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Drumz plc

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FY2021 Annual Report · Drumz plc
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Building Value in Technology 

Drumz plc 

Report and Accounts 

For the year ended 

31 December 2021 

 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents 

Strategic Report ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 

Chairman’s Statement ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 

Chief Executive’s Report .................................................................................................................................................... 3 

Investment Report .............................................................................................................................................................. 7 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties ....................................................................................................................................... 9 

Governance ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10 

Chairman’s Introduction to Governance ........................................................................................................................... 10 

Board of Directors ............................................................................................................................................................. 12 

Corporate Governance Statement .................................................................................................................................... 13 

Remuneration Report ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 

Director’s Report ............................................................................................................................................................... 23 

Financial Statements ......................................................................................................................................................... 27 

Group statement of comprehensive income ..................................................................................................................... 32 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. ..... 32 

Group statement of financial position ............................................................................................................................... 33 

Group statement of changes in equity .............................................................................................................................. 35 

Company statement of changes in equity ........................................................................................................................ 36 

Group statement of cash flows ......................................................................................................................................... 37 

Company statement of cash flows .................................................................................................................................... 38 

Notes to the Financial Statements .................................................................................................................................... 43 

Additional Information ....................................................................................................................................................... 54 

Advisers and Key Services Providers ............................................................................................................................... 54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

Strategic Report 
Chairman’s Statement 

I am pleased to present the results of Drumz plc (“Drumz” or “Company” or “Group”) for the year ended 31 December 
2021. 

Results and performance 

The  Group’s  results  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2021  showed  revenues  of  £44,000  (2020:  £12,000)  and  an 
operating loss of £239,000 (2020: loss £149,000). 

At the year end, the principal asset of the Group is its investment in Acuity Risk Management Limited (“Acuity”), valued 
at cost of £625,000. The Group’s original investment was made in September 2020 and Drumz exercised its option to 
acquire another 5% of Acuity’s equity for £125,000 in September 2021.  

Acuity is an award winning business, specialising in risk management for cybersecurity. Acuity’s proprietary software 
platform  STREAM™  provides  its  blue  chip  customer  base,  on  a  Software  as  a  Service  (“SaaS”)  basis,  with  a 
comprehensive view of critical business risk and compliance on an enterprise wide basis. During the year, Acuity has 
widened  its  distribution  channels  including  completing  a  new  partnership  agreement  with  an  established  developer, 
distributor  and  implementor  of  automated  risk  management  software  in  the  USA.  Further  details  on  the  progress 
achieved by Acuity are included in the Chief Executive’s report.  

In addition, the Group continues to own its legacy holding in KCR Residential REIT plc (‘KCR’), which owns property in 
the private rented residential sector, in particular blocks of studio, one and two bedroom apartments which are rented to 
private tenants in the UK. 

The share price of KCR stands at a significant discount to the stated net assets per share. Notwithstanding, the share 
price performance of KCR has again been disappointing over the year and as a result, the value of the KCR holding has 
declined further from £573,000 to £390,000, equating to an unrealised loss of £183,000. I am also disappointed to report 
that the KCR share price has fallen a little further since the year end. Your Board is looking to dispose of this investment, 
which is no longer core to the Group’s current investment policy, as soon as a buyer can be found. However, in common 
with many smaller companies, there is limited liquidity in the shares of KCR and therefore the Board is not able to give 
a view on when a disposal of this investment might be effected.  

Therefore,  the  overall  results  of  the  Group  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2021,  show  a  loss  before  taxation  of 
£422,000 (2020: loss of £757,000), of which £183,000 (2019: loss of £608,000) was due to the fall in value of the Group’s 
investment in KCR. No dividend is being declared for the year (2020: £nil). 

Notwithstanding, shareholders’ funds have increased to £1,547,000 (2020: £1,518,000), principally as a result of the 
fund raising undertaken by the Company in November 2021. The Group raised £450,000 (before expenses of the issue), 
by the issue of 75,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of 0.6 pence per ordinary share, together with a related warrants 
issue. I am pleased to be able to report that all the Drumz directors subscribed for new ordinary shares in this placing.  

As a result, at the year end the Group had cash balances of £561,000 (2020: £491,000).   

Investment Policy 

The  Company's  investing  policy  is  to  invest  principally,  but  not  exclusively,  in  the  technology  sector  within  Europe. 
Drumz’s strategy is to invest in and acquire technology businesses, where the Board believes they can be improved by 
a combination of our own management expertise and the provision of investment to improve the businesses growth 
prospects.    

Although  the  Company  intends  the  main  focus  of  the  investing  policy  to  be  on  technology  businesses,  this  will  not 
preclude  the  Company  from  considering  investment  in  suitable  projects  in  other  sectors  or  geographies,  where  the 
Directors believe that there are high-growth opportunities.  

Macroeconomic impacts 

During the current period there have been two major macroeconomic factors which have impacted the economy, namely: 

1 

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

•  COVID-19 – this global pandemic has had a major impact on the world economy and the ways in which 

people work. On the positive side, the software industry lends itself well to employees working effectively from 
remote locations, but the broader impact of the pandemic on global demand remains uncertain; and  
further uncertainty to demand caused by rising global inflation and interest rates and disruption to global 
supply chains.  

• 

Outlook 

The Board considers that the benefits of the actions already taken at Acuity will be seen over the coming months.  We 
are now considering several new investment opportunities.  I would like to thank all shareholders for their continuing 
support and to thank my colleagues and our advisors for their respective contributions. I look forward to further progress 
in the current financial year.  

Simon Bennett 

Chairman 

20 April 2022 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

Chief Executive’s Report 

Our strategy 

Drumz’ strategy is to invest and acquire, predominantly but not exclusively in the technology sector, in order to achieve 
capital  growth  in  the  medium  term.    We  target  operating  companies  whose  activities  include  the  sale  of  enterprise 
software or the use of software in B2B markets. The Board seeks opportunities where the value can be grown to achieve 
appropriate returns and risks are managed given the expertise available. 

Over the past 12 months, whilst the focus has been on developing Acuity Risk Management Ltd, many other investment 
opportunities  were  reviewed  to  find  a  second  investment  for  the  Group.    Proposals  were  made  to  acquire  some 
interesting  businesses,  but  on  the  final  analysis  none  satisfied  both  our  due  diligence  examination  and  value 
expectations. 

Our business model 

Our  business  model  is  to  take  established  software  companies  with  an  excellent  offering  and  potential  to  grow 
significantly in their market.  We work with companies contributing skills, expertise and knowledge to the business to 
transform the value.  The value will be realised either by way of trade sale or Initial Public Offer (‘IPO’) so Drumz and/or 
its shareholders can realise all or part of their holdings. 

Established businesses not only reduce the risks for Drumz and its shareholders but with the track record and statistical 
evidence on which to base decisions there is a stronger and faster platform for growth and therefore value creation.  It 
is important that all parties are incentivised and interests aligned to benefit from growth in value.  Drumz’ Board believes 
a combination of scale, growth rate, profitability and cash generation are the most important creators of value. 

Investments and Portfolio update 

Acuity Risk Management Limited 

Acuity Risk Management’s, STREAMÔ software platform was voted by users in Gartner’s 2021 Peer Insights review as 
a top three risk management software.  Acuity was shortlisted for Cyber security solution of the year at the National 
Technology Awards 2021. 

It recently became part of the UK’s space team, Athena.  Athena is the UK’s national consortium for the space industry 
bringing Acuity alongside many leading UK and US defence and space companies and therefore may provide Acuity 
with commercial opportunities. 

Over  the  past  12  months  several  appointments  were  made  including  a  new  full  time  Commercial  Director,  who  has 
reorganised  all  marketing,  sales  and  other  distribution  activities.    All  marketing  activities  have  been  taken  in  house 
following which the number and quality of leads has increased and improved significantly.  The sales team has been 
reorganised with further recruitment planned and the distribution channel using VARs strengthened with appointments 
made during the year, some of which were announced on the Stock Market’s Regulatory News Service.   

In September Drumz exercised its existing option to invest a further £125,000 for a further 5% of the equity taking its 
ownership to 25%. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

KCR Residential REIT plc 

Whilst the company’s largest shareholder increased its holding in November and took a majority holding the share price 
of KCR again disappointed and is at a significant discount to Net Asset Value, as disclosed in its accounts.  There is a 
new Chief Executive for KCR.  Drumz continues to monitor the company, its share performance and considers KCR to 
be a passive asset for realisation in due course. 

Summary and Outlook 

There are opportunities for significant growth in value over the next 12 months within the existing portfolio and potentially 
with new acquisitions and investments. 

Angus Forrest  
Chief Executive 

20 April 2022 

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Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

Investment Strategy 

Drumz makes selective technology investments then provides proven skills and expertise to enhance the commercial 
performance and value. 

Rationale 

Many software companies are founded by experts whose skills are in programming and product.  Typically, they have 
developed great solutions but lack the skills and expertise to properly exploit the market opportunity.  Drumz is looking 
to  acquire  such  companies  in  whole  or  part  then  to  assist  the  management  to  drive  growth.      Value  is  based  on  a 
combination of scale, growth rates, renewal statistics and profitability; as they grow both the underlying figures and the 
value multiplier increase effectively giving a transformation in their value.  Then Drumz will assist with an exit whether 
by trade sale or IPO to give the optimum outcome for shareholders.   

Criteria: 

•  A standard product is supplied which contains proprietary intellectual property, 

whether know-how, patents, or other sustainable barriers to entry  
It is enterprise software sold in a B2B market with a significant market opportunity 
It offers high margins  

• 
• 
•  Business model is SaaS and/or can be made highly scalable  
•  Established customer base  
•  Talented management team with ambition 

Rationale for opportunity: 

•  The market opportunity is significant  
•  The management’s skills can be augmented by Drumz expertise to improve growth 
rates, scale and renewals through strategic, commercial, sales and marketing inputs 

•  Additional finance may be required and supplied by Drumz 

Risk Management: 

•  Product is proven 
•  Market demand is demonstrable 
•  Targeted exit routes identified prior to investment  

Investing policy 

The  Company's  investing  policy  is  to  invest  principally,  but  not  exclusively,  in  the  technology  sector  within  Europe. 
Although  the  Company  intends  the  main  focus  of  the  investing  policy  to  be  on  technology  businesses,  this  will  not 
preclude  the  Company  from  considering  investment  in  suitable  projects  in  other  sectors  or  geographies,  where  the 
Directors believe that there are high-growth opportunities.  

The  Directors  believe  that  the  Company  can  invest  in  and  acquire  technology  businesses,  improve  them  by  a 
combination of new management expertise and investment then retain these businesses for further growth or realise 
the value created. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

The Company is seeking investment opportunities, which can be developed through the introduction of its expertise and 
the investment of funds to facilitate the requisite changes. These opportunities would generally have some or all of the 
following characteristics, namely:  

•  a majority of their revenue derived from technology or the use of technology which the Directors believe is 

strongly positioned to benefit from market growth;  

•  a trading history which reflects past profitability and potential for significant capital growth; and  
• 

that a main driver of success for the Company will be the expertise that can be provided by the Directors to 
the management of the investee companies and the value that can be created and realised.  

The Company’s investments may take the form of equity, debt or convertible instruments. Investments may be made in 
all types of assets falling within the remit of the Investing Policy and there will be no investment restrictions. Proposed 
investments may be made in either quoted or unquoted companies and structured as a direct acquisition, joint venture 
or  as  an  interest  in  a  project.  The  Directors  may  consider  it  appropriate  to  take  an  equity  interest  in  any  proposed 
investment, which may range from a minority position to 100 per cent ownership.  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

Investment Report 

Acuity Risk Management Limited (“Acuity”) 

Acuity 

Software for risk management 

Date of investment 

September 2020 and 2021 

Equity ownership 25%  

Fair value: 

Valuation: £625,000 

Cost: £625,000 

Valuation is based on cost supported by several other factors including trading forecasts. 

