises all costs of purchase and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their
present location and condition, with the majority of inventories being valued on a weighted average cost
basis. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price for inventories less all estimated costs of
completion and costs necessary to make the sale. Provision is made for obsolete and slow moving stocks.

Work in Progress
Work in progress is valued at cost less progress payments received and receivable. Cost includes all direct
expenditure on material and external services that have been incurred in bringing the work in progress
to its present location and condition. Provision is made for any losses expected to arise on completion of
the work entered into at the date of the statement of financial position.

Taxation
Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current Tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit reported in
the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other
years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax
is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the date of the statement of
financial position.

21

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 22

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

1. Accounting policies

continued

Deferred Taxation
Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the
financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is
accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised
for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible
temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which
those deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if
the  temporary  difference  arises  from  goodwill  or  from  the  initial  recognition  (other  than  a  business
combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the
accounting profit.

Current and Deferred Tax for the year
Current and deferred tax are recognised as an expense or income in the income statement, except when
they relate to items credited or debited directly to other comprehensive income or equity, in which case
the tax is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income or equity.

Lease Commitments
Leases  where  substantially  all  of  the  risks  and  rewards  incidental  to  ownership  of  a  leased  asset  are
retained  by  the  lessor  are  classified  as  operating  leases.  Payments  made  under  operating  leases  are
charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Retirement Benefits
Defined Contribution Schemes
The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes which are externally administered. Payments
made  to  the  funds  are  charged  when  payable  to  the  income  statement  as  part  of  employment  costs.
There are no outstanding or prepaid contributions at the year end.

Defined Benefit Schemes
One Group company operates a defined benefit pension scheme for employees. The scheme’s funds are
administered  by  trustees  and  are  independent  of  Group  finances. Annual  contributions  are  based  on
external actuarial advice. The scheme was closed to new members on 31st December 1997.

The difference between the fair value of the assets held in the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme
and the scheme’s liabilities measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method are
recognised in the Group’s statement of financial position as a pension asset or liability as appropriate.
Any  related  deferred  tax  is  recognised  within  the  Group’s  deferred  tax  asset  or  liability  following  the
principles described in the deferred tax accounting policy note.

Changes  in  the  defined  benefit  pension  scheme  asset  or  liability  arising  from  factors  other  than  cash
contribution by the Group are charged to the income statement in accordance with IAS 19 ‘Employee
Benefits’.

Foreign Currency
The individual financial statements of each Group entity are presented in the currency of the primary
economic  environment  in  which  the  entity  operates  (its  functional  currency).  For  the  purpose  of  the
consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each Group entity are expressed
in Great British Pounds (‘GBP’), which is the functional currency of the Company and the presentation
currency for the consolidated financial statements.

Group
The assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated at the rate of exchange ruling
at the date of the statement of financial position and the results of overseas subsidiaries are translated at
the  average  rate  of  exchange  for  the  year.  The  exchange  differences  arising  on  the  retranslation  of
opening net assets and on loans which form part of the net investment are taken directly to reserves.
Loans  are  designated  as  part  of  the  net  investment,  when  settlement  is  neither  planned  nor  likely  to
occur in the foreseeable future.

Company
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies including loans to subsidiaries are retranslated at
the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the statement of financial position. All differences are taken to
the income statement.

Financial Instruments
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are defined as including short term deposits with original maturity within 3 months.
For  the  purposes  of  the  statements  of  cash  flow,  cash  and  cash  equivalents  consist  of  cash  and  cash
equivalents net of outstanding bank overdrafts held.

22

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 23

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

1. Accounting policies

continued

Trade and Other Receivables
Trade  and  other  receivables  do  not  carry  interest  and  are  stated  at  their  nominal  (invoiced)  value  as
reduced  by  appropriate  allowances  for  estimated  irrecoverable  amounts. When  a  trade  receivable  is
considered  uncollectible,  it  is  written  off  against  the  allowance.  Subsequent  recoveries  of  amounts
previously  written  off  are  credited  against  the  allowance.  Changes  in  the  carrying  amount  of  the
allowance are recognised in the income statement.

Trade and Other Payables
Trade and other payables are initially measured at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost using
the effective interest rate method.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
The Group uses forward foreign currency contracts to hedge its risk associated with foreign currency
fluctuations.  Such  forward  foreign  currency  contracts  are  stated  at  fair  value  which  is  calculated  by
reference to current forward exchange rates for contracts with similar maturity profiles.

It is the Group’s policy not to hold forward foreign currency contracts for speculative purposes.

Hedge  accounting  can  be  applied  to  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  only  where  all  of  the
relevant  hedging  criteria  under  IAS  39  are  met.  The  Group  accounts  for  forward  foreign  currency
contracts as a cash flow hedge. The effective part of the contracts designated as a hedge of the variability
in cash flows of foreign currency risk arising from highly probable forecast transactions, are measured
at fair value with changes in fair value recognised directly in equity (the “cash flow hedge reserve”).

The  cumulative  gain  or  loss  initially  recognised  in  equity  is  recycled  through  the  consolidated  income
statement at the same time as the hedged transaction affects the income statement, and reported within the
cost of sales line of the income statement. If, at any point, the hedged transaction is no longer expected to
occur, the cumulative gain or loss is recycled through the consolidated income statement immediately.

Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP)
The cost of the Group’s shares held by the ESOP is debited to the ESOP share reserve and is deducted
from shareholders’ funds in the Group statement of financial position. Any cash received by the ESOP
on disposal of the shares it holds is also recognised directly in shareholders’ funds.

Any shares held by the ESOP are treated as cancelled for the purposes of calculating earnings per share.

Share-Based Payments
The Group operates an equity-settled share based payment scheme for directors and employees. When
shares  and  share  options  are  granted  to  employees  a  charge  is  made  to  the  income  statement  and  a
corresponding entry made in reserves to record the fair value of the award. This charge is spread over
the period of performance relating to the grant.

Company
When shares and share options are granted to employees of subsidiary companies, the fair value of the
award made is treated as a capital contribution spread over the period of performance relating to the
grant. The corresponding entry is made in reserves.

Dividends
Dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. In the case of interim dividends to equity
shareholders,  this  is  in  the  year  in  which  they  are  paid.  Final  dividends  are  not  accrued  until  the
proposed dividend has been approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

Segmental Reporting
For internal management purposes the Group reports by ‘product division’ and ‘decorating division’.

