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Instem plc

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FY2014 Annual Report · Instem plc
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Instem plc
Annual Report 
2014

Instem  is  a  leading  supplier  of  IT  applications  to  the  early  development  healthcare  market 

delivering compelling solutions for data collection, management and analysis across the R&D 

continuum.   Instem  applications  are  used  by  customers  worldwide,  meeting  the  rapidly 

expanding needs of life science and healthcare organisations for data-driven decision making 

leading to safer, more effective products.

Instem’s established portfolio of software solutions increases client productivity by automating 

study-related processes while offering the unique ability to generate new knowledge through 

the extraction and harmonisation of actionable scientific information.

Instem supports over 400 clients through full service offices in the United States, United 

Kingdom and China with an additional location in India and a full service distributor based in 

Japan. 

Our clients include these fine organisations...

Contents

HIGHLIGHTS

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF INSTEM PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

Highlights 

Financial Highlights

Operational Highlights

• 

Revenues increased 18% to £13.4m (2013: £11.4m)

• 

• 

• 

Recurring revenues increased to £9.2m (2013: 
£8.2m), representing 69% of total revenues

Software as a Service (SaaS) revenues increased 
20% to £1.8m (2013: £1.5m)

Adjusted EBITDA* for the year amounted to £1.9m 
(2013: £1.8m)

Cash balance as at 31 December 2014 of £1.7m 
(2013: £2.1m)

• 

After £0.3m of deferred acquisition 
consideration paid in 2014

Adjusted earnings per share** of 8.4p (2013: 8.6p)

• 

• 

• 

In contrast to 2013, when the preclinical and 
early clinical market was generally reluctant to 
commit to any significant investment decisions, 
2014 was a period when many of our customers 
revisited their near-term ambitions and began to 
evaluate their ongoing information management 
requirements. This resulted in a very strong 
second half performance.

As we enter the current financial year, our order 
backlog is at record levels, underpinning our 
2015 expectations. In addition, December’s 
decision by the FDA to mandate the future use 
of SEND was a key event for which Instem has 
been planning and we have already begun to see 
increasing interest and orders for the Group’s 
SEND compliant products across a range of 
customers.

Total research and development pipelines within 
the pharma sector have increased by almost 9% 
to approximately 12,300 drug candidates during 
2014, which makes us particularly positive about 
our outlook for the future as we can now see 
sustainable growth across our target markets.

P J Reason,
Chief Executive

Significant WIL Research contracts won in H1 2014 
and H2 2014, with the latter valued at over $7m 
over four years

•  Multi-year National Institute of Environmental 

Health Sciences (“NIEHS”) contract extended with 
additional sites and users

• 

• 

Further client wins extended our market leading 
position in China

US Food & Drug Administration mandating drug 
submissions using SEND (Standard for the Exchange 
of Nonclinical Data) 

•  Multiple orders for submit™, Instem’s solution for 

implementing SEND

• 

Both 2013 acquisitions successfully integrated

* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, share 
based payment charges and non-recurring costs.

**After adjusting for the effect of foreign currency exchange on the 
revaluation of inter-company balances included in finance income/
(costs), non-recurring items and amortisation of intangibles  on 
acquisitions. Profit is adjusted in this way to provide a clearer 
measure of underlying operating performance.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       3

market leadership

“Instem continues to be the leading supplier of 

information solutions to the preclinical and early 

clinical market place.” 

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

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Chairman’s       
Statement

During the period, the Company was pleased to confirm 
that the initial earn out criteria for the Instem Clinical 
acquisition were successfully achieved, triggering the 
first two payments to the vendors. Furthermore, the 
recently integrated Perceptive Instruments acquisition 
performed well during the period, making a solid 
contribution to revenue and profits.

We have successfully diversified our revenue base, 
further reducing the Group’s dependence on particular 
products, market sectors or geographies whilst 
continuing to invest in the capabilities of our product 
portfolio and staff. Contract renewal rates remained 
high through the year and we ended 2014 with a record 
backlog of orders. Furthermore, in December 2014 SEND 
received final mandatory guidance from the FDA, setting 
the dates by which all regulatory submissions must 
comply with the standard; this is a key development in 
our market that should provide significant impetus for 
our products. 

We therefore look forward to the future with confidence 
and believe Instem will become an increasingly valuable 
player in the field of supporting drug development 
through the application of leading information 
technology solutions.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank 
all our staff, customers and partners for their ongoing 
support.

D Gare
Chairman

As previously stated, our near term ambitions for the 
period were to consolidate our market position and fully 
integrate the recent acquisitions. I am pleased to report 
both of these ambitions were completed successfully 
during the year.

From a market perspective, Instem continues to be 
the leading supplier of information solutions to the 
preclinical and early clinical market place. Furthermore, 
this market is experiencing a strong recovery as global 
pharmaceutical organisations invest significant financial 
and human resources to accelerate their own drug 
development and acquire third party candidates for high 
value and high growth markets. We believe that Instem 
continues to be well placed to benefit from increased 
focus on the tools and skills required to increase the 
capital efficiency of these global pharmaceutical and 
biotechnology companies and their partners.

During the year, we achieved strong organic growth 
through expansion contracts with existing customers, 
winning contracts with new customers and successfully 
integrating the acquisitions of Instem Clinical Holdings 
Limited and Perceptive Instruments Limited, which both 
contributed a full-year of trading, to record a period of 
strong revenue growth of 18%.

From an organic growth point of view, we were 
particularly pleased to extend the contract with WIL 
Research for our Provantis and Submit solutions for 
their toxicology systems and processes worldwide. We 
also extended our Provantis contract with the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (“NIEHS”), 
which is part of the US National Institute of Health.

With regard to new clients, we won eight new contracts 
for our Submit suite during the period,  expanded our 
international revenues across Asia-Pacific with two 
new contracts with the National Shanghai Centre for 
Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, a leading Chinese 
Contract Research Organisation (“CRO”) and a multi-
year contract with a leading multi-national organisation 
to support its standards for the exchange of non-clinical 
data.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       5

continued growth

“We achieved strong organic growth through 

expansion contracts with existing customers, 

winning contracts with new customers and 

successfully integrating the acquisitions of 

Instem Clinical Holdings Limited and Perceptive 

Instruments Limited”

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

Strategic       
Report

The year in review represents a period of significant 
progress for the Group in terms of expanding the product 
portfolio and diversifying the revenue base by product 
and territory.

Instem continues to be a leading supplier to the world’s 
largest life science organisations and laboratories, 
delivering solutions to streamline R&D processes, 
resulting in increased client efficiency and shorter 
product development timelines. Following a subdued 
first half of the year, the global pharmaceutical industry 
in general, and the Contract Research Organisations that 
service it in particular, witnessed a strong recovery in the 
second half of the year.

Total Group revenue for 2014 increased approximately 
18% over the previous year as a combination of 11% 
organic growth and 7% contribution from the Perceptive 
Instruments acquisition, which only contributed one 
month of revenue in 2013.

As a result of the improving market and our increasing 
industry presence, new business opportunities improved 
significantly in both size and quality during the year and 
we converted the majority of our new business using 
our SaaS or Hosted delivery models, helping reduce 
the medium-term cost of ownership for clients and the 
cost of client support for Instem.  The SaaS model also 
improves revenue visibility and quality of earnings for 
the Group. SaaS revenue for the year increased 20%.

Profitability of the Group also increased during the year, 
with Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation 
and Amortisation increasing 5% despite significant 
investment in our products and people during the period.

Operational Review

To capitalise on our increased product portfolio and 
market presence we added to our Sales, Marketing 
and Implementation Services teams during the year 
and made significant progress in scaling up our Pune, 

India operation, from where we can flexibly and cost 
effectively provide a range of software development, 
testing, client support and back-office implementation 
services.  To support our growth in India and elsewhere 
in the Asia-Pacific we extended our ISO9001:2008 
accreditation to cover both our Pune and Shanghai 
offices.

Product Portfolio

With major version upgrades for all current Provantis 
and ALPHADAS clients, the increased deployment of 
our Submit suite and the general migration to our 
Software-as-a-Service and Hosted deployment models, 
we also invested further in the Company’s data centre 
infrastructure across both the US and China.

Preclinical – Provantis® and Perceptive Instruments

The Group’s preclinical software suite, Provantis, 
advanced its market leading position in the year with 
significant contracts with the National Institute of 
Environmental Health Sciences (“NIEHS”) and WIL 
Research, a leading CRO, in both the first and second half 
of the year.

The addition of 100 additional Provantis users and two 
additional sites for NIEHS illustrated the compelling 
value proposition of the Group’s SaaS delivery model 
and confirms it remains the leading solution in the 
marketplace today. Importantly, this provides further 
confidence that this particular customer will generate 
revenue at the upper end of the forecast US$6.2m to 
US$7.6m range over the ten-year period envisaged when 
the contract was initially signed in 2013. The contracts 
signed with WIL Research were also representative of 
our leading position in the CRO sector. In particular, the 
contract signed in the second half of the year was worth 
US$7.0m over four years, which is significantly larger 
than the average contract size for the Group.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       7

STRATEGIC REPORT

Perceptive Instruments, acquired in November 2013 to 
enhance the Group’s study workflow and automation 
solutions, won over 30 new clients in the first full year 
post acquisition, recorded its first sale of its new Cyto 
Study Manager Solution, which was also launched in the 
year, and achieved its first sale into Japan of its AMES 
Study Manager product.

Electronic Regulatory Submissions – submit™

Importantly, the Group extended its market leading 
position in the SEND market with its proprietary 
Submit solution suite. During the year, the Group hired 
experienced staff members from Roche, AstraZeneca 
and Eli Lilly to accelerate product development and 
penetration in this exciting space, resulting in the 
release of important updates and additional software 
modules in the Submit suite for managing and viewing 
SEND data sets.

The Group won eight new Submit clients during the year, 
including some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical 
companies and CROs and now has the majority of those 
enterprises instrumental in the development of the 
SEND protocol over the past 10 years, representing a 
significant endorsement of the Group’s solution. This 
important market is set to receive a significant boost 
following the issue of definitive guidance by the FDA in 
December 2014 as to the deadline when all regulatory 
submissions must be made using SEND.

Early Clinical – ALPHADAS™ 

Following strong order intake in 2013, Instem Clinical 
focused considerable attention on a series of related 
updates to our ALPHADAS product suite and the 
corresponding client implementations. With a growing 
client list and many more parallel implementation 
projects, we took the opportunity to strengthen the 
implementation and support team.

The Group implemented several important ALPHADAS 
projects during the year and continues to cycle 
clients onto the latest version of the product suite. 
New business across Europe was particularly strong 
for ALPHADAS, whilst several opportunities in North 
America were delayed as early phase clinical CROs 
continued to restructure and realign their resource 
requirements.

Instem Scientific

Instem Scientific has always had a blend of product 
sales for big data informatics and related consulting 
services in the information sciences. While recurring 
product support revenue from existing clients has 
been robust, the ongoing restructuring in big pharma 
has steadily reduced their internal capabilities in this 
area, reducing demand for additional product licences.  

However, consistent with their strategic move to an 
outsourcing model, there was growing client interest in 
our consulting expertise and particularly our capability 
to leverage our sophisticated technology suite.  
Consequently, we have repositioned our approach to 
address this emerging opportunity. We expect to see the 
benefits of this change in the coming years, as demand 
for consulting expertise is usually a lead indicator for 
increasing demand for other products and services 
across this market sector.

Market Overview

Citeline®, which claims to have the world’s most 
comprehensive source of real-time R&D intelligence 
for the pharmaceutical industry, recently reported that 
the global drug pipeline had increased by 8.8% in the 
past year, alongside a 27% increase in market launches 
of new active substances.  Supported by high capital 
inflows, the biggest growth segment was small to 
mid-tier pharma, with a year-on-year increase of more 
than 10% in the number of companies with an active 
drug development portfolio.

Following the strong growth recorded in 2013, the 
growth in 2014 represents the largest annual drug 
pipeline rise on record, in absolute terms, and there 
is further evidence that the global pharmaceutical 
market is now moving resources from late stage clinical 
development into early compound development work in 
order to refill the pipeline of preclinical candidates.

These drug development activities require specialist 
services and technologies with a particular focus on IT 
solutions which enable organisations to improve cost 
efficiencies and ensure they are able to meet the ever 
increasing regulatory demands of the industry. The 
regulatory bodies’ preference for the electronic capture, 
storage and transfer of data for new drug submissions 
continues to grow and pharmaceutical organisations 
are seeking tools that can help them to identify suitable 
drug candidates from vast volumes of historic data, in 
addition to managing their compliance risk with the 
authorities.

Preclinical Market

A sustained recovery in study volumes is currently 
being reported by Preclinical CROs as pharmaceutical 
organisations are currently seeking to replenish early 
stage pipelines after five years focused predominately 
on late stage clinical candidates. This is supported by 
the recent Citeline® report, which shows the Preclinical 
drug pipeline increased by 10.5% in the last year, with 
CROs accounting for the majority of the increase. 

With increased preclinical study volume helping 
to create opportunities with the pharma sponsors, 
Preclinical CROs continue to report strong demand 

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

STRATEGIC REPORT

in North America, but a continuation in suppressed 
demand from Europe and Japan. Numerous CROs have 
been adding or looking to add additional capacity.

Early Stage Clinical Market 

Total research and development pipelines within 
the pharma sector have increased by almost 9% to 
approximately 12,300 drug candidates during 2014, 
which makes us particularly positive about our outlook 
for the future as we can now see sustainable growth 
across our target markets. 

P J Reason
Chief Executive

The recent market study from Citeline® reported a 
4.9% increase in the Early Stage Clinical pipeline, less 
than in 2013, and this supports anecdotal evidence 
that the Early Stage Clinical market is growing less 
consistently, with some CROs reporting marked 
increases in study volume and others still with capacity 
to spare. 

The early stage clinical market is immediately 
downstream of preclinical and there may therefore be 
a delay before the increased preclinical investment 
delivers an improved flow of drug candidates to the 
clinic. The restructuring of the early phase clinical CRO 
market, as experienced in recent years, is expected to 
continue with CRO performance quite variable.

Nevertheless opportunities exist within the early stage 
clinical market for the deployment of Instem’s software 
solutions. These opportunities are resulting from an 
increasing recognition of the need to control data 
quality and integrity and because levels of automation 
within the early stage environment remain low.