Acuity’s  proprietary  software  platform  STREAM™,  provides  its  users  with  a  comprehensive  overview  of  risk  and 
compliance on an enterprise wide basis.  Most customers use their STREAM™ software to manage their cybersecurity 
and IT risks, but it can be configured to manage a wide range of other risks. Risk management, especially in the area of 
cybersecurity,  is  increasingly  important  for  all  organisations  with  data,  which  for  any  enterprise  is  an  increasingly 
important asset. The security of and the management and control of that asset is important for financial, reputational 
and  regulatory  reasons.  The  major  competitive  advantages  of  STREAM™  are  the  speed  of  its  deployment,  the 
comprehensiveness of the solution and the speed of analysis.  Acuity was founded by a team who had previously built 
and sold a consultancy business specialising in cyber security to a major European multinational.  The founders have 
developed  the  technology,  repeatedly  winning  awards  for  the  quality  of  their  products  as  the  company’s  blue  chip 
customer  base  continues  to  grow  in  the  UK,  Europe  and  the  US.  Customers  include  multinational  companies, 
government departments and other international organisations.   

Since Drumz’s involvement, there has been a greater focus on commercialising Acuity’s product.  This has resulted in 
an increase in average sales order values and revenues, higher recurring revenues, closer engagement with customers 
and a growing sales pipeline. Drumz’s investment in the company has been channelled into exploitation of the market. 

In 2021, Acuity launched enhanced versions of STREAM™ and in February 2022 in response to customer requests an 
improved Graphical User Interface (GUI) for better customer experience.  The effect of this development is to enable 
Acuity to compete with all major competitors on similar terms, whilst retaining the advantages of relatively faster and 
easier deployment for the end user. STREAM™ is integrated with Microsoft’s Azure product, allowing STREAM™ to 
store data anywhere in the world, which is increasingly important to meet international legislation and regulations. 

Acuity  Risk  Management  Ltd’s  year  end  is  31  March,  so  the  financial  KPI’s  are  not  available  for  this  set  of  Drumz 
accounts.  Selected KPIs will be announced on the Regulatory News Service as soon as practical following the end of 
Acuity’s financial year on 31 March 2022.  In the year-to-date Acuity has continued to develop its sales and marketing 
including the appointment of a new Value Added Reseller (VAR) in the United States and its revenues have continued 
to grow. 

For more information  www.acuityrm.com 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

KCR REIT plc (“KCR”) 

KCR 

Equity ownership 5.8% 

Fair value: 

Valuation is based on market value (AIM)  

Residential property fund 

Date of investment 2018 

   Valuation: £390,000  

Cost: £1,705,000              

KCR  is  an  AIM  listed  real  estate  investment  trust  focused  on  the  residential  property  market.    The  management’s 
objective  is  to  acquire  and  manage  a  substantial  rented  residential  property  portfolio  in  the  UK  that  generates  both 
income  and  capital  appreciation  for  shareholders.    In  2021  KCR  underwent  management  changes  and  additional 
investment from its largest shareholder.  Drumz views KCR as a passive investment. 

For more information:  www.kcrreit.com 

Key performance indicators (“KPIs”) 

The Group’s KPIs are the returns on investment and the net assets position of the Group, including net assets per share. 
The decline in net assets per share reflect the additional fall in the value of the Company’s investment in KCR and the 
additional funds raised in November 2021. These indicators are monitored by the Board and the details of performance 
against these are given below. 

Net assets 

Net assets per ordinary share 

2021 

2020 

£1,547,000  £1,518,000 

0.37p 

0.44p 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report 
Drumz plc 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 
The management of the business and the nature of the Group’s strategy are subject to risks. The Directors set out below 
the principal risks the business encounters. Where possible, processes are in place to identify and manage such risks.  

The  Group  operates  systems  of  internal  control  and  reporting  to  provide  assurance  that  the  Board  is  managing  risk 
whilst  achieving  its  business  objectives.  No  system  can  fully  eliminate  risk  and,  therefore,  the  understanding  of 
operational risk is central to the management process. 

To  enable  shareholders  to  appreciate  what  the  business  considers  are  the  main  operational  risks,  they  are  briefly 
outlined below: 

Risk 

Potential impact 

Mitigation 

Investment risk  An investment fails to perform.  

Investment may need additional 

The Company carries out due diligence before making 

Progress of development is 

funding. 

investments. 

slower than expected. 

Value creation may be delayed 

A Company Director monitors performance and where 

Cost of change may be higher 

than budget. 

Investee management may not 

perform. 

Portfolio valuation is focused on 

one or two investments. 

and there may be difficulty in 

Drumz owns more than 10% it appoints a director. 

realising the investment. 

Drumz focuses investment in sectors where it has 

The value of the investment may 

expertise and investee companies’ plans are developed 

fall. 

in conjunction with Drumz. 

If an investment fails it will have a 

The portfolio is closely managed to reduce the risk of any 

material impact on the net assets 

investment failing and the Company intends to build a 

of the Company. 

portfolio to reduce the impact of any one failure. 

Reliance on 

The Company is not able to 

The performance of the investee 

The key executives have invested in the Company and 

people 

retain key individuals with 

companies may deviate from plan. 

will be rewarded through a combination of salary and 

critical skills 

incentive plans. 

Liquidity 

The Company cannot raise new 

The Company may not be able to 

The Company engages the services of two brokers to 

funds. 

make follow-on finance available 

assist with fund raising when appropriate. 

Legal, 

regulatory and 

political risk 

to existing investments which 

could affect realisation values. 

May impact the Company’s ability 

to fund its operational costs. 

The Company intends to maintain material cash 

balances. 

The Company may take actions to reduce its cost base. 

Regulation may alter the 

The investee companies seek regular updates on matters 

Company’s ability to raise new 

which may impact the legal framework. 

funds. 

The Company liaises regularly with its relevant advisers. 

Natural and 

The effect of the uncertainties 

The impact of COVID-19 on the 

The Group is developing its portfolio so spreading the 

other 

caused by COVID-19 and how 

carrying value of the Group’s 

impact of this risk.    

widespread 

long the crisis will continue. 

investments. 

disasters 

Liaising with the management of the Company’s investee 

The impact of widespread 

companies to assess key underlying risks and makes 

technical failure. 

plans / decisions to minimise the impact on trading and / 

or assets. 

Software as an industry allows employees to work flexibly 

to an extent that is not available in most other business 

sectors.  Product development, marketing, sales and 

general management can all be carried out remotely.  

Interest rates 

Significant upward changes in 

May affect the ability to raise new 

At present, the Company has minimal borrowings and 

interest rates. 

funds. 

intends to maintain a significant cash balance 

9 

 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Governance 

Chairman’s Introduction to Governance 

As Chairman of Drumz plc, I have overall responsibility for ensuring that corporate governance is embedded within the 
business. Corporate governance is at the heart of this organisation in order to maintain integrity and ensure we govern 
effectively such that we can deliver long-term value for our shareholders.  

The Company has chosen to adopt the Quoted Companies Alliance’s Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the “QCA Code”), 
and has updated its website to include additional disclosures required by the QCA Code and the AIM Rules 2021 

The  Board  recognises  the  importance  of  sound  corporate  governance  and  applies  the  ten  principles  of  the  QCA  Code 
insofar as reasonably practicable given the Company’s nature and size. Further details on compliance with the principles 
are  provided  below.  The  Company’s  priority  is  to  generate  value  for  shareholders  through  making  and  managing 
investments in accordance with its investment strategy as detailed on page 5 of this report. The Board believes that the 
QCA Code provides Drumz PLC with a practical and rigorous corporate governance framework to support this strategy and 
the Company’s success.  The QCA Code sets out 10 principles which are listed below together with a short explanation of 
how the Company applies each of the principles: 

Principle One  

Business Model and Strategy  

The Board has decided with regards to the investments to split the portfolio into those investments that are passive and 
those where our involvement is more active. These active investments are labelled as our strategic investments and are 
those  companies  where  we  continue  to  hold  a  significant  percentage  of  the  shares  in  the  company,  where  we  remain 
actively involved with the development of the company with, the Company usually being represented on the board of the 
investee company, and where we believe that the returns that are possible are material. The key challenge to the successful 
development of this part of the strategy is the mis-match between the on-going short term costs to the Company of working 
with these strategic investments and the financial reward to the Company for this effort being of a longer term nature.  

Principle Two  

Understanding Shareholder Needs and Expectations  

The Board is committed to maintaining good communication and having constructive dialogue with its shareholders. The 
Company has close ongoing relationships with its shareholders. Institutional shareholders and analysts have the opportunity 
to discuss issues and provide feedback at meetings with the Company. In addition, all shareholders are encouraged to 
attend the Company’s Annual General Meeting.  

Investors also have access to current information on the Company though its website, www.drumzplc.com, and via Angus 
Forrest, who is available to answer investor relations enquiries.  

Principle Three  

Stakeholder Responsibilities  

The  Board  recognises  that  the  long  term  success  of  the  Company  is  reliant  upon  the  efforts  of  the  employees  of  the 
Company and its contractors, suppliers and regulators. The Board reviews performance of the company, its investments 
and  other  KPIs  at  every  Board  meeting  and  from  time  to  time  with  direct  meetings  with  key  executives  of  the  investee 
companies. 

Principle Four  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Risk Management  

The Board regularly reviews the risks facing the Company and seeks to exploit, avoid or mitigate those risks as appropriate. 
The Board is responsible for the monitoring of financial performance against budget and forecast and the formulation of the 
Company’s risk appetite including the identification, assessment and monitoring of Drumz’ principal risks.  

In  addition  to  its  other  roles  and  responsibilities  the  Audit  and  Compliance  Committee  is  responsible  to  the  Board  for 
ensuring that procedures are in place, and are being effectively implemented to identify, evaluate and manage the significant 
risks faced by the Company.  

The directors have established procedures for the purpose of providing a system of internal control. In addition, there are a 
range of Company policies that are reviewed at least annually by the Board. These Company policies cover matters such 
as  share  dealing  and  insider  legislation,  conflicts  of  interest,  social  media,  expenses,  treasury,  remuneration,  risk  and 
compliance. These areas are also included as permanent agenda items for report and review at each regular board meeting. 
The Board currently takes the view that an internal audit function is not considered necessary or practical due to the size 
of the Company and the close day to day control exercised by the directors.  

Principle Five  

A Well-Functioning Board of Directors  

As at 31 December 2021 the Board comprised, Angus Forrest, and three non-executive directors, Simon Bennett, chairman, 
Nish  Malde  and  John  Wakefield.  The  Quoted  Company  Alliance  Corporate  Governance  Code  recommends  that  there 
should be at least two independent directors. All Directors are encouraged to use their judgement and to challenge matters, 
whether strategic or operational, enabling the Board to discharge its duties and responsibilities effectively.  

The time commitment formally required by the Company is an overriding principal that each director will devote as much 
time as is required to carry out the roles and responsibilities that the director has agreed to take on. This means that Angus 
Forrest is full time and that the other directors are part time. Biographical details of the current directors are set out below. 
Executive and non-executive directors are subject to re-election at intervals of no more than three years. The letters of 
appointment of all directors are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office during normal business hours.  

The Board meets regularly and is responsible for formulating, reviewing and approving the Company’s strategy, budgets, 
performance,  major  capital  expenditure  and  corporate  actions.  The  Board  meets  at  least  six  times  per  annum.  It  has 
established an Audit Committee and a Remuneration Committee, particulars of which appear hereafter. Meetings are open 
and constructive, with every Director participating fully. The Board agreed that appointments to the Board are made by the 
Board as a whole and so has not created a Nominations Committee.  

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings  

The table on page 13 summarises the number of board and committee meetings held during the year and the attendance 
record of individual directors:  

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Board of Directors 

Simon Bennett  
Non-executive Chairman  

Simon is a chartered accountant with over 30 years of investment banking experience and providing corporate finance and 
broking advice to growing companies. He previously worked for a number of the world’s largest investment banks and has 
wide-ranging experience of both international debt and equity models. He was Head of Corporate Finance and Head of Mid 
and Small Caps team at Credit Lyonnais Securities (now Credit Agricole) as well as Head of Corporate Broking at Fairfax 
IS plc and Sanlam Securities.  