23

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 24

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

2.

Critical accounting
estimates and
judgements

In  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  under  IFRS  the  Group  makes  estimates  and
assumptions  regarding  the  future.  Estimates  and  judgements  are  continually  evaluated  based  on
historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and
assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment
to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Inventories
The Group reviews the net realisable value of, and demand for, its inventories to provide assurance that
recorded  inventory  is  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  net  realisable  value.  Factors  that  could  impact
estimated  demand  and  selling  prices  include  the  success  of  future  collections,  competitor  actions,
supplier prices and economic trends.

Trade Receivables
The Group reviews its trade receivables to provide assurance that their carrying value is reduced by an
appropriate allowance for irrecoverable amounts. Factors which are considered as part of that review
include the age of the receivable and the creditworthiness of the customer.

Pension Assumptions
The costs, assets and liabilities of the defined benefit scheme operated by the Group are determined
using methods relying on actuarial estimates and assumptions. Details of the key assumptions are set
out in note 25. The Group takes advice from independent actuaries relating to the appropriateness of
the  assumptions.  Changes  in  the  assumptions  used  may  have  a  significant  effect  on  the  consolidated
income statement and the statement of financial position.

Income Taxes
The  Group  is  subject  to  income  tax  in  several  jurisdictions  and  significant  judgement  is  required  in
determining  the  provision  for  income  taxes.  During  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  there  are
transactions  and  calculations  for  which  the  ultimate  tax  determination  is  uncertain.  As  a  result,  the
Group recognises tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due.
To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such
differences will impact income tax expense in the period in which such determination is made.

Financial Instruments
As described in note 20, the Board use their judgement in selecting an appropriate valuation technique
for  financial  instruments  not  quoted  in  an  active  market.  Valuation  techniques  commonly  used  by
market practitioners are applied.

For  forward  foreign  currency  contracts,  assumptions  are  based  on  quoted  market  rates  adjusted  for
specific features of the contract. Details of the assumptions used are provided in note 20.

Share based payments
The Group operates an equity-settled share based remuneration scheme for directors and employees.
Employee services received, and the corresponding increase in equity, are measured by reference to the
fair  value  of  the  equity  instruments  at  the  date  of  the  grant,  excluding  the  impact  of  any  non-market
vesting conditions. The fair value of the share options is estimated on the date of the grant based on
certain assumptions. Those assumptions are described in note 23.

3. Revenue

Revenue arises from:
Sale of goods
Provision of services

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

69,412
987

76,574
1,148

70,399

77,722

24

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 25

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

4. Segmental analysis

The Board of Colefax Group plc manages the operations of the Group as two divisions:

Product  division  – This  division  is  involved  in  the  design  and  distribution  of  furnishing  fabrics,
wallpapers, upholstered furniture and related products;

Decorating  division  – This  division  is  involved  in  interior  and  architectural  design  and  decoration,
primarily for private individuals.

The  reportable  segments  are  distinct  business  units  each  run  by  a  separate  management  team. The
financial  performance  of  each  division  is  reported  separately  to  the  Board  and  forms  the  basis  of
strategic decision making.

Business segments

Continuing operations
Revenue:
Total revenue
Inter-segment revenue

Revenue from 
external customers

Segment result:
Profit/(loss) from operations
Finance income
Finance expense

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Tax expense

Profit/(loss) from 
continuing operations

Product division
2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Decorating division
2011
£’000

2012
£’000

Total

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

63,672
(127)

63,823
(181)

6,854
–

14,080
–

70,526
(127)

77,903
(181)

63,545

63,642

6,854

14,080

70,399

77,722

3,238
–
(3)

3,235

837

4,438
74
(1)

4,511

1,183

(87)
–
–

(87)

116

2,010
–
–

2,010

582

3,151
–
(3)

3,148

953

6,448
74
(1)

6,521

1,765

2,398

3,328

(203)

1,428

2,195

4,756

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

–

(183)

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

2,195

4,573

Total assets
Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital expenditure

Depreciation

32,117
9,937

32,894
11,360

22,180

21,534

3,432

1,899

2,779

1,951

5,892
1,818

4,074

28

92

6,442
2,516

38,009
11,755

39,336
13,876

3,926

26,254

25,460

106

93

3,460

1,991

2,885

2,044

Inter-segment sales are priced along the same lines as sales to external customers.

No one single external customer contributes to a significant proportion of the Group’s revenues.

External revenue

Non-current assets
by location of customers by location of assets
2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

19,396
30,151
17,091
3,761

22,374
29,845
17,485
8,018

70,399

77,722

1,839
5,442
1,100
–

8,381

2,104
3,872
1,305
–

7,281

Geographical segments

United Kingdom
United States
Europe
Rest of World

25

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Customer: Colefax Group plc

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Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 26

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

5. Operating expenses

Distribution and marketing costs
Administrative costs

Total operating expenses

6. Profit from 
operations

This has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):
Audit services – group
Audit services – subsidiaries
Non-audit services – taxation
Non-audit services – corporate finance
Non-audit services – pensions
Depreciation of owned property, plant and equipment
Operating lease rentals – land and buildings
Operating lease rentals – plant and machinery
Profit on the disposal of property, plant and equipment
Exchange gains
Pension costs (see note 25)
Share-based payment (see note 23)

7. Staff costs

Staff costs, including Executive Directors, were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

23,906
11,747

23,724
12,621

35,653

36,345

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

32
107
82
15
10
1,991
4,200
55
(1)
(461)
293
–

36
107
113
15
9
2,044
3,942
54
(6)
(274)
252
36

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

13,178
1,683
293

13,034
1,647
252

15,154

14,933

The average monthly number of employees during the year, including Executives Directors, was made
up as follows:

Distribution and marketing
Administration

The holding Company had no employees during the year (2011 – nil).

Directors’ (key management personnel) remuneration was as follows:
Emoluments
Pension contributions
Gain on exercise of share options

Emoluments of the highest paid director:
Emoluments

No.
282
62

344

No.
287
63

350

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1,179
37
242

1,458

1,257
36
85

1,378

547

574

One director exercised share options during the year (2011 – one).

As  the  directors  have  the  authority  and  responsibility  for  planning,  directing  and  controlling  the
activities of the Group they are seen to be key management.

26

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Customer: Colefax Group plc

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Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 27

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

7. Staff costs
continued

Two directors participated in Group defined contribution pension schemes in 2012 (2011 – two). No
directors participated in Group defined benefit pension schemes in 2012 (2011 – nil).

