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Gunsynd Plc

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FY2021 Annual Report · Gunsynd Plc
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Gunsynd plc 

Annual Report and Accounts 2021 

Company Number: 05656604 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 

COMPANY INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (INCORPORATING THE STRATEGIC REVIEW) ......................................................................................... 2 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT ................................................................................................................................................................... 6 

INFORMATION ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ....................................................................................................................... 10 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................. 11 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GUNSYND PLC ............................................................................. 16 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021 ............................................................. 20 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 JULY 2021 ................................................................................................ 21 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021 ....................................................................... 22 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021 ................................................................................... 23 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 24 

 
 
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION 

DIRECTORS 

REGISTERED OFFICE 

COMPANY WEBSITE 

Hamish Harris 
Donald Strang 
Peter Ruse 

(Executive Chairman) 
(Executive Director) 
(Non-Executive Director) 

78 Pall Mall, St James’s 
London 
SW1Y 5ES  

www.gunsynd.com 

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 

05656604 (England and Wales) 

NOMINATED ADVISER AND JOINT BROKER 

JOINT BROKER 

AUDITOR 

SOLICITOR 

BANKERS 

REGISTRAR 

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP 
9th Floor 
107 Cheapside 
London 
EC2V 6DN 

Peterhouse Capital Limited 
3rd floor, 80 Cheapside 
London 
EC2V 6EE 

PKF Littlejohn LLP 
Statutory Auditor  
15 Westferry Circus 
London 
E14 4HD 

Hill Dickinson LLP 
The Broadgate Tower 
20 Primrose Street 
London 
EC2A 2EW 

Barclays Bank plc 
1 Churchill Place 
London 
E14 5HP 

Neville Registrars Limited 
Neville House 
18 Laurel Lane 
Halesowen 
B63 3DA 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (INCORPORATING THE STRATEGIC REVIEW) 

I am pleased to present the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2021.  The Company made a 
profit  for  the  year  to  31  July  2021  of  £2,012,000  (2020:  loss  £991,000)  after  taxation.  The  Company  had  net  assets  of 
£6,303,000 (2020: £2,470,000) at 31 July 2021, and cash balances of £1,071,000 (2020: £838,000). 

Review of Investments  

Low 6 Limited (“Low6”) 
During  the  period,  the  Company  made  an  investment  in  Low6,  an  influencer-led  B2B  gamification  company  for  sports 
franchises around the world. Low6 raised an additional £6.5 million in July 2021 in an over-subscribed pre-IPO fund raising. 
Its user base continues to increase and it now has over 250,000 users. Low6 is also actively progressing its IPO. Gunsynd holds 
6,667 shares (for approximately £200,000)  representing approximately  1% of Low6’s issued share capital together with a 
£65,000 convertible loan note. 

Rincon Resources Pty Ltd (“Rincon”) 
Rincon is a Western Australian (“WA”) focused gold and base metals exploration company quoted on ASX. It holds the rights 
to three highly prospective gold and copper projects in WA, with a main focus on the South Telfer Project, covering 50,000-
hectares in Paterson province. 

The South Telfer Project is approximately 12km south of Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX:NCM) Telfer mine which has produced 
27 million ounces of gold since it began operations in 1977. Geophysical and geochemical programmes have been completed, 
identifying over 40 targets within the asset portfolio.  Rincon’s committed exploration programme is for a minimum 10,000 
drill metres targeting high priority targets.  As at 30 September, Rincon had cash of A$3.4m. 

Gunsynd holds 8.9 million shares representing 17.34% of Rincon’s issued share capital. 

Eagle Mountain Mining Limited (“Eagle Mountain”) 
Gunsynd holds 2.5 million shares in Eagle Mountain representing approximately 1% of its issued share capital. 

Eagle Mountain Mining Limited (ASX:EM2), is a copper focused exploration and development Company with a key objective 
of becoming a low emission producer at its high-grade Oracle Ridge project in Arizona, USA, to supply the rapidly growing 
green energy market. 

Eagle Mountain remains well funded following the completion of a A$16m capital raising completed in September 2021. This 
new capital combined with existing cash will see the Oracle Ridge project comfortably funded to meet all its objectives over 
the next 12 months. 

Rogue Baron Limited ("Rogue Baron") 
Rogue Baron PLC (AQSE: SHNJ) is a leading company in the premium spirit sector which listed on the Access segment of the 
AQSE Growth Market on 12 March 2021. Gunsynd currently holds 21,543,563 ordinary shares in Rogue Baron, representing 
approximately  25%  of  the  issued  share  capital.    Gunsynd  also  retains  a  balance  of  £111,464  of  Convertible  Loan  Notes 
consisting of accrued interest.  

Rogue Baron announced in June that it had commenced trading on OTCQB Venture Market in the United  States.  It also 
announced that month the opening of a new location, called De Rhum Spot, which is three floors with an outdoor patio and 
is roughly three times the size of Rogue Baron’s existing bar, Bin 1301.  Bin saw a record sales month during June 2021 which 
has eased off slightly since then. The Bar produced circa USD 95,000 (approx. £73,000) in unaudited sales over the month. 
This total was roughly 32% higher than any month ever before Covid. 

Rogue Baron’s key brand, Shinju Whisky, has seen its distribution footprint expand substantially in 2021.  Sales are anticipated 
to hit over 5,000 cases this calendar year (compared to circa 2,000 in 2020 and 1,000 in 2019).  Shinju was also voted best 
whisky at the 2021 Sante’ International Spirit Competition being awarded double gold. 

Empress Royalty Corp (“Empress”) 
On 23 October 2020, Gunsynd invested C$250,000 (approximately £146,000) into Empress for 1,000,000 ordinary shares 
representing approximately 1.4% of the share capital at that time.  

During the year, Gunsynd disposed of 786,000 Empress shares for CAD$344,000 (£201,000) and at year end held 214,000 
shares which were subsequently disposed in September 2021 for approx. CAD$67,000 (£37,000). 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (INCORPORATING THE STRATEGIC REVIEW) CONTINUED 

Charger Metals Limited (“Charger”) 
Charger is a Western Australian ("WA") focused Base metals (Ni,Cu,Co-PGE) and Lithium exploration company which currently 
holds three highly prospective projects in WA and the Northern Territory (”NT”) in Australia. Charger has 85% of the Coates 
North and 70% interest in the adjacent Coates Ni-Cu-Co-PGE Prospect (WA), 70% interest in the Lake Johnson Lithium and 
Gold Project (WA) and 70% interest in the Bynoe Lithium and Gold Project (NT). 

Charger successfully raised A$6 million in its IPO capital raising in July 2021, based on which Charger has 50,400,001 shares 
in issue. Gunsynd currently holds 3,600,000 shares in Charger representing approximately 7.14% of Charger’s issued share 
capital, of which 1,200,000 shares are subject to an escrow period of 24 months following the IPO. 

Anglo Saxony Mining Limited (“ASM”) to be re-named First Tin Limited (“First Tin”) 
In March 2021, Gunsynd invested £125,000 in ASM, a public unlisted tin development and exploration company, as part of a 
wider £6m funding round. ASM plans to establish sustainable tin production and processing from the Tellerhäuser Mine in 
Saxony, Germany. The Tellerhäuser Mine has a 50-year mining licence granted in 2020 with final permitting well advanced.   

The local Erzgebirge area has 800 years of mining history, including the world’s oldest School of Mines. The Tellerhäuser mine 
comes with 150,000m of tunnels and other underground development, approx. 140,000m of historical drilling and 3,000m 
of channel sampling from past owners of the project. ASM has ambitions to become a sustainable tin producer from a zero-
waste mine by carrying out all of its processing and waste to be located in underground voids. The waste material will be 
stored  and  treated  via  water  treatment  facility  in-situ  and  pumped  to  a  nearby  storage  plant.    ASM  is  planning  to  seek 
admission to the Standard List of the London Stock Exchange during 2022. 

Pacific Nickel Limited ("Pacific Nickel") 
In August 2020 Pacific Nickel acquired the 85% of Sunshine Minerals Limited (“Sunshine”) it did not already own.  Sunshine 
owns 80% of Sunshine Nickel Limited (SNL) which holds prospecting licence tenement PL 01/18 located on the south coast of 
Santa Isabel Island in the Solomon Islands. The remaining 20% of SNL is owned by local landowners. The Jejevo Nickel Project 
is located within the PL 01/18 project area.  As a shareholder in Sunshine, Gunsynd received 1,262,967 upfront consideration 
shares and, subject to certain conditions being met, will receive 1,641,856 deferred consideration shares. 

In May 2021 Pacific Nickel advised that it had completed the acquisition of an 80% interest in Kolosori Nickel (SI) Limited 
("KNL"), a company incorporated in the Solomon Islands. KNL currently owns PL 05/19, which comprises the Kolosori Nickel 
Project. As a shareholder in KNL, Gunsynd received 682,790 upfront consideration shares. Subject to Pacific Nickel satisfying 
certain conditions, Gunsynd will receive a further 1,137,984 deferred consideration shares. 

Following completion of the acquisition of the 80% interest in KNL by Pacific Nickel, Gunsynd holds no direct interest in KNL 
but has an interest in 1,945,757 ordinary shares of Pacific Nickel representing approximately 0.8% of Pacific Nickel’s current 
issued share capital.  

On 7 October 2021 Pacific Nickel announced it had completed an initial JORC (2012) mineral resource estimate for the 
Jejevo tenement. The mineral resource estimate was carried out by Mining One Pty Ltd (Mining One) an independent 
consultant to the Company. The JORC validation drilling program was completed in June 2021 has provided confirmation of 
historical drilling data. The total mineral resource estimate at Jejevo is 14.42 million tonnes at 1.29 % Ni at a 1.0% Ni cut off. 

In October 2021 Pacific Nickel announced that 90 infill holes had been drilled as part of the second stage 151-hole drill 
program at Kolosori designed to increase the confidence of the existing mineral resource estimate of 5.89Mt at 1.55% Ni at 
1.2%.  It also announced that it had submitted a Mining Lease Application for the Kolosori Nickel Project to the Solomon 
Islands Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and had finalised the Environmental and Social Impact 
Assessment (ESIA) for the project. 

Oscillate plc (“Oscillate”; formerly DiscovOre plc) 
Oscillate is an investment company listed on the AQSE Growth Market Exchange with the ticker, AQSE: MUSH. Oscillate has 
a diverse investment policy which covers the identification of opportunities in the natural resource sector, medicinal cannabis 
and special situations.  In April 2021, Gunsynd invested £200,000 into Oscillate being 10 million shares at 2p representing 
circa 4.5% of Oscillate. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (INCORPORATING THE STRATEGIC REVIEW) CONTINUED 

Oscillate plc (“Oscillate”; formerly DiscovOre plc) continued 
In  June  2021,  Oscillate  subscribed  for  21,312,460  shares  in  Angelfish  Investments  plc  (renamed  Igraine  plc)  representing 
24.64% of the issued share capital.  Igraine is currently suspended due to audited financial reports not being released. In 
August 2021, Oscillate acquired 30,000,000 ordinary shares in Psych Capital Limited, representing approximately 10.4% of its 
issued share capital for a consideration of £300,000. Psych Capital is focused on identifying, funding and building future British 
and European leaders across psychedelic science and healthcare. 

Oyster Oil and Gas Limited ("Oyster") 
Due to the delay in the renewal of the exploration licence, the fluid political situation in Madagascar and the ongoing impact 
of Covid, the holding value of the investment has been written down by £130,000 to £130,000.  Gunsynd will update the 
market as and when material developments occur. 

