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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc

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FY2020 Annual Report · Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc
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Unlocking 
Ultrasound

Annual Report  
and Accounts

2020

Intelligent Ultrasound is unlocking 
ultrasound for everyone by 
training clinicians in the classroom, 
and then supporting and guiding 
them in the clinic, with real-time AI 
based image analysis software

Training

Ultrasound

Our vision is to harness the power of 
the new generation of AI algorithms to 
make ultrasound simpler to use and 
easier to learn by providing guidance 
and support to medical professionals 
whilst they are scanning

Guiding

For Everyone

Supporting

A respectable performance, 
positioned for growth

Financial highlights
Group revenue

£5.2m

2020

2019: £5.9m

Operating loss 

£4.5m

2020

2019: £4.6m

Net cash used in operations

£2.3m

2020

2019: £3.3m

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Operational highlights
•   Launch of SonoLyst (incorporating ScanNav Assist AI technology) as an option 

on GE Healthcare’s Voluson SWIFT ultrasound machine at the end of 2020 

•   SonoLyst is the world’s first fully integrated AI tool that recognises the 20 views 

recommended by the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and 
Gynaecology (ISUOG) for mid-trimester fetal images

•   Commenced the CE and FDA regulatory approval process for ScanNav Anatomy 
Peripheral Nerve Block stand-alone device, with in-built AI software, that can be 
plugged into existing anaesthesiology ultrasound machines

•   Covid-19 module released on BodyWorks Eve simulator in March used to train 

frontline staff, especially in London (Nightingale Hospital) and New York 
(VA Harbor Healthcare)

Post year end
•   Reached the significant milestone of installing our 1000th ultrasound training 

simulator 

•   Received CE approval for ScanNav Anatomy Peripheral Nerve Block

Successful placing 
raising a net 

£4.8m

in May 2020

Cash at year end

£8.8m

2020

2019: 7.3m

Contents
Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Business Model and Strategy

4 - 5

Board of Directors

Chairman’s Statement

Chief Executive’s Review

Financial Review

Section 172 Statement

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Key Performance Indicators

Environmental, Social and Governance

Corporate Governance Report

Audit Committee Report

Remuneration Committee Report

Nomination Committee Report

Directors’ Report

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

6

8

15

17

20

24

25

27

30

36

38

42

43

45

Independent Auditor’s Report

46 

Group Statement of Profit and Loss and 

Other Comprehensive Income

Group and Company Statements 

of Financial Position

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

Group and Company Statements  

of Cash Flows

Notes to the Financial Statements

Corporate Directory

58

59

60

61

62

63

96

1

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
   
Our Business   

Intelligent Ultrasound aims to unlock ultrasound for everyone 
through the provision of products that train clinicians in the 
classroom and then support and guide them in the clinic with 
real-time artificial intelligence image analysis software. 

This Classroom to Clinic approach to transforming ultrasound 
imaging in medicine reflects the Group’s belief that by supporting, 
guiding and speeding up ultrasound training and scanning, we can 
make ultrasound more accessible to all medical professionals.

Our journey

£4m 
placing

£3m 
placing

£5m 
placing

£5m 
placing

£6m 

placing

£5m 

placing

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

IPO
Listed on AIM

Acquired IML
Heartworks 
simulator

Acquired IUL
AI from Oxford 
University

ScanNav
First AI trial in 
St George’s London

Anatomy PNB
First live 
clinical demos

GE

SonoSite

Anatomy PNB

Anatomy PNB

AI contract with 

GE Healthcare

Training 

partnership

Expanded to 

9 PNB blocks

CE and FDA filing 

submitted

ScanNav 

GE launch SonoLyst

2

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc
2020 Annual Report and Accounts 

Company Number 09028611

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611From 
Classroom…
Focussed on 
ultrasound 
education and 
training through 
simulation:

ScanTrainer 
A range of hi-fidelity haptic 
based ultrasound simulators 
aimed at the OBGYN training 
market

Anatomy PNB 
Trainer 
A new AI-based Peripheral 
Nerve Block training simulator 
aimed at the ultrasound 
guided needle training market

BodyWorks 
A hi-fidelity manikin-based 
ultrasound simulator aimed 
at the Point-of-Care (PoCUS) 
and Covid-19 training 
markets

HeartWorks 
A range of hi-fidelity  
manikin-based ultrasound 
simulators aimed at the 
cardiac/anaesthesiology 
training markets

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... to Clinic

Focussed on deep-
learning-based image 
analysis software  
that makes ultrasound 
machines smarter and 
more accessible

ScanNav Assist*
A range of AI-based 
ultrasound software products 
that provide real-time image 
analysis during protocol-
based scanning  
in the women’s health sector 
and are exclusively  
licensed to GE Healthcare 

*GE’s SonoLyst software integrates 
the ScanNav Assist technology and 
has received CE and FDA regulatory 
approval

ScanNav Anatomy**
AI based ultrasound software 
which can automatically 
identify and highlight key 
anatomical structures in a live 
ultrasound image

ScanNav Detect***
AI-based ultrasound 
software products which can 
automatically identify and 
highlight pathologies in a  
live ultrasound image

**ScanNav Anatomy PNB has 
received CE approval but has not 
yet received FDA approval for sale 
in the US

***  ScanNav Detect are products in 

development that will be licensed as 
medical devices and so will require  
regulatory approval prior to product 
launch

£4m 

placing

£3m 

placing

£5m 

placing

£5m 

placing

£6m 
placing

£5m 
placing

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

IPO

Listed on AIM

Acquired IML

Acquired IUL

Heartworks 

simulator

AI from Oxford 

University

ScanNav

First AI trial in 

St George’s London

Anatomy PNB

First live 

clinical demos

GE
AI contract with 
GE Healthcare

SonoSite
Training 
partnership

Anatomy PNB
Expanded to 
9 PNB blocks

Anatomy PNB
CE and FDA filing 
submitted

ScanNav 
GE launch SonoLyst

Company Number 09028611 

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc
2020 Annual Report and Accounts

3

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Business Model   

Invest in R&D to develop and then commercialise software-based 
disruptive technologies in the ultrasound healthcare market

Ultrasound is one of the world’s leading diagnostic 
modalities and, although the increasing availability of 
low-cost handheld devices is widening the professional 
ultrasound user base, the directors continue to believe 
that this alone is not sufficient to open up the potential for 
ultrasound to become a mass-market diagnostic tool that 
can be used by medical practitioners who do not possess 
specialist ultrasound skills. 

To achieve wider use, ultrasound needs to become 
simpler to use by making ultrasound machines ‘smarter’, 
supporting users both in their image acquisition skills and 
their decision-making. This will involve either integrating 

AI-based image analysis into professional imaging devices 
or analysing images using AI off the machine in the post 
processing environment such as PACS.

We therefore aim to be not only a global provider of 
hi-fidelity simulation-based ultrasound training products, 
but to also follow the medical professional into the clinic 
and be a global provider of AI-based clinical ultrasound 
software products that support, guide and speed up 
ultrasound scanning to make ultrasound more accessible to 
all clinicians.

We therefore aim to generate revenue from hardware and software-based technologies in the following markets:

Classroom

Clinic

Consumer

Develop and sell advanced ultrasound 
training simulators to hospitals and 
medical institutions, to enable more 
clinicians to use ultrasound in the clinic

Develop and sell regulatory approved 
AI-based image analysis algorithms 
and either sign royalty-based license 
agreements that integrate the software 
into imaging vendor’s hardware or sell 
proprietary add-on products through our 
own aftermarket sales channels

Develop and sell regulatory-approved 
AI-based image analysis apps that 
integrate the software into consumer 
scanning hardware in the home health 
awareness market.

Current markets

Potential future market

The business model builds on the key strengths and resources of the Group by leveraging our knowledge and experience 
in medical ultrasound, simulation, image segmentation, and machine learning to develop and sell classroom and clinical 
software that can increase the numbers of medical professionals who can use ultrasound, as well as increasing the speed 
and quality of scanning itself.

In the long term, as the price and size of ultrasound hardware comes down and the performance of AI-enabled software 
advances, the Group aims to expand out from the medical professional imaging market to providing enabling software for 
mass-market AI-based health assessment scanning at home for the health-conscious consumer.

4

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Business Model and Strategy 

Price

Highest

Products Launched

Products in  
Development

Global  
customers

Classroom  
Simulation

Clinical  
AI Software

Clinical  
AI Software

Lowest

Hospitals

Primary Healthcare 
Centers

Clinical  
AI Software

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Lowest

Consumers at home

AI Ultrasound  
Health Apps

Highest

Ultrasound Healthcare

Our strategic aims and how we intend to achieve them

TRAIN THROUGH SIMULATION

USE AI TO SPEED UP SCANNING

USE AI TO IMPROVE DIAGNOSIS

Strategic 
aims

To develop and sell a range of 
ultrasound training simulators that 
meet the needs of the global medical 
professional training and  
education market

To develop and sell a range of  
AI clinical ultrasound software tools that 
enable hospitals to scan more patients 
by speeding up scanning and helping 
more clinicians scan

To develop and sell a range of  
AI-based clinical ultrasound software 
tools that enable hospitals and imaging 
centres to improve ultrasound-based 
diagnosis

Focus on hi-fidelity  
ultrasound simulation

Build and maintain large, curated 
ultrasound image databases

Identify new markets for  
AI around pathology diagnosis

Aimed at clinical teaching schools 
where ultrasound scanning 
performance is important

Develop AI software that meets 
a medical need and has a viable 
commercial market

Develop AI software that identifies 
where potential pathologies can be 
picked up earlier during triaging

HOW

Extend simulator range into new 
ultrasound growth markets

Work with OEMs to integrate our software into their devices

Extend the market for our AI platform device in the retrofit market

Build on our clinical and simulation synergies to cement our position as the ultrasound experts in the market

5

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Chairman’s Statement   

  We remain an 
ambitious Group, 
that is successfully 
expanding into the 
new AI-based clinical 
market. 

Dear Shareholders,

2020 has been another year of progress for the 
Group, with the Clinical AI division announcing the 
successful launch of its ultrasound AI software in 
partnership with GE Healthcare, the global leader 
in women’s health ultrasound and the simulation 
division working extremely hard to minimise 
the negative impact of Covid-19 on 2020 sales 
revenue, with the launch of the BodyWork’s 
Covid-19 lung training simulator.

• 

 Sales in Europe and Asia, that are made through our 
reseller network, were impacted by global Covid-19 
restrictions and declined to £1.4m (2019: £2.6m).

Group:

• 

• 

 Operating loss was lower at £4.5m (2019: loss of £4.6m) 
with selling and marketing cost reductions helping to 
minimise the Covid-19 impact of lower revenues.

 Cash at bank at 31 December 2020 was £8.8m (2019: 
£7.3m) after receiving £4.8m net of costs in May 2020 
from the successful placing and open offer.

Clinical AI:

Strategy

• 

 GE Healthcare’s SonoLyst technology on the Voluson 
SWIFT ultrasound machine, that utilises our ScanNav 
Assist AI software, received CE approval for sale in Europe 
and 510(k) clearance from the FDA for sale in the USA 
at the end of 2020. SonoLyst is the world’s first fully 
integrated ultrasound AI tool that recognises the 20 views 
recommended by the International Society of Ultrasound 
in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG) mid-trimester 
practice guidelines for fetal imaging.

• 

 Our ScanNav Anatomy Peripheral Nerve Block (PNB) AI 
software was submitted for both CE and FDA approval 
during the year, with CE approval announced post year-
end on 12 April 2021.

Simulation:

• 

 Revenue of £5.2m (2019: £5.9m), the decline of 13% 
being mainly due to the impact of the global pandemic 
during the year in the territories where we do not have a 
direct sales organization.

• 

 Sales in the UK and USA grew by over 13% to £3.7m 
(2019: £3.3m).

We continue to progress our ‘Classroom to Clinic’ ultrasound 
strategy based on:

• 

• 

• 

 Growing simulation revenues from our direct UK and US 
operations and global reseller channels, by expanding 
our range of ultrasound training simulators into new 
medical market sectors; 

 Building on our partnership with GE Healthcare, that 
incorporates our ScanNav AI technology in their latest 
ultrasound systems, to grow clinical AI revenues 
through royalty-based licences with ultrasound machine 
manufacturers; and

 Marketing, through our direct sales organisation, 
proprietary stand-alone AI systems that target the large 
pool of existing ultrasound machines.

Three years on from our strategic ‘Classroom to Clinic’ 
expansion, we believe the successful progress of all parts of 
the business is reaffirming the wisdom of this decision and 
we look forward to continuing to build on this momentum.

6

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611  
  I would like to thank all 
the staff in the Group for 
working so hard in 2020 
to grow the simulation 
business and to meet all 
the development and 
commercial milestones 
that we set for the new 
AI software products. 

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Board and governance

People

The Board continues to recognise the importance of 
maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance 
and is fully aware that the Group is in transition from a typical 
founders and venture driven company to a more mature 
public entity.

At the end of 2019 we therefore appointed an external 
advisor to conduct a full review of our Board and its 
performance and also held meetings with a number of our 
major shareholders during 2020, to allow us to fully align the 
Group’s corporate governance with stakeholder expectations.

The key actions enacted from this review were:

• 

• 

• 

 The establishment of a Nomination Committee of 
the Board with the task to reconfigure our Board to 
comply with both the independence, as well as the 
seniority requirement of today’s public companies;

 The goal to reduce, by 2022, the size of the Board from 
the current nine Directors to seven while maintaining a 
majority of independent Non-executive Directors (NEDs); 
and

 The goal to increase Board diversity and the relevant 
experience of the Directors in the ultrasound equipment 
market and in the evolving AI sector.

2021 and 2022 will therefore be transition years with newly 
appointed NEDs overlapping with current Directors, some of 
whom will not stand for re-election the following year.

As the first step in this process, we are pleased to announce 
that Ingeborg Øie has been appointed as a Non-executive 
Director post period end on 19 May 2021. Ingeborg brings to 
the Company outstanding financial experience having been a 
medical devices and healthcare services analyst at Goldman 
Sachs and Jefferies and is currently CFO of surgical robotics 
company, CMR Surgical.

2020 has been a difficult year for many companies, as we have 
all had to learn how to cope with the unpredictable impact of 
Covid-19 and I would like to thank all our staff for working so 
hard and performing so well in such difficult circumstances.

The move of our head office to larger premises in the centre 
of Cardiff was well timed, giving us the ability to continue key 
research and development in a Covid-secure environment, 
as well as building new web-based demo facilities that have 
enabled product sales demonstrations to continue in these 
restricted times.

Outlook

This has been a positive year for the Group considering the 
impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns on our access to hospitals 
and the ability of our development teams to cope with the 
remoteness of home working.

We minimised the effect of the pandemic on simulation 
division sales and Group operating losses, launched our 
first AI software with GE Healthcare, the world’s largest 
ultrasound manufacturer and raised a net £4.8m from existing 
shareholders in May to strengthen our balance sheet.

2021 has started well, with encouraging simulation sales, 
as well as the recent announcement of CE approval for our 
second clinical AI software product. As such we remain 
confident that we can continue to build a successful 
‘Classroom to Clinic’ ultrasound business and reach the 
profitability inflection point from a growing stream of simulation 
and clinical AI revenues.

Riccardo Pigliucci 
Non-executive Chairman
21 May 2021

7

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Chief Executive’s Review   

  We remain optimistic 
about the opportunites 
for the group in this 
exciting sector of the 
market. 

Intelligent Ultrasound is harnessing the power 
of the new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) 
algorithms to make ultrasound simpler to use 
and easier to learn, by providing guidance and 
support to medical professionals whilst they are 
scanning.

AI is a key element of our ‘Classroom to Clinic’ 
approach to ultrasound as we expand both our 
simulation and clinical AI divisions. The report 
below details how each division operates, the 
progress made in 2020 and the key challenges 
faced during the year.

Clinical AI Division
Our clinical AI division continues to build on the original work 
of Professor Alison Noble FRS OBE, and Professor Aris 
Papageorghiou FRCOG from The University of Oxford. Alison 
and Aris still work with us today, keeping us informed of the 
latest advances in the machine learning field, to ensure that we 
can develop products that meet real clinical needs.

In under three years the AI development team has grown to 
over 30 software engineers, image segmenters and medical 
and regulatory advisors. Their leading-edge development work 
is underpinned by a well-curated and growing database of over 
five million ultrasound images that we have used to develop 
our range of AI-based ScanNav real-time image analysis 
software products. These products are focused on moving AI 
into the clinic to give real-time support to clinicians whilst they 
are scanning.

ScanNav Assist

For obstetricians, our ScanNav Assist AI technology acts like 
a personal scanning assistant, by comparing the image or 
view acquired to specific criteria on standard views within a 
fetal scan, to ensure they contain the required anatomy for the 
imaging plane.

In 2019, we entered a long-term partnership agreement for 
our ScanNav Assist AI software with GE Healthcare, one of 
the world’s leading ultrasound manufacturers. At the end of 
September 2020 GE Healthcare announced the launch of the 
Voluson SWIFT, which is the first GE ultrasound system to 
feature SonoLyst, the new software that utilises our ScanNav 
Assist real-time image analysis software to enhance workflow 
and improve consistency by reducing variability between 
operators. SonoLyst is the world’s first fully integrated AI tool 
that recognises the 20 views recommended by the ISUOG 
mid-trimester practice guidelines for fetal sonography imaging:

  I have worked in the field of AI in 
ultrasound for over ten years, yet I am 
still amazed at the level of accuracy 
that has been achieved. You can 
really see how Intelligent Ultrasound’s 
AI technology, incorporated in the 
SonoLyst software, will improve 
efficiency, make the learning of 
ultrasound easier and reduce omissions 
and errors. It’s a big advance for 
ultrasound imaging in women’s health. 

Prof Aris Papageorghiou, Professor of Fetal Medicine,  
St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, London

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611t
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SonoLystIR
Utilises ScanNav Assist to perform automated detection of the 
key scanning views and automated selection of the relevant 
Voluson SonoBiometry measurement tools. SonoLystIR 
automatically detects anatomy then selects all applicable 
annotations and measurements, enhancing workflow 
and reducing variability between operators for improved 
consistency.

SonoLystX
Utilises ScanNav Assist to compare the acquired image to 
standardised criteria, to ensure that it meets clinical standards. 
SonoLystX is a virtual onboard ultrasound expert that can 
help enhance accuracy and quality and is ideal for teaching, 
training, and quality assurance to ensure quality image 
standards and consistency.

SonoLyst is an optional add-on to the Voluson SWIFT and 
is the first AI software to be launched under the Group’s 
long-term agreement with GE Healthcare, that provides for 
the integration of Intelligent Ultrasound’s real-time AI image 
analysis software into GE Healthcare’s Voluson women’s 
health ultrasound portfolio.

Although the terms of the agreement are confidential and 
undisclosed for commercial reasons, the Voluson SWIFT 
received CE approval for sale in Europe and 510(k) clearance 
from the FDA for sale in the USA at the end of 2020 and we 
would therefore look to be able to report more fully on clinical 
AI division revenues in our 2021 half year results.

Initial user feedback has been encouraging and with pandemic 
related restrictions on hospital capital expenditure expected to 
ease in the second half of 2021, combined with the full global 
roll-out of the Voluson SWIFT, this should result in a growth of 
our clinical sales through the second half of the year. However, 
we would expect 2022 to be a truer indication of the royalty 
generation potential of this first product in our AI range.

Intelligent Ultrasound’s aim is to develop future variants of 
ScanNav Assist that will support additional protocol-based 
scanning in both obstetrics and general radiology.

ScanNav Anatomy

ScanNav Anatomy uses the latest AI technology to 
automatically highlight the live ultrasound image to enhance 
the accuracy and standardisation of ultrasound image 
interpretation, by making it easier to identify key anatomical 
structures. This supports the performance of healthcare 
professionals who are suitably qualified, but who perform 
ultrasound-guided procedures on a less frequent basis.

Our first version of the product, ScanNav Anatomy PNB, 
received CE approval in April 2021 and supports nine common 
peripheral nerve blocks (a form of local anaesthesia). It will be 
sold as a stand-alone screen mounted on a portable stand 
that can be plugged into existing anaesthesiology ultrasound 
machines. The device will provide clinicians with continuous 
feedback from real-time highlighting of their live ultrasound. 
Users can also re-familiarise themselves with blocks that are 
carried out less frequently using the system’s integrated 3D 
animations.

ScanNav Anatomy PNB is also available as a training simulator 
for medical learning on volunteers, prior to patient contact.

Increasingly, ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks are 
being used as a prudent alternative to general anaesthesia, 
but not all anaesthetists have the specialist knowledge of 
ultrasound anatomy to perform them. Through the adoption 
of ScanNav PNB, it is hoped that hospitals will be able to 
increase the number of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks that 
they can perform.

The cart-based system was launched in the UK market using 
our existing in-house sales resources in May 2021. In addition, 
we continue to progress the product‘s FDA regulatory filing to 
enable a version of the product to be sold in the US, as well as 
seeking to license an integrated version of the product to the 
major ultrasound manufacturers.

Intelligent Ultrasound’s aim is to develop further variants 
of ScanNav Anatomy that can be added to the existing 
ScanNav IPU hardware platform and support scanning in both 
interventional radiology and general radiology, as appropriate.

  ScanNav Anatomy PNB will help 
tip the balance of safety and 
confidence in favour of performing 
regional anaesthesia. Our aim is 
to make a real clinical difference 
to patients by increasing the 
availability of regional anaesthesia 
through cutting edge technology.

Dr David Burckett-St.Laurent, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal 
Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

9

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Chief Executive’s Review   

Future ScanNav AI products

The division has the following additional products in various 
early stages of development.

ScanNav Detect1

ScanNav Detect aims to facilitate the automatic recognition 
of abnormalities within a general medical ultrasound scan, 
confirming that a clinician has correctly scanned the anatomical 
area of interest, and then flagging any areas of potential 
abnormality, so the patient can be triaged to a specialist.

We expect ScanNav Detect to allow more point-of-care 
medical practitioners to use ultrasound imaging for frontline 
medical diagnostic sonography. Once developed such a 
device would be likely to support a broad range of medical 
professionals including GPs, midwives, paramedics and 
doctors working in Emergency Rooms.

Developments include:

•  Lung/Covid-19 
•  Prostate 
•  Liver

Challenges to the Clinical AI 
Division

The medical imaging AI software market remains immensely 
exciting, potentially hugely significant, yet still unproven. In 
addition, there is considerable competition from both existing 
ultrasound manufacturers and new AI start-ups and many of 
these are extremely well funded.

To respond to these challenges, we remain focussed on 
developing AI software that has both a clinical need and a clear 
economic rationale for its purchase; and we will continue to 
build our AI image database to ensure we have high quality, 
curated images that are relevant to building AI algorithms in the 
field of anaesthesiology, obstetrics, gynaecology, radiology and 
primary care medicine.

In addition, we have deployed a two-pronged marketing 
strategy to:

•  Sign royalty-based, ‘on-machine’ licences for the 
provision of real-time AI for the next generation of 
ultrasound machines with the major manufacturers, whose 
established sales networks can provide faster access to 
our technology in the new ultrasound machine market; and

1ScanNav Detect products are in development and may require US FDA 
or other regulatory approval, as such this material should be considered 
informational only and does not constitute an offer to sell or infer claims or 
benefits.

•  Sell our own ‘off-machine’ real-time AI enabled devices 

direct to the global pool of existing ultrasound machines, 
through our own sales network.

