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Annual Report & Accounts
Maintel Holdings Plc

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Maintel 61 Webber Street London  SE1 0RF www.maintel.co.uk 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our people are what make 
us different; we have developed 
a reputation as experts in our 
fields of operation

Who we are

Maintel provides communication solutions to businesses, 
delivered either on-premises or cloud-based. We specialise 
in combining technologies from leading vendors with 
the skills of our experts to provide complete end-to-end 
solutions to our customers.

Our Customers
We have a wide spectrum of customers supporting over 13,000 
customer sites, both in the UK and internationally. Working 
with both public and private organisations, we strive to 
understand and anticipate their needs; aligning our products, 
services and solutions to meet those needs. 

Our Solutions
Maintel provides a comprehensive communication and 
technology portfolio delivered either on-premises or cloud-
based, encompassing unified communications, contact centre, 
workforce optimisation, networking & security, mobile and 
connectivity services.

Our Partners
We have strong lasting relationships and retain the highest 
level of accreditations with our partners. With more than 20 
years’ experience, Maintel specialises in combining the skills 
and technologies from our vendors and carriers with the 
capabilitites of our in-house experts to provide complete end-
to-end solutions to our clients.

Our People
Achieving our goals is dependent on the quality and skills  
of our people. We have a workforce of nearly 300 highly 
skilled employees and continuously invest in developing  
our capability to ensure we have the right mix of skills  
and expertise to deliver on our promise; creating the  
right solution for our customers. 

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 201435%
£41.9m 2013: £31.1m

REPORTED REVENUES 

16%
£6.1m 2013: £5.2m

ADJUSTED PROFIT BEFORE TAX(1)

46.7p

24%

2013: 37.6p

11.6p

29%

2013: 9.0p

ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE(2)

PROPOSED FINAL DIVIDEND PER SHARE

“ Reconfirmed intention to increase the 
dividend to approximately 50% of  
adjusted earnings per share by FY 2015”

Notes

[1]  Adjusted profit before tax is basic profit before tax of £3.8m (2013: 
£3.6m),adjusted for intangibles amortisation and exceptional costs 
relating to the acquisition of Proximity and Datapoint (2013: Datapoint). 
[2]  Adjusted earnings per share is basic earnings per share of 27.6p (2013: 
25.0p), adjusted for intangibles amortisation and the Proximity and 
Datapoint exceptional costs.

Contents

Chairman’s statement 

Strategic report 

Board of directors 

Report on corporate governance 

Report of the remuneration committee 

Report of the directors 

Statement of directors’ responsibilities 

Independent auditors’ 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 

Maintel Holdings Plc – Company balance sheet 

Notes forming part of the Company  
financial statements 

Directors, Company details and advisers 

Notice of annual general meeting 

02

04

16

18

22

25

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

54

55

59

60

“This has been another significant year in the 
development of Maintel. We have delivered a strong 
financial performance, with pleasing organic 
growth, complemented by the acquisition of 
Datapoint in 2013 and Proximity in 2014, which has 
brought additional strengths in the areas of unified 
communications, contact centres, design authority, 
data networking, security and wireless.

Our confidence in the progression of the business is 
reflected in the 29% increase in the final dividend”

Eddie Buxton  
CEO

01

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014“ We have experienced a significant  
year in the Group’s development 
& we look forward with confidence  
to building on that in 2015”

Chairman’s statement

I am pleased to report on another 
transformational year for Maintel, 
with our acquisition of Proximity 
Communications Limited following 
on from the Datapoint acquisition  
in 2013.

Group revenues increased by 35% in the year, to £41.9m 
(2013: £31.1m), with underlying organic growth of 1% being 
supplemented by the effects of the acquisitions. Adjusted 
profit before tax increased to £6.1m (2013: £5.2m), a 16% 
increase year on year, with adjusted earnings per share of 
46.7p, compared with the 37.6p in 2013, an increase of 24%. 
Unadjusted profit before tax increased by 5% to £3.8m  
(2013: £3.6m).

The purchase of Proximity in October is the largest acquisition 
undertaken by Maintel to date, at a gross cost of £12.0m, or 
£8.5m net of cash acquired. This was funded by an extension of 
our existing borrowing facilities to a total term loan of £6.0m, 
supported by a new revolving credit facility of £7.0m, including 
a £1.0m overdraft facility. Total Proximity revenue for 2014 
was £12.3m, and before Maintel management charges, profit 
before tax was £1.4m. In the period since acquisition Proximity 
contributed £1.9m revenue and £0.3m profit before tax.

We are now moving into the next stage of the Group’s 
development and growth as we continue to broaden the range 
of our capabilities with Proximity bringing further critical mass 
to the Group’s Avaya expertise and additional strengths in 
the areas of unified communications, contact centres, design 
authority, data networking, security and wireless.

The Group’s managed service and equipment sales division 
delivered a 47% increase in reported revenues, driven 
primarily by a full 12 months contribution from Datapoint in 
2014. On an organic basis, the underlying business (excluding 
both Datapoint and Proximity contributions) showed slight 
revenue decline of 1%. The customer contract base in the 
organic business continued to decline, but this was almost 
fully offset by a strong year of equipment sales as we transition 
legacy customers to the new technology characteristic of the 
Datapoint and Proximity bases. We were particularly pleased 
that cost savings at Datapoint resulted in its gross margins 
recovering more than anticipated, to above pre-acquisition 
levels, so that overall divisional gross margin excluding 
Proximity remained at 37%.

The Group’s network services division reported a 3% increase 
in revenues, 2% of which was organic growth driven primarily 
by a 29% increase in data revenues. Although sales of call 
minutes are still growing in this division, associated revenue 
and profit from this revenue stream continue to diminish 
with rate erosion. We continue to counter this rate erosion 
by converting customers to the more “future-proof” SIP 
technology, which also provides a base into which we are  
able to sell additional services.

02

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014INCREASED NET CASH FLOW 
FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
£6.1 MILLION

INCREASED DIVIDEND 
45% OF ADJUSTED EARNINGS 
PER SHARE

RECURRING REVENUES 
£30.5MILLION AT 73% OF 
TOTAL GROUP TURNOVER

In our mobile division revenues increased by 12% to £2.9m 
following a disappointing year in 2013, with investment in the 
sales force beginning to deliver. The number of connections 
increased marginally in the year while customer numbers 
declined as we continue to manage the base in favour of larger, 
more profitable customers. Gross margin reduced in the year 
due to a combination of higher up-front acquisition costs and 
changes to one of the networks’ commission arrangements as 
had been expected. The effects of this have now unwound.

Cash generation from trading improved significantly with net 
cash flow from operating activities of £6.1m. Net borrowings  
at the year end were £6.7m following the acquisition of 
Proximity for a net £8.5m, which was funded by an increase 
in term loan to £6.0m and a £7.0m revolving credit facility, 
including a £1.0m overdraft facility.

In the 2013 annual report we announced our intention to 
increase the dividend to approximately 50% of adjusted 
earnings per share over the course of the following two years. 
This process commenced with the payment of 43% in respect 
of the 2013 final dividend which was paid in April 2014, and 44% 
in respect of the 2014 interim dividend paid in October 2014. 
We propose to pay a final dividend for 2014 of 11.6p, 45% of 
adjusted earnings per share, bringing the total payable for the 
year to 20.9p (2013: 9.0p and 15.7p), which will be paid on 1 May 
to shareholders on the register on 20 March.

Our current priority is to complete the successful integration 
of Proximity into the Group, capitalising on the enhanced 
product portfolio, skillsets, cross selling and cost saving 
opportunities that the acquisition brings. We do, however, 
remain committed to considering further acquisition 
opportunities, both businesses and customer bases, where 
these can be seen to add shareholder value. We continue to 
grow our expertise in evolving technologies such as hosted 
environments, where we have already made some encouraging 
organic progress including the recent launch of the Maintel 
Cloud unified communications and contact centre proposition.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge the immense contribution 
made by all of our staff to the year’s successes and extend 
a particular welcome to those who have joined us from 
Proximity, a business of outstanding quality. We have 
experienced a significant year in the Group’s development and 
we look forward with confidence to building on that in 2015.

J D S Booth 
Chairman

6 March 2015

03

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Strategic report

Results for the year
The results for 2014 show good performance in both the historic Maintel business, which recorded organic revenue growth of 
1% in the period, and the two recently acquired businesses, Datapoint acquired in 2013 and Proximity Communications Limited 
(“Proximity”) in October 2014.

The acquisition of Proximity marked another step change for the Group and the inclusion of a full year contribution from Datapoint 
in 2014, together with 9 weeks of Proximity, has driven a 35% increase in Group revenue to £41.9m (2013: £31.1m). 

Adjusted profit before tax (as described below) has increased by 16% to £6.1m (2013: £5.2m), and adjusted EPS increased by 24% 
to 46.7p (2013: 37.6p). 

On an unadjusted basis, profit before tax of £3.8m (2013: £3.6m) and EPS of 27.6p (2013: 25.0p) include the exceptional costs 
associated with the acquisitions. The 2014 unadjusted figures include an increase of £0.6m in intangibles amortisation compared 
with 2013, with a full year charge for Datapoint and a part-year charge for Proximity.

2014 
£000

41,890

3,809

1,472

809

6,090

5,828

262

6,090

6,407

27.6p

27.2p

46.7p

46.0p

2013 
£000

31,124

3,643

898

691

5,232

5,232

–

5,232

5,397

25.0p

24.7p

37.6p

37.1p

Increase

35%

5%

16%

11%

16%

19%

10%

10%

24%

24%

Revenue

Profit before tax

Add back customer relationship intangibles amortisation

Exceptional items relating to the acquisition of Proximity (2013: Datapoint)

Adjusted profit before tax

Of which: 

Maintel ^

Proximity ^

Adjusted EBITDA ~

Basic earnings per share

Diluted

Adjusted earnings per share*

Diluted

* Adjusted profit after tax divided by weighted average number of shares (note 10).
^ Before management charges.
~ Excluding the exceptional costs in the table above (note 12).

04

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014LAUNCH OF MAINTEL CLOUD

INTEGRATION OF PROXIMITY

INCREASED CAPABILITIES

Strong cash performance
The Group’s operating cash flows improved significantly in the period, with net cash flows from operating activities of £6.1m  
(2013: £1.0m). The improvement was primarily driven by increased profits and a significant improvement in working capital 
inflow. The Group ended the year with net debt of £6.7m (2013: £2.2m) or just under 1.1x net debt to adjusted EBITDA. £0.75m of 
borrowings were repaid during the year and a further £8.0m drawn to finance the acquisition of Proximity, as described in more 
detail later in this report.

Acquisition of Proximity
On 24 October 2014, the Group acquired Proximity for a gross consideration of £12.0m. Proximity is an Avaya Platinum Enterprise 
Business Partner and adds a range of capabilities to Maintel in unified communications, contact centre, design authority, data 
networking, security and wireless. It also significantly enhances the Group’s profile with Avaya, with benefits including improved 
sales and technical collaboration and industry leading skills and certification levels. 

Proximity provides managed services to approximately 250 UK customers and has an annualised contract base of £6.0m, bringing 
the total Group managed service base at the year end to £25.0m. A substantial part of the Proximity revenue stream is recurring 
(over 50%), with other income including consulting, professional services and technology sales. It contributed £1.9m revenue and 
£0.3m profit before tax in the period since acquisition, most of this falling within the managed service and equipment segment, 
with the remainder in network services, as described overleaf.

Synergies resulting from the joint servicing of the Proximity and Maintel bases include bringing currently subcontracted  
support contracts in-house as a result of the combined Group’s extended skillsets, and cost savings from joint purchasing. 
The integration of Proximity and realisation of these synergies is progressing well and further cost savings will be achieved 
over the course of 2015. The variety of sales skills across the Group is also being harnessed into a more cohesive structure to 
capitalise on opportunities presented by the Group’s increasing product portfolio.

