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FW Thorpe Plc
Annual Report 2015

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FY2015 Annual Report · FW Thorpe Plc
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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

INTRODUCTION

WE SPECIALISE IN DESIGNING 
AND MANUFACTURING 
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING 
EQUIPMENT. WE CURRENTLY 
EMPLOY AROUND 600 PEOPLE 
AND ALTHOUGH EACH 
COMPANY WORKS 
AUTONOMOUSLY, OUR 
SKILLS AND MARKETS 
ARE COMPLEMENTARY.

to access further content please visit: 
www.fwthorpe.co.uk

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

CONTENTS

Strategic report
01 How we have performed
02 Chairman’s statement
06 About us
10 Strategy and business model
11 Business review
12 Principal risks and uncertainties
14 Around the Group in 2015
18 Introducing Lightronics
20 Smart TR wireless lighting control
22 Ernest George Thorpe 1917 – 2015

Governance
24 Board of Directors
26 Directors’ Report
30  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
31 Directors’ Remuneration Report
34  Independent Auditors’ Report to the 

members of FW Thorpe Plc

Accounts
36 Consolidated Income Statement
37  Consolidated Statement of  
Comprehensive Income

38  Consolidated and Company Statements of 

Financial Position
 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

39 
40  Company Statement of Changes in Equity
41  Consolidated and Company Statements of 

Cash Flows

42  Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements

Additional information
76 Notice of Meeting
78 Shareholder notes
80 Financial calendar

HOW WE HAVE PERFORMED

01

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Revenue £m 

Operating profit £m 

73.5

61.4

55.6

55.3

52.8

13.7

11.9

11.3

11.8

10.8

2011

2012

2013

2014
Restated

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014
Restated

2015

+20%

+17%

Basic earnings per share 
(continuing operations) Pence

Diluted earnings per share 
(continuing operations) Pence

10.12

10.11

8.48

8.12

8.83

7.18

8.48

8.12

8.83

7.18

 » Thorlux achieves new highs; 
continued investment in 
products and 
manufacturing

 See page 3 and 14 for more detail

 » Compact returns to profit, 
TRT achieves profitability, 
full year of costs for UAE 
operation

 See page 4, 15 and 17 for more detail

 » Acquisition of Lightronics 

in April 2015

 See pages 5 and 18 for more detail

2011

2012

2013

2014
Restated

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014
Restated

2015

+14%

+15%

Dividend per share (excluding 
special dividend) Pence

3.65

3.25

3.00

1.94

1.76

2011

2012

2013

2014
Restated

2015

+12%
+12%

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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02 STRATEGIC REPORT

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

VIRTUALLY ALL COMPANIES 
WITHIN THE GROUP IMPROVED 
THEIR PERFORMANCE NOT 
ONLY IN REGARD TO REVENUE 
BUT ALSO IN PROFIT TERMS.

Andrew Thorpe, Chairman

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

03

In the financial year to 30 June 2015 Group 
revenue reached a new peak of £73.5m, 
an increase of 19.9%. Operating profit 
similarly increased to £13.7m, a 16.7% uplift 
compared to the 2013/2014 financial year. 
Regrettably investment income again declined 
reflecting the continued fall in general 
bank interest rates. Resultant profit before 
tax, however, pleased at a figure of £14.4m, 
a 14.7% increase.

Virtually all companies within the Group 
improved their performance not only in 
regard to revenue but also in profit terms. 
More detail will be given later in this report 
but special mention must be given to TRT 
Lighting, producing road tunnel and street 
lighting which has risen from commencement 
of trading on 1 July 2013 to a profitable £4m 
revenue organisation in a little over two years.

Generally, our market has again been buoyed 
by an improving economy but one must 
be respectful in the knowledge that our 
Government is introducing further spending 
cuts and as this “potential customer” still spends 
some 43% of GDP some effect will be felt 
somewhere. Alongside our own situation we 
also have, as we speak, a faltering China, now 
the second largest economy in the world, 
an uncertain US and a Europe where many 
countries are teetering again on the brink of 
recession. Britain is not an island!

The percentage of LED products produced 
by the Group has increased marginally since 
my last report probably because of the same 
reasons cited then. This percentage varies 
widely from subsidiary to subsidiary with the 
highest LED performer producing some 100% 
of products in LED format to the lowest at 38%. 
There are, therefore, a plethora of efficiencies to 
be made as the demise of “traditional” lighting 
technologies draws nearer. 

Including Lightronics, Group sales overseas 
have increased by 64% compared to the 
previous financial year. On a like-for-like basis 
export revenues are up 21% with, again, Thorlux 
being the largest contributor. More details will 
be given in the Thorlux section but only limited 
progress has been made by other subsidiaries 
despite good intentions. More focus will be 
given in the coming year as if we are not there, 
then we cannot sell.

Our Group UAE joint venture is now established 
with an office in Abu Dhabi, a General Manager 
and two Sales Engineers. Only limited sales 
progress has been made so far but the gaining 
of numerous specifications for the use of 
our lighting in future projects bodes well for 
the future.

Generally 2014/2015 has been an eventful 
financial year with the disposal of Sugg 
Lighting, the doubling of Group LED circuit 
board manufacturing capacity at Thorlux, 
and Solite Europe moving into its £1.4m new 
factory in Stockport, Manchester. These events 
have already been mentioned in my interim 
report but further, your company made its 
largest single investment to date purchasing 
Lightronics Participaties B.V., a highly successful 
Netherlands lighting company, the purchase of 
which will amount to some €14m over time.

To make these things happen companies 
such as FW Thorpe Plc need good people 
and your company has, for decades, taken on 
and trained a number of apprentices every 
year and many of the firm’s ex-apprentices are 
now in important positions throughout the 
Group right up to Managing Director level. 
In this regard, I would like to commend our 
current Government for considering a training 
levy designed, hopefully, so that those who 
train get recompensed and those who don’t, 
pay anyway.

Group performance for the financial year to 
30 June 2015 allows your Board to recommend 
a 2.55p per share final dividend (2.20p: 2013/14) 
which together with the interim dividend paid 
in April 2015 gives a total dividend for the year 
of 3.65p (3.25p: 2013/14). This is an increase 
of 12.3%.

Finally and on a sad note the year saw the 
passing of Ernest George Thorpe, aged 97 
years, ex-Chairman and 55 years servant of your 
company; an obituary for “EGT” or “Mr Ernest” as 
he was known can be read in the annual report. 

Thorlux Lighting
Commercial and industrial lighting systems 
manufacturer Thorlux performed very well 
throughout the year despite the continuing 
but necessary mix of new and “old” technology 
products to be made, and the start of a major 
factory layout overhaul. The latter has been 
made possible by the new finished goods 
warehouse built in 2013 and more recently 
the £0.3m purchase and installation of 
seven vertical storage units allowing a high 
proportion of component stock to be stored 
vertically. Having cleared as much floor space 
as practicable the re-laying out has now begun 
in earnest. 

Apart from the purchase of these vertical 
storage units, investment in buildings, plant 
and machinery this year has been limited 
to the installation of a second £0.5m PCB 
manufacturing line and the purchase of 
three new press-brake sheet metal bending 
machines at a cost of some £0.3m. Much work 
has been completed, however, on preparation 
for the major factory re-laying out as 
mentioned above. 

Home (UK) performance was pleasing 
throughout the year as was export, which 
although increasing by 16% over the previous 
year was patchy in nature. Some agents 
abroad improved their business with us but 
others reduced. So often with agents abroad, 
the leaving or starting of just one person 
can swing their performance one way or the 
other. This situation reinforces your company’s 
continuing efforts to put its own offices in 
place overseas. 

The Australian joint venture has disappointed 
this year and a review of strategy will take 
place. The UAE office, as mentioned in the 
Group report, is gaining specifications for future 
business. The Dublin office of now three people 
has greatly improved its level of business over 
last year, as has the German office. The German 
office maintained its level of five people and 
discussions are taking place as to how we can 
not only increase our coverage in Germany but 
also use our German expertise, gained so far, 
to extend a reach into other German-speaking 
countries in the area.

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
 
04 STRATEGIC REPORT

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT CONTINUED

Pleasing to say, though, that orders about to be 
received, partly due to this work, should recoup 
this investment and hopefully a major part 
of the sales platform has been laid for further 
success in that area.

Not wishing to break with tradition: naming 
one or two of Philip Payne’s projects 
throughout the year, one can include exit sign 
installations at Claridges, Winchester Cathedral 
and the Royal Albert Hall, amongst others.

To continue the regular format I would 
name a few “new homes” for Philip Payne 
exit signage as including The Globe Theatre, 
Hugo Boss in Sloane Square, Eton College, 
and topically the Scottish Parliament Building 
at Holyrood.

Solite Europe
Solite, the Group’s manufacturer of high IP 
cleanroom lighting moved to its new £1.4m 
factory in Stockport, Manchester during the 
year and, despite the disruption, staff at Solite 
managed the move with little or no customer 
disruption. The Group’s thanks go out to them 
for their much appreciated efforts.

The new factory allows Solite to look to the 
future as the old 1960s leased premises were 
not ideal and had become too small for 
their purposes. 

Despite the interruption Solite managed a 
26% increase in revenue with a corresponding 
increase in profit of some 40%.

Compact Lighting
Having explained our frustration with Compact 
Lighting, the Group maker of display and retail 
lighting systems, last year, I am pleased to 
say that Compact has displayed a change of 
fortunes in the second half of the financial year. 
The final results show an increase in sales of 
25% over the previous year with a 5% profit to 
sales ratio.

The metrics show a healthier mix of new 
and existing customers with the total being 
higher in number. Hopefully this is the 
result of Compact now having an extensive 
range of tooled display lighting products. 
Compact’s improved product range and a 
new strategic sales direction put in place some 
three years ago seems to be demonstrating 
positive momentum.

We are confident that Compact will build 
on this new-found strength.

Philip Payne
Specification exit signage manufacturer Philip 
Payne produced a very pleasing year’s result 
with record input, output and profit. This is a 
commendable achievement considering the 
narrowness of this market.

The year has not seen any large expenditure on 
buildings, plant and machinery but has been 
one of quiet consolidation and the servicing 
of a growing order book. Payne has been one 
subsidiary notably working to increase exports 
in the Middle East via our Group UAE operation 
where it has seen much interest in its products.

This interest has come at a cost, however, 
due to third party certifications required for 
emergency lighting products to be used in 
many Middle East countries. Payne’s, with 
its limited resource has managed to gain 
numerous of these required certifications 
absorbing many man hours’ worth of work 
and some £0.1m.

Portland Lighting
Lighting for signs maker Portland Lighting has 
maintained its position within the Group for 
the highest profit to sales ratio, again beating 
Thorlux to the trophy.

That said and not forgetting the very pleasing 
growth of the company since it joined the 
Group in 2012, Portland has taken a rest period 
with revenue virtually on a par with the last 
financial year. 

It has been recognised as with some other 
subsidiaries that a certain level of sales 
capability can only produce so much in sales 
and so Portland has invested in a new full 
time Sales Engineer who should improve 
market penetration. 

Investment in upgrading products, bringing in 
new LED lines has continued and, to note, the 
firm now has some solar-powered test systems 
out in the field illuminating billboards.

TRT Lighting
Street lighting and road tunnel lighting 
specialists TRT, which stands for Thorlux Road 
and Tunnel incidentally, has as mentioned 
earlier, quickly grown to a £4m revenue plus 
profitable entity. 

Success selling British-made streetlights to 
numerous local authorities has not come easily 
but the swift uplift in demand has brought 
its own problems of sourcing sufficient 
components. Further tooling investments are 
currently being made to ease these problems 
and allow further growth in this area.

Road tunnel projects have also met some 
success, although by the very nature of these 
projects their revenue input tends to be 
“lumpy”. Road tunnel lighting is mainly now in 
LED format and whilst there are a number of 
competitors in the field the sheer technology 
involved in luminaire and system designs of 
this nature keeps newcomers to the market 
at a minimum. 

Finally, in regard to TRT, it is with great pleasure, 
at this time, that I can congratulate Mr Ross 
Evans, Sales Director and General Manager of 
TRT on his promotion to Managing Director.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

05

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Lightronics
During the year your company purchased 
Lightronics Participaties B.V. in an arrangement 
whereby FW Thorpe Plc purchased the 
shareholding held by a Netherlands private 
equity company. The remaining shareholding is 
partly held by people already involved in high 
level management within the business, each 
being instrumental in building Lightronics to 
the company it is today.

The product range is mainly outdoor and pole 
top luminaires with a lesser range of industrial 
products. Whilst styles differ in different 
countries there is a definite agreement that 
transference of products should add revenue 
in each direction.

FW Thorpe Plc 2014/2015 financial figures 
includes just three months’ contribution 
from Lightronics.

All parties involved look forward to the future.

Carbon Offsetting Project
We have now planted 70,324 trees in 
Monmouthshire including 10,000 ash trees. 
Regrettably, 3,000 of these have had to 
be destroyed due to Chalara Fraxinea (ash 
die-back) and a watch is being kept on 
the remainder.

The top management at Lightronics has 
expressed great interest in the project and see it 
as an excellent selling aid for them. It seems that 
carbon offsetting has more customer traction in 
the Netherlands than in the UK currently.

This financial year will see a rest in planting 
as we are ahead of schedule in our carbon 
offsetting due to the vagaries of the tree 
planting grant system.

People
We have many stalwarts at FW Thorpe Plc who 
have supported the company through thick 
and thin. A number have been with us well 
over 40 years, numerous over 25 years; 15 years 
being very relative “newcomers”. To all of them 
I would like to give special thanks this year for 
their continuing efforts. Notwithstanding this, 
however I would like to thank all those others 
both permanent and “temp” who have helped 
make this year a most satisfactory one.

The Future
Britain is, of course, an island but we must 
be cognisant of the potential macro-
economic headwinds. 

The future is still definitely LED especially with a 
possible upstart contender in OLEDs or Organic 
LEDs apparently dropping away: it seems due 
to technical problems of realising sufficient 
efficiency in translating power consumed into 
useful light. 

Traditional light sources remain in demand 
and it can be reported that your company has 
been surprised at the level of such products 
requested during this summer period. 

The problem this causes in the number of 
variants required to be manufactured therefore 
remains and, I think, this is a problem that will 
be with us for longer than we assumed and for 
some years to come. 

On the bright side, however, FW Thorpe Plc has 
numerous new and innovative luminaires and 
systems which will be brought to the market in 
coming months. Further, of the two laggards 
mentioned last year, one has gone and the 
other appears to be catching up! 

This year your company has improved margins 
on LED products, mentioned as one of our aims 
last year, and we are now almost on a continual 
basis looking to expand our sales platform. 

We will, as always, “try and do better than 
last year”.

A B Thorpe  
Chairman

9 October 2015

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
06 STRATEGIC REPORT

ABOUT US

Our products are sold throughout the world. The Group management team is passionate 
about developing the business for the benefit of the shareholders, employees and 
customers. With the energy and ability of our staff we look forward to the future with 
enthusiasm. Our aim is to create shareholder value through market leadership in the 
design, manufacture and supply of professional lighting systems.

2

1

4

3

5

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

07

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1

UNITED KINGDOM
Thorlux Lighting 
TRT Lighting 
Redditch

Compact Lighting 
Portsmouth

Philip Payne 
Solihull

Solite Europe 
Stockport

Portland Lighting 
Walsall

6

2

NETHERLANDS
Lightronics 
Waalwijk

3
IRELAND
Thorlux Lighting 
Dublin

4
GERMANY
Thorlux Lighting 
Düsseldorf

5

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Thorlux Lighting 
Abu Dhabi

6

AUSTRALIA
Thorlux Lighting Australasia 
Melbourne, Brisbane

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
08 STRATEGIC REPORT

ABOUT US CONTINUED

DESIGNERS, 
MANUFACTURERS 
AND SUPPLIERS OF 
PROFESSIONAL 
LIGHTING SYSTEMS 

THORLUX LIGHTING

Key products
•  Recessed, surface and 
suspended luminaires

•  Emergency lighting systems
•  Hazardous area lighting
•  High and low bay luminaires
•  Lighting controls
•  Exterior lighting 

Market sectors
•  Commercial
• 
Industrial
•  Education
•  Healthcare
•  Manufacturing

The Thorlux range of luminaires is designed, manufactured and 
distributed by Thorlux Lighting, a division of FW Thorpe Plc.

Thorlux luminaires have been manufactured continuously since 1936, 
the year Frederick William Thorpe founded the company.

The company now operates from the Group’s modern 16,882m2 self-
contained factory in Redditch, Worcestershire, central England.

Thorlux is well known throughout the world and provides a comprehensive 
range of professional lighting and control systems for a wide variety 
of applications.

COMPACT

PHILIP PAYNE

Key products
•  Recessed and surface luminaires
•  Track systems

Market sectors
•  Retail
•  Display
•  Hospitality

Key products
•  Emergency exit signage
•  Emergency lighting systems

Market sectors
•  Commercial
•  Hospitality
•  Healthcare

Compact Lighting, founded by F W Thorpe Plc in 1992, design and 
manufactures a complete range of innovative lighting solutions for the 
retail, hospitality and display environments.

From its purpose-built factory in Portsmouth, UK, Compact Lighting 
offers cost-effective solutions using the latest LED technology to a host 
of  global clients.

Philip Payne recognises that most trade emergency exit signage 
products are generally designed with the functional in mind.

Philip Payne offers a backbone range of quality standard products 
but more importantly encourages direct dialogue with architects and 
designers to ensure via product variation or bespoke work aesthetic 
aspirations and requirements are fully met.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

09

SOLITE

PORTLAND LIGHTING

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Key products
•  Cleanroom luminaires

Market sectors
•  Pharmaceutical
•  Healthcare
•  Education/Research

Key products
•  Lighting for signs

Market sectors
•  Retail
•  Hospitality
•  Advertising

Solite Europe is a leading manufacturer and supplier of cleanroom 
lighting equipment and luminaires within the UK and Europe.

Portland Lighting designs, manufactures and supplies innovative lighting 
products to the advertising, brewery, retail and sign lighting industries.

It provides luminaires for laboratories, pharmaceutical and semi-
conductor manufacturing areas including hospitals, kitchens and 
food preparation applications.

The company operates from a modern 1,300m2 facility in Walsall, 
which was purposely designed to enable the fast turnaround of 
customer orders. 

Established in 1994, the product range has continually evolved to ensure 
that Portland remains one of the leading companies in their sector.

TRT LIGHTING

LIGHTRONICS

Key products
•  Road and tunnel lighting
•  Amenity lighting

Market sectors
• 
Infrastructure
•  Facilities – car parking

TRT (Thorlux Road and Tunnel) Lighting, an independent specialist 
division which has evolved from Thorlux Lighting, is the latest venture 
within the FW Thorpe group. 

Building on years of lighting experience, TRT is dedicated to the design, 
manufacture and supply of LED road and tunnel luminaires. The target 
for TRT is to produce quality, efficient, stylish, high performance LED 
products that are manufactured in  the UK.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

Key products
•  Road lighting 
•  Amenity lighting
•  Outdoor wall and ceiling 

luminaires

•  Lighting controls

Market sectors
• 
Infrastructure 
•  Facilities – car parking
•  Housing

Based in Waalwijk, Netherlands, Lightronics specialises in the 
development, manufacture and supply of external and impact resistant 
lighting, which includes street lighting, outdoor wall and ceiling 
luminaires as well as control systems. The majority of its revenue is derived 
from the Netherlands but there is also an export presence in other 
European locations.