ScanNav HealthCheck

ScanNav HealthCheck is a proof-of-concept development area 
that aims to build on our current ScanNav medical practitioner 
AI technology, to enable consumers to perform ultrasound 
treatments on themselves.

In the long term, as the price of ultrasound hardware 
decreases to a point, such that consumers can plug devices 
into their smartphones; and the performance of our AI software 
advances, we aim to provide enabling software for mass 
market AI-based ultrasound scanning at home, for the health-
conscious consumer.

In summary, to date, we have signed our first partnership 
agreement with GE Healthcare, and they have launched 
SonoLyst, their first product to incorporate our ScanNav 
Assist technology. In April 2021 we received CE regulatory 
approval for ScanNav Anatomy PNB, our first direct to market 
proprietary stand-alone device and launched the system into 
the UK market in May 2021.

These successes are enabling us to focus on rolling these 
first products out to market, working with key opinion leaders 
to build compelling study data, such that we can convert 
early-stage interest into long-term sales and demonstrate the 
revenue potential of AI in ultrasound from 2022 onwards.

10

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc
2020 Annual Report and Accounts 

Company Number 09028611

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611t
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Research & Development

At the start of the pandemic in early 2020, our simulation R&D 
team resources were diverted to focus on the development of 
a Covid-19 version of our BodyWorks Point-of-Care simulator, 
designed to train frontline healthcare providers to use lung 
ultrasonography.

Ultrasound has major utility for patient monitoring of 
respiratory-related Covid-19 due to its safety, repeatability, 
absence of radiation, low cost and point of care use. Our 
Covid-19 upgrade module was made available globally and 
free of charge, to all our existing customers and enabled rapid 
and effective training of many healthcare professionals working 
in the front line. Examples include the UK Nightingale hospitals, 
New York’s Harbour Healthcare hospitals and Ohio State 
University system, to name but a few.

During the year we also continued to release new products, 
including a new version of the HeartWorks Augmented 
Reality tablet with its exceptional 3D cardiac anatomy, and a 
comprehensive module upgrade for ScanTrainer to add new 
training modules to its teaching material.

At the beginning of 2021 we released in the UK, the first 
AI-enabled training simulator for peripheral nerve blocks. 
As highlighted above, this represents a new area of joint 
development opportunity for the Group, whereby new AI 
developments may also have training simulator sales potential.

We also are in the process of releasing a significant number 
of remote learning options for our simulators to help with the 
flexible and hybrid learning requirements that training needs to 
provide in the current environment.

Simulation Division
Training clinicians through hi-fidelity simulation is a cornerstone 
of our business and has been the foundation of our expertise 
in understanding the clinical needs of medical professionals 
who rely on ultrasound imaging and its growing diagnostic 
capabilities in medicine.

Based in Cardiff (UK), Alpharetta (US) and with representation 
in Beijing (China), our simulation division continues to design, 
develop and sell some of the world’s leading hi-fidelity 
training systems for teaching ultrasound scanning to medical 
professionals in institutions and medical device companies.

During the year we continued to focus on three key markets

•  Obstetrics/gynaecology (OBGYN)

•  Echocardiography/anaesthesiology (ECHO)

•  Emergency medicine/point-of-care (PoCUS)

This will continue in 2021 and is expected to be supplemented 
with the in-house development of new simulator platforms 
that, when combined with the existing products ranges, should 
accelerate our growth from 2022 onwards.

Highlighting the synergy between our two divisions, our new 
ScanNav Anatomy PNB product has been adapted for use 
in teaching. This represents a new area of joint development 
for the Group, whereby certain products have the potential to 
meets the needs of both the classroom and the clinic.

Our ultrasound training simulators are, in the main, high value, 
capital equipment sales made to the global medical institution 
market and sold through our direct sales forces in the US 
and UK and a network of almost 30 resellers in the rest of the 
world. In March 2021, we were delighted to announce the 
significant sales milestone of installing our 1000th ultrasound 
simulation system, a BodyWorks Eve PoCUS and Covid-19 
training simulator, at the Ohio State University College of 
Medicine, one of the leading medical institutions in North 
America.

11

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Chief Executive’s Review   

Territory Review

Sales in a Covid-19 impacted year declined by 13% to £5.2m 
(2019: £5.9m), but there are positive signs that 2021 will see 
a return to growth and that the expansion of our hi-fidelity 
simulator range will continue this growth in the longer term.

United Kingdom
Revenue increased by 95% to £1.4m (2019: £0.7m)

The UK rebounded well after a difficult 2019. The relaxing 
of NHS spending limitations by the UK government opened 
up the backlog of interest in our simulator range from UK 
universities and teaching hospitals. Importantly, the 
development of our free Covid-19 training module aimed 
at training medical professionals working on the pandemic 
frontline, increased sales of our BodyWorks simulator. The 
successful training of the Nightingale hospitals’ staff, at such 
short notice, was particularly rewarding for the team.

We continue to have significant purchasing interest in all our 
simulation products in the UK and look forward to continuing 
this growth in 2021.

North America
Revenue decreased by 10% to £2.4m (2019: £2.6m)

Sales in North America recovered well in the year, to finish only 
10% down on 2019, despite the on/off effect of Covid-19 and 
its subsequent restrictions on access to teaching institutions 
and hospitals.

In a number of major US states, including New York, Ohio 
and California, our free Covid-19 training module achieved 
significant success in training frontline staff responding to the 
pandemic.

With almost every major face-to-face trade exhibition event in 
the US cancelled during the year, we were able to adapt our 
sales processes by building a new virtual demonstration room 
in our Alpharetta office for potential customers. This enabled 
sales demos to continue, even during total state lockdowns. 
As such, even with hospital visits severely restricted, the US 
team was able to recover from the initial sales downturn in 
the first half of the year and is confident that this recovery will 
continue in 2021.

Rest of the World
Revenue decreased by 46% to £1.4m (2019: £2.6m)

Although our combined direct sales force in the UK and North 
America was able to mitigate the effect of the pandemic and 
grow sales by a combined 15% to £3.8m (2019: £3.3m), many 
of our resellers, who are one step removed from us in the 
sales process, were unable to mitigate the impact and in some 
cases, were closed for virtually the whole year.

However, there were signs of a recovery in sales in Germany, 
Scandinavia and China during the second half of the year and 
sales in 2021 have started encouragingly, with training and 
product sales support being provided to our resellers from our 
new, state-of-the art web demonstration room in our head 
office in Cardiff.

Challenges to the Simulation 
Division

Training budgets for high value simulators within the global 
healthcare markets remain affected by restricted health 
budgets, which can be both hard to access and predict, 
especially during times of political upheaval or global 
pandemics, when funds are diverted from training to frontline 
care.

We continue to respond well to competitive products and 
associated pricing and margin pressures, by offering a range 
of simulators that provide the highest standard of ultrasound 
training, at a variety of price points. Purchasing decisions in 
our sector of the market continue to be based on quality of 
training and value for money, rather than simply the lowest 
priced solution.

However, we have also recognised that eLearning is an 
important element of the training mix and are developing a 
range of online training solutions that work in tandem with our 
hands-on training simulators.

The impact of Covid-19 in reducing the ability to demo in 
hospitals, meet potential customers at trade shows and train 
our resellers has been met by an increase in online marketing, 
combined with the development of new web demo rooms with 
on-site training resource in Alpharetta and Cardiff.

Finally, the development and launch of our first AI-based 
training simulator for PNB, demonstrates the potential for 
clinical AI developments to result in training simulator spin-offs, 
that could provide future incremental revenue to the Group.

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Quality Management System

Looking ahead

The Group continues to meet the standards of ISO 
13485:2016 to ensure the consistent design, development, 
production, installation and sale of medical devices that are 
safe for their intended purpose. Post year-end, the Group has 
changed its Notified Body to Dare!! Services B.V.

Workplace environment

During the year, the Group moved to a larger, more modern 
and flexible head office space in the centre of Cardiff, and 
also moved the Group’s warehouse and technical support 
operation to new premises in Caerphilly. The combined effect 
of these moves was to significantly improve the Group’s ability 
to operate effectively during the pandemic restrictions, as well 
as providing the facilities for post-pandemic growth of both 
divisions.

Our staff have been tremendous in this very difficult working 
year, mixing at-home and office work to minimise the impact 
of the pandemic on the business. Safety of employees has 
been of key importance and we quickly acted to ensure all 
employees, where possible, had the resources to be able to 
work effectively from home.

I would like to convey my thanks to all staff for being so 
supportive during the year.

Brexit

Sales to European resellers in 2020 were relatively small 
and as such, the impact of Brexit on the business has been 
minimal to date.

Despite the understandable concerns over Covid-19 and its 
potential ongoing negative impact on revenue in 2021, we are 
encouraged by the start to the year.

For the simulation division, 2021 is expected to be a year of 
new product launches and revenue growth and our simulator 
sales have started well.

For the clinical AI division, we have our first AI product on GE 
Healthcare’s Voluson SWIFT and have received CE approval 
for our second AI product, ScanNav Anatomy PNB. We 
are, however, conscious that the pandemic is still restricting 
hospital access and budgets and that our new AI products 
are launching into new markets that need time to accept the 
product and time to build significant sales. 2021 is therefore 
expected to be a year where we will continue to invest heavily 
in R&D, but also focus on generating the compelling key 
opinion leader study data that will enable the longer-term 
acceptance and subsequent sales potential of AI in ultrasound 
to be realised from 2022 onwards.

The Directors continue to believe that the current cash position 
will be sufficient to enable the Group to meet its anticipated 
profitability inflection point from expected future revenues 
from the clinical AI division. We remain optimistic about the 
opportunities for the Group in this exciting sector of the market 
and would like to thank our shareholders and investors for 
their continued support.

Finally, with our move to new offices in Cardiff, we would 
be delighted to welcome any shareholders or prospective 
investors should they wish to visit us to see our technology for 
themselves.

Stuart Gall 
Chief Executive Officer
21 May 2021

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Case Study  

BodyWorks Eve Covid-19 module used 
to train front line clinicians in NYC

Dr. Brian Kaufman, Professor of Anesthesiology, 
Medicine, Neurology and Neurosurgery at NYU 
Grossman School of Medicine and Director of the 
simulation laboratory at VA NY Harbor Healthcare 
in Manhattan, reflects on his institution’s use 
of simulation-based training to help prepare 
clinicians to rapidly acquire and practice lung 
ultrasound skills.

Facing the global Covid-19 pandemic and a mounting 
number of patients in need of proper diagnosis, the Veteran’s 
Administration NY Harbor Healthcare Simulation Center 
recently introduced critical care simulation- based training 
sessions utilizing their BodyWorks Eve PoCUS simulator with 
newly installed Covid-19 lung module. 

Dr. Kaufman explained the situation, “As all the hospitals in the 
NYU Langone Health system and major affiliates including the 
Manhattan campus of the NY Harbor Healthcare Center and 
Bellevue Hospital were being deluged with Covid-19 patients 
requiring ICU admission and care, there was an overwhelming 
need for rapid expansion of ICU beds, and providers to care 
for these patients. These needs were exacerbated when some 
of our usual ICU clinical providers needed to be removed from 
the workforce due to the need to quarantine.”

“The main objectives of the training are to improve the 
knowledge and comfort level of the participants.”

The training is an entirely new skillset for some of 
the providers and focuses in part on:

• 

• 

 Use of lung ultrasonography to determine if lung sliding is 
present or absent using both 2D mode and M mode.

 Use of lung ultrasonography to evaluate for the presence 
of A-lines and/ or B-lines.

14

  We discuss how we try to limit 
conventional radiographic 
studies and CT scans in these 
patients and heavily rely on 
ultrasound. We then go to the 
BodyWorks Eve ultrasound 
simulator and go through the 
Covid-19 pathologies that 
have been recently released.
 Having these Covid-19 
specific cases available on 
the BodyWorks Eve ultrasound 
simulator in the early days 
of the pandemic has had a 
significant effect on our ability 
to quickly train clinicians on 
lung ultrasound in order to 
provide better patient care. 

   Dr. Brian Kaufman

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611 
Financial Review  

Summary financial performance

£m (unless otherwise stated)
Revenue

Gross profit

Gross profit margin (%)

Administrative expenses

Operating loss

Net cash used in operating activities

Loss after taxation

Cash and investments (short term 
deposits) 

Revenue

2020
5.2

3.2

61

(7.9)  

(4.5)  

(2.3)  

(3.3)  

2019
5.9

3.5

58

(8.2)  

(4.6)  

(3.3)  

(4.2)  

8.8

7.3

Revenues from the simulation division declined by 13% 
in 2020 to £5.2m (2019: £5.9m), mainly caused by a 
significant downturn in revenue due to the impact of 
Covid-19 on our reseller network in Europe and Asia, 
where sales year on year were down by £1.2m (46%). This 
was offset however by an increase in sales in the UK and 
US combined of £0.5m (13%).

Simulation division revenue

£m
UK

North America

Rest of World

2020
1.4

2.4

1.4

5.2

2019
0.7

2.6

2.6

5.9

Clinical AI division revenue
First revenue of £0.017m from our clinical AI division was 
recognised at the end of the year.

Gross profit

Gross margin increased from 58% in 2019 to 61% in 
2020, due largely to the higher proportion of direct sales 
representing 73% of total sales (2019: 56%).

Operating costs

The operating loss improved by £0.1m to £4.5m (2019: 
£4.6m), despite gross profits decreasing by £0.3m to 
£3.2m (2019: £3.5m). This reduction in gross profits was 
offset by a £0.3m saving in administrative expenses, down 
to £7.9m (2019: £8.2m), due to a significant decrease 
in travel and marketing costs, with lockdown restrictions 
preventing our sales teams from providing live on-site 
demonstrations of our products and the majority of 
exhibitions and conferences being cancelled in the year.

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Research and development (R&D) 
costs

£m
R&D

– Expensed

– Capitalised

Simulation division

Clinical AI division

2020

2019

2.0

0.6

2.6

0.9

1.7

2.2

0.5

2.7

1.2

1.5

Total R&D spend in 2020, including both expensed and 
capitalised costs, was £2.6m which is £0.1m lower than 
in 2019. Expensed R&D costs of £2.0m in 2020 largely 
relate to activity in the clinical AI division, which had not yet 
met the criteria for capitalisation under IAS 38. A further 
£0.6m (2019: £0.5m) of costs relating to the continued 
ongoing development of products in the simulation division 
were capitalised within intangible assets, which are being 
amortised over three years. 

Other income

Other income includes an advance of £0.12m ($0.16m) 
relating to the US Government’s Paycheck Protection 
Program which allowed US small businesses to apply for 
forgivable loans to pay for their payroll and certain other costs 
during the pandemic.

RDEC to the amount of £0.83m was received in relation 
to R&D projects which have been previously in receipt of 
grant funding which cannot be claimed under the R&D SME 
regime. RDEC is recognised as taxable income within other 
income.

Taxation

The Group claims each year for R&D tax credits and, since 
it is loss-making, elects to surrender these tax credits for a 
cash rebate. The amount included within the consolidated 
income statement in respect of amounts received and 
receivable for the surrender of R&D expenditure was £0.9m 
(2019: £0.2m). 

Included within the tax credit of £1.2m is a deferred tax 
credit of £0.3m, which represents the movement in the 
consolidated deferred tax liability as well as the recognition 
at the year end of an equivalent deferred tax asset in relation 
to the intangible fixed assets acquired on acquisition of IUL 
and IML representing the view that the intangible fixed assets 
have value which will lead to the accumulated trading losses 
being utilised in the future.

As at 31 December 2020, the Group has cumulative gross 
UK tax losses of approximately £15.7m (2019: £14.3m) for 
which no deferred tax asset has been recognised. 

15

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and AccountsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
Financial Review   

Share placing

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going 
concern basis. The Group meets its day-to-day working 
capital requirements from its cash reserves. 

The Board has prepared trading and cash flow forecasts 
for the period to 31 December 2022. These model trade 
returning to 2019 levels as the impact of Covid-19 reduces 
later in 2021, as well as the sales projections for new 
products coming on stream as a result of the Group’s 
research and development activity. The forecasts indicate 
that the Group will continue to trade with its existing cash 
reserves. The Board has prepared various downside 
scenarios from its base case, involving reductions in revenue 
and delays in research and development projects. Under 
these scenarios, the Group continues to have sufficient cash 
reserves for at least the next 12 months from the date of 
approval of these financial statements and therefore continue 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing 
the annual financial statements. 

The Board is confident that continued focus on research 
and development, new product development and sales 
& marketing will deliver growth and bring the Group to 
profitability. 

On 4 May 2020 the Company issued a further 49,400,000 
new ordinary shares of 1 pence each at a price of 10.5 pence 
per share which raised £5.2m before costs, and £4.8m after 
costs.

The proceeds have been and will continue to be used for 
the research and development costs of bringing clinical AI 
products to market, to continue the development of our 
simulation products and general working capital. 

Statement of financial position

Consolidated net assets increased to £12.7m (2019: 
£11.1m). Intangible fixed assets of £2.0m were £0.3m lower 
than the carrying amount at 31 December 2019 of £2.3m.  
Additions to intangibles in the year were £0.6m (2019: 
£0.5m) relating to capitalised development costs; whereas 
amortisation of all intangibles including IP and brands totalled 
£0.9m (2019: £1.0m). Property, plant equipment of £1.3m 
(2019: £0.5m) includes £0.9m of new right of use assets in 
relation to the leases of the new head office in Cardiff and 
the new manufacturing and technical support operation 
warehouse in Caerphilly. This much larger warehouse 
has enabled the Group to hold higher inventory levels in 
anticipation of any Covid-19 related delays resulting in 
inventory at year end totalling £1.0m (2019: £0.7m).

Cash and short term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2020 was £8.8m 
(2019: £1.8m), an increase of £7.0m. 

Net cash used in operating activities was £2.3m, £1.0m lower 
than in 2019 (2019: £3.3m). This decrease was due to the 
lower operating loss combined with improvements in the 
management of net working capital as well as higher R&D tax 
credits of £0.36m (2019: £0.1m). 

The net cash inflow arising from investing activities was 
£4.6m (2019: outflow £6.3m), largely relating to the maturity 
of £5.5m that was held on short term deposit offset by 
capitalised internally generated intangible assets of £0.6m 
(2019: £0.5m).

The net cash inflow from financing activities of £4.7m (2019: 
£5.8m) included £4.8m raised from the share placing less 
lease payments of £0.1m.

16

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Section 172 Statement  

Engaging and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders is a key factor in determining the long-term success and 
sustainability of Intelligent Ultrasound – not only in delivering the Group’s strategy, vision and values, but also in directly benefiting 
employees, partners, suppliers, customers, consumers and shareholders alike. The Board is proactive in ensuring that dialogue 
and engagement with stakeholders takes place and that feedback is taken into account in the Board’s decision making.

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S172 Statement 

The Directors are required by law to act in good faith to promote success of the Company for the benefit of the shareholders as a 
whole and are also required to have regard for the following: 

•  the likely long term consequences of any decision; 

•  the interests of the Company’s employees; 

•  the need to foster the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others;

•  the impact of the Company’s operations on the community and the environment;

•  the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and

•  the need to act fairly as between shareholders of the Company

The Directors discharge their duties by monitoring and assessing stakeholder interests in two primary ways:

(i)  Regular information flow from the Executive Directors
The Executive Directors are directly involved in day-to-day business operations. The Non-executive board members receive 
regular written and verbal business updates from the Executive Directors via monthly reports, face-to-face at regular board 
meetings or between board meetings as required. 

(ii) Direct engagement of Board members
Directors are expected, where appropriate, to engage directly with, or on behalf of, stakeholders. The Directors consider the 
interests of each of our key stakeholder groups when considering their duties under S172 and take into account the information 
gathered through engagement with these stakeholders when determining the Group’s strategies and key decisions. 

The following disclosure identifies our key stakeholders, the issues that matter most to them and engagement activities during the 
year.

Our stakeholder 

Material issues

How we engage

THE PEOPLE WHO USE OUR PRODUCTS

Healthcare 
professionals
We engage with the 
healthcare professionals who 
use our products to ensure 
the products meet their 
needs

Customers
We stay close to our current 
and potential customers, 
building long-term 
relationships.

•  Products continue to support the needs of 

•  Ongoing clinical and commercial dialogue

the healthcare professional

•  Targeted research

•  Medical Advisory Committee

•  Key opinion leader meetings

•  Manage key customer relationships through 

•  Exhibitions to showcase our products

our direct and reseller sales network

•  Meet project development milestones 

•  Customer satisfaction

•  Product innovation

•  Regional account management structure 

across the world to encourage meaningful, 
consistent and ongoing engagement with 
customers

•  Focus on continued innovation and product 

development and prioritisation of R&D 
resource and spend

17

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and AccountsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
Section 172 Statement   

Our stakeholder 

Material issues

How we engage

DIRECT ENABLERS WHO HELP US DELIVER

Employees
Our people are a highly 
skilled and technical 
workforce. They are an 
essential component of the 
Group’s ability to stay ahead 
in a fast-paced competitive 
environment

Partners
Includes our distributors who 
market and sell our products 
outside the UK and the US

Suppliers
Our relationship with our 
suppliers is integral to the 
delivery of quality products 
to our customers and the 
operational success of our 
business.

Shareholders
All Board decisions are made 
to promote the long-term 
success of the Group for the 
benefit of our shareholders.

We aim to attract 
shareholders who are 
interested in a long term 
holding in our Company. This 
involves a good understanding 
of our strategic objectives, 
our business model and our 
culture.

•  Employee care and value

•  Weekly constructive dialogue between the 

•  Retention and talent

•  Remuneration and benefits package

•  Diversity and inclusion

•  Workforce engagement

•  Day to day engagement from executive 

team 

CEO and all employees 

•  Annual full UK employee engagement event

•  Open working spaces in the offices 

allowing an open, collegiate and free-
thinking environment

•  New initiatives to support engagement 
including improvements in employee 
development and appraisal systems, 
salary review, recruitment and share option 
revisions.

•  Effective competitively priced products

•  Commercial dialogue

•  Fair pricing and commercial terms.

•  Marketing activities

•  Continuity of supply

•  Distributor due diligence and product 

•  Potential disruption of supply chain 

•  Competitiveness 

•  Financial performance 

•  Research and development investment

•  Financial performance

•  Path to profitability

•  R&D projects to market

•  Our strategy 

•  Long-term viability 

training

•  Regular performance reviews

•  Engage with key suppliers regularly to 
ensure uninterrupted supply chain

•  Standard business terms

•  Prompt payment with agreed and 

reasonable terms

•  Day-to-day dialogue and communications 

between the sales and build teams

•  Regular dialogue between members of 
the Board, and the Company’s major 
shareholders, analysts and corporate broker

•  Participation in sector investor conferences

•  Annual Report and Accounts

•  Results statements, trading updates and 

•  Responsible business practices

press releases

•  Investor roadshows

•  Annual General Meeting 

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611t
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Material issues

How we engage

Community and 
Environment
The Group regularly reviews 
the impact of operations 
on the environment and 
the communities in which it 
operates

Regulators and 
professional 
advisors
The Group works with 
regulators and professional 
advisors to enable it to 
operate within the appropriate 
regulatory and legal 
requirements

•  Impact of operations on local community 

•  CSR policies and initiatives reviewed by the 

and the environment

•  Carbon footprint

•  Employment opportunities

•  Maintaining the licence to operate

•  Ensure all obligations under laws and 

regulations are understood

Board bi-annually

•  Minimal negative impact of operations on 

the local community

•  Local employment opportunities

•  Increasing use of web-based demonstration 

of products to reduce air travel use

•  Building our reputation

•  Regular internal communications, training 
about monitoring of compliance and 
regulatory matters

•  Obtain specialised eternal guidance in 

relation to obtaining regulatory approval for 
products in development

19

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and AccountsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties   

The long-term success of the Group depends on the continual review, assessment and control of the key business risks it faces. 
The following are identified as the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group.