Review of operations
The table overleaf summarises the revenues of the three operational divisions of Maintel. Proximity revenues are primarily 
derived from managed services and equipment sales and most will be reported within the managed services and equipment 
division in future periods, the remainder being reported within the network services division, however they are stated separately 
in this report to show the underlying movements year on year. The 2013 numbers include 15 weeks contribution from Datapoint 
for the period post acquisition to the year end. The 2014 numbers include 12 months contribution from Datapoint and 9 weeks 
contribution from Proximity. 

05

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Strategic report continued

Review of operations continued

Revenue analysis (£000)

Managed services related

Equipment, installations  
and other

Total managed services  
and equipment division

Network services division

Mobile division

Intercompany

Total Maintel Group

2014 
Maintel

19,495

2014 
Proximity

2014 
Total reported

1,109

20,604

2013 
Reported

14,477

10,710

679

11,389

7,287

30,205

7,058

2,907

(166)

40,004

1,788

98

–

–

1,886

31,993

7,156

2,907

(166)

41,890

21,764

6,938

2,597

(175)

31,124

Increase

Increase 
excl Proximity

42%

56%

47%

3%

12%

5%

35%

35%

47%

39%

2%

12%

5%

29%

The table below shows the performance of the underlying historic “Maintel” business, excluding both Datapoint and Proximity 
from both years. 

Organic revenue performance (£000)

Managed services related

Equipment, installations and other

Total managed services and equipment division

Network services division

Mobile division

Intercompany

Total

2014 
Maintel  
organic

11,308

6,458

17,766

7,058

2,907

(166)

27,565

2013 
Maintel 
organic

11,966

5,993

17,959

6,938

2,597

(175)

27,319

Increase/ 
(decrease)

(5)%

8%

(1)%

2%

12%

5%

1%

The organic managed service base has declined during the year but the bulk of this decline has been mitigated by higher 
equipment revenues, so that the divisional revenue has fallen only £0.2m, or 1%. Growth in both the network services and  
mobile divisions of 2% and 12% respectively more than compensates for this, resulting in 1% organic growth in the period.

Of total Group revenue for 2014, 73% is recurring (2013: 77%), the reduction in the year largely being a function of a full year  
of Datapoint revenue which was 66% recurring, and the drop in the historical managed service base.

Divisional performance is described further overleaf.

06

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Managed services and equipment division
The managed services and equipment division provides the management, maintenance, service and support of office-based voice 
and data equipment across the UK and Ireland on a contracted basis. It also supplies and installs voice and data equipment to 
managed services customers, both to our direct clients and into our partner customers.

On a reported basis, revenues in this division increased by 47% to £32.0m, with managed services related revenue up 42% and 
equipment sales up 56%.

The growth in revenues reflects a full year’s revenue contribution from Datapoint compared with 15 weeks in 2013, and 9 weeks 
contribution from Proximity. The historic Maintel business showed a 1% fall in revenues reflecting a reduction in the legacy 
equipment Maintel customer base, offset by improving sales of equipment, as customers refresh their technology. 

The performance in the first half of the year was particularly strong in this division as two large technology orders placed in 2013 
were fulfilled in H1 2014, boosting first half performance in both sub-divisions of the managed services and equipment division, 
as detailed below and overleaf. 

The expected reduction in gross margins resulting from the impact of the acquisition of Datapoint was mitigated by improvements 
in gross margins in the underlying business as the benefits of the reduced use of sub-contracts and other synergies started 
to come through. As a result gross margins were maintained at 37%. Proximity gross margins were higher than the Group 
overall, at 47% in the period since acquisition, due to the focus on higher specification products and a larger contribution from 
professional services.

Managed services
(a) Maintel, excluding Proximity
Revenue including Datapoint increased by 35% year on year, but in the historic Maintel business (i.e. excluding both Datapoint and 
Proximity) revenue decreased by 5%.

It was noted at the half year that the historic customer base had reduced as customers made the transition to lower revenue IP 
technology. This was exacerbated by the loss of three larger customers in the second half, with new sales not sufficient to replace 
those losses. An encouraging increase in the Datapoint base in the second half partially compensated for the loss, albeit this was 
not sufficient to prevent the overall base reducing by 4% to £19.4m (2013: £20.1m). 

A key focus during 2015 will be to target customers with older systems with a view to migrating them to a hosted system which 
provides them with a flexible opex option of upgrading their technology and which typically has the advantage of having much 
lower levels of churn. This will be facilitated initially by the launch of a Maintel cloud unified communications and contact centre 
hosted platform, based on Avaya technology.

(b) Proximity
The Proximity customer base had an annualised value of £6.0m at the year end, and it contributed £1.1m in managed service 
revenues in the 9 weeks since its acquisition. The size and nature of Proximity’s typical customer is more akin to the Datapoint 
base with its more contemporary technology than to Maintel’s historic base, and it is anticipated moving forward that the growth 
in the customer base derived from their newer skillsets will more than compensate for the loss of older technology customers 
which make up a higher proportion of the historic Maintel base. In addition to the synergies already identified, further savings will 
be achieved from eliminating sub-contracted support contracts that can be brought in-house, cost savings from joint-purchasing 
and the sharing of maintenance stock. 

Equipment sales
(a) Maintel, excluding Proximity
Revenue including Datapoint increased by 47% year on year, and in the historic Maintel business (i.e. excluding both Datapoint and 
Proximity) revenue grew by 8%.

07

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Strategic report continued

(a) Maintel, excluding Proximity continued
The first half of 2014 was particularly strong, with equipment and professional services revenues excluding Datapoint up 12% on 
the corresponding period in the previous year, helped by the delivery of two sizeable projects signed at the end of 2013. A number 
of major projects were completed in the second half including a contact centre installation for an insurance company and an 
infrastructure upgrade for a local council; however the H1 deals were larger in scale, so that performance in the second half was 
weaker in comparison, with revenues down 15% on the first half. We had anticipated the start of a major international roll-out for 
a pharmaceuticals company during the second half however this only commenced to any real degree in Q4 and we are expecting 
to see this develop in 2015. 

(b) Proximity
The Proximity business model is the same as that of Maintel, with equipment, professional services and other revenues being 
derived from Proximity’s managed service customers as they grow or refresh their technology. Proximity contributed £0.7m of 
such revenue in the period since acquisition. 

Division gross profit (£000)

Maintel (including Datapoint)

Proximity

Total division

2014

2013

Increase

11,311 (37%)

8,044 (37%)

847 (47%)

–

12,158 (38%)

8,044 (37%)

41%

51%

Given the application of common resource across both managed service and equipment sales, definitive margin data on the 
separate business sectors is not provided; 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 
managed service and equipment division and the mobile division. The acquired Datapoint companies make no direct revenue 
contribution to this division.

Revenue analysis (£000)

Call traffic

Line rental

Data services

Other

Total division

Division gross profit (£000)

08

2014 
Maintel

2014 
Proximity

2014 
reported

2013 
reported

Increase/ 
(decrease)

2,385

3,211

1,040

422

7,058

62

36

–

–

98

2,447

3,247

1,040

422

7,156

2,586

3,179

809

364

6,938

(5)%

2%

29%

16%

3%

2014

2013

Increase

2,074 (29%)

2,055 (30%)

1%

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 201429% 

DATA SERVICES REVENUES

12% 

MOBILE REVENUE

The network services division continues to show revenue growth despite overall market contraction, with organic revenue 
increasing by 2%. Proximity made a small contribution in the period since acquisition, resulting in total reported revenue  
growth of 3%. Gross profit was flat as margins reduced by 0.6% due to changing business mix and one specific lower  
margin data contract.

As expected, call minutes billed continued to increase year on year as new customers were signed and attrition remained low 
in comparison. However continuing price pressure, regulatory changes and the bundling of minutes in to SIP channel rentals 
resulted in call revenues, the highest margin revenue stream of the division, reducing by 8% excluding Proximity revenues.

Line rental revenues increased by 2% in the year with new sales being partly offset by clients rationalising large line estates to 
reduce costs and also the transitioning of some customers towards newer SIP technology, which is classified as other services in 
the table on previous page. The shift from more commoditised traditional line rentals to SIP benefits our business through lower 
attrition levels associated with SIP and plays to Maintel’s professional service, solution design and engineering strengths. IP-
based solutions also allow Maintel to upsell data connectivity and hosted services more easily to its customers.

Data connectivity revenues showed particularly impressive growth in the year, with an increase of 29% including a key new 
contract with over 800 connections connecting in the final quarter of 2014. The lower margin associated with larger contracts 
reduced overall divisional margins by 1% year on year.

An additional large MPLS contract was won at the end of 2014 and will start to benefit the division’s data connectivity revenues  
in Q2 of 2015.

Mobile division
Maintel Mobile derives its revenues primarily from commissions received under its dealer agreements with Vodafone and O2, 
supplemented by revenue derived from ongoing customer monthly spend. Neither the Datapoint nor Proximity acquisitions 
contribute directly to this division.

£000

Revenue

Gross profit

Number of customers

Number of connections

2014

2,907

2013

2,597

1,517 (52%)

1,640 (63%)

At  
31 December 
2014

At  
31 December 
2013

815

13,199

952

13,178

Increase/ 
(decrease)

12%

(8)%

Decrease

(14)%

–

09

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Strategic report continued

Mobile division continued
Mobile revenue increased by 12% in 2014 to £2.9m as the number of new signings increased significantly year on year, as the 
benefits of investment in developing a more experienced sales team during the year began to come through. Overall, the number 
of connections at the end of the year was up slightly on that at the end of 2013, with the number of customers again down as we 
focus on larger, more profitable business, with the average number of connections per customer increasing by 17%.

Gross profit decreased by 8% to £1.5m as margins were impacted by the higher cost of sale associated with winning new 
customers from outside the Group whilst changes to commission arrangements implemented by one of our network suppliers 
affected margins on both new and renewal business. These commission changes were implemented in August 2013 but had a 
greater impact in 2014 and have now fully unwound; as a result the gross margin fell to 52% (2013: 63%). 

Cross selling opportunities continue, with Proximity’s customer base providing additional opportunities and two firm prospects 
already engaged. The mobile base also continues to provide prospects for the other divisions’ services including recent 
engagement on a large contact centre opportunity and successful deployments of fixed line, data connectivity and audio 
conferencing services.

Administrative expenses, excluding intangibles amortisation and non-trading adjustments

Administrative expenses (£000)

Maintel sales expenses 

Maintel other administrative expenses (excluding intangibles  
amortisation and exceptional expenses) 

Maintel excluding Datapoint and Proximity

Datapoint administrative expenses

Proximity administrative expenses

Total administrative expenses excluding intangibles  
amortisation and non-trading adjustments

2014

2,535

2,997

5,532

3,178

665

9,375

2013

2,408

2,780

5,188

1,148

–

6,336

Increase

5%

8%

7%

48%

Total other administrative expenses excluding Datapoint and Proximity increased by £0.3m (7%) in the year, the main factors 
being the expansion of the mobile sales team and increased support costs reflecting the increased size of the Group. The 2013 
Datapoint and 2014 Proximity administrative expenses are shown above from the date of acquisition.

The exceptional costs of £0.8m shown in the income statement relate to £0.5m legal and professional fees incurred in respect of 
the acquisition of Proximity and £0.3m of redundancy costs resulting from the combining of certain operations following that and 
the Datapoint acquisitions.

The intangibles amortisation charge increased in the year due to the charge applying to the Proximity intangible acquired during 
the year and a full year charge in respect of Datapoint. Impairment and amortisation charges are discussed further overleaf.

