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Guardian Capital Group Ltd238304 London Finance Cover 21/10/2015 14:07 Page iv
LONDON FINANCE &
INVESTMENT GROUP P.L.C.
ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS
30 T H J U N E
2015
Perivan Financial Print 238304
238304 London Finance Cover 21/10/2015 14:07 Page ii
LONDON FINANCE & INVESTMENT GROUP P.L.C.
(“Lonfin” or the “Company”)
Lonfin is a United Kingdom investment finance and management company. Its core
portfolio centres on quality companies in the FTSE Eurofirst 300 and S&P 500 indices.
Additionally, Lonfin holds investments in United Kingdom listed companies where it
has directors in common. Lonfin is also a 43.8% shareholder in its associate Western
Selection P.L.C. (“Western”). Western’s share capital is admitted to trading on the ICAP
Securities & Derivatives Exchange (ISDX).
Lonfin’s shares are quoted in the official lists of the London and Johannesburg stock
exchanges. The current price of the Company's shares can be found on the website of
the London Stock Exchange (www.londonstockexchange.com) and in the business
section of some of the major South African newspapers.
CITY GROUP P.L.C.
(“City Group”)
City Group, which is owned by Lonfin and Western, provides management, office and
company secretarial services to both companies and to other clients requiring a London
presence, including companies in which Lonfin and Western have an investment.
238304 London Finance pp01-pp09 21/10/2015 14:20 Page 1
Contents
Page
Directors and Advisers 2
Summary of Investments and Financial Calendar 3
Strategic Report 4
Composition of General Portfolio 10
Investment Policy 11
Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income 12
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 13
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 14
Company Statement of Financial Position 15
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow 16
Notes to the Accounts 17
Directors’ Report 29
Corporate Governance 32
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in Respect of the Accounts 35
Directors’ Remuneration Report 36
Report of the Independent Auditors 40
Summary of Results 43
Notice of Annual General Meeting 44
Proxy Form Enclosed
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238304 London Finance pp01-pp09 21/10/2015 14:20 Page 2
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Directors
D.C. MARSHALL, Non-Executive Chairman ◆
David Marshall joined the Board in 1971 and was appointed Chairman in 1984. He
resides in South Africa where he has interests in listed trading, financial and property
companies. He is the chairman of Western, an associate of Lonfin, and is chief executive
of Marshall Monteagle PLC and chairman of Halogen Holdings P.L.C. He is a
non-executive director of Northbridge Industrial Services plc and Industrial &
Commercial Holdings PLC and until November 2014, David was a non-executive
director of Creston plc.
F.W.A. LUCAS, BSc, PhD, Independent Non-Executive *†
Frank Lucas was appointed a director in 1999. He is a mining geologist by profession
and one of the founding shareholders and a director of Loeb Aron & Company Ltd, an
authorised and regulated investment and issuing house, which specialises in corporate
finance and is a Member of the London Stock Exchange and of ICAP Securities &
Derivatives Exchange.
L.H. MARSHALL, Non-Executive ◆
Lloyd Marshall joined the Board in 2011. He is the Finance Director of Marshall
Monteagle PLC and has extensive investment management experience. He is a
non-executive director of Hartim Limited, Halogen Holdings P.L.C. and Heartstone
Inns Limited.
J.H. MAXWELL, CA, CCMI, FRSA, Senior Independent Non-Executive *
John Maxwell, who is a Chartered Accountant, was appointed a director of the
Company in 2003. He currently serves as a non-executive director of The Royal
Automobile Club Motor Sports Association Limited.
J.M. ROBOTHAM, OBE, FCA, Non-Executive †◆
Michael Robotham joined the Board in 1984. He is a non-executive director of Western
Selection P.L.C. and is a Chartered Accountant.
*Member of the Audit Committee
◆Member of the Investment Committee
†Member of Nomination Committee
United Kingdom
Company Secretary City Group P.L.C.
and Registered Office 6 Middle Street
London, EC1A 7JA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7796 9060
www.city-group.com
E-mail: lonfin@city-group.com
201151
Capita Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent, BR3 4TU
Tel: 0871 664 0300
(Calls cost 10p per minute plus
network extras, lines are open
8.30am-5.30pm Monday-Friday)
From outside the UK +44 20 8639 3399
Registered
Number
Registrars
2
Republic of South Africa
D.A. Greer
11 Sunbury Park
La Lucia Ridge Office Estate
La Lucia 4051
Durban
Tel: +27 (0)31 566 7600
Computershare Investor Services (Pty.) Limited
70 Marshall Street
Johannesburg, 2001
(P.O. Box 61051, Marshalltown 2107)
Tel: +27 11 370 5000
JSE Limited Sponsor
Sasfin Capital (a division of Sasfin Bank
Limited)
29 Scott Street, Waverley 2090
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel: +27 (11) 809 7500
238304 London Finance pp01-pp09 21/10/2015 14:20 Page 3
Summary of Investments
At 30th June
2015 2014
£000 £000
Strategic Investment at market value:
Western 3,694 4,166
Finsbury Food Group plc 8,000 4,860
–––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––
11,694 9,026
General Equity Portfolio at market value 5,801 5,927
Tangible non-current assets 31 39
Cash, bank balances and deposits 115 39
Bank loans (1,500) (925)
Other net (liabilities)/assets (2) 20
Deferred taxation (442) (111)
Non-controlling interests (75) (65)
–––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––
Net assets, including investments at market value 15,622 13,950
–––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––
Net assets per share 50.1p 44.7p
Dividends
Interim 0.5p 0.45p
Proposed final 0.5p 0.45p
Profit per share (excluding unrealised changes in the
market value of investments): 0.8p 0.7p
Financial Calendar
Annual General Meeting
Final dividend for 2015
Half-year results
2 December 2015
Payable on 11 December 2015 to holders on the register on
20th November 2015
Announced in February 2016
3
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Incorporated in England and Wales – number 201151
Strategic Report
Strategy and Business Model
Results
Lonfin is an investment company whose objective is to generate growth in shareholder value in
real terms over the medium to long term whilst maintaining a progressive dividend policy.
The Company invests in other companies as set out in the Investment Policy on page 11. In the
short term, the performance of the Company can be influenced by overall stock market
performance and to ameliorate this short term risk, the Company has a combination of Strategic
Investments together with a General Portfolio. Strategic Investments are significant investments
in smaller U.K. quoted companies and these are balanced by a General Portfolio, which consists
of a broad range of investments in major U.S.A., U.K. and other European companies which
provides a diversified exposure to international equity markets.
• Net assets have increased over the year by 12.1% from 44.7p per share to 50.1p per share, and
our Strategic Investments, adjusting for additions, have increased in value over the year by
23%, due to the increase in value of our investment in Finsbury Food Group plc.
• Strategic Investments are yielding 2.7%
• The General Portfolio, adjusting for changes, has increased over the year by 1.4%
• The General Portfolio is yielding 2.9% (2014 – 2.8%)
• Net borrowings of £1,385,000 compared with £886,000 at 30th June 2014
• Operating costs were broadly in line with 2014
The Group achieved a profit for the year, before tax and the fair value adjustments of investments,
of £286,000 (2014 – £209,000). The profit, after positive fair value adjustments, tax and
non-controlling interest was £1,968,000 (2014 – £43,000 loss after negative fair value adjustments
of £339,000) giving a profit per share of 6.3p (2014 loss per share – 0.1p).
Strategic Investments
Western Selection P.L.C. (“Western”)
The Group owns 7,860,515 shares, being 43.8%, of the issued share capital of Western.
On 30th September 2015, Western announced a profit before associates and tax of £2,787,000 for
its year to 30th June 2015 (2014 – £449,000). Including associates and after exceptional items and
tax, profits per share were 15.5p (2014 – profits – 4.5p).
Western has paid an interim dividend of 1.05p and proposes an increased final dividend of 1.05p
making 2.1p for the year (2014 – 2.0p). Western’s net assets at market value as at 30th June 2015
were £13,487,000 equivalent to 75p per share, a decrease of 26% from 102p last year.
Our share of the net assets of Western, including the value of Western’s investments at market
value, was £5.9million (2014 – £8 million). The fair value recorded in the statement of financial
position is the market value of £3.7million (2014 – £4.2 million). This represents 24% (2014 – 30%)
of the net assets of the Group. Western’s objective is to generate growth in value for shareholders
over the medium to long term and pay a progressive dividend.
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Western’s business model is to take sizeable minority stakes in relatively small companies at a
pre-IPO or IPO stage, and have directors in common through which they can provide advice and
support for these growing companies. Their aim is that these core holdings will then be sold over
time into the market. Companies that are targeted as core holdings will have an experienced
management team, a credible business model and also good prospects for growth.
