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Daejan Holdings PLC

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FY2019 Annual Report · Daejan Holdings PLC
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dAEJAN
HOLDINGS PLC
Annual Report & Accounts
2 0 1 9

dAEJAN
HOLDINGS PLC
Annual Report & Accounts
2 0 1 9

CONTENTS

Chairman’s Introduction
Financial Highlights
Strategic Report
Directors’ Report
Corporate Governance Report
Audit Committee Report
Nominations Committee Report
Remuneration Committee Report
Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Daejan Holdings PLC
Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Company Balance Sheet
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
Group Five-Year Record
Directors and Advisers
Notice of Meeting

2
3
4
30
35
39
41
42
47
49
60
61
61
62
63
64
92
93
94
97
98
99

Page 1

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

I am pleased to report on a year of progress which despite challenging market conditions has seen
shareholders’ funds increase by 7.0% to £1,940 million (2018 – increase 9.5% to £1,813 million).

In the UK we have seen a further slowdown in the general rate of increase in property values and
the gain of 2.9% in the value of our portfolio must be seen against this background (2018 – gain of
5.9%). In the USA our portfolio has produced valuation gains of 5.1% (2018 – 9.2%) reflecting strong
markets in Florida and Boston but slower growth in New York where the majority of our properties
are located.

In both the UK and the USA the completion and letting of projects of development have contributed
significant valuation gains and these are discussed in the following pages.

Our  overall  gross  rental  income  has  increased  by 8.5%  (2018  – 4.6%)  to  £142.4 million  (2018  –
£131.3 million). In the UK a number of developments completed in the year have generated rental
income for the first time, while in the USA the rental growth has been driven both by acquisitions in
the year and the completion of development works.

An  unusually  low  level  of  ongoing  schemes  of  major repair works  last  year  resulted  in  reduced
service charge income; this year activity and income have moved back towards more typical levels.

Outlook
In my reports to you in recent years I have commented on the political and economic uncertainty
in the outlook for the UK. Unfortunately these negative influences continue to grow.

In the UK the decision to leave the European Union, compounded by delay and confusion as to the
manner  of departure, is  undermining  confidence  in  both  our  commercial  and  residential  tenants
making rental increases and re-lets harder to achieve.

Well  documented  headwinds  in  the  UK  retail  market  are  expected  to  continue  and  sentiment
remains subdued.

Changes in the UK political environment may bring further adverse regulations affecting the letting
of residential property.

The tariff war between the USA and China continues to adversely affect global trade, which is now
showing  the  weakest  growth  since  the  recession  of  2008.  In  the  USA  the  outlook  is  still  for  solid
growth although uncertainties have increased.  The risk of recession in the UK from both internal
and external influences appears to be growing.

Although  these  factors  are  outside  our  control  we  believe  that  by  the  pursuit  of  our  well  proven
strategy  of  prudence  and  risk  minimisation  coupled  with  the  conservation  of  cash  and  bank
resources we will be well placed to ride out any storms which may lie ahead.

Dividend
The continued growth in our rental income gives your Board confidence to propose an increase in
the total dividend of 3p to 106p (2018 – 103p).

Our thanks must go to those whose efforts have delivered these results.

B S E Freshwater
Chairman

Cover, inside front
cover, contents page,
above, right and
opposite page:
the newly completed
Travelodge, Middlesex
Street, Aldgate, 
London E1.

Page 2

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

NET VALUATION GAIN

£83.9 million

(2018: £146.4 million)

PROFIT BEFORE TAX

£137.8 million(2018: £201.3 million)
£7.36

EARNINGS PER SHARE

(2018: £12.45)

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS

£1,940.4 million

(2018: £1,812.9 million)

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS PER SHARE

£119.07*

(2018: £111.25)*

GEARING

15.6%*

(2018: 13.8%)*

PROPOSED TOTAL DIVIDEND PER SHARE

106p

(2018: 103p)

*Definitions of these alternative performance measures are included on pages 90 and 91.

Page 3

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT 

Objectives

For many years we have focussed on the pursuit of the Group’s objective of achieving long term, low
risk growth in net asset value and rental income, and in prudently growing our dividends.

Net asset value per share (£)

Dividends per share (p)

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

Strategy

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

The strategy for achieving our objectives has three principal elements:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Management  of  our  property  portfolio  to  maximise  net  rental  income  and  thereby  enhance
capital values

Identification  and  completion  of  value  enhancing  development  opportunities  within  our
portfolio

Identification and completion of new property acquisitions which have the potential, through
development or otherwise, for long term enhancement to net asset value

In  pursuing  this  strategy  we  take  the  view  that  property  is  a  long  term  business  which  does  not
always fit conveniently into the annual reporting cycle. Development opportunities, in particular, can
take many years from first idea to first letting and will often involve substantial investment over a
period of years before any gain is achieved. We carefully monitor our exposure to ensure that the
impact on our resources remains manageable.

Business model

The  main  activity  of  the  Group,  as  carried  on  through  its  subsidiary  companies,  is  investment  in
commercial, industrial and residential property in the UK and also on the eastern seaboard of the USA.
The  Group  generally  holds  its  properties  for  the  long  term  in  order  to  generate  rental  income  and
capital appreciation although in the right circumstances any property could be available for sale.

The  Group  operates  a  substantially  outsourced  business  model. Day-to-day  management  of  the
Group’s  properties  in  the  UK  is  carried  out  by  Highdorn  Co. Limited  and  Freshwater  Property
Management Limited. These companies also provide the staff who carry out all of the UK functions
of the Group. Further details of the relationship with these companies are set out in Note 18 to the
financial statements.

Similar arrangements with local managing agents operate in the USA.

Managing risk

Whilst retaining an entrepreneurial culture, the Group has a low appetite for risk. This underpins our
approach to all aspects of the business and is appropriate to our strategic objective of delivering long
term, low risk growth in net asset value per share.

The Board has undertaken a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, by reviewing
detailed  risk  reports,  including  those  risks  threatening  its  business  model,  future  performance,
solvency and liquidity.

In  relation  to  financial  instrument  risk,  the  Group  operates  a  cautious  financial  policy  on  a  non-
speculative and long term basis in order to enable the Group to carry on its business in confidence
and with strength. The Group aims to ensure that the cost of capital is kept to a minimum through

Above and opposite
page: the newly
completed Travelodge,
Middlesex Street,
Aldgate, London E1.

Page 4

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

the  maintenance  of  its  many  long  standing  relationships  with  leading  banks  and  other  financial
institutions. The Group seeks to minimise the risk of sudden or unexpected rises in finance costs by
way of fixed rate debt and financial derivative instruments whilst retaining some flexibility in relation
to short term interest rates. As explained in Note 1(g) to the financial statements, the Group does not
hedge  account. Note  17 to  the  financial  statements  details  the  Group’s  exposure  to  the  various
financial instrument risks.

Managing risk has been central to the success of the Group over many years and in particular gearing
has been kept at a relatively low level for the property industry; currently gearing is 15.6% (2018 –
13.8%).

The Board recognises that, in common with all companies, it can only have limited control over many
of the external risks which it faces. The largest of such “uncontrollable” factors is the economic cycle
which has a major impact on the demand for and price of property and the ability of the Group to
achieve its strategic objectives.

The  principal  risks  facing  the  Group  are  described  in  the  following  paragraphs  together  with  the
steps which are taken to mitigate and manage them.

External risks

Economic outlook

In the UK the delay and confusion surrounding the Brexit process is undermining confidence in both
the commercial and residential property markets. Until some clarity emerges as to the nature of the
UK’s ongoing relationship with the EU it will be difficult for businesses to plan for the future. Political
uncertainty and the risk of a change of government add further to the negative climate both for the
property sector and the economy as a whole.

On the international front the continuing trade war between the USA and China brings with it the
risk of reduced world trade and a downturn in economic growth in the USA.

This combination of adverse international and domestic economic and political trends raises the risk
of a recession in the UK.

This is the background which provides the risks and opportunities for our residential tenants and for
the businesses of our commercial tenants and their demand for space.

Above, right and
opposite page: the
newly completed
Travelodge,
Middlesex Street,
Aldgate, London E1.

Page 6

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

We seek to mitigate and manage such risk by:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Continuous monitoring of the economic outlook

Continued maintenance of low gearing and the conservation of cash and bank facilities

Rigorous tenant covenant checks including independent assessments for major lettings; in the
case of smaller properties we undertake such checking as is appropriate

Enhanced rent collection effort to minimise the possibility of bad debts

Availability of finance on acceptable terms

In order to undertake significant acquisitions or projects of development and value enhancement
within  our  portfolio,  the  Group  relies  in  part  on  funding  from  the  UK  and  USA  property  finance
market.  At present our experience shows that suitable finance can be obtained on acceptable terms.

Nevertheless any reduction in the availability of finance for property at an acceptable cost and for
an appropriate period would adversely affect the Group’s ability to undertake acquisitions and major
schemes of redevelopment and refurbishment.

We seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Monitoring funding trends and the development of banking regulations

Sustaining relationships with our principal financing partners, both banks and other lending
institutions

Securing term finance facilities to meet our foreseeable requirements

Ensuring that the maturities of major loan arrangements are spread over a period of years

Movements in currency rates of exchange
With 29% by value of the Group’s property portfolio located in the USA, any significant movement
in the US dollar/sterling rate of exchange will impact our reported results.

The period since the decision to leave the EU has seen significant movement in the US dollar/sterling
rate of exchange. The fall in the value of sterling relative to the US dollar in the financial year was 7%
(2018 – 12% rise). This  has  had  the  effect  of increasing  the  reported  value  of  our  USA  net  assets.

Above, right and
opposite page:
the newly completed
Central Park (formerly
known as Prestamex
House), Preston Park,
Brighton, East Sussex.

Page 8

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

However,  the  average  exchange  rate  for  the  year  was  not  significantly  different  from  the  previous
period and its impact on reported USA profits is therefore not material.

We mitigate and manage this risk by:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Funding  US  assets  by  US  dollar  borrowings  and  local  retained  earnings. This  means  that  the
impact of movements in the exchange rate is limited to accounting adjustments in the Group’s
consolidated accounts. An accounting gain of £24.4 million (2018 – loss of £29.8 million) arises
in reserves mainly on the re-translation of the opening net book value of assets in the USA 

Incurring all costs used to generate US dollar rental income in US dollars

Regulation

Regulations aimed at the control of residential rental levels or shorthold tenancy arrangements could
have  an  adverse  impact  on  the  Group.  Similarly,  increased  regulation  on  building  standards,
environmental, health and safety or planning matters could impose additional costs.

We seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:

(cid:2)

Careful monitoring of developments in legislation with the help of our professional advisers

Catastrophic events

The operations of the Group could be adversely affected by a significant catastrophe such as extreme
weather, fire, cyber-attack, civil disturbance or terrorism which could result in the loss of any of our
principal buildings or offices and the records stored in them.

We seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Insuring buildings with third parties

Physical building security

Fireproof storage of leases and other documents of title

Dispersal of business critical IT systems and enhanced data security measures

Above, right and
opposite page:
90 Hills Road,
Cambridge.

Page 10

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Tenant default

Tenant default constitutes a risk to income and, ultimately, to capital value. The multi-tenanted nature
of the portfolio, with rental income derived from numerous properties, provides a natural measure
of protection against the risk of individual default.

In addition, we seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Seeking tenants with strong covenants

Credit checks on new tenants including independent assessments for major lettings

Careful monitoring of tenants showing signs of financial stress

Actively using recovery mechanisms for overdue debts

Retail Sector

In recent times we have seen the contraction or collapse of several high profile retail chains. The
change  in  shopping  patterns  and  in  particular  the  move  to  on-line  shopping  means  that  the
downward pressure on UK high street rental and capital values will continue. Parades of local shops,
an important part of our portfolio, have not suffered in the same way. Our portfolio is not significantly
exposed to the risk of any single retail tenant.

We seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Close monitoring of developments in the retail sector

Careful monitoring of tenants showing signs of financial stress

Internal risks

Regional concentration in UK portfolio

Within the UK the majority of our properties are situated in and around the London area. In recent
years the increase in value of our UK portfolio has been almost entirely derived from the London area
which has enjoyed a period of well publicised growth. A slowdown in the London market such as has
occurred  over  the  last  year  will  significantly  reduce  the  net  annual  revaluation  uplifts  in  the  UK
portfolio.  Changes in aggregate property value have a direct impact on the net worth of the Group.

We seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Continuing to invest in the USA

Regular  monitoring  of  the  property  market  for  opportunities,  not  just  in  London  but
throughout the UK

Regular professional revaluations by our independent surveyors in the UK and USA

Acquisitions

The Group seeks well priced acquisitions which will meet the strategic objective of adding long term,
low risk growth in net asset value. The Group’s oft stated aversion to undue risk means that in a period
of economic and political uncertainty, such as we presently face, opportunities for acquisition will be
approached  with  extreme  caution. There  is  nevertheless  a  risk  that  an  inappropriate  or  ill-judged
acquisition could destroy value.

We seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:
(cid:2)

Rigorous pre-acquisition screening of all buying opportunities and appropriate due diligence

Development

The Group continues to seek development opportunities, principally from within the portfolio but
also elsewhere. Development provides an opportunity to enhance income and net asset values but
carries risk as to planning, construction timing, costs and letting.

Above and opposite
page: the newly
created flats above
191-195 Balham High
Road, London SW12.

Page 13

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Analysis by property type

Property UK

Residential
£817.8m

Commercial
£986.4m

Property USA

Residential
£647.4m

Commercial
£103.0m

Above and
background: the
newly completed
Travelodge, Middlesex
Street, Aldgate,
London E1.

Commercial Property UK

Commercial Property USA

Land &
Development
£1.6m

Industrial
£47.7m

Offices
£349.3m

Retail
£3.5m

Offices
£99.5m

Leisure &
Services
£181.4m

Retail
£406.4m

Analysis by location

UK Valuations

USA Valuations

North &
Scotland
£49.5m

Wales &
West
£57.4m

Greater
London
£1,455.0m

Midlands &
East Anglia
£91.0m

South East
£151.3m

Pennsylvania
£47.8m

Baltimore
£28.4m

New Jersey
£46.3m

New York
£336.2m

Boston
£96.1m

Florida
£195.6m

Page 14

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

We seek to mitigate and manage these risks by:
(cid:2)

Rigorous  screening  of  all  development  opportunities  including  external  professional  advice
and, where appropriate, market research
Seeking fixed price contracts with building contractors
Focusing on a limited number of developments at any one time
Close monitoring, together with our external advisers, of active developments

(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)

People

The Group relies heavily on the involvement of key executive directors in both strategic and day-to-
day affairs. Loss of this involvement would be disruptive to business.

We have sought to mitigate and manage this risk by:
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)

The appointment of new directors from the next generation of the Freshwater family
The appointment of independent non-executive directors
The establishment of a strong Group management team to support the executive directors

Investment properties

A professional valuation of all of the Group’s properties was carried out at 31 March 2019. The UK
properties were valued by Colliers International Property Advisers UK LLP, Chartered Surveyors. In
the USA, all properties were valued by Metropolitan Valuation Services, Inc., Certified General Real
Estate Appraisers.

The table below shows a summary of the valuation of our investment property at 31 March 2019:

Valuation

Valuation
March 2019 March 2018
£m

£m

Commercial property

UK
USA
Residential property

UK
USA
Less lease incentives
Total

986.4
103.0

1,016.3
87.1

817.8
647.4
(22.1)
2,532.5

783.0
505.3
(18.5)
2,373.2

The  decrease  in  the  value  of  UK  commercial  property  is due to  the  transfer  of sites valued  at
£71.0 million from investment property to current assets held for sale, as described overleaf, being
only partially offset by net valuation gains.

A more detailed analysis of the investment property portfolio is set out in Note 9 to the consolidated
financial statements.

New development at
Odeon Parade,
Greenford, Middlesex.
Left: in progress May
2019,
right: artist’s
impression of the
finished project.

Page 15

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

The changes shown on the previous page are attributable to net surpluses arising on revaluation and
movements resulting from purchases, capital expenditure, disposals and changes in currency rates of
exchange. This is shown in the analysis below:

Opening valuation
New acquisitions
Additions to existing properties
Disposals

Revaluation gain
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)
Transfer to properties held for sale

Closing valuation

2019
£m

2,373.2
77.5
28.0
(4.3)

2,474.4
83.9
45.2
(71.0)

2,532.5

2018
£m

2,256.8
1.1
39.6
(4.1)

2,293.4
146.4
(66.6)
–

2,373.2

In last year’s review we reported that the outlook for the UK market was generally flat and that at
best only modest valuation gains could be expected; so it has proved to be. However, we continue to
obtain significant uplifts in value upon the completion of successful developments and rent reviews.
In keeping with the market as a whole our shopping centres have experienced a reduction in value;
but,  as  stated  above,  these  properties  constitute  only  a  small  part  of  our  overall  portfolio.  Our
portfolio  of seven care  homes  has  experienced  a  significant  valuation  increase  following  the
appointment during the year of new operators.

The Group has agreed to sell the remainder of the Middlesex Street site not occupied by the Travelodge
hotel to Unite Group PLC for the development of student accommodation. The sale was conditional
upon  the  grant  of  satisfactory  planning  consent  and  on  20 June 2019 Unite  announced  that  such
consent had been obtained. Approval by the Greater London Authority and a number of procedural
matters need to be dealt with before the transaction is completed. As the sale is now highly probable
this property has been shown separately in the balance sheet as property held for sale.

Page 16

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Uncertainty  created  both  by  Brexit  and  political  risk  has  led  to  a  reduction  of  foreign  investment
interest  which  in  turn  has  had  a  depressive  effect  on  some  commercial  and  residential  values  in
central London.

So far as residential property is concerned, this was offset by modest gains in value in outer London
so  that  Greater  London  as  a  whole  showed  growth  of  3.9%;  almost  90%  of  our  UK  residential
property is situated in this area.

The values of our retail properties in Greater London fell by 2.7%, while overall across the whole of
the UK the reduction was 5.7%.

The  completion  of  the Travelodge  Hotel  and  the  impact  of  new  operators  for  our  care  homes
produced a 27% valuation gain on leisure and service properties.

In the USA our properties in the Tampa, Florida area and also in Boston benefitted from strong local
markets  and  produced  significant  valuation  gains.  Our  properties  in  New York  produced  modest
gains. Overall our properties in the USA produced an uplift of £32.1 million (2018 – £48.9 million)
equivalent to 5.1% in dollar terms (2018 – 9.2%). New rent regulation laws in New York state that
came into effect on 1 July 2019 are expected to depress New York residential values in the coming
year.

Acquisitions and Developments
In the UK our development efforts have been concentrated in the following areas:

Hotel Development 
The project to develop a 395 bedroom hotel for Travelodge on our site in Aldgate on the eastern fringe
of the City of London, at a cost of some £31 million, was completed and was handed over in July 2018.

Central Park, Brighton
The  conversion  of  the  office  block  Prestamex  House,  Brighton  into  63  flats was  completed  in
September 2018 and is now fully let.

Odeon Parade, Greenford, Middlesex
Work continued on this project to create 39 new flats on the site of an existing property; completion
is scheduled for the first half of the next financial year.

New development at
Baddeley Court,
Newport, Shropshire.
Opposite page: artist’s
impression of the
finished project, above
and left: in progress
May 2019.

Page 17

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Oxford Street, London W1

Preparatory work has continued throughout the year on the planning of our Oxford Street site. An
initial scheme was approved by the local authority but the opportunity arose to improve and extend
the development by the acquisition of an adjacent property. Revised planning consent is now being
sought for the enlarged scheme and it is hoped that this will be obtained next year.

USA

In the USA we acquired properties in Lauderhill and Palm Harbor in Florida and also a building in
New York for a total of US$98 million. The Florida properties are garden apartment complexes with
a  total  of  552 units  in  42  two  storey  buildings  spread  over  40.5  acres. The  New York  property  is
located in Far Rockaway and consists of a six storey building containing 62 apartments.

The major improvement work to our building in Portland Street, Boston was completed in the year.

Results for the year 

The  profit  before  taxation  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2019 amounts  to  £137.8 million  (2018 –
£201.3 million). The  result  includes  a  net  valuation  gain  of  £83.9 million  arising  on  investment
properties (2018 – £146.4 million).

The table below shows the performance of the Group before and after valuation movements:

Total rental and related income from investment property

Property operating expenses

Net rental and related income from investment property

Profit on disposals of investment property

Administrative expenses

Net operating profit before net valuation gains

Net valuation gains on investment property

Net financing expense

Profit before taxation

2019
£m

156.2

(79.6)

76.6

12.2

(13.9)

74.9

83.9

(21.0)

137.8

2018
£m

142.9

(76.4)

66.5

11.9

(13.3)

65.1

146.4

(10.2)

201.3

Overall we have seen an increase of £11.0 million in rental income, equivalent to 8.4% (2018 – 4.6%). The
overwhelming majority of this increase in the UK was derived from recently completed developments
while in the USA the main driver of growth was the acquisition of the three new properties. The difficult
market conditions in the UK resulted in a slight rise in residential vacancy rates.

The incidence of major works programmes determines the timing of service charge income.  This
was at an historically low level in 2018 and has this year moved back towards a more normal level.