Interest
Interest receivable amounted to £2,000 in 2014, the same as 2013, with the Group becoming a net borrower in 2013 following  
the acquisition of the Datapoint companies. 

The Group recorded a £135,000 interest charge in the year (2013: £32,000) on the borrowings secured to acquire Datapoint  
and Proximity.

Taxation
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income shows a tax rate of 22.7% (2013: 26.8%). Each of the Group companies is 
taxed at 21.5%, other than Datapoint Communications Limited, which is taxed at 12.5% (2013: 23.25%; 12.5%). Certain recurring 
expenses that are disallowable for tax raise the effective rate above this and the rate is further inflated in the year by the £0.5m 
costs of the Proximity acquisition (2013: £0.6m in respect of the Datapoint acquisition) not being an allowable deduction for tax; 
excluding these acquisition costs the tax rate would be 20.0% in 2014 and 23.2% in 2013. 

The tax charge in the year includes a deferred tax charge relating to the tax losses of the Datapoint companies, whereby they 
do not currently pay corporation tax on their profits, but a tax asset in respect of the historic losses is charged to the income 
statement as the losses are used. The deferred tax charge in the year was £0.2m (2013: £Nil) in relation to the brought forward 
losses. This is described further in note 21.

10

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Dividends 
A final dividend for 2013 of 9.0p per share (£961,000 in total) was paid on 24 April 2014, and an interim dividend for 2014 of 9.3p 
(£993,000) was paid on 3 October 2014.

It is proposed to pay a final dividend of 11.6p in respect of 2014 on 1 May to shareholders on the register at the close of business 
on 20 March, which is a 29% increase on the 2014 final dividend taking the Group’s payout ratio as a percentage of adjusted 
earnings to 45%. The corresponding ex-dividend date will be 19 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 2014.

The Business model section overleaf describes the board’s dividend policy.

Consolidated statement of financial position
Net assets increased by £1.1m in the year to £5.0m at 31 December 2014, of which £3.3m was cash (2013: £0.5m). Cash flow and 
borrowings are described further overleaf.

Trade receivables have increased by £2.2m in the year, the main reason being the inclusion of £2.6m of Proximity trade 
receivables at the year end, net of a reduction in equipment sale invoicing at 2014 year end and a different phasing of a large 
managed service billing.

Prepayments have increased by £1.3m, with the Proximity acquisition accounting for £0.9m of this and a further £0.3m arising 
from an increase in prepaid subcontractor costs at the end of 2014.

The value of maintenance stock has increased by £0.4m in the year, to £1.1m, due to the maintenance stock acquired with 
Proximity. The value of stock held for resale has increased from £0.2m to £0.4m, the increase down to the timing of project 
installations and supplier invoicing.

Trade payables have increased by £2.1m since 31 December 2013, £1.9m of this attributable to Proximity’s year end balances and 
£0.2m to late payment of a disputed supplier invoice.

Other tax and social security liability has increased by £0.5m. The Proximity liability amounts to £0.8m, partly offset by a reduced 
VAT liability on the lower trade receivables noted above.

Accruals have increased by £0.5m year on year, again largely due to the Proximity liability acquired.

Deferred managed service income has increased by £3.8m, with £3.6m attributable to Proximity at year end. 

Other deferred revenue has fallen by £0.1m due to invoicing timing differences. 

The deferred tax liability has increased by £1.1m in the year as a result of the establishment of a liability on the recognition of an 
intangible asset representing Proximity’s customer contracts, net of a £0.1m credit to the income statement as shown in note 21.

No significant capital expenditure has been required on plant and equipment during the period, with assets of £0.1m being 
acquired with Proximity and the depreciation charge including a £0.02m charge in respect of Proximity. The main expenditure 
was, as usual, on IT and routine office refurbishment.

Intangible assets
The Group has two intangible asset categories: (i) an intangible asset represented by customer contracts and relationships 
acquired from District Holdings Limited, Callmaster Limited, Redstone, Maintel Mobile, Datapoint and Proximity, and (ii) goodwill 
relating to the Maintel Network Services, District, Redstone, Maintel Mobile, Datapoint and Proximity acquisitions. 

Goodwill of £9.9m (2013: £4.7m) is carried in the consolidated statement of financial position, which is subject to an impairment 
test at each reporting date. The £5.2m increase in the year relates to the acquisition of Proximity and a small adjustment to the 
Datapoint goodwill. No impairment has been charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in 2014 (2013: £Nil). 

The intangible assets represented by purchased customer contracts and relationships were carried at £10.5m at the period end 
(2013: £6.3m). £5.7m of value was added in the year relating to the acquisition of Proximity. The intangible assets are subject to an 
amortisation charge of 17% of cost per annum in respect of managed service and maintenance contract relationships, and 14.2% 
per annum in respect of network services contracts and Maintel Mobile customer relationships, with £1.5m being amortised in 
2014 (2013: £0.9m), the increase attributable to the Proximity customer relationships acquired and a full year’s amortisation of the 
Datapoint intangible.

11

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Strategic report continued

Cash flow
At 31 December 2014 the Group had cash and bank balances of £3.3m (2013: £0.5m), all unrestricted save for the floating charge 
held by Lloyds Bank.

Borrowings were £10.0m at the year end (2013: £2.8m). During the year, £0.8m was repaid, and a further £4.0m loan and £6.0m 
revolving credit facilty (“RCF’) was drawn on 24 October 2014 to finance the acquisition of Proximity for a consideration of £12.0m 
gross, £8.5m net of £3.5m cash acquired with the business. £2.0m of the RCF was subsequently repaid so that borrowings 
resulted in the £10.0m balance at the year end. The Group retains its overdraft facility of £1.0m with Lloyds. Further details  
of the loan, RCF and overdraft facility are given in note 20.

Cash generated from operating activities

Taxation

Capital expenditure

Finance cost (net)

Free cashflow

Dividends

Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayments of borrowings

Issue of new ordinary shares

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period

Exchange differences

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Bank borrowings

Net debt

Adjusted EBITDA (note 11)

2014 
£000

7,103

(1,049)

(81)

(133)

5,840

(1,954)

(8,468)

10,000

(2,750)

88

2,756

544

47

3,347

(10,000)

(6,653)

2013 
£000

2,111

(1,148)

(89)

(30)

844

(1,494)

(3,497)

3,000

(250)

–

(1,397)

1,941

–

544

(2,750)

(2,206)

6,407

5,397

Cash generated from operating activities in 2014 at £7.1m (2013: £2.1m) was affected by non-recurring transactions, as it was in 
the previous year, as follows:

(a) Proximity was acquired with abnormally high receivables due to the invoicing of some large contracts. The settlement of these 
pre-year end has enhanced cash flow.

12

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 201429%

2013: 9.0p

11.6p

FINAL DIVIDEND

£5.8m

FREE CASH FLOW

86%

2013: £0.8m

(b) At 31 December 2012, £0.9m was accrued in respect of the final payment due of the consideration payable for the acquisition 
of Maintel Mobile. This was paid in January 2013 and so in the 2013 cash flow statement this is shown as a working capital 
movement outflow.

(c) 2013 cash flow was adversely affected by the deferral at December 2012 of £1.2m of supplier payments for operational 
reasons, so depressing 2013 cash flows when they were paid.

(d) The Group incurred an exceptional cost of £0.8m during 2014, £0.5m in respect of legal and professional fees in relation to the 
Proximity acquisition and £0.3m in respect of redundancy costs in relation to the Proximity and Datapoint acquisitions (£0.6m and 
£0.1m in 2013 in respect of the Datapoint acquisition).

Business model and strategy
The Group’s objective is to maximise shareholder returns over the short, medium and long-term through the provision of 
telecoms-related products and services. Historically these services were provided predominantly in the UK, however with the 
acquisition of the UK and Ireland operations of the Datapoint group in September 2013, the Group now also services a range of 
customers overseas.

The provision of these services is centred around the Group’s managed services and equipment division.

With the acquisition of Proximity, the Group now has a contracted customer base of £25m per annum, and the provision of 
managed and break-fix services to this base creates the opportunity to sell other services into clients, primarily equipment and 
professional services, and the Group combines these revenue streams into a single business unit. The Group operates two other 
business units – network services and mobile - whose services are cross-sold into the managed services base and to external 
clients, mostly in the SME sector.

Organic growth in each business unit is targeted in each financial year, and will be supplemented by the acquisition of 
complementary companies or client bases where clear shareholder value creation can be achieved. Acquisitions may be funded 
out of cashflow, borrowings or the issue of shares, dependent on a range of factors considered at the time. Targeted acquisitions 
will also bring extended capabilities, such as overseas customers and enhanced contact centre expertise with Datapoint and 
further security, professional service and higher end Avaya expertise with Proximity. Organic initiatives are also developed such 
as the recent launch of a Maintel cloud unified communications and contact centre service in conjunction with Avaya.

In the 2013 annual report the board announced that it intended to increase the dividend to approximately 50% of its adjusted 
earnings per share over the course of the following two years. This process commenced with the payment of 43% in respect of 
the 2013 final dividend which was paid in April 2014, and 44% in respect of the 2014 interim dividend paid in October 2014. The 
directors are proposing a final dividend of 11.6p for financial year 2014, which when combined with the interim 2014 dividend of 
9.3p per share gives a full year dividend of 20.9p, equivalent to 45% of adjusted earnings per share.

13

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Strategic report continued

Principal risks and uncertainties 
The directors consider that the principal risks to the Group relate to technological advance, marketplace relationships, pricing 
strategies and integration risk. Some risks may be unknown to the Group and others may be more, or less, material than 
currently envisaged by the directors, and so the following may not give a comprehensive view of all the risks and uncertainties 
affecting the business.

Telecommunications hardware has historically focused on a PBX core, which is gradually being replaced by hosted and cloud 
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 unified communications 
and contact centre systems, and has had notable success with the transition to date. Managed service income from the new 
technology can be reduced when compared to traditional telephony although this is mitigated through reduced service delivery 
costs and promoting a managed service concept, retaining where possible the resultant enhanced calls and lines revenue and 
up-selling high value new products such as network monitoring, software assurance and mobile services. The acquisition of 
Datapoint and Proximity, with their broader range of associated business application skills in the unified communications contact 
centre high growth space, will accelerate Maintel’s ability to drive new revenue streams.

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, which is gaining traction, with 
these and related revenue growing significantly during 2014. 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 has a close partner relationship with O2/Telefonica and to a diminishing extent Vodafone (incorporating Cable & 
Wireless Worldwide), such that these companies and their clients constitute a significant share of its managed service base. 
The extent of the relationship with O2 has grown with the acquisition of the Datapoint companies and the work they carry out 
for O2. Should the relationships be terminated, the managed service base would reduce to that extent over time, necessitating 
a commensurate reduction in costs. Partnerships with other integrators continue to be developed to reduce the percentage 
weighting of business with these partners.

Maintel Mobile is a dealer for networks, primarily Vodafone and O2, and is reliant on its relationships with those companies.  
The Group more generally relies on its contracts with both suppliers and clients and, beyond contractual status, maintains strong 
relationships with them at various levels of the business, as well as striving to ensure that client expectations are met and, where 
possible, exceeded.

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

The pricing of the network services and mobile divisions’ products and services can be affected by regulatory bodies in the UK 
and the EU. The Group 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 Group mitigates these risks by assessing anticipated 
regulations and pricing strategies and amending its own pricing policies accordingly.

The Group has stated that it will acquire suitable companies which fit certain criteria, and recognises that there is a risk 
of operational disturbance in the course of integrating acquired companies into the Group’s existing operations. The Group 
mitigates this risk by way of due diligence and detailed planning involving senior management, drawing on the experience of 
previous acquisitions.

