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Hargreaves Services Plc

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FY2018 Annual Report · Hargreaves Services Plc
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Interim Report
for the six months ended 
30 November 2018
Hargreaves Services plc

Hargreaves Services plc delivers  
key services to the industrial  
and property sectors.

Contents

01  Chairman’s Statement
03  Chief Executive’s Review 
06 

 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss  
and Other Comprehensive Income
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

08 
09  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
11  Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
12  Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Information
16 

Investor Information

Chairman’s Statement
Roger McDowell, Chairman

I am pleased to report on  
the underlying progress of  
Hargreaves in the six months  
ended 30 November 2018.

The Board has continued to realise legacy and 
non-core assets to reduce debt and to focus  
on core activities in Distribution & Services and 
Property to create sustainable platforms for 
growth. Brockwell Energy Limited, the Group’s 
former energy business, was successfully 
disposed at a profit during the period, however, 
the Group also suffered a material loss following 
the failure of Wolf Minerals (UK) Limited.

Results
Revenue increased by 12% to £167.9m (2017: 
£150.3m). In Distribution & Services revenue  
grew by 4% to £152.5m (2017: £146.8m) despite  
a reduction of £1.5m in revenue deriving from the 
three legacy contracts in Specialist Earthworks. 
Property revenue increased to £9.4m (2017: £3.1m) 
due to the timing of surplus land sales. Sales of 
Legacy assets amounted to £5.9m (2017: £0.4m).

Underlying Operating Profit for the first half was 
32% higher at £4.1m (2017: £3.1m). Distribution  
& Services recorded a 14% increase in Underlying 
Operating Profit to £6.4m (2017: £5.6m) and 
Property improved by £0.8m, recording a  
£0.4m profit (2017: loss of £0.4m). The improved 
underlying operating performance derives 
primarily from the Group’s UK operations. 
Underlying Operating Profit is defined by  
the Board as Operating Profit from continuing 
activities prior to exceptional items and 
amortisation of intangible assets and includes 
the Group’s share of the operating profit of  
its German associate. Operating loss under  
IFRS was £6.1m (2017: loss of £2.3m), due to the 
impact of the exceptional item noted below.

As previously announced, in October 2018,  
one of the Group’s customers, Wolf Minerals, 
announced that it had ceased trading and 
subsequently it has moved into an insolvency 
process. As a result, the Group has incurred an 
exceptional loss of £8.1m, comprising a £5.1m 
write down of trade debt and WIP balances and 
£3m of redundancy and other associated costs. 

After accounting for the exceptional item of 
£8.1m (2017: £2.8m), amortisation of intangible 
assets of nil (2017: £0.2m) and adjusting for  
tax on the profits of the German associate  
of £0.5m (2017: £0.7m), the loss before tax was 
£6.0m (2017: loss of £1.6m).

Brockwell Energy Limited
The Board was pleased to complete the sale of the 
entire share capital of Brockwell Energy Limited 
(“Brockwell”) in October. The initial gross proceeds, 
including the reimbursement of certain costs, 
were £21.7m. A further £2m in cash may become 
payable, contingent upon the successful financial 
close of a future development project. A profit on 
the disposal of Brockwell of £4m, excluding the 
contingent consideration, has been recorded 
within Discontinued Operations. Hargreaves has 
retained certain freehold land assets on which 
Brockwell intends to develop renewable energy 
assets in the future and as a result the Group will 
continue to have a landlord/tenant relationship 
with Brockwell on arm’s length terms.

Earnings Per Share
Underlying basic earnings per share from 
continuing operations increased by 54% to 5.4p 
(2017: 3.5p) and a loss per share of 2.6p (2017: loss 
per share 4.0p) on a reported basis.

Net Debt
Net debt was £28.6m (2017: £20.6m). This was 
£2.2m lower than reported at 31 May 2018. The 
increase when compared to 30 November 2017  
is primarily due to higher levels of working capital 
in the Distribution & Services business as a result  
of revenue growth, outweighing the cash receipts 
from the sale of Brockwell and from the realisation 
of Legacy assets. During the first half of the 
financial year, £5.9m (2017: £0.4m) of Legacy assets 
were realised leaving a balance of £21.5m to be 
converted to cash. The Board expects to reduce 
net debt in the second half of the year as a result  
of the expected realisation of further Legacy assets, 
although the level of reduction will be tempered 
by the growth in working capital referred to above 
and investment in new Property opportunities.