Property expenses have increased by 4.2% (2018 – 0.7%) principally as a result of the acquisition of
the new properties in the USA and higher local authority charges in both the UK and the USA.

As in previous years, the profit on disposal arises almost entirely from the sale of lease extensions in
the  UK.  On  certain  buildings  where  we  own  the  freehold,  long  leaseholds  on  some  flats  were
previously sold. When the long leaseholders extend the length of their lease a premium is paid; the
Group has no control over when these extensions may occur.

Financing costs have increased as a result of accrued interest arising on the proposed settlement of
a prior year tax liability, additional borrowings to fund acquisitions in the USA and a small rise in UK
base rates. This year’s fair value movement on financial instruments was a loss of £167,000 (2018 –
£1.9 million gain).

Above and opposite
page: Beacontree
Plaza, Reading,
Buckinghamshire.

Page 19

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

As  shown  in  Note  6  to  Financial  Statements,  the  Group  tax  charge  of  £17.9 million  (2018  –
£1.7 million credit) has been reduced by tax rate changes and prior year adjustments. Once these
factors are removed the charge closely approximates the effective rates applicable in the UK (19%)
and the USA (26%).

Earnings per share
This year earnings per share stands at £7.36 (2018 – £12.45) a decrease of 40.9%.

£

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2015

2016

2017

2018

 2019

This decrease in earnings per share results from a reduction in the net gain arising on investment
properties which more than offsets the rise in rental income in the year.

Underlying profit before tax
The  profit  reported  in  the  financial  statements  has  for  some  years  included  property  revaluation
movements  and  fair  value  adjustments  to  financial  instruments. In  addition  to  this  measure  of
performance we also focus on “underlying profit before tax” which do not include these valuation
items. Underlying profit before tax for the last two years are set out below:

Profit before tax per the income statement 

Property valuation surplus 

Financial instruments fair value adjustments 

Adjustment to measurement of disposal profits

Underlying profit before tax 

2019
£m

137.8

(83.9)

0.2

–

54.1

2018
£m

201.3

(146.4)

(1.9)

1.9

54.9

This year’s underlying profit before tax of £54.1 million is a decrease of 1.4% on the previous year
(2018 – £54.9 million no change).The rental increase in the year of £11.0 million has been offset by
an increase in financial expenses of £9.1 million principally as a result of the non-recurring interest
charge on prior year tax of £6.4 million. 

Underlying profit before tax represents that element of our reported results which has actually been
realised and is not dependent on valuation judgements. It represents the performance of our core
rental business together with disposal profits which tend to fluctuate from year to year.

It is our underlying profit before tax which generates the cash we use to re-invest in the business and
to pay dividends and taxes.

Above and opposite
page: Kew House
School, Capital
Interchange Way,
Brentford, Middlesex.

Page 20

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Gearing

Gearing,  the  ratio  between  our  loans  and  borrowings  and  the  value  of  our  total  assets,  is 15.6%
(2018 – 13.8%) for the Group as a whole. In the UK the ratio is 6.4% (2018 – 6.7%) whilst in the USA,
where each property is financed separately on a ring-fenced basis, it is 37.0% (2018 – 33.8%). The
increase in the USA arose due to the acquisition of three new properties.

Shareholders’ funds

At  31  March  2019 shareholders’  funds  amounted  to  £1,940.4 million,  an  increase  of 7.0%  on  last
year’s figure of £1,812.9 million. Shareholders’ funds have grown in recent years as follows:

n
o
i
l
l
i

m
£

2,000

1,800

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019 

Dividend

The  proposed  total  dividend  for  the  year  of 106p  per  share  represents  an  increase  of 2.9%
(2018 – 103p).

Outlook

The  Chairman’s  Introduction  on  page 2  describes  the  economic  and  political  factors  which  will
affect the Group in the coming year.  We are in a period when the UK market generally is flat and
likely to produce only modest valuation gains at best. Political and economic uncertainty in the UK
has increased the risk of a recession. Against this background we will be mindful of the importance

Below: Crossgate Care
Centre, Kilmarnock,
Ayrshire, above and
opposite page top:
Allan Court Care
Home, Benwell,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
opposite page centre:
DeBailol Care Home,
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea,
Northumberland,
opposite page
bottom: Redworth
Care Home, Shildon,
County Durham.

Page 22

 
DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

of conserving our cash and bank facilities. In the USA the immediate outlook is less positive than in
recent years. We will continue our focus on the enhancement of our rent roll in order to increase
income and capital growth. 

It is the nature of programmes of development and enhancement that they tend to span more than
one accounting period and may take some time to bring to fruition; we are comfortable taking a long
term,  low  risk  approach  to  growing  net  asset  value. We  will  continue  to  explore  development
opportunities within our existing portfolio; the timing and speed with which these are pursued will
be influenced by general economic and market conditions.

Preparatory and planning work will continue on the block of properties which we have assembled
at the eastern end of Oxford Street W1. This is a large and complex project and construction work is
unlikely to commence until 2021.

In  the  USA  we  continue  to  seek  acquisition  opportunities  and,  whenever  possible,  to  refinance
existing  properties  at  more  advantageous  rates.  There  is  strong  competition  for  worthwhile
opportunities but we stick to our rigorous selection criteria and are prepared to wait for the right
transaction.

In the immediate future we are unlikely to experience the rate of growth in net asset value that we
have enjoyed in recent years.

Employees

The day-to-day  activities  are  outsourced  to  management  companies  which  are  responsible  for  the
provision  of  the  services  of  the  staff  on  which  we  rely  to  run  the  business. As  part  of  the
arrangements with the management companies in the UK, those individuals engaged on the Group’s
affairs hold joint employment contracts but the management companies retain sole responsibility for
setting recruitment, employment, training, health and safety, diversity and human rights policies for
their staff. Whilst the Group supports and encourages good practice in all of these areas, detailed
responsibility  for  the  establishment  and  execution  of  such  policies  lies  with  the  management
companies. As  a  result,  this  report  does  not  contain  the  kind  of  information  mentioned  in the
Companies Act 2006 s414C (7)(b)(ii) and (iii).

So far as health and safety is concerned, the Board recognises the importance of ensuring that our
properties  provide  a  safe  and  healthy  environment  for  all  users. With  this  in  mind  the  Board  has
requested that the management companies ensure that:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

All their  employees  receive  appropriate  training  in  the  identification  and  management  of
health and safety risks. Every employee is required to be familiar with health and safety policies
and has responsibility for ensuring that they are followed in their area of work

Regular cyclical risk assessments are undertaken by external consultants on all properties for
which the Group has responsibility. A dedicated team is tasked with resolving issues raised by
such assessments and with monitoring policy compliance

To ensure that an awareness of the importance of this issue continues at the highest level within the
Group, health and safety reviews are periodically presented at Board level.

All Directors of the Company are male and no new recruitment to the Board is presently planned
which would cause this to change.When the need for recruitment does arise equal consideration will
be given to all candidates, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity.

Community

The Group has long recognised the importance of supporting the communities in which we operate.
Many  companies  encourage  and  facilitate  their  employees  to  donate  their  time  and  efforts  to

Above and opposite
page: Langlands
House, Harlow, Essex.

Page 24

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

community projects; because our staffing is outsourced this route is not available to us. Our support
therefore takes the following forms:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Donations,  largely  to  educational  charities,  which  this  year amounted  to  £158,000  (2018 –
£196,000)

Dividends  on  donated  shares following  the  donation  some  years  ago  to  charities  of  shares
representing 6.3%  of  the  capital  of  the  Company with  dividend  payments  in  the  year  of
£1,052,477 (2018 – £1,001,386) being passed to charitable companies

Environment

As  mentioned  above,  all  the  staff  engaged  in  the  business  and  who  control  our  buildings  are
provided  by  management  companies. We  do  not  have  responsibility  for  the  greenhouse  gas
emissions related to the employment of those people. The greenhouse gas emissions arising from
our let properties are the responsibility of our tenants.

In  consequence,  we  have  no  disclosures  to  make  in  relation  to  greenhouse  gas  emissions  and
therefore this report does not contain information of the kind mentioned in Part 7 of the Companies
Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013.

The  scope  for  enhancing  the  environmental  standards  across  the  majority  of  our  properties  is
limited. In the main they were constructed before the advent of modern standards and it would be
neither  practically  nor  economically  feasible  to  undertake  a  complete  upgrade  to  meet  modern
requirements. However, we do take the opportunities which arise each year as part of programmes
of repair and refurbishment to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and the plant therein.

When we undertake new developments or major schemes of refurbishment we strive to achieve the
highest environmental and sustainability standards consistent with the nature of the building and
the scheme being undertaken. So, for example, this year saw the conversion of Prestamex House, a
redundant office block, into a residential building containing 63 flats. This scheme not only reused
an existing structure and the energy embedded therein but also contained measures to minimise
water  consumption,  low  energy  lighting  and  intelligent  lighting  control  together  with  secure
covered cycle parking and a travel plan to reduce reliance on car journeys.

Viability statement

In  accordance  with  provision  C.2.2  of  the  2016  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code,  the  Directors
appointed  a  team  led  by  senior  management  to  assist  the  Board  in  undertaking  a  viability
assessment. A thorough review has been undertaken of the Group’s current financial, strategic and
operational position, the Board’s future plans for the business and the principal risks faced by the
Group, described on pages 6 to 15 of the Strategic Report.

Above and opposite
page: Oakwood Court,
Holland Park,
London W14.

Page 27

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

The Directors consider that five years remains an appropriate time horizon for assessing the longer-
term viability of the business and this is consistent with the period which has been used for strategic
planning.

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

The Group has a low risk, balanced portfolio of properties, with many commercial properties
occupied  by  tenants  with  long  leases.  Based  on  current  trends,  the  Directors  continue  to
believe that the Group will be able to grant short term leases on residential properties and new
leases on commercial properties at comparable rents for at least five more years.

The  Group  utilises  external  funding  and  has  available  and  committed  facilities  which  are
spread over a period of years. Most bank finance is available for an initial term of five years and
84.7%  of  the  Group’s  current  facilities  mature during  or  beyond  March  2023.  Discussions
regarding the renewal or replacement of facilities occur in advance of their maturity.

Assessment  of  the  Group’s  viability  over  the  next  five  years  included  stress  testing  key  business
metrics  with  what  is  considered  the  plausible  worst-case  potential  impact  of  the  principal  risks.
Whilst carrying out this assessment, the strength and effectiveness of the controls in place to mitigate
risks were considered.

In determining what should be regarded as the plausible worst-case impact, the Board and senior
management  team  have  considered  in  detail  and  sought  advice  on  the  potential  impact  to  UK
property  prices,  demand  for  UK  property  and  the  associated  impact  on  rents  and  yields,  and  the
willingness of financial institutions to lend to UK property companies. Particular attention was given
to the potential impact of an unfavourable or no Brexit agreement and the possible consequences of
the current political climate within the UK and the USA. Headroom on loan covenants have been
stress-tested, the maturities of loan agreements reviewed and a five-year cash flow forecast produced.

The Directors confirm that, based on the analysis, they have a reasonable expectation that the Group
can  continue  to  operate  and  meet  its  liabilities  as  they  fall  due  over  the  five-year  period  of  their
assessment.

By order of the Board
M R M Jenner
Company Secretary 
24 July 2019

Above and opposite
page: Conduit House,
Hyde Vale, Greenwich,
London SE10.

Page 28

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Strategic Report

The Company’s Strategic Report for the year ended 31 March 2019 is set out on pages 4 to 28 and
contains the following information:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

The principal activities of the Group

The business review of the Group

An indication of the future developments of the Group

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the business, including those relating to financial
instruments

Employee and environmental disclosures including those related to greenhouse gas emissions

Results and Dividend

The profit for the year amounted to £120.0 million (2018 – £203.0 million). An interim dividend of
35p per share was paid on 8 March 2019 and the Directors now recommend the payment of a final
dividend of 71p per share, making a total for the year of 106p per share (2018 – 103p per share).

The  dividend,  if  approved,  will  be  paid  on 1 November  2019 to  shareholders  on  the  register  on
4 October 2019.

Directors

The Directors who served throughout the year and who are still in office are:
Mr B S E Freshwater
Mr S I Freshwater
Mr S B Benaim 
Mr D Davis
Mr A M Freshwater
Mr C B Freshwater
Mr R E Freshwater
Mr S Srulowitz

Brief biographies of the Directors are as follows:

Mr B S E Freshwater. Aged 71 – Joined the Board in December 1971 with primary responsibility for
the  Group’s  finances.  In  July  1976  he  was  appointed  Managing  Director  and,  additionally,  became
Chairman in July 1980.

Mr S I Freshwater. Aged 68 – Directs the Group’s operations in the USA and also has responsibility
for the Group’s UK sales division. He has been a Director of the Company since January 1986.

Mr  S  B  Benaim. Aged  63 – Was  appointed  to  the  Board  in January  2017  and  is  an  independent
non-executive  director.  He  was  formerly  Global  Head  of  Real  Estate  at  accountancy  firm  BDO.

Mr D Davis. Aged 84 – Previously a partner in Cohen Arnold, the Group’s consulting accountants. He
relinquished  his  partnership  in  1971  in  order  to  devote  more  time  to  his  numerous  business  and
other interests. He has been a non-executive Director of the Company since December 1971.

Page 30

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Mr  A  M  Freshwater.  Aged  48 –  He  is  resident  in  the  UK  and  sits  as  an  Arbitrator  in  complex
commercial disputes. He is a potential beneficiary of trusts and a trustee of certain other trusts with
substantial  holdings  of  the  Company’s  equity. He  was  appointed  to  the  Board  as  a  non-executive
director in July 2010.

Mr  C  B  Freshwater. Aged  47 – Was  appointed  to  the  Board  as  a  non-executive  Director in  July
2017.  He  currently  lectures  at  a  London  college.  He  is  an  actual  and  a  potential  beneficiary  of
trusts  and  a  trustee  of  certain  other  trusts  with  substantial  holdings  of  the  Company’s  equity.

Mr R E Freshwater. Aged 49 – He is currently pursuing an academic career and lectures to graduate
students. He is an actual and a potential beneficiary of trusts and a trustee of certain other trusts with
substantial  holdings  of  the  Company’s  equity. He  was  appointed  to  the Board  as  a  non-executive
director in July 2010.

Mr  S  Srulowitz.  Aged  67 – Was  appointed  to  the  Board in July  2017  and  is  an  independent
non-executive director. He is currently the Managing Partner of Sonnenschein, Sherman & Deutsch
in  New York,  a  member  of  the American  Bar Association  and  the  New York  State  Bar Association.

The  rules  governing  the  election  and  re-election  of  Directors  are  set  out  in  the  Corporate
Governance  Report  on  page 35. The  powers  of  Directors  of  the  Company  are  as  set  out  in  the
Company’s articles of association. During the year, the Company did not purchase any shares.

Directors’ Interests in Transactions

Day-to-day management of the Group’s properties and its operations in the UK is mainly carried out
by Highdorn Co. Limited and by Freshwater Property Management Limited. Mr B S E Freshwater and
Mr S I  Freshwater  are  Directors  of  both  companies. They  have  no  direct  beneficial  interest  in  the
share capital of Highdorn Co. Limited. Mr B S E Freshwater, Mr S I Freshwater and Mr D Davis are also
Directors of the parent company of Freshwater Property Management Limited but have no beneficial
interest in either company. Mr C B Freshwater and Mr R E Freshwater have a beneficial interest in a
trust holding interests in shares in Highdorn Co. Limited.

Details of the amounts paid for the provision of these services are set out in Note 18 to the financial
statements.

Share Capital and Substantial Directors’ and other Shareholdings

The structure of the Company’s share capital, including the rights and obligations attaching to the
shares, is given in Note 14 to the financial statements.

Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company are as follows:

B S E Freshwater
S I Freshwater
S B Benaim
D Davis
A M Freshwater
C B Freshwater
R E Freshwater
S Srulowitz

(Notes 1, 2, 3 & 4)
(Notes 2, 3 & 4)

(Notes 2 & 3)
(Notes 2 & 3)
(Notes 2 & 3)
(Notes 2 & 3)

Daejan Holdings PLC Ordinary Shares
31 March
31 March
2018
2019

340,033
89,270
–
763
–
–
–
–

340,033
89,270
–
763
–
–
–
–

Page 31

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

DIRECTORS’ REPORT  continued

Notes:

1.

2.

3.

All the holdings shown in the table on page 31 were beneficially owned. Mr B S E Freshwater’s shareholding
represents 2.1% of the issued share capital of the Company.
A  further  2,908,116  shares  (2018 –  2,908,116)  representing  17.8%  of  the  issued  share  capital  of  the
Company were held by Freshwater family trusts and by charitable companies in which Mr B S E Freshwater,
Mr S I Freshwater, Mr D Davis and Mr A M Freshwater have no beneficial interest. Mr S I Freshwater and
Mr A M Freshwater are trustees of a trust which owns 250,000 shares representing 1.5% of the issued share
capital of the Company. Mr C B Freshwater and Mr R E Freshwater have a beneficial interest in certain trusts
referred to in this Note 2 which together hold 326,294 shares, representing 2.0% of the issued share capital
of the Company.
In addition to the holdings shown in the table and in Note 2 above, companies owned and controlled by
Mr B S E  Freshwater,  Mr  S  I  Freshwater,  their  families  and  family  trusts,  held  at  31  March  2019 a  total  of
7,876,431  shares  (2018 –  7,876,431)  representing  48.3%  of  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company.
Mr D Davis and Mr A M Freshwater have a non-beneficial interest in some of these shares, either as a Director
of the companies concerned, or as a trustee. Mr C B Freshwater and Mr R E Freshwater have a beneficial
interest  in  certain  trusts  included  in  this  Note  3  which  indirectly  have  interests  in  3,774,853  shares,
representing 23.2% of the issued share capital of the Company.

4. Of these shares 89,270 are held by a company owned jointly by Mr B S E Freshwater and Mr S I Freshwater.

Included in Notes 2 and 3 above are the following holdings at 31 March 2019, each amounting to
3% or more of the Company’s issued share capital:

Henry Davies (Holborn) Limited
Trustees of the S I Freshwater Settlement
Distinctive Investments Limited
Quoted Securities Limited
Centremanor Limited
Mayfair Charities Limited
Tabard Property Investment Company Limited

Shares
1,934,090
1,560,000
1,464,550
1,305,631
1,000,000
565,000
500,000

%
11.9
9.6
9.0
8.0
6.1
3.5
3.1

In addition, the Company has been notified of the following substantial interests in its issued share
capital at 31 March 2019:

Valand Investments Limited
Silda 2 Limited

Shares
1,000,000
705,000

%
6.1
4.3

The Company is not aware of any changes to any of the above interests from 31 March 2019 up to
the date of signing this report.

Relationship agreement with controlling shareholders

Any person who exercises or controls on their own or together with any person with whom they
are acting in concert, 30% or more of the votes able to be cast on all or substantially all matters at
general  meetings  of  a  company  are  known  as ‘controlling  shareholders’. The  Financial  Conduct
Authority’s  Listing  Rules  require  companies  with  controlling  shareholders  to  enter  into  a  written
and  legally  binding  agreement  which  is  intended  to  ensure  that  the  controlling  shareholder
complies with certain independence provisions. The agreement must contain undertakings that:

(a)

(b)

transactions  and  arrangements  with  the  controlling  shareholders  (and/or  any  of  their
associates) will be conducted at arm’s length and on normal commercial terms;

neither the controlling shareholders nor any of their associates will take any action that would
have the effect of preventing the listed company from complying with its obligations under
the Listing Rules; and

Page 32

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

(c)

neither the controlling shareholders nor any of their associates will propose or procure the
proposal of a shareholder resolution which is intended to circumvent proper application of
the Listing Rules.

The Board confirms that in accordance with the Listing Rules, on 14 November 2014, the Company
entered into such an agreement with:

Centremanor Limited
Linnet Limited
Highdorn Co. Limited
B S E Freshwater
S I Freshwater
D Davis
R E Freshwater
A M Freshwater

who  together  with  their  related  companies  and  trusts  comprise  controlling  shareholders  of  the
Company with a combined total holding of approximately 79.5% of the Company’s voting rights.

The  Board  confirms  that,  since  the  entry  into  the  Relationship Agreement  on  14  November  2014
until 24 July 2019, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the annual report and
accounts:

(1)

(2)

(3)

the Company has complied with the independence provisions included in the Relationship
Agreement;

so  far  as  the  Company  is  aware,  the  independence  provisions  included  in  the  Relationship
Agreement have been complied with by all of the other parties to the Relationship Agreement
and their associates and;

so far as the Company is aware, the other parties to the Relationship Agreement have procured
compliance with the independence provisions in the Relationship Agreement by their related
companies and their associates.

Corporate Governance

This  report  combines  by  reference  the  Corporate  Governance  Report  on  pages 35  to 38,  which
includes a statement on going concern.

Change of Control 

Part 6 of Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports)
Regulations  2008  requires  the  Company  to  identify  those  significant  agreements  to  which  the
Company  is  party  that  take  effect,  alter  or  terminate  upon  a  change  of  control  of  the  Company
following a takeover bid and the effects of any such agreements.