Lightronics was originally established in 1946 and has a strong tradition 
of solid, reliable products as well as being known for its innovation. 
Products are environmentally friendly in terms of energy use as well 
as in the prevention of light pollution.

 
 
10 STRATEGIC REPORT

STRATEGY AND BUSINESS MODEL

OUR FOCUS IS FOR LONG-TERM GROWTH  
AND STABILITY, ACHIEVED BY DELIVERING  
MARKET-LEADING PRODUCTS, BACKED  
BY EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

OUTSTANDING 
PRODUCTS

MANUFACTURING 
EXCELLENCE

QUALITY 
PEOPLE

2015 PROGRESS 

•   LED product range 
further enhanced

2015 PROGRESS

2015 PROGRESS

•   Doubling of LED circuit 
board manufacturing

•   Business development 

investment

•   Smart TR, wireless lighting 

•   New manufacturing  

controls launched

facility for  Solite 

•   Apprenticeship 

scheme continues

•   Facilities acquired in the 
Netherlands through 
Lightronics

•   Sales office established in 

the UAE

•   Acquisition of Lightronics

THE FUTURE

THE FUTURE

•   Continued LED product 

•   Continual investment

development

•   Enhanced controls 
and emergency 
product ranges

THE FUTURE

•    Establish further 
offices overseas

•   Continual investment

CONTINUOUS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
BUSINESS REVIEW

11

A review of the business and future 
developments is included in the Chairman’s 
statement and in the case studies on pages 
14 to 23.

Principal activity
The main activity of the Group continues to 
be the design, manufacture and supply of 
professional lighting equipment. Each company 
within the Group operates in a different market 
of the lighting sector.

Key performance indicators
The directors consider the main financial key 
performance indicators (KPIs) to be those 
disclosed on page 1 (financial highlights). 
The two most important KPIs to the business 
are turnover and operating profit.

The directors monitor non-financial areas of 
the business relating to energy saving and 
environmental responsibility, market and 
product development, customer service and 
product support on a regular basis.

Objectives are set for each company within the 
Group incorporating financial and non-financial 
targets which have appropriate measurements 
that reflect their nature. These are monitored 
regularly at local and Group Board level. 
During the year the majority of objectives were 
achieved or substantially achieved.

Principal risk and uncertainties
The table on pages 12 and 13 details what 
we consider to be the principal risks and 
uncertainties to the business, and how we seek 
to manage and mitigate these risks. 

The Group has financial risks and seeks to 
minimise and manage these by incorporating 
controls into key functions as part of the normal 
business operation.

Details of other risk management procedures 
are included within the internal control section 
of this report and in the financial risk section 
within the accounting policies (note 1).

Internal control
The Board of directors has overall responsibility 
for the system of internal control and for 
reviewing its effectiveness throughout the 
Group. The internal control systems are 
designed to meet the Group’s particular needs 
and the risks to which it is exposed, and by 
their nature can only provide reasonable but 
not absolute assurance against misstatement 
or loss.

The directors have responsibility for maintaining 
a system of internal control which provides 
reasonable assurance of the effective and 
efficient operations, internal financial control 
and compliance with laws and regulations.

Internal financial control
During the year, a member of the Group 
finance department has visited all operating 
sites to assess their compliance with a 
selection of key control procedures and any 
non-compliance reported to the Group Board. 
Any areas of non-compliance noted as part of 
this process have been addressed.

In addition, the executive directors regularly 
visit all operating sites and review with local 
management financial and commercial 
issues affecting the Group’s operations. 
Regular financial reporting includes rolling 
forecasts and monthly financial reports 
comparing performance against plan. 
These reports are reviewed locally with a 
group representative and monitored by the 
Group Board. Accordingly, the directors do not 
consider that an internal audit department 
is required.

Other areas of control
During the year and continuing after the 
year end, the Board has operated a formal 
risk identification and evaluation process as 
part of a continuous review of the Group’s 
internal controls. This process considers 
financial, operational and compliance risks and 
includes participation from senior executives 
from all operating subsidiaries. The results 
of this process to date have been utilised by 
the Board to focus the ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing the 
Group’s significant risks. The programme is 
utilised to monitor the potential impact of 
the risks identified and, where appropriate, 
actions are taken to ensure they are effectively 
controlled. This process is extended to include 
a detailed review of risk, as assessed by local 
senior executives, and procedures have been 
established to ensure that the Group Board is 
made aware of any additional significant risks 
identified and to consider appropriate action. 
This process culminated in the provision of a 
certificate, by senior executives at the operating 
sites, confirming that they have identified and 
addressed the risks arising in their business and 
reported them to the Group Board accordingly.

By order of the Board

C Muncaster
Director

9 October 2015

Registered Office: 
Merse Road 
North Moons Moat 
Redditch 
Worcestershire 
B98 9HH

Company Registration Number: 317886

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
12 STRATEGIC REPORT

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES 

AREA OF RISK

   ADVERSE ECONOMIC 
CONDITIONS

TYPE OF RISK

Strategic

   CHANGES IN  
GOVERNMENT 
LEGISLATION OR POLICY

   COMPETITIVE 
ENVIRONMENT

Strategic

Strategic

DESCRIPTION OF RISK

Deferred or reduced capital investment plans 
in market sectors into which our products are 
supplied and are key sources of revenue for 
the Group.

Reduction in public sector expenditure 
and changing policy increases risk to our 
order book.

Existing competitors, powerful new entrants 
and continued evolution of technologies 
in the lighting industry eroding our sales 
and profitability.

  PRICE CHANGES

Operational

Erosion of sales and profitability.

  BUSINESS CONTINUITY

Operational

The majority of the Group’s revenues are from 
products manufactured in the Redditch facility.

  CREDIT RISK

Financial

The Group offers credit terms which carries risk 
of slow payment and default.

   MOVEMENTS IN  
CURRENCY EXCHANGE 
RATES

Financial

The Group is exposed to transaction risk and 
since the acquisition of Lightronics there is also 
an exposure to translation risk.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

13

MITIGATION OF FACTORS

POSSIBLE IMPACT  
ON PERFORMANCE

CHANGE  
IN PERIOD

•  Broad range of customers in differing sectors.
•  High quality, technically advanced products to differentiate the Group from competitors.
  Actively seek to identify new opportunities to ensure we maximise our potential of 
• 
winning new business.

High

•  Continue to seek to diversify our customer portfolio to ensure we have an appropriate 

Medium

spread, mitigating the risk of any industry or specific sector spending issues.

• 

• 

• 

  Offering innovative products and service solutions that are technologically advanced 
products to enable us to differentiate ourselves from our competitors.
  Investing in research and development activities to produce new and evolving 
product ranges.
Investing in new production equipment to ensure we can keep costs low and maintain 
barriers to new market entrants.

Medium

•  Management reviews prices, at least annually, to take into account fluctuations in costs, 

Medium

in order to minimise the risk of reduction in gross margin, or the loss of market share from 
a lack of competitiveness.

•  High level of importance attached to environmental management systems, health and 

High

safety and preventative maintenance.
Insurance cover is maintained to provide financial protection where appropriate.

• 

•  Credit policy includes an assessment of the bad debt risk and management of higher 

Low

risk customers.

•  The Group maintains a credit insurance policy for a significant part of its debt.

•  The Group has increased its sourcing of materials to maintain a natural hedge to offset its 

Low

currency risk from receivables.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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14 STRATEGIC REPORT

AROUND THE  
GROUP IN 2015

Thorlux Lighting
Thorlux continues to establish new standards, 
with all key figures at record levels for 2014/15. 
The company supplies the broadest product 
range of the FW Thorpe Plc companies, 
covering multiple market sectors – commercial, 
industrial and retail – and both the public and 
private sectors. Thorlux continues to be the 
driving force behind product development 
for the rest of the Group.

Investment continues in the area of sales 
coverage, with more business development 
managers recruited, alongside continual 
product development and increased 
production capability. 

This year has seen the extension of the LED 
printed circuit board assembly facility, following 
the introduction of a second high speed 
production line effectively doubling output 
capacity and increasing flexibility of the range 
of boards that can be manufactured. The new 
technologically advanced facility ensures that 
the Group has a high quality supply of critical 
“light engines” and a setup that is ready for 
future developments and demand.

Continued investment in sales and sales 
support staff has yielded benefits: Thorlux 
has secured new business with, for example, 
Michelin, Apple and Birmingham City 
University, and a prestigious project with 
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 

As well as the continual rapid introduction 
of new LED products, development of 
emergency and controls technology is a major 
focus. 2015 has seen the launch of Smart TR 
(see page 20 for further details), a patented 
wireless control system building on the success 
of the current Smart system. The company 
expects to launch new products utilising the 
Smart TR platform for the emergency market 
during 2016.

Thorlux will continue to focus on securing 
business in new sectors and territories, 
exploiting the expanding global footprint of 
the Group, especially important to counteract 
any impact from UK Government austerity 
measures. This will be underpinned by a solid 
foundation of innovative, market-leading 
product development.

FW Thorpe Plc encompasses 
individual companies that 
concentrate on particular 
market sectors. More recently, 
the company has extended its 
geographical reach with the 
establishment of Thorlux LLC 
in the UAE and the acquisition 
of Lightronics Participaties B.V. 
in the Netherlands (see page 18 
for further details). 
The companies within the Group face different 
challenges within their respective markets, 
but all share product and technical expertise, 
particularly beneficial with the continuing 
development and market adoption of 
LED technology.

Overall, the Group has continued to progress 
in many areas, including new product 
introduction, investment in manufacturing 
facilities and success in new markets. 
This progress is underpinned by the 
development of market-leading lighting 
equipment and the delivery of excellent 
customer service. 

The following is an overview of the year for 
each company.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

15

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Alongside the Kitemark for its range of 
luminaires, Payne has achieved a second 
Kitemark for its automatic emergency 
lighting testing and monitoring system, 
affording further opportunities both at 
home and overseas. 

No year passes without additions to the 
impressive back catalogue of prestige sites. 
This year is no exception, with successful 
supply to works at The Shard and the Olympic 
Stadium. In retail there have been installations 
into Bond Street brands such as Hugo Boss, 
Bottega Veneta and Burberry. There have 
also been further successes in other projects 
including the Lanesborough and Vanderbilt 
Hotels and historic refurbishments at Eton 
College and Durham Cathedral.

Philip Payne
The Philip Payne brand continues to sit among 
those first considered by the architectural 
community when it comes to lighting 
specifications for the UK’s top construction 
and refurbishment projects; this has ensured 
another record year in terms of revenue and 
return on sales.

The core range of exit signage has long been 
the default selection for top design practices. 
Now, the LED revolution has afforded an 
opportunity to migrate the Payne design 
philosophy to expand into aesthetically 
pleasing emergency luminaires which 
complement and complete the emergency 
lighting package.

Payne identified export as a vehicle for further 
growth, and the advent of the Group’s UAE 
operations provided an ideal opportunity 
to realise this ambition. This new market has 
required Payne to achieve Kitemark approval for 
a selection of products identified to replicate 
the home market position; this is essential 
to qualify for mandatory local civil defence 
approvals. Since the brand was launched in 
the region earlier in 2015, Payne has secured 
a surprisingly high number of blue chip 
specifications with international design houses 
on major construction projects as well as 
smaller scale prestige projects.

Compact Lighting
Compact operates in the retail, display and 
hospitality sectors. These markets can be 
particularly demanding, with challenging 
delivery schedules and competitive pricing. 
The improved result for 2014/15, which builds 
on the positive performance of the previous 
year, is therefore especially satisfying.

A decision was made within the last few 
years to remodel the sales approach, which 
includes new customer-facing personnel who 
concentrate on developing existing accounts 
and securing new customers. This has started 
to yield a benefit, with new business secured 
in the food, clothing and automotive sectors 
of retail.

Export continues to be a major contributor to 
the revenues of Compact, linked, in particular, 
to success with certain UK and US retailers. 
Compact has completed deliveries to Europe, 
the Middle East, Australia, Russia and China 
during the last financial year, demonstrating 
its ability to support its customer base in 
any continent.

Compact’s reputation as an LED innovator in 
conjunction with investment in product tooling 
continue to differentiate the company from the 
competition. Products launched this year have 
included new trackspot, downlighter and “back 
of house” luminaires. 

In the future the company will continue 
to promote the Compact brand to a wider 
audience, develop the export business further 
and support group selling activities with its 
tooled product portfolio.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
16 STRATEGIC REPORT
AROUND THE  
GROUP IN 2015 CONTINUED

Solite
Since FW Thorpe Plc acquired Solite Europe – 
a specialist cleanroom lighting manufacturer 
– in 2009, Solite has enjoyed steady growth and 
an increased share of its core market. 2014/15 
was no exception, and Solite achieved excellent 
growth with improved margins. 

During the year the company transferred its 
entire operation to a new site in Stockport. 
The building was purchased off plan, and 
during the first half of this financial year a 
fit-out programme was completed, permitting 
occupation at the end of December 2014.

The new site is only a few miles from the 
previous facility. Given the high prevailing 
order book during this period, continuity was 
imperative and the move was completed with 
minimal disruption. The proximity has also 
meant that the majority of the incumbent 
workforce has migrated to the new site. 

The building features many of the products 
sold across the Group, including energy-saving 
lighting systems, emergency lighting and 
external amenity lighting. The site also includes 
an impressive showroom and demonstration 
area showcasing Solite’s own range of 
specialist luminaires in a specially constructed 
cleanroom ceiling. 

As part of the relocation programme, some 
ageing machinery has been replaced and a 
new modern powder-coating plant has been 
installed to provide excellent facilities as Solite 
looks to step up to new levels of production 
capability in the future.

Portland Lighting 
Production and delivery to site of yesterday’s 
orders today is their market expectation and 
thus servicing and satisfying a very demanding 
fast turnaround customer base continues to 
be the focus for Portland Lighting, the Group’s 
externally illuminated sign lighting company. 
The company’s main focus continues to be 
external shop front sign lighting, although 
this year has seen increased activity in the 
brewery sector. 

Portland has also made significant 
investment in pursuit of further market 
share in the static billboard advertisement 
sector. Developments include the launch of 
a solar-powered derivative of the successful 
Eco-Lux range, and performance-enhancing 
optical improvements to increase the throw 
of light to improve illumination over larger 
advertising spaces. 

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

17

The solar-powered development has met with 
particular interest from billboard companies for 
locations where it is difficult or uneconomical 
to install a local electrical supply for illumination 
of advertising posters. Solar energy is stored in a 
battery local to the sign and then discharged at 
variable levels during the hours of darkness.

2015/16 will see Portland increase its focus on 
expanding its export market while continuing 
to build on its share of the UK market.

Street lighting projects continue to be tough 
to secure, but the company has won some 
major projects around the UK, with projects 
completed in Dunbartonshire, Warwickshire, 
Worcestershire and a number of the London 
boroughs. Working closely with Thorlux, TRT 
has continued to succeed in amenity projects. 
Projects include lighting for car parks in 
numerous sectors, including manufacturing 
and export. 

TRT starts 2015/16 with a good order book 
and improving margins. Its focus will remain 
on continued development of products in 
the street lighting range, while streamlining 
working practices to meet demand.

TRT Lighting
TRT has continued to build on the success of 
2013/14, with large-scale orders secured for 
both street and tunnel lighting, and – worthy 
of note – a move into profitability.

Production facilities have been developed 
during the year to cope with the significant 
increase in the order book. New variants of 
both the street and tunnel products have 
been introduced during the year, with more to 
come in 2015/16. TRT has worked closely with 
Thorlux, providing the technology to enable 
TRT to introduce a wirelessly controlled amenity 
product that has been successfully installed in 
various projects during the year.

TRT continues to perform in the tunnel lighting 
sector, and this year has supplied products for 
installations completed at various prestigious 
London tunnels including the A4 Piccadilly 
and The Strand. Orders for 2015 also include 
the lighting for the Heathrow main passenger 
terminal tunnels, set for completion later 
this year.

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
18 STRATEGIC REPORT
INTRODUCING 
LIGHTRONICS

In April 2015 FW Thorpe 
acquired Lightronics 
Participaties B.V., a specialist in 
lighting systems and controls for 
a range of different sectors. 
Lightronics specialises in the development, 
manufacture and supply of external and 
impact-resistant lighting, which includes street 
lighting, outdoor wall and ceiling luminaires 
as well as control systems. The majority of its 
revenues are derived from the Netherlands, but 
it has an export presence in Germany, France, 
Belgium, Austria and Norway.

Lightronics was established in 1946. 
The company is based in Waalwijk in the 
Netherlands and currently employs 47 people 
mainly from the local area. Building on almost 
70 years of lighting experience, Lightronics’ 
strengths lie within efficient manufacturing and 
design of intelligent lighting solutions. 

Until 2002, the market knew Lightronics by 
the name “HOGRO”. Since then the company’s 
strategy has been changed to focus on 
end-user selling, resulting in strong company 
growth and consistent revenue and operating 
profit performances. LED lighting and the street 
lighting sector have been the main contributors 
to this growth.

Lightronics’ product design ethos is similar to 
that of Thorlux and the rest of the FW Thorpe 
group. When creating lighting solutions, the 

main goals for Lightronics are usability, energy 
usage and CO₂ efficiency, low maintenance, 
modularity and the use of sustainable materials. 
Lightronics’ approach to product development  
is defined by several building blocks:  
creating a comfortable working environment 
for employees, improving quality through 
company and luminaire certifications (CSR 
certifications, DEKRA LED Performance Marks) 
as well as creating future-proof luminaires 
based on a modular design.

The addition of Lightronics will further 
develop FW Thorpe’s sales presence in Europe. 
This will enable the Group to build on the 
existing success of Lightronics by introducing 
FW Thorpe’s product portfolio to new territories 
and further developing existing areas in 
mainland Europe where FW Thorpe already 
derives revenues.

The latest LED and driver technologies meeting 
market demands, Lightronics intelligent 
lighting luminaires produce a variety of light 
distributions applicable to environments such 
as prisons, stations, apartment buildings, bicycle 
roads, city streets and bridges.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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The factory and offices are based two hours 
south of Amsterdam, two hours west of Germany 
and an hour north of Belgium. As well as these 
facilities Lightronics also accommodates their 
own research and development where light 
distribution and quality testing are conducted as 
well as a production area where the products are 
being assembled and made ready for despatch. 

Lightronics is ideally situated for the logistics of 
receiving products from the UK and globally 
supplied components as well as distributing 
products to customers in Northern Europe.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
20 STRATEGIC REPORT
SMART TR
WIRELESS LIGHTING CONTROL

In 2015 Thorlux introduced 
Smart TR, a further development 
of the hugely successful Smart 
System. The system provides 
a simple, effective method 
of lighting control which 
minimises energy consumption 
whilst retaining high levels of 
user comfort. 

In some cases it can be time-consuming and 
costly to make interconnections between 
luminaires, for example retrofit installations 
or external car parks. Thorlux has therefore 
developed the Smart TR system that provides 
the option of full wireless control between 
Smart luminaires. 

A patent for the product was granted in June 
2014, with the first orders shipped during 2015. 

wireless technology and replaces wired 
Motionline communication signals between 
luminaires with sophisticated, trouble free 
wireless transmissions. 

Each transceiver can be individually 
programmed with a Smart Programmer, 
during commissioning, and assigned to work 
exclusively within a particular building, or group 
created within that building.

