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Daejan Holdings PLC
Annual Report 2020

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FY2020 Annual Report · Daejan Holdings PLC
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   HOLDI

 
 
 
 
(formerly Daejan Holdings PLC)

   HOLDI

CONTENTS

                                                                                       Chairman’s Introduction         2
                                                                                                                            Financial Highlights         3
                                                                                                                                   Strategic Report         5
                                                                                                                                 Directors’ Report       32
                                                                                                           Corporate Governance Report       37
                                                                                                                     Audit Committee Report       41
                                                                                                        Nominations Committee Report       43
                                                                                                      Remuneration Committee Report       44
                                                                                                 Directors’ Responsibilities Statement       49
                                   Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Daejan Holdings Limited       51
                                                                                                        Consolidated Income Statement       60
                                                                         Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income       61
                                                                                   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity       61
                                                                                                               Consolidated Balance Sheet       62
                                                                                              Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows       63
                                                                               Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements       64
                                                                                                                     Company Balance Sheet       92
                                                                                         Company Statement of Changes in Equity       93
                                                                                     Notes to the Company Financial Statements       94
                                                                                                                      Group Five-Year Record       97
                                                                                                                        Directors and Advisers       98

Page 1

 
 
 
 
DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

Before discussing the results for the year I must mention a major event in the life of the Company. 

In February 2020 a cash offer was made by the Freshwater Group for all Daejan shares not already
controlled. The  offer  was  effected  by  way  of  a  Scheme  of Arrangement  which  was  approved  by
holders of over 99% of the relevant shares on 27th April; the shares were delisted on 11th May. The
administrative burden of maintaining our listing had grown progressively in recent years and given
that there were no intentions to use the listing to raise finance it became clear that delisting was in
the  best  interests  of  the  Company. So  ended  a  successful  period  of  61  years  as  a  listed  property
company and I must thank shareholders for their loyal support over this time.

Following our transition to a private company two of our non-executive directors, Mr S B Benaim and
Mr S Srulowitz, expressed a desire to retire from the Board. I would like to thank them for their wise
counsel during their periods of office and wish them well for the future.

Daejan will continue to operate as before in pursuit of long term, low risk growth in net asset value
and rental income albeit in future as a wholly owned company within the Freshwater Group.

This has been a year of challenges with continuing uncertainty throughout from Brexit and latterly
from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. There have also been material adverse changes to rent
regulation  in  New  York.  In  the  circumstances  the  reduction  in  shareholders’  funds  of  2.3%  to
£1,896 million (2019 – 7% increase to £1,940 million) was not a surprise.

In the UK, the overall value of our portfolio has remained flat with some downward adjustments in
retail and office property offset by gains from a number of improved leases and from the completion
and letting of new developments.

In July 2019 new and punitive rent regulation laws were introduced in New York which have had the
effect of reducing the value of the affected buildings by approximately one third; elsewhere in the
USA our properties have shown modest gains.  The total deficit arising on the revaluation of the USA
portfolio is £93.5 million, equivalent to 11.9% (2019 – £32.1 million gain, equivalent to 5.1%).

Our overall gross rental income has increased by 6.5% (2019 – 8.5%). In the UK this has derived from
the letting of new developments and a significant improvement in our Care Home portfolio. Similarly
in  the  USA  new  property  acquisitions  in  the  second  half  of  last  year  have  now  contributed  a  full
year’s rent.

Outlook
I  have  for  some  years  reported  my  concern  at  the  uncertainty  arising  from  the  Brexit  issue. This
remains as we near the end of the transitional period with, as yet, no clear idea of the arrangements
for trade which will apply from 1st January 2021. However the immediate future will be dominated
by the fallout from the actions taken to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst constraints
on the economy are being progressively removed the speed with which activity will return towards
normal is by no means clear. Indeed doubt remains whether patterns of behaviour adopted during
the “lockdown” such as working from home, avoiding public transport, shops, restaurants and other
leisure facilities will persist in the longer term.  A deepening of the UK recession is widely predicted
for when  the  temporary  measures  taken  to  sustain  the  economy  are  discontinued  later  this  year;
opinions differ as to its likely depth and duration.

In the USA the Covid-19 pandemic still appears to be spreading and is likely to result in an overall
fall in GDP in 2020. A trade war continues to develop with China and we are entering a period of
political uncertainty ahead of the Presidential election in November.

These issues constitute the environment within which we will have to operate for the coming year.
I firmly believe that our tried and tested approach of prudence and risk minimisation together with
the careful conservation of financial resources that has served us well in good times and bad will see
us safely through.

My thanks as ever must go to those whose loyal efforts sustain the Company.

B S E Freshwater
Chairman

Cover: Central Park,
Brighton, East Sussex.
Inside cover: Clare
Court, London WC1.
Above and opposite
page: recently completed
Starlite Lodge,
Greenford, Middx.
Contents page:
interior of
164 Shaftesbury
Avenue, London WC2.

Page 2

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

NET VALUATION LOSS

£90.5 million

(2019: gain of £83.9 million)

£33.2 million

(2019: profit of £137.8 million)

LOSS BEFORE TAX

LOSS PER SHARE

£2.92

(2019: Earnings of £7.36)

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS

£1,896.0 million

(2019: £1,940.4 million)

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS PER SHARE

£116.35*

(2019: £119.07)*

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

GEARING

17.8%*

(2019: 15.6%)*

Page 3

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 (£)

Gross rental income

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m
£

170

160

150

140

130

120

110

100

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Strategy

The strategy for achieving our objectives has three principal elements:

■       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
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

Opposite page and
above: the recently
completed Starlite
Lodge, Greenford,
Middx.

Page 5

 
DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

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 17.8% (2019 –
15.6%).

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
The economic outlook is dominated by two major issues: the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. Both
issues have the capacity to have a meaningful impact on the business.

The  Covid-19  pandemic  is  currently  underway  in  the  UK  and  the  possibility  exists  for  a “second
wave” of infection this coming winter.

The Government actions to prevent the spread of the disease have resulted in a dramatic slowdown
in economic activity. Although restrictions are now being progressively released a deep recession is
widely predicted with uncertainty as to the speed of recovery. Within the general downturn there
have  been  particularly  sharp  impacts  on  retail,  leisure  and  travel  sectors.  It  remains  to  be  seen
whether  the  current  reluctance  of  people  to  visit  shops and  leisure  premises is  a  temporary  or  a
longer term trend. Many organisations have successfully introduced systems of home working with
little or no loss of efficiency.  If  “working from home”  becomes an established feature of business
life, demand for office accommodation may reduce.

The uncertainty surrounding the impact of the end of the transition period as the UK fully detaches
its self from the European Economic Union (EEU) has to an extent been masked by the impact of
Covid-19. Negotiations have yet to produce an agreement to govern the future relationship between
the UK and the EEU thus creating a further layer of uncertainty for UK business.

The Covid-19 pandemic in the USA is not yet under control and its longer term economic impact is
not yet clear.  The trade war with China and the US Presidential election which will be held later in
the year add further uncertainty.

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.

We seek to mitigate and manage such risk by:

■       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

Above and opposite
page: Baddeley Court,
Newport, Shropshire.

Page 6

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

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:

■       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 28% 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 EEU 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 5%
(2019 – 7% fall). This has had the effect of increasing the reported value of our USA net assets. The
average  exchange  rate  for  the  year  fell  by  3%  and  its  impact  on  the  reported  USA  results  is  not
material.

We mitigate and manage this risk by:

■       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 £20.6 million (2019 – gain of £24.4 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

As  commented  in  previous  years,  regulations  aimed  at  the  control  of  residential  rental  levels  or
shorthold  tenancy  arrangements  could  have  an  adverse  impact  on  the  Group.  Following  the
significant tightening in 2019 of rent controls by the Mayor of New York, our properties in the city
have suffered significant reductions in value.

Above and right:
Clissold Court,
London N4.
Opposite page:
Wyfold Road,
London SW6.

Page 8

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Similarly, increased regulation on building or environmental standards, health and safety or planning
matters could impose additional costs.

We seek to mitigate and manage this risk by:

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

Catastrophic events

The operations of the Group have been affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and could
in future be adversely affected by the impact of 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:

■       Developing  a  system  of  home  working  to  ensure  that  the  Group  can  continue  to  function

despite the need for office closures
■       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

Tenant default

Tenant  default  constitutes  a  risk  to  income  and,  ultimately,  to  capital  value. Notwithstanding  well
publicised reports in the media of tenants defaulting on rental arrangements or unilaterally seeking
material  rent  reductions,  we  continue  to  receive  the  substantial  majority  of  rentals  due  under
contractual arrangements.
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:

■       Seeking tenants with strong covenants
■       Credit checks on new tenants including independent assessments for major lettings

Above, left and
opposite page: 
30 Kensington Church
Street, London W8.

Page 11

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

■       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 which has accelerated
during  the  Covid-19  pandemic  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:

■       Close monitoring of developments in the retail sector
■       Careful monitoring of tenants showing signs of financial stress

■       Avoiding concentration on any one tenant or retail sector

Internal risks

Regional concentration in UK and US portfolios

Within the UK,the majority of our properties are situated in and around the London area. In past 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 more recently will significantly reduce the net annual revaluation uplifts in the UK portfolio.
In the USA, a substantial part of our portfolio is situated in New York which has in the past produced
significant growth in capital values; this year the impact of additional rent controls and restrictions has
reversed this pattern.

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:

■       Continuing to invest in the USA, principally in Florida and other locations outside New York
■       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

Below left: the
recently developed
Eden Parade,
Beckenham, Kent.
Below right: the
recently developed
Carlton Close, Esher,
Surrey. Above and
opposite page
bottom: Wimbledon
Close, Wimbledon,
London SW20.
Opposite page top:
Trinity Place,
Eastbourne, East
Sussex.

Page 12

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Analysis by property type

Property UK

Residential
£832.7m

Commercial
£1,011.1m

Property USA

Residential
£593.8m

Commercial
£107.8m

This page: Central
Park, Brighton, East
Sussex.