The Group has six bank loan and mortgage facilities which contain change-of-control clauses. Five
of these facilities require the prior written consent of the lender to a change of control over the
parent  company,  without  which  such  change  of  control  would  constitute  an  event  of  default. A
change of control under the remaining facility would similarly constitute an event of default but no
provision  is  made  for  the  prior  written  consent  of  the  lender. At  31 March  2019,  these  facilities

Page 33

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

DIRECTORS’ REPORT  continued

represented  £111.3 million  (2018 – £112.5 million)  of  the  loans  and  borrowings  in  the  financial
statements and undrawn facilities of £45.0 million (2018 – £45.0 million).

Auditor

The Company’s auditor, KPMG LLP, has expressed its willingness to continue in office. In accordance
with Section 489 of the Companies Act, a resolution for the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditor of
the Company, and to authorise the Directors to determine its remuneration, is to be proposed at the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Statement of Disclosure of Information to the Auditor

The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors’ Report confirm that, so far as
they  each  are  aware  there  is  no  relevant  audit  information  of  which  the  Company’s  auditor is
unaware,  and  each  Director  has  taken  all  the  steps  he  ought  to  have  taken  as  a  Director  to  make
himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware
of that information.

By order of the Board

M R M Jenner
Secretary

24 July 2019

Page 34

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Overview

The  Board  is  required  to  report  on  the  extent  of  its  application  of  the  principles  and  of  its
compliance with the provisions contained in the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code (“the 2016
Code”).

The Board reviews each year the extent to which it is compliant with the Code and considers any
changes which might be necessary in the light of developments in the principles and provisions of
the  Code  and  in  the  context  of  the  needs  of  the  Group’s  business. During  the  current  year  this
included  undertaking  an  initial  assessment  of  the  requirements  of  the  2018  UK  Corporate
Governance Code. The provisions of the 2016 Code that we do not comply with and the reasons for
these are set out in our compliance statement on page 38.

The Board

The Group is controlled through the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board’s main roles are to
create  value  for  shareholders,  to  provide  entrepreneurial  leadership  of  the  Group,  to  approve  the
Group’s strategic objectives and to ensure that the necessary financial and other resources are made
available to enable those objectives to be met.

The  Board  meets  regularly  throughout  the  year  on  both  a  formal  and  an  informal  basis.
Comprehensive management information covering all aspects of the Group’s business is supplied to
the Board in a timely manner and in a form and quality which enables it to discharge its duties. The
Board’s principal focus, in accordance with the formal schedule of matters referred to it for decision,
is  on  the  formation  of  strategy  and  the  monitoring  and  control  of  operations  and  financial
performance. The performance of the Board, its committees and individual directors is kept under
constant review by the Chairman and therefore it is not considered necessary to undertake a more
formal process of evaluation, either internally or externally. All directors have access to the Company
Secretary  who  is  responsible  for  ensuring  compliance  with  the  Board  procedures. The  Board  has
agreed a procedure for directors in the furtherance of their duties to take independent professional
advice, if necessary, at the Company’s expense. All directors are briefed by the Chairman of the views,
and any changes to them, of the major shareholders.

The Chairman of each of the Audit, Nominations and Remuneration Committees formally report to
the Board on matters discussed at, decisions made at and any recommended actions arising from,
meetings of these sub-committees.

The  entire  Board  is  responsible  for  the  approval  of  candidates  for  appointment  to  the  Board,
following recommendations from the Nominations Committee. 

All  Directors  retire  and  submit  themselves  for  re-election  to  shareholders  at  the Annual  General
Meeting each year.

During the year there were four full formal board meetings attended by all Directors.

Directors and Directors’ Independence

The  Board  currently  comprises  the  Chairman,  who  acts  in  an  executive  capacity,  one  further
executive Director and six non-executive Directors. The names of the Directors together with their
biographical  details  are  set  out  on  pages  30  and  31.  Mr A  M  Freshwater,  Mr  C  B Freshwater  and

Page 35

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT  continued

Mr R E Freshwater  are  not  independent  by  virtue  of  their  membership  of  the  Freshwater  family.
The Board  acknowledges  that,  in  view  of  his  length  of  service,  Mr  D  Davis  is  technically  not
independent.

Financial Reporting

The Board has ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the Group’s financial reporting obligations
and is assisted by the Audit Committee in discharging that responsibility. The key aspects of these
obligations are as follows:

Accounting and significant areas of judgement
It is essential to the standard of the Group’s financial reporting that appropriate accounting policies
are adopted and applied on a consistent basis. The Board is updated by the Chairman of the Audit
Committee of the impact of new and emerging accounting standards and keeps under careful review
those areas of its accounting policies requiring subjective or complex judgements or estimates. These
areas, particularly in relation to fair value measurements of investment property and the assessment
of tax liabilities, are set out in Note 1(u) to the financial statements. As part of their review of the
accounts,  the  Board  also  considers  the  valuation  reports  and  discusses  these  with  its  valuers  and
discusses the tax position of the Group with its advisers.

External auditor
KPMG LLP and its predecessor entities have been the Group’s statutory auditor since the Group in
its current form was created by reverse takeover in 1959. The Board and the Audit Committee keep
under careful review the independence of the auditor and the quality of its services to the Group
and is satisfied that KPMG LLP and Richard Kelly who has been the Senior Statutory Auditor since
2015  provide  a  high  quality,  objective  and  cost  effective  service,  from  the  sound  base  of  their
understanding of the Group’s business.

Although  the  Code  would  now  recommend  the  company  re-tender  the  audit,  under  a  current  EU
Audit Directive and EU regulation the Company is permitted to defer the appointment of a different
external auditor until 2021. However, Mr Kelly is not permitted to be the Senior Statutory Auditor
beyond  2020. The  Board  and  the Audit  Committee  are  therefore  now  actively  considering  tender
options. 

The Board has a policy of using KPMG LLP to provide non-audit services to the Group only in relation
to matters closely associated with the audit and maintains close scrutiny of its non-audit services and
fees in order to safeguard objectivity and independence.

Internal Controls

The Board is ultimately responsible for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing its
effectiveness. However, such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure
to achieve business objectives and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against
material misstatement or loss.

The  Code  requires  that  the  Directors  review  the  effectiveness  of  the  Group’s  system  of  internal
controls, covering financial, operational and compliance controls and risk management. The Board
confirms  that  there  is  an  ongoing  process  for  identifying,  evaluating  and  managing  the  significant
business risks faced by the Group and the internal control systems, and that this process has been in
place for the year under review and up to the date of approval of the Annual Report & Accounts.
This process is considered by the Audit Committee in detail and reviewed by the Board at regular
intervals.

Page 36

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

The Audit Committee has considered the benefits likely to arise from the appointment of an internal
audit function and has concluded that this is not currently necessary having regard to other controls
which operate within the Group.

Key elements of the Group’s system of internal controls
These are as follows:

Control  environment: The  Group  is  committed  to  the  highest  standards  of  business  conduct  and
seeks  to  maintain  these  standards  across  all  its  operations. The  Group  has  a  clear  organisational
structure for planning, executing and monitoring business operations in order to achieve the Group’s
objectives. Lines of responsibility and delegation of authority are well defined.

Risk identification and evaluation: Management is responsible for the identification and evaluation
of key risks applicable to the areas of the property market which impact its objectives. These risks
are assessed on a continual basis, are subject to a robust annual assessment and may be associated
with a variety of internal and external sources. The Board considers the risk implications of business
decisions including those affecting all major transactions.

Information  and  communication:  Periodic  strategic  reviews  are  carried  out  which  include  the
consideration  of  long  term  financial  projections.  Financial  performance  is  actively  monitored  at
Board level. Through these mechanisms group performance is monitored, risks identified in a timely
manner, their implications assessed, control procedures re-evaluated and corrective actions agreed
and implemented.

Control procedures: The Group has implemented control procedures designed to ensure complete
and accurate accounting for financial transactions and to limit the potential exposure to loss of assets
or  fraud.  Measures  include  physical  controls,  segregation  of  duties,  use  of  external  experts  and
advisers where beneficial, reviews by management and reviews by the Company’s external auditor
to the extent necessary to arrive at their audit opinion.

Monitoring and corrective action: The Board and the Audit Committee meet regularly, formally and
informally,  throughout  the  year  to  review  the  internal  controls. This  process  includes  a  detailed
annual  review  of  the  significant  business  risks  and  formal  consideration  of  the  scope  and
effectiveness  of  the  Group’s  system  of  internal  control.  In  addition,  the  executive  Directors  and
senior management have a close involvement in the day-to-day operations of the Group and as such,
the  controls  are  subject  to  ongoing  monitoring.  The  Board  is  satisfied  with  the  scope  and
effectiveness of the internal controls.

Investor Relations

The Board values communication with private and institutional shareholders and with analysts. The
Annual General Meeting is used as the primary opportunity for the Board as a whole to meet private
shareholders.  Other  opportunities  are  taken  as  they  arise  during  the  year  to  discuss  strategic  and
other issues with institutional shareholders and analysts.

The  Board  continues  to  support  the  concept  of  individual  resolutions  on  separate  issues  at Annual
General Meetings. Details of proxy voting on each resolution will be disclosed on the company website
after the meeting. In accordance with the Code, notice of the Annual General Meeting and the Annual
Report & Accounts will be sent to shareholders at least twenty working days before the meeting.

Page 37

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT  continued

Compliance Statement

The Board considers the Company has complied throughout the year ended 31 March 2019 with all
the provisions of the Code except as set out below:

Mr B S E Freshwater performs the role of both Chairman and Chief Executive.  The Board recognises
that this is not compliant with provision A.2.1 of the Code which requires these two roles not to be
exercised by the same person.  Given the extensive experience and knowledge of the Group possessed
by Mr B S E Freshwater and the nature, strategy and ownership structure of the Company, the Board
remains of the view that this is in the best interest of shareholders as a whole. Mr B S E Freshwater was
not considered independent when he was appointed Chairman in 1980, as required by provision A.3.1
of the Code.

The Board considers an external review of the Board every three years, as required by provision B.6.2
would be of little value and so has not commissioned and has no current intention to commission a
review.  The Nominations Committee considered the composition of the Board during the year and
concluded the make-up of the Board remains appropriate; the Directors have substantial property
experience and knowledge and are representative of the shareholder base.

The Board recognises that the Company is not compliant with provision A.4.1 as Mr D Davis, who is
the senior non-executive director, is not considered to be independent due to his extended period
in this role. Provision B.1.2 which requires at least half of the Board to be independent non-executive
directors is not met due to some family relationships on the Board. Similarly, as Mr S B Benaim and
Mr S Srulowitz are the only two independent directors, the Company is not technically compliant
with provision C.3.1 which requires the three members of the Audit Committee to be independent
or with provision D.2.1 which requires the three members of the Remuneration Committee to be
independent as the third member of each Committee is Mr D Davis. The Remuneration Committee
does not monitor the remuneration of senior management which results in the Company not being
compliant with provision D.2.2.

None  of  these  instances  of  non-compliance  are  considered  to  have  a  detrimental  impact  on  the
Group.

Going Concern

The  Group’s  business  activities,  together  with  the  factors  likely  to  affect  its  future  development,
performance and position are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 4 to 28, which also refers to
the  financial  position  of  the  Group,  its  cash  flows,  liquidity  position  and  borrowing  facilities.  In
addition, Note 17 to the financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes
for managing its financial risks, together with details of its financial instruments, hedging activities
and exposures to credit, liquidity and market risks.

As shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Group generated net cash from operating
activities of £38.2 million during the year (2018 – £35.5 million). Gearing, on the basis of gross debt to
total  assets,  was 15.6%  (2018 –  13.8%).  Net  debt  (total  loans  and  borrowings  less  cash  and  cash
equivalents)  has increased  to  £334.9 million  (2018 –  £251.7 million),  due  principally  to additional
borrowings to fund the acquisition of three properties in the USA as referred to on page 19 during the
period. The  Group  has  undrawn  committed  facilities  of  £85.0 million  at  the  balance  sheet  date
(2018 – £63.4  million). The  Group  has  considerable  financial  resources  and  very  low  gearing  and
therefore, the Directors consider that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully
in  the  current  and  foreseeable  economic  conditions.  Consequently,  the  Directors  have  a  reasonable
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least
twelve months from the date of approving this Annual Report & Accounts. Thus they continue to adopt
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Page 38

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Primary role and key responsibilities

The Audit  Committee  operates  within  its  written  terms  of  reference  which  detail  its  duties  and
responsibilities.  The  primary  role  of  the  Committee  is  to  assist  the  Board  by  reviewing  and
monitoring  the  integrity  of  the  Group’s  financial  reporting,  the  Group’s  internal  controls  and  risk
management framework, the arrangements for whistleblowing and the external audit process.

Membership, meetings and attendance

The members of the Audit Committee, together with their attendance at meetings held during the
year were as follows:

Director name

Directorship

Mr S B Benaim – Chairman Non-executive
Non-executive
Mr D Davis
Non-executive
Mr S Srulowitz

Member since

November 2017
November 2017
November 2017

Attendance

4 of 4
3 of 4
4 of 4

Mr Benaim is a Chartered Accountant and was formerly a partner in, and Global Head of Real Estate
at, the accountancy firm BDO. Mr Davis is a Chartered Accountant and was formerly a partner in the
accountancy  firm  Cohen Arnold.  Mr  Srulowitz  is  a  practising  lawyer  in  the  USA,  specialising  in
property matters. Pursuant to provision C.3.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code (“the Code”),
the  Board  considers  Mr  Benaim  to  have  significant,  recent  and  relevant  financial  experience  and
additionally that each member of the Audit Committee possesses relevant sectoral competence and
appropriate levels of independence and experience. As noted on page 36, in view of his length of
service, Mr Davis is not technically independent and therefore whilst the composition of the Audit
Committee is consistent with the law which requires the majority of members to be independent, it
is not strictly compliant with the Code which requires all members to be independent.

Main activities during the year

The main activities of the Committee during the year included the planning, monitoring, reviewing
and approval of:

Financial reporting

The Committee undertook a detailed review of the draft full year and half
year  announcements and  the Annual  Report  and  Accounts  which  the
Committee concluded when taken as a whole, presented a fair, balanced and
understandable  assessment  of  the  Group’s  position  and  prospects  at  that
time. This  included  a  thorough  review  of  a  report  on  their  audit  from  the
external auditors.

The Committee considered the areas in which significant judgements or a
high  degree  of  estimation  are  applied  by  the  Group’s  management,
including in relation to property valuations and the current tax liability.

The  Committee  reviewed  the  timing  and  impact  of  adoption  of  new
accounting  standards,  in  particular  IFRS  9  (financial  instruments),  IFRS  15
(revenue recognition) and IFRS 16 (leases).

Fraud reporting and
whistleblowing 

The Committee considered the current arrangements for individuals to raise
concerns  about  potential  wrongdoing  in  financial  reporting  or  other
matters and were satisfied that they remain appropriate.

Page 39

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT continued

The Group’s register of risks and the specific controls in place designed to
mitigate them, together with the broader internal control framework were
reviewed  in  detail. As  part  of  their  robust  assessment,  the  Committee
undertook  an  extensive  evaluation  of  the  probable  impact  on  the  Group
caused  by  the  uncertainty  surrounding  the  timing  and  nature  of  the  UK’s
departure from the European Union. Management were also challenged by
the  Committee  on  the  appropriateness  and  completeness  of  both  the
register and the internal controls framework.

Particular attention was paid to the value of investment properties and the
corporate tax creditor and the risk that either of these amounts might be
materially misstated. The Committee considered relevant professional advice
received  by  the  Group  and the  valuers  of  the  UK  property  portfolio
attended one Committee meeting to explain and discuss the valuation and
review processes that they undertake. The Committee were satisfied that the
carrying  values  of  both  investment  properties  and  the  corporate  tax
creditor shown in the financial statements are appropriate.

Further details of the principal risks faced by the Group are included in the
Strategic Report on pages 6 to 15. The key elements of the Group’s internal
control  framework  are  included  in  the  Corporate  Governance  report  on
page 37.

The  Committee  reviewed  a  letter  received  from  the  FRC’s Audit  Quality
Review team reporting on the FRC’s review of KPMG’s March 2017 audit.
The Committee was satisfied with the responses received to the issues they
raised with the external auditor and management. The FRC review has now
been completed.

The  Committee  reviewed  the  independence  and  effectiveness  of  the
external  auditor including  by  meeting  with  them,  both  with  and  without
management  present,  by  scrutinising  their  external  audit  plan  and  by
considering  observations  from  the  Group’s  Finance  team.  The  Audit
Committee was satisfied with their review and recommends that they be re-
appointed at the forthcoming AGM.

Further  details  of  the  Group’s  policies  towards  and  relationship  with  the
external auditor are included on page 36.

Risk management and
internal controls

FRC review

External auditor

S B Benaim
24 July 2019

Page 40

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

Primary role and key responsibilities

The Nominations Committee operates within its written terms of reference which detail its duties
and  responsibilities.  The  primary  role  of  the Committee  is  to  develop  and  maintain  a  formal
procedure for making recommendations on Board appointments.

The Board and the Nominations Committee believe that appointments to the Board should be made
on  the  basis  of broad  and  balanced  criteria  which  are  considered  to  be  relevant  to  the  good  and
proper  management  of  the  Group. The  Board  and  the  Nominations  Committee  do  not  believe  in
setting targets or quotas for gender or other diversity measures but equally do not set any restrictions
on appointments to the Board based on religion, ethnicity or any other grounds.

Membership, meetings and attendance

The  members  of  the  Nominations  Committee,  together  with  their  attendance  at  meetings  held
during the year were as follows:

Director name

Directorship

Member since

Attendance

Mr B S E Freshwater – Chairman
Mr S B Benaim
Mr S Srulowitz

Executive
Non-executive
Non-executive

November 2017
November 2017
November 2017

1 of 1
1 of 1
1 of 1

It is intended that the Nominations Committee will formally meet at least once during each financial
year. Additional meetings will be held as appropriate.

Main activities during the year

The Committee considered the composition of the Board and concluded that the directors have the
requisite skills, knowledge and experience to deliver the Group’s strategy and deal with changes in
the business environment. The Committee concluded that the size of the Board, the balance between
executive and non-executive directors and the balance between independent and non-independent
directors  remains  appropriate.  No  new  appointments  were  made  to  the  Board  during  the  year  or
during the subsequent period to the date of approval of this report.

B S E Freshwater
24 July 2019

Page 41

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPOR T 

Primary role and key responsibilities

The  primary  role  of  the  Remuneration  Committee  is  to  determine  an  appropriate  remuneration
package for executive directors.

Membership, meetings and attendance

The  members  of  the  Remuneration  Committee,  together  with  their  attendance  at  meetings  held
during the year were as follows:

Director name

Directorship

Member since

Attendance

Mr D Davis – Chairman 
Mr S B Benaim
Mr S Srulowitz

Non-executive
Non-executive
Non-executive

November 2017
November 2017
November 2017

1 of 1
1 of 1
1 of 1

Main activities during the year

The main activities of the Committee during the year included:

Appropriateness of
remuneration policy

The  Committee  considered  the Company’s  remuneration  strategy  and
policy  described  below  to  ensure  it  remains  appropriate.   The  Committee
determined that no changes should be made to the remuneration policy.

Remuneration
benchmarking

The  Committee  reviewed  the  remuneration  paid  by  selected  other
companies  of  comparable  size  and  complexity  operating  within  the
property sector to ensure that the recommended increases in remuneration
are  sufficient  to  ensure  the  total  remuneration  package  remains
competitive.  Further details are provided below and on the following pages.

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Set out below and on pages 43 and 44 is the remuneration strategy and policy together with other
relevant information about the terms and conditions applicable to executive Directors of the Group:

1.

Overview

The remuneration strategy is designed to be simple and transparent. In setting levels of remuneration
it is important to:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Reflect the interests and expectations of shareholders and other stakeholders

Take account of pay and employment conditions of employees in the Group

Reward the sustained growth and profitability of the business

Encourage  management  to  adopt  a  level  of  risk  which  is  in  line  with  the  risk  profile  of  the
business as approved by the board

Ensure  there  is  no  reward  for  failure  by  having  no  entitlement  to  compensation  for  loss  of
office

Page 42

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

2.

Executive Directors’ potential remuneration

Executive Directors receive basic pay only. There are no bonus or incentive schemes in operation or
any  form  of  share  option  scheme  or  long  term  incentive  plan.  The  executive  Directors  are
incentivised  by  their  substantial  interests  in  family  shareholdings  which  more  directly  align  their
interests with shareholders generally.

3.

Strategy

Purpose
The salary is set to be competitive, relative to other companies operating in the same sector.

Annual review
A review of executive Directors’ salaries is carried out each year once the results for the year are
known and with reference to a comprehensive peer group of similar companies.

The annual review takes into consideration:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

Individual responsibilities, experience and performance

Salary levels for similar positions in comparable businesses

The  level  of  pay  increases  awarded  to  staff  whose  services  are  provided  by  management
companies

Economic and market conditions

Overall performance of the business

There is no overall limit to maximum increases save as to comply with the strategy outlined above.

Shareholder views
The Company welcomes the views of its significant shareholders on remuneration and if received
these would be taken into consideration when next reviewing salaries.

4.

Benefits

There are no additional benefits granted to any Director over and above basic pay.

5.

Pension

The Group does not operate a pension scheme for the Directors and therefore they do not receive
either pension contributions or entitlement to pension benefits as part of their remuneration by the
Group.

