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IP Group Plc

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FY2012 Annual Report · IP Group Plc
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Building  
outstanding  
businesses

IP Group plc  
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

IP Group plc develops 
intellectual property- 
based businesses.

Our strategy is to systematically build outstanding businesses 
based on disruptive intellectual property.

We provide capital to portfolio companies from our balance sheet 
and also from funds that we manage on behalf of others.

We pioneered the concept of a long-term partnership model with 
UK universities and now have arrangements covering a number 
of the country’s leading research-intensive universities.

Our aims

— 

 To identify compelling intellectual property-based opportunities in our key 
target sectors

—  To develop these opportunities into a diversified portfolio of robust businesses

—  To grow our assets and those we manage on behalf of third parties

— 

 To provide our shareholders with quoted access to potentially high growth 
technology companies

Disclaimer: This Annual Report and Accounts may contain forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the Board’s current view, are subject to a number of material 
risks and uncertainties and could change in the future. Factors that could cause or contribute to such changes include, but are not limited to, the general economic climate and 
market conditions, as well as specific factors relating to the financial or commercial prospects or performance of individual companies within the Group’s portfolio.

Throughout this Annual Report and Accounts the Group’s percentage holdings in portfolio companies reflect the undiluted beneficial equity interest excluding debt, unless 
otherwise explicitly stated.

In this report

About IP Group

IFC   About us

  01  Highlights

 02  How we work

 04  Our strategy

 06  Our portfolio at a glance

 08  Chairman’s statement

 Business review

  10  Chief Executive’s statement

  12  Portfolio review

  21  Finance review

 24  Risk management

 26  Corporate social responsibility

Corporate governance

 30  Board of Directors

 32  Corporate Governance

 40   Report of the Audit 

Committee

 42   Directors’ Remuneration Report

 50  Directors’ report

 52  Directors’ responsibilities

Financial statements

 54  Independent auditor’s report

 55   Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

 56   Consolidated statement 
of financial position

 59   Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements

  81  Company balance sheet 

 82   Notes to the financial 

statements

 57   Consolidated statement 

 IBC  Directors, secretary 

of cash flows

and advisers to the Group

 58   Consolidated statement 
of changes in equity

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Highlights

01

Net assets

Financial and operational highlights

£263.1m

(2011: £221.6m)

— 

— 

— 

 Net assets increased to £263.1m (2011: £221.6m)

 Net cash and deposits of £47.9m (2011: £60.5m)

 Adjusted profit before tax of £46.7m (2011: £0.5m), excluding £6.0m reduction 
in fair value of Oxford Equity Rights asset (2011: £6.0m)

Fair value of portfolio

Portfolio

£181.8m

(2011: £123.8m)

Value of ten largest holdings

£138.2m

(2011: £89.0m)

Cash, cash equivalents and deposits

£47.9m

(2011: £60.5m)

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

 Fair value of investment portfolio: £181.8m (2011: £123.8m)

 Continued increase in capital provided to portfolio companies to £26.3m 
(2011: £14.3m)

 Portfolio realisations: £16.7m (2011: £3.7m)

 Acquisition of Proximagen Group by Upsher-Smith for total proceeds of up to £357m 
(IP Group initial cash proceeds £15.4m)

 Value of ten largest holdings: £138.2m (2011: £89.0m)

 Group’s portfolio companies raised in excess of £110m of new capital (2011: £90m)

  — 

 Retroscreen Virology and Revolymer admitted to AIM, raising gross proceeds 
of £15m and £25m respectively at IPO

  — 

 Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited completed £31.4m private financing

Post-year-end highlights

— 

— 

 New flagship intellectual property commercialisation agreement signed 
with the University of Manchester

 Net unrealised fair value increase in the Group’s holdings in quoted portfolio 
companies of £16.0m between 31 December 2012 and 1 March 2013

Purchase of equity and 
debt investments (£m)

Proceeds from sale of equity 
investments (£m)

Profit/(loss) attributable 
to equity holders (£m)

IP Group share price 
performance (% change)

26.3

16.7

40.7

157

14.3

(40.3)

(6.1)

1.8

(5.5)

53

9.2

08

5.7

09

6.9

10

11

12

08

2.7

10

0.5
09

3.7

(51)

6

(46)

11

12

08

09

10

11

12

08

09

10

11

12

Deal flow

Business 
building

University business 
partnerships

Therapeutic 
development

Fund  
management

Our business model
Turning innovation into successful businesses. 
Read more about our business model.

p.02

CEO’s report: Successfully 
executing our core strategy
Alan Aubrey reviews the Group’s  
performance and outlook

Our portfolio: continuing 
to develop and mature
Read more about the performance of the 
Group’s portfolio companies during 2012

Capital

p.10

p.12

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

02

About IP Group
How we work

Our business model: 
turning innovation into 
successful businesses

Our business model is to form high-quality companies based on disruptive intellectual property, 
much of which is developed at the UK’s leading universities. We aim to take a significant minority 
equity stake in these companies and then grow the value of our equity by taking an active role in 
business building.

Our methodology consists of three core components: deal flow, business building and capital.

Deal flow
One of the key differentiators of the IP Group 
business model is its access to proprietary deal 
flow. Over the last twelve years the Group has 
established long-term partnerships with a number 
of the UK’s leading research intensive universities. 
The Group’s specialist in-house sourcing team 
works with our partners, as well as academics 
from other universities, to identify promising 
research and to create and build businesses 
around this research.

Operating segments
The Group’s operating segments reflect what are 
considered to be distinct (but interrelated) 
elements of the Group operations and reflect 
areas separately managed by the Group. Further 
information is provided in note 5 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

p.66

Deal flow

Business 
building

University business 
partnerships

Therapeutic 
development

Fund  
management

Capital

Glasgow

IP Group plc partnerships
1 
2  York
3  Leeds
4  Manchester
5  Bristol
6  Bath
7  Oxford
8  King’s College London
9   Queen Mary, London
10  Surrey
11  Southampton

Fusion IP plc partnerships
1 
2  Cardiff

Sheffield

1

2

1

3

4

2 5

6

11

8 9
10

7

Capital
IP Group provides long-term capital for the 
development of its portfolio companies from its 
own balance sheet and also manages a number of 
venture capital funds including the IP Venture Fund 
and the Finance for Business North East Technology 
Fund which, subject to investment guidelines, 
can provide further additional sources of capital. 
In addition, the Group works with a wide network 
of co-investors that can provide further capital 
alongside the Group.

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

03

Our strategy
View our KPIs and strategy  

p.04

IP Group portfolio
Read about our developing 
and maturing portfolio

p.12

Business building
During the early stages of an opportunity’s development, members of the 
Group’s team work closely with its founders to shape its strategic direction 
and frequently take an interim commercial management role until the 
business reaches a sufficient stage of maturity and has the resources 
to widen the leadership team.

IP Group uses its specialist early-stage in-house executive search 
consultancy, IP Exec, to recruit experienced and high-calibre individuals 
to lead its developing businesses alongside founders and IP Group team 
members, who continue to provide strategic guidance in a non-executive 
capacity. Through the Group’s proprietary IP Impact programme, focusing 
on maximising the performance of CEOs and company boards, the Group 
seeks to accelerate later-stage company growth.

The Group also provides operational, legal and business support, including 
company secretarial, to its companies with a view to minimising the most 
common administrative factors that can contribute to early-stage 
company failure.

Diversified by company stage

Incubation 
projects

Seed  
businesses

Post-seed 
private  
businesses

Post-seed 
quoted  
businesses

Diversified by sector

Medical 
Equipment  
& Supplies

Pharma & Biotech

Chemicals  
& Materials

Energy  
& Renewables

IT &  
Communications

Portfolio analysis by fair value (%)

2012

6

5

5

12

6

2011

14

3

21

17

10

42

59

Portfolio analysis by number

2012

2

2

11

2011

14

12

13

14

17

8

8

16

14

Key:

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Pharma & Biotech

Chemicals & Materials

Energy & Renewables 

IT & Communications

Multiple sectors

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

04

About IP Group
Our strategy

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Our strategy: systematically 
building businesses

Our strategy is to systematically build outstanding business based 
on disruptive intellectual property much of which is developed at 
the UK’s leading universities.

The Group has a 
clear and consistent 
core strategy to build 
outstanding businesses.

We reassess our priorities each year, 
taking into account market trends 
and the Group’s available resources.

Our strategic aims

Identify
To identify compelling intellectual property-based 
opportunities in our key target sectors

Develop
To develop these opportunities into a diversified 
portfolio of robust businesses

CEO’s statement
Read more about our 
strategy and performance  
in the CEO’s review

p.10

Grow
To grow our assets and those we manage on behalf  
of third parties

Provide
To provide our shareholders with quoted access 
to potentially high-growth technology companies

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

05

Our key performance indicators

Principal risks

We assess the performance of our business 
against a number of KPIs on a continuous 
basis, allowing us to monitor and measure 
progress against our strategy.

Total equity (“net assets”)  
(£m)

Profit/(loss) attributable 
to equity holders (£m)

263.1

221.6

173.8

171.0

173.1

40.7

(40.3)

(6.1)

1.8

(5.5)

08

09

10

11

12

08

09

10

11

12

Number of new portfolio 
companies

Purchase of equity and 
debt investments (£m)

12

7

4

08

09

10

11

12

5

11

26.3

14.3

11

12

9.2

08

5.7

09

6.9

10

Early stage risk
The returns and cash proceeds from the Group’s early-stage 
companies can be very uncertain

Capital risk
It may be difficult for the Group and its early-stage companies 
to attract capital

Partnership model risk
Universities or other research-intensive institutions may terminate 
their partnerships or other collaborative relationships with the Group

Personnel risk
The Group may lose key personnel or fail to attract and integrate 
new personnel

Legal, regulatory and policy risk
There may be changes to, or impacts from, legislation, government 
policy or regulation

Risk management
Read about our risk management strategies

p.24

Change in fair value of equity 
and debt investments (£m)
38.0

Proceeds from sale of equity 
investments (£m)

Cash, cash equivalents 
and deposits (£m)

IP Group share price 
performance (% change)

157

60.5

47.9

(35.5)

(1.4)

4.0

(0.9)

08

09

10

11

12

08

2.7

10

0.5
09

33.3

28.1

21.5

53

(51)

6

(46)

11

12

08

09

10

11

12

08

09

10

11

12

16.7

3.7

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

06

About IP Group
Our portfolio at a glance

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Our portfolio: continuing 
to develop and mature

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Energy & Renewables

Chemicals & Materials

Number of companies

Number of companies

Number of companies

17

(2011: 14)

14

(2011: 13)

14

(2011: 16)

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

£107.3m

(2011: £52.0m)

£31.0m

(2011: £14.4m)

£18.0m

(2011: £17.5m)

Highlights
 — The Chemicals & Materials sector’s unrealised 
fair value reduction (excluding net investment) 
was largely as a result of a decrease in share 
price during the year of both Revolymer plc 
(£1.4m) and Green Chemicals plc (£1.4m).

 — Revolymer completed its AIM IPO and £25.0m 
placing in July and also progressed with 
their six joint development agreements 
with major international partners.

 — Green Chemicals raised £1.0m in a placing 

in November 2012 and announced that trials 
at Harrods of Knightsbridge in conjunction 
with Urban Retreats Limited are viewed 
as having been highly successful.

Highlights
 — The major contributors to this significant 

Highlights
 — Significant increases in fair value during 

increase in fair value were Oxford Nanopore 
Technologies Limited (£26.4m), Retroscreen 
Virology Group plc (£10.3m) and Avacta 
Group plc (£4.8m).

the period were achieved in this sector with 
the major contributors being Ceres Power 
Holdings plc (£5.1m) and Oxford Catalysts 
Group plc (£3.9m).

 — Having announced its intention to commence 
commercialisation of two revolutionary DNA 
sequencing products, the GridION and MinION, 
Oxford Nanopore completed a £31.4m further 
financing in May at a premium to its previous 
financing round.

 — Retroscreen gained admission to AIM during 
the year and raised £15.0m in its placing. 
Retroscreen further announced that it 
expects full-year revenues for the year 
ending 31 December 2012 to exceed £13.0m.

 — In January, Avacta completed a £5.1m 

placing and at year end the value of the 
Group’s holding had increased by 450%.

 — Modern Water plc raised £10.0m following 
the installation and commissioning of the 
world’s first commercial Forward Osmosis 
desalination plant and the announcement 
of a framework agreement with Hangzhou 
Development Center of Water Treatment 
Technology in the People’s Republic of China.

 — Oxford Catalysts was selected to provide 

its Fischer-Tropsch technology to GreenSky 
London, Europe’s first commercial scale 
sustainable jet fuel facility, being developed 
in partnership with British Airways. British 
Airways confirmed that it had committed to 
purchase the sustainable jet fuel produced 
by the plant for ten years (at market rates), 
worth $500m.

 — A 25.8% stake in Ceres Power was acquired 

for £1.1m in December. Positive market 
sentiment towards the restructuring and 
revised business strategy resulted in the 
Group’s holding increasing by £5.1m.

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

07

Fair value of portfolio

Investment in portfolio

Number of portfolio companies

£181.8m

(2011: £123.8m)

£26.3m

(2011: £14.3m)

67

(2011: 64)

IT & Communications

Pharma & Biotech

Multiple sectors

Number of companies

Number of companies

Number of companies

12

(2011: 11)

8

(2011: 8)

2

(2011: 2)

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

£9.7m

(2011: £6.4m)

£5.6m

(2011: £25.4m)

£10.2m

(2011: £8.1m)

Highlights
 — Fusion IP plc completed its first material 
portfolio exit during 2012 with the sale 
of Simcyp to Certara for $32m, generating 
approximately £4m to the company, a 
200-fold return on its original investment. 
Fusion also saw a significant increase in the 
fair value of its portfolio and the company’s 
positive share price performance resulted 
in a £2.1m increase in the value of the 
Group’s holding.

Highlights
 — The £2.5m unrealised fair value gain seen 
by the IT & Communications sector was 
predominantly due to the performance 
of Tracsis plc’s share price.

 — Tracsis reported its fifth successive year 
of revenue growth since its AIM IPO in 
2007, with revenues increasing 112% to 
£8.7m for the year ended 31 July 2012. 
In November, Tracsis won Company of 
the Year in the Mid-Sized category at 
the Growing Business Awards.

Highlights
 — The absolute value of the Group’s Pharma 

& Biotech portfolio saw a significant decrease 
during the year as a result of the sale of 
Proximagen Group plc and the full write 
down of Photopharmica Limited.

 — During August, Proximagen was acquired by 
a wholly owned subsidiary of Upsher-Smith 
Laboratories, Inc, for a total potential 
consideration of up to £356.8m. The Group 
received an initial cash payment of £15.4m 
and contingent value rights that could result 
in the receipt of up to a further £9.2m by 
the Group.

 — Having been unsuccessful in securing a 

licence or co-development deal for its lead 
therapeutic programme despite positive 
Phase IIb clinical trial results in 2011, the 
Group led a restructuring and limited 
refinancing of Photopharmica resulting 
in a £13m fair value reduction.

 — Synairgen announced positive results 

in April from its Phase II trial of inhaled 
interferon beta (“IFN-beta”) in asthma 
and strengthened its balance sheet in 
July by raising £2.5m.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

08

About IP Group
Chairman’s statement

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

An encouraging year 
for IP Group 

Dr Bruce Smith
Chairman

In summary

—   Good overall progress across the business

—   Strong growth in the value of the portfolio  

and net assets

—   A new partnership announced with the University 

of Manchester

—   Focus on corporate governance

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

I am pleased to be able to report that 2012 has 
been an encouraging year for IP Group with 
good overall progress across the business 
being reflected in strong growth in the value 
of the Group’s portfolio and its net assets.

The Group seeks to generate value for its 
stakeholders though a well-defined core 
strategy of building high-quality businesses 
based on intellectual property. As outlined in 
more detail in this report, during 2012 we saw 
evidence that suggests that many of the Group’s 
businesses are maturing and thereby creating 
value for stakeholders. For example, there has 
been a substantial increase in the value of the 
Group’s portfolio of spin-out companies, a 
significant acquisition of one of our drug 
discovery companies and commercial 
progress being made by a number of the 
Group’s businesses.

From a financial perspective, the Group’s 
performance in 2012 was very encouraging. 
Driven by the performance of the portfolio, 
the Group recorded an adjusted profit before 
tax of £46.7m excluding the £6.0m reduction 
in the value of the Oxford Equity Rights 
asset (2011: £0.5m profit; £6.0m reduction). 
Net assets, excluding intangibles and the 
Oxford Equity Rights asset, increased by 
25% to £236.6m (2011: £189.1m). It is important 
to note that, due to the long-term nature of 
the Group’s business, profits and especially 
cash realisations can vary significantly from 
year to year.

While the economic environment continued 
to face a number of challenges during 2012, 
the performance of UK financial markets was 
stronger than in the recent past, particularly 
for smaller-capitalised companies. The AIM 
market, where 15 of our portfolio companies 
are quoted, was broadly flat, although this 
masked some significant sectoral differences. 
The value of our quoted portfolio companies, 
in total, fared well. Many factors, including 
the health of the UK economy, the Eurozone 
and the wider international picture, contribute 
to a degree of continuing uncertainty and, 

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

09

“ Having pioneered 
the concept of 
the university 
partnership model, 
we were delighted 
to announce a new 
relationship with 
the University 
of Manchester.”

as always, this uncertainty brings both 
opportunities and potential challenges 
for the Group and its portfolio companies 
that are increasingly producing goods and 
services for markets around the globe.

In part due to the improved financial markets, 
the Group’s portfolio companies were successful 
in raising in excess of £110m of new capital 
during the year (2011: in excess of £90m). 
Notwithstanding this positive trend, the 
financing environment for early-stage 
technology businesses continues to be 
relatively challenging, with a comparatively 
small number of investors deploying significant 
capital into the sector. The Group has continued 
to play a key role for its portfolio companies 
during 2012 in both providing capital directly 
and helping them to source funds from a variety 
of capital pools and will continue to do so in 
the future.

In terms of its access to world-class 
commercialisable intellectual property, 
the Group continues to work closely with 
academics from many of the UK’s leading 
research institutes and, having pioneered the 
concept of the university partnership model, 
we were delighted to announce earlier in 
2013 a new relationship with the University 
of Manchester. We look forward to building 
a long and mutually beneficial partnership 
with academics and staff at the university.

The Board continues to recognise the 
importance of a strong focus on corporate 
governance. As I described in my last report, 
2011 saw five changes to the Group’s Board 
with the addition of two experienced, 
independent non-executive directors, two 
internal promotions to executive director 
from the existing management team and 
the retirement of our long-standing Audit 
Committee chairman. During 2012, the Board 
has worked to ensure it is positioned to help 
drive the next phase of the Group’s growth 
and has also, during early 2013, undergone 
an external evaluation process. As well as 
considering the recommendations arising 

from this evaluation to optimise the Board’s 
effectiveness, we intend that the Group and 
its Board will continue to evolve over the 
forthcoming year. This will ensure that it 
retains an appropriate and diverse mix 
of skills, knowledge and experience, with 
consideration also being given to other 
criteria such as gender and ethnicity, while 
taking into account additional corporate 
governance requirements that apply to the 
Group given its inclusion in the FTSE350 
during 2012.

The performance of the Group is the culmination 
of the hard work and dedication of a large 
number of teams and individuals often, in the 
case of its academic partners and spin-out 
management teams, over periods of many 
years. I would like to record my thanks for 
the efforts and support of the Group’s staff, 
shareholders and limited partners. I would 
also like to record a note of congratulation 
to Proximagen Group on its successful exit 
to Upsher-Smith during the year, a significant 
achievement not only for the company itself 
but also for its staff and shareholders, including 
the Group and King’s College London.

Finally, Professor Graham Richards, who 
has served on the Group’s Board since 2001, 
including periods as Chairman and Senior 
Non-executive Director, and who was 
instrumental in the Group’s original partnership 
with the University of Oxford’s Chemistry 
Department, has today announced his intention 
to retire as a non-executive director at the 
Group’s forthcoming AGM. I would like to 
take this opportunity to extend my significant 
thanks to Graham for his considerable 
contribution to the Board over the years 
and am pleased to report that Graham 
has agreed to continue as an adviser 
to the Group.

Bruce Smith
Chairman

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

10

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Business review
Chief Executive’s statement

Successfully executing 
the Group’s core strategy

Alan Aubrey
Chief Executive Officer

In summary

—   Significant increase in net assets to £263.1m 

(2011: £221.6m)

—   First significant portfolio company sale generated 

initial cash proceeds of £15.4m

—   Fair value of portfolio increased to £181.8m 

from £123.8m

—   Total portfolio realisations of £16.7m (2011: £3.7m)

—   Companies across the portfolio raised in excess 

of £110m of new capital

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

2012 saw IP Group continue to successfully 
execute its core strategy of building high-quality 
businesses based on intellectual property.

The Group’s overall financial results for the year 
were pleasing, with substantial growth in the 
value of the Group’s portfolio of technology 
businesses contributing to a significant 
increase in the Group’s net assets. In line 
with our stated commitment we have again 
increased the overall level of capital deployed 
into our portfolio to £26.3m (2011: £14.3m) 
while maintaining an appropriate level of new 
spin-out creation. The Group’s first significant 
portfolio company sale, the acquisition of 
Proximagen Group plc (“Proximagen”) by 
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc, generated 
initial cash proceeds of £15.4m in 2012, 
representing 35 times the Group’s investment, 
with up to a further £9.2m potentially receivable 
in future by way of contingent value rights.

The business model that the Group employs 
in order to source, build and fund intellectual 
property-based companies relies on three 
core components:

 — proprietary access to potentially disruptive, 
commercialisable intellectual property;

 — a rigorous and systematic approach to 
opportunity appraisal and business 
building; and

 — access to sources of capital to finance 

businesses as they develop.

Through the application of this business 
model, the Group seeks to form, or assist 
in the formation of, spin-out companies 
based on fundamental innovation, to take 
a significant minority equity stake in those 
spin-out companies and then to grow the 
value of that equity over time through 
active participation in their development.

At 31 December 2012, the overall value of the 
Group’s portfolio had increased to £181.8m 
(2011: £123.8m). Despite continued challenging 
economic conditions, both in the UK and 
overseas, much of the Group’s portfolio has 

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

11

 “ 2012 has been another strong year for the 
Group, marked by a number of significant 
developments across our portfolio.”

continued to develop and mature. The three 
most significant positive contributors to the 
Group’s fair value increases during the year, 
Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Retroscreen 
Virology and Proximagen, all announced 
positive commercial developments, as did a 
number of other businesses. The one significant 
disappointment during 2012 was the fact that, 
despite the successful completion of its Phase IIb 
clinical trial for the use of antimicrobial 
photodynamic therapy in the treatment of 
chronic leg ulcers, Photopharmica was unable 
to complete a transaction for its therapeutic 
platform. Further detailed analysis is provided 
in the Portfolio review.

Our intellectual property sourcing model 
has developed over time. We continue to 
work closely with our university partners 
to identify, build and finance intellectual 
property-based spin-out companies. We retain 
a core of exclusive partnerships from where 
the majority of our spin-out companies have 
originated to date and, while the rate of spin-out 
formation from university to university can 
be variable over time, we expect this to 
continue to be the case. In addition to our 
core partnerships and as a result of our track 
record and specialist skill set, the Group has 
also backed a number of new intellectual 
property-based businesses seeking to 
commercialise research and innovation 
from academics at other high-quality 
research institutions and expects to continue 
to do so. During 2012, the Group added 
eleven companies to its portfolio, including 
the creation of seven new technology 
businesses (2011: five).

We continue to monitor the depth and breadth of 
our pipeline and, where compelling opportunities 
are identified, we may add to this pipeline. 
Accordingly, the Group was pleased to announce 
the addition of a new partnership since the start 
of 2013: an exciting opportunity that will see 
the Group work closely with the University of 
Manchester, an institution with considerable 
research pedigree having been ranked third 
in the UK in terms of “research power” in the 
most recent Research Assessment Exercise.

Under the terms of the commercialisation 
agreement with the University of Manchester, 
the Group will create a Proof of Principle (“PoP”) 
fund of up to £5m to facilitate the identification 
and formation of new spin-out companies. 
The fund will be used to provide capital to 
new projects intended for commercialisation 
as spin-out companies, with the Group 
receiving equity stakes in the companies 
on pre-agreed terms. The agreement, which 
is for a minimum term of four years, or five 
years subject to certain conditions, covers 
the areas of materials and clean technology, 
electronics and communications, all 
non-therapeutic life, medical and human 
sciences, and information technology.

On the capital side, the Group’s FSA-regulated 
subsidiary, Top Technology Ventures, has 
continued the management of two active 
venture capital funds during the year, the 
£31m IP Venture Fund (“IPVF”) and the £25m 
Finance for Business North East Technology 
Fund (“NETF”), as well as assisting portfolio 
companies with accessing further capital for 
their development. As anticipated in my last 
report, IPVF reached the end of its five-year 
“investment period” in August 2012 and, 
having invested in 26 of the Group’s portfolio 
companies since 2006, will now deploy its 
remaining capital into its existing portfolio. 
NETF has now been investing in developing 
technology companies in north-east England 
for three years, providing capital to 43 
businesses across the development spectrum. 
The Group and NETF have now co-invested 
in five companies, including the Group’s first 
spin-out from Durham University, Durham 
Graphene Sciences Limited, which met the 
technical milestones triggering its second 
tranche of seed financing during the year.

As described above, the Group has continued 
to increase the level of capital deployed into 
its portfolio during 2012, with a significant 
proportion having been provided to its most 
promising maturing businesses. Having 
strengthened the Group’s balance sheet 
in 2011 through the raising of £55m of new 
capital, the £15.4m proceeds from the sale 
of Proximagen during 2012 has helped to 

ensure that the Group closed the year with 
cash resources of £47.9m (2011: £60.5m) 
and no debt.

Outlook
While 2012, and indeed the early months of 
2013, saw positive performance for many 
equity markets, the broader macroeconomic 
environment remains uncertain. Many 
commentators, including the IMF, expect a 
continuation of the lower levels of underlying 
growth that have been evident since 2008. 
This could present challenging trading and 
funding conditions for small, early-stage 
businesses, while equity market volatility 
could have short-term impacts on the value 
of the Group’s portfolio companies. However, 
our belief is that the challenges addressed 
by many of the Group’s portfolio companies, 
including clean energy, big data, healthcare, 
food supply and availability of fresh water, 
are global in nature and technologies that 
address these have the potential to generate 
significant value.

During 2013 the Group intends to continue 
supporting the development of its most 
promising portfolio companies with people, 
networks and capital, to grow its net assets 
and identify further intellectual-property-based 
opportunities. The Group remains confident 
of the commercial potential of its portfolio, 
while our pipeline of commercialisable 
intellectual property opportunities remains 
strong. We will continue to mature our post-seed 
businesses and pipeline and look forward to 
guiding them towards potentially significant 
inflection points over the next few years.

The Group’s unrivalled access to 
commercialisable UK intellectual property, 
recently strengthened through its new 
partnership with the University of Manchester, 
its broad portfolio and its cash resources give 
the directors confidence in being able to 
deliver against this intention.

Alan Aubrey
Chief Executive Officer

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

12

Business review
Portfolio review

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Our portfolio: continuing 
to develop and mature

A maturing portfolio and an increase in total capital deployed 
have led to a significant increase in the value of the Group’s 
most promising portfolio companies during 2012.

Retroscreen Virology
Expertise in viruses, a spin-out from 
Queen Mary, University of London.

p.16

Xeros
Environmentally funded cleaning 
technology from the University 
of Leeds. 

p.18

Ceres Power
Fuel cell technology, originally 
developed at Imperial College. 

p.15

Actual Experience
An IT spin-out from Queen Mary, 
University of London.

p.19

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

13

Fair value of portfolio

Investment in portfolio

Number of portfolio companies

£181.8m

(2011: £123.8m)

£26.3m

(2011: £14.3m)

67

(2011: 64)

Realisations from portfolio

Number of new portfolio companies

£14.3m

(2011: £3.7m)

11

(2011: 5)

Overview
A maturing portfolio and an increase in total 
capital deployed have led to a significant 
increase in the value of the Group’s most 
promising portfolio companies during 2012. 
At year end, the Group’s portfolio had increased 
in value to £181.8m, from £123.8m in 2011, and 
comprised holdings in 67 businesses (2011: 64).

In line with the commitments made at 
the time of the Group’s 2011 placing, total 
capital deployed into portfolio companies 
during the year again increased significantly 
to £26.3m, from £14.3m in 2011. The Group 
has utilised its increased capital to maintain 
its equity interest in a number of its most 
promising companies.

The Group has broadly maintained the level of 
capital deployed into new spin-out opportunities, 
with seven new companies being formed 
during the year (2011: five) and first-time 
investments being made into a further four 
existing businesses. The latter included the 
participation in the December refinancing 
of AIM-listed Ceres Power Holdings plc, 
a developer of clean, efficient fuel cell 
technology based on intellectual property 
originally developed at Imperial College, 
London. A total of four companies were 
sold during the period, while a further 
four companies, with a total cumulative 
cost to the Group of £1.2m, were closed.

A number of companies announced positive 
commercial developments during the year 
and completed significant financings, with 
the Group’s portfolio raising in excess of 
£110m of new capital. Having announced its 
intention to commence commercialisation of 
two revolutionary DNA sequencing products, 
the GridION and MinION, University of Oxford 
spin-out, Oxford Nanopore, completed a £31.4m 
further financing in May 2012. Two companies 
were admitted to AIM during the period: 
Retroscreen, a virology healthcare business 
that provides clinical services focused on 
the Viral Challenge Model, raised £15.0m in 
May 2012, while Revolymer plc, best known for 
its removable confectionary gum, raised £25.0m 
in July 2012. Retroscreen has subsequently 
announced a significant increase in revenues 
and seen positive share price performance 
while Revolymer, despite the launch of its 
nicotine gum in Canada and the appointment 
to its board of Julian Heslop, formerly chief 
financial officer of GlaxoSmithKline plc, and 
Dr Bryan Dobson, formerly President Global 
Operations Croda, has seen a reduction in 
its share price.