Dividend
The Board has decided to maintain the interim 
dividend at 2.7p (2017: 2.7p). This will be paid  
on 8 April 2019 to shareholders on the register  
at 1 March 2019. The Board intends to return  
with immediate effect to a more conventional 
dividend payment policy, distributing 
approximately one third of the anticipated  
full year dividend at the interim stage and  
more generally will seek to increase dividends 
progressively, balancing this objective with 
continuing to reduce net debt.

Brexit
The uncertainty of the final outcome to the Brexit 
discussions is constantly in the headlines. As far  
as Hargreaves is concerned, the Group carries  
out almost all of its business wholly within the  
UK and has very little import/export activity with 
the EU. As a result, the Board does not expect any 
material direct impact on the Group’s trading 
activities whatever the final resolution to Brexit 
may be. The German associate business, HRMS, 
trades almost exclusively within the EU but imports 
much of its trading stock from outside the EU so 
again no direct impact on their trading is expected. 
Of course, it is impossible to assess with any degree 
of accuracy the broader macro-economic impact 
of Brexit on either the EU or the UK.

Board Changes
I was pleased to succeed David Morgan as 
Chairman on 1 August 2018. David led Hargreaves 
through a particularly challenging period in its 
history and the Board thanks him for his services. 
Additionally, Peter Jones decided not to seek 
re-election as a non-executive Director at the 
Annual General Meeting held on 30 October 2018. 
The Board has commenced a process to appoint  
a new non-executive Director.

On 12 November 2018, David Anderson joined 
Hargreaves as Group Property Director, reflecting 
the Board’s desire to build a substantial property 
development business as well as realising value 
from the Group’s existing land portfolio.

Interim Report 2018 

01

Chairman’s Statement continued

Outlook
Notwithstanding the losses arising from the  
Wolf Minerals failure, these results indicate that 
the Group is making headway towards meeting 
its declared strategic objectives with further 
progress expected in the second half of this 
financial year. The Board anticipates reporting  
full year results in line with its expectations.

Roger McDowell
Chairman
30 January 2019

Strategy
Following my appointment as Chairman, the 
Board conducted an initial review of strategy. 
Following this review, an historical risk analysis 
related to the CA Blackwell acquisition is  
being undertaken.

Looking forward, it was decided that there should 
be three key areas of focus. First, the realisation  
of cash from the disposal of surplus assets and  
non-core activities including the Legacy assets. 
Secondly, a focus to increase returns from the 
Distribution & Services business, including 
improving the profit resilience of Hargreaves  
Raw Material Services GmbH (“HRMS”), the  
Group’s German based European specialist raw 
materials trading associate business. Thirdly, the 
development of the Group’s Property business, 
Hargreaves Land, which the Board regards as an 
important area to generate greater medium and 
longer-term value. The recent recruitment of David 
Anderson as Group Property Director provides 
impetus and relevant operational experience 
towards achieving this objective. The Board 
considers that progress has been and is being 
made in all three areas. 

02

Hargreaves Services plc

Chief Executive’s Review

It has been particularly satisfying  
to see the improvements in revenue  
and underlying operating margins  
in Distribution & Services and  
to have concluded the sale of  
Brockwell Energy Limited.

Distribution & Services
The Distribution & Services business recorded 
revenue of £152.5m (2017: £146.8m) and an 
Underlying Operating Profit of £6.4m (2017: 
£5.6m). Operating loss under IFRS was £3.8m 
(2017: profit of £0.1m). When the revenue on 
legacy contracts within Specialist Earthworks is 
excluded, revenue increased by 5.0% to £150.4m 
(2017: £143.2m) and therefore the Underlying 
Operating Profit margin increased to 4.3% from 
3.9%. Further information on the performance  
of each business within this segment is  
given below.

Production & Distribution 
Revenue in Production & Distribution was £62.7m 
(2017: £76.3m). Revenue reduced as the business 
continued with the strategy of moving away 
from lower margin bulk products to focus on 
higher margin speciality coal sales. UK Underlying 
Operating Profit was maintained at £2.0m (2017: 
£2.0m). The coal production and processing  
sites at House of Water and Killoch in Scotland 
continue to yield a high proportion of speciality 
coals, pricing of which has remained strong. 
Favourable trading conditions are expected to 
persist in the second half of the financial year. 