6.

Recruitment of executive Directors

No  new  appointments  of  executive  Directors  have  been  made  for  a  number  of  years  but  if  an
appointment were  made, salary  would  take  into  account  market  data  for  the  relevant  role,  the
individual’s experience and the responsibilities expected of them.

7.

Service contracts

No Director has a service contract. Company policy is to employ executive Directors at will, with no
contractual  entitlement  to  compensation  for  loss  of  office.  Mr  B  S  E  Freshwater  has  served  as  a
Director since 1971 and Mr S I Freshwater has served as a Director since 1986.

Page 43

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT continued

The non-executive Directors are not appointed for a fixed term but are subject to periodic reviews.
Mr D Davis was appointed in 1971, Mr R E Freshwater and Mr A M Freshwater were appointed in
2010. Mr S B Benaim, Mr S Srulowitz and Mr C B Freshwater were all appointed in 2017.  They are
all remunerated by a fixed Director’s fee. Mr S B Benaim receives an additional fee as Chairman of
the Audit Committee.

Annual Report on Remuneration

This section describes all payments to Directors in connection with the year under review and how
the  Remuneration  Policy  will  be  applied  over  the  next  three  years.  KPMG  LLP  have  audited  this
section of the report to the extent required by legislation.

Total directors’ remuneration
Details of each individual director’s remuneration are set out below on an accruals basis:

Long
term
perfor-
mance
pay
£

Perfor-
mance
pay
£

Pension
contri-
butions
£

Total
£

Salary
£

Benefits
£

1,250,000
1,250,000
25,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
2,625,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

– 1,250,000
– 1,250,000
25,000
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
–
20,000
– 2,625,000

Long
term
perfor-
mance
pay
£

Perfor-
mance 
pay
£

Pension
contri-
butions
£

Total
£

Salary
£

Benefits
£

1,200,000
1,200,000
21,712
20,000
20,000
14,923
20,000
14,923
2,511,558

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

– 1,200,000
– 1,200,000
21,712
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
14,923
–
20,000
–
–
14,923
– 2,511,558

2019

Mr B S E Freshwater
Mr S I Freshwater
Mr S B Benaim
Mr D Davis
Mr A M Freshwater
Mr C B Freshwater
Mr R E Freshwater
Mr S Srulowitz

Comparative table

2018

Mr B S E Freshwater
Mr S I Freshwater
Mr S B Benaim
Mr D Davis
Mr A M Freshwater
Mr C B Freshwater
Mr R E Freshwater
Mr S Srulowitz

Changes in the year
Following their review, the Remuneration Committee recommended increases to the basic salaries
of the executive directors and these increases were approved by the full Board.

Page 44

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Mr B S E Freshwater and Mr S I Freshwater each received an increase in basic salary of £50,000 per
annum during the year (2018 – £50,000), equivalent to 4.2% (2018 – 4.3%). These increases were
agreed at a meeting of the Remuneration Committee.

The total staff costs borne by the Group under its arrangements with its management companies in
the UK increased by 3.1% reflecting annual salary increases (2018 – increased by 7.6%). Since such
staff  are  employed  under  these  arrangements,  no  consultations  regarding directors’  remuneration
policy or implementation have been held.

It is intended that the current practice of annual reviews and the method in which they are carried
out will continue unchanged during the current and following years.

Non-executive directors’ remuneration
The  non-executive directors  each  receive  a  base  fee of  £20,000  per  annum  which is  reviewed
periodically,  pro-rated  for his  or  her period  of  service  in  any  one  year. This  entitlement  has  not
changed in recent years.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional fee, pro-rated for his or her period of
service in any one year.This additional fee was increased from £5,000 to £15,000, with effect from
1 April 2019.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below demonstrates the relative amounts expended by the Group on staff costs, Directors’
remuneration and dividends to shareholders.The Company did not buy back any shares during the year.

Staff costs

£000

7,538
7,314

% of total

28.0
28.4

Directors’
remuneration

Dividends to
shareholders

£000

2,625
2,512

% of total

£000

% of total

9.7
9.7

16,784
15,969

62.3
61.9

2019
2018

Statement of directors’ shareholdings and share interests
There  is  no  minimum  shareholding  requirement  for  executive  or  non-executive directors.  The
directors’ share interests are complex and are set out in detail in the Directors’ Report on pages 31
and 32.

Approval of Directors’ Remuneration Report
At the last Annual General Meeting of the Company, votes cast by shareholders on the resolution to
approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report were as follows:

For
Against

12,746,509
624,396

95.3%
4.7%

Page 45

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPOR T  continued

Total shareholder return
The following graph shows the total shareholder returns for the Company (based on an investment
of £100 at 1 April 2009) for each of the last ten financial years compared to the FTSE All Share Real
Estate Investment and Services Index and the FTSE 350 Index. The Company is a constituent of both
these indices and the Board considers these to be the most appropriate broad market equity indices
for illustrating the Company’s relative performance.

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

FTSE 350

FTSE ALL SHARE R/E IVST SVS E

DAEJAN HOLDINGS

The basic pay of the Chairman and Managing Director during the same period as the graph above is
shown as a single figure in the table below:

Mr B S E Freshwater

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

By order of the Board

D Davis

24 July 2019

Page 46

£

720,000
740,000
770,000
820,000
870,000
1,000,000
1,100,000
1,150,000
1,200,000
1,250,000

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 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.  Under  that  law  they  are  required  to  prepare  the  group  financial  statements  in
accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union
(“IFRSs as adopted by the EU”) and applicable law and have elected to prepare the parent company
financial statements in accordance with UK accounting standards, including FRS 102 The Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 

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: 

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant, reliable and prudent; 

for the group financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in accordance with
IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 

for  the  parent  company  financial  statements,  state  whether  applicable  UK  accounting
standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in
the parent company financial statements; 

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 either intend 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. 

Under  applicable  law  and  regulations,  the  Directors  are  also  responsible  for  preparing  a  Strategic
Report, Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that
complies with that law and those regulations. 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  corporate  and  financial
information included on the company’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Page 47

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT  continued

Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the annual financial report

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: 

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

the  financial  statements,  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  applicable  set  of  accounting
standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss
of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and 

the strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business
and the position of the issuer and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a
whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

We consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable
and  provides  the  information  necessary  for  shareholders  to  assess  the  Group’s  position  and
performance, business model and strategy.

B S E Freshwater
Chairman

24 July 2019

Page 48

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the members of Daejan Holdings Plc

Our opinion is unmodified

1.
We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Daejan  Holdings  PLC  (“the  Company”)  for  the  year
ended 31 March 2019 which comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Statement
of  Comprehensive  Income,  Consolidated  Statement  of  Changes  in  Equity,  Company  Statement  of
Changes in Equity, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Company Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of
Cash Flows, and the related notes, including the accounting policies in note 1.

In our opinion: 

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent
Company’s affairs as at 31 March 2019 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU); 

the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK
accounting standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK
and Republic of Ireland; and 

the  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the
Companies  Act  2006  and,  as  regards  the  Group  financial  statements,  Article  4  of  the  IAS
Regulation.

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 believe that the audit evidence we
have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent
with our report to the audit committee.

We were first appointed as auditor before 1959. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is for
more than the 60 financial years ended 31 March 2019. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities
under,  and  we  remain  independent  of  the  Group  in  accordance  with,  UK  ethical  requirements
including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities. No non-audit services
prohibited by that standard were provided.

Overview

Materiality:
Group financial statements as a whole

£26.4 million (2018: £24.1 million)
1.0% (2018: 1.0%) of Gross Assets

Lower materiality:
Applied to certain items

Coverage

Key audit matters

Event driven

£3.2 million (2018: £2.7 million)
Applied to rental income, property operating expenses, 
administrative expenses and financial expenses

100% (2018: 100%) of Gross Assets

vs 2018

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

New: Going concern

Recurring risks

Group: Valuation of investment property

Group: Current tax liability

Parent: Recoverability of investment in subsidiary
undertakings

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

Page 49

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

2.
Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks of material misstatement
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in
the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  and  include  the  most  significant  assessed  risks  of  material
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including those which had the greatest
effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts
of the engagement team.We summarise below the key audit matters, in arriving at our audit opinion
above, together with our key audit procedures to address those matters and, as required for public
interest entities, our results from those procedures.These matters were addressed, and our results are
based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the purpose of, our audit of the
financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental
to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

The Risk

Our Response

Unprecedented levels of uncertainty

and 

assess 

audits 

challenge 

All 
the
reasonableness  of  estimates,  in  particular  as
described  in  the  key  audit  matters  on  the
valuation  of  investment  property,  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 
economic
the 
environment  and  the  Group’s  future  prospects
and performance.

future 

of 

In  addition,  we  are  required  to  consider  the
other  information  presented  in  the  Annual
Report  including  the  principal  risks  disclosure
and  the  viability  statement  and  to  consider  the
directors’  statement  that  the  annual  report  and
financial  statements  taken  as  a  whole  is  fair,
balanced  and  understandable  and  provides  the
information necessary for shareholders to assess
the Group’s position and performance, business
model and strategy.

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.

to 

the  consideration  of 

firm-wide
We  developed  a  standardised 
approach 
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 
own
compared  with 
understanding  of  the  risks. We  considered  the
directors’  plans  to  take  action  to  mitigate  the
risks. 

our 

Sensitivity  analysis:  When  addressing
valuation  of  investment  property  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
flows  are  required  to  be
forecast  cash 
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  valuation  of 
investment  property  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.

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

Refer to page 2
(The Chairman’s
Statement), page 6
(Principal Risks
and Uncertainties),
page 28 (Viability
Statement) and
page 40 (Audit
Committee Report).

Page 50

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Our results
As reported under the key audit matters Going
concern  and Valuation  of  Investment  Property,
we  found  the  resulting  estimates  and  related
disclosures of valuation of investment property
and  disclosures  in  relation  to  going  concern  to
be  acceptable.  However,  no  audit  should  be
expected to predict the unknowable factors or
all  possible  future  implications  for  a  company
and  this  is  particularly  the  case  in  relation  to
Brexit.

Going concern

Disclosure quality

Our procedures included:

Refer to page 38
(Corporate
Governance Report)
and page 64
(Significant
accounting policies).

The financial statements explain how the Board
has formed a judgement that it is appropriate to
adopt the going concern basis of preparation for
the Group and parent Company.

That judgement is based on an evaluation of the
inherent  risks  to  the  Group’s  and  Company’s
business model and how those risks might affect
the  Group’s  and  Company’s  financial  resources
or ability to continue operations over a period of
at least a year from the date of approval of the
financial statements. 

The  risks  most  likely  to  adversely  affect  the
Group’s  and  Company’s  available  financial
resources over this period were: 

(cid:2) increased  cost  of  debt  from  interest  rate

rises;

(cid:2) tenant  default  impacting  cash  flow  and

earnings; and

(cid:2) significant reduction in property values.

There  are  also  less  predictable  but  realistic
second  order  impacts,  such  as  the  impact  of
Brexit, which could result in a rapid reduction of
available financial resources.

The risk for our audit was whether or not those
risks were such that they amounted to a material
uncertainty that may have cast significant doubt
about the ability to continue as a going concern.
Had they been such, then that fact would have
been required to have been disclosed.

Funding  assessment:  We  assessed  whether
the Group has sufficient resources to repay the
debt  falling  due  within  12  months  from
authorising  the  accounts  by  analysing  the
Group’s  financing  terms  and  considering
directors’ 
for
ongoing  covenant  compliance  and  available
headroom;

forecasts  and  assumptions 

Historical  comparisons:  We  assessed  the
reasonableness  of  the  directors’  cash  flow
projections  by  considering  the  historical
accuracy of the previous forecasts;

considered
analysis:  We 
Sensitivity 
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 
individually  and
collectively such as increase in interest rates of
borrowings,  decrease  in  occupancy  rates  and
fall in real estate prices; 

these  risks 

from 

Assessing  transparency:  We  considered  the
completeness  and  accuracy  of  the  matters
covered in the Annual Report and assessed that
they  reflect  the  position  of  the  Group’s
financing  and  the  risks  associated  with  the
Group‘s ability to continue as a going concern.

Our  results:  We  found  the  going  concern
disclosure  without  any  material  uncertainty  to
be acceptable.

Page 51

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

Valuation of
investment
property (Group)

(Group: £2,532.5
million; 2018:
£2,373.2 million)

Refer to page 40
(Audit Committee
Report), page 66
(Significant
accounting policies)
and pages 74-77
(Notes to the
consolidated
financial
statements).

Subjective valuation 

Our procedures included:

Investment  properties  represent 91.5%  (2018:
93.6%) of gross assets of the Group.

The property portfolios are externally valued by
qualified  independent  valuers  and  held  at  fair
value at the balance sheet date.

fair  value  of 

Determination  of 
the
the 
investment properties is considered a significant
audit  risk  due  to  the  magnitude  of  the  balance
and  the  subjective  nature  of  the  valuation
methodology  and  inputs  which  depend  on  the
individual  nature  of  each  property,  its  location
and  expected  future  net  rental  values,  market
yields and comparable market transactions.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our
risk  assessment,  we  determined  that  the
valuation  of  investment  properties  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 

valuers’ 

objectivity, 

capabilities 

Assessing  valuers’  credentials: we  assessed
professional
the 
qualifications 
through
discussions  with  the  valuers,  reading  their
valuation  reports,  and  reviewing  their  terms  of
engagement  with  the  Group  to  determine
whether there were any matters that might have
affected  their  objectivity  or  may  have  imposed
scope limitations upon their work.

Methodology  choice:  we  held  discussions
with  the  Group’s  external  property  valuers  to
determine the valuation methodology used. With
the  assistance  of  our  own  property  valuation
specialists,  we  critically  assessed  whether  the
valuations  were  in  accordance  with  the  RICS
Valuation Professional Standards ‘the Red Book’
for  the  valuers  of  the  UK  portfolio,  and  the
Standards  of  Professional  Appraisal  Practice  of
the Appraisal Institute for the valuers of the US
portfolio,  and  whether  the  methodologies
adopted  were  appropriate  by  reference  to
acceptable valuation practice. 

Benchmarking  assumptions:  With 
the
assistance  of  our  own  property  valuation
specialists  we  selected  a  sample  of  properties
using  various  criteria  including  analysis  of
capital  movements  by  comparison  to  industry
indices  or  published  market  trends.  We  held
discussions with the Group’s external property
valuers  to  critically  assess  movements  in
property  values  for  the  sample  selected.  We
evaluated and challenged as appropriate the key
assumptions upon which these valuations were
based,  including  forecast  rents,  yields,  discount
rates,  vacant  periods  and 
irrecoverable
expenditure  and  comparable  transactions  by
making a comparison to our own understanding
of the market and to industry benchmarks. 

Assessing  transparency:  we  considered  the
adequacy  of  the  Group’s  disclosures  on  the
valuation 
significant
unobservable inputs employed in the valuation. 

techniques 

and 

Our results
We found the valuation of investment properties
to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).

Page 52

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Current tax
liability (Group)

Dispute outcome

(Group: £43.1
million; 2018: £47.3
million)

Refer to page 40
(Audit Committee
Report), page 67
(Significant
accounting policies)
and page 73 (Notes
to the consolidated
financial
statements).

Accruals  for  tax  contingencies  require  the
directors  to  make  judgements  and  estimates  in
relation to tax issues and exposures. This is a key
audit risk due to the time taken for tax matters
to  be  agreed  with  the  tax  authorities  and
complexity of tax legislation.

The majority of the current tax liability relates to
a number of open periods which the Group has
with  HM  Revenue  &  Customs  (HMRC),  as  a
result  of  ongoing  enquiries 
the
interpretation  of  tax 
legislation  regarding
historical financing arrangements undertaken by
the Group. 

into 

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our
risk assessment for audit planning purposes, we
determined  that  the  current  tax  liability  had  a
high  degree  of  estimation  uncertainty,  with  a
potential range of reasonable outcomes greater
than our materiality for the financial statements
as a whole. In conducting our final audit work,
we  reassessed 
the  degree  of  estimation
uncertainty to be less than that materiality.

The  risk  significance  has  decreased  in  the
current  year  due 
to  reduced  estimated
uncertainty as a settlement offer of tax payable
has  been  made  to  HMRC  for  which  an  accrual
has  been  made  in  the  consolidated  financial
statements. Based on the latest correspondence,
the range of possible outcomes had narrowed.

Our procedures included:

Our tax expertise: we used our own internal
tax  specialists  to  assist  us  in  assessing  the
Group’s open tax positions which included the
following procedures. 

the 

inspected 

We 
latest  correspondence
between the Group and HMRC regarding open
matters.  In  addition,  we  read  legal  advice  and
opinions  that  the  Group  had  obtained  in  the
period in relation to uncertain tax positions, in
order to consider whether the level of accruals
recognised  at  year  end  is  based  on  up  to  date
legal advice in response to HMRC’s challenges.

We  analysed  and  challenged  the  assumptions
used  to  determine  tax  accruals  based  on  our
knowledge  and  experiences  of  the  application
of  local  legislation  by  the  relevant  authorities
and courts.

Assessing  transparency:  we  assessed  the
adequacy  of  the  Group’s  disclosures  in  respect
of tax and uncertain tax positions by reference
to relevant accounting standards.

Our results
We  found  the  current  tax  liability  to  be
acceptable (2018: acceptable). 

Page 53

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

Low risk, high value
The  carrying  amount  of  the  parent  Company’s
investments  in  subsidiaries  (including  both
equity  investments  and  loans  to  subsidiary
undertakings) represents 99.7% (2018: 98.6%) of
the  Company’s  total  assets. Their  recoverability
is not at a high risk of significant misstatement
or  subject  to  significant  judgement.    However,
due  to  their  materiality  in  the  context  of  the
parent  Company  financial  statements,  this  is
considered to be the area that had the greatest
effect on our overall parent Company audit.

Recoverability of
investment in
subsidiary
undertakings
(Company)

(Parent: £1,279.9
million; 2018:
£1,326.9 million)

Refer to page 68
(Significant
accounting policies)
and page 96 (Notes
to the company
financial
statements).

Our procedures included: 

Tests  of  detail:  Comparing  the  carrying
amount  of  100%  of  investments  with  the
relevant  subsidiaries’  draft  balance  sheet  to
identify  whether  their  net  assets,  being  an
approximation  of  their  minimum  recoverable
amount, were in excess of their carrying amount
and  assessing  whether  those  subsidiaries  have
historically been profit-making or whether they
have  a  positive  net  asset  value  and  therefore
coverage of the debt owed.

Assessing  subsidiary  audits:  Assessing  the
work  performed  by  the  Group  or  subsidiary
audit  team  on  all  of  those  subsidiaries  and
considering  the  results  of  that  work,  on  those
subsidiaries’ profits and net assets.

Comparing  valuations:  For  the  investments
where  the  carrying  amount  exceeded  the  net
asset  value,  comparing  the  carrying  amount  of
the  investment  with  the  expected  value  of  the
business  based  on  a  suitable  multiple  of  the
subsidiaries’ profit.

Our results
We  found  the  group’s  assessment  of  the
investment  in  subsidiary  undertakings  to  be
acceptable (2018: acceptable).

Page 54

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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

3.
Materiality  for  the  Group  financial  statements  as  a  whole  was  set  at  £26.4  million  (2018:  £24.1
million), determined with reference to a benchmark of total assets, of which it represents 1.0% (2018:
1.0%). 

In  addition,  we  applied  materiality  of  £3.2  million  (2018:  £2.7  million)  to  rental  income,  property
operating  expenses,  administrative  expenses  and  financial  expenses,  for  which  we  believe
misstatements  of  lesser  amounts  than  materiality  for  the  financial  statements  as  a  whole  could
reasonably  be  expected  to  influence  the  Company’s  members’  assessment  of  the  financial
performance of the Group.

Materiality for the parent Company financial statements as a whole was set at £13.5 million (2018:
£13.4  million),  determined  with  reference  to  a  benchmark  of  Company  gross  assets,  of  which  it
represents 1.0% (2018: 1.0%).

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements
exceeding  £1.3  million  (Group)  (2018:  £1.2  million),  £0.7  million  (parent  Company)  (2018:  £0.7
million) or £0.2 million (2018: £0.1 million) for misstatements relating to procedures performed to
the  lower  materiality,  in  addition  to  other  identified  misstatements  that  warranted  reporting  on
qualitative grounds. 

Group total Assets
£2,766.5 million (2018: £2,535.0 million)

Group Materiality
£26.4 million (2018: £24.1 million)

£26.4 million
Whole financial statements materiality
(2018: £24.1 million)

£1.9 million
Range of materiality of the 50 components
(£2,816 to £1.9 million)
(2018: £2,038 to £2.2 million)

£1.3 million
Misstatements reported to the 
audit committee (2018: £1.2 million)

Group total Assets
Group materiality

Of the group's 50 (2018: 50) reporting components, we subjected 50 (2018: 50) to full scope audits
for group purposes. 

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the percentages illustrated below.

Group revenue

Group profit before tax

Group total assets

100%

(2018 100%)

100%

(2018 100%)

100%

(2018 100%)

100

100

100

Full scope for group audit purposes 2019

Page 55

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

The Group team approved the component materialities, which ranged from £2,816 to £1.9m (2018:
£2,038  to  £2.2m),  having  regard  to  the  mix  of  size  and  risk  profile  of  the  Group  across  the
components.