Commercial Property UK

Commercial Property USA

Land &
Development
£1.6m

Industrial
£47.5m

Offices
£343.5m

Retail
£2.7m

Offices
£105.1m

Leisure &
Services
£213.6m

Retail
£404.9m

Analysis by location

UK Valuations

USA Valuations

North &
Scotland
£50.0m

Wales &
West
£54.7m

Greater
London
£1,499.6m

Midlands &
East Anglia
£87.7m

South East
£151.8m

Pennsylvania
£50.2m

Baltimore
£28.2m

New Jersey
£47.7m

New York
£261.5m

Boston
£101.6m

Florida
£212.4m

Page 14

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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:
■       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.

We seek to mitigate and manage these risks by:
■       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

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:
■       The establishment of a strong Group management team to support the executive directors

■       The appointment of new directors from the next generation of the Freshwater family

Investment properties
A professional valuation of all of the Group’s properties was carried out at 31 March 2020. 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.

Above and left:
Southgate Lodge,
South Croydon,
Greater London.

Page 15

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

The table below shows a summary of the valuation of our investment property at 31 March 2020:

                                                                                                                    Valuation        Valuation
                                                                                                                March 2020    March 2019
                                                                                                                               £m                 £m

Commercial property
UK                                                                                                           1,011.1             986.4
USA                                                                                                            107.8             103.0
Residential property
UK                                                                                                              832.7             817.8
USA                                                                                                            593.9             647.4
Less lease incentives                                                                                    (21.2)            (22.1)
Total                                                                                                        2,524.3          2,532.5

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

The  changes  shown above  are  attributable  to  the  net loss 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:

                                                                                                                            2020               2019
                                                                                                                               £m                  £m

Opening valuation                                                                                   2,532.5          2,373.2
Gross up of head lease liability                                                                              8.4                     –

Opening valuation (restated)                                                                         2,540.9           2,373.2
New acquisitions                                                                                                  29.8                77.5
Additions to existing properties                                                                          18.1                28.0
Disposals                                                                                                               (4.7)               (4.3)

                                                                                                                        2,584.1           2,474.4
Revaluation (loss)/gain                                                                                       (90.5)               83.9
Foreign exchange gain                                                                                         39.1                45.2
Transfer to properties held for sale                                                                      (8.5)             (71.0)

Closing valuation                                                                                            2,524.3           2,532.5

The  overall  valuation  of  our  UK  portfolio  has  remained  flat  with  losses  arising  on  retail  and  office
property  offset  by  a  small  number  of  special  situation  uplifts.  Residential  property  values  have not

Above, right and
opposite page:
10 Temple Street
Birmingham.

Page 16

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

shown any significant movement. Following the change of operators of our care home properties in
the  previous  year  we  have  seen  an  improvement  in  performance  and  this  has  been  reflected  in  a
valuation uplift. We continue to obtain significant uplifts in value upon the completion of successful
developments and rent reviews.

In the USA we have seen significant falls in the value of our regulated properties in New York partially
offset by modest gains in Florida and elsewhere. The new regulation introduced in 2019 has had the
effect of removing property developers from the market and returning the average capitalisation rate
on buildings to a more normal 5.2% from a low position of 3.4%. This downward movement comes
after a 10 year period of growth.

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

Starlite Lodge (formerly part of Odeon Parade), Greenford, Middlesex
Work  was  completed  on  this  project  to  create  39  flats  on  the  site  of  an  existing  property. This
includes  14 “affordable” units  which  are  in  course  of  being  sold  to  a  housing  association.  The
remaining 25 flats have all been let on assured shorthold tenancies.

Piano Apartments (formerly 7-11 St John’s Hill), London SW11
During the year we completed the bulk of the work on the conversion of this former office building
into 35 flats .

Salusbury Road, London NW6
This mixed use building with office, retail and leisure space was acquired during the year at a cost
of £17.3 million. Following refurbishment approximately 25% of the office space will be retained for
company use and the remainder let to third parties. This acquisition will enable the combination of
three area offices in a Covid-19 compliant manner under a new management structure.

Oxford Street, London W1
Preparatory  work  has  continued  throughout  the  year  on  the  planning  of  our  Oxford  Street  site.
A revised plan which has been enlarged by the acquisition of an adjacent property in Wardour Street
has been approved by the local authority.

USA
In  the  USA  there  were  no  new  acquisitions,  with  efforts  concentrated  on  refurbishment  work  on
properties in the Bronx and the continued modernisation of properties acquired in recent years. 

Above, left and
opposite page:
164 Shaftesbury
Avenue, London WC2.

Page 19

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Results for the year 
The Group recorded a loss before taxation for the year ended 31 March 2020 of £33.2 million (2019 –
profit  of £137.8 million). The  result  includes  a  net  valuation loss of  £90.5 million  arising  on
investment properties (2019 – gain of £83.9 million).

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

                                                                                                                            2020              2019
                                                                                                                      £m                  £m

Total rental and related income from investment property                           166.1              156.2
Property operating expenses                                                                        (91.1)             (79.6)

Net rental and related income from investment property                               75.0                76.6
Profit on disposals of investment property                                                     15.8                12.2
Administrative expenses                                                                               (14.3)             (13.9)

Net operating profit before net valuation movements                                    76.5                74.9
Net valuation (losses)/gains on investment property                                     (90.5)               83.9
Net financing expense                                                                                 (19.2)             (21.0)

(Loss)/profit before taxation                                                                         (33.2)             137.8

Overall we have seen an increase of £9.2 million in rental income, equivalent to 6.5% (2019 – 8.4%).
The increase in the UK has been derived from the completion and letting of new developments, rent
renewal negotiations and a significant improvement in our Care Home portfolio. Similarly in the USA
new property acquisitions in the second half of last year have now contributed a full year’s rent.

Service charge income increased slightly during the year to £14.5 million from £13.8 million in 2019
due principally to the timing of major works programmes.

Property  operating  expenses  increased  by  14.4%  (2019  –  4.2%)  with  the  Group  incurring  local
authority charges on properties newly vacated to permit development or refurbishment, increased legal
fees  in  collecting  arrears  and  an  increase  in  repair  costs  as  the  Group  continued  its  programme  of
property refurbishment.

The profit on disposal is largely derived from the sale of the southern portion of our Middlesex Street
site in Aldgate for the development of student accommodation. Profit also arises 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 in 2019 included £6.4 million accrued interest in respect of the settlement of prior
year tax liabilities which has not recurred in 2020. In the current year interest payable on mortgages
and  bank  loans  has  increased  by  £3.9  million  due  to  extra  borrowings  drawn  in  the  current  and
second half of the prior year, mainly to fund property acquisitions. 

This year’s fair value movement on financial instruments was a loss of £1.4 million (2019 – £172,000
loss).

Above and opposite
page bottom: Queen’s
Mansions, Muswell
Hill, London N10.
Opposite page top:
Upper Wimpole Street,
London W1. 

As shown in Note 6 to the Financial Statements, the Group tax charge of £13.4 million (2019 – £17.9
million) has been impacted by the cancellation of the planned reduction in the UK corporation tax
rate from 19% to 17% and by increases in certain USA state tax rates.  The combined effect of these
changes  on  our  deferred  tax  balances  has  been  an  increase  of  £27.6  million.  Adjusting  for  these
items, the settlement of historic tax liabilities and prior year tax credits the effective tax rate in the
UK was 15% and in the USA was 26% which is consistent with the statutory rates in each country.

Page 20

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Loss per share
The  Group  recorded  a  loss  per  share  of  £2.92 (2019  – earnings  of  £7.36)  a  decrease  of £10.28
(2019 – £5.09 decrease).

£

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

-2

-4

2016

2017

2018

2019

 2020

The loss per share in the current year principally arose due to the revaluation losses on the Group’s
properties in New York which reduced earnings by £5.74 per share.

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 does not include these valuation
items. Underlying profit before tax for the last two years is set out below:

                                                                                                                            2020               2019
                                                                                                                               £m                  £m

(Loss)/profit before tax per the income statement                                         (33.2)             137.8

Property valuation deficit/(surplus)                                                               90.5               (83.9)

Financial instruments fair value adjustments                                                    1.4                  0.2

Adjustment to measurement of disposal profits                                                 59.9                     –

Underlying profit before tax                                                                        118.6                54.1

This year’s underlying profit before tax of £118.6 million is an increase of £64.5 million or 119% on
the previous year (2019 – £54.1 million, representing a 1.4% decrease).  This strong increase is largely
attributable to the realised gain arising on the sale of the southern part of the Middlesex Street site.

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.

Gearing

Above and opposite
page: Newton Aycliffe
Town Centre, County
Durham.

Gearing,  the  ratio  between  our  loans  and  borrowings  and  the  value  of  our  total  assets,  is 17.8%
(2019 – 15.6%) for the Group as a whole. In the UK the ratio is 7.8% (2019 – 6.4%) whilst in the USA,
where each property is financed separately on a ring-fenced basis, it is 42.0% (2019 – 37.0%).  The
increase  in  the  USA mainly  arose  due  to  the  reduction  in  value  of  our  investment  properties  in
New York.

Page 22

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

Shareholders’ funds

At 31 March 2020 shareholders’ funds amounted to £1,896.0 million, a decrease of 2.3% on last year’s
figure of £1,940.4 million (2019 increase of 7.0%). Shareholders’ funds in recent years have been as
follows:

n
o
i
l
l
i

m
£

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Outlook

The  Chairman’s  Introduction  on  page 2  describes  the  economic  and  political  factors  which  will
affect the Group in the coming year.

In the UK we are facing a deepening economic recession in the coming months as the steps taken
by Government to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic are unwound. It is by no means
clear that the behaviour of the public, so far as concerns the use of retail, leisure and office premises,
will fully return to previous patterns. This may impact on the future demand for and valuation of such
properties.