14

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Employees
Maintel’s success is dependent on the knowledge, experience and motivation of its employees, and so on the attraction and 
retention of those staff. The Group offers competitive compensation packages, including bonus structures where appropriate, to 
align employee interest with that of the Group. The Group’s management ensures that there is continual investment in external 
and internal training of employees, and monitors the compliance with both statutory regulation and best practice with regard to 
gender, race, age and disability.

Periodic updates are distributed to employees, and a Group intranet is core to open communication amongst employees; this 
continues to be developed.

The Company established a Share Incentive Plan in 2006, allowing employees and directors to invest tax effectively in its shares, 
and so aligning employee interests with those of 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. A major consideration when replacing company cars is their impact on the environment, 
a focus on the replacements during 2014 being on energy saving technologies, with the new vehicles consequently attracting zero 
road tax. The Group also makes use of in-house video-conferencing facilities to reduce the need for regional meetings. Maintel 
Europe Limited has ISO14001:2004 accreditation for its environmental management systems.

Outlook
Looking across the Group we feel confident in an outlook for continued organic revenue growth in the coming year. In addition, 
we remain committed to considering suitable and complementary acquisition opportunities, on the basis that they provide clear 
value to our shareholders. The Group is well placed to exploit such opportunities with current gearing levels in the business 
comfortably within the range which the Group is able to support.

In the short-term our focus remains on fully integrating the Proximity business into the Maintel Group. Notwithstanding the 
progress made to date, the board sees the opportunity for further synergies to be realised throughout 2015.

In light of this outlook the board remains committed to its previously stated intention to increase the dividend payout to around 
50% of adjusted earnings per share by FY 2015.

On behalf of the board

E Buxton 
Chief Executive

6 March 2015

15

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Board of directors

Eddie Buxton, 54,  
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 Todd, 56,  
Finance director
Dale qualified as a chartered 
accountant with Thomson 
McLintock (now KPMG) in 
1982 and joined the Group 
in March 2002. Prior to this 
he held positions as Group 
finance director at Rolfe & 
Nolan Plc, Best International 
Group Plc and HS Publishing 
Group Ltd.

Angus McCaffery, 48, 
Sales and marketing 
director
Angus co-founded Maintel 
in 1991 and since 1996 has 
been the Group’s sales and 
marketing director, having 
an increasing focus on 
business development with 
larger partner business, 
expanding the international 
operation as well as sourcing 
other organic and inorganic 
opportunities. He is also a 
Non-executive director of 
Nasstar Plc, the AIM listed 
cloud computing provider.

Kevin Stevens, 49,  
Operations director
Kevin was appointed to the 
board on 1 January 2014. 
He joined the Group in 
June 2010 and has been a 
director of the main trading 
company, Maintel Europe 
Limited, since December 
2011. He has worked in the 
Communications and IT 
industry since 1981, holding 
senior operations and general 
management positions with 
Genesis Telecommunications, 
Xpert Communications, 
Redstone and Westcon 
Convergence, with a focus 
on improving business 
operations, process and 
customer service. 

16

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014John Booth, 56,  
Non-executive chairman
John was appointed Chairman of 
Maintel in 1996. He also chairs 
or acts as a Non-executive 
director of several private 
companies in investment 
management, telecoms and the 
film industry and is a consultant 
to Herald Venture Partners. 
John’s earlier career was 
spent in equity investment and 
broking where he held various 
senior positions including Head 
of equities at Bankers Trust 
and co-founder and Executive 
chairman until 2011 of the Link 
Group, acquired by ICAP plc in 
2008. He is a fellow of Merton 
College, Oxford and a trustee 
of several charities in which 
role he serves on a number of 
investment committees.

Darren Boyce, 46,  
Non-executive director 
Darren was appointed to 
the board on 24 November 
2014, having been CEO of 
Proximity Communications 
Limited, which was acquired 
by Maintel on 24 October 
2014. Proximity was created 
in 2009 following a merger 
between Applinet plc and 
the Unified Group where 
Darren was co-founder and 
Managing director of Applinet 
and fulfilled the role of CEO 
of the merged companies. 
Darren has a successful 
track record of being 
involved in growth-driven 
environments and  
in all aspects of sales  
& marketing.

Annette Nabavi, 62, 
Non-executive director 
Annette was appointed to 
the board on 30 June 2014. 
She is also Finance Director 
of Women in Telecoms & 
Technology and a member 
of the Advisory Board of the 
National Media Museum. 
Annette undertakes corporate 
finance advisory work with 
AHV Associates LLP and 
previously held the positions 
of Global Head of Telecoms 
Business Development at ING 
Barings, Managing Director 
of XchangePoint Holdings Ltd 
and she was a Senior Partner 
at the PA Consulting Group.

Nicholas Taylor, 48, 
Non-executive director
Nicholas has extensive 
experience of working with 
growing organisations, 
principally in the media 
and communications 
industries. He has worked as 
a consultant and in-house, 
in both an executive and 
non-executive capacity and 
has held senior positions 
in both private and public 
businesses and in the not 
for profit sector. He is also 
Non-executive chairman of 
Linstock Communications, a 
public relations consultancy.

17

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Report on corporate governance

As a company listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, Maintel Holdings Plc is not required to 
comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code (“the Code”). However, the board of directors recognises the importance of, and 
is committed to, ensuring that proper standards of corporate governance operate throughout the Group. A description of the main 
governance policies and procedures adopted by the Group is set out below.

Board of directors
The board consists of four Executive directors and four Non-executive directors, the latter being John Booth, who is Chairman, 
Darren Boyce, Annette Nabavi and Nicholas Taylor. The chairman is responsible for the effective running of the board and the 
Chief executive is ultimately responsible for all operational matters and the financial performance of the Group.

Other than in respect of Mr Booth’s and Mr Taylor’s shareholdings in the Company, the 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. During 2014 Hopton Hill Limited, a company owned by Nicholas Taylor, and Anchusa Consulting Limited, 
a company owned by Annette Nabavi, provided consultancy support around the Proximity acquisition; however, given the limited 
nature of these engagements, the board does not consider it to have compromised their independence. Nicholas Taylor is the 
senior independent director.

The board is satisfied that each of the Non-executive directors commits sufficient time to the fulfilment of their duties as a 
director of the Company.

The Executive directors are Eddie Buxton who is Chief executive, Angus McCaffery is Sales and marketing director, Dale Todd 
is Finance director and Kevin Stevens is Operations director. Reflecting the growth in the Group and its focus on technological 
developments, Mr Stevens was appointed to the board on 1 January 2014.

The directors’ biographies on page 16 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 eight 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 Eddie Buxton, Kevin Stevens and Nicholas Taylor retire by rotation at the 
forthcoming annual general meeting and they offer themselves for re-election at the meeting. Darren Boyce and Annette Nabavi, 
each having been appointed since the last AGM, are also required to be re-elected. Although not required to retire this year in 
accordance with the articles, revised corporate governance guidance recommends that non-executive directors with more than  
9 years service are re-elected annually, and John Booth, having been a director since 1996, also offers himself for re-election.

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 insurance does not provide cover in the event that a director is proved to have acted fraudulently or dishonestly.

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.

18

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014 
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 throughout the year and Annette 
Nabavi joining in October and Darren Boyce joining in November 2014. The board is satisfied that for the year under review 
and thereafter Mr Taylor has adequate recent and relevant commercial and financial knowledge and experience to chair the 
committee; it also considers that Mrs Nabavi has such knowledge and experience.

The remit of the committee is to: 

•  consider the continued appointment of the external auditors, and their fees, terms of engagement and independence,  

including the appointment of the auditors to undertake non-audit work.

•  liaise with the external auditors in relation to the nature and scope of the audit. 

•  review the form and content of 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 to review the 6 monthly and annual financial statements and at these 
meetings in 2014 Eddie Buxton, Dale Todd (who acts as secretary to the committee) and the external auditors attended by 
invitation, Annette Nabavi also attending the meeting in September by invitation.

In 2014 it also liaised informally with the Executive directors in relation to published financial information and other audit-
related matters. Nicholas Taylor, Annette Nabavi and Darren Boyce together met with the external auditors in the absence  
of executive management. 

The principal issues addressed by the committee during the year were:

•  the external auditors’ year-end report for 2013, the review of the Group’s preliminary results in 2014 and the disclosures  

in the 2013 annual report.

•  the external audit plan for the 2014 financial statements which included a review of the audit objectives, scope, timetable  

and deliverables. 

•  the re-appointment of BDO LLP as external auditors, their independence and objectivity and their fee.

•  consideration of the external auditors’ observations on the internal financial controls arising from their annual audit.

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.

19

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Report on corporate governance continued

Remuneration committee
Annette Nabavi assumed the role of chair of the remuneration committee in November. It was previously chaired by  
Nicholas Taylor who remains a member, its other member being John Booth. The committee met four times during  
the year. The committee’s report to shareholders on directors’ remuneration is set out on page 22.

Nomination committee
The nomination committee had two members during 2014, both Non-executive, being John Booth, Chairman, and  
Nicholas Taylor. The committee meets as required and met twice in 2014, to agree recommendations to the board which  
resulted in the appointment of Annette Nabavi and Darren Boyce as Non-executive directors. Its terms of reference include: 

•  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 the attendance of the directors at meetings of the board and the Remuneration, Audit and Nomination 
committees during the year.

Board

Audit  
committee

Remuneration 
committee

Nomination 
committee

Number of meetings in the year

J Booth

D Boyce

E Buxton

A McCaffery

A Nabavi

K Stevens

N Taylor

D Todd

16

14

2

16

14

9

15

16

16

2

2

2

4

4

1

4

2

2

2

Conflicts of interest
The Group has established procedures for the disclosure and review of any conflicts, or potential conflicts, of interest which the 
directors may have and for the authorisation of such conflict matters by the board. The board considers that these procedures are 
operating effectively.

Relationship with shareholders
The Chairman’s statement and the Strategic report on pages 2 to 15 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. Nicholas Taylor also attends 
shareholder meetings representing the Non-executive directors, to better understand the shareholders’ views.

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 60.

20

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014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.

The key operational functions of the Group are subject to processes established and externally audited under ISO9001 and 
ISO27001, which the directors consider to be a valuable additional internal and external control tool of the business.

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

Investment appraisal
Capital expenditure is controlled via the budgetary process, the budget being approved by the board. Expenditure is approved as 
required by the Chief executive. Acquisitions and significant unbudgeted capital expenditure are reviewed by the board as they arise.

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 22 to 
the financial statements.

Going concern
The Group has a sound financial record including strong operating cash flows derived from a substantial level of recurring 
revenue across a range of sectors and as a consequence and after reviewing cash balances, borrowing facilities and projected 
cash flows, 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.

21

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Report of the remuneration committee

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

The committee consists of three Non-executive directors, Annette Nabavi (chair of the committee), Nicholas Taylor and John 
Booth, and met four times during 2014.

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. The basic salary of the Executive 
directors was increased with effect from 1 February 2015. 

(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, Kevin Stevens and Dale Todd have been granted share options, details of which are shown overleaf. 

Directors’ service agreements
Executive directors’ service agreements, which include details of remuneration, will be available for inspection at the annual 
general meeting. Each Executive director has a six month rolling service agreement. 

Non-executive Directors
Annette Nabavi has a contract which expires in normal circumstances on 26 June 2017 but which is terminable on 3 months 
notice. Darren Boyce has a contract which expires in normal circumstances on 23 November 2015 but which is terminable  
on 3 months notice.

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 and taking account of the directors’ evolving responsibilities. Taking these factors into account, the 
remuneration of the Non-executive directors also increased with effect from 1 February 2015. The Non-executives receive no 
payment or benefits other than their fees, although two were beneficiaries of consultancy fees during the year as described overleaf. 