Simon established Incremental Capital LLP in 2004 to provide corporate finance advice to mid and small cap companies. 
He is also a partner at Glenmill Partners which provides impartial advice to entrepreneurs and growing companies.  

Further, Simon is non-executive Chairman of Inland Homes plc, the AIM listed brownfield site developer and housebuilder 
and is a non-executive director of Kwalee Limited, the publisher and developer of games principally for mobile phones. 
Simon is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee at Drumz, Inland Homes and Kwalee. 
Simon was a non-executive director and chairman of Billam plc / Energiser Investments plc (now Drumz plc) from 2005 to 
2013. 

Angus Forrest 
Chief Executive 

Angus has been an investor in the technology sector for more than 25 years, specialising in business-to-business sales 
driven companies. Angus was the chief executive of investment company, Billam plc which he co-founded, 2000–2006. 
Billam was the lead investor in Cybit plc, which grew from pre-revenue status to become the leading vehicle telematics 
business in Europe, through both organic growth and by making selective acquisitions. Billam was an early stage investor 
in Sareum plc which is on AIM.  Billam changed its name to Energiser Investments in 2008, the forerunner to Drumz plc. 

Angus founded another AIM quoted investment company, Tern plc in 2013 and was Chief Executive until 2016. In 2018, 
he became Chief Executive of Imaginatik plc where he was responsible for its turn round and subsequent trade sale. 

Angus is founder of Drumz plc (formerly Billam plc). 

Nishith Malde  
Non-executive Director 

Nish qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1985 with KPMG and specialised in advising owner-managed businesses. He 
left  KPMG  in  1989  to  set  up  a  consultancy  firm  which  later  merged  with  an  audit  practice  where  he  was  the  partner 
responsible  for  Country  &  Metropolitan  plc.  Nish  joined  Country  &  Metropolitan  plc  as  finance  director  and  company 
secretary in November 1998. He was actively involved in the preparation for the flotation of Country & Metropolitan plc in 
December 1999 and its further development (which included acquisitions and disposals) until it was acquired by Gladedale 
Holdings plc in April 2005. He is a founding shareholder and group finance director of Inland Homes plc which floated on 
AIM in April 2007 and is also a non-executive director of Troy Homes Ltd, a premium housebuilder. 

Nish is a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. 

John Wakefield 
Non-Executive Director  

John qualified as a solicitor with McKenna & Co (now CMS) before moving into corporate finance, first with Williams de 
Broe Limited and then at Rowan Dartington & Co Limited, where he was a founder director and shareholder and head of 
corporate finance. He was a corporate finance director of WH Ireland Limited until 2016. 

He has been a member of the AIM Advisory Group, chairman of the London Stock Exchange Regional Advisory Group for 
the South West and chairman of South West Angel and Investor Network Limited (SWAIN). John is Chairman of Baron Oil 
PLC and a non-executive director of a number of private companies. 

John is chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member the Audit Committee. 

12 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Board composition and independence  

The Board is collectively responsible for the long-term success of the Company and for its leadership, strategy, values, 
control,  and  management.  Board  meetings  are  held  at  such  times  as  are  required  for  the  effective  operation  of  the 
Company’s investment strategy and monitoring of investments. All Directors commit the time necessary to fulfil their roles, 
and this position is kept under review. Given the size of the Board and the scale and nature of the Company’s business, 
the Company does not yet have a separate Nominations Committee.  

The  Board  has  considerable  experience  and  expertise  in  the  technology  sector  and  the  running  of  publicly  traded 
companies.  Simon Bennett and John Wakefield are considered to be independent directors.  

Full biographical details of all directors can be found on page 12 and on our website www.drumzplc.com  

Board and Committee attendance  

During the year, the Board held five scheduled and three unscheduled meetings. The following table shows the 
attendance of directors at Board and Committee meetings held during the year: 

Simon Bennett 1 

Angus Forrest 1 

Nish Malde 

John Wakefield 1 

Board Meetings 

Committees 

Audit 

Remuneration 

8 

8 

8 

7 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1  Additional Board meetings in the six months to 31 December 2021, there were two meetings one to approve accounts, one to approve a placing 

Appointment of Directors 

The Board deals with all matters relating to the appointment of Directors, including determining the specification, identifying 
suitable candidates and selection of the appointee. No separate Nomination Committee has yet been formed. 

Throughout the year, the Articles of Association have required each Director to seek re-election after no more than three 
years in office. The QCA Code recommends that non-executive directors are appointed for a fixed term.  The Board consider 
that shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on the re-appointment of non-executive directors and accordingly 
each of the present non-executive directors will retire by rotation at least once over the next three years. 

Company Secretary 

Kathryn  Worth  resigned  as  Company  Secretary on  1  February  2021  and  Marie-Claire  Haines  was  appointed  Company 
Secretary on the same day. 

Board activities in the year to 31 December 2021 

The table on pages 17 and 18 identifies the matters considered by the Board and notes the consideration given to the key 
stakeholder groups.  One of the focuses for the Board is the impact any decision or action may have on key stakeholder 
groups  represented  within  the  Board’s  common  duty  under  s172  of  the  Companies  Act  2006.  The  Board  notes  the 
importance  of  the  amount  of  engagement  it  has  with  key  shareholder  groups  and  how  their  respective  views  may  be 
incorporated into decision making.  Whilst considering the necessity of promoting the Company’s success for the benefit of 
its members as a whole, the Board considers the impact its decisions and policies on key stakeholder groups. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Principle Six  

Appropriate Skills and Experience of the Directors  

The  Company  believes  that  the  current  balance  of  skills  in  the  Board  as  a  whole  reflects  a  broad  range  of  personal, 
commercial and professional skills and a range of financial and managerial skills. The Executive Director maintains ongoing 
communications with the Non-Executives between formal Board meetings.  

In addition to their general Board responsibilities, non-executive Directors are encouraged to be involved in having inputs, 
in  line  with  their  individual  areas  of  expertise.  The  Board  is  kept  abreast  of  developments  of  governance  and  AIM 
regulations.  The  Company’s  NOMAD  provides  initial  training  including  the  AIM  Rules  as  part  of  a  new  Director’s  on 
boarding,  thereafter  when  there  are  relevant  updates.    All  Directors  develop  their  skills  and  capabilities  through  their 
continuing experiences.  

The Directors have access to the Company’s NOMAD, company secretary, lawyers and auditors as and when required and 
are  able  to  obtain  advice  from  other  external  bodies  when  necessary.  If  required,  the  Directors  are  entitled  to  take 
independent legal advice and if the Board is informed in advance, the cost of the advice will be reimbursed by the Company.  

The Board currently consists of four directors and, in addition, the Company has outsourced the provision of book keeping 
and accounting services and company secretarial services.  

Principle Seven  

Evaluation of Board Performance  

The Directors consider that the Company and Board are not yet of a sufficient size for a full Board evaluation to make 
commercial and practical sense. In the Board meetings/calls, the Directors can discuss any areas where they feel a change 
would benefit the Company, and the Company Secretary remains on hand to provide impartial advice. As the Company 
grows, it expects to expand the Board and with the Board expansion, re-consider the need for Board evaluation.  

Principle Eight  

Corporate Culture  

The Board recognises that their decisions regarding strategy and risk will impact the corporate culture of the Company as 
a whole and that this will impact the performance of the Company. The Board is very aware that the tone and culture set 
by the Board will greatly impact all aspects of the Company as a whole and the way that employees behave. A large part 
of the Company’s activities is centred upon what needs to be an open and respectful dialogue with investee companies.  
Therefore,  sound  ethical  values  and  behaviours  are  important  for  the  Company  to  successfully  achieve  its  corporate 
objectives. The Board places great importance on this aspect of corporate life and seeks to ensure that this flows through 
all that the Company does. The Board assessment of the culture within the Company at the present time is one where there 
is respect for all individuals, there is open dialogue within the Company and there is a commitment to provide the best 
service possible to all the Company’s customers, clients and investee companies. Whilst the Company has a small number 
of employees, the Board maintains that, as the Company grows, it intends to maintain and develop strong processes which 
promote ethical values and behaviours across all hierarchies.  

The Board places great importance on the responsibility of accurate financial statements and auditing standards complying 
with Auditing Practice Board’s (APB’s) and Ethical Standards for Auditors. The Board places great importance on accuracy 
and honesty and seeks to ensure that this aspect of corporate life flows through all that the Company does.  

The  Board  has  adopted  an  anti-corruption  and  bribery  policy  which  are  outlined  on  the  Company’s  website.  The  policy 
applies to all Directors and employees of the Company, and sets out their responsibilities in observing and upholding a zero 
tolerance position on bribery and corruption, as well as providing guidance to those working for the Company on how to 
recognise and deal with bribery and corruption issues and the potential consequences.  

14 

 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

The Company has adopted a code for directors’ and employees’ dealings in securities which is appropriate for a company 
whose securities are traded on AIM and is in accordance with rule 21 of the AIM rules.  

Principle Nine  

Maintenance of Governance Structures and Processes  

The Board is committed to, and ultimately responsible for, high standards of corporate governance. The Board reviews the 
Company’s corporate governance arrangements regularly and expects these to evolve these over time, in line with the 
Company’s growth. The Board delegates responsibilities to Committees and individuals as it sees fit.  

Ultimate authority for all aspects of the Company’s activities rests with the Board, with the respective responsibilities of the 
Independent Directors and Chief Executive arising as a consequence of delegation by the Board. The Board has adopted 
two  statements;  the  first  sets  out  matters  which  are  reserved  to  the  Board  and  the  second  establishes  the  division  of 
responsibilities between the Independent Director (unless a Chairman is formally appointed in which case it would be the 
Chairman) and the Chief Executive. The independent Chairman is responsible for the effectiveness of the Board, while 
management  of  the  Company’s  business,  the  general  day-to-day  running  of  the  business  and  developing  corporate 
strategy, and primary contact with shareholders has been delegated by the Board to the Chief Executive.  

Audit and Compliance Committee  

For the period under review the Audit and Compliance Committee comprised Simon Bennett (Chairman) Nish Malde and 
John Wakefield.  A detailed description of the Committee’s activities is shown on pages 19 and 20. 

Remuneration Committee  

For the period under review the Remuneration Committee comprised John Wakefield (Chairman) Nish Malde and Simon 
Bennett.  A detailed description of the Committee’s activities is shown on pages 21 and 22. 

Non-executive Directors  

The Board has adopted guidelines for the appointment of non-executive directors which have been in place and which have 
been observed throughout the year. These provide for the orderly and constructive succession and rotation of the Chairman 
(if one is in place) and non-executive directors insofar as both the Chairman and non-executive directors will be appointed 
for an initial term of three years and may, at the Board’s discretion believing it to be in the best interests of the Company, 
be appointed for subsequent terms. The Chairman may serve as a non-executive director before commencing a first term 
as Chairman.  

In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Board complies with: a duty to act within their powers; a duty to promote 
the  success  of  the  Company;  a  duty  to  exercise  independent  judgement;  a  duty  to  exercise  reasonable  care,  skill  and 
diligence; a duty to avoid conflicts of interest; a duty not to accept benefits from third parties and a duty to declare any 
interest in a proposed transaction or arrangement.  

15 

 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Principle Ten  

Shareholder Communication  

The Board is committed to maintaining good communication and having constructive dialogue with its shareholders. The 
Company has close ongoing relationships with its shareholders. Institutional shareholders and analysts have the opportunity 
to discuss issues and provide feedback at meetings with the Company. In addition, all shareholders are encouraged to 
attend the Company’s Annual General Meeting.  

Information  is  available  on  the  Investor  Relations  section  of  the  Company’s  website  www.drumzplc.com,  and  is  kept 
updated with details of relevant developments, regulatory announcements, financial reports and shareholder circulars.  

Shareholders with a specific enquiry can contact the board though the website and via Angus Forrest, who is available to 
answer investor relations enquiries. The Company uses electronic communications with shareholders in order to maximise 
efficiency.  

