Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Asset Management / Majedie Investments Plc / FY2023 Annual Report

Majedie Investments Plc
Annual Report 2023

MAJE · LSE Financial Services
Claim this profile
Ticker MAJE
Exchange LSE
Sector Financial Services
Industry Asset Management
Employees 1-10
← All annual reports
FY2023 Annual Report · Majedie Investments Plc
Loading PDF…
MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC
2023 ANNUAL REPORT

30 September 2023
Company number: 00109305

Contents

Overview

Investment Objective

01 
01  Performance Target
Financial Highlights
01 
02  Year’s Summary
03  Year’s High/Low
03  Ten Year Record

Strategic Report

Investment Manager’s Report

04  Chairman’s Statement
06 
12  Responsible Capitalism
14  Business Review

Governance

20  Board of Directors
21  Directors’ Report
28  Corporate Governance Statement
32  Report of the Audit Committee
36  Report on Directors’ Remuneration
42  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Financial Statements

43  Report of the Independent Auditor
52  Statement of Comprehensive Income
53  Statement of Changes in Equity
54  Balance Sheet
55  Cash Flow Statement
56  Notes to the Accounts

87  Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (“AIFMD”)

Information

88  Alternative Performance Measures
90  Notice of Meeting
98  Shareholder Information

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This Annual Report has been prepared for the members of Majedie Investments PLC (the “Company”) and no one else. The Company, 
its Directors or agents do not accept or assume responsibility to any other person in connection with this document and any such 
responsibility or liability is expressly disclaimed.

This Annual Report contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company. 
By their nature, these statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances 
that may or may not occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially 
from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. The forward looking statements reflect the 
knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this Annual Report and will not be updated during the year. Nothing in 
this Annual Report should be construed as a profit forecast.

THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt about the action you should take, 
you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other 
independent financial adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 if you are in the United Kingdom or, if not, 
from another appropriately authorised financial adviser. If you have sold or otherwise transferred all your ordinary shares in Majedie 
Investments PLC please forward this document, together with the accompanying documents, immediately to the purchaser or transferee 
or to the stockbroker, bank or agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee. If 
you have sold or otherwise transferred only part of your holding of shares, you should retain these documents.

Overview

Investment Objective

The Company’s investment objective is to deliver long‑term 
capital growth whilst preserving shareholders’ capital, and 
to pay a regular dividend.

Performance Target

The performance target is to achieve net annualised total 
returns (in GBP) of at least 4% above the UK Consumer 
Prices Index over rolling five-year periods.

Financial Highlights

Total shareholder return (including dividends)†

26.2%

-24.9%

2023

2022

Net asset value total return (debt at fair value including dividends)†

14.1%

-18.2%

Net asset value total return (debt at par including dividends)†

14.2%

-19.8%

Total dividends (per share)†

5.4p

10.4p

† 

 Alternative Performance Measures 
Please refer to pages 88 and 89 for definitions and a reconciliation of the Alternative Performance Measures to the financial statements.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  01

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsInformation 
Overview

Year’s Summary

Capital Structure

As at 30 September

Total assets less current liabilities

Which are attributable to:

Financial liabilities (debt at par value)

Equity Shareholders Funds

Gearing

Potential Gearing

Total returns (capital growth plus dividends) (“TR”)

Net asset value per share TR (debt at par value)

Net asset value per share TR (debt at fair value)

Share price TR

Capital returns

Net asset value per share (debt at par value)

Net asset value per share (debt at fair value)

Share price

Discount of share price to net asset value per share

Debt at par value

Debt at fair value

Revenue and dividends

Notes
(See below)

2023

2022

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

£148.8m

£137.6m

£20.7m

£20.8m

£128.1m

£116.9m

9.2%

16.2%

14.2%

14.1%

26.2%

241.7p

241.6p

196.5p

18.7%

18.7%

12.6%

17.8%

-19.8%

-18.2%

-24.9%

220.6p

220.5p

163.5p

25.9%

25.8%

Net revenue available to Equity Shareholders 

£0.9m 

£2.8m 

Net revenue return per share

Total dividends per share

Total administrative expenses and management fees

Ongoing Charges Ratio

Ongoing charges of underlying funds

Ongoing Charges Ratio plus look through fund costs

1.6p

5.4p

£3.4m

1.6%

0.4%

2.0%

5.2p

10.4p‡

£1.7m

1.3%

–

1.3%

†^

† 

‡ 

 Alternative Performance Measures 
Please refer to pages 88 and 89 for definitions and a reconciliation of the Alternative Performance Measures to the financial statements.

 The 10.4p dividend in 2022 includes a 1.8p special dividend paid on 27 January 2023. This dividend represented the first quarterly payment to 
31 December 2022 under the Company’s new dividend policy.

^  Excludes performance fee where payable.

%

8.1

–

9.6

–

–

–

–

–

9.6

9.6

20.2

–

–

-67.9

-69.2

-48.1

100.0

–

–

–

02  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Overview

Year’s High/Low

Share price

Net asset value – debt at par

Discount – debt at par

Discount – debt at fair value

Ten Year Record

to 30 September 2023

high

low

high

low

high

low

high

low

2023

2022

223.0p

158.0p

259.2p

220.6p

31.2%

8.3%

30.8%

8.0%

243.0p

160.0p

297.1p

220.7p

28.7%

14.9%

28.5%

13.4%

Equity
share-
holders’
Funds
£000

NAV
Per Share
(Debt at
par value)
Pence

Total
Assets++
£000

Share
Price
Pence

Year
End

Discount
%

Earnings
Pence

Dividend**
Pence

Gearing†
%

Total

Potential
Gearing†
%

Ongoing
Charges
Ratio
%^

2014

167,934

134,061

256.7

229.0

10.79

9.36

7.50

23.39

25.27

1.66

2015

183,708

149,807

281.9

257.3

8.74

9.42

8.00

21.25

22.63

1.88

2016

203,917

169,986

318.1

257.1

19.18

9.25

8.75

18.46

19.96

1.58

2017

216,507

182,544

341.6

281.5

17.59

11.14

9.75

17.09

18.61

1.54

2018

199,151

178,626

334.3

277.5

16.99

12.47

11.00

10.01

11.49

1.33

2019

175,621

155,074

292.3

256.0

12.42

12.92

11.40

11.50

13.25

1.34

2020

152,153

131,333

247.7

176.5

28.74

9.11

11.40

10.97

15.85

1.34

2021

172,951

152,153

287.1

230.0

19.89

9.41

11.40

12.26

13.67

1.25

2022

137,647

116,887

220.6

163.5

25.80

5.20

10.40

12.65

17.80

1.34

2023

148,794

128,073

241.7

196.5

18.70

1.62

5.40

9.16

16.23

1.98

Notes:

++   Total Assets are defined as total assets less current liabilities.

**   Dividends disclosed represent dividends that relate to the Company’s financial year. Under UK adopted International Accounting Standards 

dividends are not accrued until paid or approved. Total dividends include special dividends paid, if any.

† 

 Calculated in accordance with AIC guidance.

^  Excludes performance fee where payable and includes ongoing charge ratio of underlying funds.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  03

Strategic ReportGovernanceFinancial StatementsInformation 
Strategic Report

Chairman’s Statement

During the year ended 30 September 2023 Majedie 
Investments has successfully implemented the transition 
to a liquid endowment investment policy(1) following 
its approval at the AGM in January 2023, principally 
through transferring responsibility for management 
of the Company’s assets to Marylebone Partners LLP 
(“Marylebone” or the “Investment Manager”). The Net 
Asset Value (with debt at fair value) grew by 14.1% during 
the year and the discount closed somewhat from 25.8% 
at the start of the financial year to 18.7% at its close. 

Investment conditions were challenging throughout 
the year as global equity and bond markets were 
volatile as inflationary expectations and political events 
created uncertainty for investors and governments. 
A growing acceptance that interest rates are to 
remain considerably higher for some time, together 
with a weaker than expected economic recovery in 
China after its pandemic restrictions were removed 
in January 2023, also put pressure on the broader 
equity markets. Notably, the US equity market was 
one of the best performers, once again driven by 
a very narrow selection of technology stocks.

The background to market performance helps explain 
the decision of your Board in late 2022 to appoint 
Marylebone as the Company’s portfolio manager. It also 
reinforces the central view that the ending of a thirty-
year down trend of interest rates is likely to lead to 
significant change in the sources of investment returns. 
The Board focused on identifying an endowment 
style strategy that would enable the Company to grow 
over time through strong performance, developing 
the Company’s culture and clear differentiation that 
uses the benefits of the investment trust structure. 
Whilst still in its very early days, the liquid endowment 
portfolio has now been in place since February 
2023, the Board believes that the evidence to date 
vindicates its decision. In addition to the distinctive and 
compelling investments that feature in the portfolio, 
the Board notes that virtually all of its underlying assets 
are priced frequently by an independent source. 

The investment approach includes three 
complementary strategies comprising, at September 
2023: External Managers (62%), Direct Investments 
(20%) and Special Investments (9%). The remaining 
9% was in cash and UK gilts pending investment 
into additional Special Investment opportunities. 
Whilst remaining equity-centric, the drivers of 
the investments are fundamental, idiosyncratic 
and generally not macro-predicated. The Board is 

(1)  Please refer to page 6 of the Investment Manager’s Report.
(2)  Please refer to note 20 on page 74 for more information.

04  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

confident that this style of investing will stand the 
test of time and achieve the clear targets set out 
by the Manager Review carried out in 2022.

Subsequent to the approval of the new investment 
policy by shareholders, the Board has also transferred 
responsibilities under the AIFMD to Marylebone. Further, 
the remaining administration arrangements for Majedie 
that had been carried out internally have now been 
outsourced to Juniper Partners Limited (“Juniper”). 
The Board looks forward to developing both of these 
important new relationships. These steps have however 
resulted in Majedie’s offices in Kings Arms Yard being 
vacated(2) and I would like to take this opportunity to 
record our thanks to the Majedie executive team for their 
consistent and professional contribution throughout this 
period despite the consequences to their own positions.

Of particular note through this year has been the 
development of the shareholder base, which was one 
of the key aims of the Manager Review. Approximately 
25% of the shares in issue have changed hands during 
the year and the Company remains fortunate in having 
a supportive Barlow family shareholder group. The 
increased marketing presence of the Company, well 
supported by the Marylebone team and a refreshed 
website with explanatory short videos, has been helpful 
in achieving this important step towards growth.

The Board has enjoyed a year of stability and I am 
grateful for the commitment and wise counsel of my 
colleagues. Formal internal Board reviews are carried 
out annually in October. The principal areas for further 
focus in 2022 involved concluding and effectively 
implementing the Manager Review conclusions and 
increasing the demand for the Company’s shares. In 
2023 the Board has identified targets relating to the 
development and monitoring of the relationships 
with Marylebone and Juniper, planning for Board 
member succession and building on the progress 
made on expanding the shareholder base.

The Company’s policy on dividends also changed 
following the introduction of the new investment 
policy. Quarterly dividends of approximately 0.75% 
of the NAV have been declared, albeit that in this 
transition year the first quarterly payment to 
December 2022 was paid in January 2023 as a Special 
Dividend of 1.8p accrued in the prior year. Going 
forward the Board hopes that the clarity of quarterly 
dividend payments, equating to approximately 3% 
of NAV over the year, is helpful to shareholders.

Strategic Report

It is a core function of an investment trust Board to bear 
down on costs where possible. The Board notes that 
investments through External Managers as a significant 
part of the portfolio has increased the cost measured 
by the Ongoing Charges Ratio (“OCR”) from 1.3% in 
2022 to 2.0% in September 2023. The skills in specialist 
areas that require substantial original research work 
inevitably come with additional cost. However, in terms 
of true active management of a liquid endowment style 
strategy the Board understands this requirement whilst 
also noting that the costs associated with the External 
Managers is expected to fall over time as the exposure 
to Special Investments grows, as they typically have low 
additional management fees. The remaining underlying 
costs are made up of core management, administrative 
and transaction costs; as all activities are now 
outsourced the Board expects that these costs will also 
fall in 2024. Overall the OCR is expected to fall in 2024.

In terms of investment outlook, Marylebone believes 
that this is an excellent juncture at which to be deploying 
capital. Following a transition from a multi-year regime 
that was characterised by low interest rates, abundant 
liquidity and generally rising asset prices, the Board 
expects the period ahead to be defined by structurally 
higher rates, variable liquidity, more geopolitical 
and cyclical volatility, and greater fundamental price 
dispersion within markets. This is precisely the sort of 
environment in which a highly selective, fundamental 
approach that features distinctive bottom-up 
investments should thrive. Marylebone is confident that 
current and future Special Investments are capable 
of achieving their ambitious return targets for this 
component of the portfolio. With respect to External 
Managers, those with an equity-centric profile should 
be capable of annualised returns that are substantially 

better than broad markets, whilst providing shareholders 
with positions and style diversification away from the 
indices. In addition, the External Manager allocation 
features a significant exposure to leading practitioners 
in the specialist credit strategies arena, an area of 
true differentiation for Marylebone who see the best 
risk-adjusted return opportunity here for many years. 
Finally, the Direct Investments component of the new 
portfolio features an eclectic mix of positions that have 
been researched and identified by Marylebone’s in-
house team. These provide not only return potential 
in the low-teens over a multi-year period but also 
benefit the portfolio in terms of its overall liquidity. 

The Board was very pleased that the 2022 Annual 
General Meeting could be held in person as it enabled 
a welcome opportunity to meet again and learn directly 
from our shareholders. This year’s AGM will be held at 
Pewterers’ Hall, Oat Lane, London EC2V 7DE at 12.00pm 
on Wednesday 17th January 2024. The Investment 
Manager will present the details of the portfolio, its 
strategy and outlook. My colleagues and I look forward 
to welcoming shareholders to that meeting. Following 
the AGM the Investment Manager’s presentation will 
be available on the Company’s website for those who 
cannot attend.

In the meantime, I thank you for both trusting and 
supporting Majedie Investments.

Christopher D Getley
Chairman

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  05

OverviewGovernanceFinancial StatementsInformation 
Strategic Report

Investment Manager’s Report

Strategy 

Marylebone Partners’ appointment as the investment 
manager of Majedie Investments PLC (“Majedie”) 
marked a significant milestone. We are excited about 
the prospect of pursuing our distinctive approach 
for Majedie’s shareholders, especially when the 
recent transition of the market regime has created 
so many opportunities for discriminating bottom-
up investors. We welcome Majedie’s shareholders 
to our Partnership, by virtue of the membership 
stake granted to the Company in a demonstration 
of our alignment. Given the importance of this 
mandate to our business, it is only right that Majedie’s 
shareholders should participate in our future success. 

What exactly do we mean when we refer to the 
‘liquid endowment’ model we deploy for Majedie? 
The ‘endowment’ element evokes a truly long-term 
investment mentality that is behind the success of the 
elite university endowments (mostly based in the United 
States). These institutions have harnessed differentiated 
– and sometimes alternative – return sources, eschewing 
market timing or tactical trading in favour of active 
fundamental strategies designed to compound wealth at 
an attractive rate, after the potential effects of inflation. 

We aim to replicate this success for Majedie’s 
shareholders by identifying and assessing compelling, 
long-term investment opportunities, few of which 
ever come onto the radars of our industry peers. 
Unlike many university endowments, however, we 
refrain from allocating to deeply illiquid and hard-to-
price asset classes such as private equity, venture 
capital, real estate, or infrastructure. Our proficiency 
lies in more liquid markets, and we do not believe 
it is necessary to lock up capital for extended 
periods to generate attractive total returns. 

Our ambition over the years ahead is to provide 
Majedie’s shareholders with an alternative to generic 
investment offerings or strategies whose historic 
success depended on cheap leverage, abundant 
liquidity, and rising asset prices. Ultimately, a 
shareholder in Majedie is buying into our people 
and our process. We believe that more challenging 
conditions should only highlight the merits of our 
approach as the fortunes of individual enterprises, 
sectors, geographic regions, and asset classes diverge. 

The Company delivered strong returns over the financial 
year, investment performance between February 
2023 (when we assumed investment management 
responsibility) and the financial year-end was effectively 
flat as contributions at the position level offset one 
another. We implemented the transition towards the 
new portfolio in a swift and cost-effective manner, 
with legacy positions exited and holdings in place 
by the end of March. As part of this exercise, we 
have substantially sold down the strategic holding 
in Liontrust PLC and it is now below 0.5%. 

The portfolio 

The portfolio is eclectic and focused. It features high-
conviction investments of differing profiles and with 
varying underlying return drivers. Although of course 
there can be no guarantee of success, we believe that 
Majedie’s most conservative investments can achieve 
target returns over the next few years, while some of its 
more ambitious positions have the potential to deliver 
much stronger outcomes. It was simply not possible to 
achieve portfolio balance, whilst striving for returns of 
this magnitude, in the latter stages of the pre-COVID era. 

The portfolio comprises three primary elements: 

1. 

 Special Investments. We identify co-investments, 
Special Purpose Vehicles, and thematic opportunities, 
through a proprietary ideas network built over 
nearly three decades. To earn a place in the 
Majedie portfolio, a Special Investment must 
originate from a trusted source, and have the 
potential to deliver annualised returns of at 
least 20% over a time horizon of typically 2-3 
years. As an important aside, our investments 
are all marked-to-market at least quarterly. So 
Majedie’s shareholders should be confident that 
the stated Net Asset Value is representative. 

 It will take time for us to build the portfolio’s 
exposure to Special Investments to its initial 
target of 20% (by definition, these opportunities 
are situation specific and the bar for inclusion is 
extremely high). Nevertheless, we had already 
made five allocations by the Company’s financial 
year-end, plus another three on 1st October. 
These include targeted activist co-investments in 
public equities, a thematic investment in the listed 
Uranium sector, a unique factoring strategy and 
two stressed/distressed credit co-investments. 
We have a strong pipeline of new ideas. 

06  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

2.   External Managers. We have selected a total of 

14 funds managed by third-party managers, each 
of whom specialises in a niche sector or geographic 
region that is structurally inefficient and therefore 
offers potential for skill-based returns (‘alpha’). These 
managers work within owner-operated boutiques 
that are largely unknown to/inaccessible by most 
allocators. In keeping with Majedie’s longstanding 
philosophy, nine of the managers we have selected 
pursue equity-centric strategies. Their role is to 
add value through stock-picking in areas as diverse 
as midcap biotechnology, value-style activism, 
Scandinavian equities, software, Greater China, and 
Continental European value stocks. To supplement 
nine managers with an equity-centric profile, we have 
identified five leading managers who seek to deliver 
less-correlated absolute returns, mostly though 
specialist credit strategies. We believe the stressed/ 
distressed credit markets offer extremely attractive 
risk-to-reward characteristics at the present time. 

 At 62% of the total, the portfolio’s initial allocation 
to external managers is higher than one should 
expect over the medium term. The weighting to 
this category should naturally decrease over time, 
as we identify more Special Investments. In turn, 
this should help to reduce look-through costs, 
although our primary concern is always to maximise 
the net returns to shareholders whilst achieving 
portfolio balance. In the meantime, we feel confident 
about the performance potential of this group 
and believe they represent a very attractive and 
differentiated combination of active managers. 

3.   Direct Investments. Our in-house team has 

carefully selected 15 public equities, listed in the 
developed markets, each of which meets our 
stringent criteria regarding growth potential, 
business profitability and quality. Valuation also 
plays an important part of our decision-making 
process; this sub-portfolio of eclectic, factor-diverse 
and catalyst-rich stocks currently trades on quite 
reasonable multiples of earnings and cash flow. 

Its largest weightings are to the Industrials, Consumer, 
Services and Healthcare sectors. By geography, the sub 
portfolio is well spread across companies listed in the 
United States, Europe, and our un-loved home market, 
the U.K. Reflecting much higher valuation differentials, 
there is a mid-cap bias to our portfolio and no exposure 
to the handful of mega-cap technology stocks that 
are so heavily represented in the major indices. 

Strategy Allocation at 30 September 2023

External Managers 62%
Direct Investments 20%
Special Investments 9%
Cash & Cash Equivalents 6%
Gilts (UK Treasuries) 3%

Geographical Profile at 30 September 2023

N. America 35%
Global 25%
UK 14%
Europe 17%
Emerging Markets 9%

The above chart refers to the Global Industry 
Classification Standard (“GICS”) regional classification 
(in the case of direct investments), or area of primary 
geographic focus (in the case of external managers). 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  07

 
 
Strategic Report

Investment Manager’s Report

Largest Five Holdings in each strategy at 30 September 2023

Largest Special Investment Holdings

Position Name

Project Uranium

Project Bungalow

Project Sherpa

Project Challenger

Project Retain

Underlying

Profile

Asset Class

Cameco Corporation

Thematic

Shake Shack Inc.

V.F. Corporation

Co-invest

Co-invest

Public Equity

Public Equity

Public Equity

% of
Total
Assets

1.8%

1.6%

1.6%

Metro Bank Snr Non Pref

Co-invest

Corporate Debt 1.4%

Marblegate Overflow II

Thematic

Factoring

1.1%

Largest External Managers Holdings

Position Name

Strategy

Profile

Region

Silver Point Capital Offshore Fund

Absolute (Specialist Credit)  Distressed/Event

DM Global

Helikon Long Short Equity Fund

Equity-centric

Special Situations

Europe

% of
Total
Assets

6.3%

6.0%

Millstreet Credit Fund

Absolute (Specialist Credit)  High Yield

North America

6.0%

Contrarian Emerging Markets

Absolute (Specialist Credit)  Distressed/Event

Emerging Markets 5.3%

Eicos Fund S.A. SICAV-RAIF

Absolute (Specialist Credit)  High Yield

Europe

4.2%

Largest Direct Investments Holdings

Position Name

KBR Inc

Weir Group PLC

UnitedHealth Group Inc

Strategy

GICS Sector

Geography

% of
Total
Assets

Equity-centric

Equity-centric

Equity-centric

IT Consulting

United States

2.0%

Engineering

Healthcare

United Kingdom 1.8%

United States

1.7%

1.7%

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp Equity-centric

Construction Machinery United States

Sage Group plc

Equity-centric

Technology

United Kingdom 1.5%

As we await entry points in certain investments, we have 
maintained liquidity to take advantage of currently high 
short-term interest rates by purchasing short-dated gilts. 

To follow the progress of the portfolio and our approach, 
we encourage you to visit the refreshed Majedie 
website where we post video clips with examples along 
with a quarterly Portfolio Manager commentary. We 
intend to be very transparent with shareholders. 

08  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

Hence, at an asset class level, we are not especially 
bullish. However, we also believe it is a mistake 
to generalise, especially at a time of widening 
dispersion at an individual-security level. 

Dispersion of Global Sector PE Ratios

SD
10

8

6

4

2

0

2005

2010

2015

2020

There is no shortage of attractive bottom-up situations 
that meet our selection criteria, especially when one 
hunts for them in areas that are off the beaten track. 
Selectivity, and an ability to identify differentiated 
fundamental return sources, will be the key to unlocking 
good investment outcomes over the years ahead. 

Outlook

Markets have largely completed a transition to a new 
regime that will be characterised by higher interest rates, 
variable liquidity, and more geopolitical and cyclical 
volatility. Many of the tailwinds upon which the fortunes 
of conventional investment strategies rode have turned 
into headwinds. Against a backdrop that is likely to be 
more challenging, an investor’s ability to identify – and 
capitalise upon – idiosyncratic, bottom-up situations 
will be critical to success. The portfolio represents a 
distinctive mix of fundamental bottom-up ideas with 
low cross-correlation to one another. This results in a 
proposition that should not only be capable of achieving 
inflation-beating returns over the medium-term but also 
act as a complementary investment for shareholders. 

The global economic outlook is uncertain and is likely 
to remain so. When framing our decisions, we do not 
dismiss the possibility of a recession over the next 
12-24 months. We can identify numerous possible 
threats to the equilibrium of markets, which include a 
sharper-than-expected economic slowdown, geopolitical 
instability, a possible resurgence of inflation (which 
would most likely be caused by rising commodity prices), 
or some other extraneous variable. The ‘equity risk 
premium’ is low by historic standards, i.e. the projected 
earnings yield on equities is very close to the yield 
on long-dated government bonds, which suggests 
that stocks are expensive at an aggregate level. 

Equity Risk Premium

8%

6%

4%

2%

0%

-2%

2 0 0 5

2 0 0 7

2 0 0 9

2 0 1 1

2 0 1 3

2 0 1 5

2 0 1 7

2 0 1 9

2 0 2 1

2 0 2 3

MSCI World Index - Equity Risk Premium  

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  09

 
 
Strategic Report

Investment Manager’s Report

Portfolio as at 30 September 2023

Direct Investments

KBR Inc

Weir Group PLC

UnitedHealth Group Inc

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp

Sage Group plc

Heineken NV

Computacenter plc

Pernod Ricard SA

Alight Inc

Howmet Aerospace Inc

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Breedon Group PLC

Other Direct Investments

External Managers

Silver Point Capital Offshore Fund, Ltd

Helikon Long Short Equity Fund ICAV

Millstreet Credit Offshore Fund, Ltd

Contrarian Emerging Markets Offshore Fund, Ltd

Eicos Fund S.A. SICAV-RAIF

Praesidium Strategic Software Opportunities Offshore Fund, LP

Keel Capital S.A., SICAV-SIF – Longhorn Fund 

Perseverance DXF Value Feeder Fund, Ltd.

KL Event Driven UCITS Fund

CastleKnight Offshore Fund Ltd

Paradigm BioCapital Partners Fund Ltd

Energy Dynamics Fund Ltd

Andurand Climate and Energy Transition Fund

Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd

Other External Managers

10  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Market
Value
(£000)

% of 
Total Assets 
less Current 
Liabilities

3,016

2,615

2,588

2,533

2,210

2,153

2,112

1,969

1,917

1,907

1,846

1,541

3,549

2.0%

1.8%

1.7%

1.7%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.2%

1.0%

2.4%

29,956

20.1%

9,447

8,911

8,896

7,971

6,319

6,229

6,204

6,140

6,067

6,010

5,909

5,447

4,112

2,797

1,152

6.3%

6.0%

6.0%

5.3%

4.2%

4.2%

4.2%

4.1%

4.1%

4.0%

4.0%

3.7%

2.8%

1.9%

0.8%

91,611

61.6%

Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

Special Investments

Project Uranium

Project Bungalow

Project Sherpa

Project Challenger

Project Retain

Project Diameter

Other Special Investments

Fixed Interest

United Kingdom Gilt 0.125 31/01/2024

Other Investments

Total Investments

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Net Current Assets

Market
Value
(£000)

% of 
Total Assets 
less Current 
Liabilities

2,647

2,424

2,297

2,109

1,696

1,651

263

13,087

1.8%

1.6%

1.6%

1.4%

1.1%

1.1%

0.2%

8.8%

4,325

2.9%

700

139,679

5,441

3,674

0.5%

93.9%

3.6%

2.5%

Total Assets less Current Liabilities

148,794

100.0%

Dan Higgins
Marylebone Partners LLP

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  11

 
Responsible Capitalism

This section on responsible capitalism has been 
produced by Marylebone Partners LLP and has been 
included with their permission. 

