Quarterlytics / Ceres Power

Ceres Power

cwr · LSE
Claim this profile
Ticker cwr
Exchange LSE
Sector
Industry
Employees 201-500
← All annual reports
FY2019 Annual Report · Ceres Power
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
C

e

r

e

s

P

o

w

e

r

H

o

l

d

i

n

g

s

p

l

c

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

2

0

1

9

Power for a  
Changing World

9
1
0
2

ANNUAL 
REPORT

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   3

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:12:10

 
 
 
 
 
 
26723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14To view the SteelCell®, the 1kW or the 5kW stack download the SteelCell® 3D App from the App Store or Google Play.Ceres Power Holdings plc is a world-leading technology  company with the capability to deliver clean, scalable, combustion-free power.We work with global pioneering companies to embed our SteelCell® technology into their mass-market energy products that serve commercial, data centre, automotive and residential markets. Through our customers, we can equip manufacturers, industry and governments to help solve climate change and accelerate the world’s transition to clean affordable energy.OUR PRODUCT: STEELCELL®Fuel cells are the most efficient technology for converting fuel to power. Fuel-flexible Solid Oxide Fuel Cells that operate on natural gas and biogas today, as well as future fuels like hydrogen, are among the most sought-after power generation technologies in the world and Ceres Power’s SteelCell® is endorsed by multiple world-leading engineering companies.HOW IT WORKS In simple terms, SteelCell® is a perforated sheet of steel with special screen-printed ceramic layers. Using an electrochemical reaction, these can convert a variety of fuels directly into electrical power. Ceres Power’s core technology platform is protected by 50 patent families and is attracting the attention of manufacturers and system companies around the world.Welcome to our 2019  Annual ReportFor further information within this document and relevant page numbersAdditional information onlineNAVIGATING THE REPORTSTEELCELL® 3D VISUALISERRead more online at  www.cerespower.comAIM: CWR I www.cerespower.comCeres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   401/11/2019   12:12:1326723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14A HIGH QUALITY TEAM WITH A STRONG TRACK RECORDA STRONG FINANCIAL POSITIONContentsSTRATEGIC REPORT2 Chairman’s statement3 Highlights4 At a glance6 The global opportunity8 Our strategy9 Our key performance indicators10 Our business model12 Our manufacturing strategy14 Our strategy in action16 Chief Executive’s review20 Q&A with Phil Caldwell21  Chief Financial Officer’s statement22 Principal risks and uncertainties24 SustainabilityGOVERNANCE27  Board of Directors & Executive team30  Chairman’s corporate  governance report32 Corporate governance report37 Remuneration Committee report43 Directors’ reportFINANCIAL STATEMENTS45 Independent auditor’s report51  Consolidated statement of  profit and loss and other  comprehensive income52  Consolidated statement of  financial position53 Consolidated cash flow statement 54  Consolidated statement of  changes in equity55  Notes to the consolidated  financial statements83 Company balance sheet84  Company statement of  changes in equity85  Notes to the Company  financial statements89 Directors and advisors142536ENABLING A  LOW CARBON FUTUREMULTIPLE APPLICATIONS, MULTIPLE GEOGRAPHIESA WORLD-LEADING TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMWORLD-CLASS PARTNERSRead about sustainability on pages 24 and 26Read about our partners on pages 14 and 15Read about our marketplace on pages 6 and 7Read about our financials on pages 19 and 21Read about our technology on page 4Read about our governance on pages 30 and 31A strong propositionnotes-heading-level-onenotes-heading-level-twonotes-heading-level-threenotes-heading-level-fournotes-straplinenotes-text-body• notes-list-bullet• notes-list-bespoke −notes-list-dashd. notes-list-alpha5. notes-list-numbervi. notes-list-romanBack StylesHeadingHeadingHeadingTable plain textDefaultDefaultDefaultBackground123Border123Border123STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201901Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   101/11/2019   12:12:3026723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Ceres is playing a leading role in providing solutions that slash emissions and air pollution, for industry, data centres, transportation and everyday living.2019 marked an inflection point for Ceres, when plans and potential began to translate into tangible delivery and measurable gains. Our close links with two of the world’s major players in engine manufacture developed into two significant commercial licences and a commitment to form a manufacturing joint venture with Weichai in China.Successful capital raising also ensured that our investment plans are fully funded, freeing us to concentrate on the growth of the business. We also widened our partner portfolio and, with our Japanese partner Miura Co. Ltd, will reach the first commercialisation of our technology in Q4 2019. Market potentialCeres is playing a leading role in providing technology that cuts emissions and air pollution, for transportation, industry, data centres and everyday living. The SteelCell® solid oxide fuel cell’s capability to deliver much more efficient power than centralised generation, and with minimal emissions, comes to market as both governments and industry recognise climate change as a clear and present danger. The UK Government is the first G20 country to legislate towards meeting a net-zero emissions target by 2050, and the EU is debating following suit. In Japan, there are now more than 300,000 ENE-Farm domestic energy units installed, heated and powered by fuel cells and, at next year’s Tokyo Olympics, there will be a fleet of 100 fuel-cell-powered buses to transport spectators.The Korean Government has announced a target of 15GW of stationary fuel cell capacity by 2040, and to put 80,000 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on its roads within the next three years. China, with its targets to reduce emissions and to counter considerable issues over air pollution in their cities, also has an active programme for new electric vehicles, including buses. These types of measures, in territories that are focus areas for Ceres, come in addition to a myriad of urban and national targets, controls, incentives and penalties worldwide. Their effects can be seen driving new low-carbon, low-pollutant strategies. For example, Volkswagen has announced that its final generation of combustion engines will roll off the line in 2026 signalling the end of its internal combustion engine era. During the year, the industry saw an increased level of investment in fuel cell technology, led by corporates with financial institutions following, as was the case with Ceres Power. The fuel cell market is projected to reach US$25 billion by 2025. Operational activityDuring FY2019, we continued to strengthen our relationships with leading global OEMs.In particular, our relationships with Weichai, one of the world’s leading automotive companies, and Bosch became even stronger. In Japan, we provide the fuel cell system for Miura’s new 4.2kW CHP system, to be launched later this year; and in Korea, just after the close of the financial year, we added Doosan, one of the world’s largest producers of fuel cell systems, to our partner portfolio. We also continue development projects with Cummins and Honda. Each of these collaborations brings new learning and insight, and during the year we were delighted to appoint Dr Haoran Hu from Weichai to the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Ceres will benefit from his wealth of experience in the power and technology sectors, and his distinguished record of commercialising technology.ESGAs our business grows, we are determined to manage our growth while focusing on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. As a business rooted in environmental improvement, this comes naturally to us. For the first time, we are reporting our progress against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and have defined our own ESG policy, further details of which can be found on  page 24. ConclusionThis excellent year is once again the product of the powers of our people: their drive to innovate, their passion for challenge and their commitment to bring to market ever-more sustainable solutions. We attracted many new professionals to our team during the year and will create a further 60 high-skilled manufacturing roles as we open our new £8 million fuel cell manufacturing facility in early 2020 in Redhill, UK. I thank everyone for their contribution, along with all our commercial partners, as we look forward to even greater things in FY2020.ALAN AUBREYCHAIRMAN1 October 2019Chairman’s statementAIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com02Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   201/11/2019   12:12:34Chairman’s statement

Highlights

Commercial
Fourth licence partner added
 − First product launch: Miura Co. to use Ceres’ SteelCell® in fuel cell combined 

heat and power (CHP) product launch for commercial use in Japan

133%

Revenue and other 
income growth

£71.3m

Fully funded cash

£8.0m

Manufacturing 
facility on track

 − Strategic partnerships signed with Bosch and Weichai including equity 

investment and licensing

 − Post financial year-end: new system licence and joint development 

agreement worth £8.0 million with Doosan

 − Order book1 of £28.4 million (at report date). 

Technology and Operations
New capacity and efficiency gains
 − UK blueprint manufacturing facility (CP2) on track for production from 
January 2020. An £8.0 million investment with 60 new skilled jobs

 − Increasing number of systems under licence (5kW, 10kW and 30kW)

 − SteelCell® achieved key milestone of 60% net efficiency, twice that of a 

conventional gas engine and greater than a centralised megawatt-scale gas 
turbine. 

Financial
Revenue doubles for fourth consecutive year
 − Revenue and other operating income up 133% to £16.4 million at improved 

75% gross margin

 −  Operating loss reduced to £7.9 million from £11.9 million 

 − Net cash used in operating activities down from £9.5 million to £3.1 million, 

reflecting improved operating loss 

 − Equity-free cash outflow2 up slightly from £10.9 million to £11.9 million. 
£9.0 million invested, largely on new CP2 manufacturing facility in UK

 − Raised £77.1 million of new equity (before expenses) in the year from 

strategic partners and financial institutions 

 − Cash and short-term investments of £71.3 million at 30 June 2019. Well 

financed to execute our plans. 

Read about our performance on 
pages 16 to 19

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

I

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

1  Order book is the contracted commercial revenue and grant income scheduled to be realised in future years. There is no comparable figure disclosed in 
the financial statements as this figure represents future anticipated revenue and other operating income. Management use order book and pipeline as a 
performance measure indicator as they believe that it is a useful indicator of the Group’s commercial progress. 

2  Equity free cash outflow is the net change in cash and cash equivalents in the year (£1.2 million) less net cash generated from financing activities (£76.8 

million) add the movement in short-term investments (£63.7 million). Management use equity free cash outflow as an alternative performance measure to 
the net change in cash and cash equivalents as they believe that it is a more relevant and comparable measure of the overall cash flows of the Group as it 
excludes any funding activities or changes in investments.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

03

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   3

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:12:34

 
 
26723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Read about our business model on pages 10 to 11Who we are and what we doWe are the developer of the groundbreaking SteelCell® – a low cost, non-combustion power generation technology.The key differentiators of the SteelCell® −SteelCell® is a leading alternative to conventional combustion engines and power generation −Fuel-flexible, it can operate on natural gas now and could switch seamlessly to hydrogen and other sustainable fuels in the future −SteelCell® is highly efficient, robust and cost-effective to mass-manufacture −Produces low or even zero carbon emissions and with no particulates, NOx or SOx −SteelCell® offers cheaper and cleaner energy, as well as the ability to operate in multiple markets −Protected by over 50 patent families.The SteelCell® is a compelling proposition in a world that is working to tackle air pollution and climate change.ApplicationsIn addition to Ceres’ 1kW stack which historically was associated with residential, micro-combined heat and power, we have developed a 5kW stack. Being modular and with improvements in performance, it has opened opportunities in the commercial, data centre and vehicle sectors. We continue to take this progression to new levels, and are currently developing systems up to 30kW in size.Our Unique Technology – The SteelCell®Ceres Power provides unique fuel cell technology which is borne out of Imperial College, London. We are a high-growth UK technology company with around 240 employees. Our licensing model focuses on being a high-margin, asset-light enterprise.A fuel cell is a power generation unit that produces, with no combustion, an electric current from a chemical reaction. It is the most efficient way to convert fuel to power. Fuel cell generation results in energy with low or even zero CO2 produced (depending on the fuel used) as well as clean air with no particulates, SOx or NOx emissions.The SteelCell® is a perforated sheet of steel with special screen-printed ceramic layers that convert fuel directly into electrical power at the point of use. This enables a switch from centralised  to distributed energy generation for business, homes and transport. At a glanceAIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com04Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   401/11/2019   12:12:3626723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Our geographic progressRead about our marketplace on pages 6 and 7“ We are embedding the SteelCell® into the leading manufacturers and OEMs across the world to enable them to deliver clean power.”EUROPE −June 2019: UK Government became the first G20 country to legislate for a net-zero emissions target by 2050 −Many cities already have aggressive bus transportation policies  (e.g. London, Paris, Madrid and Athens) where only zero emission buses can be bought from 2025 −Incentive schemes in place for small-scale micro-CHP systems US −Twenty-four States have committed to uphold their emissions commitments despite the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement  −States with targets include Connecticut (renewable and fuel cell technologies to produce 40% of power by 2030) and California (60% by 2030)  −US Federal Investment Tax Credit (30% in 2018) and state incentives and regulations introduced for stationary fuel cell systemsSOUTH KOREA −300MW stationary fuel cell capacity in operation at the end of 2018  −Targeting fuel cell power generation to reach 15GW by 2040  −Setting increasing renewable power production targets (6% in 2018, 10% by 2023) for Korea’s largest power generatorsJAPAN −The world’s most mature fuel cell market  −Government goal of 5.3 million residential combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell units, and 1GW of CHP for commercial and industry sectors by 2030 −50,000 fuel cell CHP systems installed in 2018, with a total installed base of 300,000CHINA −Has introduced subsidies and zero-emission zones to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions in cities −Current Five-Year Plan has supported fuel cell market through transport subsidies of up to US$74,000 per bus in 2018 −1,000 fuel cell commercial vehicles  sold in 2018, targeting 1 million fuel  cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on the roads by 2030Macro −The market size for fuel cells is projected to grow to $25 billion by 2025 −228 global cities, with a combined population of 436 million people, have already set greenhouse gas reduction goals and targets. Many have net-zero emissions targets by 2050, and goals of 80% reductions by 2030.At a glanceSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201905Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   501/11/2019   12:12:4526723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14The global opportunityTotal addressable marketMarket Ceres’ current applications −30kW range extender for buses  −Applicable for wider range of commercial vehicles −Bosch 10kW system − Ceres prototype developed under US Department of Energy (DoE) −Ceres working with Bosch on 10kW modular system −Miura commercial sector 4.2kW product launch in Q4 2019 (first Ceres commercialisation)  −1kW prototype −Other early stage relationships100 GW300 GW>50 GWMacro drivers of the global opportunitySteelCell® addresses multiple marketsAIR QUALITY −The World Health Organization estimates that around seven million people die every year due to exposure to fine particles in polluted air  −Main causes of air pollution include combustion technologies  −Coal-fired power is being phased out in the UK, but coal consumption continues to rise worldwide −Nine of the 10 hottest years ever recorded have taken place since 2005  −There is now an urgent global challenge to significantly decarbonise the energy and transport systems  −Need to balance decarbonisation with enabling the addition of electric vehicles and renewable energy −Major car manufacturers now announcing end-dates for combustion engine production  −High pollutants such as SOx and NOx are particularly damaging to health and environments  −Regulations to ban diesel and petrol engines are entering into force around the world, including the UK, many EU countries, South Korea, India, Taiwan, Japan, and the world’s largest car market – ChinaCLIMATE CHANGECOMBUSTION ENGINESDECENTRALISED POWERTRANSPORTDATA CENTRESAIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com06Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   601/11/2019   12:13:1926723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14The global opportunityApplicationsIn vehicle −Acts as a range extender to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for larger vehicles  −Can perform with different fuels Out of vehicle −Can generate power at point of BEV recharge, avoiding upgrades to distribution network −Data centres require high power densities for power and cooling requirements −Clean power provided by fuel cells brings simplicity, lower cost, improved efficiency and much lower carbon footprint −50% decrease in physical infrastructure on site (simpler energy supply chain, less site equipment to maintain, waste heat re-use, elimination of electrical distribution) −Natural gas today, hydrogen tomorrow. Versatility on path to net zero  −Balances renewables and provides grid reinforcement  −More efficient than other power generation  −Can decarbonise heat  −Modular platform from 1kW in homes to 10s/100s kW for commercial usesWhy the SteelCell® −With costs at record lows and still decreasing, renewable energy is disrupting centralised generation  −Battery electric vehicles will increase demand from the grid  −Grid reinforcement will be needed for a resilient charging infrastructure  −Fuel cells provide flexible distributed power −The electrification of energy and transport is accelerating  −The challenges are balancing intermittency and long-term energy storage  −Electrochemical, combustion-free solutions such as batteries and fuel cells are well positioned −Producing power through fuel cells at the point of use is significantly more efficient and offers flexibility to balance intermittency −This results in 30% lower cost, low or even zero carbon and zero NOx, SOx and particulates  −These reductions can be achieved across commercial, residential and transport applicationsELECTRIFICATIONBALANCING RENEWABLESDISTRIBUTED POWERSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201907Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   701/11/2019   12:13:20Our strategy

Our strategic vision

To bring cheaper, cleaner energy to business, homes 
and vehicles by embedding our SteelCell® technology 
in the power products of world-class companies.

Link to 
KPIs

1   2  
3

2   4

Strategic Objective Description

Performance To Date

Planned Future Actions

COMMERCIAL 

PROGRESS 

WITH NEW 

AND EXISTING 

CUSTOMERS

ESTABLISH 
STEELCELL® 
TECHNOLOGY AS 

THE INDUSTRY 

STANDARD

We have customers at different 
levels of contract with us. 
Our objective is to bring as 
many as possible through to 
commercialisation. 

We aim to delight our 
customers, both through the 
performance of our technology 
and our service to them. 

We aim to attract multiple 
system partners and OEMs to 
drive demand of the SteelCell® 
in volume. We can either 
accelerate their system designs 
with Ceres IP or rely on them to 
develop systems independently. 

We are targeting world-class 
manufacturing partners in key 
regions to supply the SteelCell® 
to multiple system partners. 

We focus on all our 
customers and licence 
agreements. To make 
sure we can deliver 
on their programmes, 
we have expanded our 
engineering team to 
support them.

We have developed 
a 5kW stack to feed 
higher power and 
a range of modular 
systems for different 
applications. 

With our growing 
customer base we 
need to provide cell 
and stack capacity to 
meet our near-term 
customer programmes. 
We are therefore 
scaling up our UK 
production to meet 
their demand. 

We will continue to add 
new customers and focus 
on delivering on existing 
programmes. 

We continue to create 
new systems with better 
performance and power 
output. We may also look 
to partner with system 
integrators to assist with 
different applications for 
our technology. 

The additional 
manufacturing capacity 
created in our new 
facility in Redhill is due 
to come on stream in 
January 2020. We will also 
support our partner Bosch 
in building their initial 
manufacturing plant in 
Bamberg, Germany. 

MAINTAIN

TECHNOLOGY 

LEADERSHIP 

We aim to establish our 
SteelCell® technology as the 
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) 
technology of choice for 
the world’s leading OEMs, 
setting the standard within 
the industry. We also want to 
retain leadership as a system 
developer. 

We will also continue to 
innovate, exploring new 
applications for our core 
technologies and capabilities 
alongside our current fuel cell 
offering.

5

We have developed 
the SteelCell® with the 
potential to be one of 
the most robust and 
lowest cost fuel-flexible 
fuel cells in the world. 

We have a large and 
experienced team 
of electrochemists, 
scientists and engineers 
capable of innovating 
new products in 
new electrochemical 
applications.

We will continue to 
develop our stacks and 
systems to further their 
maturity, performance, 
cost and lifetime. 

We will continue trialling 
the 5kW SteelCell® stack 
in real-life applications to 
prove its maturity. 

We will explore new 
applications for our 
technology in adjacent 
markets.

08

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   8

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:13:20

Our strategy

Our key performance indicators
Headline

The Board monitors the Group’s progress against its strategic objectives and the financial 
performance of the Group’s operations.
The following details the principal key performance indicators (KPIs) used by the Group.  
We utilise both financial and non-financial KPIs to measure performance. 
Financial KPIs

1

2

3

Revenue & other income 

Partners at JDA and Licensing 

Order book and pipeline 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

£4.1m

£1.7m

£0.9m

£7.0m

£16.4m

2019

2018

4

2

6

6

2017

1

2016

3

2

Description:
Ceres Power has doubled revenue for 
four successive years.

Description:
Doosan and Bosch join Weichai and 
Miura as our licensing partners.

Link to strategy 
We anticipate continued high-quality 
revenue growth going forwards.

Link to strategy 
System licensees will drive volume for 
our manufacturing partners.

Key

 Licence 
 JDA

Non-financial KPIs

4

5

Overall manufacturing capacity 

Power density 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

230kW

150kW

120kW

110kW

500kW

2018

2016

2014

2012

237

163

109

100

Description:
Stack manufacturing capacity from 
Ceres and its partners. 

Link to strategy 
The capacity helps customer 
programmes to achieve their goals, 
and we expect this to increase next 
year as our Redhill plant and Bosch’s 
facility come on stream.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

Description:
Improvement since 2012 at cell level. 
The power density has been indexed 
with the baseline being the 2012 
technology release to customers. 

Link to strategy 
This is a key focus of our 
development which can translate into 
improvements in cost, power and 
efficiency.

£78.7m

£46.5m

2019

£28.4m

2018

£29.8m

2017

2016

£3.2m

£1.7m

2015

£0.6m

Description:
Order book and pipeline at the date of 
signing the accounts. ‘Order book’ refers 
to confirmed contracted revenue and 
other income, while ‘pipeline’ is contracted 
revenue and other income which 
management estimate is contingent upon 
options not under the control of Ceres.

Link to strategy 
Gives the Company confidence that 
it can continue to grow and approach 
commercialisation.

Key

 Order book

09

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

I

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   9

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:13:20

 
 