Mr. D. C. Marshall is the Chairman of Western and Mr. Robotham and Mr. Beale are
non-executive directors. Western’s main core holdings are Northbridge Industrial Services plc,
Swallowfield plc, Bilby Plc and Hartim Limited. An extract from Western’s announcement
relating to its main core holdings is set out below:
Northbridge Industrial Services plc (“Northbridge”)
Northbridge hires and sells specialist industrial equipment to a non-cyclical customer base. With offices
or agents in the U.K., U.S.A., Dubai, Germany, Belgium, France, Australia, Singapore, India, Brazil,
Korea and Azerbaijan, Northbridge has a global customer base. This includes utility companies, the oil
and gas sector, shipping, construction and the public sector. The product range includes loadbanks,
transformers, generators, compressors, loadcells and oil tools. Further information about Northbridge is
available on their website: www.northbridgegroup.co.uk.
Northbridge will announce its unaudited interim profits after tax for the six months ended 30th June 2015
on 30th September 2015.
Western acquired a further 25,000 Northbridge shares on 2 June 2015 for £52,000 bringing its holding to
1,900,000 shares. Western’s holding is 10.2% of Northbridge’s issued share capital. The value of this
investment at 30th June 2015 was £3,895,000 (2014 – £9,750,000) being 29% (2014 – 53%) of Western’s
net assets.
Mr D. C. Marshall is a non-executive director of Northbridge.
Swallowfield plc (“Swallowfield”)
Swallowfield is a market leader in the development, formulation, manufacture and supply of cosmetics,
toiletries and related household products for global brands and retailers operating in the cosmetics, personal
care and household goods market. Further information about Swallowfield is available on their website:
www.swallowfield.com.
Swallowfield announced its annual results to 30th June 2015 on 22nd September 2015 and recorded a
profit after tax of £746,000 compared to a profit of £157,000 for the comparable period last year. No
dividends were received from Swallowfield during the year (2014 – nil). Profits are expected to recover
further in the current year and dividends are expected to be resumed shortly.
At the reporting date, Western owned 1,869,149 shares which is 16.5% of Swallowfield’s issued share
capital. The market value of this investment on 30th June 2015 had increased by 11% to £2,019,000 from
the value at June 2014 of £1,813,000. This is 15% (2014 – 10%) of Western’s net assets.
Mr E. J. Beale is a non-executive director of Swallowfield.
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Strategic Report (continued)
Bilby Plc (“Bilby”)
In July 2015 we invested £1,500,000 in acquiring 1,875,000 shares in Bilby which is 5.5% of their issued
share capital.
Bilby is an established, and award winning, provider of gas installation, maintenance and general building
services to local authority and housing associations across London and South East England. They have a
strategy of growing organically and by acquisition. Further information about Bilby is available on their
website: www.bilbyplc.com.
Bilby announced its results for the 14 month period to 31st March 2015 on 23rd June 2015 showing a
profit after tax of £1,552,000. It has announced a dividend of 2.32p per share payable in August which
will provide us with income of £43,500.
Hartim Limited (“Hartim”)
Hartim is the unquoted holding company for Tudor Rose International Limited (“TRI”) which was founded
in 1984. It works closely with a number of leading UK branded fast moving consumer goods companies,
offering a complete sales, marketing and logistical service. Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, TRI sells into
78 countries worldwide including USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey, South
Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, Australia and China.
Western holds 49.5% of Hartim, which has a 31st December year end, and which generated trading profits
before exceptional items in the year to 30th June 2015 of £68,000. Turnover in the period was £18,022,000
(2014 – £20,448,000). Western’s share of a loss after tax, including a charge for disallowed tax losses, for
the twelve months to 30th June 2015 was £5,000 (2014 – profit of £382,000, after exceptional profit on
former Australian subsidiary of £337,000) and the book value of the investment at 30th June 2015 was
£1,223,000 (2014 – £1,228,000) being 9% (2014 – 7%) of Western’s assets.
Western has two nominees on the board of Hartim: Mr E. J. Beale and Mr L. H. Marshall (a director of
City Group P.L.C., Western’s company secretary).
Finsbury Food Group plc (“Finsbury”)
Finsbury is one of the largest producers and suppliers of premium cakes, bread and morning
goods in the UK and currently supplies most of the UK’s major supermarket chains. Further
information about Finsbury is available on its website: www.finsburyfoods.co.uk.
During the year Lonfin acquired 1 million additional shares in Finsbury for a cost of £593,000.
Lonfin now holds 10 million shares, representing 7.8% of Finsbury’s share capital. The market
value of the holding was £8,000,000 as at 30th June 2015 (cost – £2,875,000) and represents 51%
(2014 – 35%) of Lonfin’s net assets.
On 21st September 2015, Finsbury announced audited profits on continuing operations after tax
and minority interests of £8.9 million for the year ended 28th June 2015 (2014 – £5 million).
Finsbury paid an interim dividend of 0.83p and has recommended to its shareholders a final
dividend of 1.67p per share, making 2.50p for the year (2014 – 1.00p).
Mr. Beale is a non-executive director of Finsbury.
6
238304 London Finance pp01-pp09 21/10/2015 14:20 Page 7
General Portfolio
The investments comprising the General Portfolio at 30th June 2015 are listed on page 10. The
portfolio is diverse with material interests in Food and Beverages, Natural Resources, Chemicals
and Tobacco. We believe that the portfolio of quality companies we hold has the potential to
outperform the market in the medium to long term.
At year end the number of holdings in the General Portfolio was 26. We have decreased the
amount invested in the General Portfolio over the year by £100,000 (2014 – increased by £272,000).
Operations and Employees
All of our operations and those of our associate, Western, except investment selection, are
outsourced to our subsidiary, City Group. City Group also provides office accommodation,
company secretarial and head office finance services to a number of other U.K. and Jersey
companies. City Group has responsibility for the initial identification and appraisal of potential
new strategic investments for the Company and the day to day monitoring of existing strategic
investments and employs 8 people.
All 5 directors of the Company, and the 4 directors of its subsidiaries are unchanged from last
year and are male. The Group has set a target of 25% female members of the Company’s Board
and female candidates will be considered on their merits when vacancies arise. Excluding
directors, 4 of the 6 other employees of the Group at 30th June 2015 were female (30th June
2014 – 3 of 6).
Dividend
The Board recommend a final dividend of 0.5p per share, making a total of 1p per share for the
year (2014 – 0.9p). Subject to shareholders’ approval at the Company’s Annual General Meeting
on 2nd December 2015, the dividend will be paid on 11th December 2015 to those shareholders
on the register at the close of business on 20th November 2015. Shareholders on the South African
register will receive their dividend in South African rand converted from sterling at the closing
rate of exchange on 29th September 2015 being GBP1= ZAR 21.1213.
The number of shares in issue as at the declaration date is 31,207,479 and the Company’s UK
Income Tax reference number is 948/L32120.
Dividend dates:
Last date to trade (SA)
Shares trade ex dividend (SA)
Shares trade ex dividend (UK)
Record date (UK and SA)
Pay date
Friday 13th November 2015
Monday 16th November 2015
Thursday 19th November 2015
Friday 20th November 2015
Friday 11th December 2015
The JSE Listings Requirements require disclosure of additional information in relation to any
dividend payments.
Shareholders registered on the Johannesburg register are advised that the dividend withholding
tax will be withheld from the gross final dividend amount of 10.56065 SA cents per share at a
rate of 15% unless a shareholder qualifies for an exemption; shareholders registered on the
Johannesburg register who do not qualify for an exemption will therefore receive a net dividend
of 8.97655 SA cents per share. The dividend is payable in cash as a ‘Dividend’ (as defined in the
South African Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, as amended) by way of a reduction of income reserves.
The dividend withholding tax and the information contained in this paragraph is only of direct
application to shareholders registered on the Johannesburg register, who should direct any
questions about the application of the new dividend withholding tax to Computershare Investor
Services (Pty) Limited, Tel: +27 11 373-0004.
7
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Strategic Report (continued)
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday 16th November
2015 and Friday 20th November 2015, both days inclusive. Shares may not be transferred between
the registers in London and South Africa during this period either.
Outlook
We believe our mix of Strategic Investments and a General Portfolio gives us every chance of
outperforming the broader market in the medium to long term notwithstanding any short term
volatility in markets, currencies and commodities.
Future Developments
The future development of the Company is dependent on the success of the Company’s
investment strategy in the light of economic and equity market developments and the continued
support of its shareholders.
Business Environment, Financial Instruments & Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The financial instruments of the Group, in addition to its investments, comprise cash and
borrowings to finance those investments.