All of our investments are minority investments. Whilst we may offer advice to management of investee companies in this 
regard, they can, and sometimes do, ignore such advice. Similarly, private companies don’t have the disclosure requirements 
of public companies and are under no obligation to keep us regularly updated. It should be noted that the Company does not 
operate its investment projects/companies on a day-to-day basis and whilst the Board looks to structure investments in a 
format where Gunsynd can obtain a high level of oversight (including at board level) and use legal agreements to provide 
control mechanisms to protect the Company’s investments, there is a  risk  that the operator does not  meet  deadlines or 
budgets,  fails  to  pursue  the appropriate  strategy,  does  not  adhere  to  the  legal  agreements  in  place  or  does  not  provide 
accurate or sufficient information to Gunsynd. Decisions are ultimately made by investee companies not by us. 

The level of administrative costs in the year can fluctuate significantly depending on the level of costs in the Company and 
can  fluctuate  significantly  depending  on  the  level  of  activity,  both  with  regard  to  the  due  diligence  work  carried  out  on 
investments and disposals, and in managing project investments.  

Finance Review  
As noted above, the Company made a profit for the year of £2,012,000 (2020: loss £991,000) after taxation, which included 
an impairment charge of financial investments of £130,000 (2020: £716,000) being £130,000 (2020: £96,000) write down in 
the  Oyster  investment.  The  majority  of  the  profit  generated  was  from  increases  in  value  of  the  Company’s  investment 
portfolio.  The Company had net assets of £6,303,000 (2020: £2,470,000) at 31 July 2021, and cash balances of £1,071,000 
(2020: £838,000). 

Outlook 
The  Board  is  pleased  that  a  number  of  Gunsynd’s  private  investments  completed  an  IPO  during  the  period  at  significant 
premiums to its original entry point, and further looks forward to the anticipated IPO of Low6 and future drill results from 
Eagle Mountain and Rincon. The Company is still well funded for the foreseeable future. Gunsynd maintains a low fixed cost 
structure and this will continue through volatile and uncertain conditions across global markets. 

The Board is conscious of the ongoing economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Debate lingers over whether 
the  effects  are  a  temporary  hiccup  or  the  harbinger  of  structural  changes.    We  are  far  from  convinced  that  the  current 
inflation  level  is  just  a  blip,  hence  our  positioning  towards  gold  and  copper.    Copper  also  benefits  from  being  a  key 
infrastructure  metal  with  the  USA  and  other  countries  seemingly  determined  to  spend  a  vast  fortune  on  so  called 
infrastructure.  We also believe regardless of how actually environmentally friendly the reality of electric vehicles is (let alone 
the logistics of everyone charging their cars at once) the dramatic push by governments towards this will be beneficial for 
nickel and lithium in particular.  

Vigilant but enthusiastic is our mantra in the short term. Accordingly, we maintain a level of diversification in our portfolio 
with positions in natural resources, life sciences and beverages whilst in possession of a healthy cash balance. 

The  Board  continues  to  look  at  investments  in  line  with  its  investment  policy  as  highlighted  on  its  website.  This  could 
potentially include increasing a stake(s) in investments already held. Such investment(s) may or may not lead to a reverse 
takeover. 

The Board would also like to take this opportunity to thank shareholders for their continued support. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (INCORPORATING THE STRATEGIC REVIEW) CONTINUED 

s172 Statement 

The  Directors  continue  to  act  in  a  way  that  they  consider,  in  good  faith,  to  be  most  likely  to  promote  the  success  of  the 
Company for the benefits of the members as a whole. 

The requirements of s172 are for the Directors to:  

• Consider the likely consequences of any decision in the long term,  
• Act fairly between the members of the Company,  
• Maintain a reputation for high standards of business conduct,  
• Consider the interests of the Company's employees,  
• Foster the Company's relationships with suppliers, customers and others, and  
• Consider the impact of the Company's operations on the community and the environment.  

The Company is an early-stage investment company quoted on a minor exchange and its members will be fully aware, through 
detailed announcements, shareholder meetings and financial communications, of the Board's broad and specific intentions 
and the rationale for its decisions. The Company pays its employees and creditors promptly and keeps its costs to a minimum 
to protect shareholders funds. When selecting investments, issues such as the impact on the community and the environment 
have actively been taken into consideration; as is clear from the portfolio set out in the Chairman's report.  
The  application  of  the  s172  requirements  can  be  demonstrated  through  the  choice  of  investments  made  in  the  year,  as 
described in the Chairman’s report, all of which have been chosen to maximise profits for our members, whilst ensuring they 
meet our requirements on their impact on the local communities and environment.  

Hamish Harris  
Chairman  
22 November 2021 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The Directors present their annual report on the Company and its audited financial statements for the year ended 31 July 
2021. 

Principal activity 
As at 31 July 2021 the principal activity of the Company was that of seeking to invest in and/or acquire companies and/or 
projects  within  the  natural  resources  sector,  life  sciences  sector  (concentrating  on  but  not  being  limited  to,  plant-based 
nutrition and environmentally friendly alternatives to food sources) and the alcoholic beverage sector, (concentrating on but 
not being limited to, ingredients used within the production of such beverages including sugar cane, agave, and molasses) 
which the Board considers, in its opinion, have potential for growth. The Company will consider opportunities in all sectors as 
they arise if the Board considers there is an opportunity to generate potential value for Shareholders. The geographic focus 
will primarily be Europe, Australia, the US and the Caribbean, however investments may also be considered in other regions 
to the extent the Board considers that potential value can be achieved. 

Results and dividends 
The statement of comprehensive income is set out on page 20 and has been prepared in Pounds Sterling, the functional and 
reporting currency of the Company. 

The Company’s net profit after taxation attributable to equity holders of Gunsynd plc for the year was £2,012,000 (2020: loss 
£991,000). 

No dividends have been paid or proposed. 

Key Performance Indicators 
The Key Performance Indicators ("KPIs") for the Company are listed as follows:  

Earnings/(loss) per share 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Gain/(loss) on investments 
Value of financial investments held 
Cash at bank and in hand 

2021 
0.558p 
£2,012,000 
£2,607,000 
£5,124,000 
£1,071,000 

2020 
(1.064)p 
£(991,000) 
£167,000 
£1,493,000 
£838,000 

% Change 
N/A 
N/A 
1,461% 
243% 
28% 

Review of the business and future developments 
A  full  review  of  the  Company’s  performance,  financial  position  and  future  prospects  is  given  in  the  Chairman’s  Report 
(Incorporating the Strategic Review).  

Directors and their interests 
The Directors who served during the year were: 

H Harris  
D Strang  
P Ruse - appointed 6 November 2019 
G Garnett - resigned 26 November 2019 

The interests of the serving Directors at 31 July 2021 or at date of resignation, in the ordinary share capital of the Company 
(all beneficially held) were as follows 

No. shares 

3,161,476 
12,820,211 
4,164,706 
- 

31 July 2021 
No. of 
options 
9,764,706 
9,764,706 
6,350,000 
352,941  

No. of 
warrants 
666,666 
2,333,334 
500,000 
- 

No. shares 

3,161,476 
10,820,211 
3,164,706 
- 

31 July 2020 
No. of 
options 
1,764,706  
1,764,706  
6,350,000 
352,941  

No. of 
warrants 
666,666  
2,123,078  
800,000 
- 

Hamish Harris  
Donald Strang 
Peter Ruse 
George Garnett 

Directors’ remuneration 
The remuneration of the Executive Directors paid during the year was fixed on the recommendation of the Remuneration 
Committee. The remuneration of the Non-executive Director paid during the year was fixed on the recommendation of the  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED 

Executive Directors. This has been achieved acknowledging the need to maximise the effectiveness of the Company’s limited 
resources during the year. 

Fees paid to each Director for the year ended 31 July 2021 are set out in Note 6 to the financial statements. 
Substantial shareholdings 
Other than as summarised below, the Directors have not been advised of any individual interest, or group or interests held 
by persons acting together, which at 4 November 2021 exceeded 3% of the Company’s issued share capital. 

Number of ordinary 
shares held 

   46,288,354  

   39,738,409  

   35,590,123  

   32,384,729  

   30,000,000  

   25,358,838  

   24,957,209  

   22,456,081  

   19,665,172  

   18,816,613  

   18,484,317  

% of issued 
share capital 

10.29% 

8.83% 

7.91% 

7.20% 

6.67% 

5.64% 

5.55% 

4.99% 

4.37% 

4.18% 

4.11% 

Hargreaves Lansdown (Nominees) Limited Des:HLNOM 

Hargreaves Lansdown (Nominees) Limited Des:15942 

Pershing Nominees Limited Des:CCCLT 

Interactive Investor Services Nominees Limited Des:SMKTNOMS 

Link Market Services Trustees (Nominees)Limited Des:GUNLGCCN 

Vidacos Nominees Limited Des:IGUKCLT 

JIM Nominees Limited Des:JARVIS 

Interactive Investor Services Nominees Limited Des:SMKTISAS 

Pershing Nominees Limited Des:PERNY 

Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited Des:CLIENT1 

Hargreaves Lansdown (Nominees) Limited Des:VRA 

Employees 
The Company has only one direct employee. 

Creditor payment policy 
The policy of the Company is to: 

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 

Agree the terms of payment with suppliers when settling the terms of each transaction; 
Ensure that suppliers are made aware of the terms of payment by inclusion of the relevant terms in contracts; and 
Pay  in  accordance  with  its  contractual  and  other  legal  obligations  provided  suppliers  comply  with  the  terms  and 
conditions of supply. 

Directors’ liability 
As permitted by the Companies Act 2006, the Company has purchased insurance cover for the Directors against liabilities in 
relation to the Company. 

Charitable donations 
During the period, the Company made no charitable donations (2020: £Nil). 

Financial reporting 
The  Board  has  ultimate  responsibility  for  the  preparation  of  the  annual  audited  accounts.    A  detailed  review  of  the 
performance  of  the  Company  is  contained  in  the  Chairman’s  report  (incorporating  Strategic  Review).    Presenting  the 
Chairman’s  report  (incorporating  Strategic  Review)  and  Director’s  Report,  the  Board  seeks  to  present  a  balanced  and 
understandable assessment of the Company’s position, performance and prospects. 

Internal control 
A  key  objective  of  the  Directors  is  to  safeguard  the  value  of  the  business  and  assets  of  the  Company.    This  requires  the 
development  of  relevant  policies  and  appropriate  internal  controls  to  ensure  proper  management  of  the  Company’s 
resources and the identification and mitigation of risks which might serve to undermine them.  The Directors are responsible 
for the Company’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness.  It should, however, be recognised that such 
a system can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED 

Events after the reporting period 
Events after the reporting period are set out in Note 22 to the financial statements. 

Auditor 
The Directors will place a resolution before the Annual General Meeting to re-appoint PKF Littlejohn LLP as auditor for the 
coming year. 

Corporate Governance 
Gunsynd is committed to undertaking its activities in accordance with the highest international social, environmental and 
operational standards. For detailed information please refer to the corporate governance statement on page 11. 

Risk management 
The Directors have in place a process of regularly reviewing risks to the business and monitoring associated controls, actions 
and contingency plans. 

The Company’s principal risks and uncertainties, including financial risk management policies, are set out in the Corporate 
Governance Statement and in Note 18. 

Going concern 
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, notwithstanding the profit for the year ended 31 July 
2021.  This basis assumes that the company will have sufficient funding to enable it to continue to operate for the foreseeable 
future and the Directors have taken steps to ensure that they believe that the going concern basis of preparation remains 
appropriate. 