The Group identifies and assesses each risk based on the impact and likelihood, and then applies mitigating actions 
appropriately. Each risk is scaled, based on the likelihood of occurrence and severity of impact, and risks categorised as high, 
medium or low accordingly, with high risk areas receiving the most attention. The risk register is reviewed and updated to capture 
and identify any new risks and opportunities, and to improve the mitigating actions. Such risks are reported to and reviewed by 
the Board on a periodic basis.

Risk 

Impact

Mitigating actions

STRATEGIC RISKS

AI market too 
early for clinical 
acceptance

Revenues take longer than expected to grow 
and profitability inflection point is delayed.

Ongoing customer feedback to build AI that 
has a market need and manage costs relative 
to conservative sales growth projections.

COMMERCIAL AND OPERATIONAL RISKS

In-house OEM 
software 
development

There is a risk that the manufacturer will 
develop their own version to replace our 
software.

We have entered into a long term contractual 
arrangement and forge strong relationships 
with our partners and maintain regular focus on 
competitor activity.

Regulatory 
approval failure or 
delay

Market acceptance 
of current and new 
AI products

Our AI products are regulated by national and 
regional medical device regulations; there 
can be no assurance that we will receive 
regulatory approvals on a timely basis, or at 
all. There may also be regulatory changes 
that could require additional studies and a 
need to resubmit products to the regulatory 
authorities.

There is no assurance that our ScanNav 
Assist technology will be an attractive option 
on new ultrasound machines. 

There is also no guarantee that the ScanNav 
Anatomy PNB ‘black-box’ strategy will be 
successful.

Dependence on 
resellers in certain 
geographical areas

Sales of our simulation products depend in 
part on the expertise and clients of our reseller 
network. There is a risk that resellers are not 
maximising sales in their regions.

The Group monitors regulatory risks regularly 
and makes extensive use of regulatory 
consultants. 

1) We engage with Key Opinion Leaders and 
clinicians on the development of our products, 
gathering feedback in order to develop 
products that meet their needs

2) We intend to launch ScanNav Anatomy PNB 
to known markets using our existing US and 
UK sales team and support services, using 
a trial approach which is re resource light to 
minimise demands

3) We can utilise existing distribution network to 
reach other markets

We have an experienced senior head of 
global channels who is focused on building 
strong relationships with the whole distribution 
network and ensures resellers are educated 
and trained in marketing and selling our 
products. 

We have introduced more web based training 
from the UK in the year and set annual regional 
sales targets which are reviewed monthly.

20

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Risk 

Impact

Mitigating actions

Key employees

Supply chain

Technology

Liquidity

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The Group is dependent upon a relatively 
small number of staff who might be hard 
to replace. Talented software developers 
and experts in simulation and AI technology 
are in demand in today’s environment. The 
recruitment and retention of specialised 
software experts remains an ongoing 
challenge. 

The Group’s response to this risk has been to 
offer competitive remuneration and benefits to 
encourage talented people to join and remain 
with the Group. The UK business has moved 
to new head office premises which are closer 
to major transport links and offer a better work 
environment.

The Group relies on third party manufacturers 
for the supply of the majority of raw 
materials. Problems with obsolescence and 
manufacturer facilities may lead to delay and 
disruptions in the supply chain which could 
have a significant negative impact on the 
Group’s operations.

The Group maintains a close dialogue with key 
suppliers and closely monitors its inventory 
status and customer demand to ensure that 
any potential problems in the supply chain can 
be managed.

The Group invests in research and 
development to enable the delivery of new 
and enhanced products and services. All 
technology-based companies face the risk 
of being overtaken by superior solutions or 
undercut in price by low cost competitors. 

The Group closely monitors the market on 
an on-going basis. The Group maintains its 
investment in R&D and developing a platform 
for its services based on continuously evolving 
proprietary technology.

Growing the business in the short to medium 
term is dependent on positive cashflows 
from operating activities which is currently 
generated solely by the Group’s simulation 
division; beyond this, and until the clinical 
AI division is generating sufficient income, 
the Group will be reliant on existing cash 
resources.

Foreign exchange

The Group has transactional currency 
exposures. The Group has a US subsidiary, 
it makes purchases of inventory and incurs 
other costs in foreign currencies and makes 
sales denominated in Sterling, US Dollars and 
Euro.

Group cash balances are monitored on a 
monthly basis to ensure that the Group has 
sufficient funds to meet its needs. Cash flow 
forecasts are generated and reviewed regularly 
by management.

The Directors have prepared projected cash 
flow information for the coming year. The 
projections take into account the business 
opportunities highlighted in the CEO’s 
statement, the timing and quantum of which 
will affect the Group’s cash requirements, 
which are continually monitored by the Board. 
On the basis of these projections, the Group 
expects to have sufficient working capital 
facilities to reach profitability inflection point.

Fluctuations in exchange rates between the 
Group’s functional currency of Sterling and 
the currency of transactions could adversely 
impact the financial results. The US Dollar 
costs incurred by the US subsidiary are hedged 
by revenues invoiced in US Dollars. The Group 
has, when necessary, utilised foreign currency 
hedging instruments to mitigate the impact of 
unhedged currency fluctuations. 

21

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and AccountsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties   

Risk 

Impact

Mitigating actions

Credit risk

There is a risk of non-payment of debts due 
from customers and external distributors.

The Group aims to minimise its exposure to 
credit risk through a mixture of credit limits 
and credit checks on new customers and 
distributors and requiring up-front payments 
where appropriate.

Economic and 
political conditions

The Group may be faced with changes in the 
general economic climate in each territory in 
which it operates that may adversely affect the 
financial performance of the Group. 

The Group seeks to mitigate this risk by 
conducting operations on a broad geographic 
basis and by introducing new technologies to 
remain innovative.

Brexit

The Group both sells into and sources some 
of its component products from the European 
Union. 

The Group undertook a detailed review of the 
potential impact of Brexit and took steps to 
mitigate any risks. 

The Group operates in global markets in the 
healthcare sector which is largely tariff free and 
continues to be post- Brexit.

Post Brexit we continue to monitor any impact 
on our supply chain.

1) Our QMS team is focused on the 
development of quality documentation for the 
QMS

2) All documentation is stored and available 
should any resubmission be necessary, 
and our quality systems are designed to be 
sufficiently robust to withstand any necessary 
scrutiny

3) We have taken steps to ensure that our CE 
registrations remain valid within the EU post 
Brexit.

4) We will take necessary actions to register 
products in any alternative UK-based system 
as and when required.

Compliance with the General Data Protection 
Regulation (GDPR) is managed on an ongoing 
basis. Its third party server manager, which is 
a major player in the information technology 
sector, has confirmed its compliance with 
GDPR.

In November 2020 the Group obtained the 
IASME Governance certificate which included 
CyberEssentials. Strong IT security measures 
have been implemented and are reviewed to 
ensure that we are adequately protected.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISKS

Compliance 
with regulatory 
requirements for 
medical devices

We also need to comply with ongoing 
regulatory requirements, such as to maintain 
a quality management system (QMS), for 
which we are subject to periodic inspections 
(scheduled and unscheduled), restrictions in 
relation to promotional materials and post-
market safety surveillance programmes.

Losing the ISO 13485 accreditation would 
impact regulatory approval.

Cyber security and 
GDPR

The Group stores anonymised patient scans 
for use in its software development projects 
and its cloud based simulation systems also 
store customer data on servers managed by 
a third party. There is a risk of data loss or 
system security breach which would result 
in loss of reputation with customers and 
investors and there is a risk of regulatory 
penalty. 

22

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Risk 

Litigation

Impact

Mitigating actions

All technology-based companies face the risk 
of litigation and the Group experienced this 
in 2016 when it was involved in a completely 
unexpected IP action brought by one of its US 
based competitors. 

The Group continues to mitigate the risk of 
litigation by reviewing its IP position against all 
its competitors and conducting reviews of its 
freedom to operate in its target markets.

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and AccountsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
Key Performance Indicators   

We assess operational and strategic progress at Group and divisional level against key performance indicators, or KPIs. These 
provide a clear direction as to how we should achieve our goals. Importantly, these measures are reflected in management 
targets and are aligned with our growth objectives and our purpose, strategy and vision.

Financial

Revenue (£m)
Revenue from simulation and clinical
AI divisions

Research & development
expenditure (£m)
Total R&D expenditure including
capitalised development costs

Cash used in operations (£m)
Cash used in operations

Cash, cash equivalents 
and short term deposits (£m)
Cash resources available 

6

4

2

0

5.9

5.2

2020

2019

0

-1

-2

-3

(2.6)

(2.7)

2020

2019

0

-1

-2

-3

-4

(2.3)

(3.3)

2020

2019

8

6

4

2

0

8.8

7.3

2020

2019

2020: Decrease of 13%

2020: Consistent with 2019

2020: Decrease of 28%

2020: Increase of 21%

Operational

AI image database (million)
Total number of AI database
ultrasound images 

Clinical AI products in market
Number of Clinical AI products 
commercially launched

AI partner agreements
Signed partner agreements

AI products in development
Products in development as opposed to proof 
of concept

5

4

3

2

1

0

5

4

2020

2019

2020: 25% growth

5

4

3

2

1

0

1

2020

0

2019

5

4

3

2

1

0

1

2020

1

2019

5

4

3

2

1

0

3

3

2020

2019

2020: ScanNav Assist launched 
in 2020

Post year end ScanNav Anatomy
PNB launched in the UK

2020: No new agreements signed 
in the year

2020: Progressed development of 
ScanNav Autocapture, ScanNav 
Anatomy PNB and ScanNav Detect 
Lung

24

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc
2020 Annual Report and Accounts 

Company Number 09028611

Environmental, Social and Governance   

“Our goal is to build a sustainable and viable, long-term business that 
will enable ultrasound for everyone”

Sustainability is an increasingly important component of our business and we are committed to playing our part in adhering 
to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which are aimed at achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.  

 To this end the Group has established an ESG Working Group in April 2021 with the following remit:  

1. Hold regular ESG working group meetings in 2021 with CEO Stuart Gall as the accountable executive 

2.  Develop an ESG policy that reflects our goal to build a sustainable and viable, long-term business that will enable 

ultrasound for everyone   

3. Develop and implement an environmental training/awareness programme for all employees 

4.  Reduce the Group’s carbon emissions through initiatives such as minimising travel, paper use and printing and 

offset the Group’s 2021 carbon emissions  

5. Develop an ESG dashboard that is reviewed annually and reported to stakeholders 

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The Company is required by the Companies Act 2006 to include a Strategic Report in its Annual Report. The information that 
fulfils this requirement can be found from pages 1 to 25. Signed by order of the Directors on behalf of the Board.

The Strategic Report contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made by the Directors in good faith 
based on the information available to them up to the approval of this report and such statements should be treated with caution 
due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors, underlying any such forward-looking 
information.

This Strategic Report was approved by the Board on 21 May 2021 and signed on its behalf by: 

Stuart Gall 
Chief Executive Officer

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and AccountsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Statements 
Corporate Governance 
Key Performance Indicators   

Transforming  
ultrasound 
through AI

26

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc
2020 Annual Report and Accounts 

Company Number 09028611

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Board of Directors   

A Board with a broad range of skill and 
experience

Riccardo Pigliucci, Non-executive Chairman, Appointed: 2012

Riccardo has more than 30 years’ experience of guiding private and publicly listed high technology companies and brings a wide 
range of experience in sales, marketing, operations, financing, acquisitions and public offerings within the medical sector. He is 
a former President, COO and Board member of The Perkin Elmer Corporation, has served as CEO of Life Sciences International 
plc, Chairman and CEO of Discovery Partners International and was on the Board of several private and publicly listed companies 
including Dionex, a public company purchased by Thermo Fisher in December 2010, DVS Sciences, sold in January 2014 
to Fluidigm and most recently Affymetrix, sold to Thermo Fisher in March 2016. Mr Pigliucci is a member of the UK Institute 
of directors and has received a Professional director Certification from the American College of Corporate directors, a public 
company director education and credentialing organization.

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Committees: Audit, Remuneration and ex-oficio Nomination

Executive Directors

Stuart Gall, Chief Executive Officer, Appointed: 2009

Stuart was a joint founder and Executive Director of Fusion IP plc, an AIM listed university IP commercialisation company, before 
its purchase by IP Group plc for £103 million in 2014. Stuart has a sales, marketing and general management background 
with over 25 years’ experience in starting small technology led companies, fund raising for and managing SMEs and acting 
as an Executive Director for a number of public companies. Stuart is an engaging and motivational leader with an energetic 
management style and the drive and enthusiasm to ‘tell the Intelligent Ultrasound story’. He also leads an active life outside work, 
taking part in running and cycling races throughout the year. In addition to Fusion IP, he has previously worked at British Airways 
plc, The Promotions Partnership Limited, Anvil Limited and Toad Group plc (now 21st Century Technology plc).  Stuart provided 
part-time Senior Advisor services to IP Group plc (ended April 2020), is an NED with i2L Ltd and, pandemic permitting, attends 
regular external courses during the year to keeps his skills up to date and relevant.

Ian Whittaker, Chief Operating Officer, Appointed: 2016

Ian was formerly the CEO of Inventive Medical Ltd (IML), the cardio ultrasound simulation company which was acquired by 
the Company in August 2016. Ian previously held general management roles at Hewlett Packard (HP) in the UK and EMEA, 
living in Grenoble and Geneva for 5 years. He was appointed to the HP UK Board in 2001, working as Vice President for HP’s 
UK Consumer, Imaging and Printing business, where he was closely involved in the integration of Compaq into the HP group 
following its acquisition in 2002. Since leaving HP in 2005, Ian worked with blue chip US technology companies and UK start-ups 
before being appointed CEO of IML in 2010 and COO of the Group in September 2016.

Nicholas Sleep, Chief Technology Officer, Appointed: 2012

Before joining the Group, Nicholas ran his own consultancy specialising in providing management support to early stage 
companies.  Nicholas is a software engineer by background but has also run companies in areas as diverse as stem cell 
therapeutics and biofuels.  Previous companies include The Technology Partnership Limited, Magnecell Limited, Procognia 
Limited (where he negotiated out-licensing deals with Qiagen and GE) and The Automation Partnership Limited (where he grew a 
£0.4m annual turnover business to over £3m in two years). Nicholas has a BscMEng from The University of Manchester and an 
MBA from Cranfield university school of management. Running the group’s Artificial Intelligence division, Nicholas takes an active 
part in the national debate on both the benefits of machine learning for medical imaging and the roadblocks that need to be 
removed for this potential to be realised. He keeps his skills current by interaction with colleagues, internal training courses and 
regular attendance of clinical symposia.

Helen Jones, Chief Financial Officer, Appointed: 1 January 2020

Helen qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC and has a BS(Hons) in French and Spanish. Before joining the Board, Helen 
was part of the senior finance team at Amerisur Resources plc, an AIM quoted oil and gas company and spent over 10 years in 
various senior group finance and tax roles within Tata Steel Europe. These roles enabled her to acquire experience in corporate 
acquisitions, restructurings and disposals as well as debt and equity transactions, IFRS reporting and investor relations. Most 
recently she was significantly involved in the $350 million acquisition of Amerisur.

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Board of Directors   

Non-executive Directors

Professor Nazar Amso, Non-executive Director, Appointed: 2004

One of the founders of the Group, Nazar is an Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University. He has been a Fellow of the Royal 
College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists since 1999 and Founding Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Nazar has 
more than 30 years’ experience in ultrasound education. At Cardiff University, Nazar pioneered integration of simulation into the 
ultrasound Masters’ programme curriculum. Nazar is passionate about introducing ultrasound simulation into the undergraduate 
curriculum and has continuously championed that cause around the world. Nazar has been and remains on a number of national 
and international committees defining and setting standards in ultrasound practise. He is a recognised expert in the field of 
ultrasound, Chairs the Board’s Medical Advisory Committee and brings a wealth of medical and training experience to the Board. 

Independent: No

Committees: Nomination

David Baynes, Non-executive Director, Appointed: 2011

David is currently the Chief Operating Officer of IP Group plc. David was the joint founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fusion 
IP plc before its purchase by IP Group plc for £103 million in 2014. David has previously worked at Celsis International plc, Toad 
Group plc (now 21st Century Technology plc), which he co-founded, and Codemasters Limited.

David’s association with IP Group, which is a major shareholder in the Company, means that he does not qualify as an 
independent director, but he is a very welcome member of the Board who makes an invaluable contribution, bringing a wealth of 
corporate finance experience backed by clear strategic thinking and no shortage of common sense. 

Independent: No

Committees: Audit (CHAIR), Remuneration, Nomination

Professor Nick Avis, Non-executive Director, Appointed: 2006

Nick was the Scientific director for the Group in its formative years.  Nick’s research interests include: interactive and real-time 
visualization and virtual/augmented reality systems; computational steering; application acceleration using many-core devices, 
remote rendering; interactive grid middleware and visual analytics of social media data. Nick has conducted many successful 
projects with both academic and industrial partners including JISC, HLRS, Electronics Visualization Lab, University of Chicago, 
Wuhan Technical University and Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan). In September 2013 he joined the University of Chester 
to establish the first new Faculty of Science and Engineering and in September 2018 was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor for 
Research and Knowledge Transfer.  Nick is a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPSRC) peer review college 
and was previously a lay member of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) and the General Medical 
Council (GMC). Nick has completed the Entrepreneurial University Leadership Programme.

Independent: Yes 

Committees: Audit, Remuneration, Nomination

Andrew Barker, Non-executive Director, Appointed: 2017

Andrew was formerly Chair and acting CEO of Intelligent Ultrasound Limited (IUL). Andrew has over 30 years’ experience in 
senior management of technology and software businesses and in venture capital, having been involved in the early stages of 
internet computing with Sun Microsystems in Silicon Valley, later going on to help build Intel’s venture arm in the UK. He is an 
experienced NED and investor in early stage companies with disruptive technology. His portfolio has a med-tech focus and, in 
addition to his position as a director of the Company, Andrew is the Chairman of Oxford Brain Diagnostics and founder director 
of Brainomix, both University of Oxford medical imaging spin outs, and a Partner of Anchard Associates LLP. Andrew holds the 
Institute of Directors Certificate in Company Direction.

Independent: Yes 

Committees: Remuneration (CHAIR), Audit, Nomination

28

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Ingeborg Øie, Non-executive Director, Appointed: 19 May 2021

Ingeborg was appointed to the Board of Intelligent Ultrasound on 19 May 2021. She is currently the CFO of CMR Surgical, 
the next-generation surgical robotics company based in Cambridge. Ingeborg has both a strong background in finance 
and a deep understanding of the healthcare industry. She has led large private financing rounds, headed up investor 
relations at a FTSE 100 medical device company and served on the Board of a London Stock Exchange-listed healthcare 
services group. Her career began working as a medical devices and healthcare services analyst at Goldman Sachs and 
Jefferies. She holds degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Public Health and is a CFA® charterholder.

Independent: Yes

Committees: Audit, Nomination

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report   

Chairman’s introduction

I have pleasure in introducing our Corporate Governance Statement. The Board continues to be committed to supporting high 
standards of corporate governance, and in this section of the Annual Report we set out our governance framework and describe 
the work we have done to ensure good corporate governance throughout the Company and its subsidiaries (‘the Group’). As 
Chair, my primary responsibility is to lead the Board effectively and ensure that the Group’s corporate governance is appropriate 
and adopted across all our business activities. I am also responsible for ensuring our Board agenda ensures that we examine all 
the key operational and financial issues affecting our strategy.

Intelligent Ultrasound is traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The Directors recognise the importance of 
sound corporate governance and are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. As a Company whose 
shares are admitted to AIM, the Board has adopted and complies with the Quoted Companies Alliance’s Corporate Governance 
Code (“the QCA Code”) to the extent that they consider them appropriate for a company of the size and nature of the Group, in 
establishing its corporate governance policies. 

The QCA Code

The QCA Code sets out 10 corporate governance principles and how to apply these principles, including a set of specific 
disclosures required in the Company’s annual report and accounts or on its website. The Company’s disclosures on its website 
(“the Website Disclosures”) can be found at:  
The-Companys-application-of-the-principles-of-the-QCA-Code-Website-Disclosures-_Nov-2020.pdf (intelligentultrasound.com)

How the QCA Code is applied by the Group to support medium to long-
term success

Further information

Page 4

Details of all shareholder 
communications are 
provided on our website

Principle

Commentary

Establishing a strategy 
and business model to 
promote long-term value for 
shareholders.

The Group’s business model and strategy to deliver 
shareholder value in the medium to long-term is discussed 
in the Strategic Report. The section Principal Risks and 
Uncertainties includes a discussion of the key challenges 
facing the Group and how these will be addressed. 

Seeking to understand and 
meet shareholder needs and 
expectations.

Responsibility for shareholder liaison rests principally with our 
CEO supported by our CFO and Chairman, alongside our 
advisers Cenkos and Walbrook PR. However, all our Board 
members attach a high degree of importance to providing 
shareholders with clear and transparent information on 
the Group’s activities, strategy and financial position. The 
Board holds meetings with institutional investors and other 
large shareholders following the release of the interim and 
financial results. We provide the market and shareholders 
with the results of AGM and GM voting via RNS and other 
communication channels including the Group’s website. We 
also participate from time to time in investor shows offering 
smaller and private investors insight into our business and also 
access to our management team.

1

2

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Principle

Commentary

3

Taking into account wider 
stakeholder and social 
responsibilities and their 
implications for long term 
success.

The Company recognises that its success relies on relations 
with a range of stakeholders – shareholders, employees, 
medical advisors, customers, suppliers and regulators. The 
Company regularly engages with all stakeholders to gain an 
understanding of their needs, interests and expectations. 
This engagement includes regular staff meetings, support 
group meetings, sales team and customer meetings and 
meetings with external medical advisors. The Company’s 
business plan is focussed on developing the ‘Gold Standard’ 
ultrasound simulation systems and cutting-edge AI software 
to make ultrasound more efficient and accessible to more 
medical professionals. The Company does not have the 
resources to finance a large in-house clinical team, but our 
R&D teams receive invaluable input from medial consultants 
who are experienced specialists in their respective fields which, 
along with input from our customers, staff and technology 
suppliers, has played a significant part in the development of 
our technology. For example, this input has helped us identify 
the key pathologies that our simulators need to cover in the 
training programmes and to develop our learning management 
systems. Similarly, with regard to our clinical projects, our 
stakeholders have helped us identify the workflow log-jams 
in ultrasound screening programmes and this has helped to 
direct the focus for our AI software development.

Further information

The “Section 172” 
statement in this Annual 
Report provides further 
information

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5

Embedding effective risk 
management, considering 
both opportunities and threats 
throughout the organisation.

Our Executive Directors are closely involved in the day-to-day 
operations of the Group and of our operating subsidiaries and 
report to the Board in detail at monthly intervals. Relevant 
papers are distributed to members of the Board in advance 
of Board and Committee meetings. Detailed financial reports 
of the Group’s financial performance are also provided on a 
regular basis.