26723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Our business modelInnovation and developmentWe continue to invest in, and improve, our SteelCell® technology and systems to maintain our leadership position in fuel cells and to leverage our electrochemistry expertise.We improve the performance, power density, life and cost of the core technology, both through investment in core material science and improving manufacturing processes.We research and develop higher-efficiency systems,  for a range of fuels and new applications.Joint development programmesInitially, we work with our partners to showcase the potential of our technology for their businesses. This acts as a catalyst for joint development programmes to embed the SteelCell® into their products through system design collaboration. Manufacturing partnersSystem/ OEM partnersMANUFACTURING PARTNERSteelCell®  stacks  (Royalty per kW)AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com10OEM PARTNERSteelCell® products(Royalty  per kW)TECH TRANSFERADVANCE LICENCE FEESADVANCE LICENCE FEESTECH TRANSFERCeres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1001/11/2019   12:13:3126723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Our business modelValue created  for stakeholdersWIDER SOCIETYWe aim to play a central role in the global transition to clean, affordable power to help tackle climate change and air pollution. Creating power through the SteelCell® emits low or even zero carbon, as well as zero particulates, SOx or NOx. SHAREHOLDERSWith Ceres Power, investors can participate in a high-growth opportunity, with a globally-critical purpose and a culture that is heavily aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. EMPLOYEESCeres Power is an inspiring place to work and our people are as dynamic, flexible and innovative as our technology. Work is challenging and exciting as we collaborate with some of the world’s most progressive companies and offer excellent career progression. We believe in equal opportunities for everyone from everywhere, and offer excellent training and development. SUPPLIERS AND PARTNERSCeres Power’s commercial strategy aligns growth and profit with our partners and suppliers, as we target the significant  total addressable market of global energy. We receive royalties for every product sold.Technology  transfer and licensingRoyalties for product sales We license our core technology and system design to partners, and share our technology to enable them to develop products and scale production.−		We	provide	cell	 and stack IP−		We	receive	licence	fees and engineering revenue−		We	provide	system	IP−		We	receive	licence	fees and engineering revenue−		Manufacturing	partners sell stacks to OEM partners−		We	receive	royalties	for every stack sold−		OEM	partners	sell	systems to end-users−		We	receive	royalties	for every system soldSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201911End customerSystemCeres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1101/11/2019   12:13:4126723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Our manufacturing strategy1-10MW VOLUMEHIGH VOLUMELOW VOLUMECERES–HORSHAMCERES–NEW MANUFACTURING SITE (CP2)Cell1kW Stack5kW StackCell and StackManufacturing Partner ActivitiesAIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com12CP2: our new blueprint plant As a company with an asset-light licensing model, it may seem counter-intuitive that we are currently constructing an  £8 million manufacturing plant. Indeed, when it opens in January 2020, this new ‘CP2’ facility in Redhill will give Ceres a 2MW capability to manufacture 200,000 cells – enough capacity before manufacturing partners come on stream – expandable to 10MW (one million cells) if needed. However, its primary role will be to serve as a blueprint plant. Jim Falla, COO, explains: “This new facility is about helping our customers to market. With CP2, we can fulfil smaller manufacturing runs to advance a new product. But as importantly it will enable us to demonstrate physical, complete and functioning metal-to-cell production lines. Our larger partners can then inspect and evaluate them and, with complete confidence, replicate and scale them up at their own sites to produce cells in mass industrial volumes.”Our team is already working with our partner Bosch in Germany to build an essentially identical line there, with an ultimate objective to scale up in time. CP2 is creating around 60 skilled UK jobs. It also comes as Ceres has launched a 5kW stack in addition to the current 1kW option; recruited new customer-facing quality specialists; scaled up our supply chain; and is preparing for ISO 9000 certification. The new plant marks a maturity in our development as we draw on two discrete centres of excellence: in R&D (at Horsham HQ), and in manufacturing and process development (at CP2 in Redhill) where we will develop the next generation of automation, quality and throughput.Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1201/11/2019   12:13:4826723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Our manufacturing strategySteelCell® and  Stack supplyManufacturing Licence Fees and RoyaltiesCERES–HORSHAMCERES–NEW MANUFACTURING SITE (CP2)JOINT VENTURE/MANUFACTURING PARTNERManufacturing Partner ActivitiesSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201913Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1301/11/2019   12:13:5226723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Weichai PowerWeichai Power is part of the Weichai Group, one of the leading automotive and equipment manufacturing companies in China. Partially state-owned, the Group is listed on the Main Board of both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges with a market cap of over £10 billion. Among numerous interests, the Weichai Group manufactured over 600,000 engines and 150,000 heavy duty vehicles in 2018. Weichai has a strong track record of making strategic investments in businesses around the world. These include KION Group AG (MDAX-listed) in Germany, Ferretti in Italy, Société Internationale des Moteurs Baudouin in France and Power Solutions International lnc. in the US. In December 2018, our two companies finalised the long-term strategic collaboration which was first announced in May 2018. Alongside a total investment of £48 million for a 20% interest in Ceres Power, the agreement provides us with important access to the Chinese market, the world’s fastest growing market for fuel cells. Our joint development of a 30kW SteelCell® range-extender system, using compressed natural gas (CNG) for electric buses, is underway. Both companies have also committed to create a fuel cell manufacturing Joint Venture in China, anticipated in late 2020. The Licence Agreement and JDAs in place are worth up to £39 million in revenues to Ceres Power. Weichai has an 18 month standstill until 27 January 2020 under which it may not acquire more than 20% of Ceres Power’s issued share capital and an 18 month holding period until 3 June 2020.Our strategy in actionBoschThe Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services, with interests in nearly every country in the world. It employs roughly 410,000 associates worldwide and generated sales of €78.5 billion in 2018. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy & Building Technology. It is a leading Internet of Things (IoT) company and offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility and connected manufacturing.Our strategic collaboration, which began in August 2018, builds on Ceres’ unique SteelCell® technology and combines our two companies’ respective areas of expertise in fuel cells, manufacturing and product development. Under the agreement, we will further develop the technology and Bosch will establish initial low-volume production in Germany, with the goal of enabling a future scale-up and mass-manufacture of the SteelCell® for use in multiple applications. These will include creating small power stations to be used in cities, factories, data centres and charge points for electric vehicles. The Collaboration and Licence Agreement, which includes joint development agreements, marked a major milestone in Ceres’ progression and is worth around £20 million in revenue up to the end of 2020. Our close working relationship has ensured that preparations for low-volume production at Bosch are well underway. In addition, Bosch made a £9 million equity investment in Ceres in 2018. AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com14Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1401/11/2019   12:14:0626723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14DoosanIn July 2019, just after the close of FY2019, Ceres Power and Doosan signed a Collaboration and Licensing Agreement to jointly develop a 5-20kW power system, initially targeting the Korean commercial building market. The agreement includes licensing, technology transfer and engineering services. Doosan has also taken a system-level licence of the SteelCell® technology to develop a low carbon 5-20kW power system. The agreement is worth £8 million over two years. South Korea is one of the world’s leading fuel cell markets with a supportive regulatory regime and ambitious long-term targets. The South Korean Government recently announced several initiatives to promote increased use of renewable generation and hydrogen technology. As part of this aim it is targeting fuel cell manufacture for power generation to reach an output of 15GW by 2040; a significant increase on its 300MW capability today. Doosan is a world leader in the fuel cell industry and has added the SteelCell® to its portfolio of other fuel cell technologies (PAFC and PEM). Doosan’s existing stationary fuel cell business exceeded 1 trillion won (c. US$850 million) in orders for the first time in 2018, just three years after entering the market. Our two companies plan to explore expanding the collaboration to include more applications in South Korea and internationally, as well as possibly including manufacturing.MiuraMiura Co. Ltd is on the point of launching the first fuel cell product using Ceres SteelCell® technology. Field trials in Japan are underway and the first commercial launch is expected with a select number of customers in Q4 2019. The 4.2kW combined heat and power (CHP) product will target the commercial building sector in Japan. Japan is one of the most advanced markets in the world for fuel cells and a key target market for Ceres. Miura is Japan’s leading industrial boiler manufacturer with revenues of over US$1 billion. They operate in a supportive climate: the Japanese Government has a clear hydrogen strategy and recognises the important role that fuel cells can now play for a low carbon future.Ceres first started working with Miura in December 2016 with system-level tech transfer and this commercialisation follows a successful joint development programme based on Ceres’ SteelCell® SOFC technology. The imminent launch is a case example of Ceres’ business model, focused on multi-year development partnerships with global OEMs to develop products using Ceres Power’s technology. Ceres receives income from three streams: licence fees for the initial use of the system technology, engineering fees during product development and royalties at commercialisation. Our strategy in actionSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201915Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1501/11/2019   12:14:1026723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Chief Executive’s reviewWe can look back on FY2019 with a great deal of pride. The collective effort of our teams, the strength of our technology and the important foundations laid in previous years all combined to see us double our revenues – an achievement we have now recorded for four successive years. This progress has been broadly based. Commercially, we continue to attract new partners in new dynamic territories, such as South Korea, and to deepen relationships with world-class manufacturers who will give our technology the global platform it deserves. Operationally, we are scaling up, and the fit-out of our new Redhill manufacturing reference facility is on schedule to commence production in January 2020. Technologically our R&D continues to find measurable ways in which our products can deliver even more. As a result, we finished the year with revenues and other income up by 133% to £16.4 million. The Group also has a strong order book of £28.4 million, a pipeline worth more than £50 million and an investment programme that is fully funded with £71.3 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits at the year end. Market dynamicsJust as climate change and its threats are now being recognised by governments worldwide, so fuel cell technology is regarded as a key asset in mitigating the causes of climate change and air pollution. Our SteelCell® product is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) – a technology that has multiple applications providing decentralised electricity for offices, homes and powering datacentres as well as for electric vehicles. With its key attributes of conversion efficiency, versatility and exceptionally competitive production cost, SteelCell® met with notable success during the year in becoming a technology of choice with world-class OEMs. Critically, Ceres Power also has firm relationships in the main territories where SOFC technology is growing rapidly: these include Japan, China, the US, the EU and, perhaps the most active market for fuel cells, South Korea. Excellent commercial progressCeres’ growth strategy is driven by licensing our technology to global OEM partners, and generating royalties as those partners achieve full-scale commercialisation. We therefore benefit from an asset-light business model with a favourable margin. Our success is directly linked to that of our licensees, and our teams can regularly be found on-site at customers’ sites in Germany, China, Japan and Korea, helping to implement technology transfer and drive application development. During the year, we achieved significant steps forward in our commercial deals with four licensees:• Bosch. We had been working with Robert Bosch through a joint development agreement (JDA) in the previous financial year, and in FY2019 we strengthened that relationship with a Collaboration and Licence Agreement. This provides significant staged revenues to Ceres from the date of contract signing in August 2018 to the end of 2020, amounting to around £20 million. The collaboration injects momentum and resources as we develop our technology, while also establishing low-volume production of our SteelCell® technology at Bosch in Germany – the precursor to a potential scale-up to high volume production. Our success is directly linked to that of our partners, and our teams can be regularly found at customer sites in Germany, China, Japan and Korea.AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com16Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1601/11/2019   12:14:14•  Weichai Power. This major 
Chinese automotive and 
equipment manufacturer has a 
market cap in excess of US$10 
billion, and among multiple 
interests, its output includes some 
600,000 engines a year.

In December 2018, we were proud 
to finalise a long-term strategic 
collaboration with Weichai 
that was initially announced in 
May 2018. The landmark deal 
includes a licence agreement, a 
joint development agreement 
worth £9 million to Ceres, and 

a commitment to form a JV to 
invest in a new high-volume fuel 
cell manufacturing facility. The 
licence agreement will generate 
technology transfer payments of 
up to £30m for Ceres, separate 
from ongoing future royalties. 

Following a successful technology 
transfer and the licensing of 
system-level technology, we 
announced in September 2019 
that the combined team has 
produced a first prototype 30kW 
SteelCell® range extender system 
for demonstration in an electric 

city bus utilising widely available 
compressed natural gas fuel. 

This successfully marks the 
completion of the initial joint 
development agreement between 
Ceres and Weichai and our teams 
are now focused on developing 
the next stage system to go on 
bus field trials in 2020. Following 
these field trials, Weichai and 
Ceres intend to establish a fuel 
cell manufacturing joint venture 
in Shandong Province, China to 
manufacture SteelCell® SOFC 
systems.

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

I

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

CASE STUDY

South Korea: a progressive market for SOFCs 

The economy of South Korea is one of the world’s great transformation stories. 

A largely agricultural country as recently as the mid-1900s, South Korea today is an economic superpower, built on its pre-
eminence in industries such as electronics and superconductors. 

It has also pioneered the use of fuel cells to power its development, society and climate improvement. 

Tony Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer, comments: “The Korean Government has shown clear leadership with its 
Renewable Portfolio Standard. This mandates that green energy makes an increasing contribution to the country’s energy 
needs.” 

We see growth for our SOFC technology in the South Korean market from two principal sources. The first is in Seoul, the 
capital city with over 10 million people at its heart and 25 million overall. Legislation requires that an increasing proportion 
of the electricity serving all new-build high rises must come from clean power. But this poses a conundrum: there is not 
enough roof space to locate solar cells – the only viable and truly renewable option – in the quantities needed to meet this 
threshold. Fuel cell technology therefore provides an efficient and highly practical addition to the mix. 

The second growth area lies in power generation, where 35% of input to the grid must come from renewable and fuel 
cell sources by 2040. A leading industrial player, Doosan, is serving part of this need with phosphoric acid fuel cells, but 
in their search for greater efficiency they have licensed Ceres Power’s SOFC technology. We are now working on a joint 
development programme to engineer power solutions in the 5-20kW range, for use in South Korea and, in time, other 
markets such as the UK, EU, US and South East Asia. This £8 million agreement (excluding royalties) includes technology 
transfer, licence fees and engineering services. 

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

17

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   17

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:14:15

 
 
Chief Executive’s review

CASE STUDY

SteelCell®: a solution for today 
and tomorrow 
On a planet that is seeking to control and reverse the effects of 
climate change, you could regard the Ceres SteelCell® as being 
usefully “omnivorous”. 

Its solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology converts fuel to 
electrical power using both current or future fuels – those fuels 
can be natural gas, biofuel, or indeed hydrogen, whether pure 
or in a blend. 

Today, natural gas is abundant and projections point to a 
continued rise in consumption for years to come. Yet in nations 
such as the UK, Germany and Italy, decarbonising heat is a 
stated priority of their respective governments. In Germany, 
for example, they are looking to raise the permitted hydrogen 
content of gas supplies delivered over the grid from 10% to 20%. 

Hydrogen may indeed prove to be crucial to the future; in fact, 
Shell recently projected that by 2075, the hydrogen market 
could be three times greater that of oil and gas. Mark Selby, 
CTO of Ceres Power says: “Hydrogen opens up many exciting 
possibilities and we have demonstrated that in combination 
with SOFC technology, it could play a major role in a zero-
carbon future.” 

Ceres is developing a hydrogen-only prototype (based on our 
SteelGen micro-CHP reference design) showing that tomorrow’s 
fuel cell systems could be smaller, lighter and lower cost than 
systems that need to “extract” hydrogen from natural gas. 

These early results suggest a potentially much lower cost while 
delivering the same efficiency, in a compact unit that is around 
half the size as well. Yet this could still provide heat and power 
for the home, and export enough electricity to operate a typical 
family electric vehicle.

Like Bosch, Weichai is also a direct 
investor in Ceres Power; raising 
its shareholding in the business 
to 20%, bringing its total equity 
investment to £48.1 million. 

•  Miura Co., Ltd. Japan’s largest 

industrial boiler manufacturer has 
been working with Ceres since 
2016 to develop an SOFC CHP 
unit for the commercial market. 
Operating on the main gas supply 
and capturing heat as hot water, 
the overall efficiency of the 
system reaches 90%, delivering 
both major energy savings and 

a lower carbon footprint. This 
product will have a soft market 
launch in Q4 2019, marking 
a milestone for Ceres as the 
first commercialisation of our 
SteelCell® technology. 

•  Doosan. Immediately following 
the financial year-end, Doosan 
Corporation signed a two-year 
collaboration and licensing 
agreement with Ceres. Doosan 
has established itself as a world 
leader in the fuel cell industry 
and the agreement with Ceres 
brings solid oxide technology 

to its current fuel cell portfolio. 
Doosan’s existing stationary fuel 
cell business exceeded 1 trillion 
won (c. $850 million) in orders 
for the first time in 2018. The 
deal is worth £8 million to Ceres 
over two years and marks our 
entry into the progressive Korean 
market with the potential to 
expand the partnership to new 
applications and manufacturing. 

We continued to make good progress 
with leading players Cummins 
and Honda in joint development 
programmes. Separately, there was 

18

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   18

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:14:16

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

I

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

I would like to place on record my 
thanks to this exceptional team, 
who have excelled on every front: 
from serving the needs of our 
main licensees, here in the UK and 
away on-site; to the design, project 
management and build of CP2; to the 
performance increases achieved with 
our technology and achieving high 
quality manufacturing of fuel cells 
for our partners; to attracting new 
licensees including, at the close of the 
year, the global leader Doosan. 

Outlook
We are absolutely focused on the 
needs and expectations of our 
licensees, for whom operational 
excellence, added value and robust 
delivery are key. Alongside this, we are 
aware and prepared for the challenges 
of scaling up, launching CP2, and 
not only refining our technology but 
adapting it for further and future 
applications. 

We are proud to be setting the pace 
and standards for SOFC technology 
and playing our part in addressing the 
major challenges of climate change 
and air quality and look forward 
to extending our technology to a 
widening portfolio of global partners 
and applications. 

PHIL CALDWELL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
1 October 2019

a participant change to a Ceres 
programme funded by the UK’s 
Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). 
Our original planned partner Nissan 
chose not to proceed for its own 
business reasons, but we were pleased 
to announce that Weichai has come 
on board in their place. The project 
focuses on our fuel cell technology 
for EVs and, in particular, larger 
commercial vehicles. 

Technology 
As a technology licensing company, 
we are judged on our capacity to 
innovate. In essence, this requires 
us to excel in two areas. Firstly, we 
must continually mature and refine 
the products we have already created 
and ensure our licensees are getting 
the very best from them. Secondly, 
we must break new ground, applying 
restless and rigorous R&D maintaining 
our leading position in SOFC. 

Our R&D team continues to develop 
the next generation (V6) of our core 
technology, with a focus on reducing 
manufacturing stages and increasing 
power density, whilst reducing cost. 
We are also engineering the next 
design of our 5kW stacks, as well, 
utilising our capabilities in energy 
conversion technology. 

Operations
Our strategy is not for Ceres Power 
to become a mainstream fuel cell 
manufacturer, but an asset-light 
creator and licensor of our technology. 
However, a certain manufacturing 
scale is required to service our 
partners, and to define and prove 
processes that they can then replicate 
on a much greater scale – such as 
our current technology transfer 
programme with Bosch in Bamberg, 
Germany. 

To meet these needs, which require 
more than we can service with our 
existing R&D lines in Horsham, we 
have installed the UK’s first SOFC 
manufacturing blueprint plant in 
Redhill, UK. CP2 will have an initial 
capacity of 2MW per year – sufficient 
to meet our near-term needs, and act 
as a reference design for our partners 

– who will typically be looking to 
install volumes 100 times that capacity 
per site, using our licensing model. 
CP2 is on track to commence fuel cell 
production in January 2020.

Strong financials 
The business achieved excellent 
commercial growth of revenue and 
other income of 133% in the reporting 
year, driven principally by licence 
revenues from our main partners. 

We expect licence fees to represent 
a high proportion of our revenues 
over time, which is significant as they 
deliver excellent gross margins. This 
period, a higher proportion of license 
activity delivered gross margin of 74%, 
substantially ahead of our target of 
maintaining margins above 50%. 

We also successfully raised £77.1 
million of new equity from strategic 
partners and via a private placing with 
institutions during the year. This leaves 
us in the strong position of being fully-
funded for our investment plans and 
frees the management team to focus 
on growing the business. 

However, we are also looking to grow 
sustainably, striking a careful balance 
between targeting profitability and 
making essential investments for our 
long-term future – such as in the 
new CP2 facility, additional talent 
and further R&D. Our underlying 
operational cash outflow has reduced 
significantly, reflecting our increasing 
revenues and the careful balance we 
are striking. 

Please see our CFO’s report on 
page 21

Our people
During the year we welcomed around 
70 new professionals into the business, 
predominantly technicians and 
engineers. We have now doubled our 
workforce since 2017 to 240, a figure 
that includes 30 different nationalities 
and a positive gender split. 

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

19

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   19

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:14:17

 
 
26723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Read about the marketplace on pages 6 and 7Read about sustainability on pages 24 to 26Read about performance on pages 16 to 19PHIL CALDWELL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERWe offer a world-leading and pioneering technology that meets the needs for electrification and clean distributed energy. Q A&with Phil CaldwellQWhy have some of the world’s largest engineering and technology companies chosen to partner with Ceres?ACustomers are looking for a future-proof technology that is scalable and can grow over time. They like the cost potential of the SteelCell® and stack. We offer a world-leading and pioneering technology that meets the needs for electrification and clean distributed energy. We have significant expertise in electrochemistry, engineering and manufacturing and we offer a solution for now and for the future energy state. We offer long-term strategic collaboration. QIs the SteelCell® zero carbon?AYes it is, by using biofuels and hydrogen, and even with natural gas it delivers power with much reduced carbon. This technology performs with both today and tomorrow’s fuels. It can use renewable fuels such as biomethane or bioethanol as well as hydrogen or a hydrogen-mix in the gas grid. QSurely other fuel cell technology exists, why Ceres’ SteelCell®?AAt a basic level fuel cell technology is not a new idea, it was first invented in 1838. So absolutely, other technologies exist. Over the past year we have seen a concentration of investment in two key types; proton-exchange membrane (PEM) and the solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that is Ceres’ solution. Importantly, the SteelCell® is an advanced SOFC solution that has the same benefits of efficiency and fuel-flexibility as others, while also being affordable and robust. We are reassured that when global companies have sought an SOFC solution, Ceres has been the partner of choice. Our vision is to set the industry standard in fuel cell technology.QWhat are the immediate priorities for the Company?AOur number one priority is continuing to support our customers and delivering on the ambitious programmes we have in place to take their products to market. Our new CP2 manufacturing facility is on track to go live in early 2020, and this will play an important role in supplying customers with sufficient stacks until they can start their own manufacturing in volume. QLooking to the future, what excites you? AAs this year’s report has highlighted, we are at a tipping point for the business where we see a clear path forward to capitalise on our technology. That is testament to the enormous efforts and talents of our team, the strength and depth of our customer partnerships and the support of our shareholders. I am most excited by the opportunity to share in our success and to continue to progress and adapt our technology for future applications.AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com20Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   2001/11/2019   12:14:1826723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14IntroductionI am pleased to report a strong financial performance in FY2019; a year in which we exceeded expectations and doubled our revenues for the fourth year in succession. Top-line growth of revenue and other operating income stood at 133%.This reflects the strides the Company has made in securing business with world-class partners, with nearly half of our revenues generated by licence fees from our partners Bosch and Weichai. It is also worth noting that these licence fees helped deliver excellent overall gross margins – 75% in FY2019. This confidence in Ceres was echoed by our success in attracting £77.1 million into the business, via a private placing and from strategic partners (before expenses). This strong endorsement of our technology and strategy enables the management team to focus on developing the business and to maximise its potential. Investing in peopleAlongside excellent licence fees during the year, our engineering services made a significant contribution to revenues. This reflects the expansion of our engineering teams who deliver our joint development programmes. Examples included working with Weichai to create a prototype 30kW system and the project for Bosch to industrialise our stacks. We expect to see an increased demand for engineering services in the coming year, and regard it as crucial that we are resourced to provide the specialist skills our customers need to advance their products to market. As a licensor, we also have a constant need to be able to allocate teams to continually improve our product and break new ground. For both these reasons, we will continue to invest in high-calibre people, both in engineering and manufacturing. We exited FY2019 with around 240 people, an increase of 30% over the prior year. A steadily maturing businessFor the first time, we have capitalised a proportion of our development costs (£1.3 million), reflecting our confidence in the commercialisation potential we see in our technology. This milestone was met as a result of the Bosch and Weichai contracts signed in late 2018 and this change takes effect from 1 January 2019. This positive move can be fairly seen as a milestone as we evolve as a business.The operating loss reduced to £7.9m in FY2019 (2018: £11.9m) as a result of growth in our gross margin, driven by the increase in revenue and a change in the revenue mix, which was offset by the increase in cost base due to our investment in people and our new manufacturing centre in Redhill. This facility (“CP2”), with a budget of £8 million, accounts for most of our capex in the year and it is currently on track to open in January 2020. The facility should not be seen as a separate operational entity; Ceres provides complete packages of work to our customers to enable them to licence and commercialise our technology, and CP2’s role will be as an enabler. As well as serving the early stage manufacturing needs of partners, CP2 will allow us to fully demonstrate and prove technology to our manufacturing licensees, en route to their taking our IP and scaling up their own manufacturing to industrial volumes. Equity free cash outflow1 stood at £11.9 million, similar to the previous year (£10.9 million), although the more representative measure of net cash used in operating activities (which excludes cash flows from investing activities) was considerably reduced at £3.1 million (2018: £9.5 million). Our cash position for the year was £71.3 million. This is in line with expectations and gives us firm foundations on which to plan, develop and grow. Taken in the round, FY2019 was further evidence that we are delivering against our aim to build a robust and steadily maturing business. OutlookWe go confidently into FY2020 with the expectation that revenue will continue to grow. Growth will be largely derived from the increasing demand for engineering services as noted above and the contribution of CP2 in the second half of the year. We expect the mix of revenues to vary based on deal flow, and this mix to deliver gross margins of above 50%. With our focus firmly trained on contract delivery, we will continue to invest to ensure we have the quality and depth of resources we need in terms of people, plant and technology. RICHARD PRESTONCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER1 October 2019Taken in the round, FY2019 was further evidence that we are delivering against our aim to build a robust and steadily maturing business.Chief Financial Officer’s Statement1. Equity free cash outflow is the net change in cash and cash equivalents in the year (£1.2 million) less net cash generated from financing activities (£76.8 million) add the movement in short-term investments (£63.7 million). Management use equity free cash outflow as an alternative performance measure as they believe that it is a more relevant and comparable measure of the overall cash flows of the Group as it excludes any funding activities or changes in investments.STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201921Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   2101/11/2019   12:14:19Principal risks and uncertainties

Our approach to risk
There are a number of risks and uncertainties that have the potential to impact the execution of 
the Group’s strategy, as well as its short-term results. The Executive Directors regularly review the 
risks facing the Company, and the Board has identified those that are principal to its business due to 
their potential severity. These are identified on this page and on page 23, along with mitigations to 
reduce the likelihood of them occurring and to manage any possible impact.

Risk management process
The Board is responsible for the risk framework and aims to ensure that the Group’s ability to achieve its objectives 
outweighs its risk exposure. However, the Group’s risk management programme can only provide reasonable, but not 
absolute, assurance that principal risks are managed to an acceptable level.

The Executive Directors are responsible for identifying, managing and mitigating the risks to the Company. The 
Audit Committee reviews the processes and controls for ensuring material business risks are identified and managed 
appropriately. 

The various Board Committees review these risks and mitigations and the Audit Committee subsequently puts them to the 
Board annually for inclusion in the Annual Report.

Key business risks and mitigations in place are set out as follows: 

TREND DIRECTION 

 Increasing 

 Decreasing

ALIGNMENT  
TO STRATEGY

Maintain 
technology 
leadership

Risk

1

Core 
technology  

Description

Mitigation

Change

There is a risk that we will not be able 
to successfully develop and apply the 
Company’s core fuel cell technology to 
potential products at the right cost point or 
performance, in the time frame anticipated.

The level of this risk has been reduced 
because we have greater confidence based 
on long-term trials and ongoing validation. 

Ceres Power’s prime focus is to 
i) deliver its technology for customers, 
and ii) continually improve the 
technology to maintain technological 
advantage. We have continued to make 
progress during the year in both these 
respects. 

Stack and 
system 
technology

This risk has increased as we validate the 
stack technology in tandem with issuing 
it to customers for trials. Technical failure 
at customer trials could affect customer 
sentiment in some applications.

Targeting new markets that require 
different technical attributes and 
working in close collaboration with 
partners continues to mitigate these 
risks. 

2

Competitive 
and market

Establish 
SteelCell® 
technology 
as industry 
standard

The value proposition of our technology may 
become eroded, impacting on the Group’s 
future profitability and growth opportunities. 

This risk is net unchanged as more customers 
validate the technology; new markets such 
as EV recharging emerge; and a climate 
of changing legislation and trends against 
fossil fuels emerges, which is offset by 
some current misconceptions that Ceres 
technology only works with hydrocarbons. 

