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Experience Co Limited

eve · LSE Financial Services
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Ticker eve
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Employees 51-200
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FY2019 Annual Report · Experience Co Limited
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annual report
eve  S leep  plc  201 9

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e v e   S l e e p   p l c   2 0 1 9   a n n u a l   r e p o r t

good morning!
welcome to eve’s 
2019 annual report

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c o n t e n t s

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8

c o m p a n y   i n f o r m a t i o n

c h a i r m a n ’ s   s t a t e m e n t

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s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

2 7

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

48

a u d i t o r ’ s   r e p o r t

54

g r o u p   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

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c o m p a n y   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

6

c o m p a n y

information

directors
Paul Pindar (Non-executive Chairman)

James Sturrock (Chief Executive Officer)

Tim Parfitt (Chief Financial Officer)

Nikki Crumpton (Senior Non-executive Director)

Thomas Enraght-Moony (Non-executive Director)

secretary
Link Company Matters Limited

The Registry

34 Beckenham Road

Beckenham

Kent

BR3 4TU

auditor
Nexia Smith & Williamson

Statutory Auditor

25 Moorgate 

London 

EC2R 6AY

registered office
29A Kentish Town Road 

Camden 

London

NW1 8NL

registered number
09261636

7

8

g r o u p

chairman’s statement

We are confident that we have a winning 

product, the right strategy and the team 

to build a sleep wellness brand of size and 

strength that delights our customers and 

delivers value to all of our stakeholders.

Pau l  P inda r

delivering the rebuild strategy

The focus in 2019 has been on the continued 
execution of the rebuild strategy through 
the prioritisation of reducing losses and 
stemming cash flows, over chasing sales 
growth at any cost. To effect this we have 
sharpened our focus on profitable sales, 
removing unprofitable channels, while 
further improving our marketing efficiency. 
We remain confident that this is the 

right strategy for the business, particularly 
given the continued challenging retail 
backdrop and the ongoing discount–reliant 
competition in the mattress market. To 
fund the execution of the strategy and 
to strengthen the statement of financial 
position we successfully raised £11.7m (net 
of expenses) plus £0.9m of advertising 
credits with Channel 4 in February 2019. As 
at 31 December 2019 eve has £8.0m of cash 
and cash equivalents, £0.3m of advertising 
credits available for use and no debt 
(excluding the lease liability arising under 
IFRS 16).

The team has made good strategic 
and financial progress in the year. Product 
development which is central to our aim 
of building a sleep wellness brand, was 
strong in both mattress and wider sleep 
range products. The eve premium hybrid 
mattress, which was launched in June 2019 
was announced as the top scoring mattress 
by Which? in December 2019, giving eve’s 
full mattress range a Which? Best Buy 
rating. Good progress was also made with 
the expansion of wider sleep products 
including the launch of new bed frames 

and bedding, all of which has driven a 140 
bps and 590 bps year–on–year increase 
in the contribution from non-mattress 
sales in the UK&I and France respectively. 
Range expansion has also supported an 
improvement in the customer repeat rate, 
increasing 230 bps in the UK&I and 360 bps 
in France.

We continue to develop our multi–
channel offering through partnerships with 
leading retailers where the relationship 
is strategically and commercially value 
creating for both parties. During the year 
we signed and launched partnerships 
with Argos, Homebase and Dunelm 
and in addition to creating more sales 
opportunities, these partnerships help to 
raise eve’s brand awareness.

Elevating the brand position above 
our peers has always been a core strength 
at eve and it remains so. In July 2019 we 
launched a new and highly successful 
brand campaign featuring the eve sloth 
and in September we signed a three year 
deal with British Rowing to be their official 
sleep partner, including managing the 
sleep environment of the GB Rowing Team 
athletes both at home and overseas. 
Together, these marketing initiatives have 
driven a 50% increase in unprompted brand 
awareness to 15%.

improving financial 
performance

As planned, Group revenues from Core 
Markets reduced year on year, declining 
by 19% to £23.8m (2018: £29.4m) as we 
optimised our DTC marketing, scaling back 
marketing investment by 32% across UK&I 
and France in order to prioritise profitable 
revenues over revenue growth alone. 
Year-on-year gross profit margin improved 
from 52.8% to 53.1% reflecting margin 
prioritisation over revenue growth. Group 
underlying EBITDA losses¹ reduced by 44% 
to £10.7m, supported by a 24% reduction 
in administrative expenses (excluding 
marketing expenses, fundraise-related 
expenditure, depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment charges) for the year. The 
reduction in the cash outflow from operating 
activities was even greater, down 55% year–
on–year.

Our results in the last four months of the 

year showed further progress on our path 
to profit, reaching for the first time break-
even at the operating level, defined as a 
positive margin contribution after all direct 
costs and marketing but before overheads. 
The attainment of this milestone follows 
further significant cost savings in Q4 as well 
as the benefits flowing through from earlier 
initiatives. Accordingly, we see our results 
for the final four months of the year as more 
indicative of our prospects for 2020.

our people

This has been the second year of 
considerable change for our people, which 
has included a move to new local offices as 
well as an organizational restructure. Whilst 
this has been the right course of action 
strategically for the business, I understand 
that it is both difficult and unsettling and 
I would like to thank them all personally 
for their continued loyalty, positivity and 
commitment to rebuilding eve. 

We are confident that we have a 
winning product, the right strategy and the 
team to build a sleep wellness brand of size 
and strength that delights our customers 
and delivers value to all of our stakeholders.   

9

current trading and outlook

Trading in the first two months of the year 
has started well and is in-line with the 
Board’s expectations, with demand for the 
premium hybrid mattress proving particularly 
strong. The business has now generated a 
positive marketing contribution2 for the six 
months to 29 February 2020.

Wider market uncertainty increased 

further in the first two weeks of March with 
the advent of COVID-19 but at that time 
there had been no noticeable impact on 
demand, our operations or our supply chain. 
Since mid-March 2020, we have seen some 
impact on traffic and consumer demand 
attributable to the fast changing COVID-19 
situation, and believe it is reasonable to 
expect somewhat subdued demand for a 
period of time whilst the COVID-19 situation 
prevails.

The Board has reviewed planning 
scenarios and has prepared a number 
of appropriate measures to conserve the 
Group’s cash balance and ensure the 
robustness of the business should it be 
required. Given eve’s business model as a 
direct to consumer (DTC) led retailer, its most 
significant costs are marketing rather than 
the costs associated with a store estate, and 
we have significant flexibility to control our 
spending and therefore cash outflows in this 
regard. The Company’s marketing spend 
will continue to be kept under constant 
review, with adjustments to plans made 
where appropriate and in line with the fast 
changing economic situation.

To date we have seen only a small 

impact upon our supply chain, and 
where we have seen impact, we have 
taken precautionary measures including 
stronger stock holding of products to 
ensure adequate coverage for the coming 
months, and hence we currently envisage 
being able to meet customer demand 
for our products, albeit at reduced levels. 
Further interventions by governments in the 
jurisdictions in which we operate may have 
a material impact on our supply chain and/
or delivery capability going forward.

Paul Pindar
Chairman
23 March 2020

Notes
1. 

2. 

Underlying EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation, impairment, share-based payment charges connected 
with employee remuneration, fundraise-related expenditure (2019 only) and staff and country exit costs (2018 only). It should be noted that the application 
of IFRS 16 in 2019 has resulted in a depreciation charge recognised in 2019 of £0.2m (2018: £0.0m); this charge is excluded from underlying EBITDA. Under IAS 
17 however, expenditure relating to operating lease rentals (presented within administrative expenses) would have totalled £0.2m and would have been 
included within underlying EBITDA. In this way, £0.2m of the year on year improvement to underlying EBITDA is attributable to the application of IFRS 16.
Marketing contribution is defined as the profit after marketing expenditure but before payroll and overhead costs..

10

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

strategic review

Building customer loyalty and ultimately 

driving repeat sales is at the centre 

of the eve model and is essential to 

attaining profitability.

on trend in a large and  
growing market

Wellness is a mega trend, transcending age 
and geography. Within the wellness sphere 
there is an increasing understanding and 
recognition that sleep sits alongside nutrition 
and physical fitness as the foundations of 
wellness. There is also a growing body of 
research and evidence which testifies to the 
importance of sleep and the risks to physical 
and mental health of insufficient sleep. In a 
recent poll of 2,000 UK adults commissioned 
by eve, 58% of respondents expressed worry 
about the potential impact a lack of sleep 
can have on mental and physical health and 
75% of customers tell us they are better slept 
simply by having one of our products.

With the increasing understanding of the 

importance of sleep has come consumer 
change. Consumers are spending more on 
wellness and the sleep market has been a 
beneficiary of this. Not only are consumers 
spending more on sleep wellness related 
products but they are willing to spend more on 
the central element of a good night’s sleep; 
the mattress. The strong sales performance of 
eve’s most recently launched premium hybrid 
mattress testify to this point.

Data from Euromonitor estimates that 
the European sleep market is worth £26bn, 
with the Core Markets that eve is focused 
on (UK&I and France) being worth £6bn. 
The market is however highly fragmented, 
populated by many traditional operators 
offering a proposition that has changed 
little in the last fifty years. There is also an 
increasing willingness on the part of consumers 
to purchase big ticket items online, with 
Euromonitor predicting that the online 
furniture market will be the second fastest 
growing retail category, with online purchase 
penetration expected to increase by 55% 
between 2018 and 2023.

In terms of the competitive landscape 

there are a limited number of well branded 
new digital offerings. However, no company 
is yet to break through in terms of establishing 
a sleep wellness brand which commands 
widespread recognition and brand loyalty. 
eve’s ambition is to achieve just this; to be 
seen as the go to brand for sleep wellness 
products.

business model

eve is a digitally native business, with a direct 
to consumer (DTC) led proposition, supported 
by partnerships with leading retailers. This 
omni-channel approach reflects how 
consumers increasingly identify, research and 
purchase items, moving seamlessly between 
online and offline channels. By being where 
the customer is, eve increases its potential 
sales opportunities and grows its brand 
awareness and product understanding.  

Building customer loyalty and ultimately 

driving repeat sales is at the centre of the eve 
model and is essential to attaining profitability. 
To achieve this goal eve is focused on 
establishing itself as a go to brand for sleep 
wellness products, which would provide the 
authority and consumer trust to sell a broader 
range of products in the category. 

As a DTC focused business, eve maintains 

close relationships with its customers and 
leverages a rich data set from which to 
better target repeat customers and attribute 
purchases to the many touchpoints eve 
has in the marketplace. eve has worked to 
greatly expand its collection and use of such 
data during 2019 culminating in detailed 
econometric and attribution insight now 
at the forefront of the business. The insights 
gained from customer feedback also power 
new product development and refinements 
to existing ranges. The continued growth in 
eve’s customer repeat rate which in the UK 
has more than doubled to 17.3% in the second 
half of 2019 from just 8.0% in the first half of 
2016, demonstrates that eve is succeeding in 

11

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

building brand loyalty amongst its customers. 

As a brand led business, resources in terms 

of investment and talent are focused on the key 
operations of product development, branding, 
marketing and customer experience. As is common 
in the industry, manufacturing and fulfilment, which 
require heavy fixed cost investment, are outsourced 
to leading third party suppliers in the UK and 
Continental Europe. This set-up has proved to be 
highly scalable and flexible, enabling significant 
seasonal variations in monthly product demand to 
be met without any noticeable margin impact or the 
requirement to hold large amounts of product stock. 
There is also a close working relationship with eve’s 
manufacturing partners to innovate and develop new 
products that work better in terms of function and 
design and that differentiate eve from peers, without 
a premium price tag.

The outsourced manufacturing and fulfilment 
model, coupled with the DTC led setup, enables a 
lower and more flexible cost base than a traditional 
retailer. Although marketing costs are one of the 
largest costs for eve, they are more flexible in nature 
and it is easy to scale them up and down quickly and 
switch between marketing channels.

12

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

chief executive’s report
What is certain is that eve has closed 

out 2019 in a stronger position than it 

started the year. There is still much that 

can and will be done to drive further 

improvements and this work  

will continue through 2020.

James Sturro ck

introduction

In 2019 we completed the restructuring of 

to attain our stated goal of profitability and 

the management team, made significant 

positive cash generation in the near term. 

progress in professionalising internal 

There is still much that can and will be done to 

operations, processes and reporting, 

drive further improvements and this work will 

optimised our supplier and logistics footprint, 

continue through 2020 and beyond.

and significantly reduced the operating 

What is certain is that eve has closed 

costs of the business. These things, alongside 

out 2019 in a stronger position than it started 

the progress of our customer facing rebuild 

the year. We have a broader, award-winning 

strategy have significantly improved EBITDA 

product range. Operational KPIs, including 

results on the path to profitability and 

the customer repeat rate and the sale of 

put eve on a steadier footing to deliver 

non-mattress products improved during 

our plans for the long–term health of the 

the year, while our financial performance 

business. We consider that headwinds in 

strengthened considerably, evidenced by a 

the competitor landscape and discounting 

reduction in administrative expenses excluding 

pressure will continue, but the premium 

marketing costs, fundraise-related expenditure, 

positioning of the brand and the work we 

depreciation, amortisation and impairment 

have completed to create a stable and 

of 24%. We reduced our underlying EBITDA 

lean platform, along with a healthy cash 

losses by 44% and trimmed our cash outflows 

balance, will aid the execution against our 

from operating activities by 55%, which is all 

plans in order to succeed in the future.

the more pleasing given the challenging retail 

The first few months of my tenure, which 

backdrop and ongoing price led competition 

commenced in September 2018, were spent 

in the mattress market. Our cash position has 

evaluating the business and formulating 

also improved, with a year–end net cash 

what we refer to as the rebuild strategy. 

position of £8.0m plus £0.3m of advertising 

Although implementation of the rebuild 

credits with Channel 4, compared with £6.0m 

strategy commenced in late 2018, work has 

as at 31 December 2018, owing to the fund 

continued throughout 2019 on effecting 

raising in February 2019.

and embedding change and improvement 

throughout all areas of the business in order 

13

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

The rebuild strategy

The rebuild strategy focuses on 

three core pillars:

•  differentiated brand  

positioning;

•  expanded product  

range; and

• 

lower friction customer  

experience.

differentiated brand 

positioning

To differentiate eve from the plethora of 

existing marketing campaigns whilst testing 

mattress in a box brands, where competition 

new promotional strategies and channel mix, 

is largely price led, our strategy is to establish 

as well as carrying out analysis on a granular 

eve as a trusted go to destination for sleep 

level of marketing return on investment. This 

wellness products. To achieve this we have 

supported the development of the new brand, 

been refocusing and aligning our marketing 

communications and the creative strategy, 

investment and communications on the 

which launched in the UK&I at the start of H2 

benefits that eve can bring consumers in 

2019 with the ‘wake up dancing’ campaign, 

sleep wellness. This is best exemplified in the 

featuring the eve sloth. The campaign 

three–year partnership deal we signed in 

has proved immensely successful, raising 

2019 with British Rowing to be their official 

unprompted brand awareness by 50% to 15% 

sleep partner. As part of the deal we will 

between January 2019 and August 2019. It 

be managing the sleep environment of the 

has also driven increased engagement with 

GB Rowing Team athletes as they train and 

customers, so much so that in response to 

compete both at home and overseas.

customer demand we have produced and 

During the first half of the year we ran 

sold circa. 6,000 soft toy eve sloths at the  

close of 2019.

14

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :   chief executive's report

In France, the investment and media strategy 

has been adapted to make better use of 

expanded product range  

the peak sales periods, driving more efficient 

In 2019 we stepped up new product 

spend with an optimised creative strategy 

development, building out a range of sleep 

and revitalised positioning. This positioning, 

products to complement our successful next 

which launched with the ‘reborn again 

generation foam mattress. Range expansion 

each morning’ (‘renaissez chaque matin’) 

gives eve a clear trajectory to dominating 

campaign in July 2019 is designed to elevate 

the ecommerce sleep wellness space in our 

eve to be the premium brand in the nascent 

chosen markets and provides the opportunity 

direct-to-consumer mattress category in 

to grow the frequency of customer purchases.

France, premium mattress sales making up 

In the mattress category we launched 

44.9% of total mattress sales in December 

the premium hybrid mattress, which received 

2019.

a Which? Best Buy rating, scoring the highest 

The success of our marketing to date is 

rating ahead of all competitor mattresses in 

demonstrated in our unprompted UK brand 

the UK in December 2019. At the close of 2019, 

awareness, which has increased from 11.2% 

eve now has a suite of four mattress products 

in November 2018 to approximately 15% at 

sold via its DTC channel – the premium foam, 

August 2019.

the premium hybrid, the original foam and the 

In addition to refocusing the positioning 

hybrid, as well as the baby mattress. 

of our marketing, considerable effort has 

The rate of new product development 

gone into improving marketing efficiency, 

increased significantly in the period, with the 

including the development of a bespoke-built 

launch of new bedframes and expanded 

optimisation model. Subsequently, marketing 

ranges of bedding, pillows, sleep accessories 

investment has been substantially reviewed, 

and the baby category. Sales of bedframes, 

with the removal of channels that were not 

including two new storage bedframes, have 

generating a sufficient return, in line with 

performed particularly well. 

our strategy of focusing on profitable sales 

The improvements in this pillar of the 

and margin positive first orders. The success 

strategy are evident in our KPIs. In 2019 the 

of this strategy is best evidenced in the 

customer repeat rate in the UK&I grew 230bps 

efficiency of our marketing spend, which has 

to 16.7% and in France increased 360bps to 

improved in all three of our core markets in 

17.0%. This growth was underpinned by an 

tandem with growing awareness. In the UK&I 

increase in sales of non-mattress products in 

marketing efficiency has improved from 54.1% 

each of the core markets. In the UK&I, the 

in 2018 to 52.3% in 2019; marketing efficiency 

contribution from non-mattress DTC sales 

being defined as marketing expenditure as 

increased by 130bps to 24.8% and in France 

a percentage of revenue. This is the third 

improved by 590bps to 28.2%.

successive year of improvement and we 

To measure our success in delivering on 

see scope to further reduce this percentage 

this strategic pillar we will continue to monitor 

in 2020. In France, marketing efficiency 

and report on the KPIs of conversion rates and 

improved from 82.9% in 2018 to 44.1% in 2019.

the growth in non-mattress sales.

To measure our success in delivering on 

this strategic pillar we will continue to monitor 

and report on the KPI of unprompted brand 

awareness in the UK and marketing efficiency, 

lower friction customer 
experience

given its importance for the pathway to 

Enhancing the customer experience 

profitability.

throughout the online journey and in our 

service proposition to enable stronger site 

conversion and customer satisfaction metrics 

is central to our rebuild strategy. Improved 

conversion will not only drive higher revenues 

but also greater marketing efficiency, which is 

key to achieving profitability.

The entire customer journey through 

the eve website prior to purchase has been 

substantially upgraded during the year. This 

includes a 50% plus increase in the speed of 

loading the website plus a redesigned home 

page with more focus on inspiring customers, 

building out category pages to help users 

more easily discover products within our 

expanded ranges and new imagery, with 

copy/zoom functionality. Improvements have 

also been made to how promotions are 

presented on the website.

To improve the purchase process, the 

basket and checkout have been rebuilt to 

make them faster and more intuitive, resulting 

in an improvement in the basket completion 

rate. The delivery proposition has also been 

improved with a move to a new carrier 

portfolio and warehouse consolidation, which 

is expected to result in improved delivery 

experience for customers and efficiencies 

in distribution costs. In addition to better 

communications with customers around 

15

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :   chief executive's report

responsible business 

As a business we recognise our responsibility 

to our stakeholders and the wider 

community at large. We continue to 

strive to make improvements throughout 

our operations in order to reduce our 

environmental footprint. Our localised 

production facilities mean that we are not 

trucking or airfreighting long distances, while 

our mattress boxes used for packaging are 

produced in the UK and made from Forest 

Stewardship Council approved card. When 

customers return mattresses they are either 

broken down and the materials recycled or 

refurbished, depending on their condition. 

We do not send mattresses to landfill.

