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Mainstream Group Holdings Limited

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FY2010 Annual Report · Mainstream Group Holdings Limited
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annual report & accounts 2010
Maintel Holdings Plc

Chairman’s statement  

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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

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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

finnCap Limited, 60 New Broad Street, London EC2M 1JJ

Registrars

Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, 
Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY & 0870 707 1182

2

Chairman’s statement  
Chairman’s statement

Maintel Holdings’ revenues rose by 13% during 2010 to £22.0m (2009 – £19.4m) and adjusted profit 
before tax by 14% to £3.046m (2009 – £2.675m) giving an increase in adjusted earnings per share of 
15% to 20.3p (2009 – 17.7p).

Our maintenance base ended the year at a record £13.2m (2009 – £10.3m) having grown by 28%, 
boosted by two substantial pieces of new business from our largest customer, a new partnership 
with Westcon which brought in £600,000 of annualised revenues and the acquisition towards the 
end of the year of a £2m maintenance base from Redstone which we believe will deliver significant 
incremental earnings in the future. Equipment sales rebounded strongly from 2009 levels showing a 
32% increase which included one very large order at lower than average margin but a good spread of 
smaller projects which fulfilled our margin targets. Network services revenues increased only slightly 
during the year, with call rates remaining highly competitive. However, line rental and data showed 
promising returns and we continue to broaden our product offering to access new revenue streams.

Aside from organic growth which continues to be a priority, we remain vigilant for acquisitions that 
fulfil our valuation criteria as industry consolidation continues apace. Equally we are always pleased 
to work closely with a range of longstanding partners including some of the biggest companies in our 
industry to whom we supply complementary services and we expect further growth in this area in the 
year ahead as various new relationships bear fruit.

The Company continues to be strongly cash generative. We repurchased 295,000 shares during the 
year, equivalent to 3% of the outstanding share capital, and following our acquisition in October of the 
Redstone businesses for £1.6m net we ended the year with cash balances of £2.5m and no debt. We 
are proposing a final dividend of 4.6p payable on 28 April 2011 to shareholders on the register at  
25 March 2011.

It falls to me to thank on behalf of shareholders our loyal and energetic staff for their work and 
commitment during the year and to wish them well for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

J	D	S	Booth
Chairman

10 March 2011

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

3

Business review 
Business review

Results
As anticipated in the half-year statement, revenue and profit improved further in the second half of the 
year, reflecting the continued growth in the maintenance base and higher levels of equipment sales 
derived from the base. 

Adjusted profit before tax for the year was £3.046m, a 14% increase on 2009, with unadjusted profit 
before tax increasing by 12% to £2.673m.

The Company repurchased 295,000 shares in the year (3% of the year end share capital), mostly in 
Q3, and this, combined with the increased profitability, has enhanced adjusted EPS by 15% from 17.7p 
in 2009 to 20.3p in 2010. Basic EPS increased by 13%, from 15.7p in 2009 to 17.8p in 2010.

Revenue 

Profit before tax 

Add back goodwill impairment and 
customer relationship intangibles amortisation 

Add back non-trading accounting  
adjustments re Redstone acquisition 

Adjusted profit before tax 

Basic and diluted earnings per share 

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share 

H1 2010 
£000 

10,580 

1,350 

H2 2010 
£000 

11,428 

1,323 

2010 
£000 

2009
£000

22,008 

19,394 

2,673 

2,382

132 

171 

303 

293

- 

1,482 

9.0p 

9.8p 

70 

1,564 

8.8p 

10.5p 

70 

3,046 

17.8p 

20.3p 

-

2,675

15.7p

17.7p

Group revenues increased by £2.614m, or 13%, in the year. The two major new contracts from the 
Group’s largest customer noted in the interim report were supplemented by 6 months’ revenue from a 
partnership agreement with Westcon and continuing higher levels of equipment sales, including a large 
supply and installation contract referred to at the half year. 

Network services revenues increased marginally in the year, with low attrition being matched by low new 
sales, the investment made in the division during the year having been less effective than anticipated. 

At the end of June, the Group entered into a three year partnership agreement with Westcon 
Convergence UK (the “Westcon partnership”) which effectively added approximately £600,000 of 
annualised revenue and 1,400 customers to the maintenance base, with Maintel being the preferred 
maintainer to any new customers Westcon signs. Under the agreement, a team of Avaya engineers 
joined Maintel from Westcon, significantly accelerating our development of a product expertise which 
gained dramatically in importance when Avaya acquired Nortel in 2009. While the cost of the engineers 
means that the partnership adds more to our strategic strength than our short term profitability, it 
provides instant access to a new market at negligible risk or cost. A consequential benefit has been 
the ability to bring in house some previously outsourced Avaya contracts, reducing our third party 
support costs.

In addition, the Group acquired certain business and assets from Redstone Converged Solutions 
Limited and Marcom Communications Limited (a Redstone subsidiary) (together the “Redstone 
acquisition”) at the end of October, for a net cash consideration of £1.6m. Approximately £1.7m 
annualised of maintenance contracts were acquired as part of the agreement, and Maintel also agreed 
to supply certain customers of Redstone with maintenance services for approximately £280,000 per 
annum. After redundancies, a net 18 Redstone/Marcom employees were retained by Maintel. Due 
to the acquired customers’ billing cycles, the Redstone acquisition is not expected to reach full cash 
generation potential until Q3 2011. In 2010 it contributed, before redundancy costs, an approximate 
£50,000 profit to Group results including £105,000 of deferred income net of deferred costs for which 
no cash flows will be received by the Group; assuming no significant excess of attrition over new 
sales in the acquired base, the acquisition should contribute progressively more to operating cash 
flows during 2011 until peaking in Q3. A further £141,000 of deferred income less deferred costs will 
be recognised in 2011. The Group incurred £222,000 in redundancy costs in 2010 in respect of the 
acquisition, £175,000 of which is covered by an indemnity from Redstone. The £175,000 indemnity 
has been treated as a deduction from consideration for the purposes of calculating goodwill, and the 
£175,000 costs being expensed as incurred in 2010. The £175,000 indemnity, and the £105,000 

 
 
4

Business review 
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

Results	(continued)
deferred income less costs adjustment noted above, have been added back in calculating adjusted 
profit, as this represents a more accurate picture of underlying trading.