The Company made a profit for the year of £2,012,000 (2020: loss £991,000) after taxation.  The Company had net assets of 
£6,303,000  (2020:  £2,470,000)  and  cash  balances  of  £1,071,000  (2020:  £838,000)  at  31  July  2020.    The  Directors  have 
prepared financial forecasts which cover a period of at least 12 months from date that these financial statements are approved 
to 30 November 2022.  These forecasts show that the Company expects to have sufficient financial resources to continue to 
operate as a going concern. 

In forming the conclusion that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis the Directors 
have made the following assumptions that are relevant to the next twelve months: 
– 
– 

in the event that the Company’s investments require further funding, sufficient funding can be obtained; and 
in  the  event  that  operating  expenditure  increases  significantly  as  a  result  of  successful  progress  with  regards  to  the 
Company’s investments, sufficient funding can be obtained. 

The cost structure of the Company comprises a high proportion of discretionary spend and therefore in the event that cash 
flows become constrained, costs can be quickly reduced to enable the Company to operate within its available funding.  As a 
junior investment company, the Directors are aware that the Company must go to the marketplace to raise cash to meet its 
investment plans, and/or consider liquidation of its investments and/or assets as is deemed appropriate. The Company has 
previously constantly demonstrated its ability to raise further cash by way of completing placings during the prior years, and 
are confident of further equity fund raising should the company require such cash injection. Therefore, they are confident 
that existing cash balances, along with the any new funding would be adequate to ensure that costs can be covered. 

The Directors are therefore of the opinion that the Company has adequate financial resources to enable it to continue in 
operation for the foreseeable future. For this reason, it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial 
statements.  

The Company's employee can carry out their duties remotely, via the network infrastructure in place. As a result, there was 
no disruption to the operational activities of the Company during the COVID-19 social distancing and working from home 
restrictions.  All  key  business  functions  continue  to  operate  at  normal  capacity.  Within  the  Company’s  portfolio  are 
investments  that  have  experienced  a  slowdown  within  their  own  operations  during  the  COVID-19  crisis,  however  the 
operating performance of those investments is not expected to have any material impact on the Company’s cash flows. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED 

Statement of directors’ responsibilities  
Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  keep  reliable  accounting  records  which  correctly  explain  the  transactions  of  the 
Company, enable the financial position of the Company to be determined with reasonable accuracy at any time and allow 
financial statements to be prepared.  The shareholders have resolved, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the 
Articles of Association, that the Directors prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its profit or loss for that period. 

On this basis the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements for the Company in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

International Accounting Standard 1 requires that accounts present fairly for each financial period the Company’s financial 
position, financial performance and cash flows.  This requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, other 
events and conditions in accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses 
set out in the International Accounting Standards Board’s ‘Framework for the preparation and presentation of accounts’.  In 
virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved by compliance with all applicable IFRSs.  However, Directors 
are also required to: 

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

accounts; and 

•  prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in 

business. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006.  
They  have  a  general  responsibility  for  taking  such  steps  as  are  reasonably  open  to  them  to  safeguard  the  assets  of  the 
Company  and  to  prevent  and  detect  fraud  and  other  irregularities.    Legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom  governing  the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Website publication 
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Statement of disclosure to auditors 
So far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware. 

Additionally, the Directors have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make 
themselves  aware  of  all  relevant  audit  information  and  to  establish  that  the  Company’s  auditors  are  aware  of  that 
information. 

By order of the Board of Directors 

Hamish Harris 
Director 

22 November 2021  

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INFORMATION ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Hamish Harris – Executive Chairman 
Hamish  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Commerce  and  has  held  positions  within  market  risk  management  at  a  number  of  financial 
institutions including Nomura Group, Deutsche Bank AG and BZW plc in Singapore, Hong Kong and London.  Hamish is also a 
Director on an AQSE listed company.  Hamish is a member of both the Audit and Remuneration committees. 

Donald Strang – Executive Director 
Donald is a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants and has been in business over 20 years, holding 
senior financial and management positions in both publicly listed and private enterprises in Australia, Europe and Africa.  He 
has considerable corporate and international expertise and over the past decade has focussed on mining and exploration 
activities.  He is currently also a director of Cadence Minerals plc and a director of an ASX listed company. Donald is a member 
of both the Audit and Remuneration committees. 

Peter Ruse – Non-Executive Director 
Peter  is  a  finance  professional  with  over  12  years  of  extensive  experience  in  Equity  Funds  Management  and 
Private/Institutional Wealth Management specialising in Mining/Minerals and Industrial related sectors. Peter is a member 
of both the Audit and Remuneration committees. He is currently also a director of other ASX listed companies. 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

All  members  of  the  Board  believe  strongly  in  the  value  and  importance  of  good  corporate  governance  and  in  our 
accountability to all stakeholders including staff, shareholders and clients. In order to meet the requirements of AIM Rule 26 
we  have  chosen  to  follow  the  Quoted  Companies  Alliance’s  (“QCA”)  Corporate  Governance  Code  for  Small  and  Mid-Size 
Quoted Companies. 

As Chairman, I lead the Board and take ultimate responsibility for ensuring that there is absolute clarity in our strategy and 
our quantitative and qualitative objectives and the collective and individual responsibilities of the Directors. 

Importantly my responsibilities include ensuring that the Company maintains its strong values of delivery, integrity, trust, 
client service and good corporate governance and in so doing deliver value for shareholders over the medium to long term. 

In the following statement we give a summary of how our Board and its committees operate and how we are applying the 
ten principles of the QCA Code. 

1. Principle One 
Business Model and Strategy 

The Board has concluded that the highest medium and long term value can be delivered to its shareholders by the adoption 
of an investing strategy for the Company. Gunsynd plc is an investing company with a focus to acquire a diverse portfolio of 
direct and indirect interests in exploration and producing projects and assets in the natural resources sector in addition to 
seeking any acquisition in other sectors as they arise if the Board considers there is an opportunity to generate potential 
value for Shareholders. The geographical focus will primarily be Europe, however, investments may also be considered in 
other regions to the extent that the Board considers that valuable opportunities exist and potential value can be achieved. 

2. Principle Two 
Understanding Shareholder Needs and Expectations 

The Board is committed to maintaining good communication and having constructive dialogue with its shareholders. The 
Company has close ongoing relationships with its private shareholders and analysts have the opportunity to discuss issues 
and provide feedback at meetings with the Company. In addition, all shareholders are encouraged to attend the Company's 
Annual  General  Meeting.  Investors  also  have  access  to  current  information  on  the  Company  though  its  website, 
www.gunsynd.com, and via Hamish Harris, Executive Chairman, who is available to answer investor relations enquiries. 

3. Principle Three 
Considering wider stakeholder and social responsibilities 

The Board recognises that the long term success of the Company is reliant upon the efforts of the directors of the Company 
and its investors, investee companies, regulators and other stakeholders. The Board has regular discussions and meetings 
with shareholders, regulators and investee companies to ensure that there is close oversight and contact.  

For example, the Company conducts AGM each year and other general meetings with shareholders whereby they are able 
to voice any concerns they have with the Company. These feedback processes help to ensure that the Company can respond 
to  new  issues  and  opportunities  that  arise  to  further  the  success  of  the  Company.  The  Company  has  close  ongoing 
relationships  with  a  broad  range  of  its  stakeholders  and provides  them  with  the  opportunity  to  raise  issues  and  provide 
feedback to the Company. 

4. Principle Four 
Risk Management 

In  addition  to  its  other  roles  and  responsibilities,  the  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  to  the  Board  for  ensuring  that 
procedures are in place and are being implemented effectively to identify, evaluate and manage the significant risks faced by 
the Company. The risk assessment matrix below sets out those risks, and identifies their ownership and the controls that are 
in place. This matrix is updated as changes arise in the nature of risks or the controls that are implemented to mitigate them. 
The Audit and Compliance Committee reviews the risk matrix and the effectiveness of scenario testing on a regular basis. The 
following principal risks and controls to mitigate them, have been identified: 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED 

Activity 
Financial 

Risk 
Liquidity, market and credit 
risk 

Impact 
Inability to continue as going 
concern 

Control(s) 
Robust capital management 
policies and procedures 

Reduction in asset values 

Inappropriate  controls  and 
accounting policies 

Incorrect reporting of assets 
and/or loss through theft or 
fraud 

The  board  agrees  and  signs 
all  annual  reports  which 
details accounting policies. 

Covid-19 

Affect continuing operations 
of investee companies 

Possible  effect  on 
carrying 
investments 

values 

the 
of 

Regulatory adherence 

Breach of rules 

Censure 

Strategic 

Damage to reputation 

Inability 
capital or investments 

to  secure  new 

Due to size of the company - 
The  board  discusses  and 
agrees all payments 

Audit 
Committee 

and 

Compliance 

Regular  impairment  review 
investments  and 
of  all 
interaction  with 
regular 
as 
investee 
appropriate. 

companies 

The health and safety of our 
staff  and  associates  is  of 
major concern and we have 
taken  steps  to  mitigate  this 
risk by avoiding face to face 
meetings  and  through  the 
greater  adoption  of  video-
conferencing  services  and 
when  absolutely  required, 
socially distanced meetings. 
This year’s AGM format will 
reflect  the  current  business 
environment  and  ongoing 
risks  associated  with  the 
COVID-19 pandemic. 

Strong  compliance  regime 
instilled  at  all  levels  of  the 
Company 

Effective 
communications 
with  shareholders  coupled 
with  consistent  messaging 
to potential investees 

Management 

Management  Recruitment 
and  retention  of  key  staff 
and reliance on small team 

Reduction 
capability 

in 

operating 

Stimulating 
working environment 

and 

safe 

Balancing salary with longer 
term incentive plans 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED 

The  Directors  have  established  procedures,  as  represented  by  this  statement,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  a  system  of 
internal control. An internal audit function is not considered necessary or practical due to the size of the Company and the 
close day to day control exercised by the Executive Director. However, the Board will continue to monitor the need for an 
internal audit function. The Board works closely with and has regular ongoing dialogue with the Company financial controller 
and has established appropriate reporting and control mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness of its control systems. 

5. Principle Five 
A Well Functioning Board of Directors 

As  at  the  date  hereof,  the  Board  comprised  a  Chairman,  Hamish  Harris,  an  Executive  Director,  Donald  Strang,  and  one 
Independent Non-Executive Director, Peter Ruse. Biographical details of the current Directors are set out within Principle Six 
below. Executive and Non-Executive Directors are subject to re-election at intervals of no more than 3 years. The Directors 
are considered to be part time but are expected to provide as much time to the Company as is required. The Board elects a 
Chairman to chair every meeting. 

The Board meets formally at least 3 times per annum, but regular contact is maintained to deal with relevant matters as they 
arise. It has established an Audit Committee and a Remuneration Committee, particulars of which appear hereafter. The 
Board has agreed that appointments to the Board are made by the Board as a whole and so has not created a Nominations 
Committee. The Non-Executive Director is part time and is expected to provide as much time to the Company as is required. 
The Board considers that this is appropriate given the Company's current stage of operations. It shall continue to monitor the 
need to match resources to its operational performance and costs and the matter will be kept under review going forward. 
Peter Ruse is considered to be an  Independent Director. The Board notes that the QCA recommends a balance between 
executive and non-executive directors and recommends that there be two independent non-executives. As it has only one 
independent  non-executive  director,  the  Board  does  not  currently  fully  comply  with  this  requirement  and  will  consider 
making further appointments as the scale and complexity of the Company grows, which is expected to be when the Company 
achieves a market capitalisation of over £10 million. 