As an investment company our principal risks and uncertainties arise from the Group’s financial
instruments, and are:
Stock market volatility and economic uncertainty
The Company’s investment performance will be affected by general economic and market
conditions. Although the Company cannot predict the level of growth in the global
economy, as with most businesses, it believes a period of weak market growth will have
an adverse effect on its investments. Volatility relating to the Company’s investments,
including movements in interest rates and returns from equity and other investments will
impact upon the value of the Group’s investment portfolio.
Possible volatility of share prices of investments
A number of factors outside the control of the Company may impact the share price
performance of its investments. Such factors could include investor sentiment, local and
international stock market conditions, divergence of results from analysts’ expectations,
changes in earnings estimates by analysts and changes in political and economic sentiment.
Dividend income
The ability of the companies that we invest in to pay dividends to shareholders depends
upon their profitability, cash flow and the extent to which, as a matter of law, they have
sufficient distributable reserves from which any proposed dividends may be paid and the
willingness of the Board to pay There can be no guarantee that the companies we invest
in will be able to sustain their dividend policies in the future.
Ability to make strategic investments
There are limited opportunities for the Company to make strategic investments and
therefore there is no guarantee that the Company will be able to do so at a price the
directors believes will represent fair value.
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Liquidity of equity investments in strategic investments
Strategic investments may be made in the equity of “small cap” companies, both listed
and unlisted. There is a risk that due to the low level of liquidity in the equity of these
strategic investments the Company may not be able to realise its investment, either at all,
or at a price the Company believes reflects fair value.
The depth and overlap of experience of directors means that there is no key-man dependency.
Note 20 sets out the policies of the Board, which have remained substantially unchanged for the
year under review, for managing risks associated with its financial instruments. In addition the
Company is exposed to investment risk arising from the selection of investments which it
mitigates by drawing on the investment experience of its directors.
The Board does not consider that there is any further information relating to environmental
matters, employees, social, community and human rights issues that it is necessary to report for
an understanding of the development, performance or position of the Company’s business.
Key Performance Indicators
Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) are the yardsticks against which the Board measures the
performance of the Company. Our objectives are real growth over the long term in dividends
and net assets per share. As an investment company we have no relevant non-financial KPIs.
Comments on the movement of these indicators over the year are detailed above.
2015 2014 2013 2012
Net assets per share 50.1p 44.7p 45.7p 31.6p
Change in net assets per share over 5 years 85% 192% 18% -52%
Dividends (net) per share 1.0p 0.9p 0.8p 0.7p
Definition of KPIs used above
Net Assets per share – Net assets including investments at market value at their period end
valuation divided by the number of shares in issue at the year end
Dividends per share – Dividends declared for the year.
Financing Structure
The Group is financed by a mixture of debt and equity. The Board believes that a reasonable level
of gearing can enhance returns to shareholders. At 30th June 2015 the Group had bank facilities
of £1.5 million which expire in 2017.
At 30th June 2015 the Company had only one class of share, namely Ordinary Shares of 5p each,
of which there were 31,207,479 in issue. The rights and obligations attached to these shares are
set out in the Company’s Articles of Association which may only be amended by a vote of
shareholders at a General Meeting. Each share entitles the holder to one vote on each shareholder
resolution. There are no special arrangements or restrictions relating to any of these shares,
whether in terms of transfers, voting or other rights, or relating to changes in control of the
Company.
To provide directors with flexibility over the management of the Company’s capital, shareholders
are being asked to approve resolutions at the AGM which would permit the Company to issue
new shares as explained in the Directors’ Report. Similar resolutions were approved at the last
AGM.
29th September 2015
By Order of the Board
CITY GROUP P.L.C.
Company Secretary
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238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 10
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Composition of General Portfolio
At 30th June 2015
£000 %
Investor 327 5.6
Nestlé 314 5.4
Henkel 302 5.2
Schindler Holdings 300 5.2
British American Tobacco 297 5.1
Heineken 280 4.8
Diageo 275 4.7
Imperial Tobacco 273 4.7
Reckitt Benckiser 269 4.6
Pernod-Ricard 254 4.4
Unilever 240 4.1
L’Oreal 239 4.1
Philip Morris International 226 3.9
Anheuser Busch Inbev 208 3.6
Novartis 207 3.6
BASF 194 3.4
Exxon 190 3.4
3M 181 3.1
ABB 176 3.0
United Technologies 168 2.9
Chevron 166 2.9
Danone 164 2.8
Procter & Gamble 164 2.8
Linde 144 2.5
Givaudan 138 2.4
LVMH 105 1.8
––––––––––––– –––––––
5,801 100.0
––––––––––––– –––––––
Analysis by currency £000 %
Euro 1,890 32.6
Sterling 1,354 23.3
Swiss franc 1,134 19.6
US dollar 1,096 18.9
Swedish kroner 327 5.6
––––––––––––– –––––––
5,801 100.0
––––––––––––– –––––––
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238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 11
Investment Policy
The Company ’s investment policy is to invest in a range of “strategic” investments, a “general portfolio”
consisting of liquid stock market investments, both in equity instruments and bonds, and, at the Board’s
discretion, ‘other investments’, typically property and other physical assets. This investment policy is designed
to achieve the Company’s objectives of capital growth in real terms over the medium term, while maintaining
a progressive dividend policy.
Both “strategic” and “general portfolio” investments can be in any industry sector. “Strategic” investments
are significant minority positions in UK small cap companies which can be either quoted or unquoted; to
diversify risk the policy is to maintain a number of such investments. Most such investments will be in shares
of companies that are publicly traded but investments can also be made in publicly traded and untraded debt
or equity instruments of companies that are strategic investments. The “general portfolio” aims to further
diversify risk through a spread of investments and a target of between 20 and 30 holdings in some of the
world’s largest quoted companies.
The intention is for between 30% and 70%. of the overall investment portfolio with a maximum limit of 80%
to be in “strategic” investments at the point of investment, with the balance of the portfolio, net of “other
investments”, to be in the “general portfolio”. “Other investments” will be limited to 20 per cent. of the overall
value of the investment portfolio, measured at the point of investment. No one “strategic investment” or
“other investment” will represent more than 30% and 20%. respectively of the value of all investments at the
time of making such investment and no one “general portfolio” investment will represent more than
10 per cent. of the value of the “general portfolio” at the time of such investment.
Within these parameters, changes in strategic and other investments are decided on by the Board and changes
to the general portfolio are decided on by the Board or, between Board meetings, by an Investment Committee
of the Board. The investment guidelines within which the Investment Committee operates allow the
Investment Committee discretion within the parameters set by the Investment Policy. The investment mix
and level of borrowings are reviewed at each Board meeting.
The Company’s gearing is limited at or below 70% of the total value of investments.
The notes on pages 17 to 28 form part of these accounts.
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238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 12
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 30th June
2015 2014
Notes £000 £000
Dividends – Listed investments 487 393
Rental and other income 82 82
Profits realised on sales of investments 175 205
Management services fees 233 205
––––––––––––– –––––––
Operating income 977 885
Administration expenses 3 (643) (651)
––––––––––––– –––––––
Operating profit 2 334 234
Unrealised changes in the carrying value of investments 11 2,049 (339)
Interest payable (48) (25)
––––––––––––– –––––––
Profit/(Loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 2,335 (130)
Tax on result of ordinary activities 6 (357) 71
––––––––––––– –––––––
Profit/(Loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 1,978 (59)
Non-controlling interest (10) 16
––––––––––––– –––––––
Profit/(Loss) for the financial year attributable to members
of the holding company 7 1,968 (43)
Other comprehensive income – –
––––––––––––– –––––––
Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders 1,968 (43)
––––––––––––– –––––––
Reconciliation of headline earnings
Basic (loss)/profit per share 8 6.3p (0.1)p
Adjustment for the unrealised changes in the carrying
value of investments, net of tax (5.5)p 0.8p
––––––––––––– –––––––
Headline profit per share 8 0.8p 0.7p
––––––––––––– –––––––
All profits and losses are on continuing activities.
The notes on pages 17 to 28 form part of these accounts.
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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Unrealised Share of Retained
Ordinary Share profits/ undistributed realised Non-
share premium (losses) on results of profits & Controlling Total
capital account investments subsidiaries losses Total interests equity
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Year ended 30th June 2014
Balances at 1st July 2013 1,560 2,320 4,831 (499) 6,046 14,258 81 14,339
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Total comprehensive income – – (246) 205 (2) (43) (16) (59)
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Dividends paid – – – – (265) (265) – (265)
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Total transactions with shareholders – – – – (265) (265) – (265)
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Balances at 30th June 2014 1,560 2,320 4,585 (294) 5,779 13,950 65 14,015
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Year ended 30th June 2015
Balances at 1st July 2014 1,560 2,320 4,585 (294) 5,779 13,950 65 14,015
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Total comprehensive income – – 1,719 320 (71) 1,968 10 1,978
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Dividends paid – – – – (296) (296) – (296)
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Total transactions with shareholders – – – – (296) (296) – (296)
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
Balances at 30th June 2015 1,560 2,320 6,304 26 5,412 15,622 75 15,697
––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– ––––––– –––––––
The notes on pages 17 to 28 form part of these accounts.