Government and Academic Research

Funding for Government/Academic institutions 
undertaking later stages of life sciences research in 
North America, China and Europe continues to grow 
to cover gaps that are not sufficiently attractive to 
commercial enterprises.  This enables them to invest 
in both study automation solutions and in innovative 
approaches to the process of R&D using novel scientific, 
informatics and big data approaches.

Outlook 

In contrast to 2013, when the preclinical and early 
clinical market was generally reluctant to commit to 
any significant investment decisions, 2014 was a period 
when many of our customers revisited their near-
term ambitions and began to evaluate their ongoing 
information management requirements. This resulted in 
a very strong second half performance.

As we enter the current financial year, our order backlog 
is at record levels, underpinning our 2015 expectations. 
In addition, December’s decision by the FDA to mandate 
the future use of SEND was a key event for which Instem 
has been planning and we have already begun to see 
increasing interest and orders for the Group’s SEND 
compliant products across a range of customers.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       9

outlook

“As we enter the current financial year, our order 

backlog is at record levels. “

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

Financial       
Review

Instem’s revenue model consists of perpetual licence 
income with annual support contracts, professional 
services fees and SaaS subscriptions. Total revenue for 
the twelve months to 31 December 2014 increased 18% 
to £13.4m compared to the same period last year. From 
a territory perspective, demand for our products and 
services from customers in North America continued 
to increase whilst new business in Europe was more 
muted, reflecting the lower levels of pharmaceutical R&D 
activity in the region.

During the period, organic revenue increased 11% 
with the remaining 7% revenue growth from a full-year 
contribution of the Perceptive Instruments acquisition. 
The organic revenue growth was driven primarily from 
the increased sales of our Submit suite with total 
revenue benefiting from a full year contribution from 
the Perceptive Instruments acquisition, which made 
negligible revenue contribution in 2013.

Total recurring revenue, from support contracts and SaaS 
based subscriptions, increased 12% during the year to 
£9.2m, now representing 69% total revenue and 79% 
of total operating expenses of the Group. SaaS based 
revenue, which provides enhanced total returns and 
increased revenue visibility, increased 20% to £1.8m.

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, 
Amortisation and share based payments, increased 
5% to £1.9m. Development costs incurred during the 
period were £1.3m of which £0.3m was capitalised. 
The non-recurring costs included a charge of £0.06m 
relating to a trade dispute, net of insurance proceeds, 
and £0.07m of professional fees associated with the 
Perceptive Instruments acquisition in 2013.

Profit before tax decreased by £0.5m to £0.2m due to 
increased amortisation of intangibles, increased FRS17 
pension charge and net foreign exchange losses.  In 
2013 the acquired subsidiaries contributed £0.6m. After 
consolidation and IFRS adjustments, the core business 
before acquisitions reported a post-tax loss in 2013 

of £0.05m due primarily to a delay in one particularly 
significant perpetual licence and non-recurring costs of 
£0.2m.

The Group claimed and received research and 
development tax credits during the year of £0.1m (2013: 
£0.05m). 

Cash generated from operation activities was £0.5m 
(2013: £2.0m) impacted by the late WIL contract win in 
December 2014, the cash receipt from which is due in 
2015, and late receipt of three annual fee renewals. The 
Group had cash reserves of £1.7m as at 31 December 
2014, compared with £2.1m as at 31 December 2013, 
after making two deferred consideration cash payments 
for the Instem Clinical acquisition during the year 
amounting to £0.3m. In addition, cash consideration 
amounting to £0.3m was taken in the form of a Loan 
Note included within current financial liabilities at the 
year-end, which was paid in January 2015.

There was an increase in the funding deficit on the 
Group’s defined benefit pension scheme during the 
period calculated in accordance with the provisions 
of IAS19 that amounted to £0.5m, net of deferred tax 
(2013: £0.6m), which has been recognised in Other 
Comprehensive Expense. This was a non-cash charge 
in the period and arose primarily as a result of forecast 
lower gilt yields, partially offset by higher expected 
returns on assets. 

As part of the scheme’s triennial actuarial valuation as at 
5 April 2011, the Group agreed a schedule of payments 
to the scheme with the trustees and the Pensions 
Regulator that is designed to eliminate the funding 
deficit over an eight year period. The scheme’s actuarial 
valuation as at 5 April 2014 is currently in process and 
will be reported in the six month results to 30 June 
2015. The defined benefit pension scheme has remained 
closed to new members since 2000 and to future accrual 
since 2008.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       11

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The increase in the merger reserve of £0.6m was due 
to the premium arising from the issue of shares as part 
of the deferred consideration payment relating to the 
Instem Clinical acquisition. 

In line with previous periods, and our current policy 
of retaining cash within the business to capitalise on 
the available growth opportunities, the Board has not 
recommended the payment of a dividend.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The directors consider that the global pharmaceutical 
market is likely to continue to provide growth 
opportunities for the business. The combination of the 
high level of annual support renewals and low levels of 
customer attrition provides revenue visibility to underpin 
the Group strategy on product and market development.

The Group seeks to mitigate exposure to all forms of risk 
through a combination of regular performance review and 
a comprehensive insurance programme.

The global nature of the market means that the Group is 
exposed to currency risk as a consequence of a significant 
proportion of its revenue being earned in US Dollars, 
some of which is mitigated by operating costs incurred by 
its US operation.  The Group continually assesses the most 
appropriate approach to managing its currency exposure 
in line with the overall goal of achieving predictable 
earnings growth.

N J Goldsmith
Chief Financial Officer

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Gare
Non-executive Chairman
David was a founder member of the Company’s former parent, Instem Limited, and led the resulting 
businesses through most of their history. David successfully achieved a succession of strategic 
developments for Instem Limited, including its sale to Kratos Inc. in 1976, its MBO in 1983, its flotation on 
the USM in 1984, its flotation on the Official List in 1996, its public to private and demerger in 1998 and 
the buyout of Instem LSS Limited from Alchemy Partners in 2002. Throughout, David has concentrated on 
value creation through achievement of a strong market position. 

Phil Reason
Chief Executive Officer
Phil is an experienced chief executive who has developed a number of IT businesses in the life sciences 
and nuclear industries, both organically and through acquisition. Phil joined the former parent Company, 
Instem Limited, in 1982 and was appointed Managing Director of the Life Sciences division in 1995 and 
Chief Executive Officer of Instem LSS Limited on the demerger from Instem Limited. Given the importance 
of the North American market to Instem’s organic and acquisitive growth, Phil relocated from the UK to 
the US in 2003 and established a new headquarters in the Philadelphia area. Phil previously ran Instem 
Limited’s Nuclear and Laboratory Information Management Systems integration businesses.

Nigel Goldsmith
Chief Financial Officer
Nigel, who joined Instem in November 2011, has a wealth of experience in senior financial roles, at 
both public and private companies within the pharmaceutical industry. After qualifying as a Chartered 
Accountant, Nigel spent over nine years at KPMG prior to moving into industry. Nigel was Finance Director 
for three years at AIM listed, pharmaceutical and medical company, IS Pharma plc. He also spent a seven-
year tenure as CFO at Almedica International Inc, a privately held supplier of clinical trial materials to the 
pharmaceutical and biotech industry in Europe and the US and two years as European Controller for the 
sales and marketing division of laboratory equipment manufacturer, Life Sciences International plc.

Mike McGoun
Non-executive Director
Mike has a wealth of management experience within the IT industry. He spent 10 years at IBM prior to 
co-founding a successful ComputerLand franchise in 1984. In 1994, Mike moved to SkillsGroup plc as a 
main board director, with responsibility for corporate development and later as a non-executive director. 
Mike was founder and non-executive Chairman of Tikit Group plc prior to its disposal to BT plc in 2012. 

David Sherwin
Non-executive Director
David is a qualified Management Accountant and holds an MBA from Staffordshire University. He joined 
Instem Limited as a trainee accountant in 1973 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 1979. He has 
worked closely with David Gare on all of the subsequent transactions involving Instem Limited and Instem 
LSS Limited including participating in the management buyout of Instem Limited in 1983, the flotation on 
the USM in 1984, the flotation on the Official List in 1996 and the demerger of the business in 1998.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       13

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
STATEMENT

Given the size of the Group, the Board has decided to 
apply the Corporate Governance Code for Small and 
Mid-Size Quoted Companies as it seeks to maintain a 
strong governance ethos throughout the Group.  The 
Board recognises its overall responsibility for the 
Group’s systems of internal control and for monitoring 
their effectiveness. 

The main features of the Group’s corporate governance 
procedures are as follows;

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

the Board has one independent non-executive 
director who takes an active role in Board matters;
the Group has an Audit Committee, a Remuneration 
Committee and a Nomination Committee, each 
of which consists of the non-executive directors, 
and meets regularly with executive directors in 
attendance by invitation. The Audit Committee 
has unrestricted access to the Group’s auditor and 
ensures that auditor independence has not been 
compromised;
all business activity is organised within a defined 
structure with formal lines of responsibility and 
delegation of authority, including a schedule of 
“matters referred to the Board”; and
regular monitoring of key performance indicators 
and financial results together with comparison of 
these against expectations.

Attendance at Board and Committee 
Meetings

Attendances of directors at Board and Committee 
meetings convened in the period, along with the 
number of meetings they were invited to attend, are set 
out below:

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee comprises M F McGoun (Chairman), 
D Gare and D M Sherwin, all of whom are non-executive 
directors of the Company. The Board is satisfied that 
the Audit Committee has all the recent and relevant 
financial experience required to fulfil the role. 

Appointments to the Audit Committee are made by the 
Board in consultation with the Nomination Committee 
and the chairman of the Audit Committee.  The Audit 
Committee meets at least twice a year and any other 
time as required by either the chairman of the Audit 
Committee, the Chief Financial Officer of the Group or 
the external auditors of the Group.  In addition, the Audit 
Committee shall meet with the external auditor of the 
Group (without any of the executives attending) at any 
time during the year as it deems fit. 

c. 

The Audit Committee:
a.  monitors the financial reporting and internal 
financial control principles of the Group;
b.  maintains appropriate relationships with the 
external auditor including considering the 
appointment and remuneration of the external 
auditor and reviews and monitors the external 
auditor’s independence and objectivity and the 
effectiveness of the audit process;
reviews all financial results of the Group and 
financial statements, including all announcements 
in respect thereof before submission of the 
relevant documents to the Board;
reviews and discusses (where necessary) any 
issues and recommendations of the external 
auditor including reviewing the external auditor’s 
management letter and management’s response;
considers all major findings of internal operational 
audit reviews and management’s response to 
ensure co-ordination between internal and external 
auditor;
reviews the Board’s statement on internal reporting 
systems and keeps the effectiveness of such 
systems under review; and
considers all other relevant findings and audit 
programmes of the Group.

d. 

e. 

g. 

f. 

No. of meetings in the period / No. invited to attend

Board meetings

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Executive directors

P J Reason

N J Goldsmith

Non-Executive directors

D Gare

D M Sherwin

M F McGoun

8/8

8/8

8/8

8/8

8/8

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

3/3

0/0

4/4

4/4

4/4

0/0

0/0

1/1

1/1

1/1

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       15

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Audit Committee (continued)

The Audit Committee is authorised to:

a. 

b. 

c. 

investigate any activity within its terms of 
reference;
seek any information it requires from any employee 
of the Group; and
obtain, at the Group’s expense, outside legal or 
other independent professional advice and to 
secure the attendance of such persons to meetings 
as it considers necessary and appropriate.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee comprises M F McGoun 
(Chairman), D Gare and D M Sherwin, all of whom are 
non-executive directors of the Company.

The members of the Remuneration Committee are 
appointed by the Board on recommendation from 
the Nomination Committee, in consultation with the 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.  The Chief 
Executive Officer of the Group is normally invited to 
meetings of the Remuneration Committee to discuss 
the performance of other executive directors but is not 
involved in any of the decisions.  The Remuneration 
Committee invites any person it thinks appropriate to 
join the members of the Remuneration Committee at its 
meetings.  The Remuneration Committee meets at least 
once a year and any other time as required by either the 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee or the Chief 
Financial Officer of the Group.

The Remuneration Committee:

a. 

b. 

c. 

ensures that the executive directors are fairly 
rewarded for their individual contributions to 
the overall performance of the Group but also 
ensures that the Group avoids paying more than is 
necessary for this purpose;
considers the remuneration packages of the 
executive directors and any recommendations 
made by the Chief Executive Officer for changes to 
their remuneration packages including in respect 
of bonuses (including associated performance 
criteria), other benefits, pension arrangements 
and other terms of their service contracts and any 
other matters relating to the remuneration of or 
terms of employment applicable to the executive 
directors that may be referred to the Remuneration 
Committee by the Board;
oversees and reviews all aspects of the Group’s 
share option schemes including the selection of 
eligible directors and other employees and the 
terms of any options granted;

e. 

d.  demonstrates to the Group’s shareholders that the 
remuneration of the executive directors is set by an 
independent committee of the Board; and
considers and makes recommendations to the 
Board about the public disclosure of information 
about the executive directors’ remuneration 
packages and structures in addition to those 
required by law or by the London Stock Exchange.

The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
reports formally to the Board on its proceedings after 
each meeting on all matters within its duties and 
responsibilities. The Remuneration Committee produces 
an annual report which is included in the Group’s annual 
report and accounts.

The Remuneration Committee is authorised to:

a. 

b. 

c. 

investigate any activity within its terms of 
reference;
seek any information it requires from any employee 
of the Group;
assess the remuneration paid by other UK listed 
companies of a similar size in any comparable 
industry sector and to assess whether changes 
to the executive directors’ remuneration is 
appropriate for the purpose of making their 
remuneration competitive or otherwise comparable 
with the remuneration paid by such companies; and

d.  obtain, at the Group’s expense, outside legal or 

other independent professional advice, including 
independent remuneration consultants, when the 
Remuneration Committee reasonably believes it is 
necessary to do so and to secure the attendance of 
such persons to meetings as it considers necessary 
and appropriate. 

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee comprises D Gare 
(Chairman), M F McGoun and D M Sherwin, all of whom 
are non-executive directors of the Company.

Appointments to the Nomination Committee are made 
by the Board, in consultation with the Chairman of the 
Nomination Committee. 

The Nomination Committee may invite any person 
it thinks appropriate to join the members of the 
Nomination Committee at its meetings. 