The Principal Risks and 
Uncertainties section of 
this Annual Report sets 
out some of the principal 
risks and uncertainties 
faced by the Group

Maintaining the Board as a 
well-functioning, balanced 
team led by the Chairman.

The Board reviews a matrix of the key risks which sets out 
how these are managed and mitigated through internal and 
other controls and processes. The significant risks and related 
mitigation and control are disclosed in the Strategic Review on 
pages 2 to 5.

The Board comprises the Non-executive Chairman, four 
Executive Directors and five Non-executive Directors. 

The Board considers that Nick Avis and Andrew Barker are 
independent Non-executive Directors. Currently no Senior 
Independent Director has been appointed, but the Board 
continues to evaluate a possible appointment. 

To ensure the Board functions well, the Board meets at least 
11 times each year and it is the responsibility of the Company 
Secretary (supported by reports submitted by the Executive 
Directors) to provide the Board with high quality information in a 
timely manner to facilitate the proper assessment of the matters 
requiring a decision or insight.

We also hold an annual strategy meeting at which Directors’ 
attendance is mandatory. Each Non-executive Director 
continues to demonstrate that they have sufficient time to 
devote to our business.

To support the Board we have put in place Audit, Remuneration 
and Nomination Committees all of which have agreed formal 
terms of reference.

Biographies of the 
Directors are presented 
on page 27 in this Annual 
Report and on our 
website.

Reports of the Board 
committees are also 
presented in this report.

31

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report   

Principle

Commentary

Further information

6

7

Ensuring that between 
them the directors have 
the necessary up-to-date 
experience, skills and 
capabilities.

The Board is satisfied that, between the Directors, it has an 
effective and appropriate balance of skills and experience, 
including in the areas of innovation, software development, the 
use of medical ultrasound, finance, marketing, international 
trade and corporate acquisitions. 

Biographies of the 
Directors are presented 
on page 27 in this Annual 
Report and on our 
website.

The Board includes some diversity in terms of the background 
and ethnicity of each Director and there are now two female 
members of the Board.

Evaluating Board performance 
based on clear and relevant 
objectives, seeking 
continuous improvement.

The Chairman regularly assesses the performance of each 
of the Directors (including by way of one-to-one meetings) to 
ensure that they remain committed to the business, that their 
individual contributions are relevant and effective and where 
relevant, they have maintained their independence.

Agreed personal objectives and targets are set each year for the 
Executive Directors and performance measured against these 
metrics.

This year we undertook a formal Board evaluation process. 
The process was led by an independent consultant and 
required Directors to answer a set of questions setting out 
their views on the effectiveness of the Board and on the value 
of their Board contributions. The results of that assessment 
process were used by the Chairman to facilitate discussions 
with each individual Director and with the Board as a whole. 
The questions were based around issues arising from the ten 
principles of the QCA Code and the results have assisted in 
continuing our focus on strategy and risk management.

The Board has introduced an ethics policy which forms part of 
the Staff handbook and a breach of the policy by any member 
of staff would result in disciplinary action to ensure that the 
Company’s ethical values and behaviours and recognised and 
respected. A summary of the policy is set out below:

It is the policy of Intelligent Ultrasound to conduct its business 
at all times and throughout the world with honesty and integrity 
and the Company will continue to be an ethical and responsible 
company. This policy is embedded within the staff handbook 
which is given to all Group employees when they join the 
business and is updated and refreshed regularly. The Company 
recognises it has a responsibility for all the actions of its 
employees in connection with the activities of the organisation. 
In view of this, the Company believes that the ethics 
demonstrated by our employees should give all customers, 
shareholders, suppliers, colleagues, business partners and 
regulators’ confidence that the Company operates in a way 
that avoids any suggestion of improper or personal motives 
or actions. Therefore, all employees are expected to conduct 
themselves in accordance with the Company’s Code of Ethics 
at all times.

8

Promoting a corporate culture 
based on ethical values and 
behaviours.

32

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Principle

Commentary

9

Maintaining governance 
structures and processes 
that are fit for purpose and 
support good decision-
making by the Board.

10

Communicating how the 
Company is governed and is 
performing by maintaining a 
dialogue with shareholders 
and other relevant 
stakeholders. 

The Non-executive Directors scrutinise the performance of 
management against the Group’s objectives and also monitor 
the reporting of performance.

The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the 
Group, the management team and its employees. The CEO 
is responsible, in conjunction with the Executive Directors 
and senior management, for the execution of the Company’s 
strategy approved by the Board and the implementation of 
Board decisions.

The Board has considered mechanisms by which the business 
and the financial risks facing the Group are managed and 
reported. The principal business and financial risks have been 
identified and control procedures implemented. The Board 
acknowledges its responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness 
of the systems that are in place to manage risk. To achieve 
this aim the Board has a formal schedule of matters specifically 
reserved to it for decisions including the approval of annual and 
interim results, approval of annual budgets, approval of larger 
financial commitments and investment proposals, review of 
the overall system of internal control and risk management and 
review of corporate governance arrangements. 

Other responsibilities are delegated to the Board committees, 
being the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees, 
which as explained above operate within clearly defined terms 
of reference, and which report back to the Board.

We maintain a regular dialogue with our shareholders.

Further information

Reports of the Board 
committees are also 
presented on pages 
36–42 in this Report.

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Further information and 
the resolutions put to a 
vote at annual general 
meetings can be found on 
our website.

Areas in which the Company’s governance structures and practices 
differ from the expectations set out by the QCA Code and proposed 
changes in governance arrangements.

Understanding shareholder needs and expectations
The Company’s shareholders include a number of private individuals who have invested though VCT/EIS and other investments 
funds and it is not possible to engage with all elements of the Company’s shareholder base to gain an understanding of their 
needs and expectations. However, the Directors (principally the CEO and CFO) endeavour to meet with major shareholders and 
engage with others at presentations made to groups of shareholders. All Directors attend the Company’s annual general meeting 
with shareholders. Existing and potential investors are also invited to contact the Company about any investor relations matter by 
emailing intelligentultrasound@walbrookpr.com. 

Requirement to have at least two independent Non-executive Directors on the Board
The Board has identified two Non-executive Directors who it considers to be independent, Nick Avis and Andrew Barker. Nick 
Avis has served on the Board for more than 10 years but will continue to offer himself up for re-election each year. Both Nick Avis 
and Andrew Barker participate in share option schemes in the Company but the value of their share options is not significant, 
relative to their respective personal financial position and their remaining un-lapsed options vest after set time periods with no 
dependence on any Company performance measure. Currently no senior independent director has been appointed, but the 
Board continues to evaluate a possible appointment.

33

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report   

The Board should understand and challenge its own diversity, including gender balance, as part of its 
composition
The Board includes some diversity in terms of the background and ethnicity of each Director and currently has two female 
members of the Board. The Group will look to further increase the diversity of the Board when seeking to appoint additional, 
appropriately qualified, directors in future.

That the Company Secretary should not be an Executive Director
The Board members have significant external Board director experience and are aware that they may seek independent 
professional advice at the company’s expense to discharge their duties. The Board believes that the Company is currently best 
served by combining the roles of CFO and Company Secretary, in the interests of efficiency and cost.

Key governance related matters that have occurred during the year

Towards the end of 2019 we appointed an external advisor to conduct a full review of the Board and its performance. The key 
actions enacted from this review were:

•  The establishment of a Nomination Committee tasked with the objective of reconfiguring the Board to comply with both the 

independence and seniority requirements of today’s public companies;

•  The goal of reducing the size of the Board from the current nine directors, to seven in 2022 while maintaining a majority of 

non-executive directors; 

•  Increasing Board diversity; and

•  Expanding the experience of the Directors in ultrasound machine manufacturing and AI sectors

As the first step in this process, we are pleased to announce that Ingeborg Øie has been appointed as a Non-executive Director 
post period end on 19 May 2021. Ingeborg brings to the Company outstanding experience in the financial world having been 
a medical devices and healthcare services analyst at Goldman Sachs and Jefferies and is currently CFO of surgical robotics 
unicorn, CMR Surgical. She will also join the Audit Committee effective with her appointment.

Board committees

The Board has established Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees with formally delegated duties and responsibilities. 
The Audit Committee comprises David Baynes as Chair along with Riccardo Pigliucci (as an ex-oficio member), Professor 
Nick Avis and Andrew Barker. The Remuneration Committee comprises Andrew Barker as chair along with Riccardo Pigliucci, 
Professor Nick Avis and David Baynes. The Nomination Committee is chaired by Riccardo Pigluicci and also comprises Professor 
Nick Avis, David Baynes, Andrew Barker and Nazar Amso.

The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for monitoring the quality of internal controls and ensuring that the financial 
performance of the Group is properly measured and reported on. It receives and reviews reports from the Group’s management 
and external auditors relating to the interim and annual accounts and accounting and internal control systems in use throughout 
the Group. The Audit Committee meets at least twice in each financial year and has unrestricted access to the Group’s external 
auditors.

The Remuneration Committee reviews the performance of the Executive Directors and makes recommendations to the Board on 
matters relating to their remuneration and terms of service. The Remuneration Committee also makes recommendations to the 
Board on proposals for the granting of share options and other equity incentives pursuant to the employee share option schemes 
or equity incentive plans in operation from time to time. The remuneration committee meets at least twice each year to set targets 
for the executive Board and review their remuneration.

In 2020, the Company has established a Nomination Committee to lead its process for appointments and oversee the 
development of a diverse pipeline for succession.

The Executive Directors are employed full-time by the Group. The CEO, Stuart Gall, is an NED for i2L Ltd and also worked 
as a consultant to IP Group plc for one day each month however this commitment ended on 30 April 2020. The Chairman is 
contracted to work for the Company for 48 days per annum, Professor Nick Avis and Andrew Barker are contracted to work for 
the Company for 20 days per annum and David Baynes and Professor Nazar Amso are contracted to work for the Company for 
12 days per annum. 

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Attendance at Board and Committee meetings during 2020:

Board meeting

Board call

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination Committee

Number of meetings in 2020

Chair

Riccardo Pigliucci

Stuart Gall

Helen Jones

Ian Whittaker

Nicholas Sleep

Nazar Amso

Andrew Barker

Nicholas Avis

David Baynes

Riccardo Pigliucci 
Chairman
21 May 2021

6

RP

6

RP

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

3

DB

3

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

3

3

3

3

AB

3

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

3

3

3

2

RP

2

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

2

2

2

2

35

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Audit Committee Report   

This report covers activities of the Audit Committee in 2020 and in the period up to the approval of the 2020 Annual Report and 
Accounts (together, the ‘period’).

The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Company’s 
management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial 
reporting, and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, 
the Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report with 
management and the Group’s external auditor, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting 
principles; the reasonableness of significant judgments; and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

The Committee is governed by its terms of Reference, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website at: https://www.
intelligentultrasoundgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/Audit-Committee-Terms-of-Reference.pdf 

Members of the Committee

The Committee is chaired by David Baynes and includes three independent Non-executive Directors, Nick Avis, Andrew Barker 
and Ingeborg Øie, along with the chair of the Board, Riccardo Pigliucci. For this purpose ‘independent’ means that, apart from 
directors’ fees and interests in shares and share options in the Company, Nick and Andrew are independent of management, 
independent in character and judgement and free from any business or other relationship or circumstance which is likely to affect, 
or could appear to affect the exercise of their independent judgement as Committee members. The chair of the Committee, 
David Baynes, has recent and relevant financial experience.

The Group’s external auditor

The Audit Committee recognises the importance of maintaining the independence of the Group’s external auditor, both in fact 
and appearance. Each year, the Committee evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of the Group’s external 
auditor and determines whether to re-engage the current auditor. In doing so, the Audit Committee considers the quality and 
efficiency of the services provided by the auditors, the auditors’ global capabilities and the auditors’ technical expertise and 
knowledge of the Group’s operations and industry.

During the year, and in light of the long service of BDO as auditors to the Group, the Audit Committee ran a formal process to 
re-tender for audit services. As well at the current incumbents the Committee considered 5 other firms, all of whom were invited 
to tender for the Group’s audit.

The Audit Committee considered each of these written tenders and heard presentations from all of the firms involved. After 
further consideration and discussion, it was agreed that it was in the best interest of the Group to appoint new auditors to the 
role. To this end Deloitte LLP, who had provided the best overall proposal, and who were considered to be the firm that would 
be able to provide audit quality, experience and global network reach to the Group, were appointed as the Group’s auditors to 
complete the year end audit for 2020.

Internal audit

The Group does not have an internal audit function, as the Board does not consider the current scale and complexity of 
operations warrant such a function. However, the Board will keep this under review, with a view to creating an internal audit 
function when it is warranted. 

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Audit Committee meetings

In addition to numerous meetings to consider the appointment of new auditors the Committee has held 4 full meetings since the 
publication of the 2019 Report & Accounts.

The membership of the Audit Committee, together with appointment dates and attendance at meetings, is set forth below:

Member

David Baynes (Chair)

Nick Avis

Andrew Barker

Riccardo Pigliucci

Ingeborg Øie

Committee member since

14 August 2014

14 August 2014

1 January 2018

14 August 2014

19 May 2021

Attendance at full meetings  
held since publication of the  
prior year Report & Accounts

4/4

4/4

4/4

3/4

0/0

The meetings of the Committee are designed to facilitate and encourage communication among the Committee, the Company, 
and the external auditor. The Committee discussed with the external auditor the overall scope and plans for their audit and the 
key audit risks identified at the audit planning stage at a meeting held on 22 January 2021

The Committee subsequently met with the external auditor on 26 April 2021 to discuss the draft Report & Accounts 2020, results 
of their examinations to that date; their evaluation of the Company’s internal control and the overall quality of the Company’s 
financial reporting. 

The Committee also reviewed and discussed together with management and the external auditor the effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal control over financial reporting and the auditor’s audit of internal control over financial reporting. Both management 
and the external auditors identified certain control weaknesses and deficiencies, including in respect of deferred income. As 
part of our evolution of the control environment, mitigating actions are being established to address these issues  with further 
enhancements in relation to monitoring controls and processes and strengthening of the finance team planned in 2021.

The chair of the Audit Committee also had a number of conversations with the partner responsible for the 2020 audit during the 
planning stage and during the course of the audit.

Financial reporting

The Committee has reviewed, with both management and the external auditor, where the more significant judgements have 
been made and the quality and appropriateness of the Group’s accounting policies. The Committee has also reviewed the 
assumptions and provided assurance to support the going concern statement. The Board has adopted the going concern basis 
in preparing these financial statements and considers that the Group is able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as 
they fall due for at least the next 12 months.

Approval of the financial statements

The Audit Committee has concluded that it has acted in accordance with its Terms of Reference. At the meeting on 26 April 
2021 the Audit Committee considered each section of the Annual Report and the document as a whole, as proposed by the 
Company and subsequent to a review of the final draft of the report and accounts; it reached the conclusion and advised the 
Board that it considered the 2020 Annual Report & Accounts to be fair, balanced and understandable and, combined with the 
QCA Code Website Disclosures, provided the information necessary to assess the Group’s business plan and strategy. The chair 
of the Audit Committee will be available at the 2021 AGM to answer any questions about the work of the committee.

Approval

This report was reviewed and approved by the audit committee and signed on its behalf by:

David Baynes 
Chair of the Audit Committee
21 May 2021

37

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Remuneration Committee Report   

This report to shareholders sets out the Company’s remuneration practices and how they align the interests of senior 
management with those of shareholders and also outlines the Executive Directors’ bonus scheme for the current year which is 
designed to underpin the Company’s objective to provide shareholder value. 

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for determining and reviewing compensation arrangements for the Directors. The 
Committee ensures that the remuneration practices of the Company move towards best practice in light of the Company’s size 
and profile and with the interests of shareholders. 

As an AIM-quoted company, the information provided is disclosed to fulfil the requirements of AIM Rule 19. The Company is not 
required to comply with Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 
2008; however, it is committed to achieving high governance standards. 

The information is unaudited except where stated.

The Committee includes two independent Non-executive Directors, Nick Avis and Andrew Barker (Chair), along with David 
Baynes and the chair of the Board, Riccardo Pigliucci.

The terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee are available on the Company’s website at: 

https://www.intelligentultrasoundgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/Remuneration-Committee-Terms-of-Reference.pdf

Directors and their interests

The Directors’ interests in the shares of the Company (audited) are detailed below: -

Nazar Amso

Stuart Gall¹

Helen Jones¹

Ian Whittaker¹

Nicholas Sleep¹

Andrew Barker

Nicholas Avis¹

Riccardo Pigliucci

At 31 December 
2020

No.

1,134,000

923,474

95,238

451,172

421,709

317,992

272,619

117,648

% of issue
Ordinary share capital

At 31 December 
2019

% of issue
Ordinary share capital

0.42%

0.34%

0.04%

0.17%

0.16%

0.12%

0.10%

0.04%

No.

1,134,000

828,236

-

374,982

326,471

317,992

225,000

117,648

0.52%

0.38%

-

0.17%

0.15%

0.14%

0.10%

0.05%

¹These Directors acquired a total of 409,523 shares via the placing in May 2020

In addition to the above, Professor Nazar Amso is the beneficial holder of 180,000 shares representing 0.07% (2019: 0.08%) 
of the issued share capital through The Amso Trust and Professor Amso’s spouse holds 120,000 shares representing 0.04% 
(2019: 0.05%) of the issued share capital. 

Parties related to Professor Nicholas Avis hold 141,177 shares representing 0.05% (2019: 0.06%) of the issued share capital. 

Director’s remuneration

The Committee aims to ensure that the total remuneration for Executive Directors is designed to: 

•  be competitive and to attract, retain and motivate executives of a high calibre;

•  be appropriate to the scale of their responsibility;

•  provide for a significant element of “at risk” performance-related pay; 

•  ensure Directors identify with the interests of shareholders; and

•  are fairly remunerated in the light of their own personal performance, their contribution to the Group’s overall performance and, 

where appropriate, the performance of the divisions for whose performance they are individually directly responsible.

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The remuneration package for Executive Directors comprises:

•  basic salary;

•  pension allowance;

•  performance related pay;

•  share-based incentives; and

•  other benefits.

The Directors’ remuneration (audited) for the year ended 31 December 2020 was:

Riccardo Pigliucci

Nazar Amso

Nicholas Avis

Andrew Barker

David Baynes

Stuart Gall

Helen Jones

Nicholas Sleep

Ian Whittaker

Wilson Jennings¹

Total

¹Retired 31 December 2019

Salaries & 
fees
£’000

Accrued 
bonus
£’000

Pension
£’000

Travel & car 
allowance
£’000

Other 
benefits
£’000

Total  
2020
£’000

Total  
2019
£’000

54

20

20

20

20

189

113

180

143

–

758

–

–

–

–

–

31

19

24

16

–

90

–

–

–

–

–

19

12

18

14

–

63

–

–

–

–

–

10

–

5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2

1

1

5

–

15

10

54

20

20

20

20

251

145

228

178

–

937

55

20

20

20

20

246

–

222

168

193

963

Mr Baynes holds an interest in IP Group plc. The £20,000 fees (2019: £20,000) in respect of the services provided by Mr Baynes 
were paid to IP Group plc.

Basic salary
Salary and benefits are reviewed annually by the Committee and benchmarked against comparable roles in the sector and 
general market conditions.

Pensions
Each Executive Director receives a pension allowance equivalent to 10% of their basic salary.

Performance related pay
i)  2020 Bonus Plan
Each Executive Director can earn up to 15% of their base salary on the successful achievement of the following:

•  7.5% based on meeting Group revenue, product launch and partnership agreement targets;

•  7.5% based on each Executive Director hitting individual divisional and corporate targets as agreed by the Committee at the 

beginning of the year; and

•  An additional bonus of up to 15% could also be paid on the achievement of exceptional performance targets, set by the 

Committee

The Committee may exercise its discretion over up to 50% of the potential 15% bonus payment, but not over the additional 
15% exceptional performance bonus.

39

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Remuneration Committee Report   

ii)  2021 Annual Incentive Scheme
Each Executive Director can earn up to 30% of their base salary on the successful achievement of the following 

•  10% based on hitting Group revenue, cash, and operations targets; and

•  20% based on the achievement of individual performance-based targets for each Director;

The Committee may exercise its discretion over up to 25% of the potential scheme payment.

Directors’ interests in share options

At 31 December 2020 the following options had been granted to the Directors and remain current and unexercised:

Option exercise price 
(pence)

At 1 January  
2020

Granted during 
year

At
 31 December  
2020

Expiry date

Executive Directors

Stuart Gall

Stuart Gall

Stuart Gall

Stuart Gall

Nicholas Sleep

Nicholas Sleep

Nicholas Sleep

Nicholas Sleep

Ian Whittaker

Ian Whittaker

Ian Whittaker

Helen Jones

Helen Jones

Non-executive Directors 

Nazar Amso

Nazar Amso

Nazar Amso

Nick Avis

Nick Avis

Andrew Barker

Riccardo Pigliucci

Riccardo Pigliucci

19.0

42.5

11.25

15.0

19.0

42.5

11.25

15

20.5

11.25

15.0

12.0

15.0

16.508

19.0

42.5

16.508

42.5

16.22

19.0

42.5

268,000

324,000

2,437,000

–

268,000

260,000

1,605,000

–

–

–

268,000

1 May 2023

324,000

30 June 2024

2,437,000

29 May 2028

1,087,498

1,087,498

21 Dec 2030

–

–

–

268,000

1 May 2023

260,000

30 June 2024

1,605,000

29 May 2028

 –

1,033,711

1,033,711

21 Dec 2030

200,000

1,000,000

–

–

–

84,000

80,000

150,000

84,000

40,000

135,000

216,000

80,000

–

–

200,000

4 April 2027

1,000,000

29 May 2028

824,790

824,790

21 Dec 2030

1,000,000

1,000,000

24 April 2030

662,266

662,266

21 Dec 2030

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

84,000

16 March 2021

80,000

1 May 2023

150,000

30 June 2024

84,000

16 March 2021

40,000

30 June 2024

135,000

6 October 2027

216,000

1 May 2023

80,000

30 June 2024

The vesting conditions are detailed in Note 26 of the financial statements. 

7,231,000

4,608,265

11,839,265

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M&A bonus arrangement
The Remuneration Committee provides incentive for senior management to realise reward for growth with the Long Term 
Incentive Plan, through share price appreciation of awarded stock options however the Remuneration Committee also recognizes 
the need to provide management with an incentive in the form of a cash award that will be payable upon the completion of 
a potential exit event through an M&A Bonus. To provide a dual incentive structure, the M&A Bonus is underpinned by the 
Long Term Incentive Option which can be exercised in accordance with its own terms.

The maximum amount of cash payable to each Participant under the M&A Bonus will be based on a multiple of 50% of each 
Executive Director’s remuneration if the price per share to be paid by an acquirer is £0.18 or more and will increase with any 
increase in the price per share paid by an acquirer above £0.18. The total M&A bonus pool for all participants is capped at 2.9% 
of the eventual sale price of the company. The actual amount of cash payable under the M&A Bonus will be calculated after 
deduction of any gain in the Long Term Incentive Option.

Other benefits
The Executive Directors are offered life insurance and private healthcare insurance.

Non-executive Directors

The salary of the Chairman is determined by the Committee excluding the chair and the salaries of the Non-executive Directors 
are determined by the Board excluding the Non-executive Directors following a recommendation from the Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee. The Non-executive Directors, other than David Baynes, have been awarded a small number of share 
options in previous years and no further options will be issued.