13
238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 14
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
At 30th June
2015 2014
Notes £000 £000
Non-current Assets
Tangible assets 9 31 39
Investments 11(a) 11,694 9,026
––––––––––– –––––––––––
11,725 9,065
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Current Assets
Listed investments 11(b) 5,801 5,927
Trade and other receivables 12 218 245
Cash at bank 115 39
––––––––––– –––––––––––
6,134 6,211
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Current Liabilities
Trade and other payables: falling due within one year 13 (1,720) (1,150)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Net Current Assets 4,414 5,061
Deferred taxation 14 (442) (111)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Total Assets less Current Liabilities 15,697 14,015
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Capital and Reserves
Called up share capital 15 1,560 1,560
Share premium account 2,320 2,320
Unrealised profits and losses on investments 6,304 4,585
Share of retained realised profits and losses of subsidiaries 26 (294)
Company’s retained realised profits and losses 5,412 5,779
––––––––––– –––––––––––
15,622 13,950
Non-controlling equity interests 75 65
––––––––––– –––––––––––
15,697 14,015
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Approved and authorised by the Board on 29th September 2015.
D.C. Marshall
Director
The notes on pages 17 to 28 form part of these accounts.
14
238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 15
Company Statement of Financial Position
At 30th June
2015 2014
Notes £000 £000
Non-current Assets
Investments in Group companies 10 6,203 5,923
––––––––––– –––––––––––
6,203 5,923
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Current Assets
Listed investments 11(b) 5,801 5,927
Trade and other receivables 12 19 25
Bank balance 71 12
––––––––––– –––––––––––
5,891 5,964
Current Liabilities
Trade and other payables: falling due within one year 13 (1,597) (997)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Net Current Assets 4,294 4,967
Deferred taxation 14 (442) (111)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Total Assets less Current Liabilities 10,055 10,779
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Capital and Reserves
Called up share capital 15/16 1,560 1,560
Share premium account 16 2,320 2,320
Unrealised profits and losses on investments 16 763 1,120
Realised profits and losses 16 5,412 5,779
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Equity shareholders’ funds 10,055 10,779
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Approved and authorised by the Board on 29th September 2015.
D.C. Marshall
Director
Registered in England and Wales – Number 201151
The notes on pages 17 to 28 form part of these accounts.
15
238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 16
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
For the year ended 30th June
2015 2014
Notes £000 £000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit/(Loss) before tax 2,335 (130)
Adjustments for non-cash and non-operating activities –
Finance expense 48 25
Depreciation charges 8 3
Unrealised changes in the fair value of investments (2,049) 339
––––––––––– –––––––––––
342 237
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Taxes paid 6 (26) (22)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Changes in working capital
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 27 11
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables (5) 23
Decrease/(increase) in current asset investments 100 (272)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
122 (238)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Addition to non-current tangible assets – (39)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Cash flows from tangible non-current assets – (39)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Cash flows from investment activity
Purchase of strategic investments 11 (593) –
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Net cash outflow from investment activity (593) –
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Cash flows from financing
Interest paid (48) (25)
Equity dividends paid (296) (265)
Net drawdown/(repayment) of loan facilities 18 575 275
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 231 (15)
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents 18 76 (77)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 39 116
––––––––––– –––––––––––
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 115 39
––––––––––– –––––––––––
16
238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 17
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 30th June 2015
1. Accounting Policies
(i) The accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and with those parts of the Companies Acts 2006
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The accounts are prepared on the historical cost
basis, except for certain assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value, in accordance with
IFRS.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions
are based on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgements about carrying values
of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ
from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to
accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision
affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if applicable. The most
significant techniques for estimation are described in the accounting policies below. These policies
have been applied consistently to all of the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements the International Accounting Standards
Board (IASB) and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) have
issued new standards and interpretations and amended or revised standards, to be applied to
financial statements with periods commencing either on or after 1 July 2015. The Company has
not opted for early adoption for those which have been endorsed by the EU. The directors do
not expect that the adoption of these, where applicable, would have a material impact on the
Company’s financial statements in the period of initial application.
(ii) These consolidated accounts include the results of the subsidiaries (all of which are companies)
for the year to 30th June 2015. The non-controlling interests are wholly attributable to equity
interests in subsidiaries. Under Section 396 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company is exempt
from the requirement to present its own income statement.
(iii) Dividends receivable are taken to the credit of the income statement in respect of listed shares
when the shares are quoted ex dividend and in respect of unlisted shares when the dividend is
declared.
(iv) Financial assets are classified by category, depending on the purpose for which the asset was
acquired. The Company’s accounting policy is as follows:
a) Fair value through income: Non-derivative financial assets other than unquoted
investments and trade and other receivables are classified as associates, strategic and general
portfolio investments and are recognised as being fair value through income. They are
valued using quoted prices and movements in value are taken to the income statement.
b) Unquoted investments. These are stated at cost net of impairment provisions because
market value cannot be readily determined. Reviews for indications of impairment are
carried out at least annually.
c) Trade and other receivables. The carrying amounts approximate to their fair values, the
transactions giving rise to these balances arising in the normal course of trade and standard
industry terms.
17
238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 18
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 30th June 2015
1. Accounting Policies (continued)
(v) The charge for taxation is based on the taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net
profit as reported in the income statement. It excludes items of income (primarily franked
dividend income) and expense that are never taxable or deductible and items which are taxable
or deductible in other years.
Deferred taxation is provided on the full liability method, at tax rates that are expected to apply,
for temporary differences arising between the treatment of certain items for taxation and
accounting purposes. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that the directors
consider that it is more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the
underlying timing differences can be deducted. Taxation charges or recoveries are recognised in
the income statement, or directly to equity when related to items recognised directly to equity.
(vi) Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate at the date of
the transaction. Foreign currency assets and liabilities at the year-end are translated at year-end
exchange rates.
2. Operating profit – Segmental Analysis
Investment Management
Operations Services
2015 2014 2015 2014
£000 £000 £000 £000
Dividends – Listed investments 487 393 – –
Rental and other income – – 82 82
Profits on sales of investments, including
provisions 175 205 – –
Management services fees – – 233 205
–––––––––– –––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
Operating income 662 598 315 287
Administration expenses – normal (345) (329) (298) (322)
–––––––––– –––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
Operating profit/(loss) 317 269 17 (35)
–––––––––– –––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
All revenues are derived from operations within the United Kingdom. Consequently no separate
geographical segment information is provided.
3. Administration Expenses
Group
2015 2014
£000 £000
Normal administration expenses include:
Depreciation 8 3
Auditor’s remuneration – audit services 30 22
– non-audit services 4 4
Directors’ emoluments – Note 4 75 61
Staff costs
– Note 5 292 338
–––––––––– ––––––––––
18
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4. Directors’ Emoluments and Related Party Disclosures
The key management personnel are considered to be the Group directors. Their emoluments are
detailed in the Remuneration Report on pages 36 to 39.
Related Party Disclosures
Lonfin and its wholly owned subsidiary, owns 43.8% of its associate Western of which Mr. D.C.
Marshall, Mr. J. M. Robotham and Mr. E.J Beale, the Chief Executive of our subsidiary company
City Group, are directors. Mr. D.C. Marshall and Mr. J. M. Robotham’s shareholdings in Lonfin
are set out in the accompanying Director’s Report.
Lonfin and/or Western hold shares in Finsbury Food Group plc and Northbridge Industrial
Services Plc. Mr. D.C. Marshall is a director of Northbridge Industrial Services plc and Mr. E. J.
Beale is a director of Finsbury Food Group plc.
Mr. D. C. Marshall and Mr. L. H. Marshall are directors and Mr. E.J. Beale is the non-executive
Chairman of Marshall Monteagle PLC, and Mr D. C. Marshall, and Mr J. M. Robotham are
shareholders in Marshall Monteagle PLC which in turn is a substantial shareholder in Halogen
Holdings P.L.C. Mr. D. C. Marshall is Chairman of Halogen Holdings P.L.C. and Mr L. H.
Marshall and Mr. E. J. Beale are directors of Halogen Holdings P.L.C..