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings 

The Board met 6 times in the period. The remuneration committee met once, and the audit committee met twice during the 
year. 

Meetings 

Board 
Hamish Harris 
Don Strang 
Peter Ruse 

Attendance 
6 
6 
6 

Remuneration Committee 
Hamish Harris 
Don Strang 
Peter Ruse 

Audit Committee 
Hamish Harris 
Don Strang 
Peter Ruse 

1 
1 
1 

2 
2 
2 

6. Principle Six 
Appropriate Skills and Experience of the Directors 

The Board currently consists of three Directors. The Company believes that the current balance of skills in the Board as a 
whole reflects a very broad range of commercial and professional skills across geographies and industries, and each of the 
Directors has experience in public markets. 

The Board recognises that it currently has limited diversity and this will form a part of any future recruitment consideration 
if the Board concludes that replacement or additional directors are required. At this stage due to the current size of the 
Company this is not seen as a material point. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED 

The Board reviews annually the appropriateness and opportunity for continuing professional development whether formal 
or informal. Currently each of the Board are involved in financial markets and increase their awareness and skills via reading 
and participation in commercial transactions from time to time. 

Mr Hamish Harris 
Chairman and Executive Director 

Hamish  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Commerce  and  has  held  positions  within  market  risk  management  at  a  number  of  financial 
institutions including Nomura Group, Deutsche Bank AG and BZW plc in Singapore, Hong Kong and London. Hamish is also a 
Director on an AQSE listed company. 

Mr Donald Strang 
Executive Finance Director 

Donald is a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants and has been in business for over 20 years, holding 
senior financial and management positions in both publicly listed and private enterprises in Australia, Europe and Africa. He 
has considerable corporate and international expertise and over the past decade has focussed on mining and exploration 
activities. He is currently a director of other AIM and ASX companies. 

Mr Peter Ruse 
Independent Non-Executive Director 

Peter  is  a  finance  professional  with  over  12  years  of  extensive  experience  in  Equity  Funds  Management  and 
Private/Institutional Wealth Management specialising in Mining/Minerals and Industrial related sectors. Peter is a member 
of both the Audit and Remuneration committees. He is currently a director of other ASX companies. 

7. Principle Seven 
Evaluation of Board Performance 

Internal evaluation of the Board, the Committee and individual Directors is undertaken on an annual basis in the form of 
discussions. Due to the current size of the Company, these discussions and the criteria for assessment are general and brief. 

The annual report details the progress which the board and Company has made for the year. 

No  succession  planning  is  deemed  necessary  at  this  point  due  to  the  current  size  of  the  Company.  Each  Director  is  also 
assessed by shareholders at AGM on a three year rotating basis when their re-appointment is due. 

8. Principle Eight 
Corporate Culture 

The Board recognises that its decisions regarding strategy and risk will impact the corporate culture of the Company as a 
whole and that this will impact the performance of the Company. The Board is aware that the tone and culture set by the 
Board  will  greatly  impact  all  aspects  of  the  Company  as  a  whole  and  the  way  that  employees  behave.  The  corporate 
governance arrangements that the Board has adopted are designed to ensure that the Company delivers long term value to 
its shareholders and that shareholders have the opportunity to express their views and expectations for the Company in a 
manner that encourages open dialogue with the Board. 

A large part of the Company's activities are centred upon what needs to be an open and respectful dialogue with investee 
companies and investors and other stakeholders. Therefore, the importance of sound ethical values and behaviours is crucial 
to the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its corporate objectives. The Board places great import on this aspect 
of corporate life and seeks to ensure that this flows through all that the Company does. 

The Directors consider that at present the Company has an open culture facilitating comprehensive dialogue and feedback 
and enabling positive and constructive challenge. The Company has adopted a code for Directors' and employees' dealings 
in  securities  which  is  appropriate  for  a  company  whose  securities  are  traded  on  AIM  and  is  in  accordance  with  the 
requirements of the Market Abuse Regulation which came into effect in 2016. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED 

9. Principle Nine 
Maintenance of Governance Structures and Processes 

Ultimate  authority  for  all  aspects  of  the  Company's  activities  rests  with  the  Board,  the  respective  responsibilities  of  the 
Chairman and Executive Director arising as a consequence of delegation by the Board. The Board has adopted appropriate 
delegations  of  authority  which  set  out  matters  which  are  reserved  to  the  Board.  The  Chairman  is  responsible  for  the 
effectiveness of the Board, while management of the Company's business and primary contact with shareholders has been 
delegated by the Board to the Executive Directors. 

Audit Committee 
The Audit Committee is comprised of Hamish Harris (Chairman), Peter Ruse and Donald Strang. This committee has primary 
responsibility for monitoring the quality of internal controls and ensuring that the financial performance of the Company is 
properly measured and reported. It receives reports from the executive management and auditors relating to the interim 
and annual accounts and the accounting and internal control systems in use throughout the Company. The Audit 
Committee shall meet not less than once in each financial year and it has unrestricted access to the Company's auditors. 

Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee is comprised of Hamish Harris (Chairman), Peter Ruse and Donald Strang, excluding whichever 
relevant  Director  whose  performance,  remuneration  and  employment  terms  are  being  discussed.  The  Remuneration 
Committee  reviews  the  performance  of  the  executive  directors  and  makes  recommendations  to  the  Board  on  matters 
relating to their remuneration and terms of employment. The Remuneration Committee also considers and approves the 
granting  of  share  options  pursuant  to  the  share  option plan  and  the  award  of  shares  in  lieu  of  bonuses  pursuant to  the 
Company's Remuneration Policy. 

Nominations Committee 
The  Board  has  agreed  that  appointments  to  the  Board  will  be  made  by  the  Board  as  a  whole  and  so  has  not  created  a 
Nominations Committee. 

Non-Executive Directors 
The Board has appointed a Non-Executive Director. 

As stated above, due to the current size of the Company, it is deemed not necessary to appoint further independent non-
executive directors until the Company’s market capitalisation reaches £8 million. 

In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Board complies with: a duty to act within its powers; a duty to promote the 
success of the Company; a duty to exercise independent judgement; a duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence; a 
duty to avoid conflicts of interest; a duty not to accept benefits from third parties and a duty to declare any interest in a 
proposed transaction or arrangement. All matters pertaining to the Company are reserved for the Board. There are no plans 
at  this  stage  to  increase  the  governance  framework  until  the  Company  achieves  a  minimum  market  capitalisation  of  £8 
million. 

10. Principle Ten 
Shareholder Communication 

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

Investors also have access to current information on the Company though its website, www.gunsynd.com, and via Hamish 
Harris, Chairman, who is available to answer investor relations enquiries. The Company’s website details various information: 
annual  reports,  AGM  notice  of  meetings  and  RNS  announcements  detailing  results  of  meetings  and  other  relevant 
information. 

Hamish Harris 
Director 

22 November 2021  

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GUNSYND PLC 

Opinion  

We have audited the financial statements of Gunsynd Plc (the ‘company’) for the year ended 31 July 2021 which comprise the Statement 
of Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Changes in Equity, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes 
to  the  financial  statements,  including  significant  accounting  policies.  The  financial  reporting  framework  that  has  been  applied  in  their 
preparation is applicable law and international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.  

In our opinion, the financial statements:  

• 
• 

• 

give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 31 July 2021 and of its profit for the year then ended;  
have been properly prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006; and  
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.  

Basis for opinion  

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. 
We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 
in  the  UK,  including  the  FRC’s  Ethical  Standard  as  applied  to  listed  entities,  and  we  have  fulfilled  our  other  ethical  responsibilities  in 
accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion.  

Conclusions relating to going concern  

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the director's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation 
of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the company’s ability to continue to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting included a review of management’s assessment of the going concern, as well as a review of forecast cash 
projections  for  a  period  of  12  months  from  the  date  of  approval  of  the  financial  statements.  We  have  evaluated,  challenged  and 
corroborated this information where appropriate, including consideration of the accuracy of historical budgeted financial information. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually 
or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months 
from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

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

Our application of materiality  

We apply the concept for materiality in both planning and performing the audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. At the 
planning stage, materiality is used to determine the financial statements areas that are included within the scope of the audit and the 
extent of the sample sized during the audit. 

The materiality applied to the financial statements was £189,000 (2020: £74,000). This was set at 3% of net assets on the basis that it is 
from these net assets that the company seeks to deliver returns for shareholders, in particular the value of its investments.  Performance 
materiality was set at £151,200, being 80% (2020: £51,800, being 70%) of overall materiality, and the threshold for which we communicate 
errors to those charged with governance was 5% of overall materiality. Performance materiality was increased to 80% on the basis that 
this  of  performance  materiality  was  considered  sufficient  to  ensure  material  misstatements  in  the  financial  statements  are  identified. 
Valuation of investments is audited with 100% coverage, and this is the key audit matter within the financial statements. We also agreed 
to report any other audit misstatements below that threshold that we believe warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Materiality was reassessed at the closing stages of the audit, taking into consideration new information which arose.  No alterations were 
made to materiality either during or at the conclusion of the audit. 

Our approach to the audit 

The scope of our audit was influenced by our evaluation of materiality and our assessment of audit risks.  Specifically, we assessed the 
areas of the financial statements which we deemed to involve significant judgement and estimation by the directors as risks for our audit.  
This included the carrying value and classification of investments, which we judged to be a key audit matter, as well as the  valuation of 
share-based payments.  We designed appropriate procedures to address the risks we identified and for the most significant assessed risk 
of material misstatement, the procedures performed are outlined in the key audit matters section of our report below. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GUNSYND PLC CONTINUED 

Key audit matters  

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

Key Audit Matter 

How our scope addressed this matter 

Carrying Value and Classification of Investments (Note 11) 

The financial investments reported in the statement of financial 
position as at 31 July 2021 of £5,124k consists of equity 
instruments in both listed and unlisted entities, as well as 
convertible debt instruments in both listed and unlisted entities. 
These assets are assessed as the most significant balances in the 
financial statements and should be recorded at fair value 
through profit or loss. 

Given the continuing losses in the underlying entities to which 
these investments relate, including the delays in advancing 
developments in the underlying projects, there is a risk that the 
investment balances cannot be recovered. 

In addition, there is the risk that financial assets are not 
classified in accordance with IFRS given the nature of the 
entity’s principle activity, which is to operate as an investment 
vehicle. 

We performed the following procedures to address the risk: 

▪  Obtained the agreement s underpinning the 
investments to understand the key terms; 
▪  Obtained share certificates or other supporting 

documentation as proof of ownership; 

▪  Reviewed the accounting treatment applied by 
management to ensure investments were 
appropriately classified in accordance with IFRS; 
▪  Reviewed the accounting entries made in respect of 
fair value adjustments for listed investments and 
vouched market value to third party sources to ensure 
basis of valuation was appropriate and fair value 
adjustments had been recorded correctly; 
▪  Discussing the basis for valuation of unlisted 

investments and corroborating this to relevant 
supporting documentation; and 

▪  Reviewed management’s impairment assessment, 
challenging the assumptions made therein. 

We consider that that management’s judgement in respect of 
the carrying value and classification of financial investments, 
including convertible debt, is materially reasonable. 

Other information  

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

We have nothing to report in this regard.  

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006  

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

• 

• 

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

17 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GUNSYND PLC CONTINUED 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception  

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

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

• 

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

Responsibilities of directors  

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

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend 
to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.  