The Nomination Committee:

a. 

regularly reviews the structure, size and 
composition (including skills, knowledge and 
experience required) of the Board compared to its 
current position and makes recommendations to 
the Board with regard to any changes;

16 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Nomination Committee (continued)

b.  gives full consideration to succession planning for 
directors and other senior executives in the course 
of its work, taking into account the challenges and 
opportunities facing the Group, and what skills and 
expertise are needed on the Board in the future;
is responsible for identifying and nominating for 
the approval of the Board, candidates to fill Board 
vacancies as and when they arise; and

c. 

d.  evaluates the balance of skills, knowledge and 

experience on the Board before an appointment 
is made and, in light of this evaluation, prepares a 
description of the role and capabilities required for 
a particular appointment.

The Chairman of the Nomination Committee reports 
formally to the Board on its proceedings after 
each meeting on all matters within its duties and 
responsibilities. 

The Nomination Committee also makes 
recommendations to the Board concerning:

a. 

formulating plans for succession for both executive 
and non-executive directors and in particular 
the key roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer;

b.  membership of the Audit and Remuneration 

c. 

d. 

Committees, in consultation with the chairmen of 
those committees;
the re-appointment of any non-executive director 
at the conclusion of their specified term of office 
having given due regard to their performance and 
ability to continue to contribute to the Board in 
the light of the knowledge, skills and experience 
required;
the re-election by shareholders of any director 
under the “retirement by rotation” provisions in 
the Company’s articles of association having due 
regard to their performance and ability to continue 
to contribute to the Board in the light of the 
knowledge, skills and experience required;

e.  matters relating to the continuation in office of any 
director at any time including the suspension or 
termination of service of an executive director as 
an employee of the Group subject to the provisions 
of the law and his/her service contract; and
the appointment of any director to executive or 
other office other than to the positions of Chairman 
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the 
recommendation for which would be considered at 
a meeting of the full Board.

f. 

The Nomination Committee is authorised to:

a. 

investigate any activity within its terms of 
reference;

b. 

c. 

d. 

seek any information it requires from any 
employee;
obtain outside legal or other independent 
professional advice at the Group’s expense when 
the Nomination Committee reasonably believes it is 
necessary to do so; and
instruct external professional advisers to attend any 
meeting at the Group’s expense if the Nomination 
Committee considers this reasonably necessary and 
appropriate.

Internal Controls

The directors are responsible for establishing and 
maintaining the Group’s system of internal control 
and reviewing its effectiveness. The system of internal 
control is designed to manage rather than eliminate the 
risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can 
only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

The Board and senior executives meet to review 
both the risks facing the business and the controls 
established to minimise those risks and their 
effectiveness in operation on an ongoing basis. The aim 
of these reviews is to provide reasonable assurance 
that material risks and problems are identified and 
appropriate action taken at an early stage.

Going Concern

The directors have prepared and reviewed financial 
forecasts for the following two years. After due 
consideration of these forecasts and current cash 
resources, the directors consider that the Company 
and the Group have adequate financial resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future (being a period of at least twelve months from 
the date of this report), and for this reason the financial 
statements have been prepared on a going concern 
basis.

On behalf of the Board

N J Goldsmith
Director and Company Secretary

21 April 2015

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       17

 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Directors

The directors submit their report and the Group and 
Company financial statements of Instem plc for the year 
ended 31 December 2014.

Instem plc is a public limited company, incorporated and 
domiciled in England, and quoted on AIM.

Review of the Business

In measuring the successful development of the business, 
the directors focus on two important performance 
indicators which strongly underwrite the future 
performance of the Group:

1.  Total number of customers

In 2014 the Group had in excess of 400 customers (2013: in 
excess of 400 customers) for continuing products.

2.  Recurring revenue

The Group generates a substantial proportion of revenue 
from fees in respect of annual support, hosting and routine 
upgrade services. The value of these recurring fees in 2014 
was £9.2m (2013: £8.2m)

A more detailed review of the development and 
performance of the Group’s business during the year and its 
position at the end of the year is set out in the Chairman’s 
Statement, the Strategic Report and Financial Review on 
pages 5 to 12.

The following directors held office during the year:

D Gare
M F McGoun
D M Sherwin
P J Reason
N J Goldsmith

Details of the directors’ service contracts and their 
respective notice terms are detailed in the Remuneration 
Committee report on page 20.

Directors and Their Interests

The interests of the directors who held office at 31 
December 2014 and up to the date of this report were as 
follows:

2014

2013

No. of Shares

No. of Shares

D Gare

2,278,427

2,278,427

D M Sherwin

1,580,066

1,580,066

P J Reason

665,287

665,287

M F McGoun

14,286

14,286

N J Goldsmith

-

-

Future Developments

Directors’ interests in share options are detailed in the 
Remuneration Committee report on page 20.

The directors consider that the continued investment in 
product and market development will allow the business to 
grow organically in its core markets. Investment in business 
growth initiatives will also allow the business to move into 
new product and market areas. The combination of organic 
growth along with strategic acquisitions will support the 
expected growth as outlined in the Chairman’s Statement 
and the Strategic Report.

Employee Involvement

The general policy of the Group is to welcome employee 
involvement as far as it is reasonably practicable. 
Employees are kept informed of progress by regular 
company meetings and monthly management reports. 

Political Donations

Research and Development Activities

The Group continues its development programme of 
software for the global pharmaceutical market including 
the research and development of new products and 
enhancement to existing products. The directors consider 
the investment in research and development to be 
fundamental to the success of the business in the future.

The Group made no political donations in 2014 or 2013.

Financial Instruments

The Group’s objectives and policies on financial 
instruments are set out in note 18 to the financial 
statements.

Dividends

The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

18 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014     

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Indemnity of Officers and Directors

Under the Company’s Articles of Association and subject 
to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Group may 
and has indemnified all directors and other officers 
against liability incurred in the execution or discharge 
of their duties or the exercise of their powers, including 
but not limited to any liability for the costs of any legal 
proceedings. The Group has purchased and maintains 
appropriate insurance cover against legal action brought 
against directors or officers.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Company will 
be held on 19 May 2015 at the offices of Baker Tilly, 
Manchester.  The resolutions to be proposed at the 
Annual General Meeting, together with explanatory 
notes, appear in a separate notice of Annual General 
Meeting which is sent to all shareholders. A proxy card 
for registered shareholders is distributed along with the 
notice.

Statement as to Disclosure of Information 
to Auditor

The directors who were in office on the date of approval 
of these financial statements have confirmed, as 
far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit 
information of which the auditor is unaware.  Each of 
the directors has confirmed that they have taken all 
the steps that they ought to have taken as directors 
in order to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that it has been 
communicated to the auditor.

Auditor

Pursuant to s489 of the Companies Act 2006, a 
resolution to appoint Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP as auditor 
will be put to the members at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting.

On behalf of the Board

P J Reason
Director                   

21 April 2015

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       19

                                 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

Performance Related Annual Bonus

Instem plc is a company listed on AIM and it is not 
required to comply with Schedule 8 of the Large 
and Medium Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) Regulations 2008 relating to directors’ 
remuneration reports or the Listing Rules.  The 
disclosures contained within this report are, therefore, 
made on a voluntary basis and in keeping with the 
Board’s commitment to best practice.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee (‘the Committee’) is 
composed entirely of non-executive directors. The 
Committee was formed upon the public listing of the 
Company on 13 October 2010.  The Chairman of the 
Committee is M F McGoun.  The terms of reference 
for the Committee are to determine the Company’s 
policy on executive remuneration and to consider and 
approve the remuneration packages for directors and 
key executives of the Company, subject to ratification by 
the Board.  During the year, the Committee met on four 
occasions.  Full details of the elements of each director’s 
remuneration are set out on page 21.  Details of share-
based payments are shown in note 6 to the financial 
statements.

Executive directors are eligible for a performance 
related bonus based on Company performance, in 
particular, the achievement of profit and cash targets.  
The performance related annual bonus forms a 
significant part of the level of remuneration considered 
appropriate by the Committee.  In addition to the formal 
bonus scheme, the Committee has the discretion to 
recommend the payment of ad hoc awards to reflect 
exceptional performance. No bonuses were paid or 
payable in respect of the year ended 31 December 2014 
(2013: £nil).

Pensions

Company contributions are made to the executive 
directors’ personal pension schemes up to a maximum 
of 16.5% of basic salary.

Benefits

Benefits comprise car and fuel allowance and private 
healthcare and critical illness cover.  No executive 
director receives additional remuneration or benefits in 
relation to being a director of the Board of the Company 
or any subsidiary of the Company.

Policy on Executive Director 
Remuneration

Service Contracts

The Executive directors have contracts with notice 
periods between six and twelve months.

The Board determines the Company’s policy on 
non-executive directors’ remuneration.

D Gare, D M Sherwin and M F McGoun each have a 
contract that had an initial three year term commencing 
October 2010. These contracts were renewed in 
December 2013, each with a notice period of three 
months. Since October 2013 Mr McGoun has been 
remunerated through a service company, Noble 
Adamson Limited.

The Company’s current and ongoing policy aims to 
ensure that executive directors are rewarded fairly 
for their individual contributions to the Company’s 
overall performance and is designed to attract, retain 
and motivate executives of the right calibre.  The 
Committee is responsible for recommendations on 
all elements of executive remuneration including, in 
particular, basic salary, annual bonus, share options 
and any other incentive awards.  In implementing the 
remuneration policy, the Committee has regard to 
factors specific to the Company, such as salary and 
other benefit arrangements within the Company and 
the achievement of the Company’s strategic objectives.  
The Committee determines the Company’s Policy on 
executive remuneration with reference to comparable 
companies of similar market capitalisation, location and 
business sector.

Basic Salary

The basic salaries of executive directors are reviewed 
annually having regard to individual performance and 
position within the Company and are intended to be 
competitive but fair using information provided from 
both internal and external sources.

20 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

The emoluments paid to directors in the year ended 31 December 2014 were as follows: 

Salary
£000

Benefits
£000

Pension
£000

2014 Total
£000

2013 Total
£000

Executives

P J Reason

N J Goldsmith

Non-executives

D Gare

D M Sherwin

M F McGoun

144

100

44

24

24

Total

336

14

11

-

-

-

25

24

11

-

-

-

35

182

122

44

24

24

396

185

119

44

24

24

396

Directors’ and Employees’ Share Options

Exercise 
price(£)

Issue date

Held at 31 
Dec 2013

Granted 
During Year

Exercised 
during Year

Lapsed 
during Year

Held at 31 
Dec 2014

P J Reason
Ordinary shares

1.750

13/10/2010

187,427

0.900

14/01/2013

23,429

N J Goldsmith
Ordinary shares

2.215

29/11/2011

   40,000

1.760

07/02/2012

   20,000

0.900

14/01/2013

  15,000

Employees
Ordinary shares

1.750

13/10/2010

304,568

2.220

03/03/2011

101,351

2.220

17/10/2011

14,667

1.115

23/10/2012

40,000

0.900

14/01/2013

61,397

Total

807,839

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

187,427

23,429

40,000

20,000

15,000

304,568

(7,507)

93,844

-

-

-

14,667

40,000

61,397

(7,507)

800,332

Subsequent to the year end, on 11 February 2015 81,168 share options were granted to employees with an exercise 
price of £0.10 each.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

M F McGoun
Independent Non-Executive Chairman

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       21

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and 
integrity of the corporate and financial information 
included on the Instem plc website.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements 
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN 
THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic 
Report and the Directors’ Report and the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and 
regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group 
and Company financial statements for each financial 
year.  The directors are required by the AIM Rules of 
the London Stock Exchange to prepare Group financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the 
European Union (“EU”) and have elected under Company 
law to prepare the Company financial statements in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU.

The financial statements are required by law and 
IFRS adopted by the EU to present fairly the financial 
position of the Group and the Company and the financial 
performance of the Group. The Companies Act 2006 
provides in relation to such financial statements that 
references in the relevant part of that Act to financial 
statements giving a true and fair view are references to 
their achieving a fair presentation.

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 for that period. 

In preparing the Group and Company financial 
statements, the directors are required to:

a. 

select suitable accounting policies and then apply 
them consistently;

b.  make judgements and accounting estimates that 

c. 

are reasonable and prudent;
state whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs adopted by the EU;
d.  prepare the financial statements on the going 

concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume 
that the Group and the Company will continue in 
business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and 
explain the Group’s and 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 
comply with the Companies Act 2006.  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.

22 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

                                      
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT to the members Of instem plc

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO 
THE MEMBERS OF INSTEM PLC

We have audited the group and parent company 
financial statements (“the financial statements”) on 
pages 24 to 65.  The financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law 
and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the 
parent company financial statements, as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006. 