One (2011 – one) director exercised options in the year. No options were granted to directors in the year
(2011 – nil) and therefore, of the share based payment charge for the year (see note 23), £nil relates to
share based payments to directors (2011 – £nil).

8. Finance income and

expense

Finance expense:
Bank loans and overdrafts repayable within five years
Finance income:
Bank and other interest receivable

9. Taxation on

(a) Analysis of charge for the year

continuing operations UK corporation tax

UK corporation tax on profits of the year
Adjustments in respect of previous years

Overseas tax

Overseas tax on profits of the year
Adjustments in respect of previous years

Total current tax

Deferred tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Total income tax expense

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

(3)

–

(3)

(1)

74

73

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

599
6

605

72
(109)

(37)

568

385

953

1,430
(24)

1,406

141
(28)

113

1,519

246

1,765

(b) Factors affecting the tax charge for the year
The tax assessed for the year is higher (2011 – lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK.

The differences are explained below.

Profit before taxation

Profit before taxation multiplied by the standard rate of
corporation tax in the UK of 25.8% (2011 – 27.8%)

Effect of:
Disallowed expenses and non-taxable income
Adjustments in respect of prior period (current tax)
Adjustments in respect of prior period (deferred tax)
Prior year losses now recognised
Rate differences
French tax credit received

Total tax expense

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

3,148

6,521

812

1,813

49
(103)
(12)
–
207
–

42
(52)
(2)
(51)
185
(170)

953

1,765

On 1st April 2012, the UK corporation tax rate reduced from 26% to 24% and as a result a hybrid rate
of 25.8% (2011 – 27.8%) has been used to calculate the Group’s UK corporation tax charge.

The Group’s overseas tax rates are higher than those in the UK primarily because profits earned in the
United States are taxed at a rate in excess of 25.8%.

27

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 28

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

10. Discontinued
operations

On 17th September 2010 the sale of the Manuel Canovas Beachwear Division, to management, was 
completed.

The trading result of the discontinued operation up to the date of sale, as well as the associated loss on
disposal, was as follows:

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Operating expenses

Loss before taxation
Taxation

Loss on discontinued operations
Loss on disposal, net of tax

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

Basic loss per share (note 12)
Diluted loss per share (note 12)

The loss on disposal comprises the following:

Loss on sale of business
Taxation

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

2012
£’000

–
–

–

336
297

39
208

(169)
58

(111)
(72)

(183)

(1.3p)
(1.3p)

2011
£’000

109
(37)

72

Included in the Group statement of cash flows are cash outflows of £nil (2011 – £444,000) in operating
activities, £nil (2011 – £nil) in investing activities and £nil (2011 – £nil) in financing activities which
relate to discontinued operations.

11. Dividends

Final (paid) of 2.00p (2010 – 1.55p) on 11th October 2011
Interim (paid) of 1.85p (2011 – 1.85p) on 10th April 2012

Final dividend proposed for the year of 2.00p (2011 – 2.00p)

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

277
257

534

277

224
262

486

278

The  proposed  final  dividend  has  not  been  accrued  for  because  the  dividend  was  declared  after  the
year-end and is yet to be approved at the Annual General Meeting.

28

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 29

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

12. Earnings per share

Basic earnings/(loss) per share has been calculated using the following data:

Profit after tax from continuing operations
Loss after tax on discontinued operations

Total

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue

2012
£’000

2,195
–

2,195

2011
£’000

4,756
(183)

4,573

No.
13,918,662

No.
14,396,731

Shares owned by the Colefax Group plc Employees’ Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trust are excluded
from the basic earnings per share calculation.

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share has been calculated using the following data:

Profit after tax from continuing operations
Loss after tax on discontinued operations

Total

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
Dilutive effect of shares under option

2012
£’000

2,195
–

2,195

2011
£’000

4,756
(183)

4,573

No.
13,918,662
15,000

No.
14,396,731
115,000

13,933,662

14,511,731

29

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 30

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

Leasehold
Freehold
property improvements
£’000

£’000

Furniture,
fixtures
and
equipment
£’000

Motor

Screens
and
vehicles originations
£’000

£’000

Total
£’000

13. Property, plant and 

equipment

Group
Cost:
At 1st May 2011
Exchange adjustment
Additions
Disposals

At 30th April 2012

Depreciation:
At 1st May 2011
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 30th April 2012

Net Book Value:
At 30th April 2012

At 1st May 2011

At 1st May 2010
Exchange adjustment
Additions
Disposals

At 30th April 2011

Depreciation:
At 1st May 2010
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 30th April 2011

Net Book Value:
At 30th April 2011

At 1st May 2010

7,934
160
1,933
(2,187)

6,240
(70)
632
(1,281)

7,840

5,521

6,060
147
555
(2,187)

4,150
17
498
(1,280)

4,575

3,385

3,265

1,874

7,519
(517)
932
–

7,934

5,877
(407)
590
–

6,060

1,874

1,642

2,136

2,090

5,865
(217)
946
(354)

6,240

4,254
(225)
453
(332)

4,150

2,090

1,611

519
(4)
20
(79)

456

328
(3)
82
(61)

346

110

191

517
1
101
(100)

519

329
1
97
(99)

328

191

188

5,455
154
875
(2,348)

20,379
240
3,460
(5,895)

4,136

18,184

3,879
119
853
(2,348)

14,470
280
1,991
(5,876)

2,503

10,865

1,633

1,576

5,667
(436)
906
(682)

7,319

5,909

19,799
(1,169)
2,885
(1,136)

5,455

20,379

3,979
(320)
902
(682)

14,490
(951)
2,044
(1,113)

3,879

14,470

1,576

1,688

5,909

5,309

231
–
–
–

231

53
–
3
–

56

175

178

231
–
–
–

231

51
–
2
–

53

178

180

30

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 31

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

14. Investments

Company:
At 1st May 2011 and 30th April 2012

At 1st May 2010
Share options granted to subsidiary employees

At 30th April 2011

Shares
£’000

Loans
£’000

Total
£’000

19,979

7,650

27,629

19,943
36

7,650
–

27,593
36

19,979

7,650

27,629

The principal subsidiaries of the Group, all of which have been included in these consolidated financial
statements, are as follows:

Incorporation and
Principal Country
of Operation

England and Wales
England and Wales

England and Wales
England and Wales

USA
France
Germany
Italy

Effective % of
Issued Share
Capital held
by the Group

100%
100%

100%
100%

100%
100%
100%
100%

Principal Products

Fabrics and Wallpapers
Interior and
Architectural Design
Upholstered Furniture
Holding Company for
Colefax and Fowler Inc
Fabrics and Wallpapers
Fabrics and Wallpapers
Fabrics and Wallpapers
Fabrics and Wallpapers

Name of Company

Colefax and Fowler Limited*
Sibyl Colefax and
John Fowler Limited*
Kingcome Sofas Limited*
Colefax and Fowler
Holdings Limited*
Cowtan & Tout Incorporated
Manuel Canovas SAS*
Colefax and Fowler GmbH
Colefax and Fowler Srl

*Owned directly by parent company

There was no movement in the number of shares held in subsidiary undertakings during the year.