The factory fitted addition of a Smart TR 
transceiver introduces the latest “mesh” 

For more information see  
www.thorlux.com/smart-tr

If any one Smart TR luminaire detects 
movement all luminaires within the group will 
illuminate. This valuable feature is designed 
to eliminate the possibility of a user being 
isolated in a small pool of light, surrounded 
by intimidating darkness. The Motionline 
ensures that there will always be a well lit 
comfortable environment.

✔
Covers large areas 
Low installation cost  ✔
Non-invasive  
✔ 
retro-fit solution

Operational frequency 868Mhz – relatively 
long wavelength compared to common 
2.4Ghz systems – provides greater distance 
and penetration of signals.

868 
Mhz

2.4 
Ghz

Wireless Motionline signal

Conventional system

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

21

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1%

Intelligent algorithm with low 
transmission of data – 

transmits less than 1% of total time 
(99% of time wireless is off) – reduces 
wireless traffic increasing reliability.

Mesh network – 

Good connectivity – 

data can be transmitted from one 
device to another ensuring high 
signal reliability.

software uses simple “wait before 
transmit” logic to ensure error 
free transmissions.

Smart Programmer used for 
commissioning – 

simple, fast, individual, setting 
of operational parameters from 
ground level.

Available in most Thorlux Smart 
luminaires, including the Smart 
External range –

seamless introduction of wireless 
communication to a Smart System.

Designed and manufactured by 
Thorlux in the UK – 

a one-stop shop for luminaires, 
controls and connectivity.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

patentgranted 
 
22 STRATEGIC REPORT
ERNEST GEORGE THORPE
1917–2015

We regret to announce the 
passing of Ernest Thorpe 
earlier this year, February 2015. 
Ernest was the son of Frederick 
William Thorpe, the founder of 
FW Thorpe Plc and the father of 
Ian and Andrew Thorpe, both of 
whom are still influential in the 
business today.

Ernest Thorpe was instrumental in laying the 
foundations of the Group as we know it today. 
He saw the business through four factory 
relocations; if one includes the first premises 
being “the spare bedroom.”  Whilst the Group 
has changed in many ways, the fundamental 
principles instilled by Frederick and Ernest are 
ever present. 

Ernest went to Solihull School where he 
excelled at sports; he played for the school first 
rugby fifteen and for the tennis team. When he 
left school he took up an apprenticeship at 
George Verity, a Birmingham company where 
his father, Frederick William Thorpe, was 
Managing Director of the lighting division. 

In his leisure time Ernest played rugby for the 
Old Silhillians and tennis at the Arden Lawn 
Tennis Club. He enjoyed the social life of 
Solihull and started to court Betty Williams, the 
daughter of the first Manager of the Midland 
Bank Solihull.

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23

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In 1936 Frederick left Verity’s disappointed at 
the lack of progress of other divisions in the 
Group and started his own company with 
Ernest. They worked hard to establish the 
business before operations were interrupted by 
the Second World War. 

Ernest never talked about his wartime 
experiences and his sons, Ian and Andrew, 
never asked him. It was by chance that when 
Ian and his wife, Liz, mentioned they were 
visiting Orkney on holiday that Ernest revealed 
he had been trained on search lights near 
Scapa Flow and the Old Man of Hoy. He went 
on to serve in the Eighth Army in North Africa, 
in Italy and was second day-in on D-Day. 
He was present at the Battle of El Alamein 
and the capture of Tunis on 7 May 1943 and 
a section of a censored letter he wrote to his 
parents on 8 May 1943 says: “When the word 
was given we went straight through the gap 
made by the 7th Armoured and bagged Tunis 
in two days.”

On the 9 February 1944 he returned on leave to 
marry Betty Williams at Solihull Parish Church; it 
was their 71st Wedding Anniversary two days 
before he died.

After the war Ernest concentrated on the 
family business where he ran the factory as 
Works Director, becoming Managing Director 
and then Chairman. He was a principled and 
conscientious employer. He could be described 
as a benevolent capitalist. There were many 
acts of kindness to employees in trouble 
or difficulty which were often unseen or 
unknown. He would, on the other hand, stand 
no nonsense from disruptive elements within 
the company. 

When Ernest decided he was too old for tennis, 
golf became his sport and he joined Ladbrook 
Park Golf Club in Warwickshire. At the time a 
silver teaspoon was awarded to the winner 
of the monthly medal and it was not long 
before the kitchen drawer was full of spoons. 
The supply gradually dwindled as his handicap 

reduced. He continued to visit Ladbrook Park 
well into his nineties, meeting friends for lunch 
every other Wednesday.

Ernest, although retiring as Chairman, 
continued his involvement as a non-executive 
director, always maintaining a keen interest. 
In his retirement he continued to play golf and 
also joined Warwickshire Cricket Club where 
spent many happy summer days at Edgbaston. 
He would also spend long periods at the family 
holiday house in Tenby where he could play 
golf or take the boat out and fish for bass along 
the coastline.

When Betty began to show the effects of 
Alzheimer’s, Ernest became her carer until his 
health started to fail. In his final years Ernest 
grew frustrated that he could no longer do 
what he used to, but perhaps now he can.

Edited by Tara Thorpe (Granddaughter)

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
24 GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  ANDREW THORPE

  MIKE ALLCOCK

  CRAIG MUNCASTER

Chairman and  
Joint Group Chief Executive

Joint Group Chief Executive and 
Managing Director, Thorlux Lighting

Financial Director and 
Company Secretary

Andrew is the grandson of the company founder, 
Frederick William Thorpe. After serving an 
apprenticeship with the company, he has worked in 
various parts of the business, leading to the positions 
of Export Sales Director, Manufacturing Director and 
then Managing Director of Thorlux Lighting. In 2000, 
he became Joint Group Chief Executive and in 2003 
Group Chairman.

Mike joined FW Thorpe Plc in 1984 as an apprentice, 
working his way to Technical Director for Thorlux 
Lighting in 1998, taking responsibility for the 
company’s design programme. He was appointed 
Group Technical Director in 2001, Managing 
Director of Thorlux Lighting in 2003 and Joint 
Group Chief Executive in 2010. Mike is a Chartered 
Electrical Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of 
Engineering and Technology. He is passionate about 
developing innovative, high technology, market-
leading products.

After graduating in Business Administration, Craig 
qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 
2000. He has spent time in the manufacturing and 
engineering sectors, more recently as UK Financial 
Director for Durr, which included a number of 
overseas ventures and projects for the wider group.

  TONY COOPER

  DAVID TAYLOR

Manufacturing Director, 
Thorlux Lighting

Managing Director, 
Philip Payne

Tony graduated from Loughborough University 
with a B.Tech in Production Engineering and 
Management in 1984 and became a Chartered 
Engineer in 1988. He worked in various 
manufacturing industries, including Mars Electronics 
and Thomas & Betts, before joining Thorlux Lighting 
as Manufacturing Director in 1998.

David joined FW Thorpe Plc in 1978 and on 
completion of a commercial apprenticeship leading 
to an HNC in Business Studies he worked in various 
roles at Thorlux Lighting and elsewhere within the 
Group. In 1996, he became Managing Director of 
Philip Payne Limited.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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  IAN THORPE

  COLIN BRANGWIN

  PETER MASON

Non-executive director

Non-executive director

Non-executive director

Ian, grandson of the company founder, was 
Manufacturing Director of Thorlux Lighting from 
1978 until 1993 when he became Personnel 
Director. He became a non-executive director 
on 1 October 1997 and is a member of the 
remuneration committee.

After joining the company in 1963, Colin was 
appointed a director in 1969, later as joint Managing 
Director, and in 1995 was appointed Chairman. 
He became non-executive Chairman in 2000, 
resigning from this role on 30 June 2003.

After studying Electrical Engineering at Aberdeen 
University, Peter qualified as a Chartered Accountant 
with Price Waterhouse in 1976. He spent time with 
Planet Group and TI Group before joining FW Thorpe 
Group in 1987 as Finance Director. He became Joint 
Chief Executive in July 2000. He became a non-
executive director in June 2010, and is the Chairman 
of the remuneration committee.

COMPANY INFORMATION

WEBSITES

Registered Office: 
Merse Road, 
North Moons Moat, 
Redditch, 
Worcestershire B98 9HH

Registered No. 
FW Thorpe Plc is registered in 
England and Wales No. 317886

www.fwthorpe.co.uk
www.thorlux.com
www.thorlux.com.au
www.thorlux.de
www.thorlux.ie
www.thorlux.ae
www.compact-lighting.co.uk
www.philippayne.co.uk
www.solite-europe.com
www.portlandlighting.co.uk
www.trtlighting.co.uk
www.lightronics.nl

ADVISERS

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Cornwall Court, 
19 Cornwall Street,
Birmingham B3 2DT

Bankers
Lloyds 
Church Green East,  
Redditch, 
Worcestershire B98 8BZ

Solicitors
SGH Martineau 
No 1 Colmore Square, 
Birmingham B4 6AA

Nominated Adviser
N+1 Singer 
12 Smithfield Street, 
London EC1A 9BD

Registrars
Equiniti 
Aspect House, 
Spencer Road, 
Lancing BN99 6DA

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
26 GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The directors have the pleasure in submitting their annual report and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group and the company 
for the year ended 30 June 2015.

Results and dividends
The results for the year are set out in detail on page 36.

Revenue increased by 19.9% to £73.5m. Excluding the acquisition of Lightronics, the increase in revenue was 14.5%. Operating profit also showed an 
improvement of 16.7% to £13.7m, (12.6% excluding Lightronics) benefiting from the improved profitability at Compact and TRT and reduced losses 
from Sugg due to its disposal.

Net finance income declined during the year to £0.7m (2014: £0.8m), with bank interest rates continuing at historic lows and cash balances used 
to fund the acquisition of Lightronics.

The taxation charge reflects a weighted average tax rate of 18.7% (2014 (restated): 17.8%). This is higher than the rate in the previous year due 
to reduced tax relief for R&D expenditure. 

On 31 March 2015, the company paid an interim dividend of 1.10p per share (2014: 1.05p) amounting to £1,272,000 (2014: £1,228,000). A final 
dividend of 2.55p (2014: 2.20p) per ordinary share is proposed amounting to £2,950,000 (2014: £2,545,000) and, if approved, will be paid on 
19 November 2015. Total dividends paid during the year amounted to £5,552,000 in aggregate (2014: £3,568,000). The final dividend for 2014 was paid 
on 20 November 2014.

Cash and liquidity management
The Group’s cash is managed in accordance with the treasury policy. Cash is managed centrally on a daily basis to ensure that the Group has sufficient 
funds available to meet its needs and invests the remainder. The majority of cash is placed with approved counterparties either on overnight deposit 
or time deposit. There are a series of time deposits which are maturing on a rolling cycle in order to meet regular business payments, with a margin for 
larger regular and one-off payments as well as seasonal variation in cash requirements.

The Group primarily trades in sterling. There is an exposure to foreign currency as the Group buys and sells in foreign currencies and maintains currency 
bank accounts in US Dollars, Australian Dollars, UAE Dirhams and Euros. The activities of buying and selling in foreign currency are broadly matched 
with currencies bought and sold as required in order to minimise currency exposures. Larger exposures would be hedged in order to reduce the risk 
of adverse exchange rate movement. There were no currency hedging derivatives in place at 30 June 2015 or 30 June 2014.

Pension scheme position and funding
The pension scheme position as shown in the balance sheet remains in surplus. A triennial actuarial valuation at 30 June 2012 has been completed and 
a funding level for the future has been agreed between the trustees of the scheme and the directors of the company. The directors consider it unlikely 
that any changes to the present funding levels will have any significant effect on the strength of the company’s balance sheet.

A triennial actuarial valuation at 30 June 2015 has commenced and will be completed by the end of the financial year.

Group research and development activities
The Group is committed to research and development activities in order to maintain its market share in the industrial and commercial lighting 
market. These activities encompass constant development of both new and existing products to ensure that a leading position in the lighting market 
is maintained.

During the year the Group spent £1,542,000 (2014: £1,428,000) on capitalised development costs which includes internal labour.

Property, plant and equipment
The directors are of the opinion that the market value of the freehold land and buildings is in excess of their net book value. Whilst it is considered that 
the market value is significantly greater than the net book value for many of the Group’s properties as a result of being acquired between one and over 
twenty years ago, management consider that undertaking formal valuation exercises would be costly for limited value and consequently no formal 
exercise has been undertaken.

Creditor payment policy
The Group’s policy concerning the payment of its trade creditors is to accept and follow the normal terms of payment amongst suppliers to the 
lighting industry. Payments are made when they fall due, which is usually on the day after the end of the calendar month following the month in 
which delivery of goods or services is made. Where reasonable settlement discount terms are offered for early payment, these terms are usually taken 
up. The number of days represented by the company’s year end trade payables is 41 (2014: 45).

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

27

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

The Group has the responsibility for managing the challenges that affect the business on a daily basis; this also includes our impact on the 
environment, our workforce, and the community.

Environment
The Group is committed to minimising the environmental impact of both its manufacturing processes and its products. However, even with the 
most responsible approach, some carbon dioxide (CO2) will be released into the atmosphere as an indirect result of factory and selling activities and 
customers’ use of luminaires. 

In 2009, FW Thorpe designed an ambitious carbon offsetting scheme to help compensate for these emissions. The scheme is now accredited under 
the Woodland Carbon Code and now has 70,324 trees planted. The Group requires some 8,000 or so plantings per annum to offset the CO2 produced 
by our operations.

Employee policies
Employees are kept informed of matters of concern to them as employees by publication and distribution of a company newsletter and other notices, 
or by specially convened meetings.

Committees representing the different groups of employees meet regularly to ensure the views of employees are taken into account in making 
decisions that are likely to affect their interests.

The involvement of employees in the Group’s performance is encouraged by various incentive schemes including a profit related bonus scheme.

Information on the financial and economic factors affecting the performance of the Group is made available twice yearly at the time of publication 
of the interim and annual statements to shareholders.

The Group is committed to developing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees consistent with the requirements of the Health and 
Safety at Work Act. Within the constraints of health and safety, disabled people are given full and fair consideration for job vacancies. Depending on 
their skills and abilities, disabled people enjoy the same career prospects as other employees, and if employees become disabled every effort is made 
to ensure their continued employment, with appropriate training where necessary.

Policies for recruiting employees are designed to ensure equal opportunities irrespective of colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex or 
marital status.

Charitable gifts
During the year the Group gave £7,372 (2014: £7,283) for charitable purposes. This is made up of donations to UK charities for children’s welfare of £660, 
cancer care of £250, healthcare of £300, educational schemes of £2,643, emergency aid and homelessness of £75 and local causes of £3,444.

DIRECTORS

The directors of the company during the year and at the date of this report are set out on pages 24 and 25.

The directors retiring by rotation are A B Thorpe, A M Cooper and C M Brangwin who, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. The contracts 
for A B Thorpe and A M Cooper are terminable on 24 and 12 months’ notice respectively. C M Brangwin does not have a service contract with 
the company.

DIRECTORS’ SHARE INTERESTS

The details of the directors’ share interests are set out in the directors’ remuneration report on pages 33.

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITIES

As permitted by the Articles of Association, the directors have the benefit of an indemnity which is a qualifying third party indemnity provision as 
defined by section 234 of the Companies Act 2006. The indemnity was in force throughout the last financial year and is currently in force. The company 
also purchased and maintained throughout the financial year directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in respect of itself and its directors.

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
28 GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

BOARD CONSTITUTION

The company continues to be proprietorial in nature and the directors act as a unitary Board and as a consequence are unable to see the benefits 
of splitting the Board into sub-committees and in particular of constituting audit and nomination committees as matters that would normally be 
considered by an audit or nomination committee are addressed by the full Board with the non-executive directors present and the auditors attending 
as appropriate.

A remuneration committee has been established with the following people serving on it:

P D Mason
Non-executive director and Chairman of the committee.

I A Thorpe 
Non-executive director.

Terms and conditions for the operation of this committee are in place and it meets as and when required. The committee’s report is presented 
on pages 31 to 33.

Where there is a requirement for a senior personnel or subsidiary board appointment a sub-committee is formed. Any appointment to the Group 
Board would involve all Board members in the selection process.

The Board meets regularly during the year and has a schedule of matters reserved for its approval, which only the Board may change.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS

At 9 October 2015, the company had received notification of the following interests in 3% or more of the issued share capital, excluding holdings 
of directors:

E G Thorpe 

FMR LLC 

6,556,980 shares (5.7%)

6,245,000 shares (5.3%)

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS

Directors are kept informed of the views of shareholders by face-to-face contact at the company’s premises on the day of the Annual General Meeting 
and, if appropriate, by meeting with major shareholders at other times during the year.

DIRECTORS’ AUTHORITY TO ISSUE SHARES

In previous years, at the Annual General Meeting, shareholders have been asked to pass resolutions to authorise the directors to allot shares for cash 
or to grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares in the company and to allow them to do so (and also to sell treasury shares) in 
certain circumstances without first offering the shares in question to existing shareholders.

As the directors have no intention of exercising these authorities, it has been decided not to renew them at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This will not, however, prevent shares from being allotted or treasury shares being sold to individuals who exercise options under any share option 
scheme of the company.

PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

Resolution number 8 set out in the notice of the Annual General Meeting will, if it is approved, allow the company to exercise the authority contained 
in the Articles of Association to purchase its own shares. The Board has no firm intention that the company should make purchases of its own shares if 
the proposed authority becomes effective, but would like to be able to act quickly if circumstances arise in which such a purchase would be desirable. 
Purchases will only be made on the Alternative Investment Market and only in circumstances where the directors believe that they are in the best 
interests of the shareholders generally. Furthermore, purchases will only be made if the directors believe that they would result in an increase in 
earnings per share.

The proposed authority will be limited by the terms of the special resolution to the purchase of 11,893,559 ordinary shares representing 10% of the 
company’s issued ordinary share capital at 9 October 2015 and a nominal value of £118,936.

The minimum price per ordinary share payable by the company (exclusive of expenses) will be 1p. The maximum to be paid will be an amount not 
more than 5% above the average of the middle market quotations for ordinary shares of the company as derived from the Alternative Investment 
Market on the five business days immediately preceding the date of each purchase. The company may either cancel any shares which it purchases 
under this authority or transfer them into treasury, and subsequently sell or transfer them out of treasury or cancel them. The maximum number of 
shares and the permitted price range are stated in order to comply with statutory and Stock Exchange requirements and should not be taken as 
representative of the number of shares (if any) which may be purchased, or the terms of such a purchase. 

The authority will lapse on the date of the Annual General Meeting of the company in 2016. However, in order to maintain the Board’s flexibility 
of action it is envisaged that it will be renewed at future Annual General Meetings.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
 
 
29

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

As a company whose shares are traded on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange Plc, the company is not required to 
comply with the Principles of Good Governance and Code of Best Practice (“The UK Corporate Governance Code”, or the “Code”). However, the Board 
considers the Quoted Companies Alliance’s “Corporate Governance Guidelines for Smaller Quoted Companies” (the QCA Guidelines) relevant due to 
the size and complexity of the company. The QCA Guidelines apply key elements from the Code and other relevant guidance to the needs of small 
and mid-size quoted companies for which the Code may not be entirely or directly relevant.

The directors consider that the company applies the principles of best practice with the exception of the matters listed below.

•  There are no independent Board members.
•  The Board does not have an independent audit committee.
The directors believe that the exceptions, which are more fully explained in the sections relating to the Board constitution and the directors’ 
remuneration report, are appropriate for the size and context of the Group’s business.