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements  

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

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

•  We obtained an understanding of the company and the sector in which it operates to identify laws and regulations that could 
reasonably be expected to have a direct effect on the financial statements. We obtained our understanding in this regard through 
discussions with management. 

•  We determined the principal laws and regulations relevant to the company in this regard to be those arising from Companies Act 

2006, AIM Rules, UK tax and employment law. 

•  We designed our audit procedures to ensure the audit team considered whether there were any indications of non-compliance 

by the company with those laws and regulations. These procedures included, but were not limited to: 

o 
o 
o 
o 

Enquiries of management 
Review of board minutes 
Review of RNS publications 
Review of financial statement disclosures and testing to support documentation where applicable, to assess compliance 
with applicable law and regulations. 

•  We also identified the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud. We did not consider, in addition 
to  the  non-rebuttable  presumption  of  a  risk  of  fraud  arising  from  management  override  of  controls,  that  the  potential  for 
management bias was identified in relation to the valuation of unlisted investments and we addressed this by challenging the 
assumptions and judgements made by management when auditing that significant accounting estimate.  
As  in  all  of  our  audits,  we  addressed  the  risk  of  fraud  arising  from  management  override  of  controls  by  performing  audit 
procedures which included, but were not limited to: the testing of journals;  reviewing accounting estimates for evidence of bias; 
and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business. 

• 

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material 
misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation.  This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or 
regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of 
instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves 
intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. 

18 

 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GUNSYND PLC CONTINUED 

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

Use of our report 

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006.  Our 
audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an 
auditor’s report and for no other purpose.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone, 
other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Zahir Khaki (Senior Statutory Auditor)  
For and on behalf of PKF Littlejohn LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
22 November 2021 

15 Westferry Circus 
Canary Wharf 
London E14 4HD 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021 

Continuing operations 

Income  
Unrealised gain on financial investments  

Realised gain/(loss) on financial investments  

Administrative expenses 
Salaries and other staff costs 
Other costs 
Share based payment charge 
Total administrative expenses 

Impairment of financial investments 
Write down of convertible loan notes 
Other income 
Finance income 
Profit/(Loss) before tax 
Taxation 
Profit/(Loss) for the period attributable to equity shareholders of the Company 

Other comprehensive income / (expenditure) for the period net of tax 
Total comprehensive income/(expenditure) for the period 

Profit/(Loss) per ordinary share 
Basic (pence) 
Diluted (pence) 

Note 

11 
11 

6 
8 
19 

11 

7 

9 

10 

2021 

£000 

2,371 
236 
2,607 

(278) 
(245) 
(24) 
(547) 

(130) 
(2) 
26 
58 
2,012 
- 
2,012 

- 
2,012 

0.558 
0.428 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements. 

2020 

£000 

176 
(9) 
167 

(186) 
(278) 
(7) 
(471) 

(716) 
- 
- 
29 
(991) 
- 
(991) 

- 
(991) 

(1.064) 
(1.064) 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 JULY 2021 

ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Financial investments 
Trade and other receivables 
Total non-current assets 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the company 
Ordinary share capital 
Deferred share capital 
Share premium reserve 
Share based payments reserve 
Retained earnings 
Total equity 

Note 

11 
12 

12 
17 

13 

14 
14 
14 

2021 

5,124 
- 

5,124 

174 
1,071 

1,245 

2020 

£000 

1,493 
56 

1,549 

181 
838 

1,019 

6,369 

2,568 

(66) 

(66) 

(66) 

(98) 

(98) 

(98) 

6,303 

2,470 

382 
2,299 
13,459 
131 
(9,968) 
6,303 

216 
2,299 
11,828 
192 
(12,065) 
2,470 

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 22 November 2021 and were 
signed on its behalf by: 

Hamish Harris 
Chairman 

Company number: 05656604 

Donald Strang 
Director 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021 

Share 
capital 
£000 
633 

- 

- 

(570) 
153 
- 
- 
- 
216 

- 

- 

166 
- 
- 
- 
- 
382 

Deferred  
Share 
capital 
£ 000 
1,729 

Share  Share-based 
payments 
reserve 
£000 
205 

premium 
reserve 
£000 
10,890 

- 

- 

570 
- 
- 
- 
- 
2,299 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
2,299 

- 

- 

- 
1,016 
(78) 
- 
- 
11,828 

- 

- 

1,690 
(59) 
- 
- 
- 
13,459 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
7 
(20) 
192 

- 

- 

- 
- 
24 
(84) 
(1) 
131 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 
(11,094) 

(991) 

(991) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
20 
(12,065) 

2,012 

2,012 

- 
- 
- 
84 
1 
(9,968) 

At 31 July 2019 

Loss for the year  
Total comprehensive income for 
the period 

Transactions with owners: 
Share split 
Issue of share capital 
Share issue costs 
Share options issued 
Share options lapsed 
At 31 July 2020 

Profit for the year  
Total comprehensive income for 
the period 

Transactions with owners: 
Issue of share capital 
Share issue costs 
Share options issued 
Share options lapsed 
Transfer within Equity 
At 31 July 2021 

Details of the nature of each component of equity are set out in Note 15. 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements. 

Total 
£000 
2,363 

(991) 

(991) 

- 
1,169 
(78) 
7 
- 
2,470 

2,012 

2,012 

1,856 
(59) 
24 
- 
- 
6,303 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021 

Cash flow from operating activities 
Profit/(Loss) after tax 
Tax on losses 
Finance income net of finance costs 
Unrealised (gain)/loss on revaluation of financial investments 

Realised (gain)/loss on sale of financial investments 
Share based payment 
Write down of convertible loan notes 
Impairment provision  
Foreign exchange movements 
Changes in working capital: 

Decrease in trade and other receivables 
(Decrease) in trade and other payables 

Cash outflow from operations 
Taxation received 
Net cash outflow from operating activities 

Cash flow from investing activities 

Payments for financial investments 
Disposal proceeds from sale of financial investments 
Repayment of loans to investee company 
Unsecured loans to investee company 
Net cash (outflow) from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities  
Proceeds on issuing of ordinary shares 
Cost of issue of ordinary shares 
Net cash inflow from financing activities  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

2021 

£000 

2,012 
- 
(58) 
(2,371) 
(236) 
24 
2 
130 
3 

7 
(32) 
(519) 
- 
(519) 

(2,143) 
1,042 
62 
(6) 
(1,045) 

1,856 
(59) 
1,797 

233 
838 
1,071 

Note 

11 
11 

14 

17 

18 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements. 

2020 

£000 

(991) 
- 
(29) 
(176) 
9 
7 
- 
716 
7 

45 
(28) 
(440) 
- 
(440) 

(509) 
154 
- 
(26) 
(381) 

1,169 
(78) 
1,091 

270 
568 
838 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1  Presentation of the financial statements 

Description of business & Investing Policy 
Gunsynd plc is public limited  company domiciled in the  United Kingdom. The Company’s registered office is 78  Pall  Mall, 
London SW1Y 5ES. 

The Company’s Investing Policy is to invest in and/or acquire companies and/or projects within the natural resources sector, 
life sciences sector (concentrating on but not being limited to, plant-based nutrition and environmentally friendly alternatives 
to food sources) and the alcohol beverage sector, (concentrating on but not being limited to, ingredients used within the 
production of  such  beverages  including  sugar  cane,  agave, and  molasses)  which  the  Board  considers,  in  its  opinion,  have 
potential for growth. The Company will consider opportunities in all sectors as they arise if the Board considers there is an 
opportunity to generate potential value for Shareholders. The geographic focus will primarily be Europe, Australia, the US and 
the Caribbean, however investments may also be considered in other regions to the extent the Board considers that potential 
value can be achieved. 

Where appropriate, the Board may seek to invest in businesses where it may influence the business at a board level, add their 
expertise to the management of the business, and utilise their industry relationships and access to finance. 

The Company’s interests in an investment and/or acquisition may range from a minority position to full ownership and may 
comprise one investment or multiple investments.  The investments may be in either quoted or unquoted companies; be 
made by direct acquisitions or farm-ins; and may be in companies, partnerships, earn-in joint ventures, debt or other loan 
structures, joint ventures or direct or indirect interests in assets or projects.  The Board may focus on investments where 
intrinsic value may be achieved from the restructuring of investments or merger of complementary businesses. 

The Board expects that investments will typically be held for the medium to long term, although short term disposal of assets 
cannot be ruled out if there is an opportunity to generate a return for Shareholders.  The Board will place no minimum or 
maximum limit on the length of time that any investment may be held.  The Company may be both an active and a passive 
investor depending on the nature of the individual investment.  There is no limit on the number of projects into which the 
Company  may  invest,  and  the  Company’s  financial  resources  may  be  invested  in  a  number  of  propositions  or  in  just  one 
investment, which may be deemed to be a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules.  The Board  intends to mitigate risk by 
appropriate due diligence and transaction analysis.  Any transaction constituting a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules will 
also require Shareholder approval.  The Board considers that, as investments are made and new investment opportunities 
arise, further funding of the Company may also be required. 

Where the Company builds a portfolio of related assets, it is possible that there may be cross holdings between such assets.  
The Company does not currently intend to fund any investments with debt or other borrowings but may do so if appropriate.  
Investments in early stage assets are expected to be mainly in the form of equity, with debt potentially being raised later to 
fund the development of such assets.  Investments in later stage assets are more likely to include an element of debt to equity 
gearing.  The Board may also offer New Ordinary Shares by way of consideration as well as cash, thereby helping to preserve 
the Company’s cash for working capital and as a reserve against unforeseen contingencies including, for example, delays in 
collecting accounts receivable, unexpected changes in the economic environment and operational problems. 

Investments may be made in all types of assets and there will be no investment restrictions on the type of investment that 
the  Company  might  make  or  the  type  of  opportunity  that  may  be  considered.    The  Company  may  consider  possible 
opportunities anywhere in the world. 

The  Board  will  conduct  initial  due  diligence  appraisals  of  potential  business  or  projects  and,  where  they  believe  further 
investigation is warranted, intend to appoint appropriately qualified persons to assist.  The Board believes its expertise will 
enable  it  to  determine  quickly  which  opportunities  could be  viable  and  so  progress  quickly  to  formal  due  diligence.    The 
Company will not have a separate investment manager. 

Compliance with applicable law and IFRS 
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  Companies  Act  2006  and  International  Accounting 
Standards  (IAS)  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS)  and  related  interpretations,  as  adopted  by  the 
Companies Act. 

Composition of the financial statements 
The Company financial statements are drawn up in Sterling, the functional currency of Gunsynd plc and in accordance with 
IFRS accounting presentation.  The level of rounding for financial information is the nearest thousand pounds. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

1  Presentation of the financial statements continued 

Accounting convention 
The financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain 
items, as stated in the accounting policies. 

Basis of preparation – Going concern 
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  a  going  concern  basis.    This  basis  assumes  that  the  company  will  have 
sufficient funding to enable it to continue to operate for the foreseeable future and the Directors have taken steps to ensure 
that they believe that the going concern basis of preparation remains appropriate. 

The Company made a profit for the year of £2,012,000 (2020: loss £991,000) after taxation.  The Company had net assets of 
£6,303,000  (2020:  £2,470,000)  and  cash  balances  of  £1,071,000  (2020:  £838,000)  at  31  July  2021.    The  Directors  have 
prepared financial forecasts which cover a period of at least 12 months from date that these financial statements are approved 
to 31 December 2021.  These forecasts show that the Company expects to have sufficient financial resources to continue to 
operate as a going concern. 