At  30th  April  2012,  the  ESOP Trust  owned  60,000  (2011  –  160,000)  ordinary  shares  of  10p  in  the
Company at cost, with a market value of £144,000 (2011 – £457,600). Dividends on these shares have
been waived.

The ESOP can provide benefits to all employees of the Group.

15,000 shares in the ESOP were under option at the balance sheet date:

Number of
shares

Number of
option holders

Exercise price Date of grant

Exercisable from Expiry date

15,000

2

£1 total

28.04.11

28.04.11

27.04.21

15. Inventories and 
work in progress

Finished goods for resale
Work in progress
Less: progress payments received and receivable

Group

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

12,148
299
(232)

12,217
420
(354)

12,215

12,283

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales amounted to £21,432,000
(2011 – £20,858,000).

31

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

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Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 32

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

16. Trade and other 
receivables

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Trade receivables
Other receivables 
Forward foreign currency contracts
Prepayments and accrued income

Group

Company

2012
£’000

–
6,188
976
268
1,462

2011
£’000

–
9,357
1,238
787
1,258

8,894

12,640

2012
£’000

5,898
–
96
–
192

6,186

2011
£’000

5,105
–
439
–
569

6,113

As at 30th April 2012 the Group had trade receivables of £1,838,000 (2011 – £5,060,000) which were
past due but not individually impaired. The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

Up to 3 months past due
3 to 6 months past due
6 to 12 months past due
Over 12 months past due

2012
£’000

1,734
77
–
27

1,838

2011
£’000

4,205
853
2
–

5,060

As at 30th April 2012 the Group had trade receivables of £521,000 (2011 – £687,000) which were past
due and individually impaired. The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

75
48
32
366

521

2012
£’000

1,162
62
(535)
(114)
(29)

109
88
467
23

687

2011
£’000

539
705
(23)
(64)
5

546

1,162

2012
£’000

2,773
1,801
1,347
267

6,188

2011
£’000

5,518
2,357
1,177
305

9,357

Up to 3 months past due
3 to 6 months past due
6 to 12 months past due
Over 12 months past due

Movements in the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

At beginning of year
Provided during the year
Receivables written off as uncollectable
Unused amounts reversed
Exchange differences

At end of year

The Group’s trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling
Euro
US Dollar
Other

32

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 33

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

17. Cash and cash
equivalents

For the purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise the 
following:

Cash at bank and in hand
Bank overdrafts

Group

Company

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

7,132
(834)

–
(2,149)

–
(2,267)

6,298

(2,149)

(2,267)

2012
£’000

8,519
–

8,519

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. The fair value of cash and
cash equivalents are considered to be their book value.

Group

Company

18. Current liabilities

Bank overdraft
Trade payables
Accruals
Provisions
Payments received on account
Corporation tax
Other taxes and social security costs
Other payables

The movement in provisions is as follows:

At 1st May
Paid in the year
Recognised in the year

At 30th April

2012
£’000

–
3,529
2,649
–
1,216
438
722
2,948

2011
£’000

834
4,121
3,596
205
1,209
388
836
2,446

11,502

13,635

2012
£’000

2,149
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2,149

2011
£’000

2,267
–
16
–
–
–
–
–

2,283

Group

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

205
(205)
–

–

606
(606)
205

205

A provision of £205,000 in relation to restructuring of an overseas operation was recognised at the date
of the previous statement of financial position.

The Group’s overdraft facilities are secured by an unlimited multilateral company guarantee and a first
fixed and floating charge over all assets of the Company.

19. Deferred taxation

Deferred taxation has been provided as follows:
Accelerated capital allowances on property, plant and equipment
Excess of depreciation over capital allowances on property, plant and equipment
Short-term temporary differences
Tax losses

Group

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1,081
(149)
(1,250)
(744)

82
(127)
(1,209)
(118)

(1,062)

(1,372)

Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of all tax losses and other temporary differences
where the directors believe it is probable that the assets are recoverable.

This is made up as follows:
Deferred taxation included in non-current assets
Deferred taxation included in non-current liabilities

(1,062)
–

(1,372)
–

(1,062)

(1,372)

33

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 34

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

19. Deferred taxation

continued

Movements in provisions:
At 1st May
Charged to the income statement – continuing operations
Credited directly to other comprehensive income
Translation adjustment

At 30th April

Deferred taxation
£’000
£’000

(1,372)
385
(57)
(18)

(1,639)
246
(50)
71

(1,062)

(1,372)

The deferred income tax (credited)/charged to other comprehensive income during the year is as follows:

Fair value reserves in shareholders’ equity:
Cash flow hedge reserve
Deferred tax on long-term loan foreign currency movements

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

(140)
83

(57)

202
(252)

(50)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in
which the liability is settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted
or substantively enacted by the date of the statement of financial position. The measurement of deferred
tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the
Group expects, at the reporting date, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax
assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation
authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

20. Financial instruments

The financial instruments of the Group as classified in the financial statements as at 30th April 2012 can
be analysed under the following IAS 39 categories:

Group

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Forward foreign currency 
contracts

Total

Assets at fair value
through profit or loss

Loans and
receivables

Total

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

–
–

268

268

–
–

787

787

7,164
8,519

10,595
7,132

7,164
8,519

10,595
7,132

–

–

268

787

15,683

17,727

15,951

18,514

Liabilities at fair value
through profit or loss

Other financial
liabilities

Total

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Bank overdraft

Total

–
–

–

–
–

–

6,178
–

6,178

7,922
834

8,756

6,178
–

6,178

7,922
834

8,756

The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise of cash, short-term deposits, bank overdrafts, bank
loans,  forward  foreign  currency  contracts  and  various  items  such  as  trade  and  other  receivables  and
trade and other payables that arise directly from its operations.