As described in the Group’s Half-yearly 
Report, Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited 
(“Photopharmica”) was unable to secure a 
co-development or partnership deal for its 
lead therapeutic programme during the first 
half of the year, leading to a significant 

reduction in the fair value of the Group’s 
holding. In December, company management 
worked with the Group’s life sciences team to 
revise its therapeutic development plan and 
the Group led a capital restructuring and limited 
refinancing. The restructuring led to a further 
£2.5m reduction in the fair value of the Group’s 
holding, a total of £13.0m for the year. The 
Group has invested a total of £3.4m cash in 
Photopharmica to date, in addition to £4.5m 
through an issue of the Group’s shares in 2007.

During the year, cash proceeds from the 
realisation of investments increased to £16.7m 
(2011: £3.7m). This was predominantly driven 
by the sale of Proximagen to USL Pharma 
International UK Limited, a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc, 
for total potential consideration of up to 
£356.8m. The acquisition of the Group’s 7.6% 
stake resulted in the receipt of initial cash 
proceeds of £15.4m, representing a multiple 
of 35 times the Group’s total investment, with 
up to a further £9.2m potentially receivable 
in future by way of contingent value rights.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

14
14

Business review
Portfolio review continued

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

“ As envisaged at the 
time of the Group’s 
2011 placing, the 
rate of capital 
deployment has 
again increased 
during 2012 
to £26.3m.”

Performance summary

Cash investment analysis  
by company stage 2012

Unrealised gains on the 
revaluation of investments
Unrealised losses on the 
revaluation of investments

Net fair value gains

Profit on disposals 
of equity investments

Change in fair value of 
limited partnership interests

Net portfolio gain

2012
£m

2011
£m

Incubation opportunities

64.5

13.6

Seed businesses

Post-seed private businesses

(26.5)

(12.7)

Post-seed quoted businesses

Total

Proceeds from sales  
of equity investments

38.0

11.8

0.4

50.2

0.9

2.3

0.6

3.8

2012
£m

0.5

4.2

13.1

8.5

2011
£m

0.1

2.1

5.8

6.3

26.3

14.3

16.7

3.7

Performance summary
A summary of the gains and losses across 
the portfolio is shown above.

The most significant contributors to unrealised 
gains on the revaluation of investments 
comprised £26.4m as a result of Oxford 
Nanopore’s May financing round, £10.3m as 
a result of the AIM IPO and subsequent share 
price increase of Retroscreen and increases 
in the share prices of Ceres Power Holdings plc 
(£5.1m) and Avacta Group plc (£4.8m).

Unrealised losses on the revaluation 
of investments included £13.0m from 
Photopharmica and from reductions in the 
share prices of certain of the Group’s quoted 
companies, including Green Chemicals plc 
(£1.4m) and Revolymer plc (£1.4m).

The Group’s holdings in companies quoted 
on either AIM or ISDX saw a net unrealised fair 
value increase of £28.0m, while the Group’s 
holdings in unquoted companies experienced 
a net fair value increase of £10.0m. The Group 
believes that the increasing maturity and 
technical and commercial progress of many 
of its underlying portfolio businesses, both 
quoted and unquoted, contributed to significant 
increases in fair value during the year. The share 
price performance of the Group’s quoted 
portfolio companies has continued to be 
positive during the first two months of 2013, 
with the portfolio having seen a £16.0m net 
unrealised fair value increase from the year 
end to 1 March 2013.

Investments and realisations
As envisaged at the time of the Group’s June 
2011 placing and open offer, the Group’s rate 
of capital deployment has again increased 
during 2012, with a total of £26.3m being 
invested across 43 new and existing projects 
(2011: £14.3m; 42 projects), as shown above.

“Incubation opportunities” comprise businesses 
or pre-incorporation projects that are generally 
at a very early stage of development and 
typically involve investments of less than 
£0.1m from the Group. “Seed businesses” are 
those that have typically received capital of 
approximately £0.5m in total, primarily from 
the Group, in order to continue to progress 
towards agreed commercial and technology 
milestones and to enable the recruitment of 
management teams and early commercial 
engagement. “Post-seed businesses” are 
those that have received some level of further 
funding from co-investors external to the 
Group, with total funding received generally 
in excess of £0.5m. Of these, “post-seed 
quoted businesses” consist of those whose 
shares are quoted on either AIM or ISDX.

The Group has continued to mature its post-seed 
businesses with a number announcing further 
financings supported by the Group and/or IPVF, 
the dedicated follow-on venture capital fund 
managed by the Group. IPVF invested a total 
of £3.0m into Group portfolio businesses 
during the year (2011: £2.4m).

The Group’s pipeline of commercialisable 
intellectual property opportunities remains 
strong. Eight opportunities received initial 
incubation or seed funding during the year 

(2011: five), two existing incubation projects 
progressed to seed stage (2011: four), with a 
further three developing businesses receiving 
capital from the Group for the first time.

The eight new opportunities included:

 — TheySay Limited (University of Oxford): employs 
linguistic intelligence to complement machine 
learning techniques that enable new levels of 
insight into sentiment analysis;

 — Oxehealth (University of Oxford): a novel 

technology that should enable a webcam to 
remotely monitor the vital signs of patients 
in artificial light, without the need for any 
additional hardware;

 — Cryptographiq Limited (University of Leeds): 

developer of cyber-security tools;

 — Azuri Technologies Limited (University of 

Cambridge): renewable energy company with 
award-winning Indigo pay-as-you-go home 
solar system technology; and

 — in addition, the Group provided seed capital 
to Marblar Limited, a company that has 
developed an online network for inventors 
to interact directly with the scientific research 
community to come up with novel ways to 
exploit scientific discoveries.

The average level of capital deployed per 
company increased from £340,000 to £610,000 
in 2012. Excluding the Group’s participation in 
Oxford Nanopore’s 2012 financing round, the 
average investment per company was still 
increased at £470,000. This trend is expected 
to continue in the future.

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

15

Case study: Ceres Power

Developing clean, 
efficient, cost-effective 
fuel cell technology

Ceres Power is developing clean, efficient, cost-effective 
fuel cell technology for use in decentralised energy 
products that reduce operating costs, lower CO2 
emissions and improve energy security. These 
products use the company’s mass manufacturable 
technology platform, the Fuel Cell Module, based on 
its unique patented intermediate temperature solid 
oxide fuel cell technology and operating on mains 
natural gas or in the future a range of other fuels 
including packaged fuels, such as LPG.

Portfolio analysis – by stage of company maturity
At 31 December 2012, the Group’s portfolio fair value of £181.8m was distributed across stages of company maturity as follows:

Company stage

Incubation opportunities

Seed businesses

Post-seed private businesses

Post-seed quoted businesses

All portfolio businesses

As at 31 December 2012

As at 31 December 2011

Fair value

Number

Fair value

Number

£m

0.5

9.9

86.8

84.6

181.8

%

—

5%

48%

47%

100%

%

12%

25%

39%

24%

100%

8

17

26

16

67

£m

0.2

5.3

68.3

50.0

123.8

%

—

4%

55%

41%

100%

%

9%

22%

46%

23%

100%

6

14

29

15

64

Of the 67 companies in the Group’s portfolio, 76% (2011: 72%) of the fair value resides in the ten most valuable companies and the Group’s 
holdings in these businesses are valued at a total of £138.2m (2011: £89.0m).

Portfolio analysis – by sector
The Group’s portfolio consists of five key sectors, as depicted in the following table:

Sector

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Energy & Renewables

Chemicals & Materials

IT & Communications

Pharma & Biotech

Multiple sectors 

As at 31 December 2012

As at 31 December 2011

Fair value

Number

Fair value

Number

£m

107.3 

31.0

18.0 

9.7 

5.6 

10.2

%

59%

17%

10%

5%

3%

6%

181.8

100%

%

25%

21%

21%

18%

12%

3%

£m

52.0 

14.4

17.5 

6.4 

25.4 

8.1

%

42%

12%

14%

5%

21%

6%

%

22%

20%

25%

17%

13%

3%

14

13

16

11

8

2

100%

123.8

100%

64

100%

17

14

14

12

8

2

67

As can be seen from the table, the Group’s portfolio by number of companies is well diversified across five main sectors. By fair value, however, 
the portfolio is currently more concentrated in the medical equipment & supplies sector, largely as a result of the relative valuation of the Group’s 
holding in Oxford Nanopore.

The Group’s holdings in two companies across multiple sectors (IP commercialisation companies Fusion IP plc and Frontier IP plc) saw an unrealised 
fair value increase of £2.0m. Fusion IP plc (“Fusion”) completed its first material portfolio exit during 2012 with the sale of Simcyp to Certara for 
$32m. The sale of Simcyp, a modelling and simulation platform for predicting the fate of drugs in virtual populations, generated approximately 
£4m for Fusion, a 200-fold return on their original investment. Fusion also saw a significant increase in the fair value of its portfolio and Fusion’s 
positive share price performance resulted in a £2.1m increase in the value of the Group’s holding.

A more detailed analysis of each sector is set out on the following pages.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

 
 
 
 
16

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Business review
Portfolio review continued

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Year to 31 December 2012

Group stake
at
31 December
2012
%(i)

Fair value
of Group 
holding at 
31 December
2011
£m

Net
investment/
(divestment)
£m

Fair value 
movement 
£m

Fair value
of Group
holding at 
31 December
2012
£m

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited 
Single-molecule detection and analysis using nanopore technology 

20.4%

33.4 

6.7 

26.4 

66.5

Retroscreen Virology Group plc 
Contract virology research company

Tissue Regenix Group plc 
Regenerative dCELL® tissue implants

22.7%

0.6

13.8%

12.6 

Avacta Group plc(ii) 
Specialist detection and analysis technologies and services

29.8%

Other companies

Total

2.2

3.2

52.0

1.5

—

2.9

3.1

14.2

10.3

12.4

(1.3)

11.3

4.8

0.9

41.1

9.9

7.2

107.3

(i)  Stake represents undiluted beneficial equity interest excluding debt. 
(ii)  Net investment includes the £0.5m acquisition in January 2012 of Aptuscan Limited, an existing Group company.

The Group’s portfolio of Medical Equipment 
& Supplies or “med tech” companies saw the 
most significant increase in fair value during 
the period. The major contributors to this 
increase were Oxford Nanopore (£26.4m) 
as a result of its further £31.4m fundraising 
being completed at a premium to its previous 
financing round, Retroscreen (£10.3m) which 
experienced strong share price performance 
following its £15.0m placing and admission 
to AIM and Avacta Group plc (£4.8m) that 
completed a £5.1m placing and whose share 
price performed positively during the year. 
These were offset to a limited degree by a 
decrease in the fair value of the Group’s 
holding in Tissue Regenix (£1.3m).

Following its £15.0m AIM IPO in May, 
Retroscreen Virology Group plc (“Retroscreen”) 
announced in December that it expects full-year 
revenues for the year ending 31 December 2012 
to exceed £13.0m, more than three times 2011 

revenues, and that it had dosed its 1,000th 
volunteer. In January 2013, the company 
announced a further Viral Challenge Model 
contract valued at £3.9m. The study will be 
the largest ever investigation into influenza 
transmission and is a collaboration with the 
University of Nottingham and other international 
groups, funded by the United States Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.

Following a successful £25.0m fundraising 
in December 2011, Tissue Regenix was able 
to continue its meniscus and human dermis 
studies. The company announced that both 
studies had produced encouraging data and 
a Yale University study into cell re-population 
showed that dCELL® matrices in vascular 
patches outperformed a competitor product. 
The company then announced in February 2013 
that it had successfully completed the safety 
study for its dCELL meniscus, paving the way 
for clinical studies to begin in Europe following 

regulatory review. The dCELL meniscus is 
being developed for use in knee repair, where 
more than 1.5 million meniscal procedures 
are expected in the US and Europe in 2013. 
Despite these developments, Tissue 
Regenix experienced some weakening 
of its share price.

The Group’s holding in Avacta Group plc 
(“Avacta”), which provides reagents, arrays 
and instruments to the life sciences and 
healthcare industries, saw a significant fair 
value increase during the period of £4.8m. 
From an operational perspective, Avacta has 
continued to perform strongly announcing 
underlying revenue growth of 28% to £3.1m 
for the year to 31 July 2012 and the signing of 
a further exclusive marketing and distribution 
agreement with Pall Corporation in India. 
In January 2012, Avacta completed a £5.1m 
placing and acquired Aptuscan Limited.

Case study: Retroscreen Virology

Conquering viral disease

Retroscreen Virology is the only company 
in the world dedicated to the Human Viral 
Challenge Model. These studies take place 
in Retroscreen’s unique, purpose-built, 
quarantine unit in London or occasionally 
at other facilities. The Human VCM enables 
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies 
as well as world leading academic groups to 
accelerate and reduce the cost of bringing 
anti-viral drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines to 
market. Retroscreen floated on AIM in 2012.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

17

Energy & Renewables

Modern Water plc 
Technologies to address the world’s water crisis 

Oxford Catalysts Group plc 
Speciality catalysts for the generation of clean fuels

Ceres Power Holdings plc 
Ceramic fuel cell technology

GETECH Group plc 
Gravity and magnetic data analysis for the oil and gas industry

Other companies

Total

(i)  Stake represents undiluted beneficial equity interest excluding debt. 

Year to 31 December 2012

Group stake
at
31 December
2012
%(i)

Fair value
of Group 
holding at 
31 December
2011
£m

Net
investment/
(divestment)
£m

Fair value 
movement 
£m

Fair value
of Group
holding at 
31 December
2012
£m

20.9%

5.0%

25.7%

24.2%

5.8

2.4

—

1.4

4.8

14.4

—

—

1.1

—

3.7

4.8

0.9 

6.7

3.9

5.1

1.7

0.2

11.8

6.3

6.2

3.1

8.7

31.0

Companies in the Energy & Renewables 
sector also saw a significant increase in fair 
value during the period (£11.8m). The major 
contributors to this increase were Ceres Power 
Holdings plc (£5.1m) and Oxford Catalysts 
Group plc (£3.9m) whose share prices either 
performed positively during the year or, in 
the case of the former, following the Group’s 
participation in the company’s refinancing 
in December 2012.

In March 2013, Modern Water plc (“MW”), 
a company that develops leading water 
technologies focused on addressing the 
scarcity of fresh water and the monitoring 
of water quality, announced it had raised 
£10.0m. This followed the installation and 
commissioning by the company of the 
Al Najdah plant, the world’s first commercial 
forward osmosis desalination plant in 
September 2012. MW also announced that it 
had entered into a Framework Agreement 
with Hangzhou Development Center of Water 
Treatment Technology Company Limited in 
the People’s Republic of China, which will 
allow both organisations to jointly identify 
and develop projects in China including 
seawater desalination plants and other 
water-related opportunities, as well as a 
Cooperation and Agency Agreement with 

Kazema Global Holding KSCH in Kuwait, with 
a view to the company and Kazema working 
together in Kuwait to promote the company’s 
forward osmosis technology.

Oxford Catalysts Group plc (“OCG”) is a 
spin-out from the University of Oxford that 
designs and develops technology for the 
smaller scale production of clean synthetic 
fuels from conventional fossil fuels and 
renewable sources such as biowaste. The 
company announced in July 2012 that it had 
been selected to provide its Fischer-Tropsch 
technology to GreenSky London, Europe’s 
first commercial scale sustainable jet fuel 
facility, being developed in partnership with 
British Airways. British Airways confirmed 
that it had committed to purchase the 
sustainable jet fuel produced by the plant 
for ten years (at market rates) – worth 
$500m. The company’s share price rose 
significantly in the period resulting in an 
increase in the fair value of the Group’s 
holding of £3.9m and the company 
completed a £31.0m placing in January 2013.

In December 2012, the Group invested 
£1.1m as part of a £3.3m placing in Ceres 
Power Holding plc (“Ceres”). Ceres is an 
AIM-quoted company developing clean, 

efficient, cost-effective fuel cell technology 
for use in distributed generation and other 
applications. Two members of the Group’s 
staff joined the company in a non-executive 
capacity and worked alongside new interim 
CEO, Steve Callaghan, to implement a revised 
strategy. This saw a significant resizing of the 
business and a focus on the continued 
development and commercialisation of its 
core fuel cell and fuel cell module technology 
platform. Appreciation in the company’s share 
price following the completion of the placing 
resulted in a £5.1m increase in the fair value of 
the Group’s 25.7% holding during December.

GETECH, the oil services business specialising 
in the provision of exploration data and 
petroleum systems studies and evaluations, 
announced a number of major contracts 
including five further Globe sponsors and 
two substantial sales of its global gravity 
and magnetic datasets during the period. 
The company’s share price responded to its 
positive trading performance, which included 
annual results for the year ended 31 July 2012 
that saw a 21% increase in revenues to £6.4m 
and a 86% increase in pre-tax profits to £1.2m.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

18

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Business review
Portfolio review continued

Chemicals & Materials

Revolymer plc 
Novel polymers e.g. “removable chewing gum”

Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group plc 
ONTO and VISARC surface modification technologies

Surrey Nanosystems Limited 
Low temperature carbon nanotube growth

Green Chemicals plc 
Environmentally friendly textiles and bleaching chemicals

Xeros Limited 
“Virtually waterless” washing machines

Other companies

Total

(i)  Stake represents undiluted beneficial equity interest excluding debt. 

Year to 31 December 2012

Group stake
at
31 December
2012
%(i)

Fair value
of Group 
holding at 
31 December
2011
£m

Net
investment/
(divestment)
£m

Fair value 
movement 
£m

Fair value
of Group
holding at 
31 December
2012
£m

10.6%

2.9

2.5

(1.4)

4.0

14.4%

21.0%

2.1

1.5

24.5%

3.2

21.0%

1.4

6.4

17.5

—

0.6

2.7

0.7

0.3

—

1.9

5.4

0.1

2.3

(1.4)

2.1

—

(2.8)

(4.9)

1.4

5.5

18.0

Case study: Xeros

Environmentally friendly 
cleaning technology

Xeros has developed an environmentally friendly 
cleaning technology which originally came out 
of pioneering work by the University of Leeds. 
The $100bn global laundry industry is the initial 
market for the Xeros polymer bead cleaning system 
and the technology has been installed at sites in 
both London and North America. Xeros has now 
raised over £16m in funding from private investment 
and government R&D grants to commercialise the 
technology. The company successfully completed 
a £10m fund raising in March 2013.

The unrealised fair value loss seen by the 
Chemicals & Materials portfolio was largely as 
a result of a decrease in share price during 
the year in both Revolymer plc (“Revolymer”) 
and Green Chemicals plc (“Green Chemicals”).

As mentioned above, Revolymer completed 
its AIM IPO and £25.0m placing in July. 
During the year Revolymer also announced 
good progress with its six joint development 
agreements with major international partners 
in the household products, and coatings and 
adhesives business areas, the launch of 
nicotine gum in Canada through two pharmacy 
businesses of the McKesson group, and further 
strengthening of the board of directors with 
the appointments of Julian Heslop, former 

CFO of GSK, and Dr Bryan Dobson, formerly 
President Global Operations Croda, both 
as independent non-executive directors. 
Despite this progress, the company’s share 
price saw a limited decline in the latter half 
of the year and this continued into 2013, 
when the company also announced that 
it would vigorously defend a patent 
infringement claim received.

Oxford Advanced Surfaces plc (“OAS”), 
a University of Oxford spin-out, continued 
the development of its ONTO™ and VISARC™ 
surface modification technologies during 2012. 
In October, Adrian Meldrum, formerly director 
of IQE plc, joined as chief executive while, 
in June, the company announced its first 

commercial agreement with a global industrial 
manufacturing company, covering the use of 
its VISARC technology in electronic displays.

Green Chemicals, a spin-out from the University 
of Leeds that is developing “cleaner, greener, 
safer” solutions for a range of applications 
in the textile, health and beauty and personal 
care markets, raised £1.0m in a placing in 
November 2012 and announced that trials 
at Harrods of Knightsbridge of the TruKolor™ 
hair de-colourant and hair colouration 
technology in conjunction with Urban 
Retreats Limited (“Urban Retreats”) 
are viewed by the company and by Urban 
Retreats as having been highly successful.

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

19

IT & Communications

Year to 31 December 2012

Group stake
at
31 December
2012
%(i)

Fair value
of Group 
holding at 
31 December
2011
£m

Net
investment/
(divestment)
£m

Fair value 
movement 
£m

Fair value
of Group
holding at 
31 December
2012
£m

Tracsis plc 
Provider of operational planning software to passenger transport industries

12.6%

2.1

(0.4)

3.3 

5.0

Arkivum Limited 
Digital preservation and management

Actual Experience Limited 
Optimising the human experience of networked application

Other companies

Total

(i)  Stake represents undiluted beneficial equity interest excluding debt. 

45.8%

40.5%

0.7

1.2

2.4

6.4

0.8

—

0.4

0.8

0.4

—

(1.2)

2.5

1.9

1.2

1.6

9.7

At 31 December 2012, the Group’s portfolio 
of holdings in IT & Communications companies 
was valued at £9.7m (2011: £6.4m) and recorded 
a fair value gain of £2.5m (2011: £0.6m), the 
majority of which was due to the performance 
of Tracsis plc’s share price.

Tracsis, a leading provider of operational 
planning software to passenger transport 
industries, reported its fifth successive year 
of revenue growth since its AIM IPO in 2007, 
with revenues increasing 112% to £8.7m for 
the year ended 31 July 2012. The company’s 
performance contributed to it being awarded 

the Company of the Year in the Mid-sized 
category at the Growing Business Awards. 
In February 2013, the company announced 
that it had signed an agreement with a major 
UK rail freight operator, its first in the sector, 
to supply a customised version of its TrainTRACS 
crew scheduling software for a period of 
three years.

Actual Experience, a spin-out from Queen Mary, 
University of London, has accumulated an 
impressive list of blue chip customers over 
the past year, including Cisco Systems. Actual 
Experience Analytics are used by businesses 

to quantify and improve the actual “human 
experience” of key IT applications for their 
customers and users, potentially unlocking 
important economic, social and environmental 
benefits. Actual Experience was the recipient 
of the prestigious 2012 Innovation Award by 
the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

During the period the Group realised a total 
of £0.9m as a result of the acquisition of 
Overlay Media Limited, a University of Bristol 
spin-out developing context-aware software 
for mobile devices, by InMobi, a venture-backed 
mobile software company.

Case study: Actual Experience

Improving the actual 
computing experience 
for end users

Actual Experience addresses the 
fact that IT infrastructure (computers, 
storage and network) will perform at its 
best, whilst minimising costs, only if it 
can be managed from a human perception 
standpoint. A spin-out from Queen Mary, 
University of London, Actual Experience 
is enjoying rapid growth and has already 
amassed an impressive list of blue chip 
customers including Cisco Systems 
and Charles Stanley. 

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

20

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Business review
Portfolio review continued

Pharma & Biotech

Synairgen plc 
Developing new drugs for respiratory diseases

Photopharmica Limited 
Wound treatment using light (photodynamic therapy or “PDT”)

Proximagen Group plc 
Treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease

Other companies

Total

(i)  Stake represents undiluted beneficial equity interest excluding debt. 

Year to 31 December 2012

Group stake
at
31 December
2012
%(i)

Fair value
of Group 
holding at 
31 December
2011
£m

Net
investment/
(divestment)
£m

Fair value 
movement 
£m

Fair value
of Group
holding at 
31 December
2012
£m

10.8%

2.3

0.3

1.1

3.7

38.2%

13.0

0.2

(13.0)

0.2

—

5.6

4.5

25.4

(5.6)

0.4

(4.7)

—

(3.2)

(15.1)

—

1.7

5.6

Synairgen, the University of Southampton 
spin-out that focuses on respiratory drug 
discovery and development, announced 
positive results in April from its Phase II trial 
of inhaled interferon beta (“IFN-beta”) in 
asthma. This showed significant benefit 
across multiple end points in the Step 4/5 
patients (estimated to represent between 
10% and 20% of adult asthma sufferers, 
who are the greatest healthcare burden) 
and that the compound was well tolerated. 
The company strengthened its balance sheet 
in July through a £2.5m placing in which the 
Group participated.

The absolute value of the Group’s Pharma 
& Biotech portfolio decreased significantly 
during the year as a result of the sale of 
Proximagen, generating cash proceeds of 
£15.4m, a full write-down of Photopharmica 
(£13.0m), as described above, and Synairgen plc 
(“Synairgen”), whose share price increase 
contributed £1.1m of fair value gains.

During August, Proximagen, a spin-out 
from King’s College, London, was acquired 
by USL Pharma International UK Limited, 
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Upsher-Smith 
Laboratories, Inc, for a total potential 
consideration of up to £356.8m. Under 
the terms of the acquisition, Proximagen 
shareholders received an initial 320p 
per ordinary share in cash in addition 
to a potential further 192p in either cash 
or loan notes by way of contingent value 
rights (“CVRs”). The initial cash payment of 
£15.4m received by the Group represented 
a multiple of 35 times its total investment 
in Proximagen of approximately £0.4m. 
At 31 December 2012, the Group’s CVRs have 
been fair valued at £1.4m, or 30p per CVR.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Business review
Finance review

21

A strong  
financial position

Greg Smith
Chief Financial Officer

In summary

—   Adjusted profit before tax of £46.7m (2011: £0.5m), 
excluding £6.0m reduction in fair value of Oxford 
Equity Rights asset (2011: £6.0m)

—   The Group continued to benefit from a strong 
financial position with cash and deposits of 
£47.9m and a diversified portfolio of holdings 
in 67 companies

—   The Group continued to have no borrowings 

or foreign currency deposits

—   The Group increased the amount of capital 
provided to portfolio companies to £26.3m 
(2011: £14.3m)

Statement of comprehensive income
A summary analysis of the Group’s financial 
performance is provided below:

Net portfolio gains

Other income

Change in fair value of  
Oxford Equity Rights asset

Administrative expenses – 
Modern Biosciences

Administrative expenses –  
all other businesses

Finance income

Gain/(loss) and total 
comprehensive income 
for the period

2012
£m

50.2

2.3

2011
£m

3.8

2.1

(6.0)

(6.0)

(0.5)

(0.4)

(6.2)

(5.6)

0.9

0.6

40.7

(5.5)

Overall the Group recorded a profit after tax 
of £40.7m, which compares to a loss of £5.5m 
during 2011. As was also the case in 2011, this 
result includes a £6.0m reduction in the fair 
value of the Group’s contract with the University 
of Oxford’s Chemistry Department. Excluding 
this non-cash fair value reduction, the Group 
recorded an adjusted profit of £46.7m compared 
to £0.5m in 2011, largely reflecting significantly 
higher net portfolio gains in the year.

Net portfolio gains consist primarily of realised 
and unrealised fair value gains and losses 
from the Group’s equity and debt holdings 
in spin-out businesses as well as changes in 
the fair value of its limited and limited liability 
partnership interests. A detailed analysis of 
fair value gains and losses is provided in the 
Portfolio review on pages 12 to 20. 

Other income for the year increased to £2.3m 
(2011: £2.1m) as increased consulting and 
corporate finance fees offset a lower level 
of venture capital fund management fees. 

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

22

Business review
Finance review continued

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

“  ‘Hard’ net assets 

increased to £236.6m 
at 31 December 2012 
(2011: £189.1m).”

Statement of comprehensive income continued
IP Venture Fund reached the conclusion of its 
five-year “investment period” in August 2012 
having invested in over 25 of the Group’s 
portfolio companies to date. As a result, 
venture capital fund management income 
is anticipated to further reduce in 2013 and 
beyond. The Group continues to receive 
management fees and has the potential to 
generate performance fees from successful 
investment performance of both this fund 
and the North East Technology Fund LP 
(“NETF”), whose “investment period” is 
currently anticipated to continue until the 
end of 2014.

share price performance and increase in 
“hard” net assets. The 2011 and 2012 LTIP 
awards are subject to vesting conditions until 
2014 and 2015 and charges relating to these 
awards will continue to be recognised in the 
statement of comprehensive income until 
this time.

As a result of the Group’s increased average 
cash balances during the year, the Group’s 
interest receivable has increased to £0.9m 
(2011: £0.6m). It is expected that the Group’s 
future finance income will continue to fluctuate 
broadly in line with cash held on balance 
sheet and future interest rate changes.

The Group continued to allocate limited 
capital to the evaluation and development of 
certain early-stage therapeutic programmes 
including through its subsidiary Modern 
Biosciences plc (“MBS”). These development 
costs were expensed to the income statement 
as they were incurred. In November, the Group 
announced that MBS had been awarded a grant 
of up to £1.6m by the UK Government-backed 
Biomedical Catalyst. The award will provide 
support for MBS’s lead anti-inflammatory 
programme, OsteoRx. The Group intends 
to continue developing a small number of 
early-stage therapeutic assets.

The Group’s administrative expenses, excluding 
those relating to Modern Biosciences, increased 
during the period to £6.2m (2011: £5.6m), 
predominantly due to higher staff costs, 
included an IFRS 2 share-based payments 
charge totalling £0.8m (2011: £0.7m) relating 
to the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan awards. 
This non-cash charge reflects the fair value of 
services received from employees, measured 
by reference to the fair value of the share-based 
payments at the date of award, but has no net 
impact on the Group’s total equity or “net 
assets”. As described in more detail in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 42 
to 49, approximately 81% of the 2010 LTIP 
awards are anticipated to vest during 2013 
as a result of the Group’s strong three-year 

Statement of financial position
The Group ended the period with net assets 
of £263.1m, representing an increase of £41.5m 
from the position at 1 January 2012 (£221.6m). 
As described above, the most significant 
contributor to the increase in net assets 
during the period was the performance of 
the Group’s portfolio of holdings in spin-out 
companies. “Hard” net assets, i.e. those 
excluding intangible assets and the Oxford 
Equity Rights asset, totalled £236.6m at 
31 December 2012 (2011: £189.1m).