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

Respective responsibilities of directors 
and auditor

As more fully explained in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 22, the directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view.  Our responsibility is to audit and express 
an opinion on the financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and International Standards on 
Auditing (UK and Ireland).  Those standards require us 
to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) 
Ethical Standards for Auditors.

in accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by 
the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to 
report by exception

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

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

•

•

•

Graham Bond FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of BAKER TILLY UK AUDIT LLP, 
Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3HF 

Scope of the audit of the financial 
statements

23 April 2015

A description of the scope of an audit of financial 
statements is provided on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at http://www.frc.org.uk/
auditscopeukprivate

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion: 
•

the financial statements give a true and fair view of
the state of the group’s and the parent’s affairs as at
31 December 2014 and of the group’s profit for the
year then ended;
the group financial statements have been properly
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by
the European Union;
the parent financial statements have been properly
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by
the European Union and as applied in accordance
with the Companies Act 2006; and
the financial statements have been prepared

•

•

•

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014       23

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME for the year ended 31 December 2014

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 Note

2014
£000

2013
£000

REVENUE 

1

13,429

11,361

Operating expenses

(11,699)

(9,685)

Amortisation of internally generated intangibles

(297)

(226)

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE AMORTISATION OF ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES, 

SHARE BASED PAYMENT AND NON-RECURRING COSTS

1,433

1,450

Amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition

Share-based payment

PROFIT BEFORE NON-RECURRING COSTS

Non-recurring costs

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS

Finance income

Finance costs

PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

Taxation

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

2

2

3

4

8

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE

Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss account

Actuarial loss on retirement benefit obligations

Deferred tax on actuarial loss

Items that may be reclassified to profit and loss account

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR

PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT COMPANY

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT COMPANY

Earnings per share from continuing operations

Basic

Diluted

22

22

(640)

(108)

685

(123)

562

9

(359)

212

(62)

150

(621)

124

(497)

34

(463)

(313)

150

(313)

1.2p

1.2p

(394)

(96)

960

(200)

760

145

(207)

698

(169)

529

(587)

30

(557)

(90)

(647)

(118)

529

(118)

4.5p

4.5p

24 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31 DECEMBER 2014

Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

2014

2013

ASSETS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Current tax payable

Financial liabilities

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Financial liabilities

Retirement benefit obligations

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES

EQUITY 

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Shares to be issued

Translation reserve

Retained deficit

9

11

19

12

13

14

15

16

17

17

20

21

23

23

23

23

23

12,439

263

574

506

4,432

1,676

8,175

231

1,903

281

3,881

1,221

7,892

(326)

378

228

(3,974)

12,887

265

388

13,276

13,540

5,268

18,808

8,493

5,342

13,835

6,614

19,890

10,309

4,162

14,471

307

2,908

2,053

7,236

7

1,250

1,836

3,506

1,176

7,892

(932)

270

194

(3,627)

TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF 

THE PARENT

5,419

4,973

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 

19,890

18,808

The financial statements on pages 24 to 65 were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 21 April 2015 
and are signed on its behalf by:

P J Reason 
Director   

N J Goldsmith
Director 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      25

  
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31 DECEMBER 2014

Note

2014           

2013

ASSETS

£000

£000

£000

£000

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Investments

10

23,132

23,024

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

23,132

23,024

CURRENT ASSETS

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Current tax payable

Financial liabilities

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

13

14

15

16

17

2,231

97

2,322

-

1,903

2,328

25,460

1,243

277

1,264

120

1,250

1,520

24,544

4,225

2,634

Financial liabilities

17

281

1,836

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES

EQUITY 

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Shares to be issued

Retained profit

21

23

23

23

23

1,221

7,892

11,308

378

155

281

4,506

1,836

4,470

1,176

7,892

10,702

270

34

TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 

20,954

25,460

20,074

24,544

The financial statements on pages 24 to 65 were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 21 April 2015 
and are signed on its behalf by:

P J Reason 
Director   

N J Goldsmith
Director 

26 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2014

2014

2013

Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit before taxation

Adjustments for:

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangibles 

Share-based payments and shares to be issued

Retirement benefit obligations

Net foreign exchange gains

Finance income

Finance costs

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE MOVEMENTS IN 

WORKING CAPITAL  

Movements in working capital:

Increase in inventories

(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS

Finance costs

Income taxes

NET CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Finance income received

Purchase of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Payment of deferred consideration

Acquisition of subsidiaries

Cash acquired with subsidiaries

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Loan notes repaid

212

127

937

108

(398)

-

(9)

359

(196)

(1,436)

743

(65)

100

9

(369)

(124)

(302)

-

-

-

698

96

620

96

(412)

84

(145)

207

1,336

1,244

644

1,888

65

1,953

(889)

447

35

482

(210)

823

31

(9)

74

61

(407)

(171)

-

(2,710)

1,134

(786)

(2,093)

(250)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year

Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance of cash 

held in foreign currencies

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

14

-

(304)

2,053

(73)

1,676

(250)

(390)

2,450

(7)

2,053

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      27

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2014

Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

2014

2013

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS 

Profit before taxation

Adjustments for:

Finance income

Finance cost

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE 

MOVEMENTS IN WORKING CAPITAL  

Movements in working capital:

(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

NET CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATING 

ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Finance income received

Payment of deferred consideration

Acquisition of subsidiaries

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Loan notes repaid

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

14

1

(6)

50

6

(302)

-

-

65

(3)

63

3

-

(2,710)

(250)

125

789

955

1,869

(2,707)

(250)

(1,088)

1,365

277

45

(988)

1,059

116

(296)

-

(180)

277

97

28 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Called 

up share 

capital

£000

Balance as at 1 January 2013

1,176

Share 

Premium

Merger

Reserve

Shares to 

Translation

be issued

Reserve

Retained 

Earnings

£000

£000

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive expense 

for the year

Total comprehensive expense

Share-based payment

Balance as at 31 December 
2013

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive expense 

for the year

Total comprehensive income

Shares issued

Share-based payment

£000

7,892

£000

(932)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,176  

7,892

(932)

-

-

-

45

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

606

-

£000

174

-

-

-

96

270

-

-

-

-

108

378

Total

 Equity

£000

4,995

529

(647)

(118)

96

(3,599)

529

(557)

(28)

-

(3,627)

4,973

150

(497)

(347)

-

-

150

(463)

(313)

651

108

Balance as at 31 December 
2014

1,221

7,892

(326)

228

(3,974)

5,419

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Called 

up share 

capital

£000

Balance as at 1 January 2013

1,176

Loss for the year

Share-based payment

-

-

Share 

Premium

£000

7,892

-

-

Merger

Reserve

£000

10,702

-

-

Balance as at 31 December 2013

1,176

7,892

10,702

Profit for the year

Shares issued

Share-based payment                                                           

-

45

-

-

-

-

-

606

-

Balance as at 31 December 2014

1,221

7,892

11,308

284

-

(90)

(90)

-

194

-

34

34

-

-

174

-

96

270

-

-

108

378

Shares to 

be issued

Retained 

Earnings

£000

£000

Total

 Equity

£000

20,033

(55)

96

20,074

121

651

108

89

(55)

-

34

121

-

-

155

20,954

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      29

accounting policies

GENERAL INFORMATION
The principal activity of the Group is the provision of world 
class IT solutions to the early development healthcare market.   
Instem’s solutions for data collection, management and analysis 
are used by customers worldwide, to meet the needs of life 
science and healthcare organisations for data-driven decision 
making leading to safer, more effective products.  Instem plc 
is a Company incorporated in England and Wales under the 
Companies Act 2006 and domiciled in England and Wales.  The 
registered office is Diamond Way, Stone Business Park, Stone, 
Staffordshire, ST15 0SD.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS 
Interpretation Committee (IFRIC) interpretations as adopted 
by the EU and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

BASIS OF PREPARATION
The Group’s accounting reference date is 31 December.  

The acquisition of the Instem LSS Group in 2010 did not 
qualify as a business combination under IFRS 3 ‘Business 
Combinations’ as Instem plc did not meet the definition of 
a business within that standard.  As a consequence, the 
transaction was treated as a pooling of interests to reflect the 
substance of the transaction which was that of the continuation 
of the existing Instem LSS Group.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical 
cost basis.

The Company has taken advantage of the audit exemption 
for three of its non-trading subsidiaries Instem Life Science 
Systems Limited, Instem Scientific Solutions Limited and Logos 
Technologies Limited, by virtue of s479A of Companies Act 2006.  
The Company has provided parent guarantees to these three 
subsidiaries.

In accordance with Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the 
company has elected not to present its own income statement. 
The profit for the year of the parent company is £121,000 (2013: 
loss of £55,000).

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise 
stated, been applied consistently to all years presented in these 
consolidated financial statements.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION 
The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of the 
parent company, Instem plc, and its subsidiary undertakings 
made up to 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2013.

Group up until the date that control ceases.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the 
acquisition method.  The consideration transferred in a business 
combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the 
sum of the acquisition date fair values of the assets transferred 
by the Group, liabilities incurred by the Group to the former 
owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the 
Group in exchange for control of the acquiree.  Acquisition 
related costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the 
liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value, except that 
deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised and measured in 
accordance with IAS 12 ‘Income taxes’.

Contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair 
value and is included as part of the consideration transferred.  
Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that 
qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted 
retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill.  
The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the 
contingent consideration that do not qualify as measurement 
period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration 
is classified.    Contingent consideration that is classified as an 
asset or a liability is re-measured at subsequent reporting dates 
with the corresponding gain or loss being recognised in profit 
or loss. Contingent consideration is recognised initially at fair 
value and subsequently carried at amortised cost; the difference 
between the gross amount and the fair value is recognised in the 
income statement over the period in which the liability is settled 
using the effective interest method.

GOING CONCERN
Having made appropriate enquiries, the directors consider that 
the Group has adequate resources to enable it to continue in 
operation for the foreseeable future.  The Group has a significant 
proportion of recurring revenue from a well-established global 
customer base, supported by a largely fixed cost base. A 
committed working capital facility is in place to support the 
Group’s working capital needs. The Group has net current 
liabilities of £3.7m at 31 December 2014, including deferred 
income of £6.8m (2013: £5.8m).  The deferred income recurs 
each year on renewal of contracts, and in general the Group has 
either received the cash or has raised invoices for the services. 
As a result, this amount reverses during the financial year in the 
normal course of business. The Group has strong positive cash 
reserves, as well as the committed working capital facility of £2m 
referred to above which, at 31 December 2014, was drawn down 
by £0.4m. The Group has, therefore, sufficient liquid assets to 
cover its day-to-day needs, in addition to its strong trading cash 
flow generation.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, any intra-
Group balances, unrealised gains and losses or income and 
expenses arising from intra-Group trading are eliminated.  Where 
accounting policies used in individual financial statements of a 
subsidiary company differ from Group policies, adjustments are 
made to bring these policies in line with Group policies.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the power 
to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain 
economic benefits from their activities.  Subsidiaries are 
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the 

The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity 
position are set out in the primary statements within these 
financial statements.  Detailed projections have been made for 
the 12 months following the approval of the financial statements 
and sensitivity analysis undertaken.  This work gives the 
directors confidence as to the future trading performance of the 
Group. Accordingly the directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis for the preparation of the financial statements.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Group follows the principles of IAS 18 ‘Revenue 
Recognition’, in determining appropriate revenue recognition 

30 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction.  Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at 
the reporting date are translated at the foreign exchange rate 
ruling at that date.  Foreign exchange differences arising on 
translation are recognised in profit or loss.  Non-monetary assets 
and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a 
foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the 
date of the transaction.  Non-monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value 
are translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the date the fair 
value was determined.  

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including 
goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are 
translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the reporting date.  
The revenue and expenses of foreign operations are translated 
at an average rate for the year where this rate approximates to 
the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions, 
or otherwise at the exchange rate ruling at the date of each 
transaction.

Exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign 
operations are taken directly to the translation reserve.  They are 
released into profit or loss upon disposal of the foreign operation.

The presentational currency adopted by the Group is Sterling 
(GBP).  The functional currencies of the principal companies in 
the Group are as follows:

Instem plc

Sterling (GBP)

Instem Life Science Systems Limited 

Sterling (GBP)

Instem LSS Limited

Sterling (GBP)

Instem LSS (North America) Limited

US Dollars (USD)

Instem LSS Asia Limited

Hong Kong 
Dollars (HKD)

Instem Information Systems (Shanghai) Limited

Renminbi (RMB)

Instem Scientific Limited

Sterling (GBP)

Instem Scientific Solutions Limited

Sterling (GBP)

Instem Scientific Inc

US Dollars (USD)

Instem India Pvt Limited

Indian Rupees 
(INR)

Instem Clinical Holdings Limited

Sterling (GBP)

Instem Clinical Limited

Sterling (GBP)

Instem Clinical Inc

US Dollars (USD)

Logos Technologies Limited

Sterling (GBP)

Perceptive Instruments Limited

Sterling (GBP)

accounting policies

principles.  In general, revenue is recognised to the extent that 
it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the 
transaction will flow to the Group.

Revenue comprises the value of software licence sales, SaaS 
subscription, installation, training, and maintenance and 
support services.  Revenue is recognised when (i) persuasive 
evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or 
services have been rendered; (iii) the sales price is fixed and 
determinable and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

For software arrangements with multiple elements revenue is 
recognised dependent on whether vendor-specific objective 
evidence (‘VSOE’) of fair value exists for each of the elements. 
VSOE is determined by reference to sales made to customers 
on a stand-alone basis. Where there is no VSOE revenue is 
recognised over the full term of each contract.

Revenue from licence based products is recognised when the 
risks and rewards of ownership of the product are transferred 
to the customer i.e. when licence keys are delivered to the 
customer, the sales price is fixed and determinable and 
collectability is reasonably assured.  

Revenue from software maintenance, SaaS and other time 
based contracts are recognised over the invoiced contract 
period.

Revenue from installation and training is recognised on a 
percentage completion basis on fixed price contracts or as 
services are provided in respect of time and materials contracts.

The excess of amounts invoiced over revenue is included 
in accruals and deferred income.  If the amount of revenue 
recognised exceeds the amounts invoiced the excess amount is 
included within amounts recoverable on contracts.

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE AMORTISATION OF 
INTANGIBLES ARISING ON ACQUISITION, SHARE-BASED 
PAYMENT AND NON-RECURRING COSTS
Profit from operations before amortisation of intangibles arising 
on acquisition, share based payment and non-recurring costs 
is profit arising from the Group’s normal trading activities stated 
before amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition, share 
based payment charges, non-recurring costs, finance income, 
finance costs and taxation. Profit is adjusted in this way to 
provide a clearer measure of underlying operating performance.

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS
Profit from operations is profit from the Group’s ordinary activities 
stated before finance income and costs, and income tax 
expense.

SEGMENTAL REPORTING
IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ requires segmental information for 
the Group on the basis of information reported internally to the 
chief operating decision-maker for decision-making purposes. 
The Group considers that the role of chief operating decision-
maker is performed by the Group’s Board of directors.  

Since the Group is primarily providing goods and services to the 
global life sciences market there is only one operating segment 
which is monitored by the business.

FOREIGN CURRENCIES 
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      31

accounting policies

The exchange rates used to translate the financial statements 
into Sterling (GBP) are as follows:

US Dollar 
(USD)

Hong Kong Dollar 
(HKD)

Chinese Renminbi
(RMB)

Indian Rupee
(INR)

Average rate for year ended 31 December 2013

Closing rate at 31 December 2013

Average rate for year ended 31 December 2014

Closing rate at 31 December 2014

1.5707

1.6494

1.6470

1.5562

12.1832

12.7915

12.7733

12.0780

9.6579

  10.0096

10.1437

  9.6686

91.7069

102.1390

100.5207

99.0440

FINANCE INCOME
Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the 
principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, 
which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash 
receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that 
asset’s net carrying amount.  Finance income includes exchange 
gains on the translation of intra-group funding balances.

FINANCE COSTS
Net finance costs include interest payable, exchange losses on 
the translation of inter-company funding balances, unwinding 
discount from future deferred consideration payments, finance 
charges on finance leases and net interest on pension scheme 
liabilities.  Interest payable is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income as it accrues, using the effective interest 
method.

LEASING
Where assets are financed by leasing agreements that give 
rights approximating to ownership (“finance leases”), the assets 
are treated as if they had been purchased outright.  The amount 
capitalised is the fair value or, if lower, the present value of the 
minimum lease payments payable during the lease term.  The 
corresponding leasing commitments are shown as finance lease 
obligations to the lessor. 

Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and 
reduction of lease obligations so as to achieve a constant rate 
of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.  Finance 
charges are charged to finance costs in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

All other leases are “operating leases” and the annual rentals are 
charged to the statement of comprehensive income on a straight 
line basis over the lease term. 

SHARE-BASED PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share-based 
Payment.  In accordance with the transitional provisions, IFRS 
2 has been applied to all grants of equity instruments after 7 
November 2002 that were unvested as of 1 January 2007.

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to 
certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments 
are measured at fair value at the date of grant by reference 
to the fair value of the equity instruments granted.  The fair 
value determined at the grant date of equity-settled share-
based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the 
vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the number 
of instruments that will eventually vest with a corresponding 
adjustment to equity.  Fair values are measured by use of 
the Black-Scholes model and for options with a performance 

condition, Binomial or Monte Carlo models are used.  The 
expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on 
management’s best estimate, for the effect of non-transferability, 
exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

Non-vesting and market vesting conditions are taken into 
account when estimating the fair value of the option at grant 
date. Service and non-market vesting conditions are taken into 
account by adjusting the number of options expected to vest at 
each reporting date. Market vesting conditions are linked to the 
Group’s share price performance relative to the performance of 
the AIM All share index. Non-market vesting conditions are linked 
to trading performance and service over defined time periods.

Cancelled or settled options are accounted for as an acceleration 
of vesting.  The unrecognised grant date fair value is recognised 
in profit or loss in the year that the options are cancelled or 
settled.  Where the terms of the options are modified and 
the modification increases the fair value or number of equity 
instruments granted, measured immediately before and after 
the modification, the incremental fair value is spread over the 
remaining vesting period.

Options over the Company’s shares granted to employees of 
subsidiaries are recognised as a capital contribution by the 
Company to the subsidiaries.

TAXATION 
Taxation expense includes the amount of current income tax 
payable and the charge for the year in respect of deferred 
taxation.

The income tax payable is based on an estimation of the 
amount due on the taxable profit for the year.  Taxable profit is 
different from profit before tax as reported in the statement of 
comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or 
expenditure which are not taxable or deductible in the year as a 
result of either the nature of the item or the fact that it is taxable 
or deductible in another year.  The Group’s liability for current 
tax is calculated by using tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Income tax credits for research and development activities are 
recognised on a cash basis or when their receipt is reasonably 
certain.

Deferred tax is accounted for on the basis of temporary 
differences arising from the differences between the tax base 
and accounting base of assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax is recognised for all taxable temporary differences, 
except to the extent where it arises from the initial recognition 
of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 

32 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

accounting policies

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

Deferred tax is charged or credited to the statement of 
comprehensive income, except when it relates to items charged 
or credited directly to equity, in which case it is dealt with within 
equity.  It is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply 
to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets purchased separately from a business are 
capitalised at their cost. 

Intellectual Property, Customer Relationships and Patents
The Group makes an assessment of the fair value of intangible 
assets arising on acquisitions. These include Intellectual 
Property, Customer Relationships and Patents.  An intangible 
asset will be recognised as long as the asset is identifiable and 
its fair value can be measured reliably.  An intangible asset 
is identifiable if it is separable or if it was obtained through 
contractual or legal rights.  Amortisation is provided on the fair 
value of the asset and is calculated on a straight line basis 
over its useful life.  The useful life for Intellectual Property, 
Customer Relationships and Patents is five years.  Amortisation 
is recognised within the statement of comprehensive income.       
All intangible assets except Goodwill are amortised.

Goodwill
Goodwill on acquisitions, being the excess of the fair value of the 
cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in the fair value of 
the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, is capitalised and 
tested for impairment on an annual basis.  

Any impairment is recognised immediately in profit or loss and 
is not subsequently reversed.  For the purpose of impairment 
testing goodwill is allocated to cash generating units of Instem 
plc, which represent the smallest identifiable group of assets that 
generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash 
inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Computer Software
Computer software is carried at cost less accumulated 
amortisation and any impairment loss.  Externally acquired 
computer software and software licences are capitalised and 
amortised on a straight line basis over their useful economic lives 
of 3 years.  Costs relating to development of computer software 
for internal use are capitalised once the recognition criteria of IAS 
38 “Intangible Assets” are met.  When the software is available 
for its use, these costs are amortised over the estimated useful 
life of the software.

Internally generated intangible assets 
Expenditure on research activities is recognised in the statement 
of comprehensive income as incurred.

Expenditure arising from the Group’s development of software 
for sale to third parties is recognised only if all of the following 
conditions are met:

• 

• 

• 

the Group has the intention to complete the asset and the 
ability and intention to use or sell it;
the product or process is technically and commercially 
feasible; and 
sufficient resources are available to complete the 
development and to either sell or use the asset.

Where these criteria have not been achieved, development 
expenditure is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it 
is incurred.

Internally-generated intangible assets are amortised, once the 
product is available for use, on a straight-line basis over their 
useful lives (five to eight years).

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT 
Property, plant and equipment are stated in the statement of 
financial position at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
provision for impairments.

Depreciation is provided on all assets so as to write off the cost 
less estimated residual value on a straight line basis as follows:

Short leasehold property 
IT Hardware and Software 

-     Over term of lease 
-     12½% - 33% per annum 

Depreciation is recognised within operating expenses.

The expected useful lives and residual values of property, 
plant and equipment are reviewed on an annual basis and, 
if necessary, changes in useful lives are accounted for 
prospectively.  

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset 
is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds 
and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the 
statement of comprehensive income.

IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL
The carrying value of property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets (excluding goodwill) is reviewed for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the 
carrying value may not be recoverable.  

At each reporting date the Group reviews the carrying value of its 
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets to determine 
whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered 
an impairment loss.  If any such indication exists the recoverable 
amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent 
of the impairment loss.

Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are 
independent from other assets the Group estimates the 
recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the 
asset belongs.  A cash generating unit is the smallest identifiable 
group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely 
independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of 
assets.

• 
• 

• 

an asset is created that can be identified;
it is probable that the asset created will generate future 
economic benefits; 
the development cost of the asset can be measured 
reliably;

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell 
and value in use.  In assessing value in use the estimated future 
cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax 
discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the 
time value of money and the risks specific to the asset, for which 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      33

accounting policies

the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.  

income.  

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than 
its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced 
to its recoverable amount.  An impairment loss is recognised as 
an expense immediately.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying 
amount of the assets is increased to the revised estimate of 
its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying 
amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have 
been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for 
the asset in prior years.  A reversal of an impairment loss is 
recognised in profit or loss immediately.

INVENTORY 
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.  
Inventory includes billable employee expenses.  These are 
stated at the lower of amortised cost and net realisable value.

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 after deducting all 
of its liabilities.

Bank borrowings and loan notes
Interest-bearing loan notes and bank overdrafts are recorded 
initially at their fair value, net of direct transaction costs. 
Such instruments are subsequently carried at their amortised 
cost and finance charges are recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income over the term of the instrument using an 
effective rate of interest.  Finance charges are accounted for on 
an accruals basis to the statement of comprehensive income.  
Overdrafts are offset against cash and cash equivalents when 
the Group has a legal right of off-set.

Provision is made where necessary for obsolete and slow 
moving inventory.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are initially 
recognised at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Classification of financial instruments 
Financial instruments are classified as financial assets, financial 
liabilities or equity instruments.

Ordinary share capital
For ordinary share capital, the par value is recognised in share 
capital and the premium in the share premium reserve.

Recognition and valuation of financial assets
Financial assets are initially recorded at their fair value net of 
transaction costs.  At each reporting date, the Group reviews 
the carrying value of its financial assets to determine whether 
there is objective evidence of an indication of impairment.  If any 
such indication exists the recoverable amount is estimated and 
any identified impairment loss is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are 
recorded at cost in the statement of financial position.  They 
are tested for impairment when there is objective evidence 
of impairment.  Any impairment losses are recognised in the 
statement of comprehensive income in the period they occur.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and cash 
deposits which are readily convertible to a known amount of 
cash.  For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and 
cash equivalents include bank overdrafts which are repayable 
on demand as these form an integral part of Group cash 
management.  

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are classified as loans and receivables and 
are initially recognised at fair value.  They are subsequently 
measured at their amortised cost using the effective interest 
method less any provision for impairment.  A provision for 
impairment is made where there is objective evidence that 
amounts will not be recovered in accordance with original terms 
of the agreement.  A provision for impairment is established when 
the carrying value of the receivable exceeds the present value 
of the future cash flows discounted using the original effective 
interest rate.  The carrying value of the receivable is reduced 
through the use of an impairment provision account and any 
impairment loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive 

Derivative financial instruments
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to foreign currency 
risk.  The Group uses forward contracts to hedge this exposure.  
The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for 
speculative purposes.

The Group does not adopt the hedge accounting provisions and 
as such, these derivatives are classified as financial instruments 
held for trading in accordance with IAS 39.  They are initially 
and subsequently measured at fair value with gains and losses 
recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS 
Defined contribution schemes
A defined contribution scheme is a pension plan under which 
the Group pays a fixed contribution to a scheme with an 
external provider.  The amount charged to the statement of 
comprehensive income in respect of pension costs and other 
post-retirement benefits is the total of contributions payable in the 
year.  Differences between contributions payable in the year and 
contributions actually paid are shown as either other payables 
or other receivables in the statement of financial position.  The 
Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions 
have been paid.

Defined benefit schemes
A defined benefit scheme is a pension plan under which the 
Group pays contributions in order to fund a defined amount of 
pension that the employees under the scheme will receive on 
retirement.  The cost of providing the benefits is determined 
using the projected unit credit method with actuarial valuations 
being carried out regularly. 

An asset or liability is recognised equal to the present value of 
the defined benefit obligation, adjusted for unrecognised past 
service costs and reduced by the fair value of plan assets.

34 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

accounting policies

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in the statement 
of other comprehensive income in the year in which they 
occur, whilst expected returns  on plan assets, servicing 
costs and financing costs are recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

The rate used to discount the benefit obligations is based on 
market yields for high quality corporate bonds with terms and 
currencies consistent with those of the benefit obligations.

IFRSs ADOPTED IN THE YEAR
The following IFRSs, IASs and IFRICs have been adopted for 
the first time in the year.  As expected their adoption has not had 
a material impact on these financial statements.

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ - effective 1 January 2014

IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated financial statements’ - effective 1 January 
2014

Changes made to IAS19 that came into force for accounting 
periods on or after 1 January 2013 are as follows:

IFRS 11 ‘Joint Arrangements’ - effective 1 January 2014

• 

The “finance cost” which was previously the difference 
between the interest on liabilities and expected return on 
assets is replaced by a “net interest cost”.  This means 
that the expected return on assets is effectively based 
on the discount rate with no allowance made for any 
outperformance expected from the Scheme’s asset holding.

• 

Actual administration expenses are required to be included 
in the Statement of Financial Position.

PROVISIONS
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
obligation as a result of a past event which it is probable will 
result in an outflow of economic benefits that can be reliably 
estimated.

IFRS 12 ‘Disclosure of interests in other entities’ - effective 1 
January 2014

IFRS 14 ‘Regulatory deferral accounts’ - effective 1 January 2014

IAS 27 ‘Separate financial statements’ (Amended) - effective 1 
January 2014

IAS 28 ‘Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures’ (Amended) - 
effective 1 January 2014

IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ - effective 1 January 
2014

IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’ - effective 1 January 2014

The time value of money is not expected to be material and 
therefore future outflows have not been discounted.

IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and measurement’ - 
effective 1 January 2014

IFRIC 21 ‘Levies’ - effective 1 January 2014

IFRIC 14 - IAS 19 The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, 
Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction was 
effective for accounting periods beginning after 1 January 
2008.  The directors have considered issues arising from this 
amendment to IAS 19 and feel that it is unlikely that the schedule 
of contributions agreed with the trustees of the LSS pension 
scheme will result in an IAS19 surplus in the scheme. 

ADOPTION OF IFRS
The Group and Company financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRS, IAS and International 
Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRICs) effective 
as at 31 December 2014.  The Group and Company have not 
chosen to adopt any amendments or revised standards early.

IFRSs ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE
The following IFRSs, IASs and IFRICs have been issued, are 
not yet effective, and have not been adopted by the Group or 
the Company in these financial statements.  The directors do not 
believe the adoption will have a material impact on the business.

IAS 1 ‘Presentation of financial statements’ - effective 1 January 
2016

IFRS10 ‘Consolidated financial statements’ - effective 1 January 
2016

IFRS 12 ‘Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities’ - effective 1 
January 2016

IAS 28 ‘Investments in associates’ - effective 1 January 2016

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’ - effective 1 
January 2017

IFRS9 ‘Financial Instruments’ - effective 1 January 2018

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      35

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

1.  Segmental Reporting

For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into one operating segment – Global Life Sciences.

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a 
reasonable basis. 

REVENUE

2013

£000

2,282

6,307

1,543

1,175

54

2014

£000

2,734

6,984

1,822

1,763

126

13,429

11,361

REVENUE

2014

£000

2,141

2,699

7,583

1,006

2013

£000

2,496

1,991

5,871

1,003

13,429

11,361

NON-CURRENT ASSETS EXCLUDING DEFERRED TAXATION

2014

£000

12,664

16

22

12,702

2013

£000

13,120

14

18

13,152

INFORMATION BY PRODUCT TYPE

Licence fees

Annual support fees

SaaS subscription fees

Professional services

Funded development initiatives

INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

United Kingdom

Rest of Europe

USA and Canada

Rest of World

INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

United Kingdom

USA and Canada

Rest of World

Major Customers

No customer represents more than 10% of Group revenue (2013: nil).

36 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

 
       
  
  
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

2.  Profit from Operations

Profit from operations includes the following significant items:

Depreciation and amounts written off property, plant and equipment:

 Charge for the year:

   Owned assets

Amortisation of intangible assets

Research and development costs

Operating lease rentals: 

Plant and machinery

Land and buildings

Amounts payable to Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP and their associates in 

respect of both audit and non-audit services:

Statutory audit of parent and consolidated financial information

Audit services:

Other services:

Audit of subsidiaries where such services are provided by Baker Tilly UK 

Audit LLP or its associates

Audit related assurance services

Taxation services - Compliance

Taxation services - Advisory

Corporate finance services

2014

£000

127

937

1,026

4

252

16

43

21

15

31

-

2013

£000

96

620

1,379

4

376

15

38

15

11

8

25

126

112

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      37

    
    
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

2.  Profit from Operations (continued)

The following table analyses the nature of expenses:

Staff costs (see note 5)

Depreciation (see note 11)

Operating lease rentals

Software maintenance charges

Licence costs 

2014

£000

7,536

127

256

374

188

Total cost of sales, distribution costs, administrative expenses and other 

operating expenses

11,699

Other expenses

3,218

2013

£000

6,235

96

380

333

110

2,531

9,685

Non-Recurring Costs

The non-recurring costs included a net charge of £0.06m relating to a trade dispute, net of insurance proceeds of £0.09m, and £0.07m 
of professional fees associated with the Perceptive Instruments acquisition in 2013.