Organisation review  

The Board of Directors provide extensive experience in advisory and the technology sector, including the operation of public 
companies.  

The Board of Directors  

The Board is responsible for providing strategic direction for the Company, setting objectives and management policies and 
agreement on performance criteria. The Board monitors compliance with objectives and policies of the Company through 
monthly  performance  reporting,  budget  updates  and  monthly  reviews.  The  current  composition  of  the  Board  is  one 
Executive  Director  and  three  Non-Executive  Directors.  The  Board  believes  the  composition  of  the  Board  provides  an 
appropriate mix to conduct the Company’s affairs at the present time.  

Audit Committee  

During the period under review the Audit Committee was chaired by Simon Bennett. It met to review the Interim Report, the 
Annual Report, to consider the suitability and monitor the internal control processes and to review the valuations for the 
portfolio of directly held investments. There were two Audit Committee meetings during the year. The Audit Committee 
reviews the findings of the external auditors and reviews accounting policies and material accounting judgements.  

The independence and effectiveness of the external auditor is reviewed annually and the Audit Committee meets at least 
once per financial year with the auditors to discuss their independence and objectivity, the Annual Report, any audit issues 
arising, internal control processes, auditor appointment and fee levels and other appropriate matters.  

Remuneration Committee  

The Remuneration Committee provides a formal and transparent review of the remuneration of the Executive Directors and 
senior employees and makes recommendations to the Board on individual remuneration packages. This includes the award 
of  non-contractual  performance  related  bonuses  and  share  options.  Remuneration  packages  are  designed  to  reward, 
motivate, retain and recruit individuals. Bonuses are only paid in recognition of performance. The committee comprised 
John  Wakefield  (Chairman),  Simon  Bennett  and  Nish  Malde.  No  Director  took  part  in  discussions  concerning  the 
determination of their own remuneration.  

Risk management  

The Board has overall responsibility for risk management and has established a framework which ensures that principal 
risks  are  discussed,  understood,  mitigated,  and  where  possible  prevented.  Risk  assessment  is  an  integral  part  of  any 
investment decision and the Company’s risk framework ensures that decisions are made on an informed basis to reflect 
agreed business strategy and agreed risk tolerance.  

16 

 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

The Board considers that the key risks faced by the Company are:  

•  Underperformance of investments to which the Company has exposure 
•  Reliance on key people 
•  A lack of liquidity 
•  Longer-term  economic  or  political  environments,  which  cannot  be  predicted  currently,  but  which  may  affect  the 

sphere of activity for the Company. 

•  The short and longer-term impact of natural and other disasters. 

The Board’s strategies to mitigate these risks are as follows: 

• 

Investments 

o  To maintain a high level of awareness of investment opportunities through their own knowledge and through 

a network of experts. 

o  To seek to ensure that investments are made in technology operating companies which operate in sectors 

and geographies that are likely to be least affected by a fall in values. 

o  To keep the Company’s investments under regular review for performance against budget and in light of 
the economic and political climate and, where possible, to structure investments to mitigate these risks 
from the onset. 
Incentivise key people  

• 
•  To maintain cash balances and raise new funding well in advance of it being required 

s.172 Companies Act 2006 and key stakeholders 

The Company is dependent on a number of stakeholders to enable it to progress towards its objectives of growing and 
creating value for shareholders. Our key stakeholders are our shareholders, people, portfolio companies, those we transact 
business with and the Community. 

L – Long Term   

C - Colleagues   

S – Shareholder 

B – Business conduct 

I – Investees 

Co – Community 

E - Environment 

Matters considered by the Board in 
the year  

Business Review, Performance and Strategy 

Shareholder impact  Stakeholder and s172 Companies Act 

Regular reports from the Chief Executive  

L, C, S, B, I 

Approval of the Group’s strategy and 
new investments 

Approval of proposal to change the 
investment policy to technology 
investments 

L, C, S, I 

L, C, S, I 

Financial 

Regular accounts and other financial 
reports compared with budget. 

L, C, S, I 

Consideration and approval of the Company’s strategy, 
investments, overall and specific performance 

In respect of the above the Board reviews proposals, activity 
and performance against targets 

Board recommendation to shareholders for consideration 
and approval  

Employees / Community ensuring an ethical and 
sustainable approach 

Dissemination of key financial information to the Board and 
other executives to assist with understanding and decision 
making. 

Approval of the Company’s business 
plan and budget 

L. C, S, I 

Following the publication of the full year and interim results, 
dissemination to investors and potential investors.   

Approval of the full year report and 
accounts and interim statement  

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Matters considered by the Board in 
the year  

Shareholder impact  Stakeholder and s172 Companies Act 

Approval of all trading announcements 

L, C, S, I 

Internal controls and risk management  

Review of internal controls and financial 
and other performance of the portfolio 
companies. 

Governance 

L, C, S, I 

Whilst the Company is small, there is a separation of 
activities to ensure checks and balances. 

Regular reports to and feedback from 
the Company’s advisers 

L, C, S, I 

Review of Company against Company 
values 

L, C, S, I, B and C 

Feedback for the various stakeholder groups influences and 
is taken into account when the Board is making its 
decisions. 

The Board remains aware of the importance of evaluating its performance and that of the Company and its operations to 
promote the long term success of the Company thereby generating value for shareholders and other stakeholders, including 
contributing to the wider society. 

Engagement with Shareholders  

The Board is keen to ensure that the Company’s shareholders and any potential investors have a good understanding of 
the business and its performance. During the year,  enquiries are received and answered on a wide spectrum of topics 
relevant to the business directly or through periodic updates on the Company’s website. 

Corporate website 

Our corporate website has a dedicated investor section at https://www.drumzplc.com/investors which includes annual and 
interim financial reports, RNS releases and full Rule 26 disclosures. 

Email info@drumzplc.com 

AGM 

The  AGM  allows  the  Board  to  update  the  shareholders  on  the  Company’s  progress  and  provides  an  opportunity  for 
shareholders to pose questions to Directors. In particular, the AGM provides an opportunity for shareholders, particularly 
private investors, to engage in wider discussion with the Board on issues of concern or interest to them, and to share their 
thoughts on the Company’s strategy and business model. 

This year’s AGM will be held on 19 May 2022. 

Simon Bennett 
Chairman 
20 April 2022 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Audit Committee Report 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

Chairman’s introduction 

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Audit Committee report on behalf of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”). 
Drumz plc is an AIM listed company and as such, we are guided by the QCA’s Audit Committee Guide. Below we set out 
the Committee’s responsibilities and report on the activities of the Committee during the year ended 31 December 2021. 

The Board is pleased to propose the re-appointment of PKF Littlejohn LLP as the Company’s Auditor at this year’s AGM.  

The role and duties of the Committee 

The role of the Audit Committee assists the Board with monitoring, reviewing and challenging the integrity of the Company’s 
financial results. The framework of duties is set out in its Terms of Reference which are available on the Company’s website. 

Duties of the Committee 
The  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  for  ensuring  the  financial  performance  of  the  Company  is  properly  recorded  and 
reported on, including adopting suitable accounting policies and judgements which affect the financial statements.  Also, 
appointing and liaising with the external auditors without the Executives present. 

Committee membership and attendance 

Appointments to the Committee, which currently comprises Simon Bennett, Nish Malde and John Wakefield are made by 
the Board, having been deemed to have the appropriate skills and experience, Simon Bennett and Nish Malde have recent 
and relevant financial experience. Only members of the Committee have the right to attend meetings, although others may 
be invited to attend meetings as appropriate.  

The external auditors also attend the meetings to discuss the planning and conclusions of their work and meet with the 
members  of  the  Audit  Committee  without  any  members  of  the  executive  team  present  after  each  meeting.  The  Audit 
Committee can call for information from management and consults with the external auditors directly if required. 

Attendance 
During the year, the Committee held two scheduled meeting and reported on its activities to the Board.  The members of 
the Audit Committee, and their attendance at meetings are detailed on page 13. 

Activities of the Committee 

Areas of focus 

Activities during the year ended 31 December 2021 

Financial Statements 
and narrative reporting 

•  Reviewing  the  financial  statements  and  narrative  reporting  in  the  Annual  Report  and 

Accounts for 2021 

• Consideration of reports from the external auditor in respect of the Annual Report and 

Accounts for 2021 

Going Concern  

A review of the Group as a going concern including methodology, assessment in support 
of the going concern assumption, concluding the expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future 

Accounting policies 
and standards 

A  review  of  the  Group’s  accounting  policies  and  ensuring  they  are  in  accordance  with 
International Accounting Standards 

Consideration  of  effects  of  changes  in  accounting  standards  to  the  Group’s  financial 
statements 

Review of external 
auditor 

The Audit Committee reviews the performance of the External Auditor regularly 

19 

 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

External Auditor 

Audit process 
The Audit Committee liaises with the external auditor prior to the start of the audit, during the audit process and in a 
review at the end of the audit, including Auditor’s management representation letter. 

Effectiveness and independence of the external auditor 
The Audit Committee reviews and monitors the independence and the objectivity of the external auditor. 

Appointment of the external auditor 
The Audit Committee advises the Board on the appointment, reappointment and removal of the external auditor. 

Internal Audit Function 
Given the size of the Company, internal controls and segregation of tasks it has been decided that it would be impractical 
to set up an internal audit.  This decision will be reviewed from time to time. 

Whistleblowing 
Every executive’s contract of employment contains a section on whistleblowing and there is a Company procedure in the 
event that a whistleblower wants to bring a matter to the attention of the Board. 

Simon Bennett 
Audit Committee Chairman 
20 April 2022 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Remuneration Report 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

The policy of the Board is to provide executive remuneration packages designed to attract, motivate, and retain Directors 
and employees of a sufficiently high calibre such that shareholder value will be enhanced and to reward them accordingly. 
It aims to provide sufficient levels of remuneration to do this, but also to avoid paying more than is necessary.  

Angus Forrest has a service contract with a notice period of six months.  

Main elements of remuneration 

The three main elements of the Executive Directors’ remuneration package which is a mix of fixed and variable pay:  base 
salary, performance-related bonus and share option incentives. 

Base salary 

Base salaries payable to Executive Directors are reviewed annually by the Board. In determining the appropriate levels of 
remuneration,  the  Board  believes  that  the  Company  should  offer  average  levels  of  base  pay  reflecting  individual 
responsibilities compared to similar roles in comparable companies.  

Summary of Directors’ remuneration including employers NI: 

Salary/ fees 

2021 

£’000 

Total 

2021 

£’000 

Total 

2020 

£’000 

53 

53 

25 

26 

16 

16 

– 

– 

26 

16 

16 

– 

– 

111 

111 

12 

8 

8 

6 

– 

59 

Executive 

A Forrest 

Non-executive 

S Bennett 

N Malde 

J Wakefield 

J Depasquale 

S Wicks 

Stephen Wicks and John Depasquale resigned as directors on 30 June 2020.   

The Directors waived £26,000 of remuneration in the year to 31 December 2020.   

There were no contributions to money purchase or other pension schemes in the year (2020 £nil). 

Non-executive Directors 

Remuneration  for  non-executive  Directors  is  determined  by  the  Board.  The  non-executive  Directors  have  a  Letter  of 
Appointment which can be terminated by either party giving the other three months prior written notice. 

Company Share Option Plans 

No share options were granted during the year. All share options are part of a Company Unapproved scheme.   

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Directors hold the following options over shares in the Company: 

S Bennett 

A Forrest 

N Malde 

J Wakefield 

31 December 2021 

31 December 2020 

4,000,000 

8,000,000 

2,000,000 

1,000,000 

4,000,000 

8,000,000 

2,000,000 

1,000,000 

On  15  July  2020  11,000,000  share  options  were  issued  exercisable  at  0.65p  and  on  25  November  2020  4,000,000 
exercisable at 0.55p, in both cases at any time in the 10 years from the date of grant. Details of the fair value of these 
options can be found in note 9. 

The directors’ interests in the shares of the Company are shown in the table on page 23 as at 31 December 2021.  