Recurring revenue (maintenance and network services) increased again in the year to £17.5m (79% of 
total revenues) (2009 – £16.0m and 82%), providing good 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 

2010 

11,678	

4,713	

16,391	

5,816	

(199)	

22,008	

2009

10,289

3,572

13,861

5,703

(170)

19,394

Cash generated from operating activities continued to be strong, at £4.117m, in 2010 (2009 – 
£2.917m). Cash balances were £2.459m at the year end (2009 – £2.506m) after the £1.6m net cash 
cost of acquiring the Redstone base, dividend payments of £1.173m, £822,000 tax and the £487,000 
cost of buying back shares. The Group has no debt.

Divisional performance is described further below.

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 by 18% in the year as shown in the table above, maintenance 
related revenue growing by 13% and equipment sales by 32%. 

Maintenance
Maintenance revenues increased by £1,389,000 in the year, with two significant orders from the 
Group’s largest customer, one going live in February and the other in July. Revenues also benefited 
from the commencement of the Westcon partnership (initially around £600,000 of annualised 
maintenance revenues) at the end of June and the acquisition of the Redstone base (c£2m annualised 
maintenance revenues) at the end of October, both of which are contributing maintenance revenues in 
line with expectations. The maintenance base stood at a record of more than £13m at the year end.

As envisaged, we have received increasing levels of business during the year from our relationships 
with larger integrators, and further relationships continue to be forged, whilst at the other end of the 
scale the direct sales team continues to sign up traditional SME and larger customers, albeit at lower 
levels than experienced historically, all of which helps provide a balance to the base.

It was noted at the half year that attrition was running slightly ahead of recent years, but this position 
reversed in H2, so that the rate for the year was virtually identical to that of 2009.

Equipment sales
Following a drop in equipment sales revenue in 2009 attributed to the economic environment, this has 
increased by £1,141,000 in the year, despite a conscious and continuing policy to generally avoid such 
sales if they do not meet margin criteria. £622,000 of the increase, however, is attributable to a single 
project which was low risk and at a lower than usual, but acceptable, margin and which has led to a 
further £250,000 extension to that order in 2011. There were a number of medium-sized sales in the 
year, but a large proportion of equipment sales is of low unit value and is a function of the increased size 
of the maintenance base and which could reasonably be deemed recurring revenue. Overall equipment 
sales margin percentage was below budget due to the large contract, but not significantly so.

The increase in the sales and customer service headcount shown below has primarily arisen from the 
transfer to the Group of Redstone employees and the enhancement of resource to maintain a quality 
service to the increased customer base. The increase in engineer headcount is in the main the result 
of the acquisition of Avaya skills through the Westcon partnership and the Redstone acquisition.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

5

Business review 
Business review 

(continued)

Headcount	

Average 2010	

Average 2009  

Sales and customer service*  

Engineers* 

* excluding redundant Redstone employees

49 

86 

44 

79 

At	31
December	
2010

56

100

Division gross profit (£000) 

2010 

2009

6,496	(40%)	

5,828 (42%)

The division’s gross profit margin dropped by 2 percentage points in the year, the equipment sales at 
lower margin noted above being the main contributory factor, although the division was also affected 
by a full year’s support charge from a manufacturer and by the effects of some renegotiated customer 
contracts, in particular the framework agreement with the Group’s largest customer, although this 
latter cost is also expected to result in improved contract security and greater exposure to new 
business opportunities. 

The percentage margin in the second half was also affected by the Westcon partnership agreement 
and Redstone acquisitions, where low levels of profitability were expected initially post-completion,  
but will improve in 2011 as the negative effects of deferred maintenance income not acquired unwind.

Net margin (operating profit as a percentage of revenue) from the division fell from 16.0% in 2009 to 
14.4%, in sympathy with gross margin but partly due to the two Redstone accounting adjustments (the 
inclusion of the £105,000 deferred income less deferred costs, and the £175,000 redundancy cost) which 
increased revenue and administration costs; excluding these adjustments, net margin was 14.9%.

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.

Network	services	division
The network services division sells a portfolio of services which includes telephone line rental, inbound 
and outbound telephone calls, data connectivity, Internet access and IP telephony solutions. These 
services complement the services offered by the maintenance and equipment division.

Revenue analysis (£000) 

Call traffic  

Line rental 

Data services 

Other 

Total network services 

2010 

2,690 

2,282 

594 

250 

5,816 

2009

2,826

2,048

538

291

5,703

Division gross profit (£000) 

1,545	(27%)	

1,400 (25%)

The division’s revenue increased by £113,000 or 2% with the switch from call traffic to line rental 
continuing the trend of the last few years, and data services revenues increasing by a further 10% in 
the year. 

The reduction in call traffic revenue is a consequence of reduced fixed line traffic volumes generally, a 
continuing effect of the economic environment impacting on call volumes, the effects of cancellations 
by some medium-sized customers in late 2009 and H1 2010 and reduced call minute rates. The 
signing of a major line rental customer in mid-2009 has helped contribute to the increase in line rental 
revenues and BT’s recently announced increase in its line rental estate is an encouraging indicator for 
this revenue stream. 

2010 has also seen increasing uptake in the division’s IP-based telephony solutions including SIP 
trunking and hosted PBX solutions, which is a trend that we expect to continue alongside the more 
traditional services.

	
	
	
	
	
	
 
  
6

Business review 
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

Network	services	division	(continued)
Although line rental revenues attract around half the margin of call traffic, the entire revenue increase 
translated to margin increase due to year on year improvements in call traffic and data services 
margins, as a result of improved buy-in rates and the continuing focus on improving processes and 
rationalising suppliers.

Attrition in the division remained at its historically low levels during the year, although this was 
balanced by a relatively subdued level of new sales, partially reflecting our focus on good margin, low 
risk prospects in the current economic environment.