The  Group  team  instructed  the  component  auditor  as  to  the  significant  areas  to  be  covered,
including the relevant risks detailed above and the information to be reported back. 

The  work  on  1  of  the  50  components  (2018:  1  of  the  50  components)  was  performed  by  a
component auditor and the rest, including the audit of the parent Company, was performed by the
Group team.

The Group team visited the component audited by the component auditor to assess the audit risk
and  strategy. At  this  visit,  the  findings  reported  to  the  Group  audit  team  were  discussed  in  more
detail,  and  any  further  work  required  by  the  Group  audit  team  was  then  performed  by  the
component auditor.

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 and the Company will continue in operation.

We identified going concern as a key audit matter (see section 2 of this report). Based on the work
described in our response to that key audit matter, we are required to report to you if:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

we have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in
Note 1 to the financial statements on the use of the going concern basis of accounting with no
material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt over the Group and Company’s use of
that  basis  for  a  period  of  at  least  twelve  months  from  the  date  of  approval  of  the  financial
statements; or

the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on page 38 is materially inconsistent with
our audit knowledge.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

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

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our
financial statements audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with

Page 56

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

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. 

Directors’ remuneration report

In  our  opinion  the  part  of  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  to  be  audited  has  been  properly
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Disclosures of principal risks and longer-term viability

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial statements audit, we have nothing material
to add or draw attention to in relation to:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

the directors’ confirmation within the Viability Statement on page 57 that they have carried out
a  robust  assessment  of  the  principal  risks  facing  the  Group,  including  those  that  would
threaten its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity;

the  Principal  Risks  disclosures  describing  these  risks  and  explaining  how  they  are  being
managed and mitigated; and 

the directors’ explanation in the Viability Statement of how they have assessed the prospects
of the Group, over what period they have done so and why they considered that period to be
appropriate,  and  their  statement  as  to  whether  they  have  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the
Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the
period  of  their  assessment,  including  any  related  disclosures  drawing  attention  to  any
necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the Viability Statement. We have nothing to report
in this respect.

Our work is limited to assessing these matters in the context of only the knowledge acquired during
our financial statements audit.As we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent
events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgments that were reasonable at the time
they were made, the absence of anything to report on these statements is not a guarantee as to the
Group’s and Company’s longer-term viability.

Corporate governance disclosures

We are required to report to you if: 

(cid:2)

we have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge we acquired during our
financial statements audit and the directors’ statement that they consider that the annual report
and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the
information  necessary  for  shareholders  to  assess  the  Group’s  position  and  performance,
business model and strategy; or

Page 57

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

(cid:2)

the  section  of  the  annual  report  describing  the  work  of  the  Audit  Committee  does  not
appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance Report does not properly disclose a
departure from the eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing
Rules for our review.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

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:

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

(cid:2)

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 and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report
to be audited 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.

Respective responsibilities

7. 
Directors’ responsibilities

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 47, the directors are responsible for: the
preparation of the financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such
internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Group and parent
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going
concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Group
or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole
are  free  from  material  misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  other  irregularities  (see  below),  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, other irregularities
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.

fuller  description  of  our  responsibilities 

A 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

is  provided  on 

the  FRC’s  website  at

Irregularities – ability to detect

We  identified  areas  of  laws  and  regulations  that  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  have  a  material
effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience and through
discussion  with  the  directors  and  other  management  (as  required  by  auditing  standards),  and  we
discussed  with  the  directors  and  other  management  the  policies  and  procedures  regarding
compliance with laws and regulations.We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout
our  team  and  remained  alert  to  any  indications  of  non-compliance  throughout  the  audit. This

Page 58

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

included communication from the group to component audit teams of relevant laws and regulations
identified at group level.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly,  the  Group  is  subject  to  laws  and  regulations  that  directly  affect  the  financial  statements
including  financial  reporting  legislation  (including  related  companies  legislation),  distributable
profits legislation and taxation legislation, and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws
and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-
compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for
instance through the imposition of fines or litigation.We identified the following areas as those most
likely  to  have  such  an  effect:  landlords,  anti-bribery  and  certain  aspects  of  company  legislation
recognising  the  nature  of  the  Group’s  activities  and  its  legal  form.  Auditing  standards  limit  the
required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of
the directors and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
These limited procedures did not identify actual or suspected non-compliance.

Owing  to  the  inherent  limitations  of  an  audit,  there  is  an  unavoidable  risk  that  we  may  not  have
detected  some  material  misstatements  in  the  financial  statements,  even  though  we  have  properly
planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further
removed  non-compliance  with  laws  and  regulations  (irregularities)  is  from  the  events  and
transactions  reflected  in  the  financial  statements,  the  less  likely  the  inherently  limited  procedures
required  by  auditing  standards  would  identify  it. In  addition,  as  with  any  audit,  there  remained  a
higher  risk  of  non-detection  of  irregularities,  as  these  may  involve  collusion,  forgery,  intentional
omissions,  misrepresentations,  or  the  override  of  internal  controls.  We  are  not  responsible  for
preventing  non-compliance  and  cannot  be  expected  to  detect  non-compliance  with  all  laws  and
regulations.

The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

8. 
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.

Richard Kelly (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants 
15 Canada Square 
London, E14 5GL 

24 July 2019

Page 59

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 March 2019

Notes

Gross rental income

Service charge income

Total rental and related income from investment 

property
Property operating expenses

Net rental and related income from investment 

property

Profit on disposal of investment property
Net valuation gains on investment property

Administrative expenses

Net operating profit before net financing costs

Fair value (losses)/gains on derivative financial instruments

Fair value (losses)/gains on current investments

Other financial income

Financial expenses

Net financing expense

Profit before taxation

Income tax

Profit for the year

Attributable to: 
Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interest

Profit for the year

2

3

9

4

5

5

6

Year ended
31 March
2019
£000

142,364

13,797

Year ended
31 March
2018
£000

131,323

11,562

156,161

(79,580)

142,885

(76,407)

76,581

12,203
83,928

(13,904)

66,478

11,893

146,438

(13,263)

158,808

211,546

(167)

(5)

1,048

1,923

6

581

(21,852)

(12,794)

(20,976)

(10,284)

137,832

(17,853)

201,262

1,696

119,979

202,958

119,893

202,889

86

69

119,979

202,958

Basic and diluted earnings per share

7

£7.36

£12.45

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.

Page 60

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 31 March 2019

Profit for the year

Foreign exchange translation differences

Year ended
31 March
2019
£000

119,979

24,350

Year ended
31 March
2018
£000

202,958

(29,759)

Total comprehensive income for the year

144,329

173,199

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interest

144,236

173,156

93

43

Total comprehensive income for the year

144,329

173,199

All comprehensive income may be reclassified as profit and loss when realised in the future.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the year ended

31 March 2019

Balance at 1 April 2017

Profit for the year

Foreign exchange translation 

differences

Distributions to non-controlling

interest

Dividends to equity shareholders

Issued

share

capital

£000

4,074

–

–

–

–

£000

555

–

–

–

–

Share

Equity

Non-

premium Translation

Retained

shareholders’ controlling

account

reserve

earnings

£000

£000

funds

£000

interest

£000

Total

equity

£000

61,117

1,589,969

1,655,715

–

202,889

202,889

240

69

1,655,955

202,958

(29,733)

–

–

–

–

(29,733)

(26)

(29,759)

–

(192)

(192)

(15,969)

(15,969)

–

(15,969)

Balance at 31 March 2018

4,074

555

31,384

1,776,889

1,812,902

Profit for the year

Foreign exchange translation 

differences

Distributions to non-controlling

interest

Dividends to equity shareholders

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

119,893

119,893

24,343

–

–

–

–

24,343

–

(16,784)

(16,784)

91

86

7

1,812,993

119,979

24,350

(17)

–

(17)

(16,784)

Balance at 31 March 2019

4,074

555

55,727 1,879,998

1,940,354

167 1,940,521

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.

Page 61

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

as at 31 March 2019

Assets
Investment property
Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Trade and other receivables
Current investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Properties held for sale

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Translation reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to equity holders 

of the parent

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Liabilities
Loans and borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current taxation

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Notes

31 March
2019
£000

31 March
2018
£000

9
10

2,532,518
226

2,373,184
197

2,532,744

2,373,381

11

12
13

14

16
10

16
15

66,716
151
95,895
70,997

62,714
158
98,752
–

233,759

161,624

2,766,503

2,535,005

4,074
555
55,727
1,879,998

4,074
555
31,384
1,776,889

1,940,354
167

1,812,902
91

1,940,521

1,812,993

418,069
293,431

296,501
271,807

711,500

568,308

12,685
58,677
43,120

53,958
52,489
47,257

114,482

153,704

825,982

722,012

Total equity and liabilities

2,766,503

2,535,005

The financial statements on pages 60 to 91 were approved by the Board of Directors on 24 July 2019
and were signed on its behalf by:

B S E Freshwater

D Davis

Director

Director

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.

Page 62

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

for the year ended 31 March 2019

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations (Note 21)

Interest received

Interest paid

Tax paid

Year ended
31 March
2018
£000

Year ended
31 March
2019
£000

£000

61,506

1,048

(15,486)

(8,855)

£000

56,480

581

(12,592)

(8,967)

Net cash from operating activities

38,213

35,502

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition and development of

investment property

Proceeds from sale of investment

property

(108,463)

16,098

(39,424)

16,085

Net cash absorbed by investing activities

(92,365)

(23,339)

Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of bank loans

New bank loans

Repayment of mortgages

New mortgages

Dividends paid to equity holders of 

the parent

Payments to non-controlling interest

(59,603)

60,000

(40,063)

102,814

(16,784)

(17)

(2,509)

15,000

(58,398)

70,216

(15,969)

(192)

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents brought forward

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on

cash held

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 12)

46,347

(7,805)

98,752

4,948

95,895

8,148

20,311

84,283

(5,842)

98,752

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.

Page 63

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.

Significant Accounting Policies

Daejan  Holdings  PLC  is  a  company  domiciled  in  the  United  Kingdom. The  consolidated  financial
statements  of  the  Company  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2019 comprise  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries (together referred to as “the Group”).

The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issuance on 24 July 2019.

(a)

Statement of compliance

The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“IFRS”) and those parts of the Companies Act
2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

The Company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with
Financial  Reporting  Standard  102  The  Financial  Reporting  Standard  applicable  in  the  UK  and
Republic of Ireland and these are presented on pages 92 to 96.

(b)

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling, the Company’s functional currency
and the Group’s presentational currency, rounded to the nearest thousand. They are prepared on the
historical  cost  basis  except  that  the  following  assets  and  liabilities  are  stated  at  their  fair  value:
investment property, derivative financial instruments, current asset investments and properties held
for sale.

The Group has considerable financial resources and very low gearing and therefore, the Directors
consider that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully in the current and
foreseeable economic conditions. Consequently, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the
Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months from
the  date  of  approving  this Annual  Report  and Accounts. Thus  they  continue  to  adopt  the  going
concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  IFRS  requires  management  to  make
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts
of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Although these estimates are based on management’s
best knowledge of the events or amounts involved, actual results ultimately may differ from those
estimates. The areas involving a higher degree of complexity, judgement or estimation are set out in
Note 1(u) on page 69.

The accounting policies set out in this Note 1 have been applied consistently throughout the Group
to all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements, except as described below.

Accounting standard changes

The  following  accounting  standards  and  guidance  were  adopted  by  the  Group  during  the  year,
neither of which has had a material impact on the Group’s financial statements and neither required
restatement of prior year balances:

•
•

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers

The principal impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 is the Group now assesses impairment on its trade
and other receivables using the expected credit loss model.The classification and measurement of
the Group’s financial instruments has not been impacted by the adoption of IFRS9.

Page 64

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

The following standards, amendments to standards and interpretations relevant to the Group have
been issued but are not yet effective. None of these have been early-adopted by the Group and, based
on the Group’s ongoing assessment of each of them, none are expected to have a material impact on
the Group’s financial statements:

•
•
•
•

IFRS 9 Prepayment features with negative compensation (amendment)
IFRS 16 Leases
IAS 19 Employee Benefits (amendment)
IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over income tax treatments

In  relation  to  IFRS  16  Leases,  which  is  effective  for  the  Group  from  1 April  2019  the  Group  is
primarily  a  lessor  whereas  the  standard  primarily  affects  lessees. The  Group’s  assessment  of  the
impact of IFRS 16 is ongoing.

(c)

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are those entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has the
power,  directly  or  indirectly,  to direct  relevant  activities  of  an  entity  and  an  exposure  to  variable
returns so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that
presently are exercisable are taken into account.

(d)

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group  balances  and  any  unrealised  gains  and  losses  arising  from  intra-group  transactions  are
eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

(e)

Income available for distribution

Under the articles of association of certain Group investment undertakings, realised capital surpluses
are not available for distribution as dividends.

(f)

Foreign currency translation

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to sterling at the foreign exchange rate
ruling at the balance sheet date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to
sterling at rates approximating to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions.
Foreign  exchange  differences  arising  on  re-translation  are  recognised  directly  in  a  separate
component of equity. The cumulative translation difference for all foreign operations was deemed to
be zero as at the date of transition to IFRS. The year end and average rates used for these purposes
were as follows:

US Dollar

Year end

Average

2019

1.30

2018

1.40

2019

1.31

2018

1.33

Page 65

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

(g) Derivative financial instruments

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to interest rate risk arising
from operational and financing activities. As these derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting,
they  are  accounted  for  as  trading  instruments.  Derivative  financial  instruments  are  initially
recognised,  and  subsequently  recorded,  at  fair  value. The  fair  value  of  interest  rate  swaps  is  the
estimated amount that the Group would recover or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet
date, taking into account current interest rates and the credit worthiness of the swap counterparties.
The gain or loss on re-measurement to fair value is recognised immediately in the income statement.

(h)

Investment property and properties held for sale

IFRS defines investment properties as those which are held either to earn rental income or for capital
appreciation  or  both. All  of  the  Group’s  property  falls  within  this  definition apart  from  three
properties classified as current assets held for sale. Investment property is initially recognised at cost
and subsequently recorded at fair value. Properties held for sale are recorded at fair value.

External, independent valuation firms having appropriate recognised professional qualifications and
recent relevant experience in the location and category of property being valued, value the portfolio
annually at the Company’s year end. The fair values are based on market values, being the estimated
amount for which a property could be exchanged on the date of valuation between a willing buyer
and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had
each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. The valuations are prepared either by
considering the aggregate of the net annual operating income from the properties using a market
yield/capitalisation rate which reflects the risks inherent in the net cash flow which is then applied
to the net annual operating income, or on a sales comparison basis. Any gains or losses arising from
a change in fair value are recognised in the income statement.

When the Group begins to redevelop an existing investment property for continued future use as an
investment property, the property continues to be treated as an investment property, and is measured
based on the fair value model. Interest is capitalised on such developments to the extent that such
interest is directly attributable to the cost of redevelopment.

A  property  interest  under  an  operating  lease  is  classified  and  accounted  for  as  an  investment
property  on  a  property-by-property  basis  when  the  Group  holds  it  to  earn  rentals  or  for  capital
appreciation or both. Any such property interest under an operating lease classified as an investment
property is carried at fair value. Where material, the aggregate present value of the minimum future
lease payments under such leases is recognised as a liability.

Properties are classified as being held for sale when it is considered highly probable that a sale will
be completed within one year of the classification date.

Acquisitions  and  disposals  are  recognised  on  the  date  that  the  significant  risks  and  rewards  of
ownership have been transferred. Any resulting gain or loss based on the difference between sale
proceeds and valuation is included in the income statement and taxation applicable thereto is shown
as part of the taxation charge.

(i)

Current investments

Investments  comprise  equity  securities  and  other  investments  held  for  trading  and  classified  as
current assets stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss recognised in the income statement.

(j)

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are initially stated at fair value and subsequently carried at cost less an
allowance for impairment. These assets are not discounted as the effect is deemed immaterial.

Page 66

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

(k) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and short term deposits. These short term deposits
are highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are
subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts are repayable on demand and form
an integral part of the Group’s cash management. Bank overdrafts when utilised are therefore included
as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the statement of cash flows.

(l)

Dividends

Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are approved.

(m) Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are initially stated at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost.

(n) Net rental income

Net rental income comprises rent and service charges receivable less applicable provisions and costs
associated with the properties. Rental income from investment property leased out under operating
leases  is  recognised  in  the  income  statement  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  certain  term  of  the
lease. Lease incentives granted are recognised as an integral part of the total rental income. If a rent
review is due but not yet agreed with the tenant any expected rent increase is only recognised when
receipt  is  highly  probable. Service  charge  income  is  recognised  as  the  services  are  provided.  Net
rental income is stated net of recoverable VAT.

The cost of repairs is written off to the income statement in the year in which the expenditure was
incurred.  Lease  payments  under  operating  leases  are  recognised  in  the  income  statement  on  a
straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

(o) Dividend income

Dividend  income  is  recognised  in  the  income  statement  on  the  date  the  entity’s  right  to  receive
payments is established which, in the case of quoted securities, is the ex-dividend date.

(p)

Taxation

Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. The tax charge for
the year is recognised in the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income or directly
in equity, depending on the accounting treatment of the related transaction. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted
or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of
previous years.

Deferred  tax  is  provided  using  the  balance  sheet  liability  method,  providing  for  temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes
and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the
expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities (which,
in  the  case  of  investment  property,  is  assumed  to  be  through  sale),  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 asset can be utilised.

Page 67

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

(q)

Segmental reporting

The Company has identified its operating segments on the basis of those components of the Group
which engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses and for
which  discrete  financial  information  is  available  and  regularly  reviewed  by  the  Chief  Operating
Decision Maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance. The Group has determined
the Chief Operating Decision Maker to be the Board of Directors.

(r)

Impairment

The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets, other than investment property and properties held for
sale (see Note 1(h)) and deferred tax assets (see Note 1(p)), are reviewed at each balance sheet date
to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists the asset’s
recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment loss recognised whenever the carrying amount
of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the greater of its fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-
use. The value-in-use is determined as the net present value of the future cash flows expected to be
derived  from  the  asset,  discounted  using  a  pre-tax  discount  rate  that  reflects  current  market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

From  1 April  2018,  the  Group  makes  a  provision  for  impairment  for  the  expected  credit  losses
associated  with  its  trade  and  other  receivables  reflecting  historic  credit  loss  experience  and  the
specific circumstances of the debtor.  Prior to 1 April 2018, a provision for impairment was only made
when there was objective evidence that the full amount due would not be collected. Impairment
losses are recognised in the income statement.

(s)

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation
as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required
to  settle  the  obligation.  If  the  effect  is  material,  provisions  are  determined  by  discounting  the
expected  future  cash  flows  at  a  pre-tax  rate  that  reflects  current  market  assessments  of  the  time
value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

(t)

Loans and borrowings

Floating  rate  and  fixed  rate  loans  and  borrowings  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value  and  are
subsequently  recorded  at  amortised  cost. Transaction  costs  are  deducted  from  the  fair  value  at
recognition and any differences between the amount initially recognised and the redemption value
is recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest rate
basis.  When  mortgages  are  refinanced,  any  redemption  costs  are  immediately  recognised  in  the
income statement.

Page 68

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

(u)

Significant judgements, key assumptions and estimates

The Group’s significant accounting policies are set out in 1(a) to 1(t) on pages 64 to 68. Not all of
these  policies  require  management  to  make  subjective  or  complex  judgements  or  estimates. The
following is intended to provide further detail relating to those accounting policies that management
consider particularly significant because of the level of complexity and estimation involved in their
application and their impact on the consolidated financial statements.

(i)

Property valuations

The valuation of the Group’s property portfolio is inherently subjective, depending on
many factors, including the individual nature of each property, its location and expected
future net rental values, market yields and comparable market transactions (as set out in
Note 9). Therefore the valuations are subject to a degree of uncertainty and are made on
the basis of assumptions which may not prove to be accurate, particularly in periods of
difficult market or economic conditions. As noted in Note 1(h), all the Group’s properties
are valued by external valuers with appropriate qualifications and experience.

(ii)

Income taxes

The tax treatment of some transactions and calculations cannot be determined until a
formal resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authorities. In particular, the
Group  is  discussing  the  treatment  of historical  financing  arrangements  with  tax
authorities (as set out in Note 6). In such cases, a best estimate of the relevant tax charge
or credit is made, having regard to the extent of uncertainties associated with it. Where
the final outcome of such matters is different from the amounts initially recorded, those
differences will be reflected in the income and deferred taxes amounts at the time of
formal resolution.

Page 69

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

2.