Additionally, the Group’s German associate 
contributed £2.0m (2017: £2.4m). Trading 
conditions in the German market in certain 
speciality minerals have been slightly weaker 
than a year ago. It should be noted that this 
business has been traditionally stronger in the 
second half of the financial year although, as  
it is a trading business, market conditions can  
be unpredictable creating short term volatility. 
Currently, HRMS expects that second half  
trading will be no stronger than the first half 
performance. The construction of a Carbon 
Pulverisation Plant for HRMS remains on plan  
for completion in the second quarter of  
calendar year 2019 with initial production due  
to commence early in the next financial year.

Industrial Services
Revenue grew by 37% to £39.4m (2017: £28.7m) 
with an Underlying Operating Profit of £1.4m 
(2017: £0.3m) representing a margin of 3.6%  
(2017: 1.0%). The principal reason is an improved 
operating performance in the UK where revenue 
growth of 46% and an increase in margin to 5.1% 
from 3.0%, led to a £0.9m increase in Underlying 
Operating Profit. This has been driven both by 
new business being secured but also by a focus 
on operational efficiency and cost reduction. 
Increased levels of activity have caused an 
increase of approximately £6m in working capital 
levels which is expected to continue through  
the rest of the financial year.

As in previous years, the cyclical profiling of 
contracts and planned site outages in Hong 
Kong, means that operating profit in the overseas 
Industrial Services business, which reported  
a loss of £0.1m (2017: loss of £0.3m), will be heavily 
weighted to the second half in which a strong 
profit performance is expected. The Hong Kong 
business is currently focused on the renewal of 
the NEC Term Service Contract with its major 
customer. This process is expected to be 
concluded prior to the financial year end.

Specialist Earthworks
Excluding the impact of the three legacy 
contracts, the Specialist Earthworks business 
recorded revenue of £48.5m (2017: £38.6m) and 
an Underlying Operating Profit of £1.0m (2017: 
£0.9m). Productivity has benefited from the good 
weather over the summer, resulting in stronger 
than expected revenue in certain contracts 
alongside increased revenue arising from dealing 
in plant. 

During the period, the business suffered the  
loss of an important contract at the Hemerden 
tungsten mine in Devon as a result of the 
insolvency of the customer, Wolf Minerals.  
Full provision totalling £8.1m has been made 
against expected losses resulting from this  
which are reported within Exceptional Items.  
As a result of the termination of the Hemerden 
contract and as other contracts which are not  
in bulk earthworks reach their conclusion, the 
Board expects revenue in the second half of the 
year to reduce substantially in this business unit.

The three legacy contracts in C.A.Blackwell  
are now at the stage of agreeing final account 
settlements with clients and the supply chain. 
Whilst the Group is hopeful of reaching 
satisfactory agreements soon, some or all of 
these accounts may not be fully resolved during 
the current financial year which may mean a 
higher than expected level of working capital  
at the year end.

As previously reported, the Group is pursuing  
a claim against the vendors of C.A.Blackwell for 
breach of warranty. This matter is ongoing but  
is likely to take some time to reach a resolution. 
Costs in respect of the claim are being expensed 
as they are incurred.

Property 
Property contributed £9.4m (2017: £3.1m) of 
revenue in the first half and an operating profit  
of £0.4m (2017: loss of £0.4m). The improved result 
derives from the sale of a number of parcels  
of surplus land which did not have sufficient  
cost-effective development potential to  
warrant retention.

The major contract in this business unit is the  
A14 bulk earthworks project which is expected to 
contribute over £20m in revenue this year. Future 
business opportunities with similar operational 
and contractual characteristics are being pursued 
including participation in the construction of  
the HS2 high speed rail infrastructure, where 
C. A. Blackwell has been selected as a preferred 
supplier by one of the major consortia. 

Following his recruitment as Group Property 
Director in November, David Anderson has  
been considering how best to realise value  
from the existing portfolio of land assets as well 
as evaluating a number of other opportunities.  
The net book value of the land portfolio as  
at 30 November 2018 stood at £26.2m (2017: 
£31.8m). Since last year, some £10.6m of the 
comparative figure has been sold. 

Interim Report 2018 

03

Chief Executive’s Review continued

During the period, £4.2m of expenditure has 
been incurred installing infrastructure and 
services at the key Blindwells site near Edinburgh, 
where outline planning consent for 1,600 houses 
had already been secured. Substantial interest 
has been generated from residential developers 
and the Board is pleased to announce that  
a conditional contract for sale, valued at over 
£1m, has been signed in respect of the first 
development plot. Legal completion is principally 
dependent upon receiving detailed planning 
permission and associated statutory approvals. 