Our strategy addresses different 
geographical markets and we have 
broadened the applications available, 
mitigating failure in a single market or 
product.

We continuously monitor competitor 
activity, diversification of applications 
and market developments.

The Company is also beginning to 
show that Ceres technology can make 
a significant and valuable contribution 
to a net zero-carbon future.

Read about our strategy  
on page 8

22

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   22

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:14:19

 
I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

I

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

ALIGNMENT  

TO STRATEGY

Maintain 
technology 
leadership

Risk

3

Intellectual 
property 
protection

Commercial 
progress

4

Commercial

Commercial 
progress

5

Operational

Description

Mitigation

Change

The Group’s competitive advantage could 
be at risk from successful challenges to 
its patents, unauthorised parties using the 
Group’s technology in their own products, or 
others infringing existing intellectual property 
rights (IPRs).

This risk has risen due to increasing 
information and cybersecurity threats as our 
technology gets closer to commercialisation, 
and as we increasingly disclose more of our 
technology to partners and the supply chain. 

There is also a risk that the Group will 
unwittingly infringe valid IPRs of others, 
which could limit full commercialisation of 
the technology.

Our partners may choose not to use our 
technology in their products or go to market 
slower than anticipated.

This risk has reduced with the continued 
commercial progress and interest from 
customers. 

The Company may be unable to satisfy 
customer contracts due to supply 
chain, growth management, short-term 
manufacturing or technical issues. This 
includes the risk of disruption to our supply 
chain under some Brexit scenarios. 

This risk is net unchanged because our 
planned increase in manufacturing capacity, 
which reduces risk, is offset in the short-term 
by associated growth challenges.

We have internal procedures and 
controls in place to capture and exploit 
all intellectual property (IP) as well as to 
protect, limit and control disclosure to 
third parties and partners.

Contractual provisions with partners 
and IP insurance provide additional 
protection to the Group for agreement, 
pursuit and defence of IP. We have also 
recently focused efforts to improve our 
information and cybersecurity. 

We continually perform freedom-to-
operate searches to minimise this risk.

We continue to increase our pipeline of 
customers and have expanded market 
applications, mitigating the risk of 
individual customers choosing not to 
move forward.

Customers have continued to meet our 
expectations with their go-to-market 
ambitions.

We continually monitor our 
manufacturing processes and resources 
to best deliver programmes. We 
work with suppliers to ensure quality 
standards and timely delivery. 

We continue to monitor the Brexit 
situation closely and have taken 
mitigating action including stockpiling, 
foreign currency hedging and 
contingency planning.

We have made a significant investment 
in a new manufacturing facility 
to provide capacity for customer 
development while separating 
development activities.

Establish 
SteelCell® 
technology 
as industry 
standard

6

Supplier 
dependence

Establish 
SteelCell® 
technology 
as industry 
standard

7

Access to 
capital

Our supply chain partners may be unable 
or unwilling to co-develop or supply key 
components.

This risk has increased as we scale up 
manufacturing, although we expect this 
to reduce as our manufacturing partners 
become more active with their considerable 
supply chain strength.

We continue to work closely with our 
suppliers and partners, aiming to put 
in place strategic partnerships, where 
appropriate, and reduce the number 
of key single-source suppliers. We also 
buy stock in advance.

We accept the risk for now that some 
suppliers will be single-source.

There is a risk that the Company will be 
unable to attract further equity funding.

This risk has reduced as we are now well 
capitalised.

The Group successfully raised 
£77.1 million through equity issues in 
the year. 

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

23

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   23

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:14:19

 
 
 
26723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Environmental, Social & GovernanceAs a company whose purpose is to deliver clean, sustainable power, Ceres Power’s commitment to acting and developing sustainably lies deep in our DNA. In this reporting year we have taken a closer look at our impact on the environment and society more widely. As part of this work, we have formalised Ceres Power’s first dedicated ESG Policy, which you can see at www.cerespower.com The policy has been driven by a newly formed ESG Committee, chaired by the CEO, to ensure that we adhere to our policy objectives. Following this inaugural year, we will continue to develop the ambitious requirements established by our ESG policy and its goals. A critical part of our guidance comes from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. These goals, which are increasingly shared by investors and corporates, frame our thinking on how we can play our part in creating a better and fairer world by the UN’s target date of 2030. At the moment, we believe we are making a meaningful contribution to six of the SDGs focused on environmental impact and, more widely, to six social and governance-related goals. Our global environmental impact Our core technology, the SteelCell®, stands ready to play a significant role in the transition to a zero-carbon future. This solid oxide fuel cell technology converts fuel into power at much higher efficiency than traditional methods. It does so without combustion, producing near- or even zero-carbon emissions as well as zero-NOx, SOx or particulate air pollutants. It is also exceptionally versatile, both in its uses – whether for heating homes, or charging electric vehicles, or powering data centres – and in the variety of source fuels it can use. SteelCell® can produce clean electrical power from everyday natural gas, or biofuels (and so encourage their growth), or future fuels such as hydrogen (giving greater incentive for the world to invest in the hydrogen economy). Unlike other fuel cells, which typically use a greater amount of rare earth material, SteelCell® has recyclability at its heart. Its construction comprises 97% steel, the most widely recycled material globally and one that is largely recycled or reused again. Critically, as a licensing company, we are leading where many sustainably-driven companies can follow. We already work with mainstream global partners such as Bosch, Weichai, Doosan and Honda, who can take our technology and scale it up to provide the world with literally millions of homes, cars and businesses powered by clean energy. SteelCell® will provide communities across the globe with access to a readily available, secure and decentralised source of clean power, greatly helping to increase quality of life wherever it is installed.. RELEVANT SDGSSustainabilityIt is also exceptionally versatile, both in its uses – whether for heating homes, or charging electric vehicles, or powering data centres.AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com24Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   2401/11/2019   12:14:2826723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14CASE STUDYTransportation power generationIn May 2018 we entered into a partnership with Weichai Power, one of China’s leading automobile and equipment manufacturing companies. The objective is to further develop SteelCell® technology in China’s rapidly expanding fuel cell market, helping to address the need for decarbonisation and to improve air quality. The prospective Joint Venture we will establish with Weichai is being driven in part by the Chinese Government who have stimulated the market through subsidies and zero-emissions zones. The first field trials will include range extenders for buses which will ultimately reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, while improving public health and lowering operating costs. This partnership should also help to increase manufacturing volumes, and in turn achieve economies of scale that drive down the costs of fuel cells and make them more widely available. It is estimated that Weichai sell approximately 30,000 buses a year. By including a SteelCell® range extender they will significantly improve the sustainability of their fleet.Including a SteelCell® range extender will significantly improve the sustainability of the fleet.Our current social and governance impact As a forward-thinking company, we have also been targeting sustainability not just in our product but in our culture, philosophy and direction closer to home. We’ve reviewed key social indicators such as diversity within our workforce. In an industry that tends not to attract many female applicants, we are pleased to report that 16% of Ceres Power’s roles are held by women, compared to an industry average of 12%. This is something we want to build on. We also employ over 30 different nationalities. We believe in nurturing and investing in talent, and our training policy provides opportunities to upskill our people as we aim to attract the best minds to Ceres Power. One of our most successful schemes to date has been our graduate and intern programme. Even as a small company, we have welcomed six people onto our graduate scheme as well as nine interns over the past two years, with many going on to take up full-time roles with us. This commitment to training and opportunity will extend to new people as we open our CP2 manufacturing facility in early 2020. Over the next 12 months ‘we will review how best’ to implement a non-financial reporting system covering our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. This will help us to actively seek out opportunities to manage our environmental impact.RELEVANT SDGSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201925Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   2501/11/2019   12:14:34Sustainability

A summary of our contribution
It’s clear to us that our technology can provide real and tangible benefits globally and make a significant contribution to 
sustainable development. This is a motivating goal that inspires us to continually align our business strategy with making 
the world a better place. 

Below is a short summary detailing our activities and their contribution to the SDGs.

Environment

 − The SteelCell® creates no additional pollutants such as PM, NOx and 

SOx, minimising the negative effects energy generation can have on air 
quality and health. 

 − The philosophy of Ceres is to play a central role in the global transition 

to affordable clean power. We are passionate about our ground-breaking 
technology and ensuring it is available to all. 

 − Today the SteelCell® uses natural gas and delivers power at a 30% 

carbon reduction when compared to the combustion engine. As the 
infrastructure for tomorrow’s fuels grow, the SteelCell® switches easily 
to consume these with potential for zero carbon emissions. 

 − Our vision is to help to provide secure, clean, affordable energy to the 
next generation of cities within transport, domestic, commercial and 
data environments.

 − By harnessing the considerable efficiency gains of our technology, 

we are able to cut the energy consumption of businesses, homes and 
transport in the future, and so reduce GHG emissions. 

 − We are planning to monitor our own energy consumption, while 

continually ensuring our newest SteelCell® innovations minimise the 
impact of energy generation.

Social & Governance

 − We take the health and safety of our employees seriously. HSE is a 
standing agenda point for every plc Board meeting. Employees also 
have access to physical and mental health checks.

 − We believe in investing in people and make training programmes and 

mentors available. Our developing graduate programme, accredited by 
IMechE, trains approximately three new graduates each year.

 − We believe in promoting gender equality and outperform the industry’s 

average when it comes to male/female ratios.

 − At the heart of our technology and success are our people. Employee 
engagement is critical to attract and keep the best people and we 
aim to provide a rewarding place to work in every sense. We offer 
competitive employment packages including share options for all.

 − We have a diverse and multinational workforce of over 30 different 

nationalities, ensuring we have the best minds working at Ceres Power 
and a global cross-section of experiences and cultures. 

 − We operate at a high level of corporate governance adhering to all 

relevant legislation. 

26

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   26

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:14:39

26723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Executive teamGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 20192727STRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCECeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019PHIL CALDWELLChief Executive OfficerFind Phil’s bio on  the Board of Directors  on page 28.RICHARD PRESTONChief Financial OfficerFind Richard’s bio on  the Board of Directors  on page 28.DR MARK SELBYChief Technology OfficerMark joined Ceres Power in 2006 and is responsible for leading all aspects of the strategy and delivery of our SteelCell® technology development. Prior to joining Ceres, he was a team member of the Control & Electronics Department at Ricardo UK Limited. Mark holds degrees in Electronics, Dynamics and Control Systems awarded by the University of Leeds.Brings to the team: Unrivalled knowledge of the Ceres Power technology and system architecture. Hands-on and inspiring leadership. JAMES FALLAChief Operating OfficerJames joined the Company in March 2015, bringing with him over 20 years’ international experience in the automotive industry, where he held senior operational, engineering and programme management positions. He has deep experience of establishing operations, product launches, and operational growth and restructuring. Prior to joining Ceres Power, James was an Executive Director at Air International in Shanghai. Previous roles included ASEAN Operations Director for TRW Automotive and management positions for GKN Driveline. James is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer (FIMechE) with BEng (Hons) from Bath University.Brings to the team: Mature operational know-how of systems and processes aligned to Ceres Power’s objectives. Experienced in establishing outsource and manufacturing plants offshore in Asia.TONY COCHRANEChief Commercial OfficerTony joined Ceres Power in August 2015. Previously, he was at Ballard Power Systems for 17 years, where he held leadership positions in manufacturing, product engineering, technology strategy and strategic marketing. Most recently Tony was Commercial Director for Dantherm Power A/S and Director of Product Line Management at Ballard, where he built the stationary power business globally. Tony is a registered professional engineer and holds a BSCE in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University, Ontario and an MBA from Cornell University.Brings to the team: A successful commercialisation record and a deep-set knowledge of the fuel cell industry. Extensive experience in Asia, Europe and North America.Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   2701/11/2019   12:14:5026723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14 Board of Directors AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com28ALAN AUBREYChairman RNGAlan joined the Company in December 2012 as Chairman. He is CEO of IP Group plc, a FTSE 250 company and a leader in global intellectual property commercialisation. He is also Non-Executive Chairman of Proactis, an AIM-listed software company, and is a Non-Executive Director of a number of other prominent technology enterprises. From 2008 to 2014, he was a Non-Executive Director of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS). Previously, Alan was a partner in KPMG where he provided specialist advice to fast-growing technology businesses. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. Alan holds a BA in Economics and an MBA.Brings to the Board: A wealth of experience commercialising new technologies in fast-growth companies. Expertise in investor relations and City practices. STEVE CALLAGHANSenior Independent Director RNGASteve joined the Company in December 2012 to lead the turnaround and strategy reset phase. He was appointed Senior Independent Director in March 2014. Since 2016, he has been CEO of Northgate Public Services. Prior to joining Ceres Power, Steve held a number of senior executive and CEO positions in both public and private businesses over a period of 20 years. He has a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Cranfield University.Brings to the Board: Excellent knowledge of the Company. Business transformation leadership. Track record in delivering successful business performance through commercial rigour and focused execution.KeyR Member of the Remuneration Committee NG Member of the Nomination and Governance Committee A Member of the Audit CommitteePHIL CALDWELLChief Executive OfficerPhil joined the Company in September 2013 as CEO. He was previously Corporate Development Director at Intelligent Energy Limited, a company specialising in PEM fuel cell systems. He led commercial and strategic business development activities including securing OEM partners, executing licence deals and Joint Ventures. Prior to that role, Phil was responsible for business development for the electrochemical technology business within ICI. He holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, an MBA from IESE Barcelona and is a Sainsbury Management Fellow. Brings to the Board: Depth of experience commercialising fuel cells across multiple markets and geographies. Successful track record delivering clear strategic goals. Expertise in building strong teams.RICHARD PRESTONChief Financial OfficerRichard was appointed Chief Financial Officer at Ceres Power in February 2013. He was previously Financial Controller, appointed in 2008, and also undertook various programme manager roles across the business. Prior to joining Ceres he held a number of senior positions in business transformation and project finance at Cable & Wireless. He is a Chartered Accountant and Corporate Treasurer and holds a Master’s in Engineering and Management Studies from the University of Cambridge.Brings to the Board: Business acumen, and the ability to drive and hold the Company to account. Comprehensive understanding of the business. City experience.Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   2801/11/2019   12:14:5726723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14 GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSCeres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201929Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 201929STRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCECAROLINE HARGROVENon-Executive Director NGACaroline joined the Company in October 2018 and is also the CTO of Babylon Health, a fast-growing Digital Healthcare Technology company. Prior to joining Babylon, she was a founding member and then CTO of McLaren Applied Technologies. She has worked in a range of sectors from motorsports to elite sports, manufacturing, energy and healthcare. Caroline is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and was until recently a Visiting Professor at Oxford. She holds a PhD in Applied Mechanics from the University of Cambridge.Brings to the Board: Wide-ranging experience in the creation and development of products derived from innovative technology solutions.AIDAN HUGHESNon-Executive Director RNGAAidan joined the Company in February 2015 as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee. He has over 20 years’ senior finance experience in a variety of listed companies, including as Finance Director at Sage Group plc from 1993 to 2000 and as a director of Communisis plc from 2001 to 2004. From 2004 until May 2019 he was a Non-Executive Director of Dialog Semiconductors plc, where he chaired its Audit Committee for much of his tenure. He is also an investor and adviser to a number of international private technology companies. Aidan is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.Brings to the Board: Extensive experience working within listed companies. Strong credentials in corporate governance and risk management. HAORAN HUNon-Executive Director AFollowing the Company’s Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Weichai Power, Haoran joined the Company in December 2018 as Weichai’s nominee Non-Executive Director. He is the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Weichai Power Co., one of China’s largest diesel engine and vehicle powertrain system manufacturers. He previously held engineering leadership positions at Eaton Corp, Caterpillar Inc., Detroit Diesel Corporation and Jacobs Vehicle Systems. Haoran holds a Doctor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and an MBA degree from the Ohio State University.Brings to the Board: Over 25 years’ experience in the research and development of engines and powertrain systems.ROBERT TREZONANon-Executive DirectorRobert joined the Company in December 2012. He has spent nearly 20 years working in the clean energy field, and is one of the UK’s leading cleantech investors. He is currently Head of Cleantech at IP Group, a Commissioner of the Energy Transitions Commission and an advisor to the UK government on green finance. He began his career as a fuel cell scientist, initially at Johnson Matthey, then at Ceres Power. He holds an MA and PhD in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge. Brings to the Board: Deep understanding of fuel cell technology coupled with experience of cleantech investment. Leading expert in the commercialisation of early stage energy technologies. Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   2901/11/2019   12:15:1026723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Chairman’s corporate governance reportChairman’s introduction to governanceDear Shareholder,On the Board’s behalf I am pleased to introduce the Ceres Power Corporate Governance Report for the year ended 30 June 2019. We remain committed to applying the updated 2018 Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code (the 2018 QCA Code) and its 10 principles. The Board recognises that these are essential to support the long-term sustainable growth of the business. We are accountable to the Company’s shareholders, and effective governance is critical to business integrity and maintaining investors’ trust.As the Company is listed on AIM, it is not required to follow, and does not comply with, the UK Corporate Governance Code. However, it is subject to the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and is committed to applying the spirit of good corporate governance as envisaged by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and in compliance with the 2006 Companies Act. In the following Corporate Governance Report on pages 30 to 44, we aim to explain how the Board discharges its governance responsibilities. Board effectiveness We need to carry out regular reviews of our collective effectiveness and performance as a Board, as well as that of our Committees and individual Directors. We have implemented suggestions arising from our external Board evaluation process, carried out by Mrs Pat Chapman-Pincher (a board effectiveness consultant) in November 2016, and we are planning another Board effectiveness review. During the year we have also engaged our lawyers to advise on practical changes to Board meeting structure to increase the efficiency of Board meetings. The Board and its Committees regularly review their effectiveness internally and we are satisfied that they continue to function well. We have made key changes in the following areas:1. The Board meets quarterly with a focus on strategy and risk. An operational Executive Board reports into the Board.2. We have introduced a formal process to better manage potential conflicts of interest at Board level.3. We have evolved the remit of the Technical and Operations Committee to report into the Executive Board.  4. Mike Lloyd retired from his position as a Non-Executive Director during the year, and we have recruited Caroline Hargrove for her direct experience of fast-growing technology companies. 5. Mark Selby retired from the Board and now sits on the Executive Board.The Board welcomed the appointment of Haoran Hu as a Non-Executive  Director, nominated by Weichai Power, who joined the Board in December 2018. We are also looking to appoint another independent Non-Executive Director to the Board.Corporate valuesThe Board embodies and promotes a corporate culture based on sound ethical values and behaviours from the top down, and this guides the Group’s objectives and strategy. This has now been formalised into our environmental and social governance (ESG) policy, recently published. For the first time, we are also showing our progress against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass every area of fair, honest and responsible operation.     Where possible, we look to take these values into our relations with suppliers and customers, compliance and internal controls, employee management, engagement and reward systems, and responsibility to the environment and local community. This year we have reviewed our significant positive impact on the environment and society for the first time, more of which is laid out in the Sustainability section on pages 24 to 26.Our commitment to health and safety is also non-negotiable, and no practical or commercial interest is permitted to override the safety and well-being of our people. This is reinforced by continuous reviews of our processes and plant, accurate reporting of incidents and “near-misses”, and root-cause investigations. Reports are provided to the Board at every meeting to track incidents and to ensure remedial actions are taken as necessary.The Board embodies and promotes a corporate culture based on sound ethical values and behaviours from the top down.AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com3030Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   3001/11/2019   12:15:12MAIN PLC BOARD

CHAIRMAN

SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Steve Callaghan
Caroline Hargrove
Haoran Hu
Aidan Hughes

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

Alan Aubrey
Steve Callaghan
Aidan Hughes

NOMINATIONS & 
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Alan Aubrey
Steve Callaghan
Caroline Hargrove
Aidan Hughes

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Shareholder communications
During the year we have seen a greater level of shareholder 
engagement and communication as we successfully raised 
funds and widened the investor base.

Active relations and communications with our shareholders, 
and understanding their views, needs, expectations 
and	feedback,	are	vital	to	our	activities		̶		as	is	gaining	
the shareholders’ understanding of the Company’s 
circumstances, plans and constraints.

We regularly communicate with our shareholders through 
a variety of channels: public announcements and press 
releases using the London Stock Exchange’s Regulatory 
News Service (RNS), analyst briefings, face-to-face 
meetings with significant institutional shareholders, 
presentations at investor conferences and press interviews. 

We also continually update our website (www.cerespower.
com). This is the primary source of information about 
the Group, giving an overview of activities and detailing 
all recent announcements, significant developments, 
presentations and our Annual Reports. 

We welcome contact from shareholders to raise any 
concern or question, and endeavour to offer a response 
from a Director in person. Investors are encouraged to 
participate at the Annual General Meeting and any general 
meetings. 

AGM
Ceres Power’s AGM will be held at 3 Gatton Park Business 
Centre, Wells Place, Merstham, Redhill, RH1 3DR on  
4 December 2019 and I very much look forward to meeting 
shareholders who are able to attend. The meeting will give 
investors an opportunity to meet the Board personally and 
ask questions about the Group’s activities. 

ALAN AUBREY 

CHAIRMAN
1 October 2019

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

31
31

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   31

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

 
 
 
Corporate governance report

The Board of Directors
At the date of signing these accounts, 
the Board had two Executive Directors 
and six Non-Executive Directors, 
including the Chairman. Biographical 
information for each Director and their 
contribution to the business is set out 
on pages 28 to 29. 

Roles and responsibilities
The Board is responsible for setting 
the vision and strategy for the 
Company to deliver value to its 
shareholders through implementing its 
business plan. Under the Chairman’s 
leadership, Board members share 
collective responsibility for corporate 
governance arrangements. 

The Board’s powers and obligations 
are governed by the UK Companies 
Act 2006. 

All Directors have the right to 
seek independent legal and other 
professional advice at the Company’s 
expense concerning any aspect of the 
Company’s operations or undertakings. 
Newly appointed Directors are made 
aware of their responsibilities through 
the Company Secretary. The Company 
offers formal training of new Directors 
as necessary, and provides an induction 
into the Group in all relevant areas. 
Directors attend ad hoc training, 
seminars and/or conferences relevant 
to their specific skills, professional 
qualifications and roles within the 
Board. All members of the Board have 
access to appropriate professional 
development courses to support them 
in meeting their obligations and duties. 
They also receive ongoing briefings 
on current developments, including 
updates on governance and regulatory 
issues.

Conflicts of interest
Under the Company’s Articles of 
Association, the Board has the 
authority to manage and approve 
any conflicts or potential conflicts of 
interest of Directors. Directors attend 
ad hoc training, seminars and/or 
conferences relevant to their specific 
skills, professional qualifications and 
roles within the Board. All members of 
the Board have access to appropriate 

professional development courses 
to support them in meeting their 
obligations and duties. They also 
receive ongoing briefings on current 
developments, including updates on 
governance and regulatory issues.

Schedule of matters
The Board’s responsibilities are set 
out in more detail in the “Schedule of 
matters reserved for the Board” which 
is available on the Company’s website. 
It includes considering and developing 
Group strategy against progress; 
setting annual operating budgets and 
approving major expenditure; approval 
of financial results; changes in Board 
composition; acquisitions and disposals; 
significant IP-related contracts; capital 
structure and approval of raising of new 
equity and share schemes; treasury 
policy; dividends; material litigation 
and various statutory and regulatory 
approvals. 

During the year the Board met formally 
on five occasions, attended a two-day 
strategy meeting and undertook several 
conference calls to cover matters which 
included those shown under “Key areas 
of focus” (below). 

The Chief Executive Officer, Chief 
Financial Officer and Company 
Secretary are responsible for keeping 
the Board advised of significant 
developments, and the Board receives 
papers prior to Board meetings to 
enable constructive discussion. 

Board effectiveness
External Board reviews take place 
every three years, internal reviews 
are held regularly, and the Directors 
monitor the Board’s performance 
on an ongoing basis. The Board 
agrees that the Chairman continues 
to provide strong and purposeful 
leadership. It further agrees that it has 
the right balance of skills, experience 
and independence to evolve the 
Company’s strategy and that it works 
effectively as a team. 

The Board and Non-Executive 
Directors make a point of visiting the 
Horsham HQ site regularly. They hold 
meetings with senior management, 
track progress against KPIs, and 

identify potential risks and issues to 
ensure that the Company remains 
on track to grow in its market and 
maximise shareholder value. 

The Board’s Committees also 
regularly carry out their own internal 
evaluations, and in this reporting 
year confirmed that their respective 
compositions, skills and experience 
are still considered appropriate and 
effective. During these evaluations 
it was decided to appoint Caroline 
Hargrove to the Nomination and 
Governance Committee and to 
the Audit Committee, and Haoran 
Hu to the Audit Committee. The 
membership and key activities of each 
Committee are set out later in this 
governance report. 

Acting on the conclusions of the 
external Board effectiveness review 
in November 2016, the Board also 
moved from monthly to quarterly 
meetings to improve the focus of the 
main plc Board. The Executive Board 
continues to meet monthly. 