22

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Directors remuneration 
The remuneration of the directors in office at 31 December 2014 was as follows: 

J D S Booth

D K Boyce (3)

E Buxton

A J McCaffery

A P Nabavi (4)

K Stevens

N J Taylor (5)

W D Todd

Salaries/ 
fees

Benefits

Bonus

Pension 
contributions

Total 
2014(1)

Total  

2013(1,2)

40

4

185

155

13

109

30

154

690

–

–

12

20

–

11

–

12

55

–

–

40

12

–

38

–

30

120

–

–

6

4

–

3

–

3

16

40

4

243

191

13

161

30

199

881

34

–

192

203

–

–

20

180

629

(1)  Excluding social security costs in respect of the above amounting to £109,000 (2013: £79,000), and excluding gains on the exercise of share options in  

the year of £182,000 (2013: £Nil).

(2)  Including bonuses of £86,000, employer pension contributions of £8,000 and benefits of £43,000, so that salaries amounted to £492,000.

(3)  In addition to his fees as a director stated above, Proximity Communications Ltd paid £14,000 plus £1,000 expenses to a company of which Mr Boyce  

is a shareholder and director in respect of consultancy services provided to Proximity following its acquisition.

(4)  In addition to her fees as a director stated above, the Company paid £13,120 to a company of which Mrs Nabavi is a shareholder and director in respect  

of consultancy services provided to the Company during the year.

(5)  In addition to his fees as a director stated above, the Company paid £20,000 to a company of which Mr Taylor is a shareholder and director in respect of 

consultancy services provided to the Company during the year (2013: £44,000 plus £2,000 expenses).

The directors are the only employees of the Company.

Directors’ interests in ordinary shares
The directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of the Company are shown in the directors’ report on page 25. These include 
holdings under the Company’s Share Incentive Plan, to which all of the directors subscribe apart from Non-executive directors 
Mrs Nabavi and Mr Boyce.

Share options
On 18 May 2009 the directors of the Company approved the adoption of the Maintel Holdings Plc 2009 Option Plan. The following 
options remain outstanding under the Plan:

Option holder

Eddie Buxton

Eddie Buxton

Eddie Buxton

Kevin Stevens

Dale Todd

Dale Todd

Number of shares

53,909

107,818

107,818

10,000

10,000

10,000

Date of grant

18 May 2009

18 May 2009

18 May 2009

29 May 2014

17 April 2013

19 December 2013

Option price

Expiry of option

100p

200p

300p

530p

345p

525p

18 May 2019

18 May 2019

18 May 2019

29 May 2024

17 April 2023

19 December 2023

All options have vested. No charge has been made to the income statement in respect of the option granted during the year, as 
this is immaterial.

23

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Report of the remuneration committee continued

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

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

2014  
Number of 
options

329,545

10,000

(40,000)

299,545

2014  
WAEP

233p

530p

220p

245p

2013  
Number of 
options

309,545

20,000

–

329,545

2013  
WAEP

220p

435p

–

233p

The Company’s mid-market share price at 31 December 2014 was 675p per share, and the high and low prices during the year 
were 687.5p and 497.5p 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 and directors 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. At 31 December 2014 there were 89,747 shares held by the SIP, representing 0.8% of the issued share capital of the 
Company (2013: 88,039 and 0.8%).

The report of the remuneration committee was approved by the board on 6 March 2015.

A P Nabavi
Chair of the remuneration committee

24

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Report of the directors

for the year ended 31 December 2014

The directors present their annual report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014. 

Principal activities
The principal activities of the Group continue to be the provision of contracted managed 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. In October 2014 the Company acquired Proximity Communications Limited, which is registered in and 
primarily operates in the UK.

Results and dividends
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income is set out on page 29 and shows the profit of the Group for the year.

During the year the Company paid a final dividend of 9.0p per ordinary share in respect of the 2013 financial year, amounting to 
£961,000 (2013: 7.3p, amounting to £779,000), and an interim dividend in respect of 2014 of 9.3p per share, amounting to £993,000 
(2013: 6.7p and £715,000 respectively). The directors propose the payment of a final dividend in respect of 2014 of 11.6p per share. 
The cost of the proposed dividend, based on the number of shares in issue as at 6 March 2015 is £1.243m.

Strategic report
A review of the business and future developments of the Group is set out in the Strategic report on pages 4 to 15.

Directors
The directors of the Company as at 31 December 2014 and their interests in the ordinary shares of the Company at that date were 
as follows:

J D S Booth

D K Boyce

E Buxton 

A J McCaffery

A P Nabavi

K Stevens

N J Taylor 

W D Todd 

Number of 1p ordinary shares

2014

2013

Beneficial

Non-beneficial

Beneficial

Non-beneficial

2,759,674

–

4,225

2,055,085

–

2,334

15,368

47,397

–

–

85,522

–

–

–

81,379

82,350

2,759,015

–

3,756

2,054,509

–

1,983

14,759

6,821

–

–

84,283

–

–

–

80,280

81,218

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

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

Since the year end, the Share Incentive Plan has sold a net 3,056 shares in total, and purchased 70 in respect of Kevin Stevens. 
There were no other changes in the directors’ shareholdings between 31 December 2014 and 6 March 2015.

25

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Report of the directors continued

Substantial shareholders
In addition to the directors’ shareholdings, at 6 March 2015 the Company had been notified of the following shareholdings of 3% or 
more in the ordinary share capital of the Company:

J A Spens

Marlborough Fund Managers Ltd

Herald Investment Trust plc

Octopus Investments Limited

Number of
1p ordinary
shares

1,616,747

1,287,314

760,000

424,684

% of issued
ordinary
shares

15.1%

12.0%

7.1%

4.0%

Share capital
Details of the share capital of the Company are shown in note 23 of the financial statements.

40,000 shares were issued in the year on the exercise of share options; no shares were repurchased during the year.

An option over 10,000 shares was granted in the year.

The existing authority for the repurchase of the Company’s shares is for the purchase of up to 1,600,119 shares. A fresh authority, 
for the purchase of up to 1,606,115 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 22 of the financial statements.

Annual general meeting
The annual general meeting of the Company will be held at its offices on 28 April at 10.00am. 

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

6 March 2015

26

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Statement of directors’ responsibilities

Directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the strategic report, the director’s 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.

27

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014 
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 2014 which 
comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the consolidated statement of financial position 
and company balance sheet, the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity, the consolidated statement of cash flows 
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 Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC’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 FRC’s website at  
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate

28

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 2014 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 strategic report 
and 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
United Kingdom

6 March 2015 

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

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 December 2014

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Administrative expenses

Intangibles amortisation

Exceptional costs

Other administrative expenses

Operating profit

Financial income

Financial expense

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit and total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent

Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted 

The notes on pages 33 to 53 form part of these financial statements

Note

3

14

12

6

7

7

10

10

2014
£000

41,890

26,292

15,598

1,472

809

9,375

11,656

3,942

2

(135)

3,809

865

2,944

27.6p

27.2p

2013
£000

31,124

19,526

11,598

898

691

6,336

7,925

3,673

2

(32)

3,643

978

2,665

25.0p

24.7p

29

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Consolidated statement of financial position 

at 31 December 2014

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

Borrowings

Total net assets

Equity

Issued share capital

Share premium

Capital redemption reserve

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

Note

2014 
£000

1,436

12,419

3,347

14

16

17

18

19

21

20

23

24

24

24

2014
£000

20,367

314

20,681

17,202

37,883

23,309

828

24,137

1,242

7,500

5,004

107

1,116

31

47

3,703

5,004

2013 
£000

845

8,961

544

2013
£000

10,988

289

11,277

10,350

21,627

15,211

638

15,849

149

1,750

3,879

107

1,028

31

-

2,713

3,879

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board on 6 March 2015 and were signed on its behalf by:

W D Todd
Director

The notes on pages 33 to 53 form part of these financial statements

30

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 31 December 2014

Share  
capital
£000

Share 
premium
£000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£000

Translation 
reserve
£000

Retained 
earnings
£000

At 31 December 2012

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year

Dividend

At 31 December 2013

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year

Foreign currency translation differences

Dividend

Issue of new ordinary shares

At 31 December 2014

107

1,028

–

–

–

–

107

1,028

–

–

–

–

107

–

–

–

88

1,116

The notes on pages 33 to 53 form part of these financial statements

31

–

–

31

–

–

–

–

31

–

–

–

–

–

47

–

–

47

1,542

2,665

(1,494)

2,713

2,944

–

(1,954)

–

3,703

Total
£000

2,708

2,665

(1,494)

3,879

2,944

47

(1,954)

88

5,004

31

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Consolidated statement of cash flows

for the year ended 31 December 2014

Operating activities

Profit before taxation

Adjustments for:

Intangibles amortisation

Profit on sale of fixed asset

Depreciation charge

Interest receivable

Interest payable

Operating cash flows before changes in working capital

Increase in inventories

Decrease/(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

Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment

Purchase price in respect of business combination

Net cash acquired with subsidiary undertaking

Interest receivable

Net cash flows from investing activities

Financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Interest payable

Issue of new ordinary shares

Equity dividends paid

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period

Exchange differences

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

The notes on pages 33 to 53 form part of these financial statements

32

2014 
£000

3,809

1,472

(1)

184

(2)

135

5,597

(94)

1,403

197

7,103

(1,049)

6,054

(87)

6

(11,994)

3,526

(8,468)

2

(8,547)

10,000

(2,750)

(135)

88

(1,954)

5,249

2,756

544

47

3,347

2013
 £000

3,643

898

–

135

(2)

32

4,706

(36)

(1,253)

(1,306)

2,111

(1,148)

963

(89)

–

(3,500)

3

(3,497)

2

(3,584)

3,000

(250)

(32)

–

(1,494)

1,224

(1,397)

1,941

–

544

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2014

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”), IFRIC interpretations 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 54.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are required to use certain critical accounting estimates and are required 
to exercise judgement in the application of accounting policies. The principal accounting policies set out below have been 
consistently applied to all the periods presented.

(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 ability to control to govern their financial and operating policies. 

(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 managed service 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. 

33

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

2. Accounting policies continued
(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 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. 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 managed service 
contracts, (ii) seven years in respect of network services and mobile contracts. 

(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 in the administrative expenses line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income and, in respect of goodwill impairments, the impairment is never reversed.

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.

(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 
Motor vehicles 
Leasehold improvements 

– 25% straight line 
– 25% straight line 
– over the remaining period of the lease

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

(h) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. 

34

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014 
 
 
(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 more probable than not that future taxable profits will be available 
against which the asset can be utilised.

Management judgment is used in determining the amount of deferred tax asset that can be recognised, based upon the likely 
timing and level of future taxable profits together with future tax planning strategies.

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

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

•  the same taxable Group company; or

•  different Group entities which intend either to settle current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis, or to realise the assets  

and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax assets or liabilities 
are expected to be settled or recovered.

(j) Financial assets and liabilities
The Group’s financial assets and liabilities mainly comprise cash, borrowings, trade and other receivables and trade and  
other payables. 

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

Borrowings are described in (k) below.

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) Borrowings
Interest bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially recorded at the value of the amount received, net of attributable 
transaction costs. Interest bearing borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and 
redemption value being recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowing using the effective interest method.

(l) Operating leases
Rentals payable are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the term of 
the lease.

35

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

2. Accounting policies continued
(m) Employee benefits
The Group contributes to a number of defined contribution pension schemes in respect of certain of its employees, including 
those established during the year under auto-enrolment legislation. 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.

(n) 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.

(o) Accounting standards issued
There are no IFRSs that are effective for the first time during the financial year that have a material effect on the financial 
statements, nor are there any impending IFRSs that are expected to have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

The Group notes IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers which takes effect and will be adopted in 2017. Having 
considered the Group’s revenue streams and current recognition policies, as disclosed in (c) above, it is the directors’ preliminary 
assessment that no material impact is expected following the move from recognition of revenue on the transfer of risks and 
rewards to the transfer of control.

