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Horizon Gold Limited

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FY2015 Annual Report · Horizon Gold Limited
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Hornby Plc

The Group’s principal business is the 
development, production and supply of hobby 
and toy products for a global market. The Group 
distributes its products through a network of 
specialists and through its online activities and 
multiple retailers throughout the UK and overseas.

Strategic Report
01 
02 
04 
05 
09 

Highlights 2015
Chairman’s Statement
Strategic Review
Business Model and Strategy
Operational and Financial Review  
of the Year
Our Key Performance Indicators 

12 

Governance
15 
16 
19 
23 
25 
33 
34 

Directors and Corporate Information
Directors’ Report
Corporate Governance
Report of the Audit Committee
Directors’ Remuneration Report
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
Independent auditors’ report to  
the members of Hornby Plc

Financial Statements
40 

Group and Company Statement of 
Comprehensive Income
Group and Company Balance Sheet
Group and Company Statement  
of Changes in Equity
Group and Company Cash Flow Statement
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement
Notes to the Financial Statements
Five Year Summary (Unaudited)
Shareholders’ Information Service

41 
42 

44 
45 
46 
78 
78 

Highlights 2015

 “ After a year of hard work and numerous challenges, 
Hornby has returned to underlying profit. We are 
improving product deliveries and quality from our  
supply chain, and I remain confident that the turnaround 
plan will continue to deliver further improvements.” 

Richard Ames, Chief Executive

Revenue 
(2014: £51.6m)

Operating profit  
(2014: £4.1m loss)

Underlying1 operating profit 
(2014: £0.7m loss)

£58.1m

£0.3m

£2.1m

Reported loss before taxation 
(2014: £4.6m loss)

Underlying1 profit before taxation 
(2014: £1.1m loss)

Reported loss after taxation 
(2014: £4.4m loss)

£(0.2)m

£1.6m

£(0.1)m

Reported loss per share (2014: 
11.4p loss)

Underlying basic earnings per share 
(2014: 3.4p loss)

Total dividend per share  
(2014: nil)

(0.3)p

3.4p

nil

1 

 Underlying figures are before amortisation of intangibles, and net unrealised foreign exchange movements on intercompany loans, 
restructuring costs and impairment of goodwill.

01

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Chairman’s Statement

Personal perspectives
Twelve months ago we announced the appointment of 
Richard Ames as our new CEO and I am delighted with 
the progress Richard and the team have made in taking 
the business transformation forwards.

02

Since I joined Hornby, I have been in no 
doubt about the exciting opportunities 
ahead for our iconic stable of brands if we 
are able to establish the necessary platform 
for sustained and profitable growth. The 
challenge that Richard and the team face is 
constantly one of balancing priorities. We 
are never short of good ideas but the key is 
to focus on the three or four that will deliver 
the biggest strategic impact whilst at the 
same time cherry picking the tactical plans 
with the best cost/benefit. Focused 
execution is key to success.

It is imperative that we do not allow the 
iconic heritage of our brands to wane but 
continue to build on the huge passion that is 
evident amongst our existing enthusiasts and 
also engage a new audience for our hobby 
and toy products. This has required 
discipline in investing scarce resources 
judiciously within a long-term strategic 
framework to build coherent, global brand 
propositions. Retaining and recruiting the 
very best talent is central to this process and 
we are resolute in not compromising when 
assembling the team Hornby requires to 
meet our future ambitions.

We have continued to redeploy and 
increase the investment in our supply chain. 
The team that are managing our 
manufacturing base continue to evolve as 
we recruit the right talent, skilled at 
balancing the competing commercial issues 
when forging long-term partnerships with 
existing and new businesses. Whilst this 
year has not seen the consistency and 
quality of supply we would ultimately wish 
for, there is no doubt our investment is 
starting to bear fruit and our customers are 
enjoying a sustained improvement.

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 •  Revenue of £58.1 million (2014 – £51.6 million)
•  Like-for-like revenues up by 15% at constant exchange rates,  

12.8% at reported exchange rates

•  Underlying profit before tax1 of £1.6 million (2014 – £1.1 million loss)
•  Net debt at 31 March 2015: £7.5 million (2014 – £7.3 million)
•  One-off charges of £0.8 million (2014 – £0.9 million) including both  

the move of UK warehouse and restructuring in 2015 and restructuring  
and the exit payment to our principal model rail supplier in 2014

•  Statutory loss after tax £0.1 million (2014 – £4.4 million loss)

1 

 Stated before amortisation of intangibles, net unrealised foreign exchange movements on intercompany loans, restructuring costs and impairment of goodwill.

encouraging progress with our strategy to 
drive the Group’s turnaround. I wish to take 
the opportunity on behalf of the Board and 
my colleagues to thank Nick once again for 
his contribution during this phase of 
Hornby’s recovery and we wish him all the 
best for the future. 

Shareholder engagement
We will hold our AGM this summer 
and this continues to be an excellent 
opportunity for shareholders to see the 
new products for themselves and to 
understand the progress that the Company 
is making. Personally I am looking forward 
to welcoming as many shareholders 
as possible that are able to attend. 

I am confident that under Richard’s 
guidance, the Group has the potential 
to build on the significant progress that 
has already been made. With the steps 
we have taken to resolve our supply 
chain issues together with the passion 
and energy to support our brands, I am 
confident that the future of the business is 
brighter than it has been for some time.

Roger Canham
Chairman
18 June 2015

During the year, the team have worked hard 
to balance the need to deliver a satisfactory 
current trading performance against 
applying the necessary time and energy to 
the strands of work around the business 
transformation. It strikes me that delivering 
just one of these strands in a given year 
would be a significant undertaking for most 
businesses, be that the logistics outsourcing, 
new ERP system implementation or indeed 
office relocation. I would like to thank the 
team at Hornby for their unwavering 
commitment to executing our transformation 
plans through this year and building our 
platform for growth.

Over the last couple of months a lot of work 
has been put into documenting and agreeing 
Hornby’s plans for the next couple of years 
and the associated investment required.  
To enable the Group to pursue these plans, 
we have approached investors to raise 
additional equity funding of £15 million and 
have also signed a new four-year facility with 
the Group’s bankers, which is subject to the 
£15 million equity raise. 

I am delighted that we are able to 
announce today the successful conclusion of 
these discussions with investors and that the 
proposed equity raise and a move to AIM 
will be put to our shareholders on 13 July 
2015. I am highly confident that our 
shareholders will approve the placing and 
the move to AIM but would draw to your 
attention the fact that if they are not 
approved there are concerns over the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern. The fact that the placing is yet to 
be approved by shareholders represents  
a material uncertainty and more detail can 
be found in the Going concern section of 
the Operational and financial review of  
the Year on page 11.

The role of the Board
Good corporate governance provides a 
framework for delivering the objectives 
of the Company and is fundamental to a 
sound-decision making process. It supports 
executive management in achieving the 
maximum performance for the business. 
Maintaining good corporate governance 
is a key priority and with the exception 
of a separate CEO and Chairman until 
28 April 2014 when Richard Ames 
joined the Group, I am pleased to say 
that we were compliant with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code issued 
by the Financial Reporting Council in 
September 2012, throughout the year. 

In the current uncertain economic 
environment, management of risk remains 
a key focus for the Board. The Board has 
in place a robust process for identifying 
the major risks facing the business and 
for developing appropriate policies to 
manage those risks. The Board reviews 
the major risks and any mitigating actions 
required on a biannual basis. Through 
the Board and the Audit Committee 
we retain good visibility of the issues 
and challenges faced by management 
and the work to address them. 

Board changes
As previously announced, Nick Stone will 
be leaving Hornby later this summer to be 
replaced by Steve Cooke who joined the 
business on 10 June 2015. The Board is 
delighted that Steve has agreed to join 
Hornby and we are pleased to have 
secured someone of his calibre. He brings 
with him extensive PLC experience at a 
strategic level, as well as excellent 
experience of retail and logistics operations. 
I look forward to Steve making a significant 
contribution as we continue to make 

03

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Strategic Review

Hornby Plc continues to make progress towards its vision 
to be the most successful model, hobby and collectible toy 
company in the world. 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
It is pleasing that, after a year of hard work 
and numerous challenges for the team, we 
are able to announce that Hornby has 
returned to profit at the underlying level. 
Having identified and focused on the key 
immediate priorities for the organisation, the 
Company has been able to make significant 
headway towards delivering value to 
shareholders, customers and colleagues. 
There is a long way to go before we will be 
able to suggest that we are operating to our 
full potential, but we are now heading in the 
right direction and many of the foundations 
for a more profitable future have been laid 
or are progressing well into development.

Worthy of specific mention are the 
following:
•  We have successfully negotiated 

renewal of our bank facilities and raised 
the additional equity we need by way of 
a move to AIM, subject to shareholder 
approval on 13 July 2015.

•  We are improving product deliveries 
and product quality from our Far East 
vendor partners.

•  We are operating from a new 

warehouse and distribution facility  
in Hersden, Kent run by a new 3PL 
(‘Third Party Logistics’) Partner,  
DS Logistics.

•  We have moved to a new head  

office in Discovery Park, Sandwich.
•  We have opened a new e-commerce 
office in Shoreditch, London; and
•  We are preparing to launch a new 

group-wide ERP IT system starting with 
the UK in Q2 of the financial year  
2015 and rolling out across Europe 
during 2015–16.

04

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Business Model  
and Strategy

The Group’s principal business is the design, 
development, production and supply of hobby and toy 
products. The Group distributes its products through a 
network of specialists and through its online activities 
and multiple retailers throughout the UK and overseas. 

05

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Strategic Review continued

e-commerce office in London
The Company embarked upon an initiative 
in 2014 to upgrade its e-commerce and 
social media capabilities in order to 
engage more closely with consumers and 
fans of the brands. Communication projects 
landed this year include:
•  four new forums for Hornby, Airfix,  

Corgi and Scalextric brands allowing 
fans of the brands to communicate  
24/7, 365 days a year;

•  new expert blogs Simon Says,  

The Engine Shed and Aerodrome 
provide channels through which we can 
keep consumers updated on new and 
interesting developments and opinions 
within the Company and industry; and
•  Facebook and Twitter pages for each of 
the brands allow daily updates for the 
wider population interested in our 
hobbies.

These initiatives are operated by the team in 
London which has been focused primarily 
on the UK consumer in 2014, but which is 
now running a website for Hornby USA and 

will take a more global view of social and 
e-commerce opportunities in the future. We 
are also using the tools developed in this 
office to improve our communications with 
our trade customers and during the year we 
have upgraded our Trade News for each 
brand to ensure that the industry can keep 
close to our new initiatives and products as 
and when we launch them.

New ERP system for the Hornby Group 
Throughout 2014–15, the Company has 
been developing a new ERP system 
designed to go live in the UK during the 
summer of 2015 before being rolled out to 
the wider group in 2016. The new system 
will be based on the Microsoft AX platform 
and a dedicated team has spent the year 
rewriting and upgrading Company 
processes to enable a significant upgrade 
to the Company’s finance, sales, logistics, 
and data capabilities. Once embedded 
within the UK operation, these will be rolled 
out across Europe facilitating better 
communication and increased efficiencies 
from operations.

Manufacturing supply chain
The challenges that we have faced in our 
Asian manufacturing and supply chain have 
been well documented. The second half of 
2014–15 saw significant improvements in 
the volumes and quality of products being 
produced by our vendor partners, 
particularly for the Hornby Model Rail 
brand. This has occurred as a result of the 
new Critical Path programme and Tooling 
Database tools deployed during the year, 
as well as improved scheduling and 
communication with our vendor network, 
managed by the team in Hong Kong.  
There continues to be significant room for 
improvement and we are focusing on 
bringing new manufacturers into production 
and improving Quality Assurance and 
Control processes to assist in managing the 
efficiency and effectiveness of our 
production schedules.

New warehousing solutions
A decision was made early in 2014–15  
to enter a new third party warehousing  
and distribution agreement for the UK 
business. The Company traded the 
Christmas 2014 period using this new 
solution following a smooth transition of 
stock and resources in the autumn. This new 
solution will enable the Group to upgrade  
its stock, merchandising and logistics 
processes to industry leading systems in 
2015 and we are now investigating the 
opportunity to accommodate our global 
operations into this model over the  
coming years.

Move of our head office to Sandwich
Following the exit from the Margate 
warehouse in October 2014, a decision 
was made to vacate the building and move 
the head office team to Discovery Park, 
Sandwich. The Sandwich site offers a far 
superior working environment for the UK 
team and enables the Company to be sited 
in one open-plan space, facilitating an 
energetic trading atmosphere and improved 
inter-departmental communication. The 
Hornby Visitor Centre remains on the 
pre-existing Margate site for the short term, 
but it is the Board’s intention to relocate this 
to a more suitable building within Thanet, 
Kent and to sell the vacant site in the 
coming months.

06

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Product range developments
Our consumers are passionate about the 
products that we produce and the brand 
development teams continue to create 
compelling and profitable ranges. 

Hornby
Sales of Hornby model railway products 
grew through FY15 as we improved our 
delivery performance. Customer numbers 
and sales both grew in our Independent 
Model Shop channel aided by the 
increasing focus on trade communication to 
improve our relationships and mutual 
business. We continue to work with the 
National Railway Museum (‘NRM’) with the 
sponsorship of the ‘Playing with trains’ 
exhibit. Our efforts to bring new desirable 
products to market has been recognised by 
our consumers as they voted us winners of 
three Model of the Year awards organised 
by three consumer magazine/internet 
forums that co-ordinated a consumer poll. 
This is the best showing by Hornby for a 
number of years. The ‘N’ Gauge is a 
fantastic endorsement for our Group as 
Hornby Spain co-ordinated this product 
development on behalf of the UK team.  
Our website, and social media platforms 
are allowing us to have a much more 
engaging relationship with our consumers. 
Two particular highlights are the  
‘Simon Says‘ blog every fortnight by  
Simon Kohler looking at his memories of  
the many years of service with Hornby,  
and the ‘Engine Shed’ blog where our 
development team shares how, and what 
they are working on. Our consumers have 
an appetite for this information, and we will 
continue to develop innovative ways to  
feed this enthusiasm.

Slot car product range
Scalextric had a strong year as we were 
able to gain good broad retail support  
with a focus on our opening price point set, 
Continental Sports Cars. The range 
hierarchy offered developing skill level  
and price points to suit a broad retail 
consumer base. Our retail performance  
was strong in all channels with a high sell 
through percentage achieved ahead of  
the Christmas peak. The TV advertising 
continued to deliver the desired effect and 
our launch of Scalextric ARC (App Race 
Control) was embraced by both enthusiasts 
and new consumers. During the year 
product development and consumer 
research identified clear areas of 
opportunity and licenses were signed for 
Mercedes F1 team and James Bond. 

Airfix
Airfix continued to grow but the rate slowed 
this year. The brand continues to benefit from 
the ongoing enthusiasm for subject matter 
relating to the major conflicts of the past, and 
the commemoration of the anniversaries. 

In 2014 it was the 70th anniversary of  
D Day, and our ranges offered the chance  
to complete dioramas of the landings and for 
the more experienced modeller a 1:24 scale 
Typhoon. The team continue to deliver the 
products our enthusiasts want, and our 
retooling programme of the starter kits is  
now complete which further enhances  
the consumers’ first experience of Airfix.  
Our Quickbuild construction brand, 
manufactured in the UK, has been further 
enhanced with the introduction of three 
supercars; The Lamborghini Aventador, 
Bugatti Veyron, and the Mclaren P1.  
These items are now gaining international 
recognition and we believe will contribute  
to further growth in the future.

Corgi models
Corgi benefited from a number of significant 
new releases. Within our Aviation Archive 
we released the Vulcan model. This iconic 
aircraft presented a number of engineering 
challenges with its large delta wing design 
but the enthusiasts recognise this as one of 
the finest models of this important aircraft.  
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Corgi 
winning the inaugural Toy of the Year award 
we re-released the Corgi Aston Martin DB5 
toy. This toy replicated the gadget laden 
Aston Martin DB5 that James Bond drove in 
the movie Goldfinger. A combination of 
silver and gold coloured cars ensured a 
craze and the initial production run sold  
out immediately. 

07

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Strategic Review continued

Hornby can only be as good as its people 
and we are proud to be the home of some 
of the best talent in the industry. 

Current trading
The UK business continues to show steady 
growth across its Hornby, Scalextric and 
Airfix businesses. Our European businesses 
have been impacted by another slow start to 
model rail production in China since March 
2015 and we are working hard to catch up 
– with particular attention and support being 
given to two factories in Guang Dong. 
Group net debt as at 12 June 2015 was 
£11.5 million, in line with usual seasonal 
working capital outflows (£9.7 million as at 
8 June 2014). Overall, despite the 
continuing challenges in specific locations, 
we expect the Group to deliver sales in the 
first quarter ahead of the same period last 
year and remain confident in the turnaround 
plan for the business and the delivery of 
market expectations for the year as a whole.

Richard Ames
Chief Executive
18 June 2014

New colleagues
Hornby can only be as good as its people 
and we are proud to be the home of some 
of the best talent in the industry. In 2014–15 
we have complemented our undoubted 
expertise in product development and 
consumer knowledge with new commercial 
experience in UK and French sales, 
international merchandising and logistics, 
vendor and commercial management in 
Hong Kong and e-commerce in London. It is 
a source of pride and pleasure that we are 
a Company with a story that can attract 
great people who want to be a part of the 
revival of these wonderful brands.

Outlook for 2015–16
The outlook for the next couple of years 
has been greatly improved by the new 
equity and debt proposals that have 
been announced today and that we trust 
will be approved by our shareholders 
on 13 July 2015. Without the successful 
conclusion of these funding plans, the 
continued investment needed to develop 
further the plans I have described 
above would not be possible.

2015–16 will be another year of change for 
Hornby as we push for further growth and 
build upon the foundations laid in 2014.

The new ERP system that has been in 
development for the UK business will be 
deployed in the summer. This will facilitate 
improved processes and data provision in 

the core business and will lead to better 
planning and efficiencies. Once embedded 
in the UK organisation, this system will be 
rolled out to the European subsidiaries later 
in the financial year and in doing so, will 
unlock cost savings including a slimmed 
down distribution and logistics network.  
We are also looking to share best practice 
around the Group and have initiated a 
group sales structure that we believe will 
open up new customers and markets.

The Group also expects to benefit from 
further improvements in vendor partnerships 
and supply chain management as 
production from new factories begins to 
come online – particularly for model rail 
and Scalextric products in the Q3 selling 
period. Three new projects, involving three 
new vendor relationships, targeted at 
high-end model rail, train sets and Scalextric 
sets are well under way and will continue 
our push to broaden the supplier base and 
mitigate production risks across the portfolio.

The development of Hornby’s e-commerce 
platform will continue during the year, with 
the introduction of new European facing 
websites, in addition to the work already 
ongoing on the USA proposition.

The management team will continue to 
balance the need for structural and 
organisational change with the opportunities 
to deliver sales growth and meet the 
demand that can be seen for our products 
in target markets around the world. 

08

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Operational and Financial 
Review of the Year

Consolidated revenue for the year ended  
31 March 2015 was £58.1 million, an increase of  
13% compared to the previous year’s £51.6 million.  
At constant exchange rates the revenue would  
have been £59.2 million or an increase of 15%.

Full year gross profit margin was 47%  
(2014 – 45%) as a result of an increased 
proportion of higher margin model rail 
product in the mix and a better exchange 
rate environment. As discussed below the 
availability and supply of high end model 
rail products is still below planned levels 
although improved from the previous  
year. Therefore the overall margin is  
still suppressed when compared to  
historic levels. 

Overheads increased year-on-year by  
4% after the add back of one-off and 
exceptional items due to the increase in 
distribution costs, which were partially offset 
by a year-on-year reduction in foreign 
exchange losses. The distribution costs 
themselves increased markedly in the year 
as a result of the transition to the third party 
managed warehouse and also the one-off 
costs of the move and close-down of the 
old warehouse. Sales and marketing costs 
increased as the level of commissions paid 
through our concessions channel increased 
with sales and because of the investment in 
our e-commerce team. Foreign exchange 
losses in the year totalled £0.8 million 
compared to losses of £1.0 million in the 
previous year, which contributed to the 
reduction in administrative costs together 
with the impairment write-off of Goodwill 
that was taken in the previous year.

09

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Operational and Financial Review of the Year
continued

Pre-tax profit before net foreign exchange 
movements on intercompany loans, 
amortisation of intangibles, restructuring 
costs and impairment of goodwill (hereafter 
referred to as underlying pre-tax profit/(loss)) 
was £1.6 million (2014 – loss of  
£1.1 million) (see reconciliation in note 2). 

Basic earnings per share calculated on 
underlying pre-tax profit/(loss) (hereafter 
referred to as underlying basic earnings/
(loss) per share) were 3.38p (2014 –  
(3.43)p). Statutory pre-tax loss was  
£0.1 million (2014 – loss of £4.4 million)  
and statutory basic loss per share 
was 0.31p (2014 – 11.35p loss per 
share). Taxation at £0.06 million credit 
(2014 – £0.1 million credit) was 35% of 
reported loss before tax (2014 – 2%). 

Group inventories reduced during the year 
by 5% from £13.2 million to £12.5 million. 
Trade and other receivables increased by 
14% in line with sales from £9.0 million at 
the last year end to £10.3 million at  
31 March 2015. Trade and other payables 
increased by £1.3 million largely due to the 
increase in product purchases, particularly 
in the last quarter of the year. Investment in 
new tooling and other capital expenditure 
was £5.1 million (2014 – £4.1 million).  
The net effect of these factors was a 
reduction in working capital requirements  
by 5% and a small increase in net debt at 
31 March 2015 to £7.5 million, from  
£7.3 million at 31 March 2014.

Dividend
This has been another year of transition 
and as a result trading has been 
challenging. Therefore the decision 
has been taken not to pay a dividend 
(2014 – 0.0p). The Board continues to 
keep the dividend policy under review 
and once the reorganisation has been 
completed and the Group is generating 
sufficient cash flow, then the Board will 
look to recommence paying a dividend.

Underlying profit/(loss)
A total of £1.8 million costs in these 
accounts have been identified as outside 
of underlying profit as defined in note 
2. Of this total £1.0 million (2014 – 
£2.5 million) was for amortisation of 
intangible assets and the revaluation of 
intercompany loans, all of which are 
non-cash costs. The prior year comparator 
also includes the write-off of goodwill 
in the Italian business of £2 million.

The cash restructuring costs of £0.8 million 
mainly comprise the costs of moving 
warehouses in the UK to a new warehouse 
run by our third party provider, DS Logistics 
but also include elements of redundancy 
and other one-off items. The prior year 
charge included payments made to our 
long-standing major supplier of model 
railway product for work in progress, 
materials and components when the 
agreement was reached with them to  
end the relationship and a charge for the 
bad debt and other costs that arose from 
the failure of our main concession partner 
Modelzone that went into administration  
in July 2013.