Forward  foreign  currency  contracts  are  carried  at  fair  value,  measured  using  level  2  of  the  fair  value
hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels: Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within Level
1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from
prices);  and  Level  3  – inputs  for  the  asset  or  liability  that  are  not  based  on  observable  market  data
(unobservable  inputs). The  fair  value  of  forward  foreign  currency  contracts  is  based  on  broker  quote,
derived from the quoted price of similar investments.

34

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

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Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 35

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

20. Financial instruments

continued

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are interest rate risk, liquidity risk, credit 
risk and foreign currency risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks
and they are summarised below. These policies have remained unchanged.

Interest Rate Risk
The Group has a seasonal cash flow that moves between net cash and net debt in the course of each
year. The Group is exposed to cash flow interest rate risk on floating rate deposits and bank overdrafts.

Liquidity Risk
The  Group’s  objective  is  to  maintain  an  appropriate  balance  between  continuity  of  funding  and
flexibility through the use of multi-currency overdrafts and bank loans. The Group has various borrowing
facilities  available  to  it  amounting  to  £3.0 million  (2011  –  £3.0  million).  The  undrawn  committed
facilities available at 30th April 2012 in respect of which all conditions had been met at that date total
£3.0 million (2011 – £3.0 million). Group borrowing facilities are reviewed annually with HSBC.

The Group’s trade and short-term creditors all fall due within 60 days. At 30th April 2012 the Group’s
trade  payables  were  £3.5 million  (2011  –  £4.1  million)  and  trade  receivables  were  £6.2  million
(2011 – £9.4 million) giving a ratio of 1.8 (2011 – 2.3). This, together with the Group’s unused borrowing
facility, constitutes a very low liquidity risk.

Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument
fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Group is mainly exposed to credit risk from credit sales. It
is  Group  policy,  implemented  locally,  to  assess  the  credit  risk  of  new  customers  before  entering
contracts. Such credit ratings are taken into account by local business practices.

In the Product Division credit risk is spread over a large number of customers and historically bad debt
experience  has  been  extremely  low.  In  the  Decorating  Division  it  is  not  unusual  to  undertake  large
projects  which  can  give  rise  to  significant  debtor  balances  from  time  to  time.  Risk  is  reduced  by
requiring a 50% deposit at the start of the project and a further 25% deposit prior to completion.

Credit  risk  also  arises  from  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  deposits  with  banks.  For  banks,  only
independently rated parties with minimum rating “A” are accepted.

Foreign Currency Risk
Due  to  the  international  nature  of  its  operations,  the  Group  faces  currency  exposures  in  respect  of
exchange rate fluctuations against sterling. The most significant of these is the US where revenue in US
dollars represents 43% of Group revenue from continuing operations.

The majority of the US subsidiary’s revenue is sourced by imports from the UK and Europe. This revenue
is  invoiced  in  US  dollars. The  Group  minimises  the  currency  translation  exchange  risk  by  the  use  of
forward foreign currency contracts. The fair value of these contracts at 30th April 2012 is detailed below.

The  Group’s  profit  is  reduced  by  approximately  £75,000  for  every  one  cent  deterioration  in  the
US dollar against Sterling. The Group has a natural hedge between Euro costs and Euro revenues but
this is dependent on maintaining Euro revenue at current levels.

About 30% of Group revenue from continuing operations is to customers in countries other than the UK
and US. Most of this revenue is invoiced in the currencies of the countries involved. The Group does
not hedge currency exposures on this revenue using forward foreign currency contracts as any exchange
rate risk is considered to be insignificant due to the offsetting effect of imports.

The Group has continued its policy of not hedging statement of financial position translation exposures
except to the extent that overseas liabilities, including borrowings, provide a natural hedge. It is also the
Group’s policy not to hedge income statement translation exposures.

The statements of financial position of overseas operations are translated into sterling at the closing rates
of  exchange  for  the  year  and  any  exchange  difference  is  dealt  with  as  a  movement  in  the  foreign
exchange  reserve.  The  income  statements  of  overseas  business  are  translated  at  an  average  rate  of
exchange.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
The Group uses forward foreign currency contracts to forward-buy and sell foreign currency in order to
hedge  future  transactions  and  cash  flows. The  Group  is  party  to  forward  foreign  currency  contracts
denominated in US dollars to eliminate transactional currency exposures on future expected revenue in
the US.

At 30th April 2012, the Group was in three forward foreign currency contract arrangements to sell US
dollars. The hedged transactions are expected to occur in 2012/13.

35

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 36

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

20. Financial instruments

continued

The fair value of the Group’s forward foreign currency contracts at the date of the statement of financial 
position is as follows:

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Fair value of forward foreign currency contracts – asset

268

787

Capital Disclosures
The directors consider the Group’s capital to consist of its share capital and reserves.

The Group’s objective when maintaining capital is to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going
concern so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.

To  the  extent  that  the  Group  considers  it  has  surplus  capital  it  has  been  Group  policy  to  return  this  to
shareholders through share buy backs.

Other Financial Instruments
The book amount for trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, bank overdrafts, and trade
and other payables with an expected life of 12 months or less, is considered to reflect its fair value.

Company

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables

Total

Financial liabilities
Bank overdrafts

Total

Loans and
receivables

Total

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

5,994

5,994

5,544

5,544

5,994

5,994

5,544

5,544

Other financial
liabilities

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Total

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2,149

2,149

2,267

2,267

2,149

2,149

2,267

2,267

The Company acts as a holding company for the Group’s subsidiaries and does not trade. Its financial
instruments  comprise  cash,  bank  overdraft,  amounts  receivable  and  payable  from  subsidiary
undertakings and other receivables and payables.

The Company faces interest rate risk on its bank overdraft and liquidity risk on managing cash flows from
its subsidiary undertakings. The Company participates in a Group wide multi-currency overdraft facility
of £3.0 million (2011 – £3.0 million) which is available to the UK companies in the Group.