During the year the Board’s agendas 
and papers were refined to ensure 
that it concentrates on the key 
strategic issues and risks; specifically, 
those relating to managing conflicts 
of interest and the move towards 
commercialisation. 

The Board received updates on AIM 
rules, GDPR and other governance, 
regulatory and financial matters as 
published during the year. 

Composition of the Board 
In the financial year, the Board 
reduced the number of Executive 
Directors to two as Mark Selby, CTO, 
stepped down. In December 2018, it 
also increased its number of Non-
Executive Directors as Haoran Hu 
was appointed as Weichai Power’s 
nominee director, following their 
taking a 20% stake in the Company. 

At the end of the year, the Board 
comprised eight Directors: the 
Non-Executive Chairman, the Senior 
Independent Director, four other 
Non-Executive Directors, the Chief 
Executive Officer and the Chief 
Financial Officer. 

3232

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   32

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

THE ROLES OF THE CHAIRMAN AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, details of which can be 
found on our website. The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman have an excellent working relationship, meeting and 
speaking regularly outside of scheduled Board meetings to discuss strategy and performance, and to ensure that Board 
meetings cover relevant matters. This relationship and regular dialogue helps to underpin the working of the Board, 
providing a forum in which matters are discussed openly and robustly.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS IN THE YEAR, AND SINCE THE YEAR END
 − We have improved Board and Committee effectiveness and focus by reducing the frequency of Board meetings to quarterly; 

this allows for more strategic planning and to align further with the 2018 QCA Code. 

 − The Board meeting structure has been revised to take into account Director independence, and we have rotated off one  
Non-Executive Director, appointed two new Non-Executive Directors and are looking to appoint another independent  
Non-Executive Director. In accordance with best practice, the Executive Directors leave at the end of each meeting and a 
session exclusively for Non-Executive Directors then follows. 

 − The Company raised £77.1 million through equity issues with financial investors and strategic partners, including the exercise 

of the Weichai warrant, and completed a share consolidation.

 − We entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with Bosch. 

 − We committed to construct the new “CP2” manufacturing facility in Redhill.

 − We began a programme to improve the Group’s information security systems and procedures.

 − We changed our Nominated Adviser and looked to strengthen the Group’s ESG profile. 

 − We reviewed the macro competitive environment in the energy sector.

 − Scenarios are being considered around the potential Weichai joint venture, associated governance and impact. 

INDEPENDENCE OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The Board considers that Steve Callaghan, Aidan Hughes 
and Caroline Hargrove are independent in accordance with 
the recommendations of the QCA Code. 

It is the opinion of the Board that the Chairman is not 
considered to be independent as he is also CEO of IP 
Group plc, a major shareholder. Rob Trezona, who also 
represents IP Group plc, is also not considered independent 
according to the Code; however, he has extensive 
experience with high-technology clean energy companies 
and cleantech investment which is of great value to the 
Board. Haoran Hu, who represents Weichai Power, is also 
not considered independent.  

Although the Board agrees that it has sufficient 
independent Non-Executive Directors of good standing and 
judgement to balance the Board, and for it to be considered 
effective, the Board is looking to appoint an additional 
independent Non-Executive Director in due course. 

The Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any of 
the Company pension or bonus arrangements, and they 
do not receive any remuneration from the Company other 
than Directors’ fees and reimbursement of expenses. 

DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS AND ROTATION
Directors are subject to election by shareholders at the 
first Annual General Meeting (AGM) following their initial 
appointment, and at each AGM one-third of the Directors 
shall retire by rotation and put themselves forward for re-
election. As a Senior Independent Director, Steve Callaghan 
has offered himself up for re-election annually to ensure 
that shareholders are comfortable with his being on the 
Board.

Renewals of terms for a Non-Executive Director take into 
account ongoing performance, continuing independence 
and the needs and balance of the Board as a whole. Where 
it is in the Company’s interests to do so, Non-Executive 
Director appointments can be extended beyond the 
best practice period of two three-year terms, with the 
approval of the Nominations Committee, the Board and the 
individual Director concerned. 

Haoran Hu will stand for election at the 2019 AGM along 
with Stephen Callaghan, Phil Caldwell, Aidan Hughes 
and Robert Trezona who will stand for re-election. Their 
biographies and contribution to the business are set out on 
pages 28 to 29. 

The Company reviews annually the level of Directors’ and 
Officers’ liability insurance cover required. 

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

33
33

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   33

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

 
 
 
Corporate governance report

Board attendance
The Chief Technology Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and other senior management are invited 
to Board and Committee meetings as appropriate.

The attendance of members of the Board and Committees at scheduled Board and Committee meetings during the year 
are shown in the table below. There were further ad hoc meetings when required.

Committee 

Meetings held in the year
Executive Directors
Phil Caldwell
Richard Preston
Mark Selby2
Non-Executive Directors
Alan Aubrey
Steve Callaghan
Caroline Hargrove1
Haoran Hu1
Aidan Hughes 
Rob Trezona
Mike Lloyd

Main plc 
Board

Audit
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Noms 
and Gov 
Committee

5

5
5
1

5
4
3
2
5
5
1

3

n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
2
1
1
3
n/a
1

2 

n/a
n/a
n/a

2
2
n/a
n/a
2
n/a
n/a

1

n/a
n/a
n/a

1
1
n/a
n/a
1
n/a
n/a

1 Caroline Hargrove and Haoran Hu attended all the available meetings since they joined the Company during the year 

2 Mark Selby attended all required meetings during the period he was on the Board.

Internal controls and risks
The Board has an overall framework for reviewing and 
assessing risk, and taking mitigating actions, as part of 
the execution of the Company’s strategy. It has delegated 
responsibility to the Audit Committee for oversight of the 
Group’s system of internal financial controls, although the 
Directors acknowledge their responsibility for establishing 
and maintaining them. These are designed to safeguard the 
assets of the Group, and to ensure the reliability of financial 
information, for both internal and external use. 

The Group prepares detailed management accounts 
and working capital cash flow projections, and these are 
considered by the Board when approving detailed budgets 
and cash flow projections. The Board collectively identifies 
and evaluates the significant risks that face the Group. 
It is understood that any system of internal control can 
only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that 
material financial irregularities will be detected, or that risk 
of failure to achieve business objectives is eliminated. 

The Directors, having reviewed the effectiveness of the 
system of internal financial, operational and compliance 
controls and risk management, consider that the systems 
of internal control operated effectively throughout 
the financial year and up to the date that the financial 
statements were signed. 

3434

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   34

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Committees of the Board 
The Board delegates certain items of business to its 
Committees. At the year-end, these were the Audit 
Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nominations 
and Governance Committee. During the year, the Technical 
and Operations Committee changed from reporting into 
the Board to reporting into the Executive Board, with a 
summary being provided to the Board. Each Committee 
operates under clear terms of reference, which are available 
on the Company’s website. 

Each Committee is authorised to seek any information 
it requires from any employee of the Company in order 
to perform its duties. It can also obtain outside legal 
or other professional advice on any matter within its 
terms of reference. Each of these Committees meets 
on a regular basis throughout the year as appropriate, 
and each is accountable to the Board. Each Committee 
regularly reviews its own performance, constitution and 
terms of reference to ensure it is operating effectively and 
recommends any changes it considers necessary to the 
Board for approval. 

The Chair of the Remuneration Committee has prepared 
his Committee report, which is on page 37. 

Audit Committee 
The Audit Committee is composed entirely of Non-
Executive Directors and is chaired by Aidan Hughes. Steve 
Callaghan has been a member for the whole year, while 
Caroline Hargrove and Haoran Hu joined the Committee 
during the year. Mike Lloyd stepped down from the 
Committee when he left the Board in July 2018. 

The Committee is considered to have sufficient, recent and 
relevant financial experience and competence to discharge 
its responsibilities. Aidan Hughes, who has served as Non-
Executive Director and Chairman of the Committee since 
2015, has significant senior financial experience, which is 
further detailed in his biography on page 29. 

The Audit Committee’s role is to assist the Board in its 
oversight of the financial stewardship of the Group. It is 
responsible for ensuring the effective financial integrity 
of the Group through the regular review of its financial 
processes and performance, and by remaining up to date 
with the latest regulatory changes and evolution of best 
practice. Alongside the non-Board Technical and Operations 
Committee, it is also responsible for ensuring that the Group 
has appropriate risk management and internal controls, and 
that external audit processes are robust, thereby enhancing 
trust in the Company among shareholders. 

At the invitation of the Committee, its meetings are 
attended by the external auditor, the Chief Executive 
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and others as 
appropriate. The Committee meets with the external 
auditor on a regular basis without the Executive Directors 
being present. 

The Audit Committee’s main responsibilities include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

to satisfy itself as to the integrity of the financial 
statements and other formal announcements relating to 
the Group’s financial performance, ensuring compliance 
with applicable accounting standards, regulations and 
rules; 

to monitor and review the effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal financial controls and risk management 
policies and systems (noting the non-Board Technical 
and Operations Committee’s responsibility relating to 
technical, operational, business continuity and health 
and safety-related risks) and to monitor and review the 
going concern status of the Group; 

to satisfy itself of the independence and effectiveness 
of the external auditor, and to make recommendations 
to the Board in relation to the appointment and 
remuneration of the external auditor, and policy relating 
to their non-audit services; 

to regularly consider the need for the requirement of an 
internal audit function; and 

to consider the Group’s whistleblowing procedures to 
ensure that employees are able to raise concerns, in 
confidence, about possible wrongdoing or malpractice. 

During the year, in addition to discharging its 
responsibilities above, the Audit Committee considered 
impacts to the business as commercial activities develop, 
including joint venture disclosures and governance, 
revenue recognition, warranty provisions and the potential 
capitalisation of development costs. It also reviewed the 
Group’s tax structure and treasury policy in the light of its 
new customers, and considered the impact to the business 
of Brexit scenarios. 

The Group is committed to the highest standards of 
openness, integrity and accountability. It seeks to conduct 
its affairs in a responsible manner taking into account 
the requirements of customers, employees and wider 
stakeholders. The Company operates an independent 
whistleblowing service to allow employees to raise 
concerns – in a constructive way and without fear of 
recrimination. In accordance with a clearly documented 
procedure, all reports go to the Company Secretary 
and Senior Independent Director and are investigated 
independently. The outcome of investigations is reported 
to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. During the year 
there were no whistleblowing reports.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

35
35

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   35

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

 
 
 
Corporate governance report

The Committee also assessed the effectiveness of the 
external auditor, KPMG LLP, and was satisfied that the 
advice the Company received has been objective and 
independent. The Audit Committee has put in place, 
and regularly reviews, a policy on external auditor 
independence to ensure objectivity and independence is 
safe-guarded. KPMG have been assessed as independent 
and have non-audit fees not exceeding the 70% cap set out 
in the policy.

Audit and non-audit fees paid to KPMG during the year 
are disclosed in note 3 to the Financial Statements in this 
Annual Report. Non-audit fees were 27% (2018: 38%) of 
audit fees and primarily consisted audit related assurance 
services in relation to the interim financial results.

KPMG were appointed as the Group’s external auditor in 
2015. Although the Committee is satisfied that KPMG 
continues to provide an effective audit service, in line with 
good governance practice to regularly review the external 
auditor, the Audit Committee has determined to put the 
external audit out to tender. Following the tender process 
the auditor appointed by the Board will be subject to 
approval by Shareholders at the 2019 AGM.

Nominations and Governance Committee
During the year, the members of the Committee were 
Alan Aubrey as Chairman, Steve Callaghan, Aidan Hughes, 
Caroline Hargrove (from March 2019) and Mike Lloyd  
(until July 2018). Caroline Hargrove was appointed Chair of 
the Committee after the year end. 

The Board has appointed the Nominations and Governance 
Committee to oversee the composition of the Board and 
Committees, as well as senior executive recruitment and 
succession planning. 

The Committee’s main responsibilities include:

• 

• 

regularly reviewing the structure, size and composition 
required of the Board and to make recommendations 
to the Board regarding any changes, considering 
succession planning and the independence of its 
members; 

identifying and nominating potential candidates for new 
Board positions, the role of the Senior Non-Executive 
Director and members of the Board Committees, for 
approval of the Board;

•  making recommendations to the Board for the  
reappointment of Non-Executive Directors; and

•  monitoring trends and best practice in corporate 
governance, reviewing Ceres’ own corporate 
governance policies and procedures, and making 
recommendations for changes to the Board.

The Board remains mindful of the need to have the right 
diversity and balance on the Board, as it does across our 
employee base as a whole. 

During the year, the Nominations and Governance 
Committee continued to monitor Board structure 
and succession plans for both the Board and senior 
management below Board level, and recommended the 
addition of one independent director in due course. The 
Committee also considered potential conflicts of interest 
relating to non-independent members of the Board. 

3636

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   36

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Remuneration Committee report

(unaudited unless otherwise stated)

Dear Shareholder, 
The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) 
ensures remuneration arrangements for the Group’s 
Executive Directors and Group employees are aligned 
to the execution of Group strategy, and effective 
risk management, for the medium- to long-term. The 
Committee does so within the agreed terms of reference, 
taking into account the views of shareholders. 

During the past year, the Committee, chaired by Stephen 
Callaghan, was exclusively composed of independent Non-
Executive Directors. The Committee comprised Stephen 
Callaghan, Alan Aubrey, Aidan Hughes and Mike Lloyd (until 
his retirement from the Board and the Committee in July 
2018). The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer 
and Company Secretary are invited to attend meetings 
where appropriate. The Committee meets three times 
annually, and in the past year each member was able to 
give 100% attendance.

The Remuneration Committee Report is split into the 
following three sections:

 − a summary of the work completed by the Committee in 

FY2019; 

 − the Remuneration Policy Report (the Policy) 

which sets out the Group’s approach to Directors’ 
remuneration; and 

 − the Annual Report on Remuneration which sets out the 

remuneration paid to Directors in FY2019. 

We expand on each of these areas below.

Annual statement summarising the work of the 
Remuneration Committee

During the year the Committee’s key activities included: 

 − reviewing and agreeing executive remuneration, 

including annual pay; individual attainment review and 
achievement against performance targets for annual 
bonuses and agreeing Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
awards; and considering wider inclusion in the LTIP 
beyond the Executive Team. As part of this activity, 
the Committee also conducted a market review and 
considered recent corporate governance developments; 

 − considering and agreeing the annual Group-wide salary 

increase;

 − agreeing the adoption of an LTIP policy, and approving 
the achievement level for LTIP awards which vested 
during the year; 

 − considering dilution effects of share option schemes 
and best practices regarding the exercise of share 
options;

 − considering and selecting key performance targets and 

thresholds for the financial year; 

 − considering best practices for enabling Persons 

Discharging Managerial Responsibility (PDMR) to trade; 

 − reviewing terms of reference for the Committee;

 − updating and issuing new Sharesave scheme rules; and 

 − agreeing to grant Sharesave shares available to all 

employees.

Remuneration policy report 
The remuneration policy of the Group is to: 

 −  provide a suitable remuneration package to attract, 

motivate and retain Executive Directors and the wider 
Executive team who will run the Group successfully; 
and 

 − ensure that all long-term incentive schemes for 

the Directors are consistent with the shareholders’ 
interests.

No Director or senior manager is involved in any decisions 
about their own remuneration. The Committee is, however, 
responsible for making recommendations to the Directors 
on matters relating to the Group’s remuneration structure, 
including pension rights, the policy on compensation for 
Executive Directors and their terms of employment. In 
order to achieve the overall aim of attracting and retaining 
high-quality people, the Committee has continued to 
provide a suitable balance of short-term and long-term 
incentives.

Remuneration policy for Executive Directors 
Remuneration packages are reviewed annually on the 
basis of market comparisons with positions of similar 
responsibility and scope in comparable industries. 

The current policy for Executive Directors is to pay base 
salary with an annual performance-related bonus. The 
Group also awards performance share plan (PSP) shares 
to the Executive team and others to create a long-term 
incentive plan (LTIP). These performance shares are linked 
to key performance indicators and structured to align 
corporate and individual performance to the long-term 
success of the Group. 

The Remuneration Policy therefore provides a summary of 
each element of remuneration for the Executive Directors 
with an explanation of its purpose, link to strategy, its 
operation, maximum opportunity and the performance 
measures.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

37
37

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   37

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

 
 
 
Remuneration Committee report

(unaudited unless otherwise stated)

Executive Directors – short-term incentives

Executive Directors – long-term incentives

BASE SALARY
Base salary is based on a number of factors, including 
market rates, benchmarking to peers, as well as the 
individual Director’s experience, responsibilities and 
performance. Individual salaries are subject to annual 
review. Salaries for FY2020 have been set at £226,600 for 
the CEO and £160,000 for the CFO, being increases of 
3.0% and 6.7% from £220,000 and £150,000 respectively. 
The CFO’s increase is the second part of a phased increase 
over two years.

PERFORMANCE-RELATED ANNUAL BONUS
The purpose of this annual bonus is to incentivise the 
Executive Directors, members of the Executive team 
and senior management to deliver strategic and financial 
success, as well as long-term growth to the benefit of the 
Group and its shareholders. 

Measures and targets for the annual bonus for the 
Executive Directors and team are set annually by the 
Committee. The annual bonus plan is awarded against 
achieving both corporate and individual performance 
targets. Typically, the majority of the bonus will be based 
on a balanced scorecard reflecting delivery against 
key commercial, technical, operational and financial 
deliverables. The Committee will therefore vary the specific 
measures and targets each year where required to ensure 
that they reflect the key financial and strategic priorities 
(KPIs) for the Group in a given year.

For FY2019, the recommended maximum bonus available 
as a percentage of base salary is 100% for the CEO and 
40% for the CFO. 

The Committee has reviewed individuals’ achievements 
against their targets for the year and has determined 
that the actual bonuses to be awarded are 86.4% of the 
maximum award for the CEO and 85.0% of the maximum 
award for the CFO (2018: 98% for the CEO and 123% for 
the CFO). 

PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS
All Executive Directors, along with other employees, are 
able to take part in the Group’s pension scheme, where 
they receive a pension contribution from the Group of up 
to 8% of salary together with employer’s National Insurance 
saved on employee pension contributions. This complies 
with legal requirements, with both the employee and 
employer making contributions under automatic enrolment 
provisions. All employees also benefit from life assurance of 
four times salary. 

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)
The purpose of the LTIP is to provide a long-term 
performance and retention incentive, linking long-term 
share rewards to the creation of long-term sustainable 
shareholder value by delivering on the Group’s agreed 
strategic objectives.

In 2016 the Remuneration Committee established an LTIP 
and invited the Executive team and certain key individuals 
in the Group to join it. Performance targets are aligned to 
the Group’s strategic plan and are measured over a period 
of three years. Malus, hold and clawback conditions apply. 
The Remuneration Committee awarded LTIP options to the 
Executive Directors, Executive team and other employees 
during 2018 and actively considers further LTIP awards on 
an annual basis.

SHARE OPTIONS
Historically, members of the Executive team and many 
of the employees have been awarded share options at 
market price. These options generally have vesting periods 
between three and six years and have no performance 
criteria attached. However, they are no longer the preferred 
method of share incentivisation and no ordinary share 
options were awarded in the year.

All staff and Executive Directors are eligible to take part in 
HMRC-approved Sharesave schemes. 

Executive Director service agreements 
All Executive Directors have service agreements that 
terminate on six months’ notice.

Non-Executive Directors
Fees for Non-Executive Directors are determined by 
the Board on the recommendation of the Remuneration 
Committee, based on market comparisons with positions 
of similar responsibility and scope in companies of a similar 
size and in comparable industries. Non-Executive Directors 
do not have service contracts; are not eligible for pension 
scheme membership or to participate in the Group’s 
LTIP; and do not participate in any of the Group’s bonus 
schemes or receive any other benefits. They have letters of 
engagement with the Company and appointment can be 
terminated on one month’s written notice by either side. 

The Chairman’s fee of £45,000 reflects his responsibilities 
and time commitment to the role, leading an effective 
Board to enable the delivery of the Group’s growth strategy 
and to create long-term sustainable shareholder value. The 
Chairman’s remuneration also covers his participation in 
any subcommittees.

3838

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   38

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

As with the Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors’ 
fees of £40,000 each are designed to attract and retain 
individuals who have the expertise, responsibility and the 
time commitment to be able to contribute to an effective 
Board and deliver long-term sustainable shareholder 
value. The Group reimburses Non-Executive Directors 
for reasonable expenses incurred such as travel and hotel 
accommodation.

There are currently no additional fees paid to Non-
Executive Directors for participation in subcommittees.

Remuneration policy for senior managers and other 
employees of the Company 
The remuneration policy for key senior managers and 
employees in the Group is similar to that of the Executive 
Directors. Where appropriate, they participate in the 
discretionary annual bonus plan as well as the LTIP. A large 
proportion of employees participate in the annual Sharesave 
scheme, giving them an option to save and purchase shares 
in the Group at a discount to the market price.

Annual report on remuneration 

TOTAL REMUNERATION (AUDITED)
The remuneration of each of the Directors for the year ended 30 June 2019 is set out in the table below. 

Executive
Phil Caldwell
Richard Preston
Mark Selby²
Non-Executive Directors
Alan Aubrey
Stephen Callaghan
Caroline Hargrove1
Haoran Hu1
Aidan Hughes
Mike Lloyd1
Robert Trezona

 Salary/fee 
£

 Pension 
£

 Bonus
 £

Total 
2018/19
 £

Total 
2017/18
 £

215,872
146,440
32,450

18,163
12,540
2,730

190,000
51,000
12,900

424,035
209,980
48,080

320,619
198,518
180,726

45,000
40,000
30,000
22,769
40,000
3,385
40,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

45,000
40,000
30,000
22,769
40,000
3,385
40,000

45,000
40,000
–
–
40,000
40,000
40,000

1 

2 

The remuneration paid to Caroline Hargrove and Haoran Hu accrued from their appointment date, being 1 October 2018 and 6 December 2018 
respectively. The remuneration paid to Mike Lloyd ceased on his retirement from the Board on 31 July 2018.

 Mark Selby retired from the Board on 1 October 2018; therefore, only his remuneration to that date has been included. His bonus in the current year 
has been pro-rated.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

39
39

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   39

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

 
 
 
 
Remuneration Committee report

(unaudited unless otherwise stated)

Details of Directors’ interests in share options (audited) 
All share options as at 1 July 2018 have been restated for the 1-for-10 share consolidation which occurred on 7 August 2018.

At 1 July 
2018 
number

 Granted 
number  Exercised

 Lapsed/ 
Surrendered 
number

At 30 June 
2019
 number

 Exercise 
price

 Exercise period

Phil Caldwell
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options1
Options1
Options1
Options1
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Sharesave options 
(approved)2
Sharesave options 
(approved)
Sharesave options 
(approved)
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP

200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000

20,833

13,636

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
650,700
87,000

7,109
–
–
– 138,530
2,372,169 145,639

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(20,833)

–

–
–
–
–
(20,833)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000

Sep 2014 – Nov 2023
£0.85
£0.85
Sep 2015 – Nov 2023
£0.85 Nov 2016 – Nov 2023
£0.85 Nov 2017 – Nov 2023
£0.85 Nov 2018 – Nov 2023
£0.85 Nov 2019 – Nov 2023
Jul 2017 – Jul 2024
£0.85
Jul 2018 – Jul 2024
£0.85
Jul 2019 – Jul 2024
£0.85
Jul 2020 – Jul 2024
£0.85

–

£0.43

May – Oct 2019

13,636

£0.67

Feb – Jul 2020

7,109
650,700
87,000
138,530
2,496,975

£1.27
£0.10
£0.10
£0.10

Jun – Nov 2022
Sep 2019 – Sep 2026
Oct 2020 – Oct 2027
Oct 2021 – Oct 2028

1 A portion of these share options are EMI approved.

2  Phil Caldwell exercised all 20,833 options on 13 May 2019 at an exercise price of £0.432 and retained the shares. The closing mid-market price on this  

date was £1.830.