10

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Financial Review

Revenue
Underlying profit/(loss) before tax1
Gross profit margin
Underlying profit/(loss) before tax margin1
Reported loss before tax margin
Underlying basic earnings/(loss) per share1
Statutory basic loss per share

Net debt

Statutory loss after tax

2015 

2014 

£58.1m £51.6m
£(1.1m)
45.3%
(2.2%)
(8.8%)
(3.43)p
(11.35)p

£1.6m
46.7%
2.8%
(0.3%)
3.38p
(0.31)p

£7.5m

£7.3m

£(0.1m)

£(4.4m)

1  Stated before amortisation of intangibles, net unrealised foreign exchange movements on intercompany loans, 

restructuring costs and impairment of goodwill.

Segmental analysis
Third party sales by the UK business grew 
by 14% in the year and generated an 
underlying profit of £1.6 million compared 
to £0.04 million last year. The improvement 
in model rail production reliability was 
shared across all areas of the business with 
the UK achieving 82% of planned 
production and the European business 
achieving 90%. Sales growth in the UK was 
derived from this improvement but also an 
improvement in all other brands, particularly 
Scalextric and Corgi. The European 
businesses are dominated by their model 
rail brands and therefore also benefited 
significantly from the supply improvement, 
particularly in Italy where an underlying loss 
of £0.5 million in the previous year was 
turned into an underlying profit of  
£0.3 million by virtue of sales growth  
of 38%.

By order of the Board

Nick Stone
Group Finance Director
18 June 2015

Impact of supply chain disruptions
Deliveries of model railway product over the 
year totalled 85% of our budget for the 
Group as a whole. This represents a 
significant improvement from the 59% 
equivalent achieved in the prior year as a 
result of the investment in our supply chain 
management resources both in the UK and 
Hong Kong. However it does show that 
there is still much work to do before the 
supply chain is working the way we would 
like it to, particularly for product bound for 
the European markets.

Banking facilities
At 31 March 2015 the Group had a 
revolving credit facility of £13 million 
expiring December 2015. The 
announcement today of a proposed  
£15 million equity placing has allowed us  
to reduce reliance on debt facilities and  
we have signed a new revolving credit 
facility of £10 million with our main UK 
bankers, Barclays. This facility is conditional 
on the equity raising being approved by 
shareholders which is expected to allow 
sufficient headroom for trading working 
capital needs for the next four years and 
expires in August 2019. The Group also has 
additional facilities of £4 million in place in 
its European subsidiaries through bank loans 
and import credit line facilities of which 
£3.5 million was undrawn at year end.  
Use of these facilities will be phased out 
and replaced by credit provided by the  
UK business using the new Barclays facility. 
Borrowings in the year ended 31 March 
2015 peaked at £13.5 million. 

Going concern
As the Group’s bank facilities expire in 
December 2015 and the current plans for 
the Group’s reorganisation require 
additional investment, the Group are 
proposing to raise £15 million additional 
equity to enable Management to pursue 
these investment plans. 

The Directors have approached both 
existing and potential new investors to  
raise the additional equity funding of  
£15 million and have also signed a new 
four-year facility with the Group’s bankers, 
which is conditional on the £15 million 
equity raise. After the discussions with 
existing investors, the Directors have a  
high degree of confidence that the fundraise 
will be approved by shareholders and 
therefore the new working capital facility 
will become available. However this equity 
raise is subject to shareholder approval on  
13 July 2015.

The Group has prepared three-year cash 
flow forecasts on the basis of the additional 
equity raise and new facility and after 
detailed review of these forecasts and cash 
flow models with external advisers, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. For these reasons, they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting in preparing the annual 
financial statements. 

However as the current fundraise has not yet 
been approved by shareholders there 
remains a material uncertainty which may 
cast significant doubt over the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern.

11

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Our Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’)

The Directors are of the opinion that the 
financial KPIs are revenues, gross margins, 
underlying profit before tax, (loss)/earnings 
per share and cash generation, the 
information for which is available in these 
financial statements and summarised on the 
financial highlights section earlier in this 
report. In light of the work currently being 
performed on the supply chain and 
distribution channels, management are 
currently constructing additional KPIs to 
monitor progress on these key measures 
which are considered fundamental to 

Principal risks and uncertainties

performance going forward. The Group 
maintains a robust planning system with 
individual targets for subsidiaries in terms of 
growth and profits. The Board monitors 
progress against plan on a regular basis 
adjusting future objectives annually in line 
with current circumstances.

IDENTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL RISKS 
AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Board has the primary responsibility for 
identifying the major risks facing the Group 
and developing appropriate policies to 
manage those risks. The Board completes 
an annual risk assessment programme in 
order to identify the major risks and has 
reviewed and determined any mitigating 
actions required as set out below. The risk 
assessment has been completed in the 
context of the overall strategic objectives 
and the business model of the Group  
which has been set out on page 5.

Risk

Description

Impact/Sensitivity

Mitigation/Comment

UK market 
dependence

The UK market represents a 
significant part of Group revenue; 
79% in 2015 (2014 – 71%). 

The Group is exposed to a 
downturn in the performance of the 
brands in the UK as well as to a 
downturn in the UK economy.

Market 
conditions

Distribution 
channels

The Group’s products are sold in 
the main to its retail customers. 
The performance of the market is 
affected by the general economic 
climate, overall consumer and 
retailer confidence, and the 
changing retail landscape.

The retail landscape is changing 
with the Group’s traditional high 
street independent distribution 
network under significant 
commercial pressure from online 
retailers and discounters.

The Group performance  
is impacted by the global  
macro-economic environment  
and changes in the wider  
retail landscape.

High street failures will reduce 
traditional customer base sales 
levels and increase credit risk.

Competing 
brands

The Group has competition in the 
model railway, slot racing, model 
kits, die cast and paint markets.

Loss of market share to increased 
competitor activity would have 
a negative impact on the 
Group’s results.

The Board’s strategy continues to be to 
expand overseas sales. The acquisitions of 
the brands Airfix, Humbrol, Corgi, Electrotren, 
Rivarossi, Lima, Arnold and Jouef have 
provided the Group with a significant share of 
the model railway, model and die-cast markets 
in continental Europe, with the objective of 
facilitating further growth. 

In reviewing the future forecasts for the 
business the Directors consider reasonable 
changes in macro-economic and associated 
market conditions recognising the potential  
for a negative impact on the Group’s results 
and ensure that resources are flexed to 
maximise the Group‘s objectives as a result.

The Group formulates its business strategy, 
including the website and direct to consumer 
channels, based on the changing retail 
dynamics. An increased focus on direct  
web-based selling, selling directly at 
exhibitions and other events and expanding 
own retail concession network are all being 
developed to protect the brand position.

In many of our markets the Group enjoys a 
strong market position due to the continued 
development of our brands. Brands are 
extremely important in the model sector with 
market entry costs being prohibitive.

Exchange rates

The Group purchases goods 
in Hong Kong Dollars and US 
Dollars and sells in Pounds Sterling, 
Euros and US Dollars and is 
therefore exposed to exchange 
rate fluctuations.

Significant fluctuations in exchange 
rates to which the Group is 
exposed could have a material 
adverse effect on the Group’s 
future results.

The Group continues to hedge short-term 
exposures by establishing forward currency 
purchases using fixed rate and participating 
forward contracts up to twelve months ahead. 
It is deemed impractical to hedge exchange 
rate movements beyond that period. 

12

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Risk

Description

Impact/Sensitivity

Mitigation/Comment

Supply Chain

The Group purchases goods, in 
the main, from third party Chinese 
suppliers due to the significant cost 
advantage when compared to 
products manufactured in Europe. 

The Group does not have exclusive 
arrangements with its suppliers 
and there is a risk that competition 
for manufacturing capacity could 
lead to delays in introducing new 
products or servicing existing 
demand.

Input cost escalation in China 
could reduce or remove the 
Group’s pricing advantage  
and impact margins.

The Group’s tooling is maintained 
largely in third party premises.

The Group is continuing to develop and 
diversify its supplier portfolio, which includes  
a supplier in India and more recently in the 
UK. Investment in product sourcing capability 
in Hong Kong in the last two years has led 
to an increase in the number of suppliers 
available to the Group in China and 
investigation of other regions such as  
Vietnam and Bangladesh is under way.  
A 26 step critical path analysis tool has been 
developed to monitor the whole manufacturing 
process in order to identify and deal with 
issues as they arise.

The Group is planning to obtain its own 
facilities in China where its tooling can  
be better secured and managed.

Capital 
Allocation

The Group now holds over 5,000 
product lines across its own brand 
range.

Producing smaller quantities of 
more products puts pressure on 
gross margins and can lead to 
increased stock levels.

An improved capital allocation process is 
being developed to deliver a more focused 
product range in line with consumer demand 
with robust gross margins.

Product 
compliance

The Group’s products are subject 
to compliance with toy safety 
legislation around the world.

Liquidity

Insufficient financing to meet the 
needs of the business.

Failure to comply could lead to a 
product recall resulting in damage 
to Company and brand reputation 
along with an adverse impact on 
the Group’s results.

Without the appropriate level of 
financing it would be increasingly 
difficult to execute the Group’s 
business plans.

System and 
Cyber Risk

The Group continues to invest in 
its e-commerce with the expansion 
and development of the UK 
Website and a programme of 
overseas subsidiary websites 
being rolled out over the com ing 
months. Additionally the Group is 
implementing a new ‘ERP’ system 
which will also be rolled out across 
the Group over the coming months. 

This exposes the business to greater 
risk of financial loss, disruption or 
damage to the reputation of an 
organisation from a failure of its 
information technology systems.

Robust internal processes and procedures, 
active monitoring of proposed legislation and 
involvement in policy debate and lobbying of 
the relevant authorities.

The Group had a revolving credit facility of 
£13 million expiring December 2015. The 
Group’s policy on liquidity risk is to maintain 
adequate facilities to meet the future needs 
of the business. This has recently been 
renegotiated on the back of the proposed 
equity raise and the Group now has a £10 
million facility expiring in August 2019, 
conditional on the equity proposals being 
approved by shareholders.

The Group has invested significant time and 
cost in the new website and ERP development 
in the last two years. A new web team and 
office have been opened and a dedicated 
ERP implementation team has been established 
from a mixture of internal and new external 
resources.

Main control procedures
Management establishes control policies 
and procedures in response to each of the 
key risks identified. Control procedures 
operate to ensure the integrity of the Group’s 
financial statements, and are designed to 
meet the Group’s requirements and both 
financial and operational risks identified in 
each area of the business. Control 
procedures are documented where 
appropriate and reviewed by management 
and the Board on an ongoing basis to 
ensure control weaknesses are mitigated.

The Group operates a comprehensive 
annual planning and budgeting system.  
The annual plans and budgets are 
approved by the Board. The Board reviews 
the management accounts at its monthly 
meetings and financial forecasts are 
updated monthly and quarterly. Performance 
against budget is monitored and where  
any significant deviations are identified 
appropriate action is taken.

Corporate social responsibility
The Board considers the social, 
environmental and ethical matters pertinent 
to the Group, and will review items of 
significance where appropriate. The risk 
assessment procedures in place are 
designed to highlight any key areas of 
concern including health and safety 
considerations, employee recruitment and 
retention and environmental issues, with 
controls put in place as necessary.

13

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Our Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’) continued

The Group is pro-active in working with all 
suppliers to ensure compliance with the 
International Council of Toy Industries (‘ICTI’) 
Code of Business Practices to include child 
and forced labour, working conditions, 
hours of work, pay, non-discrimination and 
health and safety. Compliance is managed 
through an annual audit process.

Hornby Plc acknowledges the UN Guiding 
Principles on Business and Human Rights 
and has many policies and initiatives in 
place to identify, prevent, mitigate and 
account for how we are addressing key 
human rights issues. We continue to work 

with stakeholders to understand better and 
respond to these issues, however there has 
never been a human rights issue that has 
had a direct impact on the activities of the 
business and accordingly the Group has 
nothing further to disclose.

It is the Group’s policy to recruit, train, 
promote and treat all personnel on grounds 
solely based on individual performance. 
The principles are applied regardless of 
gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, 
nationality or ethnic origin.

We have a Group employee Code of 
Conduct which covers a wide range of 
human rights including discrimination and 
working conditions. The Company also has 
HR policies, Health & Safety policies, an 
Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy and a 
Whistle-blowing Policy which encompass 
key human rights.

The Group’s split between male and  
female employees as at 31 March 2015  
is shown below:

Directors
Senior managers (including Statutory Directors of subsidiary entities)
Employees

Total

Female

–
2
87

89

Male

5
8
140

153

Total

5
10
227

242

Environmental responsibility
The Group believes that protection of the 
environment is an integral part of good 
practice and that it should satisfy itself that 
all of its operations are conducted with 
reasonable proper regard for the 
environment. It is committed to maintaining, 
and wherever possible improving, the 
quality of this environment both for the 
people who work in the Group, and for the 
wider community now and in the future. The 
Group seeks to make the most effective and 
efficient use of all resources, encouraging all 
members of the Group to develop an 
ecologically sound approach to their work. 

Carbon emissions data
The Group has implemented the UK 
Government’s Guidance on measuring and 
reporting greenhouse gas emissions, in line 
with DEFRA guidelines. We have used the 
UK Government Environmental Reporting 
Guidelines (2013), supplemented by the 
GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and 
Reporting Standard (revised edition) and 
emissions factors from UK Government’s 
GHG Conversion factors for Company 
Reporting 2013.

The GHG Protocol defines direct and 
indirect emissions as follows: Direct GHG 
emissions are emissions from sources that 

are owned or controlled by the reporting 
entity; Indirect GHG emissions are emissions 
that are a consequence of the activities of 
the reporting entity, but occur at sources 
owned or controlled by another entity. The 
GHG Protocol further categorises these 
direct and indirect emissions for which 
Hornby has responsibility to report under 
Scope 1 and Scope 2 as set out in the 
following table:

•  Scope 1: All direct GHG emissions.
•  Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions from 
consumption of purchased electricity, 
heat or steam.

Year ended 31 March 2015

Year ended 31 March 2014

UK
Europe
Rest of World
Group revenue (2014–15) £’m

Scope 1 
tonnes CO2e
420
58
27

Scope 2 
tonnes CO2e
522
36
28
58

UK
Europe
Rest of World
Group revenue (2013–14) £’m

Intensity ratio tonnage/£’m of revenue:

19

Intensity ratio tonnage/£’m of revenue:

Scope 1 
tonnes CO2e
641
52
27

Scope 2 
tonnes CO2e
469
35
31
52

24

By order of the Board

Nick Stone
Group Finance Director
18 June 2015

14

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Directors and Corporate 
Information

Directors 
R Ames
Chief Executive

R Canham
Executive Chairman 

N P Stone
Finance Director

D Adams
Non-Executive Director

C Caminada
Non-Executive Director

Company Secretary
A Stacey

Registered office
3rd Floor
The Gateway
Innovation Way 
Discovery Park 
Sandwich
Kent CT13 9FF

Company Registered Number
Registered in England Number: 01547390

Independent Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
The Portland Building
25 High Street
Crawley
West Sussex RH10 1BG

Solicitors
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Adelaide House, London Bridge
London EC4R 9HA

Principal Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC
9 St George’s Street
Canterbury
Kent CT1 2JX

Financial Advisers and Brokers
Numis Securities Limited
The London Stock Exchange Building
10 Paternoster Square
London EC4M 7LT

Registrars and Transfer Agents
Capita Registrars Limited
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU

15

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their Annual Report together with the audited 
consolidated and Company financial statements for the year ended 
31 March 2015. The Corporate Governance section on pages 19 
to 24 forms part of the Directors’ Report.

The Group’s business review along with future developments and  
the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are included  
in the Strategic Review.

INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER LISTING RULE
For financial years ended after 31 August 2014 the listing rules 
require certain specific disclosures. For the purposes of LR 9.8.4CR, 
details of the Company’s long-term incentive schemes are disclosed 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 25. All other 
information required to be disclosed by LR 9.8.4R is not applicable 
for the period under review.

DIRECTORS
The persons who were Directors during the year and up to the date 
of signing the financial statements are listed below:

Richard Ames, aged 45, was appointed to the Board on 28 April 
2014 and has a wealth of experience of leading fast moving 
consumer facing businesses. His most recent role was as a Director 
of Ladbrokes PLC, where latterly he was Managing Director of their 
Product Division. He joined Ladbrokes in 2005 and had run the UK 
and Ireland Retail operations where he was responsible for 
managing a successful retail turnaround strategy. Earlier in his career 
he worked at Dixons Stores Group Plc as Marketing Director in 
Essentials and prior to this he was the Purchasing Director in 
Domestic Appliances operations. He also helped to lead the 
consumer electronics divisions at Asda WalMart and he started his 
career at Philips Consumer Electronics.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
The Company is a holding company registered in England 
No.01547390 with a Spanish branch and has six operating 
subsidiaries: Hornby Hobbies Limited in the United Kingdom with a 
branch in Hong Kong, Hornby America Inc. in the US, Hornby 
España S.A. in Spain, Hornby Italia s.r.l in Italy, Hornby France 
S.A.S in France and Hornby Deutschland GmbH in Germany. 
Hornby Plc is a public limited company which is listed on the 
London Stock Exchange, and incorporated and operating in the 
United Kingdom. Its registered office is set out on page 15.

Roger Canham, aged 51, was appointed to the Board on 7 
November 2012 and became Chairman on 1 February 2013. 
Roger has been Chairman of Phoenix Asset Management Partners 
Limited (‘Phoenix’) since 2009 and also owns and manages a 
number of property development companies. Prior to that, he was a 
Non-Executive Director of Goshawk Insurance Holdings PLC from 
2007 until the business was acquired in 2008, and a Director of 
Brake Bros Limited, for a year following its acquisition of W. Pauley 
& Co Limited in 2002. Mr Canham joined W. Pauley & Co Limited 
in 1990 and became Managing Director in 1996.

The Group is principally engaged in the development, design, 
sourcing and distribution of hobby and interactive products.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The results for the year ended 31 March 2015 are set out in the 
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income on page 40. Revenue 
for the year was £58.1 million compared to £51.6 million last year. 
The loss for the year attributable to equity holders amounted to  
£0.1 million (2014 – £4.4 million loss). The position of the Group 
and Company is set out in the Group and Company Balance 
Sheets on page 41.

No interim dividend was declared in the year (2014 – £nil) and the 
Directors do not recommend a final dividend (2014 – £nil).

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Board considers that research and development into products 
continues to play an important role in the Group’s success. All R&D 
costs incurred in the year have been charged to the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income and are set out in note 4, these costs all 
relate to research costs.

Nick Stone, aged 51, joined the Group on 14 January 2013 and 
was appointed Group Finance Director on 1 February 2013. Nick 
was previously the Operations and Finance Director at KBC 
Advanced Technologies PLC and earlier in his career was interim 
Finance Director at Accidentcare Group PLC, Finance Director at 
Lambert Fenchurch Limited and held positions at Mobil Oil 
Corporation. As announced, Nick Stone will be leaving Hornby 
later this summer to be replaced by Steve Cooke who joined the 
business on 10 June 2015.

David Adams, aged 60, was appointed a Non-Executive Director 
on 9 January 2014. David is currently Senior Non-Executive Director 
of Halfords plc and chairs Conviviality Retail plc, Ecovision Ltd, Park 
Cameras Ltd, and Walk the walk (a breast cancer charity). In 
addition, he is a Non-Executive Director of FeverTree Drinks plc. 
David chairs the Audit Committee at Halfords and FeverTree Drinks. 
Prior to that he was Executive Chairman of Jessops and Chief 
Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at House  
of Fraser plc.

16

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Charlie Caminada, aged 57, was appointed a Non-Executive 
Director on 9 January 2014. Charlie was previously Chief 
Operating Officer of HIT Entertainment Plc, which is now part of 
Mattel. His most recent position was the Founder and Chief 
Operating Officer of Ludorum, a media investment company that 
focused on managing IP franchises for children’s entertainment 
brands, including Chuggington. Charlie led the company’s IPO on 
AIM in 2006. He is a Non-Executive Director of Shoe Zone Plc and 
chairs the Remuneration Committee at the company.

The interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company and in 
options granted over such shares are disclosed in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on page 28.

The number of Board meetings held during the year and attendance 
by the Directors is set out on page 19.

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITIES
The Company maintained liability insurance for its Directors and 
officers during the financial year and up to the date of approval of 
the Annual Report and Accounts. The Company has also provided 
an indemnity for its Directors and the secretary, which is a qualifying 
third party indemnity provision for the purposes of the Companies 
Act 2006.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS
The Company has been notified that at close of business on 1 June 
2015 the following parties were interested in 3% or more of the 
Company’s ordinary share capital.

Shareholder

Number of 
ordinary shares

Percentage 
held

New Pistoia Income Limited
9,126,699
Phoenix Asset Management Partners Limited 6,257,323
2,995,150
Electra Quoted Partners 
2,437,800
Ruffer LLP
1,312,079
Artemis Fund Managers Ltd

23.30
15.98
7.65
6.22
3.35

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group’s financial instruments, other than derivatives, comprise 
borrowings, cash and liquid resources, and various items, such as 
trade receivables, trade payables, etc. that arise directly from its 
operations. The Group’s financial liabilities comprise borrowings, 
trade payables, other payables and finance leases. The main 
purpose of the Group’s borrowings is to raise finance for the Group’s 
operations. The Group also has financial assets comprising cash 
and trade and other receivables.

The Group also enters into derivatives transactions (principally 
forward foreign currency contracts). The purpose of such 
transactions is to manage the currency risks arising from 
the Group’s operations. It is, and has been throughout the 
period under review, the Group’s policy that no speculative 
trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken.

PERSONNEL POLICIES
It is the policy of the Group to follow equal opportunity employment 
practices and these include the full consideration of employment 
prospects for the disabled.

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully 
considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant 
concerned. It is the policy of the Group that the training, career 
development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as 
possible, be identical with that of other employees. Arrangements 
are made, wherever possible, for retraining employees who become 
disabled, to enable them to perform work identified as appropriate 
to their aptitudes.

The Group places importance on the contributions to be made by 
all employees to the progress of the Group and aims to keep them 
informed by the use of formal and informal meetings. One of the 
Company’s incentive schemes includes share scheme options for 
Directors and senior management, further detail of which is covered 
within the Remuneration Report on pages 25 to 32.