Administrative	expenses,	excluding	goodwill	impairment	and	intangibles	
amortisation

Administrative expenses (£000) 

Sales expenses  

Other administrative expenses (excluding goodwill impairment,  
intangibles amortisation and £175,000 Redstone  
redundancy charge in 2010) 

Redstone redundancy charge 

Total other administrative expenses 

2010 

2,304	

2,456	

175 

4,935 

2009

2,080

2,356

-

4,436

Sales expenses increased by £224,000 or 11% in the year, as a senior sales person was recruited, 
certain Redstone employees were retained and commissions were paid on increased revenues. 
Administrative costs remain tightly controlled and rose by £100,000 or 4% in the year, £28,000 being 
an increase in the holiday pay accrual arising from the increased employee numbers, and £26,000 
being the costs of the Redstone acquisition. 

Impairment and amortisation charges are discussed below.

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* 

2010 

165 

58 

21 

2009

153

53

21

Group revenue (£000) 

22,008 

19,394

* excluding redundant Redstone employees

Interest
Net interest receivable increased from £12,000 to £29,000 in 2010, with average cash balances being 
higher in 2010 despite share buybacks in September and the Redstone acquisition at the end of October.

Taxation
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income shows a tax rate of 28.6% (2009 – 28.8%). The 
two main trading companies are taxed at 28.0% (2009 – 28.0%). Disallowables raise the effective rate 
above this, as did an element of the goodwill impairment charge in 2009 which did not attract tax relief. 

Dividends
A second interim dividend for 2009 of 4.1p per share (£441,000 in total) was paid on 25 March 2010, 
together with a special interim dividend for 2009 of 2.9p per share (£312,000), and an interim dividend 
for 2010 of 3.9p (£420,000) was paid on 1 October 2010.

It is proposed to pay a final dividend of 4.6p in respect of 2010 on 28 April to shareholders on the 
register at the close of business on 25 March. The corresponding ex-dividend date will be 23 March.  
In accordance with accounting standards, this dividend is not accounted for in the financial statements 
for the period under review as it had not been committed as at 31 December 2010.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
7

Business review 
Business review 

(continued)

Consolidated	statement	of	financial	position
The consolidated statement of financial position remains sound, with £2.459m of cash and no debt, 
facilitating continued growth from existing resources.

Trade receivables have increased by £459,000 over the year, with higher levels of billing in Q4 2010 
compared with Q4 2009, including the effects of Westcon and Redstone billing. Trade payables have 
increased by £399,000 largely due to the increase in cost of sale relating to equipment sales. These 
factors, plus the NI/PAYE effect of increased staff levels have resulted in an increase in tax and social 
security liability at the year end compared with the previous year. 

The value of maintenance stock has increased by £17,000 in the year, to £621,000, due to the 
acquisition of £95,000 of stock from Redstone, net of regular provisioning being applied. As part of 
the agreement signed with Westcon, the Group took ownership of Avaya maintenance stock from 
Westcon which, not being material, has been incorporated in the Group’s maintenance stock at nil 
value. The value of stock held for resale has increased from £114,000 to £380,000 as a result of a 
higher number of installations spanning the year end.

Deferred maintenance income has increased by £748,000, due to the increase in the maintenance 
base over the year, including the effects of the Westcon partnership and Redstone acquisition 
including £141,000 in respect of the performance obligation liability adjustment. Other deferred 
income has increased by £204,000 mirroring the increase in stock arising from more installation 
projects spanning the year end. 

No significant expenditure has been required on plant and equipment during the period, with 
additions broadly matching depreciation, and the spend in the year weighted to improving IT security 
and resiliency.

Intangible assets
The Group has four intangible assets – (i) goodwill relating to the acquisition of Maintel Network 
Services Limited, (ii) an intangible asset represented by customer contracts and relationships 
acquired from District Holdings Limited, Callmaster Limited and Redstone, (iii) goodwill relating to the 
District and Redstone acquisitions, and (iv) a licence for billing software.

£128,000 was added to Goodwill during the year, in respect of the Redstone acquisition. Goodwill 
is subject to an impairment test at each reporting date. No impairment has been charged to the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income in 2010 (2009 – £30,000), and the carrying value is 
£475,000 at 31 December 2010 (2009 – £347,000). 

The intangible assets represented by purchased customer contracts and relationships were 
supplemented by the addition of contracts valued at £1.448m arising from the Redstone acquisition 
during the year. The intangible assets are subject to an amortisation charge of 17–20% of cost per 
annum in respect of maintenance contract relationships and 14.2% per annum in respect of network 
services contracts. £303,000 was amortised in 2010 (2009 – £263,000), leaving a carrying value of 
£1.713m (2009 – £568,000). 

The billing software is amortised over a three year period and is subject to an annual impairment 
review. The amortisation charge in the period was £32,000, leaving a carrying value of £43,000 (2009 
– £75,000). 

Purchase	of	own	shares
Further to the authority granted at the last two AGMs, the Company repurchased and cancelled 295,000 
of its own shares during 2010, at prices between 140p and 165p each and a total cost of £487,000. 

The share price at 31 December 2010 was 250p.

Cash	flow
At 31 December 2010 the Group had cash and bank balances of £2.459m (2009 – £2.506m), all of it 
unrestricted. Cash generated from operating activities in the year was £4.117m, out of which £1.173m 
was paid in dividends, £487,000 on share buy backs, £822,000 in corporation tax and a net £1.6m on 
the Redstone acquisition.

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

8

Business review 
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

Principal	risks
The directors consider that the principal risks to the Group relate to technological advance, 
marketplace relationships and pricing strategies, and the ongoing 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 replacement 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.

VoIP technology is a potential threat to the reselling of call minutes with a particular type of customer. 
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 2010. 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 
have begun to reduce the percentage weighting, with the Redstone acquisition having the same effect 
by increasing the size of the base. 

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.

