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FY2012 Annual Report · Mainstream Group Holdings Limited
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Annual Report  
& Accounts
Maintel Holdings Plc

2012

Contents

1 

2 

3 

10 

11 

14 

16 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

43 

44 

48 

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

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

Notice of annual general meeting

102

Heading Directors, Company details and advisers 

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

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 

Tel: 0870 707 1182

1

Chairman’s statement 

I am happy to report that Maintel grew its revenues by 
9% in 2012 to £28.2m (2011- £25.9m) resulting in a 26% 
increase in adjusted profits to £4.97m (2011 - £3.95m) 
which equates to adjusted earnings per share of 35.1p, 
a 28% increase on the previous year’s figure of 27.5p. 
Our recurring revenue grew by 12% to £21.7m and now 
represents 77% of overall revenues up from 76% at the 
end of 2011.

Revenues from maintenance and equipment sales had 
a slow year overall but improved significantly in the 
second half; the network services division performed 
very satisfactorily, growing by 11% for the year with 
gross profits up 14% and margins improving from 
28.4% to 28.9%. Our new mobile business, acquired in 
October 2011, produced in its first full year revenues 
of £2.94m and has integrated well into the broader 
business.

As reported in our interim results, the anticipated 
winding down of two substantial fixed term 
maintenance contracts caused attrition levels to run 
at a higher than usual level, especially in the first half. 
The second half saw this trend improve and a large 
new business win midway through the year meant 
that our maintenance base grew slightly at year-end 
compared with its 8% decline in 2011. We anticipate 
attrition to return to more modest levels in 2013 and 
are well positioned to facilitate customers’ upgrading 
their equipment to newer technologies which require 
less engineering support. This shift has already helped 
our cost base in the maintenance division and should 
produce further benefits in 2013. Equipment sales 
also enjoyed a stronger second half with £3.66m of 
revenues, up from £2.78m in the first half leaving the 
year more or less flat with 2011. We entered the new 
year with good order visibility for equipment sales.

Maintel Mobile has performed satisfactorily and 
seen a pleasing rate of post-acquisition customer 
renewals. We were gratified to be awarded Platinum 
Dealer status by Vodafone in July. The cross selling 
opportunities that we expected in adding a mobile 
offering have made a promising start and we have 
actively managed the client base to replace smaller 
customers using fewer connections with larger, higher 
revenue customers. For the year the total number of 
connections managed by the company increased by 4% 
to 13,859.

Cash generation remained strong, with adjusted net 
cash flow from operating activities (as described in 
the Business review) up 48% to £3.678m. We ended 
the year with £1.9m in cash and no debt, having paid a 
further £3.3m in consideration for last year’s mobile 
acquisition, Totility Ltd, leaving a final payment of 
£900,000 which was made at the beginning of 2013. 
The board proposes a final dividend of 7.3p, bringing 
the total payable for the year to 13.6p (2011: 6.0p and 
10.6p), which will be paid on 25 April to shareholders 
on the register on 22 March.

We enter the new year optimistic that the economic 
environment will allow modest organic growth and 
vigilant for sensibly priced acquisitions that would add 
to our business.

I am grateful to all my colleagues for their hard work 
and enthusiasm that has contributed to Maintel’s 
success in the past year and thank our shareholders 
for their continuing support.

J D S Booth
Chairman
8 March 2013

2

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

Business review 

Results

Against a challenging market backdrop, 2012 has been another successful year for Maintel, with adjusted profits 
(as described below) of £4.970m (2011 – £3.946m), an increase of 26%, with a consequent increase in adjusted 
EPS of 28% to 35.1p (2011 – 27.5p). 

Unadjusted profits were £1.405m in the year (2011 – £3.084m) and unadjusted EPS 3.4p (2011 – 20.0p), the main 
difference between the two figures being the expensing under accounting standards of contingent consideration 
payments relating to the acquisition of the mobile division in October 2011, together with the regular amortisation 
of intangible assets. 

Revenue increased by 9% over the previous year to £28.2m (2011 – £25.9m) with a strong showing from the 
mobile and network services divisions more than compensating for the slower year experienced by the 
maintenance and equipment division. With the inclusion of a full year’s revenue from the mobile division, total 
recurring revenue (maintenance, network services and mobile) increased by 12% in the year to £21.7m (77% of 
total revenues; 2011 – 76%). Excluding the impact of the acquisition of the mobile division, the Group returned to 
healthy levels of year-on-year organic revenue growth in H2. 

The Group’s cash flows remained strong, with significant growth in adjusted (as described on page 9) net cash 
flows from operating activities of £3.678m (2011 - £2.488m) in the period, aided by the growth in profits and 
strong working capital control. The Group ended the year with net cash of £1.941m despite a payment of £2.3m 
during the year to the vendors of the mobile division by way of contingent consideration.

H2 2012 
£000 

14,681 

1,210 

2012 
£000 

28,171 

1,405 

2011 
£000 

Increase/
(decrease)

25,914 

3,084 

9%

(54)%

Revenue 

Profit before tax 

Add back customer relationship  
intangibles amortisation 

H1 2012 
£000 

13,490 

195 

370 

361 

731 

Contingent consideration re Maintel Mobile 
treated as remuneration (note 11) 

1,789 

1,045 

2,834 

Non-trading accounting adjustments  
re Redstone acquisition  

Adjustment to Redstone contingent  
consideration  

Costs relating to the acquisition of  
Maintel Mobile 

Adjusted profit before tax 

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted 

Adjusted earnings per share* 

Diluted 

- 

- 

- 

2,354 

(2.8)p 

(2.8)p 

16.6p 

16.4p 

- 

- 

- 

2,616 

6.2p 

6.2p 

18.5p 

18.3p 

- 

- 

- 

4,970 

3.4p 

3.4p 

35.1p 

34.7p 

* Adjusted profit after tax divided by weighted average number of shares (note 10).

491 

366 

(141) 

67

79

3,946 

20.0p 

19.9p 

27.5p 

27.4p 

26%

(83)%

(83)%

28%

27%

3

 
 
Business review (continued)

Results (continued)

Revenue analysis (£000) 

Maintenance related  

Equipment, installations and other 

Total maintenance and equipment division 

Network services division 

Mobile division 

Intercompany 

Total Maintel Group 

* 2011 is for approximately 10 weeks only

Divisional performance is described further below.

Maintenance and equipment division

2012 

12,246 

6,435 

18,681 

6,730 

2,941 

(181) 

Increase/
 (decrease)

(5)%

(1)%

(4)%

11%

n/a*

2011 

12,948 

6,492 

19,440 

6,036 

601 

(163) 

28,171 

25,914 

9%

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, both to our direct clients and into our partner customers. 

The division’s revenues recovered strongly in H2 to record only a 4% reduction in the year with a reduction in 
maintenance related revenue of 5% and in equipment sales by 1%. In the second half, equipment revenues in 
particular saw a strong rebound on H1 levels. 

Maintenance
As highlighted previously, we saw two large short-term contracts wind down during the year so that the revenue 
associated with those customers was negligible by the end of 2012. In addition, and as noted at the half year,  
we saw higher than usual customer attrition in H1, which was largely compensated by the winning of a major 
long-term contract that commenced 1 June and saw the year end maintenance base increase to £12.3m 
compared with £12.2m at the start of the year. This temporary dip in the base in H1 and the reduction in the base 
in 2011 (from £13.2m at the start of the year to £12.2m at the end) resulted in the lower maintenance revenue 
in the year. Although we expect to lose a further two larger maintenance contracts in 2013 as the customers 
transition to alternative technology, we expect customer attrition levels to be materially improved versus the 
levels we experienced in 2012. 

During 2012 we have seen a planned and significant shift by some larger customers from legacy PBX 
maintenance to the newer IP based technology maintenance with the awarding of four enterprise customer 
network contracts which include multi-media contact centre contracts and data. This is a trend we expect to 
continue into 2013.

Equipment sales
Equipment revenues decreased by 1% to £6.435m (2011 - £6.492m). After a weaker H1 sales performance, H2 
saw a significant rebound with revenue of £3.657m (H1 2012 - £2.778m) during the period. 

In line with general sector trends, we have seen some lengthening of sales cycles in the enterprise and public 
sectors. Despite this, with a strong pipeline of orders signed but not completed, we are entering 2013 with good 
levels of visibility for this division. 