Within the Corporate Governance 

statement on page 44, an overview of 

Board-level decision making processes 

is presented and demonstrates the 

interactions with stakeholders during 2019.

culture and diversity

confirmation, delivery tracking and product 

We thrive on individuality at eve. We believe 

care guides, customers are now able to select 

that irrespective of age, gender, ethnic 

a nominated delivery day for larger orders.

origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender 

The changes made to the website and 

identity, gender expression, or disability, 

customer proposition have driven a 30bps 

eve is a place of opportunity, respect and 

year-on-year improvement in the conversion 

support for individuals to bring their best to 

rate. 

work and do their best work.

We recognise the importance of providing 

eve are pleased to present the following 

an omnichannel approach, for consumers 

metrics relating to gender balance as at 31 

that freely move between online and offline 

December 2019. The following breakdown 

channels, when researching and purchasing 

shows the number of persons of each sex 

products. During the year we have extended 

who were: 

our reach with three new retail partnerships 

with Argos, Homebase and Dunelm, all of 

which have subsequently launched.

(i) 

(ii) 

directors of the company; 

senior managers of the company (other

than those falling within category (i)); 

To measure our success in delivering on 

(iii) 

and employees of the company.

this strategic pillar we will be monitoring and 

reporting on the KPIs of conversion rates and 

eve’s new sleep wellness score, a measure of 

customers reporting improved sleep as a result 

Directors

of purchasing an eve product.

Senior Managers

Employees

Male

Female

4

3

28

1

4

33

 
16

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :   chief executive's report

2020 focus

In the second half of 2019 we took the decision to 

accelerate our move to profitability and positive 

cash generation by making additional significant cost 

efficiencies in the business, primarily in the areas of 

marketing and overheads. These changes were made 

in the fourth quarter of the year. 

The cumulative benefits of management 

initiatives and efficiencies made throughout 2019 as 

part of the rebuild strategy are coming through in 

an improved financial performance. I am delighted 

to report that in the final four months of the year 

we reached a milestone in terms of achieving 

operational breakeven, after all direct costs and 

marketing but before overheads. We enter 2020 with 

a sizeable year-on-year reduction in both overheads 

and planned marketing investment, which we expect 

to drive a further substantial reduction in losses and 

cash burn.

We are well placed to make further significant 

progress in 2020, with a differentiated brand position, 

a broader product range than peers and ongoing 

improvements to the customer experience, supported 

by a lower cost base, a substantial cash balance of 

£7.8m as at 29 Feburary 2020 and no debt (excluding 

the lease liability arising under IFRS 16).

James Sturrock

Chief Executive Officer

23 March 2020 

17

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

Key performance 
indicators

In 2019, the key performance indicators 

(KPIs) used to evaluate and monitor the 

performance of the business were as follows 

designed to support the three core pillars 

of the rebuild strategy (differentiated brand 

positioning, extended product range and 

lower friction customer experience). 

There are three financial KPIs and five 

operational KPIs.

Financial KPIs1

Overall  
revenue  
growth

Marketing 
efficiency

Underlying 
EBITDA

Operational KPIs1

UK brand 
awareness

Product  
return rates

eve website 
conversion rate

eve customer
sleep wellness
score

Non-mattress 
revenue  
growth

Notes
1.  Definitions of Financial and Operational KPIs, see page 19.

18

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :  key performance indicators

The results of the KPIs are set out below. Financial KPIs 

focus on both Group and Core Markets results whilst 

the operational KPIs focus on measures tracked in the 

Core Markets of UK&I and France. Whilst lower than 

original expectations (due to the reasons set out in 

the Strategic Report), both financial and operational 

KPIs show broadly positive trends against 2018:

Group and Core Markets Financial KPIs¹

•  Group revenue decreased by 31% to £23.9m 

(2018: £34.8m);

•  Core Markets revenue decreased by 19% to 

£23.9m (2018: £29.4m);

• 

Improvement in Group marketing efficiency by 

1313bps to 50.5% (2018: 63.7%);

• 

Improvement in Core Markets marketing 

efficiency of 1030bps to 50.5% (2018: 60.8%);

•  Group underlying EBITDA losses reduced by 44% to 

£10.7m loss (2018: £19.1m loss).

Core Markets Operational KPIs¹

• 

Increase in non-mattress Core Markets sales as a 

proportion of total sales by 230bps to 22.0% (2018: 

19.0%);

•  Unprompted UK brand awareness: 380bps 

increase in unprompted UK brand awareness 

(August 2019: 15.0%; November 2018: 11.2%);

•  eve customer sleep wellness score: 8/10 (2018: 

n/a as a new metric in 2019)

• 

40bps year-on-year improvement in the returns 

rate to 8.9% (2018: 9.3%);

• 

30bps year-on-year improvement in the eve 

website conversion rate.

Notes
1.  Definitions of Financial and Operational KPIs, see page 19.

Glossary

Definitions of Financial and 
Operational KPIs:

Overall revenue growth – % change in 
value of reported revenue for the specified 
segment of the latest period vs the previous 
period.

Marketing efficiency – total reported 
marketing cost divided by the reported 
revenue for the specified segment, thus as 
the reported percentage falls marketing 
efficiency improves.

Underlying EBITDA – earnings before 
interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and 
impairment, share-based payment charges 
connected with employee remuneration 
(2018 and 2019), fundraise-related 
expenditure (2019 only) and staff and 
country exit costs (2018 only). Underlying 
EBITDA reflects what management believe 
to demonstrate the underlying performance 
of the business in a given year.

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :  key performance indicators

19

Non-mattress sales as a proportion 
of total sales – % of reported sales 
attributable to non-mattress products for 
the specified financial period. The Group 
track this Operational KPI in addition to 
the Financial KPI of overall revenue growth 
as returns and deferrals are not tracked in 
isolation for non–mattress sales. Total sales 
represents all sales after discounts and 
VAT and before deferred revenue, refunds 
processed and the refunds provision. Non-
mattress sales represents the value of sales 
from non-mattress products.

UK Brand awareness – when asked the 
question “What mattress brands can you 
think of?” the % of total respondents that 
answer eve (externally assessed using 
industry polling agencies).

Product return rates – return rate % is 
calculated by dividing the total value of 
sales returns by the value of net sales of 
goods including freight (all excluding VAT).

eve website conversion rate – the 
percentage of website traffic in a specific 
period that complete a purchase. 
Calculated by dividing the number of 
completed sales orders divided by the total 
website traffic. This figure is compared on a 
bps movement between periods.

eve customer sleep wellness score – the 
average number of customers out of every 
ten customers that report improved sleep 
as a result of purchasing an eve product 
(internally assessed using post–purchase 
email campaigns).

20

21

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

financial review
While Core Markets revenue fell by 

19% from £29.4m in 2018 to £23.9m in 

2019, eve achieved a 70% reduction 

in group losses after distribution 

costs, payment fees and marketing 

expenses with losses falling from 

(£8.6m) in 2018 to (£2.5m) in 2019.

Tim Parfitt

Group financial performance

£m

Core Markets revenue

Other revenue

Group revenue

Core Markets gross profit

Other gross profit

Gross profit

Distribution expenses

Profit after distribution expenses

Payment fees

Marketing costs¹

Loss after distribution expenses, payment fees and marketing costs

Wages & Salaries (excluding share-based payment charges)

Other administrative expenses

Share-based payment charges connected to employee remuneration

Operating loss

Net finance income

Loss before tax

Taxation

Loss after tax

Reconcilliation to underlying EBITDA

Taxation

Net finance income

Fundraise-related expenditure

Share-based payment charge connected with employee remuneration

Staff and country exit costs

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment

Underlying EBITDA

 Notes

2019

23.9

(0.0)

23.9

12.8

(0.1)

12.7

(2.7)

9.9

(0.4)

(12.1)

(2.5)

(4.4)

(5.0)

(0.5)

(12.5)

0.0

(12.5)

0.4

(12.1)

(0.4)

(0.0)

0.2

0.5

-

0.5

0.6

2018

Restated

Movement

(19%)

(101%)

(31%)

(18%)

(103%)

(31%)

+33%

(31%)

+41%

+46%

+70%

(18%)

(17%)

+76%

(39%)

(60%)

(38%)

+82%

(40%)

29.4

5.5

34.8

15.5

2.9

18.4

(4.1)

14.3

(0.7)

(22.2)

(8.6)

(5.4)

(6.1)

(0.3)

(20.3)

0.0

(20.3)

0.2

(20.1)

(0.2)

(0.0)

-

0.3

0.8

0.1

0.0

(10.7)

(19.1)

(44%)

1. In 2019, management modified the classification of marketing expenditure to include both direct and indirect costs of marketing, whereas in 2018 only direct costs of marketing were included as marketing 

expenditure. Indirect marketing costs include PR and the production costs of creating advertising assets such as the Sloth campaign in 2019. This has resulted in the restatement of marketing costs and marketing 

efficiency metrics for 2018. The impact of this restatement solely impacts management information (direct and indirect marketing costs being included in administrative expenses in both the current and prior 

period) and therefore there is no impact of the restatement on the statutory statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income.  In 2019, marketing costs include a £0.6m share-based payment charge 

relating to equity issued to Channel Four in exchange for marketing services (2018: £nil)

22

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :   financial review

group financial performance as a % of revenue

% of Revenue

Gross Profit

Distribution

Profit after distribution

Marketing

Administrative expenses  excluding marketing

Administrative expenses excluding marketing, fundraise-related 

expenditure, depreciation, amortisation and impairment expenditure

UK&I financial performance

£m

Revenue

Gross Profit

Distribution

Profit after distribution

Payment fees

Marketing

Loss after distribution, payment fees and marketing  

(before overhead allocation)

France financial performance

£m

Revenue

Gross Profit

Distribution

Profit after distribution

Payment fees

Marketing

2019

53.1%

(11.4%)

41.7%

(50.5%)

(41.4%)

(35.9%)

2018 Restated

Movement

52.8%

(11.6%)

41.1%

(63.7%)

(35.0%)

+37bps

+21bps

+57bps

+1313bps

(634bps)

(34.6%)

(135bps)

2019

2018 Restated

Movement

18.5

10.2

(1.8)

8.4

(0.4)

(9.7)

(1.7)

22.5

11.8

(1.7)

10.1

(0.4)

(12.2)

(2.5)

(18%)

(14%)

+7%

(17%)

(13%)

(20%)

(31%)

2019

2018 Restated

Movement

5.3

2.6

(1.0)

1.6

(0.1)

(2.4)

6.8

3.7

(1.2)

2.5

(0.1)

(5.7)

(22%)

(29%)

(16%)

(36%)

(34%)

(58%)

Loss after distribution, payment fees and marketing  

(before overhead allocation)

(0.9)

(3.3)

(74%)

Other financial performance

£m

Revenue

Gross Profit

Distribution

Profit after distribution

Payment fees

Marketing

Loss after distribution, payment fees and marketing (before 

overhead allocation)

2019

(0.0)

(0.1)

0.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

2018 Restated

Movement

5.5

2.9

(1.2)

1.7

(0.2)

(4.3)

(101%)

(103%)

(108%)

(99%)

(103%)

(100%)

(2.8)

(101%)

23

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :   financial review

revenue 

Revenue in Core Markets decreased by 19% to 

In addition to cash and cash equivalents, the 

£23.9m in 2019 (2018: £29.4m). Group revenues 

Group had £0.3m of advertising credits with 

during 2018 totalled £34.8m, reflecting nine 

Channel 4 available at the year-end date, 

months in the year of operating on a wider 

following a placing of shares in February 

international footprint. Direct to consumer 

2019, which raised £11.7m (net of expenses) 

remains the dominant revenue channel, with 

from investors and secured £0.9m in future 

revenues from omni-channel contributing 27% 

advertising with Channel 4, which will be 

of the group total (2018: 22%). Reflecting a 

satisfied through the issuance of new shares 

strategic focus on profitable revenues and 

when fully utilised.

a reduction in marketing investment, UK&I 

revenues decreased by 18% and in France by 

22% during 2019 as expected.

gross margins

Gross margins in Core Markets have remained 

at attractive levels, supported by a focus 

on profitable sales. Core Markets gross profit 

margin increased by 70bps to 53.4% in 2019 

(2018: 52.7%).

administrative expenses
(excluding marketing)

Wages & Salaries (excluding share-based 

payment charges connected with employee 

remuneration) are the largest component of 

administrative expenses, contributing 36.2% 

(2018: 36.8%) of total administrative expenses 

excluding marketing costs in the year. The 

cost of Wages & Salaries decreased by 18% to 

£4.4m (2018: £5.4m) primarily reflecting a lower 

headcount.

distribution costs

Distribution costs as a percentage of revenue 

underlying EBITDA loss 
(earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, 

reduced by 20bps to 11.4% in 2019 (2018: 

amortisation, impairment charges, share-

11.6%). Core Markets profit after distribution 

based payment charges relating to employee 

fell by 130bps to 41.6% in 2019 (2018: 42.8%) 

remuneration, fundraise-related expenditure in 

reflecting increased outbound logistics and 

2019 and staff and country exit costs in 2018)

The Directors consider that they are best able 

to monitor Group financial performance via 

underlying EBITDA by removing fundraise–

related expenditure, share-based payment 

charges relating to employee remuneration 

and staff and country exit costs from EBITDA on 

the basis that these items do not occur evenly 

year on year.

warehousing costs in H2 2019.

marketing investment

Marketing is an important driver of growth in 

the business. In 2019, marketing investment in 

Core Markets was reduced by 32% to £12.1m 

(2018: £17.8m). The efficiency of marketing 

investment is closely monitored and is an 

important KPI for the business. In 2019 Core 

Markets marketing efficiency, defined as 

marketing costs as a percentage of revenues, 

improved by 1030 bps to 50.5% (2018: 60.8%). 

In the UK&I marketing efficiency improved 

by 176bps to 52.3% (2018: 54.1%). In France, 

marketing efficiency improved significantly by 

3876bps to 44.1% (2018: 82.9%).

24

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :   financial review

The underlying Group EBITDA loss decreased 

by £8.5m to (£10.7m) loss in 2019 (2018: 

(£19.1m) loss). The 44% reduction in the loss 

reflects the increased focus on profitable 

sales, greater efficiency in marketing spend, 

substantial overhead reductions and losses 

in 2018 relating to the wider international 

footprint for part of the year.

UK&I performance for the year 

demonstrated improved efficiency, 

where the loss after distribution expenses, 

payment fees and marketing costs (before 

overhead allocation) totalled (£1.7m) loss 

(2018: (£2.5m) loss). This was achieved on 

lower revenues down 18% to £18.5m (2018: 

£22.5m). 

share-based payment

In accordance with IFRS, a share-based 

payment charge for 2019 has been 

calculated and charged to the statement 

of profit and loss. The fair value of options 

granted is recognised as an expense over 

the vesting period with a corresponding 

credit being recognised in equity. The 

charge for 2019 was £1.1m (2018: £0.3m) 

of which £0.6m related to equity issued in 

exchange for marketing services and £0.5m 

relating to employee remuneration.

loss after tax

France, whilst at an earlier stage 

The loss after tax reduced to £12.1m loss 

of development for eve compared to 

(2018: £20.1m loss) as a result of the 44% 

UK&I, made headway in reducing losses 

reduction in the underlying EBITDA loss.

after distribution expenses, payment fees 

and marketing costs (before overhead 

allocation) by 74% to (£0.9m) loss (2018: 

(£3.3m) loss) despite revenues falling 22% to 

£5.3m (2018: £6.8m).

It should be noted that the application 

of IFRS 16 in 2019 has resulted in a 

depreciation charge recognised in 2019 

of £0.2m (2018: £0.0m); this charge is 

excluded from underlying EBITDA. Under 

IAS 17 however, expenditure relating to 

operating lease rentals (presented within 

administrative expenses) would have 

totalled £0.2m and would have been 

capital expenditure

Due to the Group’s outsourced business 

model, capital expenditure requirements 

remain low. The main area of capital 

expenditure in 2019 related to ERP systems 

infrastructure. Total capital expenditure in 

2019 in the form of intangible software assets 

totalled £0.5m (2018: £0.4m). 

cash position

included within underlying EBITDA. In this 

The Group had cash and cash equivalents 

way, £0.2m of the year on year improvement 

of £8.0m at the year-end (2018: £6.0m).

to underlying EBITDA is attributable to the 

application of IFRS 16.

Tim Parfitt

Chief Financial Officer

23 March 2020

25

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t

principal risks and 
uncertainties

Risk management is an important part of the management process 

for the Group. Regular reviews are undertaken to assess the nature 

of risks faced, the magnitude of the risk presented to business 

performance and the manner in which the risk may be mitigated. 

Where controls are in place, their adequacy is regularly monitored.

The risks considered to be particularly important at the current time are set out below.

marketing
Marketing is an important investment area for 

cost of materials which may adversely impact on 

the Group and there is a risk that this expenditure 

the Group’s profit margins.

may not result in the targeted increase in sales or 

The Group primarily manufactures its EU 

brand awareness levels.

mattress in the EU and its UK mattress in the UK 

eve constantly monitors and analyses 

for its main product (the eve original mattress), 

financial performance and key business metrics 

creating a natural hedge against currency 

to ensure up to date and accurate forecasting. 

movement for its key products. For other products 

The Group also supplements its in-house marketing 

and markets the Group looks to agree prices for a 

expertise with third party media and marketing 

period of time with manufacturers where possible 

agencies to monitor and advise on the effective 

to provide a degree of certainty over currency 

implementation and roll out of marketing and 

fluctuations.  

advertising campaigns to meet targeted KPIs with 

especial focus on marketing efficiency.

product
The Group is responsible for the design of eve 

operations
As the Group relies on outsourced partners, there 

is a risk that the business may be unable to cope 

with rapid demand or disruption occurring with its 

products and could face exposure to product 

manufacturing or logistics partners.

liability claims or claims against health and safety 

The Group maintains a close working 

procedures or practices in different territories. 

relationship with its outsourced partners and 

There could also be high return rates owing to the 

regularly reviews and communicates forecasts 

100–night trial offered on the eve mattress.

to ensure capacity constraints are managed. In 

The Group has a robust product and supplier 

addition, the Group maintains a list of alternative 

onboarding process to ensure new products and 

product suppliers who can be onboarded to 

suppliers are of the highest standards. The Group 

supplement supply, reducing the risk of relying on 

also retains insurance brokers to review and 

any specific supplier.

analyse insurance coverage to ensure sufficient 

insurance coverage for product liability and 

associated losses. In addition, return rates is a KPI 

which is monitored closely.

The Group is subject to fluctuations in the 

26

s t r a t e g i c   r e p o r t :   principle risks and uncertainties

During 2019, investment in automation across ERP 

outcome. The Group is already registered as a sponsoring 

infrastructure particularly across supply chain and logistics 

entity with the relevant UK authorities and also has a French 

functions, has delivered greater visibility of logistics partner 

subsidiary, which combined with the expected transitional 

performance and mitigates the risk of disruption and allows 

period provides the foundations for mitigating the 

for logistics partners to easily be switched between.

immediate effect of Brexit on the Group in this regard.

competition
The Group operates in the highly competitive mattress and 

COVID–19 virus
The Group manufactures core mattress products in the 

pillow industries and may not be able to grow, or maintain, 

territories in which it sells them. However, our supply chain 

its existing marketing share.

has some reliance on sourcing from China, the Far East and 

The Group constantly reviews and analyses its 

European countries outside the Core Markets for the wider 

performance against its business plan and against market 

sleep range products. 

competitors. The Group has both internal talent and 

There is the risk of reduced consumer demand as 

external advisors who can advise on and respond to any 

well as disruption to the supply chain from global events 

changes in the competitive environment.

and pandemics such as the COVID–19 virus. Management 

brexit
As with all UK companies involved in intra-community cross 

border trade the impact of Brexit is a potential risk for the 

Group.

The board of directors and senior management 

regularly review developments surrounding Brexit 

throughout the organisation and in addition to this the 

operations team has a dedicated task force focused on 

Brexit planning within the supply and logistics chain. The 

Group has a natural Brexit hedge with its UK and French 

companies and its main product, the eve original mattress, 

is manufactured in both the UK and the EU providing a 

hedge for its most significant product.

As with most UK based companies leveraging 

technology to deliver its value proposition, eve employs 

a significant non-UK workforce in the UK and thus the 

outcome of Brexit with regards to freedom of movement will 

have an effect on our workforce planning and recruitment. 

For this reason, during 2019, regular communication for 

EU nationals has been established and in-house support 

provided for those considering applications for settled 

status or visas.