4040

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   40

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

 
At 1 July 
2018 
number

 Granted 
number  Exercised

 Lapsed/ 
Surrendered 
number

At 30 June 
2019
 number

 Exercise 
price

Richard Preston
Options (approved)
Options (approved)
Options (approved)
Options (approved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Options (unapproved)
Sharesave options 
(approved)1
Sharesave options 
(approved)2
Sharesave options 
(approved)
Sharesave options 
(approved)
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP

40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500

16,544

20,833

8,491

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
130,200
47,000
–
683,068

7,109
–
–
75,560
82,669

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(16,544)

(20,833)

–

–
–
–
–
(37,377)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

 Exercise period

Jan 2016 – Jan 2023
Jan 2017 – Jan 2023
Jan 2018 – Jan 2023
Jan 2019 – Jan 2023
Apr 2016 – Apr 2023
Apr 2017 – Apr 2023
Apr 2018 – Apr 2023
Apr 2019 – Apr 2023
Jul 2017 – Jul 2024
Jul 2018 – Jul 2024
Jul 2019 – Jul 2024
Jul 2020 – Jul 2024

£0.10
£0.10
£0.10
£0.10
£0.99
£0.99
£0.99
£0.99
£0.85
£0.85
£0.85
£0.85

£0.54

Feb – July 2018

£0.43

May – Oct 2019

40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500

–

–

8,491

£1.06

Feb – July 2021

7,109
130,200
47,000
75,560
728,360

Jun – Nov 2022
£1.27
Sep 2019 – Sep 2026
£0.10
£0.10 Oct 2020 – Oct 2027
£0.10 Oct 2021 – Oct 2028

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

1  Richard Preston exercised all 16,544 options on 10 July 2018 at a price of £0.544 and retained the shares. The closing mid-market price on this date was 
£1.6225 (these shares were exercised prior to the share consolidation undertaken on 7 August 2018 – for comparability, the number exercised and the 
share price are stated as if the consolidation had already taken place). 

2   Richard Preston exercised all 20,833 options on 13 May 2019 at an exercise price of £0.432 and retained the shares. The closing mid-market price on this 

date was £1.830.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

41
41

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   41

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:13

 
 
 
 
Remuneration Committee report

(unaudited unless otherwise stated)

Details of Directors’ interests in share options (audited)
All share options as at 1 July 2018 have been restated for the 1-for-10 share consolidation which occurred on 7 August 2018.

Stephen Callaghan
Options (unapproved)1

At 1 July 
2018 
number

150,000
150,000

 Granted 
number  Exercised

 Lapsed/ 
Surrendered 
number

At 30 June 
2019
 number

 Exercise 
price

 Exercise period

– (150,000)
– (150,000)

–
–

–
–

£0.99

Apr 2016 – Apr 2023

1  Stephen Callaghan exercised all 150,000 options on 11 December 2018 at a price of £0.99 and he retained the shares. The closing mid-market price on  

this date was £1.695. 

All options outlined above are fully exercisable at each 
Director’s discretion during the relevant exercise period 
subject to any applicable performance criteria being met.

During the 2014 and 2016 years, certain key employees and 
Directors who were option-holders under the 2004 share 
option scheme were awarded Employee Shareholder Status 
(ESS) shares in the Company’s subsidiary, Ceres Power 
Intermediate Holdings Ltd. The ESS shares were granted as 
a modification to the unexercised 2004 Employees’ Share 
Scheme options, providing the relevant employees with 
additional exercise rights. The issuing of the ESS shares 
has not changed the vesting period or exercise price of 
the unexercised 2004 Employees’ Share Scheme options 
granted. The total fair value charge of the options remains 
unchanged and the gross benefit received cannot exceed the 
gain realisable under the original share options and it cannot 
be received at an earlier time. As part of this, in 2014, Phil 
Caldwell and Richard Preston were awarded 893,251 and 
150,000 ESS shares respectively. The number of ESS shares 
has been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 share consolidation 
which occurred on 7 August 2018. 

Directors’ interests in shares
The Directors also had the following interests in shares in 
the Company as at the date of the signing of this Annual 
Report:

•  Phil Caldwell: 46,928 shares; 

•  Stephen Callaghan: 539,919 shares; 

•  Aidan Hughes: 26,520 shares; 

•  Richard Preston: 59,641 shares; and 

•  Robert Trezona: 12,454 shares. 

Alan Aubrey held an interest in IP Group plc, the parent 
company of IP2IPO Ltd, a substantial shareholder of the 
Company.

During the year, the Remuneration Committee agreed 
to put in place a minimum shareholdings policy for Non-
Executive Directors and PDMRs, to ensure the interests of 
investors remain aligned with those of Directors and key 
management. Non-Executive Directors will be expected to 
build up their shareholding in the Company over time to 
100% of their annual fees, where allowable. The CEO and 
other PDMRs should build up their shareholding and value 

of exercisable share options to 150% and 100% of their 
salaries respectively. 

Having taken advice from the Company’s Nomad, the 
Remuneration Committee is considering enabling PDMRs 
to exercise and sell shares without disrupting the market by 
opening biannual windows in which they can trade.

Performance graph
The following graph shows the Group’s performance, 
measured by total shareholder return (TSR), compared with 
the performance of the FTSE AIM (rebased) for the period 
from 1 July 2018 to 27 September 2019. One key measure 
of the LTIP is TSR, measured over a three-year performance 
period.

Ceres Power Holdings plc

 FTSE AIM All-Share

20%

10%

0%

-10%

-20%

l

y
u
J

t
p
e
S

v
o
N

9
1
0
2

r
a
M

y
a
M

l

y
u
J

t
p
e
S

This report was approved by the Board of Directors and 
authorised for issue on 1 October 2019 and was signed  
on its behalf by:

STEPHEN CALLAGHAN 

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

4242

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   42

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:14

 
I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Directors’ report

for the year ended 30 June 2019

The Directors present their Annual Report and the audited 
Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2019.

•  Alan Aubrey (Non-Executive Chairman)

•  Phil Caldwell (Chief Executive Officer)

Principal activities
The Ceres Power Group is a world-leading developer of 
low-cost, next-generation fuel cell technology.

Review of business and future developments
A review of the Group’s business, including events since the 
year-end and the outlook ahead, is set out in detail in the 
Chairman’s Statement on page 2 and the Chief Executive’s 
Review on pages 16 to 19.

The Directors continue to monitor developments in respect 
of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) and 
the impact this may have on customers and suppliers there, 
employee working rights and future grant funding. The 
Company recognises that foreign currency risk is one of the 
primary financial management risks in relation to the UK’s 
withdrawal and this is further detailed in note 18 to the 
Financial Statements.

Results and dividends
The consolidated results of the Group for the year are set 
out in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and 
Other Comprehensive Income on page 51.

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a 
dividend (2018: £nil).

Research and development
During the year, the Group incurred expenditure of 
£13,799,000 (2018: £11,422,000) on research and 
development which was expensed to the Consolidated 
Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive 
Income. In addition, £1,288,000 of development costs 
relating to the design, development and configuration of 
the Group’s core technology and manufacturing processes 
were capitalised as a development intangible in the year 
(2018: £47,000). The Chief Executive’s Review reports on 
research and development progress during the year.

Charitable and political contributions
The Group made no charitable or political donations 
and incurred no political expenditure during the year 
(2018: £nil).

Principal risks and uncertainties
In addition to financial risk management which is detailed in 
note 18 to the Financial Statements, there are a number of 
risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact 
on the execution of the Group’s strategy. These are set out 
in the Strategic Report on pages 22 and 23.

Directors
The Directors of the Company, who served during the year 
and up to the date of signing the Financial Statements, 
unless otherwise stated, are as follows:

•  Steve Callaghan (Senior Independent Director)

•  Caroline Hargrove (Non-Executive Director) – 

appointed 1 October 2018

•  Haoran Hu (Non-Executive Director) – appointed 

6 December 2018

•  Aidan Hughes (Non-Executive Director)

•  Mike Lloyd (Non-Executive Director) – retired from the 

Board 31 July 2018

•  Richard Preston (Chief Financial Officer)

• 

 Mark Selby (Chief Technology Officer) – retired from 
the Board 1 October 2018

•  Robert Trezona (Non-Executive Director)

Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance
The Company maintains liability insurance for its Directors 
and Officers as permitted by the Companies Act 2006.

Substantial shareholders
The Company has been notified of the following holdings 
of 3% or more of the 153,127,810 ordinary shares of 
£0.10 each of the Company on 25 September 2019:

Investor

Weichai Power
IP Group plc 
Lombard Odier Asset 
Management
Richard Griffiths
Robert Bosch
Oceanwood Capital

Number of £0.10 
ordinary shares

 Percentage

30,376,331
30,352,266

13,636,284
8,946,795
5,973,660
5,582,034

19.8%
19.8%

8.9%
5.8%
3.9%
3.6%

Policy and practice on payment of creditors
It is the Group’s policy for all suppliers to agree payment 
terms in advance of the supply of goods and services and 
to adhere to those payment terms. Trade creditors of the 
Group at the year-end, as a proportion of amounts invoiced 
by suppliers during the year, represented 32 days (2018: 
59 days). Trade creditors of the Company at the year-end 
as a proportion of amounts invoiced by suppliers during the 
year represented 30 days (2018: 2 days).

Corporate governance
The Directors recognise the importance of good corporate 
governance. The principles of how we have applied the 
updated 2018 Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate 
Governance Code (the 2018 QCA Code) and other 
corporate governance guidelines are set out in the 
Corporate Governance section of this report, and on the 
Company’s website (www.cerespower.com).

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

43
43

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   43

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:14

 
 
 
Directors’ report

for the year ended 30 June 2019

Financial instruments
At the year-end the Group did not have any complex 
financial instruments. The financial instruments it does 
have primarily comprise cash and liquid resources, forward 
exchange contracts and other various short-term assets 
and liabilities, such as trade receivables and trade payables 
which are used to manage the Group’s operations.

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the 
Annual Report, Strategic Report, the Directors’ Report and 
the Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 
Report, Strategic Report, Directors’ Report and the Group 
and Parent Company Financial Statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and 
Parent Company Financial Statements for each financial 
year. As required by the AIM Rules of the London Stock 
Exchange they are required to prepare the Group Financial 
Statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
EU and applicable law. They have elected to prepare the 
Parent Company Financial Statements in accordance with 
UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 101 Reduced 
Disclosure Framework.

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

• 

• 

• 

• 

 for the Group Financial Statements, state whether 
they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 
adopted by the EU;

 for the Parent Company Financial Statements, state 
whether UK Accounting Standards have been followed, 
subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the Financial Statements; 

 assess the Group and Parent Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, 
matters related to going concern; and

 use the going concern basis of accounting unless they 
intend either to liquidate the Group or the Parent 
Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so.

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

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

Going concern
Having reviewed the Group’s cash and short-term 
investments, forecast income and expenditure, performing 
appropriate sensitivity and scenario analyses, and after 
making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group and Company have 
adequate resources to progress their established strategy. 
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing these Financial Statements.

Directors’ statement on disclosure of information to auditor
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of 
this Directors’ Report confirmed that as far as each Director 
is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which 
the Company’s auditor is unaware. Each Director has taken 
all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director 
in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is 
aware of that information.

Auditor
KPMG were appointed as the Group’s external auditor in 
2015. Although the Committee is satisfied that KPMG 
continues to provide an effective audit service, in line with 
good governance practice to regularly review the external 
auditor, the Audit Committee has determined to put the 
external audit out to tender. Following the tender process 
the auditor appointed by the Board will be subject to 
approval by Shareholders at the 2019 AGM.

By order of the Board

RICHARD PRESTON

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
1 October 2019

Viking House 
Foundry Lane  
Horsham  
RH13 5PX

4444

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   44

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:14

Independent auditor’s report

to the members of Ceres Power Holdings plc 

Overview

Materiality: 
group financial 
statements as a 
whole

Coverage

Key audit matters 

Recurring risks

New risks

£480,000 (2018: £480,000)
2% of Group total expenses  
(2018: 4% of Group loss before tax)

100% (2018: 100%)

vs 2018

Risk of error over revenue 
recognition

Parent company carrying 
value of investment in 
subsidiaries

Capitalisation of internally 
generated development 
costs

The impact on our audit of 
uncertainties due to the UK 
exiting the European Union

1.  Our opinion is unmodified 
We have audited the financial statements of Ceres Power 
Holdings plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 30 
June 2019 which comprise the consolidated statement 
of profit and loss and other comprehensive income, 
consolidated statement of financial position, consolidated 
cash flow statement, consolidated statement of changes 
in equity, company balance sheet, company statement 
of changes in equity and the related notes, including 
the accounting policies in the notes to the consolidated 
financial statements and the notes to the company financial 
statements.

In our opinion: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of 
the state of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s 
affairs as at 30 June 2019 and of the Group’s loss for 
the year then ended; 

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

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

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

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

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

45
45

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   45

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:14

 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report

to the members of Ceres Power Holdings plc 

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

The risk

Our response

The impact of 
uncertainties due to 
the UK exiting the 
European Union on 
our audit

Refer to page 23 
(Strategic Report) 
and page 35 (Audit 
Committee Report).

Unprecedented levels of uncertainty 

All audits assess and challenge the 
reasonableness of estimates, in particular 
as described in the recoverability of 
parent company investments in subsidiary 
undertakings below, and related disclosures 
and the appropriateness of the going 
concern basis of preparation of the financial 
statements (see below). All of these depend 
on assessments of the future economic 
environment and the group’s future 
prospects and performance. 

Brexit is one of the most significant 
economic events for the UK and at the 
date of this report its effects are subject 
to unprecedented levels of uncertainty of 
outcomes, with the full range of possible 
effects unknown. 

We developed a standardised firm-wide 
approach to the consideration of the 
uncertainties arising from Brexit in planning 
and performing our audits. Our procedures 
included: 

•  Our Brexit knowledge:  

We considered the directors’ assessment 
of Brexit-related sources of risk for the 
group’s business and financial resources 
compared with our own understanding 
of the risks. We considered the directors’ 
plans to take action to mitigate the risks. 

•  Sensitivity analysis:  

When addressing the recoverability 
of the parent company investments in 
subsidiaries and other areas that depend 
on forecasts, we compared the directors’ 
analysis to our assessment of the full 
range of reasonably possible scenarios 
resulting from Brexit uncertainty and, 
where forecast cash flows are required to 
be discounted, considered adjustments to 
discount rates for the level of remaining 
uncertainty. 

•  Assessing transparency:  

As well as assessing individual disclosures 
as part of our procedures on the 
recoverability of the parent company 
investments in subsidiary undertakings, 
we considered all of the Brexit related 
disclosures together, including those 
in the strategic report, comparing the 
overall picture against our understanding 
of the risks. 

4646

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   46

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:14

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Risk of error over 
revenue recognition

(£15.3 million; 2018: 
£6.3 million)

Refer to page 35 
(Audit Committee 
Report), pages 58 to 
59 (accounting policy) 
and pages 59 to 62 
(financial disclosures).

The risk

Subjective estimate:

Each commercial revenue contract agreed 
with a customer is bespoke with differing 
performance obligations over varying time 
periods. Revenue is allocated to performance 
obligations of each contract. The identifying 
of the various performance obligations and 
initial allocation of the transaction price 
is significantly judgemental. Revenue on 
hardware is allocated based on a cost-plus 
margin, revenue on engineering services 
is allocated based on either a cost-plus 
margin or a residual method, and revenue 
on licences is allocated based on a residual 
method. 

Revenue is recognised during the contract 
life when earned. For hardware it is on 
supply. For engineering services it is on a 
percentage completion basis based on hours 
incurred to date versus total estimated 
hours to complete over the period the 
work is performed. A revision in estimates 
associated with costs and timing or an error 
in calculation could have a material impact 
on revenue recognised in the period. The 
licence of intellectual property can either be 
right to use or right to access. This is highly 
judgemental dependent on the specific 
circumstances of the licence agreement. The 
revenue on right to use licences is recognised 
on delivery of documents, and the revenue 
on right to access licences is recognised over 
time.

These judgements give rise to a risk that 
revenue is not recognised appropriately.

The effect of these matters is that, as part 
of our risk assessment, we determined that 
revenue recognition has a high degree of 
estimation uncertainty, with a potential 
range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our materiality for the financial statements 
as a whole, and possibly many times that 
amount. The financial statements disclose 
the sensitivity estimated by the Group within 
accounting policy note 1.

Our response

Our procedures included: 

•  Control design:  

We evaluated the design and 
implementation of controls over the 
revenue recognition process.

•  Test of detail:  

We assessed the group’s revenue 
recognition policy against the 
requirements of IFRS 15 and considered 
the application of the policy in light of 
particular circumstances of individual 
contracts.

•  Test of detail:  

For contracts that contained a licence of 
IP we assessed the contract against the 
specific guidance in IFRS 15 to determine 
whether this constituted a right to access 
or right to use licence, and hence the 
timing of revenue recognition.

•  Test of detail:  

For all high risk commercial revenue 
contracts (including those that are 
material in the period, with unusually high 
margin or which contain a licence) we 
assessed the group’s revenue recognition 
workings and methodology for the 
allocation of revenue to components and 
the timing of recognition with reference 
to contract requirements.

•  Test of detail:  

We agreed revenue to sales invoice and 
bank receipt.

•  Test of detail:  

We assessed the percentage of 
completion by comparing the hours 
incurred to date to total expected hours. 
We challenged total estimated hours 
through enquiry of project managers 
and review of historical forecasting 
accuracy. We also performed sensitivity 
analysis over the hours remaining on the 
project to assess how inaccurate they 
would need to be before there was a 
material error on hours or material error 
on the cumulative amount of revenue 
recognised.

•  Assessing transparency:  

We assessed the group’s disclosures 
in respect of the degree of estimation 
involved in arriving at the revenue 
recognised.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

47
47

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   47

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:14

 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report

to the members of Ceres Power Holdings plc 

Capitalisation of 
internally generated 
development costs

(£1.1 million;  
2018: nil)

Refer to page 35 
(Audit Committee 
report), page 68 
(accounting policy) 
and page 69 (financial 
disclosures).

Parent company: 
carrying value 
of investment in 
subsidiaries 

(£134.6 million; 2018: 
£68.4 million)

Refer to pages 85 and 
86 (accounting policy) 
and pages 86 and 87 
(financial disclosures).

The risk

Subjective judgement:

Within the year, there was a significant 
judgement made by the directors that the 
entity had now met the trigger point upon 
which capitalisation of internally generated 
intangible assets as required under the 
relevant accounting standard should 
commence. 

From this point, an accounting framework 
for capitalising development costs was 
established, and this includes further 
significant judgements in respect of which 
projects and CGUs meet the criteria for 
capitalisation, and which costs can be 
considered directly attributable and can be 
capitalised against these projects. 

The high level of judgement in respect of 
capitalising these costs gives rise to a risk of 
incorrect capitalisation in the year.

Low risk, high value:

The carrying amount of the company’s 
investment in its subsidiary, held at cost less 
impairment, represents 92% (2018: 86%) 
of the company’s total assets. We do not 
consider the recoverable amount of this 
investment to be at a high risk of significant 
misstatement. However, due to its materiality 
in the context of the company financial 
statements as a whole, this is considered to 
be the area which had the greatest effect 
on our overall audit strategy and allocation 
of resources in planning and completing our 
company audit. 

Our response

Our procedures included: 

•  Test of Detail:  

Reviewed the capitalisation of 
development costs policy and ensured 
it had been appropriately applied. This 
included considering whether the trigger 
point for capitalising costs identified by 
the directors was appropriate. 

•  Enquiry of management:  

We held detailed discussions with 
the directors and other management 
regarding the costs incurred in the year 
and anticipated future expenditure. 

•  Test of detail:  

Agreed a sample of costs capitalised in 
the year to purchase invoices and bank 
payment or timesheets. 

•  Assessing transparency:  

We considered the adequacy of the 
associated disclosures. 

Our procedures included: 

•  Test of detail:  

Assessed for any indications of 
impairment such as market value 
declines, negative changes in technology, 
changes in amounts and cost of financing, 
net assets of the company higher than 
market capitalisation, or worse economic 
performance than expected.

•  Test of detail:  

Compared the carrying amount of 
the investment in subsidiary with the 
market value of the Group, being an 
approximation of the investment’s 
recoverable amount, to identify whether 
the latter is in excess of its carrying 
amount.

3. Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit 
Materiality for the group financial statements as a whole was set at £480,000, determined with reference to a benchmark 
of group total expenses, of which it represents 2% (2018: the benchmark was group loss before tax and the materiality 
amount used of £480,000 represented 4%). The change in benchmark is due to the Group approaching breakeven 
position and therefore the movement in the loss in the current year does not reflect the growth in the business. Revenue 
can fluctuate due to the nature of the contracts, and hence total expenses are deemed to be the most accurate figure to 
reflect the Group’s growth trend. 

Materiality for the parent company financial statements as a whole was set at £430,000 (2018: £430,000), determined 
with reference to a benchmark of company total assets, of which it represents 0.3% (2018: 0.5%). 

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £24,000 
(2018: £24,000), in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

4848

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   48

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:14

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Of the group’s 4 (2018: 4) reporting components, we subjected 4 (2018: 4) to full scope audits for group purposes.  
The components within the scope of our work accounted for 100% of group revenue, group loss before tax and group 
total assets. 

The component materialities ranged from £315,000 to £430,000 (2018: £170,000 to £430,000), having regard to the mix 
of size and risk profile of the Group across the components. The work on all components (2018: all components), including 
the audit of the parent company, was performed by the Group team at the company’s head office in Horsham, West 
Sussex. 

Total expenses 

£24m (2018: loss before tax £11.9m)

Group Materiality
£480,000 (2018: £480,000)

£480,000
Whole financial
statements materiality
(2018: £480,000)

£430,000
Range of materiality at 4 components
(£315,000-£430,000)
(2018: £170,000 to £430,000)

Group total expenses

Group materiality

£24,000 Misstatements reported
to the Audit Committee (2018:  £24,000)

4.  We have nothing to report on going concern 
The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the 
Company or the Group or to cease their operations, and as they have concluded that the Company’s and the Group’s 
financial position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no material uncertainties that could 
have cast significant doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern for at least a year from the date of approval of 
the financial statements (“the going concern period”). 

Our responsibility is to conclude on the appropriateness of the Directors’ conclusions and, had there been a material 
uncertainty related to going concern, to make reference to that in this audit report. However, as we cannot predict all 
future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that 
were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of reference to a material uncertainty in this auditor’s report is 
not a guarantee that the group or the company will continue in operation. 

In our evaluation of the Directors’ conclusions, we considered the inherent risks to the Group’s and Company’s business 
model and analysed how those risks might affect the Group’s and Company’s financial resources or ability to continue 
operations over the going concern period. The risks that we considered most likely to adversely affect the Group’s and 
Company’s available financial resources over this period were: 

•  Macro-economic uncertainty

As these were risks that could potentially cast significant doubt on the Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, we considered sensitivities over the level of available financial resources indicated by the Group’s 
financial forecasts taking account of reasonably possible (but not unrealistic) adverse effects that could arise from these 
risks individually and collectively and evaluated the achievability of the actions the Directors consider they would take to 
improve the position should the risks materialise. We also considered less predictable but realistic second order impacts, 
such as the impact of Brexit.

Based on this work, we are required to report to you if we have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of 
accounting is inappropriate or there is an undisclosed material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt over the use of 
that basis for a period of at least a year from the date of approval of the financial statements. 

We have nothing to report in these respects, and we did not identify going concern as a key audit matter.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

49
49

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   49

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:15

 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report

to the members of Ceres Power Holdings plc 

5.  We have nothing to report on the other information in the Annual Report
The directors are responsible for the other information presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not 
express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

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

Strategic report and directors’ report 
Based solely on our work on the other information: 

•  we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report; 
• 
• 

in our opinion the information given in those reports for the financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and 
in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

6.  We have nothing to report on the other matters on which we are required to report 
by exception 
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: 
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 

been received from branches not visited by us; or 
the parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

• 
•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

We have nothing to report in these respects

7.  Respective responsibilities 
Directors’ responsibilities 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 44, the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the 
financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine 
is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error; assessing the Group and the parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as 
applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to 
liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

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

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

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

GEMMA HANCOCK 

(SENIOR STATUTORY AUDITOR) 

1 October 2019

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 

Chartered Accountants 
1 Forest Gate
Brighton Road
Crawley
RH11 9PT

5050

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   50

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:15

Consolidated statement of profit and loss and 
other comprehensive income

for the year ended 30 June 2019

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Other operating income
Operating costs
Operating loss
Finance income
Loss before taxation
Taxation credit
Loss for the financial year and total comprehensive loss
Loss per £0.10 ordinary share expressed in pence per share:
– basic and diluted

Note

2

3
3

4
3
7

8

2019
£’000

15,300
(3,804)
11,496
1,065
(20,485)
(7,924)
552
(7,372)
2,538
(4,834)

2018
£’000

6,329
(3,097)
3,232
680
(15,854)
(11,942)
57
(11,885)
1,961
(9,924)

(3.43)p

(9.78)p

All activities relate to the Group’s continuing operations and the loss for the financial year is fully attributable to the 
owners of the parent.