The Group continued to benefit from a strong 
financial position with cash and deposits 
of £47.9m (2011: £60.5m) and a diversified 
portfolio of equity and debt investments 
in 67 private and publicly listed technology 
companies (2011: 64). The Group continued 
to have no borrowings. 

The value of the Group’s holdings in portfolio 
companies increased to £181.8m at year 
end after net unrealised fair value gains 
of £38.0m and net investment of £9.6m 
(2011: £123.8m; £0.9m net unrealised fair 
value gain; £10.6m net investment). The 
Portfolio review on pages 12 to 20 contains 
a detailed description of the Group’s portfolio 
of equity and debt investments, including 
key developments and movements during 
the year. 

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

23

Cash, cash equivalents and 
short-term deposits (“Cash”)
The principal constituents of the movement 
in Cash during the year are summarised 
as follows:

Primarily as a result of a £0.8m increase in 
interest received, which was partially offset 
by higher administrative costs during the 
period, Cash used in operating activities 
decreased to £2.6m (2011: £3.0m).

It remains the Group’s policy to place cash 
which is surplus to near-term working capital 
requirements on short-term and overnight 
deposits with financial institutions that meet 
the Group’s treasury policy criteria and in 
low-risk treasury funds rated “AA” or above. 
The Group’s treasury policy is described in 
detail in note 2 to the Group financial statements 
alongside details of the credit ratings of the 
Group’s cash and deposit counterparties. 

The Group continues to have no borrowings 
or foreign currency deposits.

Taxation
Since the Group’s activities are mainly trading 
in nature, the directors continue to believe 
that the Group qualifies for the Substantial 
Shareholdings Exemption (“SSE”) on chargeable 
gains arising on the disposal of qualifying 
holdings and, as such, the Group has continued 
not to recognise a provision for deferred 
taxation in respect of uplifts in value on those 
equity stakes which meet the qualifying 
criteria. The Group’s unrecognised deferred 
tax assets and liabilities are set out in note 9 
to the financial statements.

Net cash used in 
operating activities

Net cash used in 
investing activities

Issued share capital

2012
£m

2011
£m

(2.6)

(3.0)

(10.0)

(11.3)

—

53.3

Movement during period

(12.6)

39.0

At 31 December 2012, the Group’s Cash totalled 
£47.9m, a decrease of £12.6m from a total of 
£60.5m at 31 December 2011 predominantly 
due to net investment in the Group’s 
spin-out companies.

The Group’s net Cash used in investing 
activities decreased during 2012, however 
this reflects a significant increase in both 
investments (2012: £26.3m; 2011: £14.3m) 
and realisations (2012: £16.7m; 2011: £3.7m). 
As described in more detail in the Portfolio 
review on pages 12 to 20, the Group allocated 
a total of £26.3m across 43 portfolio companies 
during the period (2011: £14.3m; 42 companies).

A further £0.4m was committed to IP Venture 
Fund (2011: £0.4m), which in turn invested £3.0m 
across 15 portfolio companies (2011: £2.4m; 
16 companies). Overall, net Cash used in 
investing activities decreased to £10.0m 
(2011: £11.3m). 

The Group’s statement of financial position 
includes goodwill of £18.4m (2011: £18.4m) 
and an equity rights asset of £7.9m (2011: 
£13.9m). The goodwill balances arose as a 
result of the Group’s historical acquisitions 
of Techtran Group (university partnership 
business, £16.3m; 2011: £16.3m) and Top 
Technology Ventures (venture capital fund 
management business, £2.1m; 2011: £2.1m). 
The equity rights asset represents amounts 
paid to the University of Oxford in 2000 and 
2001 giving the Group the right to receive 
50% of the university’s entitlement to equity 
in any spin-out company or of any licensing 
income emanating from the University of 
Oxford’s Chemistry Department until 2015. 

As was also the case in 2011, as the date 
of expiry (November 2015) of the contract 
underpinning the Oxford Equity Rights asset 
draws closer, the value to the Group of the 
corresponding asset under IFRS reduces 
and it will have been written off by way of fair 
value reduction or impairment through the 
statement of comprehensive income by the 
expiry date. Based on the directors’ calculations, 
and as described more fully in note 14 to the 
Group’s financial statements, the fair value 
of the contract at 31 December 2012 has 
reduced by £6.0m (2011: £6.0m).

The directors expect the Group’s long-standing 
contractual and non-contractual relationships 
with the University of Oxford to remain 
successful and mutually valuable. As at 
31 December 2012, the fair value of the 
Group’s holdings in Oxford Chemistry 
spin-out companies totalled £77.0m and, 
based on having invested a total of £14.6m 
and realised £6.9m to date, value totalling 
£69.3m has been derived by the Group 
from the contract since its inception.

Due to the nature of its activities, the Group 
has limited current assets or current 
liabilities other than its cash and short-term 
deposit balances, which are considered in 
more detail below.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

24

Business review
Risk management

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Managing corporate, operational 
and financial risks 

As described in the Corporate Governance report on page 39 the operations of the Group and the implementation 
of its objectives and strategy are subject to a number of key risks and uncertainties. Risks are reviewed by 
the Board on an annual basis and appropriate procedures are put in place to monitor and, to the extent possible, 
mitigate these risks. Were more than one of the risks to occur, the overall impact on the Group may be compounded. 
A summary of the key risks affecting the Group and the steps taken to manage these is set out as follows:

Risk and description

Impact

Mitigation

The returns and cash proceeds from the Group’s early-stage companies can be very uncertain

The following risks are typically 
associated with early-stage 
companies that can have a high 
risk of failure:

—   may not be able to secure later 

rounds of funding;

 — Portfolio company failure directly impacts the Group’s 

value and profitability.

 — At any time, a large proportion of the Group’s portfolio 

value may be accounted for by one, or very few, 
technology companies which could exacerbate the 
impact of one or more such company failures. 

—   may not be able to source or 

 — Cash realisations from the Group’s portfolio through 

trade sales and IPOs could vary significantly from year 
to year.

retain appropriately skilled staff;

—   competing technologies may 

enter the market;

—   technology can be materially 
unproven and may fail; and

—   other administrative, taxation 
or compliance issue leads to 
company failure.

 — The Group’s staff has significant experience in 
sourcing, developing and growing early-stage 
technology companies to significant value, including 
systematic opportunity evaluation and business 
building methodologies. 

 — Members of the Group’s senior team often serve as 

non-executive directors or advisers to portfolio companies 
to help identify and remedy critical issues promptly.

 — The Group has spin-out company holdings across 
different sectors to reduce the impact of a single 
company failure or sector demise.

 — The Group maintains significant cash balances and seeks 
to employ a capital efficient process deploying low levels 
of initial capital to enable identification and mitigation of 
potential failures at the earliest possible stage. 

It may be difficult for the Group and its early-stage companies to attract capital

The Group’s operations are reliant 
on the capital markets, particularly 
those in the UK. As the Group’s 
operations, and the operations 
of the majority of its portfolio 
companies, are based in the UK, 
the financial and operational 
performance of the Group and 
particularly the ability of its 
portfolio companies to attract 
development capital is influenced 
by the general economic climate 
and trading conditions in the UK. 

 — The UK’s recession and subsequent limited growth 
have had (and may continue to have) an adverse 
effect on trading conditions in the UK, particularly 
for smaller businesses.

 — Environment may contribute to a shortage of potential 
capital providers for early-stage technology businesses 
such as those that the Group creates.

 — The Group’s portfolio companies may take longer, or find 
it more difficult, to secure funding for their ongoing 
development and the commercialisation of their IP.

 — Failure of companies within the Group’s portfolio may 
make it more difficult for the Group or its spin-out 
companies to raise additional capital.

 — The Group has significant balance sheet and 
managed funds capital to deploy in attractive 
portfolio opportunities.

 — The Group operates a capital markets function 
which carries out fundraising mandates for 
portfolio companies. 

 — The Group maintains close relationships with varied 
co-investors that focus on companies at differing 
stages of development.

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

25

Risk and description

Impact

Mitigation

Universities or other research-intensive institutions may terminate  
their partnerships or other collaborative relationships with the Group

The Group’s business, results 
of operations and prospects 
are at least partially dependent 
on competitive advantage gained 
from access to proprietary 
opportunity flow through 
partnerships and other 
collaborative arrangements 
with research-intensive 
institutions and commercial 
partners, such as Fusion IP 
and Technikos. 

 — Termination or non-renewal of arrangements through 
failure to perform obligations may result in the loss of 
exclusive rights. 

 — Members of the Group’s senior team work closely with 
partner institutions to ensure that each commercial 
relationship is mutually beneficial and productive.

 — The loss of exclusive rights may limit the Group’s ability 
to secure attractive IP opportunities to commercialise. 

 — The Group sources a limited number of opportunities 

through non-exclusive relationships.

 — This could potentially have a material adverse effect 

on the Group’s long-term business, results of 
operations, performance and prospects.

 — The Group’s track record in IP commercialisation 
can make the Group a partner of choice for other 
institutions, acting as a barrier to entry to competitors.

 — The Group continues to consider and, where appropriate, 

enter into new and innovative collaborations.

The Group may lose key personnel or fail to attract and integrate new personnel

 — Loss of key executives and employees of the Group or 
an inability to attract, retain and integrate appropriately 
skilled and experiences staff could have an adverse 
effect on the Group’s business, competitive advantage, 
financial condition, results of operations and/or 
future prospects.

The area in which the Group operates 
is a specialised area and the Group 
therefore requires highly qualified 
and experienced employees. There 
is a risk that the Group’s employees 
could be approached and solicited 
by competitors or other technology-
based companies and organisations. 
Given the relatively small size of 
the Group, its operations are reliant 
on a small number of key individuals. 
Scaling the team presents an 
additional potential risk.

 — Senior team succession planning.

 — The Group carries out regular market comparisons 

for staff and executive remuneration.

 — The Group seeks to offer a balanced incentive package 
considering the mix of salary, benefits, performance-
based long-term incentives and benefits such as flexible 
working or salary sacrifice arrangements.

 — The long term incentives for all senior staff are in the 
form of shares in the Group and all executives are 
shareholders in the business.

 — The Group encourages staff development and 
inclusion through coaching and mentoring.

There may be changes to, or impacts from, legislation, government policy or regulation

There may be unforeseen changes 
in, or impacts from, government 
policy, regulation or legislation 
(including taxation legislation). 
This could include changes to 
the terms upon which public 
monies are made available 
to universities and research 
institutions or their ownership 
of resulting intellectual property.

 — Changes could result in universities and research 

institutions no longer being able to own, exploit or 
protect intellectual property.

 — Changes in government policy or legislation may make 
it unattractive for research academics to participate 
in the commercialisation of the IP that they create. 

 — Changes to tax legislation or the nature of the Group’s 
activities, in particular in relation to the substantial 
shareholder exemption, may adversely affect the Group’s 
tax position and accordingly its value and operations.

 — University partners are incentivised to protect their IP 
for exploitation as the partnership agreements share 
returns between universities, academic founders and 
the Group. 

 — The Group’s university partners also maintain close 
links with the government to manage their position 
with respect to future legislative changes. 

 — The Group utilises professional advisers as appropriate 
to support its monitoring of, and response to changes 
in, tax or other legislation. 

 — The Group operates an FSA-authorised subsidiary and 
regulatory changes or breaches could ultimately lead 
to reputational damage or fines.

 — The Group has internal policies and procedures to 

ensure its compliance with applicable FSA Regulations 
and these are subject to external review.

In addition, through its normal operations the Group is exposed to a number of financial risks, comprising liquidity, market and credit risks. 
Further quantitative information is set out in note 2 to the Group’s financial statements.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

26

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Business review
Corporate social responsibility

Policy statement

IP Group aims to conduct its business in a socially responsible manner, to contribute to the communities 
in which it operates and to respect the needs of its employees and all of its stakeholders.

The Group is committed to growing the business while ensuring a safe environment for employees 
as well as minimising the overall impact on the environment.

IP Group endeavours to conduct its business in accordance with established best practice, to be 
a responsible employer and to adopt values and standards designed to help guide staff in their 
conduct and business relationships.

“ The direct 
environmental 
impact of the Group 
and its subsidiary 
companies is 
relatively low.”

Our commitment to the 
environment and sustainability
Climate change and increased environmental 
damage are commonly accepted to be very 
real threats both now and in the future. 
Sustainability forms a core component of our 
business philosophy and we firmly recognise 
our responsibility to ensure that our business 
continues to operate in a sustainable manner.

Sustainability features prominently in our 
opportunity selection agenda and we actively 
pursue opportunities that have the potential 
to improve the environment we live in and 
benefit society’s wellbeing on a global scale. 
In healthcare, the Group has established 
companies seeking to develop diagnostics 
and therapeutics across a wide range of disease 
areas including cancer, wound care, liver 
diseases, asthma and Alzheimer’s disease. 
The Group has also formed and invested in 
a number of companies that are pioneering 
the development of both clean technologies 
and research in the water, energy, waste 
management and construction sectors. 

The direct environmental impact of the Group 
and its subsidiary companies is relatively low. 
The business operates from a small number 
of offices and employs fewer than 40 people, 
with the majority of our work being office-based. 
The Group does, however, remain committed 
to ensuring that the environmental impacts 
of the business operations are minimised 
and reduced wherever possible. While the 
Board as a whole has primary responsibility 
for environmental issues, it has allocated 
day-to-day responsibility for the review 
of environmental and social issues to the 
Chief Financial Officer, Greg Smith. The Group 
has an Environmental Policy, which is monitored 
and discussed at Board level and reviewed at 
least annually. This policy is communicated to 
all new staff upon induction into the business 
and is available on the Group’s website.

Measuring our direct 
impact on the environment
The Group operates out of three main office 
locations in the UK and during 2012 employed 
an average of 34 people (2011: 34). As a result, 
the Group’s directors have always considered 
that the direct environmental impact of the 
Group’s business is relatively low. As was the 
case in 2011, the Group again employed the 
services of a specialist adviser, Verco (previously 
Camco), to evaluate and quantify greenhouse 
gas (“GHG”) emissions associated with the 
Group’s operations. 

Verco calculated our emissions by multiplying 
data provided for particular activities by Defra 
emission factors. For example, an emission 
factor is used to convert litres of petrol 
consumed into the amount of CO2 emitted 
from a vehicle’s exhaust. Verco’s assessment 
methodology follows the reporting principles 
and guidelines provided by the Greenhouse 
Gas Protocol published by the World Business 
Council for Sustainable Development and the 
World Resources Institute (the “WBCSD/WRI 
GHG Protocol”).

The results from the Group’s different 
operational activities, including refrigerant 
gas losses, premises fossil fuel consumption, 
electricity consumption, business travel, 
commuting and waste disposal, have been 
calculated to provide an estimate of carbon-
related emissions for the activities of the 
Group for the year ended 31 December 2012, 
resulting in a quantification of the Group’s 
annual carbon footprint. Verco’s report 
covers the six Kyoto gases, expressed in 
carbon dioxide equivalents, or CO2e. In the 
year to 31 December 2012, Verco calculated 
that the GHG emissions arising from the 
operations associated with IP Group gave rise 
to 169 tonnes of CO2e, a limited increase on 
the equivalent figure for 2011 of 160 tonnes. 

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

27

“ The Group’s 
objective is to 
maintain or reduce 
its GHG per person 
and will report each 
year whether it has 
been successful 
in this regard.”

Breakdown of emissions by source (%) 
for the year ended 31 December 2012

20%

30%

50%

 Premises

 Commuting

 Business travel

The chart above depicts the Group’s emissions 
by activity. The largest source of emissions 
was from premises activities, predominantly 
as a result of electricity consumption. The 
second largest source of emissions arose 
from business travel, predominantly trains. 
Verco also calculated the Group’s average 
level of GHG emissions at 5.0 t/CO2e per 
employee (2011: 4.7 t/CO2e), which remains 
at the lower end of the range expected by 
Verco for a group carrying out similar activities 
to the Group (expected range 4 to 8 tonnes 
of CO2e per employee).

In addition, Verco again gathered information 
on the Group’s waste usage in 2012. Across 
its three offices, estimated total waste of 
6.3 tonnes was identified during the year, 
comprising 4.1 tonnes of landfill waste and 
2.2 tonnes of recycled waste (2011: 4.6, 3.7 
and 0.9 tonnes respectively).

Given the comparatively low GHG impact of 
the Group’s operations, the Group’s objective 
is to maintain or reduce its GHG per person 
each year and will report each year whether 
it has been successful in this regard.

Minimising our direct  
impact on the environment
In addition to the GHG analysis set out above, 
we are committed to:

 — promoting resource efficiency and the 
management of waste generated from 
our business operations according to 
the principles of the waste management 
hierarchy. We prioritise the management 
of our waste in the following order: 
prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling, 
other recovery and, finally, disposal. 
Recycling facilities and waste awareness 
materials are present in all of our 
office locations;

 — maximising the use of public transport for 
business travel and minimising business 
airline travel;

 — working in partnership with our staff, 

suppliers, landlords and their agents to 
promote improved energy performance 
and energy efficiency; and

 — wherever appropriate, making use of 
recycled and recyclable consumables 
and materials, including promotional 
and marketing documentation. 

Understanding the indirect environmental 
impacts of our business activities
As described above, the Group’s day-to-day 
operational activities have a limited impact 
on the environment. We do, however, recognise 
that the more significant impact occurs 
indirectly, through the investment decisions 
we make and the operation of the companies 
we choose to invest in. The Group therefore 
considers it important to establish and invest 
in businesses that comply with existing 
applicable environmental, ethical and social 
legislation. It is also important that these 
businesses can demonstrate that an appropriate 
strategy is in place to meet future applicable 
legislative and regulatory requirements and 
that these businesses can operate to specific 
industry standards, striving for best practice.

Major investment themes for IP Group have 
included, and will continue to include, business 
opportunities focused on developing clean 
technology, environmental improvement and 
resource efficiency. The following case study 
has been included to highlight how our 
investment decisions are linked to the global 
environmental and sustainability agenda.

Further qualitative and quantitative details 
of the Group’s investments in companies 
in Medical Equipment & Supplies, Pharma 
& Biotech, Energy & Renewables and 
Chemicals & Materials sectors are detailed 
in the Portfolio review, on pages 12 to 20.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

28

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Business review
Corporate social responsibility continued

Revise was formed by sustainability 
experts with the simple aim of utilising 
best available technologies which 
will allow people and businesses 
to better understand the concept 
of sustainability from a technical, 
operational and business perspective.

In 2012, Revise launched Waste Expert 1.0, the 
world’s first virtual waste management expert.

Waste management is a key sustainability priority 
that often lacks effective management control. 
Traditionally, detailed operational understanding 
and considerable staff or consultancy resource 
has been required to manage complex issues that are 
governed by widespread and onerous legislation. 
The waste expert’s key function is to overcome 
these limitations and enable the user to quickly 
and easily improve the waste management 
performance of their organisation, embedding 
improved skills and knowledge along the way.

Revise is a subsidiary of Sustainable Resource 
Solutions Limited, in which the Group has a 
43.6% undiluted beneficial holding.

Further details on the Group’s portfolio companies 
can be found on our website: www.ipgroupplc.com 

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

Our business ethics and social responsibility
The Group seeks to conduct all of its operating 
and business activities in a socially responsible 
manner and, in all such activities, for its directors 
and employees to maintain integrity and 
professionalism, to be commercial and fair 
and to have due regard to the interest of 
all of its stakeholders including investors, 
university partners, employees, suppliers 
and the businesses in which the Group 
invests. All employees who are involved 
with the regulated business of managing 
investment transactions receive compliance 
and anti-money laundering training, with 
periodic refresher courses.

Employment policies
Copies of the Group’s policies in relation 
to equal opportunities and diversity, health 
and safety, and anti-corruption and bribery 
can be found on the Group’s website,  
www.ipgroupplc.com/csr/company-policies. 

The Group seeks to operate as a responsible 
employer and has adopted standards which 
promote corporate values designed to help 
and guide employees in their conduct and 
business relationships. The Group seeks to 
comply with all laws, regulations and rules 
applicable to its business and to conduct the 
business in line with applicable established 
best practice. The Group’s policy is one of 
equal opportunity in the selection, training, 
career development and promotion of 
employees, regardless of age, gender, 
sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion 
and whether disabled or otherwise.

It is the Group’s policy to conduct all of our 
business in an honest and ethical manner. 
We take a zero tolerance approach to bribery 
and corruption and are committed to acting 
professionally, fairly and with integrity in all 
our business dealings and relationships 
wherever we operate and implementing and 
enforcing effective systems to counter bribery. 
The Group is bound by the laws of the UK, 
including the Bribery Act 2010, and has 
implemented policies and procedures 
based on such laws.

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

29

The Group’s three chosen charities during 
2012 were Lend with Care, a website allowing 
benefactors to lend entrepreneurs in developing 
countries funds to help build their business 
which they then repay over time, Vauxhall 
City Farm, an inner-city farm providing the 
local community with education, activities 
and riding therapy, and Young Enterprise, 
which works with young people between 
the ages of 4 and 25 to inspire and equip 
them to succeed through enterprise. Further 
details of the activities of these charities 
are set out on the Group’s website at  
http://www.ipgroupplc.com/csr/community.

Members of IP Group staff raised a total of 
£5,200 through “donate a day” salary sacrifice 
and sponsorship of the Group’s 2012 Way of 
the Roses cycling challenge. In line with its 
stated policy, the Group made no charitable 
donations during 2012 (2011: £9,000 each to 
two charities).

The Group’s management and employees are 
fundamental to our success and as a result 
we are committed to encouraging the ongoing 
development of our staff with the aim of 
maximising the Group’s overall performance. 
Emphasis is placed on staff development 
through work-based learning, with senior 
members of staff acting as coaches and 
mentors. The Group has continued to employ 
regular all-staff update meetings as the main 
source of employee communication. 

Health and safety
Promotion of health and safety at work 
is an essential responsibility of staff 
and management at all levels. The Chief 
Executive has overall responsibility for 
the implementation of the Group’s health 
and safety policies and procedures.

The primary purpose of the Group’s health 
and safety policy, which is summarised below, 
is to enable all members of the Group’s staff 
to go about their everyday business at work 
in the expectation that they can do so safely 
and without risk to their health. High standards 
of health and safety are applied to staff 
and subcontractors and we endeavour to 
ensure that the health, safety and welfare 
of our employees, visitors, customers, 
contractors’ staff and the general public 
are not compromised.

The key policy objectives of our health 
and safety policy are:

 — to prevent accidents and cases of 
work-related ill health and provide 
adequate control of health and safety 
risks arising from work activities;

 — to provide adequate training to 

ensure employees are competent 
to do their work;

 — to engage and consult with employees on 
day-to-day health and safety conditions 
and provide advice and supervision on 
occupational health;

 — to implement emergency procedures, 
for example, evacuation in case of fire 
or other significant incident; and 

 — to maintain safe and healthy working 

conditions, provide and maintain plant, 
equipment and machinery, and ensure 
safe storage/use of substances.

During the year to 31 December 2012, 
no reportable accidents occurred under 
UK Health and Safety regulations.

Community investment
Our employees are encouraged to consider 
social issues and the Group is supportive 
of employees pursuing roles with charitable 
organisations. 

IP Group and its members of staff have a long 
history of supporting charities and remain 
committed to making charitable donations. 
The Group aims to donate 1% of the previous 
year’s realised profits1 to one or more charities 
which have a particular relevance to IP Group’s 
activities or to members of our team. The 
charities are selected each year by the 
Group’s charitable donations committee 
which consists of representatives from senior 
management and our wider team. Members 
of staff are also encouraged to supplement 
the donations made by IP Group through 
“give as you earn” salary sacrifice donations 
and fundraising challenges. 

1  “Realised profits” is defined as the lower of profit after 
tax or portfolio realisations. The Group’s directors 
reserve the right to limit any donation in a year of 
exceptional profits or realisations or the case of other 
exceptional circumstances.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

30

Corporate governance
Board of Directors

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Dr Bruce Smith, CBE (aged 73)
Non-executive Chairman 
Bruce is chairman of the Council of Smith Institute 
for Industrial Mathematics and System Engineering. 
He was the chairman and majority shareholder 
of Smith System Engineering Limited until 
1997. Bruce is a fellow of the Royal Academy 
of Engineering, the Institute of Engineering 
and Technology (“IET”) and the Institute of 
Physics. Bruce became a director of IP Group 
in September 2002.

Alan Aubrey, FCA (aged 51)
Chief Executive Officer
Alan co-founded Techtran Group Limited in 2002 
and was its CEO when the business was acquired 
by IP Group in January 2005. Previously he was a 
partner in KPMG where he specialised in corporate 
finance advice to technology-based fast growth 
businesses and has significant experience in helping 
them raise money and prepare for sale or flotation. 
Alan joined the Board of IP Group in January 2005, 
becoming Chief Executive on 1 January 2006 and 
has overall responsibility for the operational 
management of the Group. Alan is also chairman 
of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills 
(“BIS”) audit and risk committee.

Greg Smith, ACA (aged 34)
Chief Financial Officer
Greg joined IP Group in January 2008 and was 
appointed Chief Financial Officer in June 2011. 
Previously Greg spent three years at Tarchon 
Capital Management, a multi-billion dollar fund 
of hedge funds business where he had day-to-day 
responsibility for building and managing the 
operations and accounting team as well as external 
operational due diligence on investee hedge funds. 
Prior to Tarchon, Greg spent four years in KPMG’s 
London Financial Services practice working with 
asset management, insurance and banking clients. 
Greg is a Chartered Accountant and holds a degree 
in mathematics from the University of Warwick.

Dr Alison Fielding (aged 48)
Chief Operating Officer
Alison co-founded Techtran Group Limited and was 
the chief operating officer of Techtran when it was 
acquired by IP Group in January 2005. Previously, 
she spent five years at McKinsey & Co where she 
consulted primarily to the pharmaceutical and 
healthcare sectors. Prior to McKinsey, Alison 
spent four years as a development chemist for 
Zeneca, performing technical roles in the speciality 
chemicals and agrochemicals divisions. Alison 
holds an MBA from Manchester Business School, 
a PhD in organic chemistry and a first-class degree 
in chemistry from the University of Glasgow.

Mike Townend (aged 50)
Chief Investment Officer
Mike was formerly managing director within the 
European Equities business of Lehman Brothers 
with responsibility for equity sales to hedge 
funds. Mike has over 17 years of experience in 
all aspects of equity capital markets. Mike was 
appointed a director of IP Group in March 2007.

Charles Winward (aged 43) 
Managing Director, Top Technology 
Charles joined IP Group in April 2007 to 
manage investments in Top Technology 
Ventures, the Group’s venture capital fund 
management subsidiary. Previously Charles 
was vice president technology infrastructure 
at JPMorgan Chase & Co, where he worked 
in a variety of roles in London, New York and 
Brussels, and investment manager at Axiomlab, 
an AIM-listed early-stage investment specialist. 
Charles is a CFA charterholder, has an MBA 
from the University of California at Berkeley and 
a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering 
from the University of Bristol. Charles was 
appointed to the IP Group Board in 2011.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

31

Key
   Audit Committee 
   Remuneration Committee 
  Nomination Committee

Mike Humphrey (aged 61)
Senior Independent Director 
Mike Humphrey is the former CEO of Croda 
International plc. He was appointed to the board 
of Croda in 1995 and became group chief executive 
at the beginning of 1999. He joined Croda in 1969 
as a management trainee and was appointed 
managing director of Croda Singapore in 1988, 
Croda Application Chemicals in 1990 and Croda 
Chemicals in 1991. He retired from Croda at the 
end of 2011. Mike joined IP Group’s Board in 2011. 

Professor Graham Richards, CBE (aged 73)
Non-executive Director 
Graham was the scientific founder of Oxford 
Molecular Group plc and was for 20 years a director 
of the University of Oxford technology transfer 
company, Isis Innovation Limited. Graham was 
chairman of chemistry in the University of 
Oxford until 30 June 2006. Graham became a 
non-executive director of IP Group in December 
2001 and has previously held the positions of 
Chairman and Senior Non-executive Director.

Francis Carpenter (aged 70)
Non-executive Director 
Francis was chief executive officer of the European 
Investment Fund, holding that role for nearly 
six years until he stepped down at the end of 
February 2008. Francis joined the European 
Investment Bank in 1975 and held a variety of 
roles including secretary general, director of 
credit risk management and director of lending 
in the UK, Ireland, North Sea and Portugal. Francis 
became a director of IP Group in April 2008 and 
is also Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

Jonathan Brooks, FCMA (aged 57)
Non-executive Director 
Jonathan was the chief financial officer of ARM 
Holdings plc from 1995 until 2002 where he was 
responsible for finance, investor relations, legal 
and IT, and where he managed the dual-listed IPO 
process of ARM on the London Stock Exchange 
and Nasdaq in 1998. He is a non-executive director 
of Aveva Group plc, a provider of engineering 
data and design IT systems, and chairman of 
Nasdaq-listed Xyratex Ltd, a provider of data 
storage systems. He joined IP Group’s Board 
in 2011 and is also Chairman of the Group’s 
Audit Committee.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

32

Corporate governance
Corporate Governance

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

 “ The Board continues to recognise 
the importance of a strong focus 
on corporate governance.”

Dr Bruce Smith
Chairman

2012 has been an encouraging 
year for IP Group with good overall 
progress across the business being 
reflected in strong growth in the 
value of the Group’s portfolio and 
its net assets.

The Board remains focused on the execution of 
the Group’s strategy, working with its partners to 
develop outstanding businesses, and it continues 
to recognise the importance of a strong focus on 
corporate governance.