SHARE CAPITAL
The share capital of the Company comprises ordinary shares of  
1p each. Each share carries the right to one vote at general 
meetings of the Company. The issued share capital of the Company, 
together with movements in the Company’s issued share capital is 
shown in note 21.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
A resolution to reappoint the auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 
will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 
The Annual General Meeting is to be scheduled for Summer 2015. 
A notice of the Annual General Meeting will be sent out to 
shareholders separately to this Annual Report and Accounts. The 
notice of the Annual General Meeting is important and requires your 
immediate attention. If you are in any doubt as to what action to 
take in relation to the Annual General Meeting, you should consult 
appropriate independent advisers. The following special resolutions 
were passed at the last Annual General Meeting and remain in 
force until the next Annual General Meeting:

17

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Directors’ Report continued

Resolution 10
Under section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’), the 
Directors may allot unissued shares or grant rights over such shares 
only if authorised to do so by shareholders. This resolution gives the 
Directors authority to allot new ordinary shares in the capital of the 
Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security 
into, shares in the Company, up to an aggregate nominal amount of 
£130,000, which represents approximately 33% of the Company’s 
issued ordinary capital as at 25 June 2014 (being the latest 
practicable date prior to the publication of this notice). This authority 
renews that given at last year’s Annual General Meeting and will 
expire at 12 noon on 9 September 2019. The Directors did not 
have any present intention of exercising the authority granted by this 
resolution except in connection with the Company’s share schemes. 
However, it is considered prudent to maintain the flexibility that this 
authority provides.

Under the guidelines of the Association of British Insurers on authority 
to allot shares companies may seek basic authority to allot new 
shares in an amount of up to one-third of the existing issued share 
capital and this request will be regarded as routine under guidelines.

Resolution 11
It was proposed to renew the authority to the Directors to allot  
equity securities for cash without first being required to offer such 
securities to existing members. This included the sale for cash on a 
non-preemptive basis of any shares which the Company holds in 
treasury. The authority is limited to the issue of shares for cash  
up to an aggregate nominal amount of £19,000 representing 
approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the 
Company as at 25 June 2014 (being the latest practicable date 
prior to the publication of last year’s notice). The authority will  
expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of  
the Company.

The Directors do not intend to issue more than 7.5% of the issued 
ordinary share capital of the Company in any rolling three-year 
period without prior consultation with the Institutional Investment 
Committee. Members will note that this resolution also relates to  
the sale of treasury shares.

Resolution 12
The Company obtained authority to purchase up to approximately 
10% of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital at, or between, 
the minimum and maximum prices specified in this resolution. As at 
25 June 2014 (being the latest practicable date prior to the 
publication of this notice), the total number of options to subscribe 
for shares in the Company was 365,809 (approximately 0.9% of 
the Company’s issued ordinary share capital and approximately 
2.4% of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital if the full 
authority proposed by resolution 12 was used and the shares 
purchased were cancelled). This power would be used only after 
careful consideration by the Directors, having taken into account 
market conditions prevailing at that time, the investment needs of the 
Company, its opportunities for expansion and its overall financial 
position. The Directors would exercise the authority to purchase 
ordinary shares only if they considered it to be in the best interest of 
the members and they believe that the effect of such purchases will 
be to increase earnings per share.

The Company (Acquisition of Own Shares) (Treasury Shares) 
Regulations 2003 came into force on 1 December 2003. These 
regulations allow shares repurchased by the Company to be held as 
treasury shares rather than being cancelled. Treasury shares may be 
cancelled, resold for cash or used for the purpose of employee 
share schemes but all rights attaching to them, including voting rights 
and any right to receive dividends, are suspended whilst they are 
held in treasury. The authority sought by this resolution is intended to 
apply equally to shares to be held by the Company as treasury 
shares. The Company currently holds no treasury shares.

The authority obtained at the Annual General Meeting will expire at 
the earlier of the date which falls 18 months from the date this 
resolution is passed and the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting of the Company.

Signed on behalf of the Board

N P STONE
Group Finance Director
3rd Floor
The Gateway
Innovation Way 
Discovery Park 
Sandwich
Kent CT13 9FF
18 June 2015

18

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Corporate Governance

UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE
The Company recognises the importance of maintaining high 
standards of corporate governance. This report has been structured 
to report corporate governance arrangements and practices against 
the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code issued by 
the Financial Reporting Council in September 2012.

Throughout the year ended 31 March 2015, the Company has 
been in compliance with the Code provisions except with provision 
A.2.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. From 1 April 2014 
to June 2014, Roger Canham performed the role of Executive 
Chairman. He reverted to a Non-Executive Chairman role from  
1 June 2014 after a transition period with the appointment of the 
new Chief Executive Mr Richard Ames who joined the Group on  
28 April 2014.

HOW THE BOARD OPERATES
The Board is responsible for the overall conduct of the Group’s 
business and has the powers and duties set out in the relevant laws 
of England and Wales and our articles of association. The Board: is 
responsible for setting the Group strategy and for the management, 
direction and performance of our businesses; is accountable to 
shareholders for the proper conduct of the business; is responsible for 
the long-term success of the Company, having regard for the interests 
of all stakeholders; and is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness 
of and reporting on our system of corporate governance.

The Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved for its decision 
and these include: Group strategy and long-term plans; major capital 
projects, acquisitions or divestments; annual budget and operating 
plan; Group financial structure, including tax and treasury; annual 
and half-year financial results and shareholder communications; and 
system of internal control and risk management. The schedule is 
reviewed annually. It was last reviewed in March 2015 when it was 
decided that no amendments were required.

LEADERSHIP
The Board is responsible for the long-term success of the Company 
and is responsible to shareholders for ensuring that the Group is 
appropriately managed and achieves its objectives. The Board is 
also responsible for the system of corporate governance, strategy, 
risk management and financial performance. The Company’s 
governance structure is consistent with the leadership principles set 
out in the Code.

The Board believes its current structure is appropriate for the scale of 
the business and to enable the Group to be managed efficiently. 

During the year the Board comprised the Chief Executive Officer, 
Chairman, Finance Director and two Non-Executive Directors. 

Chairman and Chief Executive
In the year to 31 March 2015, the roles of Chairman and Chief 
Executive were combined for a temporary interim period while a 
new Chief Executive was recruited. With effect from 1 June 2014 
after a transition period, the two roles are once again separate with 
a clear division of responsibility and Roger Canham has returned to 
a Non-Executive Chairman role.

Senior Independent Director
David Adams is the Senior Independent Director. This role provides 
a point of contact to those shareholders who wish to raise issues 
with the Board, other than through the Chairman. 

The Board monitors the performance of the Group as a whole by:
•  Engaging at Board meetings with, and challenging the Chief 
Executive and Group Finance Director, as appropriate, on the 
financial and operating performance of the Group and external 
issues material to the Group’s prospects;

•  Evaluating progress towards the achievement of the Group’s 

financial and business objectives and plans;

•  And monitoring the significant risks facing the Group.

EFFECTIVENESS
Board composition 
The Board contains a range of complementary skills, experience 
and knowledge that is considered appropriate for the scale of the 
business. The biographical details of all Board members are 
provided on page 16. 

The Board considers David Adams and Charlie Caminada who 
served during the year to be independent of management and free 
from any business or other relationship which could interfere with the 
exercise of their independent judgement. Code provision B.1.2 
requires non-FTSE 350 companies to have at least two Independent 
Non-Executive Directors.

In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code the Board has 
reflected on its performance and undertaken a rigorous review of 
the effectiveness of the performance of the Board based on 
discussions between the Chairman and other members of the Board, 
and has concluded that it operated effectively and executed 
commitment to the roles. Following the transition period from 1 June 
2014 and in line with the code the senior independent non-
executive will carry out this function and perform a detailed 
evaluation of the Board’s ongoing effectiveness over the next year.

During the year eleven Board meetings were held. All Directors 
attended all meetings.

19

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Corporate Governance continued

The Board has adopted a formal schedule of matters specifically 
reserved to it for decisions including the determination of the 
strategy, the approval of business plans, budgets, acquisitions and 
disposals, major capital purchases, Board appointments, accounting 
policies and treasury arrangements.

Information and professional development
The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that Directors  
receive accurate, timely and clear information. Management has  
an obligation to provide such information but Directors should seek 
clarification or amplification where necessary.

The Board also delegates specific responsibilities to committees as 
described below. The Board meets monthly and monitors progress 
against plan at each meeting.

The Directors have the authority of the Board to obtain external legal 
or other independent professional advice in the furtherance of their 
duties at the Company’s expense. All Directors have access to the 
advice and services of the Company Secretary, who is responsible 
for ensuring Board procedures are followed and applicable rules 
and regulations are complied with. The Executive Directors have  
all received appropriate training for their appointment to the Board 
of a listed company. The Non-Executive Directors bring a broad 
expertise to the Board. David Adams and Charlie Caminada are 
both experienced Company Directors. 

Appointments to the Board
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee comprises the Executive Chairman as 
well as executive and Non-Executive Directors. There was one 
appointment to the Board during the year ended 31 March 2015, 
Richard Ames who formally joined the Board on 28 April 2014 as 
Chief Executive. Appointments to the Board require the Board’s 
authorisation and are conducted by the Nominations Committee.

The duties of the Nominations Committee are available from the 
terms of reference and include regularly reviewing the structure, size 
and composition required of the Board and making 
recommendations to the Board with regard to any changes, giving 
full consideration to succession planning for Directors and other 
senior executives, identifying and nominating candidates to fill 
Board vacancies and evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge 
and experience on the Board before an appointment is made. The 
terms of reference are available on the Company’s website, 
covering the authority delegated to it by the Board.

The potential candidates are interviewed by either the Nominations 
Committee or a panel appointed by that Committee. An 
appointment requires the final approval of the Board prior to an 
offer being forwarded.

The Chairman is responsible for ensuring that Directors  
continually update their skills and the knowledge and familiarity  
with the Company required to fulfil their role. Resources are 
available on request to develop and update the Directors’ 
knowledge and capabilities.

Re-election
The Company’s Articles of Association currently require newly 
appointed Directors to offer themselves for election and one third of 
the Directors to retire by rotation at each Annual General Meeting. 
Therefore, Richard Ames, David Adams and Charlie Caminada offer 
themselves for election at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
non-retiring Directors have conducted a review of their contribution 
to the Board and can confirm that they continue to be effective 
Directors and to execute commitment to the role.

Audit Committee and Auditors
The Audit Committee comprises David Adams and Charlie 
Caminada. David Adams became Chairman of the Audit Committee 
on 31 January 2014. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Management Accountants and is considered by the Board to have 
recent and relevant financial experience, as required by the Code. 
Charlie Caminada has a wide range of business experience, which 
is evidenced by his biography set out in the Directors’ Report.

The Committee meets at least three times a year and the Chairman, 
Chief Executive, Finance Director, Company Secretary and other 
managers attend by invitation. The Group’s Auditors attend meetings 
and have direct access to the Committee. The terms of reference are 
available on the Company’s website, covering the authority 
delegated to it by the Board.

Control environment
The Board has put in place an organisational structure with clearly 
defined and understood lines of responsibility and delegation of 
authority. The Board promotes a strong control environment with a 
strong ethical climate.

20

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015REMUNERATION
The Remuneration Committee comprises Charlie Caminada and 
David Adams. Charlie Caminada is the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee.

The Committee met three times in total during the year with all 
members being present. The Committee is responsible for 
establishing formal and transparent procedures for determining 
policy on executive remuneration and advising the Board on 
executive remuneration and in particular for ensuring that executive 
remuneration packages are sufficient to attract, retain and motivate 
Executive Directors of the required quality whilst avoiding paying 
more than necessary. It also endeavours to establish performance 
related elements of remuneration which align the interests of the 
Directors with those of the shareholders. No Director is involved in 
deciding his own remuneration and the Board itself determines the 
remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors. The terms of reference 
are available on the Company’s website, covering the authority 
delegated to it by the Board. Further detail of Directors’ remuneration 
is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

ACCOUNTABILITY
The Board is committed to providing shareholders with a clear 
assessment of the Company’s financial position and prospects. This 
is achieved through the Annual Report and Accounts and through 
other periodic financial statements and announcements.

Internal Control and Risk Management
The Board is responsible for the operation and effectiveness of the 
Group’s system of internal controls and risk management. There is a 
continuous process for identifying, evaluating and managing the 
significant risks the Group faces. This process has been in place 
throughout the year under review and up to the date of approval of 
the Annual Report and Accounts, and complies fully with the Turnbull 
guidance.

The Audit Committee considered reports from Group financial 
management on the operation of, and issues arising from the 
Group’s internal control procedures. The Audit Committee monitored 
the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management process, which 
considered the key risks, both financial and non-financial, facing the 
Group and the effectiveness of the Group’s controls to manage and 
reduce the impact of those risks.

The Board regularly reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s system 
of internal control. The Board’s monitoring covers all key controls, 
including financial, operational and compliance controls and risk 
management. It is based principally on reviewing reports from 
management to consider whether significant risks are identified, 
evaluated, managed and controlled and whether any significant 
weaknesses are promptly remedied and indicate a need for more 
extensive monitoring.

The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management and 
the external auditor the half-year and annual financial statements 
focusing on, amongst other matters; the quality and acceptability of 
accounting policies and practices, the clarity of the disclosures and 
compliance with financial reporting standards and relevant financial 
and governance reporting requirements; and material areas in which 
significant judgements have been applied. These are discussed 
further within the Audit Committee report on pages 23 and 24.

The internal control systems are designed to meet the Group’s 
particular needs and the risks to which it is exposed and by their 
nature can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance 
against misstatement or loss. During the year, the Group continued 
to take action to enhance these control systems, based upon its own 
process improvement initiatives and auditors’ recommendations. 

The Audit Committee reviews and reports to the Board on the 
effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal control on an 
ongoing basis during the year and no significant weaknesses have 
been identified. 

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Company communicates regularly with its institutional 
shareholders and encourages communication with private investors 
through the Annual General Meeting.

David Adams is the senior independent Non-Executive Director. 
The senior independent Non-Executive Director welcomes direct 
discussion with shareholders. The Executive Directors update  
major shareholders at institutional visits and analyst presentations 
immediately after the interim and final announcements

The Board uses the Annual General Meeting as an occasion for 
communication with its shareholders. All proxy votes are counted by 
the Company’s registrars and the voting on each resolution is made 
available to the meeting. Directors of the Company and the UK 
subsidiary attend the meeting to respond to specific questions.

Share Capital
Details of our Share Capital structure can be found on page 17  
of the Directors’ Report and in note 21.

Going Concern
A review of the Group’s business activities and future outlook are  
set out on pages 2 to 3 of the Chairman’s Statement and within 
pages 4 to 8 of the Strategic Review. The financial position of the 
Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are shown in the 
balance sheet, cash flow statement and accompanying notes to  
the financial statements. The principal business risks associated with 
the business are shown on pages 12 to 13, whilst the risks arising 
from the Group’s financial instruments are covered in note 19. 

21

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Corporate Governance continued

The Directors, in their consideration of going concern, have 
reviewed the Group’s future cash flow forecasts and revenue 
projections, which they believe are based on a realistic assessment 
of future business performance. These models have been reviewed 
with the Group’s external advisers to ensure they are robust and the 
assumptions made within the underlying principles of the model are 
realistic. As a result discussions were held recently with the larger 
shareholders and a proposal to raise £15 million of new equity is to 
be put to a general meeting on 13 July 2015. Conditional on the 
approval of this new equity raise, a new facility which extends to 
August 2019 has been agreed with the Group’s principal banker. 

The Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the 
business of the Company and may exercise all the powers of the 
Company subject to the provisions of the Company’s Memorandum 
of Association and the Articles.

The Articles contain specific provisions and restrictions regarding the 
Company’s power to borrow money. Powers relating to the issuing 
and buying back of shares are also included in the Articles and 
shareholders are asked to renew such authorities each year at the 
AGM. A copy of the Articles is available on request from the 
Company Secretary.

The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonable 
possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group 
should be able to operate within the levels of its new facilities 
assuming the new equity proposals are approved by shareholders. 
Accordingly the Directors believe it appropriate to prepare the 
financial statements of the Group on a going concern basis.

There are a number of agreements that take effect, alter or terminate 
upon a change of control of the Company following a takeover, 
such as commercial contracts, bank agreements, property lease 
arrangements and employees’ share plans. None of these are 
deemed to be significant in terms of their potential impact on the 
business of the Group as a whole.

However as the current fundraise and resulting move to AIM has not 
yet been approved by shareholders there remains a material 
uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. 

Takeovers Directive
Pursuant to S992 of the Companies Act 2006, which implements 
the EU Takeovers Directive, the Company is required to disclose 
certain additional information. The following gives those disclosures 
which are not covered elsewhere in this Annual Report.

The Company’s Articles of Association (the ‘Articles’) give the Board 
power to appoint Directors, but also require Directors to retire and 
submit themselves for election at the first Annual General Meeting 
following their appointment. A Director who retires in this way is 
eligible for election but is not taken into account when deciding how 
many Directors should retire by rotation at the Annual General 
Meeting. The Articles themselves may be amended by special 
resolution of the shareholders.

Pursuant to the Articles, at every Annual General Meeting, one third 
of the current Directors must retire by rotation.

22

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
I am pleased to present the report of the Audit Committee for the 
financial year ended 31 March 2015. Throughout the year the 
Committee has continued its work to review the effectiveness of  
the Group’s corporate governance framework. In particular the 
Committee has reviewed the Group’s financial reporting; reviewed 
the need for an internal audit function and examined the internal 
audit reviews conducted; the appropriateness of the Group’s  
internal controls; compliance with governance; financial and other 
compliance issues; shareholder announcements during the period; 
and to consider whether the Annual Report is fair, balanced and 
understandable and to disclose its conclusions on these matters.

This report explains how the Audit Committee has discharged its 
responsibilities, and takes into account the three specific areas 
highlighted in the Corporate Governance Code:
•  Significant issues considered in relation to the financial 

statements.

•  External Audit effectiveness and appointment.
•  External Audit objectivity and independence and the impact of 

non-audit work.

DAVID ADAMS
Chairman of the Audit Committee
18 June 2015

MEMBERSHIP OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee comprises David Adams and Charlie 
Caminada who have been on the Committee throughout the year. 
David Adams became Chairman of the Audit Committee on 9 
January 2014. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Management Accountants and is considered by the Board to have 
recent and relevant financial experience, as required by the Code. 
Charlie Caminada has a wide range of business experience, which 
is evidenced by his biography set out in the Directors’ Report. 

During the year, three Audit Committee meetings were held in line 
with the Committee’s formal timetable. All members attended all 
meetings. The Committee also meets privately with representatives of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Group’s external auditors. Other 
employees of the Group and the Chairman are also to be invited to 
attend meetings as deemed appropriate. 

In two of the meetings held, the approval of announcements for the 
Group’s full year and interim results were considered. The Committee 
considered the financial reporting judgements made which are 
informed by accounting papers and financial reports prepared by 
management and reviewed in the course of their audit by the 
Group’s external auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. It also 
considered whether the announcements were balanced and fair and 
that the tone of the announcement reflected the results of the Group.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN RELATION TO THE  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
There were several significant judgements that the Committee has 
reviewed this year. These were: 
•  the Going Concern of the business in light of its aim to refinance 

and raise further equity;

•  the provisions in place for any obsolete or aged stock;
•  the capitalisation of the new ERP system being implemented 

within the Group and,

•  the appropriate treatment and classification of exceptional costs 

in the accounts.

The going concern assumption is inherent to the preparation of the 
financial statements and the Committee has ensured that the renewal 
of the facilities for at least the next 18 months with the Group’s 
bankers and the proposal to shareholders to raise further equity is 
complete in concluding on the going concern assumption. However 
it should be noted that the new financing arrangements are 
dependent on shareholder approval in the general meeting called 
for 13 July 2015. The Audit Committee has received detailed reports 
from the Hornby finance team and external advisers addressing this 
issue and has concluded that it is satisfied with the going concern 
assumption. Although as the current fundraise has not yet been 
approved by shareholders there remains a material uncertainty 
which may cast significant doubt about the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern.

The Committee has reviewed a detailed Board paper on both the 
approach to stock provisions, the accounting treatment and rationale 
for the treatment and classification of both the capitalisation of the 
new ERP system and the classification of exceptional costs in the 
accounts. Each of the respective accounting treatments on these 
areas of significant judgements represent a consistent approach to 
previous years for the business.

23

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Corporate Governance continued

The Committee also reported to the Board that it considers, when 
taken as a whole, the 2015 Annual Report was fair, balanced and 
understandable and includes the necessary information to assess the 
performance, business model and strategy of the Company.

REMIT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
In addition to its work reviewing the Group’s financial statements 
noted above, the Committee has:
•  made recommendations on the appointment and remuneration  

of the external auditors and monitored their performance;
•  reviewed the nature and scope of the work to be performed  
by the external auditors, the results of their audit work and 
management’s responses to their recommendations;

•  monitored the independence of the external auditors and 

recommended policy for any non-audit services they provide to 
ensure that their independence is not compromised;

•  reviewed and advised the Board on the Company’s interim 

financial statements and related announcements, its accounting 
policies and on the control and mitigation of its financial and 
business risks;

•  reviewed and advised the Board on the effectiveness of the 

Company’s internal control environment, including its procedures 
for detecting fraud and ‘whistle-blowing’ and for the prevention 
of bribery;

•  monitored the Company’s systems of internal financial control 
and risk management systems and ensured that these are 
properly reviewed by Group management on an ongoing  
basis and in light of changes in the business;

•  considered its own effectiveness and made recommendations  

to the Board where necessary; and

•  reported to the Board on how it has discharged its 

responsibilities.

EXTERNAL AUDIT
The Committee has adopted a specific policy on auditor 
independence, setting out restrictions on specific non-audit activities 
such as bookkeeping, payroll services and advocacy, and 
procedures and authority levels for audit and non-audit fees. 

The policy specifies:
•  The external auditors can be used to provide non-audit services 

provided their proposal is formally approved by the Audit 
Committee before contractual arrangements are entered into 
except for the half year review.

In addition the external auditor follows its own ethical guidelines and 
continually reviews its audit team to ensure independence is not 
compromised. In the current financial year the audit fee fell within the 
1:1 ratio and these are set out within note 4.

Hornby believes that it receives particular benefit from the external 
auditors’ advice on potential accounting changes and any tax 
consequences thereof, given its auditors’ detailed knowledge of the 
Group. The Board considers alternative providers if practical and 
seeks confirmation prior to engaging services that independence 
will not be compromised. 

To assess the effectiveness of the external auditors, the Committee 
reviewed their fulfilment of the agreed audit plan; the robustness and 
perceptiveness of the auditors in their handling of key accounting 
and audit judgements, the content of their letter to the Audit 
Committee on control matters and adherence to service standards 
set out in Hornby’s Audit Charter policy. There are no contractual 
restrictions on the choice of the Committee as to external audit and, 
having considered the services provided by the current external 
auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, their independence and 
knowledge of the Group, the Committee has recommended to the 
Board the reappointment of the auditors at the Annual General 
Meeting in Summer 2015. In reaching this decision the Committee 
has taken into account the tenure of the auditors of greater than ten 
years and considered whether there should be a full tender process. 
The Committee also had regard to the likelihood of a withdrawal of 
the auditor from the market.