Lonfin and Western own City Group in the ratio 51.4% and 48.6% respectively. City Group P.L.C.
provides offices and company secretarial and administrative services to various companies in
the United Kingdom and abroad most of which are associated with Lonfin and Western including
all of the above companies.
City Group operates as a shared service centre and does not seek to make a profit from the
provision of its standard services to these related parties. The various company secretarial,
accounting, and directors’ fees received by City Group from those companies, their associates
and subsidiaries, total £204,000 (2014 – £212,000) for the year under review. At the statement of
financial position date the aggregate balance due in respect of fees invoiced was £194,000
(2014 – £219,000) and no fees have been paid in advance (2014 – £23,000 paid in advance).
Settlement is within normal credit terms.
Other than as disclosed above no director was interested in any contract between the directors,
the Company and any other related party that subsisted during or at the end of the financial
year.
5. Staff Costs
Staff costs, excluding those relating to the directors shown in the Remuneration Report on
pages 36 to 39:–
2015 2014
£000 £000
Salaries 218 261
Social security costs 41 42
Defined contribution pension scheme contributions 33 35
–––––––––– ––––––––––
292 338
–––––––––– ––––––––––
The average weekly number of staff employed, excluding
Group directors, was: 6 6
–––––––––– ––––––––––
19
238304 London Finance pp10-pp20 21/10/2015 14:22 Page 20
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 30th June 2015
6. Taxation
2015 2014
£000 £000
The tax charge for the year comprises:
Tax on ordinary activities – –
Overprovision in prior year – –
Tax on overseas investment income 26 22
Deferred tax 331 (93)
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Tax charged/(credited) 357 (71)
–––––––––– ––––––––––
The tax assessed for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The
differences are explained below:
Profit/(Loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 2,335 (130)
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Taxation at 20.75% (2014 – 22.5%) 484 (29)
Effects of:
Non taxable items – fair values and franked income (147) (49)
Loss carried forward 20 7
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Tax charged/(credited) for the year 357 (71)
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Dividends received from U.K. companies are recognised in the income statement net of their
associated tax credit.
7. Total Comprehensive Income attributable to members of the holding company
2015 2014
£000 £000
Dealt with in the accounts of: The holding company (428) 146
The subsidiary undertakings 2,396 (189)
–––––––––– ––––––––––
1,968 (43)
–––––––––– ––––––––––
8. Earnings per share
2015 2014
Earnings/(Loss) per share are based on the profit on ordinary
activities after taxation and non-controlling interests of £1,968,000
(2014 – loss £43,000) and on 31,207,479 (2014 – 31,207,479) shares being
the weighted average of number of shares in issue during the year. 6.3p (0.1)p
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Headline earnings are required to be disclosed by the JSE.
Headline earnings per share are based on the ordinary activities after
taxation and non-controlling interests, before unrealised changes in
the fair value of investments net of tax, of £250,000 (2014 – £210,000)
and on 31,207,479 (2014 – 31,207,479) shares being the weighted
average of number of shares in issue during the year. 0.8p 0.7p
–––––––––– ––––––––––
20
238304 London Finance pp21-pp28 21/10/2015 14:23 Page 21
9. Tangible assets
Office
Equipment
£000
At cost – 1st July 2014 53
Additions –
Disposals –
––––––––––
30th June 2015 53
––––––––––
Depreciation
Balance – 1st July 2014 14
Charges for the year 8
Disposals –
––––––––––
30th June 2015 22
––––––––––
Net book amount 30th June 2015 31
––––––––––
Net book amount 30th June 2014 39
––––––––––
The office equipment is held by a subsidiary company.
10. Investment in Group companies
Operating subsidiaries, incorporated and operating in England and consolidated in these
financial statements.
Percentage 2015 2014
of equity £000 £000 Principal activities
Held by the Company – at cost
City Group 51.4 89 89 Management services
Lonfin Investments Limited 100 Investment holding
– Loan to subsidiary,
less provision 6,114 5,834
–––––––––– ––––––––––
6,203 5,923
–––––––––– ––––––––––
The loan to the subsidiary is net of a provision of £1,681,000, because the Board considers the
recoverability of the loan was impaired by permanent loss in value of one of the investments
held by the subsidiary.
21
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 30th June 2015
11. Investments
(a) held as non-current assets
Group
2015 2014
£000 £000
(i) Listed associated undertaking (Western Selection P.L.C.)
Shares at cost – brought forward 6,159 6,159
Fair value adjustment – unrealised losses (2,465) (1,993)
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Market value at 30th June 3,694 4,166
–––––––––– ––––––––––
(ii) Other listed investments (Finsbury Food Group plc)
At cost, 1st July 2014, less provision 2,283 2,283
Addition during year 593 –
Fair value adjustment – unrealised profit 5,124 2,577
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Market value at 30th June 8,000 4,860
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Total at 30th June 11,694 9,026
–––––––––– ––––––––––
(b) Held as current assets
Company
and Group
2015 2014
£000 £000
(i) Listed investments (General Portfolio)
At cost less provision 3,306 3,407
Fair value adjustment – unrealised gains 2,495 2,520
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Market value at 30th June 5,801 5,927
–––––––––– ––––––––––
(c) Associated undertaking
Western Selection P.L.C., the associated undertaking, is traded on the ISDX Growth Market and
incorporated and operating in the United Kingdom with a financial year end of 30th June 2015.
At 30th June 2015 it had 17,949,872 ordinary shares of 40p each in issue, of which 43.8% are
owned by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lonfin Investments Limited.
2015 2014
£000 £000
Extracts from Western’s results are:
Profit/(loss) after tax 2,774 803
Non current assets 9,690 19,104
Current assets 3,913 24
Liabilities due within one year (116) (683)
Net asset value per share 75p 102p
Middle market price per share on 30th June 49.5p 57.5p
22
238304 London Finance pp21-pp28 21/10/2015 14:23 Page 23
12. Trade and other receivables
Group Company
2015 2014 2015 2014
£000 £000 £000 £000
Trade debtors 173 179 – –
Other debtors – 18 – –
Prepayments and accrued income 45 48 19 25
–––––––––– –––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
218 245 19 25
–––––––––– –––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
13. Trade and other payables
Bank loans 1,500 925 1,500 925
Group companies – – 39 –
Corporation tax – – – 21
Other taxes 34 28 3 –
Other creditors 4 20 1 1
Trade creditors 29 44 13 –
Accruals 153 133 41 50
–––––––––– –––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
1,720 1,150 1,597 997
–––––––––– –––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
The Company’s loan facilities are secured by a charge over certain of the Company’s listed
investments.
14. Deferred taxation
The Company has provided £442,000 in respect of potential taxation on unrealised investment
gains (2014 – £111,000).
15. Share Capital and Reserves
2015 2014
£000 £000
Company
and Group
Authorised equity share capital
35,000,000 shares of 5p each 1,750 1,750
–––––––––– ––––––––––
Allotted, issued and fully paid shares of 5p each
31,207,479 at 1st July 2014 and 30th June 2015 1,560 1,560
–––––––––– ––––––––––
The Group and Company’s capital comprises its shareholders’ equity. Our objective is to
manage capital in a manner that enables the continued payment of dividends is to be achieved.
23
238304 London Finance pp21-pp28 21/10/2015 14:23 Page 24
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 30th June 2015
15. Share Capital and Reserves (continued)
The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within shareholders’ equity:-
Share capital
Share premium
Unrealised profits and
losses on investments
Share of undistributed
profits of subsidiaries
Description and purpose
Nominal value of issued share capital.
Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal
value.
Cumulative unrealised gains and losses on investments.
The Company’s
cumulative undistributed
post-acquisition gains and losses of subsidiaries recognised in
the income statement.
share of
Realised profits and losses
Realised profits of the Company less realised losses and
unrealised losses other than on investments.
The balances and movements on each of the above reserves are disclosed in the Consolidated
Statement of Total Comprehensive Income on page 12 and the Consolidated Statement of
Changes in Shareholders’ Equity on page 13 and the Company’s Statement of Comprehensive
Income and Changes in Shareholders’ Equity below.