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD 

John Wakefield  

Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
20 April 2022 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Director’s Report 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

The Directors have pleasure in submitting their report, together with the financial statements of the Group and Company, 
for the year ended 31 December 2021. 

Principal activity 

Drumz  is  building  a  software  group,  investing  in  and  acquiring  technology  companies,  which  offer  value  creation 
opportunities over the medium term. 

Review of business and dividends  

A review of the current and future development of the Group’s business is given in the Strategic Report on pages 1 to 9 
which forms part of, and by reference is incorporated in, this Directors’ Report. 

The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group are set out on page 9. 

Results and Dividends 
The results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2021 are set out in the Group Statement of Comprehensive 
Income. The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend for the year. 

Directors and Directors’ interests  

The Company supports the concept of effective Board leadership and control of the Company. The Board is responsible 
for  approving  Company  policy  and  strategy.  All  Directors  have  access  to  advice  from  the  Company  Secretary  and  if 
necessary, from independent professionals at the Company’s expense. The biographical details for the Board members 
serving as at the date of this report are shown on page 12. 

Those Directors who held office during the year and their interests in the shares of the Company, which include beneficial 
and family interests, are shown below: 

Simon Bennett 

Angus Forrest1 

John Wakefield 

Nishith Malde2 

As at 31 December 2021 
ordinary shares of 0.1p 

As at 31 December 2020 
ordinary shares of 0.1p 

2,000,000 

30,289,930 

1,666,667 

14,356,631 

— 

29,893,921 

— 

12,689,964 

1 Angus Forest’s interest in shares includes those held by his pension fund. 

2 The beneficial holding of Nishith Malde comprises his direct shareholding of 12,897,131 shares and an interest of 1,459,500 shares in the Company 
held by way of his shareholding in Highlands Village Limited, of which he owns 8.4%. 

Relations with shareholders 

The  Company  values  the  views  of  its  shareholders  and  recognises  their  interest  in  the  Company’s  strategy  and 
performance, Board membership and quality of management. It therefore encourages shareholders to offer their views. 

There is a link on the Company’s website to enable shareholders to communicate with the Company.  The AGM provides 
an opportunity for shareholders, particularly private investors, to question the Board on any issues arising.  

The notice convening the AGM is sent to shareholders with this report. A separate motion will be put to the meeting on each 
substantial issue. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Accountability and audit 

The Board endeavours to present a balanced and understandable assessment of the Group’s position and prospects in all 
reports as well as in the information required to be presented by statutory requirements. 

Supplier payment policy 
It is the policy and normal practice of the Group to make payments due to suppliers in accordance with agreed terms and 
conditions, generally 30 days. Where suppliers offer early settlement discounts, these may be accepted. 

Going concern 

The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  the  going  concern  basis,  the  Directors  having  considered  the  cash 
forecasts for the next 18 months from the date of the approval of these financial statements. In doing so they have given 
due regard to the risks and uncertainties affecting the business as set out in the Strategic Report on page 9 and the liquidity 
of investments and the liquidity risk disclosed in Note 11.  On this basis, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the funds available to the Group are sufficient to meet the requirements indicated by those forecasts. 

Corporate Governance 
The Group has set out its full Corporate Governance Statement on pages 10 to 26. The Corporate Governance Statement 
forms part of this Directors’ report and is incorporated into it by cross reference. 

Internal control 

The Board is responsible for maintaining a sound system of internal control to safeguard shareholders’ investments and 
the Company’s assets and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a system is designed to manage, but not eliminate, the risk 
of failure to achieve business objectives. There are inherent limitations in any control system and, accordingly, even the 
most effective systems can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. 

Assessment of business risk 

The Board regularly reviews operating and strategic risks. The Group’s operating procedures include a system for 
reporting financial and non-financial information to the Board as and when appropriate, including: 

• 

• 
• 
• 

reports from management with a review of the business at each Board meeting, focusing on any new 
decisions/risks arising; 
reports on the performance of the Company’s investments; 
reports on the selection criteria of new investments; and 
consideration of reports prepared by third parties. 

Control procedures 

Operational procedures have been developed for each of the Group’s operating businesses that embody key controls over 
relevant areas. The implications of changes in law and regulations are taken into account by the Group. 

The Board has considered the need for an internal audit function but has decided that this is not justified at present given 
the size of the Group. However, it will keep this decision under review. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Significant shareholdings 

According to the Company’s register of substantial shareholdings as at 19 April 2022 the following had notified the Company 
of their interest in 3% or more of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital.  The Directors’ holdings are shown on page 
23. 

BrightGrow SSAS 

Nick Clark 

Stephen Wicks1  

Javed Abrahams 

Highlands Village Limited 

Aidan O’Hara 

Neil Scott 

William Barbour 

Roger Bown 

Number  
of shares 

43,000,000 

43,000,000 

30,289,930 

17,776,336 

17,375,000 

15,500,000 

14,000,000 

13,850,000 

12,000,000 

% 

10.2 

10.2 

7.1 

4.2 

4.0 

3.7 

3.3 

3.3 

3.0 

1 The beneficial holding of Stephen Wicks comprises his direct shareholding of 23,558,855 shares and an interest in 6,731,075 shares in the Company 
held by way of his shareholding in Highlands Village Limited, of which he owns 38.74%.  

Financial risk management objectives and policies 

The Group’s financial instruments comprise its investments, cash balances, receivables and payables that arise directly 
from its operations and derivative instruments. The Group is exposed to market risk through the use of financial instruments 
and specifically to liquidity risk, market price risk and credit risk, which result from the Group’s operating activities. 

The Board’s policy for managing these risks is summarised below. 

Liquidity risk 

Credit risk 

Capital risk 
management 

The Group makes investments for the long term. Accordingly, the Group rarely trades investments 
in the short term, however, it may do so in order to meet its funding requirements. It should be 
noted that, the market in small capitalised companies can be illiquid. Accordingly, the Directors 
monitor the market and make disposals as and when it would be appropriate to do so. 

The Group’s exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of financial assets recognised 
at the balance sheet date. 

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue 
as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders, benefits for other stakeholders 
and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. 

The Group monitors capital on the basis of carrying an amount of cash and cash equivalents as 
presented  on  the  face  of  the  Statement  of  Financial  Position  and  compared  to  the  short  and 
medium term liabilities and expected liabilities. 

Post balance sheet event 

As  referred  to  in  the  going  concern  section  of  the  principal  accounting  policies,  we  continue  to  monitor  the  situation 
concerning COVID-19 pandemic and any impact it may have on the Group and Company.  

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance 
Drumz plc 

Disclosure of information to Auditors 

The Directors confirm that: 

• So far as each Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and 
• The Directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as Directors in order to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information. 

Auditor 

PKF Littlejohn have been appointed as auditor for the ensuing year in accordance with section 487 of the Companies Act 
2006 subject to re-election at the next AGM. 

Directors’ responsibilities statement 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations.  

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Directors 
have prepared financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards. 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 and of the profit or loss of the company and group for that year.   

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

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

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

state  whether,  for  the  group  and  company,  UK-adopted  international  accounting  standards  have  been 
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and  
prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to  presume  that  the 
Company will continue in business.  

- 

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

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the 
company’s  website.  Legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom  governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of  the  financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. The company is compliant with AIM Rule 26 regarding the 
company’s website.  

The directors confirm that they have complied with the above requirements in preparing the financial statements. 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD 

Simon Bennett 
Non-executive Chairman 
20 April 2022 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Financial Statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

Independent Auditors Report 

to the members of Drumz plc 

Opinion  

We have audited the financial statements of Drumz Plc (the ‘Parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for the year 
ended 31 December 2021 which comprises: the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated and 
Parent Company Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated and Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity, 
the  Consolidated  and  Parent  Company  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  and  notes  to  the  financial  statements,  including 
significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable 
law  and  UK-adopted  international  accounting  standards  and  as  regards  the  Parent  company  financial  statements,  as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.  

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 December 2021 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;  
the  Group  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  UK-adopted  international 
accounting standards; 
the Parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international 
accounting standards and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; 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 under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group and Parent company in accordance with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as 
applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We 
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.  

Conclusions relating to going concern  

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the group’s and 
parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included a review of budgets for 12 
months from the sign off date including checking the mathematical accuracy of the budgets and discussion of significant 
assumptions used by the management and comparing these with current year and post year end performance. We have 
also reviewed the latest available post year end management accounts, bank statements, regulatory announcements, board 
minutes and assessed any external industry wide factors which might affect the group and the company. 
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions 
that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's or Parent company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our  responsibilities  and  the  responsibilities  of  the  directors  with  respect  to  going  concern  are  described  in  the  relevant 
sections of this report. 

Our application of materiality  

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

The  scope  of  our  audit  was  influenced  by  our  application  of  materiality.  The  quantitative  and  qualitative  thresholds  for 
materiality  determine  the  scope  of  our  audit  and  the  nature,  timing  and  extent  of  our  audit  procedures.  The  materiality 
applied to the group financial statements was set at £46,100 (2020: £60,780), with performance materiality set at £32,270 
(2020: £42,540).  

Materiality  has  been  calculated  as  4%  of  the  benchmark  of  net  assets,  which  we  have  determined,  in  our  professional 
judgement,  to  be  one  of  the  principal  benchmarks  within  the  financial  statements  relevant  to  members  of  the  group  in 
assessing financial performance. 

The materiality applied to the company financial statements was £46,000 (2020: £38,840). The performance materiality 
was £32,000 (2020: £27,180). For each component in the scope of our group audit, we allocated a materiality that was less 
than  our  overall  group  materiality.  We  agreed  with  the  Audit  Committee  that  we  would  report  to  them  misstatements 
identified during our audit above £2,305 (2020: £3,039) at group level and £2,300 (2020: £3,035) at company level. 

We applied the concept of materiality both in planning and performing the audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatement. 

Our approach to the audit 

In designing our audit, we determined materiality, as above, and assessed the risk of material misstatement in the financial 
statements. We addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was 
evidence of bias by the directors that represents a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. In particular we looked at 
areas involving significant accounting estimates and judgements by the directors and considered future events that are 
inherently uncertain, such as the fair value of unquoted investments and the value of the share options scheme.  

In addition, we focused our audit on the significant risk areas including the Key Audit Matter as outlined below. 

A full scope audit was performed on the complete financial information of the Group. 

Key audit matters  

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not 
due to fraud) we identified, 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.  

Key Audit Matter 

How our scope addressed this matter 

Valuation  of  investments  –  See  note  6  in  the 
financial statements 

The company holds listed and unlisted 
investments. There is a risk that the investments 
are not valued correctly.  

The investments carrying value is £1,015,000 as 
at 31 December 2021, which comprises 63% of 
the Group’s total assets.  

The Parent company holds two investments: 

Our work in this area included:  

!  Confirmation of ownership and safe custody of the 

ownership instruments; 

!  For listed investments, ensure these do meet the 
criteria for a level 1 investment, verification of the 
year end share price used in the valuation to third 
party source. Checking movements reflected 
through fair value in profit or loss; 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

•  An equity investment in a company listed on 
the London AIM measured at fair value 
through profit and loss; and  

•  An unlisted investment measured at fair 

value through profit and loss. The fair value 
being assessed to equal the cost.  

The directors are required to use their judgement 
in respect of the unlisted investment to assess 
the fair value.  

!  Obtaining and critically reviewing management’s 
assessment of impairment for level 3 investment; 

!  A review of the mathematical accuracy of the 

calculations used in the impairment review and 
corroboration to supporting documentation; and 

!  A review of the disclosure in the financial 
statements for compliance with IFRS. 

We  have  assessed  this  area  to  be  a  key  audit 
matter because of the financial significance of the 
investments  and  the  need  for  judgement  in 
assessing the fair value. 

The fair value of KCR Residential REIT Plc was 
recalculated using the share price and the number of 
shares held in the investment. 

The unlisted investment is held at cost because the 
directors do not consider that there are relevant 
observable inputs available and therefore cost is the 
best indicator for fair value as at 31 December 2021. 
We consider the basis for valuation to be appropriate.  