Additionally, the Group is in the final stages of 
negotiating three development projects which 
the Board expects to conclude in second half of 
the financial year. These projects would require 
£4m of initial funding.

Last year, planning permission in principle was 
granted for an energy from waste (“EFW”) plant 
and other industrial developments at Westfield,  
a former open cast coal mine in Fife. Hargreaves’ 
former subsidiary, Brockwell Energy Limited,  
is now focused on the development of this EFW 
plant following the successful financial close  
of its other EFW project at Earl’s Gate. Hargreaves 
retains 100% ownership of the Westfield site. 

Legacy Asset Realisations
During the period sales of Legacy Assets 
amounted to £5.9m (2017: £0.4m) with no 
Underlying Operating Profit (2017: £Nil) being 
recorded. The remaining Legacy Assets of  
£21.5m (2017: £32.8m) comprise loans due from 
the Tower Joint Venture of £16.7m (2017: £17.5m)  
and surplus plant and machinery. The majority  
of the remaining Legacy assets are expected  
to be realised during calendar year 2019.

Capital Allocation
As the Group continues its process of transition, 
the Board’s decision to invest in the development 
of Hargreaves Land together with the growth 
being achieved in the Industrial Services business 
is likely to lead to a lower than previously 
expected reduction in net debt by the end  
of the financial year. 

Summary
During the period, it has been particularly 
satisfying to see the improvements in revenue 
and underlying operating margins in Distribution 
& Services and to have concluded the sale of 
Brockwell Energy Limited although the failure of 
Wolf Minerals has been an unexpected setback. 
The Property business, Hargreaves Land, has 
excellent prospects and I look forward to its 
success under David Anderson’s leadership. 

Gearing (measured as net debt compared to  
net assets) at the end of November 2018 was  
21% (2017: 15%) but is expected to reduce in  
the second half of the year. The Group’s strong 
balance sheet provides an excellent basis from 
which to generate sustainable returns and 
shareholder value.

Gordon Banham
Group Chief Executive
30 January 2019

04

Hargreaves Services plc

 
Financial Statements

06 

 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss  
and Other Comprehensive Income
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

08 
09  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
11  Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
12  Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Information
16 

Investor Information

Interim Report 2018 

05

Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss  
and Other Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 30 November 2018

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Other operating income/(expense)
Administrative expenses

Operating loss

Analysed as:
Operating profit (before exceptional items)

Exceptional items – Cost of sales
Exceptional items – Administrative expenses

Exceptional items

Operating loss (after exceptional items)

Financial income
Financial expenses
Share of profit of associates and jointly controlled entities (net of tax)

(Loss)/profit before tax
Taxation

(Loss)/profit for the period from continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations

(Loss)/profit for the period

Other comprehensive (expense)/income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans
Tax recognised on items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Foreign exchange translation differences
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
Tax recognised on items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period, net of tax

Note

5

6

7

8

Unaudited 
 six months  
ended 
30 November  
2018  
£000

167,872
(160,238)

7,634
163
(13,854)

Represented* 
Unaudited  
six months  
ended 
30 November  
2017  
£000

150,268
(138,167)

12,101
688
(15,108)

Audited  
year ended  
31 May  
2018  
£000

297,119
(266,746)

30,373
(185)
(31,564)

(6,057)

(2,319)

(1,376)

2,073

(8,130)
–

(8,130)

(6,057)

98
(1,001)
932

(6,028)
1,173

490

(2,809)
–

(2,809)

(2,319)

328
(913)
1,324

(1,580)
569

(4,855)

(1,011)

2,108

(3,025)
(459)

(3,484)

(1,376)

626
(1,937)
3,175

488
693

1,181

4,007

(275)

(1,000)

(848)

(1,286)

181

–
–

313
(992)
169

(510)

–
–

(249)
(237)
62

(424)

(857)
120

(22)
1,123
(192)

172

06

Hargreaves Services plc

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss  
and Other Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 30 November 2018 continued

Unaudited 
 six months  
ended 
30 November  
2018  
£000

Represented* 
Unaudited  
six months  
ended 
30 November  
2017  
£000

Note

Audited  
year ended  
31 May  
2018  
£000

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

(1,358)

(1,710)

353

(Loss)/profit attributable to:
Equity holders of the company
Non-controlling interest

(Loss)/profit for the period

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the company
Non-controlling interest

(846)
(2)

(848)

(1,356)
(2)

(1,262)
(24)

(1,286)

(1,686)
(24)

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

(1,358)

(1,710)

GAAP measures
Basic earnings per share (pence)
Diluted earnings per share (pence)
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (pence)
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (pence)

Non-GAAP measures (continuing)
Basic underlying earnings per share (pence)
Diluted underlying earnings per share (pence)

10
10
10
10

10
10

(2.64)
(2.64)
(15.13)
(14.95)

5.40
5.33

(3.96)
(3.96)
(3.10)
(3.06)

3.52
3.48

*Comparative figures have been represented to reflect the discontinued operation under IFRS 5, as explained in Note 2.