Segmental Analysis

The  Group  is  managed  through  two  discrete  geographical  divisions  and  has  only  one  product  or
service,  being  investment  in  property  for  the  generation  of  rental  income  and/or  capital
appreciation. This is reflected in the Group’s structure and in the segment information reviewed by
the Board.

for the year ended 31 March 2019

Rental and related income
Property operating expenses
Profit/(loss) on disposal of property
Net valuation movements on property
Administrative expenses
Profit before finance costs
Fair value losses
Other financial income
Financial expenses
Profit before taxation
Income tax charge
Profit for the year
Capital expenditure

Investment property
Other assets
Total segment assets
Total segment liabilities

UK

£000

100,364
(48,831)
12,728
51,845
(13,085)
103,021
(172)
178
(12,218)
90,809
(13,725)
77,084
23,644

USA Eliminations

£000

£000

55,797
(30,749)
(525)
32,083
(819)
55,787
–
1,053
(9,817)
47,023
(4,128)
42,895
81,858

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(183)
183
–
–
–
–

Total

£000

156,161
(79,580)
12,203
83,928
(13,904)
158,808
(172)
1,048
(21,852)
137,832
(17,853)
119,979
105,502

1,785,746
152,777
1,938,523
(396,165)

746,772
92,979
839,751
(441,588)

–
(11,771)
(11,771)
11,771

2,532,518
233,985
2,766,503
(825,982)

Capital employed

1,542,358

398,163

–

1,940,521

Page 70

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

for the year ended 31 March 2018

Rental and related income
Property operating expenses
Profit/(loss) on disposal of property
Net valuation movements on property
Administrative expenses
Profit before finance costs
Fair value gains
Other financial income
Financial expenses
Profit before taxation
Income tax (charge)/credit
Profit for the year
Capital expenditure

Investment property
Other assets
Total segment assets
Total segment liabilities

UK

£000

92,395
(47,278)
12,900
97,504
(12,600)
142,921
1,929
144
(5,425)
139,569
(21,883)
117,686
32,057

USA Eliminations

£000

£000

50,490
(29,129)
(1,007)
48,934
(663)
68,625
–
618
(7,550)
61,693
23,579
85,272
8,580

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(181)
181
–
–
–
–

Total

£000

142,885
(76,407)
11,893
146,438
(13,263)
211,546
1,929
581
(12,794)
201,262
1,696
202,958
40,637

1,783,506
84,777
1,868,283
(385,452)

589,678
87,821
677,499
(347,337)

–
(10,777)
(10,777)
10,777

2,373,184
161,821
2,535,005
(722,012)

Capital employed

1,482,831

330,162

–

1,812,993

No single lessee accounted for more than 5% of the Group’s rental and related income in either year.

3.

Property Operating Expenses

Porterage, cleaning and repairs
Insurance
Building services
Other management costs

2019

£000

36,336
5,663
21,653
15,928

2018
£000

35,501
4,908
20,142
15,856

79,580

76,407

Of the property operating expenses shown above, an amount of £871,000 (2018 – £907,000) related
to properties which generated no income during the year.

Page 71

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

4.

Administrative Expenses

Staff costs
Directors’ remuneration
Audit and accountancy
Legal and other administrative expenses

2019

£000

7,538
2,625
888
2,853

2018
£000

7,314
2,512
928
2,509

13,904

13,263

Auditor’s remuneration:

For  the  year,  the  fees  payable  to  KPMG LLP  were  £31,000 (2018 –  £31,000) for  the  audit  of  the
Company and £442,000 (2018 – £434,000) for the audit of the Group’s subsidiaries, together with
£Nil (2018 – £Nil) for audit related assurance services and £Nil (2018 – £Nil) for other services.

In  the  UK,  the  average  number  of  staff  provided  by  the  property  and  administrative  management
companies who performed roles for the Group totalled 207 (2018 – 206). The average number of full
time equivalents whose staff costs were borne by the Group during the year was 149 (2018 – 149).
The aggregate staff cost of these persons is shown above and can be analysed as follows:

Salaries
NI contributions
Pensions

2019

£000

5,950
640
948

2018
£000

5,779
626
909

7,538

7,314

In  addition  the  property  and  administrative  management  companies  provide,  under  agency
arrangements,  staff  to  perform  various  caretaking  roles.  Those  costs  totalling  £1,053,000
(2018 – £1,058,000)  are  included  within  property  operating  expenses  (Note  3)  under  porterage,
cleaning and repairs.

Details of Directors’ remuneration are set out in the Remuneration Committee Report.

5.

Financial Income and Expenses

Financial income:
Bank interest receivable
Other financial income

Financial expenses:
Interest payable on bank loans
Interest payable on mortgages
Interest on overdue tax (see Note 6)
Other interest payable

Page 72

2019

£000

2018
£000

73
975

1,048

4,529
10,784
6,400
139

41
540

581

3,136
9,479
–
179

21,852

12,794

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

6.

Taxation

Taxation based on the profit for the year of the Company and its subsidiaries:

UK corporation tax
UK prior year items

Overseas taxation

Total current tax

Deferred tax
Deferred tax – reduction in future tax rate

Total deferred tax

Total tax charge/(credit)

Reconciliation of tax expense
Profit before taxation

Corporation tax at the standard UK rate of 19% (2018 – 19%)
Reduction in future tax rate
Prior year items
Impact of different tax rates
Indexation and non-taxable items
Non-allowable expenses
Other

Total tax charge/(credit)

2019

£000

2018
£000

8,336
(5,118)

7,787
(382)

3,218

7,405

1,500

1,598

4,718

9,003

21,878
(8,743)

29,248
(39,947)

13,135

(10,699)

17,853

(1,696)

137,832

201,262

26,188
(8,743)
(5,118)
2,851
(149)
2,601
223

38,240
(39,947)
(382)
2,708
(2,850)
356
179

17,853

(1,696)

Last year the USA enacted legislation to reduce its corporation tax rate from 35% to 21% and in the
current  year  our  average  applicable  USA  state  taxes  were  reduced  from  7%  to  5%.  In  prior  years
legislation was enacted in the UK that will reduce the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 17% from
1 April 2020. These enacted rate changes have and will reduce the Group’s tax charge accordingly.
The deferred tax balances at 31 March 2019 have been calculated based on the 17% rate in the UK,
except for properties held for sale which have been calculated at 19%, and the 26% (2018 – 28%)
rate in the USA.

The Group’s effective tax rate for the current year was 13% (2018 – 0.8% credit). As set out in the
tables above the current year benefitted from a £8,743,000 tax credit from the recalculation of our
deferred USA tax balances following the reduction in our average state taxes as well as a tax credit
relating to prior year items in the UK of £5,118,000. In the prior year the net tax credit was due to
the  £39,947,000  tax  credit  that  arose  from  the  recalculation  of  or  our  deferred  USA  tax  balances
based on the enacted corporation tax reduction. Removing these tax credits, our effective tax rate is
23% (2018 – 19%) a rate between the UK and USA tax rates consistent with the mix of our profits.

Tax liabilities are recognised when it is considered probable that there will be a future outflow of
funds to a tax authority. In assessing the amount of tax due the Group uses professional advisers in
both  the  UK  and  the  USA  to  assist  in  assessing  tax  due  on  open  tax  computations. The  principal
uncertain  tax  item  relates  to  enquiries  opened  by  HMRC  relating  to  the  interpretation  of  tax

Page 73

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

legislation regarding historical financing arrangements that had been entered into over several years
in the ordinary course of business but have now ceased. A settlement offer of tax payable of £37m
has been made to HMRC for which an accrual has been made. An accrual has also been made for
interest  payable  on  this  amount (Note  5). HMRC  are  now  undertaking  a  formal  process  of
consideration of this settlement and so until this process has been concluded the final outcome may
potentially still vary.

7.

Earnings per Share

Earnings  per  share  is  calculated  on  the  earnings,  after  taxation  and non-controlling  interests,  of
£119,893,000 (2018 – £202,889,000) and the weighted average shares in issue during the year of
16,295,357 (2018 – 16,295,357).

8.

Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2017,

paid 10 November 2017 @ 63p per share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018,

paid 9 March 2018 @ 35p per share

Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018, 

paid 2 November 2018 @ 68p per share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2019, 

paid 8 March 2019 @ 35p per share

2019

£000

2018
£000

–

–

10,266

5,703

11,081

5,703

–

–

16,784

15,969

The  Board  has  recommended  a  final  dividend  for  the  year ended  31  March  2019 of  £11,570,000,
representing 71p  per  share. This  dividend  has  not  been  included  as  a  liability  in  these  financial
statements.

9.

Investment Property

Long

Short

Freehold leasehold leasehold
£000

£000

£000

Total

2019
£000

Total

2018
£000

Balance at 1 April
Disposals
New acquisitions
Additions to existing properties
Revaluation (recognised in 

profit)

Transfer to properties held for sale
Foreign exchange movements 

(recognised in other 
comprehensive income)

1,987,129 363,709
(2,087)
–
1,014

(2,252)
77,477
27,011

22,346 2,373,184 2,256,800
(4,134)
(4,339)
1,069
77,477
39,568
28,025

–
–
–

77,222
(70,997)

4,153
–

2,553
–

83,928
(70,997)

146,438
–

39,199

6,041

–

45,240

(66,557)

Balance at 31 March

2,134,789 372,830

24,899 2,532,518 2,373,184

Page 74

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

External,  independent  professional  valuations  of  all  the  Group’s  UK  investment  properties  were
carried  out  by  Colliers  International  Property  Advisers  UK  LLP,  RICS  Registered  Valuers  at
31 March 2019.The aggregate amount of £1,804.2 million (2018 – £1,799.3 million) is based on open
market values, assessed in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Professional Standards (2017). The
Group’s USA investment properties were also independently professionally valued at 31 March 2019
by Metropolitan  Valuation  Services,  Inc., a  USA  Certified  General  Real  Estate  Appraisers. The
aggregate amount of £750.5 million (2018 – £592.4 million) is based on open market values, assessed
in accordance with the Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Institute. Both
valuers have recent experience in the location and category of the property being valued.

The aggregate professional valuations included in the above table have been reduced by an amount
of  £22.1 million  (2018 – £18.6 million),  relating  to  lease  incentives  included  in Trade  and  other
receivables.

As  explained  in  Note  1(u)(i),  property  valuations  are  inherently  subjective,  depending  on  many
factors, including the individual nature of each property, its location and expected future net rental
values,  market  yields  and  comparable  market  transactions. These  fair  value  measurements  are
unrealised and classified as Level 3 as defined by IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. There have been
no transfers between the levels of fair value hierarchy during the year.

Valuation techniques and key inputs

We  set  out  the  valuation  techniques  used  below  and  the  key  inputs  used  in  these  valuation
techniques are set out in the tables over the page.

UK  commercial  property  was  valued  using  the  income  capitalisation  method,  requiring  the
application of the appropriate market based yield to net operating income. Adjustments are made
to allow for voids when less than five years are left under the current tenancy and to reflect market
rent at the point of lease expiry or rent review. Estimated fair value is sensitive to and would increase
if either net operating income increased or estimated yield decreased.

UK residential property was valued using a sales valuation approach, derived from recent comparable
transactions  in  the  market,  adjusted  by  applying  discounts  to  reflect  status  of  occupation  and
condition. The largest discounts for the status of occupation were applied to those properties subject
to  registered  tenancies,  reflecting  the  relative  difference  in  security  of  tenure,  whilst  the  smallest
discounts were applied to those properties subject to assured shorthold tenancies. The base discount
for condition was maintained at 10% in 2019 reflecting current estimates of costs being incurred. It is
estimated  that  an  increase  of  one  percentage  point  in  this  discount  would  result  in  a  decrease  of
£8.8 million (2018 – £8.6 million) in the value of investment property. Estimated fair value is sensitive
to and would increase if the sales values increased.

USA  commercial  and  residential  properties  (excluding  co-operative  apartments)  have  been  valued
using  the  application  of  a  capitalisation  rate,  based  on  recent  arm’s  length  transactions,  to  an
assessment of stabilised net income, and for residential properties the values are cross-checked to
recent comparative sales evidence. USA commercial and residential estimated fair value is sensitive
to and would increase if either capitalisation rates decreased or estimated rental values increased.
New rent regulation laws in New York state that came into effect on 1 July 2019 are expected to
depress New York residential values in the coming year.

USA co-operative residential apartments have been valued using the application of a discount rate,
based on recent arm’s length transactions, to an assessment of net income over the period to full
reversion, cross-checked to recent comparative sales evidence. USA unsold co-operative residential
apartments estimated fair value is sensitive to and would increase if either discount rates decreased,
estimated rental values increased or estimated sales values increased.

Page 75

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

2019

Fair Value 

Rental value £ per sq ft

Equivalent Yield %

£000

Low Average

High

Low Average

High

UK Commercial

Office Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Retail Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Industrial Units

All UK

296,790
42,994
9,492

252,971
130,921
22,522

7.0
2.7
3.2

5.4
0.2
1.0

55.1
11.6
8.0

33.6
17.8
8.6

77.3
42.4
14.5

81.3
55.7
26.0

3.2%
4.7% 11.8%
4.9% 10.4% 36.1%
7.2% 10.4% 18.1%

6.4% 13.3%
1.0%
2.2%
7.9% 22.3%
6.2% 11.2% 16.2%

47,684

1.2

8.7

61.1

5.3%

8.4% 27.4%

Leisure and Service Units

All UK

181,385

3.0

19.6

36.9

4.7%

6.3% 14.7%

Land and Development

All UK

1,636

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total UK Commercial

986,395

UK Residential

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Total UK Residential

Total UK

USA Commercial

Massachusetts, Philadelphia 

729,924
84,433
3,446

817,803

1,804,198

Sales value £ per sq ft
1,753
886
337
542
325
115
234
170
106

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Rental value £ per sq ft

Capitalisation rate %

and New Jersey

103,036

6.0

26.8

33.0

5.0%

5.1%

6.5%

Total USA Commercial

103,036

USA Residential Apartments

New York City
Florida
Other States

246,857
195,569
115,685

Rental value £ per sq ft
28.0
11.1
8.2
10.7
8.5
6.6
15.4
11.7
9.9

Capitalisation rate %
5.2%
5.8%
5.5%

3.4%
5.6%
5.2%

2.5%
5.3%
4.5%

New York City – unsold 

co-operative

Total USA Residential

Total USA

Total Group

Less lease incentives

89,321

3.5

12.7

64.6

9.0%

Discount rate %
9.7% 15.0%

647,432

750,468

2,554,666

(22,148)

2,532,518

There  are  inter-relationships  between  the  groups  of  inputs  as  they  are  determined  by  market
conditions. Movements in more than one input having the effect of increasing fair value could give
rise to a magnifying effect on the valuation. Due to the number of properties included in the Group’s
valuations, it is impracticable to disclose the extent of the possible effects of each assumption and it
is possible that outcomes that are different from the current assumptions could result in a material
adjustment to the valuation.

Page 76

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

2018  Restated*

Fair Value 

Rental value £ per sq ft

Equivalent Yield %

£000

Low Average

High

Low Average

High

UK Commercial

Office Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Retail Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Industrial Units

All UK

288,287
44,180
10,187

259,997
144,166
26,622

7.4
2.0
3.2

5.4
4.0
2.1

52.0
15.2
9.0

42.8
19.9
10.3

75.0
45.1
14.5

81.3
61.4
26.0

5.2% 13.9%
4.6%
9.6% 29.3%
4.4%
7.0% 10.1% 13.7%

4.8% 15.1%
3.5%
2.2%
7.8% 21.5%
6.5% 10.1% 14.8%

39,276

1.5

7.4

61.0

5.4%

8.5% 24.2%

Leisure and Service Units

All UK

142,866

5.0

18.1

37.6

6.6%

8.1% 14.7%

Land and Development

All UK

60,738

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total UK Commercial

1,016,319

UK Residential

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Total UK Residential

Total UK

USA Commercial

Massachusetts, Philadelphia 

702,488
77,134
3,392

783,014

1,799,333

Sales value £ per sq ft
1,814
918
329
551
328
103
237
171
106

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Rental value £ per sq ft

Capitalisation rate %

and New Jersey

87,062

7.4

25.1

31.2

5.0%

5.1%

6.8%

Total USA Commercial

87,062

USA Residential Apartments

New York City
Florida
Other States

216,372
102,736
104,944

Rental value £ per sq ft
24.3
9.8
7.3
9.4
8.5
6.1
13.0
10.8
9.5

Capitalisation rate %
3.8%
6.3%
5.8%

3.2%
6.1%
5.4%

2.3%
6.0%
4.8%

New York City
– unsold co-operative

Total USA Residential

Total USA

Total Group

Less lease incentives

81,291

3.3

12.1

56.9

6.0%

Discount rate %
9.6% 15.0%

505,343

592,405

2,391,738

(18,554)

2,373,184

*Certain comparatives have been reclassified to ensure consistency of treatment with the current year.

Page 77

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

The  present  value  of  future  minimum  lease  payments  in  relation  to  the  leasehold  investment
properties is £9.8 million at 31 March 2019 (2018 – £9.8 million). In accordance with the accounting
policy described in Note 1(h), this has not been recognised.

Reconciliation between the total of future minimum lease payments and their present
capital values

2019

Present

2018

Minimum

Interest

value Minimum

Interest

Present

value

Lease

on lease

of lease

Lease

on lease

of lease

Payments

payments liabilities

£000

£000

£000

Payments payments
£000

£000

liabilities
£000

Due within one year 
541
Due within two to five years 
2,165
Due after more than five years  43,698

(533)
(2,138)
(33,944)

8
27
9,754

539
2,155
44,203

(532)
(2,137)
(34,414)

7
18
9,789

46,404

(36,615)

9,789

46,897

(37,083)

9,814

Capital commitments, arising from contractual obligations not yet invoiced or paid, for the purchase,
construction, development or enhancement of investment properties, amounted to £8.9 million at
31 March 2019 (2018 – £16.5 million).

10. Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

2019

2018

Assets

Liabilities

£000

£000

Net

£000

Assets Liabilities
£000
£000

Net
£000

Investment property
Accelerated tax depreciation
Financial instruments

–
–
226

(269,037) (269,037)
(24,394) (24,394)
226

–

– (250,383) (250,383)
(21,424)
–
197
197

(21,424)
–

226

(293,431) (293,205)

197 (271,807) (271,610)

The movement in deferred tax is as follows:

Accelerated

tax Financial

Investment
property

depreci-
ation

£000

£000

instru-
ments

£000

Total

2019

£000

Total

2018
£000

Balance at 1 April
Recognised in income
Foreign exchange movements

(250,383) (21,424)
(1,687)
(1,283)

(11,477)
(7,177)

197 (271,610)
29 (13,135)
(8,460)

–

(299,232)
10,699
16,923

Balance at 31 March

(269,037) (24,394)

226 (293,205)

(271,610)

Page 78

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

11.

Trade and Other Receivables

Rent and service charges debtor
Rent and service charges accrued
Other debtors and prepayments
Mortgages granted repayable within one year

The ageing of rent and service charge receivables was as follows:

Not past due
Past due by less than one month
Past due by one to three months
Past due by three to six months
Past due by more than six months

Impairment

Net

2019

£000

37,927
4,722
23,574
493

2018
£000

34,598
4,020
23,683
413

66,716

62,714

2019

£000

31,941
5,940
1,257
2,227
8,956

2018
£000

27,038
6,008
1,632
1,865
10,303

50,321
(7,672)

46,846
(8,228)

42,649

38,618

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

Balance at 1 April
Amounts written off
Movement in allowance for impairment

Balance at 31 March

12.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Bank balances
Short term deposits

2019

£000

2018
£000

8,228
(1,144)
588

9,878
(1,508)
(142)

7,672

8,228

2019
£000

2018
£000

80,477
15,418

73,836
24,916

Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet and cash flow statement

95,895

98,752

Included within bank balances are tenants’ deposits of £4,989,000 (2018 – £4,677,000) in the UK and
£2,803,000 (2018 – £2,669,000) in the USA, which cannot be used in the ordinary course of business.

Page 79

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

13.

Properties held for sale

The Group entered into a conditional agreement for the sale of land at Middlesex Street in London
in  January  2018.  The  conditions  included  the  granting  of  satisfactory  planning  permission.  At
31 March 2019, the Board considered it highly probable that the sale would complete before the end
of the calendar year 2019 and so, in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current assets held for sale and
discontinued operations, the land is treated as held for sale at 31 March 2019.

Two other smaller UK properties are also treated as being held for sale at 31 March 2019; the Board
expected to complete sales of both properties within the first six months of the 2020 financial year.

Properties held for sale are recorded at their fair value of £71.0 million (2018 – £Nil). The fair value
is a Level 3 valuation as defined by IFRS 13 and is based on offers received discounted for risks of
completion.

14.

Share Capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of 25 pence per share

Number

2019
£000

2018
£000

16,295,357

4,074

4,074

The Company has one class of share, which carries no special rights or rights to fixed income. There
are no restrictions on the transfer of these shares or restrictions on voting rights.

15.

Trade and Other Payables

Rent and service charges charged in advance
Other creditors and accruals
Derivative financial instruments

16.

Loans and Borrowings

Non-current liabilities
Mortgages
Bank loans

Current liabilities
Mortgages
Bank loans

Total loans and borrowings
Mortgages
Bank loans

Page 80

2019
£000

22,233
35,116
1,328

2018
£000

22,783
28,545
1,161

58,677

52,489

2019
£000

2018
£000

326,627
91,442

230,429
66,072

418,069

296,501

11,011
1,674

27,311
26,647

12,685

53,958

337,638
93,116

257,740
92,719

430,754

350,459

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

All  mortgages  and  bank  loans  are  secured  on  specific  investment  properties  owned  by  subsidiary
undertakings.