Corporate governance at IP Group is more than 
just compliance with rules and regulations. It is 
an integral part of all of our activities, especially 
those of the Board and its committees.

Our approach to corporate governance, including 
an explanation of the various committees of the 
Board, is set out in the following section.

Dr Bruce Smith
Chairman

Committee reports
Read more about the 
performance from each 
committee on pages 

p.40–49

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The Company and its Board are committed 
to a high standard of corporate governance 
and to compliance with the best practice 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the “Code”) which was issued by the 
Financial Reporting Council in 2010. Corporate 
governance can be defined as the high level 
system by which an organisation is directed 
and controlled to enable it to achieve its business 
objectives in a manner which is responsible 
and in accordance with highest standards of 
integrity, transparency and accountability.

The Board is accountable to the Company’s 
shareholders for good governance and this 
report, together with the Remuneration Report 
of the Directors set out on pages 42 to 49, 
describes how the Company has applied the 
main principles of good governance set out 
in the Code during the year under review. 
The Board considers that the Company has 
been in compliance with the provisions set 
out in the Code throughout the twelve months 
ended 31 December 2012. 

The Board
Role and responsibilities of the Board 
The Board is responsible to shareholders 
for the overall management of the Group, 
providing entrepreneurial leadership within 
a framework of controls for assessing and 
managing risk, defining, challenging and 
interrogating the Group’s strategic aims 
and direction, maintaining the policy and 
decision-making framework in which such 
strategic aims are implemented, ensuring 
that the necessary financial and human 
resources are in place to meet strategic aims, 
monitoring performance against key financial 
and non-financial indicators, overseeing the 
system of risk management, setting values 
and standards in governance matters and 
monitoring policies and performance on 
corporate social responsibility. The directors 
are also responsible for ensuring that obligations 
to shareholders and other stakeholders are 

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

33

understood and met and a satisfactory 
dialogue with shareholders is maintained. 
All directors are equally accountable to 
the Company’s shareholders for the proper 
stewardship of its affairs and the success 
of the Company.

The responsibility of the directors is collective, 
taking into account their respective roles 
as executive directors and non-executive 
directors. The Board is collectively responsible 
for the success of the Group. The executive 
directors are directly responsible for running 
the business operations and the non-executive 
directors are responsible for constructively 
challenging proposals on strategy, scrutinising 
the performance of management, determining 
levels of remuneration and for succession 
planning for the executive directors. The 
non-executive directors must also satisfy 
themselves on the integrity of financial 
information and that financial controls and 
systems of risk management are robust.

The Board reviews strategic issues on a 
regular basis and exercises control over 
the performance of the Group by agreeing 
budgetary targets and monitoring performance 
against those targets. The Board has overall 
responsibility for the Group’s system of internal 
controls and risk management, as described 
on pages 38 and 39. Any decisions made by 
the Board on policies and strategy to be 
adopted by the Group or changes to current 
policies and strategy are made following 
presentations by the executive directors 
and a detailed process of review and 
challenge by the Board. Once made, the 
executive directors are fully empowered 
to implement those decisions.

Board decision process

Decisions made by the Board  
on policies and strategy

Presentation from the  
executive directors

Process of review and 
challenge by the Board

Executive directors are empowered 
to implement decisions

Responsibilities of the Board

The Board is responsible to the 
Group’s stakeholders for the 
overall management of the Group:

 — providing entrepreneurial leadership 
within a framework of controls for 
assessing and managing risk;

 — defining, challenging and interrogating 
the Group’s strategic aims and direction;

 — maintaining the policy and decision-
making framework in which such 
strategic aims are implemented;

 — ensuring that the necessary financial 
and human resources are in place to 
meet strategic aims;

 — monitoring performance against key 
financial and non-financial indicators;

 — overseeing the system of  

risk management;

 — setting values and standards in 

governance matters; 

 — monitoring policies and performance 
on corporate social responsibility; and

 — ensuring effective dialogue with the 

Group’s stakeholders. 

Responsibilities of the  
executive directors

The executive directors are 
responsible for the day-to-day 
running of the Group’s operations.

Responsibilities of the  
non-executive directors

The non-executive directors are 
responsible for constructively 
challenging the executive directors, 
as well as:

 — scrutinising the performance  

of management;

 — determining levels of remuneration  
and for succession planning for the 
executive directors; and

 — satisfying themselves on the integrity 

of financial information and that 
financial controls and systems of 
risk management are robust.

Except for a formal schedule of matters 
which are reserved for decision and approval 
by the Board, the Board has delegated the 
day-to-day management of the Group to the 
Chief Executive Officer who is supported by 
the executive directors and other members of 
the internal management team. The schedule 
of matters reserved for Board decision and 
approval are those significant to the Group 
as a whole due to their strategic, financial or 
reputational implications. This schedule is 
reviewed and updated regularly and includes:

 — approval of the annual report, interim 
statement and the quarterly interim 
management statements;

 — approval of the annual budget;

 — accounting policies and procedures or any 
matter having a material impact on future 
financial performance of the Group;

 — considering and, where appropriate, 

approving director’s conflicts of interest;

 — approving Board appointments and 

removals and approving policies relating 
to directors’ remuneration;

 — approval of terms of reference and 
membership of Board committees;

 — approval of the division of responsibility 

between the Chairman and Chief Executive;

 — maintenance of a system of internal control 

and risk management;

 — appointment of the auditors and 
determination of the audit fee;

 — strategic acquisitions by the Group;

 — major portfolio capital allocation decisions, 

being those in excess of £1.5m per investment;

 — the entry into by the Group of strategic 
partnerships and collaborations with 
universities and other research institutions;

 — major disposals from the Group’s portfolio;

 — approval of and monitoring of the Group’s 

strategic plans;

 — approval of all circulars, prospectuses and 
other documents issued to shareholders 
governed by the FSA’s Listing Rules, 
Disclosure Rules or Transparency Rules or 
the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;

 — major changes in employee share 

schemes; and

 — litigation.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

34

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Corporate Governance continued

The Board continued
Role and responsibilities of the Board continued
The Board delegates specific responsibilities 
to certain committees that assist the Board 
in carrying out its functions and ensure 
independent oversight of internal control 
and risk management. The three principal 
Board committees (Audit, Remuneration and 
Nomination) play an essential role in supporting 
the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities and 
ensuring that the highest standards of corporate 
governance are maintained throughout the 
Group. Each committee has its own terms of 
reference which set out the specific matters 
for which delegated authority has been given 
by the Board. These are available on request 
from the Company Secretary or are available 
at the Corporate Governance section of the 
Group’s website at www.ipgroupplc.com. 

The Remuneration Committee and the 
Nomination Committee are currently reviewing 
their own terms of reference with a view 
to recommending to the full Board the 
approval of revised terms of reference for 
adoption which are fully compliant with the 
provisions of the Code and which reflect the 
recommendations arising from the external 
evaluation process undergone by the Board 
and its committees in early 2013 (as detailed 
further below), as appropriate. Once approved 
and adopted by the Board, these revised 
terms of reference will replace the current 
versions in their entirety and will be available 
from the Company Secretary or on the 
Group’s website as detailed above.

Board size and composition
As at 31 December 2012, there were ten 
Directors on the Board: the Chairman, five 
executive directors and four non-executive 
directors. The biographies of all of the 
directors are provided on pages 30 and 31. 
The Company’s policy relating to the terms 
of appointment and the remuneration of 
both executive and non-executive directors 
is detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 42 to 49.

The size and composition of the Board is 
regularly reviewed by the Board and, in 
particular, the Nomination Committee to 
ensure there is an appropriate and diverse 
mix of skills and experience on the Board. 

In accordance with the Code, the Company is 
currently deemed to be a “smaller company” 
since it has been below the FTSE350 throughout 
the year immediately prior to the reporting 
year. Accordingly the Company has been 

in compliance with provision B.1.2 of the 
Code throughout the twelve months to 
31 December 2012. As the Company moved 
into the FTSE350 during the twelve months 
to 31 December 2012, the requirements of 
the provisions of B.1.2 of the Code to ensure 
that at least half of the Board, excluding 
the Chairman, should comprise independent 
non-executive directors will apply to the 
Company for the forthcoming year. Accordingly, 
the Nomination Committee will keep the fact 
that this requirement is not currently satisfied 
under review as part of its ongoing work and 
succession planning during 2013, including in 
any recommendations which may be made by 
it for the appointment of a new non-executive 
director to replace the vacancy which will be 
left by Professor Graham Richards, who will 
be retiring from the Board at the Company’s 
forthcoming AGM. 

The Company’s Articles, adopted at the 
Company’s 2010 Annual General Meeting, 
require all directors to submit themselves 
for re-election by the shareholders at the 
Company’s Annual General Meeting following 
their first appointment and thereafter at each 
Annual General Meeting in respect of which 
they have held office for the two preceding 
Annual General Meetings and did not retire 
at either of them. In addition, each director 
who has held office with the Company for 
a continuous period of nine years or more 
must retire and offer themselves up for 
re-election at every Annual General Meeting. 

Notwithstanding the requirements of the 
Articles and whilst not currently required under 
the Code by reason of the Company being 
a “smaller company”, the Company adopted 
the principle of annual re-election by its 
shareholders of the full Board with effect 
from its 2011 Annual General Meeting. 
Accordingly, all of the directors will 
offer themselves up for re-election at the 
Annual General Meeting of the Company 
to be held on 14 May 2013 other than 
Professor Graham Richards who will be 
retiring from the Board at this meeting and, 
accordingly, will not be offering himself for 
re-election. The Board recommends to 
shareholders the re-appointment of all 
directors retiring at the meeting and 
offering themselves for re-election on the 
basis that all independent performance 
reviews demonstrated that they are all 
effective directors of the Company and 
continue to display the appropriate level 
of commitment in their respective roles.

Diversity
The Board is committed to a culture that 
attracts and retains talented people to 
deliver outstanding performance and further 
enhance the success of the Company. In that 
culture, diversity across a range of criteria 
is valued, primarily in relation to skills, 
knowledge and experience and also in other 
criteria such as gender and ethnicity. The 
Company will give careful consideration to 
issues of overall board balance and diversity 
in making new appointments to the Board 
and, in identifying suitable candidates, the 
Nomination Committee will seek candidates 
from a range of backgrounds, with the final 
decision being based on merit against 
objective criteria. The Company has one 
female director on its Board, being the 
Chief Operating Officer, and will aim to 
maintain female representation on the 
Board at least at this current level and give 
due consideration to increasing the level 
if appropriate candidates are available when 
board vacancies arise. In addition, as part 
of the review of the Nomination Committee’s 
terms of reference referred to above, it has 
been agreed that one of the revisions to the 
terms will be to include a requirement for the 
Committee to consider diversity, including 
gender, in evaluating the composition of the 
Board and in identifying suitable candidates 
for board appointments. 

Non-executive directors
The non-executive directors provide a wide 
range of skills and experience to the Group. 
They bring their own senior level of experience 
in each of their own fields, robust opinions 
and an independent judgement on issues 
of strategy, performance, risk and people 
through their contribution and constructive 
challenge at Board and committee meetings. 
The Code sets out the circumstances that 
should be relevant to the Board in determining 
whether each non-executive director is 
independent. The Board considers non-executive 
director independence on an annual basis 
as part of each non-executive director’s 
performance evaluation. Having undertaken 
this review and with due regard to provision 
B.1.1 of the Code, the Board has concluded 
this year that all of the non-executive directors 
are considered by the Board to be independent 
of management and free of any relationship 
which could materially interfere with the 
exercise of their independent judgement. 

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

35

Having served on the Board for eleven years, 
including periods as Chairman and Senior 
Non-executive Director, and been a valuable 
and challenging Board member throughout 
this period, Professor Graham Richards has 
decided to retire from the Board at the 
Company’s 2013 AGM.

In a limited number of cases, non-executive 
directors have in the past made de minimis 
investments in spin-out companies formed 
under the Group’s university partnerships. 
Such investments were made on arms’ length 
terms, on comparable terms to other third 
party angel investors participating in the 
same financing rounds and always represented 
minority participations in the relevant financing 
rounds. The Board does not therefore consider 
that such legacy personal investments act 
in any way to influence the non-executive 
directors’ oversight of the Board. In any 
event, all potential conflicts of interest are 
disclosed by the directors at the beginning 
of each Board meeting and the relevant 
non-executive director may be required 
by the Board to abstain from voting on a 
particular matter. Details of these investments 
are set out in note 24 to the financial 
statements. The Board’s policy throughout 
2012 and going forward is to prohibit any 
new investments by non-executive directors 
in any new portfolio companies and/or any 

existing portfolio companies in which the 
relevant non-executive director does not 
already have a holding.

Non-executive directors are required to 
obtain the approval of the Chairman before 
taking on any further appointments and the 
Chairman requires the approval of the Board 
before adding to his commitments. In all cases, 
the directors must ensure that their external 
appointments do not involve excessive time 
commitment or cause a conflict of interest. 

The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive
Bruce Smith is the Chairman. The division of 
responsibilities between the Chairman and the 
Chief Executive Officer is clearly established, 
set out in writing and agreed by the Board. 
The Chairman is responsible for the leadership 
and conduct of the Board, its conduct of the 
Group’s affairs and strategy and in ensuring 
effective communication with shareholders. 
The Chairman facilitates the full and effective 
contribution of non-executive directors at 
Board and committee meetings, ensures 
that they are kept well informed and ensures 
a constructive relationship between the 
executive directors and non-executive 
directors. The Chairman also ensures that 
the membership of the Board is appropriate 
to the needs of the business and that the 
Board committees carry out their duties, 
including reporting back to the Board. 

The role of the Chief Executive is to lead the 
delivery of the strategy and the executive 
management of the Group and its operating 
businesses. He is responsible, amongst other 
things, for the development and implementation 
of strategy and processes which enable 
the Group to meet the requirements of 
shareholders, for delivering the operating 
plans and budgets for the Group’s businesses, 
monitoring business performance and reporting 
on these to the Board and for providing the 
appropriate environment to recruit, engage, 
retain and develop the personnel needed to 
deliver the Group’s strategy. 

Senior Independent Director
Mike Humphrey was the Senior Independent 
Director throughout 2012. A key responsibility 
of the Senior Independent Director is to be 
available to shareholders in the event that 
they may feel it inappropriate to relay views 
through the Chairman or Chief Executive. 
In addition, the Senior Independent Director 
serves as an intermediary between the rest 
of the Board and the Chairman where necessary 
and takes the lead when the non-executive 
directors assess the Chairman’s performance 
and when the appointment of a new chairman 
is considered.

Responsibilities of the Chairman

The Chairman is responsible for the 
leadership and conduct of the Board. 
Amongst other things the Chairman:

 — Oversees the Board’s conduct of the 
Group’s affairs and strategy, and in 
ensuring effective communication 
with shareholders. 

 — Facilitates the full and effective contribution 
of non-executive directors at Board and 
committee meetings.

 — Ensures that the Board is kept well 

informed and ensures a constructive 
relationship between the executive 
directors and non-executive directors. 

 — Ensures that the membership of the 

Board is appropriate to the needs of the 
business and that the Board committees 
carry out their duties, including reporting 
back to the Board. 

Division of responsibilities 
between the Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer

Responsibilities of the 
Chief Executive Officer

The role of the Chief Executive is 
to lead the delivery of the strategy 
and the executive management 
of the Group and its operations. 
He is responsible, amongst other 
things, for:

 — The development and implementation 

of strategy and processes which enable 
the Group to meet the requirements  
of shareholders.

 — Delivering the Group’s operating plan 

and budget.

 — Monitoring business performance 
and reporting on this to the Board.

 — Providing the appropriate environment 
to recruit, engage, retain and develop 
the personnel needed to deliver the 
Group’s strategy. 

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

 
36

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Corporate Governance continued

The Board continued
Board support
The Company Secretary is responsible to 
the Board for ensuring Board procedures are 
followed, applicable rules and regulations are 
complied with and that the Board is advised 
on governance matters and relevant regulatory 
matters. All directors have access to the 
impartial advice and services of the Company 
Secretary. There is also an agreed procedure 
for directors to take independent professional 
advice at the Company’s expense. In accordance 
with the Company’s Articles of Association, 
directors have been granted an indemnity 
issued by the Company to the extent permitted 
by law in respect of liabilities incurred as a result 
of their office. The indemnity would not provide 
any coverage where a director is proved to have 
acted fraudulently or dishonestly. The Company 
has also arranged appropriate insurance cover 
in respect of legal action against its directors 
and officers.

Board meetings and decisions
The Board meets regularly during the year, 
as well as on an ad hoc basis as required by 
business need. The Board had seven scheduled 
Board meetings in 2012. In addition to these 
scheduled Board meetings, the Board also 
had a day together in July 2012 devoted entirely 
to the Group’s strategic objectives, which 
provided an opportunity for all directors and 
particularly the non-executive directors to 
ensure the Group’s strategy is on course, to 
review the Group’s KPIs and to analyse and 
challenge its objectives. The Chairman and 
non-executive directors also met without 
the presence of the executive directors 
twice during the year. 

The schedule of Board and committee 
meetings each year is determined before 
the commencement of that year and all 
directors or, if appropriate, all committee 
members are expected to attend each 
meeting. Each member of the Board receives 
in advance of each meeting detailed board 
packs, which include an agenda based upon 
the schedule of matters reserved for its 
approval and appropriate reports and briefing 
papers. If a director is unable to attend a 
meeting due to exceptional circumstances, 
he or she will still receive the supporting 
papers and will usually discuss any matters 
he or she wishes to raise with the Chairman 
in advance of the meeting. The Chairman, 

Board structure

Board of Directors

Audit  
Committee

Remuneration  
Committee

Nomination  
Committee

The Audit Committee is 
responsible for overseeing the 
Group’s financial reporting, 
internal and external audit, 
internal control and risk 
management systems, and 
compliance, whistleblowing 
and fraud policies

The Remuneration Committee 
has responsibility for advising 
the Board on the remuneration 
of executive directors and 
setting an overall policy 
for remunerating the 
Group’s employees

The Nomination Committee 
leads the process for 
Board appointments, 
re-election and succession 
of the directors and 
the Chairman

Jonathan Brooks
(Chairman)

Francis Carpenter 
Mike Humphrey

Francis Carpenter
(Chairman)

Jonathan Brooks 
Mike Humphrey

Bruce Smith
(Chairman)

Francis Carpenter 
Jonathan Brooks 
Mike Humphrey

Board biographies
Read the Board biographies 
in full on
p.30–31

Committee reports
Read the reports from the 
committees on 
p.40–49

Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and 
Company Secretary work together to ensure 
that the directors receive relevant information 
to enable them to discharge their duties and 
that such information is accurate, timely 
and clear. This information includes monthly 
management accounts containing analysis 
of performance against budget and other 
forecasts. Additional information is provided 
as appropriate or if requested. At each meeting, 
the Board receives information, reports and 
presentations from the Chief Executive, the 
other executive directors and, by invitation, 
other members of senior management as 
required. This ensures that all directors are 
aware of, and are in a position to monitor 
effectively, the overall performance of the 
Group, its development and implementation 
of strategy and its management of risk. 

Any matter requiring a decision by the Board 
is supported by a paper analysing the relevant 
aspects of the proposal including costs, benefits, 

potential risks involved and proposed executive 
management action and recommendation.

The majority of Board meetings are held 
at the Group’s offices in London, which gives 
members of the Group’s client service team 
the opportunity to formally present to the 
Board on new spin-out opportunities or 
early-stage portfolio companies on which 
they are working. This assists the Board in 
gaining a deeper understanding of the 
breadth, stage of development and diversity 
of the Group’s portfolio. The Board also 
aims to have at least one of its scheduled 
meetings or its annual strategy day at either 
the Company’s offices in Leeds, Newcastle 
or Oxford or at the location of one of the 
Group’s partner universities in order to 
encourage further interaction with the Group’s 
stakeholders. Meetings between the Chairman 
and non-executive directors, both with and 
without the presence of the Chief Executive, 
are also held as the need arises. 

View the terms of reference for each committee at the Corporate  
Governance section of the Group’s website

www.ipgroupplc.com

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

37

Directors’ conflicts of interest
Each director has a statutory duty under 
the Companies Act 2006 (the “CA 2006”) 
to avoid a situation in which he or she has 
or can have a direct or indirect interest that 
conflicts or may potentially conflict with the 
interests of the Company. This duty is in addition 
to the continuing duty that a director owes 
to the Company to disclose to the Board any 
transaction or arrangement under consideration 
by the Company in which he is interested. 
The Company’s Articles of Association permit 
the Board to authorise conflicts or potential 
conflicts of interest. The Board has established 
procedures for managing and, where 
appropriate, authorising any such conflicts 
or potential conflicts of interest. It is a 
recurring agenda item at all Board meetings 
and this gives the directors the opportunity 
to raise any actual of potential conflict of 
interests that they may have on the matters 
to be discussed, or to update the Board on 
any change to a previous conflict of interest 
already declared. In deciding whether to 
authorise any conflict, the directors must 
have regard to their general duties under the 
CA 2006 and their overriding obligation to 
act in a way they consider, in good faith, will 
be most likely to promote the Company’s 
success. In addition, the directors are able 
to impose limits or conditions when giving 
authorisation to a conflict or potential conflict 
of interest if they think this is appropriate. 
The authorisation of any conflict matter, and 
the terms of any authorisation, may be reviewed 
by the Board at any time. The Board believes 
that the procedures established to deal with 
conflicts of interest are operating effectively.

Induction, awareness and development
A comprehensive induction process is in place 
for new directors. The programme is tailored 
to the needs of each individual director and 
agreed with him or her so that he or she can 
gain a better understanding of the Group 
and its businesses. This will generally include 
an overview of the Group, its businesses, 
functions and strategic aims and site visits 
to the Group’s offices including those in Leeds, 
Newcastle and Oxford and to a number of 
the Group’s portfolio companies, particularly 
those within the Group’s top ten holdings 
(by value), which will include meeting with 
such companies’ management and a 
presentation from them on their businesses.

In order to ensure that directors continue 
to further their understanding of the issues 
facing the Group, the Chairman and 
non-executive directors are encouraged 
to continue to visit the Group’s offices other 
than the main corporate office in London, 
its portfolio companies and its partner 
universities. In addition, at least one of the 
Group’s Board meetings or its strategy day 
will be offsite to facilitate this through 2013 
and, as detailed above, the Board is also 
exposed to the early-stage opportunities 
in which the Group has invested through 
presentations at Board meetings by relevant 
members of the Group’s staff.

As a further aspect of their ongoing 
development, each director also receives 
feedback on his or her performance following 
the Board’s performance evaluation in each 
year and, through the Company Secretary, 
access is facilitated to relevant training and 

development opportunities including those 
relevant to the non-executive directors’ 
membership on the Board’s committees.

Board effectiveness 
and performance evaluation
The Code recommends that a formal and 
rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness and 
performance of the Board, its committees 
and the individual directors is conducted 
annually. Further, the Code requires FTSE350 
companies to ensure that this evaluation 
is externally facilitated every three years. 
Whilst the Company is still deemed to be a 
“smaller company” since it has been below 
the FTSE350 throughout the year immediately 
prior to the reporting year, in line with its 
stated intent, the Board appointed an 
external third-party provider, Deloitte LLP, 
to facilitate its performance review during 
January/February 2013. Deloitte LLP has 
no connection with the Group other than 
its evaluation of the Board and the provision 
of ad hoc remuneration and taxation advice. 
The evaluation process involved a detailed 
online questionnaire completed by each of 
the directors and the Company Secretary, 
with each respondent being asked to place 
a score against a variety of questions and 
being able to make additional comments 
where appropriate. This was followed by 
interviews with each respondent either face 
to face or by telephone. Deloitte LLP then 
provided the Board with a written report 
summarising the findings and making various 
recommendations for improvement including, 
amongst other things, an increased focus on 
succession planning and the need for a Code

Board and committee attendance

The following table shows the attendance of Directors at meetings of the Board, Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees during the year:

Alan Aubrey

Alison Fielding

Mike Townend

Greg Smith

Charles Winward

Graham Richards

Bruce Smith

Francis Carpenter

Jonathan Brooks

Mike Humphrey

Board

Audit

Nomination

Remuneration

Eligible to
attend

Attended

Eligible to
attend

Attended

Eligible to
attend

Attended

Eligible to
attend

Attended

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

7

8

8

8

8

8

8

7

8

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3

3

3

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3

3

3

—

—

—

—

—

—

1

1

1

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

1

1

1

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

7

7

7

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

7

7

7

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

38

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Corporate Governance continued

Induction processes

The programme is tailored to the 
needs of each individual director 
and agreed with them so they can 
gain a better understanding of the 
Group and its businesses. 

On appointment

 — a presentation by the Chief Executive 
including an overview of the Group, its 
businesses, functions and strategic 
aims;

 — site visits to the Group’s offices 

including those in Leeds, Newcastle 
and Oxford and to a number of the 
Group’s portfolio companies; and

 — meetings with portfolio companies’ 
management teams and receiving 
presentations from them on 
their businesses.

After appointment

In order to ensure that directors 
continue to further their understanding 
of the issues facing the Group, the 
non-executive directors are  
encouraged to:

 — continue to visit the Group’s offices 

other than the main corporate office 
in London, its portfolio companies and 
its partner universities, and at least 
one of the Group’s Board Meetings 
is held offsite to facilitate this; and

 — meet with portfolio companies’ 
management teams and receive 
presentations from them on 
their businesses.

Ongoing

As a further aspect of their ongoing 
development, each director also 
receives feedback on his or her 
performance following the Board’s 
performance evaluation in each year 
and has access to relevant training and 
development activities through 
the Company Secretary.

The Board continued
Board effectiveness 
and performance evaluation continued
compliant Board structure (as described 
above). The report acknowledged that the 
Board exhibits a number of positive features 
in terms of skills and behaviours, including a 
good balance of academic and commercial 
skills, positive levels of Board engagement 
with internal and external stakeholders and 
an effective audit committee.

In addition, it is intended that Deloitte LLP 
will undertake a second phase of its Board 
effectiveness review in September/October 2013 
to, amongst other things, review the progress 
made in implementing the recommendations 
from its report and assist the Board in 
building a framework for its future internal 
Board evaluation.

In addition to the above, the non-executive 
directors, led by the Senior Independent 
Director, appraised the Chairman’s performance, 
following which the Senior Independent 
Director provided feedback to the Chairman. 
The performance of the non-executive directors 
and the Chief Executive was reviewed by the 
Chairman and the performance of the other 
executive directors was reviewed by the 
Chief Executive, in each case following the 
submission of individual appraisal forms 
from the relevant director. In addition to 
the aforementioned annual reviews, the 
performance of executive directors is 
reviewed by the Board on an ongoing 
basis, as deemed necessary, in the absence 
of the executive director under review.

Committees of the Board
The composition and structure of the three 
committees of the Board are set out in the 
diagram on page 36.

Audit and Remuneration Committees
Separate reports on the role, composition, 
responsibilities and operation of the 
Audit Committee and the Remuneration 
Committee are set out on pages 40 and 41 
and 42 to 49 respectively.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee leads the process 
for Board appointments, re-election and 
succession of directors and the Chairman. 
It is responsible for making recommendations 
to the Board concerning the composition 
and skills of the Board including proposed 
appointees to the Board, whether to fill any 
vacancies or to change the number of Board 
members. The Committee is chaired by 
Bruce Smith and its other members as at 
31 December 2012 were Francis Carpenter, 
Jonathan Brooks and Mike Humphrey, being 
a majority of independent non-executive 
directors as prescribed by the Code. 

The Nomination Committee meets as and 
when required or requested by the Board and 
met once during 2013 to review the structure, 
size and composition of the Board, following 
which it discussed the conclusions with the 
Chief Executive and work is ongoing before 
any formal recommendations are to be made 
to the full Board. The attendance by each 
member of the Committee is set out on 
page 37.

Before selecting new appointees to the Board, 
the Nomination Committee considers the 
balance, skill, knowledge and independence, 
diversity (including gender) and experience 
on the Board to ensure that a suitable balance 
is maintained. The Nomination Committee 
adopts a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure for the appointment of new directors 
to the Board. Consideration is always given as 
to whether identified candidates have enough 
time available to devote to the role. When 
searching for appropriate candidates, the 
committee will give consideration to using 
an external search company but, given the 
in depth skill, knowledge and experience of 
the Group’s internal executive search function, 
IP Exec, may elect to use this function and 
will also consider candidates who are 
proposed by existing Board members. 

As part of its work through 2013, the 
Nomination Committee will be specifically 
mandated to consider the appointment of a 
new non-executive director to fill the vacancy 
which will be left by Professor Graham Richards’ 
retirement from the Board at the Company’s 
AGM to be held on 14 May 2013.

Internal control
The Board fully recognises the importance 
of the guidance contained in Internal Control: 
Guidance for Directors on the Code (“Turnbull’). 
The Group’s internal controls, which were 
Group-wide, were in place during the whole 
of 2012 and were reviewed by the Board and 
considered to be effective throughout the 
year ended 31 December 2012. 

The Board is responsible for establishing and 
monitoring internal control systems and for 
reviewing the effectiveness of these systems. 
The Board views the effective operation of a 
rigorous system of internal control as critical 
to the success of the Group; however it 
recognises that such systems can provide 
only reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. The 
key elements of the Group’s internal control 
system, all of which have been in place during 
the financial year and up to the date these 
financial statements were approved, are 
as follows:

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

39

Control environment and procedures
The Group has a clear organisational structure 
with defined responsibilities and accountabilities. 
It adopts the highest values surrounding 
quality, integrity and ethics, and these values 
are documented and communicated clearly 
throughout the whole organisation. 

Detailed written policies and procedures 
have been established covering key operating 
and compliance risk areas. These are reviewed 
and updated at least annually by the Board. 
The Board considers that the controls 
have been effective for the year ended 
31 December 2012. 