36

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 37

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

21. Share capital

Ordinary shares of 10p each

£3,300,000

£3,300,000

£1,391,000

£1,405,000

Number of shares

33,000,000

33,000,000

13,910,000

14,050,000

Authorised

Allotted, called up
and fully paid

2012

2011

2012

2011

Allotted, called up and fully paid

2012
Number

2012
£

2011
Number

2011
£

Ordinary shares of 10p each
At beginning of year
Purchase of own shares for cancellation

14,050,000
(140,000)

1,405,000
(14,000)

14,705,000
(655,000)

1,470,500
(65,500)

At end of year

13,910,000

1,391,000

14,050,000

1,405,000

Details  of  share  options  and  shareholdings  of  Directors  are  shown  in  the  Directors’  Report  on
pages 8 to 10.

Share options over the ESOP shares are shown in note 14 on page 31.

During the year the Company purchased 140,000 ordinary shares in the market for cancellation, for a
consideration of £342,000, representing approximately 1.0% of the issued share capital at the start of
the year.

22. Reserves

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity:

Reserve

Description and purpose

Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption
ESOP share
Share based payment Difference between cost and fair value of ESOP options granted.
Merger

Amount subscribed for share capital at nominal value.
Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.
Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares.
Weighted average cost of own shares held by the ESOP trust.

Retained earnings

Foreign exchange

Cash flow hedge

Premium on shares issued to fund acquisitions prior to 1999, which was used
for write-off of goodwill on consolidation.
Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated income
statement less distributions made.
Unrealised cumulative net gains and losses arising on the retranslation of the
opening net assets and loans of overseas subsidiary undertakings.
Unrealised gains and losses, net of deferred tax, arising on the revaluation of
forward foreign currency contracts at the date of the statement of financial
position.

23. Share-based payment

The Group operates an equity-settled share based remuneration scheme for directors and employees.
Share options vest immediately but the shares cannot be sold for a minimum of three years. The shares
in this scheme are disclosed in the table below.

Outstanding at 1st May

Granted during the year
Exercised during the year

Outstanding at 30th April

2012
Weighted
average
exercise
price

2012

Number

2011
Weighted
average
exercise
price

2011

Number

£1 total

115,000

£1 total

235,000

£1 total
£1 total

–
(100,000)

£1 total
£1 total

15,000
(135,000)

£1 total

15,000

£1 total

115,000

All of the options outstanding at the beginning and end of the year had vested and were exercisable.
Each tranche of options is exercisable for a total consideration of £1.

The weighted average share price (at date of exercise) of options exercised during the year was 242.0p
(2011 – 249.9p).

No options were granted during the year. The weighted average fair value of each option granted during
the previous year was 286.0p.

37

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 38

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

23. Share-based payment

continued

Share based payment charge
In calculating the share based payment charge for the previous year, the market value of the shares at
the  date  of  grant  was  used  as  an  approximation  of  the  fair  value  of  the  share  options  issued  as  the
exercise price is minimal. This charge was discounted at a rate of 15% to take into account the fact that
the shares under option cannot be sold within three years of the date of grant.

The share-based remuneration expense (note 6) comprises:
Employee share option scheme

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

–

36

The Group did not enter into any share-based payment transactions with parties other than employees
during the current or previous year.

24. Commitments under
operating leases

At  30th  April  2012  the  Group  had  total  commitments  under  non-cancellable  operating  leases  as 
follows:

Within one year
Between two and five years
Over five years

2012

2011

Land and
Buildings
£’000

Other
£’000

Land and
Buildings
£’000

3,563
10,607
8,582

22,752

50
65
–

3,334
11,318
10,606

115

25,258

Other
£’000

36
19
–

55

The majority of leases of land and buildings are subject to rent reviews every 5 years.

25. Pension commitments Group  companies  make  pension  contributions  for  eligible  employees  to  group  personal  pension
schemes.  These  schemes  are  independently  administered.  The  pension  cost  charge  represents
contributions payable by Group companies to the schemes during the year and amounted to £293,000
(2011 – £252,000).

The  Group’s  US  subsidiary  Cowtan  & Tout  operates  a  funded  defined  benefit  pension  scheme. This
scheme relates to the acquisition of Jack Lenor Larsen on 1st July 1997. The scheme was closed to new
members on 31st December 1997. Existing members’ current pension contributions were transferred to
a defined contribution scheme and hence all future benefits became fixed on the date the scheme was
closed. The most recent actuarial valuation of the fund was on 30th April 2012 using the projected unit
credit method. As the scheme is closed to new members and all benefits have been frozen, assumptions
concerning  inflation  and  the  rate  of  increase  of  salaries,  pensions  and  deferred  pensions  are  not
applicable. The rate used to discount scheme liabilities was 5% (2011, 2010 – 5%). The market value
of investments at 30th April 2012 was £699,000 (2011 – £699,000, 2010 – £741,000), all of which have
an expected long term rate of return of 5% (2011, 2010 – 5%). Due to the nature of the investments,
the  actuarial  value  of  the  assets  and  the  market  value  are  the  same.  The  present  value  of  scheme
liabilities  at  30th  April  2012  was  £952,000  (2011  – £940,000,  2010  –  £1,061,000),  resulting  in  a 
net  pension  liability  of  £253,000  (2011  – £241,000,  2010  –  £320,000).  An  accrual  of  £253,000 
(2011  –  £241,000,  2010  – £320,000)  covering  the  unfunded  actuarial  accrued  liability  is  included 
in  the  Group  statement  of  financial  position  together  with  a  related  deferred  tax  asset  of  £101,000 
(2011 – £96,000, 2010 – £128,000).

A total of £52,000 in actuarial losses (2011 – £36,000 gains) and a total of £11,000 (2011 – £15,000)
in finance charges were recognised in Group operating expenses in the year.