Our principles

Our purpose is to protect and grow the wealth of 
our clients over the long term. Given a reasonable 
timeframe, we believe a sustainable investment mindset 
is consistent with good performance outcomes. 

We are not prescriptive about the Environmental, 
Social and Governance (“ESG”) policies adopted by a 
company or external manager. However, we expect to 
see well-considered policies that are consistent with 
our principles. 

In our opinion, the best way of driving constructive 
change is through proactive yet pragmatic engagement. 
Our effectiveness is amplified because we manage 
a focused portfolio and enjoy deep, multi-year 
relationships with companies and External Managers. 

Internal appraisal 

By incorporating ESG considerations into our research, 
we seek to identify opportunities and risks that might 
otherwise be overlooked/underestimated.

Our team of analysts form their own opinions on 
sustainability issues, having drawn upon third-party 
data, independent research and views from within our 
extensive network. 

We collaborate with peers, who include allocators in the 
charitable and non-profit sectors. We want to learn from 
views and opinions that might differ from our own. 

Applying sustainability in our day-to-day activities 

Special Investments

ESG in practice
	Ÿ We work with the idea originator in our network to 

understand ESG risks and opportunities

We became a member of the UN PRI in April 2022. We 
support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 
2030 and Net Zero by 2050.

	Ÿ We draw on our External Managers and direct 

investments resources, as appropriate, to challenge 
the originator’s appraisal

Our approach to sustainability

Whereas our guiding principles should not change over 
time, our policies and process will evolve. 

External Managers

ESG in practice
	Ÿ We request and review relevant policies from the 

manager, notably those that relate to sustainability, 
diversity, equity and inclusion, and proxy voting/ 
engagement

	Ÿ Our Operational Due Diligence provider, may also 

raise topics of concern as part of their review

	Ÿ Where relevant, we raise and monitor areas for 

improvement

External engagement

We engage with companies and External Managers, both 
as part of our initial due diligence and once invested. 

We recognise that the operating dynamics of businesses 
will evolve over time. This is particularly the case in 
industries undergoing transition, where constructive 
engagement can drive positive change. 

With respect to Direct Investments, we evaluate a 
company’s people & culture, strategy & operating 
practices and governance & disclosure. 

With respect to External Managers, we assess firm & 
team, investment philosophy & process and portfolio 
outcomes.

12  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Strategic Report

Direct Investments

ESG in practice
	Ÿ We screen for MSCI World ESG index inclusion

	Ÿ We draw on Morningstar’s ESG research, which 

includes insights from ‘Sustainalytics’

	Ÿ We undertake our own analysis of companies’ 

sustainability reports

	Ÿ Where relevant, we raise and monitor areas for 

improvement

	Ÿ We exercise our voting rights, in accordance with our 

fundamental views and principles

Portfolio Level

ESG in practice
	Ÿ We disaggregate portfolio exposure by GICS sector 

through our Tableau reports 

	Ÿ We undertake scenario and factor analysis 

	Ÿ We record initial and ongoing ESG discussions 

in our internal meeting minutes, noting relevant 
action points

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  13

OverviewGovernanceFinancial StatementsInformation 
Strategic Report

Business Review

Introduction and Strategy

Business Model

The Company, as an investment trust, is a closed-end 
public limited company which invests in a diversified 
portfolio of assets meeting certain tax conditions. 
The Company’s investment objective and policy were 
updated following approval by shareholders at a general 
meeting on 25 January 2023. The investment objective 
follows a liquid endowment strategy and aims both 
to deliver long-term capital growth whilst preserving 
shareholders’ capital and paying a regular dividend. 
The performance target is to achieve net annualised 
total returns (in GBP) of at least 4% above the UK CPI 
over rolling five-year periods. Due to the short period 
involved, the Company has not reported against its 
performance target for this financial year. 

Marylebone Partners LLP (“Marylebone” or the 
“Investment Manager”) was appointed as the Company’s 
Alternative Investment Fund Manager (“AIFM”) on 
19 July 2023. The AIFM is subject to the UK Alternative 
Investment Fund Managers Directive (“UK AIFMD”) and 
its responsibilities to the Company in respect of this are 
set out in the Investment Management Agreement.

The Company’s broker is J.P. Morgan Cazenove, and the 
Company is a member of the AIC.

The purpose of the Strategic Report is to inform the 
shareholders of the Company by:

	Ÿ analysing development and performance using 
appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);

	Ÿ providing a fair and balanced review of the Company’s 

business;

	Ÿ outlining the principal and emerging risks and 

uncertainties affecting the Company;

	Ÿ describing how the Company manages these risks;

	Ÿ setting out the Company’s environmental, social and 

governance policy;

	Ÿ outlining the main trends and factors likely to affect the 
future development, performance and position of the 
Company’s business;

	Ÿ explaining the future business plans of the Company; 

and

	Ÿ explaining how the Board has performed its duty to 
promote the success of the Company in accordance 
with Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Board outsources all operational infrastructure 
to third party organisations. In particular, the Board 
appoints and oversees Marylebone as AIFM and 
Investment Manager to manage the investment portfolio. 
The Board sets the Company’s strategy, decides the 
appropriate financial policies to manage the assets and 
liabilities of the Company, ensures compliance with tax, 
legal and regulatory requirements and reports regularly 
to shareholders on the Company’s performance. On 1 
November 2023 Juniper Partners Limited (“Juniper” or 
the “Company Secretary”) was appointed to perform 
the administration and company secretarial functions 
for the Company. On 31 October 2023 the employment 
of the Company’s three employees ended either under 
the terms of a contract of employment or a settlement 
agreement. The full amount of £200,000 for redundancy 
costs has been provided for in the 2023 financial 
statements. 

The Board does not envisage any further changes to this 
model in the foreseeable future.

Investment Objective

The Company’s investment objective is both to deliver 
long-term capital growth whilst preserving shareholders’ 
capital and to pay a regular dividend. The performance 
target is to achieve net annualised total returns (in GBP) of 
at least 4% above the UK CPI over rolling five-year periods.

Investment Policy

An overview of the new liquid endowment investment 
policy, approved by shareholders on 25 January 2023, is 
provided below.

The Company’s strategy to achieve its investment 
objective is to create a balanced portfolio of investments 
that is diversified both across asset classes and by 
geography. Holdings will be focused on the following 
three main segments:

1. 

 Special Investments: opportunities including co-
investments, special-purpose vehicles and thematic 
funds. These eclectic and episodic opportunities 
are generally hard-to-access investments targeting 
potential IRRs of 20% or better. These investments 
may be somewhat illiquid in nature, with an expected 
duration of 24 to 36 months.

2.   External Managers: allocations to pooled vehicles 
managed by third parties. These funds pursue 
fundamental strategies.

14  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Strategic Report

3.   Direct Investments: targeted investments in listed 

securities, predominantly equities.

The Company’s underlying investments are expected 
to be primarily in equities and related instruments 
(which shall include, without limitation, preference 
shares, convertible debt instruments, equity-related 
and equity-linked notes and warrants) issued by 
quoted and unquoted portfolio companies as well 
as in partnerships, limited liability partnerships, 
offshore or unregulated funds and other legal forms 
of entity where the investment has equity-like return 
characteristics. The Company may invest in publicly 
traded companies (including participating in the IPO 
of an existing unquoted company investment), subject 
to the investment restrictions below. The Company is 
not expected to take majority shareholder positions in 
portfolio companies but shall not be restricted from 
doing so.

Though the Company’s underlying investments are 
expected to be primarily in equities, the Company may 
also invest in securities and financial instruments of 
any kind, including, without limitation, sovereign debt 
and related options and/or futures and other fixed 
income instruments issued by sovereign borrowers 
or their agencies, bonds and other fixed-income 
securities, loans, futures, forward contracts, warrants, 
options, swaps, contracts for difference and other 
derivative instruments, currencies, commodities, 
pooled investment vehicles (which may be open-ended 
or closed-ended and established in any jurisdiction), 
moneymarket funds, commercial paper, certificates of 
deposit and other cash equivalents. Debt securities in 
which the Company may invest may be of investment-
grade, sub-investment-grade, or unrated. In addition, the 
Company may pursue any of these strategies through 
privately negotiated investments as well as public market 
transactions. From time to time, the Company may 
acquire assets or securities that are illiquid and the fair 
value of which may not be readily derived from third-
party sources.

The Company may use derivatives and similar 
instruments, whether for the purpose of capturing 
specific opportunities, to create return asymmetry, 
mitigate currency exposure or for capital preservation.

The Company may make investments directly or 
indirectly through special-purpose vehicles, intermediate 
holding vehicles or other fund or similar structures or 
other vehicles where the Investment Manager considers 

that that this would be commercially beneficial or confer 
legal, regulatory or tax advantages, or provide the only 
practicable means of access to the relevant investment.

Investment Restrictions

The Company will invest and manage its assets with the 
objective of spreading investment risk. It shall not be 
restricted in the jurisdictions or sectors in which it may 
invest. However, no more than 10% of the Company’s 
gross assets may be directly or indirectly (through 
derivatives or similar instruments) invested in any one 
investment or issuer, or allocated to a single external 
third-party manager, as at the time of investment.

When fully invested, the Company will aim to allocate its 
assets between the three main investment segments 
within the below strategic ranges:

	Ÿ Special Investments: 10% to 40% of gross assets.

	Ÿ External Managers: 30% to 60% of gross assets.

	Ÿ Direct Investments: 10% to 30% of gross assets.

The Company will not be required to dispose of any 
investment or rebalance its portfolio as a result of a 
change in the respective value of any of its investments.

Not more than 10% of the Company’s gross assets at 
the time an investment is made will be invested in other 
closed-ended investment funds which are listed on the 
Official List.

Borrowing Policy

The Board is empowered to borrow up to 100% of 
adjusted capital and reserves. The Board reviews the 
level of gearing (borrowings less cash) on an ongoing 
basis and sets a range at its discretion, with an upper 
limit set at 30% of the Company’s gross assets, measured 
at time of drawdown. Where the Company invests in 
portfolio companies indirectly (whether through a third- 
party manager, special-purpose vehicles as holding 
entities or otherwise), notwithstanding the previous 
paragraph, indebtedness in such holding entity will not 
be included in the calculation of indebtedness of the 
Company provided that the provider of such debt only 
has recourse to the assets of the holding entity and does 
not have recourse to the other assets of the Company or 
other investments made by the Company.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  15

OverviewGovernanceFinancial StatementsInformation 
Strategic Report

Business Review

Cash and Portfolio Management

The Company may hold cash on deposit and may invest 
in cash equivalent investments, which may include but 
shall not be limited to, short-term investments in money 
market funds, gilts, and tradeable debt securities.

There is no restriction on the amount of cash or cash 
equivalent investments that the Company may hold or 
where it is held. When fully invested, the Company will 
hold an appropriate value of the Company’s gross assets 
in cash or cash equivalent investments for the purposes 
of making follow-on investments and to manage working 
capital requirements of the Company.

The Company may also use derivative instruments 
and may, but shall not be required to, hedge currency 
exposure in its portfolio.

Dividend Policy

The Company’s dividend policy is to pay quarterly 
dividends which are expected to comprise approximately 
0.75% of the relevant quarter end net asset value 
(“NAV”), leading to an aggregate annual dividend target 
of approximately 3%.

Performance Management

The Board uses the following KPIs to help assess 
progress against the Company’s objectives. Further 
comments on these KPIs are contained in the Chairman’s 
Statement and Investment Manager’s Report sections of 
the Strategic Report respectively.

	Ÿ NAV and Total Return:
  The Board believes that the NAV return is fundamental 

to delivering value over the long-term and is a key 
determinant of shareholder return. The Board further 
believes that, in accordance with the Company’s 
objective, the total return basis (which includes 
dividends paid out to shareholders) is the best 
measure of how to assess long-term shareholder 
return. The Board, at each meeting, receives reports 
detailing the Company’s NAV and shareholder total 
return performance, asset allocation and related 
analyses. Details of the NAV and share price total 
return performance for the year are shown in the 
Year’s Summary on page 2.

	Ÿ Investment Performance:
  The Board believes that, after asset allocation, the 
performance of each of the three main segments 
(including Special Investments, External Managers, 

16  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

and Direct Investments), are the key drivers of NAV 
return and hence shareholder return. The Board 
receives, at each meeting, detailed reports showing 
the performance of the investment groups which also 
includes relevant attribution analysis. The Investment 
Manager’s Report provides further detail on each 
investment group’s performance for the year.

	Ÿ Share Price Premium/Discount:
  As a closed-ended listed investment company, the 

share price of the Company can and does differ from 
that of the NAV. This can give rise to either a premium 
or discount and as such is another component of Total 
Shareholder Return. During the year the discount has 
decreased, ending the year at a lower value to that at 
the start of the year (with the NAV with debt at par), 
resulting in the Company’s share price gain being more 
than the gain in the Company’s NAV (with debt at par).

 The Board continually monitors the Company’s 
premium or discount, and does have the ability to buy 
back shares if thought appropriate, although it must 
be noted that this ability is limited by the majority 
shareholding held by members of the Barlow family. 
Additionally, the Board has approval (and is seeking 
to renew such approval at the upcoming AGM) to 
issue new shares, at a premium to the relevant NAV 
(with debt at fair value), in order to meet any demand 
for shares which cannot be satisfied through the 
market. Details of movements in the Company’s share 
price discount over the year are shown in the Year’s 
Summary on page 2.

	Ÿ Expenses:
  The Board is aware of the impact of costs on returns 
and is conscious of seeking to minimise these. The 
current industry-wide measure for investment trusts 
is the OCR, which seeks to quantify the ongoing 
costs of running the Company. This measures the 
annual ongoing running costs of an investment trust, 
excluding performance fees, one-off expenses, finance 
costs and investment dealing costs, as a percentage of 
average equity shareholders’ funds. Any investments 
made into pooled funds are included using the 
Company’s share of estimated ongoing fund running 
costs. The Chairman’s Statement on page 5 provides 
further details on the expenses incurred during the 
year. Details of the OCR for the year are shown in the 
Year’s Summary on page 2.

 
Strategic Report

	Ÿ Dividend Growth:
  Dividends paid to shareholders are an important 

component of Total Shareholder Return. The Board is 
aware of the importance of dividends to shareholders 
but wishes to be prudent. As such, a sustainable and 
progressive long-term dividend policy which pays 
quarterly dividends which are expected to comprise 
approximately 0.75% of the relevant quarter end NAV, 
leading to an aggregate annual dividend target of 
approximately 3% has been adopted.

  The Board receives detailed management accounts 
and forecasts which show the actual and forecast 
financial outcomes for the Company.

Emerging and Principal Risks

The emerging and principal risks and the Company’s policies 
for managing these risks and the policy and practices are 
summarised below and in note 22 to the accounts.

Emerging Risks

	Ÿ Geopolitical Risk:

 There remain heightened uncertainties for global 
economies and financial markets, with rapid changes in 
interest rates, higher levels of inflation, volatility in equity 
markets and continued geopolitical risks impacting on 
energy supply and costs, global trade and economic 
activity. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle 
East have heightened geopolitical risk and is likely to 
continue to have an adverse impact on world markets 
which could lead to a fall in the value of the assets that 
the Company invests in.

Principal Risks

	Ÿ Investment Risk:

 The Company has a range of investments, across three 
main segments: 1. Special Investments: opportunities 
including co-investments, special-purpose vehicles 
and thematic funds. 2. External Managers: allocations 
to pooled vehicles managed by third parties. 3. Direct 
Investments: targeted investments in listed securities, 
predominantly equities. The major risk for the Company 
remains investment risk which is primarily driven by 
market risk. Furthermore, the impact of geopolitical and 
economic events could result in losses to the Company.

 The number of investments held, together with the 
geographic and sector diversity of the portfolio, 
enables the Company to spread its risks with regard 
to liquidity, market volatility, currency movements and 
revenue streams.

	Ÿ Strategy Risk:

 An inappropriate investment strategy could result in 
poor returns for shareholders and the introduction or 
widening of the discount of the share price to the NAV 
per share.

 The Board regularly reviews strategy in relation to a 
range of issues including investment objective and 
policy, the allocation of assets between investment 
groups, the level and effect of gearing and sector, 
currency and geographic exposure.

	Ÿ Business Risk:

 Inappropriate management or controls in the Company 
could result in financial loss, reputational risk and 
regulatory censure.

 The Board receives detailed reports from its service 
providers on financial and non-financial matters.

	Ÿ Compliance Risk:

 Failure to comply with regulations could result in 
the Company losing its listing, or being subjected to 
corporation tax on its capital gains through loss of 
investment trust status.

 The Board receives and reviews regular reports from 
its service providers on the controls in place to prevent 
non-compliance of the Company with rules and 
regulations. The Board also receives regular investment 
portfolio reports and income forecasts as part of its 
monitoring of compliance with section 1158 of the 
Corporation Tax Act 2010.

	Ÿ Operational Risk:

 Inadequate financial controls, failure by an outsourced 
supplier to perform to the required standard, or 
dependency on a small number of individuals could 
result in misappropriation of assets, loss of income and 
mis-reporting of NAVs. The Board and Audit Committee 
regularly review statements on internal controls and 
procedures, receive detailed reports and presentations 
from the Company’s depositary and the Company is 
subject to an annual external audit. Both the Company 
and its service providers implemented business 
continuity plans and service levels have been maintained.

 The Corporate Governance Statement and the Report 
of the Audit Committee in the Company’s Annual 
Report and Accounts provide further information 
in respect of internal control systems and risk 
management procedures.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  17

OverviewGovernanceFinancial StatementsInformation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report

Business Review

How the Board meets its obligations under section 
172 of the Companies Act

Under section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006, 
directors of a company must act in a way that they 
consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote 
the success of the company for the benefit of its 
members as a whole. In doing so they should have 
regard to, inter alia, the likely long-term consequences 
of their decisions, the interests of the company’s 
employees, fostering relationships with suppliers, 
customers and others, the impact of operations on the 
community and environment, maintaining a reputation 
for high standards and lastly to act fairly for the 
shareholders of the company.

The Company is an investment company and its 
key stakeholders comprise its one and only class of 
shareholders (it does not have customers), and also its 
third-party service providers (including its Company 
Secretary, Investment Manager, Custodian, Depositary, 
Stockbroker, Registrar, Auditor and Solicitor – see 
Shareholder Information on page 98). Additionally, the 
Company interacts with the wider community and the 
environment primarily through its holdings in investee 
companies worldwide.

In accordance with its duty to promote the success of 
the Company, the Board utilises the investment objective 
(see page 14), various comprehensive procedures and 
policies, including the Company’s investment policy 
(see pages 14 and 15), and committees with defined 
roles and responsibilities against which third-party 
providers are monitored, challenged and assessed. The 
Board regularly reviews the objective, procedures and 
policies and Committee responsibilities to ensure they 
remain effective.

In performing its duties, the Board receives regular and 
detailed reporting from both the Investment Manager 
and third-party service providers. As an investment 
company, investment performance is fundamentally 
important and, as such, a significant portion of the 
Board’s time is spent in this area. The Company 
has been established for a very long time, with a 
cornerstone shareholder base, and as a closed ended 
listed investment company is a long-term investor in 
global equity markets and the Board is mindful of this in 
undertaking its duties.

The Company, in conducting its operations, utilises its 
third-party service providers as listed previously. The 
Board believes that maintaining effective continuing 

18  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

relationships is important to its duty under s172(1). In 
particular the relationship with the Investment Manager 
is of critical value to the Company and its long-term 
success. The Board receives regular detailed reports 
and presentations from the Investment Manager 
from an investment and business perspective and on 
marketing. The Company’s other service providers 
provide regular reports and advice with the Board 
ensuring two-way communications are in place. All 
major service providers have relevant metrics which 
are used to measure performance. The Board monitors 
operations to ensure that in undertaking its operations 
the Company operates to the standard befitting an LSE 
listed investment company.

The Board is conscious of its community and its direct 
environmental impact and seeks to be aware of these 
when making decisions. The Company invests, indirectly, 
in many investee companies worldwide. The Investment 
Manager has a focus on ESG which is embedded in its 
investment decision making process and it engages 
regularly with investee companies in this area. The 
Investment Manager makes available to the Board an 
extensive amount of information on these activities in 
this area.

Under Listing Rule 15.4.29(R), the Company, as a closed 
ended investment fund, is exempt from complying with 
the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

The Board recognises the need for good communications 
with its shareholders and is committed to listening to their 
views. In addition, the Board consults with them, where 
appropriate, concerning major decisions before they are 
taken.

During the year the following material decisions have 
been made:

	Ÿ The Board, at each meeting, reviewed the Company’s 
asset allocation over the year. A decision was taken 
to undertake a strategic review of the Company’s 
investment policy and operations. Based on the review 
the Board recommended a change to the Company’s 
investment management arrangements. These 
changes were presented to shareholders for approval 
and adoption at a General Meeting on 25 January 
2023. The Board continues to keep the asset allocation 
of the Company under review at each Board meeting;

Strategic Report

	Ÿ Given the changes and uncertainties the Board 

had to carefully consider the future dividend levels 
for the Company after taking into account known 
shareholder views in this area. The Board received 
a detailed revenue forecast and projections to take 
account of the changing outlook for dividend receipts. 
Three interim dividends, each of 1.80p per share, have 
been paid in respect of the year ended 30 September 
2023. Together, the three interim dividends make a 
total distribution of 5.40p per share in respect of the 
financial year (2022: 10.40p per share). As part of the 
transition of the Company’s dividend policy, a special 
dividend of 1.80p was paid in January 2023. This 
dividend accrued in the prior year and is included in 
the 10.40p per share dividend for 2022;

	Ÿ The Board continued to review the Company’s discount 
level and following discussions with its Stockbroker did 
not buy back any shares during the financial year. The 
Company is subject to constraints in this area which 
limit the number of shares which can be bought back. 
The Board is aware of investor and shareholder views 
concerning share liquidity and remains determined to 
raise investor awareness and interest in the Company; 
and

	Ÿ The Board pays close attention to the Company’s 

marketing activity and engages with third parties to 
assist its efforts. During the review of investment 
management arrangements the responsibility for 
the Company’s marketing activities was passed to 
Marylebone Partners LLP.

On behalf of the Board

Christopher D Getley
Chairman

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  19

OverviewGovernanceFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Board of Directors

This page forms part of the Directors’ Report

Christopher D Getley*

A Mark J Little*

Christopher was appointed as a Non-Executive Director 
of Majedie on 1 July 2020 and became Chairman of 
the Board on 19 January 2022. He has over 25 years’ 
experience at senior level in financial services, specifically 
in fund management and investment banking. He 
was a Partner and Fund Manager at Cazenove & 
Co and a Director at Deutsche Asset Management. 
Subsequently, he was CEO of Westhouse Securities, 
an institutional stockbroker. In his current roles of 
Executive Chairman of AgPlus Diagnostics Limited and 
Non-Executive Chairman of Masawara PLC, he utilises his 
comprehensive knowledge of developing, implementing 
and communicating strategy. Christopher is Chairman 
of the Nomination and Management Engagement 
Committees and a member of the Remuneration and 
Audit Committees.

Mark was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of 
Majedie on 23 May 2019. He has an extensive knowledge 
of the investment industry, having previously served 
as the Managing Director of Barclays Wealth Scotland 
and Northern Ireland. Prior to this role he was Global 
Head of Automotive Research at Deutsche Bank having 
previously qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price 
Waterhouse. He is currently a Non-Executive Director 
and Audit Chair of STS Global Income & Growth Trust 
plc, Blackrock Smaller Companies Trust plc and abrdn 
Equity Income Trust PLC. He also acts as a consultant 
to Lindsays LLP and North Capital Wealth Management. 
Mark is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member 
of the Remuneration, Management Engagement and 
Nomination Committees.

Sir J William M Barlow Bt.

Richard W Killingbeck*

William became a Non-Executive Director with effect 
from 1 November 2023. Prior to this he was Chief 
Executive Officer of Majedie from 1 April 2014, before 
which he was a member and Chief Operating Officer at 
Javelin Capital LLP. Prior to Javelin Capital LLP, he was at 
Newedge Group (part of the Societe Generale Group). He 
joined Skandia Asset Management Limited as an equity 
portfolio manager in 1991 and was Managing Director 
of DnB Asset Management (UK) Limited in 2002. William 
was appointed a Non-Executive Director of the Company 
in July 1999 and was made an Executive Director in June 
2011. He is Chairman of Racing Welfare and Chairman of 
Strategic Equity Capital PLC.

Richard was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of 
Majedie on 1 July 2020. He has over 35 years’ experience 
in the financial services sector, initially as a fund manager 
and latterly in a number of senior management roles 
within the wealth management sector. He was previously 
Chief Executive officer of WH Ireland PLC and is currently 
Managing Director of Harris Allday, a division of EFG 
Private Bank. He retired as the non-executive chairman 
of Bankers Investment Trust PLC in 2019 and is currently 
a trustee of the London Stock Exchange Benevolent 
Fund. Richard is a member of the Remuneration, Audit, 
Management Engagement and Nomination Committees.

* Independent Non-Executive.

Jane M Lewis*

Jane was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of 
Majedie on 1 January 2019. She was, until 2013, a 
director of corporate finance and broking at Winterflood 
Investment Trusts. She is Chairman of CT UK Capital 
and Income Investment Trust PLC and Non-Executive 
Director of JPMorgan Global Growth & Income PLC and 
BlackRock World Mining Trust PLC. Jane is Chairman 
of the Remuneration Committee and a member 
of the Management Engagement, Nomination and 
Audit Committees.

20  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their report and the accounts for 
the year ended 30 September 2023.

Introduction

The Directors’ Report includes the Corporate 
Governance Statement, the Report of the Audit 
Committee and the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 
A review of the Company’s business is contained in 
the Strategic Report (which includes the Chairman’s 
Statement) and should be read in conjunction with the 
Directors’ Report.

Principal Activity and Status

The Company is a public limited company and an 
investment company under section 833 of the 
Companies Act 2006. It operates as an investment trust 
and is not a close company. The Company has been a 
member of the AIC since 20 January 2014.