Identification and evaluation of risks
The Board actively identifies and evaluates 
the risks inherent in the business, and ensures 
that appropriate controls and procedures are 
in place to manage these risks. Specifically, 
all decisions relating to strategic partnerships 
and other collaborations and acquisitions 
entered into by the Group are reserved for 
the Board’s review and approval. The Board 
formally reviews the performance of the Group’s 
university partnerships and other strategic 
collaborations and relationships and equity 
investments on a quarterly basis, although 
performance of specific investments may 
be reviewed more frequently if deemed 
appropriate. The Board maintains an up to 
date Register of Risks setting out mitigations 
in place in each case.

Information and financial reporting systems
The Group evaluates and manages significant 
risks associated with the process for preparing 
consolidated accounts by having in place 
systems and controls that ensure adequate 
accounting records are maintained and 
transactions are recorded accurately and 
fairly to permit the preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with IFRS. The 
Board approves the annual operating budgets 
and each month receives details of actual 
performance measured against the budget. 

Principal risks and uncertainties
The operations of the Group and the 
implementation of its objectives and strategy 
are subject to a number of key risks and 
uncertainties. Risks are formally reviewed 
by the Board on at least an annual basis and 
appropriate procedures are put in place to 
monitor and, to the extent possible, mitigate 
these risks. Were more than one of the risks 
to occur, the overall impact on the Group may 
be compounded. A summary of the key risks 
affecting the Group and the steps taken to 
manage these is set out on pages 24 and 25.

Relations with stakeholders
The Company is committed to a continuous 
dialogue with shareholders as it believes that 
it is essential to ensure a greater understanding 
of and confidence amongst its shareholders 
in the medium and longer-term strategy of 

the Group and in the Board’s ability to oversee 
its implementation. It is the responsibility 
of the Board as a whole to ensure that a 
satisfactory dialogue does take place. 
The Board’s primary shareholder contact is 
through the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer 
and the Chief Operating Officer. The Board’s 
primary contact with the limited partners and 
advisory boards of its managed funds is through 
the Managing Director of Top Technology 
and the Chief Executive Officer. The Senior 
Independent Director and other directors, 
as appropriate, make themselves available 
for contact with major shareholders and other 
stakeholders in order to understand their issues 
and concerns. Where considered appropriate, 
major institutional shareholders are consulted 
on significant changes to the structure of the 
executive directors’ remuneration, including 
on performance conditions to attach to any 
variable incentive awards.

The Company uses the Annual General Meeting 
as an opportunity to communicate with its 
shareholders. Notice of the Annual General 
Meeting, which will be held at 2.00pm on 
14 May 2013 at IP Group plc, 24 Cornhill, 
London EC3V 3ND, is enclosed with this 
report. In line with the Code, the Notice of 
AGM will be sent to shareholders at least 
20 working days before the meeting. Details 
of the resolutions and the explanatory notes 
thereto are included with the Notice. To ensure 
compliance with the Code, the Board proposes 
separate resolutions for each issue and proxy 
forms allow shareholders who are unable to 
attend the AGM to vote for or against or to 
withhold their vote on each resolution. The 
results of all proxy voting is published on the 
Group’s website (detailed below) after the 
meeting and at the meeting itself to those 
shareholders who attend. Shareholders who 
attend the AGM will have the opportunity to 
ask questions and all directors are expected 
to be available to take questions. 

The Group’s website www.ipgroupplc.com 
is the primary source of information on the 
Group. The website includes an overview 
of the activities of the Group, details of its 
portfolio companies and its key university 
partnerships and details of all recent Group 
and portfolio announcements.

Political expenditure
Although it is the Board’s policy not to incur 
political expenditure or otherwise make cash 
contributions to political parties and it has no 
intention of changing that policy, the CA 2006 
is very broadly drafted in this area and the 
Board is concerned that it may include activities 
such as funding conferences or supporting 
certain bodies involved in policy review and 
law reform. Accordingly, at the AGM held 
on 2 May 2012, the shareholders passed a 
resolution on a precautionary basis to authorise 

the Group to incur political expenditure 
(as defined in Section 365 of CA 2006) not 
exceeding £50,000 in total at any time from 
2 May 2012 up to the conclusion of the 2013 
AGM. The Board intends to seek renewed 
authority for the Group to incur political 
expenditure of not more than £50,000 in 
total at the Company’s AGM, to be held on 
14 May 2013, which they might otherwise be 
prohibited from making or incurring under 
the terms of CA 2006.

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

 — consistently select and apply appropriate 

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 is 
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

 — prepare the accounts on a going concern 
basis unless, having assessed the ability of 
the Group to continue as a going concern, 
management either intends to liquidate the 
entity or to cease trading, or has no realistic 
alternative but to do so.

Going concern
The directors confirm that they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will 
have adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable 
future and accordingly they continue to adopt 
the going concern basis in preparing the 
financial statements.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Bruce Smith 
Chairman 
4 March 2013

Alan Aubrey
Chief Executive Officer

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

40

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Report of the Audit Committee

Jonathan Brooks
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Committee composition

100%

 Non-executive director

Membership and attendance

Name of director

Jonathan Brooks 
(Chairman)

Francis Carpenter

Mike Humphrey

Number 
of meetings 
held

Number 
of meetings 
attended

3

3

3

3

3

3

Summary of the role of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board 
from the non-executive directors of the 
Company. The Audit Committee has written 
terms of reference that are considered by 
the Audit Committee before being referred 
to the Board for approval annually.

The Audit Committee is responsible for:

 — monitoring the integrity of the Group’s financial 
statements and any formal announcement 
relating to the Group’s financial performance 
and reviewing significant financial reporting 
judgements contained therein;

 — reviewing the Group’s internal financial controls 

and the Group’s internal control systems;

 — considering the need for an internal audit 

function on an annual basis;

 — reviewing the Company’s procedures for 
handling allegations from whistleblowers 
and for detecting fraud;

 — making recommendations to the Board for 
the resolutions to be put to shareholders on 
the appointment and remuneration of the 
external auditor;

 — reviewing and monitoring the external auditor’s 

independence and objectivity and the 
effectiveness of the audit process; and

 — maintaining and reviewing the policy on the 

engagement of the external auditor to supply 
non-audit services, taking into account relevant 
guidance regarding the provision of non-audit 
services by the external audit firm.

The Audit Committee is required to report 
its findings to the Board, identifying any 
matters in respect of which it considers that 
action or improvement is needed and making 
recommendations on any steps to be taken.

Composition and meetings 
of the Audit Committee
The members of the Audit Committee are 
Jonathan Brooks (Chairman), Mike Humphrey 
and Francis Carpenter. The external auditor, 
Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and 
other members of management attend meetings 
by invitation. The Audit Committee also meets 
with the external auditor in the absence of 
executive directors and management at least 
twice per year. The number of meetings and 
attendance in 2012 were as shown to the left.

The Board has identified Jonathan Brooks, a 
fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management 
Accountants, as having the recent and relevant 
financial experience as required by the Code 
and the Board considers that collectively the 
members have the requisite financial literacy, 
skills and attributes to enable the Committee 
to properly discharge its responsibilities. 

Overview of the actions taken by the 
Audit Committee to discharge its duties
During the year, the Audit Committee discharged 
its responsibilities under its terms of reference 
by undertaking the following actions:

 — reviewed and recommended to the Board the 
approval and publication of the Half-yearly 
Report and Annual Report and financial 
statements of the Group. This included 
reviewing the significant accounting policies, 
financial reporting issues and judgements set 
out therein and receiving reports from the 
external auditor on their audit of the Annual 
Report and financial statements and review 
of the Half-yearly Report; 

 — oversaw the Group’s relations with its 

external auditor, including reviewing and 
monitoring the scope, effectiveness and 
results of the audit and half-yearly review;

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

41

 — reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal controls, with specific focus on 
investment process and the Group’s treasury, 
insurance and IT/data security policies, and 
disclosures made in the Annual Report and 
financial statements in this regard; and

 — reviewed the need to establish an internal 

audit function but continued to believe that 
in a group of this size, where close control 
over operations is exercised by the executive 
directors, the benefits likely to be gained would 
be outweighed by the costs of establishing 
such a function. It will continue to review the 
requirement for such a function on at least 
an annual basis.

External auditor
The Audit Committee is responsible for the 
development, implementation and monitoring 
of the Group’s external audit policy. During 
the year the Audit Committee implemented 
the policy, which sets out the categories of 
audit and non-audit services that the external 
auditor is allowed to undertake and sets out 
an approval process for the provision of any 
non-audit services. The policy is available 
on the Corporate Governance section of the 
Group’s website. The Group uses the external 
auditor for audit and related services and for 
limited non-audit services provided there are 
appropriate reasons and it is in the Group’s 
best interests to do so and the nature and 
scale of the services is not considered likely 
to impair the external auditor’s independence. 
An analysis of the fees paid to the external 
auditor during the year is set out in note 6 
to the consolidated financial statements. 

To fulfil its responsibilities regarding the 
independence of the external auditor, during 
the year the Audit Committee reviewed:

 — the external auditor’s plan for the 2012 audit, 
noting the role of the senior statutory audit 
partner who signs the audit report and has 
not held office for more than five years; 

A review of the effectiveness of the 
external audit is undertaken by the Audit 
Committee annually. The review this year 
took into consideration:

 — that the auditor met its original audit plan 

with no significant changes;

 — the external auditor’s procedures for 

 — the external auditor’s consideration of its 

safeguarding independence;

own independence, including its policies and 
processes for maintaining independence, 
managing conflicts of interest and the typical 
use of separate teams for non-audit services;

 — the individual items and overall level of 

non-audit services provided by the external 
auditor; and

 — the length of tenure of the external auditor, 
noting its original appointment in August 
2004 and the fact that the audit relationship 
moved from the auditor’s Southampton 
office to its London office during 2010.

The Audit Committee is responsible for 
recommending to the Board the appointment 
of the external auditor. Following the release 
of the updated UK Corporate Governance 
Code in 2010, the Audit Committee intends 
to ordinarily undertake a formal review and 
tender process for the external audit at least 
every ten years. There are no contractual 
obligations that have acted to restrict the 
Audit Committee’s choice of external auditor 
during the period.

 — the robustness and perceptiveness of the 

auditor in handling key accounting and audit 
judgements and responses to questions raised 
during the Audit Committee meetings; and

 — feedback from the individuals involved in the 
audit, including the Chief Financial Officer 
and Group Financial Controller.

Based on this review, the Audit Committee 
recommended to the Board it should propose 
a resolution to shareholders to re-appoint 
BDO LLP at the 2013 AGM.

I will be available at the AGM to answer any 
questions about the Audit Committee’s work.

Jonathan Brooks
Chairman of the Audit Committee
4 March 2013

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42

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Francis Carpenter
Chairman of the  
Remuneration Committee

On behalf of your Board, I am pleased to present our Remuneration 
Report for the year ended 31 December 2012. Shareholders will 
be invited to approve the report at the Group’s AGM to be held 
on 14 May 2013.

As outlined earlier in this Annual Report, 
the Group’s performance this year has been 
strong, with progress across many of the 
Group’s portfolio businesses contributing 
to a significant increase in net assets. The 
Group’s share price increased by more than 
50% during the year, from 78.25p to 119.9p, 
adding circa £150m of value for shareholders. 

The Remuneration Committee considers that 
the remuneration for the executives for the 
year appropriately reflects the Group’s 
performance over the year and the most 
recent three-year period. The long-term 
incentive awards granted in 2010 will vest for 
the first time in the Group’s history, with NAV 
performance vesting above threshold and TSR 
performance vesting in full.

During 2012, the Committee determined that, 
having consulted at length with the Group’s 
major shareholders during 2011, the 2012 
awards under the Group’s LTIP scheme would 
be made at the same multiples of salary 
and subject to the same vesting criteria as 
the 2011 awards. In addition, the Committee 
approved increases in the executive directors’ 

fixed salaries of 2.5%, in line with all of the 
Group’s staff, and made no other changes 
to the remuneration policy. 

During the year, and into 2013, the 
Committee has continued its review of 
executive remuneration and will consult 
with the Group’s major shareholders should 
it determine that, following the conclusion 
of its work, any material changes to the 
Group’s executive remuneration policy 
are recommended.

Our 2011 Directors’ Remuneration Report 
received 96% of votes in favour at the AGM 
in May 2012 and, while this indicated a strong 
level of support, the Group is committed 
to transparency and, mindful of incoming 
revised government guidelines, this year 
has sought to further improve its reporting 
on executive pay. 

Francis Carpenter
Chairman, Remuneration Committee

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

43

Committee composition

100%

 Non-executive director

Membership and attendance

Name of director

Francis Carpenter 
(Chairman)

Mike Humphrey

Jonathan Brooks

Number 
of meetings 
held

Number 
of meetings 
attended

7

7

7

7

7

7

The Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year 
ended 31 December 2012 has been prepared 
in accordance with requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006, the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the UK Listing Rules. 

The Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee consists 
of Chairman Francis Carpenter as well 
as Mike Humphrey and Jonathan Brooks. 
Throughout 2012, the Remuneration Committee 
consisted exclusively of non-executive directors 
who the Board considers to be independent. 
Details of each member’s background and 
experience are provided within their biography 
on pages 30 and 31.

Role of the Remuneration Committee 
The full terms of reference of the Remuneration 
Committee, which are reviewed annually, 
are available on the Group’s website at  
www.ipgroupplc.com. In summary, the 
Remuneration Committee has specific 
responsibility for advising the Group’s Board 
on the remuneration and other benefits of 
executive directors, an overall policy in respect 
of remuneration of other employees of the 
Group and establishing the Group’s policy 
with respect to employee incentivisation 
schemes. The Company’s remuneration policy 
is the responsibility of the Board of Directors. 
The remuneration of the non-executive 
directors is a matter for the Chairman and 
the executive directors.

Advisers to the Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee is authorised, 
if it wishes, to seek independent specialist 
services to provide information and advice 
on remuneration at the Company’s expense. 
During the year the Remuneration Committee 
continued its review of executive remuneration 
and took professional advice from Hay Group 
in respect of remuneration policy, typical 
levels of remuneration for the industry and 
sector, and on the mix of salary and long-term 
incentives. In 2011, the Committee also utilised 
the services of Deloitte LLP to assist in the 
development of the vesting criteria for the 

Group’s 2011 LTIP scheme. Hay Group did not 
provide any other advice or services to the 
Group during the year. Deloitte provided a 
limited level of other tax advisory services to 
the Group during the year. The Chief Executive, 
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary 
have attended meetings and provided advice 
to the Remuneration Committee during the 
year. They are not in attendance when 
matters relating to their own compensation 
or contracts are discussed. 

Remuneration policy
The Company aims to attract, retain and 
motivate high-calibre executive directors, to 
align their remuneration with the interests of 
shareholders and, where possible, to do this 
in the most cost-effective way. Remuneration 
structures are designed to support the Group’s 
strategic objectives and, given that these 
are predominantly long-term in nature, the 
Remuneration Committee considers that a 
bias towards long-term incentives is appropriate, 
alongside appropriate levels of fixed cash 
remuneration. It is on this basis that the 
Remuneration Committee determined that 
growth in net asset value and total shareholder 
return (“TSR”) were appropriate performance 
measures for long-term incentives. In the future, 
the Committee may introduce appropriate 
short-term incentives, similarly linked to 
business strategy, but considers that a 
significant proportion of variable remuneration 
will remain long-term in nature and paid in 
the form of shares.

In advising the Group’s Board on executive 
remuneration packages of individual directors, 
the Remuneration Committee takes account 
the levels of experience, performance and 
responsibility of each executive director and 
the remuneration packages for similar executive 
positions in companies it considers are 
comparable. It also considers the remuneration 
packages offered within the Group as a whole 
seeking always to treat directors and members 
of staff equitably (for example, through the 
application of consistent annual increases 
to fixed salary). 

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44

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Components of remuneration
The Board believes that the interests of 
directors and shareholders are best aligned 
with a remuneration policy that provides a 
base salary that is not dependent on 
performance together with a discretionary 
bonus arrangement. Further details relating 
to bonus arrangements, pension contributions 
and the long-term incentive plan are as follows.

Bonuses
Whilst the Company has always had an annual 
discretionary cash bonus scheme in place, no 
cash bonuses have been paid to directors since 
the Company’s shares became traded on the 
Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. 
The Remuneration Committee does not 
currently envisage the payment of cash 
bonuses to its directors in 2013 but may 
do so in future years following consultation 
with major shareholders. 

Performance is evaluated in the context 
of the achievements of both the individuals 
and the Group. The Group’s performance 
is measured against TSR and its net asset 
value excluding intangible assets and the 
Oxford Equity Rights asset (“Hard NAV”). 
The individual’s performance is measured 
against their professional objectives, 
management of risk and contribution to 
achievement of the Group’s strategy. 

Carried interest
The Group allocates carried interest in funds 
managed by the Group to executive directors 
and other key staff based on the level of 
involvement and contribution of the relevant 
members of the team to the management of 
the fund. Details of allocations made to the 
executive directors are set out below. No new 
allocations of carried interest have been made 
during the years ended 31 December 2012 or 
31 December 2011.

Pensions
The executive directors are entitled to a 
contribution of annual base salary, which is 
capped at 10% and paid directly into personal 
money purchase pension plans.

Share options
It is the policy of the Group not to issue 
options over ordinary shares in the Company. 
No new options over shares were issued 
during the years ended 31 December 2012 
or 31 December 2011. 

Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)
The LTIP and employee share ownership trust 
were adopted by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting in 2007. Following extensive 
consultation in respect of certain changes 
which were proposed to be made with the 
Group’s ten largest shareholders as well as 
the proxy advisory groups, RREV and PIRC, 
in advance of the general meeting, certain 
amendments to the rules of the LTIP were 
approved by shareholders at the Company’s 
general meeting held on 21 June 2011 and 
remain in force. 

Currently, all employees, including executive 
directors, of the Group are eligible to participate 
in the LTIP at the discretion of the Remuneration 
Committee. Awards under the LTIP take the 
form of provisional awards of ordinary shares 
of 2p each in the Group which vest over the 
prescribed performance period to the extent 
that performance conditions have been 
met. The Remuneration Committee imposes 
objective conditions on the vesting of awards 
and these will be set taking into consideration 
the guidance of the Group’s institutional 
shareholders and published proxy advisory 
group guidelines from time to time. 

Vesting criteria: 2012 and 2011 LTIP awards
The 2012 and 2011 LTIP awards will 
ordinarily vest on 31 March 2015 and 
31 March 2014, respectively, to the extent 
that the performance conditions have 
been met. As noted above, Deloitte LLP 
provided independent external advice 
to the Remuneration Committee on the 
appropriate performance conditions to 
attach to the 2011 LTIP awards based on 
their experience of current market practice 
and the same vesting criteria were again 
used for the 2012 LTIP awards. 

The awards are based on the performance 
of Group’s Hard NAV for the three financial 
years ending on the 31 December immediately 
prior to the ordinary vesting date of the awards 
and TSR from date of award to the ordinary 
vesting date. Both performance measures 
are combined into a matrix format to most 
appropriately measure performance relative 
to the business, as shown in the table below.

The total award is subject to an underpin based 
on the relative performance of the Group’s 
TSR to that of the FTSE Small Cap index, 
which can reduce the awards by up to 50%. 

The matrix is designed such that up to 100% 
of the award (prior to the application of the 
underpin) will vest in full in the event of both 
Hard NAV increasing by 15% per year on a 
cumulative basis over the relevant three-year 
period and TSR increasing by 15% per year on 
a cumulative basis from the date of award to 
the vesting date, using an industry-standard 
average price period at the beginning and 
end of the performance period. Further, 
the matrix is designed such that 30% of the 
award shall vest (again prior to the application 
of the underpin) if the cumulative increase is 
8% per annum for both measures over their 
respective performance periods (“threshold 
performance”). A straight-line sliding scale is 
applied for performance between the distinct 
points on the matrix of vesting targets.

Vesting criteria: 2010 LTIP awards
The 2010 LTIP awards will ordinarily vest 
on 31 March 2013, to the extent that the 
performance conditions have been met. 
50% of the awards are based on the 
performance of Group’s Hard NAV and 
50% are based on the Group’s share price 
performance. The portion subject to Hard 
NAV performance shall vest in full in the 
event of Hard NAV increasing by 15% per year 
on a cumulative basis from 1 January 2010 to 
31 December 2012, whilst 50% of that portion 
shall vest if the cumulative increase is 8% 
per annum over this time period. The portion 
subject to the Group’s share price performance 
shall vest in full in the event of the Group’s 
share price being equal to or exceeding 67p 
on 31 December 2012, whilst 50% of that 
portion shall vest if the Group’s share price 
is 60p on this date. A straight-line sliding 
scale is applied for performance between 
the vesting targets detailed above.

Performance measures in a matrix format*

)
.
a

.

p
(
R
S
T

15%

10%

8%

<8%

60%

30%

15%

0%

<8%

75%

45%

30%

15%

8%

90%

60%

45%

30%

10%

100%

90%

75%

60%

15%

Growth in NAV (p.a.)

* Prior to the impact of the relative performance underpin

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

45

Components of remuneration continued
Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) continued
LTIP performance: 2010 LTIP awards
The following table sets out the outcomes of the performance measures relating to the 2010 LTIP awards against the vesting criteria. 

Performance condition

Hard NAV(i)

TSR performance (share price)

Total

Vesting criteria

Actual performance

Anticipated vesting

£226.8m: 25% 
£267.4m: 50%

60p: 25% 
67p: 50%

£236.6m

119.9p

31%

50%

81%

(i) 

 Hard NAV target increased by the net proceeds of the Group’s 2011 placing plus 8%–15% growth from the date of completion of the placing. 

As the performance measures were achieved in part, the relevant proportion of the 2010 LTIP awards will ordinarily vest on 31 March 2013. 
Shares will be delivered to individuals following this date and will appear as released in the LTIP table of next year’s report.

Further details relating to the LTIP awards that have been made to the executive directors are set out below.

Non-executive remuneration
Each of the non-executive directors receives a fixed fee for service, which covers preparation for and attendance at meetings of the Board and its 
committees. The non-executive directors are also reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred in attending these meetings. Non-executive 
directors are not entitled to participate in any of the Group’s incentive schemes, including the LTIP. The Chairman and executive directors are 
responsible for setting the level of non-executive remuneration.

Service contracts
Each of the executive directors have service contracts that commenced on the dates set out in the below chart and each contains a contractual 
notice period of six months by either party. The contracts for executive directors do not provide any predetermined amounts of compensation 
in the event of early termination. In the event of early termination, payments for loss of office would be determined by the Remuneration Committee 
who would take account of the particular circumstances of each case, including the unexpired term of the service contract.

Each of the non-executive directors have letters of appointment which commenced on the dates set out in the below chart. In line with best practice 
as set out in the Code, the Company adopted the policy of annual re-election by shareholders of the full Board with effect from the 2011 AGM 
and these letters of appointment have been amended accordingly. The non-executive letters of appointment are terminable on three months’ 
notice by either party. 

Service contracts of the executive directors

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Present

20 JAN 2005

20 JAN 2005

5 MAR 2007

Alan  
Aubrey
Dr Alison 
Fielding

Mike 
Townend

Greg Smith

Charles 
Winward

Letters of appointment of the non-executive directors

10 AUG 2004

Graham 
Richards

Bruce  
Smith

Francis 
Carpenter

Jonathan 
Brooks

Mike 
Humphrey

3 SEP 2007

3 APR 2008

2 JUN 2011

14 AUG 2011

30 AUG 2011

14 OCT 2011

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46

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Outside appointments for executive directors
Any proposed external directorships are considered by the Board to ensure they do not cause a conflict of interest but, subject to this, executive 
directors may accept other outside non-executive appointments and indeed the Board believes that it is part of their ongoing development to do so. 
Where an executive director accepts an appointment to the board of a company in which the Group is a shareholder, the Group generally retains 
the related fees. In the limited circumstances where the executive directors receive such fees directly, such sums are deducted from their base 
salary. Fees earned for directorships of companies in which the Group does not have a shareholding are normally retained by the relevant director.

Executive directors’ remuneration during the year
During both the year under review and the previous year, executive directors were remunerated through fixed pay packages which included base 
salary, pension contributions and private medical and similar benefits. A variable element, the LTIP, was utilised in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in respect 
of executive directors and employees. The performance criteria attached to these schemes are considered to best align directors’ and employees’ 
remuneration interests with the interests of shareholders. Should the LTIP performance criteria be met, the conditional shares will ordinarily vest 
on 31 March 2013, 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2015 respectively. The Remuneration Committee encourages the executive directors to hold a 
proportion of any conditional shares that vest as aforementioned for a further period following vesting, subject to the need to finance associated 
tax liabilities.

Directors’ emoluments (audited)
The aggregate remuneration received by directors who served during the year, including remuneration paid through subsidiaries of the 
Company, was as follows:

Base
salary
£000

182

213

214

132

131

—

—

—

—

—

Fees
£000

Benefits(iv)
£000

Total 
(exc.
pension)
2012 
£000

Pension
£000

Total 
(inc.
pension)
2012(v)
£000

Total 
(exc.
pension)
2011
£000

Total
(inc.
pension)
2011(v)

£000

Pension
£000

—

—

—

—

—

60

37

37

40

40

5

5

4

2

3

—

—

—

—

—

187

218

218

134

134

60

37

37

40

40

24

21

21

13

14

—

—

—

—

—

211

239

239

147

148

60

37

37

40

40

186

212

213

77

28

60

36

36

13

9

23

21

21

8

3

—

—

—

—

—

209

233

234

85

31

60

36

36

13

9

872

214

19

1,105

93

1,198

870

76

946

Executive

Alan Aubrey(i)

Alison Fielding(ii)

Mike Townend 

Greg Smith

Charles Winward(iii)

Non-executive

Bruce Smith

Graham Richards

Francis Carpenter

Jonathan Brooks

Mike Humphrey

Total

(i) 

 In addition to the above, during the period Alan Aubrey retained fees totalling £58,750 in respect of non-executive director services provided to companies in which the Group is a shareholder 
and which were deducted from the base salary during the year (2011: £59,083).

(ii)   In addition to the above, during the period Alison Fielding retained fees totalling £1,250 in respect of non-executive director services provided to a company in which the Group is a shareholder 

and which were deducted from the base salary during the year (2011: £nil).

(iii)  In addition to the amounts listed above, Charles Winward retained fees totalling £12,000 in respect of non-executive director services provided to a company in which the Group is a shareholder 

and which were deducted from his base salary during the year (2011: £2,500).

(iv) Benefits represent the provision of private medical insurance, travel insurance, life assurance and income protection.

(v)   Including those non-executive director fees retained by him and deducted from this base salary, Alan Aubrey was the highest paid director during the year (2011: Alan Aubrey). Excluding these 

fees, Mike Townend was the highest paid director (2011: Mike Townend).

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

47

Directors’ long-term incentives (audited)
a) Long Term Incentive Plan
The directors’ participations in the Group’s LTIP are as follows:

Alan Aubrey

2010 LTIP

2011 LTIP

2012 LTIP

Alison Fielding

2010 LTIP

2011 LTIP

2012 LTIP

Mike Townend

2010 LTIP

2011 LTIP

2012 LTIP

Greg Smith

2010 LTIP

2011 LTIP

2012 LTIP

Charles Winward

2010 LTIP

2011 LTIP

2012 LTIP

Number 
of shares 
conditionally 
held at 
1 January 
2012 

2,556,818

879,654

—

3,436,472

2,090,909

670,213

—

2,761,122

2,090,909

670,213

—

2,761,122

575,758

414,894

—

990,652

709,091

446,809

—

1,155,900

Conditional
shares
notionally 
awarded 
in the year 

—

—

302,695

302,695

—

—

230,625

230,625

—

—

230,625

230,625

—

—

142,768

142,768

—

—

153,750

153,750

Potential 
conditional 
interest in
shares at 
31 December 
2012 

2,556,818

879,654

302,695

3,739,167

2,090,909

670,213

230,625

2,991,747

2,090,909

670,213

230,625

2,991,747

575,758

414,894

142,768

1,133,420

709,091

446,809

153,750

1,309,650

Share price at
date of 
conditional 
award
(p)

Earliest 
vesting 
date(s) 

29

54

31 March 2013

31 March 2014

135.5

31 March 2015

29

54

31 March 2013

31 March 2014

135.5

31 March 2015

29

54

31 March 2013

31 March 2014

135.5

31 March 2015

29

54

31 March 2013

31 March 2014

135.5

31 March 2015

29

54

31 March 2013

31 March 2014

135.5

31 March 2015

No conditionally awarded shares vested during the year; however, as described above, approximately 81% of the 2010 LTIP awards are currently 
anticipated to vest on 31 March 2013.

The fair value charge recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in respect of LTIP share awards granted to directors 
was £585,267 (2011: £434,742).

The performance criteria relating to the LTIP awards are set out on page 44.

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48

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Corporate governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Co-investment and carried interest schemes (audited)
In addition to the directors’ remuneration arrangements, the Group also operates co-investment and carried interest schemes relating to certain 
venture capital funds that are under its management. Under the co-investment scheme, executive directors make minority capital and loan commitments 
to IP Venture Fund (“IPVF”) alongside the Group. Executives are entitled to participate in a carried interest scheme in respect of the partnership 
alongside the Group. Carried interest commonly provides a preferential return to participants once the partnership has returned all funds contributed 
by limited partners together with a pre-agreed rate of return. The carried interest and co-investment schemes will generally contain forfeiture 
provisions in respect of leavers over the investment period of the partnership.

a) Co-investment scheme
The executive directors’ commitments to IPVF are set out below. Commitments are made indirectly through the IP Venture Fund (FP) LP which 
is the founder partner of IPVF.

