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Mainstream Group Holdings Limited

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FY2009 Annual Report · Mainstream Group Holdings Limited
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annual report & accounts 2009
Maintel Holdings Plc

Chairman’s statement  

Page 

1 

2 

3 

9 

10 

12 

14 

17 

18 

Directors, Company details and advisers

Chairman’s statement

Business review

Board of directors

Report on corporate governance

Report of the Remuneration committee 

Report of the directors

Statement of directors’ responsibilities

Independent auditor’s report

Page

20 

21	

22 

23	

24	

42 

43 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated	statement	of	financial	position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated	statement	of	cash	flows

Notes	forming	part	of	the	financial	statements

Balance sheet of Maintel Holdings Plc

Notes forming part of the balance sheet of  
Maintel Holdings Plc

46 

Notice of annual general meeting

1

Business review 
Directors, Company details and advisers

Directors

J D S Booth 

Chairman, Non-Executive Director

E Buxton 

Chief Executive

A J McCaffery 

Sales and Marketing Director

W D Todd 

Finance Director

N J Taylor 

Non-Executive Director

Secretary	and	registered	office

W D Todd, 61 Webber Street, London SE1 0RF

Company number

3181729

Auditors

BDO LLP, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU

Nominated broker and nominated adviser

JMFinn Capital Markets Limited, 4 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5TA

Registrars

Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, 

Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY  & 0870 707 1182

2

Chairman’s statement  
Chairman’s statement

Maintel’s revenue was unchanged in 2009 at £19.4m (2008 - £19.4m). However better margins 
derived from our cost reduction efforts of late 2008 and early 2009, combined with a healthier 
revenue mix caused profit before tax for the year to increase to £2.4m (2008 - £1.6m).

Our core maintenance business, with its high level of recurring revenues, grew from £9.2m in 2008 
to £10.3m in 2009. This was the result of good contract renewal rates, new client signings arising 
from our continuing strong relationship with Cable & Wireless Worldwide and our increasing number 
of partnerships with other large players in the telecoms industry, and lower than historic attrition 
rates. Equipment sales were lower, at £3.6m for the year, down from £4.7m in 2008, as we continued 
not to chase low margin business at a time of sluggish economic activity. We expect the current level 
of sales to provide a stable base for growth as economic conditions improve. For 2009 the shift from 
equipment installation to maintenance support has enabled us to utilise our engineering resource 
with greater efficiency. 

Network services revenues were also affected by a slow economy and were only marginally ahead for 
the year. A closer look at this part of the business shows that revenues from two large clients lost, 
flagged in our 2008 report were only replaced in the second half of 2009 so the outlook for 2010 is 
more positive, especially as we began the new year by further increasing the sales resource in this 
area of our business. Business call rates are still competitive however and network solutions remains 
an area of lower margin for the Group.

Basic earnings per share grew to 15.7p (2008 - 9.2p) and adjusted earnings per share, as defined 
in the business review, grew to 17.7p (2008 - 12.1p). Shareholders will remember that we took 
advantage of the fall in stock market valuations to repurchase and cancel a substantial amount of 
our equity towards the end of 2008 and we have purchased for cancellation a more modest amount, 
40,000 shares, in 2009. We remain committed to our progressive dividend policy and a second 
interim dividend for 2009 of 4.1p takes our total for the year to 7.2p, in line with our target pay out 
ratio of 40% (2008 – 5.6p). We ended the year with a good pipeline of business and prospects and 
a debt-free consolidated statement of financial position with cash reserves of £2.5m. With interest 
rates remaining low and in view of this comfortable cash position, the Board has declared a one off 
special interim dividend of 2.9p to be paid alongside the second interim dividend. This will be payable 
on 25 March 2010 to shareholders on the register at 12 March 2010.

We remain vigilant for acquisitions that represent good value as consolidation continues in our 
industry; the stability of the Company as we enter 2010 puts us in a good position to integrate new 
business whether organic or acquired.

I would like finally to express the Board’s thanks to our loyal and hardworking staff for their energy 
and commitment to the Company.

J D S Booth
Chairman

3 March 2010

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

3

Business review 
Business review

Results
As anticipated in the half-year statement, revenue and profit improved in the second half of the year, 
primarily as a result of new maintenance contracts and the effect of the cost reductions implemented 
in the first half of 2009. 

Adjusted profit before tax for the year was £2.675m, a 32% increase on 2008, with unadjusted profit 
before tax increasing by 50% to £2.382m.

The Company repurchased 1,150,000 shares in Q4 2008 and this, combined with the increased 
profitability, has enhanced EPS by 46% from 12.1p (adjusted diluted) in 2008 to 17.7p in 2009. Basic 
diluted EPS increased by 71%, from 9.2p in 2008 to 15.7p in 2009.

Revenue 

Profit before tax 

H1 2009 
£000 

9,401 

967 

H2 2009 
£000 

9,993 

1,415 

Add back goodwill impairment  
and intangibles amortisation  
(and one-off professional fees in 2008) 

Adjusted profit before tax 

Basic and diluted earnings per share 

161 

1,128 

6.3p 

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share  7.5p 

132 

1,547 

9.4p 

10.2p 

2009 
£000 

19,394 

2,382 

293 

2,675 

15.7p 

17.7p 

2008
£000

19,415 

1,589

432

2,021

9.2p

12.1p

Overall, revenues fell marginally in the year, with the two major new contracts announced during 
the year performing well and contributing to a £1.132m increase in maintenance revenues over 
2008. 2010 will see a full year’s revenue from these contracts, as well as revenue from several other 
significant contracts already signed with the same partner.

The increase in maintenance revenues helped compensate for the £1.130m reduction in equipment 
sales, the result of the subdued economic environment combined with the continuation of our strategy 
of avoiding low margin business. Equipment sales in the first half of the year were virtually identical to 
those in the second and are projected to continue at similar levels in the short to medium term.

Network services revenues increased marginally in the year, with the two major contracts lost in 2008 
having been successfully replaced. The second half of 2009 showed encouraging growth over the 
first, giving confidence in further development of the division in 2010.

Recurring revenue (maintenance and network services) increased again in the year to £16.0m 
(82% of total revenues) (2008 – £14.8m and 76%), providing additional visibility of revenues 
notwithstanding the effects of attrition.

Revenue analysis (£000) 

Maintenance related  

Equipment, installations and other 

   Total maintenance and equipment division 

Network services division 

Intercompany 

   Total Maintel Group 

2009 

10,289 

3,572 

13,861 

5,703 

(170) 

19,394 

2008

9,157

4,702

13,859

5,678

(122)

19,415

Net cash flow from operating activities continues to be strong, at £2.368m in 2009 (2008 - £1.391m), 
with cash balances increasing to £2.506m at the year end (2008 - £1.010m) after dividend payments 
of £668,000. The Group has no debt.

Divisional performance is described further below.

 
 
4

Business review   
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

Maintenance and equipment division
The maintenance and equipment division provides maintenance, service and support of office-based 
voice and data equipment across the UK on a contracted basis. It also supplies and installs voice and 
data equipment to maintenance customers.

The division’s revenues increased slightly in the year as shown in the table above, with a reduction 
in equipment sales to what are now considered to be sustainable levels in the current environment 
being offset by an increase in maintenance revenues. 

The latter increased by £1.132m (12%) in the year, primarily as a result of the continuing relationship 
with Cable & Wireless Worldwide, which has contributed further business in 2010. In addition, 
virtually all of the major contracts that came up for renewal during the year have been re-signed, 
with the attrition percentage remaining below historical averages.

In light of the successful relationship developed with Cable & Wireless Worldwide, partnerships with 
other integrators were developed during the year and began contributing to revenues, and others 
are being developed. These relationships provide a ready source of typically high value contracts 
with relatively low levels of associated sales cost. The traditional direct sales model does, of course, 
continue to be operated in parallel, ensuring that the Group is not overly dependent on any one or a 
particular group of partners.

The continuing reduced levels of equipment sales at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 resulted 
in a further reduction in headcount early in H1 2009 as shown below, at a cost of £123,000 in the 
first half. 

Headcount 
Sales and customer service 

Average 2009  
44  

Average 2008  
49 

Engineers 

79  

84 

2009 

At 31 December  
2009
45

77

2008

Division gross profit (£000) 

5,828 (42%) 

5,017 (36%)

The division’s gross profit improved significantly in 2009, a combination of the mid-2008 and 
early-2009 cost reductions and the change in sales mix from equipment sales – with its associated 
purchase costs – to maintenance sales.

Net margin (operating profit as a percentage of revenue) from the division improved almost in line 
with gross margin, from 10.3% in 2008, to 16.0%, the division’s overheads continuing to be tightly 
controlled during the year.

Given the application of common resource across both maintenance and equipment sales, it is not 
practical to quote definitive margin data on the separate business sectors; however management 
figures are used to monitor results internally.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
  
 
 
  
  
5

Business review   
Business review 

(continued)

Network services division
The network services division sells a portfolio of products providing connectivity between customers’ 
own offices, remote staff and the outside world. This includes inbound and outbound telephone call 
services, line rental, broadband, data networks and mobile services.

Revenue analysis (£000) 

Call traffic  

Line rental 

Other 

Total network services 

2009 

2,826 

2,048 

829 

5,703 

2008

3,405

1,645

628

5,678

Division gross profit (£000) 

1,400 (25%) 

1,406 (25%)

Revenue increased slightly during the year, with the two large losses in late 2008 – caused by the 
acquisition of one client and the withdrawal from its market of another - being successfully replaced 
with new revenues.

The mix of revenue has altered significantly during the year, as the call-traffic dominant customers 
lost in late 2008 have been replaced by more line rental weighted business in 2009, including one 
particular large estate connected around the middle of 2009. Call traffic revenues have also reduced 
as a result of the recession, with Ofcom reporting a drop in UK call traffic year on year.

Line rental revenues are more solid, being less affected by seasonality and general economic activity, 
however they attract lower margins than call traffic. Overall gross profit has been maintained at 
the previous year’s level, however, partly as a result of increased margins earned from both call 
traffic and line rental business because of lower buy-in costs, but also as a result of new, lower cost, 
connection procedures and the lower margins attached to the business lost. In particular better line 
rental margins were achieved in the second half of 2009 as a result of consolidating lines with BT 
openreach.