STATEMENT ON THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

Each of the directors confirms that, as far as he is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware, and that 
he has taken all the steps he ought to have as a director to make himself aware of any relevant audit information, and to establish that the auditors are 
aware of that information. The above is in accordance with the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006. The auditors have direct access to 
all members of the Board and attend and present their reports at appropriate Board meetings. The Board considers, at least annually, the relationships 
and fees in place with the auditors to confirm their independence is maintained.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, have expressed their willingness to continue in office and a resolution for their re-appointment will be 
proposed at the next Annual General Meeting.

GOING CONCERN

The directors confirm that they are satisfied that the Group and company have adequate resources, with £19.2m cash and £9.4m short-term deposits, 
to continue in business for the foreseeable future, and for this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

By order of the Board

C Muncaster
Director

9 October 2015 

Registered Office: 
Merse Road 
North Moons Moat 
Redditch 
Worcestershire 
B98 9HH

Company Registration Number: 317886

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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30 GOVERNANCE

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ 
RESPONSIBILITIES

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the Group 
and company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 
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 the affairs of the Group and the company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained 

in the financial statements; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company and the Group 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 the Group 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 the Group and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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

By order of the Board

C Muncaster 
Director

9 October 2015

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

31

The Board has prepared this report to the shareholders, taking into account sections 420 to 422 of the Companies Act 2006 and AIM Rule 19. 
The Board has delegated the responsibility for the executive directors’ remuneration to the remuneration committee. The scope of their responsibilities 
includes the executive directors’ service contracts, salaries and other benefits, which comprise their terms and conditions of employment.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

The current members of the remuneration committee are the non-executive directors P D Mason (Chairman of the committee) and I A Thorpe. 
The committee has met as and when required during the financial year. No member of the committee has any personal financial interest in the 
matters to be decided other than as shareholders. There are no conflicts of interest arising from cross-directorships or day-to-day involvement in 
running the business. The committee has access to market data when considering the remuneration of the executive directors.

REMUNERATION POLICY – EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The aim of the committee is to ensure that the executive directors are fairly rewarded for their responsibilities and contribution to the performance of 
the Group. The committee seeks to achieve this with a combination of performance and non-performance related remuneration designed to attract, 
retain and motivate the directors. 

In establishing the salaries of the directors, the committee takes into account the responsibilities and performance of the individual together with data 
from comparable organisations and indicative trends for the business and its economic sector.

The remuneration package consists of the following elements.

1. 

2. 

 Basic salary, benefits in kind and other benefits. The salary is determined in August each year, unless there has been a change in responsibilities, 
where an adjustment will be made at the same time. The benefits in kind mainly consist of the provision of a car and health insurance. A director 
may choose to take a cash allowance instead of a car. Other benefits consist of pension arrangements and life assurance.

 Annual bonus. The bonus is made up of two elements. The first element relates to the operating profit of the business unit for which the director 
has specific performance responsibilities. The second element relates to the operating profit of the Group as a whole. The bonuses are paid in 
September and relate to the period ending on 30 June in the same year.

REMUNERATION POLICY – NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The Board as a whole determines the remuneration of the non-executive directors. The Board takes into account the contribution made and the 
relative time spent on the company’s affairs. The non-executive directors do not receive bonuses. Their benefits in kind consist of the provision of 
health insurance.

DIRECTORS’ SERVICE CONTRACTS

A B Thorpe and M Allcock have service contracts terminable on two years’ notice. A M Cooper, C Muncaster and D Taylor have service contracts 
terminable on one year’s notice. P D Mason, C M Brangwin and I A Thorpe do not have formal service contracts with the company.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The graph below shows the comparative data for the FTSE AIM share index and the FTSE Fledgling share index, rebased to 100, as these are considered 
to be the most appropriate comparative indices for the company’s business.

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350

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250

200

150

100

50

2010

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2012

2013

2014

2015

  FW Thorpe

  AIM All Share

  FTSE Fledgling

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
32 GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT
CONTINUED

DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS (AUDITED)

Executive directors
A B Thorpe
M Allcock
D Taylor
A M Cooper
C Muncaster 
Non-executive directors
C M Brangwin
I A Thorpe
P D Mason
Total emoluments

2015  
Salary/fees  
£’000

2015  
Bonus  
£’000

2015  
Benefits  
£’000

2015  
Total  
£’000

208
208
103
115
125

26
26
26
837

135
135
53
80
88

–
–
–
491

27
16
16
11
12

11
14
4
111

370
359
172
206
225

37
40
30
1,439

2014  
Total  
£’000

336
330
156
184
189

36
39
29
1,299

The directors’ emoluments exclude contributions to the pension scheme.

DIRECTORS’ PENSION ARRANGEMENTS

M Allcock, A M Cooper and D Taylor are members of the defined contribution section of the FW Thorpe Retirement Benefits Scheme. M Allcock and 
D Taylor have a final salary guarantee as they were previously members of the defined benefit section. C Muncaster has a personal pension to which 
the company contributes.

C M Brangwin, I A Thorpe, A B Thorpe and P D Mason are retired members of the defined benefit section.

The FW Thorpe Retirement Benefits Scheme is a funded, Inland Revenue approved occupational pension scheme. The scheme is divided into two 
sections – a defined benefit scheme and a defined contribution scheme. The defined benefit section was closed to new members on 1 October 1995.

 The defined benefit section aims to provide a maximum pension of two-thirds of pensionable salary at normal retirement date. M Allcock’s and 
D Taylor’s pensionable salary includes an average of the previous three years’ profit bonus. Defined contribution members contribute up to 5% of basic 
salary and the company contributes up to 9.5%.

All the executive directors are covered by life assurance benefit of four times pensionable salary. In addition, the defined benefit scheme members are 
entitled to a spouse’s pension on death.

The following directors, excluding those classified as pensioners, had accrued entitlements under the defined benefit section of the pension scheme.

M Allcock
D Taylor

Value of 
accrued 
pension at 
30 June 2015 
£pa
88,229
56,539

Director’s 
contributions  
during the  
year  
£
14,917
6,823

Change in 
value of  
accrued 
pension since 
30 June 2014 
£pa
15,320
6,144

Age at  
year end
47
53

Normal  
pension age
65
65

The following table shows the contributions paid by the company in respect of those directors participating in the defined contribution section of the 
pension scheme.

A M Cooper

2015 
£’000
10,767

2014 
£’000
8,665

C Muncaster has a personal pension which is not part of the company scheme, and the following contributions have been made during the year.

C Muncaster

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

2015 
£’000
10,983

2014 
£’000
8,665

33

DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDINGS

The directors listed below were in office during the year. Directors’ interests in the share capital of the company at 30 June 2015 and 1 July 2014 were 
as follows:

Executive directors
A B Thorpe
M Allcock
D Taylor
A M Cooper
C Muncaster 
Non-executive directors
C M Brangwin
I A Thorpe
P D Mason

Ordinary shares of 1p 
Beneficial

2015

2014

27,602,700
114,000
55,913
84,000
–

7,731,530
25,047,120
1,626,370

27,899,840
114,000
55,913
84,000
–

7,731,550
25,047,120
1,626,370

In addition, C M Brangwin has a joint non-beneficial interest in 1,700,000 shares (2014: 1,700,000 shares). 

On 5 August 2014 the beneficial holding of A B  Thorpe decreased by 297,140 to 27,602,700.

The market price of the company’s shares at the beginning and end of the financial year was 131.5p and 175p respectively and the range of market 
prices during the year was from 124p to 176.5p. 

EXECUTIVE SHARE OWNERSHIP PLAN (ESOP)

Share options were granted during the year, under the company’s ESOP, to the company’s executive directors and certain directors of subsidiary 
companies. The plan allows the vesting of options subject to the achievement of performance targets, being annual growth of pre-tax Earnings Per 
Shares in excess of RPI plus 3% over a five-year period. The options that were granted to the executive directors are detailed in the table below:

Date Granted
Share Options
Exercise price (p)

M Allcock

A B Thorpe

 C Muncaster
24 October 2014 24 October 2014 24 October 2014 24 October 2014 24 October 2014
200,000
124

200,000
124

200,000
124

200,000
124

200,000
124

A M Cooper

D Taylor

There have been no other changes in the interests of the directors in the share capital of any company in the Group during the period 1 July 2015 to 
9 October 2015.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

C Muncaster
Director

9 October 2015

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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34 GOVERNANCE

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF FW THORPE PLC

REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our opinion
In our opinion:

•  FW Thorpe Plc’s group financial statements and company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair view of the state of 
the Group’s and of the company’s affairs as at 30 June 2015 and of the Group’s profit and the Group’s and the company’s cash flows for the year 
then ended;

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted 

by the European Union;

•  the 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.

What we have audited
The financial statements comprise:

•  the Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets as at 30 June 2015;
•  the Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended;
•  the Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash Flows for the year then ended;
•  the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended; and
•  the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted 
by the European Union and, as regards the company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the directors have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates. In making such estimates, they have made assumptions and considered future events.

OPINION ON OTHER MATTER PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

In our opinion the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

OTHER MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

Adequacy of accounting records and information and explanations received
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not 

visited by us; or

•  the company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.
We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Directors’ remuneration

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not 
made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. 

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE AUDIT

Our responsibilities and those of the directors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 30, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on 
Auditing (UK and Ireland) (“ISAs (UK & Ireland)”). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of 
the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any 
other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

35

What an audit of financial statements involves
We conducted our audit in accordance with ISAs (UK & Ireland). An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the 
financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by 
fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: 

•  whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and 

adequately disclosed; 

•  the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and
•  the overall presentation of the financial statements. 
We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements, and 
evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements.

We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide a reasonable basis 
for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive procedures or a combination of both. 

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report and Accounts to identify material inconsistencies with 
the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the 
knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies 
we consider the implications for our report.

Andrew Hammond (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
Birmingham

9 October 2015

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
36 ACCOUNTS

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Continuing operations

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Distribution costs

Administrative expenses

Operating profit

Finance income

Share of (loss)/profit of joint ventures

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year from continuing operations

Loss for the year from discontinued operations*

Profit for the year

Notes

2

3

7

34

8

2015 
£’000

Restated 
2014 
£’000

73,544

(41,314)

61,352

(34,321)

32,230

(6,181)

(12,331)

27,031

(5,052)

(10,227)

13,718

11,752

727

(50)

14,395

(2,691)

11,704

(253)

11,451

763

37

12,552

(2,233)

10,319

(130)

10,189

The restatement for 2014 is to take account of the discontinued operations of Sugg Lighting Limited.

* Loss for the year from discontinued operations in 2015 is made up of the trading loss, loss on disposal of assets and profit on the sale of building.

Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the equity holders of the company during the year (expressed in 
pence per share).

Basic and diluted earnings per share
– Basic
– Diluted

– Basic
– Diluted

– Basic

– Diluted

Continuing operations
Continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Discontinued operations

Total

Total

2015 
pence
10.12
10.11

(0.22)
(0.22)

9.90

9.89

Restated 
2014 
pence
8.83
8.83

(0.11)
(0.11)

8.72

8.72

Notes
24
24

24
24

24

24

The notes on pages 42 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

The company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the company 
income statement.

The profit for the company for the year was £11,118,000 (2014 : £9,995,000). 

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Profit for the year:
Other comprehensive income/(expenses)
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss
Revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets
– Arising in year
– Reclassified in year
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
– Arising in year
– Reclassified in year
Taxation

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Actuarial (loss)/gain on pension scheme
Movement on unrecognised pension scheme surplus

37

Notes

2015 
£’000
11,451

2014 
£’000
10,189

15

23

32
32

(152)
–

(21)
–
30
(143)

(247)
18
(229)

276
–

(2)
–
72
346

624
(1,216)
(592)

Other comprehensive expense for the year, net of tax

(372)

(246)

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders

11,079

9,943

The notes on pages 42 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

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38 ACCOUNTS

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY 
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION 

As at 30 June 2015

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Investment property
Loans and receivables
Investment in joint ventures
Available-for-sale financial assets
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Short-term financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets 
Total assets

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current income tax liabilities
Total current liabilities
Net current assets
Non-current liabilities 
Retirement benefit deficit
Other payables
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Deferred income tax liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings
Total equity

Group

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

Company
2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

Notes

11
10
33
14
29
34
15
23

18
19
20
16
17

21

32
21
22
23

25
26
26

13,834
14,349
–
2,171
4,760
–
3,018
17
38,149

17,762
19,698
389
9,358
19,176
66,383
104,532

(14,656)
(2,051)
(16,707)
49,676

–
(3,838)
(102)
(1,021)
(21,668)
82,864

1,189
656
137
80,882
82,864

13,088
6,722
–
2,135
1,340
57
3,441
36
26,819

14,404
14,882
388
15,638
17,911
63,223
90,042

(11,012)
(718)
(11,730)
51,493

–
–
(102)
(923)
(12,755)
77,287

1,189
656
137
75,305
77,287

7,848
3,558
13,682
7,027
4,760
–
3,018
–
39,893

11,817
18,169
389
9,358
18,868
58,601
98,494

(12,062)
(1,515)
(13,577)
45,024

–
(3,838)
(102)
(835)
(18,352)
80,142

1,189
656
137
78,160
80,142

12,301
3,418
4,140
2,135
1,340
141
3,441
–
26,916

11,684
15,103
388
15,638
17,896
60,709
87,625

(11,179)
(638)
(11,817)
48,892

–
–
(102)
(842)
(12,761)
74,864

1,189
656
137
72,882
74,864

The notes on pages 42 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements on pages 36 to 75 were approved by the Board on 9 October 2015 and signed on its behalf by 

A B Thorpe 

C Muncaster 

Company Registration Number: 317886

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Balance at 1 July 2013
Comprehensive income
Profit for the year to 30 June 2014
Actuarial gain on pension scheme
Movement on unrecognised pension scheme surplus
Revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets
Movement on associated deferred tax
Impact of deferred tax rate change
Exchange rate movement on joint venture
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Dividends paid to shareholders
Purchase of shares
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 30 June 2014
Comprehensive income

Profit for the year to 30 June 2015
Actuarial loss on pension scheme
Movement on unrecognised pension scheme surplus
Revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets
Movement on associated deferred tax
Exchange differences on translation of foreign 
operations
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Dividends paid to shareholders
Share based payment charge
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 30 June 2015

Share  
capital  
£’000
1,189

Share 
premium 
account  
£’000
656

Capital  
redemption  
reserve  
£’000
137

Retained  
earnings  
£’000
70,558

Total  
equity  
£’000
72,540

Notes

32
32
15
23
23
34

9

32
32
15
23

9
6

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

10,189
624
(1,216)
276
(47)
119
(2)
9,943

10,189
624
(1,216)
276
(47)
119
(2)
9,943

–
–
–
1,189

–
–
–
656

–
–
–
137

(3,568)
(1,628)
(5,196)
75,305

(3,568)
(1,628)
(5,196)
77,287

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

11,451
(247)
18
(152)
30

11,451
(247)
18
(152)
30

(21)
11,079

(21)
11,079

–
–
–
1,189

–
–
–
656

–
–
–
137

(5,552)
50
(5,502)
80,882

(5,552)
50
(5,502)
82,864

The notes on pages 42 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

39

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
40 ACCOUNTS

COMPANY STATEMENT 
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

Balance at 1 July 2013
Comprehensive income
Profit for the year to 30 June 2014
Actuarial gain on pension scheme
Movement on unrecognised pension scheme surplus
Revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets
Movement on associated deferred tax
Impact of deferred tax rate change
Exchange rate movement on joint venture
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Dividends paid to shareholders
Purchase of shares
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 30 June 2014
Comprehensive income
Profit for the year to 30 June 2015
Actuarial loss on pension scheme
Movement on unrecognised pension scheme surplus
Revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets
Movement on associated deferred tax
Currency translation differences
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Dividends paid to shareholders
Share based payment charge
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 30 June 2015

Notes

Share  
capital  
£’000
1,189

Share 
premium 
account  
£’000
656

Capital  
redemption  
reserve  
£’000
137

Retained  
earnings  
£’000
68,347

32
32
15
23
23
34

9

32
32
15
23

9
6

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
1,189

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
1,189

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
656

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
656

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
137

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
137

9,995
624
(1,216)
276
(47)
112
(13)
9,731

(3,568)
(1,628)
(5,196)
72,882

11,118
(247)
18
(152)
30
13
10,780

(5,552)
50
(5,502)
78,160

Total  
equity  
£’000
70,329

9,995
624
(1,216)
276
(47)
112
(13)
9,731

(3,568)
(1,628)
(5,196)
74,864

11,118
(247)
18
(152)
30
13
10,780

(5,552)
50
(5,502)
80,142

The notes on pages 42 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Tax paid
Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangibles 

Purchase of subsidiary (net of cash acquired)
Disposal of subsidiary
Purchase of investment property
Purchase of available-for-sale financial assets
Sale of available-for-sale financial assets
Property rental and similar income
Dividend income
Net sale of deposits
Interest received
Receipt of loan notes
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of borrowings
Dividends paid to company’s shareholders
Purchase of own shares
Net cash used in financing activities
Net Increase in cash in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

The notes on pages 42 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

Group

2015 
£’000

13,315
(1,280)
12,035

(3,271)
167
(1,621)

(6,392)
(561)
(36)
(100)
371
154
149
6,280
301
1,261
(3,298)

(1,920)
(5,552)
–
(7,472)
1,265
17,911
19,176

2014 
£’000

10,762
(2,009)
8,753

(2,087)
153
(1,473)

(390)
–
(33)
(707)
–
157
169
4,510
365
450
1,114

–
(3,568)
(1,628)
(5,196)
4,671
13,240
17,911

Company
2015 
£’000

10,894
(1,254)
9,640

(1,409)
139
(1,418)

(8,700)
(327)
(1,340)
(100)
371
409
1,414
6,280
304
1,261
(3,116)

–
(5,552)
–
(5,552)
972
17,896
18,868

Notes

27

30

30
9

17
17

41

2014 
£’000

9,031
(2,099)
6,932

(1,632)
114
(1,324)

(390)
–
(33)
(707)
–
378
1,184
4,510
372
450
2,922

–
(3,568)
(1,628)
(5,196)
4,658
13,238
17,896

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
42 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements and company financial statements 
(the “financial statements”) are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

FW Thorpe Plc is incorporated in England and Wales. The company is domiciled in the UK. The company is a public limited company 
which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market. The address of its registered office is Merse Road, North Moons Moat, Redditch, 
Worcestershire B98 9HH.

Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of FW Thorpe Plc have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU), IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to Companies 
reporting under IFRS. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention, as 
modified by available-for-sale financial assets, financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through 
the profit and loss. 

The company and Group has adopted all IAS and IFRS adopted in the EU except for IAS 34, as AIM-listed companies are not required to adopt 
IAS 34. The company and Group has not early adopted any other standards or interpretations not yet endorsed by the EU.