At present the precise details of Brexit; how it relates 

to freedom of movement between the EU and UK; how it 

will impact goods movement across borders between the 

EU and UK; and how it will affect currency exchange rates 

following the transition period (currently expected to end 

on 31 December 2020) are under negotiation and therefore 

not fully clarified. However, the Group continuously monitors 

the situation to ensure it is as prepared as possible for any 

have assessed the availability of stock on hand and are in 

close communication with suppliers to mitigate any adverse 

impact of planned supply chain movements in order to fulfil 

consumer demand during this period.

The Group’s employees are able to work remotely 

from eve’s main office as a result of laptop computers and 

the use of multiple communication channels including 

email, direct messaging and video conferencing. In the 

event of restricted movement around London and the UK, 

the work force would be able to continue working and 

would be able to communicate across teams and key 

stakeholders ensuring business continuity.

To date we have seen only a small impact upon our 

supply chain, and where we have seen impact, we have 

taken precautionary measures including stronger stock 

holding of products to ensure adequate coverage for the 

coming months, and hence we currently envisage being 

able to meet customer demand for our products, albeit at 

reduced levels.

Approved and signed on behalf of the board.

Tim Parfitt

Chief Financial Officer

23 March 2020

27

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

Directors’ Governance 
Statement

The Board had dedicated significant 

time in 2019 toward overseeing and 

scrutinising the development and 

delivery of eve’s long-term strategy.

Pau l P inda r

Dear 
Shareholders,

The Board recognises the importance of 

High standards of corporate governance 

achieving the highest possible standards of 

remain pivotal to, and complementary to, 

corporate governance.  

our long-term strategy.  Our commitment to 

As detailed elsewhere in this Annual 

good corporate governance is based on a 

Report, the Board has dedicated significant 

recognition that good governance allows 

time in 2019 toward overseeing and 

us as Board to identify and to focus on 

scrutinising the development and delivery of 

supporting the drivers of long-term growth; it 

eve’s long-term strategy. As we also reflect 

allows us to take into account the full range 

elsewhere, we have as a Board had to make 

of our stakeholders, including investors, 

a number of important decisions to shape 

employees, customers and those in our 

the ways in which our company continues 

supply chain; and facilitates constructive 

to grow and provides long-term value to our 

discussions between the Board and 

shareholders.

management on the Company’s strategic 

and operational priorities.

28

As a Board, we are pleased with the 

progress we have made on a range of 

corporate governance actions in 2019, of 

Further information on each of the above 
points is set out subsequently in this report.

which I would particularly like to highlight 

The Board decided in 2018 to formally adopt 

the following:

•  We have successfully supported the on–

boarding of Tim Parfitt as the Company’s 
new Chief Financial Officer.

•  We have spent greater time in 2019  
looking at our corporate culture, the 
ways in which our culture helps us to 
recruit and retain some of the very best 
talent, and the ways in which our culture 
can underpin the development and  
delivery of our long-term strategy.

•  We have also ensured that we focus 
on succession planning at senior  
management, and are pleased with the 
strength and depth of talent we are  
developing at all levels of the business.

•  We received and challenged a number 
of detailed updates on a number of our 
core operational functions, including 
product development and marketing 
functions. 

•  We undertook an internally facilitated 
Board evaluation in 2019, which was a 
very positive exercise in ‘taking the  
temperature’ of how we function as a 
Board and how we perform our roles  
and responsibilities as a group and 
as individuals. 

the QCA Code (the “Code”), and reported 

in September 2018 on the Company’s 

compliance with the Code. The Board 

was briefed on the revisions made to the 

Code for the 2019 reporting year, as well 

as additional legislation introduced by the 

Government. We remain fully committed to 

the principles and spirit of the Code, and 

disclose both in our compliance statement, 

and in this governance statement, on how 

we have applied the Code’s principles.

Approved and signed on behalf of the 

board.

Paul Pindar

Chairman

23 March 2020

29

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

board of directors

Paul Pindar 
Chairman of the Board

appointed: November 2016

experience
Paul joined the eve Board in November 2016. Prior to this, 
Paul spent 26 years at Capita Plc, retiring in February 2014. 
Paul was one of the UK's longest serving CEO's of a FTSE100 
company. During his tenure, the market value of Capita 
grew to £7.5bn and employee numbers grew from 33 to 
62,000. Paul is Chairman of and was a founder investor in 
online estate agent Purplebricks which originally launched 
in April 2014 and is now AIM-listed on the London Stock 
Exchange. Paul is also Chairman of Literacy Capital Plc, 
an investment company focused on investing in and 
supporting early stage and small companies whilst also 
providing charitable funding in order to materially improve 
child literacy in the UK.

committee membership:
Audit Committee (Chair)
Nomination Committee 
Remuneration Committee (Chair)

James Sturrock
Chief Executive Officer 

appointed: September 2018

experience
James joined eve in September 2018 having previously 
been Managing Director of Moonpig, the UK’s leading 
online greetings card, flower and gift company, where he 
delivered four consecutive years of double-digit revenue 
and EBITDA growth, expanded the product offering, and 
led the successful rebranding of the business in 2017. 
Prior to Moonpig, James was part of Direct Line Group 
and formerly Direct Line Insurance for more than seven 
years where he held a number of senior divisional and 
marketing roles across the Group before becoming 
General Manager of Commercial Direct in 2012.

committee membership:
None 

30

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   board of directors

Tim Parfitt
Chief Financial Officer

appointed: June 2019

experience
Tim joined eve in June 2019. Prior to this, he spent six 
years as Finance Director with privately–owned, multi–
channel furniture retailer, Loaf, during which turnover 
grew from £8m to £50m. Before Loaf, Tim held finance 
director roles with early stage businesses including Benugo 
and Deliverance. He also spent four years as a portfolio 
finance director helping owner-managers to grow their 
business.

committee membership:
None 

Nikki Crumpton
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

appointed: September 2018

experience
Nikki joined eve in September 2018. Nikki is founder of 
brand and communications consultancy The Active 
Strategist and has previously held senior roles within 
international agencies including McCann Worldgroup 
where she was Regional Planning Director EMEA, and as 
Chief Strategy Officer for McCann London for seven years.

committee membership:
Audit Committee 
Nomination Committee 
Remuneration Committee

Thomas Enraght-Moony 
Independent Non-Executive Director

appointed: April 2017

experience
Tom joined Eve in April 2017. Tom has nearly 20 years of 
executive experience in leading brand transformation and 
growth for tech–enabled consumer businesses including 
Leisure Pass Group, Match.com, E*TRADE, AT&T Wireless, 
Clearwire, and McArthurGlen. He holds an undergraduate 
degree from The University of Glasgow and an MBA from 
INSEAD in France.

committee membership:
Audit Committee
Nomination Committee (Chair)
Remuneration Committee

 
31

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

corporate governance 
report
The Board is committed to achieving high standards of corporate 
governance, integrity and business ethics, which it believes in turn serve to 
drive growth over the long term. Under the AIM Rules for Companies, the 
Company has decided to apply the QCA Corporate Governance Code 
for Small and Mid-Size Quoted Companies (the “Code”) and provides 
details to shareholders, both through this Annual Report and in an annually 
updated compliance statement available on the Company’s website, on 
eve’s compliance with the Code.

our governance structure

The Board

Responsible for setting 

the tone from the top, 

determining strategic 

direction and monitoring 

operational delivery

Chief Executive 
Officer

Responsible for day-

to-day management 

of eve

Audit
Committee

Nomination
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Responsible for 

Responsible for ensuring 

Responsible for 

reviewing the integrity 

that the board and 

determining executive 

of eve's financial, risk 

senior management has  

remuneration and for 

management and 

the right balance of  

reviewing the overall 

reporting processes and 

skills, experience  

approach to pay across 

oversight of the external 

and diversity

eve

audit function

The Board has adopted a Board Governance 
document, which sets out Board membership 
and processes alongside powers reserved for 
the Board.  This document was last reviewed 
by the Board in February 2020.

The Board is collectively responsible to 
shareholders and to our wider stakeholders 
for the overall direction and control of the 
company and delegates the day–to–day 
management of the business to the executive 
directors and senior management.  For details 
of who we consider to be our key stakeholders, 
and the ways in which we engage with them, 
please see page 44. 

We see the Board as having the 
following main roles:

setting our purpose, strategy, 
values and culture
By setting the tone at the top, 
establishing the core values of 
the Group and demonstrating our 
leadership, management are able to 
implement key policies and procedures 
in a manner that clearly sets an 
expectation that every employee acts 
ethically and transparently in all of 
their dealings.

setting and oversight of execution 
of strategy
Among our responsibilities are setting 
and overseeing the execution of 
eve’s strategy within a framework 
of effective risk management and 
internal controls.

oversight of operations
We monitor management’s execution 
of strategy and financial performance. 
While our ultimate focus is long-term 
growth, the Group also needs to 
deliver on short-term objectives and 
we seek to ensure that management 
strikes the right balance between the 
two.

shareholder and stakeholder 
engagement
We actively engage with shareholders 
throughout the year to ensure that 
the Board understands the views of 
shareholders and our key stakeholders 
on some of our most critical decisions 
and incorporates these into its 
decision-making process.

32

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   corporate governance report

The Board also delegates certain matters to its Board 
committees so that it can operate efficiently and 
give the right level of attention and consideration 
to relevant matters. The composition, responsibilities 
and activities of each of the Board Committees are 
set out on pages 35 to 42. The terms of reference 
of each committee are available from our website 
found at https://investor.evesleep.co.uk/corporate-
governance#governance-docs.

board composition

The successful delivery of our strategy depends 
upon attracting and retaining the right talent. This 
starts with having a high–quality Board. Balance is 
an important requirement for the composition of the 
Board, not only in terms of the number of Executive 
and Non–executive Directors, but also in terms of skill, 
knowledge and expertise each Director brings.

The Board comprises a non-executive chairman, 
two executive directors and two other independent 
non–executive directors. A short biography of each 
of the directors in office at the year-end is set out on 
pages 29 and 30. 

The role of Chairman is to run the business of 
the Board, ensuring appropriate strategic focus and 
direction in the Board’s discussions, and to facilitate 
relationships and engagement with shareholders.  The 
Chairman also holds responsibility for ensuring that 
the Company is appropriately governed and that  
eve embraces not just the principles of good 
corporate governance but also the values that 
underpin those principles.

Nikki Crumpton and Thomas Enraght–Moony are 
considered by the Board to be independent.  
The Board are of the opinion that both act in 
an independent and objective manner and 
are free from any relationship that could affect 
their judgement. Paul Pindar, as non-executive 
chairman, was considered to be independent upon 
appointment. 

Notwithstanding any cross-directorships, the 

Board is satisfied that it has a suitable balance 
between independence (of both character and 
judgement) on the one hand, and knowledge of the 
Company on the other, to enable it to discharge its 
duties and responsibilities effectively. 

There are effective procedures in place to 
monitor and deal with conflicts of interest, with 
Directors’ other current commitments being 
disclosed at each and every Board meeting. As 
such, the Board is aware of the other commitments 
and interests of its directors, and changes to these 
commitments and interests are reported to and, 
where appropriate, agreed with the rest of the Board.

board and committee meetings

The table below sets out the Board and Committee 
attendance for 2019. Attendance is shown as the 
number of meetings attended out of the total 
number of meetings possible for the individual 
Director during the year.

If any Directors are unable to attend a meeting, 
they are encouraged to communicate their opinions 
and comments on the matters to be considered 
via the Chairman of the Board or the relevant 
committee chairman.

attendance at Board and Commitee 
meetings during 2019

Paul Pindar

James Sturrock

Abid Ismail (resigned 17 May 2019)

Tim Parfitt (appointed 17 June 2019)

Board 

Audit  

Remuneration 

Committee

Committee

Nomination

Committee

6 of 6

3 of 3

3 of 3

2 of 2

6 of 6

3 of 3

3 of 3

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Nikki Crumpton

5 of 6

2 of 3

2 of 3

2 of 2

Thomas Enraght-Moony

6 of 6

3 of 3

3 of 3

2 of 2

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   corporate governance report

33

board and committee effectiveness

The Board continually strives to improve its 
effectiveness and recognises that an annual 
evaluation process is an important tool in 
reaching that goal. The Directors are aware 
of the importance to monitor performance 
through Board evaluations and that feedback 
from these evaluations leads to improving 
Board effectiveness. 

During the year, an internally facilitated 

performance evaluation of the Board, 
committees and individual directors was 
undertaken. The evaluation was informed in 
part by a tailored questionnaire that each 
Director responded to, which focused on 
Board composition, Board dynamics and 
behaviours, the ways in which the Board 
was fulfilling its remit and responsibilities and 
suggested focal areas for the Board in 2020.
Overall, the Board was pleased with 
the findings. The evaluation found strong 
general agreement amongst respondents that 
the Board and Committees have the right 
membership, that the focus and dynamics of 
Board and Committee meetings are strong 
and the support mechanisms in place to 
support Directors are appropriate. Helpful 
suggestions were provided in terms of the 
support processes in place for new Non-
Executive Directors, and in terms of the quality 
and timeliness of Board meeting materials, 
which will both be taken forward over 2020 
between management and the Company 
Secretary. A number of other suggestions were 
received in respect of the focal areas for the 
Board in 2020.

internal controls and risk management

The Group has a comprehensive system 
of internal controls in place, designed to 
ensure that risks are mitigated and that the 
Group’s objectives are attained. The Board 
recognises its responsibility to present a fair, 
balanced and understandable assessment 
of the Group’s position and prospects. It is 
accountable for reviewing and approving 
the effectiveness of internal controls 
operated by the Group, including financial, 
operational and compliance controls, and 
risk management. The Board recognises its 
responsibility in respect of the Group’s risk 
management process and system of internal 
control and oversees the activities of the 
Group’s external auditors and the Group’s 

risk management function (supported by the 
Audit Committee).

A review of the Group’s risk management 

review and mitigation of principal risks and 
uncertainties is discussed in the Strategic 
Report on pages 25 and 26. 

our corporate culture

The Board believes that our corporate 
culture continues to serve as one of our key 
competitive advantages. We encourage all 
of our employees at all levels of the Group to 
take responsibility for their work and to actively 
contribute toward the development and 
delivery of our strategy. 

In respect of the Board’s role, we 
recognise the importance of setting a tone 
from the top, and have met with a number of 
staff over 2019 at various levels of the business 
to understand different perceptions of the 
culture that we are developing. Our aim is to 
promote a culture within the Group of ethical 
values and behaviours, and we also have a 
number of due diligence processes in place 
to ensure that all suppliers meet our standards 
and our values.  

We have internal policies covering a 
range of ethical behaviours, such as an anti–
bribery and anti-corruption policy and an 
anti–money laundering policy, which serve 
to promote and preserve the right corporate 
behaviours.  

As part of our induction process, new 
employees receive training on all corporate 
policies and the expectations of the Company 
when it comes to ethical values and 
behaviours and this is refreshed on a regular 
basis for all employees.  

We have an active programme of 
employee engagement, including regular 
employee engagement surveys, throughout 
the year.  Such engagement shapes both the 
way in which we develop our products and 
deliver services. We also have a whistleblowing 
policy and hotline available for all employees.
In 2019, there were no instances of the 

anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy or 
whistleblowing policy being invoked.

In respect of our forthcoming priorities 
for 2020, the Board will be looking to develop 
metrics for measuring and monitoring culture 
and employee engagement.

34

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   corporate governance report

relations with shareholders

our engagement with stakeholders

We are committed to communicating 
openly with shareholders to ensure that 
the Group’s strategy and performance are 
clearly understood. We communicate with 
shareholders through the Annual Report 
and Accounts, full–year and half–year 
announcements, trading updates and the 
annual general meeting (AGM); and we 
encourage shareholders’ participation in 
face-to-face meetings. A range of corporate 
information (including all announcements and 
presentations) is also available to shareholders, 
investors and the public on our corporate 
website, at https://investor.evesleep.co.uk/. 

The Board places due weight on stakeholder 
awareness and engagement. It assesses 
stakeholders according to the definition of 
stakeholders set out in the Global Reporting 
Initiative (Standard 101 paragraph 1.1) as 
organisations or individuals who have “a 
reasonable expectation of being  
significantly affected” by the Group’s  
activities or products.

In addition to our shareholders, the 
Board has identified the Group’s other major 
stakeholders, and approved a strategy for 
engaging with these groups as follows:

Stakeholder

Channel of engagement 

Employees

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Quarterly performance reviews;

Weekly feedback exercises;

Exit interviews;

Mental health awareness and training and employee support; and

Continuing personal development plans.

Local communities

through selective partnerships and the regular review of additional ways it can provide support to the local 

The Company has a range of initiatives including volunteer days for employees, support of relevant charities 

community and relevant charitable organisations.

Key suppliers

Regular meetings and reviews with key contact within Company and senior management team.

35

audit committee report

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

committee composition
The Committee comprises Paul Pindar (Chair), 
Nikki Crumpton and Thomas Enraght–Moony.

committee responsibilities
The Committee reports to the Board on how it 
discharges its responsibilities and makes  
recommendations to the Board, all of which 
have been accepted during the year 2019. 

The main responsibilities of the Committee are 
set out below:

financial reporting

•  review the integrity of the interim and annual 

financial statements;

•  review the appropriateness of accounting 

policies and practices; and

•  review the significant issues and judgements 
considered in relation to the financial state-
ments, including how each was addressed.

external audit
•  review and monitor the objectivity and 
independence of the External Auditor, 
including the policy to govern the provision 
of non-audit services;

•  review and monitor the effectiveness of the 
external audit process and the on-going 
relationship with the External Auditor; and

•  review and make recommendations to the 
Board on the tendering of the external  
audit contract, and the appointment,  
remuneration and terms of engagement  
of the External Auditor.

risk management and internal control

•  review and monitor the effectiveness of the 
management of risk and internal control 
and appropriate systems;

•  review the framework and analysis to  
support both the going concern and  
ongoing viability statement; and

•  oversee appropriate whistleblowing and 

fraud prevention arrangements.

The Terms of Reference for the Audit 
Committee are available on our website:  
https://investor.evesleep.co.uk/corporate-
governance#committee-composition. These 
were last reviewed and approved by the 
Board on 21 November 2019.

key activities in 2019
The main focus of the Committee in 2019 has 
been to:
•  review and recommend the reappointment to 

shareholders of the Company’s external  
auditor at the 2019 AGM and to recommend 
the appointment of Nexia Smith &  
Williamson as external auditor to the Board 
in October 2019;

•  review and approve the 2018 FY preliminary 

results;

•  review and approve the 2019 interim results;

•  assess the company’s risk management  

systems and the risk register and conducted 
an annual review of the Committee’s 
Terms of Reference.

1. financial reporting
A principal responsibility of the Committee is 
to consider the significant areas of complexity, 
management judgement and estimations that 
have been applied in the preparation of the 
financial statements.

Significant issues considered in relation to the 
financial statements 

One of the focal areas for the Committee 

was in considering the most significant financial 
reporting for the Company. These are set out 
below, alongside details of how such risks are 
mitigated which are detailed below, and details 
of how those risks are mitigated:

Significant 

Risk

What?

How this is mitigated

Going concern

meet liabilities as 

financial forecasts and 

Risk of inability to 

Review of 24-month rolling  

they fall due

cash projections

Revenue 

recognition

Fraud risk related 

to misstatement of 

revenues

Review of methodology 

to define risk and reward 

transfer criteria for 

recognition as revenue

Inventory 

Risk of error in 

Review of gross profit 

valuation and 

stock costing and 

margins and bi-annual 

existence

provisioning

inventory counts

Fraud risk related 

Management 

to unpredictable 

override of 

way management 

controls

override of controls 

may occur

Review of control processes 

and permission structures 

within Finance and the 

wider business

36

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   audit committee report

Fair, balanced and understandable
In line with the best practice, the Committee 
has reviewed the 2019 Annual Report to 
consider whether it provided a true and fair 
view of the group’s affairs at the end of the 
year and provided shareholders with the 
necessary information in a fair, balanced and 
understandable way in order to enable them 
to assess the Group’s position, performance, 
business model and strategy.

When forming its opinion, the Committee 

considered the following questions in order 
to encourage challenge and assess whether 
the Annual Report and Accounts was fair, 
balanced and understandable:

Conclusion
After completion of its detailed review, 
the Committee is satisfied, when taken 
as a whole, the Group’s Annual Report 
and Accounts are fair, balanced and 
understandable, and provide the 
information necessary for shareholders to 
assess eve’s performance, business model 
and strategy.