The notes on pages 55 to 82 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

51
51

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   51

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:15

 
 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position

as at 30 June 2019

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Other receivables
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Inventories
Contract assets
Other assets
Derivative financial instruments
Current tax receivable
Trade and other receivables
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
Other liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions
Total current liabilities
Net current assets
Non-current liabilities
Other liabilities
Provisions
Total non-current liabilities
Net assets

Equity attributable to the owners of the parent
Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Merger reserve
Accumulated losses
Total equity

Note

9
10
 13

12
2
14
18
7
13
15
15

16
2
17
18
19

17
19

20

21
21

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

9,769
1,322
741
11,832

1,403
722
1,497
28
2,292
4,204
63,700
7,567
81,413

(2,365)
(3,061)
(1,838)
(66)
(158)
(7,488)
73,925

(323)
(992)
(1,315)
84,442

2,197
47
–
2,244

1,400
–
1,630
8
1,900
3,151
–
6,395
14,484

(1,734)
–
(2,556)
(5)
–
(4,295)
10,189

–
(851)
(851)
11,582

15,277
179,116
3,449
7,463
(120,863)
84,442

10,163
107,445
3,449
7,463
(116,938)
11,582

The notes on pages 55 to 82 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements on pages 51 to 82 were approved by the Board of Directors on 1 October 2019 and were signed 
on its behalf by:

PHIL CALDWELL

RICHARD PRESTON

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Ceres Power Holdings plc 
Registered Number: 5174075

5252

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   52

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:15

Consolidated cash flow statement

for the year ended 30 June 2019

Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before taxation

Adjustments for:
Finance income
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangibles
Net foreign exchange losses/(gains)
Net change in fair value of financial instruments at fair value through profit or 
loss
Share-based payments
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital and provisions
Increase in trade, other receivables and assets
Increase in inventories
(Decrease)/increase in trade, other payables and liabilities
Increase in contract assets
Increase in contract liabilities
Increase in provisions
Net cash used in operations
Taxation received
Net cash used in operating activities

Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Capitalised development expenditure
Movement in short-term investments
Finance income received
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares
Expenses from issuance of ordinary shares
Net cash generated from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Exchange (losses)/gains on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Note

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

(7,372)

(11,885)

4
3
3
3

3
22

15

(552)
1,025
13
67

42
909
(5,868)
(1,412)
(3)
(559)
(722)
3,061
299
(5,204)
2,146
(3,058)

(7,693)
(1,288)
(63,700)
193
(72,488)

77,926
(1,141)
76,785

1,239
(67)
6,395
7,567

(57)
1,170
–
(29)

(3)
920
(9,884)
(2,319)
(805)
1,636
–
–
23
(11,349)
1,866
(9,483)

(1,454)
(47)
14,000
57
12,556

135
–
135

3,208
29
3,158
6,395

The notes on pages 55 to 82 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

53
53

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   53

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:15

 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 30 June 2019

 Share 
capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£’000

 Note

 Merger 
reserve 
£’000

Accumulated 
losses 
£’000

Total 
£’000

At 1 July 2017

10,124

107,349

3,449

7,463

(107,934)

20,451

Comprehensive income
Loss for the financial year
Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners
Issue of shares, net of costs
Share-based payments
Total transactions with 
owners
At 30 June 2018

Comprehensive income
Loss for the financial year
Total comprehensive loss 

Transactions with owners
Issue of shares, net of costs
Share-based payments
Total transactions with 
owners
At 30 June 2019

–
–

39
–

–
–

96
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

(9,924)
(9,924)

(9,924)
(9,924)

–
920

135
920

20
22

39
10,163

96
107,445

–
3,449

–
7,463

920
(116,938)

1,055
11,582

–
–

–
–

20
22

5,114
–

71,671  

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

(4,834)
(4,834)

(4,834)
(4,834)

–
909

76,785
909

5,114
15,277

71,671
179,116

–
3,449

–
7,463

909
(120,863)

77,694
84,442

The notes on pages 55 to 82 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5454

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   54

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:15

 
I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

1. Accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements

The Company is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom and is registered on the London Stock Exchange 
Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below and 
at the start of the respective notes to these consolidated financial statements. These policies have been consistently 
applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared on a going concern basis, in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union, the IFRS Interpretations 
Committee (IFRS-IC) interpretations and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting 
under IFRS.

The Company has elected to prepare its entity financial statements in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101) and these are presented on pages 83 to 88.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except that the following assets and 
liabilities are stated at their fair value: derivative financial instruments and financial instruments classified as fair value 
through the profit and loss.

Foreign currencies
The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is the Group’s presentational currency. 
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the exchange rate ruling at the date of 
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the 
foreign exchange rate ruling at the year end. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the 
Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of Ceres Power Holdings plc include the results of the Company and subsidiary 
entities which are controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. In 
assessing control, the Group takes into consideration potential voting rights that are currently exercisable. The acquisition 
date is the date on which control is transferred to the acquirer. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the 
consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are 
eliminated. 

Going concern
Having reviewed the Group’s forecast income and expenditure, performing appropriate sensitivity and scenario analyses, 
and after making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company have 
adequate resources to progress their established strategy. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing these financial statements.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and 
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on 
management’s best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised. Material estimates and assumptions are made in particular with 
regard to the timing and value of revenue recognised and the capitalisation of development costs.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

55
55

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   55

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:15

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

1. Accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements continued

Critical 
accounting  
policy

Revenue from 
customer 
contracts

Capitalisation 
and 
amortisation of 
development 
costs

Notes

2

Description

There are significant management judgements and estimates when classifying, valuing and 
recognising revenue in relation to customer contracts. 

Customer contracts typically include engineering services, access to or sale of technology hardware 
and licenses. Revenue is allocated to these key components based on initial cost estimates to 
deliver the obligations under the contract and established margins for the different components. 
Management has established a range of margins to apply to contract components where the 
costs can be reliably estimated. Given the sometimes complex and long-term nature of customer 
contracts, these forecast cost estimations and margins are considered a significant area of 
judgement when valuing and allocating revenue to key components. 

In determining the revenue recognition for license components of customer contracts, judgements 
must be made as to the nature of the licenses (right to access or right to use) and the number and 
timing of performance obligations associated with those licences. These judgements are made 
based on the interpretation of key clauses and conditions within each customer contract.

Revenue for engineering services is recognised based on the percentage of completion method and 
is measured based on the total contract costs at each reporting period compared to the estimated 
total contract costs to deliver the service over the contract life. The assessment of the total project 
costs to deliver the contracted service are updated during the term of the contract by project 
managers and are subject to internal reviews, including comparison to previous forecasts and past 
experience.

Material differences in the amount of revenue in any given period may result if the judgements or 
estimates prove to be incorrect or if management’s estimates change on the basis of development 
of the business or market conditions. To date there have been no material differences arising from 
these judgements and estimates.
When determining the criteria for starting, and subsequently ceasing, the capitalisation of 
development costs as an internally generated asset, IAS 38 requires that strict criteria are met; in 
particular, that it is probable that future economic benefits will result from the development asset.

10

Management’s view has always been that this probability threshold needed to be sufficiently 
high, such that development costs would not be capitalised before the Group could demonstrate 
the inflow of future economic benefits from significant “go-to-market” licence contracts with 
customers.

Following the successful agreement of contracts with Robert Bosch and Weichai Power in 
September and December 2018 respectively, management believes that this threshold of 
probability has been met. As a result, from 1 January 2019 management has put in place 
processes to review and assess all customer and internal development programme expenditure to 
ascertain whether it is appropriate to capitalise development costs under IAS 38.

Determining when capitalisation should commence and cease is a critical judgement, as is the 
basis for amortising the capitalised costs.

Within the Group there is an established Technology and Product Development Process with 
gated milestones that assesses the technology and product viability and maturity. Until a 
programme has passed the required milestone gate, all expenditure is deemed “Research” and 
expensed as incurred. Expenses incurred after the milestone gate is passed are capitalised within 
the parameters set out in the accounting policy. Once a programme has passed the milestone 
gate, confirming a production design version is approved or development activities are completed, 
the capitalisation of costs is stopped and further expenditure is expensed. 

Management assess the period of amortisation over the deemed useful life of each asset to 
ensure that the amortisation cost is matched by the inflow of future economic benefits expected 
to be received from customers in the form of license and royalty income.

5656

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   56

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

1. Accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements continued
Adopted IFRSs not yet applied
The following adopted IFRSs have been issued, have an effective date for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2019 
and have not been applied by the Group in these financial statements. Their adoption is not expected to have a material 
effect on the financial statements unless otherwise indicated:

• 

IFRS 16 – Leases. IFRS 16 specifies how the reporting entity will recognise, measure, present and disclose leases. The 
standard provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases 
unless the lease term is 12 months or less or the underlying asset has a low value.

Management have assessed the possible impact to the consolidated financial statements of the adoption of this 
standard using the modified retrospective approach and estimate that a ‘Right of use’ asset of between £4.5 and 5.0 
million will be created, a ‘Finance lease’ liability of between £5.0 and 5.5 million will be created and there will be an 
opening reserves adjustment of between £0.25 and 0.75 million.

Under current guidance, the costs in respect of operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight 
line basis over the lease term as a lease expense. Under IFRS 16, the costs in respect of leases are the depreciation of 
the ‘Right of use’ asset and an imputed interest charge arising on the ‘Finance lease’ liability. This may result in lease 
expenses being recognised sooner under IFRS 16 than under previous guidance, however the impact is not anticipated 
to be material to the consolidated income statement.

The Group plans to apply IFRS 16 initially on 1 July 2019. Given the relatively low number of lease asset held by the 
group, management consider the discount rate to be the only area of significant judgement in determining the assets 
and liabilities at transition.

• 

IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts

•  Amendments to IFRS 9 – Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation

•  Amendments to IAS 28 – Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures

•  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015–2017 Cycle:

Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements

IAS 12 Income Taxes

IAS 23 Borrowing Costs

•  Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits – Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement

• 

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 (amendments) – Sale or Contribution of Assets between an 
Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture

• 

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

57
57

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   57

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

2. Revenue and segmental information

Revenue and direct costs
The Group adopted IFRS 15 with a date of initial application of 1 July 2018. The revenue recognition accounting 
policy applied in preparation of the results for the current financial year reflects the application of IFRS 15 and is 
detailed below. The Group has elected to adopt the standard using the cumulative effect transition method. Under 
this transition method, the new standard has been applied as at the date of initial application without restatement of 
comparative amounts. There is no cumulative impact on the opening balance of equity as at 1 July 2018 as a result of 
the initial application of the new standard. The comparative information has not been adjusted and therefore continues 
to be reported under IAS 18, ‘Revenue Recognition’.

Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the provision of goods and services 
in the ordinary course of the Group’s activities. Revenue is shown net of value added tax, other sales taxes and after 
eliminating sales within the Group.

Revenue primarily consists of amounts received or receivable under evaluation, development, supply and licence 
contracts. The nature of goods and services provided under these contracts consists of engineering services, access to 
or sale of technology hardware and licenses to access and use intellectual property (IP).

Engineering services are provided under evaluation and development agreements. The nature of the work typically 
comprises engineering staff time for design, development, modelling and test analysis. The performance obligation in 
relation to this work is deemed to be satisfied over time based on a percentage of completion basis.

Technology hardware is provided to customers under evaluation, development and supply agreements. Where access 
to the hardware is provided under an evaluation agreement, the performance obligation is deemed to be satisfied on a 
straight-line basis over the period that the customers preferred technology performance attributes are verified under 
the evaluation agreement. Where access to the hardware is provided under development and supply agreements, the 
performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time that the hardware is delivered.

Access to intellectual property (IP) is provided to customers under licence agreements. The nature of the licenses (right 
to access or right to use) is determined based on the interpretation of key clauses and conditions within each customer 
contract. The performance obligation is the disclosure of IP under the licence and is based on the number and timing 
of disclosures associated with those licences. For a right to use license the performance obligation is satisfied at a point 
in time when the IP is disclosed. For a right to access license the performance obligation is satisfied over the time that 
access is granted to IP developed.

Revenue is allocated to engineering services and access to or sale of technology hardware based on initial cost 
estimates to deliver the obligations under the contract and established margins for the different components (cost-
plus margin). Management has established a range of margins to apply to contract components where the costs can 
be reliably estimated. Given the sometimes complex and long-term nature of customer contracts, these forecast cost 
estimations and margins are considered a significant area of judgement when valuing and allocating revenue to key 
components.

Revenue is allocated to licences on a stand-alone selling price basis where observable. Where the licence forms part of 
a wider contract for the provision of engineering services and technology hardware, the Group uses a cost-plus margin 
approach for revenue allocated to engineering services and technology hardware components and a residual approach 
for allocating revenue to licences.

Revenue allocated to key components of contracts is recognised when performance obligations in relation to the key 
components are satisfied. Performance obligations are deemed to be satisfied as follows:

•  Access to technology hardware – either on delivery or over time access is granted

•  Sale of technology hardware – on delivery

•  Engineering services – percentage of completion

•  Right-to-use license – at the point in time the IP is disclosed

•  Right-to-access – over time that access is granted to IP developed

5858

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   58

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

2. Revenue and segmental information continued

Revenue and direct costs continued
Percentage of completion is measured based on the total contract costs at each reporting period compared to the 
estimated total contract costs to deliver the service over the contract life. The assessment of the total project costs 
to deliver the contracted service are updated during the term of the contract by project managers and are subject to 
internal reviews, including comparison to previous forecasts and past experience.

Material differences in the amount of revenue in any given period may result if the judgements or estimates prove to 
be incorrect or if management’s estimates change on the basis of development of the business or market conditions. To 
date there have been no material differences arising from these judgements and estimates.

The revenue recognition is subject to certainty of receipt of cash, or when any specific conditions in agreements have 
been met. Where there is a timing difference between the recognition of revenue and invoicing under a contract, a 
contract asset or liability is recognised.

All costs incurred in fulfilling the key components of a customer contract are recognised in line with the associated 
revenue and recorded as a cost of sale. Where there is a timing difference between when the contract fulfilment costs 
are incurred and when the revenue is recognised, a contract asset is recognised. These include costs such as direct 
labour, direct materials, and, where applicable, an allocation of overheads that relate directly to the contract. If a loss is 
expected in respect of a contract, the entire loss is recognised immediately in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and 
Loss and Other Comprehensive Income. The Group expenses pre-contract legal costs which are incurred regardless of 
whether a contract is awarded.

Operating segments
The Group has adopted IFRS 8, “Operating Segments”. IFRS 8 defines operating segments as those activities of an 
entity about which separate financial information is available and which are evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision 
Maker (CODM) to assess performance and determine the allocation of resources.

The CODM has been identified as the Executive Board which is made up of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief 
Financial Officer, the Chief Technology Officer, the Chief Commercial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. The 
Directors are of the opinion that under IFRS 8 the Group has only one operating segment, being the development 
and commercialisation of its fuel cell technology. The CODM assesses the performance of the operating segment on 
financial information which is measured and presented in a manner consistent with that in the financial statements.

The Group is organised into one operating segment, which is the development and commercialisation of its fuel cell 
technology. All of the Group’s non-current assets are located in the United Kingdom.

The Group’s revenue is disaggregated by geographical market, major product/service lines, and timing of revenue 
recognition:

Geographical market

Europe 
Asia
North America

Major product/service lines

Engineering services and provision of technology hardware
Licenses

2019
£’000

10,553
4,441
306
15,300

2019
£’000

7,888
7,412
15,300

2018
£’000

610
4,314
1,405
6,329

2018
£’000

5,420
909
6,329

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

59
59

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   59

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

2. Revenue and segmental information continued

Timing of transfer of goods and services

Products and services transferred at a point in time
Products and services transferred over time

The contract assets and liabilities as of 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019 are as follows:

Trade receivables 
Contract assets – accrued income
Contract assets – deferred costs

Contract liabilities – deferred income
Provision for loss making contracts
Provision for warranties

2019
£’000

7,057
8,243
15,300

30 June 
2019 
£’000

2,404
306
416
3,126
(3,061)
(65)
(93)
(3,219)

2018
£’000

1,229
5,100
6,329

1 July 
2018
£’000

1,744
709
625
3,078
(933)
-
-
(933)

Note

13

19
19

There were no impairment losses recognised against trade receivables in either the current or prior years relating to the 
adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. Further details regarding the composition of trade receivables can be found in 
note 13 and on the adoption of IFRS 9 in note 18.

The contract assets – accrued income – primarily relate to consideration for work completed but not billed at the reporting 
date. The contract assets are transferred to trade receivables when the rights become unconditional.

The contract assets – deferred costs – relates to the cost to provide hardware to customers under evaluation agreements. 
The cost is deferred and recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of access as the customers’ preferred 
technology performance attributes are verified under the agreement.

The contract liabilities – deferred income – primarily relate to the advance consideration received from customers. There 
are no significant financing components associated with deferred income.

Revenue recognised in the current year that was included in the contract liabilities – deferred income – balance at the 
beginning of the period was £664,000.

There were no significant amounts of revenue recognised in the year ended 30 June 2019 arising from performance 
obligations satisfied in previous periods.

Significant changes in the contract assets and the contract liabilities balances during the period are as follows:

Revenue recognised that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the 
period
Increases due to cash received, excluding amounts recognised as revenue during the period
Transfers from contract assets recognised at the beginning of the period to receivables
Increases as a result of changes in the measure of progress

Contract 
liabilities
2019
£’000

664
(2,792)

Contract 
assets
2019
£’000

(709)
306

6060

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   60

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

2. Revenue and segmental information continued

The revenue expected to be recognised in future years for evaluation and development, supply and licence agreements in 
respect of performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the year end is:

Evaluation, development, supply and licence agreements

2020
£’000

13,005

2021
£’000

4,480

2022
£’000

245

The above analysis excludes revenue which is contracted but contingent upon milestones or decision criteria which are at 
the customers discretion.

The company applies the practical expedient in IFRS 15.121 and does not disclose information about remaining 
performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.

Changes in accounting policies
The Group adopted IFRS 15 using the cumulative effect transition method with a date of initial application of 1 July 2018. 
The comparative information has not been adjusted and therefore continues to be reported under IAS 18, ‘Revenue 
Recognition’. There is no cumulative impact on the opening balance of equity as at 1 July 2018 as a result of the initial 
application of the new standard.

Consolidated statement of financial position
The impact of adopting IFRS 15 on the consolidated statement of financial position for the year ended 30 June 2019 
compared to the revenue determined in accordance with IAS 18 is as follows:

Current assets
Inventories
Contract assets
Other assets
Derivative financial instruments
Current tax receivable
Trade and other receivables
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
Other liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions
Total current liabilities

Impact of changes in accounting policies

As reported
£’000

Adjustments
£’000

Balances 
without 
adoption of 
IFRS 15
£’000

1,403
722
1,497
28
2,292
4,204
63,700
7,567
81,413

(2,365)
(3,061)
(1,838)
(66)
(158)
(7,488)

416
(722)
306
-
-
-
-
-
-

3,061
(3,061)
-
-

1,819
-
1,803
28
2,292
4,204
63,700
7,567
81,413

(2,365)
-
(4,899)
(66)
(158)
(7,488)

Other than the impact noted above on adopting IFRS 15, there were no further changes to the consolidated statement of 
financial position for the year ended 30 June 2019.

Consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income
There is no impact on the consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income as a result of the 
adoption of IFRS 15 for the year ended 30 June 2019 compared to the revenue determined in accordance with IAS 18.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

61
61

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   61

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

2. Revenue and segmental information continued

Consolidated cash flow statement
The impact of adopting IFRS 15 on the consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 30 June 2019 compared to 
the revenue determined in accordance with IAS 18 is as follows:

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital and provisions
Increase in trade, other receivables and assets
Increase in inventories
(Decrease)/increase in trade, other payables and liabilities
Increase in contract assets
Increase in contract liabilities
Increase in provisions
Net cash used in operations

Impact of changes in accounting policies

As reported
£’000

Adjustments
£’000

(5,868)
(1,412)
(3)
(559)
(722)
3,061
299
(5,204)

-
(306)
(416)
3,061
722
(3,061)
-
-

Balances 
without 
adoption of 
IFRS 15
£’000

(5,868)
(1,718)
(419)
2,502
-
-
299
(5,204)

Other than the impact noted above on adopting IFRS 15, there were no further changes to the consolidated cash flow 
statement for the year ended 30 June 2019.

3. Loss before taxation

Research and development
The Group undertakes research and development activities either on its own behalf or in conjunction with customers.

Group and customer funded expenditure on research, and on development activities not meeting the conditions for 
capitalisation (see note 10), are written off as incurred and charged to the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss 
and Other Comprehensive Income.

Operating leases
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as 
operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged 
to the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income on a straight-line basis over the 
period of the lease. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are amortised over the 
full lease term.

Government grants
Grants are recognised on a case-by-case basis. Revenue grants are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit 
and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income as other operating income as the related costs are incurred and expensed. 
The reimbursement of the cost of an item of plant and equipment or intangible by way of a capital grant is presented 
as deferred income and recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 
as other operating income on a basis consistent with the depreciation or amortisation of the asset over its estimated 
useful life.

For grants with no technical milestones, and where recovery is reasonable, the grant is recognised on an accruals basis 
in order to match the associated expenditure with the grant income. For grants with technical milestones, these grants 
are held on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as deferred income and are recognised only when the 
relevant milestone has been achieved and the associated cash has been received.

6262

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   62

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

3. Loss before taxation continued

Operating costs are split as follows:
Research and development costs
Administrative expenses
Commercial expenses

Loss before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):
Staff costs, including share-based payments (note 5)
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment (note 9)
Amortisation of intangibles (note 10)
Operating lease rentals payable – property, plant and machinery
Other operating income – grant income
Repairs expenditure on property, plant and equipment
Net change in fair value of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss
Net foreign exchange loss/(gain)

Services provided by the Group’s auditor
During the year the Group obtained the following services from the Group’s auditor as 
detailed below:
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of parent Company and consolidated 
financial statements
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services:
– the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries 
– taxation compliance services
– audit related assurance services – interim financial information
– audit related assurance services – government grants

4. Finance income

Interest income
Interest income is recognised in the income statement in the period in which it is earned.

Interest receivable on cash and short-term investments

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

2019
£’000

13,799
4,618
2,068
20,485

11,507
1,025
13
680
(1,065)
478
42
67

20

53
– 
16
4
93

2018
£’000

11,422
3,430
1,002
15,854

8,967
1,170
–
366
(680)
325
(3)
(29)

13

47
3
12
12
87

2019
£’000

552

2018
£’000

57

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

63
63

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   63

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

5. Employees and Directors
The average number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:

By activity:
Research and development
Prototype production
Administration
Commercial 

Staff costs (for the above persons) comprised:
Wages and salaries, including compensation for loss of office
Social security costs
Other pension costs (note 6)
Share-based payments (note 22)

Directors’ emoluments:
Aggregate emoluments
Company contributions to defined contribution pension schemes
Gain on exercise of share options

Highest paid Director:
Aggregate emoluments
Company contributions to defined contribution pension schemes
Gain on exercise of share options

2019
Number

2018
Number

112
50
24
5
191

2019
£’000

8,974
958
666
909
11,507

2019
£’000

870
33
200
1,103

2019
£’000

406
18
29
453

94
23
20
6
143

2018
£’000

6,854
718
475
920
8,967

2018
£’000

864
41
91
996

2018
£’000

303
17
–
320

Two Directors (2018: three Directors) have retirement benefits accruing under defined contribution pension schemes.

Additional information on the emoluments of the directors, together with information regarding the share interests and 
share options of the directors, is included in the Remuneration report on pages 37 to 42, which form part of these audited 
financial statements.

Key management compensation
The Directors are of the opinion that the key management of the Group were the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief 
Financial Officer, the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. The key 
management compensation is summarised in the following table:

Salaries and other short-term employment benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

2019
£’000

1,230
67
595
1,892

2018
£’000

1,047
66
613
1,726

6464

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   64

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

6. Pensions

Pension scheme arrangements
The Group operates a defined contribution pension plan for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately 
from those of the Group in independently administered funds. The plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which 
the Group pays fixed contributions during the employee’s service and will have no legal or constructive obligation to 
pay amounts after the employee’s service ends. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are 
recognised as an expense in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income in the 
period during which services are rendered by employees.

The pension charge represents contributions payable by the Group to the funds and amounted to £666,000 (2018: 
£475,000). A total of £103,000 (2018: £78,000) was payable to the funds at the year end.

7. Taxation and deferred taxation

Taxation
The taxation credit for the year comprises current and deferred tax and any adjustment to tax payable or receivable in 
respect of previous years. Tax is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive 
Income except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Current tax receivable is the expected tax receivable on the activities for the year, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the year end. The current tax receivable represents the Directors’ best estimate of tax due to 
the Group at the year end under the SME and large company R&D tax credit regimes.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided 
for: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business 
combination; and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the 
foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of 
the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the year end.

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

UK corporation tax 
Adjustment in respect of prior periods 
Taxation credit

2019
£’000

(2,292)
(246)
(2,538)

2018
£’000

(1,900)
(61)
(1,961)

No corporation tax liability has arisen during the year (2018: £nil) due to the losses incurred.