We have been awarded projects to consolidate and transform the communications infrastructure of two major 
public sector organisations and a hosted IP PBX contract utilising the latest virtualised server technology for a 
large multi-site commercial enterprise. Our consultancy and professional services work remains strong as our 
partner business continues to prosper.

The marginal increase in the sales and customer service headcount across the division shown below has 
arisen from an enhancement of the sales resource and an increase in customer service personnel to ensure 
adequate service is provided on some new contracts with higher service level agreements than normal. The 
reduction in average engineer headcount is partly due to (i) a review undertaken in July 2011 resulting in H2 2011 
redundancies, (ii) redundancies of resident engineers associated with the previously mentioned large short-term 
contracts that were lost during the year (iii) the increase in remote fault fix levels (where no engineer is required 
on site) as new technology is rolled out to our customer base improving engineer utilisation.

4

 
 
 
Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

Headcount 

Average 2012 

Average 2011* 

Sales and customer service 

Engineers 

* excluding redundant Redstone employees

53 

90 

52 

97 

At 31
December
2012

55

87

Division gross profit (£000) 

7,017 (38%) 

7,063 (36%) 

(1)%

2012 

2011 

Decrease

Margin for the maintenance and equipment division as a whole increased from 36.3% to 37.6%, with the 
headcount reductions and the business mix both playing their parts in this improvement. 

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 
constituent elements 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 hosted IP telephony solutions. These services 
complement those offered by the maintenance and equipment division.

Revenue analysis (£000) 

Call traffic  

Line rental 

Data services 

Other 

2012 

2,656 

2,979 

799 

296 

2011 

2,613 

2,457 

660 

306 

Total network services 

6,730 

6,036 

Increase/
(decrease)

2%

21%

21%

(3)%

11%

Division gross profit (£000) 

1,945 (29%) 

1,713 (28%) 

14%

2012 

2011 

Increase

Bucking the overall market trend, the Group has continued to see strong growth in its network services division. 
With further growth in H2, the division’s revenue increased by £694,000, or 11%, in the year. The second half 
benefited from the signing of a large contract for both call traffic and leased line rental revenue and this should 
continue to benefit revenues in 2013.

Call minutes billed increased year on year, and despite continued pressure on rates including the reduction 
in mobile termination rates, overall call revenue also increased slightly. Within this call revenue figure, new 
business growth was strong and there were very low levels of attrition during the period, with no major 
customers terminating in the year. The trends of previous years continued, with a healthy increase in line rental 
revenues and the growth in data connectivity revenues, which delivered a 21% increase year on year and now 
constitute 12% of the division’s total revenue.

With call rates continuing to fall, the strategic shift towards providing customers with data connectivity, VoIP 
services and inbound call services continues to be a focus for the division and 2012 showed significant progress 
being made in these areas. The focus here has been on IP based telephony, particularly SIP (Session Initiation 
Protocol) and our growing base of line rental customers which enables the transition from older PBX technology 
to hosted and other SIP technologies. 

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business review (continued)

Network services division (continued)

We have seen an increase in the number of new customers taking multiple products and existing customers 
being cross sold network services, particularly in the new SIP technology including a large charity and two 
established customers in the education sector.

Overall divisional gross margin increased from 28.4% to 28.9% during the year, through tight cost control and 
margin management particularly on the call traffic side of the business.

Mobile division

Maintel Mobile (the rebranded Totility acquisition) derives its revenues primarily from commissions received 
under its dealer agreements with Vodafone and O2, supplemented by revenue derived from ongoing customer 
monthly spend, with approximately 83% of connections at the end of 2012 under the Vodafone agreement and 17% 
under the O2 agreement.

Since it was acquired in October 2011, the mobile division has performed well. The focus in the period since 
acquisition has been on renewing existing customer contracts for the medium-term, whilst signing new 
customers where these have presented themselves, including a range of cross-sells to existing Maintel 
customers. One major cross sell during the year added over 600 connections to the base on its own. Further 
success during the period came with Maintel Mobile being awarded the highest dealer status – Platinum – by 
Vodafone, and the division’s largest O2 customer renewing its contract.

At 31 December 2012, the mobile division managed 13,859 (2011 - est13,387) connections, an increase of 472 
(4%) in the period. Whilst the number of customers has decreased year on year, this merely reflects the loss of 
some smaller customers with fewer connections on the managed base being replaced by larger, higher revenue 
customers with a greater number of total connections. 

The results of the mobile division since acquisition have been as follows:

£000 

Revenue 

Gross profit 

Number of customers 

Number of connections 

2012 

2,941 

21 October to 31
December 2011

601

1,602 (54%) 

316 (53%) 

At 31 
December 
2012 

1,042 

13,859 

At 31
December 
2011 

1,164 

13,387 

Increase/
(decrease)

(10)%

4%

In common with changes to terms with some of its other principal partners, one of the division’s suppliers has 
announced that it plans to change its commercial arrangements such that commissions on new and re-signed 
connections are no longer to be received up front, to be replaced by anticipated higher commission levels spread 
over the lifetime of the customer contract. No firm date has been set for the new terms to take effect. Whilst in 
the near term such a change would impact short term revenues, profits and cash flow, over the course of the 
customer’s lifetime it is anticipated that these changes would be more profitable to the Group. 

As reported previously, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Totility Limited (since renamed Maintel 
Mobile Limited), a specialist UK mobile telecoms provider, on 21 October 2011, for an initial consideration of 
£2.8m and a further consideration of £1.0m representing the net asset value of the company at the date of 
acquisition, with further consideration of up to £4.0m payable dependent on its performance in the 12 months 
post-acquisition. In order to allow greater flexibility in Maintel Mobile’s commercial and operational dealings 
outside of the parameters set by the sale and purchase agreement, the Board concluded that an advance 
agreement of the amount due in respect of the additional consideration would be in the best interests of the 
Group and consequently agreed with the vendors a total additional consideration payment of £3.1m, of which 
£2.2m was paid on 31 October 2012 and £0.9m on 3 January 2013. Separately, a further payment of £0.1m was 
made on 10 July 2012 to the vendors under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement. As a result, the total 
consideration payable for the company was £7.0m including the net assets. Further details of the acquisition are 
shown in note 11 to the accounts.

6

 
 
 
 
 
Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

The additional payment of £3.2m referred to above was conditional on the continued employment of one of the 
vendors of Maintel Mobile until 20 October 2012. Under IFRS3 (Revised) this amount is charged to the income 
statement over the earnout period as employee costs, rather than being treated as deferred consideration on 
acquisition, with a consequent charge to the income statement of £2.834m in the period and £366,000 in 2011. 

Administrative expenses, excluding intangibles amortisation and non-trading adjustments

Administrative expenses (£000) 

Sales expenses  

Other administrative expenses (excluding intangibles  
amortisation, adjustment to acquisition consideration  
and accrued acquisition consideration)  

Total other administrative expenses 

2012 

2,606 

2,837 

5,443 

2011 

Increase

2,354 

11%

2,612 

4,966 

9%

10%

Total other administrative expenses increased by £477,000 in the year, with a full year of Maintel Mobile costs 
being incurred, against approximately 10 weeks in 2011. Other than this, administrative costs remained under 
tight control, with the main movement from 2011 relating to the legal fees incurred in that year in respect of the 
acquisition of Maintel Mobile. 

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 

2012 

182 

69 

23 

Group revenue (£000) 

28,171 

25,914 

* headcount figures exclude redundant Redstone employees in Q1 2011

2011* 

Increase

181 

61 

23 

1%

13%

-%

9%

Sales and service headcount has increased primarily due to the inclusion of Maintel Mobile employees for a full 
year and the enhancement of the sales resource and customer service personnel referred to earlier.

Interest

Net interest receivable reduced from £23,000 to £9,000 in 2012, with average cash balances being lower in 2012 
due to the initial payment in respect of the Maintel Mobile acquisition in October 2011 and the subsequent earnout 
payment in October 2012, combined with the continuing low rates of interest achievable from acceptable financial 
institutions.

Taxation

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income shows a tax rate of 74% (2011 – 32%). Each of the Group 
companies is taxed at 24.5% (2011 – 26.5%, with the exception of Maintel Mobile which was taxed at 26%). Certain 
recurring expenses that are disallowable for tax raise the effective rate above this. The rate is also inflated in 
the year by the adjustment for the £2.834m contingent consideration relating to the Maintel Mobile acquisition; 
excluding this the tax rate would be 24.6%. In 2011 the rate was inflated by (a) the £67,000 adjustment to the 
Redstone consideration, (b) the £366,000 contingent consideration relating to the Maintel Mobile acquisition, and 
(c) the £79,000 costs of the Maintel Mobile acquisition not being tax-relievable, together with a proportion of the 
amortisation of the intangible relating to the District customer relationships.