2. risk management and internal control

The Group has a comprehensive system 
of internal controls in place, designed to 
ensure that risks are mitigated and that the 
Group’s objectives are attained. 

The committee has had regard to a 
number of sources of assurance over the 
course of the year on the adequacy of 
the risk management and internal control 
processes in place across eve, including the 
following:

•  Reviewed and scrutinised the corporate 
risk register, including the approach  
toward assessing the impact and  
likelihood of these risks and the ways in 
which management has proposed to 
manage the risks;

•  Reviewed the anti-fraud and bribery  

policies and procedures in place across 
the Company and the ways in which 
such policies are implemented; and

•  Reviewed the external audit plan for the 
2019 financial year and findings from the 
2018 external audit. 

As in previous years, the Group did not 
adopt an internal audit function. The 
Committee remains of the view that, due 
to the size and current complexity of the 
Group, the adoption of such a function 
would not be appropriate, and that the 
existing control environment remains robust.

Is the report fair?

•  Is the whole story presented?

•  Have any sensitive material areas been 

omitted?

Is the report  

balanced?

•  Is the whole story presented?

•  Have any sensitive material areas been 

omitted?

Is the report  

•  Is there a clear and understandable 

understandable?

framework to the Annual Report?

•  Is the Annual Report presented in 

straightforward language and a 

user-friendly and easy to understand 

manner?

3. external audit

tendering for a new audit provider

One of the Committee’s key roles in 2019 
has been in its involvement in securing 
a new external audit provider for eve 
following the resignation of KPMG LLP as the 
company’s auditor during 2019. The tender 
process that was followed was broadly as 
follows:

Requests for proposal
Focused on two key areas: 

1) To secure high quality external 

audit services from a reputable and 

credible provider

2) To secure excellent value for 

money

Evaluation and assessment
The assessment process 

focused on  

the following key areas: 

1) Capability and 

competence

2) Communication

3) Behaviour and deliverables

4) Pricing

Decision
Following engagement with  

members of the Audit Committee,  

a decision was made to appoint 

 Nexia Smith & Williamson as  

eve’s external auditor

Following a competitive tender process, 
we were delighted to announce the 
appointment of Nexia Smith & Williamson 
as our external auditor.  The Committee is 
confident that the relationship between 
the external auditor, management and the 
Audit Committee is developing positively, 
and we detail in the following sections our 
processes for reviewing the effectiveness 
and independence of the external auditor.                                                                                                                                         

external audit effectiveness

We have an established framework for 
assessing the effectiveness of the external 
audit process. This includes:

•  a review of the audit plan, including the 
materiality level set by the auditors and 
the process they have adopted to identify 
financial statement risks and key areas of 
audit focus; 

•  regular communications between the 

external auditor and both the Committee 
and management, including discussion of 
regular reports prepared by the external 
auditor; and

•  a review of the final audit report, noting the 
conclusions reached by the auditors and 
the reasoning behind such conclusions.

The Committee held a meeting with Nexia 
Smith & Williamson (without management 
present) and management (without the 
external auditor present) in order to discuss 
the external audit process and to identify any 
potentials for improvement for the forthcoming 
audit process.

We are confident that the evaluation 
process is effective, allowing for an objective 
assessment against the principal focus areas. 
After carefully considering the outcome of the 
above review, we concluded, in conjunction 
with management, and reported to the Board 
that in our opinion:

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   audit committee report

37

•  the audit team was sound and reliable;

•  the quality of the audit service provided 

was of a high standard;

•  that Nexia Smith & Williamson were, and 
are, effectively able to challenge man-
agement when required; and

•  that productive discussions were held 

with the Committee throughout the audit 
planning process.

objectivity and independence of the 
external audit process

It is the Committee’s responsibility to 
monitor the performance, objectivity 
and independence of the Auditor and 
this is evaluated by the Committee each 
year. In evaluating their performance, 
the Committee examines five main 
criteria – robustness of the audit process, 
independence and objectivity, quality of 
delivery, quality of people and service, and 
value–added advice. 

Having carried out the review the 
Committee is satisfied with Nexia Smith & 
Williamson’s performance, objectivity and 
independence.  

Taking all of the above into account, 
The Committee has recommended to the 
Board that Nexia Smith & Williamson be 
re-appointed under a new external audit 
contract and the Directors will be proposing 
the re-appointment and the determination 
of Nexia Smith & Williamson’s remuneration 
to shareholders at the 2020 AGM.

Following a tender for the provision of 
external audit services in 2019, the Group 
will put the external audit contract out to 
tender no later than 2029. The Committee is 
comfortable that this period is appropriate 
for the Group and that there are a number 
of measures in place to monitor and assure 
the external auditor’s independence, as set 
out in this Audit Committee report.

Approved and signed on behalf of the 
committee

Paul Pindar
Chairman
23 March 2020

                                                                                                                                               
38

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

nomination committee

committee composition

The Committee comprises Thomas Enraght–
Moony (Committee chair), Paul Pindar and 
Nikki Crumpton.

committee responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the Nomination  
Committee are:

•  Reviewing the size structure and composi-

tion of the Board;

•  Considering succession plans for Directors 

and senior management;

•  Satisfying itself that plans are in place for 

orderly succession for appointments to the 
Board;

•  Identifying and nominating to the Board 

candidates for Board vacancies.

The Terms of Reference for the Nomination 
Committee are available on our website:  
https://investor.evesleep.co.uk/corporate-
governance#committee-composition

These were last reviewed and approved 

by the Board on 21 November 2019.

key activities in 2019  

succession planning

Paul Pindar and Tom Enraght-Moony, as 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee, were 
closely involved with the appointment of Tim 
Parfitt as Chief Financial Officer.  

Further, the Committee spent significant 

time in 2019 in reviewing the strength 
of management talent in each area of 
the business along with information from 
management on the ways in which talent is 
managed in the business. The Committee is of 
the view that it is important to develop career 
pathways for each individual in the business, 
including those identified as having potential 
to in future occupy senior management 
positions within the business.

The Committee considers that succession 

needs to involve a combination of internal 
talent with external hires, which balances 

creating internal expertise and retention 
incentives with fresh perspectives.

Following the report from the Committee 

this year, we are pleased with the ways in 
which careers opportunities and pathways are 
being developed and with the overall strength 
of our talent pool across the business. The 
Committee will maintain succession planning 
and talent management as focal areas for 
2020.

board composition

A further focus of the Committee in 2019 
has been to review the size, structure 
and composition of the Board and Board 
Committees to ensure these remained 
appropriate. Following consideration, the 
Committee remains of the view that the size 
of the Board, and structure for the Board 
and committees of the Board, remains 
appropriate in view of the Company’s current 
size and scale. As detailed in the Board 
evaluation section earlier in this report, each 
Director was asked to review the current 
Board composition, and considers there to 
be a good balance of skills, background, 
experience and diversity of thought that each 
contribute to the overall effectiveness of the 
Board.  

The Committee therefore consider that 

the Board composition remains appropriate, 
but this will be an area that will be kept under 
continued review.

Our AGM Notice includes details of the 
contributions of each Director to the Board 
and to the Company more widely, and the 
reason for the recommendation from the 
Board to re-elect each Director.

The Committee also conducted an annual 

review of the Committee Terms of Reference.

Approved and signed on behalf of the 
committee.

Thomas Enraght-Moony
Chairman
23 March 2020

 
39

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

remuneration report

committee composition

key activities in 2019

The Remuneration Committee comprises 
three non-executive directors: Paul Pindar 
(Chairman of the Committee), Thomas 
Enraght-Moony and Nikki Crumpton.  

Members of the management team are 

invited to attend meetings as appropriate, 
unless there is an actual or potential conflict of 
interest.

The main focus of the Committee in 2019 
has been to review proposals around 
Executive Directors’ remuneration 
arrangements for 2019 and scrutinise 
management bonus scheme proposals.  The 
Committee will continue to focus in 2020 on 
ensuring that executive remuneration and 
shareholder interests remain closely aligned.

responsibilities of the committee

renumeration policy

The role of the Committee is to assist the 
Board to fulfil its responsibility to shareholders 
to ensure that the remuneration policy and 
practices of the Company reward fairly and 
responsibly, with a clear link to corporate and 
individual performance, having regard to 
statutory and regulatory requirements.
The Terms of Reference for the 
Remuneration Committee are available 
on our website:  https://investor.evesleep.
co.uk/corporate-governance#committee-
composition These were last reviewed and 
approved by the Board on 21 November 2019.

The Company’s policy is that the 
remuneration package of the Executive 
Directors should be sufficiently competitive 
to attract, retain and motivate those 
directors to achieve the Company’s 
objectives without making excessive 
payments. The Board determines the 
terms and conditions of the Non-Executive 
directors.

We have summarised the main 

principles behind Executive Directors’ 
remuneration in the table below:

40

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   remuneration committee report

fixed remuneration elements

Purpose

How it operates

Maximum opportunity

Performance-related  

framework

base salary

Reflects an individual’s 

responsibilities, experience 

and performance in their 

role.

There is no prescribed 

The performance of the 

maximum annual base salary 

individual in the period since 

or salary increase.

the last review is considered 

The Committee is guided 

when their salary is being 

by the general increase 

reviewed.

for the broader employee 

population but has discretion 

to decide to award a 

lower or higher increase to 

Executive Directors.

Reviewed annually, normally 
with effect from 1 January, 
with any changes taking 
effect from that date. 
Salaries are normally paid 
monthly.

Decisions on salary 
levels are influenced 
by: responsibilities, 
abilities, experience and 
performance of an individual 
the performance of the 
individual in the period 
since the last review the 
Company’s salary and pay 
structures and general
workforce salary increases.

pension

To contribute financially post-

Defined contribution 

The Company contributes 

Not applicable.

retirement.

arrangement.

up to 3% of base salary on a 

Base salary and bonus 

“relief at source” basis.

elements are pensionable.

The Committee has 

Employees may opt out of 

discretion to amend the 

the scheme.

contribution level should 

market conditions or 

legislation change.

variable remuneration elements

Purpose

How it operates

Maximum opportunity

Performance-related 

framework

Supports the strategy and 

Awards of share options to 

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

share plan

business plan by incentivising 

certain employees, which 

and retaining the eve senior 

normally vest after three 

management team in a way 

years subject to length of 

that is aligned both with 

service conditions.

the Company’s long-term 

financial performance 

and with the interests of 

shareholders.

other benefits

To support the personal 

Benefits include private 

There is no overall maximum 

Not applicable.

health and wellbeing of 

medical insurance and 

level of benefits provided 

employees. To reflect and 

discount on eve products.

to Executive Directors, and 

support the Company’s 

culture.

the level of some of these 

benefits is not predetermined 

but may vary from year to 

year based on the overall 

cost to the Company.

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   remuneration committee report

41

Directors’ remuneration table
The remuneration of the Directors for the year to 31 December 2019 is set out in the table 

below.

Director

Appointed

Resigned

Salary / fees

£

Pension

£

2019

2018

2019

2018

Compensation 

for loss of office

£

2019

Total remuneration 

£

2019

2018

Executive 

Directors

10 

N/A

200,000

54,615

  1,188  

269 

- 

201,188

54,884

James Sturrock

September 

2018

Tim Parfitt

17 June 2019

N/A

 66,523 

 - 

 658 

 -

 -   

 67,181

 -

2 November 

17 May 

77,865 

 140,000 

 421 

 703

 31,788

 110,074 

 140,703 

2016

2019

21 November 

N/A

26,667 

30,000

 -   

 -   

2016

Nikki Crumpton

3 September 

N/A

 26,667

10,000   

 557

160  

2018

28 April 2017

N/A

 26,667

 30,000 

 -   

 -   

Thomas Enraght-

Moony

 -   

 -   

 -   

 26,667 

 30,000 

 27,223

10,160  

 26,667

 30,000 

Abid Ismail

Non-Executive 

Directors

Paul Pindar

There were no bonuses, long term incentives or 

other income awarded to directors.

Details of directors interest in share plans 

is shown on the following page and details of 

the share-based payment charge attributable 

to directors is shown in note 6.

Private medical insurance was provided to 

James Sturrock, Tim Parfitt and Abid Ismail, the 

value of which management have deemed 

immaterial to the users of these financial 

statements.

 
42

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   remuneration committee report

Directors interest in share plans
The Directors who held office at 31 December 2019 had the following interests in the share plans 

of the Group.

Director

Date of Grant

As at 31 

December 

2019 
(no. of 

options)

Service

Conditions

Exercise

Price

(pence)

As at 31 

December 

2018 (no. 

of options)

Sevice
Conditions

Exercise
Price

Executive Directors

James Sturrock

23 May 2019

17 December 2019

4,400,000

4,400,000

Tim Parfitt

17 December 2019

2,000,000

Length of 

service

Length of 

service

0.1p

0.1p

Non-Executive 
Directors

Paul Pindar

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Nikki Crumpton

1 April 2019

180,000

Length of 

service

0.1p

-

-

-

-

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Thomas Enraght-Moony

1 April 2019

180,000

Length of 

service

0.1p

99,000

Length of

service

101.2p

No directors exercised share options during 2019 therefore no gain on option exercise is 

presented here nor in note 6 to the financial statements.

Directors shareholdings
The Directors who held office at 31 December 2019 had the following interests in the shares of 

the Group.

Director

Executive Directors

James Sturrock

Tim Parfitt

Non-Executive Directors

Beneficially owned at 31 

Beneficially owned at 31 

December 2019 

(no. of shares)

December 2018 

(no. of shares)

252,750

27,048

52,750

-

Paul Pindar

15,334,885

6,527,126

Nikki Crumpton

Thomas Enraght-Moony

-

-

-

-

Approved and signed on behalf of the committee.

Paul Pindar

Chairman

23 March 2020

 
43

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

statement of directors’ responsibilities 
in respect of the annual report and the 
financial statements
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report alongside 

the Group and parent Company financial statements in accordance  

with applicable law and regulations.

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 elected to prepare the financial 
statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by 
the European Union (IFRSs). 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 profit or loss of the Company 
for the period. In preparing these financial 
statements, the directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently;

•  make judgments and accounting estimates 

that are reasonable and prudent;

•  state whether applicable IFRSs have been 
followed, subject to any material depar-
tures disclosed and explained in the finan-
cial statements; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the go-
ing concern basis unless it is inappropriate 
to presume that the Company will continue 
in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position 
of the Company and enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements comply with the 

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 confirm that:

•  the management report includes a fair  
review of the development and perf-
ormance of the business and the position 
of the Group, together with a description of 
the principal risks and uncertainties.

•  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 
Company’s auditor is aware of that infor-
mation.

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 financial statements may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

By order of the board:

Paul Pindar and James Sturrock

44

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

section 172 reporting
The directors have identified and selected the following Board-level decision 

making processes as those of greatest strategic significance made during 2019 

and would like to highlight the consultation undertaken by eve across a range 

of stakeholders due to their business impact.

people restructuring

Our people power eve and the ingenuity and 
determination they bring to work every day 
made the decision that led to redundancies in 
the last quarter of 2019 especially complex. The 
process required three-stages of consultation; 
first with senior management to review the 
activities and priorities of their team, secondly, 
with those individuals identified as at risk of 
redundancy to describe and explain the 
proposed changes to the company’s people 
structure and finally, to evaluate proposals 
made by employees affected as to how their 
redundancy might be mitigated. 

In some cases, the consultation process 
ended with individuals choosing to continue 
their employment with eve under revised 
terms and at all times it was necessary to 
consider operational continuity including the 
management of supplier relationships. At an 
early stage, given the impact on individual 
livelihoods, it was judged by the Board and 
current employees to be necessary to support 
the future career objectives of affected 
employees an initiative led by eve’s Head of 
People.

competitive tender of courier and 
warehouse supplier relationships

Given the nature of eve’s business model, the 
health of third-party courier and warehouse 
relationships are a key component to eve’s 
success. Close monitoring of operational 
performance, value for money and the 
transparency of suppliers in this category is 
undertaken alongside mining the feedback 
customers provide as to the reliability and quality 
of their delivery experience.

An impact assessment was conducted 
to assess how any transition of these supplier 
relationships would impact employee and 
customer satisfaction and a competitive tender 
process set up in order to measure short-term 
financial and operational considerations against 
longer-term goals for improved customer 
experience.

long-term profitability of retail partnerships

The mutual decision in the first quarter of 2019, 

to terminate the retail partnership agreement 
with Dreams reinforced eve’s continued 
commitment to its full cohort of retail partners, 
direct to consumer customer base, suppliers 
and shareholders, representing a decision to 
prioritise profitability over revenue growth at all 
costs and the need to act fairly to all partners.
Prior to the decision being made, the 
known likely consequence was the loss of retail 
revenues planned with this partner during 
2019, and while those were not planned to 
be material, what was less clear was the 
impact on brand awareness created via the 
partnership. However, in balancing these 
factors against the renegotiated terms of a 
future agreement were deemed to dilute the 
profitability and long-term sustainability of the 
company and thus mutual termination of the 
agreement was the preferred route. 

appointment of new CFO

Following the resignation of Abid Ismail, 
eve’s Chief Financial Officer at the outset 
of the year, the subsequent recruitment and 
appointment of Tim Parfitt required the Board 
to consider the constellation of skills and 
experience that an incoming finance leader 
would require. The Nomination Committee led 
this process consulting closely with CEO, James 
Sturrock.

The search for a complementary finance 

leader acknowledged the public-facing 
nature of eve’s listing on the Alternative 
Investments Market requiring a profile capable 
of managing retail investor relationships as well 
as an individual capable of operating beyond 
the confines of the traditional finance function 
including oversight of eve’s technology 
infrastructure and ambitions.

sustainable packaging
Following the consultation of both customer 
and employee groups and with a view to 
identifying profit-enhancing initiatives as 
part of the 2020 budgeting process; the 
Board performed a detailed review into the 
business’s environmental impact with the 
first focus identified to be the reduction and 
sustainable-sourcing of reduction, a project 
being implemented in early 2020.

45

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t

directors’ report

The Corporate Governance Report approved by the Board is provided 

on pages 27 and 28  and incorporated by reference

into this Directors’ Report. 

information contained elsewhere in this 
Annual Report

significant events since the end of the 
financial year

Information required to be included in this 
Directors’ Report can be found elsewhere in 
the Annual Report as indicated in the table 
below and is incorporated into this report by 
reference:

Information

Page(s)

future developments

going concern statement

risk management and principle risks

corporate governance statement

Information on the Group’s financial risk
management objectives and policies,
and its exposure to credit risk, liquidity
risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency
risk and financial instruments

9

46

25-26

27-28

75-77

The worldwide outbreak of the COVID–19 virus 
represents a significant event since the end 
of the financial period. In light of the impact 
of the virus upon supply chain and consumer 
demand, the Group has reviewed its cash 
flow forecasts and considered the impact on 
going concern, concluding that the going 
concern basis remains an appropriate basis 
of preparation for these financial statements 
given the likely cash flow impact of operations 
12 months from the date of signing this report.

presence outside of UK

the company has the following subsidiaries 
outside of the UK:

eve Sleep 
SASU

eve Sleep Inc

Trading Status

Trading

Dormant

Principal place of 

5 Rue Des 

business / registered 

Suisses, 75014, 

office address

Paris

185 W. Broadway, 

Suite 101, PO Box 

1150, Jackson, 

USA

Registered number

823397419 

R.C.S Paris

EIN 47-4164566

Ownership 2019

100%

100%

Ownership 2018

100%

100%

  
46

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   director's report

going concern

IFRS 16).

The financial statements are prepared on a 
going concern basis notwithstanding that 
the Group is still generating losses.

The Group has reported an underlying 
EBITDA of (£10.7m) loss (2018: (£19.1m) loss) 
with an operating cash outflow of £9.3m 
(2018: £20.6m). The closing cash balance at 
31 December 2019 was £8.0m (2018: £6.0m).
The directors have prepared a business 

plan and financial model including cashflow 
forecasts covering a period of more than 12 
months from the date of approval of these 
financial statements. 