INTERNAL AUDIT AND INTERNAL CONTROL
The Committee considered reports from Group financial 
management on the operation of, and issues arising from the 
Group’s internal control procedures. The Committee monitored the 
effectiveness of the Group’s risk management process, which 
considered the key risks, both financial and non-financial, facing  
the Group and the effectiveness of the Group’s controls to manage 
and reduce the impact of those risks. These principal risks are  
set out on pages 12 to 13.

The Committee considers annually the need for an internal audit 
function, but currently believes that this is not justified given the size, 
nature of the Group and a programme of visits to Hornby locations 
carried out by senior Group financial management. 

Arrangements exist for staff of the Group to raise concerns, in 
confidence, about possible improprieties in matters of financial 
reporting or other matters. The Group has a code of conduct 
outlining the business standards to which all Company personnel 
must adhere which further reinforces existing whistle-blowing policy 
and procedures. 

The Audit Committee’s terms of reference include all matters 
indicated by the UK Corporate Governance Code. The terms of 
reference are considered annually by the Audit Committee and are 
then referred to the Board for approval. The Audit Committee’s full 
terms of reference are available within the investor relations section 
of the Group’s website, www.hornby.com.

24

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Directors’ Remuneration Report
for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

ANNUAL STATEMENT
As Chair of the Remuneration Committee, I am pleased to introduce the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2015.

This report sets out how the Committee has operated the 
shareholder approved Remuneration Policy in the year ended  
31 March 2015 and how the policy will be operated for the year 
ending 31 March 2016. 

The Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee’s remit is to consider and set policies 
and levels of remuneration to encourage actions by management 
that are in the long-term interests of the Company and its 
shareholders.

The objective of the Committee is to ensure that the Company’s 
Chairman, Executive Directors and senior management are fairly 
rewarded for their contributions to the Company’s performance and 
to ensure that their remuneration is commensurate with their duties 
and responsibilities. The Committee will ensure that the Company 
provides the remuneration packages needed to attract, retain and 
motivate Directors of the quality required.

The Committee is responsible for determining:
•  the framework for the remuneration of the Executive Directors and 

targets for any performance related elements;

•  the overall remuneration package of each Executive Director;
•  the terms of termination of each Executive Director; and
•  the policy and scope of pension arrangements for each 

Executive Director.

During the year the Committee sought to set Executive Directors’ 
remuneration levels to incentivise performance and align this with the 
long-term interests of the shareholders as well as, in line with 
Company policy, ensure that a substantial proportion of total 
remuneration is performance related.

Performance and reward
Despite the management team making good progress in respect  
of delivering the Company’s turnaround strategy, the threshold 
underlying PBT target for the annual bonus (80% of potential) was 

not met. As a result, the Remuneration Committee took the view that 
the profit performance did not support the payment of a bonus 
against the personal objectives (20% of potential). Although not held 
by either of the current Executive Directors, the 2012 PSP awards 
which had a 2015 vesting date failed to meet the threshold three 
year EPS and TSR performance targets and will therefore lapse.

Operation of the Policy for 2015–16
No changes will be made to the Remuneration Policy for the year 
ending 31 March 2016. As such, base salaries will remain at similar 
levels, the annual bonus will operate on a similar basis to 2014–15 
and any PSP awards, to the extent granted to Executive Directors, 
would be granted on similar terms to those awarded in the past.

Shareholder Approval at the 2015 AGM
As no changes are being made to the Remuneration Policy, this 
Annual Statement and the Annual Report on Remuneration will be 
tabled for an advisory vote at the forthcoming AGM although the 
Remuneration Policy has been repeated in line with best practice 
and for the benefit of the reader.

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION
The Company has established a Remuneration Committee (the 
‘Committee’) which is constituted in accordance with the 
recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
published in September 2012 and other relevant regulation, 
including the Remuneration Regulations. It sets out the Group’s 
remuneration policy and details of Directors’ remuneration. 

The Committee
The Committee is comprised of independent Non-Executive 
Directors. The current members are Charlie Caminada (Committee 
Chairman) and David Adams both of whom served for the entire 
financial year under review.

The Committee meets as required. During the year three 
Remuneration Committee meetings were held, with both members 
present at each meeting.

Neither of the Committee members has any personal financial 
interest (other than as shareholders), conflicts of interest arising from 
cross-Directorships or day-to-day involvement in running the business. 
The Committee makes recommendations to the Board. No Director 
plays a part in any discussion about their remuneration. The terms of 
reference of the Committee are available on the Company website.

In determining the Directors’ remuneration for 2015–16 the 
Committee consulted Roger Canham (Executive Chairman) and 
Richard Ames (Chief Executive) about its proposals. New Bridge 
Street (‘NBS’), a trading name of Aon Corporation, is the 
Committee’s appointed remuneration adviser and continues to 
provide advice to the Committee. Neither NBS nor Aon 
Corporation provides any other services to the Company. 

This part of the remuneration report has been audited.

25

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Directors’ Remuneration Report continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

General remuneration policy for the Executive Directors
Executive remuneration packages are designed to attract, motivate and retain Directors of the high calibre needed to maintain the Group’s 
position as a market leader and to reward them for enhancing value to shareholders. The performance measurement of the Executive 
Directors is undertaken by the Committee. The Committee is sensitive to pay and conditions in the workforce when determining executive 
remuneration policy and base salary increases in particular. 

The Committee is also aware of the potential risk to the business of executive pay structures and is satisfied that the current policy is 
compatible with risk policies and systems.

There are five main elements of the remuneration package for Executive Directors and senior management: Base salary, Benefits-in-kind, 
Pension arrangements, Performance-related annual bonus, Performance Share Plan.

The Company’s policy is that a substantial proportion of the remuneration of the Executive Directors should be performance related. At a 
target level of performance, approximately 40% – 45% of the total remuneration package is performance-related.

Executive Directors’ base salaries are reviewed annually by the Committee taking into account the responsibilities, skills and experience of 
each individual, pay and employment conditions within the Company and salary levels within listed companies of a similar size. The 
following tables shows the total remuneration of the Executive Directors for 2014–15 and 2013–14:

Executive Director

R Ames
N P Stone

Executive Director

R T Canham2
N P Stone
F Martin3

Salary  

and fees
 £’000

277
180

Salary  

and fees
 £’000

300
180
100

Taxable
benefits1
 £’000

Pension 
contributions 
£’000

10
10

56
36

Taxable
benefits1
 £’000

Pension 
contributions 
£’000

–
8
2

–
36
20

Annual  
bonus  
£’000

–
–

Annual  
bonus  
£’000

–
–
–

Sub-total 
2014–15 
£’000

343
226

Sub-total 
2013–14 
£’000

300
224
122

Long-term 
incentives 
£’000

–
–

Long-term 
incentives 
£’000

–
–
–

Total
2014–15
£’000

343
226

Total 
2013–14
£’000

300
224
122

1  Taxable benefits relate to the provision of a company car, health assurance and F Martin pension supplement.
2 

 Roger Canham became Executive Chairman on 1 April 2013. Roger then remained in an Executive Director role until the handover period with R Ames, who joined the Board on 
28 April 2014 was complete and then reverted back to the non-executive position of Chairman on 1 July 2014. 

3  Frank Martin stepped down as Chief Executive on 28 March 2013 and became Deputy Chairman on that date until stepping down from the Board on 9 January 2014.

Benefits
Policies concerning benefits, including the Group’s company car policy, are reviewed periodically. Currently, benefits in kind comprise motor 
cars and private health cover, both of which are non-performance related.

Pension
The Executive Directors and senior managers are members of defined contribution pension schemes and annual contributions are calculated 
by reference to base salaries, with neither annual bonuses nor awards under the share incentive schemes taken into account in calculating 
the amounts due. The contribution level continues to be 20% of base salary for Executive Directors save that Mr Canham was not a member 
of the pension scheme and receives no benefits or contributions in respect of pensions. 

Policy on payment of loss of office
Notice periods are set under individual service contracts but the Company has a policy for Executive Directors of a notice period of six months 
to be given by the Company which is extended to one year after six months service and of six months to be given by the individual. The 
compensation for loss of office is based upon the respective service contracts and the components are based on the base salary of the director.

Performance-related annual bonus
Annual bonus targets are designed both to stretch and encourage individuals whilst aligning their interests with those of the Group.  
The performance conditions are divided 80:20 between Group underlying profit before tax and personal objectives. For the Group 
underlying profit before tax condition, a sliding scale range is set around a target level (designed to be stretching but realistically 
achievable). The personal objectives are set at the start of the year and are designed to be as objective and measurable as possible. 

26

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015This mix of targets is considered to provide a good link to the business strategy. Claw back provisions are incorporated into the Annual 
Bonus Plan rules to enable the Company to claw back overpayments in the event of financial misstatement or gross misconduct.

The table below shows the PBT targets set for 2014–15:

Target of Underlying PBT

Richard Ames 

Nick Stone

Target at  
operating  

level

Target  
for maximum 
pay-out

% salary awarded 
for operating  

plan achievement

% salary awarded 
for maximum 
achievement

Achieved 
underlying PBT

% of salary 
awarded

100%

120%

100%

120%

40%

30%

£1.6 million  
underlying PBT 
£1.6 million  
underlying PBT 

80%

60%

0%

0%

In respect of the year ended 31 March 2015 neither of the Executive Directors who served during the year were entitled to a bonus. 
Executive Directors achieved 0% (out of a maximum 80%) for the profit before tax element and 0% (out of a maximum 20%) for the personal 
objectives element. The Remuneration Committee took the view that profit delivery in 2014–15 did not support the payment of bonuses for 
personal objectives.

Performance Share Plan
The Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’) is the Company’s primary long-term incentive plan. Under the PSP, awards are made to Executive 
Directors and selected other executives on the following basis: 
•  The maximum award level is 150% of base salary per annum although awards up to 200% of base salary may be granted to an 

individual in exceptional circumstances (e.g. recruitment or retention). 

•  Performance conditions are reviewed annually, so as to ensure they remain appropriately pitched in relation to the strategy and  

business cycle, and provide an optimal alignment between the interests of executives and shareholders.

•  Awards are subject to a total shareholder return (‘TSR’) condition and a range of normalised underlying earnings per share (‘EPS’)  

growth targets. 

•  The Committee is comfortable that a blend of TSR and EPS targets continues to provide a good balance between incentivising and 
rewarding strong financial performance on the one hand whilst, on the other hand, providing a strong and direct alignment with the 
interests of institutional shareholders by rewarding stock market outperformance. 

•  Performance conditions are calculated by independent advisers and verified by the Committee.
•  Executives benefit, in the form of additional cash or shares, from the value of dividends paid over the vesting period, to the extent  

that awards vest.

•  Similar to the bonus plan, a claw back provision operates to enable the Company to claw back PSP overpayments in the event  

of misstatement or gross misconduct.

PSP Awards Granted in the year ended 31 March 2015
On 26 September 2014, Executive Directors were granted the following PSP awards.

Executive Director

R Ames
N Stone

Number of PSP awards

845,070
253,521

Basis

200% of base salary
100% of base salary

Face value1

£600,000
£180,000

1.  Based on a share price of 71p (the closing share price prior to the grant date). 

As agreed between the individual and the Remuneration Committee at the point of recruitment, Richard Ames received a PSP award of 
shares over 200% of salary following his appointment. 

Performance conditions for the awards, which were discussed with the Company’s major investors prior to the grant date, are as follows:
•  40% of awards: 25% of this part of the award will vest if Hornby’s TSR is equal to the TSR of the median company of the constituents of 
the FTSE Small Cap (struck at the date of grant), with full vesting for top quartile performance, with a sliding scale operating between 
these points.

•  60% of awards: For the EPS part of the award, 25% vests for EPS of 5p for the year ending 31 March 2017, with full vesting for EPS of 

12.2p for the year ending 31 March 2017 with a sliding scale operating between these points.

27

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Directors’ Remuneration Report continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

Shareholding guidelines
A policy for share ownership guidelines is operated for the Executive Directors and senior executives. For the Executive Directors, the required 
threshold of share ownership is 100% of base salary. Until such time as this level of shareholding is achieved, 50% of the net of tax value of 
awards which vest under the PSP are required to be retained in shares. 

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS
Interests in shares 
The interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company at 31 March 2015 were:

Executive Directors
R Ames
N P Stone
Non-Executive Directors
R Canham
D Adams
C Caminada

At 31 March 2015  

number

At 31 March 2014 
number

–
10,000

40,000
–
22,325

–
10,000

40,000
–
–

All the interests detailed above are beneficial. Apart from the interests disclosed above no Directors were interested at any time in the year in 
the share capital of any other Group company. Roger Canham is also the Chairman of Phoenix Asset Management Partners who hold a 
substantial shareholding in Hornby Plc.

J Ames a related party of R Ames held 36,983 shares in Hornby Plc as at 31 March 2015.

Performance Share Plan awards outstanding
At 31 March 2015, outstanding awards to Directors under the Performance Share Plan were as follows:

Director

R Ames

N Stone

Award  
date

Vesting  
date

Market  
price at  

Award date

At  
1 April  
2014

Awarded 
during  
year 

Lapsed  

Vested  

during year

during year

Sept 2014 Sept 2017

71.0p

– 845,070

July 2013 July 2016
Sept 2014 Sept 2017

81.5p 220,859
71.0p

–
– 253,521

At  
31 March 
2015

845,070

220,859
253,521

122,699

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

R Canham

July 2013 July 2016

81.5p 122,699

–

For the 2013 awards, 40% of an award is subject to a TSR condition and 60% is subject to an EPS performance condition, both of which 
are measured over a period of three financial years. For the TSR condition, 25% of this part of the award will vest if Hornby’s TSR is equal to 
the TSR of the median company of the constituents of the FTSE Small Cap (struck at the date of grant), with full vesting for top quartile 
performance, with a sliding scale operating between these points. For the EPS part of the award, 25% vests for average annual underlying 
EPS growth of RPI+3% p.a., with full vesting for average annual EPS growth of RPI+12% p.a. A sliding scale operates between these points.

For the 2014 awards, 40% of an award is subject to a TSR condition and 60% is subject to an EPS performance condition, both of which 
are measured over a period of three financial years. For the TSR condition, 25% of this part of the award will vest if Hornby’s TSR is equal  
to the TSR of the median company of the constituents of the FTSE Small Cap (struck at the date of grant), with full vesting for top quartile 
performance, with a sliding scale operating between these points. For the EPS part of the award, 25% vests for EPS of 5p for the year 
ending 31 March 2017, with full vesting for EPS of 12.2p for the year ending 31 March 2017 with a sliding scale operating between  
these points. 

28

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Non-Executive Directors
The table below gives the salary and fees of the Non-Executive Directors for 2014–15 and 2013–14:

R Canham
D Adams 
C Caminada 

D Adams (appointed 9 January 2014)
C Caminada (appointed 9 January 2014)
N M Carrington (Resigned 31 January 2014)
M E Rolfe (Resigned 31 January 2014)

Basic salary and fees 2014–15 
£’000

150
40
40

Basic salary and fees 2013–14 
£’000

9
9
33
33

The following table summarises the total salary and pension contributions received by Directors for 2014–15 and 2013–14 in line with the 
Companies Act 2006 requirement:

R Ames (Joined 28 April 2014)
R Canham
N Stone
F Martin (resigned 9 January 2014)
D Adams (appointed 9 January 2014)
C Caminada (appointed 9 January 2014)
N M Carrington (Resigned 31 January 2014)

M E Rolfe (Resigned 31 January 2014)

Total

Year ended 31 March 2015

Year ended 31 March 2014

Basic salary 
and fees 
£’000

Pension 
received 
£’000

Total salary 
and pension 
received 
£’000

Basic salary 
and fees 
£’000

Pension 
received 
£’000

Total salary 
and pension 
received 
£’000

287
150
190
–
40
40
–

–

707

56
–
36
–
–
–
–

–

92

343
150
226
–
40
40
–

–

799

–
300
188
102
9
9
33

33

674

–
–
36
20
–
–
–

–

56

–
300
224
122
9
9
33

33

730

PERFORMANCE GRAPH (UNAUDITED INFORMATION)
The following graph shows the Company’s total shareholder return compared to the TSR of the FTSE Small Cap (excluding investment trusts) 
over the ten-year period to 31 March 2015. This index has been selected given that the Company is a constituent of the FTSE Small Cap.

Total shareholder return

Source: Thomson Reuters (Datastream)

250

200

150

100

50

0
Mar 2005

Mar 2006

Mar 2007

Mar 2008

Mar 2009

Mar 2010

Mar 2011

Mar 2012

Mar 2013

Mar 2014

Mar 2015

Hornby Plc                 FTSE Small Cap Index (excluding investment trusts)

29

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

The table below shows the total remuneration for the Chief Executive Officer and the percentages of the maximum awards of performance 
related pay received over the past six years. The variable element reflects the actual bonus paid to the CEO and the long-term incentives 
relate to the PSP scheme which only pays out when it vests.

Year

2014–15
2013–14
2012–13
2011–12
2010–11
2009–10

CEO

R Ames
R T Canham
F Martin
F Martin
F Martin
F Martin

Single 
figure total 
remuneration 
£’000

343
300
333
326 
365
455

Annual 
variable 
element  

% of max

n/a
n/a
0%
0%
12%
31%

Long-term 
incentives  
% of max

–
–
–
–
–
–

Relative importance of spend on pay (unaudited)
As required by the Remuneration Regulations, the table opposite 
compares total staff remuneration with the amounts paid in 
dividends to shareholders and the loss after tax of the Group. 
The measure being used of loss after tax represent the statutory 
financial performance of the Group and acts as a comparative 
benchmark for future years.

Payments to Past Directors
No payments were made to past Directors in the year ended  
31 March 2015.

2015: Relative importance of spend on pay (unaudited) (£million)
20

10

0

–10

n Loss after tax    n Total staff remuneration    n Dividends

Termination Payments
No termination payments were made to Directors in the year ended 31 March 2015. IFRS 2 leaver provisions are applied to the PSP share 
scheme based upon the directors’ service contracts.

REMUNERATION POLICY
Executive Directors’ service contracts
The Executive Directors do not have fixed period contracts.

Remuneration under termination of contract 
Under the Executive Directors contracts they are entitled to receive payment under their notice period, all other non-contractual payments are 
at the discretion of the Board. For the Performance Share Plan awards issued under the rules of the scheme; these are subject to good and 
bad leaver provisions redundancy, retirement and death in service constitute examples of good leavers, where the awards would still 
continue to be held albeit on a prorate basis. Resignation from the Group would constitute an example where the bad leaver rules would 
apply and the awards would lapse. 

Richard Ames was appointed to the Board as Chief Executive on 28 April 2014. His service contract includes a notice period of six months 
to be given by the Company which is extended to one year after six months service and of six months to be given by him. In lieu of giving 
notice the Company may terminate the agreement on payment of a lump sum (subject to tax and national insurance) equal to the salary and 
other benefits to which he is entitled under this agreement. 

Roger Canham Mr Canham was appointed Non-Executive Chairman with effect from 1 February 2013 under a contract dated 7 November 
2012 for an initial term of three years subject to termination on three months’ notice, to be given by either the Company or himself at a fee of 
£100,000 p.a. In lieu of giving notice the Company may terminate the agreement on payment of a lump sum (subject to tax and national 
insurance) equal to the salary to which he is entitled under the agreement. He was appointed Executive Chairman on 1 April 2013. Upon 
becoming Executive Chairman, his fees were increased to £300,000 per annum until after a handover period when R Ames was appointed 
as Chief Executive. He reverted back to Chairman on 1 July 2014.

Nick Stone’s service contract dated 1 February 2013 includes a notice period of six months to be given by the Company which is extended to 
one year after six months service and of six months to be given by him. In lieu of giving notice the Company may terminate the agreement on 
payment of a lump sum (subject to tax and national insurance) equal to the salary and other benefits to which he is entitled under this agreement.

30

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Non-Executive Directors’ contracts
The remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors is determined by the Board (except the Company Chairman’s fee, which is set and reviewed 
by the Remuneration Committee) based on the level of fees paid to Non-Executive Directors of similar companies and by considering 
independent external advice.

David Adams Non-Executive Director, was appointed to the Board on 9 January 2014, and receives fees for his services to the Company of 
£40,000 per annum effective 1 January 2014. David’s service contract dated 9 January 2014 is subject to termination on six months’ notice 
to be given by either the Company or himself. In lieu of giving notice the Company may terminate the agreement on payment of a lump sum 
(subject to tax and national insurance) equal to the fee to which he is entitled under this agreement.

Charlie Caminada Non-Executive Director, was appointed to the Board on 9 January 2014, and receives fees for his services to the 
Company of £40,000 per annum effective 1 January 2014. Charlie’s service contract dated 9 January 2014 is subject to termination on six 
months’ notice to be given by either the Company or himself. In lieu of giving notice the Company may terminate the agreement on payment 
of a lump sum (subject to tax and national insurance) equal to the fee to which he is entitled under this agreement.

None of the Non-Executive Directors receives any pension or performance-related pay from the Company. The table below summarises the 
main components of the existing remuneration package for Executive Directors.

Remuneration 
component

Base salary

Annual bonus

Strategic 
objective

How the 
component operates

Performance 
measures applicable

Maximum and 
minimum pay-outs

To attract and retain 
executives of high quality.

To incentivise Executive 
Directors to achieve the 
short-term priorities and to 
deliver high performance 
in the current financial 
year.

None.

None. In recent years 
any base salary awards 
have been in line with the 
rise given to all the UK 
employees.

Financial measures set by 
the Committee in line with 
near-term priorities i.e. 
Underlying profit.

The maximum bonus 
payable is 130% of salary 
based entirely on the 
financial measures. The 
minimum pay-out is nil.

None.

n/a

Initial salaries are based 
upon the level of skill 
and experience of the 
individual, the scope of 
responsibilities and market 
benchmarks of similar 
sized quoted businesses.

Performance targets are 
based on the strategic 
objectives of the Group 
and bonus payments are 
based on the Group’s 
ability to meet its financial 
targets as a result of the 
overarching objectives.

Benefits comprise 
a company car or 
allowance alongside 
medical health cover 
benefits.

Benefits

To provide a competitive 
package for Executive 
Directors.

Performance share plan 
(‘PSP’)

To sustain the Executive 
Directors’ performance 
over the longer term in line 
with shareholder interests.

The awards are normally 
made annually under the 
Hornby PSP scheme to 
Executive Directors. 