38

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 39

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

25. Pension commitments The fair value of the assets in the scheme and the expected rate of return at 30th April 2012 were:

continued

Cash and cash equivalents
Fixed income
Equities

Total market value of assets
Present value of scheme liabilities

Net pension liability

Reconciliation of plan assets:

At beginning of year
Exchange gain/(loss)
Expected return
Contributions by Group
Benefits paid
Actuarial (loss)/gain

At end of year

Reconciliation of plan liabilities:

At beginning of year
Exchange loss/(gain)
Interest cost
Benefits paid
Actuarial loss

At end of year

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

–
264
435

699
(952)

(253)

–
350
349

699
(940)

(241)

2010
£’000

116
350
275

2009
£’000

25
311
274

741
(1,061)

610
(1,095)

(320)

(485)

2008
£’000

14
335
286

635
(867)

(232)

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

699
19
35
58
(89)
(23)

699

2012
£’000

940
26
46
(89)
29

952

741
(62)
35
35
(90)
40

699

2011
£’000

1,061
(85)
50
(90)
4

940

History of experience gains and losses:

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Actual return less expected return on scheme
assets (£’000)
As a % of plan assets

Experience (losses)/gains on scheme 
liabilities (£’000)
As a % of plan liabilities

(23)
(3.3%)

40
5.7%

81
10.9%

(173)
(28.4%)

(6)
(1.0%)

(29)
3.0%

(4)
0.4%

(39)
3.7%

27
(2.5%)

(11)
1.3%

26. Guarantees

The Company has given an unlimited guarantee to HSBC Bank plc to secure all the present and future
indebtedness and liabilities to the Bank of the Company, Colefax and Fowler Incorporated and Cowtan
& Tout Incorporated. There is a cross guarantee between the Company and each of its U.K. subsidiaries
in respect of their overdraft facilities. At 30th April 2012, the value of subsidiary overdrafts covered by
the guarantee amounted to £nil (2011 – £nil).

39

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 40

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T E S   T O   T H E   A C C O U N T S
For the year ended 30th April 2012

27.

Related party
transactions

The Company undertook the following transactions with its subsidiary undertakings in the year:

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Interest charged on long-term loans to Colefax and Fowler Holdings Limited

187

171

At the year end the following amounts were owed to the Company by its subsidiaries:

Colefax and Fowler Holdings Limited
Colefax and Fowler Limited
Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler Limited
Kingcome Sofas Limited
Manuel Canovas SAS

2012
£’000

7,651
4,127
1,708
62
–

2011
£’000

7,651
2,432
358
90
2,224

13,548

12,755

40

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 41

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

F I V E   Y E A R   R E V I E W

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

2008
£’000

Revenue from continuing 
operations

70,399

77,722

69,188*

75,076*

77,789*

Profit from continuing operations

3,151

6,448

4,387

2,918

6,859

Profit before taxation 
from continuing operations

3,148

6,521

4,388

2,911

6,720

Profit attributable to shareholders

2,195

4,573

2,376

1,830

4,065

Basic earnings per share 
from continuing operations

Diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations

15.8p

33.0p

21.6p

14.1p

31.0p

15.8p

32.8p

21.2p

13.5p

29.4p

Dividends per share

3.85p

3.85p

3.10p

2.88p

4.20p

Equity

26,254

25,460

23,055

21,133

19,229

Operating cash flow

7,115

7,759

5,429

5,176

6,956

Cash and cash equivalents

8,519

6,298

5,472

3,078

2,419

* Restated

41

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 42

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T I C E   O F   M E E T I N G

Notice  is  hereby  given  that  the  2012  Annual  General  Meeting  of  Colefax  Group  plc  will  be  held  at
19-23  Grosvenor  Hill,  London  W1K  3QD  on  11th  September  2012  at  11.00  a.m.  to  transact  the  following
business:

Ordinary Business
1.

To receive, and if thought fit, to adopt the audited Annual Accounts of the Company for the year ended
30th April 2012, together with the reports of the Directors and of the auditors thereon.

2.

3.

4.

5.

To declare a final dividend of 2.00p per ordinary share.

To re-appoint BDO LLP as auditors of the Company from the conclusion of this Annual General Meeting
until the conclusion of the next general meeting of the Company at which accounts are laid.

To authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the auditors.

To re-elect R. Barker, who retires by rotation, as a Director.

Special Business
To  consider  and,  if  thought  fit,  to  pass  the  following  resolutions  of  which  resolution  6  will  be  proposed  as  an
ordinary resolution and resolutions 7 and 8 will be proposed as special resolutions.

6.

THAT  in  place  of  all  existing  authorities  (save  to  the  extent  relied  upon  prior  to  the  passing  of  this
resolution),  the  Directors  be  generally  and  unconditionally  authorised  pursuant  to  section  551  of  the
Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”):

(a)

(b)

to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into
shares in the Company up to a maximum nominal amount of £463,666 for a period expiring
(unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting) at the earlier
of the date falling 15 months following the date of the Annual General Meeting and the end of
the next annual general meeting of the Company, save that the Company may before expiry of
this authority make an offer or agreement which would or might require shares to be allotted,
or rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares to be granted, after expiry of this
authority  and  the  Directors  may  allot  shares,  or  grant  rights  to  subscribe  for  or  convert  any
security into shares, in pursuance of that offer or agreement as if this authority had not expired;
and

in  addition,  to  allot  equity  securities  (within  the  meaning  of  section  560  of  the  Act)  in
connection with a rights issue in favour of holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as
may be) to their respective holdings of ordinary shares (but subject to such exclusions or other
arrangements  as  the  Directors  consider  necessary  or  expedient  in  connection  with  treasury
shares,  fractional  entitlements  or  any  legal  or  practical  problems  arising  under  the  laws  or
regulations of, or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange in, any territory)
up  to  a  maximum  nominal  amount  of  £463,666  for  a  period  expiring  (unless  previously
renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting) at the earlier of the date falling
15 months following the date of the Annual General Meeting and the end of the next annual
general  meeting  of  the  Company,  save  that  the  Company  may  before  expiry  of  this  authority
make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after
expiry of this authority and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of that offer
or agreement as if this authority had not expired.

7.

THAT, subject to the passing of resolution 6 above and in place of all existing powers, the Directors be
generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”)
to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority
granted by resolution 6 above as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment. This power
shall be limited to:

(a)

the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer of such securities or an invitation
to apply to subscribe for such securities (whether by way of rights issue, open offer or otherwise)
in favour of holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as may be) to their respective
holdings  of  ordinary  shares  but  subject  to  such  exclusions  or  other  arrangements  as  the
Directors  consider  necessary  or  expedient  in  connection  with  treasury  shares,  fractional

42

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 43

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T I C E   O F   M E E T I N G

entitlements  or  legal  or  practical  issues  under  the  laws  of  any  jurisdiction  or  territory  or  the
regulations or requirements of any regulatory or stock exchange authority in any jurisdiction or
territory; and

(b)

the  allotment  (other  than  pursuant  to  sub-paragraph  (a)  above)  of  equity  securities  up  to  an
aggregate nominal amount of £69,550.