The business plan makes the following key 
assumptions:
•  Economies in product and logistics costs;

•  Marketing efficiency within DTC is  

enhanced as a result of greater brand 
awareness and the focus on more  
profitable performance marketing activi-
ties leading to a significant improvement 
in profit/loss after distribution expenses, 
payment fees and marketing costs;

•  The full-year benefit of savings made to 

overheads in 2019 generating a  
significant reduction in annual  
fixed costs;

•  Reduction in stock levels.

These forecasts in the base case indicate 
that the group will have sufficient funds to 
meet its liabilities as they fall due until such 
point that it achieves sustainable profitability 
and cash generation. However, the delivery 
of the strategic plan is subject to uncertainty 
and these have been modelled through 
sensitivity analysis. Where sensitivity analysis 
indicates the possibility of a material 
impact to the ability of the group to meet 
liabilities as they fall due, the directors 
have considered what mitigating actions 
would be required and the timeframe 
within which those actions are needed. 
The key mitigating factors are centered 
around further reductions in controllable 
spend, including further marketing cost 
appraisal and reductions in other categories 
of discretionary spend. The directors also 
consider that it would be reasonable to 
target working capital improvements such 
as reducing stock days through lower stock 
levels and reducing debtor days through 
facilities such as debt factoring as the 
group does not presently have any debt 
(excluding the lease liability arising under 

Uncertainties are such that potential mitigating 
actions, which would be over and above the 
current strategic plan, may not be sufficient to 
mitigate all reasonably possible downsides in 
assumptions. In such downsides the Directors 
would need further funding and would 
consider ways of sourcing this, which could 
include debt or possible further equity funding.  
The Directors consider that such scenarios are 
possible, but not the likely outcome.

Based on the above, the directors 

believe it remains appropriate to prepare the 
financial statements on a going concern basis. 
However, these circumstances represent a 
material uncertainty that may cast significant 
doubt upon the company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern and, therefore to continue 
realising its assets and discharging its liabilities 
in the normal course of business. The financial 
statements do not include any adjustments 
that would result from the basis of preparation 
being inappropriate.

dividends

The directors do not recommend the payment 
of a dividend.    

political donations

No political donations have been made during 
this financial year.

strategic report

This is set out on pages 10 to 26 of the Annual 
Report and includes an indication of likely 
future developments, and forms part of this 
Directors’ Report.

research and development

The Group undertakes a continuous 
programme of development expenditure. 
Development expenditure is capitalised only 
when the end product is technically and 
commercially feasible and when sufficient 
resource is available to complete the 
development, as disclosed in note 2.10 to the 
accounts.

g o v e r n a n c e   r e p o r t :   director's report

47

directors

auditor

The Directors who held office during the year 
were:

•  Nikki Crumpton

•  Thomas Enraght-Moony

•  Abid Ismail (resigned 17 May 2019)

•  Tim Parfitt (appointed 17 June 2019)

•  Paul Pindar

•  James Sturrock 

Biographical details of the Directors are shown 
on pages 29 and 30.

The interests of the directors and their 

closely associated persons in the share 
capital of the Company, along with details 
of directors’ share options and awards, are 
contained in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 39 to 42. At no time during 
the year did any of the directors have a 
material interest in any significant contract 
with eve Sleep plc.  

The Company’s policy is for all of the 
Executive Directors to have twelve month 
rolling service contracts. All Non-Executive 
Directors are salaried and are appointed for 
an initial term of three years from Admission to 
AIM which took place on 18 May 2017.

eve maintains directors’ and officers’ 
liability insurance which gives appropriate 
cover for any legal action brought against 
its directors. The Company has also provided 
an indemnity for its directors, which is a 
qualifying third-party indemnity provision, for 
the purposes of section 234 of the Companies 
Act 2006. This was in place throughout the 
year and up to the date of approval of the 
financial statements.

articles of association

eve Sleep’s Articles of Association can 
only be amended by special resolution 
and are available on our website at 
https://investor.evesleep.co.uk/corporate-
governance#governance-docs pursuant to 
AIM Rule 26.

Nexia Smith & Williamson was appointed as 
auditor in November 2019 and is willing to 
continue in office. In accordance with s489(4) 
of the Companies Act 2006 a resolution for 
their reappointment will be proposed at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

share capital

The issued share capital of the Company at 
31 December 2019 was 263,444,823 ordinary 
shares of 0.1p pence. Full details of the issued 
share capital, together with the details of 
shares issued during the year to 31 December 
2019, are shown in Note 16 to the Group 
financial statements.

statement on disclosure of information to 
auditors

The directors confirm that, so far as each is 
aware, there is no relevant audit information 
of which the Group’s auditors are unaware. 
Each of the directors has taken all the 
steps he should have taken as a director to 
make himself aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Group’s 
auditors are aware of that information.

annual general meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Company 
will be held at 10am on Friday 29 May 2020 
at finnCap offices, 60 New Broad St, London, 
EC2M 1JJ. The Notice of Meeting has been 
sent to shareholders along with this Annual 
Report.

Approved and signed on behalf of the Board

Paul Pindar
Chairman
23 March 2020

48

independent auditor’s report  
to the members of eve Sleep plc

49

i n d e p e n d e n t   a u d i t o r ’ s   r e p o r t

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. 

material uncertainty related to going 
concern

We draw attention to note 2.4 of the financial 
statements which indicates there is a material 
uncertainty relating to the Group and Parent 
Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern.

The Group has reported an operating 

cash outflow of £9.3m for the year to 31 
December 2019 with cash on hand as at that 
date of £8.0m. The directors have prepared a 
business plan and financial model including 
cashflow forecasts covering a period of more 
than 12 months from the date of approval of 
these financial statements. These forecasts 
indicate the Group will have sufficient funds 
to meet its liabilities as they fall due until such 
point that it achieves sustainable profitability 
and cash generation.

However, the achievement of the 
projections is subject to uncertainties, which 
have been modelled through sensitivity 
analysis.  Where sensitivity analysis indicates 
the possibility of a material impact to the 
ability of the group to meet its liabilities as 
they fall due, the Directors have considered 
what mitigating actions would be required 
and the timeframe within which these actions 
are needed. The uncertainties are such that 
potential mitigating actions may not be 
sufficient to mitigate all reasonably possible 
downsides in assumptions, hence further 
funding may be required. These conditions, 
along with the other matters explained in note 
2.4, represent a material uncertainty that may 
cast significant doubt on the Group’s and the 
Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

Our opinion is not modified in respect  

of this matter.

opinion

We have audited the financial statements 
of eve Sleep plc (the ‘Parent Company’) 
and its subsidiary (the ‘Group’) for the year 
ended 31 December 2019 which comprise 
the Consolidated Statement of Profit and 
Loss and Other Comprehensive Income, the 
Consolidated and Company Statements 
of Financial Position, the Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Changes in Equity, 
the Consolidated and Company Statements 
of Cash Flows, and the notes to the financial 
statements, including a summary of 
significant accounting policies. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied 
in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union 
and, as regards the parent company financial 
statements, as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

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 2019 and of the Group’s loss for 
the year then ended;  

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

•  the Parent Company financial statements 

have been properly prepared in  
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union 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.  

50

i n d e p e n d e n t   a u d i t o r ’ s   r e p o r t

key audit matters

In addition to the matter described in the 
material uncertainty related to going concern 
section, we have determined the matters 
described below to be the key audit matters 
to be communicated in our report. Key audit 
matters include the most significant assessed 
risks of material misstatement, including those 
risks that had the greatest effect on our overall 
audit strategy, the allocation of resources in 
the audit and the direction of the efforts of the 
audit team.

In addressing these matters, we have 
performed the procedures below which were 
designed to address the matters in the context 
of the financial statements as a whole and in 
forming our opinion thereon. Consequently, we 
do not provide a separate opinion on these 
individual matters.

revenue recognition – Group and  
Parent Company
Description of risk

Under International Standards on Auditing 
there is a rebuttable presumption that 
revenue recognition gives rise to a material 
risk of fraud, and given that eve Sleep has a 
potential incentive to overstate its revenue 
to respond to market pressure, we have not 
rebutted this presumption with respect to  
cut–off of revenue at the statement of 
financial position date.

Specifically, we identified the risk that 
revenue transactions recorded in the year 
may not have been delivered to the customer 
before year end and therefore may have 
been recorded in the incorrect period.

How the matter was addressed in the audit and 
key observations arising with respect  
to that risk

We reviewed management’s revenue 
recognition policy and ensured revenue 
was being measured and recognised in 
accordance with IFRS 15.

As part of our procedures we:

•  Substantively tested revenue by agreeing 

amounts recognised in the year through to 
invoice and payment.

•  Substantively tested that revenue is  

complete, through ensuring that all orders 
from the sales ordering systems which have 
been fulfilled in the year have been  
included in revenue.

•  Ensured revenue has been recognised in 
the correct period, through agreeing a 
sample of revenue entries from either side 
of the year-end to goods delivered notes, 
to ultimate end customer if applicable.

•  Checked the revenue recognition policy 
for compliance against IFRS 15, through  
reference to the five-step revenue  
recognition policy. This included identifying 
the contract with the customer for each 
revenue stream; identifying performance 
obligations; determining the transaction 
price; allocating the price to relevant 
performance obligations; and ensuring 
revenue is then recognised as the above 
performance obligations are met, being 
delivery to the ultimate end customer.

51

i n d e p e n d e n t   a u d i t o r ’ s   r e p o r t

provision for returns – Group and Parent 
Company
Description of risk

•  Reviewed post year-end evidence of  

actual returns to gain comfort over the 
completeness of the provision.

The Group offers a 100-night trial on the 
eve mattress, giving customers the option 
to return the mattress within 100 days of 
purchase and receive a full refund. A 
material provision is therefore recorded 
based on the expected number of returns 
post year end.

The level of expected returns is subject 
to estimation uncertainty. There is a risk that 
the provision could be materially misstated 
due to the high degree of estimation 
uncertainty. The financial statements (note 
2.19) disclose the sensitivity estimated by the 
Group.  

How the matter was addressed in the audit 
and key observations arising with respect to 
that risk

We reviewed management’s policy 
for estimating the returns provision. We 
challenged the assumptions and assertions 
made by management in their assessment 
and considered the completeness of the 
provision with reference to post year-end 
actual returns.

As part of our procedures we:

•  Confirmed the estimate was recognised 
and measured in accordance with IAS 
37.

•  Confirmed the methods were consistent 

with the prior year. 

•  Corroborated management’s inputs and 
assertions where reasonably practicable, 
through agreement to supporting  
documentation.

•  Performed sensitivity analysis on the key 

assumptions used in the model.

•  Confirmed appropriate disclosures have 

been made in the accounts. 

materiality

The materiality for the Group financial 
statements as a whole was set at £475,000. 
This has been determined with reference 
to the benchmark of the Group’s revenues, 
which we consider to be one of the principal 
considerations for members of the Parent 
Company in assessing the performance of 
the Group. Materiality represents 2% of the 
Group’s revenues as presented on the face of 
the Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss 
and Other Comprehensive Income.

The materiality for the Parent Company 

financial statements as a whole was set at 
£308,750. This has been determined with 
reference to the benchmark of the Parent 
Company’s revenues, which we consider to 
be one of the principal considerations for 
members of the Parent Company in assessing 
the performance of 
 the Company. Materiality represents  
2% of revenue.

an overview of the scope of our audit

The audit team performed the audit of the 
Group as if it was a single aggregated set 
of financial information, given the financial 
information of all components is included 
within one accounting system and is subject 
to the same processes and controls. The audit 
was performed using the materiality levels set 
out above.

52

i n d e p e n d e n t   a u d i t o r ’ s   r e p o r t

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.  Our 
opinion on the 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. 

In connection with our audit of the 
financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated.  If we identify such 
material inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine 
whether there is a material misstatement 
in the financial statements or a material 
misstatement of the other information.  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.

opinion 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 Chairman’s 
Statement, the Strategic Report and the 
Governance Report for the financial year 
for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial 
statements; and

•  the Chairman’s Statement, Strategic Report 
and Governance Report have been pre-
pared 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 chairman’s 
statement, strategic report or the governance 
report.

We have nothing to report in respect of 
the following matters where the Companies 
Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our 
opinion:
•  adequate accounting records have not 
been kept by the parent company, or  
returns adequate for our audit have not 
been received from branches not visited by 
us; or

•  the parent company financial statements 
are not in agreement with the accounting 
records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’  

remuneration specified by law are not 
made; or

•  we have not received all the information 
and explanations we require for our audit.

responsibilities of Directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of 
Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 
42, the Directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the 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 financial statements, 
the Directors are responsible for assessing the 
Group’s 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.

53

i n d e p e n d e n t   a u d i t o r ’ s   r e p o r t

auditor’s responsibilities for the audit  
of the financial statements

use of our report

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. 

 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.

This report is made solely to the Parent 
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 
Parent 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 
Parent Company and the Parent Company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this 
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Sancho Simmonds
Senior Statutory Auditor, for and on  
behalf of 
Nexia Smith & Williamson 
Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants

25 Moorgate
London
EC2R 6AY

23 March 2020

54

consolidated statement of profit and loss and other 

comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Distribution expenses

Administrative expenses

Operating loss

Net finance income

Loss before tax

Taxation

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

Note

2019  
£

2018  
£

3

3

3

3

4

7

8

23,852,931

34,818,260

(11,176,905)

(16,442,852)

12,676,026

18,375,408

(2,729,317)

(4,056,075)

(22,453,901)

(34,663,758)

(12,507,192)

(20,344,425)

18,022

44,822

(12,489,170)

(20,299,603)

352,240

193,192

(12,136,930)

(20,106,411)

Foreign currency differences from overseas operations

17,310

98,720

Total comprehensive loss for the year

(12,119,620)

(20,007,691)

Basic and diluted loss per share

18

(4.92p)

(14.46p)

All results relate to continuing activities.

Notes 1 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

consolidated statement of financial position
at 31 December 2019

55

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Current tax receivable

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Lease Liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share capital

Share premium

Share-based payment reserve

Retained earnings

Note

9

10

11

12

13

23

14

15

23

16

17

2019 
£

518,575

344,456

863,031

1,574,648

2,637,650

7,988,769

354,466

2018 
£

-

669,742

669,742

1,127,876

4,626,750

6,031,936

193,192

12,555,533

11,979,754

13,418,564

12,649,496

40,000

40,000

3,983,174

768,965

470,391

-

-

4,561,792

955,949

-

5,222,530

5,517,741

5,262,530

5,517,741

8,156,034

7,131,755

263,445

139,735

48,887,392

36,716,372

998,495

250,073

(42,109,328)

(30,073,145)

Foreign currency translation reserve

116,030

98,720

Total equity

8,156,034

7,131,755

Notes 1 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors on eve Sleep plc and were signed on its behalf by:

Tim Parfitt
Director
23 March 2020
Company registered number: 09261636

56

consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Share 
Capital
£

Share 
Premium
£

Share-based 
reserve
£

Retained 
Earnings
£

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve 
£

Total Equity
£

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2019

 139,735 

 36,716,372 

 250,073 

(30,073,145)

 98,720 

 7,131,755

Issue of shares

 120,317

 11,911,415 

Exercise of employee share options

Share-based payment charge

Transfer on exercise of employee share 
options

Transfer on issue of equity for marketing 
services

770

-

-

-

-

 -

-

-

 1,111,396 

-

-

-

(100,747) 

100,747 

2,623

 259,605

(262,228)

-

Total transactions with owners

 123,710 

 12,171,020 

 748,421 

 100,747 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

12,031,732

770

 1,111,396

-

-

 13,143,898 

(12,136,930) 

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

-

-

-

-

-

-

(12,136,930) 

-

17,310

17,310

Balance at 31 December 2019

 263,445

 48,887,392 

 998,495 

(42,109,328) 

 116,030 

 8,156,034 

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2018

138,631

36,716,372

138,794

(10,158,736)

Exercise of options

Share-based payment charge

Transfer on exercise of options

1,104

-

-

Total transactions with owners

1,104

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

303,281

-

-

(192,002)

192,002

111,279

192,002

(20,106,411)

-

-

-

98,720

98,720

-

-

-

-

-

-

26,835,061

1,104

303,281

-

304,385

(20,106,411)

Balance at 31 December 2018

139,735

36,716,372

250,073

(30,073,145)

98,720

7,131,755

consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2019

57

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation

Amortisation

Impairment

Interest payable

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

Share-based payment charge

Note

2019
£

2018
£

(12,136,930)

(20,106,411)

198,048

263,046

594,724

9,144

(446,772)

1,827,827

(578,619)

(186,984)

1,111,396

-

120,571 

 39,608 

-

(436,536)

(642,885)

13,773 

129,247 

303,281 

Net cash outflow from operating activities

(9,345,120)

(20,579,352)

Cash flows from investing activities

Additions to property, plant and equipment

Additions to intangible assets

Right of use asset initial direct costs

-

(532,484)

(15,375)

(3,150)

(411,775)

-

Net cash outflows from investing activities

(547,859)

(414,925)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

12,032,502

Repayment of capital element of finance lease rentals

24

(200,000)

Net cash inflows from financing activities

11,832,502

1,104

-

1,104

Net cash inflow/(outflow)

1,939,523

(20,993,173)

Cash at beginning of year

Movement in cash

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held

Cash at end of year

6,031,936 

26,926,389

1,939,523

17,310

(20,993,173)

98,720

7,988,769

6,031,936

58

notes to the financial statements
forming part of the the financial statements

1. 

Reporting entity

eve sleep PLC (the “Company”) is a public company, domiciled and registered in England in the UK. eve sleep PLC is a company 

limited by shares. The registered number is 09261636 and the registered address at 31st December 2019 was 29A Kentish Town Road, 

London, England, NW1 8NL effective from 5th August 2019. Prior to that date, the registered address of the Company was 128 Albert 

Street, London, England, NW1 7NE.

2. 

2.1 

Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”).

The Group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance with International 

Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“Adopted IFRSs”). The Company has elected to prepare its parent company 

financial statements in accordance with adopted IFRS, these are presented on pages 81 to 92.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in 

these Group financial statements.

Judgements made by the directors, in the application of these accounting policies that have significant effect on the 

financial statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed in note 2.19.

2.2  

Changes in accounting policy

(a) New and amended Standards and Interpretations adopted by the Group and Company.
In these financial statements, the Group has changed its accounting policies in the following areas:
• 

Lease recognition

The Group has adopted the following IFRSs in these financial statements:
• 

IFRS 16 Leases (see note 23)

The Company has considered the change in accounting policy associated with the application of IFRS 16. The Company’s 

lease of 128 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NE terminated in line with the agreed upon lease term on 17 August 2019 and 

therefore the Company has taken advantage of the short-term lease exemption for lease assets and lease liabilities where 

a lease term ends within 12 months of the date of initial application of IFRS 16. Thus the presentation of this lease as an 

operating lease for the twelve months ending 31 December 2019 remains consistent with previous periods under IAS 17.

  On 1 August 2019 the Company commenced a 24-month lease of 29A Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8NL. The Company 

has recognised a lease asset and lease liability in relation to this lease from the inception of the lease.

(b) New and amended Standards and Interpretations mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 2019 

but not currently relevant to the Group or Company
The following new and amended Standards and Interpretations are not currently relevant to the Group or Company; 

however, they may have a significant impact in future years:

•  IFRIC 23 “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments”

•  Amendment to IFRS 9: “Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation”

•  Amendment to IAS 28: “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”

•  Amendment to IAS 19: “Employee Benefits”

•  Amendments to IFRS 3, IFRS 11, IAS 12 and IAS 23 in “Annual Improvements 2015-2017 cycle”

(c) New and amended Standards and Interpretations issued but not effective for the financial year beginning 1 January 2019
Amendments have been made to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in 

Accounting Estimates and Errors in relation to the definition of material. The new definition will apply for the first time in 

the next financial year. The amendments clarify the definition of what is material to the financial statements and how to 

apply the definition.

  The amendments will have an impact on the presentation and disclosure in the financial statements. After applying 

the new definition, the financial statement may have less disclosures as it may be easier to justify that certain disclosures 

are immaterial to users of financial statements. Furthermore, more meaningful disclosures may be presented in a more 

prominent manner due to the additional guidance on the effects of obscuring information.

 
 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

59

2.3 

Measurement convention

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention.

2.4 

Going concern

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis notwithstanding that the Group is still generating losses.