16. Company Statement of Comprehensive Income and Changes in Shareholders’
Equity
Unrealised Realised
Ordinary Share profits and profits
share premium on inves- and
capital account tments (losses) Total
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Year ended 30th June 2014
Balances at 1st July 2013 1,560 2,320 972 6,046 10,898
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Total comprehensive income – – 148 (2) 146
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Dividends paid (265) (265)
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Total transactions with shareholders – – – (265) (265)
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Balances at 30th June 2014 1,560 2,320 1,120 5,779 10,779
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Year ended 30th June 2015
Balances at 1st July 2014 1,560 2,320 1,120 5,779 10,779
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Total comprehensive income – – (357) (71) (428)
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Dividends paid – – – (296) (296)
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Total transactions with shareholders – – – (296) (296)
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
Balances at 30th June 2015 1,560 2,320 763 5,412 10,055
–––––––– –––––––– –––––––– –––––––– ––––––––
24
238304 London Finance pp21-pp28 21/10/2015 14:23 Page 25
17. Pension Schemes
The Group makes pension contributions to the personal pension schemes of certain employees
which are money purchase schemes and for which it has no responsibility for unfunded
liabilities. Amounts paid are declared in Note 5.
18. Reconciliation of consolidated net cash flow to movement in net debt
At start Cash At end
of year flow of year
£000 £000 £000
2014/2015
Cash at bank 39 76 115
Bank loan (925) (575) (1,500)
–––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
(886) (499) (1,385)
–––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
2013/2014
Cash at bank 116 (77) 39
Bank loan (650) (275) (925)
–––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
(534) (352) (886)
–––––––––– –––––––––– ––––––––––
19. Operating leases
The Group has an operating lease commitment in respect of an office property entered into in
January 2014 which terminates in January 2019. Payments of £44,200 were recognised in the
year and the minimum amount payable to termination is £170,000. The Company has
guaranteed the obligations under this lease.
25
238304 London Finance pp21-pp28 21/10/2015 14:23 Page 26
London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 30th June 2015
20. Financial Instruments
The directors set out below an explanation of the role that financial instruments have had during
the year in creating or changing the risks the Group faces in its activities. The explanation
summarises the objectives and policies for holding or issuing financial instruments and similar
contracts, and the strategies for achieving their objectives that have been followed during the year.
The Company monitors its performance against these objectives on a continuous basis and
through bi-monthly reports of the investments portfolio and cash position.
The categories of financial instruments used by the Company to achieve its objectives as set out
in the Directors’ Report are:
2015 2014
£000 £000
Financial assets
At fair value through income
Non-current investments (associated companies and
strategic investments) 11,694 9,026
Current asset investments (general portfolio) 5,801 5,927
Loans and receivables
Trade and other receivables 218 245
Cash at bank 115 39
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables 220 225
Taxation payable 442 111
Bank overdrafts 1,500 925
Interest Rate Profile
The Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits and bank borrowings,
in pounds sterling. Drawings under the facility are at a rate fluctuating with base rate.
The effective rate of interest on borrowings for the year was 3.5% (2014 – 3.5%). The sensitivity
of the Group to a 1% change in interest rates would have been £14,000 in the current year (2014
– £7,000).
The Group’s principal financial assets are its investment portfolios. The investment portfolios
consist of equity investments, for which an interest rate profile is not relevant. Interest is not
charged on trade and other receivables nor incurred on trade and other payables.
Currency Exposures
The table below shows the Group’s currency exposures. Such exposures comprise the monetary
assets, at fair values, that are not traded in Sterling.
2015 2014
£000 £000
Currency
Euro 1,890 1,834
Swiss franc 1,134 1,268
US dollar 1,096 829
Swedish kroner 327 299
–––––––––– ––––––––––
4,447 4,230
–––––––––– ––––––––––
The sensitivity to a 1% change in the sterling exchange rate would be to increase or decrease the
fair values as set out by £44,000 in aggregate (2014 – £42,000).
26
238304 London Finance pp21-pp28 21/10/2015 14:23 Page 27
20. Financial Instruments (continued)
Liquidity Risk – The Group’s policy is that its borrowings should be flexible and available over
the medium term. The bank borrowings are by way of a loan facility of £1.5 million expiring in
2017. The Group holds investments, most of which are listed on recognised stock exchanges. In
normal markets these are, by their nature, liquid. However, there are long periods when the
market may not be prepared to deal at realistic prices in unusually large blocks of certain shares
and this particularly applies to our Strategic Investment holdings. The company maintains a
General Portfolio of investment holdings within normal market size and which have aggregate
market values in excess of the borrowings at any point in time. The policy is these have an
aggregate market value of at least 167% of borrowings at any point in time.
Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk through the equity investments in other companies.
The Company maintains a spread of investments over various sectors and monitors
performance continuously as described above. The majority of the General Portfolio
investments are in companies with good levels of liquidity. The future values of these
investments will fluctuate because of changes in interest rates and other market factors.
Reviews for indications of permanent impairment are carried out at least annually. The
directors believe that the exposure to market price risk from these activities is acceptable in the
Company’s circumstances.
The sensitivity to each 1% decrease in the value of investments would result in the fair values
of non-current asset investments decreasing by £117,000 (2014 – £90,000) and a corresponding
increase in the unrealised profits reserve. A 1% increase, would, on the same basis, increase fair
values and decrease the unrealised profits reserve. The same percentage increase/decrease in
the current asset investments would increase/decrease carrying values by £58,000 (2014 –
£59,000) and unrealised profits reserve (or earnings where a decline was below cost) by an
equal amount.
Fair Value
Investments within the general and strategic portfolios are carried at fair values determined by
the prices available from the markets on which the instruments involved are traded. Unlisted
investments are stated at cost net of impairment provisions because fair value cannot be readily
determined. Movements in fair value net of impairment provisions are taken through the
income statement.
The fair value of short term deposits, overdrafts and trade and other receivables and payables
approximates to the carrying amount because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Credit risk
No concentration of credit risk exists in the Company’s principal financial assets, and credit risk
is minimised as the counter-parties are institutions with high credit ratings. There has been no
impairment of trade and other debtors during the year, there are no provisions against these
assets and none are past their due date.
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 30th June 2015
21. International Financial Reporting Standards
As indicated in note 1, at the date of authorisation of these financial statements the IASB and
the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) have issued
interpretations and amended or revised standards, to be applied to financial statements with
periods commencing either on or after 1 January 2015.
None of the new standards, interpretations and amendments, effective for the first time from
1 January 2014, have had a material effect on the financial statements. None of the other new
standards, interpretations and amendments, which are effective for periods beginning after
1 January 2014 and which have not been adopted early, are expected to have a material effect
on the Company’s future financial statements.
22. Related Undertakings
In accordance with section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of related undertakings, the
country of incorporation and the percentage of equity owned, directly or indirectly, as at
30th June 2015, is disclosed below:
Company Country % ownership
Lonfin Investments Limited United Kingdom 100%
City Group P.L.C. United Kingdom 51.4%
Western Selection P.L.C. United Kingdom 43.8%
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Directors’ Report
The directors present their Report for the year ended 30th June 2015.
Results, Future Developments, Dividends, & Financial Instruments
A review of the Group’s operations and performance during the financial year, setting out the
position at the year-end, significant changes in the year, an indication of the outlook for the future,
proposed dividends and the Group’s policy in relation to financial instruments is contained in
the Strategic report on pages 4 to 9.
Directors
A list of the directors of the Company is shown on page 2. The interests in the Company’s shares
of the directors who have held office in the period from 1 July 2014 were as follows:
30th June 2015 30th June 2014
Shares Shares
D.C. Marshall * 12,890,693 12,890,693
F.W.A. Lucas † 162,500 162,500
J.M. Robotham * 12,890,693 12,890,693
J.H. Maxwell 65,000 65,000
L. H. Marshall – –
* These holdings arise as the individuals concerned are trustees and/or directors of entities
that hold shares in the Company. The interest of Mr. Robotham overlaps with the interest
of Mr. D.C. Marshall. At 30th June 2015, Mr Robotham had a beneficial interest in 30,000
(2014 – 30,000) of these shares, and Mr Marshall had no beneficial interest in these shares
(2014 – nil).
† Of this figure Dr. Lucas owns 80,000 shares personally and 82,500 shares are owned by Loeb
Aron & Company Ltd, of which Dr. Lucas is a director and shareholder.
There have been no changes in directors’ share interests between 1st July 2015 and the date of
this report.
The appointment or removal of directors is determined by shareholders at a General Meeting.
Between General Meetings the Board may appoint additional directors who are required to
stand for election at the next General Meeting. In addition the Company’s Articles of Association
require one third of directors to stand for re-election every year, and accordingly Mr L. H.
Marshall retires by rotation and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election at the Annual
General Meeting.
Substantial Interests
In addition to the directors’ shareholdings shown above, as at 30th June 2015, the Company had
been notified under Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5 of the following significant holdings of
voting rights in its shares.
Amount owned Percentage of class
W.T. Lamb Investments Limited1 4,600,000 14.7
Philip J. Milton & Company PLC1 2,171,539 6.96
1 Direct holding
There have been no changes to the above significant holdings between 1 July and the date of
this report.