The Company has historic written confirmation from 
HM Revenue & Customs that it meets the eligibility 
conditions and is an approved investment trust for 
taxation purposes under section 1158 of the Corporation 
Tax Act 2010, with effect from 1 October 2012, subject 
to it continuing to meet the eligibility conditions and 
on-going requirements. In the opinion of the Directors, 
the Company continues to direct its affairs so as 
to enable it to continue to qualify as an approved 
investment trust.

Results and Dividend

The net revenue return before taxation arising from 
operations amounted to £878,000 (2022: £2,780,000).

As agreed at the General Meeting on 25 January 2023, 
quarterly dividends will be paid at the end of each 
financial quarter (31 December, 31 March, 30 June and 
30 September) at approximately 0.75% of the Net Asset 
Value (“NAV”).

Three interim dividends, each of 1.80p per share, have 
been paid in respect of the year ended 30 September 
2023. Together, the three interim dividends make a total 
distribution of 5.40p per share in respect of the financial 
year (2022: 10.40p per share which included a special 
dividend of 1.80p per share).

Risk Management and Objectives

The Company, as an investment company, is subject 
to various risks in pursuing its objective. The nature of 
these risks and the controls and policies in place that are 
used to minimise these risks are further detailed in the 
Strategic Report and in note 22 of the Accounts.

Directors

The general powers of the Directors are contained within 
the relevant UK legislation and the Company’s Articles. 
The Directors are entitled to exercise all powers of the 
Company, subject to any limitations imposed by the 
Articles or applicable legislation.

The Directors in office at the date of this report are 
listed on page 20 of the Company’s Annual Report 
and Accounts.

Directors’ retirement by rotation and appointment is 
subject to the minimum requirements of the Company’s 
Articles of Association and the AIC Code of Corporate 
Governance 2019 (the “AIC Code”).

The Company’s Articles of Association require that at 
every AGM any Director who has not retired from office 
at the preceding two AGMs and who was not appointed 
by the Company in a general meeting, at either such 
meeting, shall retire from office and be eligible for 
re-election or election respectively, by the Company.

However, in accordance with the AIC Code, all Directors 
are to be re-elected annually. As such Messrs. JWM 
Barlow, CD Getley, RW Killingbeck, AMJ Little and Ms 
JM Lewis will retire at the forthcoming AGM and, being 
eligible, will offer themselves for re-election.

The Board believes that the performance of the Directors 
continues to be effective, that they demonstrate 
commitment to their roles and that they have a range 
of business, financial and asset management skills and 
experience relevant to the direction and control of 
the Company.

The Board, having considered the Directors’ 
performance within the annual Board performance 
evaluation, hereby recommend that shareholders vote 
in favour of the proposed re-elections.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  21

 
Governance

Directors’ Report

Qualifying Third Party Indemnity Provisions

Under the Company’s Articles, the Directors are 
provided, subject to the provisions of UK legislation 
and at the discretion of the Board, with an indemnity 
in respect of liabilities which they may sustain or incur 
in connection with their appointment. This indemnity 
was in force during the year and remains in force as at 
the date of this report. Apart from this, there are no 
qualifying third-party indemnity provisions or qualifying 
pension scheme indemnity provisions that would 
require disclosure.

Directors’ Interests

Beneficial interests in shares as at:

30 September
2023

30 September
2022

JWM Barlow 

409,224 

409,224

AMJ Little 

JM Lewis 

CD Getley 

RW Killingbeck 

9,879 

8,000 

59,730

20,000 

9,879

8,000

36,830

20,000

Non-beneficial interests in shares as trustees for various 
settlements as at:

30 September
2023

30 September
2022

JWM Barlow 

3,111,110 

3,111,110

Substantial Shareholdings1

At 30 September 2023, the Company is aware of the 
following substantial holdings in shares carrying voting 
rights:

HS Barlow 

JWM Barlow  
(Non-Beneficial)

Number

15,757,619

3,111,110 

Christ Church Oxford

2,282,583

AE Barlow 

MHD Barlow 

Notes:

2,040,415 

1,776,241 

%

29.7

5.8

4.3

3.8

3.4

1.   The substantial voting rights disclosed above include the total 
holdings of shares within certain trusts where there are other 
beneficiaries.

On 17 November 2023, LGT Wealth Management UK LLP 
notified the Company that their shareholding had risen 
to 3.0% of the Company’s total voting rights.

There have been no other changes notified in respect of 
the above holdings, and no new holdings notified, since 
the end of the year.

AGM

The AGM will be held at Pewterers’ Hall, Oat Lane, 
London EC2V 7DE on Wednesday, 17 January 2024 
at 12 noon. The notice convening the AGM can be 
found on pages 90 and 91 and is available on the 
Company’s website.

The Board considers that Resolutions 1 to 16 are in the 
best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a 
whole. The Directors unanimously recommend that you 
vote in favour of the Resolutions as they intend to do in 
respect of their own beneficial holdings.

Issue and Buyback of Shares

The Board continues to be of the view that an increase 
of the Company’s shares in issue provides benefits to 
shareholders including a dilution of the Company’s 
gearing and cost of its debentures, a reduction in the 
Company’s administrative expenses on a per share 
basis and increased liquidity in the Company’s shares. 
The Board sought and received approval, at the AGM 
on 25 January 2023, to allot new shares for cash, and 
without first offering them to existing shareholders 
in proportion to their holdings, up to a maximum of 
5,294,579 shares (being approximately 9.99% of the 
Company’s existing share capital at that time). These two 
existing authorities will expire at the 2024 AGM.

During the year, as the Company’s shares remained at a 
discount, no shares have been allotted (2022: Nil).

The Board continues to be prepared to issue new shares 
in order to meet demand which cannot be satisfied 
through the market, subject to the restriction that any new 
shares will be issued at a premium to the Company’s then 
prevailing NAV per share, with debt at fair value. As such 
shareholder approval is sought at the AGM to renew the 
authority to issue new shares, without first offering them 
to existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings, up 
to a maximum of 5,294,579 shares (being approximately 
9.99% of the Company’s existing share capital at the date 
of this document). The renewed authority will expire at the 
2025 AGM.

22  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

In response to the continued wide share price discount, 
in part, reflecting the continued depressed share 
markets, and in the best interests of shareholders, the 
Company has maintained its intention to buyback for 
cancellation its shares, noting however the restrictions 
that exist for the Company in respect of share buybacks. 
Since 1 October 2022 and up to the date of this report 
the Company has not bought back any shares for 
cancellation (2022: 7,092 shares). At the AGM in 2023 the 
Directors were given power to buy back 7,944,519 shares 
(being 14.99% of the Company’s existing share capital at 
that time) and no shares have been bought back under 
this authority, which will also expire at the 2024 AGM.

In order to provide maximum flexibility, the Directors 
consider it appropriate that the Company be authorised 
to make such purchases and accordingly shareholder 
approval is sought at the AGM to renew the authority 
of the Company to exercise the power contained in its 
Articles to undertake repurchases of its own shares. The 
maximum number of shares which may be purchased shall 
be 7,944,519 shares (or, if less, 14.99% of the Company’s 
issued share capital immediately prior to the passing of 
the resolution). Any shares so purchased will be cancelled 
or held in treasury. The restrictions on such purchases 
(including minimum and maximum prices) are outlined in 
the Notice of Meeting. The authority will be used where 
the Directors consider it to be in the best interests of the 
shareholders and will expire at the 2025 AGM.

Capital Structure

As part of its corporate governance the Board keeps 
under review the capital structure of the Company.

At 30 September 2023, the Company had a nominal 
issued share capital of £5,299,880, comprising 
52,998,795 shares of 10p each, carrying one vote each. 
All of the shares of the Company are listed on the 
London Stock Exchange, which is a regulated market. The 
Company holds no shares in Treasury.

The Company deploys gearing through long-term debt 
being a £20.7m 7.25% debenture stock 2025, of which 
£25m was issued in 2000 with £4.3m being re-purchased 
in 2004.

The limits on the ability to borrow are described in 
the investment policy on pages 14 and 15. The Board 
is responsible for managing the overall gearing of 
the Company.

Details of gearing levels are contained in the Year’s 
Summary on page 2, and in note 22 to the Accounts.

There are: no restrictions on voting rights; no restrictions 
concerning the transfer of securities in the Company; 
no special rights with regard to control attached to 
securities; no agreements between holders of securities 
regarding their transfer known to the Company; and no 
agreements which the Company is party to that might 
change or fall away on a change of control or trigger 
any compensatory payments for Directors, following a 
takeover bid.

Notice Period for General Meetings

The Board believes that it is in the best interests of 
shareholders of the Company to have the ability to 
call meetings on 14 clear days’ notice should a matter 
require urgency. The Board will therefore, as last 
year, propose a resolution at the AGM to approve the 
reduction in the minimum notice period from 21 clear 
days to 14 clear days for all general meetings other than 
annual general meetings. The Directors do not intend to 
use the authority unless immediate action is required.

Employee, Social, Environmental, Ethical and 
Human Rights

The Company, as an investment company, has limited 
direct impact upon the environment. In carrying out 
its activities and relationships with its, suppliers and 
the community, the Company aims to conduct itself 
responsibly, ethically and fairly.

The Company falls outside the scope of the Modern 
Slavery Act 2015 as it does not meet the turnover 
requirements under that act. The Company outsources 
its operations to reputable professional companies, 
including fund management to Marylebone Partners. 
Marylebone Partners complies with all the relevant 
laws and regulations and also takes account of social, 
environmental, ethical and human rights factors, 
where appropriate.

Carbon Reporting

In accordance with the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013, and 
the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability 
Partnership (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 
2018, the Company is required to report on its carbon 
dioxide emissions and quantity of energy consumed. 
In accordance with the regulations, the Company 
has determined that its organisational boundary, to 
which entities the regulations apply, is consistent with 
its accounts.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  23

 
Governance

Directors’ Report

The Company operates in the financial services sector, 
and in common with many organisations employs 
outsourcing such that most of its activities are 
performed by other outside organisations which do not 
give rise to any reportable matters by the Company.

However, the Company, as previously a self-managed 
investment company, did undertake activities at its 
sub-leased premises. In accordance with the provision 
of the centrally provided building services (including 
heating, light, cooling etc) to all lessees in the building by 
the landlord, and by the superior lessee, it is considered 
that the Company does not have emissions responsibility 
in respect of these services, which rather rest with the 
landlord or superior lessee. The Company did however 
until 31 October 2023 have responsibility for various 
other emissions in the usage of electricity by its office 
equipment in the course of undertaking its duties but 
it is not able to determine their amounts as compared 
to those provided by the landlord or superior lessee. 
Therefore, the Board believes that the Company has no 
reportable matters for the year ended 30 September 
2023 (2022: nil).

Donations

The Company made no political or charitable donations 
during the year (2022: nil) to organisations either within 
or outside of the UK.

Diversity

The FCA Listing Rules now include a requirement for 
companies to report against diversity and inclusion 
targets on a comply or explain basis. Outlined below 
is an overview of the targets and the Company’s 
compliance or otherwise at its chosen reference date 
of 30 September 2023, in accordance with Listing 
Rule 9.8.6(R):

	Ÿ 40% of the Board represented by women: the 

Company does not meet this target with its Board 
composition being 20% female. In view of its small size, 
which it considers appropriate, and the infrequency 
with which Board appointments are made, the Board 
is aware that achieving this target is more challenging. 
It will however be mindful of this target when making 
future appointments.

	Ÿ One woman in a senior position: although the 

Company does not meet this target based on those 
roles defined as senior by the FCA, in the absence 
of the Company having executive roles, the Board 
considers the chair roles of its permanent sub-

24  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

committees to be senior roles. As at 30 September 
2023, the role of chair of the Remuneration Committee 
was held by JM Lewis. The roles of Chairman and chair 
of the other permanent sub-committees were held by 
men. As explained on page 28, the Company has not 
appointed a senior independent director.

	Ÿ One individual from a minority ethnic background: 
the Company does not meet this target. In view of 
its small size, which it considers appropriate, and the 
infrequency with which Board appointments are made, 
the Board is aware that achieving this target is more 
challenging. It will however be mindful of this target 
when making future appointments.

Diversity Policy

The Board recognises the benefit of diversity in its 
composition, appreciating that it brings additional 
benefits to the Company and its stakeholders beyond 
specialist skills, knowledge, experience, backgrounds 
and perspectives. The Board notes the FTSE Women 
Leaders Review regarding the proportion of women on 
boards and the Parker Review with respect to ethnic 
representation on boards, amongst other published 
commentaries and will consider diversity in any 
appointment, rather than adopt specific diversity targets. 
The appointment process therefore includes wide 
consideration of diversity, taking into account gender, 
social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal 
strengths and experience.

The Board notes the board diversity targets as set out in 
the Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules, against 
which the Company will begin reporting for the year 
ending 30 September 2024.

It is the Board’s policy that any future Board and 
Committee appointments will be made on the basis 
of merit against the specific criteria for the role being 
offered and there will be no discrimination on the 
grounds of gender, race, ethnic or national origins, 
professional and socio-economic backgrounds, religion, 
sexual orientation, age or disabilities.

The following tables set out the data on the diversity of 
the Directors of the Company as at 30 September 2023 
and in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(10). The data 
has been obtained through direct consultation with 
the Board. 

Governance

Number
of Board 
members

Percentage 
of the 
Board

4

1

80%

20%

Number 
of senior 
positions 
on the 
Board

11

02

N/A

N/A

N/A

Men 

Women

Not specified/
prefer not 
to say

1   The Company only has one of the senior roles specified by the Listing 

Rules, that is the position of Chair of the Board, which is held by 
CD Getley. 

2 

 In the absence of having executive roles, the Company considers that 
the chairs of its permanent sub-committees are all senior positions. 
The role of Remuneration Committee Chair is held by JM Lewis, with 
all other senior roles being held by a male.

Number
of Board 
members

Percentage 
of the 
Board

Number 
of senior 
positions 
on the 
Board

White British or 
other White 

Mixed/Multiple 
ethnic groups

Asian/Asian 
British 

Black/African/
Caribbean/
Black British

Other ethnic 
group, 
including Arab

Not specified/
prefer not 
to say

5

0

0

0

0

100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

1

0

0

0

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

The composition of the Company’s employees as at 
30 September 2023 was 67% male and 33% female. With 
effect from 1 November 2023 the Company no longer 
has employees.

Management Arrangements

The Investment Manager
The Company appointed Marylebone Partners LLP as 
Investment Manager on 25 January 2023 and AIFM on 
19 July 2023. The Board closely monitors investment 
performance and the Investment Manager attends 

each Board meeting to present a detailed update to the 
Board. The Board uses this opportunity to challenge the 
Investment Manager on any aspect of the portfolio’s 
management.

Prior to 25 January 2023 the Company was a self-
managed AIFM and the investment manager was Liontrust 
Asset Management. Further details on the Investment 
Manager’s fee arrangements are included in note 4 
on page 65.

As Investment Manager and AIFM, Marylebone receives 
an annual management fee of 0.9% of the market 
capitalisation of the Company up to £150 million; 0.75% 
of market capitalisation between £150 million and £250 
million; and 0.65% above £250 million. The market 
capitalisation for the calculation of the fee shall be subject 
to a cap of a 5% premium to net asset value. Marylebone 
has agreed to waive one half of the management fee 
payable by the Company for a period of 12 months from 
appointment. The benefits to the Company of this are 
being amortised over the minimum non-cancellable 
period of the contract of two and a half years.

Continued Appointment of the Investment Manager
The Board, through the work of the Management 
Engagement Committee, conducts an annual 
performance appraisal of the Investment Manager against 
a number of criteria, including operational performance, 
investment performance, investment management fees 
and other contractual considerations. Following the 
review by the Management Engagement Committee 
outlined on page 30, the Board considers the continuing 
appointment of the Investment Manager to be in the best 
interests of the shareholders at this time.

Company Secretarial, Accounting and Administration
Juniper Partners was appointed on 1 November 
2023 to provide company secretarial, accounting and 
administration services to the Company.

Link Company Matters Limited performed Company 
secretarial services for the Company until 31 October 2023.

Depositary and Custodian
On 17 July 2023 J.P. Morgan Europe Limited was 
appointed as the Company’s depositary and J.P. Morgan 
Chase Bank N.A. as the Company’s custodian. The 
depositary’s responsibilities include cash monitoring, 
safe keeping of the Company’s financial instruments and 
monitoring the Company’s compliance with investment 
limits and leverage requirements. The depositary has 
delegated the safe keeping function to the custodian.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  25

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Directors’ Report

Prior to 17 July 2023 The Bank of New York Mellon 
(International) Limited, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5AL 
was the Depositary, the safekeeping of the assets of the 
Company was delegated to The Bank of New York Mellon 
SA/NV and The Bank of New York Mellon.

Listing Rule Disclosure

The Company confirms that there are no items which 
require disclosure under Listing Rule 9.8.4R in respect 
of the year ended 30 September 2023.

Disclosure of Information to Auditors

As far as each of the Directors are aware:

	Ÿ there is no relevant audit information of which the 

Company’s Auditors are unaware; and

	Ÿ they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken 
as Directors in order to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s Auditors are aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted 
in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Auditors

Ernst & Young LLP were re-appointed as Auditors on 
25 January 2023. Ernst & Young LLP have indicated their 
willingness to continue in office and a resolution will be 
proposed at the AGM to re-appoint them as Auditors.

Viability

The Board has assessed the prospects of the Company 
over the five year period to September 2028. The Board 
believes that five years is appropriate given the long-term 
nature of the Company’s objective and the risks arising 
from investing in equity markets.

In undertaking their assessment of the viability of the 
Company, the Board has first considered the Company’s 
prospects utilising the following factors:

	Ÿ the Company’s business model and investment 

strategy;

	Ÿ how the Company is positioned against each of 
the Company’s emerging and principal risks and 
uncertainties;

	Ÿ the nature and liquidity of the Company’s investments;

26  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

	Ÿ global equity market conditions with particular 
reference to increasing international tensions;

	Ÿ the level of its long-term liabilities.

The assessment process provided the following matters 
which are considered relevant, being:

	Ÿ the Board carried out a robust assessment of the 

principal and emerging risks and uncertainties (see 
page 17) that are facing the Company over the review 
period. The current investment climate is uncertain. 
In particular, the longer-term impacts of the COVID-19 
pandemic and heightened international tensions are 
unknown. Also, other political impacts are additional 
factors. However, the Company, as a closed ended 
investment company with a long-term focus and 
objective is well positioned to ride out any short- term 
volatility. Investment risk and volatility are high but 
are well below stress testing levels (the Investment 
Manager’s Report on page 9 provides more details on 
the investment outlook).

	Ÿ the £20.7m of borrowings, being leverage of 1.09 times 
(Gross method) and 1.13 times (Commitment method), 
are considered acceptable and are well below the 
1.5 times limit. The Board keeps gearing levels under 
review and can increase cash levels as required; and

	Ÿ the investment portfolio comprises 92.7% of total 
assets at 30 September 2023. The Board receives 
many detailed reports on positioning and approach 
from the Investment Manager and geographic and 
sector positioning is kept under constant review (the 
Investment Manager’s Report on pages 10 and 11 
provides further details on the investment portfolio).

Based on this analysis, the Board has concluded that 
there is a reasonable expectation that the Company will 
be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities 
as they fall due over the five year period to September 
2028.

Going Concern

In assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, the Board considered the nature of its 
investment portfolio, its investment objective and policy 
(see pages 14 and 15), its risk management systems, its 
financial income and expenditure projections, and its 
financial and operational structure.

Governance

The Directors performed an assessment of the 
Company’s ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due. 
In performing this assessment, the Directors took into 
consideration:

	Ÿ cash and cash equivalents balances and, from a 

liquidity perspective, the portfolio of readily realisable 
securities which can be used to meet short-term 
funding commitments;

	Ÿ the ability of the Company to meet all of its liabilities 

and ongoing expenses from its assets;

	Ÿ revenue and operating cost forecasts for the 

forthcoming year;

	Ÿ the ability of third-party service providers to continue 

to provide services; and

	Ÿ potential downside scenarios including stress testing 
the Company’s portfolio for a 25% fall in the value of 
the investment portfolio and a 50% fall in dividend 
income, the impact of which would leave the Company 
with a positive cash position. 

Based on this assessment, the Directors are confident 
that the Company will have sufficient funds to continue to 
meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months 
from the date of approval of the financial statements, 
and therefore have prepared the financial statements on 
a going concern basis.

By Order of the Board

Juniper Partners Limited
Company Secretary 

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  27

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Corporate Governance Statement

The Corporate Governance Statement forms part of the Directors’ Report.

This section of the Annual Report describes how the 
Company, as a member of the AIC, has applied the 
principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code as 
published by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC)  
in July 2018, as required by the FCA. A copy of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code can be found at  
www.frc.org.uk. The Board has considered the principles 
and recommendations of the AIC Code of Corporate 
Governance, as published in February 2019, (the ‘AIC 
Code’). The AIC Code, addresses all the principles set 
out in the UK Corporate Governance Code, as well as 
setting out additional principles and recommendations 
on issues that are of specific relevance to the Company. 
A copy of the AIC Code can be found at www.theaic.co.uk.

The Board considers that reporting against the 
principles and recommendations of the AIC Code (which 
incorporates the UK Corporate Governance Code), will 
provide shareholders with full details of the Company’s 
corporate governance compliance. The Company has 
complied with the recommendations of the AIC Code 
throughout the year ended 30 September 2023 except 
as set out below:

Provision 6.2.14: Senior Independent Director – The 
Directors have determined that the size of the Board 
and the Barlow family holding do not warrant the 
appointment of a senior independent director.

The description of the main features of the Company’s 
internal control and risk management system in relation 
to the FRC’s guidance can be found on page 31 in the 
Report of the Audit Committee.

The Company

In complying with the more detailed aspects of best 
corporate governance practice, the Board takes into 
account that the Company is a listed investment 
company and the Barlow family, as a whole, owns 
approximately 54% of the shares in issue.

Although the family shareholding in total is significant, 
there are a number of individual family members and 
trusts represented by many separate shareholdings.

The principal objective of the Board continues to be to 
maximise total shareholder return for all shareholders.

Board of Directors

The Board is responsible for the overall stewardship of 
the Company, including its purpose, strategy, operations 
and governance. In undertaking this responsibility the 
Board has set an investment objective and policy, both 
approved by shareholders and established governance 
arrangements, risk management and operating 
systems, policies and procedures. In setting and seeking 
alignment across these components the Board has 
considered the Company’s culture, including its long 
history and background and seeks to embed expected 
values, such as fairness, integrity and professionalism 
across the Company.

The Chairman is responsible for leadership of the Board 
and ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its roles, 
and that all Directors receive accurate, timely and clear 
information. In line with the requirements of the AIC 
Code, the responsibilities of the Chairman have been 
agreed by the Board and are available to view on the 
Company’s website.

The Board’s composition satisfies the requirements of 
the AIC Code as it comprises an independent Chairman 
and three other independent Non-Executive Directors. 
JWM Barlow is not considered independent given his 
tenure on the Board and his previous employment as 
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. JWM Barlow was 
employed by Marylebone Partners LLP from 1 November 
2023 primarily to assist in marketing. Biographical details 
of the Directors are shown on page 20.

All Non-Executive Directors, with the exception of JWM 
Barlow, are considered to be independent as defined 
by the AIC Code as, in the opinion of the Board, each is 
independent in character and judgment and there are no 
relationships or circumstances relating to the Company 
that are likely to affect their judgment.

The Board meets at least five times in each calendar year 
and its principal focus is the strategic development of 
the Company, investment policy and the oversight of the 
Investment Manager. Key matters relating to these areas, 
including the monitoring of financial performance, any 
changes to the asset allocation, cash or gearing limits, 
and the buying back of shares or the repayment of long 
term borrowings are reserved for the Board and set out 
in a formal statement.

28  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Governance

During the year ended 30 September 2023, the Company 
held 6 Board meetings, 4 Audit Committee meetings, 
1 Management Engagement Committee meeting, 
1 Nomination Committee meeting, 1 Remuneration 
Committee meeting and a number of ad hoc meetings. 
Attendance at these Board and Committee meetings is 
detailed below.

Number of Meetings

t
n
e
m
e
g
a
n
a
M

t
n
e
m
e
g
a
g
n
E

1

n
o

i
t
a
r
e
n
u
m
e
R

1

t
i
d
u
A

4

n
o

i

i
t
a
n
m
o
N

1

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

4

4

4

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

d
r
a
o
B

6

6

6

6

6

Directors

CD Getley 

JWM Barlow

JM Lewis

AMJ Little

RW Killingbeck

During the year, the Directors undertook a 
comprehensive performance evaluation and also 
considered the output from the previous year’s 
evaluation. The process was led by the Chairman 
and was designed to assess the strengths, areas of 
improvement and independence of the Board together 
with the performance of its committees, the Chairman 
and individual Directors.

The evaluation questionnaire also covered a range of 
areas including strategy, processes and effectiveness, 
size and composition, and corporate governance and 
was intended to analyse the focus of meetings and 
assess whether they are appropriate, or if any additional 
information may be required to facilitate future Board 
discussions. The evaluation of the Chairman was 
carried out by the other Directors of the Company. The 
results of the Board evaluation process were reviewed 
and discussed by the Board and several areas of 
improvement were identified for the Company to focus 
on in the coming year.

The Board, concluded that the Board and its Committees 
continue to function effectively and that the Chairman’s and 
Directors’ other commitments are such that all Directors 
are capable of devoting sufficient time to the Company.

The Board has agreed and established a procedure 
for Directors in furtherance of their duties to take 
independent professional advice if necessary, at the 
Company’s expense.

The Board recognises the need for new Directors to 
receive an appropriate induction. Existing Directors 
receive regular updates on regulatory and governance 
matters, and development and training needs were 
discussed as part of the Board evaluation process.

	Ÿ The Audit Committee comprises:
  AMJ Little (Chairman), and all of the Independent Non-
Executive Directors. The Chairman of the Board is a 
member of the Committee to enable him to be kept 
fully informed of any issues which may arise.

  The Board has agreed the terms of reference for the 

Audit Committee, which meets at least three times a year.

  Further details on the work of the Audit Committee 

are detailed in the Report of the Audit Committee on 
pages 32 to 35.

	Ÿ The Nomination Committee comprises:
  CD Getley (Chairman) and all of the Independent Non-
Executive Directors. The approach of the Committee 
is to consider appointments to the Board of Directors 
in the context of the requirements of the business, 
its need to have a balanced and effective Board and 
succession planning. As part of this, gender and ethnic 
diversity are carefully considered by the Committee 
and are fully taken into account when evaluating the 
skills, knowledge and experience desirable to fill each 
vacancy and all appointments to the Board are made 
on merit. The Committee has not set any measurable 
objectives in respect of diversity.