No  material  misstatements  have  been  noted  in 
respect of valuation of investments.   

Other information  

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our 
auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our 
opinion on the Group and Parent company financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the 
extent  otherwise  explicitly  stated  in  our  report,  we  do  not  express  any  form  of  assurance  conclusion  thereon.  Our 
responsibility  is  to  read  the  other  information  and,  in  doing  so,  consider  whether  the  other  information  is  materially 
inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to 
determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work 
we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report 
that fact.  

We have nothing to report in this regard.  

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006  

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:  

• 

• 

the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and  
the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.  

Matters on which we are required to report by exception  

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the Parent company and their environment obtained in 
the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report.  

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:  

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have 

not been received from branches not visited by us; or  
• 
the Parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or  
• 
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or  
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.  

Responsibilities of directors  

As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
Group and Parent company financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such 
internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  

In preparing the Group and Parent company financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group 
and the Parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern 
and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors 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 for the audit of the financial statements  

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  an  auditor’s  report  that  includes  our  opinion.  Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a 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 the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of these financial statements.  

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with 
our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent 
to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: 

•  We obtained an understanding of the group and parent company and the sector in which they operate to identify 
laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a direct effect on the financial statements. We 
obtained  our  understanding  in  this  regard  through  discussions  with  management  and  application  of  cumulative 
audit knowledge and experience of the sector.  

•  We determined the principal laws and regulations relevant to the group and parent company in this regard to be 
those  arising  from  Companies  Act  2006,  the  London  Stock  Exchange  AIM  listing  rules,  International  Financial 
Reporting Standards (in compliance with the Companies Act 2006) and tax legislation within the United Kingdom. 
•  We designed our audit procedures to ensure the audit team considered whether there were any indications of non-
compliance by the Group and Parent company with those laws and regulations. These procedures included, but 
were not limited to: 

o  Review of minutes 
o  Review of legal and professional expenditure 

•  We also identified the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud. We considered, in 
addition to the non-rebuttable presumption of a risk of fraud arising from management override of controls, that the 
potential  for  management  bias  was  in  the  valuation  of  investments.  We  addressed  the  risk  by  challenging  the 
assumptions and judgements made by management when auditing that significant accounting estimate.  

•  We addressed the risk of fraud arising from management override of controls by performing audit procedures which 
included, but were not limited to: the testing of journals;  reviewing accounting estimates for evidence of bias; and 
evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of 
business. 

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading 
to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that 
compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as 

30 

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

we  will  be  less  likely  to  become  aware  of  instances  of  non-compliance.  The  risk  is  also  greater  regarding  irregularities 
occurring  due  to  fraud  rather  than  error,  as  fraud  involves  intentional  concealment,  forgery,  collusion,  omission  or 
misrepresentation. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.  

Use of our report 

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. 

Mark Ling (Senior Statutory Auditor)  
For and on behalf of PKF Littlejohn LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
                                                 20 April 2022 

15 Westferry Circus 
Canary Wharf 
London E14 4HD 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Group statement of comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

Continuing operations 

Revenue  

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Administrative expenses 

Operating profit/(loss) 

Loss on investments 

Loss before taxation 

Taxation 

Loss for the year attributable to shareholders of the parent company  

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to shareholders of the parent 
company  

Earnings per share 

Notes 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

44 

—  

44 

(283) 

(239) 

(183) 

(422) 

— 

(422) 

(422) 

12 

— 

12 

(161) 

(149) 

(608) 

(757) 

— 

(757) 

(757) 

2 

6 

4 

Basic and diluted earnings per share from total and continuing operations 

5 

(0.12)p 

(0.36)p 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Group statement of financial position 
as at 31 December 2021 

ASSETS 

Non-current assets 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

EQUITY 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Share option reserve 

Convertible loan 

Merger reserve 

Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Notes 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

6 

7 

8 

9 

1,015 

1,015 

1,073 

1,073 

23 

561 

584 

14 

491 

505 

1,599 

1,578 

52 

52 

60 

60 

1,547 

1,518 

2,688 

8,385 

30 

- 

2,613 

8,039 

- 

88 

1,012 

1,012 

(10,568) 

(10,234) 

1,547 

1,518 

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 20 April 2022. 

Angus Forrest 
Director  

Simon Bennett 
Non-executive Chairman 

Company Number 
00298654  

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Company statement of financial position 
as at 31 December 2021 

ASSETS 

Non-current assets 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

EQUITY 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Share option reserve 

Convertible loan 

Merger reserve 

Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Notes 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

6 

7 

8 

9 

1,015 

1,015 

1,073 

1,073 

23 

561 

584 

    13 

  491 

  504 

1,599 

1,577 

52 

52 

    59 

    59 

1,547 

1,518 

2,688 

8,385 

30 

- 

2,613 

8,039 

88 

1,012 

1,012 

(10,568) 

(10,234) 

1,547 

1,518 

The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the Parent 
Company Statement of Comprehensive Income. The loss for the Parent Company for the year was £422,000 (31 
December 2020: loss of £757,000). 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 20 April 2022. 

Angus Forrest 
Director  

Simon Bennett 
Non-executive Chairman 

Company Number 
00298654 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Group statement of changes in equity  
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

Share   

Share  

capital  

premium  

£’000 

2,392 

221 

— 

 £’000 

7,189 

850 

— 

Balance at 1 January 2020 

Issue of shares 

Total comprehensive income 

Balance at 31 December 2020 

2,613 

8,039 

Balance at 1 January 2021 

2,613 

8,039 

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners: 

Issue of shares 

Share issue costs 

Share options 

Write-off of convertible equity 

Total comprehensive income 

75 

— 

75 

— 

— 

— 

375 

(29) 

346 

— 

— 

— 

Share 
Option 
Reserve 
£’000 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

30 

— 

— 

Convertible 
loan  

Merger  

reserve  

Retained 
earnings  

Total  

equity  

£’000 

88 

— 

— 

88 

88 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(88) 

— 

£’000 

1,012 

— 

— 

£’000 

£’000 

(9,477) 

1,204 

— 

(757) 

1,071 

(757) 

1,012 

(10,234) 

1,518 

1,012 

(10,234) 

1,518 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

88 

450 

(29) 

421 

30 

— 

(422) 

(422) 

Balance at 31 December 2021 

2,688 

8,385 

30 

— 

1,012 

(10,568) 

1,547 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Company statement of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

Share   

Share  

capital  

premium  

£’000 

2,392 

221 

— 

 £’000 

7,189 

850 

— 

Balance at 1 January 2020 

Issue of shares 

Total comprehensive income 

Balance at 31 December 2020 

2,613 

8,039 

Balance at 1 January 2021 

2,613 

8,039 

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners: 

Issue of shares 

Share issue costs 

Share options 

Write-off of convertible equity 

Total comprehensive income 

75 

— 

75 

— 

— 

— 

375 

(29) 

346 

— 

— 

— 

Share 
Option 
Reserve 
£’000 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

30 

— 

— 

Convertible 
loan  

Merger  

reserve  

Retained 
earnings  

Total  

equity  

£’000 

88 

— 

— 

88 

88 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(88) 

— 

£’000 

1,012 

— 

— 

£’000 

£’000 

(9,477) 

1,204 

— 

(757) 

1,071 

(757) 

1,012 

(10,234) 

1,518 

1,012 

(10,234) 

1,518 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

88 

450 

(29) 

421 

30 

— 

(422) 

(422) 

Balance at 31 December 2021 

2,688 

8,385 

30 

— 

1,012 

(10,568) 

1,547 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.  

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Group statement of cash flows 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Loss before taxation 

Adjustments for: 

Fair value adjustment for listed investments 

Increase / (Decrease) in share option reserve 

(Increase) / Decrease in trade and other receivables 

(Decrease) / increase in trade and other payables 

Net cash used in operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchase of investments 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Cash raised through issue of shares (net of transaction costs) 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

(422) 

(757) 

183 

30 

(9) 

(8) 

608 

— 

   (2) 

( 25) 

(226) 

(176) 

(125) 

(125) 

421 

70 

491 

561 

(500) 

(500) 

1,071 

395 

  96 

491 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Company statement of cash flows 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Loss before taxation 

Adjustments for: 

Fair value adjustment for listed investments 

Increase / (Decrease) in share option reserve 

(Increase) / Decrease in trade and other receivables 

(Decrease) / increase in trade and other payables 

Net cash used in operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchase of investments 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Cash raised through issue of shares (net of transaction costs) 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

(422) 

(268) 

183 

30 

(9) 

(8) 

608 

— 

1,268 

(1,758) 

(226) 

(150) 

(125) 

(125) 

421 

70 

491 

561 

(500) 

(500) 

1,071 

421 

  70 

491 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Principal accounting policies 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

General information  

Drumz plc is a company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The Company is a public limited company, 
which is listed on AIM of the London Stock Exchange, incorporated in the UK and domiciled in England and Wales. The 
address of the registered office is Burnham Yard, London End, Beaconsfield, HP9 2JH. 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the Group and Company financial statements are set out 
below. 

Basis of accounting 

Basis of preparation 

The Group and Company financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except as modified 
for financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling (£’000), 
which is also the functional currency of the Company and Group. 

The Group and Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out below 
and international accounting standards in conformity with the Companies Act 2006. 

The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the Group and the Company for the purposes of the 
preparation of these financial statements and the same accounting policies, presentations and methods of computation are 
followed in this set of financial statements as were applied in the previous set of audited financial statements. 

Going concern 

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.  

The Directors have reviewed the Company’s budgets and considered plans.  This combined with a review of the Company’s 
cash  balances,  saleable  securities  and  discussions  with  the  advisers  have  led  them  to  conclude  there  is  a  reasonable 
expectation that the Company and Group has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future.  For 
this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Company’s and Group’s financial statements.  
This has been assessed using detailed cash flow analysis so that the Board can conclude that the Company and Group 
has sufficient capital resources for at least 12 months from the approval of these financial statements.  

Changes in accounting policies 

New standards adopted during the year  

There were no new standards or interpretations effective and adopted for the first time for the year beginning on or after 1 
January 2021 that had a significant effect on the Group’s or Company’s financial statements. These include: 

•  Amendments to IFRS 17 and IFRS 4 - Extension of the Temporary Exemption from Applying IFRS 9 (Amendments 

to IFRS 4) 

Standards in issue but not yet effective 

The following accounting standards, amendments to existing standards and interpretations are not yet effective and have 
not been adopted early by the Group or Company:  

•  Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (effective 1 January 2022)  
•  Amendments to IFRS 3 References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards (effective 1 January 2022) 
•  Amendments to IAS 37: Onerous Contracts - Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (effective 1 January 2022) 
•  Amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IFRS 16, and IAS 41 as part of Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018–

2020 (effective 1 January 2022) 

•  Amendments to Initial Application of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 – Comparative Information (effective 1 January 2020) 
•  Amendments  to  IFRS  1  and  IAS  12  -  Deferred  Tax  related  to  Assets  and  Liabilities  from  a  Single  Transaction 

(effective 1 January 2023) 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

•  Amendments to Practice Statement 2, IAS 1, IFRS 8, IAS 34, IAS 26 and IFRS 7 – Disclosure of Accounting Policies 

(Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2) (effective 1 January 2023) 

•  Amendments to IAS 8 – Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendments to IAS 8) (effective 1 January 2023) 

Summary of significant accounting policies 

Basis of consolidation 

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and all of its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 
December 2021. Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, the variable returns from its 
involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary. The Group 
obtains and exercises control through voting rights. 

Intercompany  transactions,  balances,  and  unrealised  gains  on  transactions  between  the  Parent  Company  and  its 
subsidiaries  are  eliminated.  Unrealised  losses  are  also  eliminated  unless  the  transaction  provides  evidence  of  an 
impairment of the asset transferred. Amounts reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where 
necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies adopted by the Group. 