229
(48)

181

401
(48)

353

0.72
0.71
3.84
3.82

14.90
14.79

Interim Report 2018 

07

Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet 
as at 30 November 2018

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Intangible assets
Investments in associates and jointly controlled entities
Other financial assets 
Deferred tax assets

Current assets

Assets held for sale
Inventories
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other receivables
Income tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Unaudited 
30 November  
2018  
£000

Unaudited  
30 November  
2017  
£000

53,712
11,762
11,126
11,159
–
5,299

93,058

128
35,622
215
127,461
–
26,999

190,425

66,766
11,544
12,122
8,206
87
2,715

101,440

3,186
22,332
429
119,546
–
17,587

163,080

Audited  
31 May  
2018  
£000

53,777
11,909
11,121
10,116
–
3,814

90,737

16,660
34,652
1,044
121,946
269
16,110

190,681

Total assets

283,483

264,520

281,418

Non-current liabilities

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Retirement benefit obligations
Provisions
Derivative financial instruments

Current liabilities

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables
Income tax liabilities
Provisions
Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Translation reserve
Merger reserve
Hedging reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Retained earnings

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

08

Hargreaves Services plc

(52,437)
(3,686)
(1,425)
(193)

(57,741)

(3,199)
(86,519)
(454)
(2,177)
(6)

(92,355)

(424)
(4,209)
(4,421)
–

(9,054)

(37,807)
(80,871)
(395)
(600)
(869)

(4,434)
(4,395)
(2,682)
(30)

(11,541)

(42,460)
(89,800)
–
(1,523)
(7)

(120,542)

(133,790)

(150,096)

(129,596)

(145,331)

133,387

134,924

136,087

3,314
73,955
211
(697)
1,022
332
1,530
1,144
52,597

3,314
73,955
211
(1,237)
1,022
49
1,530
1,079
54,996

3,314
73,955
211
(1,010)
1,022
1,155
1,530
1,043
54,886

133,408

134,919

136,106

(21)

5

(19)

133,387

134,924

136,087

 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
for the six months ended 30 November 2017

Share 
capital 
£000

Share 
premium 
£000

Translation 
reserve 
£000

Hedging 
reserve 
£000

Other 
reserves 
£000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000

Merger 
reserve 
£000

Share-
based 
payment 
reserve 
£000

Retained 
earnings 
£000

Total 
parent 
equity 
£000

Non-
controlling 
interest 
£000

Total 
equity 
£000

Balance at 1 June 2017

3,314

73,955

(988)

224

211

1,530

1,022

936

57,694 137,898

29 137,927

Total comprehensive income  
and expense for the period

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income
Foreign exchange  

translation differences

Effective portion of changes in  
fair value of cash flow hedges

Tax recognised on other 
comprehensive income

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income  
and expense for the period

Transactions with owners 

recorded directly in equity

Equity settled share-based  
payment transactions

Dividends paid

Total contributions by and 
distributions to owners

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

(249)

–

–

–

–

(237)

62

(249)

(175)

(249)

(175)

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

(1,262)

(1,262)

(24)

(1,286)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(249)

(237)

62

(424)

–

–

–

–

(249)

(237)

62

(424)

(1,262)

(1,686)

(24)

(1,710)

143
–

–
(1,436)

143
(1,436)

143

(1,436)

(1,293)

–
–

–

143
(1,436)

(1,293)

Balance at 30 November 2017

3,314 73,955

(1,237)

49

211

1,530

1,022

1,079 54,996 134,919

5 134,924

Interim Report 2018 

09

Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
for the six months ended 30 November 2018

Share 
capital 
£000

Share 
premium 
£000

Translation 
reserve 
£000

Hedging 
reserve 
£000

Other 
reserves 
£000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000

Merger 
reserve 
£000

Share-
based 
payment 
reserve 
£000

Retained 
earnings 
£000

Total 
parent 
equity 
£000

Non-
controlling 
interest 
£000

Total 
equity 
£000

Balance at 1 June 2018

3,314

73,955

(1,010)