Until these issues have become clearer we will carefully conserve our financial resources so that we
are well placed to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

The Covid-19 pandemic seems to be at an earlier stage of development in the USA with increased
numbers of infections reported daily. US GDP is forecast to contract over the course of 2020 and it
is not clear as to the extent that this trend will continue into 2021.

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.

In the USA we continue to seek acquisition opportunities in favourable locations mainly outside New
York 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.

Above and opposite
page: Park West,

London W2.  

In the immediate future we are unlikely to experience the rate of growth in net asset value that we
have enjoyed in recent years although a return to growth is anticipated in the longer term.

Page 24

 
DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

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:

■       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

■       Covid-19 secure workplaces and practices are established for all employees. This has involved
enabling working from home where appropriate as well as deep cleaning of offices and the
provision  of  sanitising  materials. Working  practices  have  been  modified  to  maintain  social
distancing wherever possible.

■       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.

Opposite page top:
54 Marsh Wall, Isle of
Dogs, London; middle:
Aldi Supermarket, Diss,
Norfolk; bottom:
Sainsbury’s
Supermarket, Watford,
Herts. Above and left:
Penhaligon House,
Truro, Cornwall.

Page 27

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

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

■       Donations,  largely  to  educational  charities,  which  this  year  amounted  to  £115,500  (2019  –

£158,000)

■       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
£1,083,131 (2019 – £1,052,477) 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

Above, below and
opposite page: Clare
Court, Bloomsbury,
London WC1.

Page 29

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT  continued

scheme  being  undertaken. A  programme  was  started  during  the  year  of  installing  solar  panels  on
suitable buildings.

Section 172(1) statement

The  Directors  have  acted  in  the  way  that  they  considered,  in  good  faith,  would  be  most  likely  to
promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole and in doing so had
regard to the matters set out in Section 172 (1) (a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006.

The  Board  considers  the  Group’s  key  stakeholders  to  be  the  Group’s:  lenders,  shareholders,  staff
provided by management companies, suppliers and tenants. The Board impress the need for an open,
fair, honest and respectful workplace culture on senior management who ensure that all who work
for  the Group  are  aligned  to  these  values. This  enables  the  Group  to  forge  strong  and  mutually
beneficial long term relationships with its key stakeholders, which is critical to the success of the
business and its stated objective of the pursuit of long term, low risk growth in net asset value and
rental  income  as  explained  on  page 5. The  executive  directors  personally  meet  with  many  of  the
Group’s  key  stakeholders  during  the  year  and  it  is  an  important  part  of  the  role  of  senior
management to meet with and foster business relationships with lenders, suppliers, tenants and other
stakeholders. High standards of business conduct are demanded from all those who represent the
Group whether they are members of the Board, staff provided by management companies or third
party advisers, agents or other representatives.

Viability statement

In  accordance  with  Provision  31  of  the  2018  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.

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.

■       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
all of the Group’s current facilities mature during or beyond March 2024. 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 economic and
social  consequences  of  the  current  Covid-19  pandemic. Testing  included assuming  quarterly  rent
cash collection for the following four quarters is the same as has been collected from June 2020 to
August 2020 with administration and operating costs remaining the same in real terms. Headroom on
loan covenants has been stress-tested, the maturities of loan agreements reviewed and a five-year cash
flow forecast produced.

Page 30

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 
3 September 2020

Left and opposite
page: Windsor Court,
Bayswater, London W2.

Page 31

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Change of company name

The Company changed its name from Daejan Holdings plc to Daejan Holdings Limited on 28 May
2020,  following  the  scheme  of  arrangement  and  the  subsequent  delisting  of  its  shares  from  the
London Stock Exchange on 11 May 2020 and approved modifications to constitutional documents
changing the company from a public limited company to a private limited company.

Strategic Report

The Company’s Strategic Report for the year ended 31 March 2020 is set out on pages 5 to 31 and
contains the following information:

■

■

■

■

■

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  loss  for  the  year  amounted  to  £46.6 million  (2019  –  profit  of  £120.0 million). An  interim
dividend of 35p per share was paid on 6 March 2020.

Directors

The Directors who served throughout the year and up to the date of this report, except as noted
were:
Mr B S E Freshwater
Mr S I Freshwater
Mr S B Benaim (resigned 31 May 2020)
Mr D Davis
Mr A M Freshwater
Mr C B Freshwater
Mr R E Freshwater
Mr S Srulowitz (resigned 30 June 2020)

Brief biographies of the Directors are as follows:

Mr B S E Freshwater. Aged 72 – 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 70 – 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 D Davis. Aged 85 – 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 32

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

Mr  A  M  Freshwater.  Aged  49  –  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  48  – 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 50 – 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.

Two other directors served throughout the year:

Mr S B Benaim. Aged 64 – Was appointed to the Board in January 2017 and resigned in May 2020.
He was  an  independent  non-executive  director.  He  was  formerly  Global  Head  of  Real  Estate  at
accountancy firm BDO.

Mr S Srulowitz. Aged 68 – Was appointed to the Board in July 2017 and resigned in June 2020. He was
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 37. 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.

Page 33

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

DIRECTORS’ REPORT  continued

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:

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

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

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

Notes:

Daejan Holdings PLC Ordinary Shares
31 March
31 March
2019
2020

340,033
89,270
–
763
–
–
–
–

340,033
89,270
–
763
–
–
–
–

1.

2.

3.

All  the holdings  shown  in  the  table above 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  (2019  –  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 SE  Freshwater,  Mr  S  I  Freshwater,  their  families  and  family  trusts,  held  at  31  March  2020  a  total  of
7,876,431  shares  (2019  –  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 2020, 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

Page 34

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

In addition, the Company has been notified of the following substantial interests in its issued share
capital at 31 March 2020:

Valand Investments Limited
Silda 2 Limited

Shares
1,000,000
705,000

%
6.1
4.3

On 7 May 2020, the Scheme of Arrangement became effective and Dock Newco Limited, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Centremanor Limited which is controlled by the Freshwater family, acquired
3,346,964 shares in the Company. Dock Newco Limited subsequently acquired a further 400 shares,
taking its total holding to 3,347,364 (20.5% of the issued share capital). The Company is not aware
of any other changes to any of the above interests from 31 March 2020 up to the date of signing this
report.

Corporate Governance

This report combines by reference the Corporate Governance Report on pages 37 to 40.

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 in  certain  circumstances 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
2020, these facilities represented £110.2 million (2019 – £111.3 million) of the loans and borrowings
in the financial statements and undrawn facilities of £30.0 million (2019 – £45.0 million).

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 5 to 31, 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.

The  Group  generated  cash  from  operating  activities  of  £58.4  million  during  the  year  (2019  –
£61.5 million). Gearing, on the basis of gross debt to total assets, was 17.8% (2019 – 15.6%) and net
debt (total loans and borrowings less cash and cash equivalents) increased slightly to £344.7 million
(2019 – £334.9 million). The Group had undrawn committed facilities of £55.5 million at the balance
sheet  date  (2019  –  £85.0 million).  Subsequent  to  the  year  end  and  following  the  Scheme  of
Arrangement, the Group borrowed an additional £225 million.

The Group has undertaken a detailed and robust assessment of its projected future financial position
including  assessing  what  the  Board  considers  a  plausible  worst-case  downside  scenario  which
incorporates  the  expected  potential  impact  on  the  Group  of  the  Covid-19  pandemic. The  Board
considered the potential impact to UK property prices, demand for UK property and the associated
impact on rents and yields. Particular attention was given to the potential impact of an unfavourable

Page 35

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

DIRECTORS’ REPORT  continued

or no Brexit agreement and the possible economic and social consequences of the current Covid-19
pandemic.

The plausible worst-case downside scenario included assuming quarterly rent cash collected for the
following four quarters is the same as has been collected for the quarter ending 30 June 2020 with
administration  and  operating  costs  remaining  the  same  in  real  terms.  Development  costs  and
dividends  were  included  at  the  current  expected  level,  although  as  discretionary  costs  the  Board
have the scope to delay or cancel these if necessary. 

The Board is satisfied that even in the plausible worst-case scenario, the Group will have sufficient
resources to be able to continue to operate and there are no breaches of any of its loan covenants.

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.

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

3 September 2020

Page 36

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Overview

The 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (“the 2018 Code”) was applicable to the Group for the
period from 1 April 2019 to 11 May 2020. The Board uses the Corporate Governance Report to report
on the application of the Principles and of its compliance with the Provisions contained in the 2018
Code.

The Board has long recognised the benefits of strong corporate governance and its link to enhanced
business  performance.  Each  year,  the  Board  reviews  the  extent  to  which  it  is  compliant  with  the
Code and considers any changes which might be necessary in light of developments in the Code and
in the context of the needs of the Group’s business. The Provisions of the 2018 Code that we do not
comply with and the reasons for these are set out in our compliance statement on pages 39 to 40.

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.

During the year and up until the 31 May 2020 the Audit, Nominations and Remuneration Committees
formally  reported  to  the  Board  on  matters  discussed  at,  decisions  made  at  and  any  recommended
actions arising from, meetings of these sub-committees. From 1 June 2020, the principle of a unitary
Board was readopted and the whole Board took responsibility for matters that were previously the
responsibility of these sub-committees.

During the year there were four full formal board meetings each attended by all directors except one
which A M Freshwater was unable to attend.

Directors and Directors’ Independence

During the year the Board comprised 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 32 and 33.  Mr A  M  Freshwater,  Mr  C  B Freshwater  and
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.

Page 37

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT  continued

Financial Reporting

The Board has ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the Group’s financial reporting obligations
and was assisted during the year 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 was 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 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.

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  previously  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.

As the Company is no longer listed, it is not bound by the 2018 Code and so is no longer required to
appoint an alternative auditor for the year commencing 1 April 2021. Nevertheless, in line with good
corporate  governance,  the  Board  are  actively  considering  tender  options  and  expects  to  make  a
decision by no later than mid-2021.