The Group has not yet adopted certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards, which have been published 
but are only effective for our accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015 or later periods. These new pronouncements are 
listed below:

Amendment to IAS 1, “Presentation of financial statements on the disclosure initiative” (effective 1 January 2016)  
Amendment to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 on investment entities applying the consolidation exemption (effective 1 January 2016)  
Amendment to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 on sale or contribution of assets (effective 1 January 2016)  
Amendments to IAS 27, “Separate financial statements” on the equity method (effective 1 January 2016)  
Amendments to IAS 16, “Property, plant and equipment”, and IAS 41, “Agriculture”, regarding bearer plants (effective 1 January 2016)  
Amendment to IAS 16, “Property, plant and equipment” and IAS 38, “Intangible assets”, on depreciation and amortisation (effective 
1 January 2016)  
Amendments to IFRS 11 “ ‘Joint Arrangements’ on acquisition of an interest in a joint operation” (effective 1 January 2016)  
Annual improvements 2014 (effective 1 January 2016)  
IFRS 14, “Regulatory deferral accounts” (effective 1 January 2016)  
IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers” (effective 1 January 2017)  
IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” (effective 1 January 2018)

The directors are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these standards, amendments and interpretations in future periods, 
although it is anticipated that the impact will be immaterial.

The company has adopted the following new and amended standards as of 1 July 2014.

Amendments to IAS 32 “Financial Instruments: Presentation – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (effective 1 January 2014) 
Amendments to IAS 36 “Impairment of asset on recoverable amount disclosures” (effective 1 January 2014)  
Amendments to IAS 39 “Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement” (effective 1 January 2014)  
Amendments to IFRS 10 “Consolidated financial statements”, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 for investment entities (effective date 1 January 2014)

The adoption of these accounting standards did not have a material impact on the company’s financial statements.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
43

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

The preparation of financial information in conformity with the basis of preparation described above requires the use of certain critical 
accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the company’s and Group’s 
accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are 
significant to the consolidated financial information are disclosed in the critical accounting estimates and judgements section.

Basis of consolidation
The financial statements for FW Thorpe Plc incorporate the financial statements of the company and its subsidiary undertakings. A subsidiary 
is a company controlled directly by the Group and all the subsidiaries are wholly-owned by the Group. The Group achieves control over the 
subsidiaries by being able to influence financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits from their activities.

Intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in preparing consolidated financial statements.

Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition 
of a subsidiary is the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration 
transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration agreement. Acquisition related costs are 
expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed on a business combination are measured 
initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-
acquisition basis either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s 
identifiable net assets.

Joint ventures
Joint ventures are all entities over which the Group exercised joint control. Investments in joint ventures are accounted for by the equity 
method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost.

The Group discloses its share of the result of the joint venture on the face of the income statement. The Group also discloses its share of the 
net assets on the face of the balance sheet.

Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its joint venture are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the joint 
venture and that unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

The carrying amount of an investment in a joint venture is tested for impairment by comparing its recoverable amount with its carrying 
amount whenever there is an indication that the investment may be impaired.

Revenue recognition
The Group recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured; it is probable that future economic benefits will 
flow to the entity and when specific criteria have been met for each of the Group’s activities. The amount of revenue is not considered to 
be reliably measurable until all contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved. Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable for the sale of goods and services. The Group bases its estimates on historical results, taking into consideration the type 
of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each arrangement. Revenue is subsequently recognised based upon the goods and 
services provided, when these goods have been delivered to the customer or the service performed, excluding VAT and trade discounts.

Interest income
Interest income is recognised on a time proportion basis using the effective interest method. When a receivable is impaired the Group 
reduces the carrying amount to its recoverable amount, being the estimated cash flow discounted at the original effective interest rate 
of the instrument and continues unwinding the discount as interest income.

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Interest on impaired loans is recognised using the original effective interest rate. 

Dividend income
Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
44 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Segment reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. 
The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, 
is identified as the Group Board.

The Group is organised into eight operating segments based on the products and customer base in the lighting market. The largest 
businesses, on an on going basis, are Thorlux and Lightronics Participaties B.V. The six remaining operating segments have been aggregated 
into the “other companies” reportable segment based upon their size, comprising the entities Compact Lighting Limited, Philip Payne Limited, 
Solite Europe Limited, Portland Lighting Limited, TRT Lighting Limited and Thorlux Lighting LLC.

Pension costs
The Group operates a hybrid defined benefit and defined contribution pension scheme. The basis of the Group’s hybrid pension scheme 
provides benefits to members based upon the following:

•  Service before 1 October 1995, benefits provided are defined benefit in nature (the ”pure“ defined benefit element);

•  Service after 1 October 1995, has two elements;

•  For members joining pre-1 October 1995, benefits provided are the maximum of their defined contribution pension and their defined 

benefit pension (the ”defined benefit underpin“ element);

•  For members joining post-1 October 1995, benefits provided are defined contribution in nature (the “pure defined contribution” element).

The contributions of all three elements are paid into one pension scheme, where the contributions and assets are segregated and ring-fenced 
from each other. The assets of the scheme are invested and managed independently of the finances of the Group. Pension costs are assessed 
in accordance with the advice of an independent qualified actuary. Costs include the regular cost of providing benefits which it is intended 
should remain at a substantially level percentage of current and expected future earnings of the employees covered. Variations from the 
regular pensions cost are spread evenly through the income over the remaining service lives of current employees. Contributions made to 
the defined benefit scheme are charged to the income statement in the period in which they are made.

The liability or surplus recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets, together with adjustments for unrecognised past-service costs. 
The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. In the defined benefit 
underpin element of the scheme the liabilities reflect the greater of the defined contribution or defined benefit liabilities.

For the defined benefit underpin element of the scheme each member is tested to see whether the pension on a defined contribution or 
defined benefit basis is higher. The liabilities shown in the pensions note are based on the greater of the two liabilities for each member, 
which in almost all cases is the defined benefit liability. For the service cost, again tests are performed to see which is the higher for each 
member out of the company’s share of the defined contribution payments or the company’s share of accruing benefits on a defined benefit 
basis. The higher of these two figures for each member is then used to give the total service cost; again the defined benefit cost is the higher 
for the vast majority of members.

The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates 
of high quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity 
approximating to the terms of the related pension liability.

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to equity in the 
statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

Past-service costs are recognised immediately in income, unless the changes to the pension plan are conditional on the employees remaining 
in service for a specified period of time (the vesting period). In this case, the past-service costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over the 
vesting period. 

For defined contribution plans and pure defined contribution elements, the Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered 
pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has no further payment obligations once the 
contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognised as employee benefit expense in the income statement as they fall due, or as 
an accrued or prepaid expense. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future 
payments is available. A defined benefit surplus is only recognised if it meets the following criteria; if the Group has an unconditional right to 
a refund; or if the Group can realise it at some point during the life of the plan or when the plan liabilities are settled. If the criteria are not met 
then a defined benefit surplus is not recognised.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

45

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currency are converted to sterling using the exchange rate applicable to the date of the transaction. Foreign currency 
gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions at a different time are recognised in the income statement. 
Currency exchange differences arising from holding monetary assets or liabilities in a foreign currency are fair valued at the balance sheet 
date in accordance with prevailing exchange rates and resulting gains or losses are recognised in the income statement.

Taxation
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the 
countries where the company’s subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax 
returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate 
on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities. 

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for if it 
arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction 
affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted 
or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the 
deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures, except where the timing 
of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.

Dividend distribution
Final dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Group’s financial statements in the period in which 
the dividends are approved by the company’s shareholders.

Interim dividends are recognised as a liability in the Group’s financial statements when approved by the directors.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses where applicable. Cost includes the 
original purchase price together with the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write down the cost less estimated residual value of all plant and equipment assets by 
equal instalments over their expected useful life. The rates generally applicable are:

Freehold land 
Buildings 
Plant and equipment 

Nil 
2%–10% 
10%–33%

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. 

Assets are reviewed for impairment where there is an indication that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised within administrative 
expenses in the income statement.

Leases
Operating leases, and payments made under them are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

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46 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Intangible assets

Development costs
The Group undertakes development activities on an ongoing basis. Part of these costs relate to projects where the benefit is received in the 
short term (less than one year) and part relates to longer term projects where the benefit is expected to be received for several years to come. 
Costs associated with the shorter term activities are expensed as and when they are incurred. Costs associated with the longer term projects 
are capitalised as an intangible asset and amortised over the expected life of the benefit, generally at 33.33% per annum, commencing when 
the asset is available for use within the business. Development assets are recognised as intangible assets when the following criteria are met:

• 

It is technically feasible to complete the intangible asset so that it will be available for use;

•  Management intends to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;

•  There is an ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

• 

It can be demonstrated how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;

•  Adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset are available; and

•  The expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development can be reliably measured.

Other development expenditures that do not meet these criteria are recognised as an expense as incurred.

Development costs previously recognised as an expense are not recognised as an asset in a subsequent period.

The economic success for development activities is uncertain and carrying amounts are reviewed at each balance sheet date for impairment 
in accordance with IAS 36.

Development assets are valued at cost less accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses.

Fishing rights
Fishing rights are stated at cost less accumulated impairment where applicable. The rights are not amortised, but assessed annually 
for impairment. 

Goodwill
Goodwill is stated at cost less accumulated impairment where applicable. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over 
the fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets of the acquired subsidiary undertaking at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is reviewed for 
impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. An impairment loss is 
recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or 
groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose.

Software costs
Software costs are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment where applicable. Amortisation is calculated on a straight-
line basis to write down the cost less estimated residual value over its useful life. The amortisation rates are between 20% and 50% per annum.

Patent costs
Patents are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation. Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write down the cost less 
estimated residual value over its useful life. The amortisation rate is 20%.

Other intangible assets
An intangible asset acquired in a business combination is recognised at fair value to the extent it is probable that the expected future 
economic benefits attributable to the asset will flow to the Group and that its cost can be measured reliably. Intangible assets principally 
relate to brand names and technology which were valued discounting estimated future net cash flow from the asset. The cost of intangible 
assets is amortised through the income statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic life.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

47

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Investment properties
Investment properties are recognised at cost, and then subsequently cost less accumulated depreciation and (if applicable) any accumulated 
impairment losses. Freehold land is not depreciated.

After a review, land and buildings not occupied by the company have been reclassified, in the company accounts, from property, plant and 
equipment to investment property. The review determined this classification better reflects the nature of the properties.

Investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures
Investments in subsidiaries are held at cost less impairment. Cost includes directly attributable costs of investment. The Group has applied the 
equity method of accounting to recognise the interest in the joint venture.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. 

The cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises raw materials, direct labour, other direct costs and related production overheads 
based on normal operating capacity. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the costs 
of completion and selling expenses. Provision is made against the cost of slow-moving, obsolete and other stock lines based on their net 
realisable value.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method, 
less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the 
Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the 
debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or delinquency in payments (more than 30 
days overdue) are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the 
asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. The carrying 
amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, the amount of the loss is recognised in the income statement 
within “distribution costs”. When a trade receivable is uncollectable, it is written off against the allowance account for trade receivables. 
Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against “distribution costs” in the income statement.

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss are financial assets held for trading and are measured at their fair values.

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale
Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as assets held for sale when their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through 
a sale transaction and a sale is considered highly probable. They are stated at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell 
if their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and a sale is considered 
highly probable.

Short-term financial assets
Short-term financial assets are defined as cash term deposits with banks with an original term of three months and over.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash in hand, on demand deposits and short-term deposits with banks with an original term less 
than three months.

Current asset investments
Current asset investments are valued at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognised in the income statement.

Available-for-sale financial assets
The fair value of quoted investments is based on current bid prices. Changes to fair value are recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

Trade payables
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
48 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Provisions
Provisions are recognised in the balance sheet when a group company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past 
event; it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the expenditure required 
to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date.

If the effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. A provision for restructuring is recognised 
when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring has either commenced or has been announced 
to those affected by it. In accordance with the Group’s published environmental policy and applicable legal requirements, a provision for site 
restoration in respect of contaminated land is recognised when land is contaminated.

A provision for onerous contracts is recognised when the expected benefits to be derived by the Group from a contract are lower than the 
unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. 

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations 
of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the 
related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Retirement benefit obligations
The Group recognises its obligations to employee retirement benefits. The quantification of these obligations is subject to significant 
estimates and assumptions regarding life expectancy, discount and inflation rates and the rate of increase in pension payments. In making 
these assumptions the Group takes advice from an independent qualified actuary about which assumptions best reflect the nature of the 
Group’s obligations to employee retirement benefits. These assumptions are regularly reviewed by our actuaries Capita Employee Benefits Ltd 
to ensure their appropriateness.

Warranty
The Group makes provisions for the warranty provided with the terms and conditions of sale to the customer based on past experience 
together with specific provisions for known issues. There are quality control procedures in place to ensure that products reaching customers 
are of a high standard. The technical support areas record all warranty issues in order that problems can be identified that may affect a wider 
customer base. Additionally, product failures are tested thoroughly to examine technical failures and strategies are developed to minimise 
and correct issues arising from that examination. The Group works closely with its suppliers to ensure a low failure rate for components.

Intangible assets
IFRS 3 requires the identification of acquired intangible assets as part of a business combination. The methods used to value such intangible 
assets require the use of estimates. Future results are impacted by the amortisation periods adopted and changes to the estimated useful 
lives would result in different effects on the income statement and balance sheet.

Goodwill is not amortised but is tested annually for impairment. Tests for impairment are based on discounted cash flows and assumptions 
(including discount rates, timing and growth prospects) which are inherently subjective.

Development costs
The Group undertakes development activities and the commercial viability of these activities are assessed on a continual basis. The Group 
makes assumptions about the future value of the work based on past experience of similar development projects and the feedback from the 
marketplace about future expectations for technological development. The Group seeks to minimise the risk of product development failure 
by engaging with others to overcome technological difficulties and by regularly assessing the expectation of the market.

Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, commodity price risk and security price risk), 
credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to 
minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. The Group may use derivative financial instruments to hedge certain 
risk exposures.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

49

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

(a) Market risk

(i) Foreign exchange risk
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect to 
the Euro, US Dollar, UK Pound, Australian Dollar and Arab Emirate Dirham. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions 
denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency as well as bank account balances, trade and other receivables as well 
as trade and other payables denominated in currencies other than sterling. The Group has carried out an exercise to evaluate the effect of a 
movement of 1% in each currency other than sterling, and the results are not significant. The risk is managed by maintaining relatively low 
currency balances and selling or buying currency when required.

(ii) Price risk
The Group is exposed to equity securities price risk because of investments held by the Group and classified on the consolidated balance 
sheet either as available-for-sale or at fair value through profit or loss. 

The Group has investments in UK listed securities of other entities and these are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. The nature 
of the list of investments held means the investments can go up and down in value.

(iii) Commodity price risk
The Group has an exposure to the risk of commodity price changes, in particular, metals. The Goup seeks to minimise the risk by agreeing 
prices with major suppliers in advance.

(iv) Interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk because it has cash investments and short-term financial assets which are mostly interest-bearing. 
The effect of a reduction in interest rates is to reduce financial income. There are no borrowings and the Group has no exposure to the risk 
of increased interest cost other than pension scheme interest cost.

(b) Credit risk
Credit risk is managed on a group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits 
with banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to wholesale and retail customers, including outstanding receivables and 
committed transactions. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties with a minimum Fitch rating of F1 are accepted. 
If wholesale customers are independently rated, these ratings are used. Otherwise, if there is no independent rating, risk control assesses the 
credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. Individual risk limits are set based 
on internal or external ratings in accordance with limits set by the Board. The utilisation of credit limits is regularly monitored. 

(c) Liquidity risk
Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities and the ability to close out market positions. 
Management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity reserve which comprises cash and cash equivalents together with 
short-term financial assets (note 16) on the basis of expected cash flow. All external current liabilities are expected to mature within 
four months.

Capital risk management
The Group’s policy has been to maintain a strong capital basis in order to maintain investor, customer, creditor and market confidence. 
This sustains future development of the business, safeguarding the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns 
for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. 

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to 
shareholders or issue new shares. From time to time the Group purchases its own shares in the market; the timing of these purchases is 
dependent on market prices, to ensure such transactions are sufficiently beneficial for the company, its earnings per share and returns to 
investors. The Group continues to seek to maintain the balance of these returns, while strengthening the reserves and equity position of the 
company, via continued profitability and structured growth.

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
50 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

The Group has a long-standing policy not to utilise debt within the business, providing a robust capital structure even within the toughest 
economic conditions. The Group’s significant cash resources allow such a position, but also require close management, to ensure that 
sufficient returns are being generated from these resources. The Group’s policy with regard to the cash resources are to ensure they generate 
sufficient returns, whether by investment in business activities, such as plant and equipment, or assessing suitable opportunities to grow the 
business, or the physical investment of these funds to ensure appropriate returns to investors. 

The Group is able to maintain its current capital structure because there are no externally imposed capital requirements, and there were no 
changes in the Group’s approach to capital management during the year.

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

Fair value estimation

Financial instruments
Financial instruments that are measured at fair value are disclosed in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the following 
fair value measurement hierarchy:

i)  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (level 1).

ii)   Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices), or 

indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level 2).

iii)  Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (level 3).

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. 

These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific 
estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2.

Other assets and liabilities
The carrying value less impairment provision of trade receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair values. The fair value of 
financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that 
is available to the Group for similar financial instruments.

Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Where any group company purchases the company’s equity share capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any directly 
attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes) is deducted from the equity attributable to the company’s equity holders until the 
shares are cancelled or reissued. Where such shares are subsequently reissued, any consideration received, net of any directly attributable 
incremental transaction costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity attributable to the company’s equity holders.

Share based payments
Senior executives of the Group receive remuneration in the form of share based payments. The fair value of the shares or share options 
granted is recognised over the vesting period to reflect the value of the employee services received. The charge relating to grants to 
employees of the company is recognised as an expense in the profit and loss account.

The fair value of options granted, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions, is calculated using established option pricing 
models. The probability of meeting non-market vesting conditions, which include profitability targets, is used to estimate the number of share 
options which are likely to vest.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

51

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2 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

(a) Business segments
The segmental analysis is presented on the same basis as that used for internal reporting purposes. For internal reporting FW Thorpe is 
organised into eight operating segments based on the products and customer base in the lighting market – the largest business is Thorlux, 
which manufactures professional lighting systems for industrial, commercial and controls markets. The newly acquired Lightronics business 
will be the next largest. The six remaining operating segments have been aggregated into the “other companies” reportable segment based 
upon their size, comprising the entities Compact Lighting Limited, Philip Payne Limited, Solite Europe Limited, Portland Lighting Limited, TRT 
Lighting Limited and Thorlux Lighting LLC.

FW Thorpe’s chief operating decision-maker (CODM) is the Group Board. The Group Board reviews the Group’s internal reporting in order 
to monitor and assess performance of the operating segments for the purpose of making decisions about resources to be allocated. 
Performance is evaluated based on a combination of revenue and operating profit. Assets and liabilities have not been segmented, which is 
consistent with the Group’s internal reporting.

Year to 30 June 2015
Revenue to external customers
Revenue to other group companies
Total revenue
Operating profit
Net finance income
Share of loss of joint venture
Profit before income tax

Year to 30 June 2014 (restated)
Revenue to external customers
Revenue to other group companies
Total revenue
Operating profit
Net finance income (restated)
Share of profit of joint venture
Profit before income tax

Thorlux 
£’000

Lightronics 
£’000

Other 
companies 
£’000

Inter- 
segment 
adjustments 
£’000

Total 
continuing 
operations  
£’000

54,192
2,329
56,521
11,267

3,275
–
3,275
481

16,077
1,781
17,858
1,944

–
(4,110)
(4,110)
26

49,657
650
50,307
10,593

–
–
–
–

11,695
1,146
12,841
961

–
(1,796)
(1,796)
198

73,544
–
73,544
13,718
727
(50)
14,395

61,352
–
61,352
11,752
763
37
12,552

Inter segment adjustments to operating profit consist of property rentals on premises owned by FW Thorpe Plc, adjustments to profit 
related to stocks held within the Group that were supplied by another segment and adjustments to investment provisions relating to 
group companies.