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Directors’ Report (continued)
Auditors
A resolution to re-appoint SRG LLP as Auditors will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
Each director has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director including making
appropriate enquiries of fellow directors to make themselves aware of any information needed
by the Company’s Auditors for the purposes of their audit and to establish that the Auditors are
aware of that information. The directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of which
the Auditors are unaware.
Going Concern
The directors have reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue to
operate for the foreseeable future. For this reason they adopt the going concern basis for
preparing the financial statements.
Corporate governance
The Company’s statement on corporate governance can be found in the corporate governance
report on pages 32 to 34.
Annual General Meeting
The Notice of Annual General Meeting, to be held on 2nd December 2015, can be found on pages
44 to 46 of these accounts and sets out the business to be considered at the meeting. Certain
elements of that business are explained below:
Resolution 5 – Reappointment of Non-Executive Director
Lloyd Marshall will retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting and offers himself for re-
election in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association. The Board has confirmed,
following a performance review, that Lloyd Marshall continues to perform effectively and
demonstrate commitment his role. Further information relating to his experience, skills and
background can be found on page 2 of this report.
Resolution 7 – Allotment of share capital
Resolution 7 provides authority to allot shares in accordance with section 551 of the Companies
Act 2006 in the period up to the conclusion of the Company’s annual general meeting in 2016. If
passed, this resolution would enable the directors to allot shares (and to grant rights to subscribe
for or convert any security into shares in the Company) up to a maximum nominal amount of
£189,626 (being 3,792,521 ordinary shares) which is the amount of the Company’s authorised but
unissued share capital. The directors have no specific plans to allot any ordinary shares in
the Company.
Resolution 8 – Disapplication of pre-emption rights
Resolution 8 will empower the directors to allot ordinary shares for cash, pursuant to the
authority granted by Resolution 7, on a non-pre-emptive basis (a) in connection with a rights
issue or open offer and (b) (otherwise than in connection with a rights issue or open offer) up to
a maximum nominal value of £78,000 (being 1,560,000 ordinary shares) representing
approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 29th September 2015
(being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this report) in the period up to the
conclusion of the Company’s annual general meeting in 2016.
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The directors have no present intention of issuing any part of the unissued share capital and no
issue will be made which would effectively alter the control of the Company without the
approval of the shareholders in general meeting.
Resolution 9 – Approved Share Option Scheme
This scheme was created to incentivise full time employees and directors of the Company’s
subsidiary City Group. Awards will be made to directors and employees of City Group to
recognise outstanding efforts or achievements, or otherwise to attract, motivate or retain staff.
There are no outstanding awards under this scheme. Options may not be granted more than ten
years from 29th September 2006, the date that the scheme was adopted by the Company.
Shareholders are being asked to approve amendments to the scheme rules at the Company’s
Annual General Meeting on 2nd December 2015, to change the name of the scheme to “The
London Finance & Investment Group Company Share Option Plan”, update references to
legislation where applicable, and delete clause 2.8 which limits the life of the scheme.
Recommendation
The Board believes that the adoption of Resolutions 1 to 9 will promote the success of the
Company and is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The Board
unanimously recommends that you vote in favour of Resolutions 1 to 9 as the directors intend
to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings which as at 29th September 2015 (being the latest
practicable date prior to publication of this report) amount in aggregate to 175,000 ordinary
shares, representing approximately 0.56% of the ordinary shares currently in issue.
Relationship Agreement
In compliance with changes to the Listing Rules that came into effect in May 2014, the Company
has entered into a Relationship Agreement with Mr D.C. Marshall, the Company’s Chairman, in
his capacity as a Trustee of a controlling shareholder of the Company as defined by the Listing
Rules. The Company has complied with the independence provisions contained in the
Relationship Agreement throughout the year ended 30th June 2015 and so far as the Company
is aware, the controlling shareholder has complied with those provisions and also the
procurement obligation contained in the Relationship Agreement.
Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance
During the year, the Company has maintained insurance cover for its directors and officers under
a Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance policy.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Group is required to report on its greenhouse gas emissions. The Group had no Scope 1
emissions. This report is made in respect of Scope 2 emissions. During the year ended 30th June
2015, the Group purchased electricity equating to a carbon dioxide equivalent of 10 tonnes
(1 tCO2e/employee) (2014 – 10 tonnes).
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance is the process by which companies are controlled and directed to achieve
the objectives of the organisation. Key to achievement of objectives is having clarity about the
objective and the right people in place. Processes and structures are of secondary importance as,
without a focus on outcomes and without the right people, it is only by chance that objectives
will be met.
The UK Listing Authority requires UK premium listed companies to comply with the
UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code), which focuses on processes and structures, and
which is deemed to constitute best practice in Corporate Governance for most companies.
Directors are required to report to shareholders on how the Company applies the principles and
confirm that the Company complies with the Code’s provisions, or explain why it does not. The
Company has been in full compliance with the Code throughout the year ended 30th June 2015
except for the fact that Requirement B.7.1. recommends that non-executive directors who have
served on the Board longer than nine years should be subject to annual re-election. David
Marshall, Frank Lucas, John Maxwell and Michael Robotham have all served longer than nine
years. However, having considered the matter, the Board have decided that, given the size of the
Company and the nature of the business, it is not appropriate for these directors to be subject to
re-election annually. They will, however, be subject to retirement by rotation in accordance with
the Company’s Articles of Association as described below. In addition to this, the Code
recommends that a majority of the members of a company’s nomination committee should be
independent non-executive directors with the chairman also being independent. The Nomination
Committee comprises of two directors, only one of which is deemed to be independent and the
chairman is not independent. However, the Board, having considered the matter, regards the
current composition of the committee to be the most appropriate given the size of the Company,
and also the Board, and the balance of skills of the directors.
The JSE requires that companies report on their compliance with Code of Corporate Practices
and Conduct contained in the King Report on Corporate Governance. The Board has reviewed
the matter and recorded that in so far as those matters contained in the King report are of concern
to the Company, in complying with Code, it is satisfied that the Group has complied with the
requirements of the King Report throughout the year ended 30th June 2015.
Composition of the Board
The Board comprises the Chairman, David Marshall, Senior Independent Non-Executive
Director, John Maxwell, Michael Robotham, Frank Lucas and Lloyd Marshall. The Board has
reviewed the independence of the non-executive directors and John Maxwell and Frank Lucas
are considered by the Board to be independent despite the fact that both have served on the
Board for more than nine years. The Code suggests that serving more than nine years could be
relevant to the determination of a non-executive director’s independence. The Board concluded
that John Maxwell and Frank Lucas both continue to demonstrate the essential characteristics of
independence expected by the Board. In reaching this decision, the Board also took into account
the fact that Frank Lucas is a director of Loeb Aron & Company Ltd which acts as an ISDX
corporate adviser to Western.
Responsibility for the process of appointment of directors rests with the Board acting on the
recommendations of the Nomination Committee. The removal of directors is a Board decision.
The Board reviews the need for succession planning on a regular basis.
The Company’s Articles of Association require that all new directors seek election to the Board
at the next Annual General Meeting after their appointment. In addition, at every annual general
meeting one- third of the Directors are subject to retirement by rotation provided that the number
of directors retiring shall not exceed one-third. As a long term investment company it is
appropriate for directors to serve on the Board for more than a single term, subject to continuing
satisfactory performance. Given the small size of the Board, this results in infrequent changes to
the composition of the Board.
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Workings of the Board
The Board is collectively responsible to shareholders for the success of the Group. Entrepreneurial
leadership is provided by capitalising on the skills and experience of the investment committee
allied to the strategic vision and expertise of other Board members.
The Board has three committees, the Investment Committee is chaired by David Marshall and
its other members are Lloyd Marshall and Michael Robotham. The Nomination Committee is
chaired by Michael Robotham and its other member is Frank Lucas. The Audit Committee is
chaired by Frank Lucas and its other member is John Maxwell. Both members of the Audit
Committee have recent and relevant financial experience. All matters not specifically delegated
to a committee are reserved for the Board. Committee meetings are held independently of Board
meetings and invitations to attend are extended by the committee chairman to other directors
and the Group’s advisers as appropriate.
There is no Remuneration Committee as there are no executive directors. The aggregate
remuneration of directors is limited by the Company’s Articles of Association and this aggregate
amount can only be changed by the Company in General Meeting. The current rates of
remuneration are set out in detail in the Remuneration Report. The remuneration of the executive
directors and employees of the Company’s subsidiary, City Group, is determined by the Board
of City Group, which includes David Marshall, Lloyd Marshall and Michael Robotham.