The maturity profile of the Group’s loans and borrowings was as follows:

Due within one year
Due within one to two years
Due within two to five years
Due after more than five years

2019

Bank loans
£000

Mortgages
£000

1,674
1,674
89,768
–

11,011
28,140
23,401
275,086

Total
£000

12,685
29,814
113,169
275,086

2018
Total
£000

53,958
10,681
108,047
177,773

93,116

337,638

430,754

350,459

The risk profile of the Group’s loans and borrowings, after taking account of interest rate swaps, was
as follows:

2019
Fixed Floating
£000
£000

Total
£000

Fixed
£000

2018
Floating
£000

Total
£000

Sterling
US Dollar

61,278
297,587

63,115 124,393
8,774 306,361

57,259
217,263

67,719
8,218

124,978
225,481

358,865

71,889 430,754

274,522

75,937

350,459

Floating rate bank loans bear rates based on LIBOR. The Group’s interest rate swaps are set out in
Note 17 on page 85. The interest rate profile of the Group’s fixed rate mortgages was as follows:

Per cent.
3.0-3.5
3.5-4.0
4.0-4.5
4.5-5.0
5.0-5.5
5.5-6.0
6.0-6.5

2019
£000

2018
£000

121,701
89,641
41,461
44,784
13,658
7,159
10,461

110,800
93,874
3,383
4,974
13,901
7,275
15,315

328,865

249,522

The  weighted  average  rate and  the  weighted  average  term  of  the  Group’s  fixed  rate  loans  and
borrowings (after taking account of interest rate swaps) were as follows:

Sterling
US Dollar

2019
%

3.72
3.87

2018
%

5.98
3.62

2019
Years

11.1
8.6

2018
Years

8.2
7.9

Page 81

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

17.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Group’s financial instruments are analysed into categories as follows:

2019

2018

Carrying
amount
£000

151

151

(1,328)

(1,328)

66,716
95,895

Financing
income/
(expense)
£000

(5)

(5)

(167)

(167)

975
73

Carrying
amount
£000

158

158

(1,161)

(1,161)

62,714
98,752

Current asset investments

Current assets at fair value through 

profit or loss

Derivative financial instruments

Current liabilities at fair value

Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Current assets at amortised cost

162,611

1,048

161,466

Trade and other payables
Floating rate loans and borrowings
Fixed rate loans and borrowings

(57,349)
(101,889)
(328,865)

(139)
(4,263)
(11,050)

(51,328)
(100,937)
(249,522)

Financing
income/
(expense)
£000

6

6

1,923

1,923

540
41

581

(179)
(3,414)
(9,201)

Current and non-current liabilities at

amortised cost

(488,103)

(15,452)

(401,787)

(12,794)

Total financial instruments

(326,669)

(14,576)

(241,324)

(10,284)

The  finance expense of  £167,000 (2018 – £1,923,000 income)  relating  to  derivative  financial
instruments  is  stated  net  of  £23,000  income (2018 – £35,000 expense)  relating  to  credit  risk
movements.

Fair values of financial instruments

With the exception of fixed rate loans and borrowings, the Group’s financial instruments are shown
in the table above at fair value. Fixed rate loans and borrowings are stated at amortised cost as shown
in the table above and as explained in Note 1(t).  The fair value of fixed rate loans and borrowings
was £353,976,000 (2018 – £260,155,000). At both the current and preceding year end there were
no non-recurring fair value measurements.

The  Group  does  not  hedge  account  and  all  its interest  rate  swaps  are  initially  recognised,  and
subsequently recorded, at fair value, with any movement being recorded in the consolidated income
statement. The  fair  values  of  all
interest  rate  swaps  and  fixed  rate  loans  and  borrowings  are
determined by reference to observable inputs that are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy
set  out  in  IFRS  13  Fair Value  Measurement. Fair  values  have  been  determined  by  discounting
expected future cash flows using market interest rates and yield curves over the remaining term of
the instrument, as adjusted to reflect the credit risk attributable to the Group and, where relevant,
its counterparty.

Page 82

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Financial instrument risk management

In common with all businesses, the Group is exposed to the following types of risk which arise from
its use of financial instruments:

Credit risk
Liquidity risk
Market risk

This note presents information about the nature of the Group’s exposure to such risks, its objectives,
policies  and  processes  for  measuring  and  managing  risk  and  the  Group’s  management  of  capital.
Reference to disclosures given elsewhere in the financial statements is included as appropriate.

The  Board  has  overall  responsibility  for  determining  the  Group’s  risk  management  objectives  and
policies and, whilst retaining ultimate responsibility for them, has delegated to the finance function
the  authority  for  designing  and  operating  processes  that  ensure  the  effective  implementation  of
those objectives. The overall objectives of the Board are to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far
as possible without unduly affecting the Group’s competitiveness and flexibility.

Credit risk

The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from the potential financial loss if a tenant or counterparty
to  a  financial  instrument  fails  to  meet  its  contractual  obligations  and  arises  principally  from  the
Group’s trade receivables from tenants.

Trade receivables

The majority of the Group’s rental income is demanded quarterly in advance and demands are sent
out prior to the due date. Management monitors arrears continually and prompt action is taken to
address potential defaults as appropriate. The credit worthiness of each tenant is assessed prior to
the agreement of the lease. Where appropriate, collateral is required by the Group to support lease
obligations. In many cases this takes the form of a tenant security deposit but also includes parent
company guarantees, bank or other guarantees where appropriate. Provision is made based upon an
expected credit loss model, with full provision for impairment usually being made where a tenant is
in arrears for more than a year. Details of the Group’s trade receivables and the extent of impairment
provisions against them are set out in Note 11.

Due to the large number of tenants across various sectors and geographical locations, the Board does
not consider there to be a significant concentration of credit risk.

Cash and derivative financial instruments

The  credit  rating  of  counterparties  to  financial  instruments  is  kept  under  review. The  Group’s
interest rate  swaps  are  currently out-of-the-money;  consequently,  counterparty  risk  on  swaps  does
not represent a major risk at the current time. The counterparty risk on cash and short-term deposits
is managed by limiting the aggregate exposure to any institution by reference to their credit rating.
Such  balances  are  generally  placed  with  major  financial  institutions  where  credit  risk  is  not
considered significant.

Maximum exposure

The aggregate carrying amounts of the Group’s financial assets, which are stated net of impairment
provisions, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk, before taking into account the
value of the tenant security deposits held and other collateral.

Page 83

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial obligations
as  they  fall  due  and  arises  from  the  Group’s  management  of  its  working  capital  and  the  finance
charges and amortisation of its loans and borrowings.

The  Group’s  policy  is  to  seek  to  maintain  cash  balances  to  meet  all  short  and  medium  term
requirements. The Group has a low level of gearing relative to the property investment sector as a
whole and has long standing relationships with many leading banks and financial institutions from
which the Board expect to be able to raise further funds if required. At 31 March 2019, gearing was
15.6%  (2018 – 13.8%) (see  note 23). Cash  and  short-term  deposits  at  31 March  2019 were
£95.9 million  (2018 – £98.8 million)  and  £12.7 million  of  loans  and  borrowings  were  repayable
within  one  year  (2018 –  £54.0 million). In  addition,  at  the  same  date,  the  Group  had  undrawn
committed facilities of £85 million (2018 – £63.4 million), which expire between 2022 and 2023.

The maturity analysis of the undiscounted cash flows arising from the Group’s financial liabilities at
31 March 2019 was as follows:

2019

Bank loans
Mortgages
Interest
Interest rate swaps
Trade and other payables

Carrying
amount
£000
93,116
337,638
–
1,328
57,349

Aggregate
undiscounted

Due
within

Due
within

Due Due after
within more than
5 years
cash flows one year 1-2 years 2-5 years
£000
£000
89,768
–
23,401 275,086
49,239
40,688
1,020
687
–
–

£000
93,116
337,638
121,032
2,165
57,349

£000
1,674
28,140
15,276
229
–

£000
1,674
11,011
15,829
229
57,349

489,431

611,300

86,092

45,319 154,544 325,345

Aggregate
undiscounted
cash flows
£000
92,719
257,740
81,496
3,956
51,328

2018

Due
within
one year
£000
26,647
27,311
11,539
918
51,328

Due
within
1-2 years
£000
–
10,681
10,074
325
–

Due Due after
within more than
5 years
£000
–
177,773
34,977
1,740
–

2-5 years
£000
66,072
41,975
24,906
973
–

487,239

117,743

21,080

133,926

214,490

Carrying
amount
£000
92,719
257,740
–
1,161
51,328

402,948

Bank loans
Mortgages
Interest
Interest rate swaps
Trade and other payables

Market risk
Market risk arises mainly from the impact that changes in interest rates might have on the cost of
Group borrowing and the impact that changes in the US dollar/sterling rate of exchange might have
on the Group’s recognition of its USA net assets.

Interest rates

The  Group  seeks  to  reduce  the  interest  rate  risk  by  fixing  rates  on  a  majority  of  its  loans  and
borrowings, whilst maintaining some loans at floating rates in order to retain flexibility in relation to
short term interest rates. Interest rates are fixed either through the use of fixed rate mortgage finance
or through interest rate swaps. The Group does not speculate in treasury products but uses these

Page 84

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

only to limit exposure to potential interest rate fluctuations. The interest rate profile of the Group’s
loans and borrowings is set out in Note 16.

It is estimated that a general increase of one percentage point in interest rates would decrease the
Group’s profit before taxation by approximately £0.7 million per annum, on the basis of the floating
rate debt outstanding at 31 March 2019, after taking account of the interest swaps in place.

There also exists a risk to the income statement arising from the recognition and re-measurement of
interest  rate  swaps  at  fair  value.  It  is  estimated  that  a  general  increase  of  one  percentage  point  in
interest rates would give rise to a reduction in fair value of interest rate swaps outstanding at 31 March
2019 of £2.6 million, together with a corresponding increase in the Group’s profit before taxation.

Interest rate swaps

The interest rate swaps held by the Group at the year end were as follows:

Contracted rate

Notional principal

Fair value

2019

%
–
1.6

2018
%
5.6
1.6

2019

£000
–
30,000

2018
£000
25,000
30,000

2019

£000
–
1,328

2018
£000
766
395

30,000

55,000

1,328

1,161

Maturing within one year
Maturing after five years

Foreign exchange rates

The Group seeks to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk in relation to its USA net assets by
funding  its  USA  investment  property  with  US dollar  denominated  loans  and  borrowings. As  the
Group’s investment in USA assets are held for the long term and funds are not usually returned to
the UK, the Group’s policy is not to hedge its residual exposure. Management monitors exchange
rates on a regular basis and elects to transfer funds only when the rate is favourable to do so.

It  is  estimated  that  a ten  percentage  point  decrease  in  the  value  of  the  US dollar  against sterling
would result in a decrease in the sterling value of the Group’s USA net assets of £36.2 million.

Capital management

The  capital  structure  of  the  Group  consists  of  equity  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the  parent
together with net debt. This is kept under constant review to ensure the Group has sufficient capital
to fund its operations and that the Group’s strategy of low gearing is maintained. The Group seeks to
maintain  a  balance  between  longer-term  finance  appropriate  to  fund  its  long-term  investment
property holding strategy and medium-term finance which provides a more cost effective source of
finance.  Equity  comprises  issued  share  capital,  reserves  and  retained  earnings  as  set  out  in  the
consolidated statement of changes in equity. Net debt comprises a mix of fixed rate mortgages and
shorter-term  bank  loans  as  set  out  in  Note 16 and  cash  and  short  term  deposits  as  set  out  in
Note 12. All loans and borrowings are secured against investment property and the bank loans are
drawn against committed facilities.

Page 85

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

18. Related Party Transactions

Day-to-day management of the Group’s properties and its operations in the UK is mainly carried out
by Highdorn Co. Limited and by Freshwater Property Management Limited. Mr B S E Freshwater and
Mr  S  I  Freshwater  are  Directors  of  both  companies. They  have  no  beneficial  interest  in  the  share
capital of Highdorn Co. Limited. Mr B S E Freshwater, Mr S I Freshwater and Mr D Davis are Directors
of the parent company of Freshwater Property Management Limited but have no beneficial interest
in either company. Mr C B Freshwater and Mr R E Freshwater have a beneficial interest in a trust
holding interests in shares in Highdorn Co. Limited.

In their capacity as property managing agents, Highdorn Co. Limited (“Highdorn”) and Freshwater
Property Management Limited (“FPM”) collect rents and incur direct property expenses on behalf of
the Group. At 31 March 2019, the aggregate net amounts due from the Group to Highdorn and FPM
was £0.5 million (2018 – £2.7 million due to the Group from Highdorn and FPM). These amounts are
not secured and are payable on demand. No guarantees have been given or received and the amounts
are settled in cash.

Included  in  the  balance  above  are amounts  paid  and  payable  by  the  Group  for  the  provision  of
property  and  other  management  services to  Highdorn  Co. Limited  and  Freshwater  Property
Management Limited, which were as follows:

Balance due to related party managing agents at 1 April
Charged during the year
Paid during the year

Balance due to related party managing agents at 31 March

2019

£000

2018
£000

2,511
4,898
(5,124)

1,889
6,179
(5,557)

2,285

2,511

Mr B S E Freshwater, Mr S I Freshwater and Mr D Davis are trustees of two charities that own 6.3% of
the  share  capital  of  the  Company. These  charities  have  received  dividend  payments  in  the  year  of
£1,052,477  (2018 – £1,001,386).  The  Directors’  interests  in  the  Company  and  the  principal
shareholders are described on pages 31 and 32.The Board considers that the Directors are the key
management personnel of the Group and their remuneration is disclosed on page 44.

19.

Contingent Liabilities

The Group is from time to time party to legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The
Directors are not aware of any current actions which could have a material adverse effect on the
financial position of the Group.

20. Operating Lease Agreements

The Group earns rental income by leasing its investment properties to tenants under operating leases
which vary in terms and provisions between type of property and type of tenure. Leases providing
for contingent rents are rare within the Group’s property portfolio and no amounts for contingent
rents are included in rental income for the year (2018 – £Nil).

Page 86

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

At the balance sheet date, future minimum lease payments receivable by the Group under operating
leases were as follows:

Due within one year
Due within one to two years
Due within two to five years
Due after more than five years

2019

£000

2018
£000

84,751
53,992
114,717
351,134

75,386
44,721
95,365
233,788

604,594

449,260

Many of the Group’s residential properties are let under assured shorthold tenancies which typically
are for initial terms of 12 months or less, whereafter they are cancellable at short notice. The Group’s
experience is that a significant proportion of such tenancies are held over after the expiry of their
initial term.

21. Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Cash generated from operations

Net operating profit before net financing costs
Adjusted for:
Net valuation gain on investment property (Note 9)
Net gain on sale of investment property
Net valuation loss on listed investments

2019

£000

2018
£000

158,808 211,546

(83,928) (146,438)
(11,893)
(12,203)
10
2

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital

62,679

53,225

Changes in working capital:
Change in trade and other receivables
Change in trade and other payables

Working capital movement

Cash generated from continuing operations

Change in liabilities during the year relating to financing activities

Total loans and borrowings at 1 April (Note 16)
Repayment of bank loans
New bank loans in year
Repayment of mortgages
New mortgages
Foreign exchange impact

Total loans and borrowings at 31 March (Note 16)

(2,982)
1,809

366
2,889

(1,173)

3,255

61,506

56,480

2019

£000

2018
£000

350,459
(59,603)
60,000
(40,063)
102,814
17,147

352,539
(2,509)
15,000
(58,398)
70,216
(26,389)

430,754

350,459

Page 87

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

22.

Subsidiary Undertakings

Except  where  indicated  the  following  are  indirect  subsidiaries  of  the  Company,  where  the
Company’s  direct  and  indirect  interest  is  in  ordinary  shares. All  are  wholly  owned, except  as
indicated,  are  property  investment  companies and  are  included  in  the  consolidated  financial
statements.

Incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales

Registered office: Freshwater House, 158 – 162 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8HR

Agecroft Estates Limited
Alsam Limited
Astral Estates (London) Limited
Bagnight Limited*
Bampton (B&B) Limited
Bampton (Redbridge) Limited
Bampton Holdings Limited
Bampton Homes Limited
Bampton Management Limited
Bampton Property Group Limited (The)
Brickfield Properties Limited
Chilon Investment Co. Limited
City and Country (Londonderry House) Limited
City and Country Properties (Birmingham)
Limited
City and Country Properties (Camberley)
Limited
City and Country Properties (Estates) Limited
City and Country Properties (Gillingham)
Limited
City and Country Properties (Leeds) Limited
City and Country Properties (Midlands) Limited
City and Country Properties Limited
Coindragon Limited*
Coineagle Limited*
Coinface Limited*
Coinmad Limited*
Coinmoat Limited*
Coinorbit Limited*
Coinpilot Limited*
Coinreach Limited*
Coinsmart Limited*
Coinspear Limited*
Coinsun Limited
Consbrix Developments Limited
Cromlech Property Co. Limited (The)
Crozera Limited
Daejan (Brentford) Limited*
Daejan (Brighton) Limited
Daejan (Cambridge) Limited
Daejan (Cardiff) Limited
Daejan (Care Homes) Limited*

* Directly owned

Daejan (Dartford) Limited
Daejan (Design & Build) Limited*
Daejan (Durham) Limited
Daejan (FH 1998) Limited
Daejan (FHNV 1998) Limited
Daejan (Hanger Hill) Limited*
Daejan (High Wycombe) Limited
Daejan (Kingston) Limited
Daejan (Lauderdale) Limited
Daejan (Norwich) Limited
Daejan (NUNV) Limited
Daejan (NUV) Limited
Daejan (PF) Limited
Daejan (Reading) Limited
Daejan (Taunton) Limited
Daejan (UK) Limited*
Daejan (US) Limited*
Daejan (Warwick) Limited
Daejan (Watford) Limited
Daejan (Wimbledon) Limited*
Daejan (Worcester) Limited
Daejan Commercial Properties Limited
Daejan Developments Limited
Daejan Enterprises Limited
Daejan Estates Limited
Daejan Investments (Grove Hall) Limited
Daejan Investments (Harrow) Limited
Daejan Investments (Park) Limited
Daejan Investments Limited
Daejan Metropolitan Investments Limited*
Daejan Properties Limited
Daejan Retail Properties Limited
Daejan Securities Limited*
Daejan Services Limited*
Daejan Traders Limited*
Daneryn Limited*
Derlingrange Limited*
Ealux Limited
Endell Developments Limited*
Endell Properties Limited*
Endell Real Estate Limited*
Esslock Limited 

Page 88

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Fifth Charles Investments Limited*
First Charles Investments Limited*
Foredale Limited*
Gertsbrix Developments Limited
Grapeseal Limited*
Halliard Property Co. Limited (The)
Hampstead Way Investments Limited
Inputstock Limited
Inputstripe Limited
Insworth Investments Limited*
Johnsbrix Developments Limited
Kingforge Limited*
Kintsilk Investments Limited
Lawnstamp Limited
Lesbrix Developments Limited
Limebridge Co. Limited
Lookstate Limited

* Directly owned

Lyme & Farrar Limited
Marfred Limited
Mineral and General Investments Limited
Modboon Limited*
Mont Investments Limited
Offerworld Limited
Pegasus Investment Company Limited
Ronend Properties Limited*
Rosebel Holdings Limited
Seaglen Investments Limited
Semlark Limited*
Simlock Limited
St. Leonards Properties Limited
Strand Palace Hotel Limited*
Summerseas Investment Co. Limited
Wisebourne Limited*
Workvideo Limited *

Incorporated in Guernsey
Registered office: Bordage House, Le Bordage, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1BU

Daejan Financing Limited
Three Dials Limited
Four Dials Limited

Eight Dials Limited
Nine Dials Limited
Ten Dials Limited

Incorporated in the Isle of Man
Registered office: 8 St George’s Street Douglas IM1 1AH

Temple Investments Limited

Incorporated in Curaçao
Registered office: Schottegatweg Oost 44, Curaçao

Daejan Holdings N.V. 

Incorporated in the USA

Registered office, except as noted in (i) to (vii) below: 1651 Coney Island Avenue,

Brooklyn, NY 11230

22-04 Collier Avenue LLC
77NW LLC
200 Portland LLC
260 Realty Associates**
427 West 51st Street Owners Corp.
611 West 158th Street Corp.
670 River Realty Corp.
730 GC Realty Corp.
1750 GC LLC
3380 Nostrand LLC
Ace 2160 Wallace LLC
Ace 2180 Wallace LLC

Ace 2181 Barnes LLC
Ace 2181 Wallace LLC
CM Bucks Landing 120 LLC
Daejan 1010 Regency LLC(i)
Daejan 11 E Chase LLC(i)
Daejan 77 Inc.(vii)
Daejan 3120 Court LLC(i)
Daejan Astoria LLC
Daejan Baltimore Inc.
Daejan Chesterfield LLC(ii)
Daejan Crossroads LLC
Daejan Enterprises Inc.