Dividends

A final dividend for 2011 of 6.0p per share (£640,000 in total) was paid on 26 April 2012, and an interim dividend for 
2012 of 6.3p (£672,000) was paid on 5 October 2012.

It is proposed to pay a final dividend of 7.3p in respect of 2012 on 25 April to shareholders on the register at the 
close of business on 22 March, representing a 22% increase on the 2011 final dividend. The corresponding  
ex-dividend date will be 20 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 2012.

7

 
Business review (continued)

Consolidated statement of financial position

The consolidated statement of financial position remains sound, with £1.941m of cash (£900,000 of this payable to 
the Maintel Mobile vendors on 3 January 2013 as described above) and no debt at 31 December 2012. 

Adjusted net cash flows from operating activities grew significantly year on year, to £3.678m in 2012 (2011 - 
£2.488m) and cash at the year end amounted to £1.941m (2011 - £2.953m). Cash flow movements are described 
later in the business review. 

Trade receivables have increased by £1.500m over the year, the main reason being the increased volume of 
business being conducted with a partner typically on 60 day credit terms. Prepayments have increased by 
£288,000 due largely to an increase in prepaid third party support contracts and accrued income relating to 
equipment installations spanning the year end of which there were more than in previous years.

The value of maintenance stock has reduced by £14,000 in the year, to £578,000, the net result of purchases, 
disposals and provisioning. The value of stock held for resale has fallen from £130,000 to £114,000 reflecting 
different stages of invoicing and completion of the increased level of cross-period installations year to year.

Trade payables have increased by £1.332m since 31 December 2011, aided by delayed payments to three 
suppliers and higher payables due to the increased Q4 equipment sales levels. Other tax and social security 
liability has increased by £98,000 largely due to the VAT liability on the higher Q4 invoicing than in 2011.

Accruals have fallen £506,000 year on year, with two prior year accruals associated with the Maintel Mobile 
acquisition – the £986,000 payment for net assets and the £366,000 accrual for contingent consideration –
having been paid during the year. This more than exceeds the new accruals for the final £900,000 contingent 
consideration paid on 3 January 2013 having been established at 31 December 2012.

Deferred maintenance income has increased by £286,000, due mainly to the invoicing in mid-December of two 
larger new contracts.

The Group corporation tax liability reduced by £343,000 year on year, to £665,000, with the payment during the 
year of the accrued Maintel Mobile liability, that company previously not having to make payments on account. 

No significant expenditure has been required on plant and equipment during the period, with additions again 
broadly matching depreciation, the main expenditure having been on IT and routine office refurbishment.

Intangible assets
The Group has three 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, Redstone and Maintel Mobile, (iii) goodwill relating to the District, 
Redstone and Maintel Mobile acquisitions. At 31 December 2011, a fourth intangible asset was recognised, 
being a licence for billing software which is now fully amortised; the software is now rented and is consequently 
treated as an operating lease. 

Goodwill of £1.026m (2011 - £1.026m) is carried in the consolidated statement of financial position, which is 
subject to an impairment test at each reporting date. No impairment has been charged to the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income in 2012 (2011 - £Nil). 

The intangible assets represented by purchased customer contracts and relationships were valued at £3.489m 
at 31 December 2012 (2011 - £4.220m). These 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 
and Maintel Mobile customer relationships, with £731,000 being amortised in 2012 (2011 - £491,000), the increase 
attributable to the Maintel Mobile customer relationships acquired in October 2011.

The billing software licence was amortised over a three year period. The amortisation charge in the period was 
£11,000 (2011 - £32,000), leaving a carrying value of £Nil (2011 - £11,000) at year end.

Cash flow

At 31 December 2012 the Group had cash and bank balances of £1.941m (2011 - £2.953m), unrestricted other than 
£900,000 of this, representing the final payment due, on 3 January 2013, in respect of the acquisition of Maintel 
Mobile. 

Adjusted cash generated from operating activities before tax grew significantly in the year to £5.180m (2012 
– £3.314m), with £1.312m paid in dividends, £1.502m in corporation tax, and £3.286m on the Maintel Mobile 
acquisition and a net overall outflow of £1.012m in the year.

8

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

£2.3m was paid during the year in respect of contingent consideration relating to the acquisition of Maintel Mobile 
and under accounting rules this has been expensed in the income statement. To arrive at a more meaningful 
measure of cash generated from operating activities, in the Chairman’s statement and Business review this has 
been added back to the cash flows shown in the statement of cash flows as follows:

Cash generated from operating activities 

Net cash flows from operating activities 

Unadjusted 

Adjusted

£2.880m 

£5.180m

£1.378m 

£3.678m

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

The Group established a revolving credit facility of £1.5m in October 2011 with J D S Booth, the Group’s chairman, 
however no monies have been drawn against this. Any amounts drawn would be unsecured, carry an interest 
rate of 6.5 per cent and be repayable by 30 June 2013.

Outlook

Whilst we do not expect the challenging market conditions to abate in the short term, we have made good 
progress during the year with the integration of mobile into our service offering and moving our business to 
newer technologies. Alongside the recovery in H2 revenues and our return to organic growth during this period, 
we are cautiously optimistic about the year ahead.

Through the strengthening of our sales resource we are well placed to continue to take advantage of our strategy 
to realise the cross selling opportunity into our existing customer base. In addition, our partner business 
continues to expand and is now well balanced across a number of major partners and technologies. 

We remain alert and well positioned to consider further acquisitions in a market that we anticipate will see 
further consolidation in 2013.

E Buxton 
Chief Executive
8 March 2013

9

 
Board of directors 

John Booth, 52 
Non-executive chairman

Dale Todd, 54 
Finance director

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. John’s career has been 
spent in equity investment and broking where he 
has held various senior positions including Head 
of Equities at Bankers Trust and co-founder and 
executive chairman until 2011 of the Link Group which 
was acquired by ICAP plc in 2008.

Eddie Buxton, 52 
Chief Executive

Eddie was appointed chief executive in 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. 

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, 46 
Non-executive director

Nicholas has extensive experience of working with 
growing organisations, in both an executive and 
non-executive capacity, principally in the media 
and communications industries. He has held senior 
positions in both private and public businesses and 
in the not for profit sector. He is currently Managing 
Director of The Imaginarium, an independent film 
studio, and non-executive Chairman of Linstock 
Communications, a public relations consultancy.

Angus McCaffery, 46 
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

Report on corporate governance

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

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 10 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 three 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 Dale Todd retires by rotation at the forthcoming annual 
general meeting and he offers himself for re-election at the meeting. 

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

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

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.

BDO LLP is retained to perform audit and audit-related work for the Group. The committee monitors the nature 
and extent of non-audit work undertaken by the auditors, including reviewing the letter of independence provided 
by the auditors annually which includes details of audit and non-audit work undertaken. The committee is 
satisfied that there are adequate controls in place to ensure auditor independence and objectivity. Details of audit 
and non-audit fees for the period under review are shown in note 6 of the financial statements.

11

Report on corporate governance (continued) 

Remuneration committee

The remuneration committee is chaired by Nicholas Taylor, its other member being John Booth. The committee 
meets at least once in respect of each financial year. The committee’s report to shareholders on directors’ 
remuneration is set out on page 14.

Nomination committee

The nomination committee had two members during 2012, 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 Remuneration and Audit 
Committees during the year.

Number of 
meetings in 
the year 

J Booth 

E Buxton  A McCaffery 

N Taylor 

D Todd

Board 

Audit committee 

Remuneration committee 

15 

2 

2 

14 

1 

2 

15 

2 

- 

15 

1 

- 

14 

2 

2 

14

2

-

Relationship with shareholders

The chairman’s statement and the Business review on pages 2 to 9 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 on page 48.

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

 
 
 
Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

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 9. 

The Group has sound financial resources, including a revolving credit facility to 30 June 2013 with a director, 
Mr Booth, for up to £1.5m, 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.