Total capital
contributed 
to
1 January 
2012
or date of
appointment, 
if later
£000

Capital
contributions
during 
the year
£000

Total capital
contributions
at 
31 December
2012
£000

Total 
commitment
£000

Limited
partnership
interest 
of IPVF

56

56

56

35

56

0.18%

0.18%

0.18%

0.11%

0.18%

37

37

37

16

37

7

7

7

7

7

44

44

44

23

44

259

0.83%

164

35

199

Executive directors

Alan Aubrey

Alison Fielding

Mike Townend

Greg Smith

Charles Winward

Total

b) Carried interest scheme
The directors’ interests in carried interest schemes are set out below:

Executive directors

Alan Aubrey

Alison Fielding

Mike Townend

Greg Smith

Charles Winward

Scheme
interest(ii) 

at
1 January 
2012 
or date of 
appointment 
if later

1.81%

1.55%

1.81%

1.15%

1.81%

1.15%

1.14%

0.85%

1.81%

0.45%

Scheme(i)

IPVF

NETF

IPVF

NETF

IPVF

NETF

IPVF

NETF

IPVF

NETF

Awarded 
during 
the year

Transferred
during 
the year

Lapsed 
during 
the year

Scheme
interest at 
31 December 

2012(iii)

of scheme
interest at 
31 December 
2012

Accrued

value(iv) 

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.81%

1.55%

1.81%

1.15%

1.81%

1.15%

1.14%

0.85%

1.81%

0.45%

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(i) 

 Under the IPVF scheme, payments to participants are made when all limited partners have been repaid their contributions together with a hurdle rate of 8% compound interest. Under 
the North East Technology Fund (“NETF”) scheme, payments to participants are made when all limited partners have been repaid their contributions together with a hurdle rate of 3.5% 
compound interest.

(ii)  Scheme interest represents the percentage of the relevant pool of investments in respect of which the participant is entitled to participate in the realised profits.

(iii)  The schemes contain forfeiture provisions over the investment period of the fund which may reduce the scheme interest accruing to any participant. The table reflects the maximum scheme 

interest receivable should no forfeiture occur.

(iv) Accrued value of scheme interests is calculated based upon the current value of the limited partnership in excess of the capital contributed together with the hurdle rate of return. 

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

49

Directors’ interests in ordinary shares (unaudited)
The directors who held office at 31 December 2012 had the following beneficial interests in the ordinary shares of the Company:

Alan Aubrey

Alison Fielding

Mike Townend

Greg Smith

Charles Winward

Bruce Smith 

Graham Richards

Francis Carpenter

Jonathan Brooks

Mike Humphrey

 31 December 
2012
Number 
of shares

 1 January 
2012
Number 
of shares

1,312,170

1,312,170

494,630

494,630

304,340

304,340

19,407

5,935

19,407

5,935

236,592

236,592

29,250

239,151

60,000

80,000

29,250

239,151

60,000

80,000

There has been no change in the interests set out above between 31 December 2012 and 4 March 2013.

Apart from the interests disclosed above, none of the directors had any interest at any time during the year ended 31 December 2012 in the share 
capital of the Company. However, certain directors hold interests in the shares of spin-out companies in which the Group also has an equity 
interest, some of which may be subsidiaries of the Group. Details of these interests are disclosed in note 24 of the financial statements.

Performance graph (unaudited)
The chart below shows the Group’s TSR performance against the performance of the FTSE All Share and FTSE Small Cap indices over the 
five-year period to 31 December 2012. The directors have selected the FTSE All Share and FTSE Small Cap indices as, in their opinion, these 
indices comprise the most relevant equity indices of which the Company is a member against which total shareholder return of IP Group plc 
should be measured.

120

100

80

60

40

20

x
e
d
n

i

d
e
s
a
b
e
R

0
2007

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

IP Group plc

FTSE all-share

FTSE small-cap

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Francis Carpenter
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
4 March 2013

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

 
 
50

Corporate governance
Directors’ report

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Report of the directors
The directors present their report together 
with the audited financial statements for 
IP Group plc (the “Company”) and its 
subsidiaries (the “Group”) for the year 
ended 31 December 2012.

 — Corporate social responsibility on pages 26 
to 29, which includes information about 
environmental matters, employees and 
social and community issues;

 — Corporate Governance report on pages 32 
to 39 including details of the Company’s 

rules relating to the appointment and 
replacement of directors; and

 — details of the principal operating subsidiaries 

are set out in note 2 to the Company’s 
financial statements.

Principal activities
The Company acts as a holding company for 
the Group and is incorporated by shares in 
England and Wales. The Company’s subsidiary 
undertakings are detailed in note 2 to the 
Company’s financial statements. The business 
of the Group is: (i) the commercialisation and 
exploitation of intellectual property via the 
formation of long-term partnerships with 
universities; (ii) the management of venture 
funds focusing on early-stage UK technology 
companies; and (iii) the in-licensing of 
therapeutic intellectual property from 
research intensive institutions.

Results and dividends 
During the period the Group made an overall 
profit after taxation for the year ended 
31 December 2012 of £40.7m (2011: £5.5m 
loss). The directors do not recommend the 
payment of a dividend (2011: £nil). 

Directors
The names of directors who held office 
during 2012 are as follows:

Executive directors
Alan Aubrey 
Alison Fielding 
Mike Townend 
Greg Smith 
Charles Winward

Non-executive directors
Bruce Smith (Chairman) 
Graham Richards 
Francis Carpenter 
Jonathan Brooks 
Mike Humphrey

Details of the interests of directors in the 
share capital of the Company are set out 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
page 49.

Business review
The information that fulfils the requirements 
of the Business review, as required by the 
Companies Act 2006 and which should be 
treated as forming part of this report by 
reference, is included in the following 
sections of the Annual Report:

 — Chairman’s statement on pages 8 to 9; 

 — Business review on pages 10 to 23, which 
includes a review of the Group’s external 
environment, key strategic aims, main 
trends and factors likely to affect the future 
development, performance and position 
of the Group’s business;

 — Risk management on pages 24 to 25;

Key performance indicators and a description of principal risks and uncertainties facing the 
Group are set out below:

Key performance indicator

2012

2011

Total equity (“net assets”) (£m)

Profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders (£m)

Change in fair value of equity and debt investments (£m)

Cash, cash equivalents and deposits (£m)

Proceeds from sale of equity investments (£m)

Purchase of equity and debt investments (£m)

Number of new portfolio companies (number)

IP Group plc share price performance (% change)

263.1

40.7

38.0

47.9

16.7

26.3

11

53

221.6

(5.5)

0.9

60.5

3.7

14.3

5

157

Principal risks and uncertainties 
and financial instruments
The Group through its operations is exposed to 
a number of risks. The Group’s risk management 
objectives and policies are described on 
pages 24 to 25 and in the Corporate Governance 
report on pages 32 to 39. Further information 
on the Group’s financial risk management 
objectives and policies, including those in 
relation to credit risk, liquidity risk and 
market risk, is provided in note 2 to the 
consolidated financial statements, along 
with further information on the Group’s use 
of financial instruments.

Significant agreements
The Group has entered into various agreements 
to form partnerships with eleven UK universities, 
granting Group entities rights to purchase 
or receive shares in new companies founded 
by academics at these universities. Further, 
Group entities have entered into agreements 
to act as general partner and investment 
manager to three limited partnerships, as 
detailed in note 1, Basis of consolidation (iii), 
to the consolidated financial statements. 
These agreements generally contain change 
of control provisions which, in the event of 
a change of ownership of the Group, could 
result in renegotiation or termination of 
the agreements.

There are a number of other agreements that 
may alter or terminate upon a change of control 
of the Group following a takeover bid, such as 
commercial contracts. None is considered to 
be significant in terms of their potential impact 
on the business of the Group as a whole.

Share capital and related matters
Details of the structure of the Company’s 
share capital and the rights attaching to the 
Company’s shares are set out in note 20 to 
the consolidated financial statements. There 
are no specific restrictions on the size of a 
holding or on the transfer of shares, which 
are both governed by the general provisions 
of the Company’s Articles of Association 
(the “Articles”) and prevailing legislation.

At the last Annual General Meeting of the 
Company, held on 2 May 2012, authority 
was given to the directors pursuant to the 
relevant provisions of the Companies Act 
2006 to allot unissued relevant securities 
in the Company up to a maximum amount 
equivalent to approximately one-third of 
the total ordinary share capital in issue on 
29 March 2012 at any time up to the earlier 
of the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting (“AGM”) of the Company and 
1 August 2013. Further, the directors were 
given authority effective for the same period 
to allot relevant securities in the Company 
up to a maximum of approximately two-thirds 
of the total ordinary share capital in issue 
on 29 March 2012 in connection with an offer 
by way of a fully pre-emptive rights issue. 
No shares have been issued pursuant to 
either authority during the year. The directors 
propose to renew these authorities at the 
Company’s next AGM to be held on 14 May 2013. 
The authorities being sought are in accordance 
with guidance issued by the Association of 
British Insurers.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

51

A further special resolution passed at the 
2012 AGM granted authority to the directors 
to allot equity securities in the Company 
for cash, without regard to the pre-emption 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006, 
both: (i) up to a maximum of approximately 
two-thirds of the total ordinary share capital 
in issue on 29 March 2012 in connection with 
a fully pre-emptive rights issue; and (ii) up 
to a maximum of approximately 5% of the 
aggregate nominal value of the shares in 
issue on 29 March 2012, each authority 
exercisable at any time up to the earlier of 
the conclusion of the next AGM of the 
Company and 1 August 2013. Neither of these 
authorities have been used during the year. 
The directors will seek to renew these 
authorities for a similar period at the next 
AGM to be held on 14 May 2013.

Under the Companies Act 2006, the Company 
has the power to purchase its own shares in 
accordance with Part 18, Chapter 5 of the 
Companies Act 2006. At the 2012 Annual 
General Meeting, a special resolution was 
passed which granted the directors authority 
to make market purchases of the Company’s 
shares pursuant to these provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006 up to a maximum of 
approximately 10% of the Company’s issued 
share capital on 29 March 2012 provided that 
the authority granted set a minimum and 
maximum price at which purchases can be 
made and is exercisable at any time up to 
the earlier of the conclusion of the next AGM 
and 1 August 2013. This authority has not 
been used during the year. The directors will 
seek to renew the authority within similar 
parameters and for a similar period at the 
next AGM to be held on 14 May 2013.

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles may be amended by 
a special resolution of the shareholders. As at 
the date of this report the Company’s Articles 
include a qualifying third party indemnity 
provision (“QTPIP”) within the meaning of 
Section 234 of the Companies Act 2006.

Substantial shareholders
As at 4 March 2013, the Company had been 
advised of the following shareholders with 
interests of 3% or more in its ordinary share 
capital. Other than as shown, so far as the 
Company (and its directors) are aware, no 
other person holds or is beneficially interested 
in a disclosable interest in the Company.

Shareholder

Invesco Limited

Lansdowne Partners 

Bailie Gifford & Co 

Sand Aire Limited 

Oppenheimer Funds Inc. (Massachusetts 
Mutual Life Insurance Company)

%

29.5

16.1

12.6

8.5

6.2

Payment of trade payables
It is the Group’s current policy to establish 
payment terms with suppliers when agreeing 
terms of supply, to ensure that suppliers 
are made aware of the terms of payment 
and to adhere to those terms. The Group’s 
average trade payable payment period at 
31 December 2012 was 15 days (2011: 17 days). 
The Company had trade payables of £0.1m 
at 31 December 2012 (2011: £0.2m).

Charitable and political donations
During 2012, the Group made no charitable 
donations (2011: £18,000). Further detail on 
the Group’s policies in connection with charitable 
donations is included in the Corporate and 
Social Responsibility section on pages 26 
to 29. The Group did not make any political 
donations in either year.

Directors’ indemnity and liability insurance
During the year, the Company has maintained 
liability insurance in respect of its directors. 
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006, the Company’s Articles of Association 
provide that, to the extent that the proceeds 
of any liability insurance are insufficient to 
meet any liability in full, every director is 
entitled to be indemnified out of the funds of 
the Company against any liabilities incurred 
in the execution or discharge of his or her 
powers or duties. 

Regulation
Top Technology Ventures Limited, a 
100%-owned subsidiary of the Company, is 
authorised and regulated by the FSA under 
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Post-balance sheet events
A new flagship intellectual property 
commercialisation agreement was signed 
with the University of Manchester in 
February 2013.

There has been a net unrealised fair value 
increase in the Group’s holdings in quoted 
portfolio companies of £16.0m between 
31 December 2012 and 1 March 2013.

Financial statements
Information regarding the Group and Company 
financial statements, including applicable 
accounting standards and going concern, is 
set out in the Corporate Governance report 
on page 39.

Disclosure of information to auditor 
Each of the persons who is a director at 
the date of approval of this Annual Report 
confirms that:

 — so far as the director is aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s auditor is unaware; and

 — the director has taken all steps that he/she 

ought to have taken as a director in order to 
make himself/herself aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be 
interpreted in accordance with the provisions 
of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Appointment of auditor 
BDO LLP offers itself for re-appointment as 
auditor and an appropriate resolution will be 
put to the shareholders at the AGM.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Alan Aubrey
Chief Executive Officer
4 March 2013

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

52

Corporate governance
Directors’ responsibilities

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors are required to prepare 
the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRSs”). 
Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 
state of affairs of the Group and company and of the profit or loss for the Group for that period. 

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

 — select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 — make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 — state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, subject to any material departures disclosed 

and explained in the financial statements; 

 — prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business; and

 — prepare a Directors’ report and Directors’ Remuneration Report which comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The parent company financial statements are required by law to give a true 
and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 — select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 — make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 — state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 

statements; and

 — prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.

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 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 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.

Website publication
The directors are responsible for ensuring the Annual Report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements 
are published on the Company’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of 
financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website is the 
responsibility of the directors. The directors’ responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.

Directors’ responsibilities pursuant to DTR4
The directors confirm to the best of their knowledge:

 — the Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the 
European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit and loss 
of the Group; and

 — the Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the financial position of the Group and the 

parent company, together with a description or the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Bruce Smith 
Chairman 
4 March 2013

Alan Aubrey
Chief Executive Officer

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements

53

Financial statements

 54  Independent auditor’s report

 55  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 56  Consolidated statement of financial position

 57  Consolidated statement of cash flows

 58  Consolidated statement of changes in equity

 59  Notes to the consolidated financial statements

  81  Company balance sheet 

 82  Notes to the financial statements

 IBC  Directors, secretary and advisers to the Group

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

54

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Independent auditor’s report
To the members of IP Group plc

We have audited the financial statements of IP Group plc for the year ended 31 December 2012 which comprise the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated statement of cash flows, the consolidated statement 
of changes in equity, the Company balance sheet and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the Group financial statements is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in preparation of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and United 
Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

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

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

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB’s website at www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm. 

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion: 

 — the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2012 and of the 

Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 — the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;

 — the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

 — the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and, as regards the Group financial 

statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:

 — the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006;

 — the information given in the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial 

statements; and

 — the information given in the Corporate Governance report set out on pages 32 to 39 and on pages 24 and 25 of the Annual Report with respect to 
internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share capital structures is consistent with the 
financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

 — adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches 

not visited by us; or

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

records and returns; or

 — certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

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

 — a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by the Company.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

 — the directors’ statement, set out on page 39, in relation to going concern; 

 — the part of the corporate governance statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 

Code specified for our review; and

 — certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on directors’ remuneration. 

Neil Fung-On (senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor
London
United Kingdom
4 March 2013

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2012

Portfolio return and revenue

Change in fair value of equity and debt investments

Profit on disposal of equity investments

Change in fair value of limited and limited liability partnership interests

Revenue from services

Administrative expenses

Research and development costs

Share-based payment charge

Change in fair value of Oxford Equity Rights asset

Other administrative expenses

Operating profit/(loss)

Finance income – interest receivable

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Taxation

Profit/(loss) and total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of the parent

Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share (p)

Diluted earnings/(loss) per ordinary share (p)

55

2011
£m

0.9

2.3

0.6

2.1

5.9

(0.2)

(0.7)

(6.0)

(5.1)

Note

2012
£m

15

38.0

11.8

0.4

2.3

52.5

(0.3)

(0.8)

(6.0)

(5.6)

4

22

7

9

10

10

(12.7)

(12.0)

39.8

0.9

40.7

—

40.7

11.13

10.71

(6.1)

0.6

(5.5)

—

(5.5)

(1.76)

(1.76)

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

56

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Consolidated statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2012

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Intangible assets:

– goodwill

Property, plant and equipment

Oxford Equity Rights asset and related contract costs

Portfolio:

– equity investments

– debt investments

Limited and limited liability partnership interests

Other financial asset

Contingent value rights

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Share capital

Share premium account

Merger reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total equity and liabilities

Registered number: 4204490

Note

2012
£m

2011
£m

11

12

14

15

15

23

17

18

16

18.4 

0.3 

8.1 

18.4

0.2

14.1

177.9 

120.4

3.9 

4.0 

0.7 

1.4

3.4

3.3

0.7

—

214.7

160.5

0.9 

32.5 

15.4 

48.8 

1.2

50.0

10.5

61.7

263.5 

222.2

20

7.3 

7.3

150.4 

150.4

12.8 

92.6 

12.8

51.1

263.1 

221.6

19

0.4 

0.6

263.5 

222.2

The financial statements on pages 55 to 80 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 4 March 2013 and were signed 
on its behalf by:

Bruce Smith 
Chairman 

Alan Aubrey
Chief Executive Officer

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the year ended 31 December 2012

Operating activities

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Adjusted for:

Finance income – interest receivable

Change in fair value of equity and debt investments

Change in fair value of limited and limited liability partnership interests

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Profit on disposal of equity investments

Change in fair value of Oxford Equity Rights asset

Share-based payment charge

Changes in working capital

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

Decrease in trade and other payables 

Net cash flow from/(to) deposits

Other operating cash flows

Interest received

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

Investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of equity and debt investments

Investment in limited and limited liability partnerships

Proceeds from sale of equity investments

Distributions from limited and limited liability partnerships

Repayments of borrowings

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities

Proceeds from the issue of share capital

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

57

2012
£m

2011
£m

40.7

(5.5)

(0.9)

(38.0)

(0.4)

0.1

(11.8)

6.0

0.8

0.1

(0.3)

17.5 

(0.6)

(0.9)

(0.6)

0.1

(2.3)

6.0

0.7

(0.1)

(0.1)

(42.5)

1.1

0.3

14.9

(45.5)

(0.1)

(26.3)

(0.4)

16.7 

0.1

—

—

(14.3)

(0.8)

3.7

—

0.1

(10.0)

(11.3)

—

— 

4.9 

10.5 

15.4 

53.3

53.3

(3.5)

14.0

10.5

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

58

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2012

At 1 January 2011

Loss and total comprehensive income for the year

Issue of equity

Share-based payment charge

At 1 January 2012

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year

Share-based payment charge

At 31 December 2012

(i)  Share premium 

Attributable to owners of the parent

Share 
capital
£m

Share 
premium(i)

£m

Merger 
reserve(ii) 

£m

Retained
earnings(iii)

£m

5.1

—

2.2

—

7.3

—

—

99.3

12.8

—

51.1

—

—

—

—

150.4

12.8

—

—

—

—

55.9

(5.5)

—

0.7

51.1

40.7

0.8

Total 
equity
£m

173.1

(5.5)

53.3

0.7

221.6

40.7

0.8

7.3

150.4

12.8

92.6

263.1

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value, net of directly attributable issue costs.

(ii)  Merger reserve 

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value in relation to the qualifying acquisition of subsidiary undertakings.

(iii)  Retained earnings 

Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income net of associated share-based payments credits.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

59

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The Annual Report and Accounts of IP Group plc (the “Group”) are for the year ended 31 December 2012. The principal accounting policies adopted 
in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. The policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless 
otherwise stated. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International 
Accounting Standards and Interpretations (collectively “IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) as adopted by 
the European Union (“adopted IFRSs”). 

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Group 
management to exercise judgement in the most appropriate application in applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas where significant 
judgements and estimates have been made in preparing the financial statements and their effect are disclosed in note 3.

Changes in accounting policies
(i) New standards, interpretations and amendments effective from 1 January 2012
No new standards, interpretations and amendments effective for the first time from 1 January 2012 have had a material effect on the Group’s 
financial statements.

(ii) New standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective
The following new standards, which have not been applied in these financial statements, will or may have an effect on the Group’s future 
financial statements:

 — IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: IFRS 9 will eventually replace IAS 39 in its entirety. The process has been divided into three main components, being 
classification and measurement; impairment; and hedge accounting. In December 2011, the new standard’s mandatory effective date was deferred 
to periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015 and, in November 2012, further “limited” amendments were proposed to the classification and 
measurement requirements. The Group provisionally assesses the potential effect to be immaterial given the majority of its financial assets are 
currently held at fair value through profit or loss.

 — IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements: IFRS 10 establishes principles for the preparation and presentation of consolidated financial statements 
when a reporting entity controls one or more other entities. The new standard replaces the consolidation requirements in SIC-12 Consolidation — Special 
Purpose Entities and IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. The Group, after a provisional examination of the potential impact, 
considers that the standard is unlikely to result in changes to the preparation and presentation of the Group’s subsidiaries, associates or limited 
partnerships. IFRS 10 is effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.

 — IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement: IFRS 13 defines fair value, sets out in a single IFRS a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures 
about fair value measurements. The new standard does not introduce any new requirements to measure an asset or a liability at fair value, change 
what is measured at fair value in IFRSs or address how to present changes in fair value, and as such the Group provisionally anticipates the impact 
to be immaterial. IFRS 13 is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.

None of the other new standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective is expected to have a material effect on the Group’s future 
financial statements.

Basis of consolidation
(i) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits from its 
activities, generally accompanying a shareholding of more than half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of potential voting rights are 
considered when assessing whether the Group controls an entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is established 
by the Group until the date control ceases.

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

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Subsidiaries’ accounting 
policies are amended where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

(ii) Associates
Associates are entities over which the Group has significant influence, but does not control, generally accompanied by a shareholding of between 
20% and 50% of the voting rights.

Investments in associates are held at fair value in the statement of financial position. This treatment is permitted by IAS 28 Investment in Associates, 
which requires investments held by entities that are akin to venture capital organisations to be excluded from its scope where those investments 
are designated, upon initial recognition, as at fair value through profit or loss and accounted for in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement. Changes in fair value of associates are recognised in profit or loss in the period of the change. The Group has 
no interests in associates through which it carries on its business.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

1. Accounting policies continued
Basis of consolidation continued
(iii) Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships (“Limited Partnerships”)
Limited partnerships
Group entities act as general partner and investment manager to the following limited partnerships:

Name

IP Venture Fund (“IPVF”)

Top Technology Ventures IV LP (“TTV IV”)

The North East Technology Fund L.P. (“NETF”)

Interest 
in limited
partnership
%

10.0

1.0

—

The Group receives compensation for its role as investment manager to these limited partnerships including fixed fees and performance fees. 
The directors consider that these amounts are in substance and form “normal market rate” compensation for its role as investment manager. 
In the case of IPVF and TTV IV, the directors consider that the minority limited partnership interests do not create an exposure of such significance 
that it indicates that the Group acts as anything other than agent for the other limited partners in the arrangement. Where appropriate the directors 
also refer to the guidance set out in SIC-12 Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities, for example where there is a narrow and well-defined scope 
of limited partnership operation. As a result, the directors consider that the Group does not have the power to govern the operations of the limited 
partnerships so as to obtain benefits from their activities and accordingly none meet the definition of a subsidiary under IAS 27 Consolidated 
and Separate Financial Statements.

The Group does have the power to exercise significant influence over its limited partnerships and accordingly the Group’s accounting treatment 
for these interests is consistent with that of associates as described above, i.e. in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement and designated as at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition. 

Limited liability partnerships
The Group has a 16.7% interest in the total capital commitments of Technikos LLP (“Technikos”). The general partner and investment manager 
of Technikos are parties external to the Group. 

Portfolio return and revenue 
Change in fair value of equity and debt investments represents revaluation gains and losses on the Group’s portfolio of investments. Gains on 
disposal of equity investments represent the difference between the fair value of consideration received and the carrying value at the start of 
the accounting period on the disposal of equity investments. Change in fair value of limited partnership investments represents revaluation 
gains and losses on the Group’s investments in limited partnership funds. Dividends receivable from equity shares are included within other 
portfolio income and recognised on the ex-dividend date or, where no ex-dividend date is quoted, are recognised when the Group’s right to 
receive payment is established. 

Revenue from services: All revenue from services is generated within the United Kingdom and is stated exclusive of value added tax. Revenue 
from services comprises:

Advisory fees: Fees earned from the provision of business support services are recognised as the related services are provided. Corporate 
finance advisory fees are generally earned as a fixed percentage of total funds raised and recognised at the time the related transaction is 
successfully concluded.

Fund management services: Fiduciary fund management fees are generally earned as a fixed percentage of total funds under management and 
are recognised as the related services are provided.

Property, plant and equipment
All property, plant and equipment is shown at cost less subsequent depreciation and impairment. Cost includes expenditure that is attributable 
to the acquisition of the items. Depreciation on assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of each asset to its residual 
value over its estimated useful life, as follows:

Fixtures and fittings 
–  Over three to five years 
Computer equipment  –  Over three to five years

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.

Intangible assets
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary at the 
date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets and allocated from the acquisition date to each of the 
Group’s cash-generating units (“CGUs”) that are expected to benefit from the business combination. Goodwill may be allocated to CGUs in both 
the acquired business and in the existing business. 

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61

1. Accounting policies continued
Impairment of intangible assets (including goodwill)
Goodwill is not subject to amortisation but is tested for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. Assets that are subject to amortisation are tested for impairment when events or a change in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount 
exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and the value in use. For the 
purposes of assessing impairments, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows (i.e. CGUs).

Financial assets
In respect of regular way purchases or sales, the Group uses trade date accounting to recognise or derecognise financial assets.

Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired or the Group has transferred substantially 
all risks and rewards of ownership.

The Group classifies its financial assets into one of the categories listed below, depending on the purpose for which the asset was acquired. 
None of the Group’s financial assets are categorised as held to maturity or available for sale. 

(i) At fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are either financial assets held for trading or financial assets which are designated at fair 
value through profit or loss on initial recognition. 

This category includes equity investments, debt investments, equity rights, contingent value rights and investments in limited partnerships. 
Investments in associated undertakings which are held by the Group with a view to the ultimate realisation of capital gains are also categorised 
as at fair value through profit or loss. This measurement basis is consistent with the fact that the Group’s performance in respect of investments 
in equity investments, limited partnerships and associated undertakings is evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with an established 
investment strategy. 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognised at fair value and any gains or losses arising from subsequent changes 
in fair value are presented in profit or loss in the statement of comprehensive income in the period which they arise.

The fair values of quoted investments are based on bid prices in an active market at the reporting date.

The fair value of unlisted securities is established using valuation techniques. These include the use of recent arm’s length transactions, discounted 
cash flow analysis and earnings multiples. Wherever possible the Group uses valuation techniques which make maximum use of market-based 
inputs. Accordingly, the valuation methodology used most commonly by the Group is the ‘price of recent investment’ contained in the International 
Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines (the “IPEVCV Guidelines”) endorsed by the British & European Venture Capital Associations. 
The following considerations are used when calculating the fair value of unlisted securities:

Cost
Where the investment being valued was itself made recently, its cost may provide a good indication of fair value unless there is objective 
evidence that the investment has since been impaired, such as observable data suggesting a deterioration of the financial, technical, or 
commercial performance of the underlying business.

Price of recent investment
The Group considers that fair value estimates that are based entirely on observable market data will be of greater reliability than those based 
on assumptions and, accordingly, where there has been any recent investment by third parties, the price of that investment will generally 
provide a basis of the valuation. The length of period for which it remains appropriate to use the price of recent investment depends on the 
specific circumstances of the investment and the stability of the external environment. During this period the Group considers whether any 
changes or events subsequent to the transaction would imply a change in the fair value of the investment may be required.

Given the nature of the Group’s investments in seed, start-up and early-stage companies where there are often no current and no short-term 
future earnings or positive cash flows it can be difficult to gauge the probability and financial impact of the success or failure of development 
or research activities and to make reliable cash flow forecasts. Consequently, the most appropriate approach to determine fair value is a methodology 
that is based on market data, that being the price of a recent investment. Where the Group considers that the price of recent investment, unadjusted, 
is no longer relevant and there are limited or no comparable companies or transactions from which to infer value, the Group carries out an enhanced 
assessment based on milestone analysis and/or industry and sector analysis. In applying the milestone analysis approach to investments in 
companies in early or development stages the Group seeks to determine whether there is an indication of change in fair value based on a 
consideration of performance against any milestones that were set at the time of the original investment decision, as well as taking into 
consideration the key market drivers of the investee company and the overall economic environment. 

Where the Group considers that there is an indication that the fair value has changed, an estimation is made of the required amount of any 
adjustment from the last price of recent investment. Wherever possible, this adjustment is based on objective data from the investee company 
and the experience and judgement of the Group; however, any adjustment is, by its very nature, subjective. Where a deterioration in value has 
occurred, the Group reduces the carrying value of the investment to reflect the estimated decrease. If there is evidence of value creation the 
Group may consider increasing the carrying value of the investment; however, in the absence of additional financing rounds or profit generation 
it can be difficult to determine the value that a purchaser may place on positive developments given the potential outcome and the costs and 
risks to achieving that outcome and accordingly caution is applied. 

Factors that the Group considers include, inter alia, technical measures such as product development phases and patent approvals, financial 
measures such as cash burn rate and profitability expectations, and market and sales measures such as testing phases, product launches and 
market introduction. 