The Group has reported an operating loss of £12.5m (2018: (£20.3m) loss) with an operating cash outflow of £9.3m (2018: 

£20.6m). The closing cash balance at 31 December 2019 was £8.0m (2018: £6.0m). 

The directors have prepared a business plan and financial model including cashflow forecasts covering a period of more 

than 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. 

The business plan makes the following key assumptions:

•  Economies in product and logistics costs;

•  Marketing efficiency within DTC is enhanced as a result of greater brand awareness and the focus on more profitable perfor-
mance marketing activities leading to a significant improvement in profit/loss after distribution expenses, payment fees and 

marketing costs. Marketing spend is presented within administrative expenses in the financial statements;

•  The full-year benefit of savings made to overheads in 2019 generating a significant reduction in annual fixed costs;

•  Improvement in the slow-moving stock levels alongside optimised demand planning.

These forecasts in the base case indicate that the group will have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities as they fall due until 

such point that it achieves sustainable profitability and cash generation. However, the delivery of the strategic plan is subject to 

uncertainty and these have been modelled through sensitivity analysis.  Where sensitivity analysis indicates the possibility of a 

material impact to the ability of the group to meet liabilities as they fall due, the directors have considered what mitigating actions 

would be required and the timeframe within which those actions are needed. The key mitigating factors are centred around further 

reductions in controllable spend, including further marketing cost appraisal and reductions in other categories of discretionary 

spend. The directors also consider that it would be reasonable to target working capital improvements such as reducing stock days 

through lower stock levels and reducing debtor days through facilities such as debt factoring as the group does not presently have 

any debt (excluding the lease liability arising under IFRS 16).

Uncertainties are such that potential mitigating actions, which would be over and above the current strategic plan, may 

not be sufficient to mitigate all reasonably possible downsides in assumptions. The impact of COVID-19 virus is one such uncertainty 

which management are assessing and managing the impact of on the business (further detail on this is provided on page 26). In such 

downsides the Directors would need further funding and would consider ways of sourcing this, which could include debt or possible 

further equity funding.  The Directors consider that such scenarios are possible, but not the likely outcome.

Based on the above, the directors believe it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern 

basis. However, these circumstances represent a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt upon the company’s ability 

to continue as a going concern and, therefore to continue realising its assets and discharging its liabilities in the normal course 

of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result from the basis of preparation being 

inappropriate.

2.5 

Presentational currency

The Group financial statements are presented in Sterling.

2.6 

Basis of consolidation

Subsidaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 

returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. In assessing 

control, the Group takes into consideration potential voting rights. The acquisition date is the date on which control is transferred to 

the acquirer. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control 

commences until the date that control ceases.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

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

eliminated. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the 

extent of the Group’s interest in the investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the 

extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

 
 
 
 
60

notes to the financial statements continued

2.7 

Foreign currency 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of Group entities at the foreign exchange 

rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the statement of 

financial position date are retranslated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange 

differences arising on translation are recognised in the statement of profit and loss. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are 

measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. 

Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are retranslated to the functional 

currency at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to the Group’s presentational currency, Sterling, at foreign 

exchange rates ruling at the statement of financial position date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated at 

an average rate for the year where this rate approximates to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions.

Exchange differences arising from this translation of foreign operations are reported as an item of other comprehensive 

income and accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve (FCTR).

2.8 

Classification of financial instruments issued by the Group

This note provides information about the group’s financial instruments, including:

•  an overview of all financial instruments held by the group

•  specific information about each type of financial instrument

•  accounting policies

•  information about determining the fair value of the instruments, including judgements and  

estimation uncertainty involved.

The group holds the following financial assets:

Financial

Financial asset

Note

Classification rationale

instrument type

Financial assets held at 

Trade receivables

12

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for 

amortised cost

goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of 

business. They are generally due for settlement within 60 

days and are therefore all classified as current. 

Trade receivables are recognised initially at the amount of 

consideration that is unconditional.

The group holds the trade receivables with the objective 

of collecting the contractual cash flows and therefore 

measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the 

effective interest method. 

Details about the group’s impairment policies and the 

calculation of the loss allowance are provided in note 12.

Other receivables

Other current assets

12

12

These receivables relate to items that cannot be classified 

as trade receivables including VAT receivables, rent 

deposits, accrued income and volume rebate receivables. 

Current tax receivable

N/A

Collateral is not normally obtained and although interest 

may be charged or is automatically due where the terms 

of repayment exceed six months, this is not normally 

effected.

Cash and cash equivalents

13

Cash comprises cash balances and call deposits (financial 

assets held with electronic money providers) whilst cash 

equivalents comprise term deposits. Term deposits are 

presented as cash equivalents if they have a maturity of 

three months or less from the date of acquisition and are 

repayable with 24 hours’ notice with no loss of interest.

2.9  Non-derivative financial instruments

2.8 Classification of financial instruments issued by the Group

 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

61

2.8  

Classification of financial instruments issued by the Group (continued)

The group holds the following financial liabilities: 

Financial

Financial asset

Note

Classification rationale

instrument type

Liabilities at amortised 

Trade payables

cost

Non-trade payables and 

accrued expenses

14

14

These payables are unsecured and are usually paid within 

30 days of recognition. 

The carrying amounts of these payables are considered 

to be the same as their fair values, due to their short-term 

Taxes and social security 

14

nature.

payables

Lease liabilities

23

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially 

measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include 

the net present value of the following lease payments:

•  fixed payments (including in-substance fixed pay-

ments), less any lease incentives receivable

•  variable lease payment that are based on an index or 
a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at 
the commencement date

•  amounts expected to be payable by the group under 

residual value guarantees

•  the exercise price of a purchase option if the group is 

reasonably certain to exercise that option, and

•  payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the 
lease term reflects the group exercising that option.

Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain 

extension options are also included in the measurement  

of the liability.

2.9 

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Where parts of 

an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and 

equipment. Depreciation is charged to the statement of profit and loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each 

part of an item of property, plant and equipment.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Right of use asset   

3 years

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each statement of financial position date.

2.10 

Intangible assets

The costs of acquiring and developing software that is not integral to its related hardware is capitalised separately as an intangible 

asset. Capitalised software costs include external direct costs of material and services and payroll related costs for employees who are 

directly associated with the project. Capitalised software development costs are stated at historic cost less accumulated amortisation. 

Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the assets’ expected economic lives, normally three years, and applied starting 

in the financial year after capitalisation. Amortisation and impairment charges are recognised within administrative expenses on the 

face of the statement of profit and loss. Software under development is held at cost less any recognised impairment loss.

Expenditure on development activity is capitalised if the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, and 

if the Group intends to, and has the technical ability and sufficient resources to complete development, future economic benefits 

are probable, and if the Group can measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development. 

Development activities involve a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products or processes.

Where no intangible asset can be recognised, development expenditure is recognised as an expense in the period in which it 

is incurred. Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

The estimated useful lives are as follows: 

Development Costs 

3 years

Amortisation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each statement of financial position date.

 
 
 
 
 
62

notes to the financial statements continued

2.11 

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on the weighted average principle and includes 

expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories, production or conversion costs and other costs in bringing them to their existing 

location and condition. A provision is also made to write down any slow-moving or obsolete inventory to net realisable value.

2.12 

Investments

Investments in subsidiary companies are stated at cost and are subject to review for impairment indicators if identified.

2.13 Impairment excluding inventories

The Group recognises loss allowances for expected credit losses (ECLs) on financial assets measured at amortised cost (as defined in 

IFRS 9).

Loss allowances for all financial assets are always measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECL.

2.14 

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the statement of financial position when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a 

result of a past event, that can be reliably measured and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle 

the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects risks specific 

to the liability.

2.15 

Revenue

Revenue and profit before tax are attributable to the one principal activity of the business. Revenue represents the net sales of goods 
including freight, excluding value added tax. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the Group has transferred the 

goods to the buyer, less appropriate deduction for actual and expected returns and relevant discounts.

As required under IFRS 15, a disaggregation of revenue in respect of primary geographical markets is shown in the Group’s 

Segmental analysis (note 3) and significant distribution channels set out below:

Direct to consumer revenue 

Multi-channel revenue 

2019
£

17,382,370

 6,470,562

23,852,931

2018
£

 26,996,512

7,821,748

34,818,260

Whilst direct to consumer revenues represent sales placed and fulfilled via the Group’s own websites, multi-channel revenues 

represent wholesale sales to third-party partners of the Group who ultimately sell the product on to their own end customers.

2.16 

Expenses

Operating lease payments

In line with the short-term lease exemption under IFRS 16, payments relating to the short-term lease of the former 

registered office of the Group at 128 Albert Street have been recognised in the statement of profit and loss on a straight-line basis 

over the remaining term of the lease. 

Financing income and expenses

Financing expenses comprises interest payable related to lease liabilities and the unwinding of the discount on provisions. 

Financing income comprises interest earned on cash equivalents.

Interest income and interest payable is recognised in profit or loss as it accrues, using the effective interest method. 

Foreign currency gains and losses are reported on a net basis.

2.17 

Employee benefits

Defined contribution plans
The company operates a defined contribution plan. A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which the 

company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. 

Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the statement of profit and loss 

in the periods during which services are rendered by employees.

Share–based payment transactions
Share-based payment arrangements in which the Group receives goods or services as consideration for its own equity instruments 

are accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions, regardless of how the equity instruments are obtained by the 
Group.

 
 
 
 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

63

2.17 

Employee benefits (continued) 

The grant date fair value of share-based payments awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee expense, with a 

corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the awards. The fair 

value of the options granted is measured using an option valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which 

the awards were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the 

related service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense 

is based on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date. 

For share-based payment awards with market and non-vesting conditions, the grant date fair value of the share-based payment is 

measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences between expected and actual outcomes.

Share–based payments reserve

This comprises the cumulative share-based payment charge recognised in the statement of profit and loss in relation to 

equity-settled options and share rights issued but not yet exercised.

2.18 

Taxation

Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the statement of profit and loss except 

to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or 

substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 

reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: the 
initial recognition of goodwill; the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other 

than in a business combination, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not 

reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement 

of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial position 

date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against 

which the temporary difference can be utilised.

2.19 

Significant estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS as adopted by the EU requires management to make judgements, 

estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and 

liabilities. The estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable 

under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates and any subsequent changes are accounted for when such 

information becomes available.

The judgements, estimates and assumptions that are the most subjective or complex are as follows:

Accounting estimates

Slow-moving inventory provision (note 11)
Inventory is carried at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The estimation of net realisable value may be different from the 

future actual value realised. The provision for slow-moving inventory is based upon an analysis of forecast inventory turnover. 

Management calculates the best estimate of the subsequent volumes of inventory held at year-end forecast to be sold in a period 

greater than twelve months from the statement of financial position date. In reference to this inventory population a slow-moving 

stock provision is calculated. Following sensitivity analysis, management have concluded that the estimate is not materially sensitive 

to variance of the input estimates and is therefore not a key estimate in the accounts.

Refunds provision (note 15)
The Group recognises a provision for the probable financial liability to refund customers for returned products. Provisions are 

calculated in reference to historical return rates. This estimate is therefore sensitive to management’s estimate of expected customer 

refunds in subsequent periods. Upon sensitivity analysis management have concluded that the estimate is not materially sensitive to 

variance of the input estimates and is therefore not a key estimate in the accounts.

Warranty provision (note 15)
The Group recognises a provision for the probable financial liability to customers in respect of warranty claims. The provision is 

calculated in reference to historical rates of successful manufacturer warranty claims. In the application of IFRS 15, management 

do not consider the provision of a warranty to customers to be a separate performance obligation. Following sensitivity analysis, 

management have concluded that the estimate is not materially sensitive to variance of the input estimates and is therefore not a 

key estimate in the accounts. In addition, based on the current level of warranty claims experienced across the Group, there is no 

evidence to suggest that current inputs would lead to a material misstatement.

 
 
 
 
  
64

notes to the financial statements continued

2.19 

Significant estimates and judgements (continued)

Accounting judgements

Intangible assets (note 10)
Development expenditure is recognised on the statement of financial position when certain criteria are met, as described more fully 

in the accounting policy on the treatment of research and development expenditure. Management uses its judgement in assessing 

development against the criteria. After capitalisation, management monitors whether the recognition requirements continue to be 

met and whether there are any indicators that the asset may be impaired, as discussed above.

notes to the financial statements continued

65

3 

Segmental analysis

IFRS 8, “Operating Segments”, requires operating segments to be determined based on the Group’s internal reporting to the Chief 

Operating Decision Maker (the Board). The Chief Operating Decision Maker has been determined to be the Board and the primary 

segmental reporting format of the Group is geographical by customer location, based on the Group’s management and internal 

reporting structure.

The Board assesses the performance of each segment based on revenue, gross profit and profit after distribution expenses, 

payment fees and marketing expenses. Payment fees and marketing expenses are presented within administrative expenses on the 

statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income.

UK&I

France

Rest of Europe

Rest of the 
World

Total

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Revenue

Cost of Sales

Gross profit

18,548,073

5,345,076

(45,141)

4,923

23,852,931

(8,385,865)

(2,751,453)

-

(39,587)

(11,176,905)

10,162,208

2,593,623

(45,141)

(34,664)

12,676,026

Distribution expenses

(1,809,692)

(1,014,774)

94,185

Payment Fees

(352,702)

(90,180)

Marketing expenses

(9,703,321)

(2,357,403)

5,418

6,346

964

245

-

(2,729,317)

(437,219)

(12,054,377)

Segment results

(1,703,507)

(868,734)

60,808

(33,454)

(2,544,887)

Administration expenses (excluding 
payment fees and marketing expenses)

Net finance income

Taxation

Loss for the year

(9,962,305)

18,022

352,240

(12,136,930)

UK&I

France

Rest of Europe

Rest of the 
World

Total

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Revenue

Cost of Sales

Gross profit

22,520,896

6,833,520

4,744,696

719,148

34,818,260

(10,703,472)

(3,174,414)

(2,197,303)

(367,663)

(16,442,852)

11,817,424

3,659,106

2,547,393

351,485

18,375,408

Distribution expenses

(1,697,775)

(1,204,140)

(1,079,010)

(75,150)

(4,056,075)

Payment fees

(403,616)

(137,270)

(166,366)

(29,206)

(736,458)

Marketing expenses

(12,178,634)

(5,662,664)

(4,200,150)

(126,294)

(22,167,742)

Segment results

(2,462,601)

(3,344,968)

(2,898,133)

120,835

(8,584,867)

Administration expenses (excluding 
payment fees and marketing expenses)

Net finance income

Taxation

Loss for the year

(11,759,558)

44,822

193,192

(20,106,411)

No analysis of the assets and liabilities of each operating segment is provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker in the monthly 

management accounts. Therefore no measure of segmental assets or liabilities is disclosed in this note.

Due to the nature of its activities the Group is not reliant on any major customers.

 
 
66

notes to the financial statements continued

4 

Expenses and auditor’s remuneration

Included in profit/loss are the following:

Auditors remuneration: Audit of these financial statements

Audit of these financial statements

70,000

75,000

Amounts received by auditor’s and their associates in respect of:

2019
£

2018
£

Tax advisory services

Tax compliance services

Other items

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangible assets

Impairment

Cost of inventory write offs (note 11)

Lease expenditure (note 2.16)

Staff and country exit costs

-

-

198,048

263,046

594,724

361,583 

424,266

-

61,050

236,502

-

120,571

39,608

70,632

767,480

752,261

In 2018, the Group’s external auditor was KPMG LLP and during the financial year ended 31 December 2018 KPMG LLP were 

additionally engaged in providing tax advisory and tax compliance services to the Group. In 2019, the Group retendered the external 

audit and appointed Nexia Smith & Williamson whose fees are shown in the table above; Nexia Smith & Williamson did not provide 

any professional services to the Group outside the audit of these financial statements. 

5  

Staff numbers and cost

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including directors) during the year, analysed by category, was as follows:

Finance

Marketing

Operations

 Total

2019

7

17

58

82

2018

6

23

82

111

notes to the financial statements continued

67

5  

Staff numbers and cost (continued)

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Share-based payment charge (note 17)

Employer pension contributions

2019
£

2018
£

3,838,096

4,851,555

452,443

534,315

66,999

526,054

303,281

48,664

Total

4,891,853

5,729,554

6  

Remuneration of key management personnel and Directors

The aggregate compensation to the Directors of eve Sleep PLC (Executive and Non-Executive) who were the key management 

personnel was as follows:

Salaries or fees

Employer pension contributions

Employer’s national insurance

Share-based payment charge

Compensation for loss of office

Total

2019
£

424,389

2,824

52,746

124,804

31,788

636,551

2018
£

368,423

1,447

65,688

36,553

150,000

622,111

Directors’ aggregate emoluments and pension payments are detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 41, along with 

directors’ interests in issued shares and share options on page 42, which form part of these audited financial statements. The gain 

on exercise of share options in respect of directors for the year was £nil (2018: £nil).

Directors of the Company and their immediate relatives control 6.38% per cent of the voting shares of the Company.

7 

Net finance income

Finance income receivable on cash and cash equivalents is recognised in the statement of profit and loss as it is earned.

Interest receivable on cash and cash equivalents

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Total

2019
£

27,165

(9,143)

18,022

2018
£

44,822

-

44,822

 
68

notes to the financial statements continued

8 

Taxation

Recognised in the statement of profit and loss: 

Current tax expense

Research and development tax credit for the prior year

Total current tax

Reconciliation of effective tax rate:

Loss for the year

Total tax credit

2019
£

352,240

352,240

2018
£

193,192

193,192

2019
£

2018
£

(12,136,930)

(20,106,411)

352,240

193,192

Loss excluding taxation

(12,489,169)

(20,299,603)

Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2018: 19%)

(2,372,942)

(3,856,925)

Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Fundraise-related expenditure

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Share-based payment charges

Research and development tax credit for the prior year

Current year losses for which no deferred tax asset was recognised

Total Tax credit/(expense)

10,242

46,440

200,605

101,520

352,240

2,014,135

352,240

16,333

-

30,434

57,623

193,192

3,752,534

193,192

The Group has accumulated tax losses available for offset against future profits of £58,552,569 (2018: £46,415,639).

A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in respect of these losses as there is uncertainty regarding the timing of when 

these losses will be recovered.

The UK corporation tax rate is consistent year on year at 19%.

Reductions in the UK corporation tax rate from 20% (effective from 1 April 2017) to 18% (effective 1 April 2020) were 

substantively enacted on 26 October 2015, and an additional reduction to 17% (effective 1 April 2020) was substantively enacted on 6 

September 2016. This will reduce the Group’s future tax charge accordingly.

 
 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

69

9 

Property, plant and equipment

Right of use asset
£

Plant and equipment
£

Fixtures and fittings
£

Total
£

Cost

Balance at 1 January 2018

Additions

Balance at 31 December 2018

Additions

Balance at 31 December 2019

Depreciation and Impairment

Balance at 1 January 2018

Depreciation charge for the year

Impairment charge for the year

Balance at 31 December 2018

-

-

-

716,623

716,623

-

-

-

-

Depreciation charge for the year

198,048

Impairment charge for the year

-

7,326

3,150

10,476

-

10,476

7,326

-

3,150

10,476

-

-

39,724

-

39,724

-

39,724

3,266

-

36,458

39,724

-

-

47,050

3,150

50,200

716,623

766,823

10,592

-

39,608

50,200

198,048

-

Balance at 31 December 2019

198,048

10,476

39,724

248,248

Net Book Value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2019

10 Intangible assets

Cost

Balance at 1 January 2018

Additions - internally generated

Additions - externally generated

Transfers

Balance at 31 December 2018

Additions - internally generated

Additions - externally generated

Transfers

Balance at 31 December 2019

Amortisation and Impairment

Balance at 1 January 2018

Amortisation for the year

Impairment for the year

Balance at 31 December 2018

Amortisation for the year

Impairment for the year

Balance at 31 December 2019

Net Book Value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2019

-

518,575

-

-

-

-

-

518,575

Development costs
£

Assets under construction
£

Total
£

282,940

-

-

105,030

387,970

-

-

747,553

1,135,523

-

120,571

-

120,571

263,046

526,954

910,571

267,399

224,952

95,598

168,833

242,942

(105,030)

402,343

310,573

221,912

(747,553)

187,274

-

-

-

-

-

67,770

67,770

402,343

119,504

378,538

168,833

242,942

-

790,313

310,573

221,912

-

1,322,797

-

120,571

-

120,571

263,046

594,724

978,341

669,742

344,456

70

notes to the financial statements continued

10 

Intangible assets (continued)

Development costs relate to internal and external costs incurred in respect of the infrastructure of the website platform and ERP 

system; the impairment charge in the period relates wholly to capitalised website platform costs. Assets under construction at 31 

December 2019 relate to internal costs incurred for the development of ERP software for internal use where the asset is expected to 

go live in 2020.