Criteria set are designed 
to challenge the goals 
set by the Group in line 
with its three-year strategic 
plan.

The maximum award level 
is 150% of base salary 
per annum although 
awards up to 200% 
of base salary may be 
granted to an individual in 
exceptional circumstances 
(e.g. recruitment or 
retention). 

Pensions

To provide a competitive 
package for Executive 
Directors.

The Executive Directors 
are provided with a 
contribution to their 
retirement savings plans.

None.

20%

31

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Directors’ Remuneration Report continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

Estimate of the total future potential remuneration
The charts below set out estimates of the potential remuneration for each of the Executive Directors based on the current remuneration 
packages. The assumptions included in each scenario are described below:

•  The share price of Hornby Plc remains constant.
•  Consists of base salary, pension and benefits which are all assumed to be in line with 2014–15.
•  On plan – the Performance share plan will deliver 50% of maximum.

R Ames

400

300

200

100

0

N P Stone

400

300

200

100

0

Fixed

On Plan

Maximum

n Long-term service plan    n Bonus    n Salary and benefits

Fixed

On Plan

Maximum

n Long-term service plan    n Bonus    n Salary and benefits

POLICY ON NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The independent Non-Executive Directors receive letters of appointment with six month notice terms and are subject to re-election every three 
years at the Annual General Meeting. The Executive Directors review the Non-Executive Directors’ fees annually. The fee is a fixed annual 
fee, which reflects their time and commitment to the business and comparatives from similar sized quoted companies. Non-Executive Directors 
do not participate in any share scheme, bonus or pension arrangements.

The current scale of remuneration is:

Chairman

Other Non-Executive Directors

£’000

100

40

Recruitment of Directors
When determining the remuneration package and levels for a new Director the Committee will take into consideration all relevant factors 
including but not limited to; the role, the skills a Director has and the added value they can bring to the business but without paying more 
than is required to recruit and retain a candidate of the required calibre. The Committee will seek to align the package with the framework of 
the remuneration policy outlined in the previous table above.

On recruitment, the Committee may also grant awards to a new Director under the Listing Rule 9.4.2 which allows for the granting of awards, 
specifically to facilitate, in unusual circumstances, the recruitment or retention of a Director, without seeking prior shareholder approval. This 
discretion will only be used in respect of buyout awards where a new recruit forfeits awards granted by a previous employer.

Engagement with shareholders
The Committee considers shareholder feedback received during the AGM and any other shareholder meetings as part of its annual review of 
its remuneration policy. Where the Committee proposes to introduce new long-term incentive plans, the Committee seeks the views of major 
shareholders prior to seeking general shareholder approval at a general meeting. There were no shareholder representations to the 
Company in 2014–15 in respect of Directors’ remuneration.

C CAMINADA
Remuneration Committee Chairman
18 June 2015

32

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the 
Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the 
European Union. Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and Company for that period. In 
preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
•  state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed  

and explained in the financial statements.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the Group and the Company and enable them to ensure that 
the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial 
statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Company and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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

The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provide the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in the Directors and Corporate Information section, confirm that, to the best of 
their knowledge: 
•  the Group and Company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a  

true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and loss of the Group and profit of the Company; and

•  the Strategic Review and Corporate Governance Statement includes a fair review of the true development and performance of  

the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

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

By order of the Board

N STONE
Group Finance Director
18 June 2015

33

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Independent auditors’ report to  
the members of Hornby Plc

Report on the financial statements
Our opinion
In our opinion, Hornby Plc’s group financial statements and company financial statements (the ‘financial statements’):
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the company’s affairs as at 31 March 2015 and of the group’s loss, the 

company’s profit and the group’s and the company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the European Union; 

and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group financial statements, 

Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Emphasis of matter – Group – Going concern
In forming our opinion on the group financial statements, which is not modified, we have considered the adequacy of the disclosure made in 
note 1 to the financial statements concerning the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The group incurred a net loss of £0.1 million 
during the year ended 31 March 2015 and is currently raising additional equity of £15 million. However, this fundraising is subject to 
shareholder approval on 13 July 2015. In addition, a new bank facility was signed on 18 June 2015 conditional on the successful equity 
raise. Both the equity fund raise and the new bank facility are needed in order to finance the group’s operations and for it to continue as a 
going concern for at least the next 12 months. These conditions, along with the other matters explained in note 1 to the financial statements, 
indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The 
group financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the group was unable to continue as a going concern.

What we have audited
Hornby Plc’s financial statements comprise:
•  the group and company Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2015;
•  the group and company Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended;
•  the group and company Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended; 
•  the group and company Cash Flow Statement for the year then ended; and
•  the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere in the Annual Report and Accounts (the “Annual Report”), rather than in the notes 
to the financial statements. These are cross-referenced from the financial statements and are identified as audited.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union.

Our audit approach
Overview

•  Overall group materiality: £62,000 which represents 5% of profit before tax, adjusted for the loss on 

revaluation of intra-group loans and exceptional restructuring costs.

•  Of the group’s ten reporting units, we performed full scope audit procedures on three units based in 
the UK and Spain and specific audit procedures on certain balances in the USA. Overall, this 
accounted for 96% of group revenue and 100% of group profit before tax adjusted for the loss on 
revaluation of intra-group loans and exceptional restructuring costs.

•  Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.
•  Carrying value of inventory.
•  Capitalisation of costs in respect of ERP system.
•  Classification of exceptional items.

THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT AND OUR AREAS OF FOCUS
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (“ISAs (UK & Ireland)”).

We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, 
we looked at where the directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved 

34

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits we also addressed the risk of 
management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of 
material misstatement due to fraud. 

The risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit, including the allocation of our resources and effort, are identified 
as “areas of focus” in the table below. We have also set out how we tailored our audit to address these specific areas in order to provide an 
opinion on the financial statements as a whole, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures should be read in this context. 
This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit. 

Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Group’s ability to continue as a going concern
Refer to page 23 of the Audit Committee Report and page 46  
of the financial statements.

Hornby Plc has bank facilities which expire in December 2015 
and based on cash flow forecasts prepared by management, the 
directors have determined that the group will have insufficient cash 
to meet its debts as they fall due or to pursue its future strategies, 
unless the group is able to effect a refinancing before then. 
Management is currently pursuing a £15 million equity issue to 
finance the group’s operations and has agreed a revised working 
capital facility with its bankers conditional on the equity raise. At 
the time of approving the group’s financial statements, the equity 
raise is subject to shareholder approval on 13 July 2015.

We consider this matter to be a material uncertainty to the ability 
of the group to continue as a going concern. This issue is referred 
to in Note 1 (Basis of Preparation) and our Emphasis of matter 
paragraph above.

We obtained management’s group cash flow forecasts for the 
period ending 31 December 2016, which reflect the proposed 
equity raise and revised bank facilities. We evaluated and 
challenged the composition of the forecasts, and the process by 
which they were drawn up and evaluated the appropriateness 
of the key assumptions included in the forecasts. We compared 
the forecasts against historical performance to gain comfort over 
the phasing of the cash flows in the forecasts and also that the 
assumptions were reasonable in light of past performance.

In particular we concentrated on the following key assumptions:
•  Sales growth of 11% in FY2015/16 and 15% in FY2016/17 
which management believe is achievable based on an 
improved supply chain and further investment in internet sales. 
•  Exchange rate of US dollar 1.51 used for purchases which is 

management’s consensus on the estimated long term US dollar 
rate. For 2015/16, the rate has been adjusted for the forward 
contracts in place that expire throughout the year.

•  A successful equity placing of £14.4m (net of costs) in  

August 2015. Management have received verbal commitments 
from existing and new shareholders to support the planned  
£15m equity raise.

•  Sale of the site in Margate in June 2016. Management has 

received an indicative offer from a potential buyer which they 
believe gives support to the sales price being achieved within 
the timeframe.

We also read the Proposed Open Offer Prospectus concerning 
the equity issue and had detailed discussions with management 
and their advisers about the proposed equity issue. We 
obtained a copy of the signed bank facilities and agreed the 
amount of the proposed facility, and the debt covenants that 
would apply, to those used in the group cash flow forecasts. 

Based on our work we agreed with the Directors’ assessment 
that the going concern basis of preparation is appropriate and 
our conclusion on going concern is below.

However we also concur that there is a material uncertainty 
which may cast significant doubt on the group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern because of the uncertainty over 
the refinancing. The disclosures in the financial statements 
appropriately identify this risk.

35

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Independent auditors’ report to  
the members of Hornby Plc continued

Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Carrying value of inventory 
Refer to page 23 of the Audit Committee Report and  
pages 46, 49 and 65 of the financial statements.

Management’s provisioning process for finished goods inventory 
starts by calculating the difference between the sales forecast 
based on historical sales data, and the level of inventory held for 
each individual inventory line. This calculation is then adjusted for 
any known or expected additional sales over and above the initial 
sales forecast. Management also consider the margins achieved on 
all product lines to determine if a provision is required to reduce the 
inventory down to its net realisable value. 

This was an area of focus for us as the level of provisioning is an 
important factor in the overall profitability of the business and the 
calculations involved are manual and based on judgement.

We assessed the accuracy and completeness of the source 
information used to calculate the inventory provisions by 
agreeing the detailed listing of inventory included in the 
provision calculation to the listing we had tested for existence 
and valuation and reconciled to the general ledger. We also 
agreed the sales forecast figures to historical sales data, or to 
planned sales orders where stock items were for newer lines 
without sales history.  
We were able to obtain reasonable explanations for 
adjustments to the initial sales forecast from management which 
could generally be supported by post year-end sales.

We also reperformed the provision calculations, finding no 
material misstatements, and tested a sample to recent sales to 
assess whether inventory was being sold above its carrying 
value.

Our testing identified no material misstatements and we found 
the judgements made by management were reasonable.

Capitalisation of costs in respect of ERP system 
Refer to page 23 of the Audit Committee Report and pages 48, 49  
and 52 of the financial statements.

We obtained a detailed listing of the costs capitalised and 
tested a sample to supporting documentation to ensure that they 
met the criteria for capitalisation under IAS 38.

During the year, the group began to implement a new ERP 
system and external and internal costs totalling £646,000 were 
capitalised in respect of the project.

This was an area of focus for us due to the materiality of the 
amounts involved and the risk that the relevant costs do not meet the 
criteria for capitalisation under International Accounting Standard 
38 ‘Intangible assets’ (‘IAS 38’).

Classification of exceptional items 
Refer to page 23 of the Audit Committee Report and pages 48  
and 57 of the financial statements.

During the year the group incurred £811,000 of costs which 
management believe are one-off in nature and therefore  
disclosed as exceptional items on the face of the Statement  
of Comprehensive Income.

We included this as an area of focus given the significant focus on 
the underlying profit figure of the group.

The costs included capitalised salary costs, which we tested 
by assessing the role of the employee in the project team 
and agreeing their salary costs to payroll records. Other 
costs primarily related to contractor costs which we tested by 
agreement to third party invoices.

Our testing identified no material misstatements.

We obtained a detailed listing of the exceptional costs and 
tested a sample to check that they were one-off in nature and 
warranted separate disclosure on the face of the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income.

The majority of these costs related to the cost of setting up the 
new warehouse facility. We were able to confirm from our 
testing to third party invoices that these were one-off in nature.

HOW WE TAILORED THE AUDIT SCOPE
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a 
whole, taking into account the geographic structure of the group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the group 
operates. The group financial statements are a consolidation of ten reporting units, comprising the group’s operating businesses and 
centralised functions.

In establishing the overall approach to the group audit, we determined the scope of work that needed to be performed at the reporting units 
by us in the UK, as the group engagement team, or by other PwC network firms operating under our instruction. Where the work was 
performed by a component auditor, we also determined the level of involvement we needed to have in the audit work of the reporting unit 

36

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015  
to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the group financial 
statements as a whole. 

Of the group’s ten reporting units, we identified three (two in the UK and one in Spain, accounting for 96% of Group revenue and 100% of 
group profit before tax adjusted for the loss on revaluation of intra-group loans and exceptional restructuring costs) which in our view, required 
an audit of their complete financial information due to their size. Specific audit procedures on certain balances were performed on the 
reporting unit in the USA. This, together with additional procedures performed at group level, gave us the evidence we needed for our 
opinion on the financial statements as a whole.

The UK and US work was carried out by the group engagement team. The work in Spain was carried out by the Spanish firm and a 
conference call was held with the Spanish team prior to the commencement of work to discuss the principal areas of risk with them. A 
conference call was also held following submission of their reporting to discuss their findings.

MATERIALITY
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together 
with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and 
to evaluate the effect of misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall group materiality

£62,000 (2014: £126,000).

How we determined it

5% of profit before tax, adjusted for the loss on revaluation of intra-Group loans and exceptional 
restructuring costs. In the prior year materiality was based on 5% of loss before tax before the 
exceptional item relating to the impairment of goodwill.

Rationale for benchmark applied We believe that profit before tax adjusted for one-off items provides us with a consistent year on 
year basis for determining materiality by eliminating the non-recurring disproportionate impact of 
these items. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £5,000 (2014: £5,000) 
as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

GOING CONCERN
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the directors’ statement, set out on page 21, in relation to going concern. We have nothing 
to report having performed our review.

As noted in the directors’ statement, the directors have concluded that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements using the going 
concern basis of accounting. The going concern basis presumes that the group and company have adequate resources to remain in 
operation, and that the directors intend them to do so, for at least one year from the date the financial statements were signed. 

As explained in note 1, the group’s ability to remain in operation is dependent on successful refinancing. As part of our audit we have 
concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis is appropriate. However, because further financing is necessary and the raising 
of it is conditional upon shareholder approval, there is a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the ability of the group to 
continue as a going concern. 

Because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, even if the refinancing plans referred to in note 1 are successful, these 
statements are not a guarantee as to the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

OTHER REQUIRED REPORTING
CONSISTENCY OF OTHER INFORMATION
Companies Act 2006 opinions
In our opinion the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements 
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

37

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Independent auditors’ report to  
the members of Hornby Plc continued

ISAs (UK & Ireland) reporting

Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

Information in the Annual Report is:
•   materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or 
•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the group and  

company acquired in the course of performing our audit; or

•  otherwise misleading.

•  the statement given by the directors on page 33, in accordance with provision C.1.1 of the UK Corporate 

Governance Code (“the Code”), that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced  
and understandable and provides the information necessary for members to assess the group’s and company’s 
performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the group and  
company acquired in the course of performing our audit.

•  the section of the Annual Report on page 23, as required by provision C.3.8 of the Code, describing the work  
of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

We have no 
exceptions to 
report arising from 
this responsibility.

We have no 
exceptions to 
report arising from 
this responsibility.

We have no 
exceptions to 
report arising from 
this responsibility.

ADEQUACY OF ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND INFORMATION AND EXPLANATIONS RECEIVED
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or

•  the company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the 

accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION
Directors’ remuneration report – Companies Act 2006 opinion
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006.

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

Corporate governance statement
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the company’s compliance with 
ten provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. We have nothing to report having performed our review. 

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE AUDIT
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND THOSE OF THE DIRECTORS
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 33, the directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

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

38

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of 
Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our 
prior consent in writing.

WHAT AN AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INVOLVES
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance 
that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: 
•  whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s and the company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and 

adequately disclosed; 

•  the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and
•  the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements, 
and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements.

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

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

ROSEMARY SHAPLAND (SENIOR STATUTORY AUDITOR)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Gatwick
18 June 2015

39

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Group and Company Statement of 
Comprehensive Income
for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

Group

Company

Note

2

2
3
3
4

1

5

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

58,135
(30,961)
27,174
(5,937)
(12,246)
(7,367)
(1,303)
321
1
(506)
(184)

51,557
(28,230)
23,327
(2,549)
(11,322)
(9,811)
(3,718)
(4,073)
8
(492)
(4,557)

1,622
(618)
(377)

(811)
–
(184)

64
(120)

(1,139)
(108)
(389)

(875)
(2,046)
(4,557)

112
(4,445)

802
(501)

(714)
(146)

301
181

(860)
(5,305)

7
7

(0.31)p
(0.31)p

(11.35)p
(11.35)p

2015 
£’000

1,346
–
1,346
–
–
(888)
(103)
355
174
(192)
337

337
–
–

–
–
337

(51)
286

–
605

605
891

2014 
£’000

1,456
–
1,456
–
–
(994)
(85)
377
174
(208)
343

383
–
–

(40)
–
343

(38)
305

–
101

101
406

Revenue

Cost of sales
Gross profit

Distribution costs
Selling and marketing costs
Administrative expenses
Other operating expenses
Operating profit/(loss)

Finance income
Finance costs
(Loss)/profit before taxation

Analysed as:
Underlying profit/(loss) before taxation
Net foreign exchange impact on intercompany loans
Amortisation of intangibles
Exceptional items:
Restructuring costs
Impairment of goodwill
(Loss)/profit before taxation

Income tax credit/(charge)
(Loss)/profit for the year after taxation
Other comprehensive income

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to Profit and Loss:
Cash flow hedges, net of tax
Currency translation differences

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year
Loss per ordinary share

Basic
Diluted

All results relate to continuing operations.

The notes on pages 46 to 77 form part of these accounts.

40

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Group and Company Balance Sheet
at 31 March 2015

Assets
Non-current assets

Goodwill
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Deferred tax assets

Current assets

Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial investments
Current tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities
Current liabilities

Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Current tax liabilities

Net current assets/(liabilities)
Non-current liabilities

Borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities

Net assets
Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Translation reserve
Hedging reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity

Group

Company

Note

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

8
9
10
11
20

12
13
19
17
14

18
19
15
16
17

18
20

21

8,464
4,071
10,260
–
2,099
24,894

12,469
10,444
519
419
451
24,302

8,530
3,569
10,383
–
1,858
24,340

13,165
9,043
39
601
619
23,467

(7,747)
(24)
(9,067)
(255)
(53)
(17,146)
7,156

(7,630)
(445)
(7,618)
(238)
(128)
(16,059)
7,408

(163)
(131)
(294)
31,756

392
6,180
55
(1,259)
362
1,688
24,338
31,756

(242)
(136)
(378)
31,370

392
6,180
55
(758)
(440)
1,688
24,253
31,370

–
–
1,207
37,326
–
38,533

–
983
–
81
1
1,065

(116)
–
(19)
–
–
(135)
930

(4,395)
(121)
(4,516)
34,947

392
6,180
55
(353)
–
19,145
9,528
34,947

–
–
1,241
37,224
–
38,465

–
628
–
29
1
658

–
–
(62)
–
(100)
(162)
496

(4,984)
(126)
(5,110)
33,851

392
6,180
55
(958)
–
19,145
9,037
33,851

The notes on pages 46 to 77 form part of these accounts. The financial statements on pages 40 to 45 were approved by the Board of 
Directors on 18 June and were signed on its behalf by:

N P STONE
Director
Registered Company Number: 01547390

41

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Group and Company Statement of Changes 
in Equity
Year Ended 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2014

GROUP

Balance at 1 April 2013
Total loss for the year
Other comprehensive income for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners
Share-based payments (note 22)
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 31 March 2014

Total loss for the year
Other comprehensive income for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners
Share-based payments (note 22)
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 31 March 2015

Share  
capital 
£’000

392
–
–
–

–
–
392

–
–

–
–
392

Share  
premium 
£’000

6,180
–
–
–

–
–
6,180

–
–

–
–
6,180

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£’000

Translation 
reserve 
£’000

55
–
–
–

–
–
55

–
–

–
–
55

(612)
–
(146)
(146)

–
–
(758)

(501)
(501)

–
–
(1,259)

Hedging 
reserve 
£’000

274
–
(714)
(714)

–
–
(440)

802
802

–
–
362

Other  
reserves 
£’000

1,688
–
–
–

–
–
1,688

–
–

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

28,424
(4,445)
–
(4,445)

274
274
24,253

(120)
–
(120)

Total  
equity 
£’000

36,401
(4,445)
(860)
(5,305)

274
274
31,370

(120)
301
181

–
–
1,688

205
205
24,338

205
205
31,756

Retained earnings includes £570,000 at 31 March 2015 (2014 – £587,000) which is not distributable and relates to a 1986 revaluation of 
land and buildings.

42

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015COMPANY

Balance at 1 April 2013
Total income for the year
Other comprehensive income for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners
Share-based payments
Total transactions with owners

Balance at 31 March 2014

Total income for the year
Other comprehensive income for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners
Share-based payments
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 31 March 2015

The notes on pages 46 to 77 form part of these accounts.

Share  
capital 
£’000

392
–
–
–

–
–

–
392

–
–
–

–
–
392

Share  
premium 
£’000

6,180
–
–
–

–
–

–
6,180

–
–
–

–
–
6,180

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£’000

55
–
–
–

–
–

–
55

–
–
–

–
–
55

Translation 
reserve 
£’000

(1,059)
–
101
101

–
–

101
(958)

–
605
605

–
–
(353)

Other  
reserves 
£’000

19,145
–
–
–

–
–

–
19,145

–
–
–

–
–
19,145

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

8,458
305
–
305

Total  
equity 
£’000

33,171
305
101
406

274
274

579
9,037

286
–
286

205
205
9,528

274
274

680
33,851

286
605
891

205
205
34,947

43

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Group and Company Cash Flow Statement
for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated/(used in) from operations
Interest paid
Tax (paid)/received
Net cash generated/(used in) from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Interest received
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities

Repayments of loans
Finance lease capital payments
Advances to subsidiary undertakings
Repayments to subsidiary undertakings
Net cash used in financing activities
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at beginning of the year
Effect of exchange rate movements
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at end of year
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts consist of:

Cash and cash equivalents
Bank overdrafts
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at end of year

Group

Company

Note

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

5,328
(506)
(127)
4,695

20
(4,073)
(988)
1
(5,040)

(1,584)
–
–
–
(1,584)
(1,929)
(5,456)
138
(7,247)

451
(7,698)
(7,247)

(76)
(492)
(482)
(1,050)

–
(4,059)
–
8
(4,051)

(3,060)
(3)
–
–
(3,063)
(8,164)
2,725
(17)
(5,456)

619
(6,076)
(5,456)

10
9

14
16

(194)
(192)
67
(319)

–
–
–
174
174

–
–
116
29
145
–
1
–
1

1
–
1

516
(208)
16
324

–
–
–
174
174

–
–
(4,767)
4,268
(499)
(1)
2
–
1

1
–
1

44

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Cash Flow Statements
Group and Company Cash Flows from Operating Activities

(Loss)/profit before taxation
Interest payable
Interest receivable
Dividend income
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of Goodwill
Depreciation
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Share-based payments
Gain on financial derivatives
Increase in provisions
Decrease in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Increase/(decrease) in derivative financial instruments
Cash generated from/(used in) operations

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

(184)
506
(1)
–
377
–
3,749
(5)
205
(102)
17
166
(1,883)
1,685
798
5,328

2014 
£’000

(4,557)
492
(8)
–
389
2,046
3,604
22
274
(135)
3
472
560
(1,451)
(1,787)
(76)

2015 
£’000

337
192
(174)
–
–
–
34
–
103
–
–
–
(643)
(43)
–
(194)

2014 
£’000

343
208
(174)
–
–
–
34
–
85
–
–
–
26
(6)
–
516

45

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting policies for the year ended 31 March 2015
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been 
consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2015 has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (‘IFRS’) as adopted by the European Union (‘EU’), IFRS Interpretations Committee (‘IFRS-IC’) interpretations and with those parts of 
the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The consolidated Group and Parent Company financial statements 
have been prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial 
assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or loss.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting 
period. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual results ultimately may 
differ from those estimates.