This  power  shall  expire  on  the  earlier  of  the  date  falling  15  months  following  the  date  of  the Annual
General  Meeting  and  the  conclusion  of  the  next  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Company,  but  the
Company may before the expiry of this power make an offer or agreement which would or might require
equity securities to be allotted after expiry of this power and the Directors may allot equity securities in
pursuance of that offer or agreement as if this power had not expired.

This power also applies in relation to a sale of treasury shares, which is an allotment of equity securities
by virtue of section 560(3) of the Act as if in the first paragraph of this resolution the words “subject to
the passing of resolution 6 above” and “pursuant to the authority granted by resolution 6 above” were
omitted.

8.

THAT the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with Section 701 of the
Companies Act (the “Act”) to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4)
of the Act) of ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital of the Company (“ordinary shares”) provided that:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares authorised to be purchased is 15% of the
issued ordinary share capital per annum up to a maximum of 4,774,004 shares over a five year
period;

the minimum price which may be paid for an ordinary share is 10p;

the maximum price which may be paid for an ordinary share is an amount equal to 105% of
the average of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share as derived from The London
Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the day on
which that ordinary share is purchased;

this authority expires on the fifth anniversary of the date of the passing of the resolution; and

the Company may make a contract to purchase ordinary shares under this authority before the
expiry of the authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of the
authority, and may make a purchase of ordinary shares in pursuance of any such contract.

By order of the Board
R. M. Barker BSc ACA
Secretary
25th July 2012

Registered Office
39 Brook Street
London W1K 4JE

43

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report Text_11602 Colefax Annual Report Text  26/07/2012  14:40  Page 44

COLEFAX GROUP PLC

N O T I C E   O F   M E E T I N G

Notes:

1. A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is entitled to appoint another person as his or her proxy to exercise
all or any of his or her rights to attend, to speak and, both on a show of hands and on a poll, to vote in his or her stead at
the meeting. A proxy need not be a member of the company but must attend the meeting in person. The appointment of a
proxy does not preclude a member from attending and voting in person at the meeting should he or she subsequently decide
to do so. A form of proxy which may be used is attached.

2. A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation to a meeting, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise

the rights attached to a different share or shares held by him or her.

3.

4.

To be valid, a form of proxy together with, if applicable, the power of attorney or other authority under which it is signed,
or  a  certified  copy  thereof,  must  be  received  by  Computershare  Investor  Services  plc  at The  Pavilions,  Bridgwater  Road,
Bristol, BS99 6ZY not later than 11.00 a.m. on 8th September 2012.

The  company,  pursuant  to  Regulation  41  of  the  Uncertificated  Securities  Regulations  2001,  specifies  that  only  those
shareholders registered in the register of members of the company as at 6.00 p.m. on 8th September 2012 shall be entitled
to attend or vote (whether on a show of hands or on a poll) at the meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in
their name at the time. Changes to entries on the register after 6.00 p.m. on 8th September 2012 (or after 6.00 p.m. on the
day which is two days before any adjourned meeting) shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend
or vote at the meeting.

5. As at 24th July 2012 (being the last business day prior to the date of this notice) the company’s issued share capital consisted
of  13,910,000  ordinary  shares  each  carrying  one  vote  per  share.  Accordingly  the  total  number  of  voting  rights  in  the
company as at 24th July 2012 were 13,910,000.

6. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies for the meeting or any adjournment thereof by utilising the CREST
electronic  proxy  appointment  service  may  do  so  by  following  the  procedures  described  in  the  CREST  Manual
(www.euroclear.com/CREST).  CREST  personal  members  or  other  CREST  sponsored  members  and  those  CREST  members
who have appointed a voting service provider(s) should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will
be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf.

In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a
“CREST  Proxy  Instruction”)  must  be  properly  authenticated  in  accordance  with  Euroclear  UK  &  Ireland  Limited’s  (EUI)
specifications  and  must  contain  the  information  required  for  such  instructions,  as  described  in  the  CREST  Manual. The
message,  regardless  of  whether  it  constitutes  the  appointment  of  a  proxy  or  an  amendment  to  the  instruction  given  to  a
previously appointed proxy, must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer’s agent (ID 3RA50)
by the latest time(s) for receipt of proxy appointments specified in this notice. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be
taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Application Host) from which
the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time
any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other
means.

CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that EUI does not
make  available  special  procedures  in  CREST  for  any  particular  message.  Normal  system  timings  and  limitations  will
therefore apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned
to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member or sponsored member or has appointed (a) voting service
provider(s),  to  procure  that  his  CREST  sponsor  or  voting  service  provider(s)  take(s))  such  action  as  shall  be  necessary  to
ensure  that  a  message  is  transmitted  by  means  of  the  CREST  system  by  any  particular  time.  In  this  connection,  CREST
members  and,  where  applicable,  their  CREST  sponsors  or  voting  service  provider(s)  are  referred,  in  particular,  to  those
sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.

The  company  may  treat  as  invalid  a  CREST  Proxy  Instruction  in  the  circumstances  set  out  in  Regulation  35(5)(a)  of  the
Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.

7. Any member attending the meeting has the right to ask questions.

8.

If a shareholder has a general query about the Annual General Meeting or wishes to give the Company prior notification of
any question he wishes to ask at the Annual General Meeting, he should call our shareholder helpline on 0870 889 3295
if calling within the United Kingdom or +44 870 889 3295 if calling from outside the United Kingdom. The Shareholder
Helpline  is  available  from  8.30  a.m.  and  5.30  p.m.  Monday  to  Friday  (except  public  holidays). The  cost  of  calls  to  the
helpline vary depending on the service provider. Calls to the helpline from outside the United Kingdom will be charged at
applicable international rates. Calls may be recorded and monitored for security and training purposes.

44

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 11
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

11602 Colefax Annual Report IFC & IBC_11602 Colefax Annual Report IFC & IBC  20/07/2012  10:43  Page 2

Printed by Park Communications on FSC certified paper.

Park Communications is an EMAS certified CarbonNeutral® Company and its Environmental
Management System is certified to ISO14001.

Job No.: 11602
Customer: Colefax Group plc

Proof Event: 9
Project Title: Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Park Communications Ltd Alpine Way London E6 6LA
T: 020 7055 6500 F: 020 7055 6600

Head Office: 19/23 Grosvenor Hill, London W1K 3QD  
Tel: 020 7493 2231  Fax: 020 7495 3123