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 was considered by the Audit Committee in detail and reviewed by the Board at regular
intervals.

The Audit Committee and the Board 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.

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DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 met 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.

Compliance Statement

The 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (“the 2018 Code”) became applicable to the Group from
1 April 2019 replacing the 2016 Corporate Governance Code.  The Board considers the Company has
complied throughout the year ended 31 March 2020 with all the provisions of the 2018 Code except
as set out below:

Mr B S E Freshwater performs the role of Chairman and Chief Executive. The Board recognises that
this is not compliant with Provision 9 of the Code which requires these two roles not to be exercised
by  the  same  person,  but  given  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 EFreshwater was not considered independent when he was appointed Chairman in 1980, as
also required by Provision 9 of the 2018 Code and due to his length of service exceeding nine years
the Company is not compliant with Provision 19.

The  Board  does  not  consider  an  external  review  of  the  Board  every  three  years,  as  required  by
Provision 21  would  be  of  much  value  and  so  has  not commissioned a  review.  The  Nominations
Committee considered the composition of the Board during the year and concluded the make-up of
the Board remained appropriate; the directors have substantial property experience and knowledge
and  are  representative  of  the  shareholder  base.  The  Company  further  recognises  that  it  is  not

Page 39

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT  continued

compliant with Provision 13 as the whole Board has responsibility for scrutinising the performance
of management and executive directors.

The  Company  is  not  compliant  with  Provision  12  which  requires  Mr  D  Davis  who  is  the  senior
independent  director  to  be  independent  or  with  Provision 11  which  requires  at  least  half  of  the
Board, excluding the Chairman, to be independent non-executive directors. Similarly, as Mr S Benaim
and Mr S Srulowitz were the only two independent directors during the year and the subsequent
period during which the 2018 Code applied to the Company, the Company was not compliant with
Provision 24 which requires the three members of the Audit Committee to be independent or with
Provision 32 which requires the three members of the Remuneration Committee to be independent.
The  Remuneration  Committee  does  not  monitor  the  remuneration  of  senior  management  which
resulted in the Company not being compliant with Provision 33.

The Board is satisfied that non-compliance with the Provisions described above do not jeopardise
the interests of the Company or its principal stakeholders and that the benefits of the current set-up
enhance business performance and remain appropriate for the foreseeable future.

Page 40

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Period of Operation

The Audit Committee operated throughout the year and up until 31 May 2020. Following the Scheme
of Arrangement  and  the  delisting  of  the  Company’s  shares  from  the  London  Stock  Exchange  on
11 May 2020, the provisions of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code no longer applied to the
Company and there is now no requirement to have an Audit Committee. Instead, from 1 June 2020,
the responsibilities of the Audit Committee have reverted to the Board. In light of the new ownership
structure  of  the  Company,  the  Board  considers  it  vital  that  the  principle  of  a  unitary  Board  of
Directors is not undermined by reserving areas of decision-making solely for non-executive directors
or sub-committees.

Primary role and key responsibilities

The Audit  Committee  operated  within  its  written  terms  of  reference  which  detail  its  duties  and
responsibilities.  The  primary  role  of  the  Committee  was  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 during the year and up to 31 May 2020, 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 24 of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (“the 2018
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 37, in view of his length
of service, Mr Davis is not technically independent and therefore whilst the composition of the Audit
Committee was consistent with the law which requires the majority of members to be independent,
it was not strictly compliant with the 2018 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 2019 full year and
2020 half year announcements and the 2019 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.

Page 41

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT continued

The  Committee  reviewed  the  timing  and  impact  of  adoption  of  new
accounting standards, in particular 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.

Risk management and
internal controls

External auditor

The  Group’s  register  of  risks  (including  emerging  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
appropriateness  and  completeness  of  both  the  register  and  the  internal
controls framework.

the  Committee  on 

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. 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 39.

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.

Further  details  of  the  Group’s  policies  towards  and  relationship  with  the
external auditor are included on page 38.

Page 42

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

Period of Operation

The Nominations Committee operated throughout the year and up until 31 May 2020. Following the
Scheme of Arrangement and the delisting of the Company’s shares from the London Stock Exchange
on 11 May 2020, the provisions of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code no longer applied to
the  Company  and  there  is  now  no  requirement  to  have  a  Nominations  Committee.  Instead,  from
1 June 2020, the responsibilities of the Nominations Committee have reverted to the Board. In light
of the new ownership structure of the Company, the Board considers it vital that the principle of a
unitary Board of Directors is not undermined by reserving areas of decision-making solely for non-
executive directors or sub-committees.

Primary role and key responsibilities

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

The  Board  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 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 during the year and up to 31 May 2020, 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

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.

Page 43

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPOR T 

Period of Operation

The Remuneration Committee operated throughout the year and up until 31 May 2020. Following the
Scheme of Arrangement and the delisting of the Company’s shares from the London Stock Exchange
on 11 May 2020, the provisions of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code no longer applied to the
Company and there is now no requirement to have a Remuneration Committee. Instead, from 1 June
2020, the responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee have reverted to the Board with Mr DDavis,
who  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  having  responsibility  for  recommending  executive  directors’
remuneration. In light of the new ownership structure of the Company, the Board considers it vital that
the principle of a unitary Board of Directors is not undermined by reserving areas of decision-making
solely for non-executive directors or sub-committees.

Primary role and key responsibilities

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

Membership, meetings and attendance

The members of the Remuneration Committee during the year and up to 31 May 2020, 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 45 to 47 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:

■

■

■

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

Page 44

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

■

■

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

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  directly  aligned  their
interests with other shareholders.

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:

■

■

■

■

■

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.

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.

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

Page 45

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT continued

2010. Mr S B Benaim and Mr S Srulowitz were appointed in 2017 and resigned on 31 May 2020 and
30 June 2020 respectively. Mr C B Freshwater was also appointed in 2017.  They are all remunerated
by  a  fixed  Director’s  fee.  Mr  S  B  Benaim  received  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
£

1,300,000
1,300,000
35,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
2,735,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

– 1,300,000
– 1,300,000
35,000
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
20,000
–
– 2,735,000

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

2020

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

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

Changes in the year
Mr D Davis is the senior non-executive Director and has responsibility for recommending executive
Directors’ remuneration which is subsequently approved by the full Board.

Page 46

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 (2019 – £50,000), equivalent to 4% (2019 – 4.2%). The increases in 2019 was
agreed at a meeting of the Remuneration Committee and the current year increase was agreed by
the Board following a recommendation from Mr D Davis.

The total staff costs borne by the Group under its arrangements with its management companies in
the UK decreased by 0.3% (2019 – increase of 3.1%) with the cost of annual salary increases being
more  than offset  by  a  reduction  in  average  staff  numbers and  lower  pension  contributions. 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 received 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

7,516
7,538

% of total

27.3
28.0

Directors’
remuneration

Dividends to
shareholders

£000

2,735
2,625

% of total

£000

% of total

9.9
9.7

17,273
16,784

62.8
62.3

2020
2019

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 page 34.

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

13,254,988
895,621

93.7%
6.3%

Page 47

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 2010) 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 was a constituent of
both these indices until its delisting on 11 May 2020 and the Board considers these to be the most
appropriate broad market equity indices for illustrating the Company’s relative performance.

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

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

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

By order of the Board

D Davis

3 September 2020

Page 48

£

740,000
770,000
820,000
870,000
1,000,000
1,100,000
1,150,000
1,200,000
1,250,000
1,300,000

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 have elected 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  the  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: 

■

■

■

■

■

■

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. 

The  directors  have  decided  to  prepare  voluntarily  a  Corporate  Governance  Statement  as  if  the
company  were  required  to  comply  with  the  Listing  Rules  and  the  Disclosure  Guidance  and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to those matters. 

Under  applicable  law  and  regulations,  the  directors  are  also  responsible  for  preparing  a  Strategic
Report, a Directors’ Report and a Directors’ Remuneration Report 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 49

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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: 

■

■

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

3 September 2020

Page 50

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 Ltd (“the Company”) for the year ended
31  March  2020,  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: 

■

■

■

■

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 2020 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended; 

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

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

Emphasis of matter – uncertain valuation of UK investment property

2.
We draw attention to note 9 to the financial statements which states that the independent external
valuations of the UK investment properties at the reporting date are reported on the basis of ‘material
valuation  uncertainty’  due  to  the  potential  economic  effect  of  the  coronavirus  pandemic.
Consequently,  more  subjectivity  is  associated  with  the  valuation  of  UK  investment  property  than
would normally be the case. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

We identified the valuation of investment property as a key audit matter (see section 3 of this report).

Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement 

3.
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in
the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  and  include  the  most  significant  assessed  risks  of  material
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including those which had the greatest
effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts
of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion
on these matters. In arriving at our audit opinion above, the key audit matters, in decreasing order of
audit significance, were as follows:

Page 51

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

The Risk

Our Response

Subjective valuation 

Our procedures included:

Investment  properties  represent  91.6%  (2019:
91.5%) 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.

Included in the independent external valuation
of the UK investment properties as at 31 March
2020 is a “material valuation uncertainty” due to
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as per VPGA 10
of the RICS Valuation - Global Standards.

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  possibly  many  times  that
amount.

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
significant
valuation 
unobservable inputs employed in the valuation.

techniques 

and 

Valuation of
investment
property (Group)

(Group:
£2,524.3 million;
2019:
£2,532.5 million)

Refer to page 66
(Significant
accounting policies)
and pages 74-78
(Notes to the
consolidated
financial
statements).

Page 52

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

Going concern

Disclosure quality

Our procedures included:

Refer to pages 30-31
(Going concern and
Viability Statement)
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.

Funding assessment: We analysed the Group’s
financing  terms  and  considering  directors’
forecasts and assumptions for ongoing covenant
compliance and available headroom;

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.