GOING CONCERN
As the Group’s bank facilities expire in December 2015 and the current business plans require significant investment, the Group are 
proposing to raise £15 million additional equity to enable the Group to pursue these plans.

Based on the successful completion of discussions with investors to raise the £15 million additional equity, the signing of a new bank facility 
with the Group’s bankers, which is conditional on the equity raise and a detailed review of the Groups forecasts and cash flow models with 
external advisers, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence  
for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual  
financial statements.

However as the current equity raise has not yet been approved by shareholders there remains a material uncertainty which may cast 
significant doubt about the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that  
would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying a 
shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the 
Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is 
measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus 
costs directly attributable to the acquisition. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business 
combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any minority interest. The excess of 
the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are 
also eliminated but considered an impairment indicator of the asset concerned. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed 
where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS
The Group applied all applicable new standards, interpretations and amendments published by the IASB and as endorsed by the European 
Union for the year beginning 1 January 2014, being IFRS 10, IFRS 11, IFRS 12 and amendments to IAS 27, IAS 28, IAS 36, IAS 32 and IAS 
39. The implementation of these standards and amendments did not have a material effect on the accounts.

The Group did not early adopt any standard, interpretation, or amendments published by the IASB and endorsed by the European Union for 
which the mandatory application date is after 1 January 2014.

46

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015The following new standards, interpretations, and amendments to standards and interpretations have been issued, subject to the EU 
endorsement, but are not effective for the financial year beginning 1 January 2014 and have not yet been early adopted by the Group:

Effective date for 
periods beginning  

on or after

1 January 2018
IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’
1 January 2016
IFRS 14 ‘Regulatory Deferral Accounts’
IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’
1 January 2017
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 ‘Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture’ 1 January 2016
1 January 2016
Amendments to IFRS 11 ‘Accounting for Acquisitions of interests in Joint Operations’
1 January 2016
Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 41 ‘Bearer Plants’
1 January 2016
Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 ‘Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation’
1 July 2014
Amendments to IAS 19 ‘Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions’
1 January 2016
Amendments to IAS 27 ‘Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements’

The Group does not currently expect any of these changes to have a material impact on the results.

RECONCILIATION OF STATUTORY TO NON STATUTORY INFORMATION IN THE CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT AND OPERATING AND 
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Underlying profit before taxation is shown to present a clearer view of the trading performance of the business. Management has identified 
the following non-trivial adjustments, whose inclusion in earnings could distort underlying trading performance: net foreign exchange gains/
losses on intercompany loans which are dependent on exchange rates from time to time and can be volatile and amortisation of intangibles 
which result from historic acquisitions. Additionally exceptional items, restructuring costs and impairments to goodwill, add volatility and these 
are considered to be one-off items and therefore have also been added back in calculating underlying profit/(loss) before taxation.

Loss before taxation
Foreign exchange on intercompany loans
Amortisation of intangibles (note 9)
Impairment of goodwill (note 8)
Restructuring costs
Underlying profit/(loss) before taxation

Group

2015 
£’000

(184)
618
377
–
811
1,622

2014 
£’000

(4,557)
108
389
2,046
875
(1,139)

The Statement of Comprehensive Income discloses foreign exchange movements, amortisation of intangibles and impairment of goodwill 
within other operating expenses. Restructuring costs are disclosed within administrative expenses. Restructuring costs of £0.8 million in the 
year ended 31 March 2015 comprise mainly the costs of moving warehouses in the UK to the new warehouse run by our third party 
provider, DS Logistics, but also include elements of redundancy and associated legal fees and other one off items.

Reconciliation of net debt:

Cash (note 14)
Total borrowings (note 18)
Net debt

Group

2015 
£’000

451
(7,910)
(7,459)

2014 
£’000

619
(7,872)
(7,253)

Cash of £451,000 above includes restricted cash of £98,108 held within an Escrow account that relates to the exit payment to our previous 
principal model railway supplier mentioned within the previous Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014.

47

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue comprises the fair value of the sale of goods net of value added tax, rebates and discounts, royalty income and after eliminating 
sales within the Group.

Revenue is recognised as follows:
(a)  Sale of goods

Sales of goods are recognised when a Group entity has despatched products to the customer. The customer is either a trade customer or 
the consumer when sold through Hornby concessions in various retail outlets, or via the internet.

(b)  Royalty income

Royalty income is recognised on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreements.

(c)   Sales returns

The Group establishes a sales returns provision at the period end that reduces income in anticipation of customer returns of goods sold in 
the period.

(d) Hornby Visitor Centre

Revenue is generated from the ticket and product sales at our Visitor Centre in Margate and recognised at the point of sale.

Dividend income in the Company is recognised upon receipt. Management fees are recognised in the Company on an accruals basis in 
relation to costs incurred on behalf of subsidiary companies.

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
Where items of income and expense included in the statement of comprehensive income are considered to be material and exceptional in 
nature, separate disclosure of their nature and amount is provided in the financial statements. These items are classified as exceptional items. 
The Group considers the size and nature of an item both individually and when aggregated with similar items when considering whether it is 
material, for example impairment of intangible assets or restructuring costs.

OPERATING SEGMENTS
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief 
operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been 
identified as the Board of the Company that makes strategic decisions.

Operating profit of each reporting segment includes revenue and expenses directly attributable to or able to be allocated on a reasonable basis. 
Segment assets and liabilities are those operating assets and liabilities directly attributable to or that can be allocated on a reasonable basis.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Goodwill arising on a business combination before and after 1 April 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, is not subject to amortisation but 
tested for impairment on an annual basis. Intangible assets, excluding goodwill, arising on a business combination subsequent to 1 April 
2004, are separately identified and valued, and subject to amortisation over their estimated economic lives.

GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the 
acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment 
losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of 
goodwill relating to the entity sold. Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is 
made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which 
the goodwill arose identified according to operating segment. Goodwill is recorded in the currency of the cash generating unit to which  
it is allocated.

INTANGIBLES
(a)  Brand names

Brand names are capitalised at fair value as at the date of acquisition. They are carried at their fair value less accumulated amortisation 
and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the fair value of brand 
names over their estimated economic life of 15 to 20 years. Brand names have been valued on a ‘relief from royalty’ basis.

48

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
(b)  Customer lists
  Customer lists are capitalised at fair value as at the date of acquisition. They are carried at their fair value less accumulated amortisation 
and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the fair value of customer 
relationships over their estimated economic life of ten years. Customer lists have been valued according to discounted incremental 
operating profit expected to be generated from each of them over their useful lives.

(c)  Research and development

Research expenditure is recognised as an expense as incurred. Costs incurred on development projects (relating to the design and  
testing of new products) are recognised as intangible assets when it is probable that the project will be a success, considering its 
commercial and technological feasibility, and costs can be measured reliably. Other development expenditures are recognised as an 
expense as incurred.

(d)  Computer software
  Computer software expenditure is capitalised at the value at the date of acquisition and depreciated over a useful economic life of  

4 to 6 years.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and buildings are shown at cost less accumulated depreciation. Assets revalued prior to the transition to IFRS use this valuation as 
deemed cost at this date. Other property, plant and equipment are shown at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the 
original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write-off the cost or valuation of each asset, on a straight-line basis (with the exception of tools 
and moulds) over its expected useful life to its residual value, as follows:

Freehold buildings
Plant and equipment
Motor vehicles

– 30 to 50 years
– 5 to 10 years
– 4 years

Freehold land is not depreciated.

Tools and moulds are depreciated at varying rates in line with the related estimated product sales on an item-by-item basis up to a maximum 
of four years.

IMPAIRMENT OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill, are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets 
that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may 
not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount, 
which is considered to be the higher of its value in use and fair value less costs to sell. In order to assess impairment, assets are grouped into 
the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). Cash flows used to assess impairment are 
discounted using appropriate rates taking into account the cost of equity and any risks relevant to those assets.

INVESTMENTS
In the Company’s financial statements, investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less any impairment. Investments revalued 
using the equity method of valuation prior to the transition to IFRS use this valuation as deemed cost at this date. Dividend income is shown 
separately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is predominantly determined using the first-in, first-out (‘FIFO’) method. 
Alternative methods may be used when proven to generate no material difference. The cost of finished goods and work in progress 
comprises raw materials, direct labour, other direct costs and related production overheads (based on normal operating capacity).

Net realisable value is based on anticipated selling price less further costs expected to be incurred to completion and disposal. Provisions 
are made against those stocks considered to be obsolete or excess to requirements on an item-by-item basis.

The replacement cost, based upon latest invoice prices before the balance sheet date, is considered to be higher than the balance sheet 
value of inventories at the year end due to price rises and exchange fluctuations. It is not considered practicable to provide an accurate 
estimate of the difference at the year end date.

49

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group and Company’s balance sheet when the Group or Company becomes 
a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into.

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group and Company after deducting all of its 
liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group and Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

BORROWING COSTS
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost; any 
difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income 
over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities are recognised as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is probable that some or 
all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the draw-down occurs and subsequently amortised over the life of 
the facility. To the extent that there is no evidence that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalised 
as a prepayment for liquidity services and amortised over the period of the facility to which it relates.

SALES RETURNS PROVISIONS
Provisions for sales returns are recognised when the Group has a constructive obligation as a result of a past event. Provisions for sales returns 
are measured at the present value of the expenditure expected to be required to settle the obligation.

TRADE RECEIVABLES
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost less provision for impairment. A provision 
for impairment is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the 
original terms of receivables. The amount of the provision is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

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

TAXATION INCLUDING DEFERRED TAX
Corporation tax, where payable, is provided on taxable profits at the current rate.

The taxation liabilities of certain Group undertakings are reduced wholly or in part by the surrender of losses by fellow Group undertakings.

Deferred tax is provided on all temporary differences at the balance sheet date between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their 
carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax assets and unused tax losses, to the 
extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry-forward of 
unused tax assets and unused tax losses can be utilised. The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each balance 
sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the 
deferred income tax asset to be utilised.

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 tax 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.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realised or the 
liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Tax relating 
to items recognised directly in equity is recognised in equity and not in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

50

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING THE ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the 
related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that may have an element of risk causing an adjustment to the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities within the next financial year include provisions for stock obsolescence, customer returns, doubtful debts, impairment 
reviews, fair values of share-based payments, fair values of derivatives and recoverability of deferred tax assets. All of the above are 
estimated with reference to historical data, expectation of future events and reviewed regularly.

Whenever there is a substantiated risk that an item of stock’s sellable value may be lower than its actual stock value, a provision for the 
difference between the two values is made. Management review the stock holdings on a regular basis and consider where a provision for 
excess or obsolete stock should be made based on expected demand for the stock and its condition.

The provision for sales returns is based on historic returns data applied to sales for the current year and this provision is reviewed by 
management on an ongoing basis.

Specific debtors are provided for when there is significant doubt that a repayment of debt will be fulfilled considering specific knowledge of 
the customer and sales terms of the debt outstanding.

The critical areas of judgement applied within the impairment reviews conducted include the weighted average cost of capital used in 
discounting the cash flows of the cash generating units, the assessment of the initial growth rate used and the growth rate in perpetuity of the 
cash flows. The judgements used within this assessment are set out within note 8.

The critical areas of judgement used in the share-based payment charge for the year include the assessment of the fair value of the option 
along with the expected volatility and option term. These are based on historical data where this is available and best estimates where 
historical data is not available. Further details in relation to share-based payments are given in note 22.

The deferred tax assets are assessed based on the current trading performance, expected future cash flows in the specific countries and the 
nature of the tax base.

The fair value of the financial derivatives is determined by the mark-to-market value at the year end date.

PROVISIONS
Liabilities and provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events and it is 
more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably estimated. The 
expense relating to any liability or provision is presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income net of any reimbursement but only if 
reimbursement is virtually certain and will be settled simultaneously.

Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the 
balance sheet date. If material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows of the Group at rates that reflect 
current market assessments of the time value of money.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the Cash Flow Statement includes cash in hand, deposits at banks, other liquid investments 
with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts or loans where there is no right of set off are shown 
within borrowings in current or non-current liabilities on the balance sheet as appropriate.

51

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
SHARE-BASED PAYMENT
Hornby Plc operates three share-based payment plans:
•  Share Option Scheme.
•  Short Term Incentive Plan. (Dormant)
•  Performance Share Plan.

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value 
(excluding the effect of non market-based vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-
settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will 
eventually vest and adjusted for the effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

The grant by the Company of options over its equity instruments to the employees of subsidiary undertakings in the Company is treated as a 
capital contribution. The fair value of employee services received, measured by reference to the grant date fair value, is recognised over the 
vesting period as an increase to investment in subsidiary undertakings, with a corresponding credit to equity.

Share Option Scheme
Fair value is measured by use of the Black-Scholes model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s 
best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Performance Share Plan
Awards are granted to Executive Directors in shares worth 100% of salary, with lower levels of grant for less senior executives.

The Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’) incorporates two three-year performance conditions:
•  Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’).
•  Earnings per share (‘EPS’) growth targets.

each applying to a separate 40%:60% of the award respectively and vesting on the third anniversary of grant as appropriate. The method 
applied in estimating the fair value of the PSP awards is the Black-Scholes model,

The TSR fair value and the projected EPS award fair value are spread over the vesting period of the shares and recognised in the Statement 
of Comprehensive Income in the appropriate year.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COSTS
During the year the Group operated a defined contribution money purchase pension scheme under which it pays contributions based upon a 
percentage of the members’ basic salary. The scheme is administered by trustees either appointed by the Company or elected by the 
members (to constitute one third minimum).

Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income according to the year in 
which they are payable.

Further information on pension costs and the scheme arrangements is provided in note 24.

SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE PREMIUM
Ordinary shares issued are shown as share capital at nominal value. The premium received on the sale of shares in excess of the nominal 
value is shown as share premium within total equity.

52

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015LEASES
The Group enters into operating and finance leases. Assets held under finance leases are initially reported at the fair value of the asset with 
an equivalent liability categorised as appropriate under current and non-current payables. The assets are depreciated over the shorter of the 
lease term and their useful economic lives. Finance charges are allocated to accounting periods over the period of the lease to produce a 
constant rate of return on the outstanding balance. Rentals are apportioned between finance charges and the reduction of the liability and 
allocated to net interest.

Leases classed as operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the lease term.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Financial risk factors
The Group’s operations expose it to a variety of financial risks that include the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, market 
interest rates, credit risk and its liquidity position. The Group has in place a risk management programme that seeks to limit adverse effects on 
the financial performance of the Group by using foreign currency financial instruments. In addition, other instruments are used to manage the 
Group’s interest rate exposure.

(a)  Foreign exchange risk

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risks against Sterling primarily on transactions in US Dollars. It enters into forward currency 
contracts to hedge the cash flows of its product sourcing operation (i.e. it buys US Dollars forwards in exchange for Sterling) and looks 
forward 6 to 12 months on a rolling basis at forecasted purchase volumes. The policy framework requires hedging between 70% and 
100% of anticipated import purchases that are denominated in US Dollars. The Group has granted Euro denominated intercompany 
loans to subsidiary companies that are translated to Sterling at statutory period ends thereby creating exchange gains or losses. The 
loans to the subsidiaries, Hornby Deutschland GmbH, Hornby Italia s.r.l and Hornby France S.A.S are classified as long-term loans and 
therefore the exchange gains and losses on consolidation are reclassified to the translation reserve in Other Comprehensive Income as 
per IAS 21. The loan to the branch in Spain is classified as a long-term loan however repayable on a shorter timescale than those of the 
other subsidiaries and therefore the exchange gains or losses are taken to the Income Statement.

(b)  Interest rate risk

The Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits and bank borrowings. The Group borrows, principally in Sterling, 
at floating rates of interest to meet short-term funding requirements. At the year end the Group’s borrowings comprised a revolving credit 
facility, bank overdrafts and a fixed-term loan agreement. An interest rate hedge is in place to protect the Group against future interest 
rate rises.

(c)  Credit risk

The Group manages its credit risk through a combination of internal credit management policies and procedures and external  
credit insurance.

(d)  Liquidity risk

At 31 March 2015 the Group had a revolving credit facility of £13 million expiring in December 2015. The Group also has additional 
facilities of £4 million in place in its European subsidiaries through bank loans and import credit line facilities of which £2.3 million was 
undrawn at year end. Borrowings in the year ended 31 March 2015 peaked at £13.5 million. The needs are determined by monitoring 
forecast and actual cash flows. The Group regularly monitors its performance against its banking covenants to ensure compliance.

The Group has recently been successful in renegotiating its main UK banking facilities for a further 4 years. The proposed £15 million 
equity placing has allowed us to reduce reliance on debt facilities and we have signed a new revolving credit facility of £10 million with 
our main UK bankers Barclays. This facility is conditional on the equity raising being approved by shareholders which is expected to 
allow sufficient headroom for trading working capital needs for the next four years and expires in August 2019. The Group also continues 
to have additional facilities of £4 million in place in its European subsidiaries through bank loans and import credit line facilities.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
To manage exposure to foreign currency risk, the Group uses foreign currency forward contracts, also known as derivative financial 
instruments.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at their fair 
value. The Group documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as 
its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Group also documents its assessment, both at 
hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting 
changes in fair values of the hedged items.

53

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
(a)  Cash flow hedge

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognised in 
Other Comprehensive Income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the Income Statement 
within operating expenses.

Amounts accumulated in Other Comprehensive Income are recycled in the Income Statement in the periods when the hedged item 
affects profit or loss (for instance when the forecast purchase that is hedged takes place). The gain or loss relating to the effective portion 
of forward foreign exchange contracts hedging import purchases is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within ‘cost of 
sales’. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset (for example, inventory) the 
gains and losses previously deferred in the Other Comprehensive Income are transferred from Other Comprehensive Income and 
included in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset. The deferred amounts are ultimately recognised in cost of goods sold in the 
case of inventory.

  When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain 
or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised in income when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised 
in the Income Statement. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income is immediately transferred to the Income Statement.

(b)  Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
  Certain derivative instruments are not considered effective and do not qualify for hedge accounting. Such derivatives are classified at fair 

value through the Income Statement, and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are 
recognised immediately in the Income Statement.

FAIR VALUE ESTIMATION
The fair values of short-term deposits, loans and overdrafts with a maturity of less than one year are assumed to approximate to their book values.

The fair values of the derivative financial instruments used for hedging purposes are disclosed in note 19.

FOREIGN CURRENCY
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in the relevant functional currency at the exchange rates ruling at the date of the 
transaction. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from such transactions are recognised in the Income Statement, except when 
deferred in Other Comprehensive Income as qualifying cash flow hedges. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies 
are translated at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date and any exchange differences are taken to the Income Statement.

Foreign exchange gains/losses recognised in the Income Statement relating to foreign currency loans and other foreign exchange 
adjustments are included within operating profit.

On consolidation, the Income Statement and cash flows of foreign subsidiaries are translated into Sterling using average rates that existed during 
the accounting period. The balance sheets of foreign subsidiaries are translated into Sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet 
date. Gains or losses arising on the translation of opening and closing net assets are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income.

DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION
Final dividends are recorded in the Statements of Changes in Equity in the period in which they are approved by the Company’s 
shareholders. Interim dividends are recorded in the period in which they are approved and paid.

2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING
Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Board (chief operating decision-maker) that are 
used to make strategic decisions.

The Board considers the business from a geographic perspective. Geographically, management considers the performance in the UK, US, 
Spain, Italy and the rest of Europe.

Although the USA segment does not meet the quantitative thresholds required by IFRS 8, management has concluded that this segment should 
be reported, as it is closely monitored by the Board as it is outside Europe.

The Company is a holding company operating in the UK with its results given in the Company Statement of Comprehensive Income on  
page 40 and its assets and liabilities given in the Company Balance Sheet on page 41. Other Company information is provided in the  
other notes to the accounts.

54

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015 
 
Year ended 31 March 2015

Revenue 

– External
– Other segments

Operating profit/(loss)

Finance cost 

– External
– Other segments

Finance income  – External

– Other segments

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Analysed as:
Underlying profit/(loss) before taxation
Net foreign exchange impact on 

intercompany loans

Amortisation of intangibles
Restructuring costs
Impairment of goodwill
(Loss)/profit before taxation

Taxation
(Loss)/profit for the year

Segment assets
Less intercompany receivables
Add tax assets
Total assets

Segment liabilities
Less intercompany payables
Add tax liabilities
Total liabilities

Other segment items
Capital expenditure
Depreciation
Net foreign exchange on intercompany 

loans

Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill
Share-based payment

UK 
£’000

41,477
3,028
46

(406)
–
1
394
35

USA 
£’000

3,349
–
125

–
–
–
–
125

Spain 
£’000

2,836
6,093
111

(72)
(193)
–
–
(154)

Italy 
£’000

4,079
200
315

(12)
(137)
–
–
166

Rest of  
Europe 
£’000

6,394
–
(276)

(16)
(64)
–
–
(356)

Total 
Reportable 
Segments 
£’000

58,135
9,321
321

(506)
(394)
1
394
(184)

1,566

125

(154)

265

(180)

1,622

(618)
(264)
(649)
–
35

262
297

40,995
(13,198)
2,092
29,889

22,855
(10,524)
122
12,453

–
–
–
–
125

(39)
86

1,538
(4)
–
1,534

1,525
(1,391)
41
175

–
–
–
–
(154)

(92)
(246)

10,431
(915)
31
9,547

9,133
(6,446)
4
2,691

3,563
2,550

19
22

1,243
1,020

618
264
–
205

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
(83)
(16)
–
166

(170)
(4)

4,514
(238)
139
4,415

4,526
(3,303)
17
1,240

234
141

–
83
–
–

–
(30)
(146)
–
(356)

103
(253)

3,517
(62)
256
3,711

3,967
(3,186)
–
781

2
16

–
30
–
–

(618)
(377)
(811)
–
(184)

64
(120)

60,995
(14,417)
2,518
49,096

42,006
(24,850)
183
17,340

5,061
3,749

–
–
–
–

Intra  
Group 
£’000

Group 
£’000

–
(9,321)
–

58,135
–
321

–
394
–
(394)
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

(14,417)
14,417
–
–

(24,850)
24,850
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

(506)
–
1
–
(184)

1,622

(618)
(377)
(811)
–
(184)

64
(120)

46,578
–
2,518
49,096

17,156
–
184
17,340

5,061
3,749

618
377
–
205

All transactions between Group companies are on normal commercial terms and an arm’s length basis.