38 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

3.  Finance Income

Bank interest

Foreign exchange gains

Bank loans and overdrafts

Unwinding discount

Net interest charge on pension scheme

Foreign exchange losses

2014

£000

9

-

9

2014

£000

65

46

152

96

359

2013

£000

61

84

145

2013

£000

9

63

135

-

207

4.  Finance Costs

5.  Employees

Average monthly number (including non-executive directors)

By role:

Directors, administration and supervision

Software design, sales and customer service

Employment costs:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

A charge of £0.1m (2013: £0.1m) arose in respect of share-based payment.

2014

Number

2013

Number

42

98

140

2014

£000

6,382

590

564

7,536

39

84

123

2013

£000

5,207

514

514

6,235

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      39

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

6.  Share-Based Payment

Equity-Settled Share Option Plan

Under the approved and unapproved option schemes, the Remuneration Committee can grant options to employees of the Group. 
Options are granted with a fixed exercise price at the date of grant. The contractual life is generally ten years from the date of grant. 
Options generally become exercisable after three years. Certain options issued to directors and senior employees carry market based 
performance conditions.   

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Number

807,839

Granted

-

Lapsed 

(7,507)

Outstanding at end of the year 

Exercisable at 31 December 

800,332

640,507

2014

2013

Weighted 

average exercise 

price (£)

1.71

-

2.22

1.71

1.86

Number

708,013

99,826

-

807,839

491,996

Weighted 

average exercise 

price (£)

1.82

0.90

-

1.71

1.75

The options outstanding at 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2013 had exercise prices of £0.900, £1.115, £1.750, £1.760, £2.215 
and £2.220 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6 years 4 months (2013: 7 years 4 months).

New options are valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and for performance conditions, the Binomial or Monte Carlo 
models.  The fair market value of option awards granted during the year has been estimated using the following key assumptions – note 
there were no options granted during 2014:

Average exercise price

Average market price

Average vesting period (years)

Expected volatility

Option life (years)

Expected life

Risk free rate

Expected dividend yield

Expected lapse rate

Fair value of options

2014

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

 n/a 

2013

£0.90

£1.35

3

17.7%

10

6

1.14%

0%

0%

£0.25

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of a comparable business, prior to the period when the 
Company’s shares were listed on the AIM market.  Volatility since listing has been calculated using the daily mid-market share price. The 
expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based upon the management’s best estimate for the effects of non-transferability, 
exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

Options over 556,599 shares (2013: 564,106 shares) incorporate a market performance condition based on the Company’s share price.

The fair value of options granted in the year is £nil  (2013: £0.02m).

Subsequent to the year end, on 11 February 2015 81,168 share options were granted to employees with an exercise price of £0.10 
each.

40 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

7.  Directors’ Emoluments

Amounts payable by Instem plc:

Emoluments

Amounts payable by subsidiary companies:

Emoluments

Money purchase pension contributions

Total emoluments

2014

£000

92

269

35

396

2013

£000

92

267

37

396

2014

Number

2013

Number

Number of directors to whom retirement benefits

are accruing under:

Defined contribution schemes

2

2

The highest paid director is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      41

                                                           
                                                           
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

8.  Taxation                 

Income taxes recognised in profit or loss

Current tax:

UK corporation tax on profits of the year

Foreign tax

Foreign tax in respect of previous years

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Adjustments in respect of R&D tax credit

Total current tax

Deferred tax:

Current year charge

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Retirement benefit obligation

Total deferred tax

Total income tax expense recognised in the current year

The income tax expense can be reconciled to the accounting profit as follows:

Profit before tax

Profit before tax multiplied by standard rate of 

corporation tax in the UK 21.5% (2013: 23.25%)

Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Fixed asset timing differences

Differences in overseas tax rates

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Tax losses utilised in respect of subsidiaries

Tax losses utilised/carried forward

Total income tax expense recognised in profit or loss

2014

£000

-

272

239

(171)

(92)

248

(30)

(103)

(53)

(186)

62

2014

£000

212

46

33

(9)

109

(35)

-

(82)

62

2013

£000

42

147

(227)

121

-

83

11

11

64

86

169

2013

£000

698

162

50

1

63

(95)

(15)

3

169

42 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

9. 

Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Software 

property 

Relationships

Patents

Group

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Intellectual 

Customer 

Cost

At 1 January 2013

6,356

1,486

Additions from continuing 

operations

Additions from  acquisitions in 

the period

-

3,031

407

-

At 31 December 2013

9,387

1,893

Additions from continuing 

operations

Additions from acquisitions in 

prior period

-

120

369

-

819

-

1,403

2,222

-

-

At 31 December 2014

9,507

2,262

2,222

Amounts written off 

At 1 January 2013

Amortisation expense

At 31 December 2013

Amortisation expense

At 31 December 2014

Net book value

-

-

-

-

-

546

226

772

297

301

303

604

445

1,069

1,049

At 31 December 2013

9,387

At 31 December 2014

9,507

1,121

1,193

1,618

1,173

325

-

632

957

-

-

957

119

87

206

191

397

751

560

21

-

-

21

-

-

21

7

4

11

4

15

10

6

Total

£000

9,007

407

5,066

14,480  

369

120

14,969

973

620

1,593

937

2,530

12,887

12,439

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortisation within Software includes internally generated and externally acquired 
elements.  The cost of internally generated software amounts to £2.3m (2013: £1.9m) with accumulated amortisation of £1.1m (2013: 
£0.8m). Software additions for the year include £312,000 relating to internal development (2013: £316,000).

The additions from acquisitions in prior period of £120,000 arose from deferred income in Perceptive Instruments Limited not previously 
recognised on initial acquisition. 

Impairment of goodwill

Goodwill amounting to £5.858m (2013: £5.858m) relates to a cash generating unit (CGU), being the Instem business acquired on the 
management buyout of Instem LSS Limited on 27 March 2002.  Goodwill amounting to £0.498m (2013: £0.498m), relates to a CGU, 
being the BioWisdom Limited (now Instem Scientific Limited) business acquired on 3 March 2011.  Goodwill amounting to £2.482m 
(2013: £2.482m), relates to a CGU, being the Logos Holdings Limited (now Instem Clinical Holding Limited) business acquired on 10 
May 2013.  Goodwill amounting to £0.669m (2013: £0.549m) relates to a CGU, being the Perceptive Instruments Limited business 
acquired on 21 November 2013.

During the period, goodwill was tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment of Assets”.  The recoverable amount of 
the CGU exceeded the carrying amounts of goodwill.  The recoverable amount for each of the CGU has been measured using a value-
in-use calculation and as such no impairment was deemed necessary.  

The key assumptions used, which are based on management’s past experience, for the value-in-use calculations are those regarding 
the discount rates, growth rates and direct costs during the period.  The value–in-use calculations are based on the future cash 
flows from approved forecasts for two years which have been extrapolated to cover a period of five years, and then a terminal value 
calculated using the Gordon Growth Model, to take account of the software development cycle and the high percentage of recurring 
revenues from the customer base. At 31 December 2014 a pre-tax discount rate of 11.1% (2013: 13.0%) was used in the value-in-use 
calculation based on the Group’s cost of capital.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      43

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

9. 

Intangible Assets (continued)

Projected cash flows were based on detailed profit and cashflow projections through to 2015 with a 2.5% assumption of growth beyond 
2015.  The projections were based on reasonable assumptions in respect of business growth rates, payroll and other cost increases and 
related cashflow impacts.  No indication of impairment was found when assumptions of growth of 2.5% beyond 2015  were used.

The recoverable amount of the Instem CGU exceeds the carrying amount of this CGU by 168%, for the Instem Scientific CGU by 580%, 
for Instem Clinical CGU by 117% and, Perceptive Instruments CGU by 152%. The directors consider the discount rate and revenues to 
be the most sensitive assumptions used in the impairment reviews.  An increase in the discount rate of 36%, or a reduction in certain 
revenues of in excess of 5%, would result in the recoverable amount of the Instem CGU being equal to its carrying amount. An increase 
of 68% in the Instem Scientific discount rate, or a reduction in revenues of 20% would result in the recoverable amount of the CGU 
being equal to its carrying amount. An increase of 36% in the Instem Clinical discount rate, or a reduction in revenues of 16% would 
result in the recoverable amount of the CGU being equal to its carrying amount. An increase of 28% in the Perceptive Instruments 
discount rate, or a reduction in revenues of 25% would result in the recoverable amount of the CGU being equal to its carrying amount. 

Amortisation expenses are disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

10.  Investments

Company

Cost at beginning of year

Additions

At end of year

£000

23,024

108

23,132

The company has four wholly-owned subsidiaries and ten wholly-owned sub-subsidiaries, details of which are as follows:

Company

Activity

Ownership

Instem Life Science Systems Limited 

(company number 04339129)

Holding Company

100% by Instem plc

England and Wales

Instem LSS Limited 

(company number 03548215)

England and Wales

Instem LSS (North America) Limited 

Software development, sales, sales support and 

administrative support

(company number 02126697)

Sales, sales support and administrative support

England and Wales

Instem LSS (Asia) Limited 

(company number 1371107)

Hong Kong

Holding Company

Instem Information Systems (Shanghai) Limited

(company number 310115400257075)

Sales, sales support and service

100% by Instem Life 

Science Systems 

Limited

100% by Instem LSS 

Limited

100% by Instem LSS 

Limited

100% by Instem LSS 
(Asia) Limited

Leading provider of software solutions for 

extracting intelligence from R&D related 

100% by Instem plc

healthcare data

Dormant

Leading provider of software solutions for 

extracting intelligence from R&D related 
healthcare data

100% by Instem 

Scientific Limited

100% by Instem 

Scientific Limited

Shanghai, PRC

Instem Scientific Limited 

(company number 03861669)

England and Wales

Instem Scientific Solutions Limited 

(company number 03598020)

England and Wales

Instem Scientific Inc.

USA

44 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

10.  Investments (continued)

Company

Activity

Instem India Pvt Limited

(company number U73100MH2012FTC231951)

Software development

India

Instem Clinical Holdings Limited

(company number 05840032)

England and Wales

Instem Clinical Limited

(company number 06959053)

England and Wales

Instem Clinical Inc.

USA

Logos Technologies Limited

(company number 05836842)

England and Wales

Perceptive Instruments Limited

(company number 02498351)

England and Wales

Ownership

99.9% by Instem LSS 

Limited

0.1% by Instem LSS 

(NA) Limited

100% by Instem plc

Holding of intellectual property

rights and investment in group

companies

Provision of electronic data capture and clinical 

100% by Instem 

management solutions to the pharmaceutical 

Clinical Holdings 

industry

Limited

Provision of electronic data capture and clinical 

100% by Instem 

management solutions to the pharmaceutical 

Clinical Holdings 

industry

Dormant

Limited

100% by Instem 

Clinical Holdings 

Limited

Development, manufacture and supply of 

software and hardware products for in vitro 

study data collection and study management 

100% by Instem plc

in the genetic toxicology, microbiology and 

immunology markets 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      45

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

11.  Property, Plant and Equipment

Short leasehold 

IT Hardware & 

property

£000

Software

£000

Group

Cost 

At 1 January 2013

14

Additions

Disposals

Acquisitions through business combinations

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2013

Additions

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2014

Depreciation

At 1 January 2013

Reclassification

Depreciation expense

Disposal

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2013

Depreciation expense

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2014

Net book value

At 31 December 2013

At 31 December 2014

-

-

-

-

14

60

-

74

(8)

12

4

-

-

8

17

1

26

6

48

1,650

171

(1)

5

(4)

1,821

64

4

1,889

1,485

(12)

92

(1)

(2)

1,562

110

2

1,674

259

215

Total

£000

1,664

171

(1)

5

(4)

1,835

124

4

1,963

1,477

-

96

(1)

(2)

1,570

127

3

1,700

265

263

46 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

12.  Inventories

Group

Raw materials

Work in progress

Total gross inventories

13. Trade and Other Receivables

Group

Trade receivables

Amounts recoverable on contracts

Prepayments and accrued income

Company

Amounts owed by group companies

Other receivables   

2014

£000

21

485

506

2014

£000

506

2014

£000

2,705

1,257

470

4,432

2,214

17

2,231

2013

£000

17

290

307

2013

£000

307

2013

£000

1,990

425

493

2,908

1,225

18

1,243

A provision for impairment is made where there is objective evidence of impairment which is usually indicated by a delay in the expected 
cash flows or non-payment from customers.  

An analysis of the provision for impairment of receivables is as follows:

Group

At beginning of year

Charge/(credit) for the year

At end of year

2014

£000

-

23

23

2013

£000

4

(4)

-

The average credit period taken on sale is 38 days (2013: 31 days). No interest is charged on overdue receivables.

Before accepting any new significant customer, the Group obtains relevant credit references to assess the potential customer’s credit 
quality. Credit limits are defined by customer.

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      47

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

13. Trade and Other Receivables (continued)

The age profile of the net trade receivables for the Group at the year-end was as follows:

Group

2013

Current

0-30 

days

31-60 

days

Over 60 

days

Total

Debt age

Trade receivables/Amounts recoverable 

on contracts

Value (£000)

%

1,619

67

488

20

94

4

214

9

2,415

100

Group

2014

Current

0-30 

days

31-60 

days

Over 60 

days

Total

Debt age

Trade receivables/Amounts recoverable 

on contracts

Value (£000)

%

3,359

85

470

12

45

1

88

2

3,962

100

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

An analysis of trade and other receivables by currency is as follows:

Group

Sterling

Euro

US Dollar

Renminbi

Other

2014

£000

1,713

341

2,162

202

14

4,432

2013

£000

1,083

67

1,598

156

4

2,908

48 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

14.  Cash and Cash Equivalents

Group

Cash at bank

Bank overdraft 

Company

Cash at bank

2014

£000

10,674

(8,998)

1,676

97

2013

£000

11,051

(8,998)

2,053

277

The Group’s committed overdraft facility has a net limit of £2,000,000 and a gross limit of £9,000,000.  Interest is charged on the bank 
overdraft at 2.75% above base rate.  The bank overdraft is secured by fixed and floating charges over certain of the Group’s assets.  
The bank facility is reviewed in April each year.