Outlook
While we see the 2011 economic environment remaining difficult as the government’s policy to reduce 
the structural deficit continues to have an impact on company investment and cost reduction activity, 
Maintel is well placed to continue its growth in this environment, with the maintenance and equipment 
division expected to advance on a number of fronts during 2011, including the further development 
of partner business, the development of the Westcon partnership and the Redstone base, and 
progression into the Avaya marketplace capitalising on the investments in resource and critical mass 
established during 2010. 

The enhanced engineering skills gained from recent acquisitions, especially in the areas of IP and data 
will allow Maintel to accelerate its growth in these areas to supplement its traditional maintenance 
revenues.

The network services division is expected to see slower growth in the year, with the main focus being 
on the maintenance and equipment division, although farming of the Westcon and Redstone bases is 
expected to produce positive results. 

The Group is therefore well positioned to make further progress during the current year.

E	Buxton	
Chief Executive

10 March 2011

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

9

Business review 
Board of directors 

Dale	Todd,	52
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,	44
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,	52
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 chairman of the Link 
Group which was acquired by ICAP plc in 2008. 

Eddie	Buxton,	50
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,	44
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 UK Corporate Governance 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 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 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.

The Company’s articles of association require that Angus McCaffery 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.

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, 
Angus McCaffery 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 13.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

11

Report on corporate governance
Business review 

(continued)

Nomination	committee
The nomination committee had two members during 2010, both non-executive, being John Booth, 
chairman, and Nicholas Taylor. The committee meets as required under the terms of its remit, which 
includes: 

•  reviewing the structure, size and composition of the board.

•  identifying and nominating suitable candidates to fill vacancies on the board.

Board	attendances
The following table shows attendance of the directors at meetings of the Board and the Audit 
Committee during the year.

Number of 
meetings in 
the year 

J Booth 

E Buxton  A McCaffery 

N Taylor 

D Todd

Board 

Audit committee 

16 

2 

14 

2 

16 

2 

15 

2 

15 

2 

16

2

Meetings of the Remuneration committee were held in December 2009 and January 2011.

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 as required.

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.

 
 
 
12

Report on corporate governance
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

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 17 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.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

13

Business review 
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 2011 with increases of between 6.2% and 14.8% 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 and 
other performance criteria. 

(d)	Share	options

Eddie Buxton and Dale Todd have been granted share options, 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 2010 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 

19 

127 

135 

124 

436 

- 

- 

12 

18 

 12 

42 

 - 

- 

30 

- 

20 

50 

- 

- 

4 

 4 

- 

8 

Total   
2010	(1) 
£000   

31   

19   

173   

157   

156   

536   

Total
2009 (1,2)
£000

31

18

151

142 

138

480

(1)  Excluding social security costs in respect of the above amounting to £62,000 (2009 - £55,000).
(2)  Including bonuses of £34,000, employer pension contributions of £6,000 and benefits of £40,000, so that salaries amounted to £400,000.
(3)  Mr Buxton was appointed on 2 February 2009.

The directors are the only employees of the Company.

 
 
 
 
 
 
14

Report of the Remuneration committee
Chairman’s statement  

(continued)

Directors’	interests	in	ordinary	shares
The directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of the Company are shown in the directors’ report on 
page 15.

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, with an exercise price of £1.00. 

(b)  an option over the number of shares (if any) that Mr Buxton acquired in the market during the 

first year of his employment with the Company. Mr Buxton acquired no shares during the requisite 
period and so this option lapsed during 2010.

(c)   an option over 107,818 shares, which has vested, with an exercise price of £2.00. 

(d)  an option over 107,818 shares, 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, with an exercise price of 150.5p. The option vested 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 vested 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 10 March 2011.

N	J	Taylor
Chairman of the Remuneration committee

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

15

Report of the directors 
Business review 
for the year ended 31 December 2010

The directors present their annual report together with the audited financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2010. 

Principal	activities
The principal activities of the Group are the provision of contracted maintenance services, the sale 
and installation of telecommunications systems and the provision of fixed line, mobile and data 
telecommunications services, predominantly to the enterprise business sector. 

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 second interim dividend of 4.1p per ordinary share in respect 
of the 2009 financial year, amounting to £441,000 (2009 – an equivalent final dividend of 3.1p and 
£334,000 respectively), a special interim dividend in respect of 2009 of 2.9p per share, amounting 
to £312,000, and an interim dividend in respect of 2010 of 3.9p per share, amounting to £420,000 
(2009 – 3.1p and £334,000 respectively). The directors propose the payment of a final dividend in 
respect of 2010 of 4.6p 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 2010 and their interests in the ordinary shares of 
the Company at that date were as follows:

Number of 1p ordinary shares

2010 

2009

Beneficial   Non-beneficial  

Beneficial   Non-beneficial

2,756,717		

-	

2,755,380 

 -	

1,998		

	64,921	

-  

 52,152

2,167,436	

-	

2,166,232 

12,590	

	4,748		

	61,329	

	62,171	

11,329 

	3,544 

 -

 47,823

 48,608	

J D S Booth 

E Buxton 

A J McCaffery 

N J Taylor  

W D Todd  

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 purchased a net 1,747 shares in total. There were 
no other changes in the directors’ shareholdings between 31 December 2010 and 10 March 2011.

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 19.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16

Report of the directors 
Chairman’s statement  
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

Substantial	shareholders
In addition to the directors’ shareholdings, at 10 March 2011 the Company had been notified of the 
following shareholdings of 3% or more in the ordinary share capital of the Company:

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

Number of 
1p ordinary shares 

% of issued
ordinary shares

1,573,100 
760,000 
631,920 
532,500 
380,203 

15.0%
7.2%
6.0%
5.1%
3.6%

The Company’s mid-market share price at 31 December 2010 was 250p per share, and the high and 
low prices during the year were 130p and 252.5p 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 295,000 of its own 1p ordinary shares during 2010, at prices between 140p and 165p each 
at a total cost of £487,000, the directors considering that such purchases were in the best interests 
of the shareholders. The purchases represent 2.8% of the Company’s issued share capital as at 
31 December 2010. The existing authority is for the purchase of up to 1,616,191 shares and the 
unutilised authority is in respect of 1,336,191 shares. A fresh authority, for the purchase of up to 
1,571,971 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 17 of the financial 
statements.