The carrying value of intangible assets has been reviewed by management at the year-end date for potential impairment 

and an impairment charge recognised totalling £594,724 (2018: £nil) relating to capitalised website platform costs following the 

decision to transition to a new front-end platform to support the Group’s DTC websites.

11 

Inventories

Finished goods

2019
£

2018
£

1,574,648

1,127,876

There was no write-down of inventories to net realisable value in the year (2018: £nil). Included within inventories is £401,998 

expected to be recovered in more than 12 months from the statement of financial position date. This balance of inventory is fully 

provided for within the Group’s slow-moving inventory provision of £401,998 (2018: £551,580). Inventory days were 51 days in 2019 

(2018: 25 days). Finished goods recognised in cost of sales in the year amounted to £11,176,905 (2018: £16,358,170).

12 

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments

Other current assets

2019
£

676,537

447,051

784,083

729,979

2018
£

1,815,260

1,124,112

1,320,555

366,823

2,637,650

4,626,750

The average credit period offered on sales of goods during 2019 was 32 days (2018: 27 days). The average days sales outstanding 

(‘‘DSO’’) in 2019 was 38 days (2018: 82 days). At 31 December 2019, trade receivables at a nominal value of £3,481 (2018: £35,681) 

were impaired and fully provided for.

All trade and other receivables are short-term. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade receivables 

approximates to their fair value. All trade and other receivables have been reviewed for indications of impairment.

Trade receivables represent amounts due from wholesale and retail customers.

The Group has not charged interest for late payment of invoices in the current year or prior period.

Allowances against doubtful debts are estimated by reference to expected credit losses based on the probability of default 

(using past default experience with that customer and alongside analysis of the counterparty’s current financial position where 

specific credit risk is known), risk exposure (being the value of receivables outstanding with that customer) and finally a percentage 

representative of the loss due to default. 

Before accepting any significant new customer, the Group uses a variety of credit scoring systems to assess the potential 

customer’s credit quality and to define credit limits for each customer. Limits and scoring attributed to customers are reviewed 

regularly.

Four major retail customers each accounted for more than 10% of the total balance of trade receivables on 31 December 

2019, an increase from 2018 where three major retail customers each accounted for more than 10% of the total balance of trade 

receivables on 31 December 2018.

Not overdue

Overdue between 0-30 days

Overdue between 31-60 days

Overdue between 61-90 days

Overdue over 90 days

2019
£

277,934

21,493

245,198

131,912

-

2018
£

1,177,698

382,274

56,070

73,634

125,584

676,537

1,815,260

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

71

12 

Trade and other receivables (continued)

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade receivable 

from the date credit was initially granted up to the relevant year-end. Aside from the major retail customers accounting for the year-

end trade receivable balance mentioned above, the concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and 

diverse.

13 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

7,988,769

6,031,936

2019
£

2018
£

 At 31 December 2019, the Group had an available £3,250,000 credit card facility.

14 

Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Non–trade payables and accrued expenses

Deferred revenue

Taxes and social security payable

2019
£

2,430,596

649,995 

573,082

329,501

2018
£

1,794,802

1,691,425

538,447

537,118

3,983,174

4,561,792

All trade and other payables are short-term. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables 

approximates to their fair value. Deferred revenue represents contractual liabilities to deliver goods to customers where 

consideration has been received prior to the year-end date. The opening balance of deferred revenue was fully recognised 

during the 2019 financial year.

15 

Provisions

Balance at 1 January 2018

Refunds
£

826,702

Warranty
£

-

Total
£

826,702

Provisions made during the year

11,647,815

163,832

11,811,647

Provisions used during the year

(11,620,290)

Prior year under/(over) provision recognised in year

Balance at 31 December 2018

Provisions made during the year

Provisions used during the year

Prior year under/(over) provision recognised in year

Balance at 31 December 2019

(62,110)

792,117

7,869,078

(8,116,237)

22,728

567,686

-

-

163,832

73,574

(36,127)

-

201,279

(11,620,290)

(62,110)

955,949

7,942,652

(8,152,364)

22,728

768,965

A refund provision is required as the Group provides certain products to customers under a 100-day trial period.

During this period the customer is entitled to return goods for a full refund. The provision is calculated by reference to 

the rate of returns experienced by the Group in preceding periods and the level of sales subject to the relevant trial periods of each 

product at the year end. An analysis of the rate of return over historical periods does not indicate a significant variation in the rate 

of refunds provided to customers and accordingly, whilst there is a degree of estimation in the calculation of this provision, any 

reasonable sensitivity analysis in the rate applied to sales at the year-end would not result in a material impact (as considered in 

note 2.19).

 
72

notes to the financial statements continued

15 

Provisions (continued)

A warranty provision is required as the Group provides certain products to customers with a 10-year warranty period.

During this period the customer is entitled to claim under warranty a replacement product. The provision is calculated by 

reference to the rate of successful claims experienced by the Group in preceding periods and applying a projected distribution of the 

claims across the 10-year warranty period. Whilst there is a degree of estimation in the calculation of this provision, any reasonable 

sensitivity analysis in the rate applied to claims at the year-end would not result in a material impact (as considered in note 2.19).

16 

Share capital

Allotted, issued and fully paid:

Number

Nominal Value 
£

31 December 2019
£

31 December 2018
£

Ordinary Shares

263,444,823

£0.001

Total

263,445

263,445

139,735

139,735

 The table below summarises the movements in number of shares at the beginning and end of the period:

Ordinary Shares

Share capital 31 December 2018

139,735,161

Nominal Value £

Value of Share Capital £

Summary of Movements

£0.001

£139,735

Issue of shares

122,939,599

Exercise of share options over ordinary shares

770,063

Share capital 31 December 2019

263,444,823

Nominal Value £

Value of Share capital £

£0.001

£263,445

The holders of Ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share 

at meetings of the Company.

During 2019, 122,939,599 shares were issued and 770,063 share options were exercised bringing the total share capital of 

the Company to 263,444,823 at 31 December 2019.

17 

Share–based payments

The Group recognised a charge of £1.1m (2018: £0.3m) related to share-based payments during the year to 31 December 2019, all of 

which relates to equity-settled schemes and are presented within administrative expenses.

The charge is made up of two components: share-based payment charges connected with employee remuneration totalling 

£0.5m and, share-based payment charges relating to the equity settlement of liabilities due to Channel 4 totalling £0.6m, of which 

£0.3m were satisfied with the issue of share capital during the period. At 31 December 2019, the Group benefits from £0.3m in 

available marketing credits with Channel 4 for future marketing expenditure.

The Company issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees, whereby employees render services in 

exchange for shares or rights over shares of the parent company. Equity-settled awards are measured at fair value at the date of 

grant. The fair value is calculated using an appropriate option pricing model and is expensed to the consolidated statement of profit 

and loss on a straight-line basis over the vesting period after allowing for an estimate of shares that will ultimately vest.

 
 
 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

73

17 

Share-based payments (continued)

The Company operates an HMRC approved executive management incentive plan (EMI). The vesting conditions are based on length 

of service with typically 25% of the options vesting on or after the 12-month anniversary of the employee’s start after which vesting 

occurs in equal monthly tranches so that options vest in full on the 48-month anniversary of the employee’s start date. All options 

are equity settled.

The terms and conditions of the grants are as follows:

Grant Date

Number of 
Contracts

Number of Options

Exercise 
Price

Performance Conditions

Expiry Date

16/01/2017

16/01/2017

23/01/2017

25/01/2017

20/02/2017

10/04/2017

12/05/2017

01/04/2019

23/05/2019

17/12/2019

13

3

3

22

1

1

18

15

1

4

14,017,897

£0.001

Length of service

16/01/2027

4,653,841

56,626

1,289,236

18,825

251,000

2,222,731

7,004,814

4,400,000

6,850,000

£0.001

£0.001

£0.001

£0.001

£0.001

£1.012

£0.001

£0.001

£0.001

Performance Based

16/01/2027

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

23/01/2027

25/01/2027

20/02/2027

10/04/2027

12/05/2027

01/04/2029

Length of service

23/05/2029

Length of service

17/12/2029

The Company operates an unapproved executive incentive plan. The vesting conditions for grants made on 12 May 2017 and during 

2018 are based on length of service with 100% of the options vesting on 36-month anniversary of the employee’s start date. The 

remaining options have vesting conditions based on length of service with typically 25% of the options vesting on or after the 

12-month anniversary of the employee’s start date after which vesting occurs in equal monthly tranches so that options vest in full 

on the 48-month anniversary of the employee’s start date. All options are equity settled.

The terms and conditions of the grants are as follows:

Grant Date

Number of 
Contracts

Number of Options

Exercise 
Price

Performance Conditions

Expiry Date

13/07/2015

01/01/2016

01/02/2016

26/01/2016

12/05/2017

12/10/2017

20/10/2017

16/01/2018

17/01/2018

02/02/2018

05/02/2018

11/02/2018

01/04/2019

1

1

1

1

6

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

132,905

49,447

224,269

12,550

991,798

23,939

23,833

20,000

100,000

15,000

87,500

20,000

£0.001

£0.001

£0.001

£0.001

£1.012

£0.001

£0.001

£1.01

£1.01

£1.01

£1.01

£1.01

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

Length of service

531,600

£0.001

Length of service

13/07/2025

01/01/2026

01/02/2026

26/01/2026

12/05/2027

12/10/2027

20/10/2027

16/01/2028

17/01/2028

02/02/2028

05/02/2028

11/02/2028

01/04/2029

 
 
74

notes to the financial statements continued

17 

Share-based payments (continued)

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows:

Outstanding at beginning of year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Lapsed during the year

Cancelled during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price
£

Number of Options

£0.613

£0.001

£0.179

£0.001

£0.001

£1.012

£0.001

£0.001

3,203,153

18,786,413

(2,531,217)

(770,063)

(165,687)

(1,491,686)

17,030,913

3,166,892

All options exercised during the year were options over Ordinary shares.

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of share options exercised during the year was 6.37p 

 (2018: 80.03p.)

The options outstanding at the end of the year have an exercise price in the range of £0.001 and a weighted average 

contractual life of 10 years.

The fair value of employee share options is measured using a Black-Scholes model. Measurement inputs and assumptions 

for those share options granted during 2019 are as follows:

Share class

Fair Value

Award
01/04/19
£

Award
23/05/19
£

Award
17/12/19
£

Ord 

£0.07

Ord

£0.06

Ord

£0.02

Exercise Price

£0.001

£0.001

£0.001

Expected volatility*

Option Life

82%

10yrs

83%

10yrs

84%

10yrs

Risk free interest rate

1.000%

1.000%

1.000%

* Expected volatility is measured at the standard deviation of expected share price movements and based on a review of volatility 

used by listed companies of comparable industry sector and years of establishment.

 
 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

75

18 

Earnings per share

The basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to equity holders of the Group by the weighted 

average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Weighted average shares in issue

Loss attributable to the owners of the parent company

Basic loss per share (pence)

Diluted loss per share (pence)

2019

246,739,240

(12,136,930)

(4.92)

(4.92)

2018

139,087,779

(20,106,411)

(14.46)

(14.46)

For the periods presented, the weighted average number of shares used for calculating the diluted loss per share are identical to 

those for the basic loss per share. This is because the outstanding share options would have the effect of reducing the loss per share 

and would not be dilutive under IAS 33.

At 31 December 2019, options outstanding amounted to 17,030,913. Given the loss for the year of £12,136,930 (2018 loss: 

£20,106,411) these options are anti-dilutive.

19 

Financial instruments

Categories of financial instruments:

Financial assets at amortised cost

2019
£

2018
£

Cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other receivables

9,842,336

9,338,130

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Trade payables, other payables and provisions

(4,179,058)

(4,979,295)

 
76

notes to the financial statements continued

19 

Financial instruments (continued)

‘Financial assets held at amortised cost’ includes trade receivables, other receivables (including accrued income) and cash and 

cash equivalents and excludes prepayments and inventories. Included in ‘Financial liabilities at amortised cost’ are trade payables, 

accruals and other payables (albeit excluding deferred income). The carrying value of financial assets and liabilities approximates 

their fair value.

Risk management
The Company seeks to reduce exposures to capital risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk, to ensure liquidity is 

available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. The Group does not engage in speculative trading 

in financial instruments and transacts only in relation to underlying business requirements. The Group’s treasury policies and 

procedures are periodically reviewed and approved by the Board.

Capital risk
The Group’s objectives when managing capital (defined as equity attributable to owners of the parent) are to safeguard the Group’s 

ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders through 

an appropriate amount of equity funding, while maintaining a strong credit rating and sufficient headroom. The Group makes 

adjustments to its capital structure in light of changes to economic conditions and the Group’s strategic objectives.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty may default on its obligation to the Group in relation to lending, hedging, settlement 

and other financial activities. The Group’s principal financial assets are trade and other receivables, bank balances, and cash in 

hand. The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade and other receivables. The amounts included in the Statement of 

Financial Position are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. Allowances against doubtful debts are estimated by reference to 

expected credit losses based on the probability of default. The Group has a low retail credit risk due to transactions being principally 

of high volume, low value and short maturity. Whilst a significant proportion of trade receivables is with a few customers the Group 

assessed the risk of default as low due to the nature of these customers to be large well established retailers with which the Group 

has a good relationship. The credit risk on liquid funds is considered to be low, as the counterparties are all major banks with high 

credit ratings from all the key ratings agencies.

The ageing of trade receivables at the statement of financial position date was:

Not overdue

Overdue between 0-30 days

Overdue between 31-60 days

Overdue between 61-90 days

Overdue over 90 days

Total

2019
£

277,934

21,493

245,198

131,912

-

2018
£

1,177,698

382,274

56,070

73,634

125,584

676,537

1,815,260

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.

The Group manages its exposure to liquidity risk by continuously monitoring short and long-term forecasts and actual cash 

flows and ensuring it has the necessary banking and reserve borrowing facilities available to meet the requirements of the business.

 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

77

19 

Financial instruments (continued)

Foreign currency risk
The Group operates internationally and is therefore exposed to foreign currency transactions risk, primarily on sales denominated 

in US dollars and Euros. The Group’s presentational currency is Sterling, therefore the Group is also exposed to foreign currency 

translation risks due to movements in foreign exchange rates on the translation of non-sterling assets and liabilities.

Sterling
£

Euro
£

US Dollar
£

Other
£

Total
£

Statement of financial 
position exposure

Cash and cash equivalents

 6,760,881 

 1,171,012 

 54,990 

 1,886 

 7,988,769 

Trade receivables

 494,991 

 181,546 

Other receivables

263,091

 183,960 

Other current assets

 729,979 

-

-

 -   

-

-

 -   

-

 676,537 

447,051 

 729,979 

Trade payables

(2,034,133) 

(395,055)

(1,448)

 40 

(2,430,596) 

Taxes and social security payables

(233,044)

(23,146)

 -   

(73,311)

(329,501)

Non-trade payables and accrued 
expenses

(434,742)

(204,516)

(10,737)

Provisions

Total

(670,269)

(98,696)

 -  

4,876,754

 815,105 

 42,805 

(71,385)

  5,663,279 

 -  

 -  

(649,995)

(768,965)

Foreign currency sensitivity
The Group’s principal financial instrument foreign currency exposures are to Euros. The Group have considered the sensitivity of the 

Group’s reported loss before tax and closing equity to a 10% increase and decrease in the value of this currency relative to pounds 

sterling at the reporting date, assuming all other variables remain unchanged. The sensitivity rate of 10% is deemed to represent a 

reasonably possible change based on historic exchange rate volatility.

A 10% percent strengthening of these currencies against Sterling at 31 December 2019 would have decreased the Group loss 

by 0.71% and an immaterial absolute value. This calculation assumes that the change occurred at the statement of financial position 

date and had been applied to risk exposures existing at that date.

20 

Contingencies

There were no contingent liabilities to be disclosed (2018: £nil).

Related parties

21 
Key management compensation (considered to be the Directors of eve Sleep PLC) disclosures can be found in 
Note 6 and on pages 41 to 42 of the Director’s remuneration report.

 
78

notes to the financial statements continued

22 

Commitments

There were no commitments in the year (2018: £nil).

23 

Leases

The Group commenced the lease of its registered office at 29A Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8NL on 1 August 2019. 

Excluding the short-term lease discussed below, this is the only lease reflected on the statement of financial position as a 

right-of-use asset and a lease liability. 

The Group classifies its right-of-use asset in a consistent manner to its property, plant and equipment as an Office 

Building. 

Based on the fact that the lease of 29A Kentish Town Road is restricted from further sub-leasing and has a lease 

term of 24-months with a break clause after 18-months, management have calculated the interest payable on the lease 

liability over the shorter time horizon as there was no certainty that the break clause effective 31 January 2021 would not be 

made use of at the date of lease inception,  and upon review at the statement of financial position date.

The terms of the lease at 29A Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8NL do not include variable lease payments 

therefore management have not been required to consider the impact of such payments.

The Group has elected to take advantage of the short-term lease exemption for lease assets and lease liabilities 

where a lease term ends within 12 months of the date of initial application of IFRS 16. The Group’s lease of the former 

registered office at 128 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NE, a lease term which ceased on 17 August 2019, fell within the 
definition of a short-term lease exemption and therefore payments made under such leases have been expensed to the 

statement of profit and loss on a straight-line basis. During the year £424,266 was recognised as an expense in the statement 

of profit and loss in respect of the lease of the Group’s former registered office at 128 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NE.

At 31 December 2019, the Group had no further commitments to short-term leases.

Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows:

Less than one year

Between one and five years

More than five years

Total

Right-of-use-asset

2019
£

-

-

-

-

2018
£

459,536

-

-

459,536

Additional information on the right-of-use assets by class of assets is as follows:

Asset

Carrying 
amount

Additions

Depreciation

Impairment

Office Building

716,623

518,575

716,623

Total

716,623

518,575

716,623

198,048

198,048

-

-

The right-of-use assets are included in the same line item as where the corresponding underlying assets would be presented 

if they were owned.

Lease liability

Lease liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

Current

Non-Current

Total

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

470,391

40,000

510,391

-

-

-

 
 
 
 
 
notes to the financial statements continued

79

24 

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

31 
December 
2018

Cash flows

Non-cash changes: 
Additions

31 December 2019

Lease liabilities

Total

-

-

(200,000)

710,391

(200,000)

710,391

510,391

510,391

31 
December 
2017

Cash flows

Non-cash changes: 
Additions

31 December 2018

Lease liabilities

Total

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

25  

Change in significant accounting policies

The Group has adopted the new accounting pronouncements which have become effective this year, and are as follows:

IFRS 16 Leases

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ replaces IAS 17 ‘Leases’ along with three Interpretations (IFRIC 4 ‘Determining whether an 

Arrangement contains a Lease’, SIC 15 ‘Operating Leases-Incentives’ and SIC 27 ‘Evaluating the Substance of Transactions 

Involving the Legal Form of a Lease’).

On transition to IFRS 16, the Group’s lease previously accounted for as an operating lease, namely the Group’s 

former registered office at 128 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NE, with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months and 

for leases of low-value assets the Group has applied the optional exemptions to not recognise right-of-use assets but to 

account for the lease expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term.

For this reason, the cumulative impact of adopting IFRS 16 has not required an adjustment to the opening 

balance of retained earnings for the current period and prior periods have not been restated.

On transition to IFRS 16 the weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities recognised 

under IFRS 16 was 3.75% per annum.

The Group has benefited from the use of hindsight for determining the lease term when considering options to 

extend and terminate leases.

26  

Subsequent events

The worldwide outbreak of the COVID–19 virus represents a significant event since the end of the financial period. In 

light of the impact of the virus upon supply chain and consumer demand, the Group has reviewed its cash flow forecasts 

and considered the impact on going concern, concluding that the going concern basis remains an appropriate basis of 

preparation for these financial statements given the likely cash flow impact of operations 12 months from the date of 

signing this report. Please refer to note 2.4 for further detail on the Group’s going concern basis of preparation.