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Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

1. Accounting policies continued
Financial assets continued
(i) At fair value through profit or loss continued
Other valuation techniques
If there is no readily ascertainable value from following the “price of recent investment” methodology, or there is objective evidence that a 
deterioration in fair value has occurred since a relevant transaction, the Group considers alternative methodologies in the IPEVCV Guidelines, 
such as discounted cash flows (”DCF”) or price-earnings multiples. DCF involves estimating the fair value of a business by calculating the present 
value of expected future cash flows, based on the most recent forecasts in respect of the underlying business. Given the difficulty of producing 
reliable cash flow forecasts for seed, start-up and early-stage companies as described above, this methodology is generally used as a confirmatory 
indicator of the level of any adjustment that may need to be made to the last price of recent investment. 

When using the earnings multiple methodology, earnings before interest and tax (“EBIT”) are generally used, adjusted to a maintainable level. 
A suitable earnings multiple is derived from an equivalent business or group of businesses, for which the average price-earnings multiple for the 
relevant sector index can generally be considered a suitable proxy. This multiple is applied to earnings to derive an enterprise value which is then 
discounted by up to 60% for non-marketability and other risks inherent to businesses in early stages of operation. 

No reliable estimate
Where a fair value cannot be estimated reliably the investment is reported at the carrying value at the previous reporting date unless there 
is objective evidence that the investment has since been impaired.

(ii) Loans and receivables
These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed and determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise 
principally through the provision of services to customers (trade receivables) and are carried at cost less provision for impairment.

Fair value hierarchy
The Group classifies financial assets using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the related fair value 
measurements. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a financial asset is classified is determined on the basis of the lowest level input 
that is significant to that assets fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, such as prices from market transactions.

Level 3 – One or more inputs that are not based on observable market data.

Equity rights
Equity rights represent consideration paid to the University of Oxford between December 2000 and June 2001. 

In return for the non-refundable, non-interest-bearing advance totalling £20.1m, the Group has the right to receive from the university the 
following over its 15-year term:

 — 50% of the university’s equity shares in any spin-out company created based on intellectual property created by academics that are considered 

to be part of the chemistry department (i.e. equity instruments in unlisted companies); and 

 — 50% of the university’s share of any cash payments received by the university from parties who have licensed intellectual property created 

by academics that are considered to be part of the chemistry department.

The contract expires on 23 November 2015.

Since the arrangement gives the Group contractual rights only to the receipt of shares in unlisted spin-out companies or cash it is considered 
to be a derivative financial asset and is designated as at fair value through profit and loss.

Debt investments
Debt investments are generally unquoted debt instruments which are convertible to equity at a future point in time. Such instruments are 
considered to be hybrid instruments containing a fixed rate debt host contract with an embedded equity derivative. The Group designates the 
entire hybrid contract at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition and, accordingly, the embedded derivative is not separated from 
the host contract and accounted for separately. The fair value of debt investments is established by calculating the present value of expected 
future cash flows associated with the instrument.

Contingent value rights
In instances where the Group receives contingent financial consideration upon the disposal of a financial asset, the resulting asset shall 
be recognised and designated as at fair value through profit and loss, and treated accordingly.

Deposits
Deposits comprise longer-term deposits held with financial institutions with an original maturity of greater than three months.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and short-term deposits held with financial institutions with an original maturity of three months 
or less.

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1. Accounting policies continued
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are comprised of trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, which are recognised at amortised cost.

Unless otherwise indicated, the carrying amounts of the Group’s financial liabilities are a reasonable approximation to their fair value.

Share capital
Financial instruments issued by the Group are treated as equity if the holders have only a residual interest in the Group’s assets after deducting 
all liabilities. The objective of the Group is to manage capital so as to provide shareholders with above average returns through capital growth 
over the medium to long term. The Group considers its capital to comprise its share capital, share premium, merger reserve and retained earnings.

Top Technology Ventures Limited, a Group subsidiary, is subject to external capital requirements imposed by the Financial Services Authority 
(“FSA”) and as such must ensure that it has sufficient capital to satisfy these requirements. The Group ensures it remains compliant with these 
requirements as described in the financial statements of Top Technology Ventures Limited.

Contract costs
Contract costs comprise related costs to secure university partnership arrangements and these costs are amortised over the life of the 
respective partnership.

Operating segments
An operating segment is a group of assets and operations which are identified on the basis of internal reports that are regularly reviewed 
by the Board, which analyse components of the Group in order to allocate resources to the segment and to assess its performance.

Employee benefits
(i) Pension obligations
The Group operates a company defined-contribution pension scheme for which all employees are eligible. The assets of the scheme are held 
separately from those of the Group in independently administered funds. The Group currently makes contributions on behalf of staff to this 
scheme or to employee personal pension schemes on an individual basis. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions 
have been paid. The contributions are recognised as employee benefit expenses when they are due.

(ii) Share-based payments
The Group engages in equity-settled share-based payment transactions in respect of services receivable from employees, by granting employees 
conditional awards of ordinary shares subject to certain vesting conditions. 

Conditional awards of shares are made pursuant to the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) awards. The fair value of the shares is 
estimated at the date of grant, taking into account the terms and conditions of the award, including market-based performance conditions. 

The difference between the fair value of the employee services received in respect of the shares granted and the price payable is recognised 
as an expense over the appropriate performance and vesting period. The corresponding credit is recognised in retained earnings within total 
equity. The fair value of services is calculated using the market value on the date of award and is adjusted for expected and actual levels of vesting. 
Where conditional awards of shares lapse the expense recognised to date is credited to the statement of comprehensive income in the year in 
which they lapse.

Where the terms for an equity-settled award are modified, and the modification increases the total fair value of the share-based payment, 
or is otherwise beneficial to the employee at the date of modification, the incremental fair value is amortised over the vesting period.

Deferred tax
Full provision is made for deferred tax on all temporary differences resulting from the carrying value of an asset or liability and its tax base. 
Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and are expected 
to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or deferred tax liability settled. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that 
it is probable that the deferred tax asset will be recovered in the future.

Leases
Leases where the lessor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as operating leases. Payments made under 
operating leases are charged to administrative expenses in the statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2. Financial risk management
As noted in the Principal risks and uncertainties section on page 39, the Group is exposed, through its normal operations, to a number of financial 
risks, the most significant of which are market, liquidity and credit risks. 

In general, risk management is carried out throughout the Group under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The following further 
describes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative 
information in respect of these risks is presented throughout these financial statements.

(a) Market risk
(i) Price risk
The Group is exposed to equity securities price risk as a result of the equity and debt investments, and investments in limited partnerships held 
by the Group and categorised as at fair value through profit or loss.

The Group mitigates this risk by having established investment appraisal processes and asset monitoring procedures which are subject to overall 
review by the Board. The Group has also established capital markets and communications teams dedicated to supporting portfolio companies 
with fundraising activities and investor relations.

The Group holds investments which are publicly traded on AIM or ISDX and investments which are not traded on an active market.

The net increase in fair value of the Group’s equity investments during 2012 of £38.0m represents a 31% change against the opening balance 
(2011: net increase of £0.9m, 1%) and a similar increase or decrease in the prices of quoted and unquoted investments is considered to be reasonably 
possible. The table below summarises the impact of a 1% increase/decrease in the price of both quoted and unquoted investments on the Group’s 
post-tax profit for the year and on equity.

2012

2011

Equity investments and investments in limited partnerships

0.8

1.0

Quoted
£m

Unquoted
£m

Total
£m

1.8

Quoted
£m

Unquoted
£m

0.5

0.8

Total
£m

1.3

(ii) Interest rate risk
As the Group has no significant borrowings it has only a limited interest rate risk. The primary impact to the Group is the impact on income 
and operating cash flow as a result of the interest-bearing deposits and cash and cash equivalents held by the Group.

The Group mitigates this risk, in co-ordination with liquidity risk, by managing its proportion of fixed to floating rate financial assets. 
The table below summarises the interest rate profile of the Group.

Financial assets

Equity rights

Equity investments

Debt investments

Contingent value rights

Deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Other financial assets

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Financial liabilities

Trade payables

Other accruals and deferred income

2012

2011

Fixed
rate 
£m

Floating 
rate
£m

Interest 
free
£m

—

—

3.0

—

32.5

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

15.4

—

—

—

7.9

177.9

0.9

1.4

—

—

0.7

0.4

0.5

Total
£m

7.9

177.9

3.9

1.4

32.5

15.4

0.7

0.4

0.5

Fixed 
rate
£m

Floating 
rate
£m

Interest 
free
£m

—

—

2.8

—

50.0

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10.5

—

—

—

13.9

120.4

0.6

—

—

—

0.7

0.3

0.9

Total
£m

13.9

120.4

3.4

—

50.0

10.5

0.7

0.3

0.9

35.5

15.4

189.7

240.6

52.8

10.5

136.8

200.1

—

—

—

—

—

—

(0.1)

(0.3)

(0.4)

(0.1)

(0.3)

(0.4)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(0.1)

(0.5)

(0.6)

(0.1)

(0.5)

(0.6)

At 31 December 2012, if interest rates had been 1% higher/lower, post-tax profit for the year, and other components of equity, would have been 
£0.2m (2011: £0.1m) higher/lower as a result of higher interest received on floating rate cash deposits. 

(b) Liquidity risk
The Group seeks to manage liquidity risk, to ensure sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely 
and profitably. Accordingly the Group only invests working capital in short-term instruments issued by reputable counterparties. The Group 
continually monitors rolling cash flow forecasts to ensure sufficient cash is available for anticipated cash requirements.

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2. Financial risk management continued
(c) Credit risk
The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its deposits, cash and cash equivalents, debt investments and trade receivables. The Group 
seeks to mitigate its credit risk on cash and cash equivalents by making short-term deposits with counterparties, or by investing in treasury funds 
with an “AA” credit rating or above managed by institutions. Short-term deposit counterparties are required to have most recently reported 
total assets in excess of £3bn and, where applicable, a prime short-term credit rating at the time of investment (ratings are generally determined 
by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s). Moody’s prime credit ratings of “P1”, “P2” and “P3” indicate respectively that the rating agency considers the 
counterparty to have a “superior”, “strong” or “acceptable” ability to repay short-term debt obligations (generally defined as having an original 
maturity not exceeding 13 months). An analysis of the Group’s deposits and cash and cash equivalents balance analysed by credit rating as at the 
reporting date is shown in the table below. All other financial assets are unrated. 

Credit rating

P1

P2

AA

Total deposits and cash and cash equivalents

2012
£m

14.8

30.6

2.5

47.9 

2011
£m

52.9

5.0

2.6

60.5

The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers. The Group 
has detailed policies and strategies which seek to minimise these associated risks, including defining maximum counterparty exposure limits for 
term deposits based on their perceived financial strength at the commencement of the deposit. The maximum single counterparty limit for deposits 
at 31 December 2012 was £10m (2011: £10m). 

The Group’s exposure to credit risk on debt investments is managed in a similar way to equity price risk, as described above, through the Group’s 
investment appraisal processes and asset monitoring procedures which are subject to overall review by the Board.

The maximum exposure to credit risk for debt investments, receivables and other financial assets is represented by their carrying amount.

3. Significant accounting estimates and judgements
The directors make judgements and estimates concerning the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on 
historical experience and other factors, such as expectations of future events, and are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 
Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and assumptions that have the most significant effects on the carrying amounts 
of the assets and liabilities in the financial statements are discussed below.

(i) Impairment of goodwill
The Group is required to test, at least annually, whether goodwill has suffered any impairment. The recoverable amount is determined using 
value-in-use calculations. The use of this method requires the estimation of future cash flows and the selection of a suitable discount rate in 
order to calculate the present value of these cash flows.

(ii) Equity rights
On initial recognition, the equity rights arrangement was considered in substance to be a derivative financial asset. This conclusion was reached 
after considering that the asset’s value changes in response to a change in an “underlying”, being the number and value of spin-out companies 
created, the net investment was considered to be smaller than would be expected for other contracts with similar response to changes in market 
factors and it is to be settled at a future date. 

As the asset is not quoted on an active market the fair value is determined using valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. The asset 
has historically been held at cost since no reliable estimate of fair value could be reached. At 31 December 2012 the information available to the 
directors and the time remaining in the contract produced a sufficiently accurate estimate of fair value at balance sheet date. In the discounted 
cash flow model the directors considered the historic asset performance, the spin-out pipeline and available economic data to estimate the unobservable 
inputs. Those inputs include the average spin-out rate and the projected cash flows on IPO or trade sale from anticipated spin-out opportunities. 
The discount rate used for valuing the equity rights asset is determined based on the Group’s cost of capital. 

(iii) Valuation of unquoted equity investments
The judgements required in order to determine the appropriate valuation methodology of unquoted equity investments have a significant risk 
of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. These judgements include making assessments of the future 
earnings potential of portfolio companies, appropriate earnings multiples to apply, and marketability and other risk discounts.

Discussion of sensitivity analyses is included in the relevant note for each of the above estimates and judgements.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

4. Revenue from services
All revenue from services is derived from the provision of advisory and venture capital fund management services.

5. Operating segments
For both the year ended 31 December 2012 and the year ended 31 December 2011 the Group’s revenue and profit/loss before taxation were 
derived entirely from its principal activity within the UK and accordingly no additional geographical disclosures are given. For management 
reporting purposes, the Group is currently organised into three operating segments: (i) the commercialisation of intellectual property via the 
formation of long-term partnerships with universities; (ii) management of venture funds focusing on early-stage UK technology companies; and 
(iii) the in-licensing of drugable intellectual property from research intensive institutions. These activities are described in further detail in the 
Business review on pages 10 to 29.

Year ended 31 December 2012

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Portfolio return and revenue

Change in fair value of equity and debt investments 

Profit on disposal of equity investments

Change in fair value of limited and limited partnership interests

Revenue from advisory services

Revenue from fund management services

Change in fair value of Oxford Equity Rights asset

Administrative expenses

Operating profit/(loss)

Finance income – interest receivable

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Taxation

Profit/(loss)and total comprehensive income for the year

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Assets

Liabilities

Net assets

Other segment items

Capital expenditure

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangible assets

University
partnership
business
£m

Venture
capital fund
management
£m

In-licensing
activity 
£m

Consolidated
£m

38.0

11.8

0.4

0.5

—

(6.0)

(5.6)

39.1

0.9

40.0

—

40.0

257.9

(0.2)

257.7

0.1

0.1

—

—

—

—

0.4

1.4

—

(0.7)

1.1

—

1.1

—

1.1

5.6

(0.2)

5.4

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(0.4)

(0.4)

—

(0.4)

—

(0.4)

—

—

—

—

—

—

38.0

11.8

0.4

0.9

1.4

(6.0)

(6.7)

39.8

0.9

40.7

—

40.7

263.5

(0.4)

263.1

0.1

0.1

—

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

67

5. Operating segments continued

Year ended 31 December 2011

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Portfolio return and revenue

Change in fair value of equity and debt investments

Profit on disposal of equity investments

Change in fair value of limited and limited liability partnership interests

Revenue from advisory services

Revenue from fund management services

Change in fair value of Oxford Equity Rights asset

Administrative expenses

Operating (loss)/profit

Finance income – interest receivable

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Taxation

(Loss)/profit and total comprehensive income for the year

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Assets

Liabilities

Net assets

Other segment items

Capital expenditure

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangible assets

6. Auditor’s remuneration
Details of the auditor’s remuneration are set out below:

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts 

The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries, pursuant to legislation 

Total fees for audit services

Audit-related assurance services 

Total assurance services

Tax compliance services 

Taxation advisory services

Corporate finance service 

All other services 

Total non-assurance services

University
partnership
business
£m

Venture
capital fund
management
£m

In-licensing
activity 
£m

Consolidated
£m

0.9

2.3

0.6

0.6

—

(6.0)

(4.9)

(6.5)

0.6

(5.9)

—

(5.9)

217.4

(0.4)

217.0

—

0.1

—

—

—

—

—

1.5

—

(0.7)

0.8

—

0.8

—

0.8

4.7

(0.1)

4.6

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(0.4)

(0.4)

—

(0.4)

—

(0.4)

0.1

(0.1)

—

—

—

—

0.9

2.3

0.6

0.6

1.5

(6.0)

(6.0)

(6.1)

0.6

(5.5)

—

(5.5)

222.2

(0.6)

221.6

—

0.1

—

2012
£000

2011
£000

64

34

98

21

119

44

28

—

7

79

198

64

39

103

17

120

38

38

87

—

163

283

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68

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

7. Profit/(loss) from operations
Profit/(loss) from operations has been arrived at after charging:

Depreciation of tangible assets

Employee costs (see note 8)

Operating leases – property

Profit on disposal of equity investments

8. Employee costs
Employee costs (including directors) comprise:

Salaries

Defined-contribution pension cost

Share-based payment charge (see note 21)

Social security

2012
£m

0.1 

4.0 

0.2 

11.8

2012
£m

2.7 

0.1 

0.8 

0.4

4.0

2011
£m

0.1

3.6

0.4

2.3

2011
£m

2.5

0.1

0.7

0.3

3.6

The average monthly number of persons (including executive directors) employed by the Group during the year was 34, all of whom were involved 
in management and administration activities (2011: 34). Details of directors’ remuneration can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
on pages 42 to 49.

9. Taxation

Current tax

Deferred tax

The amount for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the statement of comprehensive income as follows:

Profit/(loss) before tax

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 24.5% (2011: 26%)

Non-taxable income

Movement in tax losses arising not recognised

Other adjustments

Tax credit

2012
£m

—

—

2012
£m

40.7

10.0

(7.2)

(2.8)

—

—

2011
£m

—

—

2011
£m

(5.5)

(1.4)

(0.3)

1.7

—

—

At 31 December 2012, deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised totalled £22.6m 
(2011: £35.2m). An analysis is shown below:

Share-based payment costs

Unused tax losses

2012

2011
With rate change and 
prior year adjustment

2011

Amount
£m

Deferred tax
£m

Amount
£m

Deferred tax
£m

Amount
£m

Deferred tax
£m

—

44.7

44.7

—

10.7

10.7

33.8

33.8

8.1

8.1

—

35.2

35.2

—

8.8

8.8

This asset has not been recognised in the financial statements due to current uncertainties surrounding the reversal of the underlying temporary 
differences. This deferred tax asset would be recovered if there were future taxable profits from which the reversal of the underlying temporary 
difference could be deducted.

The directors believe that the Group qualifies for Substantial Shareholder Exemption and therefore no deferred tax is provided for in respect 
of the net uplift in valuation of the Group’s equity investments.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

69

10. Earnings per share
Earnings

Earnings for the purposes of basic and dilutive earnings per share

Number of shares

2012
£m

40.7

2011
£m

(5.5)

2012
Number of
shares

2011
Number of
shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share

 365,763,664

313,325,308

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares:

  Long Term Incentive Plan

 14,142,480 

—

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share

 379,906,144 

313,325,308

The Group has only one class of potentially dilutive ordinary share. These are contingently issuable shares arising under the Group LTIP. 

Had the Group made a profit in the prior year the number of potentially dilutive shares outstanding at the period ending 31 December 2011 that 
would have been considered when calculating the diluted earnings per share was 8,527,902 shares.

11. Goodwill

At 1 January 2011

At 1 January 2012

At 31 December 2012

£m

18.4

18.4

18.4

The recoverable amount of the above goodwill has been determined from value-in-use calculations on cash flow projections from formally approved 
budgets in respect of the relevant CGU, covering the remaining life of the related funds under management or university partnerships.

The goodwill allocated to each CGU is summarised in the following table:

University partnership CGU

Fund management CGU

Impairment review of venture capital fund management CGU
The following key assumptions have been used to determine value in use:

Discount rate

Number of funds under management

Management fee

Cost inflation

2012 
£m

16.3

2.1

18.4

2011 
£m

16.3

2.1

18.4

2012

9%–11%

3

2%–3.5%

4%

2011

8%–10%

3

1%–3.5%

4%

The assumptions above reflect past experience. All reasonably possible changes to key assumptions do not result in the recoverable amount 
being less than the carrying value of goodwill.

About IP Group

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70

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

11. Goodwill continued
Impairment review of the university partnership CGU
For the purposes of impairment testing, the university partnership CGU comprises those cash flows connected with the Group’s university partnership 
business other than those that specifically relate to the Group’s contract with the University of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry (see note 14). 
The directors consider that for each of the key variables which would be relevant in determining a value in use for the university partnership CGU, 
there is a range of reasonably possible alternative values. The key variable ranges are set out below:

Number of spin-out companies per year 

Initial equity stake acquired by the Group under the university partnership

Proportion of spin-out companies failing

Dilution rates prior to exit as a result of financing for spin-out companies 

Proportion of IPO exits

IPO exit valuations

Proportion of disposal exits

Disposal valuations

Discount rate

2012

4–8

12%–30%

30%–45%

40%–60%

25%–35%

£20m–£40m

25%–35%

£10m–£30m

8%–12%

2011

2–10

12%–30%

20%–40%

35%–60%

30%–45%

£20m–£40m

30%–50%

£10m–£30m

8%–12%

These key variable ranges result in a wide range of value-in-use estimates for the university partnership CGU. None of these estimates of value in use 
is considered more appropriate or relevant than any other and none indicate that an impairment of the goodwill allocated to the CGU is required. 

12. Property, plant and equipment

Cost

At 1 January 2012

Additions

At 31 December 2012

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2012

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

Cost

At 1 January 2011

Additions

At 31 December 2011

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2011

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2011

Net book value

At 31 December 2011

At 31 December 2010

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Total
£m

0.8

0.2

1.0

0.6

0.1

0.7

0.3

0.2

0.8

—

0.8

0.5

0.1

0.6

0.2

0.3

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

71

13. Categorisation of financial instruments

Financial assets

At 31 December 2012

Equity rights

Equity investments

Debt investments

Other financial assets

Contingent value rights

Limited and limited liability partnership interests 

Trade and other receivables

Deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

At 31 December 2011

Equity rights

Equity investments

Debt investments

Other financial assets

Limited and limited liability partnership interests

Trade and other receivables

Deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

At fair value through 
profit or loss

Held for 
trading 
£m

Designated 
upon initial 
recognition 
£m

Loans and 
receivables 
£m

7.9 

 — 

 — 

0.7 

—

—

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

177.9 

3.9 

 — 

1.4

4.0

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

—

—

0.9 

32.5 

15.4 

Total 
£m

7.9 

177.9 

3.9 

0.7 

1.4

4.0

0.9 

32.5 

15.4 

8.6

187.2 

48.8 

244.6 

13.9

—

—

0.7

—

—

—

—

—

120.4

3.4

—

3.3

—

—

—

14.6

127.1

—

—

—

—

—

1.2

50.0

10.5

61.7

13.9

120.4

3.4

0.7

3.3

1.2

50.0

10.5

203.4

All financial liabilities are categorised as other financial liabilities and recognised at amortised cost. 

The Group does not consider that any change in fair value of financial assets in the year is attributable to credit risk (2011: £nil). 

All net fair value gains in the year are attributable to financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition 
(2011: all net fair value gains attributable to financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition).

14. Equity rights and related contract costs

Cost

Equity rights
£m

Contract
costs
£m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012

19.9

0.5

20.4

Aggregate amortisation and change in fair value of contract costs

At 1 January 2012

Change in fair value during the year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

(6.0)

(6.0)

(12.0)

7.9 

13.9 

(0.3)

—

(0.3)

0.2

0.2

(6.3)

(6.0)

(12.3)

8.1

14.1

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72

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

14. Equity rights and related contract costs continued

Cost

At 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011

Aggregate amortisation and change in fair value of contract costs

At 1 January 2011

Change in fair value during the year

At 31 December 2011

Net book value

At 31 December 2011

At 31 December 2010

Equity rights
£m

Contract
costs
£m

Total
£m

19.9

0.5

20.4

—

(6.0)

(6.0)

13.9

19.9

(0.3)

—

(0.3)

0.2

0.2

(0.3)

(6.0)

(6.3)

14.1

20.1

Carrying amount of equity rights
Equity rights represent consideration paid to the University of Oxford between December 2000 and June 2001. 

In return for the non-refundable, non-interest-bearing advance totalling £20.1m, the Group has the right to receive from the University the 
following over its 15-year term:

 — 50% of the university’s equity shares in any spin-out company created based on intellectual property created by academics that are considered 

to be part of the chemistry department (i.e. equity instruments in unlisted companies); and 

 — 50% of the university’s share of any cash payments received by the university from parties who have licensed intellectual property created 

by academics that are considered to be part of the chemistry department.

The contract expires on 23 November 2015.

The directors consider that for each of the key variables which would be relevant in determining a fair value for this financial instrument, there 
is a range of reasonably possible alternative values. The key variable ranges are set out below:

Number of spin-out companies per year from University of Oxford chemistry department

Initial equity stake acquired by the Group under the equity rights contract

Proportion of spin-out companies failing

Dilution rates prior to exit as a result of financing for spin-out companies 

Proportion of IPO exits

IPO exit valuations

Proportion of disposal exits

Disposal valuations

Discount rate

2012

1–2

20%–25%

30%–40%

35%–60%

30%–40%

£30m–£50m

25%–35%

£30m–£40m

9%–11%

2011

1–3

20%–25%

20%–30%

35%–60%

30%–40%

£30m–£50m

30%–50%

£20m–£40m

8%–10%

These key variable ranges result in a wide range of fair value estimates for the equity rights agreement, from £4.6m to £10.6m using a range 
of reasonably possible variables, with the number of spin-outs being the variable giving rise to the widest variation in estimated fair values. 
In order to calculate a more accurate valuation figure given the multitude of reliable scenarios generated when altering the discounted cash 
flows (“DCF”) variables, a probability weighting expected return method is utilised. Having applied probabilities to the various possible scenarios, 
the method returned an estimated asset value of £7.9m at 31 December 2012. 

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

73

15. Investment portfolio

Group

At 1 January 2012

Investments during the year

Transaction-based reclassifications during the year

Other transfers between hierarchy levels during the year

Disposals

Change in fair value in the year

At 31 December 2012

At 1 January 2011

Investments during the year

Transaction-based reclassifications during the year

Other transfers between hierarchy levels during the year

Disposals

Change in fair value in the year

At 31 December 2011

 Level 1

 Level 2

Level 3

Equity 
investments 
in quoted 
spin-out
companies
£m

Equity 
investments 
in unquoted 
spin-out 
companies
£m

Unquoted 
debt 
investments in 
spin-out 
companies
£m

Equity 
investments 
in unquoted 
spin-out 
companies
£m

50.0 

8.5 

3.5 

—

(5.4)

28.0 

47.9 

14.5 

(2.6)

(1.2)

—

27.9 

84.6 

86.5 

49.0

6.3

1.0

—

(1.0)

(5.3)

50.0

34.2

6.5

0.3

0.8

(0.4)

6.5

47.9

3.4 

2.6 

(1.2)

—

(0.1)

(0.8)

3.9 

3.7

1.5

(1.2)

(0.4)

—

(0.2)

3.4

Total
£m

123.8 

26.3 

—

—

(6.3)

38.0 

181.8 

110.0

14.3

—

—

(1.4)

0.9

22.5 

0.7 

0.3 

1.2 

(0.8)

(17.1)

6.8 

23.1

—

(0.1)

(0.4)

—

(0.1)

22.5

123.8

Fair values of unquoted spin-out companies classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy have been determined in part or in full by valuation 
techniques that are not supported by observable market prices or rates. Investments in 25 companies have been classified as Level 3 and the 
individual valuations for each of these have been arrived at using a variety of valuation techniques and assumptions. However, if the assumptions 
used in the valuation techniques for the Group’s holding in each company are varied by using a range of possible alternatives, there is no material 
difference to the carrying value of the respective spin-out company.

The net increase in fair value for the year of £38.0m (2011: £0.9m) includes a net increase of £9.9m (2011: £6.3m) that has been estimated using 
a valuation technique. Further details are contained within the accounting policy for equity investments.

Change in fair value in the year

Fair value gains

Fair value losses

The Company’s interests in subsidiary undertakings are listed in note 2 of the Company’s financial statements.

16. Trade and other receivables

Trade debtors

Prepayments

Other receivables

2012
£m

64.5

(26.5)

38.0

2012
£m

0.4

0.2

0.3

0.9

2011
£m

13.6

(12.7)

0.9

2011
£m

0.3

0.2

0.7

1.2

The directors consider the carrying amount of trade and other receivables to approximate their fair value. All receivables are interest free, 
repayable on demand and unsecured. 

About IP Group

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74

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

17. Other financial asset
Other financial asset comprises a zero-cost forward contract giving the Group the right to receive sale proceeds when University of Leeds sells 
down its stake in specified spin-out companies subject to a maximum receivable of £0.7m (2011: £0.7m). The asset has no set date of repayment 
or other rights of recourse. This asset is classified as a financial asset held for trading initially measured at fair value with subsequent changes 
recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. Fair value is determined by discounting expected cash flows at prevailing market rates 
of interest and accordingly, the Group considers this asset to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy throughout the current and previous financial years.

18. Contingent value rights
As a result of the disposal of Proximagen Group plc in August 2012, the Group received contingent consideration, in the form of contingent value 
rights (“CVRs”), based upon future net revenues of two associated drug programmes. In line with the Group’s policies, these have been recognised 
as financial assets at fair value through profit and loss, and has been fair valued at £1.4m. 

19. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Social security expenses 

Other accruals and deferred income 

20. Share capital

Issued and fully paid:

365,763,664 ordinary shares of 2p each (2011: 365,763,664 ordinary shares of 2p each)

2012
£m

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.4

2012
£m

7.3

2011
£m

0.2

0.1

0.3

0.6

2011
£m

7.3

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry equal voting rights, equal rights to income and distributions of assets on liquidation 
or otherwise, and no right to fixed income. 

21. Operating lease arrangements

Payments under operating leases recognised in the statement of comprehensive income for the year

2012
£m

0.4

2011
£m

0.4

At the reporting date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, 
which fall due as follows:

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

2012
£m

0.3

0.9

1.2

2011
£m

0.3

1.2

1.5

Operating lease payments represent rentals and other charges payable by the Group for certain of its office properties. Leases are negotiated 
for an average term of five years and rentals are fixed for an average of one year.