13

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 2013 with increases of 1.5% 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

The executive directors 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 2012 was as follows: 

J D S Booth 

N J Taylor 

E Buxton 

A J McCaffery 

W D Todd 

Salaries/ 
fees 
£000 

Benefits 
£000 

Pension 
Bonus  contributions 
£000 

£000 

Total 
2012 (1) 
£000 

Total
2011 (1,2)
£000

34 

20 

138 

158 

140 

490 

- 

- 

12 

19 

 12 

43 

- 

- 

35 

12 

18 

65 

- 

- 

4 

4 

- 

8 

34 

20 

189 

193 

170 

606 

33

20

188

187

178

606

(1)  Excluding social security costs in respect of the above amounting to £78,000 (2011 - £74,000).
(2)  Including bonuses of £82,000, employer pension contributions of £8,000 and benefits of £42,000, so that salaries amounted to £474,000.

The directors are the only employees of the Company.

14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

Directors’ interests in ordinary shares

The directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of the Company are shown in the directors’ report on page 16.

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 per share. 

(b)  an option over the number of shares (if any, and to a maximum 107,818) 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 per share. 

(d)  an option over 107,818 shares, which vested on 3 January 2012, with an exercise price of £3.00 per share. 

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 per share. 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 per share. Mr Todd exercised this option on 25 May 2012.

On 11 March 2011 the directors granted to Dale Todd an option over a further 10,000 shares, with an exercise price 
of 200p per share. The option vested and may be exercised from the date of grant, and expires on 11 March 2021.

On 21 December 2011 the directors granted to Dale Todd an option over a further 20,000 shares, with an 
exercise price of 265p per share. The option vested and may be exercised from the date of grant, and expires 
on 21 December 2021.

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of, and movements in, 
share options during the year:

2012 
Number 
of options 

2012 
WAEP 

2011
Number 
of options 

Outstanding at the beginning of the year 

319,545 

218p 

289,545 

Granted during the year 

Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at the end of the year 

- 

- 

30,000 

(10,000) 

309,545 

145p 

220p 

- 

319,545 

2011
WAEP

215p

243p

-

218p

The Company’s mid-market share price at 31 December 2012 was 342.5p per share, and the high and low prices 
during the year were 431p and 302.5p respectively.

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 8 March 2013.

N J Taylor
Chairman of the Remuneration committee

15

 
 
 
 
Report of the directors for the year ended 31 December 2012 

The directors present their annual report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended  
31 December 2012. 

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 21 and shows the profit of the Group for 
the year.

During the year the Company paid a final dividend of 6.0p per ordinary share in respect of the 2011 financial year, 
amounting to £640,000 (2011 – 4.6p, amounting to £482,000), and an interim dividend in respect of 2012 of 6.3p 
per share, amounting to £672,000 (2011 – 4.6p and £483,000 respectively). The directors propose the payment of 
a final dividend in respect of 2012 of 7.3p per share. The cost of the proposed dividend, based on the number of 
shares in issue as at 8 March 2013, is £779,000.

Business review

A review of the business and future developments of the Group is set out in the Business review on pages 3 to 9.

Directors

The directors of the Company as at 31 December 2012 and their interests in the ordinary shares of the Company 
at that date were as follows:

Number of 1p ordinary shares 

J D S Booth 

E Buxton  

A J McCaffery 

N J Taylor  

W D Todd  

2012 
Beneficial 

2012 
Non-beneficial 

2011 

2011
Beneficial  Non-beneficial

2,758,272  

- 

2,757,672 

- 

3,204 

 76,202 

2,759  

71,363

2,053,845 

- 

2,168,310 

14,062 

 16,157 

 72,344 

 73,249 

13,499 

5,622 

 -

67,623

68,500 

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 1,821 shares in total.  There were no other 
changes in the directors’ shareholdings between 31 December 2012 and 8 March 2013.

Details of the changes in the Company’s share capital during the year are given in note 19.

16

 
 
Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

Substantial shareholders

In addition to the directors’ shareholdings, at 8 March 2013 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 

Alliance Trust Plc 

Employees

Number of 1p ordinary 
shares  

 % of issued
 ordinary shares

1,573,100 

760,000 

631,920 

532,500 

340,203 

325,575 

14.7%

7.1%

5.9%

5.0%

3.2%

3.1%

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 the 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.

Share capital

10,000 shares were issued during the year on the exercise of an option by Mr Todd.

No shares were repurchased during the year. The existing authority for the repurchase of the Company’s shares 
is for the purchase of up to 1,598,620 shares. A fresh authority, for the purchase of up to 1,600,119 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 £1,000 (2011 – £1,000) during the year. No contributions were made 
to political organisations (2011 - £Nil).

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 2012 was 57 
days (2011 – 26 days). The Company’s average creditor payment period at 31 December 2012 was 3 days (2011 – 
13 days), these figures being due to the irregular nature of the Company’s creditor payments.

Principal risks and uncertainties 

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.

17

 
 
Report of the directors for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued) 

Principal risks and uncertainties (continued)

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, 
retaining the resultant enhanced calls and lines revenue and up-selling high value new products such as network 
monitoring, software assurance and mobile services.

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 to include SIP trunking and hosted IP technology. In 
addition line rental and data revenues have continued to grow significantly during 2012. 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 these changes and the resultant effect on margins closely and take action 
where appropriate. 

The Group has a close partner relationship with O2/Telefonica (and to a diminishing extent Cable & Wireless 
Worldwide), such that these companies constitutes a significant share of its maintenance base. Should the 
relationships be terminated, the maintenance base would reduce to that extent over time, necessitating a 
commensurate reduction in costs. Partnerships with other integrators have been developed which have begun to 
reduce the percentage weighting. 

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.

Maintel Mobile is a dealer for its suppliers, primarily Vodafone and O2, and is reliant on its contracts with those 
companies. The Vodafone contract is for a term expiring, in normal circumstances, in August 2013 and the O2 contract 
currently has no committed term. The company maintains strong relationships with its suppliers at various levels of the 
business, as well as paying close attention to ensuring their expectations are met and, where possible, exceeded.

Although a significant element of Maintel Mobile’s revenues is recurring, the company’s growth has been reliant on 
certain key individuals for their supplier and customer relationships and for their knowledge of the business. The 
company has sought to mitigate this risk by improving its employees’ remuneration packages and extending the 
knowledge of the business across employees of other companies in the Maintel group.

The pricing of Maintel Mobile’s products and services can be affected by regulatory bodies in the UK and the EU. 
The company is also potentially subject to new pricing strategies by both competitors and suppliers, whether due to 
their own internal policies or in response to technological change. The company mitigates these risks by assessing 
anticipated regulations and pricing strategies and amending its own pricing policies accordingly.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the company will be held at its offices on 22 April 2013 at 2.30pm. 

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
8 March 2013

18

Statement of directors’ responsibilities 

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

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.

19

Independent auditors’ report to the  
shareholders of Maintel Holdings Plc

We have audited the financial statements of Maintel Holdings Plc for the year ended 31 December 2012 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 2012 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
8 March 2013

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 2012 

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

 Administrative expenses 

  Adjustment to contingent consideration 

  Contingent consideration treated as remuneration 

  Intangibles amortisation 

  Other administrative expenses 

Operating profit 

Financial income 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation 

Profit and total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent 

Earnings per share  

Basic  

Diluted 

The notes on pages 25 to 42 form part of these financial statements.

Note 

3 

11 

11 

6 

7 

8 

10 

10 

2012  
£000 

28,171 

17,756 

10,415 

- 

2,834 

742 

5,443 

9,019 

1,396 

9 

1,405 

1,043 

362 

3.4p 

3.4p 

2011
£000

25,914

16,931

8,983

67

366

523

4,966

5,922

3,061

23

3,084

977

2,107

20.0p

19.9p

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position 
at	31	December	2012 

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 

 2012 
£000 

692	

5,793	

1,941	

11	

13	

14	

15	

16	

18	

19	

20	

20	

20	

2012 
£000 

4,515	

216	

4,731 

8,426 

13,157 

9,203	

	665	

9,868 

581	

2,708 

107	

1,028	

31	

1,542	

2,708 

2011 
£000 

722	

4,019	

2,953	

2011
£000

5,257

224

5,481

7,694

13,175

7,827

1,008

8,835

697

3,643

107

1,013

31

2,492

3,643

The	financial	statements	were	approved	and	authorised	for	issue	by	the	Board	on	8	March	2013	and	were	signed	on	its	behalf	by:

W	D	Todd
Director

The	notes	on	pages	25	to	42	form	part	of	these	financial	statements.