(b) Geographical analysis 
The Group’s business segments operate in three main areas, the UK, the rest of Europe and the rest of the world.

The home country of the company, which is also the main operating company, is the UK.

The Group’s revenue is generated mainly within the UK.

UK
Europe
Other countries

2015
£’000

61,317
10,138
2,089
73,544

Restated 
2014
£’000

53,769
5,319
2,264
61,352

The vast majority of assets and capital expenditure are in the UK, and cannot be split geographically in relation to the Group’s revenues.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
52 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

3 GROUP OPERATING PROFIT

Group operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting):
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment
Rental income from investment property
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 11):
– owned assets
Operating lease rentals:
– plant and machinery
– other
Intangible amortisation/impairment (note 10)
Foreign exchange losses recognised in income statement

Services provided by the company’s auditors
During the year, the Group obtained the following services from the company’s audit and its auditors:

Group
Fees payable to company’s auditors for the audit of the company and consolidated financial statements
Fee payable to the company’s auditor and its associates for other services:
– the audit of company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
– taxation advisory services

2015
£’000

(102)
(118)

2014
£’000

(75)
(120)

1,300

1,269

149
207
1,484
234

2015
£’000
49

90
5
144

54
134
1,439
96

2014
£’000
46

50
43
139

It is the Group’s practice to employ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where their 
expertise and experience with the Group are important.

4 OTHER GAINS – NET

Other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (note 20).

Fair value gains

Other financial assets at fair value consist of units in a sterling cash fund.

2015
£’000
1

2014
£’000
–

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

53

5 EMPLOYEE INFORMATION

The average monthly number of employees employed by the Group (including executive directors) during the year is analysed below:

Production
Sales and distribution
Administration
Total average headcount

Employment costs of all employees (including executive directors).

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs

2015
Number
258
119
170
547

2015
£’000
18,794
1,912
941
21,647

2014
Number
247
112
155
514

2014
£’000
15,652
1,732
681
18,065

Other pension costs include contributions to the pension scheme and other employer’s pension related charges comprising life assurance 
of £73,000 (2014: £73,000), pension administration and professional charges of £95,000 (2014: £81,000), a pension paid to a former director, 
contributions to Sugg Lighting Limited group personal pension plan and private pension schemes amounting to £77,000 (2014: £83,000).

Contributions to the defined contribution section amounted to £276,000 (2014: £251,000).

From April 2014 the Group introduced an auto enrolment pension scheme, administered independently of the FW Thorpe pension schemes. 
Contributions to the auto enrolment scheme amounted to £202,000 (2014: £48,000).

Directors’ emoluments

Aggregate emoluments
Contributions to money purchase pension schemes

Highest paid director

Total of emoluments and amounts receivable

2015
£’000
1,439
22
1,461

2015
£’000
370

2014
£’000
1,299
9
1,308

2014
£’000
336

In addition the highest paid director is a pensioner of the retirement benefits scheme with an annual pension of £134,000 (2014: £131,000).

At 30 June 2015 retirement benefits were accruing to M Allcock and D Taylor (2014: M Allcock and D Taylor) under the defined benefit scheme 
and to A M Cooper (2014: A M Cooper) under the defined contribution scheme.

Further details are provided in the directors’ remuneration report on pages 31 to 33.

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54 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

6 SHARE BASED PAYMENT CHARGE

During the year the Group established a share based remuneration scheme, created to motivate and retain those employees responsible for 
the continued success of the Group.

The Executive Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) allows for the vesting of options subject to the achievement of performance targets, being 
annual growth of pre-tax Earnings per Share in excess of RPI plus 3% over a five-year period.

Rather than issue new shares, the company will utilise shares that are already held in treasury to satisfy options.

Under IFRS 2, an expense is recognised in the income statement for share based payments, calculated on the fair value at the date of grant. 
The application of IFRS 2 gave rise to a charge of £50,000 (2014: £nil) for the period.

At 30 June 2015, there were no options exercisable (2014: nil) under the ESOP.

a) Details of changes in the number of awards outstanding during the year are set out below;

Outstanding at 1 July 2014
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Forfeited during the year
Lapsed during the year
Outstanding at 30 June 2015

Options
–
1,700,000
–
–
–
1,700,000

Exercise price 
(p/s)
–
124
–
–
–
124

The weighted average contractual life of the share based payments outstanding at the end of the year is 9.3 years.

b) Fair value calculations
The fair value of the share options granted during the year were calculated using the methods, principle assumptions and data set out below:

Method used
Date of grant
Share price at date of grant (p/s)
Exercise price (p/s)
Expected option life (years)
Vesting period (years)
Expected volatility
Expected dividend yield
Risk free rate
Fair value per share (p/s)

Black-Scholes
24 October 2014
124
124
3 – 7
3 – 7
23% – 28%
3.02%
1.06% – 1.90%
18.61 – 21.07

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the annualised standard deviation over the daily changes in the share price, and measured 
against historical share price movements over the number of years vesting period prior to the grant of the options.

Cash-settled share based payment charge
Arising from the acquisition of Lightronics Participaties B.V., the Group entered into a cash-settled share based payment arrangement with 
certain employees of Lightronics Participaties B.V. Under this arrangement, the Group is committed to purchase the 14.92% of the share 
capital held by these employees, between the third and sixth anniversaries of the acquisition, calculated by a pre-determined earnings 
multiple used to value the initial investment.

Under IFRS 2, an expense is recognised in the income statement for share based payments, calculated on the fair value at the date of grant. 
The application of IFRS 2 gave rise to a charge of £26,000 (2014: £nil) for the period. The total liability at 30 June 2015 was £26,000 (2014: £nil).

The fair value of the share based payment was calculated by estimating the additional payment due to the relevant employees, assuming 
an earnings growth of 3% per annum, and using the pre-determined earnings multiple.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
7 FINANCE INCOME

Finance income
Current assets
Interest receivable
Non-current assets
Fair value adjustment on loans
Dividend income on available-for-sale financial assets
Net rental income

8 INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Analysis of income tax expense in the year:

Current tax
Current tax on profits for the year
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Total current tax
Deferred tax (note 23)
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Total deferred tax
Income tax expense

55

2015
£’000

Restated 
2014
£’000

358

65
149
155
727

2015
£’000

2,807
(184)
2,623

68
68
2,691

375

62
169
157
763

Restated 
2014
£’000

2,162
25
2,187

46
46
2,233

The tax assessed for the year is lower (2014: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 20.75% (2014: 22.5%). The differences 
are explained below:

Profit before income tax
Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate in the UK of 20.75% (2014: 22.5%)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Accelerated tax allowances and other timing differences
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Foreign profit taxed at higher rate
Profits taxed at small companies rate
Other
Tax charge

The weighted average applicable tax rate was 18.7% (2014: 17.8%).

2015
£’000
14,395
2,987

72
(181)
(184)
21
–
(24)
2,691

Restated 
2014
£’000
12,552
2,824

12
(445)
25
–
(2)
(181)
2,233

The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK changed from 21% to 20% with effect from 1 April 2015. Accordingly the Group’s profit for this 
accounting year is taxed at an effective rate of 20.75%. Changes to the UK corporation tax rates were announced in the Chancellor’s Budget 
on 8 July 2015. These include reductions to the main rate to reduce the rate to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 18% from 1 April 2020. 

As the changes had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date their effects are not included in these financial statements. 
The overall effect of these changes, if they had applied to the deferred tax balance at the balance sheet date, would be to reduce the deferred 
tax liability by £93,000 and decrease the tax expense for the period by £10,000.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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2014
2.00
–
1.05
3.05

2014
2.20
1.50

2014
£’000
2,340
–
1,228
3,568

2014
£’000
2,545
1,735

2015
2.55
–

2015
£’000
2,545
1,735
1,272
5,552

2015
£’000
2,950
–

56 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

9 DIVIDENDS

Dividends paid during the year are outlined in the tables below:

Dividends paid (pence per share)
Final dividend
Special dividend
Interim dividend
Total

2015
2.20
1.50
1.10
4.80

A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2015 of 2.55p per share, amounting to £2,950,000 is to be proposed at the Annual 
General Meeting on 12 November 2015. These financial statements do not reflect the dividend payable.

Dividends proposed (pence per share)
Final dividend
Special dividend

Dividends paid
Final dividend
Special dividend
Interim dividend
Total

Dividends proposed
Final dividend
Special dividend

10 INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Group 2015
Cost
At 1 July 2014
Additions
Acquisition of a subsidiary 
(note 30)
Write-offs
At 30 June 2015
Accumulated amortisation
At 1 July 2014 
Charge for the year
Write-offs
At 30 June 2015
Net book amount
At 30 June 2015

Goodwill
£’000 

Development 
costs 
£’000 

Technology 
£’000 

Brand name 
£’000

Software 
£’000

Patents  
£’000

Fishing rights 
£’000

Total 
£’000

3,503
–

5,560
–
9,063

600
–
–
600

4,961
1,542

122
(828)
5,797

1,491
1,284
(828)
1,947

311
–

1,272
–
1,583

311
45
–
356

8,463

3,850

1,227

174
–

483
–
657

174
24
–
198

459

907
60

72
–
1,039

800
101
–
901

138

150
–

–
–
150

90
30
–
120

30

182
–

–
–
182

–
–
–
–

10,188
1,602

7,509
(828)
18,471

3,466
1,484
(828)
4,122

182

14,349

Write-offs relate to development assets where no further economic benefits will be obtained.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

57

10 INTANGIBLE ASSETS CONTINUED

Group 2014
Cost
At 1 July 2013
Additions
Write-offs
At 30 June 2014
Accumulated amortisation
At 1 July 2013 
Charge for the year
Impairment
Write-offs
At 30 June 2014
Net book amount
At 30 June 2014

Goodwill
£’000 

Development 
costs 
£’000 

Technology 
£’000 

Brand name 
£’000

Software 
£’000

Patents  
£’000

Fishing rights 
£’000

Total 
£’000

3,503
–
–
3,503

600
–
–
–
600

4,364
1,428
(831)
4,961

1,282
1,040
–
(831)
1,491

2,903

3,470

311
–
–
311

124
62
125
–
311

–

174
–
–
174

116
58
–
–
174

–

860
47
–
907

676
124
–
–
800

107

150
–
–
150

60
30
–
–
90

60

182
–
–
182

–
–
–
–
–

9,544
1,475
(831)
10,188

2,858
1,314
125
(831)
3,466

182

6,722

Amortisation and impairment of £1,484,000 (2014: £1,439,000) is included in the administrative expenses.

The Group tests intangible assets annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications of impairment. A discounted cash flow 
analysis is computed to compare the discounted estimated future operating cash flows to the net carrying value of the goodwill and other 
intangible assets for each operating segment or business as appropriate.

The tests are based on the following assumptions:

•  Cash flows for the 12 months are based upon the Group’s annual budget;

•  Cash flows beyond the budget period, typically up to five years, are based on the annual budget cash flows with a growth rate of 2%;

•  The estimated cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discounted rate based upon the Group’s estimated weighted average cost of 

capital of 10%.

Any impairment identified as a result of the analysis are expensed to the income statement. The test is dependent on management estimates 
and judgements, in particular in relation to the forecasting of future cash flows, and the discount rate applied to these cash flows.

The Group performed various sensitivity analyses which involved reducing future cash flows by up to 25%, reducing terminal growth rates 
by up to five percentage points, or increasing pre-tax discount rates by up to 100 bps. The results of these analyses showed that, despite 
significantly lower post-tax operating cash flows, or increased pre-tax discount rates, the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible 
assets continued to exceed their value in use.

Goodwill
£’000 

Development 
costs 
£’000 

Software 
£’000

Patents  
£’000

Fishing rights 
£’000

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–
–
600

600
–
–
600

4,415
1,348
(740)
5,023

1,342
1,135
(740)
1,737

–

3,286

751
52
–
803

648
95
–
743

60

150
–
–
150

90
30
–
120

30

Total 
£’000

6,098
1,400
(740)
6,758

2,680
1,260
(740)
3,200

182
–
–
182

–
–
–
–

182

3,558

Company 2015
Cost
At 1 July 2014
Additions
Write-offs
At 30 June 2015
Accumulated amortisation
At 1 July 2014
Charge for the year
Write-offs
At 30 June 2015
Net book amount
At 30 June 2015

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
58 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

10 INTANGIBLE ASSETS CONTINUED

Company 2014
Cost
At 1 July 2013
Additions
Write-offs
At 30 June 2014
Accumulated amortisation
At 1 July 2013
Charge for the year
Write-offs
At 30 June 2014
Net book amount
At 30 June 2014

Goodwill
£’000 

Development 
costs 
£’000 

Software 
£’000

Patents  
£’000

Fishing rights 
£’000

600
–
–
600

600
–
–
600

3,891
1,281
(757)
4,415

1,164
935
(757)
1,342

–

3,073

706
45
–
751

529
119
–
648

103

150
–
–
150

60
30
–
90

60

Total 
£’000

5,529
1,326
(757)
6,098

2,353
1,084
(757)
2,680

182
–
–
182

–
–
–
–

182

3,418

For development costs, the Group capitalises employee costs and directly attributable material costs necessary to design, construct and test 
new and improved product ranges and technology. These costs are only capitalised where they meet all the criteria set out in IAS 38.

Where development costs relate to products or technologies that are not expected to generate future economic benefits, do not meet the 
requirements of IAS 38 or relate to research, they are charged to the income statement.

11 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost
At 1 July 2014
Additions
Acquisition of a subsidiary (note 31)
Transfer to investment property
Disposals
At 30 June 2015
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 July 2014
Charge for the year
Transfer to investment property
Disposals
At 30 June 2015
Net book amount
At 30 June 2015

Group

Company

Freehold land 
and buildings
£’000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Total 
£’000

Freehold land  
and buildings 
£’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

10,910
1,438
–
–
(1,269)
11,079

2,306
203
–
(151)
2,358

15,979
1,760
100
–
(1,254)
16,585

11,495
1,097
–
(1,120)
11,472

26,889
3,198
100
–
(2,523)
27,664

13,801
1,300
–
(1,271)
13,830

10,910
50
–
(5,557)
–
5,403

2,306
98
(786)
–
1,618

12,649
1,285
–
–
(385)
13,549

8,952
849
–
(315)
9,486

Total 
£’000

23,559
1,335
–
(5,557)
(385)
18,952

11,258
947
(786)
(315)
11,104

8,721

5,113

13,834

3,785

4,063

7,848

Freehold land which was not depreciated at 30 June 2015 amounted to £1,033,000 (2014: £947,000) (Group and company).

Land and buildings owned by the company, but used by subsidiary companies has been reclassified to investment property

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

59

Total 
£’000

22,252
1,600
(293)
23,559

10,468
1,023
(233)
11,258

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Cost
At 1 July 2013
Additions
Disposals
At 30 June 2014
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 July 2013
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 30 June 2014
Net book amount
At 30 June 2014

12 COMMITMENTS

Group

Company

Freehold land 
and buildings
£’000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Total 
£’000

Freehold land  
and buildings 
£’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

10,491
419
–
10,910

2,113
193
–
2,306

14,711
1,636
(368)
15,979

10,709
1,076
(290)
11,495

25,202
2,055
(368)
26,889

12,822
1,269
(290)
13,801

10,491
419
–
10,910

2,113
193
–
2,306

11,761
1,181
(293)
12,649

8,355
830
(233)
8,952

8,604

4,484

13,088

8,604

3,697

12,301

(a) Capital commitments
Capital expenditure contracted for at the balance sheet date but not yet incurred is as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Group

2015 
£’000
427

2014 
£’000
1,267

Company
2015 
£’000
408

2014 
£’000
1,267

(b) Operating lease commitments
The Group leases premises under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The lease terms are between one and four years (2014: five 
and twenty years), and the lease agreements are renewable at the end of the lease period at market rate.

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Group

Company

Land and 
buildings  
2015  
£’000
200
399
–
599

Land and 
buildings  
2014  
£’000
110
198
–
308

Land and 
buildings  
2015  
£’000
18
2
–
20

Land and 
buildings  
2014  
£’000
21
24
–
45

Within one year
Within two to five years
Over five years

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
60 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

13 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY

All financial instruments measured at fair value are categorised as level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy, whereby the fair value is 
determined by using valuation techniques, except for £3,407,000 (2014: £3,829,000) of fixed rate listed investments included in available-for-
sale and other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss that are classified as level 1. The valuation techniques for level 2 instruments 
use observable market data where it is available, for example quoted market prices, and rely less on estimates.

The accounting policies for financial instruments have been applied to the line items below:

Loans and 
receivables 
£’000

Available- 
for-sale 
£’000

4,760
–
–
18,586
9,358
19,176
51,880

–
3,018
–
–
–
–
3,018

Loans and 
receivables 
£’000

Available- 
for-sale 
£’000

1,340
–
–
14,145
15,638
17,911
49,034

–
3,441
–
–
–
–
3,441

Loans and 
receivables 
£’000

Available- 
for-sale 
£’000

4,760
–
–
17,644
9,358
18,868
50,630

–
3,018
–
–
–
–
3,018

Assets at  
fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss 
£’000

–
–
389
–
–
–
389

Assets at  
fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss 
£’000

–
–
388
–
–
–
388

Assets at  
fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss 
£’000

–
–
389
–
–
–
389

Total 
£’000

4,760
3,018
389
18,586
9,358
19,176
55,287

Total 
£’000

1,340
3,441
388
14,145
15,638
17,911
52,863

Total 
£’000

4,760
3,018
389
17,644
9,358
18,868
54,037

Group
30 June 2015
Assets as per balance sheet
Loans and other receivables
Available-for-sale financial assets
Other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Trade and other receivables
Short-term financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total

Group
30 June 2014
Assets as per balance sheet
Loans and other receivables
Available-for-sale financial assets
Other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Trade and other receivables
Short-term financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total

Company
30 June 2015
Assets as per balance sheet
Loans and other receivables
Available-for-sale financial assets
Other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Trade and other receivables
Short-term financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

61

Total 
£’000

1,340
3,441
388
14,587
15,638
17,896
53,290

Assets at  
fair value 
through 
the profit 
and loss 
£’000

–
–
388
–
–
–
388

Company
2015 
£’000
10,670
10,670

2014 
£’000
10,041
10,041

Loans and 
receivables 
£’000

Available- 
for-sale 
£’000

1,340
–
–
14,587
15,638
17,896
49,461

Group

2015 
£’000
12,721
12,721

–
3,441
–
–
–
–
3,441

2014 
£’000
9,551
9,551

13 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY CONTINUED

Company
30 June 2014
Assets as per balance sheet
Loans and other receivables
Available-for-sale financial assets
Other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Trade and other receivables
Short-term financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total

The above analysis excludes prepayments.

Liabilities as per balance sheet
Trade and other payables (excluding statutory liabilities)

Financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost.

The Group and company did not have derivative financial instruments at 30 June 2015 or 30 June 2014.

All assets and liabilities above are considered to be at fair value.