Approval of the Remuneration Committee Report

The Chair of the Committee will be available at the 2021 AGM to answer any questions about the Group’s senior management 
remuneration policies and practices. This report was reviewed and approved by the Remuneration Committee and signed on its 
behalf by:

Andrew Barker 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
21 May 2021

41

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Nomination Committee Report   

Given the Company’s maturity and the nature of its current Board composition, in 2020 the Company has established a formal 
Nomination Committee to lead its process for appointments and oversee the development of a diverse pipeline for succession. 

Membership

The Committee is chaired by Riccardo Pigliucci and includes David Baynes, Nick Avis, Nazar Amso and Andrew Barker. Although 
only members of the Committee have the right to attend meetings, other individuals, such as external advisers and the CEO, may 
be invited to attend for all or part of any meeting.

Responsibilities

The main responsibilities are set out in its Terms of Reference, which are available on the Group’s website (https://www.
intelligentultrasound.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ICSA-nomination-committee-terms-of-reference-JAN201.pdf). The terms 
of reference for the Committee are based on the ICSA guidelines.

The purpose of the Committee is to ensure an orderly succession of candidates for Executive Directors and Non-executive 
Directors (NEDs), and to advise the Board on matters of corporate governance relating to the appointment and NEDs, and to 
advise the Board on matters of corporate governance relating to the appointment and re-appointment of Directors. In fulfilling this 
purpose, the committee is required to:

•  identify, evaluate and nominate candidates to fill Board vacancies;

•  make recommendations to the Board regarding the annual re-election of Directors;

•  ensure an appropriate succession plan is in place for the Chair and all Directors;

•  ensure an orderly succession plan is in place for senior executives; and

•  advise on matters of governance such as Board diversity.

Diversity

The Committee recognises the importance of a diverse Board and is mindful of the issue of Board diversity in its succession 
plans. It also acknowledges the importance of ensuring that the selection of directors should be based upon a range of factors 
including skills, experience, qualifications, background and values. Accordingly, all vacancies are filled taking into account these 
wider factors and are not based to a disproportionate extent on any one factor such as gender or ethnicity. The Committee has 
considered the diversity of the Board during the year. In order to bring the widest range of perspectives to the Group, diversity 
should remain a key factor in determining appropriate nominations, which will help to promote creativity, innovation, debate, 
understanding and ultimately better overall decision making.

Principal activities during the year

The Nomination Committee met formally twice during the year. The Committee focused on its role to search for and appoint 
new NEDs. An external consultant was appointed as adviser to the Board and conducted the search for these appointments. 
The search for NEDs remains active and full consideration is being given to the need to extend the diversity, experience and 
knowledge of the Board.

There were no new Directors appointed in 2020. However, on 19 May 2021 Ingeborg Øie was appointed to the Board to serve 
as an independent NED and member of the Audit Committee. The Nomination Committee is also in advanced discussion with a 
second independent NED that is expected to be appointed to the Board in Q4 2021. Following these appointments, and a brief 
period of overlap, it is expected that several current directors will not stand for re-election at the 2022 AGM in order to reduce the 
size of the Board.

Riccardo Pigluicci  
Chair of the Nomination Committee

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Director’s Report   

The Directors present their report and audited consolidated financial statements of Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc (the 
“Company” or the “Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Principal activities

The Company is incorporated as a public limited company and is registered in England and Wales with registered number 
09028611. Its registered office is at Floor 6A Hodge House, 114-116 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY.

The Group’s principal activities are the development, marketing and distribution of medical training simulators and the 
development, distribution and licence of clinical ultrasound software. 

Information included in the Strategic Report

The Directors have chosen to set out the following information in the Strategic Report which would otherwise be required to be 
contained in the Directors’ Report:

•  performance of the business;

•  financial review;

•  principal risks and uncertainties;

•  important events which have occurred post period end; and

•  likely future developments.

Results and dividends

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. The Group’s 
results for the year ended 31 December 2020 are shown in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Directors do not 
recommend the payment of a dividend (2019: £nil).

Research and development

The Group’s research and development activity plays an important role in the operational and financial success of the business. 
The Group spent £2.56m (2019: £2.71m) on research and development activities of which £2.00m was expensed and £0.57m 
(2019: £0.49m) was recognised as a development cost asset.

Financial risk management objectives and policies

A description of the Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies is included in Note 27 to the financial statements.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Group meets its day-to-day working capital 
requirements from its cash reserves. 

The Board has prepared trading and cash flow forecasts for the period to 31 December 2022. These model trade returning to 
2019 levels as the impact of Covid-19 reduces later in 2021, as well as the sales projections for new products coming on stream 
as a result of the Group’s research and development activity. The forecasts indicate that the Group will continue to trade with its 
existing cash reserves. The Board has prepared various downside scenarios from its base case, involving reductions in revenue 
and delays in research and development projects. Under these scenarios, the Group continues to have sufficient cash reserves 
for at least the next 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements and therefore continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements. 

The Board is confident that continued focus on research and development, new product development and sales & marketing will 
deliver growth and bring the Group to profitability.

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Director’s Report   

Directors and their interests
The following Directors have held office during the year and up to date of this report:

Nazar Amso
Nicholas Avis
Andrew Barker
David Baynes 

Stuart Gall
Riccardo Pigliucci
Nicholas Sleep 
Ian Whittaker

Helen Jones (appointed 1 January 2020)
Ingeborg Øie (appointed 19 May 2021)

The Directors’ interest in shares, share options and their remuneration is set out in the Remuneration Report. 

Insurance
The Company and its subsidiaries have made qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its Directors, which 
remain in force at the date of this report and throughout the year. Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance is provided for all 
Directors of the Company.

Auditors
The Group carried out a formal competitive and comprehensive tendering exercise for the appointment of new auditors with 
respect to the financial year ending 31 December 2020. The interview panel comprised the Audit Committee and the CFO. The 
panel approved the appointment of Deloitte LLP as new auditors of the Group. BDO LLP resigned as auditors on 27 November 
2020. Resolutions to appoint Deloitte LLP and to authorise the Directors to determine the auditor’s remuneration will be 
proposed at the 2021 AGM.

Corporate governance 
The Company’s statement on corporate governance can be found in the Corporate Governance Report. The report forms part of 
this Directors’ Report and is incorporated into it by cross-reference.

Substantial shareholdings
The following shareholders held 3% or more of the issued share capital of the Company as at 30 April 2021:

Shareholder

IP Group

Parkwalk Advisors

Octopus Investments

Polar Capital

Amati Global Investors

Walker Crips Investment Management

Herald Investment Management

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management

Rathbones

Number of shares

% of issued capital
(as at date of notification)

56,740,641

36,000,000

31,403,500

25,405,236

15,869,000

11,790,054

9,481,900

9,444,400

9,039,054

21.06

13.36

11.66

9.43

5.89

4.38

3.52

3.51

3.36

Statement as to disclosure of information to the 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 Director’s in order to 
make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor.

The Directors’ Report was approved by the Board on 21 May 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Helen Jones 
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

21 May 2021

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Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities   

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors are 
required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and have also chosen to prepare the parent company 
financial statements under IFRSs as adopted by the EU. Under company law the Directors must not approve the accounts unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company 
for that period. In preparing these financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

•  properly select and apply accounting policies;

•  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 

understandable information; 

•  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to 

understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial 
performance; and

•  make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

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

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

Responsibility statement 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

•  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRs as adopted by the European Union, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken 
as a whole;

•  the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the 

Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that they face; and

•  the annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the 

information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. 

This responsibility statement was approved by the Board on 21 May 2021 and is signed on its behalf by:

Helen Jones 
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
21 May 2021

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Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the members of Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements

1.  Opinion

In our opinion the financial statements of Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the 
‘Group’):

•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2020 and of the 

Group’s loss for the year then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the 

Companies Act 2006; and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements which comprise:

•  the consolidated income statement;

•  the consolidated statement of comprehensive income;

•  the consolidated and parent company balance sheets;

•  the consolidated and parent company statements of changes in equity;

•  the consolidated cash flow statement; and

•  the related notes 1 to 30. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and international accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

2. Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. 

We are independent of the group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our 
audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s (the ‘FRC’s’) Ethical Standard as applied to 
listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

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3.  Summary of our audit approach

Key audit matters

The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:

Materiality

•  completeness and accuracy of deferred income;

•  impairment of intangible assets; impairment of investment in subsidiaries and 

intercompany receivables (parent company only); and

•  the Directors’ use of the going concern basis.

The materiality that we used for the Group financial statements was £100,000 which was 
determined with reference to 1.9% of group revenue. Given the loss making performance of 
the group, revenue was considered the most appropriate benchmark on which to determine 
materiality.

Scoping

We have performed full scope audit procedures on all trading components.

Significant changes in our 
approach

Deloitte LLP were appointed as auditor on 2 December 2020 following the resignation of 
BDO LLP.

4. Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the 
preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Our evaluation of the Directors’ assessment of the Group’s and parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting is discussed in section 5.4.

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

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

5.  Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to 
fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation 
of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

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5.1. Completeness and accuracy of deferred income

Deferred income relates to extended warranty and support packages on sales of hardware 
products and revenue is released over time as the performance obligation is fulfilled. 
Deferred income recognised as a liability as at 31 December 2020 totals £0.417m with 
previously deferred revenues of £0.226m released to the income statement in the financial 
year to 31 December 2020.

The completeness and accuracy of deferred income has been identified as a key audit 
matter as manual intervention is made by management in both the calculation of revenues 
to defer and the posting of deferred income adjustments. Where an extended warranty or 
support package is purchased at the point of initial product sale it is necessary to delay 
revenue recognition until the end of the standard warranty and support service included in 
the initial purchase.

The revenue recognition accounting policy is disclosed in note 5 to the financial statements.  
Revenue disclosure is included in note 7 to the financial statements and deferred income 
disclosure is included in note 22 to the financial statements.

We obtained an understanding of the relevant controls over the revenue deferral process. 

We obtained management’s breakdown and calculation of deferred revenues and on a 
sample basis assessed whether:

•  it is appropriate for revenues to be deferred based on the performance obligations of 
the contract, and the performance obligations have been correctly identified through 
assessment of the underlying services being provided;

•  the transaction price has been appropriately determined and correctly included in the 

calculation of deferred income;

•  revenue is recognised appropriately on a straight line basis over the period of service; and

•  the amount recognised is recoverable by assessing cash received or obtaining cus-tomer 

confirmations.

For the sample selected, we recalculated the revenue recognised in the year to 
31 December 2020 and the revenue deferred as at 31 December 2020 to assess whether 
revenues had been correctly recognised or deferred. We obtained evidence in relation to 
the start date for the service being provided and the length of time the service was being 
pro-vided over, and assessed whether revenues had only recognised from the identified 
start date and over the corresponding period of service.

We identified control deficiencies with respect to management’s review controls over the 
calculation of deferred income. Refer to the Audit Committee report on page 36 of the 
Annual Report for discussion of the control environment.

Based on the work performed we concluded that the completeness and accuracy of 
deferred income is appropriate.

Key audit matter 
description

How the scope of our 
audit responded to the 
key audit matter

Key observations

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5.2. Impairment of intangible assets

Key audit matter 
description

How the scope of our 
audit responded to the 
key audit matter

As at 31 December 2020 the Group has £1.963m of intangible assets, primarily made 
up of intellectual property of £1.129m relating to the clinical AI and simulation CGUs, and 
development costs of £0.819m relating to the simulation CGU. Intellectual property has 
arisen on the acquisitions of Intelligent Ultrasound Limited and Inventive Medical Limited 
in previous periods.  Development costs capitalised relate to development expenditure 
incurred in the simulation CGU; additions to development costs in 2020 total £0.568m.

The intangible assets have been assessed by management for impairment as required under 
IAS 36 Impairment of Assets where indicators of impairment exist. No impairment has been 
recognised in 2020.

There is a risk that the key assumptions such as revenue growth, terminal growth rate, 
variability of costs and discount rates used in the impairment review model are not 
appropriate.

Note 5 to the financial statements sets out the Group’s accounting policy for intangible 
assets acquired as part of a business combination, other intangible assets, and impairment 
of assets.

Note 14 to the financial statements outlines the key assumptions involved in the intangible 
asset impairment assessment.

We obtained an understanding of the relevant controls over management’s impairment as-
sessment process for intangible assets.

We obtained cash flow forecasts prepared by management and challenged key 
management estimates included in the forecast, such as revenue growth, terminal growth 
rates, and dis-count rates.

We compared the net present value of the forecast cash flows to the carrying value of the 
Simulation and Clinical AI CGUs.

We considered indicators of impairment including with reference to historical performance, 
external market data, and assessment of the group’s future strategy and budgets.

We assessed the accuracy of management’s historical forecasts, including where manage-
ment made adjustments to forecast performance for the impact of Covid-19; where there 
were discrepancies, we evaluated the impact of these on the current year forecasts.

We involved our internal valuations specialists to estimate an appropriate discount rate with 
reference to market data and compared that to the rate used by management.

We applied sensitivities to calculations prepared by management to assess the impact on 
headroom of reasonable possible change in assumptions.

Key observations

Based on our work performed, we concluded that the carrying value of intangible assets is 
not impaired.

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5.3. Valuation of investment in subsidiaries

Impairment of investment in subsidiaries

The parent company holds significant investment in subsidiary balances held that are not 
supported by the net asset balance of the invested company, but rather the value in use 
assessment.

The use of the value in use assessment to support the valuation of investment in subsidiaries 
is subjective due to the inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting and discounting future 
cash flows of the investee companies. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has also 
increased the uncertainty in relation to future cash flows incorporated into management’s 
assessment.

The carrying value of the investment in subsidiaries held by the parent company is £5.459m 
has been assessed for impairment by management with reference to IAS 36 Impairment of 
Assets. No impairment has been recognised in 2020.

Note 5 to the financial statements sets out the Group’s accounting policy for investments in 
subsidiaries and impairment of assets.

Note 16 to the financial statements outlines the key assumptions involved in the investment 
in subsidiaries impairment assessment.

Impairment of intercompany receivables
Under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, management is required to consider all expected credit 
losses based on historic, current and forward-looking information, including intercompany 
loans from the perspective of the lender. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been 
included by management as part of this assessment.

As at 31 December 2020 the carrying value of the parent company’s intercompany 
receivables was £12.526m. In assessing the expected credit losses of intercompany 
receivables as at 31 December 2020, management determined that the amounts due 
from its subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2020 totalling £5.348m were credit 
impaired (2019: £10.132m). A reversal of previous impairment losses of £4.799m has been 
recognised in addition to an increase of £0.015m during the year to 31 December 2020.

Note 5 to the financial statements sets out the Group’s accounting policy for amounts owed 
by subsidiary undertakings.

Note 18 to the financial statements outlines the key assumptions involved in the 
intercompany receivables impairment assessment.

Key audit matter 
description

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How the scope of our 
audit responded to the 
key audit matter

Key observations

We obtained an understanding of the relevant controls over the valuation of investment in 
subsidiaries and intercompany receivables.

We obtained cash flow forecasts prepared by management and challenged key 
assumptions included in the forecast, such as revenue growth, terminal growth rates, and 
discount rate.

The net present value of the forecast cash flows was compared to the carrying value of the 
individual investment in subsidiary balances.

We considered indicators of impairment including reference to historical performance, 
external market data including market capitalisation, and assessment of the group’s future 
strategy and budgets.

We evaluated whether the expected credit loss model adopted by management is 
consistent with the requirements of IFRS 9.

We assessed the accuracy of management’s historical forecasts, including where 
management made adjustments to forecast performance for the impact of Covid-19; where 
there were discrepancies, we evaluated the impact of these on the current year forecasts.

We involved our internal valuations specialists to estimate an appropriate discount rate with 
reference to market data and compared that to the rate used by management.

We applied sensitivities to calculations prepared by management to assess the impact on 
headroom of reasonable possible changes to assumptions.

We tested the adequacy of management’s disclosures relating to the reasonable possible 
change disclosure included within Note 18.

Impairment of investment in subsidiaries
Based on our work performed, we concluded that the carrying value of intangible assets is 
not impaired and that reasonably possible change have been appropriately disclosed within 
Note 16 of the financial statements.

Impairment of intercompany receivables
Based on our work performed, we concluded that the impairment allowance recognised 
in line with IFRS 9 as at 31 December 2020 of £5.348m is reasonable and that reasonably 
possible change have been appropriately disclosed within Note 18 of the financial 
statements.

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5.4. The Directors’ use of the going concern basis

Although in a net asset position of £12.689m the Group has historically been loss making 
with a loss after taxation of £3.306m recorded in 2020. The Group has required additional 
funding to continue development of new products and in May 2020 shareholders approved 
an equity placing to raise £5.187m (£4.800m net of transaction costs) through the issue of 
49,400,000 new Ordinary Shares at 10.5 pence per share.

The preparation of the going concern assessment requires management to make significant 
judgements including in relation to future revenue generation and profitability and the audit 
work in this area includes judgement in evaluation the results of the work performed.

Management’s assessment of going concern is discussed in note 3 to the financial 
statements. Management has prepared various downside scenarios from its base case, 
including specific consideration of the potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, involving 
further reductions to revenue and delays in research and development projects. Mitigating 
actions have been identified to compensate for potential underperformance. Under these 
scenarios, the Group continues to have sufficient cash reserves until at least December 
2022 and has scope to further manage its cost base if necessary.

Management has adopted the going concern basis of accounting for the Group and parent 
company and they have concluded that there are no material uncertainties that may cast 
significant doubt over the Group’s and parent company’s ability to adopt this basis of 
accounting. In making this assessment management has considered the period through to 
31 December 2022.

We have reviewed the Directors’ statement in note 3 to the financial statements regarding 
their consideration of whether it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the financial statements and obtained an understanding of 
management’s process for making this determination. 

We considered, as part of our risk assessment, the nature of the group, its business 
model and related risks including where relevant the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, 
the requirements of the applicable financial reporting framework and the system of internal 
control.

We reviewed management’s modelling of reasonably possible downside scenarios taking 
into consideration current business and economic trends and significant developments 
during and subsequent to the year ended 31 December 2020 and their impact on the 
Group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting.

We challenged the judgements and assumptions adopted by management in their going 
concern assessment and the associated forecasts of financial performance and financial 
position. This included consideration of downside scenarios and the reasonableness 
of management’s assumptions regarding the feasibility of planned mitigating actions in 
response to the modelled reductions in cash inflows.

We considered management’s conclusions regarding the likelihood of cash flow timings 
relating to assumptions driven by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

We reverse-stress tested management’s modelling and assessed the feasibility of further 
mitigating actions available to management should cash flow downside exceed that 
modelled.

Based on our work performed, we concluded that management’s conclusion to prepare 
the Group and parent company financial statements using the going concern basis of 
accounting is appropriate.

Key audit matter 
description

How the scope of our 
audit responded to the 
key audit matter

Key observations

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6.  Our application of materiality

6.1. Materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic 
decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope 
of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work.

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

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

Materiality

£100,000

Basis for determining 
materiality

1.9% of revenue

Rationale for the 
benchmark applied

In our professional judgement we believe 
that revenue is the most appropriate 
benchmark to determine materiality as it is 
reflective of the size and scale of the group 
which is currently loss making

£50,000

2% of net assets

For group audit purposes parent company 
materiality has been capped at £50,000, being 50% 
of group materiality.

In our professional judgement our we consider net 
assets as the most appropriate measure given the 
parent company is primarily a holding company for 
the Group.

Revenue £5,000,000

Revenue

Group materiality

6.2. Perfformance materiallity

Group materiality
£100,000

Component
materiality range
£50,000 to £70,000

Audit Committee
reporting threshold
£5,000

6.2. Performance materiality
We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality to reduce the probability that, in aggregate, uncorrected and 
undetected misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial statements as a whole.

Performance 
materiality

Basis and rationale 
for determining 
performance 
materiality

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

60% of group materiality

60% of parent company materiality

We set performance materiality at a lower level than materiality to reduce the profitability that, in 
aggregate, uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole. Group performance materiality was set at 60% of group materiality for the 
2020 audit.

In determining performance materiality we consider the following factors:

•  our risk assessment, including our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment;

•  the nature, volume and size of misstatements (corrected and uncorrected) in the previous audit; 

and

•  the fact that this is our first year of appointment as auditor.

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6.3. Error reporting threshold
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the committee all audit differences in excess of £5,000 (2019: 
£2,000), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also 
report to the Audit Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the financial 
statements.

7.  An overview of the scope of our audit

7.1.  Identification and scoping of components
Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc is incorporated in England and Wales and holds investment in subsidiaries in MedaPhor Limited, 
Intelligent Ultrasound Limited, Intelligent Ultrasound North America Incorporated, IML Finance Limited, Inventive Medical Limited, 
and MedaPhor International Limited.  All components are incorporated in England and Wales with the exception of Intelligent 
Ultrasound North America Incorporated which is incorporated in the USA.

Our audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the nature of the Group and its environment, and assessing the risks of 
material misstatement at the group level.

Based on this assessment we focused our group audit scope on the four main trading companies being Intelligent Ultrasound 
Group plc, Intelligent Ultrasound Limited, MedaPhor Limited, and Intelligent Ultrasound North America Incorporated.

The four main trading companies make up 100% of Group revenues, 100% of group loss before tax, and 100% of Group net 
assets. Our audit work for these entities was executed at levels of materiality applicable to each individual entity which were lower 
than group materiality and ranged from £50,000 to £70,000.

At the parent entity level we also tested the consolidation process and carried out analytical procedures to confirm our 
conclusion that there were no significant risks of material misstatement of the aggregated financial information of the three 
dormant companies not subject to audit scope procedures.

All audit work for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the Group’s financial statements is performed by the Group audit team 
as the accounting records are held centrally.

7.2. Our consideration of the control environment
The 2020 audit was planned without the expectation of placing any reliance on the controls operated by the Group. This 
plan acknowledges the evolving nature of the current finance function and the current control environment. In gaining an 
understanding of the current control environment deficiencies were identified in relation to the controls relating to the revenue 
deferral process, as noted in section 5.1 above. Refer to the Audit Committee report on page 36 of the Annual Report for 
discussion of the control environment.

8. Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our 
auditor’s report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated 
in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of our audit, or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated.

If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives 
rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude 
that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

9.  Responsibilities of Directors

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

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

10.  Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

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

11.  Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting 

irregularities, including fraud

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

Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities

11.1. 
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with 
laws and regulations, we considered the following:

•  the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the design of the Group’s 

remuneration policies, key drivers for Directors’ remuneration, bonus levels and performance targets;

•  results of our enquiries of management and the Audit Committee about their own identification and assessment of the risks of 

irregularities; 

•  any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the Group’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating 

to:

 o

 o

identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-
compliance;

detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged 
fraud;

 o

the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations;

•  the matters discussed among the audit engagement team relevant internal specialists, including tax, valuations, and IT 
specialists regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud 
and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas:

•  completeness and accuracy of deferred income; and

•  impairment of intangible assets

In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of 
management override.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the group operates in, focusing on provisions 
of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the AIM rules, UK Companies Act, and tax 
legislation.

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In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements 
but compliance with which may be fundamental to the group’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. These included 
the Group’s ability to obtain the relevant approval for the sale of medical devices. 

11.2.  Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified completeness and accuracy of deferred income and impairment of intangible 
assets as key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud. The key audit matters section of our report explains the matters 
in more detail and also describes the specific procedures we performed in response to those key audit matters.

Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:

•  reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of 

relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;

•  enquiring of management, the Audit Committee and external legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation and 

claims;

•  performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material 

misstatement due to fraud;

•  reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;

•  in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and 

other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; 
and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members 
including internal specialists, and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations 
throughout the audit.

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Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

12.  Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

•  the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements 

are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

•  the strategic report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the 
course of the audit, we have not identified any material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report.

13.  Opinion on other matter prescribed by our engagement letter

In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006 that would have applied were the company a quoted company.

14.  Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 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.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

14.2.  Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration 
have not been made.

We have nothing to report in respect of this matter.

15.  Use of our report

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

Andrew Wright, FCA (Senior statutory auditor) 
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
Bristol, United Kingdom
21 May 2021

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Group Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income    
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Continuing operations

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other income
Administrative expenses excluding

Operating loss

Finance income
Finance costs

Loss before taxation
Taxation

Loss attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

Other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:
Exchange loss arising on translation of foreign operations

Other comprehensive loss for the period

Total comprehensive loss attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

Note

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

7

8

9

10

10

11

5,170

5,916

(1,999)  

(2,462)  

3,171

207

(7,859)  

(4,481)  

17

(17)  

3,454

157

(8,169)  

(4,558)  

1

(3)  

(4,481)  

(4,560)  

1,175

338

(3,306)  

(4,222)  

(77)  

(77)  

(33)  

(33)  

(3,383)  

(4,255)  

Loss per ordinary share attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent
Basic and diluted (pence)

13

(1.30)  

(2.37)  

The above consolidated statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes

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Group and Company Statements of Financial Position   
As AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investments in subsidiaries
Trade and other receivables

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Investments (short term deposits)
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Deferred income

Lease liabilities
Provisions

Non-current liabilities

Deferred income

Deferred taxation

Lease liabilities
Other payables

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

share capital

share premium

share warrants

Accumulated losses

share-based payment reserve

Merger reserve
Foreign exchange reserve

Total equity

Note

 14

 15

 16

 18

 17

 18

 19

 20

21

22

15

23

22

24

15

21

25

25

25

Group

Company

2020
£’000

1,963

1,313

—

61

2019
£’000

2,332

545

—

—

3,337

2,877

1,048

2,025

671

—

8,774

12,518

15,855

663

2,700

148

5,500

1,790

10,801

13,678

(1,901)  

(1,670)  

(142)  

(170)  

(10)  

(325)  

(53)  

(95)  

(2,223)  

(2,143)  

(275)  

—

(603)  

(65)  

(943)  

(109)  

(288)  

(20)  

—

(417)  

2020
£’000

—

675

5,459

12,587

18,721

—

116

—

—

6,175

6,291

25,012

(296)  

—

(123)  

—

(419)  

—

—

(518)  

(65)  

(583)  

2019
£’000

—

—

5,310

4,013

9,323

—

100

—

5,500

61

5,661

14,984

(211)  

—

—

—

(211)  

—

—

—

—

—

(3,166)  

 (2,560)  

(1,002)  

(211)  

12,689

11,118

24,010

14,773

2,694

25,959

126

2,200

21,653

126

2,694

25,959

126

2,200

21,653

126

(23,381)  

(20,075)

(10,077)  

(14,360)

842

6,538

(89)  

688

6,538

(12)

760

4,548

—

606

4,548

—

12,689

11,118

24,010

14,773

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 to not present the statement of 
Comprehensive Income for the Company. The result for the Company for the year was a profit of £4.28m (2019: loss of £1.51m).
These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 21 May 2021 and were signed 
on its behalf by:

Helen Jones 
Chief Financial Officer 

Stuart Gall 
Chief Executive Officer

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
 
Group Statement of Changes in Equity    
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Note

share 
capital
£’000

share 
premium
£’000

share
warrants
£’000

Accumulated 
losses
£’000

share-
based 
payment 
reserve
£’000

As at 31 December 2018

1,566

16,437

126

(15,853)  

562

Comprehensive income for the year

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss
Transactions with owners, 
recorded directly in equity

Issue of share capital

Cost of raising finance

Cost of share-based awards

At 31 December 2019

Comprehensive income for the year
Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners, 
recorded directly in equity

Issue of share capital

Cost of raising finance

Cost of share-based awards

At 31 December 2020

—

—

—

—

634

5,703

—

—

(487)  

—

—

—

—

—

—

(4,222)  

—

—

—

—

2,200

21,653

126

(20,075)  

—

—

—

—

494

4,693

—

—

(387)  

—

—

—

—

—

—

(3,306)  

—

—

—

—

2,694

25,959

126

(23,381)  

25

25

26

25

25

26

—

—

—

—

126

688

—

—

—

—

154

842

Merger
reserve
£’000

6,538

Foreign
exchange
reserve
£’000

Total
equity
£’000

21

9,397

—

—

—

—

—

— (4,222)  

(33)  

(33)  

— 6,337

—

—

(487)  

126

6,538

(12)   11,118

—

—

—

—

—

— (3,306)  

(77)  

(77)  

— 5,187

—

—

(387)  

154

6,538

(89)   12,689

The above Group statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

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Company Statement of Changes in Equity   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Note

share
capital
£’000

share
premium
£’000

share
warrants
£’000

Accumulated 
losses
£’000

share-
based
payment
reserve
£’000

Merger
reserve
£’000

Total 
equity
£’000

As at 31 December 2018

1,566

16,437

126

(12,847)  

480

4,548

10,310

Comprehensive income for the year

Loss for the year and total comprehensive loss
Transactions with owners, recorded  
directly in equity

shares issued for cash

Cost of raising finance

Cost of share-based awards

As at 31 December 2019

Comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year and total comprehensive 
income

Transactions with owners, recorded 
directly in equity

shares issued for cash

Cost of raising finance

Cost of share-based awards

As at 31 December 2020

—

—

—

 (1,513)  

—

—  (1,513)  

25

25

 26

 634

 5,703

—

—

(487)  

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,200

21,653

126

(14,360)  

—

—

126

606

— 6,337

—

—

(487)  

126

4,548

14,773

—

—

—

4,283

—

— 4,283

25

25

26

494

4,693

—

—

(387)  

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,694

25,959

126

(10,077)  

—

—

154

760

— 5,187

—

—

(387)  

154

4,548

24,010

The above parent company statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes

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Group and Company Statements of Cash Flows    
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Note

Group

2020
£’000

Company

2019
£’000

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

(4,481)  

(4,560)  

4,283 

(1,513)  

41

—

—

—

(4,784)  

1,213

406

937

—

26

21

—

334

1,040

—

—

—

2

154

126

(2,937)  

(3,058)  

(389)  

590

199

(85)  

188

(787)  

283

—

(2,622)  

(3,374)  

362

80

(2,260)  

(3,294)  

(371)  

(355)  

—

21

(7)  

6

(440)  

—

(76)  

64

—

(452)  

—

(452)  

—

—

(3,729)  

—

—

(1)  

—

(301)  

—

(4)  

4

—

(301)  

—

(301)  

—

—

(4,751)  

(5,500)  

—

1

—

—

5,500

(568)  

17

12

—

(5,500)  

5,500

(485)  

—

—

17

4,578

(6,328)  

1,788

(10,250)  

5,187

(387)  

(62)  

(17)  

6,337

(487)  

(37)  

(2)  

5,187

(387)  

(11)  

(11)  

6,337

(487)  

—

—

4,721

5,811

4,778

5,850

7,039

1,790

(55)  

8,774

(3,811)  

5,607

(6)  

6,114

61

—

1,790

6,175

(4,701)  

4,762

—

61

9

9

10

12

17

23

11

19

14

10

25

25

15

10

20

20

Cash flows from operating activities

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangible assets

Credit loss (reversal)/allowance on intercompany receivables

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Fair value adjustment to share warrants

Finance costs/(income)
share-based payment charge

Operating cash flows before movement in working capital

Movement in inventories

Movement in trade and other receivables

Movement in trade and other payables
Movement in provisions

Cash used in operations
Income taxes received

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Disposal of property, plant and equipment

Increase in intercompany loans

Decrease/(increase) in short term deposits

Internally generated intangible assets
Interest received

Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of new shares

share issue costs

Principal elements of lease payments
Interest paid

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 

31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes to the Financial Statements    
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1.  General information

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc (“the Company”) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United 
Kingdom whose shares are traded on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. The Company’s 
registration number is 09028611 and its registered office address is Floor 6A Hodge House, 114-116 St Mary Street, 
Cardiff, CF10 1DY.

The Company’s principal activity is that of a holding company. The Group’s principal activities are the development, 
marketing and distribution of medical training simulators and clinical ultrasound software.

2.   New and amended standards adopted by the Group

Impact of the initial application of other new and amended IFRS Standards that are effective for the 
current year
The Group has applied the following standards and amendments for the first time for their annual reporting period 
commencing 1 January 2020: 

•  Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 – Definition of material; 

•  Amendments to IFRS 3 – Definition of a Business; 

•  Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform; and 

•  Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards.

The amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and are not expected to 
significantly affect the current or future periods.

New and revised IFRS Standards in issue but not yet effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRS 
Standards that have been issued but are not yet effective:

•  IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts

•  IFRS 10 and IAS 28 (amendments) – Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint 

Venture

•  Amendments to IAS 1 Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current

•  Amendments to IFRS 3 Reference to the Conceptual Framework

•  Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment—Proceeds before Intended Use

•  Amendments to IAS 37 Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract

•  Annual Improvements to IFRS

•  Standards 2018-2020 Cycle

•  Amendments to IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting

•  Standards, IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, IFRS 16 Leases, and IAS 41 Agriculture

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the Standards listed above will have a material impact on the financial 
statements of the Group in future periods.

3.  Basis of preparation

Compliance with IFRS
The Group and Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards 
in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and International Financial Reporting Standards.

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Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Historical cost convention
The financial statements have been prepared on historical cost basis except certain financial assets and liabilities are 
measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated 
using another valuation technique. In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group takes into account the 
characteristics of the asset or liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the 
asset or liability at the measurement date. Fair value for measurement and/or disclosure purposes in these consolidated 
financial statements is determined on such a basis, except for share-based payment transactions that are within the scope 
of IFRS 2, leasing transactions that are within the scope of IFRS 16, and measurements that have some similarities to fair 
value but are not fair value, such as net realisable value in IAS 2 or value in use in IAS 36. 

The accounting policies set out in note 5 have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial 
statements.

Foreign currency translation

i)  Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which the entity operates (‘the functional currency’).

ii)  Transactions and balances
These financial statements are presented in Sterling which is considered to be the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the Group operates. This decision was based on the Group’s workforce being based mainly in the UK 
and that Sterling is the currency in which management reporting and decision making is based.

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at the dates of the 
transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions, and from the translation 
of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at year end exchange rates, are generally recognised in 
profit or loss. They are deferred in equity if they are attributable to part of the net investment in a foreign operation.

iii) Group companies
The results and financial position of foreign operations (none of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy) that 
have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

•  assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet;

•  income and expenses for each statement of profit or loss and statement of comprehensive income are translated at 

average exchange rates (unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on 
the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and

•  all resulting exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of any net investment in foreign entities, and 
of borrowings and other financial instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are recognised in other 
comprehensive income. When a foreign operation is sold or any borrowings forming part of the net investment are repaid, 
the associated exchange differences are reclassified to profit or loss, as part of the gain or loss on sale.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of 
the foreign operation and translated at the closing rate.

Estimates and judgements
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the 
financial statements. If in the future such estimates and assumptions which are based on management’s best judgement at 
the date of the financial statements, deviate from the actual circumstances, the original estimates and assumptions will be 
modified as appropriate in the year in which the circumstances change. Critical accounting judgements and estimates are 
described in note 6.

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Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Group meets its day-to-day working capital 
requirements from its cash reserves.

The Board has prepared trading and cash flow forecasts for the period to 31 December 2022. These model trade returning 
to 2019 levels as the impact of Covid-19 reduces later in 2021, as well as the sales projections for new products coming 
on stream as a result of the Group’s research and development activity. The forecasts indicate that the Group will continue 
to trade with its existing cash reserves. The Board has prepared various downside scenarios from its base case, involving 
reductions in revenue and delays in research and development projects. Under these scenarios, the Group continues to 
have sufficient cash reserves for at least the next 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements and 
therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.

The Board is confident that continued focus on research and development, new product development and sales & 
marketing will deliver growth and bring the Group to profitability.

4.  Basis of consolidation

Where the Company has control over an investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The Company controls an investee if 
all three of the following elements are present: power over the investee, exposure to variable returns from the investee 
and the ability of the investor to use its power to affect those variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever the facts 
and circumstance indicate that there may be a change in any of these elements of control. The consolidated financial 
statements incorporate the results of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. The Company was incorporated on 7 
May 2014.

There are no restrictions over the Company’s ability to access or use assets and settle liabilities of the Group.

5.  Accounting policies

Revenue recognition
In accordance with IFRS 15 ‘Revenues from Contracts with Customers’, revenue is measured by reference to the fair value 
of consideration received or receivable by the Group, excluding value added tax (or similar local sales tax), in exchange for 
transferring the promised goods or services to the customer. Revenue excludes value added tax or similar and local sales 
tax. The consideration is allocated to each separate performance obligation that is identified in a sales contract, based on 
stand-alone selling prices.

i)  Simulation division

Performance obligations and timing of revenue recognition
The majority of the Group’s revenue is derived from selling goods (principally simulation systems including related software 
licences) with revenue recognised at a point in time when control of the goods has transferred to the customer. This is 
generally when the goods are delivered to the customer or collected by the customer’s agents from the Group’s premises.

The customer may elect to purchase installation and training services in relation to the goods supplied by the Group. The 
revenue from these services is recognised once the installation and training have been provided.

A small minority of contracts relate to (i) the provision of scan image analysis services which include the development of 
bespoke software and (ii) the granting of licences to allow customers to use intellectual property owned by the Group 
(specifically beating heart animation). The revenue from image analysis services is recognised pro-rata to the delivery of 
those services. The revenue from licences is recognised at the point in time when the licenced software is delivered to the 
customer.

In a barter transaction, where simulation systems are exchanged for non-cash consideration in the form of scan images or 
patient scans, the non-cash consideration is measured at fair value. The fair value of the scan images or patient scans may 
be set out in the commercial contract but if fair value cannot be readily determined, the fair value is measured indirectly by 
reference to the stand-alone selling price of the simulation system provided by the Group.

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Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The price of the goods supplied by the Group usually includes 12 months’ support and warranty. The technical support is 
accounted for as a separate performance obligation, with revenue recognised pro-rata to an estimate of the typical profile 
of the time spent on delivering the support required by customers in the first year (with 60% of the time spent in the first 3 
months and the remaining balance spent on a straight line basis over the remaining 9 months). In accordance with IFRS 
15, the first year warranties are not accounted for as separate performance obligations and hence no revenue is allocated 
to them. Instead, a provision is made for the costs of satisfying the warranties in accordance with IAS 37 Provisions, 
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.

Customers are able to purchase extended warranties, Cloud access, on-going service support (which incorporates ad-
hoc minor ‘bug-fixes’) and, for some products, new release software upgrades (distinguished from minor ‘bug-fixes’, as 
these upgrades incorporate fundamental enhancements to the functionality of the software). The revenues from extended 
warranties Cloud access and on-going service support are recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the related 
contract. Revenues from the new release software upgrades are recognised on delivery of the software upgrades.

Determining the transaction price
The Group’s revenue is almost entirely derived from fixed price contracts and therefore, the amount of revenue to be earned 
from each contract is determined by reference to those fixed prices. The exception is first year support, which is included 
in the price of the goods. The transaction price for first year support is determined by reference to a cost-plus model to 
approximate to the transaction price that the Group might charge if the first year support was sold separately. 

Allocating amounts to performance obligations
For the vast majority of contracts there is a fixed unit price for each product or service sold (including installation and 
training, extended warranties, Cloud access, on-going support and software upgrades) which is set out in the contract. For 
all contracts, any reductions (for example, for larger orders or sales to key opinion leader customers) are given at a specific 
time - when the contract is agreed. Therefore, there is no judgement involved in allocating the contract price to each item 
ordered in such contracts. As explained above, the revenue relating to first year support is estimated using a cost-plus 
model and allocated to the fulfilment of the performance obligation by reference to the typical profile of the time spent in 
providing support in the first year. Similarly, the revenue from image analysis services is allocated pro-rata to the fulfilment of 
the related performance obligations by reference to the stage of completion of these services.

Costs of obtaining contracts and costs of fulfilling contracts
Commissions paid to sales staff for generating sales orders are recognised when the customer order has been receive. 
Sales are invoiced in all cases when control of the goods passes to the customer or, in the case of services to be delivered 
in the future, at the point in time when the customer has agreed to purchase these future services. The value of future 
services extending beyond one year is not significant and so no prepaid commission is recorded as the amounts involved 
would not be material. No judgement is needed to measure the costs of obtaining contracts – it is the commission paid.

The costs of fulfilling contracts do not result in the recognition of a separate asset because:

•  such costs are included in the carrying amount of inventory for contracts involving the sale of goods; and

•  for service contracts, revenue is recognised over time by reference to the stage of completion meaning that control of the 
asset (the service) is transferred to the customer on a continuous basis as the service is provided. Consequently, no asset 
for work in progress is recognised.

Significant payment terms
Invoices for goods that are delivered at a point in time are rendered when control of the goods has passed to the customer. 
Invoices for services that are delivered over time are rendered on the date on which the customers agree to purchase 
those services. Most customers are allowed 30 days credit from the date of invoice. New distribution customers or existing 
customers with a poor credit history are required to pay 50% of the invoice on placement of their order, with the balance 
payable 30 days from delivery of the goods to them. These payment terms apply to both goods that are delivered at a point 
in time and services that are delivered over time.

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Practical exemption
The Group has taken advantage of the practical exemption not to account for significant financing components where the 
time difference between receiving consideration and transferring control of goods (or services) to its customer is one year or 
less.

ii)  Clinical AI division – royalty income
Revenue is recognised for licenses of intellectual property in exchange for sales-based royalties when the customer’s 
subsequent sales and activation occurs. When the royalty relates to a right-to-use licence, it is recognised at a point in time 
when the final sales to the end customer occurs.

Share-based payments
The Company issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees and Directors of group companies. Equity-
settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant. 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 an estimate of 
shares that will eventually vest.

The fair value is measured by use of a binomial probability option pricing model. 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. No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest due to non-market vesting 
conditions.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position when the entity becomes a 
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at their amortised cost using the 
effective interest method less any provision for impairment. The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring 
expected credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables. To measure expected credit 
losses on a collective basis, trade receivables are grouped based on similar credit risk and aging. Institutional customers 
such as hospitals and medical schools are assigned the lowest credit risk and non-institutional customers with poor credit 
history are assigned the highest credit risk. The expected loss probability rates are based on management’s experience of 
historical credit losses for each group of trade receivables. The resultant provision matrix is then adjusted for current and 
forward-looking information based upon management’s knowledge of the customer concerned, the prospects of recovery 
and includes any negative macroeconomic factors relating to the territory or sector in which the customer operates. For 
trade receivables, which are reported net, provisions for impairment are recorded in a separate provision account with the 
loss being recognised through the Statement of Comprehensive Income. On confirmation that the trade receivable will not 
be collectable or the indicators are that there is no reasonable prospect of recovery (due to, for example, the insolvency of 
the customer or legal advice that the prospects of recovery are remote), it is deemed to be credit impaired and the gross 
carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision.

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are classified and measured in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 9 
including, where relevant, applying the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model for impairment. Amounts owed by subsidiary 
undertakings are considered to be in default when there is evidence that the borrower will have insufficient liquid assets to 
repay the amount due on demand.

Financial liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered 
into. A financial liability is a contracted obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity. An equity 
instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.

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

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Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Deferred consideration
In respect of deferred share consideration for business combinations, where the number of shares to be issued may vary 
then the consideration does not meet the definition of equity and so, until the shares are issued, the deferred consideration 
is classified as a financial liability. The liability is measured as the fair value of the shares to be issued.

Goodwill
Goodwill arising on consolidation is recorded as an intangible asset and is the surplus of the cost of the acquisition over 
the Group’s interest in the fair value of identifiable net assets (including intangible assets) acquired. Goodwill is reviewed 
annually for impairment. Any impairment identified as a result of the review is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive 
Income.

Other intangible assets 
An intangible asset, which is an identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance, is recognised to the extent that 
it is probable that the expected future economic benefits attributable to the asset will flow to the Group and that its cost can 
be measured reliably. Such intangible assets are carried at cost net of related grants received less amortisation.

Amortisation is charged to administrative expenses in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as follows:

Development Costs

Software licences

33% Straight line

33% Straight line

Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

Development expenditure is capitalised as an intangible asset only if the following conditions are met:

•  an asset is created that can be identified;

•  it is probable that the asset created will generate future economic benefit;

•  the development cost of the asset can be measured reliably;

•  it meets the Group’s criteria for technical and commercial feasibility; and

•  sufficient resources are available to meet the development to either sell or use as an asset.

Development expenditure thus capitalised is amortised on a straight-line basis over its useful life. Where the criteria is not 
met, development expenditure is recognised as an expense in the administrative expenses line in profit and loss.

Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination
For acquisitions, the Group recognises intangible assets separately from goodwill provided they are separable or arise from 
contractual or other legal rights and their fair value can be measured reliably. Intangible assets are initially recognised at fair 
value, which is regarded as their cost. Intangible assets are subsequently held at cost less accumulated amortisation and 
impairment losses. Where intangible assets have finite lives, their cost is amortised on a straight-line basis over those lives. 
The nature of intangible assets recognised and their estimated useful lives is as follows:

Intellectual Property

Brands

5 to 10 Years

5 Years

Impairment of assets
The Group assesses annually whether there is any indication that any of its assets have been impaired. If such indication 
exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated and compared to its carrying value. Where it is impossible to estimate 
the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the smallest cash-generating 
unit to which the asset is allocated. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less 
than its carrying amount an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

For goodwill, intangible assets that have an indefinite life and intangible assets not yet available for use, the recoverable 
amount is estimated annually or whenever there is an indication of impairment.

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Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less any subsequent accumulated depreciation or impairment losses.

Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated 
residual value over its expected useful life, as follows:

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

Plant & equipment 

  R&D/demonstration/loan units

  Other

25%

33%

25%

Straight line

Straight line

Straight line

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed at each year end and adjusted if appropriate. The carrying values 
of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying value may not be recoverable.

Leases
The Group leases property and motor vehicles.

The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the 
right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

The Group applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for short-term leases and leases 
of low-value assets. The Group recognises lease liabilities to make lease payments and right-of-use assets representing the 
right to use the underlying assets.

i)  Right-of-use assets
The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e. the date the underlying asset is 
available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and 
adjusted for any re-measurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities 
recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease 
incentives received. Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term and the 
estimated useful lives of the assets. If ownership of the leased asset transfers to the Group at the end of the lease term or 
the cost reflects the exercise of a purchase option, depreciation is calculated using the estimated useful life of the asset.

The cost of a right-of-use asset also includes an estimate of costs to be incurred by the lessee in dismantling and removing 
the underlying asset, restoring the site on which it is located or restoring the underlying asset to the condition required 
by the terms and conditions of the lease, unless those costs are incurred to produce inventories. The lessee incurs the 
obligation for those costs either at the commencement date or as a consequence of having used the underlying asset 
during a particular period.

The right-of-use assets are also subject to impairment. 

ii)  Lease liabilities
At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease 
payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in substance fixed 
payments) less any lease incentives receivable. 