55

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015   
   
   
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING continued
Year ended 31 March 2014

Revenue   

– External
– Other segments

Operating (loss)/profit

Finance cost 

– External
– Other segments

Finance income  – External

– Other segments

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Analysed as:
Underlying profit/(loss) before taxation
Net foreign exchange impact on 

intercompany loans

Amortisation of intangibles
Restructuring costs
Impairment of goodwill
(Loss)/profit before taxation

Taxation
(Loss)/profit for the year

Segment assets
Less intercompany receivables
Add tax assets
Total assets

Segment liabilities
Less intercompany payables
Add tax liabilities
Total liabilities

UK 
£’000

36,413
2,877
(1,335)

(375)
(175)
7
672
(1,206)

41

(108)
(264)
(875)
–
(1,206)

338
(868)

40,430
(14,052)
1,936
28,314

22,398
(10,220)
226
12,404

USA 
£’000

2,966
–
85

–
–
–
–
85

85

–
–
–
–
85

(4)
81

1,329
(91)
–
1,238

1,259
(1,173)
3
89

Spain 
£’000

2,885
5,238
(115)

(87)
(208)
–
–
(410)

Italy 
£’000

2,952
402
(2,431)

(1)
(191)
1
–
(2,622)

Rest of 
 Europe 
£’000

6,341
–
(277)

(29)
(98)
–
–
(404)

Total 
Reportable 
Segments 
£’000

51,557
8,517
(4,073)

(492)
(672)
8
672
(4,557)

Intra  
Group 
£’000

–
(8,517)
–

–
672
–
(672)
–

(410)

(483)

(372)

(1,139)

–
–
–
–
(410)

13
(397)

10,678
(697)
29
10,010

9,635
(7,034)
35
2,636

–
(93)
–
(2,046)
(2,622)

(291)
(2,913)

4,214
(304)
318
4,228

4,361
(3,844)
–
517

192
76

–
92
2,046
–

–
(32)
–
–
(404)

56
(348)

3,879
(38)
176
4,017

3,783
(2,992)
–
791

19
20

–
33
–
–

(108)
(389)
(875)
(2,046)
(4,557)

112
(4,445)

60,530
(15,182)
2,459
47,807

41,436
(25,263)
264
16,437

4,059
3,604

108
389
2,046
274

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

(15,182)
15,182
–
–

(25,263)
25,263
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

Group 
£’000

51,557
–
(4,073)

(492)
–
8
–
(4,557)

(1,139)

(108)
(389)
(875)
(2,046)
(4,557)

112
(4,445)

45,348
–
2,459
47,807

16,173
–
264
16,437

4,059
3,604

108
389
2,046
274

Other segment items
Capital expenditure
Depreciation
Net foreign exchange on intercompany 

loans

Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill
Share-based payment

2,247
2,520

7
22

1,594
966

108
264
–
274

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

All transactions between Group companies are on normal commercial terms and an arm’s length basis.

56

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015   
   
   
3. FINANCE COSTS

Finance costs:

Interest expense on bank borrowings
Interest expense on intercompany borrowings

Finance income:

Bank interest
Interest income on intercompany loans

Net finance costs

4. (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

The following items have been included in arriving at (loss)/profit before taxation:
Staff costs (note 23)
Inventories:
– Cost of inventories recognised as an expense (included in cost of sales)
– Stock provision
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:
– Owned assets
– Under finance leases
(Profit)/loss on disposal of assets
Other operating lease rentals payable:
– Plant and machinery
– Property
Repairs and maintenance expenditure on property, plant and equipment
Research and development expenditure
Foreign exchange gains/(losses):
– On trading transactions and ineffective hedges
Impairment of trade receivables
Restructuring costs (2015 – excluding £16,000 redundancy costs, 2014 – £173,000)
Other operating expenses:
– Foreign exchange on trading transactions
– Net impact of foreign exchange on intercompany loans
– Movement on fair value of ineffective hedge
– Share-based payment charge
– Amortisation of intangible assets
– Impairment of goodwill
– Other

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

(506)
–
(506)

1
–
1
(505)

(492)
–
(492)

8
–
8
(484)

–
(192)
(192)

–
174
174
(18)

–
(208)
(208)

–
174
174
(34)

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

10,210

10,463

1,051

1,151

25,400
(179)

25,891
(443)

3,749
–
(5)

142
446
82
1,810

135
40
795

205
618
(102)
205
377
–
–
1,303

3,602
2
22

139
433
142
1,713

35
250
702

1,032
108
135
274
389
2,046
(266)
3,718

–
–
–
34
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
103
–
–
–
103

–
–
–
34
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
85
–
–
–
85

Restructuring costs of £0.8 million for the year ended 31 March 2015 comprise mainly the costs of moving warehouses in the UK, to the new 
warehouse run by our third party provider, DS Logistics, but also include elements of redundancy and other one off items.

57

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

4. (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION continued
Services provided by the Company’s auditor and network firms
During the year the Group (including its overseas subsidiaries) obtained the following services from the Company’s auditors and network firms 
as detailed below:

Group

Company

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors for the audit of Parent Company and consolidated 

accounts

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and its associates for other services:
– The auditing of accounts of the Company’s subsidiaries
– Audit-related assurance services
– Tax advisory services
– Tax compliance services
– Other advisory work

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

99

37
25
31
28
34
254

97

42
25
19
14
–
197

15

–
25
–
5
–
45

15

–
25
–
5
–
45

In the current financial year the level of non-audit fees was within the 1:1 ratio to audit fees as per Audit Committee policy.

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

(7)
103
138
–
234

(216)
60
(142)
(298)
(64)

(248)
(17)
(8)
207
(66)

(75)
29
–
(46)
(112)

99
–
(43)
–
56

(2)
–
(3)
(5)
51

100
–
(42)
2
60

(22)
–
–
(22)
38

5. TAXATION
Analysis of tax (credit)/charge in the year

Current tax
– UK taxation
– adjustments in respect of prior years
– overseas taxation
– adjustments in respect of prior years

Deferred tax (note 20)
– current year
– overseas taxation
– adjustments in respect of prior years

Total tax (credit)/charge to the profit before tax

58

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015The tax for the year differs to the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 21%. Any differences are explained below:

(Loss)/profit before taxation
(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities multiplied by rate of Corporation tax in UK of 21%  

(2014 – 23%)

Effects of:
Adjustments to tax in respect of prior years
Income not taxable
Difference on overseas rates of tax
Impact of overseas losses not recognised
Remeasurement of deferred tax 
– change in UK tax rate to 20%
Other
Total taxation

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

(184)

2014 
£’000

(4,557)

2015 
£’000

440

2014 £
’000

343

(39)

(1,048)

92

(39)
–
18
12

–
(16)
(64)

190
–
(128)
922

(214)
164
(112)

(5)
–
(17)
–

–
(19)
51

79

2
–
14
–

2
(59)
38

During the year, the UK main corporation tax rate was reduced from 23% to 21%. This was substantively enacted on 2 July 2013 and 
became effective from 1 April 2014. As a result of this, a rate of 21% has been used to calculate tax payable on taxable income in the year.

In addition to the changes in rates of Corporation tax disclosed above, further changes to the UK Corporation tax rates were substantively 
enacted as part of the Finance Bill 2013 on 2 July 2013. These included a reduction to the main rate to 20% from 1 April 2015. UK 
deferred tax is therefore recognised at the reduced rate of 20%.

6. DIVIDENDS
No interim of final dividends were paid in relation to the year ended 31 March 2014 and no interim dividend has been paid in relation to 
the year ended 31 March 2015. The Directors are not proposing a final dividend in respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2015.

7. (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares outstanding during the year, excluding those held in the employee share trust (note 22) which are treated as cancelled.

For diluted loss per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential 
ordinary shares that have satisfied the appropriate performance criteria at 31 March 2015. For the year ended 31 March 2015, there was 
no difference in the weighted average number of shares used for basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share as the effect of all potentially 
dilutive ordinary shares was nil as both the outstanding options and PSP awards have not vested.

59

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

7. (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE continued
Reconciliations of the (loss)/earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below.

REPORTED
Basic loss per share

Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders
Effect of dilutive securities
Options
Diluted loss per share

UNDERLYING

(Loss)/earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders
Amortisation of intangibles
Impairment of goodwill
Restructuring costs
Net foreign exchange translation adjustments
Underlying basic earnings/(loss)/EPS

Underlying diluted earnings/(loss)/EPS

2015

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares 
’000s

(Loss)/
earnings 
£’000

Per-share 
amount  
pence

Loss 
£’000

2014

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares 
’000s

Per-share 
amount  
pence

(120)

39,164

(0.31)

(4,445)

39,152

(11.35)

–
(120)

–
39,164

–
(0.31)

–
(4,445)

–
39,152

–
(11.35)

(120)
302
–
649
494
1,325

1,325

39,164
–
–
–
–
39,164

39,164

(0.31)
0.77
–
1.66
1.26
3.38

3.38

(4,445)
300
2,046
674
83
(1,342)

39,152
–
–
–
–
39,152

(1,342)

39,152

(11.35)
0.77
5.22
1.72
0.21
(3.43)

(3.43)

The above numbers used to calculate the EPS for the year ended 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2014 have been tax effected at the rate of 
20% and 23% respectively with the exception of Hornby Italia where the net deferred tax asset associated with the impairment in 2014 has 
not been recognised.

8. GOODWILL
GROUP

COST

At 1 April 2014
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2015
AGGREGATE IMPAIRMENT

At 1 April 2014
Charge for the year
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2015

Net book amount at 31 March 2015

COST
At 1 April 2013
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2014

AGGREGATE IMPAIRMENT
At 1 April 2013
Charge for the year
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2013

60

£’000

13,027
(54)
12,973

4,497
–
12
4,509

8,464

13,135
(108)
13,027

2,537
2,046
(86)
4,497
8,530
10,598

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015The Company has no goodwill.

The goodwill has been allocated to cash-generating units and a summary of carrying amounts of goodwill by geographical segment 
(representing cash-generating units) at 31 March 2015 is as follows:

GROUP

At 31 March 2015

At 31 March 2014

UK 
£’000

3,992

3,992

USA 
£’000

8

8

Spain 
£’000

3,990

3,990

Italy 
£’000

–

–

Rest of  
Europe 
£’000

474

542

Total  

£’000

8,464

8,532

Goodwill allocated to the above cash-generating units of the Group has been measured based on benefits each geographical segment is 
expected to gain from the business combination.

Impairment tests for goodwill
Management reviews the business performance based on geography. Budgeted revenue growth was based on expected levels of  
activity given results to date, together with growth based upon internal improvements, marketing initiatives, and expected economic and 
market conditions. Budgeted operating profit was calculated based upon management’s expectation of operating costs appropriate to the 
growing business.

The relative risk adjusted (or ‘beta’) discount rate applied reflects the risk inherent in hobby-based product companies. In determining this 
discount rate, management has applied an adjustment for risk of such companies in the industry on average determined using the betas of 
comparable hobby based product companies. The forecasts are based on approved budgets for the year ending 31 March 2016. 
Subsequent cash flows for the following two years have been increased in line with expectation of 5% growth based on the 3 year working 
capital model adopted by the business which incorporates the Group’s strategy to integrate the European operations, reducing costs and 
opening up new revenue opportunities, particularly through e-commerce. This model and its associated document have been reviewed with 
external advisers as part of the recent refinancing process. Cash flows beyond the four-year period are extrapolated using the estimated 
growth rates stated below. The cash flows were discounted using a pre-tax discount rate of 10% (2014 – 10%) which management believes 
is appropriate for all territories.

The key assumptions used for value-in-use calculations for the year ended 31 March 2015 are as follows:

GROUP

Gross Margin1
Growth rate to perpetuity2

UK  

(Corgi)

30.3%
2.0%

UK ( 
Humbrol)

47.0%
2.0%

France

Spain

Italy

Germany

37.9%
2.0%

22.62%
2.0%

32.4%
2.0%

26.06%
2.0%

The key assumptions used for value-in-use calculations for the year ended 31 March 2014 are as follows:

GROUP

Gross Margin1
Growth rate to perpetuity2

UK  

UK  

(Corgi)

(Humbrol)

France

Spain

Italy

Germany

30.3%
3.0%

47.0%
3.0%

40.3%
3.0%

31.0%
3.0%

32.4%
3.0%

34.8%
3.0%

1  Budgeted gross margin.
2  Weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate cash flows beyond the budget period.

These assumptions have been used for the analysis of each CGU within the operating segments.

In France, the recoverable amount calculated based on value in use exceeded carrying value by £119,000. A reduction in operating margin 
to 24%, or a rise in discount rate to 13.5% would remove the remaining headroom.

61

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GROUP

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
COST

At 1 April 2014
Additions
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2015
ACCUMULATED AMORTISATION

At 1 April 2014
Charge for the year
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2015
Net book amount at 31 March 2015

Brand  
names 
£’000

Customer  
lists 
£’000

Computer 
Software 
£’000

Total 
£’000

4,887
–
(204)
4,683

1,756
240
(99)
1,897
2,786

1,423
–
(51)
1,372

985
137
(47)
1,075
297

–
988
–
988

–
–
–
–
988

6,310
988
(255)
7,043

2,741
377
(146)
2,972
4,071

The Computer equipment has yet to be depreciated as it has not been put into use by the Group at the balance sheet date.

GROUP

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
COST

At 1 April 2013
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2014
ACCUMULATED AMORTISATION

At 1 April 2013
Charge for the year
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2013

All amortisation charges in the year have been charged in other operating expenses.

The Company held no intangible assets.

Brand  
names 
£’000

Customer  
lists 
£’000

Total 
£’000

4,923
(36)
4,887

1,526
246
(16)
1,756
3,131
3,397

1,432
(9)
1,423

851
143
(9)
985
438
581

6,355
(45)
6,310

2,377
389
(25)
2,741
3,569
3,978

62

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 201510. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

GROUP

COST

At 1 April 2014
Exchange adjustments
Additions at cost
Disposals
At 31 March 2015
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2014
Exchange adjustments
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2015
Net book amount at 31 March 2015

GROUP

COST

At 1 April 2013
Exchange adjustments
Additions at cost
Disposals
At 31 March 2014
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2013
Exchange adjustments
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2013

Freehold land 
and buildings 
£’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Motor  
vehicles 
£’000

Tools and 
moulds 
£’000

3,026
(74)
–
–
2,952

1,346
(22)
47
–
1,371
1,581

6,172
(93)
531
(12)
6,598

4,719
(73)
522
(12)
5,156
1,442

249
(10)
–
–
239

234
(8)
4
–
230
9

53,178
(1,455)
3,542
(226)
55,039

45,943
(1,097)
3,176
(211)
47,811
7,228

Total 
£’000

62,625
(1,632)
4,073
(238)
64,828

52,242
(1,200)
3,749
(223)
54,568
10,260

Freehold land 
and buildings 
£’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

Motor  
vehicles 
£’000

Tools and 
moulds 
£’000

Total 
£’000

3,039
(13)
–
–
3,026

1,301
(3)
48
–
1,346
1,680
1,738

5,908
(38)
364
(62)
6,172

4,327
(28)
482
(62)
4,719
1,453
1,581

305
(2)
15
(69)
249

255
(2)
19
(38)
234
15
50

49,758
(219)
3,680
(41)
53,178

43,079
(175)
3,055
(16)
45,943
7,235
6,679

59,010
(272)
4,059
(172)
62,625

48,962
(208)
3,604
(116)
52,242
10,383
10,048

Freehold land amounting to £786,000 (2014 – £786,000) has not been depreciated. The Group holds no finance leases (2014 – nil).

The Group has taken advantage of the exemption under IFRS 1 to use the valuation of certain land and buildings at the date of transition to 
IFRS as deemed cost. All other assets are stated at cost.

63

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

10. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT continued

COMPANY

COST

At 1 April 2014 and at 31 March 2015
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2014
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2015
Net book amount at 31 March 2015

COMPANY

COST

At 1 April 2013 and at 31 March 2014
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2013
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2014
Net book amount at 31 March 2013

The Company does not hold any assets under finance leases.

Freehold land amounting to £786,000 (2014 – £786,000) has not been depreciated.

11. INVESTMENTS
COMPANY
The movements in the net book value of interests in subsidiary undertakings are as follows:

At 1 April 2014
Capital contribution relating to share-based payment
At 31 March 2015

At 1 April 2013
Capital contribution relating to share-based payment
Capitalisation of loans to equity:
  Capital contribution to Hornby Italia s.r.l
  Capital contribution to Hornby Deutschland GmbH
Repayment of loans by subsidiary undertakings
Reclassification of long-term loan with Hornby Hobbies Limited to short-term receivables
At 31 March 2014

Interest was charged on loans to subsidiary undertakings at Sterling three-month Libor + 3.6%.

Loans are unsecured and exceed five years maturity.

64

Freehold land 
and buildings 
£’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

2,428

1,187
34
1,221
1,207

4

4
–
4
–

Freehold land 
and buildings 
£’000

Plant and 
equipment 
£’000

2,428

1,153
34
1,187
1,241
1,275

4

4
–
4
–
–

Total 
£’000

2,432

1,191
34
1,225
1,207

Total 
£’000

2,432

1,157
34
1,191
1,241
1,275

Interests in 
subsidiary 
undertakings 
at valuation 
£’000

Loans to 
subsidiary 
undertakings 
at cost 
£’000

33,053
102
33,155

28,097
189

2,586
2,181
–
–
33,053

4,171
–
4,171

9,068
–

–
–
(4,276)
(621)
4,171

Total 
£’000

37,224
102
37,326

37,165
189

2,586
2,181
(4,276)
(621)
37,224

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015PRINCIPAL GROUP SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS
Details of the undertakings whose results or financial position principally affected the figures shown in the Company’s annual accounts, are 
set out below. Hornby Hobbies Limited and Hornby España S.A. are engaged in the development, design, sourcing and distribution of 
models. Hornby America Inc., Hornby Italia s.r.l., Hornby France S.A.S. and Hornby Deutschland GmbH are distributors of models.

Hornby Hobbies Limited
Hornby America Inc.
Hornby España S.A
Hornby Italia s.r.l.
Hornby France S.A.S.
Hornby Deutschland GmbH

Proportion of nominal value of 
issued shares held

Country of incorporation

Description of shares held

Group %

Company %

United Kingdom
USA
Spain
Italy
France
Germany

Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares

100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

A full list of subsidiaries is available from the registered office of Hornby Plc; 3rd Floor, The Gateway, Innovation Way, Discovery Park, 
Sandwich Kent, CT13 9FF

12. INVENTORIES

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods

13. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

CURRENT:

Trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of receivables
Trade receivables – net
Other receivables
Prepayments
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertaking

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

917
101
11,451
12,469

301
92
12,772
13,165

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

9,569
(375)
9,114
681
569
–
10,444

8,148
(377)
7,771
722
550
–
9,043

–
–
–
–
12
971
983

–
–
–
–
7
621
628

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the Group’s customer base being large and unrelated and 
therefore the provision for receivables impairments are deemed adequate. Credit insurance policies are in place in Hornby America Inc., 
Hornby España S.A., Hornby Italia s.r.l., Hornby France S.A.S. and Hornby Deutschland GmbH covering trade receivables at 31 March 
2015 to the value of £2.3 million (2014 – £6 million).

Gross trade receivables can be analysed as follows:

Fully performing
Past due
Fully impaired
Trade receivables

2015 
£’000

7,096
2,098
375
9,569

2014 
£’000

6,540
1,231
377
8,148

65

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

13. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES continued
As of 31 March 2015, trade receivables of £2,098,000 (2014 – £1,231,000) were past due but not impaired. These relate to a number of 
independent customers for whom there is no recent history of default. The ageing analysis of these trade receivables is as follows:

1 – 120 days
>120 days

2015 
£’000

1,928
170
2,098

2014 
£’000

1,085
146
1,231

As of 31 March 2015, trade receivables of £375,000 (2014 – £377,000) were impaired and provided for. The amount of provision was 
£375,000 (2014 – £377,000) as of 31 March 2015.

Significant financial difficulties of the customer, probability that the customer will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation are considered 
indications that the trade receivable is impaired.

The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

1 – 120 days
> 120 days

Movements on the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

At 1 April
Provision for receivables impairment
Receivables written-off during the year as uncollectible
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March

2015 
£’000

23
352
375

2015 
£’000

377
40
(22)
(20)
375

2014 
£’000

13
364
377

2014 
£’000

401
250
(268)
(6)
377

The charge relating to the increase in provision has been included in ‘administrative expenses’ in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The carrying amounts of the Group and Company trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

–
5,617
4,307
465
55
10,444

–
4,257
4,281
392
113
9,043

2015 
£’000

971
12
–
–
–
983

2014 
£’000

621
7
–
–
–
628

Sterling Intercompany
Sterling
Euro
US Dollar
HK Dollar

66

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 201514. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank and in hand

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

451

2014 
£’000

619

2015 
£’000

1

2014 
£’000

1

Cash of £451,000 above includes restricted cash of £98,000 held within an Escrow account that relates to the exit payment to our previous 
principal model railway supplier as mentioned within the Financial and operating review.

15. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

CURRENT:

Trade payables
Other taxes and social security
Other payables
Accruals

16. PROVISIONS

Sales returns
At 1 April
Charge to Statement of Comprehensive Income
Utilised in the year
At 31 March

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

5,114
950
1,041
1,962
9,067

3,980
924
1,768
946
7,618

–
19
–
–
19

–
19
–
43
62

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

238
597
(580)
255

235
502
(499)
238

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Provision is made for future sales returns based on historical trends. The provision is expected to be utilised within one year from the balance 
sheet date.

17. CURRENT TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Current tax assets

UK Corporation tax recoverable
Overseas Corporation tax recoverable

Current tax liabilities

UK Corporation tax liability
Overseas Corporation tax liability

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

371
48
419

–
53
53

569
32
601

100
28
128

50
31
81

–
–
–

–
29
29

100
–
100

67

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

18. BORROWINGS

Secured borrowing at amortised cost

Bank overdrafts
Bank loan
Finance leases
Loan from subsidiary undertakings

Total borrowings

Amount due for settlement within 12 months
Amount due for settlement after 12 months

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

7,698
212
–
–
7,910

7,747
163
7,910

6,076
1,796
–
–
7,872

7,630
242
7,872

–
–
–
4,511
4,511

116
4,395
4,511

–
–
–
4,984
4,984

–
4,984
4,984

The Group obtained a covenant reset in the year for the following covenant:

The December 2014 quarterly covenant of the ratio of consolidated gross borrowings less consolidated total cash to consolidated EBITDA.