Donations
The Group made charitable contributions of £5,000 (2009 – £2,000) during the year. No contributions 
were made to political organisations (2009 – £Nil).

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
17

Report of the directors 
Business review 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (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 2010 was 38 days (2009 – 29 days). The Company’s average 
creditor payment period at 31 December 2010 was 9 days (2009 – 27 days), these figures being 
due to the irregular nature of the Company’s creditor payments.

Annual	General	Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at its offices on 21st April 2011 at 
10.45am. The notice convening the meeting is set out on pages 46 to 47 of this report.

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

10 March 2011

18

Chairman’s statement  
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.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial 
statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

19

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

We have audited the financial statements of Maintel Holdings Plc for the year ended 31 December 
2010 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 consolidated 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 and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us 
to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

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

Opinion	on	financial	statements
In our opinion:

•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the parent 
company’s affairs as at 31 December 2010 and of the group’s profit for the year then ended;

•  the consolidated 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.

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.

Anthony	Perkins	(senior	statutory	auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor
London

10 March 2011

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 2010

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Administrative expenses

 Goodwill impairment 

 Intangibles amortisation 

 Other administrative expenses 

Operating profit 

Financial income 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation  

Profit and total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent 

Note 

3 

11 

11 

6 

7 

8 

2010  
£000 

22,008 

14,094 

7,914 

- 

335 

4,935 

5,270 

2,644 

29 

2,673 

765 

1,908 

2009
£000

19,394

12,279 

7,115

30

279

4,436 

4,745

2,370

12

2,382

685

1,697

Earnings per share 

Basic and diluted 

10 

17.8p 

15.7p

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

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21

Consolidated statement of financial position 

at 31 December 2010

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 

 2010 
£000 

1,001 

3,561 

2,459 

11 

13 

14 

15 

16 

18 

19 

20 

20 

20 

2010 
£000 

2,231 

202 

2,433 

7,021 

9,454 

6,971 

366 

7,337 

3 

2,114 

105 

628 

31 

1,350 

2,114 

2009 
£000 

718 

2,956

2,506

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

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 10 March 2011 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 2010

At 1 January 2009  

Profit and total comprehensive income for year 

Dividend 

Share based payment credit 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

At 31 December 2009  

Profit and total comprehensive income for year 

Dividend 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

At 31 December 2010 

Share 
capital 
£000 

108 

-  

-  

-  

- 

108  

-  

- 

(3) 

 105 

Share 
premium 
£000  

628 

-  

- 

- 

-  

628 

-  

- 

-  

628 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

28 

 -  

-  

-  

-  

28 

 -  

-  

3  

31 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

90 

1,697 

(668) 

13 

(30) 

1,102 

1,908 

(1,173) 

(487) 

1,350 

Total
£000

854

1,697

(668)

13

(30)

1,866

1,908

(1,173)

(487)

2,114

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

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23

Consolidated statement of cash flows 

for the year ended 31 December 2010

Operating activities 

Profit before taxation 

Adjustments for: 

Goodwill impairment 

Intangibles amortisation 

Share based payments 

Depreciation charge 

Interest received 

Operating cash flows before changes in working capital 

(Increase)/decrease in inventories 

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 

Increase/(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 

Purchase price in respect of business combination 

Interest received 

Net cash flows from investing activities  

Financing activities

Repurchase of own shares for cancellation 

Equity dividends paid 

Net cash flows from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase 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

2010 
£000 

2009
£000

2,673 

2,382

- 

335 

- 

101 

(29) 

3,080 

(188) 

(431) 

1,656 

4,117 

(822) 

3,295 

(111) 

- 

(1,600) 

29 

30

279

13 

103

(12)

2,795

18

208

(104)

2,917

(549)

2,368

(95) 

(91) 

-

12

(1,682) 

(174)

(487) 

(1,173) 

(1,660) 

(47) 

2,506 

2,459 

(30)

(668)

(698)

1,496

1,010

2,506

 
 
 
 
 
 
24

Notes forming part of the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2010

1 General information
Maintel Holdings Plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the UK, whose shares are publicly traded on the Alternative 
Investment Market (AIM). Its registered office and principal place of business is 61 Webber Street, London SE1 0RF.

2 Accounting policies 
The principal policies adopted in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements 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. Interest income is recognised on an accruals basis.

(d) Intangible assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination over the acquisition date fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities 
and contingent liabilities acquired.

For business combinations completed prior to 1 January 2010, cost comprises the fair value of assets given, plus any direct costs of 
acquisition. 

For business combinations completed on or after 1 January 2010, cost comprised the fair value of assets given. Contingent consideration 
is included in cost at its acquisition date fair value and, in the case of contingent consideration classified as a financial liability, remeasured 
subsequently through profit or loss. For business combinations completed on or after 1 January 2010, direct costs of acquisition are 
recognised immediately as an expense.

Goodwill is capitalised as an intangible asset with any impairment in carrying value being charged to the consolidated 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 or six 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.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
25

Notes forming part of the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

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.

(f) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. 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. 

(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. 

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.

 
26

Notes forming part of the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

2 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 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 and interpretations became effective during the year and in 2009, the only ones affecting these financial 
statements being as follows:

•  IFRS 3 (revised) “Business combinations” alters the treatment of deferred consideration and acquisition-related costs in respect of 

acquisitions occurring after adoption of the standard. The adoption of the standard has reduced profits by £26,000 in the current year as 
direct costs of acquisition have been classified in administrative expenses.

•  IFRS improvement has been adopted in relation to non-disclosure of segment assets and liabilities under IFRS 8 as they are not reported 

to the board.

There are no impending IFRSs that are expected to have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
27

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

3 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 these headings. The businesses of each segment and a further analysis of revenue 
are described under their respective headings in the Business review.