Acquisitions of subsidiaries are dealt with by the acquisition method. The acquisition method involves the recognition at fair 
value  of  all  identifiable  assets  and  liabilities,  including  contingent  liabilities  of  the  subsidiary,  at  the  acquisition  date, 
regardless of whether or not they were recorded in the financial statements of the subsidiary prior to acquisition. On initial 
recognition, the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary are included in the Group Statement of financial position at their fair 
values, which are also used as the basis for subsequent measurement in accordance with the Group accounting policies. 
Goodwill  is  stated  after  separating  out  identifiable  intangible  assets.  Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  fair  value  of 
consideration transferred over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets of the acquired subsidiary at 
the date of acquisition. 

Revenue and other income 

Fees and other income from investee companies is recognised as revenues as it falls due. 

Interest is recognised as it becomes due. 

Dividends are recognised when the shareholders’ right to receive payment is established. 

Taxation 

Current tax is the tax currently payable based on taxable profit/(loss) for the period. 

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences. Deferred tax is generally provided 
on the difference between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. However, deferred tax is not 
provided  on  the  initial  recognition  of  goodwill,  nor  on  the  initial  recognition  of  an  asset  or  liability  unless  the  related 
transaction is a business combination or affects tax or accounting profit. Deferred tax on temporary differences associated 
with shares in subsidiaries is not provided if reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the Group or 
Company and it is probable that reversal will not occur in the foreseeable future. In addition, tax losses available to be 
carried forward as well as other income tax credits to the Group or Company are assessed for recognition as deferred tax 
assets. 

Deferred tax liabilities are provided in full, with no discounting. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is 
probable that the underlying deductible temporary differences will be able to be offset against future taxable income. Current 
and deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated at tax rates that are expected to apply to their respective period of 
realisation, provided they are enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Changes  in  deferred  tax  assets  or  liabilities  are  recognised  as  a  component  of  tax  expense  in  the  Statement  of 
comprehensive  income,  except  where  they  relate  to items  that  are  charged  or  credited  directly  to  other  comprehensive 
income or equity, in which case the related deferred tax is also charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income 
or equity. 

Financial assets 

Financial assets are divided into the following categories: loans and receivables (including trade and other receivables) and 
fair value to profit and loss. Financial assets are assigned to the different categories by management on initial recognition, 

40 

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

depending  on  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  acquired.  The  designation  of  financial  assets  is  re-evaluated  at  every 
reporting date, at which point a choice of classification or accounting treatment is available. 

All  financial  assets  are  recognised  when  the  Group  or  Company  becomes  a  party  to  the  contractual  provisions  of  the 
instrument. Financial assets other than those categorised as at fair value through profit or loss are recognised at fair value 
plus transaction costs.  

Fair value through profit and loss assets are initially recognised at cost in accordance with IFRS 9 and are subsequently 
re-measured at the reporting date. The movement in fair value is recognised in the Statement of profit and loss and other 
comprehensive income in accordance with IFRS 13. 

Investments  

All investments are determined upon initial recognition as held at fair value through profit and loss.  Investment transactions 
are accounted for on a trade date basis.  Asset sales are recognised at the trade date of the disposal.  The Fair value of 
the financial instruments in the Statement of Financial Position is based on the last transaction price at the Statement of 
Financial Position date, with no deduction for any estimated future selling cost.  Unquoted investments are valued by the 
directors  using  primary  valuation  techniques  such  as  recent  transactions  and  last  price.    Changes  in  the  fair  value  of 
investments held at fair value through profit or loss and gains and losses on disposal are recognised in the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income as “movement in fair value of investments”.  Investments are measured at fair value in accordance 
with IFRS 9.  Details of the valuation technique for each investment is set out in the Investment Report on pages 7 and 8. 

Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities are obligations to pay cash or other financial assets and are recognised when the Group or Company 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities are recorded initially at fair value, net of 
direct issue costs. 

They  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method,  with  interest  related  charges 
recognised as an expense in finance cost in the Statement of comprehensive income. Finance charges, including premiums 
payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are charged to the Statement of comprehensive income on an 
accruals basis using the effective interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that 
they are not settled in the period in which they arise. 

A financial liability is derecognised only when the obligation is extinguished, that is, when the obligation is discharged or 
cancelled or expires. When the obligation is extinguished by conversion to equity, a gain or loss is recognised in respect of 
the difference between the carrying value of the debt compared to the fair value of the shares issued. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  on  hand  and  demand  deposits,  together  with  other  short-term,  highly  liquid 
investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes 
in value. 

Equity 

Equity comprises the following: 

• 
• 

• 
• 

Share capital represents the nominal value of equity shares. 
Share premium represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration received for 
equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue. 
Retained earnings represents retained profits/(losses).  
Merger reserve represents the excess of the nominal value of shares issued in the acquisition of a 
subsidiary undertaking and the nominal value of the subsidiary undertaking’s shares; and 

Segment reporting 

In  accordance  with  IFRS  8,  information  is  disclosed  to  enable  users  of  financial  statements  to  evaluate  the  nature  and 
financial effects of the business activities in which the Group engages. In identifying its operating segments, management 
differentiates between each investment. These segments are based on the information reported to the chief executive. The 
Group’s result to date is substantially derived from investment activities. 

Share-based employee remuneration 

The Group operates equity-settled share-based remuneration plans for its employees. Where material, the fair value of the 
employee services received in exchange for the grant of the options is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be 

41 

 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted, excluding the impact of any non-market service 
and  performance  vesting  conditions.  Non-market  vesting  conditions  are  included  in  assumptions  about  the  number  of 
options that are expected to vest. The total amount expensed is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period 
over which all of the specified vesting conditions are to be satisfied. At each reporting date, the entity revises its estimates 
of the number of options that are expected to vest based on the non-market vesting conditions. It recognises the impact of 
the revision to original estimates, if any, in profit and loss, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.  The preparation of 
financial  information  in  conformity  with  international  accounting  standards  in  conformity  with  the  Companies  Act  2006 
requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well 
as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of income and 
expenses during the reporting period. 

Critical accounting estimates and judgement 

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, which are described above, management has made the following 
assumptions that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial information: 

Valuation of unlisted investments and option 

The Company holds one unlisted investment valued at cost in the financial statements, which is concluded to be its fair 
value because of a lack of observable information.  When considering the valuation, in the absence of any market liquidity 
or transaction with other investors the directors reviewed the trading and future prospects such as the budget, sales pipeline 
and forward contracted revenues. 

Share based payments 

The Group has made awards of options on its unissued share capital to directors as part of their remuneration package. 
The valuation of these options involved making a number of critical estimates relating to price volatility, future dividend 
yields, expected life of the options and interest rates.  The Group has used the Black-Scholes formula to calculate the fair 
value of outstanding share options. The assumptions applied to the Black-Scholes formula for share options issued and the 
fair value per option are described in more detail in note 9. 

The expense charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income during the year in relation to share based payments was 
£30,000 (2020 - £nil). 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Notes to the Financial Statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 

1. Income and segmental analysis 

The  Group  generates  income  by  charging  investee  companies  fees  and  for  profits  or  losses  on  investments.    These 
operating segments are monitored by the Executive Directors and strategic decisions are made on the basis of segment 
operating results. The segmental analysis of operations is as follows: 

Segmental analysis by activity 

Segment result 

Operating income 

Investment activities: 

Administrative expenses 

Operating loss/profit 

Loss in value of quoted investment  

Loss before tax 

Segment assets 

Investment activities: 

Non-current assets – investment 

Other 

Total assets 

Segment liabilities 

Investment activities: 

Current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total assets less total liabilities 

The activity of investments arose wholly in the United Kingdom. 

43 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

44 

12 

(283) 

(239) 

(183) 

(422) 

(161) 

(149) 

(608) 

(757) 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

1,015 

1,073 

584 

505 

1,599 

1,578 

52 

52 

60 

60 

1,547 

1,518 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

2. Operating profit / (loss) 

Operating profit / (loss) is stated after charging: 

Auditor’s remuneration for: 

Audit services 

– audit of the Group’s and Company’s annual accounts 

– audit of subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 

3. Directors and employees 

Staff costs during the year were as follows: 

Wages and salaries 

The average number of employees (including Directors) of the Group was: 

Management of investments 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

16 

3 

12 

3 

2021 

£’000 

105 

2020 

£’000 

59 

2021 

2020 

Number 

Number 

4 

4 

Further details of individual Directors’ remuneration, pension fund and interests in the Company are shown in the table on 
page 21. 

4. Income tax 

There is no tax charge or credit for the current year. The tax assessed for the prior year is higher than the standard rate of 
corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2020: 19%). The differences are explained as follows: 

2021 

2020 

£’000 

£’000 

Loss on ordinary activities before taxation 

(422) 

Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of UK corporation tax of 19% (2020: 19%)  (80) 

Effect of: 

Disallowable items 

Addition / (utilisation) of tax losses arising 

Total tax charge/(credit) 

35 

45 

— 

(757) 

(144) 

116 

28 

— 

The Group has unrecognised deferred tax assets of £1,459,000 (2020: £1,477,000) as a result of losses in the current 
year and prior periods carried forward of £7,677,000 (2020: £7,777,000).  

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

5. Earnings per ordinary share 

The earnings per ordinary share is based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year of 
351,072,048 ordinary shares of 0.1p (2020: 210,083,568 ordinary shares of 0.1p) and the following figures: 

Loss attributable to equity shareholders (£’000) 

Loss per ordinary share  

2021 

(422) 

2020 

(757) 

(0.12)p 

(0.36)p 

Diluted earnings per share is taken as equal to basic earnings per share as the Group’s average share price during the 
period is lower than the exercise price of the share options and therefore the effect of including share options is anti-
dilutive. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

6. Investments 

Cost 

At 1 January 2021 

Additions 

At 31 December 2021 

Fair value movements 

At 1 January 2021 

Fair value adjustment  

At 31 December 2021 

Fair value 

At 31 December 2021 

At 31 December 2020 

Investment 

£’000 

2,205 

125 

2,330 

(1,132) 

(183)         

(1,315) 

1,015 

1,073 

Drumz plc acquired shares in KCR Residential REIT plc at a price of £0.70 per share in 2018. The investment was classed 
as fair value through profit and loss in accordance with IFRS 9. The investment was valued downwards at the year-end in 
accordance with IFRS 13. The closing value at 31 December 2021 was £389,713. 

Drumz plc acquired shares in Acuity Risk Management Limited in September 2020 and additional shares in September 
2021.  The value of this investment is shown at cost, £625,000.  Although Drumz holds 25% of Acuity’s shares the directors 
believe that Drumz does not exercises significant influence over Acuity as such it does not need to be accounted for as an 
associate. 

Fair value hierarchy  

In accordance with IFRS 13, financial instruments are measured by level of the following fair value measurement hierarchy: 

- 

- 

- 

Level 1: quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities. The fair value of financial instruments 
traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. A market is regarded as 
active if quoted prices are readily and regularly available and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring 
market transactions on an arm’s-length basis. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Group 
is the closing price on the last day of the financial year of the Group. These instruments are included in level 1 and 
comprise FTSE and AIM-listed investments classified as held at fair value through profit or loss. 
Level  2:  the  fair  value  of  financial  instruments  that  are  not  traded  in  an  active  market  is  determined  by  using 
valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is available 
and rely as little as possible on entity-specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument 
are observable, the instrument is included in level 2.  
Level 3: the fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, investments in 
unquoted companies) is determined by using valuation techniques such as earnings multiples. If one or more of 
the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3. 

There have been no transfers between these classifications in the period (2020: none). The change in fair value for the 
current and previous years is recognised through profit or loss. 

All assets held at fair value through profit or loss were designated as such upon initial recognition.  

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Movements in investments held at fair value through profit or loss are summarised as follows: 

Cost 

At 1 January 2021 

Additions 

At 31 December 2021 

Fair value losses 

Level 3 

Level 1 

Equity 
investments 
£’000 

Equity 
investments 
£’000 

Total 
investments 
£’000 

500 

125 

625 

1,705 

2,205 

125 

1,705 

2,330 

At 1 January 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

(1,132) 

(1,132) 

— 

Fair value adjustment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

(183) 

(183) 

— 

At 31 December 2021 

Fair value 

At 31 December 2021 

At 31 December 2020 

— 

(1,315) 

(1,315) 

625 

500 

390 

573 

1,015 

1,073 

Level 3 investments are held at fair value at the date of the Consolidated Financial Position with changes in value from 
cost being accounted for in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Investments in the subsidiaries in the parent company are carried at £nil (2020: £nil). See notes 12 and 15 for details of 
subsidiary undertakings. 