In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease 
commencement date because the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement 
date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments 
made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is re-measured if there is a modification, a change in the lease 
term, a change in the lease payments (e.g. changes to future payments resulting from a change in an index or rate used to 
determine such lease payments) or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset. 

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Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

iii) Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets
The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of machinery and equipment (i.e. 
those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase 
option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered 
to be low value. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low value assets are recognised as expense on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term.

Investments in subsidiaries
The Company’s investments in its subsidiaries are included at cost plus the fair value of options in the Company’s shares 
that have been granted to the employees of each subsidiary less any provision for impairment.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Short term investments
Short term investments include term deposits with maturities over three months at the date of investment.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined on weighted average basis and 
includes all direct expenditure. Net realisable value is the price at which the stocks can be sold in the normal course of 
business after allowing for the costs of realisation and where appropriate for the costs of conversion from its existing state 
to a finished condition. Provision is made for obsolete, slow moving and defective stocks.

Income tax
The income tax credit for the period is the tax receivable on the current period’s taxable loss, based on the applicable 
income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary 
differences and to unused tax losses.

The current income tax credit is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the 
reporting period in the countries where the company and its subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable 
income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax 
regulation is subject to interpretation and considers whether it is probable that a taxation authority will accept an uncertain 
tax treatment. The Group measures its tax balances either based on the most likely amount or the expected value, 
depending on which method provides a better prediction of the resolution of the uncertainty.

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

Deferred tax assets are recognised only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those 
temporary differences and losses.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are not recognised for temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax 
bases of investments in foreign operations where the company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary 
differences and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and 
liabilities and where the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities are 
offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the 
asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other 
comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or 
directly in equity, respectively.

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UK Research and Development Tax Incentive regimes
The Group accounts for amounts claimed under the SME scheme as tax credits and amounts claimed under the RDEC 
scheme as Other income.

Pension costs
Pension allowances, contributions to defined contribution pension schemes and contributions to personal pension schemes 
are charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year to which they relate.

Warranty claims
Provision is made for liabilities arising in respect of expected warranty claims based upon management’s best estimate of 
the Group’s liability for remedial work and warranties granted on products sold.

Government grants
R&D expenditure credits are recognised as income over the periods necessary to match them with the related costs and 
are included within Other Income.

Amounts claimed under the US Paycheck Protection Program are recognised on a gross basis in accordance with IAS 20. 
Proceeds are recognised in Other income on a systematic basis that corresponds with the manner in which the business 
entity recognises the underlying expenses for which the government grant is intended to compensate.

Equity
Ordinary share capital represents the nominal value of equity shares. Share premium represents the excess over nominal 
value of the fair value of consideration received for equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue. Merger reserve 
represents the difference between the cost of investment and the nominal value of the share capital acquired. Foreign 
exchange reserve represents the differences arising on translating opening net assets of overseas operations.

Share warrants treated as equity are recorded as a separate component of equity. Warrants issued are measured at fair 
value at the date of issue. The fair value is included as a component of equity and is transferred from share warrants to 
ordinary share capital on exercise.

6.   Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation 

uncertainty

i)  Critical accounting judgements
In preparing the 2020 financial statements no significant judgements have been made in the process of applying the 
Group’s accounting policies, other than those involving estimations, that could have a material effect on the amounts 
recognised in the financial statements.

ii) Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The key source of estimation uncertainty that has a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts 
of assets and liabilities within the next financial year is discussed below.

Recoverability of amounts due from subsidiary undertakings (company only)
The Company has applied the IFRS 9 general approach to measure expected credit losses arising from amounts owed by 
its subsidiary undertakings. This required the Directors to make judgements to arrive at a weighted average expected credit 
loss based on a number of forecast cash flow scenarios and the assignment of probability factors to each scenario.

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Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

7.   Segmental Operations

The Group identifies reportable operating segments based on internal management reporting that is regularly reviewed by 
the chief operating decision maker (CODM). The CODM is the Board of Directors.

The format of revenue reporting is based on the Group’s management and internal reporting (including reports to the 
CODM) of the divisions below which carry different risks and rewards and are used to make strategic decisions. The Group 
has two operating segments; Simulation and Clinical AI. Other Group costs, assets and liabilities that cannot be allocated to 
an operating segment are shown within ‘Central’ below.

i)  Simulation division
Revenue arises from sales of ultrasound simulation systems and related services.

ii)  Clinical AI division
Revenue arises from sales of regulatory approved AI-based ultrasound image analysis software products.

2020

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other income

Administrative expenses 

Operating loss

Finance income

Finance costs

Loss before taxation

Taxation

Loss attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

Simulation

Clinical AI

Central

£’000

5,153

(1,999)  

3,154

207

£’000

£’000

17

—

17

—

—

—

—

—

Total

£’000

5,170

(1,999)  

3,171

207

(4,703)  

(2,239)  

(917)  

  (7,859)  

(1,342)  

(2,222)  

(917)  

(4,481)  

—

(6)  

—

—

17

(11)  

17

(17)  

(1,348)  

(2,222

(911)  

(4,481)  

488

(860)  

687

—

1175

(1,535)  

(911)  

(3,306)  

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2019

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other income

Administrative expenses 

Operating loss

Finance income

Finance costs

Loss before taxation

Taxation

Simulation

Clinical AI

£’000

5,916

(2,462)  

3,454

157

(5,197)  

(1,586)  

—

(3)  

£’000

—

—

—

—

(2,125)  

(2,125)  

—

—

Central

£’000

—

—

—

—

(847)  

(847)  

1

—

Total

£’000

5,916

(2,462)  

3,454

157

(8,169)  

(4,558)  

1

(3)  

(1,589)  

(2,125)  

(846)  

(4,560)  

152

186

—

338

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Loss attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

(1,437)  

(1,939)  

(846)  

(4,222)  

Revenue by destination of external customer

Year ended 31 December 2020

Simulation

Clinical AI

United Kingdom

North America

Rest of World

Goods transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

£’000

1,419

2,324

1,410

5,153

4,907

246

£’000

—

—

17

17

17

—

Year ended 31 December 2019

Simulation

Clinical AI

United Kingdom

North America

Rest of World

Goods transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

£’000

720

2,580

2,616

5,916

5,597

319

£’000

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total

£’000

1,419

2,324

1,427

5,170

4,924

246

Total

£’000

720

2,580

2,616

5,916

5,597

319

Included within non-UK revenues are sales to the following countries which accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s 
total revenue for the year:

USA 

China

2020
£’000

2,036

421

2019
£’000

 2,204

 598

The Group had no customers who accounted for more than 10% of the Group revenue for the year ended 31 December 
2020 or 2019.

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Other segment information

Simulation division

Clinical AI division

Central

Assets and liabilities by division

Simulation division

Clinical AI division

Central

8.   Other income

US Government grant income 

UK grant income

R&D expenditure credit (RDEC)

Depreciation and 
amortisation

Additions to non-current 
assets

2020 
£’000

1,156

145

42

2019 
£’000

1,230

145

—

2020 
£’000

1,049

—

717

1,343

1,375

1,766

2019 
£’000

927

—

—

927

Assets

Liabilities

2020 
£’000

7,324

1,578

6,953

2019 
£’000

6,753

1,265

5,660

15,855

13,678

2020 
£’000

2019 
£’000

(1,906)  

(2,192)  

(258)  

(1,002)  

(3,166)  

(157)  

(211)  

(2,560)  

2020 
£’000

124

—

83

207

2019 
£’000

—

157

—

157

In May 2020, IUNA received an advance of £0.124m ($0.159m) under the US Government’s Paycheck Protection Program 
which allowed US small businesses to apply for forgivable loans to pay for their payroll and certain other costs. The 
program was designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll instead of furlough 
during the pandemic. The amount of a PPP loan available was approximately equal to 2.5 times the average monthly 
payroll costs. The loan was formally forgiven on 18 December 2020. The advance has been recognised as Other income in 
accordance with IAS 20 ‘Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance’.

RDEC to the amount of £0.83m was received by MedaPhor in relation to R&D projects which have been previously in 
receipt of grant funding which cannot be claimed under the R&D SME regime. RDEC is recognised as taxable income 
within Other income. 

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9.   Operating loss

Operating loss is stated after charging: 

Raw materials and consumables used

Depreciation

  Right-of-use assets

  Other assets

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Staff costs (note 12)

Exchange loss

Auditor’s remuneration

  Audit of Group financial statements

  Audit of Company and subsidiaries

  Tax advisory services

R&D cost 

— Expensed (including staff costs included above)

— Amortised

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

1,605

1,892

111

295

937

4,736

9

69

17

—

44

290

1,040

4,276

13

56

14

12

1,990

441

2,223

545

Staff and other development costs not included in the operating loss of £0.57m have been capitalised as intangible assets 
during the year (2019: £0.49m).

Fees of £0.03k were incurred in relation to the FY20 half year review and payable to the predecessor auditor, BDO LLP.

10. Finance income and costs

Finance income

Interest income from bank deposits

Finance costs

Interest on lease liabilities

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

(17)  

17

—

(1)    

3 

2

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

11.  Taxation

i)  Analysis of income tax credit in the year

Current tax

R&D tax credit

R&D tax credit relating to prior periods

Deferred tax

Origination and reversal of timing differences

Effect of tax rate change on opening balance

Income tax credit 

2020
£’000

(673)  

(214)  

(887)  

(300)  

12

(288)  

(1,175)  

2019
£’000

 (168)  

 (80)  

 (248)  

 (90)  

—

 (90)  

 (338)  

ii) Factors affecting the tax credit
The Group has made a taxable loss for the year (2019: loss) but has not recognised all of the deferred tax asset arising due 
to uncertainty over the timing of future profit.

Loss before taxation

Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% 
(2019: 19%)

Effects of:

Fixed asset differences

Expenses not deductible/income not taxable

Differences between R&D expenditure credit and capitalised revenue expenditure

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Remeasurement of deferred tax for changes in tax rates

Deferred tax not recognised

Total income tax credit

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

(4,481)  

 (4,560)  

(851)  

 (866)  

1

24

(290)  

(214)  

(262)  

417

(1,175)  

—

 35

 (191)  

 — 

—

 685

 (337)  

Legislation will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2021 to set the main rate of corporation tax at 25% for financial year 2023, 
which will apply to profits above £250,000; and introduce a small profits rate of 19% for profits below £50,000. Marginal 
relief provisions will be introduced so that, where a company’s profits fall between the lower and upper limits, it will be able 
to claim an amount of marginal relief that bridges the gap between the lower and upper limits providing a gradual increase 
in the Corporation Tax rate.

In 2019 the R&D tax credit was recognised through the income statement upon cash receipt of the 2018 claim. In 2020 
an asset has been recognised for the best estimate of the 2020 R&D tax claim based on the track record of previous 
successful claims in addition to the 2019 tax claim on receipt.

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iii)  Deferred tax
The unrecognised and recognised deferred tax asset/(liability) comprises the following:

Accelerated capital allowances

Capitalised development costs

Intangible assets

Tax losses

Total asset/(liability)

Unrecognised

Recognised

2020
£’000

2019
 £’000

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,991

2,991

 2,726

2,726

2020
£’000

(110)  

(91)  

(218)  

419

—

2019
£’000

(90)  

(14)  

(288)  

104

(288)  

Where a deferred tax liability arises, an equal amount of trade losses has been recognised to the net position at entity 
level is nil. The deferred tax liabilities relate to accelerated capital allowances mainly due to claims for annual investment 
allowances (‘AIA’) with respect to eligible fixed asset additions, R&D claims in MedaPhor where development costs are 
capitalised and R&D claims are made under s.1308 CTA 2009, reducing the tax base of these assets and intangible assets 
acquired with IML and IUL..

iv)  Tax losses
The Group has significant trade losses carried forward which are currently not being recognised due to uncertainty of when 
these losses will be utilised. This includes losses arising in IUNA of c.$3.2m / £2.5m.

Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised

Potential tax benefit @19% (2019: 19%)

2020
£’000

15,742

2,991

2019
£’000

14,347

2,726

v) Uncertainty over income tax treatments
MedaPhor is currently appealing various penalty notices received by the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) totalling $55k for 
late filing of historical tax returns in the US. The Company has appealed these penalties and it is the view of the Company, 
supported by the Group’s tax advisers, that these appeals will be successful.

12. Employees

The average monthly number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group 
was:

Research and development

Sales, marketing and distribution

Management and administration

2020
No. 

2019
No. 

32

11

15

58

 20

 14

 11

 45

The Company has no other employees and the only staff costs incurred by the Company relate to fees paid to 
Non-executive Directors (see the Remuneration Report for details).

The average monthly number of Non-executive Directors employed by the Company was:

2020
No. 

5

2019
No. 

 5

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Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Staff costs for the employees and Executive Directors of the Group (included under administrative expenses and in staff 
costs capitalised under development costs):

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs

Pensions

Share-based payments

Total employed staff costs

Contractors and freelancers

Staff costs capitalised

Staff costs included under administrative expenses

Key management for the Group is considered to be the Executive Directors of the Group.

Short term employee benefits

Post employment benefits

Share based payments

Directors’ remuneration comprises the following:

Salaries and fees (including estimated value of other benefits)

Fees paid to third parties in respect of services provided by Directors

Directors’ pension costs

No Directors are accruing benefits under company pension schemes (2019: none).

This remuneration includes the following amounts in respect of the highest paid director:

Salaries and fees (including estimated value of other benefits)

Pension costs

2020
 £’000

3,854

324

180

154

4,512

475

(251)  

4,736

2020
£’000

740

63

87

890

2020
£’000

854

20

63

2020
£’000

232

19

2019
 £’000

 3,447

 351

 99

 126

 4,023

 377

 (124)  

4,276

2019
£’000

766

62

55

883

2019
£’000

881

20

62

2019
£’000

 227

 18

The highest paid Director held 923,474 (2019: 828,236) shares at the year end and share options in the Company totalling 
4,116,498 (2019: 3,029,000). None of the Directors exercised any of their share options during the year (2019: None). 
Further details of Directors’ fees and salaries, bonuses, pensions and share options are given in the Remuneration report.

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13. Loss per ordinary share

The loss per ordinary share has been calculated using the loss for the year and the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares in issue during the year as follows:

Loss for the year after taxation

Number of ordinary shares of 1p each

Basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares 

Basic and diluted loss pence per share

2020
£’000

2019
 £’000

(3,306)  

(4,222)

 2020
No. 

 2019
No. 

254,915,148 178,503,090 

(1.30)  

(2.37)

At 31 December 2020 and 2019 there were share options outstanding (see note 26) which could potentially have a dilutive 
impact but were anti-dilutive in both years.

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14. Intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Additions

At 31 December 2019

Additions

At 31 December 2020

Amortisation/impairment

At 1 January 2019

Charge for year

At 31 December 2019

Charge for year

At 31 December 2020

Net book value

At 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

Part of business combination

Other intangibles

Goodwill
£’000

Intellectual 
property
£’000

Brand
£’000

Development 
costs
£’000

Software 
licences
£’000

3,328

—

3,328

—

3,328

3,328

—

3,328

—

3,328

—

—

—

3,038

—

3,038

—

3,038

971

469

1,440

469

1,909

1,129

1,598

2,067

133

—

133

—

133

64

27

91

27

118

15

42

69

2,464

485 

2,949

568

3,517

1,712

545

2,257

441

2,698

819

692

751

25

—

 25

—

25

25

—

25

—

25

—

—

—

Total 
£’000

8,988

485

9,473

568

10,041

6,100

1,041

7,141

937

8,078

1,963

2,332

2,887

For the intangible assets that have a finite life, the Directors considered the need to impair the carrying value of intangible 
assets by performing an assessment of indicators of impairment. The assessment concluded that there were no indicators 
of impairment requiring a full impairment review.

For those intangible assets still in development and not available for use the recoverable amount must be measured 
annually, irrespective of whether there is any indication that it may be impaired. The recoverable amount is defined as the 
higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. The assessment of the recoverable amount concluded 
that no impairment was required.

79

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Intellectual property
Intellectual property (IP) was acquired as part of the acquisition of IML and IUL and are amortised over their estimated useful 
lives of 5 and 10 years respectively. The IP acquired from IML relates to the Heartworks echo-cardiology simulator software 
and associated trademarks. The IP acquired from IUL relates to the ScanNav Assist software and ultrasound scan images. 

Material individual intangible assets within IP are as follows:

•  £0.21m (2019: £0.56m) in relation to the acquisition of IML with a remaining amortisation period of 0.6 years as at 

31 December 2020; and

•  £0.94m (2019: £1.1m) in relation to the acquisition of IUL with a remaining amortisation period of 6.75 years as at 

31 December 2020.

Development costs
Development costs have been internally and externally generated. The amortisation period for these costs is 3 years. 
Included within internally generated development costs are assets with a net book value of £nil (2019: £nil) that are shown 
net of government grants received of £0.073m (2019: £0.073m).

15. Property, plant & equipment

i)  Group

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Adjustment on transition to IFRS 16

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

As at 31 December 2019

Additions

Disposals

Foreign exchange

As at 31 December 2020

Depreciation

At 1 January 2019

Charge for year

Disposals

At 31 December 2019

Charge for year

Disposals

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2020

Net book value

At 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

Leasehold 
improvements
£’000

Furniture & 
fixtures
£’000

Plant & 
equipment
£’000 

Right of
use assets
£’000

—

—

—

—

—

—

63

—

—

63

—

—

—

—

10

—

—

10

53

—

—

60

—

60

 31

—

91

14

(77)  

—

28

45

14

—

59

14

(65)  

—

8

20

32

15

612

—

612

325

(8)  

929

276

(212)  

—

993

209

281

(2)  

488

271

(198)  

—

561

432

441

403

—

33

33

86

(10)  

109

845

—

(3)  

951

—

39

(4)  

35

111

—

(3)  

143

808

74

33

Total
£’000 

672

33

705

442

(18)  

1,129

1,198

(289)  

(3)  

2,035

254

334

(6)  

582

406

(263)  

(3)  

722

1,313

547

451

Total depreciation expense of £0.41m (2019: £0.33m) has been charged to administrative expenses in the income 
statement.

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ii) Company

Cost

At 1 January and 31 December 2019 

Additions

As at 31 December 2020

Depreciation

At 1 January and 31 December 2019 

Charge for year

At 31 December 2020

Net book value

At 31 December 2020

At 1 January and 31 December 2019 

Right of use 
assets
£’000

—

718

718

—

43

43

675

—

iii)  Leases
The balance sheet shows the following amounts relating to leases:

Right-of-use assets

Premises

Vehicles

Group

Company

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

766

32

808

61

13

74

675

—

675

—

—

—

Additions to the right-of-use assets during the 2020 financial year include £0.72m in relation to a new office lease for the 
Group’s new head office and £0.11m for the new manufacturing and distribution centre.

Set out below is the movements during the period in the carrying amount of the lease liability:

Group

Company

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

At 1 January

Additions 

Interest on lease liability

Early termination adjustment/payment

Payments of lease liability and interest

At 31 December

73

762

17

—

(79)  

773

31

85

3

(6)  

(40)  

73

—

641

11

—

(11)  

641

—

—

—

—

—

—

81

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Maturity Analysis:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Less: unearned interest

Analysed as:

Current

Non-current

204

191

164

185

117

861

(88)

773

170

603

773

54

20

—

—

—

74

(1)

73

53

20

73

152

160

133

160

113

718

(77)

641

123

518

641

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

The following amounts relating to leases are recognised in profit and loss in the year to 31 December 2020:

Short term lease expense

Depreciation expense on right-of-use assets

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Cash outflows from short term leases are £0.047m (2019: £0.087m).

16. Investments in subsidiaries

At 1 January 

Movement in the year

At 31 December

2020  
£’000

4747

111

17

175

2019
£’000

87

39

3

129

Company

2020
£’000

5,310

149

5,459

2019
£’000

5,184

126

 5,310

The capital contribution represents the share-based payment expense in respect of the fair value of share options over the 
Company’s unissued shares granted to employees of subsidiaries.

The Company’s subsidiary undertakings are as follows:

Name of undertaking

MedaPhor Limited

Company number

Incorporated

05176992

England & Wales

Intelligent Ultrasound North America Incorporated (IUNA) —

USA

Intelligent Ultrasound Limited

IML Finance Limited (dormant)

Inventive Medical Limited (dormant)

MedaPhor International Limited (dormant)

08107443

10289063

06468381

08838635

England & Wales

England & Wales

England & Wales

England & Wales

Interest in 
ordinary 
share capital

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

The registered office for the undertakings incorporated in England & Wales is Floor 6A Hodge House, 114-116 St Mary 
Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY. IUNA’s registered office address 12600 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

The principal activity of MedaPhor Limited is the development and sale of simulation-based ultrasound training equipment.

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i

The principal activity of IUNA is the sale of simulation-based ultrasound training equipment. MedaPhor Limited subscribed 
$1 in return for all of the share capital of IUNA on the date of IUNA’s incorporation on 1 February 2014. On 15 August 2014 
(the date of the share for share exchange between MedaPhor Limited and Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc), MedaPhor 
Limited sold its holding in the share capital of IUNA to Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc for $1. On 31 December 2015 the 
Company and IUNA entered into a debt conversion agreement under which $1,000,000 of intercompany loans due from 
IUNA to the Company where converted into 10,000 shares in IUNA at a price per share of $10. On 1 December 2017 the 
Company and IUNA entered into a further debt conversion agreement under which $1,934,560 of intercompany loans due 
from IUNA to the Company were converted into 193,456 shares in IUNA at a price per share of $10. IUNA is exempt from 
statutory audit.

The principal activity of Intelligent Ultrasound Limited (IUL) is the sale and development of AI based medical imaging 
software.

The business and net assets of Inventive Medical Limited (IML) were transferred to MedaPhor Limited on 31 December 
2018 and IML has not traded since that date and the intention is that it will remain dormant for the foreseeable future. 
MedaPhor International Limited and IML Finance Limited are dormant companies.

Impairment review of the carrying amount of the Company’s investments in subsidiaries
The carrying amount of these investments relate to businesses acquired which are either part of the Group’s Simulation 
division (MedaPhor) or its Clinical AI division (IUL). The total carrying amount of investments relating to the Simulation 
division is £2.4m and £3.1m relates to the Clinical AI division, following an impairment of £3.6m relating to the Simulation 
division in 2018.

Following an impairment indicators review for each individual investment, a detailed impairment review was performed using 
a value in use calculation based on the Group’s five year business plan for 2021 to 2025, which has been approved and 
reviewed by the Board. A net present value has been calculated using a pre-tax discount rate of 13.2% (2019: 13.2%) and 
a growth rate of 2% (2019: 2%) was used to determine the terminal value. The conclusion of this impairment review was 
that no further impairment was required in 2020 (2019: £nil).

17.  Inventories

Raw materials

Work in progress

Finished goods

Group

2020
£’000

869

172

6

1,047

2019
£’000

628

35

—

663

The costs of individual items of inventory are determined using weighted average cost.

Inventories recognised as an expense during the year ended 31 December 2020 amounted to £1.6m (2019: £1.9m). These 
were included in ‘cost of sales’.

The above figures include a provision for obsolete stock of £0.35m (2019: £0.35m).

Stock written off in the year, included within ‘cost of sales’, totalled £0.067m (2019: £nil).