Segment revenue before adjustment 

Redstone deferred income less costs 

Revenue 

Operating profit before customer relationship intangibles  
amortisation and Redstone adjustments 

Customer relationship intangibles amortisation 

Operating profit before adjustments 

Redstone redundancy costs 

Redstone deferred income less costs 

Operating profit 

Interest (net) 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period 

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

16,286 

105 

16,391 

2,491 

(62) 

2,429 

(175) 

105 

2,359 

Year ended 31 December 2010

Network 
services 
£000 

5,816 

- 

5,816 

540 

(48) 

492 

- 

- 

492 

Central/ 
intercompany 
£000 

(199) 

- 

(199) 

(14) 

(193) 

(207) 

- 

- 

(207) 

Total
£000

21,903

105

22,008

3,017

(303)

2,714

(175)

105

2,644

29

2,673

(765)

1,908

Revenue is wholly attributable to the principal activities of the Group and other than sales of £10,000 to other EU countries arises 
predominantly within the United Kingdom.

Maintenance and equipment revenue consists of maintenance related revenue of £11.678m and equipment, installation and other revenue 
of £4.713m (2009 – £10.289m and £3.572m). Network services revenue consists of call traffic revenue of £2.690m, line rental revenue of 
£2.282m and other revenue of £0.844m (2009 – £2.826m, £2.048m and £0.829m).

Intercompany trading consists of telecommunications services, and recharges of sales, engineering and rent costs, £48,000 attributable to 
the Maintenance and equipment segment and £151,000 to the Network services segment.

In 2010 the Maintenance and equipment division had one customer (2009 – One) which accounted for more than 10% of its revenue, 
totalling £5.201m (2009 – £2.876m).

Other

Capital expenditure 

Depreciation 

Amortisation and impairment 

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

111 

101 

62 

Year ended 31 December 2010

Network 
services 
£000 

Central/ 
intercompany 
£000 

- 

- 

80 

- 

- 

193 

Total
£000

111

101

335 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

3 Segment information (continued)

Revenue 

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

13,861 

Operating profit before goodwill impairment and customer relationship

intangibles amortisation  

2,233 

Goodwill impairment and customer relationship intangibles amortisation 

(22) 

Operating profit 

Interest (net) 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period 

2,211 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Network 
services 
£000 

5,703 

490 

(64) 

426 

Central/ 
intercompany 
£000 

Total
£000

(170) 

19,394

(44) 

(223) 

(267) 

2,679

(309)

2,370

12

2,382

(685)

1,697

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

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.

Other

Capital expenditure 

Depreciation 

Amortisation and impairment 

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

Year ended 31 December 2009

Network 
services 
£000 

Central/ 
intercompany 
£000 

95 

103 

22 

91  

-  

64 

-  

-  

223 

Total
£000

186

103

309

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

29

4 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 

2010 
Number 

2009
Number

21 

 58  

86 

165 

2010 
£000 

7,665 

 856  

 143 

8,664 

21

53

79

153

2009
£000

6,906

 774

127

7,807

The above numbers are exclusive of employees redundant (weighted average numbers 1, 1 and 2 respectively) following the Redstone 
acquisition, and exclude the costs of redundancy.

 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. Pension contributions totalling £26,000 (2009 – £24,000) were payable to the schemes at the year 
end and are included in other payables.

5 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 

2010 
£000 

527 

8 

535 

169 

4 

173 

2009
£000

486

6

492

149

2 

151

The Group paid contributions into defined contribution personal pension schemes in respect of 2 (2009 – 2) directors during the year.

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

6 Operating profit

This has been arrived at after charging:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 

Goodwill impairment charge 

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 

7 Financial income

Bank and other interest received 

8 Taxation

UK corporation tax

Corporation tax on profits of the period 

Deferred tax 

Taxation on profit on ordinary activities 

2010 
£000 

2009
£000

101 

335 

- 

158 

65 

8 

9 

53 

3 

2010 
£000 

29 

2010 
£000 

808 

(43) 

765 

103

279

30

191

65

8

3

48

12

2009
£000

12

2009
£000

736

(51)

685

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% (2009 – 28%) 

Effect of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 

Goodwill impairment 

Share based payment expense not deductible 

Adjustment in respect of prior period 

2010 
£000 

2,673 

749 

20 

(4) 

- 

- 

2009
£000

2,382

667

8

5

4

1

765 

685

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

9 Dividends paid on ordinary shares

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

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

Second interim 2009, paid 25 March 2010 – 4.1p per share 

Special interim 2009, paid 25 March 2010 – 2.9p per share 

Interim 2010, paid 1 October 2010 – 3.9p per share 

2010 
£000 

- 

- 

441 

312 

420 

2009
£000

334

334

-

-

- 

1,173 

668

The directors propose the payment of a final dividend for 2010 of 4.6p (2009 – equivalent second interim dividend of 4.1p) per ordinary share, 
payable on 28 April 2011 to shareholders on the register at 25 March 2011.

10 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, intangibles amortisation, non-trading  accounting effects of the  
Redstone acquisition, 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 non-trading accounting effects of the Redstone acquisition 

Adjusted and diluted 

2010 
£000 

1,908 

265 

2,173 

 Number 

(000s) 

10,693 

25 

2009
£000

1,697

215

1,912

Number

(000s)

10,790

8

10,718 

10,798

17.8p 

17.8p 

20.3p 

20.3p 

15.7p

15.7p

17.7p

17.7p

The adjustment above in respect of goodwill impairment, intangibles amortisation, the non-trading accounting effects of the Redstone 
acquisition and tax thereon has been made in order to provide a clearer picture of the trading performance of the Group. 

 During 2010 the Company repurchased and cancelled 295,000 of its ordinary shares, at prices between 140p and 165p each and a total 
cost of £487,000, representing 2.8% of the Company’s issued share capital as at 31 December 2010. 