  The Company’s Articles of Association require a 

Director appointed during the year to retire and seek 
election by shareholders at the next AGM and all 
Directors must seek re-election at least every three 
years. However, as noted previously, in accordance 
with the AIC Code all Directors will be re-elected 
annually. The Articles can be only amended by 
shareholders at a General Meeting.

  The rules relating to the appointment and removal of 
Directors are set out in the Companies Act 2006 and 
the Company’s Articles of Association.

  Non-Executive Directors are appointed for a term of 
three years, subject to earlier termination, including 
provision for early termination by either party on 
one month’s notice. The terms and conditions for all 
Non-Executive Director appointments are set out 
in letters of appointment (they do not have service 
contracts), which are available for inspection at the 
Company’s registered office and will be available 15 
minutes before the start of and during the Company’s 
AGM. The letters of appointment set out the time 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  29

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
 
 
 
Governance

Corporate Governance Statement

commitment expected of Non-Executive Directors 
who, on appointment, undertake that they will have 
sufficient time to meet their requirements.

  The Board’s policy on tenure for the Non-Executive 

Directors is that it is expected that individual directors 
should be able to serve for up to nine years before 
retiring. However, this limit is flexible in order to 
facilitate effective succession planning.

  The Nomination Committee met on 18 October 

2023 to consider the results of the Board evaluation 
process, diversity and inclusion and the re-election of 
Directors at the Company’s AGM.

  Based on the outcome of the Board performance 
evaluation process and on the basis that they 
continued to make valuable contributions, exercise 
judgement and express opinions in an independent 
manner, the Committee has decided to recommend 
the re-election and election of all Directors 
as appropriate.

  The Committee considers that the current Directors 
provide the necessary breadth of skills, experience, 
length of service and knowledge of the business to 
effectively manage the Company.

	Ÿ The Remuneration Committee comprises:

JM Lewis (Chairman) and all of the Independent Non-
Executive Directors. Further details on the work of the 
Remuneration Committee are included in the Report 
on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 36 to 41.

	Ÿ The Management Engagement Committee (“MEC”) 

comprises:

  CD Getley (Chairman) and all of the Independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The Board has agreed 
terms of reference for the Committee, which meets 
at least once a year to consider the performance of 
the Investment Manager, the terms of the Investment 
Manager’s engagement and to consider the continued 
appointment of the Investment Manager. 

In addition to the Investment Manager, the Board has 
delegated to external third parties the Depositary, 
including custodial services, company secretarial services 
and share administration and registration services.

  The MEC annually reviews these service providers’ 

performance and their contracts.

The terms of reference of the Company’s Committees 
are available on request from the Company Secretary or 
from the Company’s website.

Conflicts of Interest

The Directors have declared any conflicts or potential 
conflict of interest to the Board which has the authority 
to approve such situations. The Company Secretary 
maintains the Register of Directors’ Conflicts of Interests 
which is reviewed quarterly by the Board and when 
changes are notified. The Directors advise the Company 
Secretary and Board as soon as they become aware of 
any conflicts of interest. Directors who have conflicts of 
interest do not take part in discussions which relate to 
any of their conflicts.

It is the responsibility of each individual Director to avoid 
an unauthorised conflict situation arising. Directors 
must request authorisation from the Board as soon as 
they become aware of the possibility of a situational 
conflict arising.

The Board is responsible for considering Directors’ 
requests for authorisation of situational conflicts and 
for deciding whether or not the situational conflict 
should be authorised. The factors to be considered will 
include whether the situational conflict could prevent the 
Director from properly performing his duties, whether 
it has, or could have, any impact on the Company and 
whether it could be regarded as likely to affect the 
judgement and/or actions of the Director in question. 
When the Board is deciding whether to authorise a 
conflict or potential conflict, only Directors who have 
no interest in the matter being considered are able to 
participate in the relevant decision, and in taking the 
decision the Directors must act in a way they consider, in 
good faith, will be most likely to promote the Company’s 
success. The Directors are able to impose limits or 
conditions when giving authorisation if they think this is 
appropriate in the circumstances.

The Directors must also comply with the statutory rules 
requiring company directors to declare any interest in 
an actual or proposed transaction or arrangement with 
the Company.

Relations with Shareholders

The Investment Manager undertakes regular visits 
and presentations to shareholders and potential 
investors around the UK, discussing, inter alia, Company 
performance and strategy. Kepler Partners and doceo 
are engaged to provide support in this area and they 
provide detailed analysis reports to the Board.

30  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
 
Governance

Additionally, members of the Board hold meetings with 
the Company’s principal shareholders and prospective 
investors to develop an understanding of the views of 
shareholders and to discuss the Company’s strategy and 
financial and investment performance.

Any issues raised by shareholders are reported to the full 
Board. Shareholders are encouraged to attend the AGM 
and to participate in proceedings. Shareholders wishing 
to contact the Directors to raise specific issues can do so 
directly at the AGM or by writing to the Company Secretary.

A review of the internal control and risk management 
systems of the key service providers is undertaken by 
the Board or the Audit Committee in the context of the 
Company’s overall investment objective.

The review covers business strategy, investment 
management, operational, compliance and financial 
risks facing the Company. In arriving at its judgement of 
the nature of the risks facing the Company, the Board 
or the Audit Committee has considered the Company’s 
operations in the light of the following factors:

In the Annual Report each year the Directors seek to 
provide shareholders with information in sufficient detail to 
allow them to obtain a reasonable understanding of recent 
developments affecting the business and the prospects 
for the Company in the year ahead. The various sections of 
the Strategic Report provide further information.

Voting policy

The exercise of voting rights attached to the 
Company’s investment portfolio has been delegated 
to the Investment Manager in the absence of explicit 
instructions from the Board. The Investment Manager 
provides a quarterly report detailing the voting activity 
on the Company’s investment portfolio which includes 
details of the votes made as well as the reasons 
explaining the rationale for the voting decision.

	Ÿ the nature and extent of risks which it regards as 
acceptable to bear within the overall objective;

	Ÿ the likelihood of such risks becoming a reality; and

	Ÿ the Investment Manager’s ability to reduce the 

incidence and impact of risk on performance and the 
relevant controls.

Further details relating to risk management, risk 
assessments and internal controls are contained in the 
Report of the Audit Committee on pages 34 and 35.

In accordance with the AIC and the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Board has carried out a review 
of the effectiveness of the system of internal controls 
as it has operated over the year and up to the date of 
approval of the report and accounts.

Internal Control Review

By Order of the Board

The Board acknowledges that it is responsible for the risk 
management and internal control relating to the Company 
and for reviewing the effectiveness of those systems. 
An ongoing process is in existence to identify, evaluate, 
manage and monitor risks faced by the Company.

The risk management process and systems of internal 
control are designed to manage rather than eliminate 
the risk of failure to achieve the Company’s objectives. It 
should be recognised that such systems can only provide 
reasonable, not absolute, assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

Juniper Partners Limited
Company Secretary 

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  31

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Report of the Audit Committee

The Report of the Audit Committee forms part of the Corporate Governance Statement

The Audit Committee comprises all independent 
Directors of the Company, including CD Getley, the 
Company Chairman. In accordance with the AIC Code, 
this is considered appropriate given his background with 
the Company and his financial experience. Additionally, 
it is considered that the Audit Committee Chairman, AMJ 
Little, who is a Chartered Accountant, has appropriate 
recent financial experience to continue in the role. 
The Board recognises the requirement for the Audit 
Committee as a whole to have competence relevant to 
the sector in which the Company operates. The Directors 
have a combination of financial, investment and business 
experience, specifically with respect to the investment 
trust sector.

The Committee usually meets three times a year in which 
it reviews the Half-Yearly Financial Report and Annual 
Report, and agrees the auditor’s terms of engagement.

The Company Secretary, Juniper Partners, acts as 
Secretary to the Committee and its terms of reference 
are available on request or may be obtained from the 
Company’s website.

Responsibilities

The Committee’s responsibilities include:

	Ÿ monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of 
the Company (including that they are considered, as a 
whole, to be fair, balanced and understandable);

	Ÿ reviewing the Company’s internal financial controls and 

risk management systems;

	Ÿ making recommendations to the Board, for it to put 
to the shareholders for their approval at a general 
meeting, in relation to the appointment of the external 
auditor, monitoring the external auditor’s effectiveness 
and independence and monitoring a policy on the 
engagement of the external auditor to supply non-
audit services.

In respect of the year under review the Committee 
met four times, in December 2022 and in March, May 
and July 2023. Since the year end it has also met in 
November 2023. The purpose of the meetings was 
to review the Company’s Half-Yearly Financial Report 
and Annual Report respectively, to review the internal 
control environments of outsourced service providers 
and to oversee the relationship with the Auditor which 
includes recommendations on fees, approval of their 
terms of engagement and assessing their independence 
and effectiveness.

Significant issues related to the Financial Statements

In respect of the year ended 30 September 2023, and 
following a robust assessment of the risks facing the 
Company, the Committee considered the following issues 
to be significant to the financial statements:

Valuation of Investments

The Company is an investment company which invests 
in many companies and funds around the world, the 
majority of which are quoted and traded on a recognised 
stock exchange.

However, a very small number of the Company’s 
investments are not quoted or traded on a recognised 
stock exchange and for which price discovery requires 
careful analysis and judgement.

Investments in quoted companies are valued using 
exchange prices provided by a third-party pricing source 
as at the measurement date. These prices are reviewed 
against other third-party sources and additionally those 
that exceed a pre-determined movement threshold, 
or do not change, are subject to further verification. 
Investments made in funds are priced using prices 
calculated by the relevant fund administrator.

For unquoted legacy investments, the Investment 
Manager provides detailed valuation papers and 
analyses and recommends a fair value for the relevant 
investment to the Committee, using the Company’s 
policy as set out in note 1 to the Accounts on page 56. 
The unquoted legacy investment papers are reviewed 
by the Committee, who challenge assumptions, 
methodologies and inputs used.

32  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Governance

Ownership of Investments

The Company’s investments are held in safe custody 
by J.P. Morgan Europe as Depositary. J.P. Morgan 
Chase Bank acts as global custodian and may delegate 
safekeeping of the assets of the Company to one or more 
global sub-custodians (such delegation may include the 
powers of sub-delegation).

J.P. Morgan Europe has delegated safekeeping of the 
assets of the Company to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. 
The Committee receives regular reports on J.P. Morgan 
Chase Bank’s internal controls.

Prior to 17 July 2023 these functions were performed by 
the Bank of New York Mellon (International) Limited.

The Chairman of the Committee will be available at the AGM 
to answer any questions relating to the Annual Report.

External Audit

The Company’s external auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, was 
initially appointed on 18 January 2008. In accordance 
with the EU Audit Directive and Regulation, the Company 
completed a competitive tender process in 2017, which 
resulted in Ernst & Young LLP being re-appointed as 
auditor. Legislation allows for a further period of up to 
ten years at which time a mandatory rotation is required.

Additionally, Auditing Practices Board requirements require 
that the engagement partner serve for up to 5 years. Ashley 
Coups has been engagement partner since 2019.

Income Recognition

The Company’s principal income is dividend receipts from 
its investment holdings. As such inaccurate recognition of 
income, or incomplete controls in this area, could result in the 
Company misstating such receipts.

The Committee receives regular detailed management 
accounts during the year and also reviews and approves 
the Company’s forecast for the year and dividend income 
is subject to extensive substantive testing by the auditor.

The notice of the Annual General Meeting on page 90 
includes a resolution, to be approved by shareholders, 
that Ernst & Young LLP be re-appointed as Auditor.

The Company engages Ernst & Young LLP to undertake 
the annual year end audit. It is not considered necessary 
to have a review of the Half Yearly Financial Report. 
Ernst & Young LLP attended the annual accounts Audit 
Committee meeting in December, and an audit planning 
meeting in July.

In determining the effectiveness of the external audit, the Committee takes account of the following factors:

Factor

The Audit Partner

The Audit Team

The Audit approach

The role of the Company Secretary

Assessment

Extent to which the partner demonstrates a strong understanding of 
the business and industry and the challenges that the Company faces. 
Additionally, they are committed to audit quality.

Extent to which the audit team understand the business and industry, are 
properly resourced and experienced.

The Audit approach is discussed with management and targets the 
significant issues early (and any new requirements as a result of new 
regulations etc), is communicated properly, is appropriate for the 
Company’s business and industry and includes an appropriate level 
of materiality.

Information provided by the Company Secretary is timely and correct 
with proper work papers. Accounting systems and internal controls work 
properly to enable proper information and an audit trail to be provided.

The communications and formal 
reporting by the Auditor

The Company Secretary and the Committee kept appropriately informed as 
the audit progresses – a no surprises basis is adopted. The formal report is 
appropriate and contains all the relevant material matters.

The support, insights and added  
value provided to the Committee

Guidance given to the Committee for best practice with provision of 
updates and/or briefings between Committee meetings.

The independence and objectivity  
of the Auditor

Complies with the FRC ethical standards and has the required degree 
of objectivity.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  33

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Report of the Audit Committee

In assessing the effectiveness of the audit, the 
Committee receives assessments and reports from the 
Company Secretary and Auditor and additionally does, 
from time to time, receive assessments on the Auditor 
from the FRC.

As a result of its review, the Committee is satisfied that, 
in respect of the year ended 30 September 2023, the 
external audit process is effective and it recommends 
the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Auditors at the 
forthcoming AGM.

Fees related to external audit services are disclosed in 
note 5 to the Accounts.

Policy for non-audit services

The Company has a policy in place in respect of non-
audit services which meets the requirements of the 
Revised Ethical Standard 2019, as issued by the Financial 
Reporting Council. The policy prohibits the external 
auditor from providing certain services, e.g. tax, and 
places a cap on the value of these fees, as compared to 
the external auditor’s statutory audit fees. It also allows 
for the external auditor to provide non-audit services 
provided they fall within the list of permitted non-audit 
services e.g. covenant reporting, as detailed in the 
Revised Ethical Standard 2019. As was the case last year, 
during the year the only non-audit service provided by 
the Auditor was a review of the Company’s debenture 
covenant reporting, to the trustee for the debenture 
holders, which is separately disclosed as Other Audit 
Related Services in the Accounts (see note 5 to the 
Accounts). Any areas of concern are raised with the 
Board of the Company.

In determining auditor independence, the Committee 
assesses all relationships with the auditor and receives 
from the auditor information on its independence policy 
along with safeguards and procedures it has developed 
to counter perceived threats to its objectivity. The 
auditor also provides confirmation that it is independent 
within the meaning of all regulatory and professional 
requirements and that the objectivity of the audit is 
not impaired. Following its review, the Committee is 
satisfied that they are independent having fulfilled their 
obligations to both the Company and its shareholders.

Risk Management and Internal Control

The Company operates risk management and internal 
control systems appropriate for entities operating in the 
financial services sector and in-line with the size and the 
scope of its activities. In reviewing these systems, the 
Committee, and/or the Board, receive regular reports, 
which include those from the Company’s Depositary. 
The Committee also receives control reports from its 
key third party outsourced service providers on the 
effectiveness of their own internal control systems 
and procedures. Any particular issues identified are 
documented and followed up by the Committee or the 
Board in subsequent meetings.

The Company does not have an internal audit function. 
The Committee has considered this matter and is of the 
opinion that there is no need at the present time for the 
Company to have an internal audit function since there 
are considered to be adequate checks and balances in 
operation. In particular, the Company operates with fund 
management services being undertaken by Marylebone 
Partners, company secretarial functions by Juniper 
Partners and depositary services by J.P. Morgan Europe 
(with custody being delegated to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank).

For the year ended 30 September 2023 the Company’s 
risk management and internal controls were subject 
to review by the Committee, which included internal 
controls in place to support the Company’s fund 
administration activities. The Committee remained 
satisfied that the Company’s risk management and 
internal controls functioned as planned. The Committee 
noted that the Company’s business continuity plan 
continued to work as intended and operations and 
service levels were maintained. The Committee also 
noted that the major service provider operations and 
service levels were maintained.

Lastly, the Committee noted the audit approach 
undertaken by the auditor in the course of the year end 
audit. These, together with the Committee’s own review, 
meant that the Committee considers that the Company’s 
risk management and internal controls have been, and 
are, adequate and effective.

34  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Governance

Risk Assessment

The Audit Committee considered the requirements of 
the AIC Code which require a robust assessment of 
the emerging and principal risks facing the Company, 
including those that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity. The principal 
and emerging risks facing the Company and how they 
are being managed are detailed on page 17 in the 
Business Review section of the Strategic Report. The 
Committee reviews these risks and mitigating controls in 
its meetings in May and December. The Board, at each 
meeting, receives reports on operational matters and 
reviews a Key Risks Summary which outlines the key and 
emerging risks, and changes thereto.

Compliance, Whistleblowing and Fraud

The Company uses outsourced service providers for 
certain arrangements as part of its operations. The 
Committee and the Board receive reports regarding the 
internal control environment and compliance function 
of the Investment Manager and other major service 
providers, including procedures for whistleblowing and 
for detecting fraud and bribery.

The Committee also seeks assurances from service 
providers that their appropriate whistleblowing 
procedures enable their staff to raise concerns about 
possible improprieties in a confidential manner.

The Company has in place a compliance manual, 
tailored to its size and the nature of its business, which 
has procedures and policies in place to provide for 
whistleblowing and fraud detection.

On behalf of the Board

A Mark J Little
Chairman of the Audit Committee 

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  35

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Report on Directors’ Remuneration

No discretion was exercised during the year in relation 
to Directors’ remuneration. Save as set out above there 
are no changes to the way in which the Board intends to 
implement the Company’s remuneration policy.

During the year, the Remuneration Committee received 
material advice from the Company Secretary on changes 
to law, regulations and practice as part of their normal 
services to the Company.

Jane M Lewis
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

15 December 2023

Annual Statement

The Remuneration Committee comprises all 
independent Directors of the Company. The Company 
Secretary, Juniper Partners, acts as Secretary to the 
Remuneration Committee, and the Committee’s terms of 
reference are available on request or may be obtained 
from the Company’s website.

At its meeting in October 2023, the Remuneration 
Committee decided that, in implementing the Company’s 
remuneration policy:

	Ÿ Non-Executive Directors’ fees had not been increased 

since 2017.

	Ÿ With effect from 1 October 2023 Directors’ fees were 
set at £58,000 per annum for the Chairman, £40,000 
per annum for the Audit Chairman and £33,000 per 
annum for each of the other Non-Executive Directors. 
JWM Barlow’s position changed from an Executive 
Director to Non-Executive Director with effect from 
1 November 2023.

	Ÿ The £3,500 per annum supplement for the Chairman 
of each of the Audit and Remuneration Committees 
has been removed.

	Ÿ Settlement agreements with the two members of staff 

were ratified.

	Ÿ A resolution will be proposed at the Company’s Annual 

General Meeting to increase the annual aggregate 
Directors’ fees from £250,000 to £350,000.

In reaching their decisions the Remuneration Committee 
considered the remuneration rates of comparable 
investment entities and the prevailing rate of inflation. 
No external consultants were used.

36  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Governance

Consideration of Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Expenses

The Company’s Policy on Directors’ Remuneration 
(available on the Company’s website) was approved by 
shareholders at the Company’s AGM in 2021.

Non-Executive Directors can claim for out-of-pocket 
expenses in the furtherance of their duties.

Payment for loss of office

No payments will be made to Non-Executive Directors 
for loss of office. 

The remuneration set out above supports the short 
and long-term strategic objectives of the Company by 
ensuring that the Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration 
is set at a competitive level which reflects the 
responsibilities of, and the time devoted by, the Non-
Executive Directors.

Non-Executive Directors have a letter of appointment 
with the Company. The terms include an initial three 
year duration period, a one-month notice period by 
either party and no deferral or claw back provisions. 
Appointments made be extended beyond the initial 
three period, at the Board’s discretion and in accordance 
with the Company’s Articles of Association and its policy 
on tenure. 

Following the recent management changes the Company 
is proposing a simplified policy to be approved by 
shareholders at the AGM in 2024. The proposed policy 
has no material changes from the prior policy on the 
remuneration of the Directors. The revised policy will 
remain in force until the Annual General Meeting of the 
Company in 2027, at which time a further resolution will 
be proposed.

Aggregate Directors’ fees cannot exceed the limits set 
out in the Articles of Association. The present limit is 
£250,000 in aggregate per annum and the approval 
of shareholders is required to change this limit. As 
noted on page 93, a resolution will be proposed at the 
Company’s Annual General Meeting to increase this limit 
to £350,000.

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Fees

Annual fees are fixed at a competitive level for the 
industry and appropriate for role and based on 
individual skills, time commitment and experience.

AUDITED SECTION

Annual Report

The remuneration of the Directors for the year ended 30 September 2023 was as follows:

Non-Executive Directors

CD Getley* 

JM Lewis 

AMJ Little 

RW Killingbeck

RDC Henderson*

Fees sub-total 

Executive Director

JWM Barlow 

Total 

Salaries
& Fees

Taxable
Benefits

Bonus

Total
Remuneration

2023
£000

2022
£000

2023
£000

2022
£000

2023
£000

2022
£000

2023
£000

2022
£000

55

35

35

32

–

48 

35 

35 

 32 

16

157

166 

207

364

199 

365 

–

–

–

–

–

–

10

10

–

–

–

–

–

–

13 

13 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

55

35

35

32

–

48 

35 

35 

32 

16 

157

166 

217

374

212 

378 

*RDC Henderson retired as Chairman and non-executive Director and CD Getley was appointed as Chairman on 19 January 2022.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  37

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Report on Directors’ Remuneration

Total Remuneration for the year, and prior year, is classed 
as fixed remuneration (there were no bonuses due in 
either period). JWM Barlow’s taxable benefits relate to 
healthcare costs (he received no pension contributions). 
Directors’ fees were set at £55,000 per annum for the 
Chairman and £31,500 basic, per annum, for each of the 
other Non-Executive Directors. In addition, there was a 
£3,500 per annum supplement for the Chairman of each 
of the Audit and Remuneration Committees.

There have been no payments to past Directors during 
the financial year ended 30 September 2023, whether for 
loss of office or otherwise.

Scheme interests awarded during financial year

The Company does not operate any share incentive 
schemes.

Directors’ Interests

The Company does not have any requirement or guidelines for any Director to own shares in the Company.

The interests of the Directors’ of the Company, including their connected persons, in securities of the Company are 
as follows:

Directors’ Interests 

Type of holding 

CD Getley 

JM Lewis 

AMJ Little 

RW Killingbeck 

JWM Barlow 

Beneficial 

Beneficial 

Beneficial 

Beneficial 

Beneficial 

Non-beneficial 

Number of fully paid
Ordinary 10p shares

30 September
2023

30 September
2022

59,730

8,000

9,879

20,000

409,224

3,111,110

36,830 

8,000 

9,879 

20,000 

409,224 

3,111,110 

There were no changes in the Directors’ interests between 30 September and 15 December 2023.

Total Shareholder Return v Benchmark for the 
10 years ended 30 September 2023†

2.00

1.75

1.5

1.25

1.00

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Share Price
Benchmark

Performance†

Set out to the right is a graph showing the total shareholder 
return attributable to the shares in the Company in 
respect of the ten financial years ended September 2023, 
and a hypothetical portfolio constructed according to a 
benchmark equity index, calculated as 70% FTSE All-Share 
Index and 30% FTSE World ex UK Index (Sterling) to 
September 2016 and the MSCI All Country World Index 
(Sterling) in the same proportions thereafter until 25 January 
2023 when, following the change in Investment Manager, the 
benchmark was changed to achieve a net annualised total 
return (in GBP) of at least 4% above the UK Consumer Prices 
Index (‘CPI’) over rolling five year periods. In the period from 
25 January 2023 to 30 September 2023 UK CPI was 3.8% 
and therefore the benchmark was 6.4%. This composite was 
the comparator for the purpose of this graph as it includes 
a global equity weighting appropriate to a global equity 
trust and was (using the pre-September 2016 indices), the 
Company’s benchmark at the start of the ten-year period.

† Non Audited Section

38  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Governance

Directors Fees

The table below shows the total remuneration paid to the Non-Executive Directors and annual percentage change 
over a four year period.

Non-Executive Director fees

Chairman

Non-Executive Director

Chairman of Audit Committee

Chairman of Remuneration Committee 35,000

FY 2023

FY 2022

FY 2021

FY 2020

%
change

£

%
change

£

%
change

£

%
change

£

55,000

31,500

35,000

-

-

-

-

55,000

31,500

35,000

35,000

-

-

-

-

55,000

31,500

35,000

35,000

-

-

-

-

55,000

(15.8)

31,500

35,000

35,000

-

-

-

Remuneration of the Director undertaking the role of Chief Executive Officer up until 30 September 2023

The table below sets out the remuneration of the Director of the Company who fulfils a role most closely corresponding 
to that of chief executive officer (CEO) over the preceding ten financial years.

Director undertaking
role of CEO

Total
remuneration

Current year
variable
remuneration
awarded vrs
maximum
potential
value

Prior year or
future year
awards vested
vrs maximum
potential
value

JWM Barlow

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

JWM Barlow 

£216,896

£206,716 

£201,828 

£201,122 

£196,178 

£190,511 

£185,618 

£180,559

£215,649 

£153,358 

0%

0% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

 0% 

44%* 

0% 

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

Year ended

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

30 Sep 2021 

30 Sep 2020 

30 Sep 2019 

30 Sep 2018 

30 Sep 2017 

30 Sep 2016 

30 Sep 2015 

30 Sep 2014 

* Reflects the £40,000 bonus as against the maximum bonus potential of £90,000.

JWM Barlow assumed the role of non-executive Director from 1 November 2023.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  39

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Report on Directors’ Remuneration

Annual percentage change in remuneration of Directors and employees

The table below sets out the changes in the disclosed elements of the remuneration of each Director as compared to 
employees of the Company. The Company has no employees with effect from 1 November 2023.

Period & Type 

Notes

JM
Lewis

AMJ
Little

CD
Getley

RW
Killingbeck

 JWM 
Barlow

3 & 4

2, 3 & 4

0.0%

0.0% 

0.0%

0.0% 

0.0%

+52.4% 

0.0%

0.0% 

+4.0%

+3.0% 

Staff

-9.0%

+3.0%

5

5 

6

6 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

+27.6

-10.0 

-20.7%

-9.5%

–

–

–

–

Salary & Fees

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

Taxable Benefits

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

Bonus

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

Notes:

1.   The table shows the average annual percentage change in each Director’s remuneration as compared to the average employee (on a Full Time 
Equivalent basis). In accordance with the regulations this is for the two financial years as shown above. The Non-Executive Directors are not 
eligible for benefits or variable remuneration.