14 INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Freehold land 
and buildings
£’000 

1,009
–
–
–
1,009

–
–
–
–
–

Group

Company

Other 
£’000

1,126
–
36
–
1,162

–
–
–
–
–

Total 
£’000

Freehold land  
and buildings 
£’000

Other 
£’000

Total 
£’000

2,135
–
36
–
2,171

–
–
–
–
–

1,009
5,557
1,304
(1,269)
6,601

–
786
101
(151)
736

1,126
–
36
–
1,162

–
–
–
–
–

2,135
5,557
1,340
(1,269)
7,763

–
786
101
(151)
736

1,009
1,009

1,162
1,126

2,171
2,135

5,865
1,009

1,162
1,126

7,027
2,135

Cost
At 1 July 2014
Transfer from land and buildings
Additions
Disposals
At 30 June 2015
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 July 2014
Transfer from land and buildings
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 30 June 2015
Net book amount
At 30 June 2015
At 30 June 2014

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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62 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

14 INVESTMENT PROPERTY CONTINUED 

The following amounts have been recognised in the income statement:

Rental income
Direct operating expenses arising from investment properties that generate rental 
income

Group

2015 
£’000
118

2014 
£’000
120

Company
2015 
£’000
373

(18)

(15)

(105)

2014 
£’000
120

(15)

The investment property and land, for the Group, consists of property held for investment purposes, a property with land and fishing rights 
by the River Wye, and land designated for woodland in Monmouthshire. 

Investment property of £1,288,000 (2014: £1,288,000) is freehold land and therefore not depreciated; the property element includes 
accumulated depreciation of £269,000 (2014: £269,000) which relates to the property occupied by Mackwell Electronics Ltd up to the date 
of disposal of this business. No further depreciation has been charged. The associated fishing rights for the property by the River Wye are 
included in intangible assets.

A fair value exercise was undertaken in August 2014 of the land by the River Wye and the land in Monmouthshire which has resulted 
in a valuation of £1.5m, which is greater than the carrying value of those specific investment properties. 

The company’s investment properties consist of land and buildings used by subsidiaries in their normal course of business. The company 
receives rental income from the subsidiaries for the use of these premises and incurs amortisation costs. These properties have been 
reclassified from land and buildings during the year.

Each investment property generates rental income.

15 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS

Group and company
Beginning of year
Net (disposals)/additions
Revaluation
End of year

2015
3,441
(271)
(152)
3,018

2014
2,458
707
276
3,441

Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade-date – the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell 
the asset. Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried at fair value through profit 
or loss. Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred 
and the Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Available-for-sale financial assets are subsequently carried at 
fair value.

There were no impairment provisions on available-for-sale financial assets in 2015 or 2014.

Available-for-sale financial assets comprise listed equity in the UK, and are almost entirely denominated in UK Pounds.

None of these assets is either past due or impaired.

The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial 
assets is impaired. For equity investments classified as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security 
below its cost is evidence that the assets are impaired. If any such evidence exists for available-for-sale financial assets, the cumulative loss – 
measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously 
recognised in profit or loss – is removed from equity and recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. Impairment losses recognised in 
the Consolidated Income Statement on equity instruments are not reversed through the Consolidated Income Statement.

16 SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL ASSETS

Group and company
Beginning of year
Net disposals
End of year

2015 
£’000
15,638
(6,280)
9,358

2014 
£’000
20,148
(4,510)
15,638

The short-term financial assets consist of term cash deposits in sterling with an original term in excess of three months.

The banks where the deposits are held are rated “A” by Fitch, with a specific rating of “F1” for short-term funds.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

63

17 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank and on hand

Group

2015 
£’000
19,176

2014 
£’000
17,911

Company
2015 
£’000
18,868

2014 
£’000
17,896

The banks where the funds are held are rated “A” by Fitch, with a specific rating of “F1” for short-term funds.

18 INVENTORIES

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods

Group

2015 
£’000
10,914
3,363
3,485
17,762

2014 
£’000
7,644
2,894
3,866
14,404

Company
2015 
£’000
5,588
2,726
3,503
11,817

2014 
£’000
5,244
2,702
3,738
11,684

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales amounted to £30,111,000 (2014: £25,027,000).

19 TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current
Trade receivables 
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Amounts owed by subsidiaries

Group

2015 
£’000
18,181
405
1,112
–
19,698

2014 
£’000
13,556
589
737
–
14,882

Company
2015 
£’000
11,924
403
525
5,317
18,169

2014 
£’000
10,395
588
516
3,604
15,103

Amounts owed by subsidiaries are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed date for repayment.

Trade receivables past due date not provided

Group

2015 
£’000
1,873

2014 
£’000
717

Company
2015 
£’000
582

2014 
£’000
169

A significant proportion of the amounts past due date were settled shortly after the end of the financial year, and taken together with the 
credit insurance policy and good credit history, the directors consider that there is no impairment and the trade receivables are therefore 
stated at their fair value, which equals their book value.

Provisions are made for bad debts when an undisputed debt is three months past due date or earlier if an adverse event occurs. A significant 
proportion of the trade receivables are insured. The policy covers 90% of the debt in the event of a claim for default. The bad debt provision 
includes the remaining 10% of the default in the event of a potential claim. No bad debt provision is made in respect of trade receivables 
from Government departments or agencies. At 30 June 2015 the bad debt provision for the Group amounted to £69,000 (2014: £27,000) and 
for the company £11,000 (2014: £3,000).

During the year the following amounts were written off:

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Net bad debt expense

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Group

2015 
£’000
33
(6)
27

2014 
£’000
19
(32)
(13)

Company
2015 
£’000
9
(3)
6

2014 
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–
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64 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

19 TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES CONTINUED

At 30 June 2015, trade receivables were due to the Group and company in the following currency denominations.

Due in £ Sterling 
Due in € Euro 
Due in UAE Dirham
Due in Australian Dollars
Total trade receivables 

Group

2015 
£’000
13,892
3,561
242
486
18,181

2014 
£’000
12,551
594
–
411
13,556

Company
2015 
£’000
10,430
1,008
–
486
11,924

2014 
£’000
9,400
584
–
411
10,395

The other assets within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivable mentioned above. The Group does 
not hold any collateral as security.

20 OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT AND LOSS

The Group and company have units in a sterling cash fund. At 30 June 2015 this amounted to £389,000 (2014: £388,000).

21 TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Current liabilities
Trade payables
Social security and other taxes
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income
Amounts owed to subsidiaries

Non-current liabilities
Other payables

Group

2015 
£’000
8,840
1,934
844
3,038
–
14,656

3,838
3,838

2014 
£’000
6,647
1,461
1,959
945
–
11,012

Company
2015 
£’000
5,347
1,392
642
1,936
2,745
12,062

–
–

3,838
3,838

2014 
£’000
4,928
1,138
1,868
526
2,719
11,179

–
–

Amounts owed to subsidiaries are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed date of repayment. Non-current liabilities is a commitment to 
purchase the outstanding share appreciation rights in the newly acquired subsidiary, Lightronics Participaties B.V. 

22 PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES

Group

2015 
£’000
102
102

Group

2015 
£’000
102
102

2014 
£’000
102
102

2014 
£’000
102
102

Company
2015 
£’000
102
102

Company
2015 
£’000
102
102

2014 
£’000
102
102

2014 
£’000
102
102

WEEE provision
Total

Analysis of total provisions:
Non-current
Total

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

65

22 PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES CONTINUED

WEEE provision
A potential liability exists for the future cost of disposal of products under the WEEE legislation for a transitional period between the adoption 
of the WEEE legislation in the European Union in August 2005 and the effective date in the UK of 1 July 2007. 

From 1 July 2007 the Group has followed Regulation 9 of the legislation and amended the terms of sale to its customers so that the customer 
is responsible for the actual costs of WEEE at the time of disposal.

Although the time scale of the utilisation of this provision cannot be predicted with certainty, it is expected that it will not be utilised before 
30 June 2016.

23 DEFERRED INCOME TAX

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and when the deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority. The offset amounts are as follows:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities 

The net movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

Beginning of year
Income statement charge 
Tax credited directly to equity
Discontinued operation
Acquired due to purchase of subsidiary
End of year

Group

2015 
£’000
17
(1,021)
(1,004)

Group

2015 
£’000
(887)
(68)
30
(7)
(72)
(1,004)

2014 
£’000
36
(923)
(887)

2014 
£’000
(912)
(47)
72
–
–
(887)

Company
2015 
£’000
–
(835)
(835)

Company
2015 
£’000
(842)
(23)
30
–
–
(835)

2014 
£’000
–
(842)
(842)

2014 
£’000
(862)
(45)
65
–
–
(842)

The movement in group deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances 
within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

Accelerated  
tax  
depreciation 
£’000
32
4
–
36
(12)
(7)
–
17

Retirement  
benefit  
obligations 
£’000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Other
£’000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total
£’000
32
4
–
36
(12)
(7)
–
17

Deferred tax assets
At 1 July 2013
Credited to the income statement
Charged directly to equity
At 1 July 2014
Credited to the income statement
Discontinued operation
Charged directly to equity
At 30 June 2015

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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66 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

23 DEFERRED INCOME TAX CONTINUED

Deferred tax liabilities
At 1 July 2013
Charged/(credited) to the income statement
Charged/(credited) directly to equity
At 1 July 2014
Charged to the income statement
Credited directly to equity
Acquired due to purchase of subsidiary
At 30 June 2015

The deferred income tax credited/(charged) to equity during the year is as follows:

Tax on revaluation of available-for-sale assets
Impact of deferred tax rate change

24 EARNINGS PER SHARE

Accelerated  
tax  
depreciation 
£’000
112
(31)
(11)
70
22
–
72
164

Fair value
gains and 
losses
£’000
123
5
31
159
–
(30)
–
129

Research & 
development
£’000
709
77
(92)
694
34
–
–
728

Group

2015 
£’000
30
–
30

2014 
£’000
(47)
119
72

Company
2015 
£’000
30
–
30

Total
£’000
944
51
(72)
923
56
(30)
72
1,021

2014 
£’000
(47)
112
65

Basic and diluted earnings per share for profit attributable to equity holders of the company
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the company by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding ordinary shares purchased by the company and held as treasury shares. 

2015

Restated 
2014
115,675,590 116,792,165
10,189
8.83
(0.11)
8.72

11,451
10.12
(0.22)
9.90

2015

Restated 
2014
115,706,334 116,792,165
10,189
8.83
(0.11)
8.72

11,451
10.11
(0.22)
9.89

Basic
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
Profit attributable to equity holders of the company (£’000)
Basic earnings per share (pence per share) continuing operations
Basic earnings per share (pence per share) discontinued operations
Basic earnings per share (pence per share)

Diluted
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (fully diluted)
Profit attributable to equity holders of the company (£’000)
Diluted earnings per share (pence per share) continuing operations
Diluted earnings per share (pence per share) discontinued operations
Diluted earnings per share (pence per share)

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

67

Group and company

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

1,189

1,189

Group and company

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

33
–
33
3,260,000

20
13
33
3,260,000

25 SHARE CAPITAL

Allotted and fully paid 
118,935,590 ordinary shares of 1p each (2014: 118,935,590 ordinary shares of 1p each)

The ordinary shareholders each have one vote per share.

Movements in treasury shares included in share capital
Shares held in treasury at 1 July 
Purchases
Share capital at 30 June 
Number of shares held in treasury at 30 June 

There were no shares issued during the year (2014: nil). There are 1,700,000 (2014: nil) share options outstanding at the year end. 

26 OTHER RESERVES

Group and company
At 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2015

27 CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS

Cash generated from continuing operations
Profit before income tax
Depreciation charge
Amortisation/impairment of intangibles
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposal of a subsidiary
Finance income 
Retirement benefit contributions in excess of current and past service charge
Share of loss/(profit) from joint venture
Adjustment for share based payments
Effects of exchange rate movements
Changes in working capital
– Inventories
– Trade and other receivables
– Trade and other payables
Cash generated from continuing operations

Share
premium
account
£’000
656

Capital 
redemption 
reserves
£’000
137

Group

Company

2015 
£’000
14,395
1,288
1,484
(104)
–
(727)
(229)
50
76
(28)

(1,707)
(3,659)
2,215
13,054

Restated
2014 
£’000
12,552
1,255
1,439
(70)
–
(763)
(403)
(37)
–
–

(2,481)
(2,640)
1,881
10,733

2015 
£’000
13,272
1,049
1,260
(88)
391
(2,563)
(229)
141
76
1

(133)
(3,574)
1,291
10,894

2014 
£’000
12,140
1,023
1,084
(54)
–
(1,996)
(403)
–
–
–

(1,587)
(3,510)
2,334
9,031

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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68 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

2015
£’000
(233)
12
–
7

84
189
202
261

2015 
£’000
13,054
261
13,315

2014
£’000
(129)
14
(5)
10

19
(143)
263
29

2014 
£’000
10,733
29
10,762

Purchases  
of goods  
£’000
135
507
–
386
–
753
–

Purchases  
of goods  
£’000
34
405
–
148
2
555

Sales of  
goods  
£’000
74
52
8
351
–
1,683
159

Sales of  
goods  
£’000
30
43
21
136
–
420

Sales  
of services  
£’000
4
1
11
7
2
19
–

Dividends 
paid  
to company 
£’000
–
500
–
15
750
–
–

Sales  
of services  
£’000
4
1
18
2
–
19

Dividends paid  
to company 
£’000
–
500
–
15
500
–

27 CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS CONTINUED

The cash generation from discontinued operations is as follows:

Cash generated from discontinued operations
Loss before income tax
Depreciation charge
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Finance income – net
Changes in working capital
– Inventories
– Trade and other receivables
– Trade and other payables
Cash generated from discontinued operations

Total cash generated from operations
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total cash generated from operations

28 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following amounts relate to transactions between the company and its subsidiaries:

2015
Compact Lighting Limited
Philip Payne Limited
Sugg Lighting Limited
Solite Europe Limited
Portland Lighting Limited
TRT Lighting Limited
Thorlux Lighting LLC

2014
Compact Lighting Limited
Philip Payne Limited
Sugg Lighting Limited
Solite Europe Limited
Portland Lighting Limited
TRT Lighting Limited

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

69

28 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS CONTINUED

Balances due to and from the company by related entities were as follows:

Compact Lighting Limited
Philip Payne Limited
Sugg Lighting Limited
Solite Europe Limited
Portland Lighting Limited
TRT Lighting Limited
Thorlux Lighting LLC
Total

Amounts due to related 
party at 30 June

Amounts due from related 
party at 30 June

2015 
£’000
(32)
(981)
–
(146)
(1,533)
(53)
–
(2,745)

2014 
£’000
(1)
(1,114)
–
(124)
(1,420)
(60)
–
(2,719)

2015 
£’000
1,645
–
–
68
–
3,104
500
5,317

2014 
£’000
1,977
15
4,324
40
–
1,532
–
7,888

Trading balances arise from transactions of goods and services carried out under normal commercial terms.

Cash resources are managed centrally by the company and result in balances owed to and from the company when cash is transferred.

The key management personnel are the Group Board directors; their interests are disclosed in the directors’ remuneration report on pages 31 
to 33. There are a 6 employees who are related parties (2014: 4). Total remuneration for the period was £218,000 (2014: £180,000).

Mackwell Electronics Limited is a related party because there is a connection between a director of the company C M Brangwin and 
N A Brangwin who is a director of Mackwell Electronics Limited. During the year the company sold goods to Mackwell amounting to £3,000 
(2014: £5,000), purchased goods amounting to £2,152,000 (2014: £2,385,000), and sold services of £nil (2013: £nil). At the year end there 
were trade balances due to Mackwell Electronics Limited of £332,000 (2014: £238,000) and £1,000 due from Mackwell Electronics Limited 
(2014: £2,000). The company is owed £950,000 (2014: £1,450,000) in respect of the loan notes issued to the company as part of the sale 
agreement (note 29), plus accrued interest of £51,000 (2014: £29,000) at the balance sheet date. The company owns the premises occupied 
by Mackwell Electronics Limited and rent is charged of £102,000 per annum (2014: £102,000). The rent is comparable to commercial rents for 
similar buildings in the area.

N A Brangwin is a related party because there is a connection between a director of the company C M Brangwin and N A Brangwin. 
The company is owed £300,000 in respect of a loan made to N A Brangwin at the same time as the sale of Mackwell Electronics. The loan is 
secured with shares in FW Thorpe with a current value in excess of the loan amount. At 30 June 2015 there was accrued interest due to the 
company of £7,000 (2014: £3,000).

29 LOAN NOTES

Following the disposal of Mackwell Electronics Limited on 2 December 2011 the Group acquired loan notes of £2,000,000 as part of 
the consideration.

The loan notes are repayable on 2 December 2016 and attract two different rates of interest; £1,625,000 at 1% over the Bank of England base 
rate and £375,000 at 4% over the Bank of England base rate.

A repayment of £500,000 was received during the year, which has reduced the balance due at 1% over the Bank of England base rate to 
£950,000 (2014: £1,450,000). The balance due at the higher interest rate of 4% above the Bank of England base rate is £nil (2014: £nil).

The outstanding loan note tranche at 1% over the Bank of England base rate of £950,000 has been subject to a fair value adjustment in 
respect to the interest rate. The carrying value has been adjusted to reflect a commercial interest rate of 4.2% over the Bank of England base 
rate, which is considered to be a rate that Mackwell Electronics Limited would incur in the external market. The fair value of that tranche of 
loan notes is considered to be £905,000.

Following the disposal of Sugg Lighting Limited on 6 February 2015 the Group acquired loan notes of £1,634,000 secured on the freehold 
property. As at 30 June 2015, the outstanding value of these loan notes was £1,588,336. Further details of these loan notes are provided 
in note 31.

Part of the acquisition of Lightronics Participaties B.V. included providing loans notes of €4,200,000 of which €1,000,000 were repaid 
immediately after the completion of the acquisition. At the date of the financial statements, the loan notes balance was €3,200,000 equating 
to £2,267,000 at the end of year exchange rate. Further details of these loan notes are provided in note 30.

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70 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

30 ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARY

On 1 April 2015 the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Lightronics Participaties B.V. with share appreciation rights granted for 35% of 
the share capital with a fixed commitment to be determined between the third and sixth year anniversaries of the acquisition calculated by a 
pre-determined earnings multiple used to value the initial investment.

An assessment has been made on the future increase in value of the 35% share appreciation rights. £3,838,000 is included as contingent 
consideration and disclosed in Other payables in the Consolidated Financial Position. This includes £3,000,000 based on the initial valuation 
and £838,000 based on the estimated increase in future value. 

As part of the transaction, the 35% held by existing shareholders and management has been partially funded by FW Thorpe by the issue of a 
loan. At the date of the financial statements, the loan notes balance was €3,200,000 equating to £2,267,000 at the end of year exchange rate. 
The loan notes are repayable on or before the sixth anniversary (1 April 2021) and attract an interest rate of 4%.

The amounts recognised in respect of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out below.

Cash
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Total identifiable assets
Goodwill
Total purchase consideration

Total purchase consideration satisfied by:
Cash
Contingent consideration
Total consideration

Net cash outflow arising on acquisition
Cash consideration
Less cash in subsidiary acquired
Cash outflow on acquisition

£’000
386
1,949
100
1,855
1,439
(1,920)
(1,747)
2,062
5,560
7,622

6,778
844
7,622

6,778
(386)
6,392

A fair value exercise has been performed on the assets and liabilities, the results were that property, plant and equipment, trade and other 
receivables and trade and other payables were assessed and book value was considered fair value. Inventories were also assessed and a 
reduction of £262,000 applied to reflect slow moving stock lines.