 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 potentially dilutive 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 2010 (continued)

11 Intangible assets 

Cost

At 1 January 2009 

Acquired in year  

At 31 December 2009 

Acquired in year  

At 31 December 2010 

Amortisation and impairment

At 1 January 2009 

Amortisation in the year  

Impairment in the year 

At 31 December 2009 

Amortisation in the year  

At 31 December 2010 

Net book value

At 31 December 2010  

At 31 December 2009  

Goodwill 
£000 

Customer 
relationships 
£000 

Computer
Software 
£000 

664 

-  

664 

128  

792 

 287 

-  

30 

317 

- 

317 

 475 

347  

1,413 

-  

1,413 

1,448 

2,861 

582 

263 

-  

845 

303 

1,148 

1,713 

568 

-  

91 

91 

-  

91 

- 

16 

-  

16 

32 

48 

 43  

75  

Total
£000

2,077

91

2,168

1,576

3,744

869 

279

30

1,178

335

1,513

2,231

990

On 29 October 2010 certain business and assets of Redstone Converged Services Limited and Marcom Communications Limited were 
acquired at the following valuations:

Purchase consideration

Net consideration in cash 

Indemnity received for redundancy costs 

Net consideration 

Assets and liabilities acquired

Customer contracts  

Stock  

Performance obligation liability 

Goodwill 

£000
(provisional)

1,600

(175)

1,425

1,448

95

(246)

1,297

128

The business and assets have been acquired in order to further enhance the Group’s maintenance base, and in particular its development of 
its Avaya capabilities. The Group acquired no shares in either company as part of the acquisition.

The customer relationships are estimated to have a useful life of six years based on the directors’ experience of comparable contracts and 
are therefore amortised over that period and are subject to an annual impairment review. The amortisation charge in 2010 is £40,222. 
£105,000 of the revenue from the performance obligation liabilities (being the net of the liability to service customers for which the Group 
has received no payment and equivalent deferred costs) has been included in revenue in 2010, and the remainder will be included in 
2011. Certain of the figures above are provisional pending the nature and value of contracts being verified given the number of contracts 
acquired, however any adjustments are not expected to be significant. Costs related to the Redstone acquisition amounted to £26,000. 
It is impractical to estimate the results of the acquisition had it been effected on 1 January 2010 due to the lack of certain management 
information for that period and the fact that the acquired business and assets formed only part of the entities from which they were 
purchased. Post-acquisition it contributed, before redundancy costs, an approximate £50,000 profit to Group results including £105,000 of 
deferred income net of deferred costs.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

A three year licence of billing software was purchased in 2009, 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 allocated to the cash generating units as follows:

Maintel Voice and Data Limited 

Maintel Europe Limited 

2010 
£000 

202 

273 

475 

2009
£000

202

145

347

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 no charge in 2010 (2009 – £30,000). 

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. There has been no impairment of the goodwill in 2010 (2009 – £Nil). 

Goodwill of £128,000 arose on the Redstone acquisition in October 2010. This is assessed for impairment at the date of each consolidated 
statement of financial position. There has been no impairment of the goodwill in 2010. 

For the purposes of the impairment review of goodwill, the net present value of the projected future cash flows of the relevant cash 
generating unit are compared with the carrying value. Projected operating margins for this purpose are based on a five year horizon and 
3% rate of growth, and a discount rate of 10% is applied to the resultant projected cash flows; the discount rate is based on conventional 
capital asset pricing model inputs.

12 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 2010 (continued)

13 Property, plant and equipment

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2009 

Additions 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2009 

Additions 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2010 

Depreciation

At 1 January 2009 

Provided in year 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2009 

Provided in year 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2010 

Net book value

At 31 December 2010 

At 31 December 2009 

14 Inventories

Maintenance stock 

Stock held for resale 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000 

Office and
computer 
equipment  
£000  

67  

2  

-  

69 

27 

- 

96 

65  

3  

 -  

68  

4 

- 

72 

24 

1 

846  

93  

(91)  

848 

84 

(76) 

856 

648  

100  

(91)  

657  

97 

(76) 

678 

178 

191 

2010 
£000 

621 

380 

1,001 

Total
£000

913

95

(91)

 917

111

(76)

952

713

103

(91)

725

101

(76)

750

202

192

2009
£000

604

114

718

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

15 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Prepayments and accrued income 

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

16 Trade and other payables

Trade payables 

Other tax and social security 

Accruals 

Other payables 

Deferred maintenance income 

Other deferred income 

2010 
£000 

2,349 

184 

1,028 

3,561 

2010 
£000 

1,264 

1,011 

636 

28 

3,700 

332 

6,971 

2009
£000

1,890

72

994

2,956

2009
£000

865

627

471

26

2,952

128

5,069

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 2010 (continued)

17 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

2010 
£000 

2,349 

2,459 

184 

4,992 

2009
£000

1,890

2,506

72

4,468

Financial liabilities
measured at
amortised cost

2010 
£000 

1,264 

28 

1,292 

2009
£000

865

26

891

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 £120,000 
is provided at 31 December 2010 (2009 – £110,000). 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 2010 owed the Group 
£191,000 including VAT (2009 – £486,000). 

The movement on the provision is as follows: 

Provision at start of year  

Provision used 

Additional provision made 

Provision at end of year 

2010 
£000 

110 

(23) 

33 

120 

2009
£000

99

(34)

45

110

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 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (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 

2010 
£000 

525 

278 

30 

833 

2009
£000

630

72

33

735

Cash and cash equivalents at 2010 and 2009 year ends represented short term deposits with LloydsTSB and Santander.

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 2010 was £Nil (2009 – £1,000). The Group therefore has 
no exposure to currency risk.

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 (£29,000 in 2010, and £12,000 in 2009) is therefore dependent on those prevailing rates, which were at a historically low level 
during 2009 and 2010.

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 may 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. 
Typically returns to shareholders will be funded from retained profits, however in order to take advantage of the opportunities available to 
it from time to time, 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 such opportunities and changing economic circumstances. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

18 Deferred tax liability

At 1 January 2009 

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

At 31 December 2009 

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

At 31 December 2010 

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£000 

(27) 

7 

(20) 

14 

(6) 

Intangible 
assets 
£000 

125 

(58) 

67 

(58) 

9 

Total
£000

98

(51)

47

(44)

3

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 27% (2009 – 28%).     