There is a debenture in favour of National Westminster Bank Plc, dated 13 April 2011, secured over the assets of the group by way of 
fixed and floating charges, in respect of the Group’s overdraft facility.

An analysis of cash and cash equivalents by currency is as follows:

Group

Sterling

Euro

US Dollar

Renminbi

Other

Company

Sterling

The carrying amount of these assets approximates to their fair value. 

15.  Trade and Other Payables

Group - Current

Trade payables

Other taxation and social security costs

Accruals

Deferred income

Company - Current

Trade payables

Amounts owed to group companies

Accruals

2014

£000

(367)

153

1,035

842

13

1,676

97

2014

£000

416

203

745

6,811

8,175

16

2,270

36

2,322

2013

£000

601

82

733

619

18

2,053

277

2013

£000

525

192

743

5,776

7,236

80

1,080

104

1,264

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      49

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

15. Trade and Other Payables (continued)

An analysis of trade and other payables by currency is as follows:

Group

Sterling

US Dollar

Renminbi

Other

Company

Sterling

2014

£000

3,762

4,099

314

-

8,175

2,322

2013

£000

3,500

3,531

202

3

7,236

1,264

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to fair value due to their short maturities.  

16.  Current Taxation

The Group current tax payable of £231,000 (2013: £7,000) represents the amount of income taxes payable in respect of current and 
prior years. 

The Company current tax payable of £nil (2013: £120,000) represents the amount of income taxes payable in respect of current and 
prior years. 

17.  Financial Liabilities

Group and Company

2013

Total

£000

Less than 

One to 

More than 

one year

two years

two years

£000

£000

£000

Deferred consideration

3,086

1,250

980

856

2014

Total

£000

Deferred consideration

1,881

Loan note 

303

2,184

Less than 

One to 

More than 

one year

two years

two years

£000

1,600

303

1,903

£000

£000

281

-

281

-

-

-

Deferred Consideration

The deferred consideration relates to the acquisitions of Instem Clinical Holdings Limited and Perceptive Instruments Limited. 
The directors believe that the carrying value of the deferred consideration for Perceptive Instruments approximates to the fair 
value and that the carrying value of the deferred consideration for Instem Clinical Holdings Limited has been discounted by an 
appropriate rate to take account of the time to maturity.

The range of the possible amount of deferred consideration payable is between nil and £3.5m with the amount provided as 
£1,881,000 as shown above.

50 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

17.  Financial Liabilities (continued)

Loan Note

A Loan Note amounting to £298,000 was issued during the year as part of the deferred consideration payable. The 6-month Note 
accrued interest at 4% and the total due of £303,000, including interest, was paid in full in January 2015.

18. Financial Instruments

All financial instruments held by the Group, as detailed in this note, are classified as “Loans and Receivables” (trade and other 
receivables, excluding prepayments, and cash and cash equivalents), “Financial Liabilities Measured at Amortised Cost” (trade and 
other payables, excluding statutory liabilities, and financial liabilities) and “Fair value through profit and loss” (other financial liabilities 
which reflect derivative contracts) under IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Market risk includes 
interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk and price risk. The main financial risks managed by the Group, under policies approved by 
the Board, are interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. 

The Group has in place risk management policies that seek to limit the adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group by 
using various instruments and techniques.  Derivative financial instruments are only used to hedge exposures arising in respect of 
underlying business requirements and not for any speculative purpose.  

Foreign exchange risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign currency risk on transactions denominated in a currency other than the 
functional currency and on the translation of the statement of financial position and statement of comprehensive income of foreign 
operations into sterling.  The currencies giving rise to this risk are primarily US dollars.  The Group has both cash inflows and outflows in 
this currency that create a natural hedge.  

In managing currency risks the Group aims to reduce the impact of short-term fluctuations on the Group’s cash inflows and outflows in a 
foreign currency.  The Group also hedges any material foreign currency transaction exposure.  During the year the Group entered into a 
US dollar hedging arrangement with a fixed forward contract which expired prior to the reporting date. 

Over the longer term, changes in foreign exchange could have an impact on consolidation of foreign subsidiaries earnings.  The 
assumption in 2014 was based on a forecast that the US dollar to sterling rate would be 1.60.  A 10% decrease in the value of Sterling 
against the US dollar would result in an increase in the Group’s profit before tax by approximately £0.1m.

Interest rate risk 

The Group operates an interest rate policy designed to minimise interest costs and reduce volatility in reported earnings.

The Group’s bank facility does not allow the US Dollar cash balances to generate interest therefore the Group transfers funds from the 
US dollar account into the sterling account.  Currency swaps have been utilised to maximise the interest gains whilst minimising foreign 
exchange risks.

As at 31 December 2014 indications are that the UK bank base interest rate will not materially differ from 0.5% over the next 12 months.  
On the basis of the floating net cash position at 31 December 2014 and assuming no other changes occur (such as changes in currency 
exchange rates) and that no further interest rate management action is taken, the stable interest rates will not have an impact on net 
interest income/(expense). 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      51

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

18. Financial Instruments (continued)

2013

Group

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

2014

Group

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Loan note

2013

Company

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

-

-

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

-

(303)

(303)

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

-

-

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

-

2,053

-

-

2,053

bearing

£000

2,415

-

(1,268)

(3,086)

(1,939)

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

-

1,676

-

-

-

1,676

bearing

£000

3,962

-

(1,161)

(1,881)

-

920

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

-

277

-

-

277

bearing

£000

1,243

-

(1,264)

(3,086)

(3,107)

Total

£000

2,415

2,053

(1,268)

(3,086)

114

Total

£000

3,962

1,676

(1,161)

(1,881)

(303)

(2,293)

Total

£000

1,243

277

(1,264)

(3,086)

(2,830)

52 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

18. Financial Instruments (continued)

2014

Company

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Deferred consideration

Loan note

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

-

(303)

(303)

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

bearing

£000

-

97

-

-

-

97

2,231

-

(2,322)

(1,881)

-

(1,972)

Total

£000

2,231

97

(2,322)

(1,881)

(303)

(2,178)

Credit risk

Management aims to minimise the risk of credit losses.

The Group’s financial assets are bank balances and cash and trade and other receivables, which represent the Group’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables and the Group has policies in place to ensure that sales of 
products and services are made to customers with appropriate creditworthiness. 

The amounts presented in the statement of financial position are net of impairment provisions, estimated by the Group’s management 
based on prior experience and their assessment of the present value of estimated future cash flows. An allowance for impairment is 
made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the 
cash flows. 

The Group generates external revenue from no customers which individually amount to more than 10% of the Group revenue (2013: 
nil).  

The Group’s exposure to losses from defaults on trade receivables is reduced due to contractual terms which require installation, 
training, annual licensing and support fees to be invoiced and paid annually in advance.   

Note 13 sets out the impairment provision for credit losses on trade receivables and the ageing analysis of overdue trade receivables.  
There were no impairment losses recognised on other financial assets.

Liquidity risk 

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

The Group’s objective is to ensure that adequate facilities are available through use of bank overdrafts and finance leases.  The Group 
manages liquidity risk through regular cash flow forecasting and monitoring of cash flows, management review and regular review of 
working capital and costs.

The Group regularly monitors its available headroom under its borrowing facilities.  At 31 December 2014, its £2.0m committed bank 
facility was drawn down by £0.4m, with £1.6m available (2013: £2.0m available).

In respect of the Group’s interest-bearing financial liabilities, the table in note 18 includes details at the reporting date of the periods in 
which they mature.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      53

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

19.  Deferred Tax

Group

Deferred tax assets

 Amounts due to be recovered within 12 months

 Amounts due to be recovered after 12 months

Total deferred tax

2014

£000

-

574

574

The movement in the period in the Group’s net deferred tax position was as follows:

2014

2013

£000

124

(124)

-

At beginning of the year

Charge to income for the year

Actuarial losses

Tax losses

Accelerated tax depreciation

Net credit/(charge) to equity

Adjustments in respect of prior years

At end of the year

£000

388

83

-

103

574

£000

30

158

(446)

2013

£000

-

388

388

£000

732

(75)

(258)

(11)

388

The movements on deferred taxation for the year ended 31 December 2013 includes balances which arose from acquisitions made in 
that period.

The following are the major deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised by the Group and the movements thereon during the year:

Accelerated 

tax 

Retirement 

benefit 

Other 

timing 

depreciation

Tax losses

obligations

differences

Deferred tax asset/(liability)

At 1 January 2013

Credit/(charge) to profit or loss for the year

(Charge)/credit to equity for the year

Adjustments in respect of prior years

At 31 December 2013

Credit/(charge) to profit or loss for the year

(Charge)/credit to equity for the year

Adjustments in respect of prior years

£000

(358)

127

(446)

(9)

(686)

58

-

(73)

At 31 December 2014

(701)

£000

345

(143)

158

-

360

76

(124)

172

484

£000

£000

735

(64)

30

-

701

(53)

124

4

776

10

5

-

(2)

13

2

-

-

15

Total

£000

732

(75)

(258)

(11)

388

83

-

103

574

Management have recognised deferred tax assets in relation to tax losses based on forecast profitability of the Group companies 
concerned.

Unrecognised tax losses not included at 31 December 2014 were £4,808,000 (2013: £4,883,000) due to uncertainty over the timing of 

the recoverability of these losses.

54 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations

The Group has four active defined contribution schemes and a closed defined benefit scheme:

Defined contribution pension schemes

Group Personal Pension Plan - the scheme was created on 31 December 2008.  The Scheme is a contributory money purchase 
scheme with the employer matching employee contributions to a maximum of 5%.  The employer also contributes to the Scheme for 
former members of Instem LSS Pension Scheme at rates varying from 5% to 18%.  Employer contributions for the year ended 31 
December 2014 were £0.47m  (2013: £0.40m).

Contracted In Money Purchase Scheme (CIMP) - the scheme was created on 31 December 2008.  The Scheme is a non-contributory 
scheme created for former members of the Instem LSS Pension Scheme who are US residents.  Employer contributions for the year 
ended 31 December 2014 were £0.03m (2013: £0.03m).

Instem LSS (North America) Limited 401k Plan - the scheme was created for the benefit of employees of Instem LSS (North America) 
Limited in the USA.  The Scheme is a contributory money purchase scheme with the employer matching contributions to the scheme to 
a maximum of 4.8%.  Employer contributions for the year ended 31 December 2014 were £0.07m (2013: £0.09m).

BioWisdom GPP Scheme - the scheme is a Group Personal Pension arrangement with Winterthur Life (now part of Friends Life) and 
was set up in 2001.  Employee members must contribute at least 3% of basic salary and the employer contributes up to a maximum of 
6%.  Employer contributions for the year ended 31 December 2014 were £0.02m (2013: £0.03m).

Perceptive Instruments Limited - the Group makes contributions to personal pension arrangements of certain employees. During the 
year ended 31 December 2014, employer contributions to these arrangements totalled £0.02m (2013: nil).

Defined benefit pension scheme

The Group also operates a pension scheme providing benefits based on final pensionable pay.  This scheme was closed to new 
members with effect from 8 October 2001 and the rate of future benefit accrual reduced from 1/60th of final pensionable pay per year of 
service to 1/80th with effect from 6 April 2003.  The scheme closed to future accrual on 31 December 2008.  

The Scheme is subject to the Statutory Funding Objective under the Pensions Act 2004. A valuation of the Scheme is carried out at least 
once every three years to determine whether the Statutory Funding Objective is met. As part of the process, the Group must agree with 
the Trustees of the Scheme the contributions to be paid to address any shortfall against the Statutory Funding. The Statutory Funding 
Objective does not currently impact on the recognition of the Scheme in the accounts.  The scheme is in deficit and no contributions 
payable under a minimum funding requirement are considered potentially refundable or utilisable as a reduction of future contributions.  
IFRIC interpretation 14 is deemed to be not applicable to the Group.

The Scheme is managed by a Board of Trustees appointed in part by the Group and part from elections by members of the Scheme. 
The Trustees have responsibility for obtaining valuations of the Scheme, administering benefit payments and investing the Scheme 
assets. The Trustees delegate some of these functions to their professional advisers where appropriate.

The Scheme exposes the Group to a number of risks:

• 

• 

• 

Investment risk. The Scheme holds investments in asset classes, such as equities, which have volatile market values and while 
these assets are expected to provide the real returns over the long-term the short-term volatility can cause additional funding to be 
required if deficit emerges.

Interest rate risk. The Scheme’s liabilities are assessed using market yields on high quality corporate bands to discount the 
liabilities. As the Scheme holds assets such as equities the value of the assets and liabilities may not move in the same way.

Inflation risk.  A significant proportion of the benefits under the Scheme are linked to inflation. Although the Scheme’s assets 
are expected to provide a good hedge against inflation over the long-term, movements over the short-term could lead to deficits 
emerging.

•  Mortality risk. In the event that members live longer than assumed a deficit will emerge in the Scheme.

There were no plan amendments, curtailments or settlements during the period.

The latest full actuarial valuation was carried out at 5 April 2011 and was updated to 31 December 2014 by a qualified independent 
actuary.  

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      55

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

The following schedule of contributions was prepared by the Trustees of the Instem LSS Pension Scheme (‘the Scheme’) after obtaining 
the advice of the Scheme Actuary appointed by the Trustees and was intended to clear the deficit in the Scheme  at the time it was 
agreed in July 2012:

Period ended

31 March 2015

31 March 2016

31 March 2017

31 March 2018

31 March 2019

31 March 2020

15 October 2020

Monthly payment (payable in each month 

Balancing payment due before period end 

except the final month in each period) £’000

£’000

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

247

262

277

292

308

325

206

The employer pays the Pension Protection Fund levy each year in respect of the scheme.  It is intended that all other expenses 
associated with the running of the Scheme will be met from the Scheme’s assets.

Changes made to IAS19 that came into force for accounting periods on or after 1 January 2013 were as follows:

• 

The “finance cost” which was previously the difference between the interest on liabilities and expected return on assets is replaced 
by a “net interest cost”.  This means that the expected return on assets is effectively based on the discount rate with no allowance 
made for any outperformance expected from the Scheme’s asset holding.