Given the significant impact of the coronavirus
pandemic,  the  risks  most  likely  to  adversely
affect 
financial
resources over this period were: 

the  Company’s  available 

■ tenant  default  and  significant  reduction  in
rent  collections  impacting  cash  flow  and
earnings;

■ availability  of  borrowings  and  compliance

with loan covenants; and

■ significant reduction in property values.

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.

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  severe  but  adverse
effects  that  could  arise  from  these  risks
individually and collectively such as increase in
interest  rates  of  borrowings,  decrease 
in
occupancy rates and fall in real estate prices and
a  gradual  recovery  in  relation  to  these  factors
following 
the
coronavirus pandemic;

lockdown  as  a  result  of 

COVID-19  knowledge:  Considering 
the
Director’s  assessment  of  COVID-19  related
sources  of  risk  for  the  Group’s  business  and
financial  resources  compared  with  our  own
understanding  of  the  risks.  This  included
assessing  the  possibility  of  tenant  default  and
the  impact  on  rent  collections  for  cash  flow
purposes,  the  ability  of  the  Group  to  comply
with  the  loan  covenants  and  the  significant
reduction in property values;

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.

Page 53

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

Unprecedented levels of uncertainty

and 

assess 

audits 

challenge 

the
All 
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 

forecasts,  we  compared 

Sensitivity  analysis:  When  addressing
valuation of investment property, disclosures in
relation  to  going  concern  and  other  areas  that
depend  on 
the
directors’  analysis  to  our  assessment  of  the  full
range of reasonably possible scenarios resulting
from Brexit uncertainty and, where forecast cash
flows are required to be discounted, considered
adjustments  to  discount  rates  for  the  level  of
remaining uncertainty.

Assessing  transparency:  As  well  as  assessing
individual disclosures as part of our procedures
on  valuation  of  investment  property  and
disclosures  in  relation  to  going  concern  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
Introduction), page 6
(Viability Statement)
and page 30
(Principal Risks and
Uncertainties).

Page 54

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

Recoverability of
investment in
subsidiary
undertakings
(Company)

(Parent:
£1,243.6 million;
2019:
£1,279.9 million)

Refer to page 94
(Accounting policies).

Low risk, high value

Our procedures included:

The  carrying  amount  of  the  parent  Company’s
investments  in  subsidiaries  (including  both
equity  investments  and  loans  to  subsidiary
undertakings) represents 96.2% (2019: 99.7%) 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.

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.

Page 55

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

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

4.
Materiality  for  the  Group  financial  statements  as  a  whole  was  set  at  £55.1  million  (2019:
£26.4 million), determined with reference to a benchmark of total assets, of which it represents 2.0%
(2019: 1.0%).

Materiality for the parent Company financial statements as a whole was set at £27.0 million (2019:
£13.5  million),  determined  with  reference  to  a  benchmark  of  Company  gross  assets,  of  which  it
represents 2.0% (2019: 1.0%).

We  agreed  to  report  to those  charged  with  governance any  corrected  or  uncorrected  identified
misstatements exceeding £2.8 million (Group) (2019: £1.3 million) or £1.4 million (parent Company)
(2019:  £0.7  million),  in  addition  to  other  identified  misstatements  that  warranted  reporting  on
qualitative grounds.

As the Company delisted from the London Stock Exchange on 11 May 2020, and all public shares
were  purchased  by  the  exisitng  majority  shareholder,  the  materiality  levels  set  were  revised  from
those  set  at  the  planning  stage  (from  representing  1.0%  of  total  assets,  as  in  2019)  to  reflect  the
concentration in ownership.

Group total assets
£2,756.6 million (2019: £2,766.5 million)

Group materiality
£55.1 million (2019: £26.4 million)

£55.1 million
Whole financial statements materiality
(2019: £26.4 million)

£37 million
Range of materiality at 50 components
(£37 million to £2,090)
(2019: £1.9 million to £2,816)

Group total assets
Group materiality

£2.8 million
Misstatements reported to those charged 
with governance (2019: £1.3 million)

Of the group’s 50 (2019: 50) reporting components, we subjected 50 (2019: 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%

(2019 100%)

100

100

100%

(2019 100%)

100

100

100%

(2019 100%)

100

100

Full scope for group audit purposes 2020

Full scope for group audit purposes 2019

Page 56

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

The Group team approved the component materialities, which ranged from £2,090 to £37m (2019:
£2,816  to  £1.9m),  having  regard  to  the  mix  of  size  and  risk  profile  of  the  Group  across  the
components.

The  work  on  1  of  the  50  components  (2019:  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  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 Group team obtained an understanding of the component audited by the component auditor to
assess the audit risk and strategy. On completion of the component auditor’s procedures, 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 3 of this report). Based on the work
described  in  our  response  to  that  key  audit  matter,  we  are  required  to  report  to  you  if  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.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

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

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

Page 57

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued

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

■

■

■

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

in our opinion the information given in those reports for the financial year is consistent with
the financial statements; and 

in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

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 emerging and 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: 

■

■

■

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

the  Principal  Risks  and  Uncertainties  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. 

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:

■

■

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 

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 have nothing to report in these respects. 

Page 58

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

6. We have nothing to report on the other matters on which we are required to report

by exception 

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

■

■

■

■

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

the parent Company financial statements 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 49, the Directors are responsible for: the
preparation of the financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view;
such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements
that  are  free  from  material  misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error;  assessing  the  Group  and
parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to
going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate
the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

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

fuller  description  of  our  responsibilities 

A 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

is  provided  on 

the  FRC’s  website  at

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

3 September 2020

Page 59

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 March 2020

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 (losses)/gains on investment property

Administrative expenses

Net operating (loss)/profit before net financing costs

Fair value losses on derivative financial instruments

Fair value losses on current investments

Other financial income

Financial expenses

Net financing expense

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Income tax

(Loss)/profit for the year

Attributable to: 
Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interest

(Loss)/profit for the year

2

3

9

4

5

5

6

Year ended
31 March
2020
£000

Year ended
31 March
2019
£000

151,641

14,502

142,364

13,797

166,143

(91,094)

156,161

(79,580)

75,049

15,775

(90,494)

(14,254)

76,581

12,203

83,928

(13,904)

(13,924)

158,808

(1,335)

(21)

1,929

(167)

(5)

1,048

(19,800)

(21,852)

(19,227)

(20,976)

(33,151)

(13,441)

137,832

(17,853)

(46,592)

119,979

(47,626)

119,893

1,034

86

(46,592)

119,979

Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share

7

£(2.92)

£7.36

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

Page 60

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 31 March 2020

(Loss)/profit for the year

Foreign exchange translation differences

Year ended
31 March
2020
£000

(46,592)

20,568

Year ended
31 March
2019
£000

119,979

24,350

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

(26,024)

144,329

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interest

(27,118)

144,236

1,094

93

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

(26,024)

144,329

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 2020

Balance at 1 April 2018

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

31,384

1,776,889

1,812,902

–

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 1 April 2019

4,074 

555 

55,727 

1,879,998 

1,940,354 

167 

1,940,521 

(Loss)/profit for the year

Foreign exchange translation 

differences

Distributions to non-controlling 

interests

Dividends to Equity Shareholders

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(47,626)

(47,626)

1,034 

(46,592)

20,508 

60 

20,568 

20,508 

–

–

–

–

(17,273)

(17,273)

–

(56)

–

(56)

(17,273)

Balance at 31 March 2020

4,074 

555 

76,235  1,815,099

1,895,963

1,205  1,897,168

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

Page 61

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

as at 31 March 2020

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
Lease obligations payable

Total non-current liabilities

Loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current taxation

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Notes

31 March
2020
£000

31 March
2019
£000

9
10

2,524,260
506

2,532,518
226

11

12
13

14

16
10

16
15

2,524,766

2,532,744

76,976
130
146,275
8,450

66,716
151
95,895
70,997

231,831

233,759

2,756,597

2,766,503

4,074
555
76,235
1,815,099

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

1,895,963
1,205

1,940,354
167

1,897,168

1,940,521

469,188
297,642
8,328

418,069
293,431
–

775,158

711,500

21,739
61,332
1,200

12,685
58,677
43,120

84,271

114,482

859,429

825,982

Total equity and liabilities

2,756,597

2,766,503

The financial statements on pages 60 to 91 were approved by the Board of Directors on 3 September
2020 and were signed on its behalf by:

B S EFreshwater

Director

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

Page 62

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

for the year ended 31 March 2020

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

Interest received

Interest paid

Tax paid

Net cash (used in)/generated from

operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition and development of

Year ended
31 March
2019
£000

Year ended
31 March
2020
£000

£000

58,435

1,929

(26,024)

(58,563)

£000

61,506

1,048

(15,486)

(8,855)

(24,223)

38,213

investment property

(47,636)

(108,463)

Proceeds from sale of investment

property

91,899

16,098

Net cash generated from/(absorbed by)

investing activities

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

44,263

(92,365)

(2,135)

30,000

(36,150)

52,469

(17,273)

(56)

(59,603)

60,000

(40,063)

102,814

(16,784)

(17)

Net cash generated from financing activities

26,855

46,347

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 

cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents brought forward

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on

cash held

46,895

95,895

3,485

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 12)

146,275

(7,805)

98,752

4,948

95,895

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

Page 63

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.

Significant Accounting Policies

Daejan  Holdings Limited (formerly  Daejan  Holdings  PLC)  is  a  company  domiciled  in  the  United
Kingdom. The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2020
comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as “the Group”).

The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issuance on 3September 2020.

(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 undertaken a detailed and robust assessment of its projected future financial position
including  assessing  what  the  Board  considers  a  plausible  worst-case  downside  scenario  which
incorporates  the  expected  potential  impact  on  the  Group  of  the  Covid-19  pandemic. The  Board
considered the potential impact to UK property prices, demand for UK property and the associated
impact on rents and yields. Particular attention was given to the potential impact of an unfavourable
or no Brexit agreement and the possible economic and social consequences of the current Covid-19
pandemic.