(p) 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.

(q) Foreign currency
The presentation currency of the Group is sterling. All Group companies have a functional currency of sterling (other than 
Datapoint Communications Limited (“DCL”) which has a functional currency of the Euro) consistent with the presentation 
currency of the Group’s financial statements. Transactions in currencies other than sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange 
prevailing on the dates of the transactions. 

On consolidation, the results of DCL are translated into sterling at rates approximating those ruling when the transactions took 
place. All assets and liabilities of DCL, including goodwill arising on its acquisition, are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting 
date. Exchange differences arising on translating the opening net assets at opening rate and the results of DCL at actual rate were 
not material in the year and are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income and the translation reserve. 

(r) Exceptional items
Exceptional items are items of income or expense that are disclosed separately in the financial statements where it is 
necessary to do so to show the underlying operational performance of the business in the absence of acquisition, integration  
or other one-off items.

(s) Interest
Interest income and expense is recognised on an accruals basis.

36

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

3. Segment information
For management reporting purposes and operationally, the Group consists of three business segments: (i) telecommunications 
managed service and equipment sales, (ii) telecommunications network services, and (iii) mobile services. Each segment applies 
its respective resources across inter-related revenue streams which are reviewed by management collectively under these 
headings. The businesses of each segment and a further analysis of revenue are described under their respective headings in 
the Strategic report. The Datapoint business is reported under the managed service and equipment division as it is managed and 
measured as part of that division; Proximity is similarly reported apart from £98,000 of revenue and its associated margin which 
relates to the network services segment.

The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the board, which assesses the performance of the operating segments 
based on revenue, gross profit and operating profit.

Year ended 31 December 2014

Managed 
service and 
equipment 
£000

Network 
services 
£000

Mobile 
£000

Central/ 
inter-company 
£000

Total 
£000

Revenue

31,993

7,156

2,907

(166)

41,890

Operating profit before customer relationship  
intangibles amortisation and exceptional costs

Customer relationship intangibles amortisation

Exceptional costs

Operating profit

Interest (net)

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period

4,418

(252)

(312)

3,854

1,027

(28)

–

999

764

–

–

764

14

 (1,192)

(497)

6,223

(1,472)

(809)

(1,675)

 3,942

(133)

3,809

 (865)

2,944

Revenue is wholly attributable to the principal activities of the Group and other than sales of £3,291,000 to EU countries and 
£378,000 to the rest of the world (2013: £973,000 to EU countries and £151,000 to the rest of the world), arises within the  
United Kingdom.

Intercompany trading consists of telecommunications services, and recharges of sales, engineering and rent costs, £81,000 
(2013: £90,000) attributable to the managed service and equipment segment, £79,000 (2013: £82,000) to the network services 
segment and £6,000 (2013: £3,000) to the mobile segment.

In 2014 the Group had two customers (2013: two) which accounted for more than 10% of its revenue, one accounting for £5.317m 
and the other £4.311m (2013: £5.419m and £4.258m).

The board does not regularly review the aggregate assets and liabilities of the Group and its segments and accordingly an 
analysis of these is not provided.

Other

Capital expenditure

Depreciation

Amortisation 

Managed 
service and 
equipment
£000

Network 
services
£000

Mobile
£000

Central/ 
inter-company 
£000

87

183

252

–

–

28

–

1

–

–

–

1,192

Total
£000

87

184

1,472

37

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

3. Segment information continued

Year ended 31 December 2013

Managed 
service and 
equipment 
£000

Network 
services 
£000

Mobile  
£000

Central/  
inter-company 
£000

Total 
£000

Revenue

21,764

6,938

2,597

(175)

31,124

Operating profit before customer relationship intangibles 
amortisation and exceptional costs

Customer relationship intangibles amortisation

Exceptional expenses

Operating profit

Interest (net)

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit and total comprehensive income for the period

Other

Capital expenditure

Depreciation

Amortisation 

4. Employees

3,246

(251)

(120)

1,101

(49)

–

2,875

1,052

931

–

–

931

(16)

 (598)

(571)

5,262

(898)

(691)

(1,185)

3,673

Managed 
service and 
equipment
£000

Network 
services
£000

Mobile
£000

Central/ 
inter-company 
£000

89

133

251

–

–

49

–

2

–

–

–

598

(30)

3,643

 (978)

2,665

Total
£000

89

135

898

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

Corporate and administration

Sales and customer service

Technical and engineering

Staff costs, including directors, consist of:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs

2014 
Number

2013  
Number

36

80

125

241

£000

13,082

1,545

293

14,920

26

72

96

194

£000

9,891

1,168

188

11,247

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 £50,000 (2013: £41,000) were payable to the 
schemes at the year end and are included in other payables.

38

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 20145. Directors’ remuneration
The remuneration of the Company directors was as follows:

Directors’ emoluments

Social security costs

Pension contributions

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

Directors’ emoluments

Pension contributions

2014 
£000

865

109

16

990

2014 
£000

196

3

199

2013  
£000

621

79

8

708

2013  
£000

199

4

203

The Group paid contributions into defined contribution personal pension schemes in respect of 6 directors during the year, two of 
which were auto-enrolled at minimal contribution levels (2013: 2, none auto-enrolled).

The aggregate amount of gains made by directors on the exercise of share options in the year was £182,000 (2013: £Nil), all of 
which related to the highest paid director. The above table excludes these amounts.

Further details of director remuneration are shown in the remuneration committee report on page 22.

6. Operating profit

This has been arrived at after charging:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangible 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 for other services:

– due diligence and other acquisition costs

– audit of the Company’s subsidaries pursuant to legislation

– audit-related assurance services

– tax compliance services

Foreign exchange gain

2014 
£000

184

1,472

515

94

9

107

110

19

6

47

2013  
£000

135

898

274

101

8

95

95

18

6

4

39

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued 

for the year ended 31 December 2014

7. Financial income and expense

Interest receivable on bank deposits

Interest payable on bank loans

8. Taxation

UK corporation tax

Corporation tax on profits of the period

Prior year adjustment

Deferred tax (note 21)

Taxation on profit on ordinary activities

2014 
£000

2

135

2014 
£000

977

–

977

(112)

865

2013  
£000

2

32

2013  
£000

1,114

7

1,121

(143)

978

The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK changed from 23% to 21% with effect from 1 April 2014, and the Group’s UK 
subsidiaries are therefore taxed at a rate of 21.5% for the year. A further reduction in rate to 20% with effect from 1 April 2015 was 
substantively enacted on 2 July 2013 and has not been adjusted for in these financial statements, as the effects are immaterial. 
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 21.50% (2013: 23.25%)

Effect of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Effects of change in tax rates

Effects of overseas tax rates

Prior year adjustment

Other timing differences

2014 
£000

3,809

819

109

(36)

(17)

(5)

–

(5)

865

2013  
£000

3,643

847

141

(11)

–

–

7

(6)

978

40

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 20149. Dividends paid on ordinary shares

Final 2012, paid 25 April 2013 – 7.3p per share

Interim 2013, paid 11 October 2013 – 6.7p per share

Final 2013, paid 24 April 2014 – 9.0p per share

Interim 2014, paid 3 October 2014 – 9.3p per share

2014 
£000

–

–

961

993

1,954

2013  
£000

779

715

–

–

1,494

The directors propose the payment of a final dividend for 2014 of 11.6p (2013: 9.0p) per ordinary share, payable on 1 May 2015 to 
shareholders on the register at 20 March 2015. The cost of the proposed dividend, based on the number of shares in issue as at  
6 March 2015, is £1.243m (2013: £961,000).

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
Exceptional costs (note 12)
Tax relating to above adjustments
Deferred tax charge on Datapoint profits
Adjusted earnings used in adjusted EPS

2014 
£000
2,944

1,472
809
(396)
161
4,990

2013 
£000
2,665

898
691
(244)
–
4,010

Datapoint has brought forward tax losses, so that it will pay no tax in respect of its 2014 profits. On acquisition, however, a 
deferred tax asset was recognised in respect of its tax losses, and a deferred tax charge has been recognised in the income 
statement in respect of the year’s profits. As this does not reflect the reality and benefit to the Group of the non-taxable profits, 
the deferred tax charge is adjusted above. 

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

2014 
Number 
(000s)

10,676

165

10,841

27.6p

27.2p

46.7p

46.0p

2013 
Number 
(000s)

10,675

125

10,800

25.0p

24.7p

37.6p

37.1p

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

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.

41

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

11. EBITDA
The following table shows the calculation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:

Profit before tax
Net interest payable
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of customer relationship intangibles
EBITDA
Exceptional costs

Adjusted EBITDA

2014 
£000
3,809
133
184
1,472
5,598
809

6,407

2013 
£000
3,643
30
135
898
4,706
691

5,397

12. Exceptional costs
Legal and professional fees of £497,000 were incurred in relation to the acquisition of Proximity Communications Limited in 
October 2014 (2013: £571,000 incurred in relation to the acquisition of the Datapoint companies in September 2013). Redundancy 
costs of £312,000 have been incurred as a result of synergies achieved following the acquisitions (2013: £120,000). These costs, 
totalling £809,000 (2013: £691,000), have been shown as exceptional costs in the income statement as they are not normal 
operating expenses. 

13.  Business combinations 
On 24 October 2014 the Company acquired the entire share capital of Proximity Communications Limited at the following 
provisional aggregate valuations:

Purchase consideration

Cash 

Assets and liabilities acquired

Tangible fixed assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash

Trade and other payables

Customer relationships

Deferred tax on customer relationships

Net assets and liabilities acquired

Goodwill

Cash flows arising from the acquisition were as follows:

Purchase consideration settled in cash

Direct acquisition costs (note 12)

Cash balances acquired

42

£000

11,994

127

497

4,861

3,526

(6,646)

2,365

5,698

(1,197)

6,866

5,128

£000

(11,994)

(497)

3,526

(8,965)

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Proximity was acquired to complement and extend the Group’s existing offerings of telecommunications and data services and 
enable further cross-selling to and from other Group operations, as further described in the Strategic report. The goodwill is 
attributable to the workforce of the acquired business, cross-selling opportunities and cost synergies that are expected to be 
achieved from sharing the expertise and resource of Maintel with that of Proximity and vice versa. 

The customer relationships are estimated to have a useful life of six years based on the directors’ experience of comparable 
contracts and are therefore amortised over that period and are subject to an annual impairment review. A deferred tax liability of 
£1.197m 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 2014 is £158,000. 

The trade and other receivables are stated at gross valuation, no provisions being made against them.

Since its acquisition, Proximity has contributed the following to the results of the Group before management charges of £60,000:

Revenue

Profit before tax

£000

1,886

262

Proximity’s revenue for the year ended 31 December 2014 was £12.295m and before management charges, its profit before tax 
was £1.379m.

The Group incurred £497,000 of third party costs related to this acquisition. These costs are included in administrative expenses 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

On 13 September 2013 the Company acquired the entire share capital of Datapoint Customer Solutions Limited, Datapoint Global 
Services Limited and Datapoint Communications Limited at the following provisional aggregate valuations:

Purchase consideration

Cash

Assets and liabilities acquired

Tangible fixed assets

Trade and other recievables

Cash

Trade and other payables

Customer relationships

Deferred tax on customer relationships

Deferred tax asset relating to historic tax losses

Total assets and liabilities acquired

Fair value adjustment (see below)

Net assets and liabilities acquired

Goodwill

£000

3,500

119

1,915

3

(6,314)

(4,277)

3,695

(776)

1,065

(293)

117

(176)

3,676

A further £25,000 of goodwill was recognised in 2014 in respect of a previously unaccrued pre-acquisition liability resulting in 
aggregate goodwill of £3.701m.