2.   The change in CD Getley fees reflected his appointment as Chairman of the Board in 2022, which attracts a fee supplement.

3.   The change in JWM Barlow’s salary reflects the salary increase as detailed in the relevant year’s annual report.

4.   Average staff salaries have increased, reflecting cost of living increases in 2023 and 2022. Given the small number of staff the impact in monetary 

terms is small.

5.   The percentage movements in taxable benefits for 2023 and 2022 reflect firstly, various cost inflation type increases and secondly, decreases due 

to re-pricing by some of the relevant providers. Again, the actual amounts involved in monetary terms is small.

6.   No bonus was paid to a member of staff in the year and there were no bonuses paid in 2023.

Relative importance of spend on pay

The adjacent table sets out, in respect of the financial 
year ended 30 September 2023 and the preceding 
financial year, the:

a) 

 administration expenditure of the Company;

b)   aggregate remuneration paid to or receivable by all 

employees of the Company; and

c) 

 distributions made to shareholders by way of 
dividend or share buyback.

0
0
0
£

’

7000

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

2023

2022

Admin Expenses
Total Staff Remuneration
Dividends/Buybacks

40  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Governance

Statement of implementation of Remuneration 
Policy in respect of the financial year ending 
30 September 2024

Non Executive Directors

At the Annual General Meeting of the Company held 
on 20 January 2021, a resolution was proposed by the 
Company to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. 
The votes cast were as follows:

The Remuneration Committee has reviewed Directors’ 
fees during the financial year, and does not expect 
to recommend any further change in the absence of 
unforeseen circumstances. The Company’s Articles state 
the maximum aggregate amount of fees that can be paid 
to Directors in any year.

Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy

Number 
of votes

% of 
votes cast

For

Against

30,761,204

26,810

99.91

0.09

Total votes cast

30,788,014

100.00

Remuneration Responsibilities

During the financial year, the members of the 
Remuneration Committee were JM Lewis (chair), CD 
Getley, AMJ Little and RW Killingbeck. No person 
provided services or advice to the Remuneration 
Committee which materially assisted the Committee.

Statement of voting at Annual General Meeting

At the Annual General Meeting of the Company held 
on 25 January 2023, a resolution was proposed by 
the Company to approve the Report on Directors’ 
Remuneration for the year ended 30 September 2022. 
The votes cast were as follows:

Directors’ 
Remuneration Report

Number 
of votes

% of 
votes cast

For

Against

28,751,681

49,631

Total votes cast

28,801,312

Number of votes 
withheld

33,666

99.83

0.17

100

Number of votes 
withheld

25,826

Basis of preparation

This report has been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium 
Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
(Amendment) Regulations 2013, as amended, as 
required by the Companies Act 2006. The report also 
meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules 
of the Financial Conduct Authority and describes how 
the Board has applied the principles relating to the 
Directors’ remuneration.

The Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 36 to 
41 was approved by the Board on 15 December 2023.

On behalf of the Board

Jane M Lewis
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  41

OverviewStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsInformation 
Governance

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 
Report and the Company financial statements in 
accordance with applicable United Kingdom law. Under 
that Law, the Directors are required to prepare the 
financial statements in accordance with UK adopted 
international accounting standards. Under Company Law 
the Directors must not approve the Company financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they present 
fairly the financial position, financial performance and 
cash flows of the Company for that period. In preparing 
the Company financial statements the Directors are 
required to:

	Ÿ select suitable accounting policies in accordance with 
IAS 8: Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting 
Estimates and Errors and then apply them 
consistently;

	Ÿ present information, including accounting policies, in 
a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable 
and understandable information;

	Ÿ provide additional disclosures when compliance with 
the specific requirements in UK adopted international 
accounting standards are insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular transactions, 
other events and conditions on the Company’s 
financial position and financial performance;

	Ÿ state that the Company has complied with UK adopted 

international accounting standards, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements;

	Ÿ make judgements and estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent; and

	Ÿ state that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides sufficient 
information to allow shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance.

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 Company financial statements comply with 
the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for 
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection 
of fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors 
are also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, 
a Corporate Governance Statement, a Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and a Directors’ Report that 
comply with that law and those regulations.

The Directors of the Company, whose names are shown 
on page 20 of this Report, each confirm to the best of 
their knowledge that:

	Ÿ the financial statements, which have been prepared in 
accordance with UK adopted International Accounting 
Standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and loss of the Company;

	Ÿ the Annual Report includes a fair review of the 
development and performance of the business 
and the position of the Company, together with a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that 
it faces; and

	Ÿ they consider that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, 
is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

By order of the Board

Christopher D Getley
Chairman

15 December 2023

42  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Governance

Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Majedie Investments PLC

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Majedie Investments PLC for the year ended 30 September 2023 which 
comprise of the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Changes in Equity, the Balance Sheet, 
the Cashflow Statement and the related notes 1 to 25, including a summary of significant accounting policies. 
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK adopted 
international accounting standards.

In our opinion, the financial statements: 

	Ÿ give a true and fair view of the Company’s affairs as at 30 September 2023 and of its profit for the year then ended;

	Ÿ have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards; and

	Ÿ have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of 
the financial statements section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence

We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to public interest entities, and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. 

The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Company and we remain 
independent of the Company in conducting the audit.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 
accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the Directors’ assessment 
of the Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included:

	Ÿ Confirming our understanding of the Company’s going concern assessment process by engaging with the Directors 

and the Company Secretary to determine if all key factors were considered in their assessment;

	Ÿ Inspecting the Directors’ assessment of going concern, including the revenue and expense forecast, for the period to 

15 December 2024 which is twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. In preparing the revenue 
and expense forecast, the Company has concluded that it is able to continue to meet its ongoing costs as they fall due;

	Ÿ Reviewing the factors and assumptions, including the impact of the current economic environment and other 
significant events that could give rise to market volatility, as applied to the revenue and expense forecast. 
Considering the appropriateness of the methods used to calculate the forecast and determined, through testing of 
the methodology and calculations, that the methods utilised were appropriate to be able to make an assessment of 
going concern for the Company;

	Ÿ Consideration of the mitigating factors included in the revenue and expense forecast that are within the control of 
the Company, including a review of the Company’s assessment of the liquidity of investments held and evaluating 
the Company’s ability to sell investments in order to cover the working capital requirements should its revenue 
decline significantly;

	Ÿ Reviewing the Company’s going concern disclosures included in the Annual Report in order to assess that the 

disclosures were appropriate and in conformity with the reporting standards.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  43

OverviewStrategic ReportInformation 
Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Majedie Investments PLC

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions 
that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the 
period to 15 December 2024 being twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

In relation to the Company’s reporting on how they have applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have 
nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the Directors’ statement in the financial statements about 
whether the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the 
relevant sections of this report. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement 
is not a guarantee as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Overview of our audit approach

Key audit matters

	Ÿ Risk of incomplete or inaccurate revenue recognition

	Ÿ Risk of incorrect valuation and ownership of unlisted investment 
portfolio, including investments in funds and special investments

	Ÿ Risk of incorrect valuation and ownership of the listed investment 

portfolio 

Materiality

	Ÿ Overall materiality of £1.28m which represents 1% of the net asset 

value of the Company as at 30 September 2023

An overview of the scope of our audit 

Tailoring the scope

Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality determine 
our audit scope for the Company. This enables us to form an opinion on the financial statements. We take into 
account size, risk profile, the organisation of the Company and effectiveness of controls, the potential impact of 
climate change and changes in the business environment when assessing the level of work to be performed. All audit 
work was performed directly by the audit engagement team.

Climate change 

Stakeholders are increasingly interested in how climate change will impact the Company. The Company has determined 
that the impact of climate change could affect the Company’s investments and their valuations and potentially 
shareholder returns. These are explained on page 17 in the principal and emerging risks section, which form part of 
the “Other information”, rather than the audited financial statements. Our procedures on these unaudited disclosures 
therefore consisted solely of considering whether they are materially inconsistent with the financial statements and our 
knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appear to be materially misstated. 

Our audit effort in considering the impact of climate change on the financial statements was focused on the 
adequacy of the Company’s disclosures in the financial statements as set out in Note 1 and the conclusion that there 
was no further impact of climate change to be taken into account. In line with UK adopted International Accounting 
Standards listed investments are valued at fair value, which for the Company are quoted bid prices for investments in 
active markets at the balance sheet date, unlisted investments are valued using observable and unobservable inputs. 
All investments therefore reflect the market participants’ view of climate change risk on the investments held by the 
Company. We also challenged the Directors’ considerations of climate change in their assessment of viability and 
associated disclosures. 

Based on our work we have not identified the impact of climate change on the financial statements to be a key audit 
matter or to impact a key audit matter.

44  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

Key audit matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the 
overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. 
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Risk of incomplete or inaccurate 
revenue recognition

We performed the following procedures:

	Ÿ We obtained an understanding of the 

Refer to the Report of the Audit 
Committee (page 33); Accounting 
Policies (page 58); and Note 3 of the 
Financial Statements (page 64).

processes and controls surrounding the 
revenue recognition process by performing 
our walkthrough procedures to evaluate the 
design and implementation of controls.

Key observations 
communicated to the 
Audit Committee

The results of our 
procedures identified no 
material misstatement 
in relation to the risk of 
incomplete or inaccurate 
revenue recognition.

The Company has reported revenue 
of £2.09m (2022: £3.92m).

There is a risk of incomplete or 
inaccurate recognition of revenue 
through the failure to recognise 
proper income entitlements or to 
apply an appropriate accounting 
treatment.

	Ÿ For all dividends received and accrued from 
investments, we recalculated the income by 
multiplying the investment holdings at the 
ex-dividend date, traced from the accounting 
records, by the dividend rate as agreed to an 
independent data vendor. We also agreed 
all exchange rates to an external source 
and, for a sample of dividends received and 
dividends accrued, we agreed amounts to 
bank statements;

	Ÿ For all dividends accrued, we assessed 

whether the dividend obligations arose prior 
to 30 September 2023 with reference to an 
external source; we also agreed subsequent 
cash receipts to post year end bank 
statements where applicable;

	Ÿ To test completeness of recorded income 
from listed investments, we tested that all 
expected dividends for each of the investee 
companies had been recorded as income 
with reference to an external source.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  45

 
Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Majedie Investments PLC

Key observations 
communicated to the 
Audit Committee

The results of our 
procedures identified no 
material misstatement in 
relation to the risk of the 
incorrect valuation and 
ownership of unlisted 
investment portfolio, 
including investments 
in funds and special 
investments.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Risk of incorrect valuation and 
ownership of unlisted investment 
portfolio, including investments 
in funds and special investments

Refer to the Report of the Audit 
Committee (page 32); Accounting 
policies (pages 60 and 61); and Note 13 
of the Financial Statements (page 71).

Unlisted investments (investments 
in funds managed by external 
managers and special investments) 
are reported at fair value. As 
these assets are not listed there 
is a judgemental element to their 
valuation.

As at 30 September 2023, the 
Company held £91.61m in unlisted 
investment funds (2022: £77.73m) 
and £8.11m in unlisted special 
investments (2022: £Nil).

We performed the following procedures:

	Ÿ Obtained an understanding of process 

and controls surrounding the valuation of 
unlisted investments to evaluate the design 
and implementation of controls.

	Ÿ For a sample of the new unlisted 

investments agreed the cost to supporting 
contractual documentation and traced the 
payments to bank statement.

	Ÿ We obtained the most recently available 
NAV statements independently from the 
administrators or general partners and 
compared the NAV of the investment 
attributable to the Company to the 
valuation per the accounting records and 
assessed that NAV was the appropriate 
basis of valuation consistent with fair 
value principles. We didn’t identify any 
adjustments made to NAVs provided by the 
administrators or general partners.

	Ÿ Where applicable, we obtained the most 
recent audited financial statements of 
the funds, assessed that the financial 
statements were prepared in accordance 
with a recognised GAAP framework, were 
consistent with the principles of fair value 
and determined whether the audit firm 
signing the financial statements was a 
recognised audit firm. We also checked 
whether there were any modifications 
made to their audit reports.

	Ÿ We compared the amounts associated 

with the Company’s unlisted investment 
holdings as at 30 September 2023 to 
independent confirmations received 
directly from the Company’s Custodian 
and Depositary, and tested any reconciling 
items to supporting information.

	Ÿ We obtained limited partnership 

agreements or offering memorandums for 
the investments in limited partnerships.

	Ÿ We agreed 100% of exchange rates to a 

relevant independent data vendor.

46  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

Key observations 
communicated to the 
Audit Committee

The results of our 
procedures identified no 
material misstatement 
in relation to the risk of 
incorrect valuation and 
ownership of the listed 
investment portfolio.

Risk

Our response to the risk

We performed the following procedures:

	Ÿ We obtained an understanding of the 
processes and controls surrounding 
investment pricing and legal title by 
performing our walkthrough procedures.

	Ÿ For all listed investments, we compared the 
market prices and exchange rates applied 
to an independent pricing vendor and 
recalculated the investment valuations as 
at year-end.

	Ÿ We inspected the stale pricing report to 
identify prices that had not changed and 
verified whether the quoted price is a valid 
fair value.

	Ÿ We compared the Company’s investment 

holdings at 30 September 2023 to 
independent confirmations received 
directly from the Company’s Custodian and 
Depositary, tested any reconciling items to 
supporting information. 

Risk of incorrect valuation 
and ownership of the listed 
investment portfolio 

Refer to the Report of the Audit 
Committee (page 32); Accounting 
Policies (pages 60 and 61); and Note 13 
of the Financial Statements (page 71).

In addition to the unlisted 
investments, the Company’s 
investment portfolio also consists 
of listed equity investments, which 
are held at fair value in line with the 
Company’s accounting policy. All 
investments in the portfolio are held 
by an independent Custodian and 
Depositary.

The incorrect valuation of the 
investment portfolio, including 
incorrect application of exchange 
rates, could have a significant 
impact on the financial statements. 
In addition, there is a risk of 
misappropriation of assets and 
unsecured ownership of the 
investment portfolio.

As at 30 September 2023, the 
valuation of listed investments was 
£37.58m (2022: £131.55m).

In the prior year, our auditor’s report included a key audit matter in relation to Risk of incorrect calculation and 
recording of sale consideration of investment in Majedie Asset Management Limited (‘MAM’). This key audit matter 
have been removed this year due to sale of the investment in MAM in the prior year.

Our application of materiality 

We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified 
misstatements on the audit and in forming our audit opinion. 

Materiality

The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to 
influence the economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the 
nature and extent of our audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the Company to be £1.28m (2022: £1.17 m), which is 1% (2022: 1%) of Net Asset 
Value. We believe that the Net Asset Value provides us materiality aligned to the key measure of the Company’s 
performance.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  47

 
Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Majedie Investments PLC

Performance materiality

The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately 
low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Company’s overall control environment, 
our judgement was that performance materiality was 75% (2022: 75%) of our planning materiality, namely £0.96m 
(2022: £0.88m). We have set performance materiality at this percentage due to our past experience of the audit that 
indicates a lower risk of misstatements, both corrected and uncorrected.

Given the importance of the distinction between revenue and capital for investment trusts, we also applied a 
separate testing threshold for the revenue column of the Statement of Comprehensive Income of £0.06m (2022: 
£0.14m) being the greater of 5% of revenue profit before tax and our reporting threshold (2022: 5% of revenue profit 
before tax).

Reporting threshold

An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them any audit differences in excess of £0.06m (2022: 
£0.06m), which is set at 5% (2022: 5%) of planning materiality, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our 
view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the quantitative measures of materiality discussed above 
and in light of other relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion.

Other information 

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements 
and our auditor’s report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information contained within the 
annual report. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise 
explicitly stated in this report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is 
materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial 
statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement 
of the other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

	Ÿ 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; and 

	Ÿ the Strategic report and Directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements

48  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the 
audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic report or Directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires 
us to report to you if, in our opinion:

	Ÿ adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or

	Ÿ the financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or

	Ÿ certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

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

Corporate Governance Statement

We have reviewed the Directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the 
Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the 
Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained 
during the audit:

	Ÿ Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting and 

any material uncertainties identified, set out on page 27;

	Ÿ Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the Company’s prospects, the period this assessment covers and 

why the period is appropriate, set out on page 26;

	Ÿ Director’s statement on whether it has a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in 

operation and meets its liabilities, set out on page 27;

	Ÿ Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable, set out on page 42;

	Ÿ Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks, set out on 

page 17;

	Ÿ The section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control 

systems, set out on page 34; and

The section describing the work of the Audit Committee, set out on page 32.

Responsibilities of Directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities set out on page 42, the Directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  49

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Majedie Investments PLC

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance 
with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error 
and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud 

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures 
in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including fraud. The risk of not detecting a 
material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may 
involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. The 
extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with 
governance of the Company and management. 

	Ÿ We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the Company and 
determined that the most significant are UK adopted International Accounting Standards, the Companies Act 
2006, the Listing Rules, the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Association of Investment Companies’ Code 
and Statement of Recommended Practice, Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010, and the Companies 
(Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018. 

	Ÿ We understood how Majedie Investments PLC is complying with those frameworks through discussions with the 

Audit Committee and the Company Secretary and a review of the Company’s documented policies and procedures. 

	Ÿ We assessed the susceptibility of the Company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how 

fraud might occur by considering the key risks impacting the financial statements. We identified a fraud risk with 
respect to the incorrect valuation and ownership of unlisted investment portfolio, including investments in funds 
and special investments, and incomplete or inaccurate revenue recognition through incorrect classification of 
special dividends as revenue or capital items in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Further discussion of our 
approach is set out in the section on key audit matters above.

	Ÿ Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and 

regulations. Our procedures involved review of the reporting to the Directors with respect to the application of the 
documented policies and procedures, review of minutes, enquiries with those charged with governance and review 
of the financial statements to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements applicable to the Company. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial 
Reporting Council’s website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our 
auditor’s report.

50  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

Other matters we are required to address

	Ÿ Following the recommendation from the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the Company on 18 January 2008 

to audit the financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2008 and subsequent financial periods. 

	The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments is 16 years, 

covering the years ending 2008 to 2023.

	Ÿ The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Company and we remain 

independent of the Company in conducting the audit. 

	Ÿ The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee.

Use of our report

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. 

Ashley Coups (Senior statutory auditor) 
For and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, 
Statutory Auditor
London

15 December 2023

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  51

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 30 September 2023

Revenue
return
£000

Notes

2023

Capital
return
£000

Total
£000

Revenue
return
£000

2022

Capital
return
£000

Total
£000

13

 – 

 18,952 

 18,952 

 – 

 (29,848)

 (29,848)

 – 

 – 

 226 

 226 

 19,178 

 19,178 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (29,848)

 (29,848)

3

3

4

5

8

9

 2,035 

 57 

 2,092 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 2,035 

3,835 

 57 

81 

 2,092 

3,916 

–

–

–

3,835 

81 

3,916 

(152)

(1,166)

 (1,318)

 (676)

 (1,447)

 (2,123)

(75) 

(673) 

(226) 

(746) 

(301) 

(1,419) 

1,264

16,565

 17,829 

3,168 

(30,820)

 (27,652) 

 (386)

 (1,148)

 (1,534)

(388)

 (1,146) 

(1,534) 

 878 

15,417

 16,295 

2,780 

(31,966) 

(29,186) 

 (21)

 – 

 (21)

(22) 

–

(22) 

857

15,417

 16,274 

2,758 

(31,966) 

(29,208) 

Investments

Gains/(losses) on investments held 
at fair value through profit or loss

Gains on forward foreign 
currency contracts

Net investment result

Income

Income from investments

Other income

Total income

Expenses

Management and performance fee

Administrative expenses

Return/(loss) before finance 
costs and taxation

Finance costs

Net return/(loss) before taxation

Taxation

Net return/(loss) after taxation 
for the year

Return/(loss) per ordinary Share

Basic (pence per share)

11

1.6

29.1

30.7

5.2

(60.3)

(55.1)

The total column of this statement is the Statement of Comprehensive Income of the Company. There is no 
other comprehensive income for the year and hence the net return/(loss) after taxation for the year is also total 
comprehensive income. All amounts relate to continuing operations.

52  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
 
Financial Statements

Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 30 September 2023

Share
capital
£000

Share
premium
£000

Capital
redemption
reserve
£000

Notes

Capital
reserve
£000

Revenue
reserve
£000

Total
£000

Year ended 30 September 2023

As at 1 October 2022

Net return for the year

Dividends declared and paid in year

10

 5,299 

 3,054 

 101 

 87,411 

 21,022 

 116,887 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

15,417

857

 16,274 

 – 

 (5,088)

 (5,088)

As at 30 September 2023

 5,299 

 3,054 

 101 

102,828

16,791

 128,073 

Year ended 30 September 2022

As at 1 October 2021 

5,300 

3,054 

100 

119,393 

24,306 

152,153

Share buybacks for cancellation

 17 

Net return for the year 

Dividends declared and paid in year 

10 

(1) 

–

–

–

–

–

1

–

–

 (16) 

–

(16)

(31,966) 

2,758 

(29,208)

–

(6,042) 

(6,042)

As at 30 September 2022 

5,299 

3,054 

101 

87,411 

21,022 

116,887

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  53

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
 
Financial Statements

Balance Sheet

as at 30 September 2023

Non-current assets

Property and equipment

Investments held at fair value through profit or loss

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Forward foreign currency contract

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Forward foreign currency contract

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Debentures and lease liability

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Ordinary share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Capital reserve

Revenue reserve

Equity Shareholders’ Funds

Net asset value per share 

Basic 

Notes

2023
£000

2022
£000

12

13

14

15

121

183 

139,679

131,598 

139,800

131,781 

5,314

5,441

128

409

6,746 

–

10,883

7,155 

150,683

138,936 

16

(1,881)

(1,289) 

(8)

–

148,794

137,647 

16/19

(20,721)

 (20,760) 

(22,610)

(22,049) 

128,073

116,887 

17

18

5,299

3,054

101

102,828

16,791

5,299 

3,054 

101 

87,411 

21,022 

128,073

116,887 

pence

241.7

pence

220.6 

Approved by the Board of Majedie Investments PLC (Company no 00109305) and authorised for issue on 15 December 
2023.

Christopher D Getley
Chairman

54  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 30 September 2023

Net cash flow from operating activities

Net return/(loss) before taxation*

Adjustments for:

(Gains)/losses on investments and derivatives

Accumulation dividends

Depreciation

Foreign exchange gains

Purchases of investments

Sales of investments

Finance costs

Operating cashflows before movement in working capital

Increase in trade and other payables

Decrease in trade and other receivables

Net cash inflow from operating activities before tax

Tax recovered on overseas dividend income

Tax paid on overseas dividend income

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Investing activities

Purchase of tangible assets

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities

Interest paid on debentures

Interest paid on lease liability

Dividends paid

Lease liability principal repayments

Share buybacks for cancellation

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**

Financial Statements

Notes

2023
£000

2022
£000

 16,295 

(29,186) 

3

12

 (19,178)

29,848 

 (915)

 62 

 – 

(528) 

 63 

 (2) 

 (188,120)

 (37,216)

 195,052 

46,647 

 3,196 

 1,534 

 4,730 

 652 

 (22)

9,626 

1,533 

11,159 

120 

(17) 

 5,360 

11,262 

28

 (33)

7 

(37) 

5,355

11,232 

 (1)

 (1)

(1) 

(1) 

 (1,501)

(1,501) 

 (5)

(5) 

 (5,088)

(6,042) 

 (65)

–

(65) 

(34)

 (6,659)

(7,647) 

(1,305)

 6,746 

5,441

3,584 

3,162 

6,746 

19

19

10

19

* 

Includes dividends received in the year of £1,167,000 (2022: £3,320,000) and interest received of £4,000 (2022: £17,000).

**  Cash and cash equivalents includes £894,000 (2022: £812,000) that represents unclaimed dividends by shareholders. Such cash is held in a 

separate account by the Company's registrar and is not used by the Company for day-to-day operations.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  55

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

General Information

Majedie Investments PLC is a company incorporated and domiciled in England under the Companies Act 2006. The 
Company is registered as a public limited company and is an investment company as defined by Section 833 of the 
Companies Act 2006. The address of the registered office is given on page 98. The nature of the Company’s operations 
and its principal activities are set out in the Business Review section of the Strategic Report on pages 14 to 15.

1  Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards requires 
management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. It also requires 
the use of certain significant estimates and assumptions.

In the course of preparing the financial statements, no critical judgements have been made in the process of applying 
the Company’s accounting policies, apart from those involving estimates, which are shown separately below, that 
have had a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

The following are the areas where critical estimates and assumptions have been used:

	Ÿ Unquoted Special Investments and Legacy Investments

Unquoted special investments and legacy investments are valued at management’s best estimate of fair value in 
accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards having regard to International Private Equity and 
Venture Capital Valuation guidelines as recommended by the British Venture Capital Association. The principles 
which the Company applies are set out on pages 60 to 62. The inputs into the valuation methodologies adopted 
are based on the net asset value (NAV) provided by the underlying administrators or general partners where these 
are consistent with the principles of fair value but could also on occasion include historical data such as earnings 
or cash flow as well as more subjective data such as earnings forecasts, discount rates and earnings multiples. 
As a result of this, the determination of fair value requires management judgement. At the year end, unquoted 
investments represent 6.3% (2022: 0%) of Equity Shareholders’ Funds.

56  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

1  Significant Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted are set out as follows:

The accounts on pages 52 to 86 comprise the audited results of the Company for the year ended 30 September 
2023, and are presented in pounds Sterling rounded to the nearest thousand, as this is the functional currency of 
the Company.

Going Concern
As part of the assessment of going concern the Directors took into account the uncertain economic outlook 
associated with political instability globally, supply shortages and inflationary pressures and the wars in Ukraine 
and the Middle East which included the level of cash and cash equivalents and readily realisable securities which 
could meet short-term commitments, the ability of the Company to meet its liabilities and on-going expenses from 
investments, revenue forecasts for the forthcoming year, the ability of the Company and its service providers to 
continue to meet service levels and lastly performing stress testing (see page 27). The Directors have considered the 
climate related risks on the Company and have concluded any impact would be minimal as the listed investments 
are valued using quoted market prices and the unlisted investments are valued using observable or unobservable 
inputs which factor in such risks (see note 22). After completing the assessment, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company will be able to meet its obligations to 15 December 2024, being twelve months from 
the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore the financial statements have been prepared on a 
going concern basis.