The plausible worst-case downside scenario included assuming quarterly rent cash collected for the
following  four  quarters  is  the  same  as  has  been  collected from  June  2020  to August 2020  with
administration  and  operating  costs  remaining  the  same  in  real  terms.  Development  costs  and
dividends  were  included  at  the  current  expected  level,  although  as  discretionary  costs  the  Board
have the scope to delay or cancel these if necessary. 

The Board is satisfied that even in the plausible worst-case scenario, the Group will have sufficient
resources to be able to continue to operate and there are no breaches of any of its loan covenants.

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.

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 71.

Page 64

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 Group has applied the following new accounting standards and interpretations during the year:

•
•
•
•

IFRS 16 Leases
IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over income tax treatments
Amendments to IFRS 9 Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation
Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle

The Group adopted IFRS 16 Leases on 1 April 2019 using the modified retrospective approach.  There
have been no changes to the accounting policies where the Group is a lessor.  Where the Group is a
lessee, a right of use asset and lease liability are recognised.  The lease liability and corresponding
right of use asset, which is included in investment property, of £8,401,000 recognised at 1 April 2019
represents the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments. Prior year figures presented
under IAS 17 Leases have not been restated. Further detail and analysis of the amount recognised is
shown in Note 9 on page 74.

The adoption of the other new accounting standards and interpretations did not have an impact on
the consolidated financial statements.

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:

•
•
•
•

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 Definition of Material
Amendments to IAS 1 Classification of liabilities as current or non-current
Amendments to IFRS 3 Definition of a Business
Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards

The  adoption  of  the  above Amendments  are  not  expected  to  lead  to  any  changes  to  the  Group’s
accounting policies or have any other material impact on the financial position or performance of
the Group.

(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.

Page 65

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

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

(g) Derivative financial instruments

Year end

Average

2020

1.24

2019

1.30

2020

1.27

2019

1.31

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 one property
which is classified as a current asset 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.

The Group’s interest in some of its investment properties are in the form of a long lease as opposed
to freehold ownership. Following the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases, the Group recognises as liabilities
amounts  payable  under  head  leases  and  a  corresponding  right  of  use  asset,  which  is  included  in
investment property.  These leased investment properties are initially recorded at the present value
of the remaining lease payments and are then subsequently carried at fair value. In calculating the
present  value  of  lease  payments,  the  Group  uses  the  incremental  borrowing  rate  at  the  lease
commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. Leases held
at the date of transition were discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing cost at that date.

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.

Page 66

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

(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.

(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, service charges and other property related income 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

Page 67

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

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.

(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.

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.

(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 LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

(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 to68. 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 the accounting policy that management
considers particularly significant because of the level of complexity and estimation involved in its
application and its impact on the consolidated financial statements.

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.

Page 69

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 2020

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

UK

£000

103,013 
(55,871)
16,253 
3,005 
(12,631)
53,769
(1,356)
699 
(6,295)
46,817
(27,054)
19,763
41,586 

USA Eliminations

£000

63,130 
(35,223)
(478)
(93,499)
(1,623)
(67,693)
–
1,419 
(13,694)
(79,968)
13,613
(66,355)
6,303 

£000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(189)
189 
–
–
–
–

Total

£000

166,143 
(91,094)
15,775
(90,494)
(14,254)
(13,924)
(1,356)
1,929 
(19,800)
(33,151)
(13,441)
(46,592)
47,889 

Investment property
Other assets
Total segment assets
Total segment liabilities

1,826,641 
121,192
1,947,833
(403,569)

697,619 
123,722
821,341
(468,437)

–
(12,577)
(12,577)
12,577 

2,524,260 
232,337
2,756,597
(859,429)

Capital employed

1,544,264

352,904 

–

1,897,168

Page 70

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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

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

2020

£000

41,552
5,909
25,057
18,576

2019
£000

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

91,094

79,580

Of  the  property  operating  expenses  shown  above,  an  amount  of £1,256,000 (2019  – £871,000)
related to properties which generated no income during the year.

Page 71

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

4.

Administrative Expenses

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

2020

£000

7,516
2,735
950
3,053

2019
£000

7,538
2,625
888
2,853

14,254

13,904

Auditor’s remuneration:

For  the  year,  the  fees  payable  to  KPMG LLP  were  £31,000 (2019  –  £31,000) for  the  audit  of  the
Company and £499,000 (2019 – £442,000) for the audit of the Group’s subsidiaries, together with
£Nil (2019 – £Nil) for audit related assurance services and £Nil (2019 – £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 203 (2019 – 207). The average number of full
time equivalents whose staff costs were borne by the Group during the year was 146 (2019 – 149).
The aggregate staff cost of these persons is shown above and can be analysed as follows:

Salaries
NI contributions
Pensions

2020

£000

6,066
650
800

2019
£000

5,950
640
948

7,516

7,538

In  addition  the  property  and  administrative  management  companies  provide,  under  agency
arrangements,  staff  to  perform  various  caretaking  roles.  Those  costs  totalling  £1,063,000
(2019 – £1,053,000)  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

2020

£000

59
1,870

2019
£000

73
975

1,929

1,048

3,744
15,483
563
10

4,529
10,784
6,400
139

19,800

21,852

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 – increase/(reduction) in future tax rate

Total deferred tax

Total tax charge

Reconciliation of tax expense
Profit before taxation

Corporation tax at the standard UK rate of 19% (2019 – 19%)
Increase/(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

2020

£000

2019
£000

14,821
(243)

8,336
(5,118)

14,578

3,218

1,316

1,500

15,894

4,718

(30,095)
27,642

21,878
(8,743)

(2,453)

13,135

13,441

17,853

(33,151) 137,832

(6,299)
27,642
(243)
(6,926)
(1,716)
681
302

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

13,441

17,853

In March 2020 it was announced that the planned reduction in the UK corporation tax rate from 19%
to 17% on 1 April 2020 would not take place. In the USA changes to certain USA state taxes meant
the rate of tax our USA results are subject to increased to 28% (2019 – 26%). Both these increases in
tax rates have meant we have had to recalculate our deferred tax balances which has increased these
liabilities by £20,102,000 in the UK and £7,540,000 in the USA.

The  Group’s  effective  tax  rate  for  the  current  year  was  41%  (2019  –  13%). As  detailed  above  the
recalculation of the deferred tax liabilities due to tax rate changes has increased the tax charge by
£27,642,000 (2019 – reduced by £8,743,000). Removing these amounts and prior year tax credits
(2020 – £243,000; 2019 – £5,118,000) our effective tax rate in the UK was 15% and in the USA was
26% consistent with the statutory rates in each country.

In  November  2019  the  Group  signed  a  settlement  agreement  with  HMRC  relating  to  the
interpretation  of  tax  legislation  regarding  historical  financing  arrangements.  An  amount  of
£36,438,000 plus interest was paid to HMRC to settle these historic tax liabilities.  The amount paid
was in line with the provision made in the prior year.

Page 73

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

7.

Earnings per Share

Earnings  per  share  is  calculated  on  the loss,  after  taxation  and non-controlling  interests,  of
£47,626,000 (2019 – earnings of £119,893,000) and the weighted average shares in issue during the
year of 16,295,357 (2019 – 16,295,357).

8.

Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
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

Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2019, 

paid 1 November 2019 @ 71p per share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020, 

paid 6 March 2020 @ 35p per share

9.

Investment Property

Long

Short

Freehold leasehold leasehold
£000

£000

£000

2020

£000

2019
£000

–

–

11,081

5,703

11,570

5,703

–

–

17,273

16,784

Total

2020

£000

Total

2019
£000

Balance at 1 April
Gross up of head lease liability

2,134,789 372,830
4,752
–

24,899 2,532,518 2,373,184
–
8,401

3,649

Adjusted opening balance
Disposals
New acquisitions
Additions to existing properties
Revaluation (recognised in 

profit)

Transfer to properties held for sale
Reclassification
Foreign exchange movements 

(recognised in other 
comprehensive income)

2,134,789 377,582
(2,272)
990
971

(2,405)
28,828
17,100

28,548 2,540,919 2,373,184
(4,339)
(4,677)
77,477
29,818
28,025
18,071

–
–
–

(129,366) 40,301
(8,450)
2,510

–
(2,097)

(1,429)
–
(413)

(90,494)
(8,450)
–

83,928
(70,997)
–

34,466

4,607

–

39,073

45,240

Balance at 31 March

2,081,315 416,239

26,706 2,524,260 2,532,518

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 2020.The aggregate amount of £1,843.8 million (2019 – £1,804.2 million) is based on open
market  values,  assessed  in  accordance  with  the  RICS  Valuation  – Current  Global  Standards
(incorporating the International Valuation Standards). The Group’s USA investment properties were
also independently professionally valued at 31 March 2020 by Metropolitan Valuation Services, Inc.,
a  USA  Certified  General  Real  Estate Appraisers. The  aggregate  amount  of  £701.6 million  (2019 –
£750.5 million)  is  based  on  open  market  values,  assessed  in  accordance  with  the  Standards  of

Page 74

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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  £21.2 million  (2019 – £22.1 million),  relating  to  lease  incentives  included  in Trade  and  other
receivables and increased by an amount of £8.4 million (2019 – £Nil) relating to lease obligations.

As explained in Note1(u), 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.

The  report  of  the  UK  valuer  on  property  valuations  as  at  31  March  2020  included  the  following
material valuation uncertainty clause due to the Covid-19 pandemic:

“The  outbreak  of  Novel  Coronavirus  (Covid-19),  declared  by  the World  Health  Organisation  as  a
“Global Pandemic” on 11 March 2020 has impacted global financial markets.Travel restrictions have
been  implemented  by  many  countries. Market  activity  is  being  impacted  in  many  sectors. At  the
valuation  date,  we  consider  that  we  can  attach  less  weight  to  previous  market  evidence  for
comparison purposes to inform opinions of value.The current response to Covid-19 means that we
are faced with an unprecedented set of circumstances on which to base a judgement. Our valuation
is therefore reported on the basis of ‘material valuation uncertainty’ as per VPS 3 and VPGA 10 of the
RICS  Red  Book  Global. Consequently,  less  certainty  –  and  a  higher  degree  of  caution  –  should  be
attached to our valuation than would normally be the case. Given the unknown future impact that
Covid-19 might have on the real estate market, we recommend that you keep the valuation of the
properties in this portfolio under frequent review.”