22

	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
for	the	year	ended	31	December	2012  

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

At	1	January	2011		

Profit	and	total	comprehensive	income	for	year	

Dividend	

Issue	of	new	ordinary	shares	

At	31	December	2011		

Share 
capital 
£000 

105		

-	

-						

2	

	107	

Profit	and	total	comprehensive	income	for	year	

-						

Dividend	

Issue	of	new	ordinary	shares	

At	31	December	2012	

-	

-	

107	

The	notes	on	pages	25	to	42	form	part	of	these	financial	statements.

Share 
premium 
£000 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

628	

-	

-	

385	

1,013	

-			

-	

15	

1,028	

31	

	-			

-			

-			

31	

	-			

-			

-			

31	

1,350	

2,107	

(965)	

-	

2,492	

362	

(1,312)	

-	

1,542	

Total
£000

2,114

2,107

(965)

387

3,643

362

(1,312)

15

2,708

23

	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 2012 
 £000 

 2011
 £000

 1,405	

	3,084

	742	

	124	

	-	

 (9)	

 2,262	

	30	

 (1,774)	

 2,362	

 2,880	

 (1,502)	

 1,378	

 (116)	

 (986)	

 -	

 (986)	

 9	

	523

	107

	15

	(23)

	3,706

	284

	(109)

	(567)

	3,314

	(826)

	2,488

	(125)

	(2,435)

	1,508

	(927)

	23

 (1,093)	

	(1,029)

 15	

 (1,312)	

 (1,297)	

 (1,012)	

 2,953	

 1,941	

	-

	(965)

	(965)

	494

	2,459

	2,953

Consolidated statement of cash flows  
for	the	year	ended	31	December	2012

Operating activities	

Profit	before	taxation	

Adjustments	for:		

Intangibles	amortisation		

Depreciation	charge		

Loss	on	disposal	of	tangible	fixed	assets		

Interest	received		

Operating cash flows before changes in working capital	

Decrease	in	inventories		

Increase	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	price	in	respect	of	business	combination		

		Net	cash	acquired	with	subsidiary	undertaking		

Interest	received		

Net cash flows from investing activities 	

Financing activities	

Issue	of	new	ordinary	shares		

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	25	to	42	form	part	of	these	financial	statements

24

	
 
		
	
		
	
	
		
		
	
Notes forming part of the financial statements  
for	the	year	ended	31	December	2012

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

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	43.

(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	is	recognised	to	the	extent	that	it	is	probable	that	the	economic	benefits	will	flow	to	the	Group	and	can	be	reliably	measured.

Revenue	represents	sales	to	customers	at	invoiced	amounts	and	commissions	receivable	from	suppliers,	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.	Connection	commissions	received	from	mobile	network	operators	are	recognised	(a)	where	
commission	is	payable	in	advance,	when	the	customer	contract	has	been	accepted	by	the	network	operator	and	is	therefore	legally	binding,	
less	an	allowance	for	expected	future	clawbacks,	and	(b)	where	commission	is	payable	on	a	monthly	basis,	in	the	month	to	which	commission	
relates.	Interest	income	is	recognised	on	an	accruals	basis.

(d) Intangible assets

Goodwill
Goodwill	represents	the	excess	of	the	fair	value	of	the	consideration	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,	the	fair	value	of	the	consideration	comprises	the	fair	value	of	assets	given,	plus	
any	direct	costs	of	acquisition.

For	business	combinations	completed	on	or	after	1	January	2010,	the	fair	value	of	the	consideration	comprises	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	and	carried	at	cost	with	any	impairment	in	carrying	value	being	charged	to	the	consolidated	
statement	of	comprehensive	income.

Other intangible assets
Intangible	assets	are	stated	at	cost,	or	fair	value	where	acquired	through	a	business	combination,	less	accumulated	amortisation	and	consist	
of	customer	relationships	and	software	licences,	the	latter	having	expired	during	the	year.	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,	(ii)	seven	years	
in	respect	of	network	services	and	mobile	contracts.	Software	licences	are	amortised	over	the	three	year	period	of	the	licence,	and	were	fully	
amortised	and	expired	during	the	year.

25

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued)

2 Accounting policies (continued)

(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	through	
the	consolidated	statement	of	comprehensive	income.

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	consolidated	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	

25%	straight	line

Leasehold	improvements		

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	nor	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.

26

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

(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.	

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

(o) Contingent consideration
Where	payment	of	contingent	consideration	in	respect	of	a	business	combination	or	acquisition	of	business	and	assets	is	dependent	on	the	
continued	employment	by	the	Group	of	the	seller(s),	the	estimated	contingent	consideration	is	pro	rated	in	accordance	with	the	period	of	
employment	required	of	the	seller	and	this	amount	is	expensed	in	the	income	statement.

27

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued) 

3 Segment information
For	management	reporting	purposes	and	operationally,	the	Group	consists	of	three	business	segments:	(i)	telephone	maintenance	and	
equipment	sales,	(ii)	telephone	network	services,	and	(iii)	mobile	services	(this	division	having	been	acquired	21	October	2011).	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.	

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

18,681 

Network 
services 
£000 

6,730 

3,272	

(264)	

3,008	

-	

3,008 

983	

(59)	

924	

-	

924 

Mobile 
£000 

2,941 

813	

-	

813	

-	

813 

Year ended 31 December 2012 

Revenue 

Operating	profit	before	customer	
relationship	and	software	intangibles		
amortisation	and	adjustments	

Customer	relationship	and		
software	intangibles	amortisation	

Operating	profit	before	adjustments	

Contingent	consideration	treated	as		
remuneration	(note	11)	

Operating profit 

Interest	(net)	

Profit	before	taxation	

Taxation	

Profit	and	total	comprehensive	income	for	the	period	

Central/ 
inter- 
company 
£000 

(181) 

Total
£000

28,171

(96)	

4,972

(419)	

(515)	

(2,834)	

(3,349) 

(742)

4,230

(2,834)

1,396

9

1,405

(1,043)

362

Revenue	is	wholly	attributable	to	the	principal	activities	of	the	Group	and	other	than	sales	of	£23,000	(2011	-	£20,000)	to	other	EU	countries	
arises	predominantly	within	the	United	Kingdom.

Maintenance	and	equipment	revenue	consists	of	maintenance	related	revenue	of	£12.246m	and	equipment,	installation	and	other	revenue	of	
£6.435m	(2011	-	£12.948m	and	£6.492m).	Network	services	revenue	consists	of	call	traffic	revenue	of	£2.656m,	line	rental	revenue	of	£2.979m,	
data	services	revenue	of	£0.799m	and	other	revenue	of	£0.296m	(2011	-	£2.613m,	£2.457m,	£0.660m	and	£0.306m).	Mobile	revenue	consists	
principally	of	commissions	receivable	from	network	operators.

Intercompany	trading	consists	of	telecommunications	services,	and	recharges	of	sales,	engineering	and	rent	costs,	£90,000	(2011	-	£48,000)	
attributable	to	the	Maintenance	and	equipment	segment,	£85,000	(2011	-	£115,000)	to	the	Network	services	segment	and	£6,000	(2011	-	£Nil)	to	
the	Mobile	division.

In	2012	the	Group	had	one	customer	(2011	-	One)	which	accounted	for	more	than	10%	of	its	revenue,	totalling	£3.184m	(2011	-	£5.021m).

The	Board	does	not	regularly	review	the	aggregate	assets	and	liabilities	of	the	Company	and	its	subsidiaries	and	accordingly	an	analysis	of	these	
is	not	provided.