83

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

18. Trade and other receivables

i)  Included within non-current assets

Financial assets at amortised cost

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings

Group

Company

2020
£’000

61

—

61

2019
£’000

—

—

—

2020
£’000

61

12,526

12,587

2019
£’000

—

4,013

4,013

ii) Company 

Impairment allowance in respect of receivables from subsidiary undertakings

At 1 January 

Increase in loss allowance during the year

Reversal of impairment losses

At 31 December

Company

2020
£’000

10,132

15

(4,799)  

2019
£’000

8,919

1,213

—

5,348

10,132

The loss allowances for intercompany receivables are based on assumptions about risk of default and expected loss rates. 
The Group uses judgement in making these assumptions and selecting the inputs to the impairment calculation, based on 
the Group’s past history and existing market conditions, as well as forward-looking estimates at the end of each reporting 
period. Due to forecast positive net cashflows in both MedaPhor and IUL, the impairment calculation resulted in a reversal 
of previously recognised impairment losses of £4.8m in relation to receivables from MedaPhor (£4.6m) and IUL (£0.2m).

There has been no change in the estimation techniques or significant assumptions made during the current reporting 
period.

Sensitivity analysis

Amounts due from MedaPhor:
If the probability of MedaPhor:

–  exceeding plan by 20% reduces from 5% to 0%

–  underperforming plan by 20% increases from 20% to 25%

the impairment provision recognised would increase by £0.024m.

Amounts due from IUL:

If the probability of IUL:

–  exceeding plan by 20% reduces from 15% to 0%

–  underperforming plan by 20% increases from 5% to 20%

the impairment provision recognised would increase by £0.396m.

84

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611 
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iii) Included within current assets

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments

Group

Company

31 Dec 
2020
£’000

1,639

206

180

31 Dec 
2019
£’000

2,108

219

373

31 Dec 
2018
£’000

1,555

235

123

2,025

2,700

1,913

31 Dec 
2020
£’000

31 Dec 
2019
£’000

31 Dec 
2018
£’000

—

38

78

116

—

27

73

100

—

29

67

96

Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at their amortised cost using the 
effective interest method less any provision for impairment. The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring 
expected credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables. To measure expected credit 
losses on a collective basis, trade receivables are grouped based on similar credit risk and ageing. Customers are 
assigned one of four credit risk profiles (A to D) with A being the lowest credit risk profile (institutional customers such as 
hospitals and medical schools) and D the highest (non-institutional customers with a poor credit history). The expected loss 
probability rates are based on management’s experience of historical credit losses for each group of trade receivables. 
The resultant provision matrix is then adjusted for current and forward-looking information based upon management’s 
knowledge of the customer concerned and the prospects of recovery. The allowance that has been made for estimated 
irrecoverable trade receivables is £0.11m (2019: £0.09m). The movement in the impairment allowance is included in 
administrative expenses in profit and loss.

At 31 December 2020 the lifetime expected loss allowance for trade receivables is as follows:

Expected loss rate

Customer profile A

Customer profile B

Customer profile C

Customer profile D

Trade receivables

Gross carrying amount

Loss allowance

Trade receivables – net

Current

1-30 days 
past due

31-60 days 
past due

61-90 days 
past due

0%

0%

0.5%

5%

Current
£’000

1,041

(7)  

1,034

0%

0%

5%

10%

0%

5%

10%

15%

5%

10%

15%

20%

1-30 days 
past due
£’000

31-60 days 
past due
£’000

61-90 days 
past due
£’000

207

—

207

14

—

14

241

(33)  

208

More than 
90 days  
past due

10%

15%

20%

36%

More than 
90 days 
past due 
£’000

248

(72)  

176

 2020 
£’000

1,751

(112)  

1,639

85

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

At 31 December 2019 the lifetime expected loss allowance for trade receivables is as follows:

Expected loss rate

Customer profile A

Customer profile B

Customer profile C

Customer profile D

Trade receivables

Gross carrying amount

Loss allowance

Trade receivables – net

Current

1-30 days 
past due

31-60 days 
past due

61-90 days 
past due

0%

0%

1%

5%

0%

0%

5%

10%

0%

5%

10%

15%

5%

10%

15%

20%

Current
£’000

931

(3)  

928

1-30 days 
past due
£’000

31-60 days 
past due
£’000

61-90 days 
past due
£’000

489

(10)  

479

340

(15)  

325

154

(9)  

145

More than 
90 days 
past due 

10%

15%

20%

25%

More than  
90 days 
past due 
£’000

286

(55)  

231

Total
 2019 
£’000

2,200

(92)  

2,108

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair values. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivable mentioned above. 
The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

Movements in the impairment allowance for trade receivables are as follows:

At 1 January 

Increase during the year

Receivables written off as uncollectable

At 31 December

19.  Investments (short-term deposits)

Group

2020
£’000

92

20

—

112

2019
£’000

54

82

(44)  

92

Short-term deposits

The cash held on short term deposit in 2019 matured on 6 January 2020.

20. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and on hand

Group

Company

2020
£’000

—

2019
£’000

 5,500

2020
£’000

—

2019
£’000

 5,500

Group

Company

2020
£’000

8,774

2019
£’000

 1,790

2020
£’000

6,175

2019
£’000

 61

86

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611 
21. Trade and other payables

Current liabilities

Trade payables

Taxation and social security

Accruals 

Share warrants

Other

Non-current liabilities

Other payables

Group

Company

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

842

169

829

61

—

716

81

764

40

69

1,901

1,670

65

1,966

—

1,670

172

127

—

63

61

—

296

65

361

—

44

40

—

211

—

211

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The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

The share warrants are explained in note 25.

22. Deferred income

Deferred income expected to be recognised:

Within one year – included in current liabilities

In the second to fifth years inclusive – included in non-current liabilities

Group

2020
£’000

2019
£’000 

142

275

417

 325

 109

 434

Deferred revenue released to the income statement in 2020 is £0.246m (2019: £0.319m).

The vast majority of the Group’s contracts are for delivery of goods and services within the next 12 months. However, 
certain support and extended warranty contracts have been entered into which extend beyond 12 months and the value of 
these contracts is included in deferred income within current and non-current liabilities.

87

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

23. Provisions

Remedial and warranty provision:

At 1 January

Provision made in the year

Utilised in the year

Released in the year

At 31 December

Group

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

95

—

(10)  

(75)  

10

69

53

(27)  

—

95

The warranty provision is estimated to be due within one year.

The provision represents management’s best estimate of the Group’s liability for remedial work and warranties granted on 
products sold net of warranty amounts recoverable from its suppliers. The Group sources its simulation system hardware 
from third party suppliers and, while there is always some uncertainty relating to new technology, the actual annual remedial 
and warranty costs incurred suggest that the provision is sufficient.

24. Non-current liabilities – deferred taxation

At 1 January

Released

At 31 December

Group

2020
£’000

288

(288)  

—

2019
£’000

378

(90)  

288

Where a deferred tax liability arises in MedaPhor and IUL, an equal amount of trade losses has been recognised so the 
net position at entity level is nil. The deferred tax liabilities relate to accelerated capital allowances mainly due to claims 
for annual investment allowances (‘AIA’) with respect to eligible fixed asset additions and R&D claims in MedaPhor where 
development costs are capitalised and R&D claims are made under s.1308 CTA 2009, reducing the tax base of these 
assets. 

25. Share capital and share warrants

Allotted, issued and fully paid

Ordinary shares of 1p each

Balance at 1 January

Shares issued for cash

Balance at 31 December

 2020

 2019

Number 

£’000 

Number

£’000

219,996,792

49,400,000

269,396,792

2,200 156,627,749

494

63,369,043

2,694 219,996,792

The fair values and premium arising on shares issued in 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

Date

4 May 2020

28 August 2019

Number of 
shares

Fair value
£’000

49,400,000

63,369,043

494

634

On 4 May 2020 the Company placed 49,400,000 newly issued shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company at a 
price of 10.5 pence per share. Share issue costs of £387k have been netted off against the share premium arising on the 
new share issue.

88

1,566

634

2,200

Premium
£’000

4,493

5,703

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611 
On 28 August 2019 the Company placed 63,369,043 newly issued shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company 
at a price of 10 pence per share. Share issue costs of £487k have been netted off against the share premium arising on the 
new share issue.

Share warrants
The consideration for the acquisition of IUL on 6 October 2017 included 837,795 share warrants with a fair value of 
£125,669 which were issued on completion. The terms of the warrant instrument agreement allow the holder to subscribe 
for a fixed number of shares in the Company at any time until 10 July 2021 for a fixed subscription price. In accordance 
with IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’, a contract that will be settled by the entity delivering a fixed number of its 
own equity instruments in exchange for a fixed amount of cash or another financial asset is an equity instrument.

One third of the consideration payable in respect of the acquisition of IUL in 2017 was deferred for 12 months from 
completion with the actual number of deferred shares and warrants to be issued dependent on any vendor warranty or 
indemnity breaches (as specified in the Sale and Purchase Agreement) arising during that 12 month period. The Company 
was not aware of any vendor warranty or indemnity breaches and so the 6,175,975 deferred consideration shares (with 
a fair value of £586,718 at 9.5 pence per share) were admitted to trading on 9 October 2018 and 418,897 deferred 
consideration warrants were issued at their fair value. These warrants remain as a financial liability and are measured at fair 
value through the income statement.

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26. Share-based payments

Share options
The Company has issued options under the Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc EMI Approved Share Option Scheme and 
several individual unapproved share option schemes to subscribe for ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the Company. The 
purpose of the share option schemes is to retain and motivate eligible employees and Directors. 

As at 31 December 2020 options under these schemes, including those held by Directors, were outstanding over:

2020

2019

Number of
options

14,071,944

10,645,039

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

Number of
options

15.56 13,935,473

14.78

670,000

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price

16.09

9.34

(1,017,660)  

(15.51)  

(533,529)  

(18.54)  

23,699,323

15.21 14,071,944

3,108,402

23.20

2,805,625

15.68

24.29

At 1 January

Granted

Forfeited/lapsed

At 31 December

Vested and exercisable at 31 December

No share options were exercised in the year.

No options expired during the periods covered by the above tables.

89

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The exercise price and number of shares to which the options relate are as follows:

Option 
Exercise 
Price 
(pence)

Grant
date

 2019

Granted

Forfeited/
lapsed

2020

Expiry 
 (years)

Risk free 
rate of 
return 
%

Expected
Volatility 
%

Vested

Notes

Unapproved schemes

16.51

19.00

42.50

16.22

12.75

12.50

11.25

7.75

8.00

11.00

15.00

15.00

15/08/14

168,000

15/08/14

296,000

30/06/14

350,000

06/10/17

268,920

06/10/17

500,000

19/01/18

600,000

29/05/18

2,709,040

20/12/18

150,000

18/01/19

150,000

09/08/19

150,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

168,000

296,000

350,000

268,920

500,000

600,000

— 2,709,040

—

—

—

150,000

150,000

150,000

24/10/20

21/12/20

—

50,000

(50,000)  

—

— 3,054,292

— 3,054,292

EMI schemes

16.51

42.50

50.00

51.50

42.50

29.00

20.50

16.22

12.50

11.25

8.00

11.00

12.00

15.00

15.25

Total

15/08/14

684,000

30/06/14

924,000

15/08/14

01/01/16

18/08/16

23,529

20,000

20,000

21/12/16

100,000

04/04/17

200,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(40,000)  

644,000

(20,000)  

904,000

— 

—

—

(20,000)  

23,529

20,000

20,000

80,000

—

200,000

06/10/17

855,495

— (537,660)  

317,835

19/01/18

2,200,000

— (250,000)     1,950,000

29/05/18

3,332,960

18/01/19

220,000

—

—

— 3,332,960

—

220,000

09/08/19

150,000

— (100,000)  

50,000

24/04/20

23/10/20

21/12/20

— 1,450,000

— 1,013,529

— 5,077,218

— 1,450,000

— 1,013,539

— 5,077,218

14,071,944 10,645,039 (1,017,660)   23,699,323

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

3.690

1.790

2.815

1.410

1.410

1.409

1.339

1.285

1.380

0.540

0.33

0.24

1.790

2.815

2.508

 2.009

0.687

1.440

1.071

1.410

1.408

1.339

1.380

0.540

0.30

0.33

0.24

40.0 168,000 Fully vested

35.0 296,000 Fully vested

35.0 350,000 Fully vested

35.0 268,920 Fully vested

35.0 500,000 Fully vested

37.0

38.9

58.0

46.6

61.9

76.4

75.3

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(iv)

(vi)

(vi)

(vi)

(vi)

(vi)

(vii)

35.0 644,000 Fully vested

35.0 376,000

(i)

23,529 Fully vested

20,000 Fully vested

20,000 Fully vested

80,000 Fully vested

35.0

17.0

22.0

32.0

32.0

60,000

35.0 301,953

37.0

38.9

46.6

61.9

75.7

76.4

75.3

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vi)

(vi)

(vi)

(vii)

The fair value of the equity settled share options granted is estimated as at the date of grant using a binomial probability 
option pricing model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The volatility has 
been estimated by reference to comparable listed companies and the dividend yield has been assumed to be 0% for all 
schemes.

The Group charged £0.15m to the Statement of Comprehensive Income in respect of share-based payments for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2020 (2019: £0.13m).

The weighted average remaining life of all share options outstanding at 31 December 2020 is 8 years 0 months (2019: 7 
years 6 months).

Vesting conditions:

(i) 

 236,000 of these options will vest when the Group achieves breakeven EBITDA for a financial year, 312,000 of these 
options will vest on the earlier of the Group achieving EBITDA of £2m or £10m revenue for a financial year and the 
remainder have vested.

90

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611 
(ii) 

 60,000 of these options vest when the Group achieves breakeven EBITDA for a financial year, 80,000 of these options 
will vest on the earlier of the Group achieving EBITDA of £2m or £10m revenue for a financial year and the remainder 
vest, dependent on continued service, on 4 April 2020.

(iii)   301,593 of these options had vested on 31 December 2020 and the remainder vest in equal instalments until May 

2021.

(iv)   266,742 of these options vest when the Company’s share price reaches 25p; 1,094,964 vest when the share price 

reaches 37.5p and 1,347,334 vest when the share price hits 50p.

(v) 

 1,747,257 of these options vest when the Company’s share price reaches 25p; 919,035 vest when the share price 
reaches 37.5p and 666,668 vest when the share price reaches 50p.

(vi)  These options vest 3 years from grant date.

(vii)   For 3,608,265 of these options, 1/36 vest 12 months from grant date. After the initial 12 months, 1/36 vest per month 

for the remaining 24 months. 4,523,245 of these options vest 3 years from grant date.

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27. Related party transactions

i)  Key management personnel compensation
Details of the remuneration and share transactions with the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the 
Group, are disclosed in the Directors’ Report and in note 11.

ii) Transactions with related parties
MedaPhor Limited (“Limited”), Intelligent Ultrasound North America Inc. (“IUNA”), Inventive Medical Limited (“IML”) and 
Intelligent Ultrasound Limited (“IUL”) are related parties by virtue of being subsidiary companies of the Company. During the 
year working capital funding was provided by the Company to Limited and IUL. Such services are recharged based on the 
utilisation by the subsidiary undertaking. The gross amounts outstanding from subsidiary undertakings to the Company at 
31 December 2020 totalled £17,874,159 (2019: £13,688,769).

The Company has recharged the share-based payment charge arising on share options granted by the Company to 
employees of Limited, IUNA and IUL. 

IP Group plc (“IPG”) is a related party by virtue of their significant shareholdings in the Company. David Baynes and Stuart 
Gall held an interest in IPG during the year. David Baynes is a director of IPG and Stuart Gall, until April 2020, undertook 
consultancy work on retainer for IPG. The value of the expenses (which exclude Directors’ fees noted above) paid to IPG 
are disclosed below.

Professor Nazar Amso is a Director of the Company and also a Director and shareholder of Advanced Medical Simulation 
Online Limited (“AMSOL”). The value of the goods and services sold to AMSOL are disclosed below.

Company

Limited (working capital)

Limited (share-based payment charge)

Limited (recharges)

IUNA (working capital)

IUNA (share-based payment charge)

IUL (working capital)

IUL (share-based payment charge)

IPG (expenses) 

Group

AMSOL (goods and services sold)

IPG (expenses)

2020
£’000

3,300

130

(426)  

15

12

840

7

64

2020
£’000

(6)  

64 

2019
£’000

4,070

95

157

5

12

688

19

20 

2019
£’000

(2)  

 20 

91

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

iii) Outstanding balances arising from sales/purchases of goods and services 
Net amounts after allowance for expected credit losses owed by each related party. See note 18 for detail on expected 
credit losses recognised.

Company

Limited

IUL

IUNA 

Amounts owed by subsidiaries (after credit impairment losses)

IPG

Group

AMSOL

IPG

28. Financial instruments

2020
£’000

10,280
2,246

—

12,526
(16)  

2020
£’000

4

(16)  

2019
£’000

2,850

1,163

—

4,013

(29)  

2019
£’000

1

(29)  

i)  Financial risk factors – Group
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: liquidity risk, market risk (including currency risk), credit risk 
and risk associated with cash held on deposit with financial institutions. Where appropriate, the Group seeks to mitigate 
potential adverse effects on its financial performance.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is that the Group might be unable to meet its obligations and arises from trade and other payables. The Group 
manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and by continuously monitoring forecasts and actual cash flows.

Cash held on deposit with financial institutions
The Group’s main objective in managing its surplus cash is to maximise returns from funds held on deposit balanced with 
the need to safeguard the assets of the business and ensure that the Group has access to sufficient funds to service its 
working capital requirements on a timely basis. The Group holds funds when required on a mixture of short and long-term 
deposit to fulfil this objective.

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances and trade and other receivables. The Group’s credit risk is 
primarily attributable to its trade receivables and the Group attaches considerable importance to the collection and 
management of trade receivables. The Group minimises its credit risk through the application of appropriate credit limits to 
customers based on an assessment of net worth and trading history with the Group. Standard credit terms are net 30 days 
from date of invoice. Overdue trade receivables are managed through a phased escalation culminating in legal action. The 
credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international 
credit-rating agencies.

Foreign currency risk
The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Hence, exposures to exchange rate 
fluctuations arise. Exchange rate exposures are managed within approved policy parameters utilising forward foreign 
exchange contracts.

ii) Financial risk factors – Company

Amounts owed by and investments in subsidiary undertakings
In addition to the financial risk factors facing the Group described above, the Company also provides working capital 
funding for its trading subsidiaries, MedaPhor Limited, Intelligent Ultrasound North America Inc. and Intelligent Ultrasound 
Limited. The funding provided is supported by annual budgets including monthly cash flows which are approved at the start 

92

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611 
of each year by the Board. The recoverability of the amounts owed to the Company by its subsidiary undertakings and the 
Company’s investments in its subsidiary undertakings are dependent on the ability of the subsidiary undertaking businesses 
to grow in line with the longer term forecasts of the Group. The Board monitors the performance of the Company’s 
subsidiary undertakings by monthly reviews of management accounts including the sales order pipeline and cash flows 
compared to budget. The Company has determined that the amounts due from its subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 
2020 totalling £5.3m (2019: £10.3m) were credit impaired. See note 18 for the movement in the expected credit loss in the 
year..

Capital risk management
The Company’s objectives when managing capital, which comprises all components of equity, are to safeguard the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other 
stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Company reviews the 
recoverable amount of each trade debt on individual basis at the end of each reporting period to ensure that adequate loss 
allowance is made for irrecoverable amount.

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

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iii) Financial instruments by category – Group

Financial assets

Financial assets measured at amortised cost

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments

Provision for impairment

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term deposits

Financial liabilities

Financial assets measured at amortised cost

Trade and other payables excluding statutory liabilities

Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit and loss

Share warrants

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

1,957

(112)  

1,845

8,774

—

10,619

2,418

(92)  

2,326

1,790

5,500

9,616

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

1,736

1,549

61

1,797

40

1,589

The contractual maturities of all financial liabilities are up to 1 month (2019: 1 month).

The carrying amount of short-term (less than 12 months) trade receivables and payables approximates their fair values.

93

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements   
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

iv) Financial instruments by category – Company
The financial assets and liabilities of the Company are shown in notes 18 and 21 respectively excluding VAT, prepayments 
and tax and social security.

Financial assets consist of amounts due from subsidiary undertakings as well as other receivables. None of the other 
receivables is overdue and the carrying amount of these short term receivables approximates to their fair values.

Financial liabilities consist of trade and other payables. The contractual maturity of these liabilities is up to 1 month (2019: 
1 month) and their carrying value approximates their fair value.

v) Currency denomination – Group
Group financial assets and liabilities are denominated in the following currencies:

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments:

Sterling

US Dollar

Canadian Dollar

Euro

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits:

Sterling

US Dollar

Canadian Dollar

Euro

Swiss Franc

Total financial assets

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables excluding statutory liabilities:

Sterling

US Dollar

Canadian Dollar

Euro

Swiss Franc

Share warrants – sterling

Total financial liabilities

94

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

951

753

16

125

1,214

733

140

239

1,845

2,326

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

6,726

1,554

200

294

—

8,774

10,619

6,515

620

36

39

81

7,290

9,616

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

1,570

127

1,144

317

—

39

—

61

36

48

4

40

1,797

1,589

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611 
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vi) Currency denomination – Company
The financial assets and liabilities of the Company, shown in notes 18 and 21 respectively, are all denominated in Sterling.

v) Currency fluctuations
At the year end the Group was exposed to fluctuations in the US Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc and the Euro against 
Sterling. The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% increase or decrease in Sterling against the relevant 
foreign currencies rounded to the nearest £’000. 10% represents management’s assessment of a reasonable possible 
change in foreign currency exchange rates.

The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation 
at the period end for a 10% weakening in foreign currency rates. A negative number below indicates a decrease in profit 
where Sterling strengthens against the relevant currency. For a 10% weakening in Sterling against the foreign currency, 
there would be an equal and opposite impact on profit and loss.

Group

US Dollar

Canadian Dollar

Euro

Swiss Franc

2020
£’000

263

22

38

—

2019
£’000

(55)  

14

23

8

29. Events after the reporting period

There are no events after the reporting period.

30. Ultimate parent and controlling party

There was no overall controlling party as at 31 December 2020 or 31 December 2019.

95

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plcCompany Number 09028611 2020 Annual Report and Accounts 
 
 
Corporate Directory   

Board of Directors

Nazar Amso 
Nicholas Avis 
Andrew Barker 
David Baynes 
Stuart Gall 
Helen Jones 
Riccardo Pigliucci 
Nicholas Sleep 
Ian Whittaker 
Ingeborg Øie

Company Secretary and registered office

Helen Jones 
Floor 6A Hodge House 
114-116 St Mary Street 
Cardiff 
CF10 1DY, United Kingdom

Auditor

Deloitte LLP 
3 Rivergate 
Bristol 
BS1 6GD, United Kingdom

Registrar and receiving agents

Link Group 
10th Floor 
Central Square 
29 Wellington Street 
Leeds 
LS1 4DL, United Kingdom

Nominated adviser and broker

Cenkos Securities Plc 
6-8 Tokenhouse Yard 
London 
EC2R 7AS, United Kingdom

Public/investor relations

Walbrook PR Ltd 
4 Lombard Street 
London 
EC3V 9HD, United Kingdom

Lawyers

Memery Crystal LLP 
165 Fleet Street 
London 
EC4A 2DY, United Kingdom

96

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc2020 Annual Report and Accounts Company Number 09028611Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc
Registered office:
Floor 6A Hodge House
114-116 St Mary Street
Cardiff
CF10 1DY

www.intelligentultrasound.com