Within Other revenue, data services increased by 29% in the year to £537,000, becoming a 
significant product offering, and sales of our IP based telephony services such as SIP trunking and 
hosted telephone services products are growing.

Aside from the two major customers which cancelled in 2008, attrition in the division remained at 
its historically low levels, providing a solid base from which to enter 2010. The H2 2009 network 
services profit was 18% up on the first half and two more large contracts were signed in Q4 2009.

Administrative expenses, excluding goodwill impairment and intangibles 
amortisation

Administrative expenses (£000) 

Sales expenses  

Other administrative expenses  
(excluding goodwill impairment and  
intangible amortisation) 

Total other administrative expenses 

2009 

2,080 

2,372 

4,452 

2008

2,114

2,302

4,416

6

Business review   
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

Administrative expenses, excluding goodwill impairment and intangibles 
amortisation (continued)

Sales and administrative costs continue to be closely controlled and rose by less than 1% in the year.  
The table below shows relevant headcount in relation to revenue.

Average Group headcount during the period 

Average sales and service headcount 

Average corporate and admin headcount 

2009 

153 

53 

21 

2008

162

58

20

Group revenue (£000) 

19,394 

19,415

Interest
Net interest receivable fell from £68,000 to £12,000 in 2009. The share buybacks in late 2008 and in 
March 2009 reduced the Group’s cash reserves significantly at the time and, together with the poor 
rates of interest achievable on low risk deposits, this has resulted in minimal interest income in the 
period. 

Taxation
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income shows a tax rate of 28.8% (2008 – 31.2%). 
The two main trading companies are taxed at 28.0% (2008 – 28.5%). Disallowables raise the 
effective rate above this, as does an element of the goodwill impairment charge which does not 
attract tax relief. This last factor reduced in 2009 helping to lower the effective rate compared to the 
previous year. 

Dividends
A final dividend for 2008 of 3.1p per share (£334,000 in total) was paid on 29 April 2009, and an 
interim 2009 dividend of 3.1p per share (£334,000) was paid on 2 October 2009.

It is proposed to pay a second interim dividend of 4.1p in respect of 2009, together with a one off 
special interim dividend of 2.9p, payable on 25 March to shareholders on the register at the close of 
business on 12 March. In accordance with accounting standards, these dividends are not accounted 
for in the financial statements for the period under review as they had not been committed as at  
31 December 2009.

Consolidated	statement	of	financial	position
The consolidated statement of financial position remains sound, with £2.5m of cash and no debt, 
facilitating continued growth from existing resources.

Trade receivables and trade payables have reduced by £372,000 and £317,000 respectively since  
31 December 2008 partly due to the reduction in equipment sales and good collections in December 
2009. 

The value of maintenance stock has reduced by £71,000 in the year, to £604,000, due to minimal 
purchases of additional parts in the year following two years of significant investment, whilst normal 
half yearly provisioning has continued to be applied. The value of stock held for resale has increased 
from £61,000 to £114,000 as a result of more installations spanning the year end.

Deferred income has increased by £182,000, mostly due to the increase in maintenance revenues 
and deposits taken, although the increase has been curtailed by a major customer being invoiced on 
terms more favourable than the Group’s standard annually in advance.

No significant expenditure has been required on plant and equipment during the period, with 
additions broadly matching depreciation.

The deferred tax liability arises from the application of IFRS, whereby a liability of £290,000 was 
created on the recognition of the intangible asset relating to the acquisition of the District group in 
2006. 

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
7

Business review   
Business review 

(continued)

Intangible assets
The Group has three intangible assets: goodwill arising on the acquisition of Maintel Network 
Services Limited, an intangible asset represented by customer contracts and relationships 
acquired from District Holdings Limited and Callmaster Limited, and goodwill relating to the District 
acquisition.

The Maintel Network Services goodwill is subject to an impairment test at each reporting date. 
Impairment of £30,000 has been charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in 
2009 (2008 - £62,000), and the carrying value is £202,000 at 31 December 2009. 

The intangible assets represented by purchased customer contracts and relationships are subject to 
an amortisation charge of 20% of cost per annum in respect of maintenance contract relationships and 
14.2% per annum in respect of network services contracts. £263,000 was amortised in 2009 (2008 - 
£263,000), leaving a carrying value of £568,000. These assets are also subject to an impairment test 
each year, however no additional charge was required at 31 December 2009 or 2008.

The goodwill relating to the District acquisition is subject to an impairment test at each reporting 
date, and has not been subject to an impairment charge in 2009 (2008 - £58,000), leaving a carrying 
value of £145,000.

Purchase of own shares
Further to the authority granted at the last two AGMs, the Company repurchased and cancelled 
40,000 of its own shares during 2009, at a price of 76p, and a total cost of £30,000. 

The share price at 31 December 2009 was 145p.

Cash	flow
At 31 December 2009 the Group had cash and bank balances of £2.506m (2008 - £1.010m), all of 
it unrestricted. Cash generated from operating activities in the year was £2.917m, out of which 
£668,000 was paid in dividends, and £549,000 in corporation tax.

The Group has no debt and invests its surplus cash with mainstream banking organisations.

Principal risks
The directors consider that the principal risks to the Group relate to technological advance, 
marketplace relationships and pricing strategies, and the potential implications of the current 
economic environment.

Telecommunications hardware has historically focused on a PBX core, which is gradually being 
replaced, at least at the higher end, by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities. Customers’ 
acceptance of the new technologies moves at varying rates, however, so that legacy systems 
will continue to be serviced for some time to come. Maintel sells and maintains the new breed of 
telephone system (IPPBX), and has had notable success with the transition to date. Maintenance 
income from the new technology can be reduced when compared to traditional telephony although 
every effort is made to counter this effect through reduced costs in delivering our service and by 
retaining the resultant enhanced calls and lines revenue.

Certain customers are gradually adopting VoIP technology which has a potential threat to the 
reselling of call minutes. Recognising this potential risk, the Group has expanded its product portfolio 
with, for example, the launch of SIP trunking and hosted IP technology. In addition line rental 
revenues have continued to grow significantly during 2009. The development of VoIP is constantly 
monitored so that the Group may take advantage of profitable business models as and when they 
appear.

The Group is potentially subject to new pricing strategies by both competitors and suppliers, whether 
due to their own internal policies, in response to technological change or, in the case of call minutes 
and line rentals, potential regulatory change. The directors monitor margins closely and take action 
where appropriate. 

The Group has a symbiotic relationship with Cable & Wireless Worldwide, such that Cable & 
Wireless Worldwide constitutes a significant share of its maintenance base. Should this relationship 
be terminated, the maintenance base would reduce to that extent over time, necessitating a 
commensurate reduction in costs. Partnerships with other integrators are being developed which are 
expected to reduce this share. 

8

Business review   
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

Principal risks (continued) 

The Group’s maintenance contracts have a natural finite life, and are subject to competitive attack, 
so that there is an inevitable customer churn. The directors monitor the rate and causes of churn 
and implement strategies with the objective of minimising attrition and growing the customer base 
organically and by way of acquisition if cost effective.

The current exceptional economic environment has impacted negatively on the Group’s revenues, 
largely due to the curtailment in discretionary spend by some of the Group’s customers, which has 
had a negative effect particularly on equipment sales. These conditions may persist and, indeed, 
may worsen, although the Group has already reduced its cost base to reflect reduced revenues and 
will continue to monitor its sales pipeline and costs closely. 

The economic environment may also cause an increased number of the Group’s customers to be 
unable to meet their financial obligations and/or to seek to delay payment beyond agreed terms. The 
Group carefully assesses the creditworthiness of prospects and will insure its network services debt 
where deemed necessary and possible; a significant proportion of the Group’s revenue relates to 
maintenance charges paid in advance, to which no credit risk attaches. 

Nortel
A significant proportion of the Group’s business is associated with products previously supplied by 
Nortel. 

Nortel has been acquired by Avaya, which has indicated that certain Nortel products will be 
discontinued in the medium term. The directors consider that the only impact on the Group in the 
short to medium term is the possible postponement of the purchase of Nortel equipment and the 
purchase of equipment from alternative manufacturers. This is unlikely to have a significant effect 
on the Group, given the lower levels of equipment sales being budgeted due to the economic climate 
and the ability of the Group to offer alternative manufacturers’ systems to customers. The directors 
have plans to grow the Group’s Avaya capabilities further in response to Nortel’s acquisition.

Outlook
With a number of larger maintenance orders taken during 2009 contributing a full year’s revenue 
in 2010, together with both maintenance and equipment orders ahead of target so far in 2010, the 
maintenance and equipment division has had a promising start to the year. The network services 
division is also seeing growth though at a slower rate, however investment has been made in 
additional sales resource which is expected to have a positive impact from the middle of the year.

With costs remaining tightly controlled, we are confident of making further progress during 2010.

E Buxton 
Chief Executive

3 March 2010

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

9

Business review 
Board of directors   

Dale Todd, 51
Finance director
Dale qualified as a chartered accountant with 
Thomson McLintock (now KPMG) in 1982 and 
joined the Group in March 2002. Prior to this he 
held positions as group finance director at Rolfe 
& Nolan Plc, Best International Group Plc and HS 
Publishing Group Ltd.

Nicholas Taylor, 43
Non-executive director
Nicholas has extensive experience of 
working with growing companies, in both 
an executive and non-executive capacity. A 
former management consultant, he joined 
Luther Pendragon Limited, a communications 
consultancy, in 1995, where he rose to become 
Managing Partner, before leaving in 2000 to 
become Chief Executive of WPP subsidiary 
Metro Broadcast Limited. After two years in the 
not-for profit sector, as a director of the Royal 
Institute of British Architects, he is currently 
Chief Operating Officer of EU affairs consultancy, 
G Plus Limited.