1,155

211

1,530

1,022

1,043

54,886 136,106

(19) 136,087

Total comprehensive income  
and expense for the period

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income
Foreign exchange  

translation differences

Effective portion of changes in  
fair value of cash flow hedges

Tax recognised on other 
comprehensive income

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income and 

expense for the period

Transactions with owners 

recorded directly in equity

Equity settled share-based  
payment transactions

Dividends paid

Total contributions by and 
distributions to owners

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

313

–

–

–

–

(992)

169

313

(823)

313

(823)

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(846)

(846)

(2)

(848)

–

–

–

–

313

(992)

169

(510)

–

–

–

–

313

(992)

169

(510)

(846)

(1,356)

(2)

(1,358)

101
–

–
(1,443)

101
(1,443)

101

(1,443)

(1,342)

–
–

–

101
(1,443)

(1,342)

Balance at 30 November 2018

3,314 73,955

(697)

332

211

1,530

1,022

1,144 52,597 133,408

(21) 133,387

10

Hargreaves Services plc

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 
for the six months ended 30 November 2018

Cash flows from operating activities
(Loss)/profit for the period from continuing operations
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of investment properties
Amortisation and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
Net finance expense
Share of profit of jointly controlled entities (net of tax)
(Profit)/loss on sale of Property, Plant and Equipment
Equity settled share-based payment expense
Income tax credit
Contributions to defined benefit pension schemes
Translation of non-controlling interest

Change in assets held for sale
Change in inventories
Change in trade and other receivables
Change in trade and other payables
Change in provisions 

Interest paid
Income tax received

Net cash inflow from continuing operating activities
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities in discontinued operations

Unaudited  
six months ended 
30 November 2018 
£000

Represented* 
Unaudited  
six months ended 
30 November 2017 
£000

Audited  
year ended  
31 May 2018  
£000

(4,855)

7,756
–
–
903
(932)
(190)
101
(1,173)
(709)
(116)

785

8,832
(154)
(4,823)
1,239
(603)

5,276

(802)
413

4,887
14,020

(1,011)

5,695
–
179
585
(1,324)
(691)
143
(569)
(914)
124

2,217

–
6,817
4,094
(8,650)
(1,197)

3,281

(282)
2,226

5,225
(802)

1,181

12,936
621
880
1,311
(3,175)
185
107
(693)
(1,829)
(24)

11,500

–
10,976
(2,984)
(387)
(1,475)

17,630

(905)
1,127

17,852
(1,017)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

18,907

4,423

16,835

Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of investment properties
Acquisition of investment property
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

Net cash outflow from investing activities in continuing operations
Net cash outflow from investing activities in discontinued operations

1,025
373
(225)
(5,677)

(4,504)
–

3,405
–
–
(9,394)

(5,989)
(1,607)

1,001
–
(469)
(20,758)

(20,226)
(4,309)

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(4,504)

(7,596)

(24,535)

Cash flows from financing activities
Payment of finance lease liabilities
Dividends paid
Proceeds from/(repayments of) Group banking facilities

(2,775)
(1,443)
700

(3,003)
(1,436)
(2,510)

(5,461)
(2,300)
3,800

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(3,518)

(6,949)

(3,961)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held

10,885
16,110
4

(10,122)
27,817
(108)

(11,661)
27,817
(46)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

26,999

17,587

16,110

*Comparative figures have been represented to reflect the discontinued operation under IFRS 5, as explained in Note 2.

Interim Report 2018 

11

Financial Statements

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Information

1.   Basis of preparation
The condensed consolidated interim financial information set out in this statement for the six months ended 30 November 2018 and the comparative figures 
for the six months ended 30 November 2017 is unaudited. This financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 435 of  
the Companies Act 2006. It does not comply with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’, as is permissible under the rules of the Alternative Investment Market.

The condensed consolidated interim financial information, which is neither audited nor reviewed, has been prepared in accordance with the measurement 
and recognition criteria of adopted International Financial Reporting Standards. This statement does not include all the information required for the  
full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31 May 2018.  
For the year ending 31 May 2019, IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, and IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, have become effective. The Group  
has implemented these standards in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information. No material impact arises as a result of their 
implementation. There are no other new IFRS which apply to the condensed consolidated interim financial information.