COVID-19 is considered to be a non-adjusting post balance sheet event and therefore has not been taken into 

account in preparing the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019.

 
 
 
 
 
 
80

company statement of financial position
at 31 December 2019

81

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Investments

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax receivable

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Lease liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Note

4

5

6

7

8

9

18

10

11

18

2019
£

518,575

344,456

1,669

864,700

1,574,648

3,100,528

354,466

7,231,061

2018
£

-

669,742

1,669

671,411

870,011

5,499,057

193,192

5,055,952 

12,260,703

11,618,212

13,125,403

12,289,623

40,000

-

3,823,970

670,269

470,391

4,349,059

845,824

-

4,964,630

5,194,883

5,004,630

5,194,883

8,120,773

7,094,740

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share capital

Share premium

12

263,445

139,735

48,887,392

36,716,371

Share-based payment reserve

998,495

250,073

Retained earnings

Total Equity

(42,028,559)

(30,011,439)

8,120,773

7,094,740

Notes 1 to 19 form part of the historical financial information shown above. The loss for the year was £12,117,866.

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors on eve Sleep PLC and were signed on its behalf by:

Tim Parfitt 
Director
23 March 2020
Company registered number: 
09261636

 
82

company statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the year

Adjustments for

Depreciation

Amortisation

Impairment

Interest payable

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

Share-based payment charge

Note

2019
£

2018
£

(12,117,866)

(20,264,926)

198,048

263,046

594,724

9,144

2,237,255

(704,636)

(525,089)

(175,556)

1,111,396

-

120,571

39,608

-

(855,235)

(280,668)

37,847

158,697

303,281

Net cash outflow from operating activities

(9,109,534)

(20,740,825)

Cash flows from investing activities

Additions to property, plant and equipment

Additions to intangible assets

Right of use asset initial direct costs

-

(532,484)

(15,375)

(3,150)

(411,775)

-

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(547,859)

(414,925)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

12,032,502

Repayment of capital element of finance lease rentals

19

(200,000)

Net cash inflow from financing activities

11,832,502

1,104

-

1,104

Net cash inflow/(outflow)

2,175,109

(21,154,646)

Cash at beginning of year

Movement in cash

Cash at end of year

5,055,952

2,175,109

7,231,061

26,210,595

(21,154,646)

5,055,952

83

company statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Share Capital
£

Share Premium
£

Share-based 
payment 
reserve
£

Retained 
Earnings
£

Total Equity
£

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2019

139,735

36,716,371

250,073

(30,011,440)

7,094,739

Issue of shares

Exercise of options

Share-based payment charge

Transfer on exercise of options

120,317

11,911,415

770

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,111,396

-

-

-

(100,747)

100,747

Transfer on issue of share capital in exchange for 
marketing services

2,622

259,605

(262,227)

-

12,031,732

770

1,111,396

-

-

Transactions with owners

123,710

12,171,020

748,422

100,747

13,143,898

Loss for the year

-

-

-

(12,117,866)

(12,117,866)

Balance at 31 December 2019

263,445

48,887,392

998,495 

(42,028,559)

8,120,773

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2018

138,631

36,716,371

138,794

(9,938,516)

27,055,280

Exercise of options

Share-based payment charge

Transfer on exercise of options

Transactions with owners

Loss for the year

1,104

-

-

1,104

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

303,281

-

-

1,104

303,281

(192,003)

192,003

-

111,279

192,003

304,385

-

(20,264,926)

(20,264,926)

Balance at 31 December 2018

139,735

36,716,371

250,073

(30,011,440)

7,094,739

84

notes to the company financial statements 

1 

Accounting policies

All accounting policies of the Group relevant to the Company are applied by the Company in preparing its financial statements. The 

Company additionally applies the following accounting policy:

1.1 

Investment in subsidiaries

These investments are held at cost less impairment.

2  

Loss for the year

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented 

its own Statement of comprehensive income in these financial statements.

The loss after tax of the parent Company for the year was £12,117,866 (2018: £20,264,926 loss).

3 

Directors’ remuneration

The Company shares the same directors as the Group. Please find Directors’ remuneration disclosed in note 6 of the Group financial 

statements.

 
notes to the company financial statements continued

85

4 

Property, plant and equipment

Right of use asset
£

Plant and equipment
£

Fixtures & fittings
£

Total
£

Cost

Balance at 1 January 2018

Additions

Balance at 31 December 2018

Additions

Balance at 31 December 2019

Depreciation and Impairment

Balance at 1 January 2018

Depreciation charge for the year

Impairment charge for the year

Balance at 31 December 2018

Depreciation charge for the year

Impairment charge for the year

Balance at 31 December 2019

Net Book Value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2019

5 

Intangible assets

Cost

Balance at 1 January 2018

Additions - internally generated

Additions - externally generated

Transfers

Balance at 31 December 2018

Acquisitions - internally generated

Additions - externally generated

Transfers

Balance at 31 December 2019

Amortisation and Impairment

Balance at 1 January 2018

Amortisation for the year

Impairment for the year

Balance at 1 January 2018

Amortisation for the year

Impairment for the year

Balance at 31 December 2019

Net Book Value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2019

-

-

-

716,623

716,623

-

-

-

-

198,048

-

198,048

-

518,575

7,326

3,150

10,476

-

10,476

7,326

-

3,150

10,476

-

-

39,724

-

39,724

-

39,724

3,266

-

36,458

39,724

-

-

47,050

3,150

50,200

716,623

766,823

10,592

-

39,608

50,200

198,048

-

10,476

39,724

248,248

-

-

-

-

-

518,575

Development costs
£

Assets under construction
£

Total
£

282,940

-

-

105,030

387,970

-

-

747,553

1,135,523

-

120,571

-

120,571

263,046

526,954

910,571

267,399

224,952

95,598

168,833

242,942

(105,030)

402,343

310,573

221,912

(747,553)

187,274

-

-

-

-

-

67,770

67,770

402,343

119,504

378,538

168,833

242,942

-

790,313

310,573

221,912

-

1,322,797

-

120,571

-

120,571

263,046

594,724

978,341

669,742

344,456

86

notes to the company financial statements continued

5 

Intangible assets (continued)

Development costs relate to internal and external costs incurred in respect of the infrastructure of the website platform and 

ERP system. Assets under construction at 31 December 2019 relate to internal costs incurred for the development of ERP 

software for internal use where the asset is expected to go live in 2020.

The carrying value of intangible assets has been reviewed by management at the year-end date for potential 

impairment and an impairment charge recognised totalling £594,724 (2018: £nil) relating to capitalised website platform 

costs following the decision to transition to a new front-end platform to support the Company’s DTC websites.

6 

Investments

The company has the following investments in subsidiaries:

Principal place 
of business/ 
Registered office 
address

185 W. Broadway, 
Suite 101, PO Box 
1150, Jackson, USA

5 Rue Des Suisses, 
75014, Paris

Company:

eve sleep Inc

eve sleep SASU

Registered Number

Type of share

Ownership
2019

Ownership
2018

EIN 47-4164566

Ordinary

823397419 R.C.S Paris

Ordinary

100%

100%

100%

100%

All subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements, based on percentage of voting rights held. No subsidiaries 

have non-controlling interests that are material to the consolidated financial statements. Following the decision of July 2018 for the 

Group to exit the US market, eve Sleep Inc was a non-trading entity during 2019.

7 

Inventories

Finished goods

2019
£

2018
£

1,574,648

870,012

There was no write-down of inventories to net realisable value in the year (2018: £nil). Included within inventories is £401,998 

expected to be recovered in more than 12 months from the statement of financial position date. This balance of inventory is fully 

provided for within the Company’s slow-moving inventory provision of £401,998 (2018: £551,580). Inventory days were 71 days in 

2019 (2018: 25 days). Finished goods recognised in cost of sales in the year amounted to £11,176,905 (2018: £16,358,170).

8 

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Receivables from subsidiary undertakings

Other current assets

Prepayments

Total

2019
£

494,991

443,577

650,048

729,979

781,933

2018
£

1,794,871

1,001,937

1,027,915

366,823

1,307,511

3,100,528

5,499,057

As at 31 December 2019, receivables from subsidiary undertakings of £0.7m (2018: £1.0m) have been considered in light of IFRS 9 and 

expected credit losses arising were not considered material by management and no allowance has been recognised on this basis. The 

ageing analysis of these receivables is as follows:

Less than 12 months

More than 12 months

Total

2019
£

2018 
£

650,048

1,027,915

-

-

650,048

1,027,915

 
87

notes to the company financial statements continued

8  

Trade and other receivables (continued) 

The average credit period offered on sales of goods during 2019 was 26 days (2018: 26 days). The average days sales outstanding 

(‘‘DSO’’) in 2019 was 32 days (2018: 88 days).

All other trade and other receivables are short-term. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade receivables 

approximates to their fair value. All trade and other receivables have been reviewed for indications of impairment.

Trade receivables represent amounts due from wholesale and retail customers.

The Company has not charged interest for late payment of invoices in the current year or prior period.

Allowances against doubtful debts are estimated by reference to expected credit losses based on the probability of default 

(using past default experience with that customer and alongside analysis of the counterparty’s current financial position where 

specific credit risk is known), risk exposure (being the value of receivables outstanding with that customer) and finally a percentage 

representative of the loss due to default. 

Before accepting any significant new customer, the Company uses a variety of credit scoring systems to assess the potential 

customer’s credit quality and to define credit limited for each customer. Limits and scoring attributed to customers are reviewed 

regularly.

Three major retail customers each accounted for more than 10% of the total balance of trade receivables on 31 December 

2019, comparable to 2018 when three major retail customers each accounted for more than 10% of the total balance of trade 

receivables.

Not overdue

Overdue between 0-30 days

Overdue between 31-60 days

Overdue between 61-90 days

Overdue over 90 days

Total

2019 
£

277,934

-

85,624

131,433

-

2018 
£

1,161,596

377,985

56,070

73,634

125,586

494,991

1,794,871

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable the Company considers any change in the credit quality of the trade 

receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the relevant year-end. Aside from the major retail customers accounting 

for the year-end trade receivable balance mentioned above, the concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base 

being large and diverse.

9 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents per statement of financial position

7,231,061

5,055,952

2019
£

2018 
£

 
 
 
 
 
 
88

notes to the company financial statements continued

10 

Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Non-trade payables and accrued expenses

Deferred revenue

Taxes and social security payable

2019
£

2,411,997

559,148 

544,478

308,347

2018
£

1,740,634

1,322,691

408,406

877,328

3,823,970

4,349,059

All trade and other payables are short-term. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables 

approximates to their fair value. Deferred revenue represents contract liabilities to deliver goods to customers where consideration 

has been received prior to the year-end date. The opening balance of deferred revenue was fully recognised during the 2019 

financial year.

11 

Provisions

Balance at 1 January 2018

Refunds 
£

687,127

Warranty
£

Total
£

-

687,127

Provisions made during the year

9,924,452

142,351

10,066,803

Provisions used during the year

(9,844,534)

Prior year under/(over) provision recognised in year

(63,572)

-

-

(9,844,534)

(63,572)

Balance at 31 December 2018

703,473

142,351

845,824

Provisions made during the year

7,286,602      

43,129

7,329,731

Provisions used during the year

(7,510,509)

(28,289) 

(7,538,798)

Prior year under/(over) provision recognised in year

33,512

- 

33,512 

Balance at 31 December 2019

513,078

157,191

670,269

A refund provision is required as the Company provides certain products to customers under a 100-day trial period.

During this period the customer is entitled to return goods for a full refund. The provision is calculated by reference to 

the rate of returns experienced by the Company in preceding periods and the level of sales subject to the relevant trial periods of 

each product at the year end. An analysis of the rate of return over historical periods does not indicate a significant variation in the 

rate of refunds provided to customers and accordingly, whilst there is a degree of estimation in the calculation of this provision, any 

reasonable sensitivity analysis in the rate applied to sales at the year-end would not result in a material impact.

A warranty provision is required as the Company provides certain products to customers with a 10-year warranty period.

During this period the customer is entitled to claim under warranty a replacement product. The provision is calculated by 

reference to the rate of successful claims experienced by the Company in preceding periods and applying a projected distribution 

of the claims across the 10-year warranty period. Whilst there is a degree of estimation in the calculation of this provision, any 

reasonable sensitivity analysis in the rate applied to claims at the year-end would not result in a material impact.

 
 
 
notes to the company financial statements continued

89

12 

Share capital

Allotted, issued and fully paid:

Number

Nominal Value 
£

31 December 2019
£

31 December 2018
£

Ordinary Shares

263,444,823

£0.001

Total

263,445

263,445

139,735

139,735

The table below summarises the movements in number of shares at the beginning and end of the period:

Ordinary 
Shares

Share capital 31 December 2018

139,735,161

Nominal Value £

Value of Share capital £

Summary of Movements

£0.001

139,735

Issue of shares

122,939,599

Exercise of share options over ordinary shares

770,063

Share capital 31 December 2019

263,444,823

Nominal Value £

Value of Share capital £

£0.001

£263,445

13 

 Financial instruments

Categories of financial instruments:

Financial Assets

2019
£

2018
£

Cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, other receivables and  
other current assets

9,367,754

9,247,498

Financial Liabilities

Trade payables, taxes and social security payables, non-trade payables,  
accrued expenses and provisions

(3,949,762)

(4,786,477)

‘Financial assets held at amortised cost’ include trade receivables, other receivables (including accrued income) and 

cash and cash equivalents and excludes prepayments and inventories. ‘Financial liabilities held at amortised cost’ 

include trade payables, accruals and other payables and excludes deferred income. The carrying value of financial 
assets and liabilities approximates their fair value.

90

notes to the company financial statements continued

13  

Financial instruments (continued)

Risk management
The Company seeks to reduce exposures to capital risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk, to ensure liquidity is 

available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. The Company does not engage in speculative 

trading in financial instruments and transacts only in relation to underlying business requirements. The Company’s treasury policies 

and procedures are periodically reviewed and approved by the Board.

Capital risk
The Company’s objectives when managing capital (defined as equity attributable to owners of the parent) are to safeguard the 

Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders 

through an appropriate amount of equity funding, while maintaining a strong credit rating and sufficient headroom. The Company 

makes adjustments to its capital structure in light of changes to economic conditions and the Company’s strategic objectives.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty may default on its obligation to the Company in relation to lending, hedging, settlement 

and other financial activities. The Company’s principal financial assets are trade and other receivables, bank balances, and cash in 

hand. The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade and other receivables. The amounts included in the Statement 

of Financial Position are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. Allowances against doubtful debts are estimated by reference 

to expected credit losses based on the probability of default. The Company has a low retail credit risk due to transactions being 

principally of high volume, low value and short maturity. Whilst a significant proportion of trade receivables is with a few customers 
the Company assessed the risk of default as low due to the nature of these customers to be large well established retailers with 

which the Company has a good relationship. The credit risk on liquid funds is considered to be low, as the counterparties are all 

major banks with high credit ratings from all the key ratings agencies.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will no be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.

The Company manages its exposure to liquidity risk by continuously monitoring short- and long-term forecasts and actual 

cash flows and ensuring it has the necessary banking and reserve borrowing facilities available to meet the requirements of the 

business.

Foreign currency risk
The Company operates internationally and is therefore exposed to foreign currency transactions risk, primarily on sales 

denominated in Euros.

Foreign currency sensitivity
The Company’s principal financial instrument foreign currency exposures are to Euros. The Group have considered the sensitivity 

of the Company’s reported loss before tax and closing equity to a 10% increase and decrease in the value of this currency relative 

to pounds sterling at the reporting date, assuming all other variables remain unchanged. The sensitivity rate of 10% is deemed to 

represent a reasonably possible change based on historic exchange rate volatility.

A 10% percent strengthening of these currencies against Sterling at 31 December 2019 would have decreased the Company 

loss by 0.21% and an immaterial absolute value. This calculation assumes that the change occurred at the statement of financial 

position date and had been applied to risk exposures existing at that date.

14 

Related parties

Key management compensation (considered to be the Directors of eve Sleep PLC) disclosures can be found in Note 6 of the Group 

accounts and on pages 41 and 42 of the Director’s report.

15 

Commitments

There were no commitments in the year (2018: £nil).

 
 
 
notes to the company financial statements continued

91

16 

Change in significant accounting policies

The Company has adopted the new accounting pronouncements which have become effective this year, and are as follows

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ replaces IAS 17 ‘Leases’ along with three Interpretations (IFRIC 4 ‘Determining whether an Arrangement contains 

a Lease’, SIC 15 ‘Operating Leases-Incentives’ and SIC 27 ‘Evaluating the Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form of a 

Lease’).

On transition to IFRS 16, the Group’s lease previously accounted for as an operating lease, namely the Group’s former 

registered office at 128 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NE, with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months and for leases of low-

value assets the Group has applied the optional exemptions to not recognise right-of-use assets but to account for the lease expense 

on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term.

For this reason, the cumulative impact of adopting IFRS 16 has not required an adjustment to the opening balance of 

retained earnings for the current period and prior periods have not been restated.

On transition to IFRS 16 the weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities recognised under IFRS 

16 was 3.75% per annum.

The Company has benefited from the use of hindsight for determining the lease term when considering options to extend 

and terminate leases.

17 

Subsequent events

The worldwide outbreak of the COVID–19 virus represents a significant event since the end of the financial period. In light of the 

impact of the virus upon supply chain and consumer demand, the Company has reviewed its cash flow forecasts and considered the 

impact on going concern, concluding that the going concern basis remains an appropriate basis of preparation for these financial 

statements given the likely cash flow impact of operations 12 months from the date of signing this report. Please refer to note 2.4 of 

the Group financial statements for further detail on the Company’s going concern basis of preparation.

COVID-19 is considered to be a non-adjusting post balance sheet event and therefore has not been taken into account in 

preparing the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019.

18 

Leases

The Company commenced the lease of its registered office at 29A Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8NL on 1 August 2019. Excluding 

the short-term lease discussed below, this is the only lease reflected on the statement of financial position as a right-of-use asset and 

a lease liability. 

The Company classifies its right-of-use asset in a consistent manner to its property, plant and equipment as an Office 

Building. 

Based on the fact that the lease of 29A Kentish Town Road is restricted from further sub-leasing and has a lease term of 

24-months with a break clause after 18-months, management have calculated the interest payable on the lease liability over the 

shorter time horizon as there was no certainty that the break clause effective 31 January 2021 would not be made use of at the date of 

lease inception,  and upon review at the statement of financial position date.

The terms of the lease at 29A Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8NL do not include variable lease payments therefore 

management have not been required to consider the impact of such payments.

The Company has elected to take advantage of the short-term lease exemption for lease assets and lease liabilities where 

a lease term ends within 12 months of the date of initial application of IFRS 16. The Company’s lease of the former registered office 

at 128 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NE, a lease term which ceased on 17 August 2019, fell within the definition of a short-term lease 

exemption and therefore payments made under such leases have been expensed to the statement of profit and loss on a straight-

line basis. During the year £424,266 was recognised as an expense in the statement of profit and loss in respect of the lease of the 

Company’s former registered office at 128 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NE.

At 31 December 2019, the Company had no further commitments to short-term leases.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
92

notes to the company financial statements continued

18 

Leases (continued)

Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows:

Less than one year

Between one and five years

More than five years

Total

2019
£

 -

-

-

-

2018
£

 459,536

-

-

459,536

Right-of-use asset

Additional information on the right-of-use assets by class of assets is as follows:

Asset

Carrying amount

Additions

Depreciation

Impairment

Office Building

Total

716,623

716,623

518,575

518,575

716,623

716,623

198,048

198,048

-

-

The right-of-use assets are included in the same line item as where the corresponding underlying assets would be presented if they 

were owned.

Lease liability

Lease liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Current

Non-current

Total

470,391

40,000

510,391

-

-

-

19 

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

31 
December 
2018

Cash flows

Non-cash changes: 
Additions

31 December 2019

Lease liabilities

Total

-

-

(200,000)

710,391

(200,000)

710,391

510,391

510,391

31 
December 
2017

Cash flows

Non-cash changes: 
Additions

31 December 2018

Lease liabilities

Total

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

every great day
starts the night before