43

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

13.  Business combinations continued
Cash flows arising from the acquisition were as follows:

Purchase consideration settled in cash

Direct acquisition costs (note 12)

Cash balances acquired

£000

(3,500)

(571)

3

(4,068)

The Datapoint companies were acquired to complement and extend the Group’s existing offerings of telecommunications and data 
services and enable further cross-selling to and from other Group operations. The goodwill is attributable to the cross-selling 
opportunities and cost synergies that are expected to be achieved from sharing the expertise and resource of Maintel with that of 
Datapoint and vice versa. 

The customer relationships are estimated to have a useful life of six years based on the directors’ experience of comparable 
contracts and are therefore amortised over that period and are subject to an annual impairment review. A deferred tax liability 
of £776,000 was recognised above which is being credited to the income statement pro rata to the amortisation of the customer 
relationships. The intangible amortisation charge in 2014 is £616,000 (2013: £180,000) and the associated tax credit was £129,000 
(2013: £38,000). 

The fair value adjustment relates to the inventories held by Datapoint at the date of acquisition, revalued to their fair market value.

The trade and other receivables were stated at gross valuation, no provisions being made against them.

14.  Intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2013

Acquired in the year

At 31 December 2013

Acquired in the year

Adjustment to Datapoint goodwill

At 31 December 2014

Amortisation and impairment

At 1 January 2013

Amortisation in the year

At 31 December 2013

Amortisation in the year

At 31 December 2014

Net book value

At 31 December 2014

At 31 December 2013

Goodwill 
£000

Customer 
relationships 
£000

1,343

3,676

5,019

5,128

25

10,172

317

–

317

–

317

9,855

4,702

5,859

3,695

9,554

5,698

–

15,252

2,370

898

3,268

1,472

4,740

10,512

6,286

Total 
£000

7,202

7,371

14,573

10,826

25

25,424

2,687

898

3,585

1,472

5,057

20,367

10,988

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

44

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Goodwill
The carrying value of goodwill is allocated to the cash generating units as follows:

Network services division

Managed service and equipment division

Mobile division

2014 
£000

443

8,861

551

9,855

2013 
£000

202

3,949

551

4,702

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 2014 (2013: £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 2014 (2013: £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 2014 (2013: £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 2014 (2013: £Nil) and the carrying 
value is £551,000. 

Goodwill of £3.676m arose on the Datapoint acquisition in September 2013, and a further £25,000 was allocated to the balance 
during 2014. This is assessed for impairment at the date of each consolidated statement of financial position. There has been no 
impairment of the goodwill in 2014 (2013: £Nil) so the carrying value is £3.701m. 

Goodwill of £5.128m arose on the Proximity acquisition in October 2014. This is assessed for impairment at the date of each 
consolidated statement of financial position. There has been no impairment of the goodwill in 2014 so the carrying value is 
£5.128m.

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; where the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit is less 
than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised. 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. Sensitivity analysis using reasonable variations in the assumptions 
shows no indication of impairment. 

£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 2014 (2013: £10,000), leaving a net balance of £156,000 available for future tax relief.

Fully amortised intangibles with a combined cost of £1.413m relating to the District Holdings Limited and Callmaster Limited 
acquisitions are included within intangibles and are still used within the business.

45

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

15.  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) 
Datapoint Customer Solutions Limited 
Datapoint Global Services Limited  
Datapoint Communications Limited 
Proximity Communications Limited 
Achilles Professional Services Limited

Each company is wholly owned and, other than Datapoint Communications Limited which is incorporated in the Republic of 
Ireland, is incorporated in England and Wales. 

16.  Property, plant and equpiment

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000

Office and 
computer 
equipment 
£000

Motor 
vehicles 
£000

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2013

Additions

On acquisition of Datapoint

Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Additions

On acquisition of Proximity

Disposals

At 31 December 2014

Depreciation

At 31 January 2013

Provided in year

On acquisition of Datapoint

Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Provided in year

On acquisition of Proximity

Disposals

At 31 December 2014

Net book value

At 31 December 2014

At 31 December 2013

46

160

7

325

–

492

1

78

–

571

112

33

312

–

457

35

61

–

553

18

35

970

82

956

(83)

1,925

86

490

(26)

2,475

802

97

886

(83)

1,702

135

380

(25)

2,192

283

223

–

–

64

-

64

–

–

(17)

47

–

5

28

–

33

14

–

(13)

34

13

31

Total 
£000

1,130

89

1,345

(83)

2,481

87

568

(43)

3,093

914

135

1,226

(83)

2,192

184

441

(38)

2,779

314

289

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

17.  Inventories

Maintenance stock

Stock held for resale

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

2014 
£000

1,076

360

1,436

6,118

2013 
£000

640

205

845

3,829

Provisions of £26,000 were made against the maintenance stock in 2014 (2013: £48,000), with no reversal of provisions having 
been made in either year.

18.  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

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

19.  Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Other tax and social security

Accruals

Other payables

Deferred managed service income

Other deferred income

Borrowings

2014 
£000

7,898

28

4,493

12,419

2014 
£000

4,896

1,849

2,772

399

10,447

446

2,500

23,309

2013 
£000

5,721

10

3,230

8,961

2013 
£000

2,819

1,325

2,233

575

6,688

571

1,000

15,211

Deferred managed service income relates to the unearned element of managed service 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.

47

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

20. Borrowings

Non-current bank loan – secured 

Current bank loan – secured

2014 
£000

7,500

2,500

10,000

2013 
£000

1,750

 1,000

2,750

On 24 October 2014 the Group entered into a £13.0m facility agreement with Lloyds Bank plc to support the acquisition of 
Proximity, replacing its previous facilities with Lloyds. This is split between a £6.0m term loan and a £7.0m revolving credit 
facility, the latter incorporating a £1.0m overdraft facility. 

The term loan is repayable in quarterly instalments over a 3 year period, the first instalment of £500,000 having been due in 
December 2014 but not taken by the lender until 9 January 2015. The revolving facility is due for renewal on 24 October 2017 and 
the overdraft facility, which was not drawn at 31 December 2014, is due for renewal on 1 November 2015.

The facilities are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. Interest is payable on 
amounts drawn on the term loan and revolving credit facility at a variable rate of 2.25% per annum over LIBOR, with a reduced rate 
payable on undrawn facility. Interest is payable on amounts drawn under the overdraft facility at a rate of 2.25% over base rate.

Covenants based on adjusted EBITDA to net finance charges and net debt to EBITDA ratios are tested on a quarterly basis; these 
tests have been passed to date.

The directors consider that there is no material difference between the book value and fair value of the loan.

48

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

21.  Deferred taxation

Net liability at 1 January 2013

Liability established against intangible assets  
acquired during the year

Asset relating to Datapoint tax losses

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

Net liability at 31 December 2013

Liability established against intangible assets 
acquired during the year

Liability acquired with Proximity

Charge/(credit) to consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

Net liability at 31 December 2014

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£000

Intangible 
assets 
£000

Tax  
losses 
£000

(1)

–

–

4

3

–

8

(1)

10

594

776

–

(149)

1,221

1,197

–

(274)

2,144

–

–

(1,065)

–

(1,065)

–

–

161

(904)

Other 
£000

(12)

–

–

2

(10)

–

–

2

(8)

Total 
£000

581

776

(1,065)

(143)

149

1,197

8

(112)

1,242

The deferred tax liability represents (a) a liability established under IFRS on the recognition of an intangible asset in relation to 
the Maintel Mobile, Datapoint and Proximity acquisitions, and (b) the amount of 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.

The deferred tax asset predominantly relates to the anticipated use in the future of tax losses within the Datapoint companies 
which were acquired in 2013, based on estimates of those companies’ future profitability and relevant tax rates. A change in tax 
rates in the future would increase or decrease the value of this asset.

The asset relating to the use of tax losses is based on the directors’ judgment of a range of factors influencing their anticipated 
use. A further undiscounted deferred tax asset of £2.3m (2013: £2.5m) relating to tax losses has not been recognised on the 
grounds that there is insufficient evidence that the asset will be recoverable; use of these unrecognised losses would be 
increased by the Datapoint companies making more than the anticipated future profits and/or an increase in corporate tax rates. 

Changes in tax rates and factors affecting the future tax charge 
As described in note 8, the corporation tax rate will reduce from 21% to 20% from 1 April 2015, and the deferred tax balances at 
31 December 2014 should therefore be recognised at 20%. This reduction would result in an increased deferred tax charge of 
£20,000 in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, which is considered immaterial, and has therefore not been 
adjusted for. 

49

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

22. Financial instruments
The Group’s financial assets and liabilities mainly comprise cash, borrowings, 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

Secured bank loan

Loans and receivables

2014 
£000

7,898

3,347

28

11,273

2013 
£000

5,721

544

10

6,275

Financial liabilities measured  
at amortised cost

2014 
£000

4,896

399

2,500

7,795

2013 
£000

2,819

575

1,000

4,394

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. 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 £218,000 is provided at 31 December 2014 (2013: £149,000). 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 2014 owed the Group £1.6m including VAT (2013: £2.3m). The Group’s customers 
are spread across a broad range of sectors and consequently it is not otherwise exposed to significant concentrations of credit 
risk on its trade receivables. 

The movement on the provision is as follows:

Provision at start of year

Provision used

Additional provision made

Provision at end of year

2014 
£000

149

(27)

96

218

2013 
£000

136

(44)

57

149

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.

50

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014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

2014 
£000

1,590

943

56

2,589

2013 
£000

1,653

161

(125)

1,689

The increase in the 31–60 day category relates primarily to one customer debt which has since been paid. Cash and cash 
equivalents at 2014 and 2013 year ends represented short-term deposits with Lloyds Bank plc.

Foreign currency risk
The functional currency of all Group companies is Sterling apart from Datapoint Communications Limited, one of the Datapoint 
companies acquired during 2013, which is registered in and operates from the Republic of Ireland and whose functional currency 
is the Euro. The consolidation of the results of that company is therefore affected by movements in the Euro/Sterling exchange 
rate. In addition, all Datapoint companies invoice certain customers and are invoiced by certain suppliers in Euros or Dollars, and 
those transactions are affected by exchange rate movements during the year but are not deemed material in a Group context. 

Interest rate risk
The Group had borrowings of £10.0m at 31 December 2014 (2013: £2.75m), together with a £1.0m overdraft facility. The interest 
rate charged is related to LIBOR and bank rate respectively and will therefore change as those rates change. If interest rates had 
been 0.5% higher/lower during 2014, and all other variables were held constant, the Group’s profit for the year would have been 
£21,000 higher/lower due to the variable interest element on the loan.

The Group expects to be in a net borrowing position in the immediate future, but invests any surplus cash in short-term bank 
deposits at prevailing rates of interest. The Group’s interest income (£2,000 in each of 2014 and 2013) is therefore dependent on 
those prevailing rates, which were at a historically low level during these years.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk represents the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. This risk is 
managed by balancing the Group’s cash balances, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities in the light of projected 
operational and strategic requirements.

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
The bank loan is due to be repaid within three years and the revolving credit facility expires within three years and all of the 
Group’s other 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, 
translation reserve 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.

51

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the financial statements continued

for the year ended 31 December 2014

23. Share capital

Ordinary shares of 1p each

Ordinary shares of 1p each

Authorised

2014 
Number

2013 
Number

17,571,840

17,571,840

2014 
£000

176

Allotted, called up and fully paid

2014 
Number

2013 
Number

10,714,578

10,674,578

2014 
£000

107

2013 
£000

176

2013 
£000

107

24. 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 regulatory capital or similar 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 2014 of 11.6p per share; this dividend is not provided for in 
these financial statements.