2.   Accounting policies
The accounting policies applied in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information are the same as those applied in the preparation  
of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2018, as described in those financial statements. The disposal of Brockwell Energy Limited,  
the subsidiary which represented the Group’s interest in the Energy sector, represents a disposal group under IFRS 5, therefore the figures for the six month 
period ended 30 November 2017 have been represented in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 
and the Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement.

3.   Status of financial information
The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 May 2018 are not the company’s statutory financial statements for that financial year. The statutory 
financial accounts for the financial year ended 31 May 2018 have been reported on by the company’s auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 
The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without 
qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

4.   Principal risks and uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are unchanged from those set out in the Group’s accounts for the year ended 31 May 2018.  
The Directors have reviewed financial forecasts and are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Group continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information.

5.   Exceptional items
The Group has incurred an exceptional cost in the period due to the insolvency of Wolf Minerals (UK) Limited.

Losses due to the insolvency of Wolf Minerals (UK) Limited
Net losses on legacy contracts in C. A. Blackwell
Credit associated with early closure of certain mining operations 

Exceptional items – cost of sales
Other restructuring costs relating to C. A. Blackwell

Total exceptional items 

6.   Results of associate

Share of profit of associates and jointly controlled entities
Taxation on associates and joint ventures
Interest on associates and joint ventures

Underlying operating profit of associate

Six months  
ended 
30 November 2018 
Unaudited  
£’000

Six months  
ended 
30 November 2017 
Unaudited  
£’000

Year ended  
31 May 2018 
Audited  
£’000

(8,130)
–
–

(8,130)
–

(8,130)

–
(2,809)
–

(2,809)
–

(2,809)

–
(3,435)
410

(3,025)
(459)

3,484

Six months  
ended 
30 November 2018 
Unaudited  
£’000

Six months  
ended 
30 November 2017 
Unaudited  
£’000

932
470
622

2,024

1,324
673
428

2,425

Year ended  
31 May 2018 
Audited  
£’000

3,175
1,632
1,654

6,461

7.   Taxation
Income tax for the period is charged at 19% (2017: 19%). The effective tax rate, after removing the impact of jointly controlled entities is 16.9% (2017: 19.5%), 
representing an estimate of the annual effective rate for the full year to 31 May 2019.

12

Hargreaves Services plc

 
8.   Discontinued operations

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary
Assets disposed

Administrative expenses

Profit/(loss) before tax of discontinued operations
Current tax (charge)/credit
Deferred tax credit

Taxation

Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations

Six months  
ended 
30 November 2018 
Unaudited  
£’000

Six months  
ended 
30 November 2017 
Unaudited  
£’000

Year ended  
31 May 2018 
Audited  
£’000

21,733
(10,034)

11,699
(7,437)

4,262
(255)
–

(255)

4,007

–
–

– 
(339)

(339)
64
–

64

(275)

–
–

–
(1,144)

(1,144)
91
53

144

(1,000)

The discontinued operations represent the activities of Brockwell Energy Limited (“Brockwell”), the subsidiary which represented the Group’s interest in the 
Energy sector. The Company disposed of the whole of its shareholding in Brockwell on 19 October 2018. Proceeds includes the reimbursement of certain 
costs and expenses incurred by or in respect of Brockwell.

9.   Dividends
The final dividend of 4.5 pence per ordinary share, proposed in the 2018 annual accounts and approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting 
on 30 October 2018, was paid on 2 November 2018.

The directors have proposed an interim dividend of 2.7 pence per share (2017: 2.7p) which will be paid on 8 April 2019 to shareholders on the register at the 
close of business on 1 March 2019. This will be paid out of the Company’s available distributable reserves. In accordance with IAS 1, dividends are recorded 
only when paid and are shown as a movement in equity rather than as a charge in the income statement

10.   Earnings per share

Underlying earnings per share  
from continuing operations
Exceptional items and amortisation 

(net of tax)

(6,585)

Continuing basic earnings per share

(4,853)

Discontinued operations

Basic earnings per share

Weighted average number  

of shares

4,007

(846)

Six months ended 
30 November 2018 
Unaudited

Six months ended 
30 November 2017 
Unaudited

Year ended 
31 May 2018 
Audited

Earnings  
£000

EPS 
Pence

DEPS 
Pence

Earnings  
£000

EPS 
Pence

DEPS 
Pence

Earnings  
£000

EPS 
Pence

DEPS 
Pence

1,732

5.40

5.33

1,121

(20.28)

(14.95)