John Booth, 51
Non-executive chairman
John was appointed chairman of Maintel in 
1996. He is also chairman of Integrated Asset 
Management plc and Jazz FM. He acts as a 
non-executive director of several other private 
companies and as a consultant to Herald Venture 
Partners. Prior to becoming Chairman John 
spent his career in equities investment and 
broking, holding various senior positions in the 
industry. He is currently executive chairman of 
the Link Group which was acquired by ICAP plc 
in 2008. 

Eddie Buxton, 49
Chief executive
Eddie was appointed chief executive on 
2 February 2009, having previously been 
managing director of the telecoms division of 
Redstone plc. Eddie has worked in telecoms 
since 1995 including senior roles with Cable and 
Wireless, NTL and Centrica Telecommunications. 

Angus McCaffery, 43
Sales and marketing director
Angus has over 20 years experience in the 
telecommunications market, and co-founded 
Maintel Europe in 1991, being appointed sales 
director of Maintel Holdings in 1996. His role 
with the Group has been to develop its sales, 
marketing and product strategy.

10

Chairman’s statement  
Report on corporate governance

As a company listed on the Alternative 
Investment Market of the London Stock 
Exchange, Maintel Holdings Plc is not required to 
comply with the Combined Code (“the Code”). 
However, the board of directors recognises the 
importance of, and is committed to, ensuring 
that proper standards of corporate governance 
operate throughout the Group and has taken 
steps to comply with it insofar as it can be 
applied practically, given the size of the Group 
and the nature of its operations.

The directors have applied the principles and 
provisions of the Code in the following manner:

Board of directors
The board includes two non-executives - John 
Booth, who is chairman, and Nicholas Taylor. It is 
not considered necessary, given the Company’s 
size and stage of development, to actively seek 
a further non-executive director at this stage.

Other than in respect of their shareholdings in 
the Company, both non-executive directors are 
independent of management and are free from 
any business or other relationship which could 
materially interfere with the exercise of their 
independent judgement.

The board also consists of three executive 
directors, of whom Eddie Buxton is Chief 
Executive, Angus McCaffery is Sales and 
Marketing Director and Dale Todd is Finance 
Director.

The directors’ biographies on page 9 
demonstrate the range and depth of experience 
they bring to the Group.

The following committees deal with specific 
aspects of the Group’s affairs:

Audit committee
The audit committee is chaired by Nicholas 
Taylor with John Booth being the other member. 
Eddie Buxton and Dale Todd (who acts as 
secretary to the committee) attend meetings by 
invitation, as do the external auditors.

The remit of the committee is to:

•  consider the continued appointment of the 

external auditors, and their fees.

•  liaise with the external auditors in relation to 

the nature and scope of the audit. 

•  review the financial statements and any 

other financial announcements issued by the 
Company.

•  review any comments and recommendations 

received from the external auditors.

•  review the Company’s statements on internal 
control systems and the policies and process 
for identifying and assessing business risks 
and the management of those risks by the 
Company.

The audit committee convenes at least twice a 
year.

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee is chaired by 
Nicholas Taylor, its other member being John 
Booth. The committee meets at least once a 
year. The committee’s report to shareholders on 
directors’ remuneration is set out on page 12.

The board meets regularly, normally monthly, 
and both reviews operations and assesses future 
strategy for the two operating subsidiaries 
and for the Group as a whole. It operates to a 
schedule of matters specifically reserved for its 
decision.

Nomination committee
The nomination committee had two members 
during 2009, both non-executive, being John 
Booth, chairman, and Nicholas Taylor. The 
committee meets as required under the terms of 
its remit, which includes: 

The Company’s articles of association require 
that Dale Todd retires by rotation at the 
forthcoming annual general meeting and he 
offers himself for re-election at the meeting. 

The Company has purchased insurance to cover 
its directors and officers against any costs they 
may incur in defending themselves in any legal 
proceedings instigated against them as a direct 
result of duties carried out on behalf of the 
Company.

The directors are able to seek independent 
professional advice as necessary, for the 
furtherance of their duties, at the Company’s 
expense within designated financial limits.

•  regularly reviewing the structure, size and 

composition of the board.

•  identifying and nominating suitable candidates 

to fill vacancies on the board.

Relationship with shareholders
The chairman’s statement and the business 
review on pages 3 to 8 include a detailed review 
of the business and future developments.

In addition to regular financial reporting, 
significant matters relating to trading or 
development of the business are released 
to the market by way of Stock Exchange 
announcements.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

11

Report on corporate governance
Business review 

(continued)

The directors meet with institutional and other 
shareholders when possible, usually following 
the announcement of the Company’s results, to 
keep them informed about the performance and 
objectives of the business.

The annual general meeting provides a further 
forum for shareholders to communicate with the 
board. Details of resolutions to be proposed at 
the annual general meeting are set out in the 
notice of meeting.

Internal control
The board is ultimately responsible for the 
Group’s systems of internal control, and for 
reviewing their effectiveness. Such systems can 
provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. The 
Board believes that the Group has internal 
control systems in place appropriate to the size 
and nature of its business. 

The directors do not consider that an internal 
audit function is required, given the size and 
nature of the business at this time. This situation 
is reviewed annually.

The Group maintains a comprehensive process 
of financial reporting. The annual budget is 
reviewed and approved by the board before 
being formally adopted, following which the 
board receives at least monthly financial 
reports of the Group’s performance compared 
to the budget, with explanations of significant 
variances. Monthly cash flow forecasts are 
provided to the board, as are budget reforecasts 
if deemed appropriate.

The executive directors monitor key 
performance indicators on a monthly basis, 
management of these being delegated to the 
Group’s senior management.

The board undertakes a rolling review of known 
and potential risks, and addresses newly 
identified risks as they arise, with controls put 
in place to minimise their potential effect on the 
Group.

Operating control
Each executive director has defined 
responsibility for specific aspects of the Group’s 
operations. The executive directors, together 
with key senior executives, meet regularly to 
discuss day-to-day operational matters.

Investment appraisal
Capital expenditure is controlled via the 
budgetary process, the budget being approved 
by the board. Expenditure is approved as 
required by the chief executive.

Risk management
The board is responsible for identifying the 
major business risks faced by the Group and for 
determining the appropriate course of action to 
manage these risks. The Group’s approach to 
financial risk management is further explained in 
note 16 to the financial statements.

Compliance statement
Although not subject to the Code given its AIM-
listed status, the board considers that, where 
relevant, it has adhered to the principles of the 
Code throughout the year, with the exception of 
not having a third non-executive director.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with 
factors likely to affect its future development, 
performance and position, the financial position 
of the Group and its cash flows are set out in the 
Business review on pages 3 to 8.  

The Group has sound financial resources and 
a substantial level of recurring revenue across 
a range of sectors and as a consequence and 
after making enquiries, the directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company and 
the Group have adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the financial 
statements.

12

Chairman’s statement  
Report of the Remuneration committee

The committee consists of the two non-executive directors, Nicholas Taylor (chairman of the 
committee) and John Booth.

The committee’s remit is to measure the performance of, and determine remuneration policy relating 
to directors and certain senior employees, and has access to professional and other advice external 
to the Group. Taking these factors into account, it then makes recommendations to the board.

Remuneration policy
The Group’s executive director remuneration policy is designed to attract and retain directors of the 
calibre required to maintain the Group’s position in its marketplace.

The executive director remuneration package consists of up to four elements:

(a) Basic salary

An executive director’s basic salary is determined by the remuneration committee at the beginning 
of each year. In deciding appropriate levels the committee considers the relative responsibilities of 
each of the directors.

Basic salaries were reviewed in January 2010 with increases of between 1.4% and 7.1% being 
awarded.

Executive directors’ service agreements, which include details of remuneration, will be available for 
inspection at the annual general meeting.

(b)	Pension	contributions	and	other	benefits

Executive directors are entitled to employer pension contributions of 3% of basic salary, or additional 
salary in lieu thereof. 

They also receive a car allowance and membership of private health, permanent health and life 
assurance schemes.

(c) Bonus

Eddie Buxton and Dale Todd are eligible to receive bonuses, dependant on Group profitability. 

(d) Share options

Eddie Buxton and Dale Todd were granted share options during 2009, details of which are shown below.

Directors’ service agreements
Each executive director has a six month rolling service agreement.

Non-executive directors
Each of the non-executive directors has a three month rolling contract.

The remuneration of the non-executive directors is agreed by the executive directors, and is based 
upon the level of fees paid at comparable companies. The non-executives receive no payment or 
benefits other than their fees.

Directors’ remuneration
The remuneration of the directors in office at 31 December 2009 was as follows: 

Salaries/ 
fees 
£000 

Benefits 
£000 

Pension 
Bonus  contributions 
£000 
£000 

J D S Booth 

N J Taylor 

E Buxton(3) 

A J McCaffery 

W D Todd 

31 

18 

115 

121 

115 

400 

- 

- 

11 

17 

12 

40 

- 

- 

23 

- 

11 

34 

- 

- 

2 

4 

- 

6 

Total   
2009 (1) 
£000   

31   

18   

151   

142   

138   

480   

Total
2008 (1,2)
£000

31

18

-

136 

129

314

(1) Social security costs in respect of the above amounted to £55,000 (2008 - £36,000).
(2) Including employer pension contributions of £4,000 and benefits of £29,000, so that salaries amounted to £281,000.
(3) Mr Buxton was appointed on 2 February 2009.

The directors are the only employees of the Company.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
13

Report of the remuneration committee
Business review 

(continued)

Directors’ interests in ordinary shares
The directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of the Company are shown in the directors’ report on 
page 14.

Share options
On 18 May 2009 the directors of the Company approved the adoption of the Maintel Holdings Plc 
2009 Option Plan.

On the same date, the directors granted to Eddie Buxton, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer:

(a)  an option over 53,909 shares, which has vested and equates to 0.5% of the issued share capital 
of the Company, with an exercise price of £1.00. 

(b)  an option over the number of shares (if any) that Mr Buxton acquires in the market during 
the first year of his employment with the Company, with an exercise price of the higher of (a) the 
prevailing market price at the time of purchase by Mr Buxton, and (b) £1, up to a maximum of 
107,818 shares, which equates to 1.0% of the issued share capital of the Company. Mr Buxton 
acquired no shares during the requisite period and so this option has now lapsed.