The Company borrowings are denominated in Sterling. All intercompany borrowings are secured by way of formal loan agreements. The 
loans can be repaid at any time however the Company has received confirmation from its subsidiary that they will not require payment within 
the next twelve months.

Analysis of borrowings by currency:

GROUP

31 March 2015

Bank overdrafts
Bank loan

31 March 2014

Bank overdrafts
Bank loan

Sterling 
£’000

Euros 
£’000

Total 
£’000

6,039
–
6,039

4,598
1,500
6,098

1,659
212
1,871

1,478
296
1,774

7,698
212
7,910

6,076
1,796
7,872

The other principal features of the Group’s borrowings are as follows:

At 31 March 2015 the Group had a revolving credit facility of £13 million expiring December 2015 and the future interest rates on this 
facility are Libor + 3.6%.

The average effective interest rate on bank overdrafts approximated 4.07% (2014 – 4.2%) per annum and is determined based on 3.6% 
above three-month Libor from December 2012.

68

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Undrawn borrowing facilities
At 31 March 2015, the Group had available £9.2 million (2014 – £8.9 million) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities in respect of 
which all conditions precedent had been met. Included within this the European subsidiaries had available £2.3 million (2014 – £2 million) 
of undrawn import credit line facilities that could be obtained with security being given against trade receivables. The Group has recently 
successfully renegotiated its banking facilities for the next 4 years, conditional on the successful additional equity raise of £15 million,  
details of which can be found within note 28 Post balance sheet events.

19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group’s policies and strategies in relation to risk and financial instruments are detailed in note 1.

GROUP

Carrying values of derivative financial instruments
Forward foreign currency contracts – cash flow hedges
Interest rate swap – cash flow hedge

Assets

Liabilities

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

519
–
519

39
–
39

(24)
–
(24)

(432)
(13)
(445)

The hedged forecast transactions denominated in foreign currency are expected to occur at various dates during the next 12 months. Gains 
and losses recognised in reserves on forward foreign exchange contracts as of 31 March 2015 are recognised in the Income Statement first 
in the period or periods during which the hedged forecast transaction affects the Income Statement, which is within twelve months from the 
balance sheet date.

At 31 March 2015 outstanding forward currency contracts were as follows:

Hong Kong Dollar
US Dollar
Euro

2015 
’000s

2014 
’000s

– 115,000
11,300
–

21,862
–

The total net fair value above for forward foreign currency contracts (and the interest rate swap in 2014) comprises £495,000 asset (2014 
– £406,000 liability) of which £362,000 asset (2014 – £440,000 liability) has been effectively hedged at 31 March 2015 and therefore 
credited to Other Comprehensive Income in accordance with IAS 39. The asset balance of £136,000 (2014 – £5,000 liability) was the 
unhedged portion and was included within operating expenses.

In accordance with IAS 39, the Group has reviewed all contracts for embedded derivatives that are required to be separately accounted for 
if they do not meet certain requirements set out in the standard. No embedded derivatives have been identified.

The Company has no derivative financial instruments.

Fair values of non-derivative financial assets and liabilities
For the Group and the Company, as at 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2014, there is no difference between the carrying amount and fair 
value of each of the following classes of financial assets and liabilities, principally due to their short maturity: trade and other receivables, 
cash at bank and in hand, trade and other payables and current borrowings. Bank deposits attract interest within 1.0% of the ruling market 
rate. There is no significant difference between the fair value and carrying amount of non-current borrowings as the impact of discounting is 
not significant.

69

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued
Maturity of financial liabilities

GROUP

Less than one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
More than five years

Less than one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
More than five years

COMPANY

More than five years (note 18)

Bank loan 
£’000

49
49
114
–
212

Bank loan 
£’000

1,500
54
237
5
1,796

Overdraft 
facilities 
£’000

7,698
–
–
–
7,698

Overdraft 
facilities 
£’000

6,076
–
–
–
6,076

Accounts 
payable and 
accruals 
£’000

8,967
–
–
–
8,967

Accounts 
payable and 
accruals 
£’000

7,618
–
–
–
7,618

2015  
Total 
£’000

16,714
49
114
–
16,877

2014  
Total 
£’000

15,194
54
237
5
15,490

2015 
Intercompany 
debt 
£’000

2014 
Intercompany 
debt 
£’000

4,395

4,984

HIERARCHY OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following tables present the Group’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2014.  
The table analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been defined as follows:
•  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1).
•  Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or 

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

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

There were no transfers or reclassifications between Levels within the period. Level 2 hedging derivatives comprise forward foreign exchange 
contracts and an interest rate swap and have been fair valued using forward exchange rates that are quoted in an active market. The effects 
of discounting are generally insignificant for Level 2 derivatives.

The fair value of the following financial assets and liabilities approximate their carrying amount: Trade and other receivables, other current 
financial assets, cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank overdrafts), trade and other payables.

Financial Instruments

Assets

Trading derivatives
Derivatives used for hedging
Available-for-sale financial assets
Total assets as at 31 March 2015
Liabilities

Interest rate swap
Derivatives used for hedging
Total liabilities at 31 March 2015

70

Level 1 
£’000

Level 2 
£’000

Level 3 
£’000

Total 
£’000

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
519
–
519

–
24
24

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
519
–
519

–
24
24

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Assets

Trading derivatives
Derivatives used for hedging
Available-for-sale financial assets
Total assets as at 31 March 2014
Liabilities

Interest rate swap
Derivatives used for hedging
Total liabilities at 31 March 2014

Level 1 
£’000

Level 2 
£’000

Level 3 
£’000

Total 
£’000

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
39
–
39

13
432
445

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
39
–
39

13
432
445

Interest rate sensitivity
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk as the Group borrows funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. The exposure to these 
borrowings varies during the year due to the seasonal nature of cash flows relating to sales.

In order to measure risk, floating rate borrowings and the expected interest costs are forecast on a monthly basis and compared to budget 
using management’s expectations of a reasonably possible change in interest rates.

The effect on both income and equity based on exposure to borrowings at the balance sheet date for a 1.0% increase in interest rates is 
£99,000 (2014 – £73,000) before tax. A 1% fall in interest rates gives the same but opposite effect. 1% is considered an appropriate 
benchmark given the minimum level of movement in the UK interest rate over recent years and expectation over the next financial year.

Foreign currency sensitivity
The Group is primarily exposed to US Dollars, and the Euro. The following table details how the Group’s income and equity would increase 
on a before tax basis, given a 10% revaluation in the respective currencies against Sterling and in accordance with IFRS 7 all other variables 
remaining constant. A 10% devaluation in the value of Sterling would have the opposite effect. The 10% change represents a reasonably 
possible change in the specified foreign exchange rates in relation to Sterling.

Comprehensive Income and 
Equity Sensitivity

US dollars
Euros

2015 
£’000

60
845
905

2014 
£’000

418
767
1,185

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

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

The Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio. The ratio is calculated as net debt divided by total capital. Net debt is 
calculated as total borrowings as shown in the consolidated balance sheet less cash and cash equivalents. Total capital is calculated as 
‘equity’ as shown in the balance sheet plus net debt.

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

Total borrowings (note 18)
Less:
Total cash and cash equivalents (note 14)
Net debt

Total equity
Total capital
Gearing

7,910

7,872

(451)
7,459
31,756
39,215
19%

(619)
7,253
31,370
38,623
 19%

71

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

20. DEFERRED TAX
Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method.

The movement on the deferred tax account is as shown below:

At 1 April
Credit to Statement of Comprehensive Income (note 5) – origination and reversal of 

temporary differences

Exchange adjustments
Reclassification from current to deferred tax in Hornby France S.A.S
At 31 March

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

(1,722)

(1,555)

(298)
52
–
(1,968)

(46)
(1)
(120)
(1,722)

2015 
£’000

126

(5)
–
–
121

2014 
£’000

148

(22)
–
–
126

Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of tax losses in the Group with the exception of Hornby Deutschland and Hornby Italia. 
In Hornby Italia the deferred tax assets recognised have been restricted to the amount expected to be recoverable by profits generated in the 
entity over the next three years. Other temporary differences giving rise to deferred tax assets have been recognised where it is probable that 
those assets will be recovered.

No deferred tax is provided for tax liabilities which would arise on the distribution of profits retained by overseas subsidiaries because there 
is currently no intention that such profits will be remitted.

The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year are shown below.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are only offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset.

Deferred tax liabilities

At 1 April 2014
(Credit)/charge to Statement of Comprehensive Income
At 31 March 2015

At 1 April 2013
(Credit)/charge to Statement of Comprehensive Income
Foreign exchange
At 31 March 2014

Revaluation 
£’000

117
(3)
114

139
(22)
(1)
117

Group

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances 
£’000

9
(2)
7

9
–
–
9

Other 
£’000

10
–
10

11
–
–
11

Total 
£’000

136
(5)
131

159
(22)
(1)
136

Revaluation 
£’000

117
(3)
114

139
(22)
–
117

Company

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances 
£’000

9
(2)
7

9
–
–
9

Total 
£’000

126
(5)
121

148
(22)
–
126

Of the total deferred tax liability of £131,000, £5,000 was due within one year for the Group (2014 – £5,000) and £5,000 for the 
Company (2014 – £5,000).

72

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Deferred tax assets

At 1 April 2014
(Credit)/charge to Statement of Comprehensive Income
Foreign exchange
At 31 March 2015

At 1 April 2013
Charge/(credit) to Statement of Comprehensive Income
Reclassification from current tax in Hornby France
At 31 March 2014
Net deferred tax (asset)/liability
At 31 March 2015

At 31 March 2014

Group

Company

Short-term 
incentive plan 
£’000

Acquisition 
intangibles 
£’000

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

(142)
(19)
–
(161)

(121)
(21)
–
(142)

Other 
£’000

(1,716)
(274)
52
(1,938)

(1,593)
(3)
(120)
(1,717)

Total 
£’000

(1,858)
(293)
52
(2,099)

(1,714)
(24)
(120)
(1,858)

(1,968)

(1,722)

Short-term 
incentive plan 
£’000

Total 
£’000

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

121

126

The deferred tax liability arising on the revaluation of freehold land and buildings in 1986 cannot be offset against deferred tax assets. 
Therefore, the deferred tax asset of £2,099,000 (2014 – £1,858,000) and deferred tax liability of £131,000 (2014 – £136,000) at  
31 March 2015 and 31 March 2014 have been recognised separately.

2015

2014

GROUP

Deferred tax comprises:
Depreciation in excess of capital allowances
Other temporary differences – UK
Other temporary differences – overseas
Deferred tax (asset)/liability

Recognised 
£’000

Not 
recognised 
£’000

Recognised 
£’000

Not 
recognised 
£’000

(1,054)
(546)
(368)
(1,968)

–
–
(934)
(934)

(805)
(437)
(480)
(1,722)

–
–
(922)
(922)

The net deferred tax asset not recognised of £934,000 represents the unrecognised losses in Hornby Deutschland of £67,000  
(2014 – £55,000) and in Hornby Italia of £867,000 (2014 – £867,000).

2015

2014

COMPANY

Deferred tax comprises:
Accelerated capital allowances
Other timing differences
Deferred tax liability

Recognised 
£’000

Not 
recognised 
£’000

Recognised 
£’000

Not 
recognised 
£’000

7
114
121

–
–
–

9
117
126

–
–
–

73

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

21. SHARE CAPITAL
GROUP AND COMPANY
Allotted, issued and fully paid:

Ordinary shares of 1p each

At 1 April and 31 March

2015

Number of shares

39,164,100

£’000

392

2014

Number of shares

39,164,100

£’000

392

At 31 March 2015 options granted under the Company’s share option schemes were outstanding as follows:

Date granted

9 June 2005

Number of options

2015

2014

Exercise price

Period of option

150,000 365,809
150,000 365,809

201.0p

June 2008 – June 2015

The total number of options outstanding as at the date of this document represent approximately 0.9% (2014 – 0.9%) of the issued share 
capital of the Company.

If the respective resolution is passed at the Annual General Meeting and the Company were to exercise the full authority to buy-back 
approximately 10% of the issued ordinary shares of the Company, the above options would represent 1.0% (2014 – 1.0%) of the issued 
share capital of the Company.

22. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
Hornby Plc operates three share-based payment plans – Share Option Scheme (‘SOS’), Short Term Incentive Plan (‘STIP’) and Performance 
Share Plan (‘PSP’).

SOS awards
The SOS awards are a reward of share options to Executive Directors and senior management that vest after three years and must be 
exercised in a four or seven year exercise window.

The awards issued in previous years were subject to a performance measure of Profit before Interest and Tax (‘PBIT’) or Profit before Tax (‘PBT’) 
as disclosed by the Group’s accounts for any of the years ended 31 March 2006, 31 March 2007, 31 March 2008, 31 March 2009 or 
31 March 2010 excluding (i) any profit or loss in relation to property transactions, (ii) any restructuring and abortive due diligence costs and 
(iii) any profits or losses arising from businesses acquired by the Group after the date of grant of the Option. Some awards are subject to 
achieving a PBIT that is equal to or greater than £8 million, or to PBT being equal to or greater than £9 million or aggregate PBT for three 
years ending 31 March 2008, 2009 and 2010 being equal to or greater than £32.7 million. The awards are equity settled.

Activity relating to share options for the years ended 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2014 was as follows:

Outstanding at 1 April
Exercised
Lapsed
Outstanding at 31 March

No options were exercised within the financial year (2014 – nil).

2015

2014

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

Number

201.0p 365,809
–
–
201.0p
–
201.0p 365,809

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

201.0p
–
–
201.0p

Number

365,809
–
(215,809)
150,000

74

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015The following table summarises information relating to the number of shares under option (SOS awards) and those which were exercisable at 
31 March 2015.

Range of exercise prices

£2.00 – £2.10

Total shares 
under option 
Number

150,000

Exercisable 
weighted 
average 
exercise price 
for options 
exercisable 
at 31 March 
2015

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual life 
Months

Options 
exercisable 
at 31 March 
2015 
Number

Options 
exercisable 
at 31 March 
2014 
Number

2

150,000 365,809
150,000 365,809

201.0p
201.0p

Performance Share Plan
All Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’) awards outstanding at 31 March 2015 vest only if performance conditions are met. Awards granted under 
the PSP must be exercised within one year of the relevant award vesting date.

The Group operates the PSP for Executive Directors and senior executives. Awards under the scheme are granted in the form of a nil-priced option, 
and are satisfied using market-purchased shares. The awards vest in full or in part dependent on the satisfaction of specified performance targets. 
40% of the award vests dependent on TSR performance over a three year performance period, relative to the constituents of the FTSE Small Cap 
Index (excluding investment trusts) from the time of grant, and the remaining 60% vests dependent on performance against earnings per share targets.

All plans are subject to continued employment. To the extent that such shares in the above plans are awarded to employees below fair value, 
a charge calculated in accordance with IFRS 2 ‘Share-based payment’ is included within other operating expenses in the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income. This charge for the Group amount to £205,000 and the charge for the Company amounted to £102,000 in the 
year ended 31 March 2015 (2014 – £274,000 charge for the Group and Company).

The following table summarises the key assumptions used for grants during the year:

2015 
PSP1

2014 
PSP1

Fair value (p)
Options pricing model used
Share price at grant date (p)
Exercise price (p)
Expected volatility (%)
Risk-free rate (%)
Expected option term (years)
Expected dividends (per year, %)

1  Assumptions for TSR component only.

46.14p
Black-Scholes (Stochastic)
71.0p
n/a
34.2%
n/a
3
0%

51.16p
Black-Scholes (Stochastic)
81.5p
n/a
39.2%
n/a
3
0%

Assumptions on expected volatility and expected option term have been made on the basis of historical data, wherever available, for the 
period corresponding with the vesting period of the option. Best estimates have been used where historical data is not available in this respect.

23. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

Staff costs for the year:
Wages and salaries
Share-based payments (note 22)
Social security costs
Other pension costs (note 24)
Redundancy and compensation for loss of office

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

8,444
205
1,131
414
16
10,210

8,437
274
1,053
526
173
10,463

855
103
110
92
–
1,160

848
85
122
56
40
1,151

The redundancy costs form part of the restructuring costs in the year classified as exceptional items.

75

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes to the Financial Statements continued

23. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS continued
Average monthly number of people (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group:

Operations
Sales, marketing and distribution
Administration

Key management compensation:

Salaries and short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments
Other pension costs
Redundancy and compensation for loss of office

Group

Company

2015 
Number

2014 
Number

2015 
Number

2014 
Number

65
140
47
252

96
114
40
250

2
–
3
5

Group

Company

2015 
£’000

1,799
205
171
–
2,175

2014 
£’000

1,601
274
156
40
2,071

2015 
£’000

855
103
92
–
1,050

2
–
3
5

2014 
£’000

674
85
56
40
855

Key management comprise the individuals involved in major strategic decision making and includes all Group and subsidiary Directors.

A detailed numerical analysis of Directors’ remuneration and share options showing the highest paid Director, number of Directors accruing 
benefits under money purchase pension schemes, is included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 25 to 32 and forms part of 
these financial statements.

24. PENSION COMMITMENTS
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme by way of a Stakeholder Group Personal Pension Plan set up through the Friends 
Provident Insurance Group.

Alexander Forbes International is appointed as Independent Financial Adviser to work in liaison with the Company.

The level of contributions to the Group Personal Pension Plan for current members is fixed by the Company.

The Group pension cost for the year was £414,000 (2014 – £526,000) representing the actual contributions payable in the year and 
certain scheme administration costs. The Company pension cost for the year was £92,000 (2014 – £56,000). No contributions were 
outstanding at the year end of 31 March 2015.

25. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

GROUP

At 31 March capital commitments were:
Contracted for but not provided

The commitments relate to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.

The Company does not have any capital commitments.

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

1,706

1,529

Contingent liabilities
The Company and its subsidiary undertakings are, from time to time, parties to legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary 
course of business. The Directors do not anticipate that the outcome of these proceedings and claims, either individually or in aggregate,  
will have a material adverse effect upon the Group’s financial position.

76

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 201526. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
The total of future minimum lease payments in respect of non-cancellable property, plant and motor vehicle operating leases falling due are 
as follows:

GROUP

Not later than one year
Later than one year but not more than five years
More than five years

2015 
£’000

2014 
£’000

494
536
–
1,030

480
540
–
1,020

As mentioned in the Chief Executive’s report and Operating and Financial review this year Hornby took the decision to outsource the 
distribution arm of the business to a 3PL Company, DS Logistics. The initial agreement with DS Logistics is 5 years from August 2014 and 
approximate costs under the contract if it were to be terminated early are approximately £1 million a year for the remainder of the term.

27. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
During the year, B Ahir was appointed as Managing Director of Hornby Hobbies Asia and a Director of Hornby Hobbies Limited, a 
subsidiary of Hornby Plc. 28One, not to be confused with companies of a similar name, owned by B Ahir has provided ongoing support to 
manage product delivery for which Hornby Hobbies has paid £46,000 in relation to these services since 8 August 2014. No payments 
remained outstanding to 28One as at 31 March 2015. Hornby Hobbies Limited continues to use these services on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, in Hornby France S.A.S the Group currently leases its French warehouse and office from Mr and Mrs Lanter who are both general 
managers and statutory directors of Hornby France S.A.S for approx. €10,000 a month. Termination of this lease requires 6 months notice.

There were no other contracts with the Company or any of its subsidiaries existing during or at the end of the financial year in which a 
Director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries was materially interested. There are no other related-party transactions.

The Company received management fees from subsidiaries of £1,346,000 (2014 – £1,456,000), interest of £174,000 (2014 – £174,000) 
and dividends from subsidiaries of £nil (2014 – £ nil) and incurred interest of £192,000 (2014 – £208,000) on intercompany borrowings.

28. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
Group refinancing
The announcement today of a proposed £15 million equity placing has allowed us to reduce reliance on debt facilities and we have signed 
a new revolving credit facility of £10 million with our main UK bankers Barclays. This facility is conditional on the additional equity raise 
being approved by shareholders and is expected to allow sufficient headroom for trading working capital needs for the next four years up to 
August 2019.

Move of head office to Discovery Park, Sandwich
Additionally, and as also previously mentioned within this report, the Group moved its head office site to Sandwich in April 2015, benefiting 
from reduced business rates and an initial rent free period at the Enterprise Zone of Discovery Park, from its historic site at Margate which 
was no longer fit for purpose. The term of this contract is 10 years with a break clause after 5 years. The lease cost is approximately 
£314,000 a year.

As a result of this office move the Company is now in negotiations with a potential purchaser for the Margate site. Based on negotiations 
conducted to date, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the sale will proceed successfully.

Board change
Nick Stone has informed the Board of his decision to leave Hornby later this summer and will be replaced by Steve Cooke who joined the 
business on 10 June 2015.

77

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Five Year Summary (Unaudited)

Revenue
(Loss)/Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Taxation
(Loss)/Profit on ordinary activities after taxation
Assets employed:
Non-current assets
Net current assets
Non-current borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Total capital employed
Earnings per share
– basic
– diluted
Dividend per share (net)
Net assets per share

2015 
£’000

58,135
(184)
64
(120)

24,894
7,156
(163)
(131)
31,756
31,756

2014 
£’000

51,557
(4,557)
112
(4,445)

24,340
7,408
(242)
(136)
31,370
31,370

(0.31)p
(0.31)p
–
81.1p

(11.35)p
(11.35)p
–
80.0p

2013 
£’000

57,395
(3,387)
886
(2,501)

26,338
12,037
(1,815)
(159)
36,401
36,401

(6.4)p
(6.4)p
–
92.9p

2012 
£’000

64,447
3,989
(825)
3,164

27,969
16,673
(4,888)
(573)
39,181
39,181

8.2p
8.1p
3.7p
100.0p

2011 
£’000

63,372
4,129
(1,274)
2,855

28,509
16,623
(8,026)
(337)
36,769
36,769

7.5p
7.4p
5.0p
95.7p

Shareholders’ Information Service

Hornby welcomes contact with its shareholders.

If you have questions or enquiries about the Group or its products, please contact:

S Cooke, Group Finance Director
3rd Floor
The Gateway
Innovation Way 
Discovery Park 
Sandwich
Kent CT13 9FF

www.hornby.com

78

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes

79

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSHornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Notes

80

Hornby PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2015Hornby PLC
3rd Floor
The Gateway
Innovation Way 
Discovery Park 
Sandwich
Kent
CT13 9FF
www.hornby.com