Fair value of intangible assets was assessed and determined on the basis of the technology and brand name acquired. Both the technology 
and brand name elements were determined using an industry typical royalty rate over a seven and five-year period respectively, discounted 
to the present day.

The goodwill relates to the ongoing level of profitability of the business model, opportunity to sell existing Group products into the Dutch 
market and potential sourcing benefits for other Group companies.

The Borrowings of £1,920,000 were fully repaid on 1 April 2015 post-acquisition.

Lightronics Participaties B.V. contributed £3,275,000 in revenue, and £481,000 to the Group’s operating profit for the period between the 
date of acquisition and the balance sheet date. On an annualised basis based on the 2014/15 accounting period, revenue would have been 
£10,900,000 and an operating profit of £1,200,000.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

71

Period ended
6 February
2015
£’000
984
(1,217)
(233)
99
(119)
(253)

Year ended
30 June 2014
£’000
1,595
(1,724)
(129)
(1)
–
(130)

31 DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY

Discontinued operations
On 6 February 2015, the Group disposed of Sugg Lighting Limited. The losses up to the date of disposal were:

Revenue
Expenses
Loss before tax expense
Attributable tax expense
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations
Loss attributable to discontinued operations – (attributable to owners of the company)

During the year Sugg Lighting Limited, contributed £261,000 (2014: £29,000) to the Group’s net operating cash flows.

A loss of £119,000 arose on the disposal of Sugg Lighting Limited, being the proceeds of disposal less the associated costs and the carrying 
amount of the subsidiary’s net assets and attributable goodwill.

Disposal of subsidiary
On 6 February 2015 the Group disposed of its interest in Sugg Lighting Limited. The net assets of Sugg Lighting Limited were £288,000 at the 
date of disposal.

The loss on disposal of £119,000 resulted from disposal of net assets of £288,000 less a gain of £169,000 from the disposal of the premises 
occupied by Sugg Lighting Limited.

The total consideration was satisfied by loan notes issued of £1,634,000. 

Loan notes of £1,634,000 were issued by the company to Sugg Lighting Limited in order that Sugg Lighting Limited could purchase the 
freehold property they occupied. 

The loan notes are secured on the freehold property and are repayable in monthly instalments to be fully repaid 10 years from drawdown on 
6 February 2015. The interest rate applied to these loan notes is 3% over Bank of England base rate.

The impact of Sugg Lighting Limited on the Group’s results in the current and prior periods is disclosed in the section relating to 
discontinued operations.

32 PENSION SCHEME

The Group operates a funded hybrid pension scheme for employees in the UK. The scheme is approved by the Inland Revenue under Chapter 
1 Part XIV of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Membership is contracted in to the second state pension.

The basis of the Group’s hybrid pension scheme is to provide benefits to members based on the following:

•  For service prior to 1 October 1995, the benefits provided are defined benefit in nature.

•  For service from 1 October 1995, the benefits provided have two elements depending on the date that the member joined the 

pension scheme.

•  For members joining before 1 October 1995, benefits provided are the higher of their defined contribution pension and their defined 

benefit pension.

•  For members joining on or after 1 October 1995, benefits provided are defined contribution in nature.

The contributions of the pure defined contribution, the defined benefit underpin and pure defined benefit elements are paid into one 
pension scheme, where the contributions and assets are segregated and ring-fenced from each other.

For the defined benefit underpin element of the scheme, each member is tested to see whether the pension on a defined contribution or 
defined benefit basis is higher. The liabilities shown in the pensions note are based on the greater of the two liabilities for each member, 
which in almost all cases is the defined benefit liability. For the service cost, again, tests are performed to see which is the higher for each 
member out of the company’s share of the defined contribution payments or the company’s share of accruing benefits on a defined benefit 
basis. The higher of these two figures for each member is then used to give the total service cost; again the defined benefit cost is the higher 
for the vast majority of members.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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72 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015 

32 PENSION SCHEME CONTINUED

The assets of the scheme are held separately from the assets of the Group, being invested in Managed Funds. Contributions by the Group to 
the scheme during the year ended 30 June 2015 amounted to £705,000 (2014: £818,000). Contributions are determined by an independent 
qualified actuary on the basis of triennial valuations using the Project Unit Method.

The date of the most recent actuarial valuation was 1 July 2012, and at that date the value of the fund was £23,791,000. This was sufficient to 
cover 93% of the value of the benefits accrued to members after allowing for future increases in earnings. In arriving at the actuarial valuation, 
the following assumptions were adopted.

Price inflation 

Salary increases 

Discount rate 

Revaluation for deferred pensioners 

2.90%

4.65%

3.80%

2.40%

The figures at 1 July 2012 have been updated as at the balance sheet dates in order to assess the additional disclosures required under IAS 19 
as at 30 June 2015 by an independent qualified actuary using the following major assumptions.

Price inflation
Salary increases
Discount rate
Revaluation for deferred pensioners
Pension increases in payment of 5% pa or RPI if less
Pension increases in payment of 2.5% pa or RPI if less
Life expectancy at age 65 – men
Life expectancy at age 65 in 20 years – men
Life expectancy at age 65 – women
Life expectancy at age 65 in 20 years – women

The balance sheet figures required under IAS 19 are as follows:

2015
3.40%
3.40%
3.80%
2.40%
3.30%
2.20%
23.0 years
24.4 years
24.9 years
26.4 years

2014
3.50%
3.50%
4.30%
2.50%
3.30%
2.20%
22.9 years
24.3 years
24.8 years
26.3 years

2013
3.40%
3.50%
4.60%
2.50%
3.30%
2.25%
24.2 years
26.2 years
26.6 years
28.5 years

2012
2.80%
4.55%
4.40%
2.05%
2.75%
2.10%
22.5 years
24.4 years
24.9 years
26.8 years

2011
3.70%
5.45%
5.50%
2.95%
3.55%
2.35%
22.4 years
24.4 years
24.8 years
26.7 years

30 June 2015

30 June 2014

30 June 2013

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

Equities
Bonds
Other
Total market value of assets
Present value of scheme liabilities
Surplus in the scheme

Expected 
long-term 
rate of 
return
n/a

Value 
£’000
13,696
3.80% 16,486
1,522
31,704
(28,824)
2,880

n/a

Expected 
long-term 
rate of 
return
n/a
4.30%
n/a

Expected 
long-term 
rate of 
return
n/a
4.60%
0.50%

Expected 
long-term 
rate of 
return
6.20%
4.40%
0.50%

Expected 
long-term 
rate of 
return
7.75%
5.00%
0.50%

Value 
£’000
9,744
12,484
1,596
23,824
(23,809)
15

Value 
£’000
11,166
10,982
1,328
23,476
(22,993)
483

Value 
£’000
11,829
13,267
1,545
26,641
(24,959)
1,682

Value 
£’000
12,796
14,707
1,448
28,951
(26,053)
2,898

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are determined as follows:

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of plan assets
Surplus in the scheme
Less restriction of surplus recognised in the balance sheet
Liability recognised in the balance sheet

2015 
£’000
(28,824)
31,704
2,880
(2,880)
–

2014
£’000
(26,053)
28,951
2,898
(2,898)
–

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

73

2015 
£’000
(26,053)
(476)
(1,105)
(340)
(1,695)
845
(28,824)

2014
£’000
(24,959)
(415)
(1,146)
(311)
(41)
819
(26,053)

2015 
£’000
28,951
1,249
1,304
705
340
(845)
31,704

2014
£’000
26,641
1,233
767
818
311
(819)
28,951

2015 
£’000
476
–
476

2014
£’000
415
–
415

2015 
£’000
1,304
(142)
(1,553)
–
144
18
(229)

2015 
£’000
(2,789)
(247)
(3,036)

2014
£’000
767
(99)
58
(189)
87
(1,216)
(592)

2014
£’000
(3,413)
624
(2,789)

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32 PENSION SCHEME CONTINUED

The movement in the defined benefit obligation over the year is as follows:

At 1 July 
Current service cost
Interest cost
Contributions by plan participants
Actuarial losses
Benefits paid
At 30 June

The movement in the fair value of the plan assets of the year is as follows:

At 1 July 
Expected return in plan assets
Actuarial gains
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
At 30 June 

The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

Current service cost
Net interest cost
Total included within staff costs and finance income

Of the total charge, £476,000 (2014: £415,000) and £nil (2014: £nil) were included in “administrative expenses” and “finance 
income” respectively.

Analysis of amount recognised in the statement of comprehensive income

Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets
Experience losses arising on the scheme liabilities
Changes in assumptions underlying the present value on the scheme liabilities
Movement in recovery plan liability
Net interest cost
Restriction of pension scheme surplus
Actuarial loss recognised in the statement of comprehensive income

Cumulative actuarial loss recognised in the statement of comprehensive income at 1 July 
Actuarial (loss)/gain recognised in the statement of comprehensive income for the year
Cumulative actuarial loss recognised in the statement of comprehensive income at 30 June 

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
74 ACCOUNTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

For the year ended 30 June 2015

32 PENSION SCHEME CONTINUED

The restriction in the scheme surplus is excluded from the cumulative actuarial gain recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. 
As as result of the most recent valuation, and in the light of the non-recognition of the pension scheme surplus, the recovery plan liability of 
£189,000 (2014: £189,000) is included in Other Payables.

The expected return on plan assets is determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying the current 
investment policy. Expected yields on fixed interest investments are based on gross redemption yields as at the balance sheet date. 
Expected returns on equity and property investments reflect long-term real rates of return experienced in the respective markets.

The actual return on plan assets over the year ending 30 June 2015 was £2,553,000 (2014: £2,000,000) or 8.1% (2014: 6.9%).

The Group expect to pay £730,000 contributions (2014: £727,000) into the pension scheme during the forthcoming year.

History of experience gains and losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income

Difference between the expected and actual return 
on scheme assets
Percentage of scheme assets
Experience (loss)/gain on 
scheme liabilities
Percentage of the present value of scheme liabilities
Changes in assumptions underlying the present value 
of scheme liabilities
Percentage of the present value of scheme liabilities
Movement in recovery plan liability
Percentage of the present value of scheme liabilities
Net interest income
Percentage of the present value of scheme liabilities
Restriction of pension scheme surplus
Percentage of the present value of scheme liabilities
Amount which has been recognised in the SoCI
Percentage of the present value of the 
scheme liabilities

33 GROUP COMPANIES

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

£’000

%

£’000

%

£’000

%

£’000

%

£’000

%

1,304

767

1,061

(142)

(1,553)

–

144

–

(247)

4%

0%

5%

0%

0%

0%

1%

(99)

58

(189)

87

–

624

3%

0%

0%

1%

0%

0%

2%

(438)

191

–

47

–

861

193

227

(1,830)

–

–

–

(1,410)

4%

2%

1%

0%

0%

0%

3%

1,335

(433)

152

–

–

(483)

571

1%

1%

8%

0%

0%

0%

6%

6%

2%

0%

0%

0%

2%

2%

The parent company has the following investments as at 30 June 2015 and 30 June 2014:

Name of undertaking
Compact Lighting Limited
Philip Payne Limited
Sugg Lighting Limited
Solite Europe Limited
Portland Lighting Limited
TRT Lighting Limited
Lightronics Participaties B.V.
Lightronics B.V.
Lightronics GmbH

Country of incorporation
England
England
England
England
England
England
Netherlands
Netherlands
Germany

Description of shares held
Ordinary £1 shares
Ordinary £1 shares
Ordinary £1 shares
Ordinary £1 shares
Ordinary £1 shares
Ordinary £1 shares
Ordinary €0.01 shares
Ordinary €454 shares
Ordinary €1 shares

Proportion of nominal 
value of issued shares held 
by group and company
100%
100%
100% Disposed of on 6 February 2015
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Acquired on 1 April 2015
Acquired on 1 April 2015
Acquired on 1 April 2015

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

75

33 GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED

The principal activities of these subsidiaries are:

Compact Lighting Limited 

–  design and manufacture of lighting solutions for retail applications 

Philip Payne Limited 

–  design and manufacture of illuminated signs 

Solite Europe Limited 

–  design and manufacture of cleanroom lighting equipment 

Portland Lighting Limited 

–  design and manufacture of lighting for signs

TRT Lighting Limited 

–  design and manufacture of lighting for roads and tunnels

Sugg Lighting Limited 

–  design and manufacture of traditional architectural lighting

Lightronics Participaties B.V. 

–  holding company

Lightronics B.V. 

–  design and manufacture of external and impact resistant lighting

Lightronics GmbH 

–  design and manufacture of external and impact resistant lighting

The cost of investment in subsidiaries is as follows:

Investment in subsidiaries – cost
Less provisions

The movement in the investment and provisions is as follows:

At 1 July 2014
Acquisition of subsidiary
Disposal of subsidiary
At 30 June 2015

34 INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

Group

2015 
£’000
–
–
–

2014 
£’000
–
–
–

Company
2015 
£’000
13,682
–
13,682

2014 
£’000
5,732
(1,592)
4,140

Costs 
£’000
5,732
9,542
(1,592)
13,682

Provision 
£’000
(1,592)
–
1,592
–

The Group has a joint venture in Australia with its local agent. The venture is jointly controlled with equal voting rights with the Group holding 
a 51% interest. Thorlux Lighting Pty Ltd is registered in Queensland and operates from a sales office in Melbourne. The Group has applied the 
equity method of accounting to recognise this interest.

The Group has a joint venture in United Arab Emirates. Thorlux Lighting LLC is registered in United Arab Emirates and operates from a sales 
office in Abu Dhabi. The Group has applied the proportionate consolidation method of accounting to recognise this interest. 

At 1 July 
Share of (loss)/profit
Exchange rate movement
Impairment provision
At 30 June 

Group

2015 
£’000
57
(50)
(7)
–
–

2014 
£’000
22
37
(2)
–
57

Company
2015 
£’000
141
–
–
(141)
–

2014 
£’000
154
–
(13)
–
141

35 EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

There were no significant events between the balance sheet date and the approval of these financial statements.

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
76 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NOTICE OF MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the seventy-ninth Annual General Meeting of FW Thorpe Plc will be held at Merse Road, North Moons Moat, Redditch, 
Worcestershire B98 9HH on 12 November 2015 at 3.15 pm to transact the following business:

Ordinary business
1. 

To receive and adopt the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2015.

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

To declare a final dividend.

To re-elect Mr A B Thorpe as a director.

To re-elect Mr A M Cooper as a director.

To re-elect Mr C M Brangwin as a director.

 To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the company, to hold office until the conclusion of the next General Meeting at which 
accounts are laid before the company and to authorise the directors to fix the auditors’ remuneration.

Special business
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions which will be proposed in the case of 7 as an ordinary resolution and in the case of 8 as 
a special resolution.

7. 

8. 

 That the directors’ remuneration report (as set out on pages 31 to 33 of the Annual Report and Accounts) for the year ended 30 June 2015 
be approved.

 That the company be generally and unconditionally authorised to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the 
Companies Act 2006) of ordinary shares of 1p each of the company provided that:

(a) 

the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be acquired is 11,893,559;

(b) 

the minimum price which may be paid for any such share is 1p;

(c) 

 the maximum price which may be paid for any such share is an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle market quotations for an 
ordinary share in the company as derived from the Alternative Investment Market for the five business days immediately preceding the day on 
which such share is contracted to be purchased;

(d) 

the authority hereby conferred shall expire on the date of the Annual General Meeting of the company in 2016; and

(e) 

 the company may make a contract to purchase its ordinary shares under the authority hereby conferred prior to the expiry of such authority, 
which contract will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such authority, and may purchase its ordinary shares in pursuance 
of any such contract.

Notes

1.   Copies of the directors’ service contracts will be available for inspection during usual business hours, at the registered office of the company on any weekday (Saturdays and public holidays 

excepted) from the date of this notice until the date of the meeting and also at the meeting for at least 15 minutes prior to, and until the conclusion of, the meeting.

2.   To be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting (and for the purposes of the determination by the company of the votes they may cast), members must be registered in the Register 

of Members of the company at 6.00 pm on 10 November 2015 (or, in the event of any adjournment, 6.00 pm on the date which is two days before the time of the adjourned meeting). 
Changes to the Register of Members of the company after the relevant deadline shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting.

3.   A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy or proxies to attend, speak and vote on his or her behalf. A proxy need not also be a member but must 

attend the meeting to represent you. Details of how to appoint the Chairman of the meeting or another person as your proxy using the form of proxy are set out in the notes on the form of 
proxy. If you wish your proxy to speak on your behalf at the meeting you will need to appoint your own choice of proxy (not the Chairman) and give your instructions directly to them.

4.   To appoint more than one proxy, an additional proxy form(s) may be obtained by contacting the company’s registrars, Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA, 

or you may photocopy the proxy form. Please indicate in the box next to the proxy holder’s name the number of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy. Please also 
indicate by ticking the box provided if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions being given.

5.   A reply paid form of proxy is enclosed with shareholders’ copies of this document. To be valid, it should be lodged with the company’s registrars, Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, 
West Sussex BN99 6DA, so as to be received not later than 3.15 pm on 10 November 2015 or 48 hours before the time appointed for any adjourned meeting or, in the case of a poll taken 
subsequent to the date of the meeting or adjourned meeting, so as to be received no later than 24 hours before the time appointed for taking the poll.

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

77

6.   CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the Annual General Meeting and any adjournment(s) 

thereof by utilising the procedures described in the CREST Manual. CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members, (www.euroclear.com) and those CREST members who have 
appointed (a) voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf.

 In order for a proxy appointment made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must be properly authenticated in accordance with 
Euroclear UK & Ireland’s specifications and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message must be transmitted so as to be 
received by the issuer’s agent ID RA19, by 3.15 pm on 10 November 2015 (or, in the case of an adjournment of the Annual General Meeting, not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for 
the holding of the adjourned meeting). For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Applications 
Host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST.

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

The company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities 2001 (as amended).

7.   As at 9 October 2015 (being the last practicable day prior to the publication of this notice), the company’s issued share capital consists of ordinary shares of 1p each, carrying one vote each. 

Excluding 3,260,000 shares held in treasury, the total voting rights in the company as at 9 October 2015 are 115,675,590.

8.   Appointment of a proxy will not preclude a member from subsequently attending and voting at the meeting should he or she subsequently decide to do so. You can only appoint a proxy 

using the procedures set out in these notes and the notes to the form of proxy.

By order of the Board

C Muncaster
Director

Registered Office: 
Merse Road 
North Moons Moat 
Redditch 
Worcestershire 
B98 9HH

9 October 2015 

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

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78 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SHAREHOLDER NOTES

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

79

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FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

 
 
80 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

2015

16 October 
12 November 
19 November 

Posting of the Annual Report and Accounts 
Annual General Meeting 
Payment of final dividend

2016

March  
April 
September 

Announcement of interim results 
Payment of interim dividend 
Announcement of results for the year

FW Thorpe Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015

Designed and produced by Radley Yeldar www.ry.com

FW Thorpe Plc

Merse Road 
North Moons Moat 
Redditch 
Worcestershire 
B98 9HH 
England
Tel: + 44 (0)1527 583200 
Fax: + 44 (0)1527 584177

Incorporating: 
Thorlux Lighting 
Compact Lighting 
Philip Payne 
Solite Europe 
Portland Lighting 
TRT Lighting 
Lightronics

www.fwthorpe.co.uk