(c)  an option over 107,818 shares, which equates to 1.0% of the issued share capital of the Company, 
with an exercise price of £2.00. This option will vest and may be exercised after 18 months’ 
continuous employment with the Company or, if earlier, from the first date after 18 May 2009 that 
the mid market price of the Company’s ordinary shares is £2.00.

(d)  an option over 107,818 shares, which equates to 1.0% of the issued share capital of the 
Company, with an exercise price of £3.00. This option will vest and may be exercised after 3 years’ 
continuous employment with the Company or, if earlier, from the first date after 18 May 2009 that 
the mid market price of the Company’s ordinary shares is £3.00.

In each case, the option expires on 18 May 2019.

On 10 September 2009 the directors granted to Dale Todd, the Company’s Finance Director, an 
option over 10,000 shares, which equates to 0.09% of the issued share capital of the Company, 
with an exercise price of 150.5p. The option vests and may be exercised from the date of grant, and 
expires on 10 September 2019.

On 23 December 2009 the directors granted to Dale Todd an option over a further 10,000 shares, 
with an exercise price of 145p. The option vests and may be exercised from the date of grant, and 
expires on 23 December 2019.

Share Incentive Plan
In 2006 the Company established the Maintel Holdings Plc Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”). The SIP is 
open to all employees with at least 6 months’ continuous service with a Group company, and allows 
employees to subscribe for existing shares in the Company at open market price out of their gross 
salary. The employees own the shares from the date of purchase, but must continue to be employed 
by a Group company and hold their shares within the SIP for 5 years to benefit from the full tax 
benefits of the plan.

The Report of the Remuneration committee was approved by the Board on 3 March 2010.

N J Taylor
Chairman of the Remuneration committee

14

Report of the directors   
Chairman’s statement  
for the year ended 31 December 2009

The directors present their annual report together with the audited financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2009.    

Principal activities
The principal activities of the Group are the provision of contracted maintenance services to, and the 
sale of, fixed line telecommunications systems, the provision of fixed line and mobile call services, 
line rentals, broadband, data networks and other telecommunications products.  

Results and dividends  
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income is set out on page 20 and shows the profit of 
the Group for the year.

During the year the Company paid a final dividend of 3.1p per ordinary share in respect of the 2008 
financial year, amounting to £334,000 (2008 – 3.0p and £364,000 respectively) and an interim 
dividend in respect of 2009 of 3.1p per share, amounting to £334,000 (2008 – 2.5p and £300,000 
respectively).  The directors propose the payment of a second interim dividend in respect of 2009 of 
4.1p per share together with a one off special interim dividend of 2.9p per share.

Business review
A review of the business and future developments of the Group is set out in the Business review on 
pages 3 to 8.

Directors
The directors of the Company as at 31 December 2009 and their interests in the ordinary shares of 
the Company at that date were as follows:

Number of 1p ordinary shares

2009 

2008

Beneficial   Non-beneficial  

Beneficial   Non-beneficial

J D S Booth 

2,755,380  

- 

2,751,745 

E Buxton (appointed 2 February 2009*)

- 

52,152 

- 

A J McCaffery 

N J Taylor  

W D Todd  

2,166,232 

- 

2,162,688 

11,329 

3,544 

47,823 

48,608 

7,747 

- 

     -

     -

         -

27,269

28,016

* Mr Buxton held no shares at the date of appointment

J D S Booth is a shareholder in Herald Investment Trust plc which holds 760,000 1p ordinary shares 
in the Company; this is in addition to Mr Booth’s beneficial holding above.

The non-beneficial holdings above relate to holdings of the Share Incentive Plan, of which the 
respective directors are trustees.  

Since the year end, the Share Incentive Plan has sold a net 723 shares in total. There were no other 
changes in the directors’ shareholdings between 31 December 2009 and 3 March 2010.

The Company has purchased insurance to cover its directors and officers against any costs they may 
incur in defending themselves in any legal proceedings instigated against them as a direct result of 
duties carried out on behalf of the Company.

Details of the changes in the Company’s share capital during the year are given in note 18.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15

Report of the directors   
Business review 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

Substantial shareholders
In addition to the directors’ shareholdings, at 3 March 2010 the Company had been notified of the 
following shareholdings of 3% or more in the ordinary share capital of the Company:

J A Spens 
Octopus Investments Limited 
Herald Investment Trust plc 
T Wat 
Marlborough Special Situations Fund 

Number of 
1p ordinary shares 

% of issued
ordinary shares

1,562,330 
811,810 
760,000 
680,203 
465,000 

14.5%
7.5%
7.0%
6.3%
4.3%

The Company’s mid-market share price at 31 December 2009 was 145p per share, and the high and 
low prices during the year were 156p and 77.5p respectively.

Employees
Maintel’s success is dependent on the knowledge, experience and motivation of its employees, and 
so on the attraction and retention of those staff. The Group’s management monitors the compliance 
with both statutory regulation and best practice with regard to gender, race, age and disability.

A Group intranet is core to open communication amongst employees, and this continues to be 
developed.

The Company established a Share Incentive Plan in 2006, allowing employees to invest tax 
effectively in its shares, and so aligning employee interests with shareholders. Under the plan, 
shares are acquired by employees out of pre-tax salary, with ownership vesting at that time, and are 
held by trustees on behalf of the employees. The plan is therefore separate from the assets of the 
Group.

Environment
The Group acknowledges its responsibilities to environmental matters and where practicable adopts 
environmentally sound policies in its working practices, such as recycling paper and packaging waste 
and using specialist recyclers of scrap telecommunications and IT equipment. Maintel Europe Limited 
has ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for its environmental management systems.

Purchase of own shares
Pursuant to the authority granted at the last and penultimate AGMs, the Company repurchased 
and cancelled 40,000 of its own 1p ordinary shares during 2009, at a price of 76p each at a total 
cost of £30,000, the directors considering that such purchases were in the best interests of the 
shareholders. The purchases represent 0.4% of the Company’s issued share capital as at  
31 December 2009. The existing authority is for the purchase of up to 1,622,187 shares, none of 
which has been utilised since being approved. A fresh authority, in the amount of 1,616,191 shares, 
will be sought at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

Financial instruments
Details of the use of financial instruments by the Group are contained in note 16 of the financial 
statements.

Donations
The Group made charitable contributions of £nil (2008 – £nil) during the year. No contributions were 
made to political organisations (2008 - £nil).

 
 
16

Report of the directors   
Chairman’s statement  
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

Creditor payment policy
The Group policy for suppliers is to fix terms of payment when agreeing the terms of 
transactions, and to comply with those contractual arrangements.  The Group’s average creditor 
payment period at 31 December 2009 was 29 days (2008 – 37 days).  The Company’s average 
creditor payment period at 31 December 2009 was 27 days (2008 – 83 days), these figures being 
due to the irregular nature of the Company’s creditor payments.

Auditors
All of the current directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make 
themselves aware of any information needed by the Company’s auditors for the purposes of their 
audit and to ensure that the auditors are aware of that information.  The directors are not aware 
of any relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware.

A resolution proposing the re-appointment of BDO LLP as auditors of the Company will be 
proposed at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

On behalf of the Board

E Buxton
Director

3 March 2010

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

17

Business review 
Statement of directors’ responsibilities

Directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year.  Under 
that law the directors have elected to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and the 
Company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).  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 of the Group 
for that period.  The directors are also required to prepare financial statements in accordance 
with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the Alternative 
Investment Market.  

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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

•  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.

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 requirements of 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.

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.

18

Independent auditor’s report 
Chairman’s statement  
to the shareholders of Maintel Holdings Plc

We have audited the financial statements of Maintel Holdings Plc for the year ended 31 December 
2009 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position and company balance sheet, 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of cash flows, 
the consolidated statement of changes in equity 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 auditors
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 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
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements 
sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error.  This includes an assessment of: whether the 
accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s and the parent company’s circumstances and have 
been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting 
estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

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 2009 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’s 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.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

19

Independent auditor’s report 
Business review 
to the shareholders of Maintel Holdings Plc (continued)

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the directors’ report for the financial year for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 
requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for 

our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

•  the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and 

returns; or

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

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

Scott McNaughton
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor
London

3 March 2010

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

20

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Administrative expenses

 Goodwill impairment 

 Intangibles amortisation 

 Other administrative expenses 

Operating profit 

Financial income 

Financial charges 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation  

Profit and total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent 

Earnings per share 

Basic and diluted 

The notes on pages 24 to 41 form part of these financial statements.

Note 

2 

10 

10 

5 

6 

6 

7 

9 

2009  
£000 

19,394 

12,279 

7,115 

30 

263 

4,452 

4,745 

2,370 

12 

-  

2,382 

685 

1,697 

2008
£000

19,415

13,095 

6,320

120

263

4,416 

4,799

1,521

69

(1)

1,589

495

1,094

15.7p 

9.2p 

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21

Consolidated statement of financial position  

at 31 December 2009

Non current assets

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Current assets

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Current tax liabilities 

Total current liabilities 

Non current liabilities

Deferred tax liability 

Total net assets 

Equity

Issued share capital 

Share premium 

Capital redemption reserve 

Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Note 

 2009 
£000 

718 

2,956 

2,506 

10 

12 

13 

14 

15 

17 

18 

19 

19 

19 

2009 
£000 

990 

192 

1,182 

6,180 

7,362 

5,069 

380 

5,449 

47 

1,866 

108 

628 

28 

1,102 

1,866 

2008 
£000 

736 

3,164

1,010

2008 
£000

1,208

200

1,408

4,910

6,318

5,173

193

5,366

98

854

108

628

28

90

854

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 3 March 2010 and were signed on its behalf by:

W D Todd
Director

The notes on pages 24 to 41 form part of these financial statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

At 1 January 2008  

Profit and total comprehensive income for year 

Dividend 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

At 31 December 2008  

Profit and total comprehensive income for year 

Dividend 

Share based payment credit 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

Share 
capital 
£000 

124 

Share 
premium 
£000  

628 

-    

-    

(16) 

108 

-    

- 

-    

- 

-  

- 

-  

628 

-  

- 

- 

-   

At 31 December 2009 

  108  

628 

The notes on pages 24 to 41 form part of these financial statements.

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

12 

 -  

-  

16  

28 

 -  

-  

-  

-   

28 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

1,442 

1,094 

(664) 

(1,782) 

90 

1,697 

(668) 

13 

(30) 

1,102 

Total
£000

2,206

1,094

(664)

(1,782)

854

1,697

(668)

13

(30)

1,866

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23

Consolidated statement of cash flows  

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Operating activities 

Profit before taxation 

Adjustments for: 

Goodwill impairment 

Intangibles amortisation 

Share based payments 

Depreciation charge 

Interest received 

Other interest paid 

Loss on disposal of plant and equipment 

Operating cash flows before changes in working capital 

Decrease in inventories 

Decrease in trade and other receivables 

Decrease in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operating activities  

Tax paid 

Net cash flows from operating activities 

Investing activities

Purchase of plant and equipment 

Purchase of software licence 

Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment 

Interest received 

Net cash flows from investing activities  

Financing activities

Other interest paid 

Repurchase of own shares for cancellation 

Equity dividends paid 

Net cash flows from financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 

The notes on pages 24 to 41 form part of these financial statements

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

2,382 

1,589

30 

279 

13 

103 

(12) 

-  

-  

2,795 

18 

208 

(104) 

2,917 

(549) 

2,368 

(95) 

(91) 

-  

12 

(174) 

-  

(30) 

(668) 

(698) 

1,496 

1,010 

2,506 

120

263

- 

118

(69)

1

2

2,024

93

764

(852)

2,029

(638)

1,391

(115) 

- 

3 

69

(43)

(1)

(1,782)

(664)

(2,447)

(1,099)

2,109

1,010

 
 
 
 
 
 
24

Notes forming part of the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

1 Accounting policies 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and the principal policies adopted in their 
preparation are as follows:   

(a) Basis of preparation 

The consolidated 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”), and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies preparing their accounts in 
accordance with adopted IFRSs. The Company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP 
and these are presented on page 42.

(b) Basis of consolidation

The financial statements consolidate the results of Maintel Holdings Plc and each of its subsidiaries (the “Group”). The results of subsidiaries 
acquired are included within the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and consolidated statement of financial position from 
the effective date of acquisition. Uniform accounting policies are adopted in each subsidiary for the purposes of consolidation. The results 
of disposed subsidiaries are included in the statement of comprehensive income up to the effective date of disposal. All intra-group 
transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation. Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting.

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern their financial and operating policies.

As permitted by IFRS 1, business combinations prior to 1 January 2006 have not been restated under an IFRS basis.

(c) Revenue

Revenue represents sales to customers at invoiced amounts less value added tax. Revenue from sales of equipment, chargeable works 
carried out and network services, is recognised when the goods or services are provided. Amounts invoiced in advance in respect of 
maintenance contracts are deferred and released to the statement of comprehensive income on a straight line basis over the period 
covered by the invoice. Revenue and profit on long term supply and/or installation contracts is recognised dependent on the stage of and 
costs to completion of each contract.

(d) Intangible assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the difference between the cost of the acquisition and the fair value of the net identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities. Cost comprises the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued, plus any direct 
costs of acquisition. Goodwill is capitalised as an intangible asset, with any impairment in carrying value being charged to the statement of 
comprehensive income.

Other intangible assets

Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and consist of customer relationships and software licences. Where 
these assets have been acquired through a business combination, the cost will be the fair value allocated in the acquisition accounting; 
where they have been acquired other than through a business combination, the initial cost is the aggregate amount paid and the fair value 
of any other consideration given to acquire the asset.

Customer relationships are amortised over their estimated useful lives of (i) five years in respect of maintenance contracts, and (ii) seven 
years in respect of network services contracts. Software licences are amortised over the three year period of the licence.

(e) Impairment of non-current assets

Impairment tests on goodwill are undertaken annually on 31 December. Customer relationships and other assets are subject to impairment 
tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of 
an asset exceeds its recoverable amount (being the higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell), the asset is written down 
accordingly.

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the asset’s cash-
generating unit (being the lowest group of assets in which the asset belongs for which there are separately identifiable cash flows). Goodwill 
is allocated on initial recognition to each of the Group’s cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the 
combination giving rise to goodwill.

Impairment charges are included in the administrative expenses line item in the statement of comprehensive income and, in respect of 
goodwill impairments, are never reversed.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
25

Notes forming part of the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

(f) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided to write off the cost, less estimated 
residual values, of all tangible fixed assets over their expected useful lives, at the following rates:

Office and computer equipment 
Leasehold improvements  

25% straight line
over the remaining period of the lease

(g) Inventories

Inventories comprise (i) maintenance stock, being replacement parts held to service customers’ telecommunications systems, and (ii) stock 
held for resale, being stock purchased for customer orders which has not been installed at the end of the financial period. Inventories are 
valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

(h) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and short term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. Bank 
overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management procedures are also included as a 
component of cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the statement of cash flows.

(i) Taxation

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, together with any adjustments to tax payable in respect of 
previous years.

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes, except for differences arising on:

•  the initial recognition of goodwill; 

•  the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction 

affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and

•  investments in subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the 

difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset 
can be utilised.

The amount of the deferred tax asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the date 
of the consolidated statement of financial position and are expected to apply when the deferred tax assets/liabilities are recovered/settled. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and 
the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority on either:

•  the same taxable Group company; or

•  different Group entities which intend either to settle current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle 
the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be 
settled or recovered.

(j) Financial assets and liabilities

The Group’s financial assets and liabilities mainly comprise cash, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables. The Group’s 
policy is, and has been throughout the year, not to trade in financial instruments.

Cash comprises cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

Trade and other receivables are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate allowances for 
irrecoverable amounts or additional costs required to effect recovery.

Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal amount.

(k) Operating leases

Annual rentals payable are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight line basis over the term of the 
lease. 

Annual rentals receivable from third parties are credited to the statement of comprehensive income on a straight line basis over the term of 
the lease. This income is included in revenue.

 
26

Notes forming part of the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued) 

(l) Employee benefits

The Group contributes to a number of defined contribution pension schemes in respect of certain of its employees; the Group does not 
contribute and has not contributed to any defined benefit pension schemes. The amount charged in the statement of comprehensive 
income represents the employer contributions payable to the schemes in respect of the financial period. The assets of the schemes are held 
separately from those of the Group in independently administered funds.

The cost of all short term employee benefits is recognised during the period the employee service is rendered.

Holiday pay is expensed in the period in which it accrues.

(m) Dividends

Dividends unpaid at the reporting date are only recognised as a liability at that date to the extent that they are appropriately authorised and 
are no longer at the discretion of the Company. Proposed but unpaid dividends that do not meet these criteria are disclosed in the notes to 
the financial statements.

(n) Accounting standards issued

A number of accounting standards became effective during the year, the only one affecting the Group being IAS 1 (revised) “Presentation of 
financial statements”, resulting in revised titles for the Group’s primary financial statements.

Of the new standards and interpretations issued by the IASB and IFRIC effective for future periods, only IFRS 3 (revised) is considered 
likely to affect the Group.

IFRS 3 (revised) “Business combinations” (effective from 1 July 2009) alters the treatment of deferred consideration and acquisition-related 
costs in respect of acquisitions occurring after adoption of the standard. It has not been adopted early in these financial statements.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
27

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

2 Segment information

For management reporting purposes and operationally, the Group consists of two business segments: (i) telephone maintenance and 
equipment sales, and (ii) telephone network services. Each segment applies its respective resources across inter-related revenue streams 
which are reviewed by management collectively under the following headings.

Revenue 

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

13,861 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Network 
services 
£000 

5,703 

Central/ 
intercompany 
£000 

Total
£000

(170) 

19,394

Other than sales of £51,000 to EU countries, revenue is wholly attributable to the principal activities of the Group and arises predominantly 
within the United Kingdom.

Maintenance and equipment revenue consists of maintenance related revenue of £10.289m and equipment, installation and other revenue 
of £3.572m (2008 - £9.157m and £4.702m). Network services revenue consists of call traffic revenue of £2.826m, line rental revenue of 
£2.048m and other revenue of £0.829m (2008 - £3.405m, £1.645m and £0.628m).

Intercompany trading consists of telecommunications services, and recharges of sales, engineering and rent costs, £69,000 attributable to 
the Maintenance and equipment segment and £101,000 to the Network services segment.

In 2009 the Group had one customer (2008 – None) which accounted for more than 10% of its revenue, totalling £2.876m.

Operating profit 

Interest (net) 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period 

Statement of financial position

Assets 

Liabilities 

Total 

All assets and liabilities are located in the UK.

Other

Capital expenditure 

Depreciation 

Amortisation and impairment 

2,211 

426 

(267) 

4,955 

(4,732) 

223 

1,156 

(948) 

208 

95 

103 

22 

91  

-  

64 

1,251 

184 

1,435 

-  

-  

223  

2,370

12

2,382

(685)

1,697

7,362

(5,496)

1,866

186

103

309

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

2 Segment information (continued)

Revenue 

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

13,859 

Year ended 31 December 2008

Network 
services 
£000 

5,678 

Central/ 
intercompany 
£000 

Total
£000

(122) 

19,415

Other than equipment sales of £34,000 to EU countries, revenue is wholly attributable to the principal activities of the Group and arises 
predominantly within the United Kingdom.

Intercompany trading consists of telecommunications services, and recharges of sales, engineering and rent costs, £67,000 attributable to 
the Maintenance and equipment segment and £55,000 to the Network services segment.

Operating profit 

Interest (net) 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period 

Statement of financial position

Assets 

Liabilities 

Total 

All assets and liabilities are located in the UK.

Other

Capital expenditure 

Depreciation 

Amortisation and impairment 

One-off professional fees 

1,433 

472 

(384) 

4,594 

(4,462) 

132 

1,308 

(1,158) 

150 

115 

118 

22 

-  

-  

-  

48 

-  

416 

156 

572 

-  

-  

313 

49 

1,521

68

1,589

(495)

1,094

6,318

(5,464)

854

115

118

383

49

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

29

3 Employees

The average number of employees, including directors, during the year was:

Corporate and administration 

Sales and customer service 

Technical and engineering 

Staff costs, including directors, consist of: 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Pension costs 

2009 
Number 

2008
Number

21 

  53  

79 

153 

2009 
£000 

6,906 

 774 

  127 

7,807 

20

58

84

162

2008
£000

7,050

 794

120

7,964

The Group makes contributions to defined contribution personal pension schemes for employees and directors. The assets of the schemes 
are separate from those of the Group. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Group to the schemes and 
amounted to £127,000 (2008 - £120,000). Contributions totalling £24,000 (2008 - £22,000) were payable to the schemes at the year end 
and are included in creditors.

4 Directors’ remuneration

The remuneration of the Company directors was as follows:

Directors’ emoluments 

Pension contributions 

Included in the above is the remuneration of the highest paid director as follows:

Directors’ emoluments 

Pension contributions 

2009 
£000 

486 

6 

492 

149 

2 

151 

2008
£000

447

8

455

137

4 

141

The Group paid contributions into defined contribution personal pension schemes in respect of 2 (2008 – 2) directors during the year.

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

5 Operating profit

This has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 

Goodwill impairment charge 

Loss on disposal of plant and equipment 

Operating lease rentals

  - property 

  - plant and machinery 

Auditors’ remuneration

  - audit services – Company  

  - other services relating to taxation – Group 

  - other services relating to audit of subsidiary undertakings - Group 

  - other services – Group 

Leasing income 

6 Financial income and expense

Finance income

  Bank and other interest received 

Finance expense

  Other interest payable 

7 Taxation

UK corporation tax

Corporation tax on profits of the period 

Deferred tax 

Taxation on profit on ordinary activities 

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

103 

279 

30 

 -  

191 

65 

8 

3 

48 

12 

(3) 

2009 
£000 

12 

-  

2009 
£000 

736 

(51) 

685 

118

263  

120

2  

183

115

7

6

51

25

(8)

2008
£000

69

1 

2008
£000

536

(41)

495

The differences between the total tax shown above and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of UK corporation tax to the 
profit before tax are as follows:

Profit before tax 

Profit at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 28.0% (2008 – 28.5%) 

Effect of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 

Goodwill impairment 

Share based payment expense not deductible 

Adjustment in respect of prior period 

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

2009 
£000 

2,382 

667 

8 

5 

4 

1 

685 

2008
£000

1,589

453

11

31

-

-  

495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

8 Dividends paid on ordinary shares

Final 2007, paid 30 April 2008 – 3.0p per share 

Interim 2008, paid 10 October 2008 – 2.5p per share 

Final 2008, paid 29 April 2009 – 3.1p per share 

Interim 2009, paid 2 October 2009 – 3.1p per share 

2009 
£000 

-  

-  

334 

334 

668 

2008
£000

364

300 

- 

- 

664

The directors propose the payment of a second interim dividend for 2009 of 4.1p (2008 – equivalent final dividend of 3.1p) per ordinary share, 
together with a one off special interim dividend of 2.9p per share, payable on 25 March 2010 to shareholders on the register at 12 March 2010.

9 Earnings per share

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit after tax for the period by the weighted average number of shares in issue for the 
period, these figures being as follows:

Earnings used in basic and diluted EPS, being profit after tax 

Goodwill impairment and intangibles amortisation, less tax thereon 

One-off professional costs, less tax thereon 

Adjusted earnings 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares of 1p each 

Potentially dilutive shares 

Earnings per share 

Basic 

Basic and diluted 

Adjusted – as above but excluding goodwill impairment, intangibles 
amortisation and one-off professional costs, less tax thereon 

Adjusted and diluted 

2009 
£000 

1,697 

215 

- 

1,912 

 Number 

(000s) 

10,790 

8 

2008
£000

1,094

305

35  

1,434

Number

(000s)

11,832

-

10,798 

11,832

15.7p 

15.7p 

17.7p 

17.7p 

9.2p

9.2p

12.1p

12.1p

The adjustment above in respect of goodwill impairment, intangibles amortisation, one-off professional costs and tax thereon has been 
made in order to provide a clearer picture of the trading performance of the Group. The one-off professional costs relate primarily to the 
recruitment of Mr Buxton.

 During 2009 the Company repurchased and cancelled 40,000 of its ordinary shares, at a price of 76p each and a total cost of £30,000, 
representing 0.4% of the Company’s issued share capital as at 31 December 2009. 

 In calculating diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all 
dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Group has one category of potential ordinary share, being those share options granted to employees 
where the exercise price is less than the average price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the period.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

10 Intangible assets 

Cost

At 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2008 

Acquired in year  

At 31 December 2009 

Amortisation and impairment

At 1 January 2008 

Amortisation in the year  

Impairment in the year 

At 31 December 2008 

Amortisation in the year  

Impairment in the year 

At 31 December 2009 

Net book value

At 31 December 2009  

At 31 December 2008  

Goodwill 
£000 

Customer 
relationships 
£000 

Computer
Software 
£000 

664 

-  

664 

167 

-  

120  

287 

-  

30 

317 

 347 

377  

1,413 

-  

1,413 

319 

263 

- 

582 

263 

-  

845 

568 

831 

-  

91 

91 

-  

-  

-  

- 

16 

-  

16 

      75 

-   

Total
£000

2,077

91

2,168

486 

263

120

869

279

30

1,178

990

1,208

A three year licence of billing software was purchased in the year, at a cost of £91,000. The licence is amortised over this period and is 
subject to an annual impairment review.

Amortisation and impairment charges for the year have been charged through administrative expenses in the statement of comprehensive 
income.

The carrying value of goodwill is follows:

Pinnacle Voice and Data Limited (now incorporated in Maintel Voice and Data Limited) 

District Holdings Limited (now incorporated in Maintel Europe Limited and Maintel Voice and Data Limited) 

2009 
£000 

202 

145 

347 

2008
£000

232

145

377

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

Goodwill of £227,000 arising on the acquisition of Pinnacle Voice and Data Limited (since renamed Maintel Network Solutions Limited) in 
December 2005 was capitalised at 31 December 2005, as was the related deferred payment of £147,000 in 2006, the aggregate being 
subject to an annual impairment review which has resulted in an impairment charge of £30,000 in 2009 (2008 - £62,000), due to the 
termination of certain contracts acquired. 

Goodwill of £290,000 arose on the acquisition of District Holdings Limited in June 2006. This is assessed for impairment at the date of each 
consolidated statement of financial position based on value in use calculations, being the projected future discounted cash flows arising from 
the acquisition, compared with the carrying value of the goodwill. There has been no impairment of the goodwill in 2009 (2008 - £58,000). 

The acquisition of District customer relationships was valued at £965,000. These relationships are estimated to have a useful life of 5 years 
and are therefore amortised over that period and subject to annual impairment review. The 2009 amortisation charge is therefore £193,000 
(2008 - £193,000).

The Group acquired a base of customer relationships from Callmaster Limited on 1 August 2007, for a consideration, including costs, of 
£448,000. These relationships are estimated to have a useful life of five (maintenance contracts) or seven (network services contracts) 
years and are therefore amortised over those periods and subject to annual impairment review. The 2009 amortisation charge is £70,000 
(2008 - £70,000).

For the purposes of the impairment review of goodwill, the net present value of the projected future cash flows of the cash generating unit 
are compared with the carrying value. Projected operating margins for this purpose are based on current trends, and a discount rate of 
15.6% is applied to the resultant projected cash flows; the discount rate is based on conventional capital asset pricing model inputs.

11 Subsidiaries

The Group consists of Maintel Holdings Plc and its subsidiary undertakings, including several which did not trade during the year. The 
following were the principal subsidiary undertakings at the end of the year and each has been included in the consolidated financial 
statements:

Maintel Europe Limited 

Maintel Voice and Data Limited

Each is wholly owned and incorporated in England and Wales. 

 
 
34

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

12 Property, plant and equipment

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000 

Plant and 
machinery 
£000 

Office and
computer 
equipment 
£000 

Motor 
vehicles  
£000  

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2008 

Additions 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2008 

Additions 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2009 

Depreciation

At 1 January 2008 

Provided in year 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2008 

Provided in year 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2009 

Net book value

At 31 December 2009 

At 31 December 2008 

13 Inventories

Maintenance stock 

Stock held for resale 

64 

3  

-  

67 

2 

-  

69 

64 

1  

-   

65 

3  

-   

68 

1 

2 

44 

-  

(44) 

-  

-  

-  

-  

44 

-  

(44) 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

834 

112 

(100) 

846 

93 

(91) 

848 

632 

116 

(100) 

648 

100 

 (91) 

657 

191 

198 

 7  

-  

(7) 

-  

-  

-  

-  

1 

1 

(2) 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

2009 
£000 

604 

114 

718 

Total
£000

949

115

(151)

913

95

(91)

917

741

118

(146)

713

103

(91)

725

192

200

2008
£000

675

61

736

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

14 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Prepayments and accrued income 

All amounts shown above fall due for payment within one year.   

15 Trade and other payables

Trade payables 

Other tax and social security 

Accruals 

Other payables 

Deferred maintenance income 

Other deferred income 

2009 
£000 

1,890 

72 

994 

2,956 

2009 
£000 

865 

627 

471 

26 

2,952 

128 

5,069 

2008
£000

2,262

17

885

3,164

2008
£000

1,182

641

428

24

2,852

46

5,173

Deferred maintenance income relates to the unearned element of maintenance revenue that has been invoiced but not yet recognised in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Other deferred income relates to other amounts invoiced but not yet recognised in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

16 Financial instruments 

The Group’s financial assets and liabilities mainly comprise cash, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables, with smaller 
balances being recorded as other debtors and other creditors. 

Current financial assets 

Trade receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Other receivables 

Current financial liabilities

Trade payables 

Other payables 

Loans and receivables

2009 
£000 

1,890 

2,506 

72 

4,468 

2008
£000

2,262

1,010

17

3,289

Financial liabilities
measured at
amortised cost

2009 
£000 

865 

26 

891 

2008
£000

1,182

24

1,206

The maximum credit risk for each of the above is the carrying value stated above. The main risks arising from the Group’s operations are 
credit risk, currency risk and interest rate risk, however other risks are also considered below.

Credit risk

Management has a credit policy in place and the exposure to credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis and with increased rigour in light 
of the current economic climate. Credit evaluations are performed on customers as deemed necessary based on, inter alia, the nature of 
the prospect and size of order. The Group does not require collateral in respect of financial assets.

At the reporting date, the largest exposure was represented by the carrying value of trade and other receivables, against which £110,000 
is provided at 31 December 2009 (2008 - £99,000). The provision represents an estimate of potential bad debt, goodwill credits and 
additional costs to completion to be incurred in respect of the year end trade receivables, a review having been undertaken of each such 
year end receivable. The largest individual receivable included in trade and other receivables at 31 December 2009 owed the Group 
£486,000 including VAT (2008 - £286,000). 

The movement on the provision is as follows: 

Provision at start of year  

Provision used 

Additional provision made 

Provision at end of year 

2009 
£000 

99 

(34) 

45 

110 

2008
£000

112

(34)

21

99

A debt is considered to be bad when it is deemed irrecoverable, for example when the debtor goes into liquidation, or when a credit or 
partial credit is issued to the customer for goodwill or commercial reasons.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

The Group had past due trade receivables not requiring impairment as follows:

Up to 30 days overdue  

31-60 days overdue 

More than 60 days overdue 

2009 
£000 

630 

72 

33 

735 

2008
£000

947

195

114

1,256

Cash and cash equivalents at 2009 and 2008 year ends represented short term deposits with LloydsTSB and Abbey.

Foreign currency risk

The functional currency of all Group companies is Sterling. The Group engages in minimal foreign currency transactions, and maintains a 
Euro bank account to facilitate these. The balance of the account at 31 December 2009 was £1,000 (2008 – £1,000). The Group’s exposure 
to currency risk is therefore not significant.

Interest rate risk

The Group has no borrowings, and invests its surplus cash in short term bank deposits at prevailing rates of interest. The Group’s interest 
income (£12,000 in 2009, and £69,000 in 2008) is therefore dependent on those prevailing rates, which were at a historically low level 
during 2009.

Liquidity risk

The Group’s main financial liabilities are trade payables, which fall due and are typically paid in accordance with their contractual terms 
which are typically 30 days; payment of these is dependent on the Group’s liquidity, which in turn is dependent on management of the 
Group’s working capital. The directors are conscious of the likelihood that pressures will continue to be exerted on working capital as a 
result of the current economic environment however these have been, and will continue to be minimised wherever possible, including by 
way of additional credit checking of prospective customers and tighter monitoring of debtors.

Market risk

As noted above, the interest earned on short term deposits is dependent on the prevailing rates of interest from time to time. 

Fair value

All of the Group’s financial instruments are due to mature within one year and are subject to normal commercial credit and interest rate 
risk.

There is no significant difference between the carrying amounts shown in the consolidated statement of financial position and the fair values 
of the Group’s financial instruments. 

Capital risk management

The Group’s objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns to 
shareholders. Capital comprises all components of equity – share capital, capital redemption reserve, share premium and retained earnings. 
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group will consider the appropriateness of issuing shares, repurchasing shares, 
amending its dividend policy and borrowing, as is deemed appropriate in the light of changing economic circumstances. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

17 Deferred tax liability

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£000 

Intangible 
assets 
£000 

At 1 January 2008 

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

At 31 December 2008 

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

At 31 December 2009 

(30) 

3 

(27) 

7 

(20) 

183 

(58) 

125 

(58) 

67 

Other 
£000 

(14) 

14 

-  

-  

-  

Total
£000

139

(41)

98

(51)

47

The deferred tax liability represents (a) a liability established under IFRS on the recognition of an intangible asset in relation to the District 
acquisition net of (b) an asset represented by the tax value of depreciation provided in the accounts in excess of capital allowances claimed, 
and is calculated using a tax rate of 28% (2008: 28%).   

18 Share capital

Authorised

17,571,840 ordinary shares of 1p each 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

10,781,800 (2008 - 10,821,800) ordinary shares of 1p each 

2009 
£000 

176 

108 

2008
£000

176

108 

Pursuant to the authority granted at the last two AGMs, the Company repurchased and cancelled 40,000 of its own 1p ordinary shares 
during 2009, at a price of 76p each and a total cost of £30,000.  The purchase represents 0.4% of the Company’s issued share capital as at 
31 December 2009. 

19 Reserves
The capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of ordinary shares repurchased and cancelled by the Company and is 
undistributable in normal circumstances.

Share capital, share premium and retained earnings represent balances conventionally attributed to those descriptions.

The Group having no borrowings or regulatory capital requirements, its primary capital management focus is on maximising earnings per 
share and therefore shareholder return.

 The directors propose the payment of a second interim dividend in respect of 2009 of 4.1p per share together with a one off special interim 
dividend of 2.9p per share; these dividends are not provided for in these financial statements.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

20 Share Incentive Plan
The Company established the Maintel Holdings Plc Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”) in 2006. The SIP is open to all employees with at least 6 
months’ continuous service with a Group company, and allows employees to subscribe for existing shares in the Company out of their gross 
salary. The shares are bought by the SIP on the open market. The employees own the shares from the date of purchase, but must continue 
to be employed by a Group company and hold their shares within the SIP for 5 years to benefit from the full tax benefits of the plan.

21 Share based payments
On 18 May 2009 the directors of the Company approved the adoption of the Maintel Holdings Plc 2009 Option Plan.

The Remuneration Committee’s report on page 12 describes the options granted over the Company’s ordinary shares during the year.

In aggregate, options are outstanding over 2.69% of the current issued share capital. The number of shares under option and the vesting 
and exercise prices may be adjusted at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee in the event of a variation in the issued share capital 
of the Company. 

The total charge to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income arising from the granting of these options is £13,000. The fair 
value of the options was calculated using a combination of the Black Scholes and Monte-Carlo models, using the following inputs:

Volatility 

Dividend yield 

Risk free rate 

Vesting period 

Expected life 

Exercise price 

Share price 

19.3%

5.71%

2.61%-2.90%

0-2.71 years

5-6.36 years

 £1.00-£3.00

     98p

Fair value of options at measurement date 

0.08p-8.03p

22 Operating leases
As at 31 December 2009, the Group had future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:

The total future minimum lease payments are due as follow: 

Not later than one year 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

2009 
Land and 
buildings 
£000 

48 

- 

48 

2009 

Other 
£000 

29 

- 

29 

2008 
Land and 
buildings 
£000 

191 

48 

239 

2008 

Other
£000

37

4

41

The commitment relating to land and buildings is in respect of the Group’s London offices, the current lease on which expires in normal 
circumstances in March 2010, and the remaining commitment relates to contract hired motor vehicles, which are typically replaced on a 3 
year rolling cycle. The office lease has been renewed in 2010 for a term of 4½ years in normal circumstances, at a rental of £139,550 in 
year one and £149,550 thereafter. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

23 Related party transactions
Transactions with key management personnel

The Group has a related party relationship with its directors and executive officers. The remuneration of the individual directors is disclosed 
in the Remuneration report. The remuneration of the directors and other key members of management during the year was as follows:

Short term employment benefits 

Contributions to defined contribution pension scheme 

Share based payments 

2009 
£000 

812 

13 

13 

838 

2008
£000

784

14

-

798

On 3 October 2008, the Company purchased 750,000 shares from Tim Mason, a director of the Company at that time, at a price of 103p 
per share. The Directors obtained independent professional advice confirming this to be a fair price.

 Transactions between the Company and its subsidiary undertakings

Transactions between Group companies are not disclosed as they have been eliminated on consolidation.

Other transactions

The Group traded during the year with Maybank Marketing, a company indirectly associated with A J McCaffery. Purchases during the year 
amounted to £1,318 (2008 - £19,694) net of VAT, of which £128 (2008 - £133) was owed at the year end and is included within trade 
creditors. Sales during the year amounted to £43 (2008 - £89), of which £5 (2008 - £Nil) was owed at the year end.

The Group provided services to A J McCaffery during the year amounting to £734 (2008 - £993) net of VAT, of which £Nil (2008 - £Nil) was 
owed at the year end.

The Group paid commissions in the year to J A Spens, a shareholder in the Company, amounting to £11,789 net of VAT (2008 - £17,099), 
of which £1,545 (2008 - £263) was owed at the year end and is included in trade creditors.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
41

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

24 Accounting estimates and judgements
In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has made various estimates, assumptions and judgements, with 
those likely to contain the greatest degree of uncertainty being summarised below.

Impairment

The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication that its intangible assets may be impaired. In undertaking such 
an impairment review, estimates are required in determining an asset’s recoverable amount; those used are shown in note 10. These 
estimates include the asset’s future cash flows and an appropriate discount to reflect the time value of money. The effect on the impairment 
charge in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income of assuming a year’s longer and a year’s shorter customer contract length 
compared with the assumed five (maintenance contracts) and seven years (network services contracts) is as follows:  

Maintenance contracts

One year longer contract length 

One year shorter contract length 

Network services contracts

One year longer contract length 

One year shorter contract length 

Long term contracts

Increase/(decrease)
in impairment charge

2009 
£000 

Nil 

159 

Nil 

Nil 

2008
£000

Nil

119

Nil

Nil

At each reporting date the Group has customer projects which are partially complete. Estimates are made of the stage of completion of 
these projects and a proportion of the project’s revenue and cost is recognised in the period’s financial statements. The time scales and 
costs to completion may differ from those estimates. At 31 December 2008 and 2009, there were no significant contracts in progress, and 
so no sensitivity analysis is provided at these dates.  

Inventory valuation

Where inventories are valued at net realisable value, parts which are not individually priced to market rates are subject to provisioning. 
Such provisioning may prove to be over or understated, however any divergence from the estimates used is unlikely to be significant in 
aggregate. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Maintel Holdings Plc Company balance sheet
at 31 December 2009 - prepared under UK GAAP

Fixed assets

Investment in subsidiaries 

Current assets

Debtors 

Cash at bank and in hand 

Creditors: amounts falling due 
within one year 

Net current assets/(liabilities) 

Total assets less current liabilities 

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital 

Share premium 

Capital redemption reserve 

Profit and loss account 

Shareholders’ funds 

Note 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

9 

9 

2009 
£000 

196 

791 

987 

306 

2009 
£000 

2,323 

681 

3,004 

108 

628 

28 

2,240 

3,004 

2008 
£000 

205

510 

715

1,062 

2008
£000

2,323

(347)

1,976

108

628

28

1,212

1,976

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 3 March 2010 and were signed on its behalf by:

W D Todd
Director

The notes on pages 43 to 45 form part of these financial statements.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43

Notes forming part of the Company financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009

1 Accounting policies 
The principal accounting policies are summarised below; they have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year.

(a) Basis of preparation

The Company has elected to prepare its parent company accounts in accordance with UK GAAP. 

The financial statements of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006. As permitted by that Act, the financial 
statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom and on the historical cost basis. 

(b) Investments

Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost unless, in the opinion of the directors, there has been impairment to their value, 
in which case they are written down to their recoverable amount.

The Company uses the cost method of accounting, which is a method of accounting for an investment whereby the investment is recognised 
at cost. The investor recognises income from the investment only to the extent that the investor receives distributions from accumulated 
profits of the investee arising after the date of acquisition. Distributions received in excess of such profits are regarded as a recovery of 
investment and are recognised as a reduction of the cost of investment.

(c) Taxation

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, together with any adjustments to tax payable in respect of 
previous years.

(d) Dividends

Dividends unpaid at the balance sheet date are only recognised as a liability at that date to the extent that they are appropriately 
authorised and are no longer at the discretion of the Company. Proposed but unpaid dividends that do not meet these criteria are disclosed 
in the notes to the accounts.

2 Employees
The directors’ remuneration is shown in note 4 of the consolidated financial statements.

3 Profit for the financial period 
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under S408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own profit and loss 
account in these financial statements. The profit for the year of the Company, after tax and before dividends paid, was £1,713,000 (2008 – 
£1,865,000).

4 Dividends paid on ordinary shares

Final 2007, paid 30 April 2008 – 3.0p per share 

Interim 2008, paid 10 October 2008 – 2.5p per share 

Final 2008, paid 29 April 2009 – 3.1p per share 

Interim 2009, paid 2 October 2009 – 3.1p per share 

2009 
£000 

-  

-  

334 

334 

668 

2008
£000

 364 

300 

 -

-

664

The directors propose the payment of a second interim dividend for 2009 of 4.1p (2008 – equivalent final dividend of 3.1p) per ordinary 
share, together with a one off special interim dividend of 2.9p per share, payable on 25 March 2010 to shareholders on the register at  
12 March 2010.

 
 
 
 
44

Notes forming part of the Company financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

5 Investment in subsidiaries 

Cost                             

At 31 December 2008 and 31 December 2009 

Provision for impairment

At 31 December 2008 and 31 December 2009 

Net book value

At 31 December 2008 and 31 December 2009 

The following were the principal subsidiary undertakings at the end of the year:

Maintel Europe Limited 

Maintel Voice and Data Limited 

Each is wholly owned and incorporated in England and Wales. 

6 Debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 

Other debtors 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Corporation tax recoverable  

All amounts shown under debtors fall due for payment within one year.   

Shares in
subsidiary
undertakings
£000

2,403

80

2,323 

2009 

£000 

182 

3 

2 

 9 

196 

2008

£000

165  

10  

11

19

205

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45

Notes forming part of the Company financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 (continued)

7 Creditors

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings  

Trade creditors 

Accruals and deferred income 

8 Share capital

Authorised 

17,571,840 ordinary shares of 1p each 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

2009 
£000 

291 

7 

8 8

2008
£000

1,027

 27

306 

1,062

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

176 

176

10,781,800 (2008 - 10,821,800) ordinary shares of 1p each 

108 

108   

Pursuant to the authority granted at the last two AGMs, the Company repurchased and cancelled 40,000 of its own 1p ordinary shares 
during 2009, at a price of 76p each and a total cost of £30,000.  The purchase represents 0.4% of the Company’s issued share capital 
as at 31 December 2009. 

 The Remuneration Committee’s report on page 12 of the consolidated accounts of Maintel Holdings Plc describes the options granted 
over the Company’s ordinary shares during the year. 

9 Reconciliation of movement in shareholders’ funds

At 1 January 2008  

Profit for year 

Dividends paid 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

At 31 December 2008  

Profit for year 

Dividends paid 

Share based payment credit 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

At 31 December 2009 

Share 
capital 
£000 

124 

-      

-      

(16) 

108 

-      

-      

- 

  - 

  108 

Share 
premium 
£000 

628 

-   

- 

- 

628 

-   

- 

-   

- 

628 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

12 

 -   

-   

16 

28 

 -   

-   

-   

-  

28 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

1,793 

1,865 

(664) 

(1,782) 

1,212 

1,713 

(668) 

13 

 (30) 

Total
£000

2,557

1,865

(664)

(1,782)

1,976

1,713

(668)

13

(30) 

2,240 

3,004

It is proposed to pay a second interim dividend for 2009, of 4.1p per share, together with a one off special interim dividend of 2.9p per 
share, on 25 March 2010; these dividends are not provided for in these financial statements.

10 Related party transactions
On 3 October 2008, the Company purchased 750,000 shares from Tim Mason, a director of the Company at that time, at a price of 103p 
per share. The Directors obtained independent professional advice confirming this to be a fair price. 

Transactions with other Group companies have not been disclosed as permitted by FRS8, as the Group companies are wholly owned.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46

Notice of annual general meeting 
(not forming part of the statutory financial statements)

Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of Maintel Holdings Plc (“the Company”) will be held at its offices at  
61 Webber Street, London SE1 0RF, on 22 April 2010, at 10.45 am, for the following purposes:

Ordinary business

To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:

1.  To receive and adopt the financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2009, together with the Report of the 

directors and the Independent auditors report thereon.

2.  To approve the report of the Remuneration committee for the year ended 31 December 2009.

3.  To re-elect Mr W D Todd, who retires by rotation, as a director of the Company.

4.  To re-appoint BDO LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the meeting to the conclusion of the next 

meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company, and to authorise the directors to agree their remuneration.

Special business

To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions, of which resolution 5 will be proposed as an ordinary resolution and 
resolutions 6 and 7 as special resolutions:

5.  That the directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 
(“the Act”) to exercise all powers of the Company to allot and to make offers or agreements to allot relevant securities up to a 
maximum aggregate nominal amount of £35,938, provided that this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general 
meeting of the Company or 15 months after the passing of this resolution (if earlier) unless renewed or extended prior to such time, 
except that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require the relevant securities to 
be allotted after such expiry and the directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority 
conferred hereby had not expired. This authority is in substitution for all subsisting authorities to the extent unused.

6.  That, subject to the passing of the previous resolution, the directors be and are hereby empowered pursuant to Section 570 of the Act 

to allot equity securities as defined in Section 560 of the Act for cash as if Section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, 
provided that this power shall be limited:

(a) to the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue or other pre-emptive issue in favour of shareholders; and 

(b) to the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal value of 
£10,781.

This power shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or 15 months after the passing of this 
resolution (if earlier) unless renewed or extended prior to such time except that the Company may before such expiry make an offer 
or agreement which would or might require the relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the directors may allot equity 
securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
47 

Notice of annual general meeting
(continued) 

7.  That the Company is, pursuant to Section 701 of the Act, hereby generally and unconditionally authorised to make market purchases 

(within the meaning of Section 693) of up to a maximum of 1,616,191 ordinary shares of 1p each in its capital (representing 14.99% of 
the Company’s current issued ordinary share capital), provided that:

(a) the minimum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is 1p; 

(b) the maximum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for each ordinary share is not more than 5% above the average 
published market value for an ordinary share as derived from the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market for the five 
business days immediately preceding the day on which such share is contracted to be purchased; and

(c) the authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or 15 months after the passing of 
this resolution (if earlier), except in relation to the purchase of any ordinary shares the contract for which was concluded before the 
date of expiry of the authority and which would or might be completed wholly or partly after such date.

By order of the Board

W D Todd
Company Secretary
18 March 2010

Registered office
61 Webber St
London SE1 0RF

Notes

1.  A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint one or more proxies to attend, speak and vote at 
the meeting instead of him/her. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.  A member of the Company may appoint more than 
one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different shares. A member may not appoint more than 
one proxy to exercise the rights attached to any one share. Appointment of a proxy will not preclude a member from attending and 
voting at the meeting. A form of proxy is enclosed which you are invited to complete and return. To be effective, it must be completed 
and be received at the offices of the Company’s Registrar not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting. Completion and 
return of the form of proxy will not preclude shareholders from attending and voting in person at the meeting.

2.  The Company, pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertified Securities Regulations 2001, specifies that only those shareholders 
registered in the register of members of the Company as at 6.00 pm on 20 April 2010, shall be entitled to attend or vote at the 
aforesaid general meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at that time (or in the event that the meeting is 
adjourned, 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting). Changes to entries on the relevant register of securities after 6.00 pm 
on 20 April 2010 shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting.

3. 

In order to facilitate voting by corporate representatives at the meeting, arrangements will be put in place at the meeting so that (i) 
if a corporate member has appointed the chairman of the meeting as its corporate representative with instructions to vote on a poll 
in accordance with the directions of all of the other corporate representatives for that member at the meeting, then on a poll those 
corporate representatives will give voting directions to the chairman and the chairman will vote (or withhold a vote) as corporate 
representative in accordance with those directions; and (ii) if more than one corporate representative for the same corporate member 
attends the meeting but the corporate member has not appointed the chairman of the meeting as its corporate representative, a 
designated corporate representative will be nominated, from those corporate representatives who attend, who will vote on a poll and 
the other corporate representatives will give voting directions to that designated corporate representative. 

 
 
 
Maintel, 61 Webber Street, London SE1 0RF www.maintel.co.uk