A tax credit has arisen as a result of expenditure surrendered and claimed under the SME and large company R&D tax 
credit regimes in the current and prior years.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

65
65

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   65

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

7. Taxation and deferred taxation continued
The tax result for the year is different from the standard rate of small profits UK corporation tax of 19.00% (2018: 
19.00%). The differences are explained below:

Loss before taxation
Loss before taxation multiplied by the UK tax rate of 19.00% (2018: 19.00%)

Effects of:
Losses carried forward 
Enhanced tax deductions for R&D expenditure
Expenses not deductible
Fixed asset differences
Adjustment in respect of prior periods – R&D tax credit
Difference between R&D tax credit and small company tax rates
Share option timing differences
Total taxation credit

Deferred taxation
Potential deferred tax assets have not been recognised but are set out below:

Tax effect of temporary differences because of:
Difference between capital allowances and depreciation
Deductions relating to share options
Losses carried forward

2019
£’000

(7,372)
(1,401)

322
(1,580)
180
(428)
(246)
781
(166)
(2,538)

2018
£’000

(11,885)
(2,258)

1,121
(1,418)
52
35
(61)
633
(65)
(1,961)

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

(1,211)
(938)
(11,596)
(13,745)

(1,641)
(872)
(11,245)
(13,758)

The deferred tax assets have not been recognised as the Directors consider that it is unlikely that the asset will be realised 
in the foreseeable future. The potential deferred tax assets are calculated using the estimated UK tax rate of 17% (2018: 
17%).

8. Loss per share
On 7 August 2018 Ceres Power Holdings plc completed a 1-for-10 share consolidation, where every ten existing ordinary 
shares of £0.01 each in the Company were consolidated into one ordinary share of £0.10 each. The basic and diluted loss 
per share for the prior year has been adjusted to represent the £0.10 ordinary share capital structure so it is comparable 
to the current year share capital.

Basic and diluted loss per £0.10 ordinary share of 3.43p for the financial year ended 30 June 2019 (2018: 9.78p 
(adjusted)) is calculated by dividing the loss for the financial year attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Given the losses during the year, there is no dilution of losses 
per share in the year ended 30 June 2019 or in the previous year.

The loss for the financial year ended 30 June 2019 was £4,834,000 (2018: £9,924,000) and the weighted average 
number of £0.10 ordinary shares in issue during the year ended 30 June 2019 was 140,956,490 (2018: 101,483,381 
(adjusted)).

6666

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   66

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

9. Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. 
The cost includes all expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the assets. Subsequent costs are 
included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that 
future economic benefits associated with the asset will flow to the Group and the cost of the asset can be measured 
reliably. All other repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and 
Other Comprehensive Income during the financial period in which they are incurred. The Directors annually consider 
the need to impair these assets.

Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of 
an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Leasehold improvements
Plant and machinery
Computer equipment
Fixtures and fittings
Motor vehicles

Ten years or the lease term if shorter 
Three to ten years 
Three years 
Three to ten years
Three to five years

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

‘Assets under construction’ represents the cost of purchasing, constructing and installing property, plant and equipment 
ahead of their productive use. The category is temporary, pending completion of the assets and their transfer to the 
appropriate and permanent category of property, plant and equipment. As such, no depreciation is charged on assets 
under construction.

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000

Plant and 
machinery 
£’000

Computer 
equipment 
£’000

Fixtures and 
fittings 
£’000

Assets under 
construction 
£’000

Motor 
vehicles 
£’000

Cost
At 1 July 2017
Additions
Disposals

At 30 June 2018
Additions
At 30 June 2019

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 July 2017
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 30 June 2018
Charge for the year
At 30 June 2019

Net book value
At 30 June 2019
At 30 June 2018
At 30 June 2017

1,898
192
–

2,090
132
2,222

1,882
146
–

2,028
68
2,096

126
62
16

8,521
793
(3)

9,311
1,535
10,846

6,718
965
(3)

7,680
798
8,478

2,368
1,631
1,803

874
121
–

995
463
1,458

780
59
–

839
159
998

460
156
94

69
–
–

69
–
69

69
–
–

69
–
69

–
–
–

Total
£’000

11,362
1,454
(3)

12,813
8,597
21,410

9,449
1,170
(3)

10,616
1,025
11,641

–
348
–

348
6,455
6,803

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
12
12

–
–
–

–
–
–

6,803
348
–

12
–
–

9,769
2,197
1,913

Assets under construction primarily consist of plant and machinery and leasehold improvements relating to the new 
manufacturing site which is yet to be commissioned at the year end.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

67
67

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   67

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

10. Intangible assets

Research and development
Expenditure incurred on research and development is distinguished as relating to a research phase or development 
phase with reference to the Group’s technology and product development process.

All research phase expenditure is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other 
Comprehensive Income as an expense when incurred (see note 3).

Development phase expenditure is capitalised from the point that all of the following conditions are met:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the product or process under development is technically and commercially feasible;

the Group intends to and has the technical ability and sufficient resources to complete the development;

future economic benefits are probable; and

the Group can measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the asset during its development.

Development phase activities involve a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products 
or processes in relation to the Group’s core fuel cell and system technology and intellectual property. The expenditure 
capitalised includes the cost of materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of overheads. 

Capitalisation of development phase activities continues until the point at which the product or process under 
development meets its originally mandated technical specification. For product and process development, this is at the 
point where the production design version is approved or the development is completed.

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised where it enhances the functionality of the asset and demonstrably generates an 
enhanced economic benefit to the Group. All other subsequent expenditure on the product or process is expensed as 
incurred.

Where development activities are funded through Government Grants and the cost of those activities is capitalised 
under this policy, the grants received are considered Capital Grants and are presented as deferred income and 
recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income as other operating 
income on a basis consistent with the depreciation or amortisation of the asset over its estimated useful life.

Subsequent to recognition, internally generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation 
and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is recognised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives 
and the estimated useful lives are reviewed and adjusted as appropriate, at each balance sheet date. Intangible assets 
which are not yet available for use are tested for impairment at each balance sheet date.

6868

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   68

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

10. Intangible assets continued

Cost
At 1 July
Additions from internal developments in relation to manufacturing site
Additions from customer and internal development programmes
At 30 June

Accumulated amortisation
At 1 July
Charge for the year
At 30 June

Net book value
At 30 June

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

47  

187
1,101
1,335

–
13
13

–
47
–
47

–
–
–

1,322

47

The following useful lives are used in the calculation of amortisation:

Capitalised development  2 – 7 years

The development intangible relates to the design, development and configuration of the Company’s core fuel cell 
and system technology and manufacturing processes. Amortisation of capitalised development commences once the 
development is complete and is available for use.

11. Subsidiary undertakings
Details of the Group’s subsidiaries at 30 June 2019 are as follows:

Name of undertaking

Country of 
incorporation

Description of  
shares held

Ceres Power Ltd
Ceres Intellectual Property Company Ltd
Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

£0.001 ordinary shares
£1.00 ordinary share
£0.01 ordinary shares

Proportion of  
nominal value of shares  
held by the Company

100%1
100%1
100%

1 Ceres Power Ltd and Ceres Intellectual Property Company Ltd are 100% held directly by Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd.

The principal activity of Ceres Power Ltd is the commercialisation and continued development of the Group’s fuel cell 
technology. The principal activity of Ceres Intellectual Property Company Ltd is the administration of registered intellectual 
property developed within the Group. The principal activity of Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd is as a holding 
company to the other Group companies and to manage the Group’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. 
The results of Ceres Power Ltd, Ceres Intellectual Property Company Ltd and Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd are 
included within these consolidated financial statements.

The registered address of Ceres Power Holdings plc and all subsidiary undertakings is Viking House, Foundry Lane, 
Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5PX.

In December 2018 Ceres Power Holdings plc signed a Joint Venture agreement with Weichai Power Co. Ltd which set 
out the structure and terms for forming a Joint Venture company in Weifang, Shandong Province, China, between the two 
parties. The purpose of the Joint Venture will be to research, develop, manufacture, market, sell and distribute licensed 
products within China. The Joint Venture is expected to be formed during the financial year ended 30 June 2021 but is 
subject to meeting certain contractual milestones. The Group has committed to acquire a 49% equity stake in the Joint 
Venture for an initial investment of RMB 68 million (£8 million). 

Ceres Power will receive future revenues from the Joint Venture for the use of its technology under licence as well as 
engineering service revenues and manufacturing and sales royalties.

The two parties may decide to make further investments in the Joint Venture over time. 

On 2 September 2019, Ceres Power Licence Company Ltd was incorporated in England and Wales. The company is a 100% 
owned subsidiary of Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd. The principle activity of the company is the provision of overseas 
license and royalty services.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

69
69

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   69

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

12. Inventories

Inventories
Inventories consist of raw materials and finished goods.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct material cost and, where 
applicable, direct labour costs and direct overheads that have been incurred. Cost is calculated using the weighted 
average method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs to completion and 
selling costs to be incurred.

Current:
Raw materials and finished goods
Work in progress

2019
£’000

1,403
–
1,403

2018
£’000

775
625
1,400

Inventories in raw materials and finished goods have increased in line with an increase in manufacturing capacity in the 
year and management’s decision to hold a greater volume of some raw materials as the UK moves closer to a withdrawal 
from the EU.

13. Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently held at amortised cost less an allowance for 
any uncollectable amounts using the expected credit loss model. Actual bad debts are written off when identified. A 
provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be 
able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Current:
Trade receivables
Other receivables

Non-current:
Other receivables

2019
£’000

2,404
1,800
4,204

2018
£’000

1,744
1,407
3,151

741

–

Other receivables primarily consist of amounts invoiced and recoverable in respect of grants, rent deposits and VAT. There 
is no material difference between the fair value of trade and other receivables and their carrying values and they are 
not materially overdue at the year end. There are no expected credit losses and have been no provisions for impairment 
of receivables during the year (2018: £nil). The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade and other receivables is primarily 
denominated in pounds sterling, euros and US dollars.

14. Other assets

Current:
Prepayments
Prepayment of capital expenditure
Accrued income

2019
£’000

523
409
565
1,497

2018
£’000

304
519
807
1,630

Accrued income is recognised in accordance with relevant accounting policies and primarily consists of grant income and 
interest receivable on short-term bank deposits. Prepayment of capital expenditure relates to instalment payments made 
to suppliers of plant and equipment assets which were under construction but undelivered at the balance sheet date.

7070

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   70

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:16

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

15. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank and in hand, pooled money market funds and short-term deposits 
with an original maturity of less than or equal to one month, reduced by overdrafts to the extent that there is a right of 
offset against other cash balances.

Short-term investments
These include short-term bank deposits with an original maturity greater than one month and less than or equal to 12 
months.

Cash at bank and in hand
Money market funds
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term bank deposits greater than one month

The Group holds surplus funds in accordance with the treasury policy, as set out in note 18.

Interest rate risk profile of the Group’s financial assets:
Cash at bank and in hand
Money market funds
Short-term bank deposits greater than one month

Interest rate type

Floating
Floating
Fixed and floating

2019
£’000

1,502
6,065
7,567
63,700
71,267

2019
£’000

1,502
6,065
63,700
71,267

2018
£’000

3,828
2,567
6,395
–
6,395

2018
£’000

3,828
2,567
–
6,395

During the year the fixed rate short-term bank deposits in pounds sterling had terms of between 32 days and 12 months 
and earned interest of between 0.75% and 1.28%. Floating rate cash deposits, money market funds and other bank 
deposits earned interest based on relevant UK LIBID-related equivalents. The credit quality of financial assets has been 
assessed by reference to external credit ratings.

16. Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables
Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value. Where considered necessary they are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Current:
Trade payables
Taxation and social security
Other payables

2019
£’000

2,255
–
110
2,365

2018
£’000

1,650
3
81
1,734

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

71
71

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   71

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

17. Other liabilities

Current:
Accruals
Deferred income

Non-current:
Accruals

18. Financial instruments

2019
£’000

1,838
–
1,838

2018
£’000

1,623
933
2,556

323

–

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 replaces the previous guidance relating to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets 
and financial liabilities, derecognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. The 
adoption of IFRS 9 from 1 July 2018 resulted in no changes in existing accounting policies. The adoption of IFRS 9 had 
no impact on the opening balance sheet of the Group.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Group 
uses forward contracts, and in limited circumstances options, to hedge against foreign currency denominated income 
and expenditure commitments. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s treasury policy, as approved 
by the Board. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Details of financial 
instruments are shown later in this note.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised at fair value. The gains or losses on remeasurement to fair value are 
recognised immediately in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income as they 
arise and are shown in note 3.

The Group only uses derivative financial instruments to hedge foreign currency exposures which arise from an 
underlying current or anticipated business requirement. The Group does not currently use derivative instruments to 
manage its interest rate risk. The Group does not trade in financial instruments.

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
There is no difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities. 
Carrying value approximates to fair value because of the short maturity periods of these financial instruments.

The fair value of the forward exchange contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward 
price and the current forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using a risk-free interest rate (based on government 
bonds). The fair value of currency options is estimated using the Black–Scholes pricing model based on the strike price with 
reference to the future exchange rate, spot rate and risk-free interest rate. Forward exchange contracts and options are included 
in the Level 2 classification.

Other than the forward contracts and options noted below, none of the Group’s assets and liabilities were measured at fair 
value at 30 June 2019 (2018: £nil).

7272

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   72

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

18. Financial instruments continued
The fair values of all financial assets and financial liabilities by class, together with their carrying amounts shown in the 
balance sheet, are as follows:

Financial assets at amortised cost
Trade and other receivables
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term 
investments

Financial assets designated as fair value 
through profit or loss
Forward exchange contracts
Currency options

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
Trade and other payables and accruals

Financial liabilities designated as fair value 
through profit or loss
Forward exchange contracts
Currency options
Total financial instruments

Carrying 
amount 
2019 
£’000

Fair 
value 
2019 
£’000

Carrying 
amount 
2018 
£’000

Fair 
value 
2018 
£’000

Fair value 
hierarchy

4,945

4,945

3,151

3,151

71,267

71,267

6,395

6,395

Level 2
Level 2

3
25

3
25

8
–

8
–

(4,526)

(4,526)

(3,357)

(3,357)

Level 2
Level 2

(7)
(59)
71,648

(7)
(59)
71,648

(5)
–
6,192

(5)
–
6,192

Financial risk management
The Group’s operations expose it to a variety of financial risks that include credit risk and market risk arising from changes to 
interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks.

The principal risks addressed are as follows:

Credit risk
The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from holdings of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and if a 
counterparty or customer fails to meet its contractual obligations.

The Group’s primary objective to manage credit risk from its holdings of cash, cash equivalents and short-term 
investments is to minimise the risk of a loss of capital and eliminate loss of liquidity having a detrimental effect on the 
business. The Group places surplus funds of no more than £8 million per institution into pooled money market funds 
and bank deposits with durations of up to 12 months. During the year the Group’s treasury policy restricted investments 
in short-term money market funds to those which carry short-term credit ratings of at least two of AAAm (Standard & 
Poor’s), Aaa/MR1+ (Moody’s) and AAA V1+ (Fitch) and deposits with banks with minimum long-term rating of A/A-/A3 and 
short-term rating of F-1/A-2/P-2 for banks which the UK Government holds less than 10% ordinary equity.

Trade receivables at the year end relate to six customers (2018: nine) of which £1,818,000 relates to the Europe 
geographic region, £84,000 to North America and £502,000 to Asia (2018: £2,000 related to the Europe geographic 
region, £589,000 to North America and £1,153,000 to Asia).

Contract assets at the year end related to three customers of which £49,000 relates to the Europe geographic region, 
£86,000 to North America and £171,000 to Asia.

The Group’s customers are large multinational companies or research institutions and are consequentially not considered 
to add significantly to the Group’s credit risk exposure. All trade receivables are due within the agreed credit terms for the 
current and preceding years and are consequently stated at cost.

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk on the Group’s liabilities is minimal.

The Group’s finance income is sensitive to changes in interest rates. A change of 1% in interest rates would have impacted the 
finance income by £644,000 in the year ended 30 June 2019 (2018: £114,000). The increase in sensitivity to interest rate changes 
is driven by the significant increase in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments held at the balance sheet date.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

73
73

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   73

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

18. Financial instruments continued
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk arising from the Group not being able to meet its financial obligations. The Group manages its 
liquidity needs by preparing cash flow forecasts, including forecasting of the Group’s liquidity requirements, to ensure the 
Group has sufficient cash to meet its operational needs. Liquidity risk decreased in the reporting period as a result of the 
cash raised from equity fundraises (see note 20).

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including estimated interest payments and excluding the 
effect of netting agreements:

30 June 2019

30 June 2018

Carrying 
amount 
£’000

Contractual 
cash flows 
£’000

1 year 
or less 
£’000

1 to 2 
years 
£’000

Carrying 
amount 
£’000

Contractual 
cash flows 
£’000

1 year 
or less 
£’000

Non-derivative financial 
liabilities
Trade and other payables and 
accruals

Derivative financial liabilities
Forward exchange contracts:
 (Outflow)
 Inflow
Currency options:
 (Outflow)
 Inflow

(4,526)

(4,526)

(4,203)

(323)

(3,357)

(3,357)

(3,357)

(7)
–

(59)
–

(151)
147

(151)
147

(2,651)
2,684

(2,651)
2,684

–
–

–
–

(5)
–

–
–

(205)
200

(205)
200

–
–

–
–

Foreign currency exposures
The Group’s primary transaction currency is pound sterling. Exposures to foreign currency denominated contracted 
receivables and commitments arise from the Group’s overseas sales and purchases, which are primarily denominated 
in euros, US dollars, Canadian dollars and Japanese yen. The Group seeks to mitigate its foreign currency exposure by 
entering into forward currency exchange contracts, and in limited circumstances, currency options in accordance with the 
Group’s treasury policy. Where the amounts to be paid and received in a specific currency are expected to largely offset 
one another, no further hedging activity is undertaken. Forward currency exchange contracts and options are primarily 
entered into for significant foreign currency exposures that are not expected to be offset by other currency transactions. 
The Group’s objectives and policies are largely unchanged in the reporting periods under review.

The table below shows the extent to which the Group has monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than pounds 
sterling. Foreign exchange differences arising on the retranslation of these monetary assets and liabilities are taken to the 
Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.

30 June 2019

Exposures to foreign currency risk:
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Trade payables
Forward exchange contracts – foreign currency 
inflow/(outflow)
Currency options – foreign currency inflow/
(outflow)
Balance sheet exposure

Net contracted income and expenditure
Net exposure

Euro 
£’000

US dollar 
£’000

Canadian 
dollar 
£’000

Japanese 
yen 
£’000

Other 
£’000

3
1,818
(186)

7
84
(451)

(423)

315

(2,673)
(1,461)

7,978
6,517

–
(45)

319
274

75
–
–

297

–
372

(278)
94

41
–
(27)

(73)

–
(59)

64
5

33
–
(49)

–

–
(16)

(16)
(32)

7474

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   74

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

18. Financial instruments continued
Foreign currency exposures continued

30 June 2018

Exposures to foreign currency risk:
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Trade payables
Forward exchange contracts – foreign currency 
(outflow)/inflow
Balance sheet exposure

Net contracted income and expenditure
Net exposure

Euro 
£’000

US dollar
 £’000

Canadian
 dollar 
£’000

Japanese 
yen 
£’000

Other 
£’000

21
4
(222)

310
113

(423)
(310)

106
593
(267)

–
432

(30)
402

53
–
–

150
203

(189)
14

208
–
(22)

(205)
(19)

269
250

3
–
–

–
3

–
3

A 10% weakening of the following currencies against pound sterling at 30 June would have resulted in a profit or loss 
charge to the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income by the amounts shown below. 
This calculation assumes that the change occurred at the balance sheet date and had been applied to risk exposures 
existing at that date.

This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular other exchange rates and interest rates, remain constant. The 
analysis is performed on the same basis for the comparative period.

Euro
US dollar
Canadian dollar
Japanese yen
Other

Profit or (loss)

2019
£’000

(162)
(5)
41
(7)
(2)

2018
£’000

18
(41)
(5)
(18)
–

A 10% strengthening of the above currencies against pound sterling at 30 June would have had the equal but opposite 
effect on the above currencies to the amounts shown above, on the basis that all other variables remain constant.

19. Provisions

Provisions
A provision is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position when the Group has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of a past event that can be reliably measured and it is probable that an outflow of 
economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation where relevant. 

Property dilapidations
Provisions have been made for future dilapidation costs on the leased properties. This provision is the Directors’ 
best estimate as the actual costs and timing of future cash flows are dependent on future events and are updated 
periodically. The estimate is supported by advice received from professional advisors. Provisions are determined by 
discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects risks specific to the liability. Any difference 
between expectations and the actual future liability will be accounted for in the period when such determination is 
made.

Warranties
As at the year end, no technology hardware supplied or sold to customers was provided with contractual warranties. 
Where a constructive obligation has been created through an expectation or past practice, a provision for the 
associated costs of future claims has been included at the year end. A provision for constructive obligation warranties is 
recognised when the underlying products and services are sold. The provision is based on the past performance of the 
technology hardware, management’s knowledge, customer expectations and a weighting of possible outcomes against 
their associated probabilities.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

75
75

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   75

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

19. Provisions continued

Contract losses
The Group holds provisions for expected contractual costs that it expects to incur over the life of the contract. 
Management exercises judgement to determine the value of the costs to be incurred and the amount of the provision 
to be made. Each provision is considered separately and the amount provided reflects the best estimate of the most 
likely amount to be incurred. Provision is made when the contractual or constructive obligation occurs. The provision is 
released to the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income over time or at the point 
in time that the actual costs are incurred.

The movement in provisions charged to the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 
in the year is set out below along with the value of provisions at 30 June 2019:

At 1 July 2018
Movements in the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss 
and Other Comprehensive Income:
Increase in provision
At 30 June 2019

Current
Non-current
At 30 June 2019

Property 
dilapidations
£’000

Warranties
£’000

Contract 
losses
£’000

851

141
992

–
992
992

–

93
93

93
–
93

–

65
65

65
–
65

Total 
£’000

851

299
1,150

158
992
1,150

The dilapidation provision at the year end represents the present value of costs to be incurred, which is materially the 
same as the expected costs to be incurred, in making good the leasehold property at the end of its lease. The warranty 
provision at the year end is the result of a constructive obligation.

20. Share capital

Number of 
£0.01  
Ordinary  
shares

2019

Number of 
£0.10  
Ordinary  
shares

£’000

2018

Number of 
£0.01 
Ordinary  
shares

£’000

Allotted and fully paid
At 1 July
Allotted £0.01 Ordinary shares on 
exercise of employee share options 
27 July 2018 – Allotted £0.01 Ordinary 
shares on cash placing
7 August 2018 – 1-for-10 share 
consolidation
Allotted £0.10 Ordinary shares on 
exercise of employee share options
Allotted £0.10 Ordinary shares on cash 
placing (see below)
At 30 June

1,016,269,193

6,041,441

260,952,296

–

–

–

(1,283,262,930)

128,326,293

926,155

10,163 1,012,419,929

10,124

60

3,849,264

39

2,609

–

93

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

23,517,364
152,769,812

2,352

–
15,277 1,016,269,193

–
10,163

On 27 July 2018, the Company completed the allotment of 260,952,269 ordinary £0.01 shares for gross cash 
consideration of £39,352,000. The allotment was in respect of the Weichai Power strategic investment, announced via 
the Regulatory News Service (RNS) on the 16 May 2019, for 128,326,275 ordinary £0.01 shares, and the placing of 
132,625,994 ordinary £0.01 shares to existing and new institutional investors.

7676

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   76

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

20. Share capital continued
On 20 July 2018, at a General Meeting of the Company, the shareholders approved the issue of an option to Weichai 
Power, subject to the previously described subscription being completed, allowing it to subscribe for up to an additional 
182,115,100 ordinary £0.01 shares in the Company, but not more than 20% of the issued share capital of the Company, 
at a price of £0.1645 per share and subject to certain commercial documents being signed and conditions being met.

On 7 August 2018, Ceres Power Holdings plc completed a 1-for-10 share consolidation, where every ten existing 
ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company were consolidated into one ordinary share of 10p each. All outstanding equity 
instruments, including employee share options and the aforementioned Weichai Power option, were amended as a result 
of this consolidation.

Following the share consolidation, the Company completed the following allotments:

•  5,973,660 ordinary £0.10 shares to Robert Bosch GmbH for cash consideration of £9,008,279 on 25 September 2018;

•  663,740 ordinary £0.10 shares to Weichai Power for cash consideration of £1,000,920 on 5 October 2018; and

•  The exercise of the option issued to Weichai Power, 16,879,964 ordinary £0.10 shares for cash consideration of 

£27,767,541 on 14 December 2018.

During the year 6,041,441 ordinary £0.01 shares were allotted for cash consideration of £308,000 and 926,155 ordinary 
£0.10 shares for cash consideration of £489,000 on the exercise of employee share options (2018: 3,849,264 ordinary 
£0.01 shares for cash consideration of £135,000) (see note 22).