Presentation of Statement of Comprehensive Income
In order to reflect the activities of an investment company and in accordance with guidance issued by the AIC, 
supplementary information which analyses the Statement of Comprehensive Income between items of a revenue or 
capital nature has been presented alongside the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Additionally, the net revenue 
is the measure that the Directors believe to be appropriate in assessing the Company’s compliance with certain 
requirements as set out in section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

Basis of Accounting
The accounts of the Company have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards.

Where presentational guidance set out in the SORP regarding the financial statements of investment companies and 
venture capital companies issued by the AIC in July 2022 is not inconsistent with the requirements of UK adopted 
International Accounting Standards, the Directors have sought to prepare the financial statements on a basis 
compliant with the recommendations of the SORP.

Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following relevant Standards and Interpretations have 
not been applied in these financial statements since there were in issue but not yet effective and/or adopted:

UK adopted International Accounting Standards and Interpretations (IAS/IFRS/IFRICs)

Amendments to IAS 1, IAS 8 and IAS 12

Effective Date

1 January 2023

The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these standards will have a material impact on the Company.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  57

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

1  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

New Standards, Interpretations and Amendments adopted by the Company
The Company applied in the financial year ended 30 September 2023, for the first time, certain standards which 
are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022. These were amendments to the conceptual 
framework for financial reporting. None of these amendments has had an impact on the Company’s financial position 
or performance.

Foreign Currencies
Transactions during the period, including purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses, are translated at 
the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the functional currency rate 
of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in 
a foreign currency are translated at using the exchange rates as at the dates of initial transactions. Non-monetary 
items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when fair value 
was determined.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses on financial instruments classified as FVPL are included in profit or loss 
in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as part of the “Gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through profit 
or loss”.

Income
Dividend income is recognised on the date when the Company’s right to receive the payment is established. 
Dividend revenue is presented gross of any non-recoverable withholding taxes, which are separately disclosed in 
the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Where the Company has elected to receive scrip dividends in the form 
of additional shares rather than cash, the amount of the cash dividend foregone is recognised as income. Special 
dividends are recognised as capital or revenue in accordance with the underlying nature of the transaction.

Interest income is recognised on an accrual basis.

Expenses
All expenses or fees are recognised on an accruals basis. This includes any pension payments made to the Company’s 
defined contribution personal pension plan. In accordance with the SORP concerning the classification of expense 
items between capital and revenue, all items are presented as revenue except for as follows:

	Ÿ Expenses incurred which are incidental to the acquisition or disposal of an investment are treated as capital costs 

and separately identified and disclosed (see note 13);

	Ÿ Expenses are split and presented separately partly as capital items where a connection with the maintenance 
or enhancement of the value of the investments held can be demonstrated, and accordingly the investment 
management fees and certain administrative expenses have been allocated 75% to capital, in order to reflect the 
Board’s expected long-term view of the nature of the investment returns to the Company;

	Ÿ The investment management performance fee, which is based on capital out-performance is charged wholly 

to capital.

58  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

1  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Finance Costs
(a)  Debentures
Interest expense is recognised for all interest-bearing financial instruments using the effective interest rate method.

In accordance with the SORP, finance costs in respect of financing investments or financing activities aimed at 
maintaining or enhancing the value of investments are allocated 75% to capital. Any premiums paid on the early 
repurchase of debenture stock are charged wholly to capital.

(b) Lease liabilities
Interest expense on lease liabilities is recognised in accordance with IFRS 16.

In accordance with the SORP, finance costs in respect of financing investments or financing activities aimed at 
maintaining or enhancing the value of investments are allocated 75% to capital. As such property lease liability 
finance costs are charged wholly to revenue.

Taxation
The tax charge represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit reported in the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible 
in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Company’s liability for current 
tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

In accordance with the SORP, the allocation method used to calculate tax relief on expenses presented against 
capital returns in the Statement of Comprehensive Income is the marginal basis. Under this basis, if taxable 
income is capable of being offset entirely by expenses presented in the revenue return column of the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income, then no tax relief is transferred to the capital return column.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable 
profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet method. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all temporary 
taxable differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 
available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised.

No provision is made for tax on capital gains as the Company operates as an approved investment trust for 
tax purposes.

Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at initial cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss. 
Leasehold right-of-use assets are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 16. Depreciation for other tangible assets is 
calculated using the straight-line method and at rates of 25% to 33% per annum.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  59

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

1  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Leases
The Company applies IFRS 16 and the policies applied under that standard are as follows:

(a)  Right-of-use assets
The Company recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e. the date the underlying 
asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost and the cost includes the amount of lease 
liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date 
less any lease incentives received. Unless the Company is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the leased asset 
at the end of the lease term, the recognised right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the 
shorter of its estimated useful life and the lease term. Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment.

(b) Lease liabilities
At the commencement date of the lease, the Company recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value 
of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments can include fixed payments, less any lease 
incentives receivable, variable lease payments linked to an index or rate and payments or penalties for terminating a 
lease – only if reasonably certain to exercise the termination option.

In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease 
commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement 
date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease 
payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change 
in the lease term, a change in the in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the assessment to purchase the 
underlying asset.

(c)  Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets
As and if applicable, the Company would apply the short-term lease recognition exemption to any short term leases 
(being leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less without a purchase option) and the low-value recognition 
exemption to leases that are considered of low value (being below £5,000). Lease payments on any such leases would 
be recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Financial Instruments
The Company applies IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and the policies applied under that standard are as follows:

(a)  Classification
In accordance with IFRS 9, the Company classifies its financial assets and liabilities at initial recognition into the 
categories of financial assets and liabilities as shown below:

Financial Assets
The Company classifies its financial assets as subsequently measured at amortised cost or measured at fair value 
through profit or loss, on the basis of both:

	Ÿ the Company’s business model, as an investment trust, for managing the financial assets;

	Ÿ the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset.

Financial assets measured at amortised cost
A debt instrument is measured at amortised cost if it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold 
financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows and its contractual terms give rise, on specified dates, to cash 
flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. The Company includes in 
this category short term non-financing receivables including accrued income and trade and other receivables.

60  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

1  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL)
A financial asset is measured at FVPL if:

a) 

 its contractual terms do not give rise to cash flows on specified dates that are solely payments of principal and 
interest on the principal amount outstanding; or

b)   it is not held within a business model whose objective is either to collect contractual cash flows, or to both collect 

contractual cash flows and sell; or

c) 

 at initial recognition, it is irrevocably designated as measured at FVPL when doing so eliminates or significantly 
reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or 
liabilities or recognising the gains or losses on them on different bases.

The Company includes in this category its equity investments.

Financial liabilities

Derivative financial instruments
Derivatives are classified as fair value through profit or loss – held for trading. Derivatives are initially accounted and 
measured at fair value on the date the derivative contract is entered into and subsequently measured at fair value. The 
gain or loss on re-measurement is taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income. The sources of the return under 
the derivative contract are allocated to the revenue and capital column of the Statement of Comprehensive Income in 
alignment with the nature of the underlying source of income and in accordance with guidance in the AIC SORP. 

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
This category includes all financial liabilities. The Company includes in this category debentures and other short 
term payables.

(b) Recognition
The Company recognises a financial asset or liability when it becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument. In respect of purchases or sales of financial instruments that require delivery of assets within a time 
frame generally established by regulation or convention in a market place are recognised on a trade date basis.

(c)  Initial measurement
Financial assets and liabilities at FVPL are recorded in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value. All transaction 
costs for such instruments are recognised in profit or loss in “Gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through 
profit and loss” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost are initially 
recognised at cost, being the fair value of the consideration received less issue costs where applicable.

(d) Subsequent measurement
After initial measurement the Company measures financial instruments which are classified as at FVPL, at fair value. 
Subsequent changes in the fair value of those financial instruments are recorded in “Gains/(losses) on investments 
at fair value through profit and loss” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Any dividends or interest earned on 
these instruments are recorded separately under “Income” in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Gains and losses are 
recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised, as well as through the amortisation process.

The effective interest rate method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or liability and of 
allocating and recognising the interest income or expense in profit or loss over the relevant period. The effective interest 
rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial 
asset or liability to the gross carrying amount of financial asset or to the amortised cost of the financial liability.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  61

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

1  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(e)  Derecognition
A financial asset (or where applicable, a part of a financial asset or a part of a group of similar financial assets) is 
derecognised where the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired. Or the Company has transferred its 
rights to receive cash flows from the asset, and the Company has transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards 
of the asset or has transferred control of the asset.

A financial liability is derecognised by the Company when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled 
or expired.

(f)  Impairment
The Company holds only trade receivables with no financing component and which have maturities of less than 
12 months at amortised cost. Therefore, the Company has chosen to apply an approach similar to the simplified 
approach for expected credit losses under IFRS 9 to all its trade receivables. The Company does not track changes 
in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance, if any, based on the lifetime expected credit losses at each 
balance sheet date.

(g) Fair value measurement
The Company measures its investments in financial instruments, such as equity instruments, at fair value at each 
balance sheet date.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between market participants at the balance sheet date. The fair value for financial instruments traded in active 
markets at the balance sheet date is based on their quoted price (bid price for long positions), without any deduction 
for transaction costs. The fair value for financial instruments that are unit trusts, open ended investment companies 
or special investments are based on their closing price, the bid price or the single price as appropriate, as released by 
the relevant fund administrator.

Fair values for unquoted investments, or investments for which the market is inactive, are established by using 
various valuation techniques in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation (IPEV) 
guidelines. These may include recent arm’s length market transactions, the current fair value of another instrument 
which has substantially the same earnings multiples, discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing models. Where 
there is a valuation technique commonly used by market participants to price the instrument and that technique has 
been demonstrated to provide reliable estimates of prices obtained in actual market transactions, that technique 
is utilised.

The Company identifies transfers between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing the categorisation (based on the 
lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole), and deems transfers to have occurred 
at the beginning of each reporting period.

Changes in the fair value of investments and gains on the sale of investments are recognised as they arise in the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and short-term deposits in banks that are readily convertible to 
known amounts of cash and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

62  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

1  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Share Capital
Upon the issuance of Ordinary 10p shares, the consideration received is included in equity. Transaction costs 
incurred by the Company in issuing its own equity instruments are accounted for as a deduction from equity. Any 
excess consideration over the nominal value of any Ordinary 10p shares issued, before transaction costs, is credited 
to the Share Premium Account.

Own equity instruments that are repurchased for cancellation are deducted from Equity Shareholders Funds and 
accounted for at amounts equal to the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs. 
In accordance with the Company’s Articles, the total cost of any such transactions will be deducted from the 
Capital Reserve.

Capital Redemption Reserve
The Capital Redemption Reserve represents the nominal value of Ordinary 10p shares repurchased and cancelled. 
The Capital Redemption Reserve is not distributable.

Capital Reserve
The Capital Reserve includes gains and losses on the sale of financial instruments, and investment holding gains or 
losses, as reported in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Additionally, any finance costs and expenses charged 
to capital in accordance with the Company’s policy, and as detailed above, the cost of any shares repurchased for 
cancellation, are debited against the Capital Reserve. The Capital Reserve may be distributed by way of dividend.

Revenue Reserve
The net revenue for the year is included in the Revenue Reserve along with dividends paid to shareholders, when 
approved. The Revenue Reserve may be distributed by way of dividend.

Dividends payable to Shareholders
Interim dividends payable to the Company's shareholders are recognised in the financial statements when they are 
paid or, in the case of final dividends, when they are approved by shareholders. Dividends are recognised in the 
Statement of Changes in Equity.

2  Business Segments

For management purposes the Company is organised into one principal activity, being investing activities, as 
detailed below:

Investing activities
The Company’s investment objective is both to deliver long-term capital growth whilst preserving shareholders’ 
capital and to pay a regular dividend. The Company operates as an investment company and its portfolio contains 
investments in Special Investments, External Managers and Direct Investments. Geographical information about the 
portfolio is provided on page 7 and exposure to different currencies is disclosed in note 22 on page 77.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  63

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

3  

Income

Income from investments†

Dividend income‡

Accumulation dividend income^

Overseas dividend income

Other income

Interest income

Sundry income

Total income

Income from investments

Listed UK

Listed overseas

Unlisted – Liontrust funds

Unlisted – MAM*

2023
£000

973

915

147

2022
£000

3,143

529

163

2,035

3,835

4

53

57

17

64

81

2,092

3,916

973

147

915

–

2,035

1,993

163

529

1,150

3,835

† Special dividends received during the year and not recognised in income but rather as a return of capital were £nil (2022: £7,186,000).

‡ Includes Majedie Asset Management (“MAM”) ordinary income of £nil (2022: £1,150,000).

^ Accumulation dividend income is received as stock rather than a cash distribution.

*  Dividend received from Majedie Asset Management Limited following the sale of the business to Liontrust Asset Management PLC.

4   Management and Performance Fee

Fund management – Marylebone 

Fund management – Liontrust

Performance fee – Liontrust

Revenue
return
£000

130

22

–

152

2023

Capital
return
£000

388

67

711

Total
£000

518

89

711

1,166

1,318

Revenue
return
£000

–

75

–

75

2022

Capital
return
£000

–

226

–

226

Total
£000

–

301

–

301

Marylebone receive an annual management fee of 0.9% of market capitalisation of the Company up to £150 million; 
0.75% of market capitalisation between £150 million and £250 million and 0.65% above £250 million. The market 
capitalisation for the calculation of the fee shall be subject to a cap of a 5% premium to net asset value. Marylebone 
has agreed to waive one half of the management fee payable by the Company for a period of 12 months from 
Marylebone’s appointment as investment manager on 25 January 2023. The benefits to the Company of this are 
being amortised over the minimum non-cancellable period of the contract of two and a half years.

64  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

4   Management and Performance Fee (continued)

Details of the fee arrangements with the Company’s previous Manager, Liontrust Asset Management, are set out below:

Management Fee

Performance Fee

Portfolio/Fund

UKES

Tortoise Fund

0.48% p.a.

1.00% p.a.

Global Equity Fund

0 – 0.65% p.a.

International Equity Fund

0.25% p.a.

Nil

20%

Nil

Nil

The performance fee paid in the year relates to the previous management arrangements.

5   Administrative Expenses

Staff costs – note 7 

Other staff costs and directors’ fees 

Advisers’ costs 

Information costs 

Establishment costs 

Depreciation on tangible assets 

Auditor’s remuneration (see below) 

Other expenses 

2023
£000

663

221

614

139

143

62

108

173

2022
£000

508 

221 

321 

121 

42 

62 

51 

93 

2,123

1,419

£1,447,000 (2022: £746,000) of administration expenses have been allocated to capital in accordance with the 
accounting policy requiring 75% of investment management fees and certain administrative expenses to be allocated 
to capital.

Total fees charged by the Auditor for the year, all of which were charged to revenue, comprised:

Audit services – statutory audit 

Other audit related services 

2023
£000

106

2

108

2022
£000

49 

2 

51

The 2023 audit services – statutory audit included additional amounts relating to 2022 which were not accrued at 
30 September 2022.

Other audit related services relate to a review of the Company’s debenture covenant.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  65

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

6   Directors’ Emoluments

Fees 

Salary 

Other benefits 

2023
£000

157

207

10

374

The Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 36 to 41 explains the Company’s policy on remuneration for 
Directors for the year. It also provides further details of Directors’ remuneration.

7  Staff Costs including CEO

Salaries and other payments* 

Social security costs 

Pension contributions 

2023
£000

549

66

48

663

2022
£000

166 

199 

13

378

2022
£000

420 

56 

32 

508

*  The 2023 salaries and other payments includes settlement agreements with two members of staff.

Average number of employees:

Management and office staff 

8   Finance Costs

Interest on 7.25% 2025 
debenture stock 

Amortisation of debenture stock 
issue expenses 

Lease liability interest expense 

2023
Number

2022
Number

3

3

Revenue
return
£000

2023

Capital
return
£000

Total
£000

Revenue
return
£000

2022

Capital
return
£000

Total
£000

375

1,126

1,501

375 

1,126 

1,501 

7

4

22

–

29

4

8 

5 

20 

–

28 

5

386

1,148

1,534

388 

1,146 

1,534 

Further details of the debenture stock in issue are provided in note 16 and note 22, and lease liability in note 20.

66  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

9  Taxation

Tax on overseas dividends 

2023
£000

21

2022
£000

22

Reconciliation of tax charge:
The current taxation rate for the year is lower (2022: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK 
of 22.0% (2022: 19.0%). The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK is 25% with effect from 1 April 2023. The 
differences are explained below:

Net return/(loss) before taxation

Taxation at UK Corporation Tax rate of 22.0% (2022: 19.0%)

Effects of:

– UK dividends which are not taxable 

– (gains)/losses on investments which are not taxable

– foreign dividends which are not taxable 

– expenses which are not deductible for tax purposes 

– excess expenses for the current year 

– overseas taxation which is not recoverable 

Actual current tax charge 

2023
£000

2022
£000

16,295

 (29,186)

3,585

(5,545)

(330)

(629)

(4,219)

 5,672 

(130)

8

1,086

21

21

(100)

(6) 

608 

22 

22

After claiming relief against accrued income taxable on receipt, the Company has unrelieved excess expenses of 
£103,838,000 (2022: £98,799,000). It is not yet certain that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in the 
future to utilise these expenses and therefore no deferred tax asset has been recognised.

The allocation of expenses to capital does not result in any tax effect. Due to the Company’s status as an approved 
investment trust, and the intention to continue meeting the required conditions in the foreseeable future, the 
Company has not provided for deferred tax on any capital gains and losses arising on the revaluation or disposal of 
its investments.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  67

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

10  Dividends

The following table summarises the amounts recognised as distributions to equity shareholders in the period:

Analysis of dividends paid during the year

Final dividend of 7.0p paid on 28 January 2022

Interim dividend of 4.4p paid on 24 June 2022

Final dividend of 4.2p paid on 27 January 2023

Special dividend of 1.8p paid on 27 January 2023

Interim dividend of 1.8p paid on 2 June 2023

Interim dividend of 1.8p paid on 30 August 2023

Analysis of dividends proposed at the year end

Proposed final ordinary dividend for the year ended 30 September 2022 of 4.2p

Proposed special dividend for the year ended 30 September 2022 of 1.8p

Proposed interim dividend for the year ended 30 September 2023 of 1.8p 

2023
£000

 – 

 – 

 2,226 

 954 

 954 

 954 

2022
£000

 3,710 

 2,332 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 5,088 

 6,042 

2023
£000

 – 

 – 

 954 

 954 

2022
£000

 2,226 

 954 

 – 

 3,180 

The proposed interim dividend has not been included as a liability in these accounts in accordance with IAS 10: 
Events after the Reporting Period.

Set out below is the total dividend to be paid in respect of the financial year. This is the basis on which the 
requirements of Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are considered:

Interim dividend for the year ended 30 September 2022 of 4.4p

Final dividend for the year ended 30 September 2022 of 4.4p

Special dividend for the year ended 30 September 2022 of 1.8p

Three interim dividends for the year ended 30 September 2023 of 1.8p

Dividends have been paid solely from the Revenue Reserve.

2023
£000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 2,862 

 2,862 

2022
£000

 2,332 

2,226

954

 – 

 5,512 

68  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
 
 
Financial Statements

11  Return per Ordinary Share

Basic return per ordinary share is based on 52,998,795 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of 
shares in issue (2022: Basic return based on 52,998,795 ordinary shares). Basic returns per ordinary share are based 
on the net return after taxation attributable to equity shareholders.

Basic revenue returns are based on net revenue after taxation of: 

Basic capital returns are based on net capital return of: 

Basic total returns are based on a return of: 

12  Property and Equipment

2023
£000

857

15,417

16,274

2022
£000

2,758 

(31,966)

(29,208)

Cost:

At 1 October 2022

Additions

Disposals

At 30 September 2023

Depreciation

At 1 October 2022

Charge for year

Disposals

At 30 September 2023

Net book value:

At 30 September 2023

At 30 September 2022

Right-of-Use
asset
£000

Leasehold
Improvements
£000

Office
Equipment
£000

Total
£000

 304 

 – 

 – 

 304 

 123 

61

 –

 184

 120

 181 

 28 

 – 

 – 

 28 

 28 

 – 

 –

 28 

 – 

 – 

 254 

 586 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 254 

 586 

 252 

1

 –

 253

1

 2 

 403 

 62 

 – 

 465 

 121 

 183 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  69

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

12  Property and Equipment (continued)

The Right-of-Use Asset is in respect of a leasehold interest in office premises. Further details concerning leases are 
contained in note 20 on page 74.

Cost:

At 1 October 2021 

Additions 

Disposals

At 30 September 2022

Depreciation:

At 1 October 2021 

Charge for year 

Disposals

At 30 September 2022

Net book value:

At 30 September 2022 

At 30 September 2021 

Right-of-Use
asset
£000

Leasehold
Improvements
£000

Office
Equipment
£000

304 

–

–

304

62 

61 

–

123

181

242

28 

–

–

28

28 

–

–

 28

–

– 

252 

2 

–

 254

250 

2 

–

 252

 2 

2 

Total
£000

584

2

–

586

340

63

–

403

183

244

70  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

13  Investments at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

Opening book cost

Opening unrealised (depreciation)/appreciation

Opening fair value

Purchases at cost

Sales proceeds received

Gains/(losses) on investments

Closing fair value

Closing book cost

Closing unrealised (depreciation)/appreciation

Closing fair value

2023
£000

2022
£000

129,011

117,169 

2,587

53,381 

131,598

170,550 

189,830

31,740 

(200,701)

(40,844) 

18,952

(29,848) 

139,679

131,598 

141,997

129,011 

(2,318)

2,587 

139,679

131,598 

The Company received £200,701,000 (2022: £40,844,000) from investments sold in the year. The book cost of 
these investments when they were purchased was £176,844,000 (2022: £19,895,000). These investments have 
been revalued over time and until they were sold any unrealised gains/losses were included in the fair value of the 
investments.

The portfolio valuation:

Listed: Direct Investments

Unlisted: External Managers

Listed: Special Investments

Unlisted: Special Investments

Listed: Fixed Interest

Listed: Other Investments

Unlisted: Other Investments

2023
£000

2022
£000

29,956 

53,822 

91,611 

77,727 

5,019

8,068

4,325 

651 

49 

–

–

–

–

49 

139,679 

131,598 

During the year the Company incurred transaction costs amounting to £214,000 (2022: £86,000), of which £108,000 
(2022: £78,000) related to the purchase of investments and £106,000 (2022: £8,000) related to the sales of 
investments. These amounts are included in “Gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through profit or loss”, as 
disclosed in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The composition of the investment return is analysed below:

Net gains on sales of investments

Decrease in holding gains on investments

Gains/(losses) on investments

2023
£000

2022
£000

23,857

20,949 

(4,905)

 (50,797) 

18,952

(29,848)

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  71

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

14  Trade and Other Receivables

Sales for future settlement 

Prepayments 

Dividends and interest receivable

Taxation recoverable 

2023
£000

4,946

86

233

49

5,314

2022
£000

140 

58 

140 

71 

409

The Directors’ consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value.

15  Cash and Cash Equivalents

Deposits at banks 

Other cash balances* 

2023
£000

4,547

894

5,441

2022
£000

5,934 

812 

6,746

*    Other cash balances represent unclaimed dividends by shareholders. Such cash is held in a separate account by the Company’s registrar and is 

not used by the Company for day-to-day operations.

16  Trade and Other Payables

Amounts falling due within one year:

Purchases for future settlement

Accrued expenses 

Other creditors 

Current portion of lease liability 

2023
£000

–

801

1,012

68

1,881

2022
£000

 62 

350 

811 

66 

1,289

The Directors’ consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

Amounts falling due after more than one year:

£20.7m (2022: £20.7m) 7.5% 2025 debenture stock 

Lease liability 

2023
£000

2022
£000

20,652

20,623 

69

137 

20,721

20,760

Debenture stock(s) are secured by a floating charge over the Company’s assets. Expenses associated with the issue 
of the debenture stocks were deducted from the gross proceeds at issue and are being amortised over the life of the 
debentures. Further details on interest and the amortisation of the issue expenses are provided in note 8 on page 66.

Further details on the lease liability are contained in note 20 on page 74.

72  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

17  Ordinary Share Capital

As at 1 October 

2023

2022

Number

£000 

Number

52,998,795

5,299

53,005,887 

Ordinary 10p shares bought back for cancellation 

–

–

(7,092)

£000

5,300 

 (1)

As at 30 September 

52,998,795

5,299

52,998,795 

5,299 

All shares are allotted fully paid up, and are of one class only. During the year no Ordinary 10p shares were bought 
back for cancellation (2022: 7,092 Ordinary 10p shares were bought back for cancellation at a total cost of £16,000). 
In accordance with the Company’s articles this was debited against the Capital Reserve. There are no Ordinary 10p 
shares in Treasury.

Ordinary shares carry one vote each on a poll. The Companies Act 2006 abolished the requirement for the Company 
to have authorised share capital. The Company adopted new Articles of Association on 20 January 2010 which, inter 
alia, reflected the new legislation. Accordingly the Company has no authorised share capital.

The Directors will still be limited as to the number of shares they can allot at any one time as the Companies Act 2006 
requires that directors seek authority from the shareholders for the allotment of new shares.

18  Net Asset Value

The net asset value per share has been calculated based on Equity Shareholders’ Funds of £128,073,000 (2022: 
£116,887,000), and on 52,998,795 (2022: 52,998,795) ordinary shares, being the number of shares in issue at the year end.

19  Reconciliation of Changes in Liabilities arising from Financing Activities

Long term borrowings

£20.7m 7.25% 2025 debenture stock

Lease liability

Interest payable on debenture stock

Total liabilities from financing activities

Long term borrowings

£20.7m 7.25% 2025 debenture stock 

Lease liability 

Interest payable on debenture stock 

Total liabilities from financing activities 

At
30 September
2022
£000

 20,623 

 137 

 – 

 20,760 

At
30 September
2021
£000

20,595 

203 

–

20,798 

Further details on the lease liability are contained in note 20.

Non-cash 
charges

Effective
interest rate
accrual
£000

At
30 September
2023
£000

 29 

 2 

 1,501 

 1,532 

 20,652 

 69 

 – 

 20,721 

Cash
Flows
£000

 – 

 (70)

 (1,501)

 (1,571)

Non-cash 
charges

Effective
interest rate
accrual
£000

At
30 September
2022
£000

28 

5 

1,501

 1,534 

20,623

137

–

20,760

Cash
Flows
£000

–

(70) 

(1,501) 

(1,571)

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  73

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

20  Leases

The Company as a lessee
This is in respect of its premises which by way of a sub-lease arrangement with a superior lessee, which commenced 
in September 2021 for a term of five years.

Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the period:

At 1 October

Additions 

Payments made under the lease 

Accretion of interest 

At 30 September 

Disclosed as:

Current 

Non-current 

The following are the amounts recognised in profit or loss under its IFRS 16 lease:

Depreciation expense of right of use assets 

Interest expense on lease liabilities 

Total amount recognised in profit or loss 

2023
£000

2022
£000

203

(70)

4

137

68

69

2023
£000

61

4

65

268 

(70) 

5 

203 

66 

137 

2022
£000

61 

5 

66

The Company has had no expenses relating to short-term leases, variable lease payments or leases of low-value assets.

The Company’s total cash outflows for its IFRS 16 lease in the year ended 30 September 2023 were £70,000 (2022: 
£70,000). Future cash outflows of a fixed amount under the IFRS 16 lease are as follows:

2023
£000

2022
£000

70

70

–

–

70 

70 

70 

–

140

210

Within one year 

Between one and two years 

Between two and three years 

Between three and four years 

74  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

21  Financial Commitments

At 30 September 2023, the Company had no financial commitments which had not been accrued for (2022: none).

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile

As an investment company, the Company invests in securities for the long term in order to achieve its investment 
objective as stated on page 14.

Management of Market Risk
Management of market risk is fundamental to the Company’s investment objective and the investment portfolio is 
regularly monitored to ensure an appropriate balance of risk and reward.

Exposure to any one entity is monitored by the Board and Marylebone (the Investment Manager). The Company 
has complied with the investment restriction not to invest more than 10% of the Company’s gross assets in any one 
investment or issuer, or allocate to a single external third party manager, as at the time of the investment.

Marylebone as Fund Manager, can utilise derivative instruments for efficient portfolio management and investment 
purposes as it sees fit. There have been no derivatives used in the period other than forward foreign currency 
contracts (2022: None). Certain funds that the Company invests in may use derivatives to meet their investment 
objectives.

The Company’s financial instruments comprise its investment portfolio (including forward foreign currency contracts) 
(see notes 13 and 23), cash balances, debtors and creditors that arise directly from its operations such as sales 
and purchases for future settlement, accrued income, lease liability under IFRS 16 and the debenture loan used to 
partially finance its operations.

In the pursuit of its investment objective, the Company is exposed to various risks which could cause short term 
variation in its net assets and which could result in both or either a reduction in its net assets or a reduction in the 
revenue profits available for distribution by way of dividend. The main risk exposures for the Company from its 
financial instruments are market risk (including currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk), liquidity risk, 
concentration risk and credit risk. While uncertainty in equity markets continues as a closed ended investment 
company with a long-term objective this increased short term volatility can be managed and is within stress testing 
limits. Marylebone continue to monitor the Company’s portfolio in light of the short term events that significantly 
impact global and domestic markets and have made adjustments as and if required.

The Board sets the overall investment strategy and allocation. It has in place various controls and limits and receives 
various reports in order to monitor the Company’s exposure to these risks. The risk management policies identified 
in this note have not changed materially from the previous accounting period.

Market Risk
The principal risk in the management of the investment portfolio is market risk – i.e. the risk that values and future 
cashflows will fluctuate due to changes in market prices. Market risk is comprised of:

	Ÿ foreign currency risk; 

	Ÿ interest rate risk; and

	Ÿ other price risk i.e. movements in the value of investment portfolio holdings caused by factors other than interest 

rates or currency movements.

These risks are taken into account when setting investment policy or allocation and when making investment decisions.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  75

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

Foreign Currency Risk
The value of the Company’s assets and the total return earned by the Company’s shareholders can be significantly 
affected by foreign exchange movements as most of the Company’s assets are denominated in currencies other 
than Sterling, the currency in which the Company’s accounts are prepared. The Company may to try to minimise or 
eliminate foreign exchange risk; over the long-term this could restrict the investment returns potentially available to 
Sterling-based investors in international securities. There is a risk for the NAV and shareholders, therefore, if Sterling 
appreciates significantly against foreign currencies. 

The investment approach adopted on 25 January 2023 has increased the exposure of the Company’s investment 
portfolio to fluctuations in the foreign exchange markets. As the Company aims to deliver steady NAV growth for 
shareholders, the Company, guided by Marylebone, has set in place a foreign exchange hedging programme in 
order to reduce the Company’s exposure. The programme uses derivative financial instruments (one month forward 
foreign currency contracts). Such instruments are used for the sole purpose of efficient portfolio management. 
All derivative financial instruments are held at fair value through profit and loss.

Foreign exchange hedging programme
The programme seeks to mitigate the impact of currency risks on the portfolio by:

	Ÿ where possible investments in non-Sterling denominated funds will be invested via a Sterling Hedge share class;

	Ÿ where a Sterling Hedged share class is not available, the invested amount will be hedged using monthly forward 

foreign currency contracts to hedge back into the Company’s base currency of Sterling. As the hedged portfolio is 
subject to movement over the month the hedging cover may be adjusted to compensate for the pricing movement;

	Ÿ Special Investments, which are denominated in non-Sterling, will remain unhedged, as these are considered less 
liquid, however, where the fund manager deems that the overall impact of leaving special investments unhedged 
would be detrimental to the portfolio’s active currency risk, these may be hedged as per the rest of the portfolio; 
and

	Ÿ the hedge is rebalanced as and when sales and/or purchases occur.

The portfolio is strongly weighted towards US Dollars as shown in the table on the next page. Marylebone aims to 
deliver steady NAV growth for the Company’s shareholders, and the foreign exchange hedging programme helps 
them to do this by reducing our exposure to fluctuations in the foreign exchange markets.

76  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

The currency risk of the non-Sterling monetary financial assets and liabilities at the reporting date was:

Currency exposure

Investments at fair value through  
profit or loss

Debtors (due from brokers, dividends, 
interest and other receivables)

Cash

Forward foreign currency contracts 
(notional amounts)

 4,960 

 861 

 (83,349)

Total net foreign currency exposure

 8,168 

2023

US Dollar
£000

Canadian
Dollar
£000

Euro
£000

Swiss 
Franc
£000

Danish 
Krone
£000 

Total 
Currency 
Exposure
£000

 85,696 

 45 

 4,122 

 – 

 13 

 – 

 – 

 13 

 – 

 89,863 

 6 

 – 

 – 

 6 

 5,000 

 861 

 (87,458)

 8,266 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 45 

 21 

 – 

 (4,109)

 34 

2022

Currency exposure

Investments at fair value through  
profit or loss

Debtors (due from brokers, dividends, 
interest and other receivables)

Total net foreign currency exposure

US Dollar
£000

Canadian
Dollar
£000

Euro
£000

Swiss 
Franc
£000

Danish 
Krone
£000 

Total 
Currency 
Exposure
£000

 1,865 

 50 

 1,535 

 1,029 

 16 

 1,881 

 – 

 50 

 44 

 18 

 1,579 

 1,047 

 – 

 6 

 6 

 4,479 

 84 

 4,563 

Sensitivity Analysis
If Sterling had strengthened by 5% relative to all currencies on the reporting date, with all other variables held 
constant, the income and net assets would have decreased by the amounts shown in the table below. The analysis 
was preformed on the same basis for 2022. The revenue impact is an estimated annualised figure based on the 
relevant foreign currency denominated balances at the reporting date.

Capital return 

Net assets

2023
£000

(413)

(413)

2022
£000

(228)

(228)

A 5% weakening of Sterling against the same currencies would have resulted in an equal and opposite effect on the 
above amounts, on the basis that all other variables remain constant.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  77

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s direct interest rate risk exposure affects the interest received on cash balances and the fair value 
of its debenture and any bonds held within the investment portfolio. Indirect exposure to interest rate risk arises 
through the effect of interest rate changes on the valuation of the investment portfolio. The majority of the financial 
assets held by the Company are investments in external funds, which pay dividends, not interest. The Company may, 
from time to time, hold investments which pay interest.

The Board sets limits for cash balances and receive regular reports on the cash balances of the Company. The 
Company’s fixed rate debenture introduces gearing to the Company which is monitored within limits and is also 
reported to the Board regularly. Cash balances can also be used to manage the level of gearing to within the range 
as set by the Board. The Board sets the overall investment strategy and allocation as well as various limits on the 
investment portfolio which aim to spread the portfolio investments to reduce the impact of interest rate risk on 
investee company valuations. Regular reports are received by the Board in respect of the Company’s investment 
portfolio and the relevant limits.

The interest rate risk profile of the financial assets and liabilities at the reporting date was:

Floating rate financial assets:

UK Sterling 

Financial assets not carrying interest 

Between three and four years 

Fixed rate financial assets and liabilities:

Financial assets carrying interest

UK Sterling 

Financial liabilities not carrying interest 

2023
£000

2022
£000

5,441

6,746 

138,424

132,007 

–

–

143,865

138,753

 6,697

–

(20,789)

(20,926) 

(1,821)

(1,123) 

(15,913)

(22,049)

Floating rate financial assets usually comprise cash on deposit with banks which is repayable on demand and 
receives a rate of interest based, in part, on the UK base rates in force over the period. The fixed rate financial assets 
comprise bonds held within the investment portfolio. The fixed rate financial liabilities comprise lease liability under 
IFRS 16 (see note 20) which total £137,000 and accrued interest at a rate of 2.25% and the Company’s debenture, 
totalling £20.7 million in total on a nominal basis. It pays a rate of interest of 7.25% per annum and will mature in 
March 2025 (2022: Debenture totalling £20.7 million nominal, maturing in March 2025, with an interest rate of 7.25% 
per annum. Lease liability under IFRS 16 of £203,000 with an effective interest rate of 2.25%).

78  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

Sensitivity Analysis
Based on closing cash balances held on deposit with banks, if interest rates had been 2.5% higher or lower and all 
other variables were held constant, the Company's revenue return for the year ended 30 September 2023 would 
increase/decrease by £136,000 (2022: £158,000).

Other Price Risk
Exposure to market price risk is significant and comprises mainly movements in the market prices and hence value 
of the Company’s listed investments and its investments in the externally managed funds and special investments, 
(although the funds themselves are unlisted they are primarily invested in listed securities), which are both disclosed 
in note 13 on page 71. The Company also has unlisted investments which are indirectly impacted by movements in 
listed equity prices and related variables. The Board sets the overall investment strategy and allocation which aims to 
achieve a spread of investments across sectors and regions in order to reduce risk.

The Board receives reports on the investment portfolio, performance and volatility on a regular basis in order to 
ensure that the investment portfolio is in accordance with the investment policy.

Marylebone’s policy as Investment Manager is to manage risk through a combination of monitoring the exposure to 
individual securities, industry and geographic sectors, whilst maintaining a constant awareness in real time of the 
portfolio exposures in accordance with the investment strategy. Any derivative positions are marked to market and 
exposure to counterparties is also monitored on a daily basis by Marylebone. At the year end the Company itself did 
hold derivatives in the form of forward foreign currency contracts (2022: None).

As mentioned earlier, Marylebone may, and do, use derivative instruments including index-linked notes, contracts for 
difference, covered options and other equity-related derivative instruments for efficient portfolio management and 
investment purposes. As also noted previously this may occur in funds that the Company invests in. The Board has 
regular presentations from Marylebone on their investment strategy and approach.

The following table details the exposure to market price risk on the listed and unlisted investments:

Non-current investments held at fair value through profit or loss

Direct Investments

External Managers

Special Investments

Fixed Interest

Other Investments

2023
£000

2022
£000

29,956 

53,822 

91,611 

13,087 

4,325 

700 

77,727 

–

–

49 

139,679 

131,598 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  79

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

Sensitivity Analysis
If share prices on the listed and unlisted investments had decreased by 10% at the reporting date with all other 
variables remaining constant, the net return before tax and the net assets would have decreased by the amounts 
shown below.

Income Statement

Capital return 

Net assets 

2023
£000

13,968

13,968

2022
£000

13,159 

13,159

A 10% increase in the listed and unlisted investments share prices would have resulted in a proportionately equal 
and opposite effect on the above amounts on the basis that all other variables remain constant.

Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of other parties failing to discharge an obligation causing the Company financial loss. The 
Company’s exposure to credit risk is managed by the following:

	Ÿ The Company’s direct investments and some of the external funds are held on its behalf by the Company’s 

Depositary, who delegates safekeeping to the Custodian, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A., which if it became bankrupt 
or insolvent could cause the Company’s rights with respect to securities held to be delayed. However under the 
UK AIFMD, the Depositary provides certain indemnities in respect of the Company’s investments. The Company 
receives regular internal control reports from the Custodian which are reported to and reviewed by the Audit 
Committee. The other external funds are held in the name of the Company.

	Ÿ Investments in listed equities and fixed income securities are undertaken by Marylebone with a number of 

approved brokers in the ordinary course of business on a contractual delivery versus payment basis. Marylebone 
has procedures in place whereby all new brokers are subject to credit checks and approval by them prior to 
any business being undertaken. Marylebone utilises the services of a large range of approved brokers thereby 
mitigating credit risk by diversification.

	Ÿ Company cash is held at banks that are considered to be reputable and of high quality. Cash balances above a 

certain threshold are spread across a range of banks to reduce concentration risk.

Credit Risk Exposure
The table below sets out the financial assets exposed to credit risk as at the reporting date:

Cash on deposit and at banks 

Sales for future settlement 

Interest, dividends and other receivables 

Forward foreign currency contracts

Minimum exposure during the year 

Maximum exposure during the year 

2023
£000

5,441

4,946

368

128

10,883

4,310

2022
£000

6,746 

140 

199 

–

7,085

3,036 

100,474

24,697 

All amounts included in the analysis above are based on their carrying values. 

None of the financial assets were past due and no expected credit losses were recognised at the current or prior 
reporting date.

80  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulties in meeting its obligations as they fall due.

Liquidity risk is monitored, although it is recognised that the majority of the Company’s assets are invested in quoted 
equities and other quoted securities that are readily realisable. The Board has various limits in respect to how much 
of the Company’s assets can be invested in any one company. The unlisted investments in the portfolio are subject 
to liquidity risk, but such investments are in realisation mode and represent a very small part of the portfolio. 
Nonetheless limits remain for any such investments and liquidity risk would always be considered when making 
investment decisions in such securities. The Company has no concentration risk, the largest concentration is less 
than 6.3% (2022: 4.0%) of the Company’s total assets.

The Company maintains an appropriate level of non-investment related cash balances in order to finance its 
operations. The Company regularly monitors such cash balances to ensure all known or forecasted liabilities can be 
met. The Board receives regular reports on the level of the Company’s cash balances. The Company does not have 
any overdraft or other undrawn borrowing facilities to provide liquidity.

A maturity analysis of financial liabilities showing remaining contractual maturities is detailed below:

Due within
1 year
£000

Due
between
1 and
2 years
£000

 – 

 20,700 

 1,501 

 70 

 1,821

 3,392

 750 

 70 

 – 

 21,520 

2023

Due
between
2 and
3 years
£000

Due 3 years
and beyond
£000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Due within
1 year
£000

Due
between
1 and
2 years
£000

2022

Due
between
2 and
3 years
£000

Due 3 years
and beyond
£000

–

–

20,700 

 1,501 

1,501 

70 

–

750 

70 

–

1,571 

21,520 

–

–

–

–

–

Total
£000

 20,700 

 2,251 

 140 

 1,821

 24,912

Total
£000

20,700

3,752

210

1,123

25,785

Undiscounted cash flows

7.25% 2025 debenture stock

Interest on debenture stock

Payments due in respect of the lease liability

Trade payables and other liabilities*

Total liabilities from financing activities

Undiscounted cash flows

7.25% 2025 debenture stock 

Interest on debenture stock

Payments due in respect of the lease liability 

Trade payables and other liabilities* 

Total liabilities from financing activities 

70 

1,123 

2,694 

*  Excludes the current portion of the lease liability.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  81

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

Categories of financial assets and liabilities
The following table analyses the carrying amounts of the financial assets and liabilities by categories as defined in 
IFRS 9:

Financial assets

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Listed and unlisted investments

Other financial assets* 

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost**

2023
£000

2022
£000

139,679

131,598 

139,679

131,598 

10,883

7,155 

150,562

138,753 

22,610

22,610

 22,049 

22,049

*  

 Other financial assets include cash and cash equivalents, sales for future settlement, dividend and interest receivable and other receivables.

**    Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost include; debenture stock in issue, lease liability, purchases for future settlement, investment 

management fees, other payables and accrued expenses.

The investment portfolio has been valued in accordance with the accounting policy in note 1 to the accounts, i.e. 
at fair value. The lease liability carrying value is considered to be its fair value. The debenture stock is classified as 
level 3 under the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the debenture stock is calculated using a standard bond pricing 
method, using a redemption yield of a similar UK Gilt stock with an appropriate margin being applied.

£20.7m (2022: £20.7m) 7.25% 2025 debenture stock 

Book
Value
2023
£000

20,652

20,652

Book
Value
2022
£000

20,623 

20,623

Fair
Value
2023
£000

20,694

20,694

Fair
Value
2022
£000

20,817 

20,817

82  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

Capital Management Policies and Procedures
The Company’s capital management objectives are:

	Ÿ to ensure that it is able to continue as a going concern; and

	Ÿ to maximise the revenue and capital returns to its shareholders through a mix of equity capital and debt. The 
Board set a range for the Company’s net debt (comprised as debentures less cash) at any one time which is 
maintained by management of the Company’s cash balances.

Net Debt

Adjusted cash and cash equivalents* 

Debentures 

Lease liability 

Sub total 

Equity

Equity share capital 

Retained earnings and other reserves 

Equity Shareholders’ Funds 

Gearing

2023
£000

2022
£000

(9,062)

(6,032) 

20,652

20,623 

137

203 

11,727

14,794

5,299

5,299 

122,774

111,588 

128,073

116,887 

Net debt as a percentage of Equity Shareholders’ Funds 

9.2%

12.6% 

*    Adjusted cash and cash equivalents comprise cash plus current assets less current liabilities (excluding the current portion of the lease liability).

Maximum potential gearing represents the highest gearing percentage on the assumption that the Company had no 
net current assets. As at 30 September 2023 this was 16.2% (2022: 17.8%).

The Board monitors and reviews the broad structure of the Company’s capital on an ongoing basis. The review 
includes:

	Ÿ the level of gearing, taking into account Marylebone’s views on capital markets; and

	Ÿ the level of the Company’s free float of shares as the Barlow family owns approximately 54% of the share capital of 

the Company; and

	Ÿ the extent to which revenue in excess of that required to be distributed should be retained.

These objectives, policies and processes for managing capital are unchanged from the prior period. 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  83

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

22  Financial Instruments and Risk Profile (continued)

The Company is also subject to various externally imposed capital requirements which are that:

	Ÿ the debenture are not to exceed, in aggregate, 66 2/3% of the adjusted share capital and reserves in accordance 

with the relevant Trust Deed; and

	Ÿ the Company has to comply with statutory requirements relating to dividend distributions.

23  Fair Value Hierarchy Disclosures

The Company is required to classify fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance 
of the inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

	Ÿ Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

An active market is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and 
volume on an ongoing basis such that quoted prices reflect prices at which an orderly transaction would take 
place between market participants at the measurement date. Quoted prices provided by external pricing services, 
brokers and vendors are included in Level 1, if they reflect actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an 
arm’s length basis.

	Ÿ Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either 

directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices).

Level 2 inputs include the following:

	Ÿ quoted prices for similar (i.e. not identical) assets in active markets.

	Ÿ inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset (e.g. interest rates and yield curves observable 

at commonly quoted intervals).

	Ÿ inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other 

means (market corroborated inputs).

	Ÿ Level 3 – Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which an asset or liability is categorised is determined on the basis of the 
lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset. For this purpose, the significance of an 
input is assessed against the fair value measurement of an asset or liability in its entirety. If a fair value measurement 
uses observable inputs that require significant adjustment based on unobservable inputs, that measurement is 
a Level 3 measurement. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires 
judgement, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.

The determination of what constitutes ‘observable’ requires significant judgement by the Company. The Company 
considers observable data to be investments actively traded in organised financial markets, fair value is generally 
determined by reference to stock exchange quoted market bid prices at the close of business on the balance sheet 
date, without adjustment for transaction costs necessary to realise the asset.

84  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Financial Statements

23  Fair Value Hierarchy Disclosures (continued)

The table below sets out fair value measurements of financial assets in accordance with the IFRS fair value 
hierarchy system:

2023

2022

Level 1
£000

Level 2
£000

Level 3
£000

Total
£000

Level 1
£000

Level 2
£000

Level 3
£000

Total
£000

Financial assets/(liabilities) 
held at fair value through 
profit or loss

Direct Investments

 29,956 

 – 

External Managers

 – 

 91,611 

 – 

 – 

Special Investments

 2,647 

 2,372 

 8,068 

 13,087 

Fixed Interest

Other Investments

Forward foreign currency 
contracts

Forward foreign currency 
contracts

 4,325 

 651 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 128 

 (8)

 – 

 4,325 

 49 

 700 

 – 

 – 

 128 

 (8)

 29,956 

 53,822 

 – 

 91,611 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 77,727 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 49 

 – 

 – 

 53,822 

 77,727 

 – 

 – 

 49 

 – 

 – 

 37,579 

 94,103 

 8,117 

 139,799 

 53,822 

 77,727 

 49 

 131,598 

Investments whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets, and therefore are classified 
within Level 1, include active listed securities. The Company does not normally adjust the quoted price for these 
instruments (although it may invoke its fair value pricing policy in times of market disruption – this was not the case 
for 30 September 2023 or 2022).

Liquidity Analysis of Level 2 Investments as at 30 September 2023

Days to redeem

Value of investments - £000

% total of Level 2 investments

0-30

6,068

6.46%

30-90

64,431

90-365

18,458

>365

5,026

Total

93,983

68.55%

19.64%

5.35%

100.00%

Financial instruments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active but are valued based on quoted 
market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs are classified within 
Level 2. Also included within Level 2 are externally managed funds and certain special investments – the Net Asset 
Values (“NAVs”) of these investments are obtained from third-party fund administrators on a monthly basis (a small 
number are on a weekly basis) and are considered by the Company to represent fair value of the underlying assets. 
As noted in the liquidity disclosure above, these investments do have varying liquidity terms, some of which extend 
beyond ninety calendar days. However, all subscriptions or redemptions take place at the calculated NAVs and the 
Company therefore concludes that these represent fair value of the underlying assets at the respective measurement 
date. Certain Level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to 
transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect liquidity and/or non-transferability, which are generally 
based on available market information.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  85

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
 
Financial Statements

Notes to the Accounts

23  Fair Value Hierarchy Disclosures (continued)

Investments categorised within Level 3 include Projects Bungalow, Sherpa and Diameter. The individual investments 
underlying each of these Projects are single active listed securities with quoted market prices. However, as they are 
held via U.S. Limited Partnership structures and distributions will only be made when each General Partner liquidates 
the underlying investment, the Company believes it prudent to categorise these investments within Level 3. Other 
investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs. As observable prices are not available 
for these securities, the Company has used valuation techniques to derive the fair value. In respect of unquoted 
instruments, or where the market for a financial instrument is not active, fair value is established by using recognised 
valuation methodologies, in accordance with IPEV Valuation Guidelines and based on the net asset value provided by 
the relevant general partner. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability 
in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The following table presents the movement in Level 3 instruments for the year:

Opening balance

Purchase of investments

2023

2022

Total
£000

Investments
£000

Total
£000

Investments
£000

 49 

 49 

 25,201 

 25,201 

 9,063 

 9,063 

 – 

 – 

Proceeds from sale of investments

 (1,818)

 (1,818)

 (20,912)

 (20,912)

Realised gains on disposal

Unrealised gains/(losses)

 252 

 571 

 252 

 571 

 – 

 – 

 (4,240)

 (4,240)

 8,117 

 8,117 

 49 

 49 

24  Related Party Transactions and Transactions with the Manager

Fees payable during the year to the Directors of the Company are considered to be related party transactions.

Remuneration
The remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Company, is set out below in 
aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24: Related Party disclosures. There are no amounts outstanding 
at 30 September 2023 for Directors fees or salary (2022: Nil). Further information about the remuneration of 
individual Directors is provided in the audited section of the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on page 39.

Short term employee benefits 

2023
£000

374

374

2022
£000

378 

378 

Since 25 January 2023, the Company has an agreement with Marylebone for the provision of investment 
management services. Prior to 25 January 2023, the Company had an agreement with Liontrust for the provision of 
investment management services. Details of fees earned during the year are disclosed in note 4.

25  Subsequent Events

With the exception of the dividend paid on 8 December 2023, there have been no events subsequent to the year end, 
which the Directors consider would have a material impact on the financial statements.

86  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
Financial Statements

Alternative Investment Fund Managers 
Directive (“AIFMD”) (Non Audited Section)

In accordance with the AIFMD, information in relation to the Company’s leverage and the remuneration of the 
Company’s AIFM, Marylebone Partners LLP, is required to make available to investors in accordance with the 
Directive, the AIFM’s remuneration policy and remuneration disclosures in respect of the year ended 30 September 
2023 are available from Marylebone Partners LLP on request.

Leverage is similar to gearing (as calculated in accordance with AIC guidelines previously), but the UK AIFMD mandates 
a certain calculation methodology which must be applied. Leverage as calculated under the UK AIFMD methodology 
for the Company is:

Gross Method

Investments held at fair value through profit or loss 

Forward foreign exchange contracts

Total investments at exposure value as defined under the UK AIFMD 

Shareholders’ funds 

Leverage (times) 

Commitment Method

Investments held at fair value through profit or loss 

Forward foreign exchange contracts

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total investments at exposure value as defined under the UK AIFMD 

Shareholders’ funds 

Leverage (times) 

2023
£000

2022
£000

139,679

131,598 

120

–

139,799

131,598 

128,073

116,887 

1.09

1.12 

2023
£000

2022
£000

139,679

131,598 

120

5,441

–

6,746 

145,240

138,344 

128,073

116,887 

1.13

1.18 

The leverage figures calculated above represent leverage as calculated under the gross and commitment methods 
as defined under the UK AIFMD (a figure of 1 represents no leverage or gearing). The two methods differ in their 
treatment of amounts outstanding under derivative contracts with the same counterparty, which are not applicable 
to the Company, and of the treatment of cash balances. In both methods the Company has included the debenture 
by including the value of investments purchased by those borrowings, rather than their balance sheet value. The 
Company’s leverage limit under the UK AIFMD is 1.5 times, which equates to a borrowing level of 50% (the Company 
has not exceeded this limit at any time during the year or the prior year).