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

75

22. Share-based payments
Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) awards 
Awards under the LTIP take the form of conditional awards of ordinary shares of 2p each in the Group which vest over the prescribed performance 
period to the extent that performance conditions have been met. The Remuneration Committee imposes objective conditions on the vesting of 
awards and these take into consideration the guidance of the Group’s institutional investors from time to time. Further information on the Group’s 
LTIP is set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report set out on pages 42 to 49. 

The 2012 LTIP awards will ordinarily vest on 31 March 2015, to the extent that the performance conditions have been met. The awards are based 
on the performance of Group’s Hard NAV and TSR. Both performance measures are combined into a matrix format to most appropriately measure 
performance relative to the business, as shown in the Directors’ Remuneration report on page 44. The total award is subject to an underpin based 
on the relative performance of the Group’s TSR to that of the FTSE Small Cap index, which can reduce the awards by up to 50%. The matrix is 
designed such that up to 100% of the award (prior to the application of the underpin) will vest in full in the event of both Hard NAV increasing 
by 15% per year on a cumulative basis from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014 and TSR increasing by 15% per year on a cumulative basis 
from the date of award to 31 March 2015, using an industry-standard average price period at the beginning and end of the performance period. 
Further, the matrix is designed such that 30% of the award shall vest (again prior to the application of the underpin) if the cumulative increase 
is 8% per annum for both measures over their respective performance periods (“threshold performance”). A straight-line sliding scale is applied 
for performance between the distinct points on the matrix of vesting targets.

The 2011 LTIP awards will ordinarily vest on 31 March 2014, to the extent that the performance conditions have been met. Deloitte LLP provided 
independent external advice to the Remuneration Committee on the appropriate performance conditions to attach to the 2011 LTIP awards based 
on its experience of current market practice. The vesting criteria relating to the 2012 awards, as described above, were designed using the same 
matrix structure, together with the FTSE Small Cap index underpin, as was used for the 2011 LTIP awards.

The 2010 LTIP awards will ordinarily vest on 31 March 2013, to the extent that the performance conditions have been met. 50% of the awards are 
based on the performance of Group’s Hard NAV and 50% are based on the Group’s share price performance. The portion subject to Hard NAV 
performance shall vest in full in the event of Hard NAV increasing by 15% per year on a cumulative basis from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012, 
whilst 50% of that portion shall vest if the cumulative increase is 8% per annum over this time period. The portion subject to the Group’s share 
price performance shall vest in full in the event of the Group’s share price being equal to or exceeding 67p on 31 December 2012, whilst 50% of 
that portion shall vest if the Group’s share price is 60p on this date. A straight-line sliding scale is applied for performance between the vesting 
targets detailed above. Based on the Group’s share price and Hard NAV at 31 December 2012, approximately 81% of the 2010 awards are 
anticipated to vest during 2013.

The movement in the number of shares notionally awarded under the LTIP is set out below:

At 1 January

Forfeited during the year

Notionally awarded during the year

At 31 December

2012

2011

17,055,803

(767,746)

1,712,866

18,000,923

13,079,059

(826,293)

4,803,037

17,055,803

The fair value of awards made during each of the following years has been calculated using a Monte-Carlo pricing model with the following 
key assumptions:

Share price at date of award

Exercise price

Fair value at grant date

Expected volatility (median of historical 50-day moving average)

Expected life (years)

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free interest rate

2012

£1.355

£nil

£0.38

35%

2.75

0%

1.1%

2011

£0.54

£nil

£0.17

35%

2.50

0%

1.0%

The fair value charge recognised in the statement of comprehensive income during the year in respect of LTIP share awards was £0.8m (2011: £0.7m).

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

76

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

23. Limited and limited liability partnership interests

At 1 January 2011

Additions during the year

Change in fair value during the year

At 1 January 2012

Additions during the year

Realisations in the year

Change in fair value during the year

At 31 December 2012

£m

1.9

0.8

0.6

3.3

0.4

(0.1)

0.4

4.0

The Group considers interests in limited and limited liability partnerships to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy throughout the current and 
previous financial years.

24. Related party transactions
The Group has various related parties arising from its key management, subsidiaries, equity stakes in portfolio companies and management 
of certain limited partnership funds.

a) Limited partnerships
The Group manages a number of investment funds structured as limited partnerships. Group entities have a limited partnership interest (see note 1) 
and act as the general partners of these limited partnerships. The Group therefore has power to exert significant influence over these limited 
partnerships. The following amounts have been included in respect of these limited partnerships:

Statement of comprehensive income

Revenue from services

Statement of financial position

Investment in limited partnerships

Amounts due from related parties

2012
£m

1.4

2012
£m

2.8

—

b) Key management transactions
The key management had investments in the following spin-out companies as at 31 December 2012:

Director

Company name

Alan Aubrey

Amaethon Limited – A Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – B Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – Ordinary Shares

Avacta Group plc

Capsant Neurotechnologies Limited

Chamelic Limited

Crysalin Limited

EmDot Limited

Evocutis plc

Getech Group plc

Green Chemicals plc

Icona Solutions Limited

Ilika plc

Karus Therapeutics Limited

Mode Diagnostics Limited

Modern Biosciences plc

Modern Water plc

Number of 
shares held at 
1 January 2012 

Number of shares 
acquired/(disposed) 

in the period

Number of 
shares held at 
31 December 2012

104

11,966

21

— 

 — 

 — 

 104 

11,966 

 21 

13,276,113

 7,000,000 

 20,276,113 

11,631

26

1,447

15

767,310

15,000

108,350

1,674

117,500

223

1,863

1,185,150

519,269

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 1,363 

 — 

 — 

 11,631 

 26 

 1,447 

 15 

 767,310 

 15,000 

 108,350 

 1,674 

 117,500 

 223 

 3,226 

 1,185,150 

 519,269 

2011
£m

1.5

2011
£m

2.1

—

%

3.1%

1.0%

0.3%

0.6%

0.8%

0.4%

0.1%

0.9%

0.4%

0.1%

0.9%

0.6%

0.2%

0.1%

0.4%

2.1%

0.9%

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

77

24. Related party transactions continued
b) Key management transactions continued

Director

Company name

Number of 
shares held at 
1 January 2012 

Number of shares 
acquired/(disposed) 

in the period

Number of 
shares held at 
31 December 2012

Alan Aubrey
continued

Overlay Media Limited

Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group plc

Oxford Catalysts Group plc

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited

Oxford RF Sensors Limited

Oxtox Limited

Pharminox Limited

Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited1

Plexus Planning Limited

Retroscreen Virology Group plc

Revolymer plc

Structure Vision Limited

Surrey Nanosystems Limited

Sustainable Resource Solutions Limited

Tissue Regenix Group plc

Tracsis plc

Xeros Limited

Alison Fielding

Amaethon Limited – A Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – B Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – Ordinary Shares

Avacta Group plc

Capsant Neurotechnologies Limited

Chamelic Limited

Crysalin Limited

EmDot Limited

Evocutis plc

Green Chemicals plc

Icona Solutions Limited

Ilika plc

Karus Therapeutics Limited

Mode Diagnostics Limited

Modern Biosciences plc

Modern Water plc

Overlay Media Limited

Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group plc

Oxford Catalysts Group plc

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited

Oxford RF Sensors Limited

Oxtox Limited

Pharminox Limited

Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited1

Plexus Planning Limited

Retroscreen Virology Group plc

Revolymer plc

Structure Vision Limited

Surrey Nanosystems Limited

Sustainable Resource Solutions Limited

Tissue Regenix Group plc

Tracsis plc

Xeros Limited

32

2,172,809

122,109

11,442

53,639

25,363

685

37,020

1,732

37,160

88,890

212

393

25

2,389,259

203,400

241

105

12,049

21

7,664,105

7,847

21

1,447

14

354,770

126,181

1,419

32,800

43

1,632

1,057,343

199,580

28

611,042

40,357

5,721

15,085

16,601

274

27,350

480

24,320

35,940

195

323

25

2,279,660

197,750

197

(32)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 5 

 — 

 — 

 2,172,809 

 122,109 

 11,442 

 53,639 

 25,363 

 685 

 37,020 

 1,732 

 37,160 

 88,890 

 212 

 393 

 30 

 2,389,259 

(35,390)

 168,010 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 83,333 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

(28)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 3 

 — 

 241 

 105 

 12,049 

 21 

 7,664,105 

 7,847 

 21 

 1,447 

 14 

 354,770 

 209,514 

 1,419 

 32,800 

 43 

 1,632 

 1,057,343 

 199,580 

 — 

 611,042 

 40,357 

 5,721 

 15,085 

 16,601 

 274 

 27,350 

 480 

 24,320 

 35,940 

 195 

 323 

 28 

 2,279,660 

(34,407)

 163,343 

 — 

 197 

1 Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited was restructured in 2012 and its trade and assets were transferred to Photopharmica Limited.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

%

—

1.1%

0.1%

0.6%

0.8%

0.3%

0.3%

1.0%

0.8%

0.1%

0.2%

1.0%

0.3%

1.4%

0.4%

0.7%

0.2%

3.2%

1.0%

0.3%

0.2%

0.5%

0.3%

0.1%

0.8%

0.2%

1.7%

<0.1%

0.1%

<0.1%

0.2%

1.9%

0.3%

—

0.3%

<0.1%

0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

0.1%

0.7%

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

0.9%

0.2%

1.3%

0.3%

0.7%

0.2%

78

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Related party transactions continued
b) Key management transactions continued

Director

Company name

Mike Townend

Amaethon Limited – A Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – B Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – Ordinary Shares

Capsant Neurotechnologies Limited

Chamelic Limited

Crysalin Limited

EmDot Limited

Green Chemicals plc

Icona Solutions Limited

Mode Diagnostics Limited

Modern Biosciences plc

Modern Water plc

Overlay Media Limited

Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group plc

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited

Oxtox Limited

Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited1

Retroscreen Virology Group plc

Revolymer plc

Structure Vision Limited

Surrey Nanosystems Limited

Sustainable Resource Solutions Limited

Tissue Regenix Group plc

Tracsis plc

Xeros Limited

Greg Smith

Avacta Group plc

Capsant Neurotechnologies Limited

Chamelic Limited

Crysalin Limited

EmDot Limited

Encos Limited

Getech Group plc

Green Chemicals plc

Icona Solutions Limited

Mode Diagnostics Limited

Modern Biosciences plc

Modern Water plc

Overlay Media Limited

Oxford Catalysts Group plc

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited

Retroscreen Virology Group plc

Revolymer plc

Sustainable Resource Solutions Limited

Surrey Nanosystems Limited

Tissue Regenix Group plc

Xeros Limited

Number of 
shares held at 
1 January 2012 

Number of shares 
acquired/(disposed) 

in the period

Number of 
shares held at 
31 December 2012

104

11,966

21

11,282

23

1,286

14

113,222

1,515

1,756

1,185,150

575,000

29

932,994

3,490

25,363

37,020

37,160

35,940

212

350

25

1,950,862

84,750

213

390,407

895

3

149

4

5,671

8,000

1,500

148

192

313,425

7,250

7

2,559

150

61,340

4,500

8

76

175,358

33

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

(29)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 3 

 — 

(14,746)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 3,330

 — 

 169 

 — 

 — 

(7)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 1 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 104 

 11,966 

 21 

 11,282 

 23 

 1,286 

 14 

 113,222 

 1,515 

 1,756 

 1,185,150 

 575,000 

 — 

 932,994 

 3,490 

 25,363 

 37,020 

 37,160 

 35,940 

 212 

 350 

 28 

 1,950,862 

 70,004 

 213 

 390,407 

 895 

 3 

 149 

 4 

 5,671 

 8,000 

 4,830

 148 

 361 

 313,425 

 7,250 

 — 

 2,559 

 150 

 61,340 

 4,500 

 9 

 76 

 175,358 

 33 

%

3.1%

1.0%

0.3%

0.8%

0.3%

0.1%

0.8%

0.9%

<0.1%

0.2%

2.1%

1.0%

—

0.5%

0.2%

0.3%

1.0%

0.1%

0.1%

1.0%

0.2%

1.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.2%

<0.1%

0.1%

<0.1%

<0.1%

0.2%

0.3%

<0.1%

<0.1%

0.1%

<0.1%

0.6%

<0.1%

—

<0.1%

<0.1%

0.1%

<0.1%

0.4%

0.1%

<0.1%

<0.1%

1 Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited was restructured in 2012 and its trade and assets were transferred to Photopharmica Limited.

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

79

24. Related party transactions continued
b) Key management transactions continued

Director

Company name

Charles Winward

Amaethon Limited – A Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – B Ordinary Shares

Amaethon Limited – Ordinary Shares

Capsant Neurotechnologies Limited

Chamelic Limited

Crysalin Limited

EmDot Limited

Encos Limited

Icona Solutions Limited

Mode Diagnostics Limited

Modern Biosciences plc

Modern Water plc

Overlay Media Limited

Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group plc

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited

Oxtox Limited

Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited1

Retroscreen Virology Group plc

Revolymer plc

Structure Vision Limited

Sustainable Resource Solutions Limited

Surrey Nanosystems Limited

Tracsis plc

Tissue Regenix Group plc

Xeros Limited

Graham Richards

Getech Group plc

Summit Corporation plc

Tissue Regenix Group plc

Bruce Smith

Capsant Neurotechnologies Limited

Evocutis plc

Getech Group plc

iQur Limited

Nanotecture Group plc

Oxford Catalysts Group plc

Synairgen plc

Number of 
shares held at 
1 January 2012 

Number of shares 
acquired/(disposed) 

in the period

Number of 
shares held at 
31 December 2012

15

1,766

3

2,264

3

189

5

6,530

376

244

360,914

12,400

8

156,213

150

3,742

3,590

66,080

4,500

26

9

87

56,500

482,236

39

30,000

662,958

150,000

20,724

15,241

15,000

2,000

50,000

10,000

200,000

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 177 

 — 

 — 

(8)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 1 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 (30,000)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 15 

 1,766 

 3 

 2,264 

 3 

 189 

 5 

 6,530 

 376 

 421 

 360,914 

 12,400 

 — 

 156,213 

 150 

 3,742 

 3,590 

 66,080 

 4,500 

 26 

 10 

 87 

 56,500 

 482,236 

 39 

 —

 662,958 

 150,000 

 20,724 

 15,241 

 15,000 

 2,000 

 50,000 

 10,000 

 200,000 

%

0.5%

0.2%

<0.1%

0.2%

<0.1%

<0.1%

0.3%

0.3%

0.1%

0.1%

0.7%

0.1%

—

0.1%

<0.1%

<0.1%

0.1%

0.2%

<0.1%

0.1%

0.5%

0.1%

0.2%

0.1%

<0.1%

—

0.1%

<0.1%

1.4%

<0.1%

0.1%

0.8%

0.5%

<0.1%

0.3%

1 Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited was restructured in 2012 and its trade and assets were transferred to Photopharmica Limited.

Compensation to key management comprises that paid to executive and non-executive directors of the Group. Full details of directors’ compensation are 
disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 42 to 49 and these amounts are included within the employee costs set out in note 8.

c) Portfolio companies
The Group earns fees from the provision of business support services and corporate finance advisory to portfolio companies in which the Group 
has an equity stake. The following amounts have been included in respect of these fees:

Statement of comprehensive income

Revenue from services

Statement of financial position

Trade receivables

2012
£m

0.9

2012
£m

0.3

2011
£m

0.6

2011
£m

0.3

About IP Group

Business review

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Financial statements

80

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Related party transactions continued
d) Subsidiary companies
Subsidiary companies that are not 100% owned either directly or indirectly by the parent company have intercompany balances with other 
Group companies totalling as follows:

Intercompany balances with other Group companies

2012
£m

7.1

2011
£m

6.8

These intercompany balances represent funding loans provided by Group companies that are interest free, repayable on demand and unsecured.

25. Capital management
The Group’s key objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern so that it can continue 
to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.

The Group sets the amount of capital in proportion to risk. The Group manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light 
of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of its underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, 
the Group may adjust the amount of issue new shares or dispose of interests in more mature portfolio companies.

During 2012, the Group’s strategy, which was unchanged from 2011, was to maintain healthy cash and short-term deposit balances that enable 
it to provide capital to all portfolio companies as determined by the Group’s investment committee, whilst having sufficient cash reserves to 
meet all working capital requirements in the foreseeable future.

26. Capital commitments

Partnership

University of Southampton(i)

King’s College London(ii)

University of York – CNAP(iii)

University of Leeds(iv)

University of Bristol(v)

University of Surrey(vi)

University of York(iii)

Queen Mary, University of London(vii)

University of Bath(viii)

University of Glasgow(ix)

Year of 
commencement 
of partnership

Original 
commitment 
£m

Invested 
to date 
£m

Remaining 
commitment 
£m

2002

2003

2003

2005

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

5.0

5.0

0.8

4.2

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

45.0

3.6

1.8

0.2

0.4

1.0

0.5

0.1

0.7

0.2

1.1

9.6

1.4

3.2

0.6

3.8

4.0

4.5

4.9

4.3

4.8

3.9

35.4

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

(v) 
(vi) 

(vii) 

 Under the terms of an agreement entered into in 2002 between the Group, the University of Southampton and certain of the University of Southampton’s subsidiaries, IP2IPO Limited 
agreed to make £5.0m available for the purposes of making investments in University of Southampton spin-out companies. 
 Under the terms of an agreement entered into during 2003 between the Group and King’s College London (“KCL”) and King’s College London Business Limited (formerly KCL Enterprises Limited), 
the Group agreed to make £5.0m available for the purposes of making investments in spin-out companies. Under the terms of this agreement, KCL was previously able to require the Company 
to make a further £5.0m available for investments in spin-out companies on the tenth anniversary of the partnership. However, the 2003 agreement was terminated and replaced by a revised 
agreement between the same parties on 12 November 2010. Under the revised agreement, the Group has agreed to target investing the remaining commitment of £3.2m over a three-year 
period; KCL cannot, however, require the Group to make any additional funds available. Other changes effected by the revised agreement included the removal of the Group’s automatic 
entitlement to initial partner equity in every spin-out company and/or a share of KCL’s licensing fees from intellectual property commercialisation and to the termination rights of the parties.
 In 2003 the Group entered into an agreement with the University of York. The agreement relates to a specialist research centre within the University of York, the Centre for Novel Agricultural 
Products (“CNAP”). The Group has committed to invest up to a total of £0.8m in spin-out companies based on CNAP’s intellectual property. In 2006 the Group extended its partnership with 
the University of York to cover the entire university. The Group has committed to invest £5.0m in University of York spin-outs over and beyond the £0.8m commitment as part of the Group’s 
agreement with CNAP. The agreement with York was amended during the year so as to alter the process by which the Group evaluates commercialisation opportunities and the level of initial 
partner equity the Group is entitled to as a result. Further, the Group’s automatic entitlement to share in any of York’s proceeds from out-licensing has been removed from the agreement.
 The Group extended its partnership with the University of Leeds in July 2005 by securing the right with associated contractual commitment to invest up to £5.0m in University of Leeds spin-out 
companies. This agreement was varied in March 2011 so as to provide for a more detailed process by which the Group and the University of Leeds’ commercialisation services team evaluate 
commercialisation opportunities and to remove the Group’s entitlement to a share of out-licensing income generated by the University of Leeds except in certain specific circumstances where 
the Group is involved in the relevant out-licensing opportunity. Under the terms of the variation agreement, subject to quality and quantity of the investment opportunities, the Group, 
Techtran and the University of Leeds have agreed to target annual investments of at least £0.7m in aggregate and, subject to earlier termination or the parties otherwise agreeing alternative 
target, to review this target on 30 April 2017. 
 In December 2005, the Group entered into an agreement with the University of Bristol. The Group has committed to invest up to a total of £5.0m in University of Bristol spin-out companies. 
 Under the terms of an agreement entered into in 2006 between the Group and the University of Surrey (“Surrey”), the Group has committed to invest up to a total of £5.0m in spin-out 
companies based on Surrey’s intellectual property. 
 In July 2006, the Group entered into an agreement with Queen Mary, University of London (“QM”) to invest in QM spin-out companies. The Group has committed to invest up to a total 
of £5.0m in QM spin-out companies.

(viii)   In September 2006, the Group entered into an agreement with the University of Bath (“Bath”) to invest in Bath spin-out companies. The Group has committed to invest up to a total of £5.0m 

in Bath spin-out companies. The agreement with Bath was amended during the year so as to remove the Group’s automatic entitlement to a share of the initial equity or licence fees (as applicable) 
received by Bath from the commercialisation of its intellectual property in the event the Group and its employees have not been actively involved in developing the relevant opportunity.
 In October 2006, the Group entered into an agreement with the University of Glasgow (”Glasgow”) to invest in Glasgow spin-out companies. The Group has committed to invest up to a total 
of £5.0m in Glasgow spin-out companies. 

(ix) 

In addition, as announced on 26 February 2013, the Group has entered into a commercialisation agreement with the University of Manchester. 
Under the terms of the agreement, the Group will create a Proof of Principle (“PoP”) funding facility for the identification and formation of new 
spin-out companies. The Group has agreed to make available an initial facility of up to £5m to provide capital to new proof of principle projects 
intended for commercialisation through spin-out companies. In return, IP Group will receive equity stakes in such spin-out companies on pre-agreed 
terms. IP Group has the right to invest further in these companies as they progress. In addition, IP Group will provide access to its relevant experts, 
business building expertise, mentoring, coaching and co-investing networks, recruitment and business support.

Latest news, share price and other investor information can be found at www.ipgroupplc.com

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Company balance sheet 
As at 31 December 2012

ASSETS

Fixed assets

Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Investment in associated undertakings

Other investments

Loans to subsidiary undertakings

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Profit and loss reserve

Merger reserve

Total equity shareholders’ funds and liabilities

Registered number: 4204490

81

Note

2012
£m

2011
£m

2

3

4

5

6

6

6

6

25.3

7.1

0.5

123.7

25.3

14.8

0.4

123.8

156.6

164.3

7.3

150.4

(13.9)

12.8

7.3

150.4

(6.2)

12.8

156.6

164.3

The financial statements on pages 81 to 84 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 4 March 2013 and were signed 
on its behalf by:

Bruce Smith 
Chairman 

Alan Aubrey
Chief Executive Officer

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82

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the financial statements

1. Accounting policies
The financial statements of the parent company have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006 and applicable United Kingdom accounting standards. A summary of the more important accounting policies which have been applied 
consistently throughout the year are set out below.

Investments 
Investments are stated at historic cost less any provision for impairment in value and are held for long-term investment purposes.

Provisions are based upon an assessment of events or changes in circumstances that indicate that an impairment has occurred such as the 
performance and/or prospects (including the financial prospects) of the investee company being significantly below the expectations on which 
the investment was based, a significant adverse change in the markets in which the investee company operates or a deterioration in general 
market conditions.

Intercompany loans
All intercompany loans are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. Where intercompany loans are 
intended for use on a continuing basis in the Company’s activities and there is no intention of their settlement in the foreseeable future, they 
are presented as fixed assets.

Impairment
If there is an indication that an asset might be impaired, the Company will perform an impairment review. An asset is impaired if the recoverable 
amount, being the higher of net realisable value and value in use, is less than its carrying amount. Value in use is measured based on future discounted 
cash flows (“DCF”) attributable to the asset. In such cases, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to recoverable amount with a corresponding 
charge recognised in the profit and loss account.

Financial instruments
Currently the Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised and cease 
to be recognised on the basis of when the related titles pass to or from the Company. 

2. Investments in subsidiary undertakings

At 1 January 2012

Additions

Impairment

Disposals 

At 31 December 2012

Details of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2012 are as follows:

£m

25.3

—

—

—

25.3

Name of subsidiary

IP2IPO Limited

IP2IPO Management Limited1

IP2IPO Management II Limited1

IP2IPO Management III Limited1

IP2IPO Management IV Limited1

IP2IPO Management V Limited1

IP2IPO Management VI Limited1

IP2IPO Management VII Limited1

IP2IPO Management VIII Limited1

IP2IPO (Europe) Limited1,5

IP2IPO Guarantee Limited1,6

Top Technology Ventures Limited3

Top Technology Ventures IV GP Ltd1,3

IP Venture Fund GP Limited1,3

IP Ventures (Scotland) Limited1,3

North East Technology (GP) Limited1,2

Techtran Group Limited

Techtran Investments Limited1,2

Techtran Services Limited1,2

Techtran Corporate Finance Limited1,2

Techtran Limited1,2

Place of 
incorporation 
(or registration) 
and operation

Proportion 
of ownership 
interest 
%

Proportion 
of voting 
power held 
%

Method 
used to 
account for 
investment

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

Scotland

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

83

2. Investments in subsidiary undertakings continued

Name of subsidiary

Modern Biosciences plc4

PIMCO 2664 Limited1,4

Modern Biosciences Nominees Limited1,2

MBS Secretarial Limited1,2

MBS Director Limited1,2

IP2IPO Nominees Limited2

IP2IPO Services Limited2

LifeUK (IP2IPO) Limited2

IP Industry Partners Limited2

Union Life Sciences Limited

1 Company held indirectly

2 Dormant company.

3 Company engaged in fund management activity.

4 Company engaged in in-licensing of drugable intellectual property activity.

5 Company operates a branch in Luxembourg.

6 Company limited by guarantee.

Place of 
incorporation 
(or registration) 
and operation

Proportion 
of ownership 
interest 
%

Proportion 
of voting 
power held 
%

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

54.3

54.3

54.3

54.3

54.3

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

80.0

69.0

69.0

69.0

69.0

69.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

80.0

Method 
used to 
account for 
investment

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

Acquisition

All companies above are incorporated in England with the exception of IP Ventures (Scotland) Limited which is incorporated in Scotland. 
All companies above undertake the activity of commercialising intellectual property unless stated otherwise. 

3. Investment in associated undertakings

At 1 January 2012

Additions

Impairment

Disposals 

At 31 December 2012

£m

14.8

—

(7.7)

—

7.1

The impairment during the year relates to the Company’s holding in Photopharmica (Holdings) Limited, a spin-out from the University of Leeds. 
The company underwent a capital restructuring and limited refinancing during the period and the impairment reflects the value of the company 
at which the financing was carried out. The shareholding in the company was also transferred to a subsidiary of the Company during the restructuring.

At 31 December 2012 the Company has investments where it holds 20% or more of the issued ordinary share capital of the following companies:

Undertaking

Fusion IP plc

Modern Water plc

% of 
issued share 
capital held

Net 
assets 
£000

Profit/(loss) 
before tax
£000

Date of 
financial statements

26.0%

20.9%

33,491

30,565

505

31 July 2012

(4,543)

31 December 2011

All companies are incorporated in England and Wales. 

No profit/(loss) information is presented in respect of companies that have filed abbreviated accounts.

About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

 
84

IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Notes to the financial statements continued

4. Other investments

At 1 January 2012

Additions

Impairment

Disposals 

At 31 December 2012

5. Loans to subsidiary undertakings

At 1 January 2012

Repayment during the year

At 31 December 2012

The amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are interest free, repayable on demand and unsecured. 

6. Share capital and reserves

At 1 January 2012

Profit for the year

Issue of equity

At 31 December 2012

£m

0.4

0.1

—

—

0.5

£m

123.8

(0.1)

123.7

Profit 
and loss
reserve
£m

(6.2)

(7.7)

—

Share 
capital
£m

Merger 
reserve
£m

Share 
premium
£m

12.8

150.4

—

—

—

—

7.3

—

—

7.3

12.8

150.4

(13.9)

Details of the Company’s authorised share capital and changes in its issued share capital can be found in note 20 to the consolidated financial 
statements on page 74. Details of the movement in the share premium account can be found in the consolidated statement of changes in equity 
on page 58.

7. Profit and loss account
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company’s profit and loss account has not been included in these financial statements. 
The Company’s loss for the year was £7.7m (2011: £0.4m profit).

Details of auditor’s remuneration are disclosed in note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.

8. Directors’ emoluments, employee information and share-based payments
The remuneration of the directors is borne by Group subsidiary undertakings. Full details of their remuneration can be found in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 42 to 49. Full details of the share-based payments charge and related disclosures can be found in note 22 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

The Company had no employees during 2012 or 2011. 

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IP Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Financial statements
Directors, secretary and advisers to the Group

Company registration number
4204490

Registered office 
24 Cornhill 
London 
EC3V 3ND

Directors   
Dr Bruce Gordon Smith, CBE 
(Non-executive Chairman)

Alan John Aubrey 
(Chief Executive Officer)

Dr Alison Margaret Fielding 
(Chief Operating Officer)

Michael Charles Nettleton Townend 
(Chief Investment Officer)

Gregory Simon Smith 
(Chief Financial Officer)

Charles Stephen Winward 
(Managing Director, Top Technology Ventures)

Michael Humphrey 
(Senior Independent Director)

Professor William Graham Richards, CBE 
(Non-executive Director)

Francis Adam Wakefield Carpenter 
(Non-executive Director)

Jonathan Brooks 
(Non-executive Director)

Company secretary 
Angela Leach

Brokers 
Numis Securities 
The London Stock Exchange 
10 Paternoster Square  
London EC4M 7LT 

Registrars 
Capita IRG plc
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent BR3 4TU

Bankers
Royal Bank of Scotland
PO Box 333 
Silbury House 
300 Silbury Boulevard 
Milton Keynes MK9 2ZF

Solicitors  
Pinsent Masons
CityPoint 
One Ropemaker Street 
London EC2Y 9AH

Independent auditor 
BDO LLP
55 Baker Street 
London W1U 7EU

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About IP Group

Business review

Corporate governance

Financial statements

 
 
IP Group plc
24 Cornhill 
London 
EC3V 3ND

T +44 (0)845 074 2929 
F +44 (0)845 074 2928

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