21. Reserves
The Consolidated Statement of Financial Position includes a merger reserve and a capital redemption reserve. The merger 
reserve represents a reserve arising on consolidation using book value accounting for the acquisition of Ceres Power 
Limited at 1 July 2004. The reserve represents the difference between the book value and the nominal value of the shares 
issued by the Company to acquired Ceres Power Limited. The capital redemption reserve was created in the year ended 
30 June 2014 when 86,215,662 deferred ordinary shares of £0.04 each were cancelled.

22. Share options

Share-based payments
The Group has a number of employee and executive share option and award schemes under which it makes equity-
settled share-based payments.

The fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee expense, with 
a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the 
awards. The fair value of the awards granted are measured using option valuation models, taking into account the terms 
and conditions upon which the awards were granted. The fair value of the share-based payment, determined at the 
grant date, is measured to reflect vesting and non-vesting conditions and there is no true-up for differences between 
expected and actual outcomes.

Where the parent Company grants options over its own shares to the employees of the Group, these are accounted for 
as equity-settled in the consolidated accounts of the Group.

On 7 August 2018, Ceres Power Holdings plc completed a 1-for-10 share consolidation, where every ten existing 
ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company were consolidated into one ordinary share of 10p each. All outstanding capital 
instruments including employee share options were amended as a result of this consolidation. All opening balances, 
transactions processed before this date and comparatives have been adjusted to reflect the new share capital structure of 
ordinary shares of £0.10 each.

The total charge recognised in the year ended 30 June 2019 relating to employee share-based payments was £909,000 
(2018: £920,000).

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

77
77

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   77

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

22. Share options continued
The Company has a number of share option schemes and savings-related share option plans for its employees and a 
separate historic scheme for Executive Directors.

a) 2004 Employees’ share option scheme
b) Sharesave schemes
c) Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
d) Executive Directors’ one-off award

2019
£’000

117
108
684
–
909

2018
£’000

289
98
533
–
920

a) 2004 Employees’ share option scheme
In previous years the Company issued share options under this scheme for Directors and employees, under which approved 
and unapproved share options were granted. The Company adopted the “Ceres Power Holdings Ltd 2004 Employees’ share 
option scheme” at the time of listing in November 2004.

Under this scheme, Directors and employees hold options to subscribe for £0.10 ordinary shares in Ceres Power Holdings 
plc at prices ranging from £0.10 to the closing mid-market price on the day preceding the share option grant. All options are 
equity-settled. The vesting period for all options is generally between three and six years. If the options remain unexercised 
after a period of ten years from the date of the grant, the options expire. Options are forfeited if the employee chooses to 
leave the Group before the options vest.

Movements in the total number of share options outstanding and their relative weighted average exercise price are as 
follows:

`

2019

2018

Outstanding at 1 July
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed
Outstanding at 30 June
Exercisable

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

£0.65
–
£0.57
–
£0.49
£0.58

Number
(‘000)

6,633
–
(825)
–
5,808
4,782

Adjusted
Number
(‘000)

7,075
50
(363)
(129)
6,633
4,465

The weighted average share price on the exercise date of options was £1.62 (2018: £1.20).

The weighted average fair value of options granted in the prior year was £0.70.

The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the end of the year is as follows:

Expiry date – 30 June

2023
2024
2025
2026
2028

2019

2018

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

 Adjusted 
Number 
(’000)

£0.24
£0.84
£0.85
£0.85
£1.35

2,319
1,989
1,871
404
50

 Number 
(’000)

1,802
1,864
1,698
394
50

Adjusted
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

£0.62
£1.35
£0.33
£0.46
£0.65
£0.60

Adjusted 
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

£0.27
£0.83
£0.86
£0.84
£1.35

The options outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average contractual life of 4.57 years (2018: 5.52 years).

7878

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   78

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

22. Share options continued
a) 2004 Employees’ share option scheme continued
During the 2016 and 2014 years, certain option-holders under the 2004 share option scheme were awarded Employee 
Shareholder Status (ESS) shares in the Company’s subsidiary, Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd. The ESS shares were 
granted as a modification to the unexercised 2004 Employees’ share scheme options providing the relevant employees 
with additional exercise rights. The issue of the ESS shares has not changed the vesting period or exercise price of 
the unexercised 2004 Employees’ share scheme options granted. The total fair value charge of these options remains 
unchanged and the gross benefit received cannot exceed the gain realisable under the original share options and it cannot 
be received at an earlier time.

b) Sharesave scheme
During the year, a new HMRC-approved savings-related share option scheme was implemented, under which employees 
save on a monthly basis, over a three-year period, towards the purchase of shares at a fixed price determined when the 
option is granted. This price is set at a 20% discount to the market price. The options must be exercised within six months 
of maturity of the savings contract, otherwise they lapse.

Movements in the total number of share options outstanding and their relative weighted average exercise price are as 
follows:

Outstanding at 1 July
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed/cancelled
Outstanding at 30 June
Exercisable

2019

2018

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

 Adjusted 
Number 
(’000)

£0.61
£1.27
£0.46
–
£0.68
£0.43

1,011
227
(10)
(13)
1,215
187

 Number
 (’000)

1,215
582
(705)
–
1,092
56

Adjusted 
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

£0.51
£1.06
£0.54
£0.43
£0.61
£0.54

The weighted average share price on the exercise date of options was £1.73 (2018: £1.30).

The weighted average fair value of options granted in the year was £0.71 (2018: £0.60).

The expiry dates of options outstanding at the end of the year are as follows:

Expiry date – 30 June

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

2019

2018

Actual and 
weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

–
£0.43
£0.67
£1.06
£1.27

 Number 
(’000)

–
56
227
227
582

 Adjusted 
Number 
(’000)

187
574
227
227
–

Adjusted
Actual and 
weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

£0.54
£0.43
£0.67
£1.06
–

The options outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average contractual life of 2.53 years (2018: 1.64 years).

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

79
79

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   79

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

22. Share options continued
c) LTIP
During 2016 a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) was implemented by the Remuneration Committee. Participation in the 
LTIP is at the invitation of the Committee and is intended to be used to incentivise the performance and retention of the 
Company’s Executives and certain key employees.

The maximum awards for all participants are determined by the Remuneration Committee with appropriate input from 
independent advisors. Performance is based on achieving targets. Targets are major milestones which are aligned to the 
Group’s strategic plan and also a sliding scale of Total Shareholder Return (TSR), which is measured over a period of three 
years with an additional holding period of two years for Executives. Malus, hold and clawback conditions apply.

Movements in the total number of share options outstanding and their relative weighted average exercise price are as 
follows:

Outstanding at 1 July
Granted
Lapsed
Outstanding at 30 June
Exercisable

2019

2018

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

 Adjusted 
Number 
(’000)

£0.10
£0.10
£0.10
£0.10
£0.10

2,170
463
–
2,633
–

 Number
 (’000)

2,633
891
(170)
3,354
345

Adjusted 
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

£0.10
£0.10
–
£0.10
–

The weighted average fair value of options granted in the year was £1.00 (2018: £0.50).

The expiry dates of options outstanding at the end of the year are as follows:

Expiry date – 30 June

2026
2027
2028
2029

2019

2018

Actual and 
weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

£0.10
£0.10
£0.10
£0.10

 Number 
(’000)

345
1,664
454
891

 Adjusted 
Number 
(’000)

463
1,707
463
–

Adjusted
Actual and 
weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

£0.10
£0.10
£0.10
–

The options outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average contractual life of 7.90 years (2018: 8.37 years).

d) Executive Directors’ one-off award 

Outstanding at 1 July
Lapsed
Outstanding at 30 June
Exercisable

2019

2018

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

£20.00
£20.00
£20.00
£20.00

 Adjusted 
Number 
(’000)

180
–
180
180

 Number
 (’000)

180
(159)
21
21

Adjusted 
Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

£20.00
–
£20.00
£20.00

8080

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   80

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

22. Share options continued
The expiry dates of options outstanding at the end of the year are as follows:

Expiry date – 30 June

2019
2020

2019

2018

Actual and 
weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

–
£20.00

 Number 
(’000)

–
21

 Adjusted 
Number 
(’000)

159
21

Adjusted
Actual and 
weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

£20.00
£20.00

The options outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average contractual life of 0.20 years (2018: 0.57 years).

Assumptions
The fair values of the 2004 and Sharesave schemes were measured by use of the Black–Scholes pricing model. The inputs 
to the Black–Scholes model were as follows:

Grant date

Share price at date of grant (£)
Exercise price (£)
Expected volatility (%)
Expected option life (years)
Average risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected dividend yield

Sharesave 
scheme 
2019
 29 April 
2019

1.583
1.266
53%
3.25 years
1.00%
Nil

Adjusted 
Sharesave 
scheme 
2018
 6 December 
2017

Adjusted 
2004 
Scheme 
2018
 5 October 
2018

1.330
1.060
55%

1.350
1.350
56%
3.25 years Up to 5 years
1.75%
Nil

1.75%
Nil

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

The exercise prices of options are stated above. The expected life of the options is based on the best estimate of the 
average number of years expected from grant to exercise. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the 
Company’s shares since the Company restructured in 2012. The risk-free rate of return is management’s estimate of the 
yield on zero-coupon UK Government bonds of a term consistent with the expected option life.

The fair values of the Executive and LTIP schemes were measured using a binomial pricing model and Monte Carlo 
simulation model respectively.

The inputs to the Monte Carlo simulation model were as follows:

Grant date

Share price at date of grant (£)
Exercise price (£)
Expected volatility (%)
Expected option life (years)
Average risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected dividend yield

LTIP 2019 
10 October 
2018

Adjusted 
LTIP 2018 
5 October 
2018

1.885
0.10
54%

1.350
0.10
56%
Up to 7 years Up to 7 years
1.75%
Nil

1.75%
Nil

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

81
81

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   81

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

23. Operating lease commitments
The Group leases premises and office equipment under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The future aggregate 
minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

No later than one year
Later than one year and no later than five years
Later than five years

2019 
Land and
 Buildings
 £’000

735
3,053
24
3,812

2019 

Other 
£’000

2018 
Land and
 Buildings 
£’000

17
12
–
29

429
1,732
457
2,618

2018 

Other 
£’000

29
9
–
38

At the year end the properties had an average minimum lease term of 4.8 years (2018: 6.1 years). The rentals are fixed for 
the lease terms subject to periodic rent reviews. The equipment leases have an average term of 1.9 years (2018: 1.1 years).

In October 2018 the Group signed a lease to secure a new manufacturing facility in Redhill, UK to supply the increased 
customer demand from commercial programmes and serve as a reference plant for prospective manufacturing partners.

24. Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities are potential future cash outflows which are either not probable or cannot be measured reliably.

Grants received of £705,000 (2018: £705,000), or an element thereof, may require repayment if the Group generates 
revenue (net of expenses and reasonable overheads) from the intellectual property created from the grant. In such case,  
the Group may be liable to pay back the grant at a rate of 5% of the net revenue generated in any one year. The Directors 
of the Group believe it is unlikely that any of the grants received will need to be repaid.

25. Capital commitments
Capital expenditure that has been contracted for but has not been provided for in the financial statements amounts to 
£1,116,000 as at 30 June 2019 (2018: £1,307,000), in respect of the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.

26. Related party transactions
The Group’s related parties are its Directors and IP Group plc, through IP2IPO Ltd, which held 19.8% of the issued share 
capital at 30 June 2019 (2018: 25.34%).

IP Group plc nominated Alan Aubrey and Robert Trezona as Non-Executive Director representatives, both of whom served 
throughout the year. Compensation paid to the Group’s Directors is disclosed in the Remuneration Committee Report on 
page 39. Transactions with IP Group plc during the year amounted to £83,000 (2018: £41,000) comprising primarily Non-
Executive Director fees of £40,000 (2018: £40,000), disbursements of £3,000 (2018: £1,000), recruitment fees in relation 
to the appointment of Caroline Hargrove of £20,000 (2018: £nil) and £20,000 in corporate finance fees in relation to the 
placing on 27 July 2018 (2018: £nil). There was no outstanding balance due as at 30 June 2019 (2018: £nil).

In the year, the following Directors exercised share options and retained all the shares:

Date of 
exercise

Name

Relationship

Type of shares

Total 
number 
of options 
exercised

Weighted 
average 
market price 
at exercise

Total 
gain on 
exercise 

Richard Preston Director and shareholder £0.10 ordinary shares
10 Jul 2018
Director and shareholder £0.10 ordinary shares
10 Jul 2018 Mark Selby
Steve Callaghan Director and shareholder £0.10 ordinary shares
11 Dec 2018
13 May 2019 Phil Caldwell
Director and shareholder £0.10 ordinary shares
13 May 2019 Richard Preston Director and shareholder £0.10 ordinary shares

16,544
16,544
150,000
20,833
20,833

£1.623 £17,843
£1.623 £17,843
£1.695 £106,125
£1.830 £29,125
£1.830 £29,125

In the prior year, Mike Lloyd, a Director and shareholder in the Company, exercised 92,000 share options at a market price 
of £1.250 and the gain on exercise was £90,670. 

There were no other related party transactions in the year or in the previous year.

8282

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   82

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

Company balance sheet

as at 30 June 2019

Fixed assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Profit and loss account
Shareholders’ funds

Note

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

3

4
5

6

8

9

134,607

68,364

11,087
5
11,092
(198)
10,894
145,501

15,277
179,116
3,449
(52,341)
145,501

11,125
289
11,414
(11,272)
142
68,506

10,163
107,445
3,449
(52,551)
68,506

The notes on pages 85 to 88 are an integral part of these Company financial statements.

The financial statements on pages 83 to 88 were approved by the Board of Directors on 1 October 2019 and were signed 
on its behalf by:

PHIL CALDWELL 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
Ceres Power Holdings plc  
Registered Number: 5174075

RICHARD PRESTON 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

83
83

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   83

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:17

 
 
 
Company statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 30 June 2019

At 1 July 2017

Comprehensive income
Loss for the financial year
Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners
Issue of shares, net of costs
Share-based payments charge
Total transactions with owners
At 30 June 2018

Comprehensive income
Loss for the financial year
Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners
Issue of shares, net of costs
Share-based payments charge
Total transactions with owners
At 30 June 2019

 Share 
capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£’000

10,124

107,349

3,449

 Profit 
and loss 
account
£’000

(52,513)

Total 
£’000

68,409

Note

–
–

–
–

–
–

(958)
(958)

(958)
(958)

8
8

8
8

39
–
39
10,163

96
–
96
107,445

–
–
–
3,449

–
920
920
(52,551)

135
920
1,055
68,506

–
–

–
–

–
–

(699)
(699)

(699)
(699)

5,114
–
5,114
15,277

71,671
–
71,671
179,116

–
–
–
3,449

–
909
909
(52,341)

76,785
909
77,694
145,501

The notes on pages 85 to 88 are an integral part of these Company financial statements.

8484

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   84

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:18

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

Notes to the Company financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

1. Accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements
Basis of preparation
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101). The amendments to FRS 101 (2014/15 Cycle), issued in July 2015 and 
effective immediately, have been applied.

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

Under section s408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own profit 
and loss account.

In these financial statements, the Company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the 
following disclosures:

•  Cash Flow Statement and related notes;

•  Comparative period reconciliations for share capital;

•  Disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries;

•  Disclosures in respect of capital management;

•  The effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs;

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

•  Disclosures of transactions with a management entity that provides key management personnel services to the 

Company.

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

• 

• 

IFRS 2 Share-based Payments in respect of Group-settled share-based payment; and

IFRS 7 Financial Instrument Disclosure.

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

The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis.

2. Loss for the year
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and 
has not presented its profit and loss account. The Company’s result for the year was a loss of £699,000 (2018: loss of 
£958,000), which is stated after charging £20,000 (2018: £13,000) for remuneration receivable by the Company’s auditor 
for the auditing of the financial statements and £16,000 (2018: £12,000) in relation to the audit of the interim financial 
information.

3. Fixed asset investments

Investments in equity securities
Fixed asset investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less impairment.

Share-based payments
The Group in which the Company is associated has a number of employee and executive share option and award 
schemes under which it makes equity-settled share-based payments.

The fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee expense, with 
a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the 
awards. The fair value of the awards granted are measured using option valuation models, taking into account the terms 
and conditions upon which the awards were granted. The fair value of the share-based payment, determined at the 
grant date, is measured to reflect vesting and non-vesting conditions and there is no true-up for differences between 
expected and actual outcomes.

Where the Company grants options over its own shares to the employees of its subsidiaries it recognises an increase in 
the cost of investment in its subsidiaries with the corresponding credit being recognised directly in equity.

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

85
85

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   85

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:18

 
 
 
Notes to the Company financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

3. Fixed asset investments continued

Impairment of financial assets
A financial asset not carried at fair value through profit or loss is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether 
there is objective evidence that it is impaired. A financial asset is impaired if objective evidence indicates that a loss 
event has occurred after the initial recognition of the asset, and that the loss event had a negative effect on the 
estimated future cash flows of that asset that can be estimated reliably.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortised cost is calculated as the difference between 
its carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective 
interest rate. For financial instruments measured at cost less impairment, an impairment is calculated as the difference 
between its carrying amount and the best estimate of the amount that the Company would receive for the asset if it 
were to be sold at the reporting date. When a subsequent event causes the amount of impairment loss to decrease, the 
decrease in impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss.

Investment in Group undertakings:

Cost
At 1 July
Capital contributions arising from share-based payment charge
Additional investment in shares of Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd
Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd buyback and cancellation of shares
At 30 June

Provisions
At 1 July
Impairment in fair value of investment in Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd
At 30 June
Net book value
At 30 June

2019
£’000

80,806
909
76,883
(11,549)
147,049

2018
£’000

79,751
920
135
–
80,806

(12,442)
–
(12,442)

(12,442)
–
(12,442)

134,607

68,364

During the year, Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd undertook a capital restructure where it completed a buyback of 
1,154,936,637 of its own ordinary share of £0.01 each from Ceres Power Holdings plc for consideration of £11,549,366. 
Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd subsequently cancelled these shares. As a result of the restructure the proportion 
of shares held by the Company and control of the Group did not change.

The Directors have reviewed the investment in its subsidiary for indicators of impairment at the year end. They have 
compared the carrying value of the investment against the Group’s current market capitalisation and against the 
discounted value of estimated future cash flows from the investment. The discount rate used was based on management’s 
best estimate using an appropriate risk adjusted rate of between 10% and 20%. They assessed the progress of technical 
development, funds held and the positive performance of the Group. The Directors do not consider there are any 
indicators of impairment.

The Company’s investments comprise interests in Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd which is the 100% owner of 
Ceres Power Ltd and Ceres Intellectual Property Company Ltd, details of which are shown below:

Name of undertaking

Country of incorporation Description of shares held

Ceres Power Ltd
Ceres Intellectual Property 
Company Ltd
Ceres Power Intermediate 
Holdings Ltd

England and Wales

£0.001 ordinary shares

England and Wales

£1.00 ordinary share

England and Wales

£0.01 ordinary shares

Proportion of nominal value of 
shares held by the Company

100%

100%

100%

8686

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   86

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:18

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

G
G
O
O
V
V
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
E
E

I
I

F
F
I
I
N
N
A
A
N
N
C
C
A
A
L
L
S
S
T
T
A
A
T
T
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S

3. Fixed asset investments continued
The principal activity of Ceres Power Ltd is the commercialisation and continued development of the Group’s fuel cell 
technology. The principal activity of Ceres Intellectual Property Company Ltd is the administration of registered intellectual 
property developed within the Group. The principal activity of Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd is as a holding 
company to the other Group companies and to manage the Group’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. 
The results of Ceres Power Ltd, Ceres Intellectual Property Company Ltd and Ceres Power Intermediate Holdings Ltd 
are included within the consolidated financial statements. The Directors have reviewed the investments for evidence of 
impairment and have concluded that the carrying value is supported by the Group’s current market capitalisation and the 
discounted value of estimated future cash flows.

The registered address of the Company and all subsidiary undertakings is Viking House, Foundry Lane, Horsham, West 
Sussex, RH13 5PX.

4. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade and other debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised initially at fair value. Where considered necessary they are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Amounts owed by Group undertakings

2019
£’000

13
39
11,035
11,087

2018
£’000

150
21
10,954
11,125

The amounts owed by Group undertakings comprise inter-company loans and recharges. No specific repayment or interest 
terms are associated with these amounts. As of 30 June 2019, a provision of £59,316,000 (2018: £59,316,000) has 
been made against the inter-company loan to Ceres Power Ltd, reflecting management’s best estimate of the recoverable 
amount.

A subordination agreement exists between the Company and Ceres Power Ltd. Amounts owed by Ceres Power Ltd to the 
Company of £67,140,000 (2018: £69,575,000) are subordinated to all other creditors of Ceres Power Ltd.

5. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances.

6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade and other creditors
Trade and other creditors are recognised initially at fair value. Where considered necessary they are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Trade creditors
Accruals
Amounts owed to Group undertakings

2019
£’000

44
154
–
198

2018
£’000

3
488
10,781
11,272

Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
Ceres Power Holdings plc Annual Report 2019

87
87

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   87

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:18

 
 
 
Notes to the Company financial statements

for the year ended 30 June 2019

7. Taxation

Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax and any adjustment to tax payable in 
respect of previous years. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account except to the extent that it relates to items 
recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income, in which case it is recognised directly in equity or other 
comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted 
or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided 
for: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business 
combination; and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse 
in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or 
settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date.

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

Potential deferred tax assets have not been recognised but are set out below:

Tax effect of timing differences because of:
Losses carried forward

2019
£’000

(1,148)
(1,148)

2018
£’000

(1,084)
(1,084)

The deferred tax assets have not been recognised as the Directors consider that it is unlikely that the asset will be realised in 
the foreseeable future. The potential deferred tax assets are calculated using the estimated UK tax rate of 17% (2018: 17%).

8. Called-up share capital

Allotted and fully paid:
Ordinary shares at 30 June

2019

2018

Number of 
£0.10 Ordinary 
shares

Number of 
£0.01 Ordinary 
shares

£’000

£’000

152,769,812

15,277 1,016,269,193

10,163

On 7 August 2018, Ceres Power Holdings plc completed a 1-for-10 share consolidation, where every ten existing 
ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company were consolidated into one ordinary share of 10p each. All outstanding equity 
instruments including employee share options were amended as a result of this consolidation.

Details of shares issued in the period are provided in note 20 to the Group financial statements. Details of share options 
are disclosed in note 22 to the Group financial statements.

9. Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve was created in the year ended 30 June 2014 when 86,215,662 deferred ordinary shares 
of £0.04 each were cancelled.

8888

AIM: CWR I www.cerespower.com

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   88

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:15:18

26723  1 November 2019 12:09 pm  Proof 14Designed and published by Jones and PalmerDirectors and advisorsDirectors of Ceres Power Holdings plcAlan Aubrey (Chairman) Phil Caldwell (Chief Executive Officer) Steve Callaghan (Senior Independent Director)  Caroline Hargrove (Non-Executive Director) Haoran Hu (Non-Executive Director) Aidan Hughes (Non-Executive Director) Richard Preston (Chief Financial Officer) Robert Trezona (Non-Executive Director)Registered number5174075Company SecretaryTim AndersonRegistered officeViking House Foundry Lane Horsham West Sussex RH13 5PXJapan office19F Hilton Plaza West Office Tower 2-2-2 Umeda Kita-Ku Osaka 530-0001 JapanSouth Korea office Seoul Finance Center, 4F 136 Sejeong-daero Jung-gu Seoul South Korea (100-768)AuditorKPMG LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 1 Forest Gate Brighton Road Crawley West Sussex RH11 9PTSolicitorDAC Beachcroft LLPPortwall Place Portwall Lane Bristol BS99 7UDBankersNational Westminster Bank Plc2nd Floor, Turnpike House 123 High Street Crawley West Sussex RH10 1DQNominated advisor and broker (NOMAD)Investec Bank plc30 Gresham Street London EC2V 7QPBrokerJoh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG60 Threadneedle Street London EC2R 8HPRegistrarComputershare Investor Services PLCThe Pavilions Bridgwater Road Bristol BS99 6ZY“Ceres Power” and “Powered by Ceres” are registered trademarks belonging to the Group.Ceres Power Holdings plcViking House Foundry Lane Horsham West Sussex RH13 5PX www.cerespower.comCeres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   601/11/2019   12:12:14C

e

r

e

s

P

o

w

e

r

H

o

l

d

i

n

g

s

p

l

c

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

2

0

1

9

Ceres Power Holdings plc

Viking House

Foundry Lane

Horsham

West Sussex

RH13 5PX

www.cerespower.com

@CERESPOWER

STEELCELL® 3D VISUALISER

To view the SteelCell®, 
the 1kW or the 5kW 
stack download the 
SteelCell® 3D App 
from the App Store or 
Google Play.

Ceres Power-26723-AR2019.indd   1

26723 

  1 November 2019 12:09 pm 

  Proof 14

01/11/2019   12:12:09