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 2020 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 (2019 – £8.8 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.
Rent  regulation  laws  in  New York  state came  into  effect  on  1 July  2019 depressing New York
residential values substantially. Average capitalisation rates increased from 3.4% to 5.2%.

Page 75

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

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.

2020

UK Commercial

Office Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Retail Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Industrial Units

All UK

Fair Value 
£000

Rental value £ per sq ft
High
Low Average

Equivalent Yield %
High

Low Average

297,195
36,556
9,797

254,988
129,197
20,728

7.8
2.0
3.2

6.4
0.2
2.1

59.2
13.6
11.2

26.2
20.0
9.5

81.2
47.2
17.0

75.1
60.1
26.0

4.8% 12.4%
3.3%
2.6%
8.6% 48.1%
7.5% 11.7% 18.1%

6.8% 15.4%
1.0%
2.2%
8.2% 21.4%
6.0% 11.0% 16.2%

47,513

2.0

9.3

29.5

5.3% 10.9% 27.3%

Leisure and Service Units

All UK

213,560

4.4

20.2

42.4

4.8%

6.2% 14.5%

Land and Development

All UK

1,563

–

–

–

Total UK Commercial

1,011,097

UK Residential

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Total UK Residential

Total UK

USA Commercial

Massachusetts, Philadelphia 

741,498
87,343
3,847

832,688

1,843,785

Sales value £ per sq ft
1,543
831
316
505
315
133
241
182
105

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

Rental value £ per sq ft

Capitalisation rate %

and New Jersey

107,768

9.0

29.6

34.1

5.0%

5.2%

6.5%

Total USA Commercial

107,768

USA Residential Apartments

New York City
Florida
Other States

165,202
212,390
120,029

Rental value £ per sq ft
28.6
11.9
8.8
13.2
10.6
7.7
15.3
12.3
10.7

Capitalisation rate %
5.5%
6.0%
5.5%

5.2%
5.5%
5.3%

3.8%
5.3%
4.8%

New York City – unsold 

co-operative

Total USA Residential

Total USA

Total Group

Less lease incentives

96,249

3.5

13.9

63.5

8.0%

Discount rate %
9.5% 12.0%

593,870

701,638

2,545,423

(21,163)

2,524,260

Page 76

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

2019

UK Commercial

Office Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Retail Units

Greater London
UK – South
UK – North

Industrial Units

All UK

Fair Value 
£000

Rental value £ per sq ft
High
Low Average

Equivalent Yield %
High

Low Average

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 77

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

The present value of future minimum lease payments in relation to leasehold investment properties
is £8.4 million at 31 March 2020 (2019 restated – £8.4 million). In determining the present value, the
Group used the estimated incremental borrowing cost at the date of transition as the discount rate.
In accordance with the accounting policy described in Note 1(h) following the introduction of IFRS
16 Leases, this has been recognised in the current year. Prior year figures have not been adjusted.

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

2020

2019 (restated)

Present

Minimum

Interest

lease

on lease

value Minimum
lease

of lease

Interest

Present

value

on lease

of lease

payments

payments liabilities

£000

£000

£000

payments payments
£000

£000

liabilities
£000

Due within one year 
539
Due within two to five years 
2,157
Due after more than five years  43,205

(501)
(1,983)
(35,051)

38
174
8,154

541
2,158
43,744

(504)
(1,994)
(35,544)

37
164
8,200

45,901

(37,535)

8,366

46,443

(38,042)

8,401

Capital commitments, arising from contractual obligations not yet invoiced or paid, for the purchase,
construction, development or enhancement of investment properties, amounted to £7.9 million at
31 March 2020 (2019 – £8.9 million).

10. Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

2020

2019

Assets

Liabilities

£000

£000

Net

£000

Assets Liabilities
£000
£000

Net
£000

Investment property
Accelerated tax depreciation
Financial instruments

–
–
506

(265,918) (265,918)
(31,724) (31,724)
506

–

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

(24,394)
–

506

(297,642) (297,136)

226 (293,431) (293,205)

The movement in deferred tax is as follows:

Accelerated

tax Financial

Investment

depreci-

instru-

property

£000

ation

£000

ments

£000

Total

2020

£000

Total

2019
£000

Balance at 1 April
Recognised in income
Foreign exchange movements

(269,037) (24,394)
(6,314)
(1,016)

8,487
(5,368)

226 (293,205)
2,453
280
(6,384)
–

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

Balance at 31 March

(265,918) (31,724)

506 (297,136)

(293,205)

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DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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
Corporation tax recoverable

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

2020

£000

42,592
3,915
27,836
468
2,165

2019
£000

37,927
4,722
23,574
493
–

76,976

66,716

2020

£000

31,679
9,059
2,362
3,720
7,531

2019
£000

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

54,351
(7,844)

50,321
(7,672)

46,507

42,649

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

2020

£000

2019
£000

7,672
(1,319)
1,491

8,228
(1,144)
588

7,844

7,672

2020
£000

2019
£000

146,056
219

80,477
15,418

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

146,275

95,895

Included within bank balances are tenants’ deposits of £4,489,000 (2019 – £4,989,000) in the UK and
£3,109,000 (2019 – £2,803,000) in the USA, which cannot be used in the ordinary course of business.

Page 79

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

13.

Properties held for sale

During the year, the Group entered into an unconditional contract to sell a property in Birmingham.
The sale is due to complete before the end of the calendar year and so, in accordance with IFRS 5
Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations, the property is treated as held for
sale at 31 March 2020. Properties treated as held for sale at 31 March 2019 were duly sold during the
current year.

Properties held for sale are recorded at their fair value of £8.45 million (2019 – £71.0 million).  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

2020
£000

2019
£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

2020
£000

26,080
32,589
2,663

2019
£000

22,233
35,116
1,328

61,332

58,677

2020
£000

2019
£000

349,635
119,553

326,627
91,442

469,188

418,069

20,312
1,427

11,011
1,674

21,739

12,685

369,947
120,980

337,638
93,116

490,927

430,754

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DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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

2020

Bank loans
£000

Mortgages
£000

1,427
1,629
117,924
–

20,312
11,437
19,344
318,854

Total
£000

21,739
13,066
137,268
318,854

2019
Total
£000

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

120,980

369,947

490,927

430,754

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

2020
Fixed Floating
£000
£000

Total
£000

Fixed
£000

2019
Floating
£000

Total
£000

Sterling
US Dollar

60,245
339,702

90,980 151,225
– 339,702

61,278
297,587

63,115
8,774

124,393
306,361

399,947

90,980 490,927

358,865

71,889

430,754

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

2020
£000

2019
£000

129,924
111,859
50,794
47,125
13,403
7,042
9,800

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

369,947

328,865

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

2020
%

3.69
3.83

2019
%

3.72
3.87

2020
Years

10.1
8.4

2019
Years

11.1
8.6

Page 81

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

17.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

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

2020

2019

Current asset investments

Current assets at fair value through 

profit or loss

Carrying
amount
£000

130

130

Financing
income/
(expense)
£000

(21)

(21)

Derivative financial instruments

(2,663)

(1,335)

Current liabilities at fair value

(2,663)

(1,335)

Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Current assets at amortised cost

Trade and other payables
Lease obligations payable
Floating rate loans and borrowings
Fixed rate loans and borrowings

Current and non-current liabilities at

76,976
146,275

223,251

(58,669)
(8,328)
(120,980)
(369,947)

1,870
59

1,929

Carrying
amount
£000

151

151

(1,328)

(1,328)

66,716
95,895

Financing
income/
(expense)
£000

(5)

(5)

(167)

(167)

975
73

162,611

1,048

(10)
(21)
(3,744)
(15,462)

(57,349)
–
(101,889)
(328,865)

(139)
–
(4,263)
(11,050)

amortised cost

(557,924)

(19,237)

(488,103)

(15,452)

Total financial instruments

(337,206)

(18,664)

(326,669)

(14,576)

The finance expense of £1,335,000 (2019 – £167,000) relating to derivative financial instruments is
stated net of £66,000 income (2019 – £23,000) 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 £425,101,000 (2019 – £353,976,000). 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 LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 2020, gearing was
17.8%  (2019  – 15.6%) (see  note 23). Cash  and  short-term  deposits  at  31 March  2020  were
£146.3 million  (2019  – £95.9 million)  and  £21.7 million  of  loans  and  borrowings  were  repayable
within  one  year  (2019  –  £12.7 million). In  addition,  at  the  same  date,  the  Group  had  undrawn
committed facilities of £55.0 million (2019 – £85.0 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 2020 was as follows:

Bank loans
Mortgages
Interest
Interest rate swaps
Trade and other payables

Carrying
amount
£000
120,980
369,947
–
2,663
58,669

2020

Aggregate
undiscounted

Due
within

Due
within

cash flows one year 1-2 years 2-5 years
£000
1,629 117,924

£000

£000
120,980
369,947
125,756
2,254
58,669

£000
1,427
20,312
17,687
268
58,669

11,437
16,827
268
–

Due Due after
within more than
5 years
£000
–
19,344 318,854
48,155
43,087
915
803
–
–

552,259

677,606

98,363

30,161 181,158 367,924

Aggregate
undiscounted
cash flows
£000
93,116
337,638
121,032
2,165
57,349

2019

Due
within
one year
£000
1,674
11,011
15,829
229
57,349

Due
within
1-2 years
£000
1,674
28,140
15,276
229
–

Due Due after
within more than
5 years
£000
–
275,086
49,239
1,020
–

2-5 years
£000
89,768
23,401
40,688
687
–

611,300

86,092

45,319

154,544

325,345

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

489,431

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 LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 £0.9 million per annum, on the basis of the floating
rate debt outstanding at 31 March 2020, 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
2020 of £2.5 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

2020

%
–
1.6

2019
%
–
1.6

Maturing within one year
Maturing after five years

Foreign exchange rates

Notional principal
2020

£000
–
30,000

2019
£000
–
30,000

Fair value

2020

£000
–
2,663

2019
£000
–
1,328

30,000

30,000

2,663

1,328

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 £32.3 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 LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 2020, the aggregate net amounts due to the Group from Highdorn and FPM
was £4.0 million (2019 – £0.5 million due from the Group to 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

2020

£000

2019
£000

2,285
4,537
(4,312)

2,511
4,898
(5,124)

2,510

2,285

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
£1,083,131 (2019  – £1,052,477).  The  Directors’  interests  in  the  Company  and  the  principal
shareholders are described on pages 34 and 35. The Board considers that the Directors are the key
management personnel of the Group and their remuneration is disclosed on page 46.