25. 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.

26. 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 22 describes the options granted over the Company’s ordinary shares. 

In aggregate, options are outstanding over 2.8% 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. 

27.  Operating leases
As at 31 December 2014, 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 follows:

Not later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

2014 
Land and 
buildings 
£000

475

122

597

2014 
Other 
£000

87

59

146

2013 
Land and 
buildings 
£000

534

317

851

2013 
Other 
£000

82

168

250

The commitment relating to land and buildings is in respect of the Group’s London, Dublin, Thatcham (and in 2013, Falkirk) 
offices. The remaining commitment relates to contract hired motor vehicles (which are typically replaced on a 3 year rolling 
cycle), office equipment and licencing of billing software. 

52

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 201428. 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 committee report. The remuneration of the directors and other key members of management, 
consisting of certain subsidiary company directors, during the year was as follows:

Short term employment benefits

Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes

2014 
£000

1,573

36

1,609

2013 
£000

1,132

20

1,152

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 K Stevens. Transactions in 2014 and 2013 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 is a director and 
shareholder. Imaginarium purchased telecommunication services from the Group in the year amounting to £3,233 net of VAT 
(2013: £5,011), of which £332 (2013: £348) was owed at the year end and is included in trade debtors.

The Company paid fees of £20,000 to Hopton Hill Limited, a company of which N J Taylor is a shareholder and director, in respect 
of consultancy services provided to the Company during the year in relation to the acquisition of Proximity (2013: £44,000 and 
£2,000 expenses in relation to the acquisition of the Datapoint companies).

The Company paid fees of £13,120 to Anchusa Consulting Limited, a company of which A P Nabavi is a shareholder and director,  
in respect of consultancy services provided to the Company during the year in relation to the acquisition of Proximity.

Proximity paid fees of £14,000 and £1,000 expenses to TCB Consulting, a company of which D K Boyce is a shareholder and 
director, in respect of consultancy services provided to the company following its acquisition.

The Group paid commissions in the year to J A Spens, a shareholder in the Company, amounting to £9,391 net of VAT (2013: 
£10,141), of which £784 (2013: £Nil) 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.

29.  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.

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 below. At 31 December 2014 the directors have also 
had to estimate the value of tax losses attributable to the Datapoint companies that might be used against future profits, shown in 
note 21, which involves estimating the companies’ profitability and future tax rates.

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 14. 
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.

53

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Company balance sheet

at 31 December 2014 – prepared under UK GAAP

Fixed assets

Investment in subsidiaries

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Total assets less current liabilities

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium

Capital redemption reserve

Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

Note

2014 
£000

2014 
£000

2013 
£000

821

3

824

3,372

5

6

7

8

9

10

10

10

518

948

1,466

9,018

24,825

(7,552)

(7,500)

9,773

107

1,116

31

8,519

9,773

2013 
£000

12,831

(2,548)

(1,750)

8,533

107

1,028

31

7,367

8,533

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board on 6 March 2015 and were signed on its behalf by:

W D Todd
Director

The notes on pages 55 to 58 form part of these financial statements.

54

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the Company financial statements

for the year ended 31 December 2014

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

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

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

The investor recognises income from the investment only to the extent that the investor receives distributions from accumulated 
profits of the investee arising after the date of acquisition. Distributions received in excess of such profits are regarded as a 
recovery of investment and are recognised as a reduction of the cost of investment.

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

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

2. Employees
The directors’ remuneration is shown in note 5 of the consolidated financial statements.

3. Profit for the financial period 
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under S408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own profit 
and loss account in these financial statements. The profit for the year of the Company, after tax and before dividends paid, was 
£3,106,000 (2013: £2,889,000).

4. Dividends paid on ordinary shares 

Final 2012, paid 25 April 2013 – 7.3p per share

Interim 2013, paid 11 October 2013 – 6.7p per share

Final 2013, paid 24 April 2014 – 9.0p per share

Interim 2014, paid 3 October 2014 – 9.3p per share

2014 
£000

–

–

961

993

1,954

2013 
£000

779

715

–

–

1,494

The directors propose the payment of a final dividend for 2014 of 11.6p (2013: 9.0p) per ordinary share, payable on 1 May 2015 to 
shareholders on the register at 20 March 2015.

55

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the Company financial statements contd.

for the year ended 31 December 2014

5. Investment in subsidiaries

Cost

At 31 December 2013

Additions in the period

At 31 December 2014

Provision for impairment

At 31 December 2013 and 31 December 2014

Net book value 

At 31 December 2014

At 31 December 2013

Shares in 
subsidiary 
undertakings 
£000

12,911

11,994

24,905

80

24,825

12,831

On 24 October 2014 the Company acquired the entire share capital of Proximity Communications Limited, for a gross 
consideration of £12.0m, paid in cash.

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

Maintel Europe Limited 
Maintel Voice and Data Limited 
Maintel Mobile Limited  
Datapoint Customer Solutions Limited 
Datapoint Global Services Limited  
Datapoint Communications Limited 
Proximity Communications Limited 
Achilles Professional Services Limited

Each company is wholly owned and, other than Datapoint Communications Limited which is incorporated in the Republic of 
Ireland, is incorporated in England and Wales.

6. Debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings

Other tax and social security

Prepayments and accrued income

Corporation tax recoverable

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

2014 
£000

419

54

22

23

518

2013 
£000

807

4

2

8

821

56

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 20147. Creditors

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings

Trade creditors

Accruals and deferred income

Borrowings

8. Borrowings

Non-current bank loans – secured

Current bank loans – secured

2014 
£000

6,391

61

66

2,500

9,018

2014 
£000

7,500

2,500

10,000

2013 
£000

2,351

4

17

1,000

3,372

2013 
£000

1,750

1,000

2,750

On 24 October 2014 the Group entered into a £13.0m facility agreement with Lloyds Bank plc to support the acquisition of 
Proximity, replacing its previous facilities with Lloyds. This is split between a £6.0m term loan and a £7.0m revolving credit 
facility, the latter incorporating a £1.0m overdraft facility. 

The term loan is repayable in quarterly instalments over a 3 year period, the first instalment of £500,000 having been due in 
December 2014 but not taken by the lender until 9 January 2015. The revolving facility is due for renewal on 24 October 2017 and 
the overdraft facility, which was not drawn at 31 December 2014, is due for renewal on 1 November 2015.

The facilities are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. Interest is payable on 
amounts drawn on the term loan and revolving credit facility at a variable rate of 2.25% per annum over LIBOR, with a reduced rate 
payable on undrawn facility. Interest is payable on amounts drawn under the overdraft facility at a rate of 2.25% over base rate.

Covenants based on adjusted EBITDA to net finance charges and net debt to EBITDA ratios are tested on a quarterly basis; these 
tests have been passed to date.

The directors consider that there is no material difference between the book value and fair value of the loan.

57

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notes forming part of the Company financial statements contd. 

for the year ended 31 December 2014

9. Share capital

Ordinary shares of 1p each

Ordinary shares of 1p each

Authorised

2014 
Number

2013 
Number

17,571,840

17,571,840

2014 
£000

176

Allotted, called up and fully paid

2014 
Number

2013 
Number

10,714,578

10,674,578

2014 
£000

107

2013 
£000

176

2013 
£000

107

The remuneration committee’s report on page 22 of the consolidated accounts of Maintel Holdings Plc describes the options 
granted over the Company’s ordinary shares.

10 . Reconciliation of movement in shareholders’ funds

At 1 January 2013

Profit for year

Dividends paid

At 31 December 2013

Profit for year

Dividends paid

Issue of new ordinary shares

At 31 December 2014

Share 
capital 
£000

107

–

–

107

–

–

–

107

Share 
premium 
£000

1,028

–

–

1,028

–

–

88

1,116

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000

Retained 
earnings 
£000

31

–

–

31

–

–

–

31

5,972

2,889

(1,494)

7,367

3,106

(1,954)

–

8,519

Total 
£000

7,138

2,889

(1,494)

8,533

3,106

(1,954)

88

9,773

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

12. Contingent liabilities
As security on the Group’s loan and overdraft facilities, the Company has entered into a cross guarantee with its subsidiary 
undertakings in favour of Lloyds Bank plc.

58

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Directors, Company details and advisers

Directors
J D S Booth 
D K Boyce 
E Buxton 
A J McCaffery 
A P Nabavi 
K Stevens 
N J Taylor 
W D Todd 

Chairman, Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Chief Executive 
Sales and Marketing Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Operations Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Finance 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 advisor
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

59

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014Notice of annual general meeting

(the following does not form part of the statutory financial statements)

Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of Maintel Holdings Plc (“the Company”) will be held at its offices at 
61 Webber Street, London SE1 0RF, on 28 April 2015, at 10.00am, 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 2014, together with the 
strategic report, 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 2014.

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

 To approve the payment of a final dividend of 11.6p per share recommended by the directors, payable on 1 May 2015 to holders 
of ordinary shares registered at the close of business on 20 March 2015.

 To re-elect Mr N J Taylor 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. 

 To re-elect Mr E Buxton 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. 

 To re-elect Mr K Stevens, 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. 

 To re-elect Mr J D S Booth who is retiring as a non-executive director in accordance with good corporate governance practice, 
having been a director for more than nine years and who, being eligible, offers himself for re-election. 

8.  To elect Mrs A P Nabavi, who was appointed to the board on 30 June 2014.

9.   To elect Mr D K Boyce, who was appointed to the board on 24 November 2014.

10.   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 11 will be proposed as an ordinary resolution 
and resolutions 12 and 13 as special resolutions:

11.   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 £35,715, 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 revoked, 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.

12.   That, subject to the passing of resolution 11, the directors be and are hereby generally 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, open offer 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 £10,714.

 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 revoked, 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.

60

Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014 
 
 
Notice of annual general meeting

(the following does not form part of the statutory financial statements)

13.   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 1,606,115 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

23 March 2015 

Registered office 
61 Webber St 
London SE1 0RF

Notes
1. 

 A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may 
appoint one or more proxies to attend, speak and vote at the meeting 
instead of him/her. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. A 
member of the Company may appoint more than one proxy provided 
each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different 
shares. A member may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise 
the rights attached to any one share. Appointment of a proxy will not 
preclude a member from attending and voting at the meeting. A form of 
proxy is enclosed which you are invited to complete and return. When 
appointing more than one proxy, complete a separate proxy form in 
relation to each appointment. Additional proxy forms may be obtained 
by contacting the Company’s registrar on 0870 707 1182 or the proxy 
form may be photocopied. State clearly on each proxy form the number 
of shares in relation to which the proxy is appointed. To be effective, it 
must be completed and be received, by post or (during normal business 
hours only) by hand at the offices of the Company’s Registrar not 
later than 10.00am on 24 April 2015 (or in the event that the meeting 
is adjourned, no later than 48 hours before the time of the adjourned 
meeting). Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude 
shareholders from attending and voting in person at the meeting.

2. 

 The Company, pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertified Securities 
Regulations 2001, specifies that only those shareholders registered 
in the register of members of the Company as at 6.00pm on 24 April 
2015, 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 6.00pm on 24 April 2015 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.

Documents available for inspection
4. 

 The following documents will be available for inspection during normal 
business hours at the registered office of the Company from the date of 
this notice until the end of the meeting:

4.1  Copies of the service contracts of the executive directors;

4.2    Copies of the letters of appointment of the non-executive directors.

Biographical details of directors
5. 

 Biographical details of all those directors who are offering themselves 
for appointment or reappointment at the meeting are set out on  
pages 16–17 of the annual report and accounts

61

Annual Report 2014Maintel Holdings Plc Annual Report 2014 
 
 
 
 
Annual Report & Accounts
Maintel Holdings Plc

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