Page 89

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

Daejan Fisherman’s Landing LLC(iii)
Daejan Greenwich Commons LLC(iv)
Daejan Hidden Palms LLC(iii)
Daejan Holdings (U.S.) Inc.*(vi)
Daejan Inverrary LLC
Daejan Lauderhill Inc.
Daejan Lycoming LLC, Inc.
Daejan N.Y. Ltd.
Daejan Oak Manor, Inc.(v)
Daejan Portland, Inc.
DJN Crossroad, Inc.
DJN Greenwich Inc.
DJN Raritan LLC

Ivory 1150 Concourse Corp.
Ivory 1166 G.C. Realty Corp.
Ivory 3045 Grand Concourse Corp.
Ivory 3591 Bainbridge Corp.
Ivory 3780 Bronx Blvd. Corp.
Ivory 3908 Bronx Realty Corp.
Ivory 780 Grand Corp.
Ivory 790 G.C. Corp.
Madison Oaks Apartment Homes LLC(ii)
New Franconia Associates***
Sevens G.C. Realty Corp.
Tampa Sunscape Inc.
Waterford Park Apartment Homes LLC(ii)

Registered offices: (i) 6800 Liberty Road, Baltimore, MD 21207; (ii) 4200 Inverrary Blvd, Lauderhill, FL 33319; 
(iii) 14555 Bruce D. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33613; (iv) 14608 43rd Street, Tampa, FL 33813; (v) 5105 Mission Hills Ave, Tampa,
FL 33617; (vi) 1105 North Market Street, Wilmington, NY 19899; (vii) 65 Franklin Street, Suite 401, Boston, MA 02110.

* Directly owned

** 75% owned

*** 70% owned

23.

Alternative Performance Measures

The  directors  use  a  number  of  alternative  performance  measures  within  this  Annual  Report  to
provide  more  relevant  explanations  of  the  Group’s  financial  position  and  performance.  Provided
below are explanations for each such measure and reconciliations to relevant IFRS balances.

Underlying profit before tax
The  directors  consider “underlying  profit  before  tax”  which  excludes  unrealised changes  in  the
valuation of property and certain financial instruments to be a useful measure as it represents the
element of our results that has actually been realised. It represents the performance of our core rental
business together with disposal profits which tend to fluctuate from year to year.  It is our underlying
profit before tax which generates the cash we use to re-invest in the business and to pay dividends
and taxes.

Profit before tax per the income statement
Deduct property valuation gains
Add back/(deduct) financial instruments fair value losses/(gains)
Add back realised valuation gains on property disposals

Underlying profit before tax

2019
£000

2018
£000

201,262
137,832
(83,928) (146,438)
(1,929)
1,936

172
–

54,076

54,831

Page 90

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Shareholders’ funds per share
The directors consider that shareholders’ funds per share is a useful measure as it reflects the fair
value  of  the  investment  property  we  hold and  is  a  common  measure  used  across  the  property
industry. It is calculated by dividing the total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent by
the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent (£000)
Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year

Shareholders funds per share (£)

2019

2018

1,940,354 1,812,902
16,295,35716,295,357

119.07

111.25

Gearing
The Group considers gearing to be the ratio of our loans and borrowings to the value of our total
assets. As the majority of our loans and borrowings are secured on our investment property assets,
our gearing ratio is useful as it indicates our capacity to borrow further to invest in our business and
also shows the level of headroom we have in case of adverse property valuation movements.

2019
UK
£000

2019
USA
£000

2019
Total
£000

2018
UK
£000

2018
USA
£000

2018
Total
£000

Loans and borrowing 

(Note 16)
Total assets

Gearing

124,393
1,938,523

124,978
306,361
430,754
827,980 2,766,503 1,868,283

225,481
350,459
666,722 2,535,005

6.4%

37.0%

15.6%

6.7%

33.8%

13.8%

Valuation of investment properties
Valuation  gains  or  losses  on  investment  properties  is  a  key  metric  for  property  companies  and  is
presented on the face of the income statement.  To assist a reader’s understanding, we also express
the  net revaluation  gains  or  losses  recognised  during  the  year as  a  percentage  of  the  value  of
investment property at the start of the year. Where a property’s value is not denominated in sterling,
such as those in the USA, the opening value is first adjusted for the impact of movements in exchange
rates during the year.

2019
UK
£000

2019
USA
£000

2019
Total
£000

2018
UK
£000

2018
USA
£000

2018
Total
£000

1,783,506
–

589,678 2,373,184 1,655,922
–
45,240

45,240

600,878 2,256,800
(66,557)
(66,557)

Carrying value at 1 April

(Note 9)

Foreign exchange movements

Value at 1 April at year end

exchange rate

1,783,506
Acquisitions
2,815
Additions to existing properties 20,829
Disposals
(2,252)
Revaluation
51,845
Transfer to properties held 

634,918 2,418,424 1,655,922
1,069
77,477
30,988
28,025
(1,977)
(4,339)
97,504
83,928

74,662
7,196
(2,087)
32,083

534,321 2,190,243
1,069
39,568
(4,134)
146,438

–
8,580
(2,157)
48,934

for sale

(70,997)

–

(70,997)

–

–

–

Carrying value at 31 March

(Note 9)

1,785,746

746,772 2,532,518 1,783,506

589,678 2,373,184

Valuation gain percentage

2.9%

5.1%

3.5%

5.9%

9.2%

6.7%

Page 91

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

as at 31 March 2019

Notes

£000

2019
£000

£000

2018
£000

Fixed assets
Investment in subsidiary

undertakings
Deferred tax assets

4

Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank

Creditors: amounts falling 
due within one year

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current

liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Profit and loss account

Equity shareholders’ funds

1,279,894
226

1,280,120

1,326,904
197

1,327,101

1,791
1,961

3,752

560
18,187

18,747

5

(298,592)

(338,321)

(294,840)

(319,574)

6

7

985,280

(48,057)

937,223

4,074
555
893
931,701

937,223

1,007,527

(48,267)

959,260

4,074
555
893
953,738

959,260

The financial statements of Daejan Holdings PLC (Company number 305105) on pages 92 to 96 were
approved by the Board of Directors on 24 July 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:

B S E Freshwater

Director

D Davis

Director

Page 92

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the year ended 31 March 2019

Balance at 1 April 2017

Loss for the year

Dividends to equity shareholders

Balance at 1 April 2018

Loss for the year

Dividends to equity shareholders

Issued

share

capital
£000

4,074

–

–

4,074

–

–

Balance at 31 March 2019

4,074

Share

premium

account
£000

Equity

Other

Retained shareholders’

reserves
£000

earnings
£000

funds
£000

555

–

–

555

–

–

555

893

972,113

977,635

–

–

(2,406)

(2,406)

(15,969)

(15,969)

893

953,738

959,260

–

–

(5,253)

(5,253)

(16,784)

(16,784)

893

931,701

937,223

Page 93

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1.

Accounting Policies

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

(a)

Basis of preparation

The  Company  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with Financial  Reporting
Standard  102, The  Financial  Reporting  Standard  applicable  in  the  UK  and  Republic  of  Ireland
(“FRS 102”). The Company has adopted the following disclosure exemptions permitted by FRS 102
1.12  (b),  (c)  and  (e): The  requirement  to  present  a  statement  of  cash  flows; the  requirement  to
disclose  the  terms  and  conditions  of  long  term  debt;  and  the  requirement  to  disclose  key
management personnel compensation in total. 

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, a separate profit and loss account dealing
with  the  results  of  the  Company  has  not  been  presented. The  Company’s loss  for  the  year  after
taxation was £5,253,000 (2018 – £2,406,000).

(b)

Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Investments in subsidiary undertakings comprise shares in, and loans to, those undertakings and are
stated at cost less any provision for impairment.

(c)

Financial instruments

Financial  liabilities  and  equity  instruments  are  classified  according  to  the  substance  of  the
contractual arrangements entered into.  An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual
interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all financial liabilities.

Basic financial instruments
(i) Trade and other debtors and trade and other creditors
Trade  and  other  debtors  are  recognised  initially  at  transaction  price  plus  attributable  transaction
costs.  Trade  and  other  creditors  are  recognised  initially  at  transaction  price  less  attributable
transaction  costs.  Subsequent  to  initial  recognition  they  are  measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the
effective interest method less any impairment losses in the case of trade and other debtors. If the
arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, for example if payment is deferred beyond normal
business terms, then it is measured at the present value of future payments discounted at a market
rate for a similar debt instrument.

(ii) Loans and borrowings
Loans  and  borrowings  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value  and  are  subsequently  recorded  at
amortised cost. Transaction costs are deducted from the fair value at recognition and any differences
between  the  amount  initially  recognised  and  the  redemption  value  is  recognised  in  the  income
statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest rate basis.

Derivative financial instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to interest rate risk arising
from operational and financing activities. As these derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting,
they  are  accounted  for  as  trading  instruments.  Derivative  financial  instruments  are  initially
recognised,  and  subsequently  recorded,  at  fair  value. The  fair  value  of  interest  rate  swaps  is  the
estimated  amount  that  the  Company  would  recover  or  pay  to  terminate  the  swap  at  the  balance
sheet  date,  taking  into  account  current  interest  rates  and  the  credit  worthiness  of  the  swap

Page 94

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

counterparties. The  gain  or  loss  on  re-measurement  to  fair  value  is  recognised  immediately  in  the
income statement.

(d) Deferred tax

Deferred  tax  is  provided  on  timing  differences  which  arise  from  the  inclusion  of  income  and
expenses  in  tax  assessments  in  periods  different  from  those  in  which  they  are  recognised  in  the
financial statements. Deferred tax is not recognised on permanent differences arising because certain
types  of  income  or  expenses  are  non-taxable  or  are  disallowable  for  tax  or  because  certain  tax
charges or allowances are greater or smaller than the corresponding income or expense.

Deferred  tax  is  measured  at  the  tax  rate  that  is  expected  to  apply  to  the  reversal  of  the  related
difference, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Unrelieved  tax  losses  and  other  deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  only  to  the  extent  that  it  is
probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future
taxable profits.

(e)

Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the
transaction and gains and losses on translation are included in the profit and loss account. Debtors
and creditors are retranslated using the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date.

2.

Profit on Ordinary Activities before Taxation

The Company has no staff other than its Directors and their remuneration is set out on page 44 of
the Group accounts. The parent company audit fee is disclosed on page 72 of the Group accounts.

3.

Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2017,

paid 10 November 2017 @ 63p per share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018,

paid 9 March 2018 @ 35p per share

Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2018, 

paid 2 November 2018 @ 68p per share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2019, 

paid 8 March 2019 @ 35p per share

2019
£000

2018
£000

–

–

10,266

5,703

11,081

5,703

–

–

16,784

15,969

The  Board  has  recommended  a  final  dividend  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2019 of  £11,570,000,
representing 71p  per  share. This  dividend  has  not  been  included  as  a  liability  in  these  financial
statements.

Page 95

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued

4.

Investments in Subsidiary Undertakings

At 1 April 2018
Loans

At 31 March 2019

Shares at 
cost
£000

991,933
–

Loans
£000

Total
£000

334,971
(47,010)

1,326,904
(47,010)

991,933

287,961

1,279,894

5.

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans and overdrafts
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other creditors and accruals
Derivative financial instruments

2019
£000

129
296,540
595
1,328

2018
£000

26,888
296,563
13,709
1,161

298,592

338,321

6.

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

Secured bank loans

7.

Share Capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of 25 pence per share

8.

Profit and Loss Reserve

2019
£000

2018
£000

48,057

48,267

Number

2019
£000

2018
£000

16,295,357

4,074

4,074

Some  years  ago,  the  Company  sold  its  shareholdings  in  certain  subsidiary  undertakings  to
intermediate  holding  companies. As  a  result  of  that  transaction,  the  parent  company  transferred
£645.1 million of revaluation gains relating to these investments to the profit and loss reserve. As
the  transfer  of  these  revaluation  gains  arose  as  a  result  of  a  sale  of  assets  within  the  Group,  it  is
unlikely that the Company will seek to treat the profit and loss reserve thus arising as distributable.

Under the articles of association of certain Group investment undertakings, realised capital surpluses
are not available for distribution as dividends.

Page 96

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

GROUP FIVE-YEAR RECORD

2015
£000
128,976
(70,041)

2016
£000
138,197
(70,008)

2017
£000
140,738
(75,938)

2018
£000
142,885
(76,407)

2019
£000
156,161
(79,580)

58,935
12,036

68,189
11,725

64,800
14,594

66,478
11,893

76,581
12,203

229,722
(11,821)

117,947
(13,041)

144,508
(12,559)

146,438
(13,263)

83,928
(13,904)

288,872
(11,333)

184,820
(11,578)

211,343
(12,947)

211,546
(10,284)

158,808
(20,976)

277,539
(49,979)

173,242
(30,237)

198,396
(36,266)

201,262
1,696

137,832
(17,853)

227,560

143,005

162,130

202,958

119,979

£8.77

£9.93

£13.95

£7.36
1,964,088 2,158,073 2,406,831 2,535,005 2,766,503
1,345,874 1,480,094 1,655,955 1,812,993 1,940,521
£101.61
£119.07

£111.25

£90.82

£82.59

£12.45

Total rental and related income
Property operating expenses

Net rental and related income
Profit on disposal of investment properties
Net valuation gains on investment 

properties

Administrative expenses

Net operating profit before net

financing costs

Net financing expense

Profit before taxation
Income tax

Profit for the year

Earnings per share
Total assets
Equity shareholders’ funds
Equity shareholders’ funds per share

Page 97

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS

Directors

B S E Freshwater

Auditor

KPMG LLP

(Chairman and Managing Director)

15 Canada Square, 

S I Freshwater

London E14 5GL

S B Benaim (non-executive)

D Davis (non-executive)

Consulting Accountants

A M Freshwater (non-executive) 

Cohen Arnold

C B Freshwater (non-executive)

New Burlington House, 

R E Freshwater (non-executive)

1075 Finchley Road,

S Srulowitz (non-executive)

London NW11 0PJ

Secretary

M R M Jenner F.C.I.S.

Principal Bankers

Lloyds Banking Group plc

Barclays Bank PLC

Registered & Head Office

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

Stockbrokers

N+1 Singer

1 Bartholomew Lane,

London EC2N 2AX

Freshwater House,

158-162 Shaftesbury Avenue, 

London WC2H 8HR

Registered in England

Co. No. 305105

Registrars

Equiniti

Aspect House, 

Spencer Road, 

Lancing,

West Sussex BN99 6DA

Page 98

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTICE OF MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Eighty Third Annual General Meeting of Daejan Holdings PLC will be
held  at The  Connaught  Rooms,  61-65  Great  Queen  Street,  London  WC2B  5DA,  on Tuesday
17 September 2019 at 2.30 p.m. for the following purposes:

Ordinary Business

To consider and if thought fit, pass the following Ordinary Resolutions:

1. 

2.

3.

To  receive  the  Financial  Statements  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2019 together  with  the
Reports of the Directors and the Auditor. (Resolution 1)

To approve the Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2019. (Resolution 2)

To declare a final dividend. (Resolution 3)

4. 

To re-elect B S E Freshwater as a Director. (Resolution 4)

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

To re-elect S I Freshwater as a Director. (Resolution 5)

To re-elect S B Benaim as a Director. (Resolution 6)

To re-elect S Srulowitz as a Director. (Resolution 7)

To re-elect D Davis as a Director. (Resolution 8)

To re-elect R E Freshwater as a Director. (Resolution 9)

10.

To re-elect A M Freshwater as a Director. (Resolution 10)

11.

To re-elect C B Freshwater as a Director. (Resolution 11)

12.

To reappoint KPMG LLP as Auditor, and to authorise the Directors to agree its remuneration.
(Resolution 12)

By order of the Board
M R M Jenner
Secretary

Explanatory Note to Resolutions 6 and 7
The UK Corporate Governance Code provides for all directors of companies forming the FTSE350 to be subject to annual
re-election  by  shareholders. Accordingly  all  members  of  the  Board  are  standing  for  re-election  at  this Annual  General
Meeting. Biographical details of all the directors are set out on pages 30 and 31 of the annual report.

Resolutions 6 and 7 relate to the re-election of Mr S Benaim and Mr S Srulowitz who are the directors that the Board has
determined are independent directors for the purposes of the UK Corporate Governance Code. Because the Company
has controlling shareholders, set out on page 32 of the annual report, (that is exercising more than 30% of the voting
rights of the Company) the Listing Rules require that such directors seeking re-election by shareholders who are deemed
independent must be approved by a majority of both:

1.

2.

The shareholders of the Company; and

The independent shareholders of the Company (that is the shareholders of the Company entitled to vote on the
election of directors who are not controlling shareholders of the Company).

Resolutions  6  and  7  are  therefore  being  proposed  as  ordinary  resolutions  which  all  shareholders  may  vote  on  but  in
addition  the  Company  will  separately  count  the  number  of  votes  cast  by  independent  shareholders  in  favour  of  the
resolution. The Company will announce the results of the resolutions on this basis as well as announcing the results of
the ordinary resolutions of all shareholders.

Neither Mr Benaim nor Mr Srulowitz have any previous or existing material relationship with the Company, its directors
or any controlling shareholder.

24 July 2019

Page 99

DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTICE OF MEETING  continued

Shareholder Notes

1. Members are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and to speak and vote on
their behalf at the meeting and at any adjournment of it. A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation
to the meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares
held by that member. If a proxy appointment is submitted without indicating how the proxy should vote on any
resolution, the proxy will exercise his/her discretion as to whether and, if so, how he/she votes.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

A proxy need not be a member of the Company. A proxy form which may be used to make such appointment and
give proxy instructions accompanies this notice. If you do not have a proxy form and believe that you should have
one, or if you require additional forms, please contact the Company’s Registrar, Equiniti Limited, on 0371 384 2203
(international callers: +44 121 415 7047). Lines open 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Members may also
appoint a proxy through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service as described in note 13 below.

To be valid any proxy form or other instrument appointing a proxy must be received by post or (during normal
business hours only) by hand to Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA no
later than 2.30 p.m. on 15 September 2019, together with, if appropriate, the power of attorney or other authority
(if any) under which it is signed or a duly certified copy of that power or authority.

The  return  of  a  completed  proxy  form,  other  such  instrument  or  any  CREST  Proxy  Instruction  (as  described  in
note 13(a) below) will not prevent a member attending the meeting and voting in person if he/she wishes to do so.

A vote withheld option is provided on the form of proxy to enable you to instruct your proxy not to vote on any
particular resolution. However, it should be noted that a vote withheld in this way is not a ‘vote’ in law and will not
be counted in the calculation of the proportion of the votes ‘For’ and ‘Against’ a resolution.

Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person nominated under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006
to enjoy information rights (a “Nominated Person”) may, under an agreement between him/her and the shareholder
by whom he/she was nominated, have a right to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for
the Annual  General  Meeting.  If  a  Nominated  Person  has  no  such  proxy  appointment  right  or  does  not  wish  to
exercise it, he/she may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the shareholder as to the
exercise of voting rights.

The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the appointment of proxies in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 above
does  not  apply  to  Nominated  Persons.  The  rights  described  in  these  paragraphs  can  only  be  exercised  by
shareholders of the Company.

To be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting (and for the purpose of the determination by the Company of the
votes  they  may  cast),  members  must  be  registered  in  the  register  of  members  of  the  Company  at 6.30 p.m.  on
15 September 2019 (or, in the event of any adjournment, 6.30 p.m. on the date which is two days before the time
of the adjourned meeting). Changes to the register of members after the relevant deadline shall be disregarded in
determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting.

In  the  case  of  joint  holders,  where  more  than  one  of  the  joint  holders  purports  to  appoint  a  proxy,  only  the
appointment submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which
the names of the joint holders appear in the Company’s register of members in respect of the joint holding (the
first-named being the most senior).

10.

If a member submits more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment received last before the latest time
for the receipt of proxies will take precedence.

11. Any member attending the meeting has the right to ask questions. The Company must cause to be answered any
such question relating to the business being dealt with at the meeting but no such answer need be given if (i) to
do so would interfere unduly with the preparation for the meeting or would involve the disclosure of confidential
information or (ii) the answer has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question or (iii) it
is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the meeting that the question be answered.

12. As at the date of issue of this notice the Company’s issued share capital consists of 16,295,357 ordinary shares,
carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at the date of issue of this notice are
16,295,357.

13. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service
may  do  so  for  this  meeting  by  using  the  procedures  described  in  the  CREST  Manual  which  can  be  viewed  at
www.euroclear.com. CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members
who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s),
who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. Please note the following:

(a)

In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate
CREST message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear
UK  &  Ireland  Limited’s  specifications  and  must  contain  the  information  required  for  such  instructions,  as
described in the CREST Manual. The message, regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment of a proxy
or is an amendment to the instruction given to a previously appointed proxy must, in order to be valid, be
transmitted  so  as  to  be  received  by  the  issuer’s  agent  (ID  RA19)  by  the  latest  time(s)  for  receipt  of  proxy
appointments specified in this notice. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as
determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Application Host) from which the issuer’s
agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time

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DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee
through other means.

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

(c) The  Company  may  treat  as  invalid  a  CREST  Proxy  Instruction  in  the  circumstances  set  out  in  regulation

35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.

14. Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its

behalf all of its powers as a member provided they do not do so in relation to the same shares.

15. A copy of this notice and other information required by Section 311A of the Companies Act 2006 can be found at

www.daejanholdings.com.

16. You may not use any fax number, email address or other electronic address provided in this document or on the

proxy form to communicate with the Company for any purpose other than expressly stated.

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DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

NOTES

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DAEJAN HOLDINGS PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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