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

113	

121	

264	

Network 
services 
£000 

-	

-	

59	

Central/ 
inter- 
company 
£000 

-	

-	

419		

Mobile 
£000 

2	

3	

-	

Total
£000

115

124

742

Year ended 31 December 2012 

Other	

Capital	expenditure	

Depreciation	

Amortisation	

28

	
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
Year ended 31 December 2011 

Segment	revenue	before	adjustment	

Redstone	deferred	income	less	costs	

Revenue	

Operating	profit	before	customer	
relationship	and	software	intangibles		
amortisation	and	adjustments	

Customer	relationship	and	
software	intangibles	amortisation	

Operating	profit	before	adjustments	

Adjustment	to	contingent	
consideration		

Redstone	deferred	income	less	costs		

Contingent	consideration	treated	
as	remuneration	(note	11)	

Maintenance 
and 
equipment 
£000 

19,299	

141	

19,440 

Network 
services 
£000 

6,036	

-	

6,036 

3,008	

(273)	

2,735	

-	

141	

-	

-	

793	

(80)	

713	

-	

-	

-	

-	

Mobile 
£000 

601	

-	

601 

171	

-	

171	

-	

-	

-	

-	

Costs	relating	to	acquisition	of	Maintel	Mobile	

Operating profit	

Interest	(net)	

Profit	before	taxation	

Taxation	

Profit	and	total	comprehensive	income	for	the	period	

Other	

Capital	expenditure	

Depreciation	

Amortisation	

2,876 

713 

171 

125	

106	

273	

-	

-	

80	

-	

1	

-	

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

Central/ 
inter- 
company 
£000 

(163)	

-	

(163) 

Total
£000

25,773

141

25,914

(17)	

3,955

(170)	

(187)	

(67)	

-	

(366)	

(79)	

(699) 

-	

-	

	170	

(523)

3,432

(67)

141

(366)

(79)

3,061

23

3,084

(977)

2,107

125

107

523

29

	
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued)  

4 Employees

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

2012 
Number 

2011
Number

Corporate	and	administration	

Sales	and	customer	service	

Technical	and	engineering	

Staff	costs,	including	directors,	consist	of:	 

Wages	and	salaries	

Social	security	costs	

Pension	costs	

23	

69				

90	

182 

2012 
£000 

8,698	

1,031	

150				

9,879 

23

61

97

181

2011
£000

8,529

		998

152

9,679

In	addition	to	the	above,	the	comprehensive	income	statement	includes	£2.834m	of	contingent	consideration	in	respect	of	the	Maintel	Mobile	
acquisition	which	is	treated	as	a	remuneration	expense	(2011	-	£366,000)	(see	note	11).	

	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	£25,000	(2011	-	£26,000)	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	

2012 
£000 

598	

8	

606 

189	

4	

193 

2011
£000

598

8

606

184

4

188

The	Group	paid	contributions	into	defined	contribution	personal	pension	schemes	in	respect	of	2	(2011	–	2)	directors	during	the	year.

30

 
 
 
	
		
	
	
	
	
	
6 Operating profit

This	has	been	arrived	at	after	charging:	

Depreciation	of	property,	plant	and	equipment	

Amortisation	of	intangible	fixed	assets	

Loss	on	disposal	of	tangible	fixed	assets	

Operating	lease	rentals	

-	property	

-	plant	and	machinery	

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

Fees	payable	to	the	Company’s	auditor	and	its	associates	for	other	services:	

-	audit	of	the	Company’s	subsidiaries	pursuant	to	legislation										

-	audit-related	assurance	services		

-	tax	compliance	services		

7 Financial income

Bank	and	other	interest	received	

8 Taxation

UK corporation tax 

Corporation	tax	on	profits	of	the	period	

Prior	year	adjustment	

Deferred	tax	

Taxation	on	profit	on	ordinary	activities		

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

2012 
£000 

2011
£000

124	

742	

-	

171	

82	

8	

63	

11	

4	

2012 
£000 

9 

2012 
£000 

1,159	

-	

1,159 

(116)	

1,043 

107

523

15

157

89

8

61

16

4

2011
£000

23

2011
£000

1,005

5

1,010

(33)

977

31

	
 
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued)  

8 Taxation (continued)

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	24.5%	(2011	–	26.5%)	

Effect	of:	

Expenses	not	deductible	for	tax	purposes	

Intangible	amortisation	not	attracting	tax	relief	

No	tax	relief	on	contingent	consideration	treated	as	remuneration	(note	11)	

Prior	year	adjustment	

Other	timing	differences	

9 Dividends paid on ordinary shares

Final	2010,	paid	28	April	2011	–	4.6p	per	share	

Interim	2011,	paid	7	October	2011	–	4.6p	per	share	

Final	2011,	paid	26	April	2012	–	6.0p	per	share	

Interim	2012,	paid	5	October	2012	–	6.3p	per	share	

2012 
£000 

1,405	

2011
£000

3,084

345	

817

11	

-	

694	

-	

(7)	

38

16

97

5

4

1,043 

977

2012 
£000 

-		

-		

640	

672	

1,312 

2011
£000

482	

483

-	

-	

965

The	directors	propose	the	payment	of	a	final	dividend	for	2012	of	7.3p	(2011	–	6.0p)	per	ordinary	share,	payable	on	25	April	2013	to	shareholders	
on	the	register	at	22	March	2013.	The	cost	of	the	proposed	dividend,	based	on	the	number	of	shares	in	issue	as	at	8	March	2013,	is	£779,000		
(2011	-	£640,000).

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	

Adjustments: 

Amortisation	of	intangibles	

Non-trading	accounting	adjustments	re	Redstone	acquisition		

Adjustment	to	Redstone	contingent	consideration		

Contingent	consideration	treated	as	remuneration	(note	11)	

Costs	relating	to	the	acquisition	of	Maintel	Mobile	

Tax	relating	to	above	adjustments	

Adjusted	earnings	used	in	adjusted	EPS	

32

2012 
£000 

362	

731	

-	

-	

2,834	

-	

(185)	

3,742 

2011
£000

2,107

491

(141)

67

366

79

(76)

2,893

	
	
	
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
	
10 Earnings per share (continued)

Weighted	average	number	of	ordinary	shares	of	1p	each	

Potentially	dilutive	shares	

Earnings per share	

Basic	

Basic	and	diluted	

Adjusted	–	basic	but	after	the	adjustments	in	the	table	above	

Adjusted	–	basic	and	diluted	after	the	adjustments	in	the	table	above	

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

2012 
Number	
(000s)	

10,671	

121	

10,792 

3.4p	

3.4p	

35.1p	

34.7p	

2011
Number
(000s)

10,521

41

10,562

20.0p

19.9p

27.5p

27.4p

The	adjustments	above	have	been	made	in	order	to	provide	a	clearer	picture	of	the	trading	performance	of	the	Group.	

The	two	adjustments	in	2011	relating	to	Redstone	are	adjustments	to	revenue	and	costs	in	respect	of	the	acquisition	of	business	and	assets	
during	2010.

On	25	May	2012	the	Company	issued	10,000	ordinary	shares	under	the	2009	Share	Option	Plan.

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.

11 Intangible assets 

Cost	

At	1	January	2011	

Acquired	in	the	year	

At	31	December	2011	

Disposed	of	in	the	year	

At	31	December	2012	

Amortisation and impairment	

At	1	January	2011	

Amortisation	in	the	year	

At	31	December	2011	

Amortisation	in	the	year	

In	respect	of	disposals	in	the	year	

At	31	December	2012	

Net book value	

At	31	December	2012	

At	31	December	2011	

Goodwill 
£000 

Customer 
relationships 
£000 

Computer
software 
£000 

792	

551	

1,343	

-	

1,343	

317	

-	

317	

-	

-	

317	

1,026 

1,026 

2,861	

2,998	

5,859	

-	

5,859	

1,148	

491	

1,639	

731	

-	

2,370	

3,489 

4,220 

91	

-	

91	

(91)	

-	

48	

32	

80	

11	

(91)	

-	

- 

     11    

Total
£000

3,744

3,549

7,293

(91)

7,202

1,513

523

2,036

742

(91)

2,687

4,515

5,257

33

 
 
 
	
	
		
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued) 

11 Intangible assets (continued)

On	21	October	2011	the	Company	acquired	the	entire	share	capital	of	Totility	Limited	(renamed	Maintel	Mobile	Limited)	at	the	following	
valuations:

Purchase consideration	

Cash	–	initial	consideration	

Cash	–	in	respect	of	net	assets	acquired	

Ordinary	shares	(177,778	shares	at	1p	nominal	value	and	216.5p	share	premium	per	share)	

Total	consideration	

Assets and liabilities acquired 	

Tangible	fixed	assets	

Stock	held	for	resale	

Trade	receivables	

Other	receivables	

Prepayments	and	accrued	income	

Cash	

Trade	payables	

Corporation	tax	liability	

Other	taxes	and	social	security	

Other	payables	

Accruals	and	deferred	income	

Customer	relationships	

Deferred	tax	on	customer	relationships	

Total	assets	and	liabilities	acquired	

Goodwill	

£000

2,435

986

387

3,808

19

5

274

23

52

1,508

(90)

(458)

(127)

(218)

(2)

986

2,998

(727)

3,257

551

Maintel	Mobile	was	acquired	to	complement	the	Group’s	existing	offerings	of	telecommunications	and	data	services	and	enable	further		
cross-selling	to	and	from	other	Group	operations.	