7. Trade and other receivables 

Other debtors 

In the opinion of the Directors, fair value is equal to carrying value. 

8.  Trade and other payables 

Current 

Trade creditors 

Other creditors and accruals 

Total trade and other payables 

In the opinion of the Directors, fair value is equal to carrying value. 

47 

Group 

Company 

2021 

2020 

2021 

2020 

£’000      £’000 

£’000 

£’000 

23 

14 

23 

13 

Group 

Company 

2021 

2020 

2021 

2020 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

9 

43 

52 

12 

48 

60 

9 

43 

52 

12 

47 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

9. Share capital 

Allotted, called up and fully paid 

419,822,048 (2020: 344,822,048) ordinary shares of 0.1p each 

2,268,113,165 (2020: 2,268,113,165) deferred shares of 0.1p each 

Ordinary shares 

At 1 January 2021 

Additions 

At 31 December 2021 

2021 

£’000 

420 

2,268 

2,688 

2020 

£’000 

345 

2,268 

2,613 

2021 

Number 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

2020 

Number 

£’000 

344,822,048    345 

123,912,957   124 

  75,000,000     75 

220,909,091    221 

419,822,048    420 

344,822,048   345 

On 30 November the Company issued 75,000,000 new Ordinary shares of 0.1p at 0.6p per share to raise approximately 
£450,000 before expenses.  

Deferred shares 

The deferred shares have: 

• 

• 

no right to any dividend; 

the right to receive notice of any general meeting and to attend such meeting but no right to vote thereat; and 

• 
the right on a winding up or other return of capital (after payment of the debts and liabilities of the Company and an 
amount equal to the amounts paid up, or credited as paid up, including any premium on the ordinary shares of the Company, 
together  with  any  unpaid  arrears  of dividend  declared  on  such  shares)  to  an  amount  equal  to  the  amounts  paid  up  or 
credited as paid up on such deferred shares. 

Share options and warrants 

The Group operates an unapproved share option scheme. Awards under each scheme are made periodically to employees. 
The share options in this scheme vest three years after the date of grant and have an exercise period of seven years. The 
options may only be exercised by option holders while they are still employees of the Group. If death in service occurs the 
options can be exercised (to the extent that they have vested) by the option holder’s personal representatives within 12 
months from the date of death. If an option holder ceases to be employed and the Directors deem the option holder to be 
a  ‘Good  Leaver’  the  options  can  be  exercised  (to  the  extent  that  they  have  vested)  within  six  months  from  the  date  of 
cessation of employment.  

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

A reconciliation of option movements over the year ended 31 December 2021 is shown below: 

Outstanding at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021 

Number 

15,000,000   

At 31 December 2021 outstanding options granted over ordinary shares were as follows: 

Share option scheme 

Exercise price 

Number 

Dates exercisable 

Company unapproved 

Company unapproved 

0.65p 

0.55p 

11,000,000 

4,000,000 

15 July 2020 to 14 July 2030 

25 Nov 2020 to 24 Nov 2030 

Further details on the share options can be found in the Remuneration Report on page 21. 

The weighted average exercise price for the Group’s options are as follows: 

Options outstanding at 31 December 2021: 

0.62p 

Options exercisable at 31 December 2021: 

nil 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the share options outstanding at the end of the year is 8 years (2020: 
9 years). 

The Group has used the Black-Scholes formula to calculate the fair value of outstanding share options. The assumptions 
applied to the Black-Scholes formula for share options issued and the fair value per option are detailed in the table below 
for options issued. The charge calculated up to 31 December 2021 is £30,000 (2020: £nil). Volatility was calculated using 
historical share price information for the six months prior to the date of grant. 

Date of grant 

Expected life of options based on options exercised to date 

Volatility of share price 

Dividend yield 

Risk free interest rate 

Share price at date of grant 

Exercise price 

Fair value per option 

Date of grant 

Expected life of options based on options exercised to date 

Volatility of share price 

Dividend yield 

Risk free interest rate 

Share price at date of grant 

Exercise price 

49 

Unapproved 
share options 
2020 grant 

15 July 2020 

3 years 

87% 

0% 

0.01% 

0.65p 

0.65p 

0.46p 

25 Nov 2020 

3 years 

96% 

0% 

0.01% 

0.48p 

0.55p 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Fair value per option 

Warrants 

0.35p 

Warrants over 75,000,000 ordinary shares of the Company with an exercise price of 1.0 pence per share were issued 
during the year ended 31 December 2021, in conjunction with the share issues set out in this note.  Warrants over 
75,000,000 ordinary shares are outstanding as at 31 December 2021. No expense was recorded in the year in respect of 
these warrants. 

10. Transactions with related parties 

Group and Company 

Highlands  Village  Limited,  a  company  in  which  S  D  Wicks  and  N  Malde  are  both  Directors  and  shareholders,  holds 
17,375,000 ordinary shares. 

The Company owed £26,054 to Highlands Village Ltd at the year end in respect of interest accrued in previous years. 

The key management personnel of the Company are considered to be the Directors. 

Acuity Risk Management Limited, a company in which Drumz owns 25% of the equity owed £6,000 for unpaid management 
fees at the year end. 

11. Financial instruments and risk profile 

The Group’s and Company’s financial instruments comprise of its investment portfolio, cash balances, debtors and creditors 
that arise directly from its operations and derivative instruments. The Group and Company are exposed to risk through the 
use of financial instruments and specifically to liquidity risk, market price risk and credit risk, which result from the Group’s 
operating activities. 

The Board’s policy for managing these risks is summarised below. 

Liquidity risk 

The  Group  and  Company  make  investments  for  the  long  term.  Accordingly,  the  Group  and  Company  rarely  trade 
investments in the short term. The Group currently has an investment in KCR Residential REIT plc. As this is a traded 
investment it is deemed liquid.  

Market price risk 

The Group and Company are exposed to market price risk as shown by movements in the value of its equity investments. 
Any such risk would be regularly monitored by the Directors. 

Capital risk management 

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order 
to provide returns for shareholders, benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce 
the cost of capital. The Group monitors capital on the basis of the carrying amount of equity, less cash and cash equivalents 
as presented on the face of the Statement of financial position. The movement in the capital to overall financing ratio is 
shown below: 

Equity 

Less: cash and cash equivalents 

Capital 

Equity 

Group 

2021 

£’000 

1,547 

(561) 

986 

1,547 

2020 

£’000 

1,518 

(491) 

1,027 

1,518 

Company 

2021 

£’000 

1,547 

(561) 

986 

1,547 

2020 

£’000 

1,518 

(491) 

1,027 

1,518 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Borrowings 

Overall financing 

Capital to overall financing 

— 

— 

— 

— 

1,547 

1,518 

1,547 

1,518 

63.7% 

67.7% 

63.7% 

67.7% 

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, 
return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt. 

Credit risk 

The Group’s exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of financial assets recognised at the balance sheet 
date. 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Group 

2021 

£’000 

23 

561 

584 

2020 

£’000 

14 

491 

505 

Company 

2021 

£’000 

23 

561 

584 

2020 

£’000 

13 

491 

504 

The  Directors  consider  that  all  the  above  financial  assets  are  of  reasonable  quality.  No  amounts  shown  above  are 
considered to be past their due date. 

Summary of financial assets and liabilities by category 

The carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities as recognised at the balance sheet date of the reporting periods under 
review may also be categorised as below:  

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Financial assets at amortised cost 

Group 

Company 

2021 

2020 

£’000 

£’000 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

23 

14 

561 

491 

584 

505 

23 

561 

584 

13 

491 

504 

Fair value though profit and loss assets 

1,015  1,073 

1,015 

1,073 

Current liabilities 

Financial liabilities carried at amortised cost 

Non-current liabilities 

Financial liabilities carried at amortised cost 

52 

60 

— 

— 

52 

— 

59 

— 

The financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss have been valued in accordance with the International 
Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation guidelines. In the current year, these are determined by reference to quoted 
prices where there is an active market for identical assets or liabilities. Otherwise, the fair value is determined by using 
valuation techniques such as earnings multiples. There is no material difference between the carrying value and fair value 
of the Group’s aggregate financial assets and liabilities. 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

Interest rate risk profile of financial liabilities 

Floating rate financial liabilities 

Fixed rate financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities on which no interest is paid 

Sensitivity analysis 

Group 

2021 

£’000 

— 

— 

52 

52 

Company 

2020 

£’000 

2021 

£’000 

2020 

£’000 

— 

— 

60 

78 

— 

— 

52 

52 

— 

— 

59 

59 

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of loss and equity to a reasonably possible change in interest rates of +/- 1%. 
These  changes  are  considered  to  be  reasonably  possible,  based  on  observation  of  current  market  conditions.  The 
calculations are based on a change in the average market interest rate for each period, and the financial instruments held 
at each reporting date that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. All other variables are held constant. 

Group 

31 December 2021 

31 December 2020 

Company 

31 December 2021 

31 December 2020 

Loss for the year 

£000 

+ 1% 

(426) 

(766) 

- 1% 

(418) 

(750) 

Loss for the year 

£000 

+ 1% 

(426) 

(766) 

- 1% 

(418) 

(750) 

Equity 

£000 

+ 1% 

1,562 

1,533 

Equity 

£000 

+ 1% 

1,562 

1,533 

- 1% 

1,532 

1,503 

- 1% 

1,532 

1,503 

12. Subsidiary undertakings  

At 31 December 2021 Drumz plc held 50% or more of the equity of the following: 

Company name  

Country of registration*  Principal activity 

Holding 

Class of shares 

World Life Sciences Limited 

Urco Limited 

Development Funding Limited 

Energiser (Nominee) Limited 

Cedar Green Homes Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Dormant 

Dormant 

Dormant 

Dormant 

Dormant 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

The registered address of the subsidiaries is the same as that of the parent company. 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements 
Drumz plc 

13. Company information 

The  Company  is  a  Public  Limited  Company  registered  in  England  and  Wales.  The  registered  office  is  Burnham  Yard, 
London End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2JH. 

14. Ultimate controlling party 

The Directors believe that there is no overall controlling party of the Company. 

15. Events after the balance sheet date 

As  referred  to  in  the  going  concern  section  of  the  principal  accounting  policies,  we  continue  to  monitor  the  situation 
concerning COVID-19 pandemic and any impact it may have on the Group and Company.   

In December 2021 the Company started the process to strike off the subsidiaries save, World Life Sciences Limited, as 
they formed no part of the future plans of the Company and each had no or immaterial assets.  The strike-off process was 
completed in March 2022. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drumz plc 
Additional Information 
Advisers and Key Services Providers 

Directors 

Company Secretary 

Registered Office 

Simon Bennett (Chairman)  
Angus Forrest  
Nishith Malde  
John Wakefield  

Marie-Claire Haines (appointed 1 February 2021) 

Burnham Yard 

London End 
Beaconsfield 
HP9 2JH 

Company’s Registered number 

298654 

Website 

Auditors 

Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker 

www.drumzplc.com 

PKF Littlejohn LLP 

15 Westferry Circus 
London 
E14 4HD 

W H Ireland 

24 Martin Lane 
London 
EC4R 0DR 

Joint broker 

Peterhouse Capital Limited 

80 Cheapside 
London 
EC2V 6EE 

Registrars 

Neville Registrars Limited 

Bankers 

Corporate Lawyers 

Steelpark Road 
Halesowen 
B62 8HD 
Tel. 0121 585 1131 

Barclays Bank 

Fourth Floor, Apex Plaza 
Forbury Road 
Reading 
RG1 1AX 

Marriott Harrison 

80 Cheapside 
London 
EC2V 6EE 

54