In forming the conclusion that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis the Directors 
have made the following assumptions that are relevant to the next twelve months: 
– 
– 

In the event that the Company’s investments require further funding, sufficient funding can be obtained; and 
In  the  event  that  operating  expenditure  increases  significantly  as  a  result  of  successful  progress  with  regards  to  the 
Company’s investments, sufficient funding can be obtained. 

The cost structure of the Company comprises a high proportion of discretionary spend and therefore in the event that cash 
flows become constrained, costs can be quickly reduced to enable the Company to operate within its available funding.  As a 
junior investment company, the Directors are aware that the Company must go to the marketplace to raise cash to meet its 
investment plans, and/or consider liquidation of its investments and/or assets as is deemed appropriate. The Company has 
previously constantly demonstrated its ability to raise further cash by way of completing placings during the prior years, and 
are confident of further equity fund raising should the company require such cash injection.  Therefore, they are confident 
that existing cash balances, along with the any new funding would be adequate to ensure that costs can be covered. 

Consequently, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue to 
operate for the foreseeable future and that it remains appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a going 
concern basis. 

Financial period 
These financial statements  cover the financial year from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021, with comparative figures for the 
financial year from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2020. 

Accounting principles and policies 
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management 
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the 
reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Company’s accounting policies approved by the Board 
and signed on their behalf by Hamish Harris and Donald Strang, and described in Note 2, ‘Accounting principles and policies’.  
Information on the application of these accounting policies, including areas of estimation and judgement is given in Note 3, 
‘Key accounting judgements and estimates. Where appropriate, comparative figures are reclassified to ensure a consistent 
presentation with current year information. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Accounting principles and policies 

Revenue and other income 
Revenue is recognised when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, profit has derived from investments or services 
have  been  rendered,  prices  are  fixed  or  determinable  and  there  is  a  probability  that  economic  benefits  will  flow  to  the 
Company. Realised profits or losses are recognised at the time in which a  contract is entered into to sell and investment. 
Unrealised profits or losses are recognised when the fair value of financial investments is measured at each period end.  Other 
income relates to services provided and is recognised at the time the service is delivered. 

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 has been identified as the Board of Directors.  Further details are set out in Note 
5. 

Share capital 
Financial instruments issued by the Company are treated as equity only to the extent that they do not meet the definition 
of a financial liability.  The Company’s ordinary and deferred shares are classified as equity instruments. The deferred shares 
have no voting rights and are not eligible for dividends. 

Share-based payments  
Where equity settled share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to 
the statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period.  Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by 
adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each balance sheet date so that, ultimately, the cumulative 
amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. 

Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted.  As long as all other vesting conditions are 
satisfied, a charge is made irrespective of whether the market vesting conditions are satisfied.  The cumulative expense is not 
adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition. 

Foreign exchange 
Transactions in currencies other than Sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. 
At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the 
rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Gains and losses arising on retranslation are included in the income statement for 
the period. 

Fair value measurement 
IFRS 13 establishes a single source of guidance for all fair value measurements. IFRS 13 does not change when an entity is 
required to use fair value, but rather provides guidance on how to measure fair value under IFRS when fair value is required 
or permitted. The resulting calculations under IFRS 13 affected the principles that the Company uses to assess the fair value, 
but the assessment of fair value under IFRS 13 has not materially changed the fair values recognised or disclosed. IFRS 13 
mainly impacts the disclosures of the Company. It requires specific disclosures about fair value measurements and disclosures 
of fair values, some of which replace existing disclosure requirements in other standards. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Accounting principles and policies continued 

Financial instruments 

Financial assets 

The Group classifies its financial assets into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the 
asset was acquired. The Group's accounting policy for each category is as follows:  

Fair Value through Profit or Loss (FVTPL) 
This category comprises in-the-money derivatives and out-of-money derivatives where the time value offsets the negative 
intrinsic value. They are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the 
consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  income  in  the  finance  income  or  expense  line.  Other  than  derivative  financial 
instruments, which are not designated as hedging instruments, the Group does not have any assets held for trading nor does 
it voluntarily classify any financial assets as being at fair value through profit or loss.  

Amortised Cost  
These assets comprise the types of financial assets where the objective is to hold these assets in order to collect contractual 
cash flows and the contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest. They are initially recognised at fair 
value  plus  transaction  costs  that  are  directly  attributable  to  their  acquisition  or  issue  and  are  subsequently  carried  at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. Impairment provisions for current and 
non-current trade receivables are recognised based on the simplified approach within IFRS 9 using a provision matrix in the 
determination of the lifetime expected credit losses.  
During this process the probability of the non-payment of the trade receivables is assessed. This probability is then multiplied 
by  the  amount  of  the  expected  loss  arising  from  default  to  determine  the  lifetime  expected  credit  loss  for  the  trade 
receivables. For the receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded in a separate provision account with 
the loss being recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. On confirmation that the receivable will 
not be collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision.  
Impairment provisions for receivables from related parties and loans to related parties are recognised based on a forward-
looking expected credit loss model. The methodology used to determine the amount of the provision is based on whether 
there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition of the financial asset, based on analysis of internal 
or external information. For those where the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition of the financial 
asset, twelve month expected credit losses along with gross interest income are recognised. For those for which credit risk 
has increased significantly, lifetime expected credit losses along with the gross interest income are recognised. For those that 
are determined to be credit impaired, lifetime expected credit losses along with interest income on a net basis are recognised.   
The Group considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 180 days past due. However, in certain cases, 
the Group may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group 
is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held 
by the Group. A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash 
flows. 
The Group's financial assets measured at amortised cost comprise trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents 
in the consolidated statement of financial position. Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with 
banks, other short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and – for the purpose of 
the statement of cash flows - bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within loans and borrowings in current liabilities 
on the consolidated statement of financial position.  

Financial investments 
Non-derivative  financial  assets  comprising  the  Company’s  strategic  financial  investments  in  entities  not  qualifying  as 
subsidiaries, associates or jointly controlled entities.  These assets are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit 
or loss. They are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognised through the income statement.  Where there is a 
significant  or  prolonged  decline  in  the  fair  value  of  a  financial  investment  (which  constitutes  objective  evidence  of 
impairment), the full amount of the impairment is recognised in the income statement.   

Listed investments are valued at closing bid price on 31 July 2021.  Unlisted investments that are not publicly traded and 
whose fair value cannot be measured reliably, are measured at fair value through profit and loss. less impairment 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Accounting principles and policies continued 

Fair Value Measurement 
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the 
transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either: 
In the principal market for the asset or liability; or 
In the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability 

• 
• 

The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible by the Group. 

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing 
the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest. 

A fair  value measurement  of a  non-financial asset  takes into account a  market participant's ability to generate economic 
benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset 
in its highest and best use. 

The Company uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available 
to measure fair value, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs. 
All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorised within the 
fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as 
a whole: 
• 
• 

Level 1 — Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 
Level 2 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is 
directly or indirectly observable 
Level 3 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is 
unobservable  

• 

For  assets  and  liabilities  that  are  recognised  in  the  financial  statements  on  a  recurring  basis,  the  Company  determines 
whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level 
input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.  

For the purpose of fair value disclosures, the Company has determined classes of assets and liabilities on the basis of the 
nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability and the level of the fair value hierarchy, as explained above. 

Convertible Loans  
Convertible  Loans  made  to  companies  are  classified  as  financial  assets.  The  embedded  derivative  asset,  relating  to  a 
convertible loan where the carrying asset converts into a variable number of shares, is held at “fair value through profit or 
loss”. The carrying value of the loan is measured at fair value through profit and loss. 

Trade and other receivables 
Trade receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using 
the effective interest rate method. Trade and other receivables are accounted for at original invoice amount less any provisions 
for doubtful debts.  Provisions are made where there is evidence of a risk of non-payment, taking into account the age of the 
debt, historical experience and general economic conditions.  If a trade debt is determined to be uncollectable, it is written 
off, firstly against any provisions already held and then to the statement of comprehensive income.  Subsequent recoveries 
of amounts previously provided for are credited to the statement of comprehensive income. 

Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in profit or loss in accordance with the expected 
credit loss model under IFRS 9. For trade and other receivables which do not contain a significant financing component, the 
Company applies the simplified approach. This approach requires the allowance for expected credit losses to be recognised 
at  an  amount  equal  to  lifetime  expected  credit  losses.  For  other  debt  financial  assets  the  Company  applies  the  general 
approach to providing for expected credit losses as prescribed by IFRS 9, which permits for the recognition of an allowance 
for  the  estimated  expected  loss  resulting  from  default  in  the  subsequent  12-month  period.  Exposure  to  credit  loss  is 
monitored on a continual basis and, where material, the allowance for expected credit losses is adjusted to reflect the risk of 
default during the lifetime of the financial asset should a significant change in credit risk be identified. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

2  Accounting principles and policies continued 

The majority of the Company's financial assets are expected to have a low risk of default. A review of the historical occurrence 
of credit losses indicates that credit losses are insignificant due to the size of the Company's clients and the nature of its 
activities. The outlook for the natural resources industry is not expected to result in a significant change in the Company's 
exposure to credit losses. As lifetime expected credit losses are not expected to be significant the Company has opted not to 
adopt the practical expedient available under IFRS 9 to utilise a provision matrix for the recognition of lifetime expected credit 
losses on trade receivables. Allowances are calculated on a case-by-case basis based on the credit risk applicable to individual 
counterparties. 

Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables are held at amortised cost which equates to nominal value. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, current balances with banks and similar institutions and liquid investments 
generally  with  maturities  of  3  months  or  less.    They  are  readily  convertible  into  known  amounts  of  cash  and  have  an 
insignificant risk of changes in values. 

Taxation 

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax.  Tax is recognised in the income statement, except to the 
extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.  In this case the tax is also 
recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively. 

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 and associates 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 nor 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 
disallowed expenses, expect where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the company and 
it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same 
taxation authority on either the taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances 
on a net basis. 

Impairment of non-current assets 
The carrying values of all non-current assets are reviewed for impairment when there is an indication that the assets might 
be impaired.  Any provision for impairment is charged to the statement of comprehensive income in the year concerned. 

Impairment losses on other non-current assets are only reversed if there has been a change in estimates used to determine 
recoverable amounts and only to the extent that the revised recoverable amounts do not exceed the carrying values that 
would have existed, net of depreciation or amortisation, had no impairments been recognised. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

3  Key accounting judgements and estimates 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires management to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses.  The 
estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be 
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about carrying values of 
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. 

Actual results may differ from these estimates.  The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision only affects that 
period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. 

Significant  estimates  and  assumptions  that  may  have  a  significant  risk  of  causing  a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities at 31 July 2021 are set out below: 

Share Based Payments 
The Company issued 19.00 million options over its unissued share capital to the directors during the year to 31 July 2021.  
(2020:6.35 million)  

The fair value of share based payments is calculated by reference to Black Scholes model.  Inputs into the model are based 
on management's best estimates of appropriate volatility, dividend yields, discount rate and share price.  During the year, the 
Company incurred £24,000 share based payment charge (2020: £7,000 charge). 

Unlisted investments 
The Company is required to make judgments over the carrying value of investments in unquoted companies where fair values 
cannot be readily established and evaluate the size of any impairment required. It is important to recognise that the carrying 
value of such investments cannot always be substantiated by comparison with independent markets and, in many cases, may 
not be capable of being realised immediately. Management’s significant judgement in this regard is that the value of their 
investment  represents  their  cost  less  previous  impairment.  Further  details  relating  to  management’s  assessment  of  the 
carrying value of unlisted investments can be found in the Chairman’s Report (incorporating the Strategic Review).  