These requirements are unchanged from the prior year and the Company has complied with them.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  87

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceInformation 
Information

Alternative Performance Measures

Alternative Performance Measures are numerical 
measures of the Company’s current, historical or future 
performance, financial position or cash flows, other than 
financial measures defined or specified in the applicable 
financial framework. The Company’s applicable financial 
framework includes IFRS and the AIC SORP. The 
Directors assess the Company’s performance against a 
range of criteria which are viewed as particularly relevant 
for closed-end investment companies. The Alternative 
Performance Measures chosen are widely used in the 
investment trust sector and thus provide information for 
users of the accounts to compare the results with other 
closed-end investment companies.

NAV Total Return (debt at par value)

NAV total return is the increase/(decrease) in NAV per 
Ordinary share plus dividends paid, which are assumed 
to be reinvested at the time the share price is quoted 
ex-dividend.

Opening NAV

Decrease/(increase) in NAV  
per Ordinary share

Closing NAV

2023

2022

220.6p

287.1p

21.1p

(66.5)p

241.7p

220.6p

% Increase/(decrease) in NAV

9.6% (23.1)%

Share Price Total Return

Impact of dividends reinvested*

4.6%

3.3%

Share price total return is the increase/(decrease) in 
share price plus dividends paid, which are assumed to be 
reinvested at the time the share price is quoted ex-dividend.

NAV total return

14.2% (19.8)%

*  The impact of dividends reinvested assumes that the dividends paid 
by the Company were reinvested into shares of the Company at the 
ex-dividend date.

Opening share price

2023

2022

163.5p 230.0p

Total Assets

Increase/(decrease) in share price

33.0p

(66.5)p

Closing share price

196.5p

163.5p

% Increase/(decrease) in share price

20.2% (30.4)%

Impact of dividends reinvested*

6.0%

5.5%

Total shareholder return

26.2% (24.9)%

*  The impact of dividends reinvested assumes that the dividend paid 
by the Company were reinvested into shares of the Company at the 
ex-dividend date.

NAV Total Return (debt at fair value)

NAV total return is the increase/(decrease) in NAV per 
Ordinary share plus dividends paid, which are assumed 
to be reinvested at the time the share price is quoted 
ex-dividend.

Opening NAV

Increase/(decrease) in NAV  
per Ordinary share

Closing NAV

2023

2022

220.5p

281.4p

21.1p

(60.9)p

241.6p

220.5p

% Increase/(decrease) in NAV

9.6% (21.7)%

Impact of dividends reinvested*

4.5%

3.5%

NAV total return

14.1% (18.2)%

*  The impact of dividends reinvested assumes that the dividends paid 
by the Company were reinvested into shares of the Company at the 
ex-dividend date.

88  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Total assets are defined as total assets less current 
liabilities.

Financial Liabilities – Debt at par or fair value

Par value is the carrying value of the debenture which 
will equate to the nominal value at maturity. Fair value 
is the estimated market value the Company would pay 
(on the relevant reporting date), as a willing buyer, to a 
debenture holder, as a willing seller, in an arms-length 
transaction.

Gearing and Potential Gearing

Gearing represents the amount of borrowing that a 
company has and is calculated using the Association 
of Investment Companies (AIC) guidance. It is usually 
expressed as a percentage of equity shareholders’ 
funds and a positive percentage or ratio above one 
shows the extent of the level of borrowings. Gearing is 
calculated as borrowings less net current assets to arrive 
at a net borrowings figure. Potential Gearing excludes 
net current assets from the calculation. Details of the 
calculation for the Company are in note 22 on page 83.

Net Asset Value

The net asset value (“NAV”) is the value of all of the 
Company’s assets less all liabilities. The NAV is usually 
expressed as an amount per share.

Information

Discount (debt at fair value)

Ongoing Charges

The amount by which the Ordinary share price is 
lower than the NAV per Ordinary share. The discount 
is normally expressed as a percentage of the NAV 
per share.

NAV per Ordinary 
share

Share Price

Discount

a

b

c

2023

2022

241.6p

220.5p

196.5p

163.5p

c=(b—a)/a

18.7% 25.8%

Discount (debt at par value)

The amount by which the Ordinary share price is 
lower than the NAV per Ordinary share. The discount 
is normally expressed as a percentage of the NAV 
per share.

Ratio of expenses as a percentage of average daily 
shareholders’ funds calculated as per the Association of 
Investment Companies industry standard method.

Investment management 
fee

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

 607 

 301 

Administration expenses

 2,123 

 1,419 

Less: non-recurring 
charges

Add: Effect of management 
fee holiday

 (742)

 133 

–

–

Ongoing charges

Average net assets

a

b

 2,121

 1,720 

 128,983  134,587

Ongoing Charges Ratio (%) c

c=a/b

1.6%

1.3%

NAV per Ordinary 
share

Share Price

Discount

a

b

c

2023

2022

Ongoing charges of 
underlying funds

241.7p

220.6p

196.5p

163.5p

Ongoing Charges Ratio 
plus look through 
fund costs

c=(b—a)/a

18.7% 25.9%

0.4%

–

2.0%

1.3%

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  89

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Statements 
Information

Notice of Meeting

This Notice of Meeting is an important document. If shareholders are in any doubt as to what action to take, they should 
consult an appropriate independent advisor.

Notice is hereby given that the one hundred and thirteenth Annual General Meeting of Majedie Investments PLC (“the 
Company”) will be held at Pewterers’ Hall, Oat Lane, London EC2V 7DE on 17 January 2024 at 12 noon for the purpose of 
transacting the following:

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Resolutions of which Resolutions 1 to 13 will be proposed as Ordinary 
Resolutions and Resolutions 14 to 16 shall be proposed as Special Resolutions. All business to be transacted at the Annual 
General Meeting is Ordinary Business.

Ordinary Resolutions

1. 

 To receive and adopt the Company’s annual report and audited financial statements for the financial year ended 
30 September 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”).

2.   To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 September 2023.

3.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration policy.

4.   To approve the Company’s dividend policy.

5.   To re-elect CD Getley as a Director.

6.  To re-elect JM Lewis as a Director.

7.  To re-elect AMJ Little as a Director.

8.  To re-elect JWM Barlow as a Director.

9.  To re-elect RW Killingbeck as a Director.

10.  To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as auditors.

11.  To authorise the Directors to fix the auditor’s remuneration.

12.  THAT the maximum aggregate sum available for Directors’ fees for their services in accordance with the Articles of 

Association be £350,000 per annum.

13.  THAT for the purposes of section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 the Directors be generally and unconditionally 
authorised to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or convert 
any securities into, ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) up to a 
maximum number of 5,294,579 Ordinary Shares, provided that:

a) 

 the authority granted shall (unless previously revoked or renewed) expire at the conclusion of the next annual 
general meeting of the Company in 2025, or if earlier, on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this 
Resolution; and

b)   the authority shall allow and enable the Directors to make an offer or agreement before the expiry of that 

authority which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors 
may allot relevant securities in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if that authority had not expired.

Special Resolutions

14.  THAT, subject to the passing of resolution 13 above, the Directors be empowered in accordance with sections 

570 and 573 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 of 
the Act) of the Company for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by resolution, and/or by way of a sale of 
treasury shares for cash, as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that:

90  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
 
Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

a) 

 the power granted shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities wholly for cash up to a maximum 
number of 5,294,579 Ordinary Shares;

b)   the authority granted shall (unless previously revoked) expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General 

Meeting of the Company in 2025 or if earlier, 15 months after the passing of this resolution; and

c) 

 the said power shall allow and enable the Directors to make an offer or agreement before the expiry of that 
power which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may 
allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if that power had not expired.

15.  THAT the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with Section 701 

of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 693 of the Act) of 
ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”), provided that:

a) 

 the maximum number of Ordinary Shares hereby authorised to be purchased shall be 7,944,519, or if less, 
14.99% of the number of shares in circulation immediately prior to the passing of this Resolution;

b)   the minimum price which may be paid for each Ordinary Share is 10p;

c) 

 the maximum price payable by the Company for each Ordinary Share is the higher of:

(i)   105% of the average of the middle market quotations of Ordinary Shares as derived from the London Stock 

Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days prior to the date of the market purchase; and

(ii)   the higher of the price of the last independent trade of an Ordinary Share and the highest current 

independent bid for an Ordinary Share on the London Stock Exchange at the time the purchase is carried out.

d)   the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the 

Company in 2025 or, if earlier, on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this Resolution, unless such 
authority is renewed prior to such time; and

e)   the Company may enter into a contract to purchase Ordinary Shares under the authority hereby conferred 

prior to the expiry of such authority which will or may be completed or executed wholly or partly after the 
expiration of such authority and may make a purchase of Ordinary Shares pursuant to any such contract.

16.  THAT the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised to hold general meetings (other 

than annual general meetings) on 14 clear days’ notice, provided that this authority will expire at the conclusion of 
the next Annual General Meeting of the Company in 2025.

By order of the Board

Juniper Partners Limited
Company Secretary 

15 December 2023

Registered Office
Dashwood House
69 Old Broad Street
London EC2M 1QS

Registered in England Number: 00109305

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information

Notice of Meeting

Explanation of Notice of Annual General Meeting

Resolution 1 – To receive and adopt the 2023 Annual Report
The Directors are required to present the financial statements, Directors’ report, and Auditor’s report to the meeting. 
These are contained in the 2023 Annual Report. A resolution to receive and adopt the financial statements, together 
with the Directors’ report and the Auditor’s report on those accounts for the financial period ended 30 September 
2023 is included as an ordinary resolution.

Resolution 2 – Directors’ Remuneration Report
Reflecting the remuneration reporting regime which came into effect on 1 October 2013, shareholders have an annual 
advisory vote on the report on Directors’ remuneration. Accordingly, shareholders are being asked to vote on the 
receipt and approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report as set out on pages 36 to 41 of the 2023 Annual Report.

Resolution 3 – Directors’ Remuneration Policy
A resolution is required to be put to shareholders every three years to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. As 
the policy was last approved at the 2021 AGM, it is due to be approved by shareholders at the upcoming AGM in 2024. 
The proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy can be found on page 37 of the 2023 Annual Report. This is a binding 
policy and, after it takes effect, the Directors will not be entitled to remuneration unless that payment is consistent 
with the approved policy or has been approved by a resolution of the shareholders of the Company. If Resolution 3 is 
approved, the policy will take effect from 1 October 2023. Shareholders will be given a binding vote on the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy at least every three years, and whenever changes are proposed to be made to the Policy.

Resolution 4 – Dividend Policy
The Company’s dividend policy is to pay quarterly dividends which are expected to comprise approximately 0.75% of 
the relevant quarter end net asset value (“NAV”) leading to an annual dividend target of approximately 3%.

Resolutions 5 to 9 – Re-election of Directors
The Company’s Articles of Association require that at every Annual General Meeting any Director who has not retired 
from office at the preceding two Annual General Meetings shall stand for re-election by the Company. Despite this, and 
in line with good corporate governance, all of the Directors have chosen to put themselves up for annual re-election.

Full biographies of all the Directors are set out in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report and are also available for 
viewing on the Company’s website http://www.majedieinvestments.com/overview. Summaries of the biographies are 
included below.

Christopher D Getley
Christopher has over 25 years’ experience at senior level in financial services. He has extensive knowledge of 
the investment industry as a Partner and Fund Manager at Cazenove & Co and as a Director at Deutsche Asset 
Management. Subsequently, he was CEO of Westhouse Securities, an institutional stockbroker. He is currently 
Executive Chairman of AgPlus Diagnostics Limited and non-executive chairman of Masawara PLC, an investment 
company focused on patient private equity capital in Southern Africa.

Jane M Lewis
Jane is an investment trust specialist with extensive experience within the sector. Her position as Chairman of CT UK 
Capital and Income PLC along with her other investment trust directorships allow her to provide invaluable insights 
and to rigorously assess and challenge the performance of the investment manager.

92  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

A Mark J Little
Mark has an extensive knowledge of the investment industry, having previously served as the Managing Director 
of Barclays Wealth Scotland and Northern Ireland. Prior to this role he was Global Head of Automotive Research 
at Deutsche Bank having previously qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse. He is currently 
a non-executive director and Audit Chair of STS Global Income & Growth Trust plc, Blackrock Smaller Companies 
Trust PLC and abrdn Equity Income Trust PLC. He also acts as a consultant to Lindsays LLP and North Capital Wealth 
Management.

Sir J William M Barlow Bt.
William has extensive experience within, and knowledge of, the investment management sector. This enables him 
to rigorously assess and challenge the investment manager on strategy and performance. Mr Barlow’s tenure 
with Majedie Investments PLC gives him invaluable insight into the Company and his experience in investment 
management placed him in a strong position to advise on matters such as asset allocation.

Richard W Killingbeck
Richard brings to the Board over 35 years’ experience in the financial services sector. He is currently Managing 
Director at Harris Allday, managing circa £3bn AUM, bringing to the Board valuable knowledge in asset allocation and 
management. This allows Mr Killingbeck to be able to effectively assess and challenge the investment manager on 
performance and strategy. In addition, in his role as director and latterly Chairman of the Bankers Investment Trust, 
he brings broad investment trust experience to the Board.

Resolutions 10 and 11 – Re-appointment and Remuneration of Auditor
At each meeting at which the Company’s financial statements are presented to its members, the Company is 
required to appoint an auditor to serve until the next such meeting. The Board, on the recommendation of the Audit 
Committee, recommends the re-appointment of Ernst & Young LLP and gives authority to the Directors to determine 
the auditor’s remuneration.

Resolution 12 – Aggregate Directors’ Fees
The annual limit on Directors’ fees is set out in the Articles of Association. The present limit is £250,000 per annum 
and the approval of shareholders is required to change this limit. Following a review of the level of Directors’ fees 
for the year ended 30 September 2024 the aggregate fees payable to Directors will increase. In order to provide 
the Company with sufficient flexibility to appoint additional Directors as part of any refreshment of the Board it is 
proposed the annual limit be increased to £350,000 per annum. Resolution 12 seeks shareholder approval for the 
proposed increase in the annual limit on Directors’ fees within the Articles of Association.

Resolution 13 – Authority to allot ordinary shares
Resolution 13 authorises the Board to allot ordinary shares generally and unconditionally in accordance with Section 
551 of the Companies Act 2006 up to a maximum number of 5,294,579 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 
10% of the issued ordinary share capital at the date of the Notice. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury.

No ordinary shares will be issued at a price less than the prevailing net asset value per Ordinary Share at the time of 
issue. This authority shall expire at the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2025.

Resolution 14 – Authority to dis-apply pre-emption rights
Resolution 14 is a special resolution which is being proposed to authorise the Directors to disapply the pre-emption 
rights of existing shareholders in relation to issues of ordinary shares under Resolution 13 (being a maximum number 
of 5,294,579 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 10% of the issued ordinary share capital at the date of the 
Notice). This authority shall expire at the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2025.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  93

 
Information

Notice of Meeting

Resolution 15 Purchase of Own Shares
Resolution 15 is a special resolution that will grant the Company authority to make market purchases of up to 
7,944,519 Ordinary Shares, representing 14.99% of the ordinary shares in issue as at the date of the Notice.

The maximum price which may be paid for each Ordinary Share must not be more than the higher of (i) 105% of the 
average of the mid-market values of the Ordinary Shares for the five business days before the purchase is made or (ii) 
the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid for the Ordinary Shares 
at the time the purchase is carried out. The minimum price which may be paid for each ordinary share is 10p.

The Directors would not exercise the authority granted under this resolution unless they consider it to be in the 
best interests of shareholders. Purchases would be made in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006 and the Listing Rules. This authority shall expire at the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2025 at which it is 
intended that a resolution to renew the authority will be proposed.

Resolution 16 – Notice Period for General Meetings
Resolution 16 is a special resolution that will give the Directors the ability to convene general meetings, other than 
annual general meetings, on a minimum of 14 clear days’ notice. The minimum notice period for annual general 
meetings will remain at 21 clear days. This authority would provide the Company with flexibility where action needs 
to be taken quickly but will only be used where the Directors consider it in the best interests of shareholders to do 
so and the matter is required to be dealt with expediently. The approval will be effective until the Company’s Annual 
General Meeting to be held in 2025, at which it is intended that a resolution to renew the authority will be proposed.

Recommendation
Full details of the above resolutions are contained in the Notice. The Directors consider that all the resolutions to be 
proposed at the Annual General Meeting are in the best interests of the Company and its members as a whole. The 
Directors unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of all the resolutions, as they intend to do in 
respect of their own beneficial holdings.

Note 1
A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting may appoint one or more persons as his/her proxy to attend, 
speak and vote on his/her behalf at the meeting. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. If multiple proxies 
are appointed, they must not be appointed in respect of the same shares. To be effective, a copy of the enclosed 
personalised form of proxy, together with any power of attorney or other authority under which it is signed or a 
certified copy thereof, should be lodged at the office of the Company’s Registrar, not later than 48 hours before 
(excluding weekends and bank holidays) the time of the meeting or any adjustment thereof. The appointment of a 
proxy will not prevent a member from attending the meeting and voting in person if he/she so wishes. A member 
present in person or by proxy shall have one vote on a show of hands. On a vote by poll every member present in 
person or by proxy shall have one vote for every ordinary share of which he/she is the holder. The termination of the 
authority of a person to act as proxy must be notified to the Company in writing.

To appoint more than one proxy, shareholders will need to complete a separate proxy form in relation to each 
appointment (you may photocopy the proxy form), stating clearly on each proxy form how many shares the proxy is 
appointed in relation to. A failure to specify the number of shares each proxy appointment relates to or specifying an 
aggregate number of shares in excess of those held by the member will result in the proxy appointment being invalid. 
Please indicate if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions being given. All proxy forms must be signed and 
should be returned together in the same envelope.

94  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Overview

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Information

Shareholders may appoint a proxy electronically rather than completing a hard copy proxy form. To do so, go to 
Computershare’s URL: www.investorcentre.co.uk/eproxy where the following details, which can be found on your 
proxy card or in an email received from Computershare, will be required:

	Ÿ the meeting control number.

	Ÿ your shareholder reference number; and

	Ÿ your unique pin codes.

For the electronic proxy to be valid it must be received by Computershare no later than 12.00 noon on Monday, 
15 January 2024.

Note 2
In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders’ purports to appoint a proxy, only the 
appointment submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the 
names of the joint holders appear in the register of members in respect of the joint holding (the first-named being 
the most senior).

Note 3
Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person nominated under Section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 
to enjoy information rights (a “Nominated Person”) may, under an agreement between him/her and the member by 
whom he/she was nominated, have a right to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the 
Annual General Meeting. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not wish to exercise it, 
he/she may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the member as to the exercise of voting 
rights. The statements of the rights of members in relation to the appointment of proxies in Note 2 above does not 
apply to a Nominated Person. The rights described in that Note can only be exercised by registered members of 
the Company.

Note 4
Pursuant to regulation 41(1) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, only those shareholders registered 
in the register of members of the Company as at close of business on 15 January 2024 shall be entitled to attend 
and vote at the aforesaid Annual General Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at 
that time. Changes to entries on the relevant register of members after close of business on 15 January 2024 (the 
specified time) shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the meeting. If the 
meeting is adjourned to a time not more than 48 hours after the specified time applicable to the original meeting, 
that time will also apply for the purpose of determining the entitlement of members to attend and vote (and for 
the purpose of determining the number of votes they may cast) at the adjourned Meeting. If, however, the Meeting 
is adjourned for a longer period then, to be so entitled, members must be entered on the Company’s register of 
members at the time which is 48 hours before the time fixed for the adjourned Meeting or, if the Company gives 
notice of the adjourned Meeting, at the time specified in that notice.

Note 5
CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service 
may do so for this meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual, 
which is available to download from the Euroclear website (www.euroclear.com/CREST). CREST Personal Members 
or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), 
should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on 
their behalf.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  95

 
Information

Notice of Meeting

In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate CREST 
message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear’s specifications 
and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message, 
regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment of a proxy or to an amendment to the instruction given to 
a previously appointed proxy must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer’s agent 
(ID 3RA50) by the latest time(s) for receipt of proxy appointments specified in the notice of meeting. For this purpose, 
the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST 
Applications Host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner 
prescribed by CREST. After this time any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be 
communicated to the appointee through other means.

CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that Euroclear 
does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system timings and 
limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST 
member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member or sponsored member or has 
appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such 
action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular 
time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers are 
referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system 
and timings.

The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5) (a) of the 
Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.

Note 6
As at the date of this Notice, the Company’s issued share capital comprised 52,998,795 Ordinary Shares carrying one 
vote each, with no Ordinary Shares held in treasury. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company was 52,998,795.

Note 7
In accordance with Section 319A of the Companies Act 2006, the Company must cause any question relating to the 
business being dealt with at the meeting put by a member attending the meeting to be answered. No such answer 
need be given if:

a)  to do so would:

(i)  interfere unduly with the preparation for the meeting; or

(ii)  involve the disclosure of confidential information;

b)  the answer has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question; or

c) 

it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the meeting that the question be answered.

Note 8
Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate representative(s) who may exercise, on its 
behalf, all its powers as a member provided that no more than one corporate representative exercises powers in 
relation to the same shares.

96  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

 
 
Information

Note 9
Shareholders should note that it is possible that, pursuant to requests made by shareholders of the Company under 
section 527 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company may be required to publish on a website a statement setting 
out any matter relating to: (i) the audit of the Company’s accounts (including the Auditor’s Report and the conduct of 
the audit) that are to be laid before the Annual General Meeting; or (ii) any circumstance connected with an auditor 
of the Company ceasing to hold office since the previous meeting at which annual accounts and reports were laid in 
accordance with section 437 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company may not require the shareholders requesting 
any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with sections 527 or 528 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Where the Company is required to place a statement on a website under section 527 of the Companies Act 2006, it 
must forward the statement to the Company’s auditor not later than the time when it makes the statement available 
on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the Annual General Meeting includes any statement that the 
Company has been required under section 527 of the Companies Act 2006 to publish on a website.

Note 10
A copy of this notice and any subsequent notices in respect of section 388A and any information required under 
section 311A of the Companies Act 2006 will be available on the Company’s website www.majedieinvestments.com.

Note 11
The terms and conditions of appointment of Directors will be available for inspection at the registered office of the 
Company during usual business hours on any weekday (except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) until the date 
of the Meeting and at the place of the Meeting for a period of fifteen minutes prior to and during the Meeting.

Note 12
You may not use any electronic address provided either in this Notice of Meeting or any related documents (including 
the form of proxy) to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than these expressly stated.

Note 13
If a shareholder receiving this notice has sold or transferred all shares in the Company, this notice and any other 
relevant documents (e.g., form of proxy) should be passed to the person through whom the sale or transfer was 
affected, for transmission to the purchaser.

Note 14
Personal data provided by shareholders at or in relation to the Meeting will be processed in line with the Company’s 
privacy policy.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  97

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Statements 
Information

Shareholder Information

Investment Manager and Alternative Investment 
Fund Manager

Marylebone Partners LLP
Second Floor
35 Portman Square
London W1H 6LR
Telephone: 020 3468 9910
Email: info@marylebonepartners.com

Company Secretary

Juniper Partners Limited
28 Walker Street
Edinburgh EH3 7HR

Registered Office 

Dashwood House
69 Old Broad Street
London EC2M 1QS
Registered Number: 00109305 England

Depositary

J.P. Morgan Europe Limited
25 Bank Street
Canary Wharf
London E14 5JP

The Depositary acts as global custodian and may delegate 
safekeeping to one or more global sub-custodians. The 
Depositary has delegated safekeeping of the assets of the 
Company to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

Solicitor

Dickson Minto W.S. 
69 Old Broad Street
London EC2M 1QS

Website

www.majedieinvestments.com

Registrars

Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS99 6ZZ
Telephone: 0370 707 1159

Shareholders should notify all changes of name and 
address in writing to the Registrars. Shareholders may 
check details of their holdings, historical dividends, graphs 
and other data by accessing www.investorcentre.co.uk.

Shareholders wishing to receive communications from 
the Registrars by email (including notification of the 
publication of the annual and interim reports) should 
register on-line at www.investorcentre.co.uk/ecomms. 
Shareholders will need their shareholder number, shown 
on their share certificate and dividend vouchers, in order 
to access both of the above services.

Auditors

Ernst & Young LLP 
25 Churchill Place 
Canary Wharf
London E14 5EY

Stockbrokers

J.P. Morgan Cazenove 
25 Bank Street 
London E14 5JP

ISIN

Ordinary: GB0005555221
Debenture 7.25% 31/03/2025: GB0006733058

Ticker

Ordinary: MAJE
Debenture 7.25% 31/03/2025: BD22

Sedol

Ordinary: 0555522
Debenture 7.25% 31/03/2025: 0673305

98  MAJEDIE INVESTMENTS PLC

Information

Key Dates in 2024

Capital Gains Tax

17 January 2024
Annual General Meeting 
May 2024
Interim results announcement 
30 September 2024 
Financial year end 
Final results announcement 
December 2024 
Annual Report mailed to shareholders  December 2024

For capital gains tax purposes the adjusted market price 
of the Company’s shares at 31 March 1982 was 35.875p 
per 10p share. Former shareholders of Barlow Holdings 
PLC are recommended to consult their professional 
advisers in this regard.

Website

www.majedieinvestments.com

Share Price

The share price is quoted daily in The Times, Financial 
Times and The Daily Telegraph. You may purchase shares 
through a web-based investment platform or via your 
stockbroker or bank.

Net Asset Value

The Company announces its net asset value through the 
London Stock Exchange and on its website. The Financial 
Times publishes daily estimates of the net asset value 
and discount.

Warning to shareholders

Please be aware that there has been an increase in 
reports of share scams, where fraudsters cold-call 
investors offering a range of financial propositions. 
Majedie Investments PLC has not and would not instruct 
any third party to make an offer to our shareholders 
or to act on our behalf in this way. Therefore, Majedie 
Investments PLC would like to remind its shareholders 
to remain vigilant at all times. If you are in any doubt, 
or have any concerns, regarding an offer to purchase 
shares by a third party, please contact Computershare.

To find out more information on how you can protect 
yourself, please visit the Financial Conduct Authority 
(FCA) website: www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart, or call the 
FCA’s consumer helpline: 0800 111 6768.

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023  99

OverviewStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Statements 
www.majedieinvestments.com