The	customer	relationships	are	estimated	to	have	a	useful	life	of	seven	years	based	on	the	directors’	experience	of	comparable	contracts	
and	are	therefore	amortised	over	that	period	and	are	subject	to	an	annual	impairment	review.	A	deferred	tax	liability	of	£727,000	has	been	
recognised	above	which	is	being	credited	to	the	income	statement	pro	rata	to	the	amortisation	of	the	customer	relationships.	The	amortisation	
charge	in	2012	is	£428,000	(2011	-	£83,000).	

As	described	in	the	Business	review,	contingent	consideration	was	payable	on	the	acquisition	of	Maintel	Mobile,	which	was	agreed	in	July	2012,	
with	£2.3m	having	been	paid	during	the	year	and	a	final	£0.9m	paid	in	January	2013,	£2.834m	being	expensed	in	2012	and	£366,000	in	2011.

Software licence

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	became	fully	
amortised	during	the	year	when	the	licence	expired.	The	software	is	now	rented	and	so	the	intangible	asset	represented	by	the	software	has	
been	deemed	disposed	of.

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

34

	
	
	 
	
11 Intangible assets (continued)

Goodwill

The	carrying	value	of	goodwill	is	allocated	to	the	cash	generating	units	as	follows:

Maintel	Voice	and	Data	Limited	

Maintel	Europe	Limited	

Maintel	Mobile	Limited	(previously	Totility	Limited)	

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

2012 
£000 

202	

273	

551	

2011
£000

202

273

551

1,026 

1,026

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	2012	(2011	-	£Nil)	and	a	carrying	value	of	£202,000.	

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	2012	(2011	-	£Nil)	and	the	carrying	value	is	
£145,000.	

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	2012	(2011	-	£Nil)	and	the	carrying	value	is	£128,000.	

Goodwill	of	£551,000	arose	on	the	Maintel	Mobile	acquisition	in	October	2011.	This	is	assessed	for	impairment	at	the	date	of	each	consolidated	
statement	of	financial	position.	There	has	been	no	impairment	of	the	goodwill	in	2012	(2011	-	£Nil)	and	the	carrying	value	is	£551,000.	

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.

£195,000	(gross)	of	the	Goodwill	in	the	balance	sheet	of	Maintel	Europe	Limited	is	eligible	for	tax	relief,	with	relief	being	claimed	against	£10,000	
of	amortisation	in	2012	(2011	-	£10,000),	leaving	a	net	balance	of	£175,000	available	for	future	tax	relief.

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

Maintel	Mobile	Limited	(previously	Totility	Limited)	

Each	is	wholly	owned	and	incorporated	in	England	and	Wales.	

35

 
 
	
	
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued) 

13 Property, plant and equipment

Cost or valuation 

At	1	January	2011	

Additions	

On	acquisition	of	Maintel	Mobile	

Disposals	

At	31	December	2011	

Additions	

Disposals	

At	31	December	2012	

Depreciation	

At	1	January	2011	

Provided	in	year	

On	acquisition	of	Maintel	Mobile	

Disposals	

At	31	December	2011	

Provided	in	year	

Disposals	

At	31	December	2012	

Net book value	

At	31	December	2012	

At	31	December	2011	

14 Inventories

Maintenance	stock	

Stock	held	for	resale	

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000 

Office and
computer 
equipment   
£000   

96	

41	

32	

(32)	

137	

23	

-	

160	

72	

15	

17	

(17)	

87	

25	

-	

112	

48 

50 

856	

84	

18	

(50)	

908	

93	

(31)	

970	

678	

92	

14	

(50)	

734	

99	

(31)	

802	

168 

174 

2012	
£000	

578	

114	

692 

Total
£000

952

125

50

(82)

1,045

116

(31)

1,130

750

107

31

(67)

821

124

(31)

914

216

224

2011
£000

592

130

722

Cost	of	inventories	recognised	as	an	expense	

4,144 

2,976

Provisions	of	£47,000	were	made	against	the	Maintenance	stock	in	2012,	(2011	-	£64,000),	with	no	reversal	of	provisions	having	been	made	in	
either	year.	The	directors	have	noted	that	the	cost	of	inventories	recognised	as	an	expense	in	2011	was	incorrectly	stated	at	£3.568m,	and	this	
has	been	corrected	above.	This	has	no	effect	on	any	other	part	of	the	financial	statements.

36

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
 
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		

Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

2012	
£000	

3,997	

11	

1,785	

5,793 

2012	
£000	

2,421	

936	

1,618	

416	

3,780	

32	

9,203 

2011
£000

2,497

25

1,497

4,019

2011
£000

1,089

838

2,124

250

3,491

35

7,827

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.

37

 
	
	
 
	
	
		
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (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
2011
2012	
£000
£000	

3,997	

1,941	

11	

5,949 

2,497

2,953

25

5,475

Financial liabilities measured  
at amortised cost
2011
£000

2012	
£000 

2,421	

416	

2,837 

1,089

250

1,339

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	other	than	cash	was	represented	by	the	carrying	value	of	trade	and	other	receivables,	against	which	
£136,000	is	provided	at	31	December	2012	(2011	-	£139,000).	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	2012	owed	the	Group	£1.8m	including	
VAT	(2011	-	£163,000).	

The	movement	on	the	provision	is	as	follows:	

2012 
£000 

139	

(60)	

57	

136 

2011
£000

120

(29)

48

139

Provision	at	start	of	year	

Provision	used	

Additional	provision	made	

Provision	at	end	of	year	

38

	
 
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report and  
financial statements 2012

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.

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	

2012 
£000 

1,289	

302	

(35)	

1,556 

2011
£000

795

298

60

1,153

Cash	and	cash	equivalents	at	2012	and	2011	year	ends	represented	short	term	deposits	with	LloydsTSB,	Santander	and	Barclays.

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	2012	was	less	than	£1,000	(2011	–	£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	(£9,000	in	2012,	and	£23,000	in	2011)	is	therefore	dependent	on	those	prevailing	rates,	which	were	at	a	historically	low	level	during	2012	
and	2011.

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.

39

	
 
	
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued) 

18 Deferred tax liability

At 1 January 2011 

Liability established against intangible 
assets acquired during the year 

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income 

At 31 December 2011 

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income 

At 31 December 2012 

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£000 

Intangible 
assets 
£000 

(6) 

- 

13 

7 

(8) 

(1) 

9 

727 

(31) 

705 

(111) 

594 

Other 
£000 

- 

- 

(15) 

(15) 

3 

(12) 

Total
£000

3

727

(33)

697

(116)

581

The deferred tax liability represents (a) a liability established under IFRS on the recognition of an intangible asset in relation to the Maintel 
Mobile acquisition, and (b) an asset represented by depreciation provided in the accounts in excess of the tax value of capital allowances 
claimed, and is calculated using the tax rates at which the liabilities are expected to reverse.  

19 Share capital

Authorised 

17,571,840 ordinary shares of 1p each 

Allotted, called up and fully paid 

10,674,578 (2011 - 10,664,578) ordinary shares of 1p each 

10,000 shares were issued during the year, under the 2009 Share Option Plan. 

2012 

£000 

176 

107 

2011

£000

176

107 

20 Reserves

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

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

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 2012 of 7.3p per share; this dividend is not provided for in these financial 
statements.

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.

40

	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual	report	and		
financial	statements	2012

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 14 describes the options granted over the Company’s ordinary shares. 

In aggregate, options are outstanding over 2.9% 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. 

23 Operating leases

As at 31 December 2012, 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 

2012 
Land and 
buildings 
£000 

164 

118 

282 

2012 
Other 
£000 

93 

19 

112 

2011 
Land and 
buildings 
£000 

158 

39 

197 

2011
Other
£000

67

53

120

The commitment relating to land and buildings is primarily in respect of the Group’s London offices, the lease on which expires in September 
2014 in normal circumstances, at an annual rental of £149,550. The remaining commitment relates to other property, contract hired motor 
vehicles (which are typically replaced on a 3 year rolling cycle), and licencing of billing software. 

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 

2012 
 £000 

 1,164 

 19 

1,183 

2011
 £000

 948

 15

963

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 2012 and 2011 amounted in aggregate to less than £1,500 in each case. 

The Group traded during the year with The Imaginarium Studios Limited, a company in which J D S Booth and N J Taylor are directors and  
J D S Booth is a shareholder. Imaginarium purchased telecommunication services from the company in the year amounting to £6,181 net of VAT 
(2011 - £2,222), of which £376 (2011 - £351) was owed at the year end and is included in trade creditors. 