Recoverability of receivables 
The Company makes assumptions when implementing the forward-looking ECL model under IFRS 9. The model is used to 
assess material loans receivable for impairment.  Estimates are made regarding the credit risk and underlying probability of 
default in each of the relevant credit loss scenarios. The Directors makes judgements on the expected likelihood and outcome 
of each of the scenarios and these expected values are applied to the loan balances. 

Fair value of convertible loans 
The Company makes assumptions when measuring the fair value of convertible loans. At the year end the Company held a 
balance on its convertible loan with Rogue Baron plc relating to accrued interest. The Directors expect this balance to be 
repaid in cash and, having considered the valuation and the value of the derivative option to convert, have concluded that 
the difference is not material. The fair value of the loan is therefore considered to be the same as the carrying value of the 
loan. 

4  New accounting requirements 

These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  and IFRIC 
interpretations as adopted by the European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies 
reporting under IFRS. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

4  New accounting requirements continued 

Adoption of new and revised standards: 

During  the  financial  year,  the  Company  has  adopted  the  following  new  IFRSs  (including  amendments  thereto)  and  IFRIC 
interpretations that became effective for the first time.  

Standard 

Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations 
Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: Definition of Material 
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 17: Interest Rate Benchmark Reform 

Effective date, annual period 
beginning on or after 
1 January 2020 
1 January 2020 
1 January 2020 

Their adoption has not had any material impact on the disclosures or amounts reported in the financial statements. 

Standards issued but not yet effective: 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations relevant to the 
Company and which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but were not yet effective. 

Standard 

Amendments to IAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements – Classification of Liabilities as Current 
or Noncurrent  
Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations 
Amendments to IAS 16: Property, Plant and Equipment 
Amendments to IAS 37: Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets 
Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 Cycle 
Amendments to IAS 8: Accounting Policies, Changes to Accounting Estimates and Errors 
Amendments to IAS 12: Income Taxes – Deferred Tax arising from a Single Transaction 

*Subject to UK endorsement 

Effective date, annual period 
beginning on or after 
Not yet confirmed* 

1 January 2022* 
1 January 2022* 
1 January 2022* 
1 January 2022* 
Not yet confirmed* 
Not yet confirmed* 

The adoption of these standards is not expected to have any material impact on the financial statements of the Company.  

5  Segmental analysis 

Segmental analysis is not applicable as there is only one operating segment of the continuing business – investment activities.  
The performance measure of investment activities is considered by the Board to be profitability and is disclosed on the face 
of the statement of comprehensive Income.  The Board will continually review the segmental analysis of the business on an 
ongoing basis and at each reporting date. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

6 

Information regarding Directors and employees 

Included within continuing operations 
Fees and salaries 
Social security costs 

2021 
£000 

258 
20 
278 

2020 
£000 

183 
3 
186 

2021 
Number 

2020 
Number 

Average number of persons employed by the Company (including Directors) during the 
year 
Directors 
Administrative staff 

Total 

The compensation of the Directors, in aggregate, was as follows: 

Fees and salaries 
Social security costs 
Post- employment payments to defined contribution pension scheme 

3 
1 

4 

2021 
£000 
235 
17 
2 
254 

- 

Full details of the remuneration of individual directors, including the highest paid director, are set out below: 

Fees and  
salaries 
£000 

Social  
security costs 
£000 

91 
85 
59 
- 
235 

6 
11 
- 
- 
17 

Total 
2021 
£000 

97 
96 
59 
- 
252 

Directors 
Mr H Harris  
Mr D Strang  
Mr P Ruse 2 
Mr G Garnett 1 & 3 

1 appointed 16 January 2018 
2 appointed 6 November 2019 
3 resigned 26 November 2019 

No Directors fees have been accrued (2020: £Nil) and £Nil remain unpaid at 31 July 2021 (2020: £3,000). 

3 
1 

4 

2020 
£000 
163 
1 

164 

Total 
2020 
£000 

80 
72 
23 
(4) 
171 

7  Other income 

Other fees & services 
Total other income 

2021 
£000 
26 
26 

2020 
£000 
- 
- 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

8  Profit/(Loss) for the year 

The following items have been included in operating profit/(loss): 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors: 
Audit and assurance services: 
- Audit of parent Company financial statements  
Total auditor’s fees 

Analysis of other costs:  
Legal and professional fees 
Foreign exchange losses 
Other general overheads 

9  Taxation 

Taxation charge based on profit/losses for the year 
UK Corporation tax 
Deferred taxation 
Total tax expense 

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year: 
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities at the average UK standard rate of 19% (2019: 19%) 
Effect of non-deductible expenses 
Unutilised losses carried forward 
Other deductions for tax purposes including prior year losses 
Current tax charge 

2021 
£000 

2020 
£000 

18 
18 

11 
7 
227 
245 

2021 

£000 
- 
- 
- 

2,012 
382 
85 
(467) 
- 
- 

17 
17 

1 
3 
274 
278 

2020 

£000 
- 
- 
- 

(991) 
(188) 
5 
183 
- 
- 

As set out in Note 2, the Company has not recognised a deferred tax asset in the financial statements as there is no certainty 
that taxable profits will be available against which these assets could be utilised. 

10  Profit/(loss) per share 

Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders 

2021 

2020 

The calculation of profit/(loss) per share is based on the loss after taxation divided by 
the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period: 
Profit/(loss) from operations (£000) 
Total (£000) 

Number of shares 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic (loss)/earnings 
per share (millions) 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted 
(loss)/earnings per share (millions) 

Basic profit/(loss) per share (expressed in pence) 
Diluted profit/(loss) per share (expressed in pence) 

2,012 
2,012 

362.57 

470.73 

0.558 
0.428 

(991) 
(991) 

93.32 

(1.064) 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

11  Financial investments 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss: 

Fair Value at 31 July 2019 - restated 
Additions 
Fair value changes 
(Loss) on disposals 
Disposal 
Impairment provision  
Foreign Exchange 
Fair Value at 31 July 2020 
Additions 
Fair value changes 
(Loss)/Gains on disposals 
Transfer to level 1  
Disposal 
Impairment provision  
Foreign Exchange 
Fair Value at 31 July 2021 

The financial assets splits are as below: 
Non-current assets - listed 
Non-current assets - unlisted 
Non-current assets – unlisted convertible loans* 
Total 

£000 
Level 1 
143 
193 
176 
(9) 
(154) 
- 
(9) 
340 
1,752 
1,468 
352 
1,542 
(1,041) 
- 
- 
4,413 

4,413 
- 
- 
4,413 

*£111,000 of the convertible loans is an unlisted convertible loan held in a listed security.  

  Gains on investments held at fair value through profit or loss 
  Fair value gain on investments 
  Realised gain on disposal of investments 
  Net gain on investments held at fair value through profit or loss 

2,371 
352 
2,723 

£000 
Level 2 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

£000 
Level 3 
1,445 
423 
- 
- 
- 
(716) 
1 
1,153 
504 
903 
(116) 
(1,542) 
(59) 
(132) 
- 
711 

- 
535 
176 
711 

£000 
Total 
1,588 
616 
176 
(9) 
(154) 
(716) 
(8) 
1,493 
2,256 
2,371 
236 
- 
(1,100) 
(132) 
- 
5,124 

4,413 
535 
176 

5,124 

- 
(116) 
(116) 

2,371 
236 
2,607 

Level 1  
Level 2 

Level 3 

represents those assets, which are measured using unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets. 
applies inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets either directly (as prices) or indirectly 
(derived from prices). 
applies inputs, which are not based on observable market data. 

The Directors carried out an impairment review as at 31 July 2021, and determined a further impairment charge of £130,000 
(2020: £716,000) was required. £130,000 (2020: £96,000) was required with regard to the Company’s investment in Oyster 
Oil & Gas Ltd as a result of the valuation implied by Oyster’s proposed disposal to Sajawin Pty  Limited ("Sajawin"). More 
details regarding the investee companies’ progress are detailed within the strategic review. 

Financial investments comprise investments in listed and unlisted Companies, of which the listed investments are traded on 
stock markets throughout the world, and are held by the Company as a mix of strategic and short-term investments.  The 
listed investments have been valued at bid price, as quoted on their respective Stock Exchanges, at 31 July 2021.  The market 
value of the listed investments at 30 September 2021 was circa £4,803,000. 

Fair value hierarchy of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

12  Trade and other receivables 

Non current assets 
Loan to Investee Company 

Current assets 
Other receivables 
Prepayments 

The carrying value of receivables approximates their fair value. 

13  Trade and other payables 

Amounts due within one year 
Trade payables 
Other creditors 
Accruals and deferred income 

14  Share capital and share premium account 

Share capital issued and fully paid 
At 31 July 2019 
Share Split 
Share Consolidation (1 for 85) 

Issue of new ordinary shares on 5 June 2020 
Issue of new ordinary shares on 1 July 2020 
Issue of new ordinary shares on 6 July 2020 
Issue of new ordinary shares on 7 July 2020 
Less: costs of share placing 
At 31 July 2020 
Issue of new ordinary shares on 19 November 2020 
Issue of new ordinary shares on 4 December 2020 
Exercise of warrants on 22 December 2020 
Exercise of warrants on 26 January 2021 
Issue of new ordinary shares on 1 February 2021 
Exercise of warrants on 22 February 2021 
Exercise of warrants on 15 March 2021 
Exercise of warrants on 6 May 2021 
Issue of new ordinary shares on 3 June 2021 
Exercise of warrants on 1 July 2021 
Less: costs of share placing 
At 31 July 2021 

Number 
of shares 

6,334,275,841 
- 
74,520,893 
74,520,893  
17,786,799  
71,538,462  
16,000,000  
- 
254,367,047 
56,606,789 
56,393,211 
3,589,743 
15,384,610 
15,000,000 
2,750,000 
5,128,176 
16,492,320 
15,000,000 
9,084,610 
- 
449,796,506 

Ordinary 
share 
capital 
£000 
633 
- 
(570) 
63 
15 
61 
14 
- 
216 
48 
48 
3 
13 
13 
2 
4 
14 
13 
8 
- 
382 

2021 
£000 
- 
- 

2021 
£000 
152 
22 
174 

2021 
£000 
23 
23 
20 
66 

Deferred 
share 
capital 
£000 
1,729 
- 
570 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
2,299 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
2,299 

2020 
£000 
56 
56 

2020 
£000 
157 
24 
181 

2020 
£000 
52 
26 
20 
98 

Share 
premium 

£000 
10,890 
- 
- 
421 
101 
404 
90 
(78) 
11,828 

518 
516 
44 
187 
- 
53 
62 
200 
- 
110 
(59) 
13,459 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

15  Movements in equity 

Share  capital  represents  the  nominal  value  of  the  amount  subscribed  for  shares.  Share  premium  represents  the  amount 
subscribed for shares in excess of their nominal value less costs of subscription.  Ordinary shares carry the rights to one vote 
per share at general meetings of the Company and the rights to share in any distributions of profits or returns of capital and 
to share in any residual assets available for distribution in the event of a winding up. The deferred shares have no voting rights 
and are not eligible for dividends. 

The share-based payment reserve represents amounts arising from the requirement to expense the fair value of share-based 
remuneration in accordance with IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payments’. 