(20.53)

(15.13)

12.49

(2.64)

(2,108)

(987)

(275)

(1,262)

3.52

(6.62)

(3.10)

(0.86)

(3.96)

3.48

4,764

14.90

14.79

(6.54)

(3.06)

(3,535)

1,229

(1,000)

229

(11.06)

3.84

(3.12)

0.72

(10.97)

3.82

32,077

32,468

31,888

32,244

31,981

32,214

The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the Company and on the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares in issue in the period adjusted for the dilutive effect of the share options outstanding. The effect on weighted average number of 
shares is 391,000 (2017: 356,000), the effect on continuing basic earnings per ordinary share is 0.18p (2017: 0.04p).

Interim Report 2018 

13

Financial Statements

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Information continued

11.   Segmental information
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, since they are responsible for strategic decisions. 

Distribution & 
Services  
Unaudited 
30 November  
2018  
£000

Property 
Unaudited 
30 November  
2018  
£000

Legacy  
Unaudited 
30 November  
2018  
£000

Corporate 
Unaudited 
30 November  
2018  
£000

Total  
Unaudited 
30 November  
2018  
£000

Revenue
Total revenue
Inter-segment revenue

152,774
(230)

9,403
–

5,925
–

Revenue from external customers

152,544

9,403

5,925

Underlying operating profit/(loss)
Taxation on associates and joint ventures
Exceptional items

Operating (loss)/profit including share of associate 
Interest on associates and joint ventures
Net financing costs

(Loss)/profit before taxation

6,387
(470)
(8,130)

(2,213)
(622)
(862)

(3,697)

Distribution & 
Services  
Unaudited 
30 November  
2017  
£000

–
–

–

(2,668)
–
–

(2,668)
–
32

168,102
(230)

167,872

4,097
(470)
(8,130)

(4,503)
(622)
(903)

(2,636)

(6,028)

378
–
–

378
–
(73)

305

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

Property 
Unaudited 
30 November  
2017  
£000

Legacy  
Unaudited 
30 November  
2017  
£000

Corporate 
Unaudited 
30 November  
2017  
£000

Total  
Unaudited 
30 November  
2017  
£000

Revenue
Total revenue
Inter-segment revenue

147,247
(444)

3,595
(503)

Revenue from external customers

146,803

3,092

Underlying operating profit/(loss)
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Taxation on associates and joint ventures
Exceptional items

Operating profit/(loss) including share of associate 
Interest on associates and joint ventures
Net financing costs

Profit/(loss) before taxation

5,565
(179)
(673)
(2,809)

1,904
(428)
(887)

589

(406)
 –
–
–

(406)
–
(249)

(655)

373
–

373

46
 –
–
–

46
–
–

46

–
–

–

(2,111)
 –
–
–

(2,111)
–
551

151,215
(947)

150,268

3,094
(179)
(673)
(2,809)

(567)
(428)
(585)

(1,560)

(1,580)

Underlying Operating Profit is defined by the Board as Operating Profit from continuing activities prior to exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets 
and includes the Group’s share of the operating profit of its German associate. It is a key performance measure monitored by the Board on a monthly basis.

12.  Condensed consolidated interim financial information
The condensed consolidated interim financial information was approved by the Board of Directors on 30 January 2019. Copies of this interim statement will 
be sent to all shareholders and will be available to the public from the Group’s registered office.

14

Hargreaves Services plc

Notes

Interim Report 2018 

15

Financial Statements

Investor Information

Company Secretary
Andrew Robertson

Auditor
KPMG LLP
Quayside House
110 Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3DX

Bankers
HSBC
4th Floor
City Point
29 King Street
Leeds
LS1 2HL

Lloyds Banking Group
1st Floor
102 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6AG

Legal Advisers
Walker Morris
Kings Court
12 King Street
Leeds
LS1 2HL

Nominated Adviser and Joint Stock Broker
N+1 Singer
One Bartholomew Lane
London
EC2N 2AX

Joint Stock Broker
Investec Bank plc
30 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7QP

Registered Office
West Terrace
Esh Winning
Durham
DH7 9PT

Registrar
Link Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 4TU

16

Hargreaves Services plc

For more information 
Please visit us online at  
www.hsgplc.co.uk  
for up to date investor information, 
company news and other information. 

Hargreaves Services plc
West Terrace
Esh Winning
Durham DH7 9PT
Tel: 0191 373 4485
Fax: 0191 373 3777

www.hsgplc.co.uk