The Group paid commissions in the year to J A Spens, a shareholder in the Company, amounting to £14,719 net of VAT (2011 - £11,237), of which 
£Nil (2011 - £463) was owed at the year end and is included in trade creditors. These commissions relate to revenues earned by the Group 
following an introduction to a customer by Mr Spens.

The Group established a revolving credit facility of £1.5m in October 2011 with J D S Booth, the Group’s chairman, however no monies have been 
drawn against this. Any amounts drawn would be unsecured, carry an interest rate of 6.5 per cent and be repayable by 30 June 2013.

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (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.

Business combination and asset purchase consideration
In certain circumstances, there is a contingency to the consideration paid on the acquisition of a company or business, and in such cases the 
directors have to use judgement on the likely outcome. The estimated £175,000 recoverable from Redstone as part of the consideration for 
certain of its business and assets in 2010 was not fully recovered, and £67,000 was consequently expensed in the 2011 income statement. The 
contingent consideration due in relation to the Maintel Mobile acquisition was also estimated, and the pro rated amount of £366,000 expensed in 
the income statement in 2011.

Contingent consideration
Contingent consideration payable in respect of business combinations or business and asset purchases will generally be dependent on 
the trading performance of the entity or business acquired in a defined future period. The directors are therefore required to exercise their 
judgement in estimating the outcome of that trading and consequently the consideration likely to be payable.

42

 
Maintel Holdings Plc Company balance sheet
at 31 December 2012 – prepared under UK GAAP 

Annual	report	and		
financial	statements	2012

Note 

2012 
£000 

Fixed assets 

Investment in subsidiaries 

Current assets 

Debtors 

Cash at bank and in hand 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Net current liabilities 

Total assets less current liabilities 

Capital and reserves 

Called up share capital 

Share premium 

Capital redemption reserve 

Profit and loss account 

Shareholders’ funds 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

9 

9 

193 

12 

205 

2,398 

2012 
£000 

9,331 

(2,193) 

7,138 

107 

1,028 

31 

5,972 

7,138 

2011 
£000 

190

44

234

1,642

2011
£000

6,497

(1,408)

5,089

107

1,013

31

3,938

5,089

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 8 March 2013 and were signed on its behalf by:

W D Todd
Director

The notes on pages 44 to 47 form part of these financial statements.

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes forming part of the Company financial statements 
at 31 December 2012 

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.

(e) Contingent consideration
Where payment of contingent consideration in respect of a business combination or acquisition of business and assets is dependent on the 
continued employment by the Company of the seller(s), the estimated contingent consideration is pro rated in accordance with the period over 
which it is calculated.

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 £3,346,000 (2011 – 
£2,282,000).

4 Dividends paid on ordinary shares

Final 2010, paid 28 April 2011 – 4.6p per share 

Interim 2011, paid 7 October 2011 – 4.6p per share 

Final 2011, paid 26 April 2012 – 6.0p per share 

Interim 2012, paid 5 October 2012 – 6.3p per share 

2012 
£000 

-  

-  

640 

672 

1,312 

2011
£000

482 

483

- 

- 

965

The directors propose the payment of a final dividend for 2012 of 7.3p (2011 – 6.0p) per ordinary share, payable on 25 April 2013 to shareholders 
on the register at 22 March 2013.

44

 
 
 
5 Investment in subsidiaries 

Cost  

At 31 December 2011 

Contingent consideration paid and accrued in the period 

At 31 December 2012 

Provision for impairment 

At 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2012 

At 31 December 2011 

Annual	report	and		
financial	statements	2012

Shares in subsidiary undertakings
£000

6,577

2,834

9,411

80

9,331

6,497

On 21 October 2011 the Company acquired the entire share capital of Totility Limited (since renamed Maintel Mobile Limited) at the following 
valuations:

Purchase consideration 

Cash – initial consideration 

Cash – in respect of net assets acquired 

Ordinary shares (177,778 shares at 1p nominal value and 216.5p share premium per share) 

Total initial consideration 

Accrued contingent consideration at 31 December 2011 

Investment at 31 December 2011 

Contingent consideration paid and accrued in 2012 

Investment at 31 December 2012 

£000

2,435

986

387

3,808

366

4,174

2,834

7,008

Contingent consideration was payable to the sellers of Maintel Mobile dependent on the adjusted gross profit of the company in the 12 months 
following its acquisition, subject to a maximum payment of £4.0m. Agreement was reached in July 2012 to accelerate the calculation of this 
payment in the sum of £3.1m, of which £2.2m was paid on 31 October 2012 and £0.9m on 3 January 2013. Separately, a further payment of  
£0.1m was made on 10 July 2012 to the vendors under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement. Based on earlier estimates of the 
contingent consideration amount, a pro rata £366,000 of the contingent consideration was included in the cost of investment in 2011, with the 
remainder – £3.2m less £366,000, being £2.834m – added to the cost of investment in 2012.

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

Maintel Europe Limited 

Maintel Voice and Data Limited

Maintel Mobile Limited (previously Totility Limited) 

Each is wholly owned and incorporated in England and Wales. 

45

 
 
 
Notes forming part of the Company financial statements at 31 December 2012 (continued)

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 

8 Share capital

Authorised 

17,571,840 ordinary shares of 1p each 

Allotted, called up and fully paid 

10,674,578 (2011 - 10,664,578) ordinary shares of 1p each 

2012 
£000 

170 

2 

2 

19 

193 

2012 
£000 

1,488 

2 

908 

2,398 

2012 
£000 

176 

107 

2011
£000

176

11

1

2

190

2011
£000

290

 5

1,347

1,642

2011
£000

176

107 

10,000 shares were issued during the year, under the 2009 Share Option Plan.

The Remuneration Committee’s report on page 14 of the consolidated accounts of Maintel Holdings Plc describes the options granted over the 
Company’s ordinary shares.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 Reconciliation of movement in shareholders’ funds

At 1 January 2011  

Profit for year 

Dividends paid 

Issue of new ordinary shares 

At 31 December 2011  

Profit for year 

Dividends paid 

Issue of new ordinary shares 

Share 
capital 
£000 

105 

-     

-      

 2 

107  

-      

- 

 - 

Share 
premium 
£000 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

628 

-   

- 

385 

1,013 

-   

-   

15 

31 

 -   

-   

-  

31 

 -   

-   

-   

31 

2,621 

2,282 

(965) 

-  

3,938 

3,346 

(1,312) 

- 

5,972 

At 31 December 2012 

  107  

1,028 

Annual	report	and		
financial	statements	2012

Total
£000

3,385

2,282

(965)

387 

5,089

3,346

(1,312)

15

7,138

It is proposed to pay a final dividend for 2012, of 7.3p per share, on 25 April 2013; this dividend is not provided for in these financial statements.

10 Related party transactions

The Group established a revolving credit facility of £1.5m in October 2011 with J D S Booth, the Group’s chairman, however no monies have been 
drawn against this. Any amounts drawn would be unsecured, carry an interest rate of 6.5 per cent and be repayable by 30 June 2013.

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

47

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

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.

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 1,600,119 
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
22 March 2013

Registered office
61 Webber St
London SE1 0RF

Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of Maintel 
Holdings Plc (“the Company”) will be held at its offices at 61 Webber 
Street, London SE1 0RF, on 22 April 2013, at 2.30 pm, 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 2012, 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 2012.

3. To re-elect Mr W D Todd who is retiring as a director in accordance 
with Article 92.1 of the company’s Articles of Association and who, 
being eligible, offers himself for re-election.

4. To re-appoint BDO LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office 
from the conclusion of the meeting to the conclusion of the next 
meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company, and to 
authorise the directors to agree their remuneration.

Special business

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

5. That the directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally 
authorised pursuant to Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 
Act”) to exercise all powers of the Company to allot and to make offers 
or agreements to allot relevant securities up to a maximum aggregate 
nominal amount of £35,581, 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 
£10,674.

48

Annual	report	and		
financial	statements	2012

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 6pm on 19 April 2013. 
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 Uncertificated 
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 2013, 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 2013 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. Corporate 
members are referred to the guidance issued by the Institute 
of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators on proxies and 
corporate representatives – www.icsa.org.uk – for further 
details of this procedure. The guidance includes a sample form 
of representation letter if the chairman is being appointed as 
described in (i) above. 

49

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