Retained earnings are the cumulative net losses recognised in the income statement and other comprehensive income. 

Movements on these reserves are set out in the statement of changes in equity. 

16  Related party transactions 

The Company had the following transactions with related parties: 

Name of related party 

Relationship 

Nature of 
transaction 

Rogue Baron 

Investee Company  Short term Loan 

Transactions with  
related party 
At 31 July 
2020 
£000 
56 

At 31 July 
2021 
£000 
(56) 

Amounts owed from 
related party 
At 31 July 
2020 
£000 
56 

At 31 July 
2021 
£000 
- 

Additionally, the Company converted £639,00 of its Convertible Loan to Rogue Baron plc into 22,033,293 ordinary shares in 
Rogue Baron plc.  

Of the total Directors’ fees paid detailed in Note 6, £41,000 of the amount paid to H Harris was paid to Marlin Atlantic 
Finance Ltd, a company which Mr Harris controls, and £50,000 of the amount paid to P Ruse was paid to KGS Consulting Ltd. 

Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties 
Outstanding balances that relate to trading balances are unsecured, interest free and settlement occurs in cash. There have 
been no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables.  

The Company has the outstanding amounts due as at 31 July 2021 as disclosed in the table above.  The loans outstanding are 
included within trade and other receivables, Note 12. 

Compensation of key management personnel of the Company 
The Company considers the directors to be its key management personnel.  Full details of the remuneration of the directors 
are shown in Note 6. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

17  Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds 

Net funds at beginning of the year 
Increase in cash 
Net funds at end of the year 

Analysis of changes in net funds 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Net funds 

Significant non-cash transactions 

2021 
£000 
838 
233 
1,071 

Cash 
Flow 
£000 
233 
233 

2020 
£000 
568 
270 
838 

At 31 
July 
2021 
£000 
1,071 
1,071 

At 31 
July 
2020 
£000 
838 
838 

During the year the significant non-cash transactions during the year were as follows: 

• 
• 

£130,000 impairment provision in respect of Oyster Oil & Gas Ltd was expensed through the income statement 
£2,371,000 of unrealised gains in movement in the market value of the Company’s listed financial investments were 
revalued through the income statement 

18  Financial instruments and related disclosures 

General objectives, policies and processes 

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Company’s risk management objectives and policies and, 
whilst retaining ultimate responsibility for them, it has delegated authority for designing and operating processes that ensure 
the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Company’s finance function.  The Board receives monthly 
reports through which it reviews the effectiveness of the processes put in place and the appropriateness of the objectives 
and policies it sets. 

The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the 
Company’s competitiveness and flexibility. 

The  Company  reports  in  Sterling.    Internal  and  external  funding  requirements  and  financial  risks  are  managed  based  on 
policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.  The Company does not use derivative financial instruments such 
as forward currency contracts, interest rate and currency swaps or similar instruments.  The Company does not issue or use 
financial instruments of a speculative nature. 

Capital management  
The Company’s objectives when maintaining capital are: 

• 

• 

to  safeguard  the  entity’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,  so  that  it  can  continue  to  provide  returns  for 
shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders; and 
to provide an adequate return to shareholders. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

18  Financial instruments and related disclosures continued 

Capital management  
The capital structure of the Company consists of total shareholders’ equity as set out in the ‘Statement of changes in equity’.  
All working capital requirements are financed from existing cash resources. 

Capital is managed on a day to day basis to ensure that all entities in the Company are able to operate as a going concern.  
Operating  cash  flow  is  primarily  used  to  cover  the  overhead  costs  associated  with  operating  as  an  AIM  and  NEX-listed 
company. 

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity  risk  arises  from  the  Company’s  management  of  working  capital.    It  is  the  risk  that  the  Company  will  encounter 
difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as they fall due. 

The  Directors consider that there is no significant liquidity risk faced by the Company.  The Company maintains sufficient 
balances in cash to pay accounts payable and accrued expenses. 

The Board receives forward looking cash flow projections at periodic intervals during the year as well as information regarding 
cash balances.  At the balance sheet date the Company had cash balances of £1,071,000 and the financial forecasts indicated 
that  the  Company  expected  to  have  sufficient  liquid  resources  to  meet  its  obligations  under  all  reasonably  expected 
circumstances and will not need to establish overdraft or other borrowing facilities. 

Interest rate risk 
As the Company has no borrowings, it only has limited interest rate risk.  The impact is on income and operating cash flow 
and arises from changes in market interest rates.  Cash resources are held in current, floating rate accounts. 

Market risk 
Market price risk arises from uncertainty about the future valuations of financial instruments held in accordance with the 
Company’s investment objectives.  These future valuations are determined by many factors but include the operational and 
financial performance of the underlying investee companies, as well as market perceptions of the future of the economy and 
its impact upon the economic environment in which these companies operate.  This risk represents the potential loss that the 
Company  might  suffer  through  holding  its  financial  investment  portfolio  in  the  face  of  market  movements,  which  was  a 
maximum of £4,994,000 (2020: £1,233,000). 

The investments in equity of quoted companies that the Company holds are less frequently traded than shares in more 
widely traded securities.  Consequently, the valuations of these investments can be more volatile.  

Market price risk sensitivity 
The table below shows the impact on the return and net assets of the Company if there were to be a 20% movement in overall 
share prices of the financial investments held at 31 July 2021. 

Decrease if overall share price falls by 20%, with all other variables held constant 
Decrease in other comprehensive earnings and net asset value per Ordinary share (in 
pence) 

2021 
Other 
comprehensive 
income and  
Net assets 

2020 
Other 
comprehensive 
income and  
Net assets 

£000 
(883) 

£000 
(68) 

(0.002)p 

(0.073)p 

Increase if overall share price rises by 20%, with all other variables held constant 
Increase in other comprehensive earnings and net asset value per Ordinary share (in 
pence) 

883 

68 

0.002p 

0.073p 

The impact of a change of 20% has been selected as this is considered reasonable given the current level of volatility observed 
and assumes a market value is attainable for the Company’s unlisted investments. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

18  Financial instruments and related disclosures continued 

Currency risk 
The Directors consider that there is no significant currency risk faced by the Company.  The only current foreign currency 
transactions the Company enters into are denominated in US$ in relation to transactions with or relating to its loan to Human 
Brands Inc., and no balances at 31 July 2021 are denominated in foreign currencies. 

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will fail to discharge an obligation or commitment that it has entered into with the 
Company.  The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is: 

Cash at bank 
Other receivables 

2021 
£000 
1,071 
174 
1,245 

2020 
£000 
838 
237 
1,075 

The Company’s cash balances are held in accounts with Barclays Bank plc, and with its Investment Broker accounts. 

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities 
Financial assets and liabilities are carried in the Statement of Financial Position at either their fair value (financial investments) 
or at a reasonable approximation of the fair value (trade and other receivables, trade and other payables and cash at bank). 

The fair values are included at the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between 
willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. 

Trade and other receivables  
The following table sets out the fair values of financial assets within Trade and other receivables.   

Financial assets (Note 12) 
Trade and other receivables - Non interest earning 
Loan to investee company - Non interest earning 
Loan to investee company – interest earning @ 12% p.a. 

2021 
£000 
174 
- 
- 

2020 
£000 
181 
56 
- 

There are no financial assets which are past due and for which no provision for bad or doubtful debts has been made. 

Trade and other payables 
The following table sets out financial liabilities within Trade and other payables.  These financial liabilities are predominantly 
non-interest  bearing.    Other  liabilities  include  tax  and  social  security  payables  and  provisions  which  do  not  constitute 
contractual obligations to deliver cash or other financial assets. 

Financial liabilities (Note 13) 
Trade and other payables 

2021 
£000 
66 

2020 
£000 
98 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

19  Share schemes 

The Company has a share option scheme for all employees (including Directors).  Options are exercisable at a price agreed at 
the date of grant.  The vesting period is usually between zero and five years.  The exercise of options is dependent upon 
eligible employees meeting performance criteria.  The options are settled in equity once exercised. 

If  the  options  remain  unexercised  after  their  expiry  date,  the  options  expire.    Options  lapse  if  the  employee  leaves  the 
Company before the options vest. 

Options issued, cancelled, & outstanding for the year ended 31 July 2021 

At 31 July 2019 

lapsed 
Consolidation (1 for 85) 
Issued 

At 31 July 2020 

Issued   
Lapsed 

At 31 July 2021 

Range of exercise prices 

Weighted average remaining contractual life 

Options outstanding & exercisable at 31 July 2021 

Date of grant 
7 August 2017 
12 February 2018 
29 July 2020 
26 August 2020 
Total 

Number  
341,618,850 

(10,000,000) 
(327,717,451) 
6,350,000 

10,251,399 

19,000,000 
(19,046) 

29,232,353 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
0.08p 

0.22p 

1.00p 

3.06p 

1.00p 
446.25p 

1.43p 

1.00p – 4.25p 

1.91 years 

Number 
3,529,412  
352,941  
6,350,000  
19,000,000 
29,232,353 

Exercise 
price (p) 
4.25  
4.25  
1.00  
1.00 

Expiry 
date 
30/06/2022 
11/02/2023 
29/07/2023 
26/08/2023 

A modified Black-Scholes model has been used to determine the fair value of the share options on the date of grant.  The fair 
value is expensed to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is determined annually.  The 
model assesses a number of factors in calculating the fair value.  These include the market price on the date of grant, the 
exercise price of the share options, the expected share price volatility of the Company’s share price, the expected life of the 
options, the risk-free rate of interest and the expected level of dividends in future periods. 

For those options granted where IFRS 2 "Share-Based Payment" is applicable, the fair values were calculated using the Black-
Scholes model.  The inputs into the model were as follows: 

29 July 2020 
26 August 2020 

Risk free rate 
0.1% 
1.3% 

Share price volatility 
30.54% 
27.52% 

Expected life 
3 years 
3 years 

Share price at date of grant 
£0.0079 
£0.00875 

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company's share price for 12 months prior to 
the date of grant.  The expected life used in the model is the term of the options. 

Charges to the statement of comprehensive income 

Share based payment charges 

2021 
£000 
24 

2020 
£000 
7 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

19  Share schemes continued 

Warrants issued, cancelled, & outstanding for the year ended 31 July 2021 

At 31 July 2019 
Issued 
At 31 July 2020 
Issued 
Exercised 
Exercised 
Lapsed 
At 31 July 2021 
Range of exercise prices 

Weighted average remaining contractual life 

Warrants outstanding & exercisable at 31 July 2021 
Date of grant 
30 June 2020 
02 December 2020 
Total 

Number 
10,974,388 
53,750,000 
64,724,388 

20  Commitments and contingencies 

Exercise price (p) 
1.30 
2.00 

Number  
- 
62,717,950 
62,717,950 
56,500,000 
(49,679,459) 
(2,750,000) 
(2,064,103) 
64,724,388 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
- 
1.30p 
1.30p 
2.00p 
1.30p 
2.00p 
1.30p 
1.88p 
1.30p – 2.00p 

0.85 years 

Expiry date 
30/06/2022 
02/06/2022 

The Directors have confirmed that there were no contingent liabilities or capital commitments which should be disclosed at 
31 July 2021. 

21  Ultimate controlling party 

There is not considered to be an ultimate controlling party of the company. 

22  Events after the end of the reporting period 

During the year, Gunsynd partially disposed of 786,000 Empress shares for CAD$344,000 (approximately £201,000) and at 
year end held 214,000 shares which were subsequently disposed in September 2021 for approx. CAD$67,000 
(approximately £37,000). 

41