As an investment company, there is no Chief Executive. The Chairman is responsible for the
effective performance of the Board through control of the Board’s agenda and running of its
meetings. The Chairman organises opportunities for directors to spend time with each other on
an informal basis to improve communication and relations between directors.
A representative of City Group, the Company Secretary, attends all Board meetings to record
proceedings and is available at any time to advise on any corporate governance issues that arise.
The Company Secretary is also responsible to the Chairman for the efficient organisation of Board
and Committee meetings including circulation of papers in advance of meetings. Management
reports including cash movements, portfolio movements and valuations are regularly circulated
to all directors for review.
The Board met on seven occasions during the year and the Audit Committee met on one occasion,
both following a formal agenda. The Nomination Committee did not meet during the year as
there was no requirement for it to meet. Attendance at Board and Audit Committee meetings
during the year is shown in the following table:
Board Audit Committee
No. of meetings in year 7 1
D.C. Marshall 7 –
F.W.A. Lucas 7 1
L.H. Marshall 7 –
J.H. Maxwell 6 1
J.M. Robotham 7 –
The Group’s strategic aim is to generate growth in shareholder value in real terms over the long
term through a mix of investments and utilising a prudent level of bank borrowing. The
investment mix and level of gearing are reviewed at each Board meeting. All major investment
decisions are taken by the Board. The Investment Committee has delegated authority within
certain limits for the management of the General Portfolio between Board meetings.
The Board, through review of the management reports, scrutinises the performance of the
Company against the objective of real growth in shareholder value over the long term.
New directors receive an induction programme and all directors are encouraged to maintain
personal continuing professional education programmes.
The Board evaluates its own performance and that of its committees and individual directors via
questionnaires completed annually.
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Corporate Governance (continued)
Audit Committee
The Board, through its audit committee, annually reviews all material internal controls, including
financial, operational and compliance controls, and risk management systems. As a result of this
review, procedures are adopted which mitigate those risks which have not been specifically
accepted under the Group’s investment policy. The responsibility on a day to day basis for
maintaining a sound system of internal controls rests with the directors of City Group which
provides day to day administration and accounting services to the Group.
There is a well-established system of internal controls set within a framework of clearly defined
structures and accountabilities with well understood policies and procedures; supported by
training, budgeting, reporting and review procedures. Board decisions are implemented on a
day to day basis by the subsidiary company, City Group. The framework for internal financial
control established in that company has been reviewed by the Board and is regarded as effective.
The reporting and review procedures provide assurance to the Board as to the adequacy and
effectiveness of internal controls. The Board recognise that it is not possible to divide some
functions as would be the case in larger organisations and accepts that close supervision is necessary.
The directors have considered the need for an internal audit function and do not believe that one is
appropriate because monitoring processes are applied to give reasonable assurance to the Board that
the systems of internal control are functioning as intended.
An annual self-assessment of risk is performed which identifies the areas in which the Group is
most exposed to risk, considers the financial implications and assesses the adequacy and
effectiveness of their control. The Board has discussed the results of this review and the directors
can therefore confirm that they have reviewed the effectiveness of the Company’s system of
internal control.
The Board maintains an appropriate relationship with the Company’s auditors through the audit
committee. The auditors do not provide any non-audit services other than payroll processing
and limited advice on taxation matters (see note 3, page 18).
Nomination Committee
The Board has formed a Nomination Committee which has been charged with nominating
suitable candidates for the Board to consider recommending to the shareholders for appointment
as directors of the Company. Changes to the composition of the Board are not anticipated to occur
on a frequent basis. Whenever a change is anticipated, a job description for the role will be agreed
by the Nomination Committee, taking into account the expertise available to the Group from the
other members of the Board and the need to acquire any specific capabilities. The Nomination
Committee will then undertake whatever process is most appropriate for the identification of
suitable candidates and their assessment, taking into account any other commitments candidates
might have. Appointments will be made on merit against objective criteria.
Shareholder Communications
The Board strives to present a balanced and understandable assessment of the Company’s
position and prospects in all interim and other price-sensitive public reports and in reports to
regulators as well as in the information required to be presented by statutory requirements. The
Chairman welcomes comments on the quality of reports and any areas for improvement.
Shareholder communication centres primarily on the publication of annual and interim accounts
and occasional press releases and trading updates. The Chairman is available for discussions
with shareholders throughout the year and particularly at the time of results announcements.
Mr J. H. Maxwell, the Senior Independent non-executive director is also always available should
a shareholder wish to draw any matters to his attention. The Annual General Meeting provides
a forum for discussion by Shareholders with the Board. Shareholders are encouraged to attend
the AGM and to participate in proceedings by asking questions during the formal part of the
meeting, voting on the resolutions put to the meeting and providing Board members with their
views in informal discussions after the meeting.
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Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in Respect of the
Accounts
The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under
that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. Under
company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied
that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss
of the Company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
(cid:129) select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
(cid:129) make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
(cid:129) prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union ,
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
(cid:129) 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. 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.
Each of the directors whose names and functions are listed on page 2 confirms that to the best of
each person’s knowledge and belief:
(cid:129) the financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group and Company;
and
(cid:129) the Directors’ Report contained in the Annual Report includes a fair review of the
development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and the
Company, together with a description of the principle risks and uncertainties that they face.
(cid:129) Considers that the annual report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance,
business model and strategy.
29th September 2015
By Order of the Board
CITY GROUP P.L.C.
Company Secretary
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London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.
Directors’ Remuneration Report
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Directors’ Remuneration Report
Regulations and also meets the relevant requirements of the UK Listing Authority Listing Rules.
A resolution to approve the report will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting of the
Company at which the financial statements will be approved. A separate resolution will be
proposed at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to approve the Company’s
remuneration policy.
All members of the Board in attendance at the Annual General Meeting will be available to
answer shareholders’ questions about directors’ remuneration.
Remuneration Committee
The Company has no Remuneration Committee because, given the size of the Group, it is not
considered appropriate to form a separate remuneration committee of the Board. The
remuneration payable to the executive director and employees of the Company’s subsidiary, City
Group, is considered by the board of City Group, which includes Mr. D.C. Marshall,
Mr. L. H. Marshall and Mr. J.M. Robotham.
Unaudited Information
Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The Company’s Remuneration Policy is to pay fixed fees to directors. There is no variable element
of pay for directors and directors are not eligible to receive awards under the Group’s Approved
Share Option Scheme or Unapproved Employee Benefit Scheme. No benefits are provided for
Group Directors. The Company has no remuneration committee and the level of fees is set by
the Board subject to the Company’s Articles of Association. Directors’ remuneration was
reviewed during the prior year and increased with effect from 1 January 2014 to £12,000 per
annum for Non-Executive Directors and £18,000 per annum for the Chairman.
Approved Share Option Scheme
This scheme was created to incentivise full time employees and directors of the Company’s
subsidiary City Group. Awards will be made to directors and employees of City Group to
recognise outstanding efforts or achievements, or otherwise to attract, motivate or retain staff.
There are no outstanding awards under this scheme. Options may not be granted more than ten
years from 29th September 2006, the date that the scheme was adopted by the Company. Subject
to shareholder approval at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 2nd December 2015, the
scheme rules will be amended to change the name of the scheme to “The London Finance &
Investment Group Company Share Option Plan”, update references to legislation where
applicable, and to remove this termination date.
Unapproved Employee Benefit Scheme
This scheme was created to incentivise full time employees and directors of the Company’s
subsidiary City Group. Awards will be made to directors and employees of City Group to
recognise outstanding efforts or achievements, or otherwise to attract, motivate or retain staff.
There are no outstanding awards under this scheme and it expires on 29th September 2016.
Loss of Office
No payments will be made to directors for loss of office.
Future Policy Table
Directors receive a
fixed annual fee
The maximum fee will be set by the
Board from time to time and increases
will not be higher than inflation unless
this can be justified by the performance
of
the Company or additional
responsibilities taken on.
Fees are set to attract, motivate
and retain talented individuals.
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The Group’s policy for increases in fees to directors is similar to the policy for increases in salary
to employees.
Remuneration on Recruitment
It is anticipated that new non-executive directors will be remunerated on a similar basis as
existing Directors and no additional payments will be made.
Should a new executive director be recruited, their remuneration package will be designed to
attract high quality individuals and will be commensurate with those available in the market at
the time of recruitment for persons with similar experience and any equity incentives granted
will be subject to shareholder approval. The remuneration package could include fixed and
variable bonuses, pension contributions, medical health and death in service insurance, travel
and other allowances as well as a salary.
Service Contracts
None of the directors has a service contract with the Company.
Performance Graph
Lonfin Total Shareholder Return v FTSE Eurofirst 100 Index
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
London
Finance &
Investment
Group
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