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 (2019 – £Nil).

Page 86

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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

2020

£000

2019
£000

66,682
57,186
145,741
377,516

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

647,125

604,594

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

2020

£000

2019
£000

(13,924) 158,808

90,494
(15,775)
–

(83,928)
(12,203)
2

Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital

60,795

62,679

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)

(8,907)
6,547

(2,982)
1,809

(2,360)

(1,173)

58,435

61,506

2020

£000

2019
£000

430,754
(2,135)
30,000
(36,150)
52,469
15,989

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

490,927

430,754

Page 87

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued 

22.

Subsidiary Undertakings

At 31 March 2020, except where indicated, the following were indirect subsidiaries of the Company,
where  the  Company’s  direct  and  indirect  interest  is  in  ordinary  shares. All were wholly  owned,
except as indicated 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 LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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
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.

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)

* 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.

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

Underlying profit before tax

2020
£000

2019
£000

(33,151) 137,832
(83,928)
90,494
172
1,356
–
59,901

118,600

54,076

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

1,895,963 1,940,354
16,295,357 16,295,357

Shareholders funds per share (£)

116.35

119.07

2020

2019

Page 90

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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.

2020
UK
£000

2020
USA
£000

2020
Total
£000

2019
UK
£000

2019
USA
£000

2019
Total
£000

Loans and borrowing 

(Note 16)
Total assets

Gearing

151,225
1,947,833

124,393
339,702
490,927
808,764 2,756,597 1,938,523

306,361
430,754
827,980 2,766,503

7.8%

42.0%

17.8%

6.4%

37.0%

15.6%

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.

2020
UK
£000

2020
USA
£000

2020
Total
£000

2019
UK
£000

2019
USA
£000

2019
Total
£000

Carrying value at 1 April

(Note 9)

Gross up of head lease liability
Foreign exchange movements

1,785,746
8,159
–

Value at 1 April at year end

exchange rate

1,793,905
Acquisitions
29,818
Additions to existing properties 11,768
Disposals
(3,405)
Revaluation
3,005
Transfer to properties held 

746,772 2,532,518 1,783,506
–
–

242
39,073

8,401
39,073

589,678 2,373,184
–
45,240

–
45,240

786,087 2,579,992 1,783,506
2,815
29,818
20,829
18,071
(2,252)
(4,677)
51,845
(90,494)

–
6,303
(1,272)
(93,499)

634,918 2,418,424
77,477
28,025
(4,339)
83,928

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

for sale

(8,450)

–

(8,450)

(70,997)

–

(70,997)

Carrying value at 31 March

(Note 9)

1,826,641

697,619 2,524,260 1,785,746

746,772

2,532,518

Valuation gain percentage

0.2%

(11.9)%

(3.5)%

2.9%

5.1%

3.5%

24.

Events after the reporting period

An offer made on 21 February 2020 for the entire share capital of the Company not already owned by
the  Freshwater  Concert  party  by  Dock  Newco  Limited  by  means  of  a  scheme  of  arrangement  was
sanctioned  by  the  Court  on  5  May  2020  and  became  effective  on  7  May  2020. The  listing  of  the
Company’s shares on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the FCA was cancelled and the
Company’s  shares  ceased  to  be  admitted  to  trading  on  the  Main  Market  for  listed  securities  of  the
London Stock Exchange on 11 May 2020.

In  June  2020,  the  Group  entered  into  a  new  loan  agreement  with  two  leading  banks,  borrowing  an
additional £225 million on standard commercial terms.

Neither  of  these  events  have  been  included  in  the  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  31 March
2020 as they represent non-adjusting events after the reporting period.

Page 91

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

as at 31 March 2020

Notes

£000

2020
£000

£000

2019
£000

Fixed assets
Investment in subsidiary

undertakings
Deferred tax assets

4

1,243,319
506

1,243,825

1,279,894
226

1,280,120

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

19,283
29,167

48,450

1,791
1,961

3,752

5

(317,896)

(298,592)

(269,446)

(294,840)

6

7

974,379

(62,826)

911,553

4,074
555
893
906,031

911,553

985,280

(48,057)

937,223

4,074
555
893
931,701

937,223

The financial statements of Daejan Holdings Limited (Company number 305105) on pages 92 to 96
were approved by the Board of Directors on 3September 2020 and were signed on its behalf by:

B S EFreshwater

Director

Page 92

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the year ended 31 March 2020

Balance at 1 April 2018

Loss for the year

Dividends to equity shareholders

Balance at 1 April 2019

Loss for the year

Dividends to equity shareholders

Issued

share

capital
£000

4,074

–

–

4,074

–

–

Balance at 31 March 2020

4,074

Share

premium

account
£000

Equity

Other

Retained shareholders’

reserves
£000

earnings
£000

funds
£000

555

–

–

555

–

–

555

893

953,738

959,260

–

–

(5,253)

(5,253)

(16,784)

(16,784)

893

931,701

937,223

–

–

(8,397)

(8,397)

(17,273)

(17,273)

893

906,031

911,553

Page 93

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

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 £8,397,000 (2019 – £5,253,000).

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

Page 94

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

(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 46of
the Group accounts. The parent company audit fee is disclosed on page 72of the Group accounts.

3.

Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
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

Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2019, 

paid 1 November 2019 @ 71p per share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020, 

paid 6 March 2020 @ 35p per share

4.

Investments in Subsidiary Undertakings

2020
£000

2019
£000

–

–

11,081

5,703

11,570

5,703

–

–

17,273

16,784

At 1 April 2019
Additions
Loans

At 31 March 2020

Shares at 
cost
£000

991,933
106
–

Loans
£000

287,961
–
(36,681)

Total
£000

1,279,894
106
(36,681)

992,205

251,114

1,243,319

Page 95

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  continued

5.

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

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

2020
£000

148
314,238
847
2,663

2019
£000

129
296,540
595
1,328

317,896

298,592

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

2020
£000

2019
£000

62,826

48,057

Number

2020
£000

2019
£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.

9.

Events after the reporting period

An offer made on 21 February 2020 for the entire share capital of the Company not already owned
by the Freshwater Concert party by Dock Newco Limited by means of a scheme of arrangement was
sanctioned  by  the  Court  on  5  May  2020  and  became  effective  on  7 May  2020. The  listing  of  the
Company’s shares on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the FCA was cancelled and
the Company’s shares ceased to be admitted to trading on the Main Market for listed securities of
the London Stock Exchange on 11 May 2020.

Page 96

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

GROUP FIVE-YEAR RECORD

Total rental and related income
Property operating expenses

Net rental and related income
Profit on disposal of investment properties
Net valuation gains/(losses) on investment 

2016
£000
138,197
(70,008)

2017
£000
140,738
(75,938)

2018
£000
142,885
(76,407)

2019
£000
156,161
(79,580)

2020
£000
166,143
(91,094)

68,189
11,725

64,800
14,594

66,478
11,893

76,581
12,203

75,049
15,775

properties

Administrative expenses

117,947
(13,041)

144,508
(12,559)

146,438
(13,263)

83,928
(13,904)

(90,494)
(14,254)

Net operating profit/(loss) before net

financing costs

Net financing expense

Profit/(loss) before taxation
Income tax

184,820
(11,578)

211,343
(12,947)

211,546
(10,284)

158,808
(20,976)

(13,924)
(19,227)

173,242
(30,237)

198,396
(36,266)

201,262
1,696

137,832
(17,853)

(33,151)
(13,441)

Profit/(loss) for the year

143,005

162,130

202,958

119,979

(46,592)

Earnings/(loss) per share
Total assets
Equity shareholders’ funds
Equity shareholders’ funds per share

£9.93

£8.77

£12.45

£(2.92)
2,158,073 2,406,831 2,535,005 2,766,503 2,756,597
1,480,094 1,655,955 1,812,993 1,940,521 1,897,168
£111.25
£116.35

£101.61

£119.07

£90.82

£7.36

Page 97

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS

Directors

B S E Freshwater

Auditor

KPMG LLP

(Chairman and Managing Director)

15 Canada Square, 

S I Freshwater

D Davis (non-executive)

London E14 5GL

A M Freshwater (non-executive) 

Consulting Accountants

C B Freshwater (non-executive)

Cohen Arnold

R E Freshwater (non-executive)

New Burlington House, 

Secretary

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

Registered & Head Office

1075 Finchley Road,

London NW11 0PJ

Principal Bankers

Barclays Bank PLC

Freshwater House,

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

158-162 Shaftesbury Avenue, 

NatWest Group PLC

London WC2H 8HR

Registered in England

Co. No. 305105

Page 98

DAEJAN HOLDINGS LTD Annual Report & Accounts 2020

NOTES

Page 99

Opposite page: Wyfold Road, London SW6..

sterling 173744
Design, art direction and photography by Roger Watt.

   HOLDI