• 

Actual administration expenses are required to be included in the Statement of Financial Position.

The expected return  on plan assets was determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying the current 
investment portfolio.  Expected yields on bonds are based on gross redemption yields at the reporting date whilst the expected returns 
on the equity and property investments reflect the long-term real rates of return experienced in the respective markets.  

56 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

Discount rate

Inflation

Rate of increase in salaries

Rate of increase in pensions in payment

Rate of increase in pensions in deferment

2014

%

3.8

3.1

N/A

2.8

3.1

Life Expectancy assumption (number of years from the age of 65)

Years

Male currently aged 45

Female currently aged 45

Male currently aged 65

Female currently aged 65

ANALYSIS OF AMOUNT CHARGED TO OPERATING EXPENSES

Current service cost

Past service cost

Total operating charge

ANALYSIS OF AMOUNT CHARGED TO FINANCE COSTS

Interest on pension scheme assets

Interest on pension scheme liabilities

Net finance charge

ANALYSIS OF AMOUNT RECOGNISED IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE

Losses/(Gains) on pension scheme assets in excess of interest

Experience losses arising on scheme liabilities

(Gains)/losses from changes to demographic assumptions 

Losses from changes to financial assumptions

Actuarial loss recognised in other comprehensive expense

24.7

25.8

23.4

24.3

2014
£000

-

-

-

2014

£000

327

(479)

(152)

2014

£000

7

138

(163)

639

621

2013

%

4.6

3.5

N/A

3.5

3.5

Years

25.0

26.3

23.7

24.8

2013

£000

-

-

-

2013

£000

273

(408)

(135)

2013

£000

(612)

-

279

920

587

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      57

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

CHANGES IN THE PRESENT VALUE OF THE DEFINED 

BENEFIT OBLIGATION

Opening defined benefit obligation

Interest cost

Benefits paid

Experience loss on defined benefit obligation

Changes to demographic assumptions

Changes to financial assumptions

2014

£000

10,529

479

(217)

138

(163)

639

2013

£000

9,200

408

(278)

-

279

920

Closing defined benefit obligation

11,405

10,529

CHANGES IN THE FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS

Opening plan assets

Expected return

Return on plan assets less interest

Contributions by employer

Benefits paid

Closing plan assets

The actual return on plan assets was a positive return of £320,000 (2013: £885,000)

AMOUNT RECOGNISED IN THE CONSOLIDATED 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

2014

£000

7,023

327

(7)

398

(217)

7,524

2014

£000

2013

£000

6,004

273

612

412

(278)

7,023

2013

£000

Present value of funded obligations

(11,405)

(10,529)

Fair value of plan assets

Deficit

Related deferred tax asset

Net pension liability

RECONCILIATION OF NET DEFINED BENEFIT LIABILITY

Opening net defined benefit liability

Net interest expense

Remeasurements

Contributions by employer

Closing net defined benefit liability

58 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

7,524

(3,881)

776

(3,105)

2014

£000

3,506

152

621

(398)

3,881

7,023

(3,506)

701

(2,805)

2013

£000

3,196

135

587

(412)

3,506

       
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

ANALYSIS OF CUMULATIVE AMOUNT RECOGNISED IN 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE

Actual return less expected return on pension scheme 

assets

Experience gains and losses arising on scheme liabilities

Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of 

the scheme liabilities

Cumulative

Cumulative

2014

£000

246

(1,811)

(2,239)

2013

£000

253

(1,673)

(1,763)

Cumulative actuarial loss recognised in other 

comprehensive expense

(3,804)

(3,183)

MAJOR CATEGORIES OF PLAN ASSETS AS A PERCENTAGE OF FAIR VALUE OF TOTAL PLAN ASSETS

2014

2013

Equities

Property

Bonds

Corporate Bonds

Cash

Other

£000

5,376

185

680

682

516

85

%

72

2

9

9

7

1

£000

4,986

211

632

632

492

70

%

71

3

9

9

7

1

7,524

100

7,023

100

The five year history of experience adjustments is as follows:

2014

£000

2013

£000

2012

£000

2011

£000

2010

£000

Present value of defined 

benefit obligation

(11,405)

(10,529)

(9,200)

(6,946)

(6,956)

Fair value of plan assets

7,524

7,023

6,004

5,330

5,479

Deficit

(3,881)

(3,506)

(3,196)

(1,616)

(1,477)

Experience adjustments on 

plan liabilities

Experience adjustments on 

plan assets

(138)

(7)

-

612

(763)

-

172

(480)

(77)

235

The Group expects to contribute £0.4m to its defined benefit plans in the next financial year (2013: £0.4m).

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      59

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

The following sensitivities apply to the value placed on the liabilities:

Adjustments to assumptions

Approximate effect on

Liabilities

£000

DISCOUNT RATE

Plus 0.50% pa

Minus 0.50%

INFLATION

Plus 0.50%

Minus 0.50%

LIFE EXPECTANCY

Plus 1 year

Minus 1 year

PENSION INCREASES

Plus 0.50% pa

Minus 0.50%

(1,039)

1,192

416

(380)

315

(321)

580

(321)

21.  Share Capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid

At 1 January

11,764,658 ordinary shares of 10p each (2013: 11,764,658)

447,602 (2013:Nil) ordinary shares of 10p each, issued during the year

At 31 December

2014

£000

1,176

45

1,221

2013

£000

1,176

-

1,176

447,602 shares were issued in 2014 as part settlement of the deferred consideration payable relating to the acquisition of Instem 
Clinical Holdings Limited.

60 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

22. Earnings Per Share

Basic and Fully Diluted

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares in issue during the year.  Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted number of ordinary shares 
outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential shares arising from the share option scheme.  The dilutive impact of the share 
options is calculated by determining the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average 
market share price of the Company’s shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to the outstanding share 
options. 

Profit after 

tax (£000)

2014

Weighted 

average 

Earnings per 

Profit after tax 

2013

Weighted 

average 

Earnings per 

number of 

share  (pence)

(£000)

number of 

share  (pence)

shares (000’s)

shares (000’s)

Earnings per share-basic

Potentially dilutive shares

Earnings per share-diluted

150

-

150

12,063

155

12,218

1.2

-

1.2

529

-

529

11,765

15

11,780

4.5

-

4.5

Adjusted

Adjusted earnings per share is calculated after adjusting for the effect of foreign currency exchange on the revaluation of inter-company 
balances included in finance income/(costs), non-recurring items and amortisation of intangibles on acquisitions. Diluted adjusted 
earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive 
potential shares arising from the share option scheme.  The dilutive impact of the share options is calculated by determining the number 
of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average market share price of the Company’s shares) based 
on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to the outstanding share options. 

Adjusted 

profit after tax 

(£000)

2014

Weighted 

average 

Earnings per 

number of 

share  (pence)

shares (000’s)

Adjusted 

profit after tax 

(£000)

2013

Weighted 

average 

Earnings per 

number of 

share  (pence)

shares (000’s)

Earnings per share-basic

1,009

Potentially dilutive shares

-

Earnings per share-diluted

1,009

12,063

155

12,218

8.4

(0.1)

8.3

1,017

-

1,017

11,765

15

11,780

Reconciliation of adjusted profit after tax:

Reported profit after tax

Non-recurring costs/(income)

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Foreign exchange differences on revaluation of inter-company balances

Sundry income

2014

£000

150

123

640

96

-

8.6

-

8.6

2013

£000

529

200

394

(84)

(22)

1,009

1,017

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      61

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

23.  Capital and Reserves

Called up share capital

The share capital account includes the par value for all shares issued and outstanding.

Share premium account

The share premium account is used to record amounts received in excess of the nominal value of shares on issue of new shares less 
the costs of new share issues.

Translation reserve

The translation reserve incorporates the cumulative net exchange gains and losses recognised on the translation of subsidiary company 
financial information to the presentational currency of Sterling (£). 

Retained earnings

The retained earnings reserve includes the accumulated profits and losses arising from the consolidated ‘Statement of Comprehensive 
Income’ and certain items from ‘Other Comprehensive Income’ attributable to equity shareholders net of distributions to shareholders.

Merger reserve

The merger reserve represents the difference between the consideration payable at the date of acquisition, net of merger relief, and the 
share capital and share premium of Instem Life Science Systems Limited.

Shares to be issued

The shares to be issued reserve represents the shares to be issued under the share option scheme and shares contingently issuable on 
acquisitions.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Group’s main objective when managing capital is to protect returns to shareholders by ensuring the Group will continue to trade 
profitably in the foreseeable future.  The Group also aims to maximise the capital structure of debt and equity so as to minimise its cost 
of capital.

The Group manages its capital with regard to the risks inherent in the business and the sector within which it operates by monitoring its 
gearing ratio on a regular basis. 

The Group considers its capital to include share capital, share premium, translation reserve, retained earnings and net debt as noted 
below. 

Net debt includes short and long-term borrowings (including overdrafts, redeemable preference shares and lease obligations) net of 
cash and cash equivalents.  

The Group has not made any changes to its capital management during the year.

24.  Capital Commitments

There were no capital commitments at the end of the financial year (2013: £nil).

62 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

25. Operating Leases Payable

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as 

an expense in the year

At the reporting date, the Group has outstanding commitments 

under operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Land and buildings

  Within one year

  In the second to fifth year inclusive

  After five years

Plant and machinery

  Within one year

  In the second to fifth year inclusive

2014

£000

256

2014

£000

394

1,000

498

3

5

2013

£000

380

2013

£000

295

868

604

4

8

1,900

1,779

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for property leases and certain equipment.  Leases have varying 
terms and renewal rights.  The above leasing arrangements do not contain any restrictive covenants, contingent rents or purchase 
options.

The operating lease in relation to the head office buildings contains a dilapidation clause whereby Instem plc must make good any 
damage to the demised premises on expiration of the lease in November 2023.  The Directors estimate that the current liability is not 
material to warrant provision at the period end.

No operating leases are held by the Company.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      63

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

26.  Related Party Transactions

Transactions between Group companies have not been disclosed as these have all been eliminated in the preparation of the 
consolidated financial statements.  During the year the Company traded with subsidiary companies in its normal course of business.  
These transactions related to recharges and totalled in aggregate £0.51m  (2013: £0.73m).  The net intercompany balances due from 
the Company at the year-end totalled £0.01m (2013: £0.02m).

During the year the Company traded in its normal course of business with shareholders and consultancy businesses in which Directors 
have a material interest as follows:

Key management compensation:

2014

£000

2013

£000

Fees for services provided as Non-Executive Directors

Salaries and short term benefits

Post employment retirement benefits

Employers’ national insurance & social security costs

Share-based payment charge

68

-

7

-

75

Executive Directors

Salaries and short term benefits

269

Post employment retirement benefits

Employers’ national insurance & social security costs

Share-based payment charge

35

20

12

336

Other key management

Salaries and short term employee benefits

461

Post employment retirement benefits

Employers’ national insurance & social security costs

Share-based payment charge

26

44

8

539

86

-

9

-

95

267

37

20

38

362

414

25

38

36

513

The Company paid £0.05m (2013: £0.05m) to Instem Ventures Limited, a company owned by A Gare, a shareholder.  The balance 
outstanding at the end of the year was £nil (2013: £nil).

In addition the Company paid £0.02m (2013: £0.01m) to Noble Adamson Limited, a company owned by M McGoun, the independent 
non-executive director and a shareholder.  The balance outstanding at the end of the year was £0.002m (2013: £nil).

Key management are considered to be the Directors together with the Senior Managers of the business. 

27.  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements

Some asset and liability amounts reported in the financial information are based on management estimates and assumptions.  There 
is therefore a risk of significant changes to the carrying amounts for these assets and liabilities within the next financial year.  The 
estimates and assumptions are made on the basis of information and conditions that exist at the time of the valuation.

Fair value of assets acquired and calculation of contingent consideration

The amounts presented in the statement of financial position in respect of the fair values of assets acquired are estimated by the 
Group’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the present value of estimated future cash flows.  The key 
assumptions made in assessing fair values are in relation to intangible assets acquired, and these relate principally to the royalty rate 
applied to intellectual property rights (IPR), and the assessment of future revenues.

64 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2014

27.  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments (continued)

The contingent consideration provided in the financial statements is measured initially at its acquisition-date fair value and subsequently 
carried at its amortised cost.

Impairment

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of goodwill and investments.  The recoverable amount of the asset 
is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).  Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are 
independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. A 
key factor which could result in an impairment of goodwill or investments is lower than predicted revenue. Sensitivities around this factor 
and the discount rate are set out in note 9.

Other intangible assets – useful lives

Other intangible assets are amortised over their useful life, which has been estimated by management to be up to 8 years.

28.  Contingent Liabilities

Instem plc has provided a guarantee to its subsidiaries which have taken advantage of the exemption from audit.  Under this guarantee, 
the company has a contingent liability of £9.0m (2013:£9.0m).

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      65

NOTES

66 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

NOTES

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014      67

NOTES

68 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2014    

Directors and Advisors

DIRECTORS
D Gare (Non-Executive Chairman)
M F McGoun (Independent Non-Executive)
D M Sherwin (Non- Executive)
P J Reason
N J Goldsmith

AUDITOR
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP
Chartered Accountants
3 Hardman Street
Manchester 
M3 3HF

SECRETARY
N J Goldsmith

REGISTERED OFFICE
Diamond Way
Stone Business Park
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 0SD
Tel: +44 1785 825600
Fax: +44 1785 825633
www.instem.com

Company No: 07148099

BANKER
National Westminster Bank plc
1 Spinningfields Square
Manchester
M2 3AP

NOMINATED ADVISOR AND BROKER
Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP
One Bartholomew Lane
London 
EC2N 2AX

REGISTRARS
Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol 
BS13 8AE

SOLICITORS
Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
Trinity Court
16 John Dalton Street
Manchester
M60 8HS

Our clients include these fine organisations...

UK
Global Headquarters -
UK & European Operations
Diamond Way
Stone Business Park
Stone
Staffordshire, ST15 0SD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1785 825600

USA
North American Headquarters
Eight Tower Bridge
161 Washington Street
Suite 1550, 15th Floor
Conshohocken, PA 19428
United States
Tel: +1 (610) 941 0990

China
Asia-Pacific Headquarters
Room 205, Building 16
88 Darwin Road
Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, Pudong District
Shanghai
China, 201203
Tel: +86 (0) 21 5131 2080

The Group employs over 130 people in eight offices in the US, UK,

China and India; with a full service distributor in Japan.

e-mail
investors@instem.com

instem.com