19 Share capital

Authorised

17,571,840 ordinary shares of 1p each 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

10,486,800 (2009 – 10,781,800) ordinary shares of 1p each 

2010 
£000 

176 

105 

2009
£000

176

108   

Pursuant to the authority granted at the last two AGMs, the Company repurchased and cancelled 295,000 of its own 1p ordinary shares 
during 2010, at prices between 140p and 165p each and a total cost of £487,000. The purchase represents 2.8% of the Company’s issued 
share capital as at 31 December 2010.  

20 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 final dividend in respect of 2010 of 4.6p per share; this dividend is not provided for in these 
financial statements.

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

21 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.

22 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 13 describes the options granted over the Company’s ordinary shares.

In aggregate, options are outstanding over 2.76% 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 in 2009 arising from the granting of these options was £13,000 
(2010 – Nil). 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

23 Operating leases
As at 31 December 2010, 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 

2010 
Land and 
buildings 
£000 

155 

196 

351 

2010 

Other 
£000 

50 

84 

134 

2009 
Land and 
buildings 
£000 

48 

- 

48 

2009 

Other
£000

29

-

29

The commitment relating to land and buildings is in respect of the Group’s London offices, the primary lease on which expires in September 
2014 in normal circumstances, with a tenant’s break option in March 2013, at an annual rental of £139,550 to 31 March 2011 and £149,550 
thereafter. The remaining commitment relates to contract hired motor vehicles, which are typically replaced on a 3 year rolling cycle. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

24 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 

2010 
£000 

978 

16 

- 

994 

2009
£000

812

13

13

838

 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 A J McCaffery and Maybank Marketing, a company indirectly associated with A J McCaffery.  
Transactions in 2010 and 2009 amounted in aggregate to less than £1,500 in each case.  

The Group paid commissions in the year to J A Spens, a shareholder in the Company, amounting to £10,921 net of VAT (2009 – £11,789), 
of which £31 (2009 – £1,545) 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 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
41

Notes forming part of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2010 (continued)

25 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 11. These 
estimates include the asset’s future cash flows and an appropriate discount to reflect the time value of money. The directors do not consider 
that in the normal course of events there is a likelihood that an impairment charge would be required. 

Fair value of intangible assets acquired in business combinations

The valuation of intangible and certain other assets and liabilities on their acquisition requires management estimates and judgements 
similar to those used in assessing their impairment as described above. 

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.  

Receivables

Receivables are recognised to the extent that they are judged recoverable. The directors believe that the current provision for the 
impairment of receivables is adequate based on their historic experience and current knowledge of customers and amounts due.

  
 
 
42

Maintel Holdings Plc Company balance sheet
at 31 December 2010 – 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 

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 

2010 
£000 

182 

1,175 

1,357 

295 

2010 
£000 

2,323 

1,062 

3,385 

105 

628 

31 

2,621 

3,385 

2009 
£000 

196

791 

987

306 

2009
£000

2,323

681

3,004

108

628

28

2,240

3,004

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 10 March 2011 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 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43

Notes forming part of the Company financial statements 
at 31 December 2010

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 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 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 5 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 £2,041,000 (2009 – 
£1,713,000).

4 Dividends paid on ordinary shares

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

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

Second interim 2009, paid 25 March 2010 – 4.1p per share 

Special interim 2009, paid 25 March 2010 – 2.9p per share 

Interim 2010, paid 1 October 2010 – 3.9p per share 

2010 
£000 

-   

-   

441 

312 

420 

2009
£000

334

334

- 

-

-  

1,173 

668

The directors propose the payment of a final dividend for 2010 of 4.6p (2009 – equivalent second interim dividend of 4.1p) per ordinary 
share, payable on 28 April 2011 to shareholders on the register at 25 March 2011.

 
 
 
 
44

Notes forming part of the Company financial statements 
at 31 December 2010 (continued)

Shares in
subsidiary
undertakings
£000

2,403

80

2,323

2010 

£000 

173 

2 

4 

 3 

182 

2010 
£000 

284 

1 

10 

295 

2009

£000

182  

3  

2

9

196

2009
£000

291

  7

8

306

5 Investment in subsidiaries 

Cost                             

At 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2010 

Provision for impairment

At 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2010 

Net book value

At 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2010 

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.   

7 Creditors

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings  

Trade creditors 

Accruals and deferred income 

Maintel Holdings Plc
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010
www.maintel.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45

Notes forming part of the Company financial statements 
at 31 December 2010 (continued)

8 Share capital

Authorised 

17,571,840 ordinary shares of 1p each 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

10,486,800 (2009 – 10,781,800) ordinary shares of 1p each 

2010 
£000 

176 

105 

2009
£000

176

108

Pursuant to the authority granted at the last two AGMs, the Company repurchased and cancelled 295,000 of its own 1p ordinary shares 
during 2010, at prices between 140p and 165p each and a total cost of £487,000. The purchase represents 2.8% of the Company’s 
issued share capital as at 31 December 2010.  

 The Remuneration Committee’s report on page 13 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 2009  

Profit for year 

Dividends paid 

Share based payment credit 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

At 31 December 2009  

Profit for year 

Dividends paid 

Movements in respect of purchase of own shares 

Share 
capital 
£000 

108 

Share 
premium 
£000 

628 

-           

-           

- 

  - 

108 

–           

– 

  (3) 

-    

- 

-   

- 

628 

–    

–    

– 

At 31 December 2010 

    105  

628 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

28 

  -    

-    

-   

-   

28 

  –    

–    

3   

31 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

1,212 

1,713 

(668) 

13 

 (30) 

2,240 

2,041 

(1,173) 

(487)  

2,621 

Total
£000

1,976

1,713

(668)

13

(30) 

3,004

2,041

(1,173)

(487) 

3,385

It is proposed to pay a final dividend for 2010, of 4.6p per share, on 28 April 2011; this dividend is not provided for in these financial 
statements.

10 Related party transactions
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 21 April 2011, 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 2010, 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 2010.

3.  To re–elect Mr A J McCaffery, 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 £34,956, 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 

£10,486.

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 2010
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 1,571,971 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
25 March 2011

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 